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Outright International 2024 Summit

Outright International’s 10th Annual OutSummit takes place December 9th in Washington, D.C. & virtually. This global event brings together activists, advocates, academics, private sector allies & policymakers to tackle important LGBTQ issues & influence future advocacy. Confirmed speakers include keynotes Tarek Zeidan, Executive Director of Helem (Lebanon) & U.S. Representative Dina Titus. The in-person event in Washington D.C. is by invitation only however anyone can be part of the conversation by registering for the virtual live stream which is open to all. Whether you're attending in person or virtually OutSummit 2024 offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with leading voices from across the world & take part in shaping the future of LGBTIQ advocacy. The event will address into pressing issues including how LGBTQ fared in elections around the world in 2024, global intersex advocacy agendas for law & trans people to push back against anti-gender movements as well as LGBTQ inclusion in economic development & humanitarian assistance. Outright International is dedicated to working with partners around the globe to strengthen the capacity of the LGBTQ human rights movement, document & amplify human rights violations against LGBTQ people & advocate for inclusion & equality. They support innovative advocacy to advance equality & end violence & discrimination. They drive change, power & meaningful progress across governments, institutions, businesses & communities. They believe evidence-based human rights research is the most effective way to hold governments accountable for failing to meet human rights obligations & standards. Registration for the virtual conference is free & Outright International is deeply grateful to OutSummit host & presenting sponsor JP Morgan Chase. 
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Wicked Queer Documentary Film Fest

Boston’s Wicked Queer Documentary Film Festival returns for a 3rd year celebrating the rich & vibrant true stories of our LGBTQ community & takes place from November 15th to 22nd both in person & streaming. It opens with George Michael: Portrait of an Artist at the Museum of Fine Arts on Friday Nov 15th at 7P. The film takes you into the raw open spaces of George’s life where he broke the glass ceiling. This documentary gracefully & compassionately tells his story & gives tribute to this life. I never did meet George Michael but I did party with Wham! bass player Deon Estus during the MTV Music awards back in the 80’s that made me a big fan but more about that another time. Boston’s Wicked Queer Film Festival turns 40 this year founded back in 1984. Now as we head into these challenging times telling our stories, sharing our lives & affirming that existence becomes more relevant than ever as we deal with over 600 anti LGBTQ bills in states across the country, book bans & attacks on our LGBTQ community are on the rise. Recently the Queer Film Institute Board producer of Wicked Queer, WQ Docs, Queers Do Cinema podcast & Queer Film LA stated, “We cannot predict where the next four years will take us, but QFI is committed to carrying forward the legacy of those before us. For over forty years, the film festival has been a space to come together, to learn from one another & to witness stories of Queer resilience from around the world. We will continue to celebrate Queer voices & stories & stand firm against any attempts to divide or harm us.” 
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10th Annual Drag Queen Christmas Tour

After this disappointing election cycle & before Trump’s second term begins, I think our LGBTQ community needs to really celebrate the upcoming holiday season because who knows what we'll be facing in 2025. There're lots of LGBTQ friendly holiday celebrations across the country including the 10th anniversary of Murray & Peter’s "A Drag Queen Christmas Tour" for 18+ audiences. This is the longest-running drag tour in America so get ready for your favorite queens performing live on stage. The show includes the fabulous & divine Nina West, JIMBO, Sapphira Cristál, Plane Jane, Manila Luzon, Trinity The Tuck & many more. It all kicks off next week on November 13th in Detroit, Michigan at the Fisher Theatre followed by November 14th in Cincinnati, Ohio at the Aronoff Center, November 15th in Richmond, Virginia at the Dominion Energy Center, November 16th in Raleigh, North Carolina at the Marietta Center, November 17th in Washington D.C. at the Warner Theatre, November 18th in Glenside, Pennsylvania at the Keswick Theatre, November 19th in Portland, Maine at the State Theatre, November 21st in NYC at Kings Theatre, November 22nd in Medford, Massachusetts at the Chevalier Theatre, November 23rd in Wallingford, Connecticut at the Oakdale Theatre, November 25th in New Brunswick, New Jersey at the State Theatre, November 26th in Buffalo, New York at Shea's Theatre, November 27th in Columbus, Ohio at the Palace Theatre, November 29th in St. Louis, Missouri at the Stifel Theatre, November 30th in Omaha, Nebraska at the Orpheum Theater & then throughout the USA & Canada until December 29th. Tickets vary in prices & VIP packages are available including fabulous celebrity meet & greets. 
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LGBTQ Leaders Focus On Issues (VIDEO)

