Stonewall, the charity focused on advancing LGBTQ+ rights behind the global Some People Are Gay. Get Over It! campaign [pictured], faces a potential workforce reduction of up to 50% after the United States government, under Trump, discontinued its foreign aid support. This decision, communicated to the charity's 114 employees during a recent Teams call led by Chief Executive Simon Blake, has left staff members stunned, reports The Times.

The aid in question was provided through the Global Equality Fund (GEF), administered by the US state department, which had allocated more than £500,000 to Stonewall over the past three years. This financial support was crucial for the charity's international efforts to bolster LGBTQ+ rights, particularly in regions like Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, where it has engaged with local communities and law enforcement to tackle anti-LGBTQ+ violence, providing vital services to victims.

A spokesperson for Stonewall expressed concern over the repercussions of the funding cuts: "Many will be rightly fearful of the impact the US Government's decision to suspend foreign aid will have, including for programmes supporting LGBTQ+ communities around the world." They emphasised the importance of continuous support amid a declining landscape for LGBTQ+ rights globally.

As financial pressure mounts on Stonewall, the organisation has reported a significant deficit of over £800,000, with its overall income falling from £7.7 million to £6.9 million. This decline in revenue is compounded by an increase in reliance on taxpayer funding, which has raised eyebrows among critics. John O'Connell, Chief Executive of the right-wing TaxPayers' Alliance, voiced his concerns, saying taxpayers would be "shocked that the state is effectively paying to prop up a charity that has gone increasingly rogue in its agenda."

Stonewall's financial struggles coincide with broader critiques surrounding its approach to LGBTQ+ rights, particularly regarding its stance on trans rights, which has sparked division among supporters and opponents alike. The charity sustained a decline in the number of schools participating in its educational programmes, with only 200 institutions currently enrolled, down from over 300 in the previous year.

Founded in 1989, Stonewall emerged as a leading advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, significantly contributing to landmark legislation such as the Civil Partnership Act of 2004 and the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2014. However, since expanding its mission to include trans rights, Stonewall has encountered backlash and scrutiny, leading some to question its direction and financial sustainability.

Source: Noah Wire Services