Stonewall
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stonewalluk.bsky.social
Stonewall
@stonewalluk.bsky.social
3.6K followers 55 following 130 posts
We imagine a world where all lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace (LGBTQ+) people are free to be themselves 🌈
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stonewalluk.bsky.social
Stonewall CEO, Simon Blake, writes about what this really means, and calls on the EHRC to extend their consultation period.

Read more ▶️ bit.ly/42BC8t9
What next? LGBTQ+ sector and human rights organisations, including Stonewall, have written to the EHRC to challenge whether this two-week consultation period gives people adequate time to respond. Those signing the letter have requested the consultation be extended to 12 weeks. We asked them to respond by the end of the week.
May 1, 2025 at 3:55 PM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
The upcoming EHRC consultation intends to launch in mid-May - for two weeks only. Two weeks is not much time to allow people – including businesses, service providers, charities and individuals – to meaningfully respond. Arguably, it is neither a meaningful or lawful time frame period.
May 1, 2025 at 3:55 PM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
A consultation only works if it is meaningful and affected stakeholders have time to respond. That’s why, alongside other sector organisations we’ve written to the EHRC to ask them to extend it to 12 weeks.
The EHRC say they will carry out a public consultation to seek views from affected stakeholders and understand how they should reflect the practical implications of the judgment in the guidance. A consultation needs to be long enough to be both meaningful and lawful, when important guidance is published.
May 1, 2025 at 3:55 PM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
Its publication was a surprise to the Government, civil society and others. It’s important to note, this update is not a legal document, or even statutory guidance. It’s simply an update.
May 1, 2025 at 3:55 PM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
On 25 April 2025 the EHRC published an interim update on the implications of the UK Supreme Court judgment.
On 25 April 2025 - the EHRC published an interim update on the practical implications of the UK Supreme Court judgment What does this mean?
May 1, 2025 at 3:55 PM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
We were honoured to be joined by the Minister for LGBTQ+ Equalities, @niagriffith.bsky.social who shared her thoughts on the barriers to fertility services for LGBTQ+ people.

"Everyone should be supported in their journey to parenthood."

Download the guide to learn more ▶️ bit.ly/4jnpS5B
April 24, 2025 at 10:03 AM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
👏 Yesterday we launched our brand-new Family Formation Guide, created in partnership with ISS.

To celebrate, we hosted a panel event exploring the different routes to forming a family, and the unique challenges lesbian parents often face.
April 24, 2025 at 10:03 AM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
This #LesbianVisibilityWeek, we're launching our new LGBTQ+ Family Formation Guide!

LGBTQ+ people, including lesbians, can face unique hurdles on their journey to parenthood.

Created with ISS, the guide breaks down routes to parenthood for LGBTQ+ people.

Read now ▶️ bit.ly/4ivZWTV
New! LGBTQ+ Family Formation Guide
April 24, 2025 at 9:51 AM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
It feels like I am screaming for help in an empty, unempathetic void. Nothing has changed and it's devastating after we were given hope 3 years ago. In the future I hope to see a fair system for all where all couples get the same support no matter their sexual orientation or location. But most importantly I hope that guidance changes before time runs out for us to have our own family.
April 22, 2025 at 9:50 AM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
My wife and I are thinking about having kids. However, as a lesbian couple, we have to prove infertility by self-funding 6 cycles of artificial insemination before we can get access to NHS-funded IVF. This means we have to pay up to £10,000 before we can access the same treatment as a heterosexual couple. The lack of progress made means that sadly I think time is running out for our dream of being parents to become a reality.
April 22, 2025 at 9:50 AM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
🌈 It's #LesbianVisibilityWeek, and this year's theme is Celebrating Rainbow Families.

For many LGBTQ+ couples, having children comes with unfair financial barriers, impacting people like Emma and her wife.

That’s why we’re campaigning for #IVFforAll,

Email your MP today ▶️ bit.ly/3YdrRR6
I hope the Government acts before time runs out for my wife and I to have our own family. Emma’s story Lesbian Visibility Week
April 22, 2025 at 9:50 AM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
We urge anyone affected by this to reach out for support to: Switchboard LGBT MindLine Trans+ MindOut TransActual Mermaids
April 16, 2025 at 12:09 PM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
Stonewall responds to today’s Supreme Court ruling.

