Monday, September 10, 2018

DNC: Wagner campaign shares meme mocking trans people in leaked text

A text message accidentally received by Billy Penn shows a campaign consultant for Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner sharing a lewd meme with a group of top campaign officials.

On Thursday morning, Ray Zaborney (pictured), a well-known political consultant whose GOP-leaning firm was recently retained to handle Wagner’s media operations, texted a meme of television personality Caitlyn Jenner next to a statement that seemingly mocks the celebrity’s gender transition.

Zaborney sent the meme to four people: Jason High, Wagner’s campaign manager; Jenise Harris, the campaign’s finance director; Shauna Boscaccy, policy director; and a Billy Penn reporter, who was not an intended recipient.

The meme features a black-and-white photograph of Jenner, styled to imitate Nike’s new advertisement featuring Colin Kaepernick. The ad campaign plays off the former NFL quarterback’s decision to continue kneeling during the national anthem, despite the ostensible consequence of losing his job. Conservatives nationwide have responded by destroying their Nike apparel and declaring a moral boycott against the company.

In the Jenner meme shared among Wagner operatives, which is marked up with the brand’s signature swoosh and the “Just Do It” slogan, imposed over the photo is a modified message:

“Believe in something. Even if it means cutting your dick off.” - via DNC

MileHighCon 50: A Half-Century of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror in the Rockies

More than 100 science fiction/fantasy/horror authors, artists and other participants will speak and autograph books at the 50th annual MileHiCon science fiction/ fantasy/horror literary convention at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center October 19, 20 and 21, 2018. For SF/F and speculative fiction lovers, it’s a weekend not to be missed. The convention will feature authors, artists, speakers and programming on every aspect of the science fiction and fantasy genres.
 

To celebrate its semi-centennial, MileHiCon will not have its usual four or five author, artist and toastmaster guests of honor line-up. Instead, guests from all previous MileHiCons have been invited back. The 26 confirmed guests include authors Barbara Hambly, Carrie Vaughn, Connie Willis, James Van Pelt, Jack McDevitt, Jane Lindskold, Jeanne C. Stein, John E. Stith, Lawrence Watt-Evans, Mario Acevedo, Michael Swanwick, Paolo Bacigalupi, Robert J. Sawyer, Robert Vardeman, Stephen Graham Jones, Steven Brust, and Wil McCarthy. In addition, returning artists Chaz Kemp, Liz Danforth, Lubov Yegudin, Shaenon Garrity, and Theresa Mather will be joined by special guests Ed Kramer, KathE Walker, and Courtney Willis.

Firehouse Theater Company Presents Regional Premiere of 'Love Alone'

When Helen’s lesbian partner of twenty years dies unexpectedly in minor surgery, Helen and her daughter want answers. Confused by the hospital’s silence around the death, they bring a lawsuit against the doctors. Now Dr. Becca Neal must confront her feelings about losing her patient while she juggles the demands of a lawsuit. Love Alone tracks the fallout in both the patient’s and the doctor’s homes, as both households navigate uncharted waters of anger, humor, and longing. This powerful story of how we grieve and how we heal speaks to an essential truth: We will all be patients one day.

Love Alone features original music composed and performed by Gwendolyn Mulligan, a multi-talented instrumentalist & vocalist whose songwriting skills have been honed over years of searching, fearless, and jubilant self-expression.

“As Firehouse continues to push itself to higher standards of theatrical production, it’s important to trust audiences to come with us to explore plays that do not have massive title recognition,” offers Director Andrew Uhlenhopp. “‘Love Alone’ is a dynamic and wonderful play about how the nuances of truth are too often blurred by our blind adherence to arbitrary & conventional ideas of ‘right’ and ‘wrong,’ and about the journey we all must go on when a loved one dies. I am excited and honored to direct this spectacular cast in a play that addresses the grieving process, how creativity can heal, and the importance of looking at an event from as many angles as possible.”


