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Massachusetts Celebrates 21 Years

As our country deals with an administration bent on taking away Americans rights, in Massachusetts May 17th marks the 21st anniversary of marriage equality. It was a watershed moment in the history of civil rights when the landmark Goodridge ruling designated the constitutional right of gay & lesbian marriages in Massachusetts. At midnight on May 17th in 2004 Cambridge, MA became the first city in the United States to issue marriage licenses for gay & lesbian couples. Mary L. Bonauto GLAD’s Senior Director of Civil Rights stated, "When the SJC decided Goodridge, it forever changed the standards for how LGBTQ+ people must be treated under law & raised the bar for equality across the country. This momentous victory would not have happened without the courage, commitment & perseverance of the 14 Goodridge plaintiffs. Their willingness to repeatedly open themselves to public scrutiny, to share the truth of their lives with their neighbors & to face opposition from powerful leaders & institutions, ushered in legal & cultural shifts toward greater acceptance, protection & integration of LGBTQ+ people & families in our communities. We remain grateful for the powerful & empowering efforts of the Goodridge plaintiffs in making marriage equality a reality in Massachusetts & beyond.” I was there & directed & produced this historic award-winning short film “OUTTAKE: Gay Marriage 2004” shot from midnight on May 17th 2004 in Cambridge & throughout the day in Boston when marriage equality officially became the law in Massachusetts. The film became instrumental in the passage of marriage equality globally as we're about to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodgeson on June 26th. It was shot by Kirsten Martin & narrated by Arline Isaacson, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus. WATCH  
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Jodie Foster Awarded Radcliffe Medal

Oscar winner Jodie Foster added the Radcliffe Medal to her stellar career of accolades on Radcliffe Day 2025 in Cambridge, MA. Since 1987 the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University has awarded the medal annually to an individual who embodies its commitment to excellence, inclusion & social impact. Tomiko Brown-Nagin, Dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard stated, “Jodie has used the power of art to engage with existential questions that define the human experience. She’s also harnessed her craft & the resources it affords her to focus our attention on critical issues & overlooked voices.” In these challenging times Foster who I had the pleasure meeting & congratulating concluded, “What I hope for people now is that they take the gloves off & Harvard has shown that recently & right on. This group of thinkers in these rarified places, where the intellect & the ability to connect really are revered above all else, to really understand that you have the power to use love as a guiding principle & be strategic.” Last year’s award went to Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor with other notable past honorees including Melinda French Gates, Billie Jean King, Hillary Clinton & Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Foster was awarded this year’s prize for her barrier-breaking career & contributions in front of & behind the camera as well as for her support of our LGBTQ community. Following a riveting film industry panel & fabulous testimonial by Diana Nyad, Foster engaged in this keynote conversation with Henry Louis Gates Jr. (Photo by Stacy L. Smith) WATCH   
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International AIDS Candlelight Memorial

Boulder County AIDS Project announced their 42nd Annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial event will take place Sunday May 18th in Boulder, Colorado. The Interfaith AIDS Coalition (IAC) & Boulder County AIDS Project (BCAP) are hosting an in-person Candlelight Vigil remembering people living with HIV. This event is one of thousands of events organized across the world on this day. It is open to the public & participants are invited to arrive at the covered porch of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) located at 1421 Spruce Street in Boulder at 6P. The program will begin shortly afterwards including live music, short reflections by Rev. Amy Ostwald the retired minister of the First Congregational Church & the reading of names of people living with HIV who have died. Musicians for the evening are harpist Susan Conceicao, singer-guitarist Matt Nicodemus & opera singer Alex Sierra. There will then be a silent walk leaving from the covered porch of First United Methodist Church (FUMC) past BCAP on 14th Street to the Boulder County Historic Court House on the Pearl Street Mall then east along Pearl Street to 15th Street ending back at the FUMC’s porch area at 15th & Spruce Streets. Participants will carry signs reminding the public that until there is a cure there is work to do to improve the lives of people living with HIV to minimize transmission & to end HIV-related stigma. After the last names are read aloud participants will be invited to share names of loved ones they would like to remember. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial brings together people in more than 100 countries to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS & highlight the importance of HIV prevention, treatment & support. 
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US Nonprofit Organizations In Jeopardy

The US House Ways & Means Committee reconciliation markup under H.Con.Res. 114 was released yesterday that includes language from HR 9495 aka the "Nonprofit Killer Bill" from the last Congress. Lia Holland, Campaigns & Communications Director at Fight for the Future stated, "The House is about to hand the Trump administration the ability to strip nonprofits of their 501(c)3 status without any reason or recourse. This is a 5-alarm fire for nonprofits nationwide. If the text of last autumn's H.R. 9495 is passed in the budget, any organization with goals that do not line up with MAGA can be destroyed with a wink from Trump to the Treasury. This terribly thought-out legislation means that under the current administration every environmental, racial justice, LGBTQ+, gender justice, immigration justice & particularly any anti-genocide organization throughout the country may be on the chopping block & in the future, the same shadow will fall on organizations that sit outside of more liberal ideological lines. This is a first amendment issue—no President should have the right to destroy nonprofits for no reason. We urge lawmakers to insist that section 112209 is struck from the FY 2025 budget reconciliation before it moves forward.” A previous version of the "Nonprofit Killer Bill" set the Internet on fire this last fall with 100+ organizations condemning it & demands for action from the NAACP to Greenpeace. Democratic Committee members Reps. Brad Schneider (IL), Tom Suozzi (NY) & Jimmy Panetta (CA) need to reverse their previous "Yes" vote on H.R. 9495 & recognize the dire threat that their support of section 112209 would pose to all the causes they say they support. The budget that includes this language goes to markup on today May 13th at 2P EST.
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The Prom Musical Revival Rocks Boston

