LGBTQ Students Civil Rights Decline

A new report shows that the Department of Education (ED) has drastically scaled back enforcing civil rights for our LGBTQ students according to data obtained by the Center for American Progress. Records obtained from the ED through Freedom of Information Act requests show that since the start of the Trump administration Title IX complaints related to sexual orientation or gender identity were more than nine times less likely to result in corrective action than they were during the Obama administration. Shabab Ahmed Mirza, co-author of the report & a research assistant at CAP stated, “This administration’s failure to protect the civil rights of LGBTQ students should not come as a surprise to anyone. But the nine fold decrease in the rate of corrective action is a shocking indicator of the scale of the problem.” Frank J. Bewkes, co-author of the report & a policy analyst for the LGBT Research & Communications Project at the CAP concluded, “Betsy DeVos claims the Department of Education is committed to ensuring that all students have access to their education free from discrimination. But these data show that she is failing. There is an clear disregard for the rights of LGBTQ students under Title IX.” This appears to be part of a disturbing pattern under DeVos’ leadership the report says. One of her first acts as secretary of education was to revoke Obama-era guidance that affirmed protections for transgender students. Last year DeVos said the department was no longer investigating complaints from transgender students regarding access to bathrooms & locker rooms as well as a range of other complaints of anti-transgender discrimination.
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Provincetown Business Guild (AUDIO)

This week I talked with Bob Sanborn, Interim Executive Director of The Provincetown Business Guild (PBG) about what’s happening this summer in Provincetown, Massachusetts & beyond. Provincetown Business Guild was founded in 1978 with 20 members & has grown to over 300 members today. PBG is the first tourism organization in the country whose primary mission is to promote & support tourism for LGBTQ visitors. The Guild is committed to improving the Provincetown community by advocating for the acceptance of diversity & tolerance through projects, programs & education. PBG promotes & markets Provincetown as an LBGTQ year round destination by producing events such as PRIDE, Carnival, Holly Folly & First Light. One of the most popular events this summer is Carnival Week that takes place August 17th through the 24th. This year’s theme is “The Enchanted Forest” & for the 41st annual Carnival Parade on August 22nd the Grand Marshals will be Lea Delaria & Trixie Mattel with David Velasco Bermudez who is a Stonewall Riots Survivor as Honorary Grand Marshal. The parade begins at 3P along Commercial Street & you’re encouraged to come dressed in your most fabulous Carnival themed finery. Sanborn has also served as the Town’s Tourism Director & served on the Town’s Visitor Services Board for a number of years. In 2018 The Provincetown Business Guild & its separate 501(c)3 entity launched The Provincetown LGBTQ Welcome & Resource Center (“The Center”) with a new storefront for The Center at 368 Commercial Street. This is a great way to begin your Provincetown adventure so be sure to check it out.
For More Info: ptown.org
 
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Trump Attack On LGBTQ Healthcare

As we reported last month the Trump Administration released a proposed regulation that would reverse the 2016 final rule implementing the nondiscrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The measure known as 2016 Section 1557 rule explicitly prohibits gender identity discrimination, including discrimination against intersex & non-binary people in health care facilities & programs receiving federal funding. The rule also prohibits some forms of sexual orientation discrimination that take the form of sex stereotyping. The public has until August 13th to offer comment on the proposed regulation. Fenway Institute of Fenway Health in Boston released a policy brief urging health care professionals & advocates to submit comment urging the Trump Administration to reconsider the proposal. Katherine Laurila Fenway Institute Health Policy Fellow stated, “Initial news reports about the proposed rule characterized it as anti-transgender. New rule proposes removal of LGBT nondiscrimination provisions from Section 1557 & other health care regulations. But the scope of the proposed regulation extends far beyond the gender identity & sex stereotyping provisions of the 2016 nondiscrimination provisions of Rule 1557.” Carl Sciortino, Vice President of Government & Community Relations at Fenway Health concluded, “This proposed regulation would have far-reaching implications for the LGBT community, all of them negative. If this rule is enacted, the Trump Administration will succeed in reversing much of the progress made in federal health policy over the past decade.”
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NAACP Passes LGBTQ Resolutions

