The Rainbow Project

Justice Committee Briefing: Hate Crime Provisions in the Sentencing Bill

Jennifer Davison — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:41:45 +0000

The Rainbow Project has submitted a briefing to the Justice Committee on the hate crime provisions within the Criminal Justice (Sentencing, etc.) Bill.

We welcome the progress being made to strengthen hate crime legislation in Northern Ireland, but we believe there are still important gaps that need to be addressed to ensure all communities are properly protected.

Our briefing highlights the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people affected by hate crime, the barriers many people face when reporting incidents, and the importance of making sure the law reflects the realities faced by marginalised communities today.

We’ve also set out a number of recommendations for how the Bill could be strengthened before it becomes law.

You can read our full briefing below.

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ILGA Europe’s 2026 Rainbow Map – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Intern — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:20:32 +0000

The past few years have been difficult for LGBTQIA+ communities. We’ve seen a rapidly worsening environment for all LGBTQIA+ people, but particularly trans people, across the UK and to an extent in the Republic of Ireland as well. It’s rare, however, that we can see it so starkly presented, with facts, data, and comparison across Europe.

The ILGA Europe ‘Rainbow Map’, released every year, provides us with the opportunity to do just that. It ranks each country in Europe based on their approach to LGBTQIA+ rights across a range of areas:

Equality and non-discrimination;
Family;
Hate crime & hate speech;
Legal gender recognition;
Intersex bodily integrity;
Civil society space;
Asylum.

Historically, the UK has sat quite high on the list of European countries, topping the rankings for the first three years since the first Rainbow Map in 2013. The world has changed a lot in the following 13 years, and both the UK and the rest of Europe are in a very different position regarding LGBTQIA+ rights.

So let’s break down the UK’s ranking and position in comparison to the rest of Europe: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

The Good

With only one exception, the UK otherwise maintains all the points across these categories which it held in 2025. The key strength of the UK is in its support for a healthy civil society space – enabling LGBTQIA+ people and communities to freely assemble for Prides, and LGBTQIA+ organisations such as ourselves to operate freely.

Across LGBTQIA+ sectors in the UK, there is a sense that this is changing, with hostile litigation from anti-LGBTQIA+ groups and an increasingly hostile political space making it more difficult for us to operate – however, in comparison to some areas of Europe where Pride marches have been banned and LGBTQIA+ civil society is suppressed, the UK still maintains a more open environment for LGBTQIA+ organising.

The UK has also held onto points in the areas of ‘Equality and Non-Discrimination,’ ‘Hate Crime & Speech’, and ‘Family’. The record in these areas is more patchy.

While individuals across the UK are protected from discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity, these protections look slightly different for trans people in Northern Ireland, and don’t extend at all to intersex people in Britain or Northern Ireland.

Britain has hate crime laws covering homophobic and transphobic hate crime, whereas in Northern Ireland, only homophobic hate crime is covered, and the model for prosecuting this crime is outdated and ineffective. Only Scotland has protections for intersex people within its hate crime laws, and included within this legislation comprehensive hate speech provisions.

The Bad

The ‘Family’ category has previously been one of the UK’s strongest areas, with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act providing protections for same-sex couples who have children through artificial insemination. However, a recent High Court judgment has challenged this positive record, with a transgender man who gave birth to his child losing a challenge against the Government’s refusal to have him recorded on the child’s birth certificate as their father. The Government has also failed to bring into law any specific protections for trans parents, which is having significant impacts on the ground in Northern Ireland and across the UK for trans people who wish to start a family.

Across other areas including ‘Asylum’, ‘Legal Gender Recognition,’ and ‘Intersex Bodily Integrity,’ the UK scores abysmally. Following years of regressive policies and approaches to asylum reform, the UK only retains one point in the ‘Asylum’ category. For anyone working with LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers in recent years, this will ring true – the approach of the Home Office to LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers has become increasingly hostile, and legislative interventions such as the Illegal Migration Act have restricted asylum seekers’ rights even further.

A change of course, respecting the right to claim asylum and the importance of specific support for LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers, is vital for ensuring those individuals who are fleeing persecution and often violence are not retraumatised through our asylum processes.

On legal gender recognition, the UK lost significant ground last year, following the passage of the ‘For Women Scotland’ Supreme Court Judgment redefining the terms ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ in the Equality Act.

While this judgment was regarding the Equality Act, it also has impacts on the Gender Recognition Act (GRA). The 2004 GRA was intended to allow someone to change their legal sex for all purposes, including for the purposes of non-discrimination legislation.

This judgment undermined that position and, while we are yet to see the full impacts, resulted in a dramatic drop in points for ‘Legal Gender Recognition’ last year. The UK has also made no progress whatsoever in protecting the bodily integrity of intersex people, and continues to allow for unnecessary medical and surgical interventions on interventions on intersex infants.

