Author: Alfredo Casuso

Award Winning Palm Springs Theatre Opens with First-Ever Musical for the Company: GIRLFRIEND

Written on September 19, 2021.

media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Single Tickets Now On Sale for Dezart Performs

14^th Season for Award Winning Palm Springs Theatre Opens with First-Ever Musical for the Company: GIRLFRIEND October 27 – 30 outside at the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater.

www.dezartperforms.org

20 September 2021 – Palm Springs, CA: It may be “back to school” month for students, but for those who love live performance, it’s “back to theatre” time, including a full four-play season from the award-winning Dezart Performs of Palm Springs (www.dezartperforms.org). Following a record-breaking subscription campaign, the acclaimed Coachella Valley ensemble is now selling single tickets to its 14^th Season. First out of the gate is the critically-acclaimed Todd Almond / Matthew Sweet musical GIRLFRIEND (October 27 – 30) taking place outside at the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater that includes a deliciously catered dinner by Lulu Catering & Events. This offering for four or six guests per table is comprised of three-courses, a glass of wine, and an up-close experience of the smash-hit rock musical. Tax and gratuity are included: $115/person; Reserved table purchase required. Also offered are general admission tickets for the show only (dinner not included) at a special early access price of $45.

“To call the last 18 months a roller coaster is an insult to roller coasters,” laughs Michael Shaw, Dezart Performs founding artistic. “But, we’re now in rehearsals for our first show, and getting things in place for what will certainly be an exciting, and emotional, return to the stage for all concerned.”

Following GIRLFRIEND, the company returns to its traditional home at thePearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman’s Club / 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs) with Katori Hall’s THE MOUNTAINTOP (January 14 – 23), a bold reimagining of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s final night. Next is Heidi Schreck’sdramatic exploration of compassion and forgiveness as seen through the eyes of a nun in a Bronx soup kitchen, GRAND CONCOURSE (March 4 – 13). Rounding out the calendar is the one-person comedy/drama EVERY BRILLIANT THING (April 1 – 10) by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe and directed by Deborah Harmon. EVERY BRILLIANT THING was originally the final production of the 2020 Season, delayed by COVID. Individual tickets are now on sale for shows. Season packages for Dezart Performs’ Pearl McManus Theater productions are also on sale online at www.dezartperforms.org or by calling (760) 322-0179 as are special dinner-and-show packages for GIRLFRIEND.

“For the health, safety and well-being of our patrons, staff and artists, Dezart Performs’ COVID-19 policy requires guests to be fully vaccinated,” reminds Shaw. “Upon arrival at all events, guests must present a photo ID along with proof that they meet the CDC definition of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, either in the form of a physical vaccination card or a photo of the card.”

Shaw and the company stress, that this policy is subject to changes at any time, in accordance with local, state and federal guidelines. Please check the Dezart Performs website for current policy guidelines before attending any scheduled performance date.

Following its final live, with-audience performance, SWEAT, on March 8, 2020, Dezart Performs engaged its audience with a series of live online events during COVID: Creating for the Stage: Discussions with the People that Make Shows Happen (November 11 – December 2, 2020) and the interactive online sensation Mental Amusements (January 13 – 31, 2021) with award-winning Mentalist Vinny DePonto.

Dezart Performs, one of the Coachella Valley’s preeminent theatre companies, recognizes that the performing arts enrich the life and culture of a community, promote greater understanding and provoke insightful discussion. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company, its mission is to provide an artistic home for bold and cutting–edge plays, creating an atmosphere of artistic growth for actors, writers, and directors who uniquely contribute to the diverse theatrical environment in the Coachella Valley.

14^th Dezart Performs Complete Season Listing

GIRLFRIEND

October 27-30, 2021
Book by Todd Almond
Music by Matthew Sweet
Directed by Michael Shaw
Musical Direction by Joshua Carr
Choreography by Ray Limon
Musical Comedy
Rancho Mirage Amphitheater

Set in Nebraska in the ’90s, Will, a bit of a social outcast, and Mike, the popular football player, figure out that there is more to life than what high school has taught them. Days after graduation they explore their relationship and begin to ask themselves where their lives begin.

