Hawaii State House refuses Civil Action Bill

Equality Hawaii, the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, and the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, today denounced the Hawaii State House for failing to take up and pass HB 444 SD1, the state Civil Unions bill.  The bill would have provided that the equal rights and responsibilities of married couples in Hawaii are afforded to thousands of non-married couples in the state.  The House voted by voice vote to postpone the bill indefinitely, effectively killing the bill for the session.

“We’re sorely disappointed that the Hawaii State House refused to take action on the Civil Unions bill,” said Tambry Young, Co-Chair of Equality Hawaii.  “Today, the House put its own political interests before the interests of Hawaii’s families and that’s bad policy and bad politics.  We pledge that this fight is not over, and we will continue in our efforts to see true equality in our state.”

The decision by the House comes on the heels of swift action in the Senate which saw the bill pass by an 18-7 vote on January 22.  House Speaker Calvin Say suggested earlier in the week that the House may not be willing to reconsider the bill if the majority could not garner enough votes to override a possible veto from the Governor.  The Governor has never made a veto threat on the topic of Civil Unions.

“We’re stunned that the Hawaii State House would act contrary to their previous position of strongly supporting this bill,” said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign.  “We thank all those who advocate for equality in the Aloha State, especially our friends in the legislature and with Equality Hawaii.  We have been a proud partner with Hawaii’s fair-minded residents for decades and will continue to stand by their side in the struggle for equality.”

“This fight is not over and we will ultimately prevail,” said Alan Spector, Legislative Affairs Co-Chair for Equality Hawaii.  “It is simply unfathomable that politics and election considerations would supersede honor, integrity and common-sense.  Today, these Representatives did not represent their constituent’s families – shame on them.”

Brand tapped as Victory Fund's new deputy chief

The Victory Fund has named Robin Brand, formerly chief operating officer of the Gill Action Fund, as its deputy executive director. Brand, a longtime LGBT rights advocate who served a previous stint with the Victory Fund as its senior vice president and political director, will begin her new job on March 1.

Attention gay Colorado: Take this survey!

The One Colorado Education Fund is creating the first-ever comprehensive account of Colorado LGBT lives and they need your input to better understand the collective experiences of GLBT Colorado.

If you’re a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender Coloradan, take the survey and urge other LGBT persons within your personal networks, whether it be by email, Facebook and/or Twitter, to take it today.

The survey will only be online through Friday, February 26th so be sure your voice is heard.

Porn company Corbin Fisher contributes $60,000 to gay rights

Well, here's one more reason to like gay production studio, CorbinFisher.com (NSFW).

They recently made a significant financial contribution to gay rights efforts in the state of Florida with a $60,000 donation to Equality Florida, one of the state's largest civil rights organizations, "dedicated to eliminating discrimination based on sexual orientation, race, gender and class". The donation is among several service and charity initiatives implemented by the company and is one of the largest financial contributions ever received by the advocacy group.

The donation to Equality Florida followed a chance encounter, according to Corbin Fisher CEO, Jason Gibson, at a cocktail party.

"Through mutual friends and acquaintances at this function, I had the pleasure of meeting several individuals who spend tremendous amounts of time and energy fighting discrimination against GLBT Floridians," recalls Gibson. "I was moved by the extent of their enthusiasm, impressed by their dedication, and further impressed by their considerable accomplishments in pursuing their mission to end discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation."

More after the jump.

Corbin Fisher regularly donates to various gay rights groups and charities, including similar advocacy and education organizations in California and at the national level. The contribution to Equality Florida marks its biggest single donation to an individual group, however.

"Beyond gay rights being a cause more than worthy of whatever support we can offer, and beyond Equality Florida being a remarkable and effective organization pursuing that cause, the tireless work of such organizations and the individuals behind them have a very real impact upon the lives of our employees, our friends, and our members," notes Gibson.

