The National LGB&T Partnership

Did you know that across the whole of England and Wales there are fewer than 75 registered lesbian, gay, bisexual & trans charities?

Over the last decade progressive legislation has included unprecedented rights under the law for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.

Every one of the major political parties in this country is now publicly committed to equality for LGB&T people.

However whilst some public attitudes have changed many have not. Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are very much present within society today.

The National LGB& T partnership is an England wide group of LGB&T voluntary and community organisations who are committed to reducing health inequalities and challenging homophobia, biphobia and transphobia within public services

The National LGBT Partnership members* have joined forces to influence the policy, practice and actions of Government and statutory bodies, in particular the Department of Health, for the benefit of all LGB&T people and communities across England.

"The partnership will work to ensure that health inequalities experienced by LGB&T people are kept high on the Government's agenda and are tackled in a way that makes best use of the experience and expertise within the LGB&T voluntary sector. This is a great platform to give the LGB&T sector an opportunity to influence at a national level." Says Siân Payne, Director of Organisational Development at The Lesbian & Gay Foundation

In 2010 the partnership produced a manifesto which aims to help inform decision makers about the issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people and influence future legislation.

Key pledges that the LGB&T partnership  want those involved in political and policy making processes in this country to pledge their full commitment to are:

 1. Listen, Value and Invest in LGB&T Voluntary and Community organisations

 2. Combat Homophobic, Biphobic and Transphobic Bullying in Schools

 3. Ensure that all public Sector Services Monitor the Sexual Orientation of their service users.

 4. Ensure that public sector organizations provide and procure services that are inclusive of LGB&T people, fulfilling their duties within the Equality Act.

 5. Take Action against Homophobic, Biphobic and Transphobic Hate Crimes and Incidents.

The partnership is asking all LGB&T community groups and organizations to join the national stakeholder group.This is free to join, will keep you informed of the work of the Partnership, and provide you with opportunities to get involved.

To find out more, or to join the Partnerships' National Stakeholder Group and receive regular updates from the Partnership please e-mail: partnership@lgf.org.uk

*The National LGB&T Partnership are: The Lesbian & Gay Foundation, GMFA, East London Out Project (ELOP), London Friend, Trans Resource & Empowerment Centre (TREC), PACE, Consortium of LGB&T Voluntary and Community Organisations, Yorkshire MESMAC, Gay Advice Durham & Darlington (GADD), Gender Identity Research & Education Society (GIRES), and Stonewall Housing.

The Partnership's members are politically independent and do not endorse any political party. Those members who are registered charities adhere to Charity Commission guidelines on political activity.