Call Senator Gardner to Protect Health Care for LGBTQ Coloradans

The U.S. Senate is poised to vote on the AHCA this week. Call Colorado Senator Cory Gardner now and tell him to reject the American Health Care Act (AHCA) and protect Coloradans' health care.

Denver Office: (303) 391-5777
DC Office: (202) 224-5941
Pueblo: (719) 543-1324
Grand Junction: (970) 245-9553
Greeley: (970) 352-5546
Yuma: (970) 848-3095
Colorado Springs: (719) 632-6706
Fort Collins: (970) 484-3502

NCLR Supreme Court victory: AR birth certificate law struck down, upholds marriage equality

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the Arkansas Supreme Court’s decision in Pavan v. Smith which denied same-sex married couples’ right to be named on their children’s birth certificates just as other married parents are. The Arkansas decision caused these families serious harms, complicating parents’ ability to consent to emergency medical care, enroll children in school or recreational sports, travel abroad, and generally care for their children. By treating these families differently the decision also subjected them to official stigma and bias, sending a message that they are unworthy of equal recognition by the state. The families in this case were represented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), Arkansas attorney Cheryl Maples, and Ropes & Gray LLP.

In a decisive victory for these families, the Supreme Court summarily reversed the Arkansas Supreme Court decision without requiring oral argument or additional briefing. The Court said: "The Arkansas Supreme Court's decision, we conclude, denied married same-sex couples access to the 'constellation of benefits that the Stat[e] ha[s] linked to marriage.'"

“We are grateful to the Court for sending a clear message that it will not tolerate attempts to flout the Court’s clear holding in Obergefell that married same-sex couples must be given the full panoply of protections tied to marriage under state law,” said NCLR Family Law Director Catherine Sakimura. “Today’s decision means that millions of married same-sex couples across the country can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that this type of blatant discrimination against their families will not stand. Marriage equality is settled law and protects same-sex parents and their children from discrimination. Arkansas’ blatant refusal to follow Obergefell could not stand.”

In Pavan, married couple Marisa and Terrah Pavan, like many couples, used an anonymous sperm donor to conceive their child. And in 2015, the Pavan Family gave birth to their daughter in their home state of Arkansas. At the hospital, the Pavans completed an application for their child’s birth certificate, listing both spouses as parents. But the Arkansas Department of Health unilaterally decided to omit Marisa’s name on the birth certificate, listing Terrah as the only parent. The state treated these married parents’ marriage as though it did not exist.

Another Arkansas married couple, Leigh and Jana Jacobs, experienced the same type of discrimination when Leigh gave birth to their son in 2015. They were issued an Arkansas birth certificate naming only Leigh as a parent despite listing both parents on the application.

“Today’s Supreme Court decision protects same-sex married couples and their children from discrimination and strengthens the rule of law,” said Douglas Hallward-Driemeier, partner at Ropes & Gray LLP and co-counsel in the case with NCLR. “Marriage equality is the law of the land, and this decision sends a clear message that states must follow the law and treat all married couples equally.”

Under Arkansas law, when a married couple has a child, the spouse of the birth mother is automatically listed on the birth certificate as the child’s parent, regardless of how the couple conceived the child or whether the spouse is genetically related to the child. Both the Pavan and Jacobs families were denied this right. Today’s ruling reiterates that Obergefell requires different-sex and same-sex married couples to be treated equally under the law. The ruling comes on the two-year anniversary of the Court’s June 26, 2015 decision in Obergefell.

“Arkansas is our home. We are rooted there. Our families are there. Today’s decision guarantees that the family we love will be respected and protected in the home we love,” said plaintiff Marisa Pavan.

“My wife, Leigh, and I just welcomed our new baby daughter, Willa Fern, into the world,” said plaintiff Jana Jacobs. “Today’s decision gives me comfort that my growing family, and other Arkansas families, will receive the respect and protections we deserve.”

Travel: WorldPride 2017 in Madrid

Madrid has officially started the celebration of WorldPride 2017, after an opening ceremony that took place in the Teatro Calderon. In this edition, Madrid commemorates 40 years since the first LGBTQIA+ protests in Spain, 30 years since Chueca was named the epicentre for the community and Pride, 20 years since the first Pride Parade that united political protest with celebration and 10 years since EuroPride was last celebrated in the city. Moreover, as Madrid is the first Spanish speaking capital to celebrate WorldPride.

This celebration is a historic opportunity to share Madrid’s values as a diverse, plural, inclusive and involved city, whilst it reinforces Spain as the reference nation in the liberty and defense of LGTBIA+ individuals’ rights. 3 million people are expected to visit Madrid to join this year’s motto ¡Viva la vida!

