Nice To See StevieB: Locked Into New Possibilities

By StevieB


I have to admit I had not been to the gym in a while. There was a couple days missed along with checking out the gym in the Highlands. The Highland area of Denver, that is. The Highland location 24Hour Fitness is quickly becoming my favorite gym in Denver. This is due to the inordinate amount of smoking hot guys at all times. You can't swing a Nasty Pig jock without hitting a hot bro. And, I've tried.

I had not been to the gym in several days, it was midnight, I was very tired. As I reached into my gym bag for my lock, the same way for thirteen years, my hand came up empty handed. My lock wasn't in my gym bag. Gone. Forever. I started to think back to when I bought that lock. It was upon joining 24Hour Fitness in Dallas, 2001. After the all gay, glitter gym closed down without warning, I reluctantly joined the 24Hour on Mckinney Avenue. I felt so common, having to purchase a lock, instead of the oak lined built-in-lock lockers at the fancy gay gym. But, I did. Out were the free heated towels; in were working out with... you know.... girls.

All of this history ran through my head, as things do when you're getting older, and you're standing alone in your Under Armour in public after midnight. One begins to reminisce about the old days, and things you once owned. Now gone forever. I raised my head; realizing that change is good. Change must happen in one's life. A new lock means new things coming into my world. I welcome new things. New people. New adventures. New..... oh.... that locker across the way has a lock on it that's very distinctive. Like mine..... could it have been left locked on an empty locker for all this time? I walked over, tried the well known combination, and snap. It opened. After days of being locked there, no one had bothered it.

Some times, life makes you wake up to new possibilities in tiny ways. Some times, I'm
forgetful.

WAIT WAIT... DON'T TELL ME! Comes to the Buell Theatre

Now in its 20th season, Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me! is National Public Radio’s Peabody Award-winning quiz show. Host Peter Sagal leads a rotating panel of comedians, humorists and journalists, listener contestants and celebrity guests through a comic review of the week’s news. Contestants vie for the most coveted prize in all of public radio: a custom-recorded greeting by scorekeeper emeritus Carl Kasell for their voicemail.

'The Freedom To Marry' screens today in Denver

The Freedom To Marry Trailer from Eyepop Productions on Vimeo.

The Freedom to Marry is coming to Denver, with a screening at the Denver Jewish Film Festival on February 20th!

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.

"Strike A Pose" Catches Up With Madonna's "Truth Or Dare" Dancers

 

Hot off the heels of Logo’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race" Lady Gaga reveal, the network announced today the first of the Logo Documentary Films for this year will be “Strike a Pose,” which will premiere on Logo on Thursday, April 6 at 9pm.   The film catches up with seven young male dancers – 6 gay, one straight – on Madonna’s controversial Blond Ambition tour and her subsequent “Truth or Dare” documentary, as they unwittingly become icons for gay rights and sexual freedom.  Twenty-five years later, the dancers reveal the truth about life during and after the tour and the significance of their courageous but harrowing journey to, as Madonna sings, “Express Yourself.”  The critically acclaimed documentary, from filmmakers Ester Gould and Reijer Zwaan and the Emmy Award-winning Logo Documentary Films, was an official selection at the 2016 Tribeca, Berlin and Hot Docs Film Festivals.

“These seven dancers from the Blond Ambition tour inspired a whole generation. From the halls of the ballrooms to center stage, their bold self-expression was a true pop-culture inspiration,” said Taj Paxton, VP of Logo Documentary Films. “We’re proud to showcase the men behind the woman and to stir the next generation of leaders and tastemakers in the LGBTQ community.”

Oliver Crumes III - Born and raised in the projects of New Orleans, Oliver admits to being homophobic when he first joined the troupe and thanks Madonna and the other dancers for opening his heart. 

Carlton Wilborn - In “Truth or Dare,” Carlton became the personification of proud self-expression – laughing loud, dancing wild and jumping into Madonna’s bed bare-naked. But carrying a big secret, his extrovert personality was more a pose than true confidence.

Luis Camacho - In the 1980’s, Luis and his dance partner Jose Gutierez were striking poses in Harlem’s house ballrooms - a gay and drag scene in which men compete against one another for their dancing skills, style and catwalk presence. He and Jose taught Madonna how to vogue and performed the infamous “Like A Virgin” number with her during the tour.

Salim “Slam” Gauwloos -Born in a small Flemish town by Belgian-Moroccan parents, Salim made an impression in “Truth or Dare” by kissing fellow dancer Gabriel Trupin – the first gay kiss ever to be shown in a major movie. It is only lately that he has come to see what both the tour and “Truth or Dare” have meant to people around the world: “We helped the world to come out of the closet!”

Kevin Stea - Only when another dancer was kicked off the tour by Madonna was Kevin asked to come on board as a dancer and dance captain. He now sees the tour as both his coming-of-age and coming-out party.  Kevin has worked with stars like Prince, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Cher, David Bowie and Lady Gaga.

Gabriel Trupin - Gabriel, the most quiet and least outgoing of the dancers, died in San Francisco in 1995 at the age of 26, after losing a silent battle with AIDS. Gabriel kept his sickness a secret until he could no longer hide it from his mother and close relatives. When Gabriel heard that the famous “Truth or Dare” scene of him French-kissing with Slam was to be part of the film, he begged Madonna not to use it.  When she did, he sued her for forced outing, and the case was settled out of court.

Jose Gutierez - Jose continued to work with Madonna for years after the Blond Ambition Tour and was featured in the “Justify My Love” video. Jose & Luis choreographed the “Vogue” video, resulting in a nomination for an MTV Award. Jose is still a renowned figure in the voguing scene and teaches it to LGBT youth in New York and worldwide. He recently contributed to the Baz Luhrmann series “The Get Down.”