“The songwriter and book writer demonstrate both an ear for the rousing energy of circa-1990 pop music, and a sensitivity about the manner in which a pair of young men might find their way to each other in an unwelcoming environment.” – The Washington Post

* * *

THE MOUNTAINTOP

January 14-23, 2022
Written by Katori Hall
Drama
Directed by Michael Shaw
Pearl McManus Theater

2010 Winner, Olivier Award for Best Play

A re-imagined depiction of Martin Luther King Jr.’s last night on earth set entirely in Room 306 of the Lorraine Motel on the eve of his assassination in 1968. After delivering his famous “I’ve been to the mountaintop speech”, King goes to the Lorraine Motel to rest. His world is spun on his axis when he meets Camae, a young, feisty and foul-mouthed maid, who delivers his room service.

“Funny and emotionally charged… a powerful, poetic take on [King’s] legacy.” -Philip Brandes, Los Angeles Times

“Intriguing, shocking, funny… a stunning evening.” – Dale Reynolds, EDGE Los Angeles

* * *

GRAND CONCOURSE

March 4-13, 2022
Written by Heidi Schreck
Directed by Michael Shaw
Drama
Pearl McManus Theater

2015 Lucille Lortel Award Nominee

Having dedicated her life to religious service, Shelley runs a Bronx soup kitchen with unsentimental efficiency, but lately her heart’s not quite in it. Her brisk nature masks an unsettling fear that her efforts are meaningless. When Emma – an idealistic but confused college dropout – arrives to volunteer, her reckless mix of generosity and self-involvement pushes Shelley to the breaking point.

“Insightful with a moving, even shocking epiphany.” – Huffington Post

“[Heidi Schreck] writes fluid, natural dialogue and creates detailed characters that offer generous opportunities for actors… the words have the ring of plain truth.” – The New York Times

* * *

EVERY BRILLIANT THING

April 1-10, 2022
Written by Duncan Macmillan, with Jonny Donahoe
Directed by Deborah Harmon
Comedy/Drama
Pearl McManus Theater

You’re six years old. Mom’s in the hospital. Dad says she’s “done something stupid.” She finds it hard to be happy. So you start to make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything that’s worth living for. 1. Ice cream. 2. Kung Fu movies. 3. Burning things. 4. Laughing so hard you shoot milk out your nose. 5. Constructions cranes. 6. Me. You leave it on her pillow. You know she’s read it because she’s corrected your spelling. Soon, the list will take on a life of its own. A play about depression and the lengths we will go for those we love.

“A heart-wrenching, hilarious play…One of the funniest plays you’ll ever see about depression—and possibly one of the funniest plays you’ll ever see, full stop!” —The Guardian

LIVES OF THE LINERS: CRUISING & CRUISE SHIPS & COVID – SEP 16, 2021

Written on September 16, 2021.

LIVES OF THE LINERS: CRUISING & CRUISE SHIPS & COVID – SEP 16, 2021

From Bill Miller

Update: September 2021

Wed Sep 8^th Virgin Voyages: The Scarlet Lady has set sail from Portsmouth, England, after spending the summer in the UK. According to a press release, the 2,800-passenger Virgin Voyages ship is now heading across the Atlantic to New York. Portsmouth International Port said that over 8,000 passengers enjoyed the Summer Soiree Series, which saw Virgin Voyages launch its world’s first commercial sailing from Portsmouth.

Carnival announced today that it has an agreement with the city of New Orleans and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide the Carnival Glory for first responders housing through Sep 18th. The same ship is seen below on the right and berthed at New York.

