THE flamboyant and beloved gay icon Conchita Wurst is to fly into Scotland to perform at the country's first LGBTI awards ceremony.
A string of celebrities including Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst are to appear at the inaugural Icon Awards 2015 in Glasgow next month.
The awards, which take place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel on October 9, recognise LGBTI (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) icons throughout Scotland - with nominees including leading sportspeople, lawyers, performers, politicians and businesses.
Wurst, who is from Austria and won Eurovision in 2013, will close the event and said she is excited to perform in Scotland for the first time.
The singer, who is also a well-known LGBTI activist, said: "I am very pleased to visit Scotland for the first time in my life. It is about time! To be at the night of the Icon Awards 2015 is a huge privilege for me and I hope the LGBTI community in Glasgow will have a fabulous and an encouraging night."
Other celebrities set to appear include Waterloo Road actress Heather Peace, singer Horse Macdonald and Scottish comedian Rhona Cameron.
The Sunday Herald is the media partner for the awards, which have received more than 20,000 votes cast by the public over the last eight weeks in 16 categories.
The shortlists have now been released and nominees include the Gay Police Association and Pride Glasgow in the community spirit section, and cyclist Graham Obree and wrestler Christopher Saynt in the sporting category.
Employees from the army, police, navy and NHS are also up for the Uniformed Icon award, while leading Scottish QC Derek Ogg features in the role model category. Sunday Herald journalist Vicky Allan is also up for an award.
Michael Macfarlane, event organiser for the awards said he has been "astounded" by the response from the public and "couldn’t be happier with the choices".
He added: "It’s very important to me that we get the public behind The Icon Awards, and let them decide who should go through, and I am delighted at the results.
"The sheer number of votes and the level of finalists show how far as a country we have come, and proves to me that the time is now to recognise what’s needed here in Scotland."
The night will raise funds for Edinburgh-based HIV and Hepatitis charity Waverley Care, with organisers hoping to raise a "substantial amount".
Grant Sugden, CEO of the charity, said the money raised on the night will be put to good use in caring for people affected by the diseases.
He said: "The ICON awards are a fantastic platform for Waverley Care to raise awareness of HIV and Hepatitis C in Scotland and we are delighted to be chosen as the beneficiary charity for the awards.
"Like the Icon Awards, at Waverley Care we celebrate diversity and no matter who we work with, we strive to make sure that every person we meet feels respected and encouraged.
"There is still so much work to do in the treatment and prevention of HIV and Hepatitis C.
"The money raised from the awards will be vital in helping us continue our work across Scotland reducing new infections, getting people diagnosed and supporting those affected both emotionally and practically."
Guests will enjoy a meal and drinks reception, as well as VIP goodie bags and transport to an after party at Light Nightclub where Conchita Wurst will be doing a meet and greet before flying back to Vienna in the early hours of the morning.
Politicians including Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson and the SNP's Mhairi Black are up for awards in the Politician of the Year category, which is sponsored by the Sunday Herald.
Nominees in the employer category include Glasgow City Council, Glasgow’s Manhattan Nails and The Royal Jubilee Hospital.
Other businesses including public relations firm Wire Media, clothing brand Abandon Ship Apparel, and George Square salon Rainbow Rooms International have also been shortlisted across the 18 categories.
BBC TV Series Transsexual Stories is up for the Media Portrayal category, while the night’s most prestigious award, The Icon Award, will go to an unsuspecting guest at the close of the evening.
Icon Awards chair Scott Barclay said the LGBTI community has done well in highlighting "unsung heroes".
He added: "It’s very important to recognise those that often go without any recognition at all, and picking the top five in these categories wasn’t easy for anyone involved.
"I firmly believe that the shortlists created reflect the LGBTI community across Scotland, and showcase the best of the LGBTI community across the country."
Nominees
Volunteer of the ?ear
Tommy Clarke, Safe Zone Edinburgh
David Sinclair, Pride Glasgow
Christopher Land, Castlemilk Youth Project
David Barclay, Beatson
Mark Mciver, Waverley Care
Community Spirit
Gay Police Association
Pride Glasgow
Loud & proud Choir
highland LGBT Forum
Saltire Thistle
Uniformed Icon
Dougie Graham, Army LGBT
Frazer Robertson, British Transport Police
Douglas S Ward, Royal Navy
JANE Christie Flight, NHS
Alan Sneddon, Police
Sporting
Saltire Thistle
Graham Obree
Leap Sports
Glasgow Frontrunners
Christopher Saynt
Role Model
Scott Rennie
Karen Dumbar
Derek OGG QC
Jai Latto
Jenny Robertson
Julie Clarke
Journalist
Peter Ross, SOS
Vicky Allan, H&T
Karen Greenshields, STV
Gerry Cassidy, STV Glasgow
Andrew Paige, Kaleidoscot
Politician of the Year
Ruth Davidson
Patrick Harvie
Angela Crawley
Mhairi Black
Derek Mackay
Businessperson of the year
Nick Cohen, PCR
John Amabile, Amabile Designs
Lee Beatie, Wire Media
Steven Mcleod, Aurora Hotel Collection
Craig Mathieson, CM Financial
Wedding Venue of the year
29 Private Members Club
The Corinthian Club
Culzean Castle
Pollock House
The Parsonage
Venue of the year
The Waterloo Bar, Glasgow
Planet OUT, Edinburgh
Cheerz, Aberdeen
Cafe Habana, Edinburgh
Katies Bar, Glasgow
Rusty Nail, Ayr
Underground Bar, Glasgow
AXM, Glasgow
Speakeasy, Glasgow
Marriott Hotel, Glasgow
Entertainer of the year
Volcanic Ash
Tom Harlow
Allan Jay
Business of the year
Amabile Designs
Cafe Nom De Plume
Ginger & Lime Events
Scotland Redefined
Fergus & Glover
Xpression Photography
Wire Media
Bombshell management
Pets N Vets
Abandon Ship Apparel
Marketing Campaign of the year
#Be Happy, Pride Glasgow
#RainbowLaces, Stonewall
Gilead Sciences, ChemSex campaign
SHHH!, LGBT Youth Scotland
Gay Is Ok, Lush
Employer of the year
Tesco/Tesco Bank
Barclays Bank
RBS
Balfour Beatty
Manhattan Nails
Army
Royal Navy
Jubilee Hospital
Mariott Hotels
Wheatley Group
Glasgow City Council
Media portrayal award
Transexual Stories, Peachtree Films, BBC
Stonewall Movie
STV Glasgow
BBC River City
Beauty Industry award
Terry Dunn Hair
Illamasqua
Sarah Hill
Butterfly Medi Spaa
Rainbow Rooms George Square
Craig Andrew Hair
Facelook Beauty
Glamgenderdolls
Lush
Star Tanning & Beauty
Straight Ally Award
Michelle Visage
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