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Tokyo Olympics Are Really Going To Pot

First we dealt with the disappointment that track & field sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson became ineligible to compete in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics that take place Friday July 23rd to Sunday August 8th because she tested positive for legally obtained THC following her 100 meter final at the U.S. Trials. Richardson is the fastest American woman sprinter & was suspended for 30 days for the drug violation. Though there are still lots of LGBTQ athletics to root for losing Richardson was a blow. Now we learn that Japan has declared a state of emergency for Tokyo during the 2021 Olympic Games. Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced the fourth state of emergency in the host city of Tokyo & surrounding prefectures to curb a rise in COVID-19 infections. Under the new restrictions that will start on July 12th & run until August 22nd bars & restaurants will be asked to suspend alcohol sales & workers will be asked to stay at home if possible. Next we’re just waiting to hear if spectators will be allowed at Olympic venues. UPDATE: There will be no spectators at the Tokyo Olympics. Perhaps the games will take place with some sort of futuristic bubble presentation like the NBA Finals adapted last year. I’m sure if you listen very carefully you can probably hear Comcast & NBC Sports scrambling to come up with a plan whichever way it goes. The motto for the Tokyo Olympics is “United by Emotion” which were suppose to happen last year but postponed because of the global pandemic. Perhaps the new motto should be “United by Disappointment.”
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New Guiding Principles In The Media

A group of leading advocacy organizations including NARAL Pro-Choice America, Giffords, United We Dream & the LGBTQ Task Force have joined forces to launch a new initiative, Guiding Principles for Inclusive, Accurate & Unbiased Coverage. As issues such as abortion, immigration, gun violence & LGBTQ equality are prominently in the national media spotlight the orgs are equipping reporters & newsrooms with recommendations for including critical perspectives of impacted communities to avoid amplifying disinformation & contextualizing sources & important public opinion information. Cathy Renna, National LGBTQ Task Force Communications Director stated, “Across the country, legislators are working diligently to restrict the rights of LGBTQ people – in many cases specifically targeting transgender & non-binary youth & adolescents. This year, we have seen a record number of not only anti-transgender legislation but of violent deaths of transgender people than ever before, almost all trans women of color, which has placed a unique focus on the transgender community in the media. Under this spotlight, reporters have a responsibility to represent our community in a nuanced, unbiased & accurate way. The National LGBTQ Task Force is proud to help create these Guiding Principles to assist reporters in covering this harmful & complicated legislation. We have embraced & addressed the need to talk about our work at the intersections & how all of these issue areas connect us. By creating this guide, we hope to read stories that capture the humanity of our community, dispel disinformation & include the perspectives of LGBTQ people.” The National LGBTQ Task Force advances full freedom, justice & equity for LGBTQ people building a future where everyone can be free to be their entire selves in every aspect of their lives. 
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Violence Cancels Tbilisi Pride Event

In Tbilisi, Georgia yesterday rightwing homophobic radicals blocked off the capital’s main avenue to prevent a planned LGBTQ Pride March & then launched a violent attack injuring over 20 journalists covering the celebration as well as numerous members of our LGBTQ community. Anti-LGBTQ groups waving Georgian flags also scaled the Tbilisi Pride headquarters tearing down rainbow flags & ransacking the office. LGBTQ organizers of the Tbilisi March For Dignity then cancelled the event saying authorities had not provided adequate security guarantees. This homophobic attack came after Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili made a statement earlier in the day that said it was inappropriate to hold a Pride march arguing that it would create confrontation & was "unacceptable for a large segment of the Georgian society." He also claimed that the "radical opposition" led by exiled former President Mikheil Saakashvili's United National Movement was behind the march & sought to create "unrest." Tbilisi Pride Organizers stated that although they could not go out "in a street full of violence" supported by the government & church, they would continue to advocate for LGBTQ rights stating, "We would like to tell the supporters clearly that the fight for dignity will continue, this is an indispensable process that despite the hate groups, the Patriarchate & the government's resistance, will not stop." Tbilisi Pride needs our help. Tbilisi Pride represents the union of LGBTQI people & allies. They strive for civil rights of LGBTQ people to make political, legal & social changes in Georgia. 
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Ann Hampton Callaway Live (AUDIO)

