GAY TIMES Magazine

19 November 2021

For this very special Honours issue we’ll be shining a spotlight on this year’s winners from across the world of activism, music, drag, sport, fashion, television and allyship. We also have some insightful cover stories with a trio of our Honourees. Each of the conversations touch upon the current climate for our trans siblings in the UK; one that is increasingly toxic and divisive. Munroe Bergdorf is a critical trans voice in the community, and someone who has continually fought for the rights of those most marginalised. She has faced some incredibly challenging moments in her career but has consistently worked to better the lives of trans people and cut through disinformation peddled by right-wing media to cause fear and hate. It’s why we awarded her with the GAY TIMES Honour for British Community Trailblazer, recognising her impactful work. “Everything I do comes back to my community. Whether that's women, trans people, or Black people, my community has always empowered me during times I felt unsure about myself,” she tells us. “As a marginalized person in this country, we grow up in a culture that we are told is not inherently ours. It's amazing to receive a GAY TIMES Honour highlighting the work that I've done because it’s always been geared towards the community.” Our GAY TIMES Honour for Drag Hero goes to none other than Bimini. The Drag Race UK season 2 finalist has had a whirlwind year with the show gaining them international adoration. Aside from pulling out fierce looks for the runways and being a formidable performer, it was their conversation with fellow contestant Ginny Lemon on the show about their non-binary identities that felt monumental. When two celebrated non-binary performers are given the space to speak about their experiences on a BBC show watched by millions, it allows others out there to feel seen and understood. Bimini is pushing the conversation further with their new book and acknowledges that more education is needed in an environment where morning TV continues to whip up falsities about gender identity. “There’s an agenda being pushed, and there’s often a defence and an offence and they have three minutes to cover the conversation,” Bimini says in their cover story. “It’s about who can outdo who and it creates this hysteria; this moral panic around trans people and gender non-conforming people. I just don’t think it’s moving anything forward. It’s quite stagnant and regressive.” Our third cover star this month has been awarded the GAY TIMES Honour for Allyship. Little Mix’s Jade Thirwall has been a vocal ally throughout her decade in the girl group, continually platforming and supporting queer people. As one of the most prominent female performers in the UK, Jade lending her voice in support of trans rights is critical – something she is more than aware of. “I'm definitely trying my best to talk to Stonewall more about how I can help and be there for my friends, for my trans friends and find ways to support them through that, and push governments and the right people into making a change,” Jade tells us, recalling a recent social media encounter with transphobes that she had.