LGBTQ+ people deserve the same human rights as their straight, cisgender peers, but discrimination, violence and hate persist around the world. According to Amnesty International, there are 64 countries with laws that criminalize homosexuality, some of which impose life in prison or even the death penalty. In countries with more protections, members of the LGBTQ+ community still face persecution and discrimination when trying to get a job, find a place to live, access healthcare and simply live their everyday lives. Charities around the world advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, help people access legal services, provide emotional support and much more. Here are 15 of these trusted organizations:
#1. Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Campaign is an advocacy organization fighting to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. With more than 3 million members and supporters around the United States, it’s the biggest pro-LGBTQ+ lobbying organization in the country. Its work focuses on workplace equality, youth well-being, health and aging, welcoming schools and a global workplace program. The Human Rights Campaign also releases reports and compiles resources. It works closely with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, which is an independent entity.
To learn more about the Human Rights Campaign, check out the charity’s website.
#2. Sappho for Equality
Sappho for Equality is the only registered organization in Kolkata working for the LGBTQ+ community, with a focus on individuals assigned female at birth. It creates safe spaces, provides emotional support, runs a helpline, offers subsidized counseling services, develops skill-building training and organizes workshops, meetings, film screenings and more. The charity also conducts and publishes research. The Chetana Resource Centre, which is an archive of publications, films, videos and other resources on sexuality and homosexuality, is the first center of its kind in Eastern India.
You can contact the organization through its website.
#3. Rainbow Railroad
Rainbow Railroad helps at-risk LGBTQ+ people fleeing persecution. The charity has helped over 13,000 individuals through emergency relocation, cash assistance, crisis response and other aid. While based in the USA and Canada, the charity helps people from places like the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, South and Central Asia, and the Caribbean. People can request help through the charity’s website. Rainbow Railroad also partners with government agencies and sponsorship groups to help refugees once they arrive in their new country.
To make a donation to Rainbow Railroad’s work, click here.
#4. Outright International
Outright International is a global nonprofit that advocates for the human rights of LGBTQ+ people. Its programs include LBQ Connect, a global feminist program focused on strengthening the work of lesbian, bisexual and queer activism, and the Global Trans Program, which supports global movement building through funding, research and advocacy. Outright also offers an Insights hub where anyone can search for articles, photo essays and commentaries by topic, country/region and keyword.
To support the work of Outright International, check out its donation page.
Individuals and institutions often discriminate against LGBTQ+ people based on gender. Check out our article here to learn more about gender discrimination.
#5. Stonewall
Stonewall is a UK charity that advocates for LGBTQ+ people. Since the organization’s founding in 1989, Stonewall has participated in every fight for LGBTQ+ rights such as the equal age of consent for gay and bisexual men, the right for same-sex couples to have civil partnerships and the legalization of same-sex marriage. Its programs include the Diversity Champions program, the Workplace Empowerment program, the School and College Champions program and the Children and Young People’s Services Champions program.
You can visit Stonewall’s donation portal to support the charity’s work.
#6. Out & Equal
Out & Equal is a nonprofit working on LGBTQ+ workplace equity, inclusion and belonging. Through its global programs, the organization works with HR and D&I professionals, executives and LGBTQ+ employee resource group leaders. Its programs focus on areas like leadership development, on-demand learning, engagement groups and global partnerships. Out & Equal also offers a resource hub with toolkits, guides and reports on LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.
To donate to Out & Equal’s mission, click here.
#7. Point Foundation
Point Foundation is the biggest LGBTQ+ scholarship-granting nonprofit. It provides financial support, leadership training, mentoring and community to college students attending US-accredited schools. It helped 575 students in the 2023-2024 academic year. Point Foundation offers three main scholarships: the Flagship Scholarship, the Community College Scholarship and the BIPOC scholarship. Students who receive a scholarship also get access to mentoring and leadership programs.
To learn more about donation options, check out Point Foundation’s website.
#8. The Ali Forney Center
The Ali Forney Center serves LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. According to its website, it’s the largest organization focused on homeless LGBTQ+ youth in the United States. It serves young people 16-24 years old with a 24-hour drop-in center, an emergency housing program, a job readiness and education program, health services and more. It operates mostly in the New York City area, including Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. Around 2,000 individuals are served every year. The center is named in honor of Ali Forney, a gender-nonconforming young person killed in 1997.
