Out & Equal Workplace Summit

The 2018 Out & Equal Workplace Summit takes place in Seattle, Washington from October 1st to October 4th at the Washington State Convention Center. Out & Equal is the world’s premier nonprofit organization dedicated to LGBTQ workplace equality & partners with Fortune 1000 companies & government agencies to provide executive leadership development, comprehensive training, consultation & professional networking opportunities that build inclusive & welcoming work environments. Erin Uritus, CEO, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates stated, “Monday, we kick off a Summit featuring unprecedented growth & innovation. We are here, gathered with thousands of attendees from the world’s largest companies, to connect & inspire workplaces in every corner of the globe to embrace inclusion, foster diversity & ignite cultures of belonging.” The Workplace Summit features 3 days of educational opportunities including over 90 workshops, featured panels, community advisory roundtables, special networking mixers, receptions, events & inspirational plenaries featuring prominent LGBTQ & ally leaders & amazing performances. The Summit draws over 4000 employees including executives, Employee Resource Group members, HR Diversity & Inclusion professionals, CEOs, celebrities, politicians, advocates, activists & allies including: Indya Moore, Actress, Star of FX ‘Pose’, Adam Rippon, Olympic Medalist, Nyle DiMarco, Deaf Activist, Artist, Fashion Icon, Scott Nevins, OUT 100 Honoree from Bravo TV’s “The People’s Couch”, Shoshana Bean, Singer, Songwriter, Stage Actress, Walk Off The Earth, Indie Pop Band, Ash Beckham, Accidental Activist, Amber Hikes, Executive Director of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs, Trystan Angel Reese, Director of Family Formation at Family Equality Council & more.
For More Info: outandequal.org 
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Withdraw Kavanaugh Immediately

Let’s consider who nominated Kavanaugh saying over & over again like a scene from "The Manchurian Candidate" Trump stated, “He’s a fine, fine person.” This is a recommendation from a man who in 1990’s partied with teen girls at debauched, cocaine-fueled shindigs at the Plaza Hotel according to a story posted in the New York Post on October 25, 2016. Now with four & possibly more women coming forward revealing allegations of sexual assault against Kavanaugh Trump’s Supreme Court nominee let’s hope that this will lead to the demise of this embarrassing administration. Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund stated, “Any single one of these accusations should have been enough to stop the Senate Judiciary Committee from moving forward with a vote as the allegations were thoroughly investigated. Our communities deserve better than to have our fates in the hands of a man who has sexually assaulted women, who has lied under oath & who intends to hand even more power to the avowed perpetrator of sexual assault who is currently residing in the White House. The Judiciary Committee must take the time to hear from these women, to listen to their stories. They must stop ignoring the voices & the needs of women, LGBTQ people & people of color. It is long past time to end this subversion of justice.” Violence against women should have no place in our society & it certainly should have no place on the highest court in the nation. This charade has gone on long enough. Kavanaugh must withdraw immediately.
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Jewel Thais-Williams Honored

Equality California will honor Jewel Thais-Williams founder & owner of the iconic Jewel’s Catch One nightclub, comedian Kathy Griffin & the Emmy Award-winning Netflix series Queer Eye at the organization’s 2018 Los Angeles Equality Awards on Saturday September 29th at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. Jewel Thais-Williams will receive the Community Leadership Award, Griffin will receive the Ally Leadership Award & Queer Eye will receive the Equality Visibility Award. Thais-Williams changed nightlife for black LGBTQ Angelenos when she founded the iconic nightclub Jewel’s Catch One in 1973. Filmmaker C. Fitz has created a must-see documentary “Jewel's Catch One” about Thais-Williams that’s available on Netflix. Jewel has also been a longtime supporter of Minority AIDS Project, Village Health Foundation, AIDS Project of Los Angeles, Rue’s House In the Mean Time/Great Beginning for Black Babies/Black AIDS Institute & AIDS Prevention Team helping to expand access to treatment & services for countless underserved members of the LGBTQ community & people living with HIV/AIDS. Rick Zbur Equality California Executive Director stated, “Through a lifetime of dedicated, fearless leadership in Los Angeles’s LGBTQ community, Jewel Thais-Williams has given us the opportunity not just to survive, but to thrive.” Thais-Williams added, "It is a honor& privilege for me to serve our collective community & various ways. As an elder, my responsibility to the community are magnified. The beat goes on." In this exclusive audio byte we talked with Jewel about how she sees our LGBTQ community moving forward in this Trump administration. LISTEN: 
 

For More Info: eqca.org
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Atlanta Annual Gentlemen's Ball

