Annabel Lee

ACTIVIST OF THE YEAR 2021

TELL US WHAT YOU’VE BEEN UP TO SINCE WINNING YOUR AWARD IN 2021?

Since 2021, my career has been focussed on supporting the non-binary community. I have completed a Research Masters degree, writing my dissertation on how non-human characters are implicitly coded to be non-binary. From there I've received funding to do a PhD, taking my research further, to find out how as non-binary people we engage with film and TV, asking what do we recognise as non-binary on our screens. I have also presented my paper on how Mulan is a cisgender trans icon at an international conference! I've just started my second year, and I love it. Sometimes the imposter syndrome makes it hard, but being able to look back on winning the Activist of the Year at the QSA's is such a great reminder that I am capable!

WHAT DID WINNING YOUR CATEGORY MEAN TO YOU?

It really solidified my desire to use my time, skills and desire to support my community in anyway I can. I won during the Covid-19 lockdowns, and throughout the year struggled with seeing how much we needed queer community, but not being able to engage students in typical ways. It was a year of trial and error, but mostly a year of effort, and being recognised nationally for that was just such an incredible moment. I'm so proud.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT EVENTS LIKE THE QSAs ARE IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG LGBTQ+ PEOPLE?

Higher education is such a unique place for queer people; for many it's their first time being able to explore and engage with their community and queer identity. This creates a breeding ground for incredible events, movements and joy that can impact every area of our lives, our social lives, hobbies, politics etc, but this can sometimes go unrecognised on a larger scale. The QSA's are a place where this melting pot of queer joy and activism get spotlighted, without being tokenised.

OUR THEME FOR 2025 IS ‘QUEER POWER’. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW POWER DOES AND DOES NOT APPLY TO YOUNG LGBTQ+ PEOPLE AND/OR THE WIDER LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY?

Immediately I think about how there is power in numbers. It's so easy to think because your gender and/or sexuality is such a personal, individual thing, that you're doing it alone. But you are never alone, and when we come together we have the power to make change. Every wave is made of individual drops of water. I'd encourage everyone to think of themselves as a powerful force too, you are capable and strong. Practice being powerful every day, and you will be unstoppable.

ANNABEL LEE (they/them)

ACTIVIST OF THE YEAR 2021
Read interview here
CHRIS MATTLEY (he/him/his)

ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR: EDUCATION 2022
Read the interview here
LAURA WELLS (they/them)

GRADUATE OF THE YEAR 2022 (now RISING STAR)
Read interview here
EMMA PRACH (any)

QUEER OF THE YEAR (runner-up) 2023
Read interview here
LOUISE-ANNE DE BELEN (any)

ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR: STUDENT 2024
Read interview here
LUNA MIDDLETON-ROY (she/they)

QUEER OF THE YEAR 2024
Read interview here