Pop star and fierce advocate Ariana Grande has made a meaningful donation pledge to support transgender young people across the United States. In celebration of International Transgender Day of Visibility in 2022, Ariana launched the Protect & Defend Trans Youth Fund, committing to match donations up to $1.5 million. This initiative aims to strengthen organizations that provide essential support and advocacy for trans youth, particularly in states facing restrictive bills targeting their rights.
The fund supports 18 different nonprofits, including the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, Equality Florida, JASMYN in Florida, and Zebra Coalition in Arizona. These groups offer legal aid, mental health services, housing assistance, and safe spaces to young people navigating discrimination or lack of access due to anti-trans legislation.
Ariana announced the initiative with a heartfelt message on Instagram, stating “Right now there are hundreds of disgraceful bills pending in state legislature that target trans youth and aim to curb their rights.”
She emphasized the urgency to act by saying donations would be evenly distributed among the charities and that her matching pledge would amplify the impact. By mid-way through the campaign, the fund had already raised over $1.3 million, largely thanks to community support paired with Ariana’s matching commitment.
Ariana Grande has a history of championing LGBTQ+ rights and mental health; she previously donated over $5 million to mental health services in 2021. With this new campaign, she once again emphasizes that advocacy requires more than visibility—it requires action and funding.
Her Protect & Defend Trans Youth Fund demonstrates how impactful public figures can be when they invest in grassroots support and stand alongside vulnerable communities. Ariana’s voice, influence, and financial commitment send a clear message: trans youth deserve dignity, protection, and unwavering allyship.
Source: Glamour
