Willam, Alaska and Courtney Act - The AAA Girls - are Coming to Denver!

 

Following their sold-out European and Australian tours, famed drag performers Willam Belli, Alaska and Courtney Act are teaming up once again as The AAA Girls this fall, bringing their fiercest, humor-filled performances to stages across North America. Presented by Fullscreen Live, the tour will come to Denver on October 8 at the Oriental Theatre.

The AAA Girls North American Tour follows this summer’s release of The AAA Girls debut album, “Access All Areas.” Produced by Sam Sparro, the album’s lead single, “AAA,” climbed to No. 2 on Billboard’s Comedy Album chart this summer. It received rave reviews for the music video’s throwback to classic pop star aesthetic and its celebration of drag extravaganza.

"I think girl groups are so compelling because they're sexy and dynamic,” explains Alaska. “I feel very blessed for having made such fun music and content with two people I consider dear friends. These ladies work so hard, and I'm really proud of the work we've done together.”

Willam, Alaska and Courtney are best known for their respective participation in RuPaul’s Drag Race seasons 4, 5, and 6. Since appearing on the series, Willam has starred in several television shows and currently hosts “Suck Less,” a weekly call-in talk show where he and special guests artfully throw shade and spill the tea. Since her appearance, Alaska has released two full-length studio albums and won RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 2. Courtney has released an album, toured the world with her one woman show, and can be seen this fall on MTV's new celebrity dating show, "MTV Single AF.

"I am busting at the seams to hit the stage with Willam and Alaska in this epic tour,” says Courtney Act. “These queens have worked with Britney (Spears) and Katy (Perry) so, of course, their next logical career move was the AAA Girls.”

The trio first hit the scene as The AAA Girls in 2014 to support fashion brand American Apparel’s “Support Artists, Support Ethical Manufacturing” campaign. They later released the holiday single “Dear Santa, Bring Me A Man” in 2014 and, in 2015, took their act international with a European and Australian tour.

Tickets for the Access All Areas North American tour are available now at www.aaagirls.net.

Open Auditions Today for Gay Student Film 'Flowers For Boys'

Actors and extras wanted for gay student film 'Flowers for Boys', the story of Travis, a troubled and standoffish young black man's strained family relationships.

Civil and Human Rights Coalition: Sessions Justice Department Shamefully Supports LGBTQ Discrimination

Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights issued the following statement after the Sessions Justice Department filed a brief today with the Supreme Court in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. In its brief, the government argues that businesses have a right to discriminate against LGBT customers:

“It is shameful that the Sessions Justice Department is advocating for a constitutional right to discriminate against LGBTQ people. This disturbing action is counter to our Constitution, our anti-discrimination laws, and our core American values of justice, fairness, and inclusivity.

This latest reversal, coming just two days before the 60th anniversary of the creation of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, caps off a grim week in which the Trump-Pence administration launched a mean-spirited attack on immigrant youth and also demeaned sexual assault survivors.”

Colorado Theatre Guild Announces its new Henry Awards Manager and General Manager

The Colorado Theatre Guild has announced two new additions to its team. Following the retirement of long-time General Manager, Gloria Shanstrom, the Colorado Theatre Guild met and re-assessed the needs and specific skill sets needed to support the many needs of the Colorado Theatre community. It was decided to split the former General Manager position into two different jobs. After a very thorough and quite extensive search, the CTG Board of Directors is thrilled to announce the new staff of the Colorado Theatre Guild.

Henry Awards Manager: Sue Ann Staake-Wayne
The Henry Awards Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Henry Awards program, Colorado’s highest honor in theatre. She will coordinate with state-wide judges, manage the balloting system and assist our technology team in updating process and new improvements to the Henry Awards program as they are developed. In addition, she will be responsible for many aspects of the annual Henry Awards ceremony.

Sue Ann is a veteran broadcast Producer/Director and a new resident of Morrison, CO. In her former Washington, D.C. base, she created her company, SAS Productions, Inc., freelanced for the major networks, taught in The American University’s Communications Department, and was a consultant for the State Department, overseeing election coverage in Bosnia. In 2014 she received a national Emmy Award for directing CBS’s 50th Anniversary of the Kennedy Assassination on Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer. She has received numerous local Emmy® Awards and nominations for her production work. Sue Ann is a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and has a lifetime membership in the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) for three decades of leadership and service. She has produced and directed over thirty awards programs both for NATASDC and for The National Trust for Historical Preservation. She is also a member of NATAS’ Silver Circle for her 25 years of outstanding achievement. Since moving to Morrison, she has embarked on a second career as an actor and has performed with the Evergreen Players. She is represented by Lincoln Talent. Sue Ann and her husband are excited to be a part of this vibrant theatre community while enjoying the majestic and absolutely beautiful Colorado landscape.

