OutRight Releases Briefing on Prides Around the World

The annual Pride month, symbolically marked to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots, comes to an end today. However, Pride events take place around the world year-round, and the essence of Pride - affirming the existence of LGBTIQ people and fighting for the protection of our rights - never ends. As such, OutRight marks the end of the month with the release of a new briefing - “Pride Around the World” - providing a global snapshot of what Pride looks like in different countries, documenting both increasing attacks on Pride events, and new Prides.  

The briefing aims to highlight the continuing importance of Pride events in the global movement for LGBTIQ equality, and equip activists and allies around the world to keep organizing Pride and fighting for the recognition and protection of the human rights of LGBTIQ people.

OutRight's briefing shows that:

• 102 countries around the world host some form of Pride event;
• 8 countries have held their first Pride in the last 3 years (Eswatini, Guyana, Micronesia and North Macedonia in 2018; and Angola, Botswana, Saint Lucia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2019); 
• in many places, even ones with a history of Pride events, they are coming under increasing attack;
• despite often hostile environments, new Pride events emerge every year, including virtually, such as Global Black Pride.

Deputy Executive Director of OutRight Action International, Maria Sjödin, comments:

“Pride events are the most visible element of the global movement for LGBTIQ equality. OutRight's briefing shows that Pride events are held in over half the countries in the world. They take many forms, and sizes, in some places celebrating progress and diversity, in others protesting and demanding recognition and protection of rights. Increasingly, even in places with a history of Pride events, they are coming under fire. At the same time, new Prides continue to emerge, loudly affirming their continuing central importance in our movement. As Pride month comes to an end, let this briefing serve as a reminder that the essence of Pride never ends, and that we fight for our rights every day.”

For the purposes of this briefing paper, OutRight defines Pride as a public-facing, open and visible event with the purpose of affirming the existence of LGBTIQ people, demanding recognition and protection of our rights, and celebrating progress to date. This briefing is intended as an initial look into the state of Prides around the world. OutRight intends to publish a full report on the subject in June 2022. 

This briefing was made possible with the support of Google.org

Billy and Damien from "School of Rock" and "Mean Girls" Talk Pride with “The Gay Life Coach"

Best known for their roles as outspoken LGBTQ+ youths in the iconic early 2000’s films, “School of Rock” and “Mean Girls” – Brian Falduto and Daniel Franzese meet for the first time in a meaningful conversation tied to Pride week. 

Chatting on Falduto’s “The Gay Life Coach” podcast, the two actors and advocates discuss their various commonalities, including what it was like to portray queer characters in major films as children who had not yet had the opportunity to come to terms with their own sexuality. Falduto and Franzese also discuss a slew of issues important to the queer community, including sex, body positivity, and faith / spirituality. Available everywhere podcasts are streamed, Episode 24 went live Friday, June 25.

Recently named “one of the 20 most influential, outspoken, and optimistic individuals on the planet” by PrideLife Magazine, Brian Falduto came into prominence for playing the role of Billy, Jack Black’s sassy stylist in the cult classic film, “School of Rock.” His participation in the film had a major impact on his coming of age, labeling him “that gay kid from ‘School of Rock” before he was ever able to consider his sexuality on his own. Growing up in a private Catholic school in suburban New Jersey, his peers chastised him for his role in the film and the way he carried himself. Without the proper guidance to just be himself, Brian retreated into the closet for a number of years. In recent years, Falduto has established himself as a gay country artist and an ICF certified LGBTQ life coach. He has traveled the country performing and speaking at Pride events, sharing his story and offering hope for countless young people. His recent single, “God Loves Me Too” delivers a powerful message of self-acceptance and love and is now available on all streaming platforms and digital retailers. The single’s music video won an International Independent Music Video Award.

