LGBTQ Athletes At Beijing Olympics

There are at least 34 out LGBTQ athletes competing in the Winter Games in Beijing that run from Friday February 4th 2022 to Sunday February 20th 2022 in Beijing, China. This is more than double the amount of LGBTQ athletes that competed in the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. There are 12 out LGBTQ athletes in ice hockey all of which are women including Brianne Jenner, Erin Ambrose, Emily Clark, Mélodie Daoust, Jamie Lee Rattray, Jill Saulnier & Micah Zandee-Hart from Canada. Also Ebba Berglund & Anna Kjellbin from Sweden, Alex Carpenter from the USA, Aneta Lédlová from the Czech Republic & Ronja Savolainen from Finland. Out LGBTQ athletes competing in Skeleton include Andrew Blaser from the USA, Kim Meylemans from Belgium & Nicole Silveira from Brazil who stated, “Knowing that I can step on the big stage, the Olympics, as a known LGBTQ member & be able to bring out more visibility & help athletes be who they want to be, brings me a lot of joy. I hope I can be that person that helps lift that weight off someone else’s shoulder.” Andrew Blaser concluded, “I think that the opportunity to represent the community at these games is amazing. I hope that my participation will help someone else realize that they have the opportunity to compete & the ability to achieve any & all of their goals regardless of sexual orientation.” There are also a number of publicly out coaches at the Beijing Olympic Games. The 2022 Beijing Winter Games will also be the first Olympics under the International Olympic Committee’s new framework on Fairness, Inclusion & Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity & Sex Variations. For More Info…
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GLSEN Names New Executive Director

Melanie Willingham-Jaggers has been named GLSEN’s first Black, nonbinary Executive Director. Rocío Inclán, GLSEN Board of Directors Chair stated, “LGBTQ+ students across the country are facing a crisis amid attacks on their rights & the ongoing pandemic & we need bold leadership now more than ever. A true leader for their community, Melanie always looks first to the grassroots leadership of the LGBTQ+ youth of color, trans youth & youth with disabilities who are on the frontlines & centers their experiences & needs in all GLSEN’s work. Melanie is exactly the leader our movement needs to bring our fight for LGBTQ+ justice to the next level as GLSEN’s Executive Director.” Willingham-Jaggers added, “I am thrilled to continue & accelerate the important work GLSEN started more than 30 years ago. Education is the cornerstone of our democracy & GLSEN’s work is rooted in the belief that education can & should be an experience that is safe, inclusive & affirming for all students. I am committed to ensuring our organization lives up to that promise & advances work based always on GLSEN’s core strategies: anti-racism, gender justice & disability justice.” Eliza Byard, Senior Advisor, Campaign for Our Shared Future & GLSEN former Executive Director concluded, “Melanie's expertise as an organizer & deep connections across movements are invaluable for the next chapter of GLSEN's work. The world of K-12 schools has been turned completely upside-down over the past few years & Melanie’s vision & experience will provide the essential ingredients of new strategies for a new time.” Before joining GLSEN Melanie served as the program associate director of The Worker Institute at Cornell University’s School of Industrial & Labor Relations. GLSEN works to create safe & inclusive schools for all. For More Info…
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Florida Passes “Don’t Say Gay” Bill

The Florida House Education & Employment Committee has passed HB 1557 known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. This bill & its companion Senate bill SB 1834 would ban discussion of LGBTQ topics in the classroom. It also allows parents to take legal action against teachers if they discuss gender orientation or sexuality. The bill includes additional provisions that undermine LGBTQ support in schools including parental notification requirements that could result in LGBTQ students being outed to their parents without consent. This bill will create even more barriers for LGBTQ students to feel safe & supported at school. According to the Trevor Project only 28% of middle & high school LGBTQ students reported ever learning about LGBTQ people or issues in their classes at school. GLSEN & the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) found that 51.6% of Black LGBTQ students felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation & 40.2% because of their gender expression. David Johns, NBJC Executive Director stated, “We’re living in a peculiar time where the privileged minority wish for all of us to embrace a post-truth era…to live as if words don’t have meanings & the truth isn’t worth telling, especially when it makes some of us uncomfortable. Truth is we’ve only grown in understanding & strengthened the community by being honest, especially about history & shared experiences. Attempting to prevent students from knowing & feeling comfortable using words, histories & experiences will not make those words, histories & experiences disappear. It will only make it easier for students to learn & perform the worst parts of ignorance & hate. Our students deserve better. Our country deserves better.” Oppose This Bill Here…
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Generational Wealth Planning (AUDIO)

