friends

magaZine
PUBLISHED FOR SUPPORTERS OF STONEWALL SUMMER 2015

tHe trans
consUltation
Stonewall has begun campaigning for trans equality. Hear
from two trans campaigners who shared their thoughts.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Find out about our latest campaigns, our work with Russian activists,
school role model visits, and much more.
 The British are coming!
No need to go abroad – we have 25,000 vials of British donor
sperm at your service at londonspermbankdonors.com
friends | contents

PAGE 4 WELCOME PAGE 6 CAMPAIGNS

PAGE 5 MEET THE NEW TRUSTEES PAGE 7 JAK’S STORY

contents
friends
magaZine
sUmmer
2015
PAGE 8 EQUALITY WALK 2015 PAGE 11 RUNNING FOR STONEWALL PAGE 14 STONEWALL AND TRANS
PAGE 10 STONEWALL’S INFO LINE PAGE 12 WORKPLACE CAMPAIGN PAGE 16 EDUCATION CHAMPIONS

PAGE 17 SCHOOL VISITS & ROLE MODELS PAGE 20 CHRISTIAN WEBB PAGE 22 PRIDE CALENDAR
PAGE 19 INTERNATIONAL WORK PAGE 22 CALEB’S POSTCARD PAGE 23 LIFELONG FRIENDS

Design by Alex Long, Stonewall. Printed on recycled FSC certified paper, using fully sustainable, vegetable oil-based inks. All waste
products are fully recycled. Registered in England and Wales: Stonewall Equality Ltd, Tower Building, York Road, London SE1 7NX.
Registration no 02412299 - VAT no 862 9064 05 - Charity no 1101255

Summer 2015 Friends magazine 3

friends | welcome

welcome
I’m thrilled, since my last Friends magazine introduction, to be writing on behalf of the now
lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality charity Stonewall.
Stonewall became trans inclusive in February
following a six month consultation with over
700 trans people. To ensure that this work is
led by trans voices, we’ll be recruiting a Trans
Advisory Group to help us. You can learn more
about this at www.stonewall.org.uk/trans.
This year’s Stonewall Workplace Conference
was also trans inclusive for the first time ever,
with a specific trans session and a spectacular
keynote speech from Flight Lieutenant Ayla
Holdom. This was our most successful
Workplace Conference to date, attended by
over 750 people from organisations committed
to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality.
And in May, hundreds of Stonewall staff and
supporters took to the streets of Brighton for
our twelfth annual Equality Walk, led by our
fabulous hosts, Cucumber’s Bethany Black and
Emmerdale’s Alicya Eyo. It was great to be back
in Brighton with as warm a welcome as ever.
Stonewall is now looking forward to Pride
season, where we’ll have a wider presence
than ever before, at events including Sparkle,
Manchester Pride, Black Pride and Pride
Glasgow. We’re excited to hear from supporters
across England, Scotland and Wales and to be
talking more about the different types of work
that we do.
Often, I’m asked what the ‘main issue’ facing
Stonewall is. And I take a second before I
answer. Should I talk about the 50 per cent of
young lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people
who are bullied at school?
Do I talk about laws affecting trans people
that urgently need addressing, like the Gender
Recognition Act?
How about the one in six of us that, each year,
are spat at, beaten up, or shouted at as victims
of hate crime?
Or do we have a conversation about the
international issues facing LGBT people? Those
76 countries where being gay is illegal, or the
ten where it’s punishable by death?
Stonewall is facing just one battle – and that’s
achieving full equality for all lesbian, gay,
bisexual and trans people everywhere.
And we’ll continue to help train teachers,
work with schools and local authorities, and
campaign to end homophobic, biphobic and
transphobic language in our playgrounds and
workplaces.
We’ll continue to work with the police
to ensure that homophobic, biphobic and
transphobic hate crime is addressed, tackled
and prevented, and we’ll work with the new
government to address laws affecting trans
people.
We’ll continue working with human rights
defenders around the world, sharing with them
the campaigning tools we’ve learned in our 25
years, to enable them to create positive change
in their own countries.
And we will not stop until every lesbian, gay,
bisexual and trans person is accepted without
exception in every street, every school, every
community, every workplace, on every sports
pitch and in every place of worship.
Acceptance without exception. We’ll continue
to do our best to get there, but we need your
continued support to do so.
Thank you so much for your support so far.
RUTH HUNT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE

STONEWALL STONEWALL CYMRU STONEWALL SCOTLAND

Tower Building Transport House Mansfield Traquair Centre
11 York Road 1 Cathedral Road 15 Mansfield Place
Stonewall is the UK’s leading LGBT
charity, working towards a world where
London, SE1 7NX Cardiff, CF11 9SB Edinburgh, EH3 6BB
everyone is accepted without exception. 020 7593 1850 02920 237 744 0131 474 8019

4 Friends magazine Summer 2015

 friends | meet tHe new trUstees

Stonewall has announced the appointment of three new

Trustees: Katie Cornhill, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah and Tim Toulmin.

meet Jan Gooding, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Katie, Phyll and Tim
to the Stonewall Board. Their range of experience will help us to ensure that we reflect the needs

tHe new
of the diverse LGBT community.
A great deal of progress has been made towards legislative equality, but there is still a lot more to

trUstees do, and many more communities to reach, until we can say that social equality has been achieved
for LGBT people. Our new Board members will work closely with the Stonewall leadership team as
we continue on this journey.”

