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Marriage Equality Celebrates 20 Years

It’s hard to believe that we’re approaching the 20th anniversary of Marriage Equality in this country & we’re proud that OUTTAKE was instrumental in making that happen. On November 18th 2003 the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued its watershed decision in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health making Massachusetts the first U.S. state where same gender couples could legally marry to take effect on May 17th 2004. Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall wrote in her victorious decision stating, “The Massachusetts Constitution affirms the dignity & equality of all Individuals. It forbids the creation of second-class citizens.” To kick off this monumental ruling for our LGBTQ community GLAD the architects of marriage equality will celebrate this historic anniversary by presenting the 24th Spirit of Justice Award on November 9th to the 14 Goodridge plaintiffs. Mary L. Bonauto GLAD’s Senior Director of Civil Rights stated, "When the SJC decided Goodridge, it forever changed the standards for how LGBTQ+ people must be treated under law & raised the bar for equality across the country. This momentous victory would not have happened without the courage, commitment & perseverance of the fourteen Goodridge plaintiffs. Their willingness to repeatedly open themselves to public scrutiny, to share the truth of their lives with their neighbors & to face opposition from powerful leaders & institutions, ushered in legal & cultural shifts toward greater acceptance, protection & integration of LGBTQ+ people & families in our communities. We remain grateful for the powerful & empowering efforts of the Goodridge plaintiffs in making marriage equality a reality in Massachusetts & beyond.” WATCH HISTORIC VIDEO  
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San Francisco Transgender Film Festival

The San Francisco Transgender Film Festival (SFTFF) is presenting its 26th annual edition dedicated to films by transgender & gender-nonconforming filmmakers, highlighting innovative, experimental & visual storytelling that decries transphobic representation in cinema. The world’s first & longest-running transgender film festival runs for 12 days from November 8th to November 19th with 5 short film programs showcasing 33 films & will be presented in person at the Roxie Theater at 3117 16th Street in San Francisco. The hybrid festival version will stream on-demand beginning November 11th. SFTFF features a range of film genres from animation, comedy, dance, music, documentary, erotica, fantasy to topical themes surrounding drag, dating, sex & romance, Covid lockdown, immigration & more. Shawna Virago, San Francisco Transgender Film Festival Artistic Director stated, "We’re excited by our 26th annual festival & are looking forward to gathering safely & sharing in watching brilliant trans & gender non-conforming films. Especially now, with the increased personal & legislative attacks against trans people, trans communities & trans as a concept, it's more important than ever to meet in community." Founded in 1997 by Christopher Lee & Alex Austin the San Francisco Transgender Film Festival screens films that promote the visibility of transgender & gender variant people & challenges the mainstream media’s negative stereotypes of our transgender communities. SFTFF provides opportunities through film & performance events to engage audiences in cross-community dialogue. Films are closed captioned for deaf & hard-of-hearing audiences & tickets range on a sliding scale & donation-based fees from $0-$50 with free online access. 
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LGBTQ Leaders Address House Speaker

LGBTQ leaders address the election of Rep. Mike Johnson as the 56th speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Speaker Johnson has led anti-LGBTQ efforts for decades sponsoring anti-LGBTQ legislation working for the anti-LGBTQ+ hate group Alliance Defending Freedom & advocating for the criminalization of marriage equality for our LGBTQ community. Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Executive Director of the Campaign for Southern Equality stated, “The LGBTQ+ community has faced a relentless barrage of attacks from far-right extremist lawmakers in every Southern state & now Republicans in the House of Representatives have elected an extremist as Speaker. Johnson has made a career out of attacking the LGBTQ+ community at every turn. His positions are out of touch with the clear majority support for LGBTQ+ equality in our country. His new leadership role is just further proof of the dangerous priorities of the GOP & the critical stakes for our democracy & for LGBTQ+ Americans in 2024." Patrick Gaspard, CEO of the Center for American Progress Action Fund concluded, “This election represents the full & complete takeover of the Republican Party by MAGA extremists, with the American people destined to bear the cost. House Republicans chose a speaker who wants to gut Americans’ health & financial security by slashing Medicare & Social Security by trillions of dollars. He also spearheaded efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election & is at the extreme fringe of right-wing intolerance when it comes to LGBTQ rights. His extremism, evidenced by a record of voting with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) 95 percent of the time, is anathema to who we are as a people.”
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NHL Reverses Its LGBTQ Pride Ban

The National Hockey League (NHL) has reversed its decision to ban Pride Tape & other displays of support for our LGBTQ community on the ice. NHL spokesperson stated, “After consultation with the NHL Players Association & the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, players will now have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season.” The reversal is after the league was criticized earlier this month when they announced a ban of individual players from expressing visible support for Pride & other social causes. On Saturday Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott became the first player to defy the policy & used rainbow tape on the ice. Arizona will host the NHL’s first Pride Night of the season this Friday October 27th. Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President & CEO stated, "The NHL has listened to its loyal fans, hardworking team players & trusted community members & made the decision to reverse the unnecessary & hurtful policy that banned support of Pride & LGBTQ people. The NHL has been a longtime supporter of a number of community causes & inclusion & this decision is reflective of its values which align with the majority of those who follow hockey. GLAAD data shows that Americans widely seek out brands & employers who take a stand in support of LGBTQ rights; & 70% of non-LGBTQ Americans agree that companies should publicly support & include the LGBTQ community through their corporate practices. Allowing players to express themselves while participating in this sport means encouraging individual choice & free expression, including actions that show support & make hockey more welcoming to all."
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GLSEN To Honor Annette Bening At Gala

