​Equality Network's first ever LGBTI awards were a great success

The work of one of Scotland’s most tireless equality campaigners was celebrated at the first ever Scottish LGBTI awards.

Derek Ogg QC (pictured below) has been campaigning for gay rights since the early 70s, and in recognition, he was presented with a lifetime achievement award from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the ceremony.

His activism began in the Scottish Minorities Group (SMG), Scotland’s first homosexual rights organisation, and he helped to organise the groundbreaking International Gay Rights Congress in Edinburgh in 1974.

As a lawyer, he has been heavily involved in legal campaigning against employment discrimination and to decriminalise sex between men.

He has acted as a legal advisor to the SMG’s successor, Outright Scotland, and the Equality Network.

In the 1980s, he founded Scottish Aids Monitor, the country’s first Aids charity, and he became involved in the establishment of Milestone House and Waverley Care.

Accepting his award, he told the audience the gay community has come a long way – but it still has some way to travel towards full equality.

He said: "I am delighted to have been selected for this Award and look forward to celebrating the other recipients’ awards too. The Equality Network is now an important national resource and helps our whole community to feel at ease with itself. We will all have a great night, then roll up our sleeves next day and continue the life enhancing campaigns still urgently needed.”

In a speech acepting her award for politician of the year, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said passing same sex marriage legislation was the proudest moment of her career and remarked upon how much Scotland has changed in its attitudes in recent years, though she admitted there is still work to be done on some issues such as transgender equality.

She said: "To receive the Politician of the Year Award is a massive honour.

“The last year has been momentous for Scotland and for the history of LGBTI equality with the introduction of one of the most progressive pieces of legislation in the world on same sex marriage. Since the legislation came into force, more than 1,200 same sex marriages have taken place in Scotland. This reaffirms that our nation is absolutely committed to the same rights for all our citizens. The introduction of same sex marriage in Scotland is proof of that commitment.

“The Scottish Government is working for a more equal society which values Scotland’s diverse communities and the important role they play in enriching Scotland socially, culturally and economically.”

Other winners included Glasgow’s Glasgay Festival, the broadcaster Lorraine Kelly, Glasgow University’s LGBTQ group and the Waterloo bar in Glasgow.

Charity sector winners included LGBT Unity Scotland, which works with LGBT asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants won the diversity award and Mridul Wadhaw, who has worked within Shakti Women's Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland to champion LGBTI inclusion, won the outstanding campaigner award.

The legalisation of same sex marriage was named as the event of the year.

Anne and Joe Patrizio were given the Equality Network’s friend for life award for setting up Parents Enquiry Scotland, which provides support to parents of young LGBT people.

Four hundred guests, including the first minister, leaders of the Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Greens, politicians , journalists, community groups and organisations from across the public and private spheres attended the inaugural awards in Glasgow.

The awards, organised by the Equality Network, celebrated people and groups who have made important contributions to LGBTI equality and human rights in Scotland during the past year.

Thursday night's red carpet event was hosted by comedienne Karen Dunbar and featured performances from Michelle McManus and Horse MacDonald.

Scott Cuthbertson, of the Equality Network, said: "It was absolutely wonderful to be celebrating the achievements of Scotland’s LGBTI community at the first Scottish LGBTI Awards. The past year has been an amazing year for LGBTI equality so it was inspiring to celebrate how far we have come since decriminalisation in 1980 with so many supports and allies of equality while looking to the future and talking about the challenges LGBTI people still face.”

“Equality is won in inches and not in miles, so it was great to recognise and celebrate all the people working so hard in communities, workplaces, schools, services and in our Parliament, each contributing to huge progress and change for LGBTI people in recent years”