Gay Youth Center Director Slams Bloomberg

Carl Siciliano, the executive director of the Ali Forney Center, which provides shelter and other services for homeless LGBTQ youths in New York City, criticized Mayor Michael Bloomberg for releasing an "It Gets Better" video while cutting support for homeless young people in the budget.

In a statement reported on Towleroad, Siciliano expressed anger at Mayor Bloomberg, who released a video Tuesday urging youths who feel unwanted to come to New York City, where he said they would be accepted. Siciliano contrasted that message with the reality of the budget cuts.

"Two days after slashing support to homeless youth programs in New York City, Mayor Bloomberg has the gall to release a video telling LGBT youth that 'It Gets Better,'" said Siciliano. "Mayor Bloomberg, your cruel and reckless cuts to the meager support system for homeless LGBT youth in New York City just made things for them much worse! On January 1st, Bloomberg cut support for outreach to homeless youth in half, cut most drop-in centers for homeless youth by a third, and cut support for the two LGBT homeless youth drop-in programs in half. In New York City there are over 1,000 LGBT youth suffering on the streets every night without access to safe shelter. The drop-in centers and outreach are their only support. Homeless LGBT youth are at incredible risk of suicide with 62% reporting that they have considered or attempted suicide."

Read the full statement here.

Watch Mayor Bloomberg's "It Gets Better" video below.