Don't forget to get your tickets for the Aspen Summer Holiday - the World's Highest Party

Join One Colorado and Men's Vows to kick off the summer holiday weekend for the Welcome to Colorado Party on Thursday, August 24th from 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. at Belly Up, Aspen with DJ Kidd Madonny!
 
For a limited time, you can save $20 on the Aspen Summer Holiday All-Access Pass! Use the code "coloradical" to get your special rate for the ENTIRE weekend.

Kesha Releases "Best Music of Her Career" with 'Rainbow,' Out Today

'Rainbow' was worth the wait. That's the consensus about Kesha's first album since 2012, out today on Kemosabe Records/RCA Records. In a four-star review, Rolling Stone calls 'Rainbow' "the best music of her career," while Entertainment Weekly gives the album an A- and proclaims it "an artistic triumph."

Billboard describes lead single "Praying" as a "ballad that tears at your soul" while Consequence of Sound says "no other song in recent memory so perfectly embodies the way in which hope itself is a kind of triumph." Other reviewers have highlighted songs including "Hymn," a "powerful outsider anthem" (Rolling Stone); the "feminist battle cry" (Mic) of "Woman"; "Hunt You Down," which PopCrush describes as "far more authentic than anything currently playing on country radio"; and "Learn to Let Go," "the most carefree, uplifting song we've heard from her" (Jezebel).

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.

Koelbel Urban Homes: The New Modern in Denver

Koelbel Urban Homes (KUH) has quickly emerged as a leader in creating urban neighborhoods that promote community and synergy by integrating life, work and play.

As the newest division of legendary developer Koelbel and Company, KUH is focused on in-fill properties, designing and building innovative homes tailored to each unique site.

Offered homes run the gamut of detached single-family homes to svelte modern attached designs featuring today's popular spaces, such as rooftop decks and open-plan concepts. All KUH homes, of course, are designed for optimum living and with respect for the surroundings.

Mark Your Calendars and Bring Your Appetites to the 9th Annual Cherry Creek North Food & Wine

Where else can you try nearly 20 Cherry Creek North restaurants in one fabulous outdoor location?

Cherry Creek North Food Wine, this Saturday, August 12, celebrates the diverse and sophisticated tastes of Cherry Creek North dining, bringing together the area's best restaurants for one night on Fillmore Plaza. Attendees will have the chance to sample bites while enjoying locally-provided wine, beer and spirits; plus, live music and more!

Kick Off Aspen Summer Holiday at OUTlook Denver

Join the National LGBTQ Task Force for an evening of cocktails at X Bar.

P!nk - What About Us

P!NK is back with her new single, "What About Us" today at all digital providers via RCA Records (click here to listen). The pop anthem was written by P!NK, Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol and Steve Mac and produced by Mac. "What About Us" is the first official single from P!NK's highly anticipated seventh studio album, Beautiful Trauma, which is available for pre-order now and set for release on October 13th.

While P!NK co-wrote all 13 tracks on the album, she worked with a variety of songwriters and producers including Steve Mac, Johnny McDaid, Max Martin, Shellback, Jack Antonoff, Julia Michaels, Greg Kurstin, busbee and so many more

Transgender TV characters have the power to shape audience attitudes

Watching transgender characters on fictional TV shows has the power to influence attitudes toward transgender people and policy issues, according to new research from USC Annenberg. Just published in the peer-reviewed journal Sex Roles, the research further highlights the ways political ideology shapes viewer responses to transgender depictions in entertainment.

The researchers surveyed 488 regular viewers of the USA Network series “Royal Pains,” of whom 391 saw a June 2015 episode featuring a portrayal of a transgender teen, played by transgender activist Nicole Maines. Those who saw this episode had more positive attitudes toward both transgender people and related policies, such as students using bathrooms aligned with their gender identity. The fictional “Royal Pains” storyline was more influential than news events; exposure to transgender issues in the news and Caitlyn Jenner’s transition (which was unfolding at the time of the research) had no effect on attitudes.

Beyond the impact of the “Royal Pains” episode, the study is the first to demonstrate the effect of cumulative exposure to transgender portrayals, across multiple shows. The more shows featuring transgender characters (such as Amazon’s “Transparent” and Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black”) that viewers saw, the more transgender-supportive their attitudes. Viewing two or more transgender storylines reduced the association between viewers' political ideology and their attitudes toward transgender people by half.

According to Traci Gillig, a doctoral candidate at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and the lead author on the study, “While media visibility of transgender people reached new levels in recent years, little has been known about the effects of that visibility. Our study shows the power of entertainment narratives to influence viewers’ attitudes toward transgender people and policy issues.”

The research was conducted in collaboration with Hollywood, Health & Society (HH&S), a program of the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center that serves as a free resource to the entertainment industry on TV storylines addressing health, safety and national security issues. HH&S Director Kate Langrall Folb explains: “We worked closely with the ‘Royal Pains’writers, connecting them with medical experts and providing information for the storyline.”

The results of this research suggest increased visibility of transgender characters in mainstream entertainment can have far-reaching influence on public perceptions of transgender people and the policies that impact them.

“Watching TV shows with nuanced transgender characters can break down ideological biases in a way that news stories may not. This is especially true when the stories inspire hope or when viewers can relate to the characters,” said HH&S Senior Research Associate Erica Rosenthal.

AIDS Walk Colorado: Together Everyone Achieves More

The saying “Together Everyone Achieves More” rings so true for AIDS Walk Colorado. For more than thirty years, friends, family and even strangers have banded together in support of people affected by HIV and AIDS. 

Through these teams, a lifelong comradery has emerged.

