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The LGBTQ Center Virtual Garden Party

With the LGBTQ Community Center in NYC closed due to COVID-19 this year they’re going virtual bringing the Garden Party to you on Monday June 22nd at 6P with a celebratory evening of performances, stories, special guests & more. The Center has been a place of celebration & Pride for all LGBTQ New Yorkers since 1983 & this year’s Garden Party will be no exception. As you know with the Center canceling its annual fundraising dinner & other events usually held to kick off Pride week in June due to the pandemic a lot of people are feeling very isolated & it’s so important to stay connected. Jeff Klein, COO of The Center stated, “Community is the antidote to isolation, which affects the queer community rather uniquely, having felt isolated at various points in our lives & this situation can exacerbate it.” The Center has been a home & resource hub for the NYC LGBTQ community residents & visitors for decades. Typically at The Center there are 6,000 unique individuals coming through weekly & 300,000 over the entire year. They provide a place to connect & engage, find camaraderie & support & celebrate the vibrancy & growth of our LGBTQ community. Their mission is to empower LGBTQ people, building strong community to lead healthy successful lives, while celebrating our diversity & advocates for justice & opportunity. So don’t miss this virtual Pride kick-off to gather & experience the strength & resilience of our LGBTQ community. Registration is free & they’ll be updating regularly with all the elements you’ll need to pump up the party at home, including a curated food & a cocktail/mocktail menu with a stellar suggested playlist.
For More Info: gaycenter.org
LISTEN: Adrian Shanker Talks New LGBTQ Health Anthology
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International Day Against LGBTQ Phobia

Since its conception in 2004 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia is observed on May 17th to raise awareness of LGBTQ rights violations worldwide & is celebrated in 132 countries globally in recognition of leaders around the world who are fighting to advance equality for our LGBTQ community & for all people. Alphonso David HRC President stated, “The Human Rights Campaign is proud to celebrate & stand with the global leaders fighting to end human rights abuses against the LGBTQ community as we reaffirm that homophobia, transphobia and biphobia have no place in our societies. Every day, we see heartbreaking incidents of oppression, discrimination & terrible violence against LGBTQ people around the world. Human rights abuses against LGBTQ people anywhere are human rights abuses against LGBTQ people everywhere. The global leaders who are leading the charge to end human rights abuses against our community & all communities give us the hope that we all need to continue the fight at home & abroad." Jannat Ali, a Global Innovator from Pakistan concluded, “Humanity is facing an unprecedented crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic & the situation is more bleak for the transgender members of my community & that is why I am proud to be a part of campaigns urging the Pakistani government and civil society to extend priority assistance to transgender communities. Any & all relief efforts should be inclusive & equitable & that means making sure that we do not forget marginalized transgender communities in Pakistan.” The date was also chosen to commemorate the decision to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1990.
LISTEN: Adrian Shanker Talks New LGBTQ Health Anthology
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Boston Pride Virtual Fundraiser Event

With the impact of COVID-19 Boston Pride is postponing the celebration of Boston Pride’s 50th Anniversary to June 2021. However they are presenting virtual events throughout pride season starting with the Big Gay Home Bar Crawl – Virtual Edition a fabulous fundraiser on Sunday May 24th from 12:30P to 3P EST. There will be drag performances by Amanda Playwith, Rusty Hammer, Kris Knievil & Travis Tí with DJ Michael Giller. Local Bartenders will be on hand presenting drink demonstrations included by Melvin Geronimo from Blend! Linda DeMarco Boston Pride President stated, “In this time of social distancing, our community needs to come together now more than ever. We invite you to join our Boston Pride community online. Together we will come through this with a greater sense of connection, care, compassion & resilience.” Suggested Donation is $10 & will include a raffle ticket & all money raised will be directly donated to the Boston Pride Community Fund. With the postponement of these events, this Fund needs our help. The Boston Pride Community Fund was established in 2015 & is currently funded via the JP & Back Bay Block Parties, the High Heel Dash & the annual Big Gay Bar Crawl. In 2018 the board voted to donate 10% of sponsorship dollars towards the Community Fund. Once a year in support of their vision & mission they give back monies raised in the Community Fund to non-profit organizations & grassroots groups that are doing work within our community with an eye towards smaller organizations, new/innovative programs & intersectional proposals. The Big Gay Home Bar Crawl – Virtual Edition is sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
For More Info: bostonpride.org  
LISTEN: Adrian Shanker Talks New LGBTQ Health Anthology
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'Bodies & Barriers' & LGBTQ Healthcare

This week I talked with Adrian Shanker editor of the new critically acclaimed anthology “Bodies & Barriers: Queer Activists on Health” that creates a road map for action that could improve LGBTQ health. Shanker is a specialist in LGBTQ health policy creating cutting edge promotional campaigns to advance health equity through behavioral, clinical & policy changes. With essays by 26 well-known & emerging LGBTQ activists “Bodies & Barriers: Queer Activists on Health” challenges conventional wisdom about healthcare providers & probes deeply into the roots of the health disparities that worsens health outcomes for our LGBTQ community. As we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic this book couldn’t be more timely. Since the onset of HIV/AIDS in America LGBTQ people have struggled against healthcare bias & discrimination. Through stories by contributing authors including Alisa Bowman, Jack Harrison-Quintana, Liz Margolies, Robyn Ochs, Sean Strub, Justin Tanis, Ryan Thoreson, Imani Woody & more “Bodies & Barriers: Queer Activists on Health” addresses lessons learned with healthcare professionals, sympathetic policymakers & provides us with crucial information to fight for health equity through clinical, behavioral & policy changes. Though our LGBTQ community has experienced great strides toward civil rights in this country our health as a community still lags. “Bodies & Barriers: Queer Activists on Health” provides an indispensable blueprint for change by some of the most passionate & important health activists in the LGBTQ movement today calling on clinicians to up their game when it comes to caring for sexual & gender minority people. I talked to Adrian about what he hopes to accomplish with “Bodies & Barriers: Queer Activists on Health” & as the Executive Director of Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, his spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN
For More Info: pmpress.org
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LGBTQ Virtual College Graduation Event

