Ignite the Spark: LGBTQ+ Activism Unleashed!

Location
Online - Registration via Zoom
Dates
Wednesday 12 February 2025 (12:00-13:00)
Contact

Alex Ferranti (a.ferranti@bham.ac.uk)
Student Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Officer

Join us as we delve into the inspiring stories of our panel of LGBTQ+ activists and social changers

Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with the Student EDI Team. This event aims to educate and inspire the next generation of activists, raising awareness about the ongoing struggles and triumphs within the LGBTQ+ community.

This isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a call to action. Our panellists hope to inspire the next generation of activists (that’s you!) to keep promoting equality and inclusion in our diverse societies.

Our panel will feature LGBTQ+ activists who have made significant contributions to the community in the UK and abroad. They will share their personal journeys, challenges, and victories, providing valuable insights and inspiration. Attendees will have the opportunity to listen to meaningful discussions and ask questions to our panellists.

Panel Discussion Topics

  • Inspiration and Personal Journeys: What inspired our panellists to get involved in LGBTQ+ activism, and how have their personal journeys shaped their advocacy work? Can they share defining moments that reinforced their commitment to fighting for LGBTQ+ rights?
  • Challenges and Barriers: What are some of the biggest challenges they have faced in their work as activists, and how have they navigated them? How do they address resistance or pushback from individuals or institutions when advocating for change?
  • Impact and Social Change: In their view, what has been the most significant achievement of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in recent years? How do they measure success in their activism—through policy change, cultural shifts, or something else?
  • Strategies for Activism: What role does allyship play in creating meaningful change, and how can allies be more effective in supporting LGBTQ+ communities? What advice would they give to students and young activists who want to start making a difference in their own communities?
  • Looking Forward: What do they think are the most pressing issues for LGBTQ+ activism in the next five to ten years, and how can we prepare to address them? How can educational institutions, like the University of Birmingham, better support LGBTQ+ activism and foster a culture of inclusion?