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Provincetown Film Festival Reimagined

The Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF) has announced “Provincetown Reimagined” a modified festival with drive-in & virtual screenings that will run July 16th to 19th. The Festival presented by Warner Media will kick off with two nights of screenings at the Wellfleet Drive-In including Mischa Richter’s documentary, “I Am A Town" shot entirely in Provincetown, “Save Yourselves!” the 2020 Sundance hit & a special night hosted by John Waters with film titles to be announced soon. In addition Mya Taylor (Tangerine) will be honored with the Festival’s Next Wave Award in a special conversation with her latest feature, “Stage Mother” which will be included in the festival lineup. The Opening Night screenings will take place at the Wellfleet Drive-In following health & safety protocols implemented by state & local authorities. Lisa Viola PIFF Artistic Director stated, “Given the challenges that face all film festivals this year, we’re thrilled to present a film festival in 2020. Utilizing our festival’s unique assets of a drive-in theater, the incomparable John Waters, strong filmmaker & industry support & this special community, we’ll mount a special event with programming that both entertains & brings us together through themes of diversity, equity & inclusion.” Anthony Lawson Provincetown Film Society Board President concluded, “The name ‘Provincetown Reimagined’ speaks to both the festival & our town. As we move safely toward coming together again, we have all had to be creative as we recreate our worlds & our connections. It was important to everyone – our audience, sponsors & most importantly, our community – to present a festival this year. It truly takes a village & in typical Provincetown fashion, expect a special event like no other.”
For More Info: provincetownfilm.org
LISTEN: Shannon Minter Talks “Born Perfect” & LGBTQ Issues
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London Gay Liberation Front Fiftieth

Veterans of the London Gay Liberation Front, 1970-74 marched on June 27th to celebrate the 50th anniversary of GLF & to reclaim Pride with five political demands. Like most Pride Celebrations that were cancelled due to COVID-19 this march was open to GLF veterans only & not to the public & social distancing & masks were required. The five demands are: To End UK detention & deportation of LGBT+ asylum seekers, Let people define their own gender, not doctors or the state, Mandatory LGBT+ education in every school, Religion! Hands off women’s & LGBT+ bodies & Solidarity with Black Lives Matter & LGBT+ people of color worldwide. Peter Tatchell a GLF veteran & the anniversary march coordinator was one of about 40 people who organized the UK’s first Pride march in London in 1972. He has attended every Pride London parade since then making this event his 49th. Peter Tatchell stated, “GLF did not seek equal rights within a flawed, unjust status quo. It campaigned for the transformation of society to end straight supremacism & stood in solidarity with all other oppressed people. A similar agenda of radical social change is needed now, as the UK faces the threats of COVID-19, economic meltdown, institutional racism, climate destruction and the demonization of trans people. We support Black Lives Matter & the just demands of black communities & black LGBT+ people, like we did in the early 1970s.” In this exclusive audio interview I talked to Peter in 2018 about what he hoped to accomplish with his work & his spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN
For More Info: petertatchellfoundation.org
LISTEN: Shannon Minter Talks “Born Perfect” & LGBTQ Issues
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Terrence McNally Virtual Tribute Events

As Pride Month comes to an end, celebrate the life & legacy of Terrence McNally, the Tony Award-winning playwright & LGBTQ activist who died in March from complications of COVID-19 & watch the fabulous documentary “Terrence McNally: Every Act of Life” now streaming on PBS American Masters. Then some of Broadway’s brightest stars will continue honoring the life & legacy of McNally with two special online discussions & talkbacks on July 1st & July 8th. The first event on July 1st will include the documentary's Director, Writer & Producer Jeff Kaufman, Tony, Grammy & Emmy Award Winner Billy Porter, Tony, Grammy, Emmy & Oscar Award Winner Rita Moreno & moderated by IDA Executive Director Simon Kilmurry. The second virtual panel discussion on July 8th will also include Jeff Kaufman together with Tony Award-Winning Actors Tyne Daly & Chita Rivera & Tony Award-Winning Producer Tom Kirdahy & be moderated by David Rooney - Chief Film Critic of The Hollywood Reporter. McNally was among the first on Broadway to explore LGBTQ themes including AIDS & LGBTQ civil rights. His best-known works include the plays “Kiss of the Spider Woman” & “Ragtime." McNally grew up in conservative Corpus Christi, Texas & as a gay young man traveled to NYC where he went to college & later began his theater career. Jeff Kaufman “Terrence McNally: Every Act of Life” creator stated, “Terrence was out when Edward Albee, with whom he had a long relationship, was still in the closet. Tennessee Williams was still in the closet. Thornton Wilder & William Inge were all still living under the fear of being ‘out.’ But Terrence was there & himself & set an example & I think that’s an example that still resonates.”
For More Info & RSVP…
LISTEN: Shannon Minter Talks “Born Perfect” & LGBTQ Issues
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Watch: Live Global Pride Virtual Event

