Sam Smith and Kelly Holmes lead the winners at the 2023 Bank of London Rainbow Honours Awards
By Laura Fox and Ellie Phillips For Mailonline
21:06 17 May 2023, updated 21:54 17 May 2023
The winners for the 2023 Bank of London Rainbow Honours Awards have been announced, as stars descended on London’s Natural History Museum on Wednesday.
Leading the victors was Sam Smith, who beat out tough competition including Adam Lambert to be crowned Musician Of The Year.
Double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes, who came out as gay in 2022, was honoured with Celebrity Champion of the Year – beating Graham Norton, Tom Daley and Philip Schofield.
Hosted by fashion icon Gok Wan and TV personality Anna Richardson, the Rainbow Honours celebrate leading LGBT+ activists, allies and celebrity figures who have worked to advance the rights of LGBT+ people during the past 12 months.
Other big winners included Scotland’s former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, scooping the coveted Celebrity Ally Award and EastEnders, who scooped Media Moment of the Year for its Suki and Eve lesbian affair storyline.
Big names from music, entertainment and television all turned out for the LGBTQI extravaganza.
Loose Women’s Denise Welch, Blue’s Duncan James, Sinitta, Dr Ranj Singh and broadcaster and X Factor winner Joe McElderry all graced the red carpet at the event organised by LGBTQI rights campaigner Linda Riley.
Sam, who shot to fame in 2014 with their smash hit Stay with Me, was named Musician of the Year, beating out Eméli Sande, Adam Lambert and Becky Hill.
Scotland’s former First Minister Nicola, who fought tirelessly for LGBTQI rights while in office, beat Daniel Radcliffe, Dawn French and Suranne Jones to scoop the Celebrity Ally gong.
BBC soap EastEnders scooped Media Moment of the Year for its Suki and Eve lesbian affair storyline.
Jake and Hannah Graf, who in 2020 became the UK’s first transgender parents, were named Campaigner of the Year. The couple have helped champion the national conversation around trans equality.
The home improvement retailer and garden centre, Wickes, was recognised with Large Brand of the Year while Tyler Lee and Austin Key of global manufacturer Unbeliever was bestowed with Outstanding Network Lead.
UK Black Pride, which is Europe’s largest celebration for LBTQI plus people of black, asian and minority ethnic descent, collected the Community Initiative of the Year prize.
Meanwhile the largest LGBTQI rights organisation in Europe, Stonewall, were given the prestigious Charity of the Year award.
The EastEnders actor, politician and LGBTQI activist Lord Michael Cashman CBE was handed the highly coveted Lifetime Achievement accolade.
The Member of the House of Lords gave an impassioned speech championing the giant strides which have been made across Britain but the work still to do to achieve LGBQI equality across the globe.
Speaking of the winners, host Anna said: ‘There were so many deserving LGBT+ people and allies who have been rightly recognised this evening. It is fantastic to be part of this wonderful awards ceremony.’
Rainbow Honours founder Linda Riley added: ‘We were delighted to be able to honour the work of the personalities, celebrities, brands and allies who have stood in solidarity with the LGBTQI community during what continues to be an incredibly tough time.
‘They have spent the past 12 months advancing the rights of our community in the UK and across Europe. All of the winners and nominees are incredibly deserving.’
