Five Pillars of Activism

Through GiveOut, our community and allies are supporting courageous activists to create a world where LGBTQI people can live their lives freely and openly, by undertaking vital work across five key pillars.

Using the Law and Courts to Advance Equality

Private, consensual, same-sex sexual activity between adults is still illegal in 65 jurisdictions, with punishments ranging from arrest and imprisonment to whipping and, in 12 countries, the death penalty.

GiveOut’s grant partners are using the law and courts to challenge laws criminalising same- sex sexual activity and trans identities, advance legal protections against discrimination, defend LGBTQI people against unfair treatment, and advance marriage equality.

Building Supportive Communities and Safe Spaces

Safe houses, community spaces, gatherings and activities are a vital lifeline to many LGBTQI people, and activities like Pride marches help challenge the status quo and ensure local LGBTQI communities are visible, where this is possible. Through community, LGBTQI people can access services, such as legal aid or health services, and also come together to support one another.

GiveOut’s grant partners are embedded in their local contexts and cultures and know what support LGBTQI people need. They are building supportive communities and safe spaces, including in many of the most challenging environments.

Providing the Evidence Needed for Change

A lack of quality data and research on sexual orientation and gender identity opens up our community to harm, as a result of the substantial roadblock created for policymakers, service providers, and others seeking to improve the rights, health and wellbeing of LGBTQI people. Research provides the evidence to highlight the challenges, discrimination, and inequalities faced by our communities across the globe.

Around the world, GiveOut’s partners are using research to develop evidence-based campaigns and advocacy to demand greater respect for LGBTQI human rights and drive inclusion.

Promoting Public Understanding and Acceptance

In the long term, inclusion of LGBTQI people and respect for our rights relies on better public understanding and acceptance. This requires education, campaigning, awareness raising efforts to promote positive media representation, and collaboration with and support from allies.

Around the world, GiveOut’s partners are working to turn the tide of public opinion and entrench respect for LGBTQI rights, training journalists to use inclusive language and improve the representation of LGBTQI lives in the media, sharing stories of LGBTQI people to dispel common myths and misconceptions about our community, educating the public about LGBTQI people and campaigning for change.

Delivering Emergency Support in Times of Crisis

As well as being at increased risk during emergencies, LGBTQI people are often excluded from humanitarian relief efforts and post-disaster recovery programmes, and are therefore more likely to struggle to access food, medicine or shelter. Even during a disaster, prejudice still exists – in some contexts, LGBTQI people cannot use emergency shelters because of the discrimination they will face.

We have responded to emergencies across five continents in the last two years alone. Whether that has been our support for LGBTQI communities through COVID, the emergency response and rebuilding of LGBTQI spaces after a volcanic eruption in Tonga, or the emergency support and evacuation provided to LGBTQI people in Ukraine and Afghanistan, our Emergency Fund has supported our partners to protect LGBTQI people and save lives.