FIERCE Blog

FIERCE Welcomes New Organizer and National Program Director!

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:00:00 GMT

We are excited to welcome Tara Tabassi as FIERCE’s new Organizer. Tara comes to FIERCE with experience as a youth organizer at Stonewall Youth in Olympia, WA and youth-led social movements in the Netherlands. Tara has worked on issues such as political education for liberation, war crime & sexual violence survivor trauma therapy, and Queer Muslim Diaspora community building and advocacy. Tara studied social justice at the Evergreen State College in Washington, and war/violent conflict and reconstruction at the Institute of Social Studies in the Hague, Netherlands. Tara is committed to transforming communities through people power while also shaking off trauma and oppression by being silly, living with integrity and cooking up a spicy storm in a full home.

As Organizer, Tara will be responsible for supporting FIERCE’s membership in outreaching to LGBTQ youth of color and building our base to support our campaigns, media work, national program and fundraising strategies. As FIERCE member Rudy Rosado said, “FIERCE members are the heart and soul of the organization, and they wouldn’t be here if it weren’t the efforts of FIERCE’s Outreach Team and our base-building work.” In addition to coordinating FIERCE’s Member-led Outreach Team, Tara will also serve as a key point person in our coalition work with the Association of Street Involved and Homeless Youth Service Providers and the Kiki Coalition. Welcome Tara!

Morgan, 2011 ELP Mentor Britney, and Tara at ELP1 Graduation

FIERCE is also pleased to welcome Richard “Morgan” into the position of our new National Program Director. Morgan was born and raised in south central Los Angeles where he developed his skills as a youth organizer. As a founding member of South Central Youth Empowered thru Action, Morgan organized youth around several statewide initiatives relating juvenile justice, immigration rights, education and substance abuse. After eight years, Morgan transitioned to a leadership role as Program Coordinator of Youth United for Community Action (YUCA), where he continued the fight for social justice by developing the political consciousness and organizing skills of south LA high school students. Morgan has also worked on campaigns that have raised awareness on issues including early childhood education, gentrification, quality health care in low-income communities of color, homophobia, LGBTQ rights, racial profiling and sexual assault. For over 10 years now, he has been a member of The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company. As a Teaching Artist, Morgan has worked with underserved youth who have been currently incarcerated or on probation. The Unusual Suspects Theater Company utilizes theatre arts to helped youth discover leadership skills and talents that they can use to use to change their current situations and make positive life choices.

As National Program Director, Morgan will be working with our member-led National Committee to coordinate our national LGBTQ Youth of Color Organizing Summits, implement our capacity building cohorts, distributing our Youth Organizing toolkit, and working closely to build stronger relationships and coalitions with other youth of color and LGBTQ youth of color organizing groups. We are honored to welcome Morgan into this position!

FIERCE Announces New Co-Directors!

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:34:00 GMT

Krystal Portalatin, a FIERCE co-founder and current Associate Director, will be transitioning into one of the Co-Director positions. “I am excited to take on this new leadership role and invest a new level of support to the organization that has shaped me so much over the past 11 years,” stated Portalatin. “I am humbled and grateful to be able to support FIERCE members, staff and board in fighting for our campaigns, expanding our national program and continuing to develop LGBTQ youth of color into leaders of New York City and beyond."

Krystal Portalatin with Bran Fenner and Jesse Ehrensaft-Hawley, former FIERCE Directors, at FIERCE's 10th Anniversary Gayla Celebration!

Krystal joined FIERCE’s staff in 2008 as Operations Manager, and went on to develop our first-ever Wellness & Youth Development program. In August 2010, Krystal was appointed to Associate Director, managing our financial management systems, supervising key program staff, and coordinating organizational development processes. Over the past six months, Krystal has taken on significant leadership responsibilities including fundraising support, supervising our Lead Organizer, and being a guiding force in our campaigns. We are thrilled to welcome Krystal into her new role!

Dulani, FIERCE's New Co-Director!

FIERCE is also excited to welcome Jai Dulani as FIERCE’s other incoming Co-Director. Dulani, a long-time FIERCE ally, brings over 11 years of experience working at the intersections of LGBTQ, Youth, Immigrant Justice and Anti-Violence Movements. He has worked with young people in NYC facilitating youth leadership programs with an anti-oppression framework at organizations including Global Action Project, Sadie Nash Leadership Institute, and South Asian Youth Action. For the past four years, he has been instrumental in the growth of SupaFriends, an LGBTQ youth media program at Global Action Project.

