Friday, April 20, 2018

National Geographic Symphony for our World - Earth Day Discount

National Geographic: Symphony for our World is a breathtaking live, multimedia journey through some of the world's most incredible wildlife spectacles. The orchestral performance combines National Geographic's stunning natural history footage with narration from Hamilton's Tony- and Grammy award-winning artist Daveed Diggs, and an original symphony created by Hans Zimmer's Emmy- and BAFTA award-nominated Bleeding Fingers Music collective.

Driven by a five-part composition, it pairs artistry with science as it brings viewers from the depths of the sea, up to the coastlines, onto land, through mountains, and finally into the sky. Each environment will be accompanied by a different orchestral movement, resulting in a powerful musical tribute to the beauty and wonders of our wild world.

This inspiring 90-minute live orchestral performance will be presented at Buell Theatre Friday, Oct. 19, 8 p.m. Featuring groundbreaking imagery and storytelling from 130 years of beloved National Geographic footage on a giant screen matched in perfect synchronization with a full live orchestra & choir.

As a special way to say "Happy Earth Day!" Spotlight subscribers are entitled to a special 10% discount using the promocode EARTHDAY at AXS.com Friday, April 20, 10 a.m. - Monday, April 23, 11:59 p.m.

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Receive IGLTA's 2018 Pinnacle AwardIGLTA Honors: Pinnacle Award 2018

The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association is pleased to confer its prestigious Pinnacle Award for 2018 to the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, during its 35th Annual Global Convention in Toronto (9-12 May).

The Pinnacle Award recipient is selected by the Chair of the IGLTA board of directors and presented to an individual or business that has made the world a more welcoming place for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender travelers. Board chair Juan JuliĆ , founder and president of Barcelona-based Axel Hotels, will make the presentation

“I am incredibly proud to extend this IGLTA Honor to Prime Minister Trudeau. He presides over a country with some of the world's most advanced LGBTQ rights, but instead of

resting on those credentials, he makes it a personal point to vocally support our community and keep moving our issues forward,” JuliĆ  said. “There is no doubt that LGBTQ travelers are respected and embraced in Canada, and that welcoming message is amplified every day through his actions as prime minister."

Trudeau’s time in office has carried consistent messages of support for the LGBTQ community. In November 2017, he led the Canadian government in issuing a formal apology for a program of discrimination against LGBTQ Canadians (1962-1996) that was accompanied by US$85 million in reparations; this emotional address to Parliament elevated the global conversation on human rights. Trudeau also was the first Canadian Prime Minister to march in a Pride Parade (Toronto, 2016.)

In an interview with UK’s Attitude magazine, Trudeau said, “The LGBT+ community has become emblematic of the fight for human rights. The fact that so many people have gone for so long feeling that they had to be ashamed or hide about their core identity to fit into society is a lesson for everyone to push against.”

Mental Health, Child Welfare & Education Orgs Back Legislative Efforts to Protect LGBTQ Youth

This week the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) released a letter signed by national organizations representing tens of thousands of licensed medical and mental health care professionals, educators, and child welfare advocates backing legislative efforts around the country to protect LGBTQ youth from the dangerous and discredited practice of so-called “conversion therapy.”

The letter is signed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Counseling Association, National Education Association, National Association of School Psychologists, American School Counselor Association, Mental Health America, Child Welfare League of America, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, National Association of Secondary School Principals, American Medical Women’s Association, and Voice for Adoption. It comes as a record number of state legislatures from coast to coast are considering legislation to protect LGBTQ youth from the harmful practice. Read the full letter here.

“These major child welfare organizations are speaking out at a critically important moment as legislative proposals to protect LGBTQ youth from so-called conversion therapy are pending in state legislatures across the country,” said HRC Legislative Counsel Xavier Persad. “No child should be subjected to this dangerous and discredited practice that amounts to nothing less than child abuse. Lawmakers from Maine to Hawaii must continue to move these crucially important protections forward before the end of session.”

“We stand firmly together in support of legislative and policy efforts to curtail the unscientific and dangerous practice of sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts,” state the organizations in the letter.

There is no credible evidence that conversion therapy can change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. To the contrary, research has clearly shown that these practices pose devastating health risks for LGBTQ young people such as depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, homelessness, and even suicidal behavior. The harmful practice is condemned by every major medical and mental health organization, including the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, and American Medical Association.

Nearly 50 legislative proposals to protect LGBTQ youth from the abusive practice in more than 20 states are being or have been considered in 2018. So far this year, the state of Washington has passed the protections into law. The Maryland legislature recently passed a measure that is awaiting consideration by the governor. Last week, the Hawaii legislature passed protections, which now head to conference committee before moving to the governor’s office. Additionally, legislation has passed through one legislative chamber so far this year in the states of New Hampshire, Colorado, and Maine.

