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Community Organisation – paid staff
This Award recognises an outstanding LGBTQ+ organisation, with paid staff, who have actively contributed to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Ireland.  This community organisation will have shown considerable leadership & innovation in how they meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.

 
Community Organisation – volunteer staff
This Award recognises an outstanding LGBTQ+ organisation, run & delivered by volunteers, who have actively contributed to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Ireland.  This community organisation will have shown considerable leadership & innovation in how they meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
 

Volunteer of the Year
This award goes to an individual for their voluntary efforts on behalf of Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community.  For the most part, the LGBTQ+ community of Ireland runs on a very special fuel: the efforts of hundreds of volunteers working for organisations around the country. This award honours those LGBTQ+ individuals who unselfishly give their time and energy for the greater good. It is not open to organisations.  
 

Event of the Year
This Award recognises the importance of events for the life of the LGBTQ+ community.  The event of the year must have actively promoted LGBTQ+ inclusion and provided a strong platform for LGBTQ+ visibility.
 

Joe Drennan LGBTQ+ Young Trailblazer

This award is given to a young person (between the ages of 18 - 25 years) who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in their community, school, academic institution, workplace or in society, at large.  This young person will be considered a trailblazer because they have encouraged and supported other young people to be proud of who they are and how they can contribute to society.
 

Sports
This award goes to a sports group or sporting individual in Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community who has demonstrated leadership in the role that LGBTQ+ people have in sport or has created inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ people in sport.
 

Arts & Entertainment
This award recognises an outstanding LGBTQ+ individual or group working in the fields of arts or entertainment (this can be an author, playwright, artist, musician, blogger, social media entertainer, actor, director, producer or anyone or group working in the fields of arts, drama, music, theatre, literature, television, digital entertainment or film in Ireland who has created strong & accurate portrayals of LGBTQ+ people and their lives. 

 
Noel Walsh HIV Activism
In memory of GCN’s much-missed HIV editor, Noel Walsh, this award goes to an outstanding individual or organisation working in the Irish HIV and AIDS sector.

GALAS LGBTQ+ Champion Awards

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LGBTQ+ Ally
This award recognises an ally (individual, organisation, college, school, or university) of the LGBTQ+ community who has actively supported and made a difference, in exceptional ways, for the community in the last 2 years.

Outstanding Company (50+ employees)

This award recognises the contribution that the business community and companies (50+ employees) have in promoting the equal treatment and full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in both the workplace and in society.  This company will demonstrate its outstanding support by having an inclusive workplace culture as well as being visible in the LGBTQ+ community, as a champion, through its support of LGBTQ+ community organisations.

Outstanding Small Business (<50 employees)

This award recognises the contribution that the business community and companies (1 - 50 employees) have in promoting the equal treatment and full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in both the workplace and in society.  This company will demonstrate its outstanding support by having an inclusive workplace culture as well as being visible in the LGBTQ+ community, as a champion, through its support of LGBTQ+ community organisations.
 

LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group
This Award is to recognise the important role that Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or Employee LGBTQ+ networks have in the workplace.  This Award is given to an ERG who has mobilised and contributed to considerable change for LGBTQ+ employees in their respective workplaces. 

Emerging Journalist
This award honours an emerging journalist in Irish media who champions LGBTQ+ rights through fair, accurate, and inclusive coverage. Their work promotes diversity, avoids stereotypes, highlights key issues, and helps build a more inclusive society through television, radio, or online platforms.

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Person of the Year
The Person of the Year Award recognises an LGBTQ+ individual who has made an outstanding contribution, as a role model and exceptional leader, to the LGBTQ+ community in the last 24 months.  Their contribution will have improved the lives of LGBTQ+ people and they will have been recognised by the community for this.

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