Corbin Fisher executives regularly meet to discuss ways to contribute to worthwhile causes, according to COO Brian Dunlap. "We understand that our audience comes to us for the content that we produce, but also recognize and appreciate that having such a large audience offers an opportunity to positively impact a variety of causes." Through its websites, newsletter and social networking site presence, Corbin Fisher has regularly encouraged members and fans to contribute to causes such as earthquake relief in Haiti, the victims of Hurricane Katrina in the US, and relief efforts after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Further, the company encourages its two dozen plus employees to donate time and resources to causes they find worthwhile. Donations made by Corbin Fisher employees to charitable, non-profit organizations are matched by the company. Corbin Fisher employees can also take "service days", skipping work to spend time volunteering for charity and service organizations without sacrificing vacation time or pay. The company has also made its General Counsel, Marc Randazza, available for a variety of pro bono work.

Vail Gay Ski Week

 

Vail Gay Ski Week 2010 will be in full swing this weekend with lots to do and drink.

Things to do in Denver when you're gay: Get out and about with the GLS

Are you a Sierra Club and a GLS member yet? If not, consider becoming both a Sierra Club member and a member of GLS. Your Sierra Club membership support allows the Club to continue its important work in battling the barrage of threats to the environment that have been coming from Washington.

The GLS is a special GLBT interest section within the Sierra Club with lots of amazing recreational opportunities here in Colorado like this weekend's trip to check out Vail Ski Week.

Full page ad in Variety denounces anti-gay Grammy nominee Buju Banton

In a full page ad in today’s special Grammy-edition of Variety, more than 20 progressive organizations, lead by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, have called on the head of The Recording Academy to use Sunday night’s Grammy telecast to denounce music that promotes or celebrates violence against any group of people and the artists who perform such music.

The ad, in the form of an open letter to The Recording Academy’s President Neil Portnow, is in response to anti-gay reggae singer Buju Banton’s nomination for a Grammy Award in the Best Reggae Album category. Throughout his career Banton has performed music that glorifies the violent murder of LGBT people, and as recently as three months ago he refused to stop performing such music. Last October he was quoted in news reports saying, “This is a fight, and as I said in one of my songs, ‘There is no end to the war between me and fa**ots.’”

More after the jump.

In his most notorious song “Boom, Bye Bye” he sings that “batty men (slur equivalent to ‘fa**ot’) get up and run” when he comes, that “they have to die,” and that he will “shoot batty men in the head” or “burn them up bad.” His music has helped foster such an anti-gay culture in Jamaica—where violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people is common and sometimes celebrated—that Time magazine recently asked, “Is Jamaica the most homophobic place on Earth?”

“It’s outrageous that The Recording Academy has chosen to honor, with a Grammy nomination, someone who proudly and unabashedly performs music that glorifies the violent murder of gay and transgender people,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios.  “We need to send a strong message to let the Recording Academy and music industry know that promoting artists who advocate such acts feeds a climate of intolerance that can put members of our community at risk for violence."

In a letter to GLAAD, the Academy claims that the Grammy Awards honor musical achievement “regardless of politics” and that “artists of a variety of political or cultural perspectives have been nominated or featured on the telecast.”

“Music that promotes the violent murder of LGBT people, or any other group, doesn’t reflect a political or cultural perspective,” said L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Chief Executive Officer Lorri L. Jean. “It reflects hatred and fosters a culture of violence. Portnow needs to use the Grammy telecast to denounce such music, in no uncertain terms, and those who perform it.”

MileHighGayGuy Advertiser Shout Out: Denver Center Theatre Academy

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts offers acting instruction year-round through the Denver Center Theatre Academy. Led by professional actors and teaching artists, classes are offered for both the beginning and advanced actor. The Denver Center Theatre Academy offers intensive one- or two-day sessions as well as multi-week courses.

Remember, when you shop local gay and gay-friendly businesses, the money you spend remains in, and benefits, the LGBT community.

Things to do in Denver when you're gay: Drama Drag with Nina Flowers

* click to embiggen and read all about the latest installment of Nina Flowers' Drama Drag featuring the cast of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season one.

Save the Date: 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards

The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.

This year's awards will take place in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Out & Equal welcomes three new Board members

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates is proud to announce that three new Board members have joined its governing Board of Directors.

They are Ambassador (ret.) Michael Guest, Senior Advisor to the Council for Global Equality, Julie Hogan, Regional Vice President at Xerox Corp., and Megan Wallent, a General Manager at Microsoft .

