I personally hate the honours system in Britain. There is so much insider dealing, establishment backscratching and lauding of the already rich and powerful.
But just occasionally come along a few nice surprises. Step forward Jenny Broughton, Nigel George Warner, Jay Stewart, Jenny-Anne Christine Bishop, good people.
To LGBT people, these honours powerfully convey a sense that finally we are not total outsiders in our own country.
Meantime the fight for equality and justice goes on in daily life for thousands of ordinary people snared in prejudice and bigotry. We are mindful of the march of the right across Europe, and the undertow of phobia that lurks in our own political ranks and out on the streets: homophobia, transphobia, disability-phobia, xenophobia, racism, sexism and misogyny, and all the other angry nonsense that comes of personal insecurity and public scapegoating.
Let 2015 be the turning point when Britain decisively rejects the poisonous old attitudes of UKIP et al and positively embraces diversity in every area of public life.
Happy New Year, whoever you are, wherever you count home, whoever you love!
Here's the link: Pink News: Queen Bestows Honours on LGBT Rights Trailblazers