Katie Cornhill
Katie is a Manager at the Hampshire Fire
and Rescue Service, and is the Functional
Lead for Prevention, Protection and Safety at
The Fire Service College. She also took part
in our Leadership Programme, which helps
LGBT professionals in leadership positions to
transform and improve their workplaces.
As a trans woman, Katie will be helping to
guide Stonewall as it undergoes the process of
becoming fully trans inclusive. Katie says, “For
me, being a visible trans lesbian role model is
about more than just my sexuality. It is about
my gender identity as well. It’s about me as a
person. It’s about talking the talk and walking
the walk. It’s about leading through example.”

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah
Phyll is co-founder and Executive Director of UK Phyll has been named as one of the top 100 most
Black Pride. She brings with her an unwavering influential LGBT people in the Independent’s
commitment to workplace equality and social Rainbow List. She will play a vital role as
justice, which has secured her a seat on the Stonewall broadens its reach and goes deeper
TUC LGBT Committee and TUC Race Relations
into communities, including BME communities,
Committee. She also sits on the Board for
in Britain and abroad.
Justice for Gay Africans which focuses on
Human Rights, Equal Rights, and challenging
racism and discrimination.

Tim Toulmin
Tim is the founder and Managing Director of
Alder Media, a London-based communication
agency. He is a director of travel PR firm
MyTravelPressOffice and a Specialist Partner
of Pagefield Communications. He is also a
Trustee of the charity Parents and Abducted
Children Together.
Tim has been involved in some of the highest-
profile media stories in the last decade, and his
vast communications experience will be central
to Stonewall as it continues to engage new
audiences and work towards achieving equality
for LGBT people in all aspects of their lives.

Stonewall is governed by a Board of Trustees who meet regularly during the year. Recruitment to
stonewall’s the board is open to all and based on skills relevant to Stonewall’s work, and Trustees serve for
Board terms of three years. They are responsible for developing our strategy as an organisation, and
oversee Stonewall’s finances. Visit our website to find out more about our board of trustees at
www.stonewall.org.uk/board

Summer 2015 Friends magazine 5

friends | oUr campaigns

With your support, Stonewall works to improve the lives of LGBT

oUr people with a focus on access to healthcare, participation in

campaigns sport and eradicating bullying. Here are some of our favourite
bits from the year so far...

International Women’s Day LGBT History Month Trans Day of Visibility

We celebrated important women and female We shared moments from LGBT history We put up a display of our trans heroes in the
supporters in March, profiling international throughout February, and held a pub quiz in Stonewall office to mark Trans Day of Visibility,
activists, sporting stars and role models on Soho to celebrate its unique heritage and which celebrates the accomplishments of trans
social media and our website. importance to the LGBT community. people around the world.

NoBystanders
The Scottish Police force signed the NoBystanders pledge at a public event at Tulliallan, Perthshire,
attended by Chief Constable Sir Stephen House. Thanks to everyone who donated to our Christmas
NoBystanders appeal, we managed to raise over £15,000 to help grow the movement even further.

Rainbow Laces
Over 1,000 university students laced up to show
support for Stonewall and to end homophobia
International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia
in sport, campaigning during Welsh We joined forces with supporters to hold a human rainbow event on the Southbank in London to
Varsity 2015. celebrate IDAHOBiT 2015 and used social media to celebrate the accomplishments of Stonewall’s
Young Campaigners of the Year 2015, Sirina-Monique and Christian Webb.

want to know
more aBoUt oUr
campaigns?
For more infomation and other ways
to get involved in Stonewall’s latest
campaigns, visit our website at
www.stonewall.org.uk/campaigns

6 Friends magazine Summer 2015


Jak’s storY
When I first got involved with Stonewall I was homeless, lonely and had recently failed an attempt
at suicide. Being honest about my sexuality had backfired and I had lost my home, my family and
everything I owned. I had nothing… Stonewall showed me there was a future, that there was hope
for people like me.
I realised I was gay when I was 15. Kids in my
school that did come out got bullied quite a lot,
so I kept myself hidden away and didn’t express
my sexuality. When I came out to my brother,
my mum overheard. She was crying and said,
“Jak, please, please tell me you’re not gay.”
And I said, “Yes I’m sorry, but I am.”
It made me feel like a failure, that I’d let my
family down. My mum gave me an ultimatum.
She said, “You can change or you can leave.”
I couldn’t face hiding anymore, so I left. I was
homeless for about four months. I got really
depressed because I didn’t want to exist.
The main help I had was my school. They were
incredible. They would give me leftover school
meals so I had food to eat. They paid for me to
buy some shoes so I could go to a job interview.
They signed up to be a Stonewall Champion
school. One teacher kept pushing me to go to
LGBT sessions because he knew it would be
good for me. It was just nice to be surrounded
by other gay people, I think.
Almost two years from first getting involved
at school, Stonewall has opened a whole
new world to me. I’m happy now because
I’m a version of myself I should really have
friends | Jak’s storY
always been. Stonewall gave me the courage
to combat the homophobia in my family and
rebuild bridges to make a stronger family than
I ever had before.
Stonewall helped me grow the confidence to
be a leader and a role model in society. It was
through Stonewall that I learnt how to seek the
career opportunities that took me from burger
flipper to accountant in training.
Stonewall’s purpose is to make sure that
nobody has to go through what I went through,
and we’re a long way from that happening. If
we’re going to get there, they need your help.
Stonewall gave me the hope that things would
get better. Stonewall saved my life.”
JAK XENON, 20
can YoU Help a OVER 75,000 YOUNG LGBT PEOPLE
ARE BULLIED EVERY YEAR
YoUng person
like Jak? MORE THAN 21,000 OF THOSE
WILL ATTEMPT SUICIDE
Please make a donation if you can.
Call us on 020 7593 1876 or visit 45% OF THOSE WHO ARE BULLIED
www.stonewall.org.uk/jak SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION
Summer 2015 Friends magazine 7
friends | eQUalitY walk 2015

