Crowdfunding website GoFundMe have released a list of their top five most inspirational LGBTIQ focused campaigns run in Australia across 2016 as the year draws to a close.
Internationally, the organisation has provided a platform to raise over $3 billion for a plethora of causes and campaigns since their inception in 2010 from over 25 million donors.
GoFundMe’s largest ever sum total raised – an incredible $7,853,140 USD – was in support of the families, friends and loved ones of those lost in the tragic June attack at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.
Here in Australia, GoFundMe have taken note of five campaigns in particular whose stories inspired, motivated and rallied the community.
Help Jack Get His Dream Surgery
18-year-old transman Jack, as many other people in the trans community have done, launched a campaign to help with the exorbitant medical costs that can accompany a transgender identity. Jack, who has struggled with depression and dysmorphia, hopes to raise $10,000 for chest surgery to undergo what he describes as his dream surgery.
Total raised to date: $1,570
Jilamarrwi to 2017 Mardi Gras
This campaign to get Indigenous transwomen, or sister girls, to the 2017 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras was an incredible success – raising $8,631 to help take the sister girls from Arnhem Land to Sydney for the celebrations in March next year. Due to surpassing the goal, the campaign has now come to a close.
Total raised to date: $8,631
Trans Law Reform
The Inner City Legal Centre of Woolloomooloo New South Wales began their own campaign to raise $20,000 to provide transgender youth in rural areas with free legal support when making applications to the Family Court for necessary hormones. The Centre hopes the campaign will raise awareness of the challenges faced by trans* youth and use the platform to advocate for law reform for fast, healthy and safe access to treatments for gender diverse young people.
Total raised to date: $12,900
Joe Bullock’s Farewell Rainbow Cake
The departure of Western Australian Labor Senator Joe Bullock earlier this year, saw one of the Federal Oppositions only opponents of marriage equality step down in the heat of the ongoing debate. Due to Senator Bullock citing Labor’s support for marriage equality as his reason for leaving, crowdfunder Simon te Brinke thought it was only appropriate to make Joe a cake for the momentous occasion.
Total raised to date: $725
Help Relaunch OUTinPerth
We were very honoured to discover that our very own campaign to relaunch OUTinPerth had been selected as one of those chosen by GoFundMe’s staff. Thanks to the support of our readers, fans and the wider community OUTinPerth has remained as Western Australia’s independent LGBTIQ+ media source in print and online. Though we have raised a whopping $12,439 to date – we are still in dire need of new equipment such as cameras, laptops, storage and a variety of equipment to expand and improve the quality and span of our work and continue to provide Western Australia with a source for news and culture from an independent LGBTIQ+ perspective.
Total raised to date: $12,439
OIP Staff
If you would like to donate to any of the above campaigns, please follow the links or use the widget below to help the OUTinPerth campaign.
