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 NewFest 38th New York Film Festival

NewFest announced the full lineup for the 38th edition of its annual New York Film Festival with 144 films including 29 narrative features, 9 documentary nonfiction features, 8 legacy retrospective features, 7 episodic series & 13 shorts program screenings with the full program featuring work from 23 countries. NewFest 38 will run in person from October 15th to 25th & stream virtually through their on-demand platform from October 15th to 30th. Lesli Klainberg, NewFest’s Interim Executive Director stated, “NewFest’s 38th edition underscores the festival’s unique role as a vital platform for the best in queer cinema bringing together acclaimed work from leading studios & distributors with bold discoveries & emerging voices that define the medium's future. This year’s lineup shows that LGBTQ+ stories are not on the margins of culture; they are among the most ambitious, artistically vital & anticipated films of the moment. We are proud to offer New York audiences the opportunity to experience these prestige titles alongside a rich program of daring independent work.” Nick McCarthy, NewFest Director of Programming concluded, “This year’s sterling slate bursts with bold creativity, prestige & civic-mindedness – reflecting the vibrancy & vastness of our community on a local & global scale. From the USA to Mexico to Nigeria to Nepal to Australia, NewFest38 honors the best in LGBTQIA+ film from around the world. We’re excited to amplify a selection of standouts from Cannes, highly anticipated titles fresh out of Telluride & TIFF & brilliant work from emerging artists premiering their films for the first time. We look forward to gathering audiences in conversation with filmmakers to generate connections, spark dialogue & celebrate deeply resonate stories that will endure far beyond.” For More Info…
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Rep. Ayanna Pressley To Be Honored

The National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) will honor Rep. Ayanna Pressley at its annual OUT On The Hill (OOTH) reception during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference at the Human Rights Campaign Equality Forum in Washington, DC on September 17th from 6P to 9P. Congresswoman Pressley has been a leading congressional advocate for racial, economic, reparative, gender & LGBTQ justice. Her work includes advancing H.R. 40 which would establish a federal commission to study & develop reparations proposals for African Americans that introduces the first gender neutral reproductive health bill in Congress & the codification of mandatory equity plans & implementation for every federal agency. Dr. David J. Johns, CEO & Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective stated, “OUT On The Hill has always been about ensuring Black LGBTQ+/same-gender loving people are not simply present in the rooms where decisions are made, but that our voices, experiences & leadership help shape what happens in them. This year, we are proud to honor leaders doing the work to move all of us closer to freedom. At a moment when so many of our hard-won rights are under attack, gathering in community, investing in the next generation of leaders & celebrating those who continue to push us forward is especially important.” This year’s honorees also include Baltimore Safe Haven’s Iya Dammons & Dr. Martens Foundation. The reception will feature NBJC’s Bayard Rustin-Pauli Murray Advocates for Justice Awards that honors leaders & orgs whose work embodies the legacies of Bayard Rustin & Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray & demonstrates an unwavering commitment to equity & liberation for Black LGBTQ people. 
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Out & Equal Annual Workplace Summit

Out & Equal’s 2026 Workplace Summit takes place in Seattle, Washington from October 12th to 15th. This annual event presents 4 days of sessions, workshops, community gatherings & networking designed for professionals advancing LGBTQ workplace inclusion. At this conference over 4,000 leaders across industries, geographies & functions will gather to advance what's next for our LGBTQ workplace. This is the opportunity to gain the tools to navigate today’s complexity from global policy shifts & next-gen talent readiness to the evolution of allyship & ERG strategy across 5 dynamic learning tracks with over 100 curated sessions & a full-day Leadership Lab. On October 13th Erin Uritus Out & Equal CEO will address the conference followed by keynote speakers. This year’s Summit keynote speakers include novelist, memoirist & bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert, Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at NYU School of Law & Director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Kenji Yoshino & public historian Amanda Timpson. There will also be more than 100 strategic sessions across 5 learning tracks delivering real-time learning for real-world complexity. For more than 2 decades the Out & Equal Workplace Summit has been the largest global gathering of the most committed senior leaders, ERG champions, HR & inclusion practitioners, changemakers & LGBTQ & ally professionals in workplace inclusion. In 2026 it arrives at exactly the moment orgs need it most. Out & Equal is the premier org working on LGBTQ workplace equality. Through their worldwide programs, Fortune 500 partnerships & annual Workplace Summit conference they help LGBTQ people thrive. 
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Spotlight Initiative Award Honorees

The Creative Coalition’s Spotlight Initiative Awards will take place Tuesday September 15th at PUNCH at Le Germain Hotel Toronto during the Toronto International Film Festival. The Spotlight Initiative Awards recognize artists whose work exemplifies excellence in independent & socially relevant storytelling. The 2026 honorees include Diego Luna (“Ashes,” premiering at TIFF, “Andor”), Cole Sprouse (“Vintage Violence,” premiering at TIFF, “Riverdale”), Adam Arkin (“American Hostage,” premiering at TIFF, “Chicago Hope”) & Ira Sachs (“The Man I Love,” premiering at TIFF, “Passages”). Robin Bronk, CEO of The Creative Coalition stated, “This year’s honorees embody exactly what the Spotlight Initiative was created to celebrate — artists whose extraordinary work reminds us of the power of storytelling not only to entertain, but to challenge assumptions, illuminate lives beyond our own & deepen our understanding of one another. We are proud to recognize artists who take risks, defy expectations & create bold, fearless work that expands our perspective & moves our culture forward.” Past Spotlight Initiative honorees have included Alan Arkin, Kathy Bates, Paul Bettany, Jennifer Connelly, Lee Daniels, Jonathan Demme, Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Jeremy Irons, Anna Kendrick, William H. Macy, Alfred Molina, Demi Moore, Sean Penn, Parker Posey, Jonathan Pryce, Quentin Tarantino, Stanley Tucci, Robin Williams, Shailene Woodley & other distinguished members of the creative community. Founded in 1989 by members of the creative community The Creative Coalition educates, mobilizes & activates artists & entertainment industry leaders on issues of public importance through public service campaigns, advocacy initiatives & direct engagement with policymakers. 
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America 25 Years After 9/11 (VIDEO)

