News

News, reports and media statements

LGBT+ Sector Leaders Statement on Supreme Court Ruling

Today is a challenging day, and we are deeply concerned at the widespread, harmful implications of today’s Supreme Court ruling. As LGBT+ organisations across the country, we stand in solidarity with trans, intersex and non-binary folk as we navigate from here. We need to take the time to digest the full implications of the Ruling…

Galop’s statement on the leaked government proposal to make anti-LGBT+ hate crimes “aggravated offences”

We welcome the leaked proposal which indicates the Home Office’s recommendation to make crimes motivated by hate towards LGBT+ and disabled people equal to hate crimes motivated by religious and racial prejudice – something Galop has long called for. Under current hate crime legislation, crimes motivated by race and religion are aggravated…

Galop’s statement on Meta’s updated Hateful Content policy

On Tuesday 7 January, Meta updated its policy on Hateful Content, which previously prohibited specific hateful statements about protected groups. The changes made by Meta will permit users to target LGBT+ people, women, immigrants and other marginalised groups on Instagram and Facebook. It is dangerous for Meta to normalise and essentially endorse…

Galop’s statement on the passing of Maari Nastari

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Maari Nastari, CEO of Star Support and a former trustee of Galop. Maari was a fierce and compassionate champion for the LGBT+ community, dedicating decades to working across the charity sector and working towards a world where LGBT+ people can live safely. As we remember…

Statement in response to the continued criminal ban on puberty blockers

As LGBTQ+ sector organisations, we are deeply disappointed that the UK Government has decided to continue criminalising the prescription of puberty suppressing medicines for trans children and young people outside of a proposed NHS research study. Every single child and young person, across all nations of the UK, should be able to get the care…

Galop’s statement on the far-right attacks

No one should ever be made to feel unsafe for who they are. Galop exists to support LGBT+ victims of abuse and violence. At any given time, between 25% and 49% of victims in our…

Galop’s statement on the proposed ban on so-called “conversion therapy” in the King’s Speech

We welcome the Government’s commitment to bring forward an inclusive ban on so-called “conversion therapy.” Galop has been working with conversion practices victims for years, and we see first-hand the long-term, or even lifelong, effects of this abuse. With each day that passes without a conversion practices ban, our community is left at risk…

It may be Pride, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for the LGBT+ community

Pride is supposed to be a time of celebration and protest. In reality, it’s when we at Galop see the largest rise in demand for our hate crime support services. Last Pride season, Galop saw a 60% increase in LGBT+ hate crime victims coming to us for support, compared to any other three-month period…

Drop Bear Beer celebrates pride month with Galop

Drop Bear has released its first limited edition to celebrate pride month and support the UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, Galop. Whilst the LGBT+ founded brewery, Drop Bear Beer Co. believes pride should be celebrated every day of the year, this year the brewer is celebrating pride month its inaugural limited edition beer, True…

Galop’s statement in response to the Government’s plans to “halt the march of gender-neutral toilets”

On the 6th May, it was announced that new legislation will be brought forward that requires separate male and female toilets in all new public buildings in England. According to the legislation, separate unisex toilets will only be provided if there is space. Galop has been supporting LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse for…

Galop’s statement on the attempted murder of a trans teenage girl

On Saturday 10th February, a trans teenage girl was stabbed 14 times in an attempted murder that police are treating as a transphobic hate crime. This news will deeply impact trans+ people’s sense of safety, as well as the safety…

Leni Morris will soon step down as CEO of Galop, the UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity

Leni joined Galop in 2020 and will step down at the end of January, after four successful years in the role. During Leni’s time at the charity she has overseen huge organisational change, including the expansion of Galop’s services to deliver support nationally, opening the new National LGBT+ Abuse and Violence Helpline for all…

Galop’s statement on the non-statutory trans schools guidance

A newly released Government consultation on non-statutory draft guidance for schools and colleges on gender questioning children suggests that schools should inform parents or carers when pupils come out as trans, non-binary, or gender-questioning, except where this poses a significant risk of harm to the child.

Galop’s statement on the Gender Recognition debate

Yesterday in Parliament, the minister for women and equalities claimed that gender-affirming care could be considered “a new form of conversion therapy”, calling it a “threat” to young gay people, and further said that primary school children should not be allowed to socially transition “at all”. Galop has been supporting vi…

Galop’s statement on the 2022-2023 Official Statistics for Hate Crime

The Official Statistics for Hate Crime released today appear to show an overall decrease in hate crime reported in England and Wales in 2022/23. This does not reflect what we are seeing in our services – where in the last year alone we have seen…

Galop’s statement on the Conservative Party conference

Over the last few days, members of the Conservative Party have used their platform at their Party Conference to undermine the rights, safety, and dignity of trans people in the UK. Nothing that has been said constitutes…

Galop’s statement on the debate into the definition of “sex” in the Equality Act

In last night’s debate in parliament on defining ‘sex’, the discussion centred on the protection of women and girls and single sex spaces, particularly domestic abuse and sexual violence support services and public toilets. We are the largest provider of LGBT+ support services for LGBT+ victims of domestic and sexual abuse in the UK, as…

