New Video: See the Work Your Donation Supports
Dear Friend, Many people around the country know QEJ from our presence at Creating Change, the Act Queer Teleconference Series, our Beyond Marriage statement, or some of the other national work we do to bring an economic justice perspective to queer organizing. But fewer of you know what our work in NYC looks like on a day to day basis. Much of our NYC based work is organizing LGBTQ people in the NYC shelter system. As we come to the end of the year, and if you are still debating about where to... [Read More...]
LGBTQ Homelessness: Your Support Matters
Dear Friend, Did you know that the average cost of renting an apartment in NYC is now $2700 a month? It’s no wonder then that the number of people in NYC shelters reached an all-time high in 2010 of 39,000? Our own recent survey of 171 low-income LGBTQ New Yorkers found that 70% were currently homeless, or had experienced homelessness at some point in their lives. Nationally, we know that queer homelessness is at crisis levels, as many urban centers have hugely disproportionate numbers... [Read More...]
A Military Job Is Not Economic Justice: QEJ Statement on DADT
In just a few moments President Obama is scheduled to sign the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy, which in theory, will allow for gay and lesbian members of the military to serve without being in the closet. Queers for Economic Justice staff and constituents have all met people in the LGBT movement who have said to us that the DADT repeal is an economic justice victory, since many poor and working-class LGBT people join the military to have access to better jobs, and because... [Read More...]
Kenyon Farrow: Why I Support QEJ
In 2005, I walked into one of QEJ’s Know Your Rights Trainings for 25 LGBT homeless people in our shelter project to lead a resume writing workshop. My life as an activist was changed. I found my political home. And since then, I’ve been with QEJ in many capacities, and most recently as Executive Director. Next Wednesday will be my last day in the office as Executive Director. Though I will not be paid staff, I am staying with QEJ, and I hope you will too. Please consider making an end... [Read More...]
Welfare Warriors’ Documentary ‘Taking Freedom Home’ Released!
Taking Freedom Home chronicles two years in the life of the Welfare Warriors Research Collaborative (WWRC), a project of Queers for Economic Justice (QEJ), a New York based non-profit organization. The film sheds much needed light on the challenges faced by low income LGBTGNC (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender nonconforming) residents of New York City as well as their intersectional social justice organizing strategies. Equal parts video postcard and revolutionary workbook, the film... [Read More...]
