The Gay Vegans: Expo West

By Dan Hanley

On March 9th I’ll be heading south to Anaheim to Expo West for a couple of days.

If you’ve never heard of this five day annual conference focused on anything that has to do with natural foods and natural products, click here for the conference website.

I will be attending for the third time. As a blogger, I attend for a couple of reasons. First, to explore everything new around vegan foods and products. If something is out there, it will be at Expo West. Second, I go to interview companies whose products I purchase about transgender policies, LGBTQ issues, human rights issues and how their employment policies treat those who identify as LGBTQ.

If you’re going to Expo West, please let me know. I love meeting people from all over, especially other bloggers and activists.

If you know of a new product/company that I should check out at Expo West, let me know!

If you want to follow my escapades and eating adventures during Expo West, follow me on Twitter @thegayvegans.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TO MAKE GENDER REVOLUTION: A JOURNEY WITH KATIE COURIC AVAILABLE FOR FREE, BEGINNING VALENTINE’S DAY

 

National Geographic has announced it will make the two-hour documentary GENDER REVOLUTION: A JOURNEY WITH KATIE COURIC available to stream for free, beginning today, for one week. The stream will be available on National Geographic’s website, YouTube channel, Facebook page, Apple TV app and TV Everywhere mobile apps. Produced by Katie Couric Media with National Geographic Studios and World of Wonder Productions, network will also air a special encore of the documentary on Monday night, February 13 at 9/8c.

Hailed as “powerful” by Ellen Degeneres, “groundbreaking” by the Huffington Post, and “compassionate, incisive, and informed” by the Daily Beast, GENDER REVOLUTION: A JOURNEY WITH KATIE COURIC explores the rapidly evolving complexities of gender — from the moment we are born through our twilight years. To better understand this complex social and scientific issue, Couric crisscrossed the U.S. to talk with scientists, researchers, activists, authors and families to learn more about the role of genetics, brain chemistry and modern culture on gender fluidity. Her wide-ranging interviews included a conversation with Gavin Grimm, the transgender Virginia teen whose lawsuit seeking equal bathroom access is headed to the Supreme Court on March 28. With discussions that range from the scientifically enlightening to the deeply personal, Couric’s unflinching search for truth sheds light on countless untold stories of struggle, understanding, ignorance, hurt and love.

“I’ve always hoped this documentary would be a spark to ignite conversations in every corner of the country around the evolving landscape of gender,” said host and executive producer Katie Couric. “National Geographic is helping to push that goal forward by making it so broadly available to audiences.”

OUT on DVD/VOD: Departure

Departure from Wolfe Video on Vimeo.

Set amidst ravishing landscapes of Southern France, DEPARTURE creates a sophisticated emotional and aesthetic palette to create a cinematic meditation on language, silence, and secrets. Written & directed by acclaimed British filmmaker Andrew Steggall, DEPARTURE is his feature directorial debut.

An intimate and restrained story of an English mother (Juliette Stevenson) and her son, a teenaged, would-be writer (Alex Lawther) who is exploring his dawning sexuality. When they take an emotional journey to the South of France, they become embroiled in a love triangle with a rugged, handsome French boy. Both mother and son are compelled to confront their own desire, family secrets, and a complicated relationship with each other.

The Valentine Museum, OutRVA and Photographer Michael Simon Collaborate to Feature Portraits of LGBT Families in One Love: LGBT Families Exhibition

What does it mean to be a family? That is the question posed by Richmond, Virginia’s Valentine Museum and OutRVA, Richmond’s LGBT tourism campaign, in a new exhibition One Love: LGBT Families, on view now through September 4, 2017. The exhibit features contemporary photographic portraits of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) families from the Richmond Region. Richmond photographer Michael Simon captured images of the families at various locations throughout the Region.

“The concept of family within the LGBT community has historically and, out of necessity, been flexible,” said Meg Hughes, Curator of Archives at The Valentine. “After coming out, many LGBT individuals are ostracized from their family and friends. However, everyone needs love, and the LGBT community has been actively creating support networks for decades.”

