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Hollywood Films LGBTQ Representation

GLAAD recently released its ninth annual Studio Responsibility Index (SRI) that maps the quantity, quality & diversity of LGBTQ characters in films released by the eight major film studios. For the first time in the report’s history there were more lesbian characters than gay male characters but the report found no LGBTQ characters with disabilities, no LGBTQ characters living with HIV & transgender or non-binary characters still remain completely absent for a fourth year in a row. The study is based on GLAAD’s Vito Russo Test that sets a criteria analyzing how LGBTQ characters are situated in a narrative film. Vito Russo who I had the pleasure to cross paths with many times when I lived in NYC was an activist, historian & co-founder of GLAAD. For a film to pass the Vito Russo Test the following must be true. The film must contain a character that is identifiably LGBTQ. That character must not be solely or predominantly defined by their sexual orientation or gender identity (i.e. the character is comprised of the same sort of unique character traits commonly used to differentiate straight or non-transgender characters from one another). The LGBTQ character must be tied into the plot in such a way that their removal would have a significant effect. Meaning they are not there to simply provide colorful commentary, paint urban authenticity, or (perhaps most commonly) set up a punchline. The character should matter.  Megan Townsend, GLAAD’s Director of Entertainment Research & Analysis concluded, “We know that LGBTQ audiences are a powerful & invested audience & a quickly growing one as we see more & more people empowered to live their authentic lives. The power, passion & growth of LGBTQ audiences proves that if studios wish to be successful in retaining & expanding fans, they must tell meaningful queer & trans stories.” GLAAD found that of the 44 films released from major studios in 2020 only ten (22.7 percent) contained LGBTQ characters.  For More Info…

Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
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Achieving LGBTQ Equality In The Media

The Rainbow Lifelong Learning Institute Boston is presenting a special virtual event “Achieving LGBTQ Equality Through The Media” with Emmy winner Charlotte Robinson on Tuesday July 20th from 12P to 1:30P EST via Zoom. With the Equality Act the most important legislation that would advance our LGBTQ civil rights pending in the US Senate our community is at a standstill. Mainstream media rarely addresses our LGBTQ issues except when they reach the US Supreme Court. With LGBTQ Pride being celebrated for the past two years mostly virtual due to the pandemic it is crucial that we form a media strategy & messaging to achieve full LGBTQ equality especially with the attacks on our transgender youth & transgender women of color. Robinson stated, “We’ve all watched the influence of the media elect government officials from local politicians to the Oval Office. Over the past decades our LGBTQ community has been developing an important mainstream media presence from Ellen DeGeneres to Rachel Maddow & Anderson Cooper to David Muir. However where we go from here is crucial to achieving full equality.” Take a journey with Emmy winner Charlotte Robinson as she talks about LGBTQ media representation through the decades & where we go from here. With her lifetime commitment to LGBTQ civil rights in 2004 Charlotte produced & directed the acclaimed short film OUTTAKE addressing marriage equality that morphed into the online news & entertainment network OUTTAKE MEDIA LLC. The Rainbow Lifelong Learning Institute Boston offers LGBTQ seniors & friends the opportunity to build & strengthen community through educational programs & social activities.“Achieving LGBTQ Equality Through The Media” on Tuesday July 20th from 12P to 1:30P EST via Zoom is a free event but you must register.  Register For Event…

Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
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Camp Pride Summer Leadership Event


Campus Pride the national nonprofit organization dedicated to creating safer more inclusive communities for LGBTQ & ally people on college campuses has announced the schedule for their 15th annual Camp Pride Summer Leadership Academy being held virtually July 16th to 18th. Shane Windmeyer Campus Pride Executive Director stated, “Camp Pride is one of the longest-running LGBTQ summer leadership camps for youth across the country & the only one of its kind for college students. It continues to be the premier national training academy for social justice & grassroots activism for LGBTQ & ally young adults at colleges & universities." This year’s Camp Pride will be held online for all registrants & live-streamed on Campus Pride’s Instagram in a limited capacity. Registration is $265 for three days of online programming; however a limited number of fee waivers are available to trans, queer people of color & students going to rural colleges to attend for free. Campus Pride is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year as the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to building future leaders & creating safer more inclusive communities for LGBTQ people & allies at colleges & universities. Founded in 2001 Campus Pride offers a wide variety of programs & resources for students & prospective students, including the Campus Pride Index, HBCU Clearinghouse, Trans Policy Clearinghouse, Lambda 10, Stop the Hate & Safe Space trainings as well as their annual Camp Pride leadership camp. LGBTQ & ally students & advisors can still register & apply for financial aid to attend Camp Pride. For More Info…

Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
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LGBTQ Athletes At The Tokyo Olympics


