Trump Attempts To End NEA Again

For the third consecutive year Trump has called for the end of federal funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in his annual budget request to Congress. This is just another one of his attempts to end our civilized world. Tim Daly, President of The Creative Coalition stated, “No matter how many times this Administration proposes to eliminate federal funding for the NEA, The Creative Coalition will be there to fight for the #RightToBearArts™ for all Americans. We remain vigilant in defending the right to maintain an imaginative & expressive population. And we must prevent these draconian funding cuts for the NEA from becoming a devastating reality.” Robin Bronk CEO of The Creative Coalition concluded, “The arts are not a red issue, nor a blue issue; they are a human issue. Both Democrats & Republicans in Congress recognized the value of the arts by increasing funding for the NEA last year and resoundingly rejecting the President’s call to eliminate funding. The well documented benefits of the arts make them a prudent investment of federal dollars. What we cannot afford is to deny access to the arts to countless Americans by eliminating funding for the NEA.” In response to calls to eliminate federal funding for the NEA in prior years, The Creative Coalition mobilized a successful grassroots movement, the #RightToBearArts™ to advocate for survival of federal arts programs. This effort continues today to ensure public funding for the arts creates access to the arts for all Americans, especially those in at-risk & underserved communities.
For More Info: thecreativecoalition.org
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ClexaCon Returns To Las Vegas

ClexaCon, the largest multi-fandom event for LGBTQ women & allies takes place April 11th through April 15th at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the third consecutive year ClexaCon will bring together actresses, directors, producers, writers, comic book illustrators, visual artists, academics & 4,000+ fans from over 30 countries & all 50 U.S. states to celebrate the best of LGBTQ+ TV & film & discuss how to improve representation across all media platforms. It also hosts a series of panels on a multitude of topics, workshops, charity events, parties as well as a film festival & a loud message of gender equality, female empowerment, diversity & inclusion. Danielle Jablonski co-executive director stated, “Representation matters & starts with letting our voices be heard & our stories be written & seen. Join us and the incredible line up of actors, industry guests & speakers attending ClexaCon this April to celebrate LGBTQ women’s diverse stories & talk about how together we can empower LGBTQ women to make things happen in front of & behind the camera.” This is going to be an amazing event with over 60 featured actors & industry guests, 100+ panels & workshops, 200+ speakers, 4 days of film screenings, parties, comedy, networking events & much more. There will be also over forty featured actors from your favorite shows as well as many directors, producers & writers from shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Legends of Tomorrow & One Day at a Time to Wynonna Earp. So get your tickets now before they sell OUT!
For More Info & Tix: clexacon.com
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Night of A Thousand Genders Event

The Gender & Family Project presents their sixth annual Night of A Thousand Genders event that supports transgender youth & families & takes place on Monday April 8th at 6P at the Edison Ballroom at 240 W 47th Street in NYC. This year’s honorees are New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson with the Gender Inclusivity Ally Award & social activist, entrepreneur & writer Jodie Patterson will receive the Family Award. Honorary Co-Chairs are Dee TrannyBear & Deja Smith, Asia Kate Dillon, Tyler Ford, Olympic Athlete & LGBTQ Activist Adam Rippon, model & Trans Rights Advocate Geena Rocero. Under the music direction of Lance Horne the performers will include, Peppermint, the First open Transwoman to originate a leading role on Broadway & Jaimie Wilson one of the top influencers & artists in the LGBT community. There will be cocktails, hors d'oeuvres & dinner followed by a concert at 7P with a must-attend after party at 8:30P. The Gender & Family Project (GFP) empowers youth, families & communities by providing gender affirmative services, training & research. GFP promotes gender inclusivity as a form of social justice in all the systems involved in the life of the family. Founded in 1960, the Ackerman Institute for the Family is one of the premier institutions for family therapy & one of the best-known & most highly regarded training facilities for family therapists in the United States. The Institute serves families from all walks of life at all stages of family life.
For Info & Tix: ackerman.org
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New Mexico Passes Safe Schools Act

GLSEN the leading education organization working to create safe & inclusive schools for LGBTQ students & the GLSEN Albuquerque Chapter commend the passage of Senate Bill 288 the Safe Schools for All Students Act a comprehensive anti-bullying law that is inclusive of sexual orientation & gender identity. Havens Levitt, Chair of GLSEN Albuquerque stated, “All students deserve to feel safe at school & today the New Mexico state legislature took a tremendous step forward in ensuring that all students -- regardless of sexual orientation & gender identity -- are protected from bullying & harassment.” Brenda Barron, Director of Policy GLSEN stated, “After Governor Lujan Grisham signs The Safe Schools for All Students Act, New Mexico will become the 19th state, along with Washington DC, to have comprehensive anti-bullying laws that are inclusive of LGBTQ students. GLSEN’s research has shown that students who attend schools with comprehensive anti-bullying policies experience lower levels of victimization related to their sexual orientation & gender expression & we commend the New Mexico legislature for being on the side of safety & support for LGBTQ-students.” GLSEN's latest policy resource, Respect for All: Policy Recommendations to Support LGBTQ Students A Guide for District & School Leaders, provides education policymakers & practitioners with concrete recommendations related to creating safe & affirming learning environments that uphold the dignity of all students, including comprehensive & enumerated anti-bullying legislation like New Mexico’s Safe Schools for All Students Act. GLSEN works to create safe & inclusive schools for all. They envision a world in which every child learns to respect & accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity &/or gender expression.
For More Info: glsen.org
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Boston Design Week Extraordinaire

