National Coming Out Day Event With Tori Grace at Tivoli

The LGBTQ Student Resource Center National Coming Out Day presentation featuring Tori Grace of will run from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Tivoli Turnhalle, with a meet and greet with Tori Grace to follow in Tivoli 213 (the LGBTQ Student Resource Center). Tori Grace will be leading a workshop about telling our story through art that morning, and their performance will begin at 1:30. It is going to be an awesome day and everyone is welcome to join in.

Addresing White privilege in the GLBT community

White privilege in the GLBT community will be the topic of a presentation on Thursday, October 6, at the CHUN mansion located at 1290 Williams Street in Denver. Free and open to the public, the presentation is sponsored by the Denver chapter of PFLAG for the organization’s program held quarterly each year. In light of recent murders of people of color in the U.S., the goal of the Denver PFLAG program is to help white individuals identify their white privilege and how they can become allies to communities of color. 

The GLBT community has come under scrutiny for “whitewashing” tragic events such as the Orlando massacre, as well as historically neglecting the voices of GLBT people of color. Mia Furtado, a PFLAG board member and social-justice advocate, will present definitions of “privilege” and explain how this applies to the white population and how white individuals can become aware of their innate privilege so that they do not directly and/or indirectly pass on their ignorance and prejudice.

Time and time again from the 1980s through the present, Denver PFLAG has been at the forefront of connecting the dots between GLBT and other social-justice causes. Many of Denver PFLAG activists, such as Tim Wilson and John Ferguson, have been longtime anti-racism activists and longtime allies of La Gente Unida. - via La Gente Unida

Future Debates Must Address LGBT Issues

Victory Fund President & CEO Aisha C. Moodie-Mills expressed concern that Mike Pence was not asked about his strong anti-LGBT record during the Vice Presidential debate:

“Mike Pence has made a career of singling out LGBT people for discrimination, and it is disappointing tonight’s debate did not address his long record of using public office to advance his backward views,” said Victory Fund President & CEO Aisha C. Moodie-Mills. “Pence opposes recognition of our relationships, opposes LGBT soldiers serving openly in the military, and opposes prohibiting restaurants and other businesses from refusing service to LGBT customers. It is important the Trump campaign’s extremist anti-LGBT positions be exposed in future debates – along with its attacks on women, immigrants, Latinos, Muslims, and veterans recovering from war. Their entire campaign has been built on fear and bigotry, and we believe voters will reject their attempts to turn back the clock on progress."

Savoy Motel - Sorry People

 
Savoy Motel play Southern Rock in a modern tradition - they're not a post punk band or a retro glam revival group. They aren't trying to revive anything. Their new video "Sorry People", directed by Dylan Carver, captures members Jeffrey Novak, Jessica McFarland, Mimi Galbierz and Dillon Watson jamming from a barn in their hometown of Nashville - line dancing included.

OUT on DVD/VOD: The Falls: Covenant of Grace

 
Breaking Glass Pictures announces the heartfelt conclusion to Jon Garcia’s The Falls trilogy this December. The Falls: Covenant of Grace follows Mormon missionaries RJ (Nick Ferrucci) and Chris (Benjamin Farmer) as they meet one final time to decide if their love can survive alongside their religion. The Falls: Covenant of Grace will be available on DVD and On Demand on December 6, 2016.

Skin Wars’ Michael Mejia Comes Out as HIV-Positive

For its November/December cover story, Plus magazine sat down with artist and former Skin Wars contestant Michael Mejia for an exclusive interview in which he opens up for the first time about being HIV-positive.  Mejia, who made it to the top four on Skin Wars, has an impressive clientele, including celebrities Jason Derulo, Claudia Schiffer, and Timbaland. In his exclusive interview with Plus magazine, the 26-year-old talks about the rampant stigma associated with HIV and AIDS, his artistic collaborations, his amazingly supportive mother, and the rite of passage that had him literally dangling from hooks piercing his skin.

“Michael was incredibly open,” says Plus Senior Editor Jacob Anderson-Minshall, who interviewed Mejia. “Not only in terms of answering what could be seen as invasive questions, but his willingness to share his art work, and even in terms of allowing us to see him naked — physically and emotionally. I was also really impressed with his commitment to coming out poz as a means of fighting HIV stigma, which he calls the real epidemic. He knows that coming out as HIV-positive could impact his life in a variety of ways, but he never showed any hesitance to do so. Which is precisely why he’s going to be an amazing role model.”

On discovering his positive status:

“It has certainly been difficult. My initial reaction was fear. I thought I would be ill for the rest of my life and die from it. Fortunately, we are in an era of incredible scientific advancement where HIV is now a manageable condition that people can live with, continue to be healthy, and live a normal life span without complications. The difficult part about being HIV-positive hasn’t been accepting the diagnosis, but coping with the absurd amount of stigma that comes along with it. Everyone is full of fear when they think of HIV and it’s because of ignorance. This fear is holding people back from getting tested regularly and keeping HIV-positive people from sharing their status. We need to end HIV stigma because stigma is the real illness we should be alarmed by.”

