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New Appointments At Boston Pride

Boston Pride one of the country’s oldest LGBT pride organizations has named Charlene Charles as its newest member of the Boston Pride Board of Directors. Ms. Charles is the Director for New England Professional Queer WoMen of Color & works with queer organizations of color to bridge the gaps & create multi-cultural safe places in the LGBT community. In addition longtime board member Malcom Carey has been appointed as treasurer of Boston Pride. Sylvain Bruni, President of Boston Pride stated, “Charlene Charles is a great addition to our board. We are excited to see Charlene bring her energy, skills & knowledge to Boston Pride, which will reinforce our ability to reach out to all communities & to professionalize our operations.” Charlene’s goal is to strengthen Boston Pride’s relationships within the Queer Person of Color (QPOC) Boston Community & make it a catalyst for solidarity & support between all queer communities. Malcolm Carey has been a volunteer with Boston Pride since 2004 & joined the Board of Directors in 2008 where he has served as clerk for two terms. Additionally, he serves as Boston Pride’s bookkeeper & is involved in its finance committee. Boston Pride produces events & activities to achieve inclusivity, equality, respect & awareness in Greater Boston & beyond. Fostering diversity, unity, visibility & dignity, we educate, communicate and advocate by building and strengthening community connections. Boston Pride Week 2016 will be held June 3rd-12th.
For More Info: bostonpride.org
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Alabama LGBT Rural Summit

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) & the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) will host the next #RuralPride summit in Huntsville, Alabama on Thursday February 4th. The event is co-hosted by the True Colors Fund & will be held at the Alabama A&M University, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Building 0870, 4900 Meridian Street North in Huntsville, Alabama from 12:00P to 5:00P. #RuralPride is a partnership between NCLR & USDA that challenges the stereotype that LGBT people only live in metropolitan areas by raising awareness of the particular issues faced by LGBT rural communities. The issues being addressed at the Huntsville summit include: marriage & LGBT families after Obergefell; LGBT youth; poverty & economic security & how race & religion intersect with LGBT identities. Panelists will include local advocates, attorneys & LGBT youth who will share their experiences & discuss ways to work together to improve the lives of LGBT people in Alabama. The #RuralPride summits center on LGBT experiences in rural America, including increased rates of economic insecurity, lack of family & nondiscrimination protections, the relationship between LGBT & faith communities & the heightened challenges facing rural LGBT youth and rural LGBT people of color. The partnership includes a series of summits being organized across the country to elevate the voices of LGBT people & families in rural communities, explore how these communities are particularly vulnerable & discuss federal policy changes that can increase equality & access for rural LGBT people & their families. The event is free & open to the public.
For More Info & To Register...
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GLAAD Media Awards Nominees

Award season is definitely upon us. GLAAD the global LGBT media advocacy organization has announced the nominees for its 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize & honor media for their fair, accurate & inclusive representations of our LGBT community & the issues that affect our lives. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD's work to accelerate acceptance of the LGBT community. Sarah Kate Ellis said GLAAD CEO & President stated, “For nearly three decades, the GLAAD Media Awards have propelled inclusion in media & driven LGBT acceptance forward. This year’s nominees have raised the bar for creating thoughtful & diverse LGBT images & storylines, deepening audiences’ understanding of LGBT people & accelerating acceptance across the world.” Among the nominees are: Academy Award nominees Carol & The Danish Girl; Golden Globe nominee Grandma; Film Independent Spirit Award nominees Appropriate Behavior & Tangerine; FOX’s hit drama Empire & Netflix’s Sense8, Master of None, Orange Is the New Black & Grace & Frankie; Amazon’s Transparent; HBO's Bessie; ABC’s 20/20 for its groundbreaking Diane Sawyer interview with Caitlyn Jenner; E!’s I Am Cait & TLC’s I Am Jazz, both reality programs headlined by transgender people. The GLAAD Media Awards are presented by Delta Air Lines, Hilton & Ketel One Vodka. Ceremonies will be held in Los Angeles on April 2nd at The Beverly Hilton & we’ll be covering the Red Carpet in New York on May 14th at the Waldorf Astoria New York for OUTTAKE VOICES.
For Info & A Full List: .glaad.org
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LGBT Music Award Winners

