Twelve organisations awarded government funding to help improve lives of LGBT people
The funding marks the start of LGBT History Month
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Twelve UK organisations helping to improve the lives of LGBT+ people have been awarded government funding.
To mark the start of LGBT History Month, 12 organisations supporting LGBT+ people in education, healthcare and the community will receive a share of £2.6million as part of the government’s LGBT+ Action Plan.
Over the last 30 years, attitudes to same-sex relationships has dramatically changed and results from the Attitudes to equalities: the British Social Attitudes Survey 2017 found that in 2017, 68 per cent of people said same-sex relations were ‘not at all wrong’ which was up from 47 per cent in 2012, 39 per cent in 2007 and just 11 per cent in 1987.
The report also found that 80 per cent of people aged between 18 to 24 believed there was nothing wrong with same-sex relations.
Baroness Susan Williams, Minister for Equalities, said: “Everyone should be able to love who they wish to and live their life free from fear and discrimination, and I am encouraged to see how people’s attitudes are changing to be more accepting and more tolerant.
“However, we still have work to do to make sure our society is truly fair. That’s why we are working with charities, schools, GPs, and across government to make sure our Action Plan can bring about real, lasting change for LGBT people in the UK.”
Up to £1million of the money will be split between Barnardo’s, Diversity Role Models, Equaliteach, National Children’s Bureau, Stonewall and The Diana Award.
Advonet, LGBT Foundation, London Friend, Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest, and the Royal College of General Practitioners have been awarded a share of £1million.
The LGBT Consortium has also been allocated £200,000 to help deliver training and development to LGBT sector organisations to help them grow, mature and become more sustainable.
It will also distribute up to £400,000 of the government funding to voluntary and community groups to support the LGBT+ community.