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Provincetown Film Society 6th Auction

The Provincetown Film Society (PFS) 6th annual winter auction takes place online now through February 8th featuring a variety of items, experiences & getaways. A couple highlight items are “Put a Ring on It with John Waters” & a private dinner for 2 with Emmy Award-winning actor Murray Bartlett from The White Lotus, Welcome to the Chippendales, Tales of the City & Looking. “Put a Ring on It with John Waters” is a once-in-a-life chance for you & your partner to be married or your vows renewed by Waters who will officiate an intimate, private ceremony for up to 10 guests. Additional auction items include a personal recorded voicemail greeting from Kathleen Turner, Luxury retreats to Costa Rica, Iceland, Portugal, private dinners with celebrity chefs & more. Anne Hubbell, Executive Director of the Provincetown Film Society stated, “Our annual online auction captures what Provincetown is all about—creativity, community & one-of-a-kind experiences. We’re grateful to our generous donors & partners & we look forward to getting the bidding started.” All proceeds of the auction will benefit the mission of Provincetown Film Society to present & advocate for gender, racial & LGBTQ representation on screen by providing year-round programming & platforms. PFS is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to showcasing new achievements in independent film & honoring the work of emerging as well as acclaimed directors, producers & actors including the upcoming 28th annual Provincetown International Film Festival that runs June 10-14, 2026. I talked with Murray Bartlett who was recipient of last year’s PIFF Excellence in Acting Award in this exclusive podcast. LISTEN  
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Aetna Settles California Fertility Suit

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has preliminarily approved a settlement between Aetna & the plaintiffs in Berton v. Aetna ensuring that Aetna's policy of guaranteeing equitable access to fertility treatments for LGBTQ policyholders is legally enforceable nationwide. The class action lawsuit was filed in April 2023 by plaintiff Mara Berton who was represented by the National Women's Law Center & law firms Katz Banks Kumin LLP & Altshuler Berzon LLP. Alison Tanner, senior litigation counsel for reproductive rights & health at the National Women’s Law Center stated “This settlement is a triumph for LGBTQ+ families, many of whom have faced significant obstacles when seeking access to fertility health benefits. Any affected class members should file their claim & receive the compensation they deserve.” Rebecca Peterson-Fisher, co-lead counsel from Katz Banks Kumin LLP added, “This is an excellent result for the class & for the LGBTQ+ community nationwide. The settlement provides virtually full compensation for LGBTQ+ couples who had to pay out of pocket for fertility treatment that should have been covered.” Connie Chan, co-lead counsel from Altshuler Berzon LLP concluded, “This landmark settlement ensures that LGBTQ+ couples nationwide will have equal access to fertility treatment under their Aetna health plans, setting a benchmark that we hope others in the health care coverage industry will follow.” Eligible LGBTQ California residents who were or would have been denied coverage for artificial insemination under Aetna's California commercial & student insurance plan can now file for compensation. If you believe you are in the class of individuals covered by this settlement please file a claim. 
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Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation Event

The Richmond / Ermet AID Foundation presents “If This Is Love A Musical Celebration of the Month of Love” for a one-night-only cabaret evening exploring the many shades of love on Monday February 23rd at Marines’ Memorial Theatre in San Francisco, CA. From romantic to joyful to deeply human this event will be headlined by cast members from the National Broadway Touring Company of The Notebook with special guests Dan Ashley, Jason Brock & Leanne Borghesi. There will be a blending of theatrical storytelling & intimate vocal performance offering the evening audience a chance to see celebrated touring artists perform material of their own choosing in a cabaret setting. (Note: Music from The Notebook will not be performed.) Kenneth Henderson, Executive Director of the Richmond/Ermet AID Foundation stated, “We’re very excited about “If This Is Love A Musical Celebration” a concert that will feature so many amazing voices from the Broadway touring cast of “The Notebook” in addition to Dan Ashley, Jason Brock & Leanne Borghesi for a labor of love as all our performers give their time & talent to support our cause.” For over 30 years REAF has partnered with national touring productions to present its signature “One Night Only” benefit cabaret series for an ongoing collaboration between visiting theatre artists & the local community. The initiative raises critical funds for AIDS services, hunger relief & programs serving homeless youth, distributing over $4.5 million to date while celebrating the creative spirit at the heart of live performance. VIP tickets include the VIP after party with the cast following the show & a limited silent auction will proceed the show starting at 6:30P in the theater lobby. 
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Massachusetts Faith Leaders Speak Out

