By Camilla Tettoni

For this special feature on Una stanza tutta per sé, I had the pleasure of interviewing Drew Dalton, a globally recognized human rights advocate, educator, and activist. With over 20 years of experience across the NGO sector and academia, Drew has dedicated his work to global LGBTQ+ rights activism, international development, and global health.

Founder and CEO of ReportOUT, an international organization documenting human rights abuses against LGBTQ+ communities worldwide, Drew has been recognized as one of the UK’s Top 100 Most Influential LGBTQ+ People by the Pride Power List. He is also a trustee of multiple charities, director of Drew Dalton Consulting, and is currently writing his upcoming book Broken Rainbow: Exploring the Realities of Global Queerphobia.

We spoke about the upcoming Safer To Be Me Summit 2025, a landmark global LGBTQ+ human rights event taking place in Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead, in the Northeast of England, from October 20 to 25, 2025.

Q: Drew, can you tell us about the origins of the Safer To Be Me Summit and what it aims to achieve in 2025?

Drew Dalton:
The origins of the Summit come from a worrying trend: we’re witnessing a coordinated global attack on LGBTQ+ rights, but also on women’s rights, the rights of migrants, and more. Authoritarian and populist leaders are increasingly using the same rhetoric and strategies across borders. What once used to be internalized national discrimination is now becoming a transnational narrative.

A recent study found that at least 51 countries used anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in elections last year. That’s alarming. The Summit is our attempt to push back: to stop being divided, to stop fighting among ourselves, and instead come together as a united movement.

Q: How will the Summit foster global solidarity and allyship?

Drew Dalton:
It’s not just a week-long conference: it’s a global call to solidarity. We’ll host events across the week in Newcastle and Gateshead, but also live-stream the main conference so people worldwide can take part.

One of the most exciting outcomes is the Newcastle Gateshead Declaration: the world’s first global LGBTQ+ solidarity statement. Co-created by 14 international organizations and supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, it will be launched at the Summit. Organizations big and small will be able to sign it, reaffirming our collective commitment to equality. We expect hundreds, if not thousands, of signatures.

Q: What are some of the key themes and topics for this year’s Summit?

Drew Dalton:
We have two main themes.

1. “Local to Global” – the idea that even the smallest local action contributes to a much larger international movement. A single raindrop becomes part of an ocean.
2. “Power, Populism and Politics” – this reflects the era we’re living in, marked by rising populism and authoritarianism. Our two-day conference will tackle this theme with 43 speakers and six panel discussions, focusing on what concrete steps we can take to resist and respond.

Q: How can individuals and organizations get involved?

Drew Dalton:
There are so many ways.

• Amplify our work: share our content on social media and spread the word.
• Participate: attend the Summit in person, or live-stream the conference sessions if you can’t travel. Tickets for the two-day conference are deliberately low-cost – just £30 (€35) – to keep it accessible.
• Sponsors and partners: organizations can support us financially, even with small contributions, and become part of the Summit’s ally network.
• Join the events: we’ve designed the program so there’s something for everyone – networking, training, debates, cultural events, even museum tours and social gatherings.

Thanks to our sponsors, all events except the main conference are free. That’s important in a time of economic hardship: we want this to be as inclusive as possible.

Q: Why was Newcastle and the Northeast of England chosen as the host region?

Drew Dalton:
I’m from the Northeast myself, and so is ReportOUT. Our partner organizations are also based here. But beyond that, the Northeast is known as the friendliest region in the UK. The people – “Geordies” – are warm and welcoming, and the area is rich with history: ancient castles, Roman ruins, and beautiful beaches.

Choosing Newcastle and Gateshead also allows us to move beyond London, where most major events are concentrated. It’s about sharing opportunities with other regions. The Summit will also bring economic benefits to local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and cultural venues. We want participants to feel at home here and leave with lifelong friendships.

Q: Any final message you’d like to share with our readers?

Drew Dalton:
Yes – this Summit is not just an event, it’s a movement. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, every event during the week (except the conference) is free. We’ve made inclusivity and accessibility central to the planning.

So whether you’re an individual ally, an activist, or part of an organization – there’s a place for you at the Safer To Be Me Summit 2025. Join us, sign the Newcastle Gateshead Declaration, and be part of building a global movement against LGBTQ+ harm and hatred.

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📍 The Safer To Be Me Summit takes place from October 20–25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead, UK. For more details and updates, visit the ReportOUT website or follow their social media channels.