Reflections on an Unforgettable Pride Month

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The month of June began for me with the announcement that I had been selected by Crain's New York to appear on their list of Notable LGBTQIA+ Business Leaders for 2023. I was humbled by and grateful for the honor, and thrilled that the notoriety would help to promote my production company INFEMNITY Productions LLC.


Soon afterwards, an invitation appeared in my Inbox to attend New York City Mayor Eric Adams' Pride Reception at Gracie Mansion. It was my first opportunity to meet the mayor, and to inform him of my being a recipient of the Crain's New York Award.


On the same day as the mayor's Pride Reception, our favorite bartender at the Cubbyhole, Kass, presented me with the Crain's New York trophy. Many of the patrons at the Cubbyhole that night might not have known that Crain's New York publishes a list of Notable LGBTQIA+ Business Leaders. Having the award presentation there was my way of bringing the news to the community, and, of course, giving a shout-out to INFEMNITY Productions. Enjoy this clip of the moment:


Soon after the announcement was made, my dear friend Ross Murray of the GLAAD Media Institute offered to suggest to his colleague Lana Leonard that they write a blurb on the recognition. Lana and I then sat down for a phone interview, and the following article appeared on the GLAAD.org website.


Additional events on my calendar included two readings presented by the OUTspoken Reading Series sponsored in cooperation with the Publishing Triangle, the Society of Illustrators, SUNY Pride 2023, Bloom's Tavern, and East Midtown Partnership. I was able to read from my two books of memoirs, and made many new friends in the process. Rob Byrnes of East Midtown Partnership presented me with the plaque from Crain's.


On my way to the Dyke March on Saturday, June 24th, I ran into out lesbian actor/producer Cynthia Nixon. We had met twice before - at the NYWIFT (New York Women in Film and Television) Muse Awards, and on the Red Carpet at the GLAAD Media Awards. But this time I was able to inform her of my name appearing on the Crain's New York Business Leaders list, and to give her my business card. She is well aware of the fact that doing business with a women-owned production company makes all the difference when it comes to protecting and preserving the authenticity of women's stories.



At the end of the month I was thrilled to learn that my first book of memoirs was written up in the July issue of London's Diva Magazine. They gave the book a delightful blurb which I am happy to quote:


To top off the month, The Noshing with Nina Show co-producer April Gibson gave me a fabulous birthday present by titling our Summer Newsletter with the words "Happy Birthday Nina Kennedy."



Needless to say, I am still recovering. Thank you to all who contributed to making my 2023 Pride Month one for the record books! 

Nina Kennedy is a concert pianist, orchestral conductor, and award-winning filmmaker. She holds a master’s degree from the Juilliard School. Her memoir, "Practicing for Love," is a 2021 Lambda Literary Award Finalist.

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