Until the 2nd of July 2017, a huge program of activities will take place in Madrid, including an international human rights conference, open air concerts, performing stages, parties, art, culture and sport. A great festival to celebrate, discuss and show diversity, culminating in the main act, the World Pride Parade on Saturday the 1st of July, which will be the world's largest Pride parade ever! WorldPride Madrid has the support of the City Hall of Madrid, the Regional Government of Madrid, The Tourism Association of Madrid (ATM) and Madrid Destino.

Pride is more than celebration. It’s about ACTION!

This Pride season, we remember our history. Pride, as we know it today with all its rainbows and parades, started as a riot. It began at the Stonewall Inn in New York City when a group of transgender women of color and other patrons at the bar stood up and said, “enough.”

At this time of political turmoil, when it has become clear that it will be a struggle to make progress in this presidential administration, we remember our roots and look to the states.

Equality Federation celebrates twenty years this year. Twenty years of making sure that leaders in every state have the skills and strength to fight whatever comes our way. Let’s celebrate twenty years of action by supporting the fights yet to come.

Rainbows alone will not get the work done. Activism requires action. Action like killing nearly 100 anti-equality bills from coast to coast and training the next generation of LGBTQ movement leaders. Action like working to decriminalize HIV and ban conversion therapy. Action means showing up for every member of our community.

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.

The 9th Annual Cherry Creek North Food & Wine Offers a Taste of Cherry Creek North Restaurants

Tickets are on sale now for the 9th Annual Cherry Creek North Food & Wine event which celebrates the diverse and sophisticated tastes of Cherry Creek North dining paired with wine, beer, spirits, live music and more. The event, which sells out annually, takes place on Saturday, August 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fillmore Plaza (Fillmore Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues).

Seventeen restaurants will represent the best of Cherry Creek North dining, including two participants that are new to the district this year. The restaurants, all located in Cherry Creek North and renowned for their service, culinary options and quality, will compete for the titles of Best of Show, Best Dessert and People’s Choice.

“Cherry Creek North Food & Wine is the only event that features solely Cherry Creek North restaurants both long-standing and new,” said Jenny Starkey, Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District director of marketing and community relations. “CCN Food & Wine provides the public the opportunity to sample a variety of high quality cuisines from top tier restaurants in Cherry Creek North’s premier outdoor event location, Fillmore Plaza.”

Attendees can try several of the area’s restaurants they’ve been meaning to try or have already been to all in one magnificent space. VIP ticket holders, who have early entry to the event at 5 p.m., will get the chance to experience intimate conversations with top chefs, have access to the first tastes from all 17 restaurants, and enjoy special beverage tastings from local beverage partners Stranahan’s and Wynkoop Brewing Company.

Early-bird general admission tickets are $65, and VIP tickets are $85. Ticket prices will increase on July 10. Click here to purchase tickets.

Bearracuda: Thanks For A Great Time, Denver!

Thank you all so much for another amazing Bearracuda Denver Gay Pride Party sponsored by GROWLr and MileHighGayGuy!

Bearracuda's been doing parties in Denver for quite a few years and there have been many, many requests to have Bearracuda more often ... so stay tuned!

The Bearracuda Pride event for 2018 will once again be at Summit Music Hall so be sure to mark your calendars and we will see you then!

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.

ACLU of Colorado: Tell Senator Cory Gardner, Don’t destroy our health care.

By Nathan Woodliff-Stanley, Executive Director, ACLU of Colorado

We’re in danger of losing our health care. The Senate is inching closer to passing a devastating health care bill. If they do, then millions of people will see their health care coverage disappear. That’s why we have a job to do.

Colorado is particularly important in the fight to save our health care. Why? Because our senator, Cory Gardner, is a deciding vote on the Senate bill.

You have a critical part to play — and there’s no time to waste. As a constituent, you have the power to influence Senator Cory Gardner’s vote on health care.

Make a call to Senator Cory Gardner to tell him to oppose the Senate health care bill.

This bill is cruel, unjust, and life-threatening. It targets women, people with disabilities, communities of color, and low-income individuals and families, and anyone seeking reproductive health care.

The clock is ticking — tell Senator Cory Gardner to reject the Senate health care bill.

Senate's Obamacare Repeal Bill Condemned by LGBTQ Advocates

Today, the United States (U.S.) Senate made public the Better Care Reconciliation Act (H.R. 1628). If passed, it is feared the bill would take away health insurance from millions of people, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people.

