A Switchboard first: Two women at the helm of the national Switchboard!

Natasha Walker was elected as Co-Chair of Switchboard, the national LGBT – Helpline on September 29 to join Nuala O’Sullivan.

IN the same year the nation celebrates 100 years of women obtaining the vote, history has been made at Switchboard – the national LGBT+ Helpline with the election of Natasha Walker as Co-Chair to join Nuala O’Sullivan, making history as the first time two women have held the posts of Co-Chair since national Switchboard began in 1974.

Earlier this year Switchboard’s membership changed the Article of Association, removing the fixed male and female Co-Chair roles, reflecting a less binary approach to gender and identity.

As the oldest LGBT+ helpline in the UK, Switchboard has a long history of being at the forefront of changes within the LGBT+ communities.

New Co-Chair Natasha Walker said: “It is such an honour and a privilege to be given the opportunity to run this organisation, and for the first time to have two women at the helm!  It has been said that the milestones within the LGBTQ+ communities can be traced in the calls we have taken and I want to ensure that we are here for the milestones of the future, because there are still many more to come.”