Love & Pride Responds To Attack

Love & Pride the online business founded to promote education & better understanding of our LGBTQ community has responded to an attack by the anti-LGBT group One Million Moms who has criticized Zales Jewelers for featuring a TV commercial with two women in wedding gowns exchanging vows & wedding bands from their "Love & Pride" Collection. Udi Behr, Love & Pride Founder & Designer stated, “I was shocked & saddened when our Love & Pride collection, available online & now at a major retailer, was attacked by the so-called ‘One Million Moms,’ part of the hate group ‘The American Family Association.’ As a jeweler & LGBTQ ally for many years, this is the first time we have been targeted in such a manner. I am heartened by the support & positive attention we have seen online & privately from consumers across the country. The Love & Pride collection has always been about love, peace, hope, pride & equality & our goal has always been to bring people together. Our support of organizations like the Matthew Shepard Foundation, Marriage Equality/USA & the Human Rights Campaign is part of that vision… I do not do this as a political statement but as an artist & designer who cares about our world, cares about all people & wants to promote love & beauty. If you do not agree with that vision don’t buy my jewelry. But there is no need to reacts with hate or boycotts…The response by One Million Moms is hateful & divisive. Now, more than ever, we must work for a world that has less division & more love, respects diversity & allows all people to express their love for each other.”
For More Info: loveandpride.com
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Elder Lesbians Of Color Event

Boston OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing For Change) will be meeting on Sunday December 4th from 2P to 4P for an important program entitled “Elder Lesbians of Color: Telling Our Stories/Telling Our Lives”. The program consists of a panel of elder lesbians of color who will talk about coming-out & realizing they were gay, their particular concerns as a lesbian of color, reactions by their families, issues involving their communities, their church & religion. The panel will also address what it’s like to be women of color in America & a women of color in lesbian communities as well as what it’s like to be Black, West Indian & lesbian in LGBT communities. Sarah Pearlman Co-Founder of OLOC-Boston stated, “In these divisive times & hoping to breach the divide, Boston OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing for Change) has invited a group of older lesbians of color to attend their Sunday, December 4th program to talk about what it is like to be women of color in America, coming-out, their families, their church & what it is like to be a lesbian in Black communities & Black in lesbian communities.” The event takes place at Brookline Senior Center, 93 Winchester Street in Brookline, MA. Following the event there will be an early dinner at Sichuan Garden, 295 Washington Street in Brookline Village, Brookline.
For More Info: spearlman@hartford.edu
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OUTTAKE Cyber Monday Event

This year more than ever it’s extremely important to display your commitment to LGBT equality & this Cyber Monday for the Holiday Season we’re offering the highest quality gear for all our LGBT shoppers & allies. We would appreciate it if you could take a moment & visit our online OUTTAKE EQUALITY STORE where your purchases will help support our mission to provide & produce our free exclusive & insightful podcasts with LGBT leaders & allies on OUTTAKE VOICES into 2017 & beyond. Choose from a fabulous array of unique gear while supporting our quest for full global LGBT equality. We have tee shirts, tote bags, watches & more all displaying either our cool OUTTAKE logo or merchandise designed by visionary Richard Emmanuel whose emblem consists of universal symbols. Two androgynous figures are meeting each other within the circle of the world. This creates a symbol of unity that is diverse with its differences, yet respectful of each person’s beliefs. The word “Equality” is boldly displayed with the words “LGBT Civil Rights.” This awesome design is empowering & a courageous symbol for our LGBT community with a symbol that reflects our strong commitment to equality. Both of these designs are an excellent way to get the conversation started to advance LGBT civil rights & equality. So what are you waiting for? Just click on the link below & check it OUT!! :)
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Provincetown Holiday Shopping

