INCLUSION ADVISORY BOARD

Making Out & Wild accessible to as many women and non-binary people has always been important to Out & Wild.

As we are rapidly growing and expanding our events we have appointed an Inclusion Advisory Board.

Headed by our Inclusion and Cultural Lead, Raga D'silva, the Board will guide and support our focus on inclusion.

The real lack of funding for LGBTQIA+ female and non-binary events, sadly means we can not always do as much as we would like to. But the Board will help us prioritise our efforts.

If you have any feedback or would like to know more please contact info@outandwild.co.uk and title your email Inclusion Board.

Raga - Chair

I am Raga D'silva, a published author, TEDx speaker and an entrepreneur.

Born and raised in India, I struggled with my sexuality for decades making headlines when I came out as a lesbian at the age of 50 through my debut book ‘Untold Lies’. Since then, I have been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and have dedicated my efforts to championing the rights of the community.

I sit on several Boards that focus on domestic violence against women and education for girls. I set up the UK’s first speaker network for LGBTQ+ women and those who are non-binary, OUTspoken Speakers with Polly Shute.

I am currently fighting for marriage equality in India and for older LGBT+ people here in the UK.

I have been interviewed by several television and print media over the past decades for my professional and personal journey, BBC India, BBC One, Sky news, Channel 4, ITV and also been the recipient of awards focused around inclusion.

Charlotte

I am CPL, an LGBTQIA+ advocate, keynote speaker, and I’m hugely passionate about inclusivity.

My advocacy is deeply personal, shaped by my experiences as a queer, non-binary individual with coeliac disease, severe hearing loss, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), and GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder).

These intersecting identities have provided me with a unique perspective on navigating the world and have fueled my commitment to creating more inclusive environments for all.

Yvette

Aloha, I’m Yvette and I am super happy to be on the advisory board for the O&W 2025.

I a the founder of Wave Wahines, a surf club for women and girls, we have surfed with many communities including refugees, women in refuge and trans and nonbinary youth as well as young women from urban communities. I am also the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Surfers Against Sewage where I get to help ensure an EDI is at the heart of discussions around the protection of our inland waterways and the global ocean.

I am a mother to three children, my identities are intersecting elements of mixed heritage from Mauritius, Bangladesh and British, parent to a gender expansive youth.

Becca

Becca is a learning and DEI professional delivering leadership programs for underrepresented groups in the Public Sector. She’ll wax lyrical about the Wheel of Privilege and the Social Model of Disability to anyone who’ll listen!

Becca’s created content for and hosted LGBTQ+ events, and sat on the board for a charity supporting survivors of intimate partner violence.

As a neurodivergent lesbian, Becca’s passionate about using her lived experience to help create spaces where everyone can thrive.

In her downtime, Becca enjoys reading, exploring nature, wild swimming and cuddling her chatty cats.

Fynn

Fynn O'Connor is an AuDHD genderfluid (non-binary to female) gay, expressive emotional healing artist, author, poet, documentary maker, motivational speaker and drag Kueeng (Valentin Velle) whose pro nouns are they/them.Fynn came along to the first O&W as a terrified single person, by the 2nd O&W Fynn felt encouraged and empowered and performed as O&W's FIRST drag and burlesque performer, Fynn then experienced their 3rd O&W with their partner. So has experienced many changes along the O&W journey from different perspectives and is well placed, with a keen creative eye to help offer their advice and share their broad range of networks.Fynn believes in living life with true authenticity and helping others to embrace their unique selves, whilst encouraging diversity, equality and equity for all.www.lgbtqvoiceswestmidlands.com

www.valentinvelle.com

fynnoconnor48@gmail.com

Myra

Myra (she/her) is an Entrepreneur & Community Connector. Having spent 15 years of her career in Secondary Mathematics Education, she was fast tracked into leadership for her strategic abilities. Her passion for educational pedagogy resulted in a consultancy for the Princes Teaching Institute.

But it was an opportunity to work on parental engagement and creating community bridges that inspired Myra to go beyond the confines of a school and set up her own community hub a few years ago. The ethos being ‘community cohesion through collaboration’ as she firmly believes that ‘we are stronger together’.

Myra’s prioritises inclusivity at all levels to ensure that her spaces are accessible by everyone regardless of background, identity, mental or physical needs. She also has her own coffee shop and other new ventures are on the horizon; including wider scale projects within Essex and neighbouring counties.

Myra is a british born Queer Muslim woman of South Asian heritage. She has struggled with her sense of identity, but her journey provides inspiration to others and we are assured that a book is on the way. As someone who has hidden disabilities, her desire to advocate for everyone is deep rooted.

She has a love of the outdoors having been an Air Cadet in her youth, and her ADHD makes her an active member of the Out & Wild crew. Myra enjoys networking, making new connections, spoken work events, comedy, music (particularly Bollywood), wellbeing activities and food. It, was the ability to be true self in what she felt was a safe environment that left a lasting impression. She now advocates for the festival in order that others enjoy it in the future too. Myra wants everyone to leave feeling the same as she did – wanting to come back!

INCLUSION ADVISORY BOARD

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