Campus Pride in partnership with PFLAG National will host a virtual “Lavender Graduation” nationally for LGBTQ & ally graduates of the Class of 2020 to celebrate & honor their achievements on Saturday May 23rd 2020. This is a free live streaming event to celebrate LGBTQ+ graduates will begin airing at 3P ET / 12P PT at Campus Pride’s website & across Campus Pride & PFLAG’s social media channels. Shane Windmeyer, Executive Director of Campus Pride stated, “Everyone deserves to be recognized & to have the joy of graduating & this is one way virtually we can celebrate & honor these phenomenal LGBTQ & ally college students.” This is also the 25th anniversary of Lavender Graduation first organized at University of Michigan by Ronni Sanlo a pioneer of campus organizing for LGBTQ people within higher education. Since 1995 Lavender Graduations have been a commencement tradition for LGBTQ & ally college students & is included in many universities across the United States. Sanlo will be a featured speaker along with LGBTQ & ally graduates & notable leaders & celebrities to be announced. Since 2001 Campus Pride has been the leading national organization building future LGBTQ & ally leaders as well as creating safer communities at colleges & universities. The Campus Pride Index annually helps 80,000 people find LGBTQ-inclusive colleges & universities. PFLAG with over 400 chapters & 200,000 members & supporters crossing multiple generations of families in major urban centers, small cities & rural areas across America is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated & all people are respected, valued & affirmed.
For More Info: campuspride.org
LISTEN: Robert Lo Talks Alset App To Reboot Gig Economy
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Trans Activist Aimee Stephens Dies

Aimee Stephens one of the plaintiffs in the trio Supreme Court cases that will determine the future of our LGBTQ employment rights has passed away. Stephens was the first transgender person to bring a civil rights case to the U.S. Supreme Court, R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC & Aimee Stephens, in defense of the rights of transgender people. Brian K. Bond, Executive Director of PFLAG National stated, “Aimee Stephens just wanted to continue to do the job she was hired to do, that she was good at & that she was prepared to continue while living as her true gender. It is with heavy hearts that we at PFLAG mourn Aimee’s passing. Her fight will continue as we strive for equality for all, inclusive of sexual orientation & gender identity.” Aimee was fired from her funeral director position at R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes after informing her boss that she was transitioning. In October at a Supreme Court press conference Stephens stated, “When I was fired, it made me mad, to say the least. That’s when it finally hit home that we weren’t treated the same as everybody else & it’s time that somebody stood up & said enough is enough.” Stephens died from long-term kidney disease. The pending Supreme Court cases could determine if the Civil Rights Act of 1964, under Title VII’s ban on sex discrimination in employment will extend to sexual orientation & gender identity. If the Supreme Court votes in favor of the employees this will bring nationwide employment protections for LGBTQ people for the first time in U.S. history. We’re anxiously awaiting the Supreme Court Decision. Aimee Stephens RIP.
For More Info: aclu.org
LISTEN: Robert Lo Talks Alset App To Reboot Gig Economy

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USA #1 In COVID-19 Cases & Deaths

Unfortunately America is not number one in COVID-19 testing but instead we rate at nineteenth. However America is number one in this pandemic currently approaching 1.4M cases & 82K deaths with both on the rise. Though there seems to be an ongoing controversy about China & COVID-19, China stands at eleven in COVID-19 cases worldwide with 82,919 cases & 4,633 deaths. It appears there’s a major disconnect between fact & fiction with our national leadership so try to listen to rational leadership when you can find it. New York is number one in the USA with almost 338K COVID-19 cases & 22K deaths as Governor Cuomo's plans to re-open New York State focusing on getting people back to work & easing social isolation without triggering renewed spread of the virus. In Massachusetts we are close to China's COVID-19 stats though China is 473 times larger than Massachusetts with 78,462 COVID-19 cases & 5,108 deaths Governor Baker has the same human lives matter agenda announcing a four-phase approach to reopening the Commonwealth’s economy. It’s going to be a slow transition as we enter & create the new normal. Now to address how this pandemic is affecting our global LGBTQ community. Jessica Stern Executive Director of OutRight Action International stated, “COVID-19 & the surrounding containment measures affect everyone, everywhere. But those most marginalized feel it more. Even in the absence of a pandemic, LGBTIQ people experience higher levels of discrimination, violence & deprivation around the world. Now we are at a heightened risk of domestic & family abuse, we lack access to crucial HIV & gender affirming medication, get scapegoated for the pandemic & excluded from relief efforts, while being cut off from LGBTIQ organizations & support networks. For us the situation is dire. I fear how many LGBTIQ people will lose their lives because of the amplified vulnerability we face. We need immediate action from governments, the UN, and the philanthropic sector to prevent an LGBTIQ humanitarian crisis.” Stay safe & healthy, keep up your socials distancing & wear your masks in public.
For More Info: outrightinternational.org
LISTEN: Robert Lo Talks Alset App To Reboot Gig Economy
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