Nationwide organisations
LGBT Foundation
As well as campaigning, LGBT Foundation offers information and direct personal support on a wide range of issues for queer and trans people. They have a helpline, an email advice service as well as face to face programmes.
Website: http://lgbt.foundation/
Helpline number: 0345 330 3030
Stonewall
We will support individuals to work out how they can make a difference for LGBT people at work, home and in their communities. We will equip people with the tools and confidence to connect with, influence and enable others in their communities, by challenging homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, celebrating difference and improving inclusion and visibility of role models. We will empower people of all ages and backgrounds to be role models and allies wherever they live, work, shop, socialise and pray. We will support them, and the people they reach, to be themselves and achieve their full potential.
Website: http://www.stonewall.org.uk/
Galop
Galop gives advice and support to people who have experienced biphobia, homophobia, transphobia, sexual violence or domestic abuse. We also support lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer people who have had problems with the police or have questions about the criminal justice system.
You may have already tried to get help from the police or others. You may not be sure what’s happening or you’re dissatisfied with the response. We can fight your corner, help get what you need or record what happened.
Galop can advocate for you – meaning we’ll act on your behalf and try our hardest to get you the outcome you want. Advocacy involves speaking up for you with other organisations such as the police or local council.
Website : http://www.galop.org.uk/
National LGBT and domestic abuse helpline: 0800 999 5428
London LGBT casework service: 0207 704 2040
London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
Although based in London, the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard provides a helpline service for queer and trans people across the UK. They provide information, support and referral services for queer and trans people facing a wide range of issues.
Website: http://switchboard.lgbt/
Helpline number: 0300 330 0630
Rise
R.I.S.E stands for Refuge, Information, Support and Education.
We offer practical help ranging from direct advice to refuge space to those in urgent need, We also work in schools teaching children about healthy relationships to prevent the next generation from repeating the pattern. Known for breaking new ground, our specialist LGB&T* service for survivors of domestic abuse was the first in England. Every year we support over 1800 women and their families to recover and reclaim their lives.
RISE is an independent, registered charity founded in 1994 and strives to be a disability and accessibility friendly organisation in everything it does.
Website: http://www.riseuk.org.uk
LGBTQIA specific helpline: 07581 466 438
Albert Kennedy Trust
The Albert Kennedy Trust focuses on providing support for queer and trans people between 16-25 years old who are homeless or living in a hostile environment. They provide a mentoring scheme as well as an e-mentoring scheme to offer emotional and practical support.
Website: http://www.akt.org.uk/
Men’s Advice Line
This helpline supports men who are victim of domestic violence and has a section on same-sex domestic violence. This is a confidential helpline which allows callers to talk to trained advisors.
They will give you practical advice and information about accessing specialist help.
Website : http://www.mensadviceline.org.uk
Helpline number: 0808 801 0327
Email contact: info@mensadviceline.org.uk
Beaumont
Beaumont is an organisation providing a support network for the transgender, transvestite, transsexual and cross-dressing community. People need to become members in order to access the online forum, bulletin and magazine which the NGO produces. It also campaigns for the transgender, transvestite, transsexual and cross-dressing community.
Website: http://www.beaumontsociety.org.uk/
Mermaids
Mermaids is passionate about supporting children, young people, and their families to achieve a happier life in the face of great adversity. We work to raise awareness about gender issues amongst professionals and the general public. We campaign for the recognition of gender dysphoria in young people and lobby for improvements in professional services.
Website: http://www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/
The Campaign for Homosexual Equality
The aims of CHE are:
To promote the principle that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are entitled to lead their lives openly without fear.
To fight for social and legal equality and respect for the human rights of all people irrespective of their sexuality.
To eradicate prejudice and hostility directed at LGBT people.
To campaign for improved sex education in schools to eliminate negative attitudes to LGBT people.
Website: http://www.c-h-e.org.uk/
GALHA
GALHA promotes Humanism and LGBT equality, working to combat prejudice and discrimination against humanists and lesbians and gay men. In furtherance of these aims it:
Holds regular open, public meetings in London with speakers and discussions
Maintains a website that promotes our work worldwide and links to other relevant online resources and organisations
Carries out other occasional media work including radio, press and TV to promote its aims
Makes submissions to government committees and responds to government consultative documents that concern our areas of interest
Supports demonstrations and other groups that advance our aims
Provides stalls and information at as lesbian/gay, Humanist and other public events
Organises an annual lunch to publicise the work of a public figure involved in LGBT rights and/or Humanism – and
Organises a residential weekend conference to help GALHA’s strategic direction.
