When Category 5 Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, it had sustained winds of 185 mph. It caused widespread destruction in western Jamaica and killed at least 28 people on the island. (Melissa also killed more than 30 people in Haiti and in the Dominican Republic.) In a statement from Craig Rijkaard, a member of the Rustin Fund’s board of directors said “Jamaica has just endured one of its worst natural disasters with the passage of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, The damage and disruptions across central and western parishes are immense — flooding, road blockages, power outages, loss of buildings/homes, mass evacuations, and tragic loss of life.”

LGBTQI+ Jamaicans are especially vulnerable, as it’s among the countries in which consensual same-sex sexual relations remain criminalized. And also, if that is not bad enough, discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity is also still very commonplace in Jamaica.  It is estimated that at least one-in-three LGBTQ Jamaicans has experienced homelessness or displacement, and unfortunately, government-led relief efforts do not always work well for these communities.  Many LGBTQI+ Jamaicans are afraid to access public services due to fear and the lived reality of discrimination — over a third report they would avoid emergency aid for this reason.”

Equality for All Foundation Jamaica, a Jamaican LGBTQ rights group, is raising funds to help victims of Hurricane Melissa. It is doing this through the Rustin Fund for Global Equality  and will “provide emergency housing, transportation, essentials, and rebuilding support for those in our community most in need.”

If you chose to donate via other organisations, PLEASE do not choose homophobic Charities such as The Salvation Army or ones that have excessive expenses and highly paid CEO’s like The Red Cross