Thread by @MForstater

A bit more on the global funding story

(AKA: where is my right wing money?)

https://twitter.com/MForstater/status/1445105236285300742

@victor_madrigal 's report quotes from Meet the Moment : A call for Progressive Philanthropic Response to the Anti Gender Movement by the Global Philanthropy Project group of LGBT funders

They report how anti-gender movements "funnel" money overseas (sounds dodgy doesn't it?)

While their members "distribute it"

(What's the difference you might ask? There isn't any)

The headline figure is that there is $1 billion over 9 years being "funnelled" into the anti gender movement.

But look a bit closer 99% of that is one org: the Christian Broadcasting Network

What's that then?

It's Pat Robertson's evangelical broadcasting company, which does what it says on the tin.

(So the answer to "where is my right wing money?" is unless you are want to host a Christian radio show don't expect any)

The GPP report (an advocacy document put together by staff in foundations who want to get more resources for their area) compares LGBTI funding with the billion going into Christian broadcasting and say they are dwarfed.

But this is not comparing like with like.

I'm no fan of Pat Robertson but if you are going to compare the funding of his whole outfit with the "pro-gender" philanthropy movement then that's what you should do.

GPP identify 800 foundations and NGOs that fund pro-gender LGBTI projects and activities...

They are well coordinated together

It is what you could call a Financial Architecture

But they only count the 31c in $100 that goes directly to LGBTI specific projects

About half a billion over two years, mainly in North America

But overall we are talking about $160 bn by these orgs over 2 years. Much more than Pat Robinson's $1bn over 9 years

This is money for all sorts of progressive causes: medical research, international aid, education, women's rights, environment etc.

But orgs are adopting gender ideology stances and language internally in their other work and are hostile to gender critical dissent.

Try getting funding for women's rights while being gender critical.

Try getting (or keeping) a job in the voluntary sector or progressive philanthropy while being gender critical.

The takeaway: there is no vast pool of rightwing money. There is money and influence and foundations doing what they do.

All of this (both sides) is worthy of respect in a democratic society, AND also worthy of scrutiny

(@STILLTish is doing a great job)

Working in a big foundation is one of the cushiest jobs in the voluntary sector.

There is a culture of performative introspection while not rocking the boat....

Still, I hope *someone* in big philanthropy is thinking "is it really progress to sterilise gay children, demonise older women and clamp down on freedom of speech? Have we gone wrong here?"

I hope they read @HJoyceGender 's book.

And they can give me a call 📲