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12 UK organisations who work to improve the lives of LGBT+ people have been awarded government funding.

A total of £2.6 million has been awarded to the organisations to mark LGBT History Month as a part of the government’s LGBT Action Plan.

Barnardo’s, Diversity Role Models, EqualiTeach, the National Children’s Bureau, Stonewall, and the Diana Award will split £1 million between them to continue their work in protecting children from anti-LGBT+ bullying.

In addition, Advonet, the LGBT Foundation, London Friend, Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest, and the Royal College of General Practitioners have received £1 million to improve the lives of LGBT+ people in health and social care.

Meanwhile, Consortium has been given £200,000 to deliver training to LGBT+ organisations, and they will also distribute £400,000 to voluntary and community groups across the UK.

The organisations being awarded government funds work across a variety of areas to help improve the lives of LGBT+ people.

The organisations work to improve LGBT+ lives

Barnardo’s is a children’s charity that also works with LGBT+ youth. Diversity Role Models tackles anti-LGBT+ bullying, and EqualiTeach provides training and support in the education sector.

The National Children’s Bureau champions the rights of children, and Stonewall works to improve the lives of LGBT+ people by campaigning for their rights. The Diana Award was set up in memory of Princess Diana and works to bring about change in the lives of young people.

The funding comes after a UK government survey in 2017 found that progress had been made in attitudes to the LGBT+ community, but that there was more work to be done.

“We still have work to do to make sure our society is truly fair.” – Baroness Susan Williams, Equalities Minister

The survey, which was conducted by the Equalities Office, found that the number of people who view same-sex relationships as “wrong” has declined over time. In 1987, 74 percent of people took a negative view towards same-sex relationships. In 2017, that number had fallen to 17 percent.

Equalities Minister Baroness Susan Williams said that everybody should be free to love who they want and be free from fear and discrimination.

“I am encouraged to see how people’s attitudes are changing to be more accepting and more tolerant.

“However, we still have work to do to make sure our society is truly fair. That’s why we are working with charities, schools, GPs, and across government to make sure our Action Plan can bring about real, lasting change for LGBT people in the UK.”

In addition to providing funding to organisations, the government is also commissioning research as a part of its Action Plan. Research into LGBT+ people and homelessness as well has conversion therapy has been commissioned.

LGBT Action Plan

The Action Plan – which was published last July – promised to end the harmful practice of conversion therapy and to tackle homophobic bullying in schools. It also promised to establish an advisory panel to guide the government on LGBT+ issues.

However, the government’s Action Plan was met with criticism from some campaigners when it was published last year.

The action plan failed to offer a commitment to bring equal marriage to Northern Ireland – which remains the only territory in the UK that still does not have marriage equality.

“After years of empty rhetoric and broken promises, we need to see concrete actions to show the Government is serious about tackling the inequalities faced by LGBT+ communities.” – Dawn Butler, Labour Shadow Equalities Secretary

It also failed to address the needs of LGBT+ asylum seekers, many of whom had fled homophobic persecution.

Labour Shadow Equalities Secretary Dawn Butler accused the government of half-baking plans for “legislative or non-legislative” bans on conversion therapy.

“We are glad that the Government is giving more attention to LGBT+ issues, especially in relation to health and education, but much of this plan is yet more reviews and consultations,” Butler said.

“After years of empty rhetoric and broken promises, we need to see concrete actions to show the Government is serious about tackling the inequalities faced by LGBT+ communities.”