Miley Cyrus - Malibu

 

Today, Miley Cyrus releases her new single and music video for "Malibu," which is is the first single off of Cyrus' forthcoming album due for release later this year. The video is directed by Miley Cyrus and Diane Martel. "Malibu" is available now at all digital retail providers.

OUT on DVD: 3 Generations

3 Generations tells the stirring and touching story of three generations of a family living under one roof in New York as they deal with the life-changing transformation by one that ultimately affects them all. 

Ray (Elle Fanning) is 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. They must each confront their own identities and learn to embrace change and their strength as a family in order to ultimately find acceptance and understanding.

UNWTO/IGLTA Second Global Report on LGBT Tourism Released at the IGLTA's Annual Global Convention

UNWTO and the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association announced today the release of the Second UNWTO Global Report on LGBT Tourism at IGLTA’s 34th Annual Global Convention in St. Petersburg, Florida. Five years after the publication of their inaugural collaboration, this edition takes a deeper look at current trends within this dynamic market segment.

Conference delegates received a copy of the report and were greeted with a video message of support from UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai. “LGBT tourism is a powerful vehicle for economic development. It also provides recognition to LGBT communities and gives destinations a reputation of acceptance, inclusion and diversity that they deserve,” Rifai said. “Engaging with LGBT tourism is an important opportunity to raise awareness, and to raise our voice and stand against any form of discrimination in our sector, in our society and in our world.”
The Second UNWTO Global Report on LGBT Tourism discusses the relationship between rights for LGBT people around the world and the increasing visibility of LGBT consumers. It also looks at the trends that will be crucial to the development of the LGBT travel market in the future, such as the attitudes of millennials, increased global support for marriage equality and the willingness of new destinations to welcome LGBT visitors. It features case studies from UNWTO Affiliate Members, IGLTA members and other specialists in the field of tourism marketing and development.
Since the publication of the first edition of this report in 2012, significant progress has been made in countries around the world toward securing equal rights for LGBT people, and where the rights of local LGBT people are respected, LGBT travellers will feel safe and welcome. The Second Global Report on LGBT Tourism explores future opportunities for growth among emerging outbound markets and offers practical guidance for both established LGBT businesses that want to remain competitive and those just entering the market.

“Today, authenticity and consistency matter to consumers more than ever before, so LGBT marketing must be much deeper, more authentic and consistent,” said IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella. “We are proud to collaborate with the UNWTO to help the global marketplace better understand LGBT tourism, and with the support of our IGLTA Foundation, will continue to fund research that furthers this conversation worldwide.”

This report was made possible with funding from the IGLTA Foundation and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. To download a copy of the report, check out iglta.org/unwto-report/.

Arvada Center Artist Call for Entry

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities is accepting applications for two upcoming gallery exhibitions; Art and Conflict (September 14 – November 12, 2017) and the 2017 Fine Art Market Show and Sale (November 30 - December 17, 2017). 

For more information and the application process, click the link: http://arvadacenter.org/galleries/special-events/call-for-entries.

David Guetta ft Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne - Light My Body Up

 

David Guetta is on fire with the release of the official music video to his scorching single with Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne "Light My Body Up."

With the lyric video alone already amassing over 12 million plays in a month, the official video is guaranteed to rack up some impressive figures of its own. Shot in Miami inside a cavernous warehouse-like building, the video centers around a dominant Nicki and her ability to bewitch men - including Guetta - with her mesmerizing moves. Switching from slow sensual scenes to short flashing images, the video perfectly mirrors the distinctive rhythm of the track's deep and dark blend of rap, trap and electronic beats.

Speaking about his co-stars' performances in the clip: "Lil Wayne stopped by to do his part. Nicki Minaj is honestly a beast: when the director says acting she just turns into this character. It's incredible. I actually said to the actor that I had no clue how to compete with her while shooting the music video! I love making music videos with her because she is killing it every time!"

"Will & Grace" returns to NBC this Fall

Who's excited? NBC's "Will & Grace" returns for a 12-episode run beginning this Fall!

Original series creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan will serve as writers, showrunners and executive producers. Legendary director James Burrows, who helmed every episode of the show during its initial eight-year run, will direct and executive produce.

Nice to See StevieB: Camp

By StevieB


Now that the late Rocky Mountain snow has turned to rain. My thoughts turn to the summer and my favorite activity, gay camping. It’s gay, because it’s fabulous.

