The 2019 Gay Travel Awards are underway and the finalists have been revealed!
These awards support and promote LGBTQ+ travel and tourism by identifying and rewarding select travel-related organizations which exemplify a spirit of inclusiveness while providing exceptional customer service and hospitality excellence
This year 135 nominees have been selected across 22 categories. To see the full list of nominees, click here. Voting is open now through December 27th, and everyone who votes for every category will be automatically entered into a giveaway to win a stay at Andrew Christian's Residency in Puerto Vallarta as well as special gift packages from Andrew Christian and MËNAJI skin care. Plus, every voter will receive an exclusive 50% off MËNAJI skin care promo code!
We thank you in advance for contributing your opinions to this study. Anyone who completes the survey will have the chance to enter to win one of twenty prizes: either US$50 cash (check or Amazon/Starbucks electronic gift card), or $50 donation to a charity of your choice.
As part of a CMI research project, your personal information will remain SECURE and CONFIDENTIAL. CMI does not sell your contact information to other companies. They report the collective opinion of the LGBTQ community, not your personal information.
Stars
of stage and screen have come together to celebrate Emmy, Grammy, and
Tony Award-winning star, Billy Porter’s monumental year with an epic lip
sync video for his chart-topping dance single, “Love Yourself.” The “Love Yourself” lip synch video
features Porter’s “Pose” co-stars MJ Rodriguez, Ryan Jamal Swain,
Dyllón Burnside, Jeremy McClain, and Jason A. Rodriguez; Kinky Boots
cast and creatives Cyndi Lauper, Jerry Mitchell, Stark Sands, Annaleigh
Ashford, Lena Hall, and the Ogunquit Playhouse cast of the smash hit
musical; the Broadway cast of Ain’t Too Proud; along with Kelly Ripa,
Debra Messing, Lin Manuel Miranda, Patina Miller, Nathan Lee Graham,
Miss J, Peppermint, and designer Christian Siriano.
“Wow...
my heart just skipped a beat,” said Porter. “What a gift it is to be
celebrated by my peers and afforded a moment for me to reflect. I don’t
get a lot of time to do that...how blessed I feel to have lived long
enough to see this day. Thank you everybody! Thank you for listening!
The category is...LOVE.”
Billy Porter’s “Love Yourself”
was released in 2019 by the Butler Music Company, Inc. and reached
number one on the Billboard Dance Club Play Songs chart. It was written
and produced by D. Smith
and executive produced by Bill Butler and Carmen Cacciatore. The lip
synch video was directed by Ryan Ratelle for RRR Creative, shot and
edited by Cristian PenÞa, and assistant directed by Ester Shamailova.
Porter
performed the anthem at the WorldPride Opening Ceremony in New York
City and during his headline set on the main stage at "Pride In London”
at Trafalgar Square this past summer. He will end the year performing
“Love Yourself” on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, which he will be
hosting live from New Orleans. Over the course of Billy Porter’s
impressive thirty-year career, he has flexed his creative muscles as an
actor, singer, director, composer, and playwright. During the past two
years, he has reached even new heights with an Emmy Award-winning turn
as Pray Tell on the Ryan Murphy-helmed FX series “POSE” which also
earned him two Golden Globes nominations and a Critics Choice Award
nomination; a critically acclaimed guest starring role on “American
Horror Story: Apocalypse;” and prominent roles in the highly anticipated
films, Like A Boss and Cinderella. His wildly creative and often
politically charged appearances on the world’s red carpets have made his
name synonymous with fashion, causing “Billy Porter Red Carpet” to be
Google’s number one red carpet look phrase searched in 2019. Porter also
has numerous theatre credits, including the role of Lola in the
Broadway musical “Kinky Boots,” which he originated in 2013 and for
which he won the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards, as
well as the Grammy for best musical-theatre album.
Lone Tree Arts Center's new production of Home for the Holidays is sure to put you in the holiday spirit! There’s something for
everyone in this family friendly holiday spectacular: dancers, singers,
holiday songs, and, of course, celebrity appearances by Santa and Mrs.
Claus. With a new storyline for 2019 that includes performances by the
Denver Dolls and an amazing gospel choir, Home for the Holidays is sure to delight!
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) people have experienced unprecedented attacks by the Trump administration, coupled with efforts by states to advance religious exemptions laws and draconian legislation targeting transgender people. These attacks require LGBTQI organizations to be nimble in organizational priorities and investments.
