LGF Responds to Impact of COVID on LGBTQ BIPOC Communities
Durham, NC –The Laughing Gull Foundation has increased its annual payout by $250,000 to the LGBTQ Equality Program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional funding prioritizes twelve LGF grantee partner organizations supporting the immediate needs of LGBTQ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities disproportionately impacted by this public health crisis.
Four of the organizations have rapid response funding available to LGBTQ individuals and organizations in the South; the remaining eight organizations, largely led by and serving BIPOC, are responding to needs within their communities in North Carolina and Virginia.
“We recognize that it is important to dig even deeper in this moment. Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities – and the LGBTQ community in particular- are sufferring disproportionately during this incredibly challenging time. We are so grateful to these outstanding organizations for continuing to serve these communities, and want to offer additional funds as they stand at the frontlines of these crises,” stated Meg Baesmith, Board President.
In total, LGF’s LGBTQ Equality Program will distribute a record $2,247,000 in grants for 2020.
The additional $250k in funding supports the following organizations:
Campaign for Southern Equality, Southern Regional
El Centro Hispano, Durham, NC
Freedom Center for Social Justice, Charlotte, NC
Fund for Trans Generations, National
LGBT Center of Raleigh, Raleigh, NC
LGBTQ Center of Durham, Durham, NC
Nationz Foundation, Richmond, VA
Southern Vision Alliance, Durham, NC
Southerners on New Ground, Southern Regional
Trans Justice Funding Project, National
Tranzmission, Asheville, NC
VA Anti-Violence Project, Richmond, VA
