Meet Justin Rudd...........

I am so pleased to do this posting about my friend Justin Rudd.  When you meet Justin, you become his friend.  It's that simple.  He's disarmingly nice, his community activism is absolutely staggering, his efforts are tireless, and on a lighter note, Justin has the nicest legs you've ever seen.  :)

This coming Sunday, May 18, he'll serve as the grand marshal of the Long Beach Gay Pride parade.   Here's Justin on the cover of Frontiers Magazine with his beautiful and beloved bulldogs. 

This is a closer look at those gorgeous creatures.  That's Riley on the left, and Rosie on the right.  Can you say ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh?

Being the grand marshal has its perks.  Here's Justin out last night at the Hot in Hollywood party.

And inside the party with Reichen and Ryan.

Too bad those guys are so unattractive.  Must be difficult with that perfect bone structure and great skin.  :)

So, for the second time this week, I'm putting my hard hitting interview skills to the test.  Here goes......

Me: Justin, if any other friend of mine told me that they were going to organize a 5K/10K fun run which had 3,800 participants on Thanksgiving morning that raised $98,000 for their nonprofit organization, or even had their own nonprofit organization, or have monthly  beach cleanups (106 consecutive months, so far!), or  was going to do a version of Oprah's "Big Give" in which gave 15 participants had $500 given to them to give away as effectively as possible , or organize lots of kids events, or have an Easter and Halloween dog costume parade which goes through the trendy 2nd street area of Long Beach or........ I'm getting exhausted.  If any other friend said they were going to do even one of these things I might be a bit surprised.  I'd be happy, but surprised.  But with you Justin, I've come to expect it.  In all the years I've known you, I've never asked this simple question.  Why? Why do you do all this?

Justin:  It's pretty simple.  I'm blessed to have a desire in my heart to make a difference, and I do it.  I don't just think about it, or wait for someone else to do it.  I do it.  My motto is "Explore, Dream, Discover." I do that.  I want to continue to be a role model, to improve my track record, to be even more well rounded.  I want to live my life with purpose, and I do.

Me: Have you always been this charitable?  Or was there a moment or event that sparked this in you?

Justin: As a young boy, I remember picking up debris alongside the country roads where I lived in south Alabama.  I remember going to nursing homes in high school to sing, do crafts, and talk to the residents.  I also did used clothing drives, and collected books for the library and food for the local shelter.  I was active in leadership in church and school groups that did service projects.  I've done missions trips to Germany, Spain and Africa.  I like to help out those in need, and have done so since I was young.

Me: What advice would you give to others who want to make a difference but don't know quite where to begin?

Justin:  Don't put it off.  Make a list of what you want to do, what you're good at and go do it - for free!  Visit a neighbor.  Pick up some trash in the park.  Register to vote.  Write a letter to the editor and be positive.  Smile and say, "hello" to folks on the street.  Recycle your cans and bottles.  Explore www.VolunteerMatch.com.  If you're in the Long Beach (Calif.) area, subscribe to my volunteer opportunity e-newsletter.

Me: I think it's really great that you're the grand marshal of Long Beach's Pride. How did that come about, and what does that entail?

Justin:  The Pride committee nominates individuals who make real impacts on the community in Long Beach.  They then narrow the nominees, selecting their grand marshals.  Basically,  I'll be in the Pride parade on Sun., May 18 at 10:30 a.m. and pull my bulldogs Rosie and Riley in their red wagon.  And, I'll be attending a few Pride parties this weekend and a breakfast before the parade, and then head to the festival after the parade.   Long Beach Pride is the 3^rd largest Pride event in the country!  In addition to the Pride events, I'm teaching my beach boot camp class and hosting a beach cleanup on Sat. morning. To top off the weekend, I'm hosting the Mom Prom on Sunday night.

Me: Your other half is the sweetest guy.  I know he frequents my site (hi Ralph).  So, as a little surprise for him here, is there anything you'd like to say to him?

Justin: Ralph is amazingly supportive and loving, especially with my hectic schedule of 38 community events, pageant coaching, beach fitness training and beach photography. He's the best partner in the world.  The five years we've spent together so far are just the start of a long life together.  He's my rock.  And, he's a super dad to our two bulldogs.  And, he brings home chocolate cupcakes and cookies every now and then.  Mmmm!  I love you, Ralph.

Thank you Justin for that great interview.  Glad I can call you and Ralph my friends!

Speaking of Ralph, here's a photo Justin snapped of him on his Aprilia Scarebeo.  I'd like to think he's speeding home with chocolate cupcakes and cookies for Justin. 

And there you have it.  If you are anywhere near Long Beach this Sunday, please come by and support Justin at the parade.  I'll be there with my posse and we'll be cheering him on.