#ChechenRainbow Update

Dale Cameron Lowry sent out an update about the Readers and Writers for LGBT Chechens Auction, which I posted about several weeks ago. The online auction raised $2,709! If you're interested in a breakdown of where the money went and how organizations are using it, you can see that information here.

But even if you missed the auction, there's still a chance to help. Some authors and publishers are still donating book proceeds to the Russian LGBT Network and Rainbow Railroad (most of these offers end by May 31st, so now's a good time to make your purchases if you're interested!) Follow this link to see a list.

I'm going to particularly call your attention to Ultimate Wired Hard, published by Circlet Press. This book is huge! Forty-three stories for less than $6. It's an amazing deal even before you consider that all the proceeds are going to charity. If you're interested in making sure the largest possible donation gets made, buy the book from Circlet's website—the charities will get a bigger cut.

I'm amazed and inspired by the work going into this effort, and I invite you to support this project, if you're able.

Auction: Readers and Writers for LGBT Chechens #ChechenRainbow

One of the things that's hard about right now is that there are so many things competing for our attention. It feels relentless. I want to give money to too many good causes, and I want to do more than I'm capable of doing to stop the various sorts of villainy that are going on in the world right now. That said, I feel like it's important to pay attention as much as possible, and to do as much as possible. And some of the ways I can help involve things I enjoy doing, like reading fun books.

So today I'm going to tell you about an effort to help people in Chechnya. As Amnesty International puts it, "Men believed to be gay are being abducted, tortured or even killed in Chechnya as part of a coordinated campaign with impunity." You can download their full report on this issue here.

A group of authors and publishers have gotten together to help raise money for the Russian LGBT Network, ILGA-Europe, and Rainbow Railroad, three organizations that are working with people in Chechnya (you can read more about this effort here). That last link includes a list of ways to help.

Today, though, I'm going to focus on the auction these authors and publishers are running (to raise money for the three organizations I mentioned above).

My friend Lisabet Sarai got in touch to let me know she's offering 2 signed copies of her book Quarantine. You can bid on the book here, if you're so inclined.

I see other friends helping, too. For example, Cecilia Tan is offering an awesome ebook bundle here (that bundle includes her Magic University series, the Prince's Boy, and the Velderet, so it's really an incredible deal).

If you'd like to look at everything on auction, you can do that here.

Bidding ends at 12 pm CDT on May 13th.

Auction winners donate directly to the charities and claim items by sending their donation receipts, so you know for sure that the money will reach the necessary causes.

If you've got the bandwidth to help, or even just want to read a good book, please consider helping with this effort.

<3 <3 <3