In the News
Pier 40 Plan Taking Shape
Wednesday September 17, 2008
Wind turbines and solar panels, a round-the-clock, drop-in center for gay and lesbian youth, a middle school, a “new Caffe Cino,” a spot for community-based boating, more stuff for seniors and assurance that vintage cars won’t be dinged by parking lifts were among the many requests — in some cases, more like demands — by community members at the first full public hearing on the new Pier 40 redevelopment proposal on Monday evening.
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FIERCE Schools the Community
Organizer Glo Ross tells the story of FIERCE's fight for safe space for queer youth of color on New York City's West Side Piers
Friday August 22, 2008
We learned our lesson with the Christopher Street Pier. We learned that development decisions get made without the input of the most disenfranchised communities that the development would impact, especially the ones with the least access to voice, money and power. So now we had a great opportunity to say not only what we dn't want in this development but to say what we do want, to be proactive.
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Re: Pier 40 plan sails smoothly for most part at committee
Wednesday July 30, 2008
Finally, we would like to pledge the Friends of Leroy Dog Run’s support to the L.G.B.T. youth of the community. They are in dire need of a space in the neighborhood to service the untold numbers of young people that historically gather in the Far West Village.
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L.G.B.T. youth group fights fiercely for a S.P.O.T. to drop in at Pier 40 in the Hudson River Park
Wednesday June 18, 2008
By the evening’s end, the FIERCE members were overjoyed with how the campaign launch went. Not only did they get a better turnout than expected from their constituency, there was also a showing by other neighborhood organizations, including Jill Hanekamp, a representative of the Pier 40 Partnership.
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Standing up for gay youth and combating prejudice
Wednesday June 04, 2008
John Blasco, 19, is a gay youth living in the East Village. Through his work as a volunteer, and through a kind, humble approach, he has built relationships in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community that span the Downtown community and the city. During his senior year, he was president of the Gay-Straight Alliance at Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn. Since graduation, he has become vocal about issues affecting his community.
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In Feting FIERCE, Astraea Bolsters a New Generation
Thursday May 22, 2008
FIERCE's responsiveness to its community is seen nowhere more than in its commitment to leadership development. The group runs an internship program that provides five-week trainings to youths interested in learning the ropes of community organizing. With a stipend for the interns, in-house meals while they're in the office, and subway fare, the group commits $30,000 annually to the effort, which currently boasts its largest class - 16 young people.
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Digging for Dollars
Wednesday April 23, 2008
In 2006 less than 9% of total funding for LGBT issues went to groups that work with blacks, Latinos, and other people of color. Conn Corrigan finds out why -- and what’s being done to resolve the imbalance.
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Drop-In Hopes on Hudson
Thursday February 21, 2008
A grassroots advocacy group for queer youth has added its voice to a swelling chorus of support for the community-based Pier 40 Partnership proposal for the redevelopment of the Hudson River pier located at Houston Street.
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Pier pressure builds as vote on Pier 40 proposals nears
Wednesday January 23, 2008
About 20 gay and lesbian youth, members of FIERCE!, also attended the committee meeting. The Christopher St. Pier, or Pier 45, a few blocks north is a stomping ground for L.G.B.T. youth in Hudson River Park, which has a 1 a.m. curfew. Glo Ross, a FIERCE! organizer, stood up and advocated for a 24-hour space for L.G.B.T. youth at Pier 40. She noted that the Pier 40 Working Group’s recommendations include an L.G.B.T. youth community space on the pier. After the meeting, Ross said, “We’re definitely excited about the Partnership plan.”
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Critical Pier 40 decision
Wednesday January 16, 2008
To The Editor:
Re “Pier plans are honed as process comes down to wire” (news article, Dec. 12) As the Hudson River Park board of directors, chaired by Diana Taylor, prepares for an imminent vote on the development of Pier 40, the West Village must prepare itself against the possibility of a decision that will drastically alter the space we call home.