Kaleidoscope Trust

Kaleidoscope Trust

We work with parliamentarians, government ministers, officials and policy makers to try to effect real change in the lives of LGBT communities around the world. With our base in the UK we urge the British government and Commonwealth stakeholders to use their influence in support of the rights of LGBT people. 

 Given that a large number of Commonwealth countries still suffer from the impact of British colonial legacy, high-level advocacy must be grounded by strong movements for change from within member states. We respond to the needs of activists in Commonwealth members states to challenge the inequalities the LGBT community face, and support them in building broader civil society alliances.

 Kaleidoscope Trust is a founding member of The Commonwealth Equality Network, a grouping of 46 LGBTI and human rights organisations and regional networks representing 44 Commonwealth countries, with members in every Commonwealth region. More information is available at commonwealthequality.org.

 The Kaleidoscope Trust recognizes the specificity of each individual country, and that progress varies from place to place. Our work will always be guided by the experience and requirements of local activists. Besides the Commonwealth Equality Network since our launch in 2011, we have met campaigners on the ground in countries including Armenia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malawi, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago Uganda, Ukraine and Zambia. When invited to do so, we partner with local activists and organisations in trying to move public and political opinion in favour of human rights for all.

 Fighting criminalisation, discrimination, persecution and violence requires well-presented arguments based on reliable evidence. We commission and promote research to relay data and bring the facts to the attention of policy makers, the media and the public so the case against homophobia and transphobia is heard as widely as possible. 

The Kaleidoscope Trust is a UK based registered charity working to uphold the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people internationally. We believe that the rights of all people should be respected equally, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Our mission is to:

- listen to the voices of LGBT people in countries where their rights are threatened by prejudice, discrimination and/or the law;

- amplify their voices so they can be heard in places they might not otherwise reach;

- communicate in partnership with them to persuade public and political opinion of the case for an end to discrimination.

We listen first-hand to the testimony of those living with prejudice and discrimination in their own countries.

We use our access to the British government, UK parliament, Commonwealth and EU institutions to amplify their calls for LGBT rights to be recognised as human rights. We work with civil society groups, employers, religious organisations and others to translate their calls into meaningful change.

We seek out innovative ways to communicate the testimony we gather in order to encourage a better-informed public and political debate about LGBT human rights. Where we have been invited to partner local organisations we stand with them to change public perceptions in their own countries and end discriminatory behaviour, policies and laws so LGBT people can live free and independent lives.

To find out more about our advocacy work and in-country projects, please visit our website. We rely on the support of our donors to continue our work upholding the rights of LGBT people across the globe. Please get in touch with us to find out how you or your company or organisation can support us in reaching our goals.