Photo Credit: Wikipedia
The late actress Bea Arthur gave us many wonderful things in her lifetime. Vera Charles. Maude Findlay. Dorthy Zpornak. She was an iconic performer with scathing comic delivery and facial expressions that launched a thousand laughs.
She was also a humanitarian who gave generously to organizations that help LGBTQ youth. She was a longtime supporter of the Ali Forney Center, which gives housing and assistance to homeless LGBTQ youth. Back in 2005, the actress told New York Magazine "These kids at the Ali Forney Center are literally dumped by their families because of the fact that they are lesbian, gay or transgender — this organization really is saving lives.”
When Arthur passed away in 2009, she left the Ali Forney Center $300,000. That money is being used to open an 18-bed residence for homeless LGBTQ youth and it will be called the Bea Arthur Residence.
Is it too much to hope that every person who come through the doors finds the camaraderie we saw with the four roommates in The Golden Girls?
In addition to serving as a shelter, the Bea Arthur Residence will provide counseling and case management services. It will be located in New York City’s east Village and is slated to open in early 2017.
Thank you for being a friend, Ms. Arthur. Your heart was true, indeed.