Thank you so much to everyone who joined GiveOut, Consortium, and the Funding Network for the second edition of City for LGBT+. Collectively, we raised over £23,000 for four fantastic causes supporting LGBTQI rights around the world!
The event opened with an inspiring discussion between Lord Michael Cashman and GiveOut trustee Baroness Liz Barker. Lord Cashman spoke about his memoir One of Them: From Albert Square to Parliament Square, and described how his “reluctant” journey into activism eventually led him to the House of Lords. Baroness Barker and Lord Cashman also spoke about their work to support international LGBTQI activism through the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global LGBT+ Rights.
“We are very passionate about what we do. We are very serious about what we do. And we hope that you will take from this that we appreciate everything that you do to help us and people around the world,” said Baroness Barker.
“We need your support. Stand in their shoes and imagine that it were you, and if it were you and you wouldn’t want it to happen to you, support them to make sure that it doesn’t happen to anybody else. That way we connect. My little mantra is that we achieve together, only together,” said Lord Cashman.
The four charities then gave five-minute pitches about their vital work to support LGBTQI communities, including two partners supported under GiveOut’s new Women’s Fund.
Cleo Kambugu, Director of Programmes at UHAI EASHRI, told us about the organisation’s work to support trans women in East Africa and shared her own story about the impact of homophobia and transphobia in Uganda. “I invite you all to participate in our work to ensure that the lived realities of transgender people, like myself, are able to live a full life of dignity,” said Cleo.
Nidal Azhary, Executive Director of L’Union Feministe Libre, then spoke about how the charity is supporting women and LGBTQI people through advocacy, research, and a new shelter for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. “Thank you all for being here and taking the time to listen to all of us. It means a lot to all of us who are in the field and are doing the work to feel supported like this,” said Nidal.
There were also pitches from Opening Doors London, a charity supports LGBTQI people aged over 50 in the UK, and BlackOut UK, an organisation that creates vital space for gay, bisexual, and trans black men.
Pledging from the audience was then opened, with a generous match donation of £2,000 for each charity from Macquarie Group. In total, over £23,000 was raised for the four charities, with every organisation hitting their fundraising target.
Thank you so much to everyone who joined us, and we hope to see you again next year!