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Associate technical account manager Thomas Barker is a talented distance runner who competed in college and has coached All American runners. He’s also running his first full marathon at the New York City Marathon this fall.
But Barker is not just a runner who is concerned with his own race results and training plans. He’s actively involved in the Atlanta running community as the president of the local Front Runners chapter. Front Runners is an international organization that promotes running, walking and related athletic activities for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders and their supporters.
“In Atlanta, Front Runners has been an active running group for 29 years. It’s a great way for new runners to get introduced to the sport, and a healthy environment for the LGBT community to gather that’s not in a bar environment,” Barker explained.
The chapter produces an annual running event, the Atlanta Pride Run, which will take place this year on June 15. Yardi is the Pride Run’s title corporate sponsor this year. Many other local businesses are assisting with fundraising to support the run and its cause, including local restaurants and bars.
“June 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City, which really kicked off the civil rights movement for the LGBT community,” Barker said. “It brought international awareness to the gay rights movement in the U.S. and worldwide. The first Pride parade in New York City was held on the anniversary of the riots, and now Pride is celebrated every year around the world.”
Yardi employees will participate in the run, which is a fundraiser for the Atlanta non-profit Joining Hearts. The mission of Joining Hearts is to raise awareness, and funds to support prevention, care, and housing assistance to those impacted by HIV/AIDS in Atlanta.
As the Atlanta Front Runners set their goals for the 2019 Pride Run, they decided to focus awareness and attention on the high rate of HIV/AIDS cases in the Atlanta region. According to the CDC, the city’s rate of infection is considered an epidemic.
“This is really our generation’s Stonewall Riots,” Barker said. “We need to bring attention and visibility to the continued risk of HIV/AIDS and the need for resources to treat and halt the current Atlanta epidemic.”
The hope is that the Atlanta Pride Run will raise $10,000 for Joining Hearts, which supports a variety of Atlanta non-profits that support those with HIV/AIDS in the Atlanta metro area. Those organizations include Positive Impact Heath Centers, which provides HIV testing, specialty care and support; Jerusalem House, which provides housing for low-income and homeless HIV/AIDS patients; and Lost-n-Found Youth, which assists homeless LGBT teens.
Barker said that one of the things that makes the Front Runners unique is their volunteerism. In addition to running, the group often gets together to support local events and causes such as the local AIDS walk, events held by Joining Hearts, and other area activities.
“When I moved to Atlanta, this was a great way for me to find community,” Barker said. “Society is far more welcoming to the LGBT community today, so we’re focusing on giving back through this group and also introducing new participants to the healthy benefits of running and walking.”
To sign up for the Atlanta Pride Run on June 15, visit the Front Runners website.
