Steps’ Ian ‘H’ Watkins honoured

Josh Parry

LGBT & Id Reporter

Reporting fromBritish LGBT Awards Crimson Carpet

Getty Images H from Steps wearing heavy eye make-up while smiling on the red carpet. He has a light blue suit with a large lacey bow on the left shoulder — Ian ‘H’ Watkins is the founding father of Cowbridge Delight and obtained a particular award recognising his work

Steps star Ian ‘H’ Watkins has been honoured on the British LGBT Awards.

Finest identified for being within the pop band, the singer was recognised for his work organising delight occasions and his advocacy for same-sex dad and mom.

Watkins is the founding father of Cowbridge Delight in Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, and places on the annual occasion to boost funds for native causes associated to the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.

He advised the BBC receiving the honour was an “emotional” second.

He stated: “Tonight is a very necessary night time, all nights like this, as a result of it is a celebration and there is a number of coronary heart. There’s actual individuals, there are actual tales.

“I feel individuals should keep in mind that when everyone goes residence they usually take their glam rags off, that is when the actual work begins.”

Actor Billy Porter, greatest identified for his position as Pray Inform in Pose, additionally obtained an award on the night time in recognition of his work on stage and display screen and for elevating consciousness of HIV prevention.

Accepting it by way of video message, he stated he was “humbled” and referred to as on the LGBTQ+ neighborhood to “come collectively and bear in mind love all the time wins.”

Talking in 2021, when Porter confirmed he was residing with HIV, he stated he had saved it a secret for 14 years however that talking about it helped him cease feeling ashamed of his prognosis.

Billy Porter accepted his award by way of video message

Getty Images Billy Porter poses on a red carpet wearing a zebra skin hat and a corset made of ropes and chains — Billy Porter accepted his award by way of video message

He made his identify on Broadway, successful a Tony Award for his position within the musical Kinky Boots in 2013.

The British LGBT awards are thought-about one of the important occasions for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and have been held yearly since 2014.

Lots of of celebrities, campaigners and LGBTQ+ allies attended this 12 months’s occasion.

Different honours given out on the night time included an award for the transgender neighborhood and one for being a star ally.

BBC presenter Scott Mills, who gained the LGBT+ advocacy award finally 12 months’s ceremony, was a co-host of the night time.

Comic Kemah Bob was co-host on the awards

Getty Images Kemah Bob smiles while posing for a photo on the red carpet wearing — Comic Kemah Bob was co-host on the awards

He advised BBC Information it was necessary the occasion additionally mirrored the work of enterprise leaders and firms selling inclusion.

He stated: “It is about making a extra inclusive society the place individuals are revered they usually really feel empowered at work and valued.

“It isn’t all about which superstar is right here, it is about on a regular basis locations making change for the higher.”

Sarah Garrett MBE, founding father of the awards, stated they had been about “celebrating our neighborhood and those that uplift it”.

Earlier winners embrace: Adele Roberts, for her work selling consciousness of bowel most cancers; Tom Daley, who gained the sports activities persona of the 12 months class, and Physician Who actor David Tennant.