Making It with Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman

Grab your markers, glitter, and glue because, on Tuesday, July 31 NBC will premiere its new summer show, Making It, featuring BFF executive producers/hosts Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. Making It is a uniquely lighthearted competition series celebrating the creativity and craftiness in all of us.

In this six-episode competition, Jeffery Rudell, the gay dude on the right, is one of the eight super talented makers that will compete with the hopes of impressing Poehler, Offerman and the expert judges, Simon Doonan and Dayna Isom Johnson through various crafting challenges.

Because Jeffery’s father worked in a paper mill when he was growing up, his background of working with cardboard, foil and tissue molded him into the creative paper props craftsman he is today. He creates for clients such as Tiffany & Company, Unilever, New York Botanical Gardens, and a wide range of print and online publications. He currently lives in New York with his husband and an enormous grey cat named Smokey.

7000 Reasons Pop-Up Project: One of a kind love-filled paintings!

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities has partnered with the 7000 Reasons Pop-Up Project to offer unique one-of-a-kind portraits of those you love. 7000 Reasons is a unique effort started by Denver artists, Wes Magyar and Jonathan Saiz in an effort to create 7,000 7x7 inch oil paintings over the course of 7 months. The first phase just closed at the Dairy Block in LoDo Denver, and now it’s the Arvada Center’s turn!

Paintings are just $143 (143=I Love You!), and orders are being taken through August 11 which coincides with the Arvada Center’s 2nd annual Arts & Ales Festival. Completed portraits will be on display during a special pop-up exhibition at the Arvada Center through November 11, 2018.

Conversica to Honor Alan Turing With ‘AI Day’

A Silicon Valley-based AI company is paying homage to the visionary whose ideas helped shape how modern AI works 70 years later – Alan Turing.

The company – conversational AI leader Conversica – is designating Turing’s June 23 birthday as “AI Day” in his honor as it celebrates a milestone of 50 million interactions – the equivalent of reaching 1 in 5 Americans – with its AI-based sales assistant software.

“We owe a huge debt to Alan Turing,” said Alex Terry, CEO of conversational AI company ​Conversica. “Without Turing’s research on ‘Intelligent Machinery,’ artificial intelligence companies like Conversica could not have been imagined. When Turing first described how machines could learn, computers as we know them were in their infancy – using vacuum tubes. But Turing articulated ideas in 1948 that guide how modern AI works 70 years later. Without Turing’s vision to shape the future of computer and data science, we would not be benefiting from the tremendous capabilities of AI today, and likely my company and countless other successful AI enterprises would not exist. That’s why it’s appropriate that his June 23rd birthday be henceforth known as ‘AI Day’ in his honor.”

Born on June 23, 1912 in London, Turing proved in his seminal 1936 paper “On Computable Numbers” that a universal algorithm of determining truth in math cannot exist. During World War II, Turing was a leading participant in wartime code-breaking and played a crucial role in breaking the Nazi code.

But there is a heartbreaking side to Turing’s legacy: the famed mathematician was persecuted for committing homosexual acts, only to die in disgrace at the age of 41. That’s why it’s appropriate that his birthday, which takes place during LGBT Pride, be known as “AI Day.”

ve Shirley returns to The Avenue with "Oddville"

 

Think Blue Man Group meets The Forty-Year Old Virgin and you've got Oddville. It's a unique piece of brilliant modern theater jammed with ingenious props, amplified physical comedy, complex multi-media imagery and a cool nostalgic score. It’s a love story with limited words but plenty of heart that connects your imagination to your funny bone with fits of laughter.

After successful performances in St Louis and Aspen, Oddville returns to the Avenue Theater for 2 nights only on July 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 - $24 and available at www.avenuetheater.com or by calling 303-321-5925.

Join Forces June 29 to Raise $50,000 for LGBTQ Youth!

GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today announced a first-of-its-kind, three-hour broadcast called “Pride Live,” which will stream live June 29, 12-3 p.m. PDT, on GLAAD’s YouTube channel. The brainchild of award-winning comedian and GLAAD board member Hannah Hart, the interactive variety program will harness the power of celebrities and social media to raise $50,000 for LGBTQ youth. Musicians, performers and beloved online personalities will converge at YouTube Space LA for the event, hosted by Hart, YouTube Space, BuzzFeed and INTO. One-hundred percent of proceeds raised will go toward GLAAD's youth initiatives, including their Amp Your Voice campaign which empowers LGBTQ young people to speak up, speak out, register to vote, and then take the issues that matter most to them to the polls on November 6th, 2018.

The multi-stage event will include performances by country artist Brandon Stansell, The Voice finalist Stephanie Rice, soul singer Shea Diamond, YouTube sensation Sam Tsui, and more.

