KEVIN MCHALE SAYS, "TALK TO ME" FOR THE TREVOR PROJECT

Star of television's hit show, GLEE, Kevin McHale helps to launch The Trevor Project's, "Talk to Me" awareness campaign for National Suicide Prevention Week (September 4-10, 2011) in a new public service announcement released, today. The multi-faceted campaign is designed to encourage individuals to engage in interpersonal communication, like phone and video calls, and other positive behaviors which can help prevent suicide. "Talk to me" is a new initiative of The Trevor Project, a recent honoree of the White House as a Champion of Change for innovation in suicide prevention, especially among youth and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people.

The Mark Travel Corporation Launches Gay Tour Operator, Brand g Vacations

The Mark Travel Corporation has added a new brand to its diverse roster of owned and managed vacation companies. Its latest venture – Brand g Vacations – offers specialized group experiences to the evolving LGBT travel segment.

With the tagline the next generation in gay travel, Brand g was created with the help of 25-year industry veteran Charlie Rounds, who has deep roots in gay group travel. Although Brand g’s customer base will be mostly gay and lesbian, Rounds hopes to attract a larger share of the segment by welcoming friends and family of the LGBT community.

“Gay travel looks a lot different than it did 25 years ago,” said Rounds, former president of RSVP Vacations. “More gays and lesbians are out, getting married, and are interested in vacationing with friends and family.”

Brand g will primarily offer escorted group tours to international destinations. Its inaugural trip in August 2012 is a full-ship charter of AMA Waterways’ newest 164-passenger riverboat, the AmaCerto, featuring two nights in Prague followed by a custom tailored, seven-day itinerary down the Danube River.

As a former travel agent, Rounds is a strong believer in the importance of the travel agent community in selling specialized products such as those offered by Brand g. “This is a more complicated and sophisticated product, and a great way for travel agents to show their value to customers.”

The Brand g website encourages consumers to contact their local travel agent to book its vacations. Rounds will also be hosting a webinar on VAX VacationAccess’s new Gay Travel Showcase, which was launched in July as a resource for travel agents interested in selling to the LGBT segment.

Rounds’s future goals for Brand g are to design innovative vacations that celebrate destinations that have led the way in improving the lives of gays and lesbians, and to incorporate a give-back element, where passengers can experience the beauty of destinations first-hand while also contributing to the improvement of the local communities.

In addition to the riverboat cruise, the new brand will offer small group land programs in 2012 to Ireland and Mexico City, with plans to add a Wellness vacation in 2012.

For more information about upcoming vacations, visit www.brandgvacations.com.

GLAAD statement on Chaz Bono joining ABC’s Dancing with the Stars

ABC joins the CW in featuring gay and transgender contestants on fall reality shows

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today responded to ABC’s announcement that transgender advocate Chaz Bono and gay stylist Carson Kressley will be featured on the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars.

Earlier this month, the CW announced that transgender model Isis King and openly lesbian Kayla Ferrel would return for the all-star cycle of America’s Next Top Model.

“With both gay and transgender contestants represented, ABC and the CW have created primetime firsts that reflect the growing acceptance of gay and transgender people in America today.”

“At a time when transgender representation in the media is sorely lacking, Chaz Bono joining the cast of a series like Dancing With the Stars is a tremendous step forward for the public to recognize that transgender people are an important part of the fabric of American culture,” said Herndon Graddick, Senior Director of Programs at GLAAD. “His documentary, ‘Becoming Chaz,’ was a great chance for viewers to meet the man behind the headlines. Appearing on such a high profile show will allow millions of Americans to get to know him in a whole new light.”

ABC and the CW both received ‘Good’ ratings in GLAAD’s annual Network Responsibility Index this year. 33% and 23% of the networks’ primetime programming were LGBT inclusive, respectively.

America’s Next Top Model - All Stars premieres on September 14, while the new season of Dancing With the Stars premieres on September 19.

WHITE HOUSE TO HONOR THE TREVOR PROJECT AS A “CHAMPION OF CHANGE”

Event Honors Innovation in Suicide Prevention Prior to National Suicide Prevention Week

Tomorrow, Thursday, August 25, 2011, the White House will honor The Trevor Project as a leading innovator in the realm of suicide prevention as part of the “Champions of Change” initiative. The Trevor Project is the leading organization selected for this honor representing youth suicide prevention and crisis intervention among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, specifically. Accepting the honor and speaking with Administration officials about priorities for improving suicide prevention nationally will be David McFarland, Interim Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project. The event occurs ten days prior to National Suicide Prevention Week, (Sept. 4-10, 2011).

WHAT: The Trevor Project to be honored by the White House as a “Champion of Change” in innovation in suicide prevention, and to meet with Administration officials to discuss priorities in suicide prevention prior to National Suicide Prevention Week.

WHO:                    David McFarland, Interim Executive Director and CEO

WHEN:                 Thursday, August 25, 2011

WHERE:                The White House (1600 Pennsylvania Ave.)


