Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s political legacy may not be universally admired, but on Friday he was named one of the top "gay icons" of the last thirty years in recognition of his work for gay rights.

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British magazine Gay Times awarded the politician the accolade in an edition marking the newspaper's 30th anniversary.

He joins a list of 30 other names including actor Ian McKellen, singer Barbara Streisland, and pop icons Boy George and Annie Lennox, all nominated for their influence on the LGBT community.

Blair, 61, won a landslide victory in a 1997 general election, and was the head of a left-leaning Labour Party government for the next decade.

During his time in office the UK introduced civil partnerships, the lowering of the homosexual age of consent from 21 to 16, and the abolition of the "Section 28" law that banned authorities from "promoting homosexuality".

"His status as an ambassador of gay rights is undeniable," said Gay Times. "Legal recognition for trans people, civil partnerships, banning employers from sacking you because of who you love and making homophobia a hate crime - they were all on Blair's watch."

Blair welcomed the "gay icon" title, saying he was proud of his work on gay rights, which he considers a part of his legacy.

"As I was growing up in politics, I disliked the hypocrisy where people had to conceal their own identity. And I saw the pain that they had in their own lives, because they couldn't be who they were," Blair said.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

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