General Manager: Becky Toma
The new General Manager position will be responsible for the daily maintenance of the Colorado Theatre Guild website, including posting audition announcements, job postings, show openings and member listings. In addition, she will be responsible for the creation of the monthly program insert and will work with our technology team to manage membership and member renewals.

Becky has enjoyed a career in the entertainment business for many years. She proudly received a BA in Theatre Arts from Colorado Women's College and has worn a lot of hats in the industry since graduation. Becky's varied career has included everything from being an actress, a production manager on commercial and video projects and with the Educational Theatre Programs at Kaiser Permanente, to heading up her own casting agency and doing extensive voiceover work, to promotions and marketing for theatre groups and individuals, to event coordination, stage managing bands, and being a tech director, a house manager and a volunteer coordinator, to props designer and website coordinator. She even wore her director's hat for the anniversary production of Little Women at St. Mary's Academy. Becky started out her career as Henry Lowenstein's assistant and public relations coordinator at the Bonfils Theatre, so she is thrilled to come on board with CTG due to her long friendship with Lowenstein and CTG's connection with the Henry Awards.

Jack’d Announces Next Generation in Gay App Hook-Ups: Jack’d 4.0

In the fourth generation of Jack’d, the popular hook-up app for gay urban millennials, the ability to take screenshots of anything on the app has been disabled. This latest innovation — a step up in security from the Snapchat app that merely alerts members when a screenshot of their story has been taken — is the latest safety precaution Jack’d is taking in its ongoing efforts to increase user safety and privacy. It follows last month’s announcement of a new blurring feature that adds a rounding error to all member coordinates so instead of pinpointing a guy’s exact location, other users are only given a general idea of a guy’s whereabouts. Jack’d 4.0 is live on Android now and will be live on iOS by the end of September 2017.

“Safety has become a huge priority at Jack’d,” explains Alon Rivel, the app’s Director of Global Marketing. “Earlier this summer, we polled members on what they wanted most out of the next version and an increase in privacy was at the top of the list. The rise in bullying and hate crimes against the LGBTQ community since the US presidential election has made security a real concern to members throughout the world.”

Jack’d members also asked for an overall better user experience. A large percentage polled reported frustration with slow functionality and crashes. Jack’d had planned to update the code in 4.0, but user concern over reliability made them realize more needed to be done. Jack’d had their tech team re-write the application from scratch. They also added brand new servers to accommodate the growing population of gay men on the app worldwide.

Registration is now faster, too. Where the old version required new members to enter all personal information before being able to log in, Jack’d 4.0 allows men to skip parts of the registration process or for even quicker access, they can now log in through their Facebook account.

The app has also been given a face lift with a brand new design and layout. The grid of nearby guys now loads 200 guys no matter how remote the area. It’s an important feature for men in rural areas where the closest guy may be up to 200 miles away. For members that go Pro with a paid subscription on Jack’d, 500 guys will load on the grid.

Other exciting additions are the ability to send and receive GIFs on the app and a comical new fruit captcha that ensures users are not robots.

1.2 million guys and counting use Jack’d, all hoping to find local men to chat, date, and meet. The app consistently ranks among the top four gay social apps in both the App Store and Google Play. 67% of Jack’d members in the United States are between 18-26. Nearly 60% are Black and Latino.

Jack’d 4.0 is live on Android now and will be live on iOS by the end of September 2017. More exciting additions will be rolling out in the near future including additional video functions and the introduction of exclusive Jack’d emojis.

“This is just the beginning of the new Jack’d,” continues Rivel. “We’re listening to members and working to give them more of the exciting features they are asking for.”

Cherry Creek North: Have You Ever Been Someplace That Just Feels Right?

One hundred and forty years ago, Cherry Creek North was part of a small town called Harman. Since then, Cherry Creek North has emerged as a staple in the fabric of Denver and Colorado, blossoming into a very special mixed-use district.

What sets it apart? Perhaps it’s the walkability of the area, or lodging that provides all the comforts of home. Maybe it’s the laughter spilling out of a gallery during a nightly wine tasting, or alfresco dining on a patio laced with flowers. When you’re in Cherry Creek North, you can sit back and exhale. Life feels good here. 

