This has been quite the historic week for our LGBT community as we come closer to marriage equality nationwide. In San Francisco this Saturday October 11th join Gala Co-chairs Cherie Green & Matt Hendry for the 30th Annual HRC San Francisco Bay Area Gala Dinner. Special guests include: House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, HRC President Chad Griffin, Oscar Winner Dustin Lance Black & Prop 8 Plaintiffs Kris Perry & Sandy Stier. Nearly 1,000 of the Bay Area's most influential citizens will gather at this event to celebrate the strides HRC has made toward achieving equality for our LGBT community this past year, while preparing for the work ahead in the year to come.
The Black-Tie event begins at 5P with a VIP Reception/Silent Auction for Federal Club & VIP’s.
At 6P the silent auction opens for all guests followed by the dinner program. The After Party begins at 10P with entertainment provided by DJ Carole C, Singer Jess Godwin & DJ Russ Rich. The 30th Annual HRC San Francisco Bay Area Gala Dinner & Silent Auction held at the Westin St. Francis Hotel, 335 Powell Street. For More Info & Tix: HRC.org
Last summer I chatted to
Prop 8 Plaintiffs Kris Perry & Sandy Stier in this exclusive audio interview about their experience being filmed for five years leading up to the Supreme Court decision that found Prop 8 unconstitutional for the HBO documentary THE CASE AGAINST 8 & the affect the experience had on their family.
LISTEN: LISTEN: Marilyn Rosen & Our Fabulous Gay Wedding Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders@OUTTAKE VOICES™ OUTTAKE VOICES™ NOW ON HUFF POST...:) SUPPORT OUTTAKE™ @ OUR EQUALITY STORE
With the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturning the ban on gay & lesbian marriages, Nevada is one of the states to legalize gay marriage. Clark County began accepting marriage applications from gay & lesbian couples on Thursday, Oct. 9th after a day delay. Las Vegas released this statement, “This is a historic day for Las Vegas & the great state of Nevada. As the ‘Wedding Capital of the World’ & one of the top destinations for lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender visitors, Las Vegas welcomes LGBT couples wishing to legally recognize their relationship. There is simply no better destination to host a fabulous wedding followed by a one-of-a-kind honeymoon.” Las Vegas just became a little bit more fabulous with this momentous announcement. Las Vegas is welcoming our LGBT community from one end of the Strip to the other & going above & beyond to ensure every visitor has a memorable experience. Las Vegas is famous for offering everything from elaborate, over-the-top venues to intimate settings that will bring the most romantic dreams to life. That’s why it’s no surprise that nearly 100,000 marriage licenses are issued each year, for couples looking to make it official. Just think how much revenue will be added by our LGBT community to the ‘Wedding Capital of the World". Viva Las Vegas & Congrats! LISTEN: Marilyn Rosen & Our Fabulous Gay Wedding Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders@OUTTAKE VOICES™ OUTTAKE VOICES™ NOW ON HUFF POST...:) SUPPORT OUTTAKE™ @ OUR EQUALITY STORE
Virginia, Utah, Oklahoma, Wisconsin & Indiana marriage equality cases have been denied review by the U.S. Supreme Court which means that gay & lesbian marriage will soon begin in 5 more American states. Theodore Olson Plaintiff’s lead co-counsel in the Virginia case stated, “This is a momentous victory for the constitutional promise of equality, dignity & justice for all Americans. Today, I am proud to call myself a Virginian. With the Commonwealth’s discriminatory marriage ban finally & conclusively struck down, we are one giant step closer to the day that all Americans, not just Virginians, can enjoy their right to marriage equality under the law.” David Boies, Virginia Plaintiff’s lead co-counsel added, “Those who drew & ratified our Constitution over two centuries ago set out to form a more perfect Union. Today, that goal has once again been realized. The unjust & unlawful discrimination imposed by laws like Virginia’s marriage ban have seen their final days. Our Constitution promises freedom & justice for all & today that promise was fulfilled for thousands of gay & lesbian Virginians & their families.” Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02), co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus concluded, “Full equality is here to stay in Wisconsin. The Supreme Court’s rejection of Attorney General Van Hollen’s appeal puts an end to a dark chapter in Wisconsin’s history where many are treated as second-class citizens simply based on who they choose to love. Today’s ruling reaffirms we are all equal under the law.” The Supreme Court decision could make it possible for marriage equality in 30 states. Updates to Come…:)
LISTEN: Marilyn Rosen & Our Fabulous Gay Wedding Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders@OUTTAKE VOICES™ OUTTAKE VOICES™ NOW ON HUFF POST...:) SUPPORT OUTTAKE™ @ OUR EQUALITY STORE
We were really looking forward to watching “Black-ish” the new ABC sitcom but found it alarming with its homophobic references to our LGBT community. Last week GLAAD the LGBT media watchdogs gave ABC a rave review for increasing LGBT characters on TV & then this new sitcom which doesn’t include any LGBT characters took really offensive shots at our community with dialogue like “It looks a little gay” without doing a “Seinfeld” like saying, but there’s nothing wrong with that. You’re left feeling that there is something wrong or second-class about being gay. Up until these anti-gay references were made we were really enjoying the show & found it well written & actually funny. However once we heard the insults to our LGBT community all we could think about was, shame on you ABC. How could a network that has such a fabulous show like “The Fosters” on their network allow such below the belt homophobic dialogue to encourage families that it’s okay to put down our LGBT community? If you want to address gay issues on “Black-ish” then include gay characters to discuss it. The way this sitcom is set up there’s no one to stand up for our LGBT community to educate the audience how this type of stereotyping damages the progress our LGBT families have made in the last decades.