The LGBT Academy of Recording Arts (LARA) recently presented the winners of the 9th annual OUTmusic Awards. The Nominee categories spanned across 21 categories from members of the Academy around the world. Album of the Year went to Omar Thomas Large Ensemble for We Will Know, Video of the Year went to JenFoster for She (She4Me), Single of the Year went to Monifah for The Other Side, Humanitarian Songwriter of the Year went to MRF feat Lisa Bello, Justin Waithe & Sheree Dunwell for Be Strong (LGBT Youth) & Best International Song went to Toya Delazy for Forbidden Fruit. Diedra Meredith, CEO of OUTmusic Inc & Chairwoman of LGBT Academy of Recording Arts stated, “OUTmusic - The LGBT Academy of Recording Arts (LARA) is dedicated to the advancement of LGBT music culture & heritage & I am honored to continue in this mission to ensure the OUTmusic Awards will be celebrated equivalently in the media, music & entertainment industry. For 9 years, I have been committed to this mission with my tiny core team & the phenomenal music & video projects of the nominees & winners keep us inspired to do this work. As out & proud LGBT recording artists, they are bold agents of change who sing the songs of our LGBT civil rights movement, they compose & record beautiful same gender loving love songs & by doing so, they represent by standing in the light of their truth through their artistry. This music is the soundtrack to freedom!”
For Full Winner List: outmusicawards.com
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Lea DeLaria To Play The Dinah

Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend, the largest lesbian event in the world has announced that lesbian icon Lea DeLaria will join their 26th anniversary lineup that runs March 30th to April 3rd in Palm Springs, California. DeLaria popularly known as "Big Boo" the butchest inmate at Litchfield on Netflix’s original hit series “Orange Is The New Black” is bringing a special night of comedy & music to The Dinah. Mariah Hanson, founder & producer of The Dinah stated, “Lea is one of a kind. The first time I worked with her, I was just a young promoter. Here was this LGBT pioneer, this hot butch, a real comic genius & I was in awe. That was almost 20 years ago. The only thing that has changed is that she's an even hotter butch now than she was then and her genius knows no bounds. I'm happy to be working with her again & feel confident her singular brand of comedy will jingle some body piercings that evening.” As a comedian, actress & jazz musician Lea DeLaria is a force to be reckoned with. She’s the first openly gay comic to perform on American television making history when she boldly declared in 1993 on Arsenio Hall’s late-night prime-time talk show, “I’m a biiiiigggg dyke!” Besides playing ‘Big Boo’ on Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black” she recently released her latest jazz album, “House of David” a timely tribute to the music of the late David Bowie, had countless concerts, theater roles, movies, stand-up specials & four albums with Warner Brothers. Listen to Lea in my 2012 exclusive audio interview:
For More Info & Tix: thedinah.com
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Love Big LGBT Wedding Expo

If you’re in the Cleveland Ohio area there will be an LGBT wedding expo on Sunday January 24th at The Tudor Arms Hotel on 10660 Carnegie Avenue in Cleveland. The expo will be held from 11A to 3P & is free & open to the public. Love Big LGBT Expos & Magazine offers a safe & welcoming place for LGBT couples to meet vendors who are committed to marriage equality & excited to serve the LGBT community. Past expos in Columbus & Dayton have been great successes & they’re looking forward to spreading the love in Cleveland. Planning for a wedding is stressful enough. Love Big relieves the added stress of coming out to potentially non-supportive vendors by putting LGBT owned & equality-minded businesses all in one place. With the Supreme Court’s ruling that legalizing marriage equality nationally means there’s a lot to be excited about. LGBT ceremonies use to be small, private affairs. Now couples want to include all their friends, family & loved ones. For vendors this is the best opportunity to tap into the LGBT market. As a vendor can now engage with clientele whose income is 25% higher than the average citizen & whose spending accounts for 1/5 of Ohio’s economy. That’s $101 billion of Ohio’s $509 billion economy alone. Multiply that by all fifty states & we’re looking at close to a trillion dollars from LGBT weddings. Love Big LGBT Wedding Expos & Magazine is presented by Outlook Magazine.
For More Info: lovebigweddingexpo.com
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The Center & Google LGBT Site

