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	<title>Lez Get Real &#187; Conventions</title>
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		<title>STATE OF BLACK GAY AMERICA SUMMIT &amp; OUT on The Hill LGBT Leadership</title>
		<link>http://lezgetreal.com/2010/08/state-of-black-gay-america-summit-out-on-the-hill-lgbt-leadership/</link>
		<comments>http://lezgetreal.com/2010/08/state-of-black-gay-america-summit-out-on-the-hill-lgbt-leadership/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:02:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melanie Nathan</dc:creator>
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		<category><![CDATA[Keynote speech. This one day event will include panelists Rep. Simone Bell]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Patricia Powell]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lezgetreal.com/?p=43868</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Posted y Melanie Nathan; August 29, 2010;
LezGetReal features two key LGBT events for the Month of September, the State of Balck Gay Summit and Out on The Hill:-
The 4th Annual STATE OF BLACK GAY AMERICA SUMMIT with SHARON LETTMAN Executive  Director, National Black Justice Coalition giving  the Keynote speech. This one day event  will [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Posted y Melanie Nathan; August 29, 2010;</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-43869" href="http://lezgetreal.com/2010/08/state-of-black-gay-america-summit-out-on-the-hill-lgbt-leadership/nbjc-ooth-web-banner/"><img class="alignright size-large wp-image-43869" title="NBJC-OOTH-web-banner" src="http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/NBJC-OOTH-web-banner-500x103.gif" alt="" width="500" height="103" /></a>LezGetReal features two key LGBT events for the Month of September, the State of Balck Gay Summit and Out on The Hill:-</p>
<p>The 4th Annual<a href="http://www.sbgasummit.org/"> STATE OF BLACK GAY AMERICA SUMMIT w</a>ith SHARON LETTMAN Executive  Director, National Black Justice Coalition giving  the Keynote speech. This one day event  will include panelists  Rep. Simone Bell, APD LGBT Liaison Patricia Powell, Sandra Lawson,  Maurice Jamal  as well as others. It  will be held on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 11am-3pm, Atlanta  Marriott Buckhead Hotel, at the time when Atlanta enjoys a myriad of Pride events.</p>
<blockquote><p><a rel="attachment wp-att-43870" href="http://lezgetreal.com/2010/08/state-of-black-gay-america-summit-out-on-the-hill-lgbt-leadership/sharon-about/"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-43870" title="sharon-about" src="http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/sharon-about.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="205" /></a>In October 2009, Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks became the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the <a href="http://nbjc.org/">National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC</a>), a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.</p>
<p>Since 2003, NBJC has provided leadership at the intersection of mainstream civil rights groups and mainstream LGBT organizations, advocating for the unique challenges and needs of the African-American LGBT community that are often relegated to the sidelines.</p>
<p>NBJC envisions a world where all people are fully-empowered to participate safely, openly and honestly in family, faith and community, regardless of race, gender identity or sexual orientation. In concert with NBJC’s mission to eradicate racism and homophobia, her personal goals are to make the Black family the focal point of NBJC; to tell compelling stories about the Black LGBT community; and to see Black LGBT people understood, embraced and respected for their valuable contributions to society.</p></blockquote>
<h3><strong>The National Black Justice Coalition’s First <em>OUT on the Hill </em>Black LGBT Leadership Summit.</strong></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.nbjc.org/outonthehill/NBJC-OUT-on-the-Hill-package_2010.pdf">September  15-18th in D.C.  &#8211; A gathering of the Black LGBT leadership during the  Congressional Black Caucus Foundation&#8217;s 40th annual Legislative  Conference.</a></p>
<p>OUT on the Hill convenes the nation’s top Black LGBT thought leaders, faith leaders, philanthropists and activists to participate in social action that empowers our communities while educating our Congressional leaders, the Obama Administration and federal agencies about our public policy concerns. We plan to come together annually to let the powers that be know that we exist, we are organized and informed, and we have the ability to move the masses towards an America that is more inclusive of Black LGBT people.</p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em>OUT on the Hill</em>, September 15-18, features a Lobby Day, which serves as an opportunity for Black LGBT leaders to discuss important policy issues with their Members of Congress and Congressional Leadership; a White House Briefing, which will include presentations from key White House Officials and representatives from the Departments of Justice, Labor, and Health &amp; Human Services.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nbjc.org/outonthehill/NBJC-OUT-on-the-Hill-package_2010.pdf">http://www.nbjc.org/outonthehill/NBJC-OUT-on-the-Hill-package_2010.pdf</a></p>
<p><strong>Melanie Nathan<br />
nathan@privatecourts.com</strong></p>
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		<title>Stretch Video: Martina Navratilova Health &amp; Fitness Ambassador for AARP</title>
		<link>http://lezgetreal.com/2010/08/stretch-video-martina-navratilova-health-fitness-ambassador-for-aarp/</link>
		<comments>http://lezgetreal.com/2010/08/stretch-video-martina-navratilova-health-fitness-ambassador-for-aarp/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Aug 2010 05:36:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melanie Nathan</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lezgetreal.com/?p=42779</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[

Melanie Nathan; 8-18-10
Almost 50 at the time, back in In 2007 tennis great Martina Navratilova signed with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) as the group&#8217;s Health &#38; Fitness ambassador.  Navratilova continues in this capacity, where she makes appearances at AARP events and offers online tips for AARP members on things like diet and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zemanta-img" style="margin: 1em; display: block;">
<div class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 190px"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Martina_Navratilova.jpg"><img class=" " title="Martina Navratilova at 2006 Lambda Legal Awards" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Martina_Navratilova.jpg/300px-Martina_Navratilova.jpg" alt="Martina Navratilova at 2006 Lambda Legal Awards" width="180" height="236" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text"> </p></div>
</div>
<p><strong>Melanie Nathan; 8-18-10</strong></p>
