A VOICE FOR ALL

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A 0 M Welcome to the second annual SUGGESTED Pride Conference! RUNNING ORDER Last year’s conference shone a light on the incredible work being done throughout Welcome from Mark Fletcher around achieving greater LGBTQ+ equality in Greater Manchester. KEYNOTE SPEECH Gina Battye PANEL The Problems of Pinkwashing The theme for today’s conference is ‘A Voice For All’ and will carry on from last year’s event by continuing SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATION Sharan Dhaliwal the discussion around opportunities progressing PANEL BAME and LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+ equality, with a focus on giving a platform INTERVIEW All Equals Charter with Christos Tsaprounis to those whose voices often go unheard. This theme PANEL Gender Inclusivity is also the basis of ’s ‘All Equals Charter’ that was created to help businesses and SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATION Susie Green organisations investigate current, and implement PANEL Stop Bi-Erasure future strategies on challenging any form on SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATION Cheddar Gorgeous and helping to achieve equality for all. PANEL LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness There is a wide range of extremely interesting SPECIAL GUEST TALK Travis Alabanza breakout sessions with some incredibly fascinating Round-up by Mark Fletcher thought-leaders in these topics today. As one of the countries leading LGBTQ+ charities we are always Mark Fletcher looking to promote inclusion and we’re so lucky to CEO of Manchester Pride have representatives from all walks of life with us to help lead these conversations.

I’d like to thank you for joining us this year. With Q&A the current uncertainty going on around us it is important to remember that the work we do as one We welcome conversations between our attendees, speakers and of the leading LGBTQ+ charities is still important. We panellists today. In this brochure you will find the Twitter handles want to remind everyone that we are still here and of those partaking in today’s event (just click on the Twitter icon still working towards our mission to live in a world beside their names). where LGBTQ+ people can live and love in a world without . Please use these to ask questions and engage our amazing line- I hope that you have a fantastic day and leave feeling up and each other, and don’t forget the hashtag: inspired with ideas on how to help us and our mission to improve LGBTQ+ equality in all #MPConference2020 aspects of life. #MPConference2020

Travis Alabanza Pronouns: They / Them Website Gina Battye Pronouns: She / Her Website Travis Alabanza is a performer, writer and theatre maker. In the last two years they have been noted Gina Battye is a world renowned LGBT+ by numerous publications as one of the most & Authenticity Advisor for TV, Film, Radio, prominent emerging artistic voices, and Theatre, Global Press, Fortune 500s + Leading also listed in OUT as an influential queer figure. Global Organisations. Their unique mixture of performance, poetry, style, 15 years ago Gina Battye created the Authentic political views and risk taking performances has Self Process, which led her to become a world- given them a unique placement both nationally renowned Authentic Self & Psychological Safety and internationally. Consultant, Trainer & LGBT+ Coach for multinational Known for increasingly paving much of the UK corporations, Fortune 500 companies & leading conversation around trans politics, Alabanza has global organisations. became a staple part of the queer scene In the last four years Gina has been called and further afield. In 2016/17 they became the upon to advise and consult on best practice youngest recipient of the artist in residence at for actors playing LGBT+ characters; to ensure the Tate workshop programme, giving talks and authentic delivery of LGBT+ characters and LGBT+ performances at over 40 UK Universities, ranging relationships in film, TV, theatre and radio. from the RCA, Oxford & Cambridge Universities and Watching Gina at work is mesmerising. Working international institutions such as Harvard, Brown with senior leaders, employees, actors, directors, University & Austin, Texas. celebrities, public figures and audiences around the Their debut poetry book ‘Before I step Outside world, Gina has the rare ability to electrify everyone (you love me)’ released in 2017 has been shipped on set and in the room whilst delivering original and to over 19 countries worldwide and listed as one of useful insights that lead to individuals blossoming the top trans literary books of 2017. With this book and stepping into their Authentic Self. they have also toured and the United States Gina’s work has been featured widely in the media, performing and reading it to over 200 venues and countless audiences, including the performance Keynote Speaker Keynote including Sky News, BBC, Forbes, The Telegraph, Special Guest Talk BBC Three, The Times, Metro, The Sun, Psychologies, of ‘Before I Step Outside (you love me)’ at Harvard Cosmopolitan, Pink News, Vice, Star News, Diva University, Brighton Arts Festival, Macedonia Pride and Curve. and more. #MPConference2020

