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Task Force Honors Jonathan Capehart

The National LGBTQ Task Force will honor MSNBC anchor & Associate Editor of The Washington Post Jonathan Capehart with the National Leadership Award at their 26th Annual National LGBTQ Task Force Gala on Saturday October 22nd at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Kierra Johnson, National LGBTQ Task Force Executive Director stated, “Jonathan Capehart is a nationally respected journalist & is uncompromising & relentless in his pursuit to report the truth in a time when misinformation erodes the very foundation of our democracy. He has used his platform to shape the national conversation on important social issues & to make visible the invisible, marginalized people in our country. He has helped tell the stories of LGBTQ people who inspire us & move us & he has done it all with integrity as a journalist who holds the intersectional identities of being both Black & a member of LGBTQ+ community. For all of these reasons, we are proud to honor Jonathan Capehart a champion who exhibits & inspires courage, authenticity & a ferocious quest for truth and justice.” Capehart concluded, “When I was a kid & dreamed of being a journalist, it was all about reporting from the middle of the action. Being Black & gay were two things I couldn’t hide, so I pursued my dream with determination & without apology. To receive the 2022 National Leadership Award from the Task Force is a humbling reminder that being in the middle of the action means you are in service to something bigger than yourself. What an honor it is to be recognized for just being myself & for doing all I can to help others do the same.” 
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U.S. Supreme Court Has Lost Its Heart

Last month America experienced the extremist right-wing majority of the U.S. Supreme Court that rolled back a string of long-held rights & protections reinforcing the need to consider major reforms to the high court & lower federal courts. The Center for American Progress & the Brennan Center presented a panel including Sherrilyn Ifill & Michael Waldman who served on the presidential commission to study court reforms. Ifill stated, “The Supreme Court sits within our democracy, not outside of it & over it. We are supposed to be able to correct issues that we see stand in the way of our democracy being able to be as true to itself as it could possibly be.” Waldman added, “How we read the Constitution & role of the Supreme Court is properly a major political issue. Certainly, the folks who, for decades, have waged a campaign to overturn Roe v. Wade or to have the individual right to gun ownership recognized in the constitution—they understood that & we need to understand, too, that kitchen-table advocacy on the Constitution is going to be part of our debate going forward. We saw in the last few days of the term, last month, a decade’s worth of right-wing social change jammed into three days by the unelected part of the government.” Ifill added that she was particularly concerned about the court’s lack of respect for long-standing precedent in cases especially in overturning Roe v. Wade concluding, “There have to be a set of reasons & a set of benchmarks before you overrule a decision that you have made in the past, especially a long-standing decision that millions of people have relied on.” 
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A Provincetown World Premiere (AUDIO)

I caught the world premiere of award-winning author Sarah Schulman’s new play “The Lady Hamlet” at The Provincetown Theater in Provincetown, MA & it delivered. It took 17 years for Schulman’s daring & romantic farce to come to fruition & it was fabulous. “The Lady Hamlet” is a smart, gender-defying comedy with huge heart, deep curiosity & serious laughs. The play is about two women born to play Hamlet set in 1920s NYC as they engage in a war of wits that leaves their colleagues & lovers caught in the crossfire. This clever costume comedic period piece makes you think & laugh at the same time. In a fencing match both mentally & physically these dueling divas battle to see who will be the first & best female Hamlet on Broadway & win the off-stage hand of the fair Ophelia. Directed by David Drake, Artistic Director at The Provincetown Theater the cast of 6 includes Jennifer Van Dyck (Broadway: Two Shakespearean Actors, Hedda Gabler, Dancing at Lughnasa), Kate Levy (Broadway: Bernhardt/Hamlet). John Shuman (Broadway: La Cage Aux Folles, TV: “Boardwalk Empire”), Anne Stott (Film: “Don't Look Up,” “The Mothership,” “Crookedfinger”) Laura Scribner (“Law & Order: Criminal Intent) & Brandon Cordeiro (Broadway: The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me). “The Lady Hamlet” was developed in part through the Provincetown Theater's new play development program The Stephen Mindich Literary Project. My advise is don’t miss this play. It runs through Thursday July 21st. COVID-19 safety protocols for the performance include mandatory facemasks for all patrons except while actively consuming food or drink & proof of vaccination. I talked to Sarah about the inspiration for her fabulous new play & her spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN  
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New LGBTQ Social Media Safety Report

