Real Bad

Real Bad is the name of a fundraising party held annually in San Francisco, California immediately following the Folsom Street Fair. The party, which occurs on the last Sunday in September, has been in existence since 1989. It is thrown by a non-profit organization called Grass Roots Gay Rights West (GRGR/West). Most of the money raised by the event comes from ticket sales, which are generated by a network of party hosts who sell tickets to friends. [ [http://ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=2241 "Few Tix Left for 'Real Bad'"] Bay Area Reporter, September 27, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.] Proceeds from the party go to HIV/AIDS charities and LGBT health and community service organizations. In 2007, the party raised $150,000 for San Francisco Bay Area charities. [ [http://www.sfbaytimes.com/index.php?sec=article&article_id=7056 "Real Bad Does Real Good"] San Francisco Bay Times, November 15, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.] [ [http://ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=2450 "Leather Events Spread the Wealth"] Bay Area Reporter, November 22, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.]

Because it serves as an unofficial closing event for Folsom Street Fair weekend, the party has a leather and BDSM bent. The event is known for its progressive house music, lighting effects, and flag dancing. Party-goers are primarily gay men. Like some circuit parties, such as the White Parties in Miami, Florida and Palm Springs, California, Real Bad has an international reputation. Although most of the revelers hail from the San Francisco Bay Area, many come from other parts of the United States and from other countries around the world.

Mission statement

The mission statement of the event's organizer is as follows:

"Grass Roots Gay Rights West (GRGR/West) is committed to raising and distributing funds to grassroots organizations that strengthen the diverse populations that make up San Francisco’s LGBT community. We support 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."

Beneficiaries

Past beneficiaries of the event include:

* [http://lyric.org/ Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC)]
* [http://www.stopaids.org/ STOP AIDS Project] [ [http://www.sfbaytimes.com/index.php?sec=article&article_id=7056 "Real Bad Does Real Good"] San Francisco Bay Times, November 15, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.]
* [http://pawssf.org/ Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS)]
* [http://www.mensinnerjourney.org/ The Gateway - Men's Inner Journey] [ [http://www.sfbaytimes.com/index.php?article_id=5651&sec=article "Real Bad XVIII Once Again Generates Record Funds"] San Francisco Bay Times, November 16, 2006. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.]
* Project Open Hand
* San Francisco LGBT Community Center [ [http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?article=366&sec=news "'Real Bad' Delivers the Goods"] Bay Area Reporter, November 17, 2005. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.]

External links

* [http://www.realbad.org Real Bad official site]
* [http://www.folsomstreetfair.com Folsom Street Fair official site]

References