Search Results

WCS | Awards celebrate Queer Leaders and LGBTQ+ change-makers who are using their platforms, profile and roles to make the world a more inclusive place for LGBTQ+ people. This might be in their workplace, community or on a wider scale nationally or globally. WCS | LGBTQ+ AWARDS | 2025 Recognising Queer Leaders serving their community. This year's WCS | Awards will celebrate Queer Leaders around the world - LGBTQ+ change-makers who are using their platforms, profile and roles to drive change, making the world a more inclusive place for all LGBTQ+ people . This might be 'creating space' for others in their workplace, community or on a wider scale nationally or globally. Get in touch Submit your nomination Want to take part? 1. NOMINATE YOURSELF 2. NOMINATE SOMEONE ELSE 3. ATTEND OUR CELEBRATION EVENT More info & FAQs WCS | PRIDE GALA | 2025 June, Barcelona An evening of celebration, recognising Queer Leaders creating space for others and serving their community. Join our community platform WCS | Campus or sign up to our Community Newsletter to find out when we release tickets. “I am inspired every day by the resilience and passion of Queer Leaders and organisations who continue to create space and foster inclusion, even when progress takes a step back. Their unwavering dedication fuels my own advocacy and inspire me to strive for a better version of myself while honoring their incredible impact.” - Sevi Koppe WCS Awards Director WCS Awards 2024 Explore our award winners, Pride Gala and a glimpse into the lives of some of our 2024 awardees. WCS Awards | My Queer Leader Journey, with Belén Kay. WCS Awards | My Queer Leader Journey, with Alberto Antón Benítez. WCS Awards | My Queer Leader Journey, with Hadi Moussally. WCS Awards | My Queer Leader Journey, with Kevin Hawkins. WCS Awards | My Queer Leader Journey, with Cindy Nasenya. About WCS We’re a global community-led platform, consultancy and collective on a mission to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people and other under-represented groups of professionals around the world by connecting our communities and allies with tools, knowledge and a support network for personal growth, leadership development, allyship and self-care. We do that through shared experiences, content, research and consultative work. Read more about our impact within the community here . 2024 Event Partners FAQs How do I enter? Queer Leaders are invited to nominate themselves or they may be nominated by someone else. This process and their application will be conducted via Typeform. They will be asked to identify/ demonstrate the following information relating to the nominee: The Category of Awards they would like to nominate themselves or the Queer Leader of their choice The nature of the work they do in relation to their nomination eg. professional / community (bearing in mind, it might span both). A specific element of their work the nomination related to eg. campaign, community group, project, policy, event etc. The impact this has had (providing qualitative and quantitative results along with testimonials). How this demonstrates the WCS mission to ‘Learn, Connect & Grow’. Why this is important to them and what they are most proud of. What makes them a Queer Leader? Provide headshot & action shot to be used for content pre- and post- event. What is the eligibility period for the achievements I am nominating? To ensure the relevance and impact of the nominations, all achievements or initiatives must have been active or have occurred during the year 2024. This helps us assess how these efforts align with contemporary challenges and advancements within the queer community. Please provide specific dates and details within your nomination to demonstrate this timeline. What information should I include? Each nomination should cover the following 5 areas. Sufficient information, evidence and testimonials to showcase the nature/ objective and purpose of the person's work. Both qualitative and quantitative data to demonstrate the impact of their project. A clear alignment with WCS’ core pillars of Inclusion, Wellbeing & Leadership. The importance of their work and how it has made them proud. An understanding of what it means to be a queer leader. What language should nominations be written in? Nominations can be submitted in English due to the global nature of the WCS Queer Leaders Awards. Can I nominate more than one person? You may nominate more than one person but please ensure each nomination is of high quality and includes all the requested information. Which Awards category does the person I nominate