Cyndi Lauper, Linda Perry to be Inducted to Songwriters Hall of Fame

Musical titans Bobby Braddock, Willie Dixon, Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia, Toby Keith, Cyndi Lauper and Linda Perry will become the latest inductees of the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the organization’s 46^th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner.  These legendary songwriters wrote such mega-hits as “He Stopped Loving Her Today,”  “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “Dark Star,” "Should've Been A Cowboy," “Time After Time,” and “Beautiful.”  The star-studded induction event is slated for Thursday, June 18^th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.  Additional special award honorees will be announced soon.

“Our 2015 lineup of inductees represents the rich diversity of American musical styles – Rock, Country, Blues and Pop – that have captivated the world over the past six decades,” said SHOF President & CEO Linda Moran.  “Each one of these brilliant music creators have written instantly recognizable classics, songs that are both of their time and timeless.  Our Annual Awards Gala is sure to be unforgettable.”

Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) serves as a vital bridge between music’s past and future.  In the Hall, musical pioneers are enshrined and celebrated, while the organization’s outreach to the music community grooms the next generation of troubadours.

Georgians Are Uniting Against LGBT Discrimination

Today, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, announced it is joining forces with Georgia Equality, an organization working to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for LGBT communities and allies throughout the state, for a project called “Georgia Unites Against Discrimination.” Launched by Georgia Equality in January of this year, Georgia Unites Against Discrimination is a bipartisan grassroots campaign dedicated to protecting LGBT Georgians from discrimination and ensuring that individuals and businesses aren’t able to use their religious beliefs to harm others.

“All Georgians deserve to be treated fairly and equally, including LGBT people,” said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse. “No one should be turned away from a business, denied service in a restaurant, or even evicted from their apartment simply because of who they are. When LGBT people walk into a business that’s open to the public, they should be treated just like anyone else.”

"We are so grateful to have HRC's partnership and support for this campaign," said Georgia Equality Executive Director Jeff Graham. "For too long, the south as a region has lacked the level of legal protection for LGBT individuals and families that other parts of our country enjoy. By joining forces, we can bring the change to Georgia that our state needs and deserves. "

Georgia Unites Against Discrimination is specifically focused on defeating discriminatory legislation in Georgia that would use religious language to undermine LGBT equality, as well as working to pass a bill protecting state employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.​

Threatening fairness and equality in the state, the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act has officially been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee, and Georgia lawmakers will soon consider and vote on this dangerous bill that would grant a “license to discriminate” against LGBT Georgians. The bill essentially allows individuals to use their religious beliefs to harm others, paving the way for challenges to virtually any law designed to protect Georgians from various forms of discrimination.

Working to advance equality, a bipartisan coalition of elected officials, led by Rep. Karla Drenner (D-85) and Wendell Willard (R-51), introduced the Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA)—legislation to prohibit discrimination against Georgia state employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. A record-breaking 77 members of the General Assembly—including 17 Republicans and 1 Independent—have already signed on as cosponsors of this historic legislation.

In coordination with Georgia Equality, HRC Senior Regional Field Organizer Ryan Rowe will serve as the campaign’s field director. Additionally, HRC will place five organizers in key areas of the state to organize faith leaders, small business leaders, and general community support. HRC Southern Regional Field Director Joe Saunders will work with the campaign and HRC’s Workplace Project to harness the support of corporate allies.

For more information on Georgia Unites Against Discrimination, please visit http://www.georgiaunites.org/

The Colorado Tourism Office Takes Home Adrian Award for “Come to Life” Marketing Campaign

The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) was recognized last night at the annual Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Adrian Awards Gala and Reception in New York City. The CTO received a bronze award for its “Come to Life” advertising campaign. John Ricks, CTO associate director was also recognized at the gala as one of HSMAI’s Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing for 2014.

 

The HSMAI Adrian Awards honor creative brilliance and best practices in hospitality, travel, and tourism-related marketing. In its 58th year, the competition has evolved into the world's most renowned and prestigious advertising, public relations, and digital marketing competition specifically tailored for the hospitality, travel and tourism industries.

 

“Our marketing initiatives are unique in that the CTO uses emotion to inspire potential visitors,” said CTO Director, Al White. “We are extremely proud of our campaign’s performance and success, and it is a privilege to receive an Adrian Award recognizing ‘Come to Life’ as a top tourism advertising campaign.”

