As Pride month unfolds, LGBT+ Humanists and Central London Humanists bring together three leading voices to reflect on the state of LGBT+ equality, visibility and community in 2026. With growing challenges in some areas and important advances in others, what reasons do we have to celebrate, and what work remains to be done?

We are thrilled to bring together three visionary leaders to share their insights: Saba Ali (acclaimed equality, diversity, and inclusion consultant and Chair of the Ban Conversion Practices Coalition), Simon Blake OBE (Chief Executive of Stonewall), and Bobbi Pickard (Chief Executive of Trans in the City).

Join us for a series of short talks from our speakers, followed by an open Q&A where your voice can shape the conversation. Join us as we look beyond the celebration to build a more inclusive, rational, and compassionate future.

Our Speakers:

Saba Ali

Saba is a multi-award-winning advocate specialising in intersectionality, cultural abuse, and the experiences of marginalised communities. As a queer South Asian with lived trauma, she brings both insight and expertise to her work with institutions like the Metropolitan Police Service, focusing on Hate Crime, VAWG, and LGBT+ Black and Brown communities. 

Saba is Chair of the Ban Conversion Practices Coalition, serves as trustee for Building Bridges for Peace and DIVA Charitable Trust, is LGBTQIA+ Network Lead at the Royal Society of Arts, and part of the UK Black Pride team.

Simon Blake

Simon Blake OBE is CEO of the LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall. He has been a campaigner, writer, trainer, and activist for over 30 years, working with Stonewall on the early campaigns to repeal Section 28 and equalise the age of consent.

He is also a non-executive director of Mental Health First Aid International and the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. He is a dog lover and a keen grassroots equestrian eventer.

Bobbi Pickard

Bobbi is Chief Executive of Trans in the City, an organisation she founded and has transformed into a global organisation, collaborating with over 350 major organisations on furthering trans awareness across the world.

Bobbi is a Patron of FFLAG and of Swindon and Wiltshire Pride, a very proud golden champion of Stonewall Housing, a delegate for the UK United Nations Compact on Equality for Women, and a Diversity Role Model. 

Bobbi plays guitar and bass, and sings, enjoys painting, has two grown up children, a Cavapoo puppy and lives in Wiltshire.