Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @RiseUPwithDawn
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @RiseUPwithDawn
RiseUp Was A Talk Show on WHCI and YouTube
One on One with Gov. Lamont
One on One with Gov. Lamont
One on One with Gov. Lamont
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont talked with Dawn about celebrating Pride, the rights of trans student-athletes, responding to COVID-19, securing reproductive rights, responding to gun violence and combating rising inflation and gas prices.
Award-Winner!
One on One with Gov. Lamont
One on One with Gov. Lamont
WHCI and an episode of Rise Up With Dawn Ennis were awarded First Place in the category of Diversity Empowerment by the Northeast Region of the Alliance for Community Media, for Dawn's interview with community leader Kamora Herrington
Celebrating Pride
One on One with Gov. Lamont
Celebrating Pride
The organizers of NYC Pride honored Dawn by naming her a community hero and inviting her to its 2018 Pride March to ride the lead float alongside Parkland High School's Emma González, Activist Kira Naadira and Two Spirit performer Ty Defoe, among others.
Helpful Links from Our June 2023 Episode
My conversation with WeHa Pride Co-Chairs Johanna Schubert and Barry Walters
West Hartford Pride
WeHa Pride on Facebook
Connecticut Voice Magazine Guide to Pride Across the State
FOX61 "Pride Is Everywhere" Special
FOX61 Interviews Dawn Ennis
Helpful Links from our May 2023 Episode
My conversation with former town clerk Essie Labrot
Read about the Celebration for Essie Labrot to Benefit WHCI
The event will be held in Town Hall at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 4
Read about Essie's retirement and her successor, Leon Davidoff
Contact the Town Clerk's office
Helpful Links from our October 2022 Episode
Bans Off Our Bodies Rally at West Hartford Town Hall
Learn about the organizer, Lt. Gov. Susan Byciewicz
Read about the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act
Contact the Center for Reproductive Rights
Contact Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
Helpful Links from our June 2022 episode
West Hartford Pride
Starting with the Pride Flag raising at 6 p.m. on June 1 on Unity Green in Town Center, and culminating in the Pride Festival in Blue Black Square from noon until 6 p.m. on June 25, there is much to see and do in West Hartford this Pride Month! Check out all the events, learn how to to become a sponsor or to volunteer, by clicking right here! Check 'em out on Facebook by clicking here and you can always email co-chairs Johanna Schubert and Barry Walters at info@westhartfordpride.org
New Haven Pride
Find information about Pride events on the shoreline by clicking here!
Triangle Community Center
The TCC is Fairfield County’s leading provider of programming and resources to nurture growth and connection within the LGBTQ community, and offers services statewide. Click on the links to find out about Pride In the Park on June 11, Pride Parade of Sail on June 18, and more! Plus be sure to enter the TCC's Pride in the Park contest for a chance to win a special prize!
CT Voice Honors
You are invited to an unforgettable evening! On September 17, the inaugural Connecticut VOICE Honors will take place at Foxwoods Resort Casino. This gala evening has been designed to pay tribute to the individuals, organizations and companies whose commitment to inclusion, diversity and advocacy for our LGBTQ+ communities has established Connecticut as a leader in the United States as one of the most positive and affirming places to live and work for the amazing and diverse people who identify as LGBTQ+. Find out how to attend by clicking here, and click here to nominate one of the honorees1
CT Voice Magazine
Connecticut VOICE is the state's premier LGBTQ+ Quarterly Magazine. In 2019, Seasons Magazines, published by Jim Tully, added Connecticut VOICE magazine, the exclusive magazine for the LGBTQ+ community in Connecticut. Check out the online site and sign up for a subscription by clicking here!
CT Voice OutLoud
CT Voice OutLoud, hosted by TV News veteran Pat Lore, takes stories from our magazine and brings them to viewers on WTNH News8, serving New Haven, Hartford and most cities throughout Connecticut. Correspondents provide more in-depth coverage of LGBTQ+ people and their impact on the community. Click here to view our episodes, which appear on consecutive Saturday nights at 11:35 p.m. on Channel 8 in the months of June, October, December and March.
Audacious on Connecticut Public Radio, Hosted by Chion Wolf
Audacious with Chion Wolf highlights the uncommon experiences of everyday people – asking questions that get right to the heart of things. Click here to visit the website for Chion Wolf's award-winning radio program, airing Saturdays at 10 A.M. and Wednesdays at 11 P.M. There's also the Audacious podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts!
