New LGBTQ Movie “High Tide” (AUDIO)

I talked with writer-director Marco Calvani about “High Tide” his feature film debut that stars Marco Pigossi (Lourenço) as a Brazilian undocumented immigrant adrift Provincetown in the late summer. The film is about a young man coping after a break up & left adrift in Ptown with his travel visa running out. Lourenço then meets Maurice a Black American & a romance evolves. Though Maurice’s comes with a circle of friends he’s is also quite aware he’s the minority in a predominantly white queer tourist mecca. Pigossi gives a haunting performance steeped in melancholy & raw pain but delivers moments of openness, optimism & joy with an affective portrait of the depths LGBTQ men experience seeking meaningful connections. As the summer season fades & with his unexpected romance with Maurice together the two reconcile the pasts they’ve left behind & pursue their uncertain futures. The film distributed by Strand Releasing premiered at South by Southwest & was released in NYC earlier this month followed by an expansion to Los Angeles & will begin a run at Waters Edge Cinema in Provincetown & Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline, MA on Friday November 1st. The stellar cast also includes James Bland as Maurice, Marisa Tomei as Miriam, Bill Irwin as Scott, Sean Mahon as Bob, Mya Taylor as Crystal, Bryan Batt as Todd, Todd Flaherty as Leslie, Karl Gregory as BJ & João Santos as Dimo with a haunting score by Sebastian Plano. In this exclusive podcast I talked with filmmaker Marco Calvani at the Provincetown International Film Festival about what he hopes to accomplish with “High Tide” & his spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN
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Hyacinth Foundation 39th Gala (AUDIO)

Hyacinth Foundation will host its 39th annual Gala & Silent Auction in celebration of those who have fought to end HIV/AIDS in New Jersey. This year’s Hyacinth Award recipient is actor/activist Jason A. Rodriquez best known for his role as Lamar Extravaganza on the groundbreaking FOX hit series POSE. Rodriquez has been a longtime vocal advocate for LGBTQ youth, most visibly around the importance of sexual health & HIV prevention. He recently partnered with Gilead as a highly visible spokesperson for the effective use of PrEP & through his work as a teacher & ballroom leader focuses on supporting & educating LGBTQ youth to thrive & live healthy active lives. Also being honored is esteemed New Jersey State Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz who will be recognized with the Riki Jacobs Social Justice Award for her unwavering commitment to education reform, social justice & community development. Sal Susino Manager of Special Initiatives for the Prevention Resource Network at the VNA & Shannon Preston, Executive Director of HIV Services at the VNA will both be celebrated & honored for their impactful advocacy & leadership with the Deloris Dockrey Award. The fabulous November 2nd event takes place against the elegant backdrop of the Newark Museum of Art & will feature a night of exquisite cocktails, gourmet hors d’oeuvres provided by David Ellis Events, a spectacular silent auction & an evening of chic mingling & entertainment. I talked to Jason A. Rodriquez in this exclusive podcast during the Creating Change Conference last February in New Orleans about what he hopes to accomplish with his work & his spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN  
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USA Election Questioning Hate (VIDEO)

As we head into the last week before our presidential election in America it appears that this is going to be beyond a time to fasten your seatbelts as the crap flies from mouths of hatemongers once known as the GOP. After their hate convention in Madison Square Garden last night where undeniably he made a killing in merch despite being banned from doing business in NYC I can’t help but wonder what their next new low will be & when will this country ever return to some level of recognizable decency? When Biden stepped down from running in July & Harris accepted the nomination the country seemed to erupt with a sense of hope that couldn’t be denied. Unfortunately the Dems are falling short with their messaging giving the other candidate way too much air time by the mere mention of his name. Now a few months later with one week before the election that energy has ceased with a dead heat in the polls. Of course that is if you believe in polls flashing back to 2016 when Hillary Clinton was way ahead in the polls & look how that turned out. In the final days before November 5th mainstream media continues with their redundant election banter & after a massive newspaper unsubscribe movement from spineless publications take a moment to watch our next must-see truthful VOTE PSA. We’ve launched it on social media & beyond to get the VOTE OUT especially for those undecided folks featuring Rev. Irene Monroe, directed by C. Fitz (Queen Sugar), West Coast producer Lissa Forehan & Ann Hampton Callaway performs the closing tagline song “Vote For A Working America. An America That Works For Us All”. WATCH

