Now, more than any time in recent years, Pride's existence as a protest is apparent. It's loud. It's demanding. It's asking for change, and it's asking for it now. As the queer community and its allies move forward in this process of change, it can be easy to find yourself asking, "So...what do I do?"
The fear of accidentally doing something wrong can often stop us from doing anything right. It's easy to get so caught up in worrying about the possibility of taking the wrong step that we end up staying exactly where we are. We know that action is imperative, but we're left wondering just what action to take.
If you're in a position to do so, donating (in an informed manner) is always a simple and beneficial action.
Here you'll find a collection of organizations doing incredible work who are currently accepting donations. This list also contains a special focus on trans and BIPOC led/benefiting groups.
The LGBTQ Freedom Fund
From their website:
"Each day, tens of thousands of LGBTQ people are held in jail or immigration detention because they cannot afford bail—for immigration status or charges like sleeping in public.
With your help, the LGBTQ Freedom Fund posts bail to secure their release and safety.
In tandem, we raise awareness of the epidemic of LGBTQ overincarceration. We strive towards a critical mass against mass detention."
Donate here.
The Okra Project
From their website:
"The Okra Project is a collective that seeks to address the global crisis faced by Black Trans people by bringing home cooked, healthy, and culturally specific meals and resources to Black Trans People wherever we can reach them."
Donate here.
Egale
From their website:
"Egale is Canada’s leading organization for LGBTQI2S people and issues. We improve and save lives through research, education, awareness, and by advocating for human rights and equality in Canada and around the world. Our work helps create societies and systems that reflect the universal truth that all persons are equal and none is other."
Donate here.
Trans Justice Funding Project
"The Trans Justice Funding Project is a community-led funding initiative founded in 2012 to support grassroots, trans justice groups run by and for trans people. We make grants annually by bringing together a panel of six trans justice activists from around the country to carefully review every application we receive. We center the leadership of trans people organizing around their experiences with racism, economic injustice, transmisogyny, ableism, immigration, incarceration, and other intersecting oppressions."
Donate here.
Kind Space
"We give people personal and peer support to understand and inhabit their particular identities with confidence and courage, whatever kind of identity it is. We often do so when these people experience emotional crises and are most vulnerable physically and mentally.
We give people a range of information and resources they can use to help themselves or others appreciate and be who they truly are."
Donate here.
