Nominations are now open for the 2018 Australian LGBTI Awards. The event is Australia’s biggest award ceremony dedicated to celebrating the LGBTI community and their allies.

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After a hugely successful inaugural event in 2017 the awards are back, adding three new categories for 2018: Music Artist award, International Celebrity award and Best Media Moment.

To nominate someone for the 2018 awards, head to www.australianlgbtiawards.com.au. Winners will be announced at a gala awards dinner in March 2018 at The Star in Sydney.

The inaugural Australian LGBTI Awards took place earlier this year during the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Gras. A ‘who’s who’ of community leaders, celebrities and organisations come out in force to celebrate the LGBTQI community. Attendees to the inaugural awards included Molly Meldrum,Lucy Lawless, Joel Creasy, The Veronicas, Michelle Heyman, Magda Szubanski and Jordan Raskopoulos.

Australian LGBTI Awards Director, Silke Bader said it was important the LGBTI community paused and acknowledged people’s achievements.

“As a whole the LGBTI community spend a lot of time fighting for equality, it’s nice to be able to take some time out to come together to celebrate one another, and this is what the Australian LGBTI Awards is all about.”

“Everyone is welcome to nominate any individual who they think is inspirational to the community and upholds our values. When nominating think of the people that have had a personal effect on you, those individuals who have been an inspiration to you and who continue to fight for the LGBT community.” Bader said.

There are two main groups to the awards, the Public Award Category and the Corporate Award Category. The Public Award Categories include Hero of the Year, Celebrity of the Year, Sports Personality of the Year and even Politician of the Year.

These categories are entirely decided by the public vote. Popular nominees voted by the public then go through to the shortlist which the public is again allowed to vote on.

Last year Western Australian organisation PFLAG WA received a nomination and founder June Smythe was nominated for the hero of the year award. Several other Western Australian organisations were nominated but failed to make it through to the awards short list cut off.

The Corporate Award Category looks at CEOs and Diversity Champions in the business sector. The public nominates in these, with the winners to be decided by a judging panel that includes Les Girls legend Carlotta, Broadcaster Julie McCrossin, SBS Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Michael Ebeid, LGBTI Activist and Model Ollie Henderson, Disability Discrimination Commissioner Alistair McEwin and PwC Australia Partner, Suzi Russell-Gilford.

Winner of last year’s lifetime achievement award, Molly Meldrum, said while he’s recieved many awards during his career, the accolade from the LGBTI Awards is one he cherishes the most.

“I’ve got so many award around but this one is in my main room shining because I was so honoured by it. It’s incredibly important and makes me want to fight harder for equality”

For more information about the Australian LGBTI Awards, head to their website.

OIP Staff, media release from LGBTI awards: image: Magda Szubanski at the 2017 event.