The Gracie Award
The Gracie Awards recognize exemplary programming created by women, for women and about women in all facets of media and entertainment. They also acknowledge the individuals who have made inspirational contributions to the industry. Chion Wolf has won two! Click here to learn more.
Awards We've Won!
33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards
GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, announced recipients for 16 of this year’s 30 categories for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards. Click here to read about the awards.
Award for Outstanding Online Journalism
Among the winners, RiseUP host and Los Angeles Blade Sports Editor Dawn Ennis. She won in the category of Outstanding Online Journalism Article: “‘No Time For Intolerance:’ Dr. Rachel Levine Has A Job To Do,” written for Forbes. Click here to read about Dawn's win. Click here to read the article that won the award.
Alliance for Community Media - Northeast Region
The Northeast Region of the Alliance for Community Media present awards in several categories each year. RiseUP was nominated in the Northeast Region. The Virtual Nor'easter Awards ceremony was held in January. Click here to see the list of winners.
First Place Award for Diversity Empowerment
West Hartford Community Interactive and an episode of Rise Up With Dawn Ennis, in which Dawn interviewed the incredible Kamora Herrington were presented with the award for First Place in the category of Diversity Empowerment. Click here to watch that award-winning episode.
Helpful Links from our December 2021 episode
RiseUP and Look to the Future!
Click here to watch my interview with WHDTC Vice Chair Tiffani McGinnis
Find out more about West Hartford Democrats
Click this link to find out more about the West Hartford Democratic Town Committee.
Read about Deputy Mayor Liam Sweeney
Click here for the report in West Hartford News
"Meet Liam Sweeney'" in WeHa.com
Click here to watch my 2021 interview with Liam Sweeney
Read about Former Town Councilor Beth Kerrigan
Click here to read a report in WeHa.com about her resignation
Read Beth Kerrigan's letter to the editor of WeHa.com
Click here to watch my 2019 interview with Beth Kerrigan
October 2008: Beth Kerrigan and her wife Jody Mock make history
Read about Town Councilor Leon Davidoff
Click here to read Meet Leon Davidoff in WeHa.com
Watch my 2021 interviews with Leon Davidoff and other WHDTC candidates here
Helpful Links from our October 2021 Episode
Meet the Democrats!
Click here to watch my interviews with some of the Democratic candidates running for Town Council and the Board of Education on Row A.
Read About the Democrats
Click here to read the profiles of all the Democratic candidates running for Town Council and the Board of Education on Row A, and learn about their fundraising events.
Who are the Republicans running this year?
The West Hartford Republican candidates for Town Council and the Board of Education have yet to respond to an invitation to appear on RiseUP.
Click here to visit their website to learn about them, their platform and details about their upcoming and past fundraising events.
Find out more by visiting the site for the Connecticut Republicans here.
Who are the candidates running from A Connecticut Party?
Click here to watch the episode featuring members of A Connecticut Party.
Click here to visit the website for A Connecticut Party and learn about their candidates and fundraising events.
Learn about the municipal election and how to register to vote!
Helpful Links from Earlier Episodes
Watch the July 2021 episode by clicking below!
CORRECTION!
Hall High School, not Conard High, is West Hartford's more diverse high school! Compare the 2019-2020 data from Hall to the 2019-2020 data from Conard. I regret the error!
A Connecticut Party Announces Candidate for Board of Ed
No surprise: Ross Jacobs is another white, cisgender heterosexual guy. Click here to read the story from WeHa.com
Find out more about A Connecticut Party by visiting their website
Read the WeHa.com report about A Connecticut Party
Read the Courant report about A Connecticut Party
Visit the Facebook page of A Connecticut Party
Visit Lee Gold's Facebook page
Email Mark Merritt, Campaign Manager for A Connecticut Party
West Hartford Republicans website and Facebook page
Click here for the site and click here to visit the Facebook page
West Hartford Democrats website and Facebook page
Click here for the site and click here to visit the Facebook page
Watch the June 2021 Episode by clicking here!
