Funding Change and Strengthening Communities Around the World summer 2007 issue 4 AstraeathreadsLESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE

Special Report: Astraea’s 2nd Giving and Activism Retreat

In This Issue

3 Astraea Hosts Giving & Activism Retreat

9 Grants Announcements

11 New Faces! Astraea FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE 2 Astraea LESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE 3

letter from the executive director

This past winter I attended two Elmo-themed birthday parties within weeks of one another. (Elmo is the beloved red, furry character featured on the children’s television show, Sesame Street.) So, Astraea’s 2nd giving and activism retreat: there I was wearing an Elmo hat with Ella in Chicago, and eating Elmo cake with Julia in Brooklyn. funding change and strengthening communities around the world Both one-year-olds are radiant, hilarious and increasingly willful little people. They love the slide, their books and their moms — all four of whom work in the social change field. Blessed and privileged, they are each surrounded by a loving community of family and friends.

As we sang and made birthday wishes, I thought not just of Ella and Julia’s future, but of our It was the opening of Astraea’s overwhelmingly successful Giving & Activism Retreat, and collective future. I envisioned the kind of world that we as progressive people are working toward. eighty-five people from around the world were engrossed in conversation. They sat knee to And as often happens during moments of joy and gratitude, I was reminded of why I — and all of us — do this work. knee, shoulder to shoulder. For four dynamic days in November, activists and donors shared

The parties came on the heels of another — very different — event which also celebrated commu- stories, strategies and transformative moments. Many of them met as strangers, but by the nity and looked toward the future. At Astraea’s 2nd Giving and Activism Retreat, we not only time they returned to homes in Zimbabwe, China, Chicago and New Mexico, they had become envisioned a better world, but laid the groundwork to create one. friends and allies. For four electric days, activists from around the world shared stories of how their work, supported by Astraea, is changing the landscape for queer people. Conceived and hosted by Astraea, the Spirited dialogue filled the day sessions, Retreat was the second in a series for and celebration and culture filled the We were introduced to the groundbreaking success of the lala (loosely translated: lesbian) women and trans people committed to evenings. The Dallas Women’s community in China and the travesti (trans) community in Buenos Aires; and were inspired by supporting global LGBTI social justice Foundation co-sponsored a special Katherine with Ella (top) and Julia activists working to keep public space safe and accessible to queer and LGBTI organizations. This year’s theme of global opening reception with Astraea; and youth. There was a provocative analysis of the religious right in the United States, and strategies activism mirrors Astraea’s grantmaking there was a surprise recognition of for progressive organizing moving forward. And riveting accounts were given of brave LGBTI focus — just this year, grants totaled colleague, friend and founding donor activism in Zimbabwe, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Texas. $1.3 million to 168 organizations in 93 of Astraea’s International Fund which cities and 42 countries. As the world’s was celebrating its tenth anniversary. I had the opportunity to speak on behalf of Astraea’s Philanthropy of Inclusion practices — our only lesbian-led, feminist foundation Participants enjoyed an array of film FRONT COVER: belief that everyone, regardless of income or giving amounts, can participate in philanthropy. And focused on both U.S. and international screenings by Astraea grantees, and Counterclockwise from top left: I was delighted to sit alongside several women’s foundation colleagues who delved into strategies LGBTI human rights, the Retreat series a powerful performance from poet Alex Lee, Transgender, Gender Variant is an organic component of Astraea’s Sharon Bridgforth. So moved were designed to expand the pool of funding for women and the LGBTI community. and Intersex (TGI) Justice Project, San mission. participants by the Retreat that they Francisco, CA, USA; WANG Ping, organized a surprise tribute (see page Gender/Sexuality Rights Association Speaker after speaker underscored the reality that the future is not just about the LGBTI or “At the Retreat, rather than seeing progressive movement. Nor is it about a single set of issues, whether gender justice or racial equal- “We wanted to give donors and activists obstruction in difference, we 8) to Astraea, speaking from the heart of Taiwan, Taipei; Brenda Funches, Astraea the opportunity to connect in a unique rejoiced in our mutual inspirations and publicly pledging to support Board Chair, Santa Fe, NM, USA; Katrina ity. Our work, if we are to survive, must incorporate all issues, all communities and all movements. and visceral way,” said Katherine Acey, and encouragements.” CHEN Astraea — for some, indefinitely. Franklin and Felicia Miller, Donors, Dallas, Astraea’s Executive Director. “And by all Yurong, Gender/Sexuality Rights TX, USA; Zawadi Nyong’o, Urgent Action Some might say it’s an overused term, but I use it quite deliberately here: it’s about the intersections. Association of Taiwan Fund, Nairobi, Kenya; shash yázhí, Astraea It’s about the individual threads of our world connecting and supporting one another. It’s about Board, Oakland, CA, USA; Alice Y. Hom, people and everyday lived experiences. It’s why we titled Astraea’s newsletter — which includes a Astraea Board, Los Angeles, CA, USA feature on the Retreat — threads. accounts, we succeeded. People left Dallas infused with new ideas and ener- For me, the birthdays and the Retreat are closely linked. They remind me that amidst the daily gy, feeling invigorated and inspired. struggle for a better world, there has to be community and joy. And celebration is an important They also came away with the critical part of our work, too. It doesn’t diminish the daily grappling with the small and large issues. It just understanding that philanthropy is not a sweetens the process. goal, but rather a tool of social justice — something they can participate in fully.”

