Showing posts with label Denver PrideFest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Denver PrideFest. Show all posts

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Denver PrideFest 2011: Saturday, June 18 is Family Fun Day!


Bring the whole family down to Civic Center Park to experience the all-ages excitement of Denver PrideFest's Family Fun Day! They've got a Kids Parade, Kiddie Karaoke, the Dogs in Drag contest and even a petting zoo!

Denver PrideFest 2011: The ABCs of PrideFest

Denver PrideFest 2011 is very nearly upon us so check out The Center's blog showcasing The ABCs of PrideFest by the beautiful and talented Matt Kailey.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Denver PrideFest 2011: Major Mike Almy of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

This year's Denver PrideFest (June 18 and 19) spotlights the sacrifices of America's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered veterans and service members.


Grand marshal of the Denver PrideFest Parade on Sunday, June 19 will be former Air Force Maj. Mike Almy, an Iraq war veteran. Almy served in the Air Force for 13 years and followed the policies of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), but says he was forced to leave the service after a colleague stumbled across private e-mail messages to family and friends - messages Almy thought he deleted from the computer he was using once he left Iraq.

"In Iraq, during the height of the insurgency, this commander who had replaced my unit ordered a search of my private e-mails. They went through about 500-plus e-mails and pulled out maybe a dozen or so which were damaging to myself in the light of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' "

He never admitted he was gay while he was in the Air Force, Almy says. He had been in charge of a squadron of more than 200 men and women, but says he was kicked out of the military.

President Obama signed a repeal of DADT late last year, but it still requires implementation plans by the Pentagon. The House-approved military budget for 2012 includes language which could slow that process by requiring additional military certification requirements for the policy to be dismantled.

Almy thinks the lingering support for DADT is similar to other now-overturned military bans for race or gender.

"Part of it, I think, is fear of the unknown. The military has traditionally been white men that serve."

Despite the slow process, Almy says he's encouraged by the repeal.

"It's such a huge step forward for LGBT Americans, saying that they can now defend America."

Sunday's Denver PrideFest Parade will also feature a volunteer color guard and the Denver Pipe and Drum Corps.

The ABCs of PrideFest: V is for Venue

Civic Center Park is the fantastic venue that welcomes Denver PrideFest every year. With plenty of grassy areas for both shade and sun, a giant Main Stage area for the best in entertainment, and enough room for the 300,000-plus celebrants that will flood the park on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19, Civic Center Park is the perfect venue for PrideFest.

And don’t forget the other venue that we all know and love. The Coors Light PrideFest Parade steps off at our favorite Cheesman Park at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 19, and revelers will line the streets, all the way down Colfax to the PrideFest celebration.

So plan to park it this weekend – at Civic Center Park and Cheesman Park – for the best PrideFest party ever.

The ABCs of PrideFest: T is for Transgender Resource Area

Returning this year to Denver PrideFest is the Transgender Rest & Resource Area, hosted by The Center’s Transgender Advisory Committee. Everyone is welcome to stop on by, meet the volunteers, get resources and information on trans issues, or just sit in the shade and relax.

Staffed by volunteers from the trans community and located in the shaded area just off Broadway and Colfax, the Transgender Rest & Resource Area is a great place to meet your friends, get out of the hot sun, and take a load off your feet. Trans or not, you’re welcome here.

Monday, June 13, 2011

The ABCs of PrideFest: P is for Parade, Part 1

We love a parade. And what’s PrideFest without one? Starting with the Kids Parade on Saturday, June 18, led by the Mile High Freedom Band, and continuing with the granddaddy of ‘em all, the Coors Light PrideFest Parade, kicking off at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 19 at Cheesman Park and continuing down Colfax Ave. to Civic Center Park, there is no better way to get your Pride on.

Whether you’re marching along or cheering them on, make the Coors Light PrideFest Parade the highlight of your PrideFest weekend!

This post by Matt Kailey originally appeared at The Center's Blog as part of The ABCs of PrideFest series. 

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

The ABCs of Denver PrideFest: O is for On the Air

Check out these great Denver PrideFest ads. And if they make you wish you were there – well, you can be. Denver PrideFest is coming up on June 18 and 19 in Civic Center Park. Mark your calendar.


This post by Matt Kailey originally appeared at The Center's Blog as part of The ABCs of PrideFest series.

The ABCs of PrideFest: N is for Nina Montaldo

Nina Montaldo (aka James Martinez) began her career as a female impersonator in 1969. Since then Nina has become a legend throughout the drag community. In her home town of Denver, Colorado, and throughout the country, Nina has entertained thousands of people in both the gay and straight communities. Nina was instrumental in bringing the art of female impersonation into the straight community while performing with the first female impersonation troupe, Playgirl Follies, at Denver’s Annual People’s Fair in the early 1980s and continues to perform through Denver and the country with her unique style of drag.

Since the inception of the Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire, Nina has been an active member. Her first official Command was for Empress I Bridgette. Nina served as Princess Royale 7, Queen Mother and the elected office of Empress 24. She also served on the Board of Directors for 14 years. Nina has helped raise thousands of dollars for various charities, including PFLAG and the battles against HIV/AIDS and breast cancer, and has been recognized for her work with numerous awards.

