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Pope Endorses Homosexual Civil Unions

Pope Francis has come out for homosexual civil unions. Of course he never mentioned lesbians or gay women. Pope Francis stated, "Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God. You can't kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this. What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered." Let’s revisit the difference of the rights & protections between civil union & marriage. Civil unions provide about one third of the rights & protections of marriage. In America the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act denied gay & lesbian couples 1,138 federal rights of marriage including a hefty average of $5000 more in their annual federal taxes than heterosexual married couples paid. Patrick Hornbeck, Professor of Theology at Fordham University stated, "What the pope has done today in these comments is he's given a permission slip to Catholics & to Catholic leaders who want to take that extra step, who want to be pastoral, as he's been, in affirming LGBT people & their families & their loves & that's no small thing. We have to remember that there are places all around the world where to be gay is to be thrown out of your family, where it's to be beaten, where to be trans is to take your life in your hands & so the pope's statements, I think, will have an important effect & need to be celebrated that way." Just remember that there are still countless cases of Catholic schools firing teachers for being gay & Catholic adoption agencies fighting to exclude gay & lesbian parents as we covered yesterday that will go before the US Supreme Court November 4th in Fulton v. Philadelphia.
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Supreme Court Case & LGBTQ Families

The day after the 2020 presidential election the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in Fulton v. Philadelphia a case that could give religious agencies that receive taxpayer dollars a broad license to discriminate against our LGBTQ cummunity. The case challenges Philadelphia’s nondiscrimination ordinance which prohibits any entity that contracts with the city from denying service on the basis of sexual orientation among other characteristics. One of the plaintiffs in the case is Catholic Social Services (CSS) which sued the city after its contract was revoked for refusing to allow gay & lesbian couples to be foster parents arguing that it has a constitutional right to do business with the city even when it refuses to comply with the city’s nondiscrimination rules. Recent data from a nationally representative survey conducted jointly by the Center for American Progress & NORC at the University of Chicago show that LGBTQ Americans avoid needed services to avoid discrimination & should they be denied access to taxpayer-funded services many would be unable to access services at alternative locations. Caroline Medina, Policy Analyst for the LGBTQ Research & Communications Project at CAP stated, “Our survey findings reveal the existing challenges that LGBTQ people face when accessing basic public services in civil society. To misuse religious liberty as a license to discriminate would set a harmful precedent & inflict critical damage on the rights of LGBTQ individuals & religious minorities, exacerbating discriminatory barriers they already encounter in their everyday lives. Justices Clarence Thomas & Samuel Alito recently attacked marriage equality under the guise of religious liberty. This case demonstrates the urgent risks to the basic rights of LGBTQ people if their extreme views are adopted as the stance of the court’s majority.” Read Full Report…

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Hollywood LGBTQ Council Voters March

On Saturday October 24th The Hollywood LGBTQ+ Council will lead a march of "Equality Voters to the Polls" beginning at 9A from 2131 Hollywood Blvd. to the Hollywood Branch Library for Early Voting. With LGBTQ equality on the ballot this year from the oval office at the top all the way down to the last candidate the Hollywood LGBTQ Council is hoping by mobilizing local voters that support our equality will ensure we retain & expand our hard-won rights. Todd Delmay, The Hollywood LGBTQ+ Council President stated, "Winning the rights associated with Equality is not enough. We must continue to support candidates & the issues that will safeguard & expand those rights. If you don't think they are at risk, just consider for a moment there are Supreme Court justices interested in revisiting Obergefell (the landmark 2015 decision that brought marriage equality to all 50 States) & matters of Equality are very much local issues as well. Municipalities, Counties & our State all have opportunities to choose Equality every day. Whether they are serving people of color, people of LGBTQ+ experience or those from other marginalized communities, the choice must always be on the side of Equality if we are to fulfill on the ideals of our Founders." The Council is inviting all voters & candidates that support Equality to march with them, whether they have already voted or not. The Council's members (80% of which self-identify as LGBTQ+) & guests should all wear a mask & maintain social distancing guidelines. Marchers are to meet at 8:30A & the event begins at 9A.           For More Info: lgbtqcouncil.com

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AIDS Memorial Quilt Virtual Exhibition

The National AIDS Memorial has announced a virtual exhibition of the AIDS Memorial Quilt that will feature more than 10,000 Quilt panels representing all 50 states & U.S. territories. Panel makers, individuals, businesses & non-profit organizations from across the country are invited to host a display of the Quilt. Each display host will be able to feature a selection of beautiful Quilt blocks of their choice & curate a personalized display narrative that will accompany each display. John Cunningham, National AIDS Memorial Executive Director stated, “World AIDS Day is taking on new meaning this year, as COVID-19 has brought an enormous loss of life & grief to millions of people. During the darkest days of the AIDS crisis, the Quilt was a source of immense comfort, inspiration & used as a tool for social activism to open the eyes of the nation to injustice & to help survivors grieve & heal. Through this exhibition, we hope the power & beauty of the Quilt can serve that same purpose for those who are experiencing loss & grief due to COVID-19.” On World AIDS Day on December 1st the National AIDS Memorial will bring together powerful voices from both pandemics for an important conversation about health justice, social activism, remembrance, hope & resilience. Applications to participate must be received by November 1st 2020 to be part of the current exhibition. The fee to participate as a virtual display host is $500 with proceeds from the exhibition to be used to ensure the continued care & conservation of more than 48,000 individual panels of this national treasure. 
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MBCC Silent Auction Is Live (AUDIO)

