Home, A Queer Cooking Series

 

Have you heard of Home, A Queer Cooking Series? The on-going web series is created by queer filmmaker Michael Chernak, and invites us into LGBTQ people's homes to listen to their stories, create community, discover new recipes, and have real discussions at the kitchen table.

The show (based in NYC & London, with new cities to come) features queer activists, drag kings, drag queens, photographers, couples, medical professionals and more, with episodes discussing immigration, growing up in church, racism in the queer community, childhood memories, and of course, the comfort of home cooking.

Sip Crafts & Celebrate Cats!

Sip a cold beer on a warm night for a great cause at Catwalk—the Dumb Friends
League’s newest cat-themed event. Saturday, July 7 from 6 to 9 p.m., pet-lovers can celebrate cats with craft beer, music and more!

Catwalk is a ticketed, 21-and-older event. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at ddfl.org/catwalk. Admission includes beer tastings from local breweries at different stations where guests can learn about programs that benefit our feline friends and view cats available for adoption. Designated driver tickets are available for $10.

Food from local food trucks, additional beer tickets for the beer garden and cat merchandise, including 2018 Catwalk T-shirts, will also be available for purchase. Anyone who signs up to become a monthly donor will receive a commemorative beer glass.
Entry to the event requires age verification at check-in, so please bring valid identification. Guests will receive a “pawport,” which includes information about the locations of the various beer sampling and cat information stations. Pawports stamped at every booth will be entered to win a prize. Stop by the Hill’s Science Diet booth to receive a free sample of cat food and enjoy a wine tasting.
 
Catwalk takes place at the Dumb Friends League Quebec Street Shelter at 2080 S. Quebec Street in Denver. Our feline friends request that you leave your canine companions at home for this event.

Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce: Expressing our Disappointment

By Jim Smith, Chairperson

Waking up Monday morning probably made your heart sink. News broke that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Masterpiece Cakeshop. The Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce is disappointed with this decision, and will do everything in our power to ensure this ruling doesn't empower other Colorado businesses to deny services to those with differing beliefs.

With that said, we also want to put the Supreme Court's ruling into context. This ruling will be interpreted by some as a legal means to outright discriminate against classes of population. However, that interpretation is wrong - both morally and legally.

Today's decision, in fact, defends the need for the Colorado Civil Rights Commission (CCRC) to apply a fair and unbiased ruling, particularly when religion is involved. The decision only reverses the CCRC's ruling because of comments made by multiple commissioners that criticized Mr. Phillips' claim to religious beliefs being the motive behind his actions.

This decision does not set a precedent that a business can discriminate based on religion or that religious protections are above civil rights protections. It merely states that the CCRC failed in being unbiased in their review of the case and the subsequent courts didn't recognize or address that. We firmly believe that if the same case made it through the courts with the CCRD weighing in appropriately, the outcome would be different.

We encourage you to use today's decision as a wake-up call. Even though the LGBTQ+ community has made historic strides over the past decade, there is still a lot of hate and discrimination in our world. We must remain vigilant and stand strong. And, given that this is Pride Month, let's celebrate our accomplishments while remembering those who walked our path before us.

We must not let today hold us back, keep us down, or discourage us. We must choose love and compassion and work to eradicate discrimination for all.

The Chamber's mission is to champion the success and economic impact of the LGBTQ+ business community to promote, connect, and advance commerce, diversity and equality for all.
The Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce has over 200 members representing a diverse community of LGBTQ+ business-owners, employees, and ally organizations.

30th Annual Lambda Literary Award Winners Announced

On Monday, June 4th, Lambda Literary, the nation's leading organization advancing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) literature, announced the winners of the 30th Annual Lambda Literary Awards (the "Lammys"). Comedian Kate Clinton hosted the ceremony at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City where attendees, sponsors, and celebrities celebrated thirty years of groundbreaking LGBTQ literature.

Roxane Gay and Edmund White were honored with Lambda's Trustee and Visionary Awards, respectively. Rick Whitaker introduced Edmund White with a tribute composed entirely from sentences found in Mr. White's books. Accepting the Visionary Award, White shared, "Contained in the word novel is novelty and lesbian and gay writers have been lucky to write about this new world."  

