Tuesday, June 30, 2015

U.S. Department of Justice Affirms Title IX Protection for Transgender Students

Today, the Department of Justice affirmed that Title IX protects the right of transgender students to use the restroom that matches their gender identity. Earlier this month, G.G., a transgender boy in Virginia sued his school district for denying him access to the boys’ restroom and is seeking a court order requiring the school to allow him to use the boys’ restroom before the new school year begins.

The U. S. Department of Justice filed a brief urging the court to grant that relief because denying him access to the restroom violates the school district’s obligations under Title IX. The brief expresses the federal government’s long-held view that Title IX prohibits discrimination against transgender students, a position it has previously taken in Title IX guidance documents and enforcement actions.

Statement from National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) Staff Attorney and lead attorney in Student v. Arcadia Unified School District Asaf Orr:

“We commend the Department of Justice for taking the steps necessary to uphold the promise of Title IX and ensure that transgender students are affirmed and supported in school. Allowing schools to discriminate by forcing transgender students to use a separate restroom is demeaning and exposes them to relentless harassment and abuse from peers. The federal government’s position is not only consistent with decades of legal precedent, but also the experiences of many school districts throughout the country that are implementing inclusive policies without incident. As those districts have learned, affirming a transgender student’s gender identity is an important part of creating a safe and inclusive school where all students can thrive.”

Arvada Center auditions announced for White Christmas, The Musical

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities will hold auditions for White Christmas, The Musical at the Arvada Center on August 5 and 6 (Chorus Dance Call on August 4) and in New York City, on August 10.

Gov. Chris Christie Vetoes Important Pro-LGBT Surrogacy Bill

Last night, on the day before announcing his candidacy for President of the United States, Governor Chris Christie shamefully vetoed important bipartisan legislation passed by the New Jersey Legislature – the New Jersey Gestational Carrier Agreement Act – that would have modernized New Jersey law by giving legal parental rights of a child carried by a gestational surrogate to the intended parent at birth. Garden State Equality, New Jersey’s statewide advocacy and education organization for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, decried Governor Christie’s veto of this important legislation impacting LGBT people and their families.

"This veto is a terrible outcome for families across New Jersey who need gestational surrogacy agreements to strengthen their families,” said Andrea Bowen, Executive Director for Garden State Equality. “We deplore what Governor Christie has done.”

“Instead of modernizing New Jersey’s surrogacy laws by signing this important bipartisan legislation into law, Gov. Christie chose to stand in the way of progress,” said Marty Rouse, HRC National Field Director. “Garden State families deserve better than the outdated obstacles that will now remain in place because of Gov. Christie – outdated laws that restrict their ability to establish appropriate parental and family rights. What a backwards way to start a campaign for the highest office in the land.”

Passed by both chambers of the New Jersey Legislature, the New Jersey Gestational Carrier Agreement Act would have authorized gestational carrier agreements under New Jersey law, providing a legal framework for gestational surrogacy in New Jersey. Gestational surrogacy is especially important to members of the LGBT community because it enables couples to establish parental rights and create a family while allowing such couples to have a genetic relation to their children. Gestational surrogacy is distinguished from traditional surrogacy, in which the carrier makes use of her own egg and therefore has a genetic relation to the child.

Over the past several years, gestational surrogacy has substantially increased as an option for family creation, and it is vital that states provide a system to govern this process. If signed into law, New Jersey would have joined 14 states which currently have laws that allow for gestational surrogacy agreements. The New Jersey Gestational Carrier Agreement Act would have modernized New Jersey law and standardized a necessary government function in a simple way that is consumer friendly, safe, and professional. Governor Christie also previously vetoed similar legislation in 2012.

HRC submitted written testimony on the importance of this bill and will continue to work with Garden State Equality to eventually update New Jersey’s outdated laws in this important area.

