Gay rights activists honour Boyzone

LONDON - Irish pop group Boyzone has been honoured by gay rights campaigners here, with a special tribute for late member Stephen Gately.

Gately, who died in Majorca, Spain, last month, hit the headlines a decade ago when he went public about his sexuality. His boyband had also supported his decision by including a same-sex love scene in their 2008 music video “Better”.

It is this effort by the band which was rewarded by officials at gay campaign group Stonewall at the organisation’s annual awards ceremony Thursday night. Boyzone was handed the Entertainers Of The Year prize, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The trophy was collected by Gately’s gay partner, Andrew Cowles, who praised Stonewall for recognising his late husband’s contribution to the gay community.

“A few years ago, Boyzone made pop music history by featuring a gay kiss in one of their videos. That was not a marketing stunt, it was simply a mark of respect for Stephen and his sexuality,” said Cowles.