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LGBTQ Elders SAGE Awards & Gala

SAGE will host its annual SAGE Awards & Gala hosted by the incomparable Nina West best known from RuPaul’s Drag Race & will highlight the resilience & vibrancy of our LGBTQ elders from across the country. The evening will also celebrate the contributions of community partners & activists who are making a lasting impact on the lives of older LGBTQ people. The fabulous gala event takes place Monday October 21st at Cipriani Wall Street 55 Wall Street in NYC from 6P to 10P. This year the SAGE Awards & Gala will honor the legendary singer, composer, & transgender activist Beverly Glenn-Copeland with the Joyce Warshow Lifetime Achievement Award. SAGE will be posthumously honoring activist Frank Stark with the Ken Dawson Award recognizing his legacy in advancing LGBTQ rights for decades & board service at the NYC LGBTQ Center & SAGE. During his 17 years on the SAGE Board he held many roles including Board Co-Chair & was instrumental in advancing SAGE’s international work. Stark’s dedication to this community has had a profound impact that will last for years to come. SAGE will also honor Evercore with the Corporate Leadership Award. Evercore is a premier global independent investment banking firm. They are dedicated to helping clients achieve superior results through trusted independent & innovative advice on matters of strategic & financial significance to boards of directors, management teams & shareholders. There will also be speakers & a performance by the Kristin Sudeikis Dance Company. Since 1978 SAGE has envisioned a world where LGBTQ elders are valued, have limitless opportunities & thrive leading the way in advocating for policies, services & resources that empower LGBTQ elders to live openly & authentically. 
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A Brutally Honest VOTE PSA (AUDIO)

This week I talked with activist Reverend Irene Monroe about appearing in our issue driven non-partisan VOTE PSA Campaign we’ve launched on social media & beyond to get the VOTE OUT. As early voting has begun in states across the country OUTTAKE MEDIA™ has spearheaded this timely & compelling VOTE PSA Campaign to bring our LGBTQ community & marginalized grassroots groups together about the importance of voting. Not only will this campaign get people to vote it will also address our issues. Whether you’re Christian, Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, Indigenous or LGBTQ we need to come together now or possibly lose our rights. In our VOTE PSA Rev. Monroe addresses these issues including women’s rights & the rise of hate crimes as we head into a presidential election questioning our Democracy. The campaign is directed by C. Fitz (Queen Sugar, One Perfect Shot), West Coast producer Lissa Forehan (More Beautiful for Having Been Broken) & performing the closing tagline song “Vote For A Working America” is Broadway/Cabaret Diva Ann Hampton Callaway. Produced in the historic Calderwood Studio at WGBH in Boston I want to thank our GBH team including Terry Quinn Director of Studio Operations, Phil Reilly Set design & Lighting Director, Howard Powell Cinematographer, Beth Godlin Lillis Post Production Manager, Editor Deb Holland & Juan José Cadena Duenas Studio Operations Manager. This is a full circle experience for me since I began my career decades ago at WGBH as assistant to Paula Apsell, Senior Executive Producer Emerita NOVA at GBH. I talked to Rev. Irene Monroe about the significance of this VOTE PSA Campaign & her spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN

WATCH VIDEO

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Southern Florida’s LGBTQ Film Festival

OUTshine LGBTQ Film Festival’s 42nd edition kicks off in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Thursday October 17th through Thursday October 24th & then continues in Miami Friday October 25th through Sunday October 27th. There will also be select screenings available from Monday October 28th to Sunday November 3rd during the OUTshine at home extension. This is the first time in its event history OUTshine LGBTQ Film Festival will offer 62 acclaimed features & shorts including premieres & documentaries from 25 countries that inspire, entertain & educate audiences in both Broward & Miami-Dade counties during one run. Allen Martello, festival co-director, OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival stated, “We are thrilled to introduce the newly reimagined OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival to South Florida. Film is better with friends & our vision is to bring our community together to celebrate inspiring LGBTQ+ cinema with a fall & a spring festival in Miami & Fort Lauderdale. We’re also thrilled to welcome back FREE Uber rides to & from select film screenings in Miami making it easier for our Fort Lauderdale neighbors to travel to Downtown Miami via rail. By connecting our community, we’re also adding on extra viewings, parties & special events, increasing the festival’s run dates in theaters & at home.” Joe Bilancio, director of programming, OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival concluded, “Film lovers can expect a lineup of international, North American, U.S. & East Coast premieres stacked with notable award-winning & up & coming directors, actors & writers sharing creative visions & personal experiences that excite, exhilarate & uplift the human spirit. At a time when diversity & acceptance is in the spotlight, it’s paramount for us to present films & programs with balanced viewpoints that promote tolerance, equality, understanding & empathy.” 
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GLSEN To Honor Sheryl Lee Ralph

