Political hotness

No matter who you think is the hottest of this group, wouldn't it be great if Colorado's openly gay Jared Polis won this poll?

Submit your vote now.

News of the Gay

We really are making progress, and one indication of that is that our issues continue to get prominent, fair, and respectful coverage in mainstream dailies.

Why dogs are better than boyfriends

If you lose them, you can have them cloned, and they come back younger and cuter.

Could somebody please do something about the straight people?

This is why I support the movement to ban straight people from the law enforcement field--and from using the Internet.

Obama's got his eye on Colorado

First Salazar, now Boulder's mayor, Shaun McGrath--Obama has his eye on Colorado.

Denver's on top

Those of us who live in Denver always knew it was at the top of the heap. I just hope the results of this survey encourage more GLBT people to move here. I need new people to date.

Oh, the humanity - Part 2

First the M&Ms, now this.

Seems like Focus on the Family actually does just the opposite

Focus on the Family may have some clout, as this 365gay.com editorial on same-sex adoption points out, but NOT IN COLORADO! Gay and lesbian singles can adopt here, and we also have second-parent adoption, meaning that a same-sex partner can adopt his or her partner's child if there is no other legal second parent.

But as the battle over gay and lesbian adoption continues in many other states, it proves one thing about the conservative Christian agenda: it is not family focused, it is not child friendly, it would rather see kids sit in foster care or institutions without a parent than allow a loving parents to adopt. Children, who have no say in the matter, are being used and abused to promote a conservative agenda.

Creating Change in Denver

Denver's on the national GLBT map again as we welcome Creating Change participants to our fair city. Over 1,000 had already arrived as of Wednesday and more are on their way. It's time to focus on the fabulous once again.

News Flash! Ted Haggard lied

Of course.

What hasn't he lied about?

Did he really think we believed him when he said he bought meth but didn't use it?

About as much as we believed Clinton when he said he didn't inhale.

Maybe his wife fell for that, but she seems to fall for a lot of stuff.

Cut her loose, Ted.

If you feel anything for the poor woman at all, cut her loose.

And think of your kids for a change.

Do you think they like seeing their dad on Oprah and in some HBO movie talking about his sordid sex life and drug use?

Can this woman save Iceland?

Iceland's economy just collapsed.

Inflation and unemployment are skyrocketing.

And both of Iceland's political parties support the appointment of a lesbian former flight attendant as prime minister.

Hopefully she can help turn things around for them.

The legendary Dolores Huerta comes to Denver for Creating Change

See Dolores Huerta (The Denver Post calls here "the legendary Latina labor leader") here in Denver on Thursday night at 8 p.m. for the Creating Change conference, brought to the Mile-High City by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force all this week.

Creating Change begins today in Denver

On the heels of the presidential inauguration, more than 2,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights advocates will converge on Denver next week to strategize on how to advance LGBT equality in 2009. A key focus will be on how to achieve gains at the state and local level. The National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change, organized by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, is the nation's largest convening of LGBT rights activists.

While the November 2008 election produced what many are hoping will be the most LGBT-friendly administration in history, it also produced some setbacks with the passage of anti-LGBT initiatives in states such as Arizona, Arkansas, California and Florida. Conference participants will hear first-hand accounts and perspectives from statewide LGBT leaders, discuss lessons learned and strategize on how to defeat future attacks against LGBT families.

Another session will focus specifically on the battle against Proposition 8 in California, which eliminated the fundamental right to marry for same-sex couples there. California LGBT leaders will share their perspectives about the campaign, including myths and facts about communities that voted for and against Prop. 8; larger factors behind the loss; strategies to regain the freedom to marry in California; and ways for people to participate. There will also be a session focusing on the ensuing grassroots protests led by Join the Impact immediately following the passage of Prop. 8.

Task Force Organizing & Training staff who were on the ground in California will conduct a workshop on volunteer recruitment and voter mobilization. In addition, there will be related sessions on how to advance the freedom to marry nationwide.
The conference, which will take place Jan. 28-Feb.1, also includes sessions geared toward effecting change at the federal level.

