GLAAD To Honor Alyssa Milano

GLAAD the global LGBTQ media advocacy organization has announced that actor & #MeToo advocate Alyssa Milano will be honored with the Ariadne Getty Ally Award at the 2018 GLAAD Gala San Francisco on September 15th at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President & CEO stated, “Alyssa Milano has long been an outspoken powerhouse for acceptance of LGBTQ people & other marginalized groups, just as the award’s namesake Ari Getty has done. Whether protesting the proposed ban on transgender people in the military or advocating for gender equality in Hollywood, Milano not only raises her voice, but leads actions that create substantive & lasting change.” The Ariadne Getty Ally Award is presented to an LGBTQ ally who uses their voice & public platform to accelerate & affect acceptance for our LGBTQ community. The award is named after philanthropist Ariadne Getty a native of San Francisco & member of GLAAD’s Board of Directors who announced a $15 million lead gift to support GLAAD’s work to accelerate LGBTQ acceptance at the 2018 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Getty will attend the GLAAD Gala with her son designer August Getty & her daughter artist Nats Getty. Emmy Award winning actor & Comedian Leslie Jordan will host the annual gala on September 15th featuring Pose’s Mj Rodriguez, RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Ross Mathews & Michelle Visage, tech journalist Ina Fried & transgender pop star Kim Petras. GLAAD Gala San Francisco is presented by Gilead, Ketel One Family-Made Vodka & Wells Fargo. The evening will also feature a special video message from Olympic medalist Adam Rippon about Ketel One Family-Made Vodka’s commitment to community, sustainably & the importance of family as well as its eight year partnership with GLAAD.
For More Info & Tix: glaad.org
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Women Take On Twelve Angry Men

Producer Lauren Class Schneider has announced that an all-star cast of leading Broadway women will lend their voices to a reading of the classic play Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose on September 16th at Theatre Row’s Acorn Theater in NYC. Schneider stated, “Rose wrote the original teleplay in1954, some 19 years before women could serve on juries in all 50 states. The female voices remind us how much change there’s been & how much more change is still needed. An all-female cast of this play, at this time, is relevant on so many levels. The play also makes a powerful statement for the value of civic involvement. It’s also exciting that seeing a play can motivate action.” The stellar cast currently includes Geneva Carr, Lynn Cohen, Jenn Colella, Ariana DeBose, Cady Huffman, Amber Iman, Chilina Kennedy, Caitlin Kinnunen, Jill Paice & Dale Soules with additional performers to be announced. Karen Azenberg, Pam Berlin, Sammi Cannold, Mary B. Robinson & Lynne Taylor-Corbett serve as Artistic Advisors for the reading. Following the staged reading on September 16th audience members, cast & staff will have the opportunity to update their voter registration in anticipation of the November 6th midterm elections. Information will also be given about how to increase voter registration & voter turnout. The reading will take place at 8P on Sunday, September 16th at Theatre Row’s Acorn Theater 410 W 42nd Street in NYC. A limited number of tickets are available for $60. Sponsors for the event include Broadway Fantasy Camp, New York New Works Theatre Festival, HMS Media & Bandbox Strategies.
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Marilyn Rosen Loves Marilyn Maye

Marilyn Maye the Grammy-nominated recording artist & national musical treasure has spent her entire life that spans nine decades committed to the art of song & performance. Maye who was described as “the greatest white female singer in the world” by Ella Fitzgerald has been singing since age 9 & in the decades since has recorded seven albums & 34 singles including the first recording of “Cabaret”. We were so thrilled that due to popular demand an additional show was added to her sold-out run at The Art House in Provincetown Massachusetts. We attended the show with Broadway Producers Gabby Hanna & Marcy Feller. Marilyn Rosen CEO of Marilyn Rosen Presents stated, “It was such a thrill to catch Ms. Maye’s stellar & intimate show in Provincetown last night. I’ve missed her show over the last few years in Ptown & finally got to experience her unsurpassable heartfelt cabaret performance. I loved the show & I love Marilyn Maye.” Accompanying Ms. Maye was the incomparable Billy Stritch on piano with Steve Doyle on bass & Daniel Glass on drums. The American Songbook Association (ASA) recently announced that it will present the Lifetime Achievement Award to singer Marilyn Maye at its first Annual Gala entitled “The Joint Is Jumpin'!” a joyous celebration of contributions to the American Songbook by Black songwriters & notable singers that takes place on Monday September 17th at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center 480 W. 42nd Street in NYC. Iconic fashion designer Bob Mackie, a longtime friend of Maye’s will present her with the award.
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LGBT Rally To End Detention & ICE

