QSA Winner Inspires LGBTQ+ Students to Fight For What Matters

The Queer Student Awards (QSA) revealed this year’s winners during an event held in Manchester on Wednesday June 14 2023.

Judged by a panel of educators, employers, queer influencers, and recruitment experts the 2023 Queer Student Awards (QSA), held each year during Pride month, provide a safe and inclusive space for schools, colleges, universities, employers, and young LGBTQ+ people to proudly celebrate the stories that lie behind the rainbow. The 13 category winners - including ‘Queer of the Year’ Taj Donville-Outerbridge from King’s College London - were announced during a hybrid event held at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester, and had been jointly awarded ‘Role Model of the Year: LGBTQ+ Youth’ earlier in the evening.

Taj Danville-Outerbridge scoops ‘Queer of the Year’ Award. Image credit: QSA

Commenting on being crowned ‘Queer of the Year’ Taj Danville-Outerbridge, said: "I am extremely honored and humbled to have been awarded both the Role Model of the Year: LGBTQ+ Youth and Queer of the Year awards. This is a huge win, not only for me, but for every black, queer, and nonbinary person because despite what society tells us, I represent that it is possible to thrive unapologetically as our true selves.

“With all of the hate, homophobic rhetoric, and horrific anti-LGBTQ+ legislation currently making its way around the globe, me and all my fellow winners, finalists, and nominees act as a reminder that it is still possible to showcase, celebrate, and experience queer joy. I want to thank my grandma for always loving me unconditionally. I want to thank my closest friends (you know who you are!) for always encouraging me.

“I want to thank KCLSU, and especially, Louiza, for always supporting my work and nominating me for these awards. And lastly, I want to thank Steve and the QSA judges and family for creating the opportunity for queer students around the UK to be recognised and celebrated for the often tireless and thankless work that we do everyday. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!".

The youth panel’s head judge Arina Stelmokaite described Taj as “a true LGBTQ+ role model and trailblazer whose dedication to LGBTQ+ activism has led to a significant number of achievements”. “The LGBTQ+ leadership roles Taj has achieved have positioned them as a true change-maker, and Taj has used these opportunities to increase visibility and empowerment for LGBTQ+ peers,” stated Arina. “Taj is an incredible role model for LGBTQ+ youths inspiring them to fight for the things that matter the most. It was clear from their nomination that they are focused on tangible change for queer people that impacts and has international reach. They have an acute awareness of the importance of intersectionality in the LGBTQ+ community.”

QSA 2023 Winners

The full list of winners include:

Activist of the Year, sponsored by Clyde & Co

Winner: Clay Nash, Oxford University

Runner-up: Shaun Lillie, Northumbria Students’ Union

Ally of the Year, sponsored by Kellogg’s

Winner: Louise Burls-Ray, AstraZeneca

Runner-up: Amy Moore, AstraZeneca

Community Group of the Year Award, sponsored by Enterprise

Winner: Warwick Plan, University of Warwick

Runner-up: Student ED&I Committee, University of Lincoln, School of Humanities and Heritages

Community Initiative of the Year, sponsored by Middlesex University London

Winner: Trans Awareness Week, Northumbria Student Union

Runner-up: The Collectives Futures Project, Amber Barrow

Employer of the Year, sponsored by WTW

Winner: AstraZeneca

Runner-up: EY

Influencer of the Year, sponsored by Pearson

Winner: Emma Prach, Project Sonrisa

Runner-up: Miyah Curtis, Sauffolk New College

Legacy Builder of the Year, sponsored by Curious Consulting’s Steve Keith

Winner: Lanella Wall, University of Warwick

Runner-up: Harry Morgan, University of Essex

Role Model of the Year: Education, Sponsored by AstraZeneca

Winner: Ash Scholz, University of Edinburgh

Runner-up: Myah Curtis, Suffolk New College

Role Model of the Year: Employer, Sponsored by AstraZeneca

Winner: Helen Vaughan, EY

Runner-up: Ross Lloyd-Bennett, The Royal Navy

Role Model of the Year: LGBTQ+ Youth, Sponsored by LGBTQ+ Youth

Winners: Jasper Hopkins, St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls

Taj Donville-Outerbridge, King’s College London

Runner-up: Emma Prach, Project Sonrisa

University of the Year, Sponsored by Royal Navy

Winner: Middlesex University of London

Runner-up: University of Bath

The third annual final was hosted by award-winning trans ambassador Katie Neeves, with performances by international drag superstar The Beyoncé Experience and ‘queer artist on the rise’ Smashby. Head judge and activist Eva Echo delivered an important speech, sharing a new global campaign ‘Trans People Are Loved’. Guests who attended at the venue were welcomed by Gaydio breakfast host Paris Munro on the pink carpet. The evening was live-streamed for finalists who were unable to celebrate in-person by event partner Not Going To Uni.

Headline sponsor ACCA’s UK Head of marketing, Karen Smith said: “First of all ACCA would like to congratulate all the QSA winners. They all have fantastic stories, as indeed do all those who were shortlisted. The vibrancy and passion has to be seen to be believed. Steve has done an amazing job giving voice to this important community and bringing together young people, community groups, employers and universities. ACCA is so pleased to be associated with QSA and the richness in innovation and diversity it represents.”

Category sponsors who presented awards on the evening included Allen & Overy, AstraZeneca, Clyde & Co, Enterprise, Kellogg’s, Pearson, The Royal Navy, Trans In The City, University of West London, Middlesex University London and WTW, and myGwork was one of the media partners. Additionally, £10 from the sale of each ticket was donated to LGBTQ+ inclusion charity, Diversity Role Models.

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