For more information, visit www.CreatingChange.org.

Jason Wu: Inaugural designer 'outed'

Young designer Jason Wu has been in the news lately as the designer of Michelle Obama's inaugural gown but I first interviewed him in 2005 for a series of dolls he did for RuPaul and Amanda LaPore.

Towleroad's been doing a series of posts on the fact that Wu is allegedly upset at having been 'outed' in a recent interview but I referred to him as gay several times in my article five years ago and I know he and his people got copies of the paper and it wasn't a problem as far as I knew.

Maybe his family doesn't read Out Front Colorado.

But seriously, how did this guy ever think he was in the closet? He told me he played with Barbies as a kid and got his 'inspiration' from gay clubs.

Read the original interview after the jump.







Ted Haggard on HBO tomorrow - blah, blah, blah

Still don't have your Haggard fix yet? The documentary about him airs on HBO on Thursday. Rocky Mountain News' Mike Pearson calls it an "opening argument for redemption."

But that was before all this new stuff became public knowledge.

Like the weather

Man it's been cold this week.

9News.com says: "After snowfall blanketed much of the Denver area in white on Monday, temperatures are expected to drop sharply, leaving a bitter cold behind."

It's true.

My behind has never been colder.

Or more bitter.

The Gay Agenda 2009 - State by State

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, today released a comprehensive state-by-state report detailing LGBT-related legislation in 2008 and what is expected for 2009. The report shows the fight for marriage equality is expected to dominate the picture in at least four states, with two additional states working on passing broad relationship recognition; there is a growing concern that adoption bans could move ahead legislatively following the results in Arkansas in November of 2008; and at least two other states are poised to consider anti-discrimination legislation that would apply to sexual orientation and gender identity. To view the report online, visit: www.hrc.org/StateToState.

“In 2008, we witnessed bitter defeats across the country that were deeply painful but powerfully energized our community. While we continue to expect to face anti-LGBT measures, we’ll work to harness the energy and momentum to push for progress,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “There are some significant opportunities, including several states poised to take up marriage equality or relationship recognition measures, and others adding important protections covering gender identity. We look forward to working closely with state LGBT groups and allies to win these needed advancements.”

· Marriage equality: Maine, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont are expected to take up legislation. In addition, Iowa’s state Supreme Court is set to decide a case that could provide marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples in that state, and California’s state Supreme Court could rule on a case seeking to invalidate the Proposition 8 vote on the grounds that it improperly eliminated the fundamental right to marry by a simple majority vote on election day.

· Relationship recognition legislation: New Mexico and Hawaii appear ready to consider broad relationship recognition legislation, domestic partnership and civil unions, respectively. In Utah, advocates will seek action on a slate of pro-equality legislation dubbed the “Common Ground Initiative” and aimed at delivering specific protections, including domestic partner rights and anti-discrimination protections, to LGBT people and their families.

· Anti-discrimination legislation: Delaware and Ohio, are poised to consider legislation that would apply to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Three other states, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, may look to add prohibitions against discrimination based on gender identity to existing laws already prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in those states.

· Adoption: In the wake of an anti-adoption vote on election day in Arkansas that will prohibit adoption or foster parenting by unmarried couples, there are concerns that several state legislatures may take up anti-adoption legislation this year similarly aimed at preventing gay and lesbian couples from adopting.

Ted Haggard's wife speaks out

And she's going to break her silence on today's 'Oprah'.

Perfect timing.

It just so happened I was considering the strange case of Ted Haggard's wife in the shower this morning.

I'm a very deep thinker in the shower.

Basically I was thinking about all the press and all the attention and everything we've heard from the major players in the Ted Haggard gay sex scandal and realizing that, in all this time, we've never heard a peep from her.

It seems to me that there are three kinds of people who would stay with a man like Ted Haggard after all of this:

1. A person who is utterly oppressed by her faith and the teachings of her church. I feel sorry for a person like that.

2. A person who is so in love with her partner and so committed to her relationship that she is just going to tough it out come what may. I can respect a person like that.