In peace, With plenaries (see pages 4-7) and workshops ranging from Countering the Right: Mobilizing Our Communities “No one else is doing the work that to Socially Responsible Giving, partici- Astraea does in the way that it does Katherine T. Acey pants explored that powerful tool by it: directing financial resources sharing personal and collective giving where they are needed most and “The Retreat challenged me to where they will be used to affect reconsider myself as a philanthro- practices, and examining the state of real change in queer people’s pist, to see philanthropy as a form LGBTI activism worldwide. lives.” Kris Hermanns, Donor Retreat photos: Jennifer Einhorn of activism.” Tucker Farley, Donor Astraea LESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE 4 Astraea LESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE 5

countering the right: mobilizing our communities

PLENARY 1 PLENARY Jean Hardisty and Alejandra Sardá “Do your homework,” she urged. “If we don’t Alejandra Sardá, Coordinator of Mulabi factories and transforming them into suc- everybody in this room is part of that, but opened the Retreat with a provocative understand why there is a resurgence of — Latin American Space for Sexualities cessful cooperatives; and citizens, without we don’t hear you enough…Be more analysis of how to mobilize our communities the right wing in this country, and we don’t and Rights, in Buenos Aires, Argentina becoming a formal part of government, vocal. Keep resisting.” and counter tactics launched by the have a complex analysis of that resurgence, noted the insidious and prominent role participating in municipal decision making. religious and political right. A well we will fight with simplistic slogans and fear plays in the Argentinean religious and funded and highly organized machine, the apply pressure in the wrong places.” political right. “Fear,” she warned, “immo- Sardá also imparted a message of hope, right’s success at framing and shaping bilizes us. And unless we overcome that, solidarity and resistance to progressives national and international policy contin- She also counseled against caricaturing the we will always be at a disadvantage.” living in the United States. “Having grown ues to consume valuable time and right using demonizing language — a tactic up under a dictatorship,” she said, “I know resources from the LGBTI community. often used against the LGBTI community, Jean Hardisty, Author & Commentator Slowly but surely, many citizens are bravely how it is to live in a country where your and one which ultimately precludes all pos- transcending that very real fear. Sardá spoke civil liberties are restricted, where your Jean Hardisty, founder of Political Research sibility of dialogue. “The right are not une- Hardisty advised activists to resist com- of women marching in the streets and government is torturing people and killing Associates, in Boston, Massachusetts, ducated rednecks and fools,” Hardisty reit- promising in order to make political head- demanding safe and legal access to abortion; people, and there is nothing you can do. has studied the religious and political right erated. “They are middleclass believers way. “Racism, torture, the distribution of this, despite the certainty that their President, The best thing you can do for yourselves in the United States for thirty years. She wealth, religious intolerance, victimization and if you want to make a contribution to who often feel they are looked down upon fearing reprisals from the powerful Church, “To me, power is the ability to shared a four prong strategy designed to and shut out in society. And we share of those who are marginalized — we know is set to block any such legislation. She the world at large, is to work locally to con- keep activists educated and buoyant dur- transform oneself and to transform many of their concerns about materialism, where we stand on these issues,” she shared stories of citizens accessing power front your government. It is very hard on the world we all live in.” Alejandra ing a time she described as the worst consumerism, TV culture and violence.” declared. “There is no room for compro- in new ways: workers occupying vacated the outside of the U.S. to hear the resist- Sardá, Mulabi – Latin American political climate since the Vietnam War. mise here.” ance, to see the resistance. I know that Space for Sexualities and Rights spanning the globe

