The Cliks get "La Ink-ed"

Through his music The Cliks’ lead singer, Lucas Silveira “wears his heart on his tattoo sleeve.” In addition to the winged guns, pouncing dragons and carefully etched word “Survivor,” the electrifying frontman will add a new tattoo to his collection when he appears on the March 25th episode of TLC’s hit cable television show, LA Ink.

The new tattoo, a stylized Mexican Day of The Dead skull, holds special meaning for Silveira, “Traditionally, Mexican Day Of The Dead celebrations represent rebirth and moving into the second phase of life and to me,” he explains. “It represents the rebirth I had when I transitioned from Lilia to Lucas and my true identity as a transgendered male.”

The Cliks introduced their brand of gritty garage rock and punk in 2007 with their debut album ‘Snakehouse’ (Silver/Tommy Boy) and have since earned a deeply loyal following throughout the US and Europe. The band is again touring the US as of March 12 and on March 13 will return to Austin’s SXSW Music Festival, where the Toronto foursome made their stateside debut in 2007. Later this month The Cliks will re-join mutual fans, The Cult, who’ve asked The Cliks to return as their opening band after hitting it off and successfully touring together last year. Find out more at The Cliks.

HRC True Colors Tour Ticket Pre-Sale

'Chop Shop' at Starz

'Chop Shop' is the story of Alejandro (Alejandro Polanco), a twelve-year-old Latino street orphan in the "Iron Triangle," a vibrant, sprawling, industrial neighborhood teeming with auto-body repair shops, scrap yards, and garbage dumps on the outskirts of Queens, New York. Alejandro, like many young boys in the area, works at one of the many auto body repair shops that line the street. Although conditions are harsh, his life is sprinkled with moments of happiness as he carves out a life for himself in an urban wasteland. The brightest of these moments is the arrival of his sister Isamar (Isamar Gonzales), who moves in with him in the tiny room that he has found for them perched in the back of the shop. With a mixture of childlike naiveté and adult ambition, Alejandro begins obsessively saving his money to buy a mobile-food van as the two dream about owning and running a small business of their own. But when their dream, and their loving relationship, is threatened by the hard truths of life, work, and one another, the children find themselves forced to make the kinds of difficult decisions that most adults never have to face.

It's coming to the Starz FilmCenter and I'm gonna be first in line to see it. It looks awesome because it reminds me of a game I would play with my sisters when we were very little called Poor Kids and had pretty much exactly the same plot. Man, playing Poor Kids was like riding an emotional roller coaster but we loved it.

Beta opens this weekend

Chi Chi LaRue's Safe Sex PSA featured on BBC

Channel 1 Releasing is proud to announce that its new safe sex Public Service Announcement (PSA) video starring legendary porn director Chi Chi LaRue was featured on the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC’s) popular “Newsnight” program in the United Kingdom.

The exclusive “Newsnight” investigation report highlighting the health risks of bareback gay porn featured a two-minute clip from Channel 1 Releasing’s controversial PSA starring safer sex advocate Chi Chi LaRue and his very public stance against bareback films and model safety on porn sets around the globe.

The well-balanced, 15-minute segment also reported on the three models who contracted HIV on a UK porn set last October, the case of British producer, Rufus Ffoulkes, who was jailed last week on a child pornography charge for putting a 16-year-old boy in a gay porn film in which he had unprotected sex and included several interviews with gay community leaders, health professionals as well as with former models and models presently working in the U.K. who have not only appeared in barebacking films, but who have also contracted the HIV virus while performing on bareback sets.

“I couldn’t be happier that our new PSA was featured in this very important report by the BBC,” says Channel 1 Releasing partner and award-winning director Chi Chi LaRue, “... This PSA was important for me, personally, to make because of the issue of model safety on porn sets, as well as to inform consumers that the gorgeous models that they see in these videos are real people and that the danger that they are exposing themselves to in making barebacking films is REAL. I hope that message is heard loud and clear in the U.K. as well as around the world!”

The complete 4-minute safe sex PSA is available for viewing on Channel 1 Releasing’s new website SafeSexIsHotSex and includes an open letter from LaRue with his stance on the barebacking vs. safer sex in gay porn issue; as well as links that contain important statistical information, used in the PSA, from the Center For Disease Control (CDC), APLA, AMFAR, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, AIDS Map News (NAM), LAMA and The New York Times.
To see the BBC’s “Newsnight” broadcast featuring Chi Chi LaRue and the “Safe Sex Is Hot Sex” PSA clip visit BBC.

True Colors Tour Returns!

The True Colors Tour will hit the road again this summer with an exciting new line-up of legendary and up and coming artists including headliners Cyndi Lauper, The B-52s, Rosie O’Donnell with host Carson Kressley and many more including Wanda Sykes, Tegan and Sara, Regina Spektor, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Joan Armatrading, Indigo Girls, Nona Hendryx, Deborah Cox and The Cliks.

This year’s tour will highlight the need for the LGBT community and their straight allies to get out and make their votes count this fall. HRC and this year’s other non-profit partners – CenterLink (the nation’s LGBT community centers) and Parents, Families, Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) National - are joining with the True Colors Tour to bring together Americans across the country to voice their solidarity for LGBT equality and raise public awareness about the issues that face the LGBT community.