Despite the tense political landscape, the 2019 National Movement Report, published annually by MAP, finds that national LGBTQI organizations remained steadfast in providing vital programs and services with continued increase in revenue and diverse revenue sources.
This year's report provides a comprehensive and standardized look at fiscal year 2018 for 40 major LGBTQI advocacy organizations. These organizations reported total combined 2018 revenue of $299.3 million—up 8% from 2017. The majority of 2018 expenses (79%) was spent on programs and services, indicating that the largest LGBTQI social justice organizations operate efficiently.
Some of MAP’s most important work is to help policymakers better understand who LGBTQI people are, the challenges at hand, the policy solutions to address them, and how to become more effective advocates. Advancement is our middle name, and that’s because MAP works to advance policy, understanding, and collaboration in pursuit of LGBTQI equality.
Major findings from the report include: • Excluding in-kind contributions, organizations reported an aggregate 10% revenue increase from 2017 to 2018. Aggregate revenue including in-kind contributions was up 8% for the same period. Over the past five years, total revenue has increased 47% from 2014 to 2018. • Total combined 2018 expenses (including in-kind) across all participating organizations were $269.8 million–up 6% from 2017. Over the past five years, total expenses increased by 33% from 2014 to 2018, demonstrating growth in programs and services. • Individual donor contributions remain the most significant source of revenue among participating LGBTQI organizations, comprising 32% of their total 2018 revenue. • Based on the number of donors to participating organizations (assuming that all donors are LGBTQI and there are no duplicates), only 3.4% of LGBTQ people contributed $35 or more in 2018 to participating organizations. • Organizations that reported staff demographics have diverse staff that reflects the overall population. Fifty-four percent of staff are Caucasian, while 15% identify as Black, 14% as Latinx, 8% Asian or Pacific Islander, 1% as Native American, 4% as multiracial, and 4% as some other race or ethnicity. Among senior staff and board members of LGBTQI organizations, 62% of senior staff are Caucasian as are 65% of board members. Of organizations providing data on the sexual orientation of their staff, 45% of staff identified as gay or lesbian, 10% as bisexual, 16% as queer, 15% as another orientation, and 14% as straight.
On Wednesday, December 18, the Cabinet of Germany – the country’s chief executive body consisting of Chancellor Angela Merkel and the cabinet of ministers – approved a draft bill banning advertising and offering of “conversion therapy” practices to change, suppress, or divert one’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
The proposed bill will outlaw advertising or offering “conversion therapy”, prescribing a monetary penalty of €30,000 for infringement. Prior to approving the bill, the Cabinet expanded its reach to include banning the practice on 16 – 18 year olds as well as younger minors.
The bill will now pass to Parliament for voting. If passed by both houses of parliament, Germany will join Malta, Ecuador, Brazil, and Taiwan to become only the 5th country in the world to ban “conversion therapy”.
In August 2019, OutRight Action International released the report “Harmful Treatment. The Global Reach of So-Called Conversion Therapy”, showing that, while such practices vary across religious, cultural, or traditional contexts and range in their forms of psychological and physical violence, they are prevalent in countries across the globe. They have been condemned by many major psychological, psychiatric, and medical associations, including the World Psychiatric Association, and recognized to not only never achieve their intended outcome, but to instead cause deep, lasting trauma.
Jessica Stern, Executive Director of OutRight Action International, commented, “It is incredibly encouraging to see the Cabinet of Germany taking this step towards banning 'conversion therapy' practices, sending a powerful message that LGBTIQ people are not in need of change or cure. Demand for “conversion therapy” will decrease only if acceptance of LGBTIQ lives grows. As such, legal efforts to tackle “conversion therapy” have to go hand in hand with measures designed to promote understanding and inclusion of LGBTIQ people. Germany is heading in this direction, and I hope to see other countries follow suit!”
The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner. With
Christmas being the most popular holiday in the U.S. and one of the most
expensive – Americans are projected to spend up to $730 billion over
the holiday season this year – the personal-finance website WalletHub
today released its report on 2019’s Best Places for Christmas Celebrations as well as accompanying videos.
To help Americans celebrate Christmas without breaking the bank,
WalletHub compared the 100 biggest cities across 33 key metrics. The
data set ranges from Christmas events per capita to average price per
Christmas party ticket to shopping centers and outlets per capita.