Last night I attended a fabulous sold-out performance of The Prom at America’s oldest community theater The Footlight Club founded in 1877. It was a brilliant production directed by Jill Tokac with music direction by Evelyn Tomaro & choreography by Chad Flahive. The Prom is based on a true story following 4 Broadway actors lamenting their days of fame as they travel to the conservative town of Edgewater, Indiana to help a lesbian student banned from bringing her girlfriend to high school prom. While The Prom is based on one specific story unfortunately similar discriminatory practices continue today across our country. The stellar cast rivaling anything I’ve seen on Broadway includes Samantha Hughson as Emma Nolan, Nick Panagiotou as Barry Glickman, Cynthia Krebs Lee as Dee Dee Allen, Matty Finn as Trent Oliver, Melinda Mogel as Angie Dickinson, Liv Bartolomei as Alyssa Greene, Paul Murphy as Principle Hawkins, Jocelyn Hesse as Mrs. Greene, River Armstrong as Sheldon, Emma Salinas as Kaylee, Maria Barrett as Shelby, Lucas Coura as Kevin & Dom Pappagallo as Nick. The Prom was written by Chad Beguelin & Bob Martin with a score by Chad Beguelin & Matthew Sklar with the original concept by Jack Viertel. The Footlight Club run continues on May 11th, 16th & 17th & tickets are extremely reasonable at $30. I talked to Caitlin Kinnunen who originated the role of Emma on Broadway in this exclusive podcast about making history when she performed a scene from the play at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade & kissed her co-star during the live performance. LISTEN  
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Nashville Love & Acceptance Concert

Groundbreaking country star Ty Herndon announced a new round of performers including Ingrid Andress, Billy Gilman, Tiera Kennedy & Runaway June confirmed to take the stage for the 10th anniversary of the Concert for Love & Acceptance. They join previously announced performances by pop-country sensation Dasha as well as David Archuleta, Brooke Eden, Lindsay Ell & Sam Williams. The annual event takes place in partnership with GLAAD Monday June 2nd at 7:30P at Category 10—formerly the Wildhorse Saloon. Herndon stated, “CMA Fest is such a sacred week for country music lovers & we’re honored to be able to kick the week off for the fans with a night of music that brings us together & reminds us that we have a whole lot more in common than what divides us. This is a night about putting differences aside & coming together to say we’re all God’s children & our job is to love & accept one another.” Founded in 2015 the Concert for Love & Acceptance has become a premier event during the week of CMA Fest dedicated to fostering a more inclusive country music community. Proceeds from the event support Ty Herndon’s Foundation For Love & Acceptance which focuses on supporting the LGBTQ community alongside support for mental health, addiction & trauma recovery. Orgs that have benefited from the Foundation include GLAAD, MusiCares, ACM Lifting Lives, the Oasis LGBTQ Youth Center in Nashville, Bianca Page Day & more. The 10th anniversary Concert For Love & Acceptance is presented in partnership with Music City PrEP Clinic, Rooted Recovery Stories with Patrick Custer & Southern Pride Process, LLC with additional support from Chris Watson Travel.
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Provincetown Film Festival 27th Year

The Provincetown International Film Festival is celebrating 27 years & runs Wednesday June 11th to Sunday June 15th in Provincetown, MA. This year’s Filmmaker on the Edge is director Ari Aster. Aster will be in Provincetown to receive the award in conversation with resident artist John Waters on Saturday June 14th ahead of the nationwide release of his new film “Eddington” on July 18th. Anne Hubbell, PIFF’s Executive Director stated, "Ari Aster’s films weave grief, beauty & dread into unforgettable cinematic experiences. We’re excited to welcome Ari to Provincetown for a thrilling conversation about his dynamic filmography.” It was also announced that Emmy Award-winning actor & Provincetown local Murray Bartlett will be honored with this year’s Excellence in Acting Award. The star of “The White Lotus” is known for his expansive work in HBO’s “The Last of Us”, “Looking” & Hulu’s “Welcome to Chippendales”. Murry will receive the honor in conversation with Academy Award-nominated producer & prior PIFF Filmmaker on the Edge honoree Christine Vachon on Saturday June 14th. Andrew Peterson, PIFF Director of Programming added, “Murray Bartlett has distinguished himself as a remarkable talent, bringing depth & authenticity to every role. Murray demonstrates a rare ability to connect with audiences through vulnerability, humor & strength. We’re thrilled to honor him this year." PIFF also announced that Eva Victor & River Gallo will receive this year's Next Wave Awards. Lisa Viola PIFF Artistic Director concluded, “Eva Victor & River Gallo represent the very essence of independent artistry. With our Next Wave Awards, we are incredibly proud to celebrate their diverse talents as both creators & powerful leads in each of their original debut features." 
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Massachusetts Celebrates 21 Years

As our country deals with an administration bent on taking away Americans rights, in Massachusetts May 17th marks the 21st anniversary of ma...

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