Marriage Equality Update (AUDIO)

Marriages for gay & lesbian couples is beginning to slow down. However since June 26th 2015 when the United States Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that state-level bans on gay & lesbian marriages are unconstitutional over 200,000 same gender marriages have taken place. Though marriage equality is now the law of the land there are still a few hold out states with seven counties in Alabama & one in Texas that refuse to issue marriage licenses. The good news is we are entering a more stable era for gay & lesbian wedding as our LGBTQ community is beginning to mirror the general population. One issue that we still must address is the term same-sex marriage that was a created by Karl Rove & unfortunately our LGBTQ community adopted that effectively raises a red flag for the religious right by using the word “sex” which probably delayed marriage equality from becoming the law of the land for at least 5 years. Never use this term. I cringe when I hear mainstream media uses this term because all you can hear is the redundancy of the word sex. I mean really, have you ever heard anyone from our LGBTQ community when talking within the community say “I’m in a same-sex marriage”, probably not. Use the terms, marriage equality, gay & lesbian marriage or just marriage. I talked about this issue with marriage icon Edie Windsor in this exclusive audio byte: LISTEN:
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New LGBT Community Survey

Community Marketing & Insights recently revealed their 2017 annual LGBT community survey results from 17,300 LGBTs living in the United States with an interesting spin on LGBT rights, safety & equality with the changing political environment in this country. The survey showed that our LGBT community feels less secure than it did in the recent past with 82% indicating that they fear the loss of LGBT civil rights recently gained. Also overall our LGBT community members are feeling negative about the political & social direction of the country across every indicator tested with 85% indicating that the country is heading in the wrong direction & 85% reporting increased fear of hate crime violence. Another interesting part of the survey is LGBT friendly perceptions of country, state & community with 56% of LGBT community members living the United States consider the United States to be LGBT friendly compared to 98% of Canadians who consider Canada to be LGBT friendly. However most LGBT participants in the United States considered their local community to be LGBT friendly (82%), which may be an indication that we move to places where we feel more welcomed. The state-by-state analysis is interesting as people living in “blue” states had high praise for their state & local community & those living in deep “red” states had negative perceptions of their state but more positive perceptions of their local community. Community Marketing & Insights has provided LGBT research, market insights, strategies & training to corporate leaders, non-profits, universities & government institutions around the world since 1992.
For More Info: communitymarketinginc.com
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Artem Kolesov Benefit Concert

There will be a benefit concert “From Russia with Love” in Chicago to help Russian born LGBTQ Violinist Artem Kolesov flee persecution from Russia on Saturday August 26th at the Hoover-Artem Theatre at 7P. Artem Kolesov is the 23-year old gay man who caught the world’s attention when he came out earlier this year on YouTube as part of a Russian "Children-404" project that invites teenagers to share their stories & discuss LGBT issues in Russia. In most of their photos & videos, participants shield their identities by holding up a sign in front of their faces but Kolesov did not. While his courageous move caught international attention it also means that he can never return home. His dream is to insure his safety by obtaining U.S. citizenship. Kolesov now lives in Chicago where he is first violinist in the Yas Quartet, which is in residence at Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts. Earlier this summer Kolesov was honored at the Logo TV Trailblazers Awards. Last year his ensemble took third prize in the Chamber Division at the Schoenfeld International String Competition held in Harbin, China. The concert entitled “From Russia with Love: A benefit concert for Artem Kolesov & other LGBTQ refugees fleeing persecution” will feature a performance by Kolesov & the YAS Quartet and others. Tickets start at $50 & all proceeds will benefit legal costs associated with Kolesov’s pursuit of U.S citizenship, American Friends of Rainbow Railroad & Chicago LGBT Asylum Support Program (CLASP).
For Info & Tix…
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The L Word To Return (AUDIO)

It appears that Showtime is currently developing another season of the fabulous hit lesbian drama The L Word. Co-creator Ilene Chaiken will be an executive producer as well as Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moenig & Leisha Hailey will executive-produce & appear on the series. Jennifer Beals stated, “When the election happened I remember I was in South Dakota watching the returns come in & I texted Ilene & I said, ‘We need to do something.” Ilene Chaiken stated, “Let’s get together & talk about it.” Jennifer Beals added, “So we were spitballing about what to do & I said our skill set is storytelling & I think we need to tell stories & certainly in an atmosphere of increasing hatred towards the LGBT community & frankly anyone who’s categorized as ‘other’ stories exploring the complexities of friendship & love are all that more crucial. Representation of everything. You can’t go backward. I would love to see the show continue to mine its original themes of friendship & love & community & additionally I’d like it to go a little further & challenge hetero-normalcy. I learned what activism is through The L Word & that was life-changing.” Other characters from the original series may also pop up & will be paired with a whole new cast of women. I hope iconic actor Pam Grier will return. I talked to Pam a few years ago about how appearing on The L Word changed her life in this exclusive audio byte. LISTEN: 
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Transgender Faith In England

