DJ Brent Does Denver PrideFest 2012

One of Colorado’s most sought after DJs, DJ Brent is taking Denver PrideFest 2012 by storm with two appearances at the largest GLBT event in Colorado and one of the biggest GLBT Pride festivals in the nation. DJ Brent burst onto the Denver music scene last year at SWEET and since then, he’s gone on to book some of the most high-profile gigs in Denver – including PORNSTAR and Black Eye Ball. But Denver PrideFest 2012, June 16-17, marks his biggest and best gig yet, one that attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees over the course of the weekend and will expose him to the largest and most diverse crowd Colorado has to offer.

“I’m very excited to be a part of Denver PrideFest 2012,” says DJ Brent. “It brings the entire community together. Music always has been, and always will be, a big part of Pride and it’s quite meaningful for me to be a part of that.”

On Saturday, June 16, DJ Brent takes the Smirnoff Dance World Stage at 4pm. Dance World is where Denver PrideFesters go when they are ready to party and dance and that’s just how DJ Brent likes it.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what the crowd has to bring in terms of energy and excitement,” says DJ Brent. “I think people will really be ready to get their groove on at that point and I’m just the guy to give it to them. I’ve been working very hard on my set and I like to think that I have come up with something that really represents the sonic embodiment of a Saturday afternoon at Pride.”

Billed as “The Party of the Year” Climax is The Official PrideFest 2012 After Party and takes place on Sunday, June 17. It is presented by DJ Tatiana and CafeVivid.com, sponsored by MileHighGayGuy.com and held on the rooftop of Club Vinyl on Broadway, perfectly positioned within walking distance of Civic Center Park where PrideFest is held.

“I’m really looking forward to this one,” says DJ Brent. “Everybody who comes to the after-party at Climax is really ready to cap things off and go out with a bang. They’re hyped up because they’ve just come from the festival - or a nap - and they are always more than ready and raring to go again.”

Presented by The GLBT Community Center of Colorado, Denver PrideFest takes place annually in June – LGBT Pride Month as designated by President Obama – in downtown Denver’s Civic Center Park. One of the oldest and largest Pride events in the country, Denver PrideFest provides a $25 million dollar economic impact to the City of Denver, as reported in a 2009 survey conducted by Birchill Enterprises. For more information about PrideFest visit www.denverpridefest.org. For more information about DJ Brent visit www.dj-brent.tumblr.com.

Denver PrideFest 2012 - June 16 & 17

Denver PrideFest 2012 will be held June 16th and 17th at Civic Center Park.

PrideFest features the CoorsLight PrideFest Parade, a Dance Stage with DJs, a Country Stage with line-dancing lessons, a Latin Stage with cultural programming, and the Main Stage with live entertainment, and plenty of celebrating both days.

The festival also features more than 250 vendor booths with arts, crafts, food and more. There's a VIP area with food and drinks for sponsors and contributors to enjoy, and there's also a family area, youth alley, and a transgender resource area.

PrideFest also provides a $25 million dollar economic impact to the City of Denver annually, as reported in a 2009 survey conducted by Birchill Enterprises.

The mission of Denver PrideFest is to create a fun, safe and empowering space to celebrate and promote the heritage and culture of the LGBT and allied community in Colorado.

GLBT Community Center of Colorado to host Grand Opening celebration on Sept. 17

Marking a milestone in Colorado GLBT history, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado (The Center) will host a Grand Opening celebration of its new $2.5 million home at 1301 E. Colfax Ave. on Sept. 17 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

 

The Center now owns its own home for the first time in its 34-year history, and has doubled the amount of space it had at its location on Broadway.
 
"The building is quickly becoming the epicenter for the LGBT community and beyond -- a central meeting place, an information hub and a community resource," said Center Executive Director Carlos Martinez.

The Center bought the former Video One building for $985,000 in May 2009 and renovations began last fall. The building was completed in early July and The Center opened to the public on July 12. 

 

Some of the highlights of the new building:  

• 15,000 square feet, doubling The Center's old space
• Four floors including a rooftop patio
• Decreased carbon footprint with green construction and renovation
• Expanded space for conference facilities and meetings

The City and County of Denver played a significant role in facilitating the purchase of the building by providing The Center a $250,000 nonprofit community block grant.

