Posts Tagged ‘Gay-Friendly Cities’

Coming Out in the South: More Q&A with Bobby Hilburn, Executive Director, LGBT Center of Raleigh

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Today, we’re concluding our conversation with Bobby Hilburn, executive director of the LGBT Center of Raleigh. Today, he’ll give us some insight into the center, its grand opening and what it means for the LGBT community.


Erin: What will the center mean for the LGBT community?

Bobby:  It will be a starting point. We have seen an overwhelming amount of interest in support so far. I hope to see the center become a busy hub of activity where ideas can grow and ultimately, where LGBT-centric/equality-oriented projects can be organized and executed. It will be a place where all people from the LGBT community, including our allies and advocates, can feel welcome and just…be themselves.

Erin: Tell me a little more about the center. What will it be like?

Bobby: Currently, we occupy about 600 square feet of space that includes an office, conference room and lounge at 316 W. Cabarrus St., downtown. With a small kitchen and a large-screen TV, we can host informal social events. The conference room can comfortably accommodate up to 16 people.

Our location is just a short walk from the Hargett St. “gay mainline” of Raleigh, as well as close to the city’s brand new convention center and the new amphitheater. Our ultimate goal is to secure space that we can call our own. We’d like a facility that can be open seven days a week, where people can drop in at any time, have coffee, view local art, sit and read or take a book from our lending library. This will be a safe and welcoming space that we hope LGBT organizations around the area will come to consider their own – and feel welcome to use for meetings, conferences, performances, etc.

Erin: What are you doing to spread the word about the center?

Bobby: Currently we are on Facebook, Twitter, and of course, we have our website. Since our funds are limited, we are so thankful to our volunteers and friends that have assisted with getting the word out to local media and bloggers.

Erin: What have been your biggest obstacles so far? Biggest successes?

Bobby: By far, the biggest obstacle right now is funding. Best moment? There have been a number of great moments. Two that have stood out are the Raleigh’s Coming Out event we held last year at Raleigh’s Moore Square Park and of course, the day we signed the lease for this new location!

Erin: Finally, tell me more about the opening…

Bobby:  This weekend is our official grand opening. The celebration will begin on May 7, coinciding with Raleigh’s monthly art walk, First Friday. The center will be hosting a collection of paintings from a well-known Raleigh artist, John Gaintenby. All Triangle residents are invited to stop by, view our space, enjoy the art work and get to know us!

To learn more about the Center and ways you contribute, please visit their website. And if you happen to be in or near Raleigh this Friday, please join me and the rest of the city in celebrating the grand opening of the LGBT Center, which will be held from 6 to 10 p.m.

| May 5th, 2010 No Comments »
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Coming Out in the South: A Q&A with Bobby Hilburn, Executive Director, LGBT Center of Raleigh

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As a Northern transplant, I’ve found myself pleasantly surprised, personally and professionally, by the city of Raleigh. While I had expected the hot weather and oh-so-charming accents, I was unprepared for how socially liberal and progressive the city is, especially regarding the city’s LGBT residents. Many states in the South, North Carolina included, still have NO state-level protection for LGBT employees. Southern states’ hate crimes laws also remain uninclusive of sexual orientation or gender identify.

As regular readers of this blog, we know that LGBTs are often victims of verbal and physical harassment and discrimination and we all know how important it is to have a safe, supportive outlet (be it a physical place or a person to talk with) for overwhelming or unmanageable times. And one of Raleigh’s most glaring problems was that this diverse city didn’t have an official community gathering place for its LGBT citizens.

Thankfully, Raleigh will be opening its very own LGBT Center this Friday, May 7 on Cabarrus St. in downtown Raleigh, although the center is still shopping around for a larger, permanent location. I was fortunate enough to sit down with Bobby Hilburn, executive director, and discuss the center.

As in previous Q&As, we’ve broken this post into two parts: today, Bobby will talk about his history and career path and what it means to come out in the South. Tomorrow, we’ll talk about the LGBT Center and its grand opening. 

Erin: Bobby, thanks so much for spending some time with me and OutFront! I’d like to start by mentioning that you recently quit your very lucrative job as a financial planner to take on the executive director role full-time. That’s quite a decision – I’d love to hear more about it.