GLSEN the fabulous org dedicated to creating safe & inclusive K-12 schools & learning environments for our LGBTQ youth announced that Emmy winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph will be honored with the Champion Award at its annual fundraising event Rise Up LA. The event hosted by comedian & former educator Joe Dombrowski will also feature a special appearance by Alison Brie. Rise Up LA takes place at NeueHouse Hollywood on October 18th. Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, Executive Director of GLSEN stated, “Sheryl Lee Ralph’s lifelong dedication to advocacy, from telling the stories of Black women to breaking the silence, shame & stigma around the HIV/AIDS epidemic through her DIVA Foundation, is a testament to her commitment to justice. In a time when our community faces unprecedented attacks, her advocacy is a powerful reminder of the strength we draw from each other. We are honored to recognize her at Rise Up LA for championing the rights & dignity of LGBTQ+ youth across the country." Sheryl Lee Ralph is recognized for her portrayal of "Barbara Howard" in ABC's hit comedy Abbott Elementary earning the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2022 & nominations for the show's second & third seasons. GLSEN will present Ralph with the Champion Award for her dedication to supporting our LGBTQ community. Each year the Champion Award is given to a role model & icon whose advocacy has inspired millions of parents, educators & LGBTQ youth. Ralph’s leadership serves as a beacon of hope our LGBTQ youth facing harmful discrimination & legislation across the country. 
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NCLR & National LGBTQ Womens Survey

NCLR announced they'll be the new home of the National LGBTQ Women’s Community Survey created by the late Urvashi Vaid. Imani Rupert-Gordon, President of the National Center for Lesbian Rights stated, “NCLR is proud to be the permanent home of the LGBTQ Women’s Community Survey. This groundbreaking report is the most inclusive, comprehensive & diverse of its kind. Too often, decisions about the LGBTQ community have been made based on a limited collection of perspectives. Having access to this wealth of data will allow us to better advocate for our entire community.” The survey finally chronicled that LGBTQ women are rich in diverse experience but due to systems of oppression such as sexism, homophobia, transphobia & racism within our culture are severely under-studied & resourced. The comprehensive data set of 5,002 completed surveys is organized around twenty thematic areas & examined through eight demographic lenses. Several reports have been written as a result of the data including the Health Findings Brief released today. This data finds that LGBTQ women experience high rates of trauma, barriers to care, higher rates of arthritis, asthma & cervical cancer & a shorter lifespan than their non-LGBTQ counterparts. Despite these challenges survey respondents also articulated resiliency & community as ways to help them survive & thrive. The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human & civil rights of the LGBTQ community through litigation, public policy advocacy & public education. In one of her last interviews, I had the opportunity to talked to Urvashi about her career & establishing the National LGBTQ Women’s Community Survey in this exclusive podcast. LISTEN  
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Rita Mae Brown Provincetown Event

Women’s Week is celebrating its 40th anniversary in Provincetown now through October 20th with fabulous must-attend events including author Rita Mae Brown in conversation with Felice Cohen on Friday October 18th. Whether you're a life-long fan or new to Rita Mae this event promises to be a truly memorable experience & a rare opportunity to hear firsthand stories & insights from a trailblazer in our LGBTQ community. Don't miss out on this chance to connect with one of the most influential voices of our time. Felice Cohen stated, "Growing up on Cape Cod, I had never heard of Women's Week & now, to be part of the 40th celebration is an honor. The first book I read toward understanding my sexuality was 'Rubyfruit Jungle'. Rita Mae Brown inspired me with her writing, but also her poetry. I put two of her poems in my memoir, Half In. So, to be able to sit down with her, author to author, (for the second time!) & talk about writing & books is a dream come true." Rita Mae will be interviewed by Cohen author of “Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love” which won the 2023 Goldie Award for nonfiction & the 2022 Book of the Year for Outstanding LGBTQ from the Independent Author Network. Half In was also endorsed by Rita Mae Brown & chosen by Lambda Literary for their Most Anticipated LGBTQ Literature List of memoirs. Rita Mae Brown in conversation with Felice Cohen takes place October 18th from 1 - 2:30P at Provincetown Town Hall located at 260 Commercial Street in Provincetown, MA. Tickets run from $35 up. 
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National Coming Out Day 36th Year

