The reasons why Joe Lycett and Harry Styles are nominated for a British LGBT Award

The shortlist for the British LGBT Awards 2023 has been announced, with big names such as music icons Sir Rod Stewart, Harry Styles and Birmingham comedian Joe Lycett all nominated.

The aim of the awards is to shine a spotlight on role models and those organisations who are working tirelessly to better the needs of LGBT+ people. The first official British LGBT Awards event launched in 2015.

The annual awards are voted for by the public and celebrate figures from across the business, charity, arts and celebrity sectors who have worked to advance the rights of those in the LGBT community.

The awards will also draw attention to the absence of openly gay footballers in the Premier League through a new prize, named the football ally award.

Why was Joe Lycett nominated this year?

Joe, who is pansexual - which means he is attracted to people of all genders and sexes - has received an award for his headline hitting stunt last summer.

He is nominated to the media moment of the year award. Lycett ‘shredded’ £10,000 of his own cash after calling on former footballer David Beckham to pull out of a multi million pound deal with Qatar to promote the country during the 2022 World Cup - a country in which homosexuality is illegal.

Despite sharing a video on social media which looked like he shredded the money, Lycett later revealed the prank was fake and he actually donated the £10,000 to charity.

Why are Harry Styles and Rod Stewart nominated?

Sir Rod Stewart is also nominated. The singer also spoke out about Qatar’s laws on homosexuality, writing in a national newspaper that it “would have been good” to play his song The Killing of Georgie, about the murder of a gay man in the 1970s, at the opening ceremony as a protest.

He is also nominated in the Celebrity Ally category. This award recognises those outside the LGBT+ community who support challenges around equality and inclusion. Harry Styles is also nominated in this category.

Styles, who was born in Redditch, has long been an advocate of LGBT+ rights, and previously won the Gay Times Honour for promoting a message of inclusivity and equality for a young audience.

What’s been said about the awards?

Announcing the awards, British LGBT Awards founder Sarah Garrett said: “It is more important than ever that we shine a light on those who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the LGBT+ community, during what has been another very challenging 12 months for the community.

“The nominees, which include an exciting mix of famous LGBT+ faces, allies and organisations, have all demonstrated a commitment to advancing LGBT+ rights.”

The full list of nominees for the British LGBT Awards 2023 is below. You can cast your vote by visiting the British LGBT Awards website.

When are the awards?

Voting is open now for the public, with the winners set to be announced in June.