Dulani has worked with South Asian, Muslim and Arab communities to organize against post 9-11 state violence. At Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, he organized free legal clinics and translated legal advice to hundreds of Muslim men being targeted by the Special Registration program. At DRUM: Desis Rising Up and Moving, he provided administrative and development support for organizing against detentions and deportations. Dulani is also the Co-Editor of the anthology, The Revolution Starts At Home: Confronting Intimate Violence in Activist Communities and has worked as a consultant, trainer, and collaborator in local and national transformative justice efforts.

“I am excited to transition into my role at FIERCE and begin the process of learning from the amazing work of the FIERCE staff and membership,” stated Dulani. “As someone who is deeply connected to different communities of color and queer communities in New York, I am thrilled to join an organization that has transformed the landscape of organizing among queer youth of color in the City and nationally. At this critical juncture of increased policing in New York and the expansion of criminalization and deportation efforts in communities of color, I look forward to building with FIERCE and continuing to both resist the violence in our communities and transform new spaces for our futures.”

“The FIERCE Board is delighted that Dulani will be joining the staff this July,” stated Raquel Lavina, FIERCE Board Co-Chair. “With Dulani and Krystal’s leadership, we are confident that FIERCE will continue being a home base for LGBTQ youth of color organizers in New York City effectively fighting against policing and gentrification in the West Village and ensuring that LGBTQ youth have access to safe public space 24 hours a day.”

FIERCE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE YEAR!!!

2011 has already been a very productive year for FIERCE:

In March, our Campaign Steering Committee (CSC) established a collaboration with the Urban Justice Center (UJC) to continue work on FIERCE's Our S.P.O.T Campaign.

With support from UJC, FIERCE members have been canvassing the West Village for abandoned or underused buildings that may be viable sites for a 24 hour LGBTQ youth center.
In April, the CSC organized a weekend retreat for FIERCE members that included intensive planning and visioning for the next year of our campaigns, as well as trainings on power mapping and NYC's political landscape.
In May, FIERCE was honored to be awarded the North Star's Fredrick Douglass Award. This award was given in recognition of our work to create equality, economic justice and peace.
Our Leadership Development Program, the Education for Liberation Project, graduated 13 participants of our ELP level 1 program. We are also supporting several new internships and fellowships, including two Media interns, a Campaign Fellow, a Resource Organizing Fellow, and an Administrative Assistant.
In May, we released a press release and new campaign demands in response to increased policing and escalated targeting of LGBTQ youth of color in the village.
This month, we will kick off a series of 6 free events for LGBTQ youth at the pier, including our annual mini-ball, movie screenings, and artistic and wellness events specifically for youth - all victories of our Safe Space Saves Lives Campaign. For more info on our event calendar click HERE.

We're continuing to expand our reach and build with a diverse group of youth organizers in NYC and other parts of country.

At the 2011 Creating Change Conference in February, FIERCE organized a workshop for 15 LGBTQ youth of color on community organizing.

In March we rocked the Left Forum, coordinating the first-ever Youth of Color Organizing Panel with our comrades at DRUM (Desis Rising Up and Moving), Make the Road's PRYDE and Youth Power, and Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice.

This month, FIERCE is heading to the Allied Media Conference, where we have been co-coordinating the Trans & Queer Youth workshop track with Branching Seeds of Resistance from the Colorado Anti-Violence Program!

Our National Program is working on the release of our highly anticipated Youth Organizing Toolkit and planning for our 2nd National LGBTQ youth of color Organizing Summit in 2012. We are also excited to welcome a new National Program Director, Richard Morgan.

In closing, we want to say how much we appreciate the support and encouragement we’ve received during our interim period. This support enabled us to complete our search and hire process while maintaining the strength of our campaigns and supporting our active membership who have been hard at work these last 6 months.

“It’s been an honor to work with FIERCE during this transition and provide support for new leadership changes,” commented Yasmeen Perez, FIERCE’s Interim Director will be transitioning out at the end of July. “With our programs strong and our membership having all hands on deck, it is a wonderful time to welcome new and vibrant leadership to FIERCE. We are excited for the growth ahead!”

Creating Change with LGBTQ Youth

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:57:00 GMT

Three FIERCE members and I were part of a member led facilitation of a workshop about Youth Organizing 101. Before we flew to Minneapolis, members with support of staff were able to create a curriculum to the workshop. We had intensive preparation meetings that last 3 weeks. We had about 15 participants from all over the country attend our workshop.

