Funding boost to challenge LGBTQ+ rights violations

Frontline AIDS’ Rapid Response Fund has received a $300,000 USD funding commitment from the Elton John AIDS Foundation (the Foundation) to tackle anti-gay and transphobic violence and rhetoric.
The Rapid Response Fund (RRF) supports marginalised communities to address HIV-related human rights challenges. This new backing from the Foundation reinforces their long-standing commitment to equity for gender and sexually diverse people.
State and civilian violence, along with high levels of stigma and discrimination, create unsafe conditions for LGBTQ+ people to access HIV prevention, treatment and care. Global statistics show that trans women are nearly 49 times more likely to contract HIV than other adults of reproductive age.
“We strongly believe that LGBTQ+ people should live free of fear and violence and with equal access to lifesaving health care.Columbus Ndeola, LGBTQ+ Portfolio lead, Elton John AIDS Foundation
According to UNAIDS, LGBTQ+ people living in countries where homosexuality is criminalised are less likely to access HIV-related health services. A study in sub-Saharan Africa showed that HIV-prevalence among gay men and men who have sex with men was five times higher in countries that criminalised same-sex relationships compared to those that do not.
“We strongly believe that LGBTQ+ people should live free of fear and violence and with equal access to lifesaving health care,” says Columbus Ndeola, LGBTQ+ Portfolio lead at the Foundation. “This new funding signals our promise to support some of the communities most affected by HIV whose lives and rights are at risk.”
About the Rapid Response Fund
The RRF, with support from other funders, issues grants for community-led responses to address ongoing human rights violations against marginalised people, including key populations, and to respond to emerging threats.
Since its establishment in 2016, the RRF has granted $5.1 million USD through more than 600 grants directly to community-led organisations working across 45 countries and has supported tens of thousands of people who are marginalised and affected by HIV. The fund is currently available across 24 countries in the Caribbean, East Africa, East Asia, Southern Africa, West and Central Africa.
escalating violence and discrimination
This support comes at a critical time, with rising anti-rights movements leading to increased attacks on LGBTQ+ communities. Punitive laws such as Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 and Ghana’s proposed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill , have been directly linked to increased violence and discrimination. This in turn has led to people being forced to leave their homes and others being seriously injured or even killed.
“Every week, we hear from organisations who are being attacked for supporting LGBTQ+ communities, with worrying reports of people struggling to access lifesaving HIV and SRHR services,” says Tshego Sehoole, Senior Advisor: Programmes, Frontline AIDS, who works closely with organisations seeking emergency support.
The funding from the Foundation will support Frontline AIDS to provide emergency grants of up to $15,000 USD to civil society organisations led by or working with key populations, including gay men, men who have sex with men, trans and gender diverse people.
“It is critical that organisations can prepare for the impact of an alarming rise in anti-gender and anti-homosexuality discourse around the world,” adds John Plastow, Executive Director, Frontline AIDS. “The Foundation’s latest pledge to the RRF means that Frontline AIDS can support more organisations to sustain and protect access to HIV services as we strive to end AIDS for everyone, everywhere.”
To read more about the Rapid Response Fund and how to apply for a grant, visit frontlineaids.org/rapid-response-fund
Tags
HIV preventionHIV treatmentHuman rightsRapid Response Fund