Over 700 supporters gathered in sunny Brighton on Sunday 10

May for the annual Stonewall Equality Walk. The Walk is a flagship
event in the Stonewall calendar, giving us the opportunity to meet
hundreds of supporters, hear about the issues important to them

eQUalitY
and celebrate the diversity of the LGBT community together.
As well as having a fun and family-friendly day, this year’s participants raised an impressive £40,000

walk 2015 from their sponsored 10k and 3k walks. This money is critical in allowing us to reach further into our
communities than ever before, by working with more schools, community groups, sport organisations
and others to achieve equality for everyone. Thanks to everyone who attended - you made our day!

8 Friends magazine Summer 2015

 friends | eQUalitY walk 2015

“A BIG THANK you to Stonewall for

organising this event and B3Living who
covered the cost of our young people’s
attendance at the walk.

Although we initially booked a 3k walk, our

kids wanted to do the full challenge and
completed it with ‘flying colours’.

They enjoyed being part of a wider LGBT

community which many of them have not
had the opportunity to feel a part of before.
They felt a great sense of acceptance,
connection and freedom to be themselves.

And to top it all, they enjoyed spending

some time on the beach that many of them
have not had the opportunity to do before.

I can’t stress enough how wonderful this

experience was for our group, so thank you
again.“ PROJECT INDIGO, HACKNEY

Photos courtesy of Lauren Psyk Photographer with additional photography from Irene Cantizano, Stonewall. Summer 2015 Friends magazine 9
friends | stonewall’s info line
stonewall’s info line
Stonewall’s Info Line service provides
information on LGBT rights and signposts
thousands of people every year to LGBT-
friendly support services and legal advice.
Staffed by dedicated volunteers, we respond to
a wide range of issues and queries. Here’s what
you’ve been asking about since the last Friends:
Civil Partnership Conversion
It’s a very simple process:
• Make an appointment at a register office (in
England or Wales if your CP was registered
in England or Wales; in Scotland if your CP
was in Scotland).
• You’ll need your CP certificate, birth
certificate and proof of address.
• Sign a declaration in the presence of a
superintendent registrar or their deputy.
• Celebrate!
Education
We are regularly contacted by concerned
school staff who want to begin effectively
challenging homophobic bullying.
Parents and students play a huge part in
getting the message across too, and we equip
them with the words to use, the resources to
share and the policies they can clarify.
feedBack The info service deals with around 880 enquiries a month.
96% said they would use the info service again. 94% said they would recommend the service to a friend.
‘This was my first contact with
Stonewall. Am extremely happy with
the prompt and attentive service.’
‘I was very impressed by both the
promptness and relevance of the
advice I received.’
10 Friends magazine Summer 2015
Employment
LGBT people are protected from
discrimination and harassment at work.
Employers must take grievances seriously and
have a responsibility to take action against
bullying. If they don’t, employees can make a
claim through an employment tribunal.
If you’re unsure how your company might react
in these situations, you can check their bullying
and harassment policy to ensure it talks about
all forms of bullying, including anti-LGBT or
homophobic.
Hate Crime
Our advice is to always report hate crime,
even if it’s anonymously. For those who
don’t like the idea of going to the police, you
can contact a third party reporting service.
We’re often contacted by people experiencing
issues with their neighbours and these
situations can get complicated, especially if
neighbours make counter claims. It’s important
to keep a diary of what’s happening, what’s
said and who’s involved.
Keep details about who you speak to at the
police or housing association; they should take
any report of homophobic abuse seriously.
‘Very helpful and caring. I was listened
to. Very informative and I felt part of
the community.’
‘The service was great - it pointed me
straight in the right direction to get
the information I was looking for.’
contact
stonewall’s
info line
You can access our info service by
calling 08000 50 20 20, or by emailing
info@stonewall.org.uk
If you’re interested in volunteering
for our Info Service, visit our website
www.stonewall.org.uk/volunteer
Health
There are a number of groups who can
offer counselling and emotional support
for LGBT people across the UK. We can
help callers get in touch with these services as
well as LGBT youth groups.
Immigration and asylum
Immigration and asylum law is
complicated and only licensed and
qualified practitioners can give detailed
advice. We suggest you contact a solicitor.
Get in touch for details of LGBT-friendly ones.
Parenting
You want to start your own family – great!
But before becoming a parent it’s crucial
to get your legal facts right, such as:
• Who will be named on the birth certificate?
• Who can make the key decisions in the
child’s education, health etc?
• What happens if couples split up?
We have produced a range of publications to
help understand the law and each parent’s
responsibilities; whether they are the birth
mum, second legal parent, donor dad or
surrogate.
‘Very helpful. Received a prompt and
friendly reply. Can’t think of any way in
which the service could be improved!’
‘Unbeatable.’
(Quotes from users of Stonewall’s Info Line.)