fall under? Queer Leadership in Corporate/Workplace Inclusion: Recognizes impactful initiatives promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion in workplaces. Criteria include innovative inclusion programs, cultural change, and measurable impact on diversity and employee satisfaction. Community & Grassroots Activism: Celebrates contributions to LGBTQ+ rights through grassroots efforts. Criteria focus on community engagement, advocacy success, and impactful volunteer work. Media & Creative Influence: Honors those enhancing LGBTQ+ representation in media and arts, evaluating contributions based on the originality of content and its influence on audiences. Policy & Advocacy Impact: Awards achievements in influencing policies that advance LGBTQ+ rights, with criteria assessing effective advocacy, campaign success, and legislative impacts. Queer Leadership in Sustainability and Innovation: Highlights innovative environmental initiatives that include LGBTQ+ perspectives, with criteria looking at innovative solutions, sustainability advocacy, and community engagement. Emerging Queer Leader (Under 30): Spotlights young leaders impacting their communities, assessing leadership qualities, community impact, volunteering and giving back, and potential for future influence. Honorary Award: Given for extraordinary, long-term commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, setting a standard for leadership and inspiration. Criteria for Nomination Impact and Alignment: Nominees must demonstrate significant impact and alignment with the WCS pillars of Inclusion, Wellbeing, and Leadership. Evidence of Achievements: Submissions should include both qualitative and quantitative data that showcase the nature, objectives, and outcomes of the nominee’s work. How will the nominations be assessed? Complete Applications: Only fully completed applications will be reviewed. Detail and Evidence: Submissions must include detailed information, evidence to demonstrate understanding and achievements, and testimonials that support the nomination. Objective and Clear Definitions: Nominations should clearly define the objective, category, purpose, and impact of the nominee’s efforts. Understanding Leadership: Submissions should reflect a deep understanding of what it means to be a queer leader in today’s world. The WCS Award Committee, composed of diverse experts, will ensure a fair and transparent assessment process, focusing on merit and adherence to the above criteria. Members of the Committee will focus on detailed submissions that provide a clear understanding of the nominee’s contributions and impact. What does WCS mean by 'Queer Leader '? See above link to the term 'Queer Leadership' in our Glossary. When will I find out if I was successful ? The nominations will be reviewed and both successful and unsuccessful entries should be told at least 1 month before the gala. Unsuccessful entries should be provided feedback and the WCS team may reach out if further information is required. The WCS team may invite a small selection of those shortlisted to speak on the evening through everyone will be invited as guests. Timeliness: Feedback will be provided no later than one week after the decision has been made, ensuring all nominees have adequate time to receive and process the information. Constructive Details: Feedback will focus on specific areas of improvement and highlight strengths, helping nominees understand the decision and how they can enhance future submissions. Encouragement for Future Participation: Encourage nominees to apply again, emphasizing the value of their work and potential for future recognition. Confidentiality and Respect: Maintain the confidentiality of the evaluation process and treat all nominees with respect and fairness, reflecting the values of the WCS. When will nominations open and close? While we aim to stick to the below timeline, please understand that dates and details may change. We reserve the right to adjust the schedule as needed to best accommodate the WCS Queer Leaders Awards 2025. Your flexibility and understanding help us ensure a fair and successful event. March 10 – Queer Leaders Nominations opening online 15 April - Nominations closing at 23:59pm 21 April – Queer Leaders notified including those invited to speak during event 9 May - Event registration goes live (few tickets released) 15 May - Feedback sent to all unsuccessful applicants 21 June - WCS Awards and Pride Gala FAQs Partner with us? Does your organisation want to evidence its support for excellence and support developing leaders in the LGBTQIA+ Community? There are a wide range of WCS | Awards sponsorship opportunities available. Download sponsorship pack Download press kit Get in touch Explore our case studies. Any other Questions? For any more information or enquiries please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Contact us

