Whitman-Walker Clinic Announced as Patron Supporter of Youth Pride Day

WASHINGTON, DC (March 9, 1998) - Organizers of Youth Pride Day '98 are pleased to announce that Whitman-Walker Clinic has signed on as a Patron Supporter of Youth Pride Day '98. The Clinic has agreed to donate $2,500 in cash and add a one-day rider to their insurance to cover Youth Pride Day. Additionally, Whitman-Walker will provide volunteers to the Planning Committee for Youth Pride Day and additional logistical support.

"We are very pleased and grateful for Whitman-Walker's generous support," said Christopher Dyer, Chair, Youth Pride Alliance. "In addition to their fiscal support, they provide us with a wealth of resources that will help us continue Youth Pride Day for years to come.

Youth Pride Day, a celebration of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trandgendered Youth and their allies, will be held on April 18, 1998. Organizers expect a more than 1500 youth to participate. Events for the day include entertainers, testimonial speeches by youth , a keynote address by Candace Gingrich, Gary Bowen and several youth activists.

"We're thrilled to lend our support to Youth Pride Day," said Jim Graham, Whitman-Walker's Executive Director. "The day is an affirming, supportive experience for many youth who may be just coming to terms with their sexual identity. And, it's a great way for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered youth to share their experiences with their straight allies. It's a day that helps build bridges, and we're glad we can help."

Whitman­Walker Clinic is the primary community­based provider of HIV and AIDS services in the D.C. area, touching the lives of two out of three people with AIDS in Washington. Through four sites in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, the Clinic provides a wide range of medical and social services to thousands of people living with HIV/ AIDS, in addition to health and support services to the gay and lesbian community. The Clinic's HIV/ AIDS services include HIV primary medical and ophthalmology services, mental health counseling, legal services, case management, and a food bank. The Clinic also operates the D.C. AIDS Information Line as part of its extensive HIV prevention and education efforts.

The Youth Pride Alliance is a coalition of over 25 youth support and advocacy groups in the Metro DC Area including Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL), Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG DC), Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN DC), seven campus student groups, Metro Teen Aids Coalition and BiNetwork DC. Its mission is to celebrate the dignity and courage of all young people as they discover their identity as gay, lesbian, bisexual or straight; and challenge society to stop the hate, the violence, the fear, the isolation, and the denial.

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