MORE: The Trevor Project co-facilitates development of national protocols for suicide prevention affecting LGBT people through the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, meeting in D.C. on September 8-9, 2011. The organization is also a leading resource for the White House initiative, StopBullying.gov, as well as on the White House’s “It Gets Better” issues page, and will be participating in the Department of Education’s anti-bullying conference at the end of September.
 
ABOUT CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE
The White House initiative, “Champions of Change, Winning the Future across America” profiles individuals and organizations that are helping the country rise to the challenges of the 21st century. Champions of Change are doing extraordinary things in their communities to out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world. Each week, the White House invites new Champions to share ideas and best practices to win America’s future. Beginning the week of August 29, 2011, The Trevor Project will be featured on the Champions of Change website at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/champions.

Zeus Magazine app launches on iTunes

Zeus, “The Gay Man’s Handbook”, proudly announces the launch of its branded app through the iTunes store.

Zeus is currently available on newsstands at Barnes & Noble, Book World, Chapters and various independent retailers in the U.S. and Canada. “The addition of a branded iTunes app takes Zeus to a whole new level of availability” says Roderic Montrece Publisher & Editor-in-Chief. “Readers can now take the definitive resource for ‘sex, substance and style’ with them wherever they go on their Apple mobile devices.” This will do nothing but aid in the Zeus’ already meteoric rise within the marketplace.

The Zeus app is compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. It requires iOS 3.1.3 or later & is available for $2.99.  You can download the app here http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/zeus/id454140241?mt=8  Zeus is available for sale in print and via online at www.zeusmagazine.com or www.facebook.com/zeusmagazine.

For more information on this topic or to schedule an interview with Roderic Montrece please call Roderic Montrece at (773) 525-6850, or email Roderic Montrece at editor@zeusmagazine.com.

The official trailer for WE WERE HERE

WE WERE HERE is the first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the impact of the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco when it was first identified 30 years ago this year. It explores how the City’s inhabitants were affected by, and responded to the calamitous epidemic.  Reaching beyond San Francisco and the human toll of AIDS itself, it inspirationally speaks to the human capacity of individuals to rise to the occasion, and to the incredible collective power of a community coming together with love, compassion, and determination.

For more information, please contact Guido Götz at ggotz@mprm.com or 323-933-3399. 
 

Senator Scott Brown to Receive the Spirit of Lincoln Award

Log Cabin Republicans are proud to announce that the organization will honor Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) with its highest award, the Spirit of Lincoln, during its national dinner held September 20th at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, DC.

"Since his election to the United States Senate, Senator Scott Brown has been a principled advocate for the people of Massachusetts, a tremendous addition to the Congress and an insightful voice on the Senate Armed Services Committee," said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director. "As a currently serving officer in the Army National Guard, Senator Brown knew that 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' was not working and was a critical part of the legislative team that ended the policy. We thank Senator Brown for being on the right side of history in ending this failed policy and we are honored to present him with the Spirit of Lincoln Award. Senator Brown has proven himself to be an ally to our community whose service should be recognized, and Log Cabin Republicans are proud to call this warrior-citizen a friend."

Senator Scott Brown stated, "As I said when I voted to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell, when a soldier answers the call to serve and risks life or limb, it has never mattered to me whether they are gay or straight. My only concern has been whether their service and sacrifice is with pride and honor. I would like to thank Log Cabin Republicans for this award."

HOT Shots 2012 Highlights Young LGBTQ Professionals

OUT for Work is proud to announce the release of a new career resource for LGBTQ college students transitioning from academia to the workplace: HOT Shots 2012. Sponsored by pharmaceutical leader, Merck, this resource will inspire the next generation of LGBTQ employees by highlighting and sharing the stories of those younger professionals already in the workplace.HOT Shots 2012 will be distributed this fall to colleges across the United States and available for download in OUT for Work’s Virtual Career Center.

Young professionals from Fortune 500 companies such as Boeing, Oracle, PNC, and BP; government agencies including US Department of State and USAID; and academia and the nonprofit sector such as The American Sociological Association, University of Vermont, and NASPA provide highlights and advice on preparing for the workplace.  Topics include job search processes, resume writing, interviewing techniques, coming out in the workplace, and affects of being openly LGBTQ in the workplace.  “My colleagues can sense that I am being authentic in my interactions and conversations with them.  Being out and bringing my entire self to work has helped me achieve the greatest success possible”, stated Jacob Benjamin Hanna of Deloitte Consulting.

Copies of HOT Shots 2012 can be purchased at www.outforwork.org.  “This is a must-have for not only for LGBTQ students but anyone who is involved in the career development of LGBTQ individuals”, stated Riley Folds, Founding Executive Director of OUT for Work.  “In addition, for those companies who are looking for new ways to attract talent, this is a great way to increase your brand to the LGBTQ community”, Folds added.  OUT for Work is currently looking for HOT Shots for the 2013 publication. For more information, visit www.outforwork.org or email info@outforwork.com.