Connect with West Hartford Pride by clicking here
Follow WeHa Pride on Instagram
Find out about Sky Casper Entertainment
Follow Sky Casper Entertainment on Twitter
Follow Sky Casper Entertainment on Instagram
Follow Sky Casper on Instagram
Watch the January 2021 episode here:
Connect with West Hartford's Human Rights Commission
https://www.westhartfordct.gov/government-services/boards-commisions/human-rights-commission
Watch the July 2020 episode here:
Susan Bigelow
CTNewsJunkie
Op-Eds and Analysis by Susan Bigelow
It’s Unacceptable to be Unprepared for Severe Weather in the 2020sPrisons and Parties Drive Connecticut’s Coronavirus Case NumbersAn Open Letter to all the States on the Mandatory 14-Day Quarantine ListAbsentee Ballots Provide Many Opportunities for Connecticut to Succeed – or FailMake the Call Now: A Full School Reopening Is UnsafeLimiting Qualified Immunity for Police is Necessary for ReformConnecticut Holds the LineIf 2019 Is Any Indication, Bipartisan Police Reform May Be Possible In ConnecticutConnecticut Holds its Breath as Recovery SlowsMaybe White America Is Finally Waking UpCOVID-19 Isn’t Over YetConnecticut Models How It Should Have Gone for the Rest of the Nation
Science Fiction by Susan Bigelow
The Spark (Extrahummans)Fly Into Fire (Extrahumans)Susan's Author Page on Amazon.com
June 2020: Click here to watch!
Mia Macy: Miamacy@me.com
Center for American Progress Video
Lambda Legal: Glenn v.Bumby
March 2020: Click here to watch!
Coverage of Trans Athletes by Dawn and Karleigh
- Meet Andraya Yearwood and Terry Miller
- Anti-trans legislation
- Federal lawsuit filed by families of cisgender girls with help from Alliance Defending Freedom
- Who is ADF?
- Why the Southern Poverty Law Center calls ADF a "hate group"
- Plaintiff Chelsea Mitchell of Canton, Conn.
- Mitchell defeats Miller twice in 8 days
- Chris Mosier Makes History
- Meet NCAA Champion CeCé Telfer
Follow Chris Mosier
Read about Karleigh's friendship with CeCé Telfer
Listen to Dawn and Karleigh's podcast
The Trans Sporter Room's Facebook Page
January/February 2020: Click here to watch!
Kamora's Cultural Corner
1023 Albany Ave, Hartford, CT 06112
Click here for the website
Kamora's Cultural Corner on Social Media
Coverage of Human Rights Declaration event
Read about Kamora Herrington
Support Kamora's Cultural Corner
December 2019: Click here to watch!
Read about the West Hartford Democratic Town Committee
About Beth Kerrigan and Leon Davidoff
Coverage in the Hartford Courant
Follow West Hartford Democrats on Social Media
Read about the Transgender Day of Remembrance 2019 (TDoR)
My article in The Daily Beast
West Hartford Election Results
Janée Woods Weber
November 2019: Click here to watch!
Read about Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford
About Rev. Aaron Miller
https://www.mcchartford.com/our-leadership
Follow Rev, Miller on Social Media
Read about the Transgender Day of Remembrance 2019 (TDoR)
My article in The Daily Beast
West Hartford Election Results
Rubem Robierb's Public Art Display
Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance (GHIAA)
GHIAA is a deliberate effort to cross lines of race, class, religion and geography to build relational power to address social justice issues in local communities and beyond, while helping our congregations come alive.
Read more in the Hartford Courant
October 2019: Click here to watch!
In this episode I introduced viewers to Karleigh Chardonnay Webb, my podcast partner and a contributor to Outsports. In addition to being a journalist, Karleigh is an advocate, an athlete and works for the Trans LifeLine, which provides counseling and support to struggling members of the transgender community.
Karleigh interviewed trans wrestler Mack Beggs: Read her article in Outsports.
Listen to our Podcast along with all the Outsports podcasts by clicking here.
Follow Karleigh on Social Media:
Read about the transgender teen athletes Karleigh advises:
CT Voice Magazine: A Question of Fairness
Get advice on Changing Legal Documents for Trans Americans from Lambda Legal
Watch episodes of Pose via FX
September 2019: Click here to watch!
My guest was Deputy Mayor Beth Kerrigan of West Hartford, Connecticut. Kerrigan is one of the members of the West Hartford Town Council seeking re-election next month.
