TL;DR: Despite having 18% of the world's population, India receives less than 1% of global funding for LGBTQIA+ causes. This funding gap leaves many queer organizations struggling to support their communities. To address this, the Pride Fund has been launched with an initial ₹2 crore to support grassroots LGBTQIA+ NGOs across India.
Hey folks! Did you know that even though India is home to a whopping 18% of the global population, our LGBTQIA+ community gets less than 1% of the world's funding? 😲 That's seriously unfair!
A recent study titled "Against All Odds – Advancing Equity for India's LGBTQIA+ Communities" spills the beans on this massive funding gap. It reveals that in 2021-22, India received just $2 million in foreign funding for queer communities, which is peanuts compared to the need.
What's even more shocking is that only one of India's top 50 donors explicitly supports queer causes. This means our homegrown support is seriously lacking. Plus, many nonprofits working with queer communities aren't eligible for international funding, making it even tougher for them to survive.
But there's a silver lining! 🌈 To tackle this issue, the Pride Fund has been launched with an initial corpus of ₹2 crore. This fund aims to support eight queer-led NGOs across India, including Payana, Chhattisgarh Mitwa Sankalp Samiti, Ya All, Basera Samajik Sansthan, Deepshikha Samiti, Vikalp, Sappho for Equality, and Karna Subarna Welfare Society.
Radhika Piramal, executive director of VIP Industries Ltd, hit the nail on the head when she said, "LGBTQIA organisations are running on fumes. The Pride Fund aims to raise resources and awareness for queer-led NGOs that work tirelessly on the ground for the community."
It's high time Indian corporates and foundations step up to the plate. For years, they've splurged on lavish events; now it's time to invest in ensuring queer people can access basic rights and dignities.
International funding is crucial, but we can't solely rely on it. We need homegrown support to ensure the sustainability and autonomy of our queer organisations. Without it, progress will remain a distant dream.
In a country with an estimated 140 million LGBTQIA+ individuals, receiving less than 1% of global funding is a glaring disparity. It's a wake-up call for all of us to rally behind our queer communities and bridge this funding gap.
MediaFx Opinion: It's crystal clear that the current funding scenario is a reflection of deep-rooted systemic inequalities. The working class and marginalized communities, including the LGBTQIA+ population, have always been at the receiving end of such disparities. It's imperative to adopt a socialist perspective, ensuring equitable distribution of resources. By supporting grassroots queer organizations, we not only uplift the LGBTQIA+ community but also take a step towards a more just and equal society. Let's stand in solidarity and push for a future where everyone gets their fair share. ✊🌈
