Quest for Democracy
FICPFM Awards Grants to Black and Pink and House of GG in Celebration of Pride Month
The Formerly Incarcerated, Convicted People and Families Movement continues to support formerly incarcerated leaders nationwide to engage and empower communities.
The Formerly Incarcerated, Convicted People and Families Movement (FICPFM) announced two grants to two leading LGBTQ+ organizations, Black and Pink and House of GG. This funding aims to support their ongoing efforts in promoting LGBTQ+ community empowerment and advancing the rights of marginalized individuals in honor of Pride Month and beyond.
Through this grant, Black and Pink will enhance their operations by enabling them to continue empowering the sex worker community and addressing their unique needs. Black and Pink’s Sex Worker Liberation Project is a collaboration between Black and Pink National and a network of current and former sex workers nationwide. They foster community building, provide vital resources, and cultivate self-advocacy tools that fill existing service gaps.
House of GG is a transformative space founded and led by Transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals and their allies. Their mission is to heal and nurture members of the community who have endured generations of transphobia, racism, sexism, poverty, ableism, and violence. With a primary focus on supporting and nurturing the leadership of Transgender women of color in the U.S. South, House of GG will utilize the grant to bolster its operations and expand its reach, driving positive change and fostering resilience within the LGBTQ+ community.
“FICPFM has always been committed to advocating for and supporting the most vulnerable among us,” said Black and Pink Executive Director Tatyana Moaton. “These grants to Black and Pink and House of GG reflect this commitment. We believe that the intersection of race, gender, sexuality, and criminal justice involvement requires us to not only celebrate diversity but also support those often marginalized within the marginalized. These funds will aid our organization’s Sex Worker Liberation Project efforts to empower the sex worker community. This includes creating safe and supportive spaces, providing education and resources, and advocating for policy changes. It’s about acknowledging and affirming the humanity and dignity of sex workers and empowering them to thrive despite the myriad challenges they face.”
The impact of this funding extends beyond the partner organizations themselves. By bolstering Black and Pink and House of GG, FICPFM’s grant will contribute to a more vibrant and resilient LGBTQ+ community. The increased capacity of these organizations will enable them to provide essential services, create safe spaces, and advocate for systemic change, ultimately uplifting the voices of marginalized individuals across the country.
“FICPFM’s status as a leader in transformative advocacy for system-impacted people acknowledging the importance and the necessity of LGBTQ+ folks in our journey to liberation is game-changing,” said LGBTQIA+ activist and civil rights leader Dominique Morgan. “That, partnered with David Ayla’s leadership as a Black cishet man, enriches the meaning of this action. This is an investment in the living history of Black Trans Women in the overall progression of the LGBTQ+ community. As a Black Trans Woman, a formerly incarcerated person, an accomplished activist, and a philanthropist, I am invested in a universal experience of liberation, and I am thankful that FICPFM and [Ayala] for moving us into the next phase of this work with intention and accountability.”