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Provincetown Celebrates Its Stories

The Provincetown Community Compact will showcase its 33rd year with 5 storytellers who will participate at “Its Stories” fundraising event on Sunday June 21st at the Provincetown Theater 238 Bradford Street in Ptown, MA beginning at 6P. The Compact’s 3rd annual story night is directed by Compact board member Gail Strickland with storytellers Lauren Shea, Emma Fillion, Ethan Herschenfeld, Pastor David Brown & Ginny Binder. Jay Critchley, Founder & Compact Director stated, “The Compact’s mission of nurturing community is more relevant now than when we began 33 years ago. We are grateful to be part of a supportive, safe & thriving community.” The Provincetown Community Compact is a non-profit organization established in 1993 to nurture community in Provincetown & the Outer Cape. Its mission is to enhance the well-being of the community through projects that incorporate the arts, the environment & the economy. It has helped develop dozens of individual Outer Cape projects & birthed 12 non-profits including Provincetown International Film Festival, Tennessee Williams Theater Festival, Provincetown Commons, Summer of Sass, Tim McCarthy Human Rights Champion Fund, Wellfleet Porchfest, Wellfleet Porch Fest & Pilgrim Bark Park. Provincetown Community Compact initiatives include a project through the National Park Service, Underrepresented Communities, to document LGBTQ sites & structures in Ptown’s Historic District, the Think-ubator project, the Swim for Life on September 12th, dune shack residencies & Prayer Ribbons that will be installed in front of Orlando City Hall in Florida June 8th to 14th to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub Massacre. The “Its Stories” fundraising event on June 21st will be catered by Angel Foods with donations from Hog Island Beer, Truro Vineyards, Scott Cakes & The Lobster Pot. 
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New Interfaith Alliance Marriage Report

Interfaith Alliance a leading national advocate for religious freedom & civil rights released a new & updated edition of its landmark report “Same-Gender Marriage & Religious Freedom.” It makes the urgent case that the US can & must respect both civil marriage equality & religious freedom. The new report is the result of years of dialogue with religious leaders & significantly updates earlier iterations released by Interfaith Alliance in 2009 & 2013. Subtitled “A Call to Quiet Conversations & Public Debates” it focuses on the post-Obergefell need for intensive efforts by faith-based advocates to lift up the positive impacts of marriage equality & to discuss, debate & confront those who pose theological objections or obstacles to marriage equality in religious communities & traditions. Authored by Dr. Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, Interfaith Alliance’s Vice President of Programs & Strategy stated, “A decade on from the Obergefell decision, we’ve seen the incredible impact of marriage equality – but the struggle to protect & uplift LGBTQ+ dignity in our laws & faith communities is very far from over. In this report we stress we need to talk to people who disagree with marriage equality theologically & to call the key questions: Has civil marriage equality harmed your house of worship’s ability to function? Does your marriage matter less because other people are equal under the law? Interfaith Alliance is committed to carrying the conversation forward.” ‍Interfaith Alliance & Interfaith Alliance Foundation are a network of people of diverse faiths & beliefs from across America working together to build a resilient democracy & fulfill this country’s promise of religious freedom & civil rights not just for some but for all.
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Federal Court Blocks Military Ban

The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has issued a decision in Talbott v. USA upholding a preliminary injunction halting the discharge of trans servicemembers. The preliminary injunction was issued by District Court Judge Ana Reyes on March 18th 2025. In a forceful order in which Reyes held that the ban undermines national security & is likely unconstitutional, she called it “soaked with animus & dripping with pretext.” However Judge Reyes’ order was temporarily stayed by the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit pending the outcome of today’s decision on the merits. As the result of this decision the preliminary injunction will take effect blocking the government from discharging the transgender servicemember plaintiffs in Talbott. Shannon Minter National Center for LGBTQ Rights Legal Director stated, “This is a dramatic shift in the status quo. Before today, the Trump administration was actively taking steps to discharge these courageous plaintiffs. Today’s decision stops this administration from doing so. Servicemembers were preparing to be hauled before review boards & discharged—despite years of honorable service. The court today affirmed the District Court’s careful findings that this administration’s ban on transgender military service has no legitimate basis.” Jennifer Levi, GLAD Law Senior Director of Transgender & Queer Rights concluded, “Today’s decision is a powerful vindication of the plaintiffs’ extraordinary courage & unwavering commitment to their country. This decisive ruling confirms that the Trump Administration has no legitimate basis to discharge transgender servicemembers who have met every demanding standard & proven, time & again, their fitness & dedication to serve.” Fabulous way to kick off Pride month. 
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Desert Hearts & Bound Boston Events

Donna Deitch’s groundbreaking film Desert Hearts will open the week-long celebration at the Brattle’s double feature event followed by Lana Wachowski’s Bound on Tuesday June 23rd starting at 6P. Desert Hearts is one of the greatest love stories of all time & will be presented in a new 2K restoration. The cast includes Helen Shaver, Patricia Charbonneau, Audra Lindley & Andra Akers. The film takes place in 1959 when Professor Vivian Bell arrives in Reno, Nevada for a divorce. There she meets Cay Rivers a wild short jean wearing sculptor/casino employee who is brazenly herself. These 2 opposing forces circle around each other falling in lust & love as Cay dares Vivian to take a risk for something more. The film is directed & producer by Donna Deitch with producer Cami Taylor & written by Natalie Cooper. Then at 8:15P the classic romance Bound will be presented that flip-flops & scrambles up neo-noir themes & gender norms into an incredibly sexy thriller starring Gina Gershon & Jennifer Tilly. Sparks fly as ex-con plumber Corky (Gershon) meets & immediately sparks an attraction with sultry gangster’s moll Violet (Tilly) in a bid to escape their current lives the pair plot to steal $2 million in mob money from Violet’s sleazy boyfriend played by Joe Pantoliano & hang him out to dry. In 2017 I talked to Donna Deitch about her personal commitment is to LGBTQ equality in this exclusive podcast. Donna stated, “My personal commitment to LGBTQ equality is 100% but I think that I am most useful in terms of my commitment & my production to making that come about is just making movies that tell these stories.” LISTEN 
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McKellen Leads London Walk of Shame

