Based in North Central Nigeria, CHIYN supports health and economic empowerment programming for the most marginalized. They offer health education, HIV prevention/testing/treatment services, mental health services, housing for homeless youth, economic empowerment training, and job placement activities. 

CHIYN researches the needs of the communities they serve, which is used to advocate for greater rights and services for these communities so that all Nigerians might enjoy their human rights.  They also work with health and other social service providers to increase their capacity to serve marginalized youth.    

The Rustin Fund is partnering with CHIYN for a campaign to cover the costs of purchasing a safe house and office space. They need $16,000 to purchase and restore their own building, all towards developing a more sustainable model for their efforts.  

Will you support CHIYN with a tax-deductible donation?

“The board of directors retains discretion over the use of funds.”

(South Africa)

HIV has once again become a catastrophe across Africa and Asia. 20 million people on ARV treatment have categorically been placed on death row, awaiting the illnesses that will follow the cruel and honestly criminal cuts to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and health systems supported by the new US administration. HIV transmission rates will once again mirror an explosive epidemic.

LGBTIQ+ people, adolescents, people who use drugs, pregnant women, and men at risk are most affected by the elimination of funding for social services. Even South Africa faces a collapse of our health system where more than five million people have been placed on ARV treatment. The US provided $439 million annually in development assistance to South Africa, supporting sustainability strategies for health care professionals, community-based and led prevention and treatment services (including PReP), support for orphan and vulnerable children, and services specifically meeting the unique needs of “key populations” (e.g. sex workers, LGBTQI+/queer communities, as well as services for people who use drugs). While PEPFAR’s support represents 17% of the South African government’s HIV program budget, more than 80% of community-based services essential to the success of all prevention and treatment efforts were PEPFAR-supported and are now in peril.

Across our continent, except Botswana, virtually every country is substantially dependent on the US for their HIV/TB prevention, treatment, and care programs. Most LGBTIQ+ services, including safe spaces across the continent, have been shut down. Even South Africa has seen most of its LGBTIQ+ health services shut down.

We are a coalition of individuals and organizations in South Africa convened to develop a response to the cruel and life-destroying cuts. Our efforts are directed at building a strong local coalition of, among others, people living with HIV, LGBTIQ+ communities, researchers, clinicians, religious and business organizations, broader social movements, and civil society. In undertaking work to ensure emergency continuity of services, movement, and public education, local and global activism focused on US and British corporations and campaigning for new funding sources such as India, China, and Japan. We will work with our government, businesses, individuals, and any other agency to try and mitigate the effects of the cuts.

Global HIV Treatment Coalition will employ a small secretariat. Most of the secretariat are volunteers or undertake work on behalf of the Coalition; we currently have one part-time employee. Our goal is to raise $50,000 to begin the work immediately.  Lives will be lost because of this, and the re-establishment of funding is crucial. Please help us fund this vital work and reach our goal of $50,000.

Global HIV Treatment Coalition is partnering with the Rustin Fund for Global Equality in its fundraising campaign. All donations are tax-deductible in the US.  Please give what you can via online submission or, if easier, mail checks to:

Rustin Fund for Global Equality
176 Bainbridge Street, Brooklyn, NY 11233

“The board of directors retains discretion over the use of funds.”

Same-sex consensual intimacy is still criminalized in five Caribbean countries (Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines). In many cases, repealing discriminatory legislation is complicated by religious beliefs and conservative lawmakers.

Even in Caribbean countries with some protections, members of the LGBTQ+ community still face fierce persecution and discrimination when trying to secure a job, find a place to live, access healthcare, and simply live their everyday lives. These challenges greatly impede any level of socioeconomic inclusion—further, many experience lower educational outcomes due to discrimination, bullying, and violence. LGBTQ+ people in the Caribbean need support for legal resources, safety, housing, employment, and health services.

