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Massachusetts New Health Shield Act

Governor Maura Healey has signed into law the Massachusetts Shield Act which will strengthen state protections for reproductive health care & transgender health care amidst a rapidly shifting political landscape that threatens access to care. The bill updates Massachusetts’ 2022 Shield Act that protects providers of reproductive & gender-affirming care from out-of-state investigations & prosecutions & other liability for providing or assisting patients in accessing such care which is legal in the state. Governor Healey stated, “Massachusetts will always be a state where patients can access high-quality health care & providers are able to do their jobs without government interference. From the moment Roe was overturned, we stepped up to pass strong protections for patients & providers & with President Trump & his allies continuing their assaults on health care, we’re taking those protections to the next level. No one is going to prevent the people of Massachusetts from getting the health care they need.” Polly Crozier, GLAD Law Director of Family Advocacy concluded, “Faced with political headwinds from the federal government & hostile states, the Healey administration & the State Legislature today ensured that, in Massachusetts, health care will continue to be based on science & people’s need for care. GLAD Law is grateful to the Governor, the Attorney General & the legislature for taking these critical steps as part of our deep commitment to maintaining access to reproductive health care & transgender health care for the people of the Commonwealth. Political threats or intimidation should never deny people the health care they need & we will continue to work with government leaders & other partners to anticipate & protect Bay Staters.”
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Carly Ozard Chain of Love Release Party

Carly Ozard presents a one night only show concert with friends to kick off the release of her “Chain of Love A Broadway Album” on Monday August 18th at GRNHS Gallery + Studio in San Francisco, CA. With musical direction by Baker Peeples, Ozard will perform the singer’s deep love for showtunes from classics, unknowns & fiascos. Featuring rarely-heard gems like "Chain of Love" from The Grass Harp a 1971 musical that ran just 7 performances based on Truman Capote’s novel the album showcases works by legendary composers including Kander & Ebb, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Irving Berlin & Charles Strouse. A number of songs are reimagined with new arrangements by Ozard herself. Each track is paired with personal stories from her life in NYC & San Francisco including encounters with Broadway stars & casting directors. The album also highlights vocal talents from the Bay Area’s Lamplighters Music Theater now in its 78th year performing Gilbert & Sullivan titles in duets, trios & including a full ensemble number. It's a heartfelt tribute to musical theater & an invitation to become a link in the "Chain of Love." Carly’s San Francisco nightlife appearances include Feinstein’s at the Nikko, Oasis, Martuni’s Piano Bar, Act II in Puerto Vallarta, Crazy Coqs in London & in NYC at Don’t Tell Mama, The Metropolitan Room, Stage 72 at the Triad, Room 623, Birdland & Feinstein’s 54 Below. The August 18th One Night Only Show concert is $20 for general admission as a suggested donation & the 7P show runs 70 minutes without an intermission. 
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Provincetown Swim For Life 2025 Events

Celebrating 38 years as a community tradition the Provincetown Community Compact is presenting their annual Provincetown Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla fundraiser. First on Friday September 5th there will an optional swimmer’s orientation at 1P & a kayak orientation at 2P & at 8P there will be a celebration of Life Concert at the UU Meeting House at 8P. Then on September 6th swimmers will swim 1.2 miles along the East End shoreline from Breakwater Hotel at 716 Commercial Street that begins at 2:20P & a half mile swim from the Town Landing at Atkins Lane also starting at 2:30P. There will also be a fresh water swim in Wellfleet’s Great Pond on September 6th beginning at 9A. Jay Critchley, Director of The Compact stated, “We are thrilled to be back at the town’s spectacular waterfront park & welcome swimmers, kayakers, volunteers, safety boaters & our fans from across the country.” The Provincetown Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla fundraiser has raised over $6M for AIDS, women’s health & the community. Over 100 volunteers are invited to assist on land & sea including kayakers. There will be Watch Parties for the public along the shoreline to cheer on the swimmers & the famous Mermaid Brunch will be catered by Far Land Provisions with the world-traveling Zoe Lewis providing the music. Walkers are also invited to participate with a walk along the beach route & Commercial Street & the public is invited to share this post-Labor Day tradition along the shore & greet swimmers at the finish line where there will be food, beverage & entertainment. 2025 Swim design Four Moons by Paul Resika. 
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Modern Southern Art Contest Extended

