to read our Gay-la Program Book!

2000-2010
B u i l d i n g t h e L e a d e r s h i p a n d P ow e r
o f LG B TQ Yo u t h o f C o lo r
 PROGRAM GUIDE
FIERCE Mission
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 who are dedicated to ending all forms of oppression.
History
Fabulous Independent Educated Radicals for Community Empowerment (FIERCE) was founded in 2000 by
a group of primarily LGBTQ youth of color. FIERCE was founded on the principle that LGBTQ youth must
realize and manifest our own social and political power to change our conditions, to shape our futures, and to
become effective agents of change in our communities. While many organizations provide opportunities for
LGBTQ youth to access services, none serve as a city-wide avenue for LGBTQ youth to direct our own social
change agendas. FIERCE continues to serve as one of the nation’s few whose mission is to engage LGBTQ
youth of color in community organizing.
Why FIERCE? Why Now?
FIERCE came about ten years ago because there was no organization in New York City poised to respond
to the urgent needs of LGBTQ youth, who are more often perceived and treated like victims or criminals
in many of the institutions that are mandated to serve us. While many organizations provide opportunities
for youth to become involved in community organizing, none serve as a citywide avenue for LGBTQ youth
to direct our own social change agendas. Organizations whose focus is primarily LGBTQ youth tend to do
service-oriented programming.
FIERCE was founded on the principle that LGBTQ youth must realize and manifest our own social and
political power to change our conditions, to shape our futures, and to become effective agents of change in
our communities.
FIERCE continues to serve as one of the nation’s few whose mission is to engage LGBTQ youth in community
organizing (as opposed to advocacy or direct services). Our unique contribution is our focus on collective
action through leadership development and base-building with some of the most marginalized youth in New
York City: primarily low-income and homeless LGBTQ youth of color.
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 Building the Leadership
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FIERCE Celebrates Ten Year
On behalf of FIERCE Youth Membership, Board of Directors and Staff:
Welcome to FIERCE’s 10th Anniversary Gay-la Extravaganza!
Tonight, we celebrate 10 years of FIERCE, and as we look back, we recall the thousands of people who have been part of
building this amazing organization. As an active FIERCE member, I can’t tell you how many people have told me that they
are FIERCE supporters. I’ve met countless member alumni and several former staff and board. So many people have been
touched by FIERCE over the past decade and have helped it grow into the strong organization we all know today. FIERCE is
covered in our fingerprints and our love.
From our radical LGBTQ youth of color members and fabulous alumni, to die-hard allies, a super supportive staff, incredible
donors, and amazing former and current board members: we have all played a part in making FIERCE a safe space where
LGBTQ youth of color can build our power and exercise it... FIERCELY.
On behalf of the FIERCE Youth Members, Staff and Board, we thank you.
We are thankful for all the people who came before us—those who laid the foundation on which FIERCE stands today. We
look to our past to motivate our future, and we are lucky to be in a movement where we’ve had the opportunity to work
with some of the most inspirational leaders of our time: Marsha P. Johnson, Regina Shavers, Willie Ninja, Bob Kohler and
Sylvia Rivera to name a few, and we know that the list is long.
We are grateful for those who support us and always have our backs. To our allies: thank you for standing in partnership
with us as we work together to build a dynamic movement that is rooted in racial, economic, and gender justice and that
fights for the liberation of all our communities. To our donors: thank you for believing in the power of youth-led grassroots
organizing and for your deep commitment to sustain the work of LGBTQ youth members.
As an Active Youth Member, I’m forever grateful to my fellow FIERCE members for working tirelessly to carry out the vision
of this beautiful organization. Our membership base has grown steadily because of our sense of responsibility to bring our
community into the fight for justice. As FIERCE member Rudy “Elegost” Rosado once said: “Base-building is the pulse of the
organization, always flowing and strongly connected to the heart – our members.”
Over the past 10 years, FIERCE has inspired LGBTQ youth of color to fight for our community and demand justice. It has
given us the tools and the space to grow our political consciousness, deepen our skills as organizers, make friends we’ll have
forever, and become lifelong social justice movement leaders. Very few spaces give young, trans and queer folks of color the
chance to show our creativity, leadership and style, while also empowering us to create solutions to our problems and make
changes that impact the day-to-day lives of everyone in our community
FIERCE is an organization made by us, for us—where we organize to change the conditions that the rest of the world
tells us we cannot overcome: homelessness, racism, police harassment, transphobic and homophobic violence, ageism
and gentrification. Every day, we prove those haters wrong. Every day, we work to create our new world, and we do that
standing side-by-side, in solidarity with all of you. In the spirit of Stonewall: The REBELLION IS NOT OVER!
