Amid the sometimes hostile environment that LGBT+ people of color have to live in, the Audre Lorde Project (ALP) presents a breath of fresh air!
The non-profit in the heart of New York City stands as a beacon of activism, community organizing, and social justice for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans, and Gender Non-Conforming (LGBTSTGNC) People of Color.
Named after the renowned lesbian-feminist poet and activist Audre Lorde, the community service organisation was established in 1994 with a commitment to mobilization, education, and capacity-building to address the unique challenges faced by these communities.
Audre Lorde dedicated her life and writing to confronting injustices — including injustices committed against the LGBTQ community. She got her first poem published in “Seventeen” magazine when she was just a teen. Audre initially worked as a librarian for the New York public schools in the 1960s, according to the Poetry Foundation.
The Audre Lorde Project traces its roots to a coalition of LGBTSTGNC People of Color, initially organized by Advocates for Gay Men of Color — a multi-racial network of gay men advocating for HIV policies.
This initiative, born in 1994, reflected the need for innovative and unified strategies to confront the various issues impacting LGBTSTGNC People of Color communities.
In 1996, ALP found its physical home in the parish house of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in Fort Greene, marking a pivotal moment in its history.
Not long ago, because of ALP’s life-changing activities, it was featured in Blavity’s article “10 Black-Led Community Service Organisations Making A Real Difference”.
The Audre Lorde Project operates under a set of guiding principles that underscore its commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and social justice. Key elements of these principles include:
Full Diversity Recognition: ALP recognizes the rich diversity of LGBTSTGNC people of color, encompassing African/Black/Caribbean, Arab, Asian & Pacific Islander, Latina/o, and Native/Indigenous descent. It serves as a hub for organizing, support, and advocacy for these communities.
Inclusive Collaboration: ALP actively collaborates with LGBTSTGNC people of color organizations and communities, acknowledging differences in race/ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, and life experiences.
Community Involvement: Acknowledging the importance of community involvement, ALP is committed to creating decision-making and organizational structures that are representative of the communities it serves.
Empowering Women’s Leadership: In response to historical sexism, ALP actively strives against anti-sexist practice, supporting and promoting the active participation, leadership, and perspectives of women within its structure and work.
Supporting Expertise: Recognizing the existing skills and expertise within LGBTSTGNC people of color communities, ALP seeks to support and promote the work of organizations, cultural workers, and activists.
Multi-Racial Coalition-Building: ALP is dedicated to promoting multi-racial coalition-building, advocacy, and community organizing among LGBTSTGNC people of color, fostering alliances in the ongoing struggles for equality and liberation.
The Audre Lorde Project remains a vital force in New York City and needs support and donations because the organization embodies Audre Lorde’s legacy. It champions the rights and well-being of LGBTSTGNC People of Color through its unwavering commitment to justice and inclusivity.
