One Colorado: Where do the Presidential Candidates stand on LGBTQ issues?

By Sheena Kadi, Deputy Director, One Colorado

Hey there!

We are 175 days away from the Colorado Presidential Primary Elections Day on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020.

President Trump claims he's "done very well" by our community, but GLAAD counts more than 124 anti-LGBTQ policy and rhetoric attacks from the Trump Administration.

As soon as he took office, he began to roll back rights and protections we worked so hard for. He withdrew an Obama directive on treatment of transgender students, reinstated a ban — which Obama had ended — on transgender people serving in the military, and has stripped anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people in the Affordable Care Act. And just recently, the Justice Department directed that federal anti-discrimination workplace protections do not cover sexual orientation or gender identity.

At a time when our community is constantly under attack, when the Trump Administration is trying to erase us from existence, it's never been more important to ensure that the next President of the United States is a champion for LGBTQ Americans and their families.

Join us in making sure we know where the candidates stand at the first LGBTQ Presidential Candidate Forum of the 2020 cycle!

RUPAUL’S DRAGCON DAZZLES WITH 100,000 ATTENDEES IN 2019, LAUNCHES IN LONDON WITH THE INAUGURAL RUPAUL’S DRAGCON UK

Photo Credit: Jennifer Graylock-Graylock.com for World of Wonder // Getty Images

RuPaul and World of Wonder (“RuPaul’s Drag Race,” “Million Dollar Listing,” “Out Of Iraq,” upcoming HBO documentary “Liberty: Mother of Exiles”) hosted the third annual RuPaul’s DragCon NYC at the Javits Convention Center this weekend. The drag and pop culture extravaganza welcomed 100,000 attendees between the LA and NYC events in 2019, with over 150 of the world’s top drag queens mixing and mingling with fans of all ages and backgrounds. World of Wonder made major announcements out of the convention, including the news of the “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!” Las Vegas residency coming in January 2020, and the international expansion of the massively successful convention with 2020’s RuPaul’s DragCon UK. RuPaul’s DragCon UK will make its debut at the Olympia London on January 18-19 2020, and tickets are on sale now at uk.rupaulsdragcon.com. “RuPaul’s Drag Race” judge Michelle Visage announced the news from the DragCon Main Stage surrounded by stars of upcoming “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK,” which premieres in the US and select territories on October 3rd on WOW Presents Plus, the exclusive place to watch day-and-date with the UK transmission. Additionally, Michelle announced that The Official “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” Season 1 Tour kicks off in November, hosted by Alyssa Edwards. Tickets are available at VossEvents.com.

Created by RuPaul and World of Wonder Productions, RuPaul’s DragCon is a family-friendly event welcoming attendees from around the world to kiki with their favorite drag queens and pop culture stars in a creative, inclusive and accessible environment. The three day event included extensively curated panels with topics including getting out the vote in 2020 and activism in your community, drag trends and their impact on the fashion and beauty worlds, stand-up comedy showcases with emerging LBGTQ comedians, Disney on Broadway, celebrity drag makeovers, and more. RuPaul himself DJ’ed two dance party sets for all attendees to enjoy. The TikTok-sponsored Main Stage included live runway performances, a kids’ fashion show, fan competitions and makeovers, and electrifying performances by “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars” winner Trixie Mattel, among others. Also on the floor were fan signings, the ever-popular Kids’ Zone, and over 230 exhibitor booths offering everything from interactive fan experiences, exclusive merch, beauty products, apparel, art and more.

“RuPaul’s DragCon NYC is over, but the love and beauty that filled the Javits Center will stay with me forever. Kudos to all of the gorgeous attendees, the super talented queens, and the spectacular vendors that came together to make magic. Can’t wait for RuPaul’s DragCon UK in January! And a loving reminder from Mama Ru, don’t forget to sashay your way to the polls in 2020. Register to vote now at VOTE.GOV!” said RuPaul.

