Urgent Action Fund Awards HOT $10,000 to Support Transgender Leaders in MENA Region

Haus of Transcendent (HOT) is thrilled to announce that we have received a total grant of $10,000 from the Urgent Action Fund (UAF). This grant is dedicated to providing Emergency Help to two Transgender refugee community leaders in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region who are partnering with HOT to advance health equity for the LGBTQI+ community in the global south. Both leaders have endured significant persecution, so we will not be disclosing their specific location to protect their safety.

UAF’s generous grant will help HOT provide Emergency Help to our partners: safer housing, utilities, VPN, food, primary care, and therapy. Their security ensures the well-being of many LGBTQI+ folks, especially women, since this support allows them to continue doing vital work and have a greater impact on the community they serve.

This funding will support HOT Global, our initiative aimed at providing emergency help to Transgender leaders in the global south. HOT currently partners with Transgender leaders in Mexico, Cuba, and two countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. In many parts of the global south, it is a crime to be Transgender, making it impossible for Transgender leaders to register their organizations. HOT provides critical support to these leaders who do not have access to the same resources that LGBTQI+ leaders have in the United States.

Haus of Transcendent, a nonprofit based in Cleveland, OH, is dedicated to creating an accessible, vibrant, and healthy community for all by addressing the social drivers of health. Our mission centers on the priorities of Transgender people, queer BIPOC and immigrants, and queer people with disabilities.

We are deeply grateful to UAF for their commitment to human rights and their support for vulnerable communities. Together, we can make a difference and foster a safer, more inclusive world for all.

As a Nonbinary refugee, I understand the anguish of seeking asylum. My boat was sunk off the coast of Europe when I was seeking asylum. I survived and was then deported back to a place that is not safe for LGBTQI+ people. This experience inspired me to do my part to help prevent harm in our LGBTQI+ community.

Asher (They/Them), HOT Global Ambassador

By supporting HOT Global, you can join us in making a tangible difference in the lives of Transgender leaders in the global south. Your contributions help provide essential resources and security, empowering these leaders to continue their vital work. Together, we can build a world where every LGBTQI+ person can live freely and safely. Thank you for your support.