Who We Are

Our Mission

The Young Leaders Council (“YLC”) is one of the newest initiatives of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. We seek to build an active and diverse community of young New Yorkers committed to the Center and its work.  The YLC advises the Center's Board of Directors and develops programming to engage its demographic as Center supporters, members, volunteers, and leaders. 

Our Objectives

1. Engage a new generation of New Yorkers in the programs, community, and work of the Center.
2. Support the Center and its programs through fundraising, volunteering and outreach.
3. Advise the Center’s Board of Directors on issues and programs relevant to young LGBT New Yorkers.
4. Build events and programs for the Council and its demographic.

To view and share photos from the YLC Speaking Out Series: Kick'd OUT: Queer Youth on the Streets, please watch this slideshow:

Featured Past Event

YLC Speaking Out Series: Kick'd OUT: Queer Youth on the Streets

Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Reception 6 p.m.
Panel 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Even in a city as diverse as New York, LGBT youth can feel isolated and ostracized. Nothing reflects this harsh reality more than teenagers and young adults that have been forced out of their homes as a result of coming out and coming to terms with themselves. Facing life on the streets, often with no idea of where to turn to, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer runaway and homeless youth face a unique set of challenges –- from greater exposure to HIV/AIDS to the pitfalls of drug abuse and sexual violence.

How can the wider LGBT community and government effectively respond to this challenge? What support networks exist, how well do they operate and how can they be strengthened for this at risk population?

Hear stories from the queer youth on the streets –- tales of trials and of triumph -– as well as from those who have dedicated their careers to help them. And learn how you can join your community in confronting this crisis.

Panelist's for this event include:

Glennda Testone
Executive Director of the NYC LGBT Community Center:

Cindy Rizzo
Senior Director, Grantmaking and Evaluation

Susan Haskell
Assistant Commissioner of the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development

Tenaja Jordan
Program Coordinator at SCO Family of Services Graduate of the Harvey Milk School and Hunter College

Hoshalah N.  Misodi
Hairstylist and Artist
Star of The Hair Architect on Essence.com


Sassafras Lowrey
Internationally award-winning storyteller, author, artist, and educator. Editor of the Kicked Out anthology

This event is free and open to the public.

For additional information about this event and panelist and moderator bio's visit the Event Page.

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Gay Rumour Queen

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Join the Young Leader’s Council for Gay Rumour Queen, a benefit party for the Center at Public Assembly on April 10th at 10pm! Admission is on a sliding scale starting at just $5 gets you into the hottest women’s party in Brooklyn hosted by DJ Amber Valentine, Fucci, DJ Sirlinda, DJ Tanner, DJ Marimacha, and DJ Savverson!

 

 

YLC + StartOut Present: Entrepreneurship 101: How to Start, Grow, and Expand a Successful Business

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

A panel discussion sponsored by the Center’s Young Leaders Council (YLC) and StartOut NYC.

This special evening devoted to entrepreneurship will cover all the phases of starting and building a business from the viewpoint of four very successful entrepreneurs. Our expert panel of entrepreneurs will discuss how they turned their ideas into successful businesses, from their initial concepts to their present-day business operations.

Whether you're thinking of starting a business or you're an experienced entrepreneur, join us for an insightful evening of conversation with inspiring entrepreneurs on building a successful business.

Grassroots + Netroots: Winning Equality in the Digital Age

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

The first panel discussion sponsored by the Center’s Young Leaders Council (YLC) will focus on activism in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trangender (LGBT) communities and feature panelists whose involvement spans from Stonewall to what is now referred to as the modern LGBT civil rights movement.

An Evening with New York Times Scent Critic Chandler Burr

November 22, 2009

The Young Leaders Council is pleased to invite you to attend a Private Six Course Dinner & Master-Class in Scent with Chandler Burr to Benefit the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center.

November Working with the master chefs at the iconic Four Seasons Restaurant, Chandler Burr, the New York Times scent critic, will host an interactive master-class in scent, pairing the scents of les parfums gourmands -- the great culinary-based perfumes and their raw elements -- with a world-class six course dinner.

 

Young Leaders Council Pre-Pride Celebration

Thank you to everyone who came out for our Pre-Pride Celebration at The Park last Thursday!  The event was an incredible success and we were overwhelmed by the interest in the YLC and the Center. So many people took the time to stop by our table for more information on becoming Center Members, getting involved in the Center's groundbreaking work and supporting the Young Leaders Council.

Very special thanks to Murray Hill, Gavin Creel, and the cast of HAIR for amazing performances!

Pictures from the event are up on the YLC Group page. Please join the YLC group if you haven't already so we can update you on future events like this one.

You can also see our pictures on Flickr.

View a Slideshow of the Event Here!

 

RECENT YLC EVENTS

Young Leaders Council Inaugural Event
"A Community Conversation with New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn"

YLC Information

Sign up for our E-Newsletter

Check out the YLC on Facebook

Email the Young Leaders Council at ylc@gaycenter.org  with questions or inquiries about joining the Council.

YLC Members

YLC Officers
Kira Garcia, Co-Chair
Wesley Adams, Co-Chair
Melissa Esmundo, Secretary
Orlan Boston, The Center's Board Sponsor
Jeffrey Klein, The Center's Staff Sponsor
Mike Nuno, The Center’s Staff Liaison

Additional YLC Members
Gregory T. Angelo
Finn Bringham
KerryAnn Cook
Michael Evans
Lee Flaster
Simona Gory
Adam Gottlieb
Jason Haas
Tim Hartman
Peter Hopkins
Shelly Horn
Corey Johnson
Andrew Kirk
Brayden McCarthy
Ashley McGovern
JP Moncayo
Bradley Owens
Peter Sandel
Ellis Trevor
Butch Trusty
Billy Wheelan
Jon David Willingham
Greg Zaffiro