Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Stonewall Fitness: By, For, and About Denver’s Gay Community!

David Smith, the owner of Stonewall Fitness, holds a degree in exercise science from Metropolitan State University of Denver, several fitness certifications including ACSM Personal Trainer and Group Fitness.

Smith specializes in exercise, nutrition and wellness programs for the GLBT community and leads a variety of different programs, including group fitness classes, personal training, athletic conditioning programs, educational seminars and workshops.

His passion lies in promoting the physical, mental and social benefits of exercise and healthy diet to the community by breaking down the barriers often associated with a healthy lifestyle to make it accessible for everybody.

Denver Limo – The Hottest Limousines in Denver!

Denver Limousine offers the hottest stretch limousines in Denver Colorado! Whatever the occasion, Denver Limousine’s team of professional drivers and top-of-the-line fleet of vehicles is waiting to serve you.

Tickets Still Available for Denver's Got Talent

A benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation, Denver’s Got Talent will take place on February with acts from local non-profits and groups performing for a chance to win $1000 for their organization.

Tickets are only $20 and include the show, dinner, and free admission to Tracks afterward. It's the best deal in Denver and it benefits the Matthew Shepard Foundation. I defy you to find a better way to spend a Saturday night.

Van Wild - Cherry Tree

Van Wild is a Southern Blues-Rock-Pop musical project by half Canadian, half American singer-songwriter Yasmine Van Wilt. The debut EP "Van Wild" is a feel-good mix of catchy and lyrical love, social observation and protest songs inspired by Southern landscapes and stories like the above, her new single, 'Cherry Tree'.

Promising New Findings for HIV-Prevention Drug

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) today hailed new results from two major studies showing that the use of Truvada for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is proving extraordinarily effective in reducing the risk of contracting HIV.

“These findings confirm the unprecedented promise of PrEP - the promise of a real chance to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic through aggressive prevention of new HIV infections,” said Jeff Krehely, Vice President and Chief Foundation Officer at HRC. “Hopefully, studies like these will continue to demonstrate that the medical community must embrace these life-changing regimens, and that affordable access to PrEP by those most vulnerable to HIV infection must be a priority.”

HRC has previously endorsed the use of Truvada for PrEP. The treatment, which does not provide protection against other sexually-transmitted diseases, is not right for everyone and medical decisions about PrEP should be made with a knowledgeable healthcare provider. Currently, Truvada is the only brand name anti-HIV drug combination approved for PrEP.

Findings from the two studies were released today at the 2015 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, the preeminent conference for HIV/AIDS research being held this week in Seattle. The PROUD study out of England assesses the effect the use of PrEP has on the frequency with which men have sex, how often they use condoms, and whether they contract other sexually-transmitted infections. The IPERGAY study out of France and Canada is investigating whether Truvada is still effective as a preventative when taken “on demand” - defined as two to 24 hours before sexual intercourse and again after - as opposed to daily.

Study advances reported today:


The two-year PROUD study in England, which involved gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, shows daily use of PrEP reduced the risk of HIV infection by 86 percent. PROUD researchers last month announced that, given the effectiveness of daily anti-HIV drug treatment, they saw no need to pursue plans to continue and expand the study.


The IPERGAY study, conducted at six sites in France and one in Canada, shows that “on-demand” use of PrEP also reduced risk of HIV transmission by 86 percent, and should be incorporated into prevention efforts that already include counseling and condoms.

Last year, both studies made headlines when independent data monitoring boards recommended that researchers stop giving some subjects placebos on ethical grounds after early data showed the overwhelming effectiveness of PrEP being used by other gay and bisexual men involved in the trials.

Given the continued promise of PrEP, HRC reiterates its calls to action issued last October: urging federal and state officials, as well as leading insurance companies, to accelerate action on making PrEP more available and affordable; and Gilead Sciences, the manufacturer of Truvada, to continue efforts to broaden the drug’s affordability and accessibility.

“There are more than 1.1 million Americans living with HIV, and approximately 50,000 new infections every year that disproportionately affect younger, Black and Latino gay and bisexual men, and transgender women,” Krehely said. “PrEP is a critically important prevention tool that gives us an opportunity to arrest this epidemic worldwide and save countless lives.”

More information on HIV prevention, treatment, and care can be found here. Go here to find out about HRC’s #DailyBlue campaign, a new social and digital media campaign to raise awareness about PrEP, and encourage people to share their PrEP stories with friends, family and loved ones.

The Gay Vegans: Speaking Out

By Dan Hanley

I have used my blog many times to urge people to vote and to become politically active.

So much is going on in our world, in our communities. So many battles going on to support causes we believe in or to fight against issues we believe are wrong.

I believe we have a better chance of being listened to when we get to know those who represent us. Whether it's our local city council member or school board member or those who represent us at our state capitol, we should get to know them.

It starts with a simple email.

"I live in your district and would like you to know that I think ______ ."

Or "I live in your district and would like you to vote yes on this bill."

You get the idea. I send notes to our state rep and state senator when our annual session begins in January. And I keep in touch with them throughout the session.

We can be a much stronger voice for the voiceless when those in political power know who we are.

Now it doesn't always help. Some of you live in areas where your representation is totally against most of what you believe in. I still say to connect with them and let them know how you feel.

Speak out to those in power.


This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

GBQ Men’s Writing Retreat in Sunny Puerto Vallarta!


Whether you’re a beginning writer or a seasoned pro, the upcoming (May 18-25) GBQ (Gay, Bisexual, Questioning) Men’sWriting Retreat in the Zona Romantica area of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico will give you the time, space, and inspiration to do your very best work.

