Every year, New York magazine unveils its annual ‘Reasons to Love New York’ issue. This year’s theme is the ‘Movies Issue’ which will celebrate the movies that spotlight New York City. However, the issue is also setting out to raise awareness about homeless LGBTQ youth.
According to a statement from the magazine, “The issue also includes a special advertising project from Havas New York and The Ali Forney Center, who took over 40% of the magazine’s advertising pages to draw attention to the fact that LGBTQIA+ identifying youths make up 40% of New York City’s homeless youth.”
Dubbed an ‘issue within the issue’, 40% of the advertising space in the issue is dedicated to raising awareness about LGBTQ homeless youth, which tragically makes up 40% of the city’s entire homeless youth population.
It’s also commemorating the anniversary of Ali Forney’s murder. Forney was transgender and a noted peer counselor for LGBTQ youth. Tragically, she was murdered sometime during early hours of December 5th, 1997, outside a housing complex in Harlem. The Ali Forney Center, named after the beloved activist, now advocates for and helps house New York’s LGBTQ youth. It also puts on numerous social and cultural events every year.
According to MediaPost, Alex Roque, the president and executive director of The Ali Forney Center, stated, “Homophobia, transphobia and lack of support and resources compound the challenges LGBTQIA+ youth face and make it hard to seek out social services designed to help unhoused people in our country. We’re thrilled to partner with Havas New York and New York magazine on this special project.”
The ‘Reasons to Love New York’ issue can be accessed online on their website.
