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Chicago WNBA All-Star Weekend Events

The 22nd WNBA All-Star weekend takes place in Chicago July 24th to 25th with events across the city highlighted by the Skills Night at Wintrust Arena on Friday July 24th, WNBA Live at McCormick Place & the 22nd All-Star Game at the United Center on Saturday, July 25th. Haley Rosen, founder & CEO of Just Women’s Sports stated, “WNBA All-Star weekend has become one of the biggest cultural moments in sports & we want to bring fans into the action. From intimate conversations with some of the game’s most influential figures to live shows, player appearances & a packed pregame celebration, we’re creating spaces that reflect the energy, community & momentum surrounding women’s basketball.” On Friday July 24th Just Women’s Sports’ signature athlete conversation series will return for a special live taping with Lisa Leslie at the Chase Freedom Cashback Courts as part of Complex Market taking place at CineCity Studios in Chicago. Then on Saturday July 25th they’ll take over Bottom Lounge located minutes from the United Center for an afternoon celebrating the players, culture & community driving women’s basketball forward. The State Farm WNBA 3-Point Contest & the Kia WNBA Shooting Stars event will be broadcast from Wintrust Arena in Chicago home of the Chicago Sky on Friday July 24th at 8P on ESPN & Disney+. The WNBA also announced that 2-time GRAMMY® Award winning global pop star Tyla will headline the halftime show on July 25th airing live on ABC & Disney+ at 8:30P. Tyla stated, “I’m honored to be a part of the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game this year. These athletes bring so much power & heart to what they do & I’m excited to share the stage and bring A*POP to my supporters.” 
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Equal Rights Health Initiative In Nigeria

Health Initiative for Equal Rights (HIER) in Nigeria marked a significant milestone in advancing inclusion, health & human rights for LGBTQ communities in a highly challenging environment by successfully organizing its first-ever Pride event in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The program featured integrated HIV prevention & testing services where participants received confidential counselling & voluntary HIV testing. A panel discussion brought together community advocates & stakeholders to address key issues affecting LGBTQ persons including safety & security, human rights violations, access to healthcare & strategies for building resilience in hostile environments. These discussions encouraged knowledge sharing & strengthened participants' understanding of their rights & available support systems. The celebration also included cultural & social activities highlighted by a runway beauty pageant that crowned the Face of HIER Nigeria 2026 promoting confidence, self-expression & community visibility. Overall the event successfully fostered community cohesion, increased access to essential health services & strengthened advocacy for dignity, equality & inclusion in Nasarawa State of Nigeria. Richard Brethour-Bell, InterPride’s Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility stated, “Each day at InterPride, we stand up for LGBTQI+ people & their right to live & safely gather in spaces free from violence & discrimination. Now, we can support our members in their fight to gather, change hearts & minds & build a world where LGBTQI+ people are free & equal through the hard-fought-for ability to uplift voices at the United Nations. I am excited for what we can do together.” Since 2023 InterPride was granted Consultative Status at the United Nations. 
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Broadway Bound Theatre Festival 2026

The 10th annual Broadway Bound Theatre Festival (BBTF) takes place July 23rd to August 16th at the AMT Theater in the heart of Manhattan's Theater District in NYC. This year's festival is presenting 2 musicals & 10 plays that will receive their world premieres. BBTF is one of the only fully curated festivals in NYC. BBTF 2026 lineup includes “Be A Mensch” a play written by Dan Takacs, “Funeral Of God” a play written by Brian Brijbag, the musical “Homebound” with music & lyrics by Zach Adam, “Jugular” a play by Daniel R. O'Brien, “The Kitchen” written by Earl Crittenden, “Man In Motion” a play written by Alan Brooks, a musical “Once In A Lifetime, Again” by Stephen Gardner,  “One Night At The Blackbird” written by Thomas Mullen & Maria Messias Mendes, “The Perfect Relationship In Bushwick” written by Adrian Crawford, “Recovery” a play written by Gary Marlon Gere, “Say My Name written by Jeff Perlman & “Society 2.0” a play written by Eric Pzena. Each script considered undergoes a rigorous evaluation process in which structure, content, character development & overall potential are thoughtfully reviewed & discussed. All submissions receive feedback regardless of acceptance. Since 2016 Broadway Bound Theatre Festival has been devoted to the evolution of artists & their work to create great theatrical experiences that continue to live long after their premieres. Selected participants commit to multiple rewrites under dramaturgical guidance & collaboration prior to production ensuring the strongest possible iteration of each work then presented to the public at an affordable price. Performances take place at AMT Theater at 354 West 45th Street in NYC. Tickets are $30 for general admission & $40 for premium seating. 
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National HIV Prevention Day Event

