Being Gay Is Not A Sin

Faith in America met with top Mormon legislator Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah & Dan Reynolds lead singer of Imagine Dragons to discuss LGBT youth suicide & mental anguish. When asked if he thought being gay was a sin Senator Hatch stated, “No, I don’t. How could anything that God gives you be a sin especially something you are born with. Mormons believe in a pre-mortal existence, so if you tell gay kids they are sinners, you are saying that God made someone a sinner before they were born & that is just not right. I do believe they [gay people] are born that way & if they are born that way, then why then is it a sin? Because we all come from God & if that is the case which I believe it to be it seems we have to work out these problems ourselves without prejudice.” Mitchell Gold, co-founder of Faith in America added, “Senator Hatch has taken an extraordinary first step by saying he doesn't believe being gay is a sin. As the top Mormon legislator in the country, he wields enormous power in the lives of thousands of LGBT kids in Utah & across America. While it is important the Senator & the LDS church understand the epidemic facing LGBT youth, we need them to change their outdated teachings regarding homosexuality. As the LDS church has progressed in terms of polygamy, those who are the most vulnerable among us, need the church to progress on homosexuality.” Faith in America calls upon the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to hear the words of Senator Hatch & understand the real mental health crisis being faced by young LGBT Mormons in Utah & across the country. For More Info: faithinamerica.org 
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Wearing Purple For Spirit Day

This year Spirit Day is Thursday October 19th when everyone is encouraged to go purple & participate on social media as a sign of support for LGBTQ youth & to speak out against bullying. We at OUTTAKE have supported Spirit Day since it began in 2010 following the media's coverage of a rash of LGBTQ teen suicides including the tragic death of Tyler Clementi. Back then Brittany McMillan a high school student began Spirit Day that now draws the participation of celebrities, corporations, media outlets, sports leagues, schools, faith institutions, national landmarks & individuals around the world who join together in a united stand against bullying. According to GLSEN more than half of LGBTQ students report being victimized based on sexual orientation, with a further three quarters of students who report hearing anti-LGBTQ remarks in school. With a bully in the White House & a toxic political culture brought about by constant attacks on our LGBTQ community from our nation’s highest leaders, it’s never been more important to show LGBTQ youth that we are here for them. Some of the celebrity participants for Spirit Day 2017 include Celine Dion, Jimmy Kimmel, Britney Spears, Whoopi Goldberg, Olivia Newton-John, Fergie, Christina Aguilera, Lily Tomlin, Wanda Sykes, Minnie Driver, Mayim Bialik, Candis Cayne, Lisa Edelstein, Brad Goreski, Mario Lopez, Carrie Preston, Kim Richards, Kyle Richards, The Chew, the cast of A Very Sordid Wedding, hosts of Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, Extra, MTV’s TRL, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, The View & more.
For More Info: glaad.org
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Marcum Women's Forum

The first Marcum Women's Forum to be held on the West Coast entitled “Safe & Sound: Smart Choices for Savvy Women” takes place Friday October 20th at The Palace Hotel 2 New Montgomery Street in San Francisco, California from 8A to 11:30A. The breakfast event is geared to high net worth & executive women, featuring nationally prominent speakers on topics essential to women's personal & professional well-being. Keynote Speaker will be Erin Brockovich, President of Brockovich Research & Consulting. Erin came to fame with her exhaustive investigation uncovered that Pacific Gas & Electric had been poisoning the small town of Hinkley's Water for over 30 years. In 1996, as a result of the largest direct action lawsuit of its kind, spearheaded by Erin & Ed Masry, the utility giant was forced to pay out the largest toxic tort injury settlement in US history: $333 million in damages to more than 600 Hinkley residents. Her story was depicted in the movie Erin Brockovich starring Julia Roberts. Other guest speakers include Jeanne Rizzo, President of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners with panelists Heather Bearfield, Principal – IT Risk & Assurance Services, Marcum LLP, Jessica Lemon, Sr. Account Manager, Casto Travel, Kate Parker, Head of Safety & Insurance Brand, Uber & Frank Rudewicz, Principal – Advisory Services, Marcum LLP. The Marcum Women's Initiative is dedicated to the Marcum women & their success. This initiative is one of the many programs that speak to Marcum's core values & commitment to fostering a culture that is both diverse & inclusive. Tickets are $100.
For Info & Tix: marcumevents.com 
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Department of Justice Casualty