The Gibbes Museum of Art established in 1858 in Charleston, SC announced the extension of their deadline to September 7th for artists to submit for the 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art. The 1858 Prize is recognized as one of the leading artist competitions in the Southeastern United States & awards $10,000 each year to an artist whose work contributes to a new understanding of art in the South. Artists must reside, work in or be from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia or West Virginia. Dr. H. Alexander Rich, Gibbes Museum of Art President & CEO stated, “Year in & out, the prestigious 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art stands as a testament to & celebration of, the amazing talents of artists living & working in the American South. Since its origins in 1858, the Gibbes Museum has been a champion of groundbreaking art & the emerging & established artists whose diverse voices speak powerfully to the full breadth of the American experience and American creativity. Keeping with this legacy, 2025’s 1858 Prize candidates promise to posit new & eye-opening ways to reflect upon our individual & collective worlds & we cannot wait to be in awe once again of our region’s incredible artistic talent.” Since the inaugural prize of 2008 the 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art recognizes the highest level of artistic achievement & welcomes applications from artists working across all media. Past winners have gone on to receive major national awards including the Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, the Joan Mitchell Fellowship, the United States Artist Fellowship & the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant. 
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Actress Loni Anderson Passes (AUDIO)

Very sad to hear that actress Loni Anderson has passed away. Anderson will always be remembered for her iconic role from the hit sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati” but I will remember her as a beautiful woman always trying to do the right thing. I talked with Anderson in 2017 about her sitcom on tello films & her spin on our issues. As a fierce ally when asked how she sees our community moving forward in the last Trump administration Anderson stated, “Needless to say I’ve had my hysterical moments over the election & I have a granddaughter who’s a junior at UCLA & we have had many spirited discussions about our feelings. I think after you get over being hysterical, but I don’t know if you do, that you try and move forward the best you can & hope that we do not slip backwards. I was a 60’s girl; I went to high school and college in the 60’s. So I marched and I always said my political party is I’m a card-carrying member of the civil rights party. So I didn’t think as a grandmother I would be facing this. Somehow when I was a college student I didn’t think this would come up when I got to be a grandmother. I naively I guess thought it would be all taken care of but as I said to my granddaughter, if need be I’m still ready to march.” Loni earned 2 Emmy nominations & 3 Golden Globe nominations. Anderson was married 4 times & was happily married to Bob Flick from the folk music group The Brothers Four since 2008. She had 2 children. Anderson's autobiography My Life in High Heels was published in 1995. LISTEN
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Ty Herndon & Ashley McBryde Sing Out

Country music icon Ty Herndon has teamed up with Grammy winning powerhouse vocalist Ashley McBryde to breathe new life into his 1998 hit “A Man Holdin’ On (To a Woman Lettin’ Go)” a haunting ballad about love, loss & the moment two hearts go their separate ways. The track is set for release on Friday August 8th & is the second single from Herndon’s highly anticipated new double album “Thirty” a landmark project honoring his three-decade journey through country music set to be released in two installments. Herndon stated, “This song has always been one of the most emotional songs in my catalog. To revisit it with someone as fearless & gifted as Ashley was both humbling & electric. We didn’t just sing the song — we lived it.” Volume One will be out this fall & feature reimagined versions of Herndon’s most beloved hits each reinterpreted as collaborations with some of the genre’s most dynamic voices. Penned by Gene Dobbins, John Ramey & Bobby Taylor “A Man Holdin’ On” became one of Herndon’s signature songs in the late ’90s. With McBryde’s raw edge & Herndon’s trademark heartfelt delivery this new rendition brings even greater emotional depth to the classic, capturing the pain, poetry & power of letting go. Released through Club44 Records the track also marks Herndon’s next step in an exciting new chapter with the Nashville-based label known for championing bold vocalists & genre-defying artistry as part of a 3-album deal announced recently with the label. I talked to Ty about his annual Concert for Love & Acceptance in Nashville in this exclusive podcast. LISTEN
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Fenway Institute Health Partnership

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has partnered with Fenway Institute to further enhance the visibility, availability & usefulness of educational resources & training for licensed healthcare professionals serving the LGBTQ population. The DPH/Fenway Health Training Initiative will offer educational & training opportunities focused on delivering culturally competent affirming care for LGBTQ individuals & others who rely on these services. Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD stated, “As a physician, I have seen firsthand that gender-affirming care is more than just affirming – it can be lifesaving. Far too often, LGBTQIA+ individuals experience stigma, bias & discrimination when seeking care. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity & to have access to health professionals who are knowledgeable, respectful & prepared to meet their specific needs. These training materials will help reinforce & embed those standards of care across the workforce in Massachusetts.” Jordina Shanks, Chief Executive Officer of Fenway Health concluded, “This initiative represents a powerful step forward in ensuring that LGBTQIA+ people receive care that is not only competent but deeply affirming. At Fenway, we know that training is not an optional enhancement - it’s an essential component of equitable care. We’re proud to partner with DPH to bring this work to scale across Massachusetts & set a national example for inclusive health education.” The Fenway Institute has over 25 years of experience training healthcare staff on providing skilled & affirming healthcare. Founded in 2001 Fenway Institute is one of the most preeminent LGBTQ health & HIV research, education & policy orgs in the world. 
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Massachusetts New Health Shield Act

Governor Maura Healey has signed into law the Massachusetts Shield Act which will strengthen state protections for reproductive health care ...

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