Firehouse Theater Company is thrilled to present the regional premiere of Love Alone. Performances will be October 13 through November 10, 2018 with shows Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM, plus Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $23 for adults/$20 for students, seniors and military or $18 for groups of 10 or more. All performances will be at The John Hand Theater at 7653 E. 1st Place, Denver, CO 80230. Tickets and more information available online at www.firehousetheatercompany.com.
 

Aspen Gay Ski Week 2019: Get your Downhill Table now!

The best show in town on the slopes of Aspen Mountain in January. Friday, January 18th get your Downhill Table or Team together to go for the gold. More information at www.gayskiweek.com or info@gayskiweek.com.

Friday, September 7, 2018

WATCH: Kavanaugh Won’t Answer Whether Gay Marriage Was Correctly Decided


At his hearing last night, Kavanaugh refused to say whether he believes the Obergefell decision, which legalized gay marriage, was rightly decided.


Senator Harris: “Do you believe Obergefell was correctly decided?”

Kavanaugh: “Each of the justices have declined as a matter of judicial independence, each of them, to answer questions in that line of cases.”

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Silk City and Dua Lipa - Electricity

 

Dua Lipa joins Diplo and Mark Ronson on the latest track from their collaborative project Silk City. Released today on Columbia Records, “Electricity” comes accompanied with a Bradley & Pablo-directed video. Set during the sweaty New York City blackout, Dua hosts a summer loft party and some guests seem to be stuck in the elevator.

Registration is now open for Creating Change 2019

The 31st Creating Change Conference convenes in Detroit, MI, January 23-27, 2019 at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.

The National LGBTQ Task Force presents the country's foremost organizing and training conference, and it's more important now than ever. As the current administration continues its assault on our beloved LGBTQ communities. Creating Change is the space for us to learn, connect, and persist in our fight for full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people.

Register today: Early Bird, Student/Limited Income, Eric Rofes Scholarships and Youth/Senior registrations are all available now. You can also reserve a room at the hotel, sign up for the Day Long Institutes, and submit a session proposal. Get all the info and register here.

Will you contact Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner and urge them to press Kavanaugh on how he would rule on LGBTQ equality?

The Senate began confirmation hearings for Brett Kavanaugh – President Trump’s choice to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court. If confirmed, Kavanaugh will immediately begin deciding on cases that would have lasting consequences for LGBTQ equality.

Click here to join One Colorado in calling on Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner to ask Brett Kavanaugh hard questions on how he would rule on LGBTQ equality.

The whole process around Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination has been troubling for our community. With the White House hiding thousands of pages of documentation on Kavanaugh’s background, and Kavanaugh receiving support from anti-LGBTQ organizations like the Family Research Council, it is up to our elected U.S. Senators to press Kavanaugh on his views on LGBTQ equality and the law.

Kesha Joins The Struts for New Version of 'Body Talks'

Interscope rock band The Struts have partnered with GRAMMY nominated pop superstar Kesha to release a bold, enhanced version of their hit single “Body Talks”. A long-time fan of the band, Kesha joined The Struts in a Los Angeles studio to re-record the tune lending her vocals and unique style to the song. “Body Talks ft. Kesha” is available now via all digital retailers.

“I’m so excited to release ‘Body Talks’ with The Struts!!!,” says Kesha. “They are one of my favorite current bands keeping the spirit of classic rock and roll alive with their wild energy and sexy style. It’s a song made for my favorite activity: boogieing.”

Directed by Lagan Sebert the video for “Body Talks ft. Kesha” is shot in St. Louis, where both artists were making a tour stop, the clip showcases the rock n’ roll swagger of The Struts frontman Luke Spiller and Kesha. Sebert also directed Kesha’s recently released Apple Music documentary “Rainbow – The Film.” The Struts recently wrapped a tour supporting the Foo Fighters, which included performances at Madison Square Garden, Wrigley Field and Fenway Park, and are gearing up for a fall headline tour.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

31st Annual Lambda Literary Awards Submissions open: September 12


It's official: the submission process for next year's Lammys will open on Wednesday, September 12, 2018

There have made a few updates, including a new category for Bisexual Poetry! 

