Announcing this year’s City For LGBT+!

By GiveOut

07 September 2023

Around the world, LGBTQI people face discrimination, violence, and other serious human rights abuses simply for being who they are. Courageous activists are undertaking vital work to protect and improve LGBTQI lives, but they lack resources and funding is fragile, especially in the Global South. LGBTQI groups receive a tiny fraction of international development aid – just 0.04% of funding provided by governments.

Without funding, LGBTQI organisations can’t provide the lifeline that their communities desperately need. They can’t work to overturn discriminatory laws, provide legal support and protection to LGBTQI people, build safe spaces, undertake research and advocacy to promote understanding and acceptance, or support their communities in times of crisis.

Without support, hard-won LGBTQI rights can be reversed; in Kenya, for example, policymakers are adapting the draconian anti-homosexuality laws passed in Uganda this year which introduced the death penalty for LGBTQI people. Without the support from our global community, LGBTQI groups in Kenya won’t have the resources they need to challenge these laws and protect LGBTQI people.

In the Western Balkans and Turkey, advances for LGBTQI equality are increasingly under threat from nationalist and ethno-religious groups, anti-gender ideologues and conservative political parties. In Serbia last year, threats of violence from right wing protestors led to the banning of Europride by state authorities.

So while Pride events and flying the rainbow flag are great ways for businesses to celebrate progress and show solidarity, at the same time, it is essential that we all do what we can to ensure LGBTQI organisations have more of the resources they need to defend their communities, tackle inequalities and campaign for lasting change.

It was with this in mind that GiveOut, in partnership with Macquarie, The Funding Network and Consortium, established City For LGBT+ five years ago. We aimed to create a fun and impactful way for businesses and their people to provide vital resources and show their solidarity with the global LGBTQI community.

The live crowdfunding event brings together our community and corporate allies to network, hear directly from activists themselves about their incredible work, and fundraise.

Over the last four years, the event has raised £180,000, which has helped to support LGBTQI communities in some of the hardest places to be LGBTQI.

In Jamaica, funds from City for LGBT+ helped J-FLAG to rebuild their ‘Rainbow House’ community centre which had been destroyed in a fire. This space ensures that LGBTQI people in Jamaica, a country that has become notorious for its widespread homophobia, have a space to gather, support each other, and access vital services.

Glenroy, the Executive Director of J-FLAG, said: “Rainbow House represents a safe space for members of the community to connect, share experiences, create art and build the sense of fellowship which is lacking as well as get access to critical support.”

And in India, the Centre for Law and Policy Research have pushed for equality in India by providing free legal services for trans people, and argued the case for marriage equality before India’s Supreme Court, with a ruling due soon. 

Jayna Kothari, the Executive Director of CLPR said: “With the support of GiveOut over the past several years, we have been able to do pioneering transgender rights work in India. One of the biggest things we have done recently is to seek marriage equality for trans persons under the civil marriage law, and we are hoping to get a really good verdict this year.”

These are just a few examples of the vital work that City for LGBT+ has helped to make possible for LGBTQI communities around the world. This year, the theme of City for LGBT+ is ‘Protecting Our Communities’, and we will be raising money for three amazing LGBTQI organisations:

● The National Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission who are fighting to stop draconian anti-gay legislation being introduced in Kenya and to protect LGBTQI people from increasing violence and attacks

● Consortium who support some of the most vulnerable trans groups and communities here in the UK

● LGBTI Equal Rights Association who are pushing for new legal protections for LGBTQI people in the Western Balkans and Turkey, and promoting public acceptance to reduce hate crime attacks on LGBTQI people across the region

The event gives the chance for the audience to hear directly from these inspiring LGBTQI activists, and guests are invited to pledge donations in a fun and engaging auction-style session.

We hope you’ll join us this year in raising funds for these incredible organisations, so they can protect their communities and secure a future where every LGBTQI person is free to be who they were born to be.