More than 175 clergy & lay faith leaders from across Massachusetts gathered at the State House for a public action combining prayer, moral witness & civic engagement in response to growing federal threats to immigrant communities & other protected residents in the Commonwealth. The gathering organized by Massachusetts Communities Action Network (MCAN) in collaboration with other partners including Massachusetts Board of Rabbis & Prayers for Liberty came in solidarity with fellow faith leaders of the Faith in Action network in Minnesota & other states which have stepped forward with public prayer & leadership amid escalating federal enforcement actions. MCAN faith leaders stress this moment of witnessing Minneapolis calls for preparation, not panic & for leadership. Mark A. Nilson, Pastor of Salem Covenant Church in Worcester stated, "Each (of us) has been given the gift of life. Thus, when hate is unleashed, each (of us) has a moral imperative to honor, protect & safeguard any life that is threatened, terrorized or taken. There is no other option; there are no bystanders. Humanity is in it together, or we perish together." Participating in solidarity with Minneapolis clergy were Rev. Rebecca Bryan, First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist in Newburyport, MCAN Clergy Leader from MCAN affiliate Merrimack Valley Project (MVP), Pastor Emmanuel (Manny) Daphnis, Restoration Community Church & MCAN Clergy Leader from MCAN affiliate Brockton Interfaith Community (BIC), Rabbi David Jaffe, KIRVA, MCAN Clergy Leader from MCAN affiliate Brockton Interfaith Community (BIC), Rev. Aaron Payson, Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, MCAN Clergy Leader from MCAN affiliate Worcester Interfaith (WI), Sister Melinda Pellerin, Sisters of St. Joseph, MCAN Clergy Leader from MCAN affiliate Pioneer Valley Project (PVP - Springfield) & others. 
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Federal Court Blocks DOJ Subpoena

In a significant ruling protecting the privacy rights of patients & families U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin granted a motion to quash a Department of Justice subpoena demanding the medical records of families whose children received trans health care at Children's National Hospital. In her opinion Judge Rubin found that the DOJ subpoena "lacks a proper investigative purpose" & "appears to have no purpose other than to intimidate & harass" the hospital & families seeking established essential medical care for their children. The court determined the subpoena was "a pretext to fulfill the Executive's well-publicized policy objective to terminate & block” trans health care. The subpoena issued in June 2025 demanded highly sensitive information including patient names, dates of birth, social security numbers, diagnoses, clinical assessments & parental authorization forms. The court found this sweeping demand bore "no credible connection to an investigation of any statutory violation" & was "utterly unclear" in its purported purpose. Judge Rubin stated, "The Government has made improper use of a §3486 administrative subpoena to out [families] for receiving & their Hospital for providing, healthcare." The ruling emphasizes that patients have a constitutionally protected right to privacy in their sensitive medical records, particularly when the government cannot demonstrate a legitimate investigative basis for demanding them. Jennifer Levi, Senior Director at GLAD Law concluded, “When families fear their private health information could be exposed or used against them, they may delay or avoid seeking necessary medical care – putting children's health & wellbeing at risk. The court's decision protects not only the families who brought the case, but reinforces fundamental principles of medical privacy & limitations on government power that benefit all Americans.” 
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Kelley Robinson Joins Kettering Board

Kelley Robinson, HRC president has joined the Kettering Foundation board of directors. Robinson previously served as a Kettering Foundation senior fellow from 2024–25. Founded in 1927 by the American inventor Charles F. Kettering the foundation is committed to advancing inclusive democracies by fostering citizen engagement, promoting government accountability & countering authoritarianism. Sharon L. Davies, president & CEO of the Charles F. Kettering Foundation stated, "Few Americans are as eloquent or inspiring in their advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community as is Kelley Robinson. Defending the rights of others is her life's work & we look forward to her contributions & continued leadership as she steps into a new role on the foundation board." Kelley Robinson concluded, "I'm proud to join the Kettering Foundation board at a critical moment for our democracy & the movement for equality. Kettering's commitment to inclusive democracy & civic power is exactly what this moment demands & I'm ready to help advance the bold, people-centered leadership our country needs." Before taking the helm at HRC Robinson served as the executive director of Planned Parenthood Action Fund where she fought tirelessly for reproductive rights & defended the rights of all individuals. Her dedication to fighting injustice for society's most underserved populations has been a driving force throughout her career. As HRC president Kelley is the first Black lesbian woman to lead the largest LGBTQ civil rights organization in the United States & as a mark of her influence she was named to the 2024 TIME100.  
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Stonewall National Museum (AUDIO)

This week I talked to Robert Kesten, President & CEO of Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Founded in 1973 the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library has grown into the largest lending library of its kind in America with more than 34,000 books & audio-visual materials. The archives also contain more than 6 million pages of documents & more than 2,000 objects of critical importance to our LGBTQ history. Rotating exhibitions, talks, lectures & films have attracted thousands to the Stonewall National Museum each year enriching the lives of countless others. Some of the upcoming events include their 4th annual Gala fundraiser where they will ceremoniously & historically induct architect, philanthropist & president of the Arcus Foundation Jon Stryker, retired Congressman Barney Frank & Grammy winning singer-songwriter Janis Ian into its nationally traveling “Standing on the Shoulders of Heroes” exhibition on February 21st. This fabulous fundraising event takes place at The VENUE in Wilton Manors, FL from 6P to 9P for a fabulous night of celebration with cocktails, dinner, conversation & community. Other events include Amazon Rising: The Legacy of Wonder Woman that runs now through February 17th & Sahara: NYC’s Lesbian Legacy that will be on display February 28th to April 5th. Also the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in partnership with the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame will celebrate the 2026 class of inductees recognizing the achievements & contributions of LGBTQ athletes, coaches, advocates & sports enthusiasts. I talked to Kesten about what he would like to accomplish at the Stonewall National Museum & his spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN  
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Provincetown Film Society 6th Auction

The Provincetown Film Society (PFS) 6th annual winter auction takes place online now through February 8th featuring a variety of items, expe...

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