Denver Limo, Inc.: The Hottest Limos In Colorado Now at the Lowest Prices of the Year!

Denver Limo, Inc. is the leader in ground transportation in Denver, Colorado. Providing limousine service in Colorado for over 17 years, Denver Limo, Inc. has the hottest limousines, SUV limos, and Party Buses in the state - and they're currently available at the lowest prices of the year! 

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

DNC CEO Jess O'Connell on Trump DOJ Filing Brief in Support of Anti-LGBTQ Plaintiff

Today, the Trump Justice Department filed an amicus brief before the Supreme Court arguing that a baker in Colorado had the right to discriminate against a couple because of their sexual orientation. DNC CEO Jess O’Connell responded with the following statement:

 

“Discrimination is not a constitutional right. This case is just the latest attempt by the Trump administration to undermine our nation's progress toward LGBTQ equality. Over the past eight months, this administration has withdrawn federal protections for transgender students; they’ve argued in court that a landmark civil rights law doesn’t protect gay and lesbian people from discrimination in the workplace; they’ve issued an order banning transgender troops from serving in the military; and now, Trump’s DOJ is defending discrimination against LGBTQ couples at the Supreme Court.

 

“Democrats believe in equal justice for all Americans -- no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity. We’ve come too far to let this administration trample on LGBTQ rights and drag our nation backwards. While Trump and Republicans try to divide us through discrimination, Democrats will continue to organize and fight for the full equality LGBTQ Americans deserve.”

New NBC News/WSJ Poll: 60% of Americans Support Same-Sex Marriage

Good news, everyone! According to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, 60 percent of Americans say they support same-sex marriage, which is up from 59 percent in 2015 and 53 percent in 2013.

Lambda Literary Opens Submissions for 30th Annual Lambda Literary Awards

Lambda Literary has announced the opening of the submissions period for the annual Lambda Literary Awards (Lammys). Entering their 30th year, the Lammys honor books in more than twenty genres ranging from literary fiction and poetry to speculative fiction, graphic novels and memoir.

Books submitted for consideration in this Lammys cycle must be published between January 1st and December 31st, 2017 and meet the Lammys Submission Guidelines. Finalists will be announced in March 2018 and winners at the 30th Annual Lambda Literary Awards gala on Monday, June 4, 2018 at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.

The Lammys celebrate the best in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender literature and honor groundbreaking work by members of the LGBTQ literary community. Since the first ceremony in 1989, Lambda Literary has awarded more than 575 Lammys to outstanding authors including Dorothy Allison, Edmund White, Cherrie Moraga, Leslie Feinberg, Samuel R. Delany, Kate Bornstein, Armistead Maupin, Rita Mae Brown, Jacqueline Woodson, John Waters and Hilton Als.

The revised guidelines and online submission form are available on the Lambda Literary website. The submission period will close on December 1, 2017. Please carefully read the guidelines and make sure you are entering the correct category before you submit.

This year, Lambda Literary is proud to announce a major change to the LGBTQ Drama category: unpublished play manuscripts are now also eligible, as long as the play has received a full production with at least 8 consecutive shows in 2017. Manuscripts must be bound.

"We are taking steps to offer more support to queer playwrights," said Ella Boureau, Awards Administrator. "We are expanding our guidelines to include unpublished plays that have received a full production. It is important to recognize that whereas being published is what legitimizes standard literature, that is not what legitimizes a work of theater. Lambda recognizes that there is a large pool of LGBTQ plays being written and produced, and we would like to see that reflected in the work we celebrate."

George Takei to Produce Romantic Drama 'Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet'

Producer Diane Quon announced today that she has acquired the film rights to the New York Times bestseller, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet written by Jamie Ford. Joseph Craig of StemEnt will be producing the film with Quon and legendary actor George Takei has signed on as executive producer.

The film is slated to start production in 2018 with author Jamie Ford co-writing the screenplay.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is the story of Henry Lee, a Chinese American boy in Seattle who falls in love with Keiko, a Japanese American girl, as she is sent to an Internment camp during WWII. It is a bittersweet tale about racism, commitment and enduring hope–-a noble romantic journey set in 1942, and later in 1986, when the belongings of Japanese families are discovered in the basement of an old hotel. A widower now, Henry must reconcile the past and the present, the things he did or didn’t do, the things he said, and the things he left unspoken. Set during one of the most conflicted and volatile times in American history, this is a timeless tale of love lost, and found.