“There is something exhilarating about being a part of a live moment,” said Hannah Hart, television host and New York Times best-selling author with more than 5 million followers. “As an entertainer who got my start on YouTube, I want the next generation to get to know GLAAD as intimately as I do. I wanted to launch ‘Pride Live,’ to showcase creative queer forces -- from both online and off -- to deliver an unforgettable show for a cause dear to my heart. I am so thrilled to be partnered with Buzzfeed and INTO to bring this show to life.”

A reboot to the traditional ‘live telethon,’ ‘Pride Live’ will use YouTube’s Super Chat feature to interact with fans and collect donations. The feature allows viewers to donate to have their comments ‘pinned’ to the top of the livestream. Viewers will also have the opportunity to have their questions and comments addressed by on-camera talent in a way unlike ever before.

One Colorado: 'Know Your Health, Know Your Rights' training in Boulder

We know lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families face unique physical and mental health barriers. That's why the One Colorado Education Fund is hosting an event in Boulder to dig deeper into the landscape of LGBTQ health in the state, provide tools for self-advocacy in healthcare settings, and talk with community members to learn more about local issues in accessing care.

This workshop is free and open to the public so join One Colorado on Wednesday, July 18th at 6:00 p.m. to learn about more about the rights of LGBTQ patients.

Brighton Boulevard Reopens with Ceremony, Street Party

Following a 20-month transformative construction project, Brighton Boulevard, in the heart of the RiNo Art District, will celebrate a grand opening this Thursday, June 21st between 29th Street and 38th Street. 

“We know that being in the midst of a construction zone has required tenacity on the part of our west-side businesses over the past two years,” said RiNo Art District President, Jamie Giellis. “We want to celebrate and commemorate this momentous project wrapping up and remind visitors and residents alike that this side of RiNo is bursting with life and activity.”

Out Adventures Celebrates 10 Years of New Frontiers

Out Adventures celebrates a decade of business in 2019 with ten brand new itineraries.

Company Founder Robert Sharp was inspired to start Out Adventures on a cruise to Antarctica. “We visited a bay populated by penguins–thousands of them– literally as far as the eye could see,” he explains. “I’ll never forget that moment…or the smell of shit.”

Wanting to share that sense of wonder with this community is what continues to inspire Robert and the Out Adventures team to explore new and untraditional destinations for the gay community. Today, they’re one of the world’s leading providers of outdoorsy excursions for gay men.

The full list of trips include:

1. Antarctica: Gay Expedition

The flagship anniversary trip returns to the land where it all began. Highlights include a sub-zero safari, glacier kayaking, nature specialists, whale watching and – of course – penguins. Only a few cabins remain.

2. Budapest & Slovenia Castles, Caves & Culinary Escapades

A gorgeous gay getaway through Central Europe, with stays in both Budapest and Ljubljana, not to mention two nights of glamping in haute Alpine huts.

3. Canada: The Rockies & Vancouver

Our first trip – and the only LGBT Canadian tour – through our home and native land ventures through Banff, Jasper and the Okanagan (Western Canada’s wine country), before it wraps in Vancouver in time for the city’s Pride celebrations.

4. Chile: Grapes, Grit & Stargazing

Where wine and workouts meet. This tour features cycling through the Colchagua Valley and Atacama Desert, tastings of the country’s finest vintages, and the splendour of Santiago. You can also pair this trip with Patagonia.

5. Kenya: Safaris & Savannahs

An old-school escape to where the safari was invented. Kenya boasts some of the most impressive fauna in the world, along with astounding accommodations.

6. Patagonia: Argentine Glacier & Chilean Eco-Camp

An active adventure that includes a stay at South America’s Second-Best Hotel – which is actually an eco-camp. The trip can be paired with the Antarctica Gay Expedition, or Chile Grapes Grit & Stargazing tour.

7. Patagonia: Argentine Glaciers & Estancia Cristina

A laid-back journey to an authentic Argentine ranch that runs parallel to the aforementioned Patagonia tour.

8. Portugal: Azores Islands Adventure

Explore the Atlantic archipelago with hikes, whale-watching, and thermal pools. Indulge in some of the region’s best restaurants and slumber in boutique hotels. You can pair this trip with the Portugal Lisbon & Porto Gourmet Foray.

9. Portugal: Lisbon & Porto Gourmet Foray

A sumptuous journey through one of Europe’s oldest nations. Wine and dine at the best restaurants in Porto, stomp grapes in the Douro Valley, and explore the country’s largest food market in Lisbon.

10. Thailand: Songkran Water Festival

Celebrate the lunar new year at the world’s biggest water fight, AKA Songkran. This trip also includes stays in gay-friendly Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, and three days in Phuket.

OUT on DVD: "Will & Grace" (The Revival): Season One

 This is one secret you won't want to keep! In celebration of this week's DVD release of "Will & Grace" (The Revival) Season One, check out the complete gag reel that can be found as one of the many special features included.
 

As one of the most beloved sitcoms on television today, the gag reel will hit you over the head like a pillow of laughs from all the brain farts, misreads, pranks, and goofs on set.
 

