Stonewall has listed five third sector organisations in its Top 100 LGBT-inclusive employers list.

The equality charity praised Touchstone, Victim Support, St Mungo’s, The Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Change Grow Live.

Touchstone has been named the top charity at number 20, followed by Victim Support, which landed at position 27 – a drop of 17 places from last year.

However, the charity is again included in Stonewall’s list of top-trans inclusive employers – organisations who have gone above and beyond to make trans staff feel accepted.

St Mungo’s improved 30 places from its position on last year’s list, coming in at 42 (72 in 2018), and received special commendation as a top-trans inclusive employer.

Returning to the Top 100 is The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, ranking at 67. Change Grow Live is the sector’s only new entry, debuting at position 88.

This year’s Top 100 was the most competitive ever with 445 employers vying for a coveted spot.

Last year, Stonewall released research that showed more than a third of LGBT staff (35%) have hidden they are LGBT at work and almost one in five LGBT employees (18%) have been the target of negative comments from colleagues because of their identity.

Darren Towers, Stonewall’s executive director said: ‘All these third sector institutions who have made this year’s Top 100 Employers list have done a wonderful job. LGBT-inclusive employers play a crucial role in changing society by using their power and influence to protect and support LGBT people.

“With so many organisations displaying such a strong commitment to LGBT equality, we are one step closer to creating a world where all lesbian, gay, bi and trans employees are welcomed and accepted without exception."

Full results of the Top 100 Employers list can be found here.