While the LGBT community has seen great progress in recent years, Stonewall, the lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality charity, has released new research highlighting the shocking levels of hate crime and discrimination that LGBT people still face in Britain today.
Based on YouGov polling of over 5,000 LGBT people, the research reveals:
- One in five LGBT people (21 per cent) have experienced a hate crime or incident due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity in the last 12 months
- The number of lesbian, gay and bi people in Britain who have experienced hate crime has increased by 78 per cent in five years, from nine per cent in 2013 to 16 per cent in 2017
- Two in five trans people (41 per cent) have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their gender identity in the last 12 months
- Four in five LGBT people (81 per cent) who experienced a hate crime or incident didn’t report it to the police
In response to this, Stonewall is reaching out to everyone in Britain who supports LGBT equality, but maybe doesn’t know how to show it, with its “Come Out for LGBT” campaign. “Come Out for LGBT” will be a multi-year initiative designed to mobilise LGBT supporters to get off the sidelines and show their support for the LGBT community in any way they can. On social media, Stonewall friends, including comedian and TV presenter Sue Perkins, vocalist Ghostpoet and actor Andrew Scott, show their support by wearing the new campaign garb that shows acceptance without exception.
Ruth Hunt, CEO at Stonewall stated: “While we have come a long way in the past 25 years, it is clear there is still a huge amount of work we need to do before all LGBT people can feel safe, included and free to be themselves in Britain today. At Stonewall, we want everyone across Britain who cares about equality to join our campaign and pledge to come out for LGBT people everywhere, as visible allies. Together we can create a world where LGBT people are accepted without exception.”
Stonewall’s first brand campaign in a decade was created by London-based independent creative agency Mr. President. The TV ad was directed by William Armstrong, represented by production company Prettybird, post production from The Mill, and the print ads were photographed by Mads Perch. Stonewall’s media agency partner is Rocket Media. Additional support provided by media partners including DCM, UKTV, Unilad, Vice, 8 Outdoor, Blizzard Entertainment, and more.
Laura Jordan Bambach, Chief Creative Officer at Mr. President, explained: “Our audience really do care about equality, but might think that LGBT+ issues are a thing of the past, or not know how to support. They can see a lot in the world going wrong and feel slightly paralysed in what they can do to help. We need to show them that being a visible ally in whatever way you can makes a big difference. We can no longer sit back and be a silent majority. We want to galvanize people to show that being an ally to Stonewall and the LGBT+ community is something to be proud of and celebrate.”
Beginning on 7 September, the “Come Out” campaign has been seen across the UK in Cinema, in print, on Video on Demand, out-of-home, social, and digital. New campaign merchandise, including t-shirts, tote bags, and mugs are now available for purchase on Stonewall’s website. For more information, visit: http://www.stonewall.org.uk/comeoutforLGBT