The Ugly

This is part of a wider trend: in 2015, the UK sat proudly at the top of the list in Europe, acting as a beacon of hope and progress for LGBTQIA+ communities across Europe who saw that positive change could be made. Following 11 consecutive years of decline and stagnation in LGBTQIA+ rights, the UK now languishes at 22nd on the list.

Attacks on the rights of trans people and asylum seekers, particularly in the context of the Supreme Court judgment and recent regressive asylum legislation, is having a wider impact on the enjoyment of rights for all LGBTQIA+ people. It serves as a reminder that human rights are, or should be, universal, and that the removal of rights for one often signals a degradation in the rights of all. Progress cannot be taken for granted, and we all must work together to progress the rights of all LGBTQIA+ people, and everyone else as well.

So... What now?

It’s clear that both the UK Government, and devolved Governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, must step up to the plate and deliver real change for LGBTQIA+ people. In Northern Ireland, we have a number of clear opportunities to make positive change.

The recent success on funding for gender affirming care services will take time to bed in, but could massively improve the lives of trans people across Northern Ireland – that is, if it is delivered in a way that respects the rights, autonomy and identities of the patients seeking to access it. We will continue to push the Department of Health to meaningfully involve trans communities in the design and delivery of this service.

We also have the opportunity to increase protections for LGBTQIA+ people against hate crime, and against conversion practices. The Justice Minister’s Sentencing Bill seeks to reform how hate crime is dealt with by the criminal justice system, implementing a more effective system for both prosecuting hate crime and rehabilitating offenders. We are working hard to ensure that transphobic hate crime is also covered within this new legislation, for the first time ever in Northern Ireland.

We are working with Eóin Tennyson, Alliance Party MLA for Upper Bann, to support his development of a ban on conversion practices in Northern Ireland, while also lobbying the UK Government to ensure that its ban covers all four nations. Whether via Stormont or Westminster, we are determined to secure a comprehensive, trans-inclusive ban on these abhorrent practices.

But this isn’t enough – we need to see real progress across a wide range of areas, and a reversal of the backslide on trans rights. From making gender recognition more accessible; improving access to fertility treatment and preservation for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland; banning unnecessary surgeries on intersex infants; meeting the target of reducing HIV transmissions to zero by 2030; respecting the rights of LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers to safety and dignity; and improving LGBTQIA+ inclusion in education and the workplace.

This is just a number of ways in which the UK can, and should, reverse the decline, once again becoming a global leader on LGBTQIA+ rights.

The post ILGA Europe’s 2026 Rainbow Map – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly appeared first on The Rainbow Project.

Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer: Film Screening & Filmmaker Q&A

Joe Henson — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:13:18 +0000

Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer is a short, powerful documentary which follows the journeys of two trans masculine people as they make visible the urgent need for inclusive healthcare.

This Pride season, join us at Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast on the 18th July 2026 for a film screening and in-person Q&A with one of the filmmakers and participants to uncover trans stories too often left out of the conversation.

What are the chances that two trans masculine people living under the same roof would be diagnosed with “lady cancer” in the same month? One with breast cancer and the other with ovarian cancer. Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer is a courageous and personal story about filmmakers Yee Won Chong and Brooks Nelson journey within a medical system that is scrambling to figure out how to provide affirming care for transgender people.

Running time: 33 minutes

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Filmmaker Q&A:

We are delighted to announce that filmmaker and participant Yee Won Chong is visiting us all the way from Portland, Oregon, and will take part in an in-person Q&A following the screening, hosted by Joe Henson (Cancer Champions Manager, The Rainbow Project).

Yee Won Chong: Filmmaker

Yee Won uses their lived experience as a political asylee from Malaysia and a community-organizing background to uncover our commonalities and shared struggles. Yee Won’s political asylum status, which was based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and political opinion, gives them a unique perspective on our world. Yee Won believes that by building on our collective experiences, people can galvanize their power to create a just society.

Yee Won is also passionate about using storytelling to change hearts and minds. Yee Won’s TEDx Talk, “Beyond the Gender Binary,” is used widely by educators and trainers to spark conversations about gender. They are co-filmmakers and one of the main subjects of “Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer”. TDWLC has reached thousands of healthcare practitioners through screenings at the National Cancer Institute, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, GlaxoSmithKline Oncology, the Veterans Administration, and many more institutions across the U.S. The film also reached audiences in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and India. The University of California, Davis, School of Medicine include the film in its first-year students’ core curriculum since 2023.