This week I talked with singer songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway one of America’s most gifted artists in pop & jazz about her upcoming live performances as COVID restrictions continue to lift. First up Ann will be performing her very popular one woman show "The Streisand Songbook" on July 13th at 8P at a new venue on Cape Cod, The Music Room Gallery & Wine Bar in West Yarmouth, MA. With over 100 Symphony performances to rave reviews, this show is 90 minutes of soaring, sizzling hits & gems of the diva of divas so definitely check it out. Then it’s on to the Patio Stage at Strathmore in Bethesda, MD where she will be joined by Billy Stritch to perform “The Linda Ronstadt Songbook” on July 16th. Ann will then be traveling across the country to Costa Mesa, CA to perform “The Linda Ronstadt Songbook” on July 25th at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. On July 29th she will perform at the Vail Jazz Festival & finish the month with her popular virtual show Callaway Hideaway live stream "Ann Hampton Callaway Sings The 70's" on July 31st. Continuing her national tour on August 13th & 14th she will be performing "Ann Hampton Callaway - Broadway Classics" at the Arts Garage in Delray, FL & will end the month virtually with Callaway Hideaway live stream on August 29th presenting "Ann Hampton Callaway - Songs I Wish I'd Written". Then if COVID restrictions continue to lift globally she will be off to the UK to perform “The Judy Garland Songbook" & "Ann Hampton Callaway - Cinematic Serenade" in London. I talked to Ann about what she hopes to accomplish with her work & her spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN
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Independence Day & LGBTQ Equality


We’ve come along way this year despite dealing with a political divide in the midst of a pandemic. The Biden Administration is slowly pumping air back into a country that was being suffocated by rightwing hatemongers. Each week another appointment or policy is being made that reflects a more diverse & evolved country. Just last week the Biden administration nominated Chantale Wong as U.S. Director to the Asian Development Bank with the rank of Ambassador becoming the first out lesbian & first out person of color ever nominated for an ambassador-level position. Also last week the White House Domestic Policy Council & Gender Policy Council announced the formation of an Interagency Working Group within the White House that will coordinate policies to advance the safety, economic opportunity & inclusion of transgender Americans. With the epidemic of violence against trans women of color & state governments continuing to propose & pass bills targeting trans school children the White House is sending a strong, clear message that the United States federal government is going to do all it can to end this epidemic of transphobia. David J. Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition stated, “We look forward to continuing our work with members of the White House & with this new interagency toward advancing the rights of all trans people in the United States.” However there's still so much more to be done to ensure the right to live our lives authentically. This is why Congress must pass the Equality Act to codify into law civil rights protections for our LGBTQ community across the nation. So Happy July 4th & let’s figure out how to get the Equality Act finally passed.
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Out Film LGBTQ Film Festival Winners


Out Film CT the Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival recently wrapped their 34th hybrid festival of features & short films presented both in-person screenings at the historic Cinestudio on the campus of Trinity College in Hartford & via virtual streaming. “Summer of '85” was named winner of the 2021 Audience Award for Best Feature Film & “Sheer Qorma” was named winner of the 2021 Audience Award for Best Short Film. Jaime Ortega Out Film CT Co-Director stated, "By offering a hybrid format, we were able to allow audiences to comfortably enjoy films in a theatre again as well as at home. We are thrilled with the audience response & are delighted to share the results of their voting as well as the festival jury's selections as the best of the festival." Already narrowed down from over 500 submissions, audiences & the jury had the opportunity to view & vote on over 100 full-length films & shorts. As in previous years audience members were asked to rate their enjoyment of the films they watched but this year the Audience Award results come from a combination of paper voting at the cinema & electronic balloting online. Out Film CT honored the films with 2021 Audience & Jury Awards. Filmmakers will share $3,500 in prize money. Shane Engstrom Out Film CT Co-Director concluded, "Five out of the six Audience & Jury Best Film selections went to films from outside the United States. It's a testament to the importance & awareness of the Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival that we received so many strong international submissions this year, movies from over 30 countries spanning 6 continents." 
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U.S. Changes Passport Gender Policies

The U.S. State Department announced that it would be changing its policy to allow individuals to self-select the gender for & adding an X gender marker option to U.S. passports. Charlie Arrowood Counsel, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) Name Change Project stated, “Today’s announcement by the U.S. State Department is an important step towards equality & fairness for non-binary, transgender, & intersex people. It is a critical recognition by the government that we ourselves are the arbiters of who we are. Removing the doctor’s letter requirement means passport changes are more accessible to the many trans people who do not have access to medical care, whether due to cost, lack of transportation, discrimination, or any other reason & provides the safety & dignity of having identity documents that align with who we are. We hope for swift implementation of the addition of an X option for passports, which will align with the more than 20 states & more than 10 countries that already have these options for state identity documents. There is still so much more the federal government can do to protect the rights of transgender & non-binary people & we look forward to working with the Biden administration on additional changes in the weeks & months ahead.” The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is committed to ending discrimination based upon gender identity & expression & to achieving equality for transgender people through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services & public policy efforts. For More Info…

Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™

 

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