OutRight Action International: COVID-19 Global LGBTIQ Emergency Fund

About

As the COVID-19 pandemic affects communities everywhere, those already vulnerable like LGBTIQ people are more likely to fall into crisis. Research and data analysis undertaken by OutRight indicates a spike in demand on LGBTIQ organizations as LGBTIQ people experience increased food insecurity, barriers to health care and access to medications, unemployment, homelessness and domestic violence. At the same time, we are witnessing a decrease in resources as LGBTIQ organizations themselves struggle for financial survival. This is why OutRight has launched the COVID-19 LGBTIQ Emergency Fund – to respond to the urgent needs of LGBTIQ people and communities around the world, particularly in the global South where humanitarian interventions are likely to overlook the specific needs of the LGBTIQ population.

Seventy-five percent of the funds raised - the overwhelming majority - will be distributed as grants to grassroots LGBTIQ organizations on the frontlines around the world (in all regions outside of North America and Western Europe). OutRight will provide grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 to LGBTIQ organizations that are addressing urgent issues, i.e.:

• Healthcare for LGBTIQ populations impacted by COVID-19;
• Food and housing to LGBTIQ people impacted by coronavirus;
• Emergency services for LGBTIQ survivors of domestic violence; and
• Documenting spikes in homophobic and transphobic violence in this time of crisis

About the Host

OutRight Action International fights for the human rights for LGBTIQ people everywhere. OutRight works at the international, regional and national levels to research, document, defend, and advance human rights for LGBTIQ people around the world. OutRight is the only LGBTIQ organization that has a permanent presence to advocate at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for progress for LGBTIQ people. We have a major stake at the UN on human rights and hold special consultative status there, which allows us to bring to light the concerns of LGBTIQ people globally at this important world forum.