Queer Woman of Color Film Fest

This weekend the Queer Woman of Color Media Arts Project presents the 12th annual Queer Woman of Color Film Festival that takes place June 10th through June 12th in San Francisco, California at the Brava Theatre. Opening Night Screening is “Magical Fantastical” on Friday June 10th at 7:30P. “Magical Fantastical” bestows the night with sparkling delight, from the sorcery of stereotypes that threaten a bisexual Chicana & the loving allure of femme friends to the rites of queer community through Cumbia. On Saturday June 11th there’s a important Filmmaker Roundtable entitled “Exponential Hustle” at 3P. Then the Featured Screening on Saturday is “Wages of Injustice” at 7P. “Wages of Injustice” reveals the sleight of hand it takes to live & love amidst poverty & income inequality. On Sunday the Centerpiece Screening is “Encuentros Con Amor” on June 12th at 2P. “Encuentros Con Amor” is a remarkable international program of queer & trans films from Latin America that includes QWOCMAP Films from Tijuana, Mexico. Then the Closing Night Screening is “Haven Bound” on Sunday June 12th at 6P. “Haven Bound,” summons the blessings of family from an Asian mother & daughter facing loss to safe havens for Black women, from the grace of Lebanese-Palestinian families to the adoption of all kinds of kids, these films invoke the blessing of wholeness. QWOCMAP creates, exhibits & distributes new films that authentically reflect the lives of queer women of color & addresses the vital social justice issues that concern multiple communities. They actively bridge seemingly disparate populations to transform & empower our filmmakers, audiences & communities through art, activism & community building. The 2016 Queer Women of Color Film Festival is absolutely FREE of charge.
For More Info: qwocmap.org
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Transgender Workplace Equality

The National LGBTQ Task Force & the District of Columbia (DC) Office of Human Rights have published a new resource to help eliminate workplace discrimination against transgender & gender non-conforming people. The guide “Valuing Transgender Applicants & Employees” provides in depth best practices intended to help employers across the nation create a genuinely inclusive & welcoming workplace environment for transgender people. Victoria Rodríguez-Roldán, Trans/Gender Nonconforming Justice Project Director, National LGBTQ Task Force stated, “Everyone, including transgender people, deserve a fair chance at a good paying job & the ability to provide for themselves & their families. Transgender people face formidable discrimination & harassment in the workplace. This new resource provides vital recommendations for employers & human resource specialists looking to ensure that transgender people are treated with dignity & respect in the workplace.” Currently 19 states & Washington DC have explicit workplace nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity & expression. Among the most progressive & comprehensive non-discrimination laws that include gender identity or expression is DC’s Human Rights Act (HRA). Mónica Palacio, Director of the DC Office of Human Rights concluded, “While many jurisdictions across the nation do not have explicit protections for transgender workers, in the District of Columbia we are fortunate to have a strong law that prohibits employment discrimination against transgender people. Yet many times employers that want to create welcoming environments are unsure of how best to do that. We believe this best practices guide will be an important starting place for those employers that want to build transgender-inclusive workplaces.”
Download Trans Guide…
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Lambda Literary Award Winners

The winners of the 28th LGBT Annual Lambda Literary Awards (the "Lammys") were announced last night in a gala ceremony hosted by comedienne Kate Clinton at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. The Lambda ceremony brought together over 500 attendees, sponsors & celebrities to celebrate excellence in LGBT literature & 28 years of the groundbreaking literary awards. As master of ceremonies, Clinton once again took the stage, stating, "Welcome to the Skirball Center, our new home! Thank you careful & constant readers. It's like Words With Friends in real life. Reading takes me away." Broadway star & Style Rookie editor Tavi Gevinson introduced Hilton Als, New Yorker writer & author of the award winning, “White Girls”, who received the Trustee Award for Excellence in Literature. Native poet Natalie Diaz introduced the celebrated poet Eileen Myles, who received Lambda's Pioneer Award. Tony Valenzuela, Lambda Literary Executive Director stated, "Throughout tonight's ceremony we were reminded of the impact that LGBT literature has on people's lives. Congratulations to all the winners and honorees." Some of the presenters who graced the stage included Richard Blanco, Kate Bornstein, Natalie Diaz, Tim Federle, Tavi Gevinson, Silas Howard, Paul Rudnick, Ira Sachs, Rakesh Satyal & Pamela Sneed. The celebration continued at Le Poisson Rouge at the Official After-Party with celebrity DJs Sammy Jo & Tikka Masala, VJ Bleue Liverpool & an electrifying performance by Macy Rodman.
For Winner List…
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Designing Women 2016 Awards