Alabama Supreme Court Order Does Not Allow Judges To Refuse Marriage Licenses To Same-Sex Couples, Civil Liberties Groups Say

Alabama’s probate judges are under an immediate obligation to issue marriage licenses to qualified same-sex couples, say the four civil-rights organizations that are representing same-sex couples in the state.

Pursuant to a May 21 order by Judge Callie V.S Granade in Strawser v. Strange, probate judges became obligated to obey the U.S. Constitution and issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples on the date that “the Supreme Court issues its ruling”  in Obergefell v. Hodges. The ruling in Obergefell was issued on June 26, so Judge Granade’s injunction is now in effect.

Some press reports and individuals have misinterpreted a recent order of the Alabama Supreme Court, and statements by Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, to suggest that probate judges need not comply with Judge Granade’s injunction until the expiration of a 25-day rehearing period for Supreme Court decisions.

Those reports are inaccurate both because Judge Granade’s order went into effect immediately on June 26, and because the Supreme Court’s decision became the law of the land on the day it was issued. Indeed, in a statement, Moore said the order only calls for motions or briefs "addressing the effect of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges,” adding, “In no way does the order instruct probate judges of this State as to whether or not they should comply with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell.”

The Association of County Commissions of Alabama, which provides legal advice and insurance coverage to counties, has also advised county probate judges to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples immediately. The Alabama Governor and Attorney General have likewise stated that they will comply with the Supreme Court’s decision without further delay.

Strawser v Strange is being litigated jointly by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Southern Poverty Law Center, on behalf of all same-sex couples in Alabama who wish to marry.

Are You Gay With Something To Say? Bloggers Wanted For Denver's Best Gay Blog!



Are you a new or experienced writer or blogger? Do you want to be? Or maybe you're just some gay guy with something to say? Well, what better forum for you than MileHighGayGuy?

MileHighGayGuy is looking for regular and guest bloggers to write about local news and events, do music and movie reviews, or write opinion or feature pieces from a gay perspective.

These are unpaid positions but offer the opportunity to be published in Colorado's Best Gay Blog (2010, 2011, 2012 OUTstanding Awards, Denver 2012 #WebAwards), expand your audience and gain valuable experience. There's also swag available in the form of free movie and concert tickets, music, books and other cool stuff.

If interested, shoot an email over to Drew Wilson at drew@milehighgayguy.com. And if you've got column or story ideas to pitch, this is the place to do it.

Monday, June 29, 2015

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 Gay Vegans: Butterfinger Milkshake

Courtesy of Carmella from The Food Duo.

By Dan Hanley

You read the title correct. This is a quick note to you about the Butterfinger milkshake I had last night at Sweet Ritual in Austin.

I'm in Austin for Vida Vegan Con and will definitely write about my adventures here at a later time. But I just had to let you know that last night I had one of the most delicious desserts ever, Sweet Ritual's Butterfinger milkshake.

Oh my.

If you ever have the chance, go to Sweet Ritual and order this shake.

They have a lot of other options and their staff is incredibly friendly.

For more information about Sweet Ritual, click here.

Did I say their entire line of ice cream is vegan?!?!

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

Reach Denver's Gay Community. Advertise With Denver's Best Gay Blog - MileHighGayGuy

Do you want to advertise to Denver’s gay community? Of course you do, it’s the 7th largest in the United States! And the best way to reach them is with MileHighGayGuy – Colorado’s Best Gay Blog.

 Just click the Advertising page or email sales@milehighgayguy.com to get started today.

Nice to See StevieB: A New Room

By StevieB

It has been a week of boxes. A time of seemingly endless folding open, and taping cardboard boxes. To slowly packing items that belong to you. Sifting through what is yours and not yours. Sorting through what is yours or no longer yours. It is funny how things that you always just assumed were yours, somehow get moved to the "not yours" pile. You take what is now just yours and toss it into a cardboard box. Taping up whole thing closed.


Boxes are on the move.