America continues to provide a roller coaster ride for its citizens & beyond since the attacks on September 11th 2001. As we commemorate the milestone 25th anniversary of 9/11 everyone who remembers that day has a story to tell. Where they were when it happened as our entire country went into shock. For the weeks to follow we were united in our grief. As celebrations are planned & taking place across the nation we are reminded to honor the diversity of people & communities affected by the attacks including those in our LGBTQ community. Tom Ryan was a retired New York City firefighter who upon hearing of the attacks on World Trade Center called his firehouse & rushed to the scene. At the time Tom was the only openly gay firefighter in the FDNY. Father Mychal Judge was the gay Catholic priest who was killed by debris from the collapsing World Trade Center as he was caring for victims. Father Judge, 68, was a chaplain at the New York Fire Department & was known in the New York LGBTQ community for his work with AIDS outreach. Tom Ryan was a pallbearer at his funeral at St. Francis of Assisi Church where he resided brought over 2,000 people. In the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan next door to the now closed St. Vincent’s hospital our LGBTQ Community Center offered immediate assistance to survivors & later counseling services for those grieving. In 2002 I produced & directed this music video tribute dedicated to those who perished on September 11th 2001. Michael Feinstein performs Leonard Bernstein & Stephen Sondheim's "Somewhere" from "West Side Story" with Keith Lockhart & the Boston Pops. 25 Years Later... Let's Take a Moment to Reflect....
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Spirit of Justice Award Vanita Gupta

GLAD Law announced that civil rights champion Vanita Gupta will receive the Spirit of Justice Award at the 27th annual Spirit of Justice Award Dinner in Boston on November 6th. The Spirit of Justice Award recognizes individuals whose courage, vision & impact embody the fight for justice. Gupta has shaped U.S. civil rights law & policy, secured justice for the most vulnerable & continues to provide prescient leadership to advance equality & protect democracy. Ricardo Martinez, GLAD Law’s Executive Director stated, “Whether securing justice for the wrongfully convicted, holding police departments accountable, or advancing the rights of LGBTQ+ people at the highest levels of government, Vanita has repeatedly demonstrated what it means to use the law as it was intended: as a shield for the defenseless and a sword against injustice. That is the spirit of justice we are proud to honor. Vanita’s work reflects a deep dedication to advancing equality for marginalized people & it’s a privilege for GLAD Law to recognize her transformative contributions to LGBTQ+ rights & broader civil liberties.” Gupta first served at DOJ under President Obama leading the Civil Rights Division from 2014-2017 & overseeing major work on policing reform. She then served as Associate Attorney General from 2021-2024 becoming the first woman of color to hold the position. Currently Gupta is the inaugural Director of the Center for Law & Public Trust & a Distinguished Scholar in Residence at NYU School of Law where her work focuses on reimagining & rebuilding institutions of American democracy. GLAD Law has been a leading force in LGBTQ rights for nearly 50 years. 
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Creative Coalition Humanitarian Awards

The Creative Coalition will honor John Stamos, Lisa Ann Walter, Simran Baidwan, Cara Buono, Famke Janssen & Mary Lou Belli at its 12th Annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner on Thursday September 10th at Verse LA in Toluca Lake, CA. This is one of Emmy Week’s signature gatherings co-chaired by the org’s President Tim Daly, Michael Chiklis & Michelle Chiklis with Variety Senior Culture & Events Editor Marc Malkin returning as host for the 14th consecutive year. The evening will bring together leaders from across the entertainment industry to celebrate individuals whose impact extends beyond their artistic achievements through advocacy, service, mentorship & philanthropy. Scheduled to attend are Tim Daly, John Stamos, Lisa Ann Walter, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Patrick Ball, Simran Baidwan, Michael Chiklis, Cara Buono, Famke Janssen, Mary Lou Belli, Bill Prady, Jessica Queller, Jeffrey Ross & more. There will be a special musical performance by The TCC Jam Band led by Michael Chiklis featuring John Stamos alongside Sharon Lawrence, Wayne Federman, Rob Morrow, Gina Belafonte, Laura Pallas, Doc Chard & others. This stella event honors entertainment industry leaders whose advocacy, service & philanthropic efforts have created meaningful change in communities across the country. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community the org is committed to educating, mobilizing & activating artists & leaders on issues of public importance. The Creative Coalition is the premier nonprofit nonpartisan 501(c)(3) advocacy org of the arts & entertainment industry. Humanitarian Awards Dinner’s proceeds support The Creative Coalition’s year-round advocacy on behalf of the arts, artists & freedom of creative expression. 
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 NewFest 38th New York Film Festival

NewFest announced the full lineup for the 38th edition of its annual New York Film Festival with 144 films including 29 narrative features, ...

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