25+ Incredible LGBTQ+ Charities to Support This Pride Month (and Beyond!)

Charity work is vital when it comes to raising awareness on any topic. With a regular issue in government funding and attitudes, charities are often the main bodies to push forward new law and legislation. They also work to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people. Without LGBTQ+ charities, we wouldn’t be where we are today as a community.

In comparison to a few years ago, there are now dozens of charities that specifically support the LGBTQ+ community. We’re now also incredibly lucky to have dedicated charities that support certain intersections within our community. From BIPOC LGBTQ+ charities to those who support Disabled LGBTQ+ people.

Pride is most commonly the time when LGBTQ+ charities receive the most funding. Whether that be from brand campaigns and promotions, where proceeds from sales go to a charity, or from physical bucket donations.

The pandemic over the past two years caused huge issues when it came to charity funding.

Take Brighton Pride as an example. This week, they announced for the second year in a row that Pride will not being going ahead. This means another year that local LGBTQ+ charities (not to mention businesses and organisations!) won’t receive vital funding. I’m confident that something will take place online in replacement of the physical events, however it’s nowhere near comparable.

This is a huge hit and we now run the risk of LGBTQ+ charities not being able to continue their work. This mustn’t happen, which is why I’ve created a list of some of the incredible charities around the world doing amazing work for our community. If you’d like to donate, I’ve included links to their websites. Alternatively, if you can’t donate cash, you can always lend them your time or your social platform. Sharing their information and any future events increases the chance of their message getting out there.

If you would like to find other ways you can support Pride during the various global Pride Months, then I’ve written a handy guide to supporting Pride without attending a parade.

Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT)

The AKT support young LGBTQ+ people aged 16-25 in the UK who are facing or experiencing homelessness, or living in a hostile environment. They also work towards providing safer homes for LGBTQ+ people in the same age range, as well as support through employment, education and training, and creating an environment that celebrates their identity.

Nationally, their service is available online. Alternatively, if you live or have access to the north of the country, Bristol or London, there are service centres offering support and training.

All Out

All Out is a global movement fighting for a world where NO ONE has to sacrifice their family, freedom, safety, or dignity because of who they are or who they love. Following a moment of crisis or an opportunity arises, All Out works closely with partner organisations and charities to organise ways to take action. This ranges from ‘pressure campaigns’ (online petitions and media work) to crowdfunding.

Deaf Rainbow UK

Deaf Rainbow UK is a volunteer-led LGBTQ+ organisation providing, and advocating for, access for queer deaf and hard of hearing (HOH) people across the UK. They provide information, awareness, support and representation for deaf LGBTQ+ people.

Diversity Role Models

Diversity Role Models create safe spaces for young people. Allowing them to explore difference and consider their role in creating a world where everyone can feel accepted.

Their student workshops feature LGBTQ+ or ally role models who speak openly about their lived experiences. Their work aims to build on young people’s empathy so they can understand the (often unintended) impact of their language and actions. For continuity, they also offer training to school governors and staff, as well as parents/carers.

Exist Loudly

Exist Loudly are a London-based organisation committed to supporting queer Black youth, aged between 16 and 23, by providing safe spaces of joy, care and community.

Founded by Tanya Compass, they’ve recently launched Out of the Box, a new monthly hub bringing online workshops, outings and excursions. At Christmas they also run the Queer Black Christmas project, an annual celebration during the Christmas holidays for Black queer youth who are homeless or have a strained relationship with their family.

EMBED: https://www.instagram.com/p/CNpyTlihIEv/

Gendered Intelligence

Gendered Intelligence aims to increase the understanding of gender diversity and improve the quality of life for trans people. They are a trans-led and trans-involving grass roots organisation with a wealth of lived experience and knowledge.

Their goal is to be the thought leaders in this field, bringing positivity, passion and professionalism to everything they do. Their open and non-judgmental approach, to enable nuanced discussion, works towards everyone being intelligent about gender.

Equality for Children

Based in Ireland, Equality for Children is a volunteer-led organisation fighting for the rights of parents who are denied the right to be legally recognised as their child’s parent.

They are calling on the Government to amend the Children and Family Relationships Act and redraft the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill to adopt all of the recommendations made in Professor Conor O’Mahony’s report with immediate effect.

Fighting With Pride

Created on the 20th anniversary of the complete lifting of the ban on LGBTQ+ service – the ‘gay ban’ – Fighting With Pride is a new military charity for LGBTQ+ service people. They support LGBTQ+ veterans, serving personnel and their families, particularly those who were affected by the ‘gay ban’:

Galop

Galop support all LGBTQ+ people who have experienced LGBTQ+ violence. Including, but not exclusive to domestic abuse, sexual violence and hate crime. They also work with young people 25 and under, especially those experiencing violence or abuse or homelessness or if they are risk of homelessness.

