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Ann Hampton Callaway Live (AUDIO)

This week I talked with singer songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway one of America’s most gifted artists in pop & jazz about her upcoming live performances as COVID restrictions continue to lift. First up Ann will be performing her very popular one woman show "The Streisand Songbook" on July 13th at 8P at a new venue on Cape Cod, The Music Room Gallery & Wine Bar in West Yarmouth, MA. With over 100 Symphony performances to rave reviews, this show is 90 minutes of soaring, sizzling hits & gems of the diva of divas so definitely check it out. Then it’s on to the Patio Stage at Strathmore in Bethesda, MD where she will be joined by Billy Stritch to perform “The Linda Ronstadt Songbook” on July 16th. Ann will then be traveling across the country to Costa Mesa, CA to perform “The Linda Ronstadt Songbook” on July 25th at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. On July 29th she will perform at the Vail Jazz Festival & finish the month with her popular virtual show Callaway Hideaway live stream "Ann Hampton Callaway Sings The 70's" on July 31st. Continuing her national tour on August 13th & 14th she will be performing "Ann Hampton Callaway - Broadway Classics" at the Arts Garage in Delray, FL & will end the month virtually with Callaway Hideaway live stream on August 29th presenting "Ann Hampton Callaway - Songs I Wish I'd Written". Then if COVID restrictions continue to lift globally she will be off to the UK to perform “The Judy Garland Songbook" & "Ann Hampton Callaway - Cinematic Serenade" in London. I talked to Ann about what she hopes to accomplish with her work & her spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN
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Independence Day & LGBTQ Equality


We’ve come along way this year despite dealing with a political divide in the midst of a pandemic. The Biden Administration is slowly pumping air back into a country that was being suffocated by rightwing hatemongers. Each week another appointment or policy is being made that reflects a more diverse & evolved country. Just last week the Biden administration nominated Chantale Wong as U.S. Director to the Asian Development Bank with the rank of Ambassador becoming the first out lesbian & first out person of color ever nominated for an ambassador-level position. Also last week the White House Domestic Policy Council & Gender Policy Council announced the formation of an Interagency Working Group within the White House that will coordinate policies to advance the safety, economic opportunity & inclusion of transgender Americans. With the epidemic of violence against trans women of color & state governments continuing to propose & pass bills targeting trans school children the White House is sending a strong, clear message that the United States federal government is going to do all it can to end this epidemic of transphobia. David J. Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition stated, “We look forward to continuing our work with members of the White House & with this new interagency toward advancing the rights of all trans people in the United States.” However there's still so much more to be done to ensure the right to live our lives authentically. This is why Congress must pass the Equality Act to codify into law civil rights protections for our LGBTQ community across the nation. So Happy July 4th & let’s figure out how to get the Equality Act finally passed.
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Out Film LGBTQ Film Festival Winners


Out Film CT the Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival recently wrapped their 34th hybrid festival of features & short films presented both in-person screenings at the historic Cinestudio on the campus of Trinity College in Hartford & via virtual streaming. “Summer of '85” was named winner of the 2021 Audience Award for Best Feature Film & “Sheer Qorma” was named winner of the 2021 Audience Award for Best Short Film. Jaime Ortega Out Film CT Co-Director stated, "By offering a hybrid format, we were able to allow audiences to comfortably enjoy films in a theatre again as well as at home. We are thrilled with the audience response & are delighted to share the results of their voting as well as the festival jury's selections as the best of the festival." Already narrowed down from over 500 submissions, audiences & the jury had the opportunity to view & vote on over 100 full-length films & shorts. As in previous years audience members were asked to rate their enjoyment of the films they watched but this year the Audience Award results come from a combination of paper voting at the cinema & electronic balloting online. Out Film CT honored the films with 2021 Audience & Jury Awards. Filmmakers will share $3,500 in prize money. Shane Engstrom Out Film CT Co-Director concluded, "Five out of the six Audience & Jury Best Film selections went to films from outside the United States. It's a testament to the importance & awareness of the Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival that we received so many strong international submissions this year, movies from over 30 countries spanning 6 continents." 
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U.S. Changes Passport Gender Policies

The U.S. State Department announced that it would be changing its policy to allow individuals to self-select the gender for & adding an X gender marker option to U.S. passports. Charlie Arrowood Counsel, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) Name Change Project stated, “Today’s announcement by the U.S. State Department is an important step towards equality & fairness for non-binary, transgender, & intersex people. It is a critical recognition by the government that we ourselves are the arbiters of who we are. Removing the doctor’s letter requirement means passport changes are more accessible to the many trans people who do not have access to medical care, whether due to cost, lack of transportation, discrimination, or any other reason & provides the safety & dignity of having identity documents that align with who we are. We hope for swift implementation of the addition of an X option for passports, which will align with the more than 20 states & more than 10 countries that already have these options for state identity documents. There is still so much more the federal government can do to protect the rights of transgender & non-binary people & we look forward to working with the Biden administration on additional changes in the weeks & months ahead.” The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is committed to ending discrimination based upon gender identity & expression & to achieving equality for transgender people through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services & public policy efforts. For More Info…

Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™

 

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New LGBTQ Youth Affordable Housing

In New Jersey the LGBT RAIN Foundation broke ground on its first affordable & inclusive LGBTQ housing development. The building will house eleven homeless LGBTQ young adults & those with disabilities. The project is being consulted by Monarch Housing a non-profit pioneer in housing development for marginalized communities making this their first project related to LGBTQ young adults. The units will provide safe, affordable & supportive housing allowing residents to become independent & self-sufficient. Elaine Helms, Founder & Executive Director of LGBT RAIN stated, “This much needed supportive housing project has been a personal vision of mine for a long time & it’s incredible to see how it has become a community mission. The leaders & warriors of our communities have come together to help make RAIN what it is today; eleven one bedroom units is a huge step for RAIN & a huge step towards our goal of making sure chronically homeless LGBTQ young adults know & feel that they belong.” Each resident will additionally receive supportive services from the LGBT RAIN Foundation & its partners to address their health, financial & psychosocial needs. These services include case management, social services & programming designed to best support sustainable & healthy futures for LGBTQ young adults. Upon completion of this project the apartment building will be addressing a tremendous need within the current Continuum of Care which is the need for permanent affordable housing. As the project is the first of its kind in the New Jersey area it is a necessary effort to show LGBTQ individuals that their lives are valued & celebrated. It is a space for people to live without the fear of discrimination that too frequently occurs in housing.  For More Info…

Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
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Provincetown Film Festival Winners

The Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF) announced the winners of this year’s Warner Media Audience Awards, the John Schlesinger Awards, the NY Women in Film & TV Filmmaker Awards & Short Film Prizes. Lisa Viola PIFF Artistic Director stated, “It was so incredible to have the opportunity to welcome filmmakers back to Provincetown at this precise moment of reopening & to have an eager audience able to view films both in person & online. We are grateful that we could provide a space for artists & festival goers to participate in this shared experience of reconnecting.” The Warner Media Audience Award / Best Narrative Feature went to LANGUAGE LESSONS, the Warner Media Audience Award / Best Documentary Feature was a tie & went to BEING BEBE & PLAYING WITH SHARKS. The John Schlesinger Award in a narrative went to Bassam Tariq for MOGUL MOWGLI. Filmmaker Andrew Ahn Narrative Schlesinger Juror stated, “MOGUL MOWGLI is a film that explores cultural, physical & artistic identity with passion & insight. Anchored by Riz Ahmed's beautiful performance, the film's bold use of sound, cinematography & editing all come together to tell us such a personal story of an artist.” The Documentary Schlesinger Award went to Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson for SUMMER OF SOUL. New York Women in Film & Television Filmmaker Awards in a narrative went to BEANS directed by Tracey Deer & in a Documentary Film went to STORM LAKE directed & produced by Beth Levison. Also Richard Linklater was presented with the 2021 Filmmaker on the Edge Award, Riz Ahmed was presented with the Excellence in Acting Award & Natalie Morales received the Next Wave Award. 
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Black Pride & Achieving LGBTQ Equality

The 7th Annual Los Angeles Black Pride celebration takes place from Thursday July 1st to Monday July 5th curated & produced by BBE Group Founder & CEO Brandon Anthony & his team. The Black Pride movement serves as a way for Black LGBTQ people to discuss specific issues that are more unique to the Black LGBTQ community & celebrate each other. Brandon stated, “This year's focus is on intersection of community & entertainment with award winning LGBTQ+ talent/allies & impactful conversations post-pandemic on topics necessary for the Black community. As we move into years to come we will continue to communicate the LABP mission of celebrating the past, while building the future. We will activate in historically Gay celebrated Los Angeles spaces like the Legendary Catch One & The Abbey. As a Black Man, we want to work on eradicating issues surrounding Homophobia & racism in America.” The fact is that within the larger LGBTQ Community people of color continue to experience higher rates of discrimination. A new Center for American Progress survey shows that 43 percent of LGBTQ people of color reported experiencing discrimination last year from a doctor or health care provider with nearly half reporting that discrimination has affected their ability to rent or purchase a home to some degree & 1 in 3 reported staying away from public spaces to avoid facing discrimination. Policymakers must wake up & respond to the diverse & complex needs of LGBTQ individuals with intersecting identities & pass the Equality Act. LA Black Pride includes a 5-day COVID-safe series of both daytime & nighttime events that will feature discussion, dancing & celebrating. For More Info….

Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
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