It’s been reported that the General Synod of the Church of England has officially passed a motion welcoming & affirming transgender people to the church. A top bishop also declared that being LGBT is "not a sin." The motion stated, "That this Synod, recognizing the need for transgender people to be welcomed & affirmed in their parish church, call on the House of Bishops to consider whether some nationally commended liturgical materials might be prepared to mark a person's gender transition." The official vote went overwhelmingly in favor of welcoming transgender people with 30 for the motion & two opposed in the House of Bishops; 127 who backed the motion & 28 against it in the House of Clergy; &127 for & 48 against in the House of Laity. Rev. Christopher Newlands of the Blackburn Diocesan Synod stated, "I hope that we can make a powerful statement to say that we believe that trans people are cherished & loved by God, who created them & is present through all the twists and turns of their lives." Also during the synod's weekend session the church body also backed a motion calling for a ban on "conversion therapy". One of the most senior officials Rev. John Sentamu, The Archbishop of York stated, "As the world listens to us, the world needs to hear us say that LGBT orientation & identity is not a crime." Let’s hope that here in America religious communities heed the advancements of the Church of England & stop the hate.
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LGBT Civil Rights At Risk

Donald Trump has once again attacked our LGBTQ community by nominating Eric Dreiband the lawyer responsible for implementing North Carolina’s backward "bathroom bill" to serve as the Department of Justice's head of Civil Rights Enforcement. Rick Zbur, Executive Director of Equality California stated, “Once again, a nomination by Donald Trump is sending a terrible signal to LGBTQ Americans in general & to transgender people in particular. North Carolina’s HB 2 is one of the most anti-LGBTQ pieces of state legislation in recent history & to pick Eric Dreiband one of its legal champions for this important position makes it clear that we cannot count on Trump to protect the rights of LGBTQ Americans. As we opposed the nominations of others in the growing ranks of anti-LGBTQ members of the Trump Administration, we soundly oppose Dreiband’s nomination for a post vital to the civil rights of millions of vulnerable Americans. We urge every member of the U.S. Senate to firmly oppose his confirmation to ensure that the job of the assistant attorney general is executed as intended to protect the civil rights of the most vulnerable.” If confirmed this homophobic man would be responsible for overseeing the Justice Department's efforts on voting rights, employment, disability & immigration discrimination, police brutality & transgender issues, among other matters central to the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ Americans, women & disabled people, including those living with HIV & AIDS. Like other Trump nominations Dreiband has no working experience in most of these areas. (Graphic by Richard Emmanuel)
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Classic Whitney: Alive! In NYC

Kevin Smith Kirkwood who is currently appearing on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical "Kinky Boots" will bring “Classic Whitney: Alive!” back to Joe’s Pub at The Public in NYC on Monday July 31st at 9:30P. After playing to packed houses at The Cutting Room & Joe’s Pub Kirkwood will again channel the voice, look & spirit of the late legend Whitney Houston with new songs & new costumes. Once again Whitney will ascend from the choir of heaven & inhabits the body of Kirkwood to perform renditions of special live concert arrangements of hits from the diva’s incredible catalog. The show was hailed by critics as pitch perfect, thrilling & raves that Kirkwood’s good-natured performance delivered Whitney at her best. Backed by a full band & three back-up singers who also play guests including her mother Cissy Houston, brother Gary & Bobby Brown, Kirkwood serves Whitney realness with a script that is constructed from excerpts of her live concert banter & interviews, “Classic Whitney: Alive!” is the ultimate Whitney tribute from the ultimate Whitney fan. Kevin Smith Kirkwood made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award winning musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" & earned a 2005 New York Innovative Theater Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor for It’s "Karate, Kid!" Besides "Kinky Boots" Kirkwood currently stars as Roxy in the recently released feature horror film titled “Condemned”. (Photo by Preston Burford)
For Info & Tix: publictheater.org
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