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) voted unanimously on 3 pro-LGBTQ resolutions with far reaching impact on their 2,000+ units/chapters across the country. The NAACP was a champion for marriage equality & remains a strong advocate for the Equality Act & is now taking action to do deeper work with their units & chapters to invoke change locally. David Johns, Executive Director, National Black Justice Coalition stated, “Anyone who purports to care about the well-being of Black people must care about all of us all of the time. At a time when our community is under attack by occupants of the highest office in the country as well as the lowest depths of hatred & bigotry, it is noteworthy that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is taking meaningful steps toward intersectional social justice. Too many people think that the gains made by the white LGBTQ community are eroding civil protections for Black people & these people miss the fact that as long as there have been Black people there have been Black LGBTQ & same gender loving (SGL) people. Black LGBTQ/SGL people are vulnerable to discrimination & dying at a disproportionate rate & this does not have to be our reality. The resolutions passed by the NAACP will help to ensure that local chapters across the country do a better job of holding space & ensuring equality for all Black people. The National Black Justice Coalition is proud to serve as a resource.” The resolutions marked the next chapter in the NAACP's support of our community in ending murders & violence against transgender women & supporting the transgender community, prevention & earlier detection of HIV Virus & inclusion of LGBTQ Diversity & Sensitivity training for units/chapters.
For More Info: nbjc.org
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David Hatkoff To Helm Newfest

David Hatkoff has been appointed the new executive director of Newfest, New York’s LGBTQ Film Festival that runs October 23rd though the 29th in NYC. Bill Berman & Sandy Markman NewFest Board Co-Chairs stated, "For over 30 years, NewFest has provided LGBTQ New Yorkers & their allies the opportunity to rediscover their community by celebrating films & stories that inspire dialogue. Today NewFest has grown into a film & media arts organization that additionally provides the next generation of LGBTQ voices with the tools & resources they need to tell their unique stories. We immediately knew David Hatkoff was the right person to move NewFest forward into its next chapter. David has spent nearly 15 years amplifying & elevating the mission & programming efforts of non-profit art organizations. He has a passion for queer culture & a strong desire to create spaces for queer storytelling. We can’t wait to see where David takes NewFest." Hatkoff concluded, "Stories are vital — they lead to compassion & connection & can teach us about our own humanity. The LGBTQ community has so many stories to tell & I am honored to lead NewFest’s efforts to support these stories & these storytellers & to create spaces for audiences to interact & engage around queer content. I can’t wait to get to work alongside our brilliant Director of Programming Nick McCarthy & an incredibly passionate Board and staff.” David has spent his career working in the nonprofit arts with a senior leadership role at NYC’s Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre. Prior to that Hatkoff worked at Lincoln Center Theater. He is a passionate supporter of queer issues & studied in the MA program at New York University’s Gallatin School with a focus in LGTBQ Studies.
For More Info: newfest.org
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Global LGBTQ Update

The good news we can report is that Alan Turing one of the pioneering figures in modern computing & also a tragic one in our LGBTQ history will soon appear on the U.K.’s £50 note. Sad news from Russia is that Yelena Grigoryeva an LGBTQ rights activist in St. Petersburg has been murdered according to Fontanka the local online newspaper. Grigoryeva was found dead with multiple stab wounds on July 20th near her house & apparently was strangled according to Fontanka as well as a Facebook post from the Russian LGBT Network. According to sources Yelena had frequently been a victim of violence & received death threats. Though she filed complaints to the police regarding the violence & the threats there was no action taken. In the land of Putin it’s not clear whether the police are investigating her death as a hate crime. Then in Poland over the weekend police in eastern Poland detained a number of people who threw bottles at officers & verbally abused participants in the city of Bialystok’s first LGBTQ pride parade on Saturday. It’s reported that officers in riot gear & border guards escorted more than 500 people along the Equality Parade route in Bialystok where officers fired tear gas at a group of young men who tried to block the parade & started throwing bottles at them. Local police spokesman Tomasz Krupa stated one person was detained for allegedly snatching a rainbow flag away from a parade participant. However the parade marched on with banners reading “Love is not a Sin” & “Equality of the Sexes.”
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Out & Equal LGBTQ Southern Events