Spotlight Presentation Cheddar Gorgeous Pronouns: Any

Cheddar Gorgeous is a Manchester drag scene staple, “Daddy’ of family Gorgeous and star of Spotlight Channel 4’s ‘Drag SOS. Out of drag, Cheddar is known as Michael Atkins. Dr. Atkins has a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Manchester. Presentations His research explores sex work, public sex, fluid identities, and gay villages.

Cheddar will discuss the power of drag as a form of self-exploration, expression and political action and the dangers of reducing our identities to achieving Spotlight Presentation the perfect ‘look’. Susie Green Pronouns: She / Her Website Spotlight Presentation Following becoming involved with the charity over Sharan Dhaliwal 20 years ago, since starting as CEO of Pronouns: She / Her Website in January 2016, Susie has expanded the charities capacity and funding, and working with the trustee Sharan Dhaliwal founded, developed and now runs board, has succesfully grown and developed the UK’s leading South Asian lifestyle magazine Burnt services, and aims to continue this success into the Roti. It is a platform for young creatives to showcase future. Her passion is to ensure that families and their talent, find safe spaces and destigmatise young people can access the support they need topics around mental health and sexuality, amongst to empower them to achieve the best outcomes others. Her particular interests focus on discussing possible in often difficult times, and to continue the representations of young womxn, South Asian to campaign for better provision of services, and womxn and queer womxn. respectful media representation of trans children She is the Director of Middlesex Pride and creator of and young people, and their families. Oh Queer Cupid, a queer speed dating and comedy Susie will be discussing the important work that night. She has had bylines in i-D, HuffPost, the Mermaids does supporting gender-diverse children Guardian and was on the list of global influential and young people, as well as their families and women for the BBC 100 Women 2019. professionals involved in their care. Sharan will be discussing gatekeeping within the LGBTQ+ community and how it has led to isolation. She will give guidance on how to reach communities outside of cis white privilege. #MPConference2020

PANELLIST The Problems of HOST Amy Stanning Pinkwashing Claire Turner Pronouns: She / Her Pronouns: She / Her How can Amy has supports charities and corporate with organisations Claire Turner specialises in the creation of strategies workplace inclusion for LGBT+ people drawing on authentically and programmes that embed culture and creativity her corporate background and experience running support the into community engagement plans, economic and a successful LGBT+ colleague network. She is a LGBTQ+ regeneration schemes, tourism projects and health trustee of GIRES and a regular speaker on community? and wellbeing initiatives. LGBT+ inclusion. She has worked across a wide range of programmes and events as a freelancer with organisations such as Arts Council England, Marketing Manchester, Visit Blackpool and as the Chief Executive of Manchester PANELLIST Histories, the former Director of Manchester Katy Jalili 2003 and Manchester Pride, and on the Pronouns: They / Them Website team of Preston Guild 2012. A genderqueer Iranian born multidisciplinary artist, She has the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s performer and writer based in London.They have Postgraduate Diploma and is currently studying previously written for Shades of Noir on topics of for a Masters equivalent in Coaching at Bangor social justice and intersectional feminism. University Business School.

PANELLIST Dwayne Clarke Pinkwashing: Pronouns: He / Him Website A compound word similar to ‘whitewash’. With over 10 years experience in the media industry, Used to describe Marketing/Political strategies Dwayne Clarke has led some of the biggest that from the outside look like they support advertising partnerships and brand roll outs in the LGBTQ+ causes. United Kingdom and Ireland. Panel of Pinkwashing The Problems #MPConference2020

