June 15, 2016 :: Pride

JUNE 15, 2016 | OUTFRONTONLINE .COM | FREE

PRIDE

2016

PLUS: PRIDE IN THE LINE OF FIRE + PROMINENT LGBT ICONS OF COLOR

THE L WORD’S SHANE COMES TO DENVER DUSTIN LANCE BLACK, BIG DIPPER, CAZWELL

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O U T F R O N T O N L I N E . C O M  3

CONTENTS JUNE 15, 2016 VOL40 NO05

74 08 WHEN WE RISE: A HISTORY LESSON TO BE PROUD OF 14 BRING HOME THE GOLD 16 CANNABIS IS LEGAL HERE 34 WHERE THE GIRLS ARE 40 LIFTED ON THE WINGS OF FAIRIES

83

100

52 PRIDE OF PLACE 60 LGBT COMIC BOOK CHARACTERS WHO GIVE US A SENSE OF PRIDE 86 CAZWELL AIMS TO RAP PRIDEFEST UP 98 HEINZESIGHT 104 9 MUST-KNOW FITNESS TIPS TO SCORE YOUR BEST BODY 108 PRIDE FOR INTROVERTS 114 ASK A SLUT

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O U T F R O N T O N L I N E . C O M 5

JON BIGGERSTAFF WON’T BE BOUGHT THERE’S A PROBLEM WITH OUR DEMOCRATS IN DENVER County. It’s not something that’s talked about a lot, but over the past few years the safe blue districts in Denver have elected Democrats who’ve gone on to oppose core party platform planks. Indeed, some of the most conservative voting Democrats got elected right here in Denver County.

mother struggling with healthcare costs, the voice for the restaurant “manager” working 60 hours a Jon Biggerstaff, week with no overtime pay because their employer is The Progressive exploiting a loophole. As your Colorado Senator, you Democrat for can be confident that these people are my number Colorado Senate, one concern, because no outside interests paid to get District 33 me elected.

It might seem strange but this problem isn’t complicated; it comes down to one single issue — money. Here’s how many Democrats in Denver County have been getting elected over the last few years:

Colorado should be leading the way in progressive politics and our voters often do, as we saw with the end of marijuana prohibition.

I’m not afraid to stand up to Republicans, and I’m not afraid of corporations because my campaign isn’t predicated on appeasing them for money.

We need stronger protections for workers, including a minimum wage that is a living wage and paid family leave for all Coloradans.

We need a mechanism for publicly financed elections so that politicians don’t have to sell out to corporations to get elected. I will protect our public neighborhood schools that are constantly under assault from faux-Democrat groups like DfER looking to make a buck off our children.

Step 1: Line up donors Step 2: Raise so much money that no one dares to challenge you in the primary election Step 3: Win the primary by default Step 4: Win the general election by a landslide due to lack of Republican opposition.

The problem with this tried-and-true strategy lies in step 2. These donors are often insurance companies, banks, oil and gas companies, etc. These companies aren’t in the business of giving away money; they expect returns on their investment and it just so happens investing in politicians yields some of the best returns money can buy.

Our politicians from safe districts who you’d expect would always be on our side instead end up having to return the favor to those corporate donors.

Corporations didn’t want paid family leave, so Denver Democrats killed it. Oil and gas companies wanted to make it harder for municipalities to ban fracking, and Denver Democrats had their back. Businesses didn’t want to pay the standard time-and-a-half overtime pay to their employees, and Denver Democrats came to their rescue. Don’t even get me started on the privatization of public schools!

My name is Jon Biggerstaff and I’m a different kind of Democrat running for Colorado State Senate in Northeast Denver County (District 33). My campaign has refused all special interest money — even from groups we agree with. I’m tired of Democrats pretending that corporations shelling out millions of dollars to our local politicians doesn’t influence their votes. As Democrats, it’s up to us to stand up for the underserved; to be the voice for the single 6 JUNE 15, 2016

I’m tired of Democrats pretending that corporations shelling out millions of dollars to our local politicians doesn’t influence their votes. As Democrats, it’s up to us to stand up for the underserved; to be the voice for the single mother struggling with healthcare costs, the voice for the restaurant “manager” working 60 hours a week with no overtime pay because their employer is exploiting a loophole.