Instead of heading to the malls our Black Friday LGBT destination tradition is Provincetown, Massachusetts for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend where the pilgrims first landed. The whole town is on sale & you can find great gift choices all around town, since many of the stores are having end of season sales & don't miss the holiday Crafts Fairs happening on both Friday & Saturday providing unique gifts for everyone. Then Friday afternoon from 3:30P to 5:30P a new event takes place with Drag Bingo hosted by the Provincetown Business Guild at the Crown & Anchor supporting a great organization. After dark Saturday offers the anticipated pagan treat of the Annual Lighting of the Lobster Pot Tree. Now in its 13th year Provincetown artist Julian Popko & family build the unique tree right in the heart of Provincetown's Lopes Square. Stacked with over 100 real lobster traps borrowed from local lobstermen, the tree is lit with thousands of fabulous decorations & holiday lights. There are also plenty of restaurants open & you can dance the night away at The A House or the Retro-Active Video Lounge at The Crown. If you can't make it to town The Provincetown Film Society (PFS) 3rd annual Black Friday Online Auction to benefit the Waters Edge begins 9A Friday November 25th until Sunday December 4th with some fabulous must-have items. Funds raised during the auction helps keep Provincetown's art house theater open year-round for residents & visitors. Last year's auction raised over $35,000 & this year they hope to raise more.
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Trump Meets With Jerry Falwell Jr.

UPDATE: After recently meeting with anti-LGBTQ mogul Jerry Falwell Jr. about education issues, Donald Trump has chosen Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education. DeVos & her family foundations have donated millions of dollars to extreme, anti-LGBTQ organizations. Some have promoted dangerous, unscientific "conversion therapies" to convert LGBTQ youth & all of them have fought against basic nondiscrimination protections, school safety & more.
President-elect Donald Trump met with one of the nation’s most prominent anti-LGBTQ leaders, Jerry Falwell Jr., to discuss a potential position in his Administration’s Department of Education. Fran Hutchins, Deputy Director Equality Federation stated, “Jerry Falwell Jr. espouses an extreme, anti-LGBTQ worldview. It would be a danger to our community, especially youth in schools, for him to be anywhere near our nation’s governmental affairs. It is deeply troubling that Mr. Trump is surrounding himself with the ‘who’s who’ of homophobic, racist & xenophobic leaders & we must not be silent. The incoming Administration is sending a message to our youth that it is okay to bully & discriminate.” Falwell Jr. is the son of homophobic icon Jerry Falwell Sr., the founder of Liberty University, who is widely viewed as the instigator of the “anti-gay industry.” Falwell Sr. blamed 9/11 on LGBTQ people & once stated, “AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals; it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals.” Falwell Jr. is currently the president of Liberty University. The school prohibits “homosexual behavior” & has hosted several anti-LGBTQ events, including those that promote the dangerous, unscientific practices of “conversion therapy.” Since 1997 Equality Federation has worked throughout the country to build the leaders of today & tomorrow, strengthen state-based LGBTQ organizations & make critical progress on the issues that matter most to our community.
For More Info: equalityfederation.org
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LGBT Rights Are Human Rights

A coalition of homophobic countries failed to repeal a decision by the United Nation’s Human Rights Council to appoint an independent expert on sexual orientation & gender identity (SOGI) issues by a vote of 84 to 77. The success of this vote was the result of LGBTQ activists & organizations around the world quickly mobilized to voice their concerns on the implications of the hostile resolution to national governments as well as at the United Nations headquarters in New York. A joint statement endorsed by 850 organizations from 157 countries around the world, highlighted the need for states to respect the authority of the Human Rights Council & to vote in favor of upholding the SOGI Independent Expert mandate. Jessica Stern, Executive Director, OutRight Action International stated, “A lot can be accomplished when forces join hands. We are encouraged by this voting result & in the confirmation that States believe in the mechanisms of the Human Rights Council. It is vital that the integrity of the Human Rights Council remains intact & is not further undermined in the Third Committee.” Micah Grzywnowicz, trans activist & international advocacy advisor at RFSL, the Swedish Federation for LGBTIQ Rights added, “The SOGI Independent Expert position is vital in bringing to light the horrific acts of violence & discrimination many people face because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. These abuses happen everywhere; no region or country is immune to them. Having concrete documentation showing the consequences of homophobia & transphobia on the lives of people & recommendations on how to address these challenges from an HRC Special Procedure mandate holder will help states take responsibility to protect LGBTIQ persons. It will be much harder to ignore the facts.”
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Hate Crime Rising Nationwide