The Caribbean Vulnerable Communities (CVC) has supported local LGBTQ+ organizations since 2004. Our direct community grants have enabled them to provide vital services to targeted groups across the Caribbean islands. Recent changes in US foreign policy have severely affected CVC’s ability to continue supporting vital work throughout the Caribbean.

“The board of directors retains discretion over the use of funds.”

Equality for All Foundation (EFAF) is the foremost human rights and social justice organization which advocates for the rights, livelihood, and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people in Jamaica. Throughout our 26-year history, our work has sought to build a Jamaican society that respects and protects the rights of everyone. Our board and staff are committed to promoting social change, empowering the LGBTQ+ community, and building tolerance for and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people.

As a part of our mission, Equality Jamaica has since 2015 successfully held ten (10) incident-free PrideJA celebrations (held from August 1 to 6) by curating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ Jamaicans to come together and celebrate their identity and being. Despite a long history of queer clubs & bars since the 70s in Jamaica, most of these spaces have never been able to last longer than a few years. For the LGBTQ+ community in Jamaica, where homophobia and transphobia remain widespread, safe spaces like PrideJA and events hosted by community leaders are some of the few places where our community can come together and be ourselves as a respite from the challenges of violence, stigma, and discrimination that many of us face on a daily basis. PrideJA has stood as a symbol of resistance as we proudly claim our queer identities and our Jamaican identities. 

Three years ago, the organization embarked upon its Pride Share initiative, which saw us allowing more community leaders to host various events under the PrideJa banner as we encouraged increased community involvement in the overall planning and execution of activities. Some of these events include a Pride Forum, Health Fair, Fashion Show, the first-ever ballroom event, Doll Ball, and events specifically catering to trans people and queer women. 

Funding opportunities, particularly for community-building-related activities like PrideJA, are few, and recent events have exacerbated that reality. These are critical in building and maintaining community spirit and morale. To ensure the sustainability of PrideJA, we seek, with your help, to raise US$40,000 over the next few months to make this year’s celebration a reality.”

“The board of directors retains discretion over the use of funds.”

Although Haiti has faced instability throughout its history, the current situation of increased gang violence and political instability has crippled the country. LGBTQI+ people are particularly exposed to this violence. Fear and uncertainty have permeated the entire country, with violence reaching new records as gangs are tightening their grip on Port-au-Prince and beyond, spreading fear by sharing gruesome photos and videos of individuals being killed, tortured, LGBTQI+ persons being gang-raped or forced to have intercourse on social media. The mountain of evidence regarding human rights violations in Haiti is undeniable. There is little that has been done to secure these rights, and we cannot continue to disregard the enormity and the horrific nature of the death toll.

Foundation SEROvie, founded in 1999, is one of the only LGBTQI organizations working in Haiti. SEROvie pairs health promotion for the LGBTQI community with human rights advocacy and socioeconomic empowerment. Today, SEROvie works on numerous program interventions: health care and essential nutrition, quality education for the LGBTQI and their children, and household economic security benefiting 22,000 clients and their families in 36 communities.

Through these challenging times, SEROvie is continuously assessing the situation in the various areas in which they work across the country, and the problem is grave for most, leading to the forced reduction of services. SEROvie’s Drop-In Centers (DICs) have played an essential role as a safe haven. They are continuously working to deliver health and psychosocial services under horrific conditions.

At this historical moment in Haiti, SEROvie staff are still delivering lifesaving health and psychosocial services and are seeking funds to:

● Keep the Drop-In Centers up and running

● Provide assistance to LGBTQI+ internally displaced persons. Priority will go to the equitable provision of medical aid, distribution, and management of resources, such as safe and potable water, food and medical supplies, and financial aid.

● Ensure immediate access to adequate psychosocial and medical care to prevent further physical and psychological harm to the growing LGBTQI+ population victims of the current violence.

Please consider donating. The Rustin Fund will match your donations up to $5,000.

