UK government plan to ban LGBTQ+ conversion practices sets agenda for public event at Oxford University

In light of the UK government’s recent commitment to a “full, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices”, Oriel College will host a panel event to discuss the topic from both a national and global perspective.

The event’s sponsor, David Lyon, a philanthropist focused on LGBTQ+ rights and equality and a former CEO of an international development strategic consultancy firm, said:

“During my lifetime, the UK has made substantial advances in LGBTQ+ equality, but there’s still much more to do.

“Previous Conservative governments have announced their intention to ban conversion practices. I hope the contributions and insights from this event will assist and inform the new Labour government as it brings forward this important legislation.

Provost of Oriel College Lord Mendoza CBE said:

“Educational institutions have a specific responsibility to create environments for constructive dialogue to occur.

“Oriel College has a strong teaching and research base in politics and theology so we are well placed to facilitate the discussion in this important area.”

The annual event — the David N. Lyon Lecture on The Politics of Sex and Gender Identities in Diverse Societies — this year takes place on Tuesday 19 November at Convocation House, Oxford. There are tickets available to the public. Confirmed speakers include:

• Ilias Trispiotis, Professor of Human Rights Law at the University of Leeds, with expertise in human rights law, particularly regarding freedom of religion and belief

• Jayne Ozanne, Director of the Ozanne Foundation and prominent LGBTQ+ campaigner

• Phillip Ayoub. His work has made significant contributions to the understanding of LGBTQ+ politics and human rights internationally

Lyon sponsors a graduate scholarship at Oriel on the same subject as the lecture.

Tickets are available at https://www.oriel.ox.ac.uk/events/david-n-lyon-lecture-2024/.

For media enquiries, interviews and visual assets please contact:

Jared Smith — Communications Officer, Oriel College

e: communications@oriel.ox.ac.uk

t: 01865 286541

Notes to editors

David Lyon is available to interview though reserves the right to turn down individual requests. Visual assets available at: https://we.tl/t-U8eEJ9ZJQX

About David Lyon

David Lyon spent 30 years in London and internationally as an investment banker advising multinational corporations, public sector entities and national governments. Following this, he was appointed MD and CEO of a strategic consultancy focussed on international development. He graduated Oriel College with a bachelor’s degree in Modern History in 1983.

As a gay man growing up in the then socially conservative Scotland of the 1970s, Lyon developed a strong interest in public policy and equality issues. This early experience was reinforced working in the homophobic environment of the City of London of the 1980s and 1990s, where he advocated for equality and inclusion in all his professional roles, and secured significant advances.

Lyon was recognised in the inaugural FT OUTstanding list of LGBTQ+ executives. He now works as a philanthropist focused on LGBTQ+ rights and equality. He sponsors an annual lecture at Oriel College on “The Politics of Sex and Gender Identities in Diverse Societies” and a scholarship on the same subject.

Aside from academic initiatives to advance LGBTQ+ rights, Lyon is a patron of the National HIV Story Trust and a Stonewall Equality Ambassador. He also funds and supports a number of other LGBTQ+ rights organisations.

He is based in London with his partner and husband of 37 years, and is the proud father of a grown-up son.

About Oriel College

Oriel College is a constituent college of Oxford University delivering world-class teaching and research. In the past century alone, it has produced two Nobel Laureates, at least eight Olympic medallists and numerous luminaries in culture and the arts.

Currently, Oriel College has c.350 undergraduates, c.270 postgraduate students and c.45 fellows. In recent years it has become a centre for environmental science and energy demand research, as well as the science of longevity and aging. In 2026 it is celebrating 700 years since its foundation in 1326.