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Rainbow Flags

#SaferToBeMe
Call for Papers

Whilst the theme of the week-long Summit is 'local to global,' or two-day conference will have an additional theme of 'Power, Populism and Politics.' We have chosen this theme as it currently reflects some of the key issues facing LGBTQI+ people across the globe. We want to use the conference to make people aware of these issues, and how we can tackle them.

 

This two-day conference will be held on Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th October 2025. Both days will have parallel talks, workshops, and sessions, based around the following two parallel threads:

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  • Thread 1: Local to national LGBTQI+ issues in the United Kingdom.

  • Thread 2: Global LGBTQI+ issues.

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If you are submitting a paper for consideration, please have an idea of which thread you will submit it under.

Please also tell us, on the online form, whether you wish to present online from your nation state, or face-to-face, or if you can do either.  The submission deadline is midnight UK time on the 4th April 2025.

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* The submission of your paper is easy to do and the link to the form is at the end of the page.*

What do we want to see in a #SaferToBeMe session?

We want the knowledge and learning at #SaferToBeMe to be accessible to all and so we strongly look for sessions to be easily understood by the general public. We are aiming for our sessions to represent a variety of geographical regions and nation states. In addition, we aim to see a variety of issues and themes covered at #SaferToBeMe. 

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A good session at #SaferToBeMe will feel more grassroots, will illuminate, share new knowledge, it will not be overly academic (though it can touch on and use academic work), should bring issues to life, and should be under our wide conference themes of either power, populism and/or politics. Importantly, the session should explain what the issue is, and then ideally, provide some guidance as to how we can engage with it, fight back, or change it. We ask for this balance as the topics are heavy, and we do not want people to walk from this conference feeling powerless. Where possible, provide ideas, hints, tools, ways to fight back - even if they are small.

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Sessions will be 45 minutes long (allowing 15 minutes for room movement afterwards) and can take any format; from a traditional lecture to a hands-on workshop or seminar, or something more creative, such as storytelling. We are eager to have as many different approaches as possible.

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We have given some example topics below, which may inspire some ideas for planning your session. We have given a short discussion as to how this talk may link to our theme of power, or populism or politics (or all three themes).

Topic areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

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This is not an exhaustive list, but they are listed here to generate ideas and give inspiration around our theme. We are eager to hear local, national, or global sessions and will strive for a good mix of all during our selection process. You can focus on LGBTQI+ people across the board in your session, or you can focus on a particular thematic area, or group (for example, lesbian women). 

 

Topics could be:

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  • The effects of funding cuts or sustained attacks on LGBTQI+ projects and populations.

  • Religious leaders and responses to LGBTQI+ people.

  • The global rollback of LGBTQI+ rights.

  • The impact or role of a populist leader or authoritarian leader on LGBTQI+ rights.

  • LGBTQI+ histories and how they can influence change. 

  • Political representation and LGBTQI+ people.

  • Rural LGBTQI+ communities, power, and their human rights.

  • The development needs of LGBTQI+ populations and how politics and power impact upon them.

  • The humanitarian response toward LGBTQI+ populations.

  • War, conflict, and LGBTQI+ populations.

  • The human rights of LGBTQI+ people in a particular nation state, or region and how their lives are shaped by power, politics, populism or authoritarianism. 

  • The role of power regimes on LGBTQI+ lives and populations.

  • Power within the LGBTQI+ movement at a local, global, or national level.

  • The political response to LGBTQI+ refugees and people seeking asylum.

  • The impact of elections on LGBTQI+ populations in a region or nation state.

  • The policies of a government and their impact on LGBTQI+ populations.

  • The role of the UN or global bodies and LGBTQI+ populations.

  • Transnational LGBTQI+ policies, diplomacy, or the impact of globalisation or de-globalisation on LGBTQI+ people's lives.

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When including intersex populations, we mean people who are intersex who also define themselves as queer or LGBTQ+. 

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The guide below gives an idea as to how you can frame your questions, so it is clear to an audience. We aim for simple and clear language and transparency so all people can engage with a session.

Image by Norbu GYACHUNG

Start your submission

Use the application button to start your application to our call for papers. If you have any questions please contact us. The deadline to submit is Friday 4th April 2025 at midnight UK time. This deadline may be extended if needed.

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