Welsh LGBTQ+ Icons Celebrated at Gaydio Pride Awards

From standout winners to celebrity guests and dazzling performances, here’s a recap of this year’s Gaydio Pride Awards.

On Friday, 14th March, the Gaydio Pride Awards 2025 returned to Manchester, recognising individuals, organisations, and initiatives making a meaningful difference to LGBTQ+ lives across the UK. Hosted at Manchester’s iconic Hilton Hotel, the ceremony brought together nominees, industry figures, and celebrity guests for an evening of celebration and star-studded performances.

13 awards were presented throughout the night, with performances from Tulisa, marking her first live appearance since coming out as Demisexual on I’m A Celebrity; alongside DearALICE, the BBC One-formed K-pop boyband; MOBO nominee Katy B; and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star La Voix.

The purple carpet welcomed a number of famous faces joining the celebrations, including cast members from The Traitors Series 3 – Minah, Leanne & Anna – and TV personality David Potts, MAFS star Ella Morgan and Big Brother winner Ali Bromley, who joined attendees in celebrating the achievements of those working to support and uplift the LGBTQ+ community.

From grassroots activism to major cultural contributions, this year’s winners reflected the passion and dedication driving progress for the LGBTQ+ community across the UK.

Two Welsh trailblazers were honoured at this year’s Gaydio Pride Awards, recognising their lasting contributions to LGBTQ+ rights, representation, and advocacy.

• The newly created Gaydio Icon Award was presented to Swansea-born Russell T Davies for his groundbreaking storytelling, which has given visibility to LGBTQ+ lives and inspired future generations of queer creatives.

• And the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Lisa Power MBE, originally from Cardiff, for her pioneering activism, from co-founding Stonewall UK to shaping policies that have strengthened LGBTQ+ rights.

Gaydio were also proud to present Music Artist of the Year to Grammy Award Winner Chappell Roan for their unapologetic embrace of LGBTQ+ identity and dedication to platforming local drag talent throughout her meteoric rise to fame.

Additionally, the award for Outstanding Entertainment Contribution was presented to Simon Jones for their work in championing queer talent and ensuring LGBTQ+ artists are heard in mainstream media. The coveted Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Lisa Power MBE for their pioneering activism, from co-founding Stonewall UK to shaping policies that have strengthened LGBTQ+ rights. Plus, the newly created Gaydio Icon Award was presented to Russell T Davies for his groundbreaking storytelling, which has given visibility to LGBTQ+ lives and inspired future generations of queer creatives.

Gaydio co-Director and founder, Ian Wallace, “Celebrating the third year of the Gaydio Pride Awards has been truly special. Each year, the event continues to grow in both size and impact, and this year was no exception. It’s been an honour to celebrate the amazing work of those shaping a better future for the LGBTQ+ community across the UK. We’re incredibly proud to be shining a light on those who make such a difference and we can’t wait to do it all over again next year!”

For more information on this year’s Gaydio Pride Awards head to gaydioprideawards.co.uk and keep an eye on social platforms @gaydio for more exciting announcements for next year’s event.