Don't Allow Anti-Gay Diplomat to represent UN!

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http://www.thepetitionsite.com/476/928/279/dont-allow-anit-gay-diplomat-to-represent-the-united-nations/


In a controversial move on Wednesday, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously elected Uganda’s foreign minister Sam Kutesa as the president for its 69thsession, which will begin in September. According to the Associated Press, the position is “largely ceremonial but prestigious” and “rotates annually by region”; Kutesa garnered the uncontested nomination of his region’s African Union Executive Council after Cameroonian Foreign Minister Pierre Moukoko was withdrawn as a candidate. Critics of the choice, including many LGBTQ and human rights activists, are concerned that honoring Kutesa and, by extension, Uganada in such a way will send the wrong message with regard to the country’s recently imposed anti-gay legislation.

Right of Passage Published - Available on Amazon!

At this time last year we were deep into production for the world premiere of Rights of Passage at the New Conservatory Theatre Center in San Francisco. We are now happy to announce that the script has  been published. The play is available directly from AMAZON by using the link below. Kindle users please note: the electronic version of the script is being specially formatted and should be available shortly. We will keep you posted.


During the rest of the summer we will be working with our agent at International Creative Management in New York to circulate the script to theatres around the globe. Do let us know if we should send a copy to a theatre near you by contacting us at ednctc@gmail.com . Our mission is for  the play to be performed on stages world-wide and to give voice to LGBT human rights.

Rights of Passage: Sometimes it takes a world of courage to just be who you are. (Volume 1)

Return from Radio Silence

Apologies to all for the long silence. Worldwide events march on and we've been distracted. Our promise is to do better in the days ahead and keep the blog current on behalf of your Queer and Allied friends around the globe.

Even though serious human rights violations continue especially across Africa, Central Europe and the Middle East there has been progress in other parts of the world. For example, The United States Agency for International Development announced recently that it is providing 11 million dollars to fund  a  new initiative to promote LGBT rights in developing countries. This is a public-private partnership between USAID and San Francisco-based Olivia Cruises, UCLA’s Williams Institute, the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. The initiative will work with local LGBT groups to provide leadership training, research and other help, lending the imprimatur of the U.S. government to people who in many countries are outcast and vulnerable. The first work will take place in Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala and Colombia. Officials said there has been a spike in violence against transgendered persons in Honduras since a 2009 coup in the country.

On the marriage equality front both Uruguay and New Zealand recently passed legislation legalizing same sex marriages. This brings the total to 13 Countries with gay marriage laws on the books.

WATCH: New Zealand MP Delivers EPIC Gay Marriage Speech That Will Literally Have You Cheering

Lastly in this post we are happy to announce that our play Rights of Passage is finally headed for publication in May 2013. This process took far longer than we thought but we are quite pleased with finally getting the play positioned for wider release. For now you can view the trailer, reviews, and other production related info at: http://www.nctcsf.org/press_room/rights_of_passage_post.htm

Rights of Passage to be Published

After it's successful (thanks to all of you!) San Francisco World Premiere at the New Conservatory Theatre Center, Rights of Passage is being readied for publishing and world-wide production licensing. Click here to browse our trailer, reviews, features, production photos, licensing information and a short script sample. Please have a look and feel free to share with all of your pals.

We promise to keep you posted on where the play goes from here.

Hate in the Ukraine

Ukrainian lawmaker Pavlo Ungurian is sponsoring a bill that calls for banning the "propaganda of homosexuality" in Kiev. He is joined by nationalists who believe that their campaign of "love against homosexuality" will prevent pedophilia. Although homosexuality was decriminalized in Ukraine and neighboring Russia after the fall of communism, animosity toward gays remains high across the former Soviet sphere. Human rights activists condemn the bill as discriminatory.

Scenic Design Unveiled

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Recently, Kuo-Hao Lo , NCTC's award winning resident designer unveiled the Rights of Passage set model. His open floor plan will allow for the seamless shifts of locale around the globe and provide a variety of playing levels for the storytelling. The stage right and left canvas surfaces stretched across bamboo frames will support digital media projections throughout the play. Against the far back wall is the cyclorama which will take light in many atmospheric ways.

The Show Will Go On

Thanks to all of our amazing supporters we are happy to report that not only did we reach our Kickstarter campaign goal we exceeded it! We have jumped right into rehearsals with the greatest of joy in our hearts. Hope to see you at the world premiere.