Heading out to see Escape the Fate at the Fillmore Auditorium tonight with my niece. Whoo-hoo!
Posts
Stephanie Fugcobsen
18 minutes ago
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Escape the Fate at the Fillmore Auditorium
Delay for New York gay marriage vote
Republican and Democratic supporters of an equal-marriage bill pending in the New York Senate report that they have been unable to come up with the 32 votes needed to pass the measure, so a vote on the bill is on hold. The measure is being strongly supported by New York Gov. David Paterson (pictured) who is also featured in a post today on World of Wonder.
Wow, I had no idea Gov. Paterson's support for the gay community went back so far.
American Medical Association sez repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell
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Servicemembers United, the nation’s largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans and their allies, announced today that the American Medical Association (AMA) has passed a resolution calling for full repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. With overwhelming support from its membership and virtually no opposition, even from the uniformed services representatives in attendance, the call for full repeal became official AMA policy today upon passage of the resolution.
“Today, the American Medical Association took a principled stance against a law that clearly has a negative impact on military healthcare, military medical providers, and our troops,” said Alexander Nicholson, founder and executive director of Servicemembers United. “ This is yet another nail in the coffin of the flawed and outdated ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law, and it should send a strong message to those who continue to blindly claim that this policy works.”
At issue before the AMA was the chilling effect that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has on the provider-patient relationship and the resulting impact on access to quality healthcare for many active duty troops. Military medical providers can and have been compelled to divulge personal information about patients to military commanders, resulting in the widespread perception among troops that medical confidentiality in the military is non-existent. Servicemembers United has documented cases of troops suffering in silence or hesitating to seek treatment for potentially life-threatening conditions out of fear for their careers, as well as cases of troops leaving the military to get proper treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other combat-related injuries.
“The provider-patient relationship is sacrosanct in the practice of medicine and in the provision of healthcare,” said Dr. Alan M. Steinman, a retired Coast Guard Rear Admiral and a member of the Servicemembers United Policy Council. “Virtually all physicians can agree that nothing should impede open and honest communication between a patient and his or her doctor. In this way, ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” threatens the lives and safety of our troops, and it often puts military health professionals in a moral and ethical dilemma.”
The AMA worked exclusively with Servicemembers United on the resolution for nearly six months, including inviting Servicemembers United’s executive director to the AMA’s interim meeting in Houston this week to brief its LGBT Advisory Committee and to testify before the relevant Reference Committee on the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law as it relates to healthcare issues.
A copy of the resolution, as well as more information on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” can be found at www.servicemembersunited.org.
Starz Denver Film Festival: Two Spirits
'Two Spirits', a film documenting the brutal murder of Cortez, Colo. teen Fred Martinez by filmmaker Lydia Nibley will premiere at the Starz Denver Film Festival on November 21, 2009. The film raises questions about how a fundamental shift in cultural attitudes could save lives, families, and Native traditions.
Sixteen-year-old Fred Martinez was two-spirit, someone who embodies the essence of both male and female, a special gift according to his ancient Navajo culture. This tradition is grounded in the idea that to maintain harmony, there must be balance between the feminine and the masculine within the individual, in families, in the culture, and in the natural world. 'Two Spirits' interweaves the tragic story of a mother’s loss of her son with an examination of a time when many Native American cultures held places of honor for people of integrated genders. The film offers much-needed insight and fresh perspective to the conversation taking place around sexuality and gender in American culture today.
Things to do in Denver when you're gay: Denver Element's Wine and Cheese Salon
Click to embiggen and read all about the Denver Element's Wine and Cheese Salon.
A Single Man
Written and directed by Tom Ford, and based on the Christopher Isherwood novel, 'A Single Man' is a romantic tale of love interrupted, the isolation that is an inherent part of the human condition, and ultimately the importance of the seemingly smaller moments in life. In theaters this December, 'A Single Man' stars Julianne Moore and Colin Firth.
This census, make sure our families count
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, joined leaders and advocates among the LGBT community today in the launch of Our Families Count (www.ourfamiliescount.org) -- a new voluntary public education initiative promoting LGBT visibility and participation in next year’s U.S. Census.
"It is vital that every LGBT person participate in the Census,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "Census data allows LGBT families to be visible in a way like no other, and that is why HRC is a proud member of the Our Families Count partnership."
The new 2010 Census education project is a truly collaborative and unique strategy to unite disparate populations across the entire LGBT spectrum. The outreach effort is designed to educate all about the importance of responding to the once-a-decade Census.