Best known for his role as Damian in Tina Fey’s “Mean Girls,” Daniel Franzese was also the lead of other indie cult classics, including “Bully” and “I Spit on Your Grave.” He was most recently a series regular on Mark Gordon's ABC series, “Conviction.” Daniel was also a series regular on the Freeform series “Recovery Road.” Originally from Brooklyn, he has become a well-known proponent and speaker for the LGBTQ+ community. He reached 8 million views on his YouTube video series “Sh*t Italian Moms Say.” A self-proclaimed momma’s boy, his upbeat high-energy stand-up comedy acts, “I’ve Never Really Made the Kind of Money to Become a Mess” and “Yass! You’re Amazing,” capture his amazing and quirky life in the entertainment industry, as well as hilarious stories about his New York parents. Daniel is also the creator of several live comedy shows, including the rock opera, Jersey Shoresical: A Frickin’ Rock Opera.

LAS CAFETERAS release new single "LA SIRENA" a collaboration between Las Cafeteras, Poder Latinx, and Human Rights Campaign!

Since 2005, Las Cafeteras have been developing a sound that breaks genre barriers with an electric performance, infusing lyrical narratives with the purpose of sharing the hidden stories of migrants in Los Angeles. For Pride Month and Immigrant Heritage Month, the group releases their single “La Sirena”, featuring Miss Gay Queen of the Desert América, "Sicarya".

With the support of Poder Latinx y Human Rights Campaign, this song celebrates the diversity and leadership roles of Trans and Queer activists and also recognizes Immigrant Heritage Month through the Dreams and others who come to this country to seek a better future.

The song “La Sirena'' is like a tropical musical novel about two people from two different worlds who collide for a moment filled with passion, indulgence, and tradition. The tropical rhythms, percussion, and the sensual sound of the swing accompany the story about these two lovers destined for love and tragedy.

“We wanted to create art that brought together multiple communities that exist inside the LGBTQ+ identity, Latinx - Queer, Drag, Straight, Mestiza, Dancer, Immigrant, Pocho, and more,” comments Denise Carlos, singer of Las Cafeteras.

“After performing for an election campaign in Phoenix and being introduced by renowned Drag Queen Activist, Sicarya, I instinctively knew that I wanted to do a project to highlight the euphoria, greatness and activism that I witnessed,”
says Las Cafeteras singer/songwriter, Hector Flores.

Poder Latinx and Human Rights Campaign teamed up to produce a music video highlighting elegance, style and the activism behind the Latin Drag Community with a cast of POC Drag Queens, divas and dancers.

“Our political and electoral work with the Drag, Queer and Latinx community in Phoenix has been transformative and we want to continue to showcase ourselves for Trans Visibility and empowerment with this video production,” comments Yadira Sanchez, co-executive director of Poder Latinx.

"These types of cross-movement collaborations are an essential strategy to achieve emancipation for all marginalized communities. When we come together across our respective battles, and use a cross-movement lens to develop the strategies we use to achieve our missions, we become more intelligent and more powerful than our common threats. We need more artists like Las Cafeteras to create the anthems that raise the visibility of excluded voices and inspire us to unite and act to make a better and more inclusive union,” concludes Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David.

Paula Fuga's "Rain On Sunday" Album Out Now

Paula Fuga’s highly-anticipated second album, Rain on Sunday is available now through all digital services and select retailers via Brushfire and Republic Records. The twelve-track masterpiece, produced by longtime collaborator Mike Love, sonically connects Fuga’s inspiration of living in Hawaii and all the beauty it possesses alongside guest appearances from Jack Johnson, Ben Harper and J Boog. Full album stream is available here.
 
In support of Rain on Sunday, Fuga performed the lead track, “If Ever” on Good Morning America alongside musician Jack Johnson, which has garnered over three-million listens and counting. Additionally, Fuga’s video for album track “Hōkūleʻa Star of Gladness,” a beautifully reimagined song written by George “Boogie” Kalama (a crew member on the Hōkūleʻa, the voyaging canoe that embarked on a legendary journey from Hawaii to Tahiti in 1976) is also out now.
 
An album deeply informed by her connection with the natural world, Rain on Sunday takes its title from the final track, a lilting and luminously detailed song Fuga spontaneously wrote after a glorious morning rainstorm. “My main inspiration in life is living in Hawaii and being able to recognize and appreciate all the beauty it possesses,” says Paula.
 