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates announced two unprecedented conferences backed by major corporations taking place this week in Dallas & Atlanta to tackle LGBTQ inclusion. The leading corporate sponsors of this initiative are AT&T, Lockheed Martin & Cracker Barrel with dozens of other businesses attending. The conference in Dallas takes place on Monday July 22nd at the AT&T facility in Irving, Texas & in Atlanta on Friday, July 26th at an AT&T facility in Atlanta, Georgia. Erin Uritus, CEO, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates stated, “Diversity & inclusion are not just business terms, they are values that Southerners take pride in. In the South, people talk about hospitality, about caring for one’s neighbors, about standing up for one another. These conferences will draw attention to the gap between these values and all of the ways in which LGBTQ Americans are made to feel like they don’t belong in the South.” Deena Fidas, Managing Director, Global Stakeholder Engagement added, “The 13 states that make up the Southern region are the very states that do not have basic protections for the LGBTQ community in employment, housing, public services & other key aspects of life. Businesses are uniquely positioned to provide LGBTQ-inclusive workplace policies to protect LGBTQ employees who are otherwise unprotected by federal & state policies. They can provide critical resources like healthcare & career opportunities to employees living in these states.” Out & Equal Workplace Advocates is the world’s premier nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving LGBTQ workplace equality. They partner with Fortune 1000 companies & government agencies to provide executive leadership development, comprehensive training & consultation & professional networking opportunities that build inclusive & welcoming work environments.
For More Info: outandequal.org
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LGBTQ Leaders & Allies Podcasts

Since 2008 OUTTAKE VOICES has accumulated over 500 podcast episodes with global LGBTQ leaders, celebrities & allies. The site has recently been updated with the expertise of Chris Andrews at Andrews Consulting & digital MP3 players have been added along with a new podcast search feature to make your entire experience more user-friendly. Celebrity guests have included Alan Ball, Ricky Martin, Trans Activist Michaela Mendelsohn, Kyra Sedgwick, Kathleen Turner, John Waters, Dustin Lance Black, Chopped Ted Allen, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, Loni Anderson, Supreme Mary Wilson & comedians Margaret Cho to name a few. Organizations that have participated on podcasts include: GLAAD, The LGBTQ Task Force, Peter Tatchell Foundation, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, Richmond Ermet Aid Foundation, Lambda Legal, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, Equality Federation, Provincetown Film Society, PBS WORLD Channel, Provincetown International Film Festival, Wicked Queer Boston’s LGBT Film Festival, Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, GLSEN, OutRight Action International, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Gender Diversity, Equality Florida, LGBTQ Center For American Progress, National Center for Lesbian Rights, AIDS Action Committee, Interfaith Alliance, Elton John AIDS Foundation, NOH8 Campaign, American Foundation for Equal Rights, InterPride, BAGLY, Aqua Foundation, Equality Forum, DignityUSA, True Colors United, The Creative Coalition, Trevor Project, MAC Multicultural AIDS Coalition, GMHC, Fenway Health, SAGE, AIDS Foundation of Chicago & more. Listen to the last 50 podcasts here or just search by name or organization at OUTTAKE VOICES. You can also download interviews on your iPhone Podcast icon by simply entering OUTTAKE VOICES.

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The Sims 4 LGBTQ Inclusive Gaming

GLAAD the LGBTQ media advocacy organization praises developers Electronic Arts & Maxis for creating a higher visibility & representation of our LGBTQ community & hopes other companies will follow suit. The popular video game "The Sims 4" is displaying the first-ever lesbian couple Sims Dela Ostrow & Mia Hayes in their cover art. Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO of GLAAD stated, "The Sims franchise has been an industry leader on LGBTQ representation & this week it crossed another milestone. We applaud Electronic Arts & Maxis for putting an LGBTQ couple front & center on its new, rebranded box art for The Sims 4. LGBTQ players have been a major part of The Sims community from the beginning & this recognition & visibility is important & well deserved. This is a breakthrough moment for representation in the video game space & we encourage others to step up & match this kind of visibility in their new releases & updates." The Sims Mobile was among the nominees for the inaugural Outstanding Video Game category at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards, the latest in GLAAD's important work to ensure that video games & the gaming community become more LGBTQ inclusive. In 2016, transgender & gender expansive characters were added to The Sims 4 through a collaboration between GLAAD & Electronic Arts. GLAAD is continuing to work with industry partners & lead conversations at major gaming events, including E3, DICE & PAX, to promote LGBTQ acceptance in gaming.
For More Info: .glaad.org
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Outfest LA LGBTQ Film Festival