Joe Henson: Q&A Host

Joe Henson is the Cancer Champions Manager at The Rainbow Project, and runs the first LGBTQIA+ Cancer support service in Northern Ireland in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support. He has worked in the LGBTQIA+ charity sector for 11 years, with a focus on training, policy, service management and development. The service won a Macmillan Professionals Award for Equity in 2026. As a trans man with a history of working within, alongside and for marginalized communities, his focus is reducing health inequalities faced by the LGBTQIA+ community.

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Buy Tickets

Tickets can be bought direct from QFT: Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer + Q&A showing at Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast.

Free Tickets – LGBTQIA+ only

The Rainbow Project have reserved 30 free tickets for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. If you would like to attend under one of these free tickets, enter your information and email below on the ticket link on this page.

We will send you your film screening ticket one week before the event.

If you have any queries about tickets, please contact info@rainbow-project.org

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LGBTQIA+ Death Cafe – Belfast

Pablo Couvert — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:12:25 +0000

What is a Death Cafe?
A Death Café is a confidential and safe space where people, often strangers, gather to drink tea/ coffee, have a sweet treat and discuss death, dying and bereavement.

It involves a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes, as opposed to a grief support or counselling session.

The objective is to increase awareness around death, help encourage people to make the most of their lives and support individuals who are going through loss or have lost someone.

Why is it important?
Death, dying and bereavement are a part of life, but this is often a taboo subject and can be difficult to talk about.
Death Cafés offer connection, friendship, friendship, kinship. We know from our previous cafe’s that there are things that come up for LGBTQIA+ folks in a safe space around end of life care, complex grief, funerals, partners, family…we are here to share and to listen.

They are a great way to connect with new people who can understand what you’re thinking, feeling and going through. This allows you to validate your own experiences and remind you that you aren’t alone!

Do I need to have come to a Death Café before?

Not at all, everyone LGBTQIA+ is welcome to attend, regardless of your experiences with death, dying and bereavement. You might be curious about the topic, or just want a dedicated space to discuss it.

Who runs the event?

This event will be externally facilitated by Patricia Lübeck, Birth and Death Doula. It is hosted by the Cancer Champions, a partnership pilot project between The Rainbow Project and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The event will be in Belfast, held in Paperxclips Books at 162 North Street, BT1 1QS, on Friday 12th June 2026, from 6-8pm.

Note: This event is strictly for LGBTQIA+ (18+) attendees to ensure that it remains a safe space for service users.

Tea/coffee provided as well as traybakes. Vegan & gluten free options will be available.

Register for free below so we can contact you with any changes or updates to the event.

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GSK Impact Awards 2026: The Rainbow Project

Oliver Grant — Fri, 15 May 2026 13:12:22 +0000

Since 1994, the Rainbow Project has been working for a better Northern Ireland for LGBTQIA+ people and their families. We change lives through our service provision which mitigates the impact of discrimination, and we change society through our training, campaigning and policy work, which seeks to eliminate the root causes of that discrimination and deliver full social and legal equality for LGBTQIA+ people.

Every day, we work alongside LGBTQIA+ people across Northern Ireland to provide safe, affirming support for those facing discrimination, isolation, poor mental health and barriers to healthcare. Alongside our direct services, we deliver training, influence policy and campaign for lasting change to help create a more equal and inclusive society.

Our work is rooted in community, compassion and lived experience. We believe everyone deserves to feel safe, supported and able to thrive, and we remain committed to challenging the inequalities that continue to impact LGBTQIA+ people today.We’re incredibly proud to have this work recognised by the GSK IMPACT Awards. This acknowledgement reflects the dedication of our staff, volunteers, partners and the LGBTQIA+ community we work alongside every day. We’re grateful to GSK and The King’s Fund for recognising the importance of this work and for supporting organisations creating meaningful change within their communities.

Watch Our Video Below

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Film Screening – Different Journeys

Oliver Grant — Thu, 14 May 2026 13:54:07 +0000

Join us for a special screening exploring LGBTQIA+ history in Derry & Strabane on Thursday 16th July at 6pm.

This community screening is part of the PEACEPLUS project and is open to the public. Friends and family are welcome to attend.

Please note this film does not have an official age rating.

We recommend minors attend with an adult using their own judgement.

Trigger warnings include discussions of violence, hate and discrimination.

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The Rainbow Project Presents: Run With Pride 2026 Sponsored by The Maverick Belfast

Oliver Grant — Fri, 01 May 2026 09:52:50 +0000

Kindly sponsored by The Maverick and supported by Lidl & Belfast Front Runners.

The Rainbow Project is delighted to announce their first ever ‘Run With Pride’ event.

Why not kick off Pride Week in Belfast with an inclusive 5K run in Ormeau Park.

Enjoy a traffic-free route set within the park’s tree-lined paths – perfect for runners of all abilities and everyone is welcome to join in and take part!

Every participant receives a commemorative medal and pair of rainbow laces.