In Boston, Massachusetts there will be an anti-hate rally Monday November 21st at 11A at the State House following dozens of reports of hate crimes throughout the Commonwealth have been reported since the election. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh & Attorney General Maura Healey will be among those expected to attend. Since Healey set up a harassment hotline one week ago there have been more than 300 calls. The hotline was set up in response to increased reports of threatening behavior to minorities & women since the Nov. 8 election. More than 30 groups & organizations will be taking part in the rally. Across the nation, labor, civil rights & faith leaders & others called on President-elect Donald Trump to unequivocally denounce the hundreds of hate-fueled acts of harassment, vandalism, property destruction & assaults that have happened since his election. Lily Eskelsen Garcia, President of the National Education Association stated, “Educators are witnessing firsthand the hate speech & hostile acts inspired by Donald Trump’s rhetoric directed at our students. All students have a right to feel welcomed & valued in our schools & deserve safe learning environments. Trump must call for an end to the toxic rhetoric & violent incidents now & commit to the values that unite us: respect, kindness & dignity.” After Trump’s toxic tweets over the weekend attacking the cast of Hamilton & SNL indicating that unfortunately this is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.
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Cesspool Filling The Swamp

As we have witnessed this past week Trump has been picking the most homophobic, transphobic, racist, xenophobic & misogynistic candidates to fill his White House administration team including unconstitutional attempts to bring family members on his staff. After naming “Alt-Right” activist Steve Bannon with White Nationalist ties as his chief strategist & senior counselor his choice of ultra-conservative Senator Jeff Sessions as his Attorney General nominee is probably just the tip of the iceberg of what he has in store for our country. Trump appears to be draining the swamp & filling it with a cesspool. Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund stated, “Senator Jeff Session’s long track record reveals a politician who is transparently & vehemently against LGBTQ people, immigrants (both documented & undocumented) & people of color. This is the person who said the KKK is ‘OK’. Well having someone like that as Attorney General isn’t ‘OK’. President-Elect Trump’s notorious comments about Mexicans, Muslims & people of color during the election campaign emerge from a mindset that Mr. Sessions represents. He was rejected by the Senate for a federal judgeship in the past because of his bigoted views. He hasn’t changed & he shouldn’t be nominated nor be confirmed.” Fortunately the majority of Americans are rising up, organizing & ready to fight this backward assault on our nation & on humanity.
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Kelly Osbourne Trevor Project Hero

Kelly Osbourne, television personality, host, fashion designer, singer, actress & fierce LGBTQ advocate will be named Trevor Hero Honoree at The Trevor Project’s TrevorLIVE Los Angeles gala on December 4th at the Beverly Hilton. Abbe Land Trevor Project Executive Director stated, “Kelly has been a true champion who has been dedicated to raising awareness of issues facing the community of LGBTQ youth. She has particularly supported The Trevor Project’s mission to end suicide for all LGBTQ youth. With unabated fighters like her in our corner, we are pushed forward & closer to our goal. We’re honored & beholden to Kelly for carrying out our mission & for proving to be worthy of the title of Trevor Hero.” Osbourne added, "This honor carries a very special meaning for me & comes at a crucial time. My entire life I've had the support of the LGBTQ community & I will forever be there to peacefully fight for you. In these times, now more than ever, where some may feel alone & belittled, we need to come together in unity for love & to fight for tolerance & acceptance. When we put our differences aside & join forces, we grow stronger & our voices grow louder. We all have the right to live, with conviction, a beautiful life full of love & compassion without discrimination. Every life is precious & you are never alone." In this exclusive audio byte we talked to Dr. Lauren Costine about the recent election & it’s effect on LGBTQ youth & Trevor Project's important work.  
For Info & Tix: la.trevorlive.org
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BGMC Holiday Concert Series

