Sean Hayes to Receive Stephen F. Kolzak Award at 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards!

GLAAD will be honoring Sean Hayes with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles.

GLAAD’s Stephen F. Kolzak Award is presented to a LGBTQ media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting LGBTQ acceptance. The award is named after a legendary casting director, who devoted his life to raising awareness in the entertainment industry about the discrimination faced by LGBTQ people as well as people living with HIV. Previous Stephen F. Kolzak honorees include Jim Parsons, Laverne Cox, Ellen DeGeneres, Troye Sivan, Ruby Rose, Chaz Bono, Wanda Sykes, Melissa Etheridge, Pedro Zamora, Robert Greenblatt, Paris Barclay and Sir Ian McKellen. Sean Hayes will be joined in Los Angeles by stage and screen stars including the cast of Queer Eye, Jameela Jamil (The Good Place), Imagine Dragons front man and LGBTQ ally Dan Reynolds, and Nico Santos (Crazy Rich Asians, Superstore).

“For many Americans, the TV character of Jack McFarland was one of the first out and proud gay men who they met and cheered for. Sean’s portrayal of Jack changed countless hearts and minds, and increased LGBTQ visibility at a time in history when representation and inclusion were low,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “On screen and off screen, Sean uses his platforms to advance stories and messages that make the world laugh, make the world think, and further acceptance of all.”

Sean Hayes returned to his iconic role as Jack McFarland on NBC’s “Will & Grace,” which was revived on the network in 2017 after originating in 1998. The show has received an Emmy Award, six Emmy Award nominations, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, two TV Guide Awards, an American Comedy Award and seven Golden Globe nominations. 
Hayes starred in the 1998 LGBTQ fan favorite film Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss and also starred as a gay dad in the NBC sitcom Sean Saves the World. He has appeared on television projects including Scrubs, 30 Rock, as well as Martin & Lewis.
He married his partner Scott Icenogle in 2014 and the two produce videos on their YouTube Channel The Kitchen Sync. They performed a viral lip sync in response to the passage of marriage equality and also penned ‘Plum,’ a children’s book about the sugar plum fairy together. Hayes previously presented GLAAD’s Vanguard Award to LGBTQ ally Kristin Chenoweth at the 22^nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards. He recently worked with GLAAD to promote the Together Movement, calling on marginalized communities to support and take part in LGBTQ Pride Month. He also has participated in Spirit Day alongside the cast of Will & Grace by sending video messages of support of LGBTQ youth.

Comcast Partners with 1st LGBTQ+ Streaming Network, Revry

First global LGBTQ+ streaming network, Revry, announced a deal with Comcast that will soon bring its service to Comcast’s Xfinity X1.

With Revry’s authentically diverse mix of films, series, music, podcasts and originals, the forthcoming launch on Xfinity X1 is part of Revry’s plans to continue to expand its reach. One of several partnerships the streaming network expects to announce this year, Revry’s availability on X1 bolsters Revry’s cumulative reach to over 50 million viewers across platforms.

At launch, Xfinity X1 customers will be able to subscribe to the service and access it over the Internet by saying “Revry” into their X1 Voice Remote. Additionally, they can simply say “Pride” or “LGBTQ” to access Xfinity X1’s broader LGBTQ Film and TV on demand destination, the first diverse, community endorsed LGBTQ entertainment experience in the home that features one of the most complete libraries of LGBTQ entertainment, soon to include Revry available anywhere. X1 customers will be able to sign up for Revry directly on X1, and add it to their service for $6.99 per month.

“Launching on X1 will be a game changer and allow Revry to bring more authentic LGBTQ+ stories and content to millions more homes in the US,” states Revry CEO Damian Pelliccione. “Our dream of becoming easily accessible to people who need to hear these stories from around the world is one step closer to becoming a reality!”

“We’re excited Xfinity X1 customers will soon be able to enjoy Revry Originals like Room To Grow and Queens of Kings starring Drag Race Winner Aquaria, plus movies, shorts, music and podcasts all within the ease of the X1 experience,” said Jean-Claire Fitschen, Executive Director, Multicultural Consumer Services, Comcast Cable. “Revry’s expansive offering includes stories of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender experience that our customers will love and greatly complement our current collection of programming for this audience.” Revry is a source for authentic queer representation with fresh, innovative LGBTQ content from all around the world. Committed to inclusion and creating a space for all voices in the LGBTQ+ community to be seen and heard, Revry is making investing in the queer community a family affair with its equity crowdfunding campaign on SeedInvest which is closing shortly.

Nice To See StevieB: Noob

By StevieB

Five years ago was I really a noob that took bathroom selfies with a iPad???? Yes. The answer is yes.

