Jennifer Finney Boylan Honored

Jennifer Finney Boylan, the first best-selling transgender author in the U.S. whose writings, teachings & activism have significantly illuminated & articulated transgender experience will be honored with this year’s GLAD 2015 Spirit of Justice Award in October. Janson Wu, Executive Director of GLAD stated, “Jennifer Finney Boylan’s work over the decades has exposed a broad public to the meaning of transgender lives. Her best-selling memoir She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders introduced many people for the first time to a three-dimensional transgender person. With storytelling that is powerful & humane as well as witty, she has fostered understanding & support for transgender people & the multiple issues they face in navigating a transphobic world.” Jennifer Boylan stated, “GLAD has been a leader in defending the rights of LGBT people since its inception. I am personally very grateful for their work, not only as an advocate in solidarity with the fine work GLAD does, but also because they defended me, & people like me, in the state of Maine. Their work to defeat the bill that would have stripped human rights protections from trans Mainers meant, quite literally, the difference between living a life with dignity, or its opposite, in my home state.” The 16th Annual Spirit of Justice Award Dinner takes place at the Boston Marriott Copley Place on October 16th. In this exclusive audio byte we talked to Jennifer about what she would like to see happen for LGBT equality in the next few years:
For More Info & Tix glad.org
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New Lesbian Film Raven's Touch

Soul Kiss Films who produces films for women, by women & about women is proud to announce the release of their fourth feature “Raven’s Touch” that will have its world premiere on Saturday August 1st in Los Angeles, followed by a screening in San Francisco on August 6th. “Raven’s Touch” is a collaboration between SKF, producer/director Marina Rice Bader (Executive Producer of Elena Undone, A Perfect Ending & writer/director of Anatomy of a Love Seen) & Dreya Weber (The Gymnast, A Marine Story) who also co-directs, stars & wrote the screenplay. “Raven’s Touch” also stars Traci Dinwiddie (The Notebook, Elena Undone, Supernatural). The film tells the story of two women who find healing in the most unexpected place. Blaming herself for a tragic accident, Raven Michaels (Dreya Weber) secludes herself at a remote family cabin. She wanders the woods on the verge of a breakdown, seeking peace in isolation. In a last ditch attempt to save her family, Kate Royce (Traci Dinwiddie) takes her two teenagers camping far from the distractions of technology and young romance. When Raven & Kate’s worlds collide they offer each other unexpected opportunities for intimacy & healing. When we interviewed Marina on OUTTAKE VOICES™ in 2014 about her personal commitment to LGBT civil rights she stated, “I have unwavering commitment to the LGBT community to keep telling their stories, which are our stories & the stories of women which show the rest of the world that we’re all walking the same walk. We love, we have kids, we struggle with relationships, money, our place in the world & every human being goes through the same thing.”
For More Info & Tix: soulkissfilms.com
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Boy Scouts Accept Gay Leaders

Finally the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) voted to end its homophobic ban on lesbian, gay & bisexual adult leaders effective immediately. The long overdue historic action comes after GLAAD & Scouts for Equality mounted a lengthy media campaign to bring equality to Scouting. We interviewed Jennifer Tyrrell who was at the center of the controversy on the Red Carpet at the 2012 GLAAD Media Awards. Tyrrell a lesbian mom & den leader from Ohio was removed from her 7-year-old’s Cub Scout pack for being gay in 2012 stated, “You can’t build the leaders of tomorrow by using values that were okay 100 years ago. That’s not the future & they are training the future of America & the future is families like mine, honestly. So we don’t want kids to ever go through what my son Cruz has gone through & we’re going to stick through it to the end & we’ll be here as long as they are noncompliant.” Though the new BSA policy states: “No adult applicant for registration as an employee or non-unit-serving volunteer, who otherwise meets the requirements of the Boy Scouts of America, may be denied registration on the basis of sexual orientation”, it allows religious chartered organizations to "act in ways inconsistent with that organization’s mission, principles, or religious beliefs." Sarah Kate Ellis GLAAD President & CEO stated, “Finally, hardworking & devoted gay adult leaders can serve openly & honestly in Scouting without fear of rejection or retribution. Today's historic vote will strengthen Scouting & sends a message of acceptance that will resonate for years to come, as future Scout leaders are judged by their ability to lead & not their sexual orientation.”  
Listen to our exclusive chat with Jennifer Tyrrell in 2013:
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Boston Older Lesbian Event