Read about Beth here, and about the other candidates by clicking here,
Get information about registering to vote in West Hartford by clicking here.
If you're interested in the Democratic Party, click here.
The town's Republicans have a website, too, right here.
Kerrigan's insurance business is listed on the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce site.
Fighting for Transgender Americans' Right to Healthcare:
Read my report from Forbes by clicking here.
Contact the Connecticut Healthcare Advocate by clicking here.
Voting Rights
Find out about the organizers by clicking on the group's name:
Progressive Women of West Hartford
League of Women Voters Connecticut
Rep. John Larson
Read coverage of the August 6 public forum in WeHa by clicking here.
Contact the congressman by clicking here.
Connecticut Tolls
Click here to read the Hartford Courant's latest report, detailing the battle over a plan to charge drivers traveling Connecticut's highways.
The Pride Flight
You can read my report in The Advocate Magazine about Virgin Atlantic's Pride Flight by clicking here. And we have another story about the English family that accidentally booked tickets on "The Gay Plane." Read all about it by clicking here.
May/June 2019: Click here to watch!
West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor joins me to discuss an election this fall that could mean big changes for our town, the coming weekend fair known as Celebrate! West Hartford, and issues that matter to area drivers: road construction, speed traps, and highway tolls. Plus the latest on how our town's paramedics were saved from being eliminated.
Find out answers to questions about voting here.
West Hartford voter information is here. Or go to Room 209 in Town Hall, during these hours:
Monday 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Thursday 12:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Friday 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Here's where to go to register to vote: Connecticut Online Voter Registration System. Or call (860) 561-7450.
If you would like information about Celebrate! West Hartford, click here. Note: It's held on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2.
Did you know there's an online guide to road construction in West Hartford? Click here!
Find out about the Park Road Interstate 84 ramp project here.
The controversial proposal to bring tolls back to Connecticut is on the ropes. One lawmaker said it's unlikely to go to a vote this legislative session. But Governor Ned Lamont is refusing to give up. Another report said if they pass, we won't see them on CT highways until 2023. But they might not collect tolls for seven years! Read about it here in the Hartford Courant.
So how much will a new toll system cost drivers? The CT Post has answers here.
April 2019: Click here to watch!
Find out about the Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding and its Honest Conversations with Muslim Neighbors sessions: Tuesday, April 2 at Trinity College and Sunday, April 7 at Universalist Unitarian Church on Fern Road in West Hartford. Plus more!
New Zealand is not waiting for 'thoughts and prayers' to remove the threat of gun violence in the wake of the mosque massacres. New legislation to control guns is already being prepared for a vote, and Australia's gun lobby is actually in support of the measure, Read all about it here.
Learn more about the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut here. There is a well-prepared and friendly speakers bureau that can help your school, business, community group or media outlet better understand those who follow the Islamic faith. Click here.
Watch the trailer for the film about Tony Ferraiolo, "A Self Made Man" by clicking here.
Read my article in Connecticut Voice Magazine about transgender men, which includes Tony's story here.
You can buy his books, Artistic Expressions of Transgender Youth, Volumes 1 and 2, through Tony's website or Amazon.com.
Contact Tony via his website, by phone (203-376-8089) or email at tony@tonyferraiolo.com
Are you a transgender person in crisis? GLAAD provides resources just for you here.
And if you're a member of the media and want to use all the right words, check out GLAAD's Media Resource Guide. Don't say "transgendered," "tranny" or "transvestite."
March 2019: Click here to watch!
Follow the dancer, DJ and just overall amazing man gracing Connecticut Voice's cover, James Whiteside, on Instagram by clicking here.
Visit ctvoicemag.com to sign up for a free subscription, follow @ctvoicemag on Twitter, click here to go to the CT-voice Facebook page.
Click here to listen to Chion Wolf's CT Voice Podcasts. The first one features Kathryn Tierney, APRN, Middlesex Health's endocrinologist who is an expert at caring for the transgender community.
Click here to learn more about Seasons Magazines.
You can find out more about the Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce here.
Here's a link to The Mouth-Off With Chion Wolf at The Mark Twain House in Hartford, CT.
For more info about Chion Wolf's Asking For A Friend shows at Sea Tea Improv in Hartford, click here.
Here's more about CT Gov. Ned Lamont's plans for the DMV.
