Out & Equal LGBTQ Southern Events

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates announced two unprecedented conferences backed by major corporations taking place this week in Dallas & Atlanta to tackle LGBTQ inclusion. The leading corporate sponsors of this initiative are AT&T, Lockheed Martin & Cracker Barrel with dozens of other businesses attending. The conference in Dallas takes place on Monday July 22nd at the AT&T facility in Irving, Texas & in Atlanta on Friday, July 26th at an AT&T facility in Atlanta, Georgia. Erin Uritus, CEO, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates stated, “Diversity & inclusion are not just business terms, they are values that Southerners take pride in. In the South, people talk about hospitality, about caring for one’s neighbors, about standing up for one another. These conferences will draw attention to the gap between these values and all of the ways in which LGBTQ Americans are made to feel like they don’t belong in the South.” Deena Fidas, Managing Director, Global Stakeholder Engagement added, “The 13 states that make up the Southern region are the very states that do not have basic protections for the LGBTQ community in employment, housing, public services & other key aspects of life. Businesses are uniquely positioned to provide LGBTQ-inclusive workplace policies to protect LGBTQ employees who are otherwise unprotected by federal & state policies. They can provide critical resources like healthcare & career opportunities to employees living in these states.” Out & Equal Workplace Advocates is the world’s premier nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving LGBTQ workplace equality. They partner with Fortune 1000 companies & government agencies to provide executive leadership development, comprehensive training & consultation & professional networking opportunities that build inclusive & welcoming work environments.
For More Info: outandequal.org
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LGBTQ Leaders & Allies Podcasts

Since 2008 OUTTAKE VOICES has accumulated over 500 podcast episodes with global LGBTQ leaders, celebrities & allies. The site has recently been updated with the expertise of Chris Andrews at Andrews Consulting & digital MP3 players have been added along with a new podcast search feature to make your entire experience more user-friendly. Celebrity guests have included Alan Ball, Ricky Martin, Trans Activist Michaela Mendelsohn, Kyra Sedgwick, Kathleen Turner, John Waters, Dustin Lance Black, Chopped Ted Allen, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, Loni Anderson, Supreme Mary Wilson & comedians Margaret Cho to name a few. Organizations that have participated on podcasts include: GLAAD, The LGBTQ Task Force, Peter Tatchell Foundation, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, Richmond Ermet Aid Foundation, Lambda Legal, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, Equality Federation, Provincetown Film Society, PBS WORLD Channel, Provincetown International Film Festival, Wicked Queer Boston’s LGBT Film Festival, Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, GLSEN, OutRight Action International, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Gender Diversity, Equality Florida, LGBTQ Center For American Progress, National Center for Lesbian Rights, AIDS Action Committee, Interfaith Alliance, Elton John AIDS Foundation, NOH8 Campaign, American Foundation for Equal Rights, InterPride, BAGLY, Aqua Foundation, Equality Forum, DignityUSA, True Colors United, The Creative Coalition, Trevor Project, MAC Multicultural AIDS Coalition, GMHC, Fenway Health, SAGE, AIDS Foundation of Chicago & more. Listen to the last 50 podcasts here or just search by name or organization at OUTTAKE VOICES. You can also download interviews on your iPhone Podcast icon by simply entering OUTTAKE VOICES.

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The Sims 4 LGBTQ Inclusive Gaming

GLAAD the LGBTQ media advocacy organization praises developers Electronic Arts & Maxis for creating a higher visibility & representation of our LGBTQ community & hopes other companies will follow suit. The popular video game "The Sims 4" is displaying the first-ever lesbian couple Sims Dela Ostrow & Mia Hayes in their cover art. Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO of GLAAD stated, "The Sims franchise has been an industry leader on LGBTQ representation & this week it crossed another milestone. We applaud Electronic Arts & Maxis for putting an LGBTQ couple front & center on its new, rebranded box art for The Sims 4. LGBTQ players have been a major part of The Sims community from the beginning & this recognition & visibility is important & well deserved. This is a breakthrough moment for representation in the video game space & we encourage others to step up & match this kind of visibility in their new releases & updates." The Sims Mobile was among the nominees for the inaugural Outstanding Video Game category at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards, the latest in GLAAD's important work to ensure that video games & the gaming community become more LGBTQ inclusive. In 2016, transgender & gender expansive characters were added to The Sims 4 through a collaboration between GLAAD & Electronic Arts. GLAAD is continuing to work with industry partners & lead conversations at major gaming events, including E3, DICE & PAX, to promote LGBTQ acceptance in gaming.
For More Info: .glaad.org
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Outfest LA LGBTQ Film Festival

