How two queer filmmakers helped save lesbian bars in the US from extinction

Ignite Business Women Investment Group and the nonprofit African Career, Education & Resources Inc. (ACER) are working together to raise funds to collectively acquire commercial real estate for members of the group and other small businesses — particularly those owned by African immigrants — in the community. Joint efforts allowed members to acquire and revitalize an old strip mall, providing retail space for local small business owners.

Cooperatives in Morocco, like Biosalim Cooperative, help women farmers access capital and provide training in agricultural methods, personal development and entrepreneurship to help them achieve financial stability and greater representation in their communities. Since launching in 2018, Biosalim has helped more than 4,000 women.

Lesbian bars across the United States, like Femme Bar in Massachusetts and Lipstick Lounge in Tennessee, offer a safe space for LGBTQ+ people to connect, be themselves, and build a supportive community.

The city of Tucson and two nonprofit partners, Primavera Foundation and Old Pueblo Community Services, launched STAR Village, a safe sleeping site offering supervised tent housing, bathrooms, showers, case management, and outreach services for up to 25 homeless women and nonbinary people. The site is entering its second year, funded by approximately $300,000 in unspent city office budgets, plus nonprofit contributions.

The Power, Innovation and Leadership executive education program brings Black women together to train them to become strong leaders, spearheading causes around issues like reducing poverty, advocating for reproductive justice and protecting voting rights. 25 women have graduated from the program already, and the next cohort is set to start in January, as they work toward their goal of training 100 Black women leaders.

The Pious Muslim Women group helps widowed women navigate tough times with its various programs, such as providing access to food, monthly allowances, child care and other necessary resources. So far, the group has helped more than 3,500 women.

Albergue Assabil (the Shelter of the Path), by the Latina Muslim Foundation, is the first women-led Muslim shelter along the U.S.-Mexico border. It has been in operation since June 2022, providing a safe space for women migrants, supplying them with food, clothing, shelter and sanctuary regardless of their religious, social or cultural background. In the past two years, the shelter has helped about 3,000 migrant women.

Local art businesses, like dance studios, record stores, and tattoo parlors, that have historically served as community centers for local creatives are working with community members to help rebuild their facilities after catastrophic flooding.

The Save Business Now initiative in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, is helping businesses to relocate from dangerous areas of the country. Businesses fill out an online application about their needs so the organization can help them through the process of looking for a new location and connect them with experts and other businesses for support.

Mi, Co-Madre, and Spacioss are all women-only working spaces in Mexico city. Together, around 400 women have attended these spaces. The aim of these coworking spaces is to provide support for females and help them success by giving them access to childcare facilities, workshops, and networking opportunities. They also hope to help more women successfully secure venture funding, and become industry leaders, who lag behind men. We want to have this space to support each other, from self-esteem through to connecting with banks supporting women starting a business.”