Due to the COVID19 pandemic LGBTQ Pride organizations worldwide have come together to present Global Pride a 24 hour live event with hundreds of speakers, marches, performers & events being broadcasted virtually all day long on June 27th. Steve Taylor of European Pride Organisers Association stated, “I remember the first conversation we had about this project & how so many people thought it would be an impossible task to deliver, especially in less than three months. But yet again the grit & determination of the LGBTQIA+ community has ensured we will have an historic, ground-breaking show that will bring our community together in these trying times. Global Pride is our time to shine, our time to show the enormous & beautiful diversity of LGBTQIA+ people in every corner of the world.”  J Andrew Baker of InterPride concluded, “Global Pride is a vision. It is our movement's response to the COVID-19 crisis. It began with a few people & grew into this unbelievable event that includes over 500 LGBTQIA+ led organizations from over 80 countries. Nearly 40 partners have supported us to make that vision reality. Even during an economic crisis, companies & their LGBTQIA+ employees have provided much-needed resources. Businesses around the world have a place in the fight for LGBTQIA+ equality & human rights protection & each partner that has supported Global Pride is helping us to ensure the visibility of our community & to shout out for inclusion and the end of discrimination.” Global Pride is live now for 24-hours in this virtual Pride event happening now & will shine a light on our LGBTQIA+ community members from every continent. Organizers say it has the potential to be the largest LGBTQIA+ event ever. HAPPY LGBTQ PRIDE!! WATCH
LISTEN: Shannon Minter Talks “Born Perfect” & LGBTQ Issues
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Ahead Of The Curve World Premiere

The World Premiere of “Ahead Of The Curve” will take place at the West Wind Solano Drive-In Theater in Concord, CA on Saturday June 27th at 9P as part of the Frameline44 Pride Showcase. The documentary film is about the extraordinary woman Frances "Franco" Stevens who started Curve magazine & by doing so helped accelerate the political & social evolution of the nation. In 1990 in San Francisco Stevens with a fist full of credit cards, a lucky run at the horse track & a title that called to mind a certain French film star first published the magazine as Deneuve but it was renamed in 1996 after a trademark dispute with French actress Catherine Deneuve. The first-ever glossy magazine for lesbians has since become the most successful publication of its kind. “Ahead of the Curve” tells the story of Curve’s rise to popularity in the ’90s & Stevens’s tangible impact on lesbian culture. “Ahead of the Curve” is directed by Jen Rainin & produced by Rivkah Beth Medow who takes you on a personal journey that follows Stevens process grappling with questions of community & legacy. Linking lesbian histories with contemporary viewpoints, the film moves between interviews with LGBTQ tastemakers, “celesbians” (including Jewelle Gomez, Kate Kendell & Lea DeLaria) & rich archival footage. Jen Rainin lovingly uplifts the personal & political struggles, adventure & community that birthed an institution, honoring its visionary legacy while exploring whether a groundbreaking print publication remains relevant in a digital age. “Ahead Of The Curve” World Premiere event will included a Q&A with director Rainin, & cast members including Franco Stevens, Andrea Pino-Silva, Kim Katrin Milan, Jewelle Gomez & more. Tickets are $25 per car.
For Info & Tix…
LISTEN: Shannon Minter Talks “Born Perfect” & LGBTQ Issues
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Ending Conversion Therapy (AUDIO)