This week I talked with Portia Wood a generational wealth-planning attorney based in Los Angeles, California. Portia leads the Wood Legal Group a woman-owned & operated law firm specializing in estate planning, probate & elder law that she runs with her mother & law partner Robin Wood. They’re on a quest to normalize the idea of Black, Latinx & LGBTQ families using trusts to build generational wealth. They serve all communities with special attention to the unique needs of our Black, Brown & LGBTQ families. Of course people of color who are also LGBTQ face a unique set of challenges & the Wood Legal Group is passionately focused on helping marginalized communities grow & protect wealth by being a trusted resource for accurate information & comprehensive, culturally competent estate planning. No one likes to address our mortality but with COVID taking its toll these last few years it is crucial to get proper estate planning that will ensure we all get the state & federal benefits of our marriages while avoiding probate, maintaining our privacy & protecting our assets. An LGBTQ couple can avoid numerous problems through proper estate planning & Portia explains that trusts aren't reserved just for the wealthy. They're for a variety of people & can solve many estate-planning problems. So if you’ve been avoiding getting your life in order during these challenging pandemic times perhaps this may help you become more proactive for yourself & your families. I talked to Portia about her inspiration for creating the Wood Legal Group & as a fierce ally her spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN

 

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Ring of Keys Joe’s Pub Concert Series


Ring of Keys the artist service organization & the only national network of queer women, trans & gender non-conforming professional artists working on & offstage in musical theatre has announced The Queering the Canon Concert Series at Joe’s Pub in NYC. The three-concert series will run January to March both in person & virtually. The first performance is Queering the Canon: Andrew Lloyd Webber on Monday January 31st at 7P, the second is Queering the Canon: Sondheim on Wednesday February 23rd at 9:30P & the third is Queering the Canon: Kander & Ebb on Tuesday March 8th at 9:30P. All shows are performed by Ring of Keys artists who interpret songs through their perspective & the series seeks to queer the original canon of musical theatre while highlighting upcoming songwriters who are currently queering our stages & creating a new canon. The series is produced by co-founder Andrea Prestinario with casting by Emily Tarquin. Ring Of Keys is a 501(c)3 nonprofit artist service organization that elevates its members (“Keys”) through their digital platform, Queering the Stage concert series & Member Directory which serves as a hiring resource for organizations & individuals seeking to hire queer women & TGNC artists from its membership of over 600 individuals. All Joe’s Pub performances require proof of a complete COVID-19 vaccination & proof of a booster dose for those eligible in accordance with CDC guidelines by the date of attendance for access. Approved facemasks will be required at all times including while watching the performance except while actively eating & drinking in designated areas. Tickets are $25 & there will also be livestream performance tickets available. For More Info & Tix…

Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES

 

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Biden LGBTQ & Diversity Champion


A little perspective about President Biden’s approval rate of 42.3% after his first year with the last president having 39.1% after a year, Reagan had 48.9% & Obama had 49.9%. Also when it comes to the COVID pandemic every willing American is now vaccinated despite the fact that half the country are still refusing to wear masks. However when it comes to diversity Biden has made 100 appointment, policies & statements to advance equality for LGBTQ Americans. Sarah Kate Ellis GLAAD President & CEO stated, “From day one, with a simple update to the White House website asking for people’s pronouns, President Biden & his administration have opened doors for LGBTQ Americans & demonstrated unprecedented commitment to ending discrimination & urging full equality in every area of society. It’s a 180 degree turnaround from the previous administration’s more than 200 attacks on LGBTQ Americans. In appointing out leaders, in creating & implementing policies to advance equity, in verbal & visual statements of support, the Biden administration is including, celebrating & demanding 100% acceptance for all LGBTQ people. Every member of Congress must follow President Biden’s lead & secure protections against discrimination into law by passing the Equality Act. Every state & local leader must speak up for their LGBTQ neighbors & pass laws to secure their right to live in safety & contribute fully to their states’ success. GLAAD recognizes the remarkable progress made by the Biden Administration for LGBTQ Americans & calls on voters to choose pro equality candidates & demand all elected officials commit to doing more to keep our country moving forward.” For More Info…
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NAACP Image Awards LGBTQ Nominees

