OutRaleigh 2012 Festival to Address Social Equality Concerns

Raleigh, NC, March 08, 2012 --(PR.com)-- From equal-opportunity employment, to healthcare, to parental rights, Out Raleigh festivalgoers will have the opportunity to learn about the struggles different groups face and how they can help. Addressing these issues will be Workplace Options, the world's largest integrated employee support services and work-life provider, Equality NC, Human Rights Campaign, and a variety of faith-based organizations.

“Including social-equality awareness as part of the festival is important to ensure the theme, All Families Matter, is more than hollow words,” says Mitch Null, OutRaleigh steering committee member.

Partnering in the promotion of OutRaleigh is the Alliance of AIDS Services—Carolinas*. The annual AIDS Walk+Ride fundraising event will take place on the northern end of Fayetteville Street May 5 in tandem with the festival. AIDS Walk+Ride is a family-fun event that includes a one and three-mile walk in downtown Raleigh, as well as 30, 60 and 100-mile bike rides around the Triangle. Monies raised support individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

“Partnering with OutRaleigh to share Fayetteville Street is a win-win scenario,” says John Paul Womble, AASC executive director. “Walk&Ride supporters get to learn more about the LGBT community, and festivalgoers can become familiar with the ever-changing face of HIV and AIDS, as well as learn about its prevention and treatment.”

The second annual OutRaleigh festival is a free, family-friendly event that will take place Saturday, May 5, 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 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 www.lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.

*The mission of the Alliance of AIDS Services - Carolina is to serve people living with HIV/AIDS, their loved ones, caregivers and communities at large, through compassionate and non-judgmental care, prevention, education and advocacy.

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