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American Healthcare Decline Continues

First the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed into law last month will affect millions of Americans with cuts over $1 trillion in federal healthcare funding. This will significantly restructures Medicaid eligibility, scale back the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace support placing new restrictions on Medicare & alters coverage. Now the current administration released a rule that will prohibit federal Medicaid dollars from being used to provide care to trans adolescents under 18 & federal Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funds from covering care for trans individuals under 19 if allowed to take effect. The rule takes effect October 13th 2026 & providers can continue to bill Medicaid & CHIP for youth already receiving gender-affirming care for up to 6 months after that. Josh Rovenger, GLAD Legal Director stated, “The federal government is putting up barriers between parents & their ability to make the best medical decisions for their children. That should be chilling to every American. With this rule, the Trump administration is once again holding vital health care funding hostage – pressuring states & providers to fall in line with its political agenda, not sound medicine. Families of transgender children want what every family wants: for their kids to be happy, healthy & able to get the care they need. Nothing in this rule changes the fact that transgender health care is established medicine, backed by decades of research & legal & protected in many states. Providers do not need to change how they deliver this care. States can & should step up to ensure funding & infrastructure keep it accessible. This rule is cruel, it’s wrong & it will not stand up to legal scrutiny.” 
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Provincetown Swim For Life 2026 Events

Celebrating 39 years as a community tradition the Provincetown Community Compact is presenting their annual Provincetown Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla fundraiser. First on Friday September 11th there will an optional swimmer’s orientation at 1P & a kayak orientation at 2P. At the UU Meeting House there will also be a celebration of Life Concert beginning at 8P. Then on September 12th swimmers will swim 1.2 miles along the East End shoreline from Breakwater Hotel at 716 Commercial Street that begins at 12P & a half mile swim from the Town Landing at Atkins Lane also starting at 2:30P. There will also be a fresh water swim in Wellfleet’s Great Pond on September 12th beginning at 8:30A. Jay Critchley, Director of The Compact stated, “We are thrilled to be back at the town’s spectacular waterfront park & welcome swimmers, kayakers, volunteers, safety boaters & our fans from across the country.” The Provincetown Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla fundraiser has raised over $6M for AIDS, women’s health & the community. Over 100 volunteers are invited to assist on land & sea including kayakers. There will be Watch Parties for the public along the shoreline to cheer on the swimmers & the famous Mermaid Brunch will be catered by Far Land Provisions featuring music. Walkers are also invited to participate with a walk along the beach route & Commercial Street & the public is invited to share this post-Labor Day tradition along the shore & greet swimmers at the finish line where there will be food, beverage & entertainment. (Fishing Village Design by William Zorach) 
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New Play Divine Beyond The Flamingos

This fall a legend returns when Eureka O'Hara steps into the pumps of trailblazing drag icon Divine in a new play Divine: Beyond The Flamingos! written & directed by Donnie. Triangle productions! presents the world premiere in a limited 6-week engagement starting Thursday December 3rd at The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater at the West Side YMCA 10 West 64th Street in NYC. Divine: Beyond The Flamingos! is a fabulous 90-minute backstage pass into the life of Harris Glenn Milstead the soft-spoken, gentle genius behind the most fierce, filthy & fabulous diva in showbiz. Eurika O’Hara stated, “As Divine, Harris Glenn Milstead changed the course of drag history, challenging perceived limitations & opening doors for generations of artists, including me, to dream bigger. Divine showed the world that drag artistry could be taken seriously beyond the clubs, on television, film & even the New York stage. Divine’s journey carries a deep, personal resonance for me. It is an honor to collaborate with Donnie in celebrating a legend whose legacy continues to inspire.” Donnie concluded, “Sharing the stories of LGBTQ+ trailblazers is more necessary than ever. 50 years ago, Divine first stepped onto a New York stage in the legendary Women Behind Bars, proving they were more than a subversive midnight screening sensation, but a true star. Now, Divine / Glenn returns Off-Broadway, channeled through the performance of the incomparable Eureka O’Hara, who, in many ways, possesses the same spirit, love & drive that Divine had. Divine said, ‘I’m not here to be liked, I’m here to be legendary’ & they are.” 
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Opera The Girl Of The Golden West

In celebration of the USA’s 250th anniversary the Voice Studio of Thomas Clark presents a fully-staged version of Puccini’s The Girl Of The Golden West in a new English translation by Thomas Clark. First at Terra Nova Theater in Pacifica, CA for 2 weekends Friday August 21st & Sunday August 23rd & Friday August 28th & Sunday August 30th. Then at Colligan Theater at the Tannery Arts Center in Santa Cruz for the weekends of Friday September 4th & Sunday September 6th & Friday September 11th & Sunday September 13th. Originally written in 1905 by playwright David Belasco who also authored Madame Butterfly, The Girl Of The Golden West takes place during the Gold Rush in California around 1849. The original play was used as the basis for the opera La Fanciulla del West by Puccini in 1910 & has enjoyed great success since its premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. That production starred Emmy Destinn & Enrico Caruso with the esteemed Arturo Toscanini conducting. This performance is conducted from the piano by Umberto Barisciano with Gary L. Stanford, Jr. as the stage director. The new production also features professional world-class-performers including Jordan Best as Minnie, owner of the Polka Saloon, Xavier Prado as the bandit Dick Johnson (first 6 performances; John Kun Park sings the final 2) & Robert Balonek as Sheriff Jack Rance. Additional cast includes Tim Tsang, Sebastian Stock, Michael Good, Joshua Porter, Jace Parker, Joshua Porter, Rick Bogart, Noah Nelson Fadrigon Llorando, Gary L. Stanford, Jr., Lizz Hodgin Weihrauch, Thomas Clark, Diego Granoble, Veronica Talton & Leonardo Mangalindan. 
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Canadian Pink Triangle Press Awards

