Namecheap donates $10,000 to LGBTQ organizations

While June is officially known as Pride Month and a celebration of diversity and inclusion, the LGBTQ community continues an ongoing battle for equality and safety all over the world, as well as online, 365 days a year. That’s why Namecheap vowed with the launch of the new .GAY TLD last year to donate  a portion of registration proceeds to LGBTQ organizations. Today, Namecheap is thrilled to fulfill that promise and donate $10,000 to GLAAD and CenterLink.

It all started back in September 2020 when we launched the .GAY domain and partnered with Top Level Design LLC (the registry of .GAY) to donate 3% of all new registration revenue to GLAAD and CenterLink.

“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. “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 centers, via CenterLink, who provide direct services to our community during this unprecedented time of need.”

“Thanks to the generosity of .GAY and their registrar partners at Namecheap, CenterLink is able to continue to help build the capacity of our 260+ member centers as they address the social, cultural, health, and advocacy needs of LGBTQ communities across the country.” added Denise Spivak, CEO, CenterLink.

With this donation, we’re also celebrating a milestone that makes us particularly proud: Namecheap is officially the top registrar for .GAY domain registrations! We couldn’t be happier, as our goal is to ensure online safety for the LGBTQ community as outlined in our .GAY Rights Protections Policy.

“The success of .GAY depended on Namecheap stepping up to deliver our vision of a space that bans hate and gives back with community donations. They did that and have gone above and beyond as partners every step of the way” said Ray King, CEO of the .GAY registry.

Namecheap customers have significantly contributed to the vibrancy of .GAY websites, including bigger brands like Scribd.gay alongside entrepreneurial businesses like PrideShirt.gay. The domain is also popular as a bio page for LGBTQ and allied individuals (Raksha.gay), developers (NicholeMattera.gay), gaymers (DragonGirl.gay), and other tech-savvy groups (techthoughts.gay). Our customers are contributing to community resources like Helpline.gay and represent advocacy and consulting groups like ReachEducation.gay. The .GAY domain is also a popular pop culture and entertainment destination, with fun new meme sites appearing every day. Some of our favorites include: Am.gay, Heccin.gay, Smol.gay, and OutOfTouchThurs.gay. 

At Namecheap, we know that the door to a free and open Internet can only be opened if we embrace diversity. 

If you haven’t claimed your .GAY domain yet, register it today! It’s an exciting opportunity to reach the LGBTQ community and beyond. It’s your chance to show your support, as an individual, and as an organization, and to increase your online visibility while doing so.