GiveOut Newsletter: Pride 2023

Today marks 54 years since the Stonewall uprising, a major turning point for the LGBTQI liberation movement in the West. Although Pride is now celebrated around the world, there are still many countries where doing so is simply not an option. 

We only need to consider the unfolding situation in Uganda and the wider East Africa region to see that we are far from achieving equality for LGBTQI people. Uganda is just one of 66 jurisdictions that still criminalise same-sex relations and one of 12 that impose the death penalty. And around the world, the religious right is leading an assault on LGBTQI human rights, aiming to roll back the gains we have made. 

More than ever, Pride must be a protest. It is a moment for us to celebrate progress and reflect on how far we still have to go, amplify the voices of the most marginalised in our communities, and support those activists who, every day, are working tirelessly to defend our communities, tackle inequalities, and campaign for lasting change. As IraQueer founder Amir Ashour told us: “We need to leverage Pride around the world to connect activists, businesses, and governments who can help them expand their work - we must not forget the real meaning of pride.”

In this special Pride edition of our newsletter, we are proud to share with you five stories of impact from our grant partners, as we celebrate five years of GiveOut. We are also highlighting those businesses who are marking Pride with Purpose by supporting LGBTQI human rights worldwide. Additionally, we have some very exciting news to share, including our founder Elliot Vaughn receiving an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list 2023 for founding GiveOut.

5 Years of GiveOut, 5 Years of Impact, 5 Stories of Change

As well as it being Pride Month, we are also celebrating five years of GiveOut. In just five years, GiveOut has channelled £1.75 million in new funding to over 40 impactful LGBTQI grassroots organisations across six continents. We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved together with our community and allies, and are thankful to all our supporters who have made this possible, and especially to our grant partners for their life-changing activism. 

To mark this milestone, we are spotlighting five stories of impact across five pillars of activism over the past five years!

Seven Ways Your Business Can Support LGBTQI Communities This Pride

“I’ve been meeting lots of businesses to discuss how they can support LGBTQI communities this Pride, and I often get asked the same question: How do we start?” writes GiveOut’s Head of Philanthropy, Allan McKinnon. 

Here, Allan addresses this question by highlighting seven ways we have seen businesses support the global LGBTQI movement, not just during Pride, but all year round. 

King Charles III Honours GiveOut Founder Elliot Vaughn with MBE

GiveOut is proud to announce that Elliot Vaughn, our founder and Chair of the Board of Trustees, has been honoured with an MBE in The King's Birthday Honours list 2023. 

Awarded for outstanding achievement and service to the community, the MBE recognises Elliot's exceptional contribution and commitment to supporting the LGBTQI community through founding GiveOut. 

Elliot Vaughn MBE, founder and Chair of GiveOut, said:

“Launching and growing GiveOut has been such an incredible privilege and pleasure. Seeing the support and solidarity from our community and allies has been really rewarding and it is wonderful to know that with GiveOut we are creating a sustainable source of new funding for the global LGBTQI movement.”

Radhika Piramal Joins GiveOut’s Board of Trustees

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Radhika Piramal to our Board of Trustees. Radhika Piramal is Vice Chair and Executive Director of VIP Industries, India’s leading luggage company. She is one of few openly lesbian Indian business leaders and is a prominent speaker globally on LGBTQI inclusion.

Radhika Piramal said: 

“I’m thrilled to join GiveOut, an award-winning LGBTQI community foundation which makes grants to grassroots organisations working to overcome discrimination against LGBTQI communities across the world. I’m looking forward to sharing my understanding of the Indian LGBTQI landscape as well as learning from the amazing GiveOut team.”

GiveOut Executive Director Rupert Abbott on Philanthropy and Human Rights

GiveOut’s Executive Director Rupert Abbott was interviewed for a special Pride episode of the Purposely Podcast, which amplifies the stories of people inspired by purpose.

He shares the GiveOut story, highlights the vital work of LGBTQI activists worldwide, and touches on his own journey and career in the human rights field.

Support LGBTQI Human Rights Around the World This Pride

For five years, supporters like you have stood shoulder to shoulder with our grant partners around the world to help make life-changing activism possible. We have seen just how powerful this solidarity is, protecting LGBTQI communities from harm, promoting public understanding and acceptance, and advancing our rights under the law. But we have so much more to do. 

Please consider making a special gift this Pride to mark five years of GiveOut, so together we can create a world where everyone can live their lives freely and openly, with pride.

GiveOut is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Registered Charity Number 1176434).