Bespoke ‘Run with Pride’ event t-shirts are also available to purchase upon signing up for your space.

Come together, get moving, and ‘Run with Pride’!

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LGBTQIA+ End of Life Workshop (Online)

Pablo Couvert — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:06:43 +0000

For LGBTQIA+ people, our motivation for making plans, preparations, and considerations about the end of life can look a little different. If you have questions you don’t know who to ask, are curious about how to plan for the future, or if you’ve never thought about it but now want to learn more -this is the workshop for you.

Sign up below to attend our LGBTQIA+ Courage Conversations Workshop facilitated by Birth, Death and Trauma Doula Patricia Lübeck.

Part of the Courage Conversations series, this workshop offers a supportive space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to explore end-of-life planning with care, creativity, and community.

It blends education, therapeutic holding, and guided reflection to help participants navigate key aspects of planning – including community support, digital legacy, finances, alternative celebrations, and essential legal considerations like wills and ADRTs.

While no legal or medical advice is given, this workshop encourages open conversations about life, death, and legacy. Participants will leave with clarity, resources, and a starting point to put their wishes in order. It can be useful for starting to think about and reframing meaning and purpose in our own lives.

Most importantly, this workshop can be useful for LGBTQIA+ people of all ages (18+) and stages of life. You do not have to be impacted by cancer. This might be the first time you have thought about what End of Life care is, or might mean.

This workshop will be taking place over two online (zoom) sessions:

Saturday 2nd May 2026, 12.00–2.30pm
Saturday 9th May 2026, 12.00–2.30pm

These are standalone workshops, meaning you can attend one of them on its own if it aligns more with you, or you can attend both sessions, as they work particularly well together.

Workshop 1 – Saturday 2nd May: Exploring personal perspectives on life, death, and legacy

The first session is designed to gently ease people into conversations around death, dying, and legacy in a supportive and creative way. Together, participants will reflect on questions such as: What does a “good death” mean to me? What makes me who I am? Where and how will I be remembered or missed?

This session focuses less on the intimidating practicalities and more on exploring your personal relationship with death, your life, your values, and your wishes. It will also include reflections on preferences around funerals, celebrations of life, and what matters most to you.

Workshop 2 – Saturday 9th May : Focusing on wills, ADRTs and more technical matters through creative approaches

The second session will build more towards practical planning and actioning wishes discussed in the first workshop – although attendance at Workshop 1 is not required. This session will explore areas such as wills, finances, advance care planning, medical wishes, and ADRTs in a way that feels accessible, creative, and community-focused.

Participants will continue to engage in guided reflection and creative exercises while gaining clearer understanding of practical end-of-life considerations.

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Impact Report 2024-25

Oliver Grant — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:09:37 +0000

We’re really proud to share The Rainbow Project’s Impact Report 2024-25. It reflects a year where, despite growing challenges and increasingly hostile rhetoric, we continued to show up for LGBTQIA+ people across Northern Ireland as a trusted, visible and vital support.

Between 2024-25, we’ve reached more people than ever before. From delivering over 1,300 counselling sessions to supporting young people through Rainbow Youth and launching new work like our Cancer Champions programme, this report shows the real difference that support, safety and community can make in people’s lives.

At its heart, this report is about people. It’s about those who trusted us with their stories, and the staff, volunteers and partners who make this work possible every day. It shows how, together, we are not only changing lives, but helping to build a more equal and inclusive society.

As we look ahead, our focus remains clear. We will continue to stand with our community, deliver vital services, and push for the lasting change needed to build a better Northern Ireland for LGBTQIA+ people and their families.

You can view the full report below

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Trans Day of Visibility at The Rainbow Project

Jennifer Davison — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:03:19 +0000

Be loud, be proud, be unapologetically trans this TDOV. While we recognize and celebrate this day, often it can feel like trans communities right now are visible in ways that make it difficult for us to live our lives freely and fully.

Trans Day of Visibility takes place every year on 31 March.

We spoke to some of our trans staff about what visibility means to them, and why it’s so important to see themselves reflected positively in the media, public life, and society as a whole.

‘I first came out as trans around Trans Day of Visibility 13 years ago’ said Xavier

‘I got the courage to from seeing so many out and proud trans and non-binary people’

Trans people have never been more visible within society, but that increased visibility can bring increased risk of discrimination, poverty and violence.

Its vital that trans people are given the space and platform to be visible, loudly and proudly on their own terms and sharing their own stories

'Celebrating the vibrant trans, non-binary and gender diverse community'

As Simon puts it ‘Visibility helps us find community’

‘It helps us find each other, find role models and other ways of existing in this world’

‘Its a real opportunity for us to show some positive visibility for trans and non-binary people

‘Especially with the current negative rhetoric in the media at the minute’

Click here to see the full video

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