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LGBTQ Leaders Inaugural Statements

Celebrating the Biden-Harris inaugural was like a deep cleansing of the last four dark years. Here are a few LGBTQ leaders reflections entering this new dawn of so many pro-equality voices. Brian K. Bond, Executive Director of PFLAG National stated, “Following four years of administrative assaults that targeted LGBTQ+ people & transgender people in particular, PFLAG is working with the Biden-Harris Administration & our elected leaders in Congress to prioritize fixing the effects of these harmful policies. We are heartened that executive actions in the short term include undoing Trump’s final actions before leaving office to eliminate LGBTQ+ discrimination protections; reversing the transgender military ban & the Muslim ban; curbing ICE & working to reunite families separated at our borders; enforcing protections for LGBTQ+ people from workplace discrimination & ensuring a fair & complete Census in which everybody counts.” Nadine Smith Executive Director Equality Florida added, “From addressing racial inequity head-on, rolling back the ban on transgender military service members & shepherding passage of the Equality Act to codify nondiscrimination protections nationwide - the incoming administration has the chance to be the most pro-LGBTQ in American history. But it’s our duty to commit ourselves to the work of ensuring President Biden, Vice President Harris & our members of Congress make good on their promises.” Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force concluded, “It is of great significance to the LGBTQ community that on their first day in office, this administration has made it clear that discrimination has no place in the federal government…We look forward to the day when President Biden will sign the Equality Act, which will amend the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation & gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federal funding, credit & the jury system.”
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Finally Democracy Returns To America

This is a day of celebration & the rebirth of democracy is this country. The thug in chief has left DC to the soundtrack of Frank Sinatra singing “My Way.” Perhaps all of us will now be able to sleep without the nightmares of looming domestic fascism. This will be a day to celebrate & tomorrow we’ll roll up our sleeves & work to get this country back on track to once again to be the land of the free & home of the brave. For me I can begin to dream again of a future of LGBTQ equality without the fear of that creating a target on my back. What wonderful fabulous doors will now open for all of us. Let’s not lose sight of what brought us here & try to think of ways we can bridge the gaps with those who’d rather create acts of violence than work towards unity. This pandemic has provided us with a universal reset & we must take advantage of this unique opportunity. It’s time to figure out what divides us & work to coming together in a way that gives everyone a chance to rise up to the best person they can be. We’ve had 4 years of watching what doesn’t work & led to the chaos of January 6th. So enjoy the day. Celebrate democracy at its best & try to let go of the horrors we have experienced & lived through for the last 4 years. This is the day when we can once again feel proud to being Americans.
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Dr. Levine Historic Nomination (AUDIO)

Dr. Rachel Levine has been nominated by President-elect Joe Biden to be assistant secretary for health in the department of Health & Human Services that will make her the first openly transgender federal official once confirmed by the Senate. Rea Carey Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force stated, “Dr. Levine is imminently qualified to serve as assistant secretary at Health & Human Services. Her work in Pennsylvania was exemplary & impactful to the health of all Pennsylvanians. When the National LGBTQ Task Force praised the nomination of Pete Buttigieg as Transportation Secretary, we said it should the ’the first of many firsts,’& this is exactly what we meant. The appointment of more diverse LGBTQ people at all level of the administration is imperative & that includes trans & non-binary people & people of color. We are thrilled that Dr. Levine has been nominated, especially at HHS, where the LGBTQ community has been under serious attack by the outgoing administration. She has served Pennsylvania well & when the Senate confirms her, she will serve the country well, attending to the health needs of all Americans.” Last week I was on a press conference call held by the Center for American Progress with Dr. Rachel Levine, Secretary of Health, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania discussing a new CAP report outlining how the Biden administration can & should address the health needs of our LGBTQ community especially after four years of neglect & abuse by the outgoing Trump administration. The Center for American Progress is a nonpartisan research & educational institute dedicated to promoting a strong, just & free America that ensures opportunity for all. Winnie Stachelberg, Executive Vice President, External Affairs, Center for American Progress intros Dr. Levine. LISTEN
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Celebrating Martin Luther King In 2021