<p>Almost 50 at the time,<strong> </strong>back in In 2007 tennis great <a class="zem_slink" title="Martina Navratilova" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martina_Navratilova">Martina Navratilova</a> signed with the <a class="zem_slink" title="AARP" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AARP">American Association of Retired Persons</a> (<a href="http://www.xomba.com/martina_navratilova_named_aarp_ambassador" target="undefined">AARP</a>) as the group&#8217;s Health &amp; Fitness ambassador.  Navratilova continues in this capacity, where she makes appearances at AARP events and offers online tips for AARP members on things like <a href="http://www.xomba.com/martina_navratilova_named_aarp_ambassador" target="undefined">diet</a> and fitness for the senior (that word?) crowd. <strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Navratilova,</strong> has won 59 grand slam tennis titles (the last one six weeks shy of her 50th birthday). Martina has been named &#8220;Tour Player of the Year&#8221; by the <a class="zem_slink" title="Women's Tennis Association" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Tennis_Association">Women’s Tennis Association</a>, &#8220;Female <a class="zem_slink" title="Athlete of the Year" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athlete_of_the_Year">Athlete of the Year</a>&#8221; by the Associated Press, and one of the &#8220;Top 40 Athletes of All Time&#8221; by <a class="zem_slink" title="Sports Illustrated" rel="homepage" href="http://www.si.com/">Sports Illustrated</a>.<a href="http://refresh.aarp.org/health/experts/martina_navratilova/001/author:martina%20navratilova/"></a></p>
<p>“Because I&#8217;m in my 50s, I&#8217;m very concerned about flexibility. I know how much it helps me recover from tough matches or workouts and prepare for exercise the next day. And there are other benefits, too. Staying flexible can help you prevent injury, as well as avoid muscle knots and tightness brought on by daily activities. It improves your posture, reduces stress, and generally keeps your body feeling youthful and agile.” asserts Martina on site in one of many articles available to non members as well.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Here is a Video from the AARP website showcasing an example of the health and fitness advice offered<br />
<a href="http://www.aarp.org/applications/search/search.action?q=martina"> by the now over fifty ambassador.</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="420" height="320" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param value="always" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=30202561001&amp;playerID=67524056001&amp;playerKey=AQ%2E%2E,AAAAAjHM3KE%2E,ue6IyhgccnQfCR9niUq7SpiGuvtClfZX&amp;domain=embed&amp;dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="src" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashvars" value="videoId=30202561001&amp;playerID=67524056001&amp;playerKey=AQ%2E%2E,AAAAAjHM3KE%2E,ue6IyhgccnQfCR9niUq7SpiGuvtClfZX&amp;domain=embed&amp;dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="320" src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="videoId=30202561001&amp;playerID=67524056001&amp;playerKey=AQ%2E%2E,AAAAAjHM3KE%2E,ue6IyhgccnQfCR9niUq7SpiGuvtClfZX&amp;domain=embed&amp;dynamicStreaming=true"></embed></object></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/info-08-2010/martina_stretching.html">http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/info-08-2010/martina_stretching.html</a></p>
<blockquote><p>Navratilova will be at the AARP Orlando@50+ in Orlando, FL: September 30 &#8211; October 2, which thousands of AARP members and their friends are expected to attend</p></blockquote>
<h6 class="zemanta-related-title" style="font-size: 1em;">By Melanie Nathan<br />
nathan@privatecourts.com</h6>
<h6 class="zemanta-related-title" style="font-size: 1em;">Related articles by Zemanta</h6>
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<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://lezgetreal.com/2010/07/cnn-to-air-martina-navratilova-documentary/">CNN to Air Martina Navratilova Documentary</a> (lezgetreal.com)</li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://lezgetreal.com/2010/07/martina-navratilova-kicks-ass-at-wimbledon-weeks-after-radiation-therapy/">Martina Navratilova Kicks Ass at Wimbledon Weeks After Radiation Therapy</a> (lezgetreal.com)</li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://r.zemanta.com/?u=http%3A//www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/tennis/08/06/covering.navratilova/index.html&amp;a=22235766&amp;rid=cf3b0b0d-bceb-4954-b973-8f0faf153e36&amp;e=9e7d9f61fd463587dd0c6c6bf7589123">Navratilova&#8217;s inspiring fight with cancer</a> (cnn.com)</li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.pinkbananaworld.com/content-detail.cfm?ID=355882">Martina Navratilova&#8217;s busy life: Senior doubles in Paris, TV commentating, and radiation therapy for cancer</a> (pinkbananaworld.com)</li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://www.pinkbananaworld.com/content-detail.cfm?ID=367147">How much does it pay to be married to Martina Navratilova? Apparently about $3 million</a> (pinkbananaworld.com)</li>
</ul>
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		<title>Townhall Is Gay is the New Black?</title>
		<link>http://lezgetreal.com/2010/05/townhall-is-gay-is-the-new-black/</link>
		<comments>http://lezgetreal.com/2010/05/townhall-is-gay-is-the-new-black/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 15 May 2010 23:08:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melanie Nathan</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lezgetreal.com/?p=33590</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[5-15-10 Posted by Melanie Nathan.
&#8220;We were pointing a big finger outside the room, when there was a big  finger that needed to be pointed within the room&#8221;
In an Article by Jan Stevenson of Pridesource.com, Detroit an insightful view of Sharon Lettman, the new executive director of the  National Black Justice Coalition; she is [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>5-15-10 Posted by Melanie Nathan.</p>
<p>&#8220;We were pointing a big finger outside the room, when there was a big  finger that needed to be pointed within the room&#8221;</p>
<p><strong><img class="alignright" src="http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/sharon-about.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="205" />In an Article by Jan Stevenson of Pridesource.com, Detroit an insightful view of </strong>Sharon Lettman, the new executive director of<a href="http://nbjc.org/"> the  National Black Justice Coalition</a>; she is someone with a clear sense of  purpose and vision. She&#8217;s not someone who loses her way, but Detroit&#8217;s  Renaissance Center was maze enough for her to become quite lost.</p>
<p>Lettman was a panelist at  that April 30 forum, held during the NAACP&#8217;s Freedom Weekend at Cobo  Hall, on the topic -&#8221;Is Gay the New Black?&#8221;</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;Lettman joined NBJC in October 2009 after eight years at <a class="zem_slink" title="People For the American Way" rel="homepage" href="http://www.pfaw.org/">People For  the American Way Foundation</a>. As executive vice president of PFAWF,  Lettman led the Homophobia in the Black Church program where she  developed an understanding of how the radical right-wing strategists  used LGBT issues to co-opt the black vote.</p>
<p>As leader of the nation&#8217;s largest African-American LGBT  organization, Lettman is committed to make the black family the focal  point of NBJC and to put a face on the black LGBT community.</p>
<p>Lettman comes to the LGBT movement not as a member but an ally. She  is straight, married to an active duty officer in the U.S. Air Force.  She shared why she is so committed to LGBT rights, and how she sees the  LGBT movement connecting to the civil rights movement.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>quotes of Interest :</p>
<p>&#8220;It was an honest opportunity for us to have a very needed conversation  and pull back the curtain on some of the ignorance in the  African-American community and focus on &#8216;How do we build power for the  black LGBT movement within the African-American community?&#8217;</p>
<p>and</p>