On his decision to come out publicly:

“There are several reasons why I’m coming out. One is because people aren’t informed enough about HIV and are still stuck in the trauma that has carried over from previous years. I’m hoping that people will read this, gain perspective and lose the stigma and fear against HIV. Another reason is because I know there are many people out there that have been recently diagnosed and may feel alone—thinking they are the only ones. But the truth is you are not [alone], there are more than 36 million people living with HIV in the world! And it’s OK, we’re all in this together and we need to support each other in any way we can. I want people to understand that having HIV is not a death sentence anymore, it’s a lifestyle that requires a strict treatment regimen and healthy living.”

On telling his mother he was HIV-positive:

“Mom was the last person I told out of my closest family and friends. She literally collapsed on my legs and cried. But I knew it was because of this same fear coming from misinformation. My sister and I began to break down the facts about what it means to have HIV today and she immediately stood up and started listening. Mom is a very smart woman. She is constantly keeping herself informed. Knowledge is power. I feel empowered and I believe we can end the way people perceive this virus. Today…she said, in a happy tone, “Michael, HIV is simply a virus that can be treated, that’s all!”

National LGBTQ Task Force: Pope's Anti-Transgender Comments Hurtful and Dehumanizing

The National LGBTQ Task Force is describing Pope Francis’ recent remarks about transgender people as deeply hurtful to millions.

“When Pope Francis made his now famous ‘who am I to judge’ remarks, LGBTQ people of faith were hopeful of real change in the Roman Catholic church. Now millions of people are deeply hurt by what Pope Francis has said about transgender and gender non-conforming people, which reveals a profound lack of knowledge and empathy. We urge the pontiff to educate himself about the realities of transgender people’s lives and to welcome and affirm transgender and gender non-conforming people rather than reject and dehumanize them,” said Rev. Rodney McKenzie, Jr., Director of the Academy for Leadership and Action, National LGBTQ Task Force.

Trevor Moran - Get Me Through the Night

 

Trevor Moran celebrated his 18th birthday last Friday with his new video, “Get Me Through The Night,” debuting on Entertainment Tonight Facebook Live - just in time for him becoming eligible to vote! The cheeky new video features Trevor making a fictitious run for the White House against Trump and Clinton further crashing through the next glass ceiling, working through the paces of a presidential election - shaking hands, kissing babies, debating the candidates- dealing with hecklers and culminating in his takeover of the Oval Office.

“I will be voting this year for the first time and I wanted to put something out that might inspire other people my age to get out and vote this year,” said Trevor. “With all the talk about breaking glass ceilings in this year’s election I thought I would remind people there’s still one more to go!”

People Exclusive: 'Strut' Gives a Peek into a Day in the Life of Two Transgender Models – Including Their First Date!

Transgender models Laith De La Cruz and Arisce Wanzer, two of the stars of Oxygen's new series Strut, are testing the waters of love at Venice Beach - and People has got the sneak peek. 

The show, executive produced by Whoopi Goldberg, reveals the paths of transgender models breaking into the fashion industry through Slay Model Management, an agency that exclusively represents trans talent.

"The date's blah so far, he's talking about the weather for Christ's sake, which means it’s not going well," deadpans Wanzer in an interview of their stroll on a rare cloudy Los Angeles day.

But that doesn't stop De La Cruz from trying to establish a connection as he notes to Wanzer: "All this sass, you're hiding something under that."

"Yeah," responds Wanzer. "More sass!"

Later in the date, Wanzer decides to make the first move and goes in for a hand hold. After some chitchat, the two run into the Pacific Ocean and enjoy some time on the beach.

"I've never dated a transgender woman," says De La Cruz. "A lot of people they obsess over, you know, bodies and parts … being out with Arisce is kind of refreshing not to have to have that be a topic."

And the date ends on a high note with De La Cruz asking to return one day and Wanzer accepting for date number two.

Strut airs Tuesdays (9 p.m. ET) on Oxygen.

OUT on DVD/VOD: Coming Out

Coming Out from Wolfe Video on Vimeo.

In his directorial debut, young NYC-based filmmaker Alden Peters documents his own coming-out experience, capturing everything on-camera as he plans and boldly captures his disclosures to friends, family, and society. Inspired by social media coming out videos by teens around the world, COMING OUT places viewers directly inside the raw, intimate moments when Alden reveals his true identity to his family and friends, ranging from the painfully awkward to the hilariously honest.

Crowdsourced videos from LGBTQ youth from around the world complement the depth of Alden's own story, and he also interviews his own family, friends, and leading LGBT figures and experts, including Janet Mock, about the unique challenges of coming out in today's digital era.