“At this dark time in our country we came together to celebrate life, love, and liberty. We are especially excited that the family of all things drag is expanding from Vegas (Drag Race Live!) to the UK (RuPaul’s DragCon UK) ... and beyond. We are so grateful to all the queens who came from all over the world. They remind us that we are all born naked and the rest is drag, that we are all equal, and that it’s about opening our arms and hearts to one another, not building walls to keep people out,” said World of Wonder co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato.

The convention featured Queens and other celebrity talent for performances, meet and greets, panels and more, including: RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Trixie Mattel, Nina West, Peppermint, Silky Nutmeg Ganache, Trinity the Tuck, Miss Vanjie, Aquaria, Blair St. Clair, Eureka, Acid Betty, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Mrs. Kasha Davis, Kameron Michaels, Yvie Oddly, Kennedy Davenport, Manila Luzon, Monet X Change, Raven, Detox, Ross Mathews, Todrick Hall, Isaac Mizrahi, Carson Cressley, Diane Von Furstenberg, Whoopi Goldberg, the entire cast of upcoming RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Divina De Campo, Cheryl Hole, Blu Hydrangea, Baga Chipz, Gothy Kendall, Crystal, Sum Ting Wong, Vinegar Strokes, Scaredy Kat, The Vivienne, and World of Wonder co-founders & DragCon co-creators Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK premieres day-and-date in the US only on WOW Presents Plus, premiering October 3rd.

WalletHub: Colorado Ranks in the Top 20 Happiest States in America

 

With the U.S. ranking No. 19 on this year’s World Happiness Report, down one spot since the previous edition, and research showing that money up to a certain dollar amount can contribute to happiness, WalletHub today released its report on 2019’s Happiest States in America as well as accompanying videos.

To determine where Americans have the highest satisfaction with life, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 31 key indicators of happiness. The data set ranges from emotional health to income level to sports participation rate.  

Happiness in Colorado (1=Happiest; 25=Avg.)

• 9^th – % of Depressed Adults
• 2^nd – Adequate-Sleep Rate
• 25^th – Volunteer Rate
• 24^th – Separation & Divorce Rate
• 2^nd – Income Growth

Tove Lo with Kylie Minogue - Really Don't Like You

 

Today, multi-platinum, Grammy Award-nominated artist Tove Lo released her highly anticipated collaboration with pop legend Kylie Minogue. ‘Really don’t like u’ Feat. Kylie Minogue is out on all digital platforms and comes ahead of her fourth studio full-length, ‘Sunshine Kitty’ out September 20 on Island Records [pre-order here].

“Even though it’s now out, I still can’t believe Kylie is on ‘Really don’t like u”!!” Tove Lo reveals. “Kylie and I met last year at an AMFAR event in Hong Kong; when she said she wanted to work together I made serious mental note! Once I felt I had the perfect song to share with her I just hoped she would love it and want to do her magical thing to it. She did, and I couldn’t be more thrilled and honored to have someone I love and respect so much on this track and part of Sunshine Kitty.”

"I’ve loved this opportunity to collaborate with Tove!" Kylie Minogue shares. "It seemingly came out of nowhere, but when we met last year we said it would be great to work together and with 'Really don’t like u' came the perfect moment. She has that amazing Swedish pop sensibility but her very own style and has carved out her own path within the music industry."

Behind the Scenes of 'Judy'

 

Go behind the scenes with Renée Zellweger, the cast and filmmakers as they talk about the making of JUDY.

Winter 1968 and showbiz legend Judy Garland arrives in Swinging London to perform a five-week sold-out run at The Talk of the Town. It is 30 years since she shot to global stardom in The Wizard of Oz, but if her voice has weakened, its dramatic intensity has only grown. As she prepares for the show, battles with management, charms musicians and reminisces with friends and adoring fans, her wit and warmth shine through. Even her dreams of love seem undimmed as she embarks on a whirlwind romance with Mickey Deans, her soon-to-be fifth husband. Featuring some of her best-known songs, the film celebrates the voice, the capacity for love, and the sheer pizzazz of “the world’s greatest entertainer.”

