Funding for LBQ+ Women in the Global South: Why It Matters Now

Deborah Iroegbu
Aug 6
3 min read

“The violence we faced wasn’t just physical, it was silence, invisibility, and abandonment. We became activists because we had no other choice.” — From Why We Became Activists, HRW x LesbianGlobal

Across the Global South, lesbian, bisexual, queer (LBQ+) women and nonbinary people are leading powerful grassroots movements, often without the recognition or resources they deserve. They are building communities and protecting each other.

And yet, funding for LBQ+ women in the Global South remains dangerously low.

This underfunding threatens not only their safety but also the survival of the very movements that are creating long-term, transformative change. It's time to pay attention. It’s time to act.

Where Is the Funding for LBQ+ Women in the Global South?

We asked this very question in our recent article: 👉 “Where Is the Funding for LBQ Women in the Global South?”

Here’s what we found:

Less than 1% of global philanthropic funding goes to LGBTQ+ causes.
Within that, only a small slice reaches LBQ-led organizations, especially those in the Global South.
Many funders fail to track LBQ-specific data, making these groups invisible on paper and in practice.

This funding gap isn’t just a financial issue. It’s a political one. It reflects those whose lives are considered worth investing in—and those whose are not.

A group of smiling people in a well-lit indoor setting, some holding drinks, wearing casual and colorful attire, creating a joyful mood. — *LBQ+ women in Santo Domingo enjoy a moment of queer joy as “pájaras” of Junte Pajaril.*

Junte Pajaril Shows Why Funding for LBQ+ Women in the Global South Matters

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.

“When someone asks me, ‘what are you?’ I don’t say ‘lesbian.’ I say ‘I’m a pájara,’” says Ferdelis Fabián. “It’s what resonates with my spirit, my heart, and my soul.”

Through community events, visibility rides, mental health workshops, and everyday connection, the pájaras are creating something rare: a space where belonging is the baseline.

Read the full story here →

Their joy is revolutionary. Their work is essential. Their funding? Still fragile.

A Rising Threat in El Salvador: How Funding LBQ+ Women in the Global South Has Helped

In countries like El Salvador, where authoritarianism is on the rise, LGBTQ+ activists face new challenges.

In May 2025, a Foreign Agents Law imposed a 30% tax on all foreign aid.

In response, AJWS, one of our key partners, front-loaded 85% of annual grant funding before the law took effect to ensure that LBQ+ grantees could continue their work uninterrupted.

This is what responsive, feminist funding looks like in action.

If you’re a donor, policymaker, or organization looking to support LBQ+ rights in a meaningful way, here’s how:

Prioritize Direct Funding for LBQ-Led Groups

Don’t just support LGBTQ+ initiatives; fund organizations led by LBQ+ women and nonbinary people.

Invest in Platforms for Visibility and Data

Support initiatives like our LesbianGlobal’s research repository, where lived experiences, funding proposals, and activist voices will be archived and amplified.