rUnning for stonewall
Three supporters ran the London Marathon in April to raise money for Stonewall. Here’s an
account from one of our runners, Matt.
“Oh, you’re running the London Marathon?
That’s great. Who’re you running it for?” is
the question every single person running the
marathon will be asked. Who we’re running
it for is the most important part of the whole
undertaking. A few honest friends knew of
course why I was running for an LGBT charity
but why did they need donations and what was
the money going towards instead of other more
life-saving charities?
It was only then I realised that fundraising
for Stonewall isn’t just asking for donations
but you need to become a wee activist, which
became the most rewarding part about the
whole process.
Fundraising involves a lot of repetitive yet highly
effective social media posts, a place where
people now go to be informed or entertained
HUge tHanks to
oUr maratHon
rUnners tHis Year,
dan, sam & matt,
wHo raised an
amaZing £6,064
for stonewall
friends | rUnning for stonewall
(usually the latter by some adorable cat
having a bath or something). So I took massive
advantage of this and researched and shared
stories of the ongoing fights and triumphs LGBT
people have faced throughout history, from the
first gay pride march in London to the effects
of bullying among young people in schools all
over the country today.
I wrote to gay activists including Sir Ian McKellen,
who donated, and I asked the wonderful
West End cast of Sunny Afternoon who made
announcements about my run and Stonewall at
the end of each show the day before the run which
had donations flooding in, and I’m now looking
into busking this summer when the weather’s
warmer and raising money that way too.
A lot of people cry at the end of the marathon
and I can honestly say only a small part of that
will account for the relief and self-achievement
of completing such a mammoth physical
undertaking… the rest will be because you
know you’re helping to change minds and lives
of people who were otherwise ignorant to
what LGBT people have fought for, to achieve
equality. Then they will know that Stonewall is
a lifesaving charity.
MATT X
inspired to rUn
for stonewall?
If this year’s race made you think
that you too could take on this iconic
challenge, you can apply for one of
Stonewall’s guaranteed places at
www.stonewall.org.uk/londonmarathon
Summer 2015 Friends magazine 11
friends | workplace campaign
workplace campaign
Our experience has shown that LGBT
people working in the construction industry
often feel that they can’t be themselves
at work. In March, multinational property
and infrastructure company Lend Lease
decided to help do something about it.
In support of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces
campaign, 1,000 builders at several construction
sites across London laced up for equality, with
Lend Lease operatives around the UK also
showing their support. The company used
our NoBystanders campaign materials to
run “toolbox talks” on each site, focusing on
workplace bullying and discrimination, and
they reported that the campaign went down
“extremely well” and had received a “fantastic
response from both LGBT and straight workers”.
Lend Lease is one of the first employers in
the construction industry to have taken part in
Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index. The Index
is an annual benchmarking exercise that ranks
LGBT-friendly employers in Britain, and is the
leading tool for employers to measure their efforts
to tackle discrimination and create inclusive
workplaces. Lend Lease, eager to promote
equality in the construction industry, now has
its own allies programme and has been actively
engaging with LGBT network group Freehold.
find oUt more Visit our website to read more about Diversity Champions: www.stonewall.org.uk/diversitychampions
12 Friends magazine Summer 2015
Martin Coyd, Chair of the Lend Lease
Europe Diversity Council, said:
“A diverse and inclusive culture makes
good business sense. To perform
at the best of our ability, we need
a culture and an environment that
embraces difference and when we
can benefit from the diverse thinking,
experiences and backgrounds of our
people. When our industry becomes
more inclusive, people can then be
themselves, which allows them to
reach their full potential. If we don’t
embrace diversity we will lose out on
the talent, skills and experience that
come with it.”
Chris Edwards, Client Group Manager at
Stonewall said:
“We know that LGBT people still
face challenges working in the
construction industry. That’s why
initiatives like this – and the work of
senior role models and allies at Lend
Lease and across the sector – are
absolutely vital. We’re committed
to working with organisations in
the construction sector to make the
industry open and welcoming to all.”
BUILDING A DIVERSE
WORKPLACE
Here at BDB we believe inclusion inspires innovation, and so valuing and promoting diversity
is the best way to run our business, and the right thing to do for our employees.
We are proud to partner with Stonewall to work toward building a truly diverse and inclusive
legal profession.

Contact Penny Chapman, Partner E pennychapman@bdb-law.co.uk T +44 (0)20 7783 3537

Bircham Dyson Bell LLP 50 Broadway London SW1H 0BL www.bdb-law.co.uk
friends | stonewall and trans
stonewall
and trans
reUBs
walsH
First, a disclaimer. I am
only one trans person with
only one trans person’s
perspective.
I’ve been in elected roles
to represent trans people,
but that doesn’t give me
the right to act as though
I’m speaking on behalf of
the (totally imaginary) ‘trans
cabal’!
I’m just one trans person
with a loud mouth and a
very specific perspective on
liberation campaigns and
Stonewall’s place in that.
14 Friends magazine Summer 2015
After hundreds of conversations with trans people, and with
our supporters and partners, we at Stonewall have decided to
begin campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality.
Whether we’re challenging bullying in our
schools, tackling hate crime on our streets or
working to make our public services truly equal
for users, we have a responsibility to use our
voice and share our 25 years of experience.
This change marks a significant moment in
Stonewall’s history. As a community we can
achieve much more by standing together.
Over the last 25 years, Stonewall has been a
powerful advocate for LGB people. They’ve
often been a controversial organisation, with
many in the LGBT community criticising their
willingness to seemingly ‘fraternise with the
enemy’, their position on specific issues, such
as marriage, and the exclusion of trans people
from their work. And on each of these issues,
Stonewall has had to enter a dialogue with its
critics. Fraternising with the enemy is how one
creates social and political change. It’s important
work that is missed if one only ‘preaches to the
converted’. When the LGBT community said
that marriage was something we wanted, if
not for ourselves then for those among us who
did, Stonewall got behind the campaign, and as
we know, the Marriage (same sex couples) Act
has recently brought us one very significant step
closer to full marriage equality.
And now Stonewall is again listening to the
community it represents, holding up its hands
and saying “we got it wrong”. Earlier this year,
Stonewall announced that it will begin to include
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.
We talked to two campaigners to get
their thoughts on Stonewall becoming
trans-inclusive.
trans people in its work, and even acknowledged
specific incidents in the past when it had failed
to be an ally to the trans community. Trans
people are being given an equal seat at the
Stonewall table, and whilst it is long overdue,
it is also the beginning of a new episode in the
history of trans people’s liberation in the UK.
I look forward to Stonewall’s campaigns
becoming trans-inclusive. I hope that this can
include campaigns for compulsory education
in schools about LGB and T+ identities,
relationships, sexual practices and experiences;
campaigning for legal recognition of gender
identity that allows trans people to self-
define; and campaigning for proper access to
comprehensive healthcare for trans people
across the whole NHS.
Stonewall will now have to work much more
closely with other organisations to avoid
redundancy, gaps in provision or crossed
wires. GIRES, All About Trans and Action for
Trans Health already do work in these areas
(respectively). So collaborating well with these,
and the many other trans and LGBT organisations
I haven’t mentioned, would be essential.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is the
issue of intersections of identity. Just as with
LGB people, being trans is usually a really
rather small part of our identities. I’m not just
trans. I’m also a Christian disabled lesbian
neuroscientist. Whilst the complexity of
human identity is, of course, a beautiful thing,
it also means individuals often face multiple
forms of oppression simultaneously - not only
that, but these oppressions interact; multiply,
rather than just add together. Understanding
this is fundamental to successfully improving
the lives of trans people at all. In my mind,
being a trans ally requires being an ally to all
marginalised groups, and that means a whole lot
more listening. Listening, and following, so that
marginalised people are always at the forefront
of their own liberation.
 friends | stonewall and trans

We live in an era of cuts and austerity and it is

important to make the case that trans medical
care is not a luxury that can be set aside
for more prosperous times. It’s particularly
important that the case be made for early
transition – speaking as someone who had to
go through a puberty that made me more and
more uncomfortable in my skin, I welcome the
fact that young people now have the option of
delaying puberty and its effects, until they are
old enough to make informed choices about
their bodies.

It’s also important to protect the rights of

people whose gender and sexual identities
are more complex. Not everyone identifies as
straightforwardly male or female – and they

roZ need to be safe not only in the street but from

bullying and prejudice in employment, housing

kaVeneY and education.

And just as it is important that medical

I remember the first time
trans people were an
important part of the LGBT
community.
Not just the Stonewall
riots, and the smaller
demonstrations by trans
street workers – many of
them women of colour –
that had preceded them,
but GLF meetings in Notting
Hill where it was taken for
granted that the trans caucus
had a say. What followed is
a sad history of side-lining,
retreat and recriminations.
Things have changed.
Trans women, trans men, and non-binary trans
people, are suddenly everywhere, claiming our
rights and claiming public space; even getting to
play ourselves in television drama.
We are getting our books published – that’s transition be available to all who need it, it’s
important that people’s civil and human rights
quite important to me because it took three
not be dependent on a particular model of
decades for my novel Tiny Pieces Of Skull to
finally come out and get good reviews. And we
what being trans is, any more than on a model
of what being lesbian or gay or bi is. (And it
are getting to set our own political agendas,
is really important not to assume that all trans
with more hope of seeing them through.
people are straight either, before or after
These are exciting times especially given transition.) Like sexuality, gender identity is a
Stonewall’s new commitment to working with spectrum.
us. Some of what will happen needs to be a
matter of partnership – Trans Media Watch and
The right to walk down the street safely, the
right to proper medical care and aftercare, equal
All About Trans have been doing an excellent
rights in education, employment and housing,
job on promoting positive images of trans
even the right to pee safely in private – it’s not
people and refuting lies about us. Gendered
so long ago that lesbians and gay men did not
Intelligence does amazing work mentoring
have these rights, and trans people still don’t.
young trans people in education and building
awareness of their needs. Such groups have
a body of expertise in these fields that no one
would want sidelined.
There is so much more to do, though, for which
the level of political muscle Stonewall can
bring to bear will be amazingly useful. In tough
times, vulnerable people are ever more at risk
both of social exclusion and random violence.
Stonewall has done a good job of helping to
monitor these things and speak out about them.

find oUt more Find out more about Stonewall and our trans
work. Visit our website where you can find
aBoUt stonewall ways to get involved and download a copy
and trans of our report Trans people and Stonewall at
www.stonewall.org.uk/trans

