Every February, the LGBT+ community and their allies join forces to celebrate LGBT+ History Month. The aim of LGBT+ History Month is simple – to promote equality and diversity.
If you are looking to find out more about this crucial awareness week, you are in the right place. In a world where over 35% of LGBT people have hidden their sexuality or identity at work, here at Champions Speakers we understand the importance of celebrating awareness days.
In response, we have created a guide and selected the speakers who are perfect to help you celebrate LGBT+ History Month 2024 and make the workplace more inclusive for all.
"Claiming our past – Celebrating our present – Creating our future"
What is LGBT+ History Month
LGBT+ History Month is a crucial awareness month, that is celebrated to increase the visibility of the LGBT+ community and their experiences throughout history. The month also celebrates the achievements that the community have made, and highlights the discrimination and oppression they have faced throughout history.
The month also strives to raise awareness surrounding issues that affect the LGBT+ community and to provide educational establishments in which the LGBT+ community can excel. This can also helps to promote the welfare of LGBT+ people, fostering the next generation of allies and an education system that allows the LGBT+ community to thrive.
When is LGBT+ History Month Celebrated?
LGBT+ History Month is celebrated annually throughout February.
What was the Theme of LGBT+ History Month 2024?
The theme for LGBT+ History Month 2024 is 'medicine', to highlight the work and lives of historical LGBT+ people who worked in medicine, including healthcare.
Source: LGBT+ History Month
Why Should I Hire a Speaker for LGBT+ History Month?
Our passionate speakers have a unique combination of lived experiences and careers dedicated to the promotion of equality for the LGBT+ community. A carefully crafted combination of speakers, our roster of LGBT+ speakers can cover everything from LGBT+ healthcare to LGBT+ equality and inclusion. Such powerful advocates for acceptance will make your LGBT+ History Month event stand out from the crowd and be so much more impactful.
Take a look at our selection of the official top 15 speakers for LGBT+ History Month 2024
The Top 15 Speakers to Hire for LGBT+ History Month 2024
- Nigel Owens
- Baroness Ruth Hunt
- Justin Bengry
- Yasmin Benoit
- Phyll Opoku-Gyimah
- Dame Kelly Holmes
- Jonathan Lovitz
- Lauren Rowles
- Gina Battye
- Matthew Todd
- Geffrye Parsons
- Stephen Frost
- Juno Dawson
- Katie Neeves
- Shaun Dellenty
Nigel Owens
A former international rugby union referee, Nigel Owens made headlines when he came out as gay – the first in the male-dominated sport’s history to come out openly as gay. Since then, Nigel has made it his mission to advocate for increased support of the LGBT+ community and has been awarded Stonewall’s Gay Personality of the Year and Gay Sports Personality of the Decade.
As a passionate advocate for the LGBT+ community, Nigel is often seen speaking out about the homophobic abuse that he has been subjected to throughout his career. In further support of the LGBT+ community, Nigel has also acted as a Patron of the LGBT Centre of Excellence Wales. Having also been recognised on the 2017 Pinc List of Leading Welsh LGBT Figures and appointed as MBE in the 2016 Birthday Honours, hire Nigel when looking to raise awareness of homophobia that continues to exist this LGBT+ History Month.
Baroness Ruth Hunt
Baroness Ruth Hunt is a renowned figure of the LGBT+ community, who is famed for her role as the former CEO of Stonewall. As one of the youngest CEOs in Britain, Ruth has also made headlines as the youngest crossbench peer at 39 years old. Currently the Director of Deeds and Words, Ruth is also a highly popular speaker for LGBT+ History Month who covers topics of LGBT+ inclusion, diversity and cultural transformation.
Named as the third Most Influential LGBT Person in Britain on the 2015 Rainbow List and at no.1 on the Pride Power List 2019, there is no questioning how significant Ruth's impact on the LGBT community has been. Having come out when she was 13, Ruth has committed her career to ensuring that LGBT+ people feel included throughout society and life as a whole. When hired as an LGBT+ History Month speaker, Ruth shares the personal and professional challenges she has faced as a result of her sexuality and her passion for eliminating discrimination against the LGBT+ community.
Justin Bengry
Justin Bengry is a passionate ally of the LGBT+ community, who has committed his career to improving education surrounding LGBT+ history. As a pioneer of LGBT+ education, Justin is renowned as the convener of the world’s first MA in Queer History, working as the Director of the Centre for Queer History at the University of London. In his research, Justin has looked into the relationships between capitalism and homosexuality, along with the ‘gay pardons’ that continue to exist in the UK.