 

"The City and County of Denver is pleased to be involved in making the new Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado a reality," said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. "Denver has long been a leader in the Rocky Mountain region in the fight for fair and equal treatment of all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. The new Center is reflective of that, and will boost economic development efforts on the East Colfax corridor."

The Center is expected to attract more than 3,500 visitors a month to its new location, which will provide a direct economic benefit to the businesses in the vicinity.  In addition, The Center hosts PrideFest every year, which creates an estimated $23 million in annual economic impact for the city, according to a 2009 research study by Birchill Enterprises.

The Center is in the second year of a three-year, $3.5 million comprehensive campaign to fund the building's purchase and renovation, as well as The Center's operations. The campaign also will create an endowment fund to ensure The Center's continued success.

The Center so far has raised about $2.8 million toward its $3.5 million goal, which it expects to reach by the end of 2011.

The GLBT Community Center of Colorado is the only statewide, nonprofit community center dedicated to empowering and advancing Colorado's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population. It serves as a catalyst for community organizing, support services, social activities and cultural events. To learn more about The Center, click here.

Denver PrideFest 2010: Sunday parade to be the largest in Denver PrideFest history

Marking its 35th year in 2010, Denver's PrideFest is a celebration of community, heritage, family and culture. It features a parade, rally, four stages of live entertainment, food and 200 vendor booths.

Produced by The GLBT Community Center of Colorado and attended by an estimated 275,000 LGBT people and their friends and families over the two days of the festival. PrideFest creates an estimated $23 million in economic impact for metro Denver, according to a study in 2009 by Birchhill Enterprises.

$23 million bucks is a lot.

Denver PrideFest: $23 million in economic impact

Marking its 35th anniversary this year, Denver PrideFest will be held on June 19 and 20 in Civic Center Park.

The annual celebration of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender heritage, community and culture has grown dramatically in 35 years and is now ranked as the sixth-largest Pride celebration in the country.

An estimated 275,000 people attended the two-day festival in 2009 -- which means big business for the metro area.

A study by Birchhill Enterprises in 2009 found that PrideFest created an estimated $23.4 million in direct and indirect economic impact for the Denver metro area. Total sales tax dollars generated for the Denver area, based on a 3.62% tax rate, came to $563,189.

The festival created an estimated $1.2 million in total sales tax revenue for the state of Colorado, according to the Birchhill study.

"PrideFest doesn't just symbolize the pride and solidarity of LGBT people in Colorado, it also shows the economic might of our community," said Carlos Martinez, executive director of the GLBT Community Center of Colorado, which produces PrideFest every year.

About 83 percent of PrideFest attendees in 2009 were locals; 17 percent were visitors. Approximately 43,660 of the local attendees said if the festival had not been held, they would have left the Denver area that weekend to find other recreational opportunities. The estimated amount of money that would have left the Denver area had PrideFest not been held was $14.32 million, the survey found.

Many corporations have discovered the economic strength of the LGBT community, with sponsorship of PrideFest growing each year.

Sponsors of Denver PrideFest 2010 include MileHighGayGuy.com, Coors Light, Comcast, Westword, Three Olives, At the Beach, Channel 2, Fox 31, Occasions by Sandy, Kaiser Permanente, Wells Fargo, Petco, Walgreens, Element, Eldorado Spring Water, CH2MHill, City of Denver, Public Service Credit Union, Progressive Insurance, US Bank, Lara Bar, Fuze, Northglenn Ambulance, Unidos N Orgullo (UNO), Sirius Radio, Magnolia Hotels, Hotel Teatro, Residence Inn-Marriott, Cascadian Farm Organic, Erico Motorsports, Babes Around Denver, Element, Cafe Vivid, Hot 107.1 FM, AM760, KGNU, DJ Tatiana and Grindr.

Planned Parenthood of the rocky mountains announces Men’s Sexual Health program debut coincides with Men’s Health Week and Denver PrideFest 2010

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains today announced its Men’s Sexual Health Program located at Planned Parenthood’s Aurora health center.

PPRM has a long history of offering men’s health care services such as physical exams, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, testicular and colon cancer screenings, and cholesterol and high blood pressure tests. The Men’s Sexual Health Program will include specialized care for the evaluation and treatment of premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.

The debut of these new services coincides with National Men’s Health Week, June 14-20. PPRM is recognizing Men’s Health Week by encouraging men to visit their health care provider for regular checkups, preventive screenings, or any health issue.

