The British LGBT Awards recently announced the removal of Shell and BP as sponsors due to the withdrawal of nominees and judges. This decision comes amidst growing backlash against the fossil fuel industry. Prominent figures like Joe Lycett and Cheddar Gorgeous, along with several nominees and judges, have dissociated themselves from the event. Divina de Campo, the latest star to reject her nomination, stated, “There’s no pride on a dead planet.”
The competition, which celebrates queer and LGBT celebrities, role models, and organizations, expressed sadness over the withdrawals but recognized the importance of addressing the concerns raised. The British LGBT Awards is dedicated to uplifting the entire LGBTQ+ community in the long run and will be revising their supporters this year while also reviewing their long-term strategy.
De Campo explained her decision to decline the nomination for influencer of the year on Instagram, stating that being an influencer holds little meaning when people are fighting for survival. She criticized BP and Shell for their contribution to corporate greed and the resulting suffering caused. Climate campaigners have applauded the awards organizers’ decision but plan to continue protesting outside the event to raise awareness.
Fossil Free Pride, the group behind the campaign, is now urging the awards to drop sponsorship deals with HSBC, Santander, Macquarie Capital, Amazon, Tesco, and Nestlé due to their involvement in the fossil fuel industry. They argue that these events should prioritize the queer community rather than showcasing corporate logos.
However, critics of the campaign argue that it may hinder the marginalized community’s access to resources necessary for fighting for rights and recognition. Linda Riley, editor of the LGBTQ+ magazine Diva, stressed the importance of being mindful of the consequences and redirecting efforts towards challenging far-right atrocities.
While BP expressed disappointment with the decision, they emphasized their commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. Shell, who had a supporting sponsor role, explained that their partnership with the awards was arranged by their LGBT staff network and aimed to highlight their dedication to inclusivity. They regretted the negative reaction and reiterated their goal of becoming a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