3. A woman who is so in love with the wealth, material trappings, and/or fame that come with being one of the most popular and famous evangelicals in the world that she just can't bear to give up the lifestyle. I'm disgusted by a person like that.

I kinda felt sorry for Gayle Haggard for a while, but now I don't. She claims to have known all along about her husband's "struggle" with "thoughts," and she thought she could pray him out of it. Not only that, but she was "shocked" to find out that he had acted on his desires. She set herself up as much as Haggard set her up. Keep praying, Gayle, 'cuz it ain't over till it's over, and it ain't over yet.

And don't get me started on that new guy - the one that took money to keep quiet about his shenanigans with Haggard.

If I got paid for every relationship I had that turned sour I'd be first of all, rich, and second, a whore.

Could somebody please do something about the straight people?

Oh, there's so much wrong with this whole situation that I don't even know where to begin. But it certainly reinforces my support of the movement to ban straight people from using pet crematoriums, hiring plumbers, employing gardeners, or purchasing alcohol.

Well here's something to look forward to

Masturbation is good for you - when you reach your fifties.

I'm gonna need a new hobby in the meantime.

Jared Polis' plan for gender equality

Rep. Jared Polis (Dem-CO-gay) lays out his recommendations for gender equality in the Obama stimulus package.

More gay sex allegations for Haggard

I bet this is just the tip of the iceberg.

There are probably more guys out there and maybe they will eventually come forward.

But the sad part is that the New Life Church, and Focus on the Family, which is so closely associated with it, will not learn anything from this.

They won't learn that you can't just pray away your sexual orientation.

They won't learn that hiding or denying who you are is damaging to a lot more people than just the person in denial.

And they won't learn that the only way to prevent this damage is to acknowledge that sexuality is not a "sin."

I don't know who they think they're saving with their "focus on the family" attitudes.

Ted Haggard's poor family certainly didn't benefit.

Until these viciously anti-gay, right-wing Evangelicals are willing and able to admit that their own attitudes are destroying both individuals and families, the sin is theirs.

'True Blood', 'Torchwood' among nominees for GLAAD Media Awards

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) announced today the nominees and honorees for its 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Presented by IBM. Among the nominees: Gus Van Sant's Academy Award®-nominated film Milk, Woody Allen's Academy Award-nominated film Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Patrik-Ian Polk's big-screen adaptation of his hit sitcom Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom, BBC America's hit shows Torchwood and Skins, HBO's vampire drama True Blood, the episodes "Ghostfacers" from Supernatural and "Slam" from Ghost Whisperer, Logo reality shows Shirts & Skins and Transamerican Love Story, MSNBC programs Countdown with Keith Olbermann and The Rachel Maddow Show, The Tyra Banks Show, and Spanish-language nominees Aquí y Ahora, Ventaneando América, Noticiero Telemundo, Hoy and Paparazzi TV.

"The 20th anniversary of the GLAAD Media Awards is an excellent opportunity to reflect on how media representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community have evolved over the past two decades, clearly helping shape and evolve people's hearts and minds about LGBT people," said GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. "GLAAD's media advocacy and anti-defamation work as a resource for media professionals, combined with enabling LGBT people and allies to be compelling storytellers, has played a significant role in stories about our lives achieving greater visibility and being more compelling, honest, and real than ever before. We are proud to recognize all of this year's GLAAD Media Awards nominees."

The GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies will be held in New York on March 28, 2009 at the Marriott Marquis; in Los Angeles on April 18 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE; and in San Francisco on May 9 at the Hilton San Francisco.

GLAAD also announced the Special Honorees for the New York ceremony: Tyra Banks will receive the Excellence in Media Award and Suze Orman will receive the Vito Russo Award. Information about both honorees may be found at www.glaad.org/mediaawards/20thAnnual/specialhonorees.php. Special Honorees for Los Angeles and San Francisco will be announced at a later date.

