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Transgender Negative Media Depiction

A new study published in LGBT Health found that frequent exposure to negative depictions of transgender people in the media was significantly associated with clinical symptoms of depression, anxiety, global psychological distress & post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in this population. The Fenway Institute & Brown University study is believed to be the first of its kind to explore the effects of exposure to negative transgender-related media across a range of platforms on transgender people. It is an important addition to the extensive body of research showing a correlation between negative media depictions of stigmatized groups and poorer mental health outcomes, as few studies focus solely on transgender people. Jaclyn White Hughto, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Brown University School of Public Health stated, “Nearly all of our study participants reported having seen negative depictions of transgender people in media over the past 12 months. But those who reported greater frequency of exposure to these messages were significantly more likely to exhibit clinical symptoms of depression, anxiety, global psychological distress & PTSD. The association held even after adjustments were made for variables such as age, race, income & reported experiences of childhood and/or adult sexual or physical abuse, which suggests that negative media messages may have an independent impact on the mental health of transgender populations exposed to such messages. Given the prevalence of systemic discrimination against transgender people in employment, health care settings, schools & housing we have long known that structural interventions are required to target stigma at its source. Campaigns designed to encourage accurate, non-stigmatizing depictions of transgender people across all media could serve to mitigate the harms of negative media messages to transgender people. In the meantime, clinical interventions can also help transgender people cope with the stress of being exposed to negative transgender-related media.”  READ STUDY…

WIFVNE Annual Meeting Goes Virtual

This year the Women In Film & Video New England (WIFVNE) Annual Meeting will take place virtually December 2nd 6P to 8:30P via Remo. This is a fabulous opportunity to join WIFVNE members & the New England filmmaking community for a celebration of women storytellers & the great work that is happening in New England & beyond. Guest speakers will include Ruth E. Carter the 2019 Academy Award winner for Achievement in Costume Design for Marvel’s “Black Panther” who made history as the first African-American to win in the category, Peilin Chou, Animation Film Producer whose producing credits include “Over the Moon” which premiered on Netflix in October 2020 & “Abominable” which launched theatrically worldwide in September of 2019 & Emmy award-winning producer Gennie Rim whose career in animation spans 20+ years. Rim has worked at Pixar & Disney on various films such as “Cars”, “Ratatouille”, “The Incredibles” & “Up”. The speakers will be moderated by WIFVNE Board Members Nerissa Williams Scott & Sharon Contillo. There will also be a presentation of the New England Film Star Awards. The winner of the 2020 New England Film Star Award will receive a grant to be given to a film project by a marginalized filmmaker residing in New England & will be announced at the WIFVNE 2020 Annual Meeting of Members. WIFVNE was founded in 1981 by eleven women all Boston-based media professionals that came together to form the New England chapter of Women In Film. The 2020 WIFVNE Annual Meeting of Members is hosted by She+ Geeks Out. General admission is $10 & for members of a WIF chapter admission is $5. 

“Inside the Hollywood Closet” (AUDIO)

This week I talked with author Boze Hadleigh about his new book “Inside the Hollywood Closet: A Book of Quotes” a fabulous gift for the holidays no matter what your sexual orientation may be. A project that took Hadleigh 19 years to complete “Inside the Hollywood Closet” delivers inspirational quotes & statements from such stars as Rock Hudson, Truman Capote, Cary Grant, Neil Patrick Harris, k.d. lang, Ellen DeGeneres, Jodi Foster, Queen Latifah, Little Naz, Oscar Wilde, Sammy Davis Jr., Ellen Page, Rosie O’Donnell, Ian McKellan, Bea Arthur, Butterfly McQueen, Chaz Bono, Elton John, Remi Malik & Wanda Sykes among others. One of my favorite quotes was Tallulah Bankhead who said “Daddy warned me about men & alcohol, but he never warned me about women & cocaine.” Hadleigh who has published 26 books primarily on show business takes you on a journey back in time as he examines what it was like to be LGBTQ in Tinseltown’s heyday to modern day Hollywood. Boze examines both the obvious & hidden costs of being queer in the entertainment industry from an insider view looking out as well as from the outside looking in. This is a fascinating intimate exploration of our LGBTQ community’s survival in show business over the past century. I talked to Boze about his inspiration for creating “Inside the Hollywood Closet: A Book of Quotes” & his spin on our LGBTQ issues. “Inside the Hollywood Closet: A Book of Quotes” is published by Riverdale Avenue Books & is also available on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles Nook, iTunes & Kobo. LISTEN  

