Pride parades may be cancelled this year due to COVID-19, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be celebrating at home, with friends or however else you choose to safely commemorate. With the protests for Black Lives Matter taking place across the globe, the energy has shifted from parade to protest, and most of us are looking inward to dismantle the system we play a part in upholding, or outwardly marching to protect Black and Indigenous bodies. Amongst the intersections of the LGBTQ+ community, Black Trans people are among the most marginalised. Tony McDade and Nina Pop are among the names that make up the horrifically long list of black trans people who died at the hands of anti-black, anti-trans violence, often killed by police.
It is important to acknowledge that the Stonewall Riots were led by Black and Brown trans women and LGBTQ+ folks, and without the risks they took to march for freedom, our history of queer liberation might look very different today.
In order to support LGBTQ+ folks everywhere, solidarity is unfortunately not enough. If you have funds to spare, using your spending dollars to donate to intersectional organisations who support queer and trans folks is a great way to contribute to the safety, mental health resources and rights of the LGBTQ+ community. If you were planning to partake in a Pride celebration this year, consider redirecting the funds you may have set aside for outfits, alcohol and anything else towards an organisation or charity doing the work 365 days out of the year, and make sure if you do choose to buy a pride-related product from a brand, you are researching their long-term commitments and company policies towards LGBTQ+ folks as well as donating profits of product purchases to an organisation.
Below, we have compiled a list of intersectional LGBTQ+ organisations across the US and Australia to consider donating to.
AUS
First Nations Rainbow
First Nations Rainbow's mission is to bring together Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander peoples who also identify as brotherboy’s, sistergirls or as part of the LGBTQI community to be able to strengthen community, improve wellbeing and reduce stigma and discrimination.
Inner City Legal Center
The Inner City Legal Centre provides high-quality legal services to marginalised groups including the LBTQI+ community and Indigenous people through advice, representation, education and advocacy.
ACON
Acon is Sydney's leading HIV/AIDS organisation and strives to be a global leader in community health, inclusion and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders.
The Gender Centre INC
The Gender Centre is committed to developing and providing services and activities, which enhance the ability of people with gender issues to make informed choices. They offer a wide range of services to people with gender issues, their partners, family members and friends in New South Wales.
Twenty10
Twenty10 works across New South Wales providing a broad range of specialised services for young people 12-25 including housing, mental health, counselling and social support.
USA
Black Visions Collective
Black Visions Collective is a social justice organisation and legal fund lead by trans and queer folks, based in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Marsha P. Johnson Institute
The Marsha P. Johnson Institute's goal is to protect and defend the human rights of black transgender people by organising, advocating, creating an intentional community to heal.
National Center for Black Equity
The National Center for Black Equity's mission is to connect Black LGBTQ+ folks and are dedicated to improving health and wellness opportunities, economic empowerment, and equal rights.
LGBTQ Freedom Fund
The LGBTQ Freedom Fund posts bail to secure the safety and liberty of LGBTQ+ people in jail and immigration detention.
Trans Women of Colour Collective
TWOCC was created to cultivate economic opportunities and affirming spaces for trans People of Colour. Their goal is to build community, engage in healing and restorative justice through arts, culture, media, advocacy and activism.
Brave Space Alliance
Brave Space Alliance is a Black-led, Trans-led organisation that strives to empower, embolden, and educate the community through mutual aid, knowledge-sharing, and the creation of community-sourced resources.
