Vote here for the PinkNews Award for Community Group of the Year 2014
Later this month, the second annual PinkNews Awards will take place in the Palace of Westminster, celebrating the contributions of politicians, businesses and community groups towards what has been another historic year for LGBT equality in the UK.
The event, held in the State Rooms at Speaker’s House, will be introduced by the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow. Mr Bercow is a well known supporter of LGBT rights and his coat of arms features a rainbow flag together with the pink triangle; both symbols of gay rights, around the words “All Are Equal”.
Presenters of the awards will include First Secretary of State and leader of the House of Commons William Hague, Business Secretary Vince Cable and Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls.
While some of the awards are being decided by a panel of expert judges, we are inviting our readers to vote for a number of our awards winners.
With this category, we have steered clear of some of the larger community charities to concentrate on the smaller organisations that have made a real difference. Below is a summary of the reasons why the PinkNews team felt that these five groups each deserved a nomination. At the end of the summaries is the form to register your vote.
Warwick Rowers
The University of Warwick rowing team came back this year with a new naked calendar for 2015, and are more committed than ever to promoting tolerance and equality.
Regularly stripping off to raise funds for good causes, the team has been crowd-funding, and donating profits to fight homophobia since 2009.
The first calendar came out in 2009, and raised over £100,000. The club has since 2012 donated a portion of its profits, and this year will aim to raise funds for Sport Allies, which is “dedicated to challenging homophobia among young people”
Human Dignity Trust
The Human Dignity Trust is an organisation of international lawyers working in countries where homosexuality is criminalised.
The Trust states: “Legal provisions that criminalise LGBT people put them beyond the protection of the law, fostering a climate of fear and violence. These provisions also violate constitutional and international human rights law, including a person’s right to dignity, equality and privacy.
The HDT provides pro bono technical legal assistance and advisory services at the request of, and in collaboration with, local activists, their lawyers and other human rights defenders.
The Human Dignity Trust is PinkNews’ charity partner for the 2014 awards.
The Kaleidoscope Trust
The Kaleidoscope Trust is a UK based registered charity working to uphold the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people internationally.
The Trust urges the British government, the Commonwealth, European Union and others to use their power and influence in support of the rights of LGBT people, working with parliamentarians, government ministers, officials and policy makers to try to effect real change in the lives of LGBT communities around the world.
The leaders of all the main political parties in the UK parliament have declared their support for the work of the Kaleidoscope Trust.
Equality Network, Scotland
The Equality Network works for LGBT equality and human rights in Scotland. The Equality Network was founded back in 1997 as a national organisation.
In 2014, this organisation built on its successful campaign for same-sex marriage in Scotland from 2013, and today announced that the first gay and lesbian couples will marry on 31 December 2014.
New Family Social
Providing support and information for LGBT adopters and foster carers, and those thinking about adopting, New Family Social provides is a growing UK charity.
NFS offers a social network for parents to support one another, and to help children to gain confidence in their adoptive families.
Boasting over 1,800 national members, NFS promotes LGBT families by offering a strong voice, and information sharing tools, as well as direct help to families and agencies.
The PinkNews Awards are generously supported by
In association with
We have disabled comments on this article because we can only count votes made through the form above. Further categories will be announced in the coming days.
This vote closed at 12pm on Monday 20 October.
