Chicago (October 3, 2011)- Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice awarded Amigas Latinas a general operating grant for $10,000 for the upcoming fiscal year. This is the fourth year that Astraea has supported lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning Latinas in the Chicago area.

Amigas Latinas began in July of 1995 as a small group of 10 Latina women that gathered to socialize, strategize and talk in a safe environment about who we are as Latina women loving women. Amigas is a support, education and advocacy organization for lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and queer women of Latina heritage that provide a safe environment and offers opportunities to gather, celebrate and explore their identities and potential as women who love women.

Founded in 1977, Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice is a dynamic global foundation providing critically needed financial support to lesbian-led, trans, LGBTI and progressive organizations. The Foundation is deeply committed to feminist principles, racial and economic justice and human rights.

“We are delighted that Astraea acknowledges the importance of funding organizations that recognize and celebrate the multiple identities of LBTQQ Latinas,” said Rosa Yadira Ortiz, Amigas Latinas Board President. “Given the hostile climate toward Latina/o immigrants as well as the continued second class status given to same-sex families, organizations that provide education, support, and advocacy, as Amigas Latinas does, are needed more than ever.”

The general operating grant will support the efforts to hire an executive director in the coming year, sustain Amigas’ efforts to create a women of color space on the south side with partner organizations Affinity Community Services and Black Women for Reproductive Justice, as well as enhance their continued programming such as their young women’s program, Amiguitas, and their education efforts regarding intimate partner violence.

Amigas Latinas is funded through Astraea’s U.S. General Fund. Previously, Amigas has received funding through the U.S. Movement Resource Fund to attend the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising training and the inaugural ConMujeres Encuentro de Mujeres Activistas LBQ Norte-Sur [ConMujeres Gathering of LBQ Women Activist from North to South] in Guatemala held in the spring of 2010.

For more information on Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, visit [www.astraeafoundation.org/].