March 13, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kimberley McLeod

Email: mcleod@glaad.org

Office: 646-871-8038

Cell: 646-319-6124

 

The Audre Lorde Project Celebrates its 15 Year Anniversary

New York-based organizing group has been building community across differences since 1996

NEW YORK, N.Y. – On Thursday, March 15, the Audre Lorde Project (ALP) will commemorate its 15th anniversary with a community celebration. The event will take place at Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012, 7 – 10 p.m., and will feature a keynote address by activist and poet Chrystos and a performance by the Lavender Light Gospel Choir.

In November 1996, ALP found a home in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn. Since then and for the past 15 years ALP has helped Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming (LGBTSTGNC) People of Color and Allies in New York City and beyond share knowledge and culture, and struggle together across differences.

“The vision for ALP grew out of the expressed need for innovative and unified community strategies to address the multiple issues impacting LGBTSTGNC People of Color,” says Collette Carter, co-director of ALP. “For a decade and a half, our organization has been committed to mobilizing and educating community members while responsibly reflecting, representing and serving them.”

Some of the organization’s highlights over the years include: launching 3rd Space Support, a program that helps LGBTSTGNC People of Color who struggle with issues around employment, education, health care and immigration status; hosting the first annual Bed-Stuy Pride, a celebration of LGBTSTGNC People of Color in the Brooklyn neighborhood that featured performances, artists, vendors and activities for youth and adults; and recruiting nine local businesses to become safe spaces.

“We look forward to continuing this very important work,” adds Kris Hayashi, co-director of ALP. “Our anniversary will be a time for us to join our spirits in celebration of this milestone.”

Tickets for the event are sliding scale. No one is turned away. Childcare, wheelchair accessible space and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided.

For more information, visit www.alp.org/15years.

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