Ring In The New Year In Style: Denver Limo Party Bus

Denver Limo is offering a special deal for MileHighGayGuy readers through the month of December - Sunday through Thursday, rent four hours and get two hours free!

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.

"Conversion therapy" ban becomes law in D.C.

Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent Gray last week signed into law a bill prohibiting the practice of LGBT "conversion therapy" on minors. The legislation, which unanimously passed the Council of the District of Columbia this month, imposes fines and other penalties on any licensed mental health professionals who attempt to change the sexual orientation of a patient under the age of 18. California and New Jersey passed similar bans last year.

LGBT concerns led U.S. to drop Gambia from trade agreement, officials say

The U.S. last week dropped Gambia from a free trade agreement, a move that officials said was in response to a recent crackdown on the country's LGBT community. 

Gambia recently announced an impending trial for three men accused of homosexuality. 

The trade agreement had enabled Gambia to export over $37 million in goods per year to the U.S. duty free.

FDA to allow some gay men to give blood

A ban on gay men donating blood will be eased so that those who have not had sex with other men in the previous year will be allowed to give blood, the FDA announced last week. 

Some doctors called the 12-month limitation arbitrary, and advocates worried that it perpetuates a stigma.

"It makes no sense to exclude from the donor pool healthy, gay and bisexual men," said Ian Thompson of the ACLU. But he added that the change may portend more substantive ones in the future.

Over 100 sports personalities came out in 2014

According to Outsports at least 109 people connected to sports came out in 2014. The total includes athletes, coaches, administrators, media members and officials from high schools, colleges and professional leagues. Fourteen individuals connected to swimming came out. Men comprised over 70% of the list.

Chinese man wins "conversion therapy" court case

A Chinese court recently ordered a psychological clinic to compensate a gay man who was administered electric shocks aimed at making him heterosexual. The court determined that no medical treatment was required and ordered the clinic to pay the plaintiff roughly $560. The case is believed to be the first involving "conversion therapy" in the country.

La. marriage case might reach Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has indicated that it will discuss in January whether to take up a case involving Louisiana's marriage equality ban. The case in September led to a federal judge upholding the state's marriage ban.

Justice Department says Civil Rights Act covers transgender discrimination claims

Attorney General Eric Holder announced recently that the Department of Justice now views transgender discrimination as prohibited under the Civil Rights Act. 

Holder made the announcement in a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys, calling it an "important shift."

Supreme Court denies request to halt Fla. marriage equality ruling

The Supreme Court last week denied Florida officials' request for a stay of a ruling in favor of marriage equality in the state, paving the way for same-sex couples to begin marrying in January. 

"The application for stay presented to Justice [Clarence] Thomas and by him referred to the Court is denied," the court announced, noting that Justices Thomas and Antonin Scalia would have chosen to grant the stay.

HRC Commends Obama Administration for Taking Action Against Gambian Government Following Human Rights Abuses

Last week the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, commended the Obama Administration for taking concrete action against the Gambian government following recent human rights abuses in the country, which include the vicious targeting of LGBT people and a new law that could send some LGBT Gambians to prison for life.

In a statement released today by the White House, the United States has suspended The Gambia’s eligibility for trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA). A White House spokesperson confirmed to BuzzFeed News the connection between its decision and the human rights situation in The Gambia.

“This decision is an important first step in sending a clear signal to President Yayha Jammeh and his associates about their human rights record, and they cannot be allowed to trample on the rights of LGBT Gambians,” said Jean Freedberg, Deputy Director of HRC Global. “The United States government should not move forward with business as usual with The Gambia when LGBT people are harassed, imprisoned, tortured, or even killed because of who they are.”

In November, HRC condemned the passage of draconian new anti-LGBT legislation that could lead to life in prison for some LGBT people in The Gambia. According to multiple news reports, the law has similar language to Uganda’s infamous Anti-Homosexuality Act, which Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed into law in February. The Gambian law includes life sentences for those who are convicted of “aggravated homosexuality” or are considered “repeat offenders,” among other charges. According to reports from Amnesty International, LGBT Gambians have been arrested and tortured since the signing of this law.

Earlier this year, President Jammeh said that “we will fight these vermins called homosexuals or gays the same way we are fighting malaria-causing mosquitoes, if not more aggressively.”

On December 17, HRC presented a petition with over 18,000 signatures to the White House, calling on the Obama Administration to take action against President Jammeh and his associates by barring them from entry to the United States and freezing their assets in the U.S. HRC’s call was accompanied by a video highlighting the abuses of President Jammeh, his anti-LGBT rhetoric, and his personal wealth.

“More can and should be done to hold Jammeh and his associates directly accountable for violating the basic human rights of LGBT Gambians and attacking them for pure political gain,” said Freedberg.

Tracks Presents 'Time Capsule' for NYE

This New Year's Eve Tracks is taking you on a journey through time and space as they present four distinct eras in one fantastic party - Time Capsule - with Drag Nation in EXDO and music and dancing in Tracks.

Downhill Tables Still Available for Aspen Gay Ski Week 2015

There are only five tables left for Aspen Gay Ski Week's Downhill Costume Contest Friday, January 16th 12-3pm at the base of Aspen Mountain. 

Enjoy the show with comp drinks, swag, treats and more. The best view in the place is from one of the VIP tables. 

Tables are $600 and seat six.

There's Still Time To Support CAP Through Groove Subaru's Share The Love Event

From November 20th through January 2nd, for every new Subaru sold at Groove Subaru, $250 will be donated by Subaru of America, Inc. to a charity of the new owner's choice, which includes Colorado AIDS Project as the only local nonprofit choice!

Travel: Uncovering Gay Havana, Cuba

An embargo has prevented Americans from visiting this Caribbean nation, but loosened travel restrictions means the possibility to explore a capital that’s resiliency can be seen in the extraordinary people that make up this vibrant city.