Washington, D.C. - Working in partnership, the National Youth Advocacy Coalition ( NYAC ) today announced the formation of the "Hurricane Katrina LGBT Relief Fund" to ensure that LGBT youth and families, among the most vulnerable members of our community, receive the critical support they need to regain stability in their lives.
"In America, there are dramatic moments that forever shape our national identity. History remembers those times when we come together in the face of adversity, putting aside our differences to overcome tragedy," said Craig Bowman, Executive Director of the National Youth Advocacy Coalition.
"Thousands of families have absolutely nothing to go home to and hundreds more people are still looking for their families," Bowman added. In Louisiana, in Mississippi and in Alabama the devastation is so unimaginable, so complete, that solutions seem impossible.
"Like so many of our fellow citizens, however, we believe in the indomitable spirit of Americans," Bowman said. "We are awed and humbled by the spirit of community that has emerged in our country in countless ways over the past few days; and with this Fund, we honor the courage and hope shown by so many who are still suffering," he added.
The coalition consists of national organizations working at the grassroots level to affect positive social change for LGBT citizens. Contributions to this fund are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed under law and will support humanitarian relief for LGBT youth and families from the devastated areas. These funds will be distributed directly to local organizations in the best position to ensure strategic and high-impact disbursement of the emergency funds.
Individuals can contribute securely and with confidence now at www.nyacyouth.org .
Donors will be able to find out more about the impact of their gifts in the coming weeks on a new blog being launched on the NYAC website.
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE ( as of 1 September 2005 ) : Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere ( COLAGE ) http://www.colage.org/
Equality Federation www.federationlgbt.org/
Family Pride Coalition www.familypride.org
Mautner Project: The National Lesbian Health Organization www.mautnerproject.org/
National Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Centers ( NALGBTCC ) http://www.lgbtcenters.org/
National Black Justice Coalition ( NBJC ) http://www.nbjcoalition.org/
National Center for Lesbian Rights ( NCLR ) http://www.nclrights.org/
National Center for Transgender Equality ( NCTE ) http://www.nctequality.org/
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) http://www.ncavp.org/
More groups are welcome and are signing on all the time.
