Investing in LGBTIQ Causes is For Everyone

If this sounds familiar, may I gently and warmly invite you to reconsider? Here’s why:

1. You already know and care about LGBTIQ people in your family, workplace, or community. Imagine what life would be like if you were constantly worried about your queer or trans child being bullied or harassed or ostracized, or if you faced daily pressure to remain invisible in order to stay safe, or if you could not access even the most basic health care, or if you feared the government would target you and the groups that support your community. These are not exaggerations, they are part of daily life for many LGBTIQ people. The bottom line is the queer people in your circle really need you right now.
2. LGBTIQ people are among the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in many societies. Millions of LGBTIQ people still face extreme persecution, discrimination, and violence every day. They worry about being able to get and keep a job. They worry about finding a safe place to live. They worry about getting attacked on the street. They worry about being shunned by their families or faith communities. In addition, queer people are often disproportionately impacted and excluded or left behind in times of crisis and conflict.
3. When democracy is at stake, LGBTIQ people are the canaries in the coal mine and the tip of the spear. Anti-LGBTIQ rhetoric and policies serve as a warning sign for democratic backsliding and law the groundwork for laws that infringe on everyone’s rights. LGBTIQ communities are a scapegoat to divert attention from authoritarian leaders’ corruption and failure to govern well. LGBTIQ activists and civil society organizations are often on the first line of defense, not only protecting themselves but also *everyone’s* right to organize, speak out, advocate — and to be themselves and have autonomy over their own bodies and their own lives.
4. Investing in LGBTIQ communities makes economic sense. From early school experiences to workplace discrimination and legal invisibility, systemic barriers keep many LGBTIQ people locked out of safe, stable jobs. Yet inclusive economies aren’t just a social ideal — they are a path toward resilience and shared prosperity. Studies have shown that exclusion carries a steep cost for society: homophobia and transphobia can cost as much as 1% of a country’s GDP. LGBTIQ people deserve not just legal equality but also equal opportunity in life’s economic sphere.
5. LGBTIQ communities and organizations are severely under-resourced. For every $100 spent by foundations for philanthropic efforts in 2021–22, less than 39 cents went to LGBTI causes. Of this, less than a third went to programs in the Global South and East, where 80%+ of the world’s population lives. By contrast, the global anti-gender movement received $3.7 billion in philanthropic support between 2013–2017, more than triple the $1.2 billion received by LGBTIQ movements during the same period. Now, with the recent and alarming funding cuts from some of the largest government and institutional funders of LGBTIQ groups around the world, our movement faces an existential crisis. More than $105 million in funding has already been eliminated from cuts to foreign aid in the U.S. and the Netherlands alone — 25% of the total annual support for LGBTIQ organizations around the world.
6. We’ve been winning — and progress is still possible. Since Outright International was founded in 1990, there has been stunning progress to improve the lives and protect the rights of LGBTIQ people. 55 countries have decriminalized same-sex intimacy. Nearly 40 countries have codified marriage equality. 20+ countries have banned abusive conversion practices. Almost 20 countries allow transgender people to self-determine their legal gender. These gains happened because activists, advocates, allies, and funders invested blood, sweat, tears, and resources to push forward. With greater investment, our movement can hold the line and still achieve social and legal change in several places over the next 15 to 20 years.
7. Every issue is an LGBTIQ issue. Supporting LGBTIQ causes is not just about improving the lives of queer, trans, and intersex people. LGBTIQ people are part of every community and society and are significantly impacted by almost every philanthropic issue area. As a matter of fact, it is almost impossible (even remiss) to invest in democracy, health, education, economic empowerment, gender equality, climate change, human rights, etc. without including and supporting LGBTIQ people.
8. LGBTIQ people and causes are joyful — and fun! Queer and trans artists and creators are often cultural icons and model freedom of identity and expression for everyone. LGBTIQ people and activists know how to protest, and we know how to celebrate. We can spend all day marching and go dancing afterward. We care deeply about creating and cultivating community — in fact it is our survival mechanism and our superpower — and we want everyone — including you — to join us.

Against the current backdrop of increasing targeting and scapegoating of queer, trans, and intersex people, and a broader crackdown on human rights and slide toward authoritarianism, I hope you will include LGBTIQ causes in your giving strategies this year — and beyond. If you’re not sure where to start, I’d be delighted to make suggestions and connections to groups and leaders I admire in areas or issues you care about. Pride month is a perfect time to get started.