Are You Gay With Something To Say? Bloggers Wanted For Denver's Gay Blog!

Are you a new or experienced writer or blogger? Do you want to be? Or maybe you're just some gay guy with something to say? Well, what better forum for you than MileHighGayGuy?

MileHighGayGuy is looking for regular and guest bloggers to write about local news and events, do music and movie reviews, or write opinion or feature pieces from a gay perspective of interest to Denver's gay community.

These are unpaid positions but offer the opportunity to be published in Colorado's Best Gay Blog (2010, 2011, 2012 OUTstanding Awards, Denver 2012 #WebAwards), expand your audience and gain valuable experience. There's also swag available in the form of free movie and concert tickets, music, books and other cool stuff.

If interested, shoot an email over to Drew Wilson at drew@milehighgayguy.com. And if you've got column or story ideas to pitch, this is the place to do it.

Prelude at TAVA Waters - Built to Let You Live Life to the Fullest

 

Part of the original iconic Breakers Resort property (now TAVA Waters), Prelude at TAVA Waters is designed to make your new home, your new beginning. Access to the lake, state-of-the-art fitness center, pool, and restaurant make this the ultimate escape from life’s stress, and letting you start each new day revitalized and refreshed. These soon-to-come stylish townhomes with close proximity to Cherry Creek North and Lowry neighborhoods, will feature sleek designs and flexible plans, allowing you to make your home, your own.

Participate in the 16th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey

Please participate in the Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) 16th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey! 

For over a decade, this survey has provided free data to help non-profits, universities, media, organizations, and businesses better understand and serve the LGBTQ community. The report will be published on the CMI website for free download. Previous surveys have attracted 30,000+ participants.  

Everyone who completes the survey by May 31, 2022 may enter into a drawing to win one of twenty US $50 cash or gift certificate prizes or donate your prize to an LGBTQ charity of your choice. 

The survey should take 12 to 15 minutes to complete. 

CMI works hard to ensure that your personal information will remain SECURE and CONFIDENTIAL. We never use our lists for marketing purposes. We never sell or rent your contact information to other companies. Our research reports are about the collective opinion of the LGBTQ community, not your personal information. For more about CMI's privacy policy, please click click here.

ICYMI..LIZZO PERFORMS “ABOUT DAMN TIME” ON SNL

3x GRAMMY Award-winning, RIAA multi-platinum certified superstar Lizzo has shared her long-awaited new single, “About Damn Time,” available now via Nice Life Recording Company/Atlantic Records at all DSPs and streaming services HERE. The confident, empowering track is joined by an official music video, premiering today via YouTube HERE.

 

“About Damn Time” heralds Lizzo’s highly-anticipated upcoming album SPECIAL, due July 15^th with pre-orders available now HERE.

 

Lizzo celebrated the eagerly anticipated arrival of “About Damn Time” by returning to NBC’s Saturday Night Live as both host and musical guest – her first appearance on the show since serving as musical guest back in 2019. Lizzo is one of the few superstars to serve as both host and musical guest on SNL, and is only the third black female to pull double duty in the show’s history. The appearance follows recent visits to NBC’s The TODAY Show and CBS’ The Late Late Show with James Corden, the latter of which saw Lizzo teasing “About Damn Time” by giving fans an exclusive first listen to the funky new single (watch HERE), followed by an “80s v Today Dance Bop Riff-Off” that culminates with the two stars dancing to her 2x platinum favorite, “Juice” (watch HERE).

 

Lizzo can also currently be seen in Amazon Prime Video’s #1 reality show, Lizzo’s Watch Out For The Big Grrrls, streaming now exclusively via Prime Video. The eight-episode unscripted competition series – which follows Lizzo on her hunt for confident, bad-ass women to join the elite ranks of the Big Grrrls on her world tour – has swiftly drawn critical acclaim around the world, with The Hollywood Reporter declaring, “Lizzo was born to be a reality TV host… her effervescent persona just innately lends itself to the heightened nature of this genre,” and The Guardian simply raving, “This joyful show will water your parched soul.”

