"We are excited to partner with GiveOut to support grassroots organisations around the world that are fighting for fundamental rights and freedoms for our community. As part of the generation who saw our rights transformed over the past twenty-five years, from the end of Section 28 to marriage equality, we are committed to supporting groups that are working to bring that kind of transformational change to their own local communities."

The Steinberg-Graff Fund for International LGBTQI Rights has been established to support LGBTQI organisations campaigning for legal reform and human rights protections in some of the places where it’s hardest to be LGBTQI. Managed by the award-winning charity GiveOut, the Fund is generously sponsored by Jon Steinberg and Josh Graff.

Advancing LGBTQI Human Rights

Around the world LGBTQI people lack basic legal protections and face grave human rights violations. International human rights laws obligate states to promote and protect the human rights of all persons without discrimination, yet LGBTQI people are frequently excluded from this. 

Private, consensual same-sex sexual activity is still criminalised in 69 jurisdictions, at least 6 of these implement the death penalty, and the gender identity and expression of transgender people is criminalised in 14 countries. Only 5% of United Nations member states prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in their constitutions, and just 14 countries globally have banned so-called “conversion therapy”. 

LGBTQI people living in places where they lack legal protections risk arrest, blackmail, extortion, stigma, discrimination, and violence. And a growing international backlash against recent advances in LGBTQI human rights is threatening to roll-back existing protections.  

In response, LGBTQI organisations are working to ensure that the human rights of their communities are enshrined in law. But they lack sustainable funding and resources – especially in the Global South and East. 

Recognising this need, the Steinberg-Graff Fund for International LGBTQI Rights has been established with GiveOut to support LGBTQI organisations working to advance the legal rights of their communities around the world. Through the Fund, GiveOut will provide grants to a small number of partners pursuing deep, systemic change to ensure that the human rights of all LGBTQI people are protected and respected.  

Grant Partners

The Other Foundation, Southern Africa

The Other Foundation are a grant-giving body championing equality and freedom across Southern Africa, with a focus on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE). They support campaigns to decriminalise homosexuality in several countries throughout the region. 

Recent legal and policy reform victories include the Court of Appeal in Botswana rejecting the government’s attempts to reinstate a ban on same-sex sexual activity. And in a historic case, organisations in Mauritius are challenging the Supreme Court on the constitutionality of Section 250, a colonial era law criminalising ‘sodomy’ with a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment.  

Trans*parent, Czech Republic

Trans*parent are the only group advocating for the rights of trans and gender non-conforming people in the Czech Republic. Over the past year, Trans*parent have expanded their trans awareness training to develop a specific programme for psychologists and care professionals, and have already trained over 60 people on the unique needs of trans individuals.  

They have also continued their campaign to end the requirement for surgical treatment and forced sterilisation before someone is allowed to legally change their gender. This case is going to the European Court of Human Rights after the Czech Constitutional court ruled against a trans person seeking gender recognition without sterilisation. Trans*parent are therefore working to increase awareness of this issue among government officials and the wider community, recently producing a very successful series of videos highlighting the experiences of trans people living in the Czech Republic.  

Trans*parent also receive funding through the Antonia & Andrea Belcher Trans Fund with GiveOut.  

Rainbow Community Kampuchea, Cambodia (RoCK)

RoCK are an NGO that promotes LGBTQI rights in all 25 provinces and cities in Cambodia. They work closely with LGBTQI communities and local authorities across the country to ensure long-term protection and support of equal rights for and acceptance of LGBTQI people and their families. 

The human rights situation for LGBTQI people in Cambodia has improved, but many challenges remain. The most common barriers experienced by community members are: discrimination by families, communities and some local authorities; a lack of mechanisms to report violence and discrimination, as well as support from local authorities; no laws to protect LGBTQI rights; and misinterpretation and misconception of LGBTQI identities by society.  

Through community organising, RoCK are breaking down isolation, empowering individuals and groups, and strengthening solidarity in the community. RoCK’s priority focus is reaching out to LGBTQI people in remote areas who have limited access to information and LGBTQI networks. At the same time, RoCK organise activities to connect to groups in urban and peri-urban areas. This work involves regular field trips, complemented by phone and social media communication, cultural events, and online social networking when possible. 

About Jon & Josh

Jon Steinberg, Director Policy Campaigns, Google

Jon joined Google in 2012 and is now Director of Policy Campaigns where he leads a team responsible for driving Google's advocacy campaigns on technology regulation.  

Previously, Jon worked at Portland, a communications and public affairs agency, where he advised leading brands on reputation management. Before moving to London, Jon served as Deputy Communications Director for US Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and on several political campaigns including John Kerry’s 2004 run for US President and Hillary Clinton’s first campaign for the US Senate. 

He graduated with Honours from Brown University and received an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics.  

Josh Graff, VP & Managing Director, EMEA & LATAM, LinkedIn 

Josh joined LinkedIn in 2011 and is now Vice President & Managing Director for EMEA & LATAM. In his role he is responsible for driving member growth, strategic partnerships and revenue as well as the global Enterprise sales team for LinkedIn’s advertising business. Before joining LinkedIn, Josh held roles at Electronics Arts (EA) and Microsoft. Prior to that he founded the world’s first in-game advertising agency, JAM International, which was acquired by Massive Incorporated in 2005.  

Josh is a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace. He is the Executive Sponsor for LinkedIn’s LGBT+ Employee Resource Group, he has been featured on the Financial Times Top 50 LGBT Leaders list, recognised as an Inspiring Leader at the LGBT Awards, is a founding member of the advocacy group ‘Open For Business’, and was recently a Commissioner on the HIV Commission. 

Support the Fund

Jon and Josh warmly welcome donations from individuals and businesses who would like to support the Fund. To make a donation, please click the button below.