Today the .gay domain registry announced that the extension raised $148,864.41 during 2020 for its inaugural LGBTQIA+ beneficiaries, GLAAD and CenterLink. This announcement comes alongside the global launch of .gay’s web series “The Library” on the Revry TV platform, now streaming to 250 million homes and available on Apple TV, Roku, and more.
With over 10,000 domain names registered since launching in September, the .gay team has been celebrating what many in the domain industry have called the most successful top-level domain launch in internet history.
From major brands like Calvin Klein, Absolut Vodka and GoDaddy, to Out Celebrities like George Takei, Adam Lambert and Roxane Gay, to LGBTQIA+ organizations like PFLAG National, ActionLink, and the Feel Something Foundation, the .gay community has grown into one of the most vibrant, diverse, and supportive spaces online in less than a year on the market!
“The .gay platform is centered in gay joy and an unwavering belief in the inherent value of all LGBTQIA+ people,” said Ray King, Top Level Design CEO. “Everything we do at .gay is about increasing visibility, providing support, as well as promoting dignity and helping to establish a baseline of safety and respect for these communities and their allies online.”
And that community support extends to the real world, too — by way of the featured sites using .gay, as well as the work happening at GLAAD and CenterLink, supported financially with every new .gay domain name registered. Over the last year, the GLAAD Media Institute was able to expand its training program, equipping more trainees than ever before with the tools to accurately represent the LGBTQIA+ community through various media, in part because of .gay’s support.
“Over the past year, the .gay initiative has helped to foster a growing environment of LGBTQIA+ visibility and representation online,” said GLAAD Senior Director John McCourt. “At this critical time in the fight for LGBTQIA+ equality, .gay is creating safe spaces for our community online and helping to fund GLAAD’s culture-changing programs that accelerate LGBTQIA+ acceptance.”
Lasting community impact was also fostered over the course of the year through CenterLink and its member centers across the globe. In 2020, CenterLink provided ongoing support, resources, training, and financial assistance to their 274-member center network, with LGBTQIA+ community centers located everywhere from Nebraska to Australia.
“As COVID-19 swept the country in 2020, CenterLink was able to provide support to over 260 LGBTQIA+ community centers who remained on the front lines, thanks in part to generous donations from .gay.” said CenterLink CEO Denise Spivak. “CenterLink offered training and technical assistance, expanded resources, and regranted over $1.3 million back to our member network. Our member centers continued to offer critical services such as medical care, mental health counseling, virtual support groups, hot meals, shelter and housing, wellness checks, distribution of nonperishable foods and hygiene products, and employment counseling. We are deeply grateful for .gay's partnership.”
This Pride season, .gay is proud to partner with GLAAD on its Pride Unboxed campaign while beginning production on season two of .gay’s web series, “The Library”, coming this fall to Revry TV.
Liz Achanta