Said Alden, "When I was a questioning teenager, and later when I made the decision to come out of the closet, I searched for a film that showed the process of coming out. I found nothing but fiction films and YouTube videos, and nobody discussed what happened immediately after coming out. I wanted to see that entire process and hear the uncertainties along the way. Over five years later, Coming Out is the film that I craved."

In the age of smartphones, Facebook, and over-sharing, COMING OUT succeeds in making the personal both a cultural event and a political celebration, and a poignant transcendence of the genre.

Recognizing LGBT History Month

DNC Interim Chair Donna Brazile and LGBT Caucus Chair Earl Fowlkes issued the following statement in recognition of LGBT History Month: 
“As LGBT History Month begins, we have so much progress to celebrate. From the Stonewall uprising to the many victories during the Obama presidency--including ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the Supreme Court wins that enacted marriage equality--our nation has made enormous strides.

“That progress would not be possible without the historic pioneers we honor this month, like Bayard Rustin, Audre Lord, Harvey Milk, and Sylvia Rivera.

“We also celebrate fearless contemporary leaders like Sarah McBride, who made history with us as the first transgender speaker at a major party’s political convention; Daniel Hernandez Jr., who acted to help save the life of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords; Mark Bingham, one of the United flight 93 heroes; Staff Sergeant Eric Alva, awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery in Iraq; as well as Jim Obergefell, Edie Windsor and the countless plaintiffs who helped make sure that love is the law of the land.

“At the same time, we remember the names and faces of tragedy – those whose deaths continue to move us into action. Matthew Shepard. Gwen Araujo. Sakia Gunn. Angie Zapata. Brandon Teena. Tyler Clementi. Billy Lucas. The victims of attacks on Upstairs Lounge and Pulse Nightclub. The 600,000 Americans taken by the HIV/AIDS epidemic of whom many were LGBT men and women.

“Their stories continue to inspire more members and allies of the LGBT community to stand up for what is right, even in the face of discrimination, bigotry and violence.

“The Democratic Party stands with the LGBT community in that fight, and we have much more to accomplish together. In some states, conservative law makers continue to push for so-called ‘religious freedom’ laws, and anti-transgender bathroom bills, which threaten to legalize discrimination against members of the LGBT community. Democrats will continue to fight those laws, and any laws aimed at turning back the clock. It is still possible in many places to get married to the love of your life on Saturday, and be fired on Monday for doing so--that’s why Democrats won’t stop fighting to pass the Equality Act. Our Democratic platform stands fiercely for the full equality of LGBT Americans and for protecting our LGBT youth.

“When we recognize and celebrate the rich contributions that LGBT Americans have made throughout our history, we are a stronger nation. If we hope to build on the progress of the last seven years, we must elect Hillary Clinton and Democrats up and down the ballot, across the country.”

The Feline Fix - Caring for Colorado's Community Cats

More than 20,000 cats are euthanized annually in Colorado simply because there are not enough homes for them all. Unfortunately, we can't simply adopt our way out of the problem. 

An unaltered female cat, tame or feral, may become pregnant as early as five months of age and bear two to three litters per year for her entire life; which for a feral cat is roughly five years.

The purpose of Divine Feline and it's clinic, The Feline Fix, is to reduce the number of unwanted and homeless cats and to promote the health and welfare of all cats, feral and tame, through the practice of providing quality and affordable spay and neuter services and the practice of TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return).

Come Out. Get Fit With Stonewall Fitness.

Looking for more guidance and direction at the gym? Someone who can help you design a workout to maximize each workout at the gym so you can accomplish more than you ever thought possible? Check out Stonewall Fitness. Whether you're just starting out or looking to mix up your current routine, no matter if your gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer or straight, you can be a part of it.

Koelbel Urban Homes: The New Modern in Denver

Koelbel Urban Homes (KUH) has quickly emerged as a leader in creating urban neighborhoods that promote community and synergy by integrating life, work and play.

As the newest division of legendary developer Koelbel and Company, KUH is focused on in-fill properties, designing and building innovative homes tailored to each unique site.

Offered homes run the gamut of detached single-family homes to svelte modern attached designs featuring today's popular spaces, such as rooftop decks and open-plan concepts. All KUH homes, of course, are designed for optimum living and with respect for the surroundings.

Travel - Fantasy Fest, Key West

Thousands of costumed revelers are to parade through Key West's historic Old Town Friday, Oct. 28, during an offbeat Masquerade March that begins at the local cemetery.

The march is a highlight of the island’s annual Fantasy Fest celebration, a lavish pre-Halloween masking and costuming festival scheduled Oct. 21-30. Themed "Political Voodoo and Ballot-Box Barbarians" in an offbeat salute to the upcoming U.S. presidential election, Fantasy Fest offers a 10-day roster of more than 40 elaborate events.