Trans Day of Remembrance (Audio)

On Transgender Day of Remembrance we observed those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia. November 20th is an internationally oserved day to draw attention to the continual violence against our transgender community. In a new report since the start of 2018 at least 22 transgender people have been killed in the U.S. & 2017 were deadliest on record with at least 29 transgender people killed. Nearly nine in every 10 victims were transgender women & 45 percent of all domestic deaths occurred in the U.S. South. Jay Brown, Acting Senior Vice President, HRC Foundation stated, "At least 128 transgender people with the vast majority transgender women of color have been killed in the last five years. But most people can't even name one victim -- one human being who left behind family, friends & a future. We must do better. Solidarity means showing up, speaking out, saying their names & steadfastly working to change the realities that conspire to put transgender people at risk of violence. We can do better." Education is key & in this exclusive audio interview we talked with author & activist Brynn Tannehill about her new book “Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Trans (But Were Afraid to Ask)” that really does tell you everything you need to know about transgender issues & serves as a valuable reference source to debunk many of the untruths circulating about our transgender community.  
For More Info: hrc.org
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The Dance-Along Nutcracker Event

Hailed as one of the best bets for holiday dance the Dance-Along Nutcracker is one of San Francisco’s most treasured holiday events that takes place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on December 8th & 9th. The Dance-Along Nutcracker® is a casual, fun & family-friendly show combining the classic music from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite with a live musical adventure featuring a talented cast. This year’s show centers on the magical adventures of Clara Potter & her friends at Fogwarts School in "Clara Potter & The Elder Baton" as they search out the long-lost Elder Baton on a quest to save their school music program. Throughout the show the audience is invited to “Dance-Along” to the ballet allowing everyone the opportunity to express themselves in a welcoming & supportive environment. Magical costumes are highly encouraged. Each year the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band blends Tchaikovsky’s classic Nutcracker Suite with a fun theme. The result is a fun-filled musical production brimming with wit, artistry & ingenuity. The talented cast sings & dances their way through a parody version of the Nutcracker. Then when the “Dance-Along” sign flashes, the audience is invited to tug on their tutus & sashay along with the cast. Join Clara Potter & her friends on a fun-filled musical adventure, featuring secret riddles, an evil school board, kazoos, a three-ish headed dog & more music & dancing than you can shake a wand at. General admission for adults is $35 & child, students & seniors are $20. Save 10% with code: ClaraPotter for general seating. For premium seating which guarantees first four rows tickets are adults $45 & child, students & Seniors $28.
For Info & Tix: sflgfb.townalive.com
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GMHC To Honor Michael Urie

Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) has announced they will honor multitalented performer & director Michael Urie at their 2018 GMHC Cabaret & Howard Ashman Award event for his contributions to the LGBTQ community & the fight against HIV/AIDS. The event takes place at Joe’s Pub in The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street in NYC on Sunday December 16th from 7P to 9P. GMHC Kelsey Louie stated, “We’re so proud to have Michael Urie on our side as we work to keep HIV/AIDS in the spotlight & as we strive to engage a new generation with the important work we do every single day on behalf of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Michael understands the past, present & future of the epidemic & has approached his activism in the same thoughtful way he approaches his incredible career in entertainment & he like many in the Broadway community is an important member of the GMHC family of supporters.” Urie concluded, ”GMHC has long been a beacon of hope. From the terrifying early days of the epidemic to the confusing present when everyone’s basic rights are at risk, GMHC has had our backs. That my small part in the fight means anything to them is humbling & extremely rewarding. They are heroes & I am proud to stand with them.” Urie has been a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ & HIV/AIDS communities for more than a decade appearing at major AIDS Walks around the country & helping to raise vital funds for AIDS service organizations including GMHC. Performers will be announced in the coming weeks & tickets start at $150. We talked with Michael on OUTTAKE VOICES™ a few years ago. LISTEN...
For More Info & Tix: gmhc.org
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Taiwan To Vote On LGBTQ Equality

There are five ballot initiatives on November 24th in Taiwan that will impact our LGBTQ community. Three initiatives would harm LGBTQ people including two attempting to undermine a landmark Taiwanese Constitutional Court decision supporting marriage equality & another that would repeal a portion of the Gender Equity Education Act which supports LGBTQ inclusion in Taiwan’s school curriculum. In contrast two other initiatives would affirm marriage equality & the importance of the Gender Equity Education Act. Noting that diversity & inclusion are good for business 27 Taiwanese & multinational companies have come out in support of LGBTQ Equality in Taiwan stating, “Diversity, inclusion, respect, equality & non-discrimination are values that we cherish & seek to uphold in our companies & in our business dealings. We do this not only because it is the right thing to do but because it makes our companies & our society stronger & more successful. Research has shown that a diverse workforce is more creative, productive & competitive. Policies that support & promote diversity & inclusion in the workplace also help businesses in Taiwan attract & retain the top talent we need to remain competitive in the global economy…” Erin Uritus, CEO, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates concluded, “We applaud these leading Taiwanese & multinational corporations for publicly standing with their LGBTQ employees & the entire community in Taiwan. These companies know that creating an environment where their LGBTQ employees feel welcome & respected both within their companies & in society more broadly is not only the right thing to do, it’s also good for business & good for Taiwan.”
For More Info: outandequal.org
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LGBT Friendly Senior Housing

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), BFC Partners, SAGE, the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) & the Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) celebrated the topping out of construction of Ingersoll Senior Residences, one of NYCHA’s first 100 percent Affordable Housing Program developments. The new building is New York City’s first LGBT-friendly affordable senior housing & the largest such development in the nation. As it enters the final phases of construction, officials said the building is expected to open for residents in June 2019 alongside the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising & celebration of World Pride in New York City. Michael Adams SAGE CEO Michael Adams stated, “Today we celebrate being one step closer to realizing a decades-long dream to of providing LGBT-welcoming & affordable housing for our LGBT trailblazers. Thank you to BFC Partners, Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYC Speaker Corey Johnson & all of our supporters, who are making sure that the LGBT pioneers who fought for recognition & civil rights will soon have a place to thrive & memorialize the 50th anniversary of Stonewall.” Ingersoll Senior Residences, developed as part of the NextGen NYCHA initiative is a 17-story building at 112 St. Edwards Street in Fort Greene, Brooklyn that will provide 145 units of affordable senior housing & a new 7,600-square-foot SAGE Center operated by SAGE the nation’s largest advocacy & service organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT elders. The new housing & SAGE Center will be open to all qualifying low-income seniors, BFC Partners & SAGE have worked together to ensure the building is uniquely designed to meet the needs of older members of the LGBT community. Older LGBT people across the nation are statistically more likely to face housing discrimination & harassment & are less likely to have children & other family members to help care for their needs.
For More Info: sageusa.org
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FBI Reports Rise In Hate Crimes

As we all predicted & dreaded the 2018 FBI Hate Crimes Report officially confirms a rise in hate crimes since the Trump administration came into power with their revolting behavior of continually spewing irresponsible hateful rhetoric. Vanita Gupta, President & CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights stated, “These numbers are disappointing, but not surprising. The Trump administration’s divisive rhetoric & discriminatory policies fuel the flames of bigotry & acts of hatred throughout our country. The FBI’s hate crimes report is merely the thermometer telling us that the temperature of hate & intolerance in America is spiking to sweltering levels. Sadly, we can trace the source of this heat directly back to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Hate has no place anywhere in our country. Most alarming, this report captures only a fraction of the problem. The federal government must improve their hate crime data collection to accurately represent this country’s epidemic of hate. The civil rights community denounces these acts of hate & bigotry & calls on our elected & appointed officials to meet a higher standard with those who denounce acts of hate & bigotry in this country.” Read FBI Report… The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote & protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals.
For More Info: civilrights.org
LISTEN: Brynn Tannehill Talks New Transgender Handbook & MoreHear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
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Kyrsten Sinema Wins In Arizona

U.S. Representative Kyrsten Sinema’s win in Arizona’s U.S. Senate race makes LGBTQ history becoming the first openly bisexual person elected to the U.S. Senate & just the second openly LGBTQ person ever elected to the body. Sinema defeated an anti-LGBTQ challenger in an extremely close race that was one of the most watched in the nation. Sinema joins U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin & eight other openly LGBTQ people who have won their historic races for U.S. Congress so far. There are currently just seven openly LGBTQ members serving in Congress. Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund stated, “An LGBTQ woman winning a U.S. Senate seat in a state that voted for Trump is a game-changer, both for the LGBTQ community & the Democratic party. Kyrsten’s victory makes clear that an LGBTQ candidate who listens to voters & prioritizes their issues can win elected office anywhere blue state or red state. It also signals to the Democratic party that nominating more LGBTQ candidates for high-level positions should be a strategic priority, because their openness & authenticity resonates with independent voters. Now Kyrsten joins Senator Tammy Baldwin, fresh off a huge reelection victory, in a U.S. Senate that continues to disregard White House attacks on our community & refuses to consider protections that most Americans support. By doubling our influence with two passionate & tough LGBTQ women, however, the U.S. Senate will certainly find our community more difficult to ignore.” LGBTQ Victory Fund works to change the face & voice of America’s politics & achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government.
For More Info: victoryfund.org
LISTEN: Brynn Tannehill Talks New Transgender Handbook & MoreHear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
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