The U.S. Agency for International Development is partnering with Olivia (a travel company for lesbians), Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, the Victory Institute, the Williams Institute and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency on USAID's LGBT Global Development Partnership.
The LGBT Global Development Partnership is a response to President Obama's initiative that the U.S. government further global LGBT human rights. This partnership, totaling $11 million, is the largest global initiative to enhance LGBT equality. It will work to strengthen international LGBT human rights advocacy organizations, to increase participation by LGBT individuals in democratic political processes and to undertake research on the economic impact of discrimination against LGBT persons.
"The LGBT Global Development Partnership has the potential to be a real game-changer in the advancement of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in developing countries," said Claire Lucas, Senior Advisor for Public-Private Partnerships in the Office of Innovation and Development Alliances at USAID. "We look forward to working together with our partners to achieve significant advances in LGBT equality."
Judy Dlugacz, Olivia's founder and president, said, "We are thrilled to be a part of this historic partnership with the U.S. government and the four other founding partners, and to once again reinforce our 40-year commitment to the LGBT movement. Olivia always strives to give back to the community, whether through our Olivia Gives International program, or donations to causes that support LGBT equality. We thank USAID for creating this groundbreaking initiative that will impact LGBT people throughout the world."
The celebration event for the historic United States Agency for International Development (USAID) LGBT Global Development Partnership will take place on April 8, 2013 in Washington D.C. There will be two briefings, followed by a reception.
