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Michael Adams SAGE CEO 2026 Exit

SAGE has announced that Michael Adams will step down from his position as Chief Executive Officer in early 2026 concluding nearly 2 decades of dedicated leadership of the world's preeminent organization solely dedicated to improving the lives of our LGBTQ elders. Adams stated, “It’s been the honor of a lifetime for me to lead SAGE over the last 19 years & to help advance the profoundly important cause of ensuring that LGBTQ+ older people can age with the dignity & support they deserve as the pioneer generation of our community. I’m extremely proud of all that we have accomplished together & as someone who is now old enough to benefit from SAGE’s advocacy & programs, I know that much remains to be done, so I look forward with excitement to the next chapter of this amazing organization.” Under Adams’ leadership SAGE has grown dramatically in size, scope & impact. SAGE’s training & education programs now directly benefit 500,000 LGBTQ elders across the country. The organization established & runs the country’s only National Resource Center on LGBTQ Aging. In 2020 SAGE convinced Congress to amend the Older Americans Act to prioritize LGBTQ older people & SAGE has successfully advocated for important LGBTQ inclusion in laws & policies across the country. Founded in 1978 SAGE has worked to envision a world where LGBTQ elders are valued have limitless opportunities & thrive. They have led the way in advocating for policies, services & resources that empower LGBTQ elders to live openly & authentically. I talked to Michael back in 2016 about his work & vision for our LGBTQ Community. LISTEN  
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Broadway Diva Liz Callaway Performs

Liz Callaway, Tony Award nominee, Emmy winner & newly-minted Grammy nominee made her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim's “Merrily We Roll Along” & went on to star in “Baby”, “Miss Saigon”, “The Look of Love”, “The Three Musketeers” & for 5 years appeared as Grizabella in “Cats”. Liz also sang the Academy Award-nominated song "Journey to the Past" in the animated feature “Anastasia”. Now JM Productions in conjunction with Five Star Productions is pleased to present “An Evening With Liz Callaway” a spellbinding sampler platter of what has been described as the voice of a generation on Sunday February 22nd at 8P at the Church of Presidents / United First Parish Church 1306 Hancock Street in Quincy, MA. Liz stated, “It’s been ages since I’ve performed in Boston & I’m so looking forward to singing in Quincy on Saturday night with my one-man orchestra, Alex Rybeck.” Don’t miss this opportunity to witness Callaway in a spectacular concert that highlights her incredible vocal talent & stage presence. Liz showcases her storied career in a concert featuring songs from the Broadway shows she starred in along with songs from her recording career including her Grammy-nominated Sondheim album & her Oscar-nominated hit from “Anastasia”. JM Productions has been dedicated to delivering top-tier entertainment to the Quincy community for over 45 years & this is the 2nd live event in their 2025 Broadway concert series. Tickets run from $40 to $50 for general admission & $60 for VIP seating with a portion of tickets sold to be donated to a charitable organization connected to the LA fires. 
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Presidents Day From Carter To Trump

Before they became POTUS I’ve personally encountered the 39th & 47th presidents. I met Jimmy Carter during his run for the position when I was working on the “Good Day” show at WCVB in Boston. Carter entered the studio extending his hand to me saying “Hi I’m Jimmy Carter & I’m running for president.” I remember thinking back then that this guy hasn’t a chance in hell to win & after one of the most successful media campaigns he won the election & became the 39th president. Though his term was rated with mixed reviews he went on expanding human rights which is what this country was based on earning him the Nobel Peace Prize on 2002. Then while living in NYC I was invited to an intimate screening of a remake of “Christmas in Connecticut” in 1992 directed by Arnold Schwarzenegger & starring Dyan Cannon, Kris Kristofferson & Tony Curtis. I was the plus one for a friend covering the film for the Hollywood Reporter. As we took our seats in walked Trump, Marla Maples & broadcaster Chuck Scarborough taking the seats directly behind us. My thoughts at the time queried Scarborough’s relationship with Trump. After the 90-minute film ended we all proceeded to the afterparty where the Trump entourage acknowledged my leather clad presence with nods as I went on to meet Tony Curtis who couldn’t have been more gracious. Now fast forward 33 years later & a month after Carter’s funeral with 3 weeks since 47 took office protests are taking place in major cities across the U.S. on this (not my) Presidents Day responding to the anti-democratic & illegal actions of the current administration. God only knows how it will all turn out. 
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New Transgender Sports Ban Challenged

GLAD Law & ACLU of NH have asked the court to expand the existing New Hampshire case to include a legal challenge to Trump’s executive orders banning transgender girls from participating in school sports. Trump’s February 5th executive order banning transgender girls & women from athletics is the latest in a series of executive orders & related policy changes deliberately aimed at broadly restricting the rights of trans Americans in public life. Since taking office January 20th his administration has worked to roll back access to non-discrimination protections, health care, equal educational opportunities, military service & vital identity documents for trans US citizens. Henry Klementowicz, Deputy Legal Director at ACLU of NH stated, “We’re expanding our lawsuit to challenge President Trump’s executive orders because, like the state law, it excludes, singles out & discriminates against transgender students & insinuates that they are not deserving of the same educational opportunities as all other students. Every child in New Hampshire & across the country has a right to equal opportunities at school & all students do better when they have access to resources that improve their mental, emotional & physical health.” GLAD Law & the ACLU of NH filed the motion in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire in the case Tirrell & Turmelle v. Edelblut a federal lawsuit challenging HB 1205 a 2024 state law banning all transgender girls in grades 5-12 from participating in school sports in New Hampshire public schools. Last fall the court ordered that students Parker Tirrell & Iris Turmelle be allowed to play sports during the litigation. 
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Lincoln Diversity Equality & Inclusion

