Sociology alum honoured by the British Council Alumni for their work in LGBT+ rights

We are thrilled to congratulate Loïc Chave for their recognition by the British Council on their positive contribution to improving the lives of LGBT+ people.

The British Council Alumni Awards recognise leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, industries and countries.

This year the British Council received over 1,700 applications from around the world. The University of Leeds is proud to have 6 finalists and 1 winner across 5 different faculties.

The Faculty of Social Sciences is represented by two alumni including Loïc Chave who studied BA Sociology and is a British Council Alumni Award Finalist in the Social Impact Award category in France.

We asked Loïc to tell us about their work championing the rights of LGBT+ people in their native country of France.

Back in France, I wanted to build lighthouses for others. I contributed to the first LGBTI report of the French Equality and Human Rights Commission (CNCDH), published in 2018 and officially presented to President Macron and the Prime Minister.

As independent National Rapporteur on the effectiveness of LGBTI rights, we met every minister and ensured our recommendations were taken up and integrated into action plans.

Today, NGOs, politicians, ministries, researchers and lawyers use this report as a reference to guide and support their actions.

Later, at the French Ombudsman's office (Défenseur des droits), I became national lead on discriminations and LGBTQIA+ issues. The institution receives 225,000 requests each year, including 140,000 complaints and 84,000 phone calls.

I supported the work of 256 lawyers and coordinated 620 volunteers. We published opinions on major bills, including the Bioethics Law and rights for trans and intersex people, and we were heard for them by the National Assembly.

Since 2023, I am the founder and head executive of the "Observatory of Queer Vulnerabilities" with Le Refuge Foundation. For over twenty years, Le Refuge has been providing shelter and supporting the social and professional integration of queer youth who are victims of intrafamilial violence.

Le Refuge's helpline receives 30 calls a day in 2025, including 14 requests for accommodation. Every year, 400 young people are supported, with 250 housing places nationwide. The Observatory's first report reached 400 parliamentarians. I am also Le Refuge's Head of Awareness Program, I now train 500 regional advocates in lobbying for LGBTQIA+ rights.

Professor Paul Johnson, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, said of Loïc’s work:

Loïc’s brilliant work to improve the lives of LGBT+ people is informed by their experience of studying sociology at the University of Leeds. I am truly delighted that Loic's achievements are being recognised in this way. Loïc demonstrates the power of the social sciences to equip us with the expertise and skills to make a transformative and positive impact on society. I send huge congratulations to Loïc.

Loïc said of the award:

I feel very proud that my project has been selected by the British Council because the University of Leeds made my advocacy possible: it provided me with cultural studies, the necessity of diversity and the confidence to fully accept my queer identity.

“For over twenty years, Le Refuge has been providing shelter and social help to LGBT+ young people abused by their families. At Le Refuge, we created our own observatory.

“We know that precarity among queer people is not an accident but a system, that vulnerability is socially produced. So, we are working to make this message heard. We went to the national assembly, to the senate… our reports have helped shaped national policies but also helped the queer community to reunite.”

Inspired by Loïc’s work?

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