13:00, 18 June 2025
Words by Abi Scaife, Staff Writer, London
At Smiley News, Pride is one of our favourite times of year - that’s why we brought you a comprehensive list of 12 charities you could be supporting, not just during Pride Month but all year round.
That post was so popular, we have brought you the definitive, UPDATED list - here’s 12 charities helping the LGBTQ+ community that you can support this Pride and long after.
Possibly one of the most well-known LGBTQ+ charities in the UK, Stonewall is named after the Stonewall Inn and Stonewall Riots that famously turned the tide for LGBTQ+ rights in the US.
Today, the Stonewall charity continues the fight for equal rights on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community, working to increase awareness and end discrimination. They have a whole list of resources available on their website to help you learn more.
Who: Stonewall
What: Fighting for equality
Where: www.stonewall.org.uk
How: Donate and fundraise.
The Kaleidoscope International Trust is a UK-based charity that fights for LGBTQ+ equality across the world. For many of these countries, anti-LGBTQ+ laws were introduced by British colonisers and, many years later, that is the legacy they have been left with.
Thanks to the work of the Kaleidoscope International Trust, LGBTQ+ activists, changemakers and community groups globally are able to help more LGBTQ+ people than ever before, influencing policies and decisions for a safer future.
Who: Kaleidosope International Trust
What: LGBTQ+ equality and safety worldwide.
Where: kaleidoscopetrust.com
How: Donate and fundraise.
This not-for-profit organisation is a collective of LGBTQ+, Black men that is based in the UK. Their goal is to enable Black, queer men to ‘connnect, create and care’, primarily through art and media.
By carving out a place for Black, queer men to tell their own stories and experiences, BlkOut UK is doing truly lifesaving work. At the heart of what they do is community, and the strength and sanctuary that comes with it.
Who: BlkOut UK.
What: Community and support for black, queer men.
Where: blkoutuk.com/
How: Donate, volunteer and fundraise.
MindOut is a mental health service targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as offering bespoke training to mental health providers to help them better cater to the queer community.
Their resources are available in person for those who are 18+ and based in Brighton and Hove, but their Online Support and resources are available globally through their website. While their work is primarily aimed at the LGBTQ+ community, those who do not identify as LGBTQ+, are questioning, or who have a relationship with someone who is LGBTQ+ are also welcome.
Who: MindOut.
What: Mental health services for LGBTQ+ adults.
Where: Brighton and Hove / mindout.org.uk
How: Donate, volunteer and fundraise.
GALOP is the UK’s LGBTQ+ abuse support charity. They work with survivors of abuse of all kinds, whether that is conversion therapy, domestic abuse, a hate crime or something else. Through their helpline services, which are available through phone, email and webchat, they provide a much needed service to the community.
Who: GALOP.
What: Abuse support services for LGBTQ+ people and their connections.
Where: galop.org.uk / 0800 999 5428 / [email protected]
How: Donate, volunteer and fundraise.
Mermaids UK is a charity, originally founded by concerned parents, designed to support trans, non-binary, and gender-questioning children and young people, as well as their loved ones. Today, they are one of the leading trans-focused charities in the UK, and no less determined to make the world we live in safer and more inclusive for Trans+ children and young people everywhere.
They also have a support line that is available over the phone, webchat or text, for those who are struggling or in crisis.
Who: Mermaids UK.
What: Support for Trans+ children and young people, and those around them.
Where: mermaidsuk.org.uk / 0808 801 0400 / 85258
How: Donate, volunteer, fundraise, campaign and petition.
Hidayah is a volunteer-led charity that, while being completely secular, is aimed at supporting and meeting the needs of LGBTQ+ Muslims. They are an inclusive organisation, and one of their main goals is to combat discrimination through education, helping LGBTQ+ Musilms throughout the UK and US, whether they are practicing or not.
They have a wealth of resources on their website, from articles and podcasts, to volunteer-made Ramadan care packages, and run regular events, ensuring you are supported through every season of life.
Who: Hidayah UK.
What: Support for LGBTQ+ Muslims.
Where: hidayahlgbt.com
How: Donate, volunteer, buy merch.
The Proud Trust is a charity aimed at LGBTQ+ youth based in Manchester. Throu youth groups, mentoring programmes and a website stocked with resources, they support queer youth in the North West of England and beyond.
They have networks throughout schools and youth communities, run a mentoring programme, and have a live chat on their website for any LGBTQ+ youth that are in need of community and connection.
Who: The Proud Trust.
What: Support for LGBTQ+ youth.
Where: www.theproudtrust.org
How: Donate, fundraise, become a mentor.
Fighting With Pride supports LGBTQ+ veterans and their families and loved ones - especially those who were impacted by the now-lifted ban on LGBTQ+ people serving in the military.
Both veterans and LGBTQ+ people are increasingly vulnerable to mental health issues, and Fighting With Pride not only provides support, but partners with other organisations that do, to make sure that as many queer veterans as possible receive the help they need.
Who: Fighting With Pride
What: Support for LGBTQ+ veterans.
Where: fightingwithpride.org.uk
How: Donate and fundraise.
AKT are the only national charity providing support to LGBTQ+ young people who are either at risk of homelessness or already experiencing it. You are twice as likely to become homeless if you are LGBTQ+, as many young people are sadly made homeless because of their identity.
AKT assigns anyone who reaches out for help a caseworker, and are helped to find both emergency and longterm accommodation, and financial support.
Who: AKT.
What: Support for LGBTQ+ young people experiencing homelessness..
Where: akt.org.uk
How: Donate, fundraise, volunteer, campaign.
LGBT Hero are a charity dedicated to addressing the health inequalities that so often affect the LGBTQ+ community.
Not only do they provide information and support to the LGBTQ+ community, but also run education and training workshops to try and end the inequality that exists within our health systems.
Who: LGBT Hero.
What: Providing health support and advice for the LGBTQ+ community.
Where: lgbthero.org.uk
How: Donate, fundraise, buy merchandise.
Just Like US is the LGBT+ young people’s charity, working closely with schools and young people to make it easier to grow up LGBTQ+.
Through Pride groups, ambassador programmes, and a whole week dedicated to diversity in primary and secondary schools, Just Like Us is making it safer and easier to grow up LGBTQ+, whether you are confident in your identity, questioning or somewhere in between.
Who: Just Like Us.
What: Supporting LGBTQ+ young people.
Where: justlikeus.org
How: Donate, fundraise, volunteer.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
MindOut. An award winning LGBTQ community mental health service based in Brighton; run by LGBTQ people, for LGBTQ people. Learn more here.
Switchboard. They provide an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men and bisexual and trans people – and anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity. Support them here.
LGBT Hero. LGBT HERO is the national health and wellbeing charity for LGBTQ+ people supporting over 100,000 people a month. Find out more here.
