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LGBTQ COVID-19 Testing Data Gaps

An editorial published in The American Journal of Public Health calls for the routine inclusion of sexual orientation & gender identity (SOGI) data in the demographic information collected for COVID-19 testing. The editorial authored by researchers at The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health entitled “Sexual & Gender Minority Health in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Why Data Collection & Combatting Discrimination Matter Now More Than Ever” adds to a growing body of literature calling for the collection of SOGI data in health care. Sean Cahill, Director of Health Policy Research at the Fenway Institute & lead author of the editorial stated, “The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked an important conversation about racial & ethnic health disparities, but the COVID-19-related risks to sexual & gender minorities have received almost no attention. We don’t yet know whether Black, Latinx, or Indigenous people who are also lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender (LGBTQ) have worse outcomes from COVID-19 than their straight & cisgender peers. These are critically important questions because the answers might affect the deployment of resources and the development of culturally tailored interventions. In the middle of the greatest global health crisis of the century, with the exception of a handful of states & the District of Columbia, we are operating with no knowledge of how COVID-19 is affecting sexual & gender minority populations. This is public health malpractice. Our local, state & federal health agencies must, at a minimum, encourage the systematic collection & reporting of SOGI data to understand how sexual & gender minorities are experiencing COVID-19, how SOGI disparities intersect with racial/ethnic disparities & how to effectively tailor interventions for prevention, testing, contact tracing & care services.”
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Women Take The Stage Virtual Event

In celebration of the Centennial of the 19th Amendment top musicians, change makers & activist icons will gather for “Women Take the Stage” a virtual broadcast on August 26th at 9P EST. This is a free, multi-ethnic concert & rally to increase voting by & for women before the November election & will air live on YouTube, Facebook & WomenTaketheStage.org. Appearing for performances & stories of inspiration will include Gloria Steinem, Dolores Huerta, Vanessa Williams, Idina Menzel, Lily Tomlin, Billie Jean King, Alicia Garza, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Indigo Girls, BETTY, Skip the Needle, Dance Brigade, Pura Fé, teen quartet DGLS, The B-52s’ Kate Pierson, founder of The Representation Project Jennifer Siebel Newsom, HBCU president Ruth Simmons, 3rd CTO of the U.S . Megan Smith, Time’s Up CEO Tina Tchen, ERA Coalition CEO Carol Jenkins, disability activist Mia Ives-Rublee, anti-racism leader Rev. Jacqui Lewis, trailblazing transgender politician Andrea Jenkins, poet Staceyann Chin, Native activist Gail Small & more. Aly Palmer of 1@1 Productions & a member of BETTY stated, “The fascinating stories of the foremothers who fought so hard for us to have a more powerful voice are incredibly motivating. Our event is an entertaining way to inspire voting action & build bold defenders of our democracy.” In addition to the virtual event, Auburn Public Theater is helping put on a live pre-show at 7:30P ET at the Finger Lakes Drive-In in Auburn, NY near Seneca Falls the site of the first women’s rights convention. Socially distanced attendees will be treated in their cars to music & poetry from notable regional performers, followed by Women Take the Stage on the big screen. The event is sponsored by 1@1 Productions, Women March in Seneca Falls & WILL (Women's Institute for Leadership & Learning) along with partners When We All Vote & the National LGBTQ Task Force.
For More Info: womentakethestage.org
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Florida LGBTQ Virtual Film Festival

The 22nd edition of Florida's OUTshine LGBTQ Film Festival is going virtual with 80 new contemplative, comedic & creative films from 20 countries to be made available to viewers from August 20th to 30th. The festival will also host live-streamed special events with cocktail happy hours, talent & Q & A sessions as a way to virtually tie the community together. Victor Gimenez, OUTshine LGBTQ Film Festival Executive Director stated, "In these challenging times, the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival has adapted to the changing needs of the film & viewing community & is pleased to move forward with an outstanding roster of poignant new features viewable virtually anywhere in the state. It’s in this spirit of unity & equality, the tenets upon which the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival was founded, that we are taking a giant leap forward to offer these award-winning films with culturally diverse narratives & deeply moving subjects to an even wider audience.” In keeping with social distancing guidelines & community safety, this year’s festival kicks off on August 20th at 7P with OUTshine's Opening Night Drive-OUT,a preview of “Stage Mother” at the Drive-In Theater at Dezerland Park at 14401 NE 19th Avenue, North Miami, Florida. “Stage Mother” stars Oscar-nominated Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook, Animal Kingdom), Adrian Grenier (Entourage, The Devil Wears Prada) & Emmy-nominated Lucy Liu (Charlie’s Angels, Elementary, Ally McBeal). The OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival is a bi-annual film festival with a mission to unite the community through social events & LGBTQ+ media that inspire, entertain & educate. Tickets are on sale now raging for individual films at $12 each & value packages range from $60 to $350.
For More Info & TIX: outshinefilm.com
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LGBTQ Leaders Support Kamala Harris

