John,

I want to make sure you saw Mayor Parker’s message from yesterday. And as the Executive Director of Victory Institute, I want to assure you: this is not hyperbole, it is not a drill. We are facing a massive spending freeze, and to continue running essential programs, we need a massive boost in support. Will you make a donation today to the Defend Global Progress Fund to ensure our programming around the globe can continue?

I wish I was bringing you better news, and there is some to share. When we learned the Trump Administration will immediately suspend our funding, my team and I went into overdrive. We have been working around the clock to challenge the executive order, redirect programming, restructure our budget, secure new funding sources, communicate with our global partners, and sound the alarm about the ramifications for LGBTQ+ leaders we serve worldwide. Most importantly, we have pivoted and built a new global strategy we can implement with immediate financial support from our community.

But this moment is a test: of our commitment to equality and our ties to each other. We will not let those who would smear and demoralize our community tear us apart. So, I’m asking – will you donate today to our Defend Global Progress Fund and ensure we can keep fighting?

Not only do these deep cuts endanger our rights to work for global LGBTQ+ representation, but they also affect the stability and efficacy of organizations across the country working to support our fellow Americans. Make no mistake: division and disorder are the point. But we cannot be divided, and we will not be distracted.

The reality is that we must support and rely on one another, and we must work to ensure our critical programming can remain. We’re at the beginning of a very long road, but we are marching together. With your support, we can keep fighting. Make a donation here.

Thank you,

Elliot Imse
Pronouns: he|him|his
Executive Director, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute