The finalists of this year’s Queer Student Awards (QSA) have been announced.
The work of 68 young LGBTQ+ people, community groups, student employers, schools, colleges and universities are now shortlisted by a panel of queer professionals and allies, judging alongside previous finalists. The QSA 2024 shortlist features 13 categories. They include Activist, Community Group, Rising Star, Role Model and Unsung Hero of the Year – a new category introduced this year by Head Judge, Eva Echo.
Employer of the year finalists include AstraZeneca, Bentley Motors Ltd and Sage. University of the Year finalists include Middlesex University of London, University of Arts London, University of Essex and University of Wolverhampton.
CELEBRATING YOUNG & TALENTED LGBTQ+ PEOPLE
“It’s an absolute honour to read about everything going on to improve the lives of young LGBTQ+ people in the UK and amazing to work with, and lead, a team of judges who are so passionate about ensuring that each person is given the opportunity to shine in their own right,” shared Echo. “Each year it gets more and more difficult to judge all of the entries because the standard of them is becoming so incredibly high. The Queer Student Awards must continue to thrive so that all of the hard work that is being done in the grassroots of the LGBTQ+ community as well as on campuses, in schools and the workplace is recognised, and celebrated every year.”
The Queer Student Awards (QSAs) are an annual celebration of the UK’s talented young LGBTQ+ people, who are proudly leading in their lives and the communities around them. Created in 2021 by DE&I consultant Steve Keith, the awards also recognise the work that allies, schools, colleges, universities and employers are doing towards creating inclusive safe spaces that support and develop by ensuring that their sexuality and gender identity does not act as a barrier to their future career success.
CREATING A MORE INCLUSIVE WORLD
This year’s awards are headline sponsored by EY. “At EY we want all our people to feel able to bring their whole authentic selves to work every single day. We believe that you are at your best when you can be yourself. As co-chairs of EY’s Unity Network, we are particularly focused on empowering our LGBT+ colleagues to be vocal and visible across all areas of the business and are proud to work with other EY networks that are doing the same for their communities,” shared Y Unity Co-Chairs, Darren Holliday and Emma Dwyer. “We’re equally proud to support these awards and take great heart in learning about the fabulous work being done by organisations and individuals across society to help create a world that is more inclusive and understanding. Congratulations to all the nominees and shortlisted finalists – your efforts are inspiring.”
Other partners presenting awards on the evening will include Enterprise Mobility Services, AstraZeneca, Trans In The City, Sage and the QSA charity partner, Diversity Role Models.
This year, QSA 2024 will take place at The Birmingham Town Hall, during Pride month on 26th June. This year’s host is author and TEDX speaker Ben Pechey, and the headline performance is from Birmingham based Queer performance company, The Fatt Projects. The reigning ‘Queer of the Year’, Taj Donville-Outerbridge, will deliver the keynote speech focusing on this year’s theme – Queer Liberation. Music will be provided by the Midlands’ premier LGBTQ+ community choir Rainbow Voices and Rylee Spooner. Tickets for the live final are now available with the opportunity to celebrate in-person or via a livestream provided by Not Going To Uni.
Click here for more about the Queer Student Awards 2024 and book tickets, and here for the full list of finalists. Check out last year’s finalists here.
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