On Monday August 27th in Albuquerque, NM Transgender Law Center, Black LGBTQ+ Migrant Project - BLMP, Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement are hosting a rally & march that will center how transgender & LGBTQ people are uniquely impacted by immigration detention & demand an end to detention for all vulnerable people. In particular they are uplifting their demand for #JusticeforRoxsana, a trans woman & asylum-seeker from Honduras who died earlier this year while in ICE custody. The rally begins at 9A to 945A MT led by Black LGBTQ+ Migrant Project - BLMP with speakers from local & national organizations including Ola Osaze, Black LGBTQ+ Migrant Project at Transgender Law Center, Jennicet Gutierrez, Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement, Mattee Jim, Board member of Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico, Selene Rivera, Albuquerque Queer Resistance Collective, Tiara Gendi, Black LGBTQ+ Migrant Project & other local & national LGBTQ+ & migrant rights organizations including Transgender Law Center, Black LGBTQ+ Migrant Project - BLMP, Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement & trans & queer migrants & allies. The event will take place at 301 Tijeras Ave NW in Albuquerque, NM. Transgender Law Center (TLC) is the largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people. Grounded in legal expertise & committed to racial justice, TLC employs a variety of community-driven strategies to keep transgender & gender nonconforming people alive, thriving & fighting for liberation.
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Celebrate Women's Equality Day

Women's Equality Day on August 26th in the United States commemorates the adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920. In 1920 the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) states, "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex" was introduced to Congress for the first time. In 1972 as battles over the ERA continued, Congresswoman Bella Abzug of New York introduced a resolution to designate August 26th as Women’s Equality Day. In 2018, 98 years since it's inception the ERA has been revitalized & only one more state needs to pass the ERA to finally get it ratified. With the recent rise of the #MeToo & #TimesUp movement has renewed interest in passing the ERA. Alyssa Milano states, "The #MeToo movement was such a powerful phenomenon because for far too long women have not felt heard. It's hard to empower women when they are not recognized as part of our constitution. It's simple, we need the ERA to protect women's rights." Let’s treat Women's Equality Day as a call to action by finding out what you can do to ensure & protect women's equality in our country & see this rejuvenation of the ERA to fruition. As Bella Abzug stated in 1997, “Women will run the 21st Century….This is going to be the women’s century & young people are going to be its leaders.” I recently talked to Bella’s daughter Liz Abzug about film projects she’s working on depicting her mother’s legacy in this exclusive audio byte. LISTEN 
   
For More Info: abzuginstitute.org
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California Supports LGBTQ Seniors

California Governor Jerry Brown has signed AB 2719, authored by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) & co-sponsored by Equality California & SAGE. This new law adds sexual orientation, gender identity & gender expression to the definition of elderly communities to be given priority consideration for programs & services administered through the California Department of Aging. Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) stated “I’m incredibly thankful to the Governor for signing this bill into law. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer Californians will now have certainty that the State will continue to take into account their unique circumstances as they age & our current elderly LGBTQ population will continue to benefit from having priority in the planning & implementation of programs they need to age with dignity.” Rick Zbur Equality California Executive Director added, “It’s incredibly important that we ensure LGBTQ older adults have access to the services & support they need to maintain their health and live their lives with dignity. We’re deeply grateful to Governor Brown for signing AB 2719 & to Assemblymember Irwin for being such a strong champion for our LGBTQ elders.” Michael Adams SAGE CEO concluded, “We commend Governor Brown & the state of California for taking this important step forward on behalf of LGBT older people. LGBT elders experience high rates of social isolation & poverty as well as thin support networks & heavily rely on home & community-based services in their later years. Just like all other older people, we must ensure they have access to welcoming services in their communities. We hope that Congress follows California’s lead when it reauthorizes the Older Americans Act in 2019.”
For More Info: eqca.org
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United States AIDS Conference