Today, teams continue to generate support for people living with and at risk for HIV and other health conditions through participating in AIDS Walk Colorado. It is due to the dedication of teams that Colorado Health Network, and our Walk Partner Agencies provide life sustaining medical, behavioral, oral health, and other client services.

Raising funds for those affected by HIV continues to be extremely important and easy to do as a group! Start by asking each of your team members to take on the Red Ribbon Challenge – a commitment of raising $100 each. It’s easy to do in just one day!

Do You Want To Reach Denver's Gay Community? Advertise With Denver's Best Gay Blog!

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.
 
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“Our Family Reunion” Will Bring Together Leaders and Advocates from Around the Nation In Response To Ongoing HIV Epidemic

The 21st annual U.S. Conference on AIDS (USAC), organized by NMAC, will open in DC on Sept. 7 with the theme “Our Family Reunion.” The conference brings together community leaders and HIV advocates to learn the latest information and build skills to provide effective HIV prevention and treatment services.

“This year’s USCA once again brings together many members of the HIV family at a time of great uncertainty and unease,” said NMAC Executive Director Paul Kawata. “At a moment when we have pathways to end the HIV epidemic once and for all, that opportunity could be snatched away because of detrimental proposed federal budget cuts for HIV prevention and treatment. If those cuts become reality, we could actually see a resurgence of HIV in the United States. The information and activities planned for USCA will help all of us work to oppose those cuts and continue our progress toward an HIV-free world.”

Travel: OutRVA Celebrates Pride

OutRVA, Richmond’s LGBTQ tourism campaign, is pleased to announce a lively lineup of events and offerings to celebrate LGBTQ Pride this fall. Below is a sampling of what is on tap in Richmond, Virginia next month.

VA Pridefest on Brown’s Island - September 23, 2017 12-8pm

The city of Richmond is host to VA Pridefest, the largest annual celebration of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBTQ+) community in the Commonwealth. Planned and implemented by Virginia Pride, this family-friendly day of festivities is free to the public and will feature a variety of vendors, local eats, activities, and entertainment. Over 30,000 people are expected to attend Pridefest.

LGBTQ Pride Package at Quirk Hotel - Through September 30, 2017Visitors traveling to Richmond now through September can stay at Quirk hotel and book the special LGBTQ Pride Package. In celebration of PRIDE, Quirk is offering guests 10% off the best available rate for two, a complimentary bar snack or beverage at the barista bar and an RVA Pride in-room welcome amenity. Guests will also receive VIP Access to RVA Pride (if booked during the festival on September 23^rd), two tickets to The Valentine Museum and guaranteed entrance into the hotel’s popular Q Rooftop Bar.

Tropic Like It's Hot - Through September 30, 2017

Known for its thriving craft beer scene, Richmond is inviting travelers to experience a craft beer collaboration created in celebration of Pride. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Ardent Craft Ales, and Center of the Universe Brewing have teamed up to create a special beer celebrating the LGBTQ community, Tropic Like It’s Hot. Tropic Like It's Hot is a hefeweizen, brewed with passion fruit, pineapple, and lime. The specially crafted beer will be sold at VA Pridefest on September 23^rd and will also be featured at local Richmond restaurants and the other partner breweries now through September.

Richmond Triangle Players 25^th Anniversary season - Through 2018

Richmond Triangle Players, a local theatre group that delivers adventurous and entertaining theater as the leading voice in the community’s explorations of equality, identity, affection and family, across sexual orientation and gender spectrums, will be celebrating LGBTQ Pride with a special programming arc. The scheduled programming will celebrate some of the most influential works in LGBTQ theater and shine a light on the positive impact of the diversity and inclusion that Richmond Triangle Players embodies in all its productions as one of the area's most acclaimed theater companies. The fall lineup includes, Cloud 9, The View Upstairs and The Santaland Diaries and Season’s Greetings.

Zeke Thomas - Dealin' With It

 

DJ & Producer Zeke Thomas - son of famed basketball icon Isiah Thomas - released the music video to his hit single "Dealin' With It" last week.

The EDM inspired track was his way of dealing with being sexually assaulted by a man he ment on Grindr. Zeke recently shared his traumatic experience with New York Magazine and sat down with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America to discuss how he has moved on, healed, and let music help him find his truth.

Rich Ferraro, GLAAD’s Chief Communications Officer says, “Zeke is using his platform and music to powerfully shed light on an issue that too often flies under the radar. “By telling his story and bravely living his truth, Zeke is quickly becoming a LGBTQ voice to watch.”

One Week Left to Register for the AIDS Walk Colorado Volleyball Tournament

There's one week left to register for the ninth annual AIDS Walk Colorado Volleyball Tournament, produced by the Colorado Gay Volleyball Association! Registration closes at 10PM on Wednesday, August 16. The number of teams may be capped, so register as soon as possible.The grass tournament will take place in Cheesman Park on Saturday, August 19, as part of the AIDS Walk Colorado festival. Pool play for the tournament will begin at 10:30. The four-person pre-formed teams will be divided into three divisions (beginner, intermediate, and advanced), as participation allows. Regardless of skill level, there is a place for everyone in the tournament!

The minimum donation per person is $25 ($100 per team); however, you are encouraged to raise additional donations. All registration fees and proceeds benefit Colorado AIDS Project and the fundraising teams of more than 12 AIDS service organizations throughout Colorado. All participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt, and the top teams in each division will also receive prizes.

If you are looking for a team or need an extra player or two, contact the Tournament Director, Shane Speciale, at shane@avanzasystems.com for assistance or with any questions.

Debt Free Guys: Better Living Through Podcasts

Check out the Queer Money Podcast, the only show designed to help our LGBT community do better financially and become successes in all areas of our lives.