There will be more out LGBTQ athletes competing in the Tokyo Olympics that takes place Friday July 23rd to Sunday August 8th than all the previous Summer Olympics combined. At least 121 publicly out LGBTQ athletes are headed to Tokyo for the Summer Olympic Games which is more than double the number who participated at the 2016 Rio Games. According to Outsports Canadian swimmer Markus Thormeyer stated, “Competing at the Olympics as an openly gay athlete is pretty amazing. Being able to compete with the best in the world as my most authentic self at the biggest international multi-sport games shows how far we’ve come on inclusion in sport. I’m hoping that by competing at these Games I can show the LGBTQ community that we do belong & we can achieve anything we put our minds to.” Outsports also reports that the United States has the most out athletes at the Tokyo Olympics with more than 30 LGBTQ out athletes. Team USA is currently followed in the number of publicly out LGBTQ athletes by Britain (13), Netherlands (11), Canada (11), Australia (8) & New Zealand (8). Lesbians on the list outnumber gay men by about a 7-1 margin with women’s soccer having more than 30 out players. Unfortunately Japan has failed to improve LGBTQ Rights ahead of the Olympics but Japanese athletes are coming out anyways. Gon Matsunaka head of the Japan’s first permanent LGBTQ community center hopes the games will prove a catalyst in creating a society in which LGBTQ discrimination is no longer accepted & diversity is embraced. So let’s cheer on our brave & talented out Olympians & take advantage of this global opportunity to further LGBTQ equality. 
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LGBTQ Human Rights Conference Event


Human rights defenders & activists will gather globally both in person & virtually in Copenhagen from August 17th to 19th for the Human Rights Conference the most significant LGBTI+ conference in 2021. The conference is part of the World Pride & Euro Games in Copenhagen & Malmö that takes place August 12th to 22nd & is open for human rights defenders & activists, elected officials, academics, NGOs, media, Pride organizers & sports leaders in the field of LGBTQ rights. The goal is to include all representations under the LGBTI+ acronym in the program & to be highly aware of intersectionality in their planning. This includes representation in relation to geography, racialization, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, religion & appearance. The three-day conference takes place in a hybrid form with physical elements for participants in person & full online access to content sessions to facilitate the engagement of as many people as possible. The program consists of special statements by high-level officials & community members, eight plenaries, over 40 break-out sessions, networking sessions & meet & greets. Topics will include Politics & Law, Education, Labor Market & Civil Society, Intersectionality & Global Trends, Borders, Decolonization & Racism, Technology & Online Communities, Arts, Sports & Culture, Pride as a global Human Rights Movement, Breaking the Binary, Sexual well-being & Health & more. For decades Denmark has been amongst the most progressive nations in the world for LGBTQ equality. They decriminalized homosexuality in 1933. Gender confirmation surgery first took place there in 1951 & they introduced anti-discrimination legislation in 1987 & two years later legalized gay & lesbian partnerships. Registration for online participation is free of charge. For More Info… 

Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™

 


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OUT In Colombia IGLTA Impact Award

The IGLTA Foundation has announced that LGBTQ tour company OUT in Colombia is the recipient of the 2021 Impact Award that honors responsible tourism development. The award was launched this year in partnership with The TreadRight Foundation a non-profit organization created by The Travel Corporation’s family of brands to recognize a smaller business member (fewer than 10 employees) of the International LGBTQ Travel Association whose initiatives encourage sustainable tourism in three key areas: environment, community & diversity & inclusion. Sam Castañeda Holdren, Founder & CEO of OUT in Colombia stated, "With every one of our tours, we seek to introduce LGBTQ+ travelers to the new definition of all-inclusive, where you can travel well, travel out & make a difference all at the same time. It is truly an honor to be recognized by IGLTA, the IGLTA Foundation & The TreadRight Foundation for our efforts to give back to the community through responsible & sustainable tourism. As we strive for equality through travel, we hope that every new experience & cultural exchange leads to more compassion & understanding, while uplifting the diverse communities of the world." Theresa Belpulsi IGLTAF Board Chair concluded, “With all of the recent challenges our industry has faced, it’s important that we celebrate the work tourism businesses are doing to move the world forward in a better way. There are so many small IGLTA business members doing great work under the radar & with this new award, which we’ll present annually, they’ll get a much-deserved moment in the spotlight. We’re thrilled to recognize OUT in Colombia this year for their efforts.” For More Info…

Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
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Boston LGBTQ Pride Calls It Quits

Boston Pride after over 50 years of LGBTQ Pride celebrations in the city has decided to call it quits. Boston Pride Board of Directors including Linda DeMarco President, Malcolm Carey Treasurer, Martha Plaza Clerk, Deborah Drew & Tina Rosado released this statement, “For years, we have volunteered our time with Boston Pride because we care about & are passionate about the LGBTQIA+ community. We strived to foster an environment of diversity & unity within our organization & the community. Over the past 50 years, Boston Pride has facilitated programs & events that have changed our society & promoted equality, but we know there is still work to be done. Over the past year, we have invested time & energy to address the concerns of the community, both with our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access work with Dorrington & Saunders & by forming the Transformation Advisory Committee comprised of members of the LGBTQIA+ community to help bring change to our organization. We are grateful for all who have been involved in this process. It is clear to us that our community needs & wants change without the involvement of Boston Pride. We have heard the concerns of the QTBIPOC community & others. We care too much to stand in the way. Therefore, Boston Pride is dissolving. There will be no further events or programming planned & the board is taking steps to close down the organization. We know many people care about Pride in Boston & we encourage them to continue the work. By making the decision to close down, we hope new leaders will emerge from the community to lead the Pride movement in Boston. This decision was made with a heavy heart, out of love & hope for a better future.” For More Info…

Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
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