Beccy Cole acclaimed Music Artist at LGBTI awards

Adelaide-based country music singer songwriter Beccy Cole was awarded the Music Artist of the Year at 2018 Australian LGBTI Awards in Sydney last Friday.

Over 11,000 nominations were received across 16 categories.

“So completely shocked, yet honoured and humbled to have been awarded,” she responded. “What a night!”

Cole came out in 2012 on ABC-TV show’s Australian Story and proposed to cabaret singer Libby O’Donovan four years later at the latter’s 40th birthday party, and has used her profile to battle for marriage equality..

She has a 19-year-old son Ricky from her first marriage, which lasted two years.

She once quipped that as he grew up, he was probably more embarrassed by the fact his mother is a country singer than the fact she is a lesbian!

Other Public Award winners were Conchita Wurst (international celebrity), SBS (brand of the year), Joel Creasey (presenter), Magda Szubanski (LGBTI celebrity), Kerryn Phelps (hero), Bindi Irwin (ally), Vienna (destination), Orange Is The New Black (film, TV & web series), Sydney Swans (community initiative/charity), Airbnb (marketing campaign), Casey Dellacqua (sports personality), Alex Greenwich (politician) and Brown-Forman (organisation).

Corporate awards winners were Ross Wetherbee of CBA (diversity champion), Australia Post’s ‘Post Pride’ (LGBTI employee network group), Alan Joyce of Qantas (inspirational role model) and veteran activist Peter De Waal (lifetime achievement award).

Said Australian LGBTI Awards director, Silke Bader, “These past months, it’s been amazing to finally starting to see some traction towards equality, opportunity and fair treatment for all.

“Such great strides would be impossible without their tireless contributions.”

Hosted by SBS presenter Patrick Abboud, the evening saw a who’s who of the LGBTI community descend on The Star for the red carpet gala.

Attendees included Orange Is The New Black’s Yael Stone and Danielle Brooks, Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warior Princess) and comedian Jordan Raskopoulos.

The awards were held the night before the 40th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade drew a record 300,000 spectators to watch 12,300 participate over four hours.

According to organisers, there were 200 entry floats/groups; 350 bikes; 178 vehicles and 15 pushables.

While the party wound up at 8am the next day, among the performers were headliner Cher, Starley and Seann Miley Moore, and sets by international DJs The Black Madonna, Hannah Holland, Kiddy Smile and Shaun J. Wright.

The midnight community show featured 40 Drag Queens and Trans Showgirls, along with Mardi Gras legend Bob Downe and 25 dancers from the local community.