In alphabetical order
This category is for a charity or community initiative that has changed or continues to change the lives of LGBT+ people.
akt
Akt supports LGBT+ young people aged 16-25 in the UK who are facing or experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile environment. They support young people into safe homes and employment, education or training, in a welcoming and open environment that celebrates LGBTQ+ identities. Akt helps young people stay safe in a crisis, find emergency accommodation, access specialist support, develop skills and identify and achieve life goals. They do this by providing access to advice from housing specialists, offering connection to a mentor, access to an emergency support pack or tenancy starter pack. There could also be accommodation with a specially trained akt host, a place to stay in its Purple Door accommodation service, a safe place with one of its many housing provider partners and access to life skills training, events and peer support networks.
Black Trans Foundation
They are a grassroots organisation that provides free therapy to Black trans and non-binary people in the UK. BTF formed in November 2020 in response to the dire effect that the pandemic was having on their communities and in less than a year have provided 4-6 months of free therapy to more than 50 people. They are a small team of three who want to build a world where Black trans and non-binary people have the same access to healthcare and opportunities as their non-marginalised counterparts.
Chester Pride
This org celebrates, supports and advocates for the LGBT+ community of Cheshire and North Wales. They plan the annual Chester Pride festival and run several support projects throughout the year. Their flagship projects include the Just Ask LGBT+ helpline, hosting several social support groups, distributing free condoms and menstrual products, as well as conducting training and consultancy work to develop LGBT+ inclusion within other organisations and businesses in their region. Chester Pride are expanding in 2022 by opening their own cafe and community centre, establishing their own LGBT+ community garden and launching the Proud at Work LGBT+ business network.
gaysians
This is the UK-based global movement that enables LGBT+ South Asians to thrive. Since 2017, its volunteer-run platform, events, content, work in the media, partnerships, campaigns and lobbying for legislation change have helped provide safety, positive visibility and a united voice for its community. They work with a network of 25 organisations to provide housing, mental health support, sexual health support and safe spaces for people spanning every faith, gender and sexuality within the South Asian LGBT+ spectrum. For more information, please visit gaysians.org
Gendered Intelligence
GI is a registered charity that provides support and education around gender across the UK. They are a trans-led, trans-inclusive grassroots organisation that uses its lived experience and community knowledge to offer youth work, training and consultancy that are second to none. They believe in creating open and non-judgemental spaces for discussion so that everybody can explore their identities and learn about the diverse range of gender expressions and identities that make up the world. GI also believes that everybody can be intelligent about gender!
Hidayah LGBT+
Hidayah’s mission is to provide support and welfare for LGBT+ Muslims and promote social justice and education about the community in order to counter discrimination, prejudice and injustice. They do this through holding monthly meetups in cities across the UK. Hidayah has been running a mentor program called “Walk With Me” since March 2020, which provides invaluable advice and guidance to members that require it. They have also worked with universities and companies to deliver educational workshops, talks and conferences about our community. The organisation aspires to create a society free from discrimination and promote the voices of LGBT+ Muslims in the UK and around the world.
LGBT Foundation
The LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities. With a history dating back to 1975, they campaign for a fair and equal society where all LGBT+ people can achieve their full potential. Through their services they reduce isolation amongst communities, help people feel more confident and in control of their lives and enable them to flourish. Together with LGBT+ communities and their supporters, the LGBT Foundation are working to secure a safe, healthy and equal future for all LGBT+ people.
Out and Proud African LGBTI (OPAL)
In 2013, Abbey Kiwanuka founded OPAL (Out & Proud African LGBTI), a registered charity active in the UK, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark. They build on the unparalleled diversity of Africa to create an inclusive, safe space where everyone may express who s/he is, whatever their gender and age. OPAL builds a bridge to break the hardship of isolation engendered by Covid, HIV and the mental health of survivors of homophobic violence. They help to prepare members for fulfilled lives as refugees and are often the first contact encouraging LGBT+ people arriving in the UK to support themselves through the hardship of asylum to create new lives.
Stonewall
At Stonewall, they imagine a world where LGBT+ people everywhere can live their lives to the full. Founded in London in 1989, they now work in each nation of the UK and have established partnerships across the globe. Over the last 30 years, they have created transformative change in the lives of LGBT+ people in the UK, helping win equal rights around marriage, having children and inclusive education. Their campaigns drive positive change for our communities, and sustained change and empowerment programmes ensure that LGBT+ people can thrive throughout their lives. Stonewall makes sure that the world hears and learns from our communities and their work is grounded in evidence and expertise.
Trans in the City
Trans in the City is an open collaboration between global organisations, corporates and companies to further foster inclusion of transgender, non-binary and gender diversity in business. They understand that businesses, and society, are on a journey and there is always room for improvement. TITC provides a safe space to discuss how to improve practices and policies, offering a judgement-free environment to help improve trans awareness. Through their work they aim to educate people on what trans actually is, demonstrate the benefits of having a more diverse organisation and celebrate the incredible people who are already helping make this happen.