Sir Ian McKellen launched the ‘Commonwealth Walk of Shame’ protest in London today starting outside the Nigerian High Commission. The walk protested against the criminalization of LGBT+ people in 29 Commonwealth member states under colonial-era laws originally imposed by Britain. Many of those attending the protest were LGBT+ refugees who had fled persecution in from 6 Commonwealth nations that have a maximum sentence of life in prison. In Uganda, Brunei & some northern Nigerian states LGBT+ relations can carry the death penalty. Sir Ian McKellen stated, “No one should face prison, violence or death simply for being themselves & loving another person. Yet across most of the Commonwealth, LGBT+ people are still treated as criminals. Many of these laws are relics of the British Empire. The least we in Britain can do is stand in solidarity with those fighting to overturn criminalization. I am proud to support this march & the brave activists leading the struggle for LGBT+ equality.” Deborah Birunji Nabisere of Out & Proud Africa who has fled persecution in Uganda added, “I know what it means to live under laws designed to erase your humanity. We are marching because silence has protected persecution for far too long. Commonwealth leaders cannot celebrate unity while millions of LGBT+ citizens live in fear.” Peter Tatchell concluded, “For decades, Commonwealth leaders have failed to end the persecution of LGBT+ people. Twenty-nine Commonwealth countries still criminalize homosexuality, mostly under British colonial-era laws, in direct violation of the Commonwealth Charter’s commitment to equality & non-discrimination. Across the Commonwealth, millions of LGBT+ people continue to face arrest, imprisonment, violence & discrimination in employment, housing, education & healthcare.” The event was organized by the Peter Tatchell Foundation among others. 
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San Francisco Dolly Parton Celebration

The renowned San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) will conclude its critically acclaimed 48th season with Dolly! A Pride Show a tribute to beloved American icon Dolly Parton with performances on June 6th at the Green Music Center & June 13th at San Francisco’s Curran Theatre. Overflowing with heart, humor, rhinestones & country soul the production honors Parton’s enduring legacy as a champion of compassion, individuality & acceptance. Audiences can expect soaring choral arrangements of her greatest hits including “9 to 5,” “Here You Come Again,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Why’d You Come in Here Looking Like That” & “Jolene” among others. Jake Stensberg SFGMC Artistic Director stated, “For the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, these songs connect to our lives & our community. They reflect the courage it takes to keep showing up for one another & the joy that comes from doing that together. At the center of it all is something Dolly models so effortlessly: a kind of radical compassion that leads with warmth, humor & a deep belief in people. Whether you’re here for the songs you know by heart or you’re discovering something new, we invite you to settle in, have fun & let the light of this music shine over you.” Structured in 2 acts with an intermission the program journeys from joy & self-expression into reflection, solidarity & collective power. The icon & legend Dolly Parton is SFGMC muse this year with rhinestones, wigs & heart. Parton has taught us all to be ourselves unapologetically as she inspires a new generation of misfits & dreamers with her iconic looks only to be outshined by her message of radical compassion so come dressed ready to shine. 
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Against The Tide MBCC Benefit Events

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition’s Against the Tide fundraising events attracts participants from across the state & region to support MBCC’s mission of breast cancer prevention. Online registration is now open for their 34th Hopkinton Event on Saturday June 20th at DCR’s Hopkinton State Park & the 27th Cape Event on Saturday June 27th at DCR’s Nickerson State Park in Brewster, MA with virtual events happening from June 20th to 27th. Athletic events include a USMS-Sanctioned 1-mile swim, 1-mile recreational & competitive swims, ½-mile recreational swim, USATF-Certified 5K & 10K runs & a 3-mile fitness walk. Cheryl Osimo, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition Executive Director stated, “I feel so honored to invite everyone to support MBCC's mission of breast cancer prevention. Funds raised for Against the Tide are used to continue & expand our unique programs to prevent breast cancer. We collaborate with research organizations, both local & national & academic professionals, to identify & educate about toxic chemicals in our environment that may cause breast & other cancers. We make our webinars & educational modules available free. We also advocate for changes to public policy in order to eliminate these chemicals from the places where we work & live. We strive to change the legacy of breast cancer for future generations. People from all over New England & the country come to support MBCC's work & the athletic components offered at Against the Tide & you can too!” Funds raised will support MBCC’s mission of changing the legacy of breast cancer for future generations & will support important community education programs including Let’s Talk Prevention: Reducing Toxic Exposures, the MBCC Webinar Series & their expanded student environmental health program. 
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Provincetown Celebrates Its Stories

The Provincetown Community Compact will showcase its 33rd year with 5 storytellers who will participate at “Its Stories” fundraising event o...

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