<p>&#8220;People wanted to say that (gay is the new black) came from the white gay  movement, and it was provocative. OK, but you didn&#8217;t have anybody from  the white gay movement on the panel. So to me it wasn&#8217;t relevant. I  didn&#8217;t want to be on a panel at the NAACP when I represent the black  LGBT movement, and be beating up on the white gay movement.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li>This is a worthy read &#8211; article can be found at&#8230; <a href="http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=41403">http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=41403</a> &#8211; <strong>The right wing in Michigan has been successful in recruiting black  ministers in the anti-gay campaigns.</strong></li>
<li><strong>At the panel discussion, you said that gay is not the new black &#8211;  that it&#8217;s like the old black. What did you mean by that?</strong></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="https://secure3.convio.net/nbjc/site/Donation2?1340.donation=form1&amp;df_id=1340"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-33591" title="njbc donate button" src="http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/12118.gif" alt="" width="198" height="110" /></a></p>
<blockquote><p><strong><br />
</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>Originally printed 5/13/2010 (Issue 1819 &#8211; Between The Lines News)</p>
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		<title>The Women&#8217;s Conference 2010</title>
		<link>http://lezgetreal.com/2010/04/the-womens-conference-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://lezgetreal.com/2010/04/the-womens-conference-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:27:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melanie Nathan</dc:creator>
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4-20-10- Melanie Nathan; The Women’s Conference® community is a global network of women who  gather every year at the nation’s premier forum for women, hosted by  California First Lady Maria Shriver and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.  For two full days, more than 100 internationally-acclaimed leaders,  visionaries, authors, journalists and artists [...]]]></description>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Maria_Shriver_California_first_lady.jpg"><img title="The State of California first lady Maria Shriver" src="http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Maria_Shriver_California_first_lady.jpg" alt="The State of California first lady Maria Shriver" width="173" height="216" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd zemanta-img-attribution" style="font-size: 0.8em;">Image via <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Maria_Shriver_California_first_lady.jpg">Wikipedia</a></dd>
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<p>4-20-10- Melanie Nathan; T<a href="http://www.womensconference.org/the-womens-conference/">he Women’s Conference® community </a>is a global network of women who  gather every year at the nation’s premier forum for women, hosted by  California First Lady <a class="zem_slink" title="Maria Shriver" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Shriver">Maria Shriver</a> and Governor <a class="zem_slink" title="Arnold Schwarzenegger" rel="homepage" href="http://gov.ca.gov/">Arnold Schwarzenegger</a>.  For two full days, more than 100 internationally-acclaimed leaders,  visionaries, authors, journalists and artists come together with more  than 25,000 women from all walks of life to be educated, inspired and  empowered to be Architects of Change in their own lives, within their  communities and around the world.</p>
<p>Beyond the annual event, The Women’s Conference community gathers daily online at <a href="www.WomensConference.org ">www.WomensConference.org </a>and throughout the year at  events that serve, support and strengthen the larger community. The  mission of The Women’s Conference is to create <em>Architects of Change</em> – people who see a problem and seek to create the solution, be it in  their homes, their communities, their states or the world.</p>
<p>The Women’s Conference has become a “must attend” transformational event  and full day passes sell out in record-breaking time each year. In  2009, tickets sold out in less than two hours. In response to this  surging popularity and demand, The Conference expanded the event  to two full days with the addition of <em>A Day of Transformation </em>and<em> Night at The Village</em>.</p>
<blockquote>
<h5><strong>May 14-16:       I Can Do It! San Diego  Conference</strong></h5>
<p>The Mind, Body &amp; Soul Retreat featuring dozens of your favorite  speakers including Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Cheryl  Richardson, Joan Z. Borysenko, Ph.D., Louise L. Hay, and many more  workshops ranging from health to spirituality.</p>
<ul>
<li>San Diego Convention Center</li>
</ul>
<p>For more information visit <a href="http://www.icandoit.net/" target="_blank">www.icandoit.net</a> or call 800-654-5126</p>
<p>June 9:     The Women&#8217;s Conference Press  Announcement</p>
<p>Two weeks prior to registration, The Women&#8217;s Conference 2010  announces conference events, speakers &amp; ticket information.  Information will be available at <a href="http://www.womensconference.org/home/"><strong>www.womensconference.org</strong></a>.</p>
<p>June 23:    The Women’s Conference 2010 Online  Ticket Registration</p>
<p>(<em>Please note: Date is  subject to change.</em>)</p>
<p>To learn more about The Women&#8217;s Conference 2010, click <a title="The  Women's Conference 2010" href="http://www.womensconference.org/the-womens-conference/">HERE</a>.</p>
<p><em>**Check  out <strong><a href="http://www.womensconference.org/the-great-giveaway/">The Great  Giveaway</a></strong> for a chance to <strong>win 2 free Special Guest  Passes to The Women&#8217;s Conference 2010</strong>.</em></p>
<p>September 10-12:     Best Buddies Challenge</p>
<p>JOIN TEAM MARIA on a cycling adventure along the <a class="zem_slink" title="California State Route 1" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_1">Pacific Coast  Highway</a> from Carmel to the Hearst Castle in San Simeon, which also  includes an optional 5K &amp; 3K walk. For more information, click <a href="http://www.bestbuddies.org/events" target="_blank">HERE.</a><strong><br />
</strong></p>
<p>October 10:     Pier del Sol</p>
<p>JOIN US at a family festival &amp; fundraiser for Special Olympics,  <a class="zem_slink" title="Southern California" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_California">Southern California</a></p>
<ul>
<li>Santa Monica Pier &amp; Pacific Park</li>
<li>10am – 2pm</li>
</ul>
<p>October 25-26:     The Women’s Conference 2010</p>
<p>The Nation’s Premier Forum for Women</p>
<ul>
<li>A Day of Health, Wellness &amp; Transformation and Night at The  Village – Oct. 25</li>
<li>A Day of Empowerment &amp; The Minerva Awards – Oct. 26</li>
<li>Long Beach Convention Center</li>
<li>To learn more about The Women&#8217;s Conference 2010, click <a title="The  Women's Conference 2010" href="http://www.womensconference.org/the-womens-conference/">HERE</a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><em><br />
**Check out <strong><a href="http://www.womensconference.org/the-great-giveaway/">The Great  Giveaway</a> </strong>for a chance to <strong>win 2 free Special Guest  Passes to The Women&#8217;s Conference 2010</strong>.</em></p>
<p>December 7:    Season of Giving Event &#8211; Sacramento</p>
<p>The Women&#8217;s Conference supports a statewide holiday food drive and  tree lighting event.</p>
<ul>
<li>California State Capitol, Sacramento</li>
</ul>
<p>December 14:    California Hall of Fame Event &#8211;  Sacramento</p>
<p>To honor legendary people who embody California’s innovative spirit.</p>
<ul>
<li>The California Museum, Sacramento</li>
<li>Visit <a href="http://www.californiamuseum.org/" target="_blank">www.californiamuseum.org</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h4>
<div>
