Tax Guide For LGBT Taxpayers

As the deadline approaches early next week for federal & state taxes the National LGBTQ Task Force has launched a groundbreaking income tax preparation guide entitled “Queer Our Taxes” for lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender people. The new taxpayer resource is intended to guide LGBTQ people with questions they might want to ask when sitting in front of their tax preparer or program. The first-of-its-kind guide translates complicated income tax form information in a way that is more understandable and accessible for LGBTQ people. Meghan Maury, Criminal and Economic Justice Director, National LGBTQ Task Force stated, “LGBTQ people are disproportionally more likely to live at or below the poverty line—they are also often the most in need of income tax information & least able to access it. The straight-forward information in this guide will empower LGBTQ people to get credits & deductions that lift millions of people out of poverty. Most LGBTQ people don’t know that you can deduct out of pocket costs for transition-related care including surgery. Many of us also don’t know that you may be able to claim a large credit for adoption related expenses.” The new publication is part of the organization’s “Queer Our Taxes” effort, a public education & advocacy campaign focused on securing economic justice for LGBTQ people. You can download the guide at the link below.
For More Info: queerourtaxes.org
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GMCLA Voice Awards Event

Ross Mathews & Pauley Perrette will host the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles 5th Annual Voice Awards with Focus Features, The Trevor Project CEO Abbe Land & Human Rights Advocate Subhi Nahas named as this year’s honorees on Saturday, April 23rd at the famed Ray Dolby Ballroom in the heart of Hollywood. The festivities will included special appearances by Paula Abdul, Alex Newell, Transparent’s Amy Landecker, Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil of India & many others. Chris Verdugo, Executive Director of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles stated, “This year’s Voice Award honorees embody character, courage & conviction magnifying the need for education, justice, protection, acceptance & equality. Each award recipient, in their own right, has given a voice to those who have been disenfranchised, forgotten & silenced. They are fearless & fierce in their drive to support the LGBT community & create a more harmonious world.” Each year GMCLA hosts the Voice Awards gala & silent auction to honor members of the community who advance the world, refute silence, lend a voice to the oppressed, exhibit leadership & give hope to those living under the weight of silence. The high-profile charity event raises vital funds for GMCLA’s programmatic work that encourages diversity & acceptance through the performing arts in schools across the United States. Individual tickets for the Voice Awards are $400 & VIP tickets are $600 that include preferred seating at the gala & an invitation to an exclusive reception on Friday, April 22nd at a private residence.
For Info & Tix: gmcla.org
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AG Maura Healey Honored

Comedian Kate Clinton greeted all attendees at Fenway Health's 25th Women's Dinner Party with a happy 25th anniversary song. More than 1,100 lesbian, bisexual women & their allies came together at the Boston Marriott Copley Place on Saturday April 9th for this fabulous elegant fundraiser that raised over $500,000 in support of the life-saving programs & services at Fenway Health. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey was this year’s recipient of the Dr. Susan M. Love Award. AG Healey was honored for her work on LGBT civil rights & marriage equality & for being an out & proud LGBT politician. Healey stated, “I’m beyond honored to receive the Dr. Susan M. Love award at Fenway Health's 25th Women's Dinner Party. I dedicate this award to transgender people across this state & across this country. I've got your back.” Director of Women's Health Dr. Jenny Potter talked about the importance of great healthcare for women. Celebrity Chef Tiffani Faison helped get the crowd pumped for their live auction that raised thousands of dollars to support Fenway Health’s mission which is to enhance the wellbeing of our LGBT community & all people in our neighborhoods & beyond. The evening concluded with dancing to the awesome sounds of Splash. This year’s event was made possible thanks to the hard work of event co-chairs Lauren K. Matysiak, Kendra E. Moore, PhD & Carol A. Roby as well as the support of their generous corporate sponsors.
Listen to Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey talk about the Fenway Health’s event & LGBT issues:
For More Info: fenwayhealth.org
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Dr. Cammermeyer To Be Honored

