OutRight Action International has opened up its OutRight Covid-19 Global LGBTIQ Emergency Fund for applications by organisations who work directly with and for LGBTIQ people (including MSM groups, trans groups, LBQ groups and intersex groups) based outside North America and Europe.
So far it has raised $130,000 and expects to grant some $100,000 to groups working on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic by early May. It is still calling for donations.
The fund was launched in collaboration with founding partners Calvin Klein, Inc., Microsoft Corp. and the Dunn Family Charitable Foundation. It will offer emergency financial resources to LGBTIQ organisations around the world that are addressing issues exacerbated by Covid-19 facing LGBTIQ people, including:
- Access to basic needs such as food, emergency shelter, and Wi-Fi;
- Access to healthcare;
- The economic impact, such as unemployment and poverty;
- Domestic/family violence against LGBTIQ people;
- Protection of human rights, safety and security of LGBTIQ people in times of crisis.
Executive director of OutRight Action International Jessica Stern said: ‘OutRight has been working very hard to ramp up our response to support LGBTIQ people and organisations.
‘During times of crisis, vulnerable communities become even more vulnerable. LGBTIQ people already experience barriers to access to health, high levels of domestic and family violence, and scapegoating for crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Now, LGBTIQ people are also cut off from community centres and gatherings where we can be ourselves, feel supported, and safe. Our friends and partners tell us they are also facing income loss, food scarcity, homelessness, and more.’
The fund is open to groups based outside the US, Canada, the European Economic Area, the UK, Switzerland Australia and New Zealand.
OutRight TV
The organisation has also launched OutRight TV – a video and podcast series bringing to light stories of LGBTIQ people and allies from across the globe, and how they are coping in light of the growing COVID-19 pandemic.
Stern said: ‘Through OutRight TV we aim to foster connectivity between the global LGBTIQ community at a time of increasing social distancing and isolation.
‘The series will shed light on the amplified ways in which Covid-19 and its impact affect LGBTIQ people and communities, and how we are coping. I urge you to tune in – we are hearing unique and inspiring stories, as well as finding common experiences and sources of solidarity across borders.’
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