Our LGBTQ Activists & Allies

Though this has been a very challenging year for our LGBTQ community we want to thank our millions of global listeners for tripling our audience in 2017 making OUTTAKE VOICES such a fabulous success heading into our tenth year. We also want to thank all the LGBTQ activists, celebrities & allies who appeared on our audio podcast series in 2017 syndicated on Huffington Post & iTunes. Thank you fierce allies Hillevi Loven & Chris Hastings Executive Producer of the World Channel, Joerg Kohring, Jess Niven-Kohring & Barbara Niven creators of “Be The Change”, iconic actress Loni Anderson, Grammy winner Janis Ian, Abe Rybeck of The Theater Offensive, GLSEN’s Jessica Toste, Reuben M. Reynolds III Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, Mariah Hanson “The Dinah” creator, James Nadeau, Wicked Queer Boston’s LGBT Film Festival, filmmaker C. Fitz & LGBTQ pioneer Jewel Thais-Williams, author Boze Hadleigh, GLAAD’s Sarah Kate Ellis-Henderson, Groundswell Fund’s Vanessa Daniel, Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen, Amie Klujian, Rick McCarthy Provincetown International Film Festival also the fabulous ally Chloë Sevigny, gay activist artist Jay Critchley, columnist Michael Musto, Sarah Wharton, filmmakers P. David Ebersole & Todd Hughes, director John Waters, ally director Katherine Dieckmann. Bride Pride creators Ilene Mitnick & Allison Baldwin, Liz Baxter, Matt Thorn, actors Emerson Collins & Bruce Randolph Nelson, Rev. Christie Hardwick, Dr. Gayle E. Pitman, ally Liz Cheng World Channel, “Desert Hearts” director Donna Deitch, allies Cheryl Osimo, playwright Oliver Mayer, Jennifer Camille Lee, iconic lesbian filmmaker Nicole Conn, author Eric Rosswood, Deb Dunn, Phillip Ward, Victoria Munro, Joie Lamar & Kate Clinton our favorite political humorist with her annual LGBTQ year end review.
LISTEN: Kate Clinton Annual LGBTQ Year End Review & More
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LGBTQ XMAS CELEBRATION

This has been such a challenging year for our LGBTQ community. In America with the current administration we have serious opponents trying to undo what we have worked so hard to accomplish but in the holiday spirit let’s just wish them well & hope that one day they’ll realize that equality will prevail for all. So with that said we want to take a moment & wish all our friends & family a healthy & happy holiday & we also want to thank our global LGBTQ audience & allies for making this past year so rewarding for our OUTTAKE Team. Let’s Make the Yule-tide Gay & enjoy this performance of Judy Garland singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" a song she introduced in the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis written by Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane. We’ve included the lyrics so you can all sing along: Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Let your heart be light From now on, our troubles will be out of sight. Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Make the Yule-tide gay, From now on, our troubles will be miles away. Here we are as in olden days, Happy golden days of yore. Faithful friends who are dear to us Gather near to us once more. Through the years We all will be together, If the Fates allow Hang a shining star upon the highest bough. And have yourself A merry little Christmas now. 
HAVE A SAFE & FABULOUS XMAS!!

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Bright Colors And Bold Patterns

The hit play “Bright Colors And Bold Patterns” directed by Michael Urie continues its triumphant Off Broadway run at the SoHo Playhouse in NYC announcing a six week extension through Sunday, February 25th. The show’s author & current star Drew Droege ( “Chloë,” “Drunk History,” & “Heathers” on Paramount TV in 2018) will end his run on Sunday, January 7th with plans to bring the production around the country on a national tour. Jeff Hiller (“Nightcap,” “30 Rock,” Broadway’s Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) will step into the starring role on Wednesday, January 17th with a new opening night scheduled for Sunday, February 4th. Drew stated, “I am insanely thrilled & honored to welcome the wicked genius of Jeff Hiller to our play. I hope he likes margaritas.” Michael Urie added, “It’s quite a coup to get comedy master Jeff Hiller to bring a different take on this character & explore his antics from another angle.” Jeff Hiller concluded, “I’m so excited to perform Drew’s hysterical show & finally have a stage ALL TO MYSELF!” “Bright Colors And Bold Patterns” is about Josh & Brennan are about to get married in Palm Springs on a lovely Saturday afternoon. However, the night before becomes a drunken, drug-fueled riot, because their friend Gerry has arrived, furious that their invitation says “Please refrain from wearing bright colors or bold patterns.” “Bright Colors And Bold Patterns” features set design by Dara Wishingrad & is produced by Zach Laks in association with Riki Kane Larimer. Tom DeTrinis serves as associate producer.
For Info & Tix…
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Yuletide Gay Winter Solstice

