The voluntary sector has ranked seventh in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff 2011.

This year's list found that the top performing sector for the gay community was financial retail, followed by the police.

The voluntary sector came in at seventh, in a ranking of thirteen sectors.

Citizens Advice was the highest ranking charity in Stonewall's Top 100 Employer list, entering at no. 21, moving up 67 places from 2010. It was followed by Nacro at no.33.

The Home Office topped the poll this year.

Stonewall's annual index is based on a range of key indicators, including engagement with the gay community. This year, it also included the largest ever confidential survey of lesbian, gay and bisexual employees, with over 9,000 participants.

Stonewall is a lobbying charity for the gay, lesbian and bisexual community.