"I am delighted to welcome our new Board members to Out & Equal," said Founding Executive Director Selisse Berry. "They each bring an incredible amount of dedication and passion to the movement of achieving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workplace equality, and they will help us further our mission nationally and globally."

More after the jump.

Guest made national headlines three years ago when he decided to retire from his role as a U.S. diplomat — serving in various positions over 26 years — to protest the lack of equal rights, benefits and protections for partners of gay and lesbian Foreign Service employees. He subsequently served on President Barack Obama’s State Department Transition Team, identifying remedies to these policies, which the Obama Administration has since adopted. Guest co-founded and works with the Council for Global Equality, a coalition of 18 human rights and LGBT organizations that seeks stronger U.S. support for LGBT equality at home and abroad. He resides in Washington D.C. with his partner, Alex Nevarez.



Hogan is responsible for Xerox sales, technical services delivery and professional services throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. She has played various roles at Xerox over the last two decades. She joined Xerox as a customer services engineer, held various services operations management positions and general management assignments, including strategy, planning and technology infrastructure. Before joining Xerox, she served in the United States Navy, providing technical support for classified defense computer systems and intelligence projects. She currently resides in San Ramon, California with her partner, Allison Leach.



Wallent has spent more than a decade working for Microsoft, responsible for delivering multiple versions of Internet Explorer, leading a large team that built major portions of Windows Vista, and currently leads a team in the Windows Server and Tools Division. She’s an outspoken advocate of transgender rights, and transitioned on the job in 2007. She chronicled her experiences on meganwallent.com, which has generated a wide and varied readership. She resides in Seattle, Wash., with her spouse, Anh, and their children, Peri, John and Daniel.



Berry also thanked outgoing Board members, Tara Bunch, who served four years on the Board, including two years as President, and Amanda Simpson, who left the Board this month after three years to take a senior advisory position within the United States Department of Commerce.



"Tara and Amanda have both played invaluable roles with Out & Equal," Berry said. "We appreciate everything they have done for us, and their commitment to making a difference for the LGBT community. They will continue to be instrumental in the movement for LGBT equality, either through their direct involvement with Out & Equal or by being the voices of our community in their own workplaces."



The new Board members will serve a two-year renewable term beginning this month.

WinterPRIDE tops Gay Ski Week lists

WinterPRIDE Gay Ski Week takes place March 1-8 in Whistler. WinterPRIDE has been named as the Number #1 Gay Ski Event in the World by Gay.com and PlanetOut.com and was recently named 'Best in the World' by the UK's Guardian newspaper.

Things to do in Denver when you're gay: DOCA Art Exhibition

The Denver Office of Cultural Affairs (DOCA) presents a special exhibition of work representing 18 artists from 15 galleries in Denver’s renowned Art District on Santa Fe.  A public viewing and reception will take place on Monday, February 8 from 6-8p.m. at the Buell Theatre.

The Business of Change

The Gill Foundation and Weber Shandwick have released “Business of Change,” a resource guide focused on corporate-nonprofit collaboration to promote equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The 104-page guide is available free for download from either organization's website and is a first-of-its-kind collection of best practices with actionable and practical ideas to help nonprofits and corporations advance LGBT equality.

“Given the rapidly changing dynamic between the private and public sectors, we hope to challenge both nonprofits and corporations to seize opportunities to drive change on LGBT initiatives,” says Patricia Evert, Gill Foundation’s vice president of Donor Resources. “Taking action and partnering together is not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do.”

“Weber Shandwick believes in the power of collaboration between nonprofits and corporations. We’re proud to author Business of Change with the Gill Foundation, and hope this unique publication empowers organizations to develop more effective partnerships to promote LGBT equality,” said Chad Boettcher, Weber Shandwick’s senior vice president of Social Innovation.

Our Families Count: Help promote gay visibility in next year's U.S. Census

The Our Families Count campaign is a new voluntary public education initiative promoting LGBT visibility and participation in next year’s U.S. Census.

The 2010 Census is a huge opportunity to collect data about LGBT people in the U.S. and participation is critical and campaign leaders are looking for great photos of same-sex couples and their families to help increase visibility and awareness of the project.