Joe Biden's pick of Senator Kamala Harris (CA) to join his ticket to become the 46th President & Vice President of the United States is historic & as a fierce LGBTQ ally Harris has always been a friend & champion to our LGBTQ community. Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund stated, “With Joe Biden’s announcement that Senator Kamala Harris will be his running mate, history has been made. As the third woman & the first woman of color to be a Vice Presidential candidate, millions of people across the country will finally see themselves reflected in this historic choice…With the attacks on democracy, voting rights, immigration, abortion & other civil rights, access to voting, criminal & economic justice & the U.S. Postal Service has shown that this administration will stop at nothing to weaken democracy & call into question the election outcome. This is not a partisan issue, this is not a Republican versus Democrat issue, this is an American issue. The most important thing for each & every one of us to do is to vote. Vote your heart & your head for those candidates who you feel will best serve you, the LGBTQ community & the country.” Alphonso David President Human Rights Campaign concluded, “Time & time again, Sen. Harris has shown herself to be a fighter & an LGBTQ champion. She has been an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ community throughout her groundbreaking career, advocating for us when many, even sometimes those within her own party, did not. Together with Biden, they make up the most pro-equality & one of the most diverse presidential tickets our nation has ever seen. We need to elect them & united I know we can!”
For More Info: joebiden.com
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OutRight Launches Fund To Aid Helem

OutRight Action International has launched a campaign to support Helem, Lebanon's oldest LGBTQ organization that was heavily damaged in the devastating explosion in Beirut that destroyed entire neighborhoods, killing over 200 people & leaving hundreds of thousands homeless & unable to meet their basic needs. Helem is working to rebuild their LGBTQ community center while struggling to support LGBTQ people who have been affected by the explosion. Helem's staff & volunteers are engaging in city-wide relief efforts but need funding to continue to do so. Tarek Zeidan, Executive Director of Helem stated, “Helem's staff & volunteers have joined the relief effort in Beirut & are working to remove debris, help set up community kitchens & dispense emergency aid to members of the community who have been affected by the explosion. The blast has left more than 300,000 individuals homeless. These funds will go towards helping secure shelter as well as to support our food distribution program which has benefited more than 800 individuals to date.” Jessica Stern, Executive Director of OutRight Action International concluded, “OutRight’s mission is to work with local LGBTIQ organizations around the world to promote LGBTIQ equality. When crisis strikes, it is our duty & honor to do what we can to support local activists. This fund will support Helem to recover & rebuild so they can resume their work toward achieving a more equitable future for all LGBTIQ people in Lebanon.” 100% of all funds raised will be passed on to Helem to use for the support of the LGBTQ community in Lebanon, the center's relief efforts & any other urgent needs on the ground resulting from this catastrophe.
For More Info: outrightinternational.org
LISTEN: Jason Stuart & Mitch Hara Talk New Comedy Series
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New Comedy Series 'Smothered' (AUDIO)

This week I talked with actors Jason Stuart & Mitch Hara about their new must-watch comedy series “Smothered” currently available on Amazon Prime. With everything that’s happening in the world right now “Smothered” brings much needed comedic relief with a thirty-minute binge session of seven, five-minute episodes of outrageous, irreverent & laugh out loud bliss. Jason Stuart (The Birth Of A Nation) & Mitch Hara (Mutant Olive) have co-written, co-starred & co-produced this series about a longtime gay couple that cannot stand each other but can’t afford to get divorced. They decide to try & save their relationship by navigating their way through couple’s therapy. As the series unfolds through their uninhibited & often shocking therapy sessions viewers discover just how dysfunctional the couple of twenty years are as they outrageously nit-pick & push each other’s buttons. Guest stars appearing as assorted methods of therapists include Dalila Ali Rajah (Criminal Minds), Erik Audé (American Sniper), Clent Bowers (Little Fockers), Erika Ervin (American Horror Story), Helen Hong (Silicon Valley), Scott Krinsky (Chuck), Pancho Moler (Ray Donovan) & Carole Ita White (Laverne & Shirley). “Smothered” is directed by Terri Hanauer (Sweet Talk) & won the Audience Award for Best Series in the International Film Festivals in Spain, Paris, Amsterdam & Berlin. Jason Stuart is one of the most prolific character actors who’s also an outrageous openly gay stand-up comedian with over 150 credits. Mitch Hara is an actor/writer/director who joined the acclaimed Actors Studio when he was just 19. I talked to Jason & Mitch about what they hope to accomplish with their hysterical comedy series “Smothered” & their spin on our LGBTQ issues in this exclusive audio interview. LISTEN  
For More Info: smotheredtv.com
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Against The Tide Virtual Benefit Events

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) is presenting three virtual events for its annual Against the Tide athletic fundraisers that kicks off on Saturday August 15th, then continues on September 19th & concludes on September 26th. The virtual event components include a one mile recreational or competitive swims, a half mile recreational swim, 5K or 10K runs, a three mile walk, a half mile stand-up paddleboard event & a two mile kayak event. For participants who are looking to challenge themselves there is also an Aquathon option consisting of a competitive one mile swim followed immediately by either a 5K or 10K run. Cheryl Osimo, MBCC's Executive Director stated, "We are grateful to the many people who come out to support MBCC every year at Against the Tide events & we hope that providing participants with multiple virtual options will give everyone a chance to be a part of the Against the Tide events & to swim, walk, run, paddle, or kayak in support of cancer prevention. We've tried hard to balance the health & safety of our supporters, while trying to ensure important funds are raised to support MBCC's programs." Share your event photos & they'll be included in the Against the Tide photo album on the MBCC website & Facebook page & there will be prizes awarded to the top fundraisers. Registration fees are $40 for an individual participant & $100 for a family registration of up to five family members. Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition is the state's leading breast cancer organization dedicated to preventing the environmental causes of breast cancer through community education, research advocacy & changes to public policy.
For More Info & Registration…
For More Info: lambdalegal.org
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