As a reminder, the Lammys only accept books that have been or will be published in 2018. Our submissions process ends on December 1, 2018, however, if your book is published between then and December 31, 2018, you can request an extended deadline.

The Gay Vegans: In Loving Memory ...

By Dan Hanley

…of my dad.
It’s been over two weeks since my dad passed away. To me and others it was sudden, even though we knew he had a major health issue.

My dad: second generation Irish immigrant, Detroit born, US Marine, father of four, super serious and super loving, businessman, honorable, super witty, super smart, ethical and most of all, a human being living a hard-core human experience.

My world is not the same. I don’t feel the same. I’ve been home for over a week now and feel very uncomfortable with this new normal. My dad didn’t even live here, nonetheless I feel his loss immensely. Some times the grief and sadness hit me so hard that it’s difficult to even take a breath.

My dad, Jack, was one of my close friends. We spoke often and recently were reading books and discussing them. The one we were currently reading is “Black Detroit” by Herb Boyd. What a great read.


I spent many times in my hammock chatting away with my dad about how beautiful it is here in southern California and listening to him talk about being in San Diego with the Marines and spending a New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles in the late 50’s. He disliked cold and snow, common in his Michigan, and loved hearing all about our adventures with beach, surf and sun.

My dad was such an important part of my world. He loved his family and made sure that I knew he loved me and was proud of me. Mike and I were stoked to have spent some time with him in July, even making it to a delish vegan meal at Green Space Cafe in Ferndale, just outside of Detroit. That day included a trip to the Detroit neighborhood where he grew up.


As much as I knew my dad, I learned so much at his viewing and his funeral. So much love for him, for this man I called dad. People he had worked with before retiring 16 years ago shared stories of working with him and about how much he impacted their lives alongside high school friends who talked of fun and mischief. Listening to all of these stories was wonderful.

We had rough roads, disagreements and opportunities to grow and forgive. All of these added to my love for him.

Nothing I write can do my dad justice. He taught me that what happens to you does not have to make you, that family matters, and that the person we are today does not have to be the person we are tomorrow.

My dad made me better.

I miss him.

Thank you for reading.

Friday, August 31, 2018

One Colorado: Volunteer for LGBTQ Equality in September!

By Sarah Clark, Field Organizer, One Colorado

We have a lot of great opportunities to volunteer for LGBTQ equality in September, and I wanted to make sure you didn’t miss out!

Wednesday, September 5th
One Colorado Call Night for Equality: Join us at the One Colorado office to call supporters of LGBTQ equality.
What: LGBTQ Equality Call Night
When: Wednesday, September 5th 5:30-8:00pm
Where: One Colorado's office, 1490 Lafayette St. Suite 304, Denver, CO 80218

We will have free pizza, snacks, and drinks for you. If you have a laptop and/or phone, feel free to bring it along with you -- otherwise we will have some available! Sign up to phone bank with us here.

Thursday, September 6th
New Volunteer Welcome Training: Come learn more about One Colorado's mission and ways you can support LGBTQ Coloradans and their families.
What: New Volunteer Welcome Training
When: Thursday, September 6th 5:30-8:00pm
Where: One Colorado's office, 1490 Lafayette St. Suite 304, Denver, CO 80218

This is a great opportunity to meet active folks in the community and learn about volunteer opportunities! We will be training you in several fields pertaining to the upcoming elections, so no prior experience is necessary. Sign up here: one-co.co/VolTraining

Sunday, September 9th
Boulder Pride: Help us sign up new supporters of LGBTQ equality, and ban the harmful practice of conversion therapy! Sign up to volunteer here.
What: Volunteer at the One Colorado Booth
When: Sunday, September 9th 11:00am-6:00pm
Where: 1236 Canyon Blvd, Boulder, CO 80302

Wednesday, September 12th
One Colorado Call Night for Equality: Join us at the One Colorado office to call supporters of LGBTQ equality.
What: LGBTQ Equality Call Night
When: Wednesday, September 12th 5:30-8:00pm
Where: One Colorado's office, 1490 Lafayette St. Suite 304, Denver, CO 80218

We will have free pizza, snacks, and drinks for you. If you have a laptop and/or phone, feel free to bring it along with you -- otherwise we will have some available! Sign up to phone bank with us here.

