One of the highlights of Ireland’s LGBT+ calendar is about to make a return. The GALAS 2020 award ceremony will take place on February 8 at the Mansion house, Dublin, honouring the contributions of people, companies and organisations to our LGBT+ community.
And the nominations for these awards are officially open!
For those who don’t know, the GALAS were established by the NXF (National LGBT Federation) in 2009. Since then, over 116 individuals, companies and organisations have been recognised for their outstanding work and contributions to the queer community.
In 2019, the NXF celebrated 40 years of activism in Ireland and these awards will be an opportunity for us to come together not only to celebrate this incredible milestone but also, more importantly, to acknowledge the contribution of others to our community.
Here’s all you need to know about the GALAS 2020:
When do the 2019/20 nominations close?
At 5pm on Sunday December 8 2019.
Who can vote?
Voting is only open to residents and citizens of the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. The GALAS recognise the contribution of individuals, groups, organisations and companies from within the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
#GALAS2020 it’s on! pic.twitter.com/T2JisbNA0d
— The GALAS LGBTQ+ Awards (@TheGalas) October 24, 2019
How does the nomination process work?
The public nominates in each category. A long-list is formed from all nominations. At the end of the nominations process the long-lists for each category will be distributed to LGBT+ organisations throughout Ireland. These organisations will select four nominees from the long-list who will make it to the short-list. Shortlisted nominees are selected using the reasons provided in the nominating process and judged against a clear selection criterion provided by the National LGBT Federation.
1/2 @GCNmag @nxfie #GALAS2020 LGBT+ Community Award Categories! Watch out for news of when public nominations open at https://t.co/t9LhW1pLiG pic.twitter.com/gqKBEIluRL
— The GALAS LGBTQ+ Awards (@TheGalas) October 28, 2019
Is there a public vote for the winners?
Winners in all categories except Arts/Entertainment, Public Figure and International Activist are chosen by the board of the National LGBT Federation. The winner of the Arts/Entertainment Award and the Public Figure Award will be chosen by a public vote.
2/2 #GALAS2020 LGBT+ Champion Award Categories! pic.twitter.com/bh3DDY8KjY
— The GALAS LGBTQ+ Awards (@TheGalas) October 28, 2019
The list of award categories are as follows:
GALAS 2020 LGBT+ Community Awards (public nomination)
- Community Organisation of the Year – paid staff
Community Organisation of the Year – volunteer staff
Volunteer of the Year
Event of the Year
LGBT+ Young Trailblazer
LGBT+ Digital Change Maker
Sports Award
Arts and Entertainment
Noel Walsh HIV Activism (In memory of GCN’s much-missed HIV editor, Noel Walsh)
GALAS 2020 LGBT+ Champions Awards (public nomination)
- LGBT+ Ally
Outstanding Company
LGBT+ Role Model
LGBT+ Employee Resource Group
LGBT+ Public Figure
GALAS 2020 Outstanding Achievement Awards (selected nomination)
- International Activist (Individuals are nominated by Amnesty International, Frontline Defenders and the NXF)
Person of the Year
Lifetime Achievement
So there you have it! If you would like to make your nominations or find out more about GALAS 2020, you can visit their website here. Have your say on who from our LGBT+ family should be honoured.
© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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