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Lambda Legal Liberty Award Honorees

Lambda Legal honored Dylan Mulvaney & George Takei at its 2024 West Coast Liberty Awards on Thursday night in West Hollywood,CA. Mulvaney & Takei were honored for dedicating their time, talent & voice to being fierce advocates in our LGBTQ & HIV rights movement. Comedian & writer Dana Goldberg hosted the event which also featured a performance by singer-songwriter David Archuleta. Dylan Mulvaney has increasingly become a public voice in support of trans rights. After chronicling the early stages of her gender transition in the “Days of Girlhood” Mulvaney continues to shed light on the power of living authentically & speaks out against the threat of anti-trans legislation & bans on gender-affirming healthcare. George Takei career spans six decades appearing in more than 40 feature films & hundreds of television roles most famously as Hikaru Sulu in “Star Trek”& has used his success as a platform to fight for social justice, LGBTQ rights & marriage equality. His advocacy is personal since during World War II Takei spent his childhood unjustly imprisoned in United States incarceration camps along with 125,000 other Japanese Americans. Lambda Legal founded in 1973 is the nation’s oldest & largest nonprofit legal advocate for members of our LGBTQ community & people living with HIV. In recent years we’ve all seen hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced across the USA. Discriminatory bills such as Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” have become law. Parents & doctors are being criminalized for providing gender-affirming care. Lambda Legal will continue to protect our community from these attacks & keep making the case for equality. 

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First Nonpartisan VOTE PSA (VIDEO)

Last November I was having dinner with friends in Provincetown & of course politics came up. My friends expressed fear of the upcoming presidential election a year away. At that time & now we’re dealing with over 500 anti LGBTQ bills in states across the country, women’s rights continue to be on the chopping block, hate crimes & racial discrimination are on the rise all as we head into the 2024 presidential election. A year ago, my friends’ fears were if a white nationalist white supremist became the presidential nominee for the GOP marriage equality & all the rights we have worked so hard for would be at risk. This lit a fire within me as an Emmy winning producer to do something. With this country so divided I decided to create a technically nonpartisan VOTE PSA Campaign. When I began this venture it wasn’t quite apparent that we would also be taking a stab at saving our democracy. All one can do is try & with my background working for ABC, NBC & CBS News Divisions from Cronkite to serving as a Blue Ribbon Judge for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences News & Documentary Emmy Awards for over 10 years this was a ride I had to take. JFK instilled in me as a young kid to “Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You. Ask What You Can Do For Your Country.” The official premiere of this campaign will take place at the 27th Annual Lesbians & LGBTQ Friends Dance to benefit Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition Saturday October 26th at Club Café in Boston, MA & virtually via Zoom. Here's a sneak peek of our first VOTE PSA. WATCH
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Normal Anomaly Initiative Gilead Grant

The Normal Anomaly Initiative one of the nation’s premiere nonprofits dedicated to uplifting & supporting our Black LGBTQ community has announced a significant grant from Gilead Sciences. This will propel their mission to enhance the well-being of the Black Queer community throughout the Southern United States. This funding will support their latest project “Luminate” in partnership with Montrose Grace Place (MGP) a nonprofit providing a safe & welcoming environment for unhoused youth of all sexualities & genders. Ian L. Haddock, Founder of The Normal Anomaly Initiative stated, “This grant from Gilead Sciences is not just a financial boost; it’s a beacon of hope & validation for our community. Having personally faced the challenges of being unhoused, I understand the critical need for spaces that welcome & safely affirm our youth. Montrose Grace Place is exemplary in this respect & together, we can achieve profound change for innumerable lives here in Houston and beyond.” Courtney Sellers, Montrose Grace Place Executive Director concluded, “We are filled with gratitude & joy at the opportunity to partner with The Normal Anomaly Initiative & Gilead Sciences to address systemic barriers faced by LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness. The Normal Anomaly has been a leader in fostering community & opportunity for Black, Queer+ people in Houston & throughout the south & we are over the moon about partnering with them to provide additional opportunities for our youth to use their experiences to create pathways to opportunity for themselves & other LGBTQ+ youth with unstable housing.” The Normal Anomaly Initiative & Montrose Grace Place invites the community & beyond to support this crucial work to create a future where everyone has their basic needs met to live & has the support & community necessary to thrive. 
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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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