Our LGBTQ Community & COVID-19

Since the Trump administration is still not completely addressing COVID-19 as it continues to spread, over 100 national & local organizations have signed a letter to health & media outlets about how COVID-19 poses an increased risk our LGBTQ population providing specific steps to minimize any disparity. Dr. Scout, Deputy Director for the National LGBT Cancer Network stated, “As the media & health communities are pushed into overdrive about COVID-19, we need to make sure the most vulnerable among us are not forgotten. Our smoking rates alone make us extremely vulnerable & our access to care barriers only make a bad situation worse. This letter outlines simple steps to ensure no population is further stigmatized by a virus.” Dr. Scott Nass GLMA President added, “As an organization dedicated to the health and well-being of LGBTQ communities, we urge LGBTQ individuals to practice measures recommended by public health experts, such as frequent handwashing, to prevent the spread of this virus. At the same time, like our colleagues who joined the open letter, we call on public health officials to ensure the LGBTQ community is considered & included in the public health response to COVID-19 based on potential risk factors that exist in our community.” The letter was initiated by a coalition of six organizations: the National LGBT Cancer Network; GLMA Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality; Whitman-Walker Health; SAGE; New York Transgender Advocacy Group; & National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance. As the spread of COVID-19 increases many LGBTQ+ people are understandably concerned about how this virus may affect us & our communities since LGBTQ+ communities are among those who are particularly vulnerable to the negative health effects of this virus.
For More Info & Read Letter…
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Point Expands Community College Fund

The Point Foundation (Point), the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students of merit announced the expansion of its community college scholarship program. Thanks to a new multi-year grant, Point will now offer the next generation of LGBTQ leaders two-years of financial support at community colleges. Applications are now open for the program which also includes targeted one-on-one coaching & leadership development. Jorge Valencia Point Foundation Executive Director & CEO stated, “Whether it is a lack of funds, obligations to employment, or the care of a family member, we know of many situations that keep young LGBTQ students from reaching their academic goals. When you include the increased adversity & isolation that often accompany being a member of the LGBTQ community, two-year financial support becomes a central component to ensuring all students can thrive. Since our 2016 launch, we learned that a longer financial commitment was a central pillar changing the outcome for LGBTQ students entering community college. Thanks to a generous gift, we are now able to expand our program & are confident that our new two-year community college program will empower & fuel the future for many talented LGBTQ students.” Andrew Moe, the Director of Admissions at Swarthmore College & a former recipient of a Point Foundation scholarship himself concluded, “Point Foundation’s commitment to high-achieving LGBTQ+ community college students is unmatched. I am thankful for the generous donation that has enabled Point to step up and invest in community college students & hope more will follow their lead.”
For More Info: pointfoundation.org
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New NCLR Leader Speaks OUT (AUDIO)

This week I talked with Imani Rupert-Gordon the new Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) about her aspirations leading this important LGBTQ organization which is known for tackling the most pressing issues of race, gender & economic inequality facing our LGBTQ community. Founded in 1977 NCLR is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil & human rights for LGBTQ people & their families through litigation, legislation, policy & public education. NCLR is a non-profit public interest law firm that litigates precedent-setting cases at the trial & appellate court levels; advocates for equitable public policies affecting our LGBTQ community; provides free legal assistance to LGBTQ people & their legal advocates & conducts community education on LGBTQ issues. NCLR serves more than 5,000 LGBTQ people & their families throughout the United States each year including LGBTQ parents, seniors, immigrants, athletes & youth. Currently NCLR is suing the State of South Carolina over an anti-LGBTQ Curriculum law around sex education. They are also very proud that their Born Perfect campaign to end Conversion Therapy which had a huge victory in Virginia last week becoming the first Southern state to do so. Earlier this month along with Debevoise & Plimpton LLP & Meyer Stephenson, NCLR won a landmark medical care lawsuit on behalf of a transgender employee. Previously Imani served as the Executive Director of Affinity Community Services, the nation’s oldest social justice organization serving the needs of Black LGBTQ people with a particular focus on Black women. I talked to Imani about what she hopes to accomplish as the new Executive Director of NCLR & her spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN

 
For More Info: nclrights.org

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Arizona Bill Will Harm Transgender Kids

