Gay business awards

A longstanding community leader, a drag icon and a Canadian-born author featured in the winners’ circle at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association’s (SGLBA) third annual awards night last Thursday.

Former Mardi Gras treasurer and Aurora Group founding secretary Kevin Golding won for outstanding contribution to Sydney’s gay and lesbian community.Drag performer Joyce Maynge’s alter ego Shane Pascoe also won the same award in recognition of his charity and entertainment work. Andy Quan, who recently published his erotic story collection Six Positions, took out the SGLBA Gay Literary Award.

Among other winners at the awards were Stevie Rose, named Lesbian Businesswoman of 2006 for her promotion of the community in the corporate world. In new award categories, 21-year-old marketing business owner Liam Miller won the Young Gay Businessman encouragement award and gay air charter company Pink Plane was named Outstanding Business.

SGLBA president Stephen Peoples told Sydney Star Observer the evening’s eight winners were notable for their community contribution. It’s a chance to reward and honour people who have done some outstanding things either in their own business or especially in the community.