In celebration of Pride Month, we are waving our virtual Rainbow and Progress Pride flags proudly and loudly. It is our honor to be part of a decades-long civil movement working for the rights of LGBTQ+ people to live openly as their true selves.

Walking the talk

Give Lively was founded to democratize fundraising tech for nonprofits that make the world a better place. We believe a better world is one that advances the cause of gender and racial equality, reproductive health and LGBTQ+ rights, social and environmental justice, education, domestic violence, immigrant services and more.

That is why our platform is free for nonprofits. That is also why we established public-facing values and review every nonprofit membership application to ensure alignment with them.

Today, in recognition of Pride, we call special attention to two of these values. No Give Lively member nonprofits may use our platform or products to: 

* discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or military status in any activities, programs or operations;

* advocate against or deny the rights or existence of anyone on the basis of their sex, gender, gender expression or sexual orientation, including transgender and gender nonconforming people.

Any nonprofits that promote these activities or deny service to individuals based on these attributes are not allowed to become Give Lively members.

Turning the tide

These have not been easy years for the LGBTQ+ community. According to the White House, "In 2023 alone, state and local legislatures have already introduced over 600 hateful laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community,” not to mention bans on books about LGBTQ+ people, denials of healthcare to transgender youth and increases in homophobic, transphobic and anti-drag vitriol, intimidation and outright violence.

But even in the face of these setbacks, Give Lively stands with a resilient LGBTQ+ community.

"As someone who is active in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts, I've been frustrated by how many companies are muting their Pride Month support this year for fear of backlash,” said Hillary Austin, a Give Lively customer support specialist and member of Give Lively’s internal DEI special interest group. “It feels more important than ever that Give Lively continues to loudly support the LGBTQ+ community both through our membership requirements and internal activities like our DEI interest group.”

Our company position is in no small part influenced by staff members who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community and champion its rights, fully supported by all staff, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression.

“I'm proud to lead Give Lively as a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself," said David DeParolesa, CEO of Give Lively. “It gives me special joy seeing our LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations do more of their important work with funds they generate through our platform. In addition, in my offline life, seeing a decline in LGBTQ+ bars across the U.S. – some of our community’s most valued safe spaces – I had the opportunity to open a safe space of my own in VERS, a queer bar in Hell's Kitchen, New York City. Now is the time, whether through personal activism or business conviction, to push for the freedoms, justice, protections and dignity that all LGBTQ+ people have strived for and deserve.”

And so at Give Lively, we wave our virtual Pride flags high!