25 November 2022 

Standing for HIV, Equality, and Rights, the HERO Awards is an annual event that acknowledges outstanding service to the HIV response in Asia and the Pacific, and to the region’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) communities

The 6th HERO Awards 2022 will be hosted under the concept of “Unity&Diversity” at Australian Embassy, Bangkok on Friday 25 November 2022. The event is also a fundraiser for the Bangkok-based APCOM Foundation, a leading NGO which works to fight HIV and advance LGBTQI health and rights across the Asia Pacific region. APCOM partners with over 200 community organizations in 35 countries to promote the health and human rights of LGBTQI+ people. APCOM works with communities, governments, and development agencies to ensure LGBTQI+ people are included, as well as fight the impact stigma, discrimination and violence have on LGBTQI+ people.

You can also be a hero!

APCOM’s survey of the LGBTQI+ situation in Thailand and in the region during the COVID-19 pandemic found that mental health issues mainly in anxiety, depression, and helplessness, and hopelessness due to joblessness and/or loss of income, particularly for trans people and people living with HIV. Some respondents reported cases of discrimination and violence due to their sexual orientation and gender identity, and/or living with HIV.

You can be a hero by supporting APCOM emergency fund and sponsoring the event to ensure that those most marginalized and affected by the pandemic can rebuild their livelihoods. The Rustin Fund for Global Equality is partnering with APCOM, a long-standing grantee partner, to support a fundraising campaign linked to the HERO awards. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation via the Rustin Fund for Global Equality. 100% of your support will go directly to APCOM for emergency support to LGBTQI individuals in the Asia-Pacific region.

#HEROAwards2022 #Unity&Diversity

To find out more about the HERO Awards, check here

https://www.facebook.com/apcom.org/videos/594776741740073

Deystvie (LGBT Action) is an organisation which aims to better the lives of LGBTIQ+ people in Bulgaria – the European Union’s poorest member state and one of the lowest ranking countries in regard to respecting human rights and achieving full equality. 

Despite the extremely difficult context Deystvie is faced with, their mission is to achieve equal rights and social inclusion for the LGBTIQ+ community in Bulgaria via the means of legislative change and legal reform, as they believe this is the most effective and tangible way of cementing real change.

This month (May 2022) Deystvie turns 10 years old but it’s also the month in which funding for their long-standing legal programme ends.

Without this legal programme:

• LGBTIQ+ Bulgarians at home and abroad would no longer have access to the only form of pro-bono legal advice and support for LGBTIQ+ Bulgarians
• Deystvie may not be able to continue its pending trans cases
• Deystvie may not be able to continue to change HIV prescription legislation in the country 
• Deystvie may not have the opportunity to cement the bettering of over 100 000 rainbow families lives across Europe via their case in front of the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union .

The Rustin Fund is partnering with Deystvie to ensure that the legal programme can continue to exist and support LGBTIQ+ people that are victims of discrimination and violence. Your campaign donations will support vital activities such as:

Supporting Bulgaria’s LGBTQ+ community means supporting one of the most marginalised LGBTQ+ communities in Europe. Please consider donating to support Deystvie’s fight for full legal equality. A win in Bulgaria is a win for everyone! 

For more information on the all-important case in front of the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union (the case of Baby Sara), please visit the following link: https://en.deystvie.org/baby-sara-court-of-justice-eu

The Rustin Fund board of directors retains discretion over the use of funds.

Nigeria Trans/Non-Binary Community about to lose Shelter 

Creme de la Creme House of Fame (CDLC) is a transgender (trans)-led advocacy and community service organization based in Abuja, Nigeria.  Established in 2016, our aim to improve the lives of Nigerian trans and non-binary individuals, with a focus on health services access, safety and security, human rights and educational opportunities.  Over the past four years, CDLC has provided safe shelter and health services for hundreds of trans and non-binary persons in Lagos and Abuja respectively. Due to extreme transphobia in Nigeria, LGBTI persons are often “kicked out” of their families and homes, and left to fend for themselves. CDLC was formed by our community to assist others in dire need.  