HRC Urges Lawmakers to Advance Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019

Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization — reiterated its call for Congress to advance H.R. 8 — the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. Scheduled for markup today in the House Judiciary Committee, the common-sense legislation would close the dangerous gap in federal law that makes it possible for individuals who are prohibited from gun possession, like domestic abusers and persons with violent criminal histories, to have easy access to firearms. For decades, LGBTQ people have been a target for bias-motivated violence, and easy access to deadly weapons has compounded this threat.

“The LGBTQ community and other communities disproportionately targeted by hate violence cannot wait any longer for common-sense gun safety legislation,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy. “It’s far past time that Congress take action and help save lives by closing the dangerous loophole in background checks for gun sales. One more death is one too many, and this common-sense, bipartisan measure would be a critical first step in addressing the crisis of gun violence impacting our communities.”

Under current federal law, only licensed gun dealers are required to conduct a background check before completing a gun sale. However, a loophole permits individuals who are not licensed dealers to sell guns without conducting a background check and with no questions asked. This is a significant gap in the law that allows individuals who are prohibited from gun possession to evade that law and buy guns through private sale transactions at gun shows, online, or anywhere else.

In 2016, after a gunman killed 49 people - most of them LGBTQ and Latinx - in Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub, HRC’s Board of Directors adopted a resolution that addresses both the epidemic of hate that has fueled anti-LGBTQ-motivated murder, assault and discrimination as well as common-sense gun violence prevention policies that would help keep the LGBTQ community safe. The resolution established HRC’s organizational position that the safety of LGBTQ people in the United States requires the adoption of common-sense gun violence prevention measures, including limiting access to assault-style rifles, expanding background checks, and limiting the ability of those with violent records to access guns.

Requiring a background check for every gun sale is a common-sense policy supported by 97 percent of Americans, including both Democrats and Republicans, law enforcement officials, and NRA members.

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, more than 33,000 gun deaths happen every year.

Colorado Tourism Office Announces Plan for ‘Colorado Concierge’ Training

The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) today convened a statewide Colorado Hospitality Advisory Group to shape a new workforce training platform aimed at turning frontline workers into Colorado experts and training them in Colorado-style customer service.

 

A key goal of the training is to position frontline workers across the state to inspire the visitors they serve to seek out more experiences, especially in the state’s lesser-known destinations, to generate powerful word-of-mouth and generate even more economic impact from travelers.

 

“Our goal is to transform service counters across the state into concierge desks,” said CTO Director Cathy Ritter. “By giving frontline workers a chance to become a Colorado Concierge, we can help foster amazing 1:1 experiences that can transform a traveler’s time in our state into an experience they’ll never forget, take them to places they never would have found on their own and inspire word of mouth about Colorado that money just can’t buy.”

 

The new online customer service training, set for launch by June 30, will be available free of charge as a resource for all Colorado businesses. The training platform will include digital badging, certifications and other incentives for workers to complete various modules as well as the full training suite. The training system also will become the primary means of educating the more than 400 volunteers who staff the ten Colorado Welcome Centers at Colorado’s major gateways.

 

“Once visitors arrive in Colorado, we have a great opportunity to educate them about our state and the many experiences that will make their visit memorable or even life- changing,” said Sonia Riggs, President & CEO of the Colorado Restaurant Association and chair of the advisory group. Riggs also is a member of the Colorado Tourism Board.

 

The 30+-member Colorado Hospitality Advisory Group group includes wide representation from the Colorado tourism industry and outdoor recreation, ranging from the Broadmoor and Four Seasons to Airbnb, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Colorado academic institutions, and both urban and rural destinations.

 

The CTO has contracted with TravPRO Mobile to create the online training platform, which will incorporate videos, text, photography and quizzes for an interactive and easy-to-use learning experience. The training will be accessible from phones, laptops and tablets.

 

The initiative is the latest outcome of the CTO’s Colorado Tourism Roadmap, a statewide strategic plan aimed at sharpening the Colorado tourism industry’s competitive advantage.

URGENT: Vote on anti-LGBTQ bill happening in less than 24 hours

By Sheena Kadi, Deputy Director, One Colorado

By Take action NOW and tell the committee to VOTE NO on House Bill 1140 and make sure discrimination against LGBTQ Coloradans doesn't become legal in Colorado.

You may have seen that Representative Stephen Humphrey, R-Greeley has introduced one of the most mean-spirited, blatantly anti-LGBTQ bills we've seen in the Colorado State Legislature in years.

Whether it's in the areas of adoption and foster care, health care, housing, marriage, employment, or public spaces, House Bill 1140 is designed to roll back protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Coloradans and their families in nearly every facet of our lives.

Send an email and tweet to tell the House State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee how dangerous House Bill 1140 is.

This proposal goes as far, if not farther, than the infamous Amendment 2, which resulted in Colorado getting a reputation as the "Hate State." We don't need to turn back the clock on all the progress we've made. Whether it's obtaining a marriage license, adopting or fostering a child, working at a job, or accessing healthcare, House Bill 1140 will create a license to discriminate against LGBTQ Coloradans for practically any reason.

