Member News
By Tony Grew - 6th November 2009
Gay equality organisation Stonewall has named culture secretary Ben Bradshaw their politician of the year.
He collected his award at a glittering ceremony at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London last night hosted by TV presenter Gok Wan.
John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons and one of the nominees for the award, attended the event with his wife Sally.
In his acceptance speech Bradshaw praised Bercow's strong support for equality when he was a Tory backbencher.
Stonewall said that Bradshaw, the first MP who stood as openly gay to become a cabinet minister, has been "tireless behind the scenes in advocating for legal equality".
The other nominees were Europe minister Chris Bryant, Liberal Democrat equality spokesperson Lynne Featherstone and Labour peer Baroness Turner of Camden.
Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall, attacked Conservative MP David Wilshire in a speech at the start of the awards ceremony.
Wilshire is to stand down at the next election after his questionable expenses claims were exposed.
He was forced to apologise this week for his claims that MPs are being hounded over expenses and that "branding a whole group of people as undesirables led to Hitler's gas chambers".
Summerskill reminded the audience at the V&A that Wilshire was the architect of Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, which banned local authorities and schools from "promoting" homosexuality.
Columnist Johann Hari was named journalist of the year – he won jointly with broadcaster Joan Bakewell.
"Champions of gay equality are crucial if we are to create a modern, accepting Britain," Summerskill said.
"In the light of recent homophobic hate crimes in Liverpool and London, the Stonewall awards provide a much-needed platform to showcase the strength, confidence, visibility and talent of lesbian and gay people in this country.
"We paused during the celebrations to remember recent targets of homophobic hate – both on the streets and in the media."
Boyzone won entertainer of the year - the award was collected by Andrew Cowles, the widower of Stephen Gately.
Photo: P Allardyce.
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