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Nikki Giovanni Poet & LGBTQ Icon Dies

We’ve lost another great with the passing of poet Nikki Giovanni. As a prominent figure of the Black Arts & Civil Rights Movements she became friends with Rosa Parks, Aretha Franklin, James Baldwin & Nina Simone as she inspired generations of students, artists, activists, musicians, scholars & our LGBTQ community both young & old. One of her infamous quotes is so timely right now as Giovanni stated, “If now isn’t a good time for the truth I don’t see when we’ll get to it.” She was the recipient of hundreds of awards & honors including a 2024 Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking for Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project. Diane Anderson Minshall concluded, “I haven’t spoken with Nikki in nearly a decade but in the 1990s I was so inspired by her words around resilience & justice & life I was thrilled to meet her at a conference & later interview her. She once said (I paraphrase) ‘you aren’t dead until no one remembers you.’ I can say that it’ll take quite some time for the generations alive to forget her. RIP Nikki Giovanni.” Having battled cancer twice Giovanni refused to let a third bout interrupt her art. Just three weeks ago she performed with saxophonist Javon Jackson at the Louis Armstrong House in NYC. Her forthcoming book of poetry “The Last Book” will be published in fall 2025. Born Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni in Knoxville, Tennessee on June 7, 1943 she served as a University Distinguished Professor in the English Department at Virginia Tech until 2022. She died peacefully with her wife Virginia (Ginney) Fowler by her side.
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Bring Your Own Bells Holiday Concerts

Boston Gay Men's Chorus is thrilled to present “Bring Your Own Bells” holiday concerts on December 13th, 14th & 15th at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall in Boston, MA after performing to sold-out audiences at Provincetown's Holly Folly. Under the guidance of Music Director Reuben Reynolds who always delivers a fabulous musical experience that captivates & uplifts audiences. Reynolds stated, "Bring Your Own Bells is an opportunity for us to celebrate the holiday season with our community through the power of music. It's a chance to spread joy, inspire resilience & foster a sense of togetherness." Sarah Shoffner BGMC Executive Director concluded, "Bring Your Own Bells is more than a concert, it's a celebration of community, resilience, & the sheer joy of the holiday season. We invite everyone to join us for these incredible performances that are sure to fill your hearts with warmth & cheer!" “Bring Your Own Bells” is an electrifying holiday show to dazzle & delight. Step into the festive holiday spirit as BGMC brings together all the beloved holiday music you know & love re-imagined with their signature flair. From timeless classics to modern favorites it’s a fabulous concert of harmonies that will warm your heart & lift your spirits & don’t forget to bring your bells to ring in the joyous season. Founded in 1982 Boston Gay Men's Chorus is committed to diversity, inclusion & the celebration of LGBTQ rights. BGMC strives to create a more harmonious & accepting world. Tickets run from $29 to $129 with wheelchair accessibility & a sign language interpreter provided. 
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BETTY Rocks Their New Holiday Show

After their sold-out show in NYC BETTY the award-winning indie rock trio of Alyson Palmer, Elizabeth Ziff & Amy Ziff are taking their “EAT, Drink & Be Merry For Tomorrow!” holiday show live to City Winery in Boston on Sunday December 15th at 7:30P. Ring in the holiday bells with BETTY in a feast for all senses as the indie band returns to town with their brand-new album EAT & a seasonal celebration of songs, stories & harmonies smooth, sweet & hooky as candy canes. BETTY is thrilled to return to the delicious Haymarket Lounge to share cheer & sleigh. Elizabeth Ziff stated, “BETTY couldn’t be more stoked to be back in Boston at City Winery with our holiday show! Now more than ever we all need to be together & celebrate each other!” Since forming in 1986 the band’s distinctive sound has been heard in concert & on TV with The L Word theme song. The indie pop trio consists of Alyson Palmer on vocals, bass, guitar & Elizabeth Ziff on vocals, guitar, electronic programming with her sister Amy Ziff on vocals & cello. BETTY uses beguiling melodies, compelling lyrics & signature harmonies to create energetic live shows that mix music, performance art, politics & comedy. Their melodies & rhythms are infectious & the appeal is limitless. In addition to their concerts they tour with The BETTY Effect a non-profit organization created to hold equality & empowerment workshops for women, girls & our LGBTQ community. Then they’re headed to Washington DC bringing their “EAT, Drink & Be Merry For Tomorrow!” tour to Union Stage in DC on Tuesday December 17th at 7P. Tickets run from $25 & up but are selling out fast so don’t miss this uplifting show. 
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LGBTQ Report On Supreme Court Case

