Stonewall USAID funding cut

Major Budget Reductions Threaten Stonewall’s Operations

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has halted more than $600,000 in financial aid to Stonewall, a leading LGBT advocacy organization in the U.K. Additionally, a $40,000 grant previously allocated for “gender identity seminars” in Scotland has also been withdrawn, according to The Times of London.

Over the past three years, Stonewall received over £500,000 (approximately $629,000) from the U.S. government’s Global Equality Fund (GEF). With this crucial funding source now removed, the organization is facing significant financial difficulties and may be forced to cut up to half of its workforce.

Stonewall Prepares for Restructuring Amid Financial Constraints

During an internal virtual meeting, Stonewall’s chief executive, Simon Blake, informed employees that the organization would need to undergo major restructuring. He stressed that only positions with secured funding would be retained.

Much of Stonewall’s international advocacy work, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, has been reliant on U.S. taxpayer contributions. The organization has worked with local LGBT groups and law enforcement in these regions to support equality initiatives.

The GEF, which funds various global LGBT programs, has not publicly disclosed financial records since 2015. However, Stonewall’s reports indicate an increasing reliance on this funding, with grants rising from $173,000 in 2021-22 to $257,200 in 2022-23, reaching $294,000 in the most recent financial period.

Blake had previously emphasized the importance of these grants in addressing “anti-LGBTQ+ violence.” In response to the funding cuts, he assured that Stonewall is actively seeking alternative financial support to minimize the impact. The organization’s latest financial statements reveal that its deficit has more than doubled in the past year, increasing from $550,000 to $1.1 million.

Decline in Support for Stonewall’s Diversity Initiatives

In addition to funding losses, Stonewall has seen reduced participation in its Diversity Champions program, which promotes workplace inclusivity. Several major U.K. government departments have withdrawn from the initiative, adding to the organization’s financial difficulties.

Despite increased individual donations and fundraising efforts, the withdrawal of U.S. support presents a significant challenge to Stonewall’s ongoing programs.

Cancellation of Scottish Gender Identity Seminar Grant

Alongside the cuts affecting Stonewall, USAID also revoked a $40,000 grant that had been allocated to the Edinburgh International Book Festival for gender identity seminars. The funding was originally intended to support discussions on gender topics within the literary space. However, critics questioned why U.S. humanitarian aid was being directed toward cultural programs rather than traditional relief efforts.

An op-ed in The Times of London highlighted that the Scottish government continues to allocate millions of pounds toward LGBT and gender-focused initiatives through various agencies and community groups. The piece also raised concerns about possible overlap between U.S. funding and local grants.

Debate Over USAID’s Funding Priorities

The decision to withdraw financial support has reignited debates over USAID’s budget allocations. Critics have questioned the agency’s emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, arguing that foreign aid should prioritize traditional humanitarian relief.

A Christian Today op-ed by David Robertson accused the U.S. of engaging in “cultural imperialism” through its foreign aid policies, suggesting that taxpayer money has been directed toward ideological projects rather than essential relief efforts. Robertson also pointed to other controversial USAID expenditures, including $2 million for COVID-19 research in Wuhan, China, and $20 million allocated for journalists investigating Rudy Giuliani.

He further cited grants such as $1.5 million for workplace diversity programs in Serbia, funding for a transgender opera in Colombia, and financial support for a transgender comic book in Peru as examples of questionable spending.

The recent funding withdrawals suggest a possible shift in USAID’s foreign aid strategy, prompting discussions about the agency’s future role in global advocacy programs.