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Biden and Harris are inaugurated; Biden signs LGBTQ executive order
Democrat Joe Biden was sworn in Jan. 20 as the next president of the United States, ushering in a much-improved political climate for LGBT people and, many might say, the nation. In one of his first ...
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Biden, Harris inaugurated, leaders comment
--From press releases. Come back for additional statements
Planned Parenthood Illinois: Statement attributed to Jennifer Welch, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action: As the eyes of the world turn from the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol two weeks ago to today's inauguration ...
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Indiana to open first home for LGBTQ+ homeless youths
Indiana's first dedicated residential facility for LGBTQ+ young adults experiencing homelessness is slated to open this year in Indianapolis, according to WLFI.com. This home was years in the making. Trinity ...
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Super Bowl to have first woman referee
NFL referee Sarah Thomas will be the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 7, in Tampa, Florida, according to Sports Illustrated. The league announced its officiating assignments for Super Bowl LV and ...
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LETTER: Unnecessary legislation
To the Editor: At a time when Illinois lawmakers should be supporting healthcare heroes who are working tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic, we instead receive unwelcome new legislation that will drive up the costs of practicing ...
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City Hall, Cook County Building closed Jan. 20 for safety reasons
Chicago's City Hall (121 N. LaSalle St.) and the Cook County Building (118 N. Clark St.) will be closed to the public Wed., Jan. 20 as a precautionary step to ensure public safety on Inauguration Day, ...
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Lighthouse Foundation looks ahead to 2021 survey
Lincoln Park-based Lighthouse Foundation, an advocacy that primarily uplifts Black LGBTQ Chicagoans and has its roots in Lincoln Park-based Lighthouse Church of Chicago, will survey five prominent LGBTQ-focused local organizations ...
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Groups sue to overturn Dept. of Ed regulation that forces funding of anti-LGBTQ groups
--From a press release
Washington, D.C.—January 19, 2021—Today, the national civil rights organizations American Atheists and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, on behalf of the Secular Student Alliance and a California ...
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THEATER A Red Orchid Theatre running magical 'Missed Connections' Feb. 2-28
A Red Orchid Theatre is presenting Missed Connections—a live, interactive play with magic, conceived for virtual experience, co-written by Jon Tai and Alex Gruhin, performed by magician Jon Tai and produced by Alex Gruhin—on Feb. 2-28. ...
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PASSAGES Kevin McCarthy
Kevin Creedon McCarthy, of Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, passed away after a brief illness on Jan. 11. He was 53. Raised in Arlington Heights, Kevin studied communications at the University of Missouri before embarking on a long ...
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Joffrey Ballet announces Feb. 12 world premiere of 'Bolero'
The Joffrey Ballet announced the world premiere of Bolero—named after the acclaimed orchestral piece by composer Maurice Ravel and choreographed by Joffrey company artist Yoshihisa Arai—on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. Bolero, to be performed by ...
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Red Stars to play in International Women's Cup in August
The Chicago Red Stars signed on to play in the inaugural International Women's Cup—a first-of-its-kind event expected to bring top European clubs to Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. The Red Stars will join National Women's ...
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National COVID-19 Memorial Service Jan. 19 to remember lives lost
CHICAGO, IL— Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the City of Chicago, in partnership with the incoming Biden-Harris Administration, invite everyone in Chicago to take part in the National COVID-19 Memorial Service to remember the lives lost ...
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Steans resigns from Illinois Senate; tenure marked by advances in women's, LGBTQ rights
--From a press release
State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) today announced her resignation after 12 years of service, declaring "it's time for fresh faces and new energy" in Springfield. "It's been the privilege of a lifetime to represent the most ...
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Research shows racial bias denied social reformer Ada S. McKinley her due in history
--From a press release
(Jan. 19, 2021; Chicago, Ill.) Newly released scholarly research about Chicago social reformer Ada S. McKinley indicates her contributions to Chicago and to the field of human services have been ignored and marginalized due to her ...
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Biden nominates Dr. Rachel Levine, first trans person nominated for Senate-confirmed position
--From press releases
From Victory Institute: Washington, DC — President-elect Joe Biden nominated Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine to be the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health — a historic nomination that makes her the first out trans ...
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Biden picks transgender assistant health secretary
President-elect Joe Biden has chosen Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine to be his assistant secretary of health—positioning her to become the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, a Seattle Times ...
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COVID-19 restrictions for Chicago, suburbs relaxed, but still no indoor dining
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that Chicago and its suburbs would move to Tier 2 mitigation restrictions, effective immediately, The Chicago Tribune reported. Under the updated metrics, four regions under the reopening plan will ...