Boston Design Week is celebrating its 6th year of all things in design with a citywide 12 day design festival that runs March 27th to April 7th. There will be 80+ engaging & informative events from their non-profit partners, product designers, technology designers, architects, design showrooms, family programs, urban planners, interior designers, the City of Boston & more. This year’s theme is "Then & Now" with five amazing kick-off events that will be held in five different locations. Tony Fusco, Boston Design Week Co-Producer stated, "Our 6th Annual Boston Design Week is our biggest, most diverse & engaging design festival yet. With 80+ events all open to the public & most free of charge, there is definitely something for everyone no matter what your interests are. Hurry - some events have already filled up!" This year the Boston Design Week 2019 Design Awards will take place on Friday April 5th at the stunning new Artists for Humanity EpiCenter at 100 W 2nd Street in Boston, MA from 5:30P to 8:30P. The 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Roger Thomas, Executive Vice President of Design, Wynn Design & Development & Principal The Roger Thomas Collection whose current project is the Encore Boston Harbor. Other awards to be announced & presented at the event include: Mentor of the Year, co-sponsored by The Over My Shoulder Foundation; Newcomer of the Year, co-sponsored by Autodesk; & The Social Impact Award. The Awards are the culminating event of Boston Design Week with 300+ invited guests, general public, design week participants, sponsors, media & leadership committee all expected for this catered affair, special displays & "Dancing With the Designers" event.
For Events & Tix; bostondesignweek.com
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Equality Act Returns To Congress

Congressman David Cicilline & Senators Jeff Merkley, Tammy Baldwin & Corey Booker have reintroduced the Equality Act in the U.S. House & Senate. The Equality Act would finally provide consistent & explicit non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces & services, federally funded programs & jury service. Stacey Long Simmons, advocacy & action Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund stated, “As a Christian, Black, Bisexual woman, if one of my identities is not protected under the law, then none of them are. The Equality Act will cover & expand protections for LGBTQ people & women, ensuring that no part of one’s identity can be used to discriminate against them in housing, credit, education, employment, publicly-funded programs like child welfare agencies, expanded public accommodations to include retail, taxis & more. The Civil Rights Act must protect all Black people – including LGBTQ people & women.” Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund concluded, “LGBTQ people continue to face discrimination without explicit federal protections that cover all of who we are, all the time. We have seen an increase in discriminatory actions & hate violence against so many communities in the age of Trump, particularly religious minorities, people of color, immigrants & LGBTQ people, making it all the more urgent to strengthen protections in existing civil & human rights laws. The country is ready for Congress to strengthen existing federal protections & we are grateful to our Congressional champions for reintroducing this comprehensive measure. Now it's time for lawmakers, progressive groups & grassroots advocates to move swiftly to advance the Equality Act.” (Graphic by Richard Emmanuel)
For More Info: thetaskforce.org
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Diversity Honors Gala Benefit

The fifth annual Diversity Honors presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will take place on March 30th in Hollywood, Florida. The gala will benefit Harvey Milk Foundation & The Pride Center at Equality Park. This year’s honorees include Meghan McCain host of ABC’s The View who will receive the Harvey Milk Foundation Lilla Watson Medal, transgender Army Captain Jennifer Peace & Staff Sergeant Patricia King will receive the Harvey Milk Foundation Valor Award & Congressman Ted Deutch will be recognized for his statewide contributions in advancing inclusiveness & promoting LGBTQ equality. Other honorees will include Phill Wilson, founder of the Black AIDS Institute & Tony Lima, Executive Director of SAVE plus the Wilton Manors City Commission will receive The Pride Center Alan Schubert Award of Excellence. Susan Renneisen, Vice President of Community Affairs & Special Events for Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood stated, “It is a privilege for Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood to present, produce & celebrate the fifth anniversary of Diversity Honors. A sold-out event every year, we are humbled by the growing support for this initiative that highlights tolerance, acceptance & leadership for change to ensure equality, inclusiveness & a higher quality of life for LGBT+ communities across the globe.” The special event will be emceed by NBC 6 anchor Jamie Guirola with awards presented by Stuart Milk as the co-founder & Board President of the Harvey Milk Foundation. The evening will commence at 7P with an elegant cocktail reception featuring an interactive balloon pop & raffle of more than 200 luxury items followed by a seated dinner with open bar, the awards presentation & live entertainment.
For Info & Tix…
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