NY activist Harry Weider dead at 57

Disability, rights, AIDS activist hit by taxi in New York City. Profiled in book on dwarfs.

Cyndi Lauper to open homeless shelter for LGBT youth

Cyndi Lauper is proving girls do more than just “wanna have fun.” They also fight for causes close to their heart.

Lauper, according to DNAinfo [1], plans to open a homeless shelter in Harlem in New York City for lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual youth.

[2]

“Kids are coming out in greater numbers as they see themselves accepted and represented on TV and in movies, but they’re still being kicked out of their homes or running away and living on the streets,” Lauper said in a statement.

Lauper – who is working on the project with her publicist, Lisa Barbaris, and Colleen Jackson, West End Inter generational Residence executive directors – plans to raise money for the project through her True Colors Fund [3].

There are roughly 3,000 to 8,000 homeless LGBT kids in New York City according to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

[1] http://www.dnainfo.com/20100406/central-harlem/cyndi-lauper-open-shelter-for-homeless-lgbt-youth-harlem
[2] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-cyndi-lauper-top.jpg
[3] http://www.truecolorsfund.org/

Withers: NYC cop accused of using anti-gay slur

[1]
For the past two months New York City police have been trying to close down Chi Chiz [2], a bar and restaurant on Christopher Street. Between July 2009 and January 2010 police officers allegedly have seen four sales of uncontrolled substances in the bar—it caters to black and brown gay men. The club’s owners have charged the police have been over zealous in their administration of the law.

The place was raided on March 5 by a dozen police officers. They shut it down, but the owners went to a judge and they reopened the next night. As the place was minding its business by doing business, some white guy was in front yelling this: “This fag establishment should be closed.” When he was confronted by two activists, Allen Roskoff and Corey Johnson, he called them faggots. 911 was called, the police arrived, and they know him. Why? Because he’s a brother in blue. An undercover cop.

A lawyer for Chi Chiz says a police department representative confirmed the officer is undercover, and has been reassigned to a desk. His identity? No one is talking.

Looking forward to how some of our readers respond. Most will be bothered, but a few will defend the police. As they lovingly did in the case of Henry L. Gates [3]. Probably will argue the club forced the over worked cop to use the word.

[1] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-police-badge-top.jpg
[2] http://www.gaycitynews.com/articles/2010/04/01/gay_city_news/news/doc4bb4f62652b10229325684.txt
[3] http://www.365gay.com/blog/072109-harvard-african-american-prof-arrested-in-his-own-home/

Withers: New York Times’ article focuses on “transgender court”

The fundies have another reason to say New York City is “not real America.” An article in yesterday’s New York Times focused on a Manhattan court that has turned into the place where transgender New Yorkers go to have their names officially changed.

“Changing a name might seem like a minor …

Withers: Photos from NYC rally for Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado and Jason “Jaysen” Mattison Jr.

These are photos from tonight’s New York City vigil for crime victims Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado and Jason “Jaysen” Mattison Jr. I’ll write something about tonight’s event tomorrow morning.

Family Q offers support for gay parents

“The technical aspects of making a family is just the small part,” says Dr. Miriam Colbert Ehrenberg, executive director of the Institute for Human Identity (IHI), a New York City-based psychotherapy and training institute.

“Even though it’s difficult and society puts lots of obstacles in your way, your work really starts …

AIDS patients to president: Send more money south

(Jackson, Miss.) When Robin Webb lived in New York City, he was treated by HIV specialists and had access to counseling and nutritional programs. Now he lives in Mississippi, where few of those services exist.

Mississippi is just one of several mostly rural states across the South with a dearth of …

NYC Cabbie kicks out gay couple for hugging

The New York Post reported today that a New York City taxi driver kicked a gay couple out of his vehicle after he saw them hugging in the backseat.

Paul Bruno, 27, and his partner were sitting close to one another after hailing a taxi at 13th Street and First Avenue …

NYC takes new action for gay youth

New York City is trying out a new initiative aimed at preventing LGBT homelessness, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn announced Monday.

The New York City Commission for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Runaway and Homeless Youth will address the problems of LGBTQ teens before they resort to …

Quinn urges Obama, Congress to take action on LGBT rights

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, in remarks at a fundraiser for the upcoming LGBT-rights march in Washington, D.C., recounted an incident during which she urged President Barack Obama to “do more” for LGBT people. “I’m happy there’s something we can organize around in October to send a clear message that we’re thrilled that he’s the president and we’re thrilled that Democrats have control of the House and the Senate, but it’s simply not enough,” Quinn said. PolitickerNY.com

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