Thank you for being here to celebrate this historic milestone with us.
With love,
Ash Hammond
FIERCE Active Youth Member
th
Welcome
to
FIERCE’
s
10
Anniversary
Gay-la
Extravaganza!
Thursday, 13 of May, Two-thousand Ten | Highline Ballroom | New York, NY
6-7:30pm Pink Carpet Celebration Program
Reunion
6:00pm FIERCE
Mingle with FIERCE members, alumni, founders, staff, board, and supporters
FIERCE Art Gallery Walk & Interactive Art Projects
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres & Cash Bar
6:30pm Reflections on the Past 10 Years of LGBTQ Youth Organizing at FIERCE
Welcome
Kimberley Armstrong & John Blasco
FIERCE member & Gay-la Youth Fellow & FIERCE Organizer
“If No One Will Listen”
Appreciations
Performed by FIERCE member Joseph Lee Edward
Written by Keri Noble
Veronica Tirado, ‘Stitch’ Jeff Frank Barua-Valverde,Chris Baez, & Rickke Mananzala
FIERCE members & FIERCE Executive Director
Reflections
Jesse Ehrensaft-Hawley, Bran Fenner, Krystal Portalatin
FIERCE Co-Founders
“Superwoman”
Performed by FIERCE member Felicia Paris
Written by Alicia Keys, Linda Perry, and Steve Mostyn
Reflections
Multi-media Slide Show Spoken Word Close
Justin Rosado, Rudy “Elegost” Rosado, Cheyenne Rosado
FIERCE alumni and current members
Produced by FIERCE member Media Crew
Written & Performed by Desireé Marshall
FIERCE Lead Organizer
Michael Owens, Ash Hammond, Raquel Laviña, & Ellen “Manny” Vaz
FIERCE members, FIERCE Board member, & FIERCE Communications Director
8-11pm FIERCE Night Out! Concert
Featuring Performances by Meshell Ndegeocello,Toshi Reagon & BIGLovely with
Fred Cash, Adam Widoff, Judith Casselberry, Allison Miller, Gina Breedlove, Marcelle
Davies Lashley & Joseph Magistro, Staceyann Chin, House of LaDosha, FIERCE
Member Beau, John Blasco
Testimony by FIERCE Alumni June Brown
Hosted by Micia Mosely
GLOW
11:00pm AFTER
Presented by FIERCE in association with UBIQUITA WORLDWIDE
Featuring Legendary DJ Bill Coleman, DJ RIMARKABLE, & Dj.shErOck.
 PERFORMERS
Meshell Ndegeocello
Photo: Mark Seliger
10 time Grammy nominee, Meshell Ndegeocello, is a renowned bassist/singer/songwriter who has
collaborated with The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Sting, John Mellencamp, Mos Def, Herbie Hancock and
many, many more.
Combined sales of Meshell’s albums total nearly 1 million copies in the US alone. Meshell released her
8th album, Devil’s Halo, on October 6, 2009 on Mercer Street / Downtown Music (David Gray, Ozomatli,
Femi Kuti).
Canonized, marginalized or just scrutinized, Meshell Ndegeocello has given up with the politics of explaining
herself. After 20 years in an industry that has called her everything from avant garde to a dying breed, what
unquestionably remains is the fearsome bassist, prolific songwriter and the creativity and curiosity of an
authentic musical force. With that, she has earned critical acclaim, the unfailing respect of fellow players, songwriters and composers,
and the dedication of her diverse, unclassifiable fans. For the sake of setting the record straight, a few brass tacks remain: Meshell was
born in Germany, raised in DC, signed at 23, and has been nominated for 10 Grammy awards.
www.meshell.com
Staceyann Chin
Staceyann Chin is a fulltime writer and activist. She is the recipient of the 2007 Power of the Voice
Award from The Human Rights Campaign, the 2008 Safe Haven Award from Immigration Equality,
the 2008 Honors from the Lesbian AIDS Project, and the 2009 New York State Senate Award.