The debut also coincides with Denver PrideFest 2010, June 19-20.

“Our new services will enable us to provide a greater continuum of care for men. We know people, including men, depend on us to meet all their reproductive and basic primary health care needs,” said Amy Dickson, vice president of clinical operations for PPRM. “Because men often are less likely than women to seek health care, it is our goal to help men access the care they need in an environment they feel welcomed.”

Clients interested in the Men’s Sexual Health Program are welcome to make an appointment or walk in.

“Men’s Health Week is the perfect time for men to remind themselves that preventive care is important to remaining healthy and reproductive health should not be overlooked,” said Dickson.

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 8,400 new cases of testicular cancer were diagnosed in 2009.[1] Up to 10 percent of men of all ages experience ongoing problems with erectile dysfunction[2] and an estimated 30 to 70 percent of men experience premature or rapid ejaculation, a condition that is reported most commonly in men aged 18 to 30 years old.[3] In addition, STDs continue to pose a serious public health threat in this country and affect both sexes. In 2007, 74 percent of HIV/AIDS diagnosis among adolescents and adults were males.[4]

Planned Parenthood is committed to providing access to basic and reproductive health care for men. In 2009 PPRM saw 8,620 male clients, which represents 7 percent of its total client base. From 2008 to 2009, PPRM saw a 16 percent increase in male clients throughout its region of Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada, and New Mexico. During Men’s Health Week, PPRM will be conducting community outreach activities to raise awareness for men’s health and JR’s in Denver will host a men’s health trivia night on June 14.

Denver PrideFest 2010: 11 weeks and counting!

With eleven weeks to go before Denver PrideFest 2010, The Center is busy lining up entertainers, signing with vendors, and organizing volunteers for the big weekend, June 19 and 20.

In the meantime, you can indulge in the spirit of Denver PrideFests past by checking out the links to the 2008 and 2009 Denver PrideFest Blogs.

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."



2009: The Year of The Gay Kiss

Check out Passport Magazine's awesome Kiss-In Against Homophobia footage from a recent event in Paris.



You know, it seems like kissing has been a really big theme for 2009, what with the Great Nationwide Kiss-In (above - Denver's 16th Street Mall on August 15) and Interactive Male's Big Gay Kiss promotion (below at Denver's PrideFest 2009).


I like it!

Boulder PrideFest Block Party 2009

Be part of celebrating yourself, your family, and your friends, Pearl Street Mall will be a place of welcome for Boulder County’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community with the PrideFest Block Party, presented by Boulder Pride.

The Block Party celebrates the lives and local contributions of LGBT people, their families and allies. This year’s event is slated for Saturday, September 12 from 12-5 pm on the Pearl Street Mall and the Boulder County Courthouse lawn with festivities continuing into the night at the “Block Party After Dark,” hosted by the Bside Lounge..

The PrideFest Block Party will be free and open to the public. The event is made possible through the generous support of numerous community sponsors including the City of Boulder Human Relations Commission, Roche Colorado, Boulder Valley Center for Dermatology, Vermilion, Out Front Colorado, and Mike’s Camera.

For more information, contact Boulder Pride at 303-499-5777 or visit www.boulderpride.org.

2009 Colorado Springs PrideFest Parade

Some great footage courtesy of the Pride Center.

Colorado Springs PrideFest 2009

Get into the spirit of Pride at these exciting events leading up to Colorado Springs 19th Annual PrideFest & Parade, Sunday, July 19th.

Wednesday, July 8th | 9:00p | Lube Wrestling!
2nd Annual Lube Wrestling Contest at Club Q
A FUNdraiser for Colorado Springs PrideFest presented by the crew at Club Q and sponsored by the 2009 PrideFest Committee. Come on out for a slippery fun time!

Friday, July 10th | 7:00p | Pride Season Kick-Off
PrideFest Committee Kicks off Pride Season 09!
Join the 2009 PrideFest Committee at the Underground Patio for a toast to Colorado Springs 19th Annual PrideFest & Parade. Plus, don't miss the very special 30th Anniversary Reception with Pikes Peak MCC, featuring special guest Troy Perry.

Saturday, July 11th | 6:30p | PPMCC's 30th!
PPMCC's 30th Anniversary Celebration Banquet at Venue 515. Join Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church for a very special dinner, celebrating their 30th Anniversary in Colorado Springs.

