➤ AUDRE LORDE PROJECT, from p.10
specifi ed changes to the 3rd Space
program. In a written statement to
Gay City News, the organization
said the only looming changes to
the programs as a whole are plans
to “de-isolate” staffers and have
them work comprehensively in all
areas of the operation.
While much of the letter focused
on upcoming internal changes,
there also appears to be fi nancial
trouble on the horizon. The announcement
stated that ALP plans
to “strengthen” its fundraising
plans and close its Manhattan offi
ce in Chelsea due to rising rent
costs.
“From November 1 to January,
our offi ces will be closed to the
public while we prepare for our
move,” the letter continued. “This
means that we can’t accommodate
unscheduled drop-ins during this
time. In order to honor community
needs, we will update and share
the Resource Guide created by our
3rd Space program to provide referrals
for services needed.”
The organization told Gay City
News that the team does not anticipate
any limitations in their work
after trimming down to one offi ce
space. However, due to accessibility
issues at the Brooklyn location
in Fort Greene, ALF said, “we will
be doing a mapping of free or lowcost
spaces that are more accessible
for us to continue our external
public programming.”
The announcement also mentioned
at a three-year plan, for
which details remain scarce. But
ALF clarifi ed that the restoration
period “is essentially an incubator
to achieve success for the full
3 year plan.”
“We can’t grow until we have
effectively tilled the land we seek
nourishment from,” ALF said. “After
establishing set structures,
➤ JACKSONVILLE BRUTALITY, from p.10
ing in his presentation.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s offi ce
stated on September 29 that the
victim was suffering from a “lifethreatening
condition” — and Merkan
said he is clinging to life.
“They did suffer from head injuries,”
Merkan said.
It is not clear whether the victim
and Bridges knew each other
identifying institutional failures,
and executing a full organizational
alignment, we will be better off
to achieve our main 3 year plan
goals.”
Those goals, ALF said, include
strengthening ALP’s political education
and community organizing
work; defi ning wellness, healing
justice, and safety and how those
are integrated into ALP’s work; increasing
wellness, development,
and accountability among its staff;
and diversifying funding “with an
eye toward long-term stability.”
When asked whether the organization’s
long-term existence
could be in jeopardy, a spokesperson
said, “Some organizations face
those questions and push past
them to exist for the sake of existing.
We truly want to honor the
dignity of our stakeholders and the
work that’s been accomplished in
our 23-year legacy; in order to do
that, we must face who we are in
regards to the communities we are
accountable to.”
The letter nonetheless captured
the extent to which ALP is plagued
by issues that have emerged
among several other organizations
dedicated to LGBTQ people of color
in New York City. Griot Circle , a
Brooklyn-based nonprofi t dedicated
to LGBTQ seniors of color, intends
to expand someday but currently
receives only small funding
boosts from city government and,
like ALP now, is limited to just one
offi ce. Gay Men of African Descent ,
an organization focused on HIV
prevention and sexual health also
based in Brooklyn, went on hiatus
this past summer amid shortages
in funding.
“With grace, humility, and
hearts open to critique, love, and
change, ALP will continue to be
in the fi ght for racial, gender, and
economic justice with all of you,”
the letter concluded.
prior to the incident, and police
have offered no explanation of how
the assault started. Merkan said
he heard there was an “argument
or fi ght at the apartment complex,”
but he was not familiar with
specifi c details about the turn of
events or a motive.
Merkan said community members
expressed high regard for the
victim, saying he has a “bubbly
personality.”
TURN YOUR CONCERN
INTO IMPACT.
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