After Donald Trump's election, many people have been wondering about LGBTQ organizations to donate to in order to support the people feeling vulnerable during this time. Through intolerant rhetoric and exclusionary agendas, Trump and his vice president-elect Mike Pence have left many members the LGBTQ community fearing for their freedom, their safety, and even their lives. If you're in a privileged enough position to help, you might consider contributing to a charity that supports LGBTQ people — because goodness knows it's needed, and will continue to be needed for a long time to come.
To see where you can have the greatest impact, it first helps to understand what issues we're dealing with. For one, the LGBTQ community has experienced a surge in harassment since Donald Trump's election. And the reality is that while Trump has professed support for the LGBTQ community, he has also positioned himself as an ally of the Christian right. And between expressing opposition to anti-discrimination laws and same-sex marriage and advocating conversion therapy, Pence has been overtly antagonistic toward LGBTQ people.
Here are some ways your donations — whether of money or of time and skills — can help the people these attitudes have placed under attack.
The Trevor Project
After Trump's election, calls to suicide hotlines spiked. One such hotline was created by The Trevor Project. The organization told Mother Jones that on Wednesday, they saw more calls than they'd gotten on any day in eight years — double their average daily volume. The Trevor Project provides counselors to speak to people considering suicide over the phone or text, and donations can help make sure they have enough on hand.
The Trans Lifeline
The Trans Lifeline, a suicide prevention hotline for transgender people, also received more calls than ever immediately after the election. "Trans people are among many people who are mourning today," a blog post on the organization's Medium page reads. "Our trans-identified operators are working hard to offer support, guidance, and hope through this difficult time. We’ve answered a staggering 115 calls in 24 hours, demonstrating that we are here for each other. It may feel right now as though hate won out, but we know that love is more powerful." If they receive $100,000 in donations by the end of the month, they can reach their goal of hiring three staff members to answer these calls. Just $25 can cover a day's worth of calls.
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute
One way to avoid electing politicians who put LGBTQ rights at risk is to get more LGBTQ people into office. The Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute accomplishes this by providing training for LGBTQ people looking to get into politics and make a difference.
The Sylvia Rivera Law Project
The Sylvia Rivera Law Project offers free legal services to trans people who are facing discrimination. This cause will become especially important if Trump follows through on his promise to nullify executive orders that protect transgender students and LGBTQ rights.
GLAAD
To combat the harmful stereotypes that lead people like Pence to support conversion therapy and oppose same-sex marriage, GLAAD works to improve LGBT representation in the media. "With the election behind him, president-elect Trump must now rise above divisive politics and side with the vast majority of Americans who demand equality for their LGBTQ friends, family, and neighbors," a statement on GLAAD's website reads. "While disappointed, we are certainly not defeated; the pursuit of full acceptance will continue until everyone, no matter who they are or who they love, can simply live the life they love."
