The British LGBTQ Awards have announced the shortlist of nominations for this year’s event. In regards to the Top 10 Music Artists category for 2021, the focus is on the LGBTQ+ community’s favourite music artists, looking at either musicians who are part of the community themselves or are proven to be strong advocates of the community. The British LGBTQ Awards will take place on Friday 27th of August in London, and sees six British artists out of the ten nominations for the category, such as Mnek and Rina Sawayama.
British nominees also include Anne-Marie, the young singer-songwriter from Essex who reached the very top of the UK Single Chart with many hits, including Clean Bandit’s ‘Rockabye’. Anne-Marie has disclosed that she is part of the community herself, taking an active part inside the community to raise awareness on the LGTBQ+ issues. As she sings in her hit single ‘Perfect’: ‘I’ll love who I love, because this love is gender-free’. Sam Smith is also nominated – indeed, identifying as non-binary, he says: ‘Non-binary genderqueer is that you do not identify in a gender. You are a mixture of different things, you are your own special creation. I’m not male or female.’
Artists who are proponents of LGBTQ+ issues are also nominated. Harry Styles’ approach to gender fluidity, along with his transparent view on gender inclusivity within the music industry, got him a nomination for this award. Similarly, British pop band The 1975, especially their lead singer Matt Healy, has always been keen on merging members of the LGBTQ+ community throughout his career. The band is also been active in protests to protect the community, in particular against Dubai’s recent laws punishing the gay community.
Sarah Garrett, founder of the British LGBT Awards, said: ‘These awards shine a light on those who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the LGBT+ community, during what has been an extremely challenging 12 months. The nominees, which include an exciting mix of famous LGBT+ faces, allies and organisations have all demonstrated a commitment to advancing LGBT+ rights. The awards on 27 August, which will take place after lockdown restrictions are eased, will be a huge celebration that’s needed more than ever.’
You can see the full list of nominees here.
