Creating spaces where everyone we connect with feel free and supported to be their true selves benefits everyone.

However the majority of us have been raised in a society that is set up to standardise a certain type or group of people. But we can change that through education, empathy and self awareness.

Most of us want to be inclusive but we don’t always know how or realise we aren’t being.

Here we will look at ways we can broaden our offer so as to include the LGBTQIA+ community in events and communications.

I am Lucy Straker, I have been around the voluntary sector for a while now and I am also part of the LGBTQIA+ community but I can not speak for all the community. It is such as wonderful multi layered and diverse group that sadly tends to share the feeling of exclusion. But I am here to share my experiences and those of the LGBTQIA+ folks I work closely with. Plus I really love helping people be more inclusive and I always learn so much every time I deliver these sessions. So come and let’s help each other be that bit more inclusive.

Key learnings from this session:

• We will look at mindset, culture and practical solutions that create LGBTQIA+ inclusive spaces – because (spoiler) without all 3 any inclusive measures can become performatory.
• We will learn to challenge each other to be the change we want to see.