Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce: We've Gone Virtual!

While we are all working under the new social distancing rules the Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce has moved their networking events online.

This is a great opportunity to get to know other members of the chamber and to build the all important relationships needed to take your businesses to the next level. These FREE (for members) groups allow for more than one member from a profession to join and the structured meetings start and end on time to make the most of every member's valuable time.

Altın Gün - Yüce Dağ Başında

Amsterdam’s Altin Gün release their vibrant new single “Yüce Dağ Başında” today. The flirtatious dance track features lead vocals by frontwoman Merve Dasdemir and showcases the new synth-driven Europop direction the band explores on its forthcoming new record Yol, due out February 26 on ATO Records. Today the band shares “Yüce Dağ Başında” alongside its colorful video.

Yol is the full-length follow-up to 2019’s Grammy-nominated LP Gece. The new album also features the previously released single “Ordunun Dereleri,” of which MTV raved, “The band has made waves for its athletic, psych- and funk-inspired romps through music of the past, and on the ice-cold ‘Ordunun Dereleri,’ they’ve never sounded cooler.” Yol is available for pre-order HERE.

Modern Military Association of America Condemns U.S. Capitol Attacks

By Jennifer Dane, Air Force Veteran, Executive Director, Modern Military Association of America

As the nation's largest non-profit dedicated to LGBTQ military servicemembers, veterans, and their families, the Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) condemns the acts of violence that occurred within the past week at the United States Capitol.

The Modern Military Association of America is devastated by the actions and perpetual encouragement that led to an attack on our democracy through the destruction of property and looting, the threats of harm against our members of Congress, their staffers, and Capitol employees.

We are incredibly saddened by the loss of life of the U.S. Capitol Police Officer, Brian Sicknick, who once again defended our democracy, as he had already done so before when he served honorably in our great military.

As a military and veteran serving organization, we know firsthand the sacrifice and commitment each of us has made to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, and this horrific attack was an appalling and disgraceful attack on our democracy. We also want to expose the truth about the handling of the violence presented on that tragic day and how racism and social inequities are ever-present in our country.

We support the First Amendment rights to peacefully protest in order to advocate for change and further enhance our ability to engage in a conversation, but violence is never the answer. On January 20, 2021, members of the National Guard will be activated to serve on the front lines of our own country. We stand in solidarity against any form of violence and support a peaceful transition of power.

Canada's Drag Race Contestant Kyne Santos Shares "It Gets Better" Message

Today, leading LGBTQ+ organization, It Gets Better Project released a new video featuring Canada's Drag Race Season 1 contestant Kyne Santos - watch HERE. The 22-year-old Filipino-Canadian drag queen has taken her fame from television and turned to social media where she shares math lessons on TikTok while decked out in full drag.

In her It Gets Better video, Kyne describes growing up in the Philippines in a conservative, Catholic household, the fear she had coming to terms with her sexuality while pursuing her academic aspirations, and how her parents reacted to her coming out.

In the video, Kyne says, "It's really important to me to show people that you can be an academic and be whatever you want. It doesn't matter what you look like, it doesn't matter what you sound like.. all that matters is what is in your brain and what you can bring to the table."

JustFor.fans Recognizes its Top 15 Cis / Trans Male Performers of 2020

JustFor.fans (JFF), a leading subscription-based content sharing platform for models, has released its Top 15 list of the site’s most popular and influential cis and trans males over the past year.

The Top 15 Cis Male Performers of 2020 are:

1) phatrabbitkill2 9) deepfillernyc
2) RhyheimShabazz 10) LBadderz
3) griffinbarrowsx 11) RafaelMovies
4) MaxKonnorXXX 12) The_Sharok
5) GabrielCrossXXX 13) HungerFF
6) RopeTrainKeep 14) johnthomasxxx
7) CadeMaddoxxx 15) RoccoSteeleNYC
8) RealMenFullBush

The Top 15 Trans Male Performers of 2020 are:

