Stonewall Stories

Andy Holmes
Senior Prison Officer, HMP Stafford, Ministry of Justice

Andy Holmes is an active LGBT ally within the Ministry of Justice LGBT employee network group.

He set up the first ever support group for LGBT prisoners in a UK prison, a practice that has become established in...

Jack Jackson
Team Leader for Mental Wellbeing and Counselling, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB)

Jack Jackson is a member of Celtic Pride, the BCUHB LGBT+ employee network. Although a relatively recent addition to the group, he’s been instrumental in helping steer the agenda...

Clare Eastburn
Director, Global Head of Operational Regulatory Change, Citi

Clare Eastburn is the co-chair of Citi’s Pride network in London and the committee’s bi representative.

As a visible bi role model in the organisation, she is profiled on Citi’s internal Pride website and...

Krishna Omkar
Associate, Slaughter and May

Krishna Omkar is a visible and passionate role model for both LGBT and BAME inclusion in the workplace and the wider community. He actively mentors junior LGBT lawyers and students, providing them with an informal and confidential support forum...

Natasha Franklin
Unit Manager Health Protection, Bury Council

Natasha Franklin has been a champion of equality since becoming the vice chair of the newly formed council LGBT employee network group in 2007 and subsequently chair of the group in 2014. She was instrumental in developing the...

POLICE SERGEANT, ESSEX POLICE

I think it’s important to celebrate how important allies are to the LGBT community. Those allies who stood by my side during the very early stages of my transition made a real difference to my self-esteem and sense of belonging. Simply being by my side meant so much...

CAMPAIGNER

I was Stonewall’s Young Campaigner of the Year in 2015.

In a way, I came out to a lot of the UK doing that. I wanted to stand up and say to other LGBT people, ‘It’s ok. Be yourself and keep your head up.’

Growing up, one of my best friends was my biggest support. She...

REFEREE

It's important in life that individuals can be themselves, and that they feel they are in an inclusive environment. That's true in sport too. It needs people already within the world of sport to demonstrate that it's possible.

I've felt a lot of support from a lot of people...