OUR WINNERS

MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

WINNER - ACTIVIST

Judge’s summary:

“Dewi is a compassionate and influential leader supporting trans communities across the UK. He helped save Trans Pride Manchester from closure, transforming it into a major event attended by over 8,000 people that provided visibility, safety, and support for the community. Alongside organising large-scale events, Dewi works directly with trans individuals to improve access to NHS healthcare, particularly in underserved rural areas. Through initiatives such as Rural Trans Alliance and Trans Health Cymru, he addresses structural inequalities while offering practical advocacy and support. Judges praised his resilience, strategic leadership, and ability to create meaningful, lasting change across Manchester, Wales, and beyond.”

LIBERTY ACADEMY

WINNER - COMMUNITY LEADER

Judge’s summary:

“Marcel is an outstanding young leader whose dedication to supporting LGBTQIA+ students has created lasting positive change within his school and community. As Diversity Lead and a student leader, he improved PSHE content to ensure fair LGBTQIA+ representation and developed educational resources on Pride history, identity, and inequality. Through presentations, community engagement, and involvement in the Youth Mayor Programme, he has amplified LGBTQIA+ voices and created safe, welcoming spaces for young people. Marcel leads with empathy, maturity, and genuine care for others, using education and inclusion to ensure every student feels respected, supported, and represented within both school and wider society.”

COVENTRY UNIVERSITY

WINNER - UNSUNG HERO

Judge’s summary:

“Alex is a dedicated and influential student leader whose work has greatly improved the experiences of LGBTQIA+ students at Coventry University and beyond. Through roles within the Students’ Union and Coventry Pride, they have championed education, advocacy, and lasting cultural change. Alex created and delivered Trans Awareness Training, increasing understanding of trans experiences among staff and students, while also supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals nationally as a regional ambassador for It Gets Better. Their contribution to the Self-Service Name Change policy created meaningful structural change for trans+ students. Through initiatives including the Gender Expression Fund and LGBT Society legacy work, Alex has ensured lasting inclusion and support.”

MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY LONDON

HIGHLY COMMENDED - ROLE MODEL (STUDENT)

Judge’s summary:

“Michael is an excellent role model whose courage and resilience have transformed personal adversity into meaningful advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community. Growing up in a country where being openly LGBTQIA+ can be life-threatening, he endured fear, bullying, and violence while using education as a pathway to survival and freedom. Through exceptional determination, he secured the opportunity to pursue a PhD in the UK and now uses his lived experience to educate others through teaching, seminars, and work in international criminal law and human rights. Despite ongoing risks to his safety, Michael continues to inspire hope, empathy, and resilience within the LGBTQIA+ community.”

ASTRAZENECA

WINNER - ROLE MODEL (BUSINESS)

Judge’s summary:

“Chloe is an exceptional business leader whose work has driven lasting change for LGBTQIA+ colleagues across AstraZeneca. Through initiatives including the Ally Pack, trans inclusion guidance, networking events, and Pride programming, she has embedded practical, meaningful inclusion into everyday workplace culture. During periods of uncertainty around UK trans inclusion legislation, Chloe collaborated with HR, Inclusion & Diversity teams, and trans colleagues to develop supportive guidance on transitioning, pronouns, facilities access, and workplace support. She has also strengthened AstraZeneca’s visibility as an inclusive employer through Pride representation and alternative benchmarking frameworks. Her empathetic, strategic leadership continues to create safer, more inclusive workplaces.”

GEORGE HOUE TRUST

WINNER - ROLE MODEL (CHARITY)

Judge’s summary:

“Jack is an outstanding LGBTQIA+ advocate whose work has significantly advanced HIV awareness, education, and visibility across the UK. Through impactful digital campaigns, he has engaged younger audiences in conversations about HIV history, stigma, prevention, and overlooked stories from the AIDS crisis. His courageous decision to take a live HIV test on the BBC helped challenge stigma and normalise testing. Alongside raising £45,000, Jack continues to educate thousands nationwide while supporting the UK’s goal of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030. Balancing roles at George House Trust, The Proud Trust, and as a trainee solicitor, his leadership and dedication continue to inspire meaningful change.”

