Eric relocated to Seattle in 1999 from Phoenix Arizona for a career opportunity and change of pace.  Exploring different career opportunities he secured a position as a System Administrator in the Information Technology Department at BECU.  He is currently pursuing an Executive Masters in Information Management at the University of Washington School.  After moving to Seattle he quickly became involved with Seattle Out and Proud and has held various positions in his ten years of commitment with SOaP. With Eric’s strong background of the organization’s structure from holding various positions such as Board member, Secretary, Vice President and finally moving into the President role in 2007 and re-elected into this role in 2009.  His strong analytical background gives his leadership approach a distinctive model which helps making strategic decisions for the improvement of the organization a key to its evolvement.

Eric feels that as a community leader his involvement in a not-for profit organization helps give back to the community that he lives in.

A native to the state of Washington, Jeffrey was born at Renton Valley Medical Hospital and spent his early childhood in Maple Valley before his family relocated to Ellensburg. The middle child of five, he has had a lot of time to spend with a large family and friends. During his years of education up to his commencement from E.H.S. is 2003, his studies were highest in social sciences, sports, leadership and the arts. Activities included 10 years of vocal training and performing, member of the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, event and assembly planning committees, numerous athletic teams and community volunteering. Jeffrey then enrolled at Central Washington University where he spent two years focusing on his Bachelors Degree in Public Relations and Business Administration. He chaired on many boards including the Associated Students of C.W.U. Board of Directors, the GALA Board, Equity and Services as well as co-chaired with several other minority centered organizations. In 2005, Jeffrey relocated back to western Washington, and now resides in Capitol Hill.

Currently focusing on new career paths and opportunities, Jeffrey has a number of volunteering commitments. Aside from volunteering with SOaP as committee co-chair to the Volunteer Committee in support of Matthew Tennant and Outreach Committee in support of Jon Mejia, he also is the Application Coordinator for this years 2010 Pride Parade. Jeffrey also lends his time to Gay City located in Capitol Hill where he is responsible for overseeing the Resource and Referral Line and Gay City Library, as well as training and mentoring new volunteers on the procedure and logistics of those resources.

Matthew joined the Board in 2009 searving as Event's Committee Chair.  Matthew a native Washingtonian moved from Eastern Washington to Seattle to attend the University of Washington.

A Healthcare Consultant working with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Children's, Providence Health and Services, and Kaiser Permanente.  As owner of Matthew Tennant Consulting, LLC he works in multiple speciality area's including Project Management, Operational Development, Meeting Facilitation and Presentation, Organizational Change Management and Readiness, Service Excellence Program Development, and LEAN Strategic Planning.

A Seattle Socialite, he is passionate and an advocate for Healthcare and LGBTQ related issues and a long time volunteer for multiple organization in the City of Seattle. Matthew has a keen ability to organize events that will run smoothly, if you have any recommendations, do not hesitate to contact him.

Mario Lemafa is an artist whose creative origins spans three states and one ocean. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in the West Coast, Mario was influenced at a very early age to seek authenticity in his own life style.

Graduating from Auburn High School and given an invitation to the University of Washington, Mario works as a Student Ambassador to mentor to students from diverse backgrounds. As an intern, he offers up his extensive knowledge of media, art (photography and design), and leadership. Mario along with fellow activists started UW's first LGBT Activist group on campus, SOLE (Students Organizing for LGBT Equality) and hopes to bridge relationships with organizations in Seattle to improve the city.

You can often find Mario attending meetings on LGBT activism or in a cafe sketching up ideas for his next artistic venture. He always seems to have his hands full but for the most part he is quite happy with his predicament.

I am 22 years old. I was born and raise in Colombia, South America. I am currently studying and working at Seattle University. I am a senior in the program of Psychology and I work as event monitor and Spanish tutor. I love to write and read poetry. 

I moved to Seattle in 2008 from Yokosuka, Japan after a brief stead in the US Navy. I work as a Customer Service Rep for Starbucks and I'm originally from a small town in southern Oklahoma called Ft. Towson where I grew up and went to school.

Growing up in a small rural community it was hard for me to face the issues of being a young gay guy.
I grew up always trying to keep it hidden for fear of being treated differently and being bullied. Once I moved 
away and got out on my own I guess I grew into accepting myself and decided everyone else would just have 
to accept it as well. 

I decided to volunteer with Seattle Out and Proud because I've always believed that growing up a closeted gay kid in a small town made 
my life different. If I could just give one other kid in that situation a feeling of hope and knowledge that he/she is not alone, then I would know 
I've made a difference in our community. It has become my passion and my dream to make sure that no one else has to feel like an outcast
because society says they are. 

I believe Social Media is that key. It gives us the ability to spread our message of unity, hope, and equality to Seattle, to the State of Washington and to the Entire Country, though I hope that one day we can speak to the world.