In 2007, Lee felt there was a need in his office for an LGBT network and therefore co-founded the first diversity group at the CofE’s headquarters. It is still going strong, with several straight allies at director level who regularly attend events. He is the only out LGBT senior executive within the CofE administrative centre and over the years he has mentored and developed many LGBT staff. He also acts an advocate for diversity issues within what sometimes seems to be an organisation which is not that welcoming to minority groups. Externally, Lee was the co-founder and original treasurer of Stonewall, and subsequently spent many years on the board. Since then he has advised various LGBT related charities on a global basis, getting them to network and work together for the common good. He also Chairs the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, a grant making trust which has sought to eradicate bullying and raise awareness of its long term effects, and Ditch the Label, a global anti-bullying charity supporting young people.