The 2018 United States Conference on AIDS (USCA) takes place at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, FL from September 6th to 9th. Join thousands of colleagues to celebrate the resiliency & diversity of this crucial movement. Scheduled for the conference’s opening plenary on Thursday, September 6th at 11:30A will feature Parkland shooting survivor & activist David Hogg, Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza, Abigail Echo-Hawk, Director, Urban Indian Health Institute, Richard Zaldivar of The Wall Las Memorias Project, Naina Khanna, Executive Director, Positive Women’s Network – USA & a special performance by Thelma Houston (“Don’t Leave Me this Way”), who will pay tribute to the legendary disco performer Sylvester. Paul Kawata Executive Director National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) stated, “Our opening plenary is focused on the importance of activism. Activism in the fight against HIV intersects many communities: youth, LGBTQ, elders & communities of color. We want to show how different activist movements can intersect with the fight against HIV & strengthen our forces for change.” The conference will also feature two special performances & one documentary film screening including Ongina, from the first season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” on Thursday, Sept. 6th at 8P will perform at an opening reception. Ongina was the show’s first contestant to be open about living with HIV. Kawata added, “Ongina’s disclosure of her HIV status brought great awareness to viewers about the HIV epidemic & the emotional toll it can take on people living with the virus. Since then, she has been a great example of how a person living with HIV can not just live but thrive & excel.” I talked to Larry Kramer, 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: nmac.org
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Georgia Guide For LGBTQ Youth

In an attempt to better meet the needs of LGBTQ youth in Georgia’s Child Welfare System a guide was co-authored by a group of child welfare organizations & experts, including The Health Initiative, Children’s Rights, Georgia Equality & others. The guide shines a light on the unique needs of LGBTQ youth & makes specific recommendations for how the system can best serve them. Linda Ellis, Executive Director of The Health Initiative stated, “This guide will help child welfare providers in Georgia better understand the needs of LGBTQ youth, strengthen standards of care & help ensure that all people who interact with the child welfare system are trained on how to effectively & respectfully work with LGBTQ youth. Children in our state’s care are our responsibility & that means we must ensure that the systems serving our most vulnerable kids are as effective as possible.” Christina Wilson Remlin, Lead Counsel at Children’s Rights, a national advocacy organization fighting for the rights of youth in foster care added, “As someone who advocates for foster youth across the country, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges that result from the absence of a strong legal framework to protect LGBTQ children. If states like Georgia continue to move toward adopting comprehensive non-discrimination policies and mandate appropriate training, young people will have a much better chance at living happy, healthy, productive lives.” The guide highlights policies, training & best practices to support LGBTQ youths’ wellbeing while combatting homelessness & mistreatment, including recommendations for collecting relevant data & specific strategies to empower case managers to more effectively work with LGBTQ youth.
For More Info: thehealthinitiative.org
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"Raging Skillet" Plays Cape Cod

Chef Rossi’s memoir “The Raging Skillet” has morphed into a creative & hilarious stage production “Raging Skillet” by Jacques Lamarre that will be performed at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater (WHAT) with previews beginning August 22nd, opening night August 24th & runs through September 15th. “Raging Skillet” is one woman's story about cooking her way through some of life's biggest challenges in New York City's most unlikely kitchens. As the rebel caterer parties at the launch event for her new tell-all book her Orthodox Jewish mother shows up unannounced twenty years after she died & guilt trips her into a reckoning with her rebellious past, her time with a Hassidic community in Brooklyn & the real meaning of a Jewish home. The WHAT production of “Raging Skillet” is directed by Sasha Bratt with artistic direction by Christopher Ostrom & stars Shanel Sparr & features Kathryn Kates & Michael Patrick Trimm. When asked what she would like to accomplish with her work Chef Rossi stated, “I think I would most like to see the empowerment of women especially in the culinary field would be great. I’d like to see the empowerment of young gay adults & gay teenagers. I’d like to see the empowerment of the underdog in general. I’m kind of a runaway, throwaway, white trash little kid from New Jersey who went from literally being homeless to whatever this thing is called Chef Rossi. I just think that my story really empowers people that are down & out or the underdog or minorities and I just hope I can help.”
For Info & Tix: what.org
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Tennessee Williams Paintings Exhibit

