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Nadine Smith To Lead Color Of Change

After 28 years Nadine Smith Equality Florida's Co-Founder & Executive Director is stepping down to become President & CEO of Color Of Change the nation’s largest online racial justice organization in January 2026. Smith stated, “It has been the honor of a lifetime to help build Equality Florida into the most impactful statewide LGBTQ organization in the nation. Together, we have created a movement that has changed laws, saved lives & inspired hope across our state & served as a blueprint nationwide. I step into this next chapter carrying Florida with me. I will remain rooted in this state & my commitment to Equality Florida is forever. We’ve told the country for years that Florida is the front line & you don’t abandon the front line in a fight. I’ll continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with this team & this movement.” Equality Florida’s Board of Directors has named Stratton Pollitzer the organization’s Co-Founder & Deputy Director as the incoming CEO & Executive Director. Pollitzer concluded, “Nadine’s leadership has transformed what is possible for LGBTQ people in Florida & across the country. I am profoundly grateful for her courage, her brilliance & her partnership over nearly three decades. This is a moment to celebrate a visionary leader whose impact will echo for generations & to celebrate the strength of the organization she helped build. I could not be more proud of her, nor more committed to carrying our shared mission forward.” Smith will remain with Equality Florida through January to ensure a seamless transition. We wish Nadine continuous success & listen to our retro chat we did in 2016. LISTEN 
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Ashley Carothers Leads Modern Military

Modern Military Association of America announced that Ashley Carothers has been appointed their new Executive Director. Carothers is a devoted public servant, Air Force veteran & accomplished leader with deep experience in advocacy, policy & community engagement. From serving during the era of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to advancing the passage of the PACT Act Ashley has spent her career ensuring that LGBTQ service members, veterans & their families are seen, supported & protected. Her commitment to equity, inclusion & strategic leadership makes her the perfect guide as Modern Military returns to their roots in advocacy, policy & action in 2026. Carothers stated, “Modern Military has always been a place where our community finds strength, support & solidarity. As we step into this next chapter, my commitment is to listen, to uplift your voices & to expand the resources & advocacy efforts that matter most to LGBTQ+ service members, veterans & families. We have important work ahead & I believe in our shared ability to move forward with courage & compassion. Thank you for being part of this mission, & for welcoming me into this new role.” Ashley joined the Air Force straight out of high school during the era of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” While building expertise in logistics, she began volunteering with OutServe, Modern Military’s predecessor, supporting LGBTQ service members & their families. These early experiences shaped her lifelong commitment to fighting for equitable treatment for underserved service members & veterans. Modern Military Association of America fights for a world where LGBTQ service members & families are safe, supported & seen. 
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Gene Frankel Theatre Winter Festival

The Gene Frankel Theatre Winter Festival has announced its full lineup with 18 new short plays & one acts making their New York Premieres that runs December 8th to 22nd at the historic Gene Frankel Theatre in NYC featuring approximately 100 artists. Playwrights include Cristina Noelle, Amy Losli, Matthew Fay, Maggie Fern, Joseph Sexton, Phoebe Eileen Grech, Abigail Jensen, Victor Cuenca, McKelvey Courtney Collins, Jay Moser & Carolyn Bacon. This fabulous event will showcase a diverse range of voices & stories from an impending asteroid collision to a heaven designed exclusively for Mormons to 3 bank robbers hiding out in an unsuspecting librarian’s sanctuary. Audiences can expect an eclectic mix of characters including an AI therapist, a 1950s nuclear family, a Cupid who can’t feel love & Mrs. Claus spending Christmas Eve alone. Each production offers a distinctive theatrical experience that celebrates innovative new works. The winter festival lineup was curated by Gene Frankel Theatre Artistic Director Thomas R. Gordon & award-winning actress Francesca Ravera. The 18 plays were selected from over 100 submissions. The upcoming winter edition will culminate with a Gala & Awards Night on December 22nd where Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Script & Best Play will be awarded in both the short play & one-act categories. Performances will take place nightly & on weekends December 8th to 22nd at the iconic Gene Frankel Theatre at 24 Bond Street in NYC. All featured plays are New York premieres with many also making their world debuts. Tickets are $25 for students & seniors with $35 for general admission. 
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San Francisco Dance Along Nutcracker

The Dance Along Nutcracker is one of San Francisco’s most treasured holiday events that takes place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on December 6th & 7th. This year theme is "A Wicked Dance-Along Nutcracker" set at the Stahlbaum’s Annual Holiday Party as Uncle Drosselmeyer weaves a tale for Clara & Fritz about a legendary School for Holiday Magic. Madam Sugarplum rules the school with an iron fist imposing limits & restrictions on the student body under the direction of the Great & Powerful Nutcracker. It’s Rats & Fairies & Nutcrackers Oh My as Mac a new student encounters unusual rat-like features learns to work with his bubbly dormmate Ross to save the school & the holidays. Waltz, march, pirouette & sing along with music from The Nutcracker ballet, Wicked, The Wizard of Oz & The Wiz performed live by the 75-piece San Francisco Pride Band the Official Band of San Francisco. The cast includes Zelda Koznofski (Stahlbaum/Madame Sugarplum), Remi Sunshine (Fritz/Franklin), Landyn Endo (Ross), Evan Kaminsky (Uncle Drosselmeyer) & Alix Feinsod Guerrero (Clara/Ruby). The production team includes Michael J. Wong (Guest Conductor), Steve Bolinger (Music Director), Nina Levine (Backstage Manager), Raphael Buenaventura (Stage Manager), Todd Young (Art Props/Fabricator, dancer), Allen Sawyer (Cast Director) & Marilynn Fowler (Choreographer). Part comedy musical, part dance-it-yourself ballet & part symphonic concert the Dance-Along Nutcracker features the holiday fun & tradition expected from this San Francisco favorite of 40 years. Dance Along Nutcracker truly exemplifies their mission to promote LGBTQ equality & build bridges among communities through public performances. Tickets run from $30 up & with the discount code: UNLIMITED get 20% off. 
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Celebrating The Words Of Quentin Crisp

