Stonewall
Stonewall was founded in 1989 by a small group of women and men who had been active in the struggle against Section 28 of the Local Government Act.
Section 28 was an offensive piece of legislation designed to prevent the so-called 'promotion' of homosexuality in schools; as well as stigmatising gay people it also galvanised the gay community.
The aim from the outset was to create a professional lobbying group that would prevent such attacks on lesbians, gay men and bisexuals from ever occurring again. Stonewall has subsequently put the case for equality on the mainstream political agenda by winning support within all the main political parties and now has offices in England, Scotland and Wales.
Stonewall is renowned for its campaigning and lobbying. Some major successes include helping achieve the equalisation of the age of consent, lifting the ban on lesbians and gay men serving in the military, securing legislation allowing same-sex couples to adopt and the repeal of Section 28. More recently Stonewall has helped secure civil partnerships and ensured the recent Equality Act protected lesbians and gay men in terms of goods and services.
Stonewall also works with a whole range of agencies to address the needs of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in the wider community. Our Diversity Champions programme offers advice and support to around 300 organisations including IBM, Barclays, Barnardos, DTI and the Royal Navy.
Stonewall's Education for All campaign, launched in January 2005, helps tackle homophobia and homophobic bullying in schools and works with a wide coalition of groups.
More recently Stonewall has formed partnerships with organisations outside Parliament to ensure the rights and needs of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals are addressed in the wider community.
Stonewall has also raised public awareness in terms of civil partnership, through our Get Hitched guide, and on the changes to the employment regulations relating to sexual orientation through guides for both employers and employees.
In addition Stonewall promotes new research, for example Tuned Out: the BBC's portrayal of lesbian and gay people and other research looking at homophobic bullying in schools, and has taken legal test cases that challenge inequality (e.g. on the age of consent and lesbians & gays in the armed forces).
Our offices in Scotland and Wales further our work across a range of activities and work alongside local projects to develop LGB communities. We have also advised the Scottish NHS through a major research project.
On 23 September 2003 we were granted charitable status (Charity Registration Number 1101255).
Alongside this expansion, our highly professional staff team has grown and is sustained by a committed band of dedicated volunteers and thousands of individuals the length and breadth of the UK.
Stonewall receives no public funding and raises all its money itself in a range of ways including donations, sponsorship, and fundraising events.
Click here to find out how you can help Stonewall.
Stonewall works to achieve equality and justice for lesbians, gay men and bisexual people.
We do this in a number of ways:
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Policy development
Carrying out research, publishing briefings and working with government, trade unions, business, NGOs and policy institutions to develop ideas and policy that remove discrimination and improve the lives of lesbians, gay men and bisexual people.
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Cultural and attitudinal change
Challenging the underlying cultural and attitudinal values that allow discrimination to flourish. Changing cultures and attitudes to positively value diversity.
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Lobbying for legal change
Campaigning to ensure that legislation is non-discriminatory and that the diversity and value of LGB life is appropriately recognised in our own laws.
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Providing information
Well-informed individuals and institutions are better able to recognise how rights and responsibilities should be exercised.
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Good practice design and advice
Working on a range of issues from homophobic bullying to employment practice and pension provision to disseminating and promoting good practice.
Our offices in Scotland and Wales (both north and south) ensure that our work is developed in ways that respond to local as well as national needs. Staff in these offices also work alongside local projects to develop LGB community infrastructures.
This demanding agenda is taken forward by a highly committed staff team, supported by a large, loyal and dedicated team of volunteers.
