Things to do in Denver when you're gay: TAG fundraiser for The Center

TAG restaurant will be hosting a fundraiser for The Center on Tuesday, February 2 as part of its Community Culinary series. The Center will be showing photos of our new building and updating the progress on renovations and our capital campaign, and TAG will be donating 20 percent of its proceeds that night to The Center. Denver Chef Troy Guard (whose initials are TAG) opened TAG in May 2009 to much fanfare from foodies and hipsters alike. Troy likes to take risks -- where else can you try seared Kona Kampachi salad with jalapenos, myoga and Pop Rocks?

Vail Gay Ski Week debuts in 2010

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado (The Center) is pleased to be working with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals to bring the LGBT community the first Vail Gay Ski Week, Jan. 27-31.

Vail Gay Ski Week offers another option to LGBT skiers and snowboarders, including a nearby destination for Front Range participants. It offers everything from elegant dining to pancake breakfasts to a cowboy-themed beer bust. 

"Vail Gay Ski Week gives visitors the opportunity not only to ski, but also to enjoy the best of the Denver bar scene -- with affordable options -- all the while giving back to the GLBT community," said Tommy Hoffman, founder and CEO of Vail Gay Ski Week.

The Center was chosen as the principal nonprofit beneficiary of Vail Gay Ski Week and will receive proceeds from the Angel Wings Benefit Dinner at the Vail Plaza Hotel on Jan. 29. The proceeds will go toward funding renovations on The Center's new facility at 1301 E. Colfax Ave.

The Center launched a $3.5 million capital campaign in 2009 that is funding the purchase and renovation of the former Video One building. The Center purchased the building in May 2009 and began extensive renovations on it in the last quarter of the year. Construction is expected to be completed in May.

  

"The Center is honored to have been chosen as the beneficiary of the first Vail Gay Ski Week benefit dinner," said Center Executive Director Carlos Martinez. "The dinner will raise critical funds to sustain unique and valuable programs through The Center, including Rainbow Alley, a youth drop-in space that serves more than 6,000 LGBT youth every year."

Protect your family

Mindy Barton, Legal & Advocacy Director of The Center, will present information regarding important protections for LGBT families on Saturday, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon at The Center.

This workshop is meant to serve as an educational introduction, and participants will be given the resources to locate professionals who can complete the process. The event is targeted to LGBT families, so please feel free to bring your children.

For more information and to sign up, contact Mindy at 303-733-7743, ext 105 or click here.

Jokers, Jewels, and Justice

The 13th Annual Jokers, Jewels & Justice event takes place Thursday, March 11 at the Curtis Hotel in Denver.

Jokers, Jewels, & Justice is an elegant evening (so be sure to wear pants) of casino gaming that directly benefits The Center’s Legal & Advocacy program. Originally founded in 1992 as the Colorado Legal Initiatives Project to oppose Colorado’s discriminatory constitutional Amendment 2, The Center's Legal & Advocacy Program is the only legal program in Colorado dedicated solely to the equality and dignity of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and those with HIV. The legal program accomplishes its mission through the legal hotline, civil rights litigation and mediation, media work, and public education.

Things to do in Denver when you're gay: Yoga for seniors

On Friday, January 15, from 9:30-11 a.m., The Center will present a special yoga class for older people with instructor Angie Capell. Wear loose and comfortable clothing, and bring a blanket or mat to sit on - The Center will have a few extras on hand if you need one.

For more information on The Center's programs for GLBT seniors visit www.glbtcolorado.org.

Photo from Ravages' Flickr photostream.

Vail Gay Ski Week 2010

The Center is working with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals to bring the LGBT community Vail Gay Ski Week 2010 -- the first gay ski week for one of Colorado's premier resort areas.

The festivities run from Jan. 27-31, 2010, in Vail and will be highlighted by The Angel Wings Benefit Dinner on Friday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. at the Vail Plaza Hotel and Club. Please mark your calendars for this special event -- proceeds from the benefit go to The Center, and the goal is to raise $10,000.

From apres ski socials to a beer bust to Livid Lesbian wrestling, the week promises events that will appeal to a broad range of LGBT folks.

