Gay Marriage A Year After DOMA

This is the first anniversary of the demise of DOMA & Prop 8. Since the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 26, 2013 that found barring federal rights to legally married gay & lesbian couples unconstitutional it has been reported that almost 49% of gay & lesbian Americans live in states where they can legally marry. That’s almost half of our LGBT population & every day we seem to be gaining states. Just yesterday Indiana & then in Utah a federal judge overturned the ban appeals in those states & Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Idaho, Pennsylvania & Wisconsin will most likely follow. Brian Silva, MEUSA Executive Director stated, "June is LGBTQ Pride Month, & last year at this exact time we celebrated twin victories at the U.S. Supreme Court. This year, as we mark that one year anniversary of the end of Proposition 8 & Section 3 of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, the 10th Circuit has completed a year of unbroken legal victories with a tremendous ruling in favor of love & marriage for all." We have a lot to celebrate on this one-year anniversary & if you haven’t seen HBO’s new documentary THE CASE AGAINST 8 that is currently on the cable network we suggest you do. In this exclusive sound byte we chatted with plaintiffs Kris Perry & Sandy Stier last weekend who talked about their experience being filmed for five years leading up to the Supreme Court decision that found Prop 8 unconstitutional & about what affect the experience had on their family:

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US Funds Global LGBT Forum

U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice announced a 3.95 million dollar partnership between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) & the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) to encourage & LGBT business owners & entrepreneurs in developing countries. The unprecedented agreement was presented Tuesday afternoon at a White House event & holds the promise of creating a more equitable business & cultural environment for LGBT people through economic empowerment. Rice stated, “Unfortunately, in too many places, being gay or transgender is enough to make someone the target of slurs, torments & violence…protecting our LGBT brothers & sisters is among the most challenging human rights issues we face. Thanks to a new partnership between the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and USAID, we will provide business development training & build new networks to help economically empower the LGBT community. And, working together, we can be assured that the future belongs to those who stand up for freedom & human dignity.” Justin Nelson, Co-founder & President of NGLCC added, “We know the best way to break down barriers is to use the common language of business to expand minds & create opportunities. Trade & commerce creates jobs everywhere & more must be done to ensure our trading partners don’t suffer from discrimination. We are grateful to the Obama Administration & USAID for working with us to ensure everyone can participate in our increasingly global economy.” Now all we have to do is pass ENDA…:)
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Gay Married Military Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has finally released guidance to gay & lesbian married couples seeking benefits to which they are entitled to under current laws & regulations. The announcement was made after working closely with the Department of Justice (DOJ) following the Windsor decision at the Supreme Court. However another provision of the law requires that gay & lesbian married couples must reside in a state that recognizes marriages equality. This means that gay & lesbian married couples applying for their earned VA benefits will now be processed provided the couple lives in a marriage equality state. Legally married gay & lesbian couples residing in a non-marriage equality state will not have their applications processed at this time. Ariana Bostian-Kentes Military Partners & Families Coalition President & Co-Founder stated, “The released guidance is an exciting step forward by the VA & we acknowledge their commitment to the equal treatment of all Veterans and their families. While we celebrate this victory for equality, we remain well aware of the work we have ahead.” Jeff Mueller OS-SLDN’s Co-Chairman of the Board added, “This is a great step towards equality for all of our lesbian, gay & bisexual veterans. They deserve to be treated fairly & equally for the service they gave to our country. Anything less would not live up to the President’s demand that we take care of our veterans. We still have work to do to bring equality to all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender veterans & servicemembers & we will continue to work, alongside partner organizations, to gain this equality.”
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Provincetown Film Festival Winners

The Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF) announced the award winners of this year’s 16th annual film fest. HBO Audience Award / Best Narrative Feature went to ONE CHANCE directed by David Frankel. HBO Audience Award / Best Documentary Feature went to ALIVE INSIDE directed by Michael Rossato-Bennet & HBO Audience Award / Best Short Film was KEHINDE WILEY: AN ECONOMY OF GRACE directed by Jeff Dupre. The John Schlesinger Award, presented to a first time documentary or narrative feature filmmaker went to KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON directed by Alan Hicks. The Tangerine Entertainment Juice Award which is presented to a female filmmaker for her first or second narrative feature went to APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR directed by Desiree Akhavan. Jury Award / Live Action Short Film was a tie between THE CLEAN UP directed by Jesse Allen & JUMP directed by Aimee-Lee Curran. Jury Award / Animated Short Film went to THE MISSING SCARF directed by Eoin Duff, Jury Award / New England Short Film went to WE COULD BE YOUR PARENTS directed by Charlie Anderson & Jury Award / Student Short Film went to JUMP directed by Aimee-Lee Curran. Honorable mentions in the Short Film Jury Awards category include DOG FOOD directed by Brian Crano, FAMILIES ARE FOREVER directed by Vivian Kleiman & THE LION’S MOUTH OPENS directed by Lucy Walker. The Short Film Jury consisted of musician Stephin Merritt, actress Kara Hayward & last year’s Shorts Audience Award winner Marnie Crawford Samuelson. PIFF also announced the 2015 event will be June 17-21.
For More Info: ptownfilmfest.org