If you are interested in participating please contact Bob Witeck or Che Tabisola-Ruddell.

MileHighGayGuy Advertiser Shout Out: Elitch Lanes

Please support the local businesses that help support Colorado's gay community with their advertising dollars.

Remember - when you shop gay and gay-friendly businesses, the money you spend remains in, and benefits, the LGBT community.

So why not hit up Elitch Lanes Tuesday or Thursday nights for Quarter Mania? Just pay a $5 entry fee and then get your games, shoes, and hot dogs for just a quarter each from 9 p.m. to close!

Legally Blonde comes to Denver

The first national tour of 'Legally Blonde The Musical' will begin performances at Denver’s Buell Theatre February 2 for two weeks only.  Tickets for this hit musical, written by Colorado native Heather Hach, are on sale now.

Sorority star Elle Woods doesn't take "no" for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone more “serious,” Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.

Buy and print tickets online at www.denvercenter.org. 

Things to do in Denver when you're gay: OUT at Curious

* click to embiggen and read all about the OUT at Curious event tonight featuring drinks and snacks and a performance of Colorado playwright Terry Dodd's gay-themed 'Home By Dark' followed by a talkback with the cast.

UPDATE: OUTAboundz

The OUTAboundz gay and lesbian winter sports event that was scheduled to come to Steamboat Springs this March 3-7 has been cancelled, according to event organizer John Farnum. 

Farnum says OUTAboundz will instead be focusing on a more family-focused event to be held later in the year.

Gay Comedy Night with Denver Element and the Homo Culture Collective

Get your laugh on with the Denver Element crew. Their Homo Culture Collective program of infotainment, exploring gay history, aesthetic, and art with multiple options for participation and the next event is Gay Comedy Night which will take place on January 29 and feature an evening of sitcom funnies and stand up video clips. Contact Corey at 720-382-5900 ext. 13 or corey@thedenverelement.com for more information.

Social Justice Night at the Lambda Community Center

The Lambda Community Center, Northern Colorado AIDS Project, and Fortitude (a new organization for gay and bisexual men in Northern Colorado) invite you to come together with them on Thursday, January 28 for a discussion about social justice. Learn about privilege, oppression, the intersectionality of different identities, and how the organizations of Northern Colorado are taking action.  

Why gay people are vulnerable to ballot measures

The gay community lacks "a meaningful degree of political power" and is "politically vulnerable" to anti-gay ballot measures such as California's Proposition 8, a political scientist testified on Wednesday at a federal court challenge of the marriage ban. As evidence of this lack of clout, Stanford University professor Gary Segura noted that only a half-dozen gay people have been in Congress, and just 1% of state lawmakers - and .5% of local elected officials - are out.

State-by-state: Gay legislation across the USA

HRC today released a comprehensive state-by-state report detailing LGBT-related legislation in 2009 and an outlook for 2010.  The report indicates that despite disappointments in 2009, we witnessed a banner year for positive legislation affecting the LGBT community with as many positive bills passed this past year as in 2007 and 2008 combined.  The report also details expectations for 2010 with the fight for marriage equality and relationship recognition now focused on Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, and Rhode Island and continued state and local efforts to protect LGBT employees. 

“While the road is never easy, we look ahead to 2010 with renewed dedication in the fight for equality,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.  “We will continue to work closely with state LGBT groups and our allies to secure these much-needed advancements.  As the midterm elections heat up, we must remain focused on the many state legislators who stood with us by continuing to support them and also remember those who stood in the way.”

The 20 Best GLBT-friendly business hotels

Passport.com has come up with a list of the 20 best business hotels in the world based on location, essential tools and amenities that businessmen and women need, and those extra special touches that GLBT travelers appreciate and recommend to their colleagues.

Early bird deals on tickets to Elevation: 8th Annual Mammoth Ski Week

With more gay ski events than ever before, 2010 is turning out to be a gay winter sports (and party) fan's dream.

Snag some discount tix for Mammoth Gay Ski Week at CircuitTicket.com before February 1.

