Taking the day off

Hey everybody, Denver PrideFest 2010 was awesome but exhausting. I'm taking the day off today and will resume posting tomorrow. I'll have all sorts of PrideFest pics and coverage in addition to all of the usual news, events, and information of interest to gay men in Denver and throughout Colorado.

XOXO,
Drew

Jonathan Peters gives it to you dark and progressive tonight at Beta

You like dark, progressive house music, don't you?

New York nightlife legend Jonathan Peters gets Denver PrideFest started early with an appearance tonight at Beta.

Gayrage this Friday!

Gayrage - think gay+garage instead of gay+rage - kicks off Denver PrideFest weekend on Friday, June 18 from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. at 3014 (3014 East Colfax).

Sounds like my kind of party.

They've got a full kitchen for lots of tasty treats and they've got local superstar DJ Craig C for lots of hot beats from 4-8 p.m. and then DJ Jayskee takes over for the 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. slot with a performance from Venus Sexton.

If all of that isn't reason enough to go, Gayrage is also a benefit for Howard Dental, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization providing a full range of oral health care for adults, youth and children living with HIV/AIDS.

Denver PrideFest 2010: Check out the new Out West Country Stage

New this year at Denver PrideFest will be the Out West Country Stage, featuring line dancing lessons and mechanical bull riding. Yee-haw!

Denver PrideFest 2010: Sunday parade to be the largest in Denver PrideFest history

Marking its 35th year in 2010, Denver's PrideFest is a celebration of community, heritage, family and culture. It features a parade, rally, four stages of live entertainment, food and 200 vendor booths.

Produced by The GLBT Community Center of Colorado and attended by an estimated 275,000 LGBT people and their friends and families over the two days of the festival. PrideFest creates an estimated $23 million in economic impact for metro Denver, according to a study in 2009 by Birchhill Enterprises.

$23 million bucks is a lot.

Denver PrideFest 2010: March with the Denver Democrats

The Denver Democrats have a long and proud tradition of participating in PrideFest, and this year's 35th celebration should be no exception. Many individual candidates will be showing up in force with their supporters, and if you don't have plans to already, the Denver Democrats encourage you to join the parade from Cheesman Park to Civic Center Park and help celebrate the heritage and culture of Colorado's LGBT community.

Both U.S. Congresswoman Diana DeGette and gubernatorial candidate Mayor John Hickenlooper are inviting folks to help decorate their rides and walk with them in the parade Sunday morning.

Denver PrideFest 2010: Meet the Sponsors

Thanks to the sponsors of Denver PrideFest, the festival is able to grow and provide a more robust and diverse entertainment lineup - while keeping the celebration completely free for the community. 

That's something that very few Pride celebrations across the country are able to do.

Denver PrideFest thanks all of their sponsors - listed here on their web site - for their continued support of Colorado's gay community.

Denver PrideFest 2010: Grand Marshalls

To celebrate 35 years of PrideFest in Denver, The Center is honoring people from the last four decades by naming them Grand Marshals of the 2010 PrideFest Parade including Donaciano Martinez, Robert Garner, Phil Nash, Tea Schook, Nita Henry, Dede Frain, Matt Kailey and many more!

Click here to check out photos and short profiles of this veritable Who's Who of Gay Denver.

Denver PrideFest 2010: PrideFest FAQ

Denver PrideFest is this weekend. Whoo-hoo! Anyway, here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions about PrideFest:

 

Denver PrideFest runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 20, at Civic Center Park. 

The CoorsLight PrideFest parade starts at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Cheesman Park and marches down Colfax Avenue to Civic Center Park. It's going to be the largest parade in Denver PrideFest history!

En Vogue is the headline act at 3 p.m. Sunday on the Main Stage. There will be hundreds of vendors, dancing, international cuisine and lots of great people-watching.

For a Civic Center Park and vendor map and complete listing of stage lineups, look for The Center's Pride Guide in June issues of OutFront Colorado, and Westword. You can also browse the Pride Guide online by clicking here.

For information regarding transportation and parking, please click here.

Denver PrideFest: Check out the Main Stage

R&B group En Vogue will be headlining the Main Stage/Ultimate Event series at Denver PrideFest in Civic Center Park on Sunday, June 20, at 3 p.m.