New York Women In Film & Television (NYWIFT) will present their annual Designing Women Honoring Costume, Makeup & Hair Designers on Monday June 13th at Proshansky Auditorium, 365 Fifth Avenue in NYC at 7P. Designing Women includes the presentation of an award to a costume designer, a makeup artist & a hair stylist as well as the presentation of the Variety Ensemble Award to the entire costume, hair & makeup design team from a television series or a movie. This year they're honoring Costume Designer Sarah Edwards (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Michael Clayton), Hair Stylist Rose Chatterton (Shades of Blue, The Knick, It’s Complicated), Makeup Artist Anita Gibson (Confirmation, Power, For Colored Girls) & The Variety Ensemble Award will be presented to the costume, makeup & hair design team of “The Affair” starring Ruth Wilson, Dominick West & Maura Tierney. Designing Women Presenters will include Will Arnett, Lela Loren, Ray Liotta & Maura Tierney. Andrew Kozinn President Saint Laurie Merchant Tailors stated, “For many years, I have chaired the Benefit Committee for Designing Women. It is a great honor for me to do so. I was blown away by the scope & relevance of this extraordinary event. At my family’s business, Saint Laurie Merchant Tailors, we make tailored costumes for film & television & work with gifted female costumes designers. I jumped at the opportunity to thank these women along with female hair & make-up artists, all of whom rarely get the recognition they deserve. Designing Women is the only entertainment awards event of its kind.”
For Info & Tix…
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Comcast Profits Celebrating Pride

Comcast once again is exploiting our LGBT Pride Month by featuring a special collection of films & TV shows available on Xfinity On Demand for sale or rent in their LGBT Pride Collection. Jean-Claire Fitschen, Executive Director, Multicultural Consumer Services in Diversity stated, “Our company is committed to identifying & expanding opportunities for members of the LGBT community through recruitment, career development, supplier diversity & community investment. We also show our support through programming & in celebration of LGBT Pride Month, we have created a unique, curated On Demand experience that recognizes the impact & contribution of lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender individuals.” This year some of the titles offered are Gayby Baby, Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word, MIND/GAME: The Unquiet Journey of Chamique Holdsclaw, Circumstance, Suited, Mala Mala, I’m So Excited & Four Moons. TV offerings include RuPaul’s Drag Race, Gay for Play, I Am Jazz, Big Freedia, EJ & the City, The Fosters & customers can also catch up on the full season of Gaycation. They’ve even throw in Here TV listings & the NetFlix series Grace & Frankie but all of these programs are offered at a price unless you have premium Comcast packages that include the network offerings. Comcast claims that “Diversity & Inclusion isn’t just an objective we strive to meet; it‘s critical to our success…” But don’t you agree that if Comcast really has a commitment to our LGBT community they would offer these programs for free to educate & advance global LGBTQ diversity.
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Massachusetts Transgender Equality

Finally Massachusetts has advanced equality for our transgender community after years of brave & unwavering work by our LGBT community, family members, allies, businesses, faith leaders & community organizations we are inches from full equality for transgender people in the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts House of Representatives’ voted 116-36 on June 1st to pass HB 4343, An Act Relative to Transgender Anti-Discrimination. Governor Baker has stated he will sign the bill into law when it reaches his desk. Deborah Shields MassEquality Executive Director stated, “MassEquality applauds the House of Representatives’ vote to pass HB 4343 today & joins the transgender community in celebrating this milestone in transgender rights in Massachusetts. The bill passed by a veto-proof majority of 116-36. This historic vote clears the way for full
anti-discrimination protection for transgender people across Massachusetts & is a significant victory in the face of the disturbing trend of legislation targeting transgender people & undermining their basic civil rights being introduced in states & municipalities across the country. We extend our sincere thanks to Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo & bill co-sponsors Denise Provost & Byron Rushing for their strong support of the bill & their leadership on this important issue. We also thank the 116 Representatives who voted today to extend the Commonwealth’s anti-discrimination law to cover transgender people & finally close the glaring gap in legal protection that was left open with the signing of the Transgender Equal Rights Law in 2012. With their vote, they have affirmed the principle that discrimination has no place in Massachusetts."
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The State Of Marriage (AUDIO)

The documentary “The State Of Marriage” will be presented by NewFest at The Center on Thursday June 2nd at 208 W 13 Street in NYC at 7P. The film tells the story of the courageous individuals who pioneered the 20-year fight for marriage equality in Vermont. The untold story is how legal pioneer Mary Bonauto partnered with small town Vermont lawyers Beth Robinson & Susan Murray in a 2 decade long struggle that built the foundation for the entire marriage equality movement. Despite fierce opposition Vermont became the first state to grant gay & lesbian couples legal recognition through a groundbreaking 1999 State Supreme Court decision. Marty Rouse HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse stated, "They really changed the course of American history." The film was written, directed & produced by Jeff Kaufman & co-produced by Marcia S. Ross who are fierce LGBT allies. Tickets to the film are $15 & includes admission to the screening, post-show talkback & complimentary reception with filmmakers Jeff Kaufman, Marcia S. Ross, Susan Murray, co-founder of Vermont Freedom to Marry, Roberta Kaplan, lead attorney in United States v. Winsor & Marty Rouse, National Field Director for the Human Rights Campaign. “The State Of Marriage” had its World Premiere in 2015 at the Provincetown International Film Festival is now available on iTunes & VOD. We talked to Jeff Kaufman & Marcia S. Ross at PIFF in this exclusive audio sound byte:
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