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Pride Month is often considered a time of great celebration for the LGBTQIA+ community, including lots of parties, parades, and other celebrations. However, it’s also a time to reflect on the work that still needs to be done for the LGBTQIA+ community to fully achieve equality. For example, there are still no federal laws protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in public places such as theaters and businesses. If you’re looking to make a difference, consider making Pride Month donations to one or more of the following organizations that support LGBTQIA+ initiatives.
We live in a world where LGBTQIA+ people are still fighting for equality. It's important that we support the organizations working to make the world a better place for everyone. There is no one “best” organization, as each of them does important work in supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. If you’re planning to make Pride Month donations, you can’t go wrong with any of the following 10 fantastic organizations.
After you read about their missions, make donating a breeze in your workspace by adding custom QR code in your office, community center, or wherever you want to gain support!
Founded in 1988, the Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQIA+ youth. The organization also works to educate the public about the difficulties faced by this community and to promote acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people through its various programs. Donations support free, 24/7 crisis services, including TrevorLifeline, TrevorText, and TrevorChat, as well as efforts to expand their services and work with policymakers to enact change.
Through a combination of education, advocacy, and research, the HRC Foundation works to advance equality for the LGBTQIA+ community. HRC offers a wealth of resources for employers, educators, child welfare administrators, and other professionals seeking ways to improve their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices within their organizations. For instance, the Trans Toolkit for Employers, Corporate Equality indexes, and other resources help employers measure and improve inclusivity practices and benefits in the workplace.
Every entrepreneur needs a little help getting started, and StartOut does exactly that for LGBTQIA+ individuals looking to start a business. With in-house experts, mentorship, and an investor portal for those seeking capital, StartOut empowers startups to get the help they need to launch successfully. Meanwhile, community resources like in-person and online events and the Networq online directory provide entrepreneurs with the assistance they need to thrive.
Parenthood is a challenge for anyone, but it can be even harder for LGBTQIA+ individuals who often experience discrimination when starting a family. The Family Equality Council works to advance equality for LGBTQIA+ families through advocacy, community support, diversity and inclusion training for professionals, and other resources. Sign up for Action Alerts to stay in the know about issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community, and urge your local legislators to support these acts.
Founded in 2002, the Ali Forney Center (AFC) honors the memory of Ali Forney, a gender-nonconforming individual who was killed on the streets of New York City after being forced into homelessness since age 13. Over 80% of AFC’s clients are kicked out of their homes for being “who they are,” says the AFC, while the remainder run away from home due to abuse or neglect. The center provides a safe haven for these homeless youth, caring for more than 2,000 people every year at their 24-Hour Drop-In Center with meals, medical and mental health services, transitional housing, mentorship, educational and career training, and more.
PFLAG, or Parents, Friends, and Family of Lesbians and Gays, was founded in 1973 out of the love of a mother who wanted to publicly support her gay son. With over 400 chapters nationwide, the organization offers confidential peer support, education, resources, and advocacy to LGBTQIA+ individuals, their families, friends, and allies. While PFLAG aims to strengthen the bond between parents and their LGBTQIA+ children, it also aims to foster workplace and marriage equality, create safer schools, and advocate for key legislative issues.
Navigating the complexities of senior care proves even more challenging for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. SAGE, aka Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders, aims to improve inclusivity and support for older LGBTQIA+ individuals in need of assisted living, affordable housing, and senior care services. With 48% of older same-sex couples saying they’ve experienced housing discrimination, SAGE provides much-needed services, including education and training programs for eldercare providers, advocacy efforts, and access to LGBTQIA+-friendly housing.
All children deserve to go to school in a safe environment without fear of being harassed for their gender identity or sexual orientation. The GLSEN, or Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, is a national organization that fosters support among educators and students to enact change and create safe schools for all. Founded in 1990 by a group of teachers, GLSEN provides evidence-based solutions for K-12 schools and advocates for comprehensive policies that protect LGBTQIA+ students, including the Safe Schools Improvement Act and the Student Non-Discrimination Act.
The nonprofit Lambda Legal, founded in 1973, is a national legal organization that advocates for the full recognition of civil rights of LGBTQIA+ people and those living with HIV. The organization provides pro bono representation on select high-impact cases, in conjunction with education and advocacy campaigns that strengthen their lawsuits. Lambda Legal’s efforts have resulted in the passage of key civil rights laws to advance workplace non-discrimination, marriage equality, and other important LGBTQIA+ issues.
LGBTQIA+ individuals need support, protection, and advocacy all around the world, inside and outside of our country’s borders. OutRight Action International works at the international, national, and regional levels to advance human rights for LGBTQIA+ people everywhere. They partner with human rights activists, allies, and organizations to provide research-based advocacy and training tools, acting as a bridge between country-level partners and regional or international decision makers. From legal discrimination to criminal injustice, OutRight Action International is committed to protecting the rights of people who experience discrimination or abuse due to their gender identity or sexual orientation.
The resources listed above don't cover all of the amazing and under-supported organizations out there, but they do offer a good place to start if you want to support the LGBTQIA+ community this Pride Month. Take a look at the work these organizations are doing and consider donating — and if you’re interested in volunteering, reach out while you're at it.
With a custom QR code, you can help to maximize Pride Month donations from friends, family, and co-workers. Post your Flowcode around the office, online, and at workplace events and other in-person activities, and you can send supporters directly to the donation links for not only the organizations in this list but many others, too. By working together, we can all make an impact — and make a difference in the lives of LGBTQIA+ people around the world.