<div><strong>MARK  YOUR CALENDARS!</strong></div>
<div><strong>The Women&#8217;s  Conference 2010</strong></div>
<div><strong>October 25 &amp;  26</strong></div>
</div>
<div>
<div><a href="http://www.womensconference.org/the-great-giveaway/"><img src="http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/TGG-banner.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></div>
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</h4>
<h4><strong><br />
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<p><object width="246" height="203" data="http://blip.tv/play/_0aBof5MAg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="src" value="http://blip.tv/play/_0aBof5MAg" /></object></p></blockquote>
<p>Posted by Melanie Nathan</p>
<p>from Site of Womens Conference</p>
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		<title>CPAC Conference  Drama vs. Drama starring GOProud</title>
		<link>http://lezgetreal.com/2010/02/cpac-conference-drama-vs-drama-starring-goproud/</link>
		<comments>http://lezgetreal.com/2010/02/cpac-conference-drama-vs-drama-starring-goproud/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Feb 2010 05:03:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melanie Nathan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[By Melanie Nathan,  2/19/10  .  The three-day CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) convention started Thursday at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. The Conference features the usual suspects and hence the overt anti-gayers such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, media ‘whorerer’ Ann Coulter, South Carolina Senator Jim [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:WdU_HPUSYrjwYM:http://www.novatownhall.com/blog/graphics/ann_coulter_cpac.jpg" alt="" width="107" height="122" />By Melanie Nathan,  2/19/10  .  The three-day CPAC (<a class="zem_slink freebase/en/conservative_political_action_conference" title="Conservative Political Action Conference" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Political_Action_Conference">Conservative Political Action Conference</a>) convention started Thursday at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. The Conference features the usual suspects and hence the overt anti-gayers such as former House Speaker <a class="zem_slink freebase/en/newt_gingrich" title="Newt Gingrich" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newt_Gingrich">Newt Gingrich</a>, former Massachusetts Governor <a class="zem_slink freebase/en/mitt_romney" title="Mitt Romney" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitt_Romney">Mitt Romney</a>, media ‘whorerer’ <a class="zem_slink freebase/en/ann_coulter" title="Ann Coulter" rel="imdb" href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1326010/">Ann Coulter</a>, South Carolina Senator <a class="zem_slink freebase/en/jim_demint" title="Jim DeMint" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_DeMint">Jim DeMint</a> and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum. Conservative media whacko Glenn Beck is the event&#8217;s keynote speaker.  Several prominent social conservatives have bailed out of this year&#8217;s <a href="http://www.cpac.org/" target="_blank">CPAC</a> convention because of the presence of a group of gay Republicans, called GOProud.</p>
<p>Anti-gay groups such as the Christian-based <a class="zem_slink freebase/en/focus_on_the_family" title="Focus on the Family" rel="geolocation" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.963,-104.789&amp;spn=1.0,1.0&amp;q=38.963,-104.789 (Focus%20on%20the%20Family)&amp;t=h">Focus on the Family</a> Action, <a class="zem_slink freebase/en/phyllis_schlafly" title="Phyllis Schlafly" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllis_Schlafly">Phyllis Schlafly</a>&#8217;s Eagle Forum and the Catholic Advocate will speak on a range of social issues, including one panel titled <em>Saving Freedom from the Enemies of our Values.</em></p>
<p>Earlier this year when it was announced that the conservative gay group GOProud would be serving as a co-sponsor of this year&#8217;s CPAC conference, some Religious Right groups <a href="http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/religious-right-threatens-cpac-boycott-over-gay-groups-sponsorship">threatened to boycott</a>. However, only Liberty University Law School the Christian-based university founded by the late <a class="zem_slink freebase/en/jerry_falwell" title="Jerry Falwell" rel="imdb" href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0266566/">Jerry Falwell</a>, <a href="http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/liberty-law-school-withdraws-cpac-over-goproud-sponsorship">actually followed through</a>.  Maybe they are still hosting Ms. Lisa Miller and were truly too busy to attend and are simply using GOProud as a crutch.</p>
<p>Well if all those courageous gay Republicans succeeded in accomplishing was to keep the Liberty crew away – I say job jolly well done!  But no, I for one appreciate the visibility, albeit adorned in a cloak of oxymoron visibility. </p>
<p>So can someone please explain to me, since I am thousands of miles from the real action,  sitting here in PJH blogger mode, with license to “SKILL!”  What were the GOPRIDES trying to do – convert the ‘other’ conservatives to the unfathomable depths of acceptance?  Hey gay GOP’s it will take a lot more than a cute name, and a few Million bucks to do that.</p>
<p>.On the exhibition floor, the gay Republicans have set up their Little Shop of Whore-rers mere booths down from the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), the nation&#8217;s most ferocious opponent of gay marriage.</p>
<p>So to illustrate the fun, here are two Video representations of  the show &#8211; all drama! Did I say  drama?  I say yes, GO drama GO, because ‘drama is as drama does’.</p>
<p> California Young American’s for Freedom’s Ryan Sorba better hold on to his tuchus after his display of fundamental inaccuracy  - and maybe I was wrong, maybe the OXY- is no longer Moron…. And the GOPriders were welcome in some way, anyway…..  you be the Judge…  </p>
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<div id="attachment_25894" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 160px"><a rel="attachment wp-att-25894" href="http://lezgetreal.com/?attachment_id=25894"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-25894" title="Melanie in Larkspur Private Courts" src="http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Melanie-in-Larkspur-office-04-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Melanie Nathan </p></div>
<p> </p>
<p>thought i would use my conservative picture for this one not the cute lesbian one!</p>
<p>By Melanie Nathan, <a href="mailto:nathan@privatecourts.com">nathan@privatecourts.com</a> <br />
 <a href="http://www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com">www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com</a></p>
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		<title>Schumer Immigration Reform News &#8211; Wake Up Call for Dallas Creating Change Conference</title>
		<link>http://lezgetreal.com/2010/02/schumer-immigration-reform-news-wake-up-call-for-dallas-creating-change-conference/</link>
		<comments>http://lezgetreal.com/2010/02/schumer-immigration-reform-news-wake-up-call-for-dallas-creating-change-conference/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:59:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melanie Nathan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Binational Immigration]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[By Melanie Nathan, san Francisco, February 3, 2010, &#8211;  The National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change, organized by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, started today, with events planned through Sunday at Sheraton Dallas Hotel.  
