Catalyst Support is a local charity supporting the mental health and wellbeing of adults living in Surrey. The charity offers a free LGBTQ+ listening service for those who wish to talk about their own or others’ sexuality or gender identity. Known as Outline, this service is available for confidential conversations via call, text or email on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings between 7pm and 9pm.
February is LGBTQ+ History month, and Outline reflects on some significant historic figures from the LGBTQ+ community:
- Octavia Hill (1838-1912) was a campaigner for social reform and emphasised the importance of open space for all, coining the term ‘green belt’ and co-founding the National Trust. Surrey’s ‘Hydons Ball’ and Heath were one of the National Trust’s earliest acquisitions, and the area is now a memorial to Hill. It is understood that Hill had several relationships with women including Sophia Jex-Blake, one of the first female doctors. She is now buried with her partner of 30 years, Harriet Yorke, in Kent.
- Ivor Cummings (1913-1992) was a senior official in the welfare department of the Colonial Office and worked as an advocate for the rights of African and Caribbean settlers, before and throughout the initial Windrush scandal. Cummings was known to go above and beyond to support people in finding employment and housing. Cummings was born in England to an English mother and Sierra Leonean father. He was open about being gay, despite homosexuality being a crime at the time.
- Annie Kenney (1879-1953) was a leading suffragette of working-class background, campaigning for the rights of women to vote in Britain. According to diaries kept by peers, it is accepted that Kenney had several romantic relationships with women, including Emmeline Pankhurst’s daughter Christabel.
If you would like to talk about and receive support surrounding your sexuality or gender identity, or you wish to understand and support someone close to you, contact Outline via the following ways:
Call: 0800 06 12345
Text/ SMS: 07451289261
Email: outline-listening@catalystsupport.org.uk
Responding hours: 7pm to 9pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
