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Outright International Annual Summit

Outright International’s 14th annual summit event takes place Friday November 6th from 9A to 5:30P in NYC & virtually. This year’s global conference is centered on the theme "The Future We Claim" bringing together activists, leaders, lawyers, researchers & artists from around the world to plan future advocacy & human rights strategies. The summit will include 33 global activists, legal experts & artists beginning with Opening Keynote speaker Laverne Cox renowned actress & Emmy winner & activist. The Midday Keynote will be delivers by ALOK (Alok Vaid-Menon) the internationally acclaimed gender-nonconforming author, poet & performance artist. Confirmed speakers also include Weema Askri, Projects Manager The Initiative Mawjoudin for Equality, Alberto de Belaunde, Director, Queer Legal Futures Outright International, Nada Chaiyajit, Co-Founder, Intersex Thailand; Law Lecturer, Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand & Obioma Chukwuike, Executive Director Intersex Nigeria. Maria Sjödin, Executive Director of Outright International stated, “Our humanity & our rights are not up for debate. This year, we are focused on the future we want to create & on expanding the freedom, opportunity, dignity & belonging our communities deserve.” Outright International is dedicated to working with partners around the globe to strengthen the capacity of the LGBTQ human rights movement, document & amplify human rights violations against LGBTQ people & advocate for inclusion & equality. They support innovative advocacy to advance equality & end violence & discrimination. They drive change, power & meaningful progress across governments, institutions, businesses & communities. The Outsummit event on November 6th is free but you must register. 

Horizons State of The Movement Event

Horizons Foundation's annual State of the Movement event takes place virtually on Thursday November 12th from 5P to 6:30P PT. This is an opportunity to join with national & international leaders of the movement for a discussion on where our movement is headed. The event is moderated by Horizons Foundation’s newly appointed CEO Vincent Jones bringing together some of the country’s leading LGBTQ movement leaders for a candid, forward-looking discussion of where the movement stands, what the 2026 midterm elections revealed & what comes next. This year’s panel includes Joseph Arroyo the Executive Director of Cities Forward where he leads efforts to strengthen local government, rebuild public trust & increase democratic participation, Shelby Chestnut the Executive Director of Transgender Law Center the largest national trans-led org advocating for a world in which all people are free to define themselves & their futures, Tony Hoang, Executive Director of Equality California & Silver State Equality & Robin McGehee Founder of Together Across America. As the political & cultural landscape continues to shift these leaders will share their perspectives on the challenges & opportunities ahead, the strategies needed to defend, secure & expand LGBTQ rights in these challenging times. Since 1980 Horizons has made grants supporting the entire LGBTQ community. Their support is intentionally broad because the needs of our community are so many & run so deep. At the same time their venture philanthropy approach looks favorably toward innovative, grassroots solutions to our community's emerging needs, especially those of the most under-resourced segments of our community. The event is free but you must register. 

Rutgers University Glee Club Event

The Rutgers University Glee Club under the direction of Dr. Brandon Williams will perform Tyler’s Suite on Friday November 6th at 7:30P. For those who have not yet experienced Tyler’s Suite it’s a beautiful piece of music created under the leadership of Stephen Schwartz & Tim Seelig to honor Tyler’s life & bring hope & healing to our challenging world. Stephen Schwartz stated, “The story of Tyler Clementi, the story of the loss of one young man who clearly had so much to offer the world & those who loved & would come to love him, reminds us that every life lost because of bullying & bigotry is a specific, individual tragedy. This is why I & this group of gifted collaborators who have joined me, feel privileged to bring our time, energy & talents to the creation of Tyler’s Suite.” Tyler’s Suite is a 9-movement work that brings together the voices of several distinguished composers including John Corigliano, Stephen Schwartz, Ann Hampton Callaway, Jake Heggie, STEPHEN FLAHERTY, John Bucchino, Dr. Nolan Gasser & Lance Horne creating a deeply moving musical tribute. Tyler Clementi was the accomplished violinist who took his life in 2010 after being cyber-bullied by his Rutgers roommate for being gay. The event takes place at The Tyler Clementi Center at Rutgers University & will include a moderated conversation with Jane Clementi & Judy Jarvis on the enduring impact of Tyler’s story. Jane Clementi concluded, “I have so many fond memories of all the choruses & people who have brought this music to life over the years. I hope you will all join us on the 6th if not in person consider joining us over live stream & be with us in spirit.” The event is free. 

Michael Feinstein Does Mancini & Mathis

Michael Feinstein is bringing his romantic tribute concert "My Celebration: The Magical Music of Johnny Mathis & Henry Mancini" on Friday October 30th to Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston for a single-night performance at 8P. The 5 time Grammy nominee, Tony Award winner & preeminent "Ambassador of the Great American Songbook" will deliver an intimate evening honoring 2 of his close personal friends & musical heroes. The performance features a swing & jazz-infused lineup of cinematic & recording classics. In this intimate, romantic & joyful concert Michael pays homage to his creative inspirations; vocal icon Johnny Mathis & Oscar-winning composer Henry Mancini. Feinstein stated, “Join me as I perform an evening of American classics by my heroes Johnny Mathis & Henry Mancini – "Misty," "Moon River" & more! See you in Boston Oct. 30!” The music celebrated is among the finest in American recording & cinematic history featuring Oscar & Grammy-winning classics including “Brazil”, “Two for the Road”, “It’s Not for Me to Say”, “Days of Wine & Roses” & “Wonderful! Wonderful!” Feinstein has released more than 30 acclaimed albums, performed at Carnegie Hall, The Hollywood Bowl & conducted major orchestras including the Pasadena Pops & as a guest conductor with the Boston Pops. Currently Feinstein is producing & composing music for all projects on both “Return to Oz” & the film & television adaptation of Liza Minnelli’s memoir “Kids, Wait ‘Til You Hear This” which he co-created that's been acquired by Magnolia Hill Productions in association with Warner Bros. Discovery. Feinstein continues to bring this timeless music to audiences worldwide through stage, screen, education & orchestral performance. "My Celebration: The Magical Music of Johnny Mathis & Henry Mancini" tickets run from $55 to $232. 

