US LGBT Civil Rights Update

Our LGBTQ community continues to fight & resist the Trump administration’s attempts to push back the progress we have achieved in this country. On Monday a federal judge has rightfully blocked part of the Trump administration’s ban on transgender military service stating that the policy simply “does not appear to be supported by any facts.” Matt Thorn Executive Director, OutServe-SLDN stated, “The Trump administration’s relationship with the truth has always been troubling, but it’s lies & blatant bigotry towards trans individuals is downright dangerous. It’s unclear how the Trump administration is going to respond or what their next move will be.” Then we have the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case, Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The Masterpiece case is part of an appalling homophobic trend involving businesses denying goods & services to our LGBTQ community. A broad coalition of nine civil rights organizations led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed an amicus curiae or “friend of the court” brief Monday. Kristen Clarke, President & Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law stated, “Throughout this country’s history, public accommodation laws have played a vital role in ensuring that all businesses are open to everyone on a nondiscriminatory basis & that individuals from marginalized communities are not treated like second-class citizens. The Supreme Court has repeatedly & emphatically rejected challenges to public accommodation laws similar to the challenges brought in the Masterpiece case & we expect them to do so once again.” (Richard Emmanuel Graphic Design)
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Boston Lesbian Documentary Event

Boston OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing For Change) proudly presents the documentary “The Passionate Pursuits of Angela Bowen” on Sunday November 5th from 2P to 4P at the Brookline Senior Center at 93 Winchester Street in Brookline, MA. The film is about the life of Angela Bowen, a black lesbian feminist writer & activist who grew up in inner city Boston during the Jim Crow era & became a classical ballerina & famous dance teacher & professor. The film depicts Bowen’s life across the decades from the early fifties, with historic footage, photographs & interviews including her dance mentor, dance partner, former husband, partner, children, activists, scholars, dance & university students. Bowen’s candid & compelling stories allow us to understand how race, class, gender, age & sexuality played into her decisions & choices, her mission & strategies for survival. “The Passionate Pursuits of Angela Bowen” by filmmaker Jennifer Abod challenges & inspires its audiences to pursue their own dreams with tenacity & courage but not for themselves alone. There will be a discussion following the screening. OLOC Boston programs & events are open to lesbians of all ages, including transgender lesbians. OLOC’s mission includes their commitment to creating communities of older lesbians & solidarity with allies for racial, economic & social justice. Following the event there will be an early dinner at Lemon Grass at 239 Harvard Street in Brookline, MA.
For More Info: spearlman@hartford.edu
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The Normal Heart Revival (Audio)

Theatre Rhinoceros in San Francisco is presenting “The Normal Heart” by Larry Kramer for 19 performances from November 3rd through November 25th at the Gateway Theatre directed by John Fisher. This iconic drama addresses the public & private indifference to the AIDS plague & one man's lonely fight to awaken the world to the crisis. “The Normal Heart” was first produced to raves by audiences in New York, London, Los Angeles & beyond. This historical drama follows Ned Weeks, a gay activist enraged at the indifference of public officials & the gay community during the 1980’s. While trying to save the world from itself, he confronts the personal toll of AIDS when his lover dies of the disease. Originally published in 1985 it was celebrated in a passionate & eloquent 2011 Broadway revival. “The Normal Heart” is a Theatre Rhinoceros Premiere. It was last presented in San Francisco area by ACT in September 2012 & made its TV premiere on HBO directed by Ryan Murphy in May 2014 starring Mark Ruffalo which won 2 Emmy Awards including Best TV Movie & Best Supporting Actor for Matt Bomer. In the summer of 2015 I talked with Larry Kramer the legendary activist & playwright who co-foundered of Gay Men’s Health Crisis & ACT UP about how his play “The Normal Heart” eventually found its audience & more in this exclusive audio interview LISTEN:  
For More Info & Tix: therhino.org
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GMHC Reacts To Opioid Plan

Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) is concerned that not enough is being done to address the growing opioid epidemic which in 2016 claimed the lives of more than 60,000 Americans. While all public health experts agree that there is a need for a coordinated, high-level response to the opioid epidemic, many experts believe that the Trump's Public Health Emergency Declaration does little to take real action to address the opioid crisis. In addition GMHC strongly opposes potential efforts under the Public Health Emergency Declaration to redirect funding from HIV/AIDS programs. Kelsey Louie GMHC CEO stated, “If the President is truly concerned about the opioid crisis, he should issue a Declaration of Emergency, which includes specific actions designed to address the infectious disease-related aspects of the epidemic—namely, the rising cases of HIV, other STIs & Hepatitis C related to injection drug use— through the expansion of access to clean injection equipment. The Declaration should include funding to expand access to clean injection equipment & address addiction to opioids. It should also provide funding to combat overdoses, including facilitating widespread availability to naloxone to prevent overdose deaths.” GMHC stands in solidarity with all people working to end the opioid epidemic & believes that a strong public health approach will better address the opioid crisis and related public health crises, like Hepatitis C & also propel us closer to ending the HIV epidemic in the United States.
For More Info: gmhc.org
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Big Brothers Big Sisters Crisis

