Are you able to donate £5 or more a month by standing order?
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Can you help fund my human rights work?
You can donate via standing order, cheque, PayPal, internet and telephone banking. See here: http://www.petertatchellfoundation.org/donate.html
As you will be aware, my human rights work over many decades has often managed to achieve a global recognition and impact for a wide variety of LGBT and non-LGBT campaigns; including support for the democracy and equality movements in countries such as Iran, Uganda, Malawi, Iraq, Pakistan, Russia and Zimbabwe. With the help of others, I have created one of the most effective small human rights organisations. With extra funding, I could do much more.
While you may not agree with every stand I take on every issue, I hope you are supportive of the bulk of what I am striving to achieve for LGBT people and for all people everywhere who suffer marginalisation and discrimination.
I am happy to share with you some exciting news: the decision of the trustees of the Peter Tatchell Human Rights Fund (PTHRF) to transform it into a fully-fledged human rights organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation (PTF). I have been appointed as the Director (unpaid). This coincides with – for the first time – a fully equipped office and two staff.
The Peter Tatchell Human Rights Fund remains the fund-raising arm of the PTF, and donations should continue to made payable to the PTHRF.
As well as my pioneering international support for LGBT people in developing countries – which is the new frontline in the battle against homophobia and transphobia – our current and future campaigns in the UK include challenging homophobia in football and the ban on gay and bisexual blood donors.
Another focus is the Commonwealth’s failure to tackle human rights abuses in its member states, including the criminalisation of same-sex relationships in 46 of the 54 countries that belong to the Commonwealth (which is more than half of the countries in the world that outlaw homosexuality).
There is also the Equal Love campaign, which is challenging the UK’s twin bans on gay civil marriages and heterosexual civil partnerships. In February, I organised eight couples (four gay and four straight) to file applications in the European Court of Human Rights, in a bid to end this sexual orientation discrimination. We are confident of eventual success; although we hope that the government will pre-empt the need for a European Court judgement by initiating legislation to ensure equality.
I have been campaigning for human rights for 44 years. The creation of the PTF – and the new office and staff – will enable me to sustain my work for the next 30 years. Although badly overworked, I am in good health. I have no intention of retiring. But this is contingent on us securing sufficient on-going donations. The office and staff – and our expanded campaigning – require additional funding.
To this end, I hope you might consider making a new or additional donation. Perhaps you could also persuade some of your friends to contribute?
If you could make a donation – and get two or three others to do likewise – it would help secure the future of my humanitarian work.
You can make a donation via our campaign website:
http://www.petertatchellfoundation.org/donate.html
We now stand at a crossroads: my trustees have created a secure structure for my future campaigns, the Peter Tatchell Foundation. Given the difficult financial times we all find ourselves in, more than at any previous time we need your support today.
Adding the PTF / PTHRF to your Will is another very effective way to help sustain the PTF. Legacy income is vital to our future. Please contact us if you would like further information on how to bequeath a legacy.
Your support is treasured, now and always.
With my very best wishes – and thanks
Peter Tatchell
Director, Peter Tatchell Foundation
NOTE: In due course the Peter Tatchell Foundation will apply for charity status. This is a difficult and complex task owing to the political (but non-party political) campaigning aspect of my human rights endeavours, which often involves pressuring governments to end abuses and discrimination. I am confident that we will eventually overcome these hurdles and secure charitable status.
Peter Tatchell Foundation
Studio 5, Disney Place House
14 Marshalsea Road
London SE1 1HL
Phone: 020 3397 2190