Tennessee Williams besides being one the most important playwrights of the 20th Century & gay icon was also an amazing artist. His paintings are currently on display at the Jewish Museum of Florida in Miami through October 7th. The painting are on loan from David Wolkowsky who still lives in Key West & is almost 100. This is one of the few times the paintings have been exhibited outside of Key West. The exhibition “Tennessee Williams: Playwright & Painter” is an intimate showing of nine exquisitely rare paintings created by Williams in Key West during the 1970s. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Williams during the early 70’s decked out in a light blue seersucker suit sporting his trademark white Panama Fedora when I worked at WCVB-TV in Boston. David Wolkowsky known as “Mr. Key West” is from one of the earliest Jewish Families that helped to settle Key West in the 1800s & was one of Williams’ intimates. Susan Gladstone, the Executive Director of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU stated, “The story behind these paintings & the close friendship between Wolkowsky & Williams, is just one example of the many unexpected treasures in the rich history of Jewish culture in the State of Florida, spanning four centuries. The fact that Williams painted, much less that he painted in Key West, is a surprise to many & his paintings have mostly remained outside of the public eye. We are honored to have these works here at the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU & to be one of the few museums that David Wolkowsky has selected to exhibit these works outside of their Key West home.” (Above Painting of Actor Michael York, by Tennessee Williams (1970s)
For More Info: jmof.fiu.edu 
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Betsy DeVos Failing Trans Students

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos's has refused to investigate at least five civil rights complaints filed by transgender students. California legislators & Equality California have scheduled a press conference for Monday August 20th condemning Secretary Betsy DeVos & requesting that the U.S. Department of Education thoroughly investigate all complaints of discrimination against transgender students. California Assembly member Tony Thurmond (D-Richmond), Legislative LGBT Caucus Chair Assembly member Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) & Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur released the following joint statement: "Secretary DeVos's egregious failure to protect transgender public school students from discrimination, bullying & harassment is not just a dereliction of her duty to enforce federal civil rights laws, but part of a larger campaign by the Trump-Pence Administration to dehumanize transgender Americans. Time & again, Ms. DeVos has chosen to put her own political agenda ahead of the needs of the nation's most vulnerable students. It is time for Ms. DeVos to take seriously the oath she took to serve all students including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender & to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn in an environment free of discrimination & harassment." Last year Secretary DeVos & U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded Obama Era federal guidance outlining how transgender students are protected from discrimination under Title IX requirements which forbid federally funded schools from discriminating on the basis of sex. The press conference will take place at the California Capitol in Sacramento, CA Monday August 20th at 11A.
For More Info: eqca.org
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Dementia Care For LGBT Elders

Developed by the Alzheimer’s Association & SAGE a new report identifies unique challenges for our LGBT community facing Alzheimer’s & other Dementias. The brief outlines issues that arise when Alzheimer’s disease, sexual orientation & gender identification & expression intersect allowing advocates & care providers to better meet the needs of LGBT elders & their caregivers facing dementia. Sam Fazio, Ph.D., Director of quality care & psychosocial research, Alzheimer’s Association stated, “Living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia is not easy for anyone. But LGBT individuals can often face additional challenges that need to be considered & addressed to ensure this population gets respectful & competent care.” It is estimated that there are 2.7 million LGBT people over age 50 living in the United States & that number is increasing rapidly as baby boomers age & more people self-identify as LGBT. New research presented at the 2018 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference found that about one in 13 lesbian, gay or bisexual seniors in the United States are living with dementia. Dementia rates for the LGB population are 7.4 percent, compared to about 10 percent for the general population. Michael Adams CEO of SAGE added, “While the LGBT community faces similar health concerns as the general public, LGBT people who receive a dementia diagnosis & LGBT caregivers face uniquely challenging circumstances. This brief shines a light on these challenges, so we can begin taking steps to address them & improve the care & support LGBT people receive.” In support of the recommendations, SAGE & the Alzheimer’s Association are partnering to provide training to Association staff & chapters across the country & SAGE is encouraging local collaborations that offer targeted support to LGBT older adults who have a dementia diagnosis & their caregivers.
For More Info: sageusa.org
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Transgender Win In Vermont Primary