Boston OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing For Change) will meet on Sunday, August 2nd from 2P to 4P to present “The Lesbian Erasure Series - Part 1 We Will Not Be Erased”. Speakers will include Libby Bouvier of the History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston Herstories: Telling Our Lives, The Story of Boston DOB (Daughters of Bilitis) with Lois Johnson & Shari Barden & The Story of Lesbian Psychologies with Sarah Pearlman. Alice Fisher stated, “As the founding members of OLOC-Boston we carry the history of our community with us. Is it our age that renders us invisible, or is it the inevitable evolution of any social movement? We say ‘onward with our visibility with pride in our age’. We are building a community of lesbians who all have a good deal of curiosity about life in this changing world we live in. Come join us as we continue to define our culture as old lesbians.” Sarah Pearlman added, “We have gay marriage. We can enlist in the military. But we need to pay attention to lesbian erasures—by mainstream feminism, the “L” in LGBT, queer as evolution or erasure. Over 45 years of lesbian feminism & we still need to challenge & identifying erasures, preserve our lesbian history & assert our contribution & presence." The OLOC event will take place on Sunday August 2nd at the Brookline Senior Center, 93 Winchester St. Brookline, MA
For More Info: spearlman@hartford.edu
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Kenya & LGBT Discrimination

With President Obama’s current trip to Kenya there's been a lot of buzz that this is a human rights trip especially for our LGBT community who suffer greatly in this homophobic country. Kenya is not as bad as Uganda but is still very cruel to our LGBT brothers in sisters. It was reported that a homophobic Kenyan landlord prior to Obama’s visit kicked a gay couple out of their Nairobi apartment stating, “Go wait for your Obama.” In an interview with the BBC on Thursday Obama stated, “I am not a fan of discrimination & bullying of anybody on the basis of race, on the basis of religion, on the basis of sexual orientation or gender. And as somebody who has family in Kenya & knows the history of how the country so often is held back because women & girls are not treated fairly, I think those same values apply when it comes to different sexual orientations.” Just remember that Kenya’ extreme homophobic views were imported to Kenya & other African countries by American right-wing anti-gay religious leaders. We talked to Rev. John Makokha, senior pastor of Riruta United Methodist Church in Nairobi, Kenya about this on OUTTAKE VOICES™. John is the African correspondent for Reconciling Ministries Network & the Country Coordinator of Other Sheep Kenya Trust, a faith-based LGBT organization. He passionately runs educational awareness seminars on human sexuality & gender identity programs to address religious homophobia & transphobia in Kenya with his wife Anne Baraza a certified counselor & co-laborer in the ministry.
Listen to our exclusion audio interview with Rev. John Makokha:
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Push For Federal LGBT Equality

It’s now official as we predicted The Equality Act was introduced Thursday by U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) & U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI). This federal legislation would provide protections from discrimination for LGBT Americans in all aspects of life, including housing, employment, public accommodations, credit & education. Despite last month’s historic Supreme Court ruling that made marriage equality legal nationwide, discrimination against our LGBT community remains legal in most states. A HRC study conducted earlier this year found that 63% of LGBT Americans have experienced discrimination in their personal lives. Another study found that 1 out of every 10 LGBT workers have been fired from a job because of their sexual orientation. Janson Wu, Executive Director of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders stated, “At GLAD we continue to hear from hardworking LGBT people who have been hurt by discrimination, as our current litigation in Cote v. Walmart & Considine v. Brookdale shows. While these cases demonstrate that such discrimination is illegal under existing sex discrimination laws, the best way to combat discrimination is to prevent it from happening in the first place. The Equality Act will provide clear & comprehensive protections both in New England & throughout the entire country, as well as send a clear message from our federal government that ongoing discrimination against LGBT Americans in employment, housing & public accommodations is unacceptable in 2015 & must stop.” If you’re in Provincetown this weekend the annual GLAD Summer Party is happening on Saturday July 25th from 4P to 7P at the Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum. It’s a fabulous event & an opportunity to celebrate & network. See You There!
For More Info: glad.org
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Help Is On The Way AIDS Gala

