Stonewall is increasingly dependent on taxpayer funding due to significant financial difficulties, reporting a deficit exceeding £800,000 and a dramatic drop in income. Grants from public bodies rose to over £600,000 despite a loss of members from its diversity rating scheme. The charity’s revenue fell from £7.7 million to £6.9 million, drastically reducing its reserves. Critics, including the Taxpayers’ Union, argue that taxpayer money supports politically active charities that may compromise public interests. Additionally, Stonewall’s leadership has seen high turnover, with significant unrest reflected in its mission. A spokesperson cited broader economic challenges impacting many charities.
Stonewall has become increasingly reliant on taxpayer funds as its overall financial situation worsens, prompting calls for public organizations to end support for the city.
The transgender rights lobby reported a deficit of more than £800,000 as income fell while it was forced to use up half of its reserves, according to a new report.
But despite many severing ties with the controversial diversity rating scheme, the amount of grants the charity received from public bodies increased, totaling more than £600,000. .
Last night John O’Connell, chief executive of the Taxpayers’ Union, told the Mail: “Taxpayers will be shocked to find out that the state is effectively paying to support charities that are increasingly corrupt in their policies.”
“Stonewall has been seeking for years to drag large swaths of the public sector into uncharted territory that most British citizens would rather not go into, and it is receiving taxpayer funds to further its demands.”
“We need stricter rules on taxpayer funding of charities that also engage in political lobbying.”
Stonewall’s 2023/24 annual report admits it endured “difficult operating conditions” and suffered a loss of between £574,269 and £858,461.
Revenue fell to £6.9m from £7.7m the previous year, while expenditure also fell to £7.7m from £8.3m. Total reserves fell from £1.8m to just £998,173.
Stonewall is now increasingly reliant on taxpayer money amid worsening overall finances (File image)
The transgender rights lobby reported a deficit of more than £800,000 as income fell while it was forced to use up half of its reserves (File image)
Amounts from donations and bequests fell from £1.8m to £1.4m, and fee income, including fee income from the Diversity Champions scheme, fell from £2.9m to £2.4m.
The report said “more than 200 schools and universities” have signed up to an education program that requires teachers to stop referring to students as boys or girls as part of gender-neutral classrooms. However, in the previous year’s report, the number was over 300.
However, it also revealed that “gross income from government sources” rose to £618,757 from £572,868 the previous year.
The grant includes £151,840 from the Foreign Office, £106,505 from the Scottish Government, £100,000 from the Welsh Government and £34,328 from Arts Council Wales. Mr Stonewall also received £233,583 from the Global Equality Fund, run by the US State Department.
Other grants not included in the government’s figures include £226,085 from the National Lottery Community Fund, which donates money raised through the lottery, and a number from charitable foundations run by major companies such as Vodafone and UPS. Contains 10,000 pounds.
The accounts also show high levels of turnover in Stonewall’s boardroom, with three chief executives in the past two years, but three treasurers appointed in March. He resigned a month later.
Women’s rights activists say the unrest at Stonewall has made Britain’s Equality and Human Rights Commission watchdog reprimanded for supporting gay quotas, making it even more forceful on transgender rights. He said that this shows that the approach taken has been a mistake.
Maya Forstater, chief executive of human rights charity Sex Matters, said: ‘In 2018, Stonewall challenged the country’s main gay rights charities to acknowledge that there is a range of rights. “We made a huge mistake by not listening to the 10,000 people who signed the petition calling for this.” We advocate for valid views and support for respectful debate on sex, gender and transgender politics. Stonewall rejected this, saying: “We do not and will not recognize a contradiction between transgender rights and ‘gender-based women’s rights.'”
“The failure of what was once the country’s preeminent gay rights organization to address this issue in a grown-up way has led it to drift away from its founding principles and charitable purpose, perhaps more so over the past five years. It helps to explain the severe turnover in the organization, which had 26 directors, five chairs, five treasurers, and five CEOs.
“It’s no wonder that many companies and public organizations that paid tuition fees have withdrawn.”
A Stonewall spokesperson said last night: “Many charities are experiencing financial hardship due to coronavirus and the economic downturn, and Stonewall is no exception.”
“But as rights continue to roll back around the world, our work advocating for LGBTQ+ equality is more important than ever.
“I am confident that support will continue to grow as society as a whole comes together against the growing oppression of rights worldwide.”
