Democracy Needs Queers - An Afternoon of Queer Joy, Resistance, and Action
Description
Lineup
Marti Cummings
Marti Cummings is a trailblazing drag artist, producer, and political leader whose 16-year career has redefined what it means to be a modern entertainer in America. A Guinness World Record holder as the first drag artist to perform on all seven continents — achieved through their global work with VACAYA LGBTQ travel — Marti’s work bridges stage, screen, and civic life. Beyond entertainment, Marti is an established civic voice. They became the first drag artist to moderate a panel at the United Nations and currently serve as an elected State Committee Member within the New York Democratic Party, helping shape the state’s Democratic platform. They previously served as an advisor to the Mayor through the New York City Nightlife Council and sit on the Ali Forney Center's Board of Directors. For over a decade, Marti has produced and hosted Stage Fright, a live Broadway talk show at Red Eye NYC featuring more than 200 guests across theater, television, and politics. Recognized by W, Vogue, TIME OUT New York, People, and others, Marti is a former Out100 honoree and 2025 NYC Pride Grand Marshal.
Brian Sims
Brian Sims is a civil rights advocate, public policy expert, and five-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives where he was the first out LGBTQ member of the General Assembly when he was elected in 2011. After leaving public office Brian has continued to a powerful voice and advocate for queer and trans people.
Robin Maril
Robin Maril is a writer and Constitutional law professor based in Portland, Oregon. Her work engages questions of democratic integrity and the growing threat of fascism and authoritarian regimes within America. Before teaching, Robin worked in the LGBTQ civil rights movement for nearly a decade as Associate Legal Director at the Human Rights Campaign. She and her wife have two sons, two dogs, and an unknown number of snails.
Sunu Chandy
Sunu P. Chandy (she/her) is a social justice activist including through her work as a poet and a civil rights attorney. She is the daughter of immigrants from Kerala, India, and currently lives in DC with her family. Her award-winning collection of poems, My Dear Comrades, was published by Regal House, and she is a Pushcart Prize nominated poet. Sunu’s work can also be found in anthologies including The Penguin Book of Indian Poets and The Long Devotion: Poets Writing Motherhood. Sunu is currently a Senior Advisor with Democracy Forward, and on the board of the Transgender Law Center. Sunu has been included as one of the Washington Blade’s Queer Women of Washington.
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