Image credits: Various, please see end of blog


February is LGBTQ+ History Month, an opportunity to learn from our past and keep standing in solidarity to make history for the LGBTQ+ community. We spoke to colleagues at the Wellcome Sanger Institute about their LGBTQ+ heroes of the past and present.
For the first time in over 200 years, LGBTQ+ people were officially counted as part of the 2021 Census — a truly historic moment for more than 1.5 million people in England and Wales. But how will this help to create a more positive future?
Stonewall, a charity that stands for LGBTQ+ people everywhere, explains that “the benefits of LGBTQ+ visibility go beyond recordkeeping. As more people have had the opportunity to learn about our lives, attitudes have changed, allowing us all to write new, more colourful chapters in our country’s story”1.
Given the importance of better visibility, and to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, we asked colleagues who they would like to shine a light on — someone who has:
- inspired LGBTQ+ people
- broken down barriers to provide visibility for others
- helped them to become a better ally

Sophie Comiskey
Sophie Comiskey
Sophie Comiskey (she/her), Communications Officer, is energised by Anne Lister — a no-nonsense entrepreneur, landowner and lesbian

Anne Lister
Anne Lister
My wife and I started watching ‘Gentleman Jack’ on the BBC a few years ago, and we absolutely loved the protagonist, Anne Lister, who was brilliantly portrayed by Suranne Jones. Anne kept extensive diaries about her life and lesbian relationships (written partly in code!) which is what the historical drama is based on.
It was exhilarating to watch Anne march around 1830s Halifax, constantly glancing down at her pocket-watch to manage a busy schedule packed full of local business meetings and meetings with her lesbian lover, Ann Walker (albeit secretly, although sometimes not-so-secretly!).
Aside from enjoying watching her expertly talk down to anyone who might have dared to look down on her or her lifestyle, Anne was inspirational in every sense of the word. She loved who she loved, she wore what she felt comfortable in, she skilfully managed her household and looked after her family, and she was good-humoured, fair, but never a push over.
“Anne was inspirational in every sense of the word. She loved who she loved... she skilfully managed her household... and she was good-humoured, fair, but never a push over.”
Sophie Comiskey
Wellcome Sanger Institute

jennifer_lliddle
Jennifer Liddle
Jennifer Liddle (she/her), Senior Software Engineer - New Pipeline Group, recommends everyone to check out Abigail Thorn (she/her) who is a YouTuber, actress and playwright

Portrait_of_Abigail_Thorn
Abigail Thorn
I first came across Abigail when a friend recommended her YouTube channel ‘Philosophy Tube’. She has produced a lot of interesting and informative content on, well, philosophy. Her idea was that, in the years since she did her philosophy degree, student fees have increased enormously, and so she wanted to share the things she learned for free. I think that giving back to the community in this way is very praiseworthy. She has also produced some very thoughtful and thought-provoking content on her own mental health and coming out as trans.
“Her idea was that, in the years since she did her philosophy degree, student fees have increased enormously, and so she wanted to share the things she learned for free. I think that giving back to the community in this way is very praiseworthy.”
Jennifer Liddle
Wellcome Sanger Institute

natalie_lazar_adler_wellcome_sanger_institute
Natalie Lazar Adler
Natalie Lazar Adler (she/her), Associate Director of Cellular and Sample Management Operations, is inspired by Australian LGBTQ+ activist, Sally Rugg (she/her)

sally_rugg
Sally Rugg
I’d like to highlight Sally Rugg, author of ‘How Powerful We Are’, which she describes as part memoir, part manifesto and part activist-handbook. It discusses the decades-long campaign for equal marriage rights for LGBTQ+ people in Australia. I found it to be such an interesting and inspirational read.
“I found [Sally Rugg's book 'How Powerful We Are'] to be such an interesting and inspirational read.”
Natalie Lazar Adler
Wellcome Sanger Institute

