Stepping up, not standing by – Stonewall unveils new approach in a challenging era of LGBTQ+ rights
To mark Pride season, Stonewall has today unveiled a new strategic approach, a refreshed visual identity and a re-imagined approach to workplace inclusion. Together, this will help us meet the challenges facing LGBTQ+ people with renewed focus and commitment.
The approach is unveiled as results of a new YouGov poll, commissioned by Stonewall, reveal two thirds (67%) of the UK public believe the country is inclusive towards LGBTQ+ people. The vast majority of those think this inclusivity is a good thing. Three in five (60%) would see a shift to more negative attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people as unwelcome.
The polling comes as the LGBTQ+ community sees hard won rights under threat globally.
Simon Blake OBE, CEO of Stonewall said:
“Stonewall is taking on the global rollback of LGBTQ+ rights head on. We are standing up – not standing by.
“That’s why today, as the UK’s largest Pride event takes place in London, we are launching our new strategic direction. The approach takes us back to our roots: focused on convening, influencing and alliance building.
“These are turbulent times for the LGBTQ+ community - but in courage and unity, is hope.
“Global rights and the principles of inclusion are under threat. Despite the progress we’ve made with others, there is still so much more to do.
"Over two thirds of the UK public think the country is inclusive and the majority of those believe that's a good thing. But we know many LGBTQ+ people do not feel this in their neighbourhoods and workplaces. In policy terms, the reality is different too. The UK has dropped sharply down the global leaderboard for LGBTQ+ rights.
“Until we have achieved equality under the law for all LGBTQ+ people and the UK has risen back to the top there is important work to be done.”
Stonewall's new strategy - ‘In courage and unity, is hope’
In our new strategy, we are deepening our focus on equality under the law for all LGBTQ+ people, despite global uncertainty.
The new strategy states: "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."
As we approach our 40th birthday, we will focus on three core pillars:
- Navigating turbulent times
- Shaping policy
- Inclusive places.
We will return to our roots as pragmatic conveners resisting the rollback of rights for all LGBTQ+ people and advocating for progress with politicians and business leaders.
From being one of the few LGBTQ+ charities in the 1980s, Stonewall is now part of more than 3000 organisations in the sector.
Adding a vision of delivering equality under the law, the new strategy adds: "Together we must educate, motivate, and inspire lawmakers to support equality, and continue shaping the legislative and policy landscape to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people.”
Alongside our new strategy, we’re amalgamating all our workplace programming under the cornerstone banner of the LGBTQ+ movement - Pride. Proud Employers enables organisations to signify their ongoing commitments to LGBTQ+ inclusion for employees, clients and customers.
Stonewall’s new streamlined visual identity is designed to showcase its strategic clarity of focus. We have chosen the historic ‘Proud Purple’ from the original Pride flag to represent the spirit and courage needed to navigate the turbulence currently facing LGBTQ+ people, and the arrow within our logo symbolises both equality and progress.
We have chosen a cornerstone moment in the Pride calendar to launch our strategic direction, with Pride in London bringing together organisations, individuals, and activists a mere stone's throw from Westminster.
Stonewall’s CEO Simon Blake will be speaking on Pride in London’s main stage in Trafalgar Square and Stonewall will be marking the launch of its refreshed approach with business leaders at the London Stock Exchange later this month.
