The Ali Forney Center (AFC), the nation’s largest organization dedicated to homeless LGBT youth, is naming its newest shelter after Bea Arthur in honor of her support. Founder Carl Siciliano explains ‘The caring and concern that Bea expressed for our kids meant the world to us, and we are thrilled to be able to give honor to her memory in this way’.
Bea Arthur contributed both funds and support to the AFC. In an interview with Next Magazine she said ‘I’m very, very involved in charities involving youth and the plight of foster children. But these kids at the Ali Forney Center are literally dumped by their families because of the fact that they are lesbian, gay, or transgender – this organization really is saving lives’.
Before Arthur supported the Ali Forney Center, there were only eight residential shelters that could house 12 young people. Now the organization can house hundreds. ‘She feels very much like a patron saint!’ says Siciliano.
I fully support the cannonization of Bea Arthur into the LGBT family, how about you?
From the Miami Herald / Photo from Wordpress.com
