LGBTQ+ News Stonewall reacts to new hate crime statistics, which “may not paint the full picture” While hate crime statistics, released on Thursday, October 10, suggest there is a downward trend in reported hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community, Stonewall believes official numbers may not paint the full picture. By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Simon Blake LGBTQ+ News “Achieving equal rights for some, does not mean reducing the rights of others.” Simon Blake OBE becomes Chief Executive of Stonewall In June 2024, LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall announced the appointment of Simon Blake OBE as its new chief executive, a post he filled in September 2024. Writing at the time, Cat Dixon, the charity’s Chair of Trustees, said: “We are incredibly proud to welcome our new CEO, Simon Blake OBE. LGBTQ+ p By Graham Robson • 2 min read
LGBTQ+ News Hold My Hand: LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall launches campaign to make anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime an Aggravated Offence LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall has launched a new campaign to make anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime an Aggravated Offence so LGBTQ+ people have the same protections as people who face hate crime due to racism or religious discrimination – in line with the Law Commission’s recommendations. Stonewall, which ha By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Books New survey finds more than two dozen school librarians asked to removed LGBTQ+ books, including titles from Juno Dawson and Jessica Love, from shelves New survey data from the Index of Censorship has found more than two dozen school librarians in the UK have been asked to remove books – including This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson, Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love and ABC Pride by Louie Stowell, Elly Barnes and Amy Phelps – from school […] By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Fundraising News Stonegate Group and The Drinks Bureau to raise funds for national charity Stonewall Housing with Shirley Temple-inspired cocktails Pub company Stonegate Group, which owns Admiral Duncan, Two Brewers and many other LGBTQ+ venues, has revealed their plan to feature two of The Drinks Bureau’s premium RTD cocktails – Dirty Shirley and non-alcoholic Shirley Temple – as limited-edition Pride cocktails across over 1,100 bars, pubs and By Graham Robson • 2 min read
LGBTQ+ News Peter Tatchell reacts after UK Equality Minister, Kemi Badenoch, refuses to meet with LGBTQ+ groups, including Stonewall, Mermaids, Terrence Higgins Trust and the Ban Conversion Therapy Coalition The UK Equalities Minister, Kemi Badenoch, has told the veteran LGBTQ+ rights campaigner Peter Tatchell that she will not meet mainstream LGBT+ organisations. Mr Tatchell had offered to facilitate a round table discussion with groups such as Stonewall, Mermaids, Terrence Higgins Trust, the Ban Conve By Graham Robson • 2 min read
LGBTQ+ News Equalities Minister, Kemi Badenoch, invited to meet leading LGBTQ+ advocacy groups Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch MP has received an invitation to meet with leading LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. The invitation, which comes from human rights organisation Peter Tatchell Foundation, is in response to reports that Badenoch has had little or no engagement with most LGBTQ+ organisations, d By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Transgender News Trans guidance for schools: Teachers will not be ‘compelled’ to use a child’s preferred pronouns Trans guidance for schools in England has been published by the Department for Education today (Tuesday, December 19), after being delayed from the summer. The non-statutory guidance requires schools to inform parents if their children say they wish to change their gender identity, with some narrow By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Sport Stonewall FC wins Historic GOLD at Guadalajara Gay Games 2023 Stonewall FC embarked on an exceptional challenge in Latin America, travelling to Guadalajara, Mexico in November for the Guadalajara Gay Games 2023. Their goal? To win a fifth Gay Games title and become the first team in the world to win the Football 11’s gold for a fifth time. With temperatures u By Graham Robson • 3 min read
LGBTQ+ News Young Albion fan’s colourful support for Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign Jason Steele, Norman Cook and Bart Verbruggen model Livs Cook’s designs Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation (BHAFC Foundation) recently launched a competition inviting local kids to send in their most colourful, inclusive, and supportive shirt designs to promote Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign and By Graham Robson • 3 min read
Transgender News LGBTQ+ organisations to intervene on the UK Government’s block on Gender Recognition Reform Bill in Scotland LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall, Gendered Intelligence and the Institute for Constitutional and Democratic Research (ICDR) have together been granted leave to intervene in a Scottish judicial review in which the Scottish Government is challenging the UK Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Fundraising News Jonny Ratcliffe to swim English Channel in aid of LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall The 21-mile route will see him take on deceptively powerful tides, cross one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and dodge an unwelcome number of jellyfish. Often dubbed ‘The Everest of Swimming’, it is among the most challenging open water swims in the world. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
