US suspension of foreign aid is impacting across the globe

Staff at Scotland’s leading LGBTQ+ rights group are facing the axe as a result of US president Donald Trump’s decision to suspend foreign aid funding.

Stonewall could see half of its 114 posts made redundant across the UK.

The Global Equality Fund (GEF), financed by the US state department, has given Stonewall more than £500,000 between 2021 and 2025 but this will now end.

Workers at the LGBTQ+ charity were told last Thursday that restructuring would take place, and that only roles with dedicated funding would be safe.

Stonewall income has dropped in the past three financial years from £11.6 million in the year to March 2021 to £6.92m in 2023-24, according to its accounts.

It received £234,000 from the US government-backed GEF in 2023-24, a similar amount to the year before, while fees including money from organisations that sign up to its diversity programmes declined by over £500,000 to £2.42m.

Nine employees were made redundant in 2023-24, with the charity paying £57,800 in related costs.

Commenting on the restructure, a spokesperson for the charity said: “Hard won rights are being rolled back for marginalised communities across the world and we are seeing an unprecedented political backlash against the principles of inclusion.

“Stonewall is adapting to ensure that it is fit for purpose and able to meet the challenges of this new political era. 

“Over the last 35+ years, Stonewall has often needed to be agile and adapt to a changing world, and now it is no different.

“We know that we must work differently to how we have previously, to be effective in the coming years - and we are future proofing with that in mind.

“The work to advocate for LGBTQ+ equality has never been more important and Stonewall is rising to meet the challenge.

“Many charities in the UK are facing tough choices for a range of reasons, including the economic environment. Stonewall is no different.”