BIOGRAPHIES

Ash Palmisciano is an actor, speaker, and presenter whose work is shaped by his lived experience as a trans man. Since 2018, he has appeared as a series regular in ITV’s Emmerdale playing Matty Barton the soap’s first transgender character. His credits also include Boy Meets Girl (BBC Two), Pop (BFI), and The Lady That Dances (Channel 4 Random Acts). Alongside acting, Ash is an advocate and facilitator, having worked with Gendered Intelligence, Diversity Role Models, and Not a Phase. He regularly speaks on identity and authenticity, including his TEDx talk, “Why Your Truth Is Your Superpower.” Follow him on Instagram @ash.p.x and TikTok at @ashmatetv

Eva Echo (she/they) is an educator and TEDx speaker with a focus on trans+ rights, eating disorders and neurodiversity. She uses her personal struggles to highlight shared experiences and to campaign for change, whilst creating unity through intersectionality. Most notably, Eva took legal action against NHS England in the High Court to challenge the unlawful waiting times for trans+ patients. Eva was also involved in a tribunal which secured an important win for the community, DEI and freedom of speech.

Equity, diversity and inclusion consultant Steve is the founder and event director of The Queer Student Awards. Since graduating in 2006 from Durham University he has dedicated his career to supporting young people in their transition from education into the workplace - his own career started as a Geography teacher in a disadvantaged secondary school in Essex. During his two years teaching he hid his sexuality from his pupils and their parents out of fear of suffering from bullying and discrimination - which remains the biggest regret in his career. It wasn’t until he started volunteering with LGBTQ+ charity Diversity Role Models that he gained the confidence to return to the school environment to share his coming out story with young people. During this time volunteering he was inspired by the ways in which the young LGBTQ+ people and their peers were embracing their queer identities, educating teachers and openly tackling bullies. This acted as a catalyst

Robin Reeds is the UK’s premier drag clarinetist and self-proclaimed “Clarinet Clown of the North”. Robin may play the joker but he’s actually a very serious Royal Global sponsored artist. Making waves in the international clarinet community for his drag infused classical performances and touring musical, High Heels & Bass Squeals. Alongside performing, Robin is a musical director and songwriter, having worked with broadway and west-end casts, and recently completed a residency with Dibby Theatre. Blending virtuosic clarinet playing with theatre creativity and unapologetic clownery, Robin Reeds creates drag performances that exemplify ‘dumb fun’. You may never see an elephant fly- but you can watch one play the clarinet over spice girls.

Rosa is a Liverpool born professional singer. She trained in Musical Theatre achieving a first class BA(Hons) in 2019, and has been performing since she was 3 years old. She is proud to be a lesbian and believes that queerness needs to be celebrated in every aspect. She is very excited and can’t wait to perform for such a special event.

Avery Greatorex (she/they) is a queer and trans activist, student officer, and incoming NUS Vice President Liberation and Equality. Starting out as a trans* rep and chair of their university's trans society, Avery spent three years building a LGBTQ+ community on campus, reviving a dormant trans society, coordinating a national campaign against conversion therapy that reached over 15 students' unions, and helping to build a trans mutual aid network in Lancashire. A speaker at the emergency Parliament Square rally following the Supreme Court gender recognition ruling, Avery has spent years organising for causes close to her, including trans liberation, disability justice, and community solidarity. Earlier this year, Avery was elected NUS Vice-President Liberation and Equality, a role they will take up in July 2026.

Emeritus Professor Sue Sanders of the Harvey Milk Institute, an “out and proud” lesbian, is CEO of Schools OUT UK. In 2004 she co-founded the UK’s LGBT History Month with Paul Patrick an annual event which happens every February. In 2007 she was responsible for The Classroom which has lesson plans that ‘usualise’ LGBT people in all their diversity for all ages across the curriculum. As an educator and activist, Sue is a proponent of an inclusive and relevant curriculum in education and works to ‘educate out’ all forms of prejudice. She has also worked extensively in the criminal justice system attempting to challenge hate crime in all its forms.

Matthew is currently completing his Project Management Degree Apprenticeship at E.ON UK, where he combines his professional responsibilities with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. He actively champions inclusive practice across the organisation, from leading E.ON’s Pride parade appearances to organising the company’s first global gathering of its diversity and inclusion networks. Beyond the workplace, Matthew uses his social media platforms, including LinkedIn, to speak openly about LGBTQIA+ inclusion and amplify conversations to a wider professional audience. After being recognised as a Rising Star at the 2025 Queer Student Awards, Matthew is proud to support this year’s judging panel, celebrating the incredible contributions of queer students and allies across the UK.

Dr Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL is a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and former LGBT Advisor to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. Currently Greater Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Community Ambassador, working with LGBTQ+ charities and organisations, visiting schools, youth groups and workplaces to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and respect as well as working on projects with Community Action, Public Sector Liaison and LGBTQ+ Networks across GM.

Carl served in The Royal Air Force from 1991 and unfortunately discharged in 1997. He received The Royal Humane Society Bronze Award for Bravery for rescuing a pilot from a burning Hawk Aircraft which crashed on the runway at RAF Chivenor in 1992, received a mention in the Queens Birthday Honours List in 1996 with a Commander in Chief’s Commendation and although having an exemplary service record, it was deemed that his sexuality was “incompatible to service life” as it was still illegal to serve in The UK Armed Forces for being gay. He joined Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service in 1998 and left 1999, then went on to win Mr Gay UK 2001.

Having served on Manchester City Council representing Burnage from 2011 – 2018, Carl was the first openly gay Lord Mayor of Manchester 2016 – 2017. Also owns his own Cleaning Company VA Clean – working with Property Management Companies specialising in the communal areas of apartment blocks.

Carl has devoted himself to LGBTQ+ advocacy. Ambassador for The Proud Trust, Patron of George House Trust, Contact Theatre, Manchester Proud chorus; Chair of Pro-Manchester EDI Network, City of Trees Trust. He was also a founder member for Fighting with Pride (LGBT veterans charity run by veterans. The first and only lived-experience charity addressing the health and wellbeing of LGBT+ veterans.) Over the last 5 years Carl has been instrumental to the work that Fighting with Pride has managed to achieve. He passionately promotes diversity, equity and inclusion within our communities. 

In November 2019 Carl was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and was awarded an OBE in the 2020 Queens New Year’s Honours List for services to Charity and the LGBTQ+ Community.

Carl, with other members of Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Community have recently set up Manchester Village Pride CIC to bring Pride back to Manchester.