Boston Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) is proud to present Jingle All the Way, a holiday concert of traditional carols reimagined, beloved classic Christmas songs & contemporary works from Grammy-winning composer Craig Hella Johnson & others all wrapped up in BGMC’s signature blend of class & camp. Performances begin on December 3rd as part of Holly Folly in Provincetown & continue on December 11th, 16th, 17th & 18th at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall in Boston, Massachusetts. Reuben M. Reynolds, III BGMC Music Director stated, “Our holiday concert is quite traditional this year but it will be delivered with a BGMC twist. We’ll have carols recast in a jazz idiom, a raucous rendition of ‘Jingle Bells’ & a cover of the Weather Girls’ disco hit, Dear Santa Bring Me a Man This Christmas.” Craig Coogan BGMC Executive Director added, “We’re so excited for this concert because audiences will hear traditional carols in a whole new way, allowing them to rediscover old favorites & find new layers of meaning. This season is characterized by both quiet contemplation & joyous celebration & we can’t wait to create those experiences for others & share in them.” Jingle All the Way will showcase English composer Will Todd’s arrangements of "We Three Kings," "In the Bleak Midwinter" & “Personent hodie” which he set in a jazz idiom, originally for the choir of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London. The chorus will also perform “Evening Prayer,” a new piece by Norwegian composer Ola Gjello based on a prayer written by St. Augustine & more.
For Info & Tix: bgmc.org
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Chef Rossi Miami Book Fair Event

Chef Rossi will present Delicious Dish: A Chef’s Life in NYC & read from her new memoir “The Raging Skillet” at this fabulous event on Sunday November 20th 1PM at the Kitchen Stadium at Miami Book Fair at 300 NE 2nd Avenue in Miami, Florida. The Raging Skillet: The True Life Story of Chef Rossi: A Memoir with Recipes published by Feminist Press is one woman’s story of cooking her way through some of the most unlikely kitchens in New York City. Talking her way into any cooking job she could get, Rossi is a self-taught & self-made entrepreneur who ended up owning one of the most sought-after catering companies in NYC. Zagat dubbed her as “the wildest thing this side of the Mason-Dixon Line”. The book features anecdotes from a life of food spanning decades in NYC plus easy to follow recipes ranging from pizza bagels to tuna tartare completing each chapter. This must-attend free event will be an affair of laughter, fun & tastings. Chef Rossi is the catering director, owner & executive chef of The Raging Skillet catering for the past twenty-four years. She has earned a reputation as the go-to company for out-of-the-box catering & weddings. The Raging Skillet has been voted one of New York's Top Five Wedding Caterers by The Knot from 2009 through 2016. In this exclusive audio byte we talked to Rossi about her new memoir “The Raging Skillet”. LISTEN:
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LGBT Youth Theater Honored

First Lady Michelle Obama presented The Theater Offensive’s True Colors: Out Youth Theater which is the country’s largest & longest-running LGBTQ youth theater program the 2016 National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Award. This award is the nation’s highest honor for youth arts programs & True Colors which was established in 1994 in Boston is the first LGBTQ organization in history to receive this award. True Colors’ Traeshayona “Trae” Weekes stated, “Accepting this award from the First Lady of the United States at the White House was an unforgettable experience & I’m so proud to be part of the first ever LGBTQ organization to receive this honor. It’s amazing to see that the power of True Colors’ work in helping make communities a safer space for LGBTQ youth while giving us a place to explore our identity & find our own culture in a way that is recognized & valued.” Abe Rybeck, Executive Artistic Director of The Theater Offensive & founder of True Colors concluded “True Colors’ cultural impact over a generation has been instrumental in helping create not only a safe space for LGBTQ youth to express their creativity & tell their stories, but has also contributed to the progress & advances we have seen for the entire LGBTQ community. As we continue to focus on the challenges faced by LGBTQ youth, from family rejection to bullying to homelessness, this honor is inspirational & a validation of our impact. Just as importantly, this inclusive group of talented youth exemplifies America’s dynamic cultural intersections. These are the creative young leaders our overlapping communities need to overcome bigotry & jointly build a more harmonious future. To have affirmation from the highest levels of the arts & the White House is extraordinary.”
For More Info: thetheateroffensive.org
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Boston Home Décor Show Events

