Who we are

Advocating for LGBTQ+ rights

Over the last 35 years, we have helped create transformative change in the lives of LGBTQ+ people in the UK. Our work has driven positive change in public attitudes and public policy and there are now over 3000 LGBTQ+ organisations across the UK.

We deliver campaigns, programmes, and policy work that is focussed on achieving deep, sustainable change, through convening, collaboration, and conversation.

We support parliamentarians and lawmakers; design policies and campaigns and deliver programmes and services which focus on achieving equal rights for LGBTQ+ people.

Globally, we face increasing opposition to the belief that everyone deserves equal rights. It is more important than ever that we stand firm and advocate for what we know to be true: Everyone, everywhere, deserves equal rights. 

A central role in delivering change since 1989 

Over the past 35 years, Stonewall has primarily focused its activity in two key domains - influencing legislation and policy, and creating change through research, programming and leadership development.  

Stonewall has played a very significant and important role in changing the law to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people. This includes: 

• The repeal of Section 28: We were founded in direct response to Section 28, the homophobic legislation that prevented young people learning about homosexuality in schools. It took twelve years in Scotland and 14 years in England and Wales to overturn this law.
• Equalising the age of consent: The Sexual Offences Amendment Act (2001) lowered the age of consent for gay and bi men to 16, aligning the age of consent with heterosexuals. After 35 years of inequality, this was a huge victory.
• Lifting the ban on military service: Until 2000, LGBTQ+ people were banned from the British military, often dismissed or stripped of medals. Stonewall campaigned to end this discrimination, leading to the ban’s repeal in 2000. In 2025, a compensation framework was finally agreed for those affected.
• The right for LGBTQ+ couples to adopt: The Adoption and Children Act came into effect in 2002 and allowed unmarried couples, including LGBTQ+ couples, to apply for joint adoption.
• Marriage equality: The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 made history by legalising same-sex marriage in England and Wales. Scotland joined the movement in 2014, but Ireland didn’t achieve marriage equality until 2020. These changes were landmark victories for LGBTQ+ rights, and they represented more than just the right to marry - it was about recognition, dignity, and equality. 

These have been milestone victories, but there is still more to do – we won’t rest until we live in a society which is free from discrimination, prejudice and inequality for LGBTQ+ people. 

‘Hope will never be silent’ - Harvey Milk