LGBTQ+ Defence Awards mark a start of a new era, says Dame Kelly Holmes

Honorary Colonel and double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes has spoken about the importance of the LGBTQ+ Defence Awards, saying that she felt 'overwhelmed' by being there.

"I never thought in my lifetime we would have LGBTQ+ Defence Awards," Dame Kelly said.

The inaugural LGBTQ+ Defence Awards celebrated the LGBTQ+ community during a glittering ceremony at the Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden.

• First-ever LGBTQ+ Defence Awards shine a light on contributions in the military
• 'I lived in fear': Dame Kelly Holmes uses LGBT+ history month to highlight improvements in military
• Dame Kelly Holmes among campaigners welcoming LGBT military treatment apology

The awards are focused on bolstering the visibility of exceptional individuals who are part of the military and LGBTQ+ community.

Dame Kelly, who is an LGBTQ+ campaigner, said the awards were "such an important moment" for so many people.

An Honorary Colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment (RACTR), Dame Kelly joined the Army when she was 17, serving for almost 10 years.

During her service, like many people at the awards, she had to hide her sexuality because there was a ban on LGBTQ+ people serving in the military.

Dame Kelly previously said that she "lived in fear" due to the ban. 

"I hope that people can see that this award is the start of a new era," Dame Kelly said.

This year has seen a monumental shift towards inclusion and acceptance in the British Armed Forces with the Prime Minister making an official apology for the "horrific" historic treatment of LGBTQ+ people who served in the military under the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the Armed Forces.

Last year, Dame Kelly publicly revealed her sexuality for the first time – breaking decades of silence. 

During her speech at the awards, the double Olympic gold medalist 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.

Following the brand-new awards ceremony, Dame Kelly said: "I think it's everybody's responsibility to keep the momentum going.

"You know when you have a point in time where life has changed for so many people... the changes within the military are huge.

"But we can't rest on our laurels because, of course, the fight still is there every day, to have equality, to be heard and seen."

Hosted by the BBC news anchor Jane Hill, 11 awards were presented during the ceremony.

The full list of winners can be found here.