GLAAD amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.
We love this letter from Sadie, an 11-year old trans child. In the letter, Sadie writes, “It would be a better world if everyone knew that transgender people have the same hopes and dreams as everyone else… It really isn’t that hard to like transgender people because we are like everyone else.”
Hurricane Sandy destroyed the Ali Forney Center’s drop-in center for LGBT youth in Manhattan, where young people in New York City were able to go for food, showers, clothing, medical care, HIV testing and treatment and substance abuse services.
Donate on the center’s website, or text GLAAD to 80888 to make a $10 donation until 11/8.
Be part of Spirit Day this Friday: take a stand against bullying and wear purple!
Take the pledge to go purple at http://glaad.org/spiritday
Founder of Ali Forney Center, Carl Siciliano, Honored by White House
This morning, the White House announced that Carl Siciliano, executive director and founder of New York City’s Ali Forney Center, has been selected as a Champion of Change in the Fight Against Youth Homelessness. Siciliano founded the Ali Forney Center (AFC) in June of 2002 in response to the lack of safe shelter for LGBT youth in New York City. The Center is committed to providing young LGBT people with safe, dignified, and nurturing environments. Siciliano and his team at the Center are dedicated to promoting awareness of the plight of homeless LGBT youth in the United States with the goal of generating responses on local and national levels from government funders, foundations, and the LGBT community. Carl Siciliano promptly responded to the honor:
An awesome 15-year-old named Sara made this to stand up against bullying of LGBT youth! Isn’t it great?
It’s still dark in his small Upper East Side apartment when the alarm clock introduces Wade Davis to this Thursday morning in late May. His partner, Steven, sleeps while Davis slips into his regalia: A checkered shirt, slick pants and a bright tie. He kisses Steven and says good-bye. He’ll be back in a few days.
He leaves the apartment as the sun rises, headed for Penn Station. It’s a welcome couple days out of the office for Davis, a staff member at the Hetrick-Martin Institute, which serves lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning youth. Ten years ago, Davis had never heard the term “LGBTQ.” While a closeted cornerback struggling to make a roster in the National Football League, he was as far from the gay community as Ryan Leaf is from the Hall of Fame. Now, as assistant director of job readiness at HMI, Davis prepares these youth for the workplace. He wrangles corporations to run workshops and counsels his students on career opportunities. It’s the closest role to “coach” he could find at the Institute.
(Source: glaad.org)