Donations can be made on the Ali Forney Center’s website.
#9. ILGA-Europe
ILGA-Europe is a global umbrella network of 700+ organizations from 54 European and Central Asian countries. As the coordinating body, ILGA-Europe helps organizations build their capacities and improve their services. Priorities include communications, community organizing, documentation and advocacy, management development, and security and well-being. ILGA-Europe also hosts the Rainbow Map & Index, a bench-marking tool that ranks 49 European countries on LGBTQ+ equality laws and policies.
You can donate to ILGA-Europe through its website.
#10. Galop
Galop is an LGBTQ+-led charity that helps LGBTQ+ people who’ve experienced abuse and violence. These individuals include victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crimes, forced marriage, conversion therapies, honor-based abuse and other interpersonal abuse. Galop runs four support lines and provides longer-term help through its advocacy and casework services. The charity also supports LGBTQ+ young people 13-25 years old with free, confidential and independent support. Because of its experience and expertise, Galop collects research on abuse patterns and survivor needs, which it relies on when working with local and national policymakers.
To donate to Galop, visit the charity’s website.
#11. MindOut
MindOut is a UK mental health charity for LGBTQ+ people. Its services include online support, advice and information, peer support groups, a peer mentoring project, counseling and more. All the charity’s volunteers, staff and board of trustees are LGBTQ+. While MindOut focuses on LGBTQ+ people, it also welcomes those who don’t identify with the label, such as straight people who are in relationships with LGBTQ+ people and those questioning their sexual or gender identity. You must be at least 18 to access MindOut’s services, which are available in Brighton and Hove. Online support is available around the world.
MindOut accepts donations through its website.
I grew up in a community that spread misinformation and hatred about LGBTQ+ people. As a young person struggling to understand my sexual identity, the information and support provided by charities like the ones in this article would have made my life a lot easier. If discrimination and hatred are affecting you or anyone in your life, please know you’re not alone. There are people and groups who want to help.
#12. The Human Dignity Trust
The Human Dignity Trust is a UK-based global charity using strategic litigation to protect LGBTQ+ rights. The charity’s team of lawyers, researchers, communication specialists and local activists work with a network of law firms, civil society organizations and others. The organization supports court cases on a variety of LGBTQ+ issues, such as decriminalizing consensual same-sex activity, ending discrimination, challenging abusive treatment of LGBTQ+ people and more.
One-time and monthly donations to the Human Dignity Trust can be made here.
#13. GiveOut
GiveOut is an international LGBTQ+ charity that provides grants to other LGBTQ+ organizations around the world. GiveOut identifies, consults and vets groups before distributing any donation money. In four years, GiveOut and its supporters have raised £1.2 million for 40+ LGBTQ+ organizations across six continents. Information on the charity’s grant partners can be found here. There are also thematic funds focused on issues like climate change, legal aid, women’s rights and emergencies.
You can support GiveOut’s grants by making a donation.
#14. Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association
Founded in 1998, the Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association is the oldest and largest LGBTQ+ association in Taiwan. It offers many services for the LGBTQ+ community, such as support groups for parents and relatives of LGBTQ+ kids; discussion groups for people considering whether to come out; lecture series on sexual health; gender education classes; support for the elder LGBTQ+ community and much more. The charity serves around 50,000 people every year.
To learn about your donation options, check out the Hotline’s website.
#15. African Queer Youth Initiative
The African Queer Youth Initiative is a network of young queer activists supporting the LGBTQ+ movement in Africa. The charity offers a handful of programs, including the Zimuzo Mentorship Program, which provides LGBTQ+ youth between 15-25 years old with professional mentorship, and the Learn to Grow Initiative, which supports young LGBTQ+ Africans with entrepreneurial skills and job readiness. The charity also curates Opportunity Point, which lists grants, internships, courses, jobs, fellowships and other opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth in Africa.
You can donate to the charity’s work through its donation portal.
To learn more about LGBTQ+ rights, check out our list of online courses.
