Ariana Grande is the latest celebrity to use her platform to take a stand against the rise of anti-transgender legislation across the United States. But more than just speaking out, the singer has pledged to match up to $1.5 million in donations to 18 separate LGBTQ+ organizations to support their advocacy.
Sharing with her 303 million Instagram followers, Grande made a post in honor of Transgender Day of Visibility. The post revealed that Grande is starting a Protect & Defend Trans Youth Fund which will provide “direct services” and advocacy for transgender youth.
"[R]ight now there are hundreds of disgraceful bills pending in state legislature that target trans youth and aim to curb their rights," the slide show read. "[T]his will provide critical funds to organizations advocating for the rights of trans youth."
Grande directed her followers to donate via a fundraiser set up on Pledge, which lists the specific organizations all the proceeds raised will go towards. As of publication, the campaign has raised a little over $500,000. Over 4,500 people have donated.
According to NBC News, there a record number of bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community have been proposed since the beginning of the year. Specifically, 238 bills of this nature were drafted between January 1st to March 15th – meaning an average of three per day. More than half of the bills specifically targeted transgender people.
The outlet notes that, in reference to bills concerning the LGBTQ+ community, a growing number have been directed at transgender folks in recent years.
For example, 22 of the 60 anti-LGBTQ+ bills (or 37%) introduced in 2019 were targeted at transgender people, whereas in 2021, 153 of the 191 anti-LGBTQ+ bills (80%) were directs at the trans community.
Grande has historically been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. In 2013, she revealed she abandoned Catholicism because of the Vatican’s anti-LGBTQ+ stance. Since then, she’s participated in various fundraisers and campaigns in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
For example, just last June, the singer announced a partnership called ‘Christmas in June’ with Transanta, an organization that provides money and resources to transgender youth. Sharing to her Instagram, Grande encouraged her followers to join her in helping fulfill Transanta’s wishlist.
“Right now, trans people are under attack across the country,” she wrote at the time. “We need to show the trans community that they are loved and supported.”
To donate to Grande's new fundraising initiative, you can visit Pledge.
Sources: NBC News, Capital FM, Billboard,
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