 

The Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing for 2014 recognizes leaders in sales, marketing, and revenue optimization of hospitality, travel and tourism organizations for their accomplishments in the preceding 18 months.

 

“I am honored to have been nominated by my tourism colleagues for the ‘Top 25’ and recognized for my leadership and strategies, “ said Ricks. “A big thanks to my staff and our creative agencies for collaborating and successfully bringing the CTO’s marketing concepts ‘to life’.”

 

The Top 25 recipients were selected by a panel of senior industry executives based on recent work meeting the following criteria: creativity and innovation; cutting edge sales or marketing campaigns; triumph in challenging situations; and sales efforts that resulted in dramatic gains.

 

“The people named to this list have made incredible contributions to the industry,” said Robert A. Gilbert, president and CEO of HSMAI. “Their innovative sales, marketing and revenue management ideas have helped fuel the success of the hospitality industry the past two years.”

Tranifesto: Five Points for Non-Trans People About Public Restroom Use

By Matt Kailey

The issue of trans people and restroom use is about as sticky as a public-toilet seat, but the arguments against equality in public accommodations are as flimsy as the toilet paper in those same facilities.

Below are five points that I think are important for non-trans people to understand about the tissue … I mean, issue.

1. Trans people are in the bathroom for the same reason that you are – to use the facilities and be on our way. The use of public restrooms is often far more uncomfortable for trans people than it is for non-trans people in the next stall, especially at the beginning of transition. We are not interested in what you’re doing, we would prefer that you take no interest in what we’re doing, and we have far more important things to do than linger there so that either one of us can pay attention to the other.

2. The use of public restrooms is far more of a safety issue for trans people than it is for non-trans people in the next stall. Depending on state laws, we can be arrested in some public restrooms if the gender marker on our identification does not match the gender we are presenting. In other cases, we can be detained and questioned if the sign on the restroom door does not match the gender we are presenting.

Because state laws differ with regard to when and how trans people can change our gender markers, in many cases, we are stuck in a no-win situation. If we are not able to change our gender markers because of a particular state law, do we use the restroom that matches our gender presentation or our ID? Either one can result in trouble. And that’s the last thing we want. We only want to use the facilities like everyone else.

In addition, depending on which restroom we use, or are sometimes forced to use, we also risk physical and sexual assault. This is not a pleasant situation for us, so we don’t plan to hang out there unnecessarily.

3. Regardless of what opponents argue, public accommodations laws and other laws regarding trans restroom use do not allow adult men to enter women’s or girls’ restrooms. We have had a public accommodations law in Colorado, where I live, since 2008, and I have not yet heard of any such incidents. Sexual predators have many ways of preying on victims, and putting on women’s clothing, a wig, makeup, and other such accoutrement is far more complicated and risky than other means of accessing victims. There is no indication that laws allowing trans people to use the restroom that corresponds to our gender identity and expression will result in an increase in sexual perpetration or increased opportunities for such. Trans people are not sexual perpetrators, and, as stated above, are at more risk of victimization ourselves.

4. You really don’t know the genitalia of anyone using the stall next to yours. You might think that you do, but the reality is that, unless you have been intimate with that person, you don’t. So laws that involve genitalia are not sound and are not enforceable. Short of “genital checks,” they are all based on assumptions, and assumptions are often wrong.

5. Unisex bathrooms can be good for a variety of situations, if they are clean and available to all. They are costly to put in, but I predict that, eventually, all workplaces and public spaces will be required to have them, and trans people will not be the primary reason for the requirement. It would behoove non-trans people to actively support the construction of unisex restrooms in public spaces (not for us – for you, if we make you uncomfortable). While no one should be required to use them, they should be available to both trans and non-trans people who want to use them.

The bottom line (no pun intended) is this: Do you really want to know what everyone else in the bathroom is doing? Me either. So if you promise to ignore me, I promise to ignore you. Let’s get out of here and get on with life.

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

BeTested.co: Grab A Friend and Get Tested!

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.

Pet Portraits By Maurice Becnel

Immortalize your furry friends with a pet portrait by Maurice Becnel. Clients admire Becnel's ability to capture the essence of a pet's personality in his work.

