Everyone, everywhere should feel 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.

- Kate Osborne

The summit has been running all week bringing over 500 delegates from more than 40 countries to the North East-politicians, ambassadors, activists, and community leaders together to unite behind one simple but powerful message: that everyone, everywhere, deserves to be safe to be themselves.

I'm one of many brilliant speakers at this historic summit, celebrating the North East's vital role in advancing equality while also tackling the urgent human rights issues facing LGBTQ+ people around the world.

The summit will reaffirm a shared commitment to tolerance, respect and equality at a time when hate and division are, sadly, on the rise across the UK and beyond.

Globally we are seeing a push back on the rights of the LGBTQ+ community-on our right to family life, our rights in the workplace and our right to even exist.

These attacks are from the same people that drive hate against women, against people because of the colour of their skin, the same people that push a narrative of blame that is smoke and mirrors - immigrants, women and LGBT people are not the ones to blame for the lack of decent housing, decent schools, a doctor's appointment, unemployment or the cost of living crisis.