The Gay Project: Out & Outstanding in Cork Awards is a celebration recognising the exceptional contributions of volunteers, allies, and community champions who bring pride, unity, and positive change to the LGBTI+ community in Cork. Honouring leaders from sports, culture, arts, corporate/community allies, advocacy, and more, this awards night shines a spotlight on those who inspire with their commitment to inclusivity and impact. Join us in celebrating their dedication to building a stronger, more vibrant community for all!
Nominations are now open for the various categories until 7pm Monday 18th November.
- Description: Honors a sports club that has made exceptional contributions to promoting sportsmanship, inclusivity, and community engagement.
- Eligibility: Open to all sports clubs affiliated with the Gay Project, with a minimum of six months of activity.
- Description: Recognises a peer support/social group that has provided an outstanding platform for tackling social isolation, building community, and promoting inclusivity.
- Eligibility: Open to all peer support/social groups affiliated with the Gay Project.
- Description: This award celebrates an individual whose artistry has had a transformative impact on the LGBTI+ community. Whether through visual art, literature, music, performance, or other media, this award honours those who use their creative voice to inspire, challenge, and uplift. Their work not only entertains but also promotes deeper understanding, visibility, and pride within the LGBTI+ community and beyond.
- Eligibility: Open to LGBTI+ artists, authors, and entertainers who have actively contributed their talents in the past year. Eligible nominees should demonstrate a commitment to representing LGBTI+ voices, themes, or experiences through their work and have a record of positive community engagement or influence.
- Description: Celebrates a drag artist who has inspired, entertained, and contributed significantly to LGBTQ+ culture and representation in Cork in 2023/2024.
- Eligibility: Open to Munster based drag performers.
- Description: Recognises a state agency, educational institution, or school that has demonstrated exceptional support and advocacy for LGBTI+ inclusivity. This award celebrates initiatives, policies, or programmes that foster a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for LGBTI+ individuals within their organisation and the wider community.
- Eligibility: Open to state agencies, public institutions, schools, and educational organisations that have implemented meaningful actions supporting LGBTI+ inclusivity. Eligible nominees might include those who have developed inclusive policies, provided LGBTI+ sensitivity training, engaged in advocacy, or created supportive resources or programmes for LGBTI+ individuals. Also open to college/university bodies such as student unions, societies and other groups working within the educational sector that provide support to students.
- Description: Acknowledges a for-profit business that has demonstrated exemplary support for LGBTQ+ rights, inclusion, and community engagement.
- Eligibility: Open to all for-profit businesses based in Cork with a track record of supporting LGBTI+ initiatives and promoting an inclusive workplace.
- Description: Recognises a community organisation/NGO that has shown outstanding commitment as an ally to supporting LGBTI+ individuals, promoting inclusivity, and safe spaces.
- Eligibility: Open to nonprofit or community organisations showing active allyship in supporting LGBTI+ rights, inclusion and well-being.
- Description: Recognises an outstanding event organised by a group or individual that has promoted community, visibility, and support for LGBTI+ causes.
- Eligibility: Open to all events organised within the past year in Cork.
- Description: Honours a young volunteer or group (under 25) who has contributed significantly to LGBTI+ youth advocacy, engagement, or support.
- Eligibility: Open to volunteers under 25 or youth-oriented groups who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to youth-related issues.
- Description: Honours an individual or group that has contributed to promoting health, wellness, and/or mental well-being within the LGBTI+ community.
- Eligibility: Open to volunteers, groups, or organisations involved in health or wellness initiatives for the community in Cork.
- Description: Recognises an ally who has consistently shown support for the LGBTI+ community over a significant period, making a lasting impact.
- Eligibility: Open to individuals with a record of allyship in a sustained, impactful way.
- Description: Celebrates a volunteer who has dedicated several years to the LGBTI+ Community and has made a lasting impact.
- Eligibility: Open to volunteers with five or more years of promoting inclusivity for the LGBTI+ community.
- Description: For the most dedicated and impactful volunteer who has gone above and beyond in service to the LGBTI+ community in Cork.
- Eligibility: Open to all volunteers across any group or committee.