For More Info: riverdaleavebooks.com

 

LGBTQ Global Leadership Online Event

The International LGBTQ Leadership Conference takes place virtually from December 3rd to 5th via Bizzabo. This three-day conference is the place to be if you’re looking to grow the power of our LGBTQ community. Each year hundreds of LGBTQ elected & appointed officials, advocates, community leaders & others gather for plenary events, issue-based workshops, networking & an exclusive elected officials track for those leading on LGBTQ legislation & policy worldwide. This year’s featured speakers will include U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Mayor Lori Lightfoot of Chicago IL, Mayor Claudia Lopez city of Bogota, Colombia, Jonathan Capehart from the Washington Post, Senator-elect Sarah McBride of Delaware & Mayor-elect Todd Gloria of San Diego, CA. The first International LGBTQ Leadership Conference took place in 1984 when two dozen LGBTQ elected officials came together for the first time & estimated there were no more than 50 openly LGBTQ officials in the entire world. Thirty-five years later the International LGBTQ Leaders Conference is a “must-attend” event for LGBTQ leaders looking to exchange ideas & determine legislative & policy priorities for the upcoming year. Conference programming includes substantive sessions on policy affecting our communities, networking opportunities to engage with the most influential members of our community & addressing the best practices on advancing equality from around the world. This is the first time the conference will be completely virtual. Registration for the 2020 conference is free. This is a fabulous opportunity to join the world’s largest annual gathering of LGBTQ elected leaders for this must-attend 2020 virtual event. 

MMAA Announces New Board Members

The Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) the nation’s largest non-profit working to support & defend the LGBTQ military & veteran community has announced three new additions to the organization’s board of directors. Charged with governance over the organization the MMAA Board of Directors provides high-level strategy, oversight & accountability. These new additions bring tremendous insight & diverse perspectives in achieving this responsibility. Hale Allegretti is a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Coast Guard having served 15 years on Active Duty stating, “As someone who served in silence as a lesbian under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell & then transitioned after the repeal of the transgender service protection, I understand the challenges our military members, veterans & their families are facing in these trying times. I am excited to join this accomplished group & bring my experience to this fight for full equality & fairness that LGBTQ service members & their families deserve.” Dr. Kimberly Young-McLear is a Black, queer, scholar, activist, engineer & educator who became an anti-bullying & anti-harassment policy expert who uses evidence-based research to promote justice & equity stating, “We can no longer be on the sidelines. Our future is brightest when we all participate in fighting for a just society.” Daniel Suarez is a Navy Reservist from Miami, FL. He & his husband, Jaime A. Mancia also a Navy Reservist are currently on order in Alexandria, VA, where Daniel is assigned to Chief of Naval Personnel, Enlisted Policy & Oversight branch. Suarez concluded, “We can’t change our past, but we can mold our future & forge a better path ahead.” For More Info...

Drag Queens Concert Film Virtual Event

Dragapalooza the fabulous concert film featuring international celebrity Drag Queens Courtney Act, Derrick Barry, Rhea Litre, Trixie Mattel, Coco Montrese & Sharon Needles will be presented virtually Saturday January 16th 2021 at 6P PST/9P EST via My Songbird. Executive Producers Michael Benedetti stated, “With the success of the sold-out live shows & a delayed Las Vegas residency due to the current health crisis we knew that the film needed to be released now. The film celebrates the art form of drag & is the perfect antidote to spread joy while we wait for the live events business to rebuild.” Since 2017 Dragapalooza began as a live show at the El Portal Theatre in Los Angeles as an exciting twist from traditional drag shows. Equal parts rock concert, music theatre, fashion show & cabaret the live shows feature singing with a live band rather than the traditional lip-synching to pre-recorded music. Dragapalooza ushers in a new era of live music drag performances bringing together the brightest & most dynamic live performers in the world of international drag. The film is executive produced by Michael Benedetti & Chris Cox, produced by Ann Potenza & Josh Smith & directed by Chris Cox & Andrei Mignea. Cox also serves as the music director. The 75 minutes film was shot at Dragapalooza performances around the United States including Los Angeles’ El Portal Theatre, Seattle’s Egyptian Theatre, New Orleans’ House of Blues, Milwaukee’s PrideFest & Atlantic City’s Hard Rock Casino. Use code: Pride for $5 off. Tickets are $20 which gives you access to watch the entire show, live & in real-time plus a 72 hour replay window to watch at your convenience. WATCH TRAILER

