US Policy Shifts and the Growing Crisis for LBQT+ Communities in South Asia and Belize

• USAID funding cuts and shifting US political priorities regarding gender expression are severely impacting LBQT+ organisations worldwide, specifically those supporting lesbian, bisexual, queer, and trans-feminine individuals.
• Grassroots groups are facing resource shortages, team downsizing, and closure due to the loss of funding, which has created a cascading effect through intermediaries.
• Anti-queer actors in regions like Nepal have been emboldened by the US shift, leading to increased protests and targeted harassment.
• Local organisations are pivoting toward independent, regional, or domestic funding sources, such as India's Pride Fund, to ensure sustainability.

Impact of Funding Cuts

• Many LBQT+ organisations rely on small grants; losing even one can reduce their operational budget by 50 percent or more.
• Reduced funding has led to higher stress and burnout, forcing groups to explore alternative revenue streams like catering, event space rentals, or commercial services.
• The withdrawal of US support has prompted other major international donors, such as Switzerland and Germany, to reconsider their funding priorities.

Systemic Invisibilisation

• LBQT+ individuals, particularly women, face "invisibility" even within LGBTQIA+ advocacy spaces, which often prioritize gay men and transgender women.
• In Pakistan and Bangladesh, strict cultural and religious norms coupled with the criminalisation of homosexuality force many queer women to remain closeted.
• In Belize, the lack of legal recognition for transgender rights and same-sex relationships prevents access to critical social protections and legal remedies available to heterosexuals.

Future Outlook and Resilience

• Despite current challenges, activists emphasize that the movement has historically progressed without reliance on Western aid.
• There is a growing focus on building independent, ground-up regional initiatives, such as the Queer Feminist Fund, to ensure long-term autonomy.
• Activists advocate for a shift in strategy to address internalised misogyny and structural barriers rather than relying solely on external, grant-dependent frameworks.