Google Street View brings Keith Haring’s “Once Upon a Time” mural & other masterpieces online for all to enjoy. Now over 150 artifacts from The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) can be viewed online by people around the world due to a new partnership with the Google Cultural Institute. The Center will launch its collection of exhibits as the first LGBT specific space featured on the Institute’s growing platform. With this new virtual exhibition, users will be able to see The Center’s iconic Keith Haring mural, pieces by David LaChapelle & Barbara Sandler plus many other Center treasures in just a few clicks. Using the Street View feature, people can move around The Center virtually, selecting works that interest them & clicking to discover more or diving into the high resolution images, where available. Glennda Testone, Executive Director at The Center stated, “We’ve spent the past couple of years renovating our physical space to be the home that LGBT New Yorkers deserve. Now we’re thrilled to partner with the Google Cultural Institute to invite people around the world to experience our building, our history, our home, satisfying their hunger for a connection to the LGBT community & the incredibly rich stories that live within our walls.” Some of the most important items of the online exhibition are: Keith Haring’s mural, “Once Upon A Time”, which celebrates male sexual liberation in the days before the AIDS epidemic, photography of the very first NYC Pride March in 1970. This celebration has grown from 2,000 participants & spectators to over 1.8 million & a snapshot of gay life & leisure from the 1940s, as shown in photos from The Center’s National History Archive.
For Info & View Exhibit…
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Stop Hate Dump Trump Campaign

Celebrities, advocates, academics, faith leaders & artists have joined a diverse coalition cutting across race, gender, religion, sexual orientation & party affiliation to give voice to Americans calling out Donald Trump for his hate speech, misogyny, Islamaphobia, & racism. The celebrities include; Harry Belafonte, Eve Ensler, KimberlĂ© Williams Crenshaw, Kerry Washington, Noam Chomsky, Alice Walker, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Vijay Prashad & Fekkak Mamdouh. A new web site, stophatedumptrump.com provides a platform for those who do not & will not stand for the continued threats, rhetoric & fear mongering by the Republican Presidential front-runner. Eve Ensler, activist & playwright stated, “Trump is a frontrunner candidate who promises to ‘build a wall’ on our borders, humiliates & denigrates Muslims, women, immigrants, racial minorities as part of his ‘stump speech,’ allows protesters to be beaten at his rallies & in fact encourages hostility toward anyone who disagrees with him. We are offering Americans a chance to be heard & engage in action, as Trump’s campaign gain momentum even as he increases his hateful & divisive rhetoric. We also intend to put the media & political institutions on notice that they are accountable for normalizing Trump’s extremism by treating it as entertainment, by giving it inordinate & unequal air time & by refusing to investigate, interrogate or condemn it appropriately.”
To Join Campaign: stophatedumptrump.com 
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Transgender People In Faith

The Center for American Progress hosted an event on the inclusion of transgender people in faith communities with speakers Bishop Gene Robinson & transgender advocate & Baptist Minister Allyson Robinson. During the talk a new resource was released addressing this issue. Bishop Gene Robinson, CAP Senior Fellow & author of the resource stated, “I have been personally affected by many transgender faithful—two of whom are featured prominently in this document & what I have learned is that there is nothing in the teachings of Jewish & Christian faiths that would preclude transgender people from being accepted. But it is up to members of those faiths to build transgender-inclusive churches & synagogues. Without a better understanding of gender identity & religion, people of faith cannot hope to build the houses of worship & community it is clear our faiths require.” The resource is described in the preface as a "thank you" & a "welcome" to the transgender community with a first-person look at how faith, the Scriptures & conversations with transgender people have shaped Bishop Robinson's views on gender & sexuality & how those views of inclusion & understanding of transgender people are in line with the bedrock principles of the Jewish & Christian faiths. The debate within America's faith traditions over the inclusion of LGBT Americans has grown in recent years & many American faiths have begun to include the LGBT faithful into their communities in ways they had not in the past. However transgender people of faith are often less understood & subsequently less included in their faith communities than other LGBT Americans.
Read New Resource…
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The Dinah Adds Showtime Events

