Sam Smith Honors Beverly Glenn-Copeland at Pink Awards 2025

At the annual PTP Pink Awards held on November 7, 2025, in Toronto, British singer Sam Smith presented the legacy award to acclaimed Canadian artist Beverly Glenn-Copeland. The event took place at the historic Fairmont Royal York Hotel, where Smith reflected on the deep connection he felt upon first meeting Glenn-Copeland.

Smith, who traveled to Toronto specifically for the occasion, praised Glenn-Copeland as “a true statesman of the queer community.” He expressed his admiration, stating, “Like everyone who hears his incredible voice, I was immediately transfixed by Glenn’s beautiful talent. Listening to him sing is like feeling a warm embrace… a calming voice for our times.” This heartfelt recognition highlights Glenn-Copeland’s significant contributions to music and LGBTQ+ advocacy.

Celebrating Resilience and Advocacy

The award ceremony showcased a range of prominent figures from the LGBTQ+ community, with a particular focus on uplifting transgender voices amid ongoing challenges to their rights in both Canada and the United States. Glenn-Copeland, who publicly identified as a transgender man in the early 2000s, has been a vocal advocate for the community. Despite recently revealing a dementia diagnosis, he performed his song “Harbour” alongside his wife, Elizabeth, demonstrating his enduring spirit.

The evening was marked by musical performances, including one from Toronto-based singer-songwriter T. Thompson, who covered Bruce Cockburn’s “Lovers in a Dangerous Time.” Thompson emphasized a key lyric, urging the audience to join in: “Nothing worth having comes without a fight.” This sentiment resonated throughout the event, celebrating the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community.

Last year’s inaugural Pink Awards were held just before a significant political shift in the United States, with David Walberg, executive director and CEO of Pink Triangle Press, noting the impact of political decisions on the LGBTQ+ community. In his opening remarks, Walberg mentioned, “We all knew change was coming, but I don’t think any of us had foreseen what has actually come to pass.” He highlighted concerns about recent legislation affecting LGBTQ+ rights, particularly in provinces like Alberta.

Honorees and Their Chosen Causes

In addition to Glenn-Copeland, several other influential LGBTQ+ figures were honored at the awards. Each honoree selected a community organization to receive a donation of at least $5,000 as part of the event. Harper Steele, a transgender writer featured in the Netflix documentary “Will & Harper,” chose the Toronto-based youth counselling group Friends of Ruby. “What a cool idea,” Steele remarked, endorsing the awards’ community focus.

Other honorees included Devery Jacobs, an actor from the acclaimed series “Reservation Dogs,” who selected the Native Youth Sexual Health Network. Musicians like Carole Pope and creators like Bilal Baig also took part, with Pope dedicating her award to the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research in memory of her late brother, a key figure in the fight for AIDS medication access.

Lawyer Douglas Elliott acknowledged the importance of legal advocacy within the community. He reflected on his historic work, which included representing the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto in the first legal same-sex marriage in 2001 and his role in securing a $145 million settlement for victims of the LGBT Purge. Elliott donated his award funds to the Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance, emphasizing the need for support and understanding for two-spirit individuals.

The Pink Awards, organized by Pink Triangle Press—publisher of Xtra Magazine—serve not only to honor individuals but also to promote positive change within the community. Co-hosted by actress Emily Hampshire from “Schitt’s Creek” and choreographer Hollywood Jade from “Canada’s Drag Race,” the event celebrated the strength and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community while reinforcing the urgent need for continued advocacy and support.

This report was originally published by The Canadian Press and reflects the ongoing efforts to uplift and recognize the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations.