I came out 32 years ago, and as anyone who had to come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in the 1980s will tell you, it was a gruelling rite of passage. Back in 1985 it was tough, people telling me to hide who I was, saying very hurtful things to me, fighting me in the street – but I decided to take a stand with my life being open and honest.

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I don’t run and hide from anything, so I kept at it and eventually society started to catch up. Breaking down barriers has been part of my life’s work and experience, and while the T in LGBT is still very much the younger child in the family, society has now come a long way.

I’ve fought all my life as a political and cultural activist for the things that I believe in: from street performing in Covent Garden to walking the streets of Wolverhampton, Darlington or Lancaster in girl mode, campaigning for Labour during the last general election, to taking the remain campaign to young people in my pink beret in towns and cities across the UK during the EU referendum.

It does not matter at all what sex or sexuality you are, how you self-identify, or who you fancy. What matters is what you do in life, what do you do to add to our human existence. And alongside my acting and comedy, I’ve tried to give a voice to those who don’t have one and to be an activist for the political party I believe has the best and strongest values, which will mean we can end poverty and move forward positively as a society and a country.

I stand up for my rights and other people’s rights to be who they want to be. Now I want to stand for Labour’s national executive committee so that I can break down barriers and make the Labour party more welcoming to groups who often feel isolated or excluded from taking part in the political process.

It does not matter what sex or sexuality you are, how you self-identify … What matters is what you do in life

I want to end the “politics as usual” mentality that sees people shut out.

I want all our members to feel welcome in the Labour party. Our meetings and events should be open to all members, particularly those who felt excluded from politics in the past. We need to tap into the diversity within our movement and do more to increase involvement from a range of groups that I don’t feel are represented enough in our party. That includes LGBT, disabled and minority ethnic people, as well as those who have suffered from mental health issues. Gender equality and increasing working-class participation is also vital.

Most importantly I want to do all I can to help Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour party take the fight to the Tories, building on our strong performance in the 2017 general election.

I’ve been an activist for Labour up and down the country, campaigning for Labour in more than 100 seats at the last four general elections. I’ve campaigned for Labour through thick and thin.

I am my own person, I am not standing for any faction. I am proud to be Labour and will always fight for a world that works for everyone.

We need a Labour party that builds on the energy of the past few years and harnesses it to create the tolerant, open movement that Britain, and the world, needs.

• Eddie Izzard is a comedian actor and writer