Officials Call For LGBTQ Equality

Over 150 openly LGBTQ elected officials & newly elected officials from across the nation are calling on the incoming U.S. Congress to act on four key initiatives related to LGBTQ equality. The letter was drafted after a closed-door convening of LGBTQ elected officials at LGBTQ Victory Institute’s International LGBTQ Leaders Conference last week. The conference is the largest convening of LGBTQ elected officials in the world – with more than 140 elected officials from 26 countries, as well as 400 other advocates & leaders. Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute stated, “LGBTQ political power is growing thanks to the rainbow wave of LGBTQ people who won elected office in November & this letter is the first sign of us wielding that new power. The current U.S. Congress failed to advance equality policies & legislation that most Americans support: non-discrimination protections, addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis, protecting trans people from abusive policies & being a moral voice on the global stage. The next Congress can remedy these wrongs & LGBTQ elected officials are determined to add their voice & energize their constituents around these important measures. The officials who attended our conference & signed this letter won elected office because voters demanded authentic, values-driven leadership. That is what they are delivering on & we hope the new Congress delivers as well.” The letter calls on Congress to: pass The Equality Act to expand non-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation & gender identity; reduce HIV/AIDS by forming an advisory commission, advocating a “Getting to Zero” goal & taking proactive measures to address disparities in communities of color; protect trans people from anti-trans Trump administration policies & other measures & improve LGBTQ rights globally by supporting asylum claims & ensuring LGBTQ rights is a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy.
Read Full Letter…
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Toys Party 33rd Annual NYC Event

This year’s Toys Party event raised more than $275,000 to benefit SAGE & collected over 5,000 toys for distribution to numerous LGBTQ friendly children’s charities. Over 2,500 attendees including former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, CNN’s Don Lemon & actresses Lorraine Bracco & Mariska Hargitay packed Chelsea Piers on December 9th for the 33rd Annual Toys Party to mix & mingle & celebrate the holiday season all while benefiting LGBTQ elders & children in need. For three decades the Toys Party founded by Robby Brown has collected more than 150,000 toys for children & raised over $3.5 million for SAGE the country's largest & oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ seniors. The event, co-hosted by Chris Kann & David Tufts has become one of New York’s most recognized traditions, making a major impact on the lives of LGBTQ older people & children in need during the holidays. Michael Adams SAGE CEO stated, “This time of year, it’s more important than ever to band together & support our larger LGBT family — elders & children — who need our help the most. For decades, the Toys Party has been a beautiful tradition of our city’s LGBT community, ringing in the holidays while making a huge difference for LGBT older people & children in need. We’re so grateful to Robby, Chris & David for creating such a uniquely festive evening & to everybody who came out to have fun while making a difference during the holiday season.” Toys from the event were distributed to the following charities: 9th Police Precinct Community Center, Camp Felix, Ali Forney Center, Brooklyn ACE Integration Head Start, God's Love We Deliver, Grace Baptist/Faith Mission, The Iris House & UEW Jericho Project/Brick Church.
For More Info: sageusa.org
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Raging Skillet Plays Cambridge

There will be a special one night only reading of the play “Raging Skillet” by Jacques Lamarre that’s based on the memoir of the same title by Chef Rossi at the Central Square Theater 450 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, MA on Monday December 17th at 7P. The reading directed by Sasha Bratt features Lee Mikeska Gardner, Greg Maraio & Annette Miller. “Raging Skillet” is one woman's story about cooking her way through some of life's biggest challenges in New York City's most unlikely kitchens. As the rebel caterer parties at the launch event for her new tell-all book her Orthodox Jewish mother shows up unannounced twenty years after she died & guilt trips her into a reckoning with her rebellious past, her time with a Hassidic community in Brooklyn & the real meaning of a Jewish home. When asked what she would like to accomplish with her work Chef Rossi stated, “I think I would most like to see the empowerment of women especially in the culinary field would be great. I’d like to see the empowerment of young gay adults & gay teenagers. I’d like to see the empowerment of the underdog in general. I’m kind of a runaway, throwaway, white trash little kid from New Jersey who went from literally being homeless to whatever this thing is called Chef Rossi. I just think that my story really empowers people that are down & out or the underdog or minorities & I just hope I can help.” Tickets are free but reservations are recommended.
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Help Is On The Way Holiday Event

