LGBTQ Pride Cancelled Worldwide

With COVID-19 survival measures & the elimination large gatherings as social distancing becomes the new norm it’s taken a toll on our LGBTQ Pride celebrations being cancelled worldwide. InterPride the International Association of LGBTI Pride Organizers reported that over 100 Prides have been affected globally. InterPride has formed a new group to address all these issues at the international level. Linda DeMarco, Co-President, InterPride stated, “As we face an unprecedented global threat, our Pride movement will come together to support each other & create community at a time when we need it most.” Kristine Garina, President of European Pride Organizers Association concluded, “Today brings the devastating news that the number of Prides cancelling or postponing because of COVID19 will pass 100 & it’s very clear that this pandemic is going to have a huge impact on our movement. Right now we must all be focusing first on our own wellbeing & the welfare of those around us, but we are passionate about Pride & we will work together & do all we can, to help Pride organizers get through this. Every Pride organizer in the world has a story of someone whose life was changed by coming to a Pride, a story of someone who for the first time felt love & a sense of community. It’s heart-breaking that so many people will miss out on that this year, but we’re determined that Pride will continue & will change many more lives in the future.” As we adjust to the new behavioral necessities of this pandemic we can’t overlook the importance of moving forward towards full equality especially with a country like Poland creating 30 different LGBTQ ideology-free zones last August.
For More Info: interpride.org
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LGBTQ Groups File Suit Against HHS

Lambda Legal & Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit Thursday March 19th representing three organizations Family Equality, True Colors United & SAGE against Trump’s Department of Health & Human Services to enforce anti-discrimination rules amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Puneet Cheema, Staff Attorney at Lambda Legal stated, “We are suing the Trump Administration because of its cruel effort to make it easier for HHS grant recipients to discriminate against LGBTQ youth, families & older people, in ways that put their lives at risk. At any moment, but especially at a time of a global pandemic, it is callous to expose already vulnerable populations to discrimination & allow them to be denied basic, critical services. The federal government should be making sure everyone who receives HHS grant funding does not deny LGBTQ people access to critical, life-saving services like health care, housing & child welfare services, instead of inviting discrimination, as they do here.” In November 2019 the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced that it would stop enforcing anti-discrimination protections against federal grantees that deny services to, or otherwise discriminate against, individuals. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread rapidly throughout the U.S., LGBTQ individuals of all ages are left vulnerable by the Trump administration’s illegal action, which implicitly permits discrimination when providing critical services. This unlawful federal abandonment of the LGBTQ community is particularly dangerous now & could have catastrophic, even deadly consequences. The Trump administration’s unlawful decision invites service providers to use $500 billion in grant funds to discriminate. Hopefully filing this action will prevent a bad situation from becoming worse.
For More Info: lambdalegal.org
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“Where There Are Mountains” (AUDIO)

This week I talked with Sarah F. Pearlman about “Where There Are Mountains” her new novella that’s a perfect escape while hunkering down during the current pandemic. The novella brings to life the early Neolithic life about seven thousand years ago. This was a time of great migrations as numerous tribes left the cold & hunger of their northern homeland to travel a path south as they struggled past tribes that lived near the mountain passes of Mount Olympus. The novella focuses on the Matrilineal tribes that worshiped a female divinity. These tribes were peaceful, wanting only a place where there was food & warmth but others on the path were warrior people. These tribes came to conquer & enslave bringing their male gods & creating the beginning of patriarchal conquests. “Where There Are Mountains” is narrated by three women. The first woman tells her adventures traveling the path south through the mountain passes of what would become Greece. The second is her daughter who is captured by a war tribe. The third is a woman from a female-centered tribe perhaps the precursors of Amazons living in woodlands near the mountain passes. “Where There Are Mountains” is a story of captivity, resilience & escape. It was a time of violence but also love. Love of a mother for her daughter. Love between women of different tribes. Sarah F. Pearlman is a teacher, writer, occasional poet & lesbian-feminist activist nationally recognized for her pioneering role in establishing a lesbian psychology. I talked to Pearlman about her inspiration for writing “Where There Are Mountains” & her spin on our LGBTQ issues. “Where There Are Mountains” is available on Amazon. (Artwork Sara Yager) LISTEN
For More Info: sarahpearlman.com

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Winter Party Festival COVID-19 Update

