Friday, June 22, 2018

Fight LGBT Health Care Discrimination with ActionLink!

Have you been discriminated against in a health care setting because you identify as LGBTQ? Maybe you know someone who has suffered this type of discrimination? Share your story with ActionLink!

Jaden Smith - Ghost

 

Jaden Smith just released the official music video for his latest single “GHOST” featuring Christian Rich. Won't you tag along with Jaden and his friends on a Tokyo adventure?

Kaos Pizzeria - The Most Antiquated Process Makes the Best Pizza


Wood fired, true Southern Italian Naples style pizza. Eat-in, take out or have Kaos deliver to you! Local sourced farm-to-table.Our 100 year-old brick cottage is adjacent to a garden patio which regularly makes the “Denver’s Best” list, and has become an oasis for folks to gather and enjoy life with a truly unique experience.

Our pizzas are made in the most antiquated, inefficient and outdated way, using no mechanical processes. Everything is handmade, and our chefs hand mix over 50lbs of fresh dough twice a day.

NCLR, GLAD Trans Military Ban Filing: Court can permanently stop ban now

The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) today filed their reply in support of their Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment in Doe v. Trump—the first lawsuit filed to stop the Trump-Pence transgender military ban. If Judge Kollar-Kotelly rules in favor of the plaintiffs, that decision would permanently block the Trump-Pence transgender military ban from ever taking effect. Today’s filing rebuts the administration’s attempt to “blinker reality and recast the Mattis Plan as something other than what it plainly is: a blueprint to ensure that no transgender individuals serve in our Nation’s Armed Forces ‘in any capacity.’”  The plaintiffs’ reply is the last in a series of filings that must occur before Judge Kollar-Kotelly determines whether she can issue a permanent ruling blocking the ban.

The Doe plaintiffs argue that the Trump-Pence transgender military ban singles out transgender Americans—putting them into a solitary class and subjecting them to different standards than every other servicemember—on no legitimate basis. And because policies that discriminate against transgender people require heightened scrutiny by the court, plaintiffs argue that the Trump administration cannot scramble to invent reasoning now, after the ban has been issued, in an attempt to justify the ban during litigation.  
  
“There is no legitimate justification for barring transgender people from military service based on who they are, rather than their ability to do the job. The government cannot make up reasons after the fact to justify a policy that is based on prejudice, not genuine military concerns,” said Shannon Minter, NCLR Legal Director.

“This filing brings us one step closer to a final resolution of this case. Transgender servicemembers have continued to put their lives on the line for this country while having to defend themselves from attack from this administration. They deserve honor and respect, not discharge papers,” said Jennifer Levi, GLAD Transgender Rights Project Director.


BACKGROUND

June 30, 2016: The United States Department of Defense (DOD) adopted a policy permitting transgender people to serve in the military based on a nearly two year DOD review determining that there was no valid reason to exclude qualified personnel from military service simply because they are transgender.

July 26, 2017: President Trump tweeted that “the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.”

August 9, 2017: NCLR and GLAD filed Doe v. Trump, the first lawsuit filed to stop the ban, challenging its constitutionality and requesting that the court issue a nationwide preliminary injunction to stop it from taking effect while the case is being heard in court.

August 25, 2017: President Trump issued a memorandum ordering Secretary of Defense James Mattis to submit “a plan for implementing” the ban by February 21, 2018. Secretary Mattis delivered this (the “Mattis Plan” and panel report) to President Trump on February 22, 2018.

October 30, 2017: The United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that Doe v. Trump plaintiffs had established a likelihood of success on their claim that President Trump’s ban violates equal protection, that plaintiffs would be irreparably harmed without a preliminary injunction to stop the ban, and that the public interest and balance of hardships weighed in favor of granting injunctive relief and temporarily halting the ban while the case is heard by the court.

March 23, 2018: President Trump accepts the “Mattis Plan” and issues a memorandum in which he “revoked” his August 25 Memorandum.

April 20, 2018: Defendants file a motion to dissolve the October 30 nationwide preliminary injunction enjoining the transgender military ban issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia; a motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ Second Amended Complaint; and a Motion for Summary Judgment.

May 11, 2018: Plaintiffs file their cross-motion for summary judgment, as well as motions in opposition to Defendant’s motions to dissolve the injunction and dismiss Plaintiffs’ complaint.


