Celebs came out in force to support the event.

The Australian LGBTI Awards took place in Sydney today as the inaugural bash honoured the likes of Ruby Rose and Penny Wong. The red carpet was studded with stars from all over Australia showing what amazing support there is for the LGBTI community down under.

A range of gay stars and ‘straight allies’ were recognised at the glitzy ceremony at the Sydney Opera House, with the event hosted by Jackie Loeb.

Ruby Rose couldn’t attend the event but her award was collected by girlfriend Jess Origlisasso from The Veronicas who said: “It’s so incredible to be in a room here tonight with so many individuals and organisations who are giving everything in their power to keep the LGBT community highly visible here in Australia and around the world, so thank you so much for your determination and courage.”

Musical entrepreneur Molly Meldrum was handed the prestigious Vodafone Lifetime Achievement to pay tribute to his longstanding career.

The aim of the Awards is to help Australia effect change on LGBTI Equality Laws, which currently lag behind many other developed nations when it comes to these key areas of human rights.

Tickets for the ceremony sold out in November last year, which resulted in the event being live-streamed across the internet.

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

SBS Student and Rising Star – CAITLYN GEORGESON

Australia Post Hero of the year – ROWENA ALLEN

Cricket Australia Sports Personality of the Year – MICHELLE HEYMAN

OUTSOURCE FINANCIAL Travel and Destination of the Year – AIRBNB

MTV LGBTI Broadcaster and Presenter of the Year – JULIE MCCROSSIN

GLAAD Community Initiative of the Year – AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Bloomberg Inspirational Role Model of the Year – SHARON CARROLL

BIG W Employee Network Group of the year – PRIDE AT ACCENTURE

Out Now Global Politician of the year – PENNY WONG

Out News Global Journalist of the Year – CHLOE SARGEANT

Star 100 Entertainment Ally of the year goes to – LUCY LAWLESS

Austrian National Tourist Office LGBTI Celebrity of the Year – RUBY ROSE

PWC BRAND AND ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR – SBS

Vodafone Lifetime Achievement – MOLLY MELDRUM