Fall-ing For Colorado: Autumn Is The Golden Time to Explore The Centennial State

Plan an awe-inspiring trip through Colorado this fall, and experience the Centennial State in all its golden glory. Soak in the scenery as the aspen leaves show off their brilliant yellow, red and orange hues, and take advantage of Colorado’s mild-temperatures, sunny days and bluebird skies. 

Enjoy hiking, biking or horseback riding on colorful trails or experience signature fall events like Pueblo’s Chile and Frijoles Festival and Breckenridge’s Oktoberfest. Fall photos and memories can be captured during a fall drive along scenic roads including Colorado’s 26 Scenic and Historic Byways. For more information on places to experience Colorado’s fall splendor, visit www.COLORADO.com.  

Golden Adventures:

• Go Birding at Pawnee National Grassland (Ault): On the state’s eastern plains, dramatic windswept vistas welcome visitors to Pawnee National Grassland, an expanse of nearly 200,000 acres where they’ll spot many bird species unseen elsewhere. The conservation area is home to Colorado’s state bird (the lark bunting) and unique high-plains bird species. Other Colorado critters such as pronghorns and swift foxes are also found throughout.
• Raft Bighorn Sheep Canyon (Canon City): A rafting hot spot, Bighorn Sheep Canyon lives up to its name with ample opportunities to see Colorado’s state mammal. From the canyon, upstream from the Royal Gorge near Cañon City, visitors see trees flamboyantly brandishing fall colors along the Arkansas River. Various outfitters can set visitors up with whitewater excursions or riverfront camping trips. Wildlife viewing of red-tailed hawks, mule deer and sheep are part of the journey.
• Ride the Rails to the Top of Pikes Peak (Colorado Springs): What’s better than a view from the top? The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, America’s highest railway, takes guests up Pikes Peak topping out at a height of 14,115 feet and offering stunning Colorado mountain views and some of the country's best fall foliage landscapes.
• Hike the World’s Largest Flat-Top Mountain (Grand Junction): Among Grand Junction’s spectacular red cliffs and winding canyons, visitors can marvel at the 11,000-foot Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain, which boasts more than 300 lakes. At 350,000 acres, the Mesa is graced with deep forests of aspens set against Colorado pine, spruce and fir and offers breathtaking ranges of fall colors. Crag Crest Trail offers a high alpine hike atop the spine of the Mesa, perfect for fall color viewing.
• Fish at Lake San Cristobal (Lake City): Enjoy the state’s second largest natural lake against the backdrop of vibrant aspen trees. This deep blue jewel is rich with trout, and the area’s best kept secret is that fall is the best time of year to go fishing, as fewer anglers are out and fish begin to bulk up for the winter. After a long day out on the water, visitors can head to the south end of the lake, in the Red Gulch Day Use Area, for dynamic views.
• Saddle Up at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch (Red Feather Lakes): A short two-hour drive from Denver, Sundance Trail Guest Ranch is a cowboy heaven nestled in the Rocky Mountains. One of the smaller and boutique ranches, visitors can create an autumnal adventure with add-on activities such as horseback riding, fishing and disc golf. A hot tub, western-style meals and limitless cookies await. An added bonus? The ranch is pet-friendly—so Fido is welcome to tag along for free.
• Bike Gold Level Trails Amongst the Golden Leaves (Snowmass Village, CO): Tucked into one of the most beautiful and accessible parts of the Rocky Mountains, Snowmass is the launching pad for accessing over 75 miles of ultra-scenic mountain biking and road cycling surrounded by brilliant gold aspen leaves. The destination and surrounding Roaring Fork Valley is a International Mountain Bicycling Association designated IMBA Gold-Level Ride Center.
• Soar Above The Leaves in A Hot Air Balloon (Steamboat Springs): Offering stunning views of the Steamboat Springs area, the Flat Top Mountains and Hahn's Peak, an inactive volcano, Wild West Adventures in Steamboat offers incredible fall hot air balloon rides. Early morning flights include a champagne ceremony after the flight and a personalized flight certificate.