The Richmond / Ermet AIDS Foundation is having its star-studded AIDS benefit concert & gala HELP IS ON THE WAY XXI – HOLLYWOOD GLAM on Sunday July 26th at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. "Help is on the Way" is Northern California's largest annual benefit concert benefiting AIDS, hunger & underserved youth programs. It's an elegant evening of fun designed to raise funds for Bay Area AIDS services & hunger programs. Kenneth Henderson, Executive Director of the Richmond/Ermet AIDS 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.” Some of the celebrities who will be performing include, Susan Anton, Constantine Maroulis, John Lloyd Young, Carole Cook, Jai Rodriguez, Loretta Devine, Kimberley Locke, Jake Simpson, Paula West & more. The event kicks off with a Silent Auction & VIP Party at 5P followed by a Pre-show Gala Reception from 6P to 7:30P featuring complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine tasting plus martini & margarita bars. The concert runs from 7:30P to 9:30P followed by a Dessert & Cocktail Party with the cast at 9:30P to 11:45P. There are all different levels of tickets for part or all of the festivities benefiting Meals on Wheels of San Francisco & San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
For More Info: reaf-sf.org
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New Federal LGBT Equality Act

The buzz is that Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) & colleagues & Representatives David Cicilline (D-RI) & colleagues will introduce The Equality Act, a nationwide comprehensive LGBT non-discrimination bill, to provide clear protections from discrimination for our LGBT community in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, jury services & federal funding in the coming days. With the US Supreme Court ruling it’s time to update protections for LGBT citizens ensuring that no person is fired from their job, kicked out of their apartment, or refused service simply because of who they are or whom they love. Passing comprehensive non-discrimination protections will bring our laws into the 21st century & ensure that all Americans, including our LGBT brothers & sisters are judged on their merits, can provide for their families & live free from fear. According to the Center for American Progress 1 in 10 LGBT workers report being fired because of their sexual orientation while 1 in 4 transgender workers reported being fired because of their gender identity. Nearly 1 in 3 transgender Americans reported being denied equal treatment in a retail store & 1 in 4 same gender couples experienced discrimination when trying to buy a home according to one study. Then of course we’re dealing with more than half of LGBT K-12 students reported feeling unsafe at school as a result of their sexual orientation & more than one-third reported feeling unsafe because of how they express their gender. Let’s hope this legislation is introduced & passes swiftly. (Equality Design by Richard Emmanuel)
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New LGBT Diversity Jobs Site

In London twins Adrien & Pierre Gaubert have launched a site to promote diversity & inclusion in the workplace for our lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender community called myGwork. The concept is to help connect LGBT professionals with their dream jobs. In previous employment both Adrien & Pierre suffered from homophobic attitudes & behavior in the workplace. While working for the Foreign Office in China, Adrien suffered from gossiping & stereotyping from his colleagues. Pierre on the other hand dealt with very rude sexual jokes from his managers while he was working for an American software vendor in Spain. myGwork’s impetus came with the passing of their mother. Adrien stated, “My mum was always worried we could not get a good job because we were gay. myGwork was created to address this issue, to make sure we are all given an equal chance to succeed in the workplace”. myGwork operates as a professional networking platform, allowing members to create their own profile & search for new job opportunities that welcome LGBT diversity on the site. myGwork also allows members to ask for advice through direct interaction with other members or simply share their experiences. myGwork also set up a successful mentoring initiative system where graduates can seek advice from experienced professionals. myGwork started in the UK only a few months ago but has quickly attracted global interest as individuals, organizations & businesses have already signed up, especially in America & Canada.
For More Info: mygwork.com 
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Bronx Celebrates LGBT Pride

The Bronx LGBTQ Center & Destination Tomorrow hosts its 3rd annual Bronx LGBTQ Pride & Health Fair Saturday July18th in Crotona Park near the amphitheater in The Bronx, NYC. The event begins at 11A & runs until 8P. Bronx LGBTQ Pride is free & open to the public. Peter C. Frank, Pride Planning Chair & Co-founder & Board Secretary stated, "Our goal this year was to expand the discussion of LGBTQ health into areas one typically doesn't think of when discussing health issues with LGBTQ communities." That goal has been achieved this year thanks to sponsors, Union Community Health Center, Montefiore Medical Center, Iris House & Amida Care NY. Along with care providers that raise awareness of the health issues that affect our Bronx LGBTQ communities such as respiratory health, cardiovascular health, endocrine health, healthy eating choices, nutrition, breast health, testicular, prostate health & others. Additionally, there is a greater sense of interactivity among the participating organizations. Bronx Pride continues to enjoy support from local elected officials, many of whom will be present including, New York State Senators Jose M. Serrano & Gustavo Rivera, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, NYC Councilmembers Vanessa Gibson, Daniel Dromm & Rosie Mendez. Additionally, this year's Bronx LGBTQ Pride Award recipients will be recognized during the program, which runs from 1:30P-6:30P. Entertainment includes a feature performance by out recording artist Aaron Paul from London, UK & hosted by Appolonia Cruz, Lady Clover Honey & Vivika Westwood, with DJ TK & DJ Chauncey Dandridge providing musical interludes throughout the day.
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Transparent 11 Emmy Nominations

