Luca Straker (they/them)

As we start moving into #pridemonth, now more than ever it's important for us to stand together. We at Proud Changemakers encourage everyone to get involved in any way you can, celebrate and have a great time! 🌈🎉

Here are the #pride events going on across the UK and Ireland this weekend.

Harvey Milk Day, celebrated annually on May 22nd, commemorates the birth of Harvey Milk, a prominent gay rights activist and the first openly gay person elected to public office in California. It serves as a time to remember and honour his life and legacy.

#harveymilkday #harveymilk

#idahobit stands for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. It is an annual day of awareness and action held on May 17th to combat discrimination and violence against LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Today marks Agender Pride Day, a day to celebrate and recognise those who may not connect with a gender identity label.

The flag explained:
Black and White: Represent the absence of gender.

Grey: Represents being semi-genderless.

Green: Represents non-binary genders.

#agender #agenderpride

Trans history week 5-11 May 2025

Laurence Michael Dillon. Born in 1915, was a British doctor, author, and Buddhist monk who was the first known transgender man to undergo a phalloplasty. #TransHistoryWeek

It’s #TransHistoryWeek! 🏳️‍🌈
Each day, we’re sharing the story of a trailblazing trans figure from history.

First up: Laurence Michael Dillon – born in 1915, he was a doctor, author, Buddhist monk, and the first known trans man to undergo a phalloplasty.

A true pioneer. More to come all week. ✨

A photo of me and two Rainbow Owls members presenting Josh Windass' Player of the Season trophy to him pitchside at Hillsborough Stadium.

Presenting @rainbowowls.bsky.social's Player of the Season award to Josh Windass was a proud moment! 🏆

It was a pleasure to be joined by LGBTQ+ #swfc fan like @proudchangemakers.bsky.social's @lstraker.bsky.social 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Thanks to @swfc.co.uk for their help and consistent commitment to inclusivity! 💙🦉

We have signed this joint statement with @lgbtconsortium.bsky.social and our love is with the trans, intersex and non binary communities.

No one should suffer to be who they are. We all should have the right to be and express our true selves without fear.

We stand in solidarity with you all.

New podcast episode! 🎙️

We sat down with LGBTQIA+ activist Khakan Qureshi to talk about intersectionality, representation and the challenges faced by South Asian queer communities.

This is an essential listen for everyone. Tune in now! 🎧

www.proudchangemakers.org/voice

Have you read the article?

“As grown ups, we must always take responsibility for keeping children safe on our roads, but this is a great opportunity to start conversations about road danger and help them understand why road safety is so important
Ross Moorlock, chief executive officer, Brake”

Hey social media folks! Looking for a remote volunteering gig where you can use your skills for a great cause? 🌍

We're looking for a Social Media Volunteer! Craft engaging posts, grow an online community and make a real difference!

Check it out and apply: reachvolunteering.org.uk/opp/social-m...

🚀 We’re looking for a Treasurer to bring their finance skills to our Board of Trustees!

📌 Fully remote, flexible hours
📌 Help shape our financial future
📌 Make a real impact!

Apply now: reachvolunteering.org.uk/opp/trustee-...

#Volunteer #Finance #Trustee #CharityWork #RemoteOpportunity

Hope is like the sun. If you only believe it when you see it You'll never make it through the night -Princess Leia

I love this quote that I was reminded of today by @lstraker.bsky.social in today's @proudchangemakers.bsky.social board meeting 💜

Selfie of me with Proud Changemakers co-founder Luca Straker and Period Positive founder Chella Quint OBE.

A photo of a PowerPoint slide that states "SAYiT means a lot to me because I feel really comfortable in who I am now." It is placed above a set of two 25 rainbow balloons at SAYiT's 25th anniversary gala event.

A photo of SAYiT's CEO Nicola Fearnley-Hill giving a speech at their 25th anniversary gala event. Nicola is placed behind a PowerPoint slide that states: "SAYiT allowed me to make more friends and come out of my shell, as well as educate myself about queer history and issues facing LGBTQ+ folks today."

