No One Left Behind: IDAHOBIT 2024

Pioneering LGBT and civil rights activist Ted Brown reflects on the past and present of intersecting discriminations faced by the LGBT community while commemorating IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia). He introduces his pioneering work in combating phobia in religious contexts, ranging from homophobic pastoral support in care homes to transphobia in the media.

Ted recounts his rich memories of LGBT activism since joining the Gay Liberation Front in 1970. He has led a fascinating life, migrating from Jamaica as part of the Windrush generation, leading the black section of Gay London Police Monitoring Group in the 1980s, founding Black Lesbian and Gays Against Media Homophobia in 1990, and receiving the Life Achievement Award from the Black Lesbian and Gays Community Awards.

LGBT Humanists have been committed to IDAHOBIT since its inception in 2004. Their former Chair, Derek Lennard, was IDAHOBIT’s UK Coordinator for over a decade. This international movement was established to raise awareness of the violence and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, including all people who have diverse gender identities or gender expressions. In 2024, they explored the LGBT community’s intersecting struggles, embracing the year’s theme for IDAHOBIT – No One Left Behind.

This event was organised as part of the LGBT strand of the National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project ‘Humanist Heritage: Doers, Dreamers, Place Makers’, coordinated by Humanists UK in partnership with Conway Hall.