Last year, I had the honor of addressing over 25,000 attendees at UK Black Pride, speaking on the critical need to confront misinformation about the trans+ community and to challenge injustices. 1% of the population can’t fight this fight alone. 🏳️⚧️✊🏿
My 16th Century Life Expectancy exhibition, which explores misinformation in the Black trans community, was showcased that day at the festival entrance, both to inspire and inform all who arrived. It’s also been featured on billboards and posters across the country—an incredibly proud moment for me.
A heartfelt thank you to the team at McCann Ad Agency, who donated endless amounts of time and resources to this project. This wouldn’t have happened without you.
The exhibition went on to be shortlisted for a Cannes Lions Award 2024, a testament to the hard work and passion poured into this cause.
On a personal level, this was a victory in more ways than one. Going from a recovering trauma survivor with severe PTSD and social anxiety to standing on stage and addressing my community took immense determination and an unwavering pursuit of personal growth. Believe in yourself—anything is possible. 💪🏽
16th Century Life Expectancy: The exhibition exploring misinformation in the Black trans community.
For years, it’s been reported that Black trans women have a life expectancy of just 35. This statistic emerged in 2015 from a report by the ‘Inter-American Commission on Human Rights,’ which found that in parts of Latin America, the average age of Black trans homicide victims was between 30-35.
This portrait series not only highlights the dangers of misinformation but also features five prominent Black trans voices, sharing their thoughts on what must be done to protect our community. 16th Century Life Expectancy shines a light on the daily bias, discrimination, and racism faced by Black trans people, while seeking to dismantle harmful misinformation. #16thCenturyLifeExpectancy #BlackTransLivesMatter #EndMisinformation #LGBTQIA #BlackExcellence #TransCommunity #BreakTheStigma #PersonalGrowth #PTSDRecovery #RepresentationMatters #EqualityForAll #FightForJustice #InclusionNow #BelieveInYourself #CannesLions2024
My campaign was shortlisted for the @cannes_lions !
I worked on this bad boy from day one with McCann Ad Agency @mccannlondon . We wanted to raise awareness of the harmful impact misinformation has on the trans+ community and discuss how this amplified further with intersectionality. To interviews, artwork, Chritistie’s Launch, Ad campaign, speeches, interviewing MPs... you name it, we did it!
As someone who also seems to be fighting, it’s nice to have a win! Thank you McCann for donating your time & resources! Thank you to our inspirational contributors, crew and viral contributors! And thank you to UK Black Pride @ukblackpride for letting us fly this flag under your banner!
A toast to more wins!
The Talent: @misstalulaheve , @epastry , @amanicosmo , mzzkimberley
The talented @randolphgray for hair and @blurredcl0ud on makeup!
As well as @mccannlondon , @williamcottam@lauryn_raymondd@benjamingeorgeconway , @williamcottam , @clearchanneluk , @uncle_insta , @styleandsourceuk , @galle.pablo , @jamesmackk and @atikah___zzz for helping us bring this project to life ⚡️⚡️⚡️
#wedidthat #hardwork #raiseourvoice #change
Humbled to have shadowed Kate Osborne MP for three days in Parliament!
I want to thank Kate and her chief of staff, Marsha, for recognising that my interest in politics and human rights extends beyond my trans identity. While I am proud of who I am, I often find myself pigeonholed into one demographic. This opportunity allowed me to spread my wings and learn at the heart of government.
During my time there in April, I wrote early-day motions, helped draft speeches, and composed a Prime Minister's Question (PMQ) alongside Kate's team, Amanda and Molly. I also attended meetings with key stakeholders, the Women's Select Committee discussion on misogyny in music, and sat in the House of Commons during PMQ.
It was also Lesbian Visibility Week, initiated by Hannah Bardell MP and supported by Kate Osborne MP and Dawn Butler MP, marking the first time UK Parliament officially recognised this annual milestone. Later, Kate hosted her first-ever LVW launch at the House of Commons, attended by DIVA Magazine's Power List and the founder of Lesbian Visibility Week, Linda Riley. On Thursday, Kate hosted a groundbreaking debate in Parliament for the community.
What resonated most with me was the integrity of the politicians and aides I met. These individuals stood up for what is right, whether it was attempting to block the Rwanda Bill into the night, defending the right to protest, advocating for a ceasefire in Palestine, or fighting for LGBT+ and trans+ rights. Despite the ongoing challenges posed by the Tory Party, I sat with cross-party politicians who showed unwavering determination to advocate for the most vulnerable.
Looking ahead, I am thrilled that Kate Osborne MP has been elected for a second term. As the only MP to mention the politically fueled culture war targeting trans+ people in her acceptance speech, we have a true ally in Parliament. I am confident that many minority groups will sleep a little better knowing Kate walks the halls of Westminster.
Congratulations, Kate!
