Evan Davis wins Journalist prize at European Diversity Awards
By Will Stroude
Newsnight
presenter Evan Davis has been named Journalist of the Year at the European Diversity Awards.
The out gay journalist and broadcaster, who fronted BBC2’s political round-up show for the first time earlier this week (September 29), having taken over from Jeremy Paxman, was a joint winner of the award alongside Paralympian-turned-broadcaster Ade Adepitan, who presented the acclaimed Channel 4 documentary Jamaica’s Underground Gays, which aired in May of this year.
The fifth annual ceremony, which celebrates people and organisations which promote equality and diversity, was held at London’s Natural History Museum last night (October 2), hosted by newsreader Jane Hill.
Transgender former Vogue model April Ashley received the Lifetime Achievement Award on the night. Ashley became one of the first people to undergo gender reassignment surgery back in 1960, and carved out a successful modelling career before being outed by the Sunday People in 1961.
The 79-year-old was awarded an MBE in 2012 for her services to transgender equality.
Linda Riley, organiser of the awards, said in a statement: “Everyone who was nominated for a European Diversity Award should rightly feel proud because in their own way they have contributed to making Europe a more tolerant, diverse and just society.”
Jane Hill added: “It was a privilege to present the awards to so many deserving individuals. They are unique in recognising all aspects of diversity across the whole of Europe and celebrate the best across both the corporate and campaigning aspects of diversity.”