Club Skirts in association with Showtime Network is thrilled to present “Hot as L” one of the Dinah Shore Weekend’s signature events that runs from March 30th to April 3rd in Palm Springs, California. Bringing back the magic of Showtime’s hugely popular lesbian drama series & reality TV show, The L Word & The Real L Word, “Hot as L” will feature some of our community’s most beloved & popular stars including Elizabeth Keener, Clementine Ford & Tracy Reyerson. Also from Season 3 of The Real L Word Hunter Valentine the all-female rock band with founding members Kiyomi McCloskey & Laura Petracca as well as touring members Leanne Bowes & Lisa Bianco will take the Dinah stage for a special performance. Since the iconic lesbian-themed shows ended they have all been keeping busy entertainment careers staying in the spotlight. Tracy Ryerson starred in both seasons of the hugely popular web series “Kiss Me I’m Famous” directed by award-winning filmmaker Rolla Selbak for tello films. Elizabeth Keener & Clementine Ford are now reuniting on the screen with starring roles in the upcoming tello films project entitled “Skirtchasers”. Both will be onsite throughout the entire weekend to promote their latest project as part of the Dinah Film Fest sponsored by tello films which will showcase the finest in lesbian shorts, films, documentaries & web series. Previously announced Grammy Nominated singer Elle King will headline The Dinah. OUTTAKE VOICES is also a Media Sponsor & we'll be reporting on all the events throughout the Dinah Shore Weekend.
For More Info & Tix: thedinah.com
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LGBT On Martin Luther King Day

This is the first year we celebrate Martin Luther King Day after the Supreme Court ruled marriage equality legal in all 50 states in this country. We owe a lot to the legacy of Martin Luther King & to quote Jack O'Dell, former Southern Christian Leadership Conference activist & aide to Dr. Martin Luther King, "Dr. King would have fully supported gay marriage" & the late Coretta Scott King agreed stating, “Gay & Lesbian people have families & their families should have legal protections.” We have fought hard to accomplish marriage equality to protect our LGBT families but we still have a ways to go until our LGBT community has full equality in America & globally but King would have been very proud about the advancements we have made in the last decade. In our annual LGBT Year-End Review & chat with Kate Clinton our favorite political humorist when asked about what she would like to see 2016 bring our community Clinton stated, “I would like to see a continuation of what I see as a whole exciting new generation of LGBT leaders & they wouldn’t even say they’re leaders because they don’t have a hierarchical idea of what they do. They’re activists, they’re feminists & the people who are moving for example the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement & these are young black feminists, some gay some straight & they’re involved in that & fearless.” Let’s all work together & achieve equality for all.
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LGBT Voices Creating Change

This year the National LGBTQ Task Force’s Creating Change Conference is breaking from tradition & the State of the Movement address will be delivered by a chorus of voices rather than one. In previous years it has been the role of the Task Force’s Executive Director Rea Carey to deliver the annual speech at the Creating Change Conference, which will take place this week at the Hilton Chicago Hotel at 720 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago, IL from January 20th to 24th. Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force stated, “No one person — in this case one white lesbian — can ever speak authentically or fully for an entire movement in one speech. This is not where we are, nor is it where we are going. Our vision for the future of the movement is one that is broad, inclusive & dynamic. When we made this decision late last year to change the annual speech, I was very much inspired to do so after listening to the many voices on staff & across our movement for change. That’s why this year’s state of the movement will include a diversity of voices — featuring some of the people, as Task Force staff, who are driving our movement forward to real freedom, justice & equality for all LGBTQ people & for a changed country. We hope you will enjoy what I believe will be a very powerful speech.”. For over 40 years The National LGBTQ Task Force has worked to secure full freedom, justice & equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer (LGBTQ) people.
For More Info: creatingchange.org
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Transgender Inclusive Faith Event

