ICA18 Shortlisted Nominee.

Diversity Champion Award for Education Sector

Owen Toner has been a champion of LGBT rights and issues at Alton College for 6 years. He spearheads the Gay Straight Alliance at the college and has been instrumental in organising inspirational speakers, conducting training, delivering assembly sessions and developing LGBT charity drives. His unprecedented work has made Alton College a safe haven for LGBT students and their reputation for being such is now widely known. The wider college community has become more tolerant and accepting as a result and pushing the equality and diversity agenda in a hugely positive direction. Owen has become a point of support and contact for much of the LGBT community within the college and for other staff and students. He has also joined the college E+D board, has raised money for local HIV charity Positive Action, and ran the Great South Run for the Terrence Higgins Trust.