The True Colors Tour was conceived by Cyndi Lauper stemming from her desire to give back to the community for the love and support they have given her throughout her career. The True Colors Tour is a celebration of the basic values and freedoms that should be shared by all Americans. Fans will experience these values through the music of both legendary icons and the newest and coolest acts this generation has to offer.

“I’m so excited and honored that we’re taking True Colors out on the road again this year,” said tour producer and creator Cyndi Lauper. “We had a blast last year and we are proud that the tour also brought about visibility and discussions of issues that LGBT citizens face in our country today. This year I am once again joined on the tour by an array of incredibly talented artists. The tour is a non stop 5 hour music party with a message. This year the party only gets bigger and our message to the fans is to get out and vote in November. The True Colors Tour asks for equality for all, not just for some, that is the principal upon which this country was founded. So let’s celebrate and have fun this summer while we spread the word to get out the vote and all become a part of the changes in this country.”

"True Colors is a good way to get out the vote,” said The B-52s’ Fred Schneider, “and get out of the house and party!"

Tickets for select cities will go on sale beginning March 15th and will be available at Ticketmaster. The True Colors Tour is presented by Logo and produced by True Colors Concerts, LLC in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign. For official tour & ticket information visit: True Colors Tour.

Rick Astley Would Never

HRC unveils Election 2008 t-shirts

The Human Rights Campaign has designed t-shirts in the spirit of the pursuit for equality during the 2008 election season. The t-shirts show two of each of the icons of the respective political parties, donkeys and elephants, engaged in a kiss. The shirts encourage the GLBT community to vote in November.
“These shirts are intended to humorously persuade GLBT people—of either party—to vote and ensure they are represented by their elected officials,” said Human Rights Campaign Creative Director Don Kiser. “GLBT issues have become increasingly prominent in the political process, and wearers of the shirts can further this in a light-hearted way.”

To view or purchase the Democratic version of the shirt, go to HRC Democrat shirt.

To view or purchase the Republican version, go to HRC Republican shirt.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Denver's Month of Photography

The much awaited Month of Photography is here. The main impetus for having a dedicated month to photography is that the 2008 National Conference for the Society for Photographic Education is being held here in Denver from March 13-16 at the Adam's Mark hotel. For more information about this exciting event check out Working With Artists.
(*photos from 303photo)

Party like it's 1976 in Winter Park

In 1976, the winter events were torn away from Colorado. In 2008, they return to their rightful owner. On March 7th and 8th, 25 teams of four will compete for the fame, glory and honor of becoming Champions of 1976. Competitions: Snowbladecross, Gaper park challenge, old school team challenge. Awards also for best costumes and team mojo.

For more info or to apply go to Winter Park.

Pet of the Week: Benny

Hi! My name is Benny and I am a 9-year-old neutered male cocker spaniel mix. I am an adorable guy that would love to lay around and watch TV with you. Please visit me at the Dumb Friends League at 2080 S. Quebec Street in Denver. To see me and other available pets, visit Denver Dumb Friends League.

Brothas4Ever Tonight

Be sure to join Brothas4Ever tonight (Monday, March 3rd) for their 339th meeting at "Reggie's Place" at 7 p.m. The intriguing topic to be facilitated by Bro Darrell will be: "Brothas...Why? - Why do we tolerate the things we do?" A tasty supper, which will be provided by Bro Chris, will be served at 7 p.m., with the meeting called to order at 7:20 p.m. For more information about Brothas2Ever contact Bruce E. Gipson at 303-367-5021 or brothas4ever@hotmail.com.

Colorado Stonewall Dems Party Tonight (free cocktails!)

The Colorado Stonewall Democrats would like to invite you to a free cocktail party Monday, March 3 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at 1111 Race St., Penthouse B in Denver.

The party is being held to introduce potential donors to the Colorado Stonewall Democrats and to discuss sponsorship opportunities for the Stonewall Democrat's National Convention being held in Denver between August 21st and 24th. While you will have an opportunity to donate or become a sponsor yourself, they would mainly just like you to show up, have a good time, and meet other people who are interested in advancing LGBT civil rights.

In addition to the board of directors of Colorado Stonewall Democrats, they are expecting the executive director of National Stonewall Democrats, John Hoadley, to be there as well as state legislators, area business leaders, and LGBT community leaders. The event is business casual, FREE, and does not require an RSVP.

If you have any questions email board chair, Jeffrey Shaw at Chair@stonewalldems.org.

STOMP in Denver

STOMP is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique and appeals to audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.

I've never seen the show but I've always wanted to so I'm looking forward to checking it out tomorrow night. I think some bangin' and stompin' will do me good.

Stomp plays The Buell Theatre in Denver March 4-9. For more information or to snatch your tickets visit www.denvercenter.org.

Weather in Colorado

I've seen some crazy weather in Colorado but in all my born days I don't think I've ever experienced quite as extreme a change as this past weekend.

On Saturday it was 70-something degrees and I spent all day topless out in the yard. Sunday, there was three inches of blowing snow on the ground and I was stuck inside the house. Bottomless.