The Center for American Progress is having an event to address building transgender inclusive faith communities on Tuesday January 19th at their office at 1333 H St. NW on the 10th Floor in Washington, D.C. from 12P to 1:30P. Winnie Stachelberg, Executive Vice President for External Affairs for Center for American Progress will host the event & guest speakers will include Allyson Robinson, Advocate & Baptist Pastor joined by Bishop Gene Robinson who is currently Senior Fellow at Center for American Progress. As the debate around the inclusion of LGBT people in America’s faith traditions continues to grow the Center for American Progress will host the discussion on building transgender-inclusive churches & synagogues & discuss the case for trans affirmation & welcome in communities of faith based on scripture & theology. Despite being in a moment of unprecedented visibility for the transgender community, understanding of transgender people & their experiences within religious communities still lags behind that of gay, lesbian & bisexual Americans. This is a great opportunity to address this issue with an inclusive & informative public conversation around transgender people, gender identity & religion. There will also be a live web cast of this event. The Center for American Progress is a nonpartisan research & educational institute dedicated to promoting a strong, just & free America that ensures opportunity for all.
To RSVP… 
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LGBT Themed Oscar Nominations

“Carol” led the pack for LGBT themed Oscar Nominations this year with “The Danish Girl” coming in second. Topping the list was Best Actress Cate Blanchett & Best Supporting Actress Rooney Mara for “Carol”. We have a major congratulations shout out for openly gay Phyllis Nagy who was also nominated for “Carol” for Best Adapted Screenplay. We interviewed Phyllis last month on OUTTAKE VOICES™ when she stated, “I’m an out lesbian, I always have been & I think by leading my life openly as possible & trying to inspire other people to do that & help other people do that, I don’t know if there could be a bigger commitment than that, to inspire people not to hide, let’s say. When one’s creating one’s work it’s important to include out interesting characters. They don’t have to be saints. It’s preferable that they’re not, but that they are presented as real people with real complexities who are neither burdened by having the weight of centuries of sexual attitudes behind them nor burdened by having to represent every single gay person on earth. Just real honest characters behaving in a world that either accepts them or does not, but how they behave in that space reflects well on them.” Other LGBT themed nominations went to Best Actor Eddie Redmayne & Best Supporting Actress Alicia Vikander for “The Danish Girl”, Best Original Score for “Carol”, Best Production Design Eve Stewart for “The Danish Girl” & our friend Ed Lachman Best Cinematography for “Carol”.
Listen To Phyllis Nagy Full Interview:

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LGBT Inclusive State of the Union

Listening to President Obama’s last State of the Union Address should be a wake-up call for our LGBT community. The speech was LGBT inclusive as it has been for the last 8 years but once he leaves office next year unless a Democratic candidate becomes president it’s unlikely that any progress will happen for our community & unfortunately we could see a decline in the equality we worked so hard for. The strongest reference to our LGBT community came near the end of the speech when Obama stated, “It’s the son who finds the courage to come out as who he is & the father whose love for that son overrides everything he’s been taught.” There were also additional references a bit earlier including marriage equality stating, “how we secured the freedom in every state to marry the person we love.” Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund concluded, “Tonight the president reminded all of us of our core American values of dignity & mutual respect—in what is a fiercely divisive political climate. A climate that has included an unprecedented deluge of hate speech against LGBTQ people, Muslims, undocumented immigrants & other groups. He denounced the politics of hatred & divisiveness with the evidence of his seven years in office—better access to health care, millions of new good-paying jobs, the potential of a world without AIDS, more LGBTQ equality & a pathway to equity for all. He championed the restoration of vital voting rights & the opportunity for a cure for cancer. An impressive record & a strong foundation for his successor to build on, whomever that might be. With one more year left, much remains to be done to secure the promise of freedom for all people in this country—let’s make it count.”
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LGBT Financial & Estate Planning

