Sign Wayne Jakino's online Memorial Guest Book

Click here to visit and sign Wayne Jakino's online Memorial Guest Book.

Famous gay African-Americans

BlackVoices.com has a great list of some famous GLBT African-Americans. Thanks to Brothers4Ever for the link.

* Darryl Stephens of TV's 'Noah's Arc'

HIV infections in US worse than thought

Gay men continue to account for more than half of recent HIV infection. Read the entire article here.

Wayne Jakino Memorial

The Wayne Jakino Memorial was held yesterday at Charlie's. After food and a video about Jakino's life there were a number of speakers including Mayor John Hickenlooper, Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey, state Rep. Joel Judd, City Councilperson Carla Madison, current and past presidents of CGRA, Rahn Anderson from The Center, and many friends, employees and business associates.

In addition to founding the CGRA and many other programs and initiatives, Rahn Anderson noted that, "Wayne Jakino changed the face of PrideFest."

Jakino did that by raising enough money to get Colfax completely blocked off for the Pride parade.

The balloons were released at the end of the ceremony outside in the Charlie's parking lot. Everyone was given a balloon as they were leaving after the speakers. After the speakers, everyone went outside to hear singer Chad Bryan, who sang Mercy Me's "I Can Only Imagine" while ballroom dancers LeighAnn Gould and Morris Vaccarella danced. During this time, all the attendees released their balloons and doves were also released.







Here are singer Chad Bryan and ballroom dancers LeighAnn Gould and Morris Vaccarella:



Below are some of "Wayne's Boys" - Jakino's past and present employees. There were way too many people to fit in one photo and there was not a dry eye in the house at this point.

* photos courtesy of Matt Kailey at Out Front Colorado

Gay news of the world

Gay Marriage:Mass governor signs law allowing out-of-state gays to wed

HIV+ Travel: Law changed for HIV-positive visitors, but not HHS policy

Gay Olympian: Aussie Olympian comes out

Family of murdered Greeley transgender woman applauds hate-crime charges

The Colorado Anti-Violence Program (CAVP) applauds Weld County District Attorney, Kenneth Buck, prosecutors and law enforcement for filing hate crime charges against 31-year-old Allen Ray Andrade in the beating death of 18-year-old Latina transgender woman, Angie Zapata.

The Zapata family expressed their relief that both first degree murder and hate crime charges have been filed. Angie's sister, Monica Murguia, added, "Unfortunately, it's not getting any easier. I thought we'd be done after we buried my sister. It feels like we have to relive it every day."

"It seemed apparent from the information provided to the public that the factual scenario surrounding the vicious murder of Angie Zapata fell clearly within the language of Colorado's bias-motivated crime statute," said Mindy Barton, Legal Director at The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of Colorado. "The support of law enforcement has been key in the expansion of hate crime legislation to include sexual orientation and gender identity. It is vitally important that the suspect is now formally charged with a hate crime as it shows the Weld County District Attorney's Office and the Greeley Police Department are strongly committed to enforcing this law."

"The bias-crime designation sends a message to not only lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) communities, but also the greater Greeley and Colorado communities that this type of violence is not acceptable," said Kelly Costello, Director of Victim Services at CAVP. "This is vital in ensuring accountability and validating the concern and fear of community members."

The Zapata family has been astonished by the support of family, friends, local and statewide community members and organizations. Many have been instrumental in rallying people together to honor Angie's life and to raise awareness of how violence impacts transgender people.

Colorado's Bias-Motivated Crimes statute "finds and declares that it is the right of every person, regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation to be secure and protected from fear, intimidation, harassment, and physical harm caused by the activities of individuals and groups." Sexual orientation is further defined as "a person's actual or perceived orientation toward heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or transgender status." The statute was revised in 2005 to include physical or mental disability and sexual orientation.

Friday Videos: Robin Thicke, Danny Tenaglia, Prima J, Rachel Sage

Today is the last day to buy a discounted White Party Vegas weekend pass

The White Party Vegas weekend pass is still available for only $135 but only until midnight tonight! Save $75 by purchasing your weekend pass now. Prices increase to $160 until August 20th. The weekend pass includes entry into all White Party Vegas weekend events. I know how my Colorado boys love a circuit party and who doesn't love a good bargain?

Now on hereTV

*click to embiggen and read schedule

Congratulations to Melt

"Denver-based Melt, which has sold its trademark "handmade in Colorado" soaps and bath products since 2001, signed an agreement to open boutiques within Dillard's department stores. The first 500-square-foot-store will open in Metairie, La., in October, with more to follow nationwide, said Steve McNally, co-founder of the company"

*source: Rocky Mountain News, July 22,2008

Melt is one of the fine local gay-owned/gay-friendly businesses that I worked with for a series of articles I recently wrote for Instinct. Be sure to keep an eye out for their September issue to see who was chosen to be featured as Denver's Bachelor, Couple's Quiz, Business, and Blind Date.

Congratulations to Steve McNally and everyone at Melt.