Check out the restored official ‘Last Christmas’ video, which has been upgraded to 4k by the original director, Andy Morahan. The video for the global smash hit was originally filmed in November 1984 in a Swiss resort called Saas-Fee and included George and Andrew plus Shirlie and Pepsi and several close friends.
Opera Steamboat is producing their first ever vocal competition to showcase the talent of Steamboat Springs on February 16, 2020 and the cut-off date for applications and audition clips has been extended to December 18!
Understanding the impact of a recent Trump Administration proposed rule is not simple or easy. On its face, the rule strips away comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, and religion from many U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs, including Head Start, Meals on Wheels, and foster care. But some programs have their own protections. For example, the Affordable Care Act ensures there is no discrimination based on sex in healthcare services. Rather, making sense of this complicated proposed rule requires a program-by-program analysis.
MAP, in collaboration with Americans United, Family Equality Council, and National Center for Transgender Equality—with assistance from organizations including the ACLU and the Center for American Progress—have worked to get to the bottom about what this rule means for millions of people who rely on HHS programs. You can read more in this new analysis released today.
In short, this rule opens a can of worms: it strips away clear nondiscrimination protections, inviting service providers to take federal taxpayer dollars and turn people away from vital programs and services just because of who they are. This rule could affect many programs that millions of people depend on every day, such as programs older adults rely on for congregate meals, legal services, and transportation, Head Start programs for children, foster and adoption programs that help children, and more.
With
this new proposed rule, discrimination based on sex could be allowed in
programs serving older adults. Adoption agencies could refuse to
consider otherwise qualified prospective foster or adoptive families
because of their religion. And a whole host of HHS-funded programs could
be unavailable to LGBT people.
A short 30-day comment period for this proposed rule closes next Thursday, December 19. Share your thoughts with the Trump Administration about what this proposed rule means to you and your family. - via MAP
OneUp Duo, the pop/soul vocal combo
comprised of husbands Adam and Jerome Bell-Bastien, are partnering with PFLAG National,
the first and largest organization for parents, families, and allies of the
LGBTQ+ community. Together, they are spreading the message that family
acceptance and support for LGBTQ+ people saves lives, via OneUp Duo’s new holiday
single, “Let Me Come Home.”
Since performing on The
Voice, OneUp Duo has traveled extensively across America and headlined
various Pride Festivals, sang the National Anthem for the Brooklyn Nets and NY
Yankees, and lit up stages as lead singers for 'The Disco Nights,' NYC's
premiere disco experience. Adam and Jerome Bell-Bastien met on the set of a
music video shoot where Jerome was cast as Adam’s love interest—and it was love
at first sight. They were married in NYC on June 19th, 2019, during
the 50th anniversary of Pride.
PFLAG National signed on as the exclusive nonprofit partner
on the song. “It’s a story we have heard so many times, from hundreds of
thousands of LGBTQ+ people who want unconditional love and support from their
families,” said PFLAG National Director of Communications Liz Owen. “The song
is authentic and beautiful, and speaks to the heart of the work that PFLAG has
been doing for over 46 years. Music is a powerful medium, and I know that this
song is going to help families connect this holiday season. We’re so honored to
partner with Adam and Jerome.”
“We are elated to partner with an organization that embodies
the message we are trying to send out to the world,” said OneUp Duo. “We had no
idea when we wrote this song how beautifully it would mirror the mission of
PFLAG. We couldn’t feel more honored to know that Let Me Come Home has found a
home with PFLAG!”
Kesha
released “Resentment” (feat. Sturgill Simpson, Brian Wilson &
Wrabel), a vulnerable collaboration and the newest track to come from
her forthcoming album High Road. Originally
written by Wrabel, Madi Diaz, and Jamie Floyd, with co-writing from
Kesha and production by John Hill, “Resentment” is a touching,
country-tinged reflection on being done wrong by a lover and holding
onto that negativity. Additional music will be added to the
much-anticipated new album, which will now be released January 31 via
Kemosabe/RCA Records. January will also find Kesha announcing a
nationwide headlining US tour as well as appearing as both a performer
and chat guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
On
“Resentment," Kesha displays some of the purest vocals of her entire
catalog, tenderly singing alongside the supporting voices of Simpson,
Wilson and Wrabel who each complement her with palpable earnestness.
