Arts & Entertainment
GLAAD urges music industry to speak out against pending anti-LGBT bills in Tennessee
musicians asked to stand up for LGBT rights in Tennessee
GLAAD held a press conference in Nashville on Monday calling for the music industry to speak against the pending anti-LGBT bills in Tennessee.
Tennessee’s pending LGBT discriminatory bills include HB 1840, which would allow counselors to refuse mental health services to LGBT patients, and the HB 2414 Bill, which would prevent transgender youth in grades kindergarten through 12th grade and transgender college students from using bathrooms that match their gender identity.
āThere is no doubt that these anti-LGBT bills will jeopardize this stateās economy,ā GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said during the press conference. āNashville is Americaās music capital, and the companies, artists, and allied businesses here alone contribute more than $9.7 billion dollars to this stateās economy. I am here today to call on the music industry to stand with us, alongside television networks and film studios who stood with us in Georgia, in a united front against discrimination.ā
Actor and singer Chris Carmack, who plays a gay country singer on the ABC show “Nashville,” says the damage done by these bills could be irreparable.
āThis kind of unnecessary discrimination has no place in this city or the state of Tennessee,ā Carmack, who is a D.C. local, said. āIt could take years to undo the economic damage done by these potential laws; but let me be clear, the human damage can never be repaired. Our young people only get one chance to grow up in a state that values and accepts them for who they are. Letās not take that away from them. Itās important for those who can make a difference in my industry to stand up. Let their words be heard. Let their actions be seen. Please join me in making sure these laws doesnāt become a reality in our state.
Miley Cyrus, Ty Herndon and Chely Wright have also spoken out against the bills.
Out & About
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party
The Washington Bladeās 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party returns Friday, May 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Itās an exciting election year in Delaware, which is poised to elect its first Black woman senator (Lisa Blunt Rochester) and the nationās first transgender member of Congress (Sarah McBride).
McBride is scheduled to speak at the party along with several politicos from the area. With the retirement of longtime state Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, a staunch LGBTQ ally, three strong contenders are running to replace him. All three ā Marty Rendon, Kathy McGuiness, and Claire Snyder-Hall ā are slated to speak at the party. A representative from Blunt Rochesterās campaign is scheduled to speak, along with Kim Leisey, the new executive director of CAMP Rehoboth.
Tax-deductible tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite or via the Bladeās Facebook page. The party is sponsored by Justin Noble of Sothebyās, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.
Andy Cohen, executive producer of āThe Real Housewivesā franchise and host of āWatch What Happens Live,ā will return to Sixth & I on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
This event will be his fifth appearance at the venue to celebrate the paperback release of his New York Times bestselling memoir, āThe Daddy Diaries,ā talk about the latest Housewives happenings, and answer audience questions about everyone’s favorite Bravolebrities.
Cohen will be in conversation with Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents California and is the first LGBTQ immigrant to win a congressional seat. Rep. Garcia has also been known to quote from āThe Real Housewivesā in congressional hearings.
Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
āHerses- Purse Frist Extravaganzaā will be on Friday, May 3 at 9 p.m. at 1835 14th St. N.W. This will be an evening of dancing and performances, hosted by HAUS of Bambi Award-winning Performance Artist, BUMPER. Refreshments are also available for purchase.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.