As many of you now know, I identify as non-binary. I'm lucky enough to have supportive and open minded friends and family. This isn't the case for so many others.

For a long time, I didn't discuss my identity. Not through shame, but through fear of not being understood. Even a few years ago, the common language we use now to discuss gender identity simply wasn't recognised outside of the LGBTQ+ community. The nuance was hard to express, so I didn't bother, settling for inaccurate labels and accepting gender terminology that felt wrong to me.

The work of Stonewall to improve awareness and LGBTQ+ rights has played a large part in the growing acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, and the improving conversation around our identities.

But there's still work to be done. See below for the info from Stonewall:

Over the last 30 years, Stonewall has helped create transformative change in the lives of LGBTQ+ people across communities in the UK. It has travelled a path from a world where LGBTQ+ relationships were criminalised to one where LGBTQ+ people have equal rights to love, marry or have children.

But more change is desperately needed for LGBTQ+ people. Because in every community in the UK, and around the world, LGBTQ+ people are still being abused, thrown out of their homes, and bullied in schools and workplaces. The institutions that should be protective governments, communities, faith institutions and families too often stand silent, or actively harm LGBTQ+ people.

This event is to help raise awareness for Stonewall's amazing work and will help them fund important projects to ensure a world where all LGBTQ+ people are free to be themselves and can live their lives to the full.