Most recent Heroes

Rahul Upadhyay

I am Rahul Upadhyay, a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, a seasoned public speaker, and a committed social entrepreneur. My career has been deeply rooted in activism, and I've dedicated myself to the fight for equality and justice for marginalized communities, particularly in India and across Asia. My journey as an activist began in my early 20s, driven by a desire to create tangible change in societal attitudes toward the queer community. Over the years, I've conducted numerous gender sensitization sessions in universities, corporate spaces, and other organizations, helping to raise awareness and shift perspectives. My work has taken me beyond India, allowing me to represent my country at prestigious international platforms, including WorldPride events in Copenhagen and Sydney. As a strong advocate for Asian representation in global pride organizations, I currently serve as the Co-President of InterPride, where I work to bridge cultural gaps and foster inclusive spaces worldwide. This also makes me the youngest board member of InterPride in its history. In India, I am proud to be the lead organizer of Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad pride parades, where we have made significant strides in increasing visibility and acceptance in regions where the LGBTQIA+ community often faces intense challenges. I also founded the Gandhinagar Queer Pride Foundation, which has quickly become a leading voice for LGBTQIA+ rights in the country. My work has been recognized through various accolades, including the Keshav Suri Fellowship. One of my proudest achievements is starting the first support group in India for the families of queer individuals, furthering my commitment to creating inclusive environments for everyone. In addition to my activism, I work as a Deputy Manager at Ashoka University, where I strategize alumni engagement and bring my expertise in community building to the academic sphere. My efforts continue to inspire and empower individuals across the globe, and I am deeply committed to advancing the ongoing struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights and recognition. For reference, here's my website: https://www.rahulupadhyay.in/

Eef Andriessen

Hey! Hier een non-baire fan vanuit Berlijn (: ik ben van plan mijn haar af te scheren en aangezien het pride month is wil ik er een goed doel aan vastplakken, volledig in het teken van pride🌈. Al het geld dat ik inzamel wil ik doneren aan een lgbtqi+ vereniging. Kan dit bij jullie? Wellicht dat we een leuke samenwerking kunnen bedenken bij een donatie van een bepaalde hoeveelheid. Of als jullie andere aanbevelingen of suggesties hebben, hoor ik het ook graag. Liefs! @eefandriessen

James Crocker

Hi- I am James Crocker, a 15-year-old outspoken activist, and I have been actively involved in my community to promote inclusivity and acceptance. Recently, in response to the controversy surrounding a pride video shown to students at our elementary school, I took it upon myself to organize a pride rally in our local town of Granby, Connecticut. As an LGBTQ+ advocate and a member of the community, I felt compelled to take action in the face of homophobia and promote a message of love, understanding, and support. I firmly believe that no individual should be subjected to discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Organizing the pride rally has been an incredible experience. It has allowed me to bring together like-minded individuals who share the common goal of creating a safe and accepting environment for everyone in our community. The rally aims to celebrate the diversity of LGBTQ+ identities, educate the public about the importance of acceptance, and foster a sense of unity among all residents. By organizing this event, I hope to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues and dismantle the prejudices that may exist within our community. It is my belief that education and open dialogue are powerful tools in challenging misconceptions and building bridges of understanding. Through the pride rally, I aspire to provide a platform for LGBTQ+ individuals to share their stories, experiences, and struggles, promoting empathy and compassion among attendees. Furthermore, the event will offer resources and information to empower individuals to become allies and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights. It is my firm belief that change starts at the grassroots level, and I am committed to creating a positive impact in my community. I am dedicated to fostering an environment where individuals feel valued, respected, and loved for who they are. I hope that the pride rally will not only serve as a celebration but also spark meaningful conversations that lead to long-lasting change. It is my goal to inspire others, regardless of age, to speak up against discrimination and stand up for equality. Thank you for inquiring about my involvement in the community and the pride rally. I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference and contribute to a more inclusive and accepting society. Warm regards, James Crocker

David Church

I'm an LGBTQ+ education consultant. I work with schools across the country to ensure that the school environment and curriculum is LGBTQ+ diverse and inclusive. I'm also a regional ambassador for It Gets Better UK - a movement which envisions a world where all LGBTQ+ youth are free to live equally and know their worthiness and power as individuals. We strive to tell the stories of LGBTQ+ people and to provide positive and reassuring messages to LGBTQ+ young people.

Matthew Fuller

Hello, My name is Matthew CT Fuller (he/him), and I am honoured to be part of this vibrant community, which profoundly influences everything I do—both personally and professionally. On a personal level, I have been a dedicated volunteer with Switchboard LGBTQIA+ Helpline for over 3.5 years. During this time, I’ve served as a listening volunteer and supported various events and internal initiatives. For the past year, I have proudly held the role of EDI Coordinator, ensuring that equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the forefront of everything we do. I am also actively involved with Controlling Chemsex, where I have volunteered for over a year and now work as a Care Coordinator, providing crucial support to individuals navigating the challenges of chemsex recovery. Additionally, I volunteer with Antidote at London Friend, contributing to their life-changing drug and alcohol support services. Professionally, I am an ICF accredited Change & Accountability Coach with certifications in executive coaching, cognitive-behavioural coaching, and sobriety coaching. I work with individuals and organisations to foster meaningful change, supporting clients in personal and professional growth. My work spans from coaching around allyship and inclusive leadership for multinational corporations to providing accessible workshops for community groups. I firmly believe in addressing privilege—both my own and as a broader social concept—by offering equitable coaching options, including sliding scales and “Pay What You Can” workshops, to ensure that financial circumstances are not a barrier to growth. As a passionate LGBTQIA+ advocate, I speak at events, deliver workshops, and collaborate with organisations to drive forward initiatives that empower our community. Whether it’s through supporting individuals in addiction recovery or championing inclusion at the corporate level, my mission is to help people level up and thrive. You can learn more about me and my work through my professional Instagram: [www.instagram.com/matthewctfuller](http://www.instagram.com/matthewctfuller).

Reshma Anil Kumar

I am pansexual and demisexual and I use the pronouns they/them. I'm a transmasculine non-binary individual and recently I came out on YouTube. It wasn't an easy decision to come out so publicly but since coming out, I have been putting out videos to create awareness on the queer community and related matters. A main tactic I use through these videos is personal storytelling. Through this, I make it my goal to inspire people to share their own stories and build bridges to connect people to one another, no matter their differences.

Cindi Grace Miller

I am a woman of trans experience who is also a therapist and coach to the transgender community. I am the first therapist, who also transitioned, to write a step by step book that guides someone through the process of transition. My book isn't just from a professional viewpoint but from someone who has walked the walk herself and with many others. I also recently launched the world's first ever avatar based virtual world just for people of trans experience. The point is to create a safe place for people to be educated and learn how to transition with excellence. In addition, I also work closely with local PFLAG groups and hello the CIS community understand what gender truly is and how to be a great ally. I understand what it is to live a life of challenge and success. I have been through multiple major life transitions, including transgender transition and career transition. I know and understand what it is to live with gender dysphoria and try to make life work while living an inauthentic version of oneself. In addition to my own personal challenges I have a child with autism and one who is also transgender. I understand what transition looks like from all angles and seek to help others retrain their brains for a successful transition. I have a Masters in Counseling and Psychology as well as a Master of Divinity and Theology. In my past life I have worked in churches as an ordained minister, I has been a licensed mental health therapist, I am a trained transition coach, and have built a very successful insurance business. I have learned how to fail and how to succeed, and i work to help others in my community learn the same thing.