All our trainings, events and experiences are delivered by our global We Create Space Leadership Collective of mentors, facilitators, coaches and professional speakers. Our Collective. Team TOGETHER, WE INSPIRE CHANGE We're a global collective of 300+ community leaders and change-makers ; made up of trained DEI specialists, therapists, certified coaches, consultants, mental health professionals, activists, senior execs, legal experts, community builders, and corporate change-makers. Each have a unique talent and powerful story to tell. The rich diversity of our collective aims to represent the plethora of intersecting identities across the Queer community, allowing us to speak with authority into a wide range of topics and experiences . Check out our WCS 2025 Cultural Calendar for some inspiration as to how we could support you in the coming year. Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Meet the Team Adam Lanfear Adi Sinha Ahmed Shihab-Eldin Aisha Shaibu-Lenoir Aitch Farley Ajay Pabial Alberto Antón Benítez Ale Rebon Portillo Alex D'Sa Alex Dominguez Alex Howell Alex Leon Ali Hendry Allan Kartodikromo Amanda Walker Ambra Venturini Andre Johnsen Andrea Barberà Andrea Cortes Andrea Di Giovanni Andrew Chen Andrew Seedall Anick Soni Anthoniy Hristov Ariadne Ribeiro Ferreira Asha Harkness Ashley Marshall Ashtar Alahmad Audrey Mari Avi Ajwani Awo Dufie Bachul Koul Barbara Platier Barry Brandon Bekky Harrison Ben Pechey Betsy Reed Bex Wade Bobbi Pickard Brandi Andrews Brian McComak Burak Bilen CK Cairo Nevitt Calvin Stovell Carlos Idibouo Caroline Gansdorfer Char Bailey Char Erskine Charlie Craggs Chloe Cousins Chloe Filani Chloë Davies Chris Sheridan Christopher Kenna Christopher McDonnell Christopher Owen Cindy Nasenya Cindy Nehme Coco Coda Nicolaeff Cynthia Fortlage Cécile Deprez Damiana Ventura Dan Glass Daniel Pillai Darren Pritchard David Kam David McLaughlan David Nath Debra Griffith Dee Jas Dee Whitnell Denny Tu Devin O'Loughlin Devin Ozbagci Diego Lazaro Don Dominic Doug Graffeo Drew Demetry Dylan Shimmon Ed Jervis Ed Moss Eduardo Gutierrez Eliseo Pares Jorda Elle Bower Johnston Elliot Theodor Emilia Astrom Emily Horton Emma Underwood Erdem Onel Erica Burton Erica Rose Ernest Owens Ese-Mena Uyovbukerhi Esteban Zamora Eva Echo Fabian Domenech Felix Mufti-Wright Freddie Lewis Gatonga Theuri Gayathiri Kamalakanthan Geffrye Parsons Gonzalo Parra Guilherme Neves Gurchaten Sandhu Gus Bussmann-Stuart Hadi Moussally Hannah Nishat Botero Hishaam Siddiqi Hunter McCance Iesha Palmer Ilā Kamalagharan Izazkun Pinson JD Valladares-Williams Jack López Jacqui Rhule-Dagher Jade Fraser Jae Sloan Jamie Lowe Jani Toivola Jano San Jaron Soh Jasmine Khan Jason Kwan Jen Keawphaisan Jennifer Polzin Jess Brough Jim Fielding Jo Krishnakumar Joela-Abiona Rivera Jolinda Johnson Jon-Paul Vicari Jonny Benjamin Jono Cruz Jono Selvadurai Josephine Hughes Josh Rivers Joshua Cruz Jossy Jaycoff Angulo José Luis Espinosa Sales Jourdan Hussein Jua O'Kane Jude Guaitamacchi Judith Solanas Sánchez Kali Sudhra Kanndiss Riley Kari Serrano Karim El Oteify Kathryn Lum Katya Veleva Kayus Fernander Keri Blue Kevin Hawkins Khatoun Abdmasih Ki Griffin Kim Wunner Kirill Slobodianiuk Kodo Nishimura Kosta Karakashyan Lazarus Lynch Lee Mabey Lee Schoenmaker Liam Rezende Lias Mauersberger Lily Zheng Lisa Cowling Lisa Marie Hall Loane Alonzeau Logal Kako Lolo Noble Lotus Smits Louise Beardsmore Luca Condosta Luca Magagni Lucia Blayke Lucifer Benedetti Luke Christian Luke Lopez Luke Manton Luke Thomas MK Getler-Porizkova Magda Stega Mahmoud Assy Manjinder Sidhu Manuel Schlothauer Marc Thompson Mariana Spada Marie-Helene Tyack Mark Travis Rivera Marley Conte Marthe Koster-Thomas Marty Davies Max Marchewicz Max Siegel Mayra Pastor Valdivia Mercedes Jenkins Michael Stephens Mike Rahilly Mitchell Davis Mufseen Miah Mus Alsaeid Nadu Placca Rodriguez Nancy Di Dia Natasha Getler-Porizkova Nats Sisma Neil Hudson-Basing Nick Kientsch Nicole Simpson Nour Jarrouj Nourhan Sandouk Obella Obbo Ora Özer Paff Evara Paul Taylor-Pitt Paula Harrowing Paula Soli Pavlo Cherednychenko Phil Sanger Piotr Ciepiel Polo Lonergan Pritham Bhatia Prudence Dippah-Dina Rachel Padilla Radam Ridwan Raga D’Silva Rahim EL Habachi Rakshet Sachdev Raven Nielsen Reeta Loi Rico Jacob Chace River Coello River Solace Robert Suttle Roxy Murray Ruby Rare Ryan Lanji