LGBT Civil Rights After Marriage

With the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling last week extending marriage equality throughout the nation for our LGBT community we still must address that more than half of states still allow discrimination against many LGBT Americans in crucial areas of life. Americans living in these states can now be legally married then legally fired from their jobs, thrown out of a restaurant, evicted from their homes, or denied a loan simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Laura E. Durso, Director of Center for American Progress LGBT Research & Communications Project stated, “The Supreme Court’s decision ensures that the freedom to marry applies to all couples, in every state. However, the Court’s decision does not grant protections from discrimination for LGBT workers, customers, students, renters & homebuyers, many of whom still face pervasive, legal discrimination across the country. This is a national problem that requires a national solution, which is why Congress needs to pass a comprehensive nondiscrimination law to fully provide the same ‘equal dignity in the eyes of the law’ that Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote about in the marriage equality decision.” Twenty-eight states lack protections for LGB Americans from discrimination in the areas of housing, employment, education, access to credit & public accommodations. Thirty-one states lack the same protections for transgender Americans. The Center for American Progress has released an updated infographic bringing attention to the problem & calling for Congress to pass comprehensive nondiscrimination legislation that would protect LGBT Americans nationwide.
For More Info: americanprogress.org
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LGBT Civil Rights 50th Anniversary

There's another huge LGBT celebration happening in Philadelphia this week from July 2nd to 5th commemorating the 50th anniversary of a dedicated group of LGBT activists who were fighting for our rights years before the Stonewall Riots. On July 4, 1965 a group of courageous gay & lesbian activists from New York, Washington, D.C. & Philadelphia led by the late Frank Kameny & Barbara Gittings, known as the father & mother of the organized LGBT civil rights movement, laid the foundation for the organized LGBT civil rights movement with demonstrations in front of Independence Hall. Known as "Annual Reminders," these protests were held by the East Coast Homophile Organizations (ECHO) & occurred every Fourth of July from 1965 to 1969. In the 1960’s there were approximately 200 gay activists in the nation. After Stonewall these Gay Pioneers suspended the Annual Reminders & turned their energies to help organize the 1970 march from Greenwich Village to Central Park marking the first anniversary of Stonewall. Now that the Supreme Court has rules that marriage equality is the law of the land we have a lot to celebrate. So if you’re able to get to Philly this week join Jim Obergefell, plaintiff in Obergefell v. Hodges SCOTUS case along with Edie Windsor, Judy Shepard, Bishop Gene Robinson, Wanda Sykes, leaders & entertainers for the National LGBT 50th Anniversary Ceremony at Independence Hall & be part of the four-day National LGBT 50th Anniversary Celebration. The celebration includes wreath laying at the Gay Pioneers historical marker, five LGBT history exhibits, panels, parties, National Interfaith Service, "Gay Pioneers" film screening, concerts, fireworks, gayborhood street festival & more! For More Info: lgbt50.org
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Marriage Equality Wins In USA

My first reaction to learn that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that marriage equality is now the law in the USA brought me to tears. I called my wife Marilyn at work immediately to tell her & we both cried. This has been a long hard but thrilling fight to be part of the marriage equality movement in this country & I am just overwhelmed to finally know my wife & I can freely move throughout this country as equal citizens, at least when it comes to our marriage. Janson Wu, GLAD Executive Director stated, “Words can hardly express how fortunate I feel to be a part of this historic moment. Marriage equality is now the law in every state in the U.S. Today, the Supreme Court upheld the dignity & equality of LGBT individuals everywhere & opened a path to security for hundreds of thousands of families across the country. Today’s historic decision caps nearly 25 years of legal challenges, grassroots activism, legislative advocacy & everyday people sharing the stories of our lives, our love & our families." We want to thank all the marriage equality organizations that we have worked go closely with over the last 11 years. Especially my friend Mary Bonauto GLAD’s Civil Rights Project Director who argued the case before the Supreme Court. There are going to be historic parties tonight & through the weekend. Find locations below...HAPPY PRIDE AMERICA!!
For Info: uniteformarriage.org
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Get Ready For Gay Marriage USA

