Danny Beard will host the first ever Sahir Awards this November, as Liverpool’s oldest HIV and LGBT+ charity launches “a new celebration of courage, care and community.”
The inaugural Sahir Awards will take place ahead of World AIDS Day 2026, bringing together community leaders, supporters, businesses, public sector partners and activists to celebrate people making a real difference across the Liverpool City Region.
Hosted by Beard, one of the UK’s best-loved drag performers, Wirral native and former winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, the evening will recognise outstanding contributions to HIV awareness, LGBT+ equality, health equity and community support.
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The five award categories are:
- HIV Champion Award
- LGBT+ Community Impact Award
- Health Equity Award
- Young Changemaker Award
- Online Activist and Influencer Award
- Lifetime Contribution Award
Each category will honour individuals, groups or organisations whose work has helped challenge stigma, improve lives and build stronger, safer communities.
The dinner event will also raise vital funds for Sahir’s frontline services supporting people living with HIV, LGBT+ people and people seeking asylum across the Liverpool City Region.
Simon Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Sahir, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Danny Beard will host our inaugural Sahir Awards. Danny brings warmth, humour, heart and star quality — exactly what this special evening deserves.
“World AIDS Day is a time to remember, reflect and recommit ourselves to ending HIV stigma. But it is also a moment to celebrate the people who keep pushing our communities forward.
“The Sahir Awards will shine a light on courage, care and community. Across our region there are people doing remarkable work, often quietly and without recognition. These awards are our chance to say thank you, celebrate their impact and raise the funds we need to keep supporting people when they need us most.”
Nominations for the awards are open via the Sahir website and nominees must live, work, volunteer or deliver services in the Liverpool City Region. Nominations will close at 5pm on Wednesday 30 September 2026.
Sahir is Liverpool’s oldest HIV and LGBT+ charity, supporting people living with HIV, LGBT+ communities and people seeking asylum across the Liverpool City Region.
World AIDS Day takes place every year on 1 December. It is an opportunity to remember those who have died, stand in solidarity with people living with HIV, challenge stigma and renew the commitment to ending HIV transmissions and discrimination.
