YOU CAN HELP LGBT FAMILIES AND YOUTH IMPACTED BY HURRICANE KATRINA

Dear Family Pride Members and Supporters,

In Hurricane Katrina, Mother Nature provided an awesome reminder of her power, and the power of the indomitable spirit of our fellow Americans.

The complete destruction of cities, towns and neighborhoods in the poorest states in our union, and the complete loss of everything for so many, is almost unfathomable. I’m sure you’re aware that thousands of families have absolutely nothing to go home to and hundreds more people are still looking for their families.

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 we honor the courage and hope shown by so many who are still suffering.

In the face of their strength – now is the time to act.

In partnership with many organizations around the country, the Family Pride Coalition and our partners have launched 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.

The next few days are critical. No amount is too small to make a difference.

Outstanding national partners are working together to support this effort and are listed below. More groups are joining all the time.

You can invest in this life-saving effort right now at http://www.nyacyouth.org/.

Contributions to the fund are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed under law and will support humanitarian relief for LGBTQ 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.

As a first step, on Tues., Sept. 6 the Houston Area Teen Coalition of Homosexuals (H.A.T.C.H.) and Montrose Counseling Center will host one of a series of special support groups for the refugees to help them manage their stress, grief and fear.

Find out more about the impact of your gift in the coming weeks on a new blog on the NYAC website. Thank you for your investment today in protecting and restoring the lives of LGBTQ families and young people.

We will get through this together.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Chrisler
Executive Director

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS (more are being added)

Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE)
http://www.colage.org/

Equality Federation
http://www.federationlgbt.org/

Family Pride Coalition
http://www.familypride.org/

Mautner Project: The National Lesbian Health Organization
http://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 Transgender Equality (NCTE)
http://www.nctequality.org/

National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP)
http://www.ncavp.org/

National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC)
http://www.nyacyouth.org/