In sharing Rain on Sunday with the world, Fuga hopes to invite the same unguardedness in her listeners. “So many people walk around with their hearts closed and their souls cut off from feeling,” she says. “I know that’s a defense mechanism, but I hope this album inspires people to open up. I hope they feel the love that every single musician put into these songs, and I hope it heals whatever’s inside them that needs to be healed.”

Are You Gay With Something To Say? Bloggers Wanted For Denver's Best Gay Blog!

Are you a new or experienced writer or blogger? Do you want to be? Or maybe you're just some gay guy with something to say? Well, what better forum for you than MileHighGayGuy?

MileHighGayGuy is looking for regular and guest bloggers to write about local news and events, do music and movie reviews, or write opinion or feature pieces from a gay perspective.

These are unpaid positions but offer the opportunity to be published in Colorado's Best Gay Blog (2010, 2011, 2012 OUTstanding Awards, Denver 2012 #WebAwards), expand your audience and gain valuable experience. There's also swag available in the form of free movie and concert tickets, music, books and other cool stuff.

If interested, shoot an email over to Drew Wilson at drew@milehighgayguy.com. And if you've got column or story ideas to pitch, this is the place to do it.

Last Call to Take Part in 2021 LGBTQ Community Survey

Last call to participate in the Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) 15th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey.

For over a decade, this survey has provided free data to help non-profits, universities, media, organizations, and businesses better understand and serve the LGBTQ community. The report will be published on the CMI website for free download. Previous surveys have attracted 30,000+ participants.

Everyone who completes the survey by June 30, 2021 may enter into a drawing to win one of twenty US $50 cash or gift certificate prizes or donate your prize to an LGBTQ charity of your choice.

The survey should take 12 to 15 minutes to complete.

CMI works hard to ensure that your personal information will remain SECURE and CONFIDENTIAL. They never use their lists for marketing purposes. They never sell or rent your contact information to other companies. CMI's research reports are about the collective opinion of the LGBTQ community, not your personal information. For more about CMI's privacy policy, please click click here.

To begin the survey, CLICK HERE.

Bospar Principal Curtis Sparrer to Moderate First Ever PRWeek Pride in PR Webcast

Bospar today announced that principal Curtis Sparrer will moderate the first ever PRWeek Pride in PR webcast.

During the webcast on June 30, PRWeek will highlight the contributions LGBTQ professionals are having on the comms industry and profession and the broader business world.

Along with Sparrer, the speakers for the webcast are:
• Karine Jean-Pierre, principal deputy press secretary, The White House
• Lisa Manley, VP of sustainability, Mars
• Ben Boyd, VP of communications and community relations, Lowe’s Companies
• Precious Brady-Davis, associate regional communications director, Sierra Club

“I believe Out communicators are an effective voice against today’s misinformation machine,” said Sparrer. “Americans realize these people have taken the brave step in living their life openly and authentically and have been – forgive me –straight with the public. That’s why I am beyond excited to host this illustrious group of comms professionals, as well as to be a part of this special webcast, as we join the world in marking Pride Month and the contributions of the LGBTQ community. During this Pride month we have celebrated an abundance of milestones, from the first active NFL player to come out as gay to Sesame Street introducing the first family with two dads. This also will be an opportunity to talk candidly about the obstacles LGBTQ PR professionals still face today.”

To celebrate Pride Month, PRWeek unveiled its inaugural Pride in PR program, which celebrates the impact LGBTQ individuals continue to have on the PR industry in the U.S. and around the world. The program is profiling 30 inspirational LGBTQ leaders – one person per day – throughout the month of June.

During the 60-minute webcast, which will run from 2-3pm EDT, PRWeek will spotlight some of the honorees in this compilation.

Register for the Showcasing Pride in PR webcast here.

Out Now: “Rainbow Connection” from Barbra Streisand’s Eagerly-Awaited :"Release Me 2" Album

Out now, check out “Rainbow Connection” from Barbra Streisand’s upcoming "Release Me 2" album as Barbra Streisand sings with Muppet legend Kermit the Frog (voiced by Muppet’s creator Jim Henson) this contemporary classic.

