Dean Eastmond: Life of writer and LGBT campaigner to be celebrated in London after his death from cancer
Journalist who brought attention to injustices faced by LGBT+ community will be remembered by family, friends, and his favourite artists
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Your support makes all the difference.Years & Years, Will Joseph Cook and Sink The Pink are taking part in a celebration of the life of Dean Eastmond, a journalist and LGBT campaigner who died from cancer aged 21 in September.
The editor and founder of HISKIND, who wrote several articles for The Independent on a wide range of issues, documented his battle with rare cancer Ewing's Sarcoma - which affects bone and soft tissue - in a series of open and frank articles, interviews, videos and social media posts.
Following his diagnosis, Dean wrote on HISKIND: "I was diagnosed with soft tissue cancer in my rib after getting myself an Uber to the closest A&E thinking I had a broken rib after a large lump the size of a grapefruit appeared on the right hand side of my chest."
His website's mission was to make LBBT+ content available to the mainstream. Following his diagnosis, he used the platform to raise awareness of injustices faced by the LGBT+ community and affect change.
When he decided he wanted to use the sperm bank at his local hospital following the news that the cancer treatment would make him infertile, he was told that because of his sexuality, his boyfriend Adam would not be able to use the sample in the event of his death.
Dean worked to change this and won an apology from the Human Fertilsation and Embryology Authority. The process for same-sex couples wanting to preserve sperm samples has now been moved in line with the process for heterosexuals.
After he revealed his diagnosis, the British writer was inundated by messages of support in the final months of his life, with celebrities and figures in the entertainment world sending him special video messages expressing their admiration for his work.
HISKIND presents DEAN will be held on 20 September at Oval Space in London from 7pm until late and capture "everything Dean stood for and was passionate about, from live bands, vogue dancers, spoken word, drag, live artists and live catwalk/models".
Some of his favourite performers will take part, including Years & Years, Sink The Pink, and a DJ set from Will Joseph Cook.
It will be mostly attended by his family, friends and supporters, with a limited number of tickets made available to the general public via an online ballot.
Those who are unable to attend the event can watch a livestream via the HISKIND Facebook page. All money raised will be donated to Dean's family and his selected charities.
Anyone wishing to support the event can contact josh@hiskind.com - for tickets please contact frazer@hiskind.com
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