Log Cabin Republicans 'L.A. Times' op-ed

“Without Republican support, much of the recent progress on LGBTQ rights would have been impossible.”

That’s the title of an op-ed by Log Cabin Republicans President Gregory T. Angelo in today’s Los Angeles Times.

“If LGBTQ equality is going to become a reality outside the blue Northeast and the West Coast,” Mr. Angelo writes, “we need to meet Republicans where they are.” You can read the full op-ed online at this link

The Weinstein Company to Protest the MPAA "R" Rating of Transgender Film '3 GENERATIONS'

The Weinstein Company (TWC) announced today plans to challenge the Motion Picture Association of America’s (MPAA) decision to assign an “R” rating to its forthcoming film 3 GENERATIONS. The film, which stars Elle Fanning, Naomi Watts, and Susan Sarandon, provides an authentic and sensitive portrayal of what it means to be a transgender youth in today’s society and the enormous impact familial support can have as one transitions. 3 GENERATIONS has been rated “R” by the MPAA, citing language including some sexual references behind the decision.

TWC has enlisted the help of top Hollywood lawyer David Boies to advise on their dissent. Largely known for his pivotal role to overturn Proposition 8, California’s discriminatory ban on gay marriage, back in 2009, Boies has consulted on numerous human rights issues for TWC including censorship of the Academy Award® nominated film CAROL, as well as a previous protest of the MPAA’s rating of the documentary BULLY. Initially given an “R” rating for similar reasons, TWC successfully challenged the MPAA and brought BULLY’s rating down to PG-13, making it more accessible for the intended audience.

Executive producer Naomi Watts, who stars in the film as Ray’s mother Maggie, commented: "This film is a beautiful and touching story about family and identity. It is important for teenagers to see it and the “R” Rating doesn't reflect today's society. 3 GENERATIONS doesn't have a bad bone in its body, it's an expression of love, acceptance, strength, and honesty, values that could not be more necessary right now.”

TWC Co-Chairman Harvey commented, “Gaby, Naomi, Susan and Elle made this movie to share its message of acceptance and inclusion with all generations. The fact that an “R” rating would prevent high school students from seeing this film would truly be a travesty. The MPAA and I were able to come to an agreement on BULLY and I am confident that we will be able to do so again.”

Susan Sarandon, who stars in the film as Ray’s grandmother commented, “3 GENERATIONS is an important movie for everyone to see, especially transgender youth who are feeling isolated or fearful and their families. It's ridiculous to have an R rating which would prevent this audience from seeing the film.”

Director and Co-writer Gaby Dellal commented, “As a mother and a filmmaker, I want to speak to kids, to parents, and to grandparents everywhere in a common language of love and inclusion about a subject matter that is not only real and complicated, but one that is important and alive today. There are kids all over this country that are still too fearful to speak out and to step out; they’re too alone to fight, lacking the kinds of support that would let them feel free to be themselves. Our story wants to humanize this family experience, and to take the mystery out of the secrets. I hope the MPAA will reconsider this R rating and encourage children to see this story and feel connected.”

3 GENERATIONS follows Ray (Elle Fanning), a teenager who has struggled with the body assigned to him at birth and is determined to start transitioning. His single mother Maggie (Naomi Watts) must track down Ray’s biological father (Tate Donovan) to get his legal consent to allow Ray’s transition. Dolly (Susan Sarandon), Ray’s lesbian grandmother, is having a hard time accepting that she now has a grandson. The film follows their journey as each confronts their own identity and learns to embrace change while ultimately finding acceptance and understanding.

Scary Thought of the Day

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.

Meet Nick Mascardo, Your New AC Trophy Boy

Check out Nick Mascardo in his first official photo shoot as Andrew Christian's 2017 Trophy Boy (NSFW-ish due to bulgy underwear).

No Place for Hate

NO PLACE for HATE is the name of the event to be held on Thursday, April 6, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., at the Mile High Stadium in Denver. 

A fundraiser for the Mountain States regional office of the nonprofit Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the event will celebrate schools that accomplished their goal of having a “No Place for Hate” designation. Banners will be presented to each school, with unique distinction given to schools with students from fifth grade to ninth grade. 

The keynote speaker will be Noopur Agarwal, Vice President of Public Affairs for MTV, where she oversees campaigns to engage U.S. youth to tackle racial, gender and anti-GLBT bias. Ms. Agarwal’s family roots are in India. Tickets to the fundraiser are $50.00 per person, each of whom will be served breakfast. So that event organizers can make sufficient plans for food and other details, people must register in advance. To register, click here! - via La Gente Unida

The Debt Free Guys: 5 Money Practices for Each Tax Season

By John R. Schneider, III & David Auten

Like diets and birthday cakes, there are some things we should do annually. Whether for fun, fitness or our finances, we’re better for them. It helps to have firm, recurring dates to exercise these habits. Now that we’re in another tax season, here are five practices to start this year and perform every year.