In Colorado over the last six years, only the top 1% have seen their income increase. The rest of us have seen our wages stagnate or drop, all while the cost of living increases rapidly. I want to be your progressive voice in the Colorado Senate so we can even the social and economic scales that have, for so long, been tipped in the direction of the wealthy.

O U T F R O N T O N L I N E . C O M  7

WHEN WE RISE: A HISTORY LESSON TO BE PROUD OF

Now in production at ABC TV is an eight-hour miniseries titled When We Rise. Scheduled to air in early 2017, When We Rise will chronicle the history of the LGBT-equality movement from the Stonewall Riots in 1969 to present day. The series is based in part on a forthcoming memoir by veteran gay-rights activist Cleve Jones, who was a personal friend of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to hold elective office in the United States. Jones, among other accomplishments, was the creator of The Names Project and the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Jones himself is a longtime HIV survivor.

When We Rise promises to be a mammoth production.

It comes to ABC courtesy of the team who created the Oscar-winning biopic Milk in 2008. Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black is writing and producing When We Rise, with Milk director Gus Van Sant signing on to call the shots.

“It’s called When We Rise because We is important,” Dustin tells OUT FRONT. “[The series] goes beyond LGBT; it’s about the interconnectedness of socialjustice movements. As one group rises, they have to help the other groups come up.”

“It’s remarkable that ABC wanted to do this,” adds Cleve Jones. “They didn’t have to be pitched. That’s a good indication of how far we’ve come.”

On April 29, I stood across the street from San Francisco City Hall and watched the filmmakers recreate the White Night Riots. The riots took place in May of ’79, when an enraged gay community stormed City Hall. The people were furious that former City Supervisor Dan White had gotten a slap on the wrist for murdering Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone at City Hall the year before. Gay 8 JUNE 15, 2016

men and lesbians were tired of being told they were undeserving of equality and that their lives didn’t matter. They broke windows. They set police cars on fire. They’d had enough.

It was a pivotal moment in gay history, one that sent a very strong message to those who would deny us our rights and our lives. Fortunately, no one was injured during the riots.

“To be on the steps of City Hall re-enacting the riots after the verdict came down on Dan White for assassinating Harvey Milk & G e o rge Moscone was almost surreal,” 31-year-old Steven Bracco says.

Steven was cast as an extra in the White Night Riots sequence and in a scene in which the iconic rainbow flag was first raised in ’78.

“I was so honored to be able to meet Gilbert Baker, the creator of the Pride flag, and to see them soar above Civic Center like they did back in 1978,” Bracco adds. “While I wasn’t alive at the time of these events, I can understand how important they are to our community. I wanted to be there to be a part of it in some way.”

As he points out, it’s important to remember these stories and to pass them along to future generations.

The courageous stands that were taken by LGBTs of a generation ago are a big part of why we are able to celebrate Pride today.

Happy Pride to all!

David-Elijah Nahmod

PHOTO // RON KEOBERER / ABC

PRIDE IS ALWAYS A GOOD TIME TO LOOK BACK UPON THE history that brought us where we are today. Sure, there’s still a lot of work to be done, a point driven home by the recent passage of anti-LGBT laws in North Carolina and Tennessee. In spite of these blows, we’ve achieved so much and have much more to be proud of.

LEGAL DIRECTORY

SAWAYA’S ALWAYS HAD YOUR BACK

As the summer of 1976 rolled through America, the country was adding onto its long list of reasons to celebrate. The Bicentennial was coming up in July — 200 years young! Captain and Tennille told us that Love Will Keep Us Together, and we believed them! Stamps were $0.13! Michael Jackson had an afro! It seemed like the country couldn’t handle any more celebration. But the party was just getting started.

