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Ian McKellen Backs Uganda Safehouse

The Peter Tatchell Foundation is funding a new community project to support LGBT+ victims of persecution in Uganda with help from Sir Ian McKellen. The Dauglas Project coordinated with Out & Proud African LGBTI (OPAL) will provide safe housing & farmland to grow food & generate income to sustain the project. It will offer mutual support, sports activities & facilitate the development of creative skills in music & dance. The aim is to uplift LGBT+ Ugandans suffering homelessness, unemployment, poverty & social exclusion on account of their sexuality or gender identity. Abbey Kiwanuka of Out & Proud stated, “The project plans to support around 30–80 LGBT+ people in its first year. Farming will help provide food & potentially generate income, while a small music & recording facility will develop creative skills & possible employment opportunities.” Peter Tatchell concluded, “LGBT+ Ugandans are living under some of the harshest anti-gay laws in the world, with maximum sentences of life imprisonment & even execution by hanging. Many face rejection by their families, eviction from their homes & dismissal from their schools & jobs. They also suffer mob violence & police harassment, blackmail & sexual assault. Homelessness & poverty are widespread. We are proud to help fund this project, which will provide housing, employment, skills training, income, food & a LGBT+ social & friendship network. It is about helping vulnerable LGBT+ people survive today & securing their long-term future.” Sir Ian McKellen who helped fund the project praised PTF donors for their “generosity & solidarity with LGBT+ Ugandans facing persecution.” He said the project was an “important & valuable lifeline” for LGBTs outcast & under threat. 
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New Art Exhibition The Modern Moment

Helicline Fine Art announced the opening of its upcoming exhibition The Modern Moment Art That Shaped The 20th Century a salute to the ground-breaking artistic movements that runs September 10th through November 15th. The Modern Moment embraces the diversity of Modernism encountering vibrant cityscapes, powerful industrial scenes, tranquil rural landscapes, expressive abstractions, studies of working men & women, intimate portraits & observations of everyday life. While each artist approached the modern world through a distinctive visual language all sought to capture the energy, complexity & optimism of their time. Roy Goldberg Helicline Fine Art gallerist stated, "Our offerings have always been guided by curiosity rather than convention. We are grateful to share works by artists whose visions helped define Modernism - whether they became well-known names or have yet to receive the recognition they deserve. This exhibition reflects what inspires us as dealers.” Modernism was not a single movement but a series of artistic innovations that forever changed the way we see the world. The Modern Moment brings together a thoughtfully curated selection of paintings, drawings, prints & sculpture that celebrates the extraordinary breadth of 20th-century artistic expression. Gallerist Keith Sherman concluded, "Our exhibitions can be seen exclusively online, giving us the flexibility to present art globally in a more accessible way. We encourage discovery whenever & wherever collectors, curators & advisors are based. For those who wish to experience the artwork in person, works can be viewed by appointment in our Midtown Manhattan space.” Helicline Fine Art in NYC was founded in 2008 by Roy Goldberg & Keith Sherman & is viewed in person by appointment only. 
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San Francisco 2026 Expansive Showcase

Opera Parallèle & The Transgender District present the 5th annual Expansive a showcase of trans & nonbinary classical artists with this year’s theme “Revolution Is Just The Beginning” on August 27th at 7:30P at San Francisco’s A.C.T. Strand Theater. The performance is in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Compton’s Cafeteria Riots a pivotal moment in trans history that helped shape San Francisco & movements for liberation around the world. Curated by Katherine Goforth the program weaves together opera, art song, spirituals, musical theater & spoken word into a moving journey inspired by the lives, resilience & dreams of San Francisco's trans community. Each chapter invites us to reflect not only on a pivotal moment in history but on the work that continues today. Whether you've attended every Expansive showcase or will be joining for the first time this promises to be one of the most meaningful evenings yet filled with breathtaking performances, powerful stories & a celebration of community that reminds us why art matters. “Revolution Is Just The Beginning” features Sapphira Cristál, Katherine Goforth & Nina Jones with host Afrika America & pianist Keisuke Nakagoshi. Opera Parallèle continues to evolve remaining a vital platform for both established & emerging artists to experiment with & present opera in fresh & engaging ways solidifying its position as a dynamic & influential force in the world of contemporary opera. The Transgender District was co-founded by 3 black trans women in 2017 originally as Compton’s Transgender Cultural District & is the first legally recognized transgender district in the world. 
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Florida Key West Womenfest Event

Key West’s annual Womenfest returns for 5 sun-soaked late-summer days of fun September 2nd to 6th. This year’s theme is “Lost Women in the Arts” honoring the creators, visionaries, performers & makers who have drifted away from their craft, been written out of history or are still searching for their voice. They’re celebrate the forgotten the unfinished, the quietly brilliant & the women reclaiming their place in the creative world. This year’s festival invites women to reclaim & celebrate their creative power, individuality & sense of belonging in the island’s legendary “One Human Family” spirit. Throughout the festival attendees can explore new paths to reconnect with their artistry, their stories & one another in a place where generations of artists, dreamers & kindred spirits have found inspiration. Expect music, expressive themed gatherings, poolside joy & a community that understands the courage it takes to feel lost & the power of finding yourself again. It kicks off Wednesday September 2nd with the Key West Business Guild Membership Luncheon Noon to 1P sponsored by Mount Sinai Medical Center with a special presentation by Jan Gary the Director of the Key West Elizabeth Bishop Committee honoring Elizabeth Bishop Key West’s Most Famous Least Known Poet. The event’s Non-Profit Spotlight is Key West NOW (National Organization for Women). The event is followed by Lost Women In the Arts! official Welcome Party that runs from 6P to 8P. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Womenfest regular this is the perfect way to begin an amazing week in Key West taking in all the fabulous festival events that concluded on Sunday September 6th with The Original Tea Dance – a Key West Tradition at La Te Da beginning at 4P featuring DJ Rude Girl. 
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Stonewall National Museum Book Event

