First-ever LGBTQ+ Defence Awards shine a light on contributions in the military
A spectacular night saw the UK defence sector's inaugural celebration of the LGBTQ+ community – the LGBTQ+ Defence Awards – take place.
Celebrating the talent and achievements of exceptional individuals, team members and organisations shaping defence and transforming an industry, the exciting awards ceremony took place in the Grand Hall of the Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden.
The awards will assist in the visibility of role models in the community, with the LGBTQ+ Defence Awards saying they are "a chief conduit for ensuring members of the LGBTQ+ community feel safe, accepted and empowered in any workplace" which "has remained especially lacking in defence".
This year's awards, of which BFBS – Forces News' parent charity – is the media partner, set out to change that by establishing a positive, inspiring platform to showcase LGBTQ+ contributions to defence.
'I will continue to articulate for those who may not feel able to do so'
Eleven awards were handed out during the glamorous ceremony (the full list of winners can be seen at the bottom of this article).
Corporal Bradley Setchell, from Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps, was given the Rising Star of the Year award.
Speaking to Forces News after being presented with the award, Cpl Setchell said: "I feel incredible, completely overwhelmed.
"I'm very, very grateful to my squadron commander who nominated me, to BAE systems, to Fighting With Pride, and to everybody that has gone in to organise the events tonight, it's been amazing."
The corporal said the awards are "unbelievably" important and vowed to "continue to be loud and advocate and articulate for those who may not feel able to do so".
"We are looking at celebrating a community that is built on the legacy of a military ban on homosexuality and changing that narrative and striding forward into the future, proud to serve in defence, is beyond words important," Cpl Setchell said.
"I am definitely ambitious about continuing that progress that was made 25 years ago, and onwards into the future.
"Being a proud serving LGBTQ officer will always be part of my journey so, if that makes me a role model, so be it, but I will continue to be loud and advocate and articulate for those who may not feel able to do so."
Warrant Officer 2 Jon Cox, of the Army Welfare Services, was named Role Model of the Year.
WO2 Cox told Forces News: "It's actually a bit surreal, something that hasn't quite sunk in. I’m really pleased, proud.
"I've been in the Army for over 20-odd years, I joined back when it was illegal to be gay. So I remember what it was like then, and to see where it's come now is almost unthinkable, back then.
"So, it's a huge deal to see so many inspiring people in the room being recognised for some of the amazing work they've done for inclusion in defence."
Rebekah Halton, from defence giant BAE Systems, was presented with the Ally of the Year Award and told Forces News: "I just feel absolutely thrilled. I'm so proud of all the work we've done at BAE Systems to promote inclusivity, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community so, being recognised, I'm absolutely thrilled.
"Nights like this are so important. They acknowledge that inclusion is so powerful, enabling people to be at their best to contribute and to be recognised, and by having an inclusive environment we all win, we all benefit and the organisation benefits too."
Dame Kelly Holmes: I never thought in my lifetime there would be an LGBTQ+ Defence Awards
Alongside the awards was an eclectic programme of special guest speakers and live entertainment.
Double Olympic gold medalist and Honorary Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes, was one of the special guests and was "overwhelmed" at being at the inaugural event.
She told Forces News: "I never thought in my lifetime that we would have an LGBTQ+ Defence Awards, and it's such an important moment for so many people."
In February, Dame Kelly talked about how she "lived in fear" in the Armed Forces while hiding her sexuality as a gay woman as she celebrated LGBT+ History Month in Parliament.
During her speech to the audience, she said she had waited until she was 52 "to be free".
"There was more to just saying I'm a soldier, or a veteran or an Olympian, I wanted to represent people without a voice," she said.
Hosting the evening was BBC news anchor Jane Hill who, in April, became one of the seven permanent anchors who present the BBC News at One, Six and 10, making her the UK's first out lesbian newsreader.
Another guest speaker was the Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families Dr Andrew Murrison.
The defence minister, who served for 18 years as a medical officer in the Royal Navy, and remains an active reservist, told Forces News: "2023 has been quite an important year for the LGBTQ+ community.
"I think tonight we've seen an extraordinary amount of hard work on behalf of that community, by people within it and outside to advancing the cause of the LGBTQ+ community in defence.
"It's a real, genuine privilege to be part of this award ceremony tonight, which goes some way just to recognise all that hard work."
The defence minister did highlight that there is still more to be done, saying: "There has been a huge amount of progress this year, there's no question about that, we heard that reflected this evening.
"Are we there yet? No, of course not, but I think tonight is a night to celebrate what we have achieved."
Winners
Armed Forces Leader of the Year - Maj Stephanie Hayward, Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps
Ally of the Year - Rebekah Halton, BAE Systems
Rising Star of the Year - Lt Bradley Setchell, Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps
Innovator of the Year - Neil Sherwin-Peddie, BAE Systems
VOG TAG: Advocate of the Year - Cpl Peter Fisher, Defence School of Intelligence
Inspiration of the Year - WO2 Deborah Penny MBE, The Army Engagement Group, British Army
LGBTQ+ Network or Initiative of the Year - OutLink, BAE Systems
Graduate or Apprentice of the Year - Alisha Kasobya, MBDA
Outstanding Achiever of the Year - Ben Wilberforce-Ritchie, BAE Systems
Role Model of the Year - WO2 Jon Cox, Army Welfare Service
LGBTQ+ Trailblazer of the Year - Ruben van Schalkwyk, Aon
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