Bobby: Ha, yes. I recently left my practice to become the interim executive director for the LGBT Center of Raleigh (LGBTCOR). I’m from southeastern North Carolina, one of the more conservative parts of the state, and was raised in a very traditional, conservative family.

After leaving home to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I worked abroad and traveled quite a bit before finding myself back in Raleigh. As a financial planner, I worked with many members of the LGBT community, and as a way to give back, I wanted to become more involved in ongoing efforts to create a stronger, more unified LGBT “group.”

The more involved I became in LGBT affairs in the area, the more I realized that Raleigh NEEDED an LGBT community center. I quickly discovered that this was more than a weekend activity, that it had become my passion. For me, there was no question about it – I had to take on this new challenge in order to continue building support to create and maintain a successful center. 

Erin: Being a North Carolina native, why is this center important for Raleigh, and the South, in general?

Bobby: Being gay or lesbian or bi or transgender puts you in a minority, particularly in a small Southern city like Raleigh. People act differently when minorities are not visible – they’re much more likely to discriminate the idea of something rather than the reality of something. Having an LGBT community center in Raleigh will bring much needed visibility to our community and the South, both socially and politically.

Raleigh, and the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill) have large LGBT populations, yet we’re JUST opening our first community center for LGBTs. We must not self-segregate as a community and we cannot remain under the radar to policy makers. It is vital that the LGBT community, all ages, races, ethnicities, religions, have a fixed location available to them as a place of support and celebration. It is equally important to use that we are seen by those not directly involved with the LGBT community – both allies and non-allies. I strongly believe that the center will increase our visibility and establish our presence in this city, driving support and ultimately, equality.

Erin: What does it mean to be out in the South, a traditionally socially conservative area?

Bobby: Let me tell you, it isn’t easy for many people to be out in the traditional South. It often means being ridiculed, bullied and often, ostracized simply for being gay. Let’s face it, even with recent triumphs for the LGBT community – we have a long way to go as a society. Even in progressive areas, many gay, lesbian, bi and transgendered people are still scared to be open about their sexuality, orientation or gender identity. Little by little, we’re hoping to change that  – first, we’ll open a center for LGBT citizens, and then we’ll continue to support Raleigh’s “coming out” with education and awareness campaigns.

Come back tomorrow for the second part of our Q&A with Bobby Hilburn of the LGBT Center of Raleigh.

(Photo courtesy of the LGBT Center of Raleigh)

| May 4th, 2010 No Comments »
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True Financial Reform

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There is a lot of talk about Wall Street reform this week. The financial sector has always been just outside of my comfort zone—I know enough to be able to follow industry news, but I wouldn’t call myself a dangerous expert in it (my savings account reflects this as well).

The financial reform news I have been following this week comes from London and Hong Kong. According to the Financial Times, Galileo Capital Management has launched “LGBT Capital,” a corporate advisory and investment management company focused on the LGBT consumer market. The firm will initially provide two primary services: corporate advisory and business development consultation to companies that serve the LGBT sector and a fund investing in companies providing services to the LGBT sector.

The design of the business is rooted in proprietary research and conversations within the LGBT community. According to a survey commissioned by LGBT Capital, 30 percent of LGBT sector businesses felt they needed to adopt a degree of secrecy when setting up and seeking funding. Additionally, while a majority of these businesses have expansion goals outside of their current geographic location, 80 percent lacked specialist advice on how best to secure funding.

Who will benefit from this new service? According to the story, the company will be looking for good quality businesses that give investors – gay or straight – access to a market segment whose already substantial potential is set to be boosted by expanding gay liberation in both the developed and developing markets. And, what’s really great about LGBT Capital’s business model is that the company has committed to donating 10 percent of profits back into the LGBT community.

In today’s economy, we know that many small businesses are struggling. However, data keeps showing us that the LGBT community represents an affluent, untapped market. LGBT Capital clearly recognizes the value proposition of not only working in the LGBT community, but working with the community by funding big thinkers and innovators and helping LGBT business-owners realize their full funding potential. And the company is not just capitalizing on our community—they are giving back as well. Talk about a smart “return on investment.”

What do you think about LGBT Capital’s business proposition? “Innovative” or “It’s About Time”?

Self promotion moment… Remember when I blogged that I would be presenting at the New York Gay and Lesbian Marketing Conference? It’s tomorrow—and we’ll be blogging live, providing the latest trends, case studies and best practices on marketing to the LGBT community. Mr. Blaise will be providing real-time coverage, so check back throughout the day for news. Perhaps you’ll even get a picture of me looking like a pundit on cable news. That alone is worth bookmarking.