Make your voice heard TODAY and tell the committee to VOTE NO.

OUT on DVD/VOD: Devil's Path

 

Opening in Los Angeles on March 1 and out on DVD & VOD on March 5, Devil's Path follows two men who meet up in a popular wilderness park for a casual hookup. What seems like an innocent and random meeting quickly descends into a horrific nightmare as the two men soon find themselves in the terrifying position of being the next victims in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Key National LGBTQ Military Organizations Applaud Congressional Referendum in Support of Open Trans Military Service

Today, Congressman Joe Kennedy III (D-MA,4) lead efforts for a resolution opposing President Trump’s ban on openly transgender servicemembers from serving in our nation’s military and urging the Department of Defense to not reinstate this discriminatory policy as litigation against the Administration’s proposed ban continues.

OutServe-SLDN, the American Military Partner Association (AMPA), and SPARTA, the nation’s three key advocacy and support organizations for our LGBTQ military, veteran, and military family communities, issued the following responses:

“We applaud Congressman Kennedy and the co-sponsors of this referendum for the unwavering and visible support of our nation’s patriots, no matter their gender identity,” said OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Andy Blevins. “As the litigation surrounding this unnecessary and unwarranted ban continues, our brave, transgender service members remain steadfast in their selfless service and commitment to our nation. We applaud the efforts of our Congressional leaders as they work to eclipse the hostility coming from the Trump-Pence Administration and remind our service members that we see them, we are proud of them, and they will not be left behind.”

“At this very moment, thousands of patriots who happen to be transgender are willing to risk their very lives for our nation — from active duty military members to qualified recruits who want to serve,” said American Military Partner Association President Ashley Broadway-Mack. “While the Trump-Pence administration unconscionably singles out these brave transgender Americans for discrimination, it’s crucial that Members of Congress make clear they stand behind them and are grateful for their service and sacrifice. We are thankful for Representative Joe Kennedy’s leadership on this important resolution.”

“We thank our leaders for their support of transgender service members who contribute every day to the increased readiness and lethality of our military as their authentic selves,” said SPARTA President Blake Dremann.

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.

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.

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.

OUT in Theaters: Giant Little Ones

Opening in select theaters in March, Giant Little Ones is a heartfelt and intimate coming-of-age story about friendship, self-discovery and the power of love without labels. 

Franky Winter (Josh Wiggins) and Ballas Kohl (Darren Mann) have been best friends since childhood. They are high school royalty: handsome, stars of the swim team and popular with girls. They live a perfect teenage life – until the night of Franky's epic 17th birthday party, when Franky and Ballas are involved in an unexpected incident that changes their lives forever.

Denver Makes WalletHub's List of 2019's Best Places for Valentine's Day

Source: WalletHub

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner and America’s sweethearts planning to spend billions of dollars on the occasion, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2019's Best Places for Valentine’s Day as well as accompanying videos, along with its nationally representative 2019 Valentine’s Day Spending Survey.  
To determine the most romantic yet affordable cities for celebrating the Day of Hearts, WalletHub compared 100 of the largest U.S. cities across 25 key metrics, ranging from florists per capita to forecasted precipitation to cost of a three-course meal for two.
 

Top 20 Places for Valentine’s Day
1	San Francisco, CA		11	Washington, DC
2	New York, NY		12	Denver, CO
3	Las Vegas, NV		13	Atlanta, GA
4	San Diego, CA		14	Chicago, IL
5	Honolulu, HI		15	Austin, TX
6	Seattle, WA		16	San Jose, CA
7	Scottsdale, AZ		17	Virginia Beach, VA
8	Portland, OR		18	Sacramento, CA
9	Orlando, FL		19	Houston, TX
10	Los Angeles, CA		20	Boston, MA

Valentine’s Day Spending Survey – Key Stats

• 46% of people would break up with their significant other if he or she spent irresponsibly.
   
• Women are 33% more likely than men to spend $0 on a Valentine’s Day gift. Men are two times more likely than women to spend over $100.
   
• Men are over three times more likely than women to think a Valentine’s Day gift is worth going into credit card debt for.
   
• 4 in 10 people say irresponsible spending is a bigger turnoff than bad breath.
   
• 53% of people would not marry someone with bad credit.

Valentine’s Day Facts

• $20.7B: Total Valentine’s Day spending projected for 2019 ($161.96 per person celebrating).
   
• $196 vs. $100: Men spent nearly twice as much as women, on average, for Valentine’s Day 2018.
   
• $7.6 Billion: Amount Americans will spend on jewelry ($3.9B), flowers ($1.9B) and candy ($1.8B).
   
