JOINT HOUSEWARMING CELEBRATION FOR THE AUDRE LORDE PROJECT, FIERCE, QUEERS FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE, AND THE SYLVIA RIVERA LAW PROJECT

Naomi Clark, naomi@srlp.org, 212.337.8550
Ellen “Manny” Vaz, ellen@fiercenyc.org, 646.336.6789 x209

On Thursday, September 16, 2010, the Audre Lorde Project (ALP), FIERCE, Queers
for Economic Justice (QEJ) and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) will host a joint housewarming
party to celebrate their new shared home at 147 West 24th Street in New York.
Free and open to all ages, this vibrant celebration reflects the collaborative spirit of four established
community organizations with a combined 42 years of critical work in New York City. The celebration
will highlight the work of some of New York’s most committed organizers and leaders.
“We have reached a milestone for the growing power of grassroots LGBTQ organizing in New York
City,” stated Rickke Mananzala, Executive Director of FIERCE. “Sharing the same building gives our
members greater access to our programs and services in one location while offering a safe and
welcoming social space for community building. It also gives our organizations a great opportunity to
amplify our impact, share resources, and work collaboratively on efforts that will improve our
communities.”

FIERCE first moved into 147 West 24th Street in April 2007. In 2009, the economic crisis impacted
many of the companies in the building, which resulted in several vacant floors. These vacancies
occurred while SRLP, QEJ, and ALP were searching for office space to accommodate their growing
work. The dream of sharing space amongst longstanding allied organizations became a reality shortly
thereafter.

“The joint housewarming is more than just a party,” said Emily Nepon, Grassroots Fundraising Director
for SRLP. “This event celebrates our community’s radical creativity, resilience, and courage. Every
year, our organizations are energized and inspired by the amazing people who make this work
possible.”

100% of the event’s proceeds will benefit SRLP, QEJ, FIERCE and ALP’s organizing and advocacy
work. The event will also include a dance party, video & photo installations, interactive art project, a
raffle drawing and more.

Event Details:
Joint Housewarming Celebration to Benefit the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, Queers for Economic
Justice, FIERCE and the Audre Lorde Project
Date: Thursday, September 16, 2010
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: 147 West 24th Street, New York, NY
(between 6th and 7th Avenues)

Please RSVP to Ellen Vaz at 646-336-6789 x209 or ellen@fiercenyc.org.
For more information, please visit us on the web at: http://www.srlp.org/openhouse.
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ALP, FIERCE, QEJ and SRLP are local and national leaders in social justice community organizing and
advocacy for intersex, transgender, two-spirit, gender non conforming, queer, bisexual, lesbian, and
gay communities of color and low income communities.

The Audre Lorde Project is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non Conforming
People of Color center for community organizing, focusing on the New York City area. Through
mobilization, education and capacity-building, we work for community wellness and progressive social
and economic justice. Committed to struggling across differences, we seek to responsibly reflect,
represent and serve our various communities. http://www.alp.org

FIERCE is a membership-based organization building the leadership and power of lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth of color in New York City. We develop politically
conscious leaders who are invested in improving ourselves and our communities through youth-led
campaigns, leadership development programs, and cultural expression through arts and media.
FIERCE is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of social justice movement leaders.
http://www.fiercenyc.org

Queers for Economic Justice is a progressive non-profit organization committed to promoting
economic justice in a context of sexual and gender liberation. Our goal is to challenge and change the
systems that create poverty and economic injustice in our communities, and to promote an economic
system that embraces sexual and gender diversity. We are committed to the principle that access to
social and economic resources is a fundamental right, and we work to create social and economic
equity through grassroots organizing, public education, advocacy and research. http://www.q4ej.org

The Sylvia Rivera Law Project works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their
gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment,
discrimination, or violence. SRLP is a collective organization founded on the understanding that gender
self-determination is inextricably intertwined with racial, social and economic justice. SRLP works to
improve access to respectful and affirming social, health, and legal services for our communities. We
believe that in order to create meaningful political participation and leadership, we must have access to
basic means of survival and safety from violence. http://www.srlp.org