Saga Cruises: A report from recent passengers: “At last we are back to cruising. We did not quite believe it until we were on board and set sail. It is lovely to be back on the Spirit of Discovery and she is as good as ever. We are only 670 guests and 570 crew – the sort of ratio we like! The food is wonderful and the specialty restaurants are out of this world. Drinks are included, but we must stop having wine with lunch – just too decadent!

We had to be tested before being allowed out of the car and to board. It was very well organised. We have to wear masks around the ship and in the theatre, but take them off when seated in a bar or at a restaurant table. They have installed very smart marble wash-basins in the restaurants and you have to wash your hands on entry. Everyone had to be tested again on Sunday before being allowed to dock in Gibraltar, but that was all fine. We did not get off. You can only get off to go on a ship’s tour. We have booked for 6 of the 8 ports we are going to as they are included and it will make a change. Probably nothing new!

It is really lovely to be sailing again after 21 months. The age on board is very high. I think it is just those trying to offload some of their cash and feel that at this stage in their life they might as well take a risk. We were talking to a 97-year-old in the queue to book for the fish restaurant, which is very popular. We have a few friends on board and have met some pleasant people. We enjoyed our lunchtime fish & chips in the open air at the back of the ship with Algeria just 20 miles away.”

Below: Stephen Card’s splendid painting of sistership Spirit of Adventure

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Thu Sep 9^th Queen Mary: Closed for 18 months due to Covid and in declining condition, the 85-year-old Queen Mary has been described in local Long Beach, California press as being “shipwrecked!” Another report headlined: “A little-known real estate investment firm had big plans for the Queen Mary, but now they owe hundreds of millions to an array of creditors—and the fate of the city’s most famous asset is more uncertain than ever.”

Ritz-Carlton: New luxury cruise line Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has delayed its foray into the industry again — for the fifth time — citing shipyard issues due to COVID-19. “While we are eager to welcome guests onboard the Evrima, we have had to reevaluate the timing of our first voyage given the rapidly changing circumstances and their impact on the Evrima’s completion.”

Disney: Have you always wanted to sail on a Disney Cruise Line ship that wasn’t overrun with kids? Now’s your chance! The family-focused cruise operator last Friday announced plans to only allow passengers vaccinated for COVID-19 on an upcoming Disney Wonder sailing through the Panama Canal. That means that — assuming vaccination eligibility rules don’t change in the coming weeks — no children under the age of 12 would be allowed on the voyage. Children under the age of 12 currently are not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.

European Ferries are showing increases in passenger traffic with relaxation of some Covid restrictions.

Holland America: By late spring 2022, Holland America Line will have a complete fleet back to cruising with the restart of operations for the Noordam, Oosterdam and Westerdam. The Noordam will restart with a March 14^th 2022, cruise in Japan; Oosterdam will begin cruising May 1^st in the Mediterranean, and Westerdam will return to service May 8^th in Alaska.

Fri Sep 10^th Carnival Corp is rolling out a new initiative making pre-cruise COVID-19 testing more convenient and accessible for travelers on Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn. Testing will be available at more than 1,500 Quest Diagnostics patient service centers and retail pharmacy testing locations throughout the US.

Currently, all passengers, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days before their embarkation, along with additional health and safety requirements. Beginning Sept. 13, in accordance with US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention directives, all vaccinated travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than two days before their embarkation. For example, if a cruise leaves on Saturday, the test should be scheduled the Thursday before embarking.

MSC Cruises: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cleared the MSC Divina for its conditional sailing certificate following the completion of a simulated voyage last week. This will make MSC Cruises’ 11th ship to resume cruising globally and the brand’s first to sail from Port Canaveral.

Crystal replaces 2022 world cruise with its 2022 “Grand Voyage, Caribbean Idylls & Mediterranean Masterpieces,” a 132-night odyssey on the Crystal Serenity from Miami to Los Angeles, Jan 17^th to May 29^th.

Stockholm: Unlike many other European ports, the port of Stockholm has stayed open throughout the pandemic.