LOOKS LIKE FRIDAY IS SCOTUS MARRIAGE EQUALITY DECISION DAY!! 
LGBT leaders across America are ready for the US Supreme Court decision on marriage equality. Yesterday it was hinted by the SCOTUS Blog that the decision could come a few days earlier than expected. So we’re all on high alert. Janson Wu GLAD’s Executive Director stated, “On the day the decision comes in, join me & our Legal Director Gary Buseck at 3:00P EST on a special conference call to hear insider info & all the details of the ruling. On the night of decision, join other GLAD supporters & community members at an event near you! There are events scheduled in Boston, Western MA & beyond. No matter what the outcome there are chances to gather together on this historic night. This is an exciting time for all of us!" As you know GLAD’s Civil Rights Project Director Mary argued the recent Supreme Court case for Marriage Equality. On the day of the decision Equality Florida will be hosting public gatherings to celebrate (or rally against) the Court’s ruling. Equality California have stated that on whatever day the Court rules, thousands of supporters of equal rights for everyone will turn out for rallies across the state. So please check listing here for events near you. We encourage everyone to come out to support our LGBT community on what we hope will be a very historic day.
For Info: uniteformarriage.org
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Sundays At Café Tabac Event

There’s a fabulous fundraiser event for the documentary feature film “Sundays at Café Tabac” to kick off NYC LGBT Pride on Wednesday June 24th at Up & Down, 244 West 14th Street from 6P to Midnight. The film is about an unforgettable weekly salon that ran on Sunday nights between 1993-1995 for a community of some of the most distinguished lesbians around then & now in New York’s East Village at Café Tabac, notorious for the caliber of its celebrity clientele on any given night. The salon ran during a new & heightened era in lesbian visibility & empowerment during AIDS, LGBT & feminist activism. The film tells the story of this community & its relationship to an era that has not been historically or narratively documented from the point of view of lesbian women. This event aims to continue to build a community around this film, announce the project to a wider public, generate dialogue around the film & the themes/issues it addresses, as well as raise funds to complete the film. Host committee includes: Hilton Als, BETTY, Alan Cumming, Lea DeLaria, Patricia Field, Catherine Gund, Kelly Gunn, Jean-Marc Houmard, my good friend Michael Musto, Meshell Ndegeocello, Eve Salvail, Julie Tolentino, Patricia Velasquez, K8 Hardy & Pati Hertling, my lesbian mentors Leslie Cohen & Beth Suskin, Edris Nichols & Toni Weeks, Mickalene Thomas & Racquel Chevremont. Don’t miss out on this fabulous event, tickets are going fast.
For Info & Tix....
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Provincetown Film Fest Winners

We had a fabulous time covering the 17th Provincetown International Film Festival this year. There were wonderful films & an opportunity to meet some inspiring new LGBT filmmakers, allies & celebrities at great events & parties. Sunday night the winners of this year's festival were announced: The HBO Audience Award / Best Narrative Feature went to: LEARNING TO DRIVE directed by Isabel Coixet. The HBO Audience Award / Best Documentary Feature went to: PACKED IN A TRUNK: THE LOST ART OF EDITH LAKE WILKINSON directed by Michelle Boyaner, an amazing moving film. The John Schlesinger Award, presented to a first time documentary & narrative feature filmmaker went to: BREATHE, directed by Mélanie Laurent (narrative) & OUTERMOST RADIO directed by Alan Chebot (documentary). The HBO Short Documentary Award went to: THE FACE OF UKRAINE: CASTING OKSANA BAIUL directed by Kitty Green. The Jury Awards were: Best Narrative Short Film: MYRNA THE MONSTER directed by Ian Samuels, Best Animated Short Film: SYMPHONY NO. 42 directed by Réka Bucsi, Best New England Short Film: AWESOME_FCK directed by Isaak James, Student Short Film: SHARE directed by Pippa Bianco & the Short Film Jury consisted of documentary filmmaker Jeff Dupre, producer Laura Heberton, Mark Elijah Rosenberg, founder & artistic director of Rooftop Films. Later this week we'll have audio interviews with Bobcat Goldthwait who received the 2015 Filmmaker on the Edge Award & Jennifer Coolidge who received the Faith Hubley Career Achievement Award among others on our podcast site OUTTAKE VOICES™.
For More Info: ptownfilmfest.org
Listen: Provincetown International Film Festival June 17 to 21
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LGBT Film Reel In The Closet