WIFVNE Virtual Annual Meeting Event

Women In Film & Video New England (WIFVNE) Annual Meeting takes place virtually December 2nd 6P to 8:30P via Remo. This is an opportunity to join WIFVNE members & the New England filmmaking community for a celebration of women storytellers & the great work that is happening in New England & beyond. Guest speakers will include Ruth E. Carter the 2019 Academy Award winner for Achievement in Costume Design for Marvel’s “Black Panther” who made history as the first African-American to win in the category, Peilin Chou, Animation Film Producer whose producing credits include “Over the Moon” which premiered on Netflix in October 2020 & “Abominable” which launched theatrically worldwide in September of 2019 & Emmy award-winning producer Gennie Rim whose career in animation spans 20+ years. Rim has worked at Pixar & Disney on various films such as “Cars”, “Ratatouille”, “The Incredibles” & “Up”. The speakers will be moderated by WIFVNE Board Members Nerissa Williams Scott & Sharon Contillo. There will also be a presentation of the New England Film Star Awards. The winner of the 2020 New England Film Star Award will receive a grant to be given to a film project by a marginalized filmmaker residing in New England & will be announced at the WIFVNE 2020 Annual Meeting of Members. WIFVNE was founded in 1981 by eleven women all Boston-based media professionals that came together to form the New England chapter of Women In Film. The 2020 WIFVNE Annual Meeting of Members is hosted by She+ Geeks Out. General admission is $10 & for members of a WIF chapter admission is $5.               For More Info & Registration…

Transgender Day of Remembrance 2020

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is observed annually on November 20th as a day to honor the lives of transgender, gender nonconforming & non-binary people who have been taken away from us due to transphobic violence, fear & ignorance. In 2020 it’s been reported that 350 transgender people were killed globally with 37 lives lost in the USA to senseless acts of anti-transgender, hate & violence. Today we mourn & celebrate those we have lost. Cathy Renna Communications Director, National LGBTQ Task Force stated, “Transgender Awareness Week ending with Transgender Day of Remembrance is a time to lift up the stories & issue of our trans & non-binary siblings, from the horrifying epidemic of violence against trans people to the important policy & legislative actions that must be taken to increase protections & resources. We also need to offer hope, by looking at the progress that has been made, from the number of young people growing up in a world with more role models & increasing family acceptance to the continued rise in visibility of trans and non-binary people. That Task Force & our community recently lost a trans icon & warrior, Monica Roberts & we would do well to follow her advice, given during the presentation of her award for longevity in the movement at this year’s Creating Change conference: ‘Time to go handle our movement business, get our learn on & get it done for the TBLGQ+ kids who look up to all of us & I’m not going to disappoint them.’ We won’t disappoint them either, in the work we do this week & every day.” With 3,667 transgender & gender-diverse people murdered worldwide since January 2008 we must resolve & end this global crisis. 

Virtual Creating Change Conference

Thousands of LGBTQ advocates, activists, leaders & allies will gather virtually for the 33rd Creating Change Conference from January 28th through January 31st. The National LGBTQ Task Force Creating Change Conference is the foremost political, leadership & skills-building conference for the LGBTQ social justice movement. The Annual State of the Movement Address will hold more meaning than ever this year as the country faces unprecedented challenges & the Task Force officially transfers leadership of the organization from longtime Executive Director Rea Carey to incoming Executive Director Kierra Johnson. Dominique Jackson best known for her leading role of Elektra Abundance on the FX television series Pose will be this year’s opening keynote speaker & there will be several performances by Big Freedia. Closing Keynote Speaker will be activist author adrienne maree brown & Sandra Valls will host the event. Andy Garcia, Director of Creating Change stated, “I am thrilled that we have Big Freedia, adrienne maree brown & Dominique Jackson participating, along with thousands of LGBTQ+ activists & allies. When Creating Change begins we will be living under a new White House administration & hopeful but also facing a possible sea change in the status of queer rights from the Supreme Court & needing to see real institutional & policy change for racial & economic justice. All while we continue to grapple with the impact of the pandemic & other obstacles we face as a community. Given its virtual nature, we hope more queer people than ever before participate in Creating Change, as we need each other now more than ever.” For More Info & Register…