With the current administration announcement to end minting Lincoln pennies we thought that on Abraham Lincoln’s real birthday we’d share a story about the 16th POTUS who served from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He led the nation through the last American Civil War which succeeded in preserving the Union, abolishing slavery, bolstering the federal government & modernizing the U.S. economy. Let’s celebrate Lincoln’s birthday as we re-revisit the interesting theory that Abraham Lincoln might have been our first LGBTQ president referencing Carl Sandburg who alluded to the early relationship of Lincoln & his friend Joshua Fry Speed as having "a streak of lavender & spots soft as May violets" in his 1926 biography. "Streak of lavender" was a term back then that implied homosexuality. The late legendary activist & playwright Larry Kramer back in 1999 claim that he had uncovered previously unknown documents while conducting research for his work-in-progress The American People: A History claiming to be found hidden in the floorboards of the old store once shared by Lincoln & Joshua Speed. In these beyond challenging times just think how that would affect our current administration with its anti-LGBTQ agenda. A while back I talked with author Lee Wind in this exclusive audio interview about his novel “Queer as a Five-Dollar Bill” that actually centers around Wyatt a 15 year old dealing with his sexuality in a homophobic small town who discovers this theory about Abraham Lincoln's relationship with Joshua Fry Speed a Springfield, Illinois merchant who met Lincoln in 1837. Wyatt can't help feel that if the world knew about this relationship perhaps they would treat our LGBTQ community differently. LISTEN
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Parents Teachers Leaders Rally For Kids

Parents, educators, community leaders & elected officials will gather outside the U.S. Capitol In DC on Wednesday February 12th to take a stand for students & public schools ahead of Trump’s Secretary of Education nominee Linda McMahon’s confirmation hearing. If confirmed McMahon will implement Trump’s agenda that includes eliminating the U.S. Department of Education which would dramatically increase class sizes, take resources from our most vulnerable students, enable the passage of voucher schemes across the country, remove vital services away from students with disabilities, cut job-training programs, make higher education more expensive & gut hard-won civil rights protections. During the last few weeks we’ve already experienced Trump’s executive orders that have stripped marginal students’ civil rights protections especially for our LGBTQ kids. McMahon a business executive resigned from her position as World Wrestling Entertainment CEO (WWE) in 2009 to run as a Republican for a seat in the United States Senate from Connecticut which she lost to Senator Blumenthal. Actually most of the appointees joining the new administration have lost their bids for public office. The rally on Wednesday February 12th will begin at 4:15P on the Capitol Grounds at the corner of Independence Avenue SE & First Street SE & across from the Cannon Office Building. Speakers will include parents, educators & elected officials scheduled are Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, Education & Workforce Committee Ranking Member Rep. Alma Adams, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Rep. Marc Takano as well as National Education Association President Becky Pringle & American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten with additional speakers TBA. McMahon's confirmation hearing is scheduled for February 13th. 
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Maiden Mother Crone: A Duet Of Plays

Maiden Mother Crone is 2 solo plays encompassing “The Longer My Mother Is Dead The More I Like Her” by writer/performer Deborah Unger & “Sugarcoated” by writer/performer Jen Ponton for an unforgettable evening of theater at Off-Broadway’s The Pete at The Flea 20 Thomas Street in NYC from February 12th to February 23rd. In “The Longer My Mother Is Dead The More I Like Her” Deborah invites audiences into the lifelong battle & posthumous reconciliation with her mother by blending humor & heartbreak. Unger’s journey explores the unspoken dynamics of mother-daughter relationships as Mom gets to speak her peace as well–albeit from the grave–the play transforms into a moving meditation on love, understanding & letting go. In “Sugarcoated” Jen takes audiences on a visceral journey through the polished facade women are often forced to wear with biting humor & profound vulnerability as “Sugarcoated” strips away societal expectations revealing raw truths about trauma, survival & self-empowerment. This compelling double bill is an ode to resilience, self-discovery & the intricate threads of human connection. Whether you’re drawn to tales of empowerment, familial complexities or raw emotional truths “Maiden Mother Crone” promises an evening of theater you won’t forget. “The Longer My Mother Is Dead The More I Like Her” is directed by Dominick LaRuffa Jr. & “Sugarcoated” is directed by Tessa Hope Slovis with lighting design by Hayley Garcia Parnell & stage manager Chelsea Rodriguez. Maiden Mother Crone: A Duet of Solo Plays runs 2 hours & 15 mins with an intermission & tickets are $40 & can be purchased in person at the theater a 1/2 hour before performances or online. 
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Michael Adams SAGE CEO 2026 Exit

SAGE has announced that Michael Adams will step down from his position as Chief Executive Officer in early 2026 concluding nearly 2 decades ...

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