At the conference, I had some really unique experiences. I participated at few workshops that discussed youth workers & their relationship to youth; Race & LGBT organizing; Queer Progressive Muslim organizing. I was able to learn about different aspects of LGBTQ social justice movement, LGBTQ youth organizing, and LGBTQ communities in general. Also, I was able to meet some of FIERCE allies. I had great opportunity to network with other LGBTQ youth of color organizers.

Overall, I had a great experience at Creating Change.

Click here to view pictures from Creating Change 2011.

FIERCE Host Youth Organizing 101 Workshop at Creating Change

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:21:00 GMT

Friday Night Caucus - 6:30pm

Fabulous & Empowered: A Presentation of FIERCE’s Organizing Tool Kit and other Youth Organizing Models

FIERCE is proud to be releasing our organizer’s toolkit this year. The toolkit is a guide we hope will serve to support organizations that either already follow a youth-led organizing model or are looking to implement one. In our current climate, youth-led organizing as a tool for empowerment and change is an undeniable necessity. Come dialogue with us about successful youthled organizing models, how to implement them, and the lessons learned along the way.

Saturday Session -- 9am

Youth Organizing 101 Workshop

Are you an LGBTQ youth of color looking to gain some knowledge on organizing? Then this workshop is for you! Join FIERCE, a NYC-based youth-led organization dedicated to building the power and leadership of LGBTQ youth of color, for a workshop on base building and youth-led campaign strategy. Through this interactive workshop, we hope to provide you with the skills you need to start to make the change you want to see in your own communities. This workshop is open to LGBTQ youth of color between the ages of 13-24 years old.

Saturday Evening Fundraiser at Hell's Kitchen - 9pm

We'll also be going to the Dirty Queer Show III, a fundraiser for TYSN (Trans Youth Support Network) and FIERCE! The show will take place at Hell's Kitchen, located at 80 S. 9th St., Minneapolis, MN.

The Dirty Queer Show's mission is to push the boundaries of queer artists/performers & people in the non-mainstream side of sexuality & art.

More info about the show, click here.

Thanks for an Amazing 2010!

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 10:34:00 GMT

We're proud to share with you 10 fabulous highlights from our 10th Anniversary year!

LGBTQ Youth of Color Summit: This year, FIERCE's National Program made history at the 2010 Creating Change Conference in Dallas, TX. In February, we organized the first-ever LGBTQ Youth of Color Organizing Summit for over 40 LGBTQ youth of color leaders from around the country and released our first national report Coming Out, Stepping Up:Organizing to build the power of LGBTQ youth.

Safe Space Saves Lives campaign victories: For the second year in a row, FIERCE won the right to hold free summer programs for LGBTQ youth on the piers including a Queer film series, an artistic night, wellness events and a wildly successful Mini-ball for over 700 LGBTQ youth!

FIERCE rocked the United States Social Forum and Allied Media Conference in Detroit where we co-organized the USSF Queer People's Movement Assembly and the first-ever Queer and Trans Youth track at the AMC. Reflections by FIERCE members can be found on our blog.

FIERCE offered our first youth fellowships! This year, we expanded our Education for Liberation program to include 5 new advanced-level leadership development fellowships for LGBTQ youth of color.

Our 10th Anniversary Gay-La Celebration: FIERCE celebrated our 10th birthday and annual concert with a fabulous Gay-La extravaganza. Over 200 of you were there with us! Few people throw a party like FIERCE, so if you missed it, highlights from the night can be viewed here.

LGBTQ Youth Empowerment Month: In response to the LGBTQ youth suicides and anti-gay attacks, FIERCE organized to get Mayor Bloomberg and other elected officials to proclaim every October LGBTQ Youth Empowerment Month in New York City. FIERCE continues to hold elected officials accountable to LGBTQ youth needs, including creating safe spaces for LGBTQ youth and prioritizing youth voices in addressing bullying and violence.

The Queer Pier, 40 Years Art Crew Project: While FIERCE has only been around for 10 years, our roots go back over 40 years to the LGBTQ youth of color who led the Stonewall Rebellion. This year, FIERCE collaborated with queer artists and our allies to manifest the Queer Pier Project: an art and archiving project that documents the stories of LGBTQ people of color on the Christopher Street piers and the work FIERCE does to preserve the piers as a safe space.