This time of year I begin to look forward to some weekend get-aways up in the mountains. Quick weekend camping trips, with a tent, a fire, and all my cool camping technology. Gay camping is, for me, about the propane cylinders and electric ignition on the camp stove, the lanterns with the fragile asbestos mantles, and all those bendy fiberglass poles for the tent. I believe I enjoy the folding camp chairs with the extra large cup holders just as much as the rugged, pine forest and rock cliff encrusted scenery.

You haven’t camped until you do it with a gay who truly enjoys his 15 piece, blue speckled enamelware cook set. It’s like All-Clad, for an open fire. This year I’ll be enjoying my new matching enamelware coffee percolator.

I can’t wait for the first chance to get out and truly rough it. Lying under the stars late at night, listening to the campfire slowly burn out. The feel of the sleeping bag and 700 thread count camping sheets loosely wrapped around my naked body. Completely back to nature.

OutRight comments on signing of Religious Freedom Executive Order

President Donald Trump is scheduled to sign an Executive Order titled,  “Establishing a Government-Wide Initiative to Respect Religious Freedom,” as early as today. If signed, the Executive Order would allow for discrimination against the LGBTIQ community, among others, providing a religious or moral objection. A first draft of the bill was leaked on February 1st and was tabled after public outcry and pushback. It is understood that Vice President Pence has since continued to lobby for the adoption of a revised version of the religious exemption bill. If signed, this Executive Order would override President Obama’s 2014 Executive Order which protects federal employees against LGBTIQ-based discrimination. The White House has not announced details of the order or when it will be signed.

Jessica Stern, Executive Director of OutRight Action International, commented on the pending bill, saying,

“Governments around the world try to excuse persecution of minorities - including LGBTIQ people - with religious beliefs. It is no more right in the United States than anywhere else. Discrimination is discrimination regardless of how it is justified.”

Religious organizations, a term loosely defined, and individuals can claim religious freedom, “when providing social services, education, or healthcare; earning a living, seeking a job, or employing others; receiving government grants or contracts; or otherwise participating in the marketplace, the public square, or interfacing with Federal, State or local governments.”

The Executive Order would allow for discrimination of LGBTIQ people in a number of ways:

• Allowing individuals and establishments to refuse services to same-sex couples or their children.
  
• Giving leeway for federal employees to refuse to process marriage registrations of same-sex couples.
  
• Denying the recognition of an individual’s gender identity and protecting the standing of any organization that believes biological sex is immutable at birth.
  
• Allowing federally funded adoption agencies to discriminate against same-sex couples.
  

Stern continued,

“We know too well that these kinds of divisive policies risk becoming an excuse for persecution and maybe even violence against LGBTIQ people, especially when individuals feel emboldened to express their homophobic and transphobic beliefs. Religion should not be a state-sanctioned excuse for discrimination.”

Colorado Is 2017’s 3rd Most Fun State in America – WalletHub Study

With summer just around the corner, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2017’s Most Fun States in America and Colorado ranks 3rd.

To determine the states offering the greatest variety and most cost-effective options for enjoyment, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 50 states across 22 key metrics. The data set ranges from movie costs to accessibility of national parks to casinos per capita.

Fun in Colorado (1=Most Fun; 25=Avg.)
11th – Restaurants per Capita
16th – Movie Theaters per Capita
31st – Amusement Parks per Capita
17th – Performing-Arts Theaters per Capita
11th – Fitness Centers per Capita
18th – Access to National Parks
9th – Casinos per Capita 

 

Source: WalletHub

Historic Equality Act Seeks Explicit Non-Discrimination Protections to LGBTQ People

Today, the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund is joining members of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus in re-introducing the Equality Act. Sponsored by United States Representative David Cicilline (D-Rhode Island) and United States Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), and Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), the bill seeks to explicitly ban discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people in federal law. The historic legislation would also include protections against sex discrimination in laws regarding public accommodations and federal funding.

“Everyone, regardless of who they are or the person they love, deserves equal protection under the law. Despite the significant progress we’ve made toward equality in the last decade, the Trump Administration’s attacks on LGBTQ people shows just how swiftly many of these hard-fought changes can be rolled back. That is why we need strong federal non-discrimination legislation for LGBTQ people in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, publicly funded programs, access to credit, and jury service,” said Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund.

