Drag Queens Turn Up The Heat on ‘Tongue Thai’d with Pangina Heals’

WOW Presents Plus, the streamer of all things drag from the award-winning team behind RuPaul’s Drag Race, has today dropped the spicy new trailer for Tongue Thai’d with Pangina Heals. It’s also been revealed today, that the brand-new original show will premiere at 11am PT on December 6th, exclusively on WOW Presents Plus, with new episodes rolling out weekly thereafter.

Making her debut as a contestant earlier in 2022 on RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World, the host of Drag Race Thailand now has her very own show on WOW Presents Plus. Tongue Thai'd with Pangina Heals promises to be the spiciest new talk show on the planet.

Throughout the series, Pangina will welcome eight fascinating guests including Jujubee, Cheryl Hole and Ongina, to one of LA's most authentic Thai restaurants for an intimate conversation over an incredible spread of Thai cuisine. Guests can start out at their preferred level of spice, but as the show goes on, things get spicier and spicier, and the questions get more and more revealing.

Will Pangina’s guests be able to handle the heat? Or will things get so spicy, they won't even be able to think rationally? That's what we call...being Tongue Thai'd. Watch
the spicy new trailer now!

Breaking Glass Releases Hong Kong Auteur Scud's Provocative Eighth LGBTQ+ Feature APOSTLES

Breaking Glass Pictures is proud to announce the North American release of award-winning writer/director Scud's provocative LGBTQ+ feature APOSTLES. “Apostles” held its World Premiere at Taiwan International Queer Film Festival, its North American premiere at the Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, and went on to play the Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. The film arrives on DVD and VOD, digital platforms including iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu, Vimeo, and local cable & satellite providers on December 13. "I am delighted to work with Breaking Glass again, who brought my previous films Adonis and Utopians to American audiences”, said SCUD. “As I am retiring from filmmaking, these will be my very last pieces of work, and my favorite too. I'm confident they both are in good hands."

In Apostles, a scholar claiming to be an apostle to Socrates and Plato finds it hard to face his end. With the help of his wife and his ex-partner’s family, he recruits 12 young men to bring to his secluded manor to pursue an intimate project: the exploration of death. Philosophical discussions aside, the practices encompass climbing the volcanic summit of Mt. Fuji, bondage, sexual activities, and even living sacrifice. Throughout it all, these thrilling experiences are filmed, leaving everyone involved facing life changing revelations. The film is written and directed by SCUD, with crew including Director of Photography Meteor Cheung and Production Designer Irving Cheung. The film stars Bank Chuang, Teslin, Wei Kai Huang, Qiji Chen, Christopher Tsang, Adrian Heung, Amanda Lee, Jach Chow, and Adonis He.

LGBTQ Health Survey: Mpox Opinions and Experiences

Do you have a few minutes for a new LGBTQ health survey?

This survey is being conducted in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community’s experiences throughout the Monkeypox (MPox) outbreak this year.

The survey should take 8 to 10 minutes or less to complete, depending on your pace. At the end of the survey, you will have the opportunity to provide your email address if you would like to be entered into the contest for a chance to win one of twenty $100 e-card prizes or if you would like to participate in follow-up research about Mpox    

You will encounter no unordinary risks while participating in this survey. The results of the survey will be used to inform policy and educate the public regarding LGBTQ+ people and their needs amidst the MPox outbreak. 

Your participation is completely voluntary. You may end participation in the survey at any time. 

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 here.

To begin the survey, CLICK HERE

America’s Moms Applaud U.S. Senate Passage of Respect for Marriage Act

Statement of Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director and CEO of MomsRising, the online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families, on passage of the Respect for Marriage Act by the U.S. Senate:

“U.S. Senate passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, now on track to be signed into law very soon, will make our country more fair, stable, and successful. This popular, bipartisan legislation will maintain the status quo by protecting the marriages of same-sex and interracial couples. It will repeal the discriminatory, misnamed Defense of Marriage Act, and ensure that federal benefits are available to married couples no matter which state they live in.

“Equally important, this bill reaffirms the freedom to marry the person you love and protects families across the country from a U.S. Supreme Court that showed, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, that it does not respect precedent and will not protect our most fundamental liberties.

“We look forward to President Biden signing the Respect for Marriage Act into law, which will give families the security and stability they deserve. We will continue working to pass the Equality Act, to provide federal protections against discrimination targeting the LGBTQ+ community, and legislation to codify Roe v. Wade. And we will continue vigorously challenging all hateful anti-LGBTQ+ federal, state and local legislation and court cases that aim to institutionalize discrimination – and countering the cruel, inflammatory rhetoric supporters use to advance them.”

