Homessless Gay Kids Need Your Help

While the struggle for gay rights typically focuses on civil unions and marriage, homeless gay youth is a clear and frightening epidemic. There are 1.6 million homeless kids in America, with 40% of those LGBT, a massively disproportionate figure. Thousands of these kids live in New York City and many receive vital services from the Ali Forney Center.

The Ali Forney Center, founded in 2002, is the nation's largest and most comprehensive organization dedicated to homeless LGBT youth and currently services over 2,000 kids.

What impresses me most about AFC is that they don't just provide their kids with a place to sleep, they provide them with a second chance. Carl Siciliano, the Executive Director, explains, "By offering these kids warm and loving homes, and giving them the support and guidance to get back to school and into jobs, we constantly reinforce the fact that they are worthy of being loved and being accepted."

Being accepted is an important part of any kid's life, but especially LGBT ones. Statistics show that a quarter of all kids who come out are rejected by their families. This gives our community a responsibility to help these kids transition into adulthood and the AFC takes the responsibility seriously.

My experience as a supporter of AFC has allowed me to meet and spend time with many of the center's staff and clients and I'm convinced that this organization's health is absolutely vital to the LGBT community. Recently budget cuts from government, corporation, and foundation support has hit the Ali Forney Center hard and they are asking for our help getting through this economic crisis.

Watching the escalation of the gay rights movement is exciting and I hope that some of the energy being devoted to marriage marches and rallys can be directed at providing for the least of us in our community. I urge you to visit the AFC's website and make a donation, even $10 or $20 can be a help in this time of need.

Comments

[IndyReader]

So why isn't the NYC LGBT community supporting this organization? They're so determined to extort exterior approval from society at large that they're letting these kids fall through the cracks.

[kobio]

Your ignorance is astounding! These aren't gays kids they're bigoted straight couples kids. Maybe if their was more approval in society people would not neglect their kids out of fear and ignorance.

[Immoderator]

I am a moderate Evangelical Christian. Needless to say most Evangelicals do not support gay marriage. On 14th amendment grounds I support equal protection under the law for ALL Americans including GLBT Americans. The word marriage bothers me a little but granting the rights appertaining thereunto is a matter of constitutional law. My first amendment rights to my religious point of view end where your 14th Amendment rights begin. There was a war some 145 years ago to establish this.
All this aside, how anyone can help but feel for all homeless kids and have a compassionate urge to give is beyond me. I urge everyone to check out the link. If you can afford to give, Christian or member of the GLBT community or just compassionate bystander, please support this cause and do what you can to get GLBT kids off the streets.

[valkyrie607]

People who think their homophobia harms no-one should look at these statistics and think twice.

[CindyV]

Perhaps Obama can have Rick Warren say a prayer for them.

[Dave01]

Don't count on it. Obama can ask him to do so, but Warren sees the LGBT community as second-class citizens who aren't worthy of his time or compassion. And that goes for LGBT kids.