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CRS pays tribute to Rustin's legacy
Community Renewal Society (CRS) highlighted a new partnership with the Washington, D.C.-based Bayard Rustin Liberation Initiative (BRLI) as part of a virtual Martin Luther King Day observance on Jan. 18. The event paid tribute to the ...
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Lightfoot and city leaders lead MLK interfaith event
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot virtually gathered with civic, business and religious leaders this weekend to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the City of Chicago's 35th Annual Interfaith Celebration. This year's ceremony ...
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Billy Masters
"Honey … when you got talent, you don't need all this shit."—Siegfried Fischbacher (of Siegfried & Roy) to Bette Midler, after she commented on the magical duo's high-tech show. (The story was related to me by ...
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Social exclusion, career limitations hinder LGBTQ STEM professionals
ANN ARBOR—LGBTQ professionals' pride in their science, technology, engineering, and math work is not reciprocated, say researchers. These STEM professionals are more likely to experience career limitations, social exclusion and ...
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SHOWBIZ LGBTQ movies, 'Color Purple,' Nick Jonas, gay coach
The film Draw with Me has launched its virtual theatrical release at ArenaScreen through Feb. 9, and was the subject of the first-ever panel at the United Nations on Transgender Health, a release stated. Featuring Jennifer ...
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WORLD Global Fund, Croatian case, Poland items, Hillsong
In 2020, the Global Fund signed 157 grants for a total of $8.54 billion for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria programs and to strengthen systems for health—and this is the highest number of grants the program ever ...
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NATIONAL Defamation case, inauguration items, PrEP, Capitol riot
A New York appeals court ruled that falsely accusing someone of being gay is no longer considered defamation per se, NBC News reported. Defamation is a false statement that damages someone's reputation. "It meant that it ...
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Virtual OUTspoken storytelling event Feb. 2
The next virtual OUTspoken Storytelling Night will take place Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. The speakers will be as follows: —Donald Bell is a third-generation Chicagoan, South Sider and White Sox fan who is a retired ...
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'Dixie's Happy Hour' streaming Jan. 26-31
On the heels of Dixie's Tupperware Party and Dixie's: Never Wear a Tube Top While Riding a Mechanical Bull (and 16 other things I learned while I was drinking last Thursday), drag personality Dixie Longate is ...
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Chicago Sky announce contract extension for coach
The WNBA's Chicago Sky announced that General Manager/Head Coach James Wade has agreed to and signed a four-year contract extension with the team. Wade is now under contract with the Sky through the 2025 season. "I ...
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COVID-19 Three regions to end Tier 3 mitigations; IRA responds to dining changes
Following a decrease in COVID-19 test positivity rates and hospitalizations throughout Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker announced regions across the state are now eligible to move out of Tier 3 mitigations—the ...
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Hell in a Handbag Productions to present
Out, Darn Spot!
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Jan. 15, 2021) — Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to present the campy comedyOut, Darn Spot!, written by and starring ensemble member Tyler Anthony Smith* and directed, filmed and edited by Stephanie Shaw. ...
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Disability Culture Leadership Initiative launches online hub with Chicago artists
--From a 3Arts press release
CHICAGO, IL (Jan. 15, 2021)— 3Arts, the Chicago-based nonprofit grantmaking organization, announced today the launch of the Disability Culture Leadership Initiative (DCLI), featuring a new online platform created to elevate ...
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Jonathan David Katz awarded Andrew W. Mellon grant
--From a Wrightwood 659 press release
(CHICAGO, IL— Jan. 15, 2021) Wrightwood 659 congratulates our friend, curator, and collaborator, Jonathan David Katz on the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation's announcement of a $5,000,000 award for the proposal"Dispossessions ...
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Gov. Pritzker activates Illinois National Guard for security of state buildings
SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker has activated 250 members of the Illinois National Guard for State Active Duty in response to the warnings issued this week by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding threats to ...
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Tribute event to honor Chicago's first Cultural Historian Jan. 28
--From a City of Chicago press release
CHICAGO, IL — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) today announced a tribute event to honor Chicago's first Cultural Historian, Tim Samuelson. Samuelson recently retired after 3 ...
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Affinity Burning Bowl hosts first-ever virtual event amid pandemic
Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Affinity Community Services (Affinity) held its annual Burning Bowl Jan. 9 on Zoom and Facebook Live. This year's theme was "Community Undivided." Among other items, the Barbara "Robbie" Smith Award of ...
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1.2 million Black LGBT adults live in the US
--From a press release by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law
A new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that an estimated 1.2 million adults in the U.S. identify as Black and LGBT. Researchers found that Black LGBT people fare worse than ...