Both events are open to the public – though the weekend incorporates the GALHA AGM where only members are entitled to vote.
Website : http://www.galha.org/
Intersex UK (ISUK)
IntersexUK (ISUK) is a human rights organisation working to achieve equality for, and the protection of Intersex bodied people.
IntersexUK’s vision is to ensure irreversible genital mutilations, sterilisations and other non consensual abuses against healthy intersex bodied children is stopped. A child’s body is theirs for the whole of their life and the right of that persons autonomy must be respected above the right of others to ease social discomfort. Scalpels do not sculpt gender they sever futures.
IntersexUK’s outreach is significant and growing; we work by educating within universities, engaging within mainstream media, and consulting with NGO and government bodies.
IntersexUK aims to develop a cross-party intersex equality committee to ensure families, and society recognises that intersex bodied children are not uncommon and that enforcing gender through ‘normalising’ archaic and irreversible medical procedures is not acceptable.
Website: http://www.intersexuk.org/
Queer Youth Network
This is an online forum for queer youth.
Website: http://www.lgbtyouth.org/ox/index.html
Survivors’ Network
An organisation who help survivors of sexual assault. They primarily offer services in Sussex but they also have a national helpline for trans survivors of sexual violence (in collaboration with LGBT Switchboard).
Helpline (for trans survivors of sexual assault): 01273 204050
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/transsurvivorsswitchboard/
Website: http://survivorsnetwork.org.uk/
School’s OUT
Schools OUT is a membership based organisation – currently applying for charity status – that began life as The Gay Teachers Association in 1974. Our overarching goal is to make our schools and educational institutions safe spaces for our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) communities as teachers, lecturers and trainers; as pupils and students; as parents; as teaching and learning support staff; as site-officers, catering and cleaning staff; and as headteachers, managers and governors. There is no other organisation that supports such a wide community in attaining such a wide, yet simple overarching goal.
To do this we need:
- To provide both a formal and informal support network for all people who want to raise the issue of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterosexism in education.
- To campaign on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans issues as they affect education and those in education.
- To research, debate and stimulate curriculum development on LGBT issues.
- To work towards unison between teacher and lecturer unions and other professional stakeholders in education
- To promote equality, safety and visibility in education for LGBT people and all the protected characteristics
Website : http://www.schools-out.org.uk/
REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS
London
LGBT Domestic Abuse Partnership
The London LGBT Domestic Abuse Partnership (DAP) is an NGO providing information and support to LGBT victims/survivors of domestic abuse. The DAP is open to any LGBT person experiencing domestic violence who is living or working in London. It puts you in contact with 5 LGBT agencies who each provide different services for LGBT victims/survivors of domestic abuse: Stonewall Housing, Galop, Pace, London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, and Broken Rainbow. They provide free and confidential services, including :
- Advice and safety planning
- Housing advice, including options on finding safe accommodation
- Emotional support
- Free one-to-one counselling
- Support and assistance with dealing with the police
- Help reporting incidents
- Legal advice on civil or criminal protection (e.g. non-molestations orders)
- Support through civil and criminal court system
- Help finding solicitors
- Advice on child safety and child contact issues
- Specific support around sexual abuse
- Translation service available to those who do not have English as a first language
Website : http://lgbtdap.org.uk/
UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group
The UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG) is a charity that promotes equality and dignity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people who seek asylum in the UK, or who wish to immigrate here to be with their same-sex partner.
Website : http://uklgig.org.uk
OutRage!
Established in May 1990, OutRage! is the world’s longest surviving queer rights direct action group. Our witty, imaginative, daring, and irreverent style of nonviolent civil disobedience has elevated activism into an art form: protest as performance. Some of our most famous stunts include the Queer Valentine’s Carnival, Kiss-in, Queer Wedding, Exorcism of Homophobia, and Queer Remembrance Day.
Website : http://outrage.org.uk
Peter Tatchell Foundation
The Peter Tatchell Foundation (PTF) seeks to promote and protect the human rights of individuals, communities and nations, in the UK and internationally, in accordance with established national and international human rights law.
The PTF seeks to raise awareness, understanding, protection and implementation of human rights, in the UK and worldwide. This involves research, education, advice, casework, publicity and advocacy for the enforcement and furtherance of humanitarian statutes and values.