As we head into the New Year & prepare for tax season there will be an LGBT financial & estate planning event on January 14th at Bella Luna & the Milky Way in Boston, MA. Rockland Trust Investment Management Group is presenting "After DOMA: LGBT Financial & Estate Planning in a Post DOMA World" hosted by Damon C. Barglow, CFA, CFP ® at Rockland Trust IMG with special guest speaker Scott E. Squillace, Esq., author of “Whether to Wed”. Scott’s book is must-read for legally married gay & lesbian couples & those that are thinking about tying the knot. “Whether To Wed” delves into the complex details that gay & lesbian couples as well as their tax & estate planners need to know. Scott Squillace is a Certified Legacy Advisor of The Sunbridge Legacy Institute, a member of The Boston Foundation’s Professional Advisors Committee & Co-Chair of its Equality Fund an Endowment for the LGBT Community. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Boston Estate Planning Council & is a member of the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association, Pride Planners, the Massachusetts Bar Association & Boston Bar Association where he currently co-chairs its Estate Planning Fundamentals Committee. At the January 14th event there will be cocktails & appetizers starting at 5:30P followed by a seminar & book signing. Bella Luna Restaurant & Milky Way Lounge is at 284 Amory Street in Jamaica Plain, MA.
To RSVP: rocklandtrust.com 
Listen: Scott Squillace Talks “Whether To Wed” Our 2014 Interview
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LGBT David Bowie Tribute

David Bowie taught us to be proud to be ourselves. He never shied away from being himself, obliterating archaic definitions of sensuality & sexuality with Ziggy Stardust & beyond. He was our hero. He was always very open about his relationships stating, “I had no problem with people knowing I was bisexual. But I had no inclination to hold any banners or be a representative of any group of people. I knew what I wanted to be, which was a songwriter & a performer & I felt that bisexuality became my headline over here for so long. America is a very puritanical place & I think it stood in the way of so much I wanted to do.” His music made us proud to be ourselves as we danced away the night in the 1970’s & 80’s. He appeared in some of our favorite movies including Tony Scott’s iconic lesbian themed film “The Hunger” with Susan Sarandon & Catherine Deneuve. He influenced every performance artist that came after him whether they acknowledge it or not. He explored fame & celebrity in everything that he did. I did not know him personality but I knew many that did. We have lost an iconic artist that created his art in his new CD entitled “Blackstar” for us as his parting gift. Rest In Peace David Bowie & thank you for all that you have done to move our world forward.
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Key West Miss Gay Pageant

The second annual Miss Gay Southernmost USofA & Classic takes place in Key West when locals & visitors can come & watch some of the finest female impersonators in the country while enjoying a gorgeous tropical island setting. Female impersonators can compete for the titles of Miss Gay Southernmost USofA & Miss Gay Southernmost USofA Classic on Saturday Jan. 30th at Key West's historic San Carlos Institute at 516 Duval St. The winners & runners-up are slated to head to Dallas, Texas in May to compete in the 31st Annual Miss Gay USofA Pageant that’s open to contestants 21 years old & older & Miss Gay USofA Classic Pageant which is open to contestants 40 years old & up. The pageant kicks off at 7P with Provincetown & Key West drag sensation Randy Roberts serving as master of ceremonies. Competition categories include talent, evening gown & a personal interview. Roxie Hart who’s the reigning Miss Gay USofA Classic & Miss Gay Southernmost USofA Classic will perform with Miss Gay USofA Mokha Montrese, Miss Gay Southernmost USofA Mina DiAngelo & female impersonators Tommie Ross & Catia Lee Love. Prize packages include one-of-a-kind crowns, cash, jewelry & entry into the national pageants. Doors open at 6P at the San Carlos Institute for a cocktail party, red carpet photo shoot & meet & greet with former titleholders. Spectator tickets are $70 per person in advance & $75 per person at the door. Don’t miss this fabulous annual event!
For Info & Tix: missgaysouthernmost.com
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Alan Cumming At Carnegie Hall