Outfest the Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival is celebrating its 37th anniversary & kicks off Thursday July 18th with “Circus of Books” Rachel Mason’s vibrant documentary about LA’s iconic brick-&-mortar gay erotica emporium & bookstore. Christopher Racster Outfest Executive Director stated, “As my tenure comes to an end I am most proud of Outfest’s increased visibility in Hollywood & our ever-growing stature within the industry. For the second year in a row, more than two-thirds of Outfest Los Angeles’ content is directed by women, people of color & trans filmmakers. Our communities have long been advocating for this inclusion. A remarkable filmmaker like Nisha Ganatra, our Achievement Award recipient, should have so many more features to her credit, in the two decades that have elapsed between her award-winning first film & her current box-office smash Late Night. Outfest Los Angeles continues to shine a spotlight on those stories we must see & those creatives whose voices we need to hear.” Outfest closes on Sunday, July 28th at The Theater at the Ace Hotel with Sundance favorite “Before You Know It” a poignant family comedy from Hannah Pearl Utt (who also co-wrote & stars), featuring Outfest alum Judith Light alongside Alec Baldwin & Mandy Patinkin. With films from 33 countries & in 26 languages & more than two-thirds of this year’s content directed by women, people of color & trans filmmakers, Outfest Los Angeles continues to be a trailblazer for multicultural LGBTQ representation in the media. Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival is presented by HBO.
For Info & Tix: outfest.org
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Mexico To Host NEMA Conference

National Equality Media Association (NEMA) America’s sole non-profit organization dedicated to serving LGBTQ media has announced that it will hold its annual conference at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa & The Westin Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico October 27th to 30th. This will mark the first time in NEMA’s history that member LGBTQ publishers & owners will convene outside the U.S. to discuss the important issues facing LGBTQ publishing. D.J. Doran NEMA President stated, “We are very excited to be able to bring publishers & owners together to discuss new & emerging business strategies that will help LGBT publications survive & thrive in an increasingly challenging publishing environment.” Speaking at this year’s conference will be Bob Witeck from Washington, D.C. based Witeck Communications on the importance of legacy & local LGBTQ publications & their impact on the communities which they serve. Matt Skallerud of Pink Banana Media in New York on how to better engage with readers through digital platforms & Jerry Cunningham owner & publisher of OUT FRONT magazine in Denver on how to develop and grow tertiary revenue streams. NEMA membership serves the content demands of the LGBTQ markets by delivering relevant, personal & authentic content via traditional print media as well as in integrated digital & social media. NEMA is the access point for opening the door to a $900 billion market. Their members are active influencers in their local LGBTQ communities.
For More Info: equalitymedia.org
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LPAC Provincetown Brunch Event

LPAC (Lesbian Political Action Committee) will be hosting their annual "Politics by the Sea" brunch on July 28th from 11A to 1P at the Harbor Lounge at 359 Commercial Street in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Diane Felicio LPAC Board Member stated, “As many of you know this event always has a great vibe & energy & this year we are excited that Our special guest will be Gina Ortiz Jones. Gina is an Air Force intelligence veteran who served in the Obama administration. She’s the daughter of a Filipina immigrant single mother, she’s openly LGBTQ & she is running for a House seat in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District. Urvashi Vaid, Kate Clinton & others from the LPAC crew will also be there & will be delighted to see you. As you know, there could not be a more important time to support progressive candidates who champion LPAC's values of LGBTQ & women's equality & social justice. At the event the dollars we raise are all about growing the national slate of pro-LGBTQ candidates that LPAC is supporting in 2020. So let's hang out together on the 28th, talk politics & take in the spectacular view from the deck at Harbor Lounge in Provincetown. C'mon, what could be better than that?!” Now in its seventh year LPAC continues to build the political power of LGBTQ women by electing candidates who champion LGBTQ rights, women’s equality & social justice issues & with the 2020 election around the corner it’s crucial to back candidates that support our LGBTQ values & stop the Trump administration’s attempt to erase the progress our LGBTQ community has achieved.
For Info & Tix…
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UN Global LGBTQ Protections

