Trump’s Aid Freeze Forces UK Charity Staff Cuts

Daily Report February 26,2025

Listen To Story Above

A leading British LGBTQ+ organization may need to reduce its workforce by half following President Donald Trump’s decision to freeze U.S. foreign aid payments.

The Times of London reports that Stonewall, which currently employs 114 people, faces significant staffing cuts after losing crucial funding from American taxpayers – a consequence of Trump’s ‘America First’ policies.

Last week, Stonewall employees were informed about an upcoming restructuring process aimed at ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability and its ability to continue running impactful campaigns and pushing for legislative changes across the UK and beyond.

The organization has heavily relied on U.S. funding through the State Department’s Global Equality Fund (GEF), receiving substantial amounts over the past three years. Financial records show escalating support: £137,254 in 2021-22, £204,442 in 2022-23, and £233,583 in the most recent period, making American taxpayers Stonewall’s primary financial supporter.

/div>

Foreign aid ought to be about helping developing and poorer nations improve basic infrastructure, making sure everyone has access to food, shelter, healthcare and education.

Not funding drag queens to sexualise children. https://t.co/dvk2X0JMVM

— Caroline Farrow (@CF_Farrow) February 24, 2025

Chief executive Simon Blake acknowledged that Trump’s aid suspension would affect global LGBTQ+ support programs. He emphasized that Stonewall’s work in eastern Europe and the Caucasus, partially funded by the U.S. government, provides essential services including support for anti-LGBTQ+ violence victims and collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

🇬🇧 🇺🇸 UK Stonewall exposed for receiving funds from the US Government

Remember the good old days when LGBTIQA+ activists accused any critics of receiving shadowy American money? pic.twitter.com/wWImEEpgPt

— Katherine Deves Morgan 🇦🇺🚺 (@deves_katherine) February 24, 2025

Beyond U.S. funding, Stonewall has received millions from the British government, including during Conservative party leadership. The organization has been known for conducting diversity training sessions for government officials, media organizations, and educational institutions, advising on inclusive language and issuing diversity scores to various entities.

However, recent years have seen mounting criticism of Stonewall’s increasingly radical stance on gender politics. Their approach to biological sex, promotion of gender identity concepts, and advocacy for children’s access to puberty-blocking drugs have drawn particular scrutiny. Critics argue that the organization’s transgender advocacy has come at women’s expense.

This controversy has led numerous prominent institutions to withdraw from Stonewall’s “Diversity Champion” program. The BBC, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Equality and Human Rights Commission, and Ofcom have all distanced themselves from the organization. Recent reports indicate that all major government departments have also abandoned the diversity scheme.