She unapologetically identifies as Caribbean and Black, Asian and lesbian, woman and resident of
New York City.
A proud Jamaican National, Staceyann’s voice was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, where
she spoke candidly about her experiences of growing up on the island and the dire consequences
of her coming-out there. Widely known as co-writer and original performer in the Tony award
winning, Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway, her poetry has seen the rousing cheers of the Nuyorican Poets’ Café,
on e-woman shows Off-Broadway, and writing-workshops in Sweden, South Africa, and Australia. Chin’s three one-woman shows,
HANDS AFIRE, UNSPEAKABLE THINGS, and BORDER/CLASH all opened to rave reviews at the Culture Project in NYC. Be it on
“60 Minutes,” or in the New York Times, Staceyann has a reputation for telling it exactly like it is.
Staceyann is the author of the memoir, The Other Side of Paradise, published by Scribner. Simon and Schuster, Inc.
www.staceyannchin.com
Photo: Santiago Felipe
House of LaDosha
The House of LaDosha is a family act that performs a dark/crunk plethora of music. It consists of Dosha
Devastation (Antonio Blair), Cunty Crawford LaDosha (Adam Radakovich), and Golisha Nomi Simone
LaDosha (Ojay Morgan). They draw inspiration from such things as Paris Is Burning, popular culture,
fashion icons, female rap artists, and gay city living. The entire concept is an art performance composed
of deeply saturated sounds and visuals. It is fun, high energy, sexual, and sometimes frightening. Definitely
a spectacle not to be missed. GET INTO HUH!!! http://www.myspace.com/houseofladosha
Photo: Karl Giant
DJ Bill Coleman
Superstar DJ Bill Coleman has enjoyed 23 years in the music business and 29 years of DJ-ing (from
cradle to turntable...) Bill’s diverse experience and musical expertise makes him a mad scientist of the
music world. He plays for and with the crowd, always gauging the response that his listeners are giving
back — and give back you will when DJ Bill Coleman is in charge! www.peacebisquit.com
 PERFORMERS
Toshi Reagon & BIGLovely
Photo: Sharon Farmer
Toshi Reagon is a talented, versatile singer, songwriter and musician with a profound ear for sonic Americana-from folk to funk, from blues to rock. She masters each of these genres with vocal strategies that easily spiral
and swoop from the expressively sinuous to the hard-charging, a combination of warmth and mischief.
While her expansive career & diverse stylings have landed her comfortably at Carnegie Hall, the Paris Opera
House & Madison Square Garden, you can just as easily find her turning out a music festival, intimate venue or
local club. Toshi finds home on any musical stage. Toshi has had the pleasure of working with Lenny Kravitz,
Lizz Wright, Ani Difranco, Carl Hancock Rux, Nona Hendrix, Pete Seeger, Chocolate Genius & many other
amazing artists, including her favorite collaborator, her mom, Bernice Johnson Reagon.
Toshi Reagon knows the power of song to focus, unite and mobilize people. If you’ve been lucky enough to be in Toshi’s presence, you
know you can’t walk away from her without feeling better about yourself as a human being. She aims for nothing less.
Toshi has been the recipient of a NYFA award for Music Composition, a Peabody award,The Black Lily Music and Film Festival Award for
Outstanding Performance. She is a National Women’s History Month Honoree, and is the 2010 recipient of OutMusic’s Heritage Award....
plus Toshi loves FIERCE! www.toshireagon.com
Photo: Deb Botkin
DJ RIMARKABLE
Redefining the word “remix”, Mariaelena “RiRi” Garcia, aka DJ Rimarkable is a renaissance woman indeed. A
vocalist, lyricist, drummer, producer and DJ, her multiple talents have taken her to many stages. Truly mastering
the DJ technique of “Reading the Crowd”, she has earned the moniker, “Rimarkable” after rocking international
dance floors for more than 13 years. She is a member of the all female-DJ squad Ubiquita NYC, tour DJ for
hip-hop artist Invincible and a producer/recording artist on legendary DJ/Scholar, Bobbito Garcia aka Kool Bob
Love’s record label, Alala Recordings. http://www.facebook.com/djrimarkable
Dj.shErOck*
A native of Los Angeles currently living in New York, Dj.shErOck began her career in music as a singer/songwriter,
and dancer. Now taking a hiatus from performing her own music due to her desire to only work with the best
producers, Dj.shErOck has found a creative outlet in the art of dj’ing. For Dj.shErOck dj’ing is a great way to
express her passion for music. Dj.shErOck has residencies in some of New York’s hottest spots. A weekly event
“Eden”, at R BAR, The Standard Grill, Los Dados Restaurant and the monthly party “In the Mood”, with Talib
Kweli, and D.J. Eque. In addition to her residencies, she is also apart of the Ubiquita NYC’s The Ladies Of Ubiquita.