Galop’s new research shows LGBT+ people who experience domestic abuse are being left to go through it alone

New research from Galop, undertaken by YouGov, shows that two in five LGBT+ victims of domestic abuse have no support from friends or family – and that three in five receive no professional help from support services. The nationally representative study shows that LGBT+ victims of domestic abuse face a postcode lottery in being able…

Glasses Direct and Galop come together for a visionary campaign over Pride month

We’re so excited that Glasses Direct, the UK’s most-trusted online prescription glasses retailer, have partnered with Galop during Pride month. Together, Glasses Direct and Galop will be raising awareness of the abuse and violence LGBT+ people experience, as well as raising vital funds for Galop’s services…

Galop is on the big screen this Pride, thanks to ADOT and Outernet

We’re thrilled to announce that ADOT has very kindly donated digital advertising space on the world’s largest LED screens at Outernet to promote Galop’s LGBT+ National Hate Crime Helpline throughout Pride month. The VISTA screens at Outernet, set in the heart of London, will broadcast a special message during…

Notice: Galop Membership Review

The Board of Trustees has recently updated the charity’s rules of membership to require Members to be in touch with the charity at least once per year to retain their membership. If you are a current member of Galop and do not wish to lose your membership, please contact the charity no later than Monday…

Galop statement on the Equality and Human Rights Commissions’ recommendations around biological sex

In their letter to the Minister for Women and Equalities on the benefits of an amendment to the Equality Act 2010 on the current definition of ‘sex’, the EHRC say that their role is to “protect the rights of everyone in Britain”. A human rights body should be ensuring that protections for all people, across…

Galop’s statement on institutionalised homophobia and transphobia in the Met Police

Galop was originally founded in 1982 to oppose the Met Police’s homophobic behaviour towards gay and bi men. Today, over 40 years later, the Baroness Casey Review confirms something that we have always known – that the Met is institutionally homophobic. While the Casey Review focuses mainly on…

Galop’s statement on the response to Brianna Ghey’s murder

The response to the murder of a teenager should be kind to the victim – respecting her name, her gender, and the impact on those that knew and loved her. That is not what has happened for Brianna Ghey over the last 48 hours. As the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, we have to say: enough is…

Galop’s statement on the murder of Brianna Ghey

Our thoughts are with the loved ones of Brianna Ghey following her murder in Culcheth Linear park on Saturday. While the motives around this targeted attack have not yet been confirmed, we know this news will have impacted trans and non-binary people, particularly those…

British retail giant Lush and Galop come together to show realities of conversion therapy

We’re so excited to team up with Lush to reveal the reality of so-called ‘conversion therapy’ in the UK and call for an immediate and inclusive ban. Galop and Lush’s new animation show the stories of real survivors of conversion practices. You can learn more about Joe, Alex and Grace’s stories…

Galop launches the UK’s first LGBT+ Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline

Galop is launching the UK’s first ever dedicated helpline to support LGBT+ victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse. New research from Galop shows that over half (53 per cent) of LGBT+ people in the UK have been subjected to sexual violence in their lives. Further research shows that over half of LGBT+ sexual…

Galop’s new research shows nearly 1 in 5 LGBT+ people have experienced conversion practices

Our latest report shows that nearly 1 in 5 (18 per cent) LGBT+ people in the UK having been subjected to someone trying to change, ‘cure’ or suppress their sexual orientation or gender identity. Trans and non-binary people are being subjected to higher rates of conversion practices, with just over 2 in 5 of…

Proposed conversion practices ban

We’re very glad to see the Government is intending to include trans people within the proposed conversion practices ban. Being LGBT+ is not a sickness and we do not need to be cured. An effective ban, which covers all the ways in which conversion practices affect our community, would be a huge step forward in…

Galop’s statement on potential changes to the Gender Recognition Act

On the 9th January 2023, the Minister for Women and Equalities made a written statement to Parliament detailing a proposed Statutory Instrument to the Gender Recognition Act. If implemented, this would restrict trans+ people’s ability to have their Gender Recognition certificate recognised in the UK if it is has been issued by countries that…

Galop’s statement on the 2021 census data for sexual orientation and gender identity

For the first time, data for both sexual orientation and gender identity has been collected by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) census in England and Wales. While the census shows that London and Brighton have the highest proportions of LGBT+ people in each city, regional data shows what we know…

The Hidden Reality: How the Cost of Living Crisis is affecting LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence

Our latest research shows more LGBT+ victims of abuse are staying with their abusers due to the Cost of Living Crisis.