Ryan Zaman Saba Ali Sabah Choudrey Safir Boukhalfa Sakeema Peng Crook Sanjay Sharma Sanjukta Moorthy Santi Sorrenti Santo Tripodi Sara Alvarez Sara Táboas Sarah Massey Saski Saul James Scott Sallée Sebastián Dalla Ba Sergi Alberola Sevi Koppe Sharon Ehrlich Shawn Aaron Shimar Guyo Shiva Raichandani Simi Wang Somar Ibrahim Sophia Emmerich Sophie Strachan Stef Tudorascu Steph Matthews Stephen Hart Stewart O'Callaghan Sunni Patel Suresh Ramdas Suzy McCafferty Tadhg Mac Mahon Tanvir Ali Taofique Folarin Tash Koster-Thomas Tashan Nicholas Tatum Karmen Swithenbank Taylor Lianne Chandler Taz Rasul Temi Ayorinde Teodor Cesljarov Teresa Lee Thea Bardot Thokozani Mbwana Tolu Osinubi Trish Boston Ty Jernstedt Uz Afzal Valentín Aseyo Vaneet Mehta Vijay Chohan Xesca Alabart Lopez Yasmin Benoit Yassine Senghor Yeison Forero Yujx Smith Zach Ames Zacha Belok Zee Monteiro WANT TO JOIN THE TEAM? We're always looking for new facilitators, guest speakers, writers and holistic practitioners. Get in touch

(she/they) Roxy Roxy is an internationally recognised advocate for disability rights, adaptive fashion, patient empowerment, and radical inclusivity, living boldly as a pansexual individual with Multiple Sclerosis. A proud member of the BBC 100 Women 2024 and the Disability Power 100 list, Roxy’s impactful work has earned her a place among the world’s leading voices for change. As an established host and podcaster, she founded The Sick and Sickening Podcast, a platform where she shares raw, unfiltered stories about navigating disability and chronic illness. Leveraging her background as a stylist, Roxy empowers disabled and chronically ill individuals to embrace accessible, adaptive fashion with style and confidence. She consults on art direction and styling, while occasionally stepping in front of the camera as a model. Roxy’s voice has resonated across media platforms, with features in Vogue UK, Refinery29, and other major outlets, where she contributes to critical discussions on diversity and inclusion. A sought-after speaker, Roxy shines on topics like neurodiversity, body positivity, sexual health, workplace allyship, and self-empowerment. Her work champions intersectionality, wellbeing, adaptive fashion, and a future where radical inclusivity is the norm! Roxy Murray Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... Queer Journeys | Ashtar Alahmad. WCS Awards | My Queer Leader Journey, with Belén Kay. Community Building 101 | Inclusion with Trans+ History Week and QueerAF. Create Space for Change. We work with 100+ Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke DEI solutions. Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce insights and craft content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Discover our bespoke corporate solutions... Work with us

Award Winner Hadi Moussally, a Lebanese-French artist living in Paris and Barcelona shares his Queer Leadership Journey. My Story and Journey. My name is Hadi Moussally and I am a Lebanese-French filmmaker, photographer, and performer. My journey has always been shaped by movement—between cultures, identities, and artistic expressions. I was born in Lebanon, a place rich in culture, history and warmth but also filled with rigid societal norms, especially regarding queerness. Moving to France in search of creative and personal freedom, I spent years navigating what it meant to belong, only to realize that true belonging comes from within and from the communities we create. Today, I split my time between Paris and Barcelona, two cities that have given me the space to explore and express myself fully. Growing up in Tripoli, a deeply conservative city, queerness was not something I saw represented in a positive light. I internalized the belief that being queer was something to hide. At 17, when I realized I was gay, I prayed to change. But as I evolved, so did my understanding of identity and self-worth. Over time, art became my language of resistance, celebration, and healing. It allowed me to navigate my multiple identities—Arab, queer, artist—without compromising any of them. Today, I use my work to challenge norms, amplify queer voices, and create spaces where others can see themselves represented. My Work and Passion. At the core of my work is a commitment to hybrid storytelling. Through my production company, h7o7 , I create moving and still images that blend fashion, dance, experimental cinema, documentary and much more. In another way, it’s a hybrid genres. My work aims to disrupt conventions, challenge stereotypes, and offer nuanced representations of queer and Arab identities. To date, my