The Oscar-nominated song was originally written and recorded by Kermit (Henson) in 1979 for the motion picture The Muppet Movie. Barbra’s solo version of “The Rainbow Connection,” also recorded in 1979 (making her the first artist to cover the song) was originally recorded for her album Wet. When her duet with Donna Summer, “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)” clocked in at 8 and ½ minutes, the unmixed “The Rainbow Connection” was shelved due to lack of space on the vinyl LP for both songs.

Barbra’s appreciation for Muppets music was a result of her watching The Muppet Show and Sesame Street with her young son Jason Gould.

In 2020, when Barbra was considering various tracks for Release Me 2, the idea of creating a virtual duet of “The Rainbow Connection,” uniting her 1979 vocal with Kermit’s (Henson’s) 1979 vocal was first conceived. The new duet version was produced by Barbra with Jochem van der Saag.

When asked why she wanted to sing with Kermit, Barbra stated, “The opportunity to duet with a legend like Kermit was irresistible. I think of him as ageless and ever-GREEN!”

New Planet Classroom Show Focuses on the Human Rights of Sex Workers and Transgender People

Resilience and dedication pave the path for those willing to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. In the new episode of the Planet Classroom Podcast entitled Pride and Prejudice, Orb, the show’s virtual host, unites the creator of the acclaimed film, One Leg In One Leg Out (now screening on the Planet Classroom Network YouTube Channel), along with international youth voices to explore the human rights of sex workers and transgender people. 

What happens when a transgender woman wants to become a social worker so she can help other girls in her position stay safe and turn away from that way of life? 

“I think what really makes this film so inspiring is that it shows the gritty reality of those marginalized in society, particularly transgender individuals.” says Julian from California. “I have to admit that before watching this film I didn’t have a good image of people with these kinds of jobs, but the film made me realize that in some cases they don’t have these jobs because they want it, it’s because they need it,” notes Natalia from Mexico.

The Planet Classroom Network, organized by CMRubinWorld, brings together musicians, dancers, video game creators, filmmakers, learning innovators and emerging technologists from all over the world to entertain, educate and engage youth, and to provide a rich cultural experience at a time when art and learning institutions everywhere are not accessible. 

Curators and content contributors include Global Nomads, Global Oneness, the Martha Graham Dance Company, Commffest, KIDS FIRST!, Dream a Dream Foundation, OddWorld Inhabitants, Psyon Games, Challenge 59, LXL Ideas, Alliance for Young Artists & Writers/Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, Creative Visions Foundation, Battery Dance, SIMA Classroom, Young Voices for the Planet, Bard Conservatory, Taking It Global, Materials for the Arts, Book Creator, XTalks, NFFTY, Young People’s Chorus of New York City, The International Forum for the Literature and Culture of Peace, Ryan Wong Classroom, The Global Search for Education, Voice America, Addiction and Art, Rocketium and Brandartica. 

Young people from around the world played a significant role in conceptualizing, creating, and producing the network’s vision and programming.

LGBTQ Entrepreneur Pens Debut Dystopian Fantasy Novel, "Percenters and the Amber Pendant"

In this taut, post-apocalyptic thriller, Percenters and the Amber Pendant by P.H. Perrine, America is in ruins. The rich and powerful live in the Sovereign Sky Cities high above the toxic ozone layer on Earth. The rest are forced to live in the remnants of a society and environment they’ve ruined. Jenavive is one of the lucky Percenters and is turning sixteen. She is at the age where she is going to learn her fate, what her powers will be, but she stumbles upon a secret that will threaten her life.

The citizens of the Sovereign City Skies are super powerful humans and their bloodline determines their powers and their fate. On the eve of her sixteenth birthday, Jena learns there are people, a whole society, that don’t get the same life and privilege that she does. Far below the city there are the people of the Barrens who are not superhuman. They are cruelly oppressed and enslaved to the Percenters and forced to live in the toxic, desolate landscape that was once America.