Denver Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce names The Center as Nonprofit of the Year

Capping a historic year, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado (The Center) was recently named the Nonprofit of the Year by the Denver Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber cited several Center accomplishments that went into its decision, including the purchase of a new home at 1301 E. Colfax Ave. The purchase marks the first time in The Center's 33-year history that it has owned its own building.

"The Center has made amazing strides in 2009. On top of embarking on an ambitious capital campaign and purchasing a new home, The Center has created new programs for the transgender community, as well as for GLBT families and elders," said Ed Robinson, chairman of the Denver Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. "It did this while growing the Rainbow Alley program for youth, hosting its first 9News Health Fair and organizing the largest PrideFest in Denver history."

Read more after the jump.


In 2009, The Center launched a three-year, $3.5 million capital campaign that included $2.5 million for the purchase and renovation of the Colfax building, which is scheduled to open in May 2010. The Center also created new programs and services to promote healthy lifestyles, to engage GLBT parents and to provide support and educational seminars for older gays and lesbians.

In addition, The Center named a Transgender Advocate and was active in the April trial of Allen Andrade, who was convicted of first-degree murder and a hate crime against Angie Zapata, a young transgender woman in Greeley.

Past recipients of the DGLCC's Nonprofit of the Year award include the Colorado AIDS Project, Jewish Family Services and Community Shares.

"We're honored that the Chamber recognized all of the hard work of our staff and board in 2009," said Center Executive Director Carlos Martinez. "It's been a phenomenal year for us, and it's rewarding to get that acknowledgement."



Things to do in Denver when you're gay: Build gingerbread houses at The Center

Is hanging out with LGBT families and their kids and creating festive holiday gingerbread houses your idea of fun? Well then plan on coming down to The Center on Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon for a morning of gingerbread house-building amusement!

Visit www.glbtcolorado.org or call 303-733-7743 for more information or to RSVP.

Photo from GingerbreadHouseHeaven.com where you can also find free templates, step-by-step instructions and decorating ideas for making gingerbread houses.

Upcoming Elder Events from The Center

Ken Helander, Elder Programs Coordinator for The Center has the following update on upcoming Elder Events from The Center:

Next Friday, Dec. 4, audiologist Dr. Jodene Spencer will be at The Center from 1:30-3 p.m. to talk about hearing loss and what can be done about it. Hearing loss can be one of the most frustrating and isolating conditions people face as they get older. But it's not inevitable, can often be prevented and can almost always be improved. Jodene will talk about the types of hearing loss, and the many new technologies that can make all the difference.

And Friday, Dec. 18, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The Center will host a discussion on arthritis and osteoporosis with Tom Simpleman, a board certified geriatric pharmacist.

Outing Age 2010 presents issues facing gay elders

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) today jointly released Outing Age 2010: Public Policy Issues Affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Elders, an update to the groundbreaking Outing Age report issued in 2000.

Like its predecessor, Outing Age 2010 presents an in-depth look at public policy issues and challenges facing millions of aging LGBT people in the United States. The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado runs the SAGE affiliate in Denver and will be using this report in its work with older LGBT adults in Colorado.

New HIV prevention program launched by The Center, Sisters of Color

The Sisters of Color United for Education and The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado are pleased to announce the formation of a new HIV prevention program aimed at the Latino MSM (Men having Sex with Men) population.

The organizations recently secured a $110,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to provide outreach and HIV prevention services to the Latino MSM community.

"I'm excited to be a part of a group that is determined to see great things happen in our community," said Alejandro Castro, the project's Development Team Co-Chair. "Through the program's innovative methods of reaching Latino MSM, we intend to have a significant impact in reducing HIV infection among Latinos."

Read more after the jump.


The counties that are the focus of this project -- Denver, Adams, Arapahoe and Jefferson -- represent 78 percent of the people living with HIV in Colorado, according to the March 2009 HIV and AIDS in Colorado Surveillance Report. The same report shows that among those living with HIV in Colorado, 87 percent are male, 71 percent were infected because of male-to-male sexual contact and more than 25 percent are Latino.

Latinos also often face added language and cultural barriers, and an alarming 36 percent of Latinos in Colorado are uninsured.