Have a great Thursday.

| April 29th, 2010 No Comments »
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2+2=1 in Chicago

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Even with Father's and Mother's Day coming up (or the fact that my wonderful mom texts, IMs or calls at least once a day), I don't typically focus on parenting or parent issues as a single, 25-year-old practitioner in the city. However, single or married with six kids, it is common knowledge that Chicago Parent is one of the biggest publications in the Windy City for families, providing parenting and education advice to Chicagoland's extremely diverse communities.

Yesterday, I literally stopped in front of the Borders windows because this month's Chicago Parent, which profiles different families, proudly featured Robert Pooley and Howard Wax with their two children Sarah and Marcus. Entitled "Two dads, two kids, one happy family," Wax and Pooley's story and decisions to have children via a surrogate is a quick read here on the Chicago Parent site.

Chicago Parent didn't just stop, though, with telling the story of how these two men created a family. Instead, they addressed the uncertain road ahead, noting the couple's concern for their children's emotional and physical protection. Pooley, who is a local physician, said in the piece, "It's up to us, society as a whole, to always support parents because in the end, what we want to do is raise good, decent children."

Falling during Census Month and the many debates around how Americans classify themselves, their marriage and their family, Chicago Parent's bold move uses a story to bring humanity and purpose to same-sex families and adoptions. All parents want to raise good children, even if it is the toughest job in the world AND doesn't come with an instruction manual. It requires sacrifice and is a big decision for many.

Yet, it is something others try to discuss as an "issue." Case in point is the current coverage of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee's comments on the topic during an interview with the College of New Jersey's news magazine The Perspective. You can actually check out the interview tape over at Queerty.

I'll end by thanking Chicago Parent for introducing its readers to just one of the many same-sex families around the world. What are your thoughts on the story or same-sex families? Share them with us, or your greatest parenting advice, in the comments below.

| April 14th, 2010 No Comments »
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Out Front Destination: Palm Springs

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Why is it these days that I am blogging more and more about the LGBT tourism industry? Could it be that I am ready for a vacation? Countdown to May 26 is on (aka when time off begins…)!

My sister and her husband own a timeshare property through one of the major hotel chains. The deal they have is that they can exchange it for any sister property around the world. The past couple of years, they have cashed in and exchanged it for Palm Springs/Palm Desert, California, and as a family, we cashed in and joined them.

To say I love Palm Springs is an understatement. It's incredibly beautiful. I love that you can tan at the pool in the middle of the desert, overlooking the mountains. The downtown area is so eclectic and fun– great restaurants, great nightlife, and great shopping.

The first time I ventured to Palm Springs was actually for work. Almost five years ago, I was working at a different firm and we were doing a grassroots healthcare tour, with a stop in Palm Springs. We stayed just for one night, and it was one of those nights where I was free from client responsibility, which meant that I could actually explore the town.

As a member of the LGBT community, you immediately feel at home in Palm Springs. There are so many LGBT-owned businesses, hotels and bars to welcome you to the city. And, it's not a hidden part of the town– it's an inherent part of the business community.

And five years ago, I was still coming into my own as an adult gay male, and to be in Palm Springs and feel so comfortable and so welcoming was such a helpful part of my journey.

It's fair to say that many members of the LGBT community feel this way about Palm Springs. In an article yesterday in The Desert Sun, the reporter pointed out that Palm Springs ranks 13th in desired travel destinations for the LGBT consumer. Many small-business LGBT owners, as well as our allies in the hospitality industry, were interviewed to share their positive experience of embracing the LGBT consumer and how open Palm Springs has become for us. Many travelers are also on record detailing how this "comfort level" is a main driver behind selecting the ideal LGBT travel hot spot. Plus, they have major LGBT events– like the Dinah Shore Weekend and the White Party.

So, I officially add Palm Springs to my list of cities that "get it"– cities that understand the opportunity and the reward that comes with marketing to the LGBT community and involving the LGBT community in your outreach.

While Palm Springs isn't on my destination list for 2010, I certainly welcome the opportunity to visit, should anyone choose to send me….anyone?

Have a great week.  

| April 12th, 2010 No Comments »
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