#WORLD #WORLDWIDE #AFRICA #ZIMBABWE #LGBTQ+ #Gay #News #Journal #Update

 My name is Brandon and I'm from Zimbabwe. Here in Africa, you can be thrown into jail for being gay in over 30 countries. I have seen unbelievable hatred and violence that has kept me and my friends from feeling safe.

But earlier this year, I was lucky enough to take part in a life-changing training for young LGBT+ activists from across Southern Africa, organized by All Out – completely for free!

We came together in community, sharing our stories, learning critical digital campaigning skills like running a petition, fundraising, and digital security. We even spent some time learning about self-care and healing for activists, which I feel we often overlook in our line of work.

The week we spent together was transformational, to say the least. I left ready to change Zimbabwe and keep up the fight for LGBT+ people!

But we could be one of the last groups to participate in this kind of training. Because the training is funded by All Out, they rely on the support of members like you to help make them happen. That's why I'm reaching out today.

We need your help to keep this critical work going in 2023! Will you donate today so these trainings can continue?

All Out is trying to raise $50,000 by the end of the year – they have $39,188 more to go!

I'LL DONATE!

Also, if you donate $40, All Out will send you a newly designed, custom backpack, as their gift to you!

Over 100 young LGBT+ activists across Africa have been trained in digital campaigning by All Out's expert staff. But there are so many more of us whose lives would be transformed if we had the chance to participate.

Like activists in Ghana, whose government is considering a bill that would fully criminalize LGBT+ people and punish anyone who showed support for their rights. Or activists in Kenya, who are still facing a decades-long fight to turn over the country's harsh anti-LGBT+ law.

And opponents to our fights are just getting stronger. The growing support from Western hate groups seeping into African countries has erased our stories of rainbow families and love. We MUST learn how to keep up by running smarter campaigns, protecting ourselves, and raising funds.

This revolutionary training can help us do that.

Can I count on you to donate $5 today to help support trainings for LGBT+ activists like me?

I've seen it firsthand – the All Out movement is powerful! Let's keep that incredible solidarity and support going into the year ahead.

Thanks for going All Out,
Brandon
(they/them)