I am so proud of Polaris for stepping up for homeless LGBTQ youth and survivors of trafficking with their Polaris Pride fundraising campaign.
The anti-trafficking community is strong because it draws people of all faiths and backgrounds, but sometimes that can lead to blind-spots. Until a few years ago, very few anti-trafficking organizations addressed the unique needs of LGBTQ youth. I was proud to help make Polaris one of the first to celebrate Pride online with these two little images, and now they are continuing that vital work with this fundraiser. They asked members of the community to set up fundraising pages, and I was happy to do so.
For folks who know how poorly LGBTQ youth can be treated in shelters, this is a chance to give to a group that will ensure they are treated right. Polaris is a secular nonprofit that provides direct services, runs the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, and has fought for better laws in all 50 states. I’m trying to raise $500–I’ve given $100 to get us started. If you can give, please consider $50 to support this underserved and deserving population.
You can keep track of how the fundraiser is going with this widget on the right.
If anyone has any questions about Polaris or the ways in which homeless youth are more vulnerable to exploitation, I can answer them in the comments.
Inspirational Quote:
“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.”–Jane Howard
