Blog

Yesterday (Sunday 10th of April), team LGBT+ Consortium joined many of our member organisations in protesting the Government’s decision not to include trans people in the conversion therapy ban.

While organisers expected around 100 participants, more than 3000 people showed up to tell the Government that they must protect trans people from so-called conversion therapy. The sound of thousands chanting “Keep Trans in the ban” and “LGB with the T” across Whitehall is hard to describe, but the display of trans power, community and solidarity was deeply inspirational.

As pointed out by others, rarely have we seen such a highly attended rally for trans rights in the UK. This confirms what we already know: the public strongly disagrees with the Government and wants to keep Trans in the ban. This has become particularly evident as the petition to ensure that Trans people are fully protected under any conversion therapy ban, got more than 100, 000 signatures in the space of 4 days. The message is clear: A ban that does not include everyone, is not a ban at all.

We are so proud of our Trans member organisations and their achievements, and we will continue to support them at every step of the way. #TogetherWithTrans.

This blog has been written by Consortium’s CEO, Paul Roberts.

The actions of UK Government in the last week have simply been shocking. After years of promising a Ban on so-called conversion therapy, which the UK Government’s own evidence (the highly referenced LGBT Survey 2018) shows has affected 5% of our communities, the pulling of proposed legislation and then a partial U-turn is just unacceptable. What research also highlights is that trans and non-binary people are even more likely to experience so-called conversion therapy practices, with 11% of those responding to Galop’s survey (LGBT+ Experiences
of Abuse from Family Members) experiencing attempts to change or ‘cure’ or supress their identity.

Let’s not read this situation wrong, without a complete ban lives will continue to be lost. What is happening to people is torture and no one can say this is acceptable in the United Kingdom in 2022. A partial ban only including LGB people makes no logical sense. It is immoral and many other countries around the world have implemented it and shown it is perfectly possible to legislate effectively.

The UK Government has expended a lot of time, energy and resource on the international LGBT conference, planned for June this year. Whilst its focus is international LGBT+ issues, and has several events/forums taking place under the one banner, to hold this in the UK when we have a government that continues to treat trans and non binary communities with disdain can’t happen without challenge. We don’t want to see work our international focussed members are engaged in affected, but we (as do they) refuse to stand by and allow what is affecting people in the UK be pushed under the carpet in order to present a positive picture on LGBT+ rights. Whilst we are a UK domestic LGBT+ organisation, we will continue to stand by our international focused members to support work, collaborations and show solidarity and allyship globally.

Let’s also be clear, the LGBT+ sectors, and by that I mean the diversity and intersectionality of LGBT+ communities are as one on this. The one positive from the darkness we have seen emerging since late on Thursday is the solidarity of our sector. There has been some messaging that UK Government believes the sector is divided on this. This could not be farther from the truth and the only organisations who are not as one are those who are transphobic, plain and simple. We are as united as we ever have been and will continue to work together to ensure the UK is somewhere where every LGBT+ person can live a life safely and with dignity.

This afternoon, Consortium as the umbrella body for LGBT+ Voluntary and Community Organisations across the UK, along with members of the Ban Conversion Therapy Alliance and others, have published a statement responding to the UK’s Government actions regarding the withdrawal of plans to outlaw conversion practices. We are as one as an LGBT+ sector on this and will stand firm in fighting for a country where every LGBT+ person, and that includes every trans and non-binary and intersex person can live safely and with the dignity everyone deserves.

Read our statement in support of Stonewall’s here.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

March 21st 2022 

Written by Consortium’s Racial Justice Engagement Officer Camillea (they/them) and Equity Fund Project Officer Leyla (she/her) 

What is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination? 

Organised by the United Nations and originating in South Africa, this day commemorates those who lost their lives in a peaceful demonstration against apartheid ‘pass laws’ in 1960, and those affected by racial discrimination across the globe. This day is often overlooked, but we can all address our biases and privileges year round! 

The UN 2022 campaign aims to: 

• Highlight the importance of strengthening meaningful and safe public participation and representation in all areas of decision-making to prevent and combat racial discrimination. 
• Reaffirm the importance of full respect for the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and of protecting civic space. 
• Recognise the contribution of individuals and organisations that stand up against racial discrimination and the challenges they face. 

Over the weekend, protests protests took place in three UK cities: Glasgow, London and Cardiff.

What can the LGBT+ sector do to support the elimination of racial discrimination? 

• Racial discrimination can be found everywhere and it should not be left up to those affected to educate others about it. Take responsibility for educating yourself. 
• Understand intersectionality. It’s important to recognise someone who is LGBT+, and also facing racial discrimination, experiences multiple and simultaneous oppressions.  
• LGBT+ groups can support their members by listening and creating space for conversations around racial discrimination that are safe and centre those affected.

 

Available funding  

If you are an LGBT+ organisation working with communities that face racial discrimination, People of Colour, Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnicities (we use this language as broadly as possible and are actively working to better represent the affected diverse communities) you could be eligible for funding.  

The LGBT+ Futures: Equity Fund launched at the start of February was co-produced with community organisations, consultations and previous grant giving data to gather information on which areas of our LGBT+ communities need additional support and funds. 5 Key areas were identified as:  D/deaf, Disabled, Neurodivergent people, LGBTQI+ Women, older people, People of Colour, Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnicities and Trans and Non-Binary people. 

This Fund was created to contribute towards Equity within the LGBT+ sector and the communities that need explicit and specific support. Find out more about the Equity Fund here: LGBT+ Futures: Equity Fund. 