This conference is starting on his very day when I broke this story &#8220;Shocking Reality&#8221; - many of my readers [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-15008" href="http://lezgetreal.com/?attachment_id=15008"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-15008" title="immigration reform" src="http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/immigration-reform-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>By Melanie Nathan, san Francisco, February 3, 2010, &#8211;  The National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change, organized by the <a href="http://topics.dallasnews.com/topic/National_Gay_and_Lesbian_Task_Force">National Gay and Lesbian Task Force</a>, started today, with events planned through Sunday at Sheraton Dallas Hotel.  </p>
<p>This conference is starting on his very day when I broke this story &#8220;Shocking Reality&#8221; - many of my readers called Senator Schumer&#8217;s office only to be shunned off with comments such as &#8220;Oh yes, Melanie Nathan&#8217;s article is just an opinion piece&#8230; and said that Senator Schumer is a sponsor of UAFA anyway&#8230;. &#8220; </p>
<p>Well, well as if we did not know that and if  so why not then include us? Is that a message that we should pursue UAFA as a stand alone only?   We will be looking for answers&#8230;     That said, my source was informed of this directly by the Senator himself. </p>
<p>I am hoping that when the conference attendees get together and realize that the entire movement is screwed by lack of cohesive planning,  and piecemeal legislation, our brothers and sisters will, ‘carpe diem’ and all come to a simple conclusion – 2 words “OMNIBUS BILL.”   Amend the <a class="zem_slink freebase/en/civil_rights" title="Civil and political rights" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_and_political_rights">Civil Rights</a> Act to include all Americans.   This rediculous state of affairs with a Senator sponsoring a bill and then possibly thwarting its progress through an alternate venue, is illustrative of my point&#8230;. piecemeal be damned &#8211; we want our CIVIL RIGHTS and now.  <span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>&#8220;The Color of my skin Senator, is GAY!!!&#8221;</strong></span></p>
<p>The <a class="zem_slink freebase/en/national_gay_and_lesbian_task_force" title="National Gay and Lesbian Task Force" rel="homepage" href="http://www.thetaskforce.org/">Creating Change conference</a> at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel downtown will feature Army National Guard Lt. Dan Choi, a West Point graduate and <a href="http://topics.dallasnews.com/topic/Iraq_War">Iraq war</a> veteran who faced discharge after announcing on television that he is gay.  They seem to be focusing a lot of attention on DADT because Lt. Dan Choi will be speaking.  This is great and hopefully more Americans will be reached through further visibility. ( I am not sure how much more visible Dan can get in our community.)</p>
<p>Also on the agenda this week: gay marriage, which will probably be top of mind among conference attendees. In California, a trial is under way seeking to overturn that state&#8217;s voter-approved measure that bans <a class="zem_slink freebase/en/same-sex_marriage" title="Same-sex marriage" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage">same-sex marriage</a> – a case that could make its way to the Supreme Court.   </p>
<p>Other sessions will feature workplace equality, HIV in older adults and creating safer environments for gay youth.  They will also explore aging issues among gays and lesbians and homophobia in nursing homes and extended-care facilities, according to the spokesperson Sue Hyde.  Great! But…. </p>
<p><em>I researched interviews and comments with Task Force’ the organizers - noting some basic information in  articles in Dallas Press, including  The Dallas Morning News  and then also the Task force Press Release about the Conference  which I quote below:</em></p>
<blockquote><p><strong>WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 —</strong> National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey will present the annual State of the Movement address at the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change, in which she will present a vision for the year ahead in the struggle for <a class="zem_slink freebase/en/lgbt" title="LGBT" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT">lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender</a> (LGBT) equality. </p>
<p>Just a week after President Obama delivered his State of the Union address, 2,000 LGBT activists will converge in Dallas, Texas, for the 22nd National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change, Feb. 3-7. Activists will strategize on how to advance LGBT equality and acquire the skills needed to build the political power of the LGBT community in 2010 and beyond. </p>
<p>&#8220;This is a critical and exciting time in our struggle for LGBT equality,&#8221; says Carey. &#8220;Having 2,000 LGBT rights supporters come together to plan and strategize is an unparalleled opportunity to create change.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p> The State of the Movement address is an opportunity to take stock of the past year and lay out a plan to move forward in the year ahead. It is one of the most anticipated events of the Creating Change conference. Carey will <strong>address critical legislative issues</strong> specifically affecting the LGBT community, including passing an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the repeal of &#8220;Don&#8217;t Ask, Don&#8217;t Tell.&#8221; Other broader areas of focus will include the need for access to quality/affordable health care and racial and economic justice-related issues. Carey&#8217;s State of the Movement address will take place on Friday, Feb. 5, at 1:45 p.m. (CST) in the Dallas Ballroom of the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in downtown Dallas, Texas.  </p></blockquote>
<p>I was unable to find any publicity that specifically referred to the three most important things our community could possibly address right now, especially given the fact the Conference, according to its Executive Director (above),  will be an unaparalleled opportunity to strategize.<em><strong>  </strong></em><em><strong>  I am hoping these issues are in the State of the Movement Address &#8211; and if not that those at the Conference make the most of the opprtunity for transparent, reflective, remedial and productive co-ordination of efforts.  Its not a race to the finish line, my friends, its an opportunity for a hole in one!</strong></em>  </p>
<p><strong><em>The Course&#8230;</em></strong>  </p>
<p>1. Piecemeal Legislation is working against us; our limited resources are too wide spread, affecting zero result;  </p>
<p>2. The need for a comprehensive and cohesive plan where we work to accomplish the repeal of DOMA – the inclusion of Sexual orientation in the Civil Rights Act;  </p>
<p>3. Immigration Reform for Gays and Lesbian spouses/ DP’s etc.  </p>
<p>My contribution to the Conference is breaking of the news about Senator Schumer’s Bill – that gay and lesbian immigration reform will be excluded from the Bill, just as it was by Guiterrez in the House Bill for comprehensive immigration reform.  My suspicion is that this fact may have been well known to some, yet not revealed.   The imprtance of this revelation is a call out to the entire LGBTQI community and America that this is unfathomable.  I dont give a continental brick about long term strategies, I want my inequality recognized for exactly what it is and NOW!!  So the 2,000 of you there in Dallas &#8211; pick up your courage and go for the BIG one!!</p>
<p> Maybe my preceding , SHOCKING REALITY- article could help change Schumer’s stance – even though Senator Schumer’s staffers are informing callers that my article is merely an opinion piece.  I can tell you that it was the Senator himself who told my source that this was his plan.  </p>
<blockquote>
<p style="text-align: center;">Wake up you guys at the conference – forget the bits and pieces and talk about CIVIL RIGHTS for us…..   Once same is accomplished everything else that smacks of LGBT discrimination will fall into place – because the law will then require, via one bill, that we be treated equally.  </p>
<blockquote>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">How much louder can I yell..&#8221; THE   COLOR  OF   MY   SKIN   IS   GAY!”</h3>
