Debbie Lane is the founder of the LGBT+ Cymru Helpline & Counselling Service which has been running since 2004 and has supported/helped thousands of people over the years, literally been a life saver for some. The inspiration for the Charity came from Debbie’s own personal journey growing up with domestic violence and a homophobic father, hiding her sexual orientation as a lesbian, feeling alone & different with nowhere to go for support. She wanted to create a safe and confidential helpline to support those in need who were part of the LGBT+ community. Debbie’s story is powerful and very moving, from escaping abroad becoming homeless and scared on the streets of Israel at the age of 18, to becoming a employment law advisor and family mediator later in life .

In 2014 the Charity Co-Founded GoodVibes working in partnership with the Swansea YMCA for young LGBT+ people aged between 11-25 which has supported hundreds of young people over the years helping keep young people away from the streets, drugs, crime and prostitution. The charity is not exclusive to LGBT+ clients, it is also inclusive for our Allies. As long as clients are not transphobic, biphobic or homophobic they are welcome to access our services.

The Swansea Rainbow Counselling Centre project was set up in March 2021 to reflect the inclusion for our much valued allies. Debbie believes that without our allies we would never be where we are today with LGBT+ legal rights and by being able to open up the Swansea Rainbow Counselling Centre is a unique way of not just wanting to support the local communities with their mental health who cannot afford private access to counsellors, but also a way of repaying and respecting our allies.

Debbie is a qualified Family/Relationship Mediator as well as an Employment Law Advisor and has been a PCS Union Representative for nearly 20 years. Debbie has been nominated for many awards for her relentless commitment and energy of campaigning for LGBT+ rights including the Wainwright Trust Equality Breakthrough Award 2004 for her representation of LGBT+ people in the UK, Wales Mardi Gras Community Spirit Award 2007 for the Counselling Service and the Civil Service Inspiration Award 2008 for the UK & Northern Ireland for encouraging and influencing employers to promote LGBT+ good practise. Debbie’s spirit, drive and passion for equality and fairness for LGBT+ people is immediately contagious when you are in her company and was celebrated in the Pinc List 2020 Wales’ most influential LGBT+ people reaching position 35. Debbie is an inspirational speaker and has recently been celebrated as a ‘Change Maker’ in 2021 at the Swansea Elysium Gallery!

Now Debbie sees ‘difference’ as a positive and quotes “Everyone working together, we can, and do, make a difference.”