Throughout his career, Justin has been committed to increasing support of the LGBT+ community, having also worked as an Instructor in European Gender History for the University of California and Managing Director of Notches: (Re)marks on the History of Sexuality Blog. A revered expert in history, Justin has also increased awareness in his book Locating Queer Histories: Places and Traces in the UK and in the Queer Beyond London Project. If you are looking to learn all there is to know about the history of the LGBT+ community, don’t hesitate in hiring Justin Bengry today.
Yasmin Benoit
A leading LGBT+ advocate, Yasmin Benoit is an award-winning asexual activist who shares her lived experience as an asexual and aromantic person. Highly passionate about diverse representation, Yasmin is a talented model who uses her platform to change the fashion industry for the better. As one of the UK’s most prominent Black models, Yasmin created #ThisIsWhatAsexualLooksLike to promote that sexuality has no set identity, you can look any way that you please.
In recognition of her passionate advocacy of asexual people’s social and legal rights, Yasmin was awarded the Attitude Pride Award 2021. She has also acted as a Member of the Asexual Visibility and Education Network and presented her own BBC Sounds Series titled Me and My Asexuality. Now hired as a speaker for LGBT+ History Month, Yasmin shares her lived experience as an asexual and aromantic person – as she did in her TEDx talk Asexuals Need Media Representation. A seasoned speaker, Yasmin has previously spoken at Prague Pride 2020, Oslo Pride 2021 and the LGBT Stem Conference. If you are looking for a passionate LGBT+ advocate for LGBT+ History Month, look no further than Yasmin Benoit.
Phyll Opoku-Gyimah
Phyll Opoku-Gyimah is a pioneer of the LGBT+ community, revered for her advocacy for LGBT+, racial and gender equality. Otherwise known as Lady Phyll, Phyll is the Co-Founder of Black Pride – an initiative that brings together the Black and LGBT+ community to celebrate diverse sexualities, cultures, gender expressions, backgrounds and gender identities in a safe and supportive environment. Also the Executive Director of the Kaleidoscope Trust, Phyll is determined to create a world in which the LGBT+ community feels free, safe and equal no matter how they identify.
In recognition of her passionate advocacy, Phyll has become the recipient of countless awards. She was named on the World Power List and as one of the Top 100 Most Influential LGBT People on the Independent Rainbow List. She has also claimed recognition as one of the 100 Great Black Britons, along with appointment as MBE – which she decided to decline in a stance against colonialism. Having also acted as the Grand Marshall of New York Pride and a Trustee of Stonewall, Phyll’s impact on the LGBT+ community has been exemplary. Celebrating the contributions that the Black LGBT+ community have made to the world around us, hire Phyll Opoku-Gyimah to learn the importance of inclusion and intersectionality this LGBT+ History Month.
Dame Kelly Holmes
An icon of British sport, Dame Kelly Holmes has enjoyed a successful career as an 800m and 1500m runner. With outright determination to achieve her dream of becoming an Olympic Gold medallist, Kelly’s dream became a reality when she claimed two Olympic Golds at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games in the 800m and 1500m. Having also held the 800m British record until 2021, Kelly is a true inspiration to the athletes of today and uses her prominence as a former athlete to advocate for topical issues. Most recently, in 2022, Kelly came out as gay in an interview with the Sunday Mirror, having lived 34 years in silence hiding her sexuality.
Before becoming a talented athlete, Kelly served in the Royal Army Corps. During her service, Kelly came to realise that she was gay but kept her identity hidden as it was then illegal to be gay in the military. Now hired as a passionate LGBT+ speaker, Kelly raises awareness of historic homophobia that continues to pose a barrier to people coming out as gay. Kelly starred in the documentary Kelly Holmes: Being Me, sharing her lived experience of hiding her sexuality and her fears of her sexuality being exposed. If you are looking to learn about historic homophobia, hire Dame Kelly Holmes for LGBT+ History Month events this February.
Jonathan Lovitz
Senior Vice President of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Jonathan Lovitz has committed his career to the advocacy of diversity and inclusion in both politics and business. Fighting for change, Jonathan is passionate about generating support for minority-owned businesses and empowering economic opportunities for the LGBT+ community. Having also formerly worked as the Director of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Jonathan’s impact on the LGBT+ business economy has been exemplary.
Named as one of the 40 LGBTQ Leaders Under 40 by Business Equality Magazine in 2019, Jonathan is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in diversity politics. Now hired as a seasoned LGBT+ speaker, Jonathan’s expertise has previously been sought by the US Department of State, the Philadelphia Diversity & Inclusion Summit and the United Nations. Encouraging employers to be inclusive, Jonathan promotes the importance of diversity and inclusion for a progressive workplace culture. If you are looking to make your workplace inclusive this LGBT+ History Month, hire Jonathan Lovitz to learn the history of LGBT+ business and how to be a progressive employer.