One Colorado: Take action to advance health equity legislati

By Meredith Gleitz, Policy Manager, One Colorado

Thanks to your support, HB-1267 is fully funded and moving forward to the Senate! Now is the time to tell your Senator that you want inclusive healthcare in Colorado. The Senate Health & Human Services Committee will hear the bill this coming Wednesday, April 20th.

TAKE ACTION

HB22-1267 creates a $1 million grant program to fund the development of culturally relevant training programs for healthcare providers. Training programs will focus on providing care to priority populations, including but not limited to LGBTQ individuals, people of color, older adults, and people with disabilities.  According to Envision:You’s 2021 Colorado LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health State of the State Survey Report, 43% of respondents asked for help and did not receive it or did not ask for help when they needed it, and one of the top barriers to accessing care was a lack of LGBTQ+ friendly services/providers.  One Colorado’s 2019 report Closing the Gap found that 73% of transgender respondents said that they didn’t know how to find a LGBTQ-competent provider in their area, and 64% stated that they needed to travel long distances to a LGBTQ-competent facility. All Coloradans deserve safe, affirming, quality healthcare, and healthcare providers deserve support and resources to provide this care for their patients. Culturally relevant training for healthcare professionals improves providers’ ability to treat patients from diverse backgrounds. Increasing availability of and access to culturally relevant and affirming training opportunities for providers ensures that they have the resources they need to give patients the care they deserve. Tell your Colorado Senator to support the Culturally Relevant Healthcare Training Act! Thank you for using your voice to support health equity.

California Public Utilities Commission Votes to Approve Largest LGBT Economic Equality Measure in US History

BuildOUT California announced this week that the California Public Utilities (CPUC) today, by unanimous vote, approved a historic measure that will set an aspirational goal of 1.5% for the inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) certified businesses in the competitive contracting process with California-based utilities like AT&T, PG&E and Southern California Edison Company. This development will be an update to the CPUC's Utility Supplier Diversity Program, known as General Order 156, which was created by a 1983 law (Assembly Bill 3638), under the leadership of late Assemblywoman Gwen Moore, a prominent civil rights advocate. Ms. Moore served in the California Assembly from 1978 through 1994, representing the 47th District.

"The modern-day LGBTQ economic equality movement started here in California in 1974 with the founding the Golden Gate Business Association (GGBA)," stated Paul Pendergast, President of BuildOUT California and a former president of the GGBA. "California is once again leading the way with the establishment of an aspirational goal for utilities to utilize qualified, cost effective, experienced LGBT owned/certified businesses. The Commission's bold action today represents a defining moment statewide, nationally, and internationally when it comes to LGBT economic vitality" Pendergast added.

The CPUC's approved Order adopts voluntary procurement goals for LGBT business enterprises over the next three years: 2022 of 0.5%, 2023 of 1.0% and 2024 of 1.5%. "Our directive balances the reliance on historical data with our objective of increasing procurement from LGBT business enterprise amidst unique barriers to entry" stated CPUC Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen in his February 9, 2022 Proposed Decision on the matter.

Members of BuildOUT California's executive leadership team have been working on this issue since the roots of this historic development began nearly eight years ago (September 2014) when California Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 1678 (AB 1678), sponsored by then-Assemblymember Richard Gordon. This legislation required the CPUC to include LGBT-owned business enterprises in the Supplier Diversity Program under General Order 156. The enactment of AB 1678 was an historic moment in the movement to extend equal rights to the LGBTQ community, which has suffered severe discrimination and hostility.

The amount of business done by California utility companies under third-party contracts is enormous. In 2019, California utilities spent $38 billion. In 2020, the total jumped to $43.5 billion. But many of the utilities were bypassing LGBT-owned businesses in their contracting. So, when the CPUC in March 2021 launched a new "rulemaking" proceeding, BuildOUT California, represented by Frank Lindh, the CPUC's former General Counsel, intervened as a party. BuildOUT California urged the Commission to adopt an aspirational goal of 1.5% for LGBT-owned businesses. BuildOUT California's proposal was opposed by the utility companies, who asked for a much lower goal of only 0.5%. One year later, the CPUC, in response to the testimony and evidence presented by BuildOUT California, adopted a path to the 1.5% goal. The Commission's action will result in over $600 million per year in competitive contracts with LGBT businesses in California. Using a conservative figure of 5 new jobs per $1M in spend from the energy sector, it is conceivable that had there been a 1.5% spend with LGBT businesses in 2020 there could have been 3,500 new, quality, sustainable jobs created.

