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On 20 January 2025, the US President issued an Executive Order terminating or freezing US foreign development assistance for 90 days. It is estimated that up to USD$42.8 billion in international assistance is affected, with significant uncertainty as to whether it will be reinstated. These cuts specifically target aid and grants that are focused on empowering women and LGBTI+ groups, as well as dismantling sexual health services ranging from women’s healthcare to HIV services.
To assess the impact of the financial loss on LGBTI+ organisations, we surveyed 140 partners and members of The Commonwealth Equality Network. The profound impact that this enormous loss of funding has had on many organisations is clear. Of those affected, organisations are cutting staff, closing programmes, and reducing their support to the LGBTI+ communities they serve. You can read the results here.
At this critical time, Kaleidoscope Trust has secured additional funding from the UK government to provide rapid financial support to our partners impacted by the freeze and termination of US government funding.
Alex Farrow, CEO of Kaleidoscope Trust said:
“The effect on our movement has been swift and devastating. The US government’s decisions are not neutral: they represent an attack on the LGBTI+ community and our right to live free, safe, and equal lives. Our message to the movement is simple: we’re with you.”
“This new funding will provide activists and organisations with some much-needed breathing space to assess the impact and develop a plan for the future. The UK government has been a longstanding ally, and we’re grateful to the FCDO for hearing our concerns and responding quickly to make this funding available.”
“Without immediate action from global partners, LGBTI+ organisations and the causes they champion are in peril. This new funding will not be enough to plug the $100m+ funding gap that our movement faces and now is the moment for other governments and corporates to step forward.”
The additional funding is part of Kaleidoscope Trust’s existing S.U.R.G.E. Project (Supporting LGBTI+ Rights and Growth Efforts – Empowering Queer Communities for Sustainable Change), funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Eligible organisations have been invited to apply directly.
The pressing LGBTI+ human rights challenges of our day can only be solved through collaboration, whether that be with grassroots or international human rights organisations, governments and funding bodies – and people that really care, like you.
Will you donate and help us create a free, safe and equal world for LGBTI+ people everywhere?
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