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Super Bowl LV LGBTQ Inclusive Ads

At least four LGBTQ inclusive ads are set to air on CBS during Super Bowl LV this Sunday February 7th. Sarah Kate Ellis GLAAD President & CEO stated, “During one of biggest nights in sports & media, global brands like M&M’s, Michelob ULTRA, Logitech & Paramount are raising the bar for inclusion by featuring LGBTQ icons after last year’s record number of inclusive ads. More brands should now step up year round, as including LGBTQ people in ads is good for business & good for the world. GLAAD is working to grow the quality & the quantity of LGBTQ people in advertising, as it can have a profound impact on LGBTQ visibility & acceptance, especially during cultural events like the Super Bowl.” The Logitech ad features Lil Nas X the out Grammy Award-winning rapper, singer & songwriter. The M&M ad features out Emmy-Award winner Dan Levy. The Michelob ULTRA ad features iconic professional tennis star Billie Jean King & the Paramount+ ad features RuPaul for about a second. Last year there were at least eleven LGBTQ inclusive ads from Amazon Alexa, Budweiser, Doritos, HGTV, Microsoft, Olay, Pop Tarts, Sabra, Tide, TurboTax, & Under Armour aired during Super Bowl LIV. Also out Offensive Assistant Coach of the San Francisco 49ers, Katie Sowers also took the field as the first woman & openly gay coach in Super Bowl history. Since I have an Emmy Award myself from CBS Sports NFL Today I will bring her off the shelf to watch the game safely in my living room as I hope many of you will be doing during this pandemic that has turned our world upside down. Stay Safe & Healthy.
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Mike Pence Joins Heritage Foundation

The Heritage Foundation has announced that former Vice President Mike Pence will join the organization as a distinguished visiting fellow. What a perfect place for Pence to hone his radical religious right perspective. Kay C. James Heritage President stated, “Over the course of the past four years, our team at Heritage has worked closely with members of the Trump administration on a host of policy accomplishments. That’s why I am excited Vice President Mike Pence will join forces with Heritage to ensure we continue to advance conservative principles & policy solutions. His allegiance to the Constitution & commitment to advancing a conservative policy agenda make him an outstanding fit for The Heritage Foundation.” Not only does The Heritage Foundation rejects the scientific consensus on climate change, Heritage has also fought against laws like The Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Hate Crimes Act & the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). They criticized the Obama Administration for just about anything it did to advance LGBTQ acceptance. They’ve also spent considerable time over the past six years making the case that religious employers & business owners should have a right to use so-called "religious exemptions" as a way to discriminate against LGBTQ workers & customers. The Heritage Foundation brands itself as a beacon of the intellectual conservative establishment. In reality it serves as a pipeline of hate, dedicating significant energy to extremist policy recommendations to deny access to abortion & birth control & to harm our LGBTQ community. So we congratulate former VP Mike Pence for finding his home at last.
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USA Commits To Global LGBTQ Rights

Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) & Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) have announced they will reintroduce the International Human Rights Defense Act, a bicameral effort to reaffirm the United States' role as a world leader in the promotion of LGBTQ equality. The legislation will also create a permanent LGBTQ Special Envoy at the State Department. While the Trump administration left this position vacant President Biden & Secretary of State Antony Blinken have committed to filling this role early in the Biden administration. The International Human Rights Defense Act would make the special envoy position permanent & allow for the position to be named at the rank of Ambassador. Senator Markey, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee stated, “The United States must reaffirm its support for the promotion & protection of LGBTQI rights around the world and reengage as a leader on these issues after four years of harmful & discriminatory policies. This legislation will make it clear that the United States is committed to protecting the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The COVID-19 crisis has put LGBQTI communities all around the world at greater risk & this moment requires a concerted & global effort to recommit to the protection of human rights everywhere.” Jessica Stern, Executive Director, OutRight Action International concluded, “Over the last four years, LGBTQI people have been at the forefront of vicious attacks, our basic rights questioned in countries around the world & by the highest office in the US. This is precisely why we need the International Human Rights Defense Act LGBTQI people cannot be left to suffer because of changes in the White House. We need the IHRDA to ensure that the US protects & upholds LGBTQI rights as a consistent, integrated & essential foreign policy priority.” 
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LGBTQ Praise Buttigieg Confirmation

By a vote of 86-13 the U.S. Senate confirmed Pete Buttigieg as the next secretary of transportation becoming the first openly LGBTQ person to be confirmed to a cabinet-level position. Winnie Stachelberg, Executive VP For External Affairs at the Center for American Progress stated, “Secretary Buttigieg’s confirmation hardly seemed possible just a few years ago. When he first took office as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, in 2012, he wasn’t allowed to legally marry. Less than a decade later, after a trailblazing presidential campaign, he is now a cabinet secretary. Buttigieg’s historic rise correlates with the immense progress that the LGBTQ community—through relentless activism & unflinching persistence—has made in recent years. But his nomination also serves as a reminder that the fight is not finished. Though LGBTQ Americans finally have an ally in the White House once again, there is much work still to be done, including the passage of the Equality Act to ensure that future generations of LGBTQ politicians, public servants & everyday Americans are protected from discrimination no matter who occupies the Oval Office.” Erin Uritus, CEO of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates concluded, “Today it is even easier for LGBTQ Americans to see ourselves in national leadership & we look forward to witnessing the power of someone from our own community bringing their full, authentic self into this role. Every workplace deserves out leadership - our federal government is no exception. The Biden-Harris administration deserves praise for continuing to demonstrate that diversity, visibility & representation matter. On behalf of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, I would like to congratulate the newly confirmed head of the Department of Transportation, Secretary Pete Buttigieg! We will continue to work to see more talented leaders, representing every aspect of the LGBTQ community, rise to ever greater positions of leadership.” For More Info: outandequal.org 

Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™

 

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Valentine Benefit Concert Goes Virtual

The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation is presenting All You Need is Love: A Virtual Valentine Concert Celebrating Broadway on Saturday February 13th at 7P PST via YouTube live stream to raise funds for REAF’s Small Emergency Grants Program to support members of the theater community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 star-studded cast features stars from Broadway, Film, TV & the music industry including never-seen-before video clips from many of REAF’s past live benefit concerts. Scheduled to appear in alphabetical order are Susan Anton, Petula Clark, Barbara Cook, Spencer Day, Melinda Doolittle, Cathy Garrick, Sharon Gless, Leslie Jordan, Steve Knill, Kimberley Locke, La Toya London, Constantine Maroulis, Meg MacKay, Carly Ozard, Jake Simpson, Rene Taylor & Joseph Bolonia, Bruce Vilanch & Teal Wicks. The All You Need is Love: A Valentine Concert is produced by Ken Henderson & Joe Seiler, directed by David Galligan with musical directors Michael Orland & Ron Able. The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation was founded by the late Barbara Richmond & Peggy Ermet in memory of their sons John Richmond & Doug Ermet who both lost their lives to AIDS. In 1995 the two women decided not to get mad but get even when they launched a musical AIDS benefit to honor their sons by raising funds for AIDS service organizations. To date REAF has raised over $4 million to support HIV services, hunger programs & programs for homeless & disenfranchised youth. Tickets are $25 for the performance link only & $50 & $100 which includes special Valentine messages posted online & other perks. For Info & Tix...

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LGBTQ Workplace Advocates (AUDIO)

This week I talked to Erin Uritus, CEO of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates the world’s premier nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving LGBTQ workplace equality. Celebrating 25 years Out & Equal partners with Fortune 500 companies & government agencies to provide executive leadership development, comprehensive training, consulting & professional networking opportunities that build inclusive & welcoming work environments. They work with executives, human resources professionals, employee resource groups & individuals to provide leadership & professional development, education & research to create workplaces free of discrimination. Out & Equal also hosts annual events & programs where employees & experts can share strategies & best practices to create workplace equality inclusive of all sexual orientations, gender identities & expressions. Due to COVID-19 these events are being held virtually including their 2021 Executive Forum that will convene online April 13th to 15th for three days of interactive virtual learning & networking. This 3-day program features daily plenaries & networking opportunities. Attendees will have access to 9 sessions across three tracks: LGBTQ Leadership, DEI Best Practices & Intersectional Allyship. Their annual Workplace Summit, Brazil Forum, Southern States Forum, India Forum & China Forum will also be held virtually in 2021 with dates to be announced. Every year Out & Equal also presents their Outie Awards recognizing individuals & organizations who are leaders in advancing equality for LGBTQ people in workplaces globally. Winners are announced during their Workplace Summit in October. I talked to Erin about what she hopes to accomplish at Out & Equal during the pro-equality Biden Harris Administration & her spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN:  
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GLAAD Names Media Awards Nominees

GLAAD has announced the nominees for the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards. The GLAAD Media Awards honor media for fair, accurate & inclusive representations of LGBTQ people & issues. Sarah Kate Ellis GLAAD President & CEO stated, "During an unprecedented year of crises & isolation, the nominees for the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards reached LGBTQ people with powerful stories & inspired countless others around the world with bold looks at LGBTQ people & issues. As GLAAD continues to lead the fight for LGBTQ acceptance, this year’s nominees remind us that even in times of political & cultural division, diverse LGBTQ representation & visibility can enlighten, entertain & create lasting change.” GLAAD announced 198 nominees in 28 categories including two new categories: Outstanding Children’s Programming & Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist. As LGBTQ representation continues to grow in Kids & Family programming, the new Outstanding Children’s Programming category recognizes television programs created for younger children that showcase LGBTQ people & families. The new Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist recognizes LGBTQ artists who have achieved a breakthrough in the music industry during the eligibility period & whose songs, music videos, or live performances have made a significant impact on LGBTQ visibility & acceptance. This year, several categories increased from five to ten worthy nominees to recognize expanding levels of diverse LGBTQ representation across several media genres. Also this year’s recipient of the Barbara Gittings Award for Excellence in LGBTQ Media is Windy City Times Chicago’s pioneering LGBTQ news publication established in 1985 by Jeff McCourt, Bob Bearden, Drew Badanish & Tracy Baim. Congrats To All The Nominees!! For Info & Full List...

Hear Audio Chats w/ LGBTQ Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
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