• 9 Million: Number of marriage proposals made each Valentine’s Day.

IGLTA Signs ASTA as its Official Partner for Convention Buyer/Supplier Marketplace

The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) announced today that the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) will serve as the official partner for its Buyer/Supplier Marketplace during its 36th Annual Global Convention in New York City. The new agreement strengthens the existing organizational partnership between IGLTA and ASTA, which includes reciprocal membership discounts, and underscores the importance of the growing LGBTQ+ tourism sector.

Both organizations have a long history that spans the globe, with IGLTA members located in more than 80 countries and conducting business in over 100, and ASTA with members in 125 countries. IGLTA’s Buyer/Supplier Marketplace, which opens its 2019 Annual Global Convention on April 24 at the New York Hilton Midtown, offers a full day of appointments to directly connect travel advisors and suppliers who are committed to providing safe and welcoming experiences for LGBTQ+ travelers.

“ASTA is respected industry leader for education and advocacy on behalf of the travel advisor community,” said John Tanzella, IGLTA President/CEO. “We look forward to elevating our Buyer/Supplier Marketplace by engaging ASTA’s diverse global network of tourism advisors and suppliers in our appointment-driven forum. Through strong partnerships, we can continue to enhance the experience of our association members and convention attendees.”

Zane Kerby, ASTA President/CEO, who will attend the Buyer/Supplier Marketplace and deliver remarks to the participants said, "Travel unites us in so many ways. Through our partnership with IGLTA and in conjunction with our diverse network of travel advisor members, we’ll be helping to unite the world through travel. We are excited about our participation in the Buyer/Supplier Marketplace, which aligns with our mission to serve as a trusted resource to the travel community from advisors to suppliers and, most importantly, the traveling public.”

Key National LGBTQ Military Organizations Respond to Trump’s State of the Union Address

Yesterday, President Trump delivered a State of the Union Address in which he failed to recognize the more than 15,000 transgender individuals currently serving in our nation’s armed forces. Several of those transgender service members were in the room with him, as honored guests of many Members of Congress. The Trump-Pence Administration is currently fighting to institute a ban which would prevent transgender individuals from being able to openly serve in our nation’s armed services. The President also alluded to his Administration's plans to stopping the spread of HIV throughout the nation.

OutServe-SLDN, the American Military Partner Association (AMPA), and SPARTA, the nation’s three key advocacy and support organizations for our LGBTQ military, veteran, and military family communities, issued the following responses:

"For the past two-and-a-half years, thousands of qualified, transgender individuals have been serving openly and our nation’s military services are better not in spite of their authentic service, but because of it," said OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Andy Blevins. "The Trump-Pence Administration’s indefensible desire to institute their wanting and discriminatory practices is disappointing -- our siblings-in-arms deserve better. We look forward to continuing our representation of these proud and selfless patriots and to ensuring that baseless and discriminatory rationalizations not be allowed to define military policy."

"Stopping the spread of HIV is a worthy and achievable goal, but it requires more than just words. It requires a true commitment to the humanity of people living with HIV and those at risk for contracting it," said OutServe-SLDN Legal & Policy Director Peter Perkowski. "We have not seen that commitment from the Trump-Pence Administration. Service members, veterans, and their families instead have faced policies that have placed them more at risk: involuntary discharges based on HIV status, restrictions on access to PrEP, and regulations that criminalize their status and behavior, all of which interfere with health access and run contrary to ending the epidemic. If the Trump-Pence Administration were truly committed to the health and lives of people living with and at risk for HIV, it would entirely revamp DoD and VA policies related to HIV, in addition re re-committing to federal dollars to HIV prevention and treatment."

“Right now, thousands of highly trained, patriotic transgender Americans are bravely and honorably serving our nation around the world in every branch of the military,” said American Military Partner Association (AMPA) President Ashley Broadway-Mack. “The shameful steps Donald Trump and Mike Pence have undertaken in order to erase them and ban them from military service are truly unconscionable. Like the far majority of Americans, we believe any qualified American should be able to serve, and AMPA is proud to be an organizational plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging Trump’s trans military ban in court.”

“Given the tremendous capability trans service members have shown since the implementation of open service, and the overwhelming medical and scientific evidence that shows no reasons why transgender people should be unable to serve, we remain steadfast that transgender people will continue to contribute to our military long into the future,” said SPARTA Communications Director Bryan Bree Fram.

OutServe-SLDN and Lambda Legal filed the lawsuit, Karnoski v. Trump, in August 2017, on behalf of nine individual plaintiffs and three organizational plaintiffs – the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the American Military Partner Association (AMPA), and the Seattle-based Gender Justice League. The State of Washington later joined the lawsuit. In addition to Karnoski v. Trump, Stockman v. Trump, Doe v. Trump, and Stone v. Trump, filed by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) respectively, are also challenging the proposed ban.