Investment Portfolio Allocations

For buy and hold investors, tax season is a perfect reminder to rebalance their portfolios. The various markets, like large cap and small cap, don’t move in tandem. Therefore, buy and hold investors should adjust their portfolio allocations to stay in line with pre-established risk tolerances, time horizons, and investment objectives and goals.

Beneficiaries

Confirm the beneficiaries on your investment accounts annually. Beneficiary designations supersede instructions in wills. This technicality catches many by surprise.

Power of Attorney

Confirm the agents of your financial and medical powers of attorneys. A financial power of attorney designates an agent to manage your financial matters. A medical power of attorney appoints someone to manage your medical needs. Because such agent powers carry heavy responsibilities, confirm the appropriateness of each agent each year when you file your taxes.

Check Your Credit Report

Review all your credit card, debit card, bank, and investment account statements regularly to confirm nothing untoward happens from month-to-month. If you see negative or inaccurate transactions, contact your financial services firm immediately.

An added layer of protection for your credit score and credit report is to review your credit report annually. Reviewing your credit report is an opportunity to contest or clean up incorrect items on your credit report.

Consumers are entitled to one free credit report a year from each of the three credit rating agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Rather than contacting all three credit rating agencies yearly, only go to AnnualCreditReport.com to request your free credit report from each institution all at once when you file your taxes. 

Emergency Contact Information

Update your list of important contacts with contact information every year when you file your taxes. Your contact list should include, but not be limited to:

•             Attorneys

•             Accountants

•             Financial Advisors

•             Doctors

•             Executors

•             Power of attorneys

•             Spouse

•             Children

•             Parents

•             Siblings

•             Heirs

Docubank and Carbonite for Home let you electronically store this and other legal documents, such as healthcare directives and emergency medical information, so they’re in a safe and accessible location.

It can sometimes be hard to maintain important aspects of our finances without having systems in place. By implementing a system to address some of the more important aspects of your finances every tax season, you’ll keep your fiscal house in order.

TAKE ACTION TODAY to strengthen Colorado's hate crimes law

Today, a Colorado Senate Committee will vote on a bill that will add sexual orientation, gender identity, and physical or mental disability to Colorado's existing bias-motivated harassment statute. This bill passed with widespread support in the Colorado House, but has been sent to a committee where it is likely to be voted down.
 
Excluding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people and people with disabilities from hate crimes laws sends a message that violence against members of those communities is okay. When someone harasses another person because of who they are, it sends a message to that person — and others like them — that they won’t be tolerated or accepted. As a result, the community is left feeling vulnerable, unsafe, and afraid.

Email the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee right now and ask them to add LGBTQ people and people with disabilities to our existing bias-motivated harassment law.

Hate crimes against LGBTQ people are a pervasive problem. Anti-LGBTQ hate crimes are the third most frequent kind of hate crimes in America after race and religion. The FBI’s report on hate crimes found that, out of 7,722 incidents, 52% were based on the victim’s race, 19% on religion, 16% on sexual orientation, and 13% on ethnicity or national origin.

Additionally, 1% of all reported incidents were based on the victim being a person with a disability. Bias against people with disabilities takes many forms, often resulting in discriminatory actions in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Urban Cone - Old School

 

With over 13.3M plays on Spotify, Urban Cone's “Old School” is a youthful anthem that makes listeners nostalgic for the time when they were less connected technologically and more connected emotionally.

LGBTQ Candidates Win Historic Election in Alaska; Become Only Openly LGBTQ Elected Officials in the State

Two Victory Fund endorsed candidates – Felix Rivera and Christopher Constant – won their races for Anchorage Assembly to become the only openly LGBTQ elected officials in Alaska. Tuesday’s wins are groundbreaking for Anchorage and the entire state, as both candidates faced numerous opponents and campaigned on their commitment to LGBTQ equality and social justice.

“These historic wins in Anchorage will reverberate throughout the entire state of Alaska,” said Victory Fund President & CEO Aisha C. Moodie-Mills. “There are currently zero LGBTQ elected officials serving in all of Alaska – so Felix and Alex will be much needed voices when they take office. We know that representation is power – and that LGBTQ elected officials humanize our lives and change political and policy debates. The wins for Felix and Christopher will lead to more inclusive legislation that benefits all residents of Anchorage.”

Felix won with 47 percent of the vote despite a crowded field and one of his opponents sending homophobic mailers the weekend before the election. The election win makes him the first openly LGBTQ Latino person to win an election in Alaska. Christopher, a long-serving LGBTQ activist in Alaska, faced five opponents and won with 52 percent of the vote. Both Felix and Christopher will be the first openly LGBTQ people to serve on the Assembly.