Happy Birthday, Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty's 35th Birthday Party! from MIMOBOT & mimoZine on Vimeo.
Hello Kitty celebrated her 35th birthday this year. Here's footage.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Pet of the Week: Chubbs
Hi, I'm Chubbs and I am a neutered male, tricolor English Pointer mix available for adoption at the Denver Dumb Friends League. I am an adorable little fella and about five years old. I've been at the shelter since October and would love to find a family to go home with.
Find out more about Chubbs or any of the other wonderful pets available for adoption at the Denver Dumb Friends League here.
A Christmas Carol
Songs as warm as a Christmas pudding just pulled from the oven fill the cold, gloomy streets of Victorian London with joy as the Denver Center Theatre Company presents 'A Christmas Carol' - the time honored telling of the transformation of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet to come.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
LGBT elder survey
The Center reports that the National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC). NSCLC has been working with SAGE, The Task Force, Lambda Legal, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) to raise awareness of the issues facing older adults who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) and live in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and other long-term care facilities. The five groups are collaborating on a survey to document and better understand the real experiences of LGBT elders in nursing homes and assisted- living facilities.
Please consider completing the online survey by clicking below if you a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender older adult how lives or has lived in a long-term facility, a caregiver of same, or a social worker or other helping professional who works with older adults.
This will address the legal needs of people in long-term care settings and will help advocates to improve national long-term care policy to make it more LGBT-friendly.
Click here to take the online survey.
Get out and about with the GLS
Join the Gay and Lesbian Sierrans for a pleasant walk around a Boulder natural area. Walden Ponds started life as a gravel pit, but now it is a series of ponds and grassy areas just east of town and is a stopping spot for water birds and wild life of all kinds. This will be an easy afternoon hike of not more then two miles and the group will be walking on level, well maintained paths with no elevation gain. Please bring some water and, since November weather is impossible to predict, bring clothing appropriate for the day of the hike. To join, call Galen at 303-809-0413.
The month in gay history
November 3, 1992
53 percent of voters in Colorado approve a ballot initiative that bans state and municipal rights ordinances for lesbians and gay men. In Oregon, a similar initiative fails at the polls.
November 5, 1973
The United States Supreme Court rules that Florida's anti-sodomy laws are constitutional.
November 7, 1961
Legendary San Francisco drag performer José Sarria (pictured), the first openly gay person to run for public office in the United States, receives almost 7,000 votes in the election for city supervisor.
November 8, 1977
San Franciscans elect Harvey Milk to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, making him the first openly gay elected official of a large American city.
November 9, 1996
San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown signs the landmark Equal Benefits Ordinance, requiring all companies that do business with the City to provide domestic partner benefits to their employees.
November 11, 1950
Rudi Gernreich, Harry Hay, Bob Hull, Dale Jennings, and Chuck Rowland hold the first of the weekly meetings in Los Angeles that lead to the formation of a homophile organization they will name the Mattachine Society.
November 15, 1636
The Plymouth Colony (in present-day Massachusetts) issues English North America's first complete legal code, in which "Sodomy, rapes, buggery" constitute one of eight categories of crimes punishable by death.
November 16, 1964
Randy Wicker is a guest on The Les Crane Show, making him the first openly gay person to appear on national television. Following the broadcast, he receives hundreds of letters from isolated lesbians and gay men across the country.
November 20, 1934
Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour, a largely sympathetic account of two schoolteachers accused of lesbianism by one of their students, loosely based upon an actual case in 19th-century Scotland, opens on Broadway to rave reviews and sellout audiences.
November 30, 1995
On the eve of World AIDS Day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases a public service television announcement cautioning men to have "smart sex," America's first government-sponsored advertising campaign aimed at gays. - via the GLBT Historical Society
Meet Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal is the voice for LGBT people and those with HIV in the courts — from state trial courts, to the U.S. Supreme Court; the lawyers of Lambda Legal are winning and changing the legal landscape for millions of people for years to come.
Lambda Legal does not charge for their services and they receive no government funding.
The following are just a few examples of current cases taken on by Lambda Legal:
Lambda Legal has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of retired minister Robert Franke who was thrown out of his assisted living facility because he has HIV.
In June the organization was cleared to proceed with a lawsuit against the Georgia General Assembly on behalf of Vandy Beth Glenn who was fired from her position with the Assembly when she announced her planned transition from male to female.
Lambda Legal depends on financial support from the gay community and you can join today by clicking here.
