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Revisiting Nondiscrimination Protections

The Supreme Court Bostock ruling in 2020 held that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is equivalent to discrimination on the basis of sex. As a result of the decision Title VII needn’t be amended to prohibit employment discrimination for our LGBTQ workers nationwide. All employers subject to Title VII can no longer discriminate based on a worker's sexual orientation or gender identity regardless of the state or municipality in which they are based. In a new study from Fenway Institute addresses current employment nondiscrimination protections for sexual minority LGBTQ adults after the Supreme Court Bostock ruling. Michael Liu, student researcher at The Fenway Institute & lead author of the research paper stated, “Our findings demonstrate that there are mental health consequences of public policies & laws that determine the fundamental rights of marginalized populations. This suggests that the unprecedented number of anti-LGBTQIA+ laws being proposed & enacted across the country will seriously harm the health of sexual & gender minority people." Alex Keuroghlian, MD, MPH, Director of the Division of Education & Training at The Fenway Institute & the senior author of the JAMA Psychiatry study concluded, "Discrimination in many facets of civic life drives mental health disparities among sexually & gender diverse people. While our study found that the Bostock decision was associated with better mental health among employed sexually diverse people, comprehensive nondiscrimination protections are necessary for sexually and gender diverse populations in all sectors, including education, credit, health care, housing & public accommodations. The Equality Act being considered by the United States Congress would confer such protections." 
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Congress Passes Trans Youth Sports Ban

The U.S. House of Representatives have passed HR 28 the Protection of Women & Girls in Sports Act that restricts transgender students from participating in school athletics. The bill amends the Education Amendments of 1972 so that for the purpose of athletics Title IX’s definition of “sex” only refers to a student’s sex assigned at birth. The bill explicitly states that youth assigned male at birth will not be allowed to participate on school sports teams designated for women & girls. Allison Scott Director of Impact & Innovation at the Campaign for Southern Equality stated, “The passage of HB28 by the U.S. House of Representatives is a cruel & unjust abuse of power that targets a very small number of young people who just want to play school sports with their friends. It’s appalling that one of the first priorities of this new Congress is to bully children with the weight of a federal law. I want to send a clear message to transgender young people & their families: No law can strip you of your inherent dignity & humanity & we will never stop working alongside you & a huge community nationwide to ensure all people can live authentically & with joy. The Senate should do the right thing here, refuse to exclude & marginalize children & reject this legislation.” If the bill becomes law schools that receive federal funding will be forced to exclude transgender young people from school athletics programs. HB28 now heads to the United States Senate. Last month I talked to Alexis Stratton about the new book “Trans Kids, Our Kids” co-authored with Adam Polaski & Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara from the Campaign for Southern Equality.  LISTEN  
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LGBTQ Equality & Protections Decline

First the social media company Meta announced it would eliminate fact-checking & hate speech guidelines on its sites much like X allowing users to abuse our LGBTQ community online. Sarah Kate Ellis GLAAD President & CEO stated, "With these changes, Meta is continuing to normalize anti-LGBTQ hatred for profit." Then yesterday a federal Judge in Kentucky scraped Biden's Title IX rules reversing expansion of protections for our LGBTQ students. Mardi Moore, CEO of Rocky Mountain Equality stated, "In a country that values freedom & requires all youth to attend school, this ruling is dangerous & deadly. The court is grossly abusing its power to advance an extreme political agenda that has nothing to do with protecting youth or families. This decision puts countless students across the country at risk. We know that State of Tennessee v. Cardona is just the beginning of the systematic attacks that transgender youth & all LGBTQ people & families will experience over the next four years & possibly decades to come. To our young people, I want to make something very clear. Rocky Mountain Equality & countless other organizations across the country, including the National Women’s Law Center, will continue to fight for you." Biden’s changes took effect last August but only in 24 states. With George W. Bush appointed Judge Danny C. Reeves of the Eastern District of Kentucky the ruling stated, “The entire point of Title IX is to prevent discrimination based on sex. Throwing gender identity into the mix eviscerates the statute & renders it largely meaningless.” Sadly Thursday’s decision will affect the entire country.
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The Best of Ann Hampton Callaway

Ann Hampton Callaway brings her new show “The Best of Ann Hampton Callaway” to 54 Below in NYC live on Friday January 10th at 9:30P with livestream availability. The Tony nominated singer-songwriter will dazzle with highlights from her hit shows The Streisand Songbook, Ann Hampton Callaway Sings the ‘70s, The Linda Ronstadt Songbook, To Ella with Love, From Sassy to Divine: The Sarah Vaughan Project & Finding Beauty: Inspired Classics & Originals. Callaway stated, “I am so excited to kick off the New Year with my new show, ‘The Best of Ann Hampton Callaway’. While showcasing my musical passions, I will be spotlighting great singers & songwriters with fresh takes on beloved songs. With my friend Billy Stritch on the keys leading the band, this show is destined to rouse, move & delight my cherished audiences who are with me in person & via livestream at New York’s famed 54 Below!” Callaway will perform with her trio led by Grammy-winner Billy Stritch on piano, Tim Horner on drums & Martin Wind on bass. Billy Stritch added, “I’m so excited to welcome the New Year with my dear pal Ann Hampton Callaway. We always have a good time & you will too!” Nothing is more soothing than music in these transitional times so come see a superbly intelligent, singularly creative pop-jazz stylist who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Streisand & Ronstadt for the sheer vocal beauty just as Ella Fitzgerald was the greatest jazz singer of her era so too is the magnificent Ann Hampton Callaway today. 
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Lea DeLaria Out Rage In San Francisco

