Meet The Team

Michael's love for Luton is in everything he does, and it goes beyond just wanting to help but wanting to make positive change, social fairness and unity. 

 He is the co-owner of Gayle, which is an LGBTQ+ beverage company that champions equality, disrupts the beer market and is a call for unity between communities. Gayle was launched in the UK in 2019 and currently has a three-year partnership with The Culture Trust Luton to help develop an LGBTQ+ audience with Queer film night "Filmed With Love" and developing a new Queer space The Gayle Lounge. Like many brands, Gayle is on the road to recovery from the pandemic. His DNA is in the Hat Factory as his Nan worked in the building when it produced hats

Since September, he has been the CLP LGBTQ+ Labour Luton South Consitucey Officer. He has aimed to build a stronger, connected, supported and fun LGBTQ+ community. He reached out to Scott Eastwood from Luton Council to float the idea of Luton having its first Pride. He approached Luton Town Football Club and created an LGBTQ+ supporters team which will be a voice in helping to tackle homophobia in football. 

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 Michael worked in the LGBTQ+ media sector for several years. He gained essential experience in brand development, the complexities of the LGBTQ+ community, and the importance of representation, messaging and voice. His passion for standing up for those who face discrimination, violence, and rejection for being LGBTQ+ grew.  

Michael is proud to be part of Pride In Luton and is thankful to all who have helped to make pride happen.  

"Luton's LGBTQ+ community is redefining itself; and together, we will build a bright future" 

Kelsie is passionate advocate for the rights of women, young people and the LGBTQ+ community. An activist who has spoken out at All Party Parliamentary Group meetings, on TV and Radio about issues such housing, mental health and inequality.

Kelsie is a youth and community worker and teacher with over 10 years experience working in charities, for the local authority and the NHS. She is experienced in organising events and engaging communities both in the U.K. and abroad. Kelsie currently works as Sexual Exploitation Outreach Lead at Luton Sexual Health. 

Kelsie is a queer parent who aims to demonstrate that happy families come in all different shapes and sizes and should be celebrated accordingly. As co-chair of the Pride in Luton committee Kelsie hopes the event will not only bring Luton’s LGBTQ+ community together but be an opportunity for education, activism and awareness, as well as a fun celebration!

Elle was born in Luton and has lived in the area her whole life. Between working at an LGBTQ+ nightclub, taking care of two small children and running her own business, 

Elle has taken on the role of secretary for Pride in Luton. Elle is passionate about working with local businesses to grow Pride in Luton and also has 15 years experience in putting her wife and our Co-Chair Kelsie's innovative ideas into reality.  

Elle is looking forwards to putting her organisational and planning skills to good use while being a positive role model for transgender youth growing up in the area. 

Scott has been a LGBTQ+ activist and campaigner since 2004 when he first went to University in Liverpool. Since then Scott has been involved in numerous campaigns around equal marriage, pension legislation and the rights of those seeking asylum because of their sexuality.

Scott brings a wealth of experience to the team and has worked in education, parliament, national charities, and the civil service. He currently works for Luton Council as their Community Development Manager. In his day role he works to improve the lives of Luton residents through the lense of social justice and equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Scott has set up a number of successful community organisations in Luton and was awarded Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 2020/21 in the Love Luton awards for his work supporting Luton residents through the pandemic and the organisation he co-founded, Luton Community Action Group. 

Scott leads on the operational. Infrastructure and financial side of Pride in Luton, and looks after things like staging and tech, funding applications and risk assessments. 

In his spare time he enjoys skiing, baking and theatre. He has a cat called Bellatrix, and has recently married his life partner Paul

More info to come 

Jesus currently works for a London local authority working in social pedagogue working in social care, mostly children and families services since 2005.

He came out to his family in his mid-thirties and is passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+ community to feel confident enough to be themselves and to help them with these conversations we all need to have with our friends and families at some point. 

Jesus is relatively new to Luton, moving here with his partner and their dog Lola. He is a native Spanish speaker, and has lived in Spain, France and now the UK. 

More info to come 

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  Claire is an Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) activist and changemaker, working with organisations to create better opportunities for marginalised people. She is experienced in culture change, policy and strategy development, recruitment, coaching and organisational development. Claire has over 10 years of management and leadership expertise, working within local government, NHS, charity and private sectors.

Claire has been campaigning for social inclusion since the age of 16 and won Greenwich Woman of the Year for her commitment to her hometown. She is currently serving her local community of Luton by volunteering as a Trustee for the charity Level Trust. 

She is also the co-founder of Unheard Luton, a community creative arts and wellness project for marginalised people living in Luton and the surrounding areas. Unheard Luton aims to create a platform for the unheard stories of Luton’s intersectional feminist and BIPOC LGBTQ+ community, whilst also connecting them and giving this community a place in Luton’s heritage narrative.

Rosie is a huge bundle of energy and heads up Pride in Luton volunteer’s team.  She brings a warmth that immediately puts a smile on your face. 

Rosie identifies as Pansexual and whilst she knew at 16 she was bi, it wasn’t till her 30’s she really knew she was Pan. 

She comes from a large family, and has 7 siblings, 2 of which are gay, so 3 out of 8 of them are LGBTQ+. Having grown up in a supportive family she recognises the strength it can bring to a person.  
 

She fully believe in her mantra of “Never underestimate the power of empowerment”, and this can come in many forms!! Pride being one of them. 

More info to come