Later, Rebecca Solnit introduced Roxane Gay, who won the Trustee Award. "The word encourage literally means to instill courage, and Roxane's work is marked by both courage and encouragement," said Solnit. During her acceptance speech, Gay said "As a woman, as a black woman, as a queer woman, writing has offered me salvation and sanctuary." She later said, "I want queer writers to create the work that they want to put into the world, regardless if all of the work does or does not meet the expectations of those who read it."

Other winners of the night included Carmen Maria Machado, John Rechy, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Barbara Browning, Bogi Takács, and more.

"What I want to leave with you tonight," said Tony Valenzuela during his remarks on his ninth and final year as Lambda Literary Executive Director, "is that, despite our continued challenges, you have a community through Lambda Literary that has your back. I feel deeply grateful to have spent the last nine years with the help of so many of you, to make Lambda Literary into a space where more of us will be seen and can thrive." 

The Lammys brought out the stars from the worlds of film, television, theatre, journalism, and literature. Presenters this year included Alison Bechdel (MacArthur Fellow and award-winning author of Fun Home);  Rebecca Solnit (award winning author and contributing editor at Harper's Magazine); actor Taylor Trensch (actor, Dear Evan Hansenon Broadway); Pamela Sneed (award winning poet); Kate Bornstein (iconic trans activist and writer), and more.

Lambda Literary's incoming Executive Director, Sue Landers, was acknowledged from the stage and begins a new chapter in the organization in July.

 See the full list after the jump.

In CNN Opinion Piece, The Leadership Conference Says Fight for Equality Must Continue Following Masterpiece Ruling

In a CNN opinion piece, Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, discussed the broader civil rights implications of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. This reflection follows the Court’s narrow ruling in favor of a Colorado cakeshop owner who argued that his religious beliefs justified discrimination against same-sex couples.

“The court did not rule that the Constitution grants the right to discriminate but maintained the longstanding principle that business owners cannot deny equal access to goods and services,” wrote Gupta. “The court stated that it may face the constitutional question in future cases that present different circumstances - Monday's ruling is likely not the final word.”

Gupta noted that the Supreme Court has ruled previously regarding religious exemption from nondiscrimination laws. During the Civil Rights Movement, the Court heard the 1968 Newman v. Piggie Park Enterprises case, which involved a barbecue restaurant owner claiming that his religious beliefs justified discrimination against African-American customers. The Court struck down his claim and upheld the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which banned discrimination in public accommodations on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin.

“Piggie Park marked the beginning of our courts acknowledging and enforcing America's obligation of equality under the law when it comes to public accommodations. Fifty years later, the Masterpiece Cakeshop case posed the same question, and the court affirmed the underlying principle that our nation's businesses should be open to all. But make no mistake: Monday's decision makes clear that our fight for equal rights and dignity for all must continue.”

The full text of the opinion piece is available here.

Ask your Congressperson to co-sponsor the federal Every Child Deserves a Family Act

The Nabozny Family Story from Family Equality Council on Vimeo.

May was National Foster Care Month, and the Nabozny family from Minnesota are a perfect example of why fighting discrimination against LGBTQ parents and kids in foster care and adoption is so critical. If Jamie and Bo had lived in a state with a license to discriminate law, they could have been prevented from forming their family simply because they are a same-sex couple. Watch their video then ask your Members of Congress to co-sponsor the federal Every Child Deserves a Family Act. Click here to email your Members of Congress.

Michael Blume - R U Mad, Featuring Shea Couleé and Peppermint

Michael Blume has premiered his remix of “R U Mad,” featuring legendary RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni Shea Couleé and Peppermint – just in time for Pride season. Produced by John “J-C” Carr and Bill Coleman, the reimagination of the provocative, original track - which appears on his imminent EP cynicism & sincerity (out June 8^th via S-Curve Records) - features Michael’s trademark baritone against a disco-synth background, cut with defiant, wig-snatching verses from the Season 9 finalists.

“I love how different each of us is, and I think we should celebrate our uniqueness,” says Michael on the inspiration behind the track. “People being different is literally what drives me to create and express and encourage others to be themselves. Let’s just all be exactly who we are and not be mad. I am slayyyed and honored by the fact that Shea Couleé and Peppermint blessed this track!!! I have learned so much from these two talented artists and their profound commitment to self-expression, so collaborating with them is a dream. Bill Coleman and John "J-C" Carr killed the remix production and I’m so excited for this one to be out!”

