What CHE does

For over three decades CHE has been trying to change public opinion and influence people who make laws.

CHE has submitted evidence to all the relevant committees and Government enquiries — such as the Warnock Committee and the Criminal Law Revision Committee — and it regularly provides information for MPs.
CHE produces books and leaflets for general use which give examples of discrimination and explain more about the aims and ideals of the campaign. An educational tape/slide programme was produced in the late 1970s.
CHE has organised an Annual Conference for members since 1973 and it provides speakers for all kinds of meetings. Representatives of CHE have often appeared on radio and television or been interviewed by the press.
CHE takes part in major lesbian and gay events and has provided the impetus for founding other organisations — notably Friend, the counselling service, and ILGA, the International Lesbian and Gay Association, which now has affiliated groups throughout the world.

Most of this work has been done by volunteers and CHE members. Although the organisation was able to employ a couple of full-time workers in the 1970s, when the office was in Manchester, it had to cut its staff to one after moving to London. Since 1985 CHE has been run entirely by volunteers.

A small Executive Committee is responsible for the day-to-day running of CHE, backed by voluntary workers. The Executive Committee is elected by the membership and half the places become vacant each year — so that members of the Executive Committee serve for two years after being elected.

Unless the level of financial support increases enormously CHE will never again be able to employ anybody — so the effectiveness of its work will depend on how many people join and take an active part in campaigning.