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LGBTQ Community Excluded From Data

Despite recent strides there remains a persistent lack of routine data collection on sexual orientation, gender identity & variations in sex characteristics (SOGISC) that hinders efforts to improve the health & well-being of these communities. Our LGBTQ community continues to experience disproportionate rates of economic & housing insecurity as well as health disparities due to high rates of discrimination. A new report released by the Center for American Progress provides a road map for best practices & key considerations for how to incorporate SOGISC data in both general population surveys as well as LGBTQ community-based surveys to better understand this growing portion of the U.S. population. Caroline Medina, Senior Policy Analyst for the LGBTQI+ Research & Communications Project & co-author of the report stated, “A lack of robust data hinders the ability of policymakers, researchers, advocates & service providers to better understand the unique experiences & obstacles LGBTQI+ individuals face. By embracing LGBTQI+-inclusive data collection & making meaningful investments to continue to test, develop & improve these measures, we will gain much more insight into LGBTQI+ experiences & be better equipped to craft evidence-based policies to help meet their needs.” In addition to explaining best practices & key considerations for collecting data on LGBTQ+ populations the report also recommends areas for ongoing research to continue improving SOGISC measures by highlighting priority surveys where agencies should act to add these questions & offers guiding principles for all entities interested in advancing LGBTQ inclusive data collection efforts. Read Report... Also check out the National LGBTQ+ Women's Community Survey that will provide crucial data to inform policy change, service delivery & action to support LGBTQ+ women. Take The Survey…
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Night Of A Thousand Judys Yearly Event

Justin Elizabeth Sayre’s 10th annual “Night Of A Thousand Judys” the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center will take place at Joe’s Pub in NYC on Sunday June 5th at 7P. The Ali Forney Center is the nation’s largest agency dedicated to helping LGBTQ homeless youth. “Night Of A Thousand Judys” will honor the iconic Judy Garland with special skits, tributes & songs from her legendary career as movie star, recording artist & stage performer. The event helps commemorate Judy’s 100th Birthday & the 20th Anniversary of The Ali Forney Center. Justin Elizabeth Sayre stated, “Ten years is a milestone & lining up with Judy’s one hundredth seems like a kind of magic. It’s been an honor to present and be a part of this show for so long & to create a community around it, to work with so many wonderful performers & to celebrate Judy. But more so than this, it’s an honor to continually commit to queer kids. Being in a small way part of the work of the Ali Forney Center is the honor of a lifetime.” The event will feature performances by Tony winner Frances Ruffelle, Grammy winner Nathan Lee Graham, Grammy winner & Tony nominee Kathryn Gallagher, Lortel winner Bonnie Milligan, jazz vocalist Hilary Kole & singer/songwriter Eleri Ward with more to be announced. The performance is at 7P with a VIP post-show reception to follow. The evening is written & hosted by Justin Elizabeth Sayre, directed by Peter James Cook & choreographed by Jason Wise, featuring Tracy Stark as the event’s music director. “Night Of A Thousand Judys” is produced by Dan Fortune & Adam J. Rosen with Dan Fortune serving as executive producer. For Info & Tix…
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Out Film CT Celebrating 35 Years

Out Film CT announced its complete lineup for the 35th Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival to be presented as a hybrid event that will feature both in-person & virtual screenings. This year's event features 113 feature-length movies, short films & documentaries selected from over 675 submissions from around the globe. The 2022 festival will also see the return of fun parties celebrating the opening, centerpiece & closing films. The in-person films will run from June 3rd through June 12th with most in-person movie screenings offered at Cinestudio the historic movie house located on the campus of Trinity College with the closing night in-person films to be screened at Apple Cinemas on Front Street & the Connecticut Science Center in downtown Hartford. Virtual features & short film programs will be available to screen virtually June 3rd through June 19th via the non-profit's website. Shane Engstrom Festival Co-Director stated, "Out Film CT is delighted at the expanse & depth of submissions we received this year. We'll be hosting two world premieres, seven North American premieres, five U.S. premieres & twelve East Coast premieres. In particular, we are excited to premiere a new short film shot right here in Connecticut entitled Gay Spirit Radio: Not Afraid To Be Different - The Keith Brown Story, directed by University of Hartford's Susan Cardillo. Keith is an area legend having hosted America's longest-running gay radio program on UHart's station, WWUH." Jaime Ortega Festival Co-Director concluded, "We've embraced the possibilities that a hybrid format has provided. We've expanded our offerings for 2022 to 31 distinct programs, up from 27 last year. We will be featuring fourteen features, seven documentaries, a TV series & nine themed shorts programs. There is truly something for everyone." For More Info…
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LGBTQ API Movement Virtual Event

