Words by Smiley Team
Ariana Grande has pledged $1.5m in donations to support transgender youth.
The 28-year-old said she’d match contributions made to 18 nonprofits who support trans people in the US.
Her “Protect and Defend Trans Youth Fund" was created to support organisations providing direct services and advocating for the rights of trans youth.
“All funds raised will be split evenly between benefiting organizations,” she wrote on Instagram. “I will be matching all funds raised up to $1,500,000.”
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Sharing where the money is going, Ariana listed nonprofits including: Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, Equality Florida, Gendernexus, House Of Tulip and Jasmyn, Transsocial, Zebra Coalition and Tennessee Equality Project. You can see all the organizations here.
Ariana’s pledge came after Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, signed the new bill called the Parental Rights in Education Bill which came in effect on Monday.
Dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” by opponents, the ruling makes it illegal for public school teachers in Florida to discuss sexual orientation or gender identity with students.
Ariana added on her Instagram post: “Right now there are hundreds of disgraceful bills pending in state legislature that target trans youth and aim to curb their rights.
“This will provide critical funds to organizations advocating for the rights of trans youth.”
Here are some of the organizations supporting trans youth across America.
Black Trans Advocacy Coalition: Established in 2011, The National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition is the only social justice organization led by black trans people to collectively address the inequities faced in the black transgender human experience. Support them now.
Gendernexus: GenderNexus brings transgender and nonbinary communities together across Indiana to foster a community that is healthy, informed, and empowered by increasing access to care in all seven dimensions of wellness. Support them now.
TransSOCIAL, Inc: This is a trans-led non-profit working to expand safe and affirming resources for the community. Support them now.