Just when our LGBTQ community appeared to be moving forward our safety net fell apart when the Dems once again used a playbook from previous failed elections & the GOP kicked in the winning goal. Just because techniques like making calls, sending texts, eblasts & knocking on doors may have worked for Obama it certainly didn’t work in 2016 with Michelle Obama’s call to action “When They Go Low, We Go High”. Biden won his post-covid election without using most of those tools & instead was able to apply common sense. However, both Biden & Harris were obsessed with speaking to the middle class & it was the working class that created the red wave that handed this election to the GOP. Even with their “how very low can we go & still win” campaign, unfortunately common sense was thrown out with the baby. Then the barrage of the GOP fake news Trans ads that mainstream media is obsessed with. They went after the lowest hanging fruit without any challenge of retribution. In our nonpartisan VOTE PSA Campaign we were very careful to address exactly what was at stake in this election. “Women’s rights on the chopping block, over 600 anti LGBTQ bills in states across the country, antisemitism, hate crimes & racial discrimination are on the rise all as we headed to the voting polls.” Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, GLSEN Executive Director concluded, “Hope is a discipline. We may grieve today, but tomorrow we must come back stronger. This election result highlights the urgency of our work. We must mobilize, organize & protect our youth from these harmful policies. Our community is resilient & we will not back down. We urge everyone to join us in this critical fight for equality & justice.” WATCH

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McBride Elected To Congress (AUDIO)

In other elections last night Sarah McBride won her race in Delaware's At Large Congressional seat becoming the first out trans person elected to the U.S. Congress. Sarah Kate Ellis GLAAD’s President & CEO stated, “The election of Sarah McBride is groundbreaking for the transgender community & our entire country & it is no surprise. Sarah is a spectacular public servant who works her heart out to improve people’s lives. Sarah’s win is a victory for transgender visibility & should serve as a reminder that trans people should of course be free to be themselves & contribute their talents. Her voice & presence will ensure that Congress better represents the best of America. Congratulations to Sarah & to her constituents on this historic milestone that will accelerate acceptance for all transgender people.” McBride has been a Democratic member of the Delaware Senate since January 2021 & previously the national press secretary of the HRC. When I talked to Sarah in 2016 she was Campaigns & Communications Manager for LGBTQ Progress at the Center For American Progress in Washington D.C. So she went from working with LGBTQ orgs to Congress in 8 years which is fabulous & encouraging. A few new wins for our LGBTQ community were Aime Wichtendahl winning her election in Iowa becoming the first out transgender member of the Iowa state legislature & Julie Johnson one of Dallas County's first two openly gay elected officials & the first member of the Texas House with a same gender spouse won her campaign in Texas's 32nd Congressional District. Then in Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin was reelected to the U.S. Senate. Here's my retro chat with Sarah McBride. LISTEN
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Vote For Good American Values (VIDEO)

Not too long ago this was a country that had values. There were laws & a Constitution that we thought would last or at least were open to evolve for all the people. Now as we come down to 24 hours before a presidential election America is in the fight of her life to maintain civility. Unfortunately we’re at a crossroads between good & evil & we can’t allow evil to win no matter what the outcome of the election may be. Everyone is still pointing fingers at each other claiming to be the good because no one seems to want to accept the responsibility of their evil self-serving actions. For the last 20 years our LGBTQ community has become a voice of reason in America. We fought so hard just to have the same rights every citizen should have in the pursuit of happiness. Now those rights are being challenged along with women’s rights & who knows who will be targeted next. I have tried so hard to be a good American but more importantly a good human being on a planet that becomes less recognizable every year. Whoever wins this election keep visualizing that one day we can build a beautiful future together where we can all get along. Who knows World Peace might be just around the corner so don’t ever give up trying to make a better place for us all. So make sure you vote tomorrow for the love of country & tune out the hate. As Rev. Irene Monroe states in our video, “Vote like your life depends on it because it does. VOTE For A Working America, An America That Works For Us All.” WATCH

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VOTE For A Working America (VIDEO)

Our VOTE PSA begins to air on GBH News today as we head into the final days before our presidential election. OUTTAKE MEDIA™ has spearheaded this timely & compelling technically nonpartisan VOTE PSA to Wake Up America & bring our LGBTQ community & marginalized grassroots groups together about the importance of voting next Tuesday November 5th. It’s been almost a year since I accepted this challenge as an Emmy winning producer to do something to make sure that everyone understands the significance of what’s at stake for our democracy. One thing that has happened in the last 4 years under Biden-Harris that the GOP candidate refuses to acknowledge is America’s financial recovery. Hence our tagline “VOTE For A Working America, An America That Works For Us All.” With the GOP candidate continuing to suck the air out of the room making baseless economic disaster claims The Wall Street Journal actually reported yesterday that the USA economy is outrunning every other major developed economy not to mention its own historical growth rate stating “The Next President Inherits a Remarkable Economy”. So please vote next Tuesday whether you’re Christian, Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, Indigenous or LGBTQ we need to come together now or lose our rights. Women’s rights continue to be on the chopping block, we’re dealing with over 600 anti LGBTQ bills in states across the country, hate crimes & racial discrimination are on the rise all as we head to the voting polls on November 5th. As Reverend Irene Monroe states in our video, “Vote like your life depends on it because it does. VOTE For A Working America, An America That Works For Us All.” WATCH
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