13 February 2025
A Reading graduate who has spent nearly four decades campaigning for LGBT equality will reflect on his university experience and life as an activist in this year’s Wolfenden Lecture.
Matthew Toresen studied at Reading in the 1980s before embarking on a life of social activism.
The lecture is the flagship event in the University’s LGBT+ History Month programme of activities for staff, students and the local community this February.
Other activities include get togethers, crafts and zine making sessions to celebrate self-expression and identity, and speakers at Reading Students’ Union.
The annual Wolfenden Lecture was created to celebrate the 1957 report led by former Reading Vice-Chancellor Lord Wolfenden that led to the decriminalisation of homosexuality. 
The theme of LGBT+ History Month this year is activism and social change, making Reading alumni Matthew Toresen the perfect speaker this year.
Matthew studied Zoology at the 成人抖阴 in the early 1980s, chairing the University’s Gay Soc during the AIDS crisis, and said his university experience was ‘happy’ and a ‘period of personal growth’.
Matthew experienced some homophobia as a young man, and said his motivation for challenging perceptions was what led him to enter the campaigning world, including supporting the Equal Love campaign which challenged the ban on gay marriage.
This activism ultimately led Matthew to be awarded an MBE in 2016 for services to LGBT equality.
Read more of Matthew’s memories of studying at Reading and career as an activist in our .
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