Broncos vs. Steelers
For the third consecutive game, the Broncos will match up against a team fresh off its bye week.
This time around, it's the defending Super Bowl champions -- the Pittsburgh Steelers -- on Monday Night Football at INVESCO Field at Mile High.
"(Pittsburgh) is a very physical team in every phase," Head Coach Josh McDaniels said. "To me, that is where it starts with the Steelers. Every one of their players plays like that. I don't care if it is the kickoff returner, the kicker, the tight ends, the lines, whomever it is, (quarterback Ben) Roethlisberger, they are all physical players that play tough and are going to present that challenge to us individually and as a team collectively."
So the team will head back home for the first time since Week 5, and try to come out of a clash with the defending NFL champions with a 7-1 record. Read more about it here.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Washington upholds domestic partnership law
Today the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, applauded voters in Washington for passing Referendum 71, approving the state’s domestic partnership law and preserving legal rights and benefits for thousands of families. The domestic partnership law that the voters upheld provides registered same-sex and senior domestic partners with the same legal protections, benefits, and obligations that marriage provides under state law. The initiative passed by a margin of 52.5 to 47.5.
“The people of Washington have rejected a mean-spirited attempt to rob some citizens of the protections that others receive. The passage of Referendum 71 assures that state-registered domestic partners will have the same financial and personal security under state law as their neighbors.” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Although only marriage is truly equal, this referendum provides tangible protections that are more important than ever in these uncertain economic times,” he added.
The bill to expand domestic partner benefits was passed in May 2009 and signed into law by Governor Christine Gregoire. The measure was placed on the ballot after opponents collected enough signatures to qualify for a referendum.
The Wanda Sykes Show premieres tomorrow
'The Wanda Sykes Show' premieres tomorrow night on Fox. Be sure to watch as Sykes makes history as the first openly gay woman to headline a late-night show on a major network.
Denver Arts Week: Poets on Stage
Join DOCA this weekend for a free, fabulous poetry reading as part of Denver Arts Week, Sunday on Stage. Featured poets include Denver Poet Laureate Chris Ransick facing-off against Pikes Peak Poet Laureate Aaron Anstett, as well as winning local youth poets. These eight young poets are featured in the Poetry in Motion program with poetry placards on 800 RTD busses.
Tuesday elections landmark for gay candidates
This week's round of elections proved to be a landmark for LGBT candidates. At least 62 won races for municipal and state office on Tuesday, with some outcomes still to be determined.
"This has been the most successful nonfederal election year in the Victory Fund's history," said Chuck Wolfe, the group's president and CEO. "More candidates were endorsed and more candidates won than ever before. But just as important is where they won. Some of these are true breakthrough victories that have the potential to change the political landscape in some communities."
George Michael to release first-ever live DVD
George Michael is to release ‘Live in London’ a special 23 song full concert DVD on December 8th through Epic Records/Sony Music Entertainment. This is the first live DVD of George’s career. Recorded and filmed at The Final Two concerts in London’s Earls Court arena on August 24th and 25th these highly anticipated shows marked the end of George Michael’s triumphant 25 Live Tour and were the last chance to catch George performing on a stage of this magnitude.
‘Live in London’ features tracks from George’s historic career including ‘Careless Whisper’, ‘Freedom’, ‘Faith’, ‘Everything She Wants’ and ‘Amazing’. A special behind the scenes bonus documentary, ‘I’d Know him a Mile Off,’ offers a glimpse behind the magic of these sold out shows by shadowing the man himself before and after his performances on stage.
When George first announced his 25 Live Tour tickets were snapped up in minutes. The critically acclaimed tour saw George perform in front of over two million people worldwide.
BALLS!
"BALLS! A Holiday Spectacular (PG 16)" is a new-fashioned variety show conceived and performed by Melanie Owen Padilla and Mare Trevathan, with flashy guest stars and a chorus of sock puppets.
See www.lida.org for more information and a complete schedule of guest stars, including Steven Burge, Regan Linton, John Common, Karen Slack, Eric Elkins, Candy Brown, DJ Savior Breath, Santemu Aakhu, Diana Dresser, Diane Wziontka, GerRee Hinshaw, Emily K. Harrison, Meridith Crosley, Patty Kingsbaker and more.
The 75-minute show is followed Thursday-Saturday, December 3-19 by an Afterglow party at BINDERY|space (2180 Stout St in Denver, next to the Mercury Cafe) beginning at 7:30 p.m.