Epic Fall Road Trips:

• Highway of Legends (Trinidad and Walsenberg): The majestic mountain ranges in southern Colorado are full of outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking, fishing and boating, and the Scenic Highway of Legends can lead visitors there. Start in Trinidad or Walsenburg for an 82-mile scenic drive through quaint small towns in picturesque valleys of Spanish Peaks Country. Travelers will find trails filled with color and the most unforgettable mountain scenery, with glimmering lakes and little eateries along the way. Trinidad and the surrounding area offer many fun fall events including parades and music festivals, or just enjoy a stroll through town and peek in the many unique shops in the historic downtown area.
• Kebler Pass (Crested Butte): One of the most famous drives for leaf peeping is the drive over Kebler Pass to Marble and the Crystal River Valley as the drive is home to the largest aspen grove in the United States. Head north on Whiterock Avenue out of Crested Butte and continue on this road as it turns into County Road 12. One of the best places to stop and take in the views is across from Horse Ranch Park. This stop offers breathtaking views of the scenic landscapes of the Anthracite Mountain Range. The pocket of reds, yellows and golds in this area is one view not to miss.
• Kenosha Pass (Conifer and South Park): TV fans recognize the name South Park from the eponymous animated series, but only the most dedicated fans know that the show is actually based on the writers' experiences growing up in Conifer, not South Park. This drive connects both of these areas via high-altitude Kenosha Pass, which is wide and well maintained, with easily navigated turns. It is one of the best drives in Colorado to view autumn's leaves — vibrant reds and glowing yellows of the aspen woodlands are a striking contrast to the ponderosa pines and Douglas firs around Conifer. The pass eventually spills out into the high grassland basin of South Park, where unobstructed views of the Mosquito Range peaks appear in the west.
• Top of the Rockies Scenic & Historic Byway: At elevations around 10,000 feet, leaves change first in Leadville and Twin Lakes, usually peaking mid- to late September. The Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway offers spectacular views of golden aspen groves and large glacial lakes, especially from Twin Lakes to the summit of Independence Pass. The Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad rides up into the San Isabel National Forest, where the mountains are ablaze with yellow, orange and red. Halfmoon Packing & Outfitting offers horseback, wagon and stagecoach rides as well as overnight trips featuring some of the most spectacular mountain views in the area. Visitors can soar high above the valley on the Top of the Rockies Zipline to experience fall foliage at an elevation of 11,200 feet with views of Colorado’s highest peaks. Leadville’s Cemetery, Ghost, and Safari Tours offers a new view on Leadville’s history and its past residents. 

Haunted Hot Spots:

• Ashcroft Ghost Town (Aspen): Once home to two newspapers (even Denver only has one!), 20 saloons, a school and many private homes, Ashcroft faded before the turn of the century. Only 10 miles from Aspen, take a guided tour of a dozen or so buildings preserved by the Aspen Historical Society, including the jail, livery stable and a couple saloons.
• Black Monarch Hotel (Victor): In the late 1800s during the town of Victor's heyday, what was then called the Monarch Hotel served miners and international travelers as the Gold Rush fueled their indiscretions. Today, visitors enjoy this renovated boutique hotel and its paranormal activity. Those working the hotel bar have reported strange sights that they cannot explain, including a woman's silhouette in the window when no one was there and the sounds of women laughing and men yelling in the middle of the night. Victor is the site of the Colorado Labor Wars, innumerable Gold Rush era murders and industrial accidents, so it’s said ot be one of the most haunted cities in Colorado.
• Hotel Colorado (Glenwood Springs): This 1893 Glenwood Springs accommodation is known as one of the state’s most haunted thanks to the paranormal activity that takes place under its roof. Both guests and staff have reported getting goosebumps at the sound of a woman wailing, and the lights are known to flicker unexpectedly. Hotel Colorado's eeriness is ramped up by the fact that the basement was once used as a crematorium for World War II military personnel.  The hotel is currently undergoing a multi-million-dollar restoration including all guest rooms.
• The Oxford Hotel (Denver): Denver's oldest boutique hotel, The Oxford, is located in the trendy Union Station neighborhood. This 123-year-old hotel is also known for its haunted past, from tales of locked bathroom stalls to sinks that turn on and off during the night, and a real mystery lies behind the door of Room 320. The hotel's Cruise Room bar is known for its martinis, its iconic Art Deco style — and a mysterious postal worker. Bartenders routinely report a man walking into the bar wearing an old post office uniform. He always orders a beer before muttering "the children, I have to get the gifts to the children." Then he appears to drink the beer and leave.
• Phantom Canyon Road (Cripple Creek): Not for the faint of heart, Phantom Canyon Road is a detour off the Gold Belt Tour byway and the former route of the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad. The drive itself is thrilling as the narrow, unpaved road climbs 4,000 feet in elevation, twisting and turning through eerie mountain tunnels and the centuries-old ghost towns of Wilbur, Adelaide and Glenbrook. As travelers near Cripple Creek, they may spot the specters who give the road its name — particularly the ghost of a uniformed 1890s prison inmate who was spotted walking the railway days after he was executed.