There’s a fabulous World Premiere of Filmmaker Stu Maddux (Gen Silent ) newest documentary Reel In The Closet at The Castro Theatre Sunday June 21st at 11A PST with a reception following the film at the GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th Street in San Francisco from 12:30P to 2:30P. Reel In The Closet is a feature-length documentary that transports us into LGBT life of the past through rare home movies of the people who lived it. Many of the moving images in this film are shown for the first time. Many more wait to be discovered in people’s closets but are unfortunately being thrown out- sometimes on purpose by homophobic relatives. Maddux shifts his lens to focus on rare & important early film & video records of LGBTQ life in America. Reel in the Closet brings to light a trove of historical footage from an era when gay life was mostly left undocumented—fascinating & often poignant moving images from the 1930s through the AIDS epidemic, which are at risk of being lost to history without the efforts of the archivists who work to find, preserve & catalogue them. If you can’t make the June 21st showing it will be screened again on June 27th at 11A PST at The Victoria Theatre followed by a reception at the West of Pecos 550 Valencia Street in San Francisco from 12:30P to 2:30P with food & refreshments.
For Info & Tix… 
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LGBT Asylum Seekers

According to a new groundbreaking report by the Center for American Progress LGBT individuals seeking asylum in the United States from persecution at home still face significant barriers despite decades of improvements to the asylum system. Neither the U.S. Citizen & Immigration Services or USCIS, nor the Executive Office for Immigration Review currently collects data on LGBT asylum claims making the issues that this community faces particularly difficult to understand & to quantify. Sharita Gruberg, CAP Senior Policy Analyst & Co-author of the report stated, “For many LGBT asylum seekers, gaining the strength & ability to leave their home countries in search of a life free of persecution is only the beginning, as the system makes it difficult for them to stay here. The barriers to asylum for LGBT individuals have not been quantified enough making fixes to the system difficult to identify. For the first time, we have a glimpse into the challenges they face & can promote specific recommendations to ensure that far fewer aren’t sent back to lives of dangerous persecution.” The report was released in conjunction with a major CAP event featuring former Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), a contributor to the report & major advocate for reforms to the asylum process for LGBT individuals while in Congress. A video created by CAP telling the story of one Azerbaijani asylum seeker’s persecution at home & the challenges faced once entering the system was debuted at the event.
For More Info & Watch Video…
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Gay Marriage The Waiting Game

This is an intense LGBT Pride month with marriage equality in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court. On June 26th 2013 in the U.S. Supreme Court case of United States v. Windsor, we learned that fabulous decision in time to celebrate in some of the largest pride celebrations in this country. Rumor has it that in this current case we should hear a decision by the end of June. Hopefully the Supreme Court will decide as Mexico & Ireland recently have, that denying our LGBT community the right to marry is unconstitutional. Every American organization that has worked so hard for marriage equality is nervously waiting for a decision & just letting us know that whatever the decision is we have a lot more to accomplish for full LGBT equality in this country. There’s discrimination against our LGBT community in the workplace, advocating for our LGBTQ youth that are still 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers especially after facing bullying incidents & fighting against transgender discrimination. So with all of our celebrations of LGBT Pride this month let’s not forget how far we have come to once again be waiting to hear our fate from the highest court in America & no matter what the results will be we will never stop fighting until our LGBT community has all the rights & benefits that our heterosexual community has.
Updates to Come…:)
Listen: Provincetown International Film Festival June 17 to 21

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Broadcast Boston Lesbian Hotspot