For the past three years, with the asssitance of several individual and institutional donors, CDLC has been operating two safe houses (one in Abuja and one in Lagos) and offered over 100 Trans/non-binary persons refugee and relief from the extremes of transphobia in Nigerian society.  We offer safe temporary short term housing for those in need, a safe space for others to socialize and find community, and access to gender affirming health services.  We also work to assist our community members in securing job skills training, employment and educational opportunities. These relatively modest homes have been life savers for so many.  

During COVID, with such severe restrictions and lockdowns, the economy plunged and many in our community had few safety nets to fall back on.  As well, several of our individual donors have struggled to support us financially.  Also, as a result of upcoming federal elections, the Nigerian Parliament is currently debating a “cross dressing” bill that would criminalize trans and non-binary people.  Putting all these factors together, our community is very scared.  

We have an urgent need to cover the rent of our safe houses.  We owe our landlords rent (which is pre-paid once per year) and are in need of $6400 to cover rent for these community centers/homes. While the upkeep of the safe house require additional funds (e.g. food, electricity, water), we aim to work within the community to cover those costs as we have in the past.

Creme de la Creme House of Fame is keen to partner with the Rustin Fund and others during Pride Month 2022 to support trans and non-binary communities in Nigeria.  Can you assist us with a tax deductible contribution in paying the rent?  $10, $50, $100, $1000…any amount would be greatly appreciated.

Check us out at:

Intagram: @cdlcf

Twitter: @cdlc_foudation

Facebook: Crème de la crème house of fame foundation

The Rustin Fund board of directors retains discretion over the use of funds.

Since 1999 SEROvie an LGBTI-identified organization has an established network of eleven (11) centers that serve various communities across Haiti’s ten departments.  Because of the challenge of being an openly LGBTQI-identified organization in a rights constrained country, SEROvie has focused on health and entre to our human rights and community building work. In addition to LGBTQI people, we also serve at-risk adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and sex workers.  

Today, SEROvie works on numerous program interventions: health care and basic nutrition, quality education for the LGBTQI and their children, household economic security benefiting 22,000 clients and their families in 36 communities.

In the aftermath of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that rocked southwestern Haiti, 1,400 people are dead and more than 6,900 others injured, 10,000 people left homeless while hundreds more are still missing.  The southern and western parts of the country, particularly the Sud, Grand’Anse and Nippes departments, have withstood the worst of the quake, while some communities closer to the epicenter, yet to be reached and out of contact, and are thought to have been completely devastated.

Despite Tropical Storm Grace weakening into a depression, the system still threatens to dump more than 10 inches of rain over the areas hardest hit by the earthquake this week potentially triggering deadly flash floods that could complicate humanitarian response efforts.

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by LGBTI people, SEROvie developed a specialized disaster response and recovery effort. As an established LGBTQI organization, SEROvie has a unique role in providing support directly to our Haitian LGBTI community. In the past, more generalized disaster response efforts have been quite discriminatory against LGBTQI community members, and our communities have suffered.  Hence, we need to provide support directly to our community!

Based on initial assessments with LGBTQI community members in the Southwest, our priorities and recommendations reflect in that an urgent response is needed – specifically for safety, food and potable water.  Substantial funding is urgently for SEROvie to offer relief in Les Cayes and Miragoane:

1. Food distribution at our two southern facilities—we estimate we have 320 beneficiaries Cayes in 127 in Miragoane who will need help for at least a two-week period. 
2. Hygiene kits (water bucket, soap, paste and toothbrush, toilet paper and hygiene pads) distribution for at least 500 beneficiaries.
3. Tents, pillows, and sheets for at least 500 beneficiaries.
4. Potable water for at least 500 beneficiaries; and
5. Organizing emotional first aid and psychosocial support to help LGBTQI cope with grief and trauma within our LGBTQI Friendly Spaces (Biomed articles will be needed and cook food will be offered daily to 450 for a week period).

Please support us with what you can, and the funds will go directly to impacting LGBTQI people in Southwest Haiti.  In partnering with the Rustin Fund, 100% of the funding will go directly to these impacted communities.  

