Human Rights Principles
for U.S. Activists

Astraea and grantee partner Transgender, Gender-Variant and Intersex Justice Project present at the U.S. Social Forum in Detroit, Michigan. Download the newly released activist's guide included with the article. [more]

Letter from a Grantee: China

Hear from a grantee partner about an historic gathering of lala (LBT) elders in Southwest China. [more]

A New Face at Astraea:

Simone Sneed

Astraea is pleased to welcome Simone Sneed as Major Gifts Officer...[more]

• Astraea Condemns Violence and Calls for Comprehensive Change
• Executive Director Job Description
• Grantee Partners in the News

Gangs, violence and war-related mental illness in the Southeast Asian communities of Providence, Rhode Island, propelled a small cadre of impassioned youth to form Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM). For nine years, they have been redirecting youth from gangs toward school and activism, and have built strong ties between their community in Providence and the countries of their roots. Over time, the need to address homophobia within families and in the macho-gang youth culture became apparent. PrYSM began an integral project, Southeast Asian Queers United for Empowerment and Leadership (seaQuel), to build the leadership skills of queer youth, and to begin a cross-cultural and intergenerational dialogue about sexuality in the Southeast Asian community. [more]

Around the world, youth-led organizations are boldly tackling their countries’ toughest problems. In Nigeria, youth are uncovering traditions of acceptance to combat the idea that LGBTI people are “un-African.” Students in Chile are using cultural venues to challenge a reemerging right wing. In China, young people are building support and leadership networks for otherwise invisible LBT youth. This kind of leadership has a timely impact and lays the groundwork for a lifetime of agency and activism. Three Astraea donors wanted to support LGBTQQ youth to improve societal conditions affecting their lives, so they created the International LGBTQQ Youth Fund through a philanthropic partnership with Astraea. [more]

Denise Kleis, a human resources executive, and Mary Beth Salerno, a veteran of corporate philanthropy, met in the early years of the women’s movement and have been together since 1979. Denise and Mary Beth believe strongly in Astraea’s mission and have supported the foundation since the late eighties. “I first heard about Astraea from one of its founders, and at that time, there weren’t many other organizations focusing exclusively on lesbian issues,” Mary Beth explained. “We thought that pooling our modest resources with others through Astraea was a terrific way to support issues that we cared a lot about; and we knew that if people like us didn’t support this work, how could we expect others to support it?” [more]