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EmailAs the holidays approach I am reflecting on my first 11 weeks as Chief Executive of Stonewall. As with any new role it has been a steep learning curve, and so much has happened in that short time – but as 2024 draws to a close, I am filled with excitement for the future.
Since I started, I have been privileged to learn about our incredible programmes such as Out of the Margins and TRANSforming Futures. We have held our annual Equality Dinner and begun conversations with so many people keen to work with us. We have met with Secretaries of State, the Ministers for Equalities, parliamentarians and policy makers.
Our Rainbow Laces campaign promoted safety and inclusivity in sport for the 11th year, this time with the Barclays Women's Super League providing a huge platform to spread the message alongside our corporate partners, the Premier League, the FA and many other sporting organisations. We have been delegates at ILGA Europe and ILGA World; sharing a platform with other global leaders in the LGBTQ+ movement. I had the pleasure of meeting leaders from different businesses to discuss LGBTQ+ inclusion at work.
I have met so many people - those who have contributed to or benefited from Stonewall's remarkable work over the past 35 years, and many who have both contributed and benefited from the changes Stonewall has played an instrumental role in making happen.
There are so many positive societal changes that Stonewall has been at the forefront of over the years. From equalising the age of consent, abolishing Section 28, a greater focus on anti-bullying, to lifting the ban on LGBT personnel serving in the military. The introduction of civil partnerships and equal marriage, campaigning for better access to fertility treatments, and encouraging more inclusive workplaces where people feel valued and supported to be themselves at work.
And yet, as always, there is so much more to do. Until every single LGBTQ+ person can go about their daily lives free from discrimination and harm our work will not be done.
Our current strategy ‘Free to Be’ ends in 2025, so one of our most important jobs as 2025 begins will be setting out Stonewall’s new strategy – including what we want to achieve as a charity, how we will go about doing so, and who we want to work with to make change.
One of the many issues that has been front and centre since I started my new role is hate crime. I recently found a booklet about hate crime called ‘Queer Bashing’ that was published by Stonewall over 20 years ago. Statistics from the Home Office published in October 2024 showed levels of reported hate crime, all these years later, continue to be unacceptably high. We must do more to prevent all hate crime. That is why our Hold My Hand campaign is calling on government to make LGBTQ+ hate crime an aggravated offence, in line with other hate crimes. And our Winter Appeal is raising funds to support this work.
All LGBTQ+ people deserve equality - the opportunity to live safely, without prejudice or harm. Social change takes time. It comes about through dialogue, partnership and collaboration, through tenacity, one conversation at a time, and increasing empathy and allyship.
Whether you celebrate or not, I hope you have a break over the holiday season. Remember there are services available to you if you need help and support.
A massive thank you to everyone that has supported our mission over the last year and offered time, energy and support as I have settled into the role. I very much look forward to working with you all in 2025.
