LONDON: Boyzone has been honoured by gay rights campaigners with a special tribute for late member Stephen Gately.

Gately, who died last month, hit the headlines a decade ago when he went public about his sexuality. His boyband had also supported his decision by including a same-sex love scene in their 2008 music video Better. It is this effort by the band, which was rewarded by officials at gay campaign group Stonewall at the organisation’s annual awards ceremony on the night of November 5. Boyzone was handed the Entertainers Of The Year prize, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The trophy was collected by Gately’s gay partner, Andrew Cowles, who praised Stonewall for recognising his late husband’s contribution. “A few years ago, Boyzone made pop music history by featuring a gay kiss in their video. That was not a marketing stunt, it was simply a mark of respect for Stephen and his sexuality,” said Cowles.