Audra McDonald Spends A Night on the Streets for “Homeless” LGBTQ Youth

As a young gay boy with Broadway dreams, I always knew I loved Audra McDonald but that love was only further solidified after hearing this story. For years, the Tony Award-winning actress has been an advocate for the LGBTQ community, and back in December, the Broadway diva hit the streets of New York City to help raise awareness for the homeless LGBTQ teens.

McDonald, along with thousands of others, took part in a “sleep out” sponsored by Covenant House, a youth shelter for teens. The organization serves over 2,000 homeless youth every night, and with the “sleep out” raised over $1.8 million just in New York. But not only did the Broadway powerhouse take to the streets for a night, McDonald serves on the international board of directors for the organization, giving her time more than just one night a year. And for the she deserves quite the standing ovation.

“Please understand — I was not under the delusion that one night on the street is anything like what homeless kids endure. The kids knew that too, and they got it. I’ve found that homeless youth are genuinely touched that anyone would take even one night out of their lives to care.

In fact, every young person I have met at Covenant House has been traumatized in some way. Nearly one in four have been sexually exploited, many as human trafficking victims. And up to 40 percent of homeless youth have been abandoned, rejected, or discriminated against due to their sexual orientation.

So our goal for the sleep out was not to pretend we were homeless, but to raise money that goes directly for food, clothing, shelter, medical attention, education, job training, and short and long-term housing for homeless kids,” said McDonald in her tell all story.

See the full story from McDonald’s perspective on The Advocate, but in the meantime enjoy this clip of the Tony Award-winner singing “Moments in the Woods” from the Broadway classic and new film sensation Into the Woods.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb4n_MN5vEo