A dangerous bill is moving through the Arizona legislature that will bring harm to transgender student athletes by barring them from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity. The bill has already passed through the Arizona House of Representatives & is now headed to the Senate even though over 200 local & national businesses have signed onto a letter organized by Arizona-based organization ONE Community in opposition to HB2706. Those opposed include American Airlines, the Arizona Diamondbacks, GoDaddy, PayPal, Salesforce, Uber & more. Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President & CEO stated, “Republican state representative Nancy Barto’s so-called “Save Women’s Sports Act” is not about helping girls or women; it is about harming young transgender students in Arizona in cruel & dangerous ways that will also affect cisgender students. As activists & politicians who oppose the bill have argued, this bill is part of a systematic attack on the protections of transgender people & continues to promote the false narrative that transgender youth are somehow threats in their communities, including in sports. Trans students around the country have shown that is a blatant lie.” Unfortunately the Arizona Bill is one of many anti-trans bills introduced in State legislatures across the U.S. this year with many targeting trans inclusion in sports. As of last week there have been at least 21 state bills introduced with the goal of excluding transgender youth from athletics in Alabama, Idaho, South Dakota, Tennessee & more. ONE Community is a coalition of socially responsible businesses, organizations & individuals who are moving diversity, inclusion & equality forward for all Arizonans.
For More Info: onecommunity.co
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International Women's Day 2020

As we celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th we acknowledge it’s been a disappointing week for American women with Senator Elizabeth Warren discontinuing her bid for the presidency. Now we’re back to a race between three elderly white men. As we head towards another milestone of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment when women were granted the right to vote in America on August 18th 1920 we reflect on how far we’ve come & yet how much further we need to go for national & global gender equality. Gloria Steinem stated, "The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights." This year the theme for International Women's Day is Each For Equal. An equal world is an enabled world & individually we're all responsible for our own thoughts & actions - all day, every day. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations & celebrate women's achievements. Collectively each one of us can help create a gender equal world. So let's all be #EachforEqual because equality is not a women's issue it's a business issue & gender equality is essential for economies & communities to thrive. The race is on for the gender equal boardroom, a gender equal government, gender equal media coverage, gender equal workplaces, gender equal sports coverage, more gender equality in health & wealth so let's make it happen. Women are succeeding & moving forward but we need to up our game & do whatever it takes once & for all to make #EachforEqual a reality.
For More Info: internationalwomensday.com

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LPAC & Senator Baldwin In Boston

LPAC (Lesbian Political Action Committee) with special guest Senator Tammy Baldwin hosted a very powerful summit attended by Boston’s LGBTQ women leaders to address Senator Elizabeth Warren ending her bid for the presidency & how we move forward. Though the group appeared to agree in shifting their support to Biden, the focus of the conversation was on the importance of taking back the democratic majority in the US Senate. Stephanie Sandberg LPAC Executive Director stated, “We were thrilled to host Senator Baldwin last night -- her insights & commitment to progressive values, her leadership in the Senate & the example she provides girls & women everywhere, underscore the importance of LPAC's work. As the only organization solely dedicated to electing more LGBTQ women to office, we're always grateful for such opportunities to bring our mission to life!” Senate Baldwin was the first openly LGBTQ person ever elected to the U.S. Senate & has been at the forefront of LGBTQ politics for many years. It was definitely a night out discussing politics with a group of energized inspiring women. Baldwin intimately shared her spin on the current Senate situation & after her remarks was very generous to stay around & chat with members of the LPAC community. The Boston LPAC event was co-chaired by Elyse Cherry, Diane Felicio, Jan Donley, Shari Weiner, Joanna Hochman & Sue Reamer. The next LPAC event is in Texas hosted by Lez Talks Dallas on Monday March 9P at 6:30P. They will be joined by Gina Ortiz Jones, who is running for the U.S. House & by Texas State Representatives Julie Johnson, Jessica González, Mary González & Erin Zwiener.
For More Info: teamlpac.com
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The Theater Offensive Premier Benefit

Event Postponed Massachusetts COVID-19 State of Emergency Declared...
Beyond The Stage is the premier benefit for The Theater Offensive’s True Colors OUT Youth Theater & takes place Thursday March 12th at District Hall 75 Northern Avenue in Boston, MA from 6P to 8P. Beyond the Stage honors the resilience & strength of LGBTQ & allied youth members of True Colors OUT Youth Theater as well as the program's key supporters. This year TTO is celebrating 25 years of True Colors programming plus the first-ever True Colors National Tour. Guests are invited to mingle & meet the youth of True Colors while being treated to presentations that will demonstrate how the community’s generous support impacts the lives of those that the company serves. Also Beyond The Stage will be honoring Myron Miller, The Herman & Frieda L. Miller Foundation with the 2020 Champion Award & Chioke Waithe-Howard with the 2020 Outstanding Youth Leader Award. Founded in 1994 True Colors is the longest running LGBTQ youth theater program in the country. The majority of True Colors youth are 14-22 from Boston neighborhoods. True Colors transforms real-life stories of queer youth into powerful performances & workshops based on their lived experiences of topics such as bullying, homelessness, coming out & discrimination. Servicing 100 youth annually True Colors is a safe space for all youth, where they can explore their identities & build key creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication & problem solving skills. Beyond The Stage tickets run from $75 to $5,000 & includes hors d'oeuvres & drinks in celebration of the program's accomplishments & all those who make this life-changing program possible.
For Info & Tix: thetheateroffensive.org
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