About Tony
Tony has spent over 25 years leading on reducing inequality and celebrating diversity, alongside writing, painting, teaching and talking. Below is a brief biography and celebration of some of the wonderful projects he has worked on.
No. 36 on the Wales 2025 Pinc List. Top 50 most influencial LGBTQIA+ people in Wales.
2022 Lifetime acheivement award from the Wales Diveristy & Inclusion Awards
One of Tony's first projects was being brought into advise and troubleshoot accessibility and foster diversity at the London 2012 Olympics.
Working as a part of the thinking tank and development advisors for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Tony's views on reducing inequality were essential to developing Goals, 5 & 10.
Away from writing, painting or working, Tony's 'mindful space' is birdwatching. He is a member of the RSPB, Gwent Ornithology Society and a Patron of Songbird Survival UK
For 20 years now Tony has volunteers with organisations which focus on youth development and engagement with the outdoors. Volunteering directly with the 38th & 40th Strood Sea Scouts for many years he has also visited similar charities worldwide.
About Tony Malone
Dr. Tony Malone — also known by his Buddhist Dharma name, Rinpoche Tenzin La, or simply Tony — welcomes being addressed by whichever name or title others feel most comfortable using. His pronouns are he/him. For those unfamiliar, a Dharma name is a spiritual name given by a Buddhist teacher, signifying one’s identity and path within the Buddhist tradition.
With over 25 years of experience working to reduce global inequalities, Tony has collaborated with both international organisations and grassroots groups to challenge and reshape perspectives on diversity and inclusion. Central to his approach is what he terms "the miracle of intersectionality" — a call to see individuals in the full richness of their identities and lived experiences.
An internationally recognised LGBTQIA+ activist, Tony is known for his tireless advocacy for intersectional LGBTQ+ rights. His personal journey has been marked by resilience; after surviving an abusive relationship, he spent nearly four years homeless — living in cars, on boats, and couch-surfing. Despite the hardship, this period became one of his most creative and impactful, as he dedicated himself to volunteering, writing, and helping others.
His efforts were honoured with the "In the Service to Peace" award from the UN Commission for Human Rights, recognising his work with child refugees and his role in organising the first Pride event in a refugee camp.
In 2022, Tony received the Wales Diversity & Inclusion Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award for his advocacy with LGBTQ+ youth and the lives he has helped save in conflict zones. In 2025, he was named No. 36 on the Wales Pinc List, recognising the most influential LGBTQIA+ people in Wales.
Tony currently serves part-time as the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Lead for the MSSC, where he is driving inclusive cultural change within the charity and supporting the Royal Navy and maritime sector. He is also the interim CEO of the World Diversity Group, a global commercial network of over 300 consultants, trainers, and advisors across 36 countries, delivering strategic change in equity, diversity, inclusion, and human rights.
In addition, Tony volunteers as the Chair of the Institute of Government and Public Policy’s conferences on Neurodiversity, Diversity & Inclusion, the youth sector, and LGBTQ+ issues.
Books, Poetry & Writing
Tony has always been passionate about reading, writing, and exploring the mechanisms that make both possible — all while navigating life with dyslexia. Though he struggled academically in English and Maths, he credits the encouragement of great teachers for nurturing his love of language and storytelling.
His debut book, Colour Theory, was a limited-run collection of poetry exploring how colour evokes emotional intelligence. It sold out all 2,000 copies within 24 hours of release. His poetry celebrates not only the planet but also the importance of friendship and compassion for all life. As the founder of LGBT+ History Month once remarked: “Tony’s books teach us to reflect on the beauty around us and be better humans for it.”
Tony has also written horror stories for young adults and was a contributor and art director for the Penny Dreadful horror series. In addition, he has penned regular arts and environmental columns for various UK newspapers.
His most impactful nonfiction work, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: The Practical Guide, launched in 2015, quickly became a global bestseller. Now in its third edition, 2022 and sold in 14 countries, it has reached over 175,000 readers worldwide. A fourth edition is currently in development.
Tony continues to write widely for international media on topics spanning equity, climate, and human rights. He is also in demand as a motivational speaker, delivering talks at workplaces, schools, and international events — including after-dinner engagements.
One of his most beloved projects is Poetry by Typewriter — spontaneous, personal poetry written on-the-spot using vintage typewriters. A collection of these works will be published as The Lilac Tree in 2023.
Human Rights, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Tony was once described by the UN Commissioner for Human Rights as a “Proud Troublemaker leading young people to Peace” — a title he earned while pressing for greater clarity and compassion in policies affecting young LGBTQIA+ people. That spirit of peaceful resistance and strategic advocacy has defined his work ever since.
Since his first peaceful protest against racism and homophobia alongside Peter Tachell and Sue Sanders in 2001, Tony has continued to be both a passionate advocate and a skilled consultant in the pursuit of equity, inclusion, and social justice.
He was a part of the founding committee of LGBT+ History Month alongside Sue Sanders, Paul Patrick and Nicolas Chinardet in the early 200s.
He currently serves as the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Lead for the Sea Cadets, and heas been in trustee director roles with the Paralympic Legacy Arts Charity Together! 2012 and #WeAreAllDisabled. In addition, he advises numerous campaign groups and charities worldwide, working toward inclusive and peaceful social change.
Tony’s influence has reached policy levels internationally — he has directly contributed to the drafting of legislation in the UK, US, and Europe that strengthens protections against discrimination and promotes inclusion. He is also a former UN Human Rights Advocate for the rights of youth refugees, bringing lived experience and expert knowledge to global platforms.