UPDATE: Kristin Chenoweth the Tony Award winning star of stage & screen will join Alan Cumming as a special guest for his headlining debut at Carnegie Hall.
Producer Daniel Nardicio is presenting the eclectic & electric Tony Award-winning performer Alan Cumming in his headlining debut at Carnegie Hall on Monday February 8th at 8P. The show "Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs with Friends" features guest stars Darren Criss & Ricki Lake with a special performance by the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus. Backed by Cumming’s longtime musical director Lance Horne on piano, Eleanor Norton on cello, Chris Jago on drums & Michael Croiter on guitar & percussion, Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs premiered in Spring 2015 for a limited run at the iconic NYC supper club Café Carlyle that garnered such critical praise that Nardicio approached Cumming about bringing the show to Carnegie for a one-night-only performance. The evening also marks the release of Cumming’s newest CD Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs, from Yellow Sound Label, recorded live at the Café Carlyle. It includes his singular interpretations of pop hits Billy Joel’s “Goodnight Saigon,” Miley Cyrus’s “The Climb,” Rufus Wainwright’s “Dinner at Eight”, musical theater songs “The Ladies Who Lunch” from Company, “You, You, You” from Kander & Ebb’s The Visit, “If Love Were All” by Noel Coward & numbers that Cumming has collected from around the world “Mother Glasgow” from Scotland, “La Complainte de la Butte” from France, & “How Do Humans Live” from Germany. Tickets range from $45 to $135. VIP seats are available which include attendance to Alan’s personal after-party “Club Cumming,” modeled after his nightly post-show performance dressing room celebration during the recent Broadway production of Cabaret. 
For Info & Tix: carnegiehall.org
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LGBT Pro Choice Groups & Allies

A coalition of LGBTQ, racial justice & health equity organizations have filed an amicus brief in Whole Woman’s Health v. Cole asking the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down draconian restrictions on abortion providers enacted by the State of Texas in 2013. If the restrictions are upheld it would lead to the closing of all but 10 abortion clinics in the state. The brief urges the Court to carefully scrutinize the state’s asserted justification for the law, just as the Court has done with other laws that infringe upon fundamental freedoms. Rea Carey, National LGBTQ Task Force Executive Director stated, “The movements for reproductive health, rights & justice are indispensable for LGBTQ people. Our work, as repro & LGBTQ advocates, is inseparable as we are working for the right to live our lives fully & the right to choose how we use our bodies. We proudly join thirteen LGBTQ, racial justice & healthy equity groups in urging the Supreme Court in upholding its moral obligation of protecting people from government abuse & intrusion. A ruling that favors discrimination under the guise of 'women's health' would negatively impact LGBTQ people. It would severely restrict our ability to control our reproductive health & sexual lives.” The brief was filed by the National Center for Lesbian Rights & was joined by Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, Equal Justice Society, National Black Justice Coalition, Family Equality Council, Human Rights Campaign, National LGBTQ Task Force, GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality, Equality Federation, Sexuality Information & Education Council of the United States, Immigration Equality, National Health Law Program, Movement Advancement Project & Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom.
Read Amicus Brief…
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Transgender Equality Update

The Fenway Institute & the Center for American Progress have released a policy brief that examines controversial state & local legislation that would prevent transgender people from using gendered public facilities, such as restrooms or locker rooms, that align with their gender identity. The brief debunks myths about safety concerns regarding the use of these spaces by people who are transgender & describes the many negative outcomes that these discriminatory bills could cause. It also calls on states to pass laws that protect the rights of all Americans to access public accommodations regardless of gender identity. Tim Wang, LGBT Health Policy Analyst at the Fenway Institute & lead author of the report states, “A Texas bill would make it a felony for transgender people to use public restrooms consistent with their gender identity & would place responsibility for enforcement with those who operate the public restroom. Preventing people who are transgender from accessing public restrooms consistent with their gender identity could promote abuse & discrimination.” Laura E. Durso, Director of the LGBT Research & Communications Project at the Center for American Progress added, “Denying transgender people access to facilities that are necessary for all of us to go about our daily lives, like restrooms, contributes to minority stress & can exacerbate negative health outcomes already affecting transgender people. These efforts significantly limit the ability of transgender people to fully & equally participate in civic and public life.”
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Samantha Ronson Joins The Dinah