Website : http://www.petertatchellfoundation.org
Stonewall Housing
Stonewall Housing is the specialist lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) housing advice and support provider in England. They provide housing advice, advocacy and supported housing for LBGT people in London.
Stonewall Housing:
- Provides supported housing to over 40 young LGBT people;
- Delivers a free, confidential housing advice helpline to LGBT people of all ages;
- Holds drop-in housing advice surgeries for LGBT people;
- Delivers specialist and awareness training for social housing staff and tenants;
- Provides consultancy and information to other agencies about LGBT housing issues
- Provides support services to individuals and other agencies on a sub-contract basic;
- Lobbyes and campaigns for the housing rights of LGBT people.
Website : http://www.stonewallhousing.org/home.html
Domestic Violence London
This NHS site is a resource for Health Professionals concerning Domestic Violence. They have a section on queer and trans domestic violence.
METRO
Open to all LGBTQI victims/survivors of domestic abuse/violence or Honour Based Violence who live, work, socialise or study in the London boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark.
What we offer LGBT Domestic Violence victims/survivors
– Free, confidential, non-judgemental service with a named caseworker (LGBT IDVA)
– Help to weigh up your options and manage any risks you are facing in a safe space
– Referral for multi-agency support (police, housing, benefits, health, counselling and other services)
– Assistance accessing legal advice and representation, for example to obtain injunctions
– Attendance and support at court hearings and meetings with other agencies
– Emotional support and practical advocacy, risk assessment and safety planning
– Referral and signposting to other METRO services, counselling, LGBTQ youth groups and youth counselling or support, trans* identified or non-binary support services and groups, – HIV peer support, over 50’s social group, hate crime service, volunteer programme
Website : https://www.metrocentreonline.org/advice-and-info/domestic-violence-service/
Rainbow Hamlets
This service works with vulnerable LGBT+ people to address hate crime, domestic abuse and family abuse within a multi disciplinary prevention, health and wellbeing partnership framework, sensitive to all the local cultural/faith issues in City, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Newham.
Our innovative casework model provides a wraparound approach to systematically address with each person every aspect of their own health and wellbeing, leading to more successful prosecutions, improved life outcomes and greater community cohesion. We provide services and also manage referrals to orchestrate/inform a package of interventions with providers that together address the complex needs of often highly vulnerable people.
These include mental health. general health, gender dysphoria, trauma and PTSD, family abuse, substance misuse, longterm conditions including HIV, sexual health. housing, asylum, primary care, self care, volunteering and exercise.
We offer all our services and activities in numerous locations across the east end. Some people prefer for reasons of confidentiality or safety not to be seen near their home. We meet clients in spaces or locations that best match their need and progress whilst ensuring they always have confidentiality.
Website: http://www.rainbowhamlets.org/health-and-wellbeing/specialist-lgbt-advice-support-and-advocacy/
London Friend
Established in 1972 London Friend is the UK’s oldest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans charity. We’re here to support the health and mental well-being of the LGB&T community in and around London.
Website : http://londonfriend.org.uk/
CliniqQ
An holistic sexual health and well-being service for all trans people, partners and friends. They are a trans-led team, who offer a safe, confidential space for those who may not feel comfortable accessing mainstream services.
Website: https://cliniq.org.uk/
Worcester
The Gender Trust
The Gender Trust is a listening ear, a caring support and an information centre for anyone with any question or problem concerning their gender identity, or whose loved one is struggling with gender identity issues.
Website : http://gendertrust.org.uk/
Devon
Proud2Be
Proud2Be is a social enterprise that runs awareness campaigns, has a youth group, hosts social events for LGBTQ+ people in Devon. They also run training workshops for workplaces on LGBTQ+ issues and partner with organisations to combat hate crime.
Website http://www.proud2be.co.uk/
Manchester
End The Fear
This is charity working on Domestics violence. While it is not specifically targeting a queer and trans violence it does have a section on same-sex domestic abuse. It also provides links to other association, books and articles who specifically deal with queer and trans domestic violence and provides resources on how to identify domestic violence. It also helps identify local services in the Manchester area.
Website : http://www.endthefear.co.uk/information/help-and-advice/same-sex-domestic-abuse/
Greater Manchester Lesbian and Gay Foundation
Helpline : 0345 3 30 30 30
Website: http://lgbt.foundation/
Luton
Men4Men
Our aim is to promote health and well being of adult Gay, Bisexual and men who have sex with men (MSM) based in Luton.