The 7th Annual Gentlemen's Ball takes place on October 6th celebrating the accomplishments of Black LGBTQ people who have significantly contributed to enhancing the quality of life of our black LGBTQ community & who have demonstrated a commitment to social change. This year Actor/Musician Jussie Smollett & Black Lives Matter Co-Founder, Alicia Garza will be honored. Co-Founders Gee & Juan Smalls stated, “The Gentlemen’s Foundation has been committed to celebrating, supporting, empowering and mentoring Same Gender Loving, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer black men, as well as encouraging healthy dialogue on issues that promote development & growth, public service, leadership & networking. Not only will this be a night of entertainment, but it will be a night of philanthropy.” Other honorees will include Pamela Stewart – VP, Coca-Cola, Kylar Broadus, Esq. – Sr. Public Counsel, Simone Bell – So. Reg. Dir., Lambda Legal, Stacey Abrams – GA Governor Candidate, Jensen Atwood – Actor, Queen Sheba – Poet, Micky Bee – Activist, Guy Anthony – HIV/AIDS Activist, Joe “Miss Sophis” Taylor – Comedian, James Earl Hardy – Actor, Deondray & Quincy Gossett – Film Makers & Dr. Cleo Manago – Activist. The 7th Annual Gentlemen's Ball: Unapologetically BLACK! takes place at Atlanta Marriott Marquis with Red Carpet Arrivals & Cocktail Hour 7P at the Marquis Ballroom Foyer, Dinner & Honors program at 8P in the Marquis Ballroom & the After Party beginning at 10P. The event will also feature a live performance by R&B recording artist Tweet. This event is a part of a three-day weekend celebration that features a series of events where guests are empowered to recharge their spirits & reimagine their lives.
For More Info & Tix...
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Cher Sings & Performs ABBA

Cher is currently in the Southern Hemisphere kicking off her Here We Go Again tour in Auckland, New Zealand & will be performing 11 concerts in 7 different locations across Australia ahead of the release her new album Dancing Queen of all Abba hits on September 28th. The brilliant Oscar, Emmy & Grammy Award winning fierce LGBTQ icon was inspired to record the album following her fabulous but way too short performance in the recently released mega-hit film Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Cher stated "I've always liked Abba & saw the original Mamma Mia musical on Broadway three times. After filming Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, I was reminded again of what great & timeless songs they wrote & started thinking 'why not do an album of their music?' The songs were harder to sing than I imagined but I'm so happy with how the music came out. I'm really excited for people to hear it. It's a perfect time." Perfect time, indeed! Hopefully Dancing Queen will become an inspirational battle cry as we head into the November primaries. The Dancing Queen album was recorded & produced in London & Los Angeles with Cher's longtime collaborator Mark Taylor who previously produced Cher's global smash “Believe" which was number one in over 50 countries. Dancing Queen tracks included Dancing Queen, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, The Name Of The Game, SOS, Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Chiquitita, Fernando, The Winner Takes It All & One Of Us. Cher is scheduled to be awarded a Kennedy Center Honor on December 2nd in Washington DC, she’s also a co-producer of The Cher Show the upcoming Broadway musical opening on December 3rd & will be touring through 2019.
For More Info: cher.com
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Los Angeles LGBT Center Gala

The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s 49th Anniversary Gala Vanguard Awards honored Ricky Martin, Greg Berlanti & Robbie Rogers & Ariadne Getty at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, California. Lorri L. Jean, CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center stated, “For 49 years, your Center has achieved so much that so many thought was impossible, fulfilling our most spectacular & magnificent ambitions for our organization & our people. What is more spectacular than freedom? What is more magnificent than being there for each other? All of you are a vital part of our Center’s courageous, resilient & visionary history. We & all who have preceded us ARE the Center. A Center that is more than buildings; more than a collection of social services; more than soldiers for equality & justice. We are the stuff that dreams are made of. We are the best that people can be: kind, passionate, generous, hopeful & hilarious living our lives honestly & caring for our fellow human beings. We are exactly what the world needs more of right now.” The evening concluded with Ricky Martin stating, “The inspiration comes from my kids, because when I held them for the first time, I knew I could not lie. I always teach them to be honest. I’ve been fighting human trafficking for many years with my own foundation & every human rights issue is connected. My mission is to go to those little Latin American towns where the word ‘gay’ is a curse & I am going to end this. Little by little, we’re taking steps to keep forcing this issue.” The event was hosted by Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos. Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed & celebrated LGBT individuals & families in Los Angeles & beyond.
For More Info: lalgbtcenter.org
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LGBTQ 2018 Candidates Strive

An unprecedented number of LGBTQ people have run for office throughout the 2018 election cycle unleashing the potential for a Rainbow Wave of new openly LGBTQ elected officials at every level of government come November. Twenty-one openly LGBTQ candidates won Democratic primaries for U.S. Senate or U.S. House this year more than at any other time in U.S. history. Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund stated, “A wave of enthusiasm among Democratic primary voters for openly LGBTQ candidates has unleashed a Rainbow Wave that can transform the U.S. Congress & our governors’ mansions come November. It represents an evolution in American politics with voters choosing out LGBTQ candidates as the solution to the divisiveness & dysfunction we see in Washington & in many of our state capitals. The struggles & experiences of LGBTQ candidates provide a unique perspective that makes them authentic, values-driven leaders & it is resonating. LGBTQ candidates join women, people of color, immigrants and Muslims who are running this cycle to lead the change we demand to see in our politics. The dramatic spike in openly LGBTQ people running for the highest levels of government is thrilling but one-sided, with zero openly LGBTQ Republican Congressional or gubernatorial nominees. The anti-LGBTQ policies pursued by the White House & in extreme-right state legislatures has led to few openly LGBTQ people running in a Republican primary & those who do are too often sidelined by homophobic or transphobic political forces. Instead of a Rainbow Wave that should be celebrated by all Americans who believe in the wisdom of a truly representative government, we have a historic moment that is almost entirely partisan. This story will not change until the party of Lincoln rejects the divisive rhetoric and policies too many of its leaders rely on.”
For More Info: victoryfund.org
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