This week I talked with Shannon Minter, Legal Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) about his work with “Born Perfect” to end conversion therapy. NCLR launched “Born Perfect” in 2014 to protect LGBTQ children & young people by fighting in courtrooms to ensure their safety & raising awareness about the serious harms caused by these dangerous practices. Their efforts have led to banning conversion therapy in 20 states & over 70 municipalities in the United States. For over 20 years NCLR has been working to protect LGBTQ youth from these horrific practices by working with legislators and LGBTQ leaders in dozens of states to help bring similar protections to the rest of the country. They believe that every LGBTQ child is born perfect & that any young person’s identity as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender should be honored, celebrated & supported. “Born Perfect” is also led by Mathew Shurka, Co-Founder & Chief Strategist who is a survivor of conversion therapy when at 16 years old his father took him to a licensed therapist who claimed he could make gay people straight. It was the start of years of cruel & damaging “therapy” that left Mathew estranged from his family & his own identity. He then decided to take action posting his personal story on YouTube where it went viral. It was the start of his journey to forgive his father & therapist, reconcile with his family & lead a nationwide battle to end conversion therapy. In the USA over 700,000 people have been through conversion therapy. I talked to Shannon about what he hopes to accomplish with “Born Perfect”, his reaction to the historic U. S. Supreme Court ruling that prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity & his spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN
For Info: bornperfect.org 
For More Info: nclrights.org
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PFLAG & Wear Your Voice Join Forces

PFLAG National & Wear Your Voice have launched “You Are My Pride” a video & social media storytelling campaign to address the dangers faced by marginalized people specifically Black people & our Black LGBTQ community. Brian K. Bond, Executive Director of PFLAG National stated, “Led by pioneers like Marsha P. Johnson, a Black transgender woman; Sylvia Rivera, a Latinx gay liberation & transgender rights activist & sex worker & Miss Major, a transgender elder & activist, LGBTQ+ activists rose up against injustice, brutality, disparate treatment & violence at the hands of law enforcement. Then in 1972 Jeanne Manford, a mother & ally joined in, raised her voice, & lent her privilege to the fight. PFLAG’s history is deeply connected to Pride’s history, & that history is embedded in allyship.” Marilyn Devoe Willis PFLAG National Board Member added, "In a time of unrest & uncertainty, PFLAG National & Wear Your Voice want to empower families & allies of Black & Brown LGBTQ+ people to shower them with more love than ever before. Just in time for us to remember the roots of the movement, we are letting the world know that our children are our pride.” Ravneet Vohra, Founder & CEO of Wear Your Voice concluded, “You Are My Pride videos feature the affirming voices of LGBTQ+ community leaders & allies as well as families, parents & caretakers. This season has been exceptionally trying for all of us but especially for queer & trans BIPOC. Since November 2019, Wear Your Voice & PFLAG have been collaborating to establish #YouAreMyPride as a much-needed moment of celebration of our communities. It is Wear Your Voice’s entire mission as a publication to honor the lives & voices of queer & trans Black, Indigenous & people of color.”
For More Info…
LISTEN: Matthew Todd Talks New LGBTQ Pride Anthology
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“Pose” LGBTQ Pride Virtual Event

As a part of Pride Month, Disney Television Studios & FX announced the launch of “Pose-A-Thon” a commercial free one-hour virtual event showcasing the cast & producers of “Pose” to raise awareness for GLSEN, Hetrick-Martin Institute & Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund this Friday June 26th at 10P on FX & Freeform. Emmy, Grammy & Tony-award winning actor & activist Billy Porter along with co-star Mj Rodriguez will host the event. “Pose-A-Thon” will unite the voices behind the critically acclaimed drama series featuring music & anecdotes from Porter, Rodriguez, Angel Bismark Curiel, Sandra Bernhard, Dyllón Burnside, Steven Canals, Dominique Jackson, Jeremy McClain, Janet Mock, Indya Moore, Our Lady J, Jason Rodriguez, Angelica Ross, Hailie Sahar, Ryan Jamaal Swain, Charlayne Woodard, Patti LuPone & more. Janet Mock Executive Producer, Writer & Director stated, “Since we’ve been unable to shoot the show we love, we jumped at the chance to reunite our ‘Pose’ family & partner with the studio & network to raise spirits & awareness about the plight of LGBTQ+ people of color during such a turbulent time. This Pride month special is a commemoration of our forebears’ efforts, a memorial for trans lives lost & a celebration of the life-saving work of LGBTQ+ organizations.” Steven Canals Co-creator, Executive Producer, Writer & Director concluded, “I'm so proud of our cast & producers for coming together to present an uplifting hour of song & stories. In the spirit of ‘Pose,’ our goal is to celebrate joy, love & of course, pride, from our family to yours.” "Pose" is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios, a division of Disney Television Studios, & FX Productions.
For More Info: fxnetworks.com
LISTEN: Matthew Todd Talks New LGBTQ Pride Anthology
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San Francisco Virtual Pride Brunch