Christine Hallquist has become the first transgender person to become a gubernatorial nominee of a major U.S. political party. Democratic primary voters in Vermont selected Hallquist as their nominee for governor. She joins three other openly LGBTQ candidates who received the Democratic nomination for governor this cycle including Kate Brown of Oregon, Jared Polis of Colorado & Lupe Valdez of Texas. Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund stated, “Christine’s victory is a defining moment in the movement for trans equality & is especially remarkable given how few out trans elected officials there are at any level of government. Many thought it unthinkable a viable trans gubernatorial candidate like Christine would emerge so soon. Yet Vermont voters chose Christine not because of her gender identity, but because she is an open & authentic candidate with a long history of service to the state & who speaks to the issues most important to voters.” Billy Jean King Tweeted, “Congratulations to Christine Hallquist on winning the Democratic primary for VT governor. As the first openly transgender candidate to be nominated for governor by a major party in the U.S., she is a courageous trailblazer who has inspired many to live an authentic life.” Christine defeated four primary opponents with a strong campaign organization & robust ground game while running on her extensive experience as CEO of a Vermont electric utility company. If she wins in November Hallquist will become the first openly transgender person to serve as governor of a U.S. state & the second openly LGBTQ person ever elected governor.
For More Info: christineforvermont.com
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LGBTQ People At Risk In USA

LGBTQ people & their families are particularly at risk with the Trump administration, Congress & state governments ongoing attacks on crucial public programs that provide vital support to people in need. A survey conducted by the Center for American Progress found that LGBTQ people & their families are more likely to participate in public assistance programs than non-LGBTQ people & their families. For example 20.9 percent of LGBTQ people & their families receive health care from Medicaid while only 12.9 percent of non-LGBTQ people & their families do. This disparity is even larger when it comes to nutrition assistance: LGBTQ people & their families receive help from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at more than twice the rate of non-LGBTQ people & their families. Caitlin Rooney, co-author of the report stated, “Cuts to these programs would devastate support systems for millions of Americans but they are likely to hit the LGBTQ community even harder.” LGBTQ people with disabilities & their families would be especially harmed by benefit cuts. About 41 percent of LGBTQ people with disabilities reported that they or their family received SNAP benefits, compared with 16 percent of LGBTQ people without disabilities. LGBTQ women in particular depend on benefits programs to make ends meet. About 26 percent of LGBTQ women receive SNAP benefits while 9.7 percent of non-LGBTQ women do. Transgender individuals & their families would also be hit hard. According to the survey transgender people & their families are five times more likely to receive public housing assistance than cisgender people & their families.
Read Report…
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Against The Tide Cape Cod Events

Against the Tide is a family-friendly, multi-sport event to benefit the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC). This swim, kayak, walk or run fundraising event will be held for the 19th year at DCR's Nickerson State Park in Brewster, MA on Saturday August 18th & on August 19th MBCC will have a team running in 2018 New Balance Falmouth Road Race. The funds raised through Against the Tide helps support & expand their community education program "Let’s Talk Prevention: Reducing Toxic Exposures", the MBCC Research Video Series, MBCC Webinar Series & the newly-introduced environmental health program for high school students. Cheryl Osimo, MBCC's Executive Director & Co-Founder of Silent Spring Institute stated, “MBCC looks forward to the upcoming Against the Tide events August 18th on Cape Cod, as these inspiring events bring together citizens from all across the Commonwealth to show their support of our unique mission of prevention. On August 19th, the MBCC Team will once again take part in the New Balance Falmouth Road Race. Each year our Road Race Team is made up of exceptional individuals who train for this challenging race & raise funds on our behalf. Together with the Against the Tide events, funds raised by the MBCC Road Race Team go a long way in helping MBCC to serve as an invaluable bridge between research & medical communities to educate our citizens while advocating for the policy changes necessary to protect the health of our children, grandchildren & future generations.” MBCC is the only non-profit in the state dedicated to the prevention of breast cancer from environmental causes.
For More Info: mbcc.org
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LGBT Leaders & Allies Against Hate