Originally formed in 1988, En Vogue has sold more than 20 million albums and singles worldwide, according to Billboard.com. They have won more MTV Video Music Awards than any other female group in MTV history.  

Also on the Main Stage on Sunday will be drag artist Nina Flowers (left), the Melanie Susuras Band, longtime Denver favorite Nina Montaldo (bottom left) and many more. 

Denver PrideFest: $23 million in economic impact

Marking its 35th anniversary this year, Denver PrideFest will be held on June 19 and 20 in Civic Center Park.

The annual celebration of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender heritage, community and culture has grown dramatically in 35 years and is now ranked as the sixth-largest Pride celebration in the country.

An estimated 275,000 people attended the two-day festival in 2009 -- which means big business for the metro area.

A study by Birchhill Enterprises in 2009 found that PrideFest created an estimated $23.4 million in direct and indirect economic impact for the Denver metro area. Total sales tax dollars generated for the Denver area, based on a 3.62% tax rate, came to $563,189.

The festival created an estimated $1.2 million in total sales tax revenue for the state of Colorado, according to the Birchhill study.

"PrideFest doesn't just symbolize the pride and solidarity of LGBT people in Colorado, it also shows the economic might of our community," said Carlos Martinez, executive director of the GLBT Community Center of Colorado, which produces PrideFest every year.

About 83 percent of PrideFest attendees in 2009 were locals; 17 percent were visitors. Approximately 43,660 of the local attendees said if the festival had not been held, they would have left the Denver area that weekend to find other recreational opportunities. The estimated amount of money that would have left the Denver area had PrideFest not been held was $14.32 million, the survey found.

Many corporations have discovered the economic strength of the LGBT community, with sponsorship of PrideFest growing each year.

Sponsors of Denver PrideFest 2010 include MileHighGayGuy.com, Coors Light, Comcast, Westword, Three Olives, At the Beach, Channel 2, Fox 31, Occasions by Sandy, Kaiser Permanente, Wells Fargo, Petco, Walgreens, Element, Eldorado Spring Water, CH2MHill, City of Denver, Public Service Credit Union, Progressive Insurance, US Bank, Lara Bar, Fuze, Northglenn Ambulance, Unidos N Orgullo (UNO), Sirius Radio, Magnolia Hotels, Hotel Teatro, Residence Inn-Marriott, Cascadian Farm Organic, Erico Motorsports, Babes Around Denver, Element, Cafe Vivid, Hot 107.1 FM, AM760, KGNU, DJ Tatiana and Grindr.

Denver PrideFest 2010: Carnaval Latino

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado (The Center) is pleased to announce the lineup for the Latino Stage at Denver PrideFest at Civic Center Park on June 19 and 20.

The theme of this year's stage is Carnaval Latino, symbolizing the fun and diverse nature of the mix of entertainers comprising the 2010 lineup.

The stage, at the corner of Colfax and Bannock, will feature DJs, mariachi singers, a rock band from Juarez, Mexico, samba dances, folklore dances, drag queens and more.

Highlights of the Latino Stage over the two-day festival include mariachi singer Antonio Reyna from New Mexico, popular local singer Pedro Palafox and a live mariachi band, rock band Grupo Astra from Juarez, local theater group Obra Teatro UNO, La Colombiana Divas Show (drag), Danzas de los Chilenos (folk dance), and one of Denver's premier drag queen divas, Mariah.

"The stage is organized by the Latino community and highlights not only local talent, but also diverse entertainers from as far away as Mexico," said Center Executive Director Carlos Martinez. "Many of the entertainers are straight. That speaks to the reputation of Denver PrideFest, but also dispels the notion that the Latino community is homophobic."

The Center worked with several Latino leaders and organizations to produce the Latino Stage this year, including Unidos N Orgullo (UNO) -- United in Pride -- a new local Latino LGBT organization that promotes the health and well-being of its community.

To learn more about the Latino Stage, click here.

Denver PrideFest: Melodies of Pride

Don't miss the Melodies of Pride concert with Mile High Freedom Band and Harmony Chorale at Cheesman Park Pavilion on Tuesday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Pack a little picnic and enjoy a variety of music from Sousa to show tunes!