This panel featured six activists whose HAIFA, ISRAEL Amidst a climate of vio- discrimination that Palestinian gay women HARARE, ZIMBABWE In 1995, Zimbabwe’s the Coalition of African . A body work and commitment to LGBTI justice lence, homophobia and occupation, many face on a daily basis. “Our power,” their rep- president declared that, “Gays and lesbians that today represents organizations from have transformed the way that people members of Aswat — Palestinian Gay resentative declared, “is not in choosing are worse than dogs and pigs and don’t twelve countries, the Coalition works to PLENARY 2 PLENARY live in their communities and regions. Women consider the organization a life- one identity over another, but insisting that deserve any human rights.” In the years increase lesbian and bisexual women’s vis- Each shared political conditions and key line. Begun in 2002 as an online discussion there is a way to create space for all.” that followed, freedom of assembly and ibility throughout the African continent. trends that inform their work, and high- board, Aswat (“voices” in Arabic) has since freedom of the press were harshly cur- In BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA, traves- lighted pivotal success stories and launched a state-of-the-art website, an tailed, forcing most progressive organizing SARAJEVO, BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA tis (loosely: trans people) suffer from wide- strategies. The following is a mere array of support groups and several educa- underground. Instead of succumbing to In 2006, Sarajevo streets were bursting spread harassment and oppression. Cut off glimpse of the session, which provided tional projects. They work strategically, fear and pressure to disband, Gays and with colorful rainbow ribbons. Made from from conventional family, some 80% work an in-depth and detailed account of networking with other organizations in the Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) grew their swaths of t-shirts and sheets, the ribbons as sex workers. In 2001, after learning that global activism. region to discard a mantle of invisibility and mission and membership, attracting more were the vehicle for Arts for Rights — a a program created as a result of a national combat the prevalent and multi-layered young, black, working-class activists — and monthly event sponsored by the LGBTI TAIPEI, TAIWAN WANG Ping, Secretary food shortage was available only to those Svetlana Durkovic, Organization Q creating a new Gender Department. Under group, Organization Q. In a region still General of Gender/Sexuality Rights with children, Lohana Berkins took action. and tear down walls.” San Antonio, she the leadership of Fadzai Muparutsa, the scarred by the ravages of war, Organization Association of Taiwan (G/SRAT) knows a Founder and director of ALITT (Asociación explained, is home to Clear Channel, NAFTA’s department’s Program Manager, the mem- Q champions the rights of all. It was the good news story when she sees it. So, last Lucha por la Identidad Travesti y North American Development Bank and bership of lesbians has rapidly increased. In first LGBTI group in the region to actively year when the mayor refused an invitation Transexual), she and 100 activists suc- five miltary bases. Seventy percent people order to further counter the government- incorporate trans and intersex issues into to attend a rainbow flag-raising ceremony, cessfully challenged the unjust city policy. of color, the city boasts the highest number espoused notion that lesbians do not exist its work. Executive Director Svetlana G/SRAT alerted the media to his pattern of “This is our family,” they said. “We live 20 of gated communities per capita. “Our in African cultures, GALZ helped launch Durkovic reported that while homosexuality hypocritical behavior toward the tongzhi or 30 of us together, and we need food.” organizing,” she continued, “must address is decriminalized in most of Eastern (LGBT) community. While publicly professing The new policy provided access to not only multiple issues, for multiple systems and Europe, LGBTI activists still face continual support for tongzhi, he would rescind it the travesti community, but to all kinship conditions divide us.” Organizing around “social discrimination, social exclusion, amidst any hint of controversy. Taiwan groups in Buenos Aires — a small but criti- the Texas constitutional marriage amend- invisibility, violence, nationalism, racism remains beleaguered by the prevalent belief cal step recognizing all families. ment in 2005, the Esperanza convened and fascism.” Organization Q is working to that tongzhi are a family shame. G/SRAT Alejandra Sardá spoke on behalf of * over 100 diverse, progressive activists and change that. After posting the rainbow rib- works to dismantle discrimination resulting Lohana Berkins, who was unable to attend. formed roaming think tanks. They didn’t bon photos online, they were flooded with from such prejudice, challenging govern- “As a member of the Women’s anonymous requests. “We want to do the Coalition of Zimbabwe, we had SAN ANTONIO, UNITED STATES succeed in defeating the amendment, but ment hypocrisy and insuring that tongzhi same thing,” people wrote. “Just tell us several meetings with the Minister Graciela Sánchez works to build bridges they overwhelmingly succeeded in serving are visible and embraced. “We must always how to make them.” of Youth,Gender, and Employment — one person, and one campaign at a time. as a catalyst for an unprecedented move- persevere until we get what we want,” to discuss how possible it would be As the Executive Director of the Esperanza ment-building effort. declared WANG. And in this instance, they to include same-sex relations within Graciela Sánchez, Esperanza Peace did. Not only did the Mayor attend the the domestic violence bill.” Fadzai Peace and Justice Center, she believes and Justice Center Muparutsa, Gays and Lesbians of that, “All of our work aims to cross borders event, but he presented the rainbow flag. Zimbabwe Astraea LESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE 6 Astraea LESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE 7

living and working philanthropy: on the intersections giving that sustains social change PLENARY 4 PLENARY PLENARY 3 PLENARY