Referrals can be made online. You can also contact them via their LGBTQ+ Helpline.

Glaad

Glaad works towards the promotion and visibility of LGBTQ+ people in all forms of media.

Since 1985, the charity has grown to become a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility in TV, film, advertising, and social media. They also offer critical review when it comes to award ceremonies and changes in law and legislation.

EMBED: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQJtvzDgkEk/

Hidayah LGBTQI+

Hidayah (meaning ‘guidance’ in Arabic) is a registered charity and entirely volunteer-led. Their projects and activities are developed specifically for the needs of LGBTQI+ Muslims. Their vision is to increase visibility and to ensure the voices of LGBTQI+ Muslims are heard and understood.

They also aim to provide support and welfare for LGBTQI+ Muslims and promote social justice and education about our community to counter discrimination, prejudice and injustice.

Human Dignity Trust

The Human Dignity Trust is the only organisation working globally to support strategic litigation to challenge laws that persecute LGBTQ+ people. They provide technical legal, communications and security assistance to lawyers and activists. Especially those who are defending human rights in countries where private, same-sex, consensual sexual activity is criminalised.

ILGA World

The ILGA (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) is a worldwide federation of more than 1,600 organisations from over 150 countries and territories campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex human rights.

Since 1978, they have been there through several legal, political and social changes across the globe. Their goal is global justice, and that equity is assured and established regardless of people’s sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics.

Imaan LGBTQI Muslim Support

Imaan LGBTQI are the leading charity led by and for LGBTQI Muslims based in the UK.

Since 1999, they’ve supported LGBTQI Muslims and raised awareness of the issues that affect the community.

Just Like Us

Just Like Us is a young people’s charity, founded five years ago for a simple reason: Growing up LGBTQ+ is still unacceptably tough.

Running three different programs across the UK – their Ambassador Programme, School Diversity Week and Pride Groups, as well as talks and workshops – their aim is to let all young people to know that being LGBTQ+ is something to be celebrated.

Kaleidoscope Trust

The Kaleidoscope Trust works to uphold the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) people in countries around the world where they are discriminated against or marginalised due to their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression.

Working with international institutions and partners, to fund and support the work of LGBTQ+ activists. Bringing about positive legislative, policy and social change for LGBTQ+ people everywhere.

LGBTQ+ Disabled Queer and Hear

Founded in June 2019, Disabled Queer and Hear provide a platform for people with disabilities who wouldn’t normally get an opportunity to show off their skills and talents in the public arena, giving them a chance to work alongside others and be a part of the community.

LGBTQ+ Freedom Fund

The LGBTQ Freedom Fund pays bail to secure the safety and liberty of individuals in US jails and immigration facilities. They also work to build a critical mass against the mass detention of LGBTQ+ people.

Each day, tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people are held in jail or immigration detention because they cannot afford bail – for immigration status or charges like sleeping in public. The LGBTQ Freedom Fund is there to help.

LGBT Foundation

The LGBT Foundation are a national charity firmly rooted in Greater Manchester. They provide a wide range of evidence-based and cost effective services. As a result, they serve more LGBTQ+ people than any other charity of it’s kind in the UK.

Their primary goal is to support LGBTQ+ people to increase their skills, knowledge and self-confidence to improve and maintain their health and well-being. They also work in partnership with others to build strong, cohesive and influential LGBTQ+ communities.

EMBED: https://www.instagram.com/p/CODSBgMLmKc/

LGBT Switchboard

For over 40+ years, the folks at LGBT Switchboard have created a safe space for anyone wanting to talk. Discuss anything, from sexuality and gender identity, to sexual health and emotional well-being.

In the 1980s they were the leading source of information on the then new and unknown disease of HIV/AIDS. As the effect on our community became apparent, they collated and maintained a detailed manual of the latest and most up-to-date information. Today, they continue to provide support on the phone (and through email and instant messaging services) to people from across the UK.

Mermaids

Mermaids support transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday. This includes their family and professionals involved in their care. They also currently offer web chat support to students up to the age of 25.

Following worldwide coverage and media attention, Mermaids has quickly become one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charities. Their goal is to empower people with their secure online communities, local community groups, helpline services, web resources. They also provide events and residential weekends.

