Following last year's burnout, I made a promise to myself to only get involved and support new projects if they met these two conditions:

• I believed in the cause
• I believed in the person

These were 100% met when my dear friend Marty Davies (she/they) asked me to jump on board as Events Director for the first ever Trans+ History Week (6-12 May).

Marty founded Trans+ History Week partly to challenge the rhetoric that trans+ identities are a recent phenomenon and the accompanying history lesson guidebook shows that trans, non-binary and gender non-confirming people and communities have always been here. But more importantly, to show trans+ people that they have a place in history. They've had an impact. They belong. Because trans history is history. Find out more about it on Instagram @transhistoryweek

Not only is Marty a history maker but they're a highly impactful and effective change maker too and their work across advertising, brand campaigns and the media is tackling anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and shining a light on issues across multiple industries. I'll let the podcast do the rest of the talking - Marty's origin story which she describes in three words 'Proud Attention Seeker'. And she's owning it! Enjoy...

Polly Shute (she/her) is someone who likes to get shit done. And through talking about her origin story, we sussed out that Little Polly was exactly the same and didn't like to be held back!

Polly is a marketing, sales, partnerships and brand expert with a passion community, equality and representation. She's the Founder of Out & Wild, a festival for queer women and last she set up Outspoken Speakers Bureau - a collective and network for queer women & non-binary people (alongside Raga D'silva, another fab guest on the show). Polly also successfully launched the first ever Pride Swim in 2023 which will see tons more events in 2024 & beyond!

We talk multi-tasking & mental health, ageing, menopause & representation along with Polly's love of travel, cooking and her gorgeous dog Noreen. I only met Polly last year through a previous shared employer and I'm grateful that I get to work with her on various things still. Her 3 words to describe her origin story are 'drive' passion & energy' - you'll hear why this is so spot on throughout the episode!

Natalie Binns (she/her) is a sustainable fashion expert, writer, designer and community organiser. We met at a local LGBTQ+ social evening in Crystal Palace, South East London a few years ago where we both live. This was typically dominated by men and so Natalie founded SE London Sapphics to address the lack of spaces for queer women.

They host a monthly event (third Friday of the month at the Westow Tap), organise lots of other activities and have a buzzing Whatsapp group. This is part of the growth of London's thriving lesbian scene and as Natalie suggests, if there's a lack of spaces, create your own!

It was brilliant to get a proper chat in with Natalie as an exciting time for her. She's just 'quit' working for herself so she can pursue new avenues and find more time for community & herself. We chatted failure and a mutual love of charity shops and her three words to describe her origin story are 'late blooming lesbian'. Enjoy!