 

Links to videos and more information 

Information on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: 

Origins of international day for the elimination of racial discrimination origins video explanation 

International day for the elimination of racial discrimination video text explanation 

Origins of international day for the elimination of racial discrimination 

United Nations anti racism day blog 

LGBT Foundation #IDAR2018 video 

Allyship resources: 

Allyship resource Nova Reid 

Challenging racism in the LGBT community Stonewall  

15 things LGBTQ people of colour want you to know Stonewall Scotland 

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race Reni Eddo-Lodge 

Inclusion and representation video Two Two’s 

Member resources: 

Equity and inclusion resources  

Diversity Series – Including LGBT+ People of Colour video 

Wellbeing resource page  

What is intersectionality?

Intersectionality is a way of viewing the interactions between identities such as disability, gender identities and expression, sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, religion, and other social identities that don’t fall into categories. This concept embodies how often discrimination of one marginalised community may impact greatly on the other parts of individuals, which is often overlooked.

History of intersectionality

Coined by critical race theorist Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, intersectionality means the various ways in which different systems of oppression interact with one another. Intersectionality as a framework was created to help explain the oppression of Black women as that experience is greater than the sum of both sexism and racism but wasn’t accounted for.

‘Intersectionality is a lens through which you can see where power comes and collides, where it interlocks and intersects. It’s not simply that there’s a race problem here, a gender problem here, and a class or LBGTQ problem there. Many times that framework erases what happens to people who are subject to all of these things.’- Crenshaw.

History of intersectionality in LGBT+ communities

‘Although Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term intersectionality, her work rested on prior frameworks developed by Black feminists in the 1970s, many of whom identified as lesbians. These women founded an organization called the Combahee River Collective to focus on the concerns of Black LGBTQ+ women which were not being addressed by either the mainstream women’s movement or the civil rights movement.’- Identiversity.

Other icons such as Marsha P. Johnson and Audre Lorde also experienced their identity through multiple lenses which impacted their interactions with the world. There are many fantastic groups and organisations you can find in our member directory that work to celebrate, uplift and support LGBT+ folks with intersecting identities.

How can understanding intersectionality inform the support we offer?

Seeing communities as not being homogeneous but made up of individuals and their experiences gives people back the power of their identities and creates space for conversations.

For those with intersecting identities, their experiences are unique to them and the way they interact with the world can be viewed through many lenses. We can be allies by listening, by learning and by considering the voices missing in the room and their unique experiences.

Intersectionality and the Equity Fund

Consortium’s LGBT+ Futures: Equity Fund, launched at the start of February was co-produced with community organisations, consultations and previous grant giving data to gather information on which areas of our LGBT+ communities need additional support and funds. 5 Key areas were identified as:  D/deaf and disabled people, LBT women, older people, those tackling racial injustice and trans and non-binary people.

This Fund was created to contribute towards Equity within the LGBT+ sector and the communities that need explicit and specific support. Find out more about the Equity Fund here: LGBT+ Futures: Equity Fund.

On Thursday 3^rd February, The LGBT+ Futures: Equity Fund was launched – a two-year partnership between Consortium and The National Lottery Community Fund. It will help community-led and grassroots LGBT+ groups overcome some of the barriers they face accessing funding and support.

A vital £465,000 will be distributed by Consortium in small grants to grassroots and community-led groups on behalf of The National Lottery Community Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.

This partnership will give the power back to communities as the project will be led by the communities affected the most. With a focus on investment, the Equity Fund will enable those small groups to grow with support and guidance from the wrap around services Consortium will provide, such as leadership and organisational development.

How does the Equity Fund work for communities, with communities?

What makes the Equity Fund so special is Consortium and The National Lottery Community Fund have been working with the affected communities from the start of this project, led by their experiences and expertise.

Consortium are working alongside Community Collaborators and Community Panel Members to ensure fair and equitable decisions are made on which groups to fund. This participatory way of working ensures the right voices are heard in all decision making. They bring a wide range of skills and are incredibly passionate about the Equity Fund and the potential it has to transform the lives of marginalised LGBT+ communities.

Jide (he/him), Equity Fund Community Collaborator at Consortium, reflects on why funding is important for LGBT+ communities and groups:

“Funding is extremely important as many LGBTIQ communities are ostracised and with limited access to funding capabilities. For Black and people of colour LGBTIQ communities, many have suffered racism and injustice as they often battle against cultural and religious abuse.

“Funding is vital to support the many associated problems affecting these communities, such as homelessness, gender-based violence, mental health and sexual health, and to fund the personnel and experts is also needed.”

Violet (they/them), Equity Fund Community Panel Member at Consortium, talks about why they applied to be on the Equity Fund Community Panel:

“As a community organiser, I know how big of a boost funding brings to grassroots groups and projects, but also how much extra strain complicated admin puts on the organisations. These people are doing the most with very little. And there’s a terrible burnout culture, especially among activists, community and art workers, so I hope to bring attention to how important it is to fund access and collective care for people doing the work, as well as those benefiting from the projects. I’m also looking forward to seeing all the fantastic ideas LGBTQIA+ folk are putting forward for funding.”

Sakib (he/they), Equity Fund Community Collaborator at Consortium, explains why the Equity Fund is so exciting for LGBT+ communities:

“For a lot of small grassroots organisations, funding can make a huge difference in the ability to deliver essential work within vulnerable and marginalised communities, traditionally funding hasn’t always been easily accessible to them.

“The Consortium’s awareness of this issue when developing this fund, I feel, has sought a way of addressing this through creating a collaborative model of working with these organisations through the Community Panels. I’m excited to be involved with others, as we bring our knowledge to the table to try to create more of the equality which we know is needed, so that organisations can do their essential work.”

Find out more about The LGBT+ Futures: Equity Fund and how to apply: consortium.lgbt/equityfund