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Women’s Media Awards 2023 Honorees

Women’s Media Center hosted their Women’s Media Awards Gala at the Whitby Hotel in New York City honoring outstanding leaders & champions for women in media. This year’s WMC 2023 Women’s Media Awards honorees were Mariska Hargitay, Fredricka Whitfield, Karen Lincoln Michel, Emily Ladau, Koritha Mitchell & Akila Radhakrishnan. Women’s Media Center co-founders Jane Fonda, Robin Morgan & Julie Burton WMC President & CEO appeared at the event. Burton stated, “The Women’s Media Center’s call to action is simple: We want to see more diverse women, hear more diverse women & read articles from more diverse women across all media platforms. Our Women’s Media Awards honor champions for women who set the standard for what media should look like when it gives voice to the female half of the country. They are role models, history-makers & inspiring leaders.” Mariska Hargitay, Emmy-winning actor, director, producer, activist, Founder & President of the Joyful Heart Foundation received the WMC Sisterhood is Powerful Award. Fredricka Whitfield, CNN News anchor received the WMC Pat Mitchell Lifetime Achievement Award. Karen Lincoln Michel, President of ICT, formerly Indian Country Today & President and CEO of IndiJ Public Media received the WMC Carol Jenkins Award. Emily Ladau, Disability Rights Activist, author of Demystifying Disability received the WMC Progressive Women’s Voices IMPACT Award. Koritha Mitchell, award-winning author, cultural critic, literary historian, professor of English received the WMC Progressive Women’s Voices IMPACT Award. Akila Radhakrishnan, President of the Global Justice Center received the WMC Progressive Women’s Voices IMPACT Award. Women’s Media Center (WMC) is a feminist organization that works for gender & racial inclusion, representation & equality in media. 
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LGBTQ Women’s Survey Report Released

The Los Angeles LGBT Center in partnership with Justice Work & 120 partner organizations released the first full report from the largest & most comprehensive survey on LGBTQ women who partner with women in the United States entitled “We Never Give Up the Fight”: A Report of the National LGBTQ+ Women’s Community Survey”. Terra Russell-Slavin, LA LGBT Center’s Chief Impact Officer stated, “In a time when our communities are under constant legislative attack, it is more important than ever that we continue our fight toward queer liberation & equality while bringing the community’s everyday issues to the forefront of consciousness." Dr. Jaime M. Grant who co-authored the report in partnership with the Los Angeles LGBT Center added, “The bad news is that institutions fail us. but the very good news is, our friends & queer community step up & help us live the lives we deserve. LGBTQ+ women represent the most critical & least lauded safety net in our lives & our community organizations & policy-makers need to consider how we are resourcing & supporting queer friendship networks & sociality.” Carla Sutherland, Executive Director of Justice Work concluded, "This report is an important next step to making data from our groundbreaking study available to gender justice organizers, advocates & researchers. The study offers critical insights into the lives, needs & priorities of LGBTQ+ women at a scale that allows for meaningful intersectional analysis across key social lenses such as gender, sexuality, age, race & class." The National LGBTQ+ Women’s Community Survey was launched by the late activist Urvashi Vaid who I spoke with about the study in 2021. LISTEN 
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GLSEN Rise Up LA To Honor Orville Peck

GLSEN the fabulous org dedicated to creating safe & inclusive K-12 schools for our LGBTQ youth announced they will honor celebrated country singer & songwriter Orville Peck with the Champion Award at Rise Up LA its annual fundraising event that takes place Saturday October 28th at Neuehouse Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA. Melanie Willingham-Jaggers GLSEN Executive Director stated, "Rise Up LA symbolizes GLSEN's dedication to uplifting those who use their platform to amplify LGBTQ+ voices & advocate for inclusivity. Orville Peck’s authentic advocacy & commitment to championing a world where LGBTQ+ youth can feel safe & embraced reflects GLSEN’s mission. We’re also welcoming our presenters—Sherry Cola, Wayne Brady & Fortune Feimster— to the stage for using their voices, talents & platforms to create positive change in the world.” Peck is breaking barriers in country music & serves as a beacon of hope for LGBTQ youth currently experiencing harmful discrimination & legislation across the country. Orville’s last album, “BRONCO” received critical & commercial acclaim. Prior to that he released his “Show Pony” EP which featured a duet with global country icon Shania Twain. He is currently starring in Reese Witherspoon’s “My Kind of Country” on AppleTV. For over 33 years GLSEN has championed LGBTQ issues in K-12 education to create safe & supportive LGBTQ inclusive schools for all students. GLSEN believes every student has the right to a safe & affirming education regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression because no young person should have to choose between their wellbeing & an education. Rise Up LA is made possible by sponsors Wells Fargo Hollister, Target, Amazon Music & Amazon MGM Studios. 
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Wicked Queer Documentary Film Fest