BARNWELL SCHOOL

WINNER - ROLE MODEL (EDUCATION)

Judge’s summary:

“Nic is a highly deserving educator whose work demonstrates exceptional compassion, courage, and commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion. As a trainee teacher, Nic has created a safe and supportive classroom environment where students can openly explore topics such as identity, discrimination, and equality with empathy and respect. Through inclusive literature, meaningful discussions, and clear classroom boundaries, Nic has encouraged students to challenge harmful assumptions and engage more thoughtfully with others. Their visibility as a queer educator provides important representation and reassurance for LGBTQIA+ students. Despite being early in their career, Nic has shown remarkable leadership and resilience, using education to foster safer, more inclusive spaces for all.”

MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY LONDON

WINENR - ALLY

Judge’s summary:

“Christiana Rose is an exceptional ally whose sustained dedication has had a meaningful impact on LGBTQIA+ students and staff within her university community. Through advocacy, weekly check-ins, and consistent support, she has embedded allyship into everyday practice, ensuring others feel valued and included. A key strength of her work is amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices by nominating students for awards and celebrating their achievements, creating opportunities for recognition and confidence. Her intersectional approach also supports neurodiverse members of the community through committees, Pride events, and inclusive initiatives. Christiana’s thoughtful, authentic, and non-performative leadership has created safer, more supportive environments for many individuals.”

THE PROUD TRUST

HIGHLY COMMENDED - CHARITY INITIATIVE

Judge’s summary:

“The Proud Trust has created a consistent, youth-led digital space, supporting those living in rural areas, managing disability or anxiety, or unable to safely access in-person groups. For many of its participants, it is their only connection to an LGBTQIA+ community. The initiative helps young people build confidence, identity, and belonging over time, transforming isolation into connection and participation. In a time when many LGBTQIA+ young people face loneliness and exclusion, ‘Queer & Far’ offers safety, visibility, hope and a meaningful community where it is needed most.”

X2Y

WINNER - CHARITY INITIATIVE

Judge’s summary:

“The Placard Initiative is an inspiring project that has grown into a powerful movement amplifying young queer voices through creativity, education, and activism. By creating safe and welcoming spaces, the initiative empowered LGBTQIA+ young people to express themselves authentically, build confidence, and strengthen community connections during a time of political uncertainty. Participants shared their messages publicly at Wolverhampton Pride and Trans+ Pride in London, while exhibitions in local galleries extended visibility to wider audiences. Beyond these events, the initiative inspired ongoing civic engagement and led to the creation of the Youth Voice Advocacy Board, ensuring young LGBTQIA+ voices continue to influence meaningful and lasting change.”

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON

WINNER - COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

Judge’s summary:

“UAL’s “12 Hours of Queer London Magic” was an ambitious and impactful initiative that brought together over 400 LGBTQIA+ students across London through a full day and night of inclusive activities, performances, and community events. By collaborating with 12 university halls and partnering with LGBTQIA+ venues and organisations, the event helped tackle isolation, foster friendships, and strengthen students’ sense of belonging. Thoughtfully chosen venues highlighted important queer spaces and histories while ensuring accessibility for diverse participants. Beyond the event itself, the initiative supported queer venues through increased visibility and engagement, encouraging lasting community connections and creating a sustainable legacy of inclusion, celebration, and cultural preservation.”

LIBERTY ACADEMY

WINNER - SAFE SPACE

Judge’s summary:

‘‘The Alternative Society at Liberty Academy is an exceptional safe space initiative that has created meaningful support and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ students in a deprived area where visible support may be limited. By adopting a more approachable and inclusive name, the group reduced barriers for students who may feel uncertain about joining LGBTQIA+ spaces. Flexible lunchtime and after-school sessions further improved accessibility for a wide range of students. Beyond the society itself, initiatives including Pride-inclusive sports kits, rainbow lanyards, and open evening participation have helped embed inclusion across the school. The society has become a vital source of belonging, cultural change, and support for young people.”