Things to do in Denver when you're gay: Reclaim Your Spirit with Denver Element

The Denver Element's Conversation Series returns on Tuesday, February 9, from 6-8 p.m.

Explore the mind, body, spirit connection in Reclaiming Your Spirit. From a practical point of view, what role does spirituality play in our everyday lives? Join us as we explore spirituality as self-expression and empowerment for gay men.

Joan Rivers Unplugged & Uncensored at Denver Comedy Works

The old battle-axe isn't giving interviews for her upcoming Denver Comedy Works appearance on February 12 but I won't hold it against her. She's a comedy legend. Her credits include The Joan Rivers Show, The Joan Rivers Position, The Late Show, The Tonight Show, Comedy All-Stars with Joan Rivers, and Comedy Central's Roast of Joan Rivers, among many more. Joan was most recently seen winning Celebrity Apprentice on NBC.

She did deign to an interview with my buddy Matt Kailey last year though, so here's a link to that.

OUTAboundz

OUTAboundz comes to Steamboat Springs, CO March 3-7 for five full days of gay and lesbian winter sports events.

And OUTAboundz is dedicated to creating as much on-mountain action as off-mountain. The lineup of events begins with the Fire & Ice Kick-Off Party on Wednesday, March 3, and ends with The Recovery Brunch on Sunday, March 7.  In between there are three days filled with the best skiing and riding in North America, and evenings filled with parties, hot springs excursions and incredible dining.

HRC releases Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality list

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today released its annual list of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.”   This year 305 companies were awarded this distinction for their employment policies and practices that include LGBT workers and their families.  A complete list of the honored businesses is available online at www.hrc.org/placestowork.

“These companies' actions constitute tangible, significant civil rights progress.  By mandating equal opportunity in hiring, ensuring equal compensation through medical and family benefits, and promoting informed work forces and equal work places, these companies light the way for advances in state and federal law," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.  "The list of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking employment with a company that supports our community.  Corporate America continues to make progress, and federal law has to catch up.  That's the job ahead of us.”

The “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” distinction is awarded to businesses that scored 100 percent on the HRC Foundation’s 2010 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 2010 Corporate Equality Index report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei. 

The 305 businesses will be honored on March 17 at the Sixth Annual LGBT Workplace Awards Seminar and Reception at the Time Warner Center in New York.  The seminar will also honor the winner(s) of the 2010 Innovation Award for Workplace Equality – an award given to highlight a truly innovative program that a business has implemented to drive lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workplace inclusion.


 

NOH8 Campaign photoshoot in Denver

The NOH8 Campaign is a photo project and silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley in response to the passage of the anti-gay marriage Proposition 8.

On January 31, a NOH8-themed photo shoot fundraiser for the Matthew Shepard Foundation is planned to take place at Charlie's. Norman Dillon will be the photographer.

Wear a white T-shirt, tank-top, or go shirtless, the aim is to the images to mimic what Adam has already started. NOH8 face-paint will be provided.

Cost is $30 per person or $25 for each person in a group. Participants must be 18 years or older.

This is not an official NOH8 photo shoot, but the images will be sent to the campaign to be used at their discretion.

Sundance cineGLAAD schedule announced

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization has announced its panels, events and programs for cineGLAAD, a program presented by Abreva and Bud Light, which will take place during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.
Through these panels, cineGLAAD will raise awareness about films with LGBT content and elevate the voices of filmmakers, all towards the goal of bringing these important LGBT stories to wider audiences.

cineGLAAD has released a comprehensive listing of the more than 25 films with LGBT content or created by an LGBT filmmaker that will be screened during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and Slamdance Film Festival.

“Our presence at this major industry event will help amplify the stories of LGBT people that spark dialogue and raise awareness, support and understanding of our lives,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “With networking opportunities and educational panels, we hope that these filmmakers and their stories will bring their works from Park City to the world - and give film audiences a window into the common ground we all share."

Vail Gay Ski Week debuts in 2010

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado (The Center) is pleased to be working with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals to bring the LGBT community the first Vail Gay Ski Week, Jan. 27-31.

Vail Gay Ski Week offers another option to LGBT skiers and snowboarders, including a nearby destination for Front Range participants. It offers everything from elegant dining to pancake breakfasts to a cowboy-themed beer bust. 

