Introducing Proud Changemakers: The New LGBTQIA+ Charity We Need Right Now
Author: Luca Straker
Editor: Paige Hughes
In exciting news for the charity sector, and the LGBTQIA+ community, our grassroots movement led by volunteers has now been officially registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (registration number 1212877).
The journey started in June 2023, when we began to discuss how to create a safe space where queer stories and achievements were celebrated. From this, Proud Changemakers was created – designed to help LGBTQIA+ charity professionals connect, support and elevate one another.
In the last two years, we have moved from strength to strength, focusing on delivering our increasingly popular podcast to platform LGBTQIA+ voices, campaigning for societal change and challenging discrimination. In the last year, we mobilised our volunteer base to create a Senior Leadership Team, develop a strategic plan and recently welcomed in our first ever Trustees.
The milestone of registered charity status marks a significant step in our journey and provides us with the foundation necessary to expand our work, positive impact and build on our commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion, visibility and empowerment.
“We’re thrilled to have reached this point,” said Luca Straker (they/them), CEO and Co-Founder. “Registering as a CIO gives us the structure and recognition we need to grow sustainably, secure funding and continue supporting creative, educational and archival projects that celebrate LGBTQIA+ lives past and present.”
Heather Paterson (she/her), who has 20+ years’ experience working with LGBTQIA+ communities, and is the current Head of Partnerships and Development for Consortium was welcomed to Proud Changemakers as the first Chair of the Trustee Board earlier this year.
“This is a huge moment for our team and the communities we serve,” said Heather. “We’re excited about what this means for our future, and for how we can deepen our impact across the sector.”
With the growing negativity against the LGBTQIA+ community in mainstream media and society, plus reduced funding and ongoing uncertainty in the socio-economic and political climate, this development comes at a significant time for both the LGBTQIA+ community, and the charity sector itself. Luca Straker, CEO (they/them) noted:
“We hope that the news of our formal registration offers reassurance to the LGBTQIA+ community that work to amplify our voices and increase our visibility is still happening. Our LGBTQIA+ communities are historically resilient, creative, empathetic and driven. Despite the challenges we continue to face, we will prioritise our mission and drive positive change – exactly as the changemakers that came before us did.”
As part of this next chapter, we will soon be inviting individuals to become members of our organisation. Membership will be open to anyone who shares our values and vision and will offer opportunities to get more involved in shaping our direction, supporting our projects, and strengthening our community of changemakers.
Additionally we have opened up the opportunity for people to donate to our organisation, so we can continue to amplify the voices of the marginalised and spread joy at a time when there is little of that going around for the LGBTQIA+ communities.