Wes Smoot 4/25/23 Wes Smoot 4/25/23

Billy Eichner and Dyllón Burnside Join Unleashed LGBTQ Live Event - September 2023

Joining a Powerful Lineup of Talent, including Antoni Porowski, Indya Moore, Shangela, and other Industry Leaders making Noise in the LGBTQ+ Market

DALLAS — APRIL 25, 2023 — Unleashed LGBTQ, a first-of-its-kind conference and entertainment festival creating a space for brands, artists, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, is thrilled to announce new talent joining its lineup, including Billy Eichner and Dyllón Burnside, for its first live and in-person Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 conference, taking place at Gilley’s in Dallas, Texas, from September 22 - 24, 2023. Unleashed event organizers also welcome iHeartMedia back as media partners to activate the programming as the official audio partners for the festival’s first ever in-person event.

"Our first live, in-person, event is going to create a synergy between talent, the business community and the entertainment industry in a way no LGBTQ+ event has ever done before,” said Founder, Wesley Smoot. “Companies sending representatives to our event will be able to take advantage of all opportunities available, whether it’s for educational purposes, networking or entertainment, LGBTQ+ professionals or others focused on allyship, will reap the benefits of our educational and entertainment-based lineup. We have dedicated an entire area to workshops for attendees to learn new skills from today's thought leaders and we’re confident companies sending entire departments to Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 will have a more informed, supercharged team that will be lightyears ahead of other brands.”

Each day at Unleashed LGBTQ will begin with educational topics — from workshops and panels discussing business (advertising, marketing, DEI), society (non-profit, advocacy), and personal (financial planning, continuing education) development – and will feature high-tech brand activations and experiential marketing installments throughout the venue, before transitioning to entertainment that will include screenings, drag shows, stand-up comedy, and musical performances. Attendees will be enriched by professional development and networking opportunities through the Unleashed LGBTQ event app (developed by WebEx/Cisco) and at specialized mixers and unique branded activations through the award-winning Freeman event services.

The growing lineup of talent will include:

● Billy Eichner Co-writer and Star of Bros (Universal Pictures), Billy on the Street, The Lion King (Disney), American Horror Story (FX), Difficult People (Hulu)

● Antoni Porowski Emmy-Award Winning Show Queer Eye (Netflix), Host of Easy Bake Battle (Netflix), Author of Antoni in the Kitchen & Antoni: Let's do Dinner

● Indya Moore Emmy Award-Winning Show POSE, Yves Saint Laurent Cosmetics, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

● Shangela Emmy Award-Winning Shows We're Here (HBO), RuPaul's Drag Race, & RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (MTV)

● Dyllon Burnside Emmy Award-Winning Show Pose,Emmy Award-Winning Show POSE, Emmy-Award winning PBS docuseries PRIDELAND, Golden Globe nominated limited series MONSTER. GLAAD & HRC award recipient

● Daniel Franzese, Mean Girls (Paramount Pictures), Ru Paul's Drag Race (MTV), Looking (HBO)

● Kelly Ann Winget, Founder & CEO of Alternative Wealth Partners, Over $1B in private equity raised, Host of The Wealth Alpha podcast, and Author of Pitch the Bitch (April 2023)

● Brian Sims, Former Penn State Rep., LGBTQ+ Advocate & Speaker, Managing Director of Government Affairs & Policy at Out Leadership, Board Member at Campus Pride & GLSEN

● Naomi Green, MBA Speaker, Marketer, Professor, and Transgender Advocate

● Ashley Brundage, President & CEO of Empowering Differences, Author of Empowering Differences, Transgender Advocate, Former DEI Vice President at PNC Bank, Mother

● Dr. Carlton Thomas, Gastro-Intestinal Medical Doctor, Social Media Sensation, Contributor to Men's Health Magazine, LGBTQ+ Consultant to the White House & the CDC

● Matt Skallerud, Founder & President of Pink Media, Host of #iLoveGayToday, former President of IGLTA, Award-Winning Online Marketer connecting businesses to the LGBTQ+ consumers