Nina is a mentor to many queens, providing makeup lessons, and she continues to style wigs for queens across the country. When not entertaining the masses, James is an apartment manager where he has lived for 30 years! You may have seen Nina last year as one of the Grand Marshals for the 35th Anniversary of Denver’s Pride Fest.

Titles include:
Ms. Gay Colorado America 1980
Princess Royale 7, Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire
Ms. Gay Pride 1989-1990
Queen Mother 3 For Live reign 17-23, Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire
Empress 24, Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire
Board of Directors, Member at Large, for 14 years, Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire
First Lady of Entertainment to the Americas proclaimed by Nicole The Great, Queen Mother of the Americas

Find Nina on Facebook.

This post by Matt Kailey originally appeared at The Center's Blog as part of The ABCs of PrideFest series. 

The ABCs of Denver PrideFest: J is for Justin Utley

When hunky ex-Mormon Justin Utley appeared in Out Front Colorado’s January 12, 2011 issue, he informed us that he was applying to perform at PrideFest this year, and we started to dream. Well, now our dreams have come true.

The unbelievable Mr. Utley will grace the Main Stage on Saturday, January 18 – and we’ll be in the audience, trying to keep our hands to ourselves.

This post by Matt Kailey originally appeared at The Center's Blog as part of The ABCs of PrideFest series. 

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Denver PrideFest 2011: The Center Presents PRIDE Tease - A Retrospective of Pride Ts

Debuting on Friday, June 10 and running through the month of June, The GLBT Community Center of Colorado (The Center) will present ‘PRIDE Tease: A Retrospective of Pride T-Shirts’. This exhibit will help to chronicle Colorado's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender history and evolution through the display of Pride T-shirts, newspaper clippings and magazine articles, photos, posters and other memorabilia.

For decades T-shirts have been worn to demonstrate a person’s unique qualities, lifestyle or opinions. They have also been used to represent memories, demonstrate belief systems, or provide a means for people to band together and express who they are. People wore and continue to wear T-shirts to say something about the type of person they are … without ever having to say a word.

‘PRIDE Tease: A Retrospective of Pride T-Shirts’ will span 34 years of LGBT history. In 1977, members of Colorado’s LGBT community were wearing T-shirts that said “I Am ‘One’ Are You?” We wore these T-shirts to express our identities. It was a way for us to build community in public without fear of persecution or harm. Today, the message may seem too subtle, but back then it was a bold public statement. In 1986, our T-shirts read “Unified in Pride” and symbolized the strength we took from and gave back to our LGBT brothers and sisters. By 1997, Denver’s anti-gay Amendment 2 had been overturned and we celebrated our victories by wearing T-shirts that proclaimed that we were “Weaving a Community of Strength.” And by the first millennial decade, LGBT Pride had become a brand - a powerful identity - that left nothing unsaid.

Over the past four decades – 1970’s to the 2000’s – The Center, Denver PrideFest, and Colorado’s LGBT community have used our T’s to tease the straight public by communicating with each other under their noses while slowly educating them to be more accepting of the LGBT community as our messages became bolder and more “in your face.” And every one of you who has worn a PrideFest T-shirt has contributed to the LGBT rights movement. Whether you wore it at PrideFest, the grocery store, among friends, at a family gathering, at work or anywhere in public, you have stood proud in your identity and for your community.


The Center hopes that ‘PRIDE Tease: A Retrospective of Pride T-Shirts’ provides you with an educational and historical perspective of our movement in Colorado, empowers you to always be proud of whom you are, and reminds you to always celebrate the rich diversity of our community.

Denver PrideFest 2011: Sunday, June 19 is the Coors Light PrideFest Parade and the Festival in Civic Center Park


Produced by The GLBT Community Center of Colorado (The Center), and recognized as one of the Top 10 Pride Events in the country, Denver PrideFest 2011 takes place on Saturday, June 18 from 11am-7pm and Sunday, June 19 from 10am-6pm in downtown Denver's Civic Center Park. For more information visit www.denverpride.org.

The ABCs of PrideFest: C is for Carmen Carrera



Denver loves RuPaul’s Drag Race – and why shouldn’t we? Many of our local lovelies have gone on the show and smeared the competition – not to mention the competition’s lipstick. But this year, we welcome New Jersey’s own Carmen Carrera, straight (?) from Drag Race Season 3 to Denver PrideFest.

Carrera will be heating up the PrideFest Main Stage on Saturday, June 18, and she knows how to work! Find out for yourself at PrideFest – and keep reading this blog for more on Ms. Carrera.

This post by Matt Kailey originally appeared at The Center's Blog as part of The ABCs of PrideFest series. 

The ABCs of PrideFest: D is for Dogs in Drag


Is your puppy feeling plain? Well, primp him up and drag him (or her) to Dogs in Drag on Saturday, June 18 on the Main Stage at Denver PrideFest.

