The LGBT Center of Raleigh Receives Trailblazer Award

RALEIGH, NC, March 14, 2012 (Press-News.org) The LGBT Center of Raleigh, organizer of the second annual OutRaleigh festival themed "All Families Matter," announces today that the Human Rights Campaign has honored it with the Trailblazer Award. The award recognizes an individual or organization that has contributed to improving the lives and visibility of lesbian, gay bisexual and transgendered people. Presented at the February 25 NC HRC Gala, ceremonies included showing a YouTube video highlighting the center.

"This award stands as a tribute to how dedicated we are to serve our diverse community," says James Miller, executive director of the LGBT Center. "The community of central North Carolina has truly come together to build a center they can be proud of."

The center serves the LGBT community, estimated at 61,000 in the Triangle area. More than 700 people participate in its programs each month. In the past two years, the center has reached new heights within the community, establishing groundbreaking programming such as Gay & Gray, an initiative that works with individuals older than fifty to reduce social isolation and increase awareness of culturally and age-appropriate services in the Triangle.

The facilities on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh contain a library, art gallery, coffee shop, meeting rooms and performance space. Activities include social, educational and health programs for all ages. Organizers are also intentional about reaching out to historically unrepresented individuals in the LGBT community through affinity group programs including the Transgender Initiative and N.A.I.L. (No Accidents in Life).

On Saturday, May 5, the center will host the OutRaleigh festival. This free, family-friendly event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh. Activities include guest speakers, live entertainment, a KidsZone and an expo area. Visit http://www.outraleigh.org.

About LGBT Center of Raleigh:
The LGBT Center of Raleigh is a non-profit organization that offers a supporting and welcoming space for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, as well as their friends, family and supporters. Their offices include a library, art gallery, coffee shop, meeting rooms and performance space. Open seven days a week, the center provides social, educational and health programs for all ages and affinity groups. These include youth programs, Gay and Gray, NAIL (No Accidents in Life), M Club, the Women's Initiative, the Transgender Initiative, HIV /STD testing and the annual OutRaleigh festival. Visit http://www.lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.