Favorite Fall Flavor Festivals:

• Olathe Sweet Corn Festival, Aug. 6 (Olathe): This year’s 30th annual Olathe Sweet Corn Festival offers a full day of fun with lots of sweet corn to devour. A beer and wine garden will be present at the event in addition to booths from local vendors. There are also numerous activities for kids and adults to enjoy including corn eating competitions, games, facepainting and live musical performances.
• Palisade Peach Festival, Aug. 11-13 (Palisade): The renowned Palisade peaches are at their finest during Peach Festival weekend. The 54th Annual Peach Festival includes orchard tours, peach cuisine demos, peach eating contests, an ice cream social, BBQ throw down, a street dance with live music and much more.
• Rocky Ford Melons, Aug. and Sept. (Rocky Ford): Big melons are big business in the tiny agricultural town of Rocky Ford. Farmers ship juicy cantaloupe and watermelons nationwide. In August and September, roadside stands along Hwy. 50 are open for business. Each August the town hosts the annual Arkansas Valley Fair, during which time locals celebrate the diverse cultures of the area and outstanding agricultural community with horse races, stock shows, a carnival and rodeo, fiesta and Watermelon Days are also special parts of the celebration.
• Pueblo’s Chile & Frijoles Festival, Sept. 23-25 (Pueblo): To celebrate the city’s harvest of its best-loved crop, the Pueblo green chile, the Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival includes cooking demonstrations, musical performances, frijole-spitting and jalapeño-eating contests and more. Visitors can stop by the  farmers’ market to find green chile creations that they can take home.

Fantastic Fall Events:

• Telluride Film Festival, Sept. 2-5 (Telluride): Each Labor Day weekend, the tiny mountain village of Telluride triples in size. Swells of passionate film enthusiasts flood the town for four days of total cinematic immersion, embarking on a viewing odyssey, blissfully spending entire days in flickering dark rooms. The Telluride Film Festival takes great pains to remain not a competition, but a celebration of the best in film—past, present and future—from all around the world.
• Breckenridge Oktoberfest, Sept. 23-25 (Breckenridge): Visitors break out their lederhosen and best Bavarian attire for Breckenridge Oktoberfest’s triumphant return to historic Main Street. After being canceled in 2020 and offering a modified, scaled-down event on the Riverwalk Center lawn in 2021, the 26th annual Breckenridge Oktoberfest will once again be held on Main Street, returning to a full-blown street party with live music, food vendors and plenty of ‘Prost!’.
• Elk Fest,  Oct. 1-2 (Estes Park): The beautifully haunting bugle of a bull elk is unmistakable, and every October spectators head to Estes Park to experience the phenomenon. The elk gather there, at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, to show off for their ladies during the start of the rutting (breeding) season. At Elk Fest, visitors can learn about these beasts’ behavior, observe them in their natural habitat, participate in a bugling contest and see performances by American Indians. This year, The YMCA of The Rockies is also offering an Elk Ecology Class in which participants enjoy hands-on activities to learn about elk biology, herding dynamics, habitat requirements for survival and seasonal behavior changes.
• First Annual Tarantula Fest, Oct. 8 (La Junta): Each fall, large numbers of tarantulas skitter across the landscape in La Junta and southeast Colorado. While this phenomenon has traditionally been called a migration, it’s actually an annual mating ritual performed by male tarantulas who roam across the 443,000-plus acres on the Comanche National Grassland. The mating season starts once the temperatures cool at night, which is typically around the start of September. The first annual Tarantula Fest will be held in La Junta Saturday, October 8, and will include guided tarantula tours, an educational pavilion and much more. 

Meet the Queens of “Drag Race Philippines”

Mabuhay, Drag Race Philippines! On Wednesday, August 17 the inaugural season of Drag Race Philippines will premiere exclusively on WOW Presents Plus in the US, with sickening new episodes dropping every following Wednesday. Featuring the fiercest, most fabulous Filipino drag artists from all over the world, Drag Race Philippines will be broadcast primarily in English with some portions in Tagalog. Paolo Ballesteros, the multi-awarded Filipino actor, model, and drag artist, will host the ten-part series with the iconic Drag Race alum Jiggly Caliente and popular Filipina writer, TV personality and activist KaladKaren serving as judges.

Also, for the first time in Drag Race herstory, an official after-show, Drag Race Philippines: Untucked, will premiere August 19, 2022 with a new episode dropping every Friday.