1) TripleXTransMan 9) PuppoMax
2) AriKoyoteFTM 10) TommyTannerFTM
3) BillyVegaXXX 11) XXXZakTransman
4) StevieTrixx 12) Logan_Knight69
5) IzzyAkino 13) Jamal_Phoenix
6) sheabuttertrans 14) connoratlasXXX
7) leomercury 15) cobalt_ftm
8) kinxstonfoxxx

“We are the first porn site to not only acknowledge, but celebrate cis, trans and non-binary performers - which we are doing with this Top 15 list of JFF favorites,” said JustFor.fans founder Dominic Ford. “We’d like to share our appreciation so new JFF members can discover them and share their appreciation too!

“We believe that trans men are men and trans women are women. That’s why our Male and Female lists show both trans and cis lists under their categories. We are also mandating that anyone who carries our lists of any gender include both cis and trans lists of that gender.”

To learn more, visit justfor.fans and follow on Twitter at @JustForFansSite.

Meet One Colorado's Incoming Executive Director

By The One Colorado Team 

After a rollercoaster of a week, with all the jubilance from the victories in Georgia quickly overshadowed by the assault on our democracy, we want to start this week by taking a moment to breath and to share some AMAZING news with you — One Colorado has named Nadine Bridges as our new Executive Director!

The work ahead will not be easy, but Nadine is the perfect fit to lead One Colorado into its next chapter, as we continue to create a more inclusive LGBTQ movement that centers racial, political, social, and economic justice. Over the last two decades, Nadine has demonstrated great passion and leadership to meet the needs of LGBTQ Coloradans and their families.

As the departing Community Health Division Manager for Boulder County Public Health, Nadine has overseen programming that informs state and local policy and legislation to decrease health disparities for youth and young adults. In her free time, Nadine is a professor at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work, teaching classes on Power, Privilege and Oppression; Disrupting Privilege; Community Leadership and Organizing; and Social Justice & Ethics. Between 2014 and 2019, she was the Director of Youth Services for Rainbow Alley, an LGBTQ youth-serving organization under The Center on Colfax. She will officially assume the position of One Colorado’s Executive Director on January 19th, 2021.

We are excited for One Colorado's next chapter and we look forward to your continued involvement and support as we navigate the road ahead.

New From Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, 'Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar'

 

Take a trip and break out of your shell with Barb and Star. From the gals who brought you Bridesmaids (co-stars and co-writers Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo) comes Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar. Lifelong friends Barb and Star embark on the adventure of a lifetime when they decide to leave their small Midwestern town for the first time…ever. Romance, friendship and a villain’s evil plot…Hold onto your culottes, BARB & STAR debuts in your home on February 12!

Lost Horizons Present 'In Quiet Moments'

Lost Horizons – the project of Cocteau Twins’ Simon Raymonde & Richie Thomas of Dif Juz – released part one of its new album In Quiet Moments at the end of 2020 and is set to release part two, as well as the physical of the double album, on February 26th via Bella Union. Every track on the album features a guest vocalist, and today’s new single “In Quiet Moments” features Ural Thomas, an 82-year old Portland-based singer who learned to sing in church and went on to perform with the likes of Etta James, Otis Redding, James Brown and Stevie Wonder. Watch the video for “In Quiet Moments” HERE.

 

Of the track, Simon Raymonde of Lost Horizons says: “Sometimes you just have a clear vision for a song and then try as you might, it doesn’t quite hit the mark and other times, you’re not quite sure where it’s going and then all of sudden it’s like The Matrix and you’re buzzing! I’d been talking to Ural and his team since I heard about him earlier that year, and they were all working on a new Ural Thomas and The Pain album, but just as I finished the bass part on our piece, which Richie had started at a session in London, my inner voice was screaming “ASK URAL TO SING!” Scott and Brent who are his producers and write with Ural and in his band too, responded very positively to my enquiry and said Ural was into it, and it looked like they could do it all at their studio in Portland , AND film him at the same time as they were making a documentary about him! I couldn’t believe my luck. After he was done with the first half of the song I asked if he could make the ending spoken-word in the style of Gil Scott-Heron and he did something ad-libbed which I loved. I then asked Wendi Rose who sings with Spiritualized to add some of her beautiful vocals and I think this took it all to the next level. Paul Gregory and Jonathan Wilson also played some delicious guitar parts which were the fairy dust on top!”

