The BBC’s first LGBT correspondent, Ben Hunte, will talk about his career covering stories around sexuality and gender as part of Leeds Trinity University’s Journalism and Media Week next week.
Ben has travelled the globe to meet LGBT communities in other countries, uncovering Poland’s ‘LGBT Free Zones’ to meeting survivors of the Stonewall Riots in New York that took place over 50 years ago to breaking the news that HRH Prince William vows to support his children if they were ever to come out as gay.
He has explored controversial issues within the LGBT community in the UK, with some men feeling ‘too ugly’ to be gay, to racism within the LGBT dating scene and exposing how black male victims of sexual abuse are ‘ignored’ by the government.
Ben has also investigated hate crime, explored how and why this is increasing within the LGBT community.
Ben’s journalism has already been nominated for awards, including by the Royal Television Society, PinkNews and British LGBT Awards and his digital films have been seen by millions. Ben took the top spot of The Guardian and DIVA Magazine’s Pride Power List 2020 this year.
Christopher Hulme, LGBT+ Staff Network Chair said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have Ben Hunte join us at Leeds Trinity University’s Journalism and Media Week as he shares insights into his career as the first ever BBC News UK LGBT+ Correspondent. Ben is at the forefront of LGBT+ activism and investigation within the BBC, and we’re looking forward to hearing more about his fascinating career!”
Ben will be leading his talk called LGBT Representation in the Media at 11.00 – 11.45am on Tuesday 3rd November.