Crowdfunding for more queer initiatives at the UvA

The newly established UvA Queer Fund has launched a crowdfunding campaign. The aim is to raise 25,000 euros within 50 days, i.e. by 8 September. The money will go towards “research, education and community”. In practical terms, this could mean anything from academic research and educational programmes centred on queerness, to events, awareness-raising and the creation of spaces for visibility on campus. Anyone can donate.

The UvA Fund is a support foundation of the UvA, with the aim of achieving academic and social impact. René Boer and Michelle Gelderman, fundraisers at the UvA Fund, explain that in recent years many applications have been submitted for queer initiatives. By no means could all these applications be approved. Boer: “One example of a research project we did support is a study into how online experiences influence the mental health of LGBTQIA+ young people, both positively and negatively. We would like to see more research projects like this supported, which is why the UvA Queer Fund was set up.” Gelderman adds: “That way, we can be sure that queer initiatives and projects can be supported as much as possible.”

Support for these initiatives is important and urgent, say the organisers, including Melchior Bussink, director of the UvA Fund. Worldwide, acceptance of the queer community is declining and funding for academic research into LGBTQIA+-related topics is becoming increasingly difficult to secure. Now, more than ever, it is important to take action. “With the UvA Queer Fund, we are giving queer initiatives the chance to grow and continue to build greater knowledge, connection and visibility,” explains Gelderman. Boer mentions the United States as an example: “There is almost no funding left for such topics there, so it is even more important to do so here.”