Since 1988 National Coming Out Day is acknowledged on October 11th which is the day that if you haven’t come out yet about your LGBTQ sexual orientation to your family, friends & colleagues it’s time to live as your authentic self & be counted. As Harvey Milk stated, “Burst down those closet doors once & for all, stand up & start to fight.” So here we are in 2024 still living in America without federal protection for our LGBTQ community as we deal with over 400 anti-LGBTQ bills pending across the country & book bannings are a national reality. Just think how refreshing it would be for our next generation to be able to be themselves without these constant attacks. To begin with there needs to be an open dialogue within our school systems & our community so that young people can grow up without this stigma. We also need workplace national protections so that we can’t be fired because of who we love. Congress still needs to pass The Equality Act so our children can grow-up in a world where it’s safe to be themselves instead of dealing with the fact that more than half of LGBTQ K-12 students reported feeling unsafe at school as a result of their sexual orientation & more than one-third reported feeling unsafe because of how they express their gender. As we head towards the 2024 presidential election let's not allow the bullies to win & stand up & vote for candidates who support total equality. Also Spirit Day is next week on Thursday October 17th against LGBTQ bullying & so make sure you wear purple to show your support. 
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MBCC 27th Party For Prevention Event

The 27th Annual Lesbians & LGBTQ Friends Dance to benefit Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) will take place in-person & virtually on Saturday October 26th from 6P to 9:30P EDT. The in-person event will be held at Club Café in Boston, MA & virtually via Zoom. Cheryl Osimo MBCC’s Executive Director stated, “We are grateful to the many people who have supported the Dance for the past 26 years. For the 27th year, we will be honored to acknowledge some of the past & present volunteer MBCC Board Members who have greatly supported MBCC & this special event." Hosted at the fabulous Club Café, Boston's landmark LGBTQ venue this event promises a memorable evening filled with high-energy music by guest DJ Christina from San Francisco, delightful hors d'oeuvres & a vibrant dance lesson by Liz Nania founder & director of OUT to Dance. Attendees rave about the incredible atmosphere, fabulous music & the joyous sense of community. This is not your typical benefit—it's a lively celebration where you can dance the night away & create lasting memories. Funds raised from the Lesbians & Friends LGBTQ Dance help support MBCC’s education programs designed to provide our communities with vital health information on ways to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals in the products they use & in the environments in which they live, learn & work. MBCC’s mission is to prevent breast cancer. Tickets to attend the in-person event at Club Café in Boston, MA are $40 in advance & $45 at the door. Walk-ins are welcome! If you are a student over the age of 21 tickets are $20 in advance & $25 at the door with student ID. To enter Club Café you must be 21 or older. 
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Pink Martini 30th Anniversary Tour Event

Pink Martini will commemorate their 30th anniversary to the actually date with a hometown performance for China Forbes at Boston’s Symphony Hall on Sunday October 13th at 8P. China Forbes & bandleader Thomas Lauderdale formed Pink Martini in 1994 after graduating from Harvard. Lauderdale stated “We are based in Portland Oregon, but in a way we were born in Boston! That’s where China & I met & she is so much Pink Martini & those college years were seminal & creatively fruitful.” China Forbes added, “We were in the same class & the same sophomore dorm Adams House the artsy house. We broke into the common room & Thomas played piano & I sang arias & Barbara Streisand songs. Lots of parties & 3A rehearsals for no one.” Lauderdale concluded, “Our Boston show will be both a visit to our old home, as well as a reminder of what is yet possible! We are still kicking, still singing ‘Amado Mio’ & ‘Brazil’, but also still writing & discovering songs in almost 30 other languages! The band sounds better than ever & we're still enjoying performing together.” The Symphony Hall show is part of a massive North American tour to commemorate the band’s milestone 30th anniversary year. Guest vocalists Jimmie Herrod & Edna Vazquez will also be on stage for the Boston show who both recorded EP’s with Pink Martini in 2019 & have toured with the band semi-regularly. Featuring a dozen musicians with songs in 25 languages Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire on concert stages & with symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America & North America. 
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UK National Diversity Awards Announced