Hyacinth Foundation Gala Fundraiser

Hyacinth Foundation presents this year's Gala & Silent Auction celebrating over 4 decades of service to people affected by HIV in New Jersey on Saturday November 7th at Hilton Short Hills in Short Hills, NJ from 6P to 11P. Kathy Ahearn O’Brien, Executive Director of Hyacinth stated, “The urgency of our work has never been greater & our work has never been more necessary. With the implementation of H.R. 1, our clients have lost access to medical care & basic safety issues - housing & food, for instance - have become barriers to care that, quite frankly, shouldn’t exist. We must ensure that people living with & affected by HIV have access to the care, prevention services, housing support & resources they need. Changes in public policy, funding & the broader healthcare landscape can have a direct impact on the communities we serve. These challenges reinforce our commitment to standing alongside our clients, partners & advocates. We will continue working toward a future where new HIV transmissions are prevented; everyone has access to quality care & treatment & no one faces HIV without support.” This year Hyacinth Foundation will be honoring New Jersey State Senator Brian P. Stack, representing the 33rd Legislative District, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Chief Medical Officer of Callen-Lorde Community Health Center & Jodi Riccardi, Hyacinth’s Senior Director of Program Development. For 41 years Hyacinth Foundation has led the charge to end HIV in New Jersey. Through supportive services for people living with HIV, testing & prevention for those at risk & a strong voice in public policy & advocacy Hyacinth has remained at the forefront of the fight against HIV. With 8 offices throughout New Jersey they won't stop until HIV is eradicated. 

Costume Designer Beaver Bauer Exhibit

Beaver Bauer: From Street To Stage a 50 year retrospective by theatrical costume designer & artist Beaver Bauer will take place in the Jewett Gallery & Koret Lobby at the San Francisco Public Library from Thursday November 5th to Sunday April 11th. This retrospective exhibition surveys the career of Debra “Beaver” Bauer the beloved & irreverent artist & costume designer that spans more than 50 years of creative work. The exhibition includes original renderings, performance photography, video clips & elements from costumes drawn from her expansive work. Beaver Bauer stated, “The slope of a forehead, the way someone moves, the texture of a concrete wall & the words of street philosophers are a symphony of inspiration. These simple beauties of life are my wellspring. My artistic voice has been centered on theatrical costume design as an active expression of these observations. Theater is an ancient magic of transformation. The transfer of sketch into fabric in the temple of the fitting room, activated on a stage, that moves an audience to laugh, sigh, cry & maybe experience greater empathy for something they don’t understand. My style is awash with curiosity, humor, wonder, irony, a smidge of poetry & a pinch of spiritual vulgarity. How excited I am at 76 years to find new directions, now working as an archivist, curator & installation artist – still gathering & telling tales, while returning to my first love of drawing & making up new worlds.” As a Costume Designer Bauer has seen her work grace the stages of The Bay Area, Washington DC & NYC. Beaver Bauer: From Street To Stage is a free event. 

Voices Rising Film Festival Harlem Event

Voices Rising Film Festival will bring filmmakers, artists & audiences together on Sunday November 8th at Harlem School of the Arts in NYC from 2P to 7P for an afternoon celebrating independent cinema, diverse perspectives & stories that deserve to be seen & heard. Rooted in the belief that storytelling can create understanding, challenge assumptions & inspire meaningful conversations Voices Rising Film Festival provides a platform for artists whose work brings fresh perspectives to the screen. The event invites audiences to discover emerging & established creative voices while connecting through stories that reflect the complexity, courage & diversity of the world around us. Presented in alignment with the mission of Harlem School of the Arts the festival celebrates the transformative power of artistic expression & the importance of creating space for voices that have historically been underrepresented in film & media. Jaret Martino, festival organizer stated, “Voices Rising was created to add light by bringing stories & storytellers into spaces where their voices can be seen, heard & celebrated. Film has the power to bring people together across differences, encourage empathy & open doors to conversations that might not otherwise happen. We want every filmmaker & audience member to feel that their voice & perspective matter.” Voices Rising Film Festival is dedicated to elevating diverse perspectives, supporting independent filmmakers & creating opportunities for stories from underrepresented communities to reach wider audiences. In alignment with the artistic mission of Harlem School of the Arts, Voices Rising seeks to nurture a more inclusive creative landscape in which artists & audiences can connect through the power of film. 

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Outright International Annual Summit

Outright International’s 14th annual summit event takes place Friday November 6th from 9A to 5:30P in NYC & virtually. This year’s globa...

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