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New Title IX Rule Jeopardizes Students

The U.S. Department of Education has finalized a rule that will put students at greater risk of sexual harassment & assault. Osub Ahmed, Senior Policy Analyst for Women’s Health & Rights with the Center for American Progress’ Women’s Initiative stated, “The rule does a grave injustice to survivors of sexual harassment & assault by forcing them to satisfy unreasonably stringent standards when trying to pursue their cases & making it easier for schools to ignore complaints altogether. By raising reporting thresholds & changing grievance procedures, schools will likely investigate fewer incidents of sexual harassment—an impact that the Education Department even acknowledges in its rules—which will have a chilling effect on reporting of sexual harassment & roll back the clock on efforts to ensure gender equity in schools. We know that 1 in 5 women report experiencing some form of sexual assault during their time in college & survivors have relied on the protections afforded by Title IX to safely report these incidents for decades. These rules deliberately undermine these vital protections & threaten the rights and safety of survivors.” Frank J. Bewkes, Policy Analyst for the LGBTQ Research & Communications Project at the Center concluded, “This is an unacceptable contraction of survivors’ rights that is especially concerning for the LGBTQ community. CAP research has found that allegations of harassment appeared more frequently in Title IX complaints based on LGBTQ identity than in the general population, with nearly 76 percent of such complaints alleging sexual or gender harassment. From her move to eliminate guidance on protecting transgender students to today’s rule, Secretary Devos has consistently demonstrated a clear refusal to uphold the rights of LGBTQ students. This rule is an attempt by Secretary DeVos & her Department of Education to further shirk their duty to enforce the protections Title IX offers for all students.”
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LISTEN: Robert Lo Talks Alset App To Reboot Gig Economy
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Alset App Reboots Gig Economy (AUDIO)

This week I talked with Robert Lo, CEO & Founder of Alset the game changing gig economy app where people can barter or charge for their services or offer them as a favor. With the arrival of COVID-19 & stay-at-home orders for nonessential workers our personal lives & careers have been altered. The impact of this pandemic has financially destroyed a large percentage of gig workers in the entertainment industry as well as hair stylists, caterers, party planners, trainers & more as their income has ceased to exist. Now is the time to reconsider what we thought we knew about work & the economy as we create a new normal. Life as we knew it will never be the same. This is an opportunity to take advantage of this universal reset & create a better world. The Alset app was invented to give local communities a chance to expand globally by connecting individuals through the beneficial exchange of their gifts, talents & contributions. If we can redistribute wealth in this country & globally & help enable people to advance their experience perhaps we can shift some cultural norms & hopefully transform our current economic system into a better future. That is what the Alset app is attempting to do. No one can say how long this pandemic will last. However we must choose our collective health over our financial security in order to defeat this pandemic. I talked to Robert about how the Alset app could help reshape our economy in these challenging times & his spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN
For More Info: yourealset.com
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PFLAG Virtual Mother’s Day Brunch

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues PFLAG is presenting a special virtual Mother’s Day event on Sunday May 10th when they’ll air a celebration of motherly love with the “PFLAG Virtual Mother’s Day Brunch" starting at 2P EST/11A PST. This free online special event will raise awareness & funds for PFLAG National which is the largest organization in the country serving our LGBTQ community, families & allies with deep roots in 400 small towns & big cities nationwide. Appearing on this virtual event will include Belinda Carlisle & James Duke Mason, Alec Mapa, Bright Light Bright Light, the “Boss Baby” JP Karliak, Rachel & Karen Mason of the hit Netflix documentary CIRCUS OF BOOKS, OneUp Duo, Malia Civetz, PFLAG families & more. The event will be presented by executive producers Michelle Robinson & Philip D’Amour, coordinating producer Sophia Bonhomme & graphics by Five by Five Global. The idea for PFLAG began in 1972 when Jeanne Manford marched with her son Morty in New York's Christopher Street Liberation Day March, the precursor to today's Pride parade. After many gay & lesbian people ran up to Jeanne during the parade & begged her to talk to their parents she decided to begin a support group. The first formal meeting took place on March 11th 1973 at the Metropolitan-Duane Methodist Church in Greenwich Village now the Church of the Village. Approximately 20 people attended. Today with over 400 chapters & 200,000 members & supporters crossing multiple generations of families in major urban centers, small cities & rural areas across America, PFLAG is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated & all people are respected, valued & affirmed.
For More Info: pflag.org
LISTEN: Michelle Clunie Talks “Queer As Folk” Reunion 
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Global Response To COVID-19 May 5th

#GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of unity in response to COVID-19. This is a day when we can all come together to recognize, celebrate & give thanks for the incredible outpouring of compassion we’ve witnessed during this worldwide crisis. On Tuesday May 5th 2020 we’re asking our global LGBTQ community & allies to share a message of thanks on social media or a heart in their front window as a sign of gratitude to all essential workers supporting our global communities. This is also an opportunity to make a donation to an organization or fund to help those affected by COVID-19 if you’re in a position to do so. This worldwide gesture is a chance to show our gratitude for what so many have been doing over the past few weeks & months on the frontline of this pandemic to ensure our safety. Especially to honor medical staff, cleaners, laundry staff & caterers, all food chain staff, delivery drivers, trash collectors, public transport workers, teachers, care workers, postal workers, emergency services, community volunteers, workers making PPE & all the generosity of those donating their talent to raise funds to fight this pandemic. #GivingTuesdayNow is also a day to celebrate & support the organizations that have stepped up & reached out to support our LGBTQ family, friends & communities during this difficult time. They especially need us now to help make sure they will still be there in the future. OUTTAKE MEDIA is supporting CenterLink serving over 250 LGBTQ community centers across the country in 45 states, Puerto Rico & the District of Columbia as well as centers in Canada, China & Australia.
For More Info: CenterLink.org
LISTEN: Michelle Clunie Talks “Queer As Folk” Reunion 
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ClexaCon Virtual Film Festival Event

