Responding to Hidden Emergencies: How You Can Support LGBTQI Activists This Pride

By Rupert Abbott, Executive Director at GiveOut

May 1 2024

Last month, Uganda's Constitutional Court upheld most of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, including provisions imposing the death penalty. And earlier this year, Ghana’s parliament passed a similarly dangerous bill that, if it becomes law, would criminalise merely identifying as LGBTQI. Anti-LGBTQI sentiment is spreading across East and West Africa and creating a climate of fear, with LGBTQI people facing increased persecution and violence.

These twin emergencies for LGBTQI communities have deservedly received widespread international attention. At the same time, most LGBTQI emergencies receive far less recognition, if any.

You may not know that Georgia’s ruling party has recently proposed a discriminatory constitutional bill that, among other restrictions, would ban “promoting same-sex relationships.” And Iraq's parliament has just passed a bill introducing harsh jail terms for same sex relations and identifying as trans, which will only compound the appalling abuses already faced by LGBTQI Iraqis.

As Amir Ashour, the founder of Iraq’s first LGBTQI organisation IraQueer, stated in response to the bill: “Instead of focusing on improving the lives of Iraqis … the Iraqi government chose to target the most vulnerable and invisible community in the country and make their lives worse.” All too familiar.

In these and countless other more hidden LGBTQI emergencies, which can fall under the international radar, the support of the LGBTQI community and allies globally is needed more than ever.

The LGBTQI Emergency Fund

Back in 2021, in response to the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and persecution of LGBTQI people, GiveOut launched the LGBTQI Emergency Fund to ensure that when an emergency hits - when our community is targeted or disproportionately impacted by a crisis affecting everyone - we can quickly provide some of the resources needed for LGBTQI activists to respond.

We pool donations to the Emergency Fund, putting aside funds to provide support when it is needed most. When one of our partners alerts us to an emergency and the need for support, we are in a position to provide an emergency grant from the Fund, alongside the long-term support we already provide. We sometimes try to raise additional funds for these crises through fundraising appeals, but in many circumstances public attention increases the risk to our partners, so we can only use what has already been donated.

We have so far responded to LGBTQI emergencies across five continents. Whether that has been our support for LGBTQI communities through COVID, or the emergency support and evacuation provided to LGBTQI people in Ukraine and Afghanistan, our Emergency Fund has supported LGBTQI activists to protect and save lives.

We have also channelled support in less high profile emergencies, such as providing funding to support the trans community and the rebuilding of LGBTQI spaces after a volcanic eruption in Tonga, and organising pro bono legal support for a network of activists in Asia facing legal threats.

In one such more hidden emergency, there were growing security concerns for LGBTQI people in Zambia, with the state media purporting to expose LGBTQI activists and their organisations. Swift action was needed to protect these activists, and, with our community's support, we channelled funding through our partner to provide the support required.

The Vital Role of LGBTQI Activists

At the centre of every emergency response are LGBTQI activists - human rights defenders - who risk their lives and livelihoods to stand up for their communities. GiveOut’s Emergency Fund is designed to support them in this vital work.

Again, to quote IraQueer founder Amir Ashour: “Brilliant, powerful and determined LGBTQI Iraqis dedicate their lives to fight for the rights of LGBTQI people. It is because of these people that we will eventually win the ultimate fight for human rights. We won’t be able to do it without mass support from LGBTQI Iraqis and allies.”

Indeed, during emergencies, LGBTQI communities around the world rely on the support – and protection – of LGBTQI activists and their organisations like Amir and IraQueer, who in turn rely on the support of our community and allies globally.

So this year, as you celebrate Pride, remember those in our community who can’t. Consider making a donation to GiveOut’s LGBTQI Emergency Fund, to show your solidarity with LGBTQI activists around the world, and to ensure that you are there for your community when your support is needed most.

GiveOut is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Registered Charity Number 1176434).