The United Nations Human Rights Council has voted to renew the second three-year term mandate of Victor Madrigal-Borloz the U.N. Independent Expert on protection against violence & discrimination based on sexual orientation & gender identity (IE SOGI). The resolution passed 27 to 12 with 7 abstentions during the 41st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Jean Freedberg HRC Director of Global Partnerships stated, “As LGBTQ people around the world face unprecedented challenges & the rolling back of previously secured protections -- including by the Trump-Pence administration in the United States -- it is heartening that the United Nations has taken this bold step once again to protect our communities from violence & discrimination. Today’s vote ensures that the vital work begun by Vitit Muntabhorn & Victor Madrigal-Borloz on behalf of LGBTQ people will continue & that countries will be held accountable to protect their LGBTQ citizens. Yet even as we celebrate this victory, there is so much more to be done to truly protect even the most vulnerable among us, including transgender & intersex people & to advance our path towards full equality.” Established in 2016 by the U.N. Human Rights Council, the IE SOGI, working collaboratively with U.N. & regional leaders has helped nations develop policies & actions to protect people from discrimination & violence based on sexual orientation & gender identity. The Independent Expert oversees the implementation of international human rights law, raises awareness, engages in dialogue with stakeholders & provides advisory & technical assistance.
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National Defense Authorization Act

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the National Defense Authorization Act today which prohibits the unauthorized military force against Iran, reverses President Donald Trump’s policy barring most transgender people from serving in the military by codifying non-discrimination protections & provides 12 weeks of paid family medical leave to federal employees for qualified purposes. In response, Kelly Magsamen, Vice President for National Security & International Policy at the Center for American Progress stated, “This bill sends an important message to the Trump White House that strong congressional oversight on defense is back. It provides a critical check against the Trump administration’s reckless actions on Iran that could lead to an unnecessary & unauthorized war. It cuts off arms sales and U.S. military support to the Saudi-led war in Yemen & restricts Defense Department border wall funding. And it encourages a responsible policy on North Korea, led by real diplomacy to safeguard U.S. interests & bring peace to the Korean Peninsula. The measure also ends the administration’s dehumanizing policy that prevents transgender people from serving their country. All those who meet the military’s standards should be able to serve openly, proudly & without fear of discrimination. Finally, guaranteeing 12 weeks of comprehensive paid family & medical leave to more than 2 million federal employees will ensure that they can care for themselves or a loved one without sacrificing a paycheck. The policy establishes that the federal government should be a model employer with modern workplace standards that invests in the well being of its workers & their families. The U.S. Senate should act quickly to pass this legislation.”
For More Info: americanprogress.org
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Dan Baer U.S. Senate Bid

The LGBTQ Victory Fund has endorsed Dan Baer for U.S. Senate who is running in Colorado. Baer would become the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate & just the third openly LGBTQ person to serve in the chamber. The endorsement comes a week after his campaign announced a record-breaking $1.35 million fundraising haul in the second quarter which is the largest ever initial fundraising report for an openly LGBTQ Congressional candidate. Victory Fund expects an unprecedented number of LGBTQ Congressional candidates to run in 2020. Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund stated, “Coloradans led the country by electing America’s first openly gay governor in 2018 & in 2020 they will make history again in sending the first out gay man to the U.S. Senate. Never before has an openly LGBTQ Congressional candidate reported such strong initial fundraising numbers – an important indicator, given LGBTQ candidates for high-level office are often underestimated early in their campaigns. But Dan’s authentic & values-driven approach to politics is resonating with voters & there is no better candidate to take on anti-LGBTQ incumbent Cory Gardner than a person so deeply affected by the discriminatory positions Gardner promotes.” Baer is Victory Fund’s second federal endorsement for the 2020 election cycle, having endorsed Mayor Pete Buttigieg for President of the United States on June 28th. In 2018 Victory Fund endorsees Tammy Baldwin & Kyrsten Sinema who both won their U.S. Senate seats in Wisconsin & Arizona. They are the only two openly LGBTQ people to ever serve in the U.S. Senate.
For More Info: victoryfund.org
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Megan Rapinoe On Maddow (VIDEO)

