Several elected officials named among top influential LGBT leaders

Out Magazine on Wednesday named several elected officials to its list of top influential LGBT leaders, which looks at "LGBT voices [with] power, how they wield it and who it affects." Among the list Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat from Wisconsin who is the first openly gay U.S. senator, Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Colorado's own Rep. Jared Polis in at #39!

Log Cabin Republicans Launch Ad Campaign Targeting Openly Gay Rep. Jared Polis

Log Cabin Republicans (LCR) this week launched a new Colorado ad campaign targeting U.S. Rep. Jared Polis.

Says the ad, “Congressman Jared Polis is estimated to be worth more than 65 million dollars. He’s using his personal wealth to fund a ballot initiative campaign in Colorado that would limit or ban responsible high tech energy development in the state. If that happens, it is estimated that Colorado could lose 8 billion dollars and 68,000 jobs in just the first five years. Congressman Polis has over 65 million reasons to fund his own selfish agenda. But most people in Colorado can’t afford to pay for his ideas.”

Listen to the radio ad here. 

"Log Cabin Republicans of Colorado has opposed Congressman Polis and his obsession with this bad-business ballot initiative for months. We’re excited to join with Log Cabin Republicans National HQ in Washington, D.C. to turn up the heat in our fight for the individual liberty of all Coloradans by pushing against Polis’ proposal," said George Gramer, Log Cabin Republicans of Colorado President.

Jared Polis: Congressman, RuPaul's Drag Race Fan

Gay gazillionaire politicians -- they're just like us! 

Everybody loves RuPaul's Drag Race, including Colorado Congressman Jared Polis who recently tweeted in anticipation of the upcoming season -- which will feature an appearance by hunky former Denver resident, Ross Milam, btw.

Now, as a fellow Race fan, I just had to find out which queen was his all-time favorite contestant. And, drumroll please ... he chose Sharon Needles as his number one! Who knew she ever lived in Colorado? 

What do you think? Who is your all-time fave? For my money it's Willam Belli, hands down!

Record of 7 out Congress members sworn in

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and six openly gay and bisexual members of the House - including Colorado's own Jared Polis - were sworn in last week, marking the largest number of out lawmakers ever to serve in the Congress at one time. 

"Today LGBT Americans gained powerful, authentic voices on Capitol Hill who will fight for true equality for all, and Congress became more representative of our country," said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund. “We could not be more proud of these seven exceptional men and women.”

Post profiles papa Polis

Proud papas Marlon Reis (l) and Jared Polis (r)

Baby Caspian

Didja see this?

The Denver Post did a nice profile of openly gay Congressman and new dad, Jared Polis.

Polis says having a son, Caspian, with partner Marlon Reis has changed his perspective about the work he’s doing as a member of Congress. 

“It's a great responsibility, and it redoubles my desire to make the world a better place for Caspian to grow up in,” said Polis, speaking of the baby boy he and his partner Marlon Reis welcomed Sept. 30.

Polis offers Frank praise

Openly gay and lesbian U.S. Reps. including Colorado's own Jared Polis, Tammy Baldwin, and David Cicilline praised their colleague, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., following his announcement that his current term in Congress will be his last. 

"Barney Frank was a groundbreaking pioneer and one of the most insightful, knowledgeable and humorous people ever to grace the halls of Congress," said Polis.

Who's your daddy? Polis to become Congress' first gay dad

U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., has announced he and his partner, Marlon Reis, are expecting a child this fall. 

Polis will become the first openly LGBT member of Congress who is also a parent.

Colorado's Rep. Jared Polis introducesStudent Non-Discrimination Act

The Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA) was recently introduced in Congress by Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., and Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo (pictured).  SNDA would prohibit public elementary and secondary schools from discriminating against any student on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.  In addition, SNDA would prevent schools from discriminating against students because of the actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of a person with whom that student associates or has associated.  This is the second time SNDA has been introduced in Congress.  It was first introduced in the 111th Congress by the same lead sponsors.

"Every child deserves an equal education free from discrimination, harassment and bullying. Unfortunately, LGBT students have historically been alienated, harassed, and bullied in their schools, with little or no intervention from school personnel.  Far too many of these students have underperformed or dropped out in response to the lack of safety and support,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.  “No student should feel scared when walking into their school and this legislation would require immediate and appropriate action to stop the discrimination that our youth have endured for far too long."

“Education is the right of every student regardless of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. It becomes more apparent with each case that this is a problem that is not going away. Sometimes even teachers and administrators contribute to the problem,” said Rep. Polis. “The alarming increase in teen suicides has shown us just how far we are from making our children’s schools safe spaces.  We must take action to protect the safety of our students and enshrine the values of equality and opportunity in our classrooms.  My legislation puts LGBT students on an equal footing with their peers, so they can attend school and get a quality education free from fear.”

“Unchecked bullying of LGBT students is unacceptable,” said Sen. Franken. “The high suicide rate for LGBT youth—as witnessed across the country over the past year—shows that we are falling drastically short in our efforts to protect our kids. I’m committed to passing this legislation to ensure that all of our children know that they’re safe in their schools and have someone to turn to.”
Discrimination against students based on sexual orientation and gender identity contributes to high dropout rates, absenteeism, adverse health consequences and academic underachievement. When left unchecked, such discrimination can lead to, and has led to, dangerous situations for young people.  Federal statutory and/or constitutional protections expressly address discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex and disability, but do not expressly address sexual orientation or gender identity.  As a result, students and parents have limited legal recourse to redress for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

SNDA is closely modeled after title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and provides legal recourse to redress such discrimination.  While title IX applies to elementary schools, secondary schools and higher education institutions, SNDA exclusively applies to public elementary and secondary schools.
SNDA is has broad support from over 33 national organizations, including: The American Association of University Women, American Federation of Teachers, American Civil Liberties Union, American Psychological Association, American School Counselor Association, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Family Equality Council, Gay-Straight Alliance Network, GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders), GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), National Association of School Psychologists, National Association of School Safety and Law Enforcement Officials, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Council of Jewish Women, National Council of La Raza, National Education Association, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, National Women's Law Center, PFLAG (Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians and Gays), People for the American Way, SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education), School Social Work Association of America, The Trevor Project and Transgender Law Center.

