At SpeakOut, our mission has always been to uplift and invest in LGBTQIA+ people of color. Like many nonprofit organizations serving the LGBTQIA+ community, we have faced significant financial challenges over the past year—including federal funding cuts—which have deeply impacted our operations and programming.

These financial obstacles have delayed several key initiatives, including the postponement of our signature event, the I AM Awards, which we now plan to relaunch in April 2026.

We want to begin with a sincere apology to our community, especially to the individuals affected by delays in scholarship disbursements. We understand the confusion and disappointment this has caused and take full responsibility. Transparency and trust are foundational to our work, and we are committed to restoring both.

Since the launch of our scholarship program, we’ve stated clearly on our website that awards are offered in amounts “up to $10,000.” While that total has been available based on organizational funding, no individual recipient has ever received the full allocation. Each year, we have selected two recipients, with the maximum individual disbursement to date being $5,000.

In the fall of 2024, two recipients were selected, with disbursements scheduled for 2025. As of now, neither recipient has received their funding, and we are actively working with each awardee to fulfill the commitments outlined in their award letters.

This scholarship exists to invest in LGBTQIA+ changemakers—people already doing powerful work in their communities. Past recipients have used their awards to further their education, expand their advocacy, and create lasting impact, and we remain proud to be part of their journey.

As we look toward 2026 and the return of the I AM Awards, we are focused on strengthening our financial stability, improving communication, and honoring every commitment we’ve made. To our applicants, recipients, and supporters—thank you for your continued belief in our mission. We hear you, and we are working to do better.

Washington, D.C. – Black gay and bisexual men and trans women overwhelmingly support Democratic Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren, according to a new poll conducted in SpeakOUT‘s Facebook group representing 6,100 Black same-gender-loving men and trans women in 44 states.

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders round out the voting sample.

Of note, Pete Buttigieg received zero votes.

Quick Facts About the Poll and Facebook Group

• 74.8 percent of the sample are voters between the ages of 18-45 and located in both urban regions and rural towns across the United States.
  • 70 percent of the group hails from what many consider melting pots for the Black LGBT population including: Atlanta, New York, Washington DC, Baltimore, and Houston. The group also includes members from smaller towns in Alabama, North Carolina, and Arkansas.
• Nearly one-third (65 percent) of respondents do not have a college degree, while 29 percent of the group has at least two college degrees.
• In the comments section of the poll post, many commented that their second choice was represented by Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, or Joe Biden. While all candidates were listed as an option, no one selected Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg, Tom Steyer, Deval Patrick, Mike Bloomberg, Andrew Yang, John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard, or Michael Bennett as their first or second choice for President.
• The original post and names of members in the private Facebook group have been excluded from data for public use, as there are members of the group who wish to keep their sexual identity private.

SpeakOUT is solely providing data from one of its posts and does not endorse any candidate for any political position.

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SpeakOUT is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to creating a cyber-safe space where same-gender-loving people can share experiences and give advice on any topic that relates to them. SpeakOUT is a welcoming, open-minded community focused on creating vibrant, healthy relationships with each other and having fun in the process.