DC Youth Pride Day Continues for Third Year - Local Gay Youth Celebrate with Dignity

WASHINGTON, DC (March 23, 1999) – With the goal of building awareness and self-esteem among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and straight youth, many national celebrities, speakers from other states, and several testimonials by youth in the Metro DC Area will take place at the Third Annual D.C. Youth Pride Day, scheduled to begin at noon on Saturday, April 17th in Dupont Circle, Washington, DC.

"We hope that Youth Pride participants will leave with a much better sense of self and a higher degree of esteem,” Founder Christopher Dyer explains. "The fact is, there are gay, lesbian bisexual, transgendered (GLBT) and straight supporting youth who are dying. This day sends a powerful message to those who are struggling that they are not alone. Everyone deserves to live, love and be loved."

Informational booths will be available to local and national community organizations that provide services to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth. Loren Becker, 18-year-old Co-Chair of DC Youth Pride explains “The youth are taking it upon themselves to be honest and open about the issues of GLBT youth. We are doing our best to fill the gaps where the system and schools fail us.”

In addition to various local bands, Youth Pride Alliance has invited numerous youth speakers to provide testimonials on timely issues of homophobia, coming to terms with one’s sexual orientation, organizing, and hate crimes. A few keynote speakers will anchor the program such as Michael Bisogno, a 16-year-old activist from Bergen County, NJ, who dedicates his life to the safety and well being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth and the end of homophobia, and Bruce Murray and his mom, Rhea Murray, a proud and eloquent PFLAG mother and author of the powerful book Journey to Moriah.

Brian McCarthy, 18-year-old Co-Chair of D.C. Youth Pride, says events like D.C. Youth Pride offer a positive escape from the isolation and harassment many gay youth face each day in school. "We're simply providing a positive escape, where kids can learn to respect themselves and each other - gay, straight or anywhere in between."

The Youth Pride Alliance is a coalition of over 20 youth support and advocacy groups in the Metro DC Area including Youth Guardian Services (YGS), Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL), Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG DC), Whitman Walker Clinic, Safe Schools Coalition of Montgomery County, Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN DC), seven campus student groups, Metro Teen Aids Coalition and BiNetwork DC.

By sponsoring events such as Youth Pride Day, the Alliance strives to achieve its goal of providing safe and healthy spaces for youth to grow.

###