The Richmond / Ermet AID Foundation is having its "Help is on the Way for the Holidays 17 a concert & gala celebration for everyone” on Monday December 10th at Marines' Memorial Theater 609 Sutter Street in San Francisco, California benefiting Project Open Hand & Positive Resource Center. The concert begins at 7:30P featuring performances by Maureen McGovern Multi Grammy Award-nominated recording star, Constantine Maroulis Tony-nominated American Idol star, Darius Anthony Harper B’way star (Kinky Boots), Cirque du Soleil vocalist, Jai Rodriguez Broadway / TV star, Mikalah Gordon American Idol, recording star, Paula West Jazz icon, cabaret star, Shawn Ryan America's Got Talent, cabaret star, Debby Holiday Billboard top 10 recording artist, Sharon McNight Tony-nominated cabaret star, Rodney Earl Jackson Jr. B’way. star / co-founder Bay Area Theater Co., Paradox Voice Band the acapella sensations,Kirill Strakhov & Caitlin Anderson Latin Ballroom dance champions & cast members from Bay Area Musical's "Crazy for You". Kenneth Henderson, Executive Director of the Richmond/Ermet AID Foundation stated, “People think the AIDS epidemic is over & we don't need to pay attention to it anymore. Events like "Help is on the Way" serve not only to raise funds for local AIDS services but to remind people that there's still a need for funding them. More people are living with HIV & AIDS than ever before in history.” The after party will take place at 9:45P at The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel’s Redwood & Velvet Rooms 4 in San Francisco. This year honorary chairs are CA Senator Dianne Feinstein & Mr. Richard Blum, Governor Elect Gavin Newsom & CA State Senator Scott Weiner.
For Info & Tix: reaf-sf.org
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Brass Bows & Boys Holiday Concert

Boston Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) is presenting “Brass & Bows & Boys,” a holiday concert that will be loud, proud, tender & warm with performances on December 9th, 14th, 15th & 16 at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall in Boston, Massachusetts. Reuben M. Reynolds BGMC Music Director stated, “We’ll showcase the traditional songs of the season along with modern classics, but we have so much musical talent in the Chorus we wanted to take advantage of that by performing songs by our members. Given that the holiday season is about celebrating our families, both those we come into the world with & those we’ve chosen as adults, it seems appropriate & audiences are going to love it.” The title of the show comes from the opening piece “Holiday Bells, Brass & Boys,” which features a medley of some of the best known holiday carols & was written by BGMC member David Shaffer. There will be some Chanukah songs as well & the second half features the parody “Santa’s Turn” by BGMC member Jay Baer & the concert ends with the holiday medley “Pictures of a Season” by BGMC Principal Accompanist & Assistant Music Director Chad Weirick, who is marking his 25th year with BGMC this year. Craig Coogan BGMC Executive Director concluded, “This is a show that will infuse people of all ages & beliefs with the holiday spirit. Brass & Bows & Boys celebrates homecoming, reflection & family & we can’t wait to take the stage!”
For Info & Tix...
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OutRight UN LGBTQ Week & Summit

OutRight Action International’s Advocacy Week brings together almost 50 LGBTQ activists from 36 countries & every region of the world to participate in the organization’s 7th annual Advocacy Week at the United Nations (UN) that runs now through December 7th when human rights defenders meet with government representatives & UN officials as they discuss the most pertinent issues in the field of international LGBTQ human rights. Advocates meet face to face with dignitaries from participating country delegations throughout the week. They will also meet with representatives from UN bodies like UN Women, the LGBTI Core Group & the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Jessica Stern, Executive Director of Outright Action International stated, “Advocacy week is where LGBTIQ voices & lived realities are amplified & delivered directly to the leaders & representatives who make international policy decisions. Activists from around the world have the chance to make the most of these meetings & come together with fellow advocates to strategize & learn from each other.” Advocacy Week culminates on December 8th with OutSummit, a one-day global conference bringing together U.S.-based & international activists to meet & discuss critical issues affecting the global LGBTIQ movement. This year’s conference highlights some of the world’s foremost experts & activists discussing the most cutting edge issues impacting the global human rights movement. OutSummit is hosted at The City University of New York Law School & is organized in partnership with the Sorensen Center for International Peace & Justice.
For More Info: outsummit.org
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Boston South Asian Speakers Event

The South Asian Arts & Cultural Council is presenting Gautam Raghavan at their next speaker series this Saturday December 8th at the Boston Public Library’s Rabb Hall 700 Boylston Street in Boston, MA from 1P to 3P. Gautam will discuss his new book “West Wingers” which he served as editor & will appear together with contributors Rumana Ahmed & Aneesh Raman. Amit Dixit South Asian Arts & Cultural Council Executive Director stated, “Having Gautam in Boston is a defining moment as he was the API & LGBTQ liaison under President Obama & has bee a community activist for many years. I first met Gautam many years ago when he was in college & so proud to call him family! Join SAACC for an amazing afternoon at the Boston Public Library this Saturday at Rabb Hall 1P to 3P.” Raghavan currently serves as Executive Director of the Indian American Impact Project & Fund & as an advisor to the Biden Foundation. He previously served as Vice President of Policy for the Gill Foundation, the nation’s oldest funder of LGBTQ Civil Rights Advocacy. From 2011 to 2014, Raghavan served as President Barack Obama’s liaison to the LGBTQ community as well as the Asian American & Pacific Islander community & from 2009 to 2011 he was Acting White House Liaison for the U.S. Department of Defense & as Outreach Lead for the Pentagon’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Working Group. A first-generation immigrant Raghavan was born in India, raised in the Seattle area & graduated from Stanford University. The event is free but you must RSVP.
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