Fa-bowl-ous FACE/off Bowl-a-thon 2010 reaches new heights! This year, your love and support helped FIERCE raise over $30,000 in our member-led Bowl-a-thon. Over 700 people chipped in to support FIERCE and 22 teams helped make the event a success. We'd like to send a special thank you to all the team captains, participants, sponsors, and prize donors who make this event possible. See you on the lanes next October!!!

FIERCE New Leadership Transitions: As we bid a fond farewell to outgoing Executive Director Rickke Manazala, the Board of Directors was delighted to announce Yasmeen Perez, as our new Interim Director this year.

Joint Housewarming Party: FIERCE has a strong commitment to movement building and after many years of being a part of numerous local and national coalitions, we were proud to become neighbors with some of our longtime allies: the Audre Lorde Project, Queers for Economic Justice, and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project. Our four organizations welcomed in a new era of queer movement building with a joint housewarming party in September and look forward to using our shared space for strategic collaborations in the future!

2010 underscored the importance of FIERCE's work to lift up the voices of LGBTQ youth of color within social justice movements. We believe that queer and trans youth of color provide crucial leadership to movements that work to ensure that everyone can make decisions about the ways we love, our bodies, and the conditions that shape our lives.

Thank you for believing in FIERCE and for supporting our work this year!

With love and gratitude,

FIERCE Members, Staff and Board

P.S. As the cold sets in this season and LGBTQ youth services keep being threatened with daunting cuts, FIERCE knows how crucial our campaign to get a 24-hour LGBTQ youth center in the West Village is. Please support our organizing efforts by by becoming a monthly online donor with $10, $15 or $20 gifts! Your contributions go a long way in helping FIERCE keep New York City safe for homeless and low-income LGBTQ youth.

Commitment to Our Communities

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:56:00 GMT

FIERCE is one of those organizations with which once you get involved and see how we are committed to the social justice movement you want to stick around. FIERCE is an excellent resource for LGBTQ youth. FIERCE has opened so many doors of opportunity for me, for which I am truly thankful. I appreciate what FIERCE has done for me, and I hope that you, yes you, will to be able to find a home at FIERCE.

Below is my graduation speech, which I gave upon graduating from the Education for Liberation Project Level 2 (ELP2) in August 2010. I hope that it will provide you with some insight as to exactly the type of organization that FIERCE strives to be. Thank you for reading, stay up and stay positive! =)

-----------

"From the point of inception when I decided to involve myself with this organization, up until now at this very moment, I can truly say this has been an experience of a lifetime. I have no regrets and assemble myself to have a bright vision for the future. This organization to me means so much. The work that we do speaks volumes about what we as individuals believe in and what we as a group stand behind.

"After involving myself with FIERCE, I very quickly came to realize how important our work is to the community that we serve. As an active member and ELP 1 and ELP 2 graduate, I have learned so much. The skill set and preparedness that we discuss and practice here at FIERCE is truly priceless in my eyes, and I thank each and every one of you for being a part of such a wonderful experience for me, and I mean that sincerely from the bottom of my heart.

"I have dedicated myself to this social justice movement and I will continue to push my growing edge, step up step back and listen to all of those who have it in their hearts to share their experiences with me of being an LGBTQ youth of color. FIERCE has opened my eyes and captivated my mind. I stand today a proud ELP 1 & 2 graduate but not only that, I stand before you in a state of enlightenment which I feel could not be if it were not for the presence of this organization in my life.

"Thank you to the staff. You all have worked so hard and have been there for all of us. Thank you to my fellow ELP 2 graduates for making this an experience of a lifetime. And thank you to anyone and everyone who supports FIERCE in any way. I hope that we can all continue to put our all into this movement because it means so much not only for this generation, but for those to come as well. Thank you."

About the FIERCE E-Zine:

The E-Zine is an online publication by FIERCE Media Crew for other LGBTQ youth within and outside of NYC. The E-Zine will highlight FIERCE's work, programs and events; feature stories and reflections from LGBTQ youth about their experiences; member profiles; ally features; articles on fashion, music, movies; and videos, photography, art, and poetry projects produced by FIERCE members.

Lifting the Veil

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:31:00 GMT

FIERCE’s Education Liberation Project 1 (ELP1) is a program that primarily focuses on educating LGBTQ youth of color between the ages of 13 and 24 about the systems of oppression that they experience whether they realize it or not.

