JYPride works to build bridges between the general Jewish community and the GLBT community through cultural, social and Judaic programming. The organization started five years ago, and, this year, the nonprofit hired Mickey Stone as its first full-time program director.

JYPride holds a monthly happy hour geared toward Jewish GLBT singles. It also organizes plays, lecture series and other social events. Starting this fall, JYPride will hold GLBT Jewish speed dating events and a new program called the Shalem Education Project, which will teach about inclusion in Hebrew School and Jewish Day School classrooms.

Before coming to JYPride, Stone worked as a show and parade performer at the Walt Disney World resort in Orlando. Stone also taught at-risk youth at a school in the resort town, where he also developed a drama program.

Since moving to San Diego, Stone has served on the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast planning committee and currently serves on the San Diego LGBT Community Leadership Council. “I have noticed such a strong sense of community in the short time I have been here. I really look forward to becoming an active part of that,” Stone said.