Sunday, July 12th | 9:00p | Gay CS Pageant
Mr. & Miss Gay Colorado Springs Pageant at Club Q
Join Kyree Myst for the annual Mr. & Miss Gay Colorado Springs Pageant!

The Center says, "Thanks for making PrideFest 2009 a huge success!"

It's hard to believe it's already been a week since Denver PrideFest 2009 was upon us. I don't know about you but I had an amazing time working the MileHighGayGuy booth and enjoying everything PrideFest has to offer.

The folks at The Center have sent the following message to everybody who was a part of making PrideFest 2009 so special:

Wow.

PrideFest 2009 was quite a party!

Thank you for joining us -- and more than 250,000 of your GLBT friends, family and allies -- at Civic Center Park last weekend for our annual celebration of GLBT culture and heritage.

And a big thanks to all of our sponsors, volunteers and supporters who helped make PrideFest a reality this year. We couldn't do it without you!

PrideFest grew again this year, with larger crowds, expanded hours and more diverse entertainment. If you were there Saturday evening, you experienced the rocking Three Olives dance stage with DJ Dan De Leon, and witnessed the amazing Denver Dyke march with more than 1,000 women participating.

Sunday was even bigger this year with 3,000 participants in the Coors Light PrideFest Parade, including the Center's first float highlighting PrideFest 2009's theme: "Worldwide Pride...Connect the dots." Thanks to Courtney Gray for design and construction of the float, and DJ Shannon Stone for donating her services.

Our recycling program also grew this year, as you could see from the 200 blue bins throughout Civic Center Park. The volunteer program welcomed 200-plus people, donating thousands of dollars of in-kind support.

We hope you had as much fun at PrideFest as we had putting it together and celebrating with you. But don't stop the Pride there -- visit The Center's Web site and connect with the LGBT community year-round at www.glbtcolorado.org.

See you in 2010!

Denver PrideFest 2009: Interactive Male's Big Gay Kiss Contest

Interactive Male brought their fabulous Big Gay Kiss Contest - Grand Prize $10,000 - to Denver PrideFest this past weekend and they've got pages and pages of photos of sexy Denver gays locking lips.

I got in on the act myself and kissed up on AM 760's Super Altar Boy. In the photo it looks like he's trying to get away from me but he wasn't. He was totally into it.

Click here and give us a good "hotness" rating if you please.

Here's Nuclia Waste planting one on some lucky lady.


And these guys are pretty sexy.


But these guys are just doing it wrong. Why is he staring directly into the camera? And why does his friend look so pained?

Check out 9News' coverage of Denver PrideFest 2009

Channel 9's TaRhonda Thomas does a great job covering Denver PrideFest 2009 and my good friend Matt Kailey is featured heavily saying smart and important things!

Denver Dyke March 2009

Denver PrideFest's Family Field Day was host to the inaugural Denver Dyke March. Hundreds marched and thousands watched and screamed "whoo-hoo!"

Got plans for the 4th of July?

Now that PrideFest is out of the way it's time to start planning for 4th of July weekend.

Check out the 2009 Guide to Denver's 4th of July Celebrations and enjoy everything Denver has to offer for the 4th of July.

Denver PrideFest 2009: State Representative Mark Ferrandino

Another of Colorado's openly gay politicians, State Rep. Mark Ferrandino, was also on the scene yesterday at PrideFest.

I caught up with him at in the VIP area.

We are both Very Important People.

Him a little more so than me.

Denver PrideFest 2009: Senator Pat Steadman and partner Dave

Colorado's newest Senator, Pat Steadman and his adorable hubby Dave made the rounds yesterday at PrideFest.

Aren't they cute?

I've known Pat for years but, given his new position, wasn't sure it was appropriate to give him a big sweaty PrideFest hug and kiss.

He assured me it was ok.

Denver PrideFest 2009: 250,000 strong!

Just got word from The Center's Communications and Marketing Manager Heather Draper that they're estimating around 250,000 people attending Denver PrideFest over the weekend (Saturday being Family Field Day and Sunday the parade and festival).

Personally, I would have guessed the number even higher. Population density in Civic Center Park yesterday was unreal!

Enjoy some photos below:

Ladies love MileHighGayGuy!


Sexy mens! Is it just me or is that redhead in the black trunks something special? Mmm-mm-mm.


Sweet young things in their undercrackers!

More photos and posts to come as my hangover wears off.