Actress Bea Arthur leaves LGBT youth a generous gift in her will

The beloved star of “Maude” and “Golden Girls” did something quite stunning for LGBTQ youth. In her will, Bea Arthur left $300,000 to New York City‘s Ali Forney Center for homeless LGBT youth. LGBT Nation reports Bea Arthur has been a long-time supporter of the LGBT community, will continue to be a friend when a new 18 bed shelter opens in February of 2017.

“These kids at the Ali Forney Center are literally dumped by their families because of the fact that they are lesbian, gay or transgender,” Arthur said before she died. “This organization really is saving lives.”

According to the Williams Institute, 40% of homeless youth are LGBT.

A bit of trivia: In a addition to being an award-winning actress, philanthropist and LGBT youth advocate, Bea Arthur also served in the Marine Corps during WWII. 

Here is a YouTube video compilation of Bea Arthur.

 Thank you, Bea Arthur, for the gifts of joy and laughter you left us all and for serving our country and others while on this earth. You are missed.