It's official!
We are announcing to the world that the StandUp Foundation is now underway!

Here is the full press release...

World Cup Rugby Star Ben Cohen Launches StandUp Foundation and StandUp Social-Commerce Brand

First straight sports figure to lead organizations focused on anti-bullying and LGBT causes
U.S.Organizations Based in Atlanta Will Contribute Funds to StandUp Network

ATLANTA, May 20, 2011 -- Ben Cohen, MBE, today officially launched the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, Inc. and StandUpTM social-commerce brand to help fund it. The Foundation is believed to be the world’s first organization dedicated solely to the cause of anti-bullying, wherever and to whomever it occurs. Due to recent high-profile instances of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) bullying,, the Foundation gives particular focus and attention to this community. The announcement was made in conjunction with the Atlanta kick-off of Mr. Cohen’s “Acceptance Tour 2011,” which will continue on to New York, Washington DC, and Seattle.

Mr. Cohen, a rugby World Cup champion and second in all time scoring for England, is one of the world’s greatest athletes. He is the first straight sports star to dedicate his philanthropic efforts for the benefit of LGBTpeople. Mr. Cohen, married and father of twin daughters, is widely considered a “gay icon” for his rugged good looks, long-standing LGBT advocacy, and more than 157,000 predominately gay friends on Facebook. Mr. Cohen’s cause is as personal as it is for his fans; his own father was brutally beaten to death in 2000.

“If people find me attractive and that helps them pay attention and hear my message of acceptance, then I am honored by it,” said Mr Cohen, chairman of the Foundation. “Every human being has the right to love and be loved, and I want to be a bridge between LGBT and straight communities to create a kinder world,” he said.

To help fund the Foundation and its work, Mr. Cohen also has created the StandUp social-commerce brand, managed and licensed by Ben Cohen USA, Inc., his commercial enterprise. Like (RED), focused on AIDS, or Livestrong, focused on cancer, the StandUp brand engages the consumer marketplace to fund social change. StandUp is the first social-commerce brand developed for the benefit of LGBT people and the anti-bullying cause. Its profits will be shared with the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation.

“The inbound calls from major US corporations, consumer packaged goods, and beverage brands interested in StandUp partnerships have been tremendous,” said Patrick T. Davis, president of Ben Cohen USA, Inc. “This is the right message and the right brand at the right moment in our culture. The anti-bullying platform is universal, and people will be able to support it in a number of ways, from donating to shopping” he said.

The Foundation will help coordinate and fund specific anti-bullying programs led by a variety of other groups. As part of the launch, Mr. Cohen announced the “StandUp Network” of partners in the United States. The StandUp Network in other countries will be announced later. The U.S. partners are:
Human Rights Campaign Foundation- www.hrc.org
Campus Pride - www.campuspride.org
The Matthew Shepard Foundation - www.matthewshepard.org
The Trevor Project - www.thetrevorproject.org

The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, Inc and Ben Cohen USA, Inc. are both based in Atlanta. Mr. Cohen said, “Atlanta is now known as ‘the gayest city in America’ and has long been known as the ‘city too busy to hate’ due to its civil rights leadership. I can think of no better place to base our operations and make the differences we intend to make.”

About the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation
The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation is the first organization dedicated solely to anti-bullying, no matter where or to whom it happens. Because LGBT youth are often targeted by bullies, the Foundation gives particular attention to this community. Its work extends to anti-gay bullying and homophobia in sports, as the Foundation was founded by Ben Cohen, MBE, one of the world’s greatest athletes. He is the first straight sports star to dedicate his philanthropic efforts for the benefit of LGBT people. The Foundation is funded, in part, through profits shared by the StandUp social-commerce brand, the first brand to engage the consumer marketplace to drive social change for LGBT people. Mr. Cohen is chairman of both organizations.
About the StandUp Network Partners

Human Rights Campaign Foundation:
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Campus Pride
Campus Pride is the leading national nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) for student leaders and campus organizations working to create safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities. It exists to give "voice and action" in building future LGBT and ally leaders.

The Matthew Shephard Foundation
The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998. Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance” through its varied educational, outreach and advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew’s story.

The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential lifeline, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy.

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Thank you for all the support!
Ben

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