About Me

Ode To Lesbian Icon Stormé Delarverie

When I lived in New York City during the 1980’s I had the privilege of knowing Stormé Delarverie. During that time Stormé was an institution at the lesbian bars The Duchess & The Cubby Hole as security working the door & keeping you in line with her no-nonsense look. Sometimes I would have a conversation with her about what it was like to be gay before & after The Stonewall Riots. She was often referred to as the "Rosa Parks" of the gay rights movement. Stormé is credited for having thrown one of the first punches during the Stonewall Uprising in June 1969. She was not someone who tolerated injustice though she faced it on an almost daily basis throughout much of her life. Stormé was a black lesbian who often appeared as a black man although she could easily have passed for a white woman she chose not to do so. Her love of people made Stormé an advocate & she stood up to all injustice whenever she encountered or heard about it. Stormé was a fierce woman who stood up for our LGBTQ community on countless occasions. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at 93 in 2014. As we celebrate the 55 Anniversary of Stonewall, I always think about Stormé & icons like Sylvia Rivera & Marsha P. Johnson. Listen to filmmaker Kristen Lovell talk about the historic Stonewall Riots Reenactment where she plays Marsha P. Johnson that takes place this Sunday June 29th at the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  
No comments:

Harlem Pride 15th Annual Celebration

Harlem Pride’s 15th Annual Celebration Day Festival takes place this Saturday Jun 29th on 12th Avenue at 133rd Street in NYC providing access to resources, food & live performances hosted by Dominique Jackson & Marquise Vilson. Performers include, Billy The Goat, Damez, Gia Love, Siaira Shawn, Alicia Kelly, Big Body Kweeng, Lyfe, Daesha Richards, Noah Lee Richards, JChris, Damarcko & Waylon. Sounds provided by DJ Jeremy Lamar. Carmen Neely, Co-Founder & President of Harlem Pride stated, “The annual festival is designed for open-ended appeal to our diverse community. There is something truly energizing, exciting & empowering about presenting Harlem Pride because it solidifies the notion of SGL / LGBTQ people as contributing members of our larger Harlem community. It also demonstrates the strength, vitality & unity of our community within the collective fabric of New York City.” There will also be speakers including Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force. Over 20,000 attendees from all walks of life will descend on Harlem’s 12th Avenue for the showcase of community organizations, artists, businesses & merchants. The very first Harlem Pride Day Celebration was held on Saturday June 26th 2010 & is always held during the last full weekend in June. That inaugural event hosted approximately twenty vendors, over 2,500 attendees, numerous artists organized by Rob De Anthony of Our Youth & several volunteers. Harlem Pride, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2010 & born out of the desire to celebrate the Same Gender Loving/LGBT community & its role and contributions to Harlem's rich history. The organization works to empower Harlem’s SGL/LGBTQ community (which includes family, friends, & allies) & improve its physical, mental & economic health & wellness. 
No comments:

Biden Will Pardon LGBTQ Veterans

President Biden has announced that LGBTQ U.S. veterans convicted because of their sexual orientation by the military during the last 60 years prior to the demise of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” will be pardoned. Biden stated, “Despite their courage & great sacrifice, thousands of LGBTQI+ service members were forced out of the military because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Some of these patriotic Americans were subject to court-martial & have carried the burden of this great injustice for decades.” Brian K. Bond, CEO of PFLAG National concluded, "PFLAG families have advocated for the dignity & respect due our LGBTQ+ heroes in uniform since the dark days of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' & the shadow discharges that predated that discriminatory policy. As someone who worked on repeal during the Obama-Biden administration I met incredible patriots that just wanted to serve their country. Thank you to the Biden-Harris administration & those who continue to fight for military families' freedom to serve. This welcomed day is long overdue for thousands of LGBTQ+ veterans & their families." This comes last week after a federal court in San Francisco refused to dismiss a class-action lawsuit brought by more than 35,000 LGBTQ veterans against the Defense Department claiming they were wrongfully discharged because of their sexual orientation & disqualified for veterans benefits. We got into this mess when Republican Dwight Eisenhower was elected president & issued Executive Order 10450 on April 27th 1953 that revoked Truman’s Loyalty Board Program Executive Order 9835 of 1947 resulting in over 5,000 Federal gay & lesbian government employees fired & thousands of military members dishonorably discharged that began The Lavender Scare & witch hunt of the 1950’s & continued until 1975. Just a little LGBTQ history as we gear up for the 55th anniversary of Stonewall.
No comments:

Supreme Court Takes Trans Youth Case

The United States Supreme Court has announced that they will consider arguments in United States v. Skrmetti the case challenging Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth. Arguments will likely be heard in the Fall of 2024 with a decision expected by the Spring or early Summer of 2025. Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President & CEO stated, "The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to consider the question of transgender Americans’ ability to be treated with dignity & respect will be a significant reflection of the values our nation stands for. Sweeping categorical exclusions on mainstream consensus health care for any group of Americans are discriminatory, as many federal courts have already affirmed, including in Florida earlier this month. Transgender people already face disproportionately high levels of discrimination & harassment seeking health care & in their everyday lives, which are exacerbated for Black, Indigenous & other transgender people of color, low-income transgender people, those struggling with housing insecurity or homelessness & those living in rural areas with few options for care. It is urgent that the Court see all citizens as worthy of life & liberty, values all Americans support.” Allison Scott, Campaign for Southern Equality Director of Impact & Innovation concluded, “This is a high-stakes moment for transgender youth & their families & we’re glad that trans youth & their families will have their day in court to make the case that the bans are unconstitutional, interfere with private medical decisions & severely harm families. Everyone who needs gender-affirming care should be able to access it affordably & close to home & our team will never stop working to make that happen.” 
No comments:

