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Meet the Activist: Political Research Associates (PRA) & Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG)

Did you miss the event? Watch and listen the recording now!

The anti-homosexuality bill now before the Ugandan legislature is just the latest in a series of attacks on LGBTI people and their allies. Join Astraea to hear firsthand from Africans who have witnessed the realities facing LGBTI people in Uganda. Learn how U.S. religious fundamentalists have contributed to “collateral damage” for Ugandan sexual minorities while pursuing their own agendas. Frank Mugisha (SMUG), Kapya Kaoma (PRA), and Reverend Patricia Ackerman have been active in challenging discrimination within the church and civil society in both Africa and the United States.

 

Monday, March 22
6:00 – 8:00 PM EST (6:30 – 7:30 PM EST for call-in participants only)

Astraea Foundation [map]
116 East 16th Street, 7th Floor
(between Irving Place and Union Square East)
New York, NY

Political Research Associates (PRA) is a progressive think tank devoted to supporting movements that are building a more just and inclusive democratic society. We expose movements, institutions, and ideologies that undermine human rights.

Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) is a coalition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) human rights organizations. Founded in 2004 to organize LGBTI groups to create a strong LGBTI community in Uganda, the coalition works to challenge discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Meet the Activist event is a series of roundtable discussions hosted by Astraea as a means to connect grantee partners with supporters in a first-hand and in-depth manner. All events are available both in-person or via a call-in and are recorded for possible future broadcast. Don’t miss this in-depth look at Colombia, and stay tuned to hear from Astraea grantee partners from all over the world.

Speakers:
Frank Mugisha, Executive Director, Sexual Minorities Uganda
The Rev. Dr. Kapya Kaoma, Projext Director, Political Research Associates
The Rev. Patricia Ackerman, LGBT/SOGI Human Rights Officer, Unitarian Universalist UN Office

Executive Director Transition

From Executive Director, Katherine Acey: I have some important news to share with you. In December 2010—, after almost 23 years, —I will be leaving my position as Astraea’’s Executive Director. I am preparing to leave an organization that I deeply treasure and that has given me the unique privilege to bring my whole self to the table. Being at Astraea has allowed me to live by my values and to work alongside an incredible array of people who share a passion for justice.

For the rest of Katherine’s Letter, click here.

For the Press Release from the board, click here.

Astraea Presents Justice in the Making: Astraea’’s 2009 Annual Report

Astraea is proud to present Justice in the Making: Astraea’’s 2009 Annual Report. Its pages reflect the growing global reach of Astraea’’s network of donors, grantees and colleagues working tirelessly for LGBTI human rights and social, racial, economic and gender justice worldwide.

Download the Annual Report

In the last year with the support of our donor partners, Astraea granted more than $2.2 million to 210 organizations and 21 individuals in 109 cities across 43 countries around the world. In addition to supporting the leadership of promising new organizations and projects, Astraea has also invested considerable resources to sustain burgeoning movements. Two of these projects, the Consortium of Latin American Women’s Funds LBT Project and Astraea’s Multi-Year Movement-Building Initiative, are profiled in this report.

The past year brought both challenges and new opportunities. The nonprofit sector experienced a difficult economic year and some tough policy setbacks, and religious fundamentalists had a hand in hate-based legislation in Uganda and other countries. At the same time, we saw real progress in the fight for LGBTI human rights. From Ecuador to Serbia, constitutional protections for LGBTI people were enacted. Across the U.S., powerful films connecting personal stories to social justice issues influenced growing audiences, and trans and gender-non-conforming people secured policy victories against discrimination. Globally, LGBTI organizations advanced shared goals for gender and racial justice by making links with women’s and other social justice movements.

As we address multiple challenges with multiple strategies, let us remember to celebrate each other and the many victories along the way. This annual report is dedicated to you—–Astraea grantee and donor partners who give your time and resources so generously. Together we are sustaining this vital work for social change.

 

Download the Annual Report

International Women’’s Day –Astraea’’s Global Reach

On International Women’s Day, Astraea’s global reach was featured on Feminist Teacher, the blog of board member Ileana Jiménez, who is a leader in the field of social justice education.  The post was picked up by Gender Across Borders as part of their International Women’’s Day coverage.  