LesbianNightLife & Shuttavac Productions present Broadcast a new Saturday night weekly hotspot for lesbian women. With a successful launch during Boston Pride, Broadcast will fulfill a long overdue niche for gay women in Boston to party, network & just have fun. Doors open at 7P for dinner, drinks & live music. On June 20th there will be a live performance by Out of Habit performing in the lounge at 8P. Then the party continues with DJ Jamila Afrika heating up the dance floor from 9P to 2A. Promoter Beth McGurr stated, “Check out the official grand opening of our weekly Broadcast Saturday June 20th when we officially open as a weekly party. Doors will open every week at 7P with dinner & live music followed by DJ’s & dancing until 2A. There’s no cover with dinner reservations so make your reservations now for June 20th & beyond. Live music starts at 9P to 10P followed by DJ & dancing all night. Finally a night we can all enjoy. Eat, Drink, Dance & enjoy good food, delicious drinks, talented musicians & our amazing DJ circuit featuring a variety of DJ’s & music styles each week.” Reservations can be made for groups & bottle service is available. There’s a $10 cover without dinner. Broadcast is located at Kingston Station Restaurant Downtown Crossing at 25 Kingston Street in Boston, MA.
For More Info: lesbiannightlife.com
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Zachary Quinto Joins AIDS Board

The Foundation for a National AIDS Monument (501c3) announced three new members of its Board of Directors including actor & LGBT activist Zachary Quinto. The other two new members are Mark Itkin from William Morris Endeavor & marketing executive Tom Whitman, all of whom add a wealth of knowledge, leadership & experience to support the growth & development of the AIDS Monument, located in West Hollywood, CA. Quinto stated, “I am excited to be part of the AIDS Monument Foundation Board of Directors, particularly because while the mission is to honor the lives of those lost as well as celebrating the people who fought & continue to fight for change & an end to HIV/AIDS, it looks ahead to keep the conversation about HIV current & relevant.” In addition to starring in the Star Trek film franchise, Quinto earned an Emmy Award nomination for his work in American Horror Story: Asylum. Over the years, Quinto has dedicated his time to numerous charities including The Trevor Project & It Gets Better Project. The Foundation for an AIDS Monument has been working with the City of West Hollywood & local community members to plan for the development of an enduring physical & interactive testament to the historic & future fight against HIV/AIDS. The physical monument, as envisioned by internationally-acclaimed artist Daniel Tobin will honor HIV/AIDS activists, caregivers & community leaders & memorialize those impacted by the devastation of HIV/AIDS on a local & national level.
For More Info: aidsmonument.org
Listen: Provincetown International Film Festival June 17 to 21
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Barney Frank CAP Keynote Speaker

Former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) will deliver a keynote address addressing LGBT asylum seekers in the United States. In dual recognition of Pride Month & World Refugee Day the Center for American Progress will host a discussion on Thursday, June 18th at 10A about new data compiled by CAP on LGBT asylum seekers & the challenges they still face as they flee persecution in their home countries. Since the U.S. government doesn't collect data on sexual orientation or gender identity in its protection systems we don't know how well existing efforts to support LGBT asylum seekers have worked or what more must be done to ensure that they can access the protection they need. Therefore there are gaps in knowledge about how LGBT people are treated in the asylum system making it difficult to address the challenges they face. This event will use independently compiled data to look at the issue & see what can be done to protect LGBT people seeking asylum from persecution. A panel of immigration & LGBT experts will follow Frank’s address including, Sharita Gruberg, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for American Progress, Victor Mukasa, Executive Director & Co-founder, Kuchu Diaspora Alliance-USA; Co-Founder, Sexual Minorities Uganda Aaron Morris, Legal Director, Immigration Equality with welcoming remarks by Winnie Stachelberg, Executive Vice President for External Affairs at the Center for American Progress at 1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor in Washington, D.C.
For Info & RSVP: americanprogress.org
Listen: Provincetown International Film Festival June 17th to 21st
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Boston Pride Is Wicked Proud

