QUEER OF THE YEAR & UNSUNG HERO OF THE YEAR 2024

“Young people are often not recognised for the power they have in effecting change, yet play such an important role in shaping the socio-political climate. Putting Queer Power in the spotlight gives young LGBTQ+ people another chance have their voices truly heard, celebrated, and put into action.”

ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR: EDUCATION 2022

“Power so often is denied to a community. The lack of it can make it feel like you are stripped of agency. Stripped of a voice. Stripped of your authenticity. Then, when others seek to comment and pass judgement on you or your community - these lies and stereotypes cut deep, perhaps deeper, than if you had that power.

Too often queer people have been denied space and a platform to be seen and heard and just when it felt like real progress was being made - dark days seem to be gathering on the horizon again.

This is why now more than ever - reclaiming your power and creating those spaces is critical. Sometimes if you want something to exist, you have to make it yourself. It's time to take back our ground and no one is going to do it other than us.”

ACTIVIST OF THE YEAR 2021

“Immediately I think about how there is power in numbers. It's so easy to think because your gender and/or sexuality is such a personal, individual thing, that you're doing it alone. But you are never alone, and when we come together we have the power to make change.

Every wave is made of individual drops of water. I'd encourage everyone to think of themselves as a powerful force too, you are capable and strong. Practice being powerful every day, and you will be unstoppable.”

ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR: STUDENT 2024

“I know at times we may not be in a position where we feel powerful, or even comfortable, maybe due to an oppressive environment or even simply our own self doubt. But all of us are powerful, we have so much resilience within us, our strength is shown by our navigation through a world that might not fully accept us. The hateful fear our pride, and that is powerful in itself.”

GRADUATE OF THE YEAR 2022

“There are lots of different forms and manifestations of power, but to me the most important is the feeling of being centred and happy in your own skin. To be able to sit with yourself and feel at ease is such a powerful feeling, because it gives you so much headspace and resilience to tackle anything that is thrown at you. And unfortunately, for a lot of us queer folks, society has taught us the opposite of that, that we should feel uncomfortable, that we shouldn't love or even like ourselves, that we don't deserve the superpower of self-acceptance.

But when I am in a room full of other queer folks, I feel so much power from being in their energy. I see people who have told society that their happiness is more important than other people's expectations. And that isn't unique to queer people, but it is a shared experience - a shared power - that all queer people have.

At some point, all of us have known that being ourselves will upset or anger some other people, and when we confront that, just by being ourselves out loud, it is so powerful.”

INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR & QUEER OF THE YEAR (RUNNER-UP) 2023

“To me, Queer Power is the freedom to live life authentically, embracing who you truly are without fear or compromise. It’s rooted in resilience—the strength to stand out, unapologetically, and the courage to face a world that often asks us to shrink. Representation is crucial; seeing others like me express themselves boldly gives me the power to be brave, to be myself, and to carve out space for all queer identities.

Queer Power is also about intersectionality—recognising that our strength lies in supporting one another, regardless of our differences. Together, we’re unstoppable. When we stand united, we become the living proof that authenticity is our greatest strength.”