Doctor (Honoris Causa) Liam Hackett MBE , FRSA | |
---|---|
Born | St Helens, England, UK | 19 January 1991
Nationality | British |
Citizenship | United Kingdom |
Alma mater | University of Sussex |
Occupation(s) | Activist, Entrepreneur, Author |
Years active | 2012–present |
Agent | Northbank Talent |
Known for | Founder and CEO of Ditch the Label |
Notable work | 'FEARLESS' (2020) |
Honours | Order of the British Empire, Doctorate of the University (University of Sussex), Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts |
Website | www.DitchtheLabel.org |
Liam Hackett MBE (born 19 January 1991, in St Helens) is an activist, entrepreneur and author best known as the founder and CEO of the global youth charity Ditch the Label. Hackett is also known as one of the stars of Huffington Post's reality series, 'The New Activists' [1] [2] also appearing in MTV's Geordie OG's series one. [3]
Hackett's debut book 'FEARLESS' was published by Scholastic in 2020. [4] [5]
Hackett is a regular contributor towards the global conversation surrounding technology and bullying and has advised the British, European and American Governments [6] [7] [8] and speaks often at the United Nations [9] [10] [11] in addition to writing for the United Nations about technological progression and challenges. [12]
In 2017 he became the youngest person to receive an honorary degree from the University of Sussex. [13]
Hackett grew up in St Helens, United Kingdom and experienced both physical and emotional bullying at school. In the last few years at his secondary school, he was physically assaulted outside of school, causing him to be hospitalised. Hackett has said in some interviews that the bullying he experienced was homophobic. [14]
Hackett first came out as bisexual and, in his college years, he came out as gay. [15] After college Hackett moved to Brighton to study business and management at the University of Sussex. [16] [17] [18]
In 2006, Hackett launched a Myspace profile to host conversations that were taking place following his and others' experiences with bullying and physical assault, naming it ‘Ditch the Label’. [19] He received a grant from the St. Helens Chamber of Commerce to develop a dedicated Ditch the Label website to provide help and support to the victims of bullying. In 2012, he graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in business and management; he registered Ditch the Label as a legal entity and began to formally develop the organisation, funding it with his own money. [20]
In March 2014, Ditch the Label was officially recognised and registered as a charity in the UK. In 2016, Ditch the Label announced their international expansion into the United States as "Ditch the Label". Shortly after, Ditch the Label gained 501(c)(3) status in the US and then opened their office in Los Angeles. [21] Hackett splits his time between both offices.
In 2023, Ditch the Label launched as 'Quítate las Etiquetas [22] ' across Espańol communities.
In 2019, Hackett publicly called out Brighton Pride for their alleged discrimination against pride-goers with a disability after his relatives were confined to a 'disability tent' with no view of the stage. A backlash ensued with thousands turning to Twitter, with many sharing their own experiences and some calling for a complete boycott. [23] [24]
Brighton College is an independent, co-educational boarding and day public school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18 in Brighton, England. The school has three sites: Brighton College, Brighton College Preparatory School and the Pre-Prep School.
The rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have developed significantly over time. Today, lesbian, gay, and bisexual rights are considered to be advanced by international standards.
Reading Pride is an annual LGBT+ event held in Reading, Berkshire, England, that serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities of Reading and the Thames Valley.
Educational Action Challenging Homophobia (EACH) is a charity based in the United Kingdom which "affirms the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people and reduces discrimination experienced because of sexual orientation or gender identity." Since 2003, EACH has delivered training and consultancy services on sexuality and gender identity matters across the statutory, voluntary and private sectors. It also provides support to those affected by homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying through its nationwide, freephone helpline.
Brighton and Hove Pride is an annual LGBT pride event held in the city of Brighton and Hove, England, organised by Brighton Pride, a community interest company (CIC) who promote equality and diversity, and advance education to eliminate discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) community.
The LGBT community of Brighton and Hove is one of the largest in the United Kingdom. Brighton, a seaside resort on the south coast of England, has been described in some media as a "gay capital" of the UK, with records pertaining to LGBT history dating back to the early 19th century.
The rainbow flag or pride flag is a symbol of LGBT pride and LGBT social movements. The colors reflect the diversity of the LGBT community and the spectrum of human sexuality and gender. Using a rainbow flag as a symbol of LGBT pride began in San Francisco, California, but eventually became common at LGBT rights events worldwide.
LGBT pride is the promotion of the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people as a social group. Pride, as opposed to shame and social stigma, is the predominant outlook that bolsters most LGBT rights movements. Pride has lent its name to LGBT-themed organizations, institutes, foundations, book titles, periodicals, a cable TV channel, and the Pride Library.
Pride in Liverpool, is an annual festival of LGBT culture which takes place across various locations in Liverpool City Centre including the gay quarter. Audience numbers reach up to 75,000 people, making it one of the largest free Gay Pride festivals in Europe.
Ditch the Label is a global youth charity, dedicated to helping young people through a range of issues such as mental wellbeing, bullying, identity, relationships and digital literacy.
Phyllis Akua Opoku-Gyimah, also known as Lady Phyll, is a British political activist known for her work for racial, gender and LGBT+ equality. She is Co-Founder and Chief Executive of UK Black Pride and former executive director of Kaleidoscope Trust.
The Cybersmile Foundation is an international nonprofit organization committed to tackling all forms of cyberbullying and digital abuse. They promote kindness, diversity, and inclusion through professional support services, education programs, awareness campaigns and corporate partnerships.
The LGBT community in London is one of the largest within Europe. LGBT culture of London, England, is centred on Old Compton Street in Soho. There are also LGBT pubs and restaurants across London in Haggerston, Dalston and Vauxhall.
Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) is a charity and which has a stated aim of addressing prejudice and bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people with education in Scotland’s schools. The charity is overseen by a Board, chaired by Rhiannon Spear and Tiffany Kane, and delivers services in schools across Scotland.
Calum McSwiggan is an author, content creator and radio presenter. McSwiggan writes and creates digital content on LGBT+ issues. He began creating online content in 2013 and published his first book in 2020.
Scott McGlynn is a Welsh actor, author, talk show host, LGBT activist and digital influencer based in Cardiff, Wales. He is the creator of The Scott McGlynn Show, a podcast centred around celebrity gossip and interviews from the LGBTQ+ community. McGlynn was listed on the Pride Power List for four years continuously from 2016 to 2019.
Fox Fisher is an English artist, filmmaker, author and trans campaigner.
Mel Sanson is an English singer-songwriter most notable for performing lead vocals and guitar with rock band Kenelis and Murder Ballad duet "White Lillies" with Fairuza Balk.
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