Connecticut, California, Nevada, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, Oregon, Illinois, Vermont, New York, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Washington all have laws or regulations protecting youth from this abusive practice. A growing number of municipalities have also enacted similar protections, including cities and counties in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, Florida, New York, Arizona, and Wisconsin.

According to a recent report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, an estimated 20,000 LGBTQ minors in states without protections will be subjected to conversion therapy by a licensed healthcare professional if state lawmakers fail to act.

HRC has partnered with the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and state equality groups across the nation to pass state legislation ending conversion therapy. More information on the lies and dangers of efforts to change sexual orientation or gender identity can be found here.

Alexander Foundation's Spring Fling is the Thing!

The Spring Fling takes place April 27 and is the Alexander Foundation's biggest fundraising event.

The Alexander Foundation (TAF) has been a crucial resource for Colorado’s LGBT+ community for more than 37 years. Their purpose is to raise money to support the health and dignity of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. They do this by providing assistance grants to those in need due to temporary life challenges, or to those who are suffering from chronic or life threatening illnesses. Alexander Foundation also provides scholarships for higher education students. 


Purchase your tickets in advance for a discounted rate that includes complimentary cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, an exciting silent auction and a brief program recognizing the foundation's scholarship recipients. 

OUT on DVD/VOD: My Best Friend




My Best Friend held its world premiere at the Roze Filmdagen Amsterdam LGBTQ Film Festival, will hold its US premiere at OUTshine Miami, and will play Cine Las Americas International Film Festival and numerous prestigious festivals throughout the year to be announced shortly. 

My Best Friend follows Lorenzo, a quiet teenager living with his family at the edge of the world in beautiful Patagonia. One day, Lorenzo’s father decides to host Caito, the son of a friend from Buenos Aires who had to go to hospital for a long stay. At first, Caito appears shy, tough, and hardly ever speaks, but over time the two boys become friends. However, Caito quickly wears out his welcome with Lorenzo’s parents. Before he’s forced to relocate again, Caito reveals to Lorenzo the real reason why he was forced to leave home. With a secret to hold, a new responsibility to take, and a troublesome partner by his side, Lorenzo will begin to experience things he never imagined…

“Martin Deus debut feature is a quietly moving story of a relationship between two boys that builds into something both difficult and secretive”, said Richard Ross, Co-President of Breaking Glass. “Beautiful performances and assured direction make this a truly unforgettable tale of love and friendship.”

The film will be released on DVD & VOD on October 29, 2018.

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.

Today is Give OUT Day: Support the Organizations that Support Denver's Gay Community

Today is Give OUT Day! It's a day where the LGBTQ community across the nation comes together to support the work of their local LGBT+ nonprofits, while also recognizing the significant work ahead for us to achieve full equality and justice.

Click the link for a list of Colorado's participating organizations

Take Part in the 12th Annual LGBT Community Survey

Hey gay, Denver! Can you spare 10 minutes to take a survey about your opinions and preferences, from an LGBTQ perspective. There's power in our Pride! Participating in this study helps open doors-and minds around the world, and influences positive changes for our community. Previous surveys have yielded 45,000 respondents from 150 countries! 

Click here to start the survey: 12th Annual LGBT Community Survey
 

Everyone who completes the survey by April 30th, 2018 may enter into an optional drawing to win one of twenty US $50 cash prizes, or if you win, you can designate a charity to receive the $50. Please forward this message to LGBTQ friends around the world who may be interested in participating. And please post it to your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Instagram accounts! Thanks for your participation.

One Colorado: Senate Judiciary Committee votes to weaken Colorado Civil Rights Division

By Daniel Ramos, Executive Director, One Colorado

The State Senate Judiciary Committee just voted to weaken protections for Coloradans who have been discriminated against and make it harder to file a claim and seek justice through the Colorado Civil Rights Division.

Contact your state senator now and ask them to pass the House version of the bill to ensure a clean reauthorization of the Colorado Civil Rights Division and Commission.

The House passed a bipartisan bill that is a clean reauthorization of the Division, ensuring it will protect Coloradans’ civil rights as it has for decades. But this afternoon, Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee added amendments that would not only make it more difficult for Coloradans who have been discriminated against to seek justice, but would weaken protections for Coloradans who have been discriminated against.

These amendments are solutions in search of problems. CLICK HERE to contact your state senator and ask them to vote for a clean reauthorization of the Colorado Civil Rights Division.

