LGBTQ&A

Honouring LGBT+ History Month through collaboration and community.

What is LGBTQ&A?

LGBTQ&A is a bespoke collaboration series created by Lancaster University and the University of Cumbria’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) teams and LGBTQ+ Student and Staff Networks to answer anonymously submitted LGBTQ+ questions in a safe space.

C/w: the content and conversation of this webinar may be emotionally challenging and some people may find the subject matter upsetting. Support for University of Cumbria Students can be accessed via Student Support | MyCumbria and staff can access the internal Health and Wellbeing Hub, alongside the range of support organisations located at Useful Links, Guidance & Signposting - University of Cumbria

LGBTQ&A is back for 2025 on 13th February, 12noon. The theme for this year is Activism and Social Change and we look forward to you joining our esteemed panel.

Click below to sign up to LGBTQ&A: Activism and Social Change

Event Format

LGBTQ&A is a hybrid event, with an in-person panel and online anonymous attendee format. Staff and students from each institution are invited to join the panel in-person by attending the live event.

Attendees are invited to ask any questions or share any thoughts in advance that relate to the theme, which updates annually. Asking questions ahead of the event gives the panel an opportunity to prepare full responses and find any appropriate resources or links.

Moderator and Panellist

The panel will be composed of three representatives from each institution and a panel moderator with lived/professional experience specific to this theme. Our panellists pledge to provide an inclusive and safe environment in which they recognise their differences as their strengths, seeking and valuing different perspectives and ideas, in an environment that was without prejudice and bias

We ask all participants to understand and accept panellists are not there to provide “right” answers and all answers provided during this event are opinions derived from personal or professional LGBTQ+ experience and knowledge.

Meet our 2025 Panellists

Our panellists pledge to provide an inclusive and safe environment in which they recognise our differences as our strengths, seeking and valuing different perspectives and ideas, in an environment that is without prejudice and bias.

Ann-Marie Houghton
(she/her) Panel Moderator, Lancaster University Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
Brian Webster-Henderson
(he/him) University of Cumbria Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Tomi Jackson
(he/him) Senior Project Manager and LGBT+ Network Chair
Rebecca Gibson
(she/her) University of Cumbria, Quality Assurance Officer
Jaydn Edwards
(he/him) Lancaster University and Lancaster.Gay
Lauren Armiland
(she/her) Sanctuary Breast Cancer Support Group
Vaz Lockett
(they/them) Health Research Administrator for Queer Futures 2+ at Lancaster University and Founder and Director of Queer By Gum CIC - local LGBTQ+ community arts organisation

Meet our 2024 Panellists

Ann-Marie Houghton
(she/her) Panel Moderator, Lancaster University Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
Brian Webster-Henderson
(he/him) University of Cumbria Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Benjamin Dalton
(he/they) Lancaster University Lecturer in French Studies and Queer Medical Humanities Network Lead
Ali Richards
(she/her) University of Cumbria Lecturer Nursing Associate
Martine Dawber
(she/her) Lancaster University Disabled Employee's Network and LGBTQIA+ Ally Network Deputy Chair
Angie Illman
(They/Them) Pears Cumbria School of Medicine (PCSM) Project Manager
Tomi Jackson
(He/Him) Project Manager at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. Member of the LGBT+ Network & Finance EDI Ambassador
TBC
Lancaster University Student's Union

LGBTQ&A 2024: Health and Wellbeing

LGBTQ&A was a bespoke collaboration series created by Lancaster University and the University of Cumbria’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) teams and LGBTQ+ Student and Staff Networks. The panel featured:

Ann-Marie Houghton (she/her) (LU), Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

Brian Webster-Henderson (he/him) University of Cumbria Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Benjamin Dalton (he/they) Lancaster University Lecturer in French Studies and Queer Medical Humanities Network Lead

Ali Richards (she/her) University of Cumbria Lecturer Nursing Associate

Angie Illman (they/them) Pears Cumbria School of Medicine (PCSM) Project Manager

Tomi Jackson (he/him) Project Manager at University of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. Member of the LGBT+ Newtok & Finance EDI Ambassador

Josh Newsham (he/him) Lancaster University LGBTQ+ Student's Union Officer

Watch on YouTube

Collaborative LGBTQ&A: Allyship and Parenting Event 2023

In February 2023 as part of LGBTQ+ history month, the second in the annual collaborative series with Lancaster University was released. You can access the audio recording here, which featured the following panels members:

Ann-Marie Houghton (she/her) (LU), Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI);

Brian Webster-Henderson (he/him) University of Cumbria Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Hannah Rosbrook-Brown (she/they) Lancaster University Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor

Joanne Scott (she/her) University of Cumbria LGBTQ Staff Network EDIW Rep

Victoria Simpson (she/her) Lancaster University LGBTQIA+ Ally Network

Annabelle Robinson (they/them) University of Cumbria Student’s Union Welfare Officer

Josh Newsham (he/him) Lancaster University LGBTQ+ Student's Union Officer

Watch on YouTube

Collaborative LGBTQ&A Panel Event 2022

In February 2022, as part of LGBTQ+ History Month, the University of Cumbria collaborated with Lancaster University for “LGBTQ&A”. This collaborative panel discussion answered questions on policy, support, allyship and LGBTQ+ community questions. The panel featured:

Ann-Marie Houghton (she/her) (LU), Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI);

Joanne Scott (she/her) (UoC), LGBTQ Staff Network EDIW Rep;

Terry Abbott (LU), LGBTQ+ Staff Network Lead;

Molly McConnell (she/they) (UoC), Student’s Union Welfare Officer;

Sophie Schulz (he/she/they) (LU), LGBTQ+ Student's Union Officer;

Lee McDermott (he/him) (UoC), Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Officer and Staff LGBTQ+ Network Co-chair;

Monet Booker (she/they) (LU), LGBTQIA+ Ally Network Lead.

Watch on YouTube

LGBTQ+ History Month 2021

In February 2021, staff and student network members marked LGBTQ+ History Month with a series of videos exploring their personal journeys and experiences. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Webster-Henderson and UCSU Welfare Officer Molly McConnell kicked off the month by introducing both networks, their identities, and how these spaces impact and support them. As part of LGBTQ+ History Month, the University of Cumbria hosted 'A Life Worth Living' in an online collaborative panel discussion.

Watch the Series

Click here to learn about our LGBTQ+ Staff Network

LGBTQ&A

Honouring LGBT+ History Month through collaboration and community.

What is LGBTQ&A?

Event Format

Moderator and Panellist

Meet our 2025 Panellists

Ann-Marie Houghton

Brian Webster-Henderson

Tomi Jackson

Rebecca Gibson

Jaydn Edwards

Lauren Armiland

Vaz Lockett

Meet our 2024 Panellists

Ann-Marie Houghton

Brian Webster-Henderson

Benjamin Dalton

Ali Richards

Martine Dawber

Angie Illman

Tomi Jackson

TBC

LGBTQ&A 2024: Health and Wellbeing

Collaborative LGBTQ&A: Allyship and Parenting Event 2023

Collaborative LGBTQ&A Panel Event 2022

LGBTQ+ History Month 2021