What was to become one of the nation’s largest and most colorful festivals, Denver PrideFest began as a simple march for equal rights. Emulating the 1969 unrest following a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in NYC, the March on Stonewall occurred in small LGBT communities across the country — but the celebration of 1976 marked a turning point and Denver PrideFest was born!

Growing in size year after year, Denver’s PrideFest is an example of how far we’ve come as a society that celebrates equal rights. However, recent legislation in certain states make it seem like we’re right back in 1976 and we can just Send in the Clowns. Well hold the curtain, Mr. Sondheim:

We’ve got something to say about that.

Exactly one year after the first Denver PrideFest, The Sawaya Law Firm opened its doors as a general practice law firm. We’ve grown with Denver and we’ve seen the public sentiment change over time. We’ve seen the marriage-equality act banished, then proudly resurrected. In a world where stagnant beliefs are coming under question, where thoughtless bigotry is challenged, loud minorities seek to dominate discussions with vitriolic hate-speech. This has a tendency to divide more than it unites.

It’s times like these when it’s most important to identify your allies. The Sawaya Law Firm is a proud supporter of the LGBT community of Colorado. We passionately defend the rights of all citizens — and we’ve been doing it with Pride since 1977.

As a city we’ve come a long way since 1976. Both OUT FRONT and the GLBT Center of Colorado opened that same year, and are still making a difference in the queer community. Colorado is a better place to live because of the quality of our citizens, and we are honored to support the LGBT community! Enjoy the 2016 PrideFest Colorado — we’ve got plenty of reasons to keep celebrating!

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The opinions expressed in this article are general in nature. For specific legal advice about your particular situation, please contact an attorney.

outfrontonline.com/legal-directory | To advertise here, please call 303-477-4000.

O U T F R O N T O N L I N E . C O M 9

COLORADOCARE WOULD STABILIZE CARE BEYOND BARS Bill Semple AS WE WRAP UP MENTAL Health Awareness Month, please note that this November, Coloradans can vote for ColoradoCare — Amendment 69 — which is a universal healthcare plan that would improve lives, including those impacted by mental illness and incarceration — or both.

ColoradoCare pays for comprehensive healthcare for every resident and lowers overall healthcare costs by $4.5B annually.

both healthcare for those in need and assure payment for treating people with serious mental-health issues.

At least half of the inmates in the US have some form of mental illness and 6 percent have a substance-abuse addiction. Ironically, those who become incarcerated often receive quality healthcare for the first time.

When released, they often lose this care, leading to more crime, re-incarceration, and cost. With ColoradoCare, every resident of the state will be assured healthcare with no deductibles, encouraging all to receive timely, needed care.

With ColoradoCare, counties in Colorado would save greatly on inmates’ medical expenses. Even if an inmate has Medicaid, they’re not eligible when incarcerated.

One or two inmates needing, say, open-heart surgery in a small county can devastate that county’s budget.

ColoradoCare will not only save millions in county budgets for employees’ healthcare; ColoradoCare will protect counties’ jail budgets too.

Many people with a chronic and persistent mental illness have difficulty negotiating the healthcare system to attain coverage. Universal coverage in Colorado would simplify 10 JUNE 15, 2016

People with mental illnesses are arrested more for nuisance offenses than criminally intended offenses.

The availability of good treatment options would eliminate many of these arrests. This more humane approach avoids the vicious cycles that involvement with the criminal justice system can entail, and saves money.

Amendment 69, ColoradoCare, will free us from our current wasteful chaos, make our communities safer, and save lives. Contribute, volunteer, learn more, and vote yes!

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OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 11

PERSPECTIVES

IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND: A PTSD MEMOIR I AM A SURVIVOR OF GAY CONVERSION THERAPY. In 1964, when I was 8 years old, my parents had me committed to the psych ward at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. I was subjected to electroshock therapy and put on medications like Thorazine. My doctor, Dr. Herbert J. Levowitz, wore a yarmulke at all times and quoted the Torah to me, in Hebrew no less, during our sessions. According to his 2006 obituary, Dr. Levowitz was “a devoted and innovative child psychiatrist.”