Galop’s statement on the release of the 2021-2022 Official Statistics for Hate Crime

Today’s official hate crime figures reflect the experience of our community in 2022. With reported hate crime up overall by almost a third, these figures show a 41% increase in hate crime against LGB people and a staggering 56% increase in transphobic hate crimes in this country over the last…

Galop’s statement on the government’s mandate for separate male and female toilets in all new public buildings

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has announced its decision to mandate separate male and female toilets in all new public buildings and that separate unisex toilets should only be provided if there is space. Our Transphobic Hate Crime Report found nearly two thirds of respondents felt unable to use public toilets due…

Galop’s statement on the Oslo shooting

As a community, we build LGBT+ spaces where we can feel safe. Sadly, sometimes these spaces can be made into targets. We know the news from Oslo today may be making many of us feel less safe, particularly with many local Pride events happening. Our National LGBT+ Hate Crime Helpline is here to offer confidential…

Galop’s statement on the IOPC’s decision to reinvestigate the Met’s response to the Stephen Port case

We welcome the IOPC’s decision to reinvestigate the Metropolitan Police’s response to the deaths of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor by Stephen Port in 2014 and 2015. Assumptions made about the victims, because of stereotypes about gay men, led to delays in the investigation, and it is important that institutionalised homophobia…

Galop’s statement on the Queen’s Speech 2022

While we welcome a ban on conversion therapy in the UK, we are disappointed by the government’s decision to exclude trans and non-binary people from the upcoming LGB conversion therapy ban, as outlined in the Queen’s speech this morning. What we see consistently though our services and our research is that trans and non-binary people…

Conversion Therapy Helpline update

We’re pleased to announce our National Conversion Therapy Helpline has received Government funding to keep the lines open and to expand the support we’re able to offer to all LGBT+ victims of conversion “therapies”. We are incredibly grateful to every single person who donated so generously to help us set up and run the helpline…

Galop’s statement on the leaked government conversion therapy update

We are deeply concerned by the leaked documents shared by ITV News last night which suggested that the government is reconsidering the ban on conversion therapy for LGBT+ people in the UK. Despite the supposed subsequent U-turn on this, there are indications that the ban might go ahead only for lesbian, gay…

Galop’s statement on Women’s Aid’s position on the inclusion of trans women in single-sex services

Women’s Aid has released its position on the inclusion of trans women in the single-sex services within its membership. As Women’s Aid points out in its statement, the violence against women and girls sector, and the services it provides to support women and girls who are victims of domestic abuse, have been built by and for women…

Galop delighted by ‘incredible’ win at the British Diversity Awards 2022

Leni Morris, CEO, accepted the coveted ‘Charity of the Year’ award and £10,000 donation from headline sponsor Burberry on behalf of the charity, for promoting the values of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Statement on the conversion therapy ban consultation

So-called “conversion therapy” is alive and well in the UK today. A significant proportion of young people in our service are experiencing abuse aimed at changing or “curing” who they are. We see the abuse victims of these so-called ‘conversion therapies’ go through and the lifelong repercussions it can have on its victims. It is…

Conversion therapy ban

LGBT+ anti-abuse charity Galop is today launching a National Conversion Therapy Helpline to support victims and survivors of so-called “conversion therapy”. “Conversion therapy” refers to any practice which tries to change, alter, suppress, or “cure” an LGBT+ person’s orientation or gender identity. This kind of abuse can take a wide range of forms, including verbal,…

Not Broken, Not Silent short films

In April 2021, we released a series of short films entitled “Not Broken, Not Silent” about LGBT+ people’s experiences of sexual violence. As a community, we need spaces that allow those who’ve experienced sexual violence to talk openly, without fear of judgment and without being dismissed because of what was done to them, who they are…

Hate crime report 2021

Our latest report into anti-LGBT+ hate crime shows that 3 in 5 LGBT+ people experiencing hate crime want and need help, but only 1 in 5 are able to access any support.

Statement on the Loss of Sarah Everard, Nicole Smallman, and Bibaa Henry

We are deeply affected by the death of Sarah Everard and the events at the vigil on Clapham Common over the weekend.

Hate crime law consultation submission

Galop are pleased to share our submission to the Law Commission, suggesting how to remedy problems with hate crime laws.

The LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Survivors Forum

Galop is proud to launch to the LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Forum as part of its National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline Service.

LGBT+ beyond recognition: social media campaign

To coincide with the 16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence, Galop’s National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Project is launching a national social media campaign.

Commissioning for inclusion: delivering services for LGBT+ survivors of domestic abuse

Galop launches new guide “Commissioning for inclusion: Delivering services for LGBT+ survivors of domestic abuse”…

Transphobic hate crime report 2020

Trans people are under such high rates of physical, sexual, and verbal attack that more than half feel less able to leave their home, says new research by LGBT+ anti-violence charity Galop.

Galop’s statement on hate crime statistics October 2020

Today’s figures from the Home Office show that anti-LGBT+ hate crime has, for the second year running, risen at twice the rate of other forms of hate crime over the last year.

Joint briefing: Domestic Abuse Bill, Third Reading, July 2020

Read about the needs of LGBT+ survivors in the Bill and its associated programme.

Five new information sheets for LGBT+ survivors of domestic abuse and the professionals supporting them

Galop is proud to share five new information sheets for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) survivors of domestic abuse and the professionals supporting them.

Joint statement: LGBT+ domestic violence and abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic

Over the last month professionals and activists, agencies, policymakers, and government have faced an extraordinary set of circumstances in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, including in relation to domestic violence and abuse.

Online hate crime report 2020

LGBT+ people face high levels of online abuse according to research by Galop, the leading LGBT+ anti-violence charity.

Join our mailing list