New Board Members Join The OUT Foundation

Alex Gray and Kevin Moore have joined The OUT Foundation's Board of Directors!The OUT Foundation’s Board of Directors is responsible for the health and effectiveness of the organization. The Board ensures that the organization achieves its mission in an ethical, transparent, accountable, and prudent manner. Additionally, the Board provides financial support through individual giving and strategic partnerships. The Board of Directors is made up of people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and unique talents that further the advancement of our programs.Meet Alex and Kevin...Alex Gray(he/him)Los Angeles, CAQ: What do you do, and where do you live?⁠A: I live in Los Angeles.  I am a humanitarian and social impact leader, and currently advise global non-profits on strategy, operations and performance.Q: What is your biggest passion/hobby?⁠A: I am interested in politics, international affairs, human rights, and social justice.  I love running and hiking and generally being outdoors in nature and focusing on physical, mental, and spiritual wellness.  I'm also an avid traveler.Q: How did you first hear about The OUT Foundation?⁠A: I was looking to get involved and support an organization that works on LGBTQ+ issues and uses my non-profit leadership and management experience to give back to my community.  I was searching online and was thrilled to discover The OUT Foundation existed and runs the programs it does as it marries LGBTQ+ rights with my other big passion in life - health and fitness.Q: When and why did you join the Board? ⁠A: I joined The OUT Foundation Board in March 2021 because the organization marries two of my biggest passions - health and fitness (physical, mental, spiritual) and LGBTQ+ rights and issues.  I really believe in the power of fitness/wellness in empowering the LGBTQ+ community.Q: What are your hopes/goals for The OUT Foundation? ⁠A: I want the LGBTQ+ community to feel safe, secure, and empowered in accessing and developing a health fitness regime that's right for them - because I know what an incredible impact it can have on self-confidence, self-acceptance, and overall quality of life. The OUT Foundation's programs are already helping in achieving that aim, and I'd love to see the programs scale up and grow and expand so that we can bring education and inclusion to all fitness entities across the US and even beyond.Q: What is one fun fact/something you wish people knew about you? ⁠A: I love traveling and experiencing new cultures.  I've been to almost 100 countries, and counting, including many that are way off the beaten path!--------------------------Kevin Moore(he/him)New York, NYQ: What do you do, and where do you live?⁠A: I am the Assistant Director for LGBTQ+ Clinical Services for NYU Langone Health. My role is varied and diverse. I work clinically with the LGBTQ+ community in both finding proficient providers and recovering from surgery related or not to their LGBTQ+ orientation and/or identities. I work educationally with all clinical and non-clinical staff as a resource for clinical and cultural LGBTQ+ Health. Additionally, I work administratively with writing and reviewing policy in both human resources and hospital operations. It is truly the best job I have ever had because I love what I get to do every day - advocate for LGBTQ+ people. Lastly, I am currently enrolled in a doctoral program at Rutgers University in Nursing Leadership.Q: What is your biggest passion/hobby?⁠A: Fitness, Crossfit, being healthy, Social Justice workQ: How did you first hear about The OUT Foundation?⁠A: Eddie Plata [the Executive Director] and I were working out at the same box and got to know each other. He found out what I did and we started talking about ways we could connect our program with The OUT Foundation. Eventually, this would become OUTHealth.Q: When and why did you join the Board? ⁠A: March 2021. I began to follow the work the Foundation was doing regarding the LGBTQ+ community and wellness around 2017/2018. At the time, I was on a weight loss and fitness journey myself and was looking for positive body influences geared towards queer people. Needless to say, I fell in love with the mission, work, and bravery in which the organization stood. The OUT Foundation is a full-circle moment for me in my personal and professional life. It is a synthesis of that little boy in Pennsylvania who was belittled and bullied and felt like he had no voice with the experience of standing in power, advocacy, and authority for the rights of all LGBTQ+ people. We are born perfect and beautiful and authentic. That can never be erased.Q: What are your hopes/goals for The OUT Foundation? ⁠A: The work we are doing in OUTHealth has been influential and significant. For example, the pre-op surgery classes for gender affirming surgical interventions, sexual health education, and educate medical students with the Beyond the Binary program. I would love to see how we could translate some of this fantastic work to the regional programs and help those grow and flourish in their respective communities.Q: What is one fun fact/something you wish people knew about you? ⁠A: I was an actor for 20 years prior to being a nurse. I loved being an actor and had the good fortune of working with some amazing people. Being a nurse might seem like the polar opposite of acting, but they are more than closely aligned, Trusting your instinct, knowing when to speak and when not to, and allowing your life experiences to influence your work are the same things we do as nurses that actors do every day! I was also a competitive swimmer on both the regional and state level and was training from the age of 7 - 12 years old.