Gays To Help The Disadvantaged and Sick in Conjunction with National Equality March

I received a press release from the Empowering Spirits Foundation, Inc. ("ESF"), a non-profit, non-partisan grass-root based civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality, whose members engage in service-oriented activities in communities typically opposed to equal rights. In working side-by-side with non-LGBT neighbors these neighbors may come to see similarities rather than differences in each of themselves and members of the LGBT community, engage in dialogue through non-confrontational means, and come to promote equality. I have often said that by putting a face and personality out to people - as opposed to some stereotype - we have the best opportunity to open hearts and minds. Here are some highlights from the press release:

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The Empowering Spirits Foundation (ESF), a national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization will hold its “Proud Hearts Reach Out” service events across the nation on October 10-11, 2009, in conjunction with Coming Out Day and the Equality March on Washington.

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The ESF has partnered with Habitat for Humanity, the American Cancer Society, the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society, MyOutSpirit.com, and others to engage in service oriented events designed to allow LGBT individuals to work side-by-side with non-LGBT members in an effort to open up communication between both sides.

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“ESF is proud to be working with various organizations to address many of the major issues facing Americans today; affordable housing, inadequate healthcare, and a lack of funds for neighborhood revitalization,” said A. Latham Staples, President and C.E.O. of the ESF. “Regardless of whether you are gay or straight, these issues affect everyone. And for those in the LGBT community who are unable to attend the national march, this is a great opportunity to help others in need, and in doing so we can engage in dialogue through this non-partisan manner in an effort to promote understanding and equality.”

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We are a part of this community, our families are here. Our well-being and our lives are intertwined with everyone else in the community. And our spirituality demands that when we can help, we do so, while our integrity demands that we aid without hiding who we are.”

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What: Empowering Spirits Foundation’s “Proud Hearts Reach Out” events

Where: Nationwide, 36 states

When: Saturday, October 10, 2009, & Sunday, October 11, 2009

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Volunteers are asked to visit www.empoweringspirits.org to R.S.V.P. For more information on the San Diego event or an event being held in any other city please visit www.empoweringspirits.org, email events@empoweringspirits.org or call (858) 523-8201.