London Friend’s response to the new EHRC Code of Practice
The Government has finally published the new Equality Act 2010: Draft Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations, 2026. The Code updates guidance on how to implement the Equality Act as it applies to services, including charities, and includes changes since the Supreme Court’s ruling on the definition of sex as a protected characteristic. The Code now has a 40-day Parliamentary process before it becomes statutory guidance. Several changes affect how trans and non-binary people will be able – or not – to access key public services when they are provided as single sex services. We are very
LGBTQ+ people say mental health is the biggest concern of chemsex
LGBTQ+ people say mental health is their biggest concern associated with chemsex. A new report finds stigma, poor awareness and lack of tailored support are stopping many from seeking help. Mental health challenges, including trauma, loneliness and isolation, are the biggest concern associated with chemsex among LGBTQ+ people in London, according to a new report published today by London Friend and LGBT HERO. The findings challenge common assumptions about chemsex, showing it is often rooted not just in risk-taking behaviour, but in unmet emotional and psychological needs. Respondents to the survey, conducted by London Friend and LGBT HERO, consistently linked
New data on mortality by sexual orientation makes sobering reading
New data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) looks for the first time at mortality analysed by sexual orientation and makes sobering reading. As we’ve long suspected lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB+) people are more likely to take their own lives or die through alcohol or drug use. Suicide is the second most common cause of death for all LGB+ people, especially for younger LGB+ people. The figures also showed that the risk of dying from drug poisoning was 2.8 times higher for LGB+ people than those identifying as straight, and 1.8 times higher from alcohol-related causes. It’s always
Joint statement: Calling on MPs to scrutinise the EHRC Code of Practice
Today, along with over 80 partner organisations, we are writing to MPs across the UK calling for robust Parliamentary scrutiny of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) forthcoming Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations. Joint letter from trans+/LGBTQ+ orgs If Bridget Phillipson, Minister for Women and Equalities, does not make provision for a debate, this new Code — a likely bathroom ban — will come into effect automatically, without any democratic debate or a vote in Parliament, 40 days after she publishes it. This is despite the fact that it could mark one of the most significant
An Open Letter to our Communities following recent Meta updates
We are proud to stand alongside the LGBT+ Consortium and our peer organisations with the following Open Letter to our LGBTQ+ communities, in light of recent changes to Meta’s social media policies. You can read the full letter here.
Farewell and thank you to Toni, our Antidote Manager
Today we bid a sad but fond farewell to Toni, our Antidote drug and alcohol service manager who is retiring. Toni was a volunteer with Project LSD, an LGBTQ+ drug and alcohol service that was set up in the 1990s. In 2002 it merged with LGB Alcohol Project and expanded to form Antidote. Toni joined Antidote as a trainee counsellor, later becoming our first full-time drug and alcohol worker, and then in 2007 took over as Antidote Manager. Toni’s many achievements include developing Antidote’s first response to the emerging issues of chemsex in the late 2000s as newer drugs changed
