UK's second annual Stonewall Awards: November 1

Stonewall’s second annual awards ceremony takes place at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum on November 1, 2007.

The awards, to be hosted by television presenter Anthony Crank (pictured at left), are designed to celebrate the positive contributions being made by individuals and organisations to the lives of gay people in Britain.

Nominees include actor and TV presenter Antony Cotton, Canadian singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright and lesbian rapper Mz Fontaine for Entertainer of the Year; Hollyoaks and Doctor Who for Broadcast/Broadcaster of the Year; and Russell T Davies and Scottish author Val McDermid for Writer of the Year. Former premiership footballer Graeme Le Saux, an activist for gay rights in football, is nominated in the Sportsperson of the Year category.

Winners from six categories will be chosen by a panel of judges, which includes Matt Lucas, Clare Balding, Nicky Campbell and Paul Gambaccini.

Former professional NBA basketball star John Amaechi and Beth Ditto, lead singer of rock band The Gossip and an advocate of gay equality, are both up for the accolade of Hero of the Year. While Top Gear presenter and journalist, Jeremy Clarkson, who refused to apologize after being reprimanded by BBC bosses for his derogatory gay jibes on prime time television, is one of several nominees up for Bigot of the Year. Both of these accolades are chosen by a vote cast by Stonewall supporters from across Britain.

Stonewall, which was founded in 1989, is renowned for its campaigning and lobbying. Last year’s awards ceremony was hosted by one of the organization's most high-profile founders, stage and screen actor Sir Ian McKellen.