U.S. Foreign Aid Funding Freeze & Its Impact on LGBTIQ Communities
U.S. Foreign Aid Funding Freeze & Its Impact on LGBTIQ Communities
The Crisis at Hand
On January 24, 2025, President Trump issued an unprecedented executive order, halting all U.S. foreign assistance for 90 days. This devastating funding freeze has cut off life-saving programs overnight, putting their long-term survival at risk.
The consequences have been immediate. Across the globe, organizations like Outright—alongside 130 LGBTIQ groups in 50 countries that are supported by Outright—have been forced to suspend critical work in democracy-building, economic inclusion, and movement resilience. LGBTIQ people, who are already disproportionately impacted by discrimination and instability, are among the first to feel the devastating effects.
The freeze has destabilized entire sectors, disrupting humanitarian relief, public health initiatives, and human rights protections worldwide. Without urgent action, we risk losing decades of progress in the fight for global LGBTIQ equality.
By the Numbers: The Global Impact of the U.S. Funding Freeze
$70
billion
The U.S. government allocates approximately $70 billion in foreign aid annually to civil society.
$28
million
In 2021-2022, the U.S. contributed over $28 million to the global LGBTIQ movement—funding that is now at risk.
130
LGBTIQ organizations
130 LGBTIQ organizations supported by Outright across 50 countries have been forced to halt essential work.
0.2%
of federal budget dedicated to foreign aid
The U.S. spends just 0.2% of its federal budget on foreign aid, but for many communities, this funding is a lifeline.
Take Action: Help Us Fight Back
A Global Look at the Aftermath of the Funding Cuts
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Caribbean – A grassroots organization providing crisis support for LGBTIQ people has suspended activities indefinitely. Without urgent funding, they may be forced to close their doors permanently.
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Eastern Europe – A leading LGBTIQ advocacy group planned to challenge a new wave of anti-LGBTIQ laws, but their funding was frozen. Without support, authoritarian regimes will face less resistance in dismantling hard-won rights.
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Asia – Economic empowerment programs that helped LGBTIQ people secure jobs, start businesses, and gain financial independence have been abruptly cut off, forcing many back into unstable and unsafe conditions.
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Southwest Asia – A critical legislative advocacy initiative fighting discriminatory laws that erase LGBTIQ families has stalled. The movement now faces an uphill battle without resources to mobilize.
Defunding Freedom: Insights into the Impact on the Ground
As the international community grapples with the U.S. government's freeze of nearly all foreign aid, abruptly ending vital support for LGBTIQ organizations and human rights defenders worldwide, we are committed to fighting back. Our new report, Defunding Freedom: Impacts of U.S. Foreign Aid Cuts on LGBTIQ People Worldwide, exposes the devastating consequences of these cuts, which have shut down programs, halted life-saving services, and left vulnerable communities at greater risk. This is more than a funding crisis—it is a direct attack on human rights and a setback to global progress. Read the report to learn more about the impact on the ground.
The Fight is Now.
LGBTIQ organizations worldwide cannot afford to wait. This funding freeze is an attack on our movement—but with your help, we will not be erased. Outright will continue to document these human rights violations, advocate for equality and inclusion, and support those who are providing direct services as we can. Join us:
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Follow Outright for real-time updates: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Bluesky
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Attend our upcoming events and hear directly from activists on the frontlines.
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