"Tyra Banks and Suze Orman have used their positions of power within the media to become strong advocates on behalf of the LGBT community," Giuliano said. "They are changing hearts and minds, opening people's eyes to our common humanity, and it is our privilege to honor them."

In addition to 125 nominees in 26 English-language categories, and 60 Spanish-language nominees in 15 categories, GLAAD also announced that it would present Special Recognition awards to The Laramie Project, 10 Years Later - The Lasting Legacy of Matthew Shepard, a two-hour documentary broadcast on Sirius XM Radio; and to Lucía Méndez, an actress and singer who campaigned to bring awareness to the issue of LGBT teen suicide.

In the competitive categories, broadcast networks and cable networks each garnered 22 nominations. Among the broadcast networks, ABC came away with six nominees, while Logo led cable networks with five nominations.

A complete list of English language nominees are available at:
www.glaad.org/mediaawards/20thAnnual/nominees.php.

Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality 2009

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, today released its annual list of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.” In 2009, 260 companies were awarded this distinction for their employment policies and practices that include LGBT workers.

“As our nation faces unprecedented economic challenges, people are being forced to make important decisions about their career’s and livelihood. ‘Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality’ helps job-seekers identify the most inclusive businesses for LGBT workers,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Though equal opportunity and benefits are not the only factors that prospective employees should consider, they are vital to ensuring a business values and respects its LGBT workforce.”

The “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” distinction is awarded to businesses that scored 100% on the HRC Foundation’s 2009 Corporate Equality Index, the primary method for businesses to benchmark and evaluate their policies, practices and diversity efforts relating to LGBT workers. The index evaluates non-discrimination policies, benefits, diversity training and other internal resources for LGBT workers, as well as external support for LGBT consumers and job seekers. Released in early September, the 2009 Corporate Equality Index report is available online at www.hrc.org.

The joke's on him ...

... cuz he's dead.


Check out some of the hateful, horrible work of Dick Hafer - via Comics With Problems.

Stayin' Alive

Parade's got some tips on living longer.

One of them is to have initials that spell something positive like ACE, WOW, or VIP instead of something negative like RAT, BUM, or DUD.

My initials are DEW, which is pleasant enough, so I guess I'll be around for a while.

(via HuffPost)

Gay Marriage: The sticking point of gay rights?

Something to think about.

It's interesting that, here in Colorado, we have some of the most GLBT-friendly laws on the books -- Second Parent Adoption, Public Accommodations, an all-inclusive ENDA -- yet we also have an anti-same-sex Marriage Amendment and we were unable to pass a domestic partnership referendum.

Marriage really does seem to be the kicker that excludes us.

Should same-sex marriage be our central activist focus?

Or is it time to branch out and look at the broader picture?

DJ Brent Podcast

DJ Brent has a podcast and it's verra, verra good.

Give it a listen here.

He's my ex-boyfriend but I'm still in love with him.

Too much information?

Could somebody please do something about the straight people?

This is why I support the movement to ban straight people from working with children.

Why dogs are better than boyfriends

No communication barriers.

Oh, the delicious humanity

There was an M&M catastrophe this morning on Quebec Street.

Man. I am never in the right place at the right time.

Maybe God really does hate gays.

Colorado woman buys $1.2 million dollar home for $50

Good for her, the lucky so-and-so.

Travel: Philadelphia

Why go to Philadelphia?

Gay-friendly Philly has a great gay scene, great gay media, and great gay clubs--just like Denver, only different.

Plus, they're the birthplace of the Philly Cheesesteak.

Yum.

So, how're those New Year's Resolutions coming along?

Getting a late start on your New Year's resolutions?

I know I am.

Here's some exercise and weight-loss advice to kick-start your resolve from trainers at The Fitness Station via the Denver Post.

I'll be hittin' the gym good and hard today after an extended lapse and I'm looking forward to it.

File under New Year's Resolutions or Spring Cleaning

Get rid of your excess baggage.

