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"Well beyond his years," Robert "Lance" Blevins spent most of his life having to forge ahead against all odds to realize his goals. Thus, becoming a strategic "can-do" out of the box thinker which has allowed him to accomplish much in his young years.  

During his high school and then later college years at Frostburg State University in western Maryland, Lance interned for the Federal Government indirectly through sponsored university programs and then later transferred to a Civil Service Program which employed him during the remainder of his college years.  Working for various different divisions over the course of his internship career, Lance began to augment his IT skills early on. 

It would be these very skills that would enable him to help many people throughout the time he spent at Frostburg State University as he created various websites and also worked for his university bookstore in addition to launching a small IT consulting firm. In addition to his college studies and other associated work, "Titles of the Wrong Kind" was also published prior to Lance's graduation from Frostburg State University.  Featured in the Frostburg State University student newspaper "The Bottom Line" as well as the official Frostburg State University magazine the "Profile," this short story enjoyed media attention both on and off campus.

After graduating from Frostburg State University, Lance pursued an IT career with a private defense contractor before accepting a position back in academia. 

During the summer of 2007, while Lance was vacationing on a cruise to Bermuda with a very close friend, he experienced discrimination based on the way both he and his travel companion identified from countless individuals.  As such, upon his return, Lance began collaborating with many different people regarding his experiences. 

The final outcome Lance hoped to produce from his meetings / discussion was a solution that would help keep others from experiencing the same sort of discrimination while also incorporating Lance's desire to help those affected internationally with HIV/AIDS.  The end result of Lance's discussions and planning was the formation of the Federation of International Pride and FPride.org. Providing many online resources, FPride.org allows everyday people to disseminate their stories online (many don't realize just how common discrimination towards LGBT individuals happens to be) while also taking a more "hands on" approach to help those affected by HIV/AIDS internationally (2008).

If you wish to donate to FPride.org to help us in our efforts to expand and continue providing the services that so many have become accustomed to, click here.  If you would like to help us by volunteering, click here.

Mission Statement:

To better the lives of LGBT individuals as well as those affected by HIV/AIDS both nationally as well as internationally through the mobilization of average everyday people.

We believe in equality for everyone; not just a few select groups!

Vision Statement:

We hope to help the LGBT community as a whole (both nationally as well as internationally) by enabling the average individual to take direct action while at the same time rooting out and reporting those who actively discriminate against the LGBT community in addition to providing providing users with an informative information portal.

Internationally, we plan to use established connections to help fight the global war on AIDS in Uganda as well as in China beginning in mid to late 2008.  Our initial program outline calls for the execution of a (4) year program to concentrate 2 years in each target location (2 communities in Uganda, 2 communities in China) after the launch of this effort.

Our relief programs are specifically designed to ensure that help is given directly to those affected as we will not focus solely on providing monetary assistance (as many other organizations do), but rather, will focus on positive programs such as education, construction, early testing as well as training for key community leaders.  Our training program for community leaders will ensure that after our departure, the community can continue to move in a positive direction.  For more information regarding our international programs, click here to visit our 2008 Global AIDS Initiative page or feel free to contact us at anytime.

Corporate Information:

The Federation of International Pride, Inc. is an active Maryland based non-profit corporation dedicated to bettering the lives of LGBT individuals as well as those affected by HIV/AIDS worldwide.

Contribute to the Federation of International Pride and help us further our efforts today by clicking here.  To read more about our founder Robert "Lance" Blevins, click here.  To Lean more about how you can help by volunteering, click here.

Copy the code below and paste it into your profile. Have your friends join you in supporting FPride.org.

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