Parliament and the Canadian Embassy on the same day — what an honour. 🏛️
Last Thursday I attended the Last Chance at Love Parliamentary Reception on Commonwealth homosexuality decriminalisation, hosted by Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP — a collective of Black LGBT+ people with Caribbean heritage and legal experts. At the centre: Jason Jones, who has spent over 20 years challenging the Trinidadian Government's homophobic laws.
As Jason said — being gay is the only protected characteristic still criminalised anywhere on earth.
Jason is fighting the Buggery Act 1533, enacted under Henry VIII — the first civil statute to criminalise sodomy in England. It was fully repealed in the UK under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, but its legacy lives on across the former colonies. On average, a nation celebrates independence from Britain every six or seven days. The laws outlast the empire.
My contribution to the discussion: a law means nothing without enforcement. Works like William Lynch's The Making of a Slave show how colonial rule systematically destroyed ancestral cultures to create inheritable subservience. Today, religious communities in Jamaica trace embedded homophobia directly back to the sexual violence of slavery — a 2007 PinkNews report documented a 2,000-strong mob stoning gay men there.
This isn't distant. In the UK, over half of Stonewall Housing's LGBT+ homeless service users are Black or from ethnic minority backgrounds. At Switchboard, the LGBT+ helpline, people of colour make up 62% of callers. Britain has accountability to LGBT+ communities across its diaspora and beyond.
Jason's case could liberate LGBT+ people across two continents. But taking your government to court isn't cheap — please donate to his crowdfund. 🔗 Link in bio.
We closed the day at Kaleidoscope's reception at the Canadian Embassy. A privilege to be in these rooms.
#BlackLGBT #DecriminaliseLove #LGBTRights #Commonwealth QueerHistory LastChanceAtLove
Kate Osborne MP’s fundraiser!
I rarely vouch for people, and I’m even more cautious about politicians. That’s what makes Kate Osborne MP so extraordinary.
Don’t take my word for it. Look at her voting record.
LGBTQ+ Rights — fought for same-sex couples’ access to IVF and updated hate crime legislation to protect people based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability
- Social Justice — a fierce defender of public services and a consistent voice against welfare cuts
- Housing & Safety — championed stronger fire safety measures and pushed back on development plans that fail communities
- Environment — voted to ban fracking and backed real climate action
What sets Kate apart? She votes with her values, even when it means going against the tide of her own party.
Politicians with genuine moral compasses are rare. We need as many of them in Parliament as possible.
If any of this matters to you as much as it does to me, please donate using the link below. Every contribution helps keep integrity in politics. 🙏🏾
👉🏾Donate link in bio
On a personal note, it was a wonderful evening hosted by the brilliant Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, and it was genuinely refreshing to catch up with Hannah Bardell and Marsha Thompson. I even won a book in the raffle centred on the lives of refugees. A timely reminder that the more you understand, the more you empathise. 📚
@kateosbornemp@marshajanethompson@hannah_bardell@bell_ribeiroaddy
#choosepeoplewhochooseyou
Today At Parliament for Older Queer Voices’ Building The Next Decade Round Table Discussion!
Older Queer Voices, founded less than a year ago by my good friends Raga D’Silva @totallyoutnow and her partner Nicola @nicsgoingglobal , is purpose-led impact on steroids. The powerhouses gathered in that room, united to improve the lived experiences of older LGBT+ people, included some of the most impactful activists and changemakers since the 1970s.
We heard keynotes from Lisa Power, Stonewall Co-Founder, and Ted Brown, one of the organisers of the United Kingdom’s first Gay Pride Rally in 1972. The central question in the room was a profound one: after 50 years of fighting systems of oppression, why are LGBT+ elders still having to fight to simply be safe in a care home?
Ted Brown shared a harrowing account in which his civil partner was subjected to abuse, including cigarette burns to his hands, while admitted to a care home with dementia. He was later awarded £30,000 by Lambeth Council following the death of his civil partner Noel Glynn, an LGBT+ activist in his own right. A settlement that can never undo the harm.
Devastatingly, this does not appear to be an isolated incident. Only 1% of LGBT+ elders say they would choose to live in a care home, and some would rather pass away than be subjected to homophobia and transphobia in their final years.
As one attendee said so beautifully: “Ageing shouldn’t mean disappearing, and it shouldn’t mean being forgotten.”
There is much to discuss, and much work to do.
To all LGBT+ people and allies, please invite your older LGBT+ relatives and friends to the upcoming Older Queer Voices Festival. Safe spaces matter.
On that note, Paralympian and proud lesbian Claire Harvey spoke movingly about how isolating the intersection of disability and LGBT+ identity can be, pointing out that there are often only one or two wheelchair spaces per train carriage. A small detail that speaks to a much larger failure.
As Raga and Nicola have shown, giving people the platform to advocate for change matters deeply.
#LGBT #parliament #queervoicesmatter
Honoured to be invited backstage at the launch of Head North: A Rallying Cry for a More Equal Britain — the new book by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region. @metromayorsteve@andyburnhamgm
The book offers a compelling insight into the economic disparities between the North and London-centric policy-making, and charts Andy and Steve's tireless efforts — spanning 20+ years as MPs — to drive meaningful change, culminating in their mayoral appointments.
