Author gives LGBT+ lecture for 2022

Tufayel Ahmed, a journalist and author, will be the special guest at this year’s Wolfenden Lecture, held at the University of Reading on 22 September.

This flagship event celebrates a milestone in LGBT+ history and is organised in collaboration with the University of Reading LGBT+ Staff Network and Diversity and Inclusion Team.

The annual Wolfenden lecture is named after the report written by The Wolfenden Committee, which was chaired by Lord Wolfenden in 1957, the University’s Vice‑Chancellor between 1950 and 1964. The report became a key milestone in LGBT+ history in the UK when it was recommended that ‘… homosexual behaviour between consenting adults in private should no longer be a criminal offence.’

Mr Ahmed, who has written for CNN, The Independent, Newsweek and more, is currently the Entertainment Editor at Insider. His debut novel The Way Out was released in July this year.

The event will be an ‘in conversation’ with Mr Ahmed, who will be joined on stage by Dr Ruvi Ziegler, Chair of the UoR LGBT+ Staff Network and Dr Allán Laville, Dean for Diversity and Inclusion.

Mr Ahmed said: "It's a real honour to be asked to deliver this year's Wolfenden Lecture, especially considering the esteemed LGBTQ+ activists, authors and pioneers that have come before me.

“Growing up in a working-class migrant household, I could never have dreamed of leading an academic event like this, so this means a great deal to me. I can't wait to see you all there."

Event details

Date/time: Thursday 22 September, 5.30-7.30pm

Where: Henley Business School, Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading

The free event is open to University staff, students and the local community. Please note that spaces are limited due to lecture theatre seating capacity. Register here to attend.

Following the lecture, Mr Ahmed will be signing books at a drinks reception in the Henley Business School foyer.