Mon Sep 13^th TUI Cruises, the big German cruise line, has stated that it is suspending the Asian deployment of the Mein Schiff 5, which was due to start in Nov 2021, and taking the 2,500-passenger vessel out of service. The 100,000-ton ship will initially take a break starting at the end of Oct. The reason as reported: “We at TUI cannot start the Asia season with Mein Schiff 5 in Nov as planned due to the ongoing corona-related travel restrictions in the region. The Mein Schiff 5 was previously scheduled for a season in Asia through May 2022. Sailings to/from Dubai, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan were part of the schedule.”

Virgin Cruises’ Scarlet Lady has arrived in New York on its first call and is berthed at the Cape Liberty cruise terminal in Bayonne, New Jersey (but later moved to Pier 88 in Manhattan and therefore the first cruise ship to berth there in some 18 months).

Wed Sep 15^th Return! The cruising restart has seen a positive trend over the past few months. Fueled by various countries and markets reopening ports to cruise vessels, the industry saw an unprecedented number of vessels resuming revenue operations around the world over the summer. As the restart continues, 205 ships are expected to be in guest operations by the end of September. This number means that, for the second month in a row, nearly half of the entire global cruise fleet is in operation. The combined fleets of the nearly 90 active cruise lines currently account for approximately 410 cruise ships. After significant growth over the previous months, 190 cruise ships were sailing with paying guests by Aug 31^st. With 15 additional ships entering service through the end of September, the active cruise fleet is growing nearly 8 percent this month.

AIDA Cruises has denied that it had plans to use its 2,030-passenger ship AIDAbella (below) as a ”quarantine ship” for Covid-infected patients.

Egypt: Said to have been sold (just last year) to Egyptian buyers for use as a floating hotel in the Middle East (lastly, at Jeddah), the former Albatros (seen below) – operated by Germany’s Phoenix Reisen – now has gone instead to Indian scrap merchants. Under the temporary name of Tros, the 28,500-ton ship has sailed off to the beaches of Alang (in late July) and to the wrecking crews. The 48-year-old ship is the former Royal Viking Sea of Royal Viking Line. Altogether, the 850-passenger ship had a varied life – in the mid ‘80s, she became the Royal Odyssey for Royal Cruise Line, then Norwegian Star for NCL and later for their shortlived Australian arm called Norwegian Capricorn Lines, then did a stint in lay-up as the renamed Crown, but then re-emerged on charter to Star Cruises (in the Far East) and then went over to the shortlived Spanish Cruise Lines as the Crown Mare Nostrum. The Germans took her in 2004.

Norwegian Cruise Lines: More and more, cruise lines are coming up with different, even unusual itineraries. How about Christmas-New Year in southern Africa? NCL’s Norwegian Jade (below) will sail on a 12-night itinerary from Cape Town (South Africa) and then call at Mossel Bay (South Africa), Port Elizabeth (South Africa), Richard’s Bay (South Africa), Durban (South Africa), Luderitz (Namibia) and Walvis Bay (Namibia).

Short Cruises! Our good friend & grand cruise enthusiast Andy Hernandez wrote today: “I’ve been on several short Bahamas cruises since the ships resumed service. I did the MSC Meraviglia (below) recently and am going to sail on Freedom of the Seas in about 10 days. While it’s been sad to see these ships sailing almost empty, it’s sure nice to have the ship all to yourself! The Meraviglia sailed with just 750 on board (capacity is about 5600).”

D:\Bill\Pictures\2019-10 Viking Canada\IMG_0853.JPG

And from over in England, our dear friend Maureen Ryan wrote: “I disembarked the Queen Elizabeth yesterda – it was great to be back on board and everyone on the ship was so helpful and kind — had a lovely cabin, flowers, etc. Embarkation in Southampton was very smooth and fast, complete with Covid test. Ship went to Glasgow, Liverpool and Belfast and shore excursions were popular. The staff on board went out of their way to be helpful — lovely atmosphere.”

