All together, these donations represent 20% of every new name registered since .gay opened its doors in various launch phases, culminating in the global public availability in September. The LGBTQ community beneficiaries of these funds are CenterLink and GLAAD.

The .gay domain extension is a virtual pride flag, available to communities, businesses, individuals, and allies to show their support online. Since its public unveiling, .gay has committed to donating 20% of every new .gay registration. This means that .gay is consistently contributing to a safer and more vibrant world for LGBTQ communities, both online and off.

“Among the many milestones in .gay’s launch year, I am proudest of these donations,” said .gay’s CEO Ray King. “This was not an easy year for anyone, and we know that the hardest hit in emergencies are those who are already struggling. It is our goal to support LGBTQ communities both by changing our industry and improving the offline world, and being able to do both at this critical time brings joy to our hearts and purpose to our work.”

Not only is .gay the first top-level domain to fund social advocacy in this way, it is also the first domain that has rigorous anti-hate policies to ensure that any anti-LGBTQ content can be easily reported and swiftly taken down. In order to make .gay an uplifting and LGBTQ-centred space, it was important to break the tech industry’s unresponsive status quo.

The inaugural .gay beneficiaries are esteemed organisations that have been fighting for LGBTQ safety and acceptance for decades. CenterLink, an umbrella organisation for over 250 LGBTQ centres, is a vital partner because they support safe physical spaces that liberate, dignify, and empower LGBTQ lives, love, and families.

“CenterLink is proud to partner with .gay as they launch their campaign to lift up LGBTQ voices and create more gay-friendly spaces on the internet,” said Denise Spivak, CEO of CenterLink. “.gay’s generous support of CenterLink and the Center Action Network will ensure that those voices are heard as we engage and mobilise LGBTQ people across the country.”

It is also an honour for .gay to partner with GLAAD, whose preeminent legacy and continued work is rooted in fighting against misrepresentation and hate in the media.

“The .gay initiative is another critical step in continuing to spread LGBTQ visibility and representation across the internet,” said John McCourt, GLAAD’s Senior Director of Business Development and Integrated Marketing. “GLAAD’s mission is to accelerate acceptance for the LGBTQ community through the media, and the proceeds from our partnership with .gay will enable us to continue this core work, while also supporting local LGBTQ centres, via CenterLink, who provide direct services to our community during this unprecedented time of need.”