I often wonder how many other kids were harmed by his backwards and barbaric techniques.

If I ever acted “out of line” at Mt. Sinai (in other words: behaved like a normal 8 year old), I was wrestled to the ground and shot up with a variety of powerful anti-anxiety meds. I don’t even know what I was given during those incidents.

When I went into the hospital, I was a happy and imaginative 8 year old. When I was released three months later, I was a nervous wreck. I remained a nervous wreck for decades.

Years later, I asked my mother why they put me in that hospital. “We were advised to do so by the Rabbi,” was the reply. In Orthodox Judaism, the Rabbi’s word was law. I have often wondered what might have happened if the Rabbi had told them to walk down the street naked with carrots sticking out of their asses. Hey, if the Rabbi tells you to do it ...

For years after that nightmarish hospitalization, I was forced against my will to take powerful medications which were causing the mental-health issues I was told I suffered from. Today, it’s illegal to give many of those drugs to children, yet throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s, my system was bombarded with them. I remember having an allergic reaction to those drugs and temporarily losing part of my eyesight. My full sight returned after I was taken off of that drug, but it was still a terrifying and traumatic experience to my 12-year-old self.

Then there were the lectures. I endured endless speeches about how sick I was, how offended God was, and how I was ruining everyone’s lives. These tirades could go on for up to an hour and happened almost daily for years on end. I would often beg in tears for my parents to stop — they would respond by hovering over me, raising their voices, and upping the rhetoric. There were periods when I endured several of these each and every day — I can recall times when 12 JUNE 15, 2016

it began as early as 7am and continued well into the night. Leaving the house and taking long walks by myself was the only peace I ever enjoyed. Long, solitary walks have remained my solace to this very day.

This was my childhood. By the time I was 20 years old, I was barely functional. For many years, I couldn’t make friends, couldn’t hold a job, couldn’t really think clearly.

And yet I was still gay.

When I came out in 1976, there weren’t TV shows like Glee or politicians who supported LGBT equality.

Same-sex couples couldn’t hold hands on the street.

There were no equality laws of any kind. People were free to discriminate against us as they saw fit.

I came out into a world surrounded by gay men and lesbians who had come from similar backgrounds of intolerance and hate. In about five years, the AIDS epidemic would begin, and people around the world would tell us that AIDS was our punishment from God for being who we are.

The gay community that I knew from 1976 onward was a sad collection of lost souls who took their hate for themselves out on each other — people from that generation live that way even today. In a sense, all of us from that time have PTSD. Symptoms include reliving the trauma repeatedly, which can lead to severe depression, psychotic breakdowns, and suicide.

After 40 years of living with, fighting against, and largely overcoming PTSD, I still have my moments.

The symptoms are, for the most part, behind me. If I continue writing for OUT FRONT, I hope to offer my thoughts and observations about an entire generation of LGBT people who were as traumatized as I was, what it did to them, and what we did to each other as a result. I will also offer commentary on how the world views and judges us. I am not a mental health care provider; I’m just me.

David-Elijah Nahmod

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BRINGING HOME THE GOLD

While gay sporting events have cropped up all over the world to bring attention to the athletic prowess of our LGBT brothers and sisters, among the largest of them is the Gay Games. Started in 1980 by Dr. Tom Waddell, the Gay Games were conceived as a catalyst for change not only in the gay community, but the athletic community as well. The Games are open to individuals of any sexuality, athletic ability, age, physical challenge, or health status.

It’s this philosophy of equality and fair play that first inspired Kent Seidel to participate in the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago. In addition to being a fifth-degree black belt in Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu, Kent also currently serves as an associate professor and director of the Center for Practiced Engaged Education Research (C-PEER) at the University of Colorado Denver. He was a second-degree black belt when he participated in the Gay Games for the first time, which is also when he came out to his instructor. Much like the military, there was an unspoken “don’t ask, don’t tell” code in Kent’s martial-arts studio. It was with great relief that Kent was accepted and trained by his teacher.