Thu Sep 16^th New York: Our good & learned friend Brad Hatry reports: “New York City plans to welcome cruise ships back to its Manhattan terminal starting in late September. The city’s Economic Development Corporation will allow the mega ships back to Big Apple berths for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. The agency expects about 50-60 cruise departures by the end of the city’s current fiscal year on June 30th 2022.”

Fri Sep 17^th Greece: Our good friend Nikki Sepsas is one of the best lecturers on all the seas & one of the most knowledgeable. Recently, he’s been in the Eastern Med and sent this report: “I thought you might enjoy a look at what’s going on in the Med as I am 2 weeks into a 7-week lecture assignment with Seabourn.

Their newest ship, the Seabourn Ovation (seen below), began operations in July doing 7 day r/t cruises out of Piraeus. What is so nice is that guests who want to do back to back cruises can do 14 days without repeating the same ports. Rhodes is the only port featured on both their itineraries in the Greek isles. Greece requires all arriving passengers to present a vaccination certificate. A Personal Locator Form (PLF) also required showing where you are the first 24 hours in country. Seabourn embarkation also requires all guests to show a vaccination card, and an antigen test is administered at embarkation. In addition, all crew are fully vaccinated and they wear masks while in pubic areas. Guests are not required to wear them, but can do so if they choose.

Guests are happy to be traveling again and the crew are ecstatic about being back at work! Their enthusiasm and excitement are infectious! All ports are open to passengers. Masks are urged when in indoor venues (tavernas, etc) and required in cruise terminals. In addition, all guests and crew on the Ovation are tested every 7 days. Disembarking guests are given a printed copy of their test to present to the airlines for their return flight to the U.S. and at Immigration at their arrival airport as it is required for entry.

Have also seen ships of Celebrity, MSC, Costa, Viking, and others operating here in the eastern Med, even though numbers are far below capacity. Bottom line is that cruise ships with fully vaccinated guests and crew are among the safest places to be today, especially in light of the spike in new cases in the US!”

Royal Caribbean’s newest and largest cruise ship, the 230,000-ton 6,800-passenger Wonder of the Seas, which was due to begin sailings from Shanghai, China, in early 2022, will now sail Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries. Royal Caribbean, which restarted sailings from Singapore in late 2020 with the Quantum of the Seas, still has a presence in Asia. Due to COVID-19, however, China is currently not allowing cruises, so the line will relocate the Wonder of the Seas — the newest and largest in the line’s much-loved Oasis Class — to Fort Lauderdale, where it will begin a series of spring Caribbean voyages on March 4, 2022. Port calls will include Cozumel; St. Maarten; and San Juan, Puerto Rico, among others.

Out of the old shoebox:

Below: The Cunard Princess departing & the Vasco da Gama at her New York berth seen in the summer of 1989.

D:\Bill\Pictures\Normandie Redo 2\NormandieRedo2\NR149.jpg

Thank you to all our readers, correspondents, those “agents” in faraway places!

Today / 5:30pm at Manny’s SF: Pelosi, Local Elected Leaders and Community Activists Will Hold Phonebank & Press Event to Vote “No” on the Recall

Written on September 13, 2021.

Media Advisory / Coverage Request:

Today / 5:30pm: Pelosi / Mayor Breed at Manny’s SF

Media Contacts:

David Perry (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***

Pelosi, Local Elected Leaders and Community Activists Will Hold Phonebank & Press Event to Vote “No” on the Recall

San Francisco – Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Mayor London Breed, Shamann Walton and community activists will hold a phonebank and press event tomorrow, September 13 at Manny’s. During the phonebank, which begins at 5:30 p.m. PST, people will be encouraged to submit their ballots by voting “NO” on the recall. The press event begins at 6:00 p.m. PST.