Additionally go behind-the-scenes of the Emmy award-winning comedy with deleted scenes, and never-before-scene featurettes also found on the DVD!

Wanda Sykes Shakes Things Up On 'Shook'

After the controversial cancellation of “Rosanne”, comedian/writer Wanda Sykes breaks her silence in this in-depth one hour first episode on season two of Revry’s "SHOOK with Ashlee Marie Preston”. Wanda reveals new revelations about Rosanne, exiting the show, equal pay, turning down Netflix via Monique’s deal, raising a family…all these topics and more in this candid, and hysterical exclusive one hour interview on queer streaming network, Revry’s "SHOOK with Ashlee Marie Preston”.

Happy Pride From Your Friends at Denver Dumb Friends League

The Denver Dumb Friends League shared the above photos on their Facebook page today with the caption "Nobody knows better than a shelter pet that #loveislove." I'm not crying, you're crying. Happy Denver Pride weekend!

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.

CDC: Mixed Results for Youth and HIV

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Surveillance Summary on the 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) shows mixed results for youth, especially for youth of color, when it comes to HIV and other STDs.

“While there were encouraging signs across all races and ethnicities in terms of decreased sexual activity, it is alarming that condom use dropped so significantly” said Linda H. Scruggs, Director of NMAC’s Leadership Pipeline and Youth Initiative. “This report indicates that youth, particularly youth of color, are engaging in riskier behavior and are at greater chance of contracting HIV or other STDs. It also shows that, with a decreased use of condoms, we will need to look at biomedical prevention methods, like Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).”

“While there is no data in this update about LGBTQ youth, we know that data is coming soon and we look forward to seeing it,” said Scruggs.

“Through NMAC’s Youth Initiative and our Building Young Leaders of Color (BYLOC), we know that youth are eager to take a leadership role in the fight against HIV in their communities and with their peers,” said Scruggs. “The data from this update and coming updates gives them the information they need to effectively communicate with their peers and develop HIV fighting strategies for their communities.”

Books: Let Me Dream

With the gay literature market rapidly growing, authors such as Harry Lavis are inspired to release new emotion-rich novels that explore a variety of themes such as inclusion, HIV, immigration, racism and environmentalism.

Let Me Dream is certainly no exception; a cocktail of multiple genres that ultimately pulls readers into an intense love story between two men who, while at odds, refuse to give up on their growing bond.

“I have definitely used this book to force readers to confront many important and prevalent issues,” explains Lavis. “For example, one of our main characters’ ex partners is HIV positive and it gets plenty of attention in the narrative; HIV is of course a vital societal issue, so why not use literature as a vehicle to raise its profile and acceptance?

Ultimately, the book was written to address my passion for inclusion and acceptance among all people, everywhere. The many issues intertwined into the story will push readers outside their comfort zone and hopefully see them turn the last page with a refreshed view on how we can all live together, happily, no matter what we believe.”

New Report: 559 LGBTQ Elected Officials Nationwide; 22,827 More Needed for Equitable Representation

There are 559 known openly LGBTQ elected officials in the United States – and America needs to elect 22,837 more to achieve equitable representation – according to LGBTQ Victory Institute’s 2018 Out for America report released today. The report documents the severe underrepresentation of LGBTQ people in key positions of power, along with demographic data that demonstrates the need to elect more LGBTQ people of color, women, and bisexual and transgender people.

Among the report’s key findings:

• 559 known LGBTQ elected officials are currently serving in the U.S., just 0.1 percent of all elected officials nationwide*;
• 22,837 more LGBTQ elected officials must be elected to achieve equitable representation;
• Just 21.2 percent of LGBTQ elected officials are people of color; and
• Only 2.7 percent of LGBTQ elected officials are bisexual and 2.3 percent are transgender.

The report also found that transgender representation more than doubled since the last Out for America report in 2017 (from six to 13 elected officials), and that fewer LGBTQ Republicans are in office (16 instead of 19) since the last report, despite overall known LGBTQ elected officials rising by 24.8 percent.

“The severe underrepresentation of LGBTQ people in elected office – especially LGBTQ people of color and transgender and bisexual people – is one of the primary reasons we see hateful legislation and policies coming from the federal government and many state legislatures,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute. “While the increase in out LGBTQ elected officials is worth celebrating, the enormous numbers we need to elect to secure equitable representation should be a call-to-action for our entire community.”

The Out for America report is an annual analysis of LGBTQ elected representation in government based on Victory Institute’s LGBTQ elected officials database – the largest and most comprehensive listing available. The interactive Out for America map displays all known LGBTQ elected officials and is available at outforamerica.org.

Download the full 2018 Out for America report at victoryinstitute.org/OFA2018.

* Newest estimates from Gallup find the U.S. LGBTQ population to be 4.5 percent of the general population – up from 4.1 percent one year ago. There are nearly 520,000 elected positions in the United States.