The twelve sickening queens competing for the title of the Philippines’ First Drag Superstar are:

Brigiding
Brigiding is one of the most prominent names in the Philippine drag scene. She is known for her extravagant looks and show-stopping performances and has been featured in Pride parades and drag events both in the Philippines and abroad. She is also one of the founders of Drag Playhouse PH, a local drag content and entertainment provider.

Corazon
A crowned pageant queen with a list of titles on her sash, Corazon has jumped from one beauty contest to another competing in both male bikini contests and provincial Miss Gay events and talent shows. In addition to drag, Corazon is a makeup artist and a designer; creating looks for fellow drag and beauty queens alike.

Eva Le Queen
Eva Le Queen worked as an OFW in Singapore for eight years before giving up her corporate profession to follow her dream of becoming a drag artist. During the day she would work corporate, but at night she worked as a drag queen. Eva won 1st runner-up in Singapore's Drag It Out All-Stars competition, only four months after she started doing drag. Eva’s Drag is inspired by literary and cinematic villains. Her strengths are in being both a comedy queen and her looks. Eva is a resident queen at Nectar Nightclub and is also one of the founders of Drag Playhouse PH.

Gigi Era
Gigi Era is the Diva from Down Under. Hailing from Melbourne, she is popular in the Australian drag scene for her death-defying stunts and fabulous real hair wigs. Gigi was a former dancer and airplane cabin crew member based out of Dubai. She is now back in the Philippines representing her hometown, Davao.

Lady Morgana
A proud Davao Queen who has been doing drag for more than 15 years, Lady Morgana is a true classic drag queen. With her spider lashes, high brows, creative wigs, and out-of-the-box costumes, Lady Morgana is known for her comedic and hosting skills, always making sure that her performances are sprinkled with love, laughter, and feelings. She works as a financial advisor during the day.

Marina Summers
Marina Summers is a fierce tropical queen known for her fish looks, hot body, exceptional dancing, and all-around performances. Her drag name stems from her love for the beach. Marina left her bucolic hometown of Nueva Vizcaya and moved to Manila to create content for one of the biggest film companies in the country. She began performing as a drag queen in 2019 and recently released her debut single I Have Arrived on Spotify and iTunes. She performs regularly at Nectar Nightclub and is another one of the founders of Drag Playhouse PH.

Minty Fresh
Minty Fresh serves looks that kill all day, every day. She is a model, designer, pop singer, make-up artist, and performer. A staunch supporter of LGBTQIA+ rights, she slays the stage weekly at Nectar Nightclub. Ariana Grande reposted Minty’s Lipsync performance on her Instagram story as she led hundreds of thousands of people in an election sortie in Manila.

Precious Paula Nicole
Precious Paula Nicole is one of the most known Filipino drag queens, having been in the drag scene for more than 11 years. She is a professional dancer and is also known for her comedy shticks and impersonation of divas such as Mariah Carey, Beyonce, and Asia’s Songbird, Regine Velasquez. A STAR performer at O Bar, the premier drag club in the Philippines, she is a mother to a host of other popular drag queens.

Prince
Prince is known on social media for her make-up transformations. Before joining Drag Race Philippines, Prince was a Social Media Strategist and is relatively new to the Philippine drag scene. Prince’s drag is heavily-influenced by sci-fi and anime and believes that “extraterrestrial” looks have a space in Philippine drag. Prince is also one of the co-founders of Drag Playhouse PH. Aside from doing drag, she manages her own make-up and merchandise line.

Turing
Turing has been a professional drag artist for more than seven years, performing in one of the most known drag bars in the Philippines, O-Bar. A Broadway fan and a theater kid who used to be a cheerleader in college, Turing is known in the drag scene as a fierce dancer and a lip-sync slayer. She has openly discussed how drag has made her feel more comfortable in her skin, and is a strong advocate for body positivity.

Viñas DeLuxe
Viñas DeLuxe is a triple threat and an all-in-one package. She started doing drag while at university with a background in theatre that helped harness her sharp wit, performance skills, and knack for comedy. Viñas DeLuxe owns a wig business and has built a strong social media presence. She is also in a drag group called “the Divine Divas”, who gained popularity during the pandemic, mounting digital performances and live streams worldwide.

Xilhouete
Xilhouete is respected in the drag scene in Manila. She is the Creative Director and one of the owners of Nectar Nightclub. Xilhouete is considered a drag mother of many queens, especially those who are regular performers at Nectar. An entrepreneur, director, and artist, Xilhouete advocates for the legacy of the drag queens who have paved the way.

