Today I pledge 1 million dollars to New York & The American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy Relief. If it wasn’t for NYC: the Lower Eastside, Harlem, the Bronx and Brooklyn, I would not be the woman or artist that I am today. New York is relentless ambition, a drive to succeed, a place where there is a natural pursuit of diversity through compassion. Please accept this gift on behalf of myself, my parents Joe and Cynthia, and my sister Natali; with our deepest gratitude New York for raising us. Thank you for helping me build my spirit. I will now help you rebuild yours.
After the LGBT blogs took the news and ran with it and we crossed over to Twitter with donation information yesterday alone over $100,000.00 was raised to help the Ali Forney Center.
Pam Grier tweeted the news to hundreds of thousands of followers, Joseph Gordon-Levitt tweeted it to hundreds of thousands more, and in less than 24 hours, the Ali Forney Center had received more than 900 donations totaling $100,000, Siciliano said in an interview Sunday evening. “We’ve never had a day where $100,000 came in online before,” he told the Los Angeles Times. “That’s actually kind of phenomenal. And it shows the power of social media to do good.” Although LGBT youth had historically been marginalized by traditional, mainstream institutions, Siciliano said, now the community could rally around those needing help the most. And social media helped make it happen, allowing people to help each other without waiting for someone else to tell them what to do.
Many thanks also to @RugbyBenCohen who also helped us spread the word via Twitter and a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone that was able to help. Words just escape me at how wonderful special you all are.
Yesterday’s fundraising was a big help to the AFC but they still have much further to go to recover from this disaster so they can continue to help out our little LGBT brothers and sisters.
In a stunning turn of events, several days after Hurricane Sandy devastated the eastern seaboard estimated to cost billions, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a very respected registered Independent has endorsed President Obama for a second term. Mayor Bloomberg stated that President Obama has sought out reform in education and climate control polices.
Though Mayor Bloomberg does not agree with some of President Obama’s ideals/practices, or policies he does note the wishwashy behavior of Governor Romney’s campaign:
In the past he has also taken sensible positions on immigration, illegal guns, abortion rights and health care. But he has reversed course on all of them, and is even running against the health-care model he signed into law in Massachusetts.
Also, Mayor Bloomberg notes that when comparing President Obama to republican presidential nominee Romney, President Obama is progressive since he does support women’s rights, marriage equality, as well as recognize the urgent need for climate change reformation:
One believes a woman’s right to choose should be protected for future generations; one does not. That difference, given the likelihood of Supreme Court vacancies, weighs heavily on my decision.
One recognizes marriage equality as consistent with America’s march of freedom; one does not. I want our president to be on the right side of history.
One sees climate change as an urgent problem that threatens our planet; one does not. I want our president to place scientific evidence and risk management above electoral politics.
In closing, Mayor Bloomberg suggests that presidents of history’s past were able to implement these important changes despite having an opposing congress by bipartisanship and states that is why he is voting for President Obama:
Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan both found success while their parties were out of power in Congress — and President Obama can, too. If he listens to people on both sides of the aisle, and builds the trust of moderates, he can fulfill the hope he inspired four years ago and lead our country toward a better future for my children and yours. And that’s why I will be voting for him.
An honest and objective reasoning applied to this statement. Well dome Mayor Bloomberg.