The fabulous Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition online silent auction is now live through their premier fundraising event the Lesbians & Friends LGBTQ Dance Party For Prevention that takes place virtually on October 24th from 7P to 9P via Zoom. This auction is not to be missed with great items all supporting MBCC the only breast cancer non-profit dedicated to preventing environmental causes of breast cancer through community education, research advocacy & changes to public policy. The MBCC Lesbians & Friends LGBTQ Dance Party on October 24th will also feature a guest appearance & award presentation to long-time environmental activist, comedian & actress Lily Tomlin. The MBCC Environmental Activist Award will be presented to Ms. Tomlin in acknowledgment of her passion & work on many environmental issues. Cheryl Osimo, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition stated, “We are constantly inspired by trailblazers like Ms. Tomlin who have fearlessly & relentlessly paved the way of putting the greater good of our planet & families first. Including her in MBCC’s history of individuals dedicated to making a positive impact in the world is thrilling news.” The online event will also include laughs with guest comedian Karen Williams & dance lessons with OUT to Dance's Liz Nania where you can learn to dance the cha-cha, rhumba, salsa or merengue with no partner needed. DJ Shelly Cullen will be spinning the tunes throughout the virtual event with the Silent Auction that runs now through October 24th at 8P. Tickets to attend the virtual event for adults are on a sliding scale of $15, $30, or $45 with tickets for students $10. I talked to Cheryl Osimo about what she hopes to accomplish with her work at MBCC & her spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN  

For More Info & Tix: mbcc.org

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LGBTQ Health Care In Serious Jeopardy

For LGBTQ people who rely on the Affordable Care Act our community will join the most vulnerable Americans who stand to lose the most if the ACA is overturned. Overturning the law would jeopardize health insurance for 20 million Americans & strip away protections for an estimated 135 million Americans with preexisting conditions & those effects will only be amplified for the most at-risk populations. The LGBTQ community, communities of color & people with disabilities have spent the past decade making progress toward increased health coverage, lowered medical expenses, protection for preexisting conditions & added nondiscrimination protections. Caroline Medina, policy analyst for the LGBTQ Research & Communications Project at Center for American Progress stated, “Despite crucial gains in health coverage & benefits for LGBTQ communities under the ACA, transgender adults—particularly transgender people of color—continue to face substantial & unique discriminatory barriers to accessing health insurance & services. The data reveal both the depth of harm that LGBTQ Americans would encounter under the ACA’s repeal as well as the need to continue combating discrimination in health care settings. At this critical juncture, the ACA’s protections should be expanded, not undermined.” As the Senate Republicans rush to confirm a third U.S. Supreme Court nominee much of the country has turned its focus on the fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Obama’s landmark legislative accomplishment that expanded access to health care for millions of Americans. For years congressional Republicans have sought to overturn the law either through legislation or judicial activism. However all that could change next month when the conservative packed Supreme Court hears California v. Texas on November 10th. For More Info...

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Spirit Day Against LGBTQ Youth Bullying

For 10 years OUTTAKE MEDIA has supported Spirit Day celebrated this year on Thursday October 15th. Spirit Day began in 2010 when a high school student Brittany McMillan created a tumblr post asking students to wear purple following the suicide deaths of several LGBTQ young people. Since then thanks to GLAAD hundreds of celebrities, media outlets, brands, landmarks, sports leagues, tech leaders, influencers, faith groups, school districts, organizations, colleges & universities have become the most visible anti LGBTQ bullying campaign & united show of support for our LGBTQ youth. Purple symbolizes spirit on the rainbow flag. Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President & CEO stated, “From the effects of COVID-19, to the social uprising against racial injustice & police brutality, to the Trump administration’s consistent attacks on LGBTQ people, this year has presented unprecedented challenges & crises, all of which continue to uniquely & disproportionately impact LGBTQ youth. At a time when LGBTQ youth may be isolating in homes that are not affirming or do not have access to their usual support systems, this year’s Spirit Day is a chance for LGBTQ people & allies to send messages of acceptance & support to LGBTQ youth when they need it most.” Studios, networks, shows & streaming services partaking in 2020 Spirit Day include Access Hollywood, Disney/ABC, Entertainment Tonight, Extra, the casts of FBI & FBI: Most Wanted, iHeartMedia, Hulu, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Spotify, Sony Pictures, ViacomCBS, WarnerMedia, & more. Celebrities participating in Spirit Day include Cher, The Chicks, Halle Berry, Connie Britton, Ted Danson, Daughtry, Gigi Gorgeous Getty, Carlie Hanson, Megan Hilty, Jazz Jennings, LeAnn Rimes, Adam Rippon, Tegan & Sara, Brandon Stansell, Mary Steenburgen among others are set to participate in the world’s largest & most visible LGBTQ anti-bullying campaign. 
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Pope Endorses Homosexual Civil Unions

Pope Francis has come out for homosexual civil unions. Of course he never mentioned lesbians or gay women. Pope Francis stated, "Ho...

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