The shortlist of nominees for the 9th annual GALAS which celebrate contributions nationally and internationally to the LGBT+ community have been announced with nominees in fifteen categories, including Volunteer of the Year, LGBT+ Ally, Role Model and Community Organisation.

Two of this year’s categories, Entertainment and Arts and Public Figure will be decided by public vote.

The recipients of the GALAS will be announced at the Mansion House, Dublin on February 8th at a celebration event.

The GALAS were established in 2009 by the National LGBT Federation (NXF) and Gay Community News (GCN) to honour those who work towards a better future for LGBT+ people in Ireland and across the globe. The awards celebrate the efforts of people across a range of areas including community organisations, arts, media, culture, advocacy, sport, health, public life and politics.

This year’s shortlist also includes the categories of Digital Change Maker and Young Trailblazer, a reflection of contemporary societal changes.

Previous recipients include former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, Senator David Norris, Averil Power and organisations such as An Garda Síochána, Marriage Equality and EY Ireland.

Community Organisation: (Volunteer Staff)
Dublin Lesbian Line, Act Up, Equality for Children, Dublin Trans Peer Support Group
Community Organisation (Paid Staff)
UP Cork Youth Group, OutHouse, Shout Out, Gay Project
Volunteer of the Year
Dr Aintzane Legarreta Mentxaka (‘Maken’), Maureen Looney, Robbie Lawlor, Will St.Leger
Outstanding Company
Fostering First Ireland, Arthur Cox, Dell Technologies, Accenture
LGBT+ Young Trailblazer
Esther Young, Brandon O’Connor, Alannah Murray, Seamus Byrne
Sports Awards
Valerie Mulcahy, David Gough, Emerald Warriors, Dublin Front Runners
Digital Changer Maker
Alexis Riva, The Big Gay Bucket List, Call it Out, Orla Egan (Cork LGBT Digital Archive)
LGBT Ally
Educate Together, Senator Ged Nash, Siobhan O’Dea (GMHS), Holly Shortall
Event of the Year
Belfast Pride 2019, Dublin Pride 2019, Call It Out Campaign, Different Families, Same Love
Public Figure
Senator Fintan Warfield, Jack Shaun Murphy, Senator Jerry Buttimer, Minister Katherine Zappone, Cllr Owen Hanley
LGBT+ Role Model
Sara Phillips, Eddie McGuiness, Adam Shanley, Ailbhe Smyth
LGBT+ Employee Resource Group
AIB Pride Matters, Bank of Ireland Pride Committee, OutLaw, Irish Life PRIDE Committee
Entertainment & Arts
Rodrigo Ternevoy, LINC Drama Group, Jack Shaun Murphy, DJ Gerry Moore, Acting Out- The Decriminalisation Monologues
Noel Walsh, HIV Activism
ACT UP, HIV Ireland, Andrew Levitt, Robbie Lawlor
International Award
Syinat Sultanalieve (Kyrgyzstan), Zhanar Sekerbayeva (Kazakhstan), Nayyab Ali (Pakistan), Gilmara Cunha (Brazil)

“This year we received over 1400 nominations from members of the public. Our highest number since the GALAS LGBT+ Awards was launched in 2009. It’s been an absolute delight to read all the nomination reasons and they all highlight the contribution that individuals, organisations, events and workplaces make to and for the LGBT+ community.  This year our partner shortlisting organisations clearly had a tough job identifying potential award recipients from the long-list, using the shortlisting criteria and we thank them for their diligence.

The GALAS LGBT+ Awards is a wonderful way to say thank you and we are always in awe of how so many get behind this opportunity to celebrate and show appreciation.

The shortlist reflects those who have made an outstanding contribution and created change either visibly or behind the scenes. They have shown leadership and championed change in Ireland or abroad. They have entertained us or been there when we might have needed them most.  They have stood by us when we need ‘another’ to be our voice & created safe and inclusive workplaces for us.”

“GCN’s core mission is to tell the stories of LGBT+ lives and represent our fabulous diverse community in all its glory and working with the National LGBT federation (NXF) to host the 9th instalment of the GALAS is an honour and an inspiration to me and the team.

The GALAS are an opportunity to recognise the ground-breaking work done within our communities and the breath-taking commitment to social change and human rights.

The GALAS also have a firm eye on the future with new categories like LGBT+ Young Trailblazer and Digital Change Maker award. In 2020, the power of representation and visibility cannot be underestimated. Let’s start the year as we mean to continue by celebrating and showing appreciation for the best and brightest in our community and 40 years of the NXF!

Congratulations to all those who were nominated and the very best of luck on the night!”