In this episode of Older Queer Voices, we explore a powerful story of courage, injustice, and change. For decades, LGBT people were banned from serving in the UK armed forces many were arrested, discharged, or stripped of their medals simply for being who they were. Our guests, Emma Riley and Catherine Dixon, are two remarkable veterans who have dedicated their lives to fighting for justice and recognition for those affected by this cruel policy. Catherine (Cat) Dixon is an experienced CEO, solicitor, mediator, and a world record holder. Cat is currently the CEO of UKSA and has served as the CEO of the Law Society of England and Wales, NHS Resolution, a University College and CIARB(Chartered Institute of Arbitrators), and has held General Counsel and legal director roles at NSPCC and BUPA. Cat began her career as a solicitor and has been a trustee on various boards, including Stonewall as its Chair, CEDR, Law Works, the PDSA, QC (KC) and Judicial Appointments. Cat was an officer in the British Army and holds the world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe on a tandem bicycle which she set in 2020. Emma Riley served in the Royal Navy but was arrested and discharged for being gay in 1993 She took her case to the European Court of Human Rights helping to change UK law in 2000. She is currently appointed to the independent panel for the LGBT Veterans Financial Recognition Scheme. Link Below: Financial Recognition Scheme for anyone that would like to apply

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lgbt-veterans-support-and-next-steps

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Marriage equality was a turning point; it gave our relationships the dignity and recognition we had fought for. But what happens when those relationships end?
What does love look like when the law is involved and what does letting go mean
for queer people who have built lives, families, and histories together? We talked love,
law, and loss with Barrister Rachel Cooper , a specialist in LGBTQ+ family law,
and Podcaster/Author Rosie Wilby, Podcast Host and Author of Is Monogamy Dead?’
and ‘The Breakup Monologues’, exploring how we heal and reinvent ourselves through
endings. 'The Break up Monologues' by Rosie Wilby available
HERE

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In this Episode Amanda Currie brings over 20 years of distinguished service within the UK Prison Service, where she played a pivotal role in advancing equality and inclusion for LGBTQ+ staff and prisoners alike.

As an active member of GALIPS (Gay and Lesbians in the Prison Service), Amanda designed and delivered nationwide awareness sessions and talks aimed at enhancing senior management and staff understanding of LGBTQ+ issues and the unique challenges faced by the community within the prison environment.

Amanda Currie’s story reminds us that our queer elders have lived full, complex, and courageous lives, often in spaces where their very identity was unwelcome. From the prison system to positions of leadership, these voices carry lessons of resilience, inclusion, and authenticity that our workplaces and communities need to hear today.
This is not just about prisons. It’s about leading with courage in hostile environments, breaking barriers in male-dominated systems, and showing that our older queer community holds wisdom and strength that can inspire generations to come.

Management Lessons from Amanda Currie’s session.
Leading in a System Built on Control
Lead with Empathy, Even When the System Doesn’t
In spaces defined by rules and authority, empathy becomes a quiet act of rebellion.
Authenticity is Power, Not a Risk
Stepping into a male-dominated space as a queer woman requires courage but authenticity becomes the most powerful leadership tool.
Allyship Can Come from Unexpected Places
Even in harsh systems, moments of kindness and solidarity emerge. Great leaders recognise and nurture those sparks, they understand that cultural transformation often starts with one act of allyship at a time.
Inclusion is Not Policy - It’s Daily Practice
Navigating a workplace where identity shapes perception teaches that inclusion cannot be a checkbox exercise. It’s the daily choices; how we listen, respect difference, and create visibility for the marginalised, that build real equity.
Queer Leadership Brings a Unique Lens to Justice and Humanity
Being queer in a system that wasn’t built for you offers deep insights into resilience, fairness, and vulnerability. Those experiences shape a leadership style grounded in inclusion and justice; qualities every modern organisation needs to thrive.

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