After witnessing hundreds of openly gay martial artists at the Gay Games, Kent was inspired to bring that energy and opportunity to Denver. “It was the ability to participate with folks from all walks of life,” Kent says. And the Games are indeed for people from all walks of life. Boasting multicultural events, bands, choirs, ceremonies, ballroom dancing, parades, and performers, even those who aren’t sports fans can easily find several ways to remain engaged during the week-long Gay Games events. With Denver’s progressive infrastructure, community attitude, and 14 JUNE 15, 2016

world-class sports and cultural facilities, it’s easy to understand why Kent feels the Mile High City makes for a great host for the 2022 Gay Games. What’s more is that he’s backed by the governor and the mayor.

Kent currently spearheads the effort to bring the Gay Games to Denver, and Ellen Winiarczyk acts as both co-chair of the board of Denver 2022 and one of the initial supporters of Kent’s efforts. “Just because we have gay marriage doesn’t mean we’re no longer oppressed,” Ellen says. It’s this shared passion to illuminate and eradicate the oppression that drives the two as well as the rest of Team Colorado, a nonprofit organization and local affiliate group of the Federation of Gay Games. But their goal is undoubtedly a lofty one.

Since their inception, the G ay G ames have been hosted in Amsterdam, Vancouver, Chicago, Cologne, and Sydney.

Denver is currently contesting with 15 other cities to act as the host for the 2022 Games.

Kent and the rest of his squad have already been hard at work for almost a year, composing several hundred pages of a bid book containing venues, transportation, accommodations, medical services, lodging, and a host of extensive event details. In addition to the bid book, Team Colorado is also fundraising, generating awareness regarding homophobia and

O’Brian Gunn

PHOTO // JACK MACKENROTH MEMOIRS OF A GAYSHA / WORDPRESS

ABBY WAMBACH. IAN THORPE. MICHAEL SAM. SHERYL Swoopes. These are just a few names of openly gay US athletes. With more athletes finding the courage and willingness to be open about their sexuailties, one would think their actions would make sweeping positive changes in the world of sports. But just because your team takes the lead doesn’t necessarily guarantee a win. Homophobia and discrimination are still soaked deep into the locker-room walls of high schools, colleges, and professional sports arenas, lingering like stubborn stains that refuse to come out no matter how hard you scrub.

discrimination in sports, and building a scholarship fund for young athletes who wish to participate in the Games but lack the financial resources to do so.

Once the bid book is submitted later this year, 2017 is when Denver will be evaluated as the next site of the Games. It’s not until 2018 that it’ll be known which of the 15 cities will emerge victorious for the passing of the torch at the 2018 Gay Games in Paris.

Kent’s martial arts background has had an indelible impact on his drive and determination.

First practicing when he was 10, over the years his discipline has made him more patient, trusting, and open. The martial-arts professor has also learned the nuances of understanding and working with an opponent, lessons he’ll undoubtedly need in the months and years ahead.

But before the Gay Games are brought to Denver, and before any evolution can occur in them, Kent needs some audience participation. Team Colorado needs volunteers, committee members, organizers, and individuals who are willing to “staff up” their small non-profit organization. Just as the Games are all-inclusive, so too is Team Colorado. No matter your skill set, they’re more than willing to accept whatever assistance you can provide, and even local businesses and restaurants are encouraged to get involved. Those interested should also look for the Team Colorado booth during Pride.

megan w photography

While Kent is most certainly an advocate of the Games, he feels there’s room for improvement.

One area he believes the Games falls short is their attention to hosting the highest quality venues for sports with several women athletes, such as softball and track & field. Kent also hopes that more younger athletes will start participating in the Games, which are open to those 18 and up. Because Denver is easy to access for international travelers, he also desires to create a more global community in future games.