"The Trump administration and the Republican-led Congress need to stop playing politics with the lives and wellbeing of people. Repealing the Affordable Care Act will lead to devastating and irreparable consequences, including increased mortality rates, skyrocketing healthcare premiums, overcrowded emergency rooms, and limited insurance options. Callously denying access to affordable healthcare further underscores the Trump administration's malice toward the nation's most vulnerable, including the 1.8 million LGBTQ people who rely on Medicaid, the over one million LGBTQ older adults living with disabilities, and the 1.1 million people living with HIV," said Rea Carey, executive director, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund.

An estimated one million LGBTQ people will lose coverage if the proposed Trumpcare is signed into law. The bill, in addition to defunding Planned Parenthood for a year and slashing Medicaid, reduces access to no-cost preventive services, imposes a nationwide ban on private insurance coverage of abortion, and guts essential health benefit protections, including maternity coverage, prescription drugs, life-saving cancer screenings, and HIV and STI testing and treatment.

The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund is mobilizing its 200,000 members to call on U.S. Senators to vote against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (A.C.A). For decades, the Task Force has worked to increase funding for and awareness of HIV and LGBTQ health care issues such as comprehensive reproductive health care. This work includes taking part in public education campaigns such as Bisexual Health Awareness Month and the publication of the Queering Reproductive Justice Toolkit. During the Obama administration, the organization partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services (H.H.S) to increase access to affordable healthcare among LGBTQ people.

There's Still Time to Experience Denver Pride at Elitch Gardens!

Denver Pride's not over until you've been to Pride Day at Elitch Gardens! Click here for specially priced tickets.

Get it While it's Haute at the 47th Annual Cherry Creek North Sidewalk Sale

Sizzling deals, four days only. Get it while it’s haute!

Come to Cherry Creek North July 13-16 for four fabulous days of hot deals, fashion and food! For its 47th year, a record-breaking 97 businesses will be participating in the Cherry Creek North Sidewalk Sale. Stores will take their sales to the streets of Cherry Creek North as shoppers search for the best bargains of the year.

Rian Johnson (Star Wars: The Last Jedi) chats with Ana Lily Amirpour

On the latest episode of the Talkhouse Podcast, writer-director Rian Johnson (Brick, Looper) sits down with the visionary Ana Lily Amirpour, whose debut feature A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night announced her as a major talent and whose second film, The Bad Batch, is released June 23. Their wide-ranging conversation covers the breadth of the filmmaking process, from the trials of writing to post-production anxieties, and takes in cinematic boners, being a "frame fucker," their respective metaphors for making movies, Rian's experiences making his upcoming Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and much more. For more filmmakers talking film and TV, visit Talkhouse Film.

Rita Ora - Your Song

Rita Ora releases the video for "Your Song," the first single from her upcoming US debut album on Atlantic Records.

 
"I wanted people to really hear my voice," Rita reveals of her new music. "So much has changed for me since then personally and professionally which has allowed me to develop as an artist." Rita adds, "I cannot wait to take these new songs out on tour, that's what I live for. As soon as I get the chance I'm going to hit the road with a band."

Along with releasing new music, Rita has been chosen by the ABC Television Network to host their summer music competition series "Boy Band," which premieres tonight, June 22. In "Boy Band," undiscovered young talent from around the country battle it out to become a member of the next great music sensation.

National Center for Lesbian Rights says it will fight newly released Senate healthcare repeal plan “with the full force of our community behind us”

Today, Senate Republicans released a “discussion draft” of their healthcare repeal plan. National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell issued the following statement in response:

“After unprecedented secrecy during drafting, a small number of senators put forward a plan today to take away healthcare from millions of Americans, including millions of LGBTQ Americans,” said Kate Kendell, executive director at the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “With deep cuts to Medicaid and the federal defunding of Planned Parenthood, this rushed and unnecessary debacle will do nothing except strip coverage from those who need it most, including people of color, LGBTQ people, elders, immigrants, and young people. And after 30 years of progress in fighting HIV, this plan turns back the clock and endangers those living with HIV by cutting off access to care. With the full force of our community behind us, we will continue to fight against this bill as though our lives depend on it—because they do.”

Earlier this month, the National Center for Lesbian Rights co-authored a letter to the Senate with the Human Rights Campaign that was signed by more than 60 LGBTQ organizations, outlining how the American Health Care Act would be devastating to the LGBTQ community and harm millions of Americans. The full text of the letter and list of organizations signed on in support is available here: http://bit.ly/AHCAlgbtq