With the passage of the GOP tax bill, which will devastates health care, education, social services & innumerable programs for millions of Americans including our LGBTQ community we head into the shortest day of the year with only 9 ½ hours of sunlight here in the northeast. Though we may have a little mental relief knowing that as the Winter Solstice arrives marking the shortest day of the year & also the longest night, days will be getting longer but America needs to get out of this darkness & become more humanitarian. With that said, back to the Winter Solstice which is also known as Yule. We love celebrating our Yuletide Gay. A little history about solstice as witches & warlocks celebrate this date as the birth of the Sun God since from this point forward the days get longer. Wiccan celebrations include Yule logs, Yule trees & Mistletoe which all sounds a lot like our traditional Christmas celebrations. There are many customs associated with the Winter Solstice that derive from stories of a mighty battle between the dark & the light or in America we call that between the haves & have-nots. Then there’s Albert Camus the French Nobel Prize winning author, journalist & philosopher famous Winter Solstice quote “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” However our LGBTQ community celebrates the shortest day & longest night, whether alone or with family & friends in the northern hemisphere just remember that the southern hemisphere is basking in sunshine & enjoying the first day of summer.
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Comedy Series WHATTA LARK

The new original comedy series WHATTA LARK discovers that if you’re lucky true friendship can be a real drag (queen). Releasing on the queer-centric platform Revry.TV this 10-episode comedy series was created by voice-over veteran/actress Tara Platt (The Call, League of Legends), who also stars alongside Christopher Graham, aka real-life Drag legend Poppy Fields. Platt states, “I believe the heartfelt storylines of Whatta Lark appeal to a very wide audience, from women searching for their path in life, to members of the LGBTQ community, to people who enjoy character driven comedy. Our show explores life issues with a spoonful of sugar, handfuls of glitter & the world’s longest fake eyelashes to help the medicine go down. This is one of the things I am most proud of. Having such a diverse group of talents all working together to share our particular tale of a very human experience was not only inspiring, but life changing.” Platt brought in a powerhouse team including Emmy-nominated producer & Head of Production at Canvas Media Studios Allison Vanore; Palm Springs Film Fest feature headlining director America Young; proven television sitcom writer Danielle Evenson; & voice-over superstar/actor, Platt’s husband & co-producer, Yuri Lowenthal (Terminator The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Ben 10); with a featured appearance by The Boulet Brother’s Dragula Season 1 winner Antonio Yee. WATCH TRAILER
For More Info: revry.vhx.tv
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Sin City Classic Sports Festival

The Greater Los Angeles Softball Association (GLASA) announced that 18 LGBTQ sports associations will participate in the 11th annual Sin City Classic Sports Festival that takes place January 11th to 14th in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Sin City Classic is one of the world’s largest LGBTQ sporting events with over 6,000 participants & fans attending. This year’s festivities will be held at the LINQ & Flamingo hotels. Ken Scearce, Sin City Classic Tournament Director stated, “The Sin City Classic provides a fun & safe playing field for the participating LGBTQ athletes to both connect & compete over the course of our four-day event. We encourage all athletes to “Play You” by being themselves, embracing competition & having a good time both on & off the field.” The 18 sports in this year’s festival include: Billiards, Body Building, Bowling, Bridge, Cheer, Diving, Dodgeball, Flag Football, Frisbee, Golf, Ice Hockey, Kickball, Running, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball & Wrestling. Attendees will also be treated to a weekend of hosted events including an Opening Night registration extravaganza, nightly events at local bars & a Closing Ceremony celebration event. Larry Ruiz GLASA Commissioner Larry Ruiz concluded, “Since 1978, GLASA has strived hard in its mission to provide a safe & fun environment to encourage participation in athletics. As we reach our 40th anniversary, we are proud to have grown from a tiny softball league to an organization with dozens of volunteers dedicated to our cause. Not only do we have over 35 local softball teams participating year round, but our Sin City Classic Sports Festival allows us to reach so many more people. We are so excited for the 2018 Sin City Classic!”
For More Info: sincityclassic.org 
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Trump Delivers Forbidden Words

