Fast forward to today, to a world where dissent is increasingly criminalized as we continue the annual season of Pride celebrations — the vibrant tapestry of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer (LGBTQ+) pride stands as a testament to the power of resistance. From its humble beginnings as a commemoration of the riots at the Stonewall Inn in 1969 to the global celebrations we see today, pride has always been, at its core, a protest. However, as governments and institutions around the world clamp down on dissent, the very essence of pride – its radical roots – is under threat.

The criminalization of dissent takes many forms, from outright suppression of protests to the enactment of laws targeting marginalized communities. In recent years, we’ve witnessed a troubling trend of governments stifling dissent under the guise of maintaining order or preserving so-called traditional values. This crackdown is particularly pronounced when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, as authoritarian regimes and conservative lawmakers seek to erase the hard-won gains of the queer community and literally criminalize our very lives.

A Call to Action – This Pride Month and Beyond

As we navigate these turbulent times, it is more important than ever to remember the radical origins of pride and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights. We cannot allow ourselves to become complacent or apathetic in the face of injustice. We must continue to resist, to organize, and to demand change.

The bottom line is that philanthropy has a role and responsibility in the creation of this change. Funders for LGBTQ Issues continues to be a leader in this change. They are releasing the 2022 Resource Tracking Report: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Grantmaking by U.S. Foundations in the next two weeks. The 20th edition of the annual Resource Tracking Report not only provides a snapshot of funding for queer communities and issues across the country in 2022, it also reveals gaps in funding and highlights opportunities for US-based foundations to make strategic funding decisions that best support domestic LGBTQ communities and issues within the current philanthropic and political landscape.

If philanthropy hopes to become a place of refuge for LGBTQ+ people, they must include more LGBTQ+ staff. A 2022 survey from Change Philanthropy showed that while gay and transgendered people are protected against employment discrimination under the Title VII Civil Rights Act of 1964, nearly half of all LGBTQ people working in philanthropy are not open about their sexuality to most of their coworkers and trans people working in philanthropy account for a just 1.5% of board and staff in philanthropic institutions.

Read the full article about supporting LGBTQIA+ rights and protests by Russell Roybal at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy.