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Equality Forum To Honor Anthony Fauci

Dr. Anthony Fauci the former Director of the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases will be honored with Equality Forum’s International Role Model Award at the Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia on September 27th. Fauci worked for more than half a century in biomedical research & national public health. He also served for 38 years through 7 presidential administrations as the director of the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID) effectively leading the institute’s fight to prevent, diagnose & treat many of the greatest challenges to global public health including HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, tuberculosis, malaria, Zika & Ebola. In December 2022 he transitioned to academia where he currently serves as a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Medicine in the division of infectious diseases at Georgetown University & holds an appointment in the McCourt School of Public Policy. Peter Staley a pioneering American AIDS activist is presenting the award to Dr. Fauci. Staley is the founder of Treatment Action Group (TAG) & a cofounder & board member of PrEP4All. He’s prominently featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary “How to Survive a Plague” & is the author of “Never Silent: ACT UP & My Life in Activism." Also being honored is Erica Deuso Pennsylvania’s First Openly Transgender Mayor with the Frank Kameny Award. Presenting the award is Ben Garcia the first executive director of The American LGBTQ+ Museum. He is charged with leading the museum’s exhibition & program development, advocacy efforts, communications, community outreach & fundraising. This event is kicking off the 21st year of Equality Forum’s LGBT History Month. 
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Governor Whitmer Keynote Speaker

HRC announced Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer will be the keynote speaker at this year’s National Dinner in Washington, D.C. on Saturday September 26th at the Washington Hilton. Governor Whitmer stated, “I'm a proud mom of a gay daughter, so it is personal when politicians try to tell people who they can be or who they can love. In Michigan, we didn't just talk about equality, we wrote it into law. We expanded Elliott-Larsen so no one can be fired or evicted for who they are. None of that happened by accident & none of it is guaranteed. That's why I'm proud to stand with HRC to organize, turn out & win this November, because every right we've won is on the ballot.” Kelley Robinson HRC President concluded, “Governor Gretchen Whitmer exemplifies the kind of allyship our community needs in this moment. She is a proud parent of an LGBTQ+ child & a governor whose leadership & commitment to equality have advanced crucial civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ people in Michigan. We are thrilled to have her join us at this year’s National Dinner & look forward to hearing how we can take Michigan’s lessons to create safe & welcoming spaces across the country.” In addition HRC announced it will honor changemakers & LGBTQ allies & icons Marcia Gay Harden, André De Shields & Junior LaBeija at the event. Harden will receive the Ally for Equality award presented by actress & ally Camryn Manheim for being an outspoken ally for the LGBTQ community & using her platform to advocate for equality. DeShields & LaBeija will each be receiving HRC’s Legendary Visibility Award for their work expanding visibility on critical issues permanently shaping the culture & legacy of our community. 
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Obie Winning Theatre Group New Work

Celebrating 25 Years PlayCo the Obie Award-winning Off-Broadway theatre known for producing adventurous new work by international & U.S. artists presents “The Nicest Body Ever Seen Around These Parts” by esteemed Catalan playwright Josep Maria Miró October 7th to November 7th in NYC. The play translated by Sharon Feldman is the winner of the National Prize for Dramatic Literature the highest theatre honor in Spain. This liminal ferocious one-person play stars 2-time Obie Award-winner Rachel Crowl taking on the acrobatic task of channeling an entire town in Miró’s solo play. Kate Loewald, PlayCo Founding Producer stated, “PlayCo's relationship with Josep Maria began in 2023, when he was in residence with us to inaugurate our artist residency exchange partnership with Sala Beckett in Barcelona. We fell in love with this play & we are honored to be producing his U.S. debut. Mei Ann has been working with us to conceive of this production for over a year, putting together a kick-ass creative team & there is no more exciting person to perform this tour de force piece than Rachel. For all of us, the play speaks powerfully & beautifully to this moment & we can't wait to welcome audiences into the theatre to share it with us.” “The Nicest Body Ever Seen Around These Parts” creative team includes Jian Jung Scenic Design, Olivera Gajic Costume Design, Kate McGee Lighting Design & Avi Amon Original Compositions & Sound Design. PlayCo supports & collaborates with artists to generate a dynamic, uniquely international program of adventurous plays that celebrate the power of live theatre. 
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South Florida 2026 Film Festival Line Up

OUTshine Film Festival has unveiled its full film lineup for this year’s Fall Edition that runs October 15th to 25th in South Florida. This edition brings more than 20 new international, North American, East Coast & Florida premieres from 20 countries to Broward & Miami-Dade counties. Mark Gilbert, OUTSHINE Executive Director stated, “The joy of OUTshine has always been that we are a comfortable place to experience films together - to join old friends & make new ones. This fall, we’ve filled our OUTshine program with the brightest stars, the most talented international filmmakers & seasonal surprises designed to delight, chill & thrill. When our stories were being pushed off screens, out of libraries & off stages. Telling them wasn't just bold. It was necessary. For 28 years, we have kept the lights on for LGBTQ stories in South Florida & we will continue to stand strong, proud & united. We are not going anywhere.” Joe Bilancio, OUTshine Director of Programming concluded,“We are proud to return with another impressive festival featuring LGBTQ films that deserve the spotlight; films in a wide variety of genres – from dramas, to comedies to science fiction & beyond - that speak to our shared human experiences. We’re especially thrilled to showcase our local filmmakers & personal stories such as The Drive which document real people & real struggles in our own backyard. As South Florida is a true melting pot, we’re pleased offer creative & inspiring films that bridge cultural & generational divides. Bring your family. Bring your friends & join us in celebrating solidarity & belonging.” 
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 NewFest 38th New York Film Festival

NewFest announced the full lineup for the 38th edition of its annual New York Film Festival with 144 films including 29 narrative features, 9 documentary nonfiction features, 8 legacy retrospective features, 7 episodic series & 13 shorts program screenings with the full program featuring work from 23 countries. NewFest 38 will run in person from October 15th to 25th & stream virtually through their on-demand platform from October 15th to 30th. Lesli Klainberg, NewFest’s Interim Executive Director stated, “NewFest’s 38th edition underscores the festival’s unique role as a vital platform for the best in queer cinema bringing together acclaimed work from leading studios & distributors with bold discoveries & emerging voices that define the medium's future. This year’s lineup shows that LGBTQ+ stories are not on the margins of culture; they are among the most ambitious, artistically vital & anticipated films of the moment. We are proud to offer New York audiences the opportunity to experience these prestige titles alongside a rich program of daring independent work.” Nick McCarthy, NewFest Director of Programming concluded, “This year’s sterling slate bursts with bold creativity, prestige & civic-mindedness – reflecting the vibrancy & vastness of our community on a local & global scale. From the USA to Mexico to Nigeria to Nepal to Australia, NewFest38 honors the best in LGBTQIA+ film from around the world. We’re excited to amplify a selection of standouts from Cannes, highly anticipated titles fresh out of Telluride & TIFF & brilliant work from emerging artists premiering their films for the first time. We look forward to gathering audiences in conversation with filmmakers to generate connections, spark dialogue & celebrate deeply resonate stories that will endure far beyond.” For More Info…
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Rep. Ayanna Pressley To Be Honored

The National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) will honor Rep. Ayanna Pressley at its annual OUT On The Hill (OOTH) reception during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference at the Human Rights Campaign Equality Forum in Washington, DC on September 17th from 6P to 9P. Congresswoman Pressley has been a leading congressional advocate for racial, economic, reparative, gender & LGBTQ justice. Her work includes advancing H.R. 40 which would establish a federal commission to study & develop reparations proposals for African Americans that introduces the first gender neutral reproductive health bill in Congress & the codification of mandatory equity plans & implementation for every federal agency. Dr. David J. Johns, CEO & Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective stated, “OUT On The Hill has always been about ensuring Black LGBTQ+/same-gender loving people are not simply present in the rooms where decisions are made, but that our voices, experiences & leadership help shape what happens in them. This year, we are proud to honor leaders doing the work to move all of us closer to freedom. At a moment when so many of our hard-won rights are under attack, gathering in community, investing in the next generation of leaders & celebrating those who continue to push us forward is especially important.” This year’s honorees also include Baltimore Safe Haven’s Iya Dammons & Dr. Martens Foundation. The reception will feature NBJC’s Bayard Rustin-Pauli Murray Advocates for Justice Awards that honors leaders & orgs whose work embodies the legacies of Bayard Rustin & Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray & demonstrates an unwavering commitment to equity & liberation for Black LGBTQ people. 
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Out & Equal Annual Workplace Summit

Out & Equal’s 2026 Workplace Summit takes place in Seattle, Washington from October 12th to 15th. This annual event presents 4 days of sessions, workshops, community gatherings & networking designed for professionals advancing LGBTQ workplace inclusion. At this conference over 4,000 leaders across industries, geographies & functions will gather to advance what's next for our LGBTQ workplace. This is the opportunity to gain the tools to navigate today’s complexity from global policy shifts & next-gen talent readiness to the evolution of allyship & ERG strategy across 5 dynamic learning tracks with over 100 curated sessions & a full-day Leadership Lab. On October 13th Erin Uritus Out & Equal CEO will address the conference followed by keynote speakers. This year’s Summit keynote speakers include novelist, memoirist & bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert, Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at NYU School of Law & Director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Kenji Yoshino & public historian Amanda Timpson. There will also be more than 100 strategic sessions across 5 learning tracks delivering real-time learning for real-world complexity. For more than 2 decades the Out & Equal Workplace Summit has been the largest global gathering of the most committed senior leaders, ERG champions, HR & inclusion practitioners, changemakers & LGBTQ & ally professionals in workplace inclusion. In 2026 it arrives at exactly the moment orgs need it most. Out & Equal is the premier org working on LGBTQ workplace equality. Through their worldwide programs, Fortune 500 partnerships & annual Workplace Summit conference they help LGBTQ people thrive. 
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Equality Forum To Honor Anthony Fauci

Dr. Anthony Fauci the former Director of the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases will be honored with Equality Forum’s I...

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