Inclusion Consultant: David Equality Hull-Watters

10/07/2025

Meet Ruth Coker Burks – The Cemetery Angel

When the AIDS crisis hit the American South in the 1980s, fear and stigma kept many families and medical staff away from those most in need. But one woman stepped forward with compassion and courage.

In 1984, Ruth Coker Burks, a young single mother from Arkansas, walked into a hospital room no one else would enter—and held the hand of a dying man abandoned by his own family. That moment changed her life.

Without medical training, Ruth went on to care for hundreds of gay men dying of AIDS. She arranged their medical care, fought for their dignity, and, when no one else would, buried more than 40 of them in her own family’s cemetery.

Her powerful memoir, All the Young Men, tells the untold story of her life-saving work and the deep friendships she formed in a time of crisis. It’s a testimony to love, loss, and unwavering humanity.

If you didn’t believe that one person could make a difference, Ruth’s story will stay with you forever.

10/07/2025

Hello lovely people - can I ask you a favour? Can you please scan the QR Code below to see if it takes you to the NEVER BLEND IN webpage?

Thank you 🙏

Ready for publication now - Never Blend In: LGBTQIA+ Stories of Resilience & Empowerment

“These are the mentors we all need…” born to empower and inspire.

Discover Never Blend In by David E. Hull‑Watters - a heartfelt collection of personal and celebrity testimonies that uplifts, inspires, and gives hope to anyone questioning their worth.

Featuring voices from Stephen Fry, Alan Cu***ng OBE, Peter Tatchell, Heather Matarazzo, John Amaechi, and many more, this book is a powerful reminder that living authentically - not blending in - is a path to fulfillment and self‑belief.

Ideal for LGBTQIA+ readers, educators, parents, and mental health professionals seeking insight into lived experience and allyship.

It’s time to embrace your truth, boost resilience, and live without limits.

Find out more here or by scanning the QR Code: inclusionconsultant.co.uk/neverblendin

04/07/2025

Are you looking to create a truly inclusive workplace or community space?

I believe that inclusion is not just a box to tick - it’s a culture to build.

I’m a passionate advocate for intersectional inclusion, because we are all beautifully multifaceted humans who can collectively bring so much to our communities when given the psychological space to thrive.

I provide training, consultancy, and keynote talks tailored to help organisations embed real, lasting change.

Get in touch, if you’d like to work collaboratively to foster environments where everyone can thrive.

Let’s move beyond “diversity statements” and into real action.

Find out more: www.inclusionconsultant.co.uk

David@inclusionconsultant.co.uk

02/07/2025

Congratulations to the whole team at Champions Speakers, named the Consultancy & Professional Services Winner in the Department for Business and Trade's Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards 2025!

On winning this award, Managing Director, Jack Hayes, said:
"Winning this award is an immense honour for the entire team at Champions Speakers. Over the past few years, we have committed ourselves to building a truly global service, and being recognised by the Department for Business and Trade in this way is both humbling and affirming"

Read more here: https://www.business.gov.uk/campaign/made-in-the-uk-awards/2025-winners/

You have kept me busy for years, with some of the most wonderful clients and events. It’s an honour to be counted amongst your top 20 LGBTQ+ speakers and now to be acknowledged as a leading DEI Speaker, which opens up so many wonderful opportunities to speak on Neurodiversity, Disability, Conscious Inclusion, and so much more.

Please take a look at my latest blog and contact Champions Speakers if you are looking for an informal, interactive, inclusive and engaging session for your staff.

https://www.inclusionconsultant.co.uk/blog

Neurodiversity, SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disability) and LGBTQ+ Specialist offering workshops and speaking services to enhance employment wellbeing. An Inclusion Consultant, with 25+ years of experience, offering bespoke training for staff within your organisation to further support your We...

02/07/2025

🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️ As I’m on the topic of regret this week - Let’s talk about regret rates amongst those who are transgender and some related stats around other types of surgery.

A very small minority of trans individuals opt to detransition, this is often due to family or societal pressure, whilst the vast majority report high satisfaction with their transition.

In fact, regret rates for gender confirmation surgery are incredibly low; around 1%.

Compare that to common surgeries in the UK:

😕 Knee replacement: ~15–20% regret/dissatisfaction
😕 Hip replacement: ~10%
😕 Cosmetic surgery (e.g., nose jobs): ~10–15%
😕 Breast cancer mastectomy: ~10% (higher without reconstruction)
😕 Bariatric surgery: ~20%

Gender-affirming care has among the lowest regret rates of any medical procedure. That’s not just reassuring - it’s evidence-based. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️

Sources:
Bustos et al. (2021), Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Wiepjes et al. (2018), The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology
NHS, NICE, BAAPS, BMJ Open, The Lancet, Health Psychology, Obesity Surgery

01/07/2025

Pride Month may be over but these discussions must continue throughout the year.

Here are my current musings on the concept of Regret:

Coming Out vs. Staying Silent:

What Do UK LGBTQIA+ People Regret Most?

Being out can be hard, of course it can, especially in what seems an increasingly hostile world, but hiding who you are can be even harder.

Hiding is, of course a personal choice, often an act of self-preservation, but what is the cost?

