Rising Star Award

Kit Connor

Kit Connor shot to fame as the charming and authentic Nick Nelson in Heartstopper. With his powerful performances and openness about his sexuality, he’s quickly become a role model for LGBTQ+ youth and a rising TV star. 

Yasmin Finney 

Yasmin Finney is a trailblazing trans actress, best known for her role in Heartstopper and her upcoming appearance in Doctor Who. With her inspiring advocacy for trans rights, she’s not only a rising star but a voice for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Vivienne

Winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, The Vivienne has taken the drag scene by storm with her wit, style, and unapologetic LGBTQ+ advocacy. As a fierce and visible drag queen, she’s a standout star, championing inclusivity and queer culture.

GK Barry

GK Barry has become one of the UK’s funniest and most authentic voices, sharing hilarious, relatable content while embracing her LGBTQ+ identity. With her unapologetic humor and sharp wit, she’s rapidly becoming one of the hottest names in comedy.

Tia Kofi

Tia Kofi, known for her quick wit and killer performances on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, has made a name as a drag queen who blends comedy with fierce talent. A rising star with a unique voice, she’s breaking barriers and making the UK drag scene even more exciting.

Jessica Gunning

Jessica Gunning is an actress on the rise, known for her powerful roles in Cuckoo and Raised by Wolves. She’s also an outspoken ally to the LGBTQ+ community, using her platform to advocate for visibility and inclusivity in the entertainment industry.

Mawaan Rizwan

Mawaan Rizwan blends comedy with personal storytelling, breaking taboos about sexuality and family. His humour is both sharp and heartwarming, making him a rising star in the UK comedy scene while advocating for LGBTQ+ acceptance in South Asian communities.

Phil Dunning

Phil Dunning is quickly becoming one of the UK’s most popular LGBTQ+ influencers. Known for his relatable TikTok content on mental health, queer life, and self-acceptance, he’s using his platform to create a space for queer people to feel seen and supported.

Cat Burns

Cat Burns is a singer-songwriter whose soulful voice and empowering songs about love and LGBTQ+ identity are capturing the hearts of listeners. With her honest and raw lyrics, she’s quickly becoming a voice for queer youth in the UK music scene.

Olly Shinder 

Olly Shinder is a rising star in the fashion world, known for his bold, inclusive designs that celebrate LGBTQ+ identity. With a focus on self-expression, his work challenges traditional norms and amplifies the voices of queer individuals. As an openly queer designer, Olly uses his platform to create spaces where LGBTQ+ people feel celebrated, visible, and empowered through fashion.