Boston’s Wicked Queer Documentary Film Festival returns for a second year celebrating the rich & vibrant true stories of our LGBTQ community & takes place from November 10th to 20th. WQ:DOCS kicks off with “It’s Only Life After All” an intimate look into the lives of The Indigo Girls from director Alexandria Bombach with never-before-seen archival & intimate vérité the film dives into the songwriting & storytelling of the music that transformed a generation on Friday November 10th at 7:30P at the Museum Of Fine Arts. Then on Saturday November 11th at 11A also at the MFA is “Hidden Master: The Legacy of George Platt Lynes” director Sam Shahid’s documentary uncovering the life & work of photographer George Platt Lynes best remembered for his dazzling celebrity & fashion photographs of the 1930’s & 1940’s Lynes was forced to keep his male nude photos hidden from the public. Shahid hopes his film will help reclaim this gifted artist’s full legacy & lasting influence as one of the first openly gay American artists. Another highlight is “Jewelle: A Just Vision” about Jewelle Gomez a visionary writer, activist & community-builder who has left an indelible mark since the 1960s. The documentary by Madeleine Lim features interviews with Jewelle & her friends & collaborators including Dorothy Allison, Cheryl Clarke & Ajuan Mance delving into the life & impact of this prolific Black & Native femme lesbian feminist across LGBTQ organizations & communities. The film will screen on Saturday November 11th at 2:30P at the MFA & after the documentary there will be a conversation with Jewelle Gomez & director Madeleine Lim. I talked to Jewell in 2018 in this exclusive audio interview. LISTEN  
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Peter Tatchell House Arrest In Mumbai

Mumbai police have placed human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell under ‘house arrest’ in his hotel in Mumbai, India to prevent him from peacefully protesting outside the International Olympic Committee Congress in the city. Tatchell is forbidden to leave his hotel room under police orders & four officers are stationed in the lobby to prevent him from leaving. Sub Inspector, Shrikrant Neve, from Kurla police station stated, “We are not allowing it [the protest]. We are not giving permission. You make serious accusations against India [over its human rights record]. What you are proposing to do is negative towards some of India’s allies.” Officer Neve was referring to likely bidders to host the 2036 Olympics like China, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey & Indonesia. Peter Tatchell concluded, “When I pointed out that the Indian constitution guarantees freedom of expression & the right to assembly & peaceful protest, I was told ‘these rights only apply to Indian citizens.’ Foreigners do not have these rights. I was stunned. I assumed that India was a democracy & that peaceful protests by anyone were allowed. This ban is a blow to India’s democratic reputation. It is what we expect from police state regimes. The police added that I had, in any case, violated the condition of my tourist visa, which does not permit anything other than tourist activities. I was not aware of this restriction & offered to apply for a new visa. ‘A protest will still not be allowed,’ I was told…After two hours, the police left. Just over an hour later, they returned to serve a ‘Notice’ under ‘Section 14 of the Foreigners Act 1946,’ which prohibits violations of the terms of a visa - punishable by up to five year’s imprisonment & a fine.” 
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PFLAG 2023 National Convention Event

The 2023 PFLAG National Convention entitled “Learning with Love” is bringing together hundreds of LGBTQ people, families & allies from across the country & around the world for 4 days October 19th to 22nd at the DoubleTree Crystal City in Arlington, VA. Featured speakers include Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Rachel Levine, Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld President of the American Medical Association, Emily Drabinski, President of the American Library Association & more. Brian K. Bond, Chief Executive Officer of PFLAG National stated, “There is something wonderful about bringing together so many people who are working to create a caring, just & affirming world for LGBTQ+ people & those who love them—especially in this moment. Despite the noise & disinformation that seems to surround us, Learning With Love: the 2023 PFLAG National Convention is where advocates & supporters of LGBTQ+ people demonstrate that love truly is louder.” PFLAG’s National “Learning with Love” Convention kicks off on Oct. 19th on Capitol Hill with Senator Tammy Baldwin & members of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. There will also be award celebrations, educational workshops & an exhibit hall of sponsors & partners. PFLAG National will be honoring Dayton, Ohio’s Michael Knote of Have a Gay Day with the “Morty Manford Volunteerism Award” plus chapters representing north, south, Midwest & western states will be honored with PFLAG National Chapter Awards. Founded in 1973 PFLAG works every day to ensure LGBTQ+ people everywhere are safe, celebrated, empowered & loved. The 2023 PFLAG National Convention is sponsored by OREO, Meta & Lyft. 
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National Coming Out Day 35th Year

Since 1988 National Coming Out Day is acknowledged on October 11th which is the day that if you haven’t come out yet about your LGBTQ sexual orientation to your family, friends & colleagues it’s time to live as your authentic self & be counted. As Harvey Milk stated, “Burst down those closet doors once & for all, stand up & start to fight.” So here we are in 2023 still living in America without federal protection for our LGBTQ community as more states adopt "Don't Say LGBTQ" legislation. With over 600 anti-LGBTQ bills pending across the country & book bannings becoming a reality wouldn't it be refreshing for the next generation to be able to be themselves. Just think what it would be like to have an open the dialogue within our school systems & our community so that young people could grow up without this stigma. We also need workplace national protections so that we can’t be fired because of who we love. Congress needs to pass The Equality Act so our children can grow-up in a world where it’s safe to be themselves instead of dealing with the fact that more than half of LGBTQ K-12 students reported feeling unsafe at school as a result of their sexual orientation & more than one-third reported feeling unsafe because of how they express their gender. As we head into the 2024 election let's not allow the bullies to win & stand up & vote for candidates who support total equality. Also Spirit Day is next week on Thursday October 19th against LGBTQ bullying & so make sure you wear purple to show your support.
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