You can read the full judgement here: bit.ly/3ROPmMS
Stonewall shares the deep concern at the widespread implications for today’s ruling from the Supreme Court. It will be incredibly worrying for the trans community and all of us who support them. It’s important to be reminded the Court strongly and clearly re-affirmed the Equality Act protects all trans people against discrimination, based on Gender Reassignment, and will continue to do so. Once we read and fully digest the judgement, we will work with stakeholders across all sectors to provide as much clarity as possible. Stonewall will continue its work with the Government and parliamentarians to achieve equal rights under the law for LGBTQ+ people. Simon Blake OBE, Stonewall CEO
April 16, 2025 at 12:09 PM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
I was made to undergo exorcisms, or what they called ‘strong prayers’. A group would surround me, lay hands on my head, and command the devil to leave my body. I was once even locked in a store cupboard. I was so young and scared that I believed everything they told me. I lived in fear all the time.
April 10, 2025 at 10:42 AM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
For five years, Syd endured conversion practices, was made to undergo exorcisms and told she needed to be "cured" just for being herself.

No one should have to go through what Syd did. Yet, conversion practices are still happening across Great Britain.

Read Syd's story ▶️ bit.ly/4cw1njU
For years, they drilled it into me that being myself was a sin, letting go of that shame hasn’t been easy. Syd, a conversion practices survivor
April 10, 2025 at 10:42 AM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
We are campaigning to remove the financial barriers to accessing IVF, because LGBTQ+ people deserve the same help to be parents as anybody else.

We welcome this commitment and look forward to seeing real change. @ashleydaltonmp.bsky.social

Find out more 👉https://bit.ly/3YdrRR6
The Government recognises that fertility treatment across the National Health Service in England is subject to variation in access. Work continues on joint advice from the Department and NHS England about the offer around NHS-funded fertility services, including the issues for female same sex couples. Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards and are based on the clinical needs of their local population. We expect these organisations to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England. The NICE is currently reviewing these guidelines. Ashley Dalton, MP and Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care
April 7, 2025 at 2:18 PM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
This #WorldHealthDay we're bringing you an #IVFforAll campaign update!

The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed they’re working to make fertility services more accessible for female same sex couples, after we pushed for clarity following the announcements about changes to the NHS.
IVF for All update The Government has confirmed they are working on making fertility treatment more accessible for female same sex couples. #WorldHealthDay
April 7, 2025 at 2:18 PM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
The effect that my experiences have had on my own mental health, causing anxiety, isolation and depression is something no one should have to endure. At a time of rising hostility towards LGBTQ+ people, the UK Government has a chance to take a stand and protect our communities from cruelty and abuse.
April 2, 2025 at 11:48 AM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
🚨 When Matthew came out at his church, he was subjected to conversion practices. This still affects him today.

As the Government prepares draft legislation, we're calling for a fully inclusive bill that bans conversion practices for all LGBTQ+ people.

Read our new research ▶️ bit.ly/440cj6Y
Conversion practices go beyond simply targeting someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity; they cause you to doubt yourself and lose trust in who you are. Matthew, a conversion practices survivor
April 2, 2025 at 11:48 AM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
Our first webinar on maximising your CV was a huge success 📝

But we still have two more free sessions to go!

📌 April 8: How to ace interviews
📌 April 15: Expanding your network

Don’t miss out on these valuable career insights.

Register now ➡️ bit.ly/3R6esXr
Taking the next step. Webinar series. LGBTQ+ career development. Stonewall.
April 2, 2025 at 9:29 AM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
Led by trans people, for trans people, we're proud of the incredible impact this project has had on people's lives.

Read more about this by checking out the impact report ▶️ bit.ly/4hW2UC0
March 31, 2025 at 10:51 AM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
Co-led with @lgbtconsortium.bsky.social and funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the project empowered trans people and allies to create innovative, trans-led solutions to key challenges.

@thekitetrust.bsky.social
March 31, 2025 at 10:51 AM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
💙 This #TransDayofVisibility - we're spotlighting some of the projects from the TRANSforming Futures project.
March 31, 2025 at 10:51 AM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
Find support If you have experienced conversion practices or are affected by this story, there is help out there: Galop: 0800 999 5428 or help@galop.org.uk Switchboard: 0800 0119 100 or hello@switchboard.lgbt
March 28, 2025 at 12:05 PM
stonewalluk.bsky.social
Behind these numbers are real people, told their identity is wrong and that they need to be ‘cured’ or ‘fixed. We’re calling on the Government to publish the long awaited draft Bill to ban these harmful practices. Head to our website to support the campaign.
March 28, 2025 at 12:05 PM