Dj.shErOck spins a collective mix of world music, soulful house, eccentric dance beats, tribal beats, rock ‘n’ roll,
hip hop, reggae and underground tracks, consistently keeping herself aware of what is new and hot in music, and
adding her unique touch to every set she plays. http://djsherock.com/
Photo: Allison Michael Orenstein
DJ Tikka Masala
DJ Tikka runs That’s My Jam with Trent Brooks, DJ’s at the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art,The Bell House, that hot
loft/basement/warehouse party you were at last weekend, and assorted venues across New York City and Brooklyn.
The mix includes music from all the different places she’s lived—from India to NJ to Oakland and now Brooklyn.
Tikka Masala has been seen on stages, or rocking afterparties for Toshi Reagon, Meshell N’Degeocello, Talib Kweli,
DJ Premier, Jean Grae, MC Lyte, Pharoahe Monch, TV on the Radio, The Gossip, Murray Hill, and the list goes on.
After 5 years of non-stop DJ-ing in NYC and Brooklyn’s hottest clubs,Tikka settled down to create That’s My Jam,
possibly Brooklyn’s largest mixed queer dance party, with Trent Brooks. http://djtikka.com/
 FIERCE Accomplishments
Leadership Development:
FIERCE has intensively trained over 250 LGBTQ youth of color leaders through the Education for Liberation
Project (ELP). Our leaders have inspired thousands of homeless and low-income LGBTQ youth in New York
City into collective action. Many of our members have gone on to become leaders and organizers in other
multi-generational social justice organizations in New York City and across the country.
Base-building:
FIERCE has reach thousands of homeless and low-income youth, many of whom have become members, making
FIERCE one of the only membership-led organizations of LGBTQ youth of color in the United States. FIERCE’s
growing membership base and leadership development efforts made it possible for FIERCE to leverage our
crucial campaign victories over the last ten years. Our current membership base exceeds 1,200 youth, making
FIERCE one of the largest membership-led youth organizations in the country.
Campaign Development:
FIERCE has prevented the displacement of LGBTQ youth of color in historically safe spaces in the West
Village, particularly the Christopher St. Pier, amidst rapid redevelopment in the neighborhood. Our efforts
have also ensured that more City resources are directed specifically to the needs of homeless and lowincome LGBTQ youth. Our campaign victories over the years have proven that FIERCE has built sufficient
power to impact public policy and the allocation of City funding.
 FIERCE Campaigns
Safe Spaces Saves Lives Campaign
FIERCE launched the Safe Space Saves Lives Campaign in 2005 to ensure that the needs of LGBTQ youth of
color were not forgotten in the wake of developments on the Christopher Street Pier. FIERCE demanded
that Community Board 2, the Hudson River Park Trust, and West Village residents acknowledge that LGBTQ
youth of color are an important and long-standing part of the West Village community and to allow for
their voices to be heard in the pier development process. The campaign has been endorsed by 21 LGBTQ
organizations across NYC and hundreds of individuals from New York City and across the country.
Accomplishments of the Safe Space Saves Lives Campaign include:
 Eliminating a $25,000 fee charged to mobile service vans doing outreach on the pier
 Stopping the proposal to shut down the pier at 10pm
 Preventing the barricading of LGBTQ youth from Christopher Street at 1am
 Securing LGBTQ programming on the pier, including the first-ever Global Warming Ball that drew over 500 LGBTQ youth and
featured performances by Vogue Evolution. This year, FIERCE secured more free programming on the pier, including LGBTQ film
series, health/wellness programs for LGBTQ youth, an artistic night and second annual ball.