Lauren Rowles
A woman with a remarkable story, Lauren Rowles is a talented Paralympic rower whose story began when she awoke paralysed from the waist down. Aged just 13, Lauren’s life changed forevermore, spending the next eight months in rehabilitation units in an attempt to regain the use of her legs. Initially finding talent for wheelchair track racing, Lauren switched her discipline to become a Paralympic rower, having since claimed Gold at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. She later returned to the Paralympics at the Tokyo Games, claiming another Paralympic Gold in the PR2 Mixed Double Sculls.
When she is not rowing, Lauren uses her prominence as an openly gay athlete to promote acceptance of the LGBT+ community. Sharing her journey of self-acceptance and coming out, Lauren describes how she battled depression when coming to terms with her disability and sexuality. Aspiring to be the role model she never had, Lauren is determined to be a figure that other members of the LGBT+ community look towards. Determined to achieve equality for the LGBT+ community, hire Lauren Rowles today to empower acceptance in LGBT+ History Month and all year round.
Gina Battye
Gina Battye is a world-renowned, award-winning Psychological Safety and LGBTQ+ Inclusion Consultant and Trainer. She is on a mission to lobby UK Government to introduce psychological safety into workplace legislation, and is passionate about creating work environments where people thrive - safer, more inclusive workplaces. Being part of the LGBTQ+ community, Gina knows first-hand the unique pressures and challenges that being LGBTQ+ in the workplace can bring. She has almost 25 years experience working with multinational corporations; including; AstraZeneca, Ministry of Defence, NHS, Barclays, Experian, Vodafone, HBOS Plc, to name a few… as well as with TV, film and media companies around the world.
Gina’s blueprint for Psychological Safety (The 5 Pillars of Psychological Safety) and Diagnostic Tool (Lux) are being implemented worldwide to create fully inclusive workplaces. The Diagnostic Tool provides organisations with an accurate picture of how psychologically safe their workplace is, as assessed by their employees. The 5 Pillars provide organisations with a framework to create a psychologically safe environment; one where everyone feels safe to bring their whole self to work. A trusted advisor and regular contributor for the BBC and an active member of the ITV News Diversity & Inclusion Panel, Gina is also a prolific writer, award-winning speaker and best-selling author, raising awareness of psychological safety, authenticity and LGBTQ+ issues. She is a huge advocate and influencer in the authentic representation of LGBTQ+ in the media. Gina’s work has been widely featured in the media including; Sky News, BBC Radio, Forbes, The Telegraph, Huffington Post, Psychologies, Cosmopolitan, The Times, Metro, Pink News, Vice, Gay Star News, Diva and Curve, to name a few!
A powerhouse. An influencer. A leader. Gina stands up, she speaks up. She educates. Gina is creating breakthroughs in workplaces globally, combining world-class training with a heavy dose of hindsight. Gina changes lives!
Matthew Todd
One of the UK’s leading voices on the LGBT+ community and mental health, Matthew Todd is famed as the former Editor in Chief of Attitude Magazine. Sitting at the helm of the UK’s best-selling gay magazine, Matthew has worked tirelessly to generate acceptance and awareness for the LGBT+ community. In addition to his work on the magazine, Matthew is famed as the co-creator of the Attitude Awards and the Attitude Pride Awards. Alongside his work with Attitude, Matthew has also worked for Stonewall and authored the book Straight Jacket: Overcoming Societies Legacy of Gay Shame – making headlines as the UK’s first book on LGBTQ+ mental health and recognised as an ‘essential read for every gay person on the planet’ by Sir Elton John.
In recognition of his tireless commitment to the LGBT+ community, Matthew has been the recipient of three British Society of Magazine Editors’ Editor of the Year Awards and Stonewall Journalist of the Year. He has also been recognised as the writer of the Best LGBT Book of the Year and was honoured with Freedom of the City of London for Services to the LGBT Community. A true stalwart of LGBT representation, awareness and acceptance, Matthew has previously been sought to speak by Barclays, Lloyds Bank, Redbull and PayPal. When hired as a speaker for LGBT+ History Month, Matthew raises awareness of the historic and existing homophobia in society and his stance on LGBT+ mental health and the importance of diversity and inclusion.
Geffrye Parsons
Geffrye Parsons is an individual driven by inclusion and its special role in organisational learning and organisational behaviour. With exceptional expertise in LGBT+ inclusion, Geffrye is widely known as the Founder and CEO of The Inclusion Imperative and for his role as the Chair of the Macquarie LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group. During his time working for Macquarie, Geffrye was widely responsible for elevating the company to No.1 on the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index in 2022, and for helping the organisation to win the Business Equality Award at the PinkNews Awards 2018.
