Meshell Ndegeocello will perform at this year’s Fueling the Frontlines Awards (Photo credit: Charlie Gross)
On May 25, the Long View Art Gallery in Washington, D.C. will host the Fueling the Frontlines Awards. The event is the Astraea Lesbian Foundation’s 3-year, $20 million campaign to provide critical resources and support to grassroots LGBTQ activists and organizations across the globe.
The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice has been supporting activism leaders and organizations in the United States and internationally for nearly 40 years. The organization has granted over $20 million to 1,400 organizations in 85 countries.
“Astraea exists in order to build a movement for LGBTQI justice by shifting power to activists in areas that need it the most,” says Bridget de Gersigny, Communications Director at the Astraea Foundation. “We do this by directing resources in the form of grants, advocacy, awareness, skills and access to information at the nexus of racial, economic, social, and gender justice. We are the only philanthropic organization working exclusively to advance LGBTQI human rights in the U.S. and internationally.”
Ruby Corado will be honored for her community leadership (Photo: Denis Largeron)
This year, the organization will recognize individuals who are leading the charge in LGBTQ activism and justice. Ruby Corado, the founder of Casa Ruby in Washington, D.C. will be honored for her work in creating a safe space for vulnerable LGBTQ trans youth and adults.
“Most of the people who come to Casa Ruby don’t have a family that accepts them, or that loves them for the most part. So we have a family here, and it is the concept of a chosen family,” Corado told NPR last year.
The Astraea Foundation will also honor the LGBTQ women appointed and elected during President Obama’s tenure. Thanks to their efforts the community has seen huge legislative victories for LGBTQ human rights across the country and abroad.
“Fueling the Frontlines Awards celebrates local leaders whose commitment, passion and work inspire others and meaningfully advance LGBTQI justice in our communities,” says Director of Development, Gina Taglieri.
Organizers say the event will be a “fabulous evening of food, cocktails, and a celebration of community leaders”. In addition, guests will get to see a special performance by Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello. The artist is well known for her sultry songs and continuous activism.
According to de Gersigny, “This event both celebrates those working for global LGBTQI justice and also raises funds that are critically needed to support the work of grassroots LGBTQI activists around the world. Astraea strives to honor, uphold and support the work and voices of those who are most often marginalized (lesbians, intersex, trans* folks and queer women of color) and this event does both – through being a fundraiser and celebrating the work.”
The Fueling the Frontlines Awards is Wednesday, May 25 at the Long View Art Gallery located at 1234 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. For more information on the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.astraeafoundation.org/fuelingthefrontlines/award/2016/.