GLSEN dedicated to creating safe & inclusive K-12 schools for our LGBTQ youth announced that award-winning actress Annette Bening will be honored with the Advocate Award at its annual fundraising event Rise Up LA on Saturday October 28th. Bening joins singer Orville Peck as the second honoree in a star-studded lineup of activists & allies creating impactful change within our LGBTQ community. Melanie Willingham-Jaggers GLSEN Executive Director stated, "With LGBTQ+ rights being threatened everyday by legislators & right-wing extremists, GLSEN shines a spotlight on those who’ve been outspoken advocates in the community & championed for queer youth everyday. Annette Bening’s unwavering commitment to fostering a more inclusive world for not only her own child, but for every queer student, is a reflection of GLSEN & everything we stand for. Noah Cyrus's powerful musical journey resonates with the resilience & self-discovery that GLSEN aims to support & celebrate within the LGBTQ+ community.” Bening’s advocacy for LGBTQ issues is deeply rooted in her personal experiences & the power of empathy. As the parent of a transgender son she has become an outspoken advocate for the rights, acceptance & well-being of LGBTQ youth. Bening is a Tony Award & four-time Academy Award nominee & two-time Golden Globe & Screen Actors Guild Award winner. Currently she stars in the new must-see marathon swimming biopic “Nyad” with Jodie Foster. For over 33 years GLSEN has fought to create safe & supportive LGBTQ inclusive schools for all students. Rise Up LA is made possible by sponsors Wells Fargo Hollister, Target, Amazon Music, Amazon MGM Studios & Wilson Cruz. 
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Resistance They Fought Back (AUDIO)

This week I talked to Executive Producer Paula S. Apsell about her new documentary “Resistance - They Fought Back” that’s having its World Premiere at the Boston Jewish Film Festival November 2nd & 9th. “Resistance - They Fought Back” explores the misinformation that Jews went to their deaths like sheep to the slaughter during the Holocaust. Actually Jews fought back in more than sixty armed rebellions including six in death camps & thousands of Jewish partisans in forests of Europe. Through interviews with historians, survivors & their families the film belies a long-held myth & shines a new light on a lost chapter of history. Apsell co-directed this relevant & timely film with Kirk Wolfinger after a documentary they made for the PBS NOVA series in 2016 which she helmed for 35 years. Told by survivors, their children & expert witnesses from the U.S., Israel & Europe “Resistance - They Fought Back” is a revelation based on extensive research of how the Jews of Europe fought back. It uncovers evidence of non-violent methods which served as crucial tools of resistance & evolved into Jewish armed revolts in ghettos, forests & death camps even as the odds of success were alarmingly small. Today almost eighty years after the Holocaust this story remains largely unknown to the general public. It is important to understand this genocide that wiped out two-thirds of European Jews especially with the global rise of antisemitism, hatred & denial of the Holocaust itself. I talked to Paula about what she hopes to accomplish with “Resistance - They Fought Back” & as a fierce ally her spin on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN  
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Come OUT & Celebrate A Gay La Event

OUT MetroWest that operates programs for our LGBTQ youth in Massachusetts is having their annual Gay-La fundraising event on Monday October 23rd at Jack's Abby Brewing Co. in Framingham, MA from 6:30P to 9P. This is a come-as-you-like affair so feel free to dress for the cat-walk or casual or whatever makes you want to celebrate. Donations of any size will help reach their total Gay-la goal of raising $150,000 to fund thousands of life-changing moments all year long. The Gay-La will also feature a special message from Governor Maura Healey specifically for this event & our community. Tickets are $45 & include a delicious buffet dinner from the Jack’s Abby kitchen, one beverage, Dancing with DJ Mocha, photo booth by the Framingham Public Library, access to the outdoor beer garden with lawn games, fire pits & S'mores & a sweet treat from the LGBTQ+ BIPOC-owned French Press Bakery. Since 2011 OUT MetroWest has been providing social & supportive meetings for LGBTQ+ high school youth. The program originally called WAGLY was launched at the request of local youth & families. In 2012 they launched Umbrella their trans-facilitated program for transgender, non-binary & gender questioning high schoolers. Three years later Nexus was launched the state’s first community program for LGBTQ youth in grades six through eight. In 2017 they began offering drop-in sessions in response to youth requests for additional time to connect with LGBTQ peers & role models. Each year OUT MetroWest serves more than 300 youth & engages hundreds of additional people of all ages through their LGBTQ trainings & community events. 
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