CHARLI XCX RELEASES ‘BODIES BODIES BODIES’ THEME SONG 'HOT GIRL'

Today, Pop Icon Charli XCX releases her new song, ‘Hot Girl’, via the newly formed A24 Music and Atlantic Records. Charli was invited to create the original song for A24’s soon to be released hilarious murder mystery film ‘Bodies, Bodies, Bodies’ as the official theme song. ‘Hot Girl’ was written by Charli and produced by George Daniel of The 1975. 

‘Hot Girl’ is a cool, self-assured counterculture track delivered in Charli’s iconic style that perfectly underlines the tone of the Gen Z satire, portrayed in the film by the astounding ensemble cast. With lyrics to rival the vocabulary of the most popular mean girl such as ‘I’m a hot girl and I come in different flavors, all the hot boys got me as their screensavers’, ‘Hot Girl’ is destined to soundtrack the summer and standalone as a huge cult hit. 

‘Bodies, Bodies, Bodies’ hits US theaters nationwide on August 12th, 2022. The SXSW hit film stars Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myha’la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders, Rachel Sennott, Lee Pace and Pete Davidson, and follows the night a group of rich 20-somethings plan a hurricane party at a remote family mansion. A party game goes awry in this fresh, funny look at backstabbing, fake friends, and one party gone very, very wrong.

Charli released her blazing fifth studio album CRASH this year, her most critically acclaimed body of work to date, and was awarded her first #1 record in the UK and #7 in the US in her debut week. CRASH consists of twelve tracks including now renowned hits ‘Good Ones’, ‘New Shapes’ (feat. Christine and the Queens and Caroline Polachek), ‘Beg For You’ (feat. Rina Sawayama) and her most recent pop masterpiece ‘Baby’. 

Charli continues to tour CRASH around the world, most recently, she sold out her 39-date tour across the US, U.K. and Europe, and gave a staggering performance at Glastonbury Festival. Charli will continue to perform the second leg of her US tour and a series of festivals through the summer, including Lollapalooza in Chicago, All Points East in London and many more. 

‘Hot Girl’ is out now via A24 Music and Atlantic Records here.

GLAAD RESPONDS TO BIPARTISAN “RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT” HOUSE PASSAGE; ACT ENSHRINES MARRIAGE EQUALITY AND PROVIDES LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR LGBTQ COUPLES

GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is responding to last week's bipartisan House passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, which was introduced in the House yesterday by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Chairman David Cicilline (D-RI). The Respect for Marriage Act would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), enshrine marriage equality for the purposes of federal law, and provide additional legal protections for marriage equality. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Diane Feinstein (D-CA), and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced companion legislation in the House.

The bill passed in the House 267-157 — including 47 Republicans voting yes.

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis responded on Twitter, and here:

“LGBTQ people are under attack: in state legislatures, by Governors, on social media, and within the Supreme Court, where anti-LGBTQ justices have stated their desire to reconsider LGBTQ protections from privacy to marriage equality. 

We welcome today’s House passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, a critical step to enshrine existing protections for LGBTQ couples and families, as well as interracial couples.

A vast majority of Americans from all political backgrounds support marriage equality because they know LGBTQ people, our relationships and our families deserve the same recognition and protections as any other couple. We urge the Senate to take swift action to pass the Respect For Marriage Act to ensure our families continue to receive the protections that only marriage affords.” 

A record high number of Americans, 71%, support marriage equality, seven years after it was legalized nationwide in the Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision.

The Respect for Marriage Act would:

• Repeal DOMA. The Supreme Court effectively rendered DOMA inert with its landmark decisions in United States v. Windsor and Obergefell, but DOMA is still officially on the books.  The new bill would repeal this statute once and for all.

• Enshrine Marriage Equality for Federal Law Purposes. The bill requires, for federal law purposes, that an individual be considered married if the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed.  This gives same sex and interracial couples additional certainty that they will continue to receive equal treatment under federal law as all other married couples—as the Constitution requires.

• Provide Additional Legal Protections. The bill prohibits any person acting under state law from denying full faith and credit to an out of state marriage based on the sex, race, ethnicity or national origin of the individuals in the marriage, provides the Attorney General with the authority to pursue enforcement actions, and creates a private right of action for any individual harmed by a violation of this provision.

Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, in his concurrence in the decision overturning Roe v. Wade, wrote that the Court “should reconsider all of this Court’s substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell.” Griswold decided that the Constitution protected privacy of marital couples to contraception; Lawrence protects privacy in same-sex relationships; Obergefell legalized marriage equality nationwide. Justice Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito also issued a formal rebuke of Obergefell on the Court’s opening day in October 2020.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under” Drops Teaser Ahead of the Season 2 Premiere

“RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under” just released a gag-worthy first look trailer at the sophomore season, making its way to WOW Presents Plus in select territories on Saturday, July 30th at 12:01am PT, day-and-date with its local airings on Stan (Australia) and TVNZ On Demand (New Zealand).