First we have Caitlyn Jenner honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS bringing our Trans community to the forefront, then within hours the 67th Emmy Awards Nominations announcement that the Amazon series “Transparent” received 11 Emmy nominations dominating the most nods for a comedy. What a giant step for our LGBT community. “Transparent” which won two Golden Globes in January for Best Comedy/Musical Series & Best Actor for Jeffrey Tambor was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing & Writing, as well as acting nods for Tambor & Gaby Hoffman. In the series Tambor plays Maura Pfefferman the trans head of a Los Angeles family who is navigating her journey & its impact on her three adult children. Bradley Whitford was also nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. Amazon has announced that it has green-lighted a third season even before the second season has aired & has signed a sweet deal with Jill Soloway, the show’s creator, writer, executive producer & director. The show as you know has rocketed Amazon TV on the television credibility map with one of the biggest civil rights themes in modern-day America addressing the rights of a transgender person. In this exclusive audio byte we talked to fierce LGBT allies actors Judith Light & Jeffrey Tambor at the 2015 GLAAD Media Awards about their hit Amazon series “Transparent”. They both talked about the importance of using their celebrity to make change for LGBT & gender equality stating, “What is most important is that lives are being saved.”

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GLAD Provincetown Celebration

This has been an epic year for our LGBT community with the historic Supreme Court marriage equality ruling thanks to the hard work of the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) & Mary Bonauto among others. Now it’s time to celebrate at the annual GLAD Summer Party on Saturday July 25th from 4P to 7P at the Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum in Ptown. Mary Bonauto GLAD’s Civil Rights Project Director stated, “What an exciting summer it has been so far! I'll be celebrating our historic marriage victory & the rest of our important work at our Summer Party on Saturday, July 25th. We have accomplished so much together - I hope you'll be able to join me there.” Join Mary & our LGBT community & allies for a delicious taste of summer & a gorgeous view of Provincetown. Mingle with other GLAD supporters & learn more about the incredible work you made possible this year! Our favorite political humorist Kate Clinton will be returning as auctioneer extraordinaire & you don't want to miss this year’s exciting auction items including travel packages, unique experiences, massages, theatre & much more. There’s something for everyone including a fabulous silent auction as well. There will also be cocktails & light summer fare. OUTTAKE VOICES™ will be attending covering all the fabulous festivities. Kids attend for free with fun activities provided. Tickets are $75 Advance & $85 on site.
See You There!
For More Info & Tix: glad.org
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Walmart LGBT Discrimination

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) & the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs (WLC) have filed a class action lawsuit against Walmart charging the retail giant with discriminating against employees who were married to same-gender spouses by denying their spouses health insurance benefits. The Complaint was filed Tuesday morning in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The lawsuit, Jacqueline Cote, et al. v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is the first class action filed on behalf of gay workers since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality in Obergefell v. Hodges on June 26, 2015 & alleges that Walmart violated Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act by discriminating against Jaqueline Cote based on her sex. The action seeks to demonstrate how existing federal law can be used to protect LGBTQ workers. Allison Wright, GLAD Attorney stated, “Many LGBTQ people across the country live without explicit protections from employment discrimination. Strengthening protections for LGBTQ people under Title VII will help the poverty-stricken LGBTQ community achieve economic equality & will assist all LGBTQ workers in receiving equal treatment.” Jacqueline Cote works in Walmart’s Swansea, MA store & was denied spousal health insurance for her wife, Diana (Dee) Smithson. Dee has battled ovarian cancer since 2012. Due to Walmart’s sex discrimination, Dee lacked health insurance to pay for her treatment & has racked up a minimum of $150,000 in uninsured medical expenses. Jackie & Dee have been together for nearly 23 years & were legally married in May 2004 in Massachusetts.
For More Info: glad.org
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Our Tomorrow LGBT Campaign