In an April 12, 2022, letter to the CPUC's Commissioners, California LGBTQ Caucus leaders Assemblymember Evan Low (Chair) and Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (Vice Chair) stated, "For decades, the LGBTQ community has faced discrimination, only to watch its government do nothing… these actions will address a loftier goal in the legislation's intent: to establish some fairness for LGBTQ businesses that were previously excluded due to discrimination. We firmly believe that a 1.5% minimum is the first step to inclusion."

Tony Hoang, the Executive Director of Equality California, the 900,000-member strong non-profit advocacy organization stated in his March 1, 2022, letter to CPUC Commissioner President, Alice Reynolds, "The implementation of this law has delayed progress as we have waited nearly eight years for an LGBTBE procurement goal. Unfortunately, biases within some industry sectors create barriers to entry… With this new aspirational goal, the walls impeding progress are being torn down, and we are one step closer to more inclusivity."

Founded in 2014, BuildOUT California is the world's first LGBT Industry Association dedicated to the sustainable growth of LGBT owned & certified businesses, and our allies, in the fields of Architecture, Engineering, Construction Services, Real Estate Development, and Related Industries.

OUT on VOD & Digital: The Fashion Lover

The Fashion Lover from Ariztical Entertainment on Vimeo.

A young Sardinian shepherd boy dreams of becoming a fashion designer in The Fashion Lover, coming to digital and VOD on May 17.

Young Giovannino hopes to become a fashion designer. Unfortunately, his small rural town is a long way from the bright lights. With his cheating father out of the picture, Giovanni must reckon with an angry mom. But two friends, a fashion teacher with connections, and a buddy who’ll do anything for him, give Giovanni hope.

UNHhhh-veiling Season 7 of Trixie & Katya’s Smash Hit Talk Show

 

World of Wonder announced this week that the seventh season of UNHhhh will return this month airing weekly from Wednesday, April 20. The hit show will premiere exclusively on the streamer of all things drag, WOW Presents Plus, with each episode’s podcast equivalent simultaneously dropping on all key podcasting platforms.

RuPaul’s Drag Race’s legendary fan favorites Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamalodchikova return for the 30-episode season, bringing their signature uncensored wit and nonsensical debate that fans cherish. Join Trixie and Katya as they explore and debate almost everything, yet nothing at the same time - bringing you joy, confusion, laughter and tears all the while.

Since its inception in 2016, the iconic show, brought to you from the creators behind the global phenomenon RuPaul’s Drag Race, has received millions of views and a cult fan following - resulting in a win for Best Unscripted Series at the 2020 Streamy Awards.

Trixie Mattel, star of UNHhhh, says: “The best show not on television is back. Hide your dads because the hottest women on the planet are back on your screens on 4/20.”

Katya Zamalodchikova, star of UNHhhh, says: “I believe it was famed Greek philosopher Aristotle who said - ‘What’s the meaning of life? Who knows and, quite frankly, who cares?’ Watch us delve deep into the depths of the human psyche to ask the hard-hitting questions that normal scholars can’t explain, like ‘Why are we?’, ‘Who are we?’, and ‘For what are we?’ We probably won’t have the answers, either, but there’s no mystery that cannot be solved.”

Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, World of Wonder Co-Founders, say: “UNHhhh has brought so much $*%, #&^@, and *@^%$ to audiences around the world. We cannot wait for viewers to witness history unravel before them with this seventh season exclusively - and uncensored - on WOW Presents Plus.”

In addition to the show's premiere on the popular SVoD service, fans will also be able to enjoy the hilarious pair everywhere they go, as each episode will be simulcast on all key podcasting platforms.

