A CHARITY watchdog has ruled that the LBG Alliance promoted "false and misleading" information as part of a fundraising drive.
The group claimed that it was the only registered charity in the UK "set up to protect and promote the rights of people with lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) orientation".
However, the claim made on Twitter became the subject of a complaint to the Fundraising Regulator as there are numerous charities, such as Stonewall and others, providing support for same-sex attracted people.
Critics argue that the LGB Alliance exists only to differentiate between those attracted to the same sex and transgender people.
When the LGB Alliance was granted charitable status in April 2021, it prompted outrage among LGBT groups across the country, 50 of whom signed an open letter condemning it.
And now, the group has been found to have produced "misleading" fundraising materials on social media by the watchdog.
Setting out the details of the case, the regulator said: "The charity rejected this complaint on the basis that it was inaccurate and suggested the person who made the complaint was ignorant of how it differed from other charities.
"The charity also said that the complainant had not understood that LGB Alliance was set up because no other charity was supporting same-sex attracted people."
It added that the complainant was unhappy with this response due to the existence of numerous other LGBT charities which were not being taken into account.
In its decision, the regulator said that it recognised the claim was made "within the context of a wider ideological debate around sex and gender".
But, referencing the Code of Fundraising Practice (CFP), the watchdog said it was clear LGB Alliance broke the rules.
The decision reads: "The CFP requires that fundraising materials must not mislead anyone, or be likely to mislead anyone, either by leaving out information or by being inaccurate or ambiguous or by exaggerating details.
"The code also requires that before a charity makes a direct or implied claim in its fundraising which is likely to be taken literally, it must make sure that there is evidence to prove the claim.
"The charity has acknowledged that its Tweet could have been clearer and will provide more clarity in the future.
"However, we found that the Tweet posted by the charity breached the code because it was misleading, and the charity was unable to provide evidence to prove its claim.
"We also found the charity breached the code with regards to its complaints handling because its initial response failed to properly engage with the issues raised."
LGB Alliance was given a number of recommendations. First to "carefully consider the wording" used when fundraising and to provide enough information for donors to clearly understand its position.
It was also told to ensure it has evidence to back up any claims it may make, learn from the ruling and consider using a third party to "resolve future complaints of a contentious nature".
The regulator said the LGB Alliance accepted the findings and recommendations and offered to apologise to the complainant.
The LGB Alliance has been contacted for comment.