We join in celebration with the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) of the historic number of LGBTQ themed content & openly LGBTQ nominees for the 53rd NAACP Image Awards. The Image Awards honor outstanding performances in film, television, theater, music & literature & include several honorary awards. David J. Johns, NBJC Executive Director stated, “There’s still much work to do in our community to ensure that each of us can show up & feel safe, fully formed just as we are & there’s also a lot to celebrate as we continue to engage in that tough, communal work. We celebrate the accomplishments of our LGBTQ+/SGL siblings & look forward to all that’s to come. Folx know when we show up, we show all the way out.” Billy Porter received several nominations & “Bruised” the must-see Halle Berry film on Netflix received 4 nominations including Outstanding Independent Motion Picture, Outstanding Actress for Berry & Outstanding Breakthrough performance for Sheila Atim. Also nominated were Rutina Wesley for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series in Queen Sugar, Kenny Leon for Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special for Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia, Cynthia Erivo for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie in Genius: Aretha & Outstanding New Artist, Jamila Wignot for Outstanding Breakthrough Creative with Ailey, My Name is Pauli Murray for Outstanding Documentary (Film), Ariana DeBose for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture in West Side Story, Wanda Sykes for Outstanding Support Actress in a Comedy Series in The Upshaws, Queen Latifah for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series in The Equalizer & many more. The 53rd NAACP Image Awards will air live on BET on Saturday February 26th.
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NCAA Fails To Protect LGBTQ Athletes

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) ratified its new constitution without including nondiscrimination policy language that had been a part of their previous constitutions. The organization took this action despite the urging of 18 national advocacy groups across a wide spectrum of issues led by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) & Athlete Ally to reinstate & strengthen previously-existing nondiscrimination policy language protecting LGBTQ athletes, women & athletes of color into their new draft constitution. The NCAA also announced a new policy regarding participation of transgender athletes that raises significant concerns. Joni Madison HRC Interim President stated, “If not through their constitution, the NCAA needs to show us their playbook for protecting LGBTQ+ & specifically transgender athletes from discrimination. The NCAA has so far proven to be an unreliable ally to LGBTQ+ athletes across the country who depend upon the organization to protect them from discrimination & now they owe these athletes answers. Their inaction is giving extremist legislators across the country precisely what they want & need to advance a discriminatory agenda targeting LGBTQ+ & particularly transgender, people: their silence, which provides the cover to push radical policies. Look no further than Indiana’s religious refusal law in 2015 or the 2017 HB2 bathroom bill in North Carolina to see the impact NCAA action can have in defeating discriminatory legislation. Unfortunately, the past two years have been a disastrous example of what happens when the NCAA does nothing meaningful to stand up to this historic discriminatory effort… The NCAA’s unresponsiveness, unwillingness to re-implement common sense language & inability to enforce their own policies to protect athletes vulnerable to discrimination are all deeply disappointing & dangerous. We know they are capable of better.” Read Letter To NCAA…
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Creating Change Conference Remixed

