Introducing the LGBTQ+ Humanist Organizer Fund
The strides humanists have made to protect and advance human rights in America have been remarkable – but the movement has much further to go to reach and serve the populations that need our support.
Although younger generations are being raised more secular and almost 40% of Gen Z consider themselves religiously unaffiliated, very few people under the age of 30 have heard of humanism, and even fewer are active members of humanist communities. This is a major problem for the future of the movement, and its ability to cultivate a more appealing culture and adapt to changing technological and social landscapes.
Gen Z has demonstrated incredible boldness and creativity when it comes to political advocacy and community service, as well as a strong determination to preserve fundamental human rights that are being threatened. Think back to March of 2018, when Gen Z survivors of the Parkland school shooting sparked a national movement demanding common-sense gun legislation, or to June of 2020, when then nineteen-year-old Nupol Kiazolu spoke at a Black Lives Matter Protest in New York City and let the U.S. government know that they’d “fucked with the last generation.” Gen Z has also shown an incredible willingness to get behind viral activism trends like boycotts, and to support fellow young activists like Greta Thunberg, Blair Imani, and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez.
Nearly a quarter of Gen Z identify as LGBTQ+ and are facing countless attacks and attempted erasure by the Trump administration and Christian Nationalists. The American Humanist Association (AHA) is committed to supporting the ongoing fight to protect LGBTQ+ rights, and we truly believe that Gen Z holds the key to effective activism in this day and age.
To close our generational gap and more fully act on our core commitments, the AHA is investing in ways to better show up for Gen Z, instead of expecting them to show up for us. We’re spending more of our resources to help young organizers overcome any obstacles that may be hindering the influence of their activism. We’re proud to announce that we are introducing a new initiative: the LGBTQ+ Humanist Organizer Fund. This grant opportunity is specifically for 18-30 year olds who are present within local LGBTQ+ communities. We’re looking to support young LGBTQ+ leaders because their visions will be powerful forces for forward momentum and community building if those visions can be realized.
The possibilities for projects that could be realized through the LGBTQ+ Humanist Organizer Fund are endless. Consider the AIDS Memorial Quilt, the largest community art project in history. It doesn’t take much funding to get an idea like that off the ground, but its impact has been immeasurable. This community quilt is a perfect example of the kind of project we are thrilled to fund–something simple, creative, and community-focused. Some other initiatives that have been impactful using relatively little funding include letter writing campaigns either to support LGBTQ+ teens or lobby for policy changes, creating care packages containing gender-affirming items, or simply hosting something like a bake sale to raise money for a relevant charity.
Everyone approaches advocacy and community service from their own unique perspective, developing projects and solutions that others might never conceive. In a world where the advocacy and passion of individuals is often co-opted by corporations who want to accomplish capitalistic agendas, the AHA is investing directly in individuals and their ideas.
We are offering grant awards of up to $1000 with additional funding for projects done in collaboration with existing local LGBTQ+ organizations. Partnering with local orgs that already have local knowledge and accumulated resources will allow projects to be more inclusive, impactful, and suited to the unique needs of their communities. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, so if you’re reading this, you’re still able to apply!
Start the LGBTQ+ Humanist Organizer Grant application now.
If we put active effort into making space for more of Gen Z to join the humanist movement, we have the capacity to inspire a transformative version of humanism that is at its most creative, inclusive, and determined. This transformation is absolutely necessary for humanism to be a part of the ongoing forward momentum towards social justice. LGBTQ+ organizers are influential parts of this transformation, and integral members of the AHA community. We can’t wait to hear about your ideas and help you make them a reality.