TLC’S “I Am Jazz” Features HRC Foundation's Cheryl Greene, Welcoming Schools Program

  

Yesterday, on TLC’s “I Am Jazz,” Jazz Jennings spoke with Cheryl Greene, Director of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF)’s Welcoming Schools Program about the need for comprehensive bullying prevention programs in schools across the country.

Welcoming Schools is the most comprehensive bias-based bullying prevention program in the nation to provide LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive professional development training, lesson plans, booklists and resources specifically designed for educators and youth-serving professionals. Our program uses an intersectional, anti-racist lens dedicated to actionable policies and practices. We uplift school communities with critical tools to embrace family diversity, create LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive schools, prevent bias-based bullying, and support transgender and non-binary students.

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OUT on VOD: Stop-Zemlia

Following a successful run on the global film festival circuit, Altered Innocence is inviting audiences to relieve the beauty and trauma of being a teenager beginning January 21 with Stop-Zemlia. Kateryna Gornostai's debut feature premiered at the Berlinale Generations, where it won the Crystal Bear for Best Film. The Youth Jury declared: "The film convincingly covers a variety of important topics which appeal to us as young people. Platonic love, queerness, solidarity and psychological stress reinforce the effect of the film as an authentic coming-of-age story. By virtue of creative visualisation techniques, it becomes clear in an artistic manner how our generation dreams, feels and experiences life. The message is conveyed that it is part of life to face certain fears in order to be able to enjoy the most exciting years of youth."

Stop-Zemlia went on to screen at New York's New Directors/New Films Festival and the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival.

Gay Help Wanted: Health Equity Coordinator for One Colorado

One Colorado is seeking a Health Equity Coordinator based in Pueblo County. 

This position will be responsible for facilitating community advisory groups and coalition meetings; building relationships with community and government partners; data tracking; grant reporting; developing providing LGBTQ competency trainings; and more. This position will collaborate with One Colorado's Health Equity & Training Director, Youth & Community Engagement Manager, and Southern Colorado Field Organizer.

HUD Announces Disaster Assistance for Colorado Disaster Survivors

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the implementation of federal disaster assistance for areas in Colorado affected by straight-line winds and wildfires from December 30, 2021, and continuing.  

On January 1, President Biden issued a major disaster declaration to make Federal funding available to affected individuals in Boulder County, Colorado.

Federal funding, provided by FEMA, is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the affected county in Colorado. Effective immediately, HUD is:

• Providing immediate foreclosure relief in counties covered by the major disaster declaration – HUD's automatic 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured home mortgages commenced on the date of the Presidential major disaster declaration, and foreclosures of mortgages to Native American borrowers guaranteed under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program. For assistance, call your loan servicer or FHA's Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320.
• Making mortgage insurance available – HUD's Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims whose homes were destroyed or damaged to such an extent that reconstruction or replacement is necessary, and they are facing the daunting task of rebuilding or buying another home. Borrowers from participating FHA-approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing, including closing costs.
• Making insurance available for both mortgages and home rehabilitation – HUD's Section 203(k) loan program enables those who have lost their homes to finance the purchase or refinance of a house along with its repair through a single mortgage. It also allows homeowners who have damaged houses to finance the rehabilitation of their existing single-family home.
• Sharing information on housing providers and HUD programs – The Department will share information with FEMA and the state on housing providers that may have available units in the impacted counties. This includes Public Housing Agencies and Multi-Family owners. The Department will also connect FEMA and state officials to subject matter experts to provide information on HUD programs and providers.
• Providing flexibility to Community Planning and Development Grantees – Recipients of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, Housing Opportunities for Persons With HIV/AIDS (HOPWA) Program, Continuum of Care (CoC) Program, Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program, HOME Program, and Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Program funds can apply for needed administrative flexibility in response to natural disasters. For more information on applying for a waiver, contact your local Community Planning and Development Program Office. Contact information can be found here.
• Providing flexibility to Public Housing Agencies – Public Housing Agencies can apply for needed administrative flexibility through disaster waivers. For detailed information on applying for a waiver, click here for the latest guidance Federal Register Disaster Relief Notice. The Department also released PIH Notice 2021-34, which granted administrative flexibilities to waive or establish alternative requirements for numerous statutory and regulatory requirements for various Public Housing Programs. As a reminder, to be eligible to receive a disaster waiver, the PHA must be located in an active Presidentially declared Major Disaster Declaration (MDD) area and submit a waiver within four months of a disaster.
• Ensuring HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are ready to assist – HUD-approved housing counseling agencies have counselors available to help those impacted by natural disasters to determine assistance needs and available resources. Find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.
• Assisting with housing discrimination – Housing discrimination sometimes occurs when people attempt to find and access housing following a disaster. HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is available to assist people who believe they have experienced housing discrimination. If you think your rights have been violated, you should file a fair housing complaint with HUD. You can file a complaint by calling HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or visiting How to File a Complaint on HUD's website. Materials and assistance are available for persons with limited English proficiency. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the Department using the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339. You should file a complaint with HUD as soon as possible. HUD may be unable to help you if your complaint is filed more than one year after the last discriminatory act. A list of the state and local fair housing agencies funded by HUD is available on HUD's website here.