Jena must undo the oppressions where the poor and powerless serve the rich. But there is a secret sect within the Percenters, the Cleansing Coalition, who will keep things the way they are and maintain how their society has lived for centuries. Jenna is determined to fight this injustice but will it cost her and her families’ life in the process?

Echoing the Divergent and Hunger Games series, Percenters and the Amber Pendant is a socially relevant novel dealing with the issues of climate change and the ever-widening gap of wealth between rich and poor in America today. P.H. Perrine is the owner of several LGBTQ matchmaking websites and a skin care line and is an entrepreneur. He has written non-fiction books, but this is his first novel. It's about unlikely heroes, female empowerment and divide between the rich and poor in a future dystopian America. He has known struggle as a young gay man growing up in the midwest and now lives in Austin, Texas.

DNC on 52nd Anniversary of Stonewall Uprising

DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, Secretary Jason Rae and LGBTQ Caucus Chair Earl Fowlkes released the following statement on the 52nd anniversary of the Stonewall uprising and the 51st anniversary of the first Pride parades:

“Fifty-two years ago, transgender and lesbian women of color took to the streets against the injustice and discrimination the LGBTQ community had endured for years. A year later, Pride was born and the tradition of fearlessly celebrating their identities began. Today, we celebrate the hard-won progress forged by the trailblazers who put their lives at risk for the chance for all of us to live our true selves freely and without fear. 

“President Biden and Democrats are dedicated to achieving equality for LGBTQ Americans. In his first weeks in office, President Biden signed executive orders directing federal agencies to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, and reversing the Trump administration’s unacceptable ban on transgender individuals serving openly in the military. Not only has the president shown commitment to empowering the LGBTQ community with policies, he’s demonstrated it with his administration personnel: Nearly 14 percent of the Biden administration’s agency appointees identify as LGBTQ. The administration also includes the first openly gay person confirmed to serve in the Cabinet, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg; and the first openly transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate, Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Rachel Levine.

“There is more to be done to ensure that the right to live without persecution is cemented everywhere. This is why Congress must pass the Equality Act to codify into law civil rights protections for LGBTQ individuals and families across the nation. Pride is about resilience, justice, and love. We must recommit ourselves to the work for LGBTQ equality—so everyone can live freely and proudly.”

Craft Recordings and Soulwax Celebrate Pride with a New Remix for Sylvester's "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)"

Craft Recordings celebrates Pride by partnering with the GRAMMY-nominated electronic duo David and Stephen Dewaele AKA Soulwax to produce a fresh and joyful remix of Sylvester’s 1978 disco classic, “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real).”

In 2019, the Library of Congress inducted “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” into their National Recording Registry, recognizing the song for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Music journalist Peter Shapiro, meanwhile, described the track as, “an epochal record in disco history” and “the cornerstone of gay disco” in his 2005 book, Turn the Beat Around: The Secret History of Disco.

David and Stephen Dewaele of Soulwax took a purist approach with their version of the iconic hit. “Unlike other remixes where we usually replace most of the elements and make something radically different based around the vocal, we made this remix using only the parts we found on the original multitrack that we were so kindly given by the Sylvester estate,” said the brothers.

“Even though we have played this song a million times,” they continued, “we discovered a few elements that we had never heard before, like a crazy Patrick Cowley synth solo and somewhere hidden before the start of the multitrack, the ending of what sounds like a gospel version of ‘Mighty Real.’ It was a huge privilege to be asked to remix this seminal track and we hope that Sylvester will dance to it, wherever he is.”

Sylvester, meanwhile, continued to enjoy success long after the release of “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” releasing a total of nine albums during his lifetime and countless singles, including “Dance (Disco Heat)” (1978) and “Do Ya Wanna Funk” (1982). Fondly known as the “Queen of Disco,” Sylvester was not only a pioneer in the dance genre but was also a trailblazer in the LGBTQ+ community, living openly as a gay man and proudly challenging gender norms.