RuPaul will host the Drag Race Down Under S2 with longtime “Drag Race” icon Michelle Visage and comedian Rhys Nicholson serving as judges. The ten fierce, queens competing for the title of Down Under’s Drag Superstar include Aubrey Haive, Beverly Kills, Faúx Fúr, Hannah Conda, Kween Kong, Minnie Cooper, Molly Poppinz, Pomara Fifth, Spankie Jackzon, and Yuri Guaii.

Chella Man Helps Debut Fresh Approach to the "It Gets Better" Project

It Gets Better Project started as a viral video movement, with more than 70,000 people sharing their stories in support of LGBTQ+ youth. Now, those videos are back with a fresh look and feel, and kicking things off is 23-year-old artist, director, and author Chella Man. This is the first in a series of new It Gets Better videos, more of which will premiere this year. 

“Being deaf made me really wanna figure out… how can I express myself without sound,” Chella Man — who identifies as "curious, stubborn, Deaf, transmasculine, genderqueer, Jewish, and Chinese" — explains in his video. “Going to school, so many hours... you just sit there with a pencil and paper for hours on end. And sometimes schooling wasn’t accessible to me, I couldn’t understand the teacher, I couldn’t hear the teacher, and I didn’t know sign language fluently. But I had a piece of paper and a pencil. That’s the place I felt most free.”

The reimagined look and feel of the It Gets Better videos mirrors a shift in how the art of storytelling has evolved over the years. This inside look at the new subjects takes viewers through their personal stories in an honest way and feels reflective of where today’s LGBTQ+ youth are: constantly evolving, consistently learning, and purposefully bold in being unapologetically themselves.

"With our re-imagined It Gets Better videos, we wanted to give our audiences a chance to peer into the lives of their LGBTQ+ siblings and be inspired by their individuality and freedom of expression. Chella Man is such a dynamic example of what it means to be oneself and create one's own happiness. We are honored to present these stories - knowing that seeing ourselves well is a launching pad for building better futures." - Justin Pye, Digital Producer, It Gets Better Project

ICYMI: NBC: Opponents Of Same-Sex Marriage Face An Uphill Climb. They Should Give Up.

In the lead-up to the Senate’s vote on the Respect for Marriage Act, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Interim President Joni Madison published an op-ed in NBC THINK about how the bipartisan vote for the legislation in the House of Representatives demonstrates widespread support for marriage equality – and the uphill climb anti-equality opponents will face if they want to roll back this right. The Respect for Marriage Act, which passed the House XX-XX and garnered 47 Republican votes, will guarantee the federal rights, benefits, and obligations of marriages in the federal code, repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and affirm that public acts, records and proceedings should be recognized by all states.

READ THE FULL OP-ED HERE: OPPONENTS OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE FACE AN UPHILL CLIMB. THEY SHOULD GIVE UP.

EXCERPTS FROM HRC INTERIM PRESIDENT JONI MADISON’S OP-ED:
“There’s no way around it, we are living in a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people, for women, and for people of color. But our opponents will have an uphill climb if they want to roll back all of our rights. That was evident in the way the Respect for Marriage Act sailed through the House of Representatives 267-157 on Tuesday.”

“In a rare show of bipartisanship, 47 House Republicans from all over this country – North Dakota, Utah, Nebraska, Florida, Texas, Iowa, and South Carolina – including the third-ranking House Republican, Elise Stefanik — voted to protect marriage equality.”

“With the devastating decision to overturn Roe v. Wade… many people fear that other court-protected civil rights could also be on the line — including marriage equality. Tuesday’s vote gave those who were worried about what the Dobbs decision could mean for their marriages a brief moment to exhale because it proved once again that marriage equality enjoys broad, bipartisan support.”

“That’s why a move like we saw on Tuesday was crucial. While bipartisanship in Congress may shock you, Republican support for marriage equality shouldn’t.”

“The 47 votes they casted in favor of the House’s Respect for Marriage Act demonstrate that even Republican lawmakers know marriage equality — which is supported by 7 in 10 Americans, according to a recent Gallup poll — is (and must remain) the law of the land.”

“The end of marriage equality would have catastrophic consequences, much like the devastating consequences of the Dobbs decision. But it is clear that our opponents have a hard fight ahead of them if they come after our marriages because we are on high alert. The LGTBQ+ community has been living in a state of emergency, and we are ready for this fight. Widespread support for marriage equality is rising too fast to be ignored, and the American people, including many in the Republican Party, are with us.”