For over forty years, the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund has been advocating for non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people. In 1975, the organization was instrumental in the introduction of the first comprehensive non-discrimination bill in Congress by the legendary Congresswoman Bella Abzug (D-NY); continued to push hard for more protections in the states, through the courts, and through important agency rulings; advocated for executive actions to provide more protections for both federal employees and the employees of federal contractors, and will continue to push for local, state and federal non-discrimination legislation.

Print all In new window DelBene: LGBT Americans Deserve Equal Protections Under Our Laws

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today helped reintroduce the Equality Act, a comprehensive bill that aims to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans.

“In too many states, people who are LGBT can still be fired, denied credit and evicted from their home simply based on who they are and who they love,” DelBene said. “What’s worse, our nation is seeing a proliferation of state laws stripping protections from transgender Americans and legalizing discrimination under the guise of ‘religious freedom.’ The Equality Act is an important step toward full equality under our laws for LGBT Americans, and Congress should pass it without delay. We can’t stop fighting until all Americans have equal rights and protections in all 50 states.”

The Equality Act, introduced by Rep. David Cicilline (RI-01) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), would provide explicit, consistent civil rights protections for sexual orientation and gender identity in credit, education, employment, federal funding, housing, jury service and public accommodations.

Several states have enacted laws to permit discrimination against LGBT individuals, particularly transgender Americans, underscoring the need for a comprehensive prohibition on discrimination.

Logo Documentary Films Wins 2nd Emmy Award with Out of Iraq

Logo Documentary Films won its second consecutive Daytime Emmy Award with “Out of Iraq,” an LGBTQ love story following an Iraqi translator for the U.S. military and a solider in the Iraqi army. The film, which won the “Best Special Class Special” category, was produced by World of Wonder. Logo’s “Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine” received the award in 2016.

Ramadi in 2004 was one of the most dangerous places​ in the world and the last place one might expect to find love, but that’s what happened when Nayyef, an Iraqi translator, met Btoo, a soldier in the Iraqi army. “Out of Iraq” follows their blossoming relationship until Nayyef had to flee the country for his safety in 2009. Their separation marks the beginning of the most harrowing chapter of their love story and touches on some of the most pressing humanitarian issues still relevant today.

In tandem with last year’s premiere, Logo collaborated with the United Nations and the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, to hold a panel and screening event which made “Out of Iraq” one of the first LGBTQ films ever screened at the UN and the first panel on LGBTQ refugee issues in the Middle East at the UN.

Earlier this year, Nayyef and Btoo shared their inspiring journey to happiness with The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and just last week, they joined world-renowned LGBTQ activists and influencers at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), National Education Associated (NEA) and American Counseling Association’s (ACA) annual “Time to THRIVE” conference in Washington D.C. The conference’s goal was to address the safety, inclusion and well-being for LGBTQ and questioning youth.

Trump to sign 'Religious Freedom Order' Thursday?

According to POLITICO, the White House will be signing an executive order
tomorrow that closely matches a draft of a religious freedom order first leaked by The Nation's Sarah Posner in February. Indeed, they write, "one influential conservative who saw the text said it hasn't been dialed back much -- if at all -- since the February leak."

Posner, a leading authority on the Religious Right, is available for interview from Houston, TX, through Friday and Washington, DC, thereafter to discuss how the religious freedom executive order could effectively legalize discrimination against whole swathes of the American population -- particularly the LGBTQ community and women.

If comparable to the original leaked draft, the executive order would provide protection for those with religious objections to same-sex marriage, transgender people, abortion, and sex outside marriage. Posner can discuss how these developments affirm Trump's campaign promises to religious leaders.

Upon release of the original proposed executive order, which was reported in partnership with The Investigative Fund, Posner wrote:
"The four-page draft order, a copy of which is currently circulating among federal staff and advocacy organizations construes religious organizations so broadly that it covers 'any organization, including closely held for-profit corporations,' and protects 'religious freedom' in every walk of life."

Lady Gaga - The Cure

 

Check out the lyric video for Lady Gaga's new song The Cure. She recently debuted the song during her headlining performance at Coachella last month.

Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic Bartender Finals Set for June 7-11

Seventeen regional bartending champions are to converge on Key West Wednesday through Sunday, June 7-11, for the final rounds of the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic, believed to be North America's largest annual LGBT bartender competition.
The contest features regional winners from LGBT bars in 17 North American cities, all competing to create an original Key West cocktail that reflects the island's creativity and spirit. Now in its fourth year, the cocktail classic is presented in partnership with the Key West Business Guild and is a highlight of Key West Pride.