Says Becnel, "Painting animal portraits, for me, is more fun than it is work. I began painting them several years ago. The first one I did was for a friend on her birthday. Because it was a gift it never dawned on me that other people would commission me to do more. Word got out and before I knew it more and more of the emails I was receiving from my website were going to the dogs! And cats!"

HRC Applauds Appointment of Randy Berry as State Department’s First Ever LGBT Human Rights Envoy

Today the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, applauded the appointment of Randy W. Berry, a veteran senior U.S. Foreign Service Officer, as the State Department’s first ever LGBT Human Rights Envoy. HRC praised President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry for creating this new senior-level position to oversee the United States government’s efforts to support the human rights of LGBT people around the world.

“At a moment when many LGBT people around the world are facing persecution and daily violence, this unprecedented appointment shows a historic commitment to the principle that LGBT rights are human rights,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “President Obama and Secretary Kerry have shown tremendous leadership in championing the rights of LGBT people abroad. Now, working closely with this new envoy, we’ve got to work harder than ever to create new allies, push back on human rights violators, and support the brave leaders and organizations that fight for LGBT rights around the world."

Last August, Griffin sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, urging him to take this important step for global equality. Griffin also joined a coalition letter led by American Jewish World Services in sending a similar message. This effort was bolstered by more than 26,000 HRC members who contacted Secretary Kerry’s office urging him to create the position. This year, HRC worked closely with the offices of Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) to introduce the International Human Rights Defense Act (S.302 / H.R. 590) which would create the position through legislative action.

“This new appointment sends a message that the United States will remain on the forefront of protecting the human rights of LGBT people around the world," said Griffin. “Nations that place LGBT people in the cross hairs of danger must know that the United States will not turn a blind eye.”

Berry’s career with the State Department has taken him to postings in Bangladesh, Egypt, Uganda (twice), and South Africa, as well as Washington DC. Mr. Berry holds a State Department Superior Honor Award, and is a nine-time Meritorious Honor Award recipient.

The situation for LGBT people around the world varies widely, as some countries embrace equality, while in others, LGBT people continue to suffer from discrimination, persecution and violence. 

• Same-sex conduct is criminalized in 76 countries
• In 10 countries same-sex conduct is punishable by death
• So-called anti-LGBT “propaganda” laws inhibit LGBT advocacy in three countries
• Same-sex marriage licenses are issued nationwide in 20 countries
• In 2014 there were over 200 documented reports of transgender people murdered in 28 countries. 
• There continues to be countless undocumented cases of violence against transgender people throughout the world.

Sam Smith Comes to Red Rocks August 4

Sam Smith will return to North America this summer for his second arena/theatre tour of 2015. The month-long run will kick off on July 18 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, NC and will include Denver’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre on August 4. Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning Friday, February 27 at 10am.

His hugely successful winter tour included sold-out shows at New York City’s Madison Square Garden and the Forum in Los Angeles. In a live review, The New York Times’ Jon Pareles noted, “His sound is startling… When he sings a melisma, the pitches are as clearly delineated as keys on a piano.” Billboard praised the sold-out opening night show in Atlanta as “nothing short of triumphant” and the Toronto Sun reported that while Smith charmed audience at the sold-out Air Canada Centre with his soul-baring, between-songs stories, he “mostly let his beautiful voice do the talking.”

Smith’s four GRAMMY wins set a record, marking the most awards ever received by a U.K. artist following the release of a debut album. In The Lonely Hour, which has sold more than five million units worldwide, received the award for Best Pop Vocal Album. It reclaimed the No. 1 position on the U.K. album chart in the week following the awards and is currently in the Top 5 of the Billboard 200. Smith’s No. 1 single “Stay With Me,” which is RIAA-certified 4x multi-Platinum, has won awards for both Record and Song of the Year and Smith was named Best New Artist.

The official video for his new single, “Lay Me Down,” has surpassed 15 million views since it premiered earlier this month. Rolling Stone, which profiled Smith in a recent cover story, was on set when the video was shot and spoke with him about the message he and director Ryan Hope hoped to convey in this feature.

After winning the BRITs Critics’ Choice award in 2014, Smith leads this year’s competition with five BRIT nominations. He will be performing at the awards ceremony at The O2 in London this Wednesday, February 25. In 2014, he won Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock honors at the American Music Awards, the VH1 You Oughta Know Artist Of The Year award, four MOBOs, a Q Award and the BBC Sound of 2014 prize.