Justice is Sweet: Astraea’’s Funding the Fight for Queer People of Color

From Feminist Teacher

“Through the years, Astraea has become a major global women’’s fund that supports not only lesbian social change activism but also that of gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) groups throughout the world. This past year alone, with the support of donor partners, Astraea granted more than $2.2 million to 210 organizations and 21 individuals in 109 cities across 43 countries.

As a fourth-year board member, I am proud to be a part of Astraea’’s work in moving forward social, racial, economic and gender justice.  What sets Astraea apart from other foundations and what makes me excited to become a lifelong donor is its commitment to movement building and to queer people of color.”

Read the full post on Feminist Teacher.

Visit Gender Without Borders’ International Women’s Day feature.

Astraea Grantee Partner Q-Wave Leads First LGBTQ Contingent in Lunar New Year Parade

Astraea grantee partner Q-Wave brought in the Year of the Tiger with the first-ever LGBTQ contingent in New York’s Lunar New Year Parade.  The organization garnered unprecedented support from elected officials and a wide range of Asian organizations. They partnered with Asian LGBT groups and invited members of the LGBTI Irish and South Asian communities, barred from their own cultural parades, to join them. Hundreds of LBGTQ people, family and friends marched to challenge homophobia and celebrate family in all of its forms.

Gay Groups Invited to March in Lunar New Year Parade

BY Daniel Roberts and Erin Durkin

Read article at the Daily News

In a historic first, gay and lesbian groups marched through the streets of Chinatown Sunday in the festive Lunar New Year parade.

And they invited the Indian and Irish gays, too.

Wearing rainbow bandannas, about 300 gays and supporters waved versions of the fish and the phoenix, traditional Chinese symbols for prosperity and renewal.

They were joined by drummers and even a costumed tiger with its own rainbow armbands.

“We are ecstatic. It’s a huge step forward,” said Irene Tung, 31, a spokeswoman for Q-Wave, which led the gay contingent.

It was made up of marchers from groups that included St. Patrick’s Day for All and the South Asian Lesbian & Gay Association, which have been barred for years from the annual St. Patrick’s Day and India Day parades.

“Today is a historic breakthrough for this community, and someday I hope we will see the same on [St. Patrick’s Day],” said St. Pat’s for All founder Brendan Fay. “My feeling today was one of joy for this community.”

Unlike the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Fifth Ave., which has for years barred gays, organizers allowed the gay group to march.

Steven Tin, executive director of the Better Chinatown Society, said there was no reason to exclude the groups.

“Why not?” he said. “We basically welcome groups that want to do a cultural celebration.”

The thousands of revelers who packed Mott St. to watch the colorful parade ushering in the Year of the Tiger were mostly supportive, with frequent cheers for the gay marchers.

The Rev. Patrick Cheng of the Metropolitan Community Church marched with his 75-year-old mother.

“Given a lot of hostility in Asian-American evangelical communities, I think it’s good for me to come out and represent the religious side,” he said.

Mom Deanna Cheng said she’s getting more comfortable discussing her son’s homosexuality with her Chinatown neighbors.

“[I] try to make them listen and change their minds,” she said. “In the past, I wouldn’t have dared to say anything.”

Read article at the Daily News

2010 Valentine’s Justice Social

For Valentine’s this year, we’re sweet on you. Come get sweet on Astraea!

As a special thank you for your support, please be our guest as we celebrate our successes and our planned initiatives for 2010.  We believe that Justice is Sweet when it’s shared because social change results from the power we harness together.

Thursday, February 11

6:00 – 8:00 PM

Astraea Foundation [map]

116 East 16th Street, 7th Floor
(between Union Square East and Irving Place)

Please RSVP to Raymond Hsia, Events Manager, today.

Click here to RSVP

Astraea Grantees Secure Victory in Welfare System

Astraea grantee partners Audre Lorde Project, Queers for Economic Justice and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project working with Housing Works secured a crucial victory today in New York’s Human Resources Administration (HRA).  After six years of advocacy, the HRA has approved a new procedure to end discrimination and harassment of transgender and gender-non-conforming New Yorkers who utilize the welfare system.

Letter from the Activists:

Community Win for Welfare Justice!

