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Day Of Silence Celebrating Thirty Years

The “Day of Silence" is Glisten's (formerly GLSEN) annual Day of Action that began in the mid-1990s as a student-led protest against the silencing & marginalization youth in schools. Each year on the 2nd Friday in April students & allies across the country take part to bring visibility to the bullying, discrimination & lack of affirmation that many LGBTQ young people still face in learning environments. “Day of Silence" has grown into a national movement uplifting student voices & calling for schools where every young person can learn safely & authentically. In Glisten’s most recent National School Climate Survey (NSCS) released last month reported that 2 in 3 students feel unsafe due to their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, Glisten Chief Executive Officer stated, “Today’s administration in the U.S. wants us to stay silent, submit to their biased & hurtful conformity & stop fighting for our right to be authentically ourselves. We urge supporters to use their social platforms & check in with local chapters to be boots on the ground to help LGBTQ+ students feel seen, heard, supported & less alone. By participating in the ‘Day of Silence,’ you are showing solidarity with young people as they navigate identity, safety & belonging. Our voices matter.” K-12 students with more supportive educators, anti-bullying policies that address sexual orientation & gender identity with inclusive learning & GSA presence report a higher sense of belonging, higher GPAs & higher attendance. For over 35 years Glisten has been dedicated to establishing inclusive K-12 schools & learning environments. 
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Lambda Literary Awards 2026 Finalists

The 2026 Lammy Awards shortlist finalists have been announced marking 38 years of celebrating our community’s outstanding voices. The 38th Annual Lambda Literary Awards will take place Friday June 12th at the illustrious Sony Hall in the heart of NYC from 7P to 10P. With 1,371 submissions across 26 categories this is the highest submission volume year ever. J. Clapp, Lambda Literary Executive Director stated, “I am thrilled that we are yet again celebrating the works of so many talented authors & artists across our 26 categories. This is my first full cycle witnessing the magic & diligent work that goes into the Lammys. At this point in history, I am thankful we can joyously fellowship with our community at Sony Hall on June 12th. Congratulations to all the finalists featured on our shortlist!” Lambda Literary continues to proudly recognize works by self-published authors as well as independent & academic presses alongside works supported by traditional big 5 publishers. 76 judges reviewed so very many vibrant voices & histories reflected in the enormous amount of submissions confirming our stories are still being published, read & celebrated even in our dangerously chaotic times. Since 1989 Lambda Literary the fabulous non-profit org has been dedicated to developing writers & amplifying LGBTQ storytelling. For more than 30 years Lambda Literary has fought to uplift LGBTQ stories, nurture emerging voices, preserve our legacies & fought for our lives on a national level. The 38th Annual Lambda Literary Awards on Friday June at Sony Hall in the heart of NYC will honor the voices that have shaped the LGBTQ literary landscape. 
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GPL International Polo Florida Event

The 16th annual GPL International Tournament takes place April 23rd to 25th in Wellington, Florida with events attracting a global cross-section of more than 1,000 attendees & 16 players from around the world. Chip McKenney, GPL Founder/President stated, "Celebrating 16 years of GPL’s flagship event in Wellington propels us to create & produce the best experience by far, to bring people together to enjoy the best of us. My initial goal was to encourage greater diversity & inclusion in the sport of Polo & now we have polo players, fans & allies who come from all over the world to participate. GPL is changing perceptions in the LGBTQ+ community, athletics & society at large, one chukker at a time.” Blending world-class competition, fun-filled social events & meaningful philanthropy Gay Polo League was founded in 2006 by McKenney uniting a group of friends in Los Angeles who shared a passion for polo. Since then it has grown into an international network of players & supporters spanning 15 countries. To date GPL has raised more than $400,000 for charitable partners. GPL is the only LGBTQ identified polo league in the world embracing a cross-section of ages, abilities, professions & riding experience. Through its enthusiasm for the sport GPL works to foster positive perceptions about LGBTQ athletes & the LGBTQ community. The focus is to provide the community with opportunities to learn how to play polo & successfully compete in GPL tournaments & events. GPL has selected Equality Florida as this year’s recipient charity, supporting the organization’s Safe & Healthy Schools Project to advance safer more inclusive environments for LGBTQ students across the state. 
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Reproductive Equity Now Boston Gala

Breaking Barriers the Reproductive Equity Now 2026 Gala takes place Tuesday April 14th at the InterContinental Hotel in Boston, MA. This year’s honorees are outgoing president of Reproductive Equity Now Rebecca Hart Holder who will be honored with the Ellen Paradise Fisher Activism in Action Award, Loretta Ross & Marlene Gerber Fried Co-Authors of Abortion & Reproductive Justice: An Essential Guide for Resistance & Dr. Shelly Sella the first woman OB-GYN to openly provide abortion care later in pregnancy in the United States & author of Beyond Limits: Stories of Third-Trimester Abortion Care. For nearly 50 years Reproductive Equity Now has worked to make access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care a reality for all people in New England regardless of their race, ethnicity, income, zip code, gender, age, immigration status, ability, sexual orientation or religion. Advancing reproductive equity & justice & eliminating barriers to abortion care are central to their mission. Reproductive Equity Now envisions a world where everyone is able to equitably access the full spectrum of reproductive health care, including abortion, free from stigma, discrimination & political or policy barriers. At this moment of crisis their mission has never been more crucial to protect & expanding abortion access state-by-state, voter-by-voter. The Breaking Barriers Gala on April 14th is a fabulous opportunity to celebrate & support groundbreaking reproductive health advocacy, honor champions on the forefront of the battle for repro equity across New England & recommit to protecting & expanding abortion access in 2026 & beyond. Tickets run from $250. 
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Jason Stuart Stand Up Comedy Events