MAP: The 10 Policy Trends Transforming Voting & Elections in America

The 2020 election transformed options for mail and absentee voting, enabling a record voter turnout. However, some politicians used the new systems as part of their rationale for launching false claims about voter fraud. As a result, state legislatures are considering diametrically opposed approaches to voting policy changes. Some states are embracing the changes that allowed for record democratic participation, and other states are seeking to undo the changes and further restrict voting access.

The Movement Advancement Project’s (MAP) newest report, The 10 Policy Trends Transforming Voting and Elections in America, examines a number of legislative proposals across the states that seek to make policy changes in three main areas: registration & eligibility, casting a vote, and vote counting & certification. The report is part of MAP’s Democracy Maps project, which tracks more than 40 laws and policies related to voting and elections.

This year alone state legislatures across the country are considering thousands of voting-related bills. While most other democracies have a single voting system for national elections to ensure equal access to voting, America’s voting systems differ dramatically by state—and those differences are growing sharply.

POV Receives Three Webby Awards Nominations

POV, currently celebrating its 35th anniversary as television’s longest running documentary series, received three Webby Awards nominations from the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. The Changing Same, Ep.1, directed by Yasmin Elayat, Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson, received the “Best Narrative Experience (Immersive, Virtual & Remote)” nomination. Otherly, a collection of films by women, non-binary and genderqueer creators, received the “Art, Culture, Lifestyle (Social - General)” nomination, and the POV Short, Le Frère, directed by Jérémie Battaglia, garnered the “Documentary: Longform (Video - General Video)” nod.

The Changing Same, Ep.1, a co-production of Rada Film Group and Scatter is an immersive, room-scale virtual reality experience where the participant travels through time and space to witness the connected historical experiences of racial injustice in the United States. A haunting story infused with magical realism and afrofuturism, The Changing Same, Ep.1 examines the uninterrupted cycle of the history of racial oppression, past and present. 

Otherly, a series of seven short documentaries about finding one’s place in the 21st century, is the first POV Spark and National Film Board of Canada co-production. Using universal themes like love, inclusion, and loss as entry points, three U.S.-based and four Canadian-based female, non-binary, and genderqueer creators crafted films that are at once timeless and yet by definition of their form, ephemeral. The series, which premiered on Instagram Stories, features the following titles: Joanne Lam’s A Portrait of Tracy, explores the echoes of childhood memory from an immigrant’s perspective: what is lost to time and distance, and what remains (Canada); Elaine Is Almost, by Em Yue, looks at coming out and the unconditional love between siblings (U.S.); FaceTime by Emmy-nominee Jackie! Zhou follows Andy and Farrah Su as they navigate their individual identities, chosen family and relationship as bi-coastal siblings (U.S.); Tristan Angieri’s Integrate.Me explores the use of an experimental therapy to treat Tristan’s PTSD, as they learn to navigate being queer and trans (U.S.); Love Is the First Sacred Lesson is a first-person documentary that follows director Jess Murwin’s journey to connect and reconcile the different parts of their identity: queer, trans, Mi’kmaw (Canada); Mirusha Yogarajah’s Parked: Seeking Refuge in Our Cars, is about a generation of Tamil youth finding freedom and community (Canada); and Papier Accordéon, by character-maker and multidisciplinary artist Grace An captures two friends in different cities spending their time together from a distance (Canada). 

Le Frère, a POV Short directed by Jérémie Battaglia, is a story of familial sacrifice and the bonds of brotherhood. Living with an illness that is causing him to lose the use of his body, Kaïs is awoken every morning by a different member of his family. Though paralyzed, he dreams he is the hero of his favorite manga, along with his brothers: Fehd, the bodybuilder and Zaïd, the ninja.

All Webby and Webby People’s Voice Award voting is open from April 5th to Thursday, April 21st, at 11:59 pm PDT, at vote.webbyawards.com; POV titles can be voted for here, here, and here. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 and honored at the in-person 26th Annual Webby Awards on Monday, May 16, 2022 at Cipriani Wall Street.