</blockquote>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em>Conference details : <strong>What: </strong>The National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change  <strong>When:</strong> Today through Sunday at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel <strong>Highlights:</strong> Speakers include Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel, </em><a class="zem_slink freebase/en/mexican_american_legal_defense_and_education_fund" title="Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund" rel="homepage" href="http://www.maldef.org/"><em>Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund</em></a><em>; and Rea Carey, executive director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Kai Wright, a writer and editor, will moderate a panel of youths.  <strong>Cost: </strong>Full conference rate $350; daily rate $75</em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> <a rel="attachment wp-att-13221" href="http://lezgetreal.com/?attachment_id=13221"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-13221" title="melanie_edited_officwe_144_cv" src="http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/melanie_edited_officwe_144_cv.jpg" alt="" width="82" height="86" /></a></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Posted by Melanie Nathan, </span></span> </p>
<p> <span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="mailto:nathan@privatecourts.com"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">nathan@privatecourts.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />
</span><a href="http://www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
</span> <a href="http://www.privatecourts.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.privatecourts.com</span></a></span> </p>
<p> <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">@oblogdeeoblogda – I Twitter too!</span> </p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<h6 class="zemanta-related-title" style="font-size: 1em;">Related articles by Zemanta</h6>
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<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://lezgetreal.com/?p=21568">Jerrold Nadler v. Barney Frank = LGBT UNITY?</a> (lezgetreal.com)</li>
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		<title>Butch Voices Conference Set for August 20-23 in Oakland, CA</title>
		<link>http://lezgetreal.com/2009/08/butch-voices-conference-set-for-august-20-23-in-oakland-ca/</link>
		<comments>http://lezgetreal.com/2009/08/butch-voices-conference-set-for-august-20-23-in-oakland-ca/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:00:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>~Julie Phineas~</dc:creator>
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		<category><![CDATA[Butch Voices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lesbian conventions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oakland  California]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[
08/19/09 &#8211; From ButchVoices.com:
Butch Voices is a grassroots organization dedicated to all self identified Butches, Studs, Aggressives, other similar identities, and their Allies. We, at Butch Voices, feel it is important to bring together our diverse communities, build bridges, make connections, and use our collective voices to gain better understanding of each other and promote [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-20792" title="header.png" src="http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/header.png-500x50.jpg" alt="header.png" width="500" height="50" /><br />
08/19/09 &#8211; From <a href="http://www.butchvoices.com/" target="_blank">ButchVoices.com</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>Butch Voices is a grassroots organization dedicated to all self identified Butches, Studs, Aggressives, other similar identities, and their Allies. We, at Butch Voices, feel it is important to bring together our diverse communities, build bridges, make connections, and use our collective voices to gain better understanding of each other and promote positive visibility. We are holding the first Butch Voices Conference on August 20th – 23rd, 2009 in Oakland, California. The conference will be held at the Marriott City Center Hotel Complex in downtown Oakland.</p>
<p>Keynote speakers for the event include:</p>
<p>* Jeanne Cordova, Feminist Butch/Activist,/Publisher &amp; Author<br />
* S. Bear Bergman, Author/Theatre Artist/Gender-Jammer<br />
* Malkia “Mac” Amala Cyril, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Media Justice</p>
<p>Scheduled workshops include a panel discussion on Stud/Butch images in the media moderated by filmmaker Cheryl Dunye (Stranger Inside, The Watermelon Woman). Other conference events will include a meet and greet, networking dinners, evening entertainment, a spoken word performance, and a night of karaoke fun.</p></blockquote>
<p>To find more information on the conference including workshops and presenters, please vist <a href="http://www.butchvoices.com/">ButchVoices.com</a>.</p>
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		<title>World Outgames 2009</title>
		<link>http://lezgetreal.com/2009/07/world-outgames-2009/</link>
		<comments>http://lezgetreal.com/2009/07/world-outgames-2009/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:00:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lezzie</dc:creator>
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		<category><![CDATA[Copenhagen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[World Outgames]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lezgetreal.com/?p=18555</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The World Outgames is a quadrennial event that aims to address the mind, the heart and the body of LGBT community all over the world. They were held for the first time in Montreal, Canada, in 2006 with more than 18,000 participants from 111 countries. This year, the event is going to be held in Copenhagen, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-18567" title="web_logo" src="http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/web_logo.gif" alt="web_logo" width="166" height="90" />The World Outgames is a quadrennial event that aims to address the mind, the heart and the body of LGBT community all over the world. They were held for the first time in Montreal, Canada, in 2006 with more than 18,000 participants from 111 countries. This year, the event is going to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark from July 25 to August 2.</p>
<p>The program includes 34 sports tournaments, 17 official parties, several LGBT themed art shows and exhibitions, an international choir festival, a tango festival, a film festival, a leather festival and a number of special performances featuring cabaret, theatre and opera, and the Love of Freedom – Freedom to Love Human Rights Conference.</p>
<p>OutCities is part of the program. It&#8217;s a cultural feast, an international collaboration with LGBT artists from different parts of the globe: Antwerp, Mexico City, Tel Aviv, Rio de Janeiro and Aarhus (a Dannish city) will fill the streets of Copenhagen with music, installations, events and performances on gender, identitu and diversity.</p>
<p>Visit www.copenhagen2009.org for complete program information. Tickets to all parties except the Grand Opening are now on sale. For more information about the parties and tickets, click here. If you can&#8217;t make it to Copenhagen, The next edition of Outgames will be held in 2013 in Antwerp, Belgium.</p>
<p><em><a href="http://lezgetreal.ning.com/profile/Boudecca" target="_new"><img src="http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr237/lezgetreal/Staff%20Pics/OGLezzie-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Lezzie" align="left" /></a></em><em>Lezzie is half-closeted Brazilian Philosophy High School teacher writing on everything she has the opportunity to read, listen to and see (as a good Gemini).You can find out more about here by checking her profile at <a href="http://lezgetreal.ning.com/profile/Boudecca">http://lezgetreal.ning.com/profile/Boudecca</a>. </em></p>
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		<title>HRC 2009 Gala Previews Art Auction Donations During Phoenix&#8217;s March First Friday Art Walk And Detour Weekend</title>
		<link>http://lezgetreal.com/2009/03/hrc-2009-gala-previews-art-auction-donations-during-phoenixs-march-first-friday-art-walk-and-detour-weekend/</link>
