The DIVA Awards are back. Returning as the centrepiece of the DIVA Charitable Trust Gala Dinner, the ceremony — headline sponsored by Deutsche Bank — will honour 13 women and gender‑diverse changemakers for their work across sport, media, activism and culture. Organisers say this edition is their largest yet and invite supporters, allies and the broader community to join the celebration on 24 April 2026.
Hosts and highlights
Comedian and writer Deborah Frances‑White and actor‑comedian Thanyia Moore will present the evening, guiding the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony. Frances‑White, co‑creator of the podcast The Guilty Feminist and author of several books, brings sharp humour and a knack for storytelling. Moore, a stand‑up award winner with television and streaming credits, also runs workshops that help emerging performers find their voice. Together they are expected to blend levity and advocacy while spotlighting the winners’ achievements.
What’s being recognised
Thirteen awards will be handed out across categories that reflect different forms of public influence — from the Media Moment and Icon awards to Sport and Changemaker honours. The categories are designed to celebrate visibility, sustained impact and work that shifts public conversation or creates tangible opportunities for LGBTQIA+ women and non‑binary people. Shortlists will be judged against criteria that emphasise demonstrable outcomes and reach.
About the DIVA Charitable Trust
The awards sit within a broader programme run by the DIVA Charitable Trust, the charity behind DIVA magazine. For more than three decades DIVA has served LGBTQIA+ women and gender‑diverse communities; the trust now channels the magazine’s editorial work and fundraising into grants, mentorships, and capacity‑building projects aimed at sustaining independent queer media and nurturing new talent.
How the gala helps
Proceeds and profile from the Gala Dinner support the trust’s core activities: keeping independent journalism alive, funding mentorship and training, and underwriting projects that amplify marginalised voices. Beyond fundraising, the event creates networking opportunities, editorial commissions and public platforms that can extend winners’ reach long after the trophies have been collected.
Ways to get involved
– Subscribe: Paid subscriptions provide steady income that helps preserve editorial independence. – Donate: One‑off and recurring gifts fund community programmes and access initiatives. – Attend: Tickets and hospitality tables support the trust and bring people together around queer culture. – Sponsor or partner: Corporate and philanthropic partnerships can scale projects and open new opportunities. – Volunteer or offer pro bono expertise: Legal, marketing and editorial support bolster capacity and reduce costs. – Legacy giving: Planned gifts can sustain long‑term projects and archives.
Logistics and contact
The Gala Dinner and Awards take place on 24 April 2026. For tickets, hospitality, press access or sponsorship enquiries, email events@diva‑magazine.com. Further details on subscriptions, donations and the trust’s programmes are available via DIVA Charitable Trust’s official channels.
This year’s ceremony promises to be a lively celebration of achievement and a reminder that visibility paired with practical support can help sustain the people and platforms shaping queer culture.