Samaritan House recognizes domestic violence awareness month at Women Against Violence luncheon

Eric Hause
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Samaritan House recognizes domestic violence awareness month at Women Against Violence luncheon

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Samaritan House will raise awareness of the issue at the 9th Annual Women Against Violence (WAV) luncheon on Friday, October 6 at the Westin Virginia Beach Town Center from 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.

This fundraising event will feature a keynote address by Jazmine Smith, a local philanthropist, trauma advocate, author, Army Veteran, and survivor of teenage intimate partner violence (IPV). Ms. Smith is a tireless advocate for individuals who have faced adversity – particularly those who have endured abuse, violence, or trauma.

“In our community, instances of intimate partner violence (IPV), which accounts for 15% of all violent crime, continues to rise, especially among women between the ages of 18-24.  We hope that by bringing Jazmine Smith to speak about her story of abuse and survival that started when she was in high school, we can raise awareness about IPV, help young people learn the signs and how to talk about their concerns and experiences,” said Robin Gauthier, Executive Director of Samaritan House.

In addition, the luncheon allows Samaritan House the opportunity to highlight individuals and companies that have donated time to our mission with the Brook Briggs Community Impact Award. This year, we are honoring volunteer Natalie Trem, ABNB Foundation and Eager2Motivate Fitness with the award.

Tickets available at Black Baud.

A Chat with Varla Jean Merman

Eric Hause
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A Chat with Varla Jean Merman

Jeffery Roberson (aka Varla Jean Merman) is one of drag’s biggest (literally) personalities. He starred in the musical Lucky Guy opposite Leslie Jordan in NY at the Little Schubert in 2011 prompting The New York Times to rave, “If Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman had stood in front of the right pair of funhouse mirrors, they might have resembled Ms. Merman and Mr. Jordan in stature as well as comedic talent”.

He guest starred as Varla Jean on Ugly Betty in the final season of the show and was also featured on Bravo’s Project Runway Season 5 as the winning model for the show’s drag challenge. He played the role of Mary Sunshine in the revival of Chicago on Broadway and also made his network television debut on All My Children in the recurring role of lady of the evening Rosemary Chicken.

He shared the Outfest Film Festival “Best Actor” Award and the Aspen HBO Film Festival “Best Actress” Award with his costars Jack Plotnick and Clinton Leupp for his featured performance in the cult classic film Girls Will Be Girls (Sundance 2003) directed by Richard Day.

As Varla Jean, Jeffery has filled cabarets and concert halls across the world including the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, the New York Public Theater, London’s Soho Theatre and LA’s Renberg Theatre. Jeffery wrote and starred in the short Improve Your History with Varla Jean: Stonewall, for the launch of the MTV’s television network Logo and was also seen in their One Night Standup: Dragtastic special.

After just wrapping up his 26th Season in Provincetown, he’s bringing his newest show Stand By Your Drag to the American Theatre in Hampton on October 20 and 21.

We recently had a sit-down with Jeffrey to talk about all this and more. Listen.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Here’s Your 2023 Virginia Voting Guide

Eric Hause
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Here’s Your 2023 Virginia Voting Guide

WHEN TO VOTE

September 22 : First day to vote early at your local voter registration office or satellite voting location. Find your local office.

October. 16 : Last day to register or update your address to vote a regular ballot for this election. (Voters may register in person after this date through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot.)

October 27 by 5PM : Last day to request that a ballot be mailed to you .

November 4 (Saturday) : Last day to vote early in person.

November 7 : Election Day . Polls are open 6AM to 7PM. Find your polling place.

WAYS TO VOTE

Receive a Ballot by Mail: Request a ballot at elections.virginia.gov/absentee by 5PM October 27. You may return your ballot:

  • By mail, postmarked on or before November 7 and received by noon on Monday, November 13
  • To your local voter registration office on or before Election Day
  • At any polling place or drop-off location on Election Day

Since July 1, witness signatures are not required if you vote by mail. You will need to provide the last four digits of your social security number and year of birth. If you do not have a social security number, you can provide your voter ID number instead.

In Person before Election Day September 22 through November 4: You can vote early at your local voter registration office or satellite voting location. Bring acceptable ID.

In Person on Election Day, Tuesday November 7, 6AM – 7 PM.

Out on Film presents Hedwig and the Angry Inch next Thursday night

Eric Hause
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Out on Film presents Hedwig and the Angry Inch next Thursday night

Following up last month’s screening of “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar,” the second of the Virginia Queer Film Festival’s Out on Film series is Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Zeiders American Dream Theater on Thursday, September 21.

The film–a cult classic and award-winning Broadway show–is a musical comedy-drama film written for the screen and directed by John Cameron Mitchell and based on Mitchell’s and Stephen Trask’s 1998 stage musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

The film tells the  story of the “internationally ignored” rock singer Hedwig Robinson and her search for stardom and love as she tours the country with her band.