NMAC World AIDS Day Virtual Event

NMAC will observe World AIDS Day 2020 with its first Hill Champion Awards for Minority Health on December 1st at 4P ET. The ceremony will honor House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with the John Lewis Good Trouble Award & Congresswoman Barbara Lee with the Elijah Cummings Award for Minority Health Equality. Congressman Kweisi Mfume & Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings widow of Congressman Elijah Cummings will present the awards. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn will also speak. Paul Kawata NMAC Executive Director stated, “It’s a tremendous honor to recognize Speaker Pelosi & Congresswoman Lee for their tremendous & ongoing work in the fight against HIV. It’s also a great pleasure to memorialize two other heroes whom we have lost in the last few years: Congressman Elijah Cummings & Congressman John Lewis. Both of them were great allies to NMAC & the HIV community over their time in office. They are & will always be greatly missed. We are thrilled to have this ongoing recognition for them.” Joe Huang-Racalto NMAC Director of Government Relations & Public Policy concluded, “NMAC wanted to thank & honor Speaker Pelosi & Congresswoman Lee for all they have done against tremendous obstacles. They’ve had to fight against everything from apathy to ignorance to outright bigotry to help us accomplish all that we have in the fight against HIV & we will need their leadership & determination to help us end the epidemic in the next decade.” Since 1987 NMAC has advanced their mission through a variety of programs & services & also serves as an association of AIDS service organizations, providing valuable information to community-based organizations, hospitals, clinics & other groups assisting individuals and families affected by the HIV epidemic. The Hill Champion Awards for Minority Health on December is a free event. For More Info & Tix…

NBJC Welcomes Two New Directors

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) announced two new senior level hires Victoria Kirby York, MPA & Dr. Kia Darling-Hammond. Their leadership & experience will further drive the org's mission to empower members of the LGBTQ community to combat racism, transphobia, homophobia & biphobia; end stigma & provide education around what it means to live with HIV & address issues specific to people living at the intersection of being queer & Black. David J. Johns, Executive Director of NBJC stated, “I am excited about the passion, talents & treasures that both Victoria Kirby York & Dr. Kia Darling-Hammond will bring to the work & the legacy of NBJC. Victoria & Kia are established leaders who have demonstrated both a love for and commitment to improving life outcomes & opportunities for Black trans, queer & non-binary people. The communities that we serve & the country that we work to strengthen will benefit as a result of their efforts." Victoria Kirby York, MPA will serve as NBJC's Deputy Executive Director & will manage the organization's operational policies & efficiencies, strengthen its grassroots constituency engagement efforts & lead the programmatic staff. Kia Darling-Hammond, Ph.D will serve as NBJC’s Director of Research & Educational Programs. In this role she will lead the organization’s efforts to ensure that policy, practice & the space in between (praxis) account for the diverse experiences of & unique contributions made by, Black trans, queer & non-binary people, both in & out of schools. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & same gender loving (LGBTQ/SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS. For More Info...