While we were all distracted by the FCC ruling to repeal the internet neutrality rules the Trump administration hit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention with a list of seven forbidden words or phrases including “vulnerable,” “entitlement,” “diversity,” “transgender,” “fetus,” “evidence-based” & “science-based” in any official documents being prepared for next year’s budget. This is just another attack on our LGBTQ community, women & any other progressive minded group. Remember since Trump took office several key departments including Health & Human Services which oversees the CDC as well as the Justice, Education & Housing & Urban Development have already changed federal policies about how they collect government information of LGBTQ Americans after the Trump Administration erased our LGBTQ community from its website. Then last March HHS dropped questions about sexual orientation & gender identity in two surveys of elderly people erasing LGBTQ seniors. The meeting at the CDC was led by Alison Kelly a senior leader in the agency’s Office of Financial Services who didn’t say why the words are being banned according to the analyst & told the group that she was merely relaying the information. Just think how this will affect the CDC dealing with The National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD & TB Prevention that’s working on ways to prevent HIV among transgender people & reduce health disparities, not to mention the CDC’s work on birth defects caused by the Zika virus including research on developing fetuses.
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Bermuda Marriage Equality At Risk

Disturbing news coming out of Bermuda. The Bermuda Parliament has passed anti LGBTQ legislation to repeal marriage equality. If the measure is signed in to law by John Rankin the Governor of Bermuda & becomes law the British overseas territory will become the first territory in the world to take away the right of gay & lesbian couples to marry. Ty Cobb, Director of HRC Global stated, “If Governor Rankin signs this measure into law, it will rip away the right of loving same-gender couples in Bermuda to marry. That’s unconscionable. With international business & tourism as its major industries, Bermuda’s people, international reputation & economy would all be harmed by this legislation. It is crucial that Governor Rankin reject this assault on equality.” In a letter to Senators the Bermuda Tourism Authority warned of consequences for the tourism industry if the measure becomes law, citing economic fallout over anti-LGBTQ measures in North Carolina & Indiana. The letter states, “Significantly, it’s not only LGBT travelers that care about equal rights based on sexual orientation. Our research indicates many companies, consumers and travelers, including the overwhelming majority of the younger visitors powering Bermuda’s growth, care about this issue. It’s why the fallout in North Carolina & Indiana has proven so detrimental.” So think twice about traveling to Bermuda until this is resolved. Bermuda achieved marriage equality through a Supreme Court ruling in May this year.
For More Info: hrc.org
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Trump Threatens LGBT Healthcare

Now that Alabama is resolved let’s not get complacent. The Fenway Institute in Boston, MA has released a new policy brief that examines the potential impact of recent executive actions taken by the Trump-Pence Administration that articulate a right to refuse services to others on the basis of religious beliefs & to refuse to hire people for programming paid for with federal funds based on religious beliefs. These actions include President Trump’s May executive order, an October memo from Attorney General Jeff Sessions, an amicus curiae brief in the Masterpiece Cake Shop case now before the U.S. Supreme Court & documents published this fall by the U.S. Department of Human Services. The report concludes that these executive branch actions are likely to result in discrimination against LGBT people in health care & at the hands of social service providers, private businesses & government officials. Sean Cahill, Director of Health Policy Research at The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health stated, “Under this definition of free exercise of religion, doctors could refuse to treat LGBT people & social service providers could refuse to provide services to LGBT people based on religious objection. These orders & memos take the concept of religious freedom & turn it on its head. True religious freedom protects an individual’s right to worship or not & harms no one. But these new measures are designed so that government employees & healthcare providers can deny service or treatment to LGBT people as a group by claiming that providing such service or treatment would violate their religious beliefs or sincerely held principles.”
For More Info: fenwayhealth.org
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Transgender Military Advances