With Washington D.C. in military lockdown in preparations for the Biden-Harris Inauguration after Trump’s supporters treasonous display of violence failed to dismantle our democracy I can’t help wonder what Martin Luther King Jr. would think about what America has become. This summer was so hopeful with all the Black Lives Matters rallies across the nation in response to the murder of George Floyd. Then we mobilized during a pandemic to use our vote to rid this country of an administration bend on taking away the rights & protections of minorities, LGBTQ people & women. After President-elect Joe Biden & Vice President-elect Kamala Harris huge win we began to see the light at the end of this dark tunnel but Trump still wouldn’t face reality as his big lie started to manifest into the shock & horrors of January 6th. Looking back to 2017 just before the Trump inauguration when his cabinet selections appeared determined to set civil rights in this country backwards by at least 60 years the late John Lewis spoke the truth stating, "We must not be silent. I don't see this president-elect as a legitimate president. I think the Russians participated in helping him get elected & in destroying the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. I think there was a conspiracy on the part of Russians & others that helped him get elected. That's not right, that's not fair. That's not the open democratic process. When you see something that's not right you have a moral obligation to do something." So whatever happens this week standup & commit to moving America forward & never let hate win.
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GLAAD Reports Where We Are On TV

GLAAD the premiere LGBTQ media advocacy org has announced the findings of its annual Where We Are on TV report. This report analyzes the overall diversity of primetime scripted series regulars on broadcast networks & assesses the number of LGBTQ regular & recurring characters on primetime scripted cable programming & original scripted streaming series on Amazon, Hulu & Netflix for the 2020-2021 TV season. Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD’s President & CEO stated, “In the midst of a destructive pandemic, a long overdue cultural reckoning with racial injustice & a transition into a new political era for this country, representation matters more than ever as people turn to entertainment storytelling for connection & escape. This time of unprecedented change matched with increased demand represents an opportunity to break new ground with stories we have not seen before & create LGBTQ characters that do not reinforce harmful stereotypes.” Right now LGBTQ inclusion is still enormously impacted by a small handful of creators who prioritize it. Characters on series from just four out power players (Greg Berlanti, Lena Waithe, Ryan Murphy & ally Shonda Rhimes) last year accounted for 14 percent of all LGBTQ characters. This year, that percentage increased with these creators’ series representing 17 percent of all LGBTQ representation (62 of 360 characters) on TV appearing on their 16 series included in this year’s study. This means nearly one in every five LGBTQ characters appears on a series that is tied to one of just four creatives. This year’s study found that of the 773 series regular characters scheduled to appear on broadcast scripted primetime television this season, 70 (9.1 percent) are LGBTQ. This is a decrease from the previous year’s record high percentage of 10.2 percent & the first season to mark a decrease in this percentage since it last fell in the 2013-14 report. 
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International Peace Honors Goes Virtual

A select group of international personalities will join the inaugural International Peace Honors presented by PeaceTech Lab on Sunday January 17th at 8PM EST to celebrate the most prominent world leaders & change-agents of our time whose common goal is to build a more just & equitable future. Those honored will include Ricky Martin, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Opal Tometi, Vint Cert, Amazonian Chief Raoni & Ricardo Montaner will be recognized during this international event with live performances to honor 2020’s most outstanding leaders of change. The event will live stream on PeaceTech Lab’s YouTube channel. Sheldon Himelfarb, PeaceTech Lab President & CEO stated, “We live on a planet where cell phones outnumber people & 1 million new Internet users come online every day. We must recognize our collective responsibility as peace-builders to do more to enlist these modern tools in solving the world’s biggest challenges.” Award presenters include basketball icon Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, actress & activist Eva Longoria, musician & environmentalist Sting, celebrity chef & humanitarian Jose Andres & more. Performing will be an international list of superstars will deliver special performances including Spanish artist Alejandro Sanz, Colombian singer Camilo & wife Evaluna Montaner, activist Sting & Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini. Natalia Jimenez GRAMMY® & Latin GRAMMY® winner will host the International Peace Honors. Established by the United States Institute of Peace, PeaceTech Lab is committed to using technology, media & data to prevent violence & build prosperous & peaceful communities around the world. The event is free but you must register. For More Info...

Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
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Removing The Mirror Of Evil In America

National lawmakers are set to debate & vote on Trump’s historical second article of impeachment Wednesday for “Incitement of Insurrection” of the deadly January 6th attack on the US Capitol building after telling a mob of his supporters to "fight like hell" to overturn the result of the 2020 election an election he lost fair & square. Trump's incitement of this mob is proof that he is a danger to our country & our democracy. On Tuesday the House voted in favor of a measure calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office. However in a letter to Pelosi hours earlier Pence said he did not support taking such an action. This is probably a good thing because if Pence had removed Trump there was still a possibility that he could pardon Trump of the charges that will be brought forward over the next few weeks. Being that Trump engaged in High Crimes & Misdemeanors by inciting violence against the Government of the United States the 14th Amendment should also come into play for Trump & his Congressional supporters that states that “No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President & Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”
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