As a pioneer of inclusive workplaces, Geffrye has been awarded the LGBT+ Inspirational Leader Award at the British LGBT Awards and two nominations for Business Role Model at the PinkNews Awards. He has also been recognised on the Top 100 LGBTQ+ Executives on three occasions and on the Guardian’s Pride Power List of 2022. Committed to ensuring diversity, inclusion and equity, Geffrye has also acted as a Trustee of GiveOut and Diversity Role Models and a Member of Pride in Tennis. If you are looking for a speaker who will cover topics of intersectionality, workplace culture, psychological safety and inclusive organisational behaviour this LGBT+ History Month, hire Geffrye Parsons today.
Stephen Frost
A distinguished diversity and inclusion professional, Stephen Frost has enjoyed a successful career ensuring that the world’s biggest organisations are supportive of marginalised groups and eliminate discrimination. Formerly the Head of Diversity and Inclusion for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Stephen is currently working as the CEO of Included – a unique consultancy that works to embed inclusion in workplace decision-making. Having also formerly worked as the Head of Diversity and Inclusion and the Strategy Lead on Inclusive Leadership at KPMG, it comes as no surprise that Stephen has previously achieved the Gold Standard Diversity Works Award.
A hard-working and dedicated advocate for diversity and inclusion, Stephen has also been awarded the Peter Robinson Award for Equality and Diversity Champions and named on the Top 100 LGBT People in the UK List. Having also been named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Stephen’s expertise has been sought by the likes of BT Sport, KPMG, Co-Op, Boeing and the International Paralympic Committee as a powerful LGBT+ speaker. When hired as a speaker for LGBT+ History Month events, Stephen covers important topics such as authentic LGBT leadership, real inclusion and the business case for diversity.
Juno Dawson
Juno Dawson is a passionate novelist, journalist and screenwriter who is committed to transforming perceptions of the LGBT+ community through her carefully crafted literary work. As a transgender woman, Juno is a role model for others going through a transition or struggling with their identity, putting LGBT+ people into her stories to offer representation in mainstream media. The author of Clean, This Book is Gay, Say Her Name and What is Gender? How Does It Define Us? And Other Big Questions, Juno is commended for covering themes of gender and identity.
Exploring how workplaces can become more inclusive of the LGBT+ community, Juno is hired as a passionate speaker for LGBT+ History Month year after year. Having announced her transition to her true self in 2015, Juno shares her journey to her true self and has been featured in the likes of Attitude Magazine. Having also been a columnist for Glamour Magazine and Attitude Magazine, Juno has been honoured with the YA Books Prize for Meat Market. Also, a role model for Stonewall LGBT+ charity events, don’t hesitate in hiring passionate transgender advocate Juno Dawson today.
Katie Neeves
Risking all to become who she truly was, Katie Neeves is an inspirational transgender woman and the Founder of Cool2BTrans. A passionate advocate for transgender acceptance, Katie has devoted her recent career to bettering the lives of trans people. Having lived 48 years of her life as a man, Katie found the courage to reveal her true identity and now hopes to help others to find the courage to come out. Creating Cool2BTrans as a way for transgender people to inform and educate others on the issues that transgender people continue to face, Katie is an exemplary role model of diversity and inclusion.
In recognition of her passion for transgender acceptance, Katie was honoured with the Trans in the City Trans Community Champion Award in 2022. As a revered authority on transgender awareness, Katie is now sought to deliver speeches at a variety of educational establishments, hospitals, businesses and charities across the country. Working tirelessly to prevent transgender discrimination, don’t miss an informative and engaging speech from Katie Neeves this LGBT+ History Month.
Shaun Dellenty
A multi-award-winning LGBT+ advocate, Shaun Dellenty is working tirelessly to transform perceptions of LGBT+ people in educational facilities and corporate environments. Renowned as the Founder of Inclusion for All, Shaun is an expert on all things LGBT language, identity and inclusivity and has developed strategies for schools that enable students to understand the importance of LGBT+ inclusion. As a testament to his prominence in the industry, Shaun has delivered the TEDx talk How I Survived Homophobic Bullying.
In recognition of his prominent advocacy for the LGBT+ community, Shaun has been honoured with recognition on the Independent on Sunday’s Pink List of the 100 Most Influential LGBT People and with the Education Champion Award from the National Diversity Awards. Shaun is also highly commended for his book Celebrating Difference: A Whole School Approach to LGBT Inclusion, recognised by the UK Parliament for his stance on LGBT+ inclusion. Having also been appointed Points of Light Status from David Cameron, don’t miss your opportunity to learn about the importance of LGBT+ inclusion and equality this LGBT+ History Month.
Hire an LGBT+ Speaker for LGBT+ History Month Today!
If you are interested in hiring an LGBT+ History Month speaker, don’t hesitate in contacting one of our dedicated booking agents today! Get in touch by calling 0207 1010 553 or by completing our online contact form.