LGBTQ Leadership Virtual Fall Forum

Our Fund & Equality Florida are presenting a virtual national LGBTQ leaders forum on Monday November 16th from 6:30P to 8:30P to discuss the future of the equality movement in the aftermath of the presidential election. The event will be on Equality Florida's YouTube Channel & on Equality Florida's Facebook page. The event will begin with chat room conversations beginning at 6:30P to be followed by a panel discussion from 7P to 8:30P EST. The panelists will included Alphonso B. David President of the Human Rights Campaign, Kasey Suffredini CEO & National Campaign Director of Freedom For All Americans, Annise Parker President & CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund & Victory Institute & Aaron Belkin director of the Palm Center & Take Back The Court. The event will be moderated by Nadine Smith Executive Director of Equality Florida. Stratton Pollitzer Deputy Director of Equality Florida stated, “I hope you'll join us for a fascinating conversation on where we are headed now that the election is behind us. Our own Nadine Smith will moderate this panel discussion featuring some of the top LGBTQ leaders in the country today. Equality Florida is proud to partner with Our Fund, the LGBT Community Foundation, in presenting the 10th Annual LGBTQ Leadership Virtual Fall Forum. We'll be livestreaming the event on facebook.com/equalityfl or YouTube.com/equalityflorida starting at 6:30P ET.” This is a fabulous opportunity to learn what's next for the equality movement from national LGBTQ leaders in the context of the 2020 Election. The 10th Annual National LGBTQ Leadership Virtual Fall Forum is a free event. For More Info....

AMIA 30th Conference Goes Virtual

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) this year’s conference will be held virtually from November 17th to 20th featuring virtual workshops, screenings & more programmed by working archivists addressing the best ways to preserve & provide access to our media. Each day kicks off with four fabulous keynote speakers. Beginning on Tuesday November 17th the conference will open with the presentation of the 2020 Silver Light Award to Mona Jimenez followed by a Keynote Conversation with Margaret Bodde, Executive Director of The Film Foundation from 8:30A to 9:45A. Then on Wednesday November 18th the conference will open with the presentation of the 2020 Ray Edmondson Advocacy Award to Dwight Swanson immediately following is a Keynote Conversation with Allison Anders a trailblazing award-winning screenwriter & film & TV director from 9A to 9:45A. Starting the conference on Thursday will be the presentation of the 2020 William S. O’Farrell Volunteer Award to Wendy Shay followed by a Keynote Conversation with Erica Titkemeyer Project Director & AV Conservator at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). The conference will conclude on Friday November 20th with the presentation of the Alan Stark Award to Alison Reppert Gerber followed by a Keynote from Zackary Drucker an independent artist, cultural producer & trans woman who breaks down the way we think about gender & sexuality. More than 650 professionals representing the world’s major media institutions gather each year for AMIA’s Annual Conference. Attendees represent all areas of the community-corporate & national archives, media companies, libraries, historical societies, service providers, universities & more. There will also so be a virtual student mixer, yoga sessions, Karaoke & a closing night online dance party. AMIA wants the conference to be accessible to as many as possible so fees will remain on a sliding scale. For More Info & Tix...


United Nations LGBTQ Global Update

Malta & the Republic of North Macedonia have joined the UN LGBTI Core Group bringing the number of members of the group to a total of 33 states & the delegation of the European Union. Jessica Stern Executive Director of OutRight Action International stated, “The UN LGBTI Core Group is a key force dedicated to a vision in which LGBTIQ people live free from discrimination & violence & fighting for recognition of our rights at an international level. Malta & North Macedonia join at a trying time. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on LGBTIQ people. Conservative governments continue to attack gender and LGBTIQ equality. A ban on legal gender recognition in Hungary, constitutional changes banning marriage equality in Russia, threats of mandatory sexual orientation & gender identity change efforts in Indonesia, are just a few of the regressive events from the past year. By joining the group in the face of strong opposition, at a time when we can only meet virtually, Malta & North Macedonia send a strong message - that LGBTIQ equality is not subject to convenience. As the secretariat of the group, OutRight is thrilled to welcome them to the Core Group!” The UN LGBTI Core Group is an informal cross-regional group working together to mainstream LGBTIQ inclusion throughout UN mechanisms & processes at the UN headquarters in New York. It was established in 2008 & is currently co-chaired by Argentina & The Netherlands. Prior to Malta & North Macedonia joining, Nepal & Iceland were the last to join the group in May 2020. OutRight Action International works at a global, regional & national level to eradicate the persecution, inequality & violence LGBTIQ people face around the world. 