Boston is draped with rainbow flags celebrating 45 years of LGBT Pride. Boston Pride runs through Sunday June 14th with its Wicked Proud theme & awesome events taking place all weekend long. Saturday June 13th begins with 3 Pride Morning Worships at city locations prior to the parade. The Boston Pride Parade kicks off at 12P from Copley Square with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Mayor Marty Walsh & then the biggest parade ever will makes its way down its 2.27 route through the South End, over Beacon Hill & ending at City Hall Plaza. This year there are 240 marching groups, 26 floats, 76 cars, hundreds of motorcycles & even a horse drawn Wells Fargo Stagecoach. 2015 Boston Pride Grand Marshals are Erica Kay-Webster & David V. Bermudez Stonewall Inn riot veterans & Samuel Brinton. Boston Pride Marshals are Ellyn Ruthstrom, Woody Glenn & Boston Pride Honorary Marshal is the late Mayor Thomas M. Menino. Grammy-award winner Estelle headlines the Boston Pride Festival with more entertainment provided by Kevin Yee, Billy Gilman, Johnny Blazes & The Pretty Boys, Mary Lambert, Nhojj & Jack Romanov. Of course there will also be dance parties all over the city all day & night including our favorite the ESME Block Party. Then on Sunday June 14th the party continues with the Back Bay Block Party starting at noon featuring a performance by Frenchie Davis & DJ Andrea Stamas spinning. Also the fabulous Jamaica Block Party will be packed with lesbians from 2P until dusk. HAPPY 45th PRIDE BOSTON!!
For More Info: bostonpride.org
Listen: Provincetown International Film Festival June 17 to 21
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LGBT Love & Acceptance Event

Country Artist Ty Herndon will host & perform at GLAAD’s Concert for Love & Acceptance that takes place Friday June 12th at City Winery in Nashville, Tennessee from 3P to 6P. Artists & celebrities from across the country will come together for this inaugural Concert for Love & Acceptance including co-host Meghan McCain, Deborah Allen, the lesbian alternative-country rock band Antigone Rising, Chris Carmack, Desmond Child, Julie & Todd Chrisley, Mayor Karl Dean, Melinda Doolittle, Shelly Fairchild, Crystal Gayle, Billy Gilman, Levi Hummon, Jennifer Knapp, Meghan Linsey, Kristen Merlin, Pastor Stan Mitchell GracePoint Church, Jamie O’Neal, Stella Parton, Tiffany, Jennifer Widen & more. Sarah Kate Ellis GLAAD President & CEO stated, "Music connects us & transcends our differences. For the first time in Music City, artists will join together to voice support for the LGBT community & help us accelerate acceptance, not only in country music, but across the nation." The concert will also celebrate Herndon’s 20th anniversary in country music, bringing together a coalition of artists & celebrities appearing & performing in support of at-risk youth in the Nashville community. Herndon’s desire to bring about a positive change in the world to help young people who are at risk find help & lead full & productive lives & to encourage them to make good choices. The event will be commemorated by the presentation of the first RALY Awards (Rescue A Life Y’all), which will honor & celebrate individuals & businesses that have demonstrated their support of at-risk youth & saving lives. Doors open at 2P.
For More Info & Tix: glaad.org
LISTEN: Desmond Child Talks LGBT Love & Acceptance Concert
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Chicago LGBT Casino Royale