With the anniversary of the bloody murderous attack on Charlottesville, Virginia by white nationalists, white supremacists, alt-right & Neo-Nazis Jason Kessler & other rally organizers are even more emboldened with plans to bring their message of hate to the nation’s capital today. Candace Bond-Theriault, Director of the Task Force’s Democracy Project stated, “White nationalism is a divisive message of hate that seeks to suppress the rights of all others. From the ballot box, to the lunch counter, the cake shop & to who sits in the White House, white supremacists seek a world free of anyone they deem other, be it those that are Black, Jewish, non-white, women, LGBTQ, or anyone else that disagrees with their message of hate.” Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland stated, “Hate has no place in our society & these white supremacists & the racism & bigotry they spew are not welcome in our state today, this weekend, or ever. As we face this invasion of vile & perverted ideology infesting our region, we stand united in our conviction that a diverse & inclusive Maryland is a stronger Maryland. We stand ready to provide any needed assistance to our regional partners as they prepare to deal with the ramifications of these despicable rallies. I have directed state agencies, including the Maryland State Police, Maryland Emergency Management Agency & the Governor's Office of Homeland Security, to coordinate efforts with their D.C. & Virginia counterparts to ensure the safety of all of our citizens.” Let’s honor the memory of Heather Heyer who was murdered by a white nationalist terrorist on the anniversary of her death & keep her loved ones in our thoughts.
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Grace Moreno To Be Honored

Grace Moreno, Executive Director of the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce will be this year's honoree at OUT MetroWest’s fifth annual Come Out & Celebrate Gala on Friday September 21st at Verve - Crowne Plaza Hotel in Natick, Massachusetts. Grace has dedicated her career to advocacy for all people, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. As executive director of the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce Grace is currently fostering economic growth & viability for LGBT owned & allied businesses, corporations & professionals throughout the Commonwealth. For more than 25 years as a senior executive, startup nurturer & mission-driven entrepreneur Moreno has led state & national nonprofit organizations. Come Out & Celebrate raises funds for youth programs, Drop-in, Nexus, Umbrella & WAGLY. Sawyer Bethel, LICSW OUT MetroWest’s Executive Director stated, “Even with all of the summer fun, we're hard at work getting ready for our fifth annual Come Out & Celebrate Gala on September 21st. Please join us as we celebrate Grace Moreno & OUT MetroWest’s work to enrich the LGBTQ community in MetroWest Boston. You'll be treated to cocktails, dinner & an inspiring program featuring important voices from the LGBTQ civil rights movement.” To continue the celebration there will be dancing & dessert beginning at 9:30P. This year’s Host Committee includes Angelique Tung, Chair, Noah Augustine, Leona Bessonova & Guimel DeCarvalho, Ineke Ceder, Kim Comatas, Susan Catterall Francis, Tatyana Goldwyn, Corie Mieth, Rise Shepsle, Hilary Smiley & Donna Tambascio. Tickets are $125.
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Conference Addresses LGBT Elders

This year’s 14th International Federation on Ageing (IFA) Global Conference that takes place in Toronto, Canada through August 10th includes a heightened focus on LGBT aging with three special “town hall” sessions, numerous workshops & an LGBT-inclusive “Addressing Inequalities Summit.” As part of the conference, SAGE this country's largest & oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT seniors released the results of a groundbreaking report, highlighting first-of-its-kind data that illustrates the experiences of LGBT older people across the globe. Michael Adams SAGE CEO stated, “Invisibility & isolation among older sexual orientation & gender identity minorities across the globe leads to neglect & abuse. This survey produces critically important data to understand the social attitudes that reinforce this discrimination & isolation, an invaluable first step toward breaking the invisibility & focusing attention on the needs of these highly vulnerable elders.” Dr. Jane Barratt, Secretary General for the International Federation on Ageing concluded, “It is quite evident that despite progress to protect the rights of the LGBT community, there is still a great deal of work to be done. Older LGBT individuals continue to face layers of discrimination - this is unacceptable & must be addressed through a clear action plan that seeks to eradicate behaviors that impact a person’s human rights.” As part of the IFA Conference, SAGE & its partners will call on governments, industries, organizations & individuals to protect the rights of LGBT older people.
For More Info: sageusa.org
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New LGBTQ Family Campaign

