Lambda Literary announces the first annual Lambda LitFest Los Angeles, a week-long Los Angeles county wide festival featuring readings, workshops, pop-up events, entertainment and timely discussions about LGBTQ literature and publishing from March 6 --- 12, 2017.
The LitFest culminates in a full weekend of literary happenings. Saturday, March 11features a day of thought provoking panel discussions covering issues critical to LGBTQ readers and writers at Barnsdall Gallery Theater in Hollywood, concluding with UnCabaret, an evening of queer comedy. Sunday, March 12 is a day of pop-up events across Los Angeles followed by the LitFest closing party hosted at Akbar in Silver Lake.
LitFest goers will experience a stellar week of LGBTQ community curated literary programming including workshops, conversations, pop-up readings, panel discussions, performance, and parties celebrating the breadth and diversity of queer literary LA in over a dozen venues in nearly every corner of Los Angeles County.
"Lambda LitFest not only showcases the incredible literary talent of queer LA and California," said Tony Valenzuela, Executive Director. "it does so at a time when it's critically important for LGBTQ readers and writers to come together to build stronger literary and publishing communities to face the uncertainty that lies ahead. Freedom of expression, queer rights and social justice persevere when we create spaces for the free flow of ideas and then organize to demand the change we need."
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25 years after Paris Is Burning introduced the art of voguing to the world, Kiki
revisits New York City's thriving underground ballroom scene. It's a
larger-than-life world in which LGBTQ youths of color are empowered by
staging elaborate dance competitions that showcase their dynamic
choreography, fabulous costumes, and fierce attitude. It's also a safe
haven for struggling, at-risk teens who find acceptance, support, and
friendship within the Kiki community. Granted intimate access to the
scene, filmmaker Sara Jordenö introduces viewers to some of Kiki
culture's most prominent personalities, going beyond the glamour of the
balls to highlight the serious challenges facing queer black and Latino
young people. Bringing together heartrending personal stories with
incredible displays of creative expression, Kiki is "exhilarating...an indelible, must-see ode to gay New York" (Manohla Dargis, The New York Times).
Written and directed by Sara Jordenö and co-written by Twiggy Pucci Garcon, Sundance Selects will release Kiki in select theaters and on VOD on February 24th.
“Tolerance is as tolerance does, and the left seems willing to tolerate those who agree with them — and only those,” Log Cabin Republicans President Gregory T. Angelo stated. “Log Cabin Republicans condemns the Berkeley protesters engaging in violence and attacks on police under the guise of freedom of speech, and applauds President Trump for speaking out against this flagrant bastardization of the First Amendment. As an organization with a chapter and constituency on the school’s campus, these outrageous actions directly endangering the safety of our members hit especially close to home. Lock. Them. Up!”
The Log Cabin Republicans Board of Directors has elected Sarah Longwell as its national Chairman. Longwell becomes the first female to hold the leadership position of the country’s premier LGBT conservative organization.
“While it’s nice to be the first female Chairman of Log Cabin Republicans, I hope this is the least memorable fact about my tenure,” Longwell said. “I joined the Log Cabin Republicans Board of Directors in 2011 because I wanted to increase the number of GOP voices speaking in favor of LGBT Americans. Over the past six years, LCR has been at the forefront of tremendous positive change: working to build bi-partisan support for employment non-discrimination, championing the lawsuit that lead to the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ and working for and winning marriage equality. As Chairman I hope LCR can build on this legacy by working with Republicans to protect the civil rights of all Americans and helping to move the country closer to its promise of ‘liberty and justice for all.’”
In addition to holding the distinction of being the first female Chairman, Longwell is also the organization’s youngest board member. She has also served on the Leadership Committee of Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry. Sarah is a Senior Vice President and Partner at a communications firm in Washington D.C. She has delivered expert testimony before numerous state legislatures, appears frequently in the national media, and is quoted in hundreds of news stories each year. Her opinion pieces have been published in top-tier newspapers including in The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Times. In 2010, she was named a “Rising Star” by Campaigns & Elections Magazine and was recognized by the American Association of Political Consultants as a member of the class of 2016’s “Top 40 under 40.” Longwell is a graduate of Kenyon College in Ohio and lives in Washington D.C. with her wife and son.
Additional officers elected include Stephen Gale (Vice-Chairman), Eli Lehrer (Treasurer), Joseph M. Zanetta (Secretary), and Leonard Olds (At-Large). New Directors elected include Pete Webb (New York), Hugh Rouse (California), and Frank Ricchiazzi (Nevada), the latter returning to the Board after helping to found the organization decades ago.
“It’s a privilege to rejoin the Log Cabin Republicans National Board of Directors in our 40th anniversary year,” Ricchizaai stated. “We’ve come a long way since our founding, and I feel our best days are still ahead of us.”