W Hotels of Chicago & the Human Rights Campaign in partnership with Lesbifriends & CPR & Events will host Turn it up for Change: Casino Royale on Saturday June 13th from 7P to 11P at the W City Center at 172 W Adams St. Turn It Up For Change: Love Has No Limit is a campaign to promote equality through the power of music. Led by W Hotels & HRC, TIUFC is about raising the volume on the battle for marriage equality in the U.S. & raising funds to support the ongoing struggle for LGBT equality in all realms. Publicist Lauren Widor stated, "We are really excited to give the queer community a super Royale experience to kick off Pride Month this Saturday at the W Hotel City Center, as part of Turn it up for Change. We will have Casino games free of cost, some awesome performances by Chicago's best in burlesque & a secret mission to win room keys to the W Hotel, as well as tickets to Mamby on the Beach! Dressing up is optional, though 007 looks are encouraged!" The Chicago Turn it up for Change event will feature DJ sets by All the Way Kay (Lesbifriends) & Redux. Guests are encouraged to bring out their inner Vesper Lynd, Le Chiffre & other Royale-les-Eaux looks at this 007 Gala. Expect a variety of casino games including Roulette, Blackjack, Slot Machines, Poker & a secret mission. Powerhouse of Midwest Burlesque, Jeez Loueez of Jeezy’s Juke joint: A Black Burly-Q Revue will perform a LIVE 007 strip tease. The night will include numerous Royale performances by Ray Gunn, Dusty Bahls as Frank Sinatra & hosted by the fabulous Lucy Stoole, Dixie Lynn Cartwright, Bon Bon, The Vixen & Miss Tosh with a special Birthday performance by Sissy Spastik. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to HRC.
RSVP For FREE Entry…
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“Club Inferno” The Musical

“Club Inferno” is the Glam-Rock Musical based on Dante’s The Divine Comedy that blends sinful women & kick-ass rock with a classic story of the afterlife for “one hell of a good time” now previewing at the Hypnodrome in San Francisco with opening night Thursday June 11th & playing through August 8th. This homegrown rock-stravaganza is a perfect fit for Thrillpeddlers’ 8th Theatre of the Ridiculous revival, their annual tradition that revived The Cockettes musicals. The show’s creators & a number of the original cast members are back to make Dante sing again in this Thrillpeddlers’ production. Club Inferno opens with the megastar extraordinaire Danté (Peggy L’eggs), performing her high energy club act singing her smash hit, “I Want My Fifteen Minutes of Fame”. Her number is cut short by a tragic accident & she wakes up at the Gates of Hell. She is greeted by the poet Virgil (John Flaw) who offers to guide her back to the Land of the Living. They begin their musical descent with the help of sassy Xaron (Birdie-Bob Watt), who gives passage to the dark kingdom. Each new level of Hell reveals a famous diva suffering her own brand of torture. Club Inferno concept, book, & lyrics by Kelly Kittell with music & lyrics by Peter Fogel; additional material, musical direction & arrangements by Birdie-Bob Watt; choreography by Marilynn Fowler. The show is directed by Russell Blackwood.
For More Info & Tix...
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Sir Ian McKellen To Be Honored

The Trevor Project will honor Sir Ian McKellen for his ongoing support of our LGBT community with the Trevor Hero Award at its annual “TrevorLIVE New York” on Monday June 15th at the Marriott Marquis, presented by Wells Fargo & Kevin Potter. “TrevorLIVE NY” is a high-profile evening of music, comedy & entertainment which brings together top entertainers, advocates & corporate leaders to support the organization’s life-saving, life-affirming work for LGBT & questioning youth in crisis. This year’s performers & presenters include Susan Sarandon, Raven-Symoné, T.R. Knight, Rosie Perez, 2015 Tony Award-winner Alex Sharp (“Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”), 2015 Tony Award-winner Jeanine Tesori & Lauren Patten (“Fun Home”), Alex Newell, Bridget Everett, Marc Shaiman, Jordan Roth, Carmen Ejogo, Kyle Dean Massey, Michael Wartella, Well-Strung, Celisse Henderson, Broadway Inspirational Voices & more to be announced. The event will be hosted by “2 Broke Girls’” Beth Behrs. Abbe Land, Executive Director & CEO of The Trevor Project stated, “The Trevor Project is delighted to welcome Beth Behrs as our host for TrevorLIVE New York. We’re excited that this talented actress will not only bring her wit & charm to the stage but are also happy that she is helping to shine a light & showcase her support for the LGBTQ community & the work we at The Trevor Project do for our youth every day.” Maine’s Ryan Fecteau the youngest openly gay state legislator will be named the Youth Innovator Honoree for his on-going advocacy & commitment to equality & Johnson & Johnson will be honored with the 20/20 Visionary Award.
For Info & Tix…
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“Fun Home” Wins 5 Tony Awards

