Launch of LGBT Online Magazine 11/2/09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  November 3, 2009

Launch of LGBT Online Magazine, 10,000 Couples, Receives International Welcome

Oak Park, Illinois - November 3, 2009 - Over 1,900 unique visitors from around the world join the celebration of diversity at the latest LGBT online magazine, 10,000 Couples.

The first issue of 10,000 Couples, released for October of 2009, garnered over 6,200 page views from visitors in 94 countries around the globe. This online magazine is dedicated to focusing on the lives and life experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The venue is multi-dimensional in its approach to sharing the positive aspects and discussing the everyday challenges of same sex couples. The magazine's format is subscription based with unique interactive components and free to registrants.

As stated by Delena Wilkerson, Publisher and Editor, the philosophy of 10,000 Couples is to "celebrate, affirm and inspire healthy same sex relationships, homes, families, and community living." In order to fulfill this goal of diverse representation for the international LGBT community, the magazine has over a dozen highly qualified writers and professionals contributing each month. Each contributor offers an individualized perspective on issues ranging from relationship matters to the latest news. Brenda S. "Sue" Fulton, Communications Director for Knights Out, states, "10,000 Couples brings together real people to tell our stories. It is a resource for those of us in a relationship, but at the same time a profound statement about our lives and our right to be treated equally as Americans."

According to Wilkerson, "The LGBT community is and always has been in positive, healthy, and joy filled relationships and it is time those images get equal attention and equal care."

Every issue of 10,000 Couples contains stories of love, pride and romance, relationship advice; practical home making and family making resources, and current commentary on issues from the political front.  The most popular feature however is the 10,000 Inspiring Couples Gallery celebrating the inspiration of prominent and everyday gay and lesbian couples across the world. In addition to the current event blogs, the site delves into matters of faith and racial and ethnic concerns within the community. Lindalisa Severo, President of LegalOut states, "10,000 Couples is a wonderful new free online magazine that showcases healthy same sex relationships in all areas of life. I appreciate the informative articles and the diversity of the site. A valuable magazine if you are searching for positive representation of the LGBT community and inspiring stories."

"Its not as if I had a life long passion for publishing," said Wilkerson. "The magazine is a vehicle for expressing the passion that was triggered when my spouse and I were legally married last year.  We've been together nearly 20 years but having the opportunity to be legally connected really is important. I think discrimination against same gender couples is widely acceptable, because we are largely invisible.  Which ironically contributes to the continuing acceptance of that discrimination. At least that is what I believe. That's sort of how the "10,000 Couples" title came about. I seriously want 10,000 same gender couples profiled in the gallery by the end of 2010."

In honor of Veteran's Day, the November 2009 issue will focus on the impact of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the lives of LGBT military personnel including an in depth interview with Lt. Dan Choi and his partner Matthew Kinsey along with its usual rich variety of article categories.

Contact:                     

Delena Wilkerson

10thousand Couples LLC

Phone: (708) 837-4237

E-mail: editor@joined-together.net

10,000 Couples is an online magazine dedicated to celebrating, affirming, and strengthening the commitment of gay and lesbian couples to one another and to their relationships.  It is designed to provide a wide-angle view of information for and inspirational portrayals of same gender couples in committed relationships in all their forms. Our mission is to impact positive decision-making and feelings by and between gay and lesbian couples. In so doing, we hope to gather strength, inspire young couples still finding each other, and destroy the distorted and distorting imagery so often used to diminish us.

Wilkerson is a 17 year resident of Oak Park and member of Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC.  For four years she produced One In the Spirit, a multicultural gospel music workshop and concert at Pilgrim.  For 20 years Wilkerson was the Executive Director of a nonprofit financial services management organization in Chicago and is a 1979 graduate of the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration.

10,000 Couples is located at http://www.10thousandcouples.com

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