While the whole country is focused on Alabama a Federal District Court in D.C. rejected the Trump Administration’s request for a partial stay in the case Doe V. Trump a challenge to Trump policy brought forward by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) & GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD). Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly stated in her ruling, “In sum, having carefully considered all of the evidence before it, the Court is not persuaded that Defendants will be irreparably injured by allowing the accession of transgender individuals into the military beginning on January 1, 2018.” The Defense Department then affirmed, “As required by recent federal district court orders, the Department of Defense recently announced it will begin processing transgender applicants for military service on January 1, 2018. This policy will be implemented while the Department of Justice appeals those court orders.” So unless the Supreme Court weighs in on the case the military must now allow transgender enlistment starting on January 1st 2018. Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO of GLAAD concluded, "Today's legal victory is the latest step towards preventing Trump's bigoted trans military ban from ever going into full effect. The Trump administration is struggling to provide any evidence that open trans enlistment be must be delayed because none exists beyond their own hate-fueled anti-LGBTQ agenda."
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Annise Parker Leads Victory Fund

The Victory Fund & Victory Institute announced that former Houston Mayor Annise Parker will be the new leader of the organizations. The transition comes as both organizations prepare for the critically important 2018 elections with more LGBTQ candidates running for elected office than ever before. Mayor Parker’s experience as a former elected official as well as decades of experience leading numerous organizations will position Victory Fund & Victory Institute to be a vital player in electing LGBTQ people in the years ahead. Parker stated, “Victory played such an important role in my political career, beginning with my run for Houston City Council through my campaign for mayor & I am thrilled about the opportunity to lead the organizations & help other LGBTQ elected officials win & make change. 2018 could be a historic year for our community with more openly LGBTQ people running for office in more places & I am confident we will be a difference-maker in helping these candidates across the finish line. I appreciate all Aisha has done to take the organizations to the next level, and am honored to continue to build on that success.” Kim Hoover One Victory Board Chair concluded, “As the first openly LGBTQ mayor of Houston, Annise understands the challenges inherent in running & winning elected office & she’s ideally positioned to help us fulfill our mission now & in the future.” Mayor Parker will begin serving as President & CEO of Victory Fund & Victory Institute on Monday, December 11th. The Victory Fund works to change the face & voice of America’s politics & achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government.
For More Info: victoryfund.org
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Boston Pride Puerto Rico Event

Boston Pride is hosting a fundraiser for Hurricane Relief efforts for the LGBTQ community in Puerto Rico at Club Café in Boston on Sunday December 17th from 12P to 4P presented by Marco Torres, Boston Pride Board Member & Chair of Boston Latinx Pride. Boston Pride’s End-of-Year Giving Campaign is supporting efforts to help raise funds after the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Maria. All proceeds will benefit Waves Ahead the Puerto Rico based non-profit organization that provides support to our LGBTQ community. Waves Ahead Stated, “We continue to be busy as folks are still trying to handle a life without electricity for 3 months & in some areas no water. We continue to distribute water, mosquitoes repellents, batteries & some financial assistance. Refilling gas tanks to cook is an incredible task, propane gas prices are rising & many doctors have left the island so refilling a script or seeing a MD is becoming a problem...many people & areas are not stable yet & won’t be for a while. Keep hope alive during this season of giving...don’t forget about Puerto Rico!” At the brunch there will be a special drag performances featuring Verna Turbulence, Tiny Williams, Pandora Seecret’s, Bokita, Kris Knievil & Kamden T. Rage. Master troubadour will serenade with songs from all of Latinoamérica! Brunch tickets are $28.00 per person & there will also be a cash bar & raffles. Boston Pride produces events & activities to achieve inclusivity, equality, respect & awareness in Greater Boston & beyond. Boston Pride Week 2018 will be held June 1st to 10th.
For Info & Tix: bostonpride.org
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New Edie Windsor SAGE Center