Regret After Coming Out?�
Extremely Rare.
�Most LGBTQIA+ people in the UK report relief, authenticity, and better mental health after coming out. Regret is low and usually tied to others' negative reactions, not their own decision.

Regret After NOT Coming Out?�
Much higher.
�Closeted individuals in the UK report depression (52%), anxiety (61%), and a deep sense of isolation. Many later wish they’d come out sooner, despite the risks.

Sources:
* Stonewall: LGBT in Britain: Health Report
* The Trevor Project UK (2024)
* Springer Journal (2021)
* The Guardian (2023)

Coming out isn't easy—but living in hiding can take a serious toll. Most don't regret being open, whilst many regret waiting.

26/06/2025

I've been represented by Champions Speakers Agency for around 4, possibly 5, years, but joining forces, as their Leading DEI Keynote Speaker, is a significant step forward. Their reputation for connecting audiences with top-tier speakers aligns perfectly with my mission to inspire positive change. This partnership will enable me to engage with a broader audience, sharing insights and strategies that promote inclusivity and well-being across various sectors.

Chris Tompkins, Senior Keynote Manager at Champions Speakers, shared his excitement about the partnership:

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with David Hull-Watters. His dedication to championing DEI and creating lasting cultural change is both inspiring and timely. David brings a wealth of lived experience and professional insight that will greatly benefit our clients and their audiences.”

Read more and connect here:

https://www.inclusionconsultant.co.uk/david-hull-watters-joins-the-champions-speakers-agency-as-their-leading-dei-keynote-speaker

25/06/2025

Stephen Michael Simon’s 2022 short documentary Bacon ’n’ Laces unfolds primarily within the walls of the Bendix Diner.

At the heart of the story is John Diakakis, the manager of this long-standing family-run establishment, who has lived with blindness since birth.

“I love surprising people by going far beyond what they think someone with my kind of disability can achieve,” Diakakis shares.

Watch the full film:

In Stephen Michael Simon’s “Bacon ’n’ Laces,” John Diakakis shows off his memory and sense of humor while managing the Bendix Diner, with the help of his oldest son.

23/06/2025

In a lecture at Stanford University, neuroscientist Dr. Robert Sapolsky explained that testosterone does not directly cause aggression but rather amplifies pre-existing personality traits. It acts like a social mirror—enhancing kindness and cooperation in supportive environments, or intensifying dominance and aggression in competitive or hostile settings. Testosterone, therefore, magnifies behaviours that are linked to how individuals seek and maintain social status.

Citation:
Sapolsky, R. (n.d.). Lecture at Stanford University [As cited by on Instagram]. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/antiagingmission

Note: For more info on this topic it’s best to locate Sapolsky’s book Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst (2017), where he discusses similar concepts in depth.

20/06/2025

Friday Thoughts 💭

Have you ever received an apology that left you feeling… worse?

You’re not alone. Apologies are one of the most powerful tools in human communication — but only when done sincerely.

Apologies: What Not to Do vs. What to Do:

❌ What NOT to do (Fake Apologies):
1. “Sorry for whatever I did” (Be vague)
2. “But I didn’t mean to hurt you” (Focus on intent, not impact)
3. “It wouldn’t have happened if YOU hadn’t…” (Deflect blame)
4. “It’s not that serious” (Minimise the issue)
5. “I feel SO bad” (Make yourself the victim)
6. “I’m sorry if you felt hurt” (Use conditional language)
7. “Here’s why I did it…” (Over-explain or justify)
8. “Well, I’m really sorry 🙄” (Use sarcasm or humour)
9. “Can we move on now?” (Rush forgiveness)
10. “Sorry again!” (…and do it again next week)

✅ What TO do (Sincere Apologies):
1. Be specific – Own the action clearly.
2. Acknowledge the impact – Focus on how they felt.
3. Take full responsibility – No “buts.”
4. Validate their emotions – They have a right to feel upset.
5. Stay focused on them – Your guilt isn’t the priority.
6. Use direct language – “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
7. Be honest, not defensive – Keep it short and real.
8. Be respectful – No jokes, no tones.
9. Give space – Healing doesn’t follow your timeline.
10. Commit to change – Actions, not just words.

Whether you’re a leader, educator, team member, or friend — knowing how to apologise well is essential to trust, accountability, and emotional intelligence.

Let’s normalise better apologies.

Let’s stop doing damage with our “sorrys.”

What’s the worst apology you’ve ever received (or given)? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below 👇

19/06/2025

Yesterday Dr Natacha Kennedy’s peer-reviewed research paper called “Harming children: The Effects of the UK Puberty-blocker Ban” was published.

She said, on LinkedIn, “It was by far the hardest thing I have ever had to write. It reveals how Keir Starmer’s government is causing extreme harm to trans children by imposing this ban. I have had to collect data from suicidal and terrified young trans people and their parents.

It’s a hard read, but I would encourage everyone to read it. It exposes the dishonest claims made by Wes Streeting and others, especially journalists, that the ban is “protecting” trans kids. It is doing the opposite, it is causing untold, long-term harm.”

https://doi.org/10.1080/09589236.2025.2521699

This paper presents an analysis of data from trans children and young people and their parents following the imposition of a UK-wide ban on puberty blockers for this group. The consequences of this...