Do You Want To Reach Denver's Gay Community? Advertise With Denver's Best Gay Blog!

Do you want to advertise to Denver’s gay community? Of course you do, it’s the 7th largest in the United States! And the best way to reach them is with MileHighGayGuy – Colorado’s Best Gay Blog.
 
Just click the Advertising page or email sales@milehighgayguy.com to get started today.

EPA proposes to reclassify Denver-Metro and North Front Range as “Severe” Clean Air Act nonattainment area for ozone

Following Clean Air Act requirements, EPA is proposing to reclassify the Denver Metro North Front Range area (DMNFR) from a “Serious” to a “Severe” nonattainment area for the 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone, or smog.  EPA is also proposing to reclassify the DMNFR from a “Marginal” to “Moderate” nonattainment area for the 2015 ozone standard.  The proposed reclassifications would require the State of Colorado to apply more stringent air quality measures to sources across the area.  Under the “Severe’” reclassification, these requirements include the use of reformulated gasoline in summer months and a reduction of the threshold requiring control measures on emissions sources from 50 tons per year to 25 tons per year. Ozone-forming emissions include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides.

EPA’s proposed reclassifications are based on a scientific evaluation of certified, publicly-available air quality monitoring data for the years 2018 – 2020 indicating the DMNFR has failed to meet the 2008 and 2015 ozone standards within the timeframes required by the Clean Air Act. Compliance with national air quality standards for ground-level ozone are based on the calculation of a three-year rolling average of the 4^th highest maximum annual concentrations in a geographic area, called a design value under the Clean Air Act. The current design value for the DMNFR area, based on monitored ozone concentrations between 2018-2020, is 81 ppb.   The 2008 ozone standard is 75 parts per billion and the 2015 standard is 70 ppb.   

“Ground-level ozone remains one of the most challenging public health concerns we face, affecting large numbers of Coloradans and their families,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker.  “EPA’s proposed Clean Air Act reclassification for the Denver and North Front Range will make sure we are leveraging all available measures and resources as we move forward to reduce ozone pollution with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and all our partners.”

EPA’s proposed action is part of a set of national determinations regarding whether areas have met the 2008 or 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone, or smog.  EPA is proposing determinations regarding the air quality progress of seven nonattainment areas classified as “Serious” for the 2008 ozone NAAQS, while also proposing similar actions for 31 nonattainment areas classified as “Marginal” for the 2015 ozone NAAQS.  For areas not meeting the ozone standards, today’s proposals outline new timeframes and next steps for states to take to improve air quality.

Ground-level ozone is not directly emitted to the air; it forms when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, a wide range of industries, and other sources chemically react in sunlight. Ozone is most likely to reach unhealthy levels on hot sunny days in urban areas, but it can still reach high levels during colder months. It can also drift long distances and harm air quality in rural areas.

More than 79 million Americans, including those disproportionately burdened by ozone air pollution and other sources of pollution, live in areas that do not meet national air quality health standards for ground-level ozone, or smog.  Today’s proposals are the latest in a series of actions EPA is taking to improve air quality and public health under the Clean Air Act. EPA recently proposed stronger standards to reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and engines, and also proposed a federal plan to cut pollution from power plants and industrial sources that significantly contribute to unhealthy levels of smog for millions of Americans who live downwind. 

EPA is required to undertake this rulemaking under the Clean Air Act to ensure that smog-affected areas expeditiously meet health-based air quality standards for ozone. For areas being reclassified – for example, from “Marginal” to “Moderate” or from “Serious” to “Severe” – the Clean Air Act requires that states implement additional measures to protect public health and to submit new plans to demonstrate how the area will attain as quickly as possible. Additionally, many areas across the country have had success with localized tools and approaches to improve ozone air quality.  EPA will continue to work collaboratively with its state partners to ensure these measures are implemented to protect clean air for all communities.