San Francisco’s legendary Pride Brunch is going virtual this year on Saturday June 27th. Hosts Gary Virginia & Donna Sachet will bring their fabulous Pride Brunch to your home as they get saucy & battle it off in the kitchen competing for the title of Pride Brunch Top Chef. This online event will celebrate 50 years of San Francisco Pride with the Grand Marshals of the Pride Parade & all proceeds will support PRC’s integrated legal, social & health services for those affected by HIV/AIDS, mental health issues & substance use. Pride Brunch continues to be the event of the season honoring the rich history of LGBTQ culture & liberation. So sit back & relax with a delicious brunch delivered right to your door courtesy of Uber Eats. Guests will be tuning in to hear personal remarks from the Grand Marshals & honorees, bid on exciting auction packages, watch anniversary tributes to The Pink Triangle, CHEER San Francisco & SF Pride as you enjoy the hosts' comic relief with surprise cameos. PRC (formerly Positive Resource Center) has been transforming the Bay Area for decades helping those affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use or mental health issues realize their best selves by providing the support & services they need to reclaim their lives. The Pride Brunch event is sponsored for the 10th consecutive year by Wells Fargo. The event is also made possible with significant support from Uber Eats, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Korbel California Champagne, San Francisco Bay Times & Flower to the People. Tickets run from Tune-In Only tickets for $50 to Premier Sponsor at $10,000 which includes ten tickets to the virtual event, brunch provided by Uber Eats, ten VIP gift bags delivered to your attendee’s homes & more.
For More Info & Tix…
LISTEN: Matthew Todd Talks New LGBTQ Pride Anthology
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Lesbians Who Tech Virtual Summit

Lesbians Who Tech & Allies are presenting their first online Pride Summit event from Monday June 22nd through Friday Jun 26th. This Summit will be an opportunity to come together, connect & organize on some of today's most pressing topics in the tech industry & beyond. They’re bringing some of the biggest names in tech, business, politics & entertainment to their stage. Everything is virtual & free for our LGBTQ community & allies to experience. This Summit will address some of today's most pressing topics as we define & create the new normal. The five-day event will be filled with tech & leadership talks with sessions focused on the Black Lives Matter movement, meet-ups & wellness sessions centering on queer Black & Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), as well as trans & non-binary folks & workshops. Keynote speakers will include: Angelica Ross, Founder & CEO, TransTech & Actress, Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren & Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams, Founder, Fair Fight Action, Fair Count & The Southern Economic Advancement Project, USWNT Megan Rapinoe, Alicia Garza, Principal, Black Futures Lab & Co-founder, Black Lives Matter, Valerie Jarrett, Businesswoman & Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama, The L Word’s Kate Moennig, Leisha Hailey & Jennifer Beals, Ilene Chaiken, Television Writer & Producer & many more. Lesbians Who Tech & Allies is the largest LGBTQ technology community in the world that’s committed to visibility, intersectionality & changing the face of technology. They consist of over 50,000 LGBTQ women, people of color, non-binary, trans people & allies in tech in over 40 cities globally. The Pride Summit is free but you must RSVP.
To RSVP & Info: lesbianswhotech.org
LISTEN: Matthew Todd Talks New LGBTQ Pride Anthology
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Provincetown Theater Virtual Event

