Our LGBTI movements are being choked. Here’s how we can survive
Summary:
This opinion article on LGBTI movements is authored by ILGA World Executive Director Julia Ehrt and ILGA World programme manager Gabriel Galil. The article appeared in a shorter version on “Context”, under the title “LGBTQ+ groups at risk of closure as USAID freeze adds to cuts”. Check out the original article at https://shorturl.at/UIKll
On January 20, lightning struck. The US president issued his executive order freezing all US development aid for 90 days, leaving human rights, social justice and humanitarian movements aghast. This was followed by the notice of termination of many – if not all – of civil society organisations’ grants since then. While some were prepared for the possible implementation of Project 2025, everyone was taken by surprise by the depth, scale, speed and recklessness of the actions.
Months after the funding freeze, the catastrophic consequences of it are still developing. As a global federation of LGBTI organisations, ILGA World has been heavily hit. However, the true victims within our global LGBTI movement are organisations from the global Majority – for whom domestic resourcing is extremely limited, or in many contexts, inexistent.
Several actors have launched studies to understand the scale of the damage, while methodologies differ, the findings speak the same language. One year from now, the LGBTI movement will look considerably different: less vibrant, smaller, poorer and with diminished ability to resist to and document human rights violations on grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics.
Every week, we receive reports from member organisations being forced to close operations. A study from Outright International, published three weeks after funding cuts were first announced, revealed that 58% of organisations surveyed across 35 countries already had to lay off staff and/or stop programmes entirely.
The sudden cuts immediately disrupted programs that combat and document violence against LGBTI persons, or those providing life-saving services to our communities, including HIV prevention and treatment to key populations.
The US Government cuts, however, do not exist in a vacuum. In November 2024, the Netherlands — the biggest government donor to the LGBTI movement — announced a 70% cut of their development funding for NGOs. Since then several other countries have announced a reduction in their foreign assistance contributions imminently or within the next 12 months, including the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Belgium, and France. The impact on civil society will be devastating.
It goes without saying that the financial blow to our movement comes at a time when LGBTI social and legal victories are tested by the rise of far-right and authoritarian movements and governments.
The opposition to feminism, sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice and the freedom from violence and discrimination against LGBTI persons is nothing new. However, the rise of extremely well-funded anti-rights organisations added fuel to the fire. These groups are now using their influence within the White House and other governments to spread their reactionary rhetoric, with considerable success.
During his first days in office, US President Donald Trump issued several executive orders directly targeting trans and intersex people – under the false pretence of “defending women”, but failing to actually do so. This is not only extremely harmful for our communities in the US, but will also embolden anti-gender actors elsewhere.
Make no mistake: rhetoric like that is always the fuse to an explosive hidden, underlying agenda aimed to leave social majorities behind — including migrants, women and girls, racialised persons, indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities.
Predictably, religious beliefs are instrumentalised to justify these attacks. A recent Executive Order falsely frames activism on trans human rights and abortion as an attack on Christians’ religious freedoms – concocting inexistent contradictions and threats.
And, of course, an attack on the rule of law would not be complete without targeting multilateralism. The US Government has announced its withdrawal from the Human Rights Council and the World Health Organization.
These actions prove what our movements have been saying for a long time: attacks on gender and sexuality are only an entry point to dismantle democratic and human rights institutions.
It is undeniable: we have fallen into a dreadful time. But we cannot give in to fear.
The “shock and awe” strategy must not freeze us: all of us have important work to do. The achievements of the past decade on gender equality, bodily autonomy, the rights of LGBTI people and government accountability cannot be lost. They have to be and will be defended.
We must protect and strengthen multilateralism, democracy, and civic space. Government donors and private philanthropy must step up before human rights and humanitarian systems collapse.
But most of all, LGBTI, SRHRJ and feminist movements need true solidarity – amongst themselves, and from others. Let us not abandon each other. With so many targeted by the current hate wave, no one can afford to let go of intersectionality and collaboration.
We have no other choice than to maintain to be hopeful. We have always had to fight hard for our victories. And, even when we are exasperated and all we would want to do is scream “Just leave us alone,” we will weather the storm. Because we are fighting for everyone. A world based on solidarity, empathy, and equal opportunities will always be stronger than one forged over hate.