“One Love: LGBT Families provides us with a great way to showcase to visitors the wonderfully diverse community that we enjoy here in the Richmond Region,” said Katherine O’Donnell, vice president of community relations at Richmond Region Tourism. “Through OutRVA, we’re spreading the message that the Richmond Region is a welcoming and diverse community. This exhibit helps us tell that part of the Richmond story in a beautiful, thought-provoking way.”

The legal landscape has changed dramatically for LGBT families since the early 2000s, when states began to pass legislation recognizing same-sex couples. Virginia legalized same-sex marriage in 2014, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision (2015) recognizes a constitutional right for same-sex couples to marry. LGBT families are now beginning to have greater access to the legal options available for major life events – getting married, having kids and preparing for the future.

“We are proud to be included among the varying images and definitions of family in this exhibit,” said Rodney Lofton, who was photographed at Comfort restaurant with his husband. Lofton and his husband are a gay, interracial couple. “One Love: LGBT Families highlights families that may be different from the days of Ozzie and Harriet, but share the same values and ultimate goal, love.”

Sex Positivity Week!

Check out this great, sex-positive events all week at the LGBTQ Student Resource Center!

Frameline's Youth in Motion Sends Free LGBTQ Films to 1000 Schools Nationwide

Frameline, the country's leading LGBTQ media arts non-profit announces the expansion of its Youth In Motion program to 1,020 registered schools nationwide. Having started in California in 2008 with only a handful of schools, Youth in Motion now serves over 20,000 students in all 50 states through distribution of LGBTQ films plus professionally created curriculum at absolutely no charge. This year's film collection, Resistance & Resilience: QTPOC Local to Global, features two documentaries that center the voices of queer and trans people of color in the U.S. and abroad: Call Me Kuchu and Gaysians.

Winner of the Frameline Audience Award, The Teddy Award for Best Documentary at Berlinale, and the International Feature Award at Hot Docs, Call Me Kuchu has been called a "MUST SEE" by LA Weekly. Following the life and work of activist David Kato, the first openly gay man in Uganda, this feature-length documentary and accompanying curriculum challenges students to engage on a personal level with LGBTQ rights, human rights, national and international activism across the globe, and the legacy of colonialism.

"I will always remember the Frameline's Festival screening of Call Me Kuchu as one of the most impactful experiences of our 40-year history. The standing ovation lasted over 10 minutes, with the 1,000+ audience stomping its feet. Frameline is elated that students and teachers across the country now get to see this award-winning documentary which stands as an inspirational testament to activism on the front lines in Uganda. The fight for LGBTQ rights is far from over in the US and globally; and in these turbulent times, Call Me Kuchu can create real dialogue and change. It is exactly what the next generation needs to see," Frances Wallace, Frameline's Executive Director.

The short documentary Gaysians provides an American perspective as it follows five LGBTQ Asian-American youth and adults who discuss life at the epicenter of intersecting identities.

Resistance & Resilience is available for free to any and all Gender & Sexuality Alliances (sometimes known as Gay-Straight Alliances) at K-12 schools across the US, entirely for free. Educators and students can register to receive Resistance & Resilience: QTPOC Local to Global on Frameline's website at frameline.org/youth-in-motion.

Nice To See StevieB: Death On A Coaster

By StevieB
 
Remember that time I almost died on a rollercoaster? Okay, so you wouldn't remember because it's just a dream I have. A nightly, reoccurring dream.

I have three phobias in this life. Roller coasters, snakes, clowns, and Republicans. Four. I have four phobias in this life. And number one is about to raise its night-terror inducing head. No. Not Trump, he's the worlds night-terror.

In next week the Sweet Baboo and I head to Los Angeles for a vacation. A very nerdy get-a-way. The main purpose is to attend a Doctor Who convention happening at a hotel close to the airport. Mike the roommate is joining us as well. But, before that we are spending a couple of days hanging out in West Hollywood, going to Disneyland, and most importantly, Harry Potter World. The Sweet Baboo already has his magic wand at his side. But, there's a dark side to our adventure. After all this time I'll finally have to come clean on my child-like terror of rollercoasters. Yes, we've been in parks and been around the death coasters before, but this time there is no escape. I feel bad. Going to Disneyland and then saying, "oh. Sorry, you'll have to ride, rides alone" seems like a mean thing to do. So, do I just face my terror quietly to make the boyfriend happy? Or finically admit that I'm a twelve year old girl? The non-brave kind.