What resonated most deeply was the section on press misinformation surrounding the Hillsborough disaster. The way victims were blamed by the media, only for multiple inquests — 25 years later — to finally deliver justice, confirming that the 97 victims were unlawfully killed and that supporters were in no way responsible. Speaking with Andy directly was genuinely eye-opening. I'd always assumed the mainstream press was largely a voice of reason and unbiased truth, with any bias being a more recent shift. It seems that assumption couldn't have been further from the truth.
A huge thank you to Masha Thompson @marshajanethompson for hosting the event and for the invitation — what a privilege!
#HeadNorth #Inequality #Policy #SocialImpact #NorthernPowerhouse
Celebrating Lesbian Visibility Week at Parliament yesterday!
A huge thank you to Kate Osborne MP for hosting the launch of the new DIVA Charitable Trust, powered by the incredible Dr Lady Phyll!
The room was filled with the DIVA Power List 2026, changemakers who have taken action in the face of oppression, steering charities, campaigns and educational platforms. Many of them I'm proud to call friends. Achievements were celebrated and networks shared, united by a collective vision of how we can uplift our wider community.
Lady Phyll spoke powerfully about how the DIVA Charitable Trust will work to support LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people everywhere.
Human Rights Barrister Aderonke Apata shared their deeply moving story of becoming a refugee in the UK and why they founded African Rainbow Family, rising like a phoenix from the ashes, determined to ensure others would not have to endure what they had.
Equalities Minister Olivia Bailey MP spoke about her experience as an openly lesbian woman in public life, and proudly confirmed the government's commitment to a trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy.
Congratulations to Kate Osborne MP on your appointment as General Rapporteur on LGBTQIA+ for the Council of Europe, so well deserved! 👏🏾
A heartfelt thank you to Linda Riley for founding Lesbian Visibility Week and building DIVA into the powerhouse it is today.
On the subject of networks, I was delighted to introduce two incredible women: legal powerhouse Jacqui Rhule-Dagherui and Deputy Mayor Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard. Together they are joining forces for a Legally Queerly collaboration to mark Lesbian Visibility Week. I could not be more proud! 🌟
Wherever you are on your journey, please know there are people rooting for you. Find your community, because you deserve to be reminded of your worth. 💜
Presenting the Accounts at LGBT+ Consortium's AGM! 🏳️🌈
Serving as Treasurer on the board of LGBT+ Consortium for over four years has been a genuine honour. I'm incredibly proud of what our talented team at this vital infrastructure charity has achieved — and presenting the Finance Report for 2024–25 was a privilege.
Here are the highlights:
📊 Total income of £1.18m and total expenditure of £1.21m — a planned deficit, reflecting our deliberate investment in our core team to build a sustainable future.
💚 £279k carried forward into the new financial year, split across restricted funds and free reserves — keeping us comfortably above our reserves policy.
🎁 A major milestone: grant giving grew from 7% to 47% of overall spending, thanks to our partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund — a trend that continues into 2025–26 with the Henry Smith Foundation.
🤝 Across all restricted income, funds are either delivered in partnership with members or include direct payments for member engagement — something the whole team is proud of.
The voluntary sector is navigating a challenging environment, but Consortium is well-positioned to pursue new opportunities and fulfil its unique role as a specialist funder.
As I say to all charity CEOs I bump into — regardless of where you are on your journey, Consortium can help with our in-house expertise and grant giving, so please do sign up.
📢 Charities: please follow our new LGBT+ Fund page on social media to receive notifications when the fund goes live.
💛 Allies: please donate if you can to our new LGBT+ Fund. Did you know that for every £100 donated to charity across the UK each year, just 10p reaches LGBT+ non-profits? We aim to fix that.
A huge thank you to Olivia Bailey MP for opening the conference and engaging so thoughtfully with our members' concerns. And to my fellow board members, the Senior Management Team, and the wider team — your dedication is what makes LGBT+ Consortium the impactful organisation it is.
Full accounts and an AGM recording will be available shortly at the link in my bio. I can't wait to share what the next financial year brings! 🙌
#LGBT #Charity #ThirdSector
My second speech at Parliament.
I stepped out of recovery to speak on a panel as a Human Rights Consultant addressing MPs from across the Commonwealth—bringing together voices from different parliaments, political parties, and perspectives.
We shared bold, practical ideas on how to make politics more inclusive and representative for everyone. This forms part of a new steering group focused on strengthening LGBT+ representation across the region.
It was a privilege to speak alongside David Mundell MP and Christian Santos MP (Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture and Tourism of Gibraltar), and to engage in thoughtful conversation with former Leader of Plaid Cymru Adam Price and Jamie Greene MSP for West Scotland.
@christiansantosgib@adampriceplaid@realjamiegreene
An honour to advocate for my community in a room where real change is possible.
#LGBT #InclusivePolitics #Parliament #SocialImpact