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Red Stars make draft selections
The 2021 National Women's Soccer League Draft has concluded, with Chicago making five selections. The Red Stars walked into the Jan. 13 draft with the sixth, 18th, 25th and 35th overall selections after several trades throughout ...
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Illinois Restaurant Assoc. asks Pritzker to allow indoor dining
On Jan. 14, the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) and restaurant operators around the state issued a press release asking Gov. JB Pritzker to immediately allow for safe and limited indoor dining operations. The IRA's Open Indoor ...
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Howard Brown developing new center in Northalsted area
Howard Brown Health has chosen Inland National Development Company, LLC to develop its newest healthcare center in Chicago's Northalsted neighborhood (formerly known as Boystown), according to REJournals. There are plans ...
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Research on military trans ban shows urgency of Biden acting on pledge
--From a press release by The Palm Center
President-elect Joseph Biden has promised to reverse the military's ban on service by transgender Americans on "day one" of his presidency. Research recently released by the Palm Center explains why lifting the ban is an urgent ...
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Gov. Pritzker releases statement on impeachment of President Trump
--From a press release
Springfield — Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement following the second impeachment of President Trump. "For the first time in United States history, a sitting President has been impeached on two separate occasions by the ...
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40+ national LGBTQ and movement leaders call for removal of President
--From a GLAAD press release
GLAAD and more than 40 national LGBTQ and movement leaders have signed onto a statement calling for the removal of Pres. Trump from office: "Our nation's security and the personal security of every American is in ...
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Trans woman, man killed in Chicago's Gresham area
A transgender woman and a man were killed in a shooting Jan. 6 in Chicago's Gresham neighborhood, The Chicago Sun-Times reported. A gunman fired shots from a silver-colored vehicle about 5 a.m. in the 800 block ...
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U.S. House votes to impeach Trump again
On Jan. 13, a majority of the U.S. House has voted to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time. Trump would be the first U.S. president to be impeached twice. This development occurred a week ...
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Welch set to be new Illinois House speaker, ending Madigan era
State Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch is positioned to become Illinois' speaker of the House, ending Mike Madigan's decades-long occupation of that role, The Chicago Tribune reported. Welch will also be the state's first Black speaker ...
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Red Stars announce renewals
The Chicago Red Stars announced the multi-year contract renewals of 12 players. Danielle Colaprico, Hannah Davison, Vanessa DiBernardo, Zoey Goralski, Sarah Gorden, Rachel Hill, Katie Johnson, Alyssa Mautz, Kayla Sharples ...
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State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch elected Speaker of Illinois House, leaders respond
--From press releases
Statement from Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson on the election of State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 102nd General Assembly: "Equality Illinois congratulates Rep. Welch on ...
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Two-Spirit/LGBTQAI Native American Powwow plans a week of virtual events
--From a press release
Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAITS) exists to restore and recover the role of Two-Spirit people within the American Indian/First Nations community by creating a forum for the spiritual, cultural ...
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Illinois legislature passes bill ending money bond
--From a press release by The Coalition to End Money Bond
Since 2016, communities across Illinois have been rigorously organizing to end money bond. Today, after years of work by the Coalition to End Money Bond and Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice, the state's legislature has voted in ...
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GLSEN executive director stepping down
After a dozen years leading the national organization GLSEN—which aims to create a better world for LGBTQ+ students—Executive Director Eliza Byard is stepping down March 1. Deputy Executive Director Melanie ...
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Kim Foxx names new chief of staff and policy
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx has appointed Alyson Miller to the hybrid role of chief of staff and policy. Miller will assume this newly created position later this month, when Foxx's current chief of staff, Jennifer Ballard Croft, leaves ...
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Report: Here are the highest grossing LGBTQ+ actors on Netflix
--From a Journalistic.org press release
Highest grossing LGBTQ+ actors on Netflix - Kristen Stewart comes in first, with a net worth of 70 million dollars - Bisexual women are the top earning members of the LGBTQ+ community - The TV industry ...
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Artemisia Theatre announces entirely virtual 2021 season
--From a press release
CHICAGO - In order to continue its strong feminist story-telling tradition, Artemisia Theatre announces an entirely virtual 2021 season. The new season includes two World Premiere theater productions and eight audio performances airing on its podcast ...
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'Mombian Database' released
Mombian columnist Dana Rudolph has released the Mombian Database of LGBTQ Family Books, Media, and More, with more than 500 books, music albums, movies, games and toys for and about LGBTQ families. The site offers multiple ...
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Chicago Dance History Project's Interview Marathon on Jan. 31
Chicago Dance History Project (CDHP) has confirmed the lineup and schedule for its Interview Marathon on Sunday, Jan. 31, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Interviewees will appear live from international locations and ...