One Colorado's Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on LGBTQ Issue Only a Week Away - Sign Up Today!

One Colorado’s Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on LGBTQ issues is happening in one week on Thursday, June 7th. Click here to sign up and attend!

Candidates vying to be our next Governor will participate in a forum at the EXDO Event Center, where they will answer questions on issues important to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Coloradans and their families. So far, Mike Johnston, Cary Kennedy, Donna Lynne, and Jared Polis are confirmed to be joining the forum. After the forum, there will be a cocktail meet and greet where you’ll have a chance to chat with the candidates themselves!

Click here to sign up for the Gubernatorial Forum on LGBTQ issues, and learn where gubernatorial candidates stand on issues that matter to LGBTQ Coloradans and their families.

This event is free and open to the public, but a suggested donation of $10 is highly encouraged to ensure the event is successful. When you sign up, you can also submit a question to be asked of the candidates. Please keep in mind that not all questions submitted will be able to be used at the forum.

Sue Landers Is Named Executive Director of Lambda Literary

The Board of Directors of Lambda Literary announced that Sue Landers has been selected to be the next executive director of Lambda Literary. She succeeds Tony Valenzuela, who announced last fall that he would step down as executive director after a nine-year tenure. Sue will assume the role on July 2, 2018.

Sue Landers brings an abundance of experience and a heartfelt, personal connection to the work of Lambda Literary. She has had an extensive career in nonprofit management and a long record of engagement in poetry and queer literary communities. Sue began her career at Lambda Rising bookstore in Washington, DC, which originated the Lambda Book Report and whose owners founded Lambda Literary. She has since worked primarily in the nonprofit sector, most recently in a variety of management roles at the College Board for sixteen years. An author as well as an editor, Sue recently published her third book, a hybrid work of poetry and prose about the racially diverse community in Philadelphia where she grew up.

"We are thrilled that Sue has agreed to lead us as we seek to build on our successes and further advance our impact and reach as the premier organization supporting LGBTQ readers and writers," said Lambda Literary Board President Amy Scholder. "In light of the extraordinary and divisive political and cultural upheaval we are experiencing in our country, we need to ground ourselves in the power of our words and resist the forces that continue to try to undermine us. Nurturing our individual and collective artistic capacity will fuel and sustain our communities, and expand our rich creative legacies. Sue has the perfect blend of skill, energy, and vision that we need to lead Lambda Literary through these times."

"I believe that LGBTQ writing is absolutely vital for our collective happiness and survival," Sue Landers said, "For decades, Lambda Literary has fostered precisely the kind of radical imagination we need to build a more equitable world. I am honored to join this incredible organization and look forward to serving our LGBTQ+ community."

"I have been an ardent supporter of Lambda Literary for many years," commented Judith Markowitz, Lambda Literary Leadership Council member and sponsor of the Markowitz Award for Emerging LGBT Writers. "I am inspired by the steadily increasing reach and impact of the organization, and excited that the board has selected a new leader who is poised to take us even further. Sue will have my full support as she leads Lambda Literary through this incredibly important time of challenge and opportunity for our communities and our country."

Lambda Literary will celebrate its thirtieth anniversary at the Lambda Literary Awards gala (aka "The Lammys")in New York City on June 4, 2018. The organization has become highly regarded for its educational and cultural programs, and as a steward and ambassador for LGBTQ literature worldwide. In addition to the Lammys, Lambda Literary sponsors the growing LGBTQ Writers in Schools program, Lambda LitFest Los Angeles, the annual Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices, the Lambda Literary Review, and the recently launched Nepantla, a journal dedicated to queer poets of color.

FilmStruck Celebrates Pride Month With Seminal LGTBQ Films

FilmStruck will once again celebrate Pride month this June with five curated collections dedicated to exploring LGBTQ themes and artists in cinema. Actor and cultural icon Alan Cumming and drag legend and playwright Charles Busch will offer first-hand and heartwarming accounts of cross-dressing as artistic expression, while Orange is the New Black’s Lea DeLaria provides insightful and comedic commentary celebrating classic lesbian cinema in specially produced mini documentaries.  Featuring more than 30 quintessential classic and modern films addressing LGBTQ issues, including Cabaret (1972), A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) and Blue Is The Warmest Color (2013), FilmStruck’s Pride month showcase offers an extensive examination of how far Hollywood and global cinema have come in portraying same-sex love on screen.