NCLR and GLAD have been at the center of the legal fight challenging the Trump-Pence transgender military ban since filing Doe v. Trump, the first of four cases filed against the ban, on August 9, 2017.

Thursday, June 21, 2018

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.

Travel: Check Out Greater Fort Lauderdale's LGBT Visitor Center

Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County has opened the area’s first LGBT+ Visitor Center to showcase attractions of interest to LGBT+ visitors. Greater Fort Lauderdale has been popular with the LGBT+ community for decades, welcoming 1.5 million LGBT+ visitors who spend $1.5 billion annually. The Visitor Center is a result of a partnership between the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce. The new center will be co-located with the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce in the heart of Wilton Manors, Broward County’s gay-centric district with the destination’s largest concentration of gay residents and businesses.

“We are proud to have a long and positive history of supporting the LGBT+ community. The opening of this Visitor Center marks another important milestone in the uniqueness of our area in recognizing the value and needs of the LGBT+ visitor,” said Richard Gray, Vice President of LGBT+ for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We are very excited about this latest advancement in calling attention to all of our great attractions, hotels, clubs, bars and restaurants that cater to this important audience.”

The Greater Fort Lauderdale area has hundreds of gay-owned and operated businesses and the highest concentration of same-sex couple households in the country, and is noted as one of the most diverse and welcoming destinations in the world. The LGBT+ community has played a major role in the economic growth and development of the area and is a major tourism draw with its nightlife including some of the most popular LGBT+ bars in the country, such as Hunters Nightclub, and clothing and novelty stores, such as Pride Factory. Gay-owned business, such as Castelli Real Estate, have been drivers of real estate for many years and great ambassadors to draw new residents to Broward County. Many local businesses, such as Thasos restaurant, are active in providing support for LGBT+ causes in the community.

“The economic impact the LGBT+ community locally cannot be understated, especially by LGBT+ visitors that come here from all over the world year after year,” said Keith Blackburn, CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce. “While LGBT+ travelers have many of the same needs as straight travelers, many unique needs exist. This Visitor Center will serve as a place where people can stop in, ask for recommendations and receive information about the community, our member businesses, events and organizations.”

Greater Fort Lauderdale is also home to one of the largest Pride Centers in the country, the world's first AIDS museum, the global headquarters of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, and the Stonewall Museum, one of the only permanent spaces in the U.S. devoted to exhibitions relating to LGBT+ history and culture.

Recently, the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB announced plans to host the first-ever Pride of the Americas Festival in 2020. The 10-day event will draw attention to the issues LGBT+ individuals face in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is expected to attract more than 350,000 attendees and will include a parade, a beach party, arts festival, social events and a human rights conference focused on LGBT+ rights.

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.

Spaces Are Going Fast for Upcoming Colorado Convention Center Public Art Tours

Why is that escalator laughing at me? And, what's with the big blue bear peering through the window? Get the answers, plus see Denver's 300 million-year history unfold in a short 100-foot walk on this fun and educational tour of public artwork in the Colorado Convention Center. Public art tours of the Colorado Convention Center take place on July 7, Aug. 19 and Sept. 15 and will be led by Arts & Venues Public Art Docent, Vicki Hellmer. This free tour is limited to 15 people, so RSVP quick to hold your spot...

Navy Pride: Sailor Celebrates Pride Month in Philippine Sea Aboard USS Chancellorsville

Celebrate Pride wherever you are this month!

Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Kyle Toby, from Anchorage, Alaska, cuts a cake on the mess decks of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) during a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month celebration. Chancellorsville is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. 

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sarah Myers/Released)

The Most Influential LBGTQ+ Person From Colorado - and All 50 States!

In honor of Pride Month, Reviews.org put together a list of The Most Influential LGBTQ+ Person from Each State to celebrate inspirational people from the entertainment industry, to history-making activists, to our important political influencers.

To compile the list, Reviews.org looked at Out.com’s Power 50 List, IMDB, and a list of the first LGBTQ+ holders of political offices in the US. Pretty cool that each of our beloved 50 states has an influential LGBTQ+ person to show off and celebrate this Pride Month!

Pride Journey: Philadelphia

By Joey Amato

The first time I visited Philadelphia was for last year’s NLGJA conference and to be perfectly honest, I really didn’t think much of the city. The main reason for my feeling was mostly because I was stuck in a hotel conference room most of my stay. Apart from brief visits to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and The 'Rocky Stairs', aka, the Philadelphia Art Museum, I really didn’t have the opportunity to explore the city.