The National LGBTQ Task Force’s Creating Change conference has gone virtual due to the on-going impact of the COVID pandemic & will now be held March 19th to 29th. Over the March conference weekend “Creating Change Remixed” will feature several plenary & keynote speakers, award presentations, daylong institutes & the annual House Ball. In lieu of the customary workshops & caucuses being part of the conference programming the Task Force will host a series of virtual events in 2022 under a new banner of “Creating Change 365.” The Task Force welcomes back Sandra Vallsas as the conference emcee. The programs will include the Annual State of the Movement Address with Task Force Executive Director Kierra Johnson & Deputy Executive Director Mayra Hidalgo Salazar. With the 2022 midterm elections just around the corner Task Force leaders will focus on the opportunities ahead & lay out what at stake for our democracy. Featured Keynotes speakers will be Two Spirit activist Beverly Little Thunder & author & performance artist ALOK. In addition there will be the traditional presentation of awards. This year the Task Force will also be honoring Urvashi Vaid with the Susan J. Hyde Award for Longevity in the Movement sponsored by Wild Geese Foundation & the Carmen Vázquez Leadership Award in Aging will be presented by SAGE to José Albino. The Evelyn & Walter Haas Jr. Fund Award for Outstanding LGBTQ Leadership for Immigration Rightswill be presented to Ola Osifo Osaze & the Leather Leadership Award will be presented to Billy Lane. There will also be an Interfaith Service & the annual Agents of Change Masquerade Ball. For More Info & Tix…
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GLAAD 33rd Media Awards Nominees

GLAAD has announced the nominees for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards. The GLAAD Media Awards honor media for fair, accurate & inclusive representations of LGBTQ people & issues. Sarah Kate Ellis GLAAD President & CEO stated, “Media can create positive change & this year’s nominees represent powerful projects, stories & creators that positively shifted culture & enlightened audiences with new & impactful LGBTQ stories. There are more nominees this year than ever before, highlighting a growing landscape of LGBTQ visibility & serving as a reminder to the critical role that film, television, music, journalism & other forms of media can play in growing LGBTQ acceptance in the face of ongoing attacks against our community.” Streaming & cable dominated broadcast TV with 63 nominations from streaming services, 39 nominations from cable outlets &17 nominations from broadcast networks. HBO/HBO Max received the most nominations of any network with a total of 19 nominees followed by Netflix with 17 nominees. Hulu received 7 nominations while ABC, MSNBC & Peacock all received 4 nominations. This year’s recipient of the Barbara Gittings Award for Excellence in LGBTQ Media is Franco Stevens the pioneering lesbian journalist & founding publisher of Curve Magazine. GLAAD's Barbara Gittings Award for Excellence in LGBTQ Media honors a pioneering individual, group, or community media outlet that has made a significant contribution to the development of LGBTQ media. The GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies is presented by Gilead Sciences, Inc. & Ketel One Family Made Vodka & will be held in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday April 2, 2022 & in New York at the Hilton Midtown on Friday May 6, 2022. Full Nominees List…
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Supreme Court Health Care Victory

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected North Carolina State Health Plan’s effort to shield itself from health care discrimination lawsuits. The decision will protects the rights of marginalized people including LGBTQ people & people living with HIV to seek justice & obtain relief in court if they are subjected to health care discrimination. This allows Lambda Legal & the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) who are suing the health plan, the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers & State Employees for its blanket exclusion of coverage for gender-affirming health care services to go forward. Omar Gonzalez-Pagan Lambda Legal Senior Attorney & Health Care Strategist stated, “We are pleased that the Supreme Court decided not to review this case & that we can now focus on holding North Carolina’s State Health Plan accountable for its discriminatory & harmful refusal to provide comprehensive health care coverage – including for gender-affirming care – to all its state employees & their dependents. The Court’s denial leaves in place a court of appeals decision strongly affirming that it is unlawful & dangerous for state entities receiving federal funding to engage in discrimination in health care & that they are not immune from accountability in court. Entities, like The State Health Plan, must be held accountable when they discriminate & violate people’s rights. Today’s decision protects the rights of marginalized people, including LGBTQ people & people living with HIV, to seek justice & obtain relief in court if they are subjected to health care discrimination.” David Brown TLDEF Legal Director concluded, "The Fourth Circuit got it right with its carefully-considered September 2021 opinion deciding that states receiving federal funding can be sued if they discriminate.” For More Info…
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Martin Luther King Day & Voting Bills