FilmStruck’s curated lineup of LGBTQ films will celebrate movies that have had an impact in cinematic history with special themes including:

• Dressing the Part, streaming 6/1/18: Alan Cumming and Charles Busch offer their experiences and thoughts on this cinematic look at cross-dressing as an art form with films ranging from 1959’s Some Like It Hot to 2001’s Hedwig & The Angry Inch
• Star of the Week: Liza Minnelli, streaming 6/8/18: named as one of Out Magazine's "12 Greatest Female Gay Icons of All Time," Liza Minnelli shines in films like Cabaret (1972) and Tell Me You Love Me, Junie Moon (1972)
• Written by Tennessee Williams, streaming 6/8/18: featuring films based on the iconic playwright’s works like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) and A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
• Director of the Week: Derek Jarman, streaming 6/15/18: featuring nine feature films from director and AIDS activist Jarman, like Sebastiane (1976) and Jubillee (1978) as well as a documentary of his life and work narrated by Tilda Swinton, Derek (2008)
• Classics of Lesbian Cinema, streaming 6/22/18: Lea DeLaria examines these seven Sapphic films including the first feature film directed by a black lesbian, The Watermelon Woman (1996), and an adaptation of Jane Rule’s novel, Desert Hearts (1985)

  “FilmStruck will explore LGBTQ themes in cinema and celebrate gay and lesbian filmmakers who have played such an important role in film history. As part of our celebration we will discuss the ways in which cultural and societal institutions have often suppressed sexual orientation over the course of history, including in film,” said Charles Tabesh, senior vice president of programming & production for TCM and FilmStruck. "Our lineup of curated film collections for Pride month will celebrate movies that have reached new audiences with sympathetic and inclusive storytelling.”

Star-Studded 25th Anniversary of LIFE BALL Celebration - Paris Jackson, Adrien Brody, Caitlyn Jenner & More

On Saturday, June 2nd, thousands gathered at Vienna City Hall for the 25th Anniversary of Life Ball, which included a star-studded LIFE+ Solidarity Gala, red carpet arrivals and action-packed Opening Ceremony. The worldwide televised spectacle presented by LIFE+ included messages of support, love, and acceptance along with a call to action to fight the taboo of HIV and AIDS in society, normalizing all HIV facilities and becoming part of the comprehensive health care, and to make knowing one’s immune status as natural as knowing one’s blood type.

VIPs in attendance included Paris Jackson who received the LIFE+ Award on behalf of the Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation (ETAF), Patti LaBelle who performed her Grammy Hall of Fame hit single, “Lady Marmalade” and a rendition of “Do-Re-Mi” as part of the themed program, amfAR’s EpicRide to Life Ball riders Adrien Brody, Ian Bohen, JR Bourne, Michiel Huisman, Gilles Marini and Katee Sackhoff, in addition to celebrity guests and participants including Caitlyn Jenner, Sophia Hutchins, Alexandra Daddario, Kelly Osbourne, Kim Petras, Gigi Gorgeous, Nats Getty, August Getty, Yasmine Petty, Jeannie Mai, Patrika Darbo, Gus Kenworthy and more while Austrian superstars Conchita Wurst and Herbert Föttinger presented the Opening show.

Video messages from Gwen Stefani, Bill Clinton and Elton John were featured during the opening ceremony which carried messages of support for the great work the LIFE+ organization and its international partner organizations have done in the fight against HIV and AIDS for the past 25 years. In addition, Charlize Theron who previously accepted the Swarovski Crystal of Hope Award on behalf of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project on Thursday in Vienna, also appeared via video as part of the opening ceremony.

This year’s LIFE BALL signature fashion show, curated by Robert Rabensteiner, featured new and archival pieces from 25 fashion houses presenting their ideas for the most beautiful day in life (wedding day) including stalwarts like Jean Paul Gaultier, Alberta Ferretti, Missoni, Roberto Cavalli, Dsquared2, N°21, Maison Schiaparelli, Vivienne Westwood, Thom Browne, Francesco Scognamiglio, Blumarin, Elie Saab, Diesel, Emilio Pucci, Kenzo Memento, Vionnet, Viktor & Rolf, Lavin, and Tostmann Trachten. Gigi Gorgeous wore one of the featured designs and walked the runway with Nats Getty and this year’s models.