LISTEN: Marilyn Rosen & Our Fabulous Gay Wedding Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders@OUTTAKE VOICES™ OUTTAKE VOICES™ NOW ON HUFF POST...:) SUPPORT OUTTAKE™ @ OUR EQUALITY STORE
The Castro Street Fair is always held on the first Sunday in October & is part of the enduring legacy of Harvey Milk, who founded the Fair in 1974. It’ll be held on October 5th at the corner of Castro & Mission Streets from 11A to 6P in San Francisco. The street fair seeks to honor Milk’s original vision that embodies all that is San Francisco & the Castro, which is an historical, hyper-local, grass-roots event, built to support & reflect the community & its important causes. Like the other flagship LGBT events in the city, part of its mission is to raise money for local non-profits. Every year the Fair supports 20 to 25 beneficiary groups in addition to helping fund the iconic rainbow flag that flies at the corner of Market & Castro. The Castro Street Fair has raised over one million dollars since 1998, a feat that could not have been accomplished without the generous gate donations of attendees. The Castro Street Fair will be a "frooty" good time this year, with performers such as Aiden James, Big Dipper & feel-good cover band Pop Rocks. Local luminary DJs such as Stefanie Philips, Oscar Pineda & Dan DeLeon will provide booty-shakin' beats. Sundance Saloon returns with the wildly popular country western dance area, behind the Castro Theatre. The suggested donation at the gates is $5 to $10 but more is always welcome…:) For More Info: castrostreetfair.org LISTEN: Marilyn Rosen & Our Fabulous Gay Wedding Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders@OUTTAKE VOICES™ OUTTAKE VOICES™ NOW ON HUFF POST...:) SUPPORT OUTTAKE™ @ OUR EQUALITY STORE
In October since 2006 LGBT History Month has provided role models, teaches history, builds community to make an important civil rights statement about our LGBT community’s important contributions. LGBT History Month has announced its 31 LGBT icons for 2014. Each day in October an Icon is featured with a video, bio, downloadable images & other educational resources. Malcolm Lazin, founder of LGBT History Month & Executive Director of Equality Forum stated, “The 279 Icons, including the 31 Icons for 2014, demonstrate the impressive & diverse international impact of the LGBT community.” George Chauncey, Samuel Knight Professor of American History & Chair of the History Department, Yale University added, “LGBT History Month sends an important message to our nation’s teachers, school boards, community leaders & youth about the vital importance of recognizing and exploring the role of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in American history." The LGBT community is the only community worldwide that is not taught its history at home, in public schools or in religious institutions. LGBT History Month provides role models, builds community & makes the civil rights statement of our extraordinary national & international contributions. Gay and Lesbian History Month was endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association & other national organizations. WATCH VIDEO:
GLAAD the LGBT media advocacy organization, for the first time in the same year rates 3 networks ABC Family, HBO & MTV as "Excellent" in its eighth annual Network Responsibility Index. GLAAD also finds 3.9% of regular characters in primetime scripted broadcast to be LGBT in their 19th Where We Are on TV report which is an increase from 3.3% last year. Sarah Kate Ellis GLAAD President & CEO stated, "Television networks are playing a key role in promoting cultural understanding of LGBT lives around the world & are now producing some of the best LGBT-inclusive programming we've yet seen. As they move forward with new programs & storylines, networks must also keep an eye towards diversity & strive to include significant transgender content comparable to those efforts being made by their online competitors, such as Netflix's Orange is the New Black & Amazon's Transparent." Tom Ascheim, President of ABC Family added, "To be relevant to our audience, we must reflect the world as they experience it & we know that experience is based on valuing loving relationships, no matter the gender. This acknowledgment is especially gratifying because it means we are representing their view accurately. We will continue to deliver programming where differences are acknowledged & celebrated." GLAAD also counted 64 regular & 41 recurring LGBT characters on primetime scripted cable series. For More Info: glad.org LISTEN: Marilyn Rosen & Our Fabulous Gay Wedding Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders@OUTTAKE VOICES™ OUTTAKE VOICES™ NOW ON HUFF POST...:) SUPPORT OUTTAKE™ @ OUR EQUALITY STORE
Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