ELP is one of the first steps in supporting FIERCE Members in developing their political development, leadership and organizing skills in order to address the injustices that occur in their daily lives. These injustices include racism, homophobia, xenophobia, sexism, and others and their affect on low-income communities, LGBTQ communities and youth.

“ELP is a place where LGBTQ youth of color can find empowerment through learning and understanding concrete ideologies, how they connect to their personal experiences, and that LGBTQ youth have the power to change them,” said Emerson Brisbon, Leadership Development Associate at FIERCE.

Education Liberation Project Cycle 1 serves as a ‘veil remover’ of what really goes on in our society. Sam, an active member at FIERCE and media crew participant said, “I thought racism was over because I never felt like I really experienced it or saw it. But, ELP1 helped me start the process of questioning my ideas and how those ideas came to be.” ELP1 was truly a change for her and as she put it, “an eye opener in my questioning.”

“ELP1 has helped me become a better leader and public speaker. It helped me understand the oppression that LGBTQ youth of color go through,” said Michael Owens, an active member of FIERCE and participant of media crew and campaign steering committee. “As an LGBTQ youth of color, I have faced police brutality and the systems of oppression we endure. The work I’ve done at FIERCE has empowered me to continue fighting for our goals.”

It is no surprise that FIERCE’s ELP intensive program has positively impacted the lives of many members of FIERCE. Whether it was an eye opener or an empowerment to persevere, ELP1 has kept many members interested in working hard and fighting for the goals FIERCE has.

For Tyrell Gorton, ELP1 has definitely provided a change in his life. “ELP1 gave me a stronger desire to do social justice work, find tune my focus in problem solving and showed me the social problems that occur to people who are just like me.”

With ELP, he realized he wasn’t the only person who acknowledged how corrupt America really is. For him, being a young male of color, he already knew about racism and its oppressive mannerisms but ELP1 helped him understand the issues transgender, young women of color and gender non-conforming individuals endure.

As Michael, Sam and Tyrell said, “[FIERCE is like family with real connections and the bonds that it forms with people make it exciting to be a part of.]” There is never really an end to lessons learned in ELP1 since FIERCE’s work for justice must continue for the generations to come. We know we can count on the work our future members will bring to the table of our huge family.

---

Ari is an Active FIERCE Member and graduate of ELP1 and ELP2. Ari is also a member of the FIERCE Media Crew.

About the FIERCE E-Zine:

Poetry in Motion: "Evenstar Ending"

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:46:00 GMT

Evenstar Ending

Two people, two lives,

Both strong, capable guys.

We saw each other one day here,

And I knew right there I would hold him dear.

His brown eyes shined so bright,

His skin danced under the light.

It was six months we two became one,

And our love kept growing under the glittering sun.

Our night to celebrate and relax,

And to remember why our love keeps coming back.

Eternal was playing as we lay in bed,

For the next morning all I felt was dread.

Lying beside him, listening to him breathe,

All I thought was how I never wanted to leave.

My back against his chest,

I knew his love was the best.

His hand touched mine, I began to hear,

Thunder and rain were the sounds that struck my ear.

The blue candle’s light danced upon his walls.

All this time, our love stood tall.

The perfect moment, for the perfect love.

Still the sounds of rain came from around and above.

The rain and Piano faded into night,

And Breath of Life became our new light.

The beautiful elvish words, so strong neat,

Danced with our hearts and their very beat.

We lay still, both trying not to cry,

But loving each moment, knowing we were nearby.

Our Breath of Life faded slowly away,

As our night turned into a new day.

The Evenstar begun to shine,

And her heartfelt words sung so fine.

Her soft voice sung to our hearts,

As the song brought our day to a beautiful start.

Still together, and still alive,

The only option was for our love to thrive.

I turned on my side to look at him,

Knowing that the candle-light began to dim.

He moved his hands, and gently touched my lips.

His finger slowly caressed each bump and rip.

Stuck in time, all I felt was this.

He pulled me in, and all I felt was his soft kiss.

And we were one, the Evenstar sung in my head,

Her words inside, gracing us as we lay in bed.

(Spelled)
Ú i vethed nâ i onnad. Si boe ú-dhanna. Ae ú-esteli, esteliach nad.

Estelio han, estelio han, estelio, estelio han, estelio veleth.

(Pronounced)
Oo ee veh-thehd nah ee ohn-nahd.
See boh oo-thahn-nah
Eye oo-ess-tell-ee, ess-tell-ee-akh nahd.

