In light of special circumstances, the British LGBT Awards has made the decision to recognise Dean Eastmond, outside of the normal award-giving period. Nominations for the British LGBT Awards 2018, which are currently open, have seen a number of entries across different categories for Dean, including ‘Journalist’, ‘Online Impact’ and ‘Outstanding Contribution to LGBT+ Life’. However, given the nature of his illness, Dean may not be strong enough to attend the ceremony in May next year. Therefore, we’re honouring his work for the LGBT+ community with a special 2017 ‘Campaigner’ Award. You can read more about Dean and his work below or visit his site here.

Dean Eastmond is a campaigner and journalist. Aged 20, he co-founded HISKIND Magazine while undergoing intensive chemotherapy, having been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer just one year earlier. He has written for VICE, the Guardian, the Independent and many more.

Despite only being given a 20% chance of survival and receiving extensive chemotherapy, Eastmond has amplified his fight for LGBT+ rights over the last 12 months. As a writer, he has raised awareness of sexual assault, campaigned for equal fertility rights for gay men, highlighted the stigma faced by LGBT+ people with cancer, and is credited with bringing the LGBT+ community together, after they generously raised significant amounts of money towards living costs for his treatment in America.

Eastmond’s courage and positivity in the face of a devastating diagnosis has touched and inspired the thousands of people who read his work.