En Vogue coming to Denver PrideFest 2010

Hold on! Only ten more days until you can see En Vogue live at Denver PrideFest 2010.

Planned Parenthood of the rocky mountains announces Men’s Sexual Health program debut coincides with Men’s Health Week and Denver PrideFest 2010

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains today announced its Men’s Sexual Health Program located at Planned Parenthood’s Aurora health center.

PPRM has a long history of offering men’s health care services such as physical exams, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, testicular and colon cancer screenings, and cholesterol and high blood pressure tests. The Men’s Sexual Health Program will include specialized care for the evaluation and treatment of premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.

The debut of these new services coincides with National Men’s Health Week, June 14-20. PPRM is recognizing Men’s Health Week by encouraging men to visit their health care provider for regular checkups, preventive screenings, or any health issue.

The debut also coincides with Denver PrideFest 2010, June 19-20.

“Our new services will enable us to provide a greater continuum of care for men. We know people, including men, depend on us to meet all their reproductive and basic primary health care needs,” said Amy Dickson, vice president of clinical operations for PPRM. “Because men often are less likely than women to seek health care, it is our goal to help men access the care they need in an environment they feel welcomed.”

Clients interested in the Men’s Sexual Health Program are welcome to make an appointment or walk in.

“Men’s Health Week is the perfect time for men to remind themselves that preventive care is important to remaining healthy and reproductive health should not be overlooked,” said Dickson.

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 8,400 new cases of testicular cancer were diagnosed in 2009.[1] Up to 10 percent of men of all ages experience ongoing problems with erectile dysfunction[2] and an estimated 30 to 70 percent of men experience premature or rapid ejaculation, a condition that is reported most commonly in men aged 18 to 30 years old.[3] In addition, STDs continue to pose a serious public health threat in this country and affect both sexes. In 2007, 74 percent of HIV/AIDS diagnosis among adolescents and adults were males.[4]

Planned Parenthood is committed to providing access to basic and reproductive health care for men. In 2009 PPRM saw 8,620 male clients, which represents 7 percent of its total client base. From 2008 to 2009, PPRM saw a 16 percent increase in male clients throughout its region of Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada, and New Mexico. During Men’s Health Week, PPRM will be conducting community outreach activities to raise awareness for men’s health and JR’s in Denver will host a men’s health trivia night on June 14.

Speaking OUT on Denver PrideFest 2010: Are you planning to attend PrideFest?

"I would love to go but I'll probably have to work. We get a lot of gay clientele at the Cheeky Monk so everybody coming to PrideFest should stop in and say 'hi!'" - Leah, 24

Speaking OUT on Denver PrideFest 2010: Are you planning to attend PrideFest?

"PrideFest is a bunch of people getting together to have fun so I'm gonna go and see what kind of fun I can have." - Cody, 18

Speaking OUT on Denver PrideFest 2010: Are you planning to attend PrideFest?

"I don't really know much about PrideFest but it sounds interesting. I would definitely like to go and check out the music and good vibes. Good vibes are so important." - Sabrina, 18

Denver PrideFest: Last call for parade applications!

Sunday, May 30 is the absolute, drop-dead final day you can submit your application for a parade contingent for Denver PrideFest 2010.

Click here to fill out your application today!

Denver PrideFest: Grand Marshalls announced for 2010

To celebrate 35 years of PrideFest in Denver, The Center is honoring people from the last four decades by naming them Grand Marshals of the 2010 PrideFest Parade.

These people have been key players in and supporters of the LGBT community in Colorado from the 1970s to today, and The Center is proud to have them represent us in the parade, which steps off from Cheesman Park Sunday, June 20, at 9:30 a.m. and marches down Colfax Avenue to Civic Center Park.

Among the honorees is Phil Nash (left), The Center's first executive director.

Phil became The Center's first paid staff member in 1977, establishing the first services and programs offered to the community. He was also instrumental in transforming the Colorado AIDS Project from a program of The Center to an independent 501(c)3 organization when it became clear that AIDS crisis required a much larger response that originally anticipated. He served on The Center's Board of Directors for a number of years in the late 1990s, and presently serves on The Center's capital campaign committee. Today Nash works for the Rose Community Foundation as Vice President of Communications.