Good Vibes Partners With LGBTQ Nonprofits for Pride

SAN FRANCISCO—Good Vibrations, the legendary San Francisco-based retailer, has announced its donation partnership with four nonprofits that support the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer communities in the regions that its retail stores serve. Beneficiary organizations are the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, The Pacific Center in Berkeley, the LGBT Aging Project in Boston, and Marriage Equality USA online. Beginning June 1 through July 30, Good Vibrations’ customers can support these regional nonprofits in Good Vibrations retail locations:Massachusetts,San FranciscoandBerkeley, as well as online. Shoppers can make a financial gift at the time of their Good Vibrations purchase in any Good Vibrations retail stores. The entire contribution goes to the nonprofit of your choice.  San Francisco AIDS Foundation San Francisco AIDS Foundation was established in 1982 with a mission of radical reduction of new infections inSan Francisco. Through education, advocacy and direct services for prevention and care, SFAF is confronting HIV in communities most vulnerable to the disease.    The Pacific Center Founded in 1973 in response to a brutal gay bashing incident inOakland, thePacificCenteris an award-winning, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community center based inBerkeley,Calif., serving theEastBayand Greater Bay Area. Through professional counseling, groups, community events, and advocacy,PacificCenterworks to foster and enhance the well-being and self-respect of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.    The LGBT Aging Project The mission of the LGBT Aging Project is to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elders have equal access to the life-prolonging benefits, protections, services and institutions that their heterosexual neighbors take for granted. Many elder LGBTs are wary of revealing their sexual orientation or gender identity to helping professionals and would rather go without, even when sick, rather than turning to aging service providers for help. The LGBT Aging Project ensures that they receive the care they need.    Marriage Equality USA (added USA) MEUSA is a nonprofit company that uses public education campaigns, personal stories in the media, and grassroots coalition building to advocate for the right to marry for same-sex couples. MEUSA is headquartered inOakland,Calif., with chapters across the country.  GiVe is Good Vibrations' extensive donation and sponsorship program. For more than 30 years Good Vibrations has partnered with hundreds of local and national non-profit organizations donating products, advertising and sponsorship for fundraisers and has provided much needed support for women’s shelters, HIV/AIDS research, art programs, LGBT benefits, breast cancer awareness and much more. Additionally, every several months Good Vibrations partners with a different nonprofit organization and encourages their customers to contribute directly to them at check-out, online and in the stores.   Good Vibrations has always been a champion for the LGBTQ community and is proud to highlight these organizations during Pride season.  Good Vibrations COO Jackie Strano stated, “We are proud to partner with these amazing non-profits and as agents of social change ourselves, Good Vibrations is happy to highlight the tireless efforts of our community partners and create an opportunity for people to contribute directly to the crucial work they do.” Staff Sexologist Dr. Carol Queen said, “While we reach out to, serve, and partner with many communities, we really have a deep appreciation for the way the LGBT community (in the Bay Area, especially) has grown and developed side by side with us—cultural conditions in San Francisco have supported queer pride and sex-positivity and ensure that we learn from and greatly value the LGBT community and its institutions. We are honored to be able to bring the GiVe program to this remarkable group of nonprofits.” Good Vibrations is supporting regional branches of Planned Parenthood through the end of May. To learn more about Good Vibrations GiVe program and to see this year’s beneficiaries, visit the GiVe page or contact Camilla Lombard at (415) 974-8985, ext. 201, or camillal@goodvibes.com.