TV star to host inaugural equality and diversity awards

Tuesday 19 July 2016

Rebecca Root, widely regarded as the first trans person to play a trans character in a mainstream TV sitcom on British television, is to host the inaugural Channel Islands’ Equality and Diversity Awards.

Ms Root stars in BBC2’s successful sitcom “Boy Meets Girl”, and is named on the 2016 LGBTQ+ Pride Powerlist as one of the most influential lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people this year.

Vic Tanner Davis – treasurer of Liberate Jersey – the equality charity organising the awards – says “Root’s advocacy for trans people, but also for equality and diversity, makes her a great choice to be our host for the awards.”

Liberate was established in Guernsey in February 2014, with a Jersey offshoot being set up in the November. The charity aims to educate and inform on a wide range of LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning) issues and to support those who identify as LGBTQ, their families and friends. It also campaigns to reform policies and laws to ensure that LGBTQ people can enjoy the same freedoms as everyone else across the Channel Islands.

Channel Islands Pride Week is running from September 10 to 17 and the awards are being presented on Friday, September 15 at the Pomme d'Or Hotel, St Helier. The winners will chosen by an independent panel.

Nominations can be made by logging on to the charity’s website www.liberate.je/awards . There are five categories:

Best Small to Medium Employer (up to 80 employees) (as nominated by their employee(s))

Best Medium to Larger Employer (more than 80 employees) (as nominated by their employee(s))

Best Service Provider (as nominated by themselves or the general public)

Best Educational Initiative (as nominated by themselves of the general public)

Best Not-for-Profit Support Initiative (as nominated by themselves or the general public)

Ms Root said: “I'm delighted to be coming to Jersey to host this special evening. Recent events in LGBT communities around the world mean it is more important than ever to promote equality and acceptance for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning people everywhere. Hats off to Liberate for hosting such a brilliant evening and for its continued efforts on behalf of the LGBTIQ communities of the Channel Islands.”