Last week, CNNMoney ran a story about the boost Marriage Equality brought to NYC, to the tune of $259 Million in the first year.

Here‘s a link to the story.

Locally, the Pride Center is helping LGBT soon-to-weds find businesses that will make there nuptials everything they dreamed by releasing our second annual LGBT Wedding Guide. Loaded with ingformation on LGBT owned or friendly caterers, florists, officiants, and more, if you have a business and would like to be a part of the wedding guide, follow this link to download our advertising form. An insert in our CommUNITY newsletter, thousands of people will have access to the Wedding Guide over the next year. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your business a part of this growing trend. Act soon, the deadline for advertising is August 13th, and space is limited.

The Pride Center of the Capital Region is proud to host our 2012 Annual Awards Gala, coming up this fall on Friday October 12, 2012 at the Hilton Garden Inn- Troy. This year, we recognize leaders and businesses in our community who continue to stand up for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the Capital Region. Please join us as a member of the Honorary Committee for this powerful event.

This year’s awardees include:

University at Albany, recipient of our highest honor, the Harvey Milk Award

TD Bank, Business of the Year Award

Michele McClave, Nancy Burton Straight But Not Narrow Award

Kiera Griffiths , Volunteer of the Year Award

Peter DeWitt, Paul Postiglione Youth Services Award

DJ Roche, Libby Post Council Leadership Award

Help celebrate these important people and their work. The cost for joining the Honorary Committee is $150 for an individual and $275 for a couple, which includes your ticket(s) to the event and our VIP reception. In addition to the Awards Ceremony, this year’s event will include a cocktail reception, moving speakers, and yes, dancing!

Every year, our Annual Awards Gala raises needed funds for the Pride Center’s most pivotal programs and services, like our Center Youth Program and our Center Counseling Service. Please consider joining the Honorary Committee and celebrate these influential members of the LGBT community of the Capital Region and help empower thousands of LGBT people and families.

To join, download the form here.  To have your name listed on the gala invitation, you must submit your form by August 13th.

Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the passage of Marriage Equality in New York State and at the Pride Center, we’ve been busy putting together our second annual LGBT Wedding Guide. The Wedding Guide contains resources to LGBT friendly businesses looking to serve the soon to be newlyweds.

If you are an LGBT friendly weeding buisness and would like info on how to advertise, please visit our website at http://www.capitalpridecenter.org/resources/wedding-guide/ to download the form and see a copy of the 2011 edition.

This years wedding guide will serve as an insert to the September issue of CommUNITY and will be available at all Pride Center events throughout the next year. Don;t miss this exciting opportunity!

If you have questions, please email Aaron at aholbritter@capitalpridecenter.org.

Have you heard about the 16th annual AIDS  Walk yet?! We are excited about it here at the Pride Center, and need your help! Join the Pride Center’s Team and help raise money for programs and services that prevent the spread of HIV in our community and support people living with HIV/AIDS- we cant do it without you! Join our AMAZING team of walkers on Saturday, September 29th to participate in the annual AIDS Walk sponsored by CARES! The walk will take place at noon in Albany’s Washington Park. Our goal is to raise $5,000-will you help us reach our goal?

Every 9.5 minutes, someone in the United States is infected with HIV/AIDS. Your contribution to this year’s AIDSWalk 2012 will help to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Capital Region. With more people living with AIDS than ever before, your help is important. The bottom line: we now have more people living with HIV/AIDS in the Capital Region than ever before. AIDS Walk 2012 offers us a way to respond to this epidemic in our community.

Take a step in the right direction and join the Pride Center’s Team on Saturday, September 29th for a fun-filled day with food, entertainment, and awards to support local organizations providing HIV/AIDS services. Please contact Program Director Curran Streett at cstreett@capitalpridecenter.org or 462-6138 for details about how to sign up and walk with the Pride Center’s team and raise money for this important cause!

We want to say thanks! The Pride Center of the Capital Region is in its 42nd year, and is more successful than ever because of the hundreds of people in our community who volunteer time and energy to creating a better Capital Region for LGBT people. We invite all past and present Pride Center volunteers, as well as your friends and family to join in the celebration at our Volunteer Appreciation Party and BBQ, Saturday, July 21st from 1-4 PM at the Pride Center! Please RSVP to James Shultis at jshultis@capitalpridecenter.org or (518) 462-6138. As an added bonus, all volunteers who attend will receive a Pride Center limited edition tote bag!

Come celebrate on Friday July 13 at 5:30pm and empower LGBT youth in our community!

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here:
https://www.capitalpridecenter.org/events/eventdetail.cfm?eID=772

Join the Pride Center of the Capital Region for a lovely Summer Riverside Reception as we raise dollars to support LGBT youth in the Capital Region!! The JDP Scholarship Fund support high school seniors to help defray the costs of college and to date, has already helped 20 LGBT youth on their journey.

Friday July 13,2012

5:30pm

Hosted by Tom and Lisa Evans, and the Pride Center

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here:
https://www.capitalpridecenter.org/events/eventdetail.cfm?eID=772

Or over the phone by calling the Pride Center at 518-462.6138.

A limited number of tickets are available so get yours today!

Tickets are $40, and include delicious appetizers as well as beer and wine.