Freshman Congressman is Hill's newest out member

Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., is profiled in this day-in-the-life look at the freshman member of Congress. Cicilline this year joined Reps. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Barney Frank, D-Mass., and our own Jared Polis, D-Colo., as the nation's only openly gay and lesbian federal lawmakers. 

As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Cicilline says he wants hearings on anti-LGBT activity in Uganda, but he's also interested in exploring an omnibus American LGBT rights bill.

Discharged troops should have benefits, says Jared Polis, other out lawmakers

Reps. Barney Frank, D-Mass., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Jared Polis, D-Colo., and David Cicilline, D-R.I., each of whom is openly gay, are signing on to a letter by Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis., urging military leaders to reinstate the benefits of troops who were discharged under "don't ask, don't tell." 

"While we cannot completely undo the injustice that has been done to gay and lesbian service members, we can at least diminish the harm they suffered by preserving the benefits they earned," said Frank in a release.

Marlon Reis growing comfortable as political spouse

Marlon Reis (pictured left), the partner of openly gay U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo. (pictured right), says building friendships with other congressional spouses has helped him navigate his new role. 

The couple met in 2006, two years before Polis became the first openly gay male freshman elected to Congress.

Cicilline becomes fourth openly gay member of Congress

Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., has joined Reps. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Jared Polis, D-Colo. (pictured), as the only openly gay and lesbian members of the U.S. Congress. 

"This is an historic day for LGBT Americans, and another step toward a government that truly reflects our country's diversity," said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. 

The Washington Post named Cicilline one of its 10 freshmen to watch.

Prlodi sees policy's demise as "defining" victory

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ranks the lifting of the military ban on openly LGBT troops as "very high" on the list of accomplishments during her four-year run as speaker of the House and one that "will be remembered as a defining time when we said no to discrimination." 

Pelosi gave strong credit to out U.S. Reps. Barney Frank, D-Mass., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and our own Jared Polis, D-Colo., for helping end the policy.

Colorado's Rep. Jared Polis makes Time's list of political stars under 40

Colorado's first openly gay Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., along with Arizona state Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat who's openly bisexual, both make TIME magazine's list of 40 people under 40 years old whom they deem "rising stars of American politics."

CO Rep. Jared Polis offers to help find anti-gay Senate staffer

Colorado's own openly gay U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., last week told CNN's Anderson Cooper he'd help Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., find the staffer who posted a blog comment last week urging the death of all gay people. Chambliss' office confirmed the posting originated in the senator's Atlanta office.

"It couldn't be easier. If they can't figure it out, I will go down there myself and do it for them," computer-whiz Polis said.

Go Jared!

Jared Polis, Tim Gill make OUT's Power 50 list

Out's 2010 Power 50 list, a veritable who’s who of prominent gay men and women representing all walks of life from entertainers to politicians, writers, and cultural icons, includes two of Colorado's most prominent gay men - Jared Polis and Tim Gill.

Gill and Polis are also listed on the MileHighGayGuy.com Who's Who in Gay Denver page.

Other notable figures in this year’s Power 50 include:

Adam Lambert — His Rolling Stone cover was the magazine’s best seller of 2009, but he really caught fire after his American Music Awards performance forced ABC to break out its rule book.

Neil Patrick Harris — Today’s go-to awards show host of choice has earned two Golden Globe and three Emmy nominations for his work on 'How I Met Your Mother.' Now the actor has three movies and a guest-starring spot on 'Glee' scheduled for 2010.

Perez Hilton — Whether posing with Lady Gaga or helping launch new bands, Perez Hilton remains the self-proclaimed “Queen of All Media.”

Quote of the Day: Jared Polis

"You still can't be openly gay and serve in the military, so [the recent revision] doesn't change the reality that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is making our military weaker every day that it exists." - Out U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., as quoted by LGBT POV

Re-elect Jared Polis!

Join up with Colorado's out and proud Rep. Jared Polis this weekend for food, drink, and conversation.

Polis just announced a district-wide tour to kick off his bid for re-election and this tour will be a series of informal gatherings for the people of the Second Congressional District to meet their Representative, talk about the issues that matter most to them and hear how they can get involved in the campaign. All events are free and open to the public.

In Europe - and Colorado - being out in politics is in

In contrast to the U.S., where there are still only a handful of nationally prominent out lawmakers, Europe's more welcoming political climate has resulted in the emergence of several dozen openly gay lawmakers and Cabinet officers, notably in Britain, France and Germany. The positive situation for LGBT leadership is fueled by public attitudes -- more than eight in 10 French, Germans and Spaniards say gay people should be accepted, compared with 49 percent of Americans.

Here in Colorado, of course, we're proud and lucky to have such openly gay lawmakers and politicians as Senator Pat Steadman, Rep. Mark Ferrandino, and Rep. Jared Polis.

Bumpy flight for Jared Polis' partner of six years

Marlon Reis (above right), the partner of U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., was forced to jump many bureaucratic hurdles in June to be able to take part in a congressional delegation trip to Seattle that was open to designated spouses of lawmakers. At one point, the U.S. military tried to bar Reis from getting on the plane unless he paid a reimbursement fee of $1,140.40 to the Defense Department. Eventually, the matter was cleared up and Reis was able to join his partner, the other lawmakers and their spouses, without having to pay.