Dr Paul Martin OBE

Dr Paul Martin OBE is a prominent LGBTQ+ campaigner, community advocate and Chief Executive of the LGBT Foundation, a nationally pivotal charity committed to advancing equality and supporting the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals. With over 30 years of dedication to advocacy for disadvantaged communities and ending social injustice, Paul has been a transformative leader in advancing the rights, health and well-being of LGBTQ+ communities across the UK. As a founding member of Healthy Gay Manchester, Paul has been a tireless supporter of initiatives that aim to improve sexual health among the gay community. When Healthy Gay Manchester merged with the Manchester Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, Paul helped shape the merger into the LGBT Foundation where he now acts as chief executive. The LGBT Foundation is a nationally significant charity working to ensure that all LGBT people fulfil their full potential through providing an extensive range of information, advocacy, support services alongside lobbying, policy development and consultation with the public sector. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Paul was awarded an OBE for services to equal opportunities. He received an honorary Doctor of Social Sciences degree from the University of Bolton in 2021 and has been celebrated for his lifelong commitment to social justice. Under his leadership, the LGBT Foundation was named Charity of the Year at the British LGBT Awards in 2022.