Our S.P.O.T. Campaign
In June 2007, FIERCE launched its newest and most ambitious campaign to date. Our Safe Place to Organize
Together (S.P.O.T.) Campaign is working to establish a 24-hour LGBTQ youth center on Pier 40. Through consistent
attendance at Community Board 2 meetings and building relationships with LGBTQ organizations and West
Village residents, FIERCE has achieved significant accomplishments around Pier 40’s redevelopment, including:
 June 2007: Campaign demands were supported by the Pier 40 Working Group and Community Board 2 Waterfront Committee
 March 2008: Defeated proposal for privately developed mega-entertainment complex dubbed Vegas on the Hudson
 January 2008: Developed a plan for a 24-hour LGBTQ youth center on Pier 40
 March 2009: Released policy recommendations to keep the piers a safe space for the surrounding community, while also
increasing the voice and power of the community in decision-making processes. Our White Paper: Expanding Access to
Public Space at the Hudson River Park provides guiding principles for making changes to the Hudson River Park Act.
 September 2009: Voted by the Hudson River Part Trust (HRPT) Advisory Council members to be an organizational member
in the Council; HRPT Board officially approved the Advisory Council’s recommendation in December 2009
 October 2009: Appointed to the NYC Commission for LGBTQ Runaway and Homeless Youth.
FIERCE National Program:
In 2009, FIERCE launched a National Program to support LGBTQ youth organizing and LGBTQ youth
leadership in broader social justice movement-building efforts. On February 3, 2010, FIERCE hosted a daylong
organizing summit at the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force’s Creating Change Conference in Dallas, Texas.
The summit worked to build the grassroots organizing skills of 30 LGBTQ youth of color from across the
country who increasingly face homelessness, lack of safe public space, and violence. FIERCE also released
Coming Out, Stepping Up: Organizing to build the power of LGBTQ Youth—a new national report
on the state of LGBTQ youth organizing and recommendations for how to build a more strategic and
powerful LGBTQ youth movement that is for and by LGBTQ youth.
 From the Executive Director
Dear FIERCE community:
Thank you so much for joining us tonight to honor 10 years of organization that has changed so many lives. You all
have been so integral to FIERCE’s successes. Celebrating a decade of building power and creating change is truly the
culmination of people like you who have made FIERCE the vital community organization it is today. Thank you for
your commitment to supporting the leadership and power of LGBTQ youth of color.
I want to share some important updates about my work with FIERCE with you. This Fall, after more than six years on
the FIERCE staff, I will be transitioning out of my current role as Executive Director. I am excited about this upcoming
change because I will be exploring new ways that I can contribute to the social justice movement. I am also looking
forward to my transition because it will create openings for other young people to take on new forms of leadership
in the organization. I am thankful for the experience I had growing into my current role and for the opportunity I
was given to deepen my ability to lead. I am eager to support the next phase of young leadership in the organization,
and I am confident that FIERCE is in strong position to uphold our long-standing commitment to support the next
generation of social justice movement leaders.
I have learned so much from working at FIERCE and I have treasured my time here. I first joined the FIERCE staff
as Campaign Coordinator in 2004. In the Fall of 2006 I joined FIERCE Co-Founder, Bran Fenner, as Co-Director. In
January 2008, I took on the role of Executive Director. Looking back on my past six years at FIERCE, I am fortunate
to have been a part of so much growth alongside many of you here tonight. Our membership base has grown from
a few hundred youth to well over a thousand members; our leadership development programs have trained over
250 committed social justice movement leaders; and our campaigns have won many concrete improvements for our
communities. Our three-year strategic plan (2009 - 2012) is right on track, with one of the most exciting highlights
being the launch of our new national program through which we will expand the presence of youth organizing as a
strategy for change amongst LGBTQ youth organizations across the country. The FIERCE staff has grown from three
to six full-time staff, half of whom have come directly from our membership. Our fundraising strategies, financial
management systems, and infrastructure are just as strong as our programs. The strength of FIERCE at this current
moment is truly a reflection of our connection to our community, our commitment to movement-building, and the
dedication of our members, staff, and close allies.
I often wonder how different my teenage years would have been if FIERCE were around when I was going through
many of the challenges our members face today. Feeling isolated and powerless when it came to the injustices I faced
was what eventually landed me where I needed to be all along: the social justice movement. I did not have access to
a community organization like FIERCE to transform my isolation and anger into action and empowerment. However,
it has been so wonderful to be a part of an organization that serves that exact purpose for so many incredible youth
across New York City. My most memorable experiences have been the moments where our members do not accept
their pain as deserved or inevitable, when they realize their power. It takes a lot of courage to take risks, to demand
what is right for ourselves and our communities in the face of massive obstacles. I had profound experiences like that
every day at FIERCE, experiences which I will never forget.