 

Ural Thomas added: “When I first heard the song, I thought it was such a wonderful thing, both open and calm, with that steady, insistent groove. The chords go from looming to embracing then back again, like a sad, friendly giant. It took a quiet moment to go over it in my mind and then we were off and running with the tune. At times I feel strong and one with the world. At other times I feel tiny and solitary. In a way they’re two parts of the same feeling. That sense of being closed in and defined by walls became more real just a short while after we worked on the song. But we’re all those other things, too—connected, hopeful, with a long arc that will go beyond this time.” 

Books: Pepito Has a Doll

Releasing Jan. 20th, Pepito Has a Doll is centered on the experience of a shy young boy who lives with his grandmother. Pepito has only one friend, his doll Lola, until Miguel appears and they begin a joyful adventure together. Bilingual in English and Spanish, this story is an opportunity for families to discuss traditional gender roles and same gender attraction.

Ryland James - Blame

Today critically acclaimed Canadian breakout star Ryland James released a brand new single, “Blame,” via 21 Entertainment / Republic Records / EMI and Universal Music Canada.

“Blame,” comes after a busy holiday season that saw Ryland release his first-ever holiday EP, A Little Christmas. The project had Ryland revisit and recharge four seasonal classics, including his 2019 smash rendition of “Please Come Home For Christmas”, which garnered over 10 million streams.

With a new single and a new year, Ryland is ready to top the banner year he had in 2020. He amplified his voice worldwide with the release of his self-titled debut EP, Ryland James. In addition to peaking at #1 on Shazam Canada’s Top 200 Chart, the lead single “In My Head” recently picked up a platinum certification in Canada, while his catalog eclipsed 50 million global streams in a little over a year’s time. In 2019, he performed in venues across North America supporting multiplatinum star Alessia Cara and bringing crowds to their feet on a nightly basis.

Fierce" by Ultra Naté & Angelica Ross featuring Mila Jam to raise money for trans women causes

"Fierce" is an engaging, propulsive and danceable rallying cry bringing together the formidable talents of Acclaimed award-winning actress and host Angelica Ross, (@angelicaross), International dance pop diva and DJ Ultra Naté (@ultranatemusic), and features the beloved NYC advocate, activist and performer, Mila Jam (@themilajam).

"Fierce" is an electro pop anthem that invites everyone to "Pose!" "Sashay!" and "Walk!" for change. The empowering bop was designed to bring further awareness to the steadily increasing number of hate crimes and murders against Black and Latinx trans women. 2020 was the deadliest year on record for transgender and gender non-conforming people with an epidemic of violence disproportionately affecting women of color. This charitable release initiative - funded with a grant from Pop Culture Collaborative - aims to enlighten, educate and celebrate the trans community, its mission and their allyship through song.

One Colorado: Only ten more days left for Open Enrollment in Colorado!

By Michael Crews, Policy Director, One Colorado

Colorado's Open Enrollment Period is almost over! This is your last chance to purchase health insurance on the marketplace for 2021, barring specific unforeseen life events.

Not quite sure where to start? You can talk to a navigator and purchase health insurance online from Connect for Health Colorado.

Are you seeking insurance coverage for transition-related care or a person living with HIV who needs specific prescription drug coverage? One Colorado has updated resources that will help you find the insurance carrier that's right for you.

2021 Transgender Health Insurance Buyer's Guide
2021 Hormone Therapy Prescription Coverage Guide
2021 PrEP and HIV Prescription Coverage Guide

These guides not only look at whether the plans on Colorado's marketplace cover behavioral health services, hormone therapy, and gender-affirming surgery, but also review the availability of an LGBTQ health navigator, coverage of puberty blockers for minors, quality of hormone therapy coverage, and HIV prescription coverage.