Emmy winner Lea DeLaria the multi-faceted comedian, actor & jazz musician is returning to San Francisco for one night only on January 18th with her brand new cabaret show "Out Rage" kicking off the 2nd season of programming at The Chan National Queer Arts Center for 2 shows at 6P & 8:30P. Lea will be addressing WTF is happening in the world just 2 days before the inauguration by bringing her Sicilian rage, sharp tongue & musical prowess to the city where she began her career in San Francisco’s Mission District in 1982. DeLaria holds the distinction of being the first openly gay comic on television in America & earning a place in our hearts from her 3 time SAG Award Winning role as Carrie Big Boo Black in the hit Netflix series Orange is the New Black. Joining Lea at The Chan National Queer Arts Center will be featured artists Chris Grasso on piano, Marco Panascia on bass & Shirazette Tinnin on drums. In 2012 I talked with Lea in this exclusive audio interview about her personal commitment is to LGBTQ civil rights, Lea stated, “Everything I’ve done, every step I’ve taken has been to further a positive perception of queers within the world…Someone has to be that person for those little butches out there to see. That one is going to be me every time.” Tickets for DeLaria’s 18+ new cabaret show "Out Rage" at The Chan National Queer Arts Center located at 170 Valencia Street In San Francisco, CA on January 18th range from $36 for rear seats, standard seats are $52 & $77 for premium seating. Here’s our 2012 retro podcast with Lea DeLaria. LISTEN  
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LGBTQ Sin City Classic Sports Festival

The annual Sin City Classic Sports Festival takes place over Martin Luther King Weekend January 16th to 20th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hosted by The Greater Los Angeles Softball Association (GLASA) the festival brings together our community for a weekend of competition & camaraderie with at least 19 sports participating in this annual event presented by Lexus. The Sin City Classic kicks off with the Opening Night Registration Party held at the Flamingo Las Vegas with competitions & nightly social events taking place around the city & concluding the weekend with a Closing Party headlined by Spice Girl, DJ, singer & LGBTQ ally Melanie C spinning on stage at the Brooklyn Bowl. Dr. Jason Peplinski, Sin City Classic Co-Executive Director stated, “The Sin City Classic has become a staple of the LGBTQ+ sports community. Each year we work hard to create a safe space for our athletes to gather for a weekend of competition, fun & mostly importantly community. Melanie C has been an icon & advocate to the LGBTQ+ community since the launch of her career. We can’t imagine a better way to close out the largest LGBTQ+ sports festival in the world than by having Melanie C on stage while thousands of athletes, fans & allies come together to dance the night away after a week packed with competition & camaraderie.” For the past 17 years the tournament has grown to include 24 sports & approximately 10,000 athletes & fans. GLASA created the Sin City Classic in 2008 & remains committed to creating the best experience possible for diverse roster of dedicated athletes who participate & the fans & allies to come to enjoy the festival. 
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Mary Bonauto Presidential Citizen Medal

Mary Bonauto the architect of marriage equality in this country & GLAD Law’s Senior Director of Civil Rights & Legal Strategies was among the 20 individuals receiving the Presidential Citizens Medal in a ceremony at the White House. Mary first fought to legalize marriage equality in Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut & Maine before arguing before the Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges which established marriage equality as the law of the land. Bonauto stated, “It is an astonishing honor to receive this recognition & to be in the company of other incredible individuals who have had such a significant impact on the lives of Americans. The Presidential Citizens Medal represents something fundamental: that we each have a role to play in fulfilling our country’s promises of equality, dignity & freedom. I stand alongside so many courageous individuals who fought for the right to marry & others across our nation who share a deep desire that all of our community members be treated with fairness & dignity. This recognition today is a testament to the profoundly positive impact marriage equality has had on individuals, families & communities across our country.” Another attorney & LGBTQ advocate recipient was Evan Wolfson who also was on the forefront for marriage equality. Wolfson concluded, “As we prepare to mark 10 years since the US Supreme Court ruling ensured marriage for same-sex couples nationwide, I’m honored to see the profoundly positive impact that the freedom to marry has had for so many families across the country & for the LGBTQ community & American people as a whole.” Liz Cheney was also honored. Photo Credit John Huet 
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Revisiting Nondiscrimination Protections

The Supreme Court Bostock ruling in 2020 held that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is equivalent to dis...

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