Transgender Champion
1120. Jacqui Gavin
Jacqui Gavin, from Warboys, is a civil servant and trans activist who has been a driving force behind improving transgender issues across Whitehall and the wider workplace.
Jacqui was the first ever chair of the Transgender Network within DWP, followed by Chair of ‘a:gender’, the cross-government support network for transgender and intersex civil servants. Outside of the civil service, Jacqui is a speaker and ambassador for several LGBT charities, promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the importance of eradicating homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in schools. In October last year, Jacqui also organised a landmark conference, ‘This is Us’, in Milton Keynes to highlight LGBT issues in the workplace. Her work has been recognised nationally at the 2015 Excellence in Diversity Awards, and as Diversity Champion at the British LGBT Awards in 2016.
Jacqui was presented with her award at a Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport event on Valentine’s Day to mark LGBT History Month by Permanent Secretary Dame Sue Owen, Straight Ally for the Civil Service (pictured below), in conversation with Lord Chris Smith, Baron of Finsbury, the first Secretary of State for DCMS and the first openly gay British MP.
In a personal letter to Jacqui, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“By drawing on your long experience as a transgender activist, you have had a remarkably positive effect on improving diversity and inclusion for LGBT people both within the civil service and across society. As we mark LGBT History Month, it is vital that we keep working towards equality for all, and you should feel enormously proud of the personal impact you have made by highlighting transgender issues.”
Jacqui said:
“There are very few times that I am left speechless but this is one of those times. I am immensely honoured and humbled to receive this award for being myself and I feel grateful to the Civil Service and the Prime Minister for this recognition for simply being myself.”