films have been selected in over 400 festivals and have won more than 50 awards. Beyond filmmaking, I also perform as my persona, Salma Zahore , where I merge belly dance and voguing—a tribute to both my SWANA heritage and queer ballroom culture. Through performance, I challenge gender norms and celebrate the fluidity of identity. Art, for me, is activism, and I embrace the term "artivist" because my work seeks not only to create beauty but to provoke thought, dialogue, and change. Representation matters. Growing up, I didn’t see positive portrayals of queer Arabs. Today, I strive to change that. Whether through film, photography, or performance, I want to create work that makes young queer individuals—especially those from conservative backgrounds—feel seen, validated, and empowered. My Leadership and WCS Connection. Queer leadership, to me, means carving out spaces where others can exist authentically. It’s about challenging systemic barriers while nurturing communities of care and resistance. As a queer leader, I don’t just want to create art; I want to use my voice and visibility to uplift others, spark difficult but necessary conversations, and advocate for more inclusive spaces. I am an artivist against injustice. In another way, I use art as a form of activism to share light on all kind of injustices like homophobia, racism, sexism, transphobia and much more. Being part of the WCS community has been both affirming and inspiring. It connects me with other change-makers who are dedicated to making a difference. Whether through collaboration, mentorship, or sharing our stories, this network amplifies our collective impact. To be recognized by WCS means having a platform that validates and celebrates the work I do, motivating me to push even further. - Hadi Mousally Life Before & After Winning the Award. Winning the WCS Queer Leaders Award in 2024 was a pivotal moment in my journey. It validated years of hard work and struggle, showing me that my story and my art resonate with others. With increased visibility also comes new challenges. More recognition means more responsibility—to continue creating impactful work, to mentor emerging queer creatives, and to use my platform wisely. But these are challenges I welcome, as they push me to keep evolving. My Vision for the Future. Looking ahead, I envision expanding my work across different mediums and platforms. I want to create more films that explore intersectional queer identities, collaborate with artists from diverse backgrounds, and continue performing as Salma Zahore on larger international stages. I also hope to establish mentorship programs for queer Arab creatives, offering them the support I wish I had when I was younger. Challenges remain, representation is still limited, funding for experimental and intersectional art is scarce, and queer Arab narratives often face resistance. But I believe in persistence, in community, and in the transformative power of storytelling. My journey as a queer leader is ongoing, and every step I take is driven by a deep commitment to visibility, advocacy, and artistic expression. The future is about building more bridges, breaking more barriers, and ensuring that the next generation of queer creatives finds a world that embraces them fully. And I am here for it. Hadi Moussally (he/him) Hadi is a dynamic Lebanese-French filmmaker, photographer, and performer. He holds two master's degrees from Paris universities in "Fiction Cinema" and "Documentary and Anthropological Cinema." As an artivist, Hadi uses his work in films, photos, and performances to expose social injustices such as homophobia, racism, sexism, transphobia, and more. His dedication to fighting against injustice is palpable in everything he creates. With an unwavering passion for his craft and a powerful message to share, Hadi is a force to be reckoned with in the world of art and activism. Find out more here While you're here... Did you know we consult with Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke corporate solutions? Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce DEI insights and craft bespoke content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Find out more here . We also organise FREE community events throughout the year! We offer a variety of ways to get involved - both online and in person. This is a great way to network and learn more about others' experiences, through in-depth discussion on an array of topics. You can find out what events we have coming up here . New ones are added all the time, so make sure you sign up to our newsletters so you can stay up to date!

