Drew Dalton

The UK has long been viewed as a leader in LGBTQI+ equality, yet recent years have seen growing levels of hostility towards LGBTQI+ communities. Rising hate crime, increasingly polarised public debate, dropping down the ILGA Rainbow Index, misinformation, online abuse, and sustained attacks on diversity and inclusion initiatives have contributed to a climate in which many LGBTQI+ people, particularly trans and non-binary communities, report feeling less safe and less accepted than in previous years. Whilst legal protections remain significant, social progress cannot be assumed to move in only one direction. This talk examines the political, social, cultural and technological forces driving this backlash. It explores the influence of culture wars, anti-gender movements, misinformation, social media algorithms, economic uncertainty, declining trust in institutions, and the globalisation of anti-LGBTQI+ narratives. It also considers how these developments in the UK reflect wider international trends affecting LGBTQI+ rights across the world.

Drawing on my upcoming book 'Broken Rainbow' and use of the model of the stages of genocide as applied to LGBTQI+ communities, the session introduces a framework for recognising how prejudice can escalate over time. Rather than focusing solely on acts of physical violence, the model examines the progressive stages through which minority communities may become increasingly marginalised, including othering, dehumanisation, scapegoating, legal and political exclusion, social normalisation of discrimination, and the erosion of rights and protections. Participants will be encouraged to consider where contemporary developments sit within this framework and why recognising early warning signs is essential to preventing further harm. Importantly, the session moves beyond diagnosing the problem to explore practical solutions. Drawing upon research, community experience and examples of effective advocacy, participants will examine how individuals, educators, employers, policymakers, community organisations and allies can challenge misinformation, strengthen political literacy, build resilient communities, promote respectful dialogue, and create environments where LGBTQI+ people can live openly, safely and with dignity.