Mariah Hanson founder & producer of Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend has confirmed that Samantha Ronson one of the most respected & best-known DJs in the lesbian community will be featured at The Dinah 2016 which runs March 30th to April 3rd in Palm Springs, California. Hanson stated, “Samantha Ronson is one of the premiere celebrity DJ's, but she's also the real deal. Our crowd is going to be blown away at her talent, energy & presence. I've wanted to book her for years so for me, it's an extra bonus that I am finally able to headline her at The Dinah.” Ronson is selling out clubs around the world & has become celebrities’ “it” girl when it comes to putting the needle on the hottest records & keeping the beat going at their private parties. Stevie Wonder, Ellen DeGeneres, Nicole Richie, Natalie Portman, Jay-Z & Lionel Richie all have solicited Ronson’s extraordinary DJ chops. Samantha comes from a significant artistic lineage. Her stepdad is Mick Jones the legendary guitarist of the iconic rock band Foreigner, her brother Mark Ronson, is a Grammy Award-winning producer famously credited with making Amy Winehouse a household name & her sister is a famous fashion designer. With plenty of talent to go around in her family, the Venice-based artist holds her own DJing the biggest parties & clubs all around the world. Her electrifying live set will leave you wanting more as she pushes her sound, along with the crowd to the limit.
For More Info & Tix: thedinah.com
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Lesbian Dance Party Event

The 18th annual Lesbians & Friends Dance fundraiser supporting the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition takes place on Saturday January 23rd 2016 in Brookline, Massachusetts. Since 1992 MBCC has been working with the LGBT community towards MBCC’s goal of breast cancer prevention. The Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) is the only breast cancer non-profit working closely with a research organization (Silent Spring Institute) to investigate preventable, environmental causes of the disease. This work is funded through annual fundraising events like the upcoming Lesbians & Friends Dance: A Party for Prevention. Cheryl Osimo Executive Director of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition stated, “I support full & equal rights for everyone. The Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition is doing all we can to prevent this disease & we need to make sure that all of us who are working on a single issue branch out to help one another to work together on any & all issues that need attention.” Hundreds of women will come together to celebrate & hope for a future free of breast cancer. Directly before the event dance instructor Liz Nania, will lead a free one hour dance workshop for all interested participants from 7:30pm-8:30pm. Refreshments including complimentary hors d’oeuvres & a cash bar will also be provided to all attendees. There will feature a silent auction with items donated from LGBT friendly businesses & DJ Jodi will provide the music. Tickets are $40 in advance & $45 at the door. For Info & Tix: mbcc.org
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LGBT New Year’s Resolution

We still have a great deal to accomplish for LGBT equality in 2016. Not just in the US but we must extend our commitment to our global LGBT community. Recently we talked to political humorist Kate Clinton about what she would like to see happen for LGBT civil rights in 2016. Clinton stated, “What I would like to see for LGBT rights in 2016 is a continuation of what I see as a whole exciting new generation of LGBT leaders & they wouldn’t even say they’re leaders because they don’t have a hierarchical idea of what they do. They’re activists, they’re feminists & the people who are moving for example the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement & these are young black feminists, some gay some straight & they’re involved in that & fearless, absolutely fearless work in immigration. So I think there’s this incredible new generation of LGBT activists who are in so many other wonderful social movements like the movement for climate change, the movement for women’s reproduction rights & I’m very excited & I want to see a continuation of that into 2016 because they are great activists, great strategists, they’re unbelievably hopeful and joyful & not stung by the outrageous slings of the internet. They just go on and they really make a difference in everyday people’s lives. In immigration some young people are doing voter registration & telling people ‘Well I can’t vote because I’m undocumented. I know you don’t care about voting but would you vote for me if I were voting?’ I think it’s fabulous. I’m very excited about what’s happening & hoping that we can make the connection with electoral politics. Just two words, Supreme Court. I’m done…”
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