On International Human Rights Day, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation reaffirms a simple yet powerful truth: every person, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, is entitled to live with freedom, equality, and dignity.

Together, we build a future where these rights are not ideals but realities for all. Each year, we commemorate the day that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. This was a landmark document that outlined a range of fundamental rights and freedoms. We use this day to celebrate the work of human rights leaders around the world fighting to make this vision of dignity and freedom a reality for all. Across the globe, LGBTQ+ individuals still face alarming human rights violations—violence, discrimination, and barriers to essential services. Today, we proudly spotlight the courageous leaders of the HRC Global Alumni Network who are on the frontlines, fighting relentlessly for equality and justice.

The more than 230 human rights defenders in the HRC Global Alumni Network fight for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in over 100 countries around the world.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is excited to announce 18 grants to LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations around the globe. HRC Global is proud to have supported bold, innovative initiatives this year that are making a tangible difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ people everywhere. From fostering political engagement and driving legal reform to supporting leadership programs for trans and intersex advocates, our focus has been on empowering those at the forefront of change. By centering multiple marginalized voices and engaging institutions like businesses and faith communities, we’ve laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable future—where equality is a lived reality, not a distant goal.

Every day, the advocates within our network fight for the rights of the most marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ community. As part of our ongoing commitment to the HRC Global Alumni Network, the HRC Global Program awards grants of up to $5,000 annually through our Global Small Grants Program to support the world’s leading LGBTQ+ organizations.

The HRC Global Small Grants program is once again made possible with generous support from ADM and we are grateful for their continued partnership.

At HRC Global, we are thrilled to celebrate the transformative work of our alumni network—leaders who are driving progress and creating meaningful change across the globe. Through their passion and dedication, they are amplifying voices, challenging systems, and bringing the fight for equality to their home countries.

At HRC Global, we are proud to stand with our alumni as they create the world we all dream of—a world where every voice is heard and every person is valued.

Learn more about the grant recipients, their organizations, and their impactful projects:

Alina Kolosova (She/Her)

LighT, Central Asia

“I am grateful to HRC for supporting the under-appreciated and less visible region of Central Asia. Advancing and developing the trans movement in every corner of the world is important to protect human rights and ensure a better quality of life.”

Gabriela Zavaleta Vera (She/Her)

Más Igualdad Perú, Peru

"This grant will help us support upcoming LGBTIQ+ organizations, especially those located in the different regions of Peru and composed of young advocates, to have safe training spaces in order to develop the necessary skills so that they can strengthen their capabilities in advocacy work, project formulation, financing strategies, and self-care and mental health care in LGBTIQ+ organizations."

Kristian Ranđelović (He/Him)

XY Spectrum, Serbia

"HRC has once again made a great step recognizing intersex topics - Intersex Rights in UN mechanisms.”

Lawrence Phiri Chipili (He/Him)

Lesbian Intersex Trans and other Extensions (LITE), Malawi

"Receiving this grant is a vital catalyst for my work, enabling me to amplify the voices of trans and gender diverse communities and advance human rights initiatives that drive meaningful change."

Lilit Martirosyan (She/Her)

Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO, Armenia

"Receiving this grant empowers our organization to continue advocating for trans rights and creating a safer, more inclusive environment for our community."

Manisha Dhakal (She/Her)

Blue Diamond Society, Nepal

"Nepal is considered a progressive country for LGBTIQ+ rights. We observed that federal & local governments have started to allocate budgets for LGBTIQ+ organizations. We need to guide and support local community organizations by providing clear ideas and guidance to access local and domestic resources. This support from HRC will help our local CBOs and activists to build their capacity in accessing local domestic funding."

Nastassia Rambarran (She/Her)

Barbados LGBTQ+ Coalition, Barbados

"This small grant will be tremendously helpful in getting vital advocacy work for the Coalition initiated."

Pedro Gutiérrez (He/They)

Sin Etiquetas +593, Ecuador

“This HRC grant will enable Sin Etiquetas to conduct essential exploratory legal research on the underreporting and lack of analysis of judicial data concerning LGBTIQ+ individuals who are victims of hate crimes, discrimination, and torture in Ecuador.”

Reagan Sekidde (They/Them)

Icebreakers Uganda, Uganda

"Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has ignited our quest to Reimagine Gender Affirming Care and Transgender Human Rights in our country. Even when under oppression, with this fund; we shall contextualize our needs, enable access to care, remobilize allies, and promote our right as human enough amidst adversity. Our resolve remains unwavering, transgender lives matter, dignity is universal, and love conquers hate. We rise and resist being subdued. We shall not stop until our chains are completely broken”

Rosanna Flamer-Caldera (She/Her)

Equal Ground, Sri Lanka

"We are beyond excited to receive the HRC grant! This incredible support energizes our mission to drive bold, transformative change, ensuring the most vulnerable in our communities are not only included but empowered. Together, we’re building a future where everyone truly belongs!”

Sean Sih-Cheng Du (He/Him)

Taiwan Tongzhi (LGBTQ+) Hotline Association, Taiwan

“We are very honored to receive the 2024/2025 Global Small Grant Program from HRC. With the support of HRC's grant and experiences in workplace equality, Taiwan Tongzhi (LGBTQ+) Hotline Association and Taiwan Equality Campaign can continue promoting the Taiwan LGBTIQ+ Workplace Equality Index, making workplaces in Taiwan more diverse and inclusive.”

Shone Adjei (They/Them)

Key Watch Ghana / Intersex Movement Ghana, Ghana

“Receiving the HRC grant contributes to the successes of the Intersex Movement in Ghana, ensuring an end to non-consensual surgeries and treatments that mutilate persons born with intersex sex characteristics in Ghana. The awareness creation for traditional birth attendance which this grant will be supporting will ensure that infanticide of fetuses and infants born intersex is demystified and stopped in Ghana. We will together end stigma and discrimination against intersex persons in Ghana and beyond."