“For now, the Respect for Marriage Act is in the hands of the Senate. I strongly urge senators to follow the example set by their colleagues in the House and vote to pass this bill to protect the rights given in Obergefell that so many same-sex couples rely upon.”

Human Rights Campaign Commends World Health Organization for Declaring Monkeypox a Global Health Emergency

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, commended the World Health Organization (WHO) for taking the step to declare the monkeypox virus (MPV) a global health emergency. The designation means the WHO views the outbreak as a significant threat to global health, requiring a coordinated international response. The last time a global health emergency was declared was in 2020, in response to COVID-19.

 

According to the CDC, as of July 23, there were 2,891 confirmed cases of MPV in the U.S., though this number is likely an undercount due to limited testing capacity. The Human Rights Campaign has been closely monitoring the monkeypox outbreak in the United States, especially as the virus spreads primarily among gay and bisexual men and transgender women.

 

“This designation must serve as an alarm to public health officials and governments around the world that combatting monkeypox is a top priority; it is critical to rapidly increase testing capacity and vaccine distribution in order to reach communities most impacted by the virus, particularly gay and bisexual men and transgender women, who comprise the majority of current cases,” said Jay Brown, Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President of Programs, Research and Training. “A public health response that does not center equitable care and treatment is a failed response. We are especially concerned that BIPOC and LGBTQ+ people who face greater challenges in accessing healthcare will bear the brunt of MPV. The LGBTQ+ community will continue to do what we have done for decades—care for one another, be compassionate and empathetic, and advocate for our community’s well-being.”

 

In an effort to get accurate and timely information to the LGBTQ+ community, HRC launched a resource page that lays out what the virus is, how it spreads, symptoms to watch for and current vaccine information, among other crucial information based on CDC and HHS guidance. MPV is a rare but potentially serious, viral illness that typically involves flu-like symptoms, accompanied by a rash, which may look like pimples or blisters. This virus can be transmitted to anyone, anywhere through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact.

 

Health officials note that high rates amongst MSM could be due to gay men being more proactive toward their sexual health (seeking testing, treatment, knowledge sharing) compared to other communities. It’s critically important that we provide a clear, scientific, evidence-based response to prevent the dissemination of misinformation, which might stigmatize LGBTQ+ people. Causing unnecessary fear will potentially endanger lives and lead to destructive policies. Every person, no matter your sexuality or gender identity, should take proper precautions and listen to guidance from health officials in order to stay safe.

Gay Games Hong Kong appoints Alan Lang as new co-chair

Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2023 (GGHK) announced today that Alan Lang, Director of Sports, will step up to join Lisa Lam as co-chair of GGHK.

Alan joined GGHK’s management team in May 2020 as deputy sports director and in that time has led the Sports team to make substantial progress towards creating a successful event. Achievements include confirming event partners and venues, and reaching cooperation agreements with sports associations connected to the 22 sports that GGHK will be hosting.

In addition to new sports added for Hong Kong such as Dodgeball, Dragonboat and Mahjong, the line-up includes Badminton, Field Hockey, Fencing, Football (Soccer), Marathon (half/full), Swimming, Road Races (5/10 km), Martial Arts, Rowing, Rugby Sevens, Sailing, Squash, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track & Field, and Trail Running (short/long).

Co-hosted with Guadalajara, Mexico, the 11th Gay Games will be the first in both Asia and Latin America, as well the first time to be hosted in two cities simultaneously. Open to everyone 18 and older, the Games welcome everyone to participate regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and athletic ability.

“I step humbly into the co-chair role and ask for everyone’s support, because I owe so much to this city’s people,” said Alan Lang. “Eight million individuals in a region of 2 billion who adopted me as one of their own, without judgement or preconceived notions; this newly arrived Australian expat who ‘could’.

“More than anything, I’m here because like the first games held in 1982 in San Francisco, I want to make something from nothing. I want to build on what has come before me, and I want to bring what the rest of the world has enjoyed for four decades, the Gay Games, for the first time here in Asia in 2023.”

To be held during 3-11 November 2023 in both cities, the Games will be one of the largest sports, arts & culture events of next year, bringing the global community together through the power of sports and culture. In addition to 22 sports, GGHK will feature Opening & Closing Ceremonies, Festival Village, Arts & Culture events with daily performances, Gala Concert, art exhibitions, and a variety of events to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Gay Games.

Take a First Look at Billy Porter’s Directorial Debut ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE

Written by Ximena García Lecuona and directed by Billy Porter in his directorial feature debut, Anything's Possible releases globally on Prime Vido this Friday July 22. 