Over the last six years as a community we have made our voices heard, culminating over the last two days in a fax and phone blast, and ending today with approval of a new procedure for serving Trans and Gender Non Conforming clients at New York City’s Human Resources Administration (HRA).  Trans and Gender Non Conforming communities, allies, friends and family have let the New York City Human Resources Administration know of our demands an end to transphobic discrimination and harassment in New York City’s Welfare system.  Supporters from across the country called and faxed HRA.

We just learned that after nearly six years of organizing by the community New York City’s HRA approved the new procedure for serving Trans and Gender Non Conforming clients.  This new procedure is a major step towards Welfare Justice for Trans and Gender Non Conforming communities in New York City.

As a result of the procedures approval we are calling an end to the call and faxes to HRA.

Thank you so much to everyone who called and faxed over the last few days – this win only happened after countless community members and supporters, over many years, made our voices heard!  We also want to thank HRA Commissioner Robert Doar, HRA Executive Deputy Commissioner Jane Corbett and HRA Director. Office of Refugee and Immigrant Affairs Kavita Pawria for being part of making this happen for our communities.

Look out for information about upcoming events in the New Year to celebrate and share more information about this win.  There is still lots to do, to get involved contact transjustice@alp.org or 718-596-0342.

Thank you!

Audre Lorde Project/TransJustice (Astraea Grantee Partner)
Housing Works
Queers for Economic Justice (Astraea Grantee Partner)
Sylvia Rivera Law Project (Astraea Grantee Partner)

Campaign Background
Since 2005, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) communities in New York City have been urging the Human Resources Administration (HRA) to address the rampant Transphobia, discrimination, and harassment that Trans and Gender Non-Conforming people in New York City face when seeking to access welfare/public assistance.

In June of 2008, a week before the Fourth Annual Trans Day of Action (annual March organized by TransJustice of the Audre Lorde Project) which was set to protest at HRA headquarters, HRA officials agreed to meet with TransJustice to hear community concerns.  After this first meeting with HRA in the Fall of 2008, TransJustice formed a committee of organizations including the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, Housing Works, Queers for Economic Justice and others, to develop a  HRA procedure to address transphobic discrimination at HRA.  In May of 2009 after months of meeting with HRA the draft procedure was finalized and submitted to HRA for approval.  Over the last year TransJustice of the Audre Lorde Project, Sylvia Rivera Law Project, Housing Works, and Queers for Economic Justice have been organizing for the procedures approval.

2009 Holiday Appreciation Party

If you’ll be in New York in December, cap off the year on a high note at the 2009 Holiday Appreciation Party on Thursday, December 10.  Hosted in our very own offices in New York City, it will be a fun and intimate evening with fabulous Astraea staff, board, supporters and grantee partners.

Catch up with old Astraea friends and connect with new ones. Enjoy delicious food, drink, and fabulous people.
Thursday, December 10

6:00–9:00pm

Astraea Foundation [map]
116 East 16th Street, 7th Floor
(between Union Square East and Irving Place)

RSVP

Executive Director Katherine Acey featured in GO Magazine

Executive Director Katherine Acey shines this month among other luminaries in a GO Magazine special feature.  The series, “Women at the Helm” highlights the “dedicated women steering many of the nation’s finest LGBT organizations.”  Also featured is Astraea board member and San Francisco LGBT Community Center Executive Director Rebecca Rolfe.

WOMEN AT THE HELM

by Cheryl Burke

Read about Astraea Board member Rebecca Rolfe and other luminary leaders at gomag.com.

A Night to Remember! 2009 Lynn Campbell Memorial Fund Benefit

This year’s Lynn Campbell Memorial Fund Benefit was a night to remember, bringing home the theme: Live, Laugh, Love. At the pre-event reception, wall-to-wall friends sipped drinks, made connections and buzzed over the promise of the show to come. In the theater, we shared a moment to remember Lynn Campbell and were touched by letters from her family honoring her work and the joy she brought to the lives of those who knew her. Then comic extraordinaire Karen Williams let loose with the healing power of laughter and kept the packed house in stitches.

If you were unable to join us but would still like to make a donation in honor of the Lynn Campbell Memorial Fund, please click below:

Click here to give

To give you taste of an evening that touched our hearts and tickled our funny bone, see photos and read the powerful letters from Lynn’s parents and her partner Cheri Pies.