Community Engagement

In September, 2010 I was very honoured to be asked to become an academic patron of LGBT History Month.

LGBT History Month is an annual celebration (every February) of the histories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It honours the achievements of those LGBTs who have made a substantial contribution to our history. In 2013, we celebrate the endeavours of those scientists, technologists, mathematicians and engineers who not only led their respective fields but, like Alan Turing, made a lasting contribution through his endeavours to break the enigma code during World War II. In 2014 we celebrate the LGBT music makers and their music.

In 2012, I was also asked to become patron of FFLAG – Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

FFLAG is a national voluntary organisation and registered charity. It is dedicated to supporting parents and their lesbian, gay and bisexual daughters and sons. It offers support to local parents groups and contacts, in their efforts to help parents and families understand, accept and support their lesbian, gay and bisexual members with love and pride. It provides a central point for exchange of information between parents groups and local parent contacts.

FFLAG supports the full human and civil rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual and transgender individuals. FFLAG speaks out and acts to defend and enhance those human and civil rights.

I am very honoured to be associated with this organisation and the superb work they do.

In 2013, I agreed to become a trustee of Schools-OUT. This charity, which has been working for LGB and T equality in education since 1974, provies a range of resources for teachers to incorporate LGBT issues into the curriculum. The classroom website includes LGBT-inclusive lessons uploaded and tested by teachers that cover all key stages and the majority of subjects taught in schools.

The Classroom aims to be an accessible space for teachers to locate a range of resources to make Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans people visible in education. To eradicate homophobia and transphobia, the lives and contributions of LGBT people need to be visible throughout education. This can be done by delivering a broad and balanced curriculum. The teachers who have contributed to these resources passionately believe in diversity being celebrated in all its forms. Therefore, they present a simple but effective methodology to enable you to be an inclusive practitioner and promoter of equality and diversity.

I am currently Chair of the Board of Trustees of the charity Ditch the Label. This charity works with schools, colleges, youths and parents from across the UK to help reduce the prominence and harmful effect of bullying within the UK’s education system.