Summer 2015 Friends magazine 15

friends | edUcation cHampions & YoUtH VolUnteers
edUcation
cHampions
Stonewall works with 68
local authorities through
our Education Champions
programme to help them
tackle homophobic, biphobic
and transphobic bullying in
their schools, and to support
LGBT young people in their
communities.
find oUt more
Is your local authority an Education
Champion?
To find out more about the programme and
see a full list of Education Champion local
authority members visit our website at
stonewall.org.uk/educationchampions
YoUtH VolUnteers
In April, students from
Downham Market Academy
in Norfolk were invited to the
annual Stonewall Youth Awards
to receive a special award.
As part of their campaign the students
worked with local businesses
encourage them to sign a pledge to
challenge offensive language whenever
they heard it in the workplace.
16 Friends magazine Summer 2015
Our Education Champions lead the way in Here’s what some pupils said about the film:
engaging hard-to-reach communities and
supporting young people who need us the “I really, really liked the film and I
thought that it can shout out to a lot
most.
of people that they don’t have to hide
The work they do includes:
themselves away.”
• Championing the health and wellbeing of
LGBT young people in the work of the council “I think it was a great film and it will
• Training local teachers and Children’s help lots of children understand all
Services staff
about different sexualities.”
• Supporting LGBT youth groups
• Developing resources for Early Years settings
“I liked that it inspired people to be
and Special Schools
themselves!”
Recently, they have been taking over local
cinemas to hold screenings of our primary “I thought the two mums and the two
school film FREE to over 2,250 primary-aged dads were interesting, because I didn’t
children up and down Britain. know that can happen!”
THE PROGRAMME WORKS WITH 68
LOCAL AUTHORITIES
FREE
THIS WORK REACHES 10,300
SCHOOLS IN BRITAIN
WHICH MEANS WE HELP IMPROVE
You can watch the film online at
THE LIVES OF 3.5 MILLION PUPILS www.stonewallprimary.org.uk
Students and staff from Downham Market Academy, pictured alongside Stonewall’s
Chief Executive Ruth Hunt, Gok Wan and Lloyds Banking Group’s Alison Brittain
They also reached out to local primary schools “Taking part in the workshop really
with an offer to deliver assemblies to the helped to give our students the
older pupils who would soon be moving up to confidence to tackle the use of
secondary school. homophobic language in the school.
I am very proud of the work they
Some recent feedback we’ve received on
our Youth Volunteering Programme: have done so far and what they have
planned for the future.” STAFF MEMBER
“The workshop really made us think
to
about how the use of homophobic
language can have a massive impact
find oUt more
If you want to learn more about the Youth
on people. After the workshop we felt
Volunteering programme check out our
determined to do something about it.”
website at www.youngstonewall.org.uk
YEAR 9 STUDENT
 friends | scHool Visits & role models
visit was a great success with much follow
up discussion in the classroom. The visit really sanJaY’s Visit
anchored the school’s long term commitment to See ITV News’ coverage of Sanjay’s visit
being a Stonewall school. Thanks for offering www.stonewall.org.uk/sanjay
this great opportunity!”

scHool
role models
This year alone, our Stonewall
School Role Models have
visited 24 schools engaging
with over 6,000 students.
Among the role models was
Sanjay Sood-Smith, star of BBC
One’s The Apprentice.
“Visiting schools with Stonewall and talking
about growing up, coming out and being a gay
man in a corporate environment can be really
tough,” he said, “but it’s the most rewarding
thing I do. Meeting the students and staff is
always an amazing experience and seeing the
impact these visits have makes me realise how
important the programme is.”
One of Sanjay’s visits was to Highbury Grove
School, where staff said, “The role model

At Stonewall, we know
the importance of visible
role models, especially for
young LGBT people.
That’s why we work with volunteers
from different backgrounds, professions
and life experiences through our School
Role Models Programme.

Through this Programme, our Role Models

visit Stonewall School Champion schools to
talk about their experiences growing up as
an LGBT person.

Stonewall co-founder Ian McKellen has

been one of our longest-serving School
Role Models, and this May visited Deptford
Green School to talk to Year 7-10 students
about bullying and discrimination. He urged
students and staff to think about what they
could do to prevent discrimination when they
see it, and talked about his experiences of
growing up gay.

Photo of Ian’s school visit courtesy of Amanda Lane, Deptford Green School Summer 2015 Friends magazine 17
 Harmonize.

Pirates and poets. Artists and musicians.

Early birds and night owls. Gay, straight
or somewhere in between. Down here
O
RG
LA

in Key West, we may all march to the

Y
KE

beat of a different drummer, but

DA
we’re singing the same song. A MO
RA
ISL
fla-keys.com/gaykeywest
N
THO
0208 686 2600 KEY W
EST BIG PINE KEY & THE LOWER KEYS
MARA

