Michael Lever is the Operations Director at Manchester Pride and is responsible for overseeing the events strategy, operational processes, compliance and financial strategy for the charity.

As Michael prepares to move on from Manchester Pride to pursue a new challenge, Christopher Owen sat down with him to discuss his career with the charity, and what his approach as a cisgender and heterosexual man has been working in senior leadership with a mostly LGBTQ+ staff team. His insights about his route to becoming an ally were not what I expected to hear, and offer a valuable perspective for all allies working in senior management.  

Below is an extract from Christopher and Michael's discussion: 

Michael Lever: I wanted to do something impactful in this city. I knew I wanted to make waves and make a statement. I’ve grown up in Manchester, and being a proud Mancunian I knew that the LGBTQ+ scene here in Manchester is part of our heritage and our identity. It’s part of our DNA as a city and I’ve always felt that. So I guess I joined because Pride is so important to this city.

Christopher Owen: So when did you initially feel like you became an ally to queer communities, and how has that developed and shaped you over time? Tell us about that journey. 

ML: When I joined Manchester Pride eleven years ago I didn’t know what an ally was. I don’t think we had the same cultural sense of allyship at that time, and so my understanding of allyship developed as the concept developed in our society. Over the years I’ve come to an understanding through my work. By working for Manchester Pride I learned how important my role is, not just as an ally, but as a senior manager in this organisation.