Wednesday, September 19th
One Colorado Call Night for Equality: Join us at the One Colorado office to call supporters of LGBTQ equality.
What: LGBTQ Equality Call Night
When: Wednesday, September 19th 5:30-8:00pm
Where: One Colorado's office, 1490 Lafayette St. Suite 304, Denver, CO 80218

We will have free pizza, snacks, and drinks for you. If you have a laptop and/or phone, feel free to bring it along with you -- otherwise we will have some available! Sign up to phone bank with us here.

Wednesday, September 26th
One Colorado Call Night for Equality: Join us at the One Colorado office to call supporters of LGBTQ equality.
What: LGBTQ Equality Call Night
When: Wednesday, September 26th 5:30-8:00pm
Where: One Colorado's office, 1490 Lafayette St. Suite 304, Denver, CO 80218

We will have free pizza, snacks, and drinks for you. If you have a laptop and/or phone, feel free to bring it along with you -- otherwise we will have some available! Sign up to phone bank with us here.

***Not able to make any of the events in September? Join us for our volunteer welcome training on October 4th!***

If you have any questions or would like to RSVP to an event please contact me at sarahc@one-colorado.org. You can find all upcoming events on our Facebook events page.

Print all In new window Troye Sivan's New Album 'Bloom' is Out Today

Today, Capitol Records released Troye Sivan’s new album, Bloom. Combined streams worldwide of the five tracks Troye shared in in the lead-up to its release have surpassed 550 million. After their unveiling,  “My My My!” and “Dance To This” featuring Ariana Grande each became the #1 worldwide trend on Twitter.

Available HERE, Bloom is the follow-up to Troye’s 2015 debut album, Blue Neighbourhood, which topped the iTunes charts in 66 countries, has sold more than 2.5 million adjusted albums worldwide and is certified Gold in the U.S. It contained the Platinum single “Youth,” which topped Billboard’s Hot Club Play chart.

On the eve of the album’s release, Honda teamed up with Capitol Records to bring fans BLOOM: A Livestream Event Presented By Honda Stage, which featured Troye performing with a string quartet on the roof of the historic Capitol Records tower in Hollywood. Ross Matthews was on hand to host a Q&A session with fans.

The album’s launch continues with Troye performing on “LIVE with Kelly And Ryan” on September 5 and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on September 6. Troye will also appear on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” on September 6. He will kick off The Bloom Tour on September 21. Tickets are available at TroyeSivan.com for the North American headline run, which will include shows at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall (October 9), the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles (October 30) and The Masonic in San Francisco (November 1 and 2). Special guest Kim Petras will open on all dates. See below for itinerary.

Troye appears alongside Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe in the film Boy Erased, which premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8 and opens in theatres this November. View the trailer HERE. Lucas Hedges interviewed Troye for the cover story of The New Vanguard issue of VMAN. Check out their conversation HERE.

Responding to Hedges’ question about the meaning of Bloom, Troye said, “I got settled in L.A. and was super happy in my relationship. I’d never written happy music, because music is normally something I turn to when I’m sad, as kind of a coping mechanism. So I was like, what does ‘happy me’ sound like? I started just writing these songs. It was sort of love letter after love letter to my boyfriend, house, family, community, and nights out. The word ‘bloom’ I had saved in my phone for so long, because it was really how I was feeling.”

While deeply personal in nature, the songs capture universal experiences – coming of age, learning from your past and finding a love that inspires you to go out and make yourself a bolder future. Troye wrote them with trusted collaborator-confidants Bram Inscore, Allie X and Leland and recorded the songs with producer Ariel Rechtshaid (HAIM, Usher, Kelela). Then he headed to Sweden to collaborate with Max Martin’s MXM crew on additional tracks.