For many activists around the world Project, the only organization in the coun- Beijing Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Many human rights activists around the the German foundation, filia.die frauen- doing the brave and nuanced work of try dedicated to challenging and ending Working with and on behalf of the entire world derive core funding from progres- stiftung, highlighted its support for women social change, the term intersections human rights abuses committed against LGBTI population — not just lalas — sive foundations — which are also oper- outside Germany. And Ana Criquillion, characterizes their lives, their con- transgender, gender variant/genderqueer they’ve flown Rainbow kites over the ating in a heightened conservative politi- chair of the International Network of stituents, and their mission for a just and intersex people in California prisons Great Wall and organized a same-sex mar- cal climate. Faced with an increase in Women’s Funds and Executive Director future. The four activists on this panel and beyond. Utilizing a trickle-up theory riage street action featured in the Beijing funding restrictions and regulations, of the Central American Women’s work extensively across the boundaries of social change, TGIJP provides direct News. “We hope,” said Wu, “that our these progressive funders are observing Foundation, announced that the twenty of race, class, gender, services and organizing support to those efforts will inspire support and participa- change, but not necessarily transforma- women’s funds that comprise the Network and the many other obstacles that most marginalized — often low income divide us from one another. Suzanne trans women of color incarcerated in male tion; and progress, but not always inclu- last year issued $15 million to grassroots Pharr, the renowned and accomplished prisons. They also build alliances outside sion. In order to ensure that fundraising organizations around the world. Most organizer and author, moderated the of the LGBTI arena with women’s coali- dollars reach the types of activists who of the grants, she reported, fund highly session and recalled her early introduc- tions and prisoners’ rights groups. “People so electrified the Retreat, many funding Katherine Acey, Astraea Foundation charged issues: “In Africa or in India, or in tion to intersectional work. Pharr don’t lead segmented lives,” Lee leaders are shifting course. Latin America…even to say that you are reform activists who had previously worked acknowledged the women of the explained. “And for an organization like working towards the right to get an abortion, in isolation from one another, gained a Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press — ours that puts a lot of emphasis on organ- Each of the five leading feminist funders on or for lesbian groups is a risk for your life.” izing mass movements, we have to be this panel have created new grantmaking unique opportunity to work across issues able to engage mass numbers of people.” strategies, formed new networks, and helped and communities. reframe the business of social change phi- Sara Gould, President and CEO of the Ms. In 2001 state security police infiltrated Suzanne Pharr, Organizer, lanthropy as we know it. They are thinking Strategist & Author Foundation for Women, cited a strategy and violently disbanded a Beijing lala (les- broadly, building relationships with new allies, connecting movements and issues. The bian and bi women) cultural festival. Jin and moving resources to those living in the New Women’s Movement, a groundbreak- Wu reported that activists were detained, tion from all around us; thus propelling margins of society. In a dynamic session, each ing initiative begun by the Ford Foundation some fled the country, and many of those the entire society towards a direction of shared how she is supporting the work of who remained communicated extensively equality, tolerance, and openness.” included Astraea, Third Wave, the Ms. women of color, trans people and lesbians online. Wu is a supporter of Common Foundation and the Center for the by using a social justice feminism frame- Language, the organization which in “Public space in New York City,” declared Advancement of Women as founding work and movement-building strategies. 2005 revitalized a lala community eager Bran Ali Fenner, “is increasingly becom- members. Over the course of two years, to mobilize and become visible. They ing an added luxury, only for those who Katherine Acey, Astraea’s Executive this multi-racial/generational think tank issue the only lesbian print magazine in can afford it, criminalizing those who have “The Retreat inspired me to believe Director noted the importance of naming convened 60 women leaders from U.S. “I cannot emphasize how important China, operate a 20 hour per week phone nowhere else to go.” Fenner is co-founder that my philanthropy truly makes a healthcare is…If you want to grow these strategies: “We’ve always used the national organizations. Together, they creat- hotline, and have co-sponsored the 2nd and co-director of FIERCE! (Fabulous, difference, for individuals and for a trans community, start a health ed new conversations, new alliances and Independent, Educated Radicals for terms feminist, social justice, intersections world-wide progressive social program.” Alex Lee, Transgender, new strategies to better connect the U.S. change.” Susan Gore, Donor Gender Variant and Intersex (TGI) Community Empowment), the organiza- and connections. Finding the language and and global women’s movements. The Ms. Justice Project tion that gives voice and visibility to the being able to articulate these strategies As the only foundation in the world that Foundation has embarked upon a strategic lives, struggles and accomplishments of more clearly, has been an evolution.” The funds LGBTI organizations operating both grantmaking initiative based on the out- Audre Lorde, Barbara Smith, Cherríe trans and queer youth of color in New strategies, as recounted by the panelists, in the U.S. and internationally, Astraea comes of the New Women’s Movement. Moraga, and Gloria Anzaldúa — citing York City. In recent years, many have been are working. acknowledged the high stakes for those their groundbreaking books about denied access to public spaces, former Astraea is serving on the advisory board. activists and funders working on the front “living on the margins, on the edge safe havens where they once accessed Monique Mehta, Executive Director of lines. “In order to create tangible and safe and speaking truth from a place critical resources and created community. the Third Wave Foundation, referenced Building and sustaining such critical con- never spoken or published before.” Forced to gather in unsafe areas and in a grantmaking strategy which in one nections between U.S. and international social change,” urged Acey, “we must Vigorously rejecting the isolation of smaller numbers, they have since endured instance connected a group of unrelated funders were recurring themes throughout aggressively and strategically fund activists single issue politics, Pharr pointed to an increase in harassment and physical activists around a core issue of reproduc- the Retreat, particularly with the funders on living in the margins and working at the working across the intersections as violence. FIERCE! conducts outreach and tive rights. Immigrant rights and prison this panel. The founding representative of intersections.” the only strategy that will sustain and organizing on the streets, in the shelters strengthen not just the LGBTI move- and in transitional programs to build com- ment, but all change we seek. munity power. Their education programs, The Strategic Ford Foundation SPECIAL THANKS • Kerry Lobel, Retreat media advocacy work and meetings with THANK Giving Circle: Coordinator • Filmmakers Tami Gold, According to Alex Lee, more than half of city officials provide members with first- Gill Foundation Jody Laine and Shad Reinstein for the transgender and gender variant com- hand experience of activism and change YOU Katherine Acey, Carol documenting the Retreat • Heidi K. Alpert, Chela Blitt, Merrill Lynch Murray, Director of Catering & munity of the area have in the making. In turn, youth become to the following Tucker Farley, Mai Conference Planning, Omni Mandalay been imprisoned at some point in their empowered, experiencing their struggle for providing lives. Lee is an attorney and the Executive as inseparable from a larger funding Kiang, Kathleen Russell, Dallas Women’s Hotel • Becky Sykes, Executive Director, Karen Zelermyer Foundation Dallas Women’s Foundation Director of the Transgender, Gender Bran Ali Fenner, FIERCE! (Fabulous, historical and social movement. support: Variant and Intersex (TGI) Justice Independent, Educated Radicals for Community Empowerment) Astraea LESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE 8 Astraea LESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE 9

