National Student Pride
1127. Tom Guy
Tom Guy, from London, is the founder of ‘National Student Pride’, the largest student-led LGBT event in the UK.
Tom founded the organisation in 2005 as a student at Oxford Brookes University to promote progressive voices on campus and tackle homophobia. Since then, the event has grown to attract over 1,700 students from more than 170 universities and colleges worldwide to participate in an annual weekend festival of talks, exhibitions, and workshops hosted at the University of Westminster. The event includes a careers fair providing tailored support for LGBT students and aims to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace. ‘National Student Pride’ has also worked with the ‘National Union of Students LGBT’ and ‘Terrence Higgins Trust’ to support the campaign to make sex and relationships education compulsory in schools, which the Government approved in 2017. In 2016 Tom also founded and now Chairs the ‘Architecture LGBT+’ network which is now flourishing and helping to provide role models in a space where homophobia is still prevalent.
Tom’s award coincides with this year’s National Student Pride event, and LGBT History Month.
In a personal letter to Tom, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“The extraordinary success of ‘National Student Pride’ is a testament to your outstanding commitment to helping young LGBT people feel comfortable in their identity. By bringing together students from across the UK and internationally for an engaging weekend of performances, discussion and careers support, you have built a remarkable platform for young LGBT voices to be heard. I wish you the very best with this year’s event.”
Tom said:
“I am delighted to be the Point of Light, and especially so that ‘National Student Pride’ is taking place this weekend. The work we do at National Student Pride is so important in providing a safe space for LGBT+ students to have their first pride and discover their true identity. Each year we tackle topical issues such as Gender, Homelessness and Mental Health and this year Ian McKellen is joining us as we discuss Activism and Race.”
Laura Yeates, Head of Graduate Recruitment at ‘Clifford Chance’, a partner of ‘National Student Pride’, added:
“‘National Student Pride’ wouldn’t have been possible without Tom’s vision of creating a safe space for young people to explore who they really are whilst debating the most pressing societal problems and creating a unique support network of peers and future employers.”