Stonewall UK

Stonewall UK is a leading LGBT rights organisation in the United Kingdom, founded in 1989 by Ian McKellen, Lisa Power, and Simon Fanshawe in response to the introduction of Section 28 by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party (UK) government. The organisation is named after the Stonewall riots in New York City, which were a pivotal moment in the LGBT rights movement in the United States, inspired by activists such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. Stonewall UK has worked closely with other organisations, including the Terrence Higgins Trust and Gay Men's Health Crisis, to promote LGBT equality and challenge discrimination against LGBT people in the UK. The organisation has also been supported by high-profile figures, including Elton John, Stephen Fry, and Dame Judi Dench.

● History

Stonewall UK was founded in 1989, during a time of significant social change in the UK, with the AIDS epidemic and the introduction of Section 28 contributing to a growing sense of urgency among LGBT activists, including Peter Tatchell and Matthew Parris. The organisation's early work focused on campaigning against Section 28, which prohibited the promotion of homosexuality in schools, and working to promote LGBT equality in areas such as employment law and hate crime legislation, with support from organisations like the National Union of Teachers and the Trades Union Congress. Stonewall UK has also been involved in a number of high-profile campaigns, including the OutRage! movement, which was founded by Peter Tatchell and aimed to challenge homophobia and transphobia in the UK. The organisation has worked with other groups, such as the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association and the LGBT Foundation, to promote LGBT rights and challenge discrimination.

● Organisation

Stonewall UK is a registered charity in the UK, with a board of trustees that includes prominent figures such as Ruth Hunt and Paul Twocock. The organisation is headquartered in London and has a team of staff and volunteers who work on a range of campaigns and projects, including the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme, which aims to promote LGBT inclusion in the workplace, with support from organisations like Barclays, Google, and Microsoft. Stonewall UK also works closely with other organisations, including the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the UK Government's Department for Education, to promote LGBT equality and challenge discrimination. The organisation has partnerships with a number of high-profile companies, including Accenture, IBM, and HSBC, to promote LGBT inclusion in the corporate sector.

● Campaigns

Stonewall UK has been involved in a number of high-profile campaigns over the years, including the Equal Marriage campaign, which aimed to secure same-sex marriage in the UK, with support from organisations like the Human Rights Campaign and the Marriage Equality USA. The organisation has also worked on campaigns to promote LGBT inclusion in schools, including the Stonewall School Champions programme, which aims to support LGBT young people and challenge homophobia and transphobia in education, with support from organisations like the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers. Stonewall UK has also campaigned on issues such as hate crime and domestic violence, working with organisations like the Metropolitan Police Service and the Crown Prosecution Service to promote LGBT safety and challenge discrimination. The organisation has also worked with BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 to promote LGBT representation in the media.

● Controversies

Stonewall UK has been involved in a number of controversies over the years, including criticism of its transphobia and bisexuality policies, with some activists, including Julie Bindel and Germaine Greer, arguing that the organisation has not done enough to support trans people and bisexual people. The organisation has also faced criticism for its Diversity Champions programme, which some have argued is too focused on corporate interests and does not do enough to challenge systemic inequality, with critics including Peter Tatchell and Ashton Sanders. Stonewall UK has also been involved in controversies surrounding its funding and governance, with some critics arguing that the organisation is too reliant on corporate funding and does not do enough to represent the interests of LGBT grassroots organisations, including the London Gay Men's Chorus and the Gay Men's Health Crisis.

● Impact

Stonewall UK has had a significant impact on LGBT rights in the UK, with the organisation playing a key role in securing same-sex marriage and challenging discrimination against LGBT people. The organisation's work has also helped to promote LGBT inclusion in areas such as education and employment, with support from organisations like the National Education Union and the Trades Union Congress. Stonewall UK has worked with a number of high-profile figures, including Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Theresa May, to promote LGBT equality and challenge homophobia and transphobia. The organisation has also been recognised for its work, including being awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service and the European Diversity Award, with support from organisations like the European Commission and the Council of Europe.