
Singers Yungblud and Andy Bell and track star Kelly Holmes named Pride icons
Yungblood, known for songs including Cotton Candy and Fleabag, reflected on his sexuality in an interview with Attitude this month in which he said the label of pansexuality allowed him to 'be who I am'.
Of his music festival BludFest, which will be held in Milton Keynes, the singer said he felt proud of how young people are 'allowed to feel safe in our space, or come out in our space, or really feel loved in our space'.
He has had two number one albums in the UK chart with Weird! in 2020, and his self-titled album in 2022.
Dame Kelly won gold medals in the 800 metres and 1,500 metres at the 2004 Olympics in Athens at the age of 34 and was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year the same year.
She retired in 2005 having won 12 major medals across a 10-year span, including Commonwealth golds over 1,500m in 1994 and 2002.
Since retirement, Holmes has mentored young athletes, worked in TV and as a motivational speaker and written several books.
She was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in the New Year's Honours of 2005 and appointed Honorary Colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment in 2018.
Andy Bell is best known for being half of the synth‑pop duo Erasure, the group behind the hit songs A Little Respect, Sometimes and Always.
The singer released a solo album, Ten Crowns, earlier this year which features a song with the lead singer from Blondie, Debbie Harry.
The Pride awards also honoured other 'heroes of the LGBTQ+ community', including Carla Antonelli, Spain's first openly transgender senator; Caroline Paige, the first openly trans officer in the British military; and the group Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners which featured in the 2014 film Pride and supported striking miners in 1984.
Darren Styles, publisher of Attitude magazine, said: 'The Peugeot Attitude Pride Awards Europe 2025, supported by British Airways, have once again shone a spotlight on the incredible work being done within and for the LGBTQ+ community.
'This year, we're thrilled to celebrate 10 remarkable individuals who embody the spirit of pride, resilience, and progress.
'Their stories and achievements inspire us all and remind us of the power of visibility and authentic self-expression.'
Mr Styles said the Attitude Magazine Foundation had raised almost £20,000 for LGBTQ+ causes through the event on Friday.
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Metro
4 hours ago
- Metro
Hundreds of thousands celebrate London Pride with focus on trans rights
A Pride party brightened up a drizzly central London today — although many of those thronging the streets had a serious message to deliver. Tens of thousands took part in the rainbow march taking place in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman. More than a million people overall were expected to attend the event, which includes the procession and stage areas, according to TfL Commissioner of Transport Andy Lord. Singer and actor Olly Alexander was among the LGBTQ+ artists who decried the court ruling and expressed fears trans people are being 'villainised more than ever'. The judgement was also criticised by writer Shon Faye and actor Ellis Howard, who stars in the BBC drama What It Feels Like For A Girl. Crowds danced on floats and walked in solidarity around city landmarks after the Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan shouted 'happy Pride' and more than a dozen motorcyclists from LGBTQ+ groups led the way. The procession of more than 500 organisations filed from Hyde Park Corner, through Piccadilly Circus, and on to the end at Whitehall Place. Ahead of the day, Pride in London said 35,000 participants would be 'marching in solidarity' in the main procession. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! Bearskins of the Foot Guard Regiments were part of the scene as more than 400 members of the UK armed forces and related charities took part. There were shouts for 'trans rights now' as the engines roared and rain started to fall on Saturday afternoon. American pop singer Chaka Khan is due to appear on the Trafalgar Square stage as the headliner of the event, now in its 53rd year. Former Years And Years singer Alexander said: 'Trans people right now, they need our support and love more than ever, they're being villainised, demonised in the press, by a lot of the media, and trans people they're just like us… they're you, they're me. 'They deserve the same respect, the same rights, the same privileges, same opportunities, and that's why Pride is so important this year.' The event took place four months after the Supreme Court ruled that the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex. Shon Faye, author of Love in Exile and The Transgender Issue, said before the event: 'For the trans community in particular here in the UK, we've seen an onslaught of misinformation, attacks in the media, and unfortunately the roll back of human rights in the courts. 