RETREAT U.S. and International Grants Announcements HIGHLIGHT and grantees alike spoke from the about money and class. You enabled Astraea announces International Fund Panel Grants for Cycle One, the Margo Karle Scholarship heart about Astraea’s work, each people to deal with the complexity of and the Lesbian Writers Fund awards. Astraea will issue the following grants before the end of Diane committing a multi-year pledge to the that reality individually and collectively. its fiscal year on June 30: Cycle Two of the International Fund, Social Change Opportunity Fund, Foundation. While Diane is reluctant The Retreat also echoed Astraea’s to claim this idea as her own, (“I saw U.S. Fund and the Astraea Visual Arts Awards. Total grants for all programs are projected at Sabin work by setting a tone of engagement an opening, and then the idea became more than $1.8 million for Fiscal Year 06-07. and conversation. Whether you were ours.”) she is happy to reflect on her Diane Sabin, DC, has been a community standing in the buffet line or asking a dedication to Astraea, and what led activist since 1973. Currently she question in a plenary, there was an her to organize such a riveting act of International Fund Panel, Cycle One serves as the Executive Director of the overarching sense of linking activism collective support: Lesbian Health and Research Center on a global and local scale. In the past decade, Astraea’s International Fund for Sexual Minorities has invested over $3.25 million in innovative LGBTI at the University of California, San “I love Astraea because of the connec- human rights and social change organizations based in the Global South and Eastern Europe/Commonwealth of Independent Francisco. Diane has a long history with People were looking to thank Astraea tions you help forge; because you fund States. International Fund Panel Grants are determined by a panel of activists with expertise in the specific regions eligible for in an active way. We asked the Astraea Astraea. She served on the Board of activists in parts of the world that I staff to sit at the front of the room in funding, with input from an International Advisory Board. International Fund Panelists were Marta Drury, Lisbeth Melendez, Directors, co-hosted the launch of the can’t find on a map; and because there’s order to take in this love, acknowl- Javid Syed and Wei-ting Wu. Twenty-seven grants were issued, totaling $139,000. Justice Social Program, and was the a sense of family that extends from edgement and validation — that you recipient of the Astraea Philanthropic your New York City office to everyone give to others every day. Without a Gender DynamiX (Cape Town, South Desalambrando Buenos Aires (Buenos Activism Award in 2001. Diane lives who comes into contact with you. AFRICA in San Francisco with her partner, the doubt, everyone left that Retreat a Centre for Popular Education and Human Africa) to support the first (and currently Aires, Argentina) to support a program writer and activist . The Retreat was extraordinary. The stronger person — hopefully empow- only) transgender organization in the for prevention and research on domestic wisdom and multiple identities of the ered to initiate actions like this again. Rights Ghana (Accra, Ghana) to support On the last morning of Astraea’s office expenses and volunteer stipends for African region. $3,000 www.genderdy- violence amongst lesbians in Argentina. people gathered in that room was If we could add more zeros to the namix.org.za $5,000 2006 Giving and Activism Retreat, awe-inspiring. You harnessed that amount of our giving, we’d see a faster human rights work in Ghana. $7,000 there was barely a dry eye in the house. energy and created a space which revolution toward a world where social www.geocities.com/popeducation Sexual Minorities Uganda (Kampala, DIVAS — Instituto em Defesa da Streaming to the microphone to helped break the taboo of talking justice, peace and passion prevail.” address the Astraea staff, members Collectif Arc-En-Ciel (Quatre Bornes, Uganda) to secure office space for this Diversidade Afetivo-Sexual (Recife, Brazil) Republic of Mauritius) to support coalition of Ugandan organizations working to support lesbian sexual rights and racial jus- Mauritius’ first LGBT drop-in center, provid- to challenge discrimination based on sexual tice work in Brazil’s northeast region. $5,000 Giving & Activism Retreat Pledges ing legal and community support. $3,000 orientation and . $3,000 www.smug.4t.com Fundación de Desarrollo Humano Integral We would like to extend a warm thank you to all of the individuals listed Gifts In Honor Dignity Association (Freetown, Sierra CAUSANA (Quito, Ecuador) for a lesbian below who verbally pledged to Astraea at our Giving and Activism Retreat. Leone) to support the only LGBT national AMERICAS human rights project to train government and In Memory Of agencies on LGBT human rights issues, Cynthia Alvarado Mai Kiang organization in Sierra Leone — formerly Aireana — Grupo por los Derechos de Gifts In Honor Of Gifts In Memory Of develop lesbian leadership and mobilize Marion Banzhaf & Eve Rosahn Jody Laine & Shad Reinstein Mariam Habib known as the Sierra Leone Lesbian and las Lesbianas (Asunción, Paraguay) to Courtney Bell Alexander L. Lee Katherine Acey Craig Harris Mary & Monsour Acey Gay Association. $7,000 support organizing for lesbian rights in communities to challenge human rights Stephanie Blackwood Amber Love Carol Alpert Cathy Hauer Stacey Aspey Paraguay. $9,000 violations, including the forced hospitaliza- Norma J. Burton Carol Meyer Arlene Bronstein Joo-Hyun Kang Diane Bonder Engender (Mowbray, Cape Town, South tion of lesbians in “rehabilitation” clinics. Connie Chan Fadzai Muparutsa Charlotte Bunch Valli Kalei Kanuha Alexis Bowlds Africa) for an intersex advocacy project, in Associação Lésbica de Minas (Belo $3,000 & Roxanna Carillo Ding Naifei Jezzika Lee Perez Deirdre Kidder Yu-Ling Chien collaboration with Intersex Society of South Horizonte, Brazil) to support leadership Jill Campbell Marilyn Lamkay Julie Dorf & Jenni Olson Ute Angelika Pfeifer Tee A. Corinne Africa, to educate medical professionals development and organizing of Afro- Las Otras Familias (Santiago, Chile) Juanita Davis Marta J. Drury & Kerry Lobel Suzanne Pharr Kerry Lea Marsha Day descendant working class lesbians in for website development and staffing to & Sandy Robinson and community members about human Svetlana Durkovic Amy Posner Susan Liroff Belle Baron Dominian increase effectiveness of advocacy for Jinky De Rivera rights issues faced by intersex people. the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Paula Ettelbrick Achebe Powell Marla & Anita Betty Dutton lesbian mothers in Chile. $5,000 Christine Dinsmore $4,000 www.engender.org.za Gerais. $6,000 