THE ICON Awards – rewarding those who have actively supported LGBT+ rights in Scotland – have announced their shortlist of nominees. The awards were founded last year as a way of encouraging and promoting diversity in Scotland, with prizes given to rising stars and role models who further the cause. The Sunday Herald sponsors the awards, but has no involvement in the nomination process.
Hannah Rodger, one of the Sunday Herald’s top journalists, has been nominated for the Media award. She said: “I’m delighted to have been nominated for this year’s Icon Awards as I feel passionately about LGBTI equality in Scotland. I’m grateful to the Sunday Herald for supporting my work – it is a paper which has always campaigned to raise awareness of important issues, such as homophobia and gender identity. I hope my articles have gone some way towards changing things for the LGBT community.”
More than 20,000 votes have been cast by the public in order to help determine the 2016 finalists for the awards. The final list of nominees was determined by a select committee, who will also decide on the winners.
Scott Barclay, chair of the Icon Awards, said on the judging and decision of finalists: “I am thrilled to present an inspirational group of candidates who have truly championed diversity in Scotland… I couldn’t be happier with our final nominees.”
This year, the award ceremony will take place on October 23 at the Hilton, Glasgow, and will feature performances from Chesney Hawkes and his band, as well as Glasgow samba band Samba Ya Bamba and Vangelis Polydorou, of BBC1’s The Voice.
SPIRIT AWARD
TIE Campaign
Champions LGBT+ education in schools
Susan Douglas-Scott; Lisa Charlwood-Green; Zero Tolerance, Edinburgh; Natalie Scott; Jan Irvine.
BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Paul Skovron – Clydesdale bank; Scott McMillan – AXM; Mark Tittle – Sky; John Dickinson – Tesco; Mick Jackson – Wildhearts.
VENUE OF THE YEAR
AXM, Glasgow; Habana Bar, Edinburgh; Glasgow Women’s Library, Glasgow; Spoon Cafe, Glasgow; CCA, Glasgow; Cheerz Bar, Aberdeen; Cringletie House, Peebles; Boudoir Bar, Glasgow; RollerStop Roller Rink, Glasgow; The Waterloo, Glasgow.
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR (OVER 200 EMPLOYEES)
Barclays; Clydesdale Bank; Sky; Golden Jubilee Hospital; ASDA; Tesco.
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR (UNDER 200 EMPLOYEES)
Coach Tech Assist; Social Bite; The Underground; Abandon Ship Apparel; 29 Studios; Boudoir Bar, Glasgow.
MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE YEAR
Pinksixty News; Coming Oot!; Hannah Rodger; Kate Adair; Kaleidoscope.
POLITICAL ICON
Angela Crawley MP; Hannah Bardell MP; Annie Wells MSP; Mhairi Black MP; Tara Morris; Derek Mackay MSP.
UNIFORMED ICON
Lucy Ridgeway – Scottish Prison Service; National Trans Police Association; Scottish Police Muslim Association; Jane Christie-Flight – NHS; Alan Sneddon - Gay Police Association.
SPORTING ICON
LEAP Sports; Miss-Hits & Judy Murray; Gordon Reid; Glasgow Alphas Rugby Team; Saltire Thistle.
CHARITY OF THE YEAR
Future Choices, Aberdeen; Unity Enterprise, Glasgow; Four Pillars, Aberdeen; LGBT Youth Scotland; Stonewall Scotland; Terrence Higgins Trust; Cash for Kids - Clyde One; Maryhill Integration Network, Glasgow; CRUSE Bereavement; Alzheimers Scotland.
CULTURAL ICON
Susan Calman; Jackie Kay; Annie Wallace; Val McDiarmid; Mark Vice.
WEDDING INDUSTRY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Pearl & Plum Photography, Glasgow; The Flowershop, Elderslie; Vogue Scotland, Glasgow; Asteria Bridal, Glasgow; Atholl Palace, Pitlochry.
BEAUTY INDUSTRY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Rehab Beauty Parlour, Dundee; Peaches Wax Bar, Glasgow; Chris Johnstone, Motherwell; Terry Dunn, Motherwell; Academy of Make Up, Glasgow.
EVENT OF THE YEAR
Homeless World Cup; Pride Glasgow; Edinburgh Pride; Pride House; Celebrate Aberdeen; Scottish Mental Health & Arts; Glasgow Mela; Broughty Ferry Gala Week; Edinburgh Fringe; Merchant City Festival.
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