#SaferToBeMe Summit 2025
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A huge week-long global Summit starting on the 20th October 2025.
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Held in the North East of England.
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To stand in solidarity and allyship against LGBTQ+ harm and hatred.
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Bringing thousands of people from the U.K. and across the globe.
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Live streamed across the globe.
Why do #SaferToBeMe in 2025?
The world is changing for EDI and LGBTQ+ rights. Let’s stand together in solidarity. Let’s make the world a safer place to be.
The 2025 #SaferToBeMe Summit returns to the region for a second time and promises to be the biggest one yet since our inaugural launch in 2023. Being the only global LGBTQ+ Summit held in the United Kingdom, we proudly bring this to the North East of England.
To make this happen and thrive, we have an ambitious and exciting programme of events held over the course of a week in October, all held around the theme of LGBTQ+ rights and allyship being ‘local to global’ as we stand in solidarity. In an uncertain world at the moment, it can feel like LBGTQ+ rights are under attack and diminished by populist leaders and moral entrepreneurs. So, it is more important than ever as individuals, organisations, politicians, governments, and businesses, to pull together in solidarity and to make a visible stand as allies.
We invite you to be part of #SaferToBeMe and I encourage you to look through our planned programme of events. #SaferToBeMe will bring this rich programme of events as part of a thriving partnership of three North East based LGBTQ+ organisations: Pride Action North, OUT North East, and ReportOUT. This week-long Summit is uniquely held in the North East of England, bringing new UK and global visitors to the region, benefiting our local economy financially and in terms of PR, and highlighting how inclusive our region of the U.K. is for all.
In the lead up to #SaferToBeMe, we also want to encourage all organisations, youth groups, educational establishments, the criminal justice system, and more, to develop awareness-raising opportunities around the theme of #SaferToBeMe. These events will help to restore community cohesion in uncertain times, and offer hope, acceptance, equity, and visibility for LGBTQ+ people in the United Kingdom, and beyond. The North East of England is known for its warm and friendly people, so what better place to host it than here! We hope that you will get involved and be part of #SaferToBeMe in October 2025, showing your commitment to LGBTQ+ people across the world.
ReportOUT
Pride Action North
OUT North East
Supported by singer Hazzell Dean!
Singer Hazell Dean established a formidable reputation as “Queen of the British Clubs” scoring a succession of massive club and dance hits which crossed successfully into the mainstream charts during the 1980s. She has written a statement in support of #SaferToBeMe. You can read it here (thanks Hazell!)
Our launch
On the morning of the 20th February 2025, we will be launching #SaferToBeMe with VIP guests at the beautiful Lit and Phil building in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Since the organisations history of hosting Oscar Wilde as a speaker, and the formation of the Newcastle upon Tyne Society for the gradual abolition of Slavery in the British Dominions, we thought that this was a perfect venue for the launch of a LGBTQ+ and global majority Summit.
We have a 40 foot-long Pride flag to unveil and look forward to making a statement to start #SaferToBeMe!
Photo credits: Sally Ann Norman
What will be happening during the week of the Summit?
We have a packed week-long set of events packed with lots of opportunities for all people to get involved with #SaferToBeMe. Below, are just some of the events which we have planned with more information, and booking links to come soon. We are looking for sponsors for some of our events and for people to amplify #SaferToBeMe before the week-long Summit starts. Is this you? If so, see below.
We encourage you to download our Making it Safer to Be Me: Partnership Guide for details of events not featured on here and how to sponsor us, or get involved as a small business or organisation.
Monday 20th October 2025
#SaferToBeMe
Launch Event
The evening of Monday 20th will see our VIP launch event with lots of surprises!
Thursday 23rd October 2025
QueerXperience Event
Ever wanted to go to a TED-style talk? This is ours! Hear from a range of uplifting speakers in the evening.
Across the week
Social, Training and Get Involved Events
Across the week, we have a range of day and evening events ranging from a queer history tour, social events, training courses and a candlelit vigil.
Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th October 2025
#SaferToBeMe Two-Day Summit
The main event. Our two-day Summit discussing local to global LGBTQ+ issues.
Tuesday 21st October 2025
OUT of Office Business Networking Event
Want to network with LGBTQ+ business leaders and allies? This is your place to be to make future connections. Come along to our networking evening.
Friday 25th October 2025
Signing of the Global Compact
Now it is time to stand in solidarity as organisations and individuals, through signing the world's first Global Solidarity Compact.
How to get involved in #SaferToBeMe
We are so excited about #SaferToBeMe in October 2025, but we need your help to make this happen. Want to get involved and support this event? From LGBTQ+ organisations to allies, from sponsors to amplifiers, we need your help to make this a success. Click on an image below to find out more.
Meet the organisers of #SaferToBeMe
Spearheaded by three organisations and fitting with the theme of 'local to global' #SaferToBeMe brings together local and global organisations to make the Summit happen!
