Youth Pride Day 2001 a Success Despite Rain

WASHINGTON, DC (April 21, 2001) - The fifth annual Youth Pride Day drew over 2,500 youth to P Street Park who braved the rain today to celebrate the awareness, visibility, and pride of sexual and gender minority youth.

The event featured keynote speaker Anthony Colin, 16. Colin, from Los Angeles, CA, championed efforts to allow his Gay-Straight Alliance to meet in his high school. His efforts led to a court ruling that for the first time ever applied the Equal Access Act of 1984 to protect the rights of a Gay-Straight Alliance. His school finally allowed the group to meet last fall. 

"Anthony was an amazing speaker who moved everyone who attended this year's Youth Pride Day," said Sean Gallavan, Director of Youth Pride Day 2001. "The attendance at Youth Pride Day this year shows that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth are coming out in increasing numbers and at earlier ages."

Youth Pride Day was held today in P Street Park (also known as Rock Creek Park) at P and 23rd Sts., NW, in Washington, DC. The event has been previously held in Dupont Circle. Last year's event had an attendance of approximately 2,500 youth.

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