www.alem.org.br Tucker Farley Ther Prado Meislin-Dietrich Beth Ferdan & Ruth Levine www.lasotrasfamilias.cl Katrina Franklin & Felicia Miller Susan Raffo Elke Mueller Jan Holden Rosalind Dutton Freedom and Roam Uganda (Kampala, Centro de Documentação e Informação Lisa Freeman Barbara Riley Jenny Pizer Mary-Helen Mautner Mulabi — Espacio Latinoamericano de Jean Eckerly Uganda) to secure office space that will Coisa De Mulher/CEDOICOM (Rio de Brenda Funches Rebecca Rolfe Sue Roche Arminta Neal Jennifer Einhorn provide a safe place to conduct education Janeiro, Brazil) to support Colectivo de Sexualidades y Derechos (Buenos Aires, Tracy Gary Robin Rosenbluth & Tracy Scott Martha Shultz Edith Rosenthal Saracristina Garcia Lesbicas de Rio de Janeiro, a Black lesbian Argentina) for development of materials on Tami Gold & Karen Zelermyer Diane Sabin & Jewelle Gomez & Cheryl Reeve Stelyan Sandris and organizing work for same-gender loving & Rhonda Livingston intersexuality, to be used for sexual rights Susan Gore & Ann Wigodsky Mary Beth Salerno & Denise Kleis Sharon Stonekey Jane Schliessman people in Uganda, particularly lesbians. project that coordinates lesbian political Angela Giller advocacy within the Latin America region. Jessica Halem shash yázhí Alexandra Teixeira Ilana Weinstock $5,000 www.faruganda.4t.com efforts in Rio de Janeiro and throughout & Gail Lloyd & the Astraea Jean Hardisty Graciela Sánchez Mickey Zacuto Brazil. $4,000 www.coisademulher.org.br $5,000 Bruce Green Programs Team Julie Hash Glenna T. Shepherd Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (Harare, Bryce Jenson Su Ming Yeh Organización de Transexuales por la Kris Hermanns Maryann Simpson & Zimbabwe) for their women’s program, Corporación Triángulo Negro (Bogotá, Dignidad de la Diversidad (Rancagua, Margaret Hickman Cynthia T. Asprodites including development of publications Colombia) to support organizing for Irene Tung lesbian and bisexual women’s sexual Chile) to support this FTM transgender Marjorie Hill To give a GIFT IN HONOR or IN MEMORY OF someone, focused on sexual rights and sexual health. Alice Y. Hom Léonie Walker & Kate O’Hanlan organization’s work to secure social and legal please fill in the gift recognition section of Astraea’s pledge envelope $6,000 www.galz.co.zw and reproductive rights in Colombia. Patricia W. Houck & Lyssa Jenkens WANG Ping rights for transgender people in Chile. or contact Alexandra Teixeira, Philanthropic Partnerships Officer, at $4,000 www.triangulonegro.org Christine Jarosz Jin Wu $5,000 www.hombrestransdechile.cl 212.529.8021, ext. 13 or [email protected] Ileana Jimenez Astraea LESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE 10 Astraea LESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE 11 2006 Margo Karle and Red de Respuesta Lesbica “Cattrachas” Lesbian Writers Fund Awardees (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) for this lesbian new faces at astraea Astraea threads Spring 07 network to mobilize for sexual diversity and The Astraea Margo Karle Scholarship The Lesbian Writers Fund awards are STAFF human rights in Honduras and through- is issued, in memory of the human rights issued to emerging writers showing extraor- Katherine Acey, Executive Director out the Central America region. $5,000 Namita Chad, Grants Administrator activist, to a full time undergraduate female dinary promise in the arenas of fiction and Jennifer Einhorn, Director of Communications ASIA student attending a City University of poetry. Elena Georgiou (1998 Awardee in Ivory Farley, Membership Coordinator New York (CUNY) school who embodies Poetry) and Janice Gould (1992 Awardee Ariel Federow, Administrative Assistant Arus Pelangi (Jakarta, Indonesia) for a Margo’s quest for justice. in Poetry) served as Poetry judges, and Nina Miles Goff, Executive Assistant Melissa Hoskins, Communications Associate counseling program specifically tailored Revoyr (1998 Awardee in Fiction) and 1 2 3 4 to the needs of gender and sexual Collette Carter is a Jazmine Irizarry, Director of Administration Sheila Ortiz-Taylor judged the Fiction Joo-Hyun Kang, Director of Programs Black Queer Womyn minorities in Indonesia. $4,000 contest. This year, the Fund awarded a Joy Michael, Accounting Clerk www.aruspelangi.com pursuing her second total of $26,000 to twelve individuals. Shaheen Nazerali, Development Associate BA at Brooklyn Ling Y. Ou, Accountant/Consultant Pratyay Gender Trust (Kolkata, India) for College in Film Chelsea Jennings’ Lorraine Ramirez, Program Assistant an oral history project (showcasing the Production. (She poetry has appeared Dulce Reyes, Program Officer Wendy Sealey, Director of Development stories of kothis and hijras), to combat earned her first in Poet Lore and the 5 6 7 8 Alexandra Teixeira, Philanthropic Partnerships Officer violence and secure sexual rights for degree at Spelman GW Review. She is BOARD OF DIRECTORS gender non-conforming communities College). She plans to use film to celebrate currently earning an ASTRAEA STAFF for Women and Resource Manager at the National Center in West Bengal, India. $4,000 Brenda Funches, Santa Fe, NM, Board Chair the lives of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two MFA at the University 1 Miles Goff, Executive Generation. Alexandra cur- for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). Marion Banzhaf, New York, NY, Board Secretary Spirit, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming of Washington, where Assistant is a queer transman rently sits on the Board of Eleanor is the Principal at Lady Sappho for Equality (Kolkata, India) to Rebecca Rolfe, San Francisco, CA, Board Treasurer (LGBTSTGNC) People of Color communities. she also teaches born and raised in rural Vermont. the Third Wave Foundation. Iguana Productions and a found- Courtney Bell, Oak Park, IL support organizing for equal rights of Prior to Astraea, he worked for She holds an MA in ing member of The San Fran- An avid volunteer, she is a former board composition. A former middle school teacher, Stephanie Blackwood, New York, NY lesbians, bisexual women and trans Americans for Safe Access International Affairs from cisco LGBT Community Meg Hickman, Pasadena, CA member of African Ancestral Lesbians ESL instructor, editor, grantwriter, and intern people in India. $5,000 and currently volunteers for Columbia University. Center’s Latino Forum. Alice Y. Hom, Los Angeles, CA United for Societal Change and a former at the Lambda Literary Foundation, Chelsea Jews for Racial and Economic Ileana Jimenez, Brooklyn, NY Women’s Support Group (Nawala, Sri editorial board member and contributor lived for several months in Dakar, Senegal. Justice and the Audre Lorde 4 ASTRAEA BOARD 7 Jezzika Lee Perez, Silver Cindy Laughlin, San Francisco, CA Lanka) for