Conceived & presented by Crisp's estate executor Phillip Ward “An Evening of Quentin Crisp: A Celebration of Life in His Own Words” takes place Tuesday November 25th at the Gene Frankel Theatre 24 Bond Street in NYC. Phillip Ward stated, "It delights me to present “An Evening of Quentin Crisp” for the 6th year at the Gene Frankel Theatre with a stellar cast of presenters to read the words of Quentin Crisp & an eclectic selection of short films to share with an eager audience. The material is from Quentin's books “The Naked Civil Servant” & the posthumous books “The Last Word & One More Thing” by Quentin Crisp (including his poetry) & from his one-person show “An Evening with Quentin Crisp”. The show presents a wave of emotion & gratitude offered by a chorus of voices from a wide range of ages, celebrating the life of the man many of us hold dear to our hearts. It thrills me to bring this show to the public. The night is free to all & everyone is invited to join us in celebrating the life and words of Quentin Crisp." Guest readers include Jennifer Barton, Tom Cardamone, Cynthia Carr, Peter Cramer, Flame, Peter Hale, Pauline Park, Michèle Goycoolea Pratt (Mr. Crisp's great-niece), Jack Waters & Emanuel Xavier. Quentin Crisp was the author of the classic & flamboyantly eccentric coming-of-age memoir “The Naked Civil Servant” that became the award-winning film starring John Hurt made Crisp an instant international celebrity. In this retro 2017 chat I talked to Phillip Ward about Quentin's legacy. LISTEN 
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Supreme Court Keeps Marriage Equality

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to grant certiorari in Davis v. Ermold that included a request to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges the landmark case that affirmed Constitutional marriage protections for same-gender couples. As a result the lower court ruling stands leaving Davis liable for refusing to abide by existing law & signaling that the Court is for now unwilling to revisit or reverse precedent that establishes marriage equality for our LGBTQ community. Kelley Robinson HRC President stated, “Today, love won again. When public officials take an oath to serve their communities, that promise extends to everyone — including LGBTQ+ people. The Supreme Court made clear today that refusing to respect the constitutional rights of others does not come without consequences. Thanks to the hard work of HRC & so many, marriage equality remains the law of the land through Obergefell v. Hodges & the Respect for Marriage Act. Even so, we must remain vigilant. It’s no secret that there are many in power right now working to undermine our freedoms — including marriage equality & attack the dignity of our community any chance they get. Last week, voters rejected the politics of fear, division & hate & chose leaders who believe in fairness, freedom & the future. In race after race, the American people rejected anti-transgender attacks & made history electing pro-equality candidates up & down the ballot & from California to Virginia to New Jersey to New York City, LGBTQ+ voters & Equality Voters made the winning difference. We will never relent & will not stop fighting until all of us are free.” So, for the moment marriage equality is safe. 
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First Berlin Freedom Week Kicks Off

Berlin Freedom Week is a new celebration of freedom, democracy & human rights taking place November 8th through November 15th with events commemorating the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9th 1989. The event features a diverse program of over 100 activities across more than 80 locations. Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin stated, "On the 36th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Berlin will become an international forum for freedom, peace & democracy. In 1989, courageous women & men brought down the Wall & the peaceful revolution led to the end of the SED dictatorship. The will for freedom prevailed. Today, Berlin Freedom Week will send out a message: we are united in solidarity in the fight for freedom, democracy & human rights." Cornelia Seibeld, President of the Berlin House of Representatives concluded, "Berlin stands like no other place for the power of freedom & the importance of democracy. Berlin Freedom Week reminds us that freedom & democracy can never be taken for granted. They thrive on people's commitment, dialogue & mutual respect. The ringing of the Freedom Bell reminds us that freedom & democracy do not just fall into our laps. They must be fought for & defended again & again." A highlight of Freedom Week is the Berlin Freedom Conference on November 10th bringing together leaders & experts from politics, business, civil society & the media for keynotes & panel discussions exploring how freedom & democracy can be protected & strengthened in an era of resurgent autocracies. The Berlin Freedom Week was inspired by the World Liberty Congress to bring together dissidents & democracy activists from around the world to Berlin. 
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Nadine Smith To Lead Color Of Change

After 28 years Nadine Smith Equality Florida's Co-Founder & Executive Director is stepping down to become President & CEO of Col...

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