“I wanted to make sure the music had a really strong sense of identity,” explains Troye. “Then I wanted to explore: Let’s find the poppiest edge of that world.”

In a four-star review, Rolling Stone said, “The golden ticket is in the details…Sivan finds a wealth of ways to bring about reflections on age-old themes with undeniable charisma.” Hailing the album as “triumphant” and awarding it five stars, NME observed, “[Sivan] tears away all the filters to share a deliriously upbeat statement that washes over you like a dopamine rush.”

TIME said, “Troye Sivan Is the Perfect Pop Star for 2018…Bloom marks a major artistic achievement, evoking influences from the Velvet Underground to Simon & Garfunkel.” The New York Times noted, “It’s darker, more guitar-driven and at times sexier than what’s come before.” Naming it the Album of the Week, Stereogum said, “the songs are deep and rich and confident….the whole pop sphere is already a whole lot richer with him in it.” L’Officiel observed, “the boy we first fell in love with on Blue Neighborhood is all grown up on Bloom.”

USA Today said, “One of the most intriguing young talents of his generation is Troye Sivan, whose track My My My! is one of 2018’s best singles.” Pitchfork hailed the follow-up single, “Bloom,” as one of the defining songs of the last 50 years of LGBTQ+ Pride while PAPER proclaimed it “an unapologetically radical release.” Idolator praised “Dance To This” as “refreshingly casual…[with] a chorus that leaves you wanting more in the best possible way.“ Rolling Stone said, “On ‘The Good Side,’ Sivan channels Sufjan Stevens’ sorrowful balladry.” Vulture declared “Animal” “the ultimate ’80s slow jam” and OUT said, “The song is a slow, haunting expression of aching love that belongs in the climax of a romance film where someone is starting wistfully out a rainy car window.”

Troye has appeared on the covers of Rolling Stone, Out, V Magazine and, most recently, The New York Times’ Sunday Arts & Leisure section and VMAN. His numerous awards include a Billboard Music Awards trophy and two GLAAD Media wins.

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Maty Noyes - Spiraling Down

 

Maty Noyes released the official music video for her buzz worthy single “Spiraling Down” today.

The music video premiered with Pride.com who Maty told, “’Spiraling Down’ means everything to me and I want to dedicate it to the LGBTQIA+ community. I’m from a small town, and it still shocks me that people are not accepted for who they are and who they love. I want to help change that and open people’s eyes are hearts to understand that love is love.”

Historic Victory for LGBTQ U.S. House Candidate Lauren Baer Continues Rainbow Wave

Openly LGBTQ candidate Lauren Baer won her primary for a U.S. House seat and is on-track to becoming the first openly LGBTQ person elected to Congress from Florida. The seat is considered pivotal to Democrats’ efforts to retake the House, and she will face Republican anti-LGBTQ incumbent Brian Mast in November. Baer will also be the first openly LGBTQ mother to serve in Congress if she wins on Election Day.

“Democratic primary voters are demanding authentic, values-driven leaders who prioritize policies over politics – and they are finding those leaders in LGBTQ candidates like Lauren,” said Victory Fund President & CEO Annise Parker. “Lauren’s victory is the latest in a rainbow wave that represents an evolution in American politics, with voters trusting proud out LGBTQ leaders to best advance the policies that improve their lives and communities. This is not about sexual orientation or gender identity explicitly, it is about the struggles and experiences of LGBTQ candidates providing perspectives and priorities that resonate with voters.

“Lauren’s primary victory is a powerful moment for Florida – nominating an LGBTQ mother in a state where anti-LGBTQ adoption laws remained on the books until just a few years ago. Lauren now faces anti-LGBTQ incumbent Brian Mast, who supports marginalizing trans service members who fight for our country and supports Trump’s ban on recruiting trans troops. Lauren is a brilliant public official who served her country in promoting human rights and international law abroad. She is perfectly positioned to fight back against the Trump administration’s attacks on equality and the rule of law – and it will be all the more sweet when she defeats an anti-equality incumbent along the way.”