HOST PANELLIST Mark Fletcher BAME and Sharan Dhaliwal Pronouns: He / Him LGBTQ+ Issues Pronouns: She / Her Website Since his appointment to CEO of Manchester Pride Sharan Dhaliwal founded, developed and now runs A panel discussion in 2014, Mark has been responsible for spearheading the UK’s leading South Asian lifestyle magazine about the change within the charity, positioning the Burnt Roti. It is a platform for young creatives experiences of Manchester Pride Festival as one of the world’s most to showcase their talent, find safe spaces and BAME LGBTQ+ recognisable pride celebrations. destigmatize topics around mental health and people and how He chairs a panel of LGBTQ+ experts providing sexuality, amongst others. Her particular interests to be allies. support for the LGBTQ+ Advisor to the Mayor of focus on discussing the representations of young Greater Manchester, the first of its kind in the UK. womxn, South Asian womxn and queer womxn. Mark also sits on the Editorial Advisory Panel for She has had bylines in i-D, HuffPost, the Guardian British publisher, Reach Plc, representing LGBTQ+ and was on the list of global influential women for communities. the BBC 100 Women 2019.

PANELLIST PANELLIST Darren Pritchard Chloe Cousins Pronouns: He / Him Pronouns: She / Her Website

Mother of the House of Ghetto, organizer of Black A LGBTQ+ youth and community organiser who Pride MCR which creates focused happening for leads on the programme for LGBTQ+ young people the QTIPOC community that are Fierce Flamboyant of colour at Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Youth Charity, the and fabulous and Artistic Director of Black Gold Arts, Proud Trust and is the Lead Organiser for Rainbow Black Gold Arts aims to get often overlooked voices, Noir, a social, peer support and community action stories and hidden histories seen and heard. We do group for LGBT people of colour across the region. this through film, dance, song, visual art, theatre or any other artist’s medium. Manchester-based arts PANELLIST organisation working predominantly with working- Jsky class people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community and Pronouns: He / Him Website their allies. Singer, songwriter and presenter Jsky is the showbiz PANELLIST correspondent for BBC Radio Manchester and was Ben Hunte a host on the Channel 4 body positive phenomenon Pronouns: He / Him Panel Website series Naked Beach. He was accredited as 1 of 31 BAME and LGBTQ+ Issues BAME and LGBTQ+ A journalist and presenter, Ben is the BBC’s Pioneers of Colour by the LGBT Foundation during first LGBT Correspondent, reporting on stories Black History Month amongst the likes of RuPaul surrounding sexuality and gender. Starting in April and Lizzo, regularly speaking out on topics such as 2019, he became the BBC’s youngest correspondent, self-love, confidence, social media and body image. and his journalism has already won awards. #MPConference2020

All Equals Charter INTERVIEWER Farhana Hemani A year on from Pronouns: She / Her Website announcing the All Equals Charter, Farhana is at the Senior Engagement Manager we look at the at Manchester Pride; which includes leading on the development of Manchester Pride’s All Equals results from our Charter which helps businesses and organisations Equality for all Cooperation and Beta testing and recognise and challenge all forms of discrimination. LGBTQ+ people Collaboration what’s next Farhana’a professional background includes extensive work in the charitable sector within engagement, communications and events.

Inclusion of all Work to the Spirit LGBTQ+ People of the Charter INTERVIEWEE Christos Tsaprounis Pronouns: He / Him

Christos is a diversity & inclusion advocate with a career across different industries ranging from Education on LGBTQ+ Work within digital to social housing. He joined Auto Trader Equality and Inclusion the Law in 2014 where he is the Head of People & Culture, where he leads the D&I and CSR strategies of one of the most admired digital businesses in the UK and 2019 Top 50 Inclusive Companies. He is actively involved with leading charities including Survivors Manchester, Leonard Cheshire Disability and Honesty, Openness Manchester Pride. He is a Fellow of the Chartered and Transparency Institute of Personnel & Development and the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Impact Award by the Recruiter Magazine in 2018. Interview allequalscharter.com #MPConference2020