As for price, it's a pay-what-it's-worth type of deal and an offering plate will be passed around - cash or check only, please! Reservations are strongly recommended so call 720-221-3821 or email lida@lida.org.
Reinking-Gregory Casting opens LA office
Just one year after the founding of Denver's Reinking-Gregory Casting, the film, television and commercial casting studio is opening an LA office.
Founded by Cathy Reinking, former Manager of Casting for NBC, and Sylvia Gregory, former Casting Associate for the Denver Center Theatre Company, Reinking-Gregory Casting's rapid success has exceeded their expectations, with a client roster including such heavyweights as Honda, Verizon, Duracell, Burger King, Colorado Lottery (see video below), DishNetwork and IBM.
Says Reinking, "It's even shocking to me how much we've done in a year."
Reinking, whose casting credits include Emmy-winners Frasier and Arrested Development, recently reinstated membership in the Casting Society of America and is taking up a second residence in LA to launch the new studio. "I'll be back and forth to Denver frequently," she says. "Sylvia and I will run both the Denver and LA offices as a team."
Gregory says "We are excited about the crossover opportunities the LA office may generate both for Denver talent and production. We'll be getting the word out that Colorado is a great place to shoot with fine production facilities, actors and staffing."
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Attorney General Perez speaks out about ENDA
Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions at a hearing entitled “Employment Non-Discrimination Act: Ensuring Opportunity for All Americans” today voiced strong support for the gay and trans-inclusive ENDA.
"We have come too far in our struggle for 'equal justice under the law' to remain silent or stoic when our LGBT brothers and sisters are still being mistreated and ostracized for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with their skills or abilities and everything to do with myths, stereotypes, fear of the unknown, and prejudice. No American should be denied a job or the opportunity to earn promotions, pay raises and other benefits of employment because of his or her sexual orientation or gender
identity, which have no bearing on work performance. No one should be fired because he or she is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Period."
Senate holds fully-inclusive ENDA hearing
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, praised the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today for holding the Senate’s first-ever hearing on a version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The lead sponsors of the measure are Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Susan Collins (R-ME).
“We applaud the leadership of Senators Merkley and Collins in support of fairness and equality for all LGBT people and thank Chairman Harkin for holding this important hearing,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, who also provided written testimony for the hearing. “For the first time in history, the Senate is moving forward with legislation to protect Americans from arbitrary discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Like our neighbors and coworkers, LGBT people simply want a fair chance to succeed and support our families.”
More after the jump.
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act would address discrimination in the workplace by making it illegal to fire, refuse to hire or refuse to promote an employee based on the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity at companies with 15 or more employees. The legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate on August 5 of this year; a House version was introduced on June 24 and the House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing on the measure on September 23.
Witnesses from the hearing testifying in support included Hon. Thomas Perez, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice; Helen Norton, Associate Professor of Law, University of Colorado School of Law; Hon. Lisa Madigan, Attorney General, State of Illinois; Virginia Nguyen, Diversity & Inclusion Team Member, Nike, Inc., and Mike Carney, a police officer for the City of Springfield, Massachusetts who successfully sued for sexual orientation-based discrimination under Massachusetts law. Testimony from the witnesses in support of the measure can be found at www.HRCBackStory.org.
An estimated 87% of Fortune 500 companies include sexual orientation in their equal employment policies, and more than one-third also include gender identity. More than 80 companies have joined the Business Coalition for Workplace Fairness, a group of leading U.S. employers that support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. To view a list of the companies, visit: www.HRC.org/Workplace.
ENDA is supported by a broad range of civil rights, religious, civic and professional organizations, including the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, NAACP, AFL-CIO, Service Employees International Union, AFSCME, National Education Association, National Employment Lawyers Association, Anti-Defamation League, Religious Action Center, Unitarian Universalist Association, United Church of Christ, American Civil Liberties Union, and many others.
Currently, federal law provides legal protection against employment discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, age and disability, but not sexual orientation or gender identity. In 29 states across America, it is still legal to fire someone based on his or her sexual orientation, and in 38 states, it is still legal to fire someone for being transgender.
Denver Art Museum: Embrace!
For the exhibition Embrace!, the Denver Art Museum asked 17 artists to create one-of-a-kind artworks amidst the sloping walls, soaring ceilings, and irregular corners of the Hamilton Building.
Additional artworks by Embrace! artists are on view in the modern and contemporary art galleries and these works will be auctioned at the Salon du Musée Soiree and Fine Art Sale on November 14.
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