● Vicky & Charisse Pasche, Co-Founders of Dapper Boi – body-inclusive and gender-neutral apparel – Marketing, Sales, and Entrepreneurial Experts, Wives and Mothers of Twins

● Stacey Stevenson, CEO of Family Equality, Co-Founder of The Changists (Law Firm Consulting), LGBTQ+ Activist, Speaker, Mother of Two

● Gary Sanchez Sr., Director of Community Impact at Visit Dallas, Former Chairman at North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Chairman at Chamber Foundation

● Brad Pritchett, Award-Winning Marketing Executive, Chief Experience Officer at DMA (Dallas Museum of Art), Host of The Good, The Brad, & The Ugly podcast

Unleashed LGBTQ is also partnering with the iconic Alamo Drafthouse to host screenings of new LGBTQ+ content from streaming services, movie studios, and television networks. Independent filmmakers can submit works for Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 Film Festival at:

https://www.filmfreeway.com/unleashedlgbtq

Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC is proud to have received support, endorsements, and/or grants from the following organizations: DTPID (Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District), Visit Dallas, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, NLGCC (National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce), & IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association).

Other partners include Gilead Sciences, iHeart Media, equalpride, and Kelly Ann Winget.

About UNLEASHED LGBTQ, LLC

Unleashed LGBTQ, a space for brands, entertainers, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, will host its inaugural, live event September 22nd - 24th, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. Attendees can learn about the latest products, services, and campaigns debuting in the LGBTQ+ market in a fun and interactive environment. Unleashed LGBTQ provides premier networking opportunities for professionals in a variety of industries. Unleashed LGBTQ will host speakers, panels, and performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ+ culture, including film, television, music, and business. Stay tuned for additional Talent announcements.

Tickets are currently on sale on the event website here: https://www.unleashedlgbtq.com For more information on partnerships and company group rates visit: www.unleashedlgbtq.com

CONTACT:

Nicole Rodrigues

NRPR Group for Unleashed LGBTQ

Nicole@nrprgroup.com

424-421-9610

To request press credentials email:

press@unleashedlgbtq.com

Wes Smoot 2/15/22 Wes Smoot 2/15/22

Unleashed LGBTQ to Cover QUEER Experience at SXSW 2022

Live events are back and I have to say, few events have me pumped like the return of SXSW.

Every year industry professionals from around the globe meet in Austin Texas to learn about the latest in a variety of industries. While focus for this groundbreaking event was initially centered around music and film, we have seen SXSW expand, every year, into more and more fields and industries— covering topics that include everything from finance to transportation and even oil and gas. If it’s new and innovative, South by is where you’ll find it. This 9-day conference and festival offers insight on the latest in film, music, tech and more through screenings, panels and showcases. There’s endless branded activations and art installations. It’s experiential marketing at its finest.

However, that hasn’t been the case, at least for the last two years.

Actresses Abbi Jacobson (L) and Ilana Glazer attend the premiere of the "Broad City" series finale at ZACH Theatre on March 10, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SXSW)

The only shutdown I like is after I read a bitch— but with the rollout of vaccines, new guidelines, and recent drops in Covid-19 cases, group gatherings of this scale are once again possible. People are doing their part and it shows. To that I say, Yasssssss!!!

This light at the end of the tunnel is making it possible for one of the largest and most prestigious gatherings of talent and industry professionals to reconnect once again. (Missed y'all!)

Film subject Kathy Griffin attends the premiere for "Kathy Griffin: A Hell of A Story" during the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals at ZACH Theatre on March 11, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SXSW)

When attending SXSW, it's not uncommon to rub shoulders with movers and shakers, even high-profile celebs… But what or who’s gonna be the next big thing is what I find most fascinating. Ambition and opportunity sets the scene.

You can be drinking a beer with the next tech millionaire or attending the show of the next rock band who will one day grace covers of magazines. We all love a good success story. Seems anything’s possible and I’m here for it!

So what’s to be said about LGBTQ inclusion at SXSW?