Drag Icon BenDeLaCreme Kicks Off International Tour this Week

Global drag icon and RuPaul’s Drag Race star, BenDeLaCreme, will embark on her biggest solo tour yet as star and Lead Producer – April 13 through July 16, 2022 – with her critically acclaimed, narrative-cabaret, “BenDeLaCreme is...READY TO BE COMMITTED” (produced by BenDeLaCreme Presents). This one-queen extravaganza is a hilarious and heartfelt spectacular that blends burlesque, comedy, and original music with her signature Terminally Delightful charm.

After years of people asking the aggressively effervescent queen if she can “please, settle down,” BenDeLaCreme is finally ready to tie the knot in something besides her corset. Now, all she needs is a potential spouse. And a dress. And a cake. And the ability to consider others.

It’s a relay race to the altar as DeLa dodges pervy Grindr suitors, bitchy wedding-cake-toppers, and the errant arrows of Cupid himself! Join the blushing bride as she tackles the pitfalls of love, marriage, and romance in a limited engagement about the limitations of engagements.

After the original iteration of the “Ready to Be Committed” tour was postponed in 2020, the 2022 tour has increased in size. BenDeLaCreme’s 2021 holiday tour, “The Return of the Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show, LIVE!” with co-star Jinkx Monsoon, marked the queen’s highest grossing tour under BenDeLaCreme Presents, further showcasing DeLa’s growing impact within the drag and theater industry as a producing powerhouse. She also became the first drag queen to produce a feature film (under pandemic restrictions) with “The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Special” (2020), landing BenDeLaCreme Presents an exclusive licensing deal with streaming giant, Hulu. The film won “Lockdown LOL” at the 2021 Queerties.

BenDeLaCreme says, “After two long years of postponements I’m OVER-FREAKING-JOYED to be bringing my new solo show back on the road! And I gotta tell you all: this one’s a doozy! ‘Ready to Be Committed’ is the story of one queen who searches for love and finds a whole lot she never bargained for—Bitchy brides, pervy Grindr guys, corpse-eating cats, song, dance, and more puppets than you ever thought you’d see at a wedding. I can’t wait to share DeLa’s special day with all of you! Save the date!”

Written, directed, and produced by BenDeLaCreme, “BenDeLaCreme is...READY TO BE COMMITTED” showcases the multifaceted superstar at her best. The show played to sold-out crowds in New York City and Provincetown upon its debut in 2019.

Human Rights Campaign Endorses Colorado Governor Jared Polis for Reelection

Earlier this week, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, announced its endorsement of Colorado Governor Jared Polis for re-election. HRC PAC is committed to engaging its volunteers, members and supporters to mobilize the 1.6 million Equality Voters in Colorado in support of Polis and other pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot.

Human Rights Campaign Interim President Joni Madison released the following statement:

“Governor Polis has a long history of being a strong leader for Colorado and the LGBTQ+ community. He made history as the first openly gay man elected governor in the United States in 2018 and has worked to advance the rights of LGBTQ+ Coloradans throughout his governorship. His passion and dedication in the fight for equality is exemplified not only in his hard work, but also through his numerous legislative victories that protect and empower the LGBTQ+ community in Colorado. His experience, his track record and his commitment to LGBTQ+ equality make us very proud to endorse Gov. Polis for reelection– we’ll work hard to ensure that all Coloradans can continue to benefit from his exemplary leadership.”

Governor Jared Polis released the following statement:

“The Human Rights Campaign is helping to lead our country to a stronger future where all people are treated equally. I am honored to receive their endorsement. As the nation’s first openly gay Governor, I know that representation matters, and so does fighting hard for an inclusive home with abundant opportunities where all Coloradans thrive. I am committed to ensuring that LGBTQ+ Coloradans can live openly and with dignity in every aspect of life. As we work hard to earn the support of voters this year, I am grateful to have HRC in my corner."

A Long History of Advocacy

Governor Polis’ time serving as a congressman bolstered his reputation as a leader in the fight for equality. During his time representing Colorado’s 2nd Congressional district, Gov. Polis was a lead co-sponsor of the Equality Act – a bill that will protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation and gender identity. He earned top scores on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard during his time in the U.S. House and helped launch the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus and its Transgender Equality Task Force to advance the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.

