Out of the Margins: LBT+ advocacy network
Out of the Margins was established in 2017, with the support of the FCDO, to advance the rights of LBT+ people through research centred on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Out of the Margins project (2017–March 2026)
Lesbians, bi women and trans (LBT+) people have long faced exclusion and injustice, but historically there has been relatively little research focusing specifically on their needs and rights. Through the Out of the Margins project, research was conducted to better understand these experiences and highlight the unique challenges faced by LBT+ people globally.
The project was rooted in local communities across 21 countries and focused on network-building and advocacy.
A suite of reports were produced on the following topics – these can be found by visiting the Out of the Margins website.
In 2024, the network was reactivated to respond to the growing impact of the global anti-rights movement and the rollback of LBT+ rights, while also leveraging advocacy opportunities linked to the SDGs in the lead-up to 2030. Working with three partners in the Caribbean, Southern Africa and Eastern Europe, the project supported the development of innovative local strategies to advance LBT+ rights.
Out of the Margins impact
Overall, the Out of the Margins project strengthened collaboration between LBT+ organisations and created new opportunities for locally led advocacy in Botswana, Jamaica, and Georgia.
Through training, strategy development, and regional partnerships, we equipped participating organisations to connect their work to the Sustainable Development Goals and respond to the growing influence of anti-gender movements. While partners faced challenges, including political sensitivities and limited engagement from some institutions, the project demonstrated the importance of flexible, community-driven approaches. It also helped strengthen networks of LBT+ activists and organisations working to advance gender equality across diverse and often challenging contexts.
Programme conclusion
Stonewall concluded the Out of the Margins programme in March 2026.
Further reading
Our Out of the Margins website hosts reports and research from multiple global partners.
Reflections on Out of the Margins, International Women’s Day 2024
Research announcement from the first Out of the Margins project