Formerly-known as Ebony Pride – San Diego, Urban Pride – San Diego will be hosting its official “Coming Out” reception at the Center on Saturday, September 18th at 6 p.m. with an additional gathering scheduled to be held at the Redwing Bar & Grill at 9 p.m.

Urban Pride – San Diego is a social service and community-based organization, promoting positive self-image for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people living in urban communities. Their goal is achieved through education and varying community activities that teach communities all over San Diego.

“We celebrate San Diego’s unique and culturally diverse LGBT community,” said Urban Pride Director Charles W. Patmon Jr. “We are committed to empowering LGBT urban individuals and families, as well as the LGBT community at large.”

The focus of the organization used to be the acceptance and the creation of a positive self-image focusing on GLBT African-American youth, teens and adults. Ebony Pride recognized the diversity and multiculturalism of San Diego and its urban community and thus, created a new direction for the organization.

“Ebony Pride has served the San Diego community for many years. We have a rich and diverse history and heritage. However, our new board is heading in a new direction,” Patmon said. “That is why we are hosting a “Coming Out” reception if you will. We want to re-introduce San Diego to the new and improved Ebony Pride and we felt that a new name will help in promoting our unity,” stated Patmon Jr.

Urban Pride – San Diego’s vision also extends its services and message to establish and support culturally enriching programs that outreach to the GLBT urban youth of San Diego. Other programs are also in place to raise awareness and promote a greater understanding to prevention of health and social issues that affect GLBT people urban areas. Health issues that may include HIV/AIDS, Sickle Cell Anemia, Diabetes, Breast and Prostate Cancer as well as many others.

The “Coming Out” reception will be a community event hosted at the San Diego LGBT Center on September 18th at 6 p.m. The event will promote this great community organization and help spread word of its services. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. There will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine served to celebrate this occasion.

To accompany the community event, an additional “Mix & Mingle” gathering will be held at the Redwing Bar and Grill at 9 p.m. This social gathering will further allow the community to get to know the staff and volunteers of Urban Pride – San Diego. An opportunity for the organization to speak to the community.

These events for the community will be one of the first of many to come as this organization spreads its mission across varying cultures and ethnicities to create more positive images for the urban GLBT community of San Diego.

For more information, please contact Charles W. Patmon, Jr, Director of Urban Pride-San Diego, at 619-822-5793 or email urbanpridesd@gmail.com or cwpatmonjr@gmail.com.