Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Match: Upscale Gay Matchmaking Service Opens in Cherry Creek

Pairings - Modern Introductions has announced the opening of the company's new, upscale matchmaking service specifically for the Denver's gay community in Cherry Creek. 

"Our proven approach to personal matchmaking uses our clients' Pairings Profile along with their Pairings Personality Assessment--two tools with which their personal matchmaker hand selects introductions based on the criteria set by the client," says Charlee Brotherton, founder and CEO of Pairings - Modern Introductions. "Our matchmaker will call and pre-approve the details of each new introduction with each of our individual clients in advance. Our goal as personal matchmakers is to take the work out of finding love."

Brotherton's introduction services currently encompass 21 local offices in 11 states. During the past 13 years, her firm has introduced more than 100,000 couples and has been responsible for thousands of successful marriages and relationships.

Prior to joining Pairings, Vice President of Business Development Tressa O'Lear was an executive with a gay matchmaking firm in Texas. With more than 25 years' experience, O'Lear has managed 16 matchmaking offices in eight states, successfully matching thousands of couples. She has been active in the Austin Gay Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and participated in Austin Pride in 2013.

"Our new office next to Cherry Creek Shopping Center is fabulous and perfectly representative of our company culture and our clientele," says O'Lear. "We take pride in being the Rocky Mountain region's exclusive, upscale gay and lesbian matchmaking firm, located in one of its premier shopping environments."

Eight Great Places for Stargazing in Colorado

With fall in full swing in Colorado and leaf-peeping season nearing its end, visitors to Colorado begin to train their eyes skyward, when winter constellations come into view.  With its dark night skies, Colorado is an amazing destination for stargazers.

From one of the hottest outdoor music venues to an off-the-grid backcountry hut, the Colorado Tourism Office highlights eight of the best spots for stargazing in the state.
 

• Chimney Rock National Monument in southwest Colorado’s San Juan National Forest is the country’s newest National Monument, having received its official designation from President Obama on September 21, 2012.  It’s also one of the best places to go stargazing in the western United States.  More than 5,000 acres of beautiful high desert terrain surrounds Chimney Rock’s striking rock formation from which it gets its name. The U.S. Forest Service offers complimentary Full Moon Programs, which allow visitors the opportunity to watch the full moon rise, learn about the Ancestral Puebloans and archaeo-astronomy theories, and participate in Night-Sky Archaeo-Astronomy Programs and sunrise outings.
   
• Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater is used to seeing stars all the time. U2, Dave Matthews Band and Coldplay are a few of the acts who have performed at this spectacular natural, open-air amphitheater.  Located just outside of Denver, it’s also an amazing location to spend an evening stargazing. The wide, terraced stairs of the amphitheater are perfect to lay down a blanket and enjoy the heavenly bodies as they come into view.
   
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, located just outside of Montrose in southwest Colorado, offers numerous opportunities to turn one’s eyes heavenward and channel one’s inner Galileo. The sky in and near the park is considered a ‘dark sky site’ because there is little-to-no light pollution to impair star viewing. Ranger-guided stargazing programs are offered throughout the year, as well as an Astronomy Festival each summer.
   
• The UFO Watchtower in Alamosa, Colorado boasts miniscule light pollution and is an ideal stargazing site.  Local legend has it that the San Luis Valley is an extraterrestrial hotbed, with dozens of unexplained flying object (UFO) sightings rumored to have occurred in the area since 2007. At the UFO Watchtower, there's little or no light competition obstructing one’s view. 
   
• The OPUS Hut tucked in between 13,000-foot mountain peaks, at an altitude of 11,800 feet, is an incredible backcountry respite. At night, visitors feel as though they can reach out and touch the stars and planets that are visible in the night sky. Rates, which include dinner and breakfast, are just $70 per night. The Hut offers solar powered electricity and hot water, two wood-burning stoves, indoor plumbing and restrooms. Amazing backcountry skiing and snowshoeing are available nearby. 

• Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, Colorado offer several unbeatable stargazing areas. The Rocky Mountain Nature Association offers Trek Adventures at Dusk, a custom educational experience specifically for children led by a local naturalist is available via an evening snowshoe tour or bus tour. At the Estes Park Memorial Observatory visitors can explore the night sky with a Mead 12 inch LX200 Schmidt-Cassergrain telescope in a private observation session or during a pre-scheduled public viewing.
   