Peter Tatchell Foundation announced that Pliny Soocoormanee the Foundation’s Executive Officer has been honored with the prestigious National Diversity Award for Positive Role Model in the LGBT+ category. Pliny has been instrumental in spearheading campaigns that bring attention to global LGBTQ issues. Notably campaigning in Mumbai urging the International Olympic Committee to refrain from awarding the Olympic Games to nations with anti-LGBTQ policies. This campaign amplified global awareness of homophobic regimes & homophobia in sports. Pliny stated, "I am deeply honored to receive this award, but the real victory is for all those in the LGBT+ community whose voices are often silenced. I would like to dedicate this award to the Afghan LGBT group, Roshaniya & all the fearless activists in Afghanistan. This recognition shines a light on the ongoing struggles we face & the importance of solidarity & action. We are not free until all of us are free, whether in Ukraine, Tamil Eelam, Uganda or West Papua. My work is driven by the need for justice & I am grateful for this platform to continue advocating for those who need it most." Peter Tatchell concluded, "Pliny is a true champion of human rights. His work, from challenging international homophobia to supporting refugees fleeing persecution, is saving lives and changing hearts & minds. This award is a testament to his incredible dedication & his profound impact within the LGBT+ community, both in the UK & globally." The Peter Tatchell Foundation (PTF) seeks to promote & protect the human rights of individuals, communities & nations in the UK & internationally in accordance with established national & international human rights law. 
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Drag Isn't Dangerous Auction Fundraiser

With over 467 bills in the United States legislature targeting our LGBTQ community & many are seeking to ban drag on public property as well as in any locations where individuals under the age of 18 could be present bidding closes Sunday October 6th at 9P for the second annual “Drag Isn't Dangerous" fundraiser. Never has there been an auction like this before with iconic drag queens donating rare one-of-a-kind items & experiences so make sure to check the closing time of your favorite items. The organization's primary initiative "Drag Isn't Dangerous" funds programs that defend the artform of drag against bigotry, ignorance & hate in the United States. In its one year since founding Drag Isn’t Dangerous has raised over $600,000 towards this cause. All funds raised will go exclusively to nonprofits focused on LGBTQ activism as well as local charities combating harmful bills against our LGBTQ communities across the nation. An added extra surprise will be granted for anyone who places a bid or donates a minimum of $50 will receive an exclusive invite to a virtual hangout with Kelly Mantle & Angeria Paris VanMicheals on October 23rd with Kelly & Angeria lifting your spirits & providing a Q&A for your burning questions live. Never in the history of drag has there been an auction like this one & they’re raising money for Black Queer Town Hall, Drag Out the Vote & The Drag Isn’t Dangerous Fund. These are three stellar organizations work to make the world a better place particularly in our own LGBTQ Community. So what are you waiting for & check it OUT! 
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Families Fight Trans Youth Health Ban

Florida families challenging the state’s ban on medical care for transgender youth have urged the Eleventh Circuit to strike down the ban because it was based on animosity toward transgender people & has no basis in medical science. Plaintiff Parent of Susan Doe stated, "I love my child & want to get her the healthcare she needs. As a parent, it is heartbreaking to see my right to make healthcare decisions for my child taken away by political bullies & the hurt & harm that has caused my child.” A new HRC report data collected in collaboration with the University of Florida & University of Arizona from nearly 1,500 parents & caregivers of transgender & nonbinary youth ages 18 & under found that while more than 92% of parents surveyed were supportive of their child’s trans identity, trans children disproportionately suffer from school bullying & mental health challenges. Actually more than half of parents surveyed said they need more resources to help their kids navigate healthcare & legal processes with their transition. The new Parents of Transgender Equality National Council guide is meant to help fill this gap. Keisha Bell PTEC member stated, “This guide is exactly the tool I needed years ago when my daughter was searching for the words to tell us who she was. The guide highlights the nuances of what it means to care for a trans or nonbinary child while also providing guidance to those who are unsure of how to navigate this transition. From helping find an appropriate clinician to providing detailed steps that help support your child’s needs, this guide provides the resources needed to ensure the trans & nonbinary youth in your life feel seen and understood.” 
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Castro Street Fair 50th Annual Event

