Doctor (Honoris Causa) Liam Hackett MBE, FRSA | |
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.png) A headshot of Dr Liam Hackett MBE in 2023 | |
| Born | 19 January 1991 St Helens, UK |
| 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]
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Main article: Ditch the Label |
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]