National HIV Prevention Day is observed annually on July 17th & was established by PrEP4All in 2018 as call to action to advance a simple yet urgent belief that HIV prevention is a human right & access to lifesaving prevention tools should never depend on income, insurance status, geography or politics. Jeremiah Johnson, PrEP4All Executive Director stated, “At a moment when HIV prevention programs in the United States & around the world face unprecedented threats to funding & access, we believe National HIV Prevention Day presents an important opportunity to elevate the conversation around prevention, celebrate the extraordinary scientific tools available to us & recommit ourselves to ensuring those tools reach everyone who needs them.” This year PrEP4All will mark National HIV Prevention Day with a public activation & press event in NYC. There will be an official proclamation recognizing National HIV Prevention Day in the Borough of Manhattan with remarks from leading public health & community voices, live performances & calls to action supporting equitable access to HIV prevention. The event will take place Friday July 17th at Times Square's Broadway Plaza between 44th & 45th Streets from 12:30P to 1:30P. Scheduled speakers & performers will include Office of the Manhattan Borough President, Jeremiah Johnson PrEP4All Executive Director, Dr. Oni Blackstock Health Justice Founder & Executive Director, John Meade PrEP4All Board Member, Jasmine Rice LaBeija internationally acclaimed opera singer & hosted by Miss Hell's Kitchen Freeda Kulo. National HIV Prevention Day established by PrEP4All in 2018 & observed annually on July 17th is a national call to action to ensure equitable access to HIV prevention for all. 
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Ginger Minj Debut As Edna Turnblad

Ginger Minj has announced her debut as Edna Turnblad in “Hairspray” at Broadway At Music Circus August 21st to 30th at the UC Davis Health Pavilion in Sacramento, CA. Ginger stated, “To finally play Edna Turnblad is truly a dream come true. She is one of musical theater's most beloved characters because she reminds us that love, family & believing in one another can change the world. At a moment when people need joy more than ever, I can't think of a better story to tell. I'm deeply honored to stand on the shoulders of Divine, John Waters, Harvey Fierstein & all of the extraordinary artists who created this enduring celebration of acceptance, laughter & the courage to be unapologetically yourself.” The Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon “Hairspray” follows 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad who will be played by Kaitlyn Louise Smith in 1960s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Long before Minj held court as the champion of RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars Season 10 she was captivating audiences worldwide as an entertainer, writer, producer & director. Pairing sharp wit with theatrical prowess & undeniable star power she’s brought her talents to a variety of critically acclaimed projects & celebrated one-woman shows. Currently Ginger Minj & Jujubee co-star in Adam Shankman’s feature action comedy STOP! THAT! TRAIN! a must-see in theaters now. Then they’re bringing their all-new show to Provincetown at Red Room July 16th through July 26th & this fall Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Sapphira Cristal & Landon Cider will bring their “Hokus Pokus Live!” tour across North America. 
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Kodak Workplace Inclusion Exhibition

Visitors to the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, NY have the opportunity to experience the exhibition Picturing Equality: The Lambda Network at Kodak on view in the museum’s Gallery Obscura community gallery now through November 8th. Using never-before-shared archival documents, newspapers & magazines, photographs, video footage & oral history interviews Picturing Equality: The Lambda Network at Kodak explores how Lambda members changed Kodak’s corporate culture & benefitted policies to be more LGBTQ inclusive. Tamar Carroll, PhD, Professor of History, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) stated, "Since 2021, the Remembering the Lambda Network at Kodak project has been documenting Lambda’s history & influence & the stories of its members. With the help of RIT student researchers, I am thrilled to bring this important & inspiring history to audiences at the Eastman Museum. We have learned so much from the Lambda members about making change & creating inclusive workplaces & are excited to share this legacy with the public." Emma Rathe, Manager of Programs & Exhibition Production & Co-Director of Gallery Obscura, George Eastman Museum concluded, "Sharing the history of the Lambda Network at Kodak through Gallery Obscura is important to the mission of the Eastman Museum & to the diverse community it serves. The archival documents featured in this exhibition reveal how relevant their messaging remains today. The museum staff deeply appreciate the effort, energy & collaboration of Tamar Carroll & the student researchers from RIT who helped bring this exhibition to our visitors." The Lambda Network at Kodak was the LGBTQ employee resource group formed at the company’s Rochester headquarters in the early 1990s when most LGBTQ workers were still closeted. Lambda’s influence extended well beyond Rochester helping position Kodak as a national leader in LGBTQ workplace equality. 
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Massachusetts Passes HIV Prevention

Massachusetts lawmakers have passed landmark legislation protecting access to HIV prevention medication for residents & strengthening state efforts to end the HIV epidemic. Governor Maura Healey signed the legislation July 9th. The legislation ensures no-cost insurance coverage for PrEP protecting MA residents against the threat of rollbacks by the federal government. Ben Klein, GLAD Law Senior Director of Litigation & HIV Law stated, “We’re so grateful to Chairman Michlewitz & our House & Senate legislative leaders who – with Governor Healey – are boldly protecting access to HIV prevention in Massachusetts. PrEP is our clearest path to ending the HIV epidemic, but only if people can actually get it. We cannot rely on a federal government that has shown hostility to HIV prevention & public health. Massachusetts is stepping up as a national leader to ensure that this lifesaving prevention reaches everyone who needs it.” Kenneth Mayer, MD, Medical Research Director & Co-Chair of The Fenway Institute concluded, “The Massachusetts Legislature has taken a critical step to protect public health & ensure access to one of the most powerful HIV prevention tools ever developed. PrEP can protect people against HIV infection, yet only a minority of eligible people in Massachusetts have a prescription. Cost, prior authorization & other barriers have long stood in the way, particularly for the communities most impacted by the epidemic. By codifying these protections in state law, Massachusetts is making clear that it prioritizes infectious disease prevention & reducing racial disparities in the HIV epidemic.” The legislation was supported by more than 60 public health experts, HIV physicians, state & national HIV medical orgs & LGBTQ community groups. 
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Chicago WNBA All-Star Weekend Events

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