They have a helpline, can act on behalf of individuals when reporting serious incidents to the police, and work with local gay venues and promotions so that they can provide safer sex literature, free condoms and lube.
Website: http://www.gay-bedfordshire.co.uk/
SoLUTiONs
Focuses on domestic abuse, not specifically on LGBTQ+ issues but has a special section dedicated to this kind of domestic abuse and provides information resources for people in that situation
Website: http://www.lutondomesticabuse.co.uk/specialist-help/lgbt-relationships
LGBT links Luton
LGBT Links Luton services is here to encourage and assist you in making positive changes and empowering you to make healthier lifestyle choices.
Website: http://www.lgbtlinksluton.org.uk/services.html
Birmingham
Birmingham LGBT
We offer a range of services and activities for the LGBT Community in Birminham and beyond. Including:
– Sexual Health and Wellbeing
– Wellbeing Support Service
– Domestic Violence
– Social Groups
– Fitness
– Counselling
– Ageing better
– LGBT Asylum Seekers
– Hate Crime
– Peer Mentoring
Website : http://blgbt.org/
Darlington / Durham
Gay Advice Darlington/Durham
HIV advice and information for LGBTQI who are HIV positive, negative or untested and to enable them to make positive decisions and reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting the virus.
Support, advise and provide information on wider sexual health matters as they affect LGBTQI people.
Support, advise and provide information on the diverse range of sexuality issues, in order to help develop self esteem and recognize the value of making positive health choices.
Website : http://gayadvicedarlington.co.uk/
Thames Valley, Reading
Support U
We are a leading Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) help and support service based in the South East of England.
Following our consultation in 2010, we identified the need for a service to help those who need support with LGBT+ issues, and the inclusion of LGBT+ people.
Our service is run by a dedicated team of volunteers who are responsible for delivering the help and support available through our website, telephone helpline and face-to-face sessions.
Website : http://www.supportu.org.uk/lgbt-domestic-abuse-support.php
UK – Northern Ireland
Cara Friend
Cara-Friend was established in 1974 as a voluntary counseling, befriending, information, health and social space organisation for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans (LGB&T) community. Since then we have established ourselves as one of the most encompassing organisations in Northern Ireland, bringing together all ages, all genders and sexual orientations under one umbrella. We advocate unceasingly on behalf of the LGB&T community with the media, churches, government departments and politicians alike.
There are many reasons why someone might contact us, but whatever the reason, our volunteers are trained and understanding and will offer confidence and support to anyone concerned about sexuality and sexual orientation, including parents and families of LGB&T people.
An additional part of our work is to educate and inform the public, and we are pleased to provide speakers at meetings of other organisations.
Website : http://www.cara-friend.org.uk/
Women’s Aid
The core work of Women’s Aid in Northern Ireland, including Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland and the local Women’s Aid groups is to:
- provide refuge accommodation to women and their children suffering mental, physical or sexual abuse within the home
- run the 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline
- provide a range of support services to enable women who are leaving a violent situation to rebuild their lives and the lives of their children
- provide a range of support services to children and young people who have experienced domestic violence
- run preventative education programmes in schools and other settings.
- educate and inform the public, media, police, courts, social services and other agencies of the impact and effects of domestic violence
- advise and support agencies in the development of domestic violence policies, protocols and service delivery, and
- work in partnership with relevant agencies to ensure a joined up response to domestic violence.
While they are focussed on women they provides resources for women in same-sex relationships.
Website: https://www.womensaidni.org/get-help/lesbian-gay-bisexual-trans/
UK – Scotland
LGBT Youth Scotland
LGBT Youth Scotland is the largest youth and community-based organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Scotland. The charity’s mission is to: “empower lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people and the wider LGBT community so that they are embraced as full members of the Scottish family at home, school and in every community.”
It provides information and support for young people themselves, professionals and parents and carers of LGBT youth
Website : https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/
Affirmation Scotland
Affirmation Scotland is a religious organisation which offers to the LGBT public of Scotland a ministry of care, hope and advocacy to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Christians, their families and the supporters.
Website: http://www.affirmationscotland.org.uk/
Fearless
Fearless is a domestic abuse support service who work specifically with hidden survivors of domestic abuse including; men, LGBT+ people and black minority ethnic communities. Fearless workers can offer a range of support including safety planning, emotional support, advocacy, mentoring, and practical support with housing, employment/education, and assistance to access appropriate benefits.
Website: www.fearless.scot
Telephone number: 1316247266