Our strategy: In courage and unity, is hope

Our vision is of a world where everyone, everywhere, has equal rights.

We will work until every person who is Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer + is living free from discrimination, prejudice and inequality, making our shared future safer, fairer and more prosperous.

Overview

Stonewall was founded in 1989. It was envisaged with courage, unity and hope, established as an advocacy organisation that would complement the work of other movements campaigning for equal rights.

Originally, in 1989, Stonewall’s goal was the repeal of Section 28. It subsequently created a legislative and policy agenda that was extremely successful and changed the landscape for LGB (and later, T) people and those who support them in the UK.

Legislative successes have meant that LGBTQ+ people can now, amongst other things, expect to see themselves reflected in school sex and relationships education, get married; serve in the military; access fertility treatment and adopt, as well as be protected from discrimination under the law.

Our strategic objectives: 2025-2028

Provide leadership to navigate turbulence for LGBTQ+ issues and; work in coalition to protect and improve LGBTQ+ rights across the four UK nations and beyond.
Shape a policy and legislative agenda, through working in partnerships, that is focused on improving LGBTQ+ lives day in, day out using data and evidence.
Support the development of safe and inclusive places where everyone can play and succeed throughout their lives.

Navigating turbulence

We will provide leadership to navigate turbulence and; work in coalition to protect and improve LGBTQ+ rights across the UK nations and beyond.

Times have always been turbulent for the LGBTQ+ community; and many different strategies have been adapted to navigate them. Globally, we are in the midst of a cultural backlash and moral panic. It is a time of regressive laws, curtailing freedoms and the rise of populist movements. We are reminded yet again that hard won rights are not always secure. We are undoubtedly in another period of turbulence.

We will:

Forge and strengthen coalitions: actively engage in building dynamic coalitions within the global LGBTQ+ movement and with partners in the public and private sector, civil society and parliamentarians to stand firm in the face of regressive policies and actions that impact LGBTQ+ people and other marginalised communities.
Empower through education and support: Convene, develop and support impactful programmes that educate, empower and inspire individuals, organisations and leaders to advocate for equal LGBTQ+ rights.
Use data, evidence and real-life stories as the foundation for advocacy: creating compelling narratives to highlight the urgent need for equality and justice for our diverse LGBTQ+ communities.

During the darkest days, we buried our friends in the morning, we protested in the afternoon and we danced all night. The dance kept us in the fight because it was the dance we were fighting for. It didn’t look like we were going to win then and we did. It doesn’t feel like we are going to win now, but we could. Keep fighting, keep dancing.
Dan Savage, 2024

Shaping policy

We will shape a policy and legislative agenda, through working in partnerships, that is focused on improving LGBTQ+ lives day in, day out using data and evidence.

Sustainable and long-term change is created through a mix of societal change and legislative action; and cannot be achieved alone. Over the decades, Stonewall has equipped politicians with the reasons to deliver change, even when they didn’t instinctively see the need. We will seek common ground and consensus. Together we must educate, motivate, and inspire lawmakers to support equality, and continue shaping the legislative and policy to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people.

We will:

Improve the laws and policies which impact on LGBTQ+ people by using data and evidence to support parliamentarians and lawmakers to introduce, champion and drive effective legislation which enhance the lives of LGBTQ+ people.
Undertake research with partners to inform our priorities and elevate the voices and needs of all members of our vibrant communities.
Convene and mobilise, working with others across civil society, the public sector and business communities to effectively advocate for equality and LGBTQ+ rights with policymakers and legislators.

You never completely have your rights, one person, until you all have your rights
Marsha P. Johnson

Inclusive places

We will support the development of safe and inclusive places where everyone can work, play and succeed throughout their lives.

LGBTQ+ people are in the same places as everybody else. Together we need to ensure that they are equally safe, protected and heard. Our programmatic and campaigning work - with businesses, organisations, institutions and; public and cultural bodies - is driven by the knowledge that all LGBTQ+ people deserve to live, work and play in environments where they can succeed.

We will:

Design data and evidence led programs that help create inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ people and support workplaces who want to create high performing and inclusive cultures that attract, retain and develop LGBTQ+ people.
Implement creative campaigns designed to create safer and more equitable environments for LGBTQ+ people through enhancing public awareness and support.
Forge strategic collaborations with organisations, institutions and partners to design and advocate inclusive policy change using data, evidence and research.