So here we are on Martin Luther King Day in 2022 with two basic voting bills in jeopardy because two so called Democratic Senators Arizona's Sinema & West Virginia's Manchin are playing into the Republican agenda to end our democracy. Kierra Johnson, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund Executive Director stated, “The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund urges the U.S. Senate to pass the Freedom to Vote Act & the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Voting rights are a cornerstone of our democratic process & have been under attack by conservative political extremists. These extremists have tried everything from partisan gerrymandering to mass purges of voter rolls in attempts to undermine the work of election officials, sow false doubt in legitimate election results & curb access to registering & casting votes. There are many things to be divided over but right now there is an opportunity to be aligned in eradicating barriers to voting. We have an opportunity to restore faith in the American people that there are still foundational values & inalienable rights that can hold us together. The right to vote is a baseline. It is an essential part to exercise our power & participate in our democracy. When LGBTQ+ Americans, People of Color & other marginalized populations vote in high numbers, elections are greatly impacted & it can make the difference in local, state & federal elections. The fear of losing power & the threat of losing an elected seat is not justification for our leaders to carve out LGBTQ+ folks, People of Color, women, poor people & so many other already marginalized groups from the political process.” Urge the U.S. Senate to pass these bills. For More Info…
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Mariska Hargitay Addressing Our Issues

Mariska Hargitay has consistently addressed important issues on “Law & Order: Special Victims’ Unit” with episodes going beyond sexually abuse taking on racism, the Me Too Movement, COVID & most recently our LGBTQ community when her young son Noah played by Ryan Buggle reveals to his mom played by Hargitay that he is bisexual. The January 13th episode entitled “Burning with Rage Forever” begins with Noah being bullied in a cage by a boy named Hudson who’s filming it on his phone demanding Noah on all fours to "bark like a dog”. In a touching Mother son discussion at the end of the episode they address Hudson’s bullying & Noah states, “Hudson's just an idiot, no one likes him anyway. He bullies everyone. It was just my turn to be his target." Then Olivia asks Noah why & he explains how Hudson went after other kids including one who uses they/them pronouns who Hudson called a fairy. Then Noah tells Olivia "Then I said that I was bi & that there's no shame in being true to yourself." Hargitay adds, "That is incredibly brave." "Well, it's my truth. I just hadn't told anybody before" he tells her. "Well thank you for telling me," Olivia says, smiling at her son. "No big deal," he replies adding, "It's not like I have a boyfriend or girlfriend, it's just not fair for anybody to be left out." Then the total tearjerker happened for me as Olivia concludes, "I hear that I'm really proud of you." Well we’ve definitely turned a corner in mainstream TV.  Brava Mariska Hargitay & we at OUTTAKE MEDIA thank you for your decades of groundbreaking work & make sure to check out Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation…
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First Black Trans Woman Killed In 2022


Amariey Lej is the first transgender person to be killed in 2022. Amariey Lej was a 20-year-old Black transgender woman who was found shot & lying in the streets of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania on January 1st 2022. Lej was a dancer who shared her gift & passion with the Lady Diamonds dance squad. She also worked with the Legacy Arts Project as a youth artist apprentice. Her family described her as a “vibrant soul with a presence that filled every space she entered” & said she “had an unforgettable presence that will be deeply missed.” Victoria Kirby York, National Black Justice Coalition Deputy Executive Director stated, “I am deeply saddened to learn about Amariey, who we lost on the first day of this year. As we enter this New Year, we must remain focused on ending the epidemic of violence facing the transgender, nonbinary & gender-nonconforming community. Currently, sufficient action has not been taken to protect the community & that must change soon to decrease the level of violence this year. We must continue to demand that those in power, elected officials, law enforcement, media, do better & do more. Enough is enough. We have lost too many siblings.” In 2021 NBJC tracked the deaths of 52 trans, nonbinary or gender-nonconforming people. Most of those we lost last year were Black transgender women like Lej. This violent & senseless attack on our transgender community must be addressed. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is America’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black LGBTQ people including people living with HIV. For More Info…
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LGBTQ & BIPOC Youth Led COVID Study

