EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’S LETTER

“What does an Attitude Award mean?” a friend asked me last year after seeing the coverage of our sixth annual awards event, and the first at Camden’s legendary Roundhouse.

Created by Stream Publishing managing director Darren Styles OBE in 2012, the Attitude Awards aimed to celebrate those who elevated the conversation around LGBT+ identity in music, film, politics, sport and beyond. In that first year, we honoured several notable people: Ian McKellen, Peter Tatchell and Clare Balding to name just three. Each of them outspoken champions of LGBT+ awareness who by coming out became the role models that were lacking in their early years. It’s this diversity of our winners and their personal, emotional journeys that sets us apart from other similar awards events.

The Attitude Awards aim to acknowledge not just those breaking through, like Jess Glynne and Adam Rippon this year — but trailblazers such as Julian Clary and Boy George who paved the way for those who came after them to find the confidence to come out. Our awards speak to a community that is diverse in ages, cultural background, sexuality and gender identity.

It is also about showing appreciation to the straight allies who stand beside us, thank you Little Mix, Prince Harry, Lorraine, et al.

Our awards are also testament to the fact that a single person really does have the ability to affect positive change in the world.

Whether it’s standing up to the bullying of a religious and political bigot (good on ya, Courtney Act) or changing the conversation around diversity in fashion (congratulations Edward Enninful), whatever

“These awards celebrate people who are honest and strong in their identity”

community we live or work in, we all have the ability to change the world around us. That is how real, lasting progress happens: slowly, gradually and starting with each of us.

It’s why the power of coming out is as relevant today as it ever was. Coming out does not have to be a dramatic front-page story. But it really isn’t acceptable for prominent and closeted LGBT+ people to expect the wider community to engage in their work, or buy their music or see their films while they hide themselves in the shadows out of fear or shame.

It’s the people in the media’s glare who are honest and strong in their identity that the Virgin Holidays Attitude Awards powered by Jaguar celebrates in 2018. As we unveil the winners of this year’s awards, it makes for a bedazzling sight to see how many out and proud stars there are in the queer universe, and not just those we award but also LGBT+ friends such as John Grant, Sam Smith, Nicola Adams, Juno Dawson, Paul O’Grady and more who simply come along to enjoy the show when the winners are revealed.

By the time you’re reading this we’ll all be nursing hangovers from the event. We’ll publish our behind-the-scenes photos from the awards in the next issue, but you can also find photos, news and videos of the speeches online at attitude.co.uk

Enjoy.