A sought-after public speaker, TV and radio commentator, and independent chair for conferences and panels, Tony frequently leads local and national policy discussions on human rights, equality, and legislative reform. He is particularly active with the UK Institute of Government and Public Policy, where he chairs forums on inclusive policy-making.
Arts
Tony’s lifelong love of the arts began in the 1980s, sketching alongside his grandfather — an early creative bond that shaped the rest of his artistic journey. This passion led to formal studies in Fine Art and Visual Communication, where he found his distinctive voice in watercolour painting and linocut printmaking while training at the Kent Institute of Art & Design.
He later completed a Master’s degree in Typography and a PhD focused on the accessibility of typed words and information design, blending his artistic and academic interests into a multidisciplinary creative practice.
While he is best known for his watercolour and lino-print works, Tony is also a passionate practitioner and student of traditional, contemporary, and ancient knitting techniques — a hobby that connects him to cultural heritage and mindfulness. His approach to knitting, like much of his art, reflects his deep commitment to storytelling, inclusion, and slow, intentional creation.
Tony’s artwork is occasionally represented by Saatchi, and his career in publishing design has seen him work as a designer and art director on numerous award-winning book projects. His designs reflect a sharp eye for visual narrative and accessibility.
Alongside his professional work, Tony remains dedicated to supporting creativity in others. He regularly leads workshops across visual arts, creative writing, and performing arts, and serves as a trustee for several arts and inclusion-focused organisations — continuing to make the arts a space for healing, expression, and collective joy.
Buddhism, Chaplaincy & Interfaith inclusion
Tony’s Buddhist path began under the guidance of his friend and teacher, Lama Tai-yun Gyatso, whose teachings introduced him to the profound intersection of Buddhist philosophy, compassion, and peace dialogue. This foundation led Tony to further academic exploration, culminating in a second PhD in Buddhist Interfaith Studies from the University of Mumbai in 2007.
As an ordained Buddhist non-monastic, Tony holds the title of ChaJin Master — meaning “teacher of tea masters” — a spiritual and cultural designation rooted in Zen and Chan traditions of ceremonial tea. His practice is an active expression of contemplative leadership, interfaith dialogue, and everyday peacebuilding.
Tony integrates his Buddhist values into his work across human rights, education, and advocacy. He serves as an advisor to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on matters of human rights and DEI, and is the volunteer director of the Upeksa Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching Buddhist and interfaith peace through traditional tea ceremonies.
Through the Upeksa Foundation and his personal practice, Tony performs Buddhist tea ceremonies for young people, particularly within Scouting and Guiding communities around the world. These ceremonies are not only meditative rituals, but also tools for youth engagement, intercultural education, and peaceful reflection.
Whether in chaplaincy, teaching, or silent service, Tony’s Buddhist work is deeply interwoven with his commitments to empathy, dignity, and global compassion.
Volunteering & Community Leadership
Tony’s commitment to service extends far beyond his professional and artistic work. As a dedicated volunteer and community leader, he actively supports a wide range of organisations committed to equity, arts access, environmental protection, disability rights, and youth empowerment.
He is a patron of LGBT+ History Month UK and serves as a national trustee for Regard, a leading UK disability rights charity run by and for LGBTQIA+ disabled people. He is also a citizens’ assembly member and a proud ambassador for the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, advocating for sustainable, inclusive access to nature and heritage.
Tony has a long history of volunteering with Scouting, contributing to local, national, and international events. He currently serves as the volunteer Diversity & Inclusion Consultant for WorldScouting, helping shape global inclusivity strategies for one of the world’s largest youth movements. He is also an ambassador for ShelterBox, supporting international disaster relief efforts through education and advocacy.
As a passionate advocate for wildlife and conservation, Tony supports the work of RSPB and Songbird Survival, helping raise awareness of biodiversity loss and environmental wellbeing.
He also gives has given his time as a former trustee of two National Portfolio Arts Organisations:
Together! 2012 – a Paralympic legacy charity led by disabled artists, empowering disabled people through creative expression and cultural participation
Cheshire Dance – a community-focused organisation that uses dance to bring people from all backgrounds into shared artistic and physical expression
Tony’s approach to volunteering is rooted in compassion, inclusion, and active citizenship, offering not just his expertise, but also his time and heart in service of a more connected and creative world.
Youth Rights & Global Activism
Tony has spent over two decades championing the rights, voices, and wellbeing of young people across the world — especially those affected by war, displacement, and human rights abuses. His work spans frontline peacebuilding, education, mentorship, and international advocacy, always rooted in the belief that intergenerational collaboration is essential to creating a more just and joyful future.
As EDI Lead for the Sea Cadets and an active Scout volunteer, Tony has helped shape inclusive youth engagement programs across local, national, and global platforms. He is a passionate speaker on the need for intergenerational problem-solving, and he regularly encourages young people to step into leadership with courage, creativity, and compassion.
Tony’s youth-focused work includes:
10,067 Buddhist Tea Ceremonies & Interfaith Discussions with young people worldwide
Over three years’ worth of time (in hours) donated to youth charities — and growing
More than 400 school visits, delivering workshops, talks, and poetry
7 appearances at the UN General Assembly as a Youth Rights Advocate
Countless hours spent volunteering with young people living in war and conflict zones, including those whose human rights have been stripped or violated
Recognition from the United Nations, receiving the Service to Peace Award for his work with child refugees and LGBTQ+ youth in conflict
A personal peace award from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama for his advocacy for young people
And most importantly: smiles, friendships, and inspired activism that lives on through the people he’s worked with
Tony’s work with young people is not just about protection — it's about empowerment. He believes in helping young people reclaim their agency, amplify their stories, and lead change in their own communities and beyond.