PANELLIST Gender Inclusivity HOST Kate O’Donnell Adyn Quinn-Davies Pronouns: She / Them Conversation Pronouns: They / Them Website creating general Kate O’Donnell is a theatre maker, performer and Since as transmasc-enby in 2018, Adyn awareness around the Artistic Director of Trans Creative, a Trans has been working as a creative producer, curator , Arts company based in Manchester and curates and performer on a variety of events with Trans non-binary and their annual Trans Arts Festival, Trans Vegas. Kate Creative and Manchester Pride. They are passionate campaigns for LGBTQ+ and Trans rights, has been queer identities about gender minorities opportunities to take up the Creative Director and Host for Manchester Pride space and promoting allyship within and outside of Festival’s Candlelit Vigil since 2018, winner of Co- the community. Op’s Be Proud Special Achievement Award (2015), PANELLIST Brighton Fringe LGBTQ Award (2015) and LGBT Amrou Al-Kadhi Foundation’s Hero Award. Pronouns: They / Them Website A British-Iraqi writer, drag performer and filmmaker. PANELLIST Their first book, UNICORN: The Memoir of a Muslim Sabah Choudrey , is published with Harper Collins in the Pronouns: They / Them Website UK, and comes out with Harper Collins in the US next year. They are a screenwriter, and have written Sabah co-founded Trans Pride Brighton in 2013 an episode for Apple’s upcoming Little America and made The Rainbow List in 2015, celebrating series, as well for BBC America’s hotly anticipated 101 of the most influential LGBT people in Britain. series The Watch, based on the Discworld novels by Sabah has published ‘Inclusivity: Supporting Black, Sir Terry Pratchett. Their debut solo show, Glamrou: Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) Trans People’ and has From Quran to Queen, premiers at the Soho Theatre worked with queer, trans and non-binary youth and next year. charities for over five years. Since then, Sabah has been building a presence across UK and Europe, PANELLIST speaking at TEDx Brixton 2015, ILGA Europe 2016, Jamie Windust IDAHOT 2017, and Malmö Pride 2017/18 Pronouns: They / Them Website about intersectionality, identity and inclusion. Jamie Windust is an Award-Winning Editor in Chief, Writer, Speaker and Model. As a non-binary person, Panel Gender Inclusivity they use their experiences, and the experiences of their community throughout their work. They’ve spoken and modelled with groups such as TEDxLondon, Gucci, the BBC, Sky News, Metro UK & Gay Times. #MPConference2020

Stop Bi Erasure HOST LGBTQ+ Health HOST Lev Alexander and Wellness Greg Thorpe Our panel discusses Pronouns: He / Him Website Pronouns: He / Him Website the problems Discussion on the Greg Thorpe is the Project Manager for Superbia, the of Bi Erasure Lev is the Head of Media and Communications at Bi positive impacts of Pride UK, and the Co-Founder and Creative Director programme of arts and culture at Manchester Pride. and health and wellness He also works for Islington Mill, the independent of UNICORN Magazine. in the LGBTQ+ artist community in Salford, he writes about art for the Fourdrinier online art journal, and is a curator community and programmer.

PANELLIST Jonathan Andrews PANELLIST Pronouns: He / Him Website Dr. Neil Chowdhury Jonathan is co-founder and co-chair of the Pronouns: He / Him London Bi Network, the UK’s first (and so far, Dr. Chowdhury has been a physician for 4 years in only) professional networking group for bi people. the North West and he is currently working in A&Es Jonathan is also a former board member of across Greater Manchester. He has been singing , where he championed bi inclusion. from a young age, performed on several West End stages, and has been one of the early adopters of The Sunday Boys, Manchester’s singing sensation. PANELLIST He most recently spoke openly about his status at Vaneet Mehta the 2019 Manchester Pride Vigil. Pronouns: He / Him

Vaneet Mehta is an Indian Bisexual man born and PANELLIST raised in Southall, West London. His day job is Lou Engfield working as a Software Engineer, but outside of this Pronouns: She / Her Website he writes on various topics, including LGBTQ+, and volunteers within the community. He recently had Director of Pride Sports, England’s LGBT+ sports his coming out story published in “The Bi-Ble Vol development and inclusion organisation. Lou has 2”, featured in GMFA’s Me.Him.Us campaign and is been a leading voice on LGBT+ inclusion in sport helping produce a documentary on QPOCs with & physical activity for over 14 years. She has been

Panel Rainbow Films. Panel Campaign Director of Football v since 2012 and in her spare time volunteers as Co-Chair of Pride House International. NFERE CO N E CE ID | R 2 P 4

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