The Boston Home Décor Show returns to The Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts from November 17th through the 20th. For the 2nd year Tony Fusco & Robert Four are presenting a fabulous show designed to capture the evolution of the collecting & design market that includes a broad range of historic, modern & contemporary home furnishings, fine art, decorative arts & home décor. The event launches with a Gala Preview on Thursday November 17th to benefit DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS & a local Boston AIDS service organization: Community Research Initiative of New England (CRI). Tony Fusco, Co-Producer stated, "In these challenging times & the difficult times that no doubt are ahead for all LGBT causes, we are proud to support both DIFFA & CRI with this event. We are extremely grateful to the Sponsors & Patrons who have completely underwritten the costs of the Gala so that 100% of all Gala ticket sales go directly to benefit DIFFA & CRI. It is a great opportunity to show our strength & support these two outstanding AIDS service organizations." This year nationally know special guests include: American furniture designer Dakota Jackson with keynote presentation on Friday & the exuberant textile designer Kathryn M. Ireland on Saturday. Plus there will also be other special programs & panels discussions throughout the weekend. Gala tickets are $125 & $250. Weekend tickets are $15 & kids under 12 are free. Admission includes complimentary special programs, re-admission, catalog & coat check. There is also a fabulous bistro café by Jules Catering who will also be catering the Gala event.
Info & Tix: bostonhomedecorshow.com
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Rise Up & Move Forward

For our LGBT community that fears we may lose so much of the progress we have accomplished towards full LGBT equality under the next administration in this country, you are probably correct, but we must come together & fight every inch of the way. This isn’t a time to become complacent, this is a time to stand tall & fight. Cleve Jones who has been an LGBT Activist for over 30 years including working with Harvey Milk & conceiving the idea of the AIDS Memorial Quilt stated “The next person to tell me "we survived" Reagan & Bush is going to get slapped. YOU survived. Too many of my friends did not. Hundreds of thousands of innocent people did not survive the wars they waged. Trump supporters infuriate me, smug white liberals do too. Wake up, this sh*t is real. Organize. Resist. Read your f**king history.” Our LGBT community will be targeted by this administration & we must be ready for them when they do. Our LGBT organizations need to come together now & figure out their strongest assets to win this new civil war & it will begin as a civil war. In this new challenging time I call on a very important quote that helps me cope with the work that we must accomplish to achieve full equality for our LGBT community. Hunter S. Thompson stated, “When the going gets weird the weird go pro.”
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Surviving The Presidential Election

The best way to survive an emotional loss or shock is to take things one day at a time; but in the actuality of this presidential election it’s more one second at a time. You can’t help but wonder how we got to this despicable time in the history of this country where a TV reality personality & questionable unscrupulous businessman who supports bigotry, sexism, racist, homophobia & beyond has been elected president of the United States. The most important thing to do if you believe in the principles of freedom & treating every citizen with dignity & respect is just to physically survive this horrific threat to equality. Lesson one: This is how I have been surviving the last few days. First I had made a homemade batch of soup prior to the election which fed my partner & me on Wednesday when we spent the day working from home between bursts of tears mourning Hillary’s loss. On the same day a good friend immediately sent out an email inviting us to a potluck dinner on Friday night with like minds, so we knew we had that to plan for & look forward to. Another godsend for us is that we take a Tai Chi class twice a week & on Thursday we went to class to learn how to breathe again. Thursday evening we also had plans with friends for dinner & that gave us something to look forward to as well. The last few days I have also limited my intake of TV news & social media to just surfing but not being subjected to hours of hearing that man’s name that brings on instant nausea. So first stage of survival of this horrific situation we find ourselves in is to make plans with friends you can vent with & begin to strategize where we go from here.
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PFLAG Changes Leadership