Department of Labor To Implement FMLA Rule Change Impacting Married Same-Sex Couples

The Human Rights Campaign today praised the Department of Labor (DOL) announcement that a final rule change to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) will be issued on February 25th impacting legally married same-sex couples living in non-marriage equality states. Because of the Supreme Court's decision in the Windsor case and DOL’s change from a “state of residence” rule to a “place of celebration” rule concerning marriage recognition, the announcement states: “The Final Rule amends the regulatory definition of spouse under the FMLA so that eligible employees in legal same-sex marriages will be able to take FMLA leave to care for their spouse or family member, regardless of where they live. This will ensure that the FMLA will give spouses in same-sex marriages the same ability as all spouses to fully exercise their FMLA rights.”

“No legally married same-sex couple should be denied their federal family leave rights simply because they happen to live in a state that disrespects their marriage,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy. “Until the Supreme Court settles the issue of full nationwide marriage equality this summer, fairness and equality - and the Supreme Court’s decision in the Windsor case - demanded this important change. We applaud the Obama Administration for continuing to ensure all legally married couples have access to the same federal rights, protections, and privileges that come with marriage wherever possible.”

The Department of Labor also provided the following major features of the final rule:

“The Department has moved from a ‘state of residence’ rule to a ‘place of celebration’ rule for the definition of spouse under the FMLA regulations. The Final Rule changes the regulatory definition of spouse in 29 CFR §§ 825.102 and 825.122(b) to look to the law of the place in which the marriage was entered into, as opposed to the law of the state in which the employee resides. A place of celebration rule allows all legally married couples, whether opposite-sex or same-sex, or married under common law, to have consistent federal family leave rights regardless of where they live.

The Final Rule’s definition of spouse expressly includes individuals in lawfully recognized same-sex and common law marriages and marriages that were validly entered into outside of the United States if they could have been entered into in at least one state.”

Generally, the Obama Administration has advanced a broad implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision in the Windsor case, however, there are a few federal areas, such as social security benefits, veterans benefits, and copyright ownership in which married same-sex couples in non-marriage equality states remain at risk due to discriminatory language in the statutes governing these areas.

Marina and the Diamonds - I'm A Ruin (Acoustic)

Marina And The Diamonds has released the official acoustic video for “I’m A Ruin,” the latest single off her upcoming album FROOT, out worldwide on April 6^th.  The official music video for “I’m A Ruin” hit No. 2 on iTunes single chart upon its release earlier this month.

Hud Issues Guidance on Home Lending and Transgender Access to Homeless Shelters

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued guidance to better serve LGBT Americans seeking to obtain a home loan and transgender individuals seeking access to homeless shelters. These two sets of guidance will help clarify the Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Rule (Equal Access Rule), which was published in 2012. The Equal Access Rule ensures that housing across HUD programs is open to all eligible individuals regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status.

HUD’s guidance on program eligibility for HUD assisted and insured housing programs includes an equal access provision making clear that housing that is financed or insured by HUD must be made available without regard to actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. It also prohibits owners and operators of HUD-funded housing, or housing whose financing was insured by HUD, from inquiring about an applicant’s sexual orientation or gender identity or denying housing on that basis. In addition, the guidance also makes clear that sexual orientation and gender identity should not and cannot be part of any lending decision when it comes to getting an FHA-insured mortgage.

“It’s an injustice that any transgender person is mistreated when seeking help,” said HUD Secretary Julián Castro. “We issued this guidance so that shelter providers treat these Americans with the dignity they deserve. This measure is an important step in shaping a future where every person is accepted, respected and housed.”

HUD also issued guidance on how to best serve transgender persons in single-sex shelter facilities. The guidance will help address the fact that almost 40 percent of homeless youth are LGBT, and the majority of them report harassment, difficulty, or even sexual assault when trying to access homeless shelters. This guidance states that a transgender client’s or potential client’s own views with respect to personal health and safety deserve serious consideration when placing the person in a single sex shelter. “Not only does the guidance address appropriate placement of transgender individuals in single sex facilities, but it also guides providers on how best to address privacy and safety concerns within the facilities in ways that do not segregate or isolate transgender individuals.