I'm gonna have to just face my fears, even if I would rather makeout with Trump, as he sports clown makeup and holds a snake. I wonder if there is some way I can get over my coaster phobia I six days? Only God can help me now.

Sigrid - Don't Kill My Vibe

 
Displaying remarkable songwriting ability as a skilled lyricist, with hard-hitting and empowering words laced over unexpected and expansive melodies, 20-year-old Norwegian talent Sigrid drops her debut single, ‘Don’t Kill My Vibe’ today via Island Records. 

Sigrid was inspired to write the empowering anthem after she was put in a difficult writing session, but it can be interpreted in several ways, “it may be a message to your cat, telling her that she's not the master of the universe. Or maybe it's just a really long DM saying you're SO done with someone”, says Sigrid.

Books: Handbook of LGBT Tourism and Hospitality

The Handbook of LGBT Tourism and Hospitality is an easy-to-read, practical, and relevant guidebook with a simple goal: to help marketing professionals, business owners, and allied professionals compete in the increasingly competitive global LGBT travel and hospitality industry. 

Dozens of contributors helped make this book the most inclusive and comprehensive guide of its kind. It is intended for industry specialists in the tourism and hospitality fields, as well as academics and students in tourism and hospitality studies.

Do You Want To Reach Denver's Gay Community? Advertise With Denver's Best Gay Blog!

Do you want to advertise to Denver’s gay community? Of course you do, it’s the 7th largest in the United States! And the best way to reach them is with MileHighGayGuy – Colorado’s Best Gay Blog.
 
Just click the Advertising page or email sales@milehighgayguy.com to get started today.

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.

Second Show Added! The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes

By popular demand, The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes has added a 2^nd show at Denver’s Historic Paramount Theatre on Thursday, April 20th, 2017 at 7:30 PM.  The event includes Q &A, Behind the Scenes Stories, and a screening of the legendary film.

Love is a Drag!

This February 14 the LGBTQ Student Resource Center presents Love Is A Drag!

OUT on DVD/VOD: Kings, Queens & In-Betweens

KINGS, QUEENS, & IN-BETWEENS explores a midwestern city with an extraordinary and unexpected drag scene, and the larger theme of exactly what gender is and means. Through the compelling personal stories of eight performers and their troupes in Columbus, Ohio, KINGS, QUEENS, & IN-BETWEENS makes a complex subject approachable for mainstream audiences -- inviting viewers into a conversation about the distinct and important differences between gender, sex, and sexuality, which has not been represented in film before. A heart-warming, engaging film, KING, QUEENS & IN-BETWEENS is thought-provoking and sends a message of love and acceptance, reflecting a community unified in the belief that we are all just human.

Books: Kings & Queens in Their Castles

Tom Atwood's forthcoming book, Kings & Queens in Their Castles has been called the most ambitious photo project ever conducted of the LGBTQ experience in the USA. Over 15 years, Atwood photographed more than 350 subjects at home nationwide (with over 160 in the book), including nearly 100 celebrities (with about 60 in the book).  

Among the luminaries depicted are Meredith Baxter, Alan Cumming, Don Lemon, John Waters, George Takei, Alison Bechdel, Barney Frank, Don Bachardy, Billy Porter, Ari Shapiro, Arthur Tress, Michael Urie, Greg Louganis, Charles Busch, Kate Clinton, Dan Savage, Tommy Tune, Jonathan Adler, Simon Doonan, Leslie Jordan, Anthony Rapp, John Berendt, Bruce Vilanch, John Corigliano, Anthony Goicolea, Elizabeth Streb, Michael Musto, Carson Kressley, Joel Schumacher, Christian Siriano, John Ashbery, Terrence McNally and Christine Vachon.