The 2015 Tony Awards were hosted by fierce LGBT activist Alan Cumming & ally Kristin Chenoweth at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. Five Tony Awards including Best Musical went to “Fun Home” that tells the story of how cartoonist Alison Bechdel, best known for the long-running comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For, tries to understand her own coming-of-age as a lesbian in a dysfunctional family where her father was secretly gay. “Fun Home” is an emotionally charged powerful story that has riveted Broadway audiences with its overwhelming touching story & its music’s haunting lyricism. The show also won for Jeanine Tesori & Lisa Kron (Best Original Score of a Musical), which made them the first female songwriting team in history to win a Tony, Sam Gold won (Best Director of a Musical), plus another win for Lisa Kron (Best Book of a Musical) & Michael Cerveris (Leading Actor in a Musical). Michael Cerveris who won a best actor Tony for playing the closeted gay father in “Fun Home” stated in his acceptance speech referring to marriage equality now in the hands of the US Supreme Court, “Our show is about home, it’s about finding who you are. I hope the Supreme Court can recognize that too.” This is a fabulous way to begin LGBT Pride Month with a winning play. Let’s hope this winning streak continues in this country’s highest court.
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Comcast Exploits LGBT Pride

Comcast is once again exploiting our LGBT Pride Month by featuring a special collection of films available on Xfinity On Demand for sale or rent in their Pride Collection. Most of the films are over priced for example the 5 year old 2010 award winning film Beginners which stars Christopher Plummer & Ewan McGregor is $9.99 twice the going price of their mainstream on demand movies. Javier Garcia, Vice President, Multicultural Services, Comcast Cable stated, “In continuing our commitment to independent programming, we are excited to honor Pride Month with a curated collection of indie films with LGBT themes. Comcast is proud to offer an expansive library of programming for the LGBT community & these new titles will give our Xfinity TV customers even more LGBT entertainment choices & showcase the diversity of the LGBT community.” The Comcast deal made with Frameline was just to make a buck off our LGBT community during LGBT Pride month. If these companies were really interested in LGBT Pride or at the very least helping to educate & further our LGBT equality they would be offering this collection for free. Instead they are just taking this opportunity to just line their own pockets. There is some salvation in all this from the Here TV however which is offering free access to award-winning LGBT content from their premium LGBT cable network. Shame on you Comcast for your delusions of honoring LGBT Pride.
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Boston 30th AIDS Walk & Run

The 30th annual AIDS Walk Boston & 5K Run takes place this Sunday June 7th. The event brings thousands of participants making it AIDS Action Committee’s largest annual fundraiser. The Walk is 6.2-miles & the 5K Run is a competitive, timed event fully sanctioned by the USA Track & Field Association. Carl Sciortino AIDS Action Executive Director stated, “Recent reports show that Massachusetts residents with HIV are twice as likely to have their disease under control as patients nationally who are living with the virus. That translates into fewer new diagnoses of HIV, which have declined 41 percent in the Commonwealth since 2000. Our success in the fight against HIV is due in part to AIDS Action Committee’s life-saving work of connecting people with health care, peer support, counseling, free HIV testing, housing & fuel assistance & legal services. Support for the AIDS Walk Boston & 5K Run truly makes a difference for people living with HIV or vulnerable to infection.” The AIDS Walk & 5K Run will begin & end at Boston Common. Registration & check-in begins at 7:30A. After opening ceremonies at 9A the 5K Run begins at 9:50A & the Walk sets off at 10A. WCVB-TV Eye Opener Newscaster Randy Price who is openly gay will emcee the event, which also includes a Wellness Festival, a post-walk celebration of healthy living. If you can’t attend please support this great event.
For Info & Support: aac.org
LISTEN: Liz Page Talks Boston AIDS Walk 30 Anniversary June 7th
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MBCC Against The Tide Events

The Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) which was founded by a group of lesbian women in 1991 will be holding its annual statewide Against the Tide swim, kayak, walk or run fundraising events again in 2015. Proceeds benefit MBCC, which is Massachusetts’s leading breast cancer organization that seeks to understand the causes of breast cancer in order to find ways to prevent the disease. Director Cheryl Osimo, MBCC's Executive Director & Co-Founder of Silent Spring Institute stated, "We are very fortunate to have such tremendous support from citizens of Massachusetts demanding greater protection of their children's future health in our effort to stop breast cancer before it starts. MBCC often is overshadowed by larger, national breast cancer organizations & messages of early detection, treatment & finding a cure. We depend on our generous media & supporters to continue our unique goal of breast cancer prevention.” The Statewide Metro-Boston Against the Tide will be held for the 23rd year at DCR's Hopkinton State Park, which is 30 miles from Boston & 20 miles from Worcester on Saturday, June 20th. The statewide Cape Cod Against the Tide will be held for the 16th year DCR's Nickerson State Park in Brewster, MA on Saturday, August 15th. Participants may register as an individual or as part of a team & are encouraged to raise $175 or $100 per team member. All proceeds support the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition. Listen to Cheryl Osimo talk about how MBCC was founded in this exclusive audio byte:
For More Info: mbcc.org
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27th Lambda Award Winners

The winners of the 27th Annual Lambda Literary Awards known as the "Lammys" were announced last night in a gala ceremony hosted by comedienne Kate Clinton at The Great Hall at Cooper Union. The Lambda ceremony brought together over 550 attendees, sponsors & celebrities to celebrate excellence in LGBT literature & 27 years of the groundbreaking literary awards. Feminist Icon Gloria Steinem introduced Rita Mae Brown, author of the classic, Rubyfruit Jungle, who received the Pioneer Award. Describing laughter as "an orgasm of the mind," she praised Brown for always understanding joy & laughter. Brown described Steinem as "our North Star. If you can find her, you'll never be lost." Then gossip columnist Liz Smith introduced filmmaker & author John Waters, who received Lambda's Trustee Award for Excellence in Literature. Smith stated, "Nowadays Andy Warhol," speaking of the icon with whom Waters is often compared, "is a multi-billion-dollar industry, but John Waters is the real thing. John is truly sweet. Andy only appeared that way." Waters's entire speech was punctuated with a steady stream of one-liners. He dubbed the Lammy Awards as the Imperial margarine of queer royalty. He dedicated the award to the original owners of the Provincetown Bookstore where he worked for a summer in his youth & where he received his true education. Lauren Patten of the hit Broadway show Fun Home & performer Toshi Reagon graced the stage with special performances. The celebration continued in SOHO at the VIP After-Party hosted by Scholastic at the Scholastic Greenhouse & Terrace with celebrity DJ Sean McMahill spinning tunes.
For List of Winners….
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Caitlyn Jenner Graces Vanity Fair

Vanity Fair has revealed the cover of their July cover with the first photo of Caitlyn Jenner formerly known as Bruce. The photo was shot by openly gay photographer Annie Leibovitz & will hit the issue hits newsstands on Tuesday June 9th. The article is written by Pulitzer Prize–winning contributing editor & author of "Friday Night Lights" Buzz Bissinger. Jenner stated to Bissinger, “If I was lying on my deathbed & I had kept this secret & never ever did anything about it, I would be lying there saying, ‘You just blew your entire life.’ Soon as the Vanity Fair cover comes out I’m free.” Of course the interview & the photos are timed to coincide with the former athlete’s new reality show. The new television show will appear on E! Network in an eight episode series that will debut on July 26th. Jenner will be an executive producer of the series along with Bunim/Murray Productions which also produces the "Kardashians." Jeff Olde, an executive vice president at E!, called Jenner an inspiration & stated, "We are proud to be entrusted with this deeply personal & important story." Caitlyn Jenner will have another big debut July 15th at the ESPYs when the Olympian will be presented with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. So we now enter another level of a conversation long overdue for our transgender & LGBT community.
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