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Choucair part of Biden/Harris COVID-19 response team
Dr. Bechara Choucair—the senior vice president and chief health officer at Kaiser Permanente, and onetime commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health—is part of new President Joe Biden and ...
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Stanton re-signs with Red Stars
The Chicago Red Stars announced the signing of midfielder Nikki Stanton, who is returning to the club after a season with Norwegian sports club Klepp IL. Stanton began her National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) career with ...
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Mayor Lightfoot, DCASE announce $2.5M in arts grants
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) today announced $2.5 million in funding opportunities for Chicago artists and arts organizations. A new "Artist Response Program," ...
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Madigan suspends bid for another term as House speaker
Embattled Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan announced Jan. 11 that he was suspending his bid for another term leading the chamber—but is not withdrawing from the race, The Chicago Tribune reported. Madigan fell nine votes short ...
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Vulnerable communities slow to adopt key strategy to stop HIV's spread
--From a UCLA press release
LOS ANGELES — Taking a daily pill to prevent HIV transmission is one of the most effective biomedical strategies available to combat the virus' spread, yet use of this health regimen remains low among vulnerable communities ...
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COVID-19 Chicago's stay-at-home advisory extended
Chicago's stay-at-home advisory has been extended for another 12 days (from Jan. 10), ABC7Chicago.com reported. Residents are advised to only leave their home to go to work or school, or for essential needs; examples include requiring ...
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SHOWBIZ Laverne Cox, lesbian coach, Jim Parsons, 'Brokeback,' theater items
Laverne Cox is teaming with Meryl Streep and Rashida Jones to executive-produce a new documentary exploring one of the most critical issues at the intersection of race, feminism, and power: the sex industry, out.com noted. Sell/Buy/Date ...
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NATIONAL Anti-bias rule nixed, trans deaths, lesbian archivist dies
Under the cover of chaos the day after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, the Trump administration officially nixed regulations barring federal grantees in the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) from discriminating against LGBTQ ...
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Indiana pols propose anti-conversion therapy bill
Indiana Stonewall Democrats issued a press release lauding state Sen. JD Ford (District 39) and state Rep. Sue Errington (District 26) for introducing a new bill to effectively end so-called "conversion therapy" practices across the state ...
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WORLD Greece appointee, India trans items, top LGBTQ issues
The center-right government of Greece announced the country's first out minister, out.com reported. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis appointed Nicholas Yatromanolakis as the new deputy minister of culture. The 44-year-old native ...
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Billy Masters
"Harry Styles is looking REALLY good. I'm into the fishnets. And we have very similar tastes. I think sharing a closet, sharing a life together, it just makes sense."—Miley Cyrus. I'd rather see Harry with Miley's ...
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Five Worth Finding: Workout gear, $2 subs, LGBTQ book
1. Lived Experience: Reflections on LGBTQ Life: "Lived Experience," in this case, refers to 60 LGBTQ people in this country who are older than 50—those who especially have so much to offer. This is a generation ...
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Calif. court blocks Trump administration's asylum rule
In response to a request from Immigration Equality, Lambda Legal, and Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order on Jan. 8 blocking, in its ...
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African American Arts Alliance, Black Ensemble to present MLK event Jan. 18
The African American Arts Alliance of Chicago and Black Ensemble Theater will present the 10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. The online event will be free. This ...
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Trump to skip Biden's Jan. 20 inauguration
Outgoing President Donald Trump conveyed on social media that he will not be attending new President Joe Biden's inauguration. "To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January ...
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OP-ED: New Year's Eve circuit parties go on despite COVID-19 travel concerns
This past New Year's Eve, thousands of gay men flocked to Mexico to attend a New Year's eve "White Party" hosted by long time party promoter Jeffrey Sanker—the host of the annual white party in Palm ...
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National LGBTQ organizations call for Trump's removal from office
--From a press release
New York, NY - Thursday, Jan. 7, 2020 - GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, along with leading LGBTQ legal, health, youth, justice and equality organizations, is callin ...
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STATE/LOCAL POLITICS Congresswoman invokes Hitler; former alderman reports to jail
U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Illinois) is facing criticism for her comments about Adolf Hitler during a rally, WGN-TV reported. Miller made the remark at a Jan. 5 rally that the conservative group Moms of America hosted. ...
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NCLR joins call for removal and impeachment of President Trump
--From a press release
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — After witnessing President Trump's role in instigating the violence that took place in Washington, D.C. yesterday, NCLR joins the growing bipartisan call for removal and impeachment of the president in order to ...
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LGBTQ task force wants 25th Amendment used to remove Trump
On Jan. 6, the National LGBTQ Task Force and National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund issued a press release for the immediate removal of outgoing President Donald Trump under the 25th Article. The release read, in ...
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