One Colorado: You can stop 40K LGBTQ youth from being deported

By Laura "Pinky" Reinsch, Political Director, One Colorado
 
Right now, thousands of young people -- including over 40,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals and their families -- are at risk of being separated from the lives they have worked tirelessly to build.

Take a stand today and tell your representatives to pass a clean DREAM Act to protect these young people and their families.

In 2017, nearly 15,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) holders lost their DACA status. Every day, more DACA recipients across the country are subject to being detained and deported to countries they barely remember. For some, this means being sent into potentially violent situations because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

These aspiring Americans are our commuity, family members, friends, and co-workers. It's up to us to defend thousands of LGBTQ immigrants!

We must respond loud and clear: CLICK HERE to tell your representatives that DREAMers deserve to stay.

Thanks for standing with LGBTQ youth.

'Evil Dead: The Musical' opens in Denver next week!

In 2013, Equinox presented “Evil Dead: The Musical” to sold-out crowds and packed the full four-week run, winning multiple awards, including the Broadway World award for Best Comedic Musical. The show returned for an even bigger sold-out 6-week run in 2015. Now, it’s back by popular demand with a limited run of even bloodier song and dance.

"It's an old tale. You've probably heard it a hundred times. Boy and his friends go in a week-long vacation in the woods. Three friends turn into Candarian Demons. One friend is killed by a forest of evil trees. Two demons are killed by their boyfriends respectively, while one stays in the cellar trying to kill everything in sight. Like I said, pretty standard stuff." - Ash

As musical mayhem descends upon this sleepover in the woods, “camp” takes on a whole new meaning with uproarious numbers like “All the Men in my Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons,” “Look Who’s Evil Now” and “Do the Necronomicon.”

“We were so thrilled with the response to the show last time we offered it, so we couldn’t wait to bring it back,” offers Director Deb Flomberg-Rollins. “We’ve got lots of new surprises in store and a lot more blood! Plus, the splatter zone is back, with four rows for all the Evil Dead fans out there. Be sure to stick around after the show for picture with Ash and the deadites!”

Equinox Theatre Company is thrilled to present the highly anticipated return of “Evil Dead: The musical.” “Evil Dead” will be January 26 through February 17 with shows Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM. There will also be a pay-what-you-can industry night on Thursday, February 8. Tickets are $20 in advance/$25 at the door/$17 for groups of 6 or more in advance only. There are also Splatter Zone seats available in advance only for $25. All performances will be at The Bug Theatre at 3654 Navajo Street in Denver. Tickets and more information available online at www.EquinoxTheatreDenver.com

Five Fab Ways to Thrive in 2018...

1. Culture - Stay informed. Speak up and speak out
2. Food - Eat Root to Stem
3. Design - Find that one piece you LOVE and go from there
4. Fashion - You don’t need to spend a fortune to look good
5. Grooming - Chinstrap beards are not our friendIt’s been fifteen years since the Emmy Award-winning series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy revolutionized reality television. The series returns to Netflix and is going global, introducing audiences around the world to a modern aesthetic, diverse perspective and a brand new Fab Five: Antoni Porowski (Food & Wine),Bobby Berk (Interior Design), Karamo Brown (Culture), Jonathan Van Ness (Grooming) and Tan France (Fashion). This season Queer Eye trades its original New York setting for communities in and around Atlanta, Georgia. Our new Fab Five will forge relationships with men and women from a wide array of backgrounds and beliefs often contrary to their own, touching on everything from LGBTQ rights and social commentary to how to make the best farm-to-table guacamole and more!

The National LGBTQ Task Force isn't fooled; HHS’s new Division on Conscience and Religious Freedom is about legalizing discrimination

In response to Health and Human Services announcement January 18 of a Division on Conscience and Religious Liberty, Rea Carey, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force issued the following statement:

We are not fooled: The new office announced this morning is meant to make it easier for people to discriminate, not to protect people of faith. Health professionals have a duty to care for all their patients regardless of one's gender identity, sexual orientation, faith, creed, race, political views, gender, or disability, and no one should be denied care for being who they are.

The overwhelming majority of people of faith support health care access for women and LGBTQ people. There is no contradiction between meeting your duty to care for all people and living by your moral and religious conviction. All people deserve access to care, including transgender people, those seeking assisted suicide, and those seeking reproductive health services such as an abortion or sterilization.