PIFF Filmmakers Speak OUT (AUDIO)

This week I talked with filmmakers at the 26th annual Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF) press luncheon at the Boatslip Resort & Beach Club in Provincetown, MA. First I talked to director Stephen Soucy about his documentary “Merchant Ivory” that pulls back the curtain on the fascinating lives of filmmakers Ismail Merchant & James Ivory. Next I chatted with director Fawzia Mirza & producer Andria Wilson Mirza about their feature film “The Queen of My Dreams”. Then I talked with director Taylor James, actor Kanoa Goo & producer Katie White about their short film “ILY, BYE”. Next I talked to director Tyler C. Peterson about his short film “Stan Behavior”. I then chatted with director Sarah McCarron & music producer Rascal Miles about their short film “The Bend” about a trans man migrating from Tennessee to Minneapolis who gets stranded in rural Wisconsin & encounters a fisherman. Next director Marco Calvani talked about his feature film “High Tide” that was shot in Provincetown about an undocumented Brazilian immigrant searching for purpose when he encounters Maurice creating a memorable tribute to love & loss. I concluded our conversation with veteran producer Christine Vachon who produced the 2023 Oscar nominated film “Past Lives” about what she’s working on now. The Provincetown Film Society, Inc. (PFS) is a non-profit year-round organization & home of the Provincetown International Film Festival. PIFF creates a unique international platform for the west & east coast entertainment industry to experience the diversity & community of Provincetown. PFS is also dedicated to showcasing the work of acclaimed & emerging directors, producers and actors. I also had an opportunity to talk with all the filmmakers about their spin on our LGBTQ issues as we approach the crucial 2024 presidential election. LISTEN 


No comments:

Stonewall Visitor Center In NYC (AUDIO)

On Friday June 28th the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center (SNMVC) will officially open its doors marking the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion that took place on June 28th 1969. This is the first LGBTQ visitor center within the National Park Service a bureau of the Department of the Interior. Designated by President Barack Obama on June 24, 2016 the Stonewall National Monument includes the 0.19-acre formerly known as Christopher Park & the surrounding streets including Christopher Street adjacent to the park. The Stonewall National Monument is the first U.S. national monument dedicated to LGBTQ rights & history. The historic project began 6 years ago by two Lesbian women of color & Pride Live Co-Founders Diana Rodriguez & Ann Marie Gothard who embarked on a mission to celebrate & preserve the legacy of Stonewall. Ann Marie Gothard stated, “The journey to create the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center has been a truly remarkable & landmark moment. With the opening of the Visitor Center, we pay homage to the brave individuals behind the historic Stonewall Rebellion. We hope it stands as an enduring and resilient symbol & serves as a beacon for generations to come, providing the unique opportunity to step foot on the site where history unfolded & where the fight for LGBTQIA+ equality was ignited.” In the park in front of the center are 4 statues by George Segal of 2 gay men & on the bench 2 women who were lesbian icons in NYC shortly after Stonewall. Beth Suskin (on the right) is still with us but unfortunately we loss her wife Leslie Cohen (holding the flag) in 2022. Listen to this historic conversation I had with my friend & mentor Leslie Cohen in 2019 celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

No comments:

Black LGBTQ Leaders & National Survey

As we celebrate Juneteenth a new survey found that nearly 2/3 of Black people believe the Black community should do more to protect Black LGBTQ people especially young people. 65% of Black people consider themselves supporters of Black LGBTQ people & rights including 57% of self-reported churchgoers & 73% of Gen-Z agree that the Black community should do more to support our Black LGBTQ community. Imani Rupert-Gordon, Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights stated, “NCLR is honored to have participated in this survey by the National Black Justice Collective & HIT Strategies. Too often, the data that we use to understand the needs of LGBTQ communities doesn’t include enough Black perspectives & so the solutions don’t always work for Black people. This research highlights important perceptions & perspectives that will allow our messaging strategies & analysis to include a thoughtful, inclusive & intersectional approach to ensure that we are doing everything we can to protect all LGBTQ+ people.” Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force concluded, “It is exciting to be a part of a project that is centering the experiences of Black people related to gender, sexual orientation & democracy. Movements, decision-makers & organizations spend a lot of time assuming & or ignoring the experiences, perspectives, wishes, & fears of Black people in this country. This has led to the perpetuation of dangerous stereotypes that have cost our country time, money & progress. I hope those who take the time to dive into the research are inspired by the vulnerability shared and the opportunity that flows from listening to, trusting & being responsive to the political & cultural needs of Black folks.” 
No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Featured Post

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 A...

Popular Posts

  • Ariana Grande Launches Foundation
    Ariana Grande has announced the launch of The Brighter Days Ahead Foundation that champions justice & equity through 4 core funds to ...
  • MBCC 27th Against the Tide Event
    Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) will hold its 27th annual Against the Tide Athletic Fundraising Event at DCR's Hopkinton ...
  • Gay Character Joins Star Wars
    It’s been announced that the official "Star Wars" universe is getting its first openly gay character. A lesbian governor appears...