Attending SAYiT's 25th anniversary gala on Saturday evening was a joy. 💙

They do amazing work for young LGBTQ+ people in Sheffield & I love supporting them on behalf of @rainbowowls.bsky.social

Catching up with the lovely @lstraker.bsky.social from @proudchangemakers.bsky.social was also a bonus!

🚀 What does the future hold for Proud Changemakers?

In our latest episode we discuss:
❓ What obstacles do LGBTQIA+ organisations face today?
❓ How do we sustain and grow our impact?

🎧 Listen now: open.spotify.com/show/4jrA1HZ...

Want to support our mission? Go to www.proudchangemakers.org

oprah winfrey is holding a microphone and saying you get a website and you get a website Alt: oprah winfrey is holding a microphone and saying you get a website and you get a website

🌐 Big news: Our new website is LIVE! Check it out here: www.proudchangemakers.org 🌈

This comes alongside welcoming 4 amazing new trustees - @heatherpaterson.co.uk, Amy Walton, Carrie Lyell and Leah Milner-Campbell.

Together, we're building a brighter future for LGBTQIA+ representation!

🎉 As we move towards charity status, we’re excited to introduce you to the incredible humans guiding our journey.

In this episode Suneet Sharma chats with them to find out why they wanted to join the team!

🎧 Listen now: open.spotify.com/show/4jrA1HZ...

#LGBTQPodcast #MeetTheTrustees #QueerStories

The pleasure is all mine!!

Brown male wearing glasses, short hair and a blue suit with a red tie looking directly at the camera

📢 Important read alert! 🌈 Suneet Sharma, our Deputy CEO breaks down how Meta's recent changes to its hateful conduct policies put marginalised groups at serious risk. This may even breach the UK Online Safety Act 2023.

Read at: theprivacyperspective.com/2025/01/13/m...

#OnlineSafety #Meta #LGBTQIA

🏳️‍🌈✨ Fresh vibes, same mission. We’ve got a new logo!
This redesign marks a bold step forward in telling LGBTQIA+ stories with authenticity, pride, and passion.

We’re so proud to share this next chapter with you all. Check it out! 🖤🤍

#NewLogo #LGBTQIA

If your charity is wondering 'what next?' after Meta's later announcement then take a look at my latest @thirdsector.co.uk piece . Huge thanks to @charitycomms.bsky.social @serenas.bsky.social Stonewall and @proudchangemakers.bsky.social for sharing their wisdom. 🙏

Celebrating the LGBT Community | Pride Power List The Pride Power List is the definitive guide to those in the LGBTQI community – and our allies – who are dedicated to working towards true LGBTQI equality and inclusion.

Want a chance to amplify some queer voices? 🎉

🌈 Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Excellence! The #PridePowerList25 honours those fighting for equality, inclusion and a brighter future for our community.

Nominate someone who inspires YOU! 🏳️‍🌈

Nominations are open now. ✨ www.pridepowerlist.com

The kindest words from the sweetest human.

How charities are responding to transphobic hate Proud Changemakers · Episode

And if you are a charity receiving LGBTQIA+ hate online then please listen to our podcast with Mermaids, Transactual and Zoe Amar about how to respond to this kind of abuse. open.spotify.com/episode/2i5w...

There are a number of places LGBTQIA+ people can contact if they receive hate including Galop's hate crime phoneline (galop.org.uk/get-help/hel...) and Stonewall's online reporting app Zoteria (www.stonewall.org.uk/resources/zo...).

No one should feel alone or scared being who they are. No one should be allowed to spread hate and endanger people’s lives. That is not what free speech is about. That’s discrimination and hatred.

It is why we must create places like Proud Changemakers and other LGBTQIA+ safe spaces so that we can shine a big, sparkly queer spotlight on our communities and celebrate the beautiful diversity and huge contribution we make to society.

We are saddened by these updates from Meta. It is exhausting and terrifying to live in a world where organisations feel they can create spaces and rhetorics that will fuel hatred against our LGBTQIA+ communities.

Very blurry selfie of me

Need to improve my running selfies.

Off to see Nosferatu tonight… 😱