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.

2016 Gay Travel Award Winners Revealed

GayTravel.com — a trusted resource for LGBT travelers across the globe — recently announced the winners of the inaugural Gay Travel Awards.

Since 1999, GayTravel has served the LGBT community by providing information and raising awareness of inclusive travel companies and destinations where travelers can research, plan, and book memorable, lifetime travel experiences.
 
GayTravel Chief Visionary Officer Steve Rohrlick said, “The GayTravel Awards are a natural extension of our brand. The goal of these awards is two-fold: first, to recognize and showcase select inclusive travel-related companies and destinations who meet the exacting standards of our discerning audience; and second, to inspire other companies and brands around the world to continually raise their service levels and amenities while encouraging a broad spirit of inclusiveness.”

Obamacare Repeal and HIV+ Americans

Last week, the Senate approved a measure that would prevent women from obtaining no-copay birth control. As congress continues its quest to repeal Obamacare, life-saving provisions that HIV+ Americans depend on could be eliminated as well. 

While the plan for replacement is not certain, a new infographic by GetTested.com presents what could be lost to HIV-positive Americans if the ACA is repealed. 

Travel: A year's worth of reasons for LGBT travelers to visit Philly

Since holding the nation’s first major LGBT rights protest some 50 years ago, Philadelphia has continued to prove that it’s still one of the best destinations for LGBT travelers to get their history straight and their nightlife gay.
 
The city offers a full calendar of events in 2017, including a handful of visiting national expos, like the Out & Equal Workplace Summit in October. These are the icing atop the city and region’s annual pride celebrations, weekly bashes in bars across the Gayborhood and cutting-edge performing arts with LGBT twists. Here’s a look at the best events of 2017, including a rundown by night, week and month, in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, after the jump.

We Are One Colorado

We Are One Colorado is the name of the statewide tour between now and March 11. Sponsored by the GLBT lobby group One Colorado, the tour will include public gatherings in several cities across the state to talk about how to build upon and protect legislative victories to advance equality for all GLBT Coloradans and their families. 

At each part of the tour, One Colorado representatives will present the findings of their 2016 needs-assessment survey of over 3,600 GLBT Coloradans. For dates/times for other Colorado cities where the public sessions will be held, click here!

OUT on VOD/DVD: People Like Us

Here TV, Pilgrim Pictures and Cheo Pictures have announced the VOD release of Leon Cheo's "People Like Us". Co-developed with Action for AIDS Singapore, the first season of Cheo's series follows the lives of Joel, Ridzwan, Rai and Isaac: four gay men living in Singapore whose lives interconnect in eye-opening ways.

It's Friday night, probably the most important night on the gay calendar. Joel is a 26-year-old public relations exec who lives with his parents and is out to everyone who cares to know. After a night out clubbing, Joel meets Ridzwan, a closeted accountant with a very healthy sexual appetite. Their relationship slowly blossoms but differing expectations about sex and coming out create complications. Rai is a 20-year-old army recruit and new to the scene. After a bad date, he continues searching for Mr. Right and meets Isaac on Grindr. Isaac is a 45-year-old senior private banker who led a double life when he was married but is now enjoying his newly found freedom. When Rai finds out what Isaac does in his spare time, he loses faith in finding love in a world where sex is on everyone's mind. Will Joel, Ridzwan, Rai, and Isaac find what they are looking for?

Denver Limo, Inc. - The Hottest Limos In Colorado!

Denver Limo, Inc. is the leader in ground transportation in Denver, Colorado. Providing limousine service in Colorado for over 17 years, Denver Limo, Inc. has the hottest limousines, SUV limos, and Party Buses in the state!

Cherry Creek Theatre Presents "Red Hot and Cole"

Cherry Creek Theatre presents the Regional Premier of "Red Hot and Cole" January 26 through February 19 in their new home as resident theatre company at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center (MACC). A “swellegant” theatrical party, spanning the life of the great and irrepressible wit, Cole Porter, this two-act revue traces Cole’s career from Indiana to the world stages of New York, London, Paris and Venice, through his marriage, his friendships with the greats of his age and the tragic riding accident that crippled him in mid-career, physically, but not artistically.

Featuring over 25 Cole Porter standards, including “Night and Day”, “I Love Paris”, “Anything Goes”, “Let’s Do It”, “Miss Otis Regrets”, “Just One of Those Things”, “In the Still of the Night” and “My Heart Belongs to Daddy”, Red Hot and Cole bubbles with songs that have become international standards.

Miami Beach Pride's "Light the Night" to Honor Pulse Victims

Miami Beach Gay Pride will pay tribute to the victims, families and friends of the PULSE Nightclub shooting by orchestrating “Pride Lights the Night” where buildings throughout the greater Miami area will light up awash in the colors of the Pride rainbow flag. Properties can also participate by flying the rainbow flag on the exterior of their structures. “Pride Lights the Night” will take place after sunsets on April 7, 8 and 9, with all of the buildings participating Saturday night.

“We wanted to create something meaningful for the brothers and sisters we lost at PULSE,” said Mark Fernandes, Pride’s board chairman. “For three days in April, buildings throughout the county will be ablaze in rainbow colors to pay tribute to those we lost. There won’t be a neighbor or a stranger who won’t be aware of this tribute and be touched by this showing of unity.”

Committed to participate in “Pride Lights the Night” are a diverse collection of landmark buildings and commercial properties including: Miami Tower, American Airlines Arena, Miami Beach City Hall, Miami Beach Old City Hall, Freedom Tower, Wolfsonian-Florida International University, New World Center, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and InterContinental Miami, among many others.

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.