Linda Riley, publisher of Diva magazine and Outnews Global, Founder of the European Diversity awards and diversity campaigner, is unveiled today as a new patron of the award-winning anti-bullying charity, Diversity Role Models (“DRM”).
In her first act as patron, Linda is organising a gala dinner in support of DRM, to be held on 11 November 2016 at The Rosewood Hotel, London. The evening will be hosted by popular broadcaster and fellow DRM Patron, Clare Balding.
Linda joins sixteen other patrons – including Paralympic athlete, Claire Harvey; actors, Charlie Condou and Rebecca Root; rugby player, Gareth Thomas; and singer, Alison Moyet – in taking a bold stand to stamp out homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying by educating school children of all ages about diversity.
Chief Executive and founder of Diversity Role Models, Suran Dickson, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Linda Riley as a patron of Diversity Role Models. Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender students are three times more likely than other children to attempt suicide and one in six has received death threats. Linda’s support of Diversity Role Models has been ongoing since 2011 but she plans to kick off her patronage by organising the Gala dinner on 11th November. The funds raised will be invaluable in helping us change attitudes and – ultimately – eradicate homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.”
Linda Riley said: “I am delighted to have been appointed a Patron of this charity and will do my utmost to help continue its growth – bullying in schools has a lifelong effect on many of us. As a same-sex co-parent, I am especially aware that children can be singled out because they’re perceived to be different at precisely the time in their lives when they need support and reassurance. Diversity Role Models plays a vital part in delivering this essential change in attitude.”
Clare Balding added: “As a Diversity Role Models patron, it’s been heart-warming to see the growing impact of the anti-bullying workshops they deliver in schools across the UK. I am delighted to be hosting this gala dinner, the proceeds of which will go towards ensuring it will deliver its programme to as many young people as possible and work towards a world in which homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying is a thing of the past.”
Diversity Role Models (“DRM”) is an award-winning anti-bullying charity – using positive role models to deliver pioneering pro-diversity workshops in schools across the country to counter stigma and stereotypes based on sexuality and gender identity.
The charity was established in 2011 by a former teacher, Suran Dickson. In its first five years it has delivered workshops to over 45,000 children and young people and trained more than 2,500 school staff.
