Gay-Friendly Website Launched, Resource For Straight Allies As Well

WEST HARTFORD, CT, February 13, 2011 (Press-News.org) A recently launched website, The Gay-Friendly Source, gives new meaning to the words "all-inclusive." The site was created for the LGBT community and beyond, and is unique in that it is designed to appeal to people of all sexual orientations. Not only was it created for those who are gay, but it was designed to be used by everyone - whether friends, family, neighbors and coworkers of those who are gay or lesbian or by those who would simply like to gain greater insight and understanding about what it is like to be gay.

One of the mantras used while creating the site was to provide a place where everyone - gay or straight, from teens to grandparents - would be comfortable and able to benefit from visits to the site. That was one of the main goals of the site's founder when he set out to create it. "It was important to me to provide a place where everyone can visit and gain something, where everyone feels comfortable and included whether they are gay or whether they are not."

The founder explains that one of the tenets of the site is that everyone, regardless of their orientation, should be welcomed and accepted wherever they go. "Everyone should be treated equally; everyone should be respected. Not only do the people and businesses and organizations featured on the site embrace this philosophy, our hope is that it will inspire others to embrace it, as well, including being outwardly supportive of gay people and their relationships."

The site offers daily updates of gay-friendly news and editorials, as well as a gay-friendly "Events and Happenings" section which provides event information for a wide range of gay-friendly cultural, civic, and other activities and events. Event organizers are encouraged to post their gay-friendly events.

Also included are two user-content areas: "What it's like...," a forum where site visitors have an opportunity to share what it is like to live as a part of the gay community or to share in the life of someone who is, and a "Spiritual & Inspirational" section. As the site's founder says, "There is so much to be gained in the sharing of our experiences. From friends and family to neighbors and coworkers, the sharing of our experiences provides for increasing awareness and understanding, as well as to offer support and spirituality."

An important feature of the Gay-Friendly Source is its expansive gay-friendly business and organization directory. The directory was created to serve as a resource for gay-friendly businesses, organizations and professionals. To this end the directory helps its users find companies and organizations that embrace the philosophy of being gay-friendly and conduct their businesses that way. The site's founder explains that anyone, gay or straight, should feel comfortable visiting any of the businesses or organizations featured on the site. "Any business, organization or professional featured here has affirmed that they are open and welcoming to all people and that everyone can expect the same high level of service from those featured on the site."

Each directory listing includes a business's name and contact information, a thumbnail photo or logo, and the business' description or welcoming statement. Advertisers can change and edit their listings at any time and visitors have an opportunity to post a comment or review about their experiences with the businesses and organizations featured on the site.

In addition, there are extensive search tools located throughout the site. When searching for news, editorials, and user content, visitors can use criteria such as keywords, news source, and date ranges. And when searching for gay-friendly events, users may search using keywords, date or date range, and city, state, or metro area. In the gay-friendly business and organization directory, users search by category, name, distance range, and city, metro area, state and zip code.

When asked about the extensive offerings of a new website such as The Gay-Friendly Source, the founder responded, "There is so much out there, so much to offer. We just did not want to leave out anything or anyone. So in every respect, The Gay-Friendly Source is truly 'all-inclusive.'"

Visit The Gay-Friendly Source at http://www.gayfriendlysource.com or contact them at info@gayfriendlysource.com.