LGBTQIA+ Support and Advice
ACAS – Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Discrimination
While aimed more at employees, ACAS still offers legal information and guidance that can help freelancers know their rights.
Creative Scotland Equalities Resources
Includes LGBTQIA+ inclusive guides for arts organisations and individual practitioners. May be useful for freelancers working on funded projects or collaborative work.
Equity – LGBTQ+ Network & Legal Support
Equity members can access legal advice and representation in cases of workplace discrimination or harassment, including LGBTQIA+ issues. Their LGBTQ+ network also runs events and campaigns.
Galop
Galop supports LGBTQIA+ people who’ve experienced abuse, hate crime or discrimination. Not arts-specific but excellent for freelancers facing identity-based harm.
Musicians' Union - LGBT+ musicians
musiciansunion.org.uk/lgbt-musicians
LGBT+ musicians may face particular issues because of their sexuality or gender. Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, being asked to conceal their sexuality or gender, difficultly touring in countries that are hostile to or that criminalise LGBT+ people and lack of representation are issues that LGBT+ musicians may face.
Stonewall – Workplace Hub
www.stonewall.org.uk/inclusive-workplaces
While aimed more at employers, Stonewall has great guides freelancers can use to advocate for themselves and know what inclusive workplaces should look like.
TransActual UK – Know Your Rights
Resource hub on legal rights, healthcare, and discrimination for trans people across the UK, helpful for freelancers navigating contracts or workplace issues.
Gendered intellegence
We imagine a world where diverse gender identities and expressions are visible and valued and where trans, non‑binary and gender questioning people live healthy, safe and fulfilled lives.
London LGBTQ+ Community Centre
The London LGBTQ+ Community Centre is a sober, intersectional community centre and café where all LGBTQ+ people are welcome, supported, can build connections and can flourish. Our vision is for a more connected, belonging and thriving LGBTQ+ community in London.
Queer Arts North
curiousarts.org.uk/queer-arts-north
Queer Arts North is a network of arts organisations strategically supporting LGBTQIA+ arts, artists, organisations, venues and festivals across the North of England. Queer Arts North is currently supported by Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy Networks Funding.
Managed and coordinated by Curious Arts, Queer Arts North aims to enable its partners to support, collaborate and share with each other methods of best practice through regular networking meetings and sector facing activity hosted across the North.
Trans+ Mutual Aid Groups (via LGBT+ Mutual Aid UK)
A hub of links to trans+ and LGBTQIA+ peer support and mutual aid, including some that fund freelance creative projects or mental health support.
'Our goal is to help groups become stronger and more sustainable, so they can provide essential services and advocate for the rights of individuals in the community.
We offer information and guidance on various topics, including managing your organisation, finances, fundraising, and creating policy documents.'
BAPAM (British Association for Performing Arts Medicine)
Offers specialist health support for people working in the arts, including LGBTQIA+ musicians and performers. Provides access to clinicians who understand freelance arts work.
Glitter Cymru
https://linktr.ee/Glittercymru
A Cardiff-based group for LGBTQ+ people of colour, offering meetups, wellbeing check-ins, creative workshops, and a safe space for freelancers and creatives.
HERe NI (for LGBTQIA+ Women)
HERe NI is a community organisation and registered charity based in Belfast. We are an inclusive organisation here to support LGBTQIA+ women, regardless of the gender they were assigned at birth, and their families.
We are committed to improving the lives of LGBTQIA+ women across Northern Ireland, we do this in lots of different ways:
Through providing information; peer support; facilitating training; lobbying government and agencies on your behalf, offering a community space for meetings and much more.
LGBTQymru
Promotes stories, culture and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ communities in Wales, including online magazine and digital community building. Supportive space for freelancers in the creative sector.
LGBT Foundation – Mental Health Resources
Offers mental health services, peer support, and resources tailored to LGBTQIA+ needs. They also run community groups and wellbeing services which may suit freelancers.
LGBT Health and Wellbeing (Scotland)
Scotland’s health and wellbeing charity for LGBTQ+ adults. Working to improve the physical, social, and mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ adults (16+) in Scotland through responsive support services, a social programme for our community to connect with each other, and supporting mainstream services to be more inclusive.
We welcome the entire diversity of our LGBT+ community including non-binary, queer, intersex, asexual people and all identities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella.
MindOut
A mental health service run by and for LGBTQIA+ people, offering online support, peer mentoring, and resources. Includes freelancer-friendly online sessions.
The Rainbow Project
Based in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry. Offers free counselling, sexual health support, and mental health services for LGBTQIA+ people, including peer support and advocacy.
Scottish Trans
Offers support, advocacy and legal information for trans people in Scotland. Not arts-specific but valuable for freelancers navigating workplace issues or discrimination.
Switchboard LGBTQ+ Helpline
A confidential helpline for LGBTQIA+ people, offering emotional support and listening. Open daily. Run by volunteers, many with experience in the arts.