Queercents is offering up advice on how to get rid of all your old, useless stuff (except your boyfriend--for that, write to Dan Savage). I especially like the idea of cleaning out your books.

Trade them for credit at Capitol Hill Books on Colfax and then spend the day browsing my favorite used book store.

Sean Penn nabs SAG award for 'Milk'

Sean Penn keeps piling up the awards for 'Milk'.

We'll see how he does at the Oscars on Feb. 22.

Bad, fuzzy picture above from 'Milk's' Denver premiere night at The Mayan.

A nice place to visit

But would you want to live on Butt Hole Road?

Brothas4Ever meets tonight

The 383rd gathering of Brothas4Ever will be held from 7 to 9pm on Monday, January 26th at "Reggie's Place" at It Takes A Village (1475 Lima St. just 1/2 block off E. Colfax Ave. between Havana & Peoria Sts.in Aurora).

The group will be having a special guest speaker, Ms. Marilyn Ford Vessels, who is a Financial Consultant and Advisor with Primerica Financial Services. Ms. Vessels will be discussing the whys and wherefores of personal financial management and planning - a vital issue in this turbulent economy.

One week to WinterPRIDE

We are now just a week away from the big festival of WinterPRIDE. The Official Program guides have now hit the streets, Rainbow flags are being hung around the village, the resort is anticipating your arrival and everyone is buzzing with excitement.

Pet of the Week: Dugley

Hiya! I’m Dugley, and I’m a cute Black Lab mix! I came over to MaxFund from another shelter, so not much is known about me. The other shelter reported that I did very well on my temperament tests, though! I’m a well-balanced guy with all the potential in the world to be the best dog ever!

I long for a home with a big, well-fenced backyard. I need to run around and release that Lab energy! I’d love to be with active people who enjoy lots of outdoor activities, like hiking.

Denver Gay Bar & Club Schedule

MONDAY:

BJ’s :
From 6-9 p.m. BJ's offers all-you-can-eat spaghetti for only $3.50 and at 8 p.m. they've got their weekly Dart Tournament with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place bar tabs.

Compound:
Logo Day: Wear your Compound Logo Gear (I've got the dogtag) for outrageous drink specials.:





Wrangler:
$2 well drinks.

Check out the rest of the Denver Gay Bar and Club Weekly Schedule after the jump.


Tuesday:

BJ’s :
Mile High Bullseye Dart League at 7:30 p.m. and sexy male dancers from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Compound:
Free pool.
Eagle:
New Wave '80s Night with Jim and Jimbo.
Wrangler:
$2 domestic drafts.

Wednesday:

BJ’s :
Karaoke at 8 p.m.
Eagle:
Denver Poker Tour hosts a night of fun and games. Play Plinko for drink specials.
JR’s:
Everybody loves Drag Queen Bingo. Balls drop at JR's at 10 p.m. so get out your cards and dabbers for fun with Shanida Lawya and Nina Montaldo.
Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret:
"The Buttcracker" by the Demented Divas is always a huge holiday hit. Check it out every Wednesday in December ... if you can get a ticket!
Tracks:
Bring your friends and play Rockband 2 live on stage at Rockband Wednesdays. Tracks offers giveaways and prizes every week and features a Nintedo Wii room with Mario Kart. Must be 18+ to enter and 21+ to drink. Cover is $5 for the young ones and free for the over 21 crowd.
Wrangler:
$2 vodka drinks and $2 Bud Lights.