a drop-in center, organized by to SABLE Magazine, a Lesbian of Color bi- This award will enable Chelsea to spend this Project. He received a BA in Courtney Bell, Oak Park, IL, Spring, MD, is the founder Toni Lester, Boston, MA Sri Lanka’s first LBT organization, serving monthly online publication. Collette is cur- summer working full-time on her first book Critical Social Thought from is the Executive Director of of Intelligent Accounting and Eleanor Palacios, San Francisco, CA Jezzika Lee Perez, Silver Spring, MD lesbians, bisexual women and transgender rently the coordinator of the Audre Lorde of poems. $10,000 Mount Holyoke College in 2004. the Bottomless Closet. A Tax Solutions, a firm focused founding board member of on woman-owned business- Robin Rosenbluth, Brooklyn, NY people. $5,000 www.wsglanka.org Project’s People of Color Leaders shash yázhí, Oakland, CA 2 Shaheen Nazerali, the Midwest Access Project, es and women's initiative- Roundtable. $1,000 Dorothy Allison Development Associate she is the Board Chair of the focused non-profits. An ally THREADS TEAM Editor Jennifer Einhorn Shormin Hussain describes Leslie holds a BS from Bates College Illinois Caucus for Adolescent and mentor to Hispanic youth, EASTERN EUROPE/COMMON- in Women and Gender Studies. Health. She has also served she speaks regularly on per- Managing Editor Melissa Hoskins is pursuing a BA in Larson’s novel, WEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES Prior to Astraea, Shaheen as a researcher and service sonal finances, small business Contributors Katherine Acey, Jennifer Einhorn, Slipstream (Crown Melissa Hoskins, Joo-Hyun Kang Political Science at worked in special events for the provider for child welfare and planning and self-empowerment. Kampania Przeciw Homofobii (KPH) Books, 2006) as “a Designer Kirsten Heincke/Polyprintdesign Queens College. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis homeless organizations. (Warsaw, Poland) for Poland’s national genuinely startling Printer Enterprise A first generation Association and served as 8 shash yázhí, Oakland, CA, LGBT organization to provide professional immigrant from novel that caught me Program Intern at DRUM—Desis 5 Cindy Laughlin, San is the co-founder and director CONTACT ASTRAEA counseling support to lesbian and bisexual 116 East 16th Street, 7th Floor Bangladesh, she is up in the lives of peo- Rising Up and Moving. Currently, Francisco, CA, is the Director of the Movement Strategy women. $4,000 www.kampania.org.pl New York, NY 10003 passionate about ple used to being looked past, over, or she is a member of FIERCE! of Human Resources for Center's Spirit in Motion pro- P. 212.529.8021 F. 212.982.3321 beyond.” Leslie’s work has appeared in pub- (Fabulous, Independent, Business for Social Respons- gram. Raised by her grand- [email protected] Lezbijska Grupa KONTRA (Zagreb, social justice and community organizing. lications including Faultline, the East Bay Educated Radicals for ibility. She received her Senior parents on the Diné (Navajo) www.astraeafoundation.org Croatia) to support legal, media and other She served as the Youth Media Organizer Professional HR Certification Express, and the Women’s Review of Books. Community Empowerment). Reservation, shash yázhí You may obtain the latest financial audit from Astraea types of advocacy to defend and secure at DRUM-Desis Rising Up and Moving, (SPHR) in 2002 and is current- implements traditional prac- She is a former instructor at Macondo, the or the Office of Charities Registration, Department of human rights for LGBT people in Croatia. and was influential in the creation of their 3 Alexandra Teixeira, ly working on her Global tices, fusing spirit work with State, Albany, NY 12231 Education Not Deportation campaign for master writers’ workshop led by Sandra Philanthropic Partnerships Professional HR Certification. organizing work for activists $8,000 www.kontra.hr OUR MISSION immigrant students’ rights. She also coordi- Cisneros. Leslie received a degree in English/ Officer has worked extensive- Cindy holds an MA in sports and individuals wishing to The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice works for SKUC-LL (Ljubljana, Slovenia) for their nated DRUM’s Desi Reel Newz Project American Literature from the University of ly with the United Nations psychology and motor learning. create internal healing and social, racial, and economic justice in the U.S. and internationally. Our grantmaking and philanthropic LGBT library and archive project, serving which trains low income South Asian youth California, San Diego. $10,000 and served as a program balance in their lives. fellow at the Global Fund 6 Eleanor Palacios, San advocacy programs help lesbians and allied communi- as a critical activist and academic in grassroots organizing for immigrants’ www.leslielarson.com ties challenge oppression and claim their human rights. Francisco, CA, is the Events resource for organizations and activists rights and racial justice through community Finalists: Marybeth Caschetta, of Northampton, This newsletter was printed with vegetable based ink based throughout Eastern Europe. video and documentation. Shormin hopes on 100% recycled paper at a union print shop. MA; Lilah Hegnauer, of Charlottesville, VA; $5,000 www.ljudmila.org/lesbo to attend law school and become an WAYS TO GIVE TO ASTRAEA Please call 212.529.8021, ext. 13 for information Kate Lynn Hibbard, of St. Paul, MN; and Barbara immigration lawyer. $1,000 MIDDLE EAST Johnson, of New Orleans, LA. $1,500 each BECOME A MEMBER! CONTRIBUTE APPRECIATED SECURITIES The official airline of the Astraea Foundation Send your annual gift using the Aswat — Palestinian Gay Women (Haifa, through our broker. Honorable Mentions: Rebecca Chekouras, enclosed envelope or donate online Israel) to support development of materi- Astraea received the highest rating of El Cerrito, CA; Sharon Wachsler, Shelbourne at www.astraeafoundation.org. als, education and organizing focused on USE ASTRAEA’S BUSINESS EXTRAA # four stars from Charity Navigator — an Falls, MA; Nona Caspers, San Francisco, CA; gender, gender identity and sexuality 752242 when booking flights on American honor given to less than a quarter of Mariel Masque, Tucson, AZ; Mary Meriam, ASK YOUR EMPLOYER to match from a Palestinian feminist perspective. your gift, and double or triple your Airlines (AA). You receive your AAdvantage America’s nonprofits. For more informa- Eagle Rock, MO; and Melanie Hope, Miles, and we receive valuable points. $10,000 www.aswatgroup.org contribution! tion, visit www.charitynavigator.org. Brooklyn, NY. $100 each LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA out 1 JANUARY 2007 Astraea co-sponsored the very first Joint Affinity Groups Unity Summit — a gathering of