Fast forward almost 1 year later and I found myself in the City of Brotherly Love once again. This time was for pleasure, not work, so I knew my experience would be drastically different than my last. And I was right!


I stayed at the Cambria Hotel & Suites, which is located pretty much in the heart of the city. What I like most about the city is its walkability. The property is brand new, and the amenities are very nice. Most rooms offer great views of the city, but its biggest asset is the location. 


I began my stay in Philly with a trip to the Liberty One Observation Deck. Not only is it atop one of the city’s most iconic buildings, but it will also give you the chance to get yourself oriented and familiar with the city. I always like to view a city from an observation tower when I first arrive as it tends to help me navigate easier.


I recommend visiting Maison 208 for dinner. The gorgeous, two-floor restaurant from Top Chef contestant Sylva Senat stands out in Midtown Village’s dining scene—and not just because of its spacious design and retractable roof, the only one in the city. Maison’s New American menu offers cleverly chic updates on American dishes. The cocktail list includes delicious concoctions such as the “black rose,” made with vermouth-and-blackberry and dressed with rosemary.


After dinner, head to the Gayborhood. Yes, that’s the actual name of their gay neighborhood. There are dozens of gay nightlife venues in this part of town so and it’s almost impossible to visit them all. Usually I like to highlight a few venues that I enjoyed, but Philadelphia’s Gayborhood really offers so many nightlife options that it’s hard to focus on just one or two. There really is something for everyone.

Ariana Grande - The Light Is Coming

 

Ariana Grande has announced August 17 as the release date for her fourth studio album Sweetener via Republic Records, Alongside the announcement she delivers a new album track, produced by Pharrell, The Light Is Coming” ft. Nicki Minaj out now.  Pre-order Sweetener today and receive instant downloads of the album’s first single “No Tears Left To Cry” which remains in the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “The Light Is Coming”.

Cher Covers ABBA's 'Fernando' on New 'Mamma Mia' Soundtrack


The highly anticipated soundtrack to Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again will be released on Friday 13th July, with the film following a week later. The soundtrack is available to pre-order HERE with "Fernando" sung by Cher and Andy Garcia, available immediately upon pre-order. 'Fernando' is the third track to be made available from the soundtrack, alongside "Waterloo" and "When I Kissed The Teacher'.  
 
The eagerly-awaited sequel to the smash-hit MAMMA MIA! The Movie comes out July 20th. Mamma Mia! The Movie, released in 2008, also based on the songs of ABBA, is one of the highest-grossing live-action musicals of all time. Its companion soundtrack sold 1.5 million copies in the UK and achieved global sales of over 7.7 million. Almost a decade since its release, its popularity has not waned. There have been 406 million combined streams of MAMMA MIA! The Movie Soundtrack. ABBA are one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The Swedish quartet have sold over 385 million albums worldwide and their songs have been streamed over 2.8 billion times.

Get OUT the Vote, Denver!

Colorado’s primary election is happening next Tuesday! It is too late to put your ballot in the mail, so make sure to drop it off or vote in-person by 7pm on Tuesday, June 26th.

Click here to find your closest voter service and polling center or ballot drop box.

Affiliated with a political party? If your party is participating in the primary election, you will automatically receive a ballot in the mail for your party’s primary election.

Unaffiliated voter? For the first time in Colorado, unaffiliated voters can participate in primary elections. Unless you already signed up to receive a certain party’s ballot, you will be mailed two ballots – a Democratic primary ballot and a Republican primary ballot. Unaffiliated voters may only vote on and return ONE BALLOT! If you vote any or all races on more than one ballot, none of your votes will be counted. Remember: Only vote one ballot. You should destroy the ballot that you do not vote.

St. Vincent - Fast Slow Disco

 

Just in time for New York Pride this weekend, St. Vincent is releasing the brand new music video for her latest single, “Fast Slow Disco, the reimagined “Slow Disco,” produced by Annie Clark and Jack Antonoff (the remake that was Taylor Swift’s idea!). Since its release in less than 3 weeks, the new track has become a smash hit, and Annie really brings to life and dances the night away in the self-described “gay disco” video, launching worldwide today.