Ignite Theatre presents 'Dreamgirls'

Winner of six Tony Awards, "Dreamgirls" is set in the fabulous sixties-a time when we were dancing to the new beat of countless girl and boy groups like The Supremes, The Marvelettes, The Temptations and The Shirelles. During this revolutionary time in American music history three friends form The Dreamettes and learn hard lessons about love, trust and the changing tastes of the American public. "Dreamgirls" features the unforgettable hits "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," "One Night Only" and "Listen." 

Dreamgirls producers denied any connections between the musical's plot and the Supremes' life stories. The similarities between the show and actual events that occurred with The Supremes lead to belief that the creators did actually base the musical's story on that of The Supremes; however the producers denied any connections to avoid lawsuits.   

 

Ignite Theatre presents "Dreamgirls" December 27 - January 18 at the Aurora Fox Arts Center.

NCLR Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Tennessee Marriage Equality Case

Two days ago, the three same-sex couples challenging the State of Tennessee’s laws excluding same-sex couples from marriage and refusing to recognize their out-of-state marriages asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their case after the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that state marriage bans do not violate the U.S. Constitution.

In a 2-1 decision on Nov. 6, 2014, the Sixth Circuit upheld marriage bans in Tennessee and three other states—the first time a federal appeals court has ruled against the freedom to marry. That decision created a conflict with the four other federal appeals courts that have invalidated similar state marriage bans in recent months.

In their request to the U.S. Supreme court, the three Tennessee couples argue: “Breaking with the otherwise uniform view of the courts of appeals, a divided panel of the Sixth Circuit upheld Tennessee’s Non-Recognition Laws. The court of appeals’ holding not only denies recognition to petitioners’ own marriages and families, but also establishes a “checkerboard” nation in which same-sex couples’ marriages are dissolved and reestablished as they travel across the country. That is the antithesis of the stability that marriage is supposed to afford.”

The couples are Dr. Valeria Tanco and Dr. Sophy Jesty of Knoxville; Army Reserve Sergeant First Class Ijpe DeKoe and Thom Kostura of Memphis; and Matthew Mansell and Johno Espejo of Franklin. The couples are represented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), attorneys Abby Rubenfeld, Maureen Holland, and Regina Lambert, and the law firms of Sherrard & Roe PLC and Ropes & Gray LLP.

Said Jesty: “We live in fear for ourselves and our little girl because we don’t have the same legal protections in Tennessee as other families and we’re hopeful that the United States Supreme Court will resolve this issue so we no longer need to live in fear. Every day we’re denied marriage equality in our state is another day that our family’s wellbeing is jeopardized.”

Added DeKoe: “I serve this country every day so every single person can enjoy the freedoms of justice and liberty, yet Thom and I are treated unequally in Tennessee where I’m based. Like all other couples, we want to be able to protect one another, but Tennessee's marriage ban makes it impossible for us to be a legally recognized family. Until we are fully respected, we will never have the freedom and security that I have spent my entire military career defending.”

Read the request and learn more about the case.

Check Out This Cute Little Otter

Denver Zoo welcomed the birth of an adorable, Asian small-clawed otter on August 26. Male Jilin (JEE-Lin) has been under the care of mother, Asha, and father, Bugsy. 

Guests can soon visit the family in the El Pomar Foundation Village Hall in Toyota Elephant Passage as the pup begins to get comfortable with his exhibit. 

Zookeepers are giving the young pup the choice to stay behind the scenes or venture onto public view. Viewing of the pup may be limited for the next few weeks, but keepers expect him to be out during Zoo Lights.

Federal Court Denies South Dakota’s Motion to Dismiss Marriage Equality Lawsuit

South Dakota’s marriage equality lawsuit is moving forward after United States Judge Karen Schreier rejected the State’s motion for the case to be dismissed on Friday.

The Court heard arguments in Rosenbrahn v. Daugaard on October 17 in Sioux Falls. The Attorney General’s Office argued that a 2006 8th Circuit Court of Appeals case required dismissal. Plaintiffs’ attorney Joshua Newville argued that case isn’t on point and that the controlling decision is United States v. Windsor, the 2013 Supreme Court case that struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

In a 28-page opinion, issued Fridayafternoon,Judge Schreier agreed with the plaintiffs, writing, “Given the subsequent developments recognized almost uniformly by federal courts following the Supreme Court’s decision in Windsor, Baker is no longer binding authority. Although Bruning explained that sexual orientation is not a suspect class, it did not address whether marriage is a fundamental right. Thus, those cases do not foreclose relief on plaintiffs’ due process and equal protection claims.”

The Court will now consider the legitimacy of the marriage bans. Judge Schreier ordered state officials to respond to the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment within ten days. The State must explain why its refusal to wed same-sex couples and its refusal to recognize out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples do not violate U.S. Constitution guarantees of due process, equal protection, and the right to travel.