"Vail Gay Ski Week gives visitors the opportunity not only to ski, but also to enjoy the best of the Denver bar scene -- with affordable options -- all the while giving back to the GLBT community," said Tommy Hoffman, founder and CEO of Vail Gay Ski Week.

The Center was chosen as the principal nonprofit beneficiary of Vail Gay Ski Week and will receive proceeds from the Angel Wings Benefit Dinner at the Vail Plaza Hotel on Jan. 29. The proceeds will go toward funding renovations on The Center's new facility at 1301 E. Colfax Ave.

The Center launched a $3.5 million capital campaign in 2009 that is funding the purchase and renovation of the former Video One building. The Center purchased the building in May 2009 and began extensive renovations on it in the last quarter of the year. Construction is expected to be completed in May.

  

"The Center is honored to have been chosen as the beneficiary of the first Vail Gay Ski Week benefit dinner," said Center Executive Director Carlos Martinez. "The dinner will raise critical funds to sustain unique and valuable programs through The Center, including Rainbow Alley, a youth drop-in space that serves more than 6,000 LGBT youth every year."

MileHighGayGuy Advertiser Shout Out: National Teleprinting

Lodo's oldest and best all-purpose print shop, National Teleprinting has been located right downtown at 1420 Blake Street in Denver for the past 20 years. No matter what your printing needs, National Teleprinting will get the job done right and to your specifications.

National Teleprinting is proud to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce and has been nominated for Denver's 'Small Business of the Year' Award.

Be sure to support the local businesses that help support Colorado's gay community with their advertising dollars. Remember - when you shop gay and gay-friendly businesses, the money you spend remains in, and benefits, the LGBT community.

Pet of the Week: Gizmo

Hello, my name is Gizmo and I am the sweetest little guy you ever laid your eyes on. I am a 6 lb., one-year old Chihuahua mix with a small sleek, muscular build and a very, shiny healthy coat. Why don't you come down and see if we're a match?

Find out more about all of the amazing animals available for adoption at MaxFund No-Kill Animal Shelter.

Register now for the 2010 Colorado Queer Youth Summit

Register now for the 2010 Colorado Queer Youth Summit featuring workshops on: Immigration as an LGBTQ Issue, Creating a Queer Zine, Gender Segregated Spaces, and lots more.

Tom Goss: Free Music Friday

Crooning cutie Tom Goss has four free songs available for download in honor of it being Friday and you can snatch them up right here.

Call to Action: Tell Clear Channel to stop radio host Jim Quinn’s defamatory attacks

On the January 14 edition of Clear Channel's nationally syndicated radio program, “The War Room with Quinn and Rose,” host Jim Quinn made outrageous and defamatory comments about people living with HIV/AIDSand what he called the “homosexual AIDS lobby.” Quinn erroneously compared contagious tuberculosis patients to people living with HIV/AIDS and went on to say, “When you get AIDS, pal, the door opens up to you. You have got all kinds of government goodies, including a maid to clean your house, transportation - I mean it's - there's just a wealth of wonders that come.”

Media Matters For America released audio of the comments you can listen to here.

Quinn’s attempts to compare HIV/AIDS to tuberculosis are grossly inaccurate and appalling. His overall comments defaming people living with HIV/AIDS are also beyond the pale.

These statements are particularly troubling given similar comments by Quinn in the past. In November 2008, GLAAD issued a call to action after Quinn made defamatory remarks about marriage for same-sex couples in California, saying, “Gay marriage doesn't produce anything that the state has an interest in. Gay sex produces AIDS, which the state doesn't have – or should have an interest in. They should charge homosexuals more for their – for their health insurance than they charge the rest of us.'"

At that time, GLAAD called on Clear Channel executives to reprimand Quinn and stop providing a national platform for these kinds of defamatory attacks.

