From discovering ancient artefacts in India, to now helping draft laws and campaigns to improve the lives of LGBT+ people living in Wales, Dr Alessandro Ceccarelli has dedicated all of his spare time to ensuring that communities in Wales have access to the care they deserve and need.
Originally from Rome, Alessandro spent years in Spain before settling in the UK and eventually Wales, where he lives with his fiance. Spending hours in coffee shops reading about the origins of civilisations, Alessandro had an urge to help others from an early age. The urge to help became the catalyst he needed to step out of his shell, helping HIV awareness efforts and the LGBT+ communities here in Wales.
"My passion as a young man was history and archaeology, spending many hours in Rome's coffee shops near the Pantheon, but I also really wanted to help others, especially in the charity sector while undertaking my education," Alessandro said. "Nowadays we are able to talk about mental health, supporting survivors of violence and conversion practices. 15 years ago in Italy, support and awareness for those groups were very limited. That was the main reason why I looked outside of my country to pursue this work."
READ MORE: Charlotte Church says she's a 'huge supporter' of trans rights
Alessandro headed to India to explore how he could work in the charity sector to help others. His time spent there opened his eyes to the certain laws affecting LGBT+ communities in the country, whilst looking into the Hijra communities of South Asia. Incredibly, this community often included transgender, intersex and non-binary people. "Living in those communities allowed me to understand some important issues, and if I had to identify a point in time that shaped me as a person the most, I would point to my experience living in India."
Living in London and eventually coming to settle in Wales, Alessandro was quick to get stuck into community work which he still does to this day. Featuring on this year's Pinc List as one of Wales' most influential LGBT+ people, Alessandro has raised money for Trans Aid Cymru and is currently volunteering at Fast Track Cardiff & Vale, an organisation dedicated to improving care and awareness surrounding HIV. Pointing to his 14 years of campaigning alongside his academic career, Alessandro is grateful for his experiences as they have helped him understand devolved issues, especially those that concern the LGBT+ community in Wales.
"That gave me a great initial understanding of politics across the UK - including devolution and especially in the field of LGBTQ+ issues - but also in education policy for schools and higher education. These experiences motivated me to turn my work on the sidelines into being at the forefront of difficult conversations, and lifting up the work and voices of other people who cannot, or don’t want to, do it.
"I was fortunate enough to join the public sector working in human rights and equality. After an initial offer to join the Civil Service Fast Stream, I then joined the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Wales, working across a research and policy role - especially in the field of race, disability, education, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, and human rights.
"I then moved into my current role, as head of LGBTQ+ Policy for the Welsh Government. Here I can use my experiences of policy and legislation on sexual orientation and gender from various countries across the world - and sits alongside volunteer roles in Fast Track Cardiff & Vale and others. To take forward the LGBTQ+ Action Plan and supporting the HIV Action Plan is an immense privilege."
Alessandro continues to dedicate his time to the LGBT+ community through volunteering and other ventures. A familiar face in south Wales, he was a fundamental force in Wales' HIV Testing Week, organising various events and receptions to increase awareness around the virus.
He said: "My academic career in archaeology and heritage continues to be a passion that allows me to write and talk about ancient communities, their sexual orientations and gender. My greatest passion continues to be the volunteer work I do to end new HIV transmissions, and support community groups in the UK and beyond.
"My friends keep saying that Fast Track’s Wales HIV Testing Week is “my baby” and I fully admit I can get a bit obsessed as we run up to the big week, but what I love most is that it is a true team effort and I truly love working with communities."
READ NEXT:
- The Instagram influencer with a huge following who left school with no qualifications and was bullied because of his sexuality
- The new face leading Terrence Higgins Trust Cymru
- New Welsh campaign kicks off national HIV Testing Week
- Senedd marks huge progress being made in Wales as part of World AIDS Day 2022
- The innovative LGBTQ+ virtual reality exhibition coming to Wales Millennium Centre