Guest Judges Announced For "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars"

VH1 today announced the guest judges set to join Emmy Award-winning host RuPaul on the upcoming season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.” The diverse list of talent from fashion, music, politics and media joining the main stage panel of Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews includes Vanessa Hudgens, Tituss Burgess, Kristin Chenoweth, Marc Jacobs, Shay Mitchell, Nancy Pelosi, Chris Colfer, Vanessa Williams, Adam Lambert, Constance Zimmer, Emma Bunton, Todrick Hall, Garcelle Beauvais, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman and Nicole Byer. The 90-minute premiere will air Thursday, January 25th.

“All Stars” rules are in effect this season as each week the top two queens will “lip-sync for their legacy” for the power to send one of their peers home. Competition will be fierce as the queens shift their strategies and work extra hard to not only impress RuPaul and the judges, but to also impress each other.

Logo will kick off the new season with a five-day, non-stop marathon of fan-favorite seasons of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “All Stars” season 2, beginning Saturday, January 20 at 8:00 PM ET/PT. The marathon will feature “Meet the Queens” interstitials to get fans reacquainted with their favorite competitors and see what these queens were made of before they became “All Stars.”

The nine previously announced queens competing for the gold include: Aja (season nine; from Brooklyn, NY), BenDeLaCreme (season six; from Seattle, WA), Chi Chi DeVayne (season eight; from Shreveport, LA), Kennedy Davenport (season seven; from Dallas, TX), Milk (season six; from New York, NY), Morgan McMichaels (season two; from Los Angeles, CA), Shangela (seasons two & three; from Los Angeles, CA), Thorgy Thor(season eight; from Brooklyn, NY), and Trixie Mattel (season seven; from Los Angeles, CA).

OUT on DVD/VOD: 1:54

Breaking Glass Pictures has acquired US rights to Oscar-nominated writer-director Yan England’s (“Henry”) awarding-winning, psychological thriller 1:54. Breaking Glass acquired rights to the film in December in a deal negotiated between Breaking Glass CEO Rich Wolff and International Sales Manager Aurelia Tahar of TF-1 International.

Described as a film that “packs a powerful punch” (Montreal Gazette) which puts “intense emotions on display” for a “well performed feature debut” (The Hollywood Reporter), 1:54 held its world premiere at the Angouleme French-Language Film Festival where it took home Best Actor and the Student’s Jury prize, its US premiere at the Chicago International Film Festival, and played numerous other festivals, including BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, OUTshine Film Festival, and the Vancouver International Film Festival. 

1:54 follows Tim, a shy sixteen-year-old athlete, who is gifted with a natural athletic ability for running. However, the last four years of high school have been tough on him because of Jeff and his crew. In his last year of high school, Tim is sick and tired of feeling like a loser, and wants to shine for once. He decides to stand up to Jeff by dethroning him in the 800m championship, the event Jeff is known for in school. But behind the competition and rivalry, a secret is wreaking havoc. Soon, Tim finds himself pushed to the edge because of the pressure he endures where human limits reach the point of no return.

"The heartbreak of 1:54 lies in the reality of how the pressure of competitive sports and cyber-bullying can destroy the mind and soul of a gifted teenager”, said Richard Ross, Co-President of Breaking Glass. “Actor Antoine-Olivier Pilon shows us once again that he is truly an extraordinary talent."

The film will have a Los Angeles theatrical release on March 9 and a DVD/VOD release March 13 on iTunes, Amazon Instant, Google Play, Vudu, Fandango, and through local cable and satellite providers.

DNC on Trump-Pence Administration Proposal to Give Health Workers License to Discriminate Against Women, LGBTQ Community

A new rule from the Trump-Pence administration could allow health workers to discriminate against patients by refusing to provide reproductive care to women, denying care to transgender individuals, or refusing to prescribe HIV medication or birth control. DNC Director of Women’s Media Elizabeth Renda and Director of LGBTQ Media Lucas Acosta issued the below joint statement in response:

“Once again, women and the LGBTQ community are under attack from the Trump-Pence administration. Days before the anniversary of the Women’s March, Republicans are giving health workers a license to discriminate against women and members of the LGBTQ community.

