The UK government’s first-ever global conference on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights is to be hosted in London next year, as ministers race to fulfil pledges to the international 42-country Equal Rights Coalition. The “Safe To Be Me” event is expected to be the largest of its kind and will invite elected officials, activists and policymakers from across the world to participate over two days in June 2022, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the first official London Pride marches. Nick Herbert, who was the Conservative MP for Arundel and South Downs from 2005 to 2019 before being made a lord last year, has been announced as chair of the event and as the prime minister’s special envoy on LGBTQ+ rights.