Check out the first official clip from Anything’s Possible - introducing Eva Reign as Kelsa and Abubakr Ali as Khal - below.

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Human Rights Campaign Urges Federal Lawmakers to Pass Bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — today marked the introduction and urged the passage of the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act in Congress. This legislation would guarantee the federal rights, benefits, and obligations of marriage s in the federal code, repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and affirms that public acts, records and proceedings should be recognized by all states. HRC is urging federal lawmakers to move forward with passage of this important legislation.

In response to the introduction of the bill, HRC Interim President Joni Madison issued the following statement:

“The Defense of Marriage Act — which excluded legally married same-sex couples from accessing the federal rights, benefits, and obligations of marriage — is a stain upon our nation and deserves to be relegated to the trash bin of History. With the Respect for Marriage Act, Congress has the opportunity to right this wrong by creating an inclusive law that also standardizes the mechanism for evaluating when a marriage should be given federal recognition and affirms that public acts, records, and judicial proceedings should be honored across this country.”

Key Provisions of the Bill

The Respect for Marriage Act would ensure that marriage equality is protected nationally through several provisions:

• Repealing the 1990s era Defense of Marriage Act. Passed in 1996, it discriminated in two important ways. First, Section 2 of DOMA purports to allow states to refuse to recognize valid civil marriages of same-sex couples. Second, Section 3 of the law carves all same-sex couples, regardless of their marital status, out of all federal statutes, regulations and rulings applicable to all other married people—thereby denying them over 1,100 federal benefits and protections. DOMA was rendered unenforceable, in two stages, by the Supreme Court’s 2013 Windsor v. United States ruling and the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
• Establishing that “place of celebration” is the standard of recognition for federal benefits of a same-sex marriage. Under this provision, if marriage equality was ever to cease to be recognized in a given state, same-sex couples who travel to get married in another state – one where same-sex marriages are still recognized – would still retain federal marriage benefits.
• Affirming that public acts, records and proceedings should be recognized by all states. Adoption orders, divorce decrees, and other public acts must be honored by all states consistent with the Full Faith and Credit clause of the US Constitution.
• Codifying the federal protections conferred by the Obergefell and Windsor rulings. The landmark ruling stated that bans on marriage equality are unconstitutional.

More Than Two-Thirds of People Support Marriage Equality

The latest survey from PRRI this year on support for LGBTQ+ rights showed nearly seven in ten Americans (68%) favor allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry legally. Support has increased by 14 percentage points since 2014 (54%). Republicans are now nearly evenly divided over same-sex marriage (48% support, 50% oppose), while 81% of Democrats and 73% of independents favor marriage equality. Today, majorities of most religious groups favor marriage equality. White evangelical Protestants (35%) and Latter-day Saints (46%) remain the only major religious groups with less than majority support for same-sex marriage. 

GLAAD RESPONSE TO MONKEYPOX VACCINE NEWS AND RELEASES COMMUNITY AWARENESS INFORMATION

GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is responding to an announcement from the federal government adding 2.5 million more doses of the monkeypox virus (MPV) vaccine JYNNEOS to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) over the next year, with an additional 131,000 doses immediately available, and nearly 800,000 more doses available in the coming weeks.

Demand for vaccinations in New York City and other areas has far exceeded current capacity, leading local elected officials to call for more vaccines, testing, and treatment. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today it placed an order for an additional 2.5 million doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine to respond to the current MPV outbreak and strengthen the nation’s smallpox preparedness. HHS also announced an additional 131,000 doses just arrived and will be immediately available to states and jurisdictions.

The news follows the latest White House briefing for LGBTQ advocates held on Thursday. The briefing featured Dr. Ashish Jha, White House COVID Czar; Harold Phillips, National AIDS Policy Director; Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Director of the CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention; John Brooks, CDC epidemiologist; and DaShawn Usher, Director, Communities of Color at GLAAD. Attendees included LGBTQ advocates who can share information about MPV and the MPV vaccine to followers and networks.

“News of additional MPV vaccine doses becoming available is welcome and urgently needed,” said DaShawn Usher, GLAAD’s Director, Communities of Color. “As we saw with HIV, COVID-19, and now MPV, discrimination, disinformation, racism and systemic breakdowns in the healthcare system continue to challenge LGBTQ Americans’ health as well as public health and safety, especially for LGBTQ people of color. All people are susceptible to MPV but it showed up early in LGBTQ communities, resulting in additional stigma for us. We must keep our community safe and informed.”