progressive funders, committed to strategic and cre- & ative grantmaking. Prior to the Summit, Katherine Acey, Astraea’s Executive Director (far left), spoke at the opening plenary of a one day meeting convened by

Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues of 58 LGBTQ foun- about dations. l to r: Jewelle Gomez (Horizons Foundation), 1 Andrew Park (IHRFG), Patricia Tumang (Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy)

2 SEPTEMBER 2006 Astraea co-sponsored (with ZAGREB, CROATIA Mama Cash and the Global Fund for Women), a regional meeting of the Southeastern European Queer Network of LGBTIQ Organizations. Top row: Esther Vonk (Mama Cash, Netherlands), Sever Dzigurski (Center for Production of Equality, Serbia), Marko Jurcic˘´ (KUGA, Croatia); Astraea grantees Arina Balenovic (LORI, Croatia) and Jelena Postic (Women’s Room, Croatia); Dulce Reyes (Astraea Program Officer) Bottom Row: Svetlana Durkovic (Organization Q, Bosnia and Herzegovina), Angelika Arutyunova (Global Fund for Women, United States) and Danijela Almesberger 2 (LORI).

3 NOVEMBER 2006 Astraea and the Chicago CHICAGO, ILLINOIS SANTIAGO, CHILE Foundation for Women’s Lesbian Leadership Council held a joint house party at the home of Esther S. Sacks featuring fabulous music by the Lucy Smith String Quartet. Pictured: Dr. Beth E. Richie, CFW board mem- ber (left) and CFW Associate Director Mary Morten.

4 FEBRUARY 2007 Astraea helped fund the 7th Encuentro of Latin American and Caribbean Lesbian Feminists which attracted over 200 participants from around the region. Program Officer, Dulce Reyes, attended and Astraea subsidized travel and registration for grantee partners from Corporación Triángulo Negro, 3 4 Colombia: (back row, l to r) Alexandra Pinzón, Ana Maria Verano and Nury Elena Garcia. Also pictured are KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI WASHINGTON, DC Astraea grantee partners (front row, l to r): Yarman Jiménez (Radio Internacional Feminista, Costa Rica) and Marina Araya (Encuentro, Chile).

5 NOVEMBER 2006 Astraea organized and sponsored the Advancing Racial, Economic and Gender Justice panel at NGLTF’s Creating Change Conference, featur- ing Astraea grantee partners: (back left) Paulina Hernández (Southerners on New Ground), Alex Lee, Transgender, Gender Variant and Intersex (TGI) Justice Project. Grantees not pictured: Bran Ali Fenner (FIERCE! Fabulous, Independent, Educated Radicals for Community Empowerment) and Mónica Velásquez (Esperanza Peace and Justice Center). Front: (left) Caitlin Breedlove (Southerners on New Ground), Lorraine Ramirez (Astraea Program Assistant). 5 6

6 SEPTEMBER 2006 Astraea Director of Development Wendy Sealey accepted the Organization Excellence AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND Award on behalf of Astraea at the16th Annual Gala of the Mautner Project, the nation’s only national lesbian health organization.

7 MARCH 2007 Esther Vonk (left) and Naima H. el Moussati (center) of Mama Cash met with Katherine Acey and Joo-Hyun Kang, Astraea’s Director of Programs (right) after the first Funding for Global LGBTI Rights meeting and discussion of research convened by Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues.

7