Jean Hodges, Chair of the PFLAG National Board of Directors has announced that Executive Director Jody Huckaby will depart the helm of the organization in December after serving in this role since January 2005. Since 1972 PFLAG has worked to bring our LGBTQ community together with families, friends & allies. Hodges stated, “Jody Huckaby has offered game-changing leadership to position PFLAG as our nation’s unique & unified voice of families, allies & people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer (LGBTQ). He leaves a monumental legacy that makes the entire PFLAG family very proud.” Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, added: “The lives of millions of LGBTQ people & their families have been improved because of Jody’s 12 years of work & leadership at the helm of PFLAG. I have been inspired by Jody’s solid integrity & vision for our families & our country. Whether through our federal policy work together, standing side by side in marches & rallies for marriage & non-discrimination, or speaking out on the full range of issues affecting LGBTQ people & their families, the National LGBTQ Task Force & I have been honored to work with Jody.” Hodges announced that Elizabeth Kohm, currently Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed interim Executive Director. Kohm joined PFLAG in 2011 with an executive background in partnerships, social advocacy & field operations. The Board of Directors expressed high confidence that Kohm will provide strong leadership during the transition.
For More Info: pflag.org
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LGBT Leaders Speak OUT

The aftermath of the presidential election has erupted in shock waves of disbelief through our LGBT community & beyond. We have received a multiple amount of emails from LGBT leaders across the country trying to encourage our movement that we will go forward in spite of what the Trump administration may dish out. We have selected a couple of quotes to reinforce to our USA & global audience that you are not alone in this difficult time of transition. Sarah Kate Ellis President & CEO, GLAAD stated, “We’ve made so much progress & I refuse to let us go backwards. Now, perhaps more than ever, we must stand up to defend equality & acceptance, build on the momentum we have achieved & redouble our work to move hearts and minds.” Matt Thorn Executive Director, OutServe-SLDN stated, “Our obligation to you has not been extinguished because of this election. I want to impress upon each & every one of you that OutServe-SLDN remains unequivocally & unwaveringly committed to our community, to each of you. We remain steadfast in our advocacy for your ability to openly & authentically serve in our armed forces. We will continue to make progress to ensure you are treated with respect, fairness & dignity at veteran’s hospitals. We will continue fight so that your families are safe & protected. We will continue to hold our elected officials & their appointees accountable in order to maintain & advance equality & rights of our LGBT service members, veterans & our families.”
For More Info: glaad.org
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When The Unthinkable Happens

Reset everything that you thought would happen if Hillary Clinton won. We all knew there was a possibility of Donald Trump winning the presidency. It’s going to take some time to see what this means for our community. Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund stated, “Millions of people here & around the world will be shocked, disappointed & frankly frightened by the election of Donald Trump. His remarks over the course of the campaign including his sexist, racist & xenophobic comments, as well as his mocking of people with disabilities & his dehumanization of Muslims leave many of us deeply disturbed. Make no mistake about it, this will also give us a roadmap for fair-minded, moral, compassionate people to come together like never before & fight. It will take longer, it will be harder, but rest assured that united & working in partnership with people of good conscience, we will get there.” Last night Chad Griffin, HRC President stated, “Throughout our nation’s history, we’ve faced devastating setbacks in our pursuit of a more perfect union. But even in the darkest of moments, Americans have summoned the courage & persistence to fight on. The results of tonight’s presidential election require us to meet tomorrow with the same resolve & determination.” So have a good cry, dust yourself off & reset your thoughts & move forward with strength & determination to reach our goal of full equality for everyone.
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Make America Sane Again