Are You Gay With Something To Say? Bloggers Wanted to Write About Denver's Gay Community

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.

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.

Actor Chris Evans Shows Support for LGBTQ+ Youth in It Gets Better Project "Better Everyday" Campaign

Chris Evans and Scott Evans are encouraging people to show their support for queer youth as part of the It Gets Better "Better Everyday" end-of-year giving campaign, which aims to keep hope front and center for LGBTQ+ youth as we head into the holiday season.

The It Gets Better Project has a goal of raising $200,000 between now and the end of the year. All funds raised will go towards supporting the It Gets Better mission and providing vital life-affirming resources to LGBTQ+ youth. The campaign, which runs through December 31, 2022, is a love letter to LGBTQ+ young people, reminding them of the many reasons why people have chosen to support them, and a promise to keep fighting until we can truly say it’s BETTER EVERYDAY for LGBTQ+ youth everywhere.

Telluride Gay Ski Week Announces 2023 Artist Lineup

As the snow starts to accumulate on the slopes of the world-class ski destination of Telluride, Colorado, Telluride Gay Ski Week (TGSW) reveals their lineup of performers. Set for February 25 - March 4, 2023, the LGBTQ+ winter celebration of outdoor recreation features comedians Margaret Cho and Daniel Webb, Olympian Gus Kenworthy, DJ’s Fleetmac Wood, Matt Suave, Sinna-G, and CASTLE, drag queens Ada Vox, Suzy Wong, Pattaya Hart, Bitter Betty, Aria PettyOne, burlesque dancers from Telluride Theatre’s House Of Shimmy Shake, performance dancers from AJA Talent, go-go dancers from Sage Grey's Mile High Go-Go Company and fashion philanthropist Cameron Silver.

These artists, performers and personalities are set to join TGSW attendees for a week full of spectacular evening shows, on-mountain events, culinary experiences, après-ski parties and more.

Ballet Ariel presents THE NUTCRACKER 2022

Journey with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on a magical night into a winter wonderland filled with dancing snowflakes, exotic treats from around the world and a regal Sugar Plum Fairy. Performed to Tchaikovsky’s majestic score, Ballet Ariel’s The Nutcracker is a beautiful and festive traditional interpretation with a contemporary elegance.

 

The Nutcracker 2022 will feature company dancers Marcelina Gaudini, Maya Vought and Yoshiko Brunson. Ballet Ariel welcomes back Colorado natives and former company dancers Jennie Begley who danced with New York City based Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and American Midwest Ballet dancer Ryan Christopher. Other renowned guest artists include Anton Iakovlev and Alexandru Glusacov. Choreographed and directed by Artistic Director Ilena Norton, with pas de deux choreography and staging by rehearsal director Oleg Dedogryuk, Ballet Ariel’s professional company will be joined by aspiring young dancers from Lakewood Dance Academy.

 

Ballet Ariel will be performing The Nutcracker at Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway Lakewood 80226, Saturday, December 10 at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 11 at 2:00 p.m., Friday December 16 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, December 17 at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m., Sunday, December 18 at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 22 at 2:00 p.m., and Friday, December 23 at 2:00 p.m.

 

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.balletariel.org/nutcracker or by calling 303-987-7845.

Tickets for adults are $35-40, students and seniors are $30-35, and children at $25-30.

Award-Winning Documentary "CONVERSION" Tells the Stories of Survivors of Conversion Therapy

After filmmaker Zach Meiners discovered that his former conversion therapist was still in practice and struggling with the re-surfaced trauma of his own experience, Meiners began an endeavor to amplify and empower the voices of survivors to expose the secretive and often deadly practices of conversion therapy.

From the perspectives of survivors from the United States and Canada, the documentary “Conversion” takes us on a personal cinematic journey of five people as they move through the mental and physical ramifications of enduring conversion therapy, while also spotlighting a dangerous underground industry that is constantly rebranding, adapting, and growing to this day. Ultimately a film about strength and hope, “Conversion” aims to give a voice to survivors who are often left out of the conversation and speak to the next generation who may not have a voice, choice or pathway out of the trauma being inflicted on them. 

“Conversion” premiered recently in New York City at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Robin Williams Center. The East Coast screening of the documentary about conversion therapy and about survival and hope, was followed by an after-party celebration at Industry Bar. The evening featured filmmakers from Chronicle Cinema, survivors featured in the documentary, and amongst them tastemakers including RuPaul’s Drag Race icons. 

