The faces of Oxford Pride
The team at Oxford Pride is formed of a number committed unpaid volunteers in a variety of roles.
Want to join the team?
We are always on the lookout for people to help throughout the year, we particularly welcome applications from trans/non-binary/gender non-conforming people, people of colour, and people with disabilities, who are often underrepresented on Pride organising committees.
If you can commit some time to help shape the future of your pride, take a look at our vacancies.
Directors & Trustees
The Directors & Trustees decide the strategy, policies and overall direction of Oxford Pride Group Ltd work within the budget, legal and statutory framework and other relevant funding criteria set. The Board will also be responsible for monitoring the performance of the Management Committee in delivering the legitimate decisions of the Board.
Debbie Brixey
she/her
Chair
Debbie was previously Chair of Oxford Pride in 2019 and currently serves as VP of Member Services for InterPride. She works with Witney Pride and other local new Prides to help put on events locally. She is a specialist IT Trainer working with people with disabilities with a charity background including fundraising and social media.
Mazz Image
she/her
Secretary
Mazz was elected as Oxford Pride’s first female Chair in 2007. She founded the Oxford Pride Parade in 2008 then collaborated with local groups and organisations to expand Pride Day into an annual Arts & Culture Festival to better reflect the diversity and unique qualities of Oxford. She also helped Oxford Pride become a registered charity in 2013, with the relocation to Paradise St in 2015 and the expansion of the event into Leiden Sq in 2019. Mazz is a portrait and event photographer, graphic designer and human rights advocate.
Mark Whittaker
he/him
Non-Executive Director
I've been involved in LGBTQIA campaigns since the clause 28 campaigns of the 1980s. I was lucky enough to be the first-ever chair of Oxford Pride and could not be prouder of those who have grown what we started beyond any of our expectations. It’s truly dynamic. I've come back as a Non-Exec Director, committed to seeing that we support and expand the diversity we've sought to build. I'm so aware so many parts of our community, notably our trans siblings, are still fighting battles others have already won.
Officers
Officers implement the Boards legitimate decisions and to manage on a day-to-day basis the affairs of the Charity, within the budgets, legal and statutory framework and other relevant criteria set.
Alana Stewart
she/they
Communications Officer
Alana grew up in Lancashire but moved to Oxford in 2018 to study English at Oxford University. She joined Oxford Pride in September 2021 and is currently studying for a master’s degree in gender, sexuality, and culture alongside working at the Jolly Farmers.
William Porter
they/them
Community Officer
William is a community worker and new to the Oxford Pride team! With a passion for Queer resistance and creative expression, they look forward to expanding engagement across Oxfordshire's diverse LGBTQIA+ communities.
Brad Fowler
he/him
Entertainment Officer
Brad, born and raised in Oxfordshire, first joined the Oxford Pride committee in 2017. Also known as Drag Queen Lady B on the weekends, he first performed that year and subsequently joined the committee as Entertainment Officer for 2018, and then again in 2019. He is now back in the position for a third year.
Becca Chaplin
she/her
Volunteer Officer
I've lived in Oxford all my life and have been involved with Pride here off and on for the last six years. I work for the University of Oxford and am involved with several Equality, Diversity and Inclusion working groups, within my department and in the Medical Sciences Division. I'm very happy to be the Volunteer Officer for Pride 2022 and look forward to recruiting people who want to build on the successes of our previous events. Let me know if you're excited for next year and want to get involved!
Matthew Taylor
he/him
Website Officer
Matt has been a part of Oxford Pride since 2010 with a break 2014-2018, he has held various roles on the committee through the years including Treasurer 2012-2014. He is currently studying law in his third year, enjoys competing his horses at other times. Matt is the IT go to at Oxford Pride and took the lead to prepare Oxford Pride to become a registered UK Charity in 2013.
Patrons
Sir Ian Mckellan CH CBE
he/him
Patron
Sir Ian McKellen CH CBE is an English actor. His career spans six decades, having performed in genres ranging from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. Ian has been open about his sexuality since 1988, and continues to champion LGBT social movements worldwide.
Paul O'Grady MBE
he/him
Patron
Paul O'Grady MBE is an English comedian, television presenter, actor, writer, radio host, producer, and former drag queen. He achieved notability in the London gay scene during the 1980s with his drag queen persona Lily Savage, with which he went mainstream in the 1990s.
Lord Waheed Ali
he/him
Patron
Lord Waheed Alli is a media entrepreneur and politician. He is the co-creator of the television series Survivor and has held executive positions at several television production companies including the Endemol Shine Group, Carlton Television Productions, Planet 24, and Chorion.
Angela Eagle DBE MP
she/her
Patron
Dame Angela Eagle DBE is a British Labour Party politician serving as the Member of Parliament for Wallasey since 1992. Eagle was born in Yorkshire and studied PPE at the University of Oxford, before working for the CBI and then a trade union.
Peter Tatchell
he/him
Patron
Peter Tatchell is a British human rights campaigner, originally from Australia, best known for his work with LGBT social movements. Tatchell was selected as the Labour Party's parliamentary candidate for Bermondsey in 1981.
Clare Summerskill
she/her
Patron
Clare Summerskill is an independent academic researcher who has recently completed her PhD at Royal Holloway University of London in the Drama department. She is chair and co-founder of the UK's Oral History Society LGBTQ Special Interest Group. She is also a playwright, stand-up and singer-songwriter
Lord Michael Cashman CBE
he/him
Patron
Lord Michael Cashman CBE is a British politician, LGBT rights activist and actor. He was a Labour Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands constituency from 1999 until he stood down in 2014. He has since been appointed to the House of Lords. In September 2014, Cashman was appointed Labour's special envoy on LGBT issues worldwide. He resigned from the Labour Party in May 2019 in opposition to Brexit, and offered his support to the Liberal Democrats.