• Horsetooth Reservoir near Fort Collins, so-called because of a bizarre rock formation that resembles an actual horse's tooth, offers an uninterrupted view of sparkling night skies. A short hike to Horsetooth Rock boasts a view of Fort Collins on one side and rugged mountains framed by Horsetooth Reservoir and the night sky on the other.
   
• Gunnison Valley Observatory is the largest public telescope in Colorado. At an elevation of more than 7,700 feet and with virtually non-existent air and light pollution, Gunnison boasts near-perfect stargazing conditions. The entirely volunteer-operated observatory and its powerful telescopes allow visitors to get closer to the stars and planets than ever before.

When planning to go stargazing in Colorado, it’s best to be prepared. Following are a few tips from the pros for having an enjoyable stargazing experience in Colorado.

• Each person in your party should bring a flashlight to guide the way to the stargazing site. Bright LED flashlights are recommended. Because maintaining one’s night vision requires complete darkness, keep flashlights pointed to the ground at all times.
   
• It can take anywhere from 15-25 minutes for one’s eyes to adjust to dark conditions. Be sure to keep any and all lights off the stargazing site.
   
• Since stargazing is not an active pursuit, it is best to wear warm clothes or bring layers to add as temperatures drop in the colder months.  A thermos of your favorite soup, coffee or hot cocoa can help keep you warm.
   
• Many stargazing sites don’t offer comfortable seating, so it is always a good idea to bring a lightweight, folding camping chair.

Nice to See StevieB: Panda Express

By StevieB

I spent the entire day yesterday writing my term paper. I have entitled it my "Mos and Po-Po" paper. Not realizing that I had wasted an entire day sitting at the dinning room table with nothing but the dog staring up at me, around seven p.m. my stomach decided it was time for me to stop clicking away on the keyboard and throw some food in it.

Without considering the social norms of good grooming, I grabbed the Shar-pei and headed out onto the streets for nourishment. I have a level of guilt for patronizing the new Panda Express fast food chain that has opened up recently. I have always dined at the locally owned and operated Chinese take-away, but after a day of writing in my sweat pants, I feared that Mr. Wok would assume that the zombie apocalypse had begun, and this particular zombie had a taste for Asian brains, and I would be shot in the head.

One should not fear being mistaken for a zombie and shot just because one desires Chinese food, but one should also take a shower and remove ten hour old Pop-Tart crumbs from one’s beard before heading out into public. So I went to Panda Express.

They don’t judge.

As I did my zombie shuffle up to the “Order Here” sign, the guy behind the glass sneeze guard smiled and said “Hey, we chatted on Scruff!”

Peering into his dreamy blue eyes and swimmers build wrapped in a fast food uniform, I recognized him as well. My stomach and other bits growled. I thought, it’s Mr. “watts up” and “your hot.”

Pondering his very bad grammar, I quickly thought, who am I to judge the proper use of you’re versus your? This hot twenty-two year old wants to give me his egg rolls. Under the panda embroidered polo shirt is a six-pack that thinks I am hot. I smiled my best “How YOU Doin?” smile and ran my hand over my right pectoris muscle covered by my coffee-stained tee shirt.

I then grabbed my to-go bag and retreated out of the restaurant like a defeated Mongol warrior, yet giggling like a Japanese schoolgirl.

This post originally appeared on Steven Bennet's website Nice to See StevieB. Republished with permission.

Tranifesto: ‘I Would Never Date a Trans Person!’ Then Don’t.

By Matt Kailey

I took down two comments from my blog this week, something that I rarely do. The first one was a no-brainer – it blatantly violated my “no personal attacks” policy. The second one was debatable. I eventually took it down because, while it was civil, it contained language that was highly disrespectful of the majority of my readers.

But it took me a while to decide, mostly because of its amusement factor. The comment was on an older post and was from a self-described “bi female” who basically said that she would never date a trans person because trans people are not “real” men and women.

Now this is definitely not the first time I’ve heard this sentiment. Nothing original here. But part of my amusement is because I know quite a few gay, lesbian, and straight people who don’t consider bisexuality to be a “real” sexual orientation, and I also know a good number of gay, lesbian, and straight people who would never date a bisexual person. However, I do consider bisexuality a “real” sexual orientation, so I will let that one go.

But what I find most amusing about this proclamation, and all of the similar ones that I have heard over the years, is that publicly announcing that you “would never date a trans person” (or a person from any particular group, for that matter) brings with it a couple of underlying (and rather self-aggrandizing) assumptions.