San Francisco Transgender Film Festival

Founded in 1997 the San Francisco Transgender Film Festival is the world’s first & longest running transgender film festival that takes place virtually this year from November 12th to 15th online via eventive. Shawna Virago Artistic Director stated, “We were founded at a time in 1997 when funders would not support transgender film festivals or filmmakers & so for years, we have had to survive & thrive on our transgender smarts, sweat & love from the community. The San Francisco Transgender Film Festival provides a powerful counter-narrative to the increasingly assimilationist world of transgender reality stars & celebrities. Hollywood gets it very wrong. Come view trans & gender-variant people telling our own stories.” From sexy shorts to inspiring animation, from gender-busting music videos to hard-hitting documentaries, SFTFF 2020 truly has something for everyone & all genders are welcomed to virtually attend globally. SFTFF was founded in 1997 as the world’s first transgender film festival & is built upon grassroots, social-justice-seeking, anti-oppression principles. Originally a bi-annual festival, SFTFF expanded to an annual festival in 2003 by audience demand. This year’s online Festival will feature films from more than a dozen countries around the world & will feature a closed-captioned. The San Francisco Transgender Film Festival (SFTFF) screens films that promote the visibility of transgender & gender variant people & challenge the mainstream media’s negative stereotypes of our transgender communities. They provide opportunities for transgender & gender variant media artists, build community through film & performance events & engage their audiences in cross-community dialogue. 

WATCH TRAILER  

For More Info & Tix: sftff.org

Transgender Troops Veterans Day 2020

President-elect Joe Biden has promised to immediately end the ban on transgender military service on the first day of his administration stating, “On day one of my presidency I will direct the Department of Defense to allow transgender service members to serve openly & free from discrimination.” Biden continued that ending the ban which Trump reinstated in 2019 was “not just the right thing to do, but it’s in our national interest.” LGBTQ & progressive groups who stated that they look forward to a swift return to fully inclusive service include the Center for American Progress; GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, Modern Military Association of America, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, Service Members, Partners, Allies for Respect & Tolerance for All (SPART*A) & Transgender American Veterans Association. Aaron Belkin Palm Center Director stated, “We are confident that President-elect Biden will immediately reverse the ban on transgender military service upon taking office. Few actions are as straightforward & as consistent with the president-elect’s values as ending this unnecessary ban that punishes our troops & harms our national security.” The Palm Center is an independent, non-partisan research institute that conducts scholarly analysis of U.S. military personnel policy, with an emphasis on LGBTQ populations. Their research has been published in leading scholarly journals & their expert analysis is regularly covered in all forms of media worldwide. In providing clear explanations of key data & developments in their reports, memos, statements, op-eds, blog & social media, serves as a trusted resource for journalists, policymakers, service members, scholars, students & the public. 

LGBTQ Health Care At Stake & More

As the US Supreme Court hears argument in California v. Texas a challenge to the Affordable Care Act the outcome will have a profound impact on more than 20 million people who have access to health insurance thanks to this law. Our LGBTQ community & people living with HIV have an important stake in the outcome of this case. It will be the most vulnerable Americans who stand to lose the most if the ACA is overturned including our LGBTQ community, communities of color & people with disabilities that have spent the past decade making progress toward increased health coverage, lowered medical expenses, protection for preexisting conditions & the added nondiscrimination protections the Affordable Care Act provides. Overturning the law would not only jeopardize health insurance for 20 million Americans it will also strip away protections for an estimated 135 million Americans with preexisting conditions in the middle of the wrath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Caroline Medina, Policy Analyst for the LGBTQ Research & Communications Project at Center for American Progress stated, “Despite crucial gains in health coverage & benefits for LGBTQ communities under the ACA, transgender adults—particularly transgender people of color—continue to face substantial & unique discriminatory barriers to accessing health insurance & services. Our data reveal both the depth of harm that LGBTQ Americans would encounter under the ACA’s repeal as well as the need to continue combating discrimination in health care settings. At this critical juncture, the ACA’s protections should be expanded, not undermined.” In the midst of a change of Presidential Leadership with a questionable last ditch appointment of Amy Coney Barrett replacing Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, this is just another embarrassment to this country & its citizens.

