Has anti-gay hate and violence reached a critical mass?

Check out this innovative article written for the Long Island Herald by our very own Andy Peters! http://www.liherald.com/stories/Has-anti-gay-hate-and-violence-reached-a-critical-mass,28285?page=1&content_source=

A huge thank you on behalf of Pride for Youth!

As a non-profit agency providing vital services to our community one can imagine we put a lot of effort in to fundraising. On Saturday October 16th Marcy Lang and A. J. Shanti performed live at Kelli’s Bar and Grille in Bellmore to benefit Pride for Youth. We are so grateful to them for dedicating their time to help with our fundraising efforts. Marcy Lang is a singer/songwriter and an all around amazing woman with a huge heart. Marcy has been writing music since early childhood. In addition to her performing at our benefit she also volunteered her time to come perform for our youth the Friday night before at our coffee house. The youth were inspired by her music and her life story that she shared with them. Her message is very positive and definitely had a strong impact on the youth. A.J. Shanti is also a singer/songwriter with a lot of talent. She is an alumni of Pride for Youth which she shared during her performance on Saturday. She stated on the microphone that night, “that place saved me and I am honored to give back”. A.J. also volunteers at Pride for Youth coffee house on Friday nights and is a positive role model for the youth. Kelli’s Bar and Grille in Bellmore has been an amazing ally to us here at Pride for Youth. They have graciously offered their venue to us for many of our fundraisers and are always accommodating with friendly faces. Kelli’s has a great atmosphere and is a great place to go to get drinks and a bite to eat. A huge thanks goes out to owner, Barbara, and all the Kelli’s staff for their support. www.kellisbar.net http://www.myspace.com/marcylang http://www.myspace.com/ajshanti

Time to wear your purple!

Here's your chance to remember LGBT youth who have taken their own lives, support Pride for Youth and Mpowerment Li and have a great night out! Shy lounge in Levittown is taking this special day of remembrance and making it even more special by helping out struggling LGBT youth in Long Island. Anyone who is wearing purple or who mentions that "Pride for Youth sent me", will have their door cover donated directly to Pride for Youth. So wear your hottest purple shirt and come on out to play! We hope to see you all there. Shy Lounge 2686 Hempstead Turnpike Levittown, NY 11756

Documentary about LGBT Youth for Japanese Public Television filmed at Pride for Youth

In early August 2010, Pride for Youth, was contacted by Marcom Visual Creation, Inc., seeking guidance and advice regarding their plans to shoot a documentary on LGBT youth for Japanese public television. The goal of the documentary was to capture the unique experience of American LGBT youth, documenting selected youths’ coming out experiences. The producers felt this type of documentary was a milestone for Japanese public television and hoped it would help Japanese youth who may identify as LGBT. Producers for the film met with Pride for Youth staff and youth participants on various occasions in order to better understand the experience of LGBT youth. Through this process the filmmakers were able to select one Pride for Youth participant and begin making arrangements to film her experiences with her family, at school, and with her peers at PFY’s Friday night Coffeehouse. On Friday, October 8th 2010, a film crew arrived at Pride for Youth to shoot footage at the Coffeehouse and interview Pride for Youth Director, Pete Carney. That same night was our annual “Coming Out Day” celebration, which helped the director of the documentary really capture the experience of coming out for many of our participants. The filming turned out to be a great success and we are hopeful that it will help Japanese LGBT youth develop a sense of pride and not feel alone. Pride for Youth is honored to have been picked to be a part of this important documentary.

Marcy Lang and A.J. Shanti live to benefit Pride for Youth!!!

Marcy Lang and A.J. Shanti are amazingly talented musicians storming the acoustic rock scene. We are very lucky to have them come perform at Kelli's to benefit Pride for Youth. Come down and see these ladies perform live! We will also have our amazing house DJ spinning your favorite dance music you can shake it to through out the night. This event is not to be missed! Saturday October 16th 8pm-????? Kelli's Bar and Grille 2955 Merrick rd. Bellmore, NY 11710 $10 cover at the door 50/50 raffles so you can win money! giveaways throughout the night www.prideforyouth.org www.kellisbar.net http://www.myspace.com/marcylang http://www.myspace.com/ajshanti

Meet the rest of the Program Leaders!!!

Chris R., 19: The reason why I became a program leader is because I wanted to find a way to make a difference in the community in a fun and interactive way. My hobbies include reading, writing, playing video games, cross dressing, singing, and drawing. I hope to help mPowerment become a successful program. Chris A., 19: I became a program leader so I could help educate youth about the problems that affect their society, I plan to work as a Social Worker in the future and help more groups of people in my life. I enjoy going out with my friends and watching movies. Gerard, 17: I became a program leader because I really enjoy the environment I work in and I love the friends I made. My interests are long boarding, playing the guitar, and singing. My goal is to become more knowledgeable so I can teach other people the knowledge PFY taught to me. Jeff (Princess), 18: Well, I was an original peer educator and the reason I stayed because I loved helping out in my community and being an advocate for my own rights along with the rights of others. I am a dancer to the extreme; I have many random interests and skills. I want to become a lobbyist and work for human rights. I want to help people in all ways, if I can make one person life better for even a few seconds, I will be happy. Shay, 16: I realized that becoming a program leader was the best for me because after attending coffeehouse for a few months, I fell in love with PFY and I really wanted to have a bigger role in what PFY has to offer as an LGBT teen center. I love to write and recite poetry (mostly spoken word) and listening to music. I also love nature, reading, and blogging. I plan to become a Professor of either Music Theory or English Language/Creative Writing. Sarah, 17: I wanted to make a difference in my community by encouraging young people towards responsible decisions and I geared that towards working as a program leader. I like singing, writing, drawing, and sewing. I would ultimately in the future like to do something creative and have some kind of impact on pop culture.