Center Blog

Consider me inspired! I’ve seen the New York City Pride Parade many times, but I’ve never marched. This year, I was fortunate to march with the Center and be in the thick of it. All of my questions were answered and I was completely won over by our community’s collective commitment to the LGBT movement. The sheer beauty, resilience and vibrant diversity of our community filled me with pride and deep appreciation. Along the march, I met young people who never stopped dancing, parents pushing strollers and never running out of patience, HIV+ activists, LGBT immigrants celebrating pride for the first time, transgender participants, friends, colleagues and family. I want to thank the Center staff and board members, interns and volunteers who shared their pride with me and with our entire community. My friend and mentor, Joan Garry, made this video that will give you a snapshot of the glorious day. Enjoy! And thank you, Joan.

Click here to read more about the parade.

I am pleased to announce that on Thursday, June 10th 2010, our work on the City’s Commission for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Runaway and Homeless Youth (LGBTQ RHY) came to fruition. The Commission briefed Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on the work of The Comission and presented our report, All Our Children: Strategies to Prevent Homelessness, Strengthen Services, and Build Support for LGBTQ Youth. We highlighted the fact-findings process, research, best practices, strengthening services, including strategies and recommendations on prevention and family support, and building more broad support for LGBTQ RHY.

Recently, the Center’s Young Leaders Council held a panel on homeless queer youth. Our community came together to hear stories from youth who had been on the streets –- tales of trials and of triumph – as well as stories from individuals who’ve dedicated their careers in helping the homeless queer youth.
The panel also discussed how the LGBT community can get involved with the crisis through volunteer opportunities and spreading the word.

The Center’s Youth Enrichment Services (YES) Program serves over 1,000 young people, ages 13-21, every year. Among that group, a significant number are either homeless or in the foster care system. The Center has recently started the LGBT Foster Care Project which is training foster care agency staff and foster parents in cultural competency around LGBT issues to make them more welcoming and affirming to LGBT youth and prospective LGBT foster parents.

The Commission received great feedback from the Mayor and I feel honored to have contributed to the shaping of this timeless and important document. I highly encourage you to read and share the full report. Download it here!