In the contiguous states, four Victory Fund endorsed candidates won local races in Illinois. In Berwyn, three LGBTQ candidates won races: Margaret Paul for Town Clerk, and Jose Ramirez and Jeanine Reardon for the Board of Aldermen. Openly LGBTQ candidate Nick Kachiroubas won his election to become Town Clerk of Crystal Lake. Three additional LGBTQ candidates who did not apply for Victory Fund’s endorsement also won their races in Berwyn.

The Arvada Center winds up the repertory season with Waiting for Godot

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities will finish its 2016 – 2017 Black Box season with Waiting for Godot, directed by Geoffrey Kent, opening Friday, April 21, 2017. Waiting for Godot was written by Samuel Beckett, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969. The play is perhaps the most iconic tragicomedy on the stage and has been described as the most significant English language play of the 20^th century.
  ​

​The cast features Sam Gregory (Vladimir), Tim McCracken (Estragon), Josh Robinson (Lucky), Sam Gilstrap (Pozzo) and Sean Scrutchins (Boy). 

Are You Gay With Something To Say? Bloggers Wanted For Denver's Best Gay Blog!

Are you a new or experienced writer or blogger? Do you want to be? Or maybe you're just some gay guy with something to say? Well, what better forum for you than MileHighGayGuy?

MileHighGayGuy is looking for regular and guest bloggers to write about local news and events, do music and movie reviews, or write opinion or feature pieces from a gay perspective.

These are unpaid positions but offer the opportunity to be published in Colorado's Best Gay Blog (2010, 2011, 2012 OUTstanding Awards, Denver 2012 #WebAwards), expand your audience and gain valuable experience. There's also swag available in the form of free movie and concert tickets, music, books and other cool stuff.

If interested, shoot an email over to Drew Wilson at drew@milehighgayguy.com. And if you've got column or story ideas to pitch, this is the place to do it.

OUT on DVD/VOD: Counting for Thunder

Counting for Thunder from Wolfe Video on Vimeo.

Featuring nuanced performances from two American acting icons - Mariette Hartley and John Heard as parents coming to terms with gracefully growing older and reconciling family expectations with the complications of real life. Counting for Thunder is an original and heartfelt look at Southern family culture and the unique experience of finding your voice and coming out later in life.

Inspired by his own life experiences, actor/director/writer Phillip Irwin Cooper tells a story of a son's return home to Alabama, where he is faced with caring for his ill mother (Mariette Hartley) and reconciling with his supportive father (John Heard) while also coming out later in life and discovering romantic feelings for a childhood friend from a life he left behind in the deep South.

Gay Help Wanted: Part-Time Data Collector - RTI LGBT Study

On behalf of RTI International, Headway Workforce Solutions is seeking Part-Time Data Collectors to work as part of a team for the Research and Evaluation Survey for the Public Education Campaign on Tobacco among LGBT (RESPECT LGBT). This important research study is sponsored by The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP).

Click the link for more info. 

The Gay Vegans: Don't Give Up On Exercise!

By Dan HanleyAt 47 I ran my first half-marathon. I remember feeling like I was in the best health ever while training and then successfully completing the run. I loved the whole process so much that I did a second half-marathon the following year. For those of you who were reading my blog back then, you’ll remember that I did these runs as part of a fundraiser for a homeless youth agency in Denver I support. Running for a cause definitely helped!

These days, just a couple years later and now 51, I’m not as physically fit as I was back then and sometimes I feel like giving up. Not giving up on a muscle-chiseled body (I’ve never exercised for that purpose) but in the sense of the commitment and effort to work out so I stay as healthy as possible.

I’m not giving up, and neither should you.

One can be the best vegan ever and if there is no exercise going on then the health effects of being vegan will only go so far. The real reason for me not wanting to give up is because I feel so much better, both physically and mentally, when I exercise that no matter how “tough” it might be for me it is all totally worth it.

I know that life is crazy. Days fly by and before you know it a month has passed. Then a year. With work, family, traffic, activism and so on, it’s easy (at least for me) to think that there is no time to work out, or that it’s a hassle. It’s all worth it for me. Sometimes it’s a quick walk around the block from our home. Maybe it’s going up and down the stairs at work. Running is fun and for me when I run consistently I feel incredible. The gym is great. No matter what weight you can lift, it’s exhilarating! There is also yoga, swimming, racquetball and so much more! In regards to exercise, there is something for everyone.

Don’t give up. And definitely don’t shame yourself for not exercising this way or that amount of time. Exercise at a level that works for you. If I can keep it up so can you!