Live blogging the LGBT Caucus at the DNC: Wednesday: Caucus Schedule

A HUGE turn-out is expected for today's LGBT Caucus and it is starting to fill up. The schedule for the caucus is as follows:

Caucus Opens - Rick Stafford, DNC LGBT Caucus Chair

Presentation on Obama Pride and how the LGBT Community can help elect Barack Obama

Governor Howard Dean, Chair of the Democratic National Committee

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA)

Openly LGBT Congressional Candidates Jared Polis (CO) and Linda Kettner (SC)

Remarks - Nancy Wohlforth, AFL-CIO on Free Choice Act

Stonewall Star Award Presentation - Stonewall Democrats

Not listed on the schedule is San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom who is rumored to appear today.

Rock to Win: Thelma Houston performs 'Don't Leave Me This Way'

She looked and sounded amazing.

Rock to Win Press Conference Video

Margaret Cho, Rufus Wainwright, Thelma Houston, Melissa Etheridge and Cyndi Lauper meet the press on Tuesday night for HRC's DNC concert Rock to Win.

Rock to Win Press Event Photos

HRC's Joe Solomonese introduces Margaret Cho, Rufus Wainwright, Thelma Houston, Melissa Etheridge and Cyndi Lauper:

Rock to Win was awesome

Just got home from the Rock to Win Concert and it was awesome. I got to attend the press conference beforehand and Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper, Margaret Cho, Rufus Wainwright and Thelma Houston were very high-energy and fired up about the concert and the DNC. I'll be posting video of the press event shortly.

The concert itself was very well-attended by locals and visitors alike.

Thelma Houston kicked things off and looked and sounded fantastic. She did a Motown medley and thrilled the crowd with an amped up version of 'Don't Leave Me This Way'.

Margaret Cho was her usual hilarious self and introduced Rufus Wainwright who dedicated his set to his boyfriend.

The highlight of the night for me was Cyndi Lauper's performance. She sang her new song "Set Your Heart" and gave a rousing political speech before launching into "What's Going On" and "True Colors". She finished up with "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and even brought her son, Declan, out to dance onstage.

Melissa Etheridge ended the show and absolutely everybody in the place had a fantastic time.

Stay tuned for more pics and video.

The line for the concert was HUGE!

Read Michelle Obama's DNC speech

People went crazy for Michelle Obama's DNC speech last night. Read it for yourself here.

This is MileHighGayGuy: Eden Lane

Colorado OutSpoken's Eden Lane covers the DNC and gives a little shout out to MHGG.

Denver Dems' WatchFest

The Democratic National Convention is the hottest party in town this week, but most of us won’t be able to get into the Pepsi Center. So come to City Park for free Music, Comedy, Convention Watching and fun.

It's free but there's a 3,000 people maximum so come early! There will be BBQ, BEER for sale by Oskar Blues Brewery (You are asked not bring in outside food or drinks, but blankets and chairs are fine), OBAMA T-shirts and gear for sale, and progressive issues information!

After dusk, the 18x15’ screen on the Pavilion will show Senator Hillary Clinton and Keynote Speaker former Virginia Governor Mark Warner's speeches, as well as other items of interest (don't worry - it will all be time delayed). But FIRST - on the Bandstand on the lake there will be Bluegrass, Funk, Cowboy Musings, and Rock & Roll, along with Comedy, Local Lawmakers and Special Guests!

100 SPECIAL VIP PASSES AVAILABLE!! For a $100 donation to the Democratic Party of Denver, you will be allowed VIP parking, be escorted into the Pavilion where you can enjoy a special organic meal relying on locally available produce prepared by "Chef In A Flash" Michael Schock, complimentary Beer (Oskar Blues Brews) and Wine, and enjoy the DNC footage on a 50" HDTV. And guess who else will be in the VIP section? Ethel Kennedy and son Maxwell Taylor Kennedy, JJ Abrams of "Lost" and "Alias" fame, actors Fran Drescher, Joe Pantoliano and MORE!

DNC LGBT Caucus photos

LGBT Caucus

Crowd




Tim Gill



OutSpoken TV

Jennifer Vanasco, Mark Farrandino & Matt Kailey

Jennifer Veiga


LGBT Delegates

Tom Charlton

Live blogging the LGBT Caucus at the DNC: Recess is called

The LGBT Caucus has officially been recessed until Wednesday. Come on down if you didn't get a chance today.

Meet the DNC's LGBT delegates

Jeffrey Shaw, Chairman, Colorado Stonewall Democrats issues the following invitation:


"Hey, Everyone...tonight from 9:00 p.m. until ... you can enjoy an evening with LGBT Delegates from the Democratic National Convention at the Compound at 2nd and Broadway. With a suggested donation of $5 or more (which goes to Colorado Stonewall Democrats), you will also get a Compound dogtag which means that on Mondays and Thursdays you can get beverages for $1, $2, $3, or $4. In September, these prices will likely go up by $.50, but, still, such a deal. All LGBT Delegates to the Convention have also been invited so there will be all sorts of "out-of-towners" to meet and visit with. Please join us tonight at the Compound.

Tomorrow night the same kind of event will take place at Charlie's and Happy Hour prices will be honored for the same suggested donation. Then, on Thursday, starting at 6:00 p.m., please converge once again on the Compound for the Obama Watch Party. All TV's and audio will be exclusively devoted to the Convention and the Obama acceptance speech. Afterwards, we will have another "After the Gavel" Party at the same location. Join you fellow LGBT Democrats, and watch the final night together, and then stay to party."

