The American Red Cross and the owners of three of America’s leading LGBT cruise companies have banded together to raise funds for earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

Atlantis, Olivia and RSVP cruises have taken on some responsibility for helping the area, which has been a popular holiday destination for the cruises.

Atlantis and RSVP have pledged a total of US$15,000 in matching contributions while Olivia has pledged an additional US$7,500, making an overall total of US$22,500.

Olivia was also offering a limited number of free cruises to those who contribute $7,500 or more.
Claire Lucas, a well-known community activist, set up the dedicated donation site so that the people of Haiti would be notified through the Red Cross that the donations were made by the LGBT community in America.

‘The symbolism of a unified, community?based financial response is important,’ Lucas said.
‘(As it) represents a fitting effort to reach beyond our borders with a message of hope and goodwill from LGBT Americans.’

American Red Cross Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Floyd Pitts said: ‘We are thrilled with this partnership with the LGBT community and we are delighted to be working with organisations which take such a strong interest in humanitarian response.’

Mark Bromley, Chair of the Council for Global Equality, highlighted the importance of an LGBT community response to the disaster.

‘Too often the LGBT community in the United States is portrayed as inwardly focused and unattached to the larger suffering beyond our borders,’ he said.

‘But we know that to be untrue, and as we watch the devastation in Haiti, we can also send a message about our community’s larger concern for human suffering.’

Aja Styles