Background

Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender voluntary and community organisations have developed in response to poor mainstream services and support. LGBT initiatives vary from housing and health to helplines and self-help groups.  Community fora provide a voice for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender individuals at the local level; and national campaigning groups challenge discrimination within the structures and laws of society.

Although diverse, innovative and passionate, the LGBT sector has historically been marginalised, under funded, and thus isolated and disparate. Many groups operate exclusively through the use of volunteers; and income for the sector remains incredibly low (at 0.03% of national charitable income).

Little specialist infrastructure exists to support LGBT groups and organisations, and existing voluntary sector infrastructure organisations have often failed to acknowledge or provide support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender projects.

The Consortium was set up in 1998 to address these gaps; and to nurture the development of an LGB sector. In 2003, the desire for greater diversity from members saw the Consortium expanded its brief to include transgender voluntary and community organisations. To date, the Consortium now has a national membership of around 450 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender projects.

In 1998, the Home Office provided funding to employ a part-time Co-ordinator and embark on a programme of work that prioritised consultation, network development and building membership.

In 1999 the Community Fund provided £½m to substantially increase the organisation’s work in England.  This enabled the Consortium to employ a team of three Regional Development Officers and an Administrator. The regional team staff were based in Bradford, Bristol, Colchester and, latterly, in London at the national office.

In 2002, the LloydsTSB foundations provided funding to organise and deliver a range of national events and conferences.

In 2003 further funds from the Association of London Government and Comic Relief provided the income to run a three-year LGB Youth Inclusion project across London.
Further success was achieved in 2004 with a grant from Baring Foundation to progress the work of the National Network of Individuals and Organisations working with LGBT young people, co-ordinated by the Consortium; funding from LloydsTSB Foundations for Membership and Information post; and the Department of Health for the Mental Health LGBT youth project.

The end of 2005 saw big changes for the Consortium. A new staff team was employed to carry on the work of previous colleagues; and the organisation moved home. The organisation continued to grow and expand - reviewing support roles, regional and national reach, and the needs of membership.

In 2006 the Consortium was selected as a strategic partner to the Office of the Third Sector, facilitating links into other national charities, Government Departments and other statutory bodies. Funding from the Parenting Fund facilitated links with member organisations and other agencies on family issues.

2007 saw greater funding success, with grants from Big Lottery Fund, Department of Health, RBS Innovate fund, London Development Agency, Safer London Foundation, City Bridge, ICT Hub and London Councils.