A $20m global initiative that aims to end violence and discrimination against transgender people has been announced. The Arcus Foundation, based across New York and Cambridge in the UK, will be giving $15 million over the next five years to transgender activists and organisations. Partnering organisations will contribute the remaining $5 million. Arches is a global foundation, founded in 2000, that is dedicated to the idea that people can live in harmony with one another and the natural world. They are working in conjunction with the Novo Foundation, one of the world’s largest private foundations supporting efforts focused explicitly on girls and women. Arcus Foundation Chief Executive Director Kevin Jennings says: “The Global Trans Initiative is a coordinated response to the alarming and pervasive range of disparities found within transgender communities. “Together with our partners, we are committed to delivering increased and necessary resources to those in the field working tirelessly to end the violence and discrimination facing transgender people around the world.” Born out of discussions over a two-year period with frontline transgender activists, the initiative aims to increase awareness and understanding of the diversity, complexity, and intrinsic worth of transgender people, leading to acceptance and support among public and social institutions. It also aims to grow the number of pathways to economic opportunity and security for transgender people, ensuring their full legal and social equity, well-being, and safety. As well as deepening the understanding of transgender-specific disparities in philanthropy and increase the number of funders integrating gender identity issues in their funding priorities. The initiative will largely focus on trans women of colour in the US and trans communities in the Global South, those who Arcus say are most affected by violence and discrimination.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 10th December 2015 - 6:54pm