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GAY & STRAIGHT CELEBS JOIN BID 2 BEAT AIDS, BEGINS DEC. 1
by: Ron Lasko, Spin Cycle PR
December 1, 2008 (World AIDS Day) -- Bidding begins at noon EST on eBay for BID 2 BEAT AIDS, a massive annual auction of rare and autographed items from stars in music, film, Broadway, sports, and television. Sports fans can bid on a meet and greet with Olympic champion Michael Phelps or a signed baseball from Cal Ripken, Jr.; concert-goers can snag VIP seats and backstage meet & greets with Tony Bennett, Jewel, Bernadette Peters, Aimee Mann, Duncan Sheik, Estelle or Michael Feinstein; TV lovers can bid on tickets to see The Letterman Show followed by a meet & greet with Paul Shaffer; and Broadway fans can visit backstage with Hairspray star Harvery Fierstein. There's even a tour of the Howard Stern Radio Show studio to bid on! Proceeds benefit LIFEbeat, the Music Industry Fights AIDS to support its ongoing AIDS/HIV programs nationwide. Sponsors of this 10-day eBay auction include MTV and Borders.
LIFEbeat has amassed over 700 items for BID 2 BEAT AIDS. Items include: CDs autographed by Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Fall Out Boy, Carly Simon, Jennifer Hudson, Bon Jovi, Lindsay Lohan, and Amy Winehouse; signed books by Madonna, Lance Bass, Tori Spelling, Ann Bannon, and Oscar De La Hoya; posters signed by Jake Gyllenhaal, Owen Wilson, Patti LuPone, Debbie Harry, Melissa Etheridge, Liza Minnelli and Matthew McConaughey; DVDs signed by Sarah Silverman, Will Ferrell, and Steven Spielberg; photos signed by Rufus Wainwright, Linda Evans, The Osbournes, Joan Collins, and other autographed memorabilia.
The centerpiece of the auction is a one-of-a-kind celebrity autographed "Lend-A-Hand to LIFEbeat" card series. Stars traced their hands on special paper, adding an artistic touch and signature. Cynthia Nixon, Gina Gershon, James Earl Jones, Natalie Cole, Bob Saget, Jack Klugman, Drew Lachey, Sean Hayes, Taylor Hicks, David Hyde-Pierce, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr, Deborah Gibson, Jerry Mathers, George Wendt, Pete Best, Paige Davis, Faith Evans, Frankie Valli, John Lithgow, Alan Cumming, John O'Hurley, Maroon 5, Robin Thicke, Nathan Lane and over 100 others have participated in this unique project.
LIFEbeat- The Music Industry Fights AIDS, is a national non-profit organization dedicated to reaching America's youth with the message of HIV/AIDS prevention. LIFEbeat mobilizes the talents and resources of the music industry to raise awareness and to provide support to the AIDS community. In 2007, LIFEbeat observed fifteen years in the fight against AIDS. For more information visit: www.lifebeat.org
Every item in BID 2 BEAT AIDS comes with a certificate of authenticity, and was obtained directly from the performers, their agents, or other professionals in the industry. Bidders can be assured that they're getting the real deal! For more information on BID 2 BEAT AIDS , including a complete list of participating artists and images of many of the items, visit www.Bid2BeatAIDS.com.
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[11/19/08]
GAYS, LESBIANS, TRANSGENDER, THEIR FAMILIES AND SUPPORTERS UNITE – LARGE SCALE NATIONAL PROTEST PLANNED FOR NOVEMBER 15
Over the last week, tens of thousands of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)community and their Supporters have taken to the streets of California to show their outrage with the outcome of California Proposition 8. Prop 8 provides for a Constitutional Amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage rights; Similar amendments and propositions were passed in Arizona and Florida. The outcome of these propositions has angered the national gay community and their supporters. Many feel as if they are now second-class citizens, but, according to the No on 8Campaign, the fight is not over. The final statement released by the No on 8 Campaign stated,"Victory was not ours today. But the struggle for Equality is not over." > Full Story. [11/14/08]
GAY CANDIDATES ELECTED ACROSS THE U.S.
