A new charity raising funds for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) causes worldwide has been established in the UK.
GiveOut will enable individual donors to give to a range of LGBTQI activists and organisations in a simple and engaging way.
Elliot Vaughn, GiveOut’s founder and the Chair of its Board of Trustees, said: “Around the world, activists are doing incredible work to promote and protect the rights of LGBTQI people. But the movement is underfunded, and it’s often not easy for donors to give support. Our research shows that in the UK just £150,000 (3 per cent) of around £5 million donated annually by individuals to LGBTQI causes goes to non-UK causes.”
“GiveOut aims to address these gaps and create a new and sustainable source of funding for the global LGBTQI movement.”
GiveOut has been registered as a charity (Registered Charity Number 1176434) and Rupert Abbott appointed as its Executive Director. Rupert has over a decade of experience working in the human rights field, designing and developing human rights initiatives and organisations and leading research and advocacy, including on the rights of LGBTQI people. A lawyer by training, he co-founded the human rights experts’ hub RightsStart and has held management roles with the Human Rights House Foundation, Amnesty International, the United Nations and the Cambodian Center for Human Rights. He is a Trustee of the LGBT Switchboard Brighton & Hove and a member of the Advisory Board of the Future Forum think tank in Southeast Asia.
“We are delighted to welcome Rupert as our Executive Director. He brings over a decade of experience in human rights, a unique combination of skills and expertise, and a passion for improving the lives of LGBTQI people,” said Elliot Vaughn.
Rupert Abbott added: “I am honoured to build and lead this new organisation and excited about the potential to bring more funds into the LGBTQI movement.”
“From discrimination and harassment to torture and killings, around the world people are facing horrendous human rights abuses based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
“GiveOut will help donors in the UK make a difference globally, providing those defending the rights of LGBTQI people with more of the resources they need. We will be consulting widely across the movement to identify where our donors’ support is needed most.”
GiveOut is in its early start-up phase.
If your interested in finding out more about GiveOut, click here: to register for updates or you can follow the organisation on social media (@GiveOut_Org).