Dr. Grethe Cammermeyer who was brilliantly portrayed by Glenn Close in the 1995 Lifetime movie will be inducted into the LGBT OutServe-SLDN Hall of Heroes National Dinner will take place on the last night of the 5th Annual LGBT Military Conference in Washington, DC that runs from May 19 to 22nd. Cammermeyer was born in Oslo, Norway during the Nazi occupation. At 17 Dr. Cammermeyer attended the University of Maryland. By 1960 she became an American citizen. In 1961 she heard about the Army Student Nurse Program & joined the military. Lt. Cammermeyer then went on active duty after graduation in 1963. Her first active duty assignment was basic training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas where she & others learned to salute, wear the uniform, march & carry patients on litters through the desert terrain of Camp Bullis. Rising to the rank of Colonel Cammermeyer in 1988 she accepted the position of Chief Nurse of the Washington State National Guard. In 1989 during an interview for top-secret clearance, to apply for the War College, she told the military "I am a lesbian". She was then separated from the military despite an exemplary military & civilian professional record. In June 1992 her attorneys filed suit challenging the existing ban on homosexuals in the military & requesting her reinstatement. In & out of court for an ensuing 25 months until finally Judge Thomas Zilly ruled the policy was unconstitutional & based on prejudice. Dr. Cammermeyer was then reinstated in the National Guard in June of 1994 & resumed her previous position as Chief Nurse. In March 1997 after 31 years of dedicated service to America she retired with full military privileges.
For More Info & Tix: lgbtmilitary.org
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LGBT Executive Networking Event

Boston Spirit Magazine’s 2016 LGBT Executive Networking Night takes place on Wednesday April 13th at the Copley Marriott Hotel. The Keynote Speaker will be Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. In these times of homophobic legislation being considered in many Southern states, Republican Governor Baker is a fierce ally for our LGBT community. David Zimmerman Publisher of Boston Spirit Magazine stated, “On Wednesday night, April 13th, Boston Spirit will be holding it's 10th annual LGBT Executive Networking Night. Join more than 1,000 LGBT corporate professionals & 50 exhibitors for a great night of networking & professional development. There will be an expert presentation on "Building Your Brand; Increasing Your Professional Value" & a Keynote speech by our featured speaker Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.” “Building Your Personal Brand” will be led by nationally known author & speaker Jenn T. Grace. Jenn is widely known as a leader on this topic & this promises to be an amazing session. There will also be a new session in which Laura Studen & Carla Reeves from Burns & Levinson will discuss the recent state of religious freedom & public accommodation bills that have emerged in several states effecting our LGBT community. So don't miss out on hearing the Governor Baker speak, checking out the professional development sessions, the chance to meet with 40+ exhibitors & the chance to network with approximately 1,000 other LGBT professionals from the Greater Boston area. There is a $10 admission fee at the door to attend the event.
TO RSVP…
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Trans United Fund Established

A diverse group of transgender & allied individuals have announced the launch of the Trans United Fund, historically the first political advocacy organization committed to building the political power of transgender communities & allies to advocate for full equality for our transgender community. Trans United Fund’s mission is engaging transgender communities & allies in the political process by building political leadership & endorsing candidates with a commitment to transgender equality & a pro-transgender platform. Trans United Fund has also developed a Presidential Candidate Questionnaire that will be distributed to all potential candidate as part of the 2016 election cycle which will provide a legislative scorecard program & efforts related to building political power in the trans communities & educating allies. Hayden Mora, a founding member of the Trans United Fund stated, “The transgender community is no stranger to adversity but what we face today is a new challenge, a coordinated, national & vicious attack from the far right at municipal, school district & legislative levels. Trans United Fund will fill a crucial gap in our movement, creating a space for transgender people & our allies. We can not only fight these vicious political attacks that cater to fear & division, we must build a proactive politics to address other issues that impact our community - from HIV to homelessness to immigration and the horrific epidemic of violence.” Trans United Fund is a bi-partisan 501(c)(4) organization & is organized around the belief that endorsement & community support must be earned through both a commitment to & demonstration of support for trans people.
For More Info: transunitedfund.org
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Equality California LGBT Awards

The San Francisco Equality Awards will honor U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, actor & activist George Takei, businessperson & philanthropist Kathy Levinson & former San Francisco Supervisor & civic leader Bevan Dufty at Equality California's annual 2016 San Francisco Equality Awards for their extraordinary service to the LGBT community. The event takes place at the Westin St. Francis Hotel on 335 Powell Street in San Francisco Saturday April 2nd from 6P to11P. Co-chairs of the 2016 San Francisco Equality Awards are San Francisco Supervisor David Campos, San Francisco Supervisor Mark Farrell & Equality California Board members Senator Ricardo Lara, Andrea Casalett & Boe Hayward. The event is sponsored by AT&T, Gilead Sciences, La Crema, Prophet, PG&E, Sempra Energy, Southwest Airlines & State Farm Insurance. Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBT civil rights organization dedicated to creating a fair & just society. Their mission is to achieve & maintain full & lasting equality, acceptance & social justice for all people in our diverse LGBT communities, inside & outside of California. Their mission includes advancing the health & well being of LGBT Californians through direct healthcare service advocacy & education. Through electoral, advocacy, education & mobilization programs they strive to create a broad & diverse alliance of LGBT people, educators, government officials, communities of color & faith, labor, business & social justice communities to achieve our goals.
 For Info & Tix: eqca.org
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