Pride with Purpose

Beyond the creative talent and bold projects inside Further’s walls lies something even more powerful: a team of deeply compassionate individuals committed to bettering the communities they’re part of. This Pride Month, the Further team felt that a simple social media post or internal celebration wouldn’t do justice to how we feel about the queer community—or how our team, made up of both allies and LGBTQ+ members, truly wanted to celebrate Pride.

Pride has always been about recognition, upliftment, and solidarity. This year, we wanted to translate those values into real, tangible action. Across both sides of the Atlantic, our teams came together to create meaningful impact in the queer communities closest to us.

In New York, we partnered with New Alternatives NYC, over 350 new and essential undergarments for queer youth facing homelessness. In London, we collaborated with Stonewall Housing, collecting over 300 used books and art supplies for housing units and community centers. These organizations are part of the fabric of our local neighborhoods. New Alternatives is just three subway stops from Further New York, and Stonewall Housing is a five-minute walk from our Clerkenwell studio.

Stonewall Housing, founded in 1983, is the UK’s first and only specialist LGBTQ+ housing provider. Their work spans housing and tenancy support, discrimination advocacy, and inclusion training for public service staff and nonprofit organizations. More than half of their service users are Black or from other ethnic minority backgrounds, making their intersectional work vital.

New Alternatives, founded in 2008, offers a lifeline to LGBTQ+ youth through meals, hygiene supplies, MetroCards, shelter referrals, and ongoing support like case management, school re-enrollment, college guidance, and life skills workshops.

The statistics paint a sobering picture. Globally, LGBTQ+ youth are significantly more likely to experience homelessness than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. For non-white LGBTQ+ individuals, the risk is even higher—50% more likely to face homelessness and violence than white individuals in the community. In the UK, nearly one in four homeless youth identifies as LGBTQ+. In New York, queer homeless youth are 740% more likely to experience sexual violence than their heterosexual peers.

In London, we were also visited by Shiva Raichandani, a screenwriter, director, producer, and inclusion consultant for film and television. They spoke about their own experiences as a trans person and the wider trans experience, specifically in the creative industry.

At Further, we strive to create first-in-class creative excellence—but our vision extends beyond this. With a community of permanent staff in New York, London, Dubai and Sydney as well as a global network of freelancers, clients, and partners, we recognize the responsibility that comes with our reach. Our resources, platform, and voice are powerful tools—and we want to use them to uplift marginalized communities.

This Pride Month effort is just the beginning. True social change is rooted in grassroots action. It happens not just during celebratory months or difficult times, but every day, in how we show up, listen, and support.

Let this global effort mark the beginning of something even greater—a commitment by Further to continue championing queer rights, not just now, but always.