Sue Sandersis Emeritus Professor Harvey Milk Institute 2015 and an "out and proud" lesbian, a British LGBT rights activist who has specialized in challenging oppression in the public and voluntary sectors for over forty years, as well as being the Co-Chair of Schools OUT UK and Founder of LGBT+ History Month.

In 2019 Sue was awarded the lifetime achievement award from the rainbow honours board. In 2014 she was short-listed for the lifetime achievement award in the National Diversity Awards. She regularly appears in the Independent LGBT Power list. In 2012 she was awarded a Commendation from the Metropolitan Police service for her long-standing involvement and commitment to the MPS LGBT Advisory Group and her contribution to improving policing services for LGBT Londoners. In 2007, Sanders received the Clio's Silver Cup Award from the International Lesbian and Gay Cultural Network for outstanding achievements in documenting and disseminating information about LGBT History.

In July 2009 she was awarded the first Derek Oyston Award in recognition of her lifetime's campaigning for LGBT rights at the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) and the 40th anniversary of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE). In 2002 she received the Crown Prosecution award for Equality and Diversity.