To the current and former members, staff, Board, allies, foundation supporters, and donors: I cannot thank you enough
for the many years of guidance, joy, and fabulousness. In my future work, I can only hope to be surrounded by people
who are as wonderful as the ones I worked with while I was at FIERCE. I know that you will all give FIERCE’s future
staff, members, and Board the same enthusiasm and support that you have offered me. My hope is that you will remain
actively involved in supporting FIERCE as members, allies, and donors during the transition and in the years to come.
Once again, thanks to all of you for being a part of building this incredible organization. I look forward to joining you
as a FIERCE supporter in the next decade. Happy 10th anniversary, FIERCE!
With deep appreciation,
Rickke Mananzala
FIERCE? ur active members!
 Who ist so
me of o
Mee
Name: Ash
Age: 22
Preferred Gender Pronoun: She, Her
Active Member Since: March 2009
Committees: Campaign Steering Committee, National Committee, Media Crew, ELP Graduate
Why am I involved with FIERCE?
I am involved with FIERCE because I love the work that FIERCE does to keep the West Village a safe
space for LGBTQ youth. I want to be part of that! I know what it’s like to have nowhere safe to be
myself openly in the community. I grew up in another country where I had to live in the closet. When
I came to New York, I could be much more free. I want to protect that freedom from threats like
police harassment and privatization.
If I were an animal I would be a...lioness because I am loyal and strong.
Name: Chey
Age: 19
Preferred Gender Pronoun: She, Her
Active Member Since: January 2009
Committees: Campaign Steering Committee, Media Crew, ELP Graduate
Why am I involved with FIERCE?
I am a member of FIERCE because as an LGBTQ youth, I see my community going through hard
times and struggling to be accepted. FIERCE is all about empowering youth, giving us the knowledge
and skills to become leaders. I’m a member because I want to be a leader and make a difference
within my community.
If I were an animal I would be a...SHARK!!!! They are extraordinary, strong and intelligent animals.
Name: Chris B
Age: 23
Preferred Gender Pronoun: Mr., He Active Member Since: September 2008
Committees: Campaign Steering Committee, Media Crew, ELP Graduate, ELP Mentor
Why am I involved with FIERCE?
FIERCE represents open-mindedness and the power to fight for the rights of the LGBTQ community.
It is truly a member-based and led organization that unifies, educates and helps young people! I
am dedicated to social justice and making sure that my community is properly advocated for and
represented. I will fight for equality and equal access for brighter future!
If I were an animal I would be a…chameleon because they have the ability to be versatile and
adjust to their environment.
Name: Elegost
Age: 21
Preferred Gender Pronoun: He, Him
Active Member Since: January 2009
Committees: Outreach Team, Media Crew, National Committee, ELP Graduate
Why am I involved with FIERCE?
I became involved with FIERCE because I heard about FIERCE when I was younger from my older
brother, Justin, who was a member. I became aware of the work that FIERCE was doing, so I signed up
as a member. I stay involved now because FIERCE is a rare organization in the larger queer movement
and because it has queer youth of color leading ourselves.
If I were an animal I would be...a Phoenix (even though it’s a mythological creature) because I
will never stay down, always rise up and do what I can and am able to do.
rs!
FIERCE active membe
Name: Erem-Phoenix
PGP: He, Him
Age: 22
Active Member Since: September 2009
Committee: Media Crew
Why am I involved with FIERCE?
I Want to make A Change in the LGBTQ Youth of Color Community
If I were an animal I would be...A Lone Wolf
Name: Francois
Age: 20
Preferred Gender Pronoun: She, Her, Hers Active Member Since: May 2009
Committees: Media Crew, National Committee, ELP Graduate
Why am I involved with FIERCE?
I wanted to meet other queer people and I had nothing to do on the day of the new member
orientation so I came through to it! I stayed in FIERCE because it opened my eyes to the changes that I
and other LGBTQ youth can make in our present day. I stayed because I was taught and given tools to
empower myself. Being educated through FIERCE makes me feel strong and incredibly lucky that I can
live in this world and be conscientious of what’s happening and teach others to do the same.
