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Who they are
Initially a voluntary grouping of lawyers and interested
parties who wanted to provide a free service to gay men,
Galop is London’s leading LGBT safety charity and has
provided over 25 years of advice, support, research and
lobbying around the harassment and hate crime issues
of the LGBT community.
Today, Galop continues to lead the way – most notably by
launching a ground-breaking project providing the only
specialist LGBT sexual abuse support in the country and
publishing a landmark report to increase the understand-
ing of LGBT hate crime and of services available to victims.
What they do
It might be that you’re lucky enough to never suffer
harassment, but for those who do, it can be a terrifying and
confusing experience – especially if it happens somewhere
you always assumed to be safe, such as among neighbours
or colleagues. Galop offers a place where anyone can go to
get advice on how to deal with discrimination when you're
not sure where else you can turn, and find support on how
to cope with it on a personal level.
As Deborah Gold, Galop’s chief executive, advises:
‘Galop can give you space to talk, help you get what you
want from the police, negotiate with your housing
provider or find you legal advice.’
Galop also offers guidance to those in LGBT couples who
find themselves the victims of sexual abuse and
domestic violence from family, partners and ex-partners.
They offer a safe space, away from the pressure at home,
to help victims explore their options, plan to make
themselves safer and speak with the police.
The charity offers a free and easy to understand guide to
your rights and the law, as well as a guide to different
types of hate crime and tips on keeping safe. They will
guide you on what to do after an incident, and how to
make a report – with the aim of stamping out hate
crimes for good.
How can you offer support?
Galop is a worthwhile charity that will continue to offer
help to those most in need of it – but they can only
maintain their good work with the help and support of
the public. For more information on how you can
support them, just log on to their website – there are a
number of ways that you can help fundraise or even
volunteer yourself. Or, as Deborah Gold suggests, ‘If
you’re stuck for present ideas, why not ask your guests
to make a donation to Galop in your name, and their gift
can last beyond your big day!’
www.galop.org.uk
88 » pink weddings magazine
Gay RiGhts
MAKE
LOVE
NOT
WAR
Nothing should take away from your wedding – a proud, visible public statement of your
love and commitment to each other. But unfortunately, the world isn’t a perfect place,
and Galop are there to provide support if you’re ever the victim of discrimination.