“It wasn’t enough to try to strip transgender Americans of their right to serve, roll back access to birth control, and attempt to defund Planned Parenthood. Now Trump, Pence, and their Republican cronies want to allow health care workers to discriminate and rip away access to medical care. This rule is unethical and dangerously undermines public health.

“This proposal is further proof that Republicans continue to push forward an agenda completely out of step with the American people and American ideals. Democrats will continue to focus on how to improve access to health care for all Americans regardless of gender, orientation, or income.”

HRC Launches Second International Corporate Equality Index to Rate Global LGBTQ Workplace Inclusion in Chile

Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of America’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, kicks off its groundbreaking partnership with Fundación Iguales & Pride Connection with an international launch of HRC’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the premier report tracking LGBT inclusion in the world’s largest companies.

HRC has previously launched the CEI internationally in Mexico, marking the historic HRC Equidad MX initiative that works with leading employers in country to create more diverse and LGBT-inclusive workplaces.

“Following the equality trend across the Americas, Chile is now taking a clear lead by investing in LGBT inclusion in the workplace, which is both fair and smart for business,” said Deena Fidas, Director of HRC Equidad MX and HRC’s Workplace Equality Program. “As we have seen in the U.S. and Mexico, more and more Latin American businesses are interested in working on LGBT diversity and inclusion. This partnership with Fundación Iguales demonstrates our commitment to deliver concrete results for LGBT employees in Chile and around the globe.”

HRC Equidad CL, HRC’s initiative with Fundación Iguales, Chile’s largest LGBT advocacy group, is designed to increase LGBT-inclusive policies and practices in workplaces across Chile, and recognize companies and U.S. multinationals for their work. Leaders from Chile’s public and private sectors have stood up to affirm the economic case for full workplace inclusion, helping drive the pioneering work being done in the country.

“Working to achieve full LGBT inclusion in Chilean society, our mission has allowed us to train workers from the public and private sectors to create LGBT-inclusive spaces,” said Emilio Maldonado, Executive Director of Fundación Iguales. “We are very proud to carry out this partnership with Human Rights Campaign and to develop better tools to promote talent and LGBT inclusion in business and companies across the nation.”

This year’s HRC Equidad CL report, developed by HRC in partnership with Fundación Iguales & Pride Connection, evaluates businesses and promotes LGBT inclusion based on three core pillars:
Adoption of nondiscrimination policies;
Creation of employee resource groups or diversity and inclusion councils; and
Engagement in public activities to support LGBT inclusion.

This innovative program in Chile is similar to the work that HRC has been doing in Mexico through HRC Equidad MX. HRC has twice launched the CEI internationally in Mexico City, where companies leading on LGBT inclusion have been using HRC’s Spanish-language business toolkit. The program provides resources to help train major employers to build LGBT-inclusive environments and implement best policies and practices in workplaces across Mexico.

Fundación Iguales has taken the lead on LGBT rights in Chile, playing a key role in the passage of the 2015 civil unions bill for same-sex couples. HRC is proud to join with a number of top rated Chilean companies including Accenture, Google, IBM, Procter & Gamble, SAP, and Uber to celebrate their commitment to LGBT inclusion and adoption of vital LGBT-inclusive policies and practices.

Through its Corporate Equality Index and Global Workplace Equality Programs, the HRC Foundation has established guidelines to implement LGBT-inclusive policies for more than 14.5 million employees worldwide as well as best practices and benefits across major corporations, U.S. multinationals and top business in Latin America.

Have Dating Apps Killed Romance?

Digital dating has become a multi-billion dollar industry that draws in as many as 40 percent of Americans. But are dating apps really designed to promote lasting love? On Tuesday, February 6, the "fantastic" (New Yorker) Intelligence Squared U.S. presents a special Valentine's Day debate on the motion "Swipe Left: Dating Apps Have Killed Romance."

Debating in support of the motion are sociologist Eric Klinenberg, co-author with Aziz Ansari of Modern Romance, and Manoush Zomorodi, host of the Note to Self podcast from WNYC Studios. Debating against the motion are Match.com's chief scientific advisor Helen Fisher, who studies the neural systems associated with romantic love, and OkCupid's Vice President of Engineering Tom Jacques. The evening will open with a keynote Q&A with Daniel Jones, the editor of the New York Times' hugely popular "Modern Love" column.