If I were an animal I would be a...sea otter!
Name: Glossy
Age: 19
Preferred Gender Pronoun: He, Him Active Member Since: May 2009
Committees: Outreach Team, ELP Graduate, ELP Mentor
Why am I involved with FIERCE?
I am involved with FIERCE because I want to spread FIERCE’s work. I also want to help get a 24-hour
LGBTQ Center on Pier 40. I believe we have so much potential of getting our point across. We are
strong. If we come together anything is possible!!!
If I could be anything I would be a...wishing star so I can have people making wishes on me.
Then I can help make dreams come true! I love stars so much!
Name: Kimmie
Age: 21
Preferred Gender Pronoun: She, Her
Active Member Since: Summer of 2007
Committees: Outreach Team, Gay-la Youth Fellow, ELP Graduate
Why am I involved with FIERCE?
I am on the Outreach Team, and I love outreaching, letting other LGBTQ youth know what’s going
on in our community! Being a member has taught me to push my growing edge and about the
different aspects of community organizing. Changes need to be made in my community, and I refuse
to sit around and wait for someone else to make the changes I want to see. FIERCE is more than
an organization; FIERCE is my family. We teach each other so much. I feel like I’ve grown with the
organization and am thankful for the all the experiences – the political conversations, going to rallies,
creating change.
If I were an animal I would be a...colorful, shiny, Teddy Bear!
rs!
FIERCE active membe
Name: Myra
Age: 19
Preferred Gender Pronoun: She, Her
Active Member Since: October 2008
Committee: Outreach Team, ELP Graduate
Why Am I Involved At FIERCE?
I am involved at FIERCE because I believe in fighting for the rights of our community and
LGBTQ youth like me so that we can get what we want and need and be treated just as equally as
everyone else. I also enjoy being around other youth like myself. It feels great to be around these
people because they aren’t just friends, they are my family. I’m learning a lot from them, they are very
loving and supportive, and I don’t think I’d get this experience anywhere else. So I’m very grateful.
If I were an animal I would be...I’d be a Guinea Pig. They are cute and small but they are very
strong and they do what they have to do when it needs to be done.
Name: Stitch
Age: 21
Preferred Gender Pronoun: He, Him
Active Member Since: January 2009
Committees: Media Crew, ELP Graduate, ELP Mentor
Why am I involved with FIERCE?
I am involved with FIERCE because I want to be better involved in the LGBTQ community. I also
want to enhance my leadership skills.
If I were an animal I would be a...cat because I’m always curious.
Name: Veronica
Age: 18
Preferred Gender Pronoun: She, Her
Active Member Since: May 2009
Committees: Media Crew, National Committee, ELP Graduate, ELP Mentor
Why am I involved with FIERCE?
I decided to get involved with FIERCE because I was seeking a learning and exciting experience.
FIERCE is a LGBTQ youth of color specific organization, which is very rare to come across. I
just couldn’t pass on the opportunity to be a member.
If I were an animal I would be a...bird because they get to soar within the skies and can oversee
the world.
Name: Beau
Age: 16
Preferred Gender Pronoun: He, Her
Active Member since: March 2009
Committees: Outreach Team, ELP Graduate
Why am I involved with FIERCE?
I’ve been at FIERCE so far because I want to be active in the change. I want to see FIERCE make my
desired changes occur without me being alone in this movement.
If I were an animal I would be a...white tiger because they are rare and feisty.
FIERCE Board of Directors
J. Bob Alotta, Chair
Andre Banks
Natalie Chin
Maya Iwata
Naomi Jackson
Raquel Laviña, Treasurer
Thomas Jean Lax
Micia Mosely
Felicia Pless
Karen D. Thompson, Secretary
FIERCE Staff
John Blasco, Organizer
Emerson Brisbon, Leadership Development Associate
Rickke Mananzala, Executive Director
Desireé Marshall, Lead Organizer
Krystal Portalatin,Youth Development/Operations Director
Ellen “Manny” Vaz, Communications Director
FIERCE Gay-la Planning Committee Youth Members
Myra Aguirre
Angie Alphonso
Kimberley Armstrong, Gay-la Youth Fellow
Chris Baez
“Stitch” Jeff Frank Barua-Valverde
David “CC”
Joseph Edward
Tyrell Gorton
Tatiana Hernandez
Madel Hidalgo
Tyler Blake Kim
Azreal Morales
Michael Owens
Felicia Paris
Cheyenne Rosado
Rudy “Elegost” Rosado
Veronica Tirado
Special thanks to the following for your
contribution to the FIERCE Gay-la!