GLAAD announced the findings of its 2nd annual Social Media Safety Index (SMSI) report on LGBTQ user safety across 5 major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube & TikTok with all platforms failing, receiving scores under 50 out of 100. Sarah Kate Ellis GLAAD President & CEO stated, “Today’s political & cultural landscapes demonstrate the real-life harmful effects of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric & misinformation online. The hate & harassment, as well as misinformation & flat-out lies about LGBTQ people, that go viral on social media are creating real-world dangers, from legislation that harms our community to the recent threats of violence at Pride gatherings. Social media platforms are active participants in the rise of anti-LGBTQ cultural climate & their only response should be to urgently create safer products and policies & then enforce those policies.” The 2nd annual Social Media Safety Index (SMSI) found that 40% of LGBTQ adults & 49% of transgender & nonbinary people do not feel welcomed & safe on social media. Jenni Olson GLAAD’s Senior Director of Social Media Safety concluded, “All platforms should follow the lead of TikTok & Twitter & should immediately incorporate an explicit prohibition against targeted misgendering & deadnaming of transgender & non-binary people into hateful conduct policies. This recommendation remains an especially high priority in our current landscape where anti-trans rhetoric & attacks are so prevalent, vicious & harmful. We also urge these companies to effectively moderate such content & to enforce these policies.” The Social Media Safety Index (SMSI) was created with support from Craig Newmark Philanthropies, the Gill Foundation & Logitech. 
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Supporting LGBTQ Changes To Title IX

The Department of Education has officially published notice for proposed rule changes for the next 60-day period. This includes the proposed regulation which will add sexual orientation & gender identity as enumerated protected characteristics within the Title IX regulation. Our LGBTQ community needs to weigh in & make supportive comments as members of the general public to have an impact on the rule making process. The Title IX proposal will help the Biden administration to combat laws like the ‘Don’t Say Gay or Trans’ bills passed in Florida & Alabama that invites harassment of our LGBTQ youth & the bathroom bills in Alabama & Oklahoma that prevent transgender students from using facilities matching their gender identity. Sarah Warbelow, HRC Legal Director stated, “All students -- no matter their background, sexual orientation, or gender identity -- deserve to feel safe & welcomed in schools. The proposed rule to include clear protections based on sexual orientation & gender identity within the Title IX regulation will do just that. This is not a ceremonial step; the voice of the people truly matters here & we strongly encourage affected people – students, parents, & educators – to submit an official comment about how the proposed rule would positively impact students’ experiences in school. As we await further the Department’s promised additional rule on athletics provisions, which we expect to make clear that transgender youth should be included in these protections, individuals & groups can make their voices heard in defense of LGBTQ+ youth right now.”  Polling shows that the public supports nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people & this rule change is about making the will of the people a reality. Anyone who wishes to comment on the Title IX NPRM can do so now through September 12th. 
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Outfest LGBTQ Film Festival’s 40th Year

Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary by presenting over 200 films including an impressive 42 world premieres & films representing 29 countries from around the world for 10 film packed days starting July 14th to July 24th. This year’s festival will be returning to multiple locations throughout Los Angeles including the Directors Guild of America, The Orpheum Theatre, The Theatre at Ace Hotel, The Ford, Harmony Gold, Plaza de la Raza & REDCAT. 55 & the films will also be made available virtually to US & international audiences. Explore Los Angeles premieres of Sundance favorites like Sirens, Mars One, Framing Agnes & Audience Award-winner Girl Picture. Also from the Berlin International Film Festival Teddy Award-winner Three Tidy Tigers Tied a Tie Tighter & Tribeca films like Attachment, All Man: The International Male Story & Breaking the Ice. There will also be plenty of special event & parties throughout the festival including their annual Platinum Alchemy Party with Big Freedia on Sunday July 17th from 8P to 2A at Catch One. Don’t miss this fabulous over the top night of dancing & musical performances. Party all night long with the first ever Platinum Alchemy Award winner & Queen of Bounce Big Freedia who will perform live at the event & also a performances by Moor Mother's 700 Bliss, the queer supergroup Commando & more incredible artists & DJs. Established in 1982 Outfest is a Queer arts, media & entertainment organization offering programs designed to increase access, diversity & visibility for storytellers & audiences alike. 
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LGBTQ Matchmaking Service (AUDIO)

This week I talked with Tammy Shaklee a leading LGBTQ Relationship Expert & President of H4M one of the country’s top LGBTQ certified matchmaking companies. Since founding the national offline matchmaking company ten years ago Tammy & her team have successfully paired thousands of LGBTQ clients across the country that were seeking long-term committed relationships. As a fierce LGBTQ ally & advocate Tammy understands the challenges singles face when looking for a suitable mate since she met her husband through a matchmaking service herself. Then when she called the same matchmaker to refer a gay friend, she was appalled that not only did that company not take LGBTQ clients but they actually hung up on her for merely asking. This experience led Tammy to eventually start her own LGBTQ matchmaking company after months of focus group inquiries. Her unique process centers on traditional introductions & dating for LGBTQ singles who are interested in achieving relationship success that rivals their professional success. H4M introduces quality vetted eligible singles seeking a long term sustainable & committed relationship. Clients range in a variety of ages, ethnicities, education levels, professions & interests. Here’s how H4M works. First step is to book a complimentary oral consultation with one of H4M certified matchmakers since H4M conducts their business completely offline. Following background check approval candidates will be invited to become a client & are granted access to review potential matches. Next step will be a date coordination introduction that is followed by a post-date inquiry & if needed a next date coordination. I talked to Tammy about what she hopes to accomplish with H4M & her spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN  
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Rutgers University Glee Club Event

The Rutgers University Glee Club under the direction of Dr. Brandon Williams will perform Tyler’s Suite on Friday November 6th at 7:30P. For...

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