Facilitator Scott Gibson will hold workshopping sessions in the morning and then you will be released to write for the remainder of the day. Optional writing lessons and meditation instruction will also be offered.




Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Finland marriage law to take effect in 2017

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto signed a bill Friday that will allow same-sex couples in Finland to marry. The legislation, which will take effect in 2017, makes Finland the last Scandinavian country to legalize marriage equality. More than 167,000 Finnish citizens signed a petition to demand that lawmakers take up the issue, over three times the minimum requirement for parliamentary review. The bill is the first such publicly backed proposal to become law.

Iowa lawmakers advance "conversion therapy" ban

A subcommittee of the Iowa Senate approved a bill last week that would ban licensed therapists and mental health professionals from using "conversion therapy" in an attempt to change the sexual orientation of gay minors

"You will harm a person irreparably by doing this kind of work on them as a child, and this will impact their whole life. It'll impact how they can relate to others, impacts their self-worth,” said state Sen. Matt McCoy of Des Moines, who is openly gay. The full Senate Human Services Committee is expected to vote on the bill in the next several weeks.

U.S. trade deal draws criticism from LGBT lawmakers

The six openly LGBT members of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday sent letters to the White House criticizing the inclusion of Brunei and Malaysia in a U.S.-led trade agreement. The letters cited human rights abuses involving LGBT citizens.

Carter discusses ending ban on out trans service members

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Sunday indicated that he is open to ending the military's ban on openly transgender service members

"I don't think anything but their suitability for service should preclude them," Carter said during a visit to Afghanistan. Ashley Broadway-Mack, the president of the American Military Partners Association, said, "While we applaud Secretary Carter for being 'open-minded' on this issue, we urge him to take action that will lead to ending this ban that continues to harm our transgender service members and their families."

Gay Help Wanted: Sales Reps for MileHighGayGuy


Award-winning MileHighGayGuy.com is seeking advertising sales reps. The position requires someone who is self-motivated, detail-oriented and who, preferably, is familiar with the GLBT community. This is a contract position and pay will be commission-based.

To apply, email resume to Drew Wilson at Drew@milehighgayguy.com.



The Queerbots Present Tribute to "St. Peppermint Patty," Patron Saint of Lesbians

Fresh off their run of four sellout performances, The Queerbots are back with another wild night of unscripted Comedy Improv. The Queerbots will play Hamburger Mary's "Club M" on Saturday, March 14th at 8pm. Tickets are $10 and available for purchase via their website, 

Using only audience suggestions, the troupe will explore everything from gay leprechauns to what really exists at the end of the rainbow. The night will include a tribute to the patron saint of lesbians, St. Peppermint Patty. The show also incorporates exclusive video interviews with Liam Neeson and Colin Farrell, to re-imagine movies by your favorite Irish actors. Spring means “March Madness,” and using only audience input, the actors will attempt the World's first musical based on gay basketball, or perhaps a scene on what kind of tournament “brackets” lesbians would create.

"Gays and lesbians continue the fight to make Saint Patrick's Day an inclusive holiday," said Sarah Kirwin, Queerbots Artistic Director. "I think humor is just as effective a tool as any protest. Our audiences are mostly straight, and while the shows bring plenty of laughs, we're also attempting to build understanding and breakdown stereotypes. Laughter can be a great unifier." 


The Queerbots are Denver's first and only GLBTQ Improv Troupe. The group was founded by six performers who have been entertaining Denver audiences for years: Sarah Kirwin, Michelle Marlowe, Britt Swenson, Jon Jon Lannen, Ashley Scroggins and Chris Parente.

Federal job-protected family and medical leave rights extended to eligible workers in same-sex marriages

Workers in legal, same-sex marriages, regardless of where they live, will now have the same rights as those in opposite-sex marriages to federal job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act to care for a spouse with a serious health condition. The U.S. Labor Department announced a rule change to the FMLA today in keeping with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Windsor. That ruling struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act provision that interpreted “marriage” and “spouse” to be limited to opposite-sex marriage for the purposes of federal law.

“The basic promise of the FMLA is that no one should have to choose between the job and income they need, and caring for a loved one,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez in announcing the rule change. “With our action today, we extend that promise so that no matter who you love, you will receive the same rights and protections as everyone else. All eligible employees in legal same-sex marriages, regardless of where they live, can now deal with a serious medical and family situation like all families – without the threat of job loss.”

Enacted in 1993, the FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons. Employees are, for example, entitled to take FMLA leave to care for a spouse who has a serious health condition. Millions of workers and their families have benefited since the FMLA’s provisions became effective and even more American families will benefit as a result of the rule.

Today’s rule change updates the FMLA regulatory definition of “spouse” so that an eligible employee in a legal same-sex marriage will be able to take FMLA leave for his or her spouse regardless of the state in which the employee resides. Previously, the regulatory definition of “spouse” did not include same-sex spouses if an employee resided in a state that did not recognize the employee’s same-sex marriage. Under the new rule, eligibility for federal FMLA protections is based on the law of the place where the marriage was entered into. This “place of celebration” provision allows all legally married couples, whether opposite-sex or same-sex, to have consistent federal family leave rights regardless of whether the state in which they currently reside recognizes such marriages.

OUT on DVD: Into The Woods




From the director of "Chicago" and the producer of "Wicked" comes a modern twist on the beloved fairy tales you thought you knew. Academy Award-Winning actress Meryl Streep (Best Actress, The Iron Lady), leads an all-star cast in this enchanted adventure about daring to venture Into The Woods. 


 Out on Blu-Ray Combo Pack, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) on March 24.