NEPA Rainbow Alliance: Gay Pride Service Organization

Hello:

We hope you’ve all enjoyed the holidays.  At the Rainbow Alliance/GayNEPA.com we’ve been taking some time off after a very busy 2007.  It’s been a landmark year for our organization and community and we want to take a minute and say, “Thanks!”

Put simply, none of these accomplishments would have happened without the support of our donors, volunteers, and friends.

• We’ve been featured as front page stories in the Weekender and Diamond & Electric City Newspapers.
• Several of our advisors and I have been featured guests on local TV and Radio Shows on LGBT issues
• We’ve worked with local legislators to gain their sponsorship on the PA Non-Discrimination Bill. Info here.
• We’ve grown our contact list to nearly 2,000.
• We’ve held the first ever Gay & Lesbian Film Festival with venues in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.
• We held a special Welcoming Worship Service.  Copies of the sermon are at this link.
• We’ve published the 2007-08 Pride Guide, a directory of welcoming and supportive businesses in Eastern Pennsylvania.
• We’ve held programs around financial services for LGBT individuals and families.
• We’ve held programs for LGBT parents.
• We’ve become well known throughout the region, showing a strong presence for the gay community.

The Rainbow Alliance is committed to working as the bridge between the gay community and countless organizations throughout our region to provide much needed programs and services.

Now we only have one more question: WHERE DO YOU SEE A NEED?   What programs have helped?  What programs do you want to see?  What are the great organizational, service, or program needs for the gay community in Northeastern Pennsylvania?

Please write back and let us know what your thoughts are as we continue in Northeastern Pennsylvania to build an even more welcoming and supportive community in 2008.

Finally, our sincere appreciation goes out to Susan Smith, the regional manager of Planned Parenthood, who has been a long time ally of the LGBT community, and served as our board of directors chair for the past two years.  As her term comes to an end, we offer our sincere thanks for all her support and leadership.  She will remain on our advisory committee, and continue to chair our healthcare working group.  You can contact her here.

Warmest regards,

The NEPA Rainbow Alliance Boards & Staff

P.S. If you’re receiving this as a forward, please join our e-mail list here.  If you’re on myspace and aren’t our friend yet, please send us a friend request here.