The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund is partnering with the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) & San Diego Pride to host the 2nd Annual State of the LGBTQ API Movement live virtual event on May 24th at 3P PT/ 6P ET via YouTube. Tiffany Tran, Sr. Legislative Manager at the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund stated, “Please join me for our second annual State of the LGBTQ API Movement to discuss a multitude of topics that affect the API LGBTQ community including our Queer the Vote campaign, reproductive justice, the Equality Act, LGBTQ youth & the anti-trans bills happening across the country. We have an amazing set of panelists with extensive knowledge & experience to make this a great event.” Speakers include San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, California State Assembly member Evan Low & Hawaii State Assembly member Adrian Tam. Panelists include Sasha Neha Ahuja - Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Kenrick Ross - National Queer API Alliance, Alex Del Rosario - National Center for Transgender Equality, Nicholas Machuca - Equality Florida & Tiffany Tran - The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund. American Sign Language interpretation services have been confirmed for this virtual event & additional accessibility accommodations including English transcription & visual content description services can be arranged with advance notice. All extra services requires a computer & internet connection. The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund builds political power, takes action & creates change to achieve freedom & justice for LGBTQ people & their families. As a progressive social justice organization the Task Force Action Fund works toward a society that values & respects the diversity of human expression and identity & achieves equity for all. Join The May 24th Event…
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New York Bill Addresses LGBTQ Elders


The New York State legislature has passed New York S78A/7855 & when signed into law this critical bill will officially designate LGBTQ elders & older New Yorkers living with HIV as populations of “greatest social need” in state programs & services for older New Yorkers. This legislation will help ensure all older LGBTQ & HIV+ New Yorkers can access the services they need to age in place. Lynn Faria, Executive Vice President at SAGE stated, "We applaud Assembly member Bronson, Senator Hoylman & the New York State legislature on their steadfast leadership in passing this crucial bill. This legislation will have a marked impact on so many LGBTQ+ elders & older people living with HIV in the great Empire State, ensuring that LGBTQ+ older people & older people living with HIV receive the culturally competent aging services & supports our community deserves. Building on the progress led by the New York State Office for the Aging, this legislation puts New York in its rightful place as a leader for the LGBTQ+ community as we age. We look forward to Governor Hochul signing this bill into law.” SAGE is the world's largest & oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ older people. Founded in 1978 & headquartered in NYC SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services & consumer resources to LGBTQ older people & their caregivers. SAGE also advocates for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBTQ elders, provides education & technical assistance for aging providers & LGBTQ community organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBTQ Aging & cultural competency training through SAGECare. For More Info…
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Rev. Nicole Garcia’s New Role (AUDIO)

This week I talked with Reverend Nicole Garcia about her new role as Faith Work Director for the National LGBTQ Task Force. Nicole is an ordained minister of Word & Sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). She firmly believes that her experience as a transgender & Latina seminarian has prepared her for this new position at the Task Force to help bring all denominations of our community together. This comes at a time when LGBTQ people are under attack with hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills pending across state legislatures & 7 states have passed laws banning transgender women & girls from competing in sports teams consistent with their gender. Just 4 years ago there were 41 expressly anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across the country & today we are dealing with a barrage of over 300 bills rooted in hate. Then there are states like Arizona, Texas & Alabama moving to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Not to mention other states following Florida's lead which passed the "Don't Say Gay" bill & are eyeing restrictions on teaching LGBTQ topics in schools. Though President Biden has stated that the onslaught of state laws targeting transgender Americans & their families is simply wrong nothing has been done nationally to stop these malicious bills that are spiritually & physically dividing our country by radical rightwing conservative politicians & religious leaders preaching hate from their bully pulpits. I talked to Reverend Garcia about what she hopes to accomplish at The Task Force & her spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN  

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South Carolina Anti-Trans Law (AUDIO)


South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed H.4608 an anti-transgender bill that restricts transgender students from participating in school sports in middle school, high school & college. Ivy Hill Executive Director of Gender Benders & Community Health Program Director of Campaign for Southern Equality stated, “It pains us to see lawmakers in South Carolina & now the governor, ignore the voices of thousands of South Carolinians including parents, medical providers, students, faith leaders & transgender people ourselves who expressed loudly & clearly that this bill will harm young people in our state. Transgender youth are not a threat to fairness in sports & this law now needlessly stigmatizes young people who are simply trying to navigate their adolescence, make friends & build skills like teamwork & leadership, winning & losing.” Dr. Elizabeth Mack a board certified pediatric critical care physician & pediatrician in Charleston concluded, “As a born & raised South Carolinian, it is my expectation that our state’s elected officials make decisions based on evidence & listen to our state’s experts. We must not play into fear or treat some of our most vulnerable community members our transgender young people like political pawns. Transgender youth face higher rates of bullying, mental health issues & even suicide than their non-transgender peers, which we sadly see routinely in pediatric ICUs. This bill tells a population that is already at risk, ‘We do not support you,’ & I am devastated to see it pass. We must protect our future – our young people.” Last month I talked to human rights activist Amberlyn Boiter about making this country safe for our transgender community & her spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN  

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LGBTQ Community Excluded From Data

Despite recent strides there remains a persistent lack of routine data collection on sexual orientation, gender identity & variations...

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