IT'S TIME TO MAKE A BOOK!!!!!!! AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!

We need your help to FUND the PUBLICATION of FIRST COMES LOVE.

Help us raise $40,000 or more to get this book in everyone's hands.

The First Comes Love Project is a multimedia project celebrating LGBTQ couples in long term relationships.  Photographer, filmmaker, director B. Proud has put together an intimate glimpse into the “everyday” lives of LGBTQ couples who have been in their relationships for 10, 20, 30, 40 and even 50 years! Unlike the stereotypical picture painted by the media, these portraits and stories seek to educate those who question, celebrate those who have loving, devoted relationships, and provide an historical record of the strength of this community. Although the tide is rolling across the country to provide equal rights to LGBTQ citizens, new laws do not necessarily change minds. There is still much work to do.

Understanding is the only weapon to combat hatred, bigotry, violence, and bullying towards LGBTQ individuals and couples of all ages. This is not the typical picture of rainbow flags and gay pride parades that is commonly portrayed in the media. This project serves to provide a new perspective on the issue and illuminate the real life stories of the couples involved by educating those outside of the LGBTQ community, while celebrating those who are a part.

There are black and white portraits of 70 couples now, along with their stories. The book will be approximately 160 pages of beautiful images and stories. The project is a traveling exhibition for galleries, schools, community centers, etc. and now it's time to publish the book. Your contributions will help to cover much of the cost of production, advertising, distribution, and book launch. 

The book is estimated to cost about $60,000 including file prep, design, printing and binding, shipping, distribution, and advertising.  I'm asking you to help me raise $ 40,000 and I'm willing to put in the rest. Of course, raising the full amount would be really awesome. There are fees involved in a campaign like this, so even if we raise $40,000, First Comes Love will receive a net of $36,000. Going beyond the minimum goal would allow us to really cover the costs. It would also allow us to include in the book the DVD of "First Comes Love,"  The Song, written, composed, and professionally recorded by the extremely talented Michael Biello and Dan Martin, one of the couples in the book. (see www.biellomartin.com) Additional funding would also be put towards taking this traveling exhibition to new venues across the country.

 Let's put First Comes Love on the bookshelf. Lets’s celebrate our love. The book is ready to go to press, we just need your help.  For more information visit www.firstcomeslove.org or contact Barbara Proud, photographer, videographer, director at bproud@firstcomeslove.org

While there is no one perfect recipe for a perfect relationship, First Comes Love, is like an amazing cookbook with delicious recipes that have survived for many years.  We are delighted to know that we will be a part of the collection of couples showcased in a coffee table book like First C