GLAAD urges you to contact Clear Channel Communications and voice concerns about Jim Quinn’s latest reprehensible comments. Ask Clear Channel Executives why Quinn is still being allowed this platform to perpetuate hatred, fear and misinformation:

Lisa Dollinger
Chief Communications Officer
Clear Channel Communications
(210) 822-2828
lisacdollinger@clearchannel.com

Rod Phillips
Programming Senior Vice President
(210) 822-2828
rodphillips@clearchannel.com

Robert H. Walls, Jr.
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
(210) 822-2828
robert.walls@clearchannel.com

Attention book fans!

Taschen's got dozens of books marked at 50-75% off retail price through January 24.

MileHighGayGuy Advertiser Shout Out: Denver Center Theatre Academy

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts offers acting instruction year-round through the Denver Center Theatre Academy. Led by professional actors and teaching artists, classes are offered for both the beginning and advanced actor. The Denver Center Theatre Academy offers intensive one- or two-day sessions as well as multi-week courses.

Remember, when you shop local gay and gay-friendly businesses, the money you spend remains in, and benefits, the LGBT community.

National Drag History Month: Bebe Zahara Benet

Watch Gay Video & Lesbian Movies

Those that fail to learn from drag history, are doomed to repeat it.

Travel: Tour Israel with Michael Lucas

Porn king Michael Lucas is bringing a group of tourists to Israel in late May. The trip is planned to be a two week tour through Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Jaffa, Eilat, Haifa, Ga'ash Beach, the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, the Sea of Galilee, and many more locations. Click the link for a complete itinerary or to claim your spot on the tour.

Sounds like it could be a verrrrry interesting trip.

Courage Campaign wins infringement suit

Rick Jacobs, Chair of the Courage Campaign Institute writes:

Last week Protect Marriage, the same people defending Prop 8 at the federal trial, sent us a cease-and-desist letter threatening a lawsuit in U.S. District Court. They said the logo we used on our Prop 8 Trial Tracker web site -- an obvious parody of the Yes on 8 logo -- was somehow an infringement on their trademark.

Our lawyers rejected their ridiculous claims. They not only pointed out that parody is protected by the law and precedent, but noted the irony in Protect Marriage's attempt to silence us:

"While our client does appreciate the irony of the suggestion in your letter that a logo of a family made up of a man, a woman, and two children is "substantially indistinguishable" from a logo of a family made up of two women and two children, your assertion is incorrect."

On Tuesday, ProtectMarriage then filed suit against Courage, asking a federal court to issue a temporary restraining order forcing us to take down our logo. Again we refused.

And we won. On Wednesday afternoon, Judge Lawrence Karlton ruled in our favor, rejecting the restraining order and Protect Marriage's claims.

Denver Democrats Century Club with Mayor John Hickenlooper

The Denver Dems' January 25 Century Club event, the first in 2010, will feature Mayor (and Democratic candidate for Governor) John Hickenlooper and Political Strategist Michael Dino.

The event takes place Monday, January 25 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at a private residence where you can join Democratic Party of Denver's Century Club members in welcoming Mayor John Hickenlooper and Mike Dino as the group's special guests to talk about the gubernatoriall campaign and Democratic Party politics in an election year.

The event is open only to Century Club members and is free with membership! Drinks and appetizers will be provided. RSVP to Jennifer Jacobson at 720-255-5510 or at vicechair@denverdemocrats.net or become a member of the Century Club by clicking here.

Cindy and Meghan say 'yes' but John still says 'no'

Cindy and Meghan McCain, the wife and daughter of 2008 Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain, have lent their faces and efforts to the NOH8 campaign, which was formed to protest passage of Proposition 8, California’s discriminatory anti-marriage law.

“Cindy and Meghan McCain’s outspoken, public support of full marriage equality for loving and committed same-sex couples further underscores that equality is not a liberal issue or a conservative issue,” said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign. “We are deeply grateful to Mrs. McCain for proactively reaching out and offering her support of our community’s equality. In households throughout the country, families are talking about equality and minds are changing. The McCains are a prominent example, but they are not alone. Little by little, family member by family member, there is no doubt that our country is headed in the direction of full equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and Cindy and Meghan McCain’s courageous decision to publicly stand up will certainly be a beacon for others to follow.”