"Sisters of Color continues to be a resource for the Latino community and we are fortunate to be partnering with the Latino MSM leadership in helping them build a community program that embraces their culture and traditions, while respecting their values," said Belinda Garcia, Executive Director, Sisters of Color.

The groups organizing this project will host a community information meeting for those wanting to learn more or get involved. The meeting will take place on Dec. 19 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Sisters of Color office at 2895 W. 8th Ave. in Denver.

"We are very pleased to be collaborating with the Latino MSM community and assisting them in creating the infrastructure that will allow them to become their own independent organization," said Carlos Martinez, Executive Director of the GLBT Community Center of Colorado.




Get a sneak peek at The Center's new digs at their Open House House

Kick off the holidays with The Center at their Open House at 1050 Broadway on Sunday, Nov. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In addition to a volunteer appreciation party, the gang will be making a big announcement about The Center's upcoming moving plans.

The event is free and open to the public and all Center supporters, past, present and future, are invited to be a part of this exciting event.

For more information, email The Center's Communications and Marketing Manager Heather Draper.

Golden gays

The Center has a number of elder programs available for members of the gay community who are 50 and older and this time next year has plans to host its first regional conference on LGBT Aging.

The Center's Elder Program Coordinator Ken Helander is asking for volunteers to help with the conference on a variety of planning committees -- program, venue, publicity, entertainment, fundraising, etc. If you would like to get involved and be part of preparing this great event, join them for light refreshments and a kick-off organizational meeting at The Center on Monday, Nov. 9, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

The Center wants your input on Family Programs

The Center's Family Programs continue to gather steam, and they want your input to keep that momentum going.

There will be a networking and brainstorming session at The Cener on Saturday, September 19 to gather input from members of the community who have families, want families, or are starting families.

To take part, call The Center at 303-773-7743 or email Jessie Genther at jgenther@glbtcolorado.org.

Pancakes!

This coming Saturday is The Center’s Pancake Breakfast. It will take place from 9-11 a.m. on Sept. 12 at Metropolitan Community Church of the Rockies and a $10 donation is suggested.

Gaybutante Ball

The GLBT Community Center of Colorado is proud to announce the 11th annual Gaybutante celebration, benefiting Rainbow Alley, the Center's youth drop-in program. This year the celebration will take place on Saturday, October 10 from 6-8:30 p.m. at Auraria Campus and will again be hosted by Channel 2's own Chris Parente.

Gaybutante honors the strength and courage of Denver youth who have embraced their GLBT identity. Modeled after the debutante tradition, “Gaybutantes” tell their compelling and inspiring coming out stories in front of a welcoming community of friends and supportive, safe adults.

We also honor adults and other youth agencies that have made a positive impact in the GLBT youth community this year. The Gaybutante celebration is always one of our most powerful events, and undoubtedly one of the most important in the Denver GLBT community.

CLIP: Know your rights

The Center's Legal Initiatives Project, or CLIP, was founded in 1992 in response to the passage of anti-gay Amendment 2 by Colorado voters and is the only legal project in Colorado dedicated solely to the equality and dignity of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and those with HIV.

Click here to learn more about The Center's legal program.

A gourmet evening of wine and food to benefit The Center

This week's hottest event will be A Summer Wine Tasting on Thursday, August 20.

Enjoy customized, delicious and dynamic pairings of wines and cuisines prepared by wine specialist Cynthia Asencio of Vino 100 and culinary connoisseur Lea Ann Purvis as you relax at the downtown Denver home of Chris Genry, an inviting and magnificent residence recently featured in LUXE magazine.

Tickets are $50 each and space is limited so purchase your ticket today.

Elder Programs at The Center

The Center's Elder Programs are designed to build and encourage community, to educate, to inspire, and to have fun. They include a Caregiver Support Group, Tuesday Morning Coffee, Fun and Gaymes, and talks and seminars on various topics.

Have you heard about the Rights 5? You will!

The GLBT Community Center of Colorado has launched a $100,000 marketing campaign to build public awareness of The Rights 5 - five state LGBT laws enacted over the past four years. The effort, which includes online ads, messages on bar napkins and coasters, videos and outreach at pride events, uses a superhero theme to try to engage the public, according to this article in the Denver Post.