SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. November 10, 2011 -- Grass Roots Gay Rights West (GRGR/West), producers of the annual REAL BAD fundraising party that follows San Francisco’s world-renowned Folsom Street Fair, today announced the fundraising results from REAL BAD XXIII which was held on Sunday, September 25, 2011. REAL BAD XXIII was a sell-out success, raising $180,000 for LGBT and HIV/AIDS beneficiaries that serve the community. As of REAL BAD XXIII, over $1.4 million has been donated to community beneficiary organizations over the event’s history.
The beneficiary organizations that will share the funds raised, which include 100 percent of the money collected from the general admission ticket sales are:
Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center
A provider of education, support, empowerment and advocacy for Asian and Pacific Islander communities — particularly those living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS.
Bay Area Young Positives
An organization that helps young people, ages 14 to 26, living with HIV/AIDS live longer, happier, healthier, more productive and quality-filled lives through peer-based services.
Native American AIDS Project
A provider of HIV/AIDS prevention case management, HIV case management, peer advocacy and traditional healing services to the San Francisco Bay Area’s Native American population.
No Bully
An organization that develops and provides strategies that leverage student empathy to bring schools innovative, long-term solutions to bullying.
Project Open Hand
A provider of food and nourishment dedicated to improving the lives of people with HIV/AIDS, seniors and the home-bound or critically ill.
San Francisco Suicide Prevention
A provider of emotional support, assistance and intervention as necessary to persons in crisis and those impacted by them, without regard to race, age, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
“I am sure that over 23 years ago, the folks who got together to start this tradition never expected such an amazing legacy; a legacy that has given so much to the community and has created a strong and healthy event,” stated Jim Hauck, event chair for REAL BAD XXIII. “Thank you to all of the hard working individuals, members of the working group, hosts, and sponsors, and attendees for helping to continue to make REAL BAD a success. The passion and love shared by this circle of friends is amazing!”
About REAL BAD and GRGR/West
REAL BAD, the dance party immediately following the Folsom Street Fair, is an annual fundraising event benefiting LGBT charities with local impact in San Francisco. REAL BAD is completely volunteer-produced, and is distinct in that the costs of producing the event are underwritten entirely by the party’s Hosts, a Circle of Friends who volunteers their time and resources to make REAL BAD a yearly sell-out success. This unique support enables 100% of ticket proceeds to be donated to charity. In 2011, REAL BAD XXIII surpassed $1.4 million donated to worthy charities over the event’s history.
REAL BAD is produced by Grass Roots Gay Rights West (GRGR/West), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to raising and distributing funds to grassroots organizations that strengthen the diverse populations that make up San Francisco’s LGBT community. GRGR/West supports organizations that create local impact, sustainable results and/or measurable change, especially in the areas of civil rights, community development, social services, HIV/AIDS and other health-related issues.
For more information, visit www.realbad.org.