Unfortunately, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) quickly released an official statement from his Senate office reiterating his anti-marriage equality position and touting his past support for discriminatory measures. The statement reads, “Senator McCain respects the views of members of his family. The Senator chaired the effort to successfully pass Arizona Proposition 102, the Marriage Protection Amendment, and his opposition to gay marriage remains the same. Senator McCain believes the sanctity of marriage is only defined as between one man and one woman.”

Groundbreaking GLBT marketing firm celebrates 20th anniversary

WinMark Concepts, Inc., the award-winning,full-service marketing and communications firm marked its 20th anniversary this month with a celebratory party for team member's and company friends at a Washington, D.C. eatery this past week (Thursday, January 14th). Staffers toasted the evening led by WinMark's President and CEO, Andrew Isen. WinMarks' clients have included, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Coors Brewing Co., Time Warner, The British Tourist Authority (VisitBritain), Hansen's Natural Beverages, United Airlines, British Airways, Philip Morris, Glaxo SmithKline, and Fannie Mae.

"We're proud to celebrate WinMark's 20th anniversary and the over 700 businesses we've worked with over the years." said Isen. "We're also proud to be the first full-service marketing and communications firm to truly recognize the immense power of gay & lesbian consumers and effectuate ways to collaborate with both large and small companies to tap into this influential segment. From our main offices in Washington, DC, and field teams across the country, we've created and executed literally thousands of winning programs in every market of the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, San Diego, Dallas, Boston, Seattle, Phoenix and everywhere in between."

More after the jump.


WinMark's vast work over the past 20 years has included strategic planning, program development, experiential and field marketing, special events, creation of point-of-sale materials, advertising creative, custom photography, direct marketing, on-line marketing, consumer research and more.

According to marketresearch.com, the buying power of U.S. gays and lesbians is expected to exceed $835 billion by 2011. Additional research shows GLBT Americans are more likely to seek out companies who advertise to them, and are willing to pay higher prices for premium products and services. They also show that twice as many GLBT Americans are to have graduated from college, twice as likely to have an individual income exceeding $60,000, and twice as likely to have a household income of $250,000 or more.

"We discovered in our very first year the tremendous buying power of the GLBT market. Gay and lesbian consumers can be very loyal to specific brands that appeal to them, and they show their support in buying goods and services from these companies," continues Isen. "And we have worked with many Fortune 500 companies that embrace these ideals, and offer for their own employees' domestic partner benefits, non-discrimination policies, and financial support for organizations supporting equality. We're thrilled that more and more companies are joining this roster and offering these benefits to all their employees, and we applaud their efforts."

"We know the market and the economy is always changing," said Isen. "We also know that there is something to be said for real brand quality and loyalty. The GLBT consumer knows about both, and beginning with our early days we have found winning ways to showcase our client's best products and services - and we are still doing so today - and into tomorrow."

Named one of OUT Magazine's "OUT 100" and with nearly 30 years of integrated marketing experience, WinMark's Andrew Isen received both his BBA and MBA from George Washington University. Prior to WinMark, he held marketing positions with Membership Services, Inc., the Navy League of the United States and the Girl Scouts of America.



Celebrate National Drag History Month with Logo's Dragtastic comedy special

Celebrate National Drag History Month all through January, with a loving tribute to the great Drag-Americans who have contributed to our community's rich cultural heritage.

World-famous 'RuPaul's Drag Race' audience favorite Ongina emcees this hour-long television event on Monday, January 25 at 9 p.m. on Logo. It's the first ever all-drag stand-up comedy showcase, featuring an all-star line-up representing today's greatest drag stand-up comics. This one of a kind event features the latest comedy from the always-popular Miss Coco Peru, the brilliant and somewhat disturbed Varla Jean Merman, and the legendary Jackie Beat. Part of National Drag History Month.

MileHighGayGuy Advertiser Shout Out: Elitch Lanes

Please support the local businesses that help support Colorado's gay community with their advertising dollars.

Remember - when you shop gay and gay-friendly businesses, the money you spend remains in, and benefits, the LGBT community.

So why not hit up Elitch Lanes Tuesday or Thursday nights for Quarter Mania? Just pay a $5 entry fee and then get your games, shoes, and hot dogs for just a quarter each from 9 p.m. to close!