Imran Ali and Becca Maxwell-Warrior
Session summary
The experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals are diverse and shaped by the intersections of their identities, including race, class, gender, disability and faith. These intersections often result in compounded forms of discrimination and marginalisation, which can vary significantly depending on one s specific combination of identities. For example, a gay white man experiences homophobia differently from a Black lesbian or an ethnic minority transgender woman, highlighting the complexities within the LGBTQIA+ community. In the UK, despite legal protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals, significant barriers remain, such as the legality of LGBTQIA+ conversion therapy, issues surrounding trans prisoners, and exclusion from certain societal spaces. This is especially evident in the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people of colour, transgender individuals, those with disabilities, and members of faith communities, who face unique challenges within mainstream and LGBTQIA+ spaces. These compounded challenges can lead to mental struggles, discrimination in healthcare and employment, and socioeconomic status and social exclusion. To create meaningful change, there is a need for intersectional advocacy, inclusive education, and policies that address the specific needs of diverse LGBTQIA+ populations. Addressing these gaps requires recognising the diverse lived experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community and implementing solutions that consider the intersections of identity to create truly inclusive and supportive environments for all.
10:30 am
24 October 2025
Biography
Imran Ali
Imran (He/Him) identifies as a Gay British Pakistani, has worked in the Clinical research industry for ten years and has been a Global Employee Resource Group (ERG) Leader/Local Leader for a cumulative six years. He has a dichotomy of lived experiences, from what it is like growing up as a gay person and part of a conservative Islamic community steeped in stigma and homophobia, to a liberal, out and proud gay man, all whilst experiencing discrimination in some corners of the community. Having experienced the challenges first-hand of that intersectionality and the mental health impacts this can have, he aims to discuss these themes and experiences openly and to try to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ people by working with other employee resource groups to bring awareness and drive policy changes. Additionally, he has worked with his organisation to create an educational programme and action plan for improvement and more recently joined Proud Science Alliance to work with other like-minded ERG leaders in the industry to align efforts and work on similar goals together.
Becca Maxwell-Warrior
Becca (they/she) is a Queer Lesbian with lived mental health experiences who speaks openly about their experiences with the aim to educate, break down stigma, and create an inclusive environment for all people. As a trained Learning and Development professional, they do this through their work as Global Co-lead/Lead for Education of their workplace LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group; volunteering as EDI specialist for the West Yorkshire Branch of the CIPD; and hosting talks/developing training around LGBTQIA+ identities, inclusion, and mental health for a number of organisations, including Pier Training and the Proud Science Alliance. They are currently in the process of writing their first book, which centres around mental health awareness and experiences.