Last month Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central West Virginia was extremely fortunate to receive a year-long $20,000 grant to increase staff knowledge of LGBTQ issues through training & provide assistance with developing local partnerships to best serve LGBTQ youth. However soon after accepting the LGBTQ grant a representative of three foundations halted funding to the organization & has not fulfilled a financial pledge made late last year. Unfortunately the amount was so great it may force suspension from serving our LGBTQ youth. They need to raise $60,000 by the end of this week. Sara McDowell, Executive Director Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central WV stated, “After accepting an LGBTQ grant in August, three local foundations halted funding – up to $80,000 -- which may force us to suspend services in some of the communities we serve. These are areas of the state that have the highest rate of poverty; highest rate of drug use & overall, the highest juvenile incarceration rate & the highest number of kids in foster care. WV also has the highest percentage of teens who identify as transgender. So this grant was important – it was to help staff become more aware of risk factors & to develop partnerships to provide ongoing support to our LGBTQ youth.” This is the county where a Clay County, WV school bus driver who picked up an openly gay teen & as he was taking his seat told him “No faggot activity will be permitted on this bus. In my Bible it states that ‘faggots will burn in Hell,’ & I will not condone it.”
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For Info & To Donate: biglittlewv.org
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Drag Queens Unite For Puerto Rico

RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni Phi Phi O’Hara, Flip Phone & 27 other drag queens are coming together to support hurricane relief in Puerto Rico. The event Queens United / Reinas Unidas: A Drag Show for Puerto Rico takes place at First Avenue at 701 N. First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN on Monday November 6th with a VIP meet & greetat 7P & doors open at 8P. The goal is to raise money for Somos Una Voz, a relief initiative founded by Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony. The 18+ show will feature O’Hara & 27 RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni, the most ever to perform under one roof. The full lineup so far includes: Minnesota’s own Bebe Zahara Benet, Manila Luzon, Max, as well as Acid Betty, Alexis Michelle, Bob the Drag Queen, Chad Michaels, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Ginger Minj, Jade Jolie, Jade Sotomayor, Jaidynn Diore Fierce, Jessica Wild, Jiggly Caliente, Katya, Kimora Blac, Madame LaQueer, Mariah Paris Balenciaga, Milk, Mrs. Kasha Davis, Mystique Summers, Naysha Lopez, Nicole Paige Brooks, Ongina, Phoenix, Pandora Boxx, Phi Phi O'Hara, Trinity K. Bonet, Yara Sofia & more. All performers are donating their talent & funding their own travel expenses. First Avenue is also donating the venue for this effort. All proceeds including tickets, meets & greets & merchandise sales from the show will benefit Somos Una Voz, a relief initiative founded by Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, which is rushing food, shelter, medicine, power & means of communication to Puerto Ricans in need after the island’s devastating natural disasters.
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LGBT Human Rights UN Summit

At the United Nations the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) is sponsoring the first expert level international discussion bringing LGBTQ religious leaders from around the world to dialogue with conservative religious groups who lobby at the UN as well as UN member states & high-level officials on Thursday October 26th from 11:30A to 3P. IFOR is the world’s oldest interfaith peace organization. The goal is to explore how they can work together globally to end violence & criminalization of LGBT people often because of religiously sanctioned beliefs. Rev. Patricia Ackerman stated, "In the 76 countries where being LGBTI is criminalized, penalties range from death to discrimination. As the UN Representative of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, as well as priest in the Episcopal Church, I believe that now is the time for religious leaders engaged in international advocacy at the UN to affirm that no human being should be persecuted or harmed for their sexual orientation, gender identity, expression or sex characteristics. The UN is an international beacon & LGBTI people are deserving of lives without fear of violence, sexual assault & murder. The UN is an international body for peace, human rights & development. To use the UN as a tool of violence & criminalization is unacceptable." Speakers will include UN Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights, Andrew Gilmour, Representatives from UN Member States, including the LGBTI Core Group, The Chair and Members of the NGO Committee on the Family, UN Special Rapporteur in Cultural Rights, Karima Bennoune UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed Dozens of religious NGOs & LGBTIQ faith-based organizations. Also expected to attend are dozens of conservative religious groups.
For More Info: ifor.org
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