It was amazing to watch this interview on The Rachel Maddow Show/MSNBC & if you missed it you can watch it here. Megan Rapinoe Co-Captain of the U.S. National Women's Soccer brought the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup trophy to the show & talked to Rachel about the World Cup win, her evolving fame, equal pay for women & of course Trump. When Maddow asked whether Trump has invited the team to the White House Rapinoe stated, “Not publicly & not to my knowledge & certainly not in the way that everyone else is invited to the White House or not invited to the White House.” The more important issue is equal pay with Megan along with 27 other members of the U.S. national team as a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation. That gender discrimination suit accused the federation of paying female players less than their male counterparts on the men’s national team despite having the same job responsibilities & despite having had far more success on the field. The reality is the World Champion Women’s team is paid 18 cents on the dollar that the men receive. So the shouts at the win of “USA” & “Equal Pay” that filled the stadium after their World Cup win were incredibly relevant. Of course we wish that having these two lesbian icons in conversation was longer & unfortunately they never addressed our LGBTQ issues. Perhaps we can look forward to another conversation in the near future that will address LGBTQ equality especially as we head into the 2020 election.

For More Info: msnbc.com
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Lynette Molnar Speaks OUT (AUDIO)

This week I talked to event producer Lynette Molnar the force behind Girl Power Productions about Girl Splash A Summer Week For Women that takes place July 23rd to July 27th in Provincetown, Massachusetts. This year there will be must-attend parties, performers & lots of special events including a women-only chartered tour of Provincetown, a women’s whale watch & the Girl Splash infamous Cape Cod clambake. Molnar talks about the stellar lineup of performers that includes Lucie Arnaz celebrating a life on stage, The Julie Wheeler Show, Tony winner Lillias White & America's Got Talent Yoli Mayor. Comedians performing during the week include Vickie Shaw, Karen Williams, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Poppy Champlin, Judy Gold & activist Amy Siskind. I talked to Lynette about what she hopes to accomplish with Girl Splash Week & her spin on our LGBTQ issues.

Some of the special parties this year will be Girl Splash Idol, Provincetown Scavenger Hunt, Shoal Hope Cider tasting, Girl Splash Pool Party at The Crown & Anchor, Cape Cod Clambake at the beach, Over The Rainbow Bingo, Sunset Dune Tour & a Schooner Champagne Sunset Sail. There will also be dance parties including the White Party & Pride Party celebrating Stonewall 50th with DJ Rockaway. Next Molnar will be gearing up for the 35th celebration of Women's Week that runs from October 14th to 20th in Provincetown, MA. Girl Splash is presented by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Go Magazine the nation’s most widely distributed free lesbian publication, Olivia the leader in lesbian cruises & resort vacations, Damron the first & last word in lesbian & gay travel, Wolfe Video & the Provincetown Business Guild.
For More Info & Tix…
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TCM Tab Hunter Tribute (AUDIO)

Turner Classic Movies will remember screen legend & LGBTQ Icon Tab Hunter on Thursday July 11th which would have been Hunter’s 88th birthday by showing three films including of Tab Hunter Confidential (2015) the Jeffrey Schwarz documentary about the actor's life & career produced by Hunter's husband Allan Glaser. The documentary is a TCM premiere & will be presented by Glaser & TCM Noir Alley host Eddie Muller. Glaser stated, “Please tune in as I host Turner Classic Movies birthday salute to Tab on Thursday July 11th, 8pm EST, 5pm PST. Co-host Eddie Muller & I will be introducing the premiere of TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL on TCM & some of Tab's rarer films including GUNMAN'S WALK with Van Heflin and THAT KIND OF WOMAN with Sophia Loren. Set those DVR's!” I talked to Tab a few years ago in this exclusive audio interview about his work & autobiography “Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star” by Eddie Muller & Tab Hunter that was made into the fabulous documentary by filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz. Interestingly Hunter talks about the importance about writing his biography in his own words rather than having it written by someone who didn’t know him after he died. Tab stated, “Well you know we’re all on a journey & that was my journey, take it or leave it, that was it. Unfortunately we couldn’t put everything in it, there’s just so much you can do in that amount of time.”
For More Info: tcm.com
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A Reflection After Stonewall 50th