Your Majesty Oriana Begins Their Reign with QUEEN EP

Your Majesty Oriana is making a theatrical splash in the pop music world with QUEEN available Sept 7th. Oriana dives into what it means to be gender-nonconforming in the modern world. "I named the record, QUEEN, because throughout history, queens had to be androgynous in their essence to survive," says Your Majesty Oriana. "Unfortunately, women in power were, and still are in many places, seen as incapable of ruling. To prove the world wrong, they had to adopt what-are-seen-as masculine traits to be successful in their reign."

QUEEN is a four-song EP where each song represents a queen who rules over the human heart. We have the Queen Desire, Pain, Power, and Love. The four songs examine the four queens and how each one is in your heart. For example, Gloriana, is the Queen of Power's anthem. A song that embraces your own individual strength, and the ability to not only move mountains, but to turn them into dust. Another example is the featured only on the EP, Kyrie. Kyrie is the song for the Queen of Pain. As it follows the inspiration musically and lyrically of the refugee crises happening all over the world. Tying together Middle Eastern influences with a relatable lyrical story of feeling trapped, Kyrie is intended to create empathy for those who are or feel trapped in an unforgiving situation. If you want to find out Which queen you are, feel free to take the quiz with this link.

QUEEN is the debut release of Your Majesty Oriana. Your Majesty Oriana is an androgynous entertainer and performer known for their theatrical flair, flashy costumes, and transportive music. "I hope when you listen to QUEEN, that you feel powerful. I want you to hear this record and think 'I can do anything, and live the life I want.'" Oriana adds, "I'm not actually royalty, but does that look like it's stopping me?"

'Moulin Rouge! The Musical Original Cast Recording' Out On Digital Today

The producers of Moulin Rouge! The Musical and RCA Records are pleased to announce that the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the smash hit new musical is now available at all digital and streaming providers by Baz Luhrmann’s label, House of Iona, and RCA Records. Click here to listen to the album.

 

The Moulin Rouge! The Musical Original Broadway Cast Recording is produced by Grammy-nominated Baz Luhrmann, Justin Levine, Matt Stine and Alex Timbers.

Association of LGBTQ Journalists Announces 2019-2020 National Board of Directors

Today, NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists announced its 2019-2020 board of directors. The newly elected directors were voted into their positions by the current board of directors yesterday and will take office at the conclusion of the association’s National Convention on Sunday.

Rick Stuckey of NBC Chicago was elected national board vice president of broadcast. Freelancer Belinda Hernandez was elected national board secretary. Ken Miguel of KGO-TV was reelected national board treasurer. Erik Hall of USA Today, Karen Hawkins of the Chicago Reader, Bethany Grace Howe of the University of Oregon and Eric Walter of KYW Newsradio were elected at-large directors.

They join National Board President Sharif Durhams of CNN, National Board Vice President of Print & Online Jen Christensen of CNN and at-large directors Sarah Blazucki of the U.S. Department of Justice, Eric Hegedus of the New York Post, Chris Martin of Bloomberg and Kristina Torres of the University System of Georgia on the board.

It's Been a Big Week for Taylor Swift's 'Lover'

In just 24 hours, Taylor Swift’s blockbuster new album Lover became this year’s highest selling album in the U.S. Taylor makes history yet again by earning “the biggest first-week total for any album since her own Reputation in 2017,” according to Billboard. Globally, Lover (Republic Records) has surpassed more than 3 million in consumption. In the U.S. it has eclipsed 1 million-plus total consumption year-to-date and is approaching 700k in pure album sales this week.

Lover smashed the all-time pre-sale record at Target and eclipsed debut physical sales of reputation. In addition, the album has hit #1 in 98 countries on iTunes. On the Spotify U.S. chart, every song debuted in the top 25 with 9 in the top 10. Lover also broke the global record as the “top album debut in the history of Amazon Music.”

Around the world, Lover triumphs at #1 including Australia, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the U.K. and more to be announced. Lover has also made history becoming China’s most consumed full-length international album of 2019, setting a new record by an international artist for first week full-length album consumption – more than doubling the previous record.