Ess-tell-ee-oh hahn, ess-tell-ee-oh hahn, ess-tell-ee-oh,
Ess-tell-ee-oh hahn, ess-tell-ee-oh vehl-ehth.

(English Translation)
This is not the end...it is the beginning.
You cannot falter now.
If you don't trust [this], trust nothing else.

Trust this, trust this, trust,
Trust this, trust love.

______________________________

Evenstar Ending was performed by Balder Rosado at the FIERCE Got Talent Event on Friday, March 26, 2010.

Summer of 2010: History in the Making!!!

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:14:00 GMT

FIERCE continuously strives to promote a safe space in and for our communities. We want to create a world where everyone is welcome and can just be themselves—a world where you can come as you are and not face discrimination or threats of violence.

In 2005, we launched our Safe Space Saves Lives Campaign to ensure the needs of LGBT youth of color were not forgotten in the wake of the development of the Christopher Street Pier. FIERCE members have worked hard over the past several years to gain a seat at table when it comes to making decisions on the pier.

In 2009, the screening of "Paris is Burning" and the first-ever Global Warming Mini-Ball marked important victories for the Safe Space Saves Lives Campaign. Until then, there had never been official programming on the pier for LGBTQ youth. And the Global Warming Mini-Ball featured performances by Vogue Evolution! Last year, FIERCE also became an official member of the Hudson River Park Trust Advisory Council.

This summer, we were excited to continue our free programming with three movie screenings on Hudson River Park's Pier 46, a series of wellness programs on the pier, and an Artistic Night.

On Saturday, August 28, we held our biggest Event of the Summer! FIERCE, the Kiki Coalition and Friends of Hudson River Park proudly presented A Night in New York ~ our 2^nd Annual Mini-Ball on Pier 46. Over 800 people turned out to this amazing event, which featured performances by LGBTQ youth and some fierce competition on the runway. The event was free and open to the public.

You can visit our YouTube channel and Flickr account to view highlights from our 2010 Summer Programming.

Our voice and our presence as members of the LGBTQ community are rising. There is much more work to be done! You can support our campaigns by:

1. Turn out to events. Be sure to stay tuned to our website and sign up for our mailing list to receive breaking news and updates.

2. Signing our petition of support for a 24 LGBTQ youth center on Pier 40

3. Make a donation to FIERCE to help support our work to build LGBTQ youth of color power

About the FIERCE E-Zine:

Get to know our Allies!

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:59:00 GMT

Tell us a little bit about GLOBE and what you’re about:

“GLOBE is a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people primarily from communities of color in Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, Brownsville and other parts of central and north Brooklyn. Our mission is to empower our communities through organizing and education. Our membership is intergenerational, ranging from age 14-50+. Globe is one of the few New York City groups founded by, led and constituted by low-income LGBTQ people of color organizing around public policy issues that have impact at the city-wide, state-wide and national level. Globe is a project of Make the Road New York.”

(FIERCE Allies Table at our Queer Movie Series on the Pier!)

GLOBE and FIERCE have a strong relationship and long history of supporting each other. Tell us a little bit about that from your perspective.

“GLOBE supports FIERCE in your commitment to LGBTQ Youth of Color-Led Community Organizing and is happy to support FIERCE campaigns and programming, since we know the LGBTQ community needs the type of organizing that both GLOBE and FIERCE is doing to advance issues in our communities. Issues that look past marriage equality and focus in short and long term solutions to racial and economic inequalities and systematic oppression(s) that LGBTQ folks of color go through on a day to day basis.

The relationship that GLOBE and FIERCE members share shows the type of interdependence and movement building that we would like to see growing in our community. It speaks to the need of LGBTQ folks of color to connect in many levels: on the dance floor, at a rally, at meetings with our different targets, at marches celebrating our victories and defending our rights, or just at the Piers, sharing food and laughter ;) “

FIERCE Media Crew thanks Karina for taking the time to work with us on this community spotlight feature. We look forward to continuing to build and organize together.

Be sure to check out GLOBE’s Diva Bash on Saturday, September 11, 2010.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=150852184929747&ref=ts

You can find out more about GLOBE online at http://www.maketheroadny.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/FIERCE/8585349931?v=app_2344061033&ref=ts#!/profile.php?id=1784777464

FIERCE also thanks GLOBE for their support of our 2010 Summer Programming! GLOBE helped organize and facilitate our Capoiera on the Pier Wellness Event.

About the FIERCE E-Zine: