Boyzone

Stonewall’s 2009 Awards ceremony honours those who have made a positive contribution to lesbian and gay equality in  Britain in the past year. This year's nominees include Beth Ditto, Boyzone, and Joan Bakewell.
 
Comedian Stephen K Amos, actor Russell Tovey, singer Beth Ditto, boy band Boyzone and TV personality Mary Portas are shortlisted for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ at the Awards.
 
Independent columnists Janet Street Porter and Johann Hari,  Times columnist Joan Bakewell and Diva Editor Jane Czyzselska are among those shortlisted as ‘Journalist of the Year.’ ‘Writer of the Year’ nominees include Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black for Milk, Paul O’Grady for At My Mother’s Knee, Booker Prize shortlist nominee Sarah Waters for The Little Stranger, theatre critic turned playwright Nicholas De Jongh for Plague Over England and Geraldine Bedell for The Gulf Between Us.         
 
Nominated politicians include new Speaker John Bercow, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport Ben Bradshaw, Labour MP Chris Bryant and Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone.
 
Winners from these categories and Sports Award, Publication and Broadcast of the Year will be chosen by a celebrity judging panel which includes TV personality Sue Perkins, Today presenter Evan Davis and former basketball player John Amaechi.
 
Voting is currently taking place for three other categories by thousands of Stonewall supporters across  Britain. ‘Hero of the Year’ nominees include poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy and ‘Bigot of the year’ nominees include The Phelps Family.
 
Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive, said:
"The Stonewall Awards recognise talented people who use their skills to champion lesbian, gay and bisexual equality in  Britain . Every year the competition ups a notch – an encouraging sign that lesbian and gay visibility is gaining confidence."
 
The fourth annual Stonewall Awards ceremony, hosted by Gok Wan, takes place on Thursday November 5 at the V&A in London. The evening begins at 7pm with a champagne and canapé reception. After the ceremony the evening continues with further champagne and food.
 
Tickets are £150 + VAT. To book a ticket contact bimla.safka@stonewall.org.uk  or call 020 7593 1875.  

For more information about Stonewall view:
www.stonewall.org.uk