SAGE, the nation’s largest & oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ elders will celebrate the renaming of its NYC SAGE Center Midtown to The Edie Windsor SAGE Center at an event on Thursday December 7th at SAGE National Headquarters, 305 Seventh Avenue on the 15th Floor from 6P to 8P. Michael Adams, CEO of SAGE stated, “Edie Windsor brought so much light to our community, with her pink lipstick smile, her iconic hat tilted just so & her willingness to be a beacon of hope for us all. That’s why we are proud to dedicate The Edie Windsor SAGE Center in honor of a woman who loved us & fought for LGBT equality & LGBT elders with all her might.” SAGE was founded in 1978 & offers supportive services & consumer resources to LGBTQ older adults & their caregivers, advocates for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBTQ older people, provides education & technical assistance for aging providers & LGBTQ organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBT Aging & cultural competence training through SAGE Care. SAGE also coordinates a growing network of affiliates in the United States. Edie Windsor was the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court of the United States case United States v. Windsor which successfully overturned Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act the landmark legal victory for marriage equality in the United States. We caught up with Edie a few years ago in this exclusive audio interview when she gave us her spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN:
For More Info: sageusa.org
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US LGBTQ Civil Rights At Risk

This is a week that will go down in LGBTQ civil rights history. First we have the Supreme Court of the United States refusing to take up Pidgeon v. Turner which allows discrimination against our LGBTQ community by erasing spousal benefits, including health care, for legally married LGBTQ couples in the state of Texas. Then we’re headed back to the Supreme Court today for oral arguments in the case of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission in which the Sessions’ Department of Justice is scheduled to speak in support of a Colorado baker who denied to serve an LGBTQ couple. Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO of GLAAD stated, “The Department of Justice will pretend that this case is not about discrimination as they argue in front of the Supreme Court today, but that could not be further from the truth. While freedom of religion is paramount to our nation’s success, it does not give anyone the right to impose their beliefs on others, to harm others, or to discriminate. There is no sugar-coating the blatant & ugly agenda to discriminate against LGBTQ people at the core of this case, which is about seeking religious exemptions from non-discrimination laws for the singular purpose of refusing service to people simply because who they are.” Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force concluded, “This case has the potential to roll us back more than a half-century to a time when LGBTQ people were in the closet, afraid to be ourselves. We refuse to return to those ugly days.”
For More Info: etaskforce.org
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Holiday Help Is On The Way Gala

The Richmond / Ermet AID Foundation is having its "Help is on the Way for the Holidays XVI" concert & gala on Monday December 4th at Marines' Memorial Theater 609 Sutter Street in San Francisco, California benefiting Larkin Street Youth Services & Project Open Hand. This year's gala will feature cast members from the Broadway touring cast of Disney's "Aladdin" plus other special guest stars including "American Idol," recording star Kimberly Locke, 2-time "Star Search" grand champion Jake Simpson, "America's Got Talent" semi-finalist Shawn Ryan, "X-Factor" finalist Jason Brock, Velocity Circus founder/performer Gregangelo, jazz diva Kim Nalley & cabaret stars Leanne Borghesi & Jessica Coker. Kenneth Henderson, Executive Director of the Richmond/Ermet AID Foundation stated, “People think the AIDS epidemic is over & we don't need to pay attention to it anymore. Events like "Help is on the Way" serve not only to raise funds for local AIDS services but to remind people that there's still a need for funding them. More people are living with HIV & AIDS than ever before in history.” A small silent auction will precede the performance followed by the "Club REAF" after party with the cast will take place at the nearby Clift Hotel in the Redwood & Velvet Rooms. The after party will feature an assortment of decadent desserts, wine tastings & special spirit bars. This year honorary chairs are Senator Dianne Feinstein, Mr. Richard Blum, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom & Senator Scott Weiner.
For Info & Tix: reaf-sf.org
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World AIDS Day 2017 (AUDIO)

