Leila Zadeh
Leila Zadeh is the Executive Director of Rainbow Migration, a charity which supports LGBTQI+ people through the immigration and asylum system. Leila came to the UK as part of a refugee family when she was 13 months old. A speaker of five languages, she’s worked for international charities including Frontline AIDS, ActionAid and Oxfam. In the eight years she’s fronted Rainbow Migration she has significantly expanded both the charity’s service delivery and its influencing capacities.
Sam Habib
Sam Habib is a trans man who was recently granted refugee status in the UK. When it became clear he could no longer live safely in his home country, he left with just two bags and a lot of uncertainty. Having been through the asylum system himself, Sam understands how frightening and isolating that journey can be for LGBTQ people.
Savitri Hensman
Savitri (Savi) Hensman is an anti-racist, LGBTQ+, feminist, disability, and human rights activist and writer. A worker at London’s Black Lesbian and Gay Centre from 1985-94, she was active too in seeking greater justice and inclusion at local level - including Haringey Lesbian and Gay Sub-Committee in the ‘80s - and in faith communities. She also works in health and social care involvement. Savi was born in Sri Lanka.
Tia Kofi
Lawrence Bolton, better known by the stage name Tia Kofi, is a British drag queen and singer from Clapham, South London. They are best known for competing on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK (2021), and winning the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (2024). Their victory marked them as the first Black queen and first person of colour to win in the British Drag Race franchise. Beyond their entertainment career, Tia Kofi uses their platform to challenge racism, anti-migrant rhetoric, and support LGBTQI+ rights in the UK.