Astraea’s Meet the Activist series helps cultivate an informed base of supporters globally. Director of Programs, Mai Kiang, said, “The Series provides a forum for our grantee partners to speak directly about their work and dialogue with supporters. These first-person accounts provide an in-depth look at the issues and bring together people who might otherwise never connect.” One recent Meet the Activist event, held simultaneously in Astraea’s office and via telecast, highlighted Colombia and another featured Uganda. The two events emphasized the truly global nature of the struggle for LGBTI human rights....[more]

From her working-class roots to her successful business career, Dorothy Sander has built a reputation for being generous and smart with her resources. “Money was tight when I was starting out, so I knew how to use every dollar I made and shared any extra with my family,” Dorothy said. “I worked during the day, went to school at night and, when I grew more successful, began giving to organizations. I am as strategic now as when I had less.” [more]

Amanda Harris was born and raised in a small town near Little Rock, Arkansas, that now boasts its second stoplight due to the recent arrival of a Walmart. In her rural farming community, Amanda said, “There were no out people, but there were always rumors. My family used to say ‘He has a little sugar in his tank,’ these great Southern colloquialisms, and there was talk. But nobody was out. Being out in my high school would have been an absolute nightmare.” Fortunately, in college Amanda found Astraea grantee partner, Center for Artistic Revolution (CAR), a queer organization based in Little Rock that combines arts-based activism with policy work. When she came across the group’s booth at an event, she was drawn in by “the way CAR was utilizing art to tell a story.” She became a member immediately. Now she has been on the board for five years. “It just breaks my heart for rural queer people who have nowhere to go. That’s why little beacons of light like CAR are so crucial.” [more]