Don't wait to get covered! Open enrollment for 2021 ends on January 15! Shop online now or call 855-PLANS-4-YOU.

AHF to HRSA: Reject Kalderos’ Plan to Hurt 340B Drug Discount Program

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has sounded the alarm at reports that drug companies – through their vendor Kalderos – are moving forward with plans to undermine the 340B drug program – to the harm of safety net providers, who are already struggling to maintain services to their populations in the midst of a pandemic (340B Report 12/17/20). ‘The ‘Kalderos’ plan would convert the 340B Drug Price Program from a discount to a rebate program and would set Kalderos up as the arbiter of who will get the rebate and when, putting the fox in charge of the henhouse,” said Tom Myers, AHF chief of public affairs and general counsel.

The 340B program is not funded by taxpayers, but rather is a discount that by law drug manufacturers must provide to nonprofit hospitals and clinics through an agreement with the government as a condition of Medicaid and Medicare covering their drugs.

“Anyone who shops knows the difference between getting a discount at the time of purchase and a rebate at some unspecified date. At best, rebates mean long delays. At worst, they are illusory – denied when a manufacturer finds fault with your application or your receipt or determines that someone else has already claimed the rebate. Under the 340B statute, drug manufacturers are required to sell drugs to safety net providers at or below the discount price. It is not for drug manufacturers or their agents to determine when or who or on what conditions covered entities get that price,” added Myers.

Congress intentionally expanded the 340B program with the full knowledge and explicit approval of the drug industry. In 2010, when it enacted the Affordable Care Act, Congress increased the number and types of nonprofit hospitals that can participate. Drug companies actively lobbied for the ACA because they knew that, between Medicaid expansion and the ACA individual mandate, they would have a payer source for their drugs for tens of millions of new people. Since 2010, total drug company sales have increased over $85 billion per year.

“This proposal violates the congressional intent that created 340B. Kalderos is trying to ramrod its new rebate model, even while 246 members of Congress have expressed their alarm in a letter and even while HRSA itself has not approved this model. AHF urges the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration which runs the 340B to assert its authority as enforcer of the 340B program and reject the Kalderos steal,” concluded Myers.

Please visit www.let340b.org for more information on the program and campaign to maintain the integrity of 340B.

HBO's THE LADY AND THE DALE, About '70s Trans Entrepreneur Elizabeth Carmichael, Debuts Jan 31

 

HBO Documentary Films’ THE LADY AND THE DALE, a four-part documentary series from Emmy-winning producers Mark and Jay Duplass (HBO’s “Room 104”) and directed by Nick Cammilleri and Zackary Drucker, traces the audacious story of Elizabeth Carmichael, a larger-than-life transgender entrepreneur who rose to prominence during the 1970s oil crisis with her promotion of a fuel-efficient, three-wheeled car known as The Dale. At a time when three big American automobile manufacturers ruled the road, Liz launched a futurist vehicle that promised to get 70 miles to the gallon.

Her promotional zeal thrust her into fierce public and media scrutiny which uncovered a web of mystery and suspicion about the car’s technology and her own checkered past. THE LADY AND THE DALE is a probing exploration of family and identity seen through the lens of the rise and fall of a fearless and wily innovator, an extraordinarily resilient woman and a dedicated parent. The series debuts with two back-to-back episodes SUNDAY, JANUARY 31 (9:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), with new episodes airing subsequent Sundays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Creating Change - Virtual Conference Opportunity

Once again, the LGBTQ Student Resource Center will be hosting a contingent of students from MSU Denver, CU Denver, and CCD to attend 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.

This year, due to COVID restrictions, the conference will happen virtually, meaning more people can attend. The LGBTQ Student Resource Center will pay the registration costs for any and all currently enrolled Auraria students who wish to experience this transformative conference.

If you are a student at one of the three Auraria institutions, or know of students who may be interested, click here to fill out the application form by the deadline: January 8, 2021 at 5 p.m.