Waking up in a different room can bring about a whirl of emotions. All in the time it takes to open your eyes. A sense of the unfamiliar, being a stranger in a strange room. The feeling of freedom. The understanding that the official close to a chapter of life. The acknowagement that an exciting and unknown path has been cleared.

Boxes are in the move. So am I.


This post originally appeared on Steven Bennet's website Nice to See StevieB. Republished with permission.

Our Tomorrow Calls on LGBTQ People Across the Country to Share Their Voice and Help Shape Our Future

After last Friday’s historic United States Supreme Court decision granting same-sex couples the freedom to marry, Our Tomorrow is calling on the LGBTQ community across the country to share their hopes, fears and ideas in their own words to help shape the future of the movement.

Launched last month by over 100 national, local and state-based LGBTQ organizations throughout the country, Our Tomorrow is a grassroots and digital campaign designed to engage LGBTQ people in a national conversation about their future.

“Already we’ve received over 5,000 hopes, fears and ideas shared by LGBTQ people across the country about what they’d like to see for the future of our movement,” said Lee Swislow, Our Tomorrow campaign manager. “Many people, organizations and political leaders are already asking ‘what’s next for the LGBTQ community’. We believe it is critical that LGBTQ people in every city and town across the country have a voice in helping shape the answer to that question.”

Swislow continued, “Now is the time for our community to share the one thing we all have – our voice. We’re calling on LGBTQ people across the country to go to www.shareourtomorrow.org today and ensure that your voice is heard and help shape our future.”

Our Tomorrow’s digital hub, www.shareourtomorrow.org, offers LGBTQ individuals and friends the opportunity to take part in an open-ended conversation about their future. In conjunction with the campaign’s launch, the Our Tomorrow campaign also released a video, “Share Your Voice, Shape Our Future”, featuring a diverse group of individuals sharing their hopes, fears and ideas for the future of the LGBTQ community.

Throughout the summer, the Our Tomorrow survey soliciting the hopes, fears and ideas of LGBTQ people has been a part of events in over 40 U.S. cities and towns across the country. From Santa Cruz, California to Tulsa, Oklahoma, LGBTQ people have been sharing hopes for the future in their own words and expressing what they’d like to see next for the movement.

Last Monday, before the landmark 5-4 Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, the Our Tomorrow campaign released a set of word clouds showing the emergence of themes in the hopes, fears and ideas of the current survey respondents.

During the release of last week’s word clouds, Swislow remarked, ““What we are seeing from respondents is that even in the midst of historic advancements for the LGBTQ community, many in our community still live in fear of being open and honest about their lives.

“New rights and recognitions create new challenges and changing minds doesn’t always translate to changing hearts. The one central element that comes through loud and clear in the responses we’ve received so far is that LGBTQ people know this struggle is not anywhere close to being finished. A lot of work remains to be done.”

A full list of all Our Tomorrow partner organizations participating in today’s launch can be viewed here.

MYRKUR - Onde Børn

Today MYRKUR stuns us with her new video "Onde Børn".  It's a visualization of a travel.  A ritual.  A birth.  Filmed in the wild nature of Thy, Denmark, the video tells the story of the genesis of MYRKUR.  It serves as the first visual component off of MYRKUR's debut full-length M due out this August on Relapse Records.   

GET THE FACTS: Alabama Supreme Court Did Not Order Stop to Marriage Licenses

Today, contrary to some press accounts, the Alabama Supreme Court did not order a stop to the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) called on probate judges that were already issuing marriage licenses to continue to do so—and urged the probate judges that had not yet issued marriage licenses to begin doing so.

HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow issued the following statement:

“There is no justification for delaying or obstructing the clear message of the Supreme Court of the United States—marriage equality must begin in Alabama, and probate judges who stand in the way of that legal imperative risk exposing themselves to legal consequences. There is zero chance of marriage equality being reheard by the Supreme Court—particularly given that all four states that were parties in this case have accepted the outcome—and as a result the Court's holding in Obergefell v. Hodeges should be implemented across the country immediately.”

Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge Callie V.S. Granade ruled in favor of marriage equality in Searcy v. Strange, striking down Alabama’s discriminatory constitutional amendment that banned same-sex couples from marrying. Since then, Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore has campaigned vocally against marriage equality. On Friday, however, the Supreme Court of the United States settled the matter once and for all in their sweeping 5-4 ruling striking down bans on marriage equality from coast to coast.

Friday, June 26, 2015

APA Applauds Supreme Court Decision Supporting Same-Sex Marriage

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) applauds today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that supports the right of same-sex couples across the nation to marry.

“Today’s ruling strikes a blow to inequality and discrimination throughout the nation, and that’s good for Americans’ mental health,” said APA President Renée Binder, M.D. “The APA has a long history of supporting the rights of same-sex couples, and we have long noted that there is no scientific or medical reason to deny these couples the right to marry. This decision is a landmark step in ensuring equality and happiness for every American.”

In this case (James Obergefell, et al., and Brittani Henry, et al., v. Richard Hodges, Director, Ohio Department of Health, et al.), the court looked at the constitutionality of requiring a state to issue a marriage license to two people of the same sex and requiring a state to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when legally married in another state.

APA joined a coalition of the nation’s top health care associations including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and others in submitting an amicus brief in support of same-sex marriage.

“The claim that allowing sex-same couples to marry undermines the institution of marriage and harms children is inconsistent with the scientific evidence,” Binder said. “In fact, the evidence strongly supports the conclusion that homosexuality is a normal expression of human sexuality and that gay men and lesbians form stable, committed relationships equivalent to heterosexual couples.

“But this issue goes well beyond the scientific evidence,” Binder said. “It is about what is the right thing to do and the fact that everyone should be free from discrimination.”

Over the past several decades, APA has issued a number of position statements on antidiscrimination policies related to the LGBT community. Those positions were consolidated into a 2013 Position Statement on issues related to homosexuality.

“Today is a watershed moment for equal rights in America,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. “We at the APA are proud that our country -- after a long period of seeking equal rights -- now sees that everyone has the constitutional right to marriage.”

Marriage Equality Ruling: Live Reaction Footage Outside the Supreme Court

YouTube star Raymond Braun and the Rhodes Brothers today captured on-the-ground reactions from outside the Supreme Court the moment the historic ruling in favor of marriage equality was announced.

President Celebrates Progress Toward LGBT Equality


President Barack Obama addressed the crowd at the second annual Logo “Trailblazer Honors” with a special video message that celebrated the network's tenth anniversary and the remarkable progress the LGBT equality movement has made over the last decade. Out actress Samira Wiley (“Orange is the New Black”) and out retired NBA player Jason Collins introduced the video message and paid tribute to the Obama administration for its commitment to bettering the lives of LGBT Americans. The “Trailblazer Honors,” which celebrate pioneers at the forefront of the march to LGBT equality, air Saturday, June 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Logo.

Logo also announced that Miley Cyrus will open the “Trailblazer Honors” with a special video message.

President Obama highlighted ten years of extraordinary progress for LGBT Americans and the country during his message:

"I’m honored to help start the party. Tonight is a chance to celebrate, not just ten years of Logo, but ten years of extraordinary progress for our country. When this network aired its first show, gay marriage was a political wedge issue used to divide us. Today the majority of Americans live in states where they can get married, no matter who they love. Today “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” is history. We passed the hate crime law that bears Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr.’s name. And all you have to do is look at this month’s cover of Vanity Fair to see how America is more accepting of people for who they truly are. We still have plenty of work to do together, but tonight is a reminder that when everybody does their part, when every voice is heard, change is not just possible – change is inevitable. So here’s to ten extraordinary years, and all the years to come. Let’s keep standing together to make sure every American is treated with dignity and respect they deserve.”