Queen bestows New Year honours on LGBT rights campaigners
A number of LGBT campaigners are among those to receive New Year honours.
The full list of honourees was confirmed last night for the 2016 New Year’s Honours list, which recognise the achievements and service of “extraordinary people” across the UK.
Among those to make this year’s list are a number of campaigners for LGBT charities and groups.
Tim Sigsworth of LGBT homeless charity The Albert Kennedy Trust was among those to recieve honours, being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Mr Sigsworth said: “I’m thrilled to accept this prestigious honour.
“This is also an important recognition of the hard work of our staff, volunteers and Board of Trustees.
“Everyone at The Albert Kennedy Trust is a passionate advocate of the rights of young lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people, and with 4,800 young LGBT people currently homeless or living in hostile environments, our work is far from over.”
Paul Roberts, the chief executive of national charity LGBT Consortium was also awarded an OBE “for services to LGBT communities”.
The group said: “We are delighted that our Chief Executive, Paul Roberts, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List 2016. Many congratulations.”
David Smith, First Secretary of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, was also honoured “for services in support of Diversity and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender equality within Her Majesty’s Government”.
Choreographer and director Matthew Bourne was also awarded a knighthood in the List.
