LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall could lose up to half of its staff after Trump cuts funding to support LGBTQ+ communities around the world
LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall could cut up to half of its staff after Donald Trump pulled funding for its foreign aid support, it has been reported by The Times. Stonewall was founded in 1989 by a small group of people who had been active in the struggle against notorious Section 28, which banned
LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall could cut up to half of its staff after Donald Trump pulled funding for its foreign aid support, it has been reported by The Times.
Stonewall was founded in 1989 by a small group of people who had been active in the struggle against notorious Section 28, which banned the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality.
On Thursday, February 20, the news was broken to Stonewall’s 114 members of staff by the organisation’s chief executive, Simon Blake.
Insiders told the newspaper that up to 50% of the charity’s staff were at risk, with the move being blamed on Trump’s decision to axe foreign aid.
American funding – more than £500,000 over the past three years – came through the Global Equality Fund (GEF), which focuses on ‘advancing LGBTI rights around the world’ and is administered by the US state department.
Speaking of the funding cuts, the charity previously said: “Many will be rightly fearful of the impact the US Government’s decision to suspend foreign aid will have, including for programmes supporting LGBTQ+ communities around the world.
“This latest decision signals a further rollback of rights and support for marginalised groups by the new administration and its impact will be detrimental to communities living in extremely challenging circumstances and environments across the globe.
“Stonewall’s work in eastern Europe and the Caucasus is enabled by many funders, including the US Government, and supports communities and law enforcement agencies to respond to anti-LGBTQ+ violence, often providing vital services to victims.
“Programmes like this are crucial given the anti-LGBTQ+ laws and rhetoric being increasingly enforced in the region, but they need continued and committed support and funding to succeed.
“We are working hard with our partners to mitigate the impact of the US government’s decision and ensure that the communities and individuals we support aren’t also victims of a political agenda thousands of miles away.”