Naz and Matt Foundation

The Naz and Matt Foundation was set up in 2014 following the sad loss of Matt’s fiancé, Naz, who took his own life two days after his deeply religious family confronted him about his sexuality.

The foundation exists to empower and support LGBTQI+ individuals, their friends and family to work towards resolving challenges linked to sexuality or gender identity, particularly where religion is heavily influencing the situation.

The Okra Project

The Okra Project prepare and deliver home-cooked meals for homeless Black trans people in places where it’s needed the most. It aims to make food accessible and not an ‘exclusive luxury’.

Their chefs, who also happen to be Black and trans, provide this service to areas that truly require assistance. They also provide employment to Black trans chefs, based on the fact that Black trans workers are less likely to be employed due to discrimination.

Opening Doors London (ODL)

Opening Doors London is the largest UK charity providing activities, events, information and support services specifically for LGBTQ+ people over 50. They also provide regular social opportunities and events to help develop networks, communities and create friendships.

Outside of the community, ODL also offer specialist training for statutory and voluntary organisations. For example, care homes, housing associations and hospitals, to help them understand the needs of older LGBTQ+ people.

EMBED: https://www.instagram.com/p/CMOszJzl-IN/

OutRight Action International

OutRight is the ONLY LGBTQ+ organisation that has a presence in the United Nations. Why? Because it fights for rights of LGBTQ+ members around the world.

This follows the knowledge that in many countries across the world, including states within the USA, LGBTQ+ people are still treated unfairly. In some countries, LGBTQ+ people are even killed or tortured for being who they are because it is illegal to be LGBTQ+.

ParaPride

ParaPride is a registered charity working with social venues, public spaces and online platforms to create inclusive events and social opportunities that cater specifically to the needs of all those living with disabilities, mental health and chronic health conditions and impairments.

They also provide training and workshops to help venues and public spaces become more aware of the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ disabled community.

Positive East

Positive East are London’s largest community-based HIV charity, offering advice, support, counselling, volunteering and free HIV tests.

For three decades they have been at the forefront of HIV service and care, supporting people from point of HIV diagnosis to longer term care, whilst also tackling the stigma of HIV.

The Proud Trust

The Proud Trust is a life saving and life enhancing organisation that helps LGBTQ+ young people empower themselves. Allowing them to make a positive change for themselves, and their communities.

The Proud Trust do this through a range of avenues. From youth groups and regional LGBTQ+ youth networks, to the delivery of training, events and campaigns, as well as undertaking research and creating resources.

Regard

Regard is a national organisation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people (LGBTQ+) who self-identify as disabled. They follow the Social Model of Disability, a way of thinking about disability that says it is society that needs to change by removing the barriers that deny us inclusion and equal rights.

Regard has the following aims:

• To provide information, advice and support to LGBTQ+ disabled people.
• To raise awareness and campaign on issues affecting disabled LGBTQ+ people.
• And to combat social isolation among LGBTQ+ disabled people.

Stonewall

Starting as a ‘professional lobbying group’ that would prevent attacks such as Section 28 on lesbian, gay and bi people from ever occurring again, Stonewall has subsequently put the case for equality on the mainstream political agenda. Winning support within all the main political parties, the charity now has offices in England, Scotland and Wales.

Successes include helping achieve the equalisation of the age of consent, lifting the ban on LGB people serving in the military, securing legislation that allowed same-sex couples to adopt, and the repeal of Section 28. More recently, Stonewall has helped secure civil partnerships and then same-sex marriage and ensured that the recent Equality Act protected lesbian, gay and bi people in terms of goods and services.

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT)

The Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity. They support people living with HIV and amplify their voices, and help the people using their services to achieve good sexual health.

By naming the trust after Terry Higgins, who was one of the first people in the UK to die of an AIDS-related illness, the founding members – his partner and friends – hoped to personalise and humanise AIDS in a very public way. It focused on raising funds for research and awareness of the illness that was then called ‘Gay-Related Immune Deficiency’.

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is the leading national organisation providing 24 hour crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ young people under 25. They’re also committed to producing innovative research that brings new knowledge and clinical implications to the field of suicidology.

Whoever you choose to support, make sure you do your research beforehand!

By this, I mean find out what the charity actually needs from you. Some LGBTQ+ charities need extra or specific equipment, some need financial support, some need extra hands answering phones or at their next event, and some just need you to sign a petition or raise awareness.

Support can come in many different forms, and LGBTQ+ charities understand that not everyone can afford donating physical cash. But, if you can do something that’ll mean that their name is out there it’ll mean the world to them.

Feature image credit: Nadine Shaabana / Unsplash