New Novel “No Place To Hide” (AUDIO)

This week I talked with life coach & author Opa Hysea Wise about her timely novel “No Place To Hide” a suspenseful page-turner that examines personal transformation amid violence & racial injustice. "No Place To Hide" besides being a must-read for mystery fans & crime junkies is also an unexpected source of inspiration & self-help. Heroine Smythe Windwalker Daniels anonymity is compromised when a threat is made against her life. Soon she is confronted by the reality that this danger not only impacts her life but also the lives around her. She reluctantly accepts the FBI’s protection hoping that by doing the right thing will bring a promise of justice to a community. Then as she confronts & learns from past experiences new meaning enters her present life & beauty appears in the midst of chaos. This kicks off a series of misadventures where she learns how all events are all woven together in this tapestry called “life.” In these challenging political times as a life coach Opa also sheds some light on how we all need to move forward together. It’s time that we all begin to dream again without fear. Examine what we want out of our lives. Opa addresses how most people know what they don’t want in life but rarely tackle what they do want in life. This is also an opportunity to address belonging. Don’t buy into the fear that we don’t belong because we all belong. Stay in the present moment, focus on the moment and don’t get too far ahead of yourself. I talked to Opa about what she hopes to accomplish with “No Place To Hide” & her spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN  

For More Info: opahyseawise.com 

LISTEN: Charlotte Robinson Talks Retro Radio & TV

 

LGBTQ Leaders Praise Biden Harris Win

After fours years of an administration bent on talking away our LGBTQ civil rights & the rights of so many others we walk into the light of a new administration based on the belief & commitment to ”We The People.” Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund stated, “Today, I breathed a sigh of relief for the first time in years, even as we know that we have hard work ahead of us. My hope is that after four years of white supremacist policies, actions & rhetoric aimed at the worst impulses of those who see LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, people of color, people with disabilities & so many as the ‘other’ as targets for discrimination & prejudice, we have elected national leaders who have vowed to see & fight for the humanity in all of us. I am filled with hope because our children will again live in a nation led by an administration that sees their potential, their resilience & their diversity as strengths.” Brian K. Bond, Executive Director of PFLAG National concluded, “The people have spoken & we’re done with leadership that sows fear, division & discrimination. We turn now to the work ahead to restore the rights & freedoms of our democracy…PFLAG National will never give up the fight to create safe & affirming communities where all people, inclusive of LGBTQ+ people, have opportunity & are protected from harassment, discrimination & harm.” We at OUTTAKE MEDIA congratulate President-elect Joe Biden & Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their win & will now finally bring dignity, compassion & sanity back to the White House. For More Info: thetaskforce.org

LISTEN: Charlotte Robinson Talks Retro Radio & TV

The Theater Offensive Virtual Benefit

Beyond The Stage is the premier fundraiser for Boston's The Theater Offensive’s True Colors OUT Youth Theater & will take place virtually on Thursday November 12th from 7P to 8P. Beyond the Stage honors the resilience & strength of LGBTQ & allied youth members of True Colors OUT Youth Theater as well as the program's key supporters. This year TTO is celebrating 25 years of True Colors programming & they're gathering virtually to witness performances & testimony that demonstrates how our community's generous support impacts the lives of True Colors youth & alums. This year Beyond The Stage will also be honoring  Myron Miller, The Herman & Frieda L. Miller Foundation with the 2020 Champion Award & Chioke Waithe-Howard with the 2020 Outstanding Youth Leader Award. Founded in 1994 True Colors is the longest running LGBTQ youth theater program in the country. True Colors uses a proven community-engaged theater model to train LGBTQ & allied youth leaders in writing & performance skills. The majority of True Colors youth are 14-22 years old from Boston neighborhoods. True Colors transforms real-life stories of queer youth into powerful performances & workshops based on their lived experiences of topics such as bullying, homelessness, coming out & discrimination. By touring to local schools & community groups, these performances combat bigotry, hate & discrimination. True Colors is a safe space for all youth, where they can explore their identities & build key creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication & problem solving skills. True Colors provides direct service to 90 youth annually & reaches an average of 3,000 audience members each year. Being this is a crucial fundraiser in these challenging times Beyond The Stage tickets price levels run from complimentary to $5,000 but you must register. Guests will be emailed a link to the Vimeo livestream on November 11th one day before the event. For More Info & Tix: thetheateroffensive.org

LISTEN: Charlotte Robinson Talks Retro Radio & TV

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Global Solidarity For LGBTQ Russians

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