Making difference matter

Ben Summerskill, succeeded former Director Angela Mason to the position of Chief Executive of Stonewall in early 2003, expanding its work from parliamentary lobbying into other fields including workplace equality and campaigning against homophobia in schools.

He led campaigns for repeal of Section 28 of the Local Government Act, the introduction of Civil Partnership for lesbian and gay people in the UK and the introduction of 2007 protections against discrimination in the provision of "goods and services", covering areas from healthcare and housing to hotels and holidays.

Under his direction Stonewall's Diversity Champions programme, promoting good practice among major UK employers, has grown from 35 to 310 members, employing 4 million people between them. Stonewall's new Education for All programme, launched in 2005, is supported by 70 major teaching and children's organisations.

In 2006, Summerskill was appointed a Commissioner on the UK's new Commission for Equality and Human Rights. He had for three years been a member of a Steering Group advising the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on establishing the Commission, which has statutory powers for the first time to promote equality for lesbian and gay people. He also advises the London Development Agency.

Ben Summerskill's visit has been organized by a new steering group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual staff, formed as one of the University's Personnel Division's Equality and Diversity Initiatives.

His lecture, From Carrying an Umbrella to Changing the Weather – making difference matter in 21st century Britain, starts at 5pm on Tuesday 9 October in the Keynes Lecture Theatre, King's College.

All are welcome but admission is by ticket only, available free in advance from equalityanddiversityadministration@admin.cam.ac.uk.