“Log Cabin Republicans is at the forefront of LGBT civil rights,” Webb declared. “We are in a unique position to make the conservative case for equality. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves as a member of the Board of Directors as we continue to work within the Republican Party and larger society.”
“Supporting the common-sense conservative message of Log Cabin Republicans is nothing new to me,” Rouse said. “As a member of the Board of Directors, I look forward to playing a more formal role in achieving victories for the LGBT community as we embark on our organization’s 40th year.”
By killing an amendment that would have stripped discriminatory language from Virginia’s Constitution and advancing a bill that reaffirmed the right of religious officials to refuse to marry same-sex couples, Virginia House Republicans this week sent the message that Virginia is not open for business.
The Republican-controlled House of Delegates today advanced HB 2025, which reiterates the already constitutionally-protected right of religious officials to refuse to solemnize any marriage.
Earlier this week, the Privileges and Elections Constitutional Subcommittee killed HJ 538, which would have repealed Virginia’s now mute constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Though the bill was an unrecorded voice vote, footage from Progress Virginia shows that Del. Jackson Miller made the motion to kill the legislation.
“Virginia Democrats are focused on jobs; Virginia Republicans are focused on marginalizing women and the LGBT community,” said House Democratic Leader David J. Toscano. “House Republicans have killed Democratic bills that would have raised the minimum wage, established paid family leave, and allowed borrowers to refinance high-interest student loans. Meanwhile, they refused to remove discriminatory language from our constitution and instead advanced an empty bill that reaffirms an already constitutionally-protected right. The Republicans’ anti-LGBT agenda sends a clear message to the rest of the nation that Virginia is not open for business.”
“North Carolina’s bathroom bill cost their economy at least $630 million dollars,” said Caucus Chair Charniele Herring. “Minutes after Virginia’s version of that bill was rightfully killed, Republicans also killed a bill that would have protected the LGBT community from employment discrimination. As a result, you can still be fired in Virginia simply for being gay. Discrimination impedes our ability to attract business and tourism to the Commonwealth. For our economy to thrive, we must send a resounding message to tourists and companies that Virginia does not discriminate.”
“The Privileges and Elections, Constitutional Subcommittee, without explanation, decided to indefinitely enshrine the opinions of Virginians who voted in 2006 to ratify a Virginia constitutional amendment that has since been ruled unconstitutional,” said Del. Mark Sickles, referring to his proposed amendment to repeal the language in Virginia’s constitution that bars same-sex marriage. “Over the past 11 years, the public has reassessed their views as the issue has literally come home for friends and family of the LGBT community. Many Virginians have realized they were on the wrong side of history. Marriage equality is the ‘law of the land’ and our voters deserve the right to clear our constitution of harsh and harmful exclusionary language. The voters of 2006 should not obstruct progress and determine in perpetuity the definition of civil marriage—and neither should this subcommittee.”
It started rather innocently, at first. Just small talk. It has grown since the first day, around the end of August. It was when I started to work just West of the city. My habits changed and I needed to find a new gym. Although I will always miss the gay gyms of the past; my first in Denver, then Dallas. A new gym is always, to me, starting a new chapter in my life.
With the new gym, came a new path in leaving the new job and forcing my body to drive to the new gym. I’m sure it’s common, when you leave work you begin to tease yourself into just going home. You say “I can skip the gym today… I’ll work out extra hard tomorrow.” or, I’m really tired tonight, maybe I shouldn’t go..” or there’s always my favorite… I wonder if I can work out twice on Saturday, because I’m really hungry.” Meanwhile, the best thing to do is to not listen to these voices, the ones that want you to fail, and just drive. Just get into the car and drive. Because, nothing stops this voice of failure than walking into the gym. Your body is there anyway, you might as well just push some plates.
In my worst days, I make a bargain in my stupid head. A full workout first, then fast-food. Nothing buys my loyalty like the promise of food. These are the days I turn to her.... It is cheating really, an affair of the heart. It started rather innocently, at first. Just small talk. But, since our first meeting I’ve been in love with a girl. Did I mention that I’ve been dating a girl. I know it can’t last, It shouldn’t last, I’m in a relationship already. Damn me and my polyamorous tendencies.
My baby-girls name is Destiny. I mean the name on her name tag is Beth, but she’s Destiny to me. We are truly and deeply in love. The conversations were easy, about our hopes, dreams, and desires. I found it effortless to sit and chat. Me in my Jeep; Destiny in her window. It always ended with her giving me all she had to give. Exactly what I wanted and needed. A three piece chicken strips and a biscuit. Yesterday she was down, apparently she was being evicted from her house and had to find a place to crash. So goes the life of a KFC drive-up worker. It’s about once… maybe twice a week that I drive up to the window, usually around 5:15pmand the drive through is slow. This means we have a couple of minutes to chat. I’ve learned about her schooling. Well, her plans to go back. I’ve supported her in her dreams. We do that in our relationship. So it was a shock to see her so down.
