London gay group honours `Boyzone`

London: Irish pop group Boyzone have been honoured by gay rights campaigners in London as part of a special tribute for late member Stephen Gately.Gately, who passed away in Majorca, Spain, last month (09), hit the headlines when he ``came out`` as a gay man a decade ago (99).

The members of his band publicly supported his decision by including a same-sex love scene in their 2008 music video ‘Better’. And the band`s efforts have now been rewarded as officials at gay campaign group Stonewall honoured them at the organisation`s annual awards ceremony on Thursday night (05Nov09). The boyband were given the Entertainers Of The Year prize. Gately`s partner, Andrew Cowles, collected the trophy and praised Stonewall bosses for recognising the late Boyzone star’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,” The Daily Express quoted Cowles as telling the audience. ANI