It’s really no surprise that the Trump administration’s World AIDS Day proclamation excluded any mention of our LGBTQ community or people of color. David Stacy, HRC Director of Government Affairs stated, “The White House’s failure to mention the LGBTQ community in its World AIDS Day Proclamation reflects their ongoing efforts to avoid addressing the needs of LGBTQ people. This is part of a disturbing pattern of actions they have taken from attempting to ban transgender service members to issuing a sweeping license to discriminate. Further, Trump's continued attacks on access to health care & critical HIV programs have already set back efforts to combat this epidemic.” As Trump continues to create his delusional world where our LGBTQ community & minorities does not exist, there will be events nationally & globally honoring World AIDS Day. Kelsey Louie GMHC CEO stated, “Candlelight vigils, rallies, gatherings & other ways that people can come together—especially on World AIDS Day—remain important because AIDS is not over. When we gather, we support each other to keep going, keep doing the work in all the ways we can & keep persisting & resisting with a collective goal to end AIDS at epidemic levels by 2020.” We talked to Larry Kramer the pioneering co-founder of Gay Men’s Health Crisis & ACT UP a few years ago about his spin on the AIDS crisis that continues in this country & around the world in this exclusive audio byte. LISTEN:  
For More Info: gmhc.org
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SAGE LGBT Elders Lunch Event

SAGE the nation’s largest & oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT elders joins The Movement Advancement Project & Columbia Law School’s Public Rights/Private Conscience Project in the timely release of a new report entitled “Dignity Denied: Religious Exemptions & LGBT Elder Services.” On Friday December 15th there will be a luncheon & conversation detailing the increased risk of discrimination LGBT older adults face as a result of recent efforts to pass religious exemption laws & policies. Michael Adams, CEO of SAGE stated, “This report & the amicus brief SAGE filed in the Masterpiece Cake case, clearly demonstrate that personal religious beliefs should never be a license to discriminate against LGBT people or anybody else. That’s why we are partnering with MAP & Columbia to bring together aging experts, religious leaders & our elders, to expose the dangers that so-called 'religious exemptions' pose for LGBT elders who need care & services. We must not allow the doors of a nursing home or a critical care provider to slam in LGBT elders’ faces just because of who they are & whom they love.” Speakers will include Alex Sheldon, Research Analyst, The Movement Advancement Project, Audrey Weiner, President and CEO, The New Jewish Home, Carmelyn P. Malalis, Chair & Commissioner, New York City Commission on Human Rights, Fred Davie, Executive Vice President, Union Theological Seminary, Jonathan Soto, NYC Mayor’s Office: Executive Director of the Center for Faith and Community Partnerships, Katherine Franke, Professor of Law & Faculty Director of the Public Rights/PrivatConscience Project, Columbia Law School, Michael Adams, CEO, SAGE & more. The luncheon takes place from 12P to 2P at Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University, 3041 Broadway in NYC.
For More Info: sageusa.org
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NEA Rejects Mime Troupe Grant

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has rejected the Tony & OBIE award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe’s (SFMT) 2018 grant proposal for $25,000. This comes after Breitbart News published an article last June entitled “Trump NEA Grants $20k for Lesbian Illegal Alien Musical” saying that NEA's funding of "Walls" was "…a San Francisco musical about a criminal illegal alien lesbian with mental health issues who is in love with an immigration agent," which Breitbart News was using as a case made by President Trump for defunding the NEA entirely. Michael Gene Sullivan, Collective Member & Resident Playwright at the SFMT stated, “We do not know if this sudden evaporation of funds is a direct result of the relentless attacks on our friends at the NEA. We hope this will be a temporary circumstance & that their friends & supporters will contact their representatives to petition for a resumption of funding. If the only people in Congress who talk about free activist theatre are those who oppose it, then theatre of, by & for the people cannot survive.” Since 2012 the SFMT has received up to $20,000 from the NEA for each production which helps but is not enough to cover the cost of health insurance payments for its union members. The SFMT has been providing free Musical Political Theatre in the Bay Area Parks for 58 years. SFMT will continue to do so as well as continue its Youth Theater Project that educates SF youth on social justice & performance with their Young California Writers Project that provides an in-school activist playwriting workshop.
For More Info: sfmt.org
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Boston Lesbian Aging Event