Pink Triangle Press (PTP) announced that internationally acclaimed & trailblazing actress, activist & cultural commentator Peppermint will host the 2026 Pink Awards alongside award-winning comedian & Heated Rivalry actor Brandon Ash-Mohammed. Shannon Burns iHeartRadio Canada entertainment correspondent will return to host the Pink Carpet. Returning for its 3rd year the Pink Awards will take place on November 5th at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York. Peppermint stated, “It’s an honor to join the Pink Awards in celebrating the incredible people shaping Two-Spirit, Indigenous & LGBTQIA+ communities across Canada. Now is the perfect moment to remind ourselves that our community’s diversity is our strength & that the queer community comprises people of all races, ethnicities, nationalities, genders, sexualities & abilities. I’m grateful to be part of an evening that uplifts both the community & the people working every day to make our communities stronger & more visible than ever.” David Walberg, Executive Director and CEO of Pink Triangle Press concluded, “Each year, the Pink Awards continue to grow in impact. As we enter our 3rd year, we welcome this opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our icons & acknowledge the courage & resilience of charities doing so much good in our communities. Thanks to Peppermint & Brandon Ash-Mohammed who will share their gifts leading this incredible evening.” Founded in 1971 Pink Triangle Press produces LGBTQ journalism at Xtra Magazine & through a variety of content distribution channels in Canada & abroad. The org began as a gay liberation newspaper The Body Politic & was named by Masthead Magazine as one of Canada’s 20 most influential magazines of all time.
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Ode To Legendary Vicki Wickham

I was sad to hear that Vicki Wickham the iconic English talent manager, entertainment producer & songwriter has passed. Wickham was a producer & writer of the groundbreaking British TV show Ready Steady Go! in the 60’s. She moved to NYC in 1970 where she became the manager of Patti LaBelle & the Blue Belles who Wickham rebranded in 1971 as Labelle. After Labelle broke up in 1976 Wickham managed the solo career of former trio member Nona Hendryx who also became her longtime partner. She also managed the Canadian new wave band Rough Trade & helped engineer a comeback for singer Dusty Springfield which is when I met & worked with Vicki. At the time I was developing “Legend To Legend” a TV series which I was pitching Springfield to host. Unfortunately we couldn't reach a contractual agreement as Springfield fought her substance demons but it was a privilege & quite a learning experience working with both Vicki & Dusty at the time. Wickham was given a Music Industry "Woman of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award" in 1999 & was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honors List for services to music. In her later years Wickham managed artists such as Morrissey, Marc Almond & Holly Johnson the former frontman for Frankie Goes to Hollywood. With journalist Penny Valentine Vicki also wrote an authorized biography of Dusty Springfield in “Dancing With Demons” published in 2000 a year after the singer’s death from cancer. That was the last time I spoke to her in a condolence chat about Dusty. Wickham is survived by Nona Hendryx her spouse of almost 60 years.
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The Flea Beyond The Stardust & More

The Flea in NYC announced a new partnership with Pittsburgh based event production collective Honcho for the upcoming Beyond The Stardust conceived by Flea Artistic Director Niegel Smith & The Illustrious Blacks as an intergalactic immersive nightlife show with its new collaboration. Beyond The Stardust at the Critters Lounge at Honcho Campout 2026 takes place August 15th & at The Flea September 10th to October 18th. The partnership brings together 2 orgs with a deep commitment to uplifting Black, Brown & LGBTQ voices. Niegel Smith, Flea Artistic Director stated, “It is a joy to be in partnership with the impressive Honcho crew. I’ve loved The Flea for over a decade & I’ve loved Honcho for years. Both are places I’ve felt & witnessed queer folks free to express themselves through music, fashion & intentional community-building & we both throw sweaty, blood-pumping dance parties & performances for Black, Brown & Queer folks & now, we’re joining forces led by The Illustrious Blacks! Everyone better be ready to blast off.” Aaron Clark, Honcho co-founder concluded, “With the launch of our newest stage, Critter’s Lounge, Campout has thrown open the door to a huge range of artistry from within our community. Hosting a sneak preview of The Flea's production of Beyond the Stardust is a perfect fit for our beautiful queer fever dream of a cabaret club!” Beyond the Stardust at The Flea will feature 12 original songs, stunning visuals, & a host of nightlife’s most enchanting aerialists, dancers, go-go boys, girls & more. The Illustrious Blacks’ & Smith’s visions are shot through a narrative prism in 60 minutes in an Afro-disco-space-punk-extravaganza inviting audiences into intercosmic dance floor liberation. 
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American Healthcare Decline Continues

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