Cork-based HIV activist receives top honour at LGBTQ+ awards

A Cork-based HIV activist has been awarded a top honour at Ireland’s only LGBTQ+ awards.

William Kennedy from Cork shared a stage with veteran campaigner David Norris as they both scooped awards at the annual Galas, organised by Gay Community News (GCN) and the National LGBT Federation (NXF).

At a ceremony in the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, Mr Kennedy was given the Noel Walsh award for HIV activism.

Awards hosts, performer and broadcaster Paul Ryder, and social media influencer, Cassie Stokes, said the judges had been impressed by Mr Kennedy’s leadership and service on behalf of people who are HIV positive or living with AIDS.

Mr Norris, who retired from the Seanad last January, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award at the event, as special recognition for his contribution to the LGBTQ+ community and Irish society.

Speaking at the ceremony, chair of the NXF, Anna Nolan said: “This is our 11th awards ceremony, and the standard of all the entrants was as strong as ever.

“It is genuinely humbling to see the amount of work that individuals and groups are doing all over Ireland to promote equality, and acknowledging their efforts makes the Galas such a special and inspiring evening."

Alongside Mr Kennedy and Mr Norris, a queer women’s sexual health and wellbeing conference at the Munster Technological University (MTU) Cork School of Music was named Event of the Year, with the judges also acknowledging Q-Con 2023, which was sponsored by LINC, a lesbian and bisexual women advocacy group based in Cork city centre, as a positive space for LGBTQ+ people and their friends.

Other winners at the ceremony included Trans Healthcare Action, which was named Community Organisation (Volunteer Staff) of the year, Midlands LGBT+ Project, which won the Community Organisation (Paid Staff) prize, and League of Ireland side Bohemians, which was named LGBTQ+ Ally of the Year.