The National LGBTQ Task Force has issued the following statement that one of their guests who attended their Winter Party Festival that ran from March 4th to 10th in Miami Beach, Florida has tested positive for COVID-19. Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force stated, “On March 14th, 2020, I was informed that one of our Winter Party Festival (WPF) guests tested positive for COVID-19 in the week following our event. We are grateful to them for alerting us, particularly given that they were not experiencing symptoms during WPF and had traveled elsewhere, but wanted to make sure we were aware of this development. We know there are many places people could have been exposed before & after Winter Party as this virus has developed, but we wanted to make this information public as soon as possible. The health & safety of anyone who participates in any Task Force event is of great importance to us. Regarding WPF, we made the most informed decision at the time, following official guidance available at the time. We also took extensive precautions, including comprehensive signage with information from the CDC about practicing good hygiene, as well as providing alcohol-based hand sanitizer throughout the Festival, including the Welcome Center, all entrances & at all events. Information & circumstances have changed rapidly since WPF. We continue to encourage all WPF guests to monitor their health, practice social distancing, wash hands with soap, use hand sanitizer & contact their doctor if they think they are exhibiting symptoms. If one tests positive for COVID-19, we urge them to contact those they were in direct contact with so all can take steps to monitor their health & speak with their doctors. We will continue to monitor the situation & update attendees & the public as needed. Like other organizations, our entire staff are working remotely & we have cancelled all events, trainings & gatherings for the foreseeable future."
For More Info: cdc.gov
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Closures That Will Dominate Our Lives

With the spreading of COVID-19 the new norm will include the closures of restaurants, bars & nightclubs including prohibiting all on-premises consumption of food or drink at bars & restaurants from March 17th to April 6th in Boston. Also in the Commonwealth all K-12 schools will be closed until at least Monday April 27th. Massachusetts has also banned all public or private gatherings of more than 25 people. So say good-bye to life as we know it as we embraced for the onslaught of the Coronavirus. Each day watching the local & network news with extreme trepidation hoping for the best & preparing for the worse. So our social distancing lifestyle for today will only include trips to the grocery stores, hoping for supplies to be restocked as we walk by empty aisles where paper goods, produce, & meats & poultries once were. Get ready to work only from home if your work has not ceased to exist due to COVID-19 & binge-watch taped entertainment since all live performances & sporting events have been canceled for at least a month. As I look for a soothsayer for advice my Daily Horoscope stated, “Getting down to business when it comes to money or personal health matters could be a major boon as the Moon makes supportive aspects to the planets in your chart that govern these areas. You might engage in a conversation at home related to your daily wellness routine or finances that leads to a fresh perspective on these topics. What you soon realize is that caring for yourself & for your resources means you will ultimately have more freedom & fewer limitations. Independence is paramount to you, so take advantage of the day's supportive cosmic weather to set yourself up for just that.”
Check Your Horoscope…
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Beware Of The Ides Of March 2020

Beginning the weekend hunkered down in Boston on Friday the 13th & ending with Sunday falling on The Ides of March, with the Coronavirus Beware of The Ides of March has a whole new meaning. The Ides of March is the 74th day in the Roman calendar that corresponds to March 15th as a deadline for settling debts. It’s just been reported that in Italy slammed with 21,157 Coronavirus cases & 1,441 deaths Italy is canceling mortgage bills. As we comply with social distancing going on social media & reading passionate pleads from around the world to stay safe & healthy are becoming all too common. This one from an American in Paris we thought needed to be shared for those in the USA hoping for the best outcome & bracing for the worse who stated, “It’s Midnight in Paris & we are wondering if wine stores are considered groceries & will they remain open? It’s kinda funny. Also not at all, especially for all the producers & store workers. All public restaurants & bars are closing tomorrow. I am more at ease, in a way, as the parameters of life have closed for me. I’m also feeling trapped. I cried & cried & cried today, especially seeing friends in the USA post that they are sick. I lost my temper, which is rare. Gratefulness is an antidote to despair. I am grateful for all of you!” It’s been reported that NYC may also close their restaurants Monday so all we can suggest is call your loved ones, continue to wash your hands & keep up with the social distancing & hopefully we will survive this pandemic. Updates to Come...
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The Dinah Postponed Due To COVID-19

With the onset of COVID-19 Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend will be postponed to September 16th to 20th in Palm Springs, California. Mariah Hanson, The Dinah founder & producer stated, “Our primary wish is that everyone is taking care of themselves, staying calm & taking the precautions recommended to remain healthy. I have proactively reached out to the County Department of health to ensure what is best for my incredible attendees. The Riverside County Public Health Department has officially canceled The Dinah, effective immediately. We wholeheartedly agree with their decision. It’s unfortunate but we will be rescheduling our dates. We all need to work together to contain this virus & The Dinah will do its part. Your health, that of my staff, artists & vendors & the residents of Coachella Valley are first & foremost. We’ve rescheduled our 30th Anniversary to late summer early fall & are currently updating our site with a page dedicated to all the questions you may have about dates, hotel room transfers, ticket transfers, weather expectations & more. Please be patient as we iron out the details. We should have everything updated in the next few days. Thank you for your continued support of The Dinah. We look forward to celebrating 30 years with you this Summer. The new dates are September 16-20th! Perfect weather! Last week of summer! The 30th Celebration of The Dinah is going to be amazing! I will plan an even better Dinah! I promise!” OUTTAKE MEDIA is an official VIP Media Sponsor of The Dinah & will be providing info over the next few months. We hope everyone takes the precautions recommended to remain healthy & safe. Updates to come.
For More Info: thedinah.com
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