Thursday:

BJ’s :
It's Poker night! Texas Hold 'em at 7 p.m. and the weekly Poker Tournament at 8 p.m.
Compound:
Logo Day Too: Wear your Compound Logo Gear for outrageous drink specials and dance the night away at Pound Night with DJ Gary Givant.
Eagle:
Underwear Party: $3 Bud and Coors Light for men in underwear. And if you want to go upstairs to Club Lure, underwear is required.
Hamburger Mary’s:
Liquid Thursdays at Club M - Dancing, DJs,and Drink Specials.
JR’s:
Thursdays are the busiest night of the week at JR's and it's no surprise with $.50 Buds and 1/2 price everything else. The crowd is young, stylish, and serious about their socializing.
Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret:
Naughty Pierre's Burlesque and Comedy Extravaganza takes place every Wednesday at 8 p.m. and features such illustrious performers at The Boy-Lesque Wonder Sinjyn and the lovely and talented Larry Wegner.
Tracks:
Tracks Thursdays features three main room DJs: DJ Walt White, DJ Markie, and One Skinny DJ. They've also got hip-hop in the Heaven Lounge. Be 18+ to enter and 21+ to drink and then they've got various and sundry cover charges that I'm not about to get into here.
Wrangler:
321 Countdown means $1 well drinks, $2 domestic beer, and $3 call drinks from 8 p.m. until close.

Friday

BJ’s :
Weekly drag shows at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Compound:
Liquid Diner (Friday Afternoon Club): Happy Hour libations and Ho d'oevres. Get it? Ho d'oevres! Then it's Gomorrah A-Go-Go in Basix Dance Bar with DJ Zac Reclipze and you know there's never a cover.
Eagle:
Club Lure: A dress code of leather, rubber, uniforms, sports gear or underwear is highly encouraged.
Hamburger Mary’s:
TGIF with $4 house cosmopolitans and $3 Coronas.
JR’s:
Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret:
Do the Time Warp again! Get dressed up (or don't) and sing and dance and carry on along with The Rocky Horror Picture Show Experience at Lannie's.
Tracks:
First Fridays: The first Friday of every month is Denver's largest and longest-running women's party by Babes Around Denver (it's not only Denver's largest but the country's largest!). Doors open at 6 p.m. and cover is $5.

Saturday:

BJ’s :
Dart Tournament at 2:30 p.m. with bar tabs for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners and shows at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Compound:
Lots going on at Compound today. There's the weekly Dart Tournament at 3 p.m., a $5 Benefit Beer Bust from 6-9 p.m. featuring all-you-can-drink Bud, Bud Light, soda or juice. And dancing at Barcode from 9 p.m. to close with one of the cutest DJs in town, DJ Ken-E.
Hamburger Mary’s:
Maryoke with Brittany Michaels. It's like karaoke but with an 'M'!
JR’s:
Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret:
"Off the Clock" LateNiteBurlesque every Saturday at 11 p.m. features burlesque dancers, music, magic and laughs with Fannie Spankings and Pierre Jean Pierre St. Pierre. Must be 21+ to attend because it's so naughty.
Tracks:
Tracks Saturday is the biggest dance club in Denver's biggest gay night of the week and the place is packed with sexy scenesters. Doors open at 9 p.m. and there's no cover from 9-10 p.m. After 10 p.m. the covers bumps up to $5 and after 11 p.m. it goes up to $10 so go early and stay late.
Wrangler:
You into bears, brawn and sweat? Check out the SWEET dance party every second Saturday at the Denver Wrangler with DJ's Craig C. and Jarrad Holbrook. It's where Denver's bears get their honey.

Sunday:

Compound:
No cover for Compound's Legendary Sunday Services with DJ Zac Reclipse.
Eagle:
SCORE is Denver's only all-male sports gear party. Become a varsity team player and earn weekly prizes. Gear up and get off!
Wrangler:
Denver's most popular Beer Bust begins at 4 p.m. and it doesn't take long for the place to get packed. It's nuts to butts until it ends at 8 p.m. and that's just how I like it.

Did I miss anything? Email me at DrewDenver@aol.com.

Victory Fund endorses 10 out candidates for 2009

2009 is shaping up to be a good year politically.

Read all about the out and proud politicians being endorsed by the Victory Fund in 2009.

Aren't they cute?

Swimsuit Issue Sneak Peek!

Instinct's editor Michael Wood sent me these sizzling swimsuit sneak peeks to share.

It's just a taste of what's included in their new Swimsuit Issue which is on stands now.

You're welcome.