The 50th Annual Castro Street Fair takes place on Sunday October 6th from 11A to 6P at Castro & Market Street in San Francisco, CA. This is one of the oldest LGBTQ community celebrations in the world founded by Harvey Milk in 1974. The street fair seeks to honor Milk’s original vision that embodies all that is San Francisco & the Castro which is an historical, hyper-local, grass-roots event, built to support & reflect the community & its important causes. The Castro Street Fair 50th Anniversary entertainment lineup has gone through the roof with a lineup of local talent, emergent artists & legendary headliners performing throughout the Fair’s footprint for this year’s milestone event. The Castro Street Fair not only is a showcase & celebration of the Castro neighborhood & community but it also features a wide array of local artists, craftspeople & performers with than 50,000 guests visiting the Fair annually as well as over 200 exhibitors. Hundreds of local artists, vendors, craftspeople & organizations line the streets & celebrate the diversity of the neighborhood. There is a suggested donation of $10 or $20 at the entry gates the day of the fair or online donations anytime with proceeds going to the non-profit organizations for their beneficiaries roster for the year. Donations & annual proceeds from the Fair help support dozens of local non-profits within the Castro community. Additionally they support Castro Merchants Association for the purchase & maintenance of the world-famous Rainbow Flag which flies in Harvey Milk Plaza. Since 1998 the Fair is proud to have given nearly $1.6 million back to its community beneficiaries. 
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Equality California 25th LA Award Event

Equality California announced that award-winning writer & director Julian Breece will be honored with their Equality Visibility Award at its 25th anniversary Los Angeles Equality Awards. Hosted by Sasha Colby the marquee event will be held at Los Angeles’s Fairmont Century Plaza on Saturday October 5th. Breece stated, “I didn’t grow up with affirming representations of black queer & trans people in my immediate environment, so novels & movies weren’t just an escape, they were a vital lifeline & my key source of personal liberation. While voices in my immediate surroundings communicated that LGBTQ+ people were less than, defective & unworthy of dignity & love, the books I read and movies I watched on-screen challenged that hostile world-view & opened my eyes to the vastness of human experience & the vast possibilities for my life as a gay man. As a filmmaker, my goal has always been to pay that forward on some level. I aim to tell stories that reveal the beautiful complexity of queer lives in a way that promotes empathy, healing & equality for all people.” Equality California will also honor Dr. Greg Sarris Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria with their Community Leadership Award. Tony Hoang Equality California Executive Director concluded, “We are thrilled to celebrate the Los Angeles Equality Awards with steadfast LGBTQ+ community leaders & visionaries as we celebrate this significant milestone & the many victories we have accomplished to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ Californians. This year’s event will not only honor the leaders & advocates who have paved the way for equality, but it will also reaffirm our commitment to the work still ahead.” 
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LGBTQ Horizons Foundation Gala Event

The fabulous org Horizons that envisions a world where all LGBTQ people can live freely & fully, gala event takes place Saturday October 5th at 7:30P for a spectacular night at the California Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park on 55 Music Concourse Drive in San Francisco, CA. This year they’re honoring Dr. Marcy Adelman with their Visionary Award in recognition of her pioneering vision & profound contributions to LGBTQ seniors. Her dedication to creating inclusive communities including co-founding Openhouse has transformed countless lives & serves as an enduring legacy of care, compassion & leadership. They’re also honoring Suzanne Ford with their Leadership Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership & unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ community. Her vision, dedication & advocacy has made a profound impact on the lives of many & her work continues to be inspirational for us all. Enjoy a glamorous evening featuring festival-style food booths, a special guest performance, an exciting live auction, artistic showcases from our LGBTQ community & more. Entertainment will be provided by singer criibaby as well as Emjay Mercury an international award winning drag performer who uses drag to challenge machismo as we know it & The Golden Girls Live!, San Francisco’s wildly popular drag parody of the iconic sitcom. Horizons has fought against homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism & gender inequality for over 40 years. They’re committed to centering equity & inclusion in every aspect of Horizons Foundation including grantmaking & programs with their board & staff as well as their policies & practices in fundraising & how they invest in their public roles. They hold themselves accountable to these commitments & expect our LGBTQ community to do likewise for generations to come. 
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Equality Forum LGBT 2024 Icons (VIDEO)

