The GALAS Winners 2017 | Pocketmags.com

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The GALAS Winners 2017

On Saturday, October 21, GCN and our publishers, the National LGBT Federation held the eighth annual GALAS LGBT+ Awards ceremony in The Mansion House, and what an amazing event it turned out to be. Over 500 people turned up in fine style to celebrate the achievements of individuals and organisations across our fair island who work to promote and enhance LGBT+ lives, and the atmosphere in the room was electric.

Person of the Year: Broden Giambrone
Photos by Ger Holland
Volunteer of the Year: Sharon Nolan
Voluntary Organisation of the Year: Loving Our Out Kids (LOOK)

We were particularly thrilled that the winner of this year’s International Award, Bouhdid Belhedi from Tunisia could be with us. With his award, Bouhdid won a bursary of €2,000, funded by NXF, Amnesty, ICCL and Front Line Defenders, to continue his work fighting the extreme prejudice against LGBT+ people in his country.

LGBT Student Award: Síona Cahill, USI
Political Figure of the Year: Minister Katherine Zappone
The Noel Walsh HIV Activism Award: Know Now
Sports Award: Cameron Keighron
Online Award: Gay Men’s Health Service Sexual Health Campaign
Journalist of the Year: Jason Kennedy, The Irish Independent

It was a occasion for celebration, but also an one for remembrance, as activists Dave Roche and Ann Louise Gilligan, both of whom sadly passed away this year, were given posthumous Lifetime Achievement Awards. Dave’s partner, Paul O’Sheah accepted on his behalf, and received a standing ovation for his emotional speech, while Minister Katherine Zappone beautifully celebrated the achievements and legacy of her wife, Ann Louise. As ever, the ceremony came to a climax with the presentation of the annual Person of the Year Award, which this year went to Broden Giambrone, who finished his time as CEO of Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) this year, and was hugely instrumental in the introduction of some of the world’s best gender recognition legislation in Ireland in 2015.

Film & TV Award: John Butler for Handsome Devil
LGBT+ Ally of the Year: Cork City LGBT Inter-Agency Group
Arts & Literature Award: Acting Out, for The Ref and The Paradise
Irish Entertainer of the Year: Xnthony
Community Organisation of the Year: LINC
Employer of the Year: Dublin City Council

A hearty congratulations to all this years nominees and winners. We couldn’t be prouder of you!

Event of the Year: Belfast Pride
Lifetime Achievement: Ann Louise Gilligan, accepted by her wife, Katherine Zappone
Lifetime Achievement: Dave Roche, accepted by his partner, Paul O’Sheah
International Award: Bouhdid Belhedi, from Tunisia
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