The Biden Foundation has launched “As You Are” a family & community acceptance campaign to raise awareness of the importance of family acceptance in the lives of LGBTQ young people. Despite unprecedented gains in legal protections by our LGBTQ community over the last decade, LGBTQ youth continue to be among the most at-risk youth populations in America. Specifically, LGBTQ young people are disproportionately more likely than their non-LGBTQ peers to experience homelessness, suffer from depression & experience suicidal ideation. Vice President Joe Biden stated, “I’m so proud to announce the Biden Foundation has launched this campaign. “We’ll use our resources to highlight the harms of family rejection & lift up research, best practices & personal stories to powerfully show the significant value of family acceptance.” The “As You Are” campaign is collecting personal stories from LGBTQ youth, parents, siblings, educators, social service providers, coaches & others to help educate the broader public about the critical importance of affirming, accepting & supporting our LGBTQ young people & the harms these youth face when their families & communities reject them. Because stories like these have incredible power the Foundation will share these narratives with the hope that they will serve to inspire, to create communities, to heal families & to change the broader culture to ensure a bright future for all LGBTQ young people. Building on Vice President & Dr. Biden’s commitment to equality the Biden Foundation is working to leverage existing networks & institutions to support, serve & advocate for LGBTQ communities. The Biden Foundation is dedicated to working toward a future where all people are treated with dignity & respect, including LGBTQ people. 
For More Info: bidenfoundation.org
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Disturbing Global LGBTQ Update

Governments around the world are using laws to silence LGBTQ civil society. OutRight Action International has launched their latest report entitled The Global State of LGBTI Organizing: The Right to Register which highlights a phenomenon that governments are trying to silence a growing movement for equality by preventing formation & registration of LGBTQ civil society organizations. This has been happening amidst an intense crackdown & large-scale arrests of LGBTQ people around the globe over the last year in places like Russia, Egypt, Indonesia, Tanzania & more. The report finds that LGBTQ organizations are unable to register or cannot be found in 85 of 194 countries. Maria Sjodin, Deputy Executive Director, OutRight Action International stated, “History shows that progress on LGBTIQ rights have come through activism & visibility. When states suppress LGBTIQ organizations, they are really trying to stop LGBTIQ people from gaining basic human rights & equality.” Dr Felicity Daly, Global Research Coordinator & author of the report concluded, “The data we have collected for this study shows that in many countries LGBTIQ organizations are unable to register in the same ways that organizations serving any other population can. We found that currently there are 55 countries where LGBTIQ organizations cannot register & 30 countries in the world that have no organizations openly serving LGBTIQ people. Hopefully when this analysis is revised in years to come these statistics will have decreased & we will be able to measure even greater growth of strong & sustainable organizations serving LGBTIQ people.” The study finds that many organizations globally cannot register if they explicitly state their aim to serve LGBTQ people or address their concerns. Governments often deny registration on religious & moral grounds to limit the fundamental freedom of assembly & have gone so far as to call LGBTQ organizations a threat to national security which of course is what the Trump administration is attempting to achieve is America.
For More Info: outrightinternational.org
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Elyse Cherry BCC CEO Honored

Boston Community Capital CEO Elyse Cherry has been recognized by Banker & Tradesman as a Woman of FIRE an award honoring outstanding women in finance, insurance & real estate. Elyse was included among this year’s class of 17 honorees. Cherry stated, “When we all put our shoulder to the same wheel, it’s remarkable what happens. Each of us brings the talent & commitment & experience to take these sophisticated tools that build wealth for the larger community & apply them to the challenges of low-income populations & communities.” Elyse Cherry as CEO of Boston Community Capital (BCC) has overseen the investment of over $900 million into low-income communities. Boston Community Capital is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) an organization dedicated specifically to using financial tools to make an impact in its community. Cherry is also an important voice in the Massachusetts LGBTQ community. The former chair of MassEquality is also very active in LPAC (Lesbian Political Action Committee) that backs candidates that supports our LGBTQ issues. Elyse is one of the few women running a major financial institution. Cherry concluded, “There were many, many times over the years when I would look around the room & realize I was the only woman present in a sea of men. In the end I just decided that I need to bring more women into the room & have worked very hard to do that. But whatever the gender makeup I was going to move forward & our issues were going to be taken seriously & addressed.”
For More Info: bostoncommunitycapital.org
LISTEN: American Leaders Talk LGBTQ Civil Rights
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