LGBTQ+ housing champion Terry Stacy awarded OBE in King's Birthday Honours List

Terry Stacy, Chair of Tonic Housing, the UK's first and only LGBTQ+ housing association, has been awarded an OBE in the King's Birthday Honours List 2026 for services to the LGBTQ+ community. 

The announcement, made during Pride Month, comes at a particularly significant moment for both Terry and Tonic. Last year, Tonic became the country's first and only LGBTQ+ housing association to achieve Registered Provider status after decades of campaigning and advocacy. The timing makes this recognition especially meaningful for Terry, Tonic, and the wider LGBTQ+ community. 

This milestone represents a major step forward in Tonic's mission to create inclusive, affirming retirement communities where older LGBTQ+ people can live with security, dignity and pride. As a Registered Provider, Tonic can now directly deliver social and affordable housing, while accessing new development, investment and partnership opportunities. The achievement creates a platform for growth and enables Tonic to meet the increasing demand for housing that supports and celebrates older LGBTQ+ people across London and beyond. 

The honour builds on Terry's decades of leadership and service in both the housing and LGBTQ+ sectors. He was previously awarded an MBE in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to housing. 

Throughout his distinguished career, Terry has held a number of senior leadership positions across the housing sector, including Chair of Old Ford Housing Association, Island Homes and Victoria Park Homeownership. He has served as a Board member of Gateway Housing Association and the Empty Homes Agency, and until recently was Vice Chair of Clarion Housing Association, the UK's largest housing association. He is currently Chair of Rentplus Homes, a pioneering rent-to-buy housing provider. 

Terry is also a housing association tenant himself, giving him a personal understanding of the importance of safe, affordable and inclusive housing. 

His commitment to the LGBTQ+ community spans more than three decades. Before joining Tonic, Terry served as Chair of the Albert Kennedy Trust (akt), the LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity, for nine years. During his tenure, he welcomed both Lady Gaga and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to akt events and initiatives. 

Alongside his voluntary work, Terry has enjoyed a long career in local government, including 18 years as a councillor in London and serving as Leader of Islington Council. He is currently a Senior Adviser to the Local Government Association, the national cross-party body representing local government across England and Wales. 

Commenting on the award, Terry Stacy MBE said: "I am incredibly proud of the work I have done in the LGBTQ+ sector, particularly tackling youth homelessness and helping to create housing for older members of our community. 

"Tonic Housing does vital work supporting some of the most vulnerable LGBTQ+ elders in society. More than 30 years after I first began campaigning on these issues, we still have a long way to go. In today's challenging environment, it is more important than ever that we stand up, speak out and make our voices heard. 

"I came out more than 35 years ago and began my activism shortly afterwards. I came out of the closet then, and I have absolutely no intention of going back into it now." 

Adam Pemberton Wickham, Chief Executive of akt, said: “Terry was Chair of the Board of Trustees of akt between 2013 and 2022, where he was integral to our work helping young LGBTQ+ people affected by homelessness and laying the foundations for our current and future success. We are delighted to hear that Terry’s dedication and hard work has been recognised with this honour.”