LGBTQIA+ Training, toolkits and advocacy
LGBTQIA+ Freelancers Scotland
Grassroots advocacy page supporting queer creatives across Scotland. While mainly on Instagram, it promotes solidarity, events, and shared resources.
Mermaids - Amplifying your Voice
The policy team at Mermaids help to amplify the voices of young trans people, and can be a useful tool for freelancers with young trans loved ones who want to help raise the volume of young trans voices in their work and and in their advocacy.
Raze Collective
Supports queer performance artists and campaigns for the recognition of queer nightlife and performance spaces. They also provide micro-commissions and host talks about queer space in performance.
Trans Pride UK / Trans Pride Brighton
Advocacy through celebration, but also includes campaigns and resource links. Their annual events often include performance spaces for trans and non-binary artists.
UK Theatre & SOLT – Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Resources
Not LGBTQ+ specific, but includes case studies, inclusive workplace commitments and EDI guidance that LGBTQIA+ freelancers can reference or use to hold employers accountable.
Creative Scotland – Inclusion and Intersectionality Framework
This EDI framework is valuable for freelancers writing funding bids or developing inclusive projects. Includes expectations for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in public arts funding.
Drama Resource – LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Drama Teaching
Although aimed at schools, these practical drama activities and guidelines for inclusive storytelling and classroom culture can easily be adapted for freelance facilitators, directors, and workshop leaders.
Equity – Inclusive Casting & Working Guidelines
Their LGBTQ+ Committee and campaigns offer advice for safe and fair working conditions. They also publish guidance for inclusive casting, particularly relevant for queer and trans freelancers.
Gendered Intelligence – Arts Sector Training & Resources
Offers training and consultation for arts orgs, but individuals can also draw on their free online guides for working respectfully with trans people.
Inclusive Cinema – LGBTQ+ Film Programming & Access Toolkit
UK-wide project promoting diversity in film exhibition. Their resources include guides for inclusive language, accessible events, and working with LGBTQIA+ audiences and creatives.
LGBT Foundation – A guide to being a trans ally
This guide includes information on asking about someone’s pronouns, how to support a friend if they come out as trans, and how to show your support for trans people.
It also covers what to do if you make a mistake, what to do if you have a friend or relative who keeps making jokes about trans people as well as a range of other topics.
Stonewall – Inclusive Language Guide
Straightforward guidance on how to speak and write inclusively, particularly for public communications, policies, and group settings. Highly relevant to artists creating public-facing work or leading workshops.
Stonewall – Inclusive Workplace Guides
Offers detailed resources on creating inclusive work environments, including guidance on being an ally, using inclusive language, and supporting LGBTQ+ staff. Particularly useful for freelancers in leadership, production, or teaching roles.
Theatre503 – Inclusive Casting & Representation
As you embark on your creative activities, from the seed of an idea, full production up to how a company develops and implements its core aims and objectives, we offer a practical session equipping you with a starter kit to ensure diversity and inclusion is embedded in everything you do.
Trans Creative – Trans Inclusion in the Arts
A trans-led theatre company with advocacy embedded in its practice. While there isn’t a formal toolkit, their workshops, panels, and practice can inspire inclusive models. Worth watching their events and content.
The Trevor Project – LGBTQ Glossary
www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/
US-based but widely used. A clear, simple glossary of LGBTQIA+ terms, ideal for educators, facilitators, and collaborators who want to be inclusive and up-to-date with terminology.
The Advocacy Academy – Allyship & Activism Training
A youth movement focused on social justice education. Their leadership and allyship models can inform how freelancers approach collaboration and advocacy in creative work.
AZ Magazine – Voices of LGBTQ+ People of Colour
While not a toolkit, AZ provides stories, blogs, and insights from queer people of colour in the UK, including artists and freelancers. A useful source of perspective and learning around intersectional allyship.
Black LGBTQIA+ Therapy Fund (via Exist Loudly)
Exist Loudly advocates for and supports Black queer youth in the UK. They provide creative support, affirming spaces, and opportunities. Freelancers working with young people or running youth projects will find inspiration and guidelines here.