The music is steeped in the androgynous 1970s glam rock style of David Bowie (who co-produced the Los Angeles production of the show), as well as the work of John Lennon and early punk performers Lou Reed and Iggy Pop.

The film won the Best Director and Audience Awards at the Sundance Film Festival as well as Best Directorial Debut from the National Board of Review, the Gotham Awards, and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. Mitchell received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and the Premiere magazine Performance of the Year Award.

In 2014, the show saw its first Broadway incarnation with Neil Patrick Harris in the lead, opening that April at the Belasco Theatre and winning the year’s Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

Out on Film Presented by David Nygaard is a year-round schedule of full length LGBTQ+ films curated from a comprehensive collection of wide release feature films and documentaries and screened in Hampton Roads participating theaters and other venues.

WANT TO GO?

WHEN: 7:30 PM, September 21, at Zeiders American Dream Theater, Virginia Beach

TICKETS $12 general admission$10 Senior/Mil/Student, $9 obstructed view. Available at
thez.org or at the door.

Equality Virginia announces Commonwealth Dinner keynote speaker and Outstanding Virginians.

Eric Hause
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Equality Virginia announces Commonwealth Dinner keynote speaker and Outstanding Virginians.

Equality Virginia recently announced Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr as the keynote speaker for our 20th annual Commonwealth Dinner on October 7. Rep. Zephyr is the first trans woman to hold public office in Montana and has been a fierce advocate for affordable housing, healthcare, and human rights throughout Montana.

Zephyr has received nationwide attention, both potion and negative, for her vocal opposition of multiple anti-LGBT bills introduced during the 2023 Montana legislative session. During a floor debate on April 18, 2023, Zephyr admonished those who supported Senate Bill 99, which prohibits gender-affirming medical and surgical care for minors.
She commented, “If you are forcing a trans child to go through puberty when they are trans, that is tantamount to torture, and this body should be ashamed.”

This and other comments resulted in her speaking privileges being revoked after an almost unanimous vote by the House Republicans. Her privileges have yet to be restored.

In a statement, EV said, “Rep. Zephyr’s leadership and bravery in taking on her colleagues in defense of gender-affirming care shows great strength and the vital importance of LGBTQ+ and allied representation at all levels of government.”

In addition to Zephyr, four Outstanding Virginians will be recognized for their service the LGBTQ+ communities in their regions:

  • Liam Hudson, Co-Founder and CEO of the Lean In Project, the only LGBTQIA+ specific crisis service provider in Southside Virginia.
  • Brianna Diaz, Policy and Legislative Council with the ACLU of Virginia.
  • Phillip Crosby, Executive Director of the Triangle Players.
  • Danny Lawson, Executive Director of the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition.
  • The Pride Liberation Project.

The Virginia  Commonwealth Dinner is Virginia’s premier black tie LGBTQ+ gala to honor and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Featuring a silent auction, entertainment and guest speakers, the Commonwealth Dinner is an event you don’t want to miss. Tickets on sale now.

Hampton Roads Pride announces 2023-24 Board of Directors

Eric Hause
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Hampton Roads Pride announces 2023-24 Board of Directors

Hampton Roads Pride yesterday announced the members of the organization’s first-ever 15 person board of directors. Their term starts in November and will run through November of 2024.

Officers and Board Members are:

  • Jeff Ryder, President. Jeff is the Managing Director at Virginia Stage Company.
  • Jamar Davis, Vice-President.
  • Jason McDonald, Secretary. Jason is a Technical Team Manager at Emergent.
  • Tony Crudup, Treasurer. Tony is Assistant Controller at Tidewater Fleet Supply/TNT Parts.
  • Nick Dentelmann, Immediate Past President. Nick is a Buyer – Category Manager at Dollar Tree.
  • Rudy Almanzor is a registered nurse at AMN Healthcare.
  • Hannah Barber.
  • Angela Benard is the Senior Director, Advancement & Communications at Virginia Living Museum.
  • Faun Faulks is the Business Office Director at Chesapeake Place Senior Living Community.
  • Dr. Charles Ford is a Professor of History at Norfolk State University.
  • Cory Moreno is the the Event Liaison at Tradition Brewing Company in Newport News.
  • Michael Pidgeon
  • Greg Reynolds is the CEO and Founder at Hadley-Reynolds, Hampton University.
  • David Seeley is the Tax Director at Beth Moore and Associates.
  • Christina Schmidt is a Program Manager, Medicaid Pharmacy Ops at Elevance Health Careers.

In his outgoing statement, Past President Nick Dentelmann said, “It is with extreme thanks & gratitude that I complete my term as President. I stated I would complete a one year term with three goals in mind: financial stability, year round events, and an updated board mission and headcount.

“We welcomed new sponsors. We added an Art Series, Brew Tour, expanded sports events and expanded city festivals. We now have a 15 member board. With all three completed, I am happy to see the torch passed to this new group of leaders.”

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