After the conference ends, the real task begins. This is the beginning of our fightback. The 'Newcastle Declaration' is the world's first ever statement of LGBTQ+ solidarity, and is open to all to come along and to sign the Declaration on the evening. Whether you are a small community group, a local authority, a large corporate, a volunteer-led organisation, or even a nation state, the Newcastle Declaration can be signed by all.
Built in 1766 in the heart of the city centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, the historic Assembly Rooms is the ideal venue for the signing of a Declaration of this magnitude. Having hosted plays personally directed by Charles Dickens, hosted dinner with Queen Victoria, and was the venue of the first same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom, it has quite the pedigree.
Join us for a drink and to celebrate a toast to the signing of the Declaration. On the evening, we will have a range of very special keynote speakers and more, which we will be tell you about in due course.
Why is the Newcastle Declaration needed?
More than ever, we need to unite. In an era of a highly organised rollback of LGBTQI+ rights across the globe, and a shrink in support for our movement, it is time to stand together. The Newcastle Declaration is the beginning of our fightback and a good news story in a time when it feels like there are not enough of them. It will be signed by thousands of organisations, large and small, and will continue to be a 'live' and ongoing Declaration. As such, after our event, the Declaration will be hosted on the website of ReportOUT, along with all organisations who have signed it (and continue to sign it), so it will continue to be live, long after this event has ended.
Who wrote the Newcastle Declaration?
The Newcastle Declaration has been put together by the UK Alliance for Global Equality (UKAGEan organisation made up of 14 leading U.K. civil society organisations who all work to protect global LGBTQI+ human rights. The Declaration has been worked at in partnership with the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), who have kindly supported us with the language of the document.
Find out more at: https://www.reportout.org/summitdiary/friday%3A-signing-of-the-newcastle-declaration