Government appoints ‘special envoy’ on LGBTQ rights, plans global LGBTQ conference
“I am committed to the cause of advancing LGBT+ rights worldwide," says Lord Nick Herbert, who will lead the summit
Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Pexels/Wiki (Lord Nick Herbert)
The UK government has appointed a ‘Special Envoy’ on LGBTQ rights and announced plans to host its first global LGBTQ conference.
Taking place from 27-29 June 2022, the ‘Safe To Be Me’ event will focus on tackling sexual inequality around the world while encouraging countries where it’s illegal to be LGBTQ to take action.
Nick Herbert (Lord Herbert of South Downs), appointed ‘Special Envoy’ on LGBTQ rights by Boris Johnson, will promote the conference and serve as Chair, while championing LGBTQ equality at home and abroad.
“We are urging every country to make sure LGBT people can live free”
Minister for Women and Equalities Liz Truss commented: “I want everyone to be able to live their life free from prejudice, malice, or violence, regardless of their background or who they choose to love.
“People should be judged on the basis of their individual character and talents alone, and we want to ensure that this message is heard around the world.
“This conference will take aim at the prejudices LGBT people still face, and look at the collective action we can take to tackle those injustices alongside our international friends and partners.”
Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, added: “The right to live life without fear and persecution are the bedrock of inclusive and open societies and the UK, as a force for good, will protect and promote these values at home and around the world.”
“As co-chair of the Equal Rights Coalition, we are already working with 41 countries to defend the rights of LGBT people. We are urging every country to make sure LGBT people can live free from the discrimination and violence that persists today.”
The conference will also focus on legislative reform, tackling violence and discrimination, and ensuring equal access to public services for LGBTQs.
The event will bring together elected officials, policy makers, and the international LGBTQ community including activists, experts, and civil society to protect and promote the rights of LGBTQ people.
Former Conservative MP Herbert Lord Herbert said: “With our immense soft power, and as a global force for good, the UK has an important role to play in leading international efforts to tackle the violence and discrimination against LGBT people which should have no place in the modern world.
“I am committed to the cause of advancing LGBT+ rights worldwide and I look forward to continuing that in my role as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy and as the Chair of the Global LGBT Conference. At a time when Covid has pulled many of us apart, the conference offers a real chance to bring people together and drive change for good.”
Herbert and his partner Jason Eades have been in a civil partnership since 2009.
The event will coincide with the 50-year anniversary of the London Pride marches.
Some 69 countries still criminalise consensual same-sex sex acts, with 11 carrying the death penalty.