One week ago we attended the historical NYC Pride Parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stonewall with a record crowd estimated at 5 million people. Yesterday was London’s turn to as hundreds of celebrated in central London for the United Kingdom's largest LGBTQ pride parade. June 2019 has been an amazing month kicking off our pride festivities in Nashville, Tennessee with “GLAAD + Ty Herndon’s The Concert for Love & Acceptance” at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville on June 6th after interviewing Zeke Stokes, GLAAD Chief Programs Officer & country singer Ty Herndon to talk about the Concert & LGBTQ issues on OUTTAKE VOICES. Then returning to attend the Boston Pride Parade which had its largest event ever. Next we were finally in town to attend the Boston Spirit Summer Sunset Cruise supporting Fenway Health on June 12th. In the midst of it all we also interviewed Stoli LGBTQ ambassador Patrik Gallineaux & artist Lisa Marie Thalhammer about Stoli Vodka’s special “Spirit of Stonewall” Limited Edition bottle designed by Thalhammer to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, filmmakers Kate Davis & David Heilbroner about their documentary Stonewall Uprising that’s available on PBS’s American Experience & Lisa Cannistraci owner of the legendary Henrietta Hudson about her pride events & her relationship with Stormé DeLarverie who threw the first punch at the historic Stonewall Inn Riot on June 28th in 1969. Now that we have passed this important golden anniversary of Stonewall let’s strategize & continue the work to achieve worldwide equality. Let's do as Mahatma Gandhi stated & "Be the change that you wish to see in the world".
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Compton PRIDE Festival (AUDIO)

The first annual Compton PRIDE Festival will be held on Saturday July 6th from noon to 8P on the Compton College campus at 1111 East Artesia Boulevard in Compton, CA. The free event will be an inclusive, family-friendly festival for people of all ages with live performers, entertainment, carnival games, food trucks, a DJ & 150 resource vendors. This first annual event is designed to create a safe, accepting celebration for our LGBTQ community. Tina Binda, Administrator of Star View TEAMMATES, a non-profit mental health/social services organization serving youth & their families stated, "Compton is an area often devoid of resources for the LGBTQIA community & yet it's an ideal place to highlight & recognize the benefits of diversity. Compton is easily underestimated & even marginalized much like the LGBTQIA community, so we wanted to celebrate gay rights as well as the anniversary of the Stonewall riots 50 years ago." A few dozen rappers, comedians & singers will take the stage, including DJ T-LA STORM, Bre-Z from the All-American, BRITT-J from American Idol, the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, TV personality/singer James Wright, singer/songwriter Lunalovebad, & even Tommy the Clown. Speakers include celebrated activist Jewel Thais-Williams, who has promoted gay identity since she founded the first African-American gay nightspot in Los Angeles which was one of the first black discos in the U.S. In this exclusive audio byte we talked with Jewel about how she sees our LGBTQ community moving forward in this Trump administration.
For More Info: comptonpridefestival.com
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Trump Tanks Independence Day

So Trump is going to get his military display of power to celebrate Independence Day to show us all how fierce & powerful he thinks he is. First he wanted to have his military parade to top what he saw in France for Bastille Day back in 2017 but those plans were scrapped because it would have cost nearly $100 million & destroy the streets of Washington, D.C. to have the tanks rip down the pavement so now it’s only going to cost us about 2.5 million dollars for his annual July 4th fireworks show on the National Mall. His “Salute to America” parade will include a most likely inappropriate speech, military flyovers with a Trump rally spewing MAGA rhetoric & M1A1 Abrams tanks & other military vehicles. However as The National Independence Day Parade moves down Constitution Avenue the annual A Capitol Fourth concert will still take place on the west lawn of the Capitol. The PBS celebration will feature Vanessa Williams & Carole King who made it clear in a tweet that the event she’s participating in is NOT Trump’s. The most outrageous thing is The National Park Service is diverting nearly $2.5 million in entrance & recreation fees intended to improve parks across the country to cover costs associated with Trump’s Independence Day display of macho celebration. The best gift Trump could give us for Independence Day is to ride out of Washington on one of his tanks & not return. Happy 4th!!
LISTEN: Filmmakers Talk “Stonewall Uprising” PBS Documentary