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LGBT World Pride Toronto Begins

The Canadian city of Toronto is opening its arms to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender & allies communities today for WorldPride 2014. Between June 20th & 29th more than a million people from around the globe will gather downtown & in neighborhoods throughout the city to take part in what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of LGBTQ Pride. Kevin Beaulieu, Executive Director of Pride Toronto stated, “We always hear from our LGBTQ visitors how welcoming, surprising & exciting Toronto is, which makes it the ideal host for the first WorldPride to be held in North America. It’s a chance for people from every corner of the planet to celebrate what has been achieved & strengthen their resolve for the future – in a multicultural city that wears its commitment to equality, openness & diversity with pride every day.” Canada which is one of the first countries to legalize gay & lesbian marriages in modern times & Toronto which has one of the world’s largest Pride parades & renowned for its diversity is hosting this ten-day extravaganza turning the city’s streets into parades, parks in to parties & strangers into friends. Melissa Etheridge will kick-off & perform at WorldPride 2014 Toronto’s opening ceremonies in Nathan Philips Square on June 20th. Headliners in this jam-packed free entertainment program will also include artists Tegan & Sara, k.d. lang, Martha Wash, Carly Rae Jepsen & Chely Wright appearing on 10 open-air stages. WorldPride 2014 Events: Opening Ceremony on June 20th, WorldPride Gala & Awards on June 25th, WorldPride Human Rights Conference June 25th to 27th, Trans Pride on June 27th, Dyke March on June 28th & WorldPride Parade on June 29th.
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The Center LGBT Garden Party

Kick off Pride Week in New York City at the 31st annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center’s Garden Party: A Taste of Pride with tastings from dozens of New York City’s premier restaurants on June 23rd. Sip seasonal smart cocktails at an open bar while you bid on delicious silent auction items & watch the sun set over the Hudson River. Proceeds from Garden Party supports The Center’s life-changing programs & services 365 days a year. Glennda Testone, The Center’s Executive Director stated, “I hope you will join us & enjoy the gorgeous weather as we kick off Pride Week at Garden Party: A Taste of Pride, our longest-running, most anticipated event. Celebrate with us & 1500 of our closest friends on Monday June 23rd on Hudson River Park’s Pier 84 for a delicious evening of sampling scrumptious food & drinks from over 30 of New York City’s top restaurants. Your support helps The Center keep its doors open 365 days a year & offer vital programs & services to those in our community who need them most. So don’t wait, get your tickets today & join us for the most tempting, tastiest Pride kick-off event in NYC!” Tasting Partners include: ACME, Baked by Melissa, Café Champignon, Candied Anchor, ENLIGHTENED Ice Cream, Fonda, Godiva, Grandaisy Bakery, illy issimo, Li-Lac Chocolates, North Square Restaurant, Peanut Butter & Co., The Standard Grill, Sticky’s Finger Joint, Telepan Local, The Treats Truck, Yerba Buena & more! General admission is $85.
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Boston Spirit LGBT Sunset Cruise

The Boston Spirit's Summer Sunset Cruise is this Wednesday night June 18th. Now entering its ninth year Boston Spirit’s annual LGBT Summer Sunset Cruise is one of the largest & most popular events of the summer. Join more than 700 LGBT friends & allies to cruise around Boston Harbor dining on delicious food from Jasper White’s Summer Shack & dance to the amazing sounds of DJ Mocha. The weather is going to be fabulous so you have an excuse not to come! The two-hour cruise is $35 & every dollar goes directly to Fenway Health. Where else can you get a two-hour sunset cruise around Boston Harbor complete with delicious food from Summer Shack restaurants & great music courtesy of DJ Mocha for only $35 with 100% of the proceeds raised from this event going directly to benefit Fenway Health? This is a great way to kick off the summer so don't miss out. Buy your tickets & gather tomorrow Wednesday June 18th at the World Trade Center pier aboard Bay State Cruise Company’s Provincetown II at 6P on Seaport Boulevard. The cruise departs at 6:30P & returns at 8:30P. This cruise has sold out for the last two years, so don't hesitate! There will be a cash bar, food & fun! Please arrive no later than 6P to allow plenty of time for boarding before the 6:30P departure time.
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