One Colorado: Let's make sure the next POTUS is a pro-LGBTQ champion

By The One Colorado Team 

We're just a few days away from the first-ever Presidential Forum on LGBTQ Issues — hosted by Angelica Ross of Pose, marking the first national forum of the 2020 Presidential Campaign to be hosted by a transgender person.

Visibility and representation are important. That is why we must hear the candidates perspectives on the issues facing LGBTQ Americans, and we must ensure that the next President of the United States is a champion for LGBTQ Americans and their families.

Support our mission in 2020 by contributing $5, $10 or $25 a month to One Colorado today and help us elect the next generation of pro-equality champions. 

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 the 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 the Trump Administration is trying to erase our community from existence, will you commit to sustaining our work with a monthly gift today? 

We couldn't do this work without you. Don't forget to join us this Friday to watch the first Presidential Forum on LGBTQ issues at Blush and Blu!

Where We Call Home: LGBT People of Color in Rural America

Today, MAP released a new report, Where We Call Home: LGBT People of Color in Rural America, which examines the unique challenges of LGBT people of color in rural America and highlights distinct experiences across different communities of color. As the second publication in the Where We Call Home series, this report details how the structural challenges of rural life amplify acceptance of or discrimination against LGBT people of color. 
Click here to read the exclusive Advocate op-ed about the report.
MAP is thrilled to release this report in conjunction with the LGBTQ Presidential Forum—hosted by The Advocate, One Iowa, the Cedar Rapids Gazette, and GLAAD—which will be streamed live on MSNBC. Tune in and see MAP’s policy work take center stage along with the Democratic Party 

• People of color, including those in rural areas, are more likely than white people to identify as LGBT: people of color comprise 42% of the national LGBT population, compared to 36% of the total U.S. population.
• LGBT people of color in rural states are especially vulnerable to discrimination. Overall, rural states are significantly less likely than majority urban states to have vital nondiscrimination protections, and are also more likely to have harmful, discriminatory laws. 
• LGBT people of color experience similar or higher rates of both poverty and unemployment compared to both non-LGBT people of color and white people. 
• Smaller populations in rural communities mean any "difference" is more noticeable. For LGBT people of color, increased visibility as both people of color and as LGBT people in rural communities may mean further vulnerability.
• LGBT people of color have fewer support structures and resources that accept them both as a person of color and someone who is LGBT. The relative social and geographic isolation of rural areas can compound this problem. For example, LGBT-focused programs in rural areas, if available at all, may not fully recognize or be equipped to support people who are both LGBT and a person of color, and programs for people of color in rural areas may not be accepting of people of color who are also LGBT.

Click here to view infographics pulled from Where We Call Home: LGBT People of Color in Rural America.

Because LGBT people of color may experience discrimination based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity and their race or ethnicity, passing nondiscrimination protections at the federal, state, and local level is vital to ensure full participation in all aspects of life. Where We Call Home: LGBT People of Color in Rural America concludes with recommendations for community organizations, educators, healthcare providers and policymakers to address the specific needs of LGBT people of color in rural communities.

The report is released in partnership with the Equality Federation, the National Black Justice Coalition, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

candidates. 
This report offers extensive new findings on LGBT people of color in rural communities, where discrimination based on race and immigration status is compounded by discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Some key findings of the report include:

The Human Rights Campaign Submits More Than 10,000 Public Comments on Trump’s Proposed Attack on LGBTQ Federal Contract Workers

Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced that it submitted more than 10,000 public comments against the Trump-Pence administration’s proposed regulation that would gut nondiscrimination protections--including for LGBTQ people--by adding religious exemptions to President Obama’s 2014 executive order that prohibits discrimination in hiring by federal contractors on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity in addition to the original nondiscrimination protections outlined in Executive Order 11246.

“With this proposed regulation, the Trump-Pence administration is seeking to gut existing protections for LGBTQ people, women and religious minorities, and we cannot stand idly by,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “This regulation, which directly contradicts Trump’s earlier promise, is a broad and sweeping effort to implement a license to discriminate against people on the basis of their gender identity and sexual orientation. The American people recognize the danger of this proposal, which is why more than 10,000 people have submitted public comments opposing this regulation in less than a month. Everyone deserves a workplace free from discrimination. The Trump-Pence administration needs to withdraw this proposed regulation and stop these attacks on LGBTQ people.”

In his first month in office, President Trump promised to maintain the Obama EO:

President Donald J. Trump is determined to protect the rights of all Americans, including the LGBTQ community. President Trump continues to be respectful and supportive of LGBTQ rights, just as he was throughout the election. The President is proud to have been the first-ever GOP nominee to mention the LGBTQ community in his nomination acceptance speech, pledging then to protect the community from violence and oppression. The executive order signed in 2014, which protects employees from anti-LGBTQ workplace discrimination while working for federal contractors, will remain intact at the direction of President Donald J. Trump.