WHO:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi
SF Mayor London Breed
Shamann Walton, President, San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Community Activists

WHAT:
Phonebank & Press Event to Vote “No” on the Recall

WHEN:
Monday, September 13, 2021
Phonebank begins at 5:30 p.m. PST
Press event begins at 6:00 p.m. PST

WHERE:
Manny’s
3092 16 th Street, San Francisco
Press Event will be at Valencia Street outdoor parklet

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PROMOHOMO.TV® Announces 2021 Fall Season Premieres

Written on September 9, 2021.

media contact: David Perry / David Perry & Associates, Inc

(415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

PROMOHOMO.TV® — A Free Online Streaming Service —
Announces 2021 Fall Season Premieres
New Season Begins September 14

Returning are The Nicholas Snow Show, Outinerary®, Notes From Hollywood®,

HIGHRPOWRD® and Hot In Palm Springs; with the series premiere of Life Positive and a live, multi-camera broadcast of the Palm Springs Pride Parade

9 September 2021 – Palm Springs, CA: PromoHomo.TV® programming reached hundreds of thousands of viewers across social media platforms before the pandemic but — while sheltering in place for over a year in his modest apartment in the affordable housing complex on the campus of DAP Health in Palm Springs, California — Producer/Host Nicholas Snow expanded PromoHomo.TV® into a full-fledged online streaming network with television-quality programs created for a global audience.

“Yes, I really have launched a television network from my converted bedroom,” laughs Snow, who describes himself as a Multimedia Entertainment Activist. “I am committed to creating programming that includes, celebrates, and empowers the diversity and intersectionality of all of us. PromoHomo.TV® is, in fact, ‘Connecting the Circuitry of Humanity by Creating Programming for LGBTQ+ Everyone!’”

A highlight of the fall season will be the PromoHomo.TV® live broadcast of the Palm Springs Pride Parade, Sunday, November 7^th.

PromoHomo.TV® launches the Fall 2021 season September 14^th with the series premiere of Life Positive, inspired by Snow’s living-powerfully-with-HIV memoir, Life Positive: A Journey to the Center of My Heart. Life Positive the series is “Spotlighting people living with, impacted by, and/or working to bring about the end of HIV/AIDS,” with the premiere focusing on the upcoming Aging Positively – Reunion Project virtual conference taking place virtually (so it’s accessible worldwide) September 18^th.

Next up, OUTINERARY®, which is “Spotlighting Out of This World Travel while being Out IN This World.” The season opener features a trip to Los Angeles for Opening Night of Hamilton at the historic Pantages Theatre, soundbites from the show’s cast, and a look at Broadway in Hollywood’s spectacularly implemented pandemic safety protocols.

The Nicholas Snow Show spotlights topics and conversations focused on expanding the consciousness of participants and viewers worldwide, both literally and philosophically “Connecting the Circuitry of Humanity.” Featured in the season premiere, Imani Rupert Gordon, Executive Director of NCLR, the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “More people need to know the amazing impact NCLR has had on all LGBTQ+ civil rights, and the work they continue to do” explains Snow.

Originally established by Nicholas Snow in 1990 as a syndicated column—“to examine and strengthen the relationship between the entertainment industry and the LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Movement, thereby positively impacting the movement itself—Notes From Hollywood® the series now features “Reports & Profiles of People Passionately Pursuing Professions in the Entertainment Industry.” In the season premiere, a rare on-camera interview with Hollywood photographer John Paschal, who talks about his experiences photographing icons such as Bette Davis, Elizabeth Taylor, Brad Pitt and others. Also this season, the Notes From Hollywood® storyline follows Snow’s own journey as an actor.

HIGHRPOWRD® features “Stories of Experience, Strength and Hope, Infusing Infinite Views of Spirituality and Purpose.” A key focus of this series is to “take recovery out of the closet,” giving people the opportunity to share their triumphant stories without identifying specific 12-step programs (in keeping with the traditions of these programs). Additionally, inspiring thought leaders from all walks of life are featured. The season premiere episode examines “Why sex work is spiritual work” with special guest David P. Wichman who speaks from personal experience.