CenterLink Statement on Masterpiece Cakeshop Decision

In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Masterpiece Cakeshop case today, CenterLink Chief Executive Officer Lora L. Tucker released the following statement:

This morning the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. While the decision reversed the original ruling by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, it did so on grounds that were unique to Masterpiece Cakeshop and this case, finding that the Commission had not acted impartially when originally considering the case. As such, this ruling applies only to Masterpiece Cakeshop, but does NOT broadly allow similar businesses to discriminate. The Court did not grant businesses a license to discriminate. Rather, the court affirmed that states can protect LGBT people from discrimination in the marketplace.

However, it’s important to realize that today’s decision does not fully address the discrimination that millions of Americans still face. In more than half the country, our state laws do not explicitly protect LGBTQ Americans from discrimination in stores and restaurants, in the workplace, or in housing. And while today’s decision ensures that the 40% of our states that do protect LGBT people can continue to do so, 60% of our states still lack even basic protections.

The beauty of our differences has historically shaped our country and now provides extraordinary possibilities for a new future that has as its cornerstone love, respect, tolerance, acceptance and appreciation for the rainbow that is humanity. As a nation, we must choose to lead with love going forward and do the difficult work to eradicate discrimination.

LGBT community centers have been on the frontlines fighting discrimination for decades, and our efforts must continue until all Americans are protected from discrimination in their daily lives.

As a nation, we decided a long time ago that when a business opens its doors to the public, it should serve everyone on the same terms. Learn more about today's decision and add your voice to the Open To All Campaign.

Masterpiece Cakeshop: Rallies Tonight Throughout Colorado

Today, the Supreme Court ruled in the Masterpiece vs. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case. While we are disappointed the Court ruled in favor of Masterpiece Cakeshop and their discrimination against Dave Mullins and Charlie Craig, the fact remains that Colorado has a civil rights division and anti-discrimination laws that equally protect the fundamental rights of all Coloradans. To respond to the decision, there are rallies in Denver, Grand Junction, and Boulder this evening.

DNC on Supreme Court’s Decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission

DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in the case of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission:

“This case was never just about a wedding cake. It was about all people– no matter who they are – having the right to celebrate their love without facing discrimination. The Democratic Party believes that no individual has a license to discriminate. We believe in the dignity of every human being. And we will continue to fight for equality for LGBTQ people in all areas of our society – from housing and health care, to bathrooms and boardrooms, to bakeries and the ballot box.”

National LGBTQ Task Force: SCOTUS has reminded us that the fight for equality is, sadly, far from over

Today, in the case known as Masterpiece Cakeshop, the United States Supreme Court ruled against the Colorado Civil Rights Commission for not, in the Court’s view, taking a more neutral stance on religious beliefs. While this limited ruling addressed only the actions of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the National LGBTQ Task Force is concerned that the Court’s action will lead to future cases that may weaken the rights of LGBTQ people. Yet, they also find solace in the fact that in Justice Kennedy’s ruling he reminded everyone that religious objections alone do not grant a right to deny services to others:

“Nevertheless, while those religious and philosophical objections are protected, it is a general rule that such objections do not allow business owners and other actors in the economy and in society to deny protected persons equal access to goods and services under a neutral and generally applicable public accommodations law.” — Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission.

“This case was never about cake, it’s about whether religion, or speech that has a religious viewpoint, can override longstanding anti-discrimination laws that have been put in place to prohibit the egregious bigotry business owners historically have displayed towards people of color, women, religious minorities, and LGBTQ people,” stated Candace Bond-Theriault, the National LGBTQ Task Force’s Senior Policy Counsel, Reproductive Health, Rights & Justice and author of the Task Force’s Amicus brief.

“At the end of the day, discrimination is wrong and the Supreme Court held up that view,” Carey stated. “Today’s narrow decision, while disappointing, has to do with the specifics of this particular case. The fight for full equality continues, and this reminds us we must always be vigilant.”