Lizzo performs onstage during the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals. (Photo by Stephen Olker)

In the past we have seen queer artists, performers, speakers, and panelists offer insight into our unique culture. as well as LGBTQ icons and allies showing support with important, thought provoking messages through powerful performances, screenings, keynotes and panels.

Film critic and contributing writer Arnold Jones called SXSW “An intoxicating crossroads of bohemianism and commerce, SXSW embraced alternative and queer in its many definitions– quirky, cool, campy.”

Stacey Abrams speaks onstage at Featured Session: Lead from the Outside: How to Make Real Change during the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Hilton Austin on March 11, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Danny Matson/Getty Images for SXSW)

Since its inception, SXSW, has been a pioneer of inclusion, reaching across cultural divides. These opportunities have provided platforms for under-represented individuals (like LGBTQ and POC) to connect with decision makers that can elevate careers to new heights.

Walt Disco showcase presented by British Music Embassy. Photo by Thomas Jackson

Some of these dynamic queer persons of interest photographed from SXSW 2019 can be seen below. (Zachary Quinto, Lance Bass, and Beanie Feldstein)

Ashleigh Cummings (L) and Zachary Quinto attend "NOS4A2" Premiere during the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Alamo Lamar D on March 11, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Hutton Supancic/Getty Images for SXSW)Bud

Lance Bass speaks onstage at Featured Session: Lance Bass during the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Austin Convention Center on March 13, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Travis P Ball/Getty Images for SXSW)

Kaitlyn Dever, Olivia Wilde, Beanie Feldstein attends the "Booksmart" Premiere - 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Paramount Theatre on March 10, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SXSW)

While not all events are currently listed for SXSW 2022 (schedule will continue to be updated leading up to event), here’s some LGBTQ events to include in your SXSW GO App’s calendar:

LGBTQ+ Sex Education for Brands 11:30 AM-12:30 AM | March 16
Speakers: Arielle Egozi, Kayla Gore, Graham Nolan, Alicia Sinclair
A Clarion Call for More LGBTQ Inclusion in Sports 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | March 13
Speakers: Katie Barnes, Chris Mosier, Amit Paley, Adam Rippon
LGBTQ+ Rights & Politics 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | March 12
Speakers: Rebecca Marques, Ricardo Martinez, Emmett Schelling, Jessica Shortall
Social Media Platform Accountability: LGBTQ+ Edition 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM | March 12
Speakers: Jenni Olson, Brennan Suen, Alok Vai-Menon
Marginalized Voices in Film & TV Journalism 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | March 13
Speaker: Dino-Ray Ramos
Tech-Driven Trends in Adult Entertainment 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | March 13
Speaker: Buck Angel, Shirley Lara, Sinnamon Love, Courtney Trouble
No Label, No Problem: Indie Artist Steps to Success 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Speakers: Andreea Gleeson, Vickie Nauman, Lie Ning, Hessel von Oorschot
Speak for Yourself 11:30 PM - 12:30 PM | March 14
Speakers: Gina Chua, Cheryl Phillips, Aron Pilhofer
The Black Agenda 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | March 14
Speaker: Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman
How Do I Un-Remember This? 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | March 14
Speaker: Danny Pellegrino
Inclusion Revolution: How Hybrid Work Boosts DEI 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM March 15
Speakers: Antoine Andrews, Aman Bhutani, Sam Bright, Sheela Subramanian
Meet the Women of Evolving the Gaming Industry 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | March 15
Speakers: Jill Kenney, Shannon Liao, Makeda Loney, Alanah Pearce
Helping Queer Youth Find Joy 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM | March 15
Speaker: Brian Wenke

Unleashed LGBTQ will keep you updated on what’s to come as well as what’s happening at the events through the lens of these dramatic rainbow shades. Follow us on social media for live coverage of events. We are proud and honored to cover all things fabulous at this year’s SXSW. Thank you to the organizers for including us. Muah!

For more information on attending, line-up, and marketing opportunities visit: www.sxsw.com

Attending SXSW?… do download the SXSW GO App and link your badge for optimal experience. Trust. No, seriously. Trust. Also, if you’re not vegan, try the brisket!