Read about these and other HUD programs designed to assist disaster survivors.

CJRO presents "Big Band Royalty: Dukes, Counts and the Barons of Jazz" at the Arvada Center

The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra’s (CJRO) returns to the Arvada Center Main Stage Theatre for an evening of live jazz that will delight its listeners. From Counts to Dukes, jazz has a long lineage of royalty and heirs, and a fresh take on many of these greats will be heard when the CJRO big band takes the stage on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. Songs featured include a new arrangement of “Take the A Train,” Billy Strayhorn’s beautiful ballad, “Come Sunday,” and Count Basie’s “In a Mellow Tone.” 

Led by CJRO artistic director, Drew Zaremba, this promises to be a high-powered night of music with the full CJRO big band! Vocalist Heidi Schmidt will be featured along with the full orchestra. Tickets are $24-$38, to purchase go to www.coloradojazz.org/concerts or call 720-898-7200.

Anaïs Duplan wins the Queer|Art|Prize in Recent Work; Pamela Sneed and Lola Flash also honored by Queer|Art

Photo by Summer Surgent-Gough

On December 14, 100 LGBTQ+ artists and allies convened in-person at The Whitney Museum while many more joined online for Queer|Art's biggest event of the year: The Queer|Art Annual Party. The 2021 Queer|Art Annual Party took the form of a hybrid event this year hosted by poet/performer Candystore and activist/drag artist Junior Mintt. The hosts guided us through an expansive award program followed by a slate of electrifying cabaret performances to celebrate the graduating Fellows of the 2020-2021 Queer|Art|Mentorship program cycle, the 2021 Queer|Art|Prize awardees, and the winner of the inaugural Black Queer|Art|Mentorship Award for Artists & Organizers (made possible with generous support from HBO).

In its first year, the Black Queer|Art|Mentorship Award, which offers a $10,000 prize to a Black Mentor or Fellow from the Queer|Art|Mentorship (QAM) community for uplifting foundational histories of Black queer mentorship, was awarded to artist and multi-year QAM Mentor Pamela Sneed. Sneed was selected by celebrated artists Maria Bauman, Saeed Jones, and Felli Maynard. In honor of the award’s first recipient, the grant will henceforth be named The Pamela Sneed Award for Black Queer|Art|Mentorship Artists & Organizers.

The 2021 Queer|Art|Prize honored the legendary photographer and activist, Lola Flash, along with writer and arts worker, Anaïs Duplan with $10,000 prizes, each recognizing their significant contributions to queer culture and community. Lola Flash was acknowledged in the category of Sustained Achievement, a category that serves to highlight art practices that have significantly impacted queer community and contributed to its endurance and expansion. Anaïs Duplan received the award for Recent Work, a category that recognizes an outstanding work created by a US-based LGBTQ+ artist between Pride of 2020 and Pride of 2021, for his publication, Blackspace: On the Poetics of an Afrofuture.

AsylumConnect: Tech Resource Platform For LGBTQ+ Asylum Seekers in Mexico

AsylumConnect has launched a custom version of its free lifesaving technology in Mexico. The nonprofit organization provides the world's first tech resource platform designed to facilitate the safe navigation of those fleeing persecution due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. AsylumConnect had previously been available in the United States and Canada.

"People fleeing persecution due to LGBTQ+ status cannot wait safely in Mexico without trusted information on their local options. Our free, on-demand technology can now connect LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, undocumented immigrants and other queer people in need with verified affirming services in Mexico such as free lawyers, community centers, support groups, doctors, and housing to ensure their survival," said Katie Sgarro, AsylumConnect co-founder and executive director.

LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and other marginalized LGBTQ+ people use AsylumConnect's free resource website and mobile app to find verified safe LGBTQ+ affirming and immigrant friendly legal, medical, mental health and social services in seconds, 24/7. Lawyers also use the free technology to efficiently gather verified client referrals.

