Gaydio Awards

Gaydio Awards
Awarded forLGBTQ+ contributions in the UK
LocationManchester Deansgate Hotel
CountryUnited Kingdom
First award2023 (2023)
Websitegaydioprideawards.co.uk

The Gaydio Awards are an annual awards ceremony in the United Kingdom which honours LGBTQ+ contributions in the United Kingdom. The awards are presented by radio station Gaydio and first took place as the Gaydio Pride Awards in 2023, held at the Manchester Deansgate Hotel. Hosted annually since, it celebrates LGBTQ+ life across the UK.[1] The ceremonies award various categories, as well as having a "big 4", which are decided by a panel. The "big 4" consist of Gaydio Icon, Lifetime Achievement, Outstanding Entertainment Contribution and Music Artist of the Year.[2] The Gaydio Awards also host various performers at each ceremony and have included Raye, Becky Hill, Louisa Johnson, XO, Katy B, Tulisa and Bailey J Mills.

2023

The inaugural Gaydio Awards were held on 10 February 2023. The Music Artist of the Year accolade was given to Cat Burns, who said it was "super important" for her to be visible as a queer artist. The Lifetime Contribution award was given to Peter Tatchell, a human rights campaigner who was arrested in Qatar for promoting the dangers for LGBTQ+ people throughout the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[3] Manchester Pride, Pride in London, Birmingham Pride and Brighton and Hove Pride were also given a collective accolade for Major Pride of the Year for condemning the World Cup being held in Qatar.[4]

Performers

Winners and nominees

Major Pride of the Year Grassroots Pride of the Year
Volunteer of the Year Employee Pride Network of the Year
  • Joel Mordi
    • Michele Raph
    • Charlie Watts
LGBTQ+ Club or Sports Team of the Year Venue or Event of the Year
Charity of the Year LGBTQ+ Champion
  • Janusz Domagala
    • Aida H Dee
    • Carley Owen
Music Artist of the Year Lifetime Contribution

2024

The 2024 Gaydio Awards were held on 16 February 2024.[5] The ceremony introduced various new categories, including Outstanding Entertainment Contribution, which was awarded to actor Layton Williams.[6] Lady Phyll, the co-founder and chief executive of UK Black Pride, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement accolade, while Becky Hill won the Music Artist of the Year award.[7][8] Speaking on her win, Hill said: "Ever since coming out as queer, I have tried to put queerness at the core of everything I do; touring with some incredible drag acts whilst putting the trans and drag community at the forefront of my live shows. Support like this really means the world".[5]

Performers

Winners and nominees

Pride Organisation of the Year Grassroots Pride of the Year
Volunteer of the Year Pride Network of the Year
  • Alice-Louise Wallace
    • Daniel Browne
    • Phil Gale
LGBTQ+ Club or Sports Team of the Year Venue or Event of the Year
  • Transmanian Devils
    • Cardiff Lions
    • Keighley Cougars
  • Vanilla
    • The Future is Queer
    • Your Dad Sells Avon
Charity of the Year LGBTQ+ Enterprise Award
  • Pop n Olly
    • West London Queer Project
    • Somewhere: For Us
    • Lunch Positive
Influencer of the Year LGBTQ+ Young Business Person of the Year
  • Lucky Roy Singh
    • Dee Whitnell
    • Eva Echo
  • Emily Waldron
    • Anna Furnivall
    • Kimberly Malone Crossley
Music Artist of the Year Hilton LGBTQ+ Champion
  • Richard Flinn
Outstanding Entertainment Contribution Lifetime Achievement

2025

The 2025 Gaydio Awards were held on 14 March 2025.[9][10] It paid homage to drag performer The Vivienne, who died earlier that year.[11] It also saw the introduction of the Gaydio Icon accolade, which honoured screenwriter and producer Russell T Davies.[12] American singer Chappell Roan won Music Artist of the Year,[13] while Lisa Power MBE, known for her LGBTQ+ rights campaigning, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award.[14][15]

