Continuing our series of posts introducing the many speakers who will be giving talks during the LGBT History Festival at M Shed next February. Darienne Flemington and Mark Kelly will be presenting “Out and Proud in Trade unions” as part of the National History Day on Saturday, February 20th.
Inspired by her personal experiences of border agencies, alien courts and deportation, Darienne has worked as an international activist for LGBT rights for over 20 years and was recently elected to sit on the ILGA Europe’s executive board. As a committed trade unionist she is also the Co-Chair of UNISON’s National LGBT Committee, and represents LGBT workers interests on UNISON’s National Women’s Committee. She works in local government where she is committed to fighting discrimination in all of its forms, as well as negotiating and organising for equality at work.
Mark Kelly runs a company which provides specialist support for University students who experience mental health issues. Previously he worked for 10 years at a Further Education College where he managed innovative and groundbreaking projects which engaged with socially excluded groups of young people and adults and won national praise from the Learning & Skills Council and NIACE. Mark’s role in the college also involved him managing a curriculum area, developing and delivering specialist staff training and facilitating an LGBT youth support group.
Mark has been an active trade unionist with UNISON for over 20 years and works at a local, regional and national level. He is a previous co-chair of UNISON’s National LGBT Committee and is a senior activist in UNISON’s South West Region.
Mark also works with Devon & Cornwall Police as an independent LGBT / Diversity advisor and is a trained Critical Incident Advisor.
UNISON is also sponsoring the Festival at a national level.