After oral arguments were heard before the Supreme Court in the case of United States v Skrmetti addressing transgender healthcare access LGBTQ civil rights groups provided the following statements. D Dangaran, co-chair of the National Trans Bar Association stated, "It was inspiring to hear Chase Strangio advocating for trans youth & all trans people, in this historic argument. Trans issues have been before the Court before, starting with Dee Farmer's prison rights case argued in 1994, but it is so significant that this major Equal Protection case, which may have long-lasting impacts on the access to gender-affirming care in this country, was argued in part by a trans attorney who has spent his life at the forefront of trans advocacy. No matter what the Court decides, today it heard an excellent argument from an excellent trans lawyer & that itself is a win for the entire trans community." Shannon Minter, Vice President of Legal at the National Center for Lesbian Rights concluded, “The plaintiffs today made a strong case that, on its face, this law discriminates by barring medications based solely on a person’s birth sex. The State of Tennessee had no effective response to that obvious fact, which several justices made clear Based on today’s argument, we are hopeful the Court will rule that Tennessee’s law discriminates based on sex & must therefore be subject to the same high standard of review applied to all other sex-based laws. That would be a huge victory & would provide clear guidance for the lower courts about how to evaluate these laws.” A decision will be reached in mid 2025.
For More Info….
Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES 
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Supreme Court Hears Trans Health Case

This morning oral arguments were heard for United States v Skrmetti the U.S. Supreme Court’s first case on access to healthcare for transgender people. Kelley Robinson, President HRC (Human Rights Campaign) stated, “Today’s oral arguments laid bare that there is simply no legal or medical basis to deny transgender youth the same protections under the U.S. Constitution that everyone else enjoys. Trans youth deserve compassion, access to medical care & the same opportunities to thrive as all youth & their parents deserve the same rights to support their needs as all other parents. Despite attempts in the courtroom to argue otherwise, the facts are clear: transgender healthcare is best-practice, medically necessary & supported by almost every major medical association in the country. It’s healthcare, plain & simple & no politician should be able to interfere in the healthcare decisions best made by families & doctors. Now the Supreme Court has the opportunity to follow the facts, the science & the law & affirm our constitutional promise of equal protection for all. Thank you to Solicitor General Prelogar, who combined an unmatched command of the law with vivid examples of how discriminatory bans impact the lives & wellbeing of our youth & the heart of the community today was with Chase Strangio, the first trans lawyer to argue in front of the Supreme Court. His presence in the courtroom was about more than history–by taking part in the arguments, he sent a clear signal to trans people across the country that they are seen, they are strong & they are not going anywhere.” A decision should be reached by summer of 2025.
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Trans Youth Erasure Gearing Up (AUDIO)

Last week Ohio's Governor Mike DeWine signed SB 104 into law that includes a bathroom ban provision that prohibits over 8,500 transgender K-12 students in Ohio from using restrooms & locker rooms consistent with their gender identity. On December 4th the Supreme Court consider a case about bodily autonomy & whether the courts have a right to come between patients & medical professionals in United States v. Skrmetti. The court is being asked to consider the legality of Tennessee’s ban on access to best-practice transgender medical care for youth. The case could have far-reaching implications for our LGBTQ community’s nondiscrimination & doctors’ ability to treat their patients without political interference. If the court decides to reject their own logic in Bostock v. Clayton County as it rejected clear & longstanding precedent in Roe v. Wade & deny transgender youth equal protection under the Constitution then bans on transgender medical care will remain in place across the country. Haley Norris, Center for American Progress LGBTQ Policy Analyst stated, “Bans on transgender health care are part of a larger attack on sex discrimination protections that will harm bodily autonomy by restricting reproductive rights & access to medical care, all of which are a part of the far right’s attempts to redefine sex & gender. The fallout of the Skrmetti decision, which likely won’t be released until the summer of 2025, is something that everyone concerned about bodily autonomy should be worried about.” I talked to Southern Equality’s Alexis Stratton about this & other trans issues in this exclusive podcast. LISTEN
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Act Up For World AIDS Day 36th (AUDIO)

We’re commemorating the 36th Anniversary of World AIDS Day today on December 1st with a photo by Howard Pope who died of AIDS in the early 90s. Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine, MD stated, “The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day, ‘Collective Action: Sustain & Accelerate HIV Progress,’ reminds us that we must remain steadfast in our commitment to prevent new HIV infections & provide essential services to all people with HIV. Today, we pause to remember the estimated 39 million individuals around the globe with HIV, including approximately 1.2 million people here in the United States. We also remember the 42 million individuals worldwide who have died from HIV/AIDS. Their stories & their lives will continue to motivate & inform our work to end the HIV epidemic…” According to the World Health Organization more than one million people acquired HIV in 2023 alone. By sharing the story of AIDS we make strides toward ensuring that future communities will not be harmed by fear, silence, discrimination or stigma. Kelsey Louie GMHC CEO stated, “Candlelight vigils, rallies, gatherings & other ways that people can come together—especially on World AIDS Day—remain important because AIDS is not over. When we gather, we support each other to keep going, keep doing the work in all the ways we can & keep persisting & resisting with a collective goal to end AIDS.” I talked to the late Larry Kramer the pioneering co-founder of Gay Men’s Health Crisis & ACT UP in 2018 about his spin on the AIDS crisis that continues in this country & around the world in this exclusive audio byte. LISTEN
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