Queer singer-songwriter Olive Klug signs with Nettwerk + shares "Out of Line" single

Nettwerk is excited to announce the signing of LA-via-Portland queer singer-songwriter Olive Klug (they/them). A key player in the new wave of contemporary folk artists, Olive Klug is known for their beautiful tone, vividly honest storytelling, and modern lyrical sensibility. Their style takes inspiration from genre icons like Joni Mitchell and Brandi Carlile as well as modern favorites like Lizzy McAlpine and Adrianne Lenker. In conjunction with their signing to Nettwerk, Olive Klug shares their new single “Out of Line.”

Olive is a storyteller first and their unique take on the misleading childhood advice of the ‘American Dream’ is on full display with “Out of Line.” Additionally, the rebellious acoustic effort was heavily influenced by the plight of 2020 (racist/homophobic/misogynistic president alongside the emotional distress of the global pandemic). Sonically, “Out of Line” embodies a homey, indie-folk atmosphere that’s driven by bittersweet lyricism and simple instrumentation. The track’s production expands beyond its ballad perimeters with a group sing-along towards the end of this magnetic song.

Olive Klug shares this about their new single: “‘Out of Line’ is a song about unlearning the rules you've been taught and deciding to write your own. Throughout childhood, we're told the right way to do things, the right way to ‘stay in line’ and follow the rules. ‘Out of Line’ is a call to action to question everything you've been taught. To question why you're waiting and what you're waiting for. It's a call to experiment with your identity, to make mistakes, and to value joy over practicality.”

Olive Klug joins Nettwerk's expanding label roster, including artists like Angus & Julia Stone, SYML, Old Sea Brigade, Wild Rivers, Ocie Elliott, and others.

This #GivingTuesday Support Lambda Literary and LGBTQ+ Voices

I am so excited to introduce myself to you – I’m Samiya Bashir, the new Executive Director of Lambda Literary.

I have a deep commitment to building partnerships with people like you who believe that the voices and stories of LGBTQ+ people are needed now more than ever. 

New as I am, I am not quite new to Lambda Literary. As a two-time Lammy-Award finalist myself, this deeply critical, legacy organization has been important to me and my own writing since the early days of the Lambda Book Report and for the 30+ years since. This organization makes such an impact. With your support, Lambda Literary can lift LGBTQ+ voices – and the reflections of our lives – even further. 

Today, despite all the progress we’ve made to have a more inclusive society and end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, our communities continue to face attacks and barriers in every aspect of our lives. 

The recent violence in Colorado Springs that left five people dead and 25 injured (content warning in link: gun violence) is a tragic reminder of why our work is critical. We are not going away. We will not be silenced. We will not serve idly as canaries in the coal mines of oppression and carnage.

But the reality is we are faced with many challenges. A recent report released by PEN America, announced that over 50 groups at the national, state, and local level with LGBTQ characters or themes are advocating to ban the books. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, as of this past July, lawmakers of mostly Republican-controlled states introduced at least 162 anti-LGBTQ bills that would limit classroom instruction about LGBTQ-related topics.

The hateful campaigns of the 70s, 80s, 90s have relaunched to scare people once again into rejecting LGBTQ+ rights. But their hateful strategy today is far more dangerous. People are using social media to go after individuals, like schoolteachers in small towns across the country, with hateful and dangerous messages. We stand with the teachers, the LGBTQ+ writers, and we will continue to educate and advocate for our human rights.

LGBTQ+ stories honor our history and provide a roadmap towards freedom and equality. I hope you agree that LGBTQ+ stories are essential reflections of our vast and expansive humanity. 

Today, I ask that you make a donation in support of our programmatic work as we prepare for the year ahead. 

Check out the plans forthcoming from Lambda’s programs in 2023:

• The LGBTQ+ Emerging Writers Retreat: Host the Writer’s Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ+ Voices – the nation’s premier LGBTQ+ writing residency, which brings together poets, playwrights, screenwriters, essayists, novelists, and memoirists in a safe, welcoming and love-centered community.

• Learn with Lambda: Provide access for LGBTQ+ writers to literary arts pedagogy and community. Lambda Literary offers access to panels, craft workshops, and meetings with publishing professionals to uplift the work of our Fellows and grow their writing careers.