The debate will be held at NYC's Sheen Center and stream live online, then air soon after as part of the syndicated public radio show and podcast "Intelligence Squared U.S." On February 6, online viewers can tune in at IQ2US's website.

Ria Mae - Red Light

 

Ria Mae debuted the video for her introspective new single "Red Light" on HuffPost Queer Voices. "Red Light," serves as the second single off her recently released EP My Love and follows the massive hit "Bend," which is certified Gold in Canada and has garnered almost 5 million combined worldwide streams.

The heart heavy video takes viewers on a reflective journey through a relationship as it reaches its end at a red light. "It is a song about knowing you're about to be broken up with," says Ria. "It's knowing you can't change the outcome, and trying to prolong the end." The video for "Red Light" features Toronto-based couple Bronwyn Hope and Kristen Griesbach (Kage) and is directed by newcomer Tristan Clarke McMurchy.

Last fall, Ria released her EP My Love to critical acclaim and completed a Canadian co-headlining tour with Scott Helman. My Love is the follow up to Ria's self-titled album that launched the Platinum-selling "Clothes Off," the Gold certified "Ooh Love," and garnered over 41 million combined worldwide streams. Ria is currently in the studio writing and recording her follow-up EP scheduled for later this year.

New Study Showcases the Power of LGBTQ-Themed Ads

Hornet today released its first ever research with Nielsen around the efficacy of LGBTQ-themed branded advertising on the LGBTQ consumer. The custom study, which Hornet commissioned from Nielsen in 2017, examines advertising content across various industries including consumer packaged goods, hospitality, automotive and banking.

“With this study, we hope to help brands improve their marketing and advertising as it relates to the LGBTQ community,” said Sean Howell, President and Co-Founder of Hornet. “Our community is one of the most highly sought-after demographics, and creating campaigns that speak directly to this consumer with authentic and inclusive messaging is what distinguishes brands from general market advertising.”

In addition to better understanding the consumer impact of LGBTQ-themed ads, the study also specifically evaluates the effectiveness of a variety of ad creative from brands that feature messages of inclusion, equality and diversity. The effectiveness is compared against that of generic ad creative from the same brands that do not feature LGBTQ-targeted messaging. By using an online design, the study measures both advertising effectiveness and engagement. Key brand effectiveness measures brand recall, brand familiarity and affinity, purchase intent and recommendation intent and brand attributes.

Amongst its key findings:

· 60% of people exposed to LGBTQ-themed ads labeled them as “progressive and inclusive”

· Purchase impact from LGBTQ-themed ads is 44% higher

· 75% of the LGBTQ-themed ads tested outperform generic ads in driving brand recall

· Of those surveyed, 73% agreed they don’t mind paying extra for a premium product or service

20th Century Fox Releases Trailer for Gay Teenage Romance 'Love, Simon'

 

20th Century Fox has released the official trailer, soundtrack and first single for their one-of-a-kind teenage drama Love, Simon starring Nick Robinson, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Miles Heizer, Keiynan Lonsdale, Logan Miller, Jennifer Garner, Josh Duhamel and Tony Hale!

Save the Date for the 2018 Ally Awards

Make sure you save the date for the 2018 Ally Awards!

Totally Mild - Lucky Stars

 

Today, the Melbourne lush pop quartet Totally Mild are pleased to share a music video for "Lucky Stars". The clip, which features a live, in studio performance of the song by the group's Elizabeth Mitchell, was directed by Tobias Willis, with production by KEWL. 

The band told Brooklyn Vegan "'Lucky Stars' is an exercise in intimate voyeurism, a momentary glimpse into the world of this woman as she plays a love song and hopes someone will hear it. A live performance that continues the character arc begun with the 'Today Tonight' video." Brooklyn Vegan calls the song "...delicate, vulnerable and absolutely lovely."

Rhein Haus: Serving Up Weiners Und Balls in Downtown Denver

Rhein Haus is a gay-owned, two-story, 14,000 square-foot Bavarian-inspired restaurant in Downtown Denver with house made sausages, pretzels, and other authentic eats, 24 German and local drafts, Bavarian-inspired cocktail list, and four indoor bocce courts.