LGBTI staff network

"As a BAME LGBT lecturer, I consider it very important to be a visible role model. I didn’t have one while growing up in Peru. It would have made a great difference to me to see people who looked and sounded like me, who maybe wanted a life similar to the one I wanted."

Read more about Fiorella Montero-Diaz, Lecturer in Music

"I feel a responsibility to help create spaces where marginalised people can flourish. This is why visibility can be so important: it is a way to let other queer people, especially people of colour, know that it’s okay to embrace who they are and to show them a couple of ways to thrive (and be fabulous!) in the world."

Read more about Senthorun (Sen) Raj, Lecturer, School of Law

"Working in life sciences really made me appreciate the importance of role models. I have had a fair few students come to see me over the years to discuss sexuality. It has made me realise how difficult coming out can be even in a fully caring and accepting environment."

Read more about Glenn Hussey, Lecturer, School of Life Sciences

"Having visible LGBT people in the University not only provides a sense of support to other LGBT staff and students but it also helps normalise LGBT identities to heterosexual staff and students who may or may not know many LGBT people. I feel this is especially important in a University where we have a large number of young people who may still be in the process of recognising or accepting their own sexuality. Visibility is vital for the wellbeing of all LGBT people, whether ‘out’ or not."

Read more about Katie Wright Bevans, Lecturer in Social, Health and Community Psychology

"people thrive best when they are true to themselves... It is all well and good to display a rainbow flag to say to LGBT+ communities that they are welcome and accepted, but actions to ensure a more inclusive, safe and accessible environment are key in order for visibility to be truly successful. Also, by making LGBT+ communities more comfortable being out and proud, it also gives those who are yet to truly discover who they are hope and courage to one day be comfortable in their own skin and embrace one of many individual characteristics that make them unique."

Read more about Makinder Chahal, Keele Alumnus

"Coming to university and meeting other out LGBT individuals was a huge turning point for me – it made me realised that what I had been feeling was perfectly normal, and that a happy family life was still possible for me. It was an experience I will be forever grateful for. I hope that by being a visible LGBT individual, I can do the same for someone else."

Read more about Alan Harper, Lecturer in Bioscience, School of Medicine

"I came out as gay in 1994, it was terrifying and very lonely, I am Black African and from a very conservative Christian family, from Nigeria. I was afraid of losing everything. When I came out I was married to a woman and we just had a child. It was the most difficult decision I had to make and it broke me into many pieces. I felt like a failure but was also relieved that I am now able to speak the truth about who I am. I started my journey from that moment rebuilding my life based on my truth and I have not looked back. "

Read more about Reverend Jide Macaulay - Founding Pastor, House of Rainbow CIC

"I believe that it is important for people to see that LGBT people are productive members of society. When I was younger, the only images that I saw of LGBT people were stereotypes or negative stories about HIV/AIDS. These images, when not placed in context or challenged by anything else, can easily lead people to believe that these features DEFINE the LGBT community. But, most of the time LGBT people just live normal lives and have a huge variety of interests and lifestyles."

Read more about Joseph Brooks, Senior Lecturer, Psychology

"It is important to have a Staff LGBTI Network as it creates a safe space and a platform for celebrating who we are."

Read more about Derek McGhee, Professor of Sociology, Faculty Dean of Research for Humanities an

"Becci Bryant is the first woman in the UK to have achieved her prestigious position, as Chief Fire Officer, after beginning her career as a firefighter."

Read more about Becci Bryant, Keele Honoray Graduate, Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive of

"Mike Jackson graduated in 1980, and during his time at Keele founded North Staffs Gay Switchboard, an information and counselling service offering support to LGBT people. He then went on to become co-founder of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) during the 1984 Miners’ Strike - which was immortalised in the award-winning film ‘Pride’."

Read more about Mike Jackson, Keele Alumnus and Honorary Graduate

"invisibility delayed my coming out and enjoying life to the full. It’s still rare for LGBT+ young people to learn about gay life from their families, schools and local communities. Getting away to University should open up the world in all its diversity. Out and proud LGBT+ students and staff are vital to creating a vibrant, dynamic and inclusive experience for everyone."

Read more about Sir Nick Partridge, OBE, Keele Honorary Graduate