David Drake Artistic Director of the Provincetown Theater announced that there will be a one-night-only streamed presentation of his 2013 multi-actor performance of “The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me” on Sunday June 28th at 7P ET sponsored by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS to benefit the theater. Drake stated, “When Larry Kramer passed away three weeks ago, it broke my heart. As Larry was such a formative figure for me & several generations in the LGBTQ community it seems absolutely appropriate to stream this virtual event as a salute to his towering legacy at the conclusion of Gay Pride Week on Sunday, June 28. Indeed, I believe the activism inherent in the piece also provides a great gatherer of the current manner in which Gay Prides are being celebrated this year—by joining forces with the Black Lives Matter movement in the march for unequivocal equality.” The upcoming online event of “The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me” was directed by Tony nominee Robert La Fosse (Dancin’, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway), the cast in the archival video features playwright & Provincetown Theatre Artistic Director Drake, Brandon Cordeiro (Ribbons), three-time Tony nominee Robin De Jesús (The Boys in the Band), Tony winner André De Shields (Hadestown), Claybourne Elder (Company), Tony nominee Rory O'Malley (The Book of Mormon), Anthony Rapp (If/Then, Rent), Wesley Taylor (SpongeBob SquarePants), Chad Ryan (Chicago premiere of The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me), Donald C. Shorter, Jr. (La Cage aux Folles national tour), Aaron Tone (BearCity 2) & Tony winner BD Wong (M. Butterfly). The June 28th virtual event will be available on YouTube & ProvincetownTheater.org. I talked to Larry Kramer in 2015 about what he would like to see happen for LGBTQ equality & more in this exclusive audio interview. LISTEN
For More Info: provincetowntheater.org
LISTEN: Matthew Todd Talks New LGBTQ Pride Anthology
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Federal Court Victory For Gay Family

A federal court in Maryland has ordered the U.S. State Department to recognize the U.S. citizenship & issue a U.S. passport to one year old Kessem Kiviti who was born abroad to a gay married couple & was refused recognition as a U.S. citizen from the moment of her birth by the Trump Administration who ignored federal law giving her that right. The State Department insisted on treating Kessem as an immigrant because she was born abroad & is not related biologically to both parents. Kessem’s parents, Roee & Adiel Kiviti stated, “We are tremendously relieved that the court recognized what we always knew: that our daughter was a U.S. citizen by birth. We are proud we taught our little girl to stand up for what’s right even before she could crawl. No child should be denied her rights because her parents are LGBT & no family should have to endure the indignity we did.” Lambda Legal, Immigration Equality & pro bono counsel Morgan Lewis brought the lawsuit on behalf of the Kivitis. Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, Senior Staff Attorney at Lambda Legal & one of the lawyers of the family added, “The law provides for the recognition of citizenship to the children born abroad of married couples who are U.S. citizens. This provision applies equally to all couples regardless of whether the parents have a biological relationship with their children. It was callous & discriminatory for the State Department to refuse to recognize baby Kessem as the U.S. citizen she is. Today’s victory shows how unlawful the Department of State’s actions really were.” Aaron C. Morris, Executive Director of Immigration Equality concluded, “This is a huge victory for the Kiviti family…We will continue to fight this battle until the State Department ends its discriminatory policy.”
For More Info: lambdalegal.org
LISTEN: Matthew Todd Talks New LGBTQ Pride Anthology
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Celebrate Pride Month On Here TV

