Former UniQ Otago co-ordinator Nathan Brown says he's honoured to have been named Queer of the Year at this year's Lavender Globe Awards, which recgonises those who have made special contibutions to the fabric of Dunedin's GLBT community. The awards were held Saturday 9 July, the first Saturday of Dunedin Pride Week. Other awards included Young Person of the Year, Queer-friendly Business of the Year, Sportsperson of the Year, Queer Organisation of the Year, and Supreme Queer Avenger. In accepting Queer of the Year, Brown made special mention of his fellow nominees, Grant Benson and Cheryl Langveldt. "Cheryl was been a loyal member of the community for many years and is ever involved, lending a hand, and doing her part for queer visibility," he says. "Grant, particularly has been my right hand man in much of the work that I have done with UniQ and FUNQ, while I have been alongside him when he has organised past Pride Weeks. I believe that both Cheryl and Grant are equally deserving of this award but am quite honoured to be the one who got to take it home on Saturday night." But it wasn't all serious. Those who sought the coveted title of Mr and Ms Pride Week had to throw all modesty out the window and convince an audience in 30 seconds that they were worthy of the title. The winners, decided by audience response, received $100 cash, a $30 bar tab and flowers.