Today, Gaydio has announced the shortlist for the Gaydio Awards 2026, shining a light on the grassroots heroes, local charities, and community organisations doing the vital, often unseen work to improve LGBTQ+ lives across the UK. Now in its fourth year, the awards celebrate those creating safer spaces, building inclusive communities, and driving real change from the ground up.
Those shortlisted will be honoured at a glitzy ceremony on 20th March 2026 at the Manchester Deansgate Hotel. The evening promises performances from breakout girl group XO and drag star Bailey J Mills, alongside appearances from celebrities, activists, and community leaders – with more high-profile performers to be announced.
Previous ceremonies have seen performances from Grammy-nominated artist Raye, a DJ set from Sigala, and a set from UK music icon, Tulisa, alongside a star-studded guest list of celebs including the cast of The Traitors, Rhian Sugden, Layton Williams, Andy Burnham, Max Balegde, Russell T Davies & Ella Morgan.
The 2025 ceremony demonstrated the awards’ growing cultural significance, with Russell T Davies’ Icon Award acceptance speech generating national conversation, when his address reinforced the Gaydio Awards as not just a celebration, but a platform for LGBTQ+ voices.
The Gaydio Awards 2026 will focus on regional and grassroots efforts, giving thanks to the unsung heroes within the LGBTQ+ community – 12 of the 16 categories were opened to the public in December 2025, giving people the chance to shine a light on the individuals, charities and organisations working tirelessly to create safer, more inclusive spaces and improve lives within the queer community.
Gaydio’s independent panel of five community judges have whittled down the nominations to an official shortlist, with the winner of each category to be revealed on the night. Judges include Annie Wallace, best known for playing Hollyoaks’ headteacher Sally St. Claire and a key advisor on Coronation Street’s landmark Hayley Cropper storylines, with over 30 years of LGBTQ+ activism behind her; Char Bailey, award-winning speaker, activist and Director of Birmingham Pride; Conor Clark, LGBTQ+ journalist and presenter whose work spans GAY TIMES, LBC and Attitude; Lars Fellows, a gay trans man, community advocate and media contributor best known for appearing on BBC’s I Kissed a Boy Season 2; and Matthew Chew, social and influencer marketing expert and Co-Chair of Unite, WPP’s LGBTQIA+ network which won Outstanding Employee Network at the 2022 British Diversity Awards.
The full shortlist for the Gaydio Awards 2026, as revealed today, includes:
Venue of the Year
Corset Club
Eagle
Scene
Event of the Year
Cardiff Lions Drag Rugby
Out and Wild Festival
Sparkle
Enterprise Award
Bootyque
Grounded MCR
Queerify
Pride Network of the Year
BT Pride Network
InterMediaUK
NSPCC PINCC Network
Tesco
Universal Media Group
Worldpay Pride Network
Volunteer of the Year supported by Explore Worldwide!
Andrew Waite
Daniel Browne
Shell Buckle
Charity of the Year
Not a Phase
Proud2bParents
Sahir
Influencer of the Year supported by KAYAK
Alexis & Liam Blake
Ali Najjar & Adam Imber
Johnathan Zemlik
Pride Organisation of the Year supported by London Women’s Clinic
Great Yarmouth & Waveney Pride
Happy Valley Pride
Trans Pride Brighton
Sports Club of the Year
Ishigaki Jujitsu
London Royals Hockey Club
Village Manchester FC
Queer Media Award
Dear Viv
Koupeopia
We’ll Go Down In History
Queer Arts & Culture Award supported by Skopes
BFI Flare
Queer Britain Museum
Queer East
LGBTQ+ Podcast of the Year
Proudly Said
The Gossip Gays
The Pieces with Bimini
The winners of the highly anticipated Music Artist of the Year supported by Stanley1913, Outstanding Entertainment Contribution supported by Hayu, Gaydio Icon and Lifetime Achievement Award supported by Tesco are set to be announced on the night, with previous Music Artist of the Year titles awarded to Cat Burns in 2023, Becky Hill in 2024 and Chappell Roan in 2025.
Amongst the 2025 Winners were; Simon Jones for Outstanding Entertainment Contribution Award, Russell T Davies for the Gaydio Icon Award; UK Black Pride for Event of the Year, and Logan Brown for Influencer of the Year.
Kriss Herbert, Network Content Director at Gaydio said: “Four years on, the Gaydio Awards continue to uncover the incredible work happening in communities across the UK that might otherwise go unrecognised. This year’s shortlist – from volunteer organisers to pioneering charities, grassroots media to inclusive sports clubs represents the best of what happens when the community come together to create change. We can’t wait to honour our nominees on the night.”
The 2026 winners will be revealed at the Gaydio Pride Awards ceremony at the Manchester Deansgate Hotel on Friday 20th March, and shared on air on Gaydio shortly after.
For more information and to buy tickets for the event head to gaydioprideawards.co.uk and keep an eye on Gaydio’s socials (@gaydio) for announcements and updates.