Metro is launching its inaugural Pride awards (Picture: Finbarr Quinn)
In recent years, the UK has made significant strides toward equality and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community, but the fight for full acceptance and visibility is far from over.
That’s why the launch of the inaugural Metro Pride Awards this week is a significant milestone, not only for the Metro, but also for the media landscape in the UK as a whole.
It signals a recognition of the importance of showcasing LGBTQ+ stories, successes, and challenges to a broad, mainstream audience.
As someone who grew up in a time when such high-profile platforms were far less common, I can’t help but feel this is an important step forward in our journey toward equality. For too long, LGBTQ+ stories were either ignored or marginalised by mainstream media.
Press attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people in the 1980s and 1990s in particular were largely hostile and sensationalist, reflecting and reinforcing widespread societal prejudice.
And, while we have certainly seen progress, with more representation in film, television, and news, there’s still a need for robust platforms that amplify our voices in all areas of life—not just when it comes to struggles, but also successes and achievements.
That’s where awards like the new Metro Pride Awards and others come in. They highlight the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ individuals in various sectors, from arts and culture to politics and business, and provide a platform that celebrates these contributions on a national stage.
Award Categories
Nominations are open from today until November 1, with categories including:
Celebrity Of The Year
Broadcaster Of The Year
Brand Of The Year
Inspirational Ally
Music Hero Of The Year
Sports Hero Of The Year
LGBT+ Game Changer Award
LGBT+ Trailblazer
LGBT+ Role Model
Rising Star Award
LGBT+ Business Leader Of The Year
Marketing Campaign Of The Year
Business Of The Year
Best Breakthrough Business
Most Inclusive Employer
Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility
Grassroots or Charity Organisation Of The Year
Outstanding Contribution To LGBT+ Life
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
The importance of this cannot be overstated. For young LGBTQ+ people, seeing themselves reflected in the media—especially in a celebratory context—is empowering. Growing up, I wish there had been more high-profile, positive representations of LGBT+ individuals succeeding in their careers, contributing to society, and being acknowledged for their hard work.
In those formative years, such visibility can make all the difference in fostering self-worth and belonging. For me, the absence of role models in mainstream outlets often made it feel like being gay was something to hide, rather than something to be proud of.
The Metro Pride Awards are particularly important because being the biggest circulation newspaper in the UK and with a widespread and diverse readership, Metro is uniquely positioned to bring LGBTQ+ issues to the forefront, reaching people who may not engage with specifically LGBTQ+ media. By dedicating an entire awards event to the LGBTQ+ community, Metro is helping to normalise LGBTQ+ success and integrate it into the mainstream narrative.
This isn’t just about celebrating one community—it’s about showing the entire nation that LGBTQ+ people are integral to every facet of society and deserve to be recognised as such. Another …read more
Source:: Metro