Performers

Winners and nominees

Pride Organisation of the Year Pride Network of the Year
Volunteer of the Year Charity of the Year
  • Rob Wilson
    • Mathew Dyson
    • Matthew Fuller
  • AKT
    • Rainbow Migration
    • OUTPatients
Sports Team of the Year Enterprise Award
  • London Titans
    • Newcastle Frontrunners
    • Bristol Swifts
  • The Weekending
    • Hummingbird Heels
    • Lesflicks
Venue of the Year Event of the Year
Influencer of the Year Outstanding Entertainment Contribution
  • Simon Jones
Music Artist of the Year Lifetime Achievement
Gaydio Icon

2026

The 2026 Gaydio Awards are set to be held on 20 March 2026.[16][17] It is set to introduce various new categories, including categories for Queer Arts & Culture, LGBTQ+ Podcast of the Year and the Queer Media accolade.[2][18][19]

Performers

Winners and nominees

Pride Organisation of the Year Pride Network of the Year
Volunteer of the Year Charity of the Year
  • Andrew Waite
  • Daniel Browne
  • Shell Buckle
Sports Club of the Year Enterprise Award
  • Ishigaki Jujitsu
  • London Royals Hockey Club
  • Village Manchester FC
  • Bootyque
  • Grounded MCR
  • Queerify
Venue of the Year Event of the Year
  • Cardiff Lions Drag Rugby
  • Out & Wild Festival
  • Sparkle
Influencer of the Year Queer Arts & Culture
  • Alexis & Liam Blake
  • Ali Najjar & Adam Imber
  • Johnathan Zemlik
  • Bimini
LGBTQ+ Podcast of the Year Queer Media
  • The Gossip Gays
  • Proudly Said
  • The Pieces with Bimini
  • Koupepia
  • We'll Go Down In History
  • Dear Viv
Music Artist of the Year Outstanding Entertainment Contribution
  • TBA
  • TBA
Lifetime Achievement Gaydio Icon
  • TBA
  • TBA

References

  1. ^ "A Full Breakdown of How National Awards Spotlight Yorkshire's LGBTQ+ Community". Welcome to Yorkshire. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Shortlist 2026". Gaydio. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  3. ^ "Winners Announced for Gaydio Pride Awards 2023 with Hilton!". Gaydio. Archived from the original on 19 January 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  4. ^ "THE WINNERS OF THE GAYDIO PRIDE AWARDS 2023 ANNOUNCED". Canal St. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  5. ^ a b "Gaydio Pride Awards announces 2024 winners". Diva. Archived from the original on 7 February 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  6. ^ "Layton Williams recognised for 'outstanding contribution to entertainment'". ITVX. Archived from the original on 5 October 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  7. ^ "Four Greater Manchester winners at prestigious LGBTQ+ awards". I Love Manchester. Archived from the original on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  8. ^ "2024 Winners". Gaydio. Archived from the original on 13 December 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  9. ^ "'Football should be for everybody!': London Titans FC win national LGBTQ sports team award". Sports Media LGBT+. Archived from the original on 7 December 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  10. ^ "Shortlist 2025". Gaydio. Archived from the original on 7 February 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  11. ^ "Russell T Davies' powerful speech on 'fighting against evil' at LGBTQ+ awards as tribute paid to The Vivienne". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 8 April 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  12. ^ "Screenwriter Russell T Davies wins Icon of the Year at Gaydio Awards". ITVX. Archived from the original on 17 March 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  13. ^ "Stars walk the red carpet at third annual Gaydio Pride Awards". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 8 April 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  14. ^ "Gaydio Pride Awards 2025: Tulisa, Russell T Davies and LGBTQIA trailblazers". Diva. Archived from the original on 15 March 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  15. ^ "Manchester Pride and legendary Gay Village bar shortlisted in national awards". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  16. ^ "North Devon festival for LGBTQ+ women is shortlisted for national award". The Moorlander. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  17. ^ "Owner of Glasgow's Corset Club 'thrilled' after being nominated for top award". Glasgow Live. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  18. ^ "Trans Pride Brighton shortlisted for Pride Organisation of the Year at 2026 Gaydio Awards". GScene. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  19. ^ "Calderdale-based charity Happy Valley Pride shortlisted for Gaydio Award". Halifax Courier. Retrieved 6 March 2026.