This invitation was just forwarded to us:
Please join us for a fundraiser on January 18th at the National Arts Club to benefit the Just As We Are project, a photography exhibit presented in partnership with the LGBT Center, the projects fiscal sponsor, and John Amaechi's ABC Foundation. (Invite Below)
We are excited to be joined by our special guest, John Amaechi, a Just As We Are subject, and the first, and to date, only NBA player who ever had the courage to "come out" in his must-read New York Times best-selling book, Man in the Middle, as well as candidly speaking on the subject for Public Televisions LGBT documentary series, In the Life. John is also the official spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign's Coming Out Project, a program designed to help gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people come out and live openly.
The Just As We Are project is a photo exhibit depicting the lives and unique human qualities of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender ("LGBT") people. It is an expression which uplifts the visual life-imagery of LGBT individuals, who have deeply affected the world in which we live. These photos have an immediate and fascinating effect on non-LGBT viewers, as they illustrate the reality of LGBT individuals as hard-working and successful members of the greater society. That image is far different from the more sensational media images which continues to show LGBT people only, or at least predominantly, as flamboyant "others". Those distorted media images lead to misunderstanding, stigma, hatred, fear and sadly, sometimes death. The images from the Just As We Are project are meant to lead to something better; to bridge the gap between the straight and the gay community and to encourage LGBT youth to be proud of who they are.
The ABC Foundation: A large and integral part of John Amaechi's life involves giving back to one's community, especially where kids are concerned. To that end, he founded the ABC Foundation, which aims to increase youth participation in physical activity and holistic support services while helping young people broaden their horizons and strive for excellence. The ABC Foundation's first sports center for children, the Amaechi Basketball Centre, opened in 2002.
More Information / Buy Tickets: JustAsWeAreTour.org