“The book tells an intimate love story that is, at once, poignant and sweeping with historic magnitude told against the backdrop of the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII,” says exec producer Takei. “I was captivated by Jamie Ford’s novel when I first read it and visualized a compelling film in my mind’s eye. I saw the drama of enduring love despite governmental racism, the passage of time and the vicissitude of life. What a wonderful film it would make. Now we are beginning the exciting adventure of making it happen.”

“The number one question I get from fans from all around the world is - will there be a film?," states author Ford. “I'm delighted to say yes, because for years I said no to filmmakers who wanted to change too many things about the story (like the ethnicity of my main character). With this team, I'm confident that fans will get a satisfying film that remains true to the spirit or the book.”

Released in 2009, the Random House novel spent over 130 consecutive weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and has sold over 2 million books worldwide. It continues to sell 50,000 copies per year, and as recent as this past July, it was ranked as #11 on the iBooks bestselling lists. Ford’s third book, Love and Other Consolation Prizes will be coming out on September 12 also from Random House.

“I read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet when it first came out in 2009 and- just like thousands of readers of the book- I thought the story would make a beautiful film,” states producer Quon. “Now, more than ever, is the right time to make this film. I am excited to work with such an exceptional team to bring this book to life.”

“I fell in love after reading the first fifteen pages of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and immediately knew that I had to be involved in turning it into a film" says producer Craig. "Jamie is a gifted storyteller and I am thrilled to join this talented team with my producing partner Diane Quon in bringing this much beloved bestseller to the screen."

Denver Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce rings in 25th year with new name

The Denver Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (DGLCC) celebrated 25 years this August. As part of the celebration, the board of directors announced a new, more inclusive name for the business chamber: the Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce (CLGBTQCC).

"While we have always been champions of the LGBTQ community, this new name reflects our commitment to everyone under the LGBTQ umbrella in Colorado," said Jim Smith, co-chair of the chamber. "The updated name also allows us to have greater influence on state-wide initiatives that impact our members, while continuing to fully support a community that is still, in many ways, fighting for equal rights and opportunities."

Along with the name change, an updated mission and vision is being rolled out as well. The new mission is: Championing the success of the LGBTQ+ business community to promote, connect, and advance diversity and equality for all. The updated vision is: Connecting and strengthening Colorado through LGBTQ+ and allied businesses.

OUT on Blu-Ray: Dreamgirls

Winner of two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy, Dreamgirls arrives October 10, 2017 in a Blu-ray Combo gift set with a Digital HD copy and on Digital HD featuring a Director's Extended Edition and never-before-seen bonus features from Paramount Home Media Distribution.

Set in the 1960s, singers Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose), and Deena (Beyoncé Knowles) are discovered at a local talent show by ambitious manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx). The trio known as "the Dreamettes" is soon offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of opening for popular singer James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Subsequently molded by Taylor and propelled into the spotlight as "the Dreams," the girls find their bid for the big time taking priority over personal friendship, and begin to realize that the true cost of fame may be higher than any of them ever anticipated.

Beauty is Trans-formed in ‘Made to Model: Trans Beauty in Fashion’ on LogoTV.com

As New York Fashion Week descends upon New York, Logo, VH1, and MTV are celebrating diversity and the models who transformed the runway in the new feature Made to Model: Trans Beauty in Fashion, a long-form digital original that bowed exclusively on LogoTV.com this morning.

With a unique look inside the world of fashion through the eyes of a trans experience, Made to Model: Trans Beauty in Fashion brings together generations of models for a discussion on their shared experiences and a photoshoot with Drew Elliott, Paper Magazine’s Chief Creative Officer and panelist on VH1's America’s Next Top Model. The photoshoot, featured on Logotv.com and through MTV's Publisher Story on Snapchat's Discover platform, celebrates iconic female pop-culture icons that have made an impact on society.

“We are proud to showcase diversity and social issues within the LGBTQ space, and in this important political climate, it’s crucial for trans voices to be heard,” said Sarah DeFilippis, Executive Producer of Made to Model for Logo/VH1. “These extraordinary models are breaking the glass ceiling and showing the world how beautiful the trans community is.”

Made to Model: Trans Beauty in Fashion brings together some of the pioneers of the transgender modeling community, along with up and coming talent, for an iconic photoshoot, including Carmen Carrera, Crimsona Kaiser, Geena Rocero, Lauren Foster, Leyna Bloom, Maya Monès, Rain Dove, Torraine Futurum, and Tracey Africa Norman.