Pronouns are all something that we can sometimes make mistakes on. Our team shares the techniques they use to help improve their pronoun skills - why not try out some of these too? As trans visibility has entered the mainstream, pronouns have grown to be a hot topic across the political spectrum. While most people have an awareness that using the correct pronouns for trans people is important, many do not really understand why misgendering can be so painful. Similarly, when people will insist that they are trying to use the correct pronouns for a trans person, it’s often obvious that they have put little to no effort into challenging the way they perceive us - which is a common culprit of consistent but accidental misgendering. Take the time to think about how you would feel if everyone around you started referring to you as if you were someone else. If you can understand how this would be frustrating or distressing then you can understand why it’s so important to gender people correctly. The question is: how? Many cisgender people mean well but just can’t seem to shift to using a new pronoun when a co-worker comes out as trans, or permanently struggle with the pronouns of people who are gender non-conforming. The missing component in this equation is often a lack of practice . Changing the pronouns you use for someone is similar to breaking any other habit, it just requires a little patience and a commitment to change. It’s also a skill that will get easier with time, once you’ve managed it for one person, you’ll find it easier to do the next time you meet a trans person. We’ve compiled the following tips to help strengthen your pronoun skills: 1. Re-contextualise the person in your head. Take time to think about the person you’re struggling to gender correctly. Correlate them with their actual gender identity. Have you seen them become happier as they’ve expressed their true self? What ways do they express their gender? You can try repeating to yourself, “_____ is a woman/man/non-binary person”. When you have a strong sense of your own gender identity, having this aspect of yourself constantly disrespected or ignored by the people around you can feel like a process of gradual gaslighting, being told over and over again that you are not who you know yourself to be. This often manifests in increased anxiety and self-doubt. Despite this, it can be difficult for people to assert their pronouns when misgendered. Nina Taylor of Dentsu gave us their perspective: “An issue that I face as a non-binary person is the constant battle between asserting myself through communicating my correct pronouns and the desire to not make other people feel awkward or embarrassed when correcting them, as well as drawing any unwanted attention to myself. I think this will evolve with time, but right now what works for me is to correct people who I will encounter multiple times in my life and to save energy by not correcting people who play a more fleeting role”. 2. Practise talking with someone else. Ask a friend if you can practise talking about the person using their correct pronouns. Tell them a story about that person and ask them to correct you when you slip up. Take time to actively think as you speak rather than going on auto-pilot. Ask your conversation partner to ask you questions about the person to get used to a more back and forth conversation. It can also be useful to practise saying thank you when you’re corrected. Don’t derail the conversation, make a big deal out of it or start an excuse, just say thank you, correct yourself and move on. 3. Write it out. If you’re struggling to find someone to practise with or it still isn’t sticking, try writing about the person rather than speaking aloud. Writing something down will help you commit it to memory and will further connect the person with their correct pronouns in your head. 4. Correct yourself always. It’s important to correct yourself always, regardless of whether people are around to hear it. Correcting yourself and making note every time you make a mistake with someone’s pronouns forces you to be accountable and contributes to breaking the overall habit. You should correct others where possible too. This is good practice for yourself but also contributes to helping others break their habits too. 5. Don’t make trans people hold your hand through the process. Trans people are often made to feel like their transitions are a burden on the people around them, so reminding them that you’re finding it difficult to remember their new pronouns can make them feel awkward, guilty or that they are inconveniencing you. 6. Be discreet and empathetic. It can be intimidating to have someone ask for your pronouns in front of a large group of people. Offering your own pronouns first before asking for someone else's can help put them at ease. Where possible, be discreet by asking quietly or pulling the person aside briefly. Coming out as trans or non-binary can be a scary prospect, especially in professional settings, but it can also be incredibly rewarding when mustering the courage to do so is met with support from your co-workers. Consider the context you’re in. If you’re at a women-only event and ask for a trans woman’s pronouns but don’t find yourself doing the same with cis women, you’re inadvertently singling out that trans woman as “other”. 