As we step into 2025, the struggle for LGBTQI human rights is marked by both significant progress and persistent challenges. This promises to be a pivotal year, with opportunities for groundbreaking advancements in equality, ongoing legal battles, and inspiring activism by our grant partners around the world.
The year begins with celebration: on 1 January, marriage equality became law in Liechtenstein, and same-sex civil unions were legalised in the Czech Republic, thanks to laws passed in 2024. Later this month, Thailand will join the growing list of nations marrying same-sex couples, with the first official marriages due to take place on 25 January.
Momentum continues to build elsewhere. In Japan, two critical high court rulings on marriage equality are anticipated in March, while Montenegro is likely to debate trans self-identification following the introduction of a long-awaited bill from 2023. At the same time, GiveOut’s grant partners are actively resisting anti-LGBTQI legislation in Ghana, Uganda, and Kenya, with new threats emerging in Liberia and elsewhere.
Decriminalisation efforts remain a priority, with campaigns continuing in Sri Lanka and momentum building in the Caribbean, while a pivotal Supreme Court decision is expected in India that could finally overturn discriminatory bans on blood donations by LGBTQI people.
This year will also see bold new initiatives: alliances between LGBTQI communities and climate justice movements, programmes in Nigeria working with religious leaders to shift attitudes, and economic empowerment projects supporting LGBTQI refugees. Across Asia, groundbreaking research into the experiences of LBQ persons will provide critical insights to drive regional and global advocacy.
The courage and commitment of activists to challenge discriminatory laws, foster understanding, build the evidence to advocate for change, and protect LGBTQI communities from violence remain a powerful source of inspiration.
However, with far right leaders across the word emboldened by the election of Donald Trump, the rollback of protections against online LGBTQI hate speech, and well-funded anti-LGBTQI movements, your support will remain as crucial as ever to ensure activists have the resources they need to tackle inequality and campaign for lasting change.
With your help, 2025 can be a year of resilience and progress. Together, we can continue to support LGBTQI activists around the world in defending our communities and advancing LGBTQI human rights.
Here are seven ways you can get involved this year:
1. Join Our 100 Circle
The 100 Circle are a group of incredible donors helping to create a sustainable source of support for the global struggle for LGBTQI human rights. By each donating £100+/month, together these donors provide vital, long-term strategic funding for the LGBTQI movement. In thanks, 100 Circle supporters receive regular updates on the impact of their donations, are invited to regular briefings and purpose-driven events to learn about the global movement for LGBTQI human rights, hear first-hand from the activists they are supporting, and have a shaping voice in our work.
"It’s human nature to want to help others and to support your community, and it’s certainly gratifying that GiveOut makes this possible."
2. Get Your Business Involved
Ask your business if they offer payroll giving or will match your donation to GiveOut, doubling your impact. Encouraging your business to make a corporate donation to GiveOut is also a great way to show your support for the international LGBTQI community. Last year, we were proud to partner with Boston Consulting Group, Tesco, Jones Day, and Rokos Capital, amongst many other corporate supporters. We can collaborate with your business around visibility days and periods, such as LGBT History Month, Lesbian Visibility Week, Pride, and Trans Awareness Month, and work with your business to support LGBTQI human rights and equality globally, aligning with geographical focus, values, and impact goals.
"We’re incredibly proud to be a supporter of GiveOut as part of our standing commitment to charitable and pro-bono efforts both here in the UK and around the world."
3. Fundraise with GiveOut
Our supporters have hosted events and run marathons as well as fundraised around personal events such as weddings and birthdays to raise vital funds for global LGBTQI rights. You could decide to focus your fundraising on our LGBTQI Emergency Fund. In times of crisis, LGBTQI people are often disproportionately affected. GiveOut established the LGBTQI Emergency Fund to ensure we and our supporters can be there when our community needs us most. We pool donations to the Fund, putting aside funds to provide support when an emergency hits. 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 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.
"So many LGBTQI organisations are small and don’t have the fundraising infrastructure in place to raise funds quickly when required in an emergency – this is why GiveOut’s Emergency Fund is a great idea. "
4. Come Along to Our Climate Convening
In 2021, GiveOut launched the world’s first LGBTQI Climate Fund—a groundbreaking initiative supporting activist organisations at the intersection of climate change and LGBTQI rights. Recognising the unique challenges faced by LGBTQI communities in the face of the climate crisis, the Fund provides resources to build knowledge, educate communities, advocate for LGBTQI-inclusive solutions, and promote justice and equity in climate responses. Now, after three years of funding grassroots organisations, learning from their efforts, and fostering vital connections, GiveOut is taking the next bold step. In 2025, we will host the world’s first LGBTQI Climate Convening. Are you a funder eager to explore this emerging intersection? Join us for this transformative gathering to connect with global activists, learn how LGBTQI communities are disproportionately affected by climate change, and discover the innovative work being done to address these challenges. Spaces are limited, so contact us today to express your interest and secure your place at this exciting event.
5. Celebrate Pride with Purpose
GiveOut’s Pride with Purpose campaign champions businesses that are marking Pride by supporting the movement for LGBTQI human rights worldwide. Pride events and flying the rainbow flag are great ways for businesses to celebrate progress and show solidarity with their LGBTQI staff and the wider community. But to help those around the world facing discrimination and violence on a daily basis we need to do more. We are asking businesses to mark Pride by supporting LGBTQI activists and their organisations defending our communities and campaigning for equality in the most difficult places to be LGBTQI. We can offer speakers for your Pride events to share insights on the global movement for LGBTQI rights. Last year we joined many businesses to celebrate Pride with Purpose, such as Jones Day’s Pride Afternoon Tea with guest speaker Joel Simpson (Founder and Managing Director, SASOD Guyana) and Rokos Capital’s Pride briefing with guest speaker Afolabi Aiyela (Executive Director, Initiative for Equal Rights Nigeria).
“I think we need to leverage Pride weeks around the world not only to spotlight local movements, but also to connect movements from other unrepresented countries with activists, businesses, and governments who can help them expand their work - we must not forget the real meaning of Pride.”
6. Sponsor City for LGBT+
This live crowdfunding event brings together our community and corporate allies for a fun, impactful evening of speakers, networking, in a hosted reception. After hearing from inspiring LGBTQI activists about the work they are doing to protect their communities, guests are invited to pledge donations in an auction-style session and make a lasting difference to the lives of LGBTQI people in the UK and around the world. In just six years, City for LGBT+ has raised over £420,000 to support LGBTQI human rights activism worldwide. In 2024 our charity partners were ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, LGBT Consortium and the Other Foundation. If your business is interested in sponsoring City for LGBT+ this year, please get in touch!
7. Double Your Impact Through the LGBTQI Solidarity Fund
Excitingly, GiveOut are able to offer even more impact on your donations through our LGBTQI Solidarity Fund, which has been launched with support from the UK Government and foundations. GiveOut is building a pool of match funding to double the impact of donations by individual and corporate donors. Thanks to some of our founding supporters, we are also able to match gifts for those who want to invest in GiveOut’s work growing giving for LGBTQI human rights. Eligible donations are those made by UK based and domiciled individual and corporate donors and subject to minimum and maximum amounts – please get in touch for further details.
"With more funding in the region, organisations like SASOD could better be able to provide emergency services to people who face hate crimes and discrimination. It would allow us also to amplify public education campaigns to change social attitudes, which therefore would prevent hate crimes and discrimination against LGBTQI people from occurring in the first place."
If you would like any more information about how to support GiveOut and the global LGBTQI movement, contact us at give@giveout.org. We would love to hear from you!