The first is that we care. People who publicly proclaim that they “would never date a trans person” seem to think that it somehow matters to us that they won’t date us – that our feelings will be hurt or that they are punishing us with their rejection.


It appears that the only time they really want to say this is when they are interacting with trans people, either online or in person. I suppose it might be the topic of their conversations with non-trans friends, but it sounds like a pretty boring subject, so I can’t help but think that it is intentionally directed toward us in the hope that we will be properly chagrined – that we will actually feel bad about it. We don’t.

This segues into the second assumption, which is that we would want to date the people who feel the need to proclaim this. For us to actually care whether or not these people want to date us, we would have to want to date them in the first place. So the assumption has to be that we want to date you, and the only thing preventing that from happening is your refusal. Probably not.

I think that anyone has the right to date, or to not date, whoever they choose. If trans is a total deal-breaker, I don’t have a problem with that. We all have our own personal deal-breakers, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re bad, evil, shallow, phobic, or what have you. It just means that people have preferences. I completely support that.

But if you feel the need to publicly announce your deal-breaker, then it probably means that you are acting on the above assumptions – that the group you are rejecting actually cares, and that the members of the group you are rejecting would actually want to date you. Both of these assumptions are frequently false.

So if you’re worried enough about dating a trans person that you have to go on a trans blog and announce your intent never to do so, I have some suggestions that might help ease your mind. If you don’t want to date a trans person:

1. Don’t ask a trans person out.

2. If a trans person asks you out, say, “No, thank you.”

3. If you begin dating someone who later comes out to you as trans, say, “Sorry. That’s a deal-breaker for me.” Then don’t make another date.

Simple enough. If you have another deal-breaker group, just substitute that group’s adjective for the word “trans” in the above three suggestions. And once you’ve got these tips under your belt, sit back, relax, and stop stressing. We don’t want to date you, either.

I promise.

This post originally appeared on Matt Kailey's award-winning website Tranifesto.com. Republished with permission.  

Gay date rejection tutorial

 

It's funny 'cause it's true. It's all true! Here's how to stay optimistic before, during, and after being rejected on your gay date.

Jack Mackenroth: Does good. Looks good.

Jack Mackenroth continues to travel the country speaking about HIV education and fighting the stigma. He will be at this year's World AIDS Conference in D.C. on July 20, with the POZ ARMY. (pozarmy.com) Poz Army is a grassroots movement to re-energize the fight against HIV and AIDS, and to push for a cure. Jack is a "general" in the POZ ARMY, joined by fellow celebrity activists like Olympian Greg Louganis, singer Jamar Rogers from The Voice, Ongina from RuPaul's Drag Race, the "Berlin Patient" Timothy Brown, who is the first person to be cured of AIDS, and many other activists. You can do your part by following POZ ARMY on Twitter @pozarmy and by showing support on Facebook.

Jack is in the final stages of preparation for the launch of a new dating/hook-up site and mobile app for HIV-positive guys. HIV-positive men often don't feel welcome on the existing sites and are tired of having to have "the conversation" or worrying about when to disclose their status. This new site will cater to HIV-positive men and help to combat the stigma through visibility. All of the models are HIV-positive and members don't have to feel the stigma of living with HIV. It goes live on Sept. 1 after beta testing. Unfortunately, the site's name is still confidential. Check Jack's Facebook page for updates in August.

Initially the site will be fairly simple in order to build membership. We all know sex sells so that's part of it, but it will also have a health and resources section. As the site grows, they will build more of a community aspect where people can chat in forums and the site can partner with other agencies. They want to have cutting edge information on studies and medication. They've also partnered with Dr. Frank Spinelli who is the go-to guy for HIV education. This could have a massive affect on building a solid HIV-positive community of men who have sex with men. There has never been a site like this before and they aim to hit a million members. The site will be free to sign up and members will control their content so Jack encourages everyone to take a look.

And if you are not following Jack on Twitter--get on it!! He was voted Best Gay Tweeter of 2011/2012 by National Lampoon and one of the Top 10 Celebrity Tweeters by Metrosource Magazine. He's hilarious. 