Rachael-Smith_Wellcome_Sanger_Institute
Rachael Smith
Rachael Smith (she/her), Media Officer and Social Media Lead, has learned a lot from Shivani Dave (they/them), a journalist, broadcaster and physicist

Shivani_Dave
Shivani Dave
Someone who is changing history right now is Shivani Dave, who is doing amazing work reporting on LGBTQ+ news, among other things, and fights against ignorance and bigotry in an eloquent and charismatic way. Not only are they an incredible journalist, an engaging content creator and a hilarious performer, they are raising awareness of LGBTQ+ issues across the world and living as their true self. An inspiration on how to live your truth, Shivani is also a shining example of how to handle yourself in difficult interviews, and on a personal level, someone I couldn’t have made it through my masters without!
I would recommend everyone checks them out, either on social (Twitter is @ShivaniDave, Instagram & Tiktok @dah_vey), or their website https://www.shivanidave.co.uk/bio)
“Not only are they an incredible journalist, an engaging content creator and a hilarious performer, they are raising awareness of LGBTQ+ issues across the world and living as their true self.”
Rachael Smith
Wellcome Sanger Institute

2022-06-24_Charles Weatherhogg_SI_SC (2)
Charlie Weatherhogg
Charlie Weatherhogg (he/him), Human Resources Director, remembers a colleague who helped him to become a better ally to LGBTQ+ people
Early in my career as a Human Resources Business Partner, I supported a colleague who undertook gender transition after 10 or so years working in a large office in their birth gender. This was around the early 2000’s and at a time when society was less knowledgeable and understanding. As such, I was in awe of the courage this person demonstrated, in engaging their workplace, their family and friends before taking the step to transition.
I believe it was the first such transition that my employer had supported (it was certainly my first such transition matter) and both the colleague and employer went on this journey together. I recall how the many gender based systems and processes across the workplace were awkward and clumsy, and this colleague showed exceptional patience and resilience.
I was given the opportunity to better understand someone else’s lived experience and I feel I’ve been able to make more inclusive decisions as a result. I am optimistic that society, employers and HR teams are far better equipped to provide support these days.
“I was given the opportunity to better understand someone else’s lived experience and I feel I’ve been able to make more inclusive decisions as a result.”
Charlie Weatherhogg
Wellcome Sanger Institute
While there is still so much work to do in order to make our society a welcoming and inclusive place, it is important to celebrate those who are working hard to make progress.
Inclusion in the Census not only gives visibility to groups that have long been hidden, it gives up-to-date data that can inform campaigners in this space, highlights regional and national issues, and allows people to create effective solutions that are supported by evidence.2
In the UK, LGBTQ+ people still face discrimination, exclusion and barriers at work with almost one in five LGBTQ+ employees reporting that they have been the target of negative comments or conduct from work colleagues in the last year because they're LGBTQ+. Many do not feel safe enough to live as themselves in their workplaces, with more than a third of LGBTQ+ staff reporting to have hidden or disguised that they are LGBTQ+ at work because they were afraid of discrimination.3
We all have our part to play to ensure that society and science are safe and accepting places for everyone. Solving humanity’s greatest challenges will require all talent.
Find out more
- Anne Lister's Wikipedia page
- Abigail Thorn's Philosophy Tube channel
- Sally Rugg's website
- Shivani Dave's website
As well as checking out some of the people mentioned above, more resources can be found at
References
Image credits:
- Anne Lister - (c) Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council; Supplied by The Public Catalogue Foundation. Public Domain Image.
- Abigail Thorn - Portrait of London-based actress and YouTuber Abigail Thorn. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sally Rugg - Matt Hrkac from Geelong / Melbourne, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Shivani Dave - Shivani Dave Instagram @dah_vey
- Rachael Smith - Rachael Smith
- Sophie Comiskey, Jennifer Liddle, Natalie Lazar Adler and Charlie Weatherhogg - Wellcome Sanger Institute.