Outfest the Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival is celebrating its 37th anniversary & kicks off Thursday July 18th with “Circus of Books” Rachel Mason’s vibrant documentary about LA’s iconic brick-&-mortar gay erotica emporium & bookstore. Christopher Racster Outfest Executive Director stated, “As my tenure comes to an end I am most proud of Outfest’s increased visibility in Hollywood & our ever-growing stature within the industry. For the second year in a row, more than two-thirds of Outfest Los Angeles’ content is directed by women, people of color & trans filmmakers. Our communities have long been advocating for this inclusion. A remarkable filmmaker like Nisha Ganatra, our Achievement Award recipient, should have so many more features to her credit, in the two decades that have elapsed between her award-winning first film & her current box-office smash Late Night. Outfest Los Angeles continues to shine a spotlight on those stories we must see & those creatives whose voices we need to hear.” Outfest closes on Sunday, July 28th at The Theater at the Ace Hotel with Sundance favorite “Before You Know It” a poignant family comedy from Hannah Pearl Utt (who also co-wrote & stars), featuring Outfest alum Judith Light alongside Alec Baldwin & Mandy Patinkin. With films from 33 countries & in 26 languages & more than two-thirds of this year’s content directed by women, people of color & trans filmmakers, Outfest Los Angeles continues to be a trailblazer for multicultural LGBTQ representation in the media. Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival is presented by HBO.
For Info & Tix: outfest.org
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Mexico To Host NEMA Conference

National Equality Media Association (NEMA) America’s sole non-profit organization dedicated to serving LGBTQ media has announced that it will hold its annual conference at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa & The Westin Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico October 27th to 30th. This will mark the first time in NEMA’s history that member LGBTQ publishers & owners will convene outside the U.S. to discuss the important issues facing LGBTQ publishing. D.J. Doran NEMA President stated, “We are very excited to be able to bring publishers & owners together to discuss new & emerging business strategies that will help LGBT publications survive & thrive in an increasingly challenging publishing environment.” Speaking at this year’s conference will be Bob Witeck from Washington, D.C. based Witeck Communications on the importance of legacy & local LGBTQ publications & their impact on the communities which they serve. Matt Skallerud of Pink Banana Media in New York on how to better engage with readers through digital platforms & Jerry Cunningham owner & publisher of OUT FRONT magazine in Denver on how to develop and grow tertiary revenue streams. NEMA membership serves the content demands of the LGBTQ markets by delivering relevant, personal & authentic content via traditional print media as well as in integrated digital & social media. NEMA is the access point for opening the door to a $900 billion market. Their members are active influencers in their local LGBTQ communities.
For More Info: equalitymedia.org
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LPAC Provincetown Brunch Event

LPAC (Lesbian Political Action Committee) will be hosting their annual "Politics by the Sea" brunch on July 28th from 11A to 1P at the Harbor Lounge at 359 Commercial Street in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Diane Felicio LPAC Board Member stated, “As many of you know this event always has a great vibe & energy & this year we are excited that Our special guest will be Gina Ortiz Jones. Gina is an Air Force intelligence veteran who served in the Obama administration. She’s the daughter of a Filipina immigrant single mother, she’s openly LGBTQ & she is running for a House seat in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District. Urvashi Vaid, Kate Clinton & others from the LPAC crew will also be there & will be delighted to see you. As you know, there could not be a more important time to support progressive candidates who champion LPAC's values of LGBTQ & women's equality & social justice. At the event the dollars we raise are all about growing the national slate of pro-LGBTQ candidates that LPAC is supporting in 2020. So let's hang out together on the 28th, talk politics & take in the spectacular view from the deck at Harbor Lounge in Provincetown. C'mon, what could be better than that?!” Now in its seventh year LPAC continues to build the political power of LGBTQ women by electing candidates who champion LGBTQ rights, women’s equality & social justice issues & with the 2020 election around the corner it’s crucial to back candidates that support our LGBTQ values & stop the Trump administration’s attempt to erase the progress our LGBTQ community has achieved.
For Info & Tix…
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UN Global LGBTQ Protections

The United Nations Human Rights Council has voted to renew the second three-year term mandate of Victor Madrigal-Borloz the U.N. Independent Expert on protection against violence & discrimination based on sexual orientation & gender identity (IE SOGI). The resolution passed 27 to 12 with 7 abstentions during the 41st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Jean Freedberg HRC Director of Global Partnerships stated, “As LGBTQ people around the world face unprecedented challenges & the rolling back of previously secured protections -- including by the Trump-Pence administration in the United States -- it is heartening that the United Nations has taken this bold step once again to protect our communities from violence & discrimination. Today’s vote ensures that the vital work begun by Vitit Muntabhorn & Victor Madrigal-Borloz on behalf of LGBTQ people will continue & that countries will be held accountable to protect their LGBTQ citizens. Yet even as we celebrate this victory, there is so much more to be done to truly protect even the most vulnerable among us, including transgender & intersex people & to advance our path towards full equality.” Established in 2016 by the U.N. Human Rights Council, the IE SOGI, working collaboratively with U.N. & regional leaders has helped nations develop policies & actions to protect people from discrimination & violence based on sexual orientation & gender identity. The Independent Expert oversees the implementation of international human rights law, raises awareness, engages in dialogue with stakeholders & provides advisory & technical assistance.
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