Difference between revisions of "Stonewall Equality Limited"
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Originally Stonewall did not promote [[trans]] issues, saying that it preferred to leave them to organisations that specialised in that field. However in February 2015 it extended its remit to campaign for LGBT, rather than just LGB, equality. | Originally Stonewall did not promote [[trans]] issues, saying that it preferred to leave them to organisations that specialised in that field. However in February 2015 it extended its remit to campaign for LGBT, rather than just LGB, equality. | ||
:"This change marks a significant moment in Stonewall’s history. As a community we can achieve much more by standing together. This is an exciting but huge undertaking – we recognise that we are not instant experts, and will work closely with the trans community to achieve real change for LGBT people."<ref>http://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/trans-equality. Ruth Hunt, Stonewall Chief Executive, "Stonewall and Trans Equality". Accessed: 2015-12-17. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6dqCwAG7E)</ref> | :"This change marks a significant moment in Stonewall’s history. As a community we can achieve much more by standing together. This is an exciting but huge undertaking – we recognise that we are not instant experts, and will work closely with the trans community to achieve real change for LGBT people."<ref>http://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/trans-equality. Ruth Hunt, Stonewall Chief Executive, "Stonewall and Trans Equality". Accessed: 2015-12-17. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6dqCwAG7E)</ref> | ||
| + | In 2020 [[Matthew Parris]] left Stonewall as he could not reconcile himself to their approach on transgender issues <ref> The Times 18 November 2020 https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/magical-map-emporium-that-needs-some-capital-d72wbslnh </ref>. | ||
==Directors and Chairs== | ==Directors and Chairs== | ||
Revision as of 19:46, 27 November 2020
- This page describes the campaigning organisation; for other uses of the term "Stonewall", and for its origin, see Stonewall (disambiguation).
Stonewall Equality Limited, generally referred to simply as Stonewall, is a British LGB campaigning organisation. It was founded in 1989 by a small group of women and men who had been active in the struggle against Section 28 of the Local Government Act. It is often quoted as “ten men and ten women” – though people argue over who those ten men and women were. Sir Ian McKellen, Matthew Parris, Lisa Power, Michael Cashman and Olivette Cole-Wilson were chosen for The Reunion programme on BBC [1]. Douglas Slater was featured as one of the primary founders in David Mixner’s book “Brave Journeys: Profiles in Gay and Lesbian Courage” [2].
Contents
Campaigns
Section 28 was an offensive piece of legislation designed to prevent the so-called 'promotion' of homosexuality in schools; as well as stigmatising gay people it also galvanised the gay community. Stonewall's aim from the outset was to create a professional lobbying group that would prevent such attacks on lesbians, gay men and bisexuals from ever occurring again. Stonewall has subsequently put the case for equality on the mainstream political agenda by winning support within all the main political parties and now has offices in England, Scotland and Wales.
Stonewall is renowned for its campaigning and lobbying. Some major successes include helping achieve the equalisation of the age of consent, lifting the ban on lesbians and gay men serving in the military, securing legislation allowing same-sex couples to adopt and the repeal of Section 28. More recently Stonewall has helped secure civil partnerships and ensured the recent Equality Act protected lesbians and gay men in terms of goods and services.
Stonewall Diversity Champions
Stonewall also works with a whole range of agencies to address the needs of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in the wider community. Their Diversity Champions programme offers advice and support to over 600 organisations including IBM, Barclays, Barnardos, DCLG and the Royal Navy.[3]
Other projects
Stonewall's Education for All campaign, launched in January 2005, helps tackle homophobia and homophobic bullying in schools and works with a wide coalition of groups.
More recently Stonewall has formed partnerships with organisations outside Parliament to ensure the rights and needs of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals are addressed in the wider community.
Stonewall has also raised public awareness in terms of civil partnership, through the Get Hitched guide, and on the changes to the employment regulations relating to sexual orientation through guides for both employers and employees.
In addition Stonewall promotes new research on issues such as hate crime, lesbian health and homphobic bullying in schools.
Stonewall Scotland and Stonewall Cymru do similar work in Wales and Scotland respectively.
On 23 September 2003 Stonewall was granted charitable status (Charity Registration Number 1101255).
Stonewall receives no public funding and raises all its money itself in a range of ways including donations, sponsorship, and fundraising events.
Stonewall and trans issues
Originally Stonewall did not promote trans issues, saying that it preferred to leave them to organisations that specialised in that field. However in February 2015 it extended its remit to campaign for LGBT, rather than just LGB, equality.
- "This change marks a significant moment in Stonewall’s history. As a community we can achieve much more by standing together. This is an exciting but huge undertaking – we recognise that we are not instant experts, and will work closely with the trans community to achieve real change for LGBT people."[4]
In 2020 Matthew Parris left Stonewall as he could not reconcile himself to their approach on transgender issues [5].
Directors and Chairs
Chief Executive Officers of Stonewall to date have been:
- Tim Barnett (1989-1992)
- Angela Mason (1992-2002)
- Ben Summerskill (2003-2014)
- Ruth Hunt (appinted 2014).
Cathryn Wright is Chief Operating Officer.
Jacqueline Davies was appointed Chair of Stonewall in 2012, replacing David Isaac.[6]
External links
BBC Radio 4 programme “The Reunion”, where Sue MacGregor brings together some of the founders of Stonewall to tell their story. Available on BBC iPlayer. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mpmm4
References
- ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mpmm4
- ↑ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brave-Journeys-Profiles-Lesbian-ebook/dp/B004G60FU4
- ↑ http://www.stonewall.org.uk/get-involved/workplace/diversity-champions-programme. Accessed: 2015-12-17. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6dqBjWsLT)
- ↑ http://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/trans-equality. Ruth Hunt, Stonewall Chief Executive, "Stonewall and Trans Equality". Accessed: 2015-12-17. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6dqCwAG7E)
- ↑ The Times 18 November 2020 https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/magical-map-emporium-that-needs-some-capital-d72wbslnh
- ↑ http://www.stonewall.org.uk/media/current_releases/8102.asp "Jacqueline Davies appointed Stonewall Chair", Stonewall, 24 October 2012