Dogs in Drag is one of most popular PrideFest featured events, and every year, the dogs get draggier. Your dog will love sniffing out the competition, pawsing to let everyone get a good look, and drooling over all the canine costumes.

The stage will be littered with precious pups in outlandish outfits vying to be top dog.

Unleash your dog’s inner diva at Dogs in Drag, where wigs and wags abound. Don’t make your dog beg – fetch a costume today, bone up on the latest doggie moves, and get ready for a treat. And be sure to take some tips from past contestants.




This post by Matt Kailey originally appeared at The Center's Blog as part of The ABCs of PrideFest series.
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The ABCs of PrideFest: C is for Carlo Riley

What’s PrideFest without Michael Jackson?

Alas, the King of Pop is no longer with us, but you will be hard-pressed to say that’s not Jackson himself on the stage when his No. 1 fan, lookalike, and Michael Jackson impersonator Carlo Riley moonwalks his way into your heart.

Catch Riley on the Main Stage on Saturday, June 18 for “Carlo Riley presents The Michael Jackson Tribute.” And keep reading this blog for more on Michael … umm … Carlo. He’s Bad!

This post by Matt Kailey originally appeared at The Center's Blog as part of The ABCs of PrideFest series. 

Monday, June 6, 2011

Denver PrideFest 2011: Saturday, June 18 is Family Fun Day!


Produced by The GLBT Community Center of Colorado (The Center), and recognized as one of the Top 10 Pride Events in the country, Denver PrideFest 2011 takes place on Saturday, June 18 from 11am-7pm and Sunday, June 19 from 10am-6pm in downtown Denver's Civic Center Park. For more information visit www.denverpride.org.

The ABCs of PrideFest: C is for The Center

This year, the GLBT Community Center of Colorado (The Center) celebrates 35 years of service to Colorado’s LGBT community – and The Center’s new building at 1301 E. Colfax Ave. says it all.

The Center has grown along with the community, providing ongoing services and support, as well as our favorite annual celebration – Denver PrideFest. Check out The Center for support groups, social groups, youth programs, seniors programs, legal services, health services and a whole lot more.

And join The Center in commemorating 36 years of Pride at this year’s PrideFest celebration. We can’t wait to see you there!

This post by Matt Kailey originally appeared at The Center's Blog as part of The ABCs of PrideFest series. 

The ABCs of PrideFest: B is for Beer

CoorsAnd not just any beer – Coors Light is the beer that the boys (see below) will be imbibing at Denver PrideFest 2011, right after the Coors Light PrideFest Parade, which kicks off at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 19. It’ll be a hot day, so grab a Coors Light – and make it a hot night, too!

Matt Kailey originally appeared at The Center's Blog as part of The ABCs of PrideFest series.

The ABCs of PrideFest: B is for Boys


Nothing beats a bevy of boys basking bare-chested on the boulevard! No boys? Why bother? That’s why PrideFest is full of ‘em.
ParisLoungingDancing
DJ


Matt Kailey originally appeared at The Center's Blog as part of The ABCs of PrideFest series.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Drumroll please! Presenting the official commercial for Denver PrideFest 2011


The GLBT Community Center of Colorado (The Center) presents Denver PrideFest 2011 on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19 in downtown Denver's Civic Center Park. Join 300,000 of your best friends for one of the biggest gay Pride events in the country!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

303 Magazine celebrates release of PrideFest issue


Yesterday, 303 Magazine released its first-ever PrideFest Issue timed with the upcoming Denver PrideFest 2011. The 6th largest Pride event in the country, the Denver PrideFest is held every June in conjunction with national LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) month and includes a variety of festivities around the city.

In support of this special edition, 303 Magazine and The GLBT Community Center of Colorado (The Center) will host the first annual PrideFest Special Edition Release Party and VIP reception on Thursday, May 26th, at the Exdo Event Center. Included in the night’s festivities will be the largest LGBT fashion show of the year. As the nonprofit partner for this event, The Center will receive 25 percent of the proceeds made from ticket sales to the event.

Hosted by Channel 2’s beloved entertainment reporter and Everyday Show host, Chris Parente (pictured left), and produced by 303 Magazine’s creative director, Charlie Price, the fashion show will feature 20 of Denver’s top male and female models in a three-segment showcase.

“We are excited to partner with The Center for this momentous event and support the mission of PrideFest in a way reflective of 303 Magazine and our goal of staying on the pulse of Denver fashion,” remarked AB Aharonian, publisher of 303 Magazine.

"The Center and Denver PrideFest are proud to partner with 303 Magazine on this inaugural PrideFest edition launch. Joining marketing forces with the 303 team has allowed us to expand our reach and our relevance to new LGBT and allied audiences, sponsors and supporters,” stated Amy Drayer with The Center. “With 36 years of history behind us, we never stop looking forward, and we know that 303 is the right way to continue our expansion. Every dollar resulting from PrideFest is directly reinvested into programs to support our LGBT community; and when a company steps up to support that mission in the way that 303 has, we know we've found a true ally.”

Click the link to purchase your tickets for the PrideFest Special Edition Release Party and VIP Reception today!