Ross Othen-Reeves and Simon Williams
Session summary
Language and labels have shaped how we understand sexuality and gender throughout history to the present day. This is most obviously witnessed by the ever-lengthening initialism 'LGBTIQ+' (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Questioning /Queer, plus), which has been lengthened by some to the staggering twelve character super-initialism ‘LGBTQQIP2SAA’, a sort of alphabetical version of the rainbow flag, which as one of the original symbols of LGBTQ+ inclusion, has also continued to evolve over recent years in its attempt to visually symbolise the entire queer community in a single design. In history, culture, politics, education and modern social and scientific studies, the ever-evolving use of acronyms to try to wield together a diverse and sometimes conflicting set of identities raises many questions. At a time of populism, the rise of new homophobia and transphobia, and rollback on diversity programmes, we ask whether these terms serve our interests given differences in generational and global preferences, and situational alternatives such as SOGIESC, MSM and Queer. We ask how practical these labels are, what risk of exclusion they create, and whether there is some validity to what critics see as inappropriate and excessive usage. The presentation cannot provide answers to all these complex issues but aims to provoke discussion, summarise how we arrived here.
9:00 a. m.
23 de octubre de 2025
Biography
Ross Othen-Reeves
Ross (He/Him) studied International Development for his undergraduate degree (B.A), followed by a Master's (M.A) in Human Rights, both at the University of Sussex, U.K. He focused on global LGBTQ+ rights throughout both degrees, completing field research in Malawi and Ethiopia respectively. He won academic awards for both his B.A. and M.A theses. Ross went on to work in the Global LGBTQ+ Rights sector for almost 10 years. This included roles such as Advisor on the Rapid Response Fund at Frontline AIDS (providing emergency support to LGBTQ+ CSOs in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean); Head of Global Programmes at Stonewall; and as Chair of the UK Alliance for Global Equality for three years. He is now a freelance writer and researcher specialising in LGBTQ+ rights for organisations such as ReportOUT.
Simon Williams
Simon (He/Him) is a freelance writer, commentator and editor on LGBTQ+ diversity, equalities and queer history, often from a legal perspective. Training as a barrister, he then moved into communications and campaigning. He has been active in LGBTQ+ equality including opposition to Section 28, the first law in the UK in 100 years to criminalise homosexuality, and in the campaign for marriage equality in the UK. He observes LGBTQ+ and civil rights developments in the US and Europe through the lens of the cultural complexities and reality of free speech. He successfully campaigned to persuade the music industry and retailers to change their stance on violent 'hate lyrics’ or ‘murder music’ against LGBTQ+ communities, women and police officers. He is editorial adviser to PinkUk, an online LGBTQ+ listings site, and a Trustee at human rights charity ReportOUT.