If you'd like more information about any of these topics or RiseUP With Dawn Ennis, email me at dawnennis@gmail.com
February 2019: Click here to watch!
Find out more about Rep. Derek Slap here.
Read about his endorsement by West Hartford Democrats here and Deputy Mayor Beth Kerrigan's criticism of the political process here.
Republican Bill Wadsworth of Farmington has announced he plans to challenge Slap for the seat, vacated by former state senator Beth Bye. Read about him here.
Details on the February Special Election for the 5th District Senate Seat are here.
December 2018/January 2019: Click here to watch!
To know more about Mary Fay, you can go to her campaign’s Facebook page here.
And you can find out more about our representative government here in West Hartford, Connecticut, by clicking here.
I myself am an alternate representative to the town Democratic committee, representing District 1.
Find out about us here, and please join us! If you’re interested in the Republican committee, they have a website, too.
One of the issues we discussed were tolls coming to Connecticut, and although Ms. Fay told me I was wrong, you can read for yourself that a study shows they will bring $1B to our financially-strapped state. Here’s the report in the Hartford Courant.
And if you’d like to communicate with the woman who beat Ms. Fay for the 18th Legislative district seat, you’ll find Jillian Gilchrest on Twitter.
Incidentally, I’ve learned Jillian still has not received a promised call from Ms. Fay conceding the election.
Here’s the link I promised you about Connecticut Voice Magazine! Launch is set for March 2019!
November 2018
Watch the entire episode of Ready Set Pet here: https://www.facebook.com/readysetpetshow/videos/1964981136949953/
Check out the Connecticut Humane Society for more pets available for adoption!
If you’re interested in West Hartford Town politics, learn more by clicking here.
Find out more about Tony Ferraiolo at this link.
And thanks to journalist, writer and author Gwen Smith for continuing the very difficult task of compiling the names for TDoR. That link is here.
October 2018
If you are a victim of sexual assault, you are not alone. Now more than ever, victims like us are coming forward to share our stories. Help is available, too. Call 800-656-HOPE or go to the website for the National Sexual Assault Hotline by clicking here. You can chat online with someone there, too. My own story is here.
Here’s the link to Former State Senator Bye’s website. Election Day is November 6th and West Hartford Democrats are eager to help if you need an absentee ballot, a ride to the polls, or if you’re looking to volunteer. They’re also happy to plant a yard sign on your lawn. Get in touch with them here or email the party at info@westhartforddemocrats.org
Find out about the ballot in Connecticut by clicking on this link to the League of Women Voters.
Register to vote in Connecticut by clicking here.
Find out how to register to vote in your state by clicking this link.
You can read about Bye’s GOP opponent, Phil Chabot, on his website here.
Bye supports Democrat Ned Lamont in his bid to succeed my prior guest, Gov. Dan Malloy as Governor of Connecticut. You can read about his campaign here.
If you’d like to read about Lamont’s opponents, click on these links to the websites of Bob Stefanowski and Oz Griebel. Are Stefanowski’s pledges to cut taxes a false promise? Read what the Connecticut Mirror reported.
CNN reported on the shocking lack of safe sex education in America’s schools. Read the report here, or click here for the original report from the nonpartisan Center for American Progress.
So you want to tell your story? For 13 of our 15 episodes so far, I’ve been blessed to have friends, acquaintances and social media superstars join me as “special correspondents.”
Send me a message in the comments or via Twitter or Facebook and tell me how you’re “rising up!”
September 2018
Jillian Gilchrest faces Republican Town Councilor Mary Fay in the November election.
Here’s the link to Gilchrest’s campaign and you can follow her on Twitter by clicking here.
You can read about outgoing Assemblyman Fleischmann here.
If you haven’t registered to vote, or you want to check or change your affiliation, click here if you live in Connecticut and click here for any other state.
If you’re interested in learning more about the NLGJA — The Association of LGBTQ Journalists, click here for their website.
The incident involving former member Marshall McPeek was first reported in a tweet by them’s Mary Emily O’Hara:
Marshall McPeek, shown on the left in the photo of the emcees. apologized and resigned his membership in the NLGJA.
Another NLGJA member, Steve Freiss, offered a different opinion, declaring “Everybody’s wrong,” and I share it here in an attempt to show there is more than one side to this story.
PRIOR EPISODES CAN BE FOUND AT https://lifeafterdawn.com/
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