		<comments>http://lezgetreal.com/2009/03/hrc-2009-gala-previews-art-auction-donations-during-phoenixs-march-first-friday-art-walk-and-detour-weekend/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:06:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lezzymom</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Conventions]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Art Auction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fundraising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gala Dinner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Human Rights Campaign]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lezgetreal.com/?p=3030</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[PHOENIX,  ARIZONA—February 10, 2009—  The 5th Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner committee will unveil  artist’s donations for the annual fundraiser event during the March  Downtown Phoenix First Friday Art Walk and Annual Art Detour Weekend.   Artist and owner of The Chocolate Factory, Hector Ruiz has generously  donated studio [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3042" title="believe-150x1501" src="http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/believe-150x1501.jpg" alt="believe-150x1501" width="93" height="150">PHOENIX,  ARIZONA—February 10, 2009— </strong> The 5<sup>th</sup> Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner committee will unveil  artist’s donations for the annual fundraiser event during the March  Downtown Phoenix First Friday Art Walk and Annual Art Detour Weekend.   Artist and owner of The Chocolate Factory, Hector Ruiz has generously  donated studio space to display the distinctive art auction collection  that will help raise funds for <a class="zem_slink" title="Human Rights Campaign" rel="homepage" href="http://www.hrc.org">Human Rights Campaign</a> (HRC) Arizona,  the local committee of the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization.   The donated works will be on display March 6 &#8211; 8 at Hector’s studio  located at 1105 NW Grand Avenue in Phoenix.</p>
<p>Lara  Taubman, eminent freelance international curator and art critic, is  creating the exhibition of prized works donated to HRC Arizona for the  2009 fundraiser.  The annual black-tie gala takes place on Saturday,  March 21, 2009 and features renowned speakers, honorable guests and  entertainers to help raise critical funds necessary to continue HRC  Arizona’s efforts to end discrimination against the lesbian, gay,  bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community and achieve fundamental  fairness and equality for all.  Tickets for the gala dinner and  silent art auction are available <a href="http://www.boxofficetickets.com/hrc" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.boxofficetickets.com/hrc</span></a>.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3031" title="artauctionchocolatergb" src="http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/artauctionchocolatergb-224x300.jpg" alt="artauctionchocolatergb" width="224" height="300"></p>
<p>“This  year’s HRC event will feature downtown Phoenix artists, a small but  vibrant community of diversity and fearlessness whose art work reflects  the complexity of the social and political situation of the city while  engaging the distinctive design and architectural communities, downtown  development and the visual art that is made many times in these renovated,  historic buildings,” said Lara Taubman, Honorable Curator for HRC  Arizona Gala.   “For individuals, who support development  through the arts or the support of their local businesses, the HRC event  is more than a silent auction to support the worthy HRC cause, it also  supports the downtown Phoenix community by spreading the word and giving  exposure to artists who similarly believe that art is a tool that can  create communities.”</p>
<p>Ms.  Taubman is the Southwestern correspondent for internationally acclaimed  art journals such as Artnews, Contemporary, Modern Painters and Sculpture  magazines and has written for numerous others. She has curated exhibits  at the Heard Museum for Native American Art, the Scottsdale Museum of  Contemporary Art and also creates exhibits worldwide. She recently closed  a three-year exhibit of Abstract Expressionist Art curated through the  Art in Embassies Program in the United States Embassy residence in Bucharest,  Romania.</p>
<p>Assisting Ms. Taubman are Honorary Auction Co-Chairs  for the 2009 HRC Arizona “Believe” Gala Dinner Claudine Sanchez and Jon Westbrook.  In addition to the artwork, there are various  items in the silent auction including exciting travel, healthy, beauty  and various services packages that will be showcased online at <a href="http://hrcazdinner.org/index.php/auctions" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://hrcazdinner.org/index.php/auctions</span></a> prior to the dinner.  To make donations,  contact the Co-Chairs for information at <a href="mailto:auction@hrcarizona.org" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">auction@hrcarizona.org</span></a>. Corporate sponsorships are also available.</p>
<p>HRC  contributed over $150,000 in Arizona in 2008 to its advocacy of equal  rights. This included funding the NO to Prop 102 campaign in addition  to providing dedicated, experienced staff to work with the campaigns  of local candidates supportive of equality and with allied organizations.</p>
<p>To  attend the 5<sup>th</sup> Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner, visit <a href="http://www.boxofficetickets.com/hrc" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.boxofficetickets.com/hrc</span></a> for tickets or call 800- 494-8497. Individual  tickets are $200 if purchased before February 14, 2009 and $250 if purchased  after this date. Student tickets are available for $100 with a school  ID. Visit <a href="http://www.hrc.org/phoenix" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">phoenix.hrc.org</span></a> for more information about HRC Arizona and <a href="http://www.hrcazdinner.org/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.hrcazdinner.org</span></a> for updates about the dinner.</p>
<p><strong>ABOUT  HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN </strong>- The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is America’s  largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual  and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC  strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation  that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. HRC seeks to  improve the lives of GLBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and  benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under  the law and increasing public support among all Americans through innovative  advocacy, education and outreach programs. HRC works to secure equal  rights for GLBT individuals and families at the federal and state levels  by lobbying elected officials, mobilizing grassroots supporters, educating  Americans, investing strategically to elect fair-minded officials and  partnering with other GLBT organizations.</p>
<p><em><a href="http://lezzymom.blogspot.com" target="_new"><img src="http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr237/lezgetreal/Staff%20Pics/ning-lezzymom.jpg" alt="Lezzymom" align="left" border="0"></a> Lezzymom has two kids and a wonderful partner. Her political commentary has appeared on C-Span and CSPAN.org. Visit her <a href="http://lezzymom.blogspot.com/" target="_new">Lezzymom blog</a> for more of her insights.</em></p>
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		<title>Economic Hard Times Hit Philadelphia Gay Event</title>
		<link>http://lezgetreal.com/2009/02/economic-hard-times-hit-philadelphia-gay-event/</link>
		<comments>http://lezgetreal.com/2009/02/economic-hard-times-hit-philadelphia-gay-event/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:58:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Paula Brooks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Conventions]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philadelphia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Equality Forum]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Recession]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tourism]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[The Equality Forum, a gay and lesbian educational and cultural event that usually draws as many as 75,000 people to Philadelphia each spring, became the latest victim of the national economic down turn when last month Philadelphia officials announced that the event would lose its funding from the city.