A new analysis of over 100 research reports & surveys on our LGBTQ community compiled from 50 different sources, including leading researchers on LGBTQ issues has been released today by Our Tomorrow. Our Tomorrow is a new campaign to engage LGBTQ people in a national conversation about their future by exploring the lifecycle of LGBTQ people, as well as infographics showing both the hopes & fears & the diversity of the community. Lee Swislow, Our Tomorrow’s Campaign Manager stated, “The Our Tomorrow campaign was launched in order for our entire community to have the opportunity to share their hopes, fears & ideas for the future. As we move forward from this pivotal moment in our movement, it’s incredibly important we fully understand who LGBTQ people are & what unique challenges & opportunities each of us face. The release of today’s analysis provides us with an opportunity to look back on the wealth of LGBTQ research available & view the important commonalities we share, as well as the diversity of our own unique experiences, with a new perspective after the incredibly historic movement towards equality we’ve experienced in recent days.” Our Tomorrow is a grassroots & digital campaign to engage LGBTQ people across the country in a conversation about their hopes, fears & ideas to inform the future of our community. The campaign was launched in May by over 100 national, state & local LGBTQ organizations.
For More Info: shareourtomorrow.org
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Love Wins Essay Competition

To celebrate the recent U.S. Supreme Court marriage equality ruling New Millennium Writings (NMW), an award-winning literary journal founded in 1996 is hosting a special "Love Wins" essay competition. NMW will call for essays asking people what the recent SCOTUS decision means to them & their community. The winner will receive $1,000 & publication in the NMW anthology & on their website. The contest will run from July 8th to August 31st. NMW is partnering with two nonprofit organizations, Free2Luv® & Lambda Literary for this timely competition. NMW will donate $1,000 to each organization to further their missions of supporting & empowering the LGBTQ community. Tony Valenzuela, Executive Director of Lambda Literary stated, "On the heels of Marriage Equality becoming the law of the land & one of the most historic advances in LGBTQ civil rights of our time, we're thrilled to partner with New Millennium Writings on this essay contest asking our community what the SCOTUS ruling means to us." The Love Wins essay award winner will be chosen by Guest Judge & Free2Luv Celebrity Ambassador Thea Gill, actress, singer, and LGBTQ activist, best known for her starring role as Lindsay Peterson in the landmark Showtime television series Queer as Folk. Ms. Gill will choose the top winner from selected finalists & the award will be announced on October 11th, National Coming Out Day. Entries into the Love Wins essay competition must be 4,500 words or less. The entry fee is $20 & all entrants will receive a copy of NMW's high-quality anthology.
For More Info: newmillenniumwritings.org
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Freedom To Marry Celebration

Freedom to Marry will host an event in New York City to celebrate success in winning marriage nationwide & the triumph it represents for America on Thursday July 9th. It will be the biggest celebratory event honoring marriage nationwide & a “going out of business” party for Freedom to Marry which was founded in 2003 & is the largest national organization dedicated to winning marriage for gay & lesbian couples. Vice President Joe Biden, a longtime champion of the LGBT community will attend & deliver remarks. Biden stated, “The Supreme Court affirmed that simple proposition—supported by a majority of Americans & a majority of our states by recognizing that men marrying men & women marrying women are guaranteed the same civil rights & equal protection under our Constitution afforded to Jill & me & to anyone else. We couldn’t be prouder. Over the years in their homes, on our staff, on the frontlines of war, & in houses of worship Jill & I have befriended countless gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender Americans who share a love for their partners constrained only by social stigma & discriminatory laws. But today, their love is set free with the right to marry & the recognition of that marriage throughout the country.” Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen & Tony Award-winning singer & actress Lena Hall will perform. Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to the President, will attend alongside 1000 other elected officials, LGBT leaders and advocates & celebrities. The event will take place at The Grand Ballroom at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall Street in NYC at 7P.
For More Info: freedomtomarry.org
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I'm From Driftwood BBQ Event

