Bea Arthur Leaves LGBT Youth $300K In Will

Bea Arthur is still a "Golden Girl," even in the afterlife. New York Daily News reported Tuesday that The Ali Forney Center received a gift of close to half a million this week from the estate of legendary actress Bea Arthur.

The Ali Forney Center, the nation's largest organization dedicated to homeless LGBT youth offers emergency shelter and transitional housing in seven residential sites in New York City. At Arthur's memorial in September, the center announced plans to purchase a building to house 12 youths and name it her honor. According to their website, the organization has obtained funding from the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to support its operational funding.

Carl Siciliano, the head of the organization, is ecstatic over the gift, telling Daily News, "We work with hundreds of young people who are rejected by their families because of who they are. We are overwhelmed with gratitude that Bea saw that LGBT youth deserve as much love and support as any other young person, and that she placed so much value in the work we do to protect them, and to help them rebuild their lives."

The Ali Forney Center operates two drop-in centers offering food, clothing, medical and mental health treatment, HIV testing, treatment and prevention services and vocational and educational assistance. It provides services to over a thousand youth each year.

What a graceful and elegant gesture from a true iconic and amazing woman. Thanks Bea!

Photo credit: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/27/Bea_Leaves_$300K_to_Homeless_Youths/