Google commits $1 million towards LGBTQIA+ employment support

Google.org – the charitable arm of Google – recently announced its new funding partnership with OutRight Action International, a global human rights organisation committed to improving and advancing the lives of LGBTQIA+ people.

The announcement was made at the Global Citizen Festival in New York on the 24th of September, held under the theme of uniting the world to defend the planet and defeat poverty.

As part of Google.org’s multiyear grant program, the organisation has committed $1 million to increase the employability of LGBTQIA+ people across Asia and Latin America, said to be the first initiative of its kind.

Through this partnership, OutRight will work with local LGBTQIA+ organisations, the private sector, and key stakeholders to provide capacitation, career workshops, soft skill development and employer wellness support that can assist LGBTQIA+ people find sustainable work opportunities.

It’s not the first time Google.org has offered financial support to OutRight. At the height of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the organisation injected more than $2 million into OutRight’s emergency fund. The fund aimed to assist LGBTQIA+ community members who’ve been negatively affected by the pandemic and related global restrictions.

Google.org’s donation doubled the size of the Covid Emergency fund and equipped OutRight to serve over 175,000 thousand LGBTIQ people in 110 countries.

In addition, OutRight recently partnered with Google.org to publish a guide on effectively unlocking and leveraging corporate philanthropy to support global advancement for LGBTQIA+ inclusion and equality.

The guide offers vital steps on how corporate professionals can position themselves to help build a diverse, equitable and inclusive business environment to enable transformation towards LGBTQIA+ rights all over the world.

“We thank Google.org for their continued support and leadership,” said OutRight’s Executive Director Maria Sjodin in a statement.

“The organisation stands with us in believing that economic opportunity is important to achieving equality for LGBTQIA+ communities. Prejudice and discrimination too often keep LGBTQIA+ people out of the job market opportunities and the project will allow organisations to support their community-based organisations to build skills that will unlock opportunities and secure work.”

Google.org’s Head of Advocacy & APAC, Annie Lewis, expressed her excitement about the new economic programme with a focus on LGBTQIA+ communities across the globe.

“Through our new co-founded guide for corporate philanthropies, we hope others will join us and we’ll see even more support for LGBTQIA+ programs in the future,” said Lewis.

 

This article was made possible with the support of the Other Foundation. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the Other Foundation. www.theotherfoundation.org.