Commenting
on the inspiration behind the track, Kesha found that “resentment is
such a powerful and destructive emotion and in my experience is more
complex than hate or anger,” while of the collaborators on the song she
said “Brian Wilson is one of my personal musical heroes, so when he said
he would collaborate with me on the recording…that moment was one of
the most exciting in my career. Then add in Sturgill who I respect and
admire so much, as well as my close friend the insanely talented
songwriter Wrabel, and this record felt more like a dream than just
another song to me."
Would you like to help shape the direction of the Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce? Have ideas you want to help implement? The working board of directors is currently seeking to add additional passionate board members.
National advocacy groups including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Center for American Progress (CAP), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), GLAAD, Lambda Legal, the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the NAACP, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the National Black Justice Coalition (BJC), National Fair Housing Alliance, National Partnership for Women and Families, National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), PFLAG National and the Transgender Law Center expressed strong opposition to the so-called “Fairness For All” Act, as introduced in Congress. If enacted, this bill would undermine civil rights protections for women, people of color, people of faith and create substandard protections for LGBTQ people. In a joint statement, the groups wrote:
The “Fairness for All” Act is anything but fair, and it certainly does not serve all of us. It is an affront to existing civil rights protections that protect people on the basis of race, sex, and religion and creates new, substandard protections for LGBTQ people with massive loopholes and carve-outs, and upends critical federal programs that serve children in need. This legislation is deeply dangerous for many reasons, mainly because it would erode protections that already exist for people based on race, sex and religion, rolling back protections that have been on the books for decades. It would expand the number of places and situations in which lawful discrimination could occur. At the same time, it would introduce new, problematic provisions purportedly seeking to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation and gender identity with broad exemptions, essentially licensing discrimination against LGBTQ people and women. Communities of color, who suffer from disproportionately higher rates of discrimination and harassment would be especially vulnerable to harm under these broad exemptions. Our nation’s existing civil rights framework already strikes the right balance when it comes to the government’s interest in protecting religious freedom and advancing nondiscrimination, and it is wrong to put into law a different system of protections for LGBTQ people and their families. This legislation would create a “double whammy” for anyone at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities: a Black lesbian or Transgender Jewish woman, for example, could see many of her existing rights erased or rolled back, ostensibly to protect her. The Equality Act was passed through the House of Representatives with bipartisan support, and nearly 70 percent of Americans support comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people. The “Fairness for All” Act, on the other hand, was introduced by a small group of lawmakers. This legislation licenses discrimination while eroding the rights of people of faith. It is wrong, and we strongly oppose it.
LGBTQ people deserve full federal equality -- nothing more and nothing less. The Equality Act, which has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives with a bipartisan majority, would ensure clear and equal protections from discrimination for LGBTQ people throughout daily life while expanding protections for communities of color, people of faith, and women.
The Equality Act has broad, growing support and clear momentum. Over the last several years, more than 260 leading companies, more than 60 national trade associations, and more than 500 civil rights, religious, medical and social welfare organizations have joined with the LGBTQ community to support the Equality Act, which recently passed the U.S. House with a bipartisan majority.
Said Cyndi, "I'm so excited to finally release 'Hope' as a single. The song doesn't really have too many words. I wanted everyone to get the message through the feeling of it. With
all the craziness going on in the world, we might not agree on much,
but I think we can all agree that the world could use a little hope
right now. I hope that people get that from the song.”
Highlights for 2019 include the release of “Hope,”
Cyndi’s first single since 2016, a sold-out Japanese headline tour, and
special orchestral renditions of her hits with both the New York Pops
and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Lauper was the headlining performer at the WorldPride/Stonewall
50 opening ceremonies in New York, and gave special performances
throughout the year - at the inauguration of Governor Jared Polis, at
Bette Midler’s annual Hulaween benefit, and as part of an all-star
tribute to Emilio and Gloria Estefan, the 2019 recipients of the Library
of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
Lauper’s record-setting debut album, She’s So Unusual,
was inducted into the National Recording Registry of the Library of
Congress. She became Dr. Lauper, as her alma mater, Northern Vermont
University, awarded her an honorary doctorate of letters degree. And she
landed a deal with Netflix for the development of a new show with Jane
Lynch and Carol Leifer, which will shoot in 2020.
Lauper closes out 2019 with her 9th annual Home for the Holidays concert
which benefits her charity, True Colors United (TCU), that works to end
homelessness amongst LGBTQ youth. In yet another first, the United Nations will award Lauper with the first High Note Global Prize award for her promotion of human rights and her work with TCU.