With the COVID-19 pandemic ClexaCon Film Festival will go virtual Sunday May 10th to Sunday May 17th with 8 days of films, Q&A's with filmmakers, panels & networking. Films will be available to watch for free from Sunday May 10th to Sunday May 17th at a dedicated channel on Tello Films. Films can be viewed from the U.S. & most other cities. Q&A's, panels & networking will all happen through Zoom & they will also be livestreaming the events from their Facebook page. Celebrate opening night of the ClexaCon Virtual Film Festival with a re-watch & dance party of their favorite Black Mirror episode, San Junipero on May 10th. Your hostess for this event is the CCFF Programing Team’s Lisa B. Afterwards make sure you are in your best 80's gear & join in for a live 80’s dance party via YouTube or RSVP & you can also attend onscreen via Zoom. Industry Panels will provide an opportunity to learn from industry experts about everything from making your own content to distributing it. You can also engage in conversations with panelists about representation in media. There will be Watch Parties & Q&A's that you can tweet along with as they screen 20+ CCFF2020 Shorts & Series. After each watch party they’ll have a Q&A with the cast & crew of each project. One of the highlights will be a “Season of Love” event with the cast & crew Q&A on Wednesday May 13th at 7P. Director, Christen Baker & cast members will include Emily Goss, Jessica Clark, Sandra Mae Frank, Laur Allen, Janelle Marie & Dominique Provost-Chalkley. You can check out a list of events on their website.
For More Info: clexacon.com/
LISTEN: Michelle Clunie Talks “Queer As Folk” Reunion 
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LPAC Endorsements & Virtual Event

LPAC (Lesbian Political Action Committee) whose mission is to build the political power of LGBTQ women announced their latest slate of endorsements with seven LGBTQ women ready to lead & champion LPAC's values. The new endorsees include State Rep. Beth Doglio (U.S. House, WA-10), State Sen. Debbie Ingram (Vermont Lieutenant Governor), Kate Lieber (OR State Senate), Julie Jordan (GA State House), State Rep. Renitta Shannon (GA State House), State Rep. Lois Reckitt (ME State House) & Jessica Benham (PA State House). Stephanie Sandberg, LPAC’s Executive Director stated, “LPAC is committed to building a bench of progressive LGBTQ women candidates & this group of endorsees reflects that mission. From state lawmakers running for federal office to first-time candidates, we are proud to support a group of women who are working to get the nation back on track.” LPAC will be hosting a Virtual Happy Hour on May 7th at 7P EST with Congressional Candidate Gina Ortiz Jones & LPAC Board member & CNN Political Commentator Hilary Rosen. Gina is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Texas's 23rd Congressional district. She previously ran in 2018 coming within 1,000 votes of upsetting Republican Will Hurt. This cycle the seat is open & she has put together an amazing campaign to win in November & become the third LGBTQ woman in the House. There is no cost to participate but donations to LPAC or directly to Gina are welcome. LPAC was founded in 2012 by a group of LGBTQ women seeking to create a place & voice at the power table for our community. They do this by endorsing & investing in candidates directly & supporting them through independent expenditure campaigns. They’ve raised more than $5.5 million & endorsed more than 125 candidates.
For More Info: teamlpac.com
LISTEN: Michelle Clunie Talks “Queer As Folk” Virtual Reunion
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Pass Essential Workers Bill of Rights

While Trump is attempting to force workers to work in unsafe food processing plants during the COVID-19 pandemic Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) & Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) sent their proposal for an Essential Workers Bill of Rights to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-12) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) & Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) cosigned with over 50 additional members of the House & Senate.  Senator Warren stated, “Frontline workers -- including health care workers, transit workers, farm workers, grocery workers, domestic workers & delivery workers -- are risking their lives to keep America running. Congress has a responsibility to protect them & their families. Essential workers in all fields lack the basic safety equipment & guarantees they need & many essential workers are low-wage workers who were underpaid with minimal job protections even before this crisis hit. The next relief package needs to put these workers front & center & include our Essential Workers Bill of Rights." Representative Khanna concluded, "Every day this crisis continues, more & more essential workers risk their lives on the front lines so we can get urgently needed resources & services. That work, undervalued for far too long, is finally being recognized for what it really is. The grocery clerk that packs our groceries behind a plastic shield, the bus driver sanitizing seats between shifts & the security guard on watch from a distance: these heroic workers are keeping this country afloat. They deserve every benefit & protection we can give them, starting with those outlined in our Essential Workers Bill of Rights."
Read Letter Here…
LISTEN: Michelle Clunie Talks “Queer As Folk” Virtual Reunion
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