This presidential election has been historically the most emotionally draining event. For months we have been subjected to negative television campaign ads on both sides that have had us running for the remote control. We have been robbed of our sleep. Now we head to the polls to vote if we already haven’t & tonight we’ll watch the results. Hopefully this time tomorrow we’ll know who will become the 45th president of the United States of America. I personally feel that the American people will make the right decision & Hillary Clinton will become the 45th President of the Untied States & our first woman president. This is the kind of change we need & it’s long overdue. Last night I watched President Obama & Hillary speak in Philadelphia before 20,000 people jammed shoulder to shoulder into the Independence Mall. It was extremely moving & if you missed it check out Rachael Maddow on on-demand. One thing we can definitely look forward to tomorrow is the negative campaign ads will cease to exist & life will begin to move forward once again. We can begin to plan our future once again instead of dreading what if Donald (Dirty Tricks) Trump wins. He is not going to win because as we have been saying over & over again Love Trumps Hate.
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UN LGBT Position Challenged

A coalition of homophobic countries are attempting to repeal a decision by the UN’s Human Rights Council to appoint an independent expert on sexual orientation & gender identity (SOGI) issues. LGBT rights program manager at the International Service of Human Rights (ISHR), Pooja Patel said an African group of countries at the current General Assembly session at the UN in New York were attempting to question the legal basis of the recent landmark decision & a vote is anticipated to be held tomorrow November 8th. Ms. Patel stated, “This move is harmful to non-violence & anti-discrimination efforts in relation to lesbian, gay, bisexual & trans people around the world. It will also entrench an ugly precedent whereby the Third Committee could effectively reverse any decision by the Human Rights Council, completely undermining its integrity & independence. There is no doubt that issues of sexual orientation & gender identity remain challenging in so many of our societies. This only enhances the urgent need for a UN expert who can respectfully & principally work towards bridging the divide while contributing towards the safety & dignity of LGBT people.” Eleanor Openshaw, Co-Director of ISHR's New York office added, “The legal validity of this expert position is rooted in principles of non-discrimination & universality of human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. It is very much in line with the Council’s responsibility & obligation, as articulated in its founding documents, to promote the universal protection of all human rights & fundamental freedoms for all.” ISHR has joined a global call to all countries to uphold principles of universality of human rights & to reject any attempt at weakening the autonomy of the Human Rights Council.
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New LGBT Health Advocacy Guide

The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund & the National Coalition for LGBT Health have published a new guide on health issues important LGBTQ people. Released in advance of the 2016 presidential election, the “10 Key LGBTQ Health Advocacy Priorities Guide” is intended to educate voters on LGBTQ health priorities the two organizations will continue to focus on during the next administration. Candace Bond-Theriault, Policy Counsel for Reproductive Rights, Health & Justice at the National LGBTQ Task Force stated, “This new guide is like no other as it outlines critical healthcare issues through an intersectional approach. It takes into consideration the realities that make up the everyday lives of LGBTQ people, such as racial injustice, economic injustice, gender inequality & immigration status. We believe that in order to improve the lives & health of all LGBTQ people, a clear understating that these issues overlap is necessary.” Brian Hujdich, Executive Director of the National Coalition for LGBT Health added, “We collectively identified, prioritized & defined the issues that effect the LGBT community so that this information can be helpful in looking at how elected officials address these issues. The guide empowers LGBTQ individuals to have an impact on the health & wellbeing of our community through voting & having their voices heard on Election Day this November 8th.”
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Election 2016 Longest Weekend

Not only are we heading into the darkness of daylight savings time this weekend but we’re also coming down to the wire in one of the most intense & important presidential elections this country has ever experienced. Everyone on both sides is feeling the anxiety of what the grand finale will bring in a few days. The big question facing this country is will we elect the most experienced candidate that has ever run for office who also happens to be a woman or a candidate who has the least experience & happens to be a man. That’s what we’re dealing with, the ultimate battle of the sexes. However this battle also addresses the issue, will America move forward or backwards? This country has always been a place struggling with progressive values but eventually moving forward or as in Obama’s word ‘evolving’. The challenge with this election is we have all come to a point at the end of this gut-wrenching political journey where both sides have to address the possibility that the other side may win. So now each & every citizen of the United States of America has to go to places where they would rather not go. The dreaded thought of how to survive if their candidate loses & for both sides this is just something no one wants to face. The only advice we can offer is advise from my Aunt Ruby who said, “We seem to spend our lives worrying about things that never happen & nothing is so bad it can’t get worse.”
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Humanists For Transgender Rights

