YOUNG people from Tameside are being encouraged to attend an award-winning summit in Manchester next year as new research highlights the bullying and discrimination many face.
The Queer Youth Summit 2027, organised by Manchester-based LGBTQ+ youth charity The Proud Trust, will bring young people together on Friday, February 12, to celebrate their identities, share experiences and help shape a new Queer Youth Manifesto.
And schools, colleges, youth groups and community organisations from across the borough are being invited to attend the event, which will provide a platform for young people to discuss the challenges they face and the changes they want to see in schools, communities and wider society.
The summit comes amid concerning research into the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people across the UK.
Figures from Just Like Us found 43 per cent of LGBTQ+ pupils had experienced bullying because of who they are, while The Trevor Project found 58 per cent of young people surveyed had seriously considered suicide.
Research published by Theirworld in 2025 also found that almost a quarter (24.8 per cent) of LGBTQ+ young people may not complete secondary school, compared with 12.1 per cent of the wider population.
The Proud Trust has also reported a 171 per cent increase in referrals following the Supreme Court ruling in April 2025 on the legal definition of a woman under the Equality Act.
The charity said the summit will build on its national #DeserveBetter campaign, giving young people the opportunity to influence its future priorities through the creation of a Queer Youth Manifesto.
The manifesto will help ensure the voices of LGBTQ+ young people are heard and provide a way for them to hold the charity accountable to the communities it supports.
While the event will address serious issues including bullying, discrimination and mental health, it will also focus on friendship, belonging and celebrating queer identities.
For young people who may feel isolated at school or struggle to find others who understand their experiences, the summit will provide an opportunity to meet others, build friendships and feel part of a supportive community.
Liam Swanston, director of development and partnerships at The Proud Trust, said: “The Queer Youth Summit is about giving LGBTQ+ young people something they don’t always get enough of, the chance to be heard, to feel genuinely understood and to know that they belong.
“We want every young person who walks through the door to feel proud of who they are, to make connections with others and to leave knowing that their experiences and opinions matter.
“We hear so much debate about LGBTQ+ young people, their rights and what their futures should look like, but we don’t hear nearly enough from the young people themselves.
“Through this summit and the Queer Youth Manifesto, we want to change that by listening to what they need, understanding what matters most to them and making sure their voices genuinely influence the work we do.”
The event will take place from 9.30am to 3.30pm at a central Manchester venue, with the exact location shared with groups once booked.
Tables cost £100 plus VAT for up to 10 people, including accompanying staff, with lunch and refreshments provided.
Schools, colleges and community youth groups are encouraged to book before midday on Friday, December 18.
For more information and to book places, visit The Proud Trust website or the Eventbrite booking page.