Call for Papers 'Changing Times' #SaferToBeMe 2026 mini-conference on LGBTQIA+ youth needs
- ReportOUT
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
ReportOUT is to co-host an essential #SaferToBeMe mini-conference on Friday 6th November 2026 for organisations who strive to support the LGBTQIA+ youth of the UK.
Under the theme of CHANGING TIMES – continuing to support LGBTQIA+ young people of the United Kingdom in this era of global uncertainty - the conference, in partnership with LGBTQIA+ charity OUT North East and Pride Action North, welcomes contributions from schools, universities, charities, youth services, health services and local government, to name a few.
This will be an important gathering of professionals and experts discussing the issues using a variety of workshops and inputs over a range of topics surrounding LGBTQIA+ young people and the support that can and should continue to be given. The event will also be live-streamed nationally.
It builds on the landmark #SaferToBeMe global summit held in October 2025 where over 500 international experts convened in Gateshead to discuss counter-strategies against the growth of populist anti-LGBTQ movements around the world.
Drew Dalton, CEO of ReportOUT, said, "Last year ReportOUT and its partners hosted a global Summit on the threat of populism to sexual and gender minorities around the world. This year we are taking a UK focus. As the ILGA Europe rankings on the freedoms and human rights for LGBTQ+ communities last year showed, the UK tumbled even lower to barely average across Europe when just over a decade ago the UK led the class.
"It's time the UK reasserted its place as a leader in LGBTQ+ human rights and nowhere better to start than on youth rights. Changing Times will address some of the topics that affect young people from the LGBTQ+ communities including the confusion and dangers of the recent UK Supreme Court ruling on gender. If you would like to know more or be involved, get in touch now."
This mini-conference aims to allow those who work with, and support, young people (school age and up to 25 years old) to navigate the challenges of today. All of this is happening given the turmoil and rhetoric surrounding LGBTQIA+ communities around the world over recent years alongside the current uncertainty of the UK Supreme Court ruling and the subsequent Equalities Commission guidance.
This is also doubled with new Government Guidance to schools putting the need for these discussions to be placed at the forefront.
Hosted at the ONE Centre in Gateshead, near Newcastle in Northeast England, around 100 people will meet and learn about the current issues in the UK including:
How to implement the law
Find ways to offer additional support
Discuss how best to adapt internal policies within organisations so they can continue to ensure young people feel belonging… regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
A major aim of the conference is to allow people to begin to develop their own bespoke policies and behaviours within their own organisation that, despite the climate, allow vital support to continue to be given to our most vulnerable groups within society.
The day will be made up of Keynote Speakers and a number of workshops where people will learn, discuss and develop policies and actions that will allow them to have confidence in continuing to support their young people under the climate in which we are currently enduring.
CALL FOR PAPERS - #SAFERTOBEME CHANGING TIMES
Are you able to help on the day?
We are seeking people who can deliver impactful workshops during the course of the conference. These will last approximately 45 minutes in length (to include question and answers) and enable the audience to fully understand what our young people are challenged with in society and about navigating current legislation.
The final workshop of the day is intended to allow the attendees to work with their peers to begin to develop their own actual policy and guidance to take back to their own environment to put their knowledge and learning into actual practice.
What to do next
If you would like to propose a presentation or help out in other ways please get in touch at: contactus@reportout.org