Hot in Palm Springs spotlights news, views, and profiles relevant to residents of and visitors to the City of Palm Springs and the Greater Coachella Valley. The season premiere features a tour of the expanded LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert as well as an interview with their new executive director Rob Wheeler, and will be broadcast live from The Center Social—Wednesday, September 22, at 5:30 PM at the Saguaro Hotel—the Center’s first significant in-person event since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Also at PromoHomo.TV®, archival episodes of Tinseltown’s Queer, which Snow produced and hosted throughout most of the 1990’s in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area on multiple public access television stations, reaching up to 600,000 households on a regular basis. These historic vintage episodes are being digitized for worldwide streaming and with plans underway to donate the collection to the One Archives at the USC Libraries.

PromoHomo.TV is distributed in partnership worldwide with the #ILoveGay campaign which has over a half million followers across Twitter; and with Coachella-valley based media partners KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs, GayDesertGuide.LGBT and the #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast.

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with Nicholas Snow and PromoHomo.TV®,” explains Matt Skallerud, President of Pink Media and founder of the #ILoveGay campaign, “continuing our long history of working together since the mid-90s, when we collaborated with him on Tinseltown’s Queer and the first incarnation of The Nicholas Snow Show. Fast-forwarding to today, the fundamentals are the same… telling and sharing unique stories from the deep well of experience and knowledge that is our LGBTQ+ community.”

“Nicholas provides in-depth content that our listeners and viewers love to read and share, says KGAY PSP/GayDesertGuide CEO Brad Fuhr. “His life’s journey gives him a unique perspective on local, regional and national issues.”

“What’s different now,” explains Skallerud, “is in how we tell and share these stories. Social media has empowered all of us to be storytellers, and with the #ILoveGay network we’ve developed, we’ve created an environment where we’re simply a part of these conversations, allowing us to play a part in sharing and enhancing the reach of the stories PromoHomo.TV® continues to tell.”

Concludes Snow, “When I worked with Matt and his business partner, Fabrice Tasendo, in the 1990’s—beloved friends of mine ever since—one of the most compelling soundbites I used in interviews was, ‘The internet is allowing us to jump homophobic Hollywood gridlock and go directly to a global audience that wants and needs entertainment product for and about their lives.’ In the year 2021, almost 30 years later, I am thrilled to continue the work because we still have a long way to go.”

While programming is free across multiple social media platforms, viewers are invited to become co-creators of the network, known as the PromoHomo.TV® Superstars, with a paid subscription, available at www.Patreon.com/PromoHomoTV.

To find live and on-demand broadcasts, visit www.PromoHomo.TV,or like and follow @PromoHomoTV on your favorite social media platform:

YouTube/PromoHomoTVNetwork

Facebook/Nicholas.Snow

Twitter.com/PromoHomoTV

www.Instagram.com/PromoHomoTV

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Rainbow Honor Walk to Honor Phyllis Lyon, Lesbian Activist and Civil Rights Trailblazer, with Sidewalk Plaque

Written on September 8, 2021.

media contact: David Perry (415) 676-7007/ news@davidperry.com

Rainbow Honor Walk to Honor Phyllis Lyon, Lesbian Activist and Civil Rights Trailblazer, with Sidewalk Plaque

Lyon’s selection to join 2013’s sidewalk tribute to Del Martin, Lyon’s lifelong partner and wife and one of Rainbow Honor Walk’s first round of honorees

www.rainbowhonorwalk.org

8 September 2021—San Francisco CA: The Rainbow Honor Walk (www.rainbowhonorwalk.org) today announced that it has chosen Phyllis Lyon, the world renowned San Francisco-based activist for lesbian rights and visibility, as its next honoree. To date, the twelve-year-old nonprofit organization, which celebrates the contributions of a diverse group of history-making LGBTQ individuals, has placed 36 sidewalk plaques in the city’s Castro District, with additional names to be announced soon.

