Virgin Atlantic sponsors Attitude awards for queer cultural icons

October 11, 2024

Demonstrating its continued commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, Virgin Atlantic has sponsored the 2024 Attitude magazine awards. Olivia Palamountain reports

For the 13th year running, Virgin Atlantic has sponsored the annual Attitude magazine awards, which celebrate queer icons from across the UK cultural scene. "Fly at your own altitude," says the airline.

The glitzy event, held at the Roundhouse in London, attracted an all-star cast of LGBTQ+ celebrities and public figures from across the creative industries, including Elton John and Eurovision winner Nemo. Globetrender editor, founder and CEO, Jenny Southan, was also in attendance. (Last year Jenny was selected as an Attitude magazine "travel trailblazer".)

Guests included both members of the queer communities as well as allies. Globetrender was seated close to Elton John's husband David Furnish and "diva" singer Lulu. Other attendees were Ed Sheeran, Mawaan Rizwan, the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK S6, the Blessed Madonna, Alexandra Burke and Dame Kelly Holmes. Attitude Awards 2024 Being honoured with the prestigious Legacy Award, supported by Virgin Atlantic, was Elton John, presented by his friend Ed Sheeran. Other awards were presented to singer Lulu for "Honorary Gay", while Baby Reindeer star Jessican Gunning picked up the TV Award (she recently came out as gay").

Entertainment on the night included a six-song set from Kathy Sledge, including her famous track We Are Family.

Attitude’s publisher, Darren Styles, said “We return for the lucky 13th annual Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar, as the world’s biggest LGBTQ+ media brand – unique in our presence in print, across digital, online and six social platforms, with three landmark live events a year.

"We champion and celebrate role models and icons alongside unsung heroes, and use Attitude’s power of amplification to honour those who represent the very best of the entire LGBTQ+ community. Trans siblings included.

“Diversity and inclusion, and universal love for that matter, though seen as delete options for wizard authors, social media despots, governments including our own and some entire countries, aren’t a pick and mix smorgasbord, but basic human rights. And Attitude is proud – as it has been for 30 years this past summer – to platform, and find joy in, the power of the individual to find their own path in exercising those rights to be whoever it is they want to be."

(Below is a picture of Attitude magazine's travel editor Markus Bidaux.)
Attitude travel editor Markus Bidaux