“Zero for Zeros” Urges Major Brands to Stop Giving to Anti-Gay Politicians

Today, the Zero for Zeros campaign released letters sent to more than 30 companies urging them to support the new principles outlined last week by the business roundtable, and stop corporate PAC donations to anti-LGBT members of Congress.

Last week, the Business Roundtable released a statement, that “redefined the purpose of a corporation” to include:

“Supporting the communities in which we work. We respect the people in our communities and protect the environment by embracing sustainable practices across our businesses.”

"America's CEO's have declared that the role of corporations will shift priority from profits to people. We agree and it is the essence of our campaign: a company's LGBT employees and customers should take priority over politicians that lead the fight against equality,” said Lane Hudson, Zero for Zeros Campaign Manager. “The companies we have contacted have long had the values that have now become the consensus among all corporations. We are making a simple ask to match those values with their corporate PAC contributions and cease support of the most anti-LGBT politicians."

The campaign continues to engage these companies in good faith and is hosting a conversation with these companies on Sept 5, in San Francisco at the Commonwealth Club of California.

In the letter sent to CEOs by Zero for Zeros the campaign asks them to reevaluate and stop donating to anti-gay politicians. The letter states:

“These homophobic Members of Congress are the roadblock to full equality. Our call on you is to publicly act on what you are already committed to. We are asking you to hold them accountable for their actions and earn your support. Just as you have a choice to take the small step we are asking you to take, these Members of Congress we have identified have their own choices to make. All these members would have to do to earn corporate PAC contributions from LGBT allies such as yours is to find just one LGBT item to support that will be scored by the Human Rights Campaign. By doing so, they will fall outside of the parameters of what we are asking. Your company holds the power to start that sea change.

The letter further asks:

“[T]o use this opportunity to align your corporate values with your corporate PAC giving. It will reassure your employees, customers, and more where the company stands...”

Zero for Zeros found that 49 companies that received a 100% rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s CEI have donated to members of Congress that are the most outspoken against LGBT equality, earning a ZERO rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s Congressional Scorecard. These companies have contributed a total of $5,837,331 from their corporate PACs to the worst of the worst Members of Congress. Zero for Zeros is asking that the companies’ corporate PACs cease giving to these members of Congress. A summary of the contributions can be viewed on the Zero for Zero’s website.

The following companies identified by Zero for Zeros signed on to the Business Roundtable statement: Amazon, American Airlines, AT&T, Bayer AG, Best Buy, Chevron Corp, Cigna Corp, Cisco Systems, Citigroup, Coca-Cola, Dell Inc, Deloitte, Dow Chemical Co, Ernst & Young, General Motors, Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase, KPMG, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance, Mastercard, Morgan Stanley, Northrop Grumman, Oracle Corp, Pepsico, Pfizer, Pricewaterhousecoopers, Procter & Gamble, Sap America, United Parcel Services / UPS, Visa Inc, Whirlpool Corporation.

A diverse group of leading activists signed on in support of the campaign and is running digital ads and digital video engaging employees and allies to join the campaign.

Special Offer: Alejandro Sanz at Bellco Theatre

Alejandro Sanz is one of the major international Latin artists globally renowned. Writer and composer of all his songs, Sanz has sold more than 22 million records being the only Spanish act which holds 19 Grammy awards (16 Latin and 3 American accolades). Alejandro has released 15 albums throughout his career- 9 studio albums- all of them are certified Platinum in Spain, USA and Latin America

For a limited time during the holiday weekend, select seats are $25 off the regular price. You can access the offer here .

First ever LGBTQ trail in an American museum now open to the public

PathTrail, an experiential storytelling service that turns local stories, histories and attractions into multimedia trails, has produced its first public project: Out on View: LGBTQ+ Perspectives on the Collection, the first LGBTQ+ trail in an American museum, at Hartford, Connecticut’s Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. In conjunction with the exhibition Be Seen: Portrait Photography Since Stonewall, PathTrail produced the companion audio tour connecting visitors with queer subject matter throughout the museum’s collection. Out on View highlights sixteen works of art from antiquity to today.

Museum visitors and all others can access the mobile tour online any time at http://tap.thewadsworth.org/tap-web-app/#special-tours/tour-934/controller/StopListView .