Jack Mackenroth photos by West Phillips - South Beach

Ask Eric Anything: Dating Advice for an Awkward Gay Penguin

Dear Eric,

 

I have a very active social life and get asked to do a lot of things with friends and acquaintances. However, I've recently noticed that sometimes I'm uncertain whether an invitation is meant to be platonic, a date, or even just a hook up and it can lead to awkwardness. Without being obnoxious about it, what's the best way to figure out if someone is asking me out on a date or just to hang out?

 

Awkward Gay Penguin

Dear Awkward Gay Penguin,

 

First you need to evaluate what YOU want. You must first set the tone on what you want.

Secondly, as cliché as it sounds, listen to your heart, not your frontal lobe. Test the waters and understand the intentions behind said invitations. If it’s platonic, you will know by the nonverbal communication and the intention behind the reason for an outing, say a business meeting or an introduction to a new social circle. Just because you are invited to go many places, it doesn’t mean you must attend every invitation.

It is human nature to send mixed signals, especially in a hormone driven society, yet you must want what’s best for you. If you are invited out, feel out the energy of the person. Nothing makes a man’s character stronger than being firm in his decisions. If you are unsure, step-up to the plate and effectively communicate what you foresee, if need be.

Be selective and be sure, for you will attract all possibilities if you aren’t sure of what you really want. If you feel chemistry and you get the vibe that this person wants to get to know you better and although money doesn’t play a role, if he does however invite you out and pays, odds are he likes you. If you are seeking a hook-up, you may as well speak your mind. Respect yourself and your body and always plays safe.

Eric Kehela has worked as a life-coach and therapist and is currently pursuing a Master's degree  in Professional Counseling. His goal is to make a difference and help others along the way.

Ask Eric Anything: Help! I've fallen into a rut and I can't get out.

Dear Eric,
 
Every year I make the same resolutions and every year I make no progress. Literally, ever year for the past six years I have wanted to 1. Go back to school 2. Manage my finances better 3. Lose 20 pounds 4. Get into a LTR. I have tried many different methods of accomplishing these goals but with no luck. My question is, should I continue to look for alternative methods to accomplish these goals or should I take the hint and look for new goals. Thank you for your advice.

Sincerely, 
Stuck

Dear Stuck,

First of all, you need to examine the way you are doing things, and figure out what works best for you. Remember, you are in charge of your own happiness. This year offers a new opportunity for you to release the past six-years. Reinvent your own ideology, if you will, and take on the reality of your choosing. Remember, thought creates.

Resolutions are a great way of keeping track of your short and long-term goals but don’t lose track of the bigger picture –your happiness. Pace yourself and work at your own speed. Online classes are a good way of continuing your education without imposing as much on your lifestyle and finances, in essence you can go back to school from the comfort of your own bed or local coffee shop. If you are pursuing an undergraduate degree, there are many colleges offering grants and scholarships (fastweb.com) for whatever your educational endeavors may be.

Managing your finances shouldn’t be a problem as long as you honor yourself; don’t over-spend and lead a lifestyle in which you spend more than you have. Enjoy meals at home and, instead, of going out with friends, host a potluck dinner party – they’re always a smash! If you enjoy the public-social-scene-atmosphere, you can find many budget-friendly alternatives to satisfy your needs. Above all, do not squander your money, respect it and it will respect you; be wise and responsible in your choices and you will succeed in all you do.

Regarding your desire to lose twenty-pounds, you MUST be mindful of what you eat. What are your eating habits? Try keeping a daily log of what you consume and see what you can do differently. You can also read 'The Abs Diet' by David Zinczenko, this book offers work-out exercises and outlines the importance of nourishment and exercise. Avoid fast-foods, greasy foods such as bacon, sausage, lard or anything processed; eliminate sodas (look up on YouTube what it does to your system and educate yourself in your own best interests). Read your labels and ingredients. Do not sabotage yourself for an easy and quick indulgence. Microwaves may be fast and convenient but they do more harm than benefit. Cook for yourself as you would your partner.

If you cannot honor yourself, you are not able to fully give and honor someone else, as cliché as it is, know the truth in these words.

Make sure you are also in a stress-free and positive environment. If you truly release yourself from what is really holding you back (emotionally or psychologically), you will easily lose the extra weight that you want to release. Be a better you for you and no one else but you, however, keep in mind those around you and do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

In order to have a long term relationship that lasts, you must know that it takes two to fully burn bright. Know that having a relationship is an addition to your reality and not a rescue mission. There is nothing wrong with finally wanting to settle down and be in a relationship, but you must make sure you have your own stability before you can expect someone to take any form of relationship seriously. When your heart speaks, listen to it and it will guide you to your twin-flame. Think of it this way: you already are in a relationship, he’s just on vacation waiting for you to get ready and join him. Love yourself as you would him and you will meet him faster than you know. Remember to honor yourself throughout the courting process and the one you are meant to be with will be a reflection of you.

