I tried to donate over the holidays, but they aren't set up to accept out-of-country donations...sent an email, but no response. Perhaps you could work your magic? Not that we Canadians make up a big portion of slog, but every little bit helps, right?

Sure thing, Dan.

40%?!!?

I agree with this cause. Wholeheartedly. But that number needs a citation.

Thank you for this. I have the privilege of volunteering for this organization and have spent time hanging out with these kids. In my experience, most of these kids are not originally from the NYC area. Because Ali Forney is one of the only organizations in the country that helps them, kids really do come from all over. They are so precious and really do deserve the very best we can give them. DADT, ENDA, and DOMA are all important. But what kind of people are we if we leave our kids (literally) out in the cold?

off topic: i like alan cumming a lot. he always reminds me of this guy, though :-)

http://msmindy.com/rudolph/char_hermey.s…

Thanks for the heads up Dan. I donated.

In Utah, it's more like 70-80% of homeless youth are queer self-identified. It's an open secret here, and a big focus of the SLC Pride Center.

Canuck, good morning, I love you, but what, you can't mail a check already? Very modern; "ooh, what's a postage stamp?"

Doh. Yes, gus, you're right, I guess I could go old school and mail a check, or I could even call them with my Visa #. I've been told my phone skills suck, but hey, for this, it'll be worth learning to dial again... (thank you, dearest... :)

Please read @10, for those who don't read unregistered comments.

@3: I just did a quick search and found this. It links to the original publication. I think this may be what Dan is referring to. http://gayteens.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/…

I hope I didn't botch the link somehow, but it really only takes a thirty second google search.

I donated in early December but just donated again. When it comes to LGBT youth I just can't help myself. I hope they all remain safe, sound, warm and well despite their situations.

The statistics are indeed alarming, but 40% is the high end of an estimate from a source (National Gay and Lesbian Task Force) which cannot be described as scientifically unbiased. I think it does a disservice to apply the numbers this way. The most likely numbers from that report seem to be closer to 26%, which is alarming enough!

If we who care about these issues attempt to constantly present the worst case scenario as if it were the current basis, we risk adopting, through our own words and actions, reputations as number inflators and charlatans. 95% confidence level estimates from unbiased sources are the best to use, and those seem to show an extremely serious problem.

When you have a report that says: "Between 20% and 40%" and you then report it as 40%, you're harming your own cause.

New York can take care of itself.

We've got plenty of homeless LGBT kids here in Seattle and other parts of the state.

@Canuck: Did it say something about an AVS mismatch when you tried to donate? The page looks like it should work with Canadian billing addresses (has the list of provinces, etc.), but then it didn't.

P.S. Happy New Year

@16 maybe the postal codes don't work?

Done. Happy New Year!

Done. Happy Anniversary ( a few weeks early) and thanks for allowing your marriage to bless us all with the creation of the IGBP!

Yep, that was the problem, Canadian Nurse, and then I kept meaning to phone...I assume they'll take a credit card number over the phone? That extra step is the downfall of many a procrastinator, I suspect...

For those wondering about the figures, page 12-13 of the taskforce report at http://www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/Ho… have a good summary of the different studies, most of which are of local scope. The figures range considerably (10%-42%, with most recent studies 25-42%), which is understandable given how difficult it is measure something like that. The 40% figure came (among others) from the City of Seattle - one of the more wide-ranging studies. The report also points out, as will most youth workers, that gay youth who've been abused for being gay are more likely to claim straight status to nosy outsiders than vice versa (report puts it more diplomatically).

What no study disputes is that being gay is one of the biggest risk factors for being homeless as an adolescent. I can't see a bigger one. Work with homeless youth and it overwhelms you with how obvious it is. Anti-gay hate, more than any other single vice, terrorises and sometimes devours our young. And so many of our homeless services are run by religious organisations who treat them like they are the problem. These kids need family. We are what they have. Supporting the safe and affirming shelters is just as important as the inspiration and comfort of the "it gets better" campaign. Both are ways of parenting those that got sucky parents.

(And when I say 'we' - I'm not gay. I'm just a fucking human being.)