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Family Traditionally, family is defined as a group of one or more parents and their children living together as a unit. However, we all know that in present-day, families that resemble the traditional nuclear family ideals are in the minority. While for many Queer people, relationships with their families are important and strong, many who are open about their sexuality, gender identity and gender expression are ostracised by those related to them. This is why 'Chosen Families' are so important for Queer people - relationships we forge with close friends who share similar values to us, and those who are there to support us unconditionally where others perhaps don't. See: Belonging, Community and Coming out. < Back to Glossary

Spoon Theory "The Spoon Theory" is an analogy that emerged from a personal story by Christine Miserandino, equating the amount of ability that someone with chronic illness has to complete daily tasks to a limited number of spoons. People with chronic illnesses who must ration their energy throughout the day are sometimes referred to as "spoonies". < Back to Glossary

(he/him) Rakshet Rakshet, a third-culture individual born in Bangkok, identifies as ethnically Indian and was raised with a Western education. Currently based in the UK, Rakshet is employed by a leading consumer goods company, where they oversee product development and project management. In addition to their professional duties, Rakshet also serves as the leader of the company's LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, where they leverage their unique background and perspective to promote inclusivity and diversity within the organization. Rakshet's multicultural identity and experience in navigating different cultural norms has given him a unique approach to solving LGBTQ+ issues and creating a more inclusive work environment. Rakshet Sachdev Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... DEI Trends in 2025: Practitioner Wellbeing and Career Sustainability. UNLOCK | Queer Leadership 101 with Pius Kennedy Harnessing Queer Joy as an Act of Resistance. 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

(she/her) Chloe Chloe is a dynamic artist of poetry, performance, and black feminism, with a gift for igniting social change through her art. She is a celebrated public speaker and workshop facilitator, inspiring and empowering audiences with her powerful message of equality and justice. Her career includes performances at prestigious venues such as the Victoria and Albert Museum UAL Feminist Society and the Women of the World Festival with Black Lives Matter . She has also conducted a groundbreaking workshop at Tate Britain on Critical Practice as Play, and has facilitated creative poetry writing workshops for Blackgirl Fest , CSM , and the Black Feminist Library . Chloe is a vocal advocate for various social justice issues, including anti-racism, LGBTQ+ discrimination, intersectionality, and body positivity. She is passionate about educating others on how to create a more equitable world. Chloe Filani Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... DEI Trends in 2025: Practitioner Wellbeing and Career Sustainability. UNLOCK | Queer Leadership 101 with Pius Kennedy Harnessing Queer Joy as an Act of Resistance. 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

Gender Expression How someone outwardly expresses their gender through their appearance, clothing, make-up, behaviour, mannerisms and speech. < Back to Glossary

(they/she) Hannah Hannah is a Queer, Disabled, Colombian-Pakistani Art Director, graphic designer, illustrator, and writer, born and raised in the United Arab Emirates. They are currently based in Barcelona, after a 5 year stay in New York City where they pursued a BFA in Illustration and a BA in Cultural & Media Studies, focusing on understanding and exploring how Gender, Racial Identity, and Disability are socially constructed. Combining their theoretical interests with their art and design practice, the majority of Hannah’s visual and written work touches on sociopolitical themes, specifically chronic illness and disability, cultural and gender identity, and the bodymind, through their lived and learnt experiences. Hannah uses their social media platforms to disseminate information on Disability Justice movements and their intersections with Queer Liberation and Decolonial movements. Hannah Nishat Botero Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... DEI Trends in 2025: Practitioner Wellbeing and Career Sustainability. UNLOCK | Queer Leadership 101 with Pius Kennedy Harnessing Queer Joy as an Act of Resistance. 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

(he/him) Tadhg Tadhg is an entrepreneur, advocate, and former international footballer, with a background in international law, nonprofit leadership, and tech for good. He is the Founder & CEO of Shane Collective, a tech startup empowering the global LGBTQ+ community through dedicated, inclusive technology. An Irish-German transgender man raised in Cameroon and France, he brings a diverse global perspective to his work. He co-founded a humanitarian NGO, co-created the AMOS Women’s French Cup, and served on the board of TENI (Transgender Equality Network Ireland). He also spent five years in B2B tech sales at Twilio where he excelled as a social impact specialist and co-led the Global LGBTQ+ ERG. Tadhg Mac Mahon Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... DEI Trends in 2025: Practitioner Wellbeing and Career Sustainability. UNLOCK | Queer Leadership 101 with Pius Kennedy Harnessing Queer Joy as an Act of Resistance. 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

Biracial/Multiracial Biracial - Someone who’s biological parents are from two different racial groups. Multiracial - Someone who’s heritage originates from more than two racial groups. (See: Racism, Ethnicity and Race) < Back to Glossary

(he/him) Luke Luke is sharp, talented, and armed with exceptional eyebrows. He’s got a huge heart for neurodiversity advocacy - and for adopting chihuahuas. After being diagnosed with adult-onset Tourette’s Syndrome, Luke became the Founder of Manton Executives (a rapidly growing agency). Each day, he spices up the land of Virtual Personal Assistants and Social Media Marketing - with a splash of tics, and a hint of hot pink. He’s a real inspiration both professionally and personally, being candid on socials in a world full of trolls. You’ll soon find out: it’s impossible not to love him. Luke Manton Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... DEI Trends in 2025: Practitioner Wellbeing and Career Sustainability. UNLOCK | Queer Leadership 101 with Pius Kennedy Harnessing Queer Joy as an Act of Resistance. 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

Addiction An addiction manifests in any behaviour that a person finds temporary pleasure or relief in and therefore craves, suffers negative consequences from, and has trouble giving up. Members of the LGBTQIA+ Community are statistically more than twice as likely than straight people to battle with addiction at some point in their lifetime. This may be down to increased mental health challenges, internalised negative views about oneself as a result of marginalisation and discrimination, or a coping response to trauma. < Back to Glossary

Institutional Racism Refers specifically to the ways in which institutional policies and practices create different outcomes and opportunities for different groups based on racial discrimination. < Back to Glossary

Culture 1. The arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively. 2. The ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society. Both of these definitions are inextricably rooted to our all of the different aspects which make up our identities. Queer Culture has contributed significantly to our society in the past, and still continues to today, allowing those who may be different to come together and be heard. < Back to Glossary

(She/They/Jen) Jen Jen, a genderfluid and pansexual individual from Germany, was born into a working-class family and managed to complete a master’s degree from university. Despite being straight-passing and white, they have faced mental health issues such as depression. Jen is a DEI speaker focusing on LGBTQIA+ topics and tackling intersectional correlations. They speak from both places, being part of a marginalized group as well as knowing and using their privileges as an ally. In addition, Jen is an expert in inclusive leadership and co-chairs the LGBTQIA+ inclusion employee resource group of an international company with about 50,000 employees. Their passion and main objectives are bringing people together, creating a better world for marginalized communities, and building allyship. Jen's expertise extends to language and terminology surrounding marginalized communities and their identities. They are also a strong advocate for addiction recovery and self-empowerment. Through community building and culture change, Jen hopes to create a more inclusive and accepting workplace for all individuals. Additionally, Jen has been honored as a Prout Performer by the Prout at Work Foundation in 2022, highlighting their dedication and impact in the field of DEI. Jennifer Polzin Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... DEI Trends in 2025: Practitioner Wellbeing and Career Sustainability. UNLOCK | Queer Leadership 101 with Pius Kennedy Harnessing Queer Joy as an Act of Resistance. 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

(they/them) Doug Doug is an accomplished activist, speaker, and researcher on LGBTQI+ and human rights issues, hails from Caracas, Venezuela. As a human geographer, Doug offers critical analysis of sociopolitical phenomena through an intersectional feminist and decolonial lens. They have collaborated with multilateral and international organizations such as IGLYO , ILGA World , and the Equal Rights Coalition , in addition to local and community groups across Europe, North and South America. Doug's unwavering commitment to undoing harmful and unjust systems of power that marginalize, disenfranchise, and dehumanize individuals and communities across the world is evident through their work and actions. They are a passionate advocate for reimagining futures of hope and mutual care, with a focus on topics such as LGBTQ+ history, anti-racism, intersectionality, and culture change. Doug Graffeo Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... DEI Trends in 2025: Practitioner Wellbeing and Career Sustainability. UNLOCK | Queer Leadership 101 with Pius Kennedy Harnessing Queer Joy as an Act of Resistance. 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

(she/her) Chloe Chloe is a youth worker and community organiser based in Manchester with over a decade of experience working in communities across the city. Chloe is the Strategic Lead for Rainbow Noir , a social, peer support and community action group for LGBTQI people of colour and Co-Director at Colours Youth Network ; a national organisation supporting QTIPOC youth and youth workers. Chloe is passionate about creating spaces for QTIPOC to find connections, inner love and joy, she is also a big lover of plants, trainers, livingroom dancing and eating cake. Chloe Cousins Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... DEI Trends in 2025: Practitioner Wellbeing and Career Sustainability. UNLOCK | Queer Leadership 101 with Pius Kennedy Harnessing Queer Joy as an Act of Resistance. 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

(he/him) Jonny Jonny is a highly acclaimed mental health campaigner, author, filmmaker, and public speaker. He speaks publicly about his personal experience with mental illness and has written numerous articles, as well as given interviews on TV, radio, and in print globally, to help educate and break the stigma surrounding mental health. Jonny has also produced and presented documentaries on BBC Three and Channel 4 , further highlighting the importance of mental health awareness. With three published books under his belt, including his most recent paperback, The Book of Hope , Jonny continues to use his platform to empower individuals to take control of their mental health and well-being. He is also passionate about building communities of support and creating safe spaces for people to share their experiences. In addition to his advocacy work, Jonny founded the youth mental health charity, Beyond , in 2018. Beyond holds a yearly well-being festival for schools, as well as provides grants to support mental health services for young people across the UK. Jonny's dedication to mental health, well-being, and self-empowerment make him a highly sought-after speaker on these topics. Jonny Benjamin Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... DEI Trends in 2025: Practitioner Wellbeing and Career Sustainability. UNLOCK | Queer Leadership 101 with Pius Kennedy Harnessing Queer Joy as an Act of Resistance. 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

Restorative Justice An approach to justice that seeks to repair harm by providing an opportunity for those harmed and those who take responsibility for the harm to communicate about and address their needs in the aftermath of a crime. < Back to Glossary

WCS | Courses are a collection of self-navigated online training programmes designed to encourage learning and knowledge building around issues relating to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI), Allyship and Leadership. We combine informational knowledge sharing, research, resources and real-life experiences. Who am I? Home page | Courses EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH ONLINE LEARNING. WCS | Courses E-learning through an intersectional lens. WCS | Courses are a collection of self-navigated online training programmes designed to encourage learning and knowledge building around issues relating to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI), Allyship and Leadership. We combine informational knowledge sharing, research, resources and real-life experiences. Enquire now Michael Stephens , Founder of We Create Space , introduces WCS | Courses . Allyship Programmes Our Courses... FREE LGBTQIA+ Inclusion . A free e-learning course for those wanting to deepen their understanding of LGBTQ+ identities with the goal of creating more inclusive workplaces, communities and societies. This course will benefit those who already have some knowledge or understanding of LGBTQ+ identities, but who wish to further their allyship journey. Module 1: DEI Core Concepts. Module 2: LGBTQIA+ Identities. Module 3: Intersectional Experiences. Module 4: Queer Allyship. Find out more Our Platform. All of our courses are delivered via WCS | Campus , our online community learning platform and social hub. Any other Questions? If you're looking to develop resources for your business or organisation, we offer a variety of bespoke solutions designed to honour and elevate the diverse voices and perspectives of marginalised communities. To book a free consultation, please email hello@wecreatespace.co 💌. Get in touch

(she/her) Marthe Marthe is a queer parent coach who supports new and growing LGBTQIA+ families. Originally from the Netherlands and now living in the UK with her wife and daughter, she brings both lived experience and professional expertise to her work. With a background in oncology nursing, yoga, and life coaching, Marthe creates a safe and affirming space for queer parents navigating identity shifts, relationship challenges, and the complexities of raising a family in a politically divided world. Her approach is honest, compassionate, and always rooted in helping queer parents thrive. Marthe Koster-Thomas Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... DEI Trends in 2025: Practitioner Wellbeing and Career Sustainability. UNLOCK | Queer Leadership 101 with Pius Kennedy Harnessing Queer Joy as an Act of Resistance. 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

Grassroots A Grassroots movement is one that uses the people in a given district, region or community as the basis for a political or economic movement. Grassroots movements and organisations use collective action from the local level to effect change at the local, regional, national or international level. Often, the biggest changes as far as the fight for equality for the LGBTQIA+ Community comes from Grassroots movement. See: Activist and Equality. < Back to Glossary