Prolific character actor & stand-up comic Jason Stuart is kicking off his California tour live at the Ice House this Saturday March 28th at 7:30P in Pasadena hosted by Lin-Sun Compani. Jason stated, “Jason Stuart! Stand-Up Comedy is coming to you all over California! Come laugh your head off & get away from all the madness of late. With new material & lots of fresh crowd work. Working with some fresh new comedians & special guest comedians like Stephanie Hodge who's on the new show's Amazon "Company Retreat" & HBO "The Comeback", Black Pedro & writer/producer Andrea Abbate.” Next stop is at Speak Easy in Santa Barbara on April 10th with Stephanie Hodge & Black Pedro then on April 11th at Laugh Factory in Long Beach followed by the Improv on April 11th in West Hollywood then Laugh Factory April 17th & 18th in San Diego & ending the tour August 21st at Auga Caliente Casino in Palm Springs, CA with Andrea Abbate. Jason returns to the stage as his new film REDLINING is about to begin its festival run that he acted in, co-wrote, produced & directed. The film explores the complex intersections of generational wealth & the profound choices people face when circumstances push them to their limits themes that feel even more urgent today. Stuart also serves as the National Co-Chairman of the Sag-Aftra LGBTQ Committee which he co-created in 2004. Jason has appeared in over 285 film & TV shows including the Amazon hit Smothered with Mitch Hara. I talked to Stuart & Hara about Smothered & more in this exclusive podcast in 2023. LISTEN  
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Poet & Author Steven Reigns Book Event

Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library (SNMAL) will present award winning poet & author Steven Reigns on April 10th in Fort Lauderdale, FL. This will be an in-person interview & celebration of his work including ‘A Quit for David’ & ‘Outliving Michael.’ Hailing from Los Angeles Reigns is a fervent writer as well as advocate for LGBTQ youth & HIV acceptance. His book ‘A Quit for David’ released in 2021 tells the story of the late Dr. David Acer a gay dentist from a small conservative Florida town who was accused of infecting patients with HIV. His sexuality alongside his sickly appearance made him an easy scapegoat during a time where HIV transmission was not clearly understood. With accusers helping create hit pieces for the media David’s final stretch of his life was lived in exile a tragic tale that Reigns carefully captures with his poetic prose after years of investigative research into those who forced David to live in secrecy and shame. Reigns’ next work ‘Outliving Michael’ published in September is a personal look into his friendship with Michael Church an intergenerational bond built on what it means to navigate life as a gay man, the power of art in creating connections with others & how AIDS tore them apart. A memoir that seamlessly blends poetry & story the book tackles the generation our society lost to HIV & AIDS & how those stories must be preserved in the hearts of the living. ‘A Conversation with Steven Reigns takes place at Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library on Friday April 10th at 6P ET live & via Zoom. 
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Redesigned Org Affirms Schools For All

GLSEN is now Glisten transforming to strengthen & support youth & continuing their mission to create safe affirming schools for all with a fresh outlook & renewed energy. Since the org was founded in 1990 their name GLSEN represented the network of teachers & educators who first took action alarmed by the bullying & discrimination towards LGBTQ youth. Over 30 years later they’ve grown to represent 1.5 million youth, families, educators & advocates working to create safe schools nationwide. Expanding their reach beyond the school buildings creates ways for youth, families & allies to stay connected to a supportive community that understands them. Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, Chief Executive Officer stated, “Today, organizations like ours are facing unprecedented challenges at the local, state & federal levels. We cannot step back or give up in the face of erasure from anyone. It is more critical than ever for us to double down on our mission for all LGBTQ+ youth across the nation. “Glisten” is what we called ourselves out loud for decades. However, unlike an acronym, the name Glisten expresses the essence of the work that we do. It stands for what we represent. This is a year for transformation—not just for the Glisten team as individuals, but as an organization. This is not just a name change—it’s a name evolution. Much like the LGBTQ+ community, Glisten isn’t solely defined by the letters that represent the acronym. The brand name Glisten acts as a beacon for all LGBTQ+ youth, providing a shining, visible lifeline in schools & creating spaces where everyone can feel safe being visibly who they are.” 
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Day Of Silence Celebrating Thirty Years

The “Day of Silence" is Glisten's (formerly GLSEN) annual Day of Action that began in the mid-1990s as a student-led protest agains...

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