I need to break up with Destiny, I know. But, her chicken strips keep calling me back.
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Comcast yesterday announced a partnership with GLAAD, the world’s leading LGBTQ media advocacy organization, to curate more than 100 titles of GLAAD Media Awards-related content on Xfinity On Demand. Starting on January 31, in conjunction with the announcement of this year’s 28th Annual GLAAD Media Awards nominees, newly announced nominees, as well as previous award recipients will become part of the growing list of titles within the recently created Xfinity LGBTQ Film & TV Collection.
“Through this partnership, we’re giving these LGBTQ storytellers access to a platform that has the potential to reach tens of millions of viewers,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President & CEO. “We applaud Comcast for creating an experience that puts a spotlight on LGBTQ content and we’re proud to add our GLAAD Media Awards-related titles to their growing library of shows and movies.”
The Xfinity LGBTQ Film & TV Collection is available on the television, web and mobile devices and can easily be accessed at home using the X1 voice remote by saying commands like “LGBTQ” or “Pride.”
The new GLAAD content can be accessed by saying “GLAAD Media Awards” into the X1 voice remote. Included in the collection are films inclusive of some of the GLAAD Media Awards’ top categories like “Outstanding Film Wide Release”, “Outstanding Film Limited Release”, and “Outstanding Documentary.”
The collection will also feature some of the best films from past award recipients including: Milk, Carol, Tangerine, The Imitation Game, The Kids Are Alright, Concussion, Beginners, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Bound & Gods and Monsters and Brokeback Mountain.
The 28th Annual GLAAD Media Awards will take place on April 1 in Los Angeles and on May 6 in New York. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community and the issues that affect their lives. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD's year-round work to amplify stories from the LGBTQ community that accelerate acceptance.
Alanis Morissette collaborated with husband Souleye for his new 'Snow Angel' video.
"It was an honor to work with my wife on this song," Souleye told Fuse, where the video premiered. "Not only does she inspire me as an artist, but she ceaselessly fluffs my ego. She is also hilarious so we were having a blast together."
"I love the literal and figurative dance between the masculine and feminine-within and without-in this song and video," Alanis added. "The delicate bandying of action and reaction shows the empowered and vulnerable versions of each. I adore working with Souleye having been a fan since the day I heard one of his songs for the first time."
President Trump has announced that his administration will preserve the longstanding executive order providing LGBT workplace protections for federal contractors.
The statement from the White House reads, in part, “President Donald J. Trump is determined to protect the rights of all Americans, including the LGBTQ community. President Trump continues to be respectful and supportive of LGBTQ rights, just as he was throughout the election.”
“Donald Trump campaigned promising to be a ‘real friend’ to the LGBT community, and now President Trump is delivering on that commitment.,” Log Cabin Republicans President Gregory T. Angelo stated. “Log Cabin Republicans is proud to have directly advocated for this important preservation of LGBT equality in the federal workforce, and heartened to see that the recommendations prescribed in our white paper on this subject have been reflected in the Trump Administration’s decision to maintain the LGBT Non-Discrimination Executive Order.”
Log Cabin Republicans thanks the hundreds of individuals across the country of all political stripes who added their name to our petition in support of this historic milestone.
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The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund is releasing the following statement regarding a leaked draft Executive Order from the Trump Administration that, if accurate, would promote widespread discrimination. The draft order, which uses religion as an excuse to discriminate, is the subject of a story in The Nation:
“This rumored executive order is a charter for widespread and divisive discrimination, against LGBTQ people, and frankly against everyone. It is designed to destroy lives and roll-back fundamental rights. It trashes the separation of church and state and aims to combine them. It will have an immediate and chilling impact on every aspect of our lives, disproportionately impacting the vulnerable. Consider the fact that personal assistant services for seniors and persons with disabilities are regularly controlled by religious organizations. This executive order could have devastating consequences for LGBTQ older adults and people with disabilities who rely on these services or reside in assisted living facilities. Our youth are also especially at risk under these policies. For example, almost 20% of the 400,000 youth in foster care identify as LGBTQ. Under this order, placement organizations don't have to serve them, or the potential parents who seek to support them. That's 80,000 young people that can be denied service under this executive order. You can be sure that Trump’s extremist troops — including a new government enforcement squad to be set up under this executive order — will be encouraged to implement his order with zeal, slashing and burning civil and constitutional rights as they go along. What will be shocking to millions of people of all faiths and secular people alike is that Trump radically twists freedom of and freedom from religion to justify this amoral action. If this leak is accurate, and he signs this or a similar order, it will be a truly devastating day for American freedoms. We will continue to join with immigrants, Muslims, refugees, women and other fair-minded people in protecting what we hold to be good and true about America,” said Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund.
