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Since September 13, Turkish authorities have raided LGBTQ+ association offices, bars, and homes across four cities—Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Mersin—in a coordinated operation the government named "My Family is Safe." The Turkey LGBTQ crackdown, as it's now being called by outlets covering it, has led prosecutors to investigate 162 people, nine associations, and 13 businesses. Kaos GL, one of Turkey's oldest LGBTQ+ rights organizations, says nearly 50 of its people are now

Last week I wrote about why economic empowerment for bisexual women can't wait for a hashtag. Economic independence for bisexual women in the Global South and East is not a slogan—it's a cooperative, a loan, a set of tax forms filed correctly for the first time, and a bisexual woman who no longer has to ask anyone's permission or beg to afford food. This is the part that is rarely talked about, and that is why LesbianGlobal works to elevate the lives of LBQ+ women, and we do

Bisexual Awareness Week will run from September 16 to 23, ending in a "Celebrate Bisexuality Day" on September 23. Most of what gets posted during it is about visibility: flags, hashtags, and coming-out stories. That matters. But bisexual women's economic empowerment barely gets mentioned, even though the little data that exists says it should be the headline, not a footnote. What the U.S. Data Shows about Economic Empowerment for Bisexual Women In the United States, where LG

What happens to the people who could help build a better future but never get the chance? That's the question behind our new video, "The LesbianGlobal Effect." For LBQ+ women social entrepreneurs across the Global South and East, the answer is many build anyway, without the financial resources to sustain them, leverage their work, and help support the proud potential of our global community. Watch the video here. For many lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, being excluded is

On August 10, 2026, we lost our Instagram account. No warning, no notice explaining what we'd done—just gone, after we'd spent months building a community of over 400 followers around one word: lesbian. We appealed. We submitted videos, documentation, and everything Instagram asked for to prove we weren't violating anything. The appeal was denied. The ban is permanent. As of today, the account is still down, and it's not coming back. Why Instagram Banned the Word "Lesbian" on

For LBQ+ women in the Global South, economic independence is often the difference between staying in a dangerous situation and having the power to leave it. When we talk about economic independence at LesbianGlobal, we are talking about survival, choice, and dignity. Amatse and Nina — Two lesbian women from Kenya. What Economic Independence Means for LBQ+ Women Economic independence means having the ability to earn, save, and make decisions about your own life without dependi

Economic empowerment is often discussed in reports and funding proposals. For many lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, however, it is much more practical. It is about having the ability to earn, decide, and live without depending on anyone for survival. Lesbian economic empowerment focuses on creating the conditions where LBQ+ women can gain skills, earn income, and make decisions about their lives with greater independence. The LesbianGlobal Economic Empowerment Fund was cre

On June 19th, 2026, UN Independent Expert Graeme Reid delivered a powerful message to the Human Rights Council: violence and discrimination against LBQ+ women cannot be separated from the denial of their economic autonomy. The report makes it clear: when LBQ+ women lack independent income, they remain trapped in cycles of forced marriage, family violence, and systemic exclusion. Economic dependence is not just poverty. It is a form of control. Across regions, the report highl

Visibility is a powerful catalyst for change, but visibility without resources often leaves our communities vulnerable. At LesbianGlobal, we believe deeply that economic power is safety, choice, and dignity. As we shared in our initial launch announcement, we partnered with Outright International to create the LesbianGlobal Economic Empowerment Fund. Our goal was clear: to move resources directly to LBQ+ women whose leadership is already transforming their communities. Today,

Economic power is safety. Economic power is choice. Economic power is dignity. The LesbianGlobal Economic Empowerment Fund at Outright International was created to move resources directly to LBQ+ women whose leadership is already transforming their communities—often under extreme risk and with little support. This fund is more than a single initiative. It is a model. Through our partnership with Outright International, an experienced and trusted global intermediary, we ensur

LBQ+ women around the world face deep, intersecting barriers—discrimination, exclusion, and economic marginalization. While visibility and legal rights are important, economic empowerment for LBQ+ women is the foundation of genuine safety, autonomy, and dignity. Without access to income, financial independence, or economic opportunity, many LBQ+ women remain trapped in cycles of vulnerability. This is why economic empowerment is not a side issue—it is the core of lasting chan

Across the Global South, economic inequality for LBQ+ women deepens every time conflict, displacement, or natural disaster strikes. These events do not impact everyone equally. For LBQ+ women, who already navigate layers of social, economic, and legal marginalization, disasters strip away their safety and the economic autonomy necessary for survival. Often, these women are invisible in humanitarian systems. They are abandoned by families and institutions alike and denied acc

Last week, LesbianGlobal was honored to join the Koppa Global LGBT+ Inclusive Finance Forum at Deutsche Bank’s New York headquarters , a milestone event that brought together more than 140 investors, policymakers, and financial leaders committed to building an inclusive economy. Represented by Naomi Fine and Kathy Levinson , LesbianGlobal joined a powerful conversation about the intersection of finance, equality, and visibility—and why economic empowerment must remain at th

A perfect storm of criminalization and defunding is dismantling support systems for LBQ+ women across the Global South—just when they need it most.

In Santo Domingo, a group of young queer women is reclaiming a slur and transforming it into a source of pride. Junte Pajaril, a collective supported by AJWS grantee La CEIBA, brings together LBQ+ women and migrants from across the Caribbean, Latin America, and the diaspora.

In a world constantly discussing gender equity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and human rights, one group continues to be left behind— LBQ+ women in...

In a landmark decision, the Trump administration has been ordered to restore $6.2 million in federal funding to nine LGBTQ+ and HIV-related nonprofits across the U.S., following a successful legal challenge led by Lambda Legal.

Hungary has taken another drastic step backward for LGBTQ+ rights. On March 18, the government passed a law that effectively bans Pride...

I was delighted to spend my birthday this year with good friends in Rome, Italy, as nearly 800 lesbians gathered for the ELC Conference...

From April 23 to 26, 2025, Rome became a powerful epicenter of lesbian solidarity and strategy. Nearly 800 lesbian activists from over 55...