Hosted by Char Bailey and Megan Crabb, the awards recognised heroes in five categories: LGBT+ Inclusive Teacher of the Year, Ambassador of the Year, Corporate Volunteer of the Year, Mentor of the Year and Pride Group of the Year (sponsored by JP Morgan Chase & Co).

Just Like Us is the LGBTQ+ young people’s charity. The organisation is known for School Diversity Week, their annual UK-wide celebration of LGBTQ+ equality in schools and colleges.

The ceremony, which took place on 13 July, featured appearances from stars such as presenter and DJ Harriet Rose, Heartstopper’s Corinna Brown and Tobie Donovan, Everyone’s Talking About Jamie alum Layton Williams, singer-songwriter Låpsley, Paralympian gold-medalist Lauren Rowles, swimmer Michael Gunning, dancer and film director Shiva Raichandani, writer and activist Eva Echo, and the cast of I Kissed a Boy – the UK’s first-ever same-sex dating series.

Rising rapper Keanan also delivered a medley of his most beloved tracks including Obstacle, Exhale, Inhale, Country Boy and Ooh La La, as well as new single Butterscotch, which is due for release on 4 August.

Corporate Volunteer of the Year was presented by Rose and Williams.

Kan has donated more than 200 hours of his time to Just Like Us, transforming fundraising, donation processes and management of charity programmes.

His volunteering enabled the charity to launch an individual giving programme and learn data in real time, directly helping Just Like Us deliver more than 250 school talks (reaching around 65,000 pupils).

“I am very proud and grateful to have the opportunity to contribute on projects which enabled Just Like Us to reach more people and make a bigger impact,” said Kan. “I am awe-inspired by Just Like Us’ unwavering commitment to making the world a more inclusive place. All young people should feel they belong, no matter who they are or who they love.

“I would also like to thank Salesforce, not only for their commitment to diversity and equality in the workplace, but also the employee volunteering program that supported me to give back through my work, to a cause that is so meaningful and personal to me.”

Laura Mackay, Chief Executive of Just Like Us, said: “I would like to personally thank Alan for the hundreds of hours he has generously donated to Just Like Us, helping us to run smoothly and efficiently. 

“This has helped us to support more schools and LGBT+ young people to tackle anti-LGBT+ bullying and show all young people that being LGBT+ is something to be celebrated. I’d also like to say a huge thank you to Salesforce for their ongoing support.

‘This Pride Month, Salesforce raised more than £30,000 for Just Like Us, a phenomenal achievement which will go so far in supporting LGBT+ young people.”

The Just Like Us Awards were sponsored by JP Morgan Chase & Co.

GAY TIMES was the official media partner.