Kiana Ledé - Can I

Vevo announces the release of LIFT artist, Kiana Ledé’s, second piece of content for “Can I” from of her new Myself EP. Vevo’s LIFT initiative connects today’s up-and-coming artists to audiences around the globe through video content. Launched in 2011, Vevo's artist development program shines a spotlight on the world's freshest new talent. Vevo LIFT alumni include the likes of Sam Smith, Halsey, Khalid, Jorja Smith, SZA, Julia Michaels, Billie Eilish and CNCO. Ledé's LIFT performances follow those of Def Jam Recordings’ YK Osiris, who recently premiered a live version of his hit “Worth It” as well as a short film, “YK Osiris: Young King.”
 

R&B starlet Kiana Ledé has quickly developed from childhood phenom to one of the world’s most promising and intriguing young stars. A true mix of cultures, African, Latino and Native American, Kiana crafted her own unique vocal sound into a natural blend of these global, expressive influences. Kiana dropped her Selfless EP, featuring “Show Love” and “Ex” in 2018 after previously starring in MTV’s Scream and having a track on the chart-dominating Official Soundtrack for Fifty Shades Freed. A Vevo DSCVR alum, Kiana’s LIFT content will include live performances of an assortment of tracks from her new Myself EP.
 

“For my Vevo LIFT session, I reimagined ‘Can I’ with harp, strings and piano, because when I was younger and in Orchestra, I developed a real love and admiration for classical music and the beautiful arrangements,” said Kiana Ledé. “With ‘Shawty,’ I wanted to highlight and bring out that brightness and playfulness that I felt when I wrote it. The little Reggae vibe at the end was totally impromptu on day of shooting with Vevo. We just stumbled into it and had to finish it that way. You can see how much fun we had doing that in the final performance and I’m thankful to Vevo for making my vision come to life.”

Planned Parenthood Launches “Band Together, Bans Off” Ad with Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Halsey and More

A new full-page ad in Billboard features nearly 140 musicians from genres across the industry opposing restrictions to safe, legal abortion and declaring their strong support for reproductive health and rights.

As part of Planned Parenthood’s #BansOffMyBody campaign, the artists signed on to the “Band Together, Bans Off” ad — which appears in the August 24 issue of Billboard — to raise awareness about the harm of sweeping bans on access to safe, legal abortion and affirm that no one is free unless they control their own body. The ad is supported by nearly 140 artists, including LIZZO, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Beck, Billie Eilish, Bon Iver, John Legend, Nicki Minaj, Demi Lovato, G-Eazy, HAIM, Troye Sivan, Macklemore, Hayley Kiyoko, Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus, Kacey Musgraves, Carole King, Dua Lipa, Meghan Trainor, and more. Those who signed are urging their social media followers to take action against these bans, and learn more about the threat to safe, legal abortion access in communities across the country. Specifically, the artists are asking their supporters to add their name to a national petition calling for an end to the abortion bans, with a goal of collecting half a million signatures by the anniversary of Roe v. Wade in January 2020.

Over the next few months, Planned Parenthood will also join music festivals like Made in America in Philadelphia and Music Midtown in Atlanta to educate fans about these harmful abortion bans and drive action to support access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. Planned Parenthood will also be working with a number of artists in new and innovative ways as they tour across the country this year, encouraging their fans to speak out against attacks on reproductive health and rights, including safe, legal abortion.

Equinox Theatre Presents: Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Sweeney Todd has become a bloody, worldwide success since being awarded eight Tony's, (including Best Musical), for its Broadway premiere. Stephen Sondheim's and Hugh Wheeler's (A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures) tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat has simultaneously shocked, awed and delighted audiences across the world.

An infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which, he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up... and the carnage has only just begun!

Equinox Theatre Company is thrilled to present the final show of their 11th season Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Performances will be September 27 through October 26 with shows Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $25 in advance/$30 at the door/$22 for groups of 6 or more in advance only. All performances will be at The Bug Theatre at 3654 Navajo Street in Denver. Tickets and more information available online at www.EquinoxTheatreDenver.com.