Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has picked up a politician of the year award from gay equality group Stonewall but criticised the charity's "bigot of the year" category.
Ms Davidson was awarded the title in recognition of her becoming the first openly gay leader of a major UK political party.
The politician, who attended the London awards ceremony presented by Gok Wan, was quick to urge Stonewall to drop its controversial "bigot" award, which went to Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland.
Ms Davidson said: "I think it's important for young people growing up to see that it doesn't matter your politics, gender or sexuality, there should be no barrier to success. This is why I am so supportive of Stonewall's Role Models leadership programme.
"But where I disagree with Stonewall in these awards is the need to call people names like 'bigot'. It is simply wrong. The case for equality is far better made by demonstrating the sort of generosity, tolerance and love we would wish to see more of in this world. There are many voices in this debate and just as I respectfully express my sincerely held belief that we should extend marriage to same-sex couples, I will also respect those who hold a different view."
Ms Davidson was selected from a shortlist of five politicians including Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The annual ceremony honours those who have made a positive contribution to the lives of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Scotland and around the world.
Ms Davidson has spoken out in support of plans to extend marriage to same-sex couples, which have been strongly opposed by the Cardinal.
Stonewall Scotland director Colin Macfarlane said: "As Britain's first openly gay leader of a mainstream political party, Ruth has shown thousands of young gay Scots that they can aspire to be what they want to be."
He added: "It's fitting that Stonewall's 10,000 supporters voted decisively to name Cardinal O'Brien as 'bigot of the year'. We've never called anyone a bigot just because they don't agree with us, but in just the past 12 months the Cardinal has gone well beyond what any normal person would call a decent level of public discourse."