Live blogging the LGBT Caucus at the DNC: Tim Gill speaks out

Local philanthropist Tim Gill, whose Gill Foundation and Gill Action Fund have provided over $150 million dollars towards the fight for gay rights is making his remarks.

"The most important thing you can do is support the pro-gay legislators and eliminate the anti-gay legislators." - Tim Gill



"Look at and talk to all the people from the rural states that are here, ask them who you can help them get rid of. Ask them who needs a new career because if all of you give $50 ... we can get rid of them." - Tim Gill

"Help us get rid of anti-gay politicians." - Tim Gill

"The Republican party is controlled by a bunch of bigots." - Tim Gill

Live blogging the LGBT Caucus at the DNC: LGBT delegates speak out

* California City Councilmember Evan Low

A group of LGBT delegates are being invited to take the podium and speak. They are:

Marjory Hill
John Perez
Evan Low
State Rep. Al McAffrey
Melissa Sklarz

"I see that we have made many changes in the United States and we will continue to make changes when we vote for a Democratic president who is willing to stand up for us." - Rep. Al McAffrey, a beneficiary of the Victory Fund.

"I'm not an elected official, I'm just a girl with a job," says Melissa Sklarz. "The Democratic party is the party of equality and justice and diversity. It is the party of my parents and my grandparents."

"I am here not only as a gay man and a Latino but also as a representative of organized labor. The battle for social and economic justice are inextricably linked." - John Perez, the first openly gay person of color in the California legislature.

41 percent more LGBT delegates to DNC

DNC Secretary Alice Germond says there are 41 percent more LGBT delegates than just four years ago.

"The growth of this caucus is what America is all about," says Germond. "Thank you in advance for all you're going to do."

Live blogging the LGBT Caucus at the DNC: Jennifer Viega and Mark Ferrandino

Jennifer Veiga, the first lesbian in Colorado legislature and openly gay Rep. Mark Ferrandino have given the welcome for the LGBT Cauicus.

"We've turned Colorado from a red state to a blue state. ... We've accomplished a lot and will continue to fight until we have full equality for the LGBT community," says Ferrandino.

Everybody is giving a standing ovation and there are even some people who are crying. Exciting stuff.

Off to the GLBT caucus

I'm heading down to the GLBT caucus shortly and will hopefully rustle up all sorts of startling and unique coverage for those of you who can't be here in person. Exciting stuff - stay tuned for all sorts of DNC GLBT stuff throughout the week.

Colorado's Eden Lane makes DNC history

Press credentials in hand, Colorado's Eden Lane becomes the first transgender broadcast journalist to cover a major party convention - via her blog.

Great job, Eden - can't wait to see what you have in store for us!

GLBT events at the DNC *updated*

Monday, August 25:

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. LGBT Caucus Meeting; Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St Denver, CO 80202

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Stonewall Democrats Tea Party; The Pinnacle Club by the Grand Hyatt Media

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Celebrating Diversity Reception by Human Rights Campaign; Westin Tabor Center 1672 Lawrence Street Denver, CO 80202

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST) The Agenda with Joe Solmonese will air live from the convention with special guests Rep. Diana DeGette; Hilary Rosen, Huffington Post; Mary Ann Akers, Washington Post; Patrick Gavin, Washington Examiner; and GLBT Delegates. The program airs live every Monday night on XM Radio's Channel 155. It is co-hosted by Mary Breslauer.

Tuesday, August 26:

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Lunch for LGBT Delegates Hosted by Rep. Barney Frank, with Rep. Tammy Baldwin, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and Human Rights Campaign; Sheraton Hotel, 1550 Court Place, Denver, CO 80202

7:00 p.m. Human Rights Campaign presents "Rock to Win" with Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper, Rufus Wainwright and Margaret Cho; Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson St Denver, CO 80218

Wednesday, August 27:

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Human Rights Campaign hosts panel discussion on LGBT Issues in 2008: What a Difference Four Years Makes; The Big Tent. Panelists: Celinda Lake, Arizona Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (Del.) and Jonathan Capehart.

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. LGBT Caucus Meeting; Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St Denver, CO 80202

I still wish it could have been Hillary

According to this CNN piece, Hillary supporters are satisfied with Joe Biden as vice-presidential candidate. I still wish it could have been Hillary.

“The Agenda” to Air Live from Democratic Convention

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, which will have a large presence at the Democratic National Convention in Denver next week culminating in its “Rock to Win” concert Tuesday night, will also broadcast its weekly talk show, “The Agenda with Joe Solmonese,” live from Radio Row at the Pepsi Center. “The Agenda, Live from Denver” will broadcast Monday, August 25, on XM Channel 155 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern.

Solmonese, president of Human Rights Campaign, and co-host, Mary Breslauer, will welcome a broad and ever-changing list of guests including lesbian Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, Denver-area Congresswoman Diana DeGette, Washingtonpost.com's Mary Ann Akers, Huffington Post political editor and CNN regular, Hilary Rosen, LGBT delegates to the convention, and Patrick Gavin who keeps on eye on celebrity and politics at the Washington Examiner.

“We thrilled to be bringing some of the voices and the excitement of the convention to our listeners,” said Solmonese. “There have never been more LGBT delegates, a stronger platform document, or more buzz at a convention and we'll be serving all of it up Monday night.”

Additionally, producer Michael Cole will share his interviews with openly gay friends of presumptive presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama. Cole went to Chicago and the HRC video produced from those conversations will be up live at the convention.

To learn more about the show, log onto The Agenda. Information about the” Rock to Win” concert including tickets is available at Rock to Win.