Five new patrons have been recruited by LGBTQ+ human rights charity the Kaleidoscope Trust to amplify its work across the Commonwealth.
Since being founded in 2011, the charity has worked tirelessly to advance equality globally by assisting in the addition of protective laws and policies for queer people.
It has also fought for the repeal of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that exists in more than half of the countries in the Commonwealth.
“The fact of the matter is: Britain must take responsibility for its anti-LGBT+ colonial legacy, and Kaleidoscope Trust is committed to ensuring that our LGBT+ siblings across the Commonwealth are meaningfully supported in living with the freedom, safety, equality and rights they are entitled to,” said Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, the executive director of the Kaleidoscope Trust.
Now, Munroe Bergdorf, Michael Gunning, Kyle De’Volle, Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black will work to raise awareness and funds for this important work.
Discussing his appointment, Michael said: “Kaleidoscope Trust does immensely impactful work, in collaboration with grassroots activists and civil society organisations across the Commonwealth, to ensure a free, safe and equal world for LGBT+ people.
“Visibility and representation are so important and I am honoured they asked me to use my platform and lived experience to raise awareness about the ongoing discrimination LGBT+ people are facing across the Commonwealth.”
Tom has been praised for highlighting the homophobia that exists in the Commonwealth in his recent documentary, Illegal to Be Me.
The 28-year-old travelled to countries such as Jamaica and Pakistan to meet with athletes affected by anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and has put a spotlight on the issues at hand.
“Kaleidoscope Trust has led and coordinated immense and important work over the past decade and the team at the charity continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to upholding the human rights of LGBT+ people across the Commonwealth,” explained Tom and Dustin. “We are honoured to join Kaleidoscope Trust, particularly in light of the ongoing threats to LGBT+ people in the UK and around the world.”
LGBT+ people in many Commonwealth countries are targeted by discriminatory laws, rarely enjoy legal protection against discrimination, and experience barriers in expressing themselves and organising collectively.
Read our report here –>https://t.co/zVaFSN7Szk pic.twitter.com/Nb6qU83SkI
— Kaleidoscope Trust (@Kaleidoscope_T) August 1, 2022
The patrons join at a time when LGBTQ+ people face new challenges and sustained threats to their rights all over the world.
Explaining why her involvement with the charity is so important, Munroe said: “It should be clear to one and all within the LGBT+ communities that all of our rights are under threat. As ever, we need civil society organisations, people of goodwill and members of the public to fight hard to ensure no LGBT+ person is left behind.”
They will each have a particular focus on shining a light on communities that many may be less aware of.
“I was really shocked when I read the reports from Kaleidoscope Trust about just how dire the situation is for LGBT+ people across the Commonwealth and think it’s unacceptable that more of us don’t know – and therefore can’t help,” Kyle added. “It’s an honour to join Kaleidoscope Trust as a Patron. Self-expression and the freedom to live as who we are, and loving who we love, are human rights that absolutely all of us are entitled to.”
You can learn more about the Kaleidoscope Trust by clicking here.
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