Malcolm Lazin, executive director of the Equality [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-2708" title="1235_l" src="http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/1235_l-150x150.jpg" alt="1235_l" width="150" height="150" />The Equality Forum, a gay and lesbian educational and cultural event that usually draws as many as 75,000 people to Philadelphia each spring, became the latest victim of the national economic down turn when last month Philadelphia officials announced that the event would lose its funding from the city.</p>
<p>Malcolm Lazin, executive director of the Equality Forum, said the loss of the city&#8217;s $115,000 contribution, about 13 percent of the weeklong events total budget, will force reductions in promotion and advertising and added that the gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual community, which voted overwhelmingly for Mayor Nutter, feels the funding cut is not only &#8220;grossly unfair&#8221; but counterproductive for the city.</p>
<p>The Equality Forum began almost 17 years ago as a pride festival and has grown into a weeklong extravaganza, with lectures, workshops and symposiums on issues affecting the <a class="zem_slink" title="LGBT" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT">LGBTI</a> community, as well as parties and rallies involving 75 regional, national and international LGBTI organizations.</p>
<p>City commerce and convention officials have worked for almost 10 years to attract their share of the gay and lesbian tourism market, worth $70 billion annually nationwide and statistics  from the <a class="zem_slink" title="Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Philadelphia_Tourism_Marketing_Corporation">Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation</a> show that a typical LGBTI tourist in Philadelphia spends $230 a day during the Equality Forum.</p>
<p>A spokesman for Philadelphia Mayor <a class="zem_slink" title="Michael Nutter" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Nutter">Michael A. Nutter</a> did not refute that the event brings tourism to the city but said that the city, which is facing a mammoth budget deficit, simply couldn&#8217;t afford to fund special events when libraries, pools and fire protection services are also being targeted for funding cuts.</p>
<p>The Mayors office also said that the Equality Forum is not being singled out and is among other events the city will not help underwrite this year; the <a class="zem_slink" title="Saint Patrick's Day" rel="wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick%27s_Day">St. Patrick&#8217;s Day Parade</a> and the <a class="zem_slink" title="Puerto Rican Day Parade" rel="homepage" href="http://www.nationalpuertoricandayparade.org/about.html">Puerto Rican Day</a> Festival have also lost their funding from the city.</p>
<p>This year&#8217;s forum runs from April 27 to May 3 and while some events and parties, including the &#8220;international equality dinner,&#8221; have cover charges, most forum activities are free.</p>
<p>In total, the budget for the event is about $900,000, with about $200,000 coming from the state and smaller amounts from marketing sponsors and foundations. The loss of the city&#8217;s $115,000 contribution puts the organization in a difficult position because it has committed money for speakers, venues and other services.</p>
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		<title>National Lesbian Health Summit, March 6-9th 2009</title>
		<link>http://lezgetreal.com/2009/01/national-lesbian-health-summit-march-6-9th-2009/</link>
		<comments>http://lezgetreal.com/2009/01/national-lesbian-health-summit-march-6-9th-2009/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lezgetreal</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lezgetreal.com/?p=762</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Summit is focused on addressing lesbians, bisexual women, queer women, and transgender people.  We welcome all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) communities, and our important friends and allies, nationally and internationally. 
We will come together to rebuild a multi-issue, multicultural women’s health movement focused on long-term strategic goals for lesbian/bi/queer [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bK49Ip0Bo9M/SWtj5FZ-8sI/AAAAAAAABZ0/1Yi6LMiT-Ak/s1600-h/nlhs.GIF"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 153px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bK49Ip0Bo9M/SWtj5FZ-8sI/AAAAAAAABZ0/1Yi6LMiT-Ak/s200/nlhs.GIF" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290432019631633090" /></a>The Summit is focused on addressing lesbians, bisexual women, queer women, and transgender people.  We welcome all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) communities, and our important friends and allies, nationally and internationally. </p>
<p>We will come together to rebuild a multi-issue, multicultural women’s health movement focused on long-term strategic goals for lesbian/bi/queer women’s health and wellness that is reflective of the diversity of our community.  </p>
<p>San Francisco, California March 6th-9th<br />For more information or to register check out <a href="http://www.lesbianhealthinfo.org/NationalLesbianHealthSummit/"target="_blank">National Lesbian Health Summit</a></p>
<p><span id="fullpost"><br /><em><a href="http://www.queersunited.blogspot.com/" target="_new"><img src="http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr237/lezgetreal/Staff%20Pics/rainbowflag.jpg" align="left" border="0" /></a>  Queers United is the activist blog uniting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersexual, Asexual community &amp; straight allies in the fight for equality <a href="http://www.queersunited.blogspot.com/" target="_new">http://www.queersunited.blogspot.com</a>  </em></p>
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		<title>Connecticut Same Love, Same Rights GLBTQ Wedding &amp; Family Expo!!</title>
		<link>http://lezgetreal.com/2008/11/connecticut-same-love-same-rights-glbtq-wedding-family-expo/</link>
		<comments>http://lezgetreal.com/2008/11/connecticut-same-love-same-rights-glbtq-wedding-family-expo/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:48:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lezgetreal</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[Join us in Shelton, CT for theSame Love, Same Rights®Wedding &#38; Family Expo!
Held at the beautiful Courtyard by Marriott , in Shelton, CT.780 Bridgeport AveShelton, CT 06484
Celebrate, Connecticut!!
RainbowWeddingNetwork.com has  added a new GLBTQ Expoto it&#8217;s 2008 Event Calendar, in honor of the recent CT Supreme Court landmark decision.
RainbowWeddingNetwork.com &#38; the Same Love, Same Rights® [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3A41cw14sOg/SSvbSUsWslI/AAAAAAAAEc4/Exy38ykI1iU/s1600-h/99947_320_146.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3A41cw14sOg/SSvbSUsWslI/AAAAAAAAEc4/Exy38ykI1iU/s200/99947_320_146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272548896606171730" border="0" /></a>Join us in Shelton, CT for the<br />Same Love, Same Rights®<br />Wedding &amp; Family Expo!</p>
<p>Held at the beautiful Courtyard by Marriott , in Shelton, CT.<br />780 Bridgeport Ave<br />Shelton, CT 06484</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Celebrate, Connecticut!!</span></p>
<p><a href="RainbowWeddingNetwork.com">RainbowWeddingNetwork.com</a> has </span> added a new GLBTQ Expoto it&#8217;s 2008 Event Calendar, in honor of the recent CT Supreme Court landmark decision.</p>
<p><span id="fullpost"><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/RainbowWeddingNetwork.com">RainbowWeddingNetwork.com</a> &amp; the Same Love, Same Rights® team proudly join in the excitement regarding the CT Supreme Court decision to transform civil unions into full marriage rights for same-sex couples! This historic moment deserves an ongoing, jubilant celebration!</p>
<p>Join Us Sunday December 7, 2008 at our upcoming GLBTQ Wedding Expo hosted by the Courtyard by Marriott in Shelton. Meet face-to-face with wedding professionals who share in your joy and are ready to work with you and your partner as you plan Your Special Day. Wedding coordinators, officiants, invitation companies, jewelers, DJs and Entertainment Companies, Travel Agents, Reception Venues, Limousine Companies, Legal Representatives and Real Estate Professionals and much, much more!</p>
<p>Spotlighting over 40 screened, gay-friendly businesses plus Informative Presentations, Samples, Tips and Trends, the Same Love, Same Rights® GLBTQ Wedding Expo promises to be an elegant event to bridge couples with the resources they need to make their Dream Wedding a reality. Advocates and allies are also welcome! -The Expo is designed as a celebratory occasion and also a powerful networking opportunity. Join us December 7th from 12:30-3:30 to meet other Equality Advocates in your area working everyday on behalf of marriage and family rights throughout Connecticut and the nation.</p>
<p>Free to Attend!</p>
<p>See you on December 7th!</p>
<p>All details at <a href="http://www.samelovesamerights.com/">www.SameLoveSameRights.com </a></p>
<p></span></p>
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