Since launching in 2016, AsylumConnect's free technology has connected over 28,000 users to verified LGBTQ+ and immigrant friendly services in the United States. The organization now hopes to facilitate the safe navigation of LGBTQ+ people resettling in Mexico, traveling through Mexico or waiting at the Mexican border to seek asylum in the U.S.

John Ridley's The Other History of the DC Universe

Two comic books from Academy Award-Winning Screenwriter (12 Years a Slave) John Ridley celebrate LGBTQ+ characters. Both Rene Montoya (The Question) and Anissa Pierce (Thunder) are part of DC Comics' The Other History comic book series. The series reframes iconic moments from DC history, exploring them through the eyes of DC Super Heroes representing traditionally disenfranchised groups. The series centers around the perspectives of Jefferson Pierce, a.k.a. Black Lightning; his daughter Anissa, also known as Thunder; Mal Duncan (Herald) and his wife, Karen Beecher (Bumblebee); Renee Montoya (the Question); and Tatsu Yamashiro (Katana).

The Question:

The gay, Latinx daughter of immigrants, Rene makes the choice to enlist in the “old boys club” that is the Gotham City Police Department. Closeted, constantly pulled between being “blue” and “brown,” it’s not until Rene “loses” her face that she can finally embrace the totality of her own identity.

Thunder:

The daughter of Jefferson Pierce, Anissa grew up knowing her father was as exceptional as he was flawed. Rightly lauded by many as a hero, dedicated as a teacher, Jefferson was often absent as a father and husband and - like too many black people of a certain age - latently homophonic. A painful realization for the young, queer Anissa. This last book is as much about Anissa as it is about a family coming full circle: the hopes and dreams of a father not just met by his daughter, but surpassed by a remarkable, young woman who firmly represents the future.

Out Boulder County Announces New Community Center

After more than 25 years of community activism and organizing, Out Boulder County has announced its new community center. The 9,505 square foot building located at 3340 Mitchell Lane in Boulder will serve as the primary location for community services and programming, and Out Boulder County’s administrative offices. The expansion was made to accommodate rapidly expanding programming and services, continued community engagement efforts, and the organization’s growing staff.

“We did it. With the support of the Boulder County community, our services and programming have outgrown two spaces in the past seven years, leading us to begin a search for a true community center to house our programming and operations and provide a space that can truly belong to the Boulder County LGBTQ+ community,” said Mardi Moore, executive director of Out Boulder County. “Because of the rich history of Boulder County’s LGBTQ+ organizing and activism we have arrived at this major milestone in the history of our community.”

The community center will include dedicated space for Out Boulder County’s youth programming that reaches hundreds of LGBTQ+ youth each year, will provide ample space for the already robust transgender and BIPOC programming to continue to grow, and community trainings and workshops. The community will continue to be able to access some of Out Boulder County’s programming at the downtown location including the Point! program and some social support services.

There will be space for other community groups that partner with Out Boulder County to host their events. Members of the community will be able to reserve and rent space for their own events in compliance with Out Boulder County policy. 

In early fall, Out Boulder County began quietly raising money towards the down payment. These initial funds are the beginning of a five million dollar capital campaign which will be conducted over the next three years. A comprehensive planning process for the capital campaign has begun, including soliciting extensive community input. 

“Out Boulder County is the strongest it has ever been. With the support of the community and their generosity through our upcoming capital campaign, we will be able to pay off the building and fund needed capital improvements to the space.” said Bryn Long, vice president of the Out Boulder County Board. “The purchase of this building and the success of the upcoming capital campaign ensure that Out Boulder County will be around for years to come providing life-saving programming and services to the entire Boulder County LGBTQ+ community.” 

The community is invited to join Out Boulder County staff and board members for an open house celebration of the new space on January 25, 2022 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. (masks and proof of vaccination will be required). More details regarding the upcoming capital campaign will be provided at the open house.

WalletHub: 10 Financial Resolutions for 2022

Making a realistic budget and sticking to it, looking for a better job, and staying on top of your credit are among the top 10 New Year’s Financial Resolutions for 2022, according to WalletHub.

Boulder Philharmonic Featuring the Marcus Roberts Trio Bring Gershwin to LTAC

Join the Lone Tree Arts Center for an afternoon celebrating the music of Gershwin on Sunday, January 23.

Eminent jazz pianist Marcus Roberts and his trio add a stunning new dimension to Gershwin’s famous Concerto in F. Inspired by a suggestion from conductor Seiji Ozawa, Roberts and the trio have presented their unique re-imagining of Gershwin with orchestras around the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic. Opening the program is Gershwin’s vivid travelogue, An American in Paris, that inspired the film of the same name.   

