It’s been a difficult few weeks in the UK media.
Headlines and commentary, often framed as “debate”, have crossed lines into something much more harmful. For LGBTQ+ people, and particularly trans communities, the national conversation has felt hostile, dehumanising, and exhausting.
We won’t amplify those headlines here. But we will say this: we stand firmly with LGBTQ+ people and with the charities doing vital work to support, protect, and uplift these communities.
Because behind the noise is something very real — the people on the frontlines, helping others survive it.
The emotional cost
When a group’s very existence becomes a subject of public scrutiny, it takes a toll. On individuals. On communities. And on the charities who support them.
LGBTQ+ organisations aren’t just delivering services, they’re providing lifelines. Safe housing. Mental health support. Legal advocacy. Community spaces. Policy work. Storytelling. Representation.
And they’re doing all of this while navigating the same funding challenges facing the wider sector, often with fewer resources and greater public pressure.
The emotional cost is high. And yet these organisations keep going.
Funding matters, now more than ever
We know from experience that LGBTQ+ charities are often:
- Underfunded compared to their ‘mainstream’ counterparts
- Overlooked for general pots of funding
- Expected to “justify” the need for their existence in ways others aren’t
But there is funding available. It’s just not always easy to find, or access. That’s part of why we built Fundin: to make sure organisations like these can spend less time fighting through systems, and more time focusing on the people they serve.
We want LGBTQ+ charities to know:
- We support you
- We’re here to help you access the funding you deserve
- We believe your work is essential
Looking forward
The current media storm will pass, but the structural issues won’t, unless we address them head-on. That means calling out transphobia when we see it. That means investing in LGBTQ+ organisations with long-term, unrestricted funding. That means centring lived experience in our funding decisions, tech design, and public conversations.
At Fundin, we’re doing what we can from our corner of the sector. Building tools that remove barriers. Working with funders to understand the realities on the ground. And always, always standing in solidarity with those creating real change, even when it’s not popular to do so.
To the LGBTQ+ organisations weathering the storm right now: We see you. We value you. And we’re with you.