About the organization:

“SISTERS” is the first foundation to provide counseling and guidance exclusively for transgender women by transgender women in Thailand, also known as SISTERS Center Pattaya, which was founded in June 2004.  SISTERS was registered as a foundation in Thailand in September 2014. For almost 17 years, SISTERS has been serving the transgender community in Pattaya and is the largest trans-led service provider in Thailand.  Pattaya is known as capital city of transgender people in Thailand.  SISTERS is run by professionally trained transgender leaders and staff; the largest hiring agency of trans individuals in Thailand.  SISTERS not only works to promote equal access to healthcare services and to advocate for a healthy-lifestyle and well-being of trans people in Pattaya and in Thailand.  Annually, SISTERS serves over 3,700 to 4,300 clients in Pattaya and nearby provinces.

About the campaign:

In Thailand, SISTERS Foundation has worked hand in hand with the trans communities to provide support during the pandemic by starting the campaign titled “Toey Cha-Na” or “Trans will win”. This project aims to provide food pastry to trans people including immigrant workers who are LGBTIQ+ in Pattaya city, Thailand and nearby provinces. With the support from private sectors and the international agency, SISTERS is being able to provide more than 600 bags to the community members whom they cannot reach out the government programs due to their citizenship and discrimination against trans people.

In addition to this project, SISTERS operates day-to-day to provide healthcare services including HIV/STI testing, health consulting, and HIV/STI treatment referral. However, the pandemic has affected SISTERS on their operation due to a decreasing of trans people in Pattaya. Many trans people in Pattaya and nearby provinces now have lost their jobs since the Thai government announced its border restrictions combining with several occasions of lockdown policies due to the pandemic; many members of Sisters decided to move back home where some of them are facing harassment from their unaccepting families. Despite of the government’s policies, trans people are always left out from the governmental programs socially and economically. Also, healthcare services and facilities are not welcome trans people because the services are designed to serve only male and female which has created discomfort to many trans people who desperately need healthcare services. For example, many trans women are forced to stay in the governmental quarantine facilities where they have to share with all male patients because their sex at birth is male.

To continue supporting the trans communities, SISTERS will need support from you to help the organization sustain its work for the trans people as well as to continue hiring experienced staff who help run the program while funding is at stake during the pandemic.

Your donation will help SISTERS run their program and continue to be a “second home” for trans people as this reputation is perceived by the clients/members of SISTERS since its inception. Following are examples of how your donation will contribute to SISTERS’ program and activities:

For more information, please visit the following link:

Website: http://www.sistersthailand.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sistersfoundationTH/

Fundraising for Black trans women who have been unhoused in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Trans women living in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a post-conflict zone marked by violence, experience all kinds of discrimination and transphobia because of their gender identity and gender expression.  Hateful statements coming from pastors in revivalist churches have rendered these women more vulnerable, reinforcing existing states of precariousness.  This situation has increased the number of trans women living without shelter, worsened their social stability and state of health, and increased their food insecurity.  That is why we must stand up today to say NO and to end this violence and alleviate the suffering that trans women in eastern DRC are enduring.

The funds collected will help a community of trans women who are living in the street and who live by sex work to survive, to have safe housing, free from transphobic threats and attacks.  Many trans women living in this situation have been subject to torture, and some have been subject to “corrective” rape to punish and humiliate them.  The majority of trans women who have survived “corrective rape” are HIV-positive.

Incidents of attacks on the physical integrity and bodily autonomy, attacks on human security, and attacks on general well-being have been recorded: between January and April 2021, six trans women were forced to flee their houses in one town in eastern DRC by law enforcement officers.  Nine transgender women living in the street were physically and sexually attacked, four trans women living in the street were kidnapped and subjected to inhumane treatment, and five trans women were arbitrarily arrested in the street by law enforcement because of their sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

Currently, we have identified 57 trans women who sleep in the streets in a large town in eastern DRC, and the number is only growing.  These trans women do not have means to survive, and their lives are in danger.

