ReportOUT

Power, Populism and Politics: How activists are fighting back - the story of the #SaferToBeMe Summit As populist governments across the world target the LGBTQ+ communities, Simon Williams looks back at the recent #SaferToBeMe 2025 human rights summit, the first global-level LGBTQ+ rights gathering of...

It's fight back time: excellent article in @scenemag.co.uk Power, Populism and Politics: How LGBTQ+ activists are fighting back - the story of the recent #SaferToBeMe human rights summit and why it matters.... www.scenemag.co.uk/power-populi...

Photo 1 & 4: Haydn Brown Photography
Photo 2: Phyllis Christopher Photography

But our mission isn't over! You can now sign the Newcastle-Gateshead Global LGBTQI+ Solidarity Declaration. It's open to individuals, organisations and countries.

Add your name 👉 www.reportout.org/newcastlegat...

🎉 October was our birthday month...and what a year it’s been!

Since 2019, we've grown into a global network of 80+ volunteers.

This year we’ve:
🌍 Launched Out in Nigeria and Out in Mexico
🏳️‍🌈 Launched the world’s first Global LGBTQI+ Solidarity Declaration
🎓 Built collaborations with global partners

Drew Dalton, CEO of ReportOUT, displays the Newcastle-Gateshead Declaration, the world's first declaration of LGBTQI+ solidarity at the Assembly Rooms, Newcastle, UK, 24 October 2025

Together we are stronger... @drewdalton.bsky.social launches the historic #Newcastle-Gateshead Declaration, the world's first declaration of LGBTQI+ solidarity, at the conclusion of the #SaferToBeMe Summit. Read and sign the declaration at: www.reportout.org/newcastlegat...

The world’s first Global LGBTQI+ Solidarity Declaration has been launched 🌍🏳️‍🌈

Read more: shorturl.at/y3YIa

Thanks to @squareonelaw.bsky.social, The Assembly Rooms, and JC Events, and to UKAGE, the FCDO, Out North East and Pride Action North for their crucial role in drafting this declaration.

It’s almost time to sign ✍️

“We are shaping the movement… so loss of funding directly impacts the movement itself.” Enkhmaa - LGBT Centre Mongolia

Yesterday’s “Who Gives a ££££?” panel cut deep. UK funding is pulling back while activists worldwide are fighting to build movements.

Thank you Give Out for supporting this panel.

@weareukblackpride.bsky.social’s Lady Phyll starting #SaferToBeMe2025 day 2 strong 💪

Photos courtesy of Haydn Brown Photography

Day 2 is here...and it’s a big one ✨

We’re kicking off with an unmissable opening talk from UK Black Pride's Lady Phyll, and trust us…you’ll want to be in the room.

Yesterday was full of energy and real connection. Can’t wait to see everyone back this morning!

#SaferToBeMe

Kate Osborne MP: Everyone, everywhere deserves to be safe to be themselves We all deserve to be safe – today I am proud to be speaking at the UK’s first ever international Safer To Be Me LGBTQ+ Human Rights Summit – being held right here in our constituency.

Poignant reflections on why it was important to speak at #SaferToBeMe today from @kateosbornemp.bsky.social

Read more 👉 www.shieldsgazette.com/news/opinion...

"We must stand together, we must organise together, and we must take hateful rhetoric on, together. Whether or not that is by having conversations with our kids, in our workplaces, with our families – wherever hate raises its ugly head we take it on, we engage and we expose it."

Drew Dalton (our CEO) opening #SaferToBeMe2025 with a strong call to action for us all 💪

A huge thank‐you to our generous sponsors – Connection Heroes, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, Wilson Solicitors – your support makes #SaferToBeMe2025 possible.

We’re excited for what’s ahead at today's summit, and last night was a wonderful kick‐off.

Photos: Haydn Brown Photography

What a fantastic evening! Last night we came together at the beautiful Blackfriars Restaurant for our Speakers Dinner ahead of #SaferToBeMe. Both the venue and the company were truly inspiring 🥰

Take a sneak preview of the #SaferToBeMe conference venue ❤️

We are going out on BBC NE News tomorrow in every news report between 6:30am-1:30pm and 6:25-9:15pm.

We had a fantastic session at the Security Training run by Shaun Martinez at Open Briefing, covering how activists can keep themselves safe and risk assess as they do their work. Thank you Open Briefing for doing this!

We had business cards at the ready for our Out of Office Business Networking Meeting last night! #SaferToBeMe

Thank you to the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead for the venue and welcome drinks!

Courtesy of Haydn Brown Photography.

What a sight! The Millennium Bridge lit up in rainbow colours 🌈 Tonight it’ll continue to be lit up to celebrate #SaferToBeMe2025

We had a blast at the Queer History Walking Tour of Newcastle. We all learnt something new about the history of the city! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Throughout the evening, Pride Radio recorded the launch live, interviewing activists who arrived from around the world to share their stories.

We also heard the beautiful voices of Northern Proud Voices, our local choir. What an amazing performance!

(Photography - Hayden Brown Photography)

We then heard from Michael Wilmore-Crumrine (from Texas, USA) about queer life under the Trump Administration.

Finally, we heard from Kondwani Chapola about the effects of overseas cuts on the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Malawi and across sub-Saharan Africa.

We held our launch party for #SaferToBeMe at the Maldron Hotel last night! Well done to ReportOUT, OUT North East and Pride Action North!

We had drinks and canapés, and heard a speech from Drew Dalton (CEO of ReportOUT) about the need for solidarity in uncertain times for LGBTQ+ rights.

UK’s First Global LGBTQ+ Human Rights Summit, #SaferToBeMe, to Counter Populism and Roll-back of Rights #SaferToBeMe UK’s First Global LGBTQ+ Human Rights Summit to Counter Populism and Roll-back of Rights

UK’s First Global #LGBTQ+ Human Rights Summit, #SaferToBeMe, to Counter Populism and Roll-back of Rights. Next week 23-24 October. Newcastle, UK. More than 50 global human rights speakers. Have you registered yet? shorturl.at/yr6tf

Ahead of the #SaferTobeMe LGBTQ+ human rights conference 23-24 Oct we'll share vids of some of our 50 speakers. First welcome Gustavo who will talk on the threat of Right-wing populism to LGBTQ+ communities in Colombia & Argentina More: shorturl.at/l9hmx
Got your tix yet? Only £30 shorturl.at/cm02R

Peter Tatchell @petertatchellfdn.bsky.social director and human rights campaigner will give a keynote address at the #SaferToBeMe human rights summit on 'Two Heads of the Same Serpent - Global Populism and Religious Fundamentalism'.

#SaferToBeMe LGBTQ+ human rights summit organisers are pleased to announce Peter Tatchell @petertatchellfdn.bsky.social director and human rights campaigner will give a keynote address: 'Two Heads of the Same Serpent - Global populism and religious fundamentalism' www.reportout.org/keynote-spea...

#SaferToBeMe Summit is delighted to co-host with @proud-science.bsky.social a fantastic online LGBTQ+ health inequalities conference 20-22 Oct within the wider Summit. Free online expert sessions on LGBTQ+ access to healthcare, defending inclusion in health and practical allyship: shorturl.at/yvlyM

I am now recruiting at @reportout.bsky.social for two new Project Workers for our new 'OUT and Safe North East Project.' Let's make the world #SaferToBeMe

​This will be a welcoming and inclusive weekly drop-in designed specifically for LGBTQ+ migrants living in the North East of England.