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LGBT HERO – LGBTQ+ Votes Matter – Don’t Lose it | 2023/24  

By GLA Democratic Participation Grants Team | 24th September 2024
Three people sitting at an information desk for LGBTQ+ voters

LGBT HERO delivered a wide social media campaign and developed a variety of videos and promotional assets with a focus on trans and non-binary Londoners. These assets and information are collected on its campaign hub. It also delivered training sessions to wider LGBTQ+ Consortium partners, which enabled the cascading of Voter ID awareness-raising information across their London network.   

In addition, it deployed trained volunteers to deliver in-person engagement at high-footfall LGBTQ+ focused events, which allowed them to directly interact with a large audience. At these events, it received feedback from participants who appreciated the outreach and information shared by the grantee.  

They delivered 14 in-person events attended by 3,684 people, and 19 online events attended by 171 people. They had a reach of almost 57,840 on Instagram. Their videos had 216,964 views and 302 shares. 

  • 80 percent of participants, engaged via in-person or online events, had an increased awareness of the Voter ID requirement as a result of this project, compared with their previous knowledge 
  • 80 percent of respondents reported an increased understanding of the democratic system as a result of this project/ activity 
  • 94 percent of respondents reported that they are ready to use their democratic rights to vote as a result of taking part in this project/ activity 

The testimonies below highlight the impact of the project on the LGBTQ+ community in London:  

“You’re doing amazing work making people aware of the changes to voting law! Keep it up!” Asexual Londoner, 25-34 years old   

“Kristian was really well informed about voter authority certificate. Great work!”  
Non-binary, pansexual Londoner, 25-34 years old  

“An amazing and important project. THANK YOU! Together we can change things!”  
Lesbian Londoner, 25-34 years old  

“It’s inspiring and affirming to even hear about this.”  
Genderfluid, pansexual Londoner, 25-34 years old  

At its Student Pride stall, LGBT HERO was approached by a trans person with worries about their documentation. They were in the process of legally changing their name, but hadn’t updated it on the electoral roll or their photo ID. They were concerned and confused about what to do to ensure they could vote, even considering whether they should delay their name change to vote.  

LGBT HERO staff at the stall walked them through the requirements of voting at a polling station and guided them through the process of updating their name on the electoral register, as well as signposting them to a variety of forms of photo ID that they could acquire. This ensured they had the correct ID in time for the election, but also clarified that their ID would not feature gender markers, which they indicated would make them feel uncomfortable when presenting ID at the polling station. This led into a further conversation about their rights at polling stations, such as the right to show ID privately, behind privacy screens. The young person left the interaction feeling confident and at ease, with clear guidance as to how they should proceed.