Boston OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing For Change) presents “What It’s Like to Grow Old: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly” a discussion with Sarah Pearlman, Kalyani Devajyoti, Kathy Holmes & Sue Reamer on Sunday December 3rd from 2P to 4P at the Brookline Senior Center at 93 Winchester Street in Brookline, Massachusetts. The speakers will provide an occasionally irreverent, often touching & honest look at the challenges, losses & rewards of aging by panelists who describe the complex experience of growing old. Sarah Pearlman Founding Member of OLOC-Boston stated, “This is your chance to hear four lesbian elders talk about what it’s really like to grow old.” Sue Reamer concluded, “What it’s like growing old is to be shared! Hearing other’s unique journeys, memories, experiences, feelings adds benefits to four own laughter, insights besides bonding us together even more! We’ll laugh, sigh & talk & talk some more maybe even shed a tear too. A lively discussion for us all!” OLOC Boston programs & events are open to lesbians of all ages, including transgender lesbians. OLOC’s mission includes their commitment to creating communities of older lesbians & solidarity with allies for racial, economic & social justice. Following the event there will be an early dinner at Sichuan Garden, 295 Washington Street in Brookline, MA.
For More Info: spearlman@hartford.edu
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LGBTQ Cyber Monday Event

This year now more than ever it’s extremely important to display your commitment to LGBTQ equality & this Cyber Monday for the Holiday Season we’re offering the highest quality gear for all our LGBTQ 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 gender nonconforming 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 “LGBTQ Civil Rights.” This awesome design is empowering & a courageous symbol for our LGBTQ 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 maintain & advance LGBTQ civil rights & equality. So what are you waiting for? Just click on the link below & check it OUT!! :)
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LPAC Holiday Party Event

LPAC, the national lesbian political action committee that supports pro-LGBTQ, pro-women’s equality & progressive candidates are hosting their first Annual LPAC Holiday Party in NYC on Thursday November 30th from 6:30P to 8:30P. Urvashi Vaid, Interim Executive Director LPAC stated, “We are looking forward to gathering the LPAC political community to kick off the holiday season at our LEZ Celebrate the Holidays. What a year it’s been — encouraging gains in 2017 & a lot of urgency & momentum for the critical 2018 election season that starts NOW!” Join LPAC Co-Chairs: Laura Ricketts & Brooke Skinner Ricketts, Joyce Newstat & Susan Lowenberg, Alix Ritchie & Marty Davis, Meg Columbia Walsh, Ana Cruz, Chastity Lord & Zakiya Lord, Rennae Stubbs, Joy Tomchin, Lori Finkel, Archie Gottesman & Gary DeBode, Tony Kushner & Mark Harris, Ilana Kloss & Billie Jean King, Suzanne Rotondo & Karima Zedan, Lilliam Barrios-Paoli & Anna Oliveria, Faith Gay & Francesca Zambella, Jeffrey Arnstein, Martha Stark, Annette Cerbone, Mark M. Sexton & W. Kirk Wallace, Todd Sears & Urvashi Vaid & Kate Clinton for LEZ Celebrate the holidays with hors d’ouevres & cocktails! LPAC builds the political power of lesbians & queer women by electing candidates who champion LGBTQ rights, women’s equality & social justice. LPAC achieves its mission by increasing the political power & engagement of LGBTQ women & their allies & building a network of lesbians & queer women who take political action.
For Info & RSVP…
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NYWIFT 38th Muse Awards Gala

New York Women in Film & Television present their 38th annual Muse Awards gala holiday luncheon on Thursday, December 14th at the Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom at 1335 Avenue of the Americas in NYC. The event begins at 11:30A celebrating the vision & achievements of women who work in the entertainment industry. Each year remarkable & accomplished women are honored with this prestigious award. It is NYWIFT's flagship fundraising event a highlight of the New York City holiday season in the entertainment industry & is attended by an enthusiastic audience of 1,200 leading executives from every major studio, broadcast & cable network & film production facility. This year's honorees include Laura Dern, Actor, Amy Emmerich, Chief Content Officer, Refinery29, Judith Light, Actor, Julie Dash, Director (The Nancy Malone Directing Award), Regina K. Scully, Filmmaker & CEO, Artemis Rising Foundation (Loreen Arbus Changemaker Award), Alysia Reiner, Actor & Producer (Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment "Made in New York" Award). Nancy Giles actor & CBS commentator Nancy Giles will emcee this must-attend event. NYWIFT has also lined up thousands of dollars in prizes for their fabulous Muse Awards Raffle including a weekend getaway at Gurney's Inn Resort & Spa in Montauk, tickets to The Band’s Visit on Broadway & a delicious dinner for two, complimentary legal consultations, accessories from Henri Bendel & more. Muse Awards Gala Holiday Luncheon tickets are $165 for NYWIFT members & $350 for non-members.
For More Info: nywift.org
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Transgender Military Ban Update

