Founders' Story
At the heart of LesbianGlobal is a vision born from personal experiences, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to creating a more just and equitable world. Our co-founders, Naomi Fine and Kathy Levinson, experienced various forms of discrimination growing up and pursued careers with significant exposure to issues of discrimination, inequality, and societal exclusion of LBQ+ women.
Driven by a desire to make a difference, Naomi and Kathy embarked on a path of philanthropic activism and advocacy. From leading grassroots campaigns to participating in international forums, they quickly became recognized voices in the fight for LGBTQI rights and women's equality.
Yet, despite the strides being made in the broader LGBTQI and women's communities, it became clear that LBQ+ women, particularly those in the Global South, remained underrepresented, underfunded, and overlooked.
This realization was the catalyst for founding LesbianGlobal—an organization dedicated to amplifying the voices, visibility, and resources for LBQ+ women worldwide. Since its inception, LesbianGlobal has worked tirelessly to bridge the critical gaps in funding, advocacy, and support, ensuring that LBQ+ women not only survive but thrive.
A personal passion for both Naomi and Kathy, LesbianGlobal isn’t just an organization—it’s a deeply personal mission.
Having faced the dual challenges of misogyny and homophobia firsthand, they understand the compounded struggles that LBQ+ women endure. This personal connection fuels their relentless pursuit of equality and justice.
“I believe that every LBQ+ woman deserves to live a life free from discrimination, to have access to opportunities, and to be celebrated for who they are,” Naomi often says; “LesbianGlobal is about building a future where this vision becomes a reality.”
Under Naomi and Kathy's leadership, LesbianGlobal has launched a number initiatives aimed at economic empowerment, human rights advocacy, and community building benefitting LBQ+ women. These programs have already impacted hundreds of lives, with many more to come.
Looking ahead today, LesbianGlobal stands as a beacon of hope for LBQ+ women across the globe. Our founders remain at the forefront of this transformative work, and are committed to engaging other LBQ+ philanthropists, NGOs, and all others who are committed to lifting up the lives of the most marginalized of the marginalized, to join them on this journey.
This story is far from over. With your support, LesbianGlobal will continue to grow, championing the rights of LBQ+ women and building bridges across communities, cultures, and continents. Together, we can create a world where every LBQ+ woman is seen, heard, and gets to live their life openly and honestly, free from discrimination and violence, with the opportunity to reach their full potential.
LBQ+ Philantropy with Naomi and Kathy
In this compelling conversation, Katie Hultquist, Director of Leadership Giving at Outright International, joins LesbianGlobal co-founders Naomi Fine and Kathy Levinson to explore the heart of LesbianGlobal’s mission.
They discuss the crucial work being done to empower and uplift LBQ+ women, with a special focus on the Global South.
Naomi and Kathy share how LesbianGlobal’s strategic funding and advocacy are helping to amplify the voices of LBQ+ women, ensuring they are not overlooked in the broader LGBTIQ+ movement.
This conversation shines a light on the urgent need for targeted support and investment in LBQ+ women’s initiatives worldwide.
Tune in to hear more about the transformative work happening at LesbianGlobal and the lasting change being created through focused, community-driven efforts.
