Latest News

The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice stands in solidarity with our grantee partners around the globe that continue to have the courage to stand up against human rights violations, homophobia, and transphobia everywhere. We stand in solidarity with the anti-violence and anti-hate speech work of LGBTQI groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the Colorful Network, Organization Okvir, and Astraea grantee partner Organization Q. [More]

Today, LGBTQ communities around the world are marching for May Day, a day historically dedicated to workers rights and labor movements which is celebrated as a national holiday in over eighty countries. In New York City, Astraea will march in solidarity with five of our grantee partners who have formed a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Trans, Two-Spirit and Gender Non-Conforming (LGBTQTSGNC) contingent to increase visibility of LGBTQTSGNC communities in immigration and worker rights debates and movements. Starting at 4pm today, the Audre Lorde Project (ALP), FIERCE, Queers for Economic Justice (QEJ), Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) and Streetwise and Safe (SAS) will join a public rally in Union Square and will later march through lower Manhattan down Broadway. [More]

Pioneer feminist poet and essayist Adrienne Rich passed away Tuesday, March 27^th, at her home in Santa Cruz, California. We mourn the loss of a longtime friend to the Astraea Foundation and send our most heartfelt condolences to her loved ones and all those inspired by her. [More]

Astraea believes that social change results from the powerful collective action of groups of people working together.  We prioritize funding for lesbian and trans-led communities of color and organizations doing multi-racial, anti-racist work.

Our grantee partners work at the intersections of oppression, frequently in marginalized communities with limited financial resources.  Many utilize art and cultural projects as powerful tools for resistance and inspiration—necessary components in building a future guaranteeing human rights for all.

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On Wednesday, November 30^th, the Astraea foundation held a U.S. Movement-Building Initiative (MBI) celebration dinner with its grantee partners prior to the historic BOLD! Gathering. Twenty-four organizers from fourteen grantee organizations and Astraea staff gathered together at a downtown Minneapolis restaurant to honor the program’s six successful years. Conversation filled the air as dinner attendees reflected on the significant growth the Movement-Building Initiative has spurred for LGBTQI people of color-led activism.

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Two years ago, Affinity was a Black lesbian organization that provided community services and social events, but by taking part in Astraea's Movement-Building Initiative, it has become so much more.  Affinity is now dedicated to working with a multi-racial, multi-gendered constituency to do social justice work through organizing, services, political education, and strategic partnering with other groups. [More]

On November 11th, 2011, writers, musicians and Astraea supporters gathered at Writeous!, an evening of tribute and performances held at the Brecht Forum in New York City's West Village.  Writeous! marked the 20th year of the Astraea Foundation's Lesbian Writers Fund, pointing to the Lesbian Writer's Funds two decade history of supporting lesbian voices in literature as well opening the floor to the profound words of contemporary poets, authors and musicians. [More]

Astraea has endorsed a statement calling on President Obama to eliminate the so-called Secure Communities program. Two Astraea grantee partners, Communities United Against Violence and Streetwise and Safe are leading the effort that has been signed by more than 60 LGBT organizations. [More]