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There’s no denying that Denver is an athlete’s and sports fan’s Shangri-La, or that the city makes for a fantastic host location for any sporting event. In regard to the 2022 Gay Games, however, Kent, Ellen, and the rest of Team Colorado feel their success could put Denver on a world stage. But it doesn’t matter whether they win or lose; it’s all about how they play the game. That, and having one hell of an awesome party.

Resources: GayGames.org, YouCanPlayProject.org, + Denver2022Games.org OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 15

CANNABIS IS LEGAL HERE (DON’T SCREW IT UP!)

THIS YEAR’S PRIDEFEST IN DENVER WILL BE RIFE WITH great activities. Though marijuana has been legal in Colorado since 2012, there are still some pretty specific rules to follow. The most forgotten, misunderstood, and disregarded rule is that it is STILL ILLEGAL to smoke pot in public. There are a few ways to keep yourself out of trouble if you want a little green in your rainbow-filled festivities.

DO make sure you are 21+ before you partake in any way with recreational marijuana. It’s illegal to consume, grow, purchase, or possess recreational marijuana if you’re under 21.

DON’T be the older friend who provides for your underage buddies. You’ll all be in trouble, and as the provider, you’ll be in even more if you get caught distributing to minors.

DO leave your marijuana at home if you don’t have the child-proof bag provided by a dispensary, and remember: While pot has been legalized for recreational use, the general rule of thumb is to keep it at home unless the venue specifically allows for marijuana consumption. (You still want to keep it in that special bag.) If the venue doesn’t allow smoking, toke at home.

But! DON’T be the driver. Pot affects people in different ways, and if you get pulled over while under the influence, you will face DUI charges. If you are found with five nanograms of active THC in your blood at the time of the offense, you can be charged with a DUI. No fun, so get your non-smoking friend to do the driving.

DO find 420-friendly events to attend so you can enjoy with a bit more freedom. Colorado has year-round, pot-friendly hotel accommodations and tours. If you must get down with pot away from home, make a staycation of it with an approved business.

16 JUNE 15, 2016

DO consider edibles. They are scent free and much more discreet. However, while the law isn’t as concretely stated on other forms of pot or non-smoking methods of consumptions, if you’re caught in possession of any form, in an open container in public, you can face the same charges.

DON’T overdo it with edibles — or any cannabis for that matter. You’re trying to have a good time, not catching ZZZZs at the festival. If you have a sucker or a chocolate bar, don’t eat the entire thing in one gulp. Have a bite, and wait. Edible concentrates can vary and your own personal metabolism can affect how quickly you will be impacted by consumption.

DO visit your local dispensaries during Pride! There will be some excellent deals and local dispensaries that you should absolutely take advantage of. If you don’t know where to go, there will be flyers and vendors giving out information at the festivals.

Vanessa Williams

JULY 29 INDIGO GIRLS

JULY 23

DIFFERENT WAYS TO BLAZE

MARC COHN with The Blind Boys of Alabama

TICKETS

AUG 1

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Chris Arneson YOU’RE NO WEED CONNOISSEUR, BUT DAMMIT YOU WANNA GET high during Pride! If you’re never around the stuff, you might not be aware of all the awesome devices you can use. Here’s a few to expand your knowledge.

AUG 10 KEB’ MO’ BAND

AUG 12 DAVID GRISMAN SEXTET

BUBBLER Think of these like mini bongs. Some stand upright, others are just like normal pipes with an extra chamber. Just put a little water in them — they make your hit a little bit cleaner and cool the smoke down a bit before you inhale. ($10+) CHILLUM Basically like a hybrid between a joint and a pipe, these are usually cheaper because of their simplicity. Not necessarily a one-hitter, but you’re going to mostly have green hits. ($7–15)

SEPT 9 JOEY ALEXANDER

AUG 16

AUG 30

MELISSA ETHERIDGE

COLVIN & EARLE

DUGOUT Part storage, part one-hitter, these are