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NYC LGBT Youth Rally
 Yesterday, a large crowd gathered in Union Square for a rally in support of homeless LGBT Youth. The rally follows recent vandalism at the Ali Forney Center’s newly opened shelter for homeless LGBT youth in Astoria Queens and City budget cuts that may make it harder for such shelters to operate. Sandra Bernhard spoke at the rally about living close to the Ali Forney Center shelter and her observations of the kids living there saying, “They’re up-beat, they’re smart, they have great potential. Everyone needs a little guidance now and then. It’s up to us to take them in and do some damage control.”
 Other notable speakers at the rally included activist Lt. Dan Choi, NYC Council Member Lewis Fidler and several gay youth who spoke about their experiences. Carl Siciliano, the Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center, closed the event by reminding everyone of vandalism to the shelter that occurred last Thursday. He noted that though some residents were shocked several others were not surprised at the level of hate from their past life experiences stating, “This is what we as a community have to fight. Homophobia is what makes homes hostile to kids, and destroys bonds between families… We have to open our eyes to its effects on LGBT Youth. We have to demand that our youth be protected, it’s our obligation.”
The rally’s purpose was to inspire people to contact their local officials and demand that New York take better care of their youth. Other ways you can get involved is by making donations to organizations that help to support homeless LGBT youth. Such organizations include the Ali Forney Center, The True Colors Fund and Covenant House.
In regard to the City budget cuts, NYC Comptroller John Liu says, "It's not a lot of money we're talking about and yet it could mean the difference between life and death."
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