Pride with purpose: our partnership with Galop

At Glasses Direct, Pride is a celebration of visibility, inclusion and meaningful support for the LGBTQIA+ community. That's why we launched our Pride Collection, designed to celebrate diversity and self-expression. But this isn't just about style, it's about making an impact. For every pair sold from April to July 2025, we donated £2 to Galop, a key charity that supports LGBTQIA+ members, regardless of gender identity, who have experienced homophobia, transphobia, biphobia or other forms of abuse and violence.

Who are Galop?

Galop is a leading LGBTQIA+ anti-violence charity in the UK. Since 1982, they have been a lifeline for LGBTQIA+ people. Each year, they provide support for over ten thousand victims and survivors facing hate crime, domestic abuse, sexual violence, so-called ‘conversion therapies’, honour-based abuse and forced marriage. Their mission is simple but powerful—to ensure that every LGBTQIA+ person in the UK can live free from violence and fear.

Your donations helped Galop deliver critical services, including:

Four national helplines for LGBTQIA+ victims of abuse and violence, offering confidential emotional and practical support. Family members, friends and professionals can also contact them if they are concerned about an LGBTQIA+ individual facing abuse.

Specialist casework and advocacy services for survivors of sexual abuse or domestic violence, helping individuals navigate the complex police and criminal justice system.

Campaigns and research that raise awareness and drive systematic change.

Referrals to LGBTQIA+-specific support services such as counselling, legal advice and emergency housing.

Other ways Galop raises funds:

Initiatives like Game for Galop support young people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and are survivors of domestic abuse or violence, funding essentials like food and clothing and providing accessibility to emergency housing.

Supporters can also become a Galop Guardian, providing regular donations to sustain Galop’s vital work.

Two hands join to form a heart shape, one adorned with a black lace sleeve, a rainbow wristband, a ring and long black-painted nails; the other styled with a leopard-print sleeve and a ring.

Why this partnership matters

The need for organisations like Galop is more urgent than ever. Galop’s 2021 Hate Crime Report found that three in five LGBTQIA+ people who experience hate crime want and need help, but only one in five are able to access any support.

The official figures only tell part of the story. Government research suggests that over 90% of anti-LGBTQIA+ hate crimes go unreported.

In 2022/23, Home Office data showed an overall fall in recorded hate crime in England and Wales. Over the same year, Galop saw a 65% increase in LGBTQIA+ victims coming to them for support. Transphobic hate crimes rose by 11% that year, to nearly double the number recorded just two years earlier.

Two rainbow-coloured square acetate glasses lie intertwined on a cream backdrop, each pair open and angled slightly apart.

Wear with Pride

At Glasses Direct, we believe in putting our values into action. Our Pride Collection frames are more than a stylish accessory, they’re a symbol of solidarity, love and visibility. When you shop our Pride Collection, you’re helping build a world where everyone, regardless of gender or sexuality, can live authentically and safely. Each frame purchased during the campaign played a crucial role and helped Galop continue their essential work, whether that's providing a safe space, answering a helpline call, or standing up for LGBTQIA+ rights at a policy level.

What makes Galop’s work especially vital is their focus on the unique challenges LGBTQIA+ people face when seeking help, often in environments that can be dismissive or unsafe. Their services are not just inclusive; they’re designed specifically with LGBTQIA+ needs in mind.

We were incredibly proud to support Galop and be part of the change. Explore the collection, share the message and wear your Pride.

Together, we can see a brighter future.

The impact of our 2025 Pride partnership

When it comes to supporting a charity like Galop, every donation, no matter how small, can have a powerful impact. Thanks to your generous support, our partnership helped fund frontline services and community outreach. Even the smallest contribution can help change lives. Explore below what a difference your donation can make.