Washington, D.C.-Dozens of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender candidates won election to public offices across the U.S. on Tuesday, according to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. The group, which endorsed a record-breaking 111 candidates in 2008, said more than 70 percent of its endorsed candidates had won their races by early Wednesday. > Full Story. [11/6/08]
STATEMENT BY GLAAD PRESIDENT NEIL G. GIULIANO ON 2008 ELECTIONS
NEW YORK, November 5, 2008 – The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today called on the nation's media to examine the intersection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and issues, the results of the 2008 elections and the post-election landscape. > Full Story. [11/5/08]
SPORTS OUT LOUD CHANGES NAME TO COMPETE, THE GAY SPORTS MAGAZINE
Tempe, Arizona-November 4, 2008-- Sports Out Loud, the world's only gay sports magazine, announced today that the groundbreaking magazine will re-launch as Compete, beginning with its January February 2009 issue. > Full Story. [11/5/08]
JAY SWITZER JOINS OUTTV BOARD
Vancouver, BC (Canada) - October 22, 2008 – OUTtv, Canada's Gay and Lesbian television channel announced today that Jay Switzer, former CEO of Canadian broadcaster CHUM Ltd. has joined their Board of Directors. > Full Story. [10/23/08]
WARHOL LIVE: NEW EXHIBIT PUT ON BY THE MONTREAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS EXPLORES THE ROLE OF MUSIC AND DANCE IN ANDY WARHOL'S WORK
THE ROLE OF MUSIC AND DANCE IN THE ARTIST'S WORK EXPLORED FOR THE FIRST TIME A MAJOR EXHIBITION DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY THE MONTREAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS > Full Story. [10/22/08]
12 GAY FOOTBALLERS, SAYS PAUL ELLIOTT
BBC's Bob Ballard criticises FA and Chelsea
Action plan to tackle anti-gay abuse
Homophobia is Football's Final Taboo
London – 17 October 2008 > Full Story. [10/21/08]
NEW GAY OPERATOR STEPS OUT WITH GAY, GREEN AND AFFORDABLE INTERNATIONAL TOURS
Canadian based OUT Adventures today announced the global launch of operations and website www.out-adventures.com. Business and personal partners Robert Sharp and Steven Larkin have created eco-friendly OUT Adventures in order to address a current gap in the gay and lesbian travel segment that limits adventure travel to a handful of luxury operators.
"As avid gay travelers, Steven and I felt we could leverage our knowledge of the LGBT market and also the mainstream travel industry in order to provide a much more affordable, culturally enriching experience to gay men, lesbians, their friends and families," says Robert.
Larkin adds "Gays and lesbians are looking for their next big travel experience, but amidst economic uncertainty they also don't want to break the bank. We now offer this traveller a truly engaging, comfortable (average 3-3.5 star) experience that leaves them with plenty of spending money."
OUT Adventures will operate closed groups with a maximum of 12 passengers and has over 80 global departures planned in its first year. Trips are tailored to meet the needs of gay and lesbian travellers and begin at $875 CAD for an 8 day trip to Peru including a 3 day hike to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail. All trips will have a strong focus on responsible travel by using locally owned hotels, restaurants and also interaction with local communities, both LGBT and mainstream.
The company is also leading this niche market by operating in a manner that contributes to the well being of the planet - from using green power in the OUT Adventures head office to including carbon emission off-setting in the cost of approximately 15% of its trips in its first year and in all trips by 2010.
In order to provide the best itineraries at the most affordable prices, OUT Adventures has partnered with one of the world's leading adventure tour operators, Intrepid Travel which will allow OUT to contract with a global network of destination management companies under the Intrepid brand.
Travellers can choose from Active, Comfort, In Style , Independent and also Family trips for same sex couples with children over the age of 6. Trips are available directly through the OUT Adventures website at www.out-adventures.com and travel agents worldwide.
For more information please contact Robert Sharp at robert@out-adventures.com or 416.583.2680.
About OUT Adventures Inc.:
Toronto, Canada based OUT Adventures was founded by partners Steven Larkin and Robert Sharp and provides affordable and eco-friendly small group adventures to the LGBT community with over 35 worldwide destinations. OUT Adventures is a proud member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association and the Travel Industry Council of Ontario. Visit www.out-adventures.com for more information and a complete product offering or join the OUT Adventures Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38662329761.
Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd.:
With over 19 years of experience, Intrepid Travel is one of the world's leading small group adventure tour operators. Intrepid offers over 450 itineraries in more than 90 destinations worldwide. Intrepid trips are designed to go off the beaten track, meet the locals and travel in an unconventional way, joining locals on their transport, in their markets and even in their homes. Visit www.intrepidtravel.com for more information. > Full Story. [10/16/08]
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION - ANTI-HOMOPHOBIA CAMPAIGN GPUK
Football Association backs new anti-homophobia campaign > Full Story. [10/15/08]
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