Kate Osborne MP warns of the global pushback against the rights of our community and the coordinated far-right movements across Europe
It felt incredibly powerful to say those words on home ground last week at the Safer To Be Me Global Summit, held in my constituency of Jarrow and Gateshead East.
Hosted by Out North East in partnership with ReportOUT and Pride Action North, the week-long event brought together activists, businesses, politicians and NGOs from 40 countries under the theme “Local to Global.” It showcased the North East at its best – welcoming the world to celebrate and organise, to defend and advance LGBTQIA+ rights.
A major moment was the launch of the Newcastle-Gateshead Declaration – the world’s first international LGBTQIA+ solidarity declaration. Developed with the UK Alliance for Global Equality and sponsored by Square One Law, it reaffirms that all LGBTQ+ people are born free and equal, rejects laws that criminalise or undermine our lives, and pledges support for healthcare, asylum rights, meaningful inclusion, and protection for human-rights defenders.
The summit’s theme – protecting LGBTQ+ rights in the face of a global pushback – could not be more urgent.
I have spent decades campaigning for fairness and equality, in the workplace and now as a politician, our history and my experience taught me that progress is not linear, our rights are fought for and hard won, and they need to continually be defended, too often eroded before being won back again.
A rising tide of fear
Let’s be honest: many LGBTQIA+ people in Britain are scared. I hear it daily — from parents of trans children, from constituents afraid to be visible, and from the toxic political debate that fuels hate. Politicians who once called themselves allies now stay silent or join attacks on trans and non-binary people. Media outlets amplify misinformation. Even in Parliament, bigotry finds new ways to make itself heard.
Across the world, far-right movements are driving a rollback of LGBTQIA+ rights – from Italy erasing lesbian mothers’ parental status to Hungary attempting to ban Pride.
There is still unfinished business here at home too. The UK has yet to ban so-called conversion practices or make hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people aggravated offences – but I am working with our Government to make this happen as soon as possible.
We’ve faced setbacks, including a damaging Supreme Court judgment, but domestic and international pressure is mounting, and we are seeing more people, businesses and politicians challenge the hateful narrative and impracticalities around that judgment.
Politics must be safe for all
Being an openly lesbian MP brings both privilege and peril. I’ve faced abuse and intimidation, but I refuse to be silenced. The only response is to stand taller and speak louder.
We have much work ahead: protecting inclusive education, ending tokenistic “rainbow washing,” defending gender-affirming care and fertility rights, and standing in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people worldwide.
We have to challenge the hate wherever it comes from. It is clear that this hate is driven by the far right, money flowing in from the US and isn’t only targeted at LGBTQIA+ people, but targeting migrants, women’s rights and more.
Our diversity is our strength. Together, we will continue to stand against hate, to build a world where it is truly safer to be me, whoever and whatever that “me” is. You can join me in signing the Newcastle-Gateshead Declaration here www.reportout.org/newcastlegatesheaddeclaration.
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