Following an endorsement from the HRC and a successful election campaign in 2018, Jared Polis made history as the first openly gay man to be elected as a Governor in the U.S. As Governor of Colorado, Polis has worked to fulfil his campaign promise to support the LGBTQ+ community through targeted legislation including enacting Jude’s law – a bill making it easier for transgender residents to change their gender markers on birth certificates and drivers licenses – and a statewide conversion therapy ban for minors.

HRC’s Commitment to Colorado

Colorado’s 1.6 million Equality Voters recognize the importance of electing politicians who make real commitments and efforts to advancing LGBTQ+ rights in their communities. HRC helps inform these voters on candidates by keeping them up to date on political, legislative and LGBTQ+ related news found here.

Cases of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Increased During Year One of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released their 2020 Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Surveillance Report which looks at STD infection rates in the United States during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CDC data shows that reported cases of STDs drastically dropped during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 nationally. However, by the end of that year, reported cases of gonorrhea, syphilis, and congenital syphilis surpassed their 2019 levels, indicating continued surges in STDs. Concurrently, local health departments across the country were forced to limit or shutter services and divert staff time and resources to respond to the pandemic exacerbating an already difficult situation, according the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) representing the country’s nearly 3,000 local health departments. Without those shutdowns/limitations to services, the numbers from 2020 could be even higher.

STDs by the Numbers
At the end of 2020, reported cases of gonorrhea and primary and secondary syphilis cases were up 10% and 7% respectively, compared to 2019 cases. The highest reported increase was in congenital syphilis cases, up nearly 15% over 2019, and 235% in just five years (2016-2020).

Reported cases of chlamydia declined 13% from 2019. Because chlamydia historically makes up the largest proportion of reported STDs in the U.S., the overall number of reported STDs dropped (from more than 2.5 million in 2019 to 2.4 million in 2020). However, because chlamydial infections are usually asymptomatic and identified through screening, the decline in reported chlamydia cases is likely due to decreased STD screening and underdiagnosis during the pandemic, rather than a reduction in new infections.

Factors Contributing to Increased STD Cases
COVID-19 strained an already crumbling public health infrastructure. Because of the pandemic, STD program resources were diverted to address COVID-19 with state and local STD staff, laboratories, and other resources heavily affected. Among jurisdictions that received direct CDC funding for STD prevention over half (51%) reported STD test kit and treatment shortages in April 2020 and over half (53%) discontinued critical disease intervention specialists field work for most of 2020.

NACCHO’s 2020 Report from the Field also shows the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on STI prevention and care across the country—with STI clinics closed or operating at limited capacity, while partner notification had to be conducted virtually, and mobile outreach for testing significantly limited, if not stopped all together. Additionally, staff were redirected to the COVID-19 response that continues to significantly challenge the capacity of local health department STD programs.

STDS and Health Disparities
The CDC’s Report also highlighted that some groups continue to be more affected by STDs. Long-standing social and economic factors such as poverty and health insurance status create barriers, increase experiences with health risks, and often result in worse health outcomes for some people and COVID-19 shone a light on that fact.

While STDs are increasing across many groups, the 2020 STD data show that some racial and ethnic minority groups, gay and bisexual men, and our nation’s youth continue to experience higher rates of STDs – illustrating a failure to provide access to quality sexual healthcare to everyone who needs it.

CDC’s Recommendations to Expand STD Prevention in the United States
The CDC recommends prioritizing and refocusing efforts to stem infection rates. They advocate on-the-ground support for prevention and surveillance programs at the state and local level (e.g., disease investigation, contact tracing, training, community engagements, and partnerships).

The CDC is also calling on local healthcare systems, clinics, and community-based organizations to reduce STD rates as they are uniquely situated to respond to emerging STD trends. These groups can play a critical role in promoting STD prevention at the local level and empower individuals to prioritize their sexual health.

Healthcare, industry, and private sector players also have a role and responsibility to develop and deliver new STD testing and treatment innovations.

Lastly, the CDC notes healthcare providers can play a pivotal role in reducing stigma by integrating STD prevention and sexual health into their routine practice and creating a welcoming environment for all people.