The creation and implementation of the Equal Access Rule builds on HUD’s and President Obama’s commitment to expanding opportunity, advancing equality, and leveling the playing field for LGBT individuals and families. Since 2010, HUD has taken steps to strengthen LGBT protections, such as adopting the principle that gender identity discrimination is sex discrimination under the Fair Housing Act, adopting the requirement that applicants for competitive HUD funds must be in compliance with state and local LGBT nondiscrimination laws, releasing a groundbreaking study on LGBT housing discrimination, and pursuing complaints under the Equal Access Rule.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter Addresses Transgender Service

The Human Rights Campaign has responded to the news that Department of Defense Secretary Ashton Carter addressed the issue of military service by transgender people - who are currently prohibited from serving openly - in a town hall in Kandahar, Afghanistan. When asked about transgender service members serving in “austere environments” like Afghanistan, Secretary Carter ended his response by saying, “And I don’t think anything but their suitability for service should preclude them.”

“We urge Secretary Carter to put action to his comments by ordering an immediate review of the outdated regulations that prevent transgender service members from serving our nation openly and honestly,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy. “As Secretary Carter pointed out, all that should matter is the ability to do the job. Our nation’s transgender service members bravely and heroically serve our nation, and they certainly deserve to be able to be honest about who they are.”

According to transcripts, the question was posed from a service member: “What are your thoughts on transgender service members serving in an austere environment like this here in Kandahar? Secretary Carter responded, “I come at that from a fundamental starting point. It’s not something I’ve studied a lot since I became secretary of defense. But I come at this kind of question from a fundamental starting point, which is that we want to make our conditions and experience of service as attractive as possible to our best people in our country. And I’m very open-minded about — otherwise about what their personal lives and proclivities are, provided they can do what we need them to do for us. That’s the important criteria. Are they going to be excellent service members? And I don’t think anything but their suitability for service should preclude them.”

Oklahoma’s Sally Kern Wants Special State Protection For Dangerous Anti-LGBT Psychological Abuse

Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), and Freedom Oklahoma condemned an extreme anti-LGBT Oklahoma bill that attacks Oklahoma children and seeks to legitimize so-called “conversion therapy,” the dangerous and discredited practices linked to lifelong damage including depression, substance abuse, and even suicide. The bill is backed by anti-LGBT State Rep. Sally Kern and will be the subject of a public hearing on Tuesday in the House Committee on Children, Youth, and Family Services, which is also chaired by Rep. Kern.

The “Freedom to Obtain Conversion Therapy Act (HB 1598)” attempts to legitimize and provide special state protections for the ineffective and harmful practice of conversion therapy, which has been denounced by every major medical and mental health association in the country, including the American Medical Association and American Psychological Association. The bill is the first of its kind in the United States.

HRC and NCLR will submit written testimony to the committee highlighting the dangers and consequences of the bill.

Representatives from HRC, NCLR, and Freedom Oklahoma issued the following statements:

“Rep. Kern’s assault on LGBT youth in Oklahoma is shockingly reprehensible,” said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse. “So-called conversion ‘therapy’ uses fear and shame, telling young people that the only way to find love or acceptance is to change the very nature of who they are. Psychological abuse has no place in therapy, no matter the intention, and for Rep. Kern to use her stature to tell young people that who they are is bad or wrong, is both immoral and seriously harmful.”

After the Oscars, Turing's family delivers pardon petition to British government

Earlier today relatives of Alan Turing, the subject of the Oscar-award winning film The Imitation Game, delivered signatures from the Change.org petition calling for the more than 49,000 men who were convicted under the UK's now revoked anti-gay laws to be pardoned like Turing was to No. 10 Downing Street. 

Rachel Barnes, 52, (great niece), Thomas Barnes, 21 (great great nephew) and Nevil Hunt (great nephew) delivered over half a million signatures from the petition that was started on January 26.

Denver Gay & Lesbian Flag Football League Spring 2015 Registration Begins In One Week

Registration for DGLFFL Spring 2015 Season is next Sunday, March 1st at 8am! If you are interested in being a Primary QB you will be allowed to register a day early on Saturday February 28th, Backup QB's are to sign up on March 1st.

All Primary QB's will need to submit a bio to the Captain's Coordinator, Marc Withrow to pass along to the captains before the draft. QB's are a key function of any team and usually are one of the leaders on the offensive side of the ball.