Ryan Douglass the acclaimed author of the new horror novel ‘Night of Madness’ will be leading a virtual reading & conversation of his book through Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library (SNMAL)’s ‘A Conversation With’ series on September 1st at 6:30P via Zoom. ‘Night of Madness’ follows teen influencers who compete in a horror-movie themed overnight competition only to realize the real test is staying alive in this chilling, blood-soaked horror novel from New York Times bestselling author Ryan Douglass. Mara is a horror buff whose only fond memories of her dad are bonding over movies by Jack Stanley—the producer of the eighties. Stanley’s campy slasher movies may have kept Mara’s fraught parental relationship on life support & gained a cult following but the man himself has faded from the public eye…until he announces a contest centered around Asylum his most terrifying film. Five teen influencers are invited to spend the night on the fully constructed set; whoever sticks it out until morning wins 100K. Stuck in a dead-end job Mara seriously needs that cash. She may not be a famous influencer but there has to be a way to manufacture an online presence that will capture Stanley’s attention. With the help of her brother & best friend Mara finds some creative solutions to her dilemma & lands herself onto the roster of the lucky chosen few by way of her engaging authenticity. Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library is the first LGBTQ museum in the United States established more than 50 years in South Florida. 
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The Dinah Celebrating 35 Years (AUDIO)

This week I talked with Bella Barkow & Rose Garcia the new producers of The Dinah the most renowned annual music festival for women celebrating its 35th year that takes place September 30th through October 4th at the Hilton Hotel & The Zoso in Palm Springs, CA. Barkow & Garcia step into their new exciting chapter as co-owners of The Dinah under their newly formed BellaRose Productions. They’re continuing The Dinah’s legacy with a show-stopping entertainment line-up including headliner Hayley Kiyoko who arrives at The Dinah during her biggest year yet having just wrapped her feature directorial debut in “Girls Like Girls” & companion album release. Also performing are headliners Da Brat, Sasha Keable & rockers The Aces. Returning this year are The Comedy Shows with headliners Cameron Esposito an absolute legend, icon & queen of stand-up taking the mic to bring down the house with Abe Farrelly bringing the high vibes, non-stop energy & hilarious commentary to set the night on fire joined by special guest Pink Foxx serving up bold, unfiltered, side-splitting hilarity. New this year will be Singles & Solos Happy Hour & of course during the daytime there will be The Dinah’s legendary pool parties showcasing a string of galvanizing emerging performers with Celebrity Work Outs added to the iconic pool parties hosted by Josselyn Morris. Spinning will be world-famous DJs, go-go dancers, red carpet events with celebrity guests, dance parties, meet & greets & so much more. I talked to Bella & Rose about what they hope to accomplish with The Dinah this year & their spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN
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Ars Nova All New Talent ANT Fest 2026

Ars Nova’s ANT Fest co-artistic directors Andrew Neisler & Anna Morton Stace with managing director Mac Ingram announced the lineup for ANT Fest 2026 the annual festival bringing new work from New York’s most adventurous emerging artists to audiences. The festival returns to a primetime fall slot as the kickoff event for the organization’s season beginning with an indomitable burst of genre-bending playfulness & out-of-the-box theatricality characteristic of Ars Nova’s pop-culture-savvy experimentation & the hipness that sets it apart presenting a glimpse into what’s on the minds for the next generation of rule-breaking visionaries looking directly into theater’s wild future. Beginning September 8th ANT Fest this year features new work from Makasha Copeland, Morgan Rielly & Gabrielle Silva with PDA Live!, M Sloth Levine & Mack Brown The Castle of Ghoul Hammond on September 9th, James La Bella & Matt Romein Melt.Punish on September 11th,Sarah Lawrence, Liz Olear & Emilie Pass The Ballad of Pretty Polly, September 12th & many more through September 25th. Ars Nova exists to discover, develop & launch singular theater, music & comedy artists who are in the early stages of their professional careers. Their dynamic slate of programs supports outside-the-box thinking & encourages innovative, genre-bending work. By providing a protective environment where risk-taking & collaboration are paramount Ars Nova amplifies the voices of a new generation of diverse artists & audiences pushing the boundaries of live entertainment by nurturing creative ideas into smart, surprising new work. Every summer Ars Nova throws open their doors to the next wave of pioneering theater, comedy, music & hybrid theater-makers who fill their stage with the most dynamic ideas. 
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Ian McKellen Backs Uganda Safehouse

The Peter Tatchell Foundation is funding a new community project to support LGBT+ victims of persecution in Uganda with help from Sir Ian Mc...

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