Equality Forum is kicking off their annual LGBT History Month celebration Tuesday October 1st by acknowledging 31 LGBT icons. George Chauncey, Yale University Chair of the History Department stated, “LGBT History Month sends an important message to our nation’s teachers, school boards, community leaders & youth about the vital importance of recognizing & exploring the role of gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender people in American history." The 2024 LGBTQ Icons are: Ron Ansin, Philanthropist & Activist, Laphonza Butler, First Out Black U.S. Senator, Maki Carrousel, Japanese Transgender Actor, Desmond Child, Award-Winning Songwriter, Margaret Chung, First Female Chinese American Doctor, Christian Cooper, Write & Birder, River Gallo, Intersex Filmmaker & Activist, Robert Garcia, Congressman, Rob Halford, Heavy Metal Musician, Jeanne Hoff, Transgender Trailblazer, Susan Love, Breast Health Pioneer, George Michael, Grammy Winning Pop Superstar, Kevin Naff, Washington Blade Editor, Fabian Nelson, Mississippi State Representative, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Renowned Conductor, Robyn Ochs, Bisexual Activist, Pat Parker, Poet & Activist, Mark Pocan, Congressman, Herb Ritts, Photographer, Beth Robinson, U.S. Court of Appeals Judge, Richard Schneider, Editor & Publisher, Robt Martin Seda-Schreiber, Social Justice Activist, Jackie Shane, Transgender Singer, Ari Shapiro, NPR Host & Performer, Sam Smith, Grammy Winning Singer Songwriter, William Dorsey Swann, Pioneering Drag Queen, Peter Tatchell, Human Rights Activist, Diana Taurasi, WNBA Superstar, Colton Underwood, Athlete & TV personality, Luther Vandross, Grammy Award Winning Singer & Joel Wachs, Warhol Foundation President. Each day of October a new Icon is featured with a video, biography, downloadable images & other resources. Equality Forum coordinates LGBT History Month, produces documentary films, undertakes high-impact initiatives & presents the largest annual national & international LGBT civil rights summit. WATCH  
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Newsom Vetoes Advance Trans Care Bill

California Governor Newsom has vetoed Assembly Bill 2442 that would have required the expedited processing of licensure applications for medical & mental health providers offering gender-affirming care within their licensed scope of practice. A signature on AB 2442 would have built on California’s long-standing nationwide leadership on LGBTQ rights by significantly improving access to care for transgender individuals in California & across the country which is critical to their safety, health & well-being. Tony Hoang Equality California Executive Director stated, “We are deeply disappointed in Governor Newsom’s decision to veto AB 2442, which would have helped to ensure that the Golden State remains a safe haven for transgender people and their families across the country. As more states enact draconian healthcare bans, California has seen an influx in transgender youth & their families traveling to our state seeking such care & resources. Understandably, this has strained an already overburdened provider network in California. AB 2442 provided a common-sense solution — expediting licensure for those providers with a demonstrated commitment to offering gender-affirming care — to strengthen California’s existing provider network & protect access to care for out-of-state patients. We are grateful to Assemblymember Zbur for championing this important measure. We remain committed to ensuring that transgender people in California & across the country can access the essential health care they need.” As of August 2024 nearly 40% of transgender youth in the U.S. are living in 26 states that have passed bans on gender-affirming care. Some states such as Oklahoma, Texas & South Carolina have even considered banning care for transgender adults. 
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Newfest LGBTQ Film Festival 36th Year

The 36th edition of Newfest NYC’s LGBTQ Film Festival takes place in person from October 10th through October 20th in theaters throughout Manhattan & Brooklyn & will also be available to stream virtually throughout the United States on NewFest’s on-demand platform October 10th through October 22nd. Now the largest LGBTQ film festival in the United States NewFest36 will include more than 140 new queer features, shorts & episodic projects plus special legacy screenings. David Hatkoff NewFest Executive Director stated, “On the cusp of a historic election, the LGBTQ+ community is, once again, at a moment where we need to show up for ourselves & each other. As the largest queer film festival in the country, NewFest takes the responsibility of providing a safe & joyful space for queer audiences to celebrate queer stories very seriously. In our festival’s 36th year, we are thrilled to share films that inspire empathy, delight, discovery & connection & a lineup that honors the incredible diversity & creativity of the LGBTQ+ community.” Nick McCarthy NewFest Director of Programming concluded, “This year’s expansive lineup is a bold testament to both the future & legacy of queer cinema. We’re thrilled to showcase a marvelous mix of groundbreaking new films & amplify the landmark queer filmmakers that blazed trails before. From modern rom coms to compelling nonfiction to genre delights, this year’s inclusive & sterling slate proves our community’s far-reaching experiences & stories cannot be boxed in. We’re so excited to gather artists & audiences as we celebrate this evolution & envision the magical future of queer cinema together at the 36th edition of the festival.” 
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New Book Frontlines Trans Youth Crisis

