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EmailStonewall was formally launched one year to the day since Section 28 became law.
This piece of legislation effectively prevented teachers from talking about same-sex relationships in schools, forcing teachers back into the closet, or out of their job, and scarred a generation of LGBT people.
On 11 September 1988, at a meeting held in Sir Ian McKellen’s house in Limehouse, the basic aims were drawn up in a document dubbed the Second Limehouse Declaration. The first Limehouse Declaration, announcing the launch of the Social Democrat Party, had been signed in the house next door.
On 24 May 1989, the new group sent a press release to the LGBT press announcing the founding of the Stonewall Group. It was set up as a company and a charity, the Iris Trust, was announced at the same time, with a remit to raise funds for research and to support the work of the Stonewall Group.
An announcement to the mainstream press followed in September. The Iris Trust’s first fundraising event was a performance of Bent at the Adelphi Theatre in London, starring Sir Ian McKellen and Lord Michael Cashman. The performance raised £25,000 and this became the seed money for the Stonewall Group’s first office at 5 Rector Street, London N1. In August 1989, Tim Barnett was announced as the first executive director.
The founding members and/or trustees were: Peter Ashman, Deborah Ballard, Michael Cashman, Duncan Campbell, Olivette Cole-Wilson, Fiona Cunningham Reid, Simon Fanshawe, Dorian Jabri, Ian McKellen, Matthew Paris, Lisa Power, Dr Peter Rivas, Pam St Clement and Jennie Wilson.
Section 28
Section 28 was an offensive piece of legislation designed to prevent the so-called 'promotion' of homosexuality in schools; as well as stigmatising lesbian, gay and bi people, it galvanised the LGBT community.
The aim from the outset was to create a professional lobbying group that would prevent such attacks on lesbians, gay and bi people 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.
Campaigning and lobbying
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 LGB people serving in the military, securing legislation which allowed same-sex couples to adopt and the repeal of Section 28. More recently, Stonewall has helped secure civil partnerships and then same-sex marriage and ensured that the recent Equality Act protected lesbian, gay and bi people in terms of goods and services.
Trans equality
In 2015, and following a six-month consultation with trans communities, Stonewall became trans inclusive. Learn more about Stonewall and trans equality.
Charitable status
On 23 September 2003, we were granted charitable status (Charity Registration Number 1101255).
Stonewall receives no core government funding and funds are instead raised in a variety of ways including donations, sponsorship and fundraising events.
Stonewall is a member of the Equality and Diversity Forum, a network of national organisations committed to progress on age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief and sexual orientation issues.