7. Don’t make it a big deal. When we make mistakes, many of us instinctually jump to justifying our actions to diffuse our own sense of guilt but this thought process is rarely comforting to hear for the person affected. It puts them in a position where they have to minimise their own hurt to prioritise ours. Apologising, correcting yourself and moving on is the best way to handle your slip ups. In moments where the process may feel difficult or frustrating, remember that gendering people correctly has a much bigger impact than you might think - you’re supporting and empowering trans and non-binary people to be themselves when you use their pronouns . Being recognised for who we are is something we all deserve by default, it doesn’t need to be earned, so we should all make an active effort to manifest that for each other. While you're here... Did you know we consult with 100+ Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke corporate solutions? Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce DEI insights and craft bespoke content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Find out more here . We also organise FREE community events throughout the year! We offer a variety of ways to get involved - both online and in person. This is a great way to network and learn more about others' experiences, through in-depth discussion on an array of topics. You can find out what events we have coming up here . New ones are added all the time, so make sure you sign up to our newsletter so you can stay up to date!

Award Winner Belén Kay , a Queer musician in Barcelona, shares her Queer Leadership Journey. My Story and Journey. I’m Belén, I’m half Irish and half Spanish. I grew up in Cork, Ireland, and moved to Barcelona with my family when I was 11. Growing up between two cultures made me feel like I didn’t fully fit in anywhere, and that’s what pushed me to be creative and open-minded. Creativity has always been my way of expressing myself, and it’s also helped me understand and embrace my queer identity. Ultimately, I do what I do because I want to help others feel seen and supported, just as I’ve learned to do for myself. My Work and Passion. The heart of my music project is all about supporting and collaborating with queer and FLINTA creatives in the music industry. Since I’ve started recording music I aim to collaborate and create more opportunities for underrepresented groups. In my day-to-day job, I focus on making the workplace inclusive for everyone, ensuring that everyone feels valued and respected. My Leadership and WCS Connection. Queer leadership to me is about being true to yourself and helping others feel comfortable doing the same. It’s about creating spaces where everyone is accepted. Being part of the We Create Space community has been amazing—it’s a place to connect with others who care about making a difference. It’s helped me grow, get inspired, and bring more attention to my work, whether in music or inclusivity. Life Before & After Winning the Award. Winning the WCS Queer Leaders Award in 2024 was such a meaningful milestone for me—it gave me a huge boost of confidence and validation for the work I’m doing. My Vision for the Future. Looking ahead, my main goal is to continue amplifying queer and FLINTA musicians, especially in creative spaces where they’re often overlooked. I want to expand my collaborations and create more inclusive opportunities within the music industry and in my own musical project. As a queer leader, I see myself evolving by being more proactive in advocating for inclusivity, taking on more leadership roles, and using my platform to inspire others. Find Belén's music and music videos here: https://linktr.ee/belenkay Belén Kay (she/they) Belén Kay is a Folk Rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. Born and raised in Cork (Ireland), at 11 years old they moved to Barcelona. Being half Irish half Spanish she has always questioned - still to this day - where she belongs. Thanks to her music production studies, Belén has self co-produced her first EP called “Abbey Court” Where they sing about dealing with pain, grief, heartbreak and returning home to find oneself. Her music is an open book, where she talks about her experiences, thoughts and feelings. While you're here... Did you know we consult with Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke corporate solutions? Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce DEI insights and craft bespoke content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Find out more here . We also organise FREE community events throughout the year! We offer a variety of ways to get involved - both online and in person. This is a great way to network and learn more about others' experiences, through in-depth discussion on an array of topics. You can find out what events we have coming up here . New ones are added all the time, so make sure you sign up to our newsletters so you can stay up to date!