In addition to his unforgettable efforts in the studio and on stage, Sylvester was also a tireless activist for those living with HIV and AIDS—particularly in his beloved San Francisco. Sadly, the artist lost his own battle to complications from the virus in 1988, at the age of 41. Before he died, Sylvester ensured that royalties from his music would benefit two local organizations: the AIDS Emergency Fund (later renamed Emergency Financial Assistance), which offers immediate financial assistance to those disabled by HIV and AIDS, and Project Open Hand, which provides meals and groceries to the elderly and those battling critical illnesses in the Bay Area.

Sylvester’s unique musical legacy continues to live on, inspiring new generations of fans every day. In 2005, he was inducted into the Dance Music Hall Of Fame, while in 2016, he was ranked among the greatest dance club artists by Billboard. Sylvester was also among the inaugural honorees on San Francisco’s Rainbow Honor Walk and was the subject of an acclaimed, off-Broadway play, Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical.

Do You Want To Reach Denver's Gay Community? Advertise With Denver's Best Gay Blog!

Do you want to advertise to Denver’s gay community? Of course you do, it’s the 7th largest in the United States! And the best way to reach them is with MileHighGayGuy – Colorado’s Best Gay Blog.
 
Just click the Advertising page or email sales@milehighgayguy.com to get started today.

Celebrate PRIDE with Deezer's New Queer Culture Channel

Queer culture deserves to be celebrated all year round, not just during Pride month. Today, check out the launch Deezer’s new “Queer Culture” channel, which will be a permanent fixture on the Deezer platform. Deezer wanted to bring fans the top music, podcasts and audiobooks from the queer community and to bring attention to queer artists and creators like Kehlani, Janelle Monae and others.

The channel will be regularly updated with the very latest content from queer talent worldwide. Fans can explore a range of editorial playlists like “Queer Icons” and “The new generation of artists.” Here they can listen to long-standing champions of the community or discover new queer artists. For a mixture of tracks, the ‘Celebrate queer music’ playlist covers the likes of drag music, vogue and LGBTQ moods. the channel has also given a dedicated home to soundtracks for TV shows and movies that brought queer culture to the masses like ‘RuPaul's Drag Race’, ‘It's A Sin’ and ‘Pose’.

Later this month will see the debut “Deezer Queer Culture Sessions.” These exclusive sessions will feature popular queer artists including Mykki Blanco, Calum Scott, Tayla Parx and Carlie Hanson. They’ll cover tracks like “Boys in the Street” by Greg Holden, “Wannabe” by Spice Girls and “Here Comes My Girl” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Besides bringing you curated artist playlists like Princess Nokia’s “Midnight Mixtape”, Deezer will also ensurie that queer content creators and producers are fully represented. If you’re looking to learn more about LGBTQ+ life, culture and history, they've got a selection of podcasts like Nancy and LGBTQ&A and audio fans in Germany can also listen to Queer specific audiobooks. Their “Behind the music” playlist will also take fans behind the scenes to champion queer producers and songwriters like Sophie and Victoria Monet.

“Queer culture is all about inclusion and respect. There are so many artists and creators who have contributed to the Queer community throughout the decades. This inspired us to create a single hub for all Queer content. Whether it’s music, podcasts or audiobooks - our channel is a gateway to Pride - 365 days a year,” commented Fabio Santana, the Global Editor of Deezer’s Queer Culture Channel.

Last Call to Take Part in 2021 LGBTQ Community Survey

Last call to participate in the Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) 15th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey.

For over a decade, this survey has provided free data to help non-profits, universities, media, organizations, and businesses better understand and serve the LGBTQ community. The report will be published on the CMI website for free download. Previous surveys have attracted 30,000+ participants.

Everyone who completes the survey by June 30, 2021 may enter into a drawing to win one of twenty US $50 cash or gift certificate prizes or donate your prize to an LGBTQ charity of your choice.

The survey should take 12 to 15 minutes to complete.

CMI works hard to ensure that your personal information will remain SECURE and CONFIDENTIAL. They never use their lists for marketing purposes. They never sell or rent your contact information to other companies. CMI's research reports are about the collective opinion of the LGBTQ community, not your personal information. For more about CMI's privacy policy, please click click here.

To begin the survey, CLICK HERE.