The funds collected will allow us to build A HOUSE OF HOPE FOR OUR SISTERS, purchasing a house in the town of Bukavu in a safe neighborhood to house trans women, to ensure their food security for one year, and to train them in entrepreneurship.

All funds collected will be transferred to the account of the organization Rainbow Sunrise Mapambazuko, which will use the funds to buy a house and to make it available to our sisters and to ensure their livelihoods and to train them on entrepreneurship to allow our sisters to have the capacity to seek employment or to create their own businesses.

What happens to our sisters is a daily occurrence, and there is nobody to help them.  Please, support trans women in the eastern DRC today and make a donation with all that you can and share this.

Summary

On April 9, the La Soufriere volcano erupted, causing the evacuation of thousands from surrounding villages in St. Vincent. We will provide immediate assistance to LGBTQ+ evacuees affected by the volcanic eruption and already battling with COVID-19 and discrimination in a region that criminalizes their conduct. Our relief assistance will include food packages, clean water, hygiene kits, sanitary products, clothing, heavy-duty face masks, relocation and housing support.

Challenge

LGBTQ+ and PLHIV, already on the margins, face barriers in accessing shelter, food, medical and other assistance during emergencies. With many displaced after the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano, LGBTQ+ and PLHIV can fall through the cracks or feel forced to hide their status, sexuality and/or gender identity to access help or avoid discrimination.

Solution

Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE) will co-ordinate with partners on the ground in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Dominica, and Saint Lucia to provide emergency assistance to LGBTQ+ persons who have been evacuated from their homes in St. Vincent. This will bolster efforts by eastern Caribbean governments already mobilised to shelter, feed and clothe thousands in need. This project will also provide relocation and housing support, care services, mobile credit for emergency communication and *safe spaces* for those most-at-risk.

Long-Term Impact

The discrimination faced by PLHIV and LGBT+ people in a criminalised environment does not dissipate during an emergency, that the existing challenges are amplified/exacerbated. This is of utmost urgency especially this time with the COVID-19 pandemic still a problem and with the start of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season (June 1st – November 30th) fast approaching LGBTQ+ Vincentians still face a number of challenges. This fund will prevent many LGBTQ+ Vincentians from going back into the closet in order to access emergency assistance and will improve, safety and well-being. It will also strengthen the network of advocacy organisations and their connections to the community.

IRCA Casabierta is a San Jose-based organization that assists LGBTI international migrants in seeking asylum and settling into safe living situations in Costa Rica. Costa Rica promises freedom, security, and equality to LGBTI refugees and asylum seekers in Latin America. Threats of violence against queer people are far lower in Costa Rica than nearby countries like El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

IRCA Casabierta focuses on all aspects of a migrant’s relocation and resettlement journey by covering costs associated with international migration, offering food and rent stipends for LGBTI refugees and immigrants in Costa Rica, and supporting resettled LGBTI folks through psychological, legal, and health services. They are planning to finance the relocation of 11 transgender women from around the greater Latin American region and need financial support.

IRCA Casabierta wants to raise enough money to relocate 11 transgender women and support them for a total of six months: one month to relocate to Costa Rica, plus their first five months in San Jose. Per person, the costs of relocation ($560) plus six months’ worth of living costs in Costa Rica (6 x $500 = $3,000) costs $3,560. In their plans to assist 11 women, IRCA Casabierta needs your help to raise a total of $39,160.

All contributions made toward this goal will make a substantial impact. Consider whether you might be able to support the costs affiliated with a specific aspect of IRCA Casabierta’s demonstrated needs. Can you contribute $30 to cover fees associated with immigration procedures? Are you able to donate $50 to cover IRCA Casabierta’s institutional services? Can you help pay for some or all of the $290 needed to make rent each month?

Your donations will save lives and enable 11 transgender women to create new futures for themselves in a safe environment. We thank you for your support!