“Every reason the State offers to support these discriminatory laws has already been wholly rejected by the vast majority of courts to consider this issue,” said Newville. “The Supreme Court’s decision to let stand four recent appellate rulings striking down similar marriage bans also bolsters our case. The days of South Dakota proudly discriminating against these families are numbered,” he added.

New White House LGBT liaison begins tenure

Aditi Hardikar began her tenure as the White House’s LGBT community liaison last Monday, replacing Gautam Raghavan, who departed the administration after more than five years. 

Hardikar also will serve as liaison to the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community.

BeTested.co: Let's Change the Future of HIV/AIDS

We will change the future of HIV/AIDS in Denver and throughout Colorado. It's no longer a dream. We will change the future of HIV/AIDS. There is not a cure or vaccine yet, but remarkable advances have transformed HIV from being a deadly infection to a manageable, chronic disease. The future of HIV/AIDS is in our hands.

What you can do - Test, Talk, PrEP, PEP, Treatment, End Stigma.

Only a Few VIP Tables Left for the 6th Annual Red Ball

Featuring 17 high-end fashion designers, top-notch hair and makeup artists from 15 local salons, and 102 gorgeous models from throughout Colorado, Red Ball is the "it" fashion event in Denver and raises awareness for World AIDS Day. There are only a few VIP tables left so if you want one, act fast!

Alaska and Her Hot Straight Brother Star in a New Web Series from World Of Wonder

World of Wonder announces a fun new web series starring RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5 fan favorite Alaska and her SMOKIN’ HOT STRAIGHT BROTHER Cory Binney. Did we mention he’s straight? Presenting: Bro’laska!

Despite having the same mother, Alaska and Cory couldn’t be less similar. In fact they may as well be from different PLANETS! Just watch and fall in love with this hilarious pair of polar opposite siblings.

Travel: Gay Days Fort Lauderdale 13 Day Countdown!

It's still cold here in Denver but Gay Days Fort Lauderdale is only two weeks away and you know that it's going to be hot, hot, hot! Click HERE to download the magazine.

Ready to Ride? Registration Is Now Open for OutBoard 2015

Are you ready to ride? Registration is now open for OutBoard 2015 so grab your friends and make plans to be in Steamboat Springs February 17-22 for the most laid-back gay ski week in the world!

OutBoard 2015 will be the 20th anniversary of the annual event and its 6th time in Steamboat Springs. They're mixing things up this year with new dates, new lodging partners, and new events and venues mixed together with some of your favorite events from previous OutBoard Snowboard and Ski Weeks.

Registration for OutBoard 2015 is now open! The OutBoard 2015 Registration System is the only place to take advantage of our exclusive lodging, lift, lesson, rental rates as well as book your meal and event packages.

Tom Goss & MDQ - All About That Bass (Meghan Trainor Cover)

Tom Goss says, "When Meghan Trainor's All About That Bass released a couple months ago it seemed obvious that I had to do a wild cover video. So I enlisted the help of my good friend MDQ and we got to work."

Happy Birthday, GLAAD!

GLAAD turns 29 years old today! For nearly three decades now, GLAAD has been using the media to rewrite the script for LGBT equality. 

 We all know what people see on TV, on social media, in film and in the news are game-changers when it comes to accepting LGBT people, being aware of LGBT challenges like youth homelessness, or voting on LGBT issues. 

 You see and hear GLAAD's impact every day -- online and on television, in film, music, comic books, video games, newspapers, advertising, and beyond.​  

Click here to lend your support to GLAAD as they continue working to move equality forward for another 29 years!

7 Ways to Unwrap the Holidays in Gunnison-Crested Butte

The lights are being hung, snow is falling on the mountaintops and trails, and a full calendar of holiday events is being prepared for a spectacular December in Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colo. The season for snowy fun kicks off this week with Crested Butte Nordic Center opening Nov. 15, and closer to Thanksgiving Crested Butte Mountain Resort welcoming skiers and boarders starting Nov. 26 with free ski day.

In the spirit of the season, the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association offers seven ways to unwrap the holidays, with more ideas found in travel blogs that are written by locals and visitors who have a passion for the area. 


Check 'em out after the cut.

Latvian foreign minister comes out on Twitter

Latvian foreign minister Edgars Rinkevics announced last Thursday on Twitter that he is gay. 

Officials from the European Union sent messages of support to Rinkevics on social media, while Kaspars Zalitis of the Latvian LGBT advocacy group Mozaika started the hashtag #ProudofEdgars. Russian state media reaction was negative.

Malaysia court rules in favor of transgender rights

A three-judge panel in Malaysia has ruled unanimously that a ban on cross-dressing is discriminatory, overturning a Sharia rule that was in place in the Negeri Sembilan state. The court called the law "degrading" and "inhumane." 

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (pictured) called for a review of the ruling.