Out Boulder County in partnership with El Centro AMISTAD & Unwoven Ventures with the leadership of LGBTQ & Black, Indigenous & People of Color (BIPOC) youth have created the nation’s first LGBTQ & BIPOC youth-led survey on COVID-19 vaccination uptake, acceptance, hesitancy & resistance. A key finding of the survey is that economic disadvantage & race make a meaningful impact on vaccination rates & levels of acceptance. Mardi Moore, Executive Director of Out Boulder County stated, “LGBTQ+ & BIPOC young people are too often ignored by the medical establishment & society. It was important to Out Boulder County & our partners to have youth lead the survey & to elevate voices in these too often ignored communities. Understanding their views & attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination is crucial to managing & ending this pandemic.” There were 420 respondents who met the criteria for inclusion in the survey. It consisted of 37 questions targeting youth ages 12 to 17 & young adults between the ages of 18 to 24. Michal Duffy, Director of Education & Research at Out Boulder County concluded, “Studying vaccination rates as well as views, attitudes & barriers to vaccination at these intersections of identities revealed valuable data that should inform efforts to promote vaccination. The data clearly reveal that a person's socio-economic status & identity impacts their views toward vaccination & their successful uptake of the vaccine.” When it comes to understanding COVID-19 vaccine reluctance this information is crucial to an effective community vaccination program which requires participation by people of every age group & demographic. Read Full Report…
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Golden Globe Winner Mj Rodriguez

Michaela Jae “Mj” Rodriguez has made history as the first openly transgender actor to win a Golden Globe for her role as Blanca on the FX series “Pose”. With the Golden Globes show on social media this year after it was boycotted by the industry accused of racism, sexism, bullying & corruption, Rodriguez accepted the award on Instagram stating, “OMG OMGGG!!!! @goldenglobes Wow! You talking about sickening birthday present! Thank you! This is the door that is going to Open the door for many more young talented individuals. They will see that it is more than possible. They will see that a young Black Latina girl from Newark New Jersey who had a dream, to change the minds others would WITH LOVE. LOVE WINS. To my young LGBTQAI babies WE ARE HERE the door is now open now reach the stars!!!!!” David Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice concluded, “I am thrilled to see the incredibly talented Mj Rodriguez recognized for her talent and groundbreaking leadership. Pose has offered essential representation for the Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+ & same-gender loving (LGBTQ+/SGL) community, with Mj playing a leading role in helping to curate positive, affirming & diverse stories about our communities. It is powerful to see a show that celebrates us & our history continue to receive acclaim. I hope this continues to serve as a testament to the fact that we have always been here & will continue to show up and show out. As Mj said, this visibility shows our babies that we are here, we are thriving & anything is possible for us. Let us continue to lead on behalf of our babies.”
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The Lineup At Birdland In NYC (AUDIO)

This week I talked with actress/singer Susie Mosher about her fabulous live weekly show The Lineup at the world famous Birdland at 315 West 44th Street in New York, NY Tuesday nights at 8:30P. The Lineup is a wild anything-goes variety show featuring entertainers from the Broadway, cabaret & comedy scenes. Mosher hosts this spontaneous extravaganza Tuesday nights & each week the show is unique & promises to deliver an unforgettable night of quintessential NYC entertainment. Susie has been performing professionally since she was sixteen & obtained her childhood dream of being on Broadway when she was cast in Hairspray playing Prudy Pingleton for the last two years of its amazing six-year run. Broadway veteran Jim Caruso approached Mosher & asked if she would be interested in creating an original show at Birdland & Susie jumped at the opportunity. A contrast from Caruso’s Cast Party the long running songfest that plays Birdland every Monday night, The Lineup has a hand-picked roster hosted by the multitalented & hilarious Mosher with musical director Brad Simmons & featuring Jon Miller on bass & Clint De Ganon on drums. The next show is on Tuesday January 18th with Donna Vivino, Gianmarco Soresi, Christina Wheeler, Connor Antico, Ari Axelrod, Benny Benack The III, Pascal Pastrana & Robbie Rozelle. There’s a $20 cover & $20 minimum so come & enjoy their food & beverage menu. Birdland is a fully vaccinated venue & all patrons must bring & show proof of vaccine to attend the show. I talked to Susie about her inspiration for creating The Lineup & her spin on our LGBTQ Issues. LISTEN  

  