There’s a quote from 'Sex and the City' I would like to share with you. If you allow it to resonate within you, I find it can be most helpful:

“There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous."

In essence, if the old routines were not working for you, try doing something new and effective that you will enjoy more than you previously did. I wish you the best of luck and I am cheering for you. Just remember to think with your heart before you start.

Eric Kehela has worked as a life-coach and therapist and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Professional Counseling. His goal is to make a difference and help others along the way.

Get you a man with Connexion.org's new Boyfriend Backorder feature

Connexion.org announced today a new technology for use in the search for the perfect significant other. Boyfriend Backorder allows users to be notified when a person they are interested in, but is currently in a relationship, becomes single.

“With Boyfriend Backorder, I can set up a list of guys that I’m interested in dating and be notified when they are available. Its like Netflix for the dating world” said Jeff, an early adopter of Connexion in Denver who has been a beta tester of the Boyfriend Backorder system. Another beta tester, Roy, from Tampa said “My friend James bounces in and out of a relationship faster than I can track. This way I can swoop in for the rebound the next time he’s single.”

Using Boyfriend Backorder is simple. Members find the profile of someone they are interested in and click the “Backorder this Member” link on the profile. They then enter the bidding price they are willing to pay to be the first person notified of a relationship status change. The highest bidder gets notified first and a 24-hour window to make his or her move. The second highest bidder is notified next, and so on until the Backordered person is back in a relationship.

But wait, there's more!

Guys currently in a relationship can also benefit from being put on someone else’s backorder list.

“I don’t like to be alone,” said Russell from Duluth. “Seeing the five guys in a bidding war to date me allows me to decide if I like my current boyfriend or want to try out someone new. I always have a backup.”

“We really see the Backorder system as a game changing enhancement to the social networking field and we’re thrilled to bring it to the members of Connexion.org first” said Ladd Bosworth, Director of Marketing. “In these tough economic times every website operator is looking for innovative ways to monetize the user experience in pay-for-use features. We feel this system is a benefit to our members and to our bottom line.”

Computer coupling

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Daddyhunt.com is back and better than ever

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True (Gay Dating) Confessions

PlanetOut.com is looking for the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth ... anonymously, of course.

Wanna read all about other gay guys' crazy, wild, unbelievable, or just plain nasty True Dating Confessions? Grab a cup of coffee and click right here.

And if you're in a sharing mood feel free to submit your own confessions to dating@planetoutinc.com.

Dragon Punch champion of Manitou Springs

Guess who's the Dragon Punch champ of Manitou Springs.

I am!

That's right, I had myself a nice date-type situation this past weekend and had an awesome time at this old-time arcade/boardwalk deal they've got going on in downtown Manitou Springs.

They've got air hockey and skeeball and pinball and an old-timey photo-booth cotton candy and taffy and all sorts of fun stuff and it was super-awesome.

There was also a Dragon Punch game.

Dragon Punch is like a speed-bad type of punching bag that you pull down and punch. The machine measures your punching power and displays your score.

I'm known for my punching so I took a couple of whacks at it and ended up with the high score - 8990, if you're interested.

That means I am the Dragon Punch champion of Manitou Springs. Whoo-hoo!

But seriously, it was awesome, if you've got a day or weekend and want a quick and fun little getaway, get yourself to Manitou Springs.

Brothas4Ever meets tonight

Brothas4Ever will be holding their 395th meeting this evening, April 20th, at 7 p.m. at "Reggie's Place" at It Takes A Village (1475 Lima St. just off E. Colfax Ave. between Havana & Peoria in Aurora).

Brotha LaVelle will be leading the group in a discussion on the intriguing topic of "Dating...". Come to the meeting prepared to perhaps share some of your own dating tales. Don't miss out on what promises to be an entertaining B4E evening!

Ring, ring! Who is it? Love!

Finally, a way to cruise and hook up with fun and sexy guys like myself.

Now I'm sure to land a man.

I think I dated him

Beware Nebraska's infamous Butt Bandit.