Michael Causer, the openly gay Liverpool teenager who died following a brutal homophobic attack in 2008, will remembered at Gay Times Honours on 8 November – the first time the annual event has been held outside London.
The teenager is among a host of honourees to be recognised in specially commissioned paintings which will be unveiled on the night.
Unique portraits of those celebrated are also set to go on display for 14 days following the event at the Walker Art Gallery.
Speaking about the honour, Michael Causer’s mother, Marie Causer, who set up the Michael Causer Foundation in her son’s memory, said:
“We have come a long way since Michael was killed, but there is still work to be done locally and nationally to eradicate hate crime. Mike, myself, our family and the Michael Causer Foundation are pleased that Michael is being recognised in this the 10th year since his passing. This will help us continue the work our foundation does in Michael’s name.
“The Michael Causer Foundation was set up by us to create something positive out of the tragic loss of our son. 10 years on we are delighted to see Michael remembered and our work continue.”
Liverpool Mayor, Joe Anderson, said:
“This is a very fitting tribute for Michael and incredibly poignant that it comes on the tenth anniversary of his death. It is further fitting that Gay Times has decided to hold this important event in Liverpool too. It sends out a message that we’re a diverse and inclusive city and that we will not tolerate hate towards the LGBTQ community.”
Famous faces and high profile figures from the LGBTQ community will descend on Liverpool for the event.
The Walker Art Gallery was selected due to its ongoing commitment to LGBTQ representation in its permanent and temporary collection.
Established in 1984, Gay Times is Europe’s longest running LGBTQ magazine and has the largest social reach of any queer publication globally.
In 2017, the publication embarked on a huge rebrand with a commitment to amplifying queer voices from all over the globe.
Each issue is presented with various covers to ensure that the brand reaches diverse audiences from across the LGBTQ community.
Gay Times owner, James Frost, said:
“Liverpool is a wonderfully vibrant, thriving and culturally diverse city and the perfect home for Gay Times Honours 2018.
“The tenth anniversary of Michael Causer’s death is important to us all at Gay Times, and we’re delighted to honour the incredible work of the Michael Causer Foundation and their fight to eradicate homophobia.”
More details about the ceremony will be announced in the coming weeks including news on the event’s celebrity host.
