Stonewall teams with UK Black Pride to drive BAME LGBT support
Stonewall teams with UK Black Pride. Pictured: Ruth Hunt and Lady Phyll. (Supplied)
Stonewall and UK Black Pride have announced what they are dubbing a “groundbreaking partnership” to drive more support for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people in the LGBT+ community.
The partnership comes after research last year revealed that BAME LGBT+ people face disproportionate levels of discrimination—including within the LGBT+ community. The Stonewall research found that 51 percent of BAME people have been discriminated by their peers in LGBT+ circles.
“The focus of the partnership is to build strong relationships with diverse BAME LGBT communities that will support the development of both local and national campaigning efforts of issues affecting these groups,” said Stonewall in a press release.
“This work will centre and be led by BAME activists and organisations, like UK Black Pride, to drive meaningful social change and celebrate BAME LGBT people and culture across all of society.”
Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah says BAME LGBT+ discrimination is ‘not acceptable
In a joint statement, UK Black Pride founder Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah and Stonewall chief executive Ruth Hunt said the new partnership will aim to address the inequalities faced specifically by BAME LGBT+ people.
Ethnic groups make up around 13 percent of the UK population of 66 million.
Lady Phyll and Ruth Hunt sign agreement between UK Black Pride and Stonewall. (Supplied)
“The work will focus on building strong relationships and supporting the development of local and national campaigning. It will also support the organisation and running of UK Black Pride, Britain’s largest event for BAME LGBT people,” said Opouku-Gyimah and Hunt in their statement.
“We know that BAME LGBT people are disproportionately affected by homophobic, biphobic and transphobic discrimination.
“This is not acceptable. And it is why we hope that this announcement sends a strong, positive statement of our shared intent. We have not achieved equality until every LGBT person, of every colour and background, is able to enjoy equality within our community and outside it.
“We recognise the influence and privilege that organisations like Stonewall have and, working with the expertise of UK Black Pride, are committed to using that power to reach and empower more people in our beautiful, diverse communities through this joint work.”
A new job role has also been created at Stonewall to better serve the BAME LGBT+ community.
