Provincetown Women's Week 2016

The 32nd Women's Week takes place in Provincetown, Massachusetts from October 10th through October 16th. Founded in 1984 by several entrepreneurial & fabulous lesbian innkeepers it began as an intimate clambake that has become one of the longest & largest running lesbian events in history. One of the highlights this year is "Bride Pride" a massive lesbian wedding organized by Alli Baldwin & Ilene Mitnick who own Roux Bed & Breakfast which will occur on October 15th on the lawn of their inn & will be officiated by comedian & LGBT activist Kate Clinton. Baldwin stated, “When Kate is conducting the ceremony & all the women say their vows simultaneously, there will just be a hum of love. It’s just going to be a love fest on the front lawn. It’s going to be an absolutely beautiful day.” "Bride Pride" is just one of more than 100 events taking place next week. Over the past 32 years Women's Week has grown far beyond anyone's expectation. Comics, drag performers, jazz, blues & contemporary musicians have all performed in years past & continue to come back to entertain those celebrating during this special week. Some of these include iconic & award-winning LGBT entertainers include Lily Tomlin, Zoe Lewis, Kate Clinton, Karen Williams, Cris Williamson, Suede, Karen Grenier, Susan Werner, Julie Goldman, Mary Lambert, Our Lady J, Poppy Champlin, Scout Durwood, Jennie McNulty & Suzanne Westenhoefer.
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LGBT Rate Presidential Candidates

Hopefully the presidential candidates will address our LGBT issues & concerns in the next debate with the election less than a month away. In the meantime Harlem United & Fenway Health have launched a campaign to educate voters on six key health equity issues: LGBT equality, HIV/AIDS, healthcare, substance use, mental health & housing. The campaign consists of social media, a website & an in-depth report on the candidates & party platforms. Sean Cahill, Ph.D., Director of Health Policy at The Fenway Institute of Fenway Health stated, “There are some striking & surprising differences among the four candidates for president on LGBT equality, HIV & health equity issues. We encourage voters to consider candidates’ positions on housing policy, health policy & other critical issues.” Jacquelyn Kilmer, Esq., CEO of Harlem United concluded, “With the election less than a month away, debate needs to move beyond emails & beauty queens to life & death issues like housing, health care, mental health, substance use & basic legal & social equality. This new report and online resource will help ensure that voters will consider these issues that matter when casting their vote.” Voters can find detailed information on the record & positions of Donald Trump & the Republican Party Platform; the record & positions of Hillary Clinton & the Democratic Party Platform; the record as well as positions of Jill Stein & the Green Party Platform & the record & positions of Gary Johnson & the Libertarian Party Platform. The report also describes the records of the GOP & Democratic Vice Presidential candidates on our issues.
For More Info: harlemunited.org
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New York TransPac Event

TransPAC the only political action committee in New York State dedicated to advancing transgender rights is having a reception Thursday October 6th from 6:30P to 8P in NYC. TransPAC’s sole objective for 2016 is to elect a Senate majority capable of passing GENDA & LGBT-friendly legislation. Special Guest speakers will include New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman & Speaker of the City Council Melissa Mark-Viverito, Public Advocate Letitia James, Comptroller Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, State Senator Brad Hoylman, State Senator Daniel Squadron, State Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried, Council Member Daniel Dromm, Council Member Corey Johnson, Council Member Linda Rosenthal, Former State Senator Tom Duane & Author & Strut TV Model Dominique "Tyra A. Ross" Jackson. Founded in 2014 by LGBT activists Juli Grey-Owens, Jeffrey Friedman, Barbara Salva & Betsy Malcolm, TransPAC is a political action committee dedicated to achieving full and equal rights for transgender people. Also in attendance will be Marilyn Abalos, Erik Bottcher, Elyse Buxbaum, Sean Coleman, Terri Cook, Dale Corvino, Mitch Draizin, Jeff Friedman, Juli Grey-Owens, Jordan Jacobs, Craig Kaplan & Anne Hess, Michael Kink, Sarah Kovner, Kate Linker, Maria Mahl, Jean Malpas, Matthew McMorrow, Laura Morrison, Hari Nef, Eunic Ortiz, Rhonda Patillo, Andy Praschak, Allen Roskoff, Kiara St. James, Barbara Salva, Bill Samuels, Tony Simone, Barbra Casbar Siperstein, Melissa Sklarz, Abby Stein, Jill Weiss, Evan Wolfson & Mel Wymore.
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Tilda Swinton Speaks OUT