Protecting the civil rights of every Coloradan across the state should not be a political issue. We need to make sure the members of the State Senate know that these amendments don’t belong in this bill, and that they should pass a clean reauthorization of the CCRD that doesn’t include these amendments.

Click here and contact your state senator today to ask them to remove these amendments and pass a clean reauthorization of the Colorado Civil Rights Division.

PS: Once you're done emailing your state senator, share our statement on the weakening of the Colorado Civil Rights Division on Facebook.

Come Out. Get Fit With Stonewall Fitness.

Looking for more guidance and direction at the gym? Someone who can help you design a workout to maximize each workout at the gym so you can accomplish more than you ever thought possible? Check out Stonewall Fitness. Whether you're just starting out or looking to mix up your current routine, no matter if your gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer or straight, you can be a part of it.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

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.

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! 

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

OUT in Theaters: McQueen

 

This summer, take a personal look at the extraordinary life, career and artistry of Alexander McQueen. Through exclusive interviews with his closest friends and family, recovered archives, exquisite visuals and music, McQueen is an authentic celebration and thrilling portrait of an inspired yet tortured fashion visionary.

TWINS - Taste of Peppermint

 

Today, the Atlanta-based producer, synth wunderkind and CGI Records and DKA label head TWINS (AKA Matt Weiner) shared the video for the third single from his recently announced debut record, That Which Is Not Said, out May 4th via 2MR. The video, which was filmed on Adult Swim's Bloodfeast show, is a disorienting, brightly colored and highly saturated VHS-quality video for "Taste of Peppermint," which follows on the heels of the previously released singles, "Stuck" and "Glass Breaks Glass".

Speaking on the track, Weiner says"'Taste of Peppermint' was the first song that I wrote and recorded after I moved and had set my studio back up in the new house. Lyrically the song deals with the bittersweet feelings that come with taking a chance, making a change, and a leap forward, unsure of where you're going to land, but coming out the other side knowing that nothing can ever seem quite the same as it used to seem and learning to live with the changes. Musically, it was one of those songs that just came together reasonably effortlessly, I still have no idea how I came up with that weird drum/synth break in the intro, sometimes you just have to let your b

420 On The Block Brings Elevated Entertainment to Denver with Three-Day Festival for World Cannabis Week

As one of the most vibrant cities in the cannabis industry, Denver’s most anticipated three-day block party and music festival returns for its second year. 420 On The Block comes to Downtown Denver’s Fox Street Compound, a nonprofit resource and arts center, from Friday, April 20th to Sunday, April 22nd, bringing Action Bronson, Matisyahu, Break Science, and more together for a celebration of Colorado’s cannabis culture on the biggest holiday for cannabis enthusiasts.

In 2018, the festival has expanded from a single-day event to a weekend-long, mile high experience, featuring a diverse and high-profile music lineup, live art, immersive stages, cannabis-related activism and education, food trucks, a vendor village, and more.

Ensuring an elevated experience for all who attend, 420 On The Block is truly a collaboration between cannabis industry leaders, who have come together in the community to inspire and encourage conversation around modern cannabis culture, budding tourism, and social responsibility. Lead sponsor The Green Solution, Colorado’s premier cannabis company with 14 locations across the state, is offering tickets in-store, along with a wide selection of products to enjoy during the 4/20 holiday.

The 420 On The Block festivities are part of World Cannabis Week, the gateway to Denver’s best 4/20 scene. At the entrance to 420 On the Block Festival-goers can enjoy WCW’s free 420 Bazaar, a vendor village where attendees can discover what’s new in the cannabis product world, located on the festival grounds. At the Bazaar, attendees can participate in the 420 Challenge, a carnival-based games challenge, which offers $5,000 worth of prizes. Additionally, local canna-tourism event partner My420Tours is celebrating WCW with a nonstop tour schedule all three days of the 4/20 weekend. My420Tours provides insider tours of grow facilities and dispensaries that permit guests to legally and safely partake in the 4/20 holiday tradition while riding in comfort and style on a 420-friendly limo bus.

Produced by presenting festival production partner Live Nite Events (known for Bonanza Campout and Reggae Rise Up) and curated in partnership with AEG Presents, the lineup for 420 On The Block offers an eclectic mix of Hip-Hop, Indie, EDM, Jam, and Reggae. The festival will be headlined by Viceland reality TV star and rapper Action Bronson, Jewish reggae/rock/hip-hop crossover Matisyahu, trip-hop/electronic duo Break Science, featuring Borham Lee and Adam Deitch, and their live band featuring Adam Smirnoff, Jesus ​and ​the Shady Horns ​of ​Lettuce, and much more.

Tickets are available for those 21+ at 420OnTheBlock.com or in-store at The Green Solution.