There’s a fabulous LGBTQ fundraising event in NYC on Saturday July 11th for I'm From Driftwood, the organization that archives first-person stories shared by LGBTQ people around the world to increase empathy, understanding, acceptance & a sense of belonging. Nathan Manske Executive Director of I’m From Driftwood stated, “I was inspired to create I’m From Driftwood after seeing a photograph of Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States, riding on the hood of a car and holding a sign that read, ‘I’m From Woodmere, N.Y.’ Since launching I’m From Driftwood in March, 2009, people all over the world have shared stories from their lives. The result is an open, honest & genuine look into what it’s like to be LGBTQ throughout the world. The expanding, inclusive archive of stories not only preserves our history, but reminds people that they’re part of a larger community & never truly alone.” Stuart Milk Harvey Milk’s nephew added, “Terrific work & vital messaging for a global community to become connected! Thank you for all your work & for mentioning that my uncle was an inspiration for this project. Harvey somewhere is smiling broadly about that!” The 5th Annual I'm From Driftwood Summer BBQ takes place on Saturday, July 11th from 3:00P to 8:00P at Hartley House 413 W. 46th Street between 9th & 10th Avenue in NYC. Tickets are $75 & guests receive a curated meal from chef Andy Baraghani, open bar, live jazz music, a photo booth courtesy of dirty sugar photography, as well as raffle prizes & a silent auction.
For Info & Tix… 
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Our LGBT Independence Day

This is a fabulous Independence Day holiday weekend for our LGBT community. With the historic Supreme Court decision we can now legally marry in all 50 states. Of course there are a few homophobic clerks in southern states breaking the law & refusing to issues marriage licenses to gay & lesbian couples but hopefully that will be resolved. It’s truly amazing how far we have come in just one year. This time last year in 2014 only 20 states & Washington DC had passed marriage equality. We need to take a moment & congratulate ourselves for making such progress in one year. As we now direct our focus towards passing a federal Employer Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to ensure all workers are protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, our LGBT community unfortunately still remains to be the last Americans to achieve full equality in our own country. We need to protect our LGBT workers & give them a fair shot to get ahead in life by making sure employers cannot fire, harass, deny a raise or refuse to hire someone based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Only 22 states have made it illegal to fire or harass someone based on sexual orientation or to deny a raise or refuse to hire on that same basis. So we still have work to accomplish but today we wish everyone a fun & safe Independence Day & hope that you have an incredible weekend filled with fireworks, grilling, relaxing & spending time with family & friends.
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Full LGBT Federal Equality Next

With marriage equality now the law of the land it’s time to push for a comprehensive LGBT Non-Discrimination Act. In 28 states gay & lesbian couples can now legally marry & still be at risk of being fired from their job, evicted from their apartment or denied a hotel room simply for who they are or whom they love. A majority of states as well as the federal government, still lack protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation & gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit & education. The effort to pass nationwide non-discrimination protections promises to be the next major priority of the LGBT movement following the Supreme Court’s historic marriage equality decision. Our LGBT community is still faced with the alarming facts that 1 in 10 lesbian, gay & bisexual workers report being fired because of their sexual orientation while 1 in 4 transgender workers reported being fired because of their gender identity. Nearly 1 in 3 transgender Americans reported being denied equal treatment in a retail store. Also 1 in 4 gay & lesbian couples experienced discrimination when trying to buy a home & more than half of LGBT students from kindergarten to high school seniors report feeling unsafe at school as a result of their sexual orientation & more than a third reported feeling unsafe because of how they express their gender. Keep focused & don’t become complacent with marriage equality. There’s much more work to be done.
Listen: GLAD's Legal Team Talks SCOTUS Ruling & More
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Michael Petry A Twist in Time

In the UK at the Pallant House Gallery in West Sussex multimedia artist Michael Petry's fascinating new show opens on July 4th & runs through March 2016 entitled A Twist in Time. The new contemporary installation is in the Queen Anne townhouse featuring glass sculptures created to the forms of the grand staircase & historic mirrors echoing Oscar Wilde’s story “The Picture of Dorian Gray”. Utilizing traditional glass-making techniques Petry’s installation creates a dialogue with the gallery’s historic glass collections, exploring questions of gender, craftsmanship & decoration. He will also install Ghosts of the stair piece throughout the house, clear versions that blend into the background only to jump out at the visitor’s eye. Michael is Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in London & has authored numerous books since 1994 including “Hidden Histories: 20th Century Male Same Sex Lovers In The Visual Arts” in 2004, which was the first comprehensive survey of its kind. His one man show The Touch of the Oracle at the Palm Springs Art Museum in 2012 was accompanied by a ten year career review book distributed by Thames & Hudson which is also the publisher of his book “Nature Morte: Contemporary Artists Reinvigorate the Still-Life Tradition” that we talked to Petry about on OUTTAKE VOICES™.  The Pallant House Gallery is located at 9 North Pallant, Chichester in West Sussex UK.
For More Info: pallant.org
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