On Friday 17th October 2025, I was honoured to take home the Diversity Champion Award at The Collaborative Network’s LGBTQ+ FLOWERS Awards.

Now in its second year, the LGBTQ+ FLOWERS Awards, founded by Josef Hollywood and Mike Skeggs, were set up to be more than just accolades. They serve as a powerful platform to build and strengthen networks through the medium of recognition and peer support.

Recognition is something I’m a huge champion of. So many people do incredible things and never so much as receive a simple “well done.” Nights like these, especially those that focus on minority groups such as the LGBTQ+ community, are essential.

They are needed even more in times like these, when our community increasingly feels targeted by sections of society.

For me, activism has been part of my life for around 15 years; starting with my YouTube channel, JohnBirdMedia, which opened doors to incredible opportunities, including travelling to London and LA to collaborate with other creators.

That passion evolved into my time with Liverpool Pride, beginning as a volunteer social media manager, then becoming a trustee and ultimately, co-chair (all within the space of 3 years!). From there came the co-founding of LCR Pride Foundation, before I relocated to Northern Ireland and found myself in politics, being elected as the first openly LGBTQ+ councillor in Ballymena on Mid & East Antrim Council.

I returned home to Liverpool in 2023, after enduring a horrific online harassment campaign, one that accused me of one of the worst things you can call a gay man, alongside other personal reasons. Since then, I’ve slowly been rebuilding.

This summer, I launched my own LGBTQ+ video podcast, Proudly Said, a project inspired by both my former podcast The Little Bird Told Me (over a decade ago) and Best of Belfast. It’s about hearing the stories and experiences of incredible people who might not otherwise get the chance to share them.

Throughout my adult life, I’ve always tried to connect and champion others wherever I can, be it linking up people with shared interests, speaking highly of others when they’re not in the room, or helping where possible.

To have that recognised means the world.

Thank you, sincerely, to everyone who’s supported me, encouraged me, and believed in the power of connection and recognition.

Mike Skeggs said, “We created theLGBTQ+ FLOWERS Awards to shine a light on those who uplift others, open doors, and make our community a kinder and more inclusive place. Creating a platform to honour and celebrate those in our community that proudly represent our LGBTQ+ family.

John embodies the true spirit of a Diversity Champion. Through his actions, his advocacy and the way he brings people together, he reminds us why this platform matters and what positive change really looks like.”