With social justice at the forefront of everyone’s mind this year Here TV is celebrating Pride Month with an exclusive selection of LGBTQ programming, documentaries & feature films addressing the intersectionality of our community. David Millbern, Emmy-nominated producer of "Underground"  & "A Long Road To Freedom: The Advocate Celebrates 50 Years" stated, “Social justice has been a core value at Here TV & part of its mission since our launch in 2003 as the nation's first LGBTQ+ television service. Here TV is committed to highlighting those on the front lines of the social justice movement & to amplifying underrepresented voices. We will always support marginalized groups that face inequality, prejudice & discrimination every day." Some of the films available include “The Most Dangerous Year” about a group of families with transgender kids embarking on an uncharted journey of fighting for their children’s lives & futures with a coalition of civil rights activists & ally lawmakers. The documentary “Southern Pride” which profiles two lesbian bar owners in Mississippi who help organize gay & black Pride events in Trump’s America. “A Long Road To Freedom: The Advocate Celebrates 50 Years” the Emmy-nominated documentary narrated by Laverne Cox with music by Melissa Etheridge focuses on watershed moments in LGBTQ history through never-before-seen footage & engaging rare interviews beginning with the Black Cat Riots, Stonewall, the disco sexual revolution, the AIDS crisis, marriage equality & the trans movement to present day. Here TV is available on all major US cable operators including Xfinity, Spectrum, Cablevision, FiOS, U-Verse, Cox, as well as Amazon, Roku, Sling & the Here TV app.
For More Info: here.tv
LISTEN: Matthew Todd Talks New LGBTQ Pride Anthology
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LGBTQ People Closer To Equality In USA

This is an amazing advancement for LGBTQ people with the US Supreme Court landmark ruling finally making it illegal to discriminate against our community because of gender identity or sexual orientation in this country but our work will continue until the United States Congress passes The Equality Act which will ensure full protections into federal law. The Equality Act will amend the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation & gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federal funding, credit & the jury system. It passed the United States House of Representatives on May of 2019 in a bipartisan 236-173 vote but the GOP Majority led Senate refuses to address it. This is never going to happen in this administration as Trump’s Justice Department fiercely argued & fought that Title VII didn’t cover discrimination based on sexual orientation & gender identity & they're still trying to take away marriage equality as well. It’s in Trump’s 2020 reelection platform stating, “Institution of traditional marriage is the foundation of society”. During this pandemic, historic unemployment, healthcare limitations & civil unrest to end systemic racism & white supremacy let’s hope that our LGBTQ community will continue to fight for equality especially with the fact that since 2013 over 170 transgender women & men have been murdered in this country with over 70% being of color. This is another stark reminder that all civil right leaders must be LGBTQ inclusive who are speaking out against systemic racism & hate violence. So HAPPY PRIDE & let’s celebrate this mammoth victory for our LGBTQ people but it’s not a time for complacency. It’s a time to vote these backward white supremacists out of Washington.
LISTEN: Matthew Todd Talks New LGBTQ Pride Anthology
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Federal Protections For LGBTQ Workers

In a shocking landmark decision the US Supreme Court ruled by a 6-3 vote that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits workplace discrimination applies to cases of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The ruling comes after the Trump administration has continually rolled back advances in LGBTQ protections including the Department of Health removing discrimination protections for transgender people in healthcare last Friday. The Justice Department had argued that Title VII doesn’t cover discrimination based on sexual orientation & gender identity. Jessica Stern, Executive Director of OutRight Action International stated, “The Supreme Court stating explicitly that under the Civil Rights Act discrimination based on sex includes discrimination based on sexual orientation & gender identity is a tremendous victory. The decision comes at a time when the Trump administration has been viciously attacking the rights of LGBTIQ people, in particular trans people. It will protect millions of Americans from discrimination in the workplace & sends a powerful message - that political power-play can not erase basic human rights. This judgment will have implications for LGBTIQ people everywhere - governments & movements are inspired by each other & landmark judgments are quoted by courts across the world. OutRight welcomes & celebrates this ruling!” Vanita Gupta, President & CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights concluded, “We know, however, that our fight to protect LGBTQ people must go on. There are still numerous gaps in our nation’s anti-discrimination laws & Congress must act now to pass full federal anti-discrimination protection laws, like the Equality Act, for all people.” So now we can legally get married & not lose our jobs because of whom we love.
LISTEN: Black LGBTQ Leaders Address Racial Violence
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New Book Chronicles LGBTQ Movement