Fierce LGBT ally Tilda Swinton is gracing the cover of OUT Magazine for its November issue. In her interview with longtime friend Hilton Als they discuss everything from sexual orientation to trading literature with David Bowie. The celebrated performance artist, model & fashion muse talks about her most memorable performances & her upcoming projects, including joining the Marvel universe as The Ancient One in Doctor Strange. On her queer aesthetic Swinton stated, “I have lived for my entire adult life closely integrated into a queer aesthetic, occasionally in situations where I may have been – for months at a time – either the only cis woman present or the only person in a heterosexual relationship, without particularly questioning why it might be strange for me to be included. The issue of sexuality is a secondary one to the issue of spirit. Queerness is an attitude that, when acknowledged as shared, can bring more people together than could ever be divided by it being used as a term of rejection. I think this attitude is what I carry above my head, without any effort or influence.” On her close relationship with David Bowie she added, “We talked about literature a lot, actually & used to send each other recent finds & old passions. One of the things I am happiest about in my life is introducing him to the essays of Montaigne, which I’ve loved since I was a teenager. And he sent me Bruges-la-Morte by Rodenbach, for which I am forever grateful. Beyond all the myriad things to miss, I miss our conversation most badly.”
Read More: out.com
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Pope Francis Transgender Intolerant

Pope Francis has done it again as he met with a French father whose young son wanted to transition after reading about it in a textbook the Pope stated, "This is against nature. It is one thing when someone has this tendency & it is another matter to teach this in school. To change the mentality -- I call this ideological colonization." The National LGBTQ Task Force described Pope Francis’ remarks about transgender people as deeply hurtful to millions. Rev. Rodney McKenzie, Jr., Director of the Academy for Leadership 7 Action, National LGBTQ Task Force stated, “When Pope Francis made his now famous ‘who am I to judge’ remarks, LGBTQ people of faith were hopeful of real change in the Roman Catholic church. Now millions of people are deeply hurt by what Pope Francis has said about transgender & gender non-conforming people, which reveals a profound lack of knowledge & empathy. We urge the pontiff to educate himself about the realities of transgender people’s lives & to welcome & affirm transgender & gender non-conforming people rather than reject & dehumanize them.” The Pope said he still spends time with transgender people, leading them closer to God. Obviously the Pope Francis needs to meet some trans folks that can open his mind & heart. Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director of New Ways Ministry concluded, "The pontiff's remarks are further evidence that church officials need desperately to educate themselves about the lives & experiences of LGBT people."
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LGBT History Month Icons (Video)

Equality Forum is celebrating their 11th annual LGBT History Month during October with the acknowledgment of 31 LGBT icons who have made important civil rights contributions for our LGBT community. Each day in October an Icon is featured with a video, bio, downloadable images & other educational resources. The DNC stated, “As LGBT History Month begins, we have so much progress to celebrate. From the Stonewall uprising to the many victories during the Obama presidency including ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell & the Supreme Court wins that enacted marriage equality our nation has made enormous strides…. If we hope to build on the progress of the last seven years, we must elect Hillary Clinton & Democrats up and down the ballot, across the country.” The 2016 LGBT Icons being honored this year include pioneering activist Virginia Apuzzo, singer actress Josephine Baker, Prime Minister of Luxemberg Xavier Bettel, journalist Charles Blow, activist & government official Brian Bond, transgender activist Chaz Bono, rock star David Bowie, US President James Buchanan, activist author Jeanne Córdova, presidential advisor Midge Costanza, transgender pioneer & painter Lili Elbe. Israeli gay pioneer & scientist Uzi Even, entrepreneur Malcolm Forbes, psychiatrist & Dr. H. Anonymous John Fryer, poet & activist Essex Hemphill, Indian gay pioneer & journalist Ashok Row Kavi, social activist Frances Kellor, journalist & LGBT historian Jim Kepner, gay pioneer Kay Lahusen, playwright Terrence McNally, transgender activist & author Janet Mock, basketball coach Sherri Murrell, long distance swimmer, Diana Nyad, Pioneer activist Jean O’Leary, marriage equality hero James Obergefell, actress Ellen Page, neurologist & author Oliver Sacks, US general Tammy Smith, DNC treasure Andrew Tobias, immigration activist Jose Antonio Vargas & biologist & AIDS activist Bruce Voeller. WATCH VIDEO
 
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Massachusetts Transgender Equality

In Massachusetts today “An Act Relative to Transgender Anti-Discrimination” goes into effect that prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity in public places making the Commonwealth the 18th state to do so. The Massachusetts law clearly & explicitly extends protections to transgender people to ensure our fair & equal access to spaces like restaurants, hospitals & public transportation. Jennifer Levi GLAD Transgender Rights Project Director stated, “Today, thanks to years of steadfast work by the transgender community, our family members & loved ones, dedicated transgender & ally organizations, partners & supportive businesses, our non-discrimination laws now fully recognize the dignity & humanity of transgender people. Because of this our laws are more fair & our Commonwealth is stronger. Thank you for all you’ve done to make it happen.” Of course opponents of transgender equality have collected signatures in hopes of putting this law up for a popular vote in 2018. The verification process for those signatures will take time & nothing will be final until every signature is validated by the Secretary of State. So we can only speculate about whether that will happen. In the meantime Massachusetts joins 17 other states, Washington D.C. & more than 200 cities & towns across the country that have passed non-discrimination laws protecting gender identity in public spaces. We look forward to a day when all are treated with respect, fairly & equally, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity & expression, or race & ethnicity. 
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