• The LGBTQ+ Writers in Schools Program: Elevate our partnership with the NYC Department of Education to provide safe spaces for students to talk about great books, queer life, and how to thrive as an LGBTQ+ person. The program will continue to serve students across all grade levels, K-12, and provides access to award-winning books and authors as well as professional development on how to deliver an LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum.

• Lambda Literary Review: We are rebuilding this critical resource and will continue to offer book reviews, interviews, industry news, and calls for submission of interest to LGBTQ+ book lovers around the world as well as new and in-depth coverage of the LGBTQ+ literary landscape.

I’m very proud of the comprehensive programming Lambda Literary provides to LGBTQ+ writers, and in the coming year, our offerings and support will expand. 

As we look towards the future, Lambda Literary will continue to grow in its service to LGBTQ+ voices – our writers and our readers. 

Join with Lambda Literary today. Please, make a year-end donation in support of Lambda Literary as we look towards 2023 with vision, compassion, and hope.

MAP: Give now and join us in the fight to secure LGBTQ equality, democracy, and opportunity for all

By Ineke Mushovic, MAP Executive Director From the team at MAP, we wish you the best as the holiday season begins. Today is Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving and charitable support to organizations that you know and love. MAP is calling on you, a cherished supporter, to join us in the fight for LGBTQ equality and democracy. These are pivotal times for our community and our country. We’re seeing attacks at all levels, including heinous murders in our spaces, the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric that spurs such violence and a dramatic increase in legislation targeting transgender youth in particular. We also continue to see attacks on our very democracy at the national level and in states with legislative efforts to limit who can vote and make it harder to vote. As state legislatures continue their political attacks on LGBTQ people, attacks on voting rights and democracy limit our ability to choose leaders who will support LGBTQ equality and so many other important issues.

MAP is made for this moment. We’ve done hard work before. We respond to the issues at hand. We have a vision for the future. We advance conversations about key issues like automatic voter registration and transgender youth playing sports. With our Open to All program, we advance collaboration by pairing civil rights organizations with businesses large and small to fight discrimination and create a culture of belonging. We advance policy by helping people understand the key issues like anti-LGBTQ laws in the states.   Your support over the last 16 years has made our work possible. But we need your help to continue moving forward. Can you make a gift today?   Your contribution — no matter how big or small — significantly bolsters MAP’s work. With your help, our team can remain persistent and diligent in our mission to speed equality and opportunity for all, especially as we navigate this hostile climate.

MAKE A GIFT

At MAP, our work centers on partnership and collaborations because we believe that the long-term success of movements is built on working together. We appreciate your gift of any size during this critical time.

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WalletHub: Denver Is 2022’s 3rd Best City for Singles

Source: WalletHub

With nearly 50% of all U.S. adults being single and the average date costing over $90, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2022’s Best & Worst Cities for Singles, as well as accompanying videos and expert commentary.

Some singles are closer to a happily ever after than they think, but it depends on where they live. To determine where singles have the highest chance of finding love, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 36 key indicators of dating-friendliness. The data set ranges from the share of the population that is single to the number of online dating opportunities to the average price for a two-person meal.

The Dating Scene in Denver (1=Best; 91=Avg.):

• 50^th – Share of Singles
• 41^st – Online Dating Opportunities
• 41^st – Mobile Dating Opportunities
• 21^st – Restaurants per Capita
• 26^th – Percentage of Residents Who Are Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19
• 79^th – Unemployment Rate

Masterbeat 2023: The Countdown Has Begun

Masterbeat announced that tickets were already selling fast for the largest New Year's event it has ever planned – the 22nd annual Masterbeat 2023 weekend in Los Angeles. Marking the return of the most exciting LGBTQ+ New Year's celebration in the country, Masterbeat 2023 is a themed series of parties from December 30 through January 1st. Hosted out of multiple venues in two legendary cities, Masterbeat 2023 celebrates the hope and joy of the New Year with dancing, costumes, lasers, music by international superstar DJ's, and pure fun. This year's Masterbeat theme, Carnival, embodies the celebration of a New Year and the beautiful chaos that makes the carnival experience one of the world's most beloved parties.

"Our New Year's celebration is going to be our biggest event yet," said Masterbeat. "Starting in L.A. and ending in New York, we are transforming four incredible venues and nightclubs into a giant Carnival, dialing the volume up way past 10 with our signature production of 3D LED visuals, lasers, superstar DJs, concert sound, special performances, surprise guests, and the hottest dancers from across the globe. It's a gyrating, glittering, pulsing, pounding, laser-light extravaganza that bangs from coast-to-coast. And we can't wait to see you there!"