One Colorado: We need you in 2022!

From the One Colorado Team, Nadine, Garrett, Marvyn, Gillian, Branden, Meredith, Zoya, Mikayla, Heidi, Sarah, Satori, Emmett, Molly & Meg

It's been quite the year, and while we have much to celebrate from 2021, we are shifting our focus to the road ahead. Next year will bring many opportunities along with some tough challenges. We're gearing up for Colorado's 2022 legislative session, where we will be hard at work to fight for equality. After seeing a wave of over 400 anti-LGBTQ bills in legislatures across the country, our team is preparing to block any measure that attacks our community in Colorado. To do that, we'll need your support. Donate $25, $50 or $75 before the New Year to fund the important work next year!

We will continue to center our most vulnerable in the work to protect and support all LGBTQ+ Coloradans. Donations made before the end of the year help fund our 2022 programs such as Health Equity, Youth, and Advocacy. Please give if you can!

Ring in the New Year with Papel Picado (Crunchy Tortilla Snowflakes)

Papel picado means “perforated paper,” and it’s a popular folk-art craft in Tucson and Mexico. This edible version will brighten any winter holiday table. This is probably the only time I will recommend using those super-soft, fluffy, white, supermarket tortillas. Use fine-pointed scissors and the softest, freshest tortillas you can find so that they fold easily without cracking. Serve these as a dessert or appetizer, either alone or with crème fraiche for dipping.

8 (6-inch) extra-fluffy flour tortillas
Olive oil spray or 2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons colored sanding sugar, such as turquoise blue
2 tablespoons sprinkles, such as white jimmies, snowflake quins, or multicolored nonpareils
1 tablespoon coarse salt flakes, such as Maldon
½ cup crème fraiche, for serving (optional)

Position your oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 325°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone sheet liner.

Fold each tortilla in half, then in half again, and then in half a third time to make a roughly triangular shape. Using fine-pointed scissors, cut away small triangles or semicircles from the tortilla layers. Cut off a small piece from the tip, too, if you want a hole in the very center. Carefully unfold the tortillas—they will resemble large snowflakes—place them flat on the baking sheets, and spray or brush with olive oil.

Decorate the “snowflakes” to your liking with sanding sugar, sprinkles, and coarse salt. Bake until slightly golden around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes, switching and rotating the baking sheets halfway through. Serve with crème fraiche.

Recipe and Photo reprinted with permission from:
Taste of Tucson by Jackie Alpers / West Margin Press/2020

HIV & Aging: Integrating Services to Improve Care for an Overlooked Population

HIV has become an aging issue now that more than half of people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. are 50 or older. Thanks to advancements in treatment, people with HIV can now live for decades but longevity with HIV is relatively new, under-explored, and under-resourced, and the HIV/AIDS and aging services networks operate almost totally separately, with few age-specific services. Grantmakers In Aging, a national membership organization of philanthropies, created Moving Ahead Together: A Framework for Integrating HIV/AIDS and Aging Services to help end the painful isolation and improve the care of older people living with HIV.

“People living with HIV age into a sort of no-man’s land that can be a lonely and potentially dangerous place,” said John Feather, PhD, CEO of Grantmakers In Aging (GIA). “Aging services and HIV services both deliver excellent care but have no history of working together, and people aging with HIV can get lost. The need for greater coordination, expertise sharing, and inclusion has been strongly affirmed by leaders in both sectors, and, importantly, by people who are themselves aging with HIV/AIDS.”

A Blueprint for Integrating Aging and HIV Services

The framework covers three areas: social complexities and challenges, including low awareness of the issue and the stigma and social isolation many older people with HIV face; the need for a whole-person approach to coordinate medical, mental, and behavioral health care with social and psychosocial support; and updating state and federal policies.

The Framework also examines outdated assumptions about HIV, social justice issues such as racial disparities in prevalence and access to care, and parallels between the AIDS epidemic and COVID-19.

Respecting the Denver Principles of ensuring meaningful involvement by people with HIV in decisions that affect them, the report also includes first-person reflections and video interviews with older people living with HIV, and all featured artwork was created by older people living with HIV. 

GIA’s multi-year Moving Ahead Together initiative and this report are supported by a grant from Gilead Sciences. For more information, please click here.

Grantmakers In Aging is a national membership organization of philanthropies. Believing a society which is better for older adults is better for people of all ages, GIA acts as a relevant and responsive network, resource, and champion, amplifying the voices of older people and issues of aging. Our vision is of a just and inclusive world where older people are fully valued, recognized, and engaged in ways that matter. Learn more at www.GIAging.org.