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Pete Buttigieg Bobblehead Unveiled

For National Bobblehead Day the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame & Museum has unveiled the first bobblehead of United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. We all know Buttigieg’s story from a little known Mayor from South Bend, Indiana to his Presidential bid for the White House & his Biden Administration appointment as the first openly LGBTQ Cabinet member in U.S. history as U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Now you can purchase the Pete Buttigieg bobblehead. Phil Sklar National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum Co-founder & CEO stated, "We are excited to release the first bobblehead of Pete Buttigieg on National Bobblehead Day. While he is currently the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, he will always be known as ‘Mayor Pete’ to the people in his hometown of South Bend, Indiana.” Elected mayor of his hometown of South Bend, Indiana at age 29 Buttigieg served for eight years before shifting his focus to national politics. The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame & Museum provides access to the world’s largest collection of Bobbleheads to advance an understanding of the historical role Bobbleheads play in American culture & to celebrate the fun & quirky side of collecting. Check out my exclusive interview with filmmaker Jesse Moss about his documentary “Mayor Pete” now on Amazon’s Prime Video. The film takes viewers inside Buttigieg’s historic campaign as the first openly gay democratic Presidential candidate’s bid for the highest office of the United States from the earliest days of the campaign to his unexpected triumph in Iowa & how it impacted the lives of those involved. LISTEN 

   

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Billy DeFrank LGBTQ Center Event

Billy DeFrank LGBTQ Community Center’s 12th annual Gaylapalooza 2022 event takes place January 9th at the Hammer Theatre Center 101 Paseo De San Antonio in San Jose, CA from 3P to 6P. Kick off the New Year with live musical performances from the most exquisite singers, dancers, drag queens & musicians galore including San Francisco’s counter tenor performing opera arias in full drag, symphony virtuoso string quartet, Opera San Jose, the best musicians from the San Francisco Gay & Lesbian Freedom Band, the Rainbow Women’s Chorus & more. Cindy Weintraub stated, “I am vaccinated, boostered & have a mask for every occasion so I hope you will join me for Cindy's Final Tour -- GAYLAPALOOZA 2022! I've been leading my colleagues in arms at the Silicon Valley/San Francisco LGBTQ ERG Alliance since 2008 & this is my 12th year producing the Annual Alliance Benefit for the Billy DeFrank Community Center. To date we've raised over $210,000 for the Center & will add to that total with a packed Gaylapalooza 2022 event! I wanted to go out with on a high note & this is the perfect time to do so. We have assembled over 85 of the best Bay Area artists & musicians in a fabulous mix of sophistication & camp! Starting at 3P on Sunday January 9th at the Hammer Theatre in downtown San Jose, it's a rollicking 3-hour show that will entertain & thrill the sold-out crowd. So grab your tickets ($45-150) today with all proceeds going to the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Center to ensure that it remains a mainstay of the community for years & years to come.” For Info & Tix…
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Venture Capitalists Seeking Diversity

With the Biden administration just about ending their first year in office LGBTQ activists & allies have been busy undoing most of the harm the last administration inflicted on our community. Now is the time with at least 3 more years of breathing room to advance diversity in this country. Movies, broadcast TV & streaming networks are moving forward with diversity clauses in their hiring but there is still a lot of catch up to be achieved in their storytelling. To fund this advancement we need more venture capitalists to step up to the plate with a strong commitment to diversity especially when it comes to telling our LGBTQ stories. As we reported last month across America books by LGBTQ authors & Black authors are being protested & removed from schools & public libraries. Texas lawmakers have created a hit list of 850 targeted books which two-thirds are LGBTQ-related & 9 states have passed laws restricting teachers from including accurate information in schools related to race, sex, gender & LGBTQ people. Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President & CEO stated, “Every LGBTQ young person needs to see themselves in stories about their lives, to let them know they belong just as they are. Every American needs stories about LGBTQ people, Black people, queer people of color & all marginalized groups to better understand each other's experiences.” Let’s make 2022 the year that venture capitalists make a major difference & increased diversity more proactively not only within the workplace but by backing brave storytellers that have something important & original to say. For All Inquires...

Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES

 

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