Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice

Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice is a non-profit organization founded in 1977 by a group of lesbian activists, including Rita Mae Brown, Phyllis Lyon, and Del Martin, with the goal of promoting LGBTQ+ rights and social justice for lesbian and queer women. The organization is headquartered in New York City, New York, and has been a leading voice in the LGBTQ+ movement, working closely with other organizations such as the National Center for Lesbian Rights, GLAAD, and the Human Rights Campaign. Astraea has also collaborated with international organizations like the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association and the United Nations Development Programme to advance LGBTQ+ rights globally, particularly in countries like South Africa, India, and Brazil. The organization has been supported by notable figures like Melissa Etheridge, k.d. lang, and Martina Navratilova.

● History

The organization was established in 1977, a time of great social change and activism, with the Stonewall riots and the Women's liberation movement serving as catalysts for the LGBTQ+ movement. Astraea's early work focused on providing grants to lesbian-led organizations and projects, with support from donors like Gloria Steinem and Jane Fonda. Over the years, the organization has expanded its scope to include a broader range of programs and initiatives, working with organizations like the National Organization for Women, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the NAACP. Astraea has also been involved in various high-profile campaigns, including the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation and the Millennium March on Washington. The organization has received funding from foundations like the Ford Foundation, the Arcus Foundation, and the Gill Foundation, and has partnered with other organizations like the Tides Foundation and the Proteus Fund.

● Mission_and_Objectives

Astraea's mission is to advance LGBTQ+ rights and social justice for lesbian and queer women, with a focus on supporting LGBTQ+ communities of color and LGBTQ+ communities in the Global South. The organization's objectives include providing grants and funding to LGBTQ+ organizations and projects, as well as advocating for policy changes and legislation that benefit the LGBTQ+ community, such as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the Equality Act. Astraea also works to build the capacity and leadership of LGBTQ+ organizations and individuals, through programs like the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice's Leadership Development Program and the National LGBTQ Task Force's Creating Change Conference. The organization has collaborated with other groups like the National Black Justice Coalition, the National Center for Transgender Equality, and the Transgender Law Center to advance the rights of LGBTQ+ people of color and transgender individuals.

● Programs_and_Initiatives

Astraea's programs and initiatives include the CommsLabs program, which provides communications training and support to LGBTQ+ organizations, and the Intersex Human Rights Fund, which supports the work of intersex activists and organizations, such as the Organisation Intersex International and the Intersex Society of North America. The organization also has a number of regional programs, including the Africa Program, the Asia Program, and the Latin America Program, which work to support LGBTQ+ organizations and activists in these regions, including countries like Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa. Astraea has also launched initiatives like the Feminist Activist Program and the Global LGBTQI Human Rights Program, which focus on supporting feminist and LGBTQ+ activism globally, particularly in countries like Russia, China, and Iran. The organization has partnered with other groups like the Global Fund for Women, the International Women's Health Coalition, and the Women's Refugee Commission to advance the rights of women and LGBTQ+ people worldwide.

● Grants_and_Funding

Astraea provides grants and funding to LGBTQ+ organizations and projects, with a focus on supporting LGBTQ+ communities of color and LGBTQ+ communities in the Global South. The organization's grants program includes the General Support Grant and the Project Support Grant, which provide funding for LGBTQ+ organizations and projects, as well as the Emergency Fund, which provides rapid response funding for LGBTQ+ organizations and activists facing crisis or persecution, such as those in Chechnya and Brunei. Astraea has also established a number of donor-advised funds, including the Astraea Donor-Advised Fund and the LGBTQ Racial Justice Fund, which allow donors to support specific LGBTQ+ organizations and projects, such as the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance and the Trans Justice Funding Project. The organization has received funding from foundations like the Open Society Foundations, the Oak Foundation, and the Sigrid Rausing Trust, and has partnered with other organizations like the Fondation pour l'Egalite and the Stonewall Community Foundation.

● Impact_and_Achievements

Astraea has had a significant impact on the LGBTQ+ movement, providing critical funding and support to LGBTQ+ organizations and activists around the world, including countries like Australia, Canada, and Germany. The organization's grants program has supported a wide range of projects and initiatives, from LGBTQ+ community centers and LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations to LGBTQ+ arts and culture programs and LGBTQ+ health and wellness initiatives, such as the Trevor Project and the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. Astraea has also played a key role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights and social justice globally, working with organizations like the United Nations and the European Union to promote LGBTQ+ rights and challenge discriminatory laws and policies, such as Section 377 in India and the Anti-Homosexuality Act in Uganda. The organization has received numerous awards and recognition for its work, including the National LGBTQ Task Force's Leadership Award and the Human Rights Campaign's Equality Award, and has been supported by notable figures like Lady Gaga, Elton John, and George Takei.