This week I talked with Matthew Todd a UK writer-journalist about his exquisite new coffee table book “PRIDE: The Story Of The LGBTQ Equality Movement” published by Weldon Owen. The book documents the milestones in the fight for global LGBTQ equality from before Stonewall to the victories of activists over the last five decades that have led to the gradual acceptance of LGBTQ people in politics, sports & the media. It also chronicles the winning landmark court cases including marriage equality & important legislation that have furthered our basic civil rights. This pictorial & wide-reaching text takes you on a journey covering key figures, heroes, notable moments, events & breakthroughs in a wealth of rare images & documents as well as providing moving essays from vital witnesses throughout our modern day movement. Though we still have a long way to go to achieve full equality “PRIDE: The Story Of The LGBTQ Equality Movement” is a unique & comprehensive account of the ongoing challenges facing our LGBTQ community & a celebration of civil rights that have been won for many of us as a result of the sacrifices & passion of this mass movement. The book includes personal testimonies from many significant activists including Travis Alabanza, Bisi Alimi, Georgina Beyer, Jonathan Blake, Deborah Brin, Maureen Duffy, David Furnish, Nan Goldin, Asifa Lahore, Paris Lees, Lewis Oakley, Reverend Troy Perry, Darryl Pinckney, Jake Shears, Judy Shepard, Will Young & many more. I talked to Todd about his passion & inspiration for bringing to life this fabulous history of our community & his spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN
For More Info: matthewtodd.net
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Concert For Love & Acceptance Online

Country music star & philanthropist Ty Herndon’s “The Concert for Love & Acceptance” is going virtual this year due to the COVID19 pandemic in partnership with the Academy of Country Music’s charitable arm ACM Lifting Lives®, CMT & GLAAD. Herndon will cohost the event with Emmy & Tony Award Winning Actress & Singer Kristin Chenoweth & CMT’s Cody Alan that will live stream on YouTube & Facebook on Friday June 30th at 7P. The concert features a coalition of artists & celebrities appearing & performing online to accelerate acceptance for our LGBTQ community. Herndon co-founded the concert with GLAAD in 2015 & will also perform along with two-time 2020 Grammy® winner Tanya Tucker, Mickey Guyton, Lauren Alaina, Lewis Brice, Terri Clark, Billy Gilman, Dennis Quaid, Kalie Shorr & Rita Wilson who will be introduced by Matt Bomer. Ty Herndon stated, “This show just gets better & better each year & while we would rather be doing it as a live event in Nashville, we know that we have the opportunity to reach so many more people with our message of love & acceptance through this one-time online format & of course, our message takes on an especially elevated meaning this year in light of all that is happening around us. Our hope is that on this night we can all stand together in unity as one.” Herndon’s Foundation for Love & Acceptance uses the power of music & media to support the country music community & raise vital funds to support LGBTQ youth & families. The concert is produced by Herndon & Zeke Stokes President of ZS STRATEGIES & a former Vice President of GLAAD.
For More Info…
LISTEN: Black LGBTQ Leaders Address Racial Violence
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Trump Kills LGBTQ Health Protections

The Human Rights Campaign has announced that they are suing the Trump administration over the new rule that would effectively sanction discrimination against our LGBTQ community’s health care. This is HRC’s first lawsuit as part of their new litigation practice. This comes hours after the Trump-Pence Administration finalized its changes to Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act removing sexual orientation & gender identity nondiscrimination language from seven federal regulations governing access to health care, health insurance & services for nursing home eligible elders. This revision also affects other major programs governed by the US Department of Health & Human Services including Medicaid enrollment & services, state & federal health insurance exchanges, insurance coverage, Qualified Health Plans & the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Ellen LaPointe Fenway Health CEO stated, “In the middle of a global pandemic, with tens of millions of Americans newly out of work & no longer insured by their employer-based health plans, it is unconscionable that the Trump Administration would take steps to make it even harder for lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender people to access health care, health insurance & elder-care services. Moreover, given the well documented evidence that communities of color are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infections, complications & fatalities, this move will do even more harm to Black, Latinx & indigenous LGBTQIA+ people.” So in the midst of a pandemic & a social & racial uprising in this country we have even more reason to fight this administration’s self-loathing hatred & bigotry & vote them out in November.
For More Info: hrc.org
LISTEN: Black LGBTQ Leaders Address Racial Violence

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Pulse Nightclub Massacre 4 Years Later

It’s hard to believe it’s been 4 years since the horrific shooting at Pulse Nightclub that left 49 LGBTQ people mostly of color dead on June 12th, 2016. Joe Saunders, Equality Florida Senior Political Director stated, “When we set out on this journey four years ago, Equality Florida promised to do the work of uprooting hate & violence. Dismantling systems of racism & homophobia requires that pro-equality voters make our voices heard & ensure our votes shape who represents us & what policies they champion. We live in the most important political real estate in the country & pro-equality voters are positioned to make the difference between a state that will be won or lost by 100,000 votes. In 2020 we’re going to leave it all on the field.” Equality Florida has launched #HonorThemWithAction a campaign to organize, mobilize & make a plan to vote to create a world they would be proud of. In 2018 I talked to Pulse Nightclub survivor Brandon J. Wolf who talked about his experience on that horrendous night four years ago which claimed the lives of 49 people & left 53 injured most of whom were LGBTQ Latinx people & people of color about what his personal commitment is to LGBTQ equality. Wolf stated, “My personal commitment is to again empower young people, a new generation of leaders that are going to challenge the status quo & say we’ve done a hell of a lot of great work but we’re not done doing great work until everyone in this country, everyone no matter black, white, brown, blue, LGBTQ feel safe in their own skin & I’m personally committed to amplifying that message until we get it done." LISTEN  
For More Info: eqfl.org
LISTEN: Black LGBTQ Leaders Address Racial Violence
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Queer Women of Color Film Festival

This year the Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project will premiere 31 brand new films in 3 screenings during their virtual live-streamed 16th Annual San Francisco International Queer Women of Color Film Festival that runs from June 12th to 14th. From barren land around our communities & displacement that uproots us & weeds out who is welcome in our neighborhoods to the insides of homes typically thought of as safe & nurturing their 16th anniversary Festival Focus is “Safe Space No Place: LBTQ People of Color” digs up how spatial injustice seeds discourse & proliferates violence against oppressed communities. Each screening program will begin at 7P PST & be completely live-streamed from the introductory remarks to the films to the interactive filmmaker Q&As. All films are Subtitled for the Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing & ASL Interpretation & CART live open captions will be provided for the live interactive filmmaker Q&As. The Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project (QWOCMAP) began in 2000 with funding from California Arts Council for award-winning San Francisco filmmaker Madeleine Lim to conduct a series of free workshops serving queer women of color emerging media artists. Since then over 200 new films have been created through their training program single-handedly increasing the number of films by & about queer women of color. These politically insightful, socially relevant & personally poignant works challenge all forms of racial, political, economic, sexual & gender stereotyping & offer new dynamic representations of queer women of color. The 16th annual Queer Women of Color Film Festival is free of charge.
For More Info: festival2020.qwocmap.org
LISTEN: Black LGBTQ Leaders Address Racial Violence
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Police Violence Against LGBTQ People

Lambda Legal has submitted written testimony to the newly formed Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement & the Administration of Justice highlighting the disproportionate levels of violence & abuse that our LGBTQ community especially LGBTQ people of color experience in the U.S. criminal legal system. Puneet Cheema Lambda Legal Staff Attorney stated, “LGBTQ people, particularly those who are Black or Brown, are disproportionately over-policed & incarcerated as a result of systemic discrimination & bias, including at the hands of police. We need to rethink our system of public safety & not rely on law enforcement as first responders where an arrest doesn’t resolve the underlying issue. We need to invest in city & community services for all residents.” Sharon McGowan, Legal Director & Chief Strategy Officer at Lambda Legal & formerly Principal Deputy Chief of the DOJ Civil Rights Division concluded, “The modern movement for LGBTQ equality was catalyzed by an uprising against police brutality & for decades, Lambda Legal has understood that resisting state-sanctioned violence & discrimination, including by law enforcement, is essential to our mission to secure full equality for all LGBTQ people. Unfortunately, we have no reason to believe that Attorney General Barr or the Commission he has created will take seriously their duty to protect the civil rights of all people. Nevertheless, we will continue to speak up and demand better, as the lives of the LGBTQ community & the other communities of which we are a part are what’s at stake.” As a victim of police brutality I understand the importance of this overdue reform to our legal system.
For More Info: lambdalegal.org
LISTEN: Black LGBTQ Leaders Address Racial Violence
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