'I think (Pride) is more important than ever – I think a lot of trans people have been made to feel afraid in public space and pride this year is about taking back public space, and showing what we're not going to be silenced, and we're not going to be intimidated.' Howard played Paris Lees in the BBC dramatisation of her memoir and, like Alexander and Faye, was supporting trans rights charity Not A Phase at the parade. He told PA that 'we're in an incredibly precarious political time' and said Pride this year is 'more important than ever'. The actor added: 'I think it's so, so important that we show up as queers, as allies, and we celebrate. 'Joy is an act of resistance. 'I hope it shows queers of all ages that we stand with you, we are for you, and we love you'. Sir Sadiq said 'it was an honour and a privilege' to walk at the front of the procession. The city's mayor described the event as a 'defiant reminder that we must keep fighting for equality and take a stand against those seeking to roll back hard-won rights.' Ella Morgan, who was part of the Pride in London live commentary team, also reflected on the difficulties faced by the trans community in the past few years after the 'joy' of expressing her true self on holiday. Ella, who came out as a trans woman 15 years ago and spoke at the Metro's Pride Awards, said: 'Now I do feel ironically less happy. 'I'm more scared and I'm conscious of the places I think to visit. 'So I wanted to do things in America, work in America, and obviously that now is something I'm slightly worried about doing. 'I've been to America years ago and I felt really safe. 'Now because of the Trump administration and also I guess because of what's going on here as well, I was afraid my passport was going to be changed from female back to male. 'But I don't think it will stop me, I just think I'm conscious and I'll be worrying in my head a lot, not only about visiting another country but about what people will say and think.' Some headed on to after-parties, including at the Clapham Grand, which has become a focal point for LGBTQ+ events and parties. More Trending A spokesperson said: 'The Clapham Grand celebrates Pride with its biggest ever day of parties, headlined by Nadine Coyle, Bimini, Booty Luv, Tete Bang and many more, welcoming over 1,500 party people through their doors while also raising funds for trans+ charity, Not A Phase.' London Trans Pride is being celebrated on Saturday, July 26. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Full list of LGBTQ+ icons who won Metro Pride Awards revealed MORE: Trans woman 'covered in blood and bruises' after transphobic attack in street MORE: I moved to London dreaming of LGBTQ+ paradise — the reality is bleak


The Guardian
5 hours ago
- The Guardian
LGBTQ+ figures criticise supreme court's gender ruling at London Pride
Thousands of people gathered in London for Pride on Saturday, but prominent LGBTQIA+ figures at the event voiced concern that transgender people are being 'villainised more than ever'. Singer and actor Olly Alexander and writer Shon Faye were among those to criticise a UK supreme court ruling on the definition of a woman at London's annual celebration of LGBTQI+ communities. Alexander, the Eurovision 2024 contestant, told the PA news agency: 'Trans people right now, they need our support and love more than ever, they're being villainised, demonised in the press, by a lot of the media, and trans people they're just like us … they're you, they're me. 'They deserve the same respect, the same rights, the same privileges, same opportunities, and that's why Pride is so important this year.' In April the supreme court ruled the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex. Before the march, Faye, author of Love in Exile and The Transgender Issue, said 'we've just seen an unprecedented attack on queer rights and trans rights across the world'. She told PA: 'For the trans community in particular here in the UK, we've seen an onslaught of misinformation, attacks in the media, and unfortunately the roll back of human rights in the courts. 'I think (Pride) is more important than ever – I think a lot of trans people have been made to feel afraid in public space and pride this year is about taking back public space, and showing what we're not going to be silenced, and we're not going to be intimidated.' US pop singer Chaka Khan is headlining a concert in Trafalgar Square after the march, at which about 500 organisations filed from Hyde Park Corner, through Piccadilly Circus and on to Whitehall Place. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: 'It was an honour and a privilege to again walk at the front of London's world-famous Pride parade as huge crowds of Londoners and visitors joined together for an incredible show of love, unity and solidarity with our LGBTQI+ communities. 'The fantastic parade and celebrations across central London have shown once again that our capital is a beacon of inclusivity and diversity. 'This year's event was also a defiant reminder that we must keep fighting for equality and take a stand against those seeking to roll back hard-won rights.' A YouGov poll released before the event found 67% of people in the UK believe the country is inclusive to LGBTQ+ people, and 60% would not welcome a shift towards more negative attitudes. Simon Blake, chief executive of charity Stonewall, which commissioned the survey, said, despite the findings, 'we know many LGBTQ+ people do not feel this in their neighbourhoods and workplaces'.


Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Pop star and former X Factor singer reveals he's cancelled show at Pride nearly a year after boyfriend's tragic death
His partner fell from an open hotel window to his death no show Pop star and former X Factor singer reveals he's cancelled show at Pride nearly a year after boyfriend's tragic death Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN X Factor star has revealed he has cancelled a planned Pride concert - almost a year on from the tragic death of his fiancé. Jaymi Hensley, 35, rose to fame as a member of hit boyband, Union J. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Singer Jaymi Hensley has cancelled his gig at Worthing Pride Credit: Getty 5 It comes almost a year after the tragic death of his partner, Olly Credit: Instagram 5 Jaymi shared this message online Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk He has performed as a solo artist alongside his Union J duties but has revealed that he has cancelled a scheduled appearance at Worthing Pride for undisclosed reasons. Taking to Instagram, Jaymi typed out a message to his followers to reveal he would no longer be performing as originally planned. Jaymi said: "Guys I'm really sorry for those who were coming to see me but for personal reasons I'm unable to perform at Worthing Pride tomorrow. "I really hope you understand I never cancel unless it absolutely necessary." Jaymi did not add any further details on why he had pulled out of the performance at the LGBTQ+ event. Last year, Jaymi's world came crashing down following the death of his partner, Olly Marmon, 33, who plunged more than 30ft from their second floor hotel suite. Olly is understood to have fallen through a small open second floor window onto a footpath in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. Guests at the Hind Hotel rushed outside to try to save Olly but the stylist was later pronounced dead at the scene. A source close to the pop star's family said the tragedy was "unbelievable" at the time. Union J star Jaymi had been in a relationship with hairstylist Olly since 2009 and they got engaged in 2014. X Factor star's fiance suffered head injury after falling from hotel window just weeks before wedding, inquest hears Emergency services rushed to the three-star Hind Hotel in Wellingborough, Northampton, after Olly fell at around 11.30pm. Olly's family shared photos of the star, along with tributes to their 'spiritual, gentle soul' who was 'beautiful both inside and out.' Jaymi was one of the founding members of Union J in 2011 - although the group was originally a trio known as Triple J. They auditioned for the ninth series of The X Factor, becoming Union J after fellow contestant George Shelley joined Jaymi, and bandmates JJ Hamblett and Josh Cuthbert. The foursome came fifth in the competition, which was eventually won by solo singer James Arthur - beating Rylan into fifth, in the same series as Ella Henderson. The group signed to Sony Music subsidiary RCA Records, releasing debut single 'Carry You' in June 2013. Their self-titled debut studio album followed in October 2013 and peaked at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart. They left RCA Records in April 2014 and signed with Epic Records. A second LP, named 'You Got It All – The Album' came out the following December. George left the group in 2016 before Josh walked out two years later - leaving Jaymi and JJ as a duo, before the pair officially disbanded in 2019. They announced a reunion show at London Palladium in 2022 to celebrate Union J's 10th anniversary and a comeback tour - only for Jaymi to sensationally quit ahead of the gigs. 5 Jaymi rose to fame in Union J Credit: Getty Images - Getty