BY BTL STAFF
Actress Lena Dunham, writer and star of the HBO series "Girls," is one of many celebrities outraged about President Trump's decision to discriminate against transgender people including her sister Juliet.
In response, she pledged $50,000 to the Ruth Ellis Center in Highland Park on Feb. 23, taking aim at Trump following the announcement by government officials to remove the federal guidelines that allowed transgender school students to use the bathrooms that matched their gender identity.
"Lena's support of the Ruth Ellis Center, and more importantly, the youth the Center serves, has been overwhelming. None of us realized the impact her tweet would have around the country. We're still in shock," said Mark Erwin-McCormick, REC director of development and advancement.
"What we do know, is that every single dollar donated to the Center will result in tangible support for LGBTQ young people facing barriers to housing, health, and wellness – and for that, we are truly grateful. With everyone's help, we might just meet her $50K match challenge."
Dunham's tweet (@lenadunham) on Feb. 23 said, "Let's fight hate & ignorance with love for trans teens, who are already facing steep odds and who need our support to grow and THRIVE." This was followed by a second tweet that said, "I'm matching all donations up to 50k to the Ruth Ellis Center @REC_detroit cc @allycoalition @jackantonoff Tweet me your donation receipt!"
Dunham has been a longtime supporter of LGBTQ causes. This action is one way she hopes to combat the discrimination the community faces by donating to the REC, which provides short-term and long-term residential safe space and support services for runaway, homeless, and at-risk LGBTQ youth.
Let's fight hate & ignorance with love for trans teens, who are already facing steep odds and who need our support to grow and THRIVE.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) February 23, 2017
I'm matching all donations up to 50k to the Ruth Ellis Center @REC_detroit cc @allycoalition @jackantonoff Tweet me your donation receipt!
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) February 23, 2017
