COVID-19 Highlights Problems with LGBTQ Fundraising

The health emergency brought on by COVID-19 is presenting a financial emergency for national and international LGBTQ fundraising operations. Four immediate areas of concern are clear: Pride, LGBTQ galas, dance parties, and bars.

The model for LGBTQ fundraising is based on corporate sponsorships and social status. Corporate sponsorship fund many of our events creating a reliance on a neoliberal market model for support. When corporations are doing well and their stocks are going up, LGBTQ causes receive funds. But if there are rocky times, then sponsorships are likely to dry up.

In addition, the price tag for access to these events confers social status to certain individuals and groups. Major donor packages, VIP packages and high prices restrict who has access to dinners, galas, and awards events. This creates a dichotomy between those LGBTQ people with money and those with less. Both of these issues present a foundational problem with the structure of fundraising in the LGBTQ community. First is the 30 year model of elites funding the gay mainstream movement. And the second is the way corporations fund the gay mainstream movement.

To be clear, my argument is not that private business cannot do good work or help LGBTQ causes. My point is that we need to be aware of how these funds shape the community.