In the days following the Department of Justice announcing Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act will no longer protect transgender workers, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ended their three-year investigation into the 2014 removal without cause of openly transgender John F. Kennedy University Professor, Erica E. Anderson, Ph. D from her position as Uber Chair of Graduate Psychology at the University. Anderson’s attorneys are preparing filings in State & Federal Courts in California against JFK University & the National University System for employment discrimination & retaliation. On November 4th 2014, Dr. Anderson was removed from her position at John F. Kennedy University as Uber Chair of Graduate Psychology without warning or cause. Efforts to immediately challenge & correct her removal, brought by Dr. Anderson’s attorney, did not yield immediate results. In January 2015, Dr. Anderson filed an employment discrimination claim against the University & its parent, the National University System, with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), based on her being a transgendered woman over the age of 50. The assigned investigator encouraged the EEOC complaint until the Department of Justice under the Trump Administration recently changed its workplace discrimination policies as they related to our trans community. In 2012 Dr. Anderson became the first openly transgender faculty member at the school when she came out during the hiring process, making the university fully aware of her identity. After her arrival at the university she distinguished herself by leading the effort to restore full APA (American Psychological Association) Accreditation for the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, which was on probation at the time of her hiring. She is currently the chairperson at Joan’s House a 501(c)3 non-profit that will soon be providing transitional housing & support for women & transgender individuals in the San Francisco Bay Area.
For More Info: joanshouse.org
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Trump Attacking LGBT Americans

After boasting “the times are changing back again” to the Values Voters Summit in Washington D.C. that was hosted by the anti-LGBT Family Research Council on Friday, Trump is set to address the anti-LGBT Heritage Foundation on Tuesday continuing his homophobic anti LGBT agenda. This is from the guy that reportedly joked that Vice President Pence wants to hang all gay people. Earlier this year the Heritage Foundation sent a notice to U.S. House members urging them vote for a legislative ban on transition-related health care for transgender people in the U.S. military. Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO of GLAAD stated, “Addressing a gathering of some of the most extreme anti-LGBTQ activists in the country, Trump once again legitimized hate speech & vowed, again & again to write discrimination into law by pushing laws focused on religious exemptions. The religious exemption laws that groups like the Family Research Council & the Trump administration fully support do not reflect real American values, they legalize discrimination by allowing hotels, ER doctors, business owners & even pediatricians to legally deny services to hardworking LGBTQ families.” In his new tax plan Trump is about to unleash a major push for ‘religious exceptions’ which is in direct contrast the majority of Americans who opposed these anti-LGBTQ laws, according to a recent study by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). PRRI also found that 72% of Americans support laws that protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in employment, housing & public accommodations. This includes six out of ten (60%) Republicans & 81% of Democrats.
For More Info:glad.org
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Urvashi Vaid Steps Up (AUDIO)

LPAC, the first lesbian Political Action Committee founded in 2012 announced that Urvashi Vaid, longtime attorney & organizer in LGBTQ & social justice movements will serve as the organization’s Interim Executive Director as the search for a permanent Executive Director begins. Laura Ricketts, LPAC Board Chair stated, “We are very pleased to have Urvashi as our interim leader, with all her expertise, insuring continuity for LPAC over the next few months, while we search for and find our new leader.” A Board search committee has been formed & is chaired by LPAC San Francisco based Board member Joyce Newstat, a long-time political activist & leader in the LGBT movement. The search process & timeline will be announced later this year. Newstat stated, “Our new Executive Director will lead LPAC at a critically important time for the LGBT community, women & all those impacted by the hostile political climate in Washington, D.C. & across the nation. As we approach the 2018 mid-term elections & beyond, LPAC must grow & be even more engaged in supporting progressive candidates who advance our core values of LGBT equality, women’s rights & gender, social & racial justice.” Vaid has held senior executive positions at the Arcus Foundation, the Ford Foundation & the National LGBTQ Task Force. She is CEO of The Vaid Group a social innovation firm focused on strategies to advance equity & justice & is a founder of LPAC. Vaid began her part-time duties on September 5th & joins LPAC Political & Operations Associate Erica Benjamin on the LPAC staff. In 2014 we talked to Urvashi about LPAC in this exclusive audio byte. LISTEN:
For More Info: teamlpac.com 
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LGBT Military Groups Join Forces

Two LGBT military organizations OutServe-SLDN & Military Partners & Families have announced that they are joining forces. The existing operations of MPFC will be incorporated into OutServe-SLDN creating the nations’ largest organization focused on the support of the LGBT military community including service members, veterans & military families. Matt Thorn, Executive Director of OutServe-SLDN stated, “We are thrilled to welcome the Military Partners & Families Coalition into OutServe-SLDN. Over the years they’ve been an invaluable partner to our work & we’re thrilled that they’re now part of our family. We’ve learned from experience that the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. Adding the work of MPFC & its team of leaders to OutServe-SLDN is a huge win for the families of LGBT service members & veterans.” Ariana Bostian-Kentes, President & co-founder of MPFC, added, “Working alongside OutServe-SLDN as a coalition partner has been vital to the successes we’ve celebrated as a military family community. We aim to build on that success through this merger by adding to the breadth of resources available to those who serve & support our military & by prioritizing the interests of all families who serve our country.” Matt Thorn will continue in his role & become President & CEO of the combined organizations. Ariana Bostian-Kentes & MPFC Vice President, Tracey Hepner, will join the board of directors & the current 13 member OutServe-SLDN board will continue in their respective roles.
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For More Info: outserve-sldn.org
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