Luke: An EQ+ Celebration Series Winner Story

Posted on: 20 July 2026 in Student experiences

As President of the LGBT+ Society, Luke has focused on the human side of belonging: creating a community where queer students, especially those arriving at university without an established network, can meet people, feel supported and be themselves. Alongside social events and fundraising, he has helped create spaces for solidarity, including the Trans Day of Remembrance vigil and the society’s first formal ball.

What did you want the LGBT+ Society to feel like for students?

Starting university can be overwhelming, especially for queer students who arrive without an established community. I wanted the society to feel welcoming, safe and genuinely supportive: a place where people could build friendships, grow in confidence and know they are not alone. It has been important to me that it feels like a real community, not just a list of events.

Which moments from the year have stayed with you most?

Organising the Trans Day of Remembrance vigil was especially important. It created a space for students and staff to stand in solidarity with the trans community, honour people lost to violence and discrimination, and raise awareness of the issues that still need attention. I am also proud of the community events, fundraising and our first formal ball, because they have given people different ways to connect and feel part of something.

What is next for you?

I am planning to begin a Master’s in Criminology. Leading the society has developed my leadership, communication, organisation and public engagement skills, but it has also reinforced how much I care about inclusion and community. Ultimately, I would like a career that I feel happy doing and that contributes something wider to the greater good.