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Equality Forum LGBT 2019 Icons

Equality Forum has announced 31 LGBT icons for their 14th annual celebration of LGBT History Month in October. Malcolm Lazin, Equality Forum Executive Director stated, “In its 14th year, LGBT History Month will have archived 432 Icons in its database, making it the largest online resource for information on worldwide LGBT leaders. The Icons are searchable by a variety of means, including from a cloud of over 150 descriptive tags, such as Academy Award, Transgender & Politics.” The 2019 LGBT History Month Icons are Ethel Allen Trailblazing Black Politician, Kwame Anthony Appiah Philosopher & Author, Gladys Bentley Blues Performer, Jackie Biskupski Mayor of Salt Lake City, Kate Bornstein Transgender Activist & Author, Ana Brnabić Prime Minister of Serbia, Pete Buttigieg U.S. Presidential Candidate, Eliza Byard LGBTQ Youth Advocate, Brandi Carlile Award-Winning Singer-Songwriter, George Chauncey Distinguished Historian, Lou Chibbaro Jr. Journalist, Sharice Davids Native American Congresswoman, Babe Didrikson Golf Legend, Cheryl Dunye Filmmaker, Lillian Faderman LGBT Historian, Ronan Farrow Pulitzer-Winning Journalist, Jewelle Gomez Novelist, Emma González Parkland Gun Control Activist, Sherenté Harris Native American Youth Leader, Rock Hudson Oscar-Winning Actor, Robert Indiana LOVE Sculptor, James Ivory Oscar-Winning Filmmaker, Anne Lister Pioneering Feminist, Arthur Mitchell Pioneering Ballet Dancer, Julia Morgan Architect, Anaraa Nyamdorj Mongolian LGBT Activist, Jared Polis Governor of Colorado, Angela Ponce Transgender Miss Spain, Keshav Suri Indian Activist, Lillian Wald Community Nursing Founder & Edith Wharton Pulitzer-Winning Novelist. Each day of October a new Icon is featured with a video, biography, downloadable images & other resources. LGBT History Month is a free educational tool available for to the media, academic institutions, organizations & the public.
For More Info: lgbthistorymonth.com
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A NYC Pride Parade Adventure

Our spontaneous trip to the NYC Pride Parade started Sunday morning at 6A in Boston, MA. First it was facing the fact that we couldn’t miss this historical event celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. Then is was packing a light overnighter just in case we stayed over, a quick cup of coffee & then on the road by 7:30A. Fortunately the traffic was light. On the road we called our NYC friends Chef Rossi & Lydia to let them know we were on our way. Their reaction was they didn’t know we were coming & we texted back that we didn’t know we were making the trip until a few short hours before. We arrived in NYC around 11A & made our way to Greenwich Village finding a parking place on Hudson Street & headed over to Sheridan Square. It was a mob scene with thousands of people lining the streets waiting for the parade to begin. We snuggled into a place a few hundred feet from the Stonewall Inn. Then the parade began with the roaring of motorcycles with our fave Dykes on Bikes. Since it was World Pride they were followed by hundreds of marchers representing our global LGBTQ community. We gave a shout out to UK LGBT Icon Peter Tatchell & Kristen Porter marching with Boston Pride. After standing in the sun & pushed in by the massive crowds for hours we made our way to Caliente Cab Co. for a late lunch & then a quick stop at Henrietta Hudson before making our exit up the West Side Highway. We were back in Boston by 9P. What a fabulous spontaneous time! (Photo w/ Marilyn Rosen)
LISTEN: Lisa Cannistraci Talks Stonewall Events & More

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