I LOVE ME, I LOVE ME NOT

Studio C Artists has announced a six-night only run of I Love Me, I Love Me Not, written and performed by Derek Ringold, directed by John Coppola, and produced by Michael Sonntag (originally developed by Michael Kearns). This solo show, in part to benefit The Trevor Project, is set to open on Thursday, August 18 and Saturday, August 20 and will run on consecutive Thursdays through September 15th.

All performances start at 8:00PM, and will take place at the Studio C Artists performance space along Theatre Row in Hollywood. I Love Me, I Love Me Not is collage of monologues and dance
which tells the story of one man's struggle with race and sexual identity in America - and the sobering realization that the I LOVE ME, I LOVE ME NOT anger that fuels his journey is due not only to external forces, but also to phobias from within.


Get your tickets here!

LGBT Business Loses An Icon: Paul Duncan

Paul Duncan, a great stalwart in the LGBT business community has passed on and Echelon along with many other LGBT business folks owe him a debt of gratitude for his undying passion for networking and business success.

As a staunch and feisty advocate for the LGBT business community in both Long Beach and Los Angeles, Paul was known for getting people off their duff and go out and network. He was constantly encouraging me and others to attend events and was the king of making introductions happen wherever and whenever he could.

The facebook page for LBCBN, (Long Beach Community Business Network) has an outpouring of both grief and shock as we learned of his passing after attending the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce's "Out For Business" event in Las Vegas this past weekend.

"He made such an impact on Gay & Lesbian owned and friendly businesses. He was one sassy senior which is why he worked until the very end."

"2 years ago Paul picked up the reigns of Out Reach for LBCBN. He was doing that job already and focused all of his efforts as the face of LBCBN in the Long Beach Community and the community at large."

"Paul was the backbone of the LBCBN since it's day when there were only 5 attendees at the luncheons at Two Umbrellas. He was a true networker: when someone new came to an event he would welcome them and introduce them to other members. What an ambassador!"

Goodbye Mate! We will truly miss you!

"Crazy Eyes Bachman" Makes Cover of Newsweek

Republican presidential candidate, Michelle Bachman graces the cover of next week's Newsweek and it really makes one wonder who was the genius photo editor to choose this shot of her. It's as if her anti-gay rhetoric and misinformed comments weren't enough. On top of it all, her nickname in gay media is "Crazy Eyes" which is clearly depicted in this shot. Goodness, you tell me. Would you like this person to have their finger on the "button?"

Esurance Donates Fifty Thousand Dollars to The Trevor Project

Esurance, the direct-to-consumer personal car insurance company, today announced that the company donated $50,000 to The Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

Esurance recently launched the charitable giving campaign on its Facebook page. For each new "Like," the company donated $10 to The Trevor Project to help support the Trevor Lifeline, a 24/7 crisis intervention phone hotline offering free and confidential suicide prevention counseling to youth nationwide.

Kenneth Cole - Gay Marriage Billboard

What a great way to end the week by viewing one of Kenneth Cole's fantastically creative ads weaving equality-minded politics with their brand. This billboard is rumored to be up in New York and is getting some nice viral play via social networks.

www.kennethcole.com

Larry King to President Obama: “Support the Freedom to Marry!”

NOH8 Campaign launched a PSA video starring Larry King, MYA, David Hasselhoff, Sara Bareilles, Trina, Tommy Joe Ratliff, Bret Lockett, and Verne Troyer as part of Freedom to Marry’s Say I Do campaign urging President Obama to join the majority of Americans who support marriage for same-sex couples.

In the video, Emmy-award winning broadcaster King, who has interviewed every US president since Gerald Ford, states: “Many of your fellow elected officials have already taken a stand… Please, Mr. President, support the Freedom to Marry.”

"This NO H8 PSA brings together talented musicians, athletes and journalists to get the message across – it’s time for the President to end his journey, join the majority of Americans, and speak out in support of the freedom to marry for all loving, committed couples," said Marc Solomon, National Campaign Director for Freedom to Marry.  "Now is the time for President Obama to say it loud and clear: 'I Do.'"

Online GLBTQ Studies: Register Now

Registration is now open for GLBTQ Studies course for high school students and anyone else!

Maplewood, Minnesota. GLBTQ Online High is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the first online high school course in GLBTQ Studies. This interdisciplinary course is available to all schools and students nationwide. In addition, the school is offering the course to interested teachers and other adults. Youth and adult students will be in separate sections of the course.

The course is designed for straight and glbtq students alike and aims to increase understanding of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning populations.

Black Enterprise: Black & Gay In The Workplace

BLACK ENTERPRISE leads its seventh annual report on the Best Companies for Diversity with July’s cover feature, “Black & Gay in Corporate America.” Written by Editor-at-Large Carolyn M. Brown, the editorial takes an unflinching look at the cultural and professional obstacles facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) African American professionals and how a growing number are coming out and breaking through isolation and fear within their companies.

The July issue of black enterprise magazine is on newsstands now through Sunday, August 14.