Lyon, along with Del Martin, her wife and partner of 55 years, was a cofounder of Daughters of Bilitis (DOB), the first lesbian organization in the country, in 1955. A year later, the DOB launched the publication The Ladder. They did so in the face of tremendous social opposition during a time often referred to as “the McCarthy Era,” characterized by extreme federal, state, and local harassment of the LGBTQ community, including public exposure, condemnation, and job loss. The efforts by Lyon and Martin throughout the decades to win civil and human rights for lesbians and other marginalized peoples truly changed the world.

According to Marcia Gallo, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, professor emerita and New York-based author of Different Daughters: A History of the Daughters of Bilitis and the Rise of the Lesbian Rights Movement (2006), “Phyllis Lyon was a lifelong San Franciscan whose visionary leadership reflected her passion for social justice.” In later decades, Lyon “went on to help organize the first lesbian and gay Democratic club, create the National Sex Forum at Glide Memorial Church, serve on the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, represent lesbians at international feminist conferences, and insist that issues of ageism be addressed within LGBTQ and women’s communities. But her passion for ‘telling it like it is’ never kept her from having a good time. She showed us all how to put the ‘social’ in social change. Her big heart, sharp intelligence, and quick wit inspired a wealth of love and commitment from colleagues, friends, and extended family throughout the world.”

In recognition of their pioneering status, Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin were asked to be the first same-sex couple to be married in San Francisco in 2004 when then-Mayor Gavin Newsom began issuing same-sex marriage licenses. In 2008, following the California court ruling affirming LGBTQ marriage equality, Lyon and Martin were again the first couple to be legally married, a civil right later upheld by the Supreme Court.

In 2013, The Rainbow Honor Walk honored Lyon’s lifelong partner, Del Martin, with a bronze plaque in its first round of sidewalk tributes. In an unprecedented move, the board is working with the San Francisco Department of Public Works to install Lyon’s plaque in close proximity to Martin’s on 19th Street, between Castro and Collingwood Streets.

The Rainbow Honor Walk has to date installed 36 plaques along Market Street, Castro Street, and 19th Street. An additional 8 plaques, honoring Gladys Bentley, Quentin Crisp, Divine, Audre Lorde, Leonard Matlovich, Sylvia Rivera, Vito Russo, and Maurice Sendak are expected to be installed in Spring, 2022.

Despite Ongoing Pandemic, An Outpouring of Community Support

On May 27, the Rainbow Honor Walk held its second Rainbow Reels virtual fundraiser, this one celebrating Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin. The evening featured two films about them and their impact and legacy: No Secret Anymore, directed by noted lesbian photographer Joan E. Biren; and One Wedding and a Revolution, directed by Academy Award winner, Debra Chasnoff. The films were presented in partnership with Frameline, whose digital archives of LGBTQ stories is a national treasure. The event, hosted by Board of Directors Vice-President Barbara Tannenbaum, also featured a lively discussion with historian and author Marcia Gallo and Kendra Mon, daughter of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon on the enduring impact of the trailblazing couple.

“In these difficult times, I’m moved and grateful to see the outpouring of support from our community, friends, and family. This successful event raised more than $5,000 from donors paying tribute to Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin,” said Board of Directors President Donna Sachet. “Their support enables our volunteer board members to raise the profiles of the notable lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals from around the world who left a lasting mark on society and made significant contributions in their fields or professions. Their courage in perilous times reminds us of how much we can accomplish when we join forces and work together.”

For more information:

A full list of board members, donors, and honorees can be found online at www.rainbowhonorwalk.org or on Facebook by searching for “Rainbow-Honor-Walk.” For more information, email at info@rainbowhonorwalk.org or by mail to Rainbow Honor Walk, 584 Castro Street, #113 San Francisco, California 94114.

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