THE flamboyant and beloved gay icon Conchita Wurst is to fly into Scotland to perform at the country's first LGBTI awards ceremony.

A string of celebrities including Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst are to appear at the inaugural Icon Awards 2015 in Glasgow next month.

The awards, which take place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel on October 9, recognise LGBTI (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) icons throughout Scotland - with nominees including leading sportspeople, lawyers, performers, politicians and businesses.

Wurst, who is from Austria and won Eurovision in 2013, will close the event and said she is excited to perform in Scotland for the first time.

The singer, who is also a well-known LGBTI activist, said: "I am very pleased to visit Scotland for the first time in my life. It is about time! To be at the night of the Icon Awards 2015 is a huge privilege for me and I hope the LGBTI community in Glasgow will have a fabulous and an encouraging night."

Other celebrities set to appear include Waterloo Road actress Heather Peace, singer Horse Macdonald and Scottish comedian Rhona Cameron.

The Sunday Herald is the media partner for the awards, which have received more than 20,000 votes cast by the public over the last eight weeks in 16 categories.

The shortlists have now been released and nominees include the Gay Police Association and Pride Glasgow in the community spirit section, and cyclist Graham Obree and wrestler Christopher Saynt in the sporting category.

Employees from the army, police, navy and NHS are also up for the Uniformed Icon award, while leading Scottish QC Derek Ogg features in the role model category. Sunday Herald journalist Vicky Allan is also up for an award.

Michael Macfarlane, event organiser for the awards said he has been "astounded" by the response from the public and "couldn’t be happier with the choices".

He added: "It’s very important to me that we get the public behind The Icon Awards, and let them decide who should go through, and I am delighted at the results.

"The sheer number of votes and the level of finalists show how far as a country we have come, and proves to me that the time is now to recognise what’s needed here in Scotland."

The night will raise funds for Edinburgh-based HIV and Hepatitis charity Waverley Care, with organisers hoping to raise a "substantial amount".

Grant Sugden, CEO of the charity, said the money raised on the night will be put to good use in caring for people affected by the diseases.

He said: "The ICON awards are a fantastic platform for Waverley Care to raise awareness of HIV and Hepatitis C in Scotland and we are delighted to be chosen as the beneficiary charity for the awards.

"Like the Icon Awards, at Waverley Care we celebrate diversity and no matter who we work with, we strive to make sure that every person we meet feels respected and encouraged.

"There is still so much work to do in the treatment and prevention of HIV and Hepatitis C.

"The money raised from the awards will be vital in helping us continue our work across Scotland reducing new infections, getting people diagnosed and supporting those affected both emotionally and practically."

Guests will enjoy a meal and drinks reception, as well as VIP goodie bags and transport to an after party at Light Nightclub where Conchita Wurst will be doing a meet and greet before flying back to Vienna in the early hours of the morning.

Politicians including Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson and the SNP's Mhairi Black are up for awards in the Politician of the Year category, which is sponsored by the Sunday Herald.

Nominees in the employer category include Glasgow City Council, Glasgow’s Manhattan Nails and The Royal Jubilee Hospital.

Other businesses including public relations firm Wire Media, clothing brand Abandon Ship Apparel, and George Square salon Rainbow Rooms International have also been shortlisted across the 18 categories.

BBC TV Series Transsexual Stories is up for the Media Portrayal category, while the night’s most prestigious award, The Icon Award, will go to an unsuspecting guest at the close of the evening.

Icon Awards chair Scott Barclay said the LGBTI community has done well in highlighting "unsung heroes".

He added: "It’s very important to recognise those that often go without any recognition at all, and picking the top five in these categories wasn’t easy for anyone involved.

"I firmly believe that the shortlists created reflect the LGBTI community across Scotland, and showcase the best of the LGBTI community across the country."

Nominees

Volunteer of the ?ear

Tommy Clarke, Safe Zone Edinburgh

David Sinclair, Pride Glasgow

Christopher Land, Castlemilk Youth Project

David Barclay, Beatson

Mark Mciver, Waverley Care

Community Spirit

Gay Police Association

Pride Glasgow

Loud & proud Choir

highland LGBT Forum

Saltire Thistle

Uniformed Icon

Dougie Graham, Army LGBT

Frazer Robertson, British Transport Police

Douglas S Ward, Royal Navy

JANE Christie Flight, NHS

Alan Sneddon, Police

Sporting

Saltire Thistle

Graham Obree

Leap Sports

Glasgow Frontrunners

Christopher Saynt

Role Model

Scott Rennie

Karen Dumbar

Derek OGG QC

Jai Latto

Jenny Robertson

Julie Clarke

Journalist

Peter Ross, SOS

Vicky Allan, H&T

Karen Greenshields, STV

Gerry Cassidy, STV Glasgow

Andrew Paige, Kaleidoscot

Politician of the Year

Ruth Davidson

Patrick Harvie

Angela Crawley

Mhairi Black

Derek Mackay

Businessperson of the year

Nick Cohen, PCR

John Amabile, Amabile Designs

Lee Beatie, Wire Media

Steven Mcleod, Aurora Hotel Collection

Craig Mathieson, CM Financial

Wedding Venue of the year

29 Private Members Club

The Corinthian Club

Culzean Castle

Pollock House

The Parsonage

Venue of the year

The Waterloo Bar, Glasgow

Planet OUT, Edinburgh

Cheerz, Aberdeen

Cafe Habana, Edinburgh

Katies Bar, Glasgow

Rusty Nail, Ayr

Underground Bar, Glasgow

AXM, Glasgow

Speakeasy, Glasgow

Marriott Hotel, Glasgow

Entertainer of the year

Volcanic Ash

Tom Harlow

Allan Jay

Business of the year

Amabile Designs

Cafe Nom De Plume

Ginger & Lime Events

Scotland Redefined

Fergus & Glover

Xpression Photography

Wire Media

Bombshell management

Pets N Vets

Abandon Ship Apparel

Marketing Campaign of the year

#Be Happy, Pride Glasgow

#RainbowLaces, Stonewall

Gilead Sciences, ChemSex campaign

SHHH!, LGBT Youth Scotland

Gay Is Ok, Lush

Employer of the year

Tesco/Tesco Bank

Barclays Bank

RBS

Balfour Beatty

Manhattan Nails

Army

Royal Navy

Jubilee Hospital

Mariott Hotels

Wheatley Group

Glasgow City Council

Media portrayal award

Transexual Stories, Peachtree Films, BBC

Stonewall Movie

STV Glasgow

BBC River City

Beauty Industry award

Terry Dunn Hair

Illamasqua

Sarah Hill

Butterfly Medi Spaa

Rainbow Rooms George Square

Craig Andrew Hair

Facelook Beauty

Glamgenderdolls

Lush

Star Tanning & Beauty

Straight Ally Award

Michelle Visage