To help combat religious discrimination against our LGBTQ community the American Humanist Association has launched a program to mobilize grassroots activists across the country who will ensure that local transitional housing spaces are inclusive & welcoming to transgender & gender non-conforming individuals. The program, Humanists Optimizing & Upholding Shelter Equality (HOUSE), is an initiative of the LGBTQ Humanist Alliance, one of the American Humanist Association’s adjuncts dedicated to advancing equal rights for the LGBTQ community both within the humanist movement & in American society. Roy Speckhardt, Executive Director of the American Humanist Association stated, “Humanists have long been ahead of the curve in affirming gender non-conforming individuals. Now we are turning that support into coordinated action that exemplifies the humanist values of equality, justice & human dignity while taking a stand against religiously-motivated discrimination that harms the LGBTQ community.” Humanist groups participating in the program include: Camden County Humanists in Blackwood, New Jersey, Free Inquiry Group of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers, Florida, Harbor Humanists in Hoquiam, Washington, Humanists of Buffalo in Buffalo, New York, Humanist Community of Central Ohio in Columbus, Ohio, Humanists of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida, Lehigh Valley Humanists in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Montgomery Humanists in Montgomery, Alabama & South Jersey Humanists in Galloway, New Jersey, among others. Founded in 1941 & headquartered in Washington, DC, the American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists & other nontheistic Americans.
For More Info: americanhumanist.org
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LGBT Support Native Americans

While this intense presidential election is coming down to the wire the National LGBTQ Task Force is joining LGBTQ advocates, celebrities & activists from across the nation in celebrating Native American Heritage Month & calling for President Obama to stop construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline being built in sacred Native American lands. Rea Carey, National LGBTQ Task Force Executive Director stated, “We proudly join LGBTQ advocates across the country in celebrating the rich history & culture of First Americans. We’d also like to take this opportunity to express our solidarity with our Native American family, friends & community who are taking action to protect drinking water against contamination in North Dakota. For generations, Native American communities have been marginalized, stripped of their land, forced to relocate & denied fairness & justice. We urge the President to go beyond his welcomed re-routing of the Standing Rock pipeline project & to stop the project entirely & commit to preserving all sacred Native American lands”. The National LGBTQ Task Force works to secure full freedom, justice & equality LGBTQ people. For over forty years they have been at the forefront of the social justice movement by training thousands of organizers & advocating for change at the federal, state & local level.
For More Info: thetaskforce.org
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UK LGBT Activist Honored

Peter Tatchell has received the 2016 Gandhi Foundation International Peace Award for his 50 years of human rights work in the UK & worldwide. For decades Tatchell’s commitment in promoting human rights & LGBT rights has helped to create a greater understanding by changing hearts & minds about these important issues & created the conditions to allow laws protecting minority groups to be implemented. Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation stated, “Receiving this award is a massive honor. My profound appreciation to the Gandhi Foundation. This award is in recognition of my half a century of human rights work, which began in 1967, when I was aged 15. But, of course, whatever changes I have helped bring about, they were never achieved by me alone. I was part of a joint, collective effort by the Gay Liberation Front, Anti-Apartheid Movement, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, OutRage! & dozens more campaign groups which I have supported over the decades. The advances in LGBT & other human rights have always been a collaborative effort. I could not have helped secure any social change without the support of many others. My heartfelt thanks to all those people for their kindness, generosity & support over the decades. It is much valued & treasured. Gandhi’s successful non-violent struggle against British colonial rule in India has been an enduring inspiration throughout the 50 years of my human rights campaigning….” Congrats & keep up your great & much needed work for our LGBT community.
For More Info: petertatchellfoundation.org
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