Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, has been named one of the most influential figures to the LGBT community in the last 30 years, along with such luminaries as Ian McKellen, Boy George, Barbra Streisand, Annie Lennox and the late Joan Rivers. Blair was named to the list by the Gay Times, a leading British magazine. While he was in office, Blair oversaw the legal lowering of the age of homosexual consent to bring it in line with that of straight couples, and also introduced the idea of civil partnerships. In a statement the magazine said Blair's "status as an ambassador of gay rights is undeniable." For his part, the former premier said of the accolade: "It's something I'm very proud of." The honor may surprise some of those who earlier this month also were taken aback when the former prime minister received GQ's "philanthropist of the year" award.
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