All the FIERCE members, alumni, allies, and founders
who contributed their time and enthusiasm to making
the Gay-la possible.
Highline Ballroom
All the artists, speakers, and DJs
Sholanda Ingram, Nursha Project
Christopher Chaput
YK Hong
Harmony Goldberg
FIERCE Supporters
FIERCE would like to thank the following foundations for supporting our work:
Arcus Foundation
Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice
Colin Higgins Foundation
Cricket Island Foundation
Dolphin Foundation
Hazen Foundation
Hill-Snowdon Foundation
Jewish Fund for Justice
Merck Family Fund
M & T Bank Charitable Foundation
New World Foundation
New York Foundation
New York Women’s Foundation
Paul Rapoport Foundation
Rockefeller Brothers Fund
Stonewall Community Foundation
Surdna Foundation
Union Square Awards (A Project of the Tides Center)
Many thanks to the hundreds of individual donors who sustain our critical work!
FIERCE Thanks All of our GAY-LA Sponsors and Supporters
GAY-LA SPONSORS
Movement Shakers
Mobilizers
Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice
Third Wave Foundation
Jim Hawley & Diane Ehrensaft
Joanna Kent Katz
Glenn Ligon
Felicia Pless
Community Builders
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
The Door
Change Makers
Community Voices Heard
Funders’ Collaborative on Youth Organizing
New York City AIDS Housing Network
Angie Alphonso
John Blasco
Steve Brier & Julie List
Emerson Brisbon
Nicole Davis & Colleen Heslin
Jesse Ehrensaft-Hawley
HAYNES
Thelma Golden
Ronak Kapadia & A. Naomi Jackson
Luce Capco Lincoln & Yasmeen Perez
Rickke Mananzala
Desiree Marshall
Nicki C. Marshall & Manny Vaz
Krystal Portalatin
Glo Ross
Karen Thompson
Daniel R Schaffer
ORGANIZATIONAL & COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center / The HOTT Program
GOLES: Good Old Lower East Side
Miami Workers Center
Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project
Audre Lorde Project
North Star Fund
Power U
SONG: Southerners on New Ground
Sylvia Rivera Law Project
Urban Justice Center Community Development Project
Men of All Color Together/NY
FIST: Fight Imperialism, Stand Together
SUNY Downstate Medical Center: HEAT Program
(Health and Education Alternatives for Teens)
Elspeth Gilmore
Men of All Colors Together/New York congratulates FIERCE
on its 10th anniversary! We’re exceptionally pleased to support
a sister organization also dedicated to fighting racism, sexism
and homophobia.
It is an honor to celebrate FIERCE’s ten year anniversary with
to all of the amazing people who have made FIERCE fierce!
– Jesse Ehrensaft-Hawley
Congratulations FIERCE! Thank you for showing us that we
have nothing to lose but our chains.
– With love, Yasmeen & Luce
Congratulations on 10 amazing years, FIERCE! We’re glad to
be working with you in the struggle.
– Community Voices Heard
Congratulations FIERCE on 10 years of ass-kicking organizing!
Can’t wait to celebrate 10 more.
– Nicole Davis
Proud to work for the FIERCE!est people in the world.
– Karen Thompson
We support FIERCE’s struggle to defend GLBTQ youth and
hope the Gay-la is a huge success.
– Steve Brier & Julie List
Comradely greetings from FIST – Fight Imperialism, Stand
Together youth group – on FIERCE’s tenth anniversary!
– www.fistyouth.org
The Funders’ Collaborative on Youth Organizing congratulates
FIERCE on their 10th year anniversary!
Congratulations on ten years of hard work and
accomplishments. So excited to see what’s next! Thanks to
FIERCE for all your amazing work! We love you!
– Felicia, Chloe, Tiffany & Nathan
NYCAHN/VOCAL Congratulates FIERCE on 10 years of
building POWER & Leadership for LGBT youth of color!
Congrats FIERCE on your many accomplishments; wish you
many more to come! – HEAT Program