In July 2014, President Obama signed an executive order amending EO 11246 to provide nondiscrimination protections to LGBTQ employees of federal contractors by prohibiting companies that contract with the federal government from discriminating in employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Last month, the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced a notice of proposed federal rulemaking that lays out OFCCP’s intention not to enforce nondiscrimination requirements if a contactor claims that it is acting in accord with religious tenets which will negatively impact LGBTQ people, women and religious minorities. The proposal cherry picks federal court decisions, relies upon language not contained in the majority opinions, and blatantly changes the context and meaning of case law to justify the changes to existing regulations.

Creating Change Student Conference Opportunity

Once again, the LGBTQ Student Resource Center will be taking a contingent of students from MSU Denver, CU Denver, and CCD to Creating Change – The National Conference on LGBTQ Equality. Creating Change is the premier annual organizing and skills-building event for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community and their allies. The conference is run by the National LGBTQ Task Force, and attracts more than 3,500 people from all over the country every year. Presenters and participants come from all walks of life and include members of the business community, elected officials, students, faith leaders and staff and volunteers of non-profit organizations.

If you are a student at one of the three Auraria institutions, or know of students who may be interested, please fill out this application survey by October 4, 2019 at 5 p.m.

Equinox Theatre Company 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.

Travel: Palm Springs Pride Announces 2019 Lineup

TLC, Heather Small, Kristine W, Maxine Nightingale, and BETTY top the lineup of the 2019 Palm Springs Pride Festival. The festival will take place November 1-3 in downtown Palm Springs on Palm Canyon Dr and on Arenas Rd.

TLC, the Iconic four-time Grammy award-winning “best-selling American girl-group of all-time” will be featured in a 60-minute concert Saturday, November 2 and lead nearly 100 other acts for the city’s annual Pride festivities. Formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 1990, the group quickly rose to fame earning four multi-platinum albums and four number-one singles: “Creep”; “Waterfalls,” one of pop history’s most prominent HIV/AIDS-awareness anthems; “No Scrubs”; and “Unpretty,” a body-positive message that has inspired self-confidence for a generation.

TLC sets the stage for an unprecedented and diverse group of LGBTQ+ and allied performers featured in the Palm Springs Pride lineup. Regardless of genre, this year’s performers will come together on the Festival’s four stages to embrace the theme, Millions of Moments of Pride.

The Arenas District Merchants Association presents a weekend of Pop, Drag, and Rock ’n’ Roll, performances including M People singer Heather Small who joins Multi-Grammy-Award-Winning International DJ Lee Dagger of Bimbo Jones, Kristine W, the Queen of the 90’s dance music, and pop, disco Grammy-nominated legend Maxine Nightingale. The Arenas lineup includes the all-female Black Sabbitch, and the high-energy 80s Rock show, That ‘80s Band, among others.

Other acts appearing during the 33rd annual Pride Festival will be New York City’s premier queer femme pop music duo Sateen along with the female pop band BETTY from The L-Word, dance diva Pepper MaShay, Ayline Artin, Torrey Mercer, Los Angeles-based comedian Jessica Inserra and London based Lucy Whittaker all perform on the new Pride Stage on Palm Canyon Drive at Amado presented by Effen Vodka.

LGBTQ Customer Experience Survey - Enter to Win a $100 Tivoli Station Gift Card!

The LGBTQ Student Resource Center is seeking your input and feedback about your experiences with the Center and the programming that they offer!

All survey responses are anonymous to encourage open and honest feedback. The survey should take 7-8 minutes to complete.

As a way of thanking you for your time, you will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a $100 gift card to the Tivoli Station.

Denver Makes WalletHub's 2019 List of the Most Fun Cities in America

Source: WalletHub

With the average American spending nearly $3,000 on entertainment each year, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2019's Most Fun Cities in America as well as accompanying videos.

To help Americans find the cities with the greatest number and variety of cheap, fun activities, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 66 key metrics, ranging from fitness clubs per capita to movie costs to average open hours of breweries.
 

Top 20 Most Fun Cities in America
1	Las Vegas, NV		11	Austin, TX
2	Orlando, FL		12	New Orleans, LA
3	New York, NY		13	Honolulu, HI
4	Miami, FL		14	Denver, CO
5	Chicago, IL		15	Washington, DC
6	Atlanta, GA		16	Tampa, FL
7	San Francisco, CA		17	Seattle, WA
8	Portland, OR		18	St. Louis, MO
9	San Diego, CA		19	Houston, TX
10	Los Angeles, CA		20	Philadelphia, PA

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.