As the U.S. Supreme Court is about to address laws that ban trans youth from accessing life-saving healthcare a new book “Trans Kids, Our Kids: Stories & Resources from the Frontlines of the Movement for Transgender Youth” has been published. Adam Polaski, Communications & Political Director of the Campaign for Southern Equality & one of the authors of the book stated, “This book was a labor of love for the Campaign for Southern Equality staff, with team members contributing at every level & community members from all walks of life trusting us with their stories. We are honored to bring this book into the world as a tool to educate the public, illustrate the immense challenges that trans youth, families & advocates are facing & motivate all of us to get involved in the work to ensure that every young person, especially those most marginalized & targeted by cruel political forces, can live with dignity & respect.” Alexis Stratton also one of the authors of the book concluded, “There is so much political noise about transgender young people, which enables & even encourages the public to look past the very real, long-lasting harms that legislative attacks are causing for transgender youth & their families. Our mission with Trans Kids, Our Kids is to center, elevate & amplify the voices of the people who are grappling with the fallout – the parents & family members, the doctors & attorneys, the advocates & above all, the young people themselves. Our book introduces extraordinary & diverse people who bring to the forefront not only the fear & pain that the trans community is experiencing but also the ways that we are finding joy & supporting each other through this crisis.” 
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FBI Reports Spike In LGBTQ Hate Crimes

In a new FBI report attacks based on gender identity is up 16% from the prior year, attacks based on sexual orientation is up 23% with race & ethnicity-based hate crimes remain the largest category with more than 1 in 5 hate crimes motivated by anti-LGBTQ bias. Even as violence in the nation overall is continuing to drop reports of hate crime incidents targeting people for their sexual orientation or gender identity are rising. Kelley Robinson, Human Rights Campaign President stated, “Every lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer person in this country should be free to live their lives without fear that we’ll be the target of a violent incident purely because of who we are & who we love. Unfortunately, the latest FBI hate crimes data shows that even as public acceptance of LGBTQ+ people continues to grow & overall crime continues to decline, hate crimes against us are not yet showing signs of subsiding. Make no mistake, politicians who spread disinformation & demonize our lives are contributing to this violence. This trend needs to end. LGBTQ+ people need full non-discrimination protections in law, nationwide. All law enforcement agencies must commit to fully reporting data on hate crimes in their communities & politicians & community leaders across the country need to stop lying about our community & inciting hatred against us. We must turn the tide so that LGBTQ+ people can feel safe everywhere.” The FBI’s report noted that there were 2,402 recorded incidents relating to an alleged victim’s sexual orientation in 2023 up from 1,947 the year before & 547 relating to an alleged victim’s gender identity compared with 469 the year before.
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LGBTQ Family Equality LA Impact Gala

Family Equality is honoring the fabulous Tony-Award-winning actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson & his husband Tony-Award-winning producer Justin Mikita with the 2024 Family Equality Visibility Award at their LA Impact Gala event on Saturday September 28th at Citizen News by Mother Wolf in Los Angeles, CA. They're also honoring the founders of LA-based The Rainbow Book Bus Eric Cervini & Adam Powell with the 2024 Family Equality Murray/Reese Family Award. The Rainbow Book Bus recently gave away 8,000 books to kids, parents, teachers & LGBTQ centers as part of their cross-country tour. Alexis Kantor, Interim President & CEO of Family Equality stated, “Our Los Angeles gala is not just a celebration of our work, but a moment to unite as a community & elevate the voices of those who are creating positive change for LGBTQ+ families. We are delighted to honor the advocacy & visibility of Jesse Tyler Ferguson & Justin Mikita as activists & philanthropists who also happen to be gay parents & at a time when LGBTQ+ books are being banned in schools & libraries across the country, we honor the impact of The Rainbow Book Bus in sharing & telling the stories of LGBTQ+ characters and families.” The evening will also feature show-stopping performances by Debby Holiday, Angel Bonilla & David Hernandez who are set to bring their powerful voices & stage presence to the star-studded event. The LA Impact gala raises vital funds to support Family Equality’s mission to advance legal & lived equality for LGBTQ families through federal & state policy work, education & resources & community-building programs & events. 
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LGBTQ Elders SAGE Awards & Gala

SAGE will host its annual SAGE Awards & Gala hosted by the incomparable Nina West best known from RuPaul’s Drag Race & will highligh...

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