stonewall’s international work
Since January, we’ve worked directly
with activists in fifteen countries. Some
highlights include…
Hosting learning visits with activists from
Belarus, Belize, Jamaica and Turkey. In
April, we hosted a seminar to share best practice
in achieving equality for LGBT people in the
workplace, with organisations from Belgium,
Italy, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine. We
visited LGBT human rights organisations in
Bangladesh, Bolivia, Chile and Peru to build
links with local groups, meet with high-level
officials, and share our experience of what’s
worked well in the UK. In April we also delivered
training to public prosecutors in Montenegro,
on how to tackle LGBT hate crimes.
We’re currently also working with key LGBT
groups and aid organisations in Nepal, to
ensure LGBT people are fully included in the
humanitarian response to the recent earthquake.
At the end of March we hosted ten Russian
LGBT human rights defenders here in London,
who completed our second week-long Campaign
Development Programme. Participants received
training on how to develop effective campaigns,
build alliances with different communities and
work with the media. They left us with some
great plans for advancing LGBT human rights in
Russia!
friends | stonewall’s international work
Here’s what the Russian LGBT human rights defenders had to say about their visit:
‘I want to say a very big THANK YOU to Stonewall’s team!
Your Campaigns Course for Human Rights Defenders was
amazing! I will not forget this week and your hospitality! I
really got new motivation for my job and new ideas for my
LGBT activism. It was magic - to touch your experience and
look inside a legendary LGBT organisation. After this course I
understood that I am on the right way. I have hope and I am
starting to realize what I can do in my life.’ MARIA BALGANOVA,
SIDE BY SIDE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
‘I’m just so grateful for experiencing all this. Thank you,
Stonewall, for giving me this unique opportunity. It’s been more
than just a trip to the UK… These seven days actually made
me challenge myself and encouraged me to do the best I can
to fight for equality. I’m going back a different person. And I like
that person. Спасибо!’ NIKITA ANDRIYANOV, RUSSIAN LGBT NETWORK
We at Stonewall know from our own SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS ARE
experience that lasting change is only ILLEGAL IN 77 COUNTRIES
possible if it is led by people on the ground. THEY ARE PUNISHABLE BY DEATH
That’s why our International department IN 5 COUNTRIES
is working to support LGBT human rights 42 OUT OF 53 COMMONWEALTH
defenders around the world, sharing our COUNTRIES HAVE MADE SAME-SEX
experience to support them in leading their own RELATIONSHIPS A CRIME
campaigns for equality. To find out more about THERE HAVE BEEN 1,731 REPORTED
our international work, visit our website at MURDERS OF TRANS PEOPLE
www.stonewall.org.uk/international AROUND THE WORLD SINCE 2008
Summer 2015 Friends magazine 19
friends | cHristian weBB’s work placement

cHristian
weBB’s
work
placement
Most people spend a very large part of their lives at work so it’s important that they feel
safe and happy in their workplaces. Each year, Stonewall Cymru holds a number of work
placements for young LGBT people with one of their Diversity Champion employers. Candidates
receive support from Stonewall Cymru and the employer they are placed with, developing new
skills and gaining valuable experience of working with an LGBT friendly employer. Volunteer
Christian Webb told us about his time in the National Assembly for Wales.
“I was fortunate to have been given a work The legal services team, headed by Elisabeth in on, was beneficial to me in some way. The
experience placement at the National Assembly Jones, then gave me a simple overview of atmosphere and ethos of the institution is a
for Wales as part of Stonewall Cymru’s Work how legislation is made in Wales. I attended a credit to each staff member, and at the end of
Placement Scheme. The Assembly is a leading second reading of the Higher Education (Wales) the week I was saddened to have to hand in my
example of an LGBT-friendly employer, named bill and First Minister’s Questions, and left with key-card and leave Tŷ Hywel for the last time
in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index as the a clearer understanding of how legislation is (a big thank you to the lovely security staff who
top Public Sector Employer for Wales. made, how the Commission supports the greeted me with a smile every day, and wished
Assembly in this, and how the public can get me the best for the future as I left on Friday
On Monday morning, after a glimpse into
involved. For example, did you know a petition afternoon). Stonewall Cymru couldn’t have
grown-up life (the morning commute to Cardiff
only requires ten signatures to be considered found a better pilot for their Work Placement
Bay!), I was given a warm welcome by Craig,
by a committee? programme. It was great to see the Assembly
my mentor for the week and Chair of OUT-
take so much pride in its position in the
NAW (the Assembly’s LGBT network). After a My final highlight of the week was working
Stonewall Workplace Equality index; leading
whistle-stop tour, I met the Presiding Officer, with the Communications Team. I attended
by example for the rest of the Welsh public
Dame Rosemary Butler AM, and sat in on some a symposium with Non Gwilym, Head of
sector.
of her meetings to see how her role contributes Communications, and her counterparts from
to the work of the Assembly. Earlier in the the Scottish Parliament, Northern Ireland This short article will never be long enough
month, she presented a fantastic speech to the Assembly and the Houses of Parliament. I for me to fully elaborate on the brilliant time
Stonewall Cymru Workplace Conference and then met with Julian Price, Social Media I had at the National Assembly for Wales,
emphasised the importance of authenticity in Manager, on how social media had impacted but I hope I’ve given it my best shot and that
the workplace, and how people work their best on the way the Assembly communicates with you can see what an excellent time I had. I
when they can be themselves: an ethos which the public. I rounded off my week by meeting can’t thank all members of staff enough for
the Assembly has fully embraced. Mari Gooberman, Education Manager, and being so welcoming, encouraging, informative
discussed some very exciting developments for and inspiring – this experience really will
After lunch I met with Natalie Drury-Styles,
young people. be formative in my career, and personal
head of the Private Office, and contributed to
development: diolch yn fawr iawn, mi welai chi
the meeting of the Private Office’s events team If you can’t tell already, I had a fantastic week
gyd yn y dyfodol.”
which looked at the ‘Women in Public Life’ at the National Assembly. Everyone I met,
Campaign (or #POWiPL, for all you tweeters!). every conversation I had, every meeting I sat CHRISTIAN WEBB

20 Friends magazine Summer 2015

stonewall
challenges
We love a challenge here at Stonewall and we want you to join us! We’ve got
something for everyone; fitness freak or couch potato, you can get involved!

