Dear Friends,
You are cordially invited to join me in making a difference for LGBT minority youth in the greater DC area. Did you know that LGBT youth have the highest rates of suicide? The numbers are even more staggering for Asian American youth who have the added stigma of patriarchal values, repression of emotional/sexual expression, etc. It doesn't have to be this way.
The American Psychological Association's Divisions 45 (Ethnic Minority) and 35(1) Black Women are co-coordinating THE annual dance during the APA to benefit The Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) http://www.smyal.org/. This organization is the premier Washington, DC metro area service organization solely dedicated to supporting LGBTQ youth. Founded in 1984, SMYAL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The dance takes place on 8/6/2011 (Saturday) from 8-1am at the Grand Ballroom South of the Renaissance. Online tickets can be purchased by visiting http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/182019. In return for your generosity, you'll enjoy a LIVE set from the acclaimed world-music band Funkadesi (Come and see why they've been voted as best world music band and personally mentioned by President Obama. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amAT_t05yJg). Door prizes are going to the first 60 ticket purchasers and dance souvenirs will be gifted to the first 60 to arrive at the dance.
Won't be in DC or not a fan of dancing? Feel free to purchase a ticket in your name to gift to a student or to the cause. Simply designate that this is a GIFT in the "notes" section and I'm certain good things will come your way for your act of kindness.
Thank you in advance for being part of the solution so that countless LGBTQ young people don't have to endure horrific bullying and harassment on a day-to-day basis, which we all know can have a devastating impact on their self-esteem and emotional health. This event is open to the public so please feel free to pass along this message.
Truly,
Dr. Michi Fu