U.S. District Judge Marvin Garbis in the District of Maryland has issued a preliminary injunction in Stone v. Trump a case brought by the ACLU challenging Trump’s transgender military ban. This new ruling affirms the nationwide preliminary injunction issued in Doe v. Trump on October 30th. Rick Zbur, Executive Director Equality California stated, “Today’s ruling is another crucial blow to the Trump Administration’s discriminatory ban against transgender service members & those seeking to serve. President Trump’s ban violates constitutional protections & causes serious harms both to our nation’s military & to transgender Americans. Today’s ruling brings us closer to a permanent end.” In Doe v. Trump, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) & GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) argued that Trump’s ban, first announced in a series of tweets, is irresponsible & discriminatory because qualified & able transgender Americans who wish to enlist have been barred from doing so. They also argue that transgender service members have been demeaned & stigmatized, denied health care & faced with the prospect of discharge & the loss of their professions, livelihoods, health care & the post-military retirement they have worked hard to earn. On October 30, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Kollar-Kotelly granted NCLR & GLAD’s motion for a nationwide preliminary injunction. NCLR & GLAD also are co-counsel in Equality California’s suit, Stockman v. Trump, which also challenges the ban. Oral argument in Stockman v. Trump is scheduled for Monday, December 11th in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. For More Info: eqca.org
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BGMC Holiday Concert Series

The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) is proud to present “Believe” a unique blend of traditional & contemporary holiday music all wrapped up in BGMC’s signature blend of class & camp. Performances are on December 2nd as part of Holly Folly in Provincetown & on December 10th, 15th, 16th, & 17th at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall in Boston, MA. Reuben M. Reynolds, III BGMC Music Director stated, “The Christmas story is about journeying home & the celebration of family. Our holiday concert reflects those themes in surprising & meaningful ways. Our selections will conjure & capture the holiday season’s feelings of peace, joy & the comfort of going home & sharing time with family, be it biological or chosen including new arrangements of beloved classics like ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,’ & ‘O Holy Night’ & a unique piece that blends ‘Ave Maria’ with pop singer Sinead O’Connor’s moving ode to motherhood, ‘This is to Mother You.’” Believe will feature soprano Sonja Tengblad, a versatile performer with credits spanning the Renaissance era through current composers of our time. The concert is named for the song “Believe” which is from the animated musical film The Polar Express. The meaning of the song—if you believe in yourself & the people around you, that’s all that matters—will be carried throughout the concert. Craig Coogan BGMC Executive Director concluded, “We ask, ‘Do you believe? And after experiencing this concert, we know you’ll answer, ‘yes!’ Believe will have you believing in the spirit of the holidays.”
For Info & Tix…
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Cracked Christmas Theater Event

Ryan Landry's Gold Dust Orphans present their new must-see Christmas themed musical mystery production entitled "Whatever Happened To Baby Jesus?" at the Ramrod Center for the Performing Arts at Machine Night Club 1254 Boylston Street in Boston, MA. Opening night is November 30th & runs through December 23rd at 8P. The show tells the tale of somebody has stolen the bright & shiny Baby Jesus from the downtown nativity display & murdered the Preacher's wife to boot but who could it be? Drawing on the cult movie classic “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” years pass till Blanche Hudson who is a physically challenged movie star goes to spend the Christmas holidays at the Marvel Family Farm in her hometown of Mapleton, Vermont. But wait! Along comes Baby Jane Hudson her crazy mentally challenged sister & haunted by their pasts the Hudson sisters soon begin haunting each other until no one is safe! Ryan Landry plays the role of Blanche Hudson & longtime Orphan collaborator Larry Coen takes on the iconic part of Baby Jane. Surrounded by a supporting cast of new Orphan favorites the audience is sure to be surprised & delighted as the plot twists & the tables turn. Audiences will not be disappointed in this over-the-top production & can expect to gasp in horror with delight as the Orphans dance, sing & satirize their way through 90 minutes of rock solid fun as "Whatever Happened To Baby Jesus" will keep you on your toes & at the edge of your seat!
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