community newsDiversity the championThursday, 13 November 2008 The (not so) favourite of our news pages Iris Robinson MP, responsible for such quotes as “There can be no viler act, apart from homosexuality, than sexually abusing innocent children”, appeared to finally get her just reward at the third Stonewall Awards this month as she was named Bigot Of The Year. Thankfully she wasn’t able to accept her award on the night but other more deserving winners were including Hero Of The Year Rt Revd Gene Robinson, the Openly gay Bishop of New Hampshire and Entertainer of the Year Sue Perkins, the Radio 4 starring, Supersizer offal eating and BBC2 must watch maestro. Broadcaster of the Year was awarded to Sandi Toksvig who on accepting her award said “Thank you for noticing my work on the wireless. It means a lot to me. I raise a glass to all those living their lives out and proud in the passionate belief that secrets are a cancer of the soul and closets are for mothballs.” Other winners on the night included journalist Miriam Stoppard, politician Waheed Alli, Time Out Magazine, Stonewall Lions FC, writer Stella Duffy and the campaigning organisation UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group. Ben Summerskill, Stonewall’s Chief Executive, said of the awards “It's hugely humbling to honour those both gay and straight - who have inspired or encouraged Britain's 3.6 million gay people. Every year, the Stonewall Awards highlight just how much we have to celebrate in an increasingly gay-friendly modern Britain. Of course, hostility towards gay people still exists. It's telling that this year's winners of Hero and Bigot of the Year are two Robinsons who use their Christian beliefs in such very different ways. This is supported by recent Stonewall research which found that many religious people hold significantly more moderate views of homosexuality than is often claimed on their behalf.”
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