7 Days Of Queer: Protestors gathered outside Downing Street to demand government stop attacking LGBTQI rights

Here’s your round-up of last week’s LGBTQI news

BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE VIA TWITTER (@KATEOSBORNEMP)

Earlier this year, the government announced its global “Safe To Be Me” LGBT conference which was set to take place on 29 June. In January Trans In The City released an important message stating why they would not be supporting the conference: “The Government is actively working against this goal and does not view trans people as having any positive role in society.” 

Following Boris Johnson’s U-turn on a trans-inclusive conversion “therapy” ban, many LGBTQI organisations took collective action against the conference and the event was eventually cancelled in April.

But the government sure did hear from the community on 29 June. LGBTQI groups, activists and allies gathered outside Downing Street for their own Not Safe To Be Me protest. The protest was led by Trans Activism UK, and on 30 June, they encouraged people to sign an open letter to Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Dominic Raab and the UK government.

#NotSafeToBeMe at Downing Street pic.twitter.com/UH5FU1iUFx

— Trans Activism UK (@TransActivismUK) June 29, 2022

Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall has been a devoted ally to the LGBTQI community. Jade was photographed with Labour MP Kate Osborne holding a sign which read: “I support a trans-inclusive ban”.

This Govt is failing trans & non-binary people.

Today I joined @TransActivismUK in Parliament Square for the #NotSafeToBeMe protest – I stand firmly with our trans & non-binary siblings in calling for a trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy. @jadethirlwall @Mermaids_Gender pic.twitter.com/uSpx718qAH

— Kate Osborne MP (@KateOsborneMP) June 29, 2022

Pride In London: DIVA publisher Linda Riley made surprise appearance as backing dancer for Emeli Sandé

As Emeli prepared to start singing her much-loved song, Read All About It, she invited Dawn Butler Brent, Linda Riley and many other wonderful faces onto the stage as her backing dancers.

On 30 June, Hannah Bardell SNP MP mentioned DIVA magazine in Parliament

As Pride month drew to an end, Hannah Bardell delivered a speech in Parliament where she acknowledged how far we have come over the decades, but how as we mark 50 years of Pride in the UK, it’s important to not repeat history.

On Monday 27 June, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan raised the Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag from City Hall

DIVA columnist Valentino Vecchietti wrote about the significance of this display of allyship.

Stonewall Housing launched a UK-wide housing advice service for LGBTQI people over the age of 50

DIVA Publisher Linda Riley shared her thoughts on LGBTQI-inclusive housing for older people in a video clip.

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched by Hopscotch Films and KOH Pro to fund the production of groundbreaking documentary Don’t Say Gay

The documentary, directed by Sarah Drummond, will be the first one in its genre to talk about Section 28 and its impact on a generation of LGBTQI people.

Jacquie Lawrence was awarded the Iris Prize Fellowship

Guests including Linda Riley, Mark Harriott and Ross Kemp congratulated Jacquie on her work in increasing onscreen lesbian visibility.

Adele Roberts has been given all-clear after treatment for bowel cancer

The BBC Radio 1 DJ shared the good news and reflected on her journey.

@niccrosara

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