LGBT+ community and campaigning
For over 45 years, LGBT+ Humanists has promoted humanism and campaigned for equality and diversity, particularly relating to sexual orientation and identity, both in the UK and internationally. We’re a volunteer-led section of Humanists UK, entirely funded by supporter donations.
On the right side of history
We were founded in 1979 in response to the Gay News blasphemy trial, and we’ve blazed a trail for LGBT+ liberation by challenging religious homophobia and standing up to religious opposition to LGBT+ rights. From equalising the age of consent, to same-sex marriage, to more recent campaigns to ban the horrific practice of ‘conversion therapy’, our members have always been on the right side of history.
Community
We organise events around the UK for LGBT+ humanists and friends to meet, get to know each other, and share ideas. We’re proud to take part in Pride events and marches across the UK each year, and to celebrate the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, which we helped to bring to the UK in 2005.
Upcoming events
Meet other LGBT+ humanists and friends, online and in person.
This list updates automatically from our events listing.
What we do
LGBT+ Humanists promotes humanism and LGBT+ equality, working to combat prejudice and discrimination against humanists and LGBT+ people.
- Leads Humanists UK’s campaigning on LGBT+ equality, including responses to government consultations.
- Holds an annual Trans Day of Remembrance ceremony.
- Holds regular open, public meetings across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with speakers and discussions.
- Maintains a website, promoting our work worldwide and linking to other relevant resources and organisations.
- Carries out media work, including radio, press, and TV, to promote our aims.
- Supports demonstrations and other groups that advance these aims.
- Runs stalls and information points at public events.
- Honours LGBT+ champions at our annual lunch.
LGBT+ humanist ceremonies
Humanists have always supported LGBT+ rights, and all of Humanists UK’s community services are fully inclusive.
Weddings
Humanist Ceremonies is fully inclusive and always has been: humanist celebrants were performing same-sex wedding and commitment ceremonies for decades before they were legally recognised.
Namings
People who have transitioned can choose a humanist naming ceremony to announce their new name to the world, and mark the moment with supportive friends and family.
Funerals
Humanist funerals focus on the story of the person who has died and the connections they made. Sometimes even religious families choose one for an LGB or trans loved one, knowing it will be fully respectful and sensitive.
Humanists have always stood up for LGBT+ people
Humanists have championed LGBT+ rights for generations, and many of the people who built the humanist movement were LGBT+ themselves. Our community has always been one where LGBT+ people can be themselves and feel safe.
Humanist Heritage, our history project, has researched that story in depth, from the archives of LGBT+ Humanists to the lives of LGBT+ humanists who shaped the world.
Exhibition
Into the Archives, Out of the Closet
LGBT+ Humanists in the 20th century, told through newsletters and photographs from 1979 onwards.
Exhibition
45 years of LGBT+ Humanists, and centuries more of refusing to conform.
Meet some LGBT+ humanists from history:Virginia WoolfAlan TuringE. M. ForsterJames BaldwinJohn Maynard KeynesIris MurdochA. E. HousmanMichael TippettBrigid BrophyMaureen DuffyAntony GreyGeorge Broadhead
Get in touch
More ways to connect
Sections and networks of Humanists UK.