JUMP FoR
stonewall
Join our Stonewall Superheroes taking
to the skies on 5 September. All you need
to do is sign up, fundraise a minimum of
£425, then take the leap!

sURVIVal oF
the FIttest
On 21 November join us at Wembley
Stadium for Britain’s longest-established
adventure running series. Take on gritty
obstacle zones and pit your wits against
thousands of fellow runners.

PRIDe In
BRItaIn
This summer Stonewall is hitting the
road and coming to a Pride near you!
See the full list and sign up to march
with us on 27 June for London Pride.
Visit www.stonewall.org.uk/Prides to
join the fun!

#stonewallchallenges sUPPoRt Us FRoM hoMe

There are so many events to get involved with,
whether it’s these or any other challenge. Running,
swimming, cycling, whatever you’re into, this year
choose Stonewall and we’ll support you right to
the finish line!
If sports aren’t quite your thing, never fear, we’ve
got loads of ideas on how you can get involved.
need inspiration? Just get in touch!

call: 020 7593 3477 . email: james.baker@stonewall.org.uk . web: www.stonewall.org.uk/challenges

friends | caleB’s postcard - pride calendar

caleB
oroZco
postcard
from BeliZe
Caleb Orozco, head of Belize-based human rights organisation UniBAM, spent a month in the Stonewall offices this spring to learn from our work.

“I’m from Belize, a country in Central America with a population of 350,000. Our culture has
been traditionally ‘live and let live’, but US evangelical influence has challenged that. Same
sex activity is illegal, with a penalty of up to 10 years, if caught.

My organisation, UniBAM, is working to counter opposition to rights advancement. Stonewall’s

experience in policy, workplaces, school and with individuals has been very helpful, informing
our work to uphold rights and human dignity.” CALEB OROZCO, UNITED BELIZE ADVOCACY MOVEMENT (UNIBAM)

pride
calendar
Come and see us at the following
EDINBURGH PRIDE 20 June NOTTINGHAM PRIDE 25 July
Prides and summer events!
If you’re interested in representing Stonewall PORTSMOUTH PRIDE 20 June NORWICH PRIDE 25 July
at any Pride events not listed, get in
touch with James on 020 7593 3477 or LONDON PRIDE 27 June BRIGHTON PRIDE 1-2 August
james.baker@stonewall.org.uk
For a full list of Pride events in the UK, go to BLACK PRIDE 28 June LEEDS PRIDE 2 August
www.stonewall.org.uk/prides
SPARKLE, MANCHESTER 11-12 July CARDIFF PRIDE 15 August

NEWCASTLE PRIDE 17-19 July GLASGOW PRIDE 22-23 August

TRANS PRIDE BRIGHTON 24-26 July MANCHESTER PRIDE 28-31 August

NORTH WALES PRIDE 24-26 July LEICESTER PRIDE 5 September

22 Friends magazine Summer 2015

 friends | lifelong friends

lifelong friends

‘In our lifetimes many arts organisation and charities have tried to persuade us to leave some form of financial legacy.
The organisation that we are most proud to support is Stonewall. We both volunteer in the office but would love to
think that money left in our wills would also continue our presence in the organisation. We are really proud of what
Stonewall has achieved and can actively demonstrate how our lives have improved as a direct consequence of changes
in the law that Stonewall has helped fight for. Along with many others Stonewall has also helped change attitudes,
making us feel more comfortable as out LGBT people in British life. It may be several generations from now until
Stonewall can truly say ‘job done’ (especially on the international scene) so legacy-giving is our way of supporting the
future for all our fellow LGBT Citizens.’ ROD MARTEN AND HOWARD SHEPHERDSON

We’ve come so far in our 25 year history, but we still have lots to do to completely change hearts
and minds around the world. That’s why, although we’ve made remarkable progress, we won’t stop
until every lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans person – from every background, every neighbourhood
and every parish around the world – can live their life without fear of discrimination.
By leaving a gift to Stonewall in your We’d love to know if you decide to leave a from gifts in wills, so it really is a significant
will, you’ll be helping us to continue the legacy gift to Stonewall so we can welcome way of ensuring Stonewall can be here, fighting
fight for acceptance for as long as we’re you as a Lifelong Friend. Lifelong Friends for LGBT rights, for years to come.
needed. receive a unique purple Stonewall pin, bespoke
If you would like to know more about
communications about our work and are invited
If we’ve come this far, imagine where becoming a Lifelong Friend, please
to a number of intimate events.
we’ll be in the next 25 years with your contact Lynn on 020 7593 1876 or email
support. A quarter of our income from individuals comes lynn.percival@stonewall.org.uk.

Summer 2015 Friends magazine 23

You
don’t have
to go
anywhere
extraordinary
to do something
Special
Fostering Teenagers
Are you someone special,
with room in your life
and your home?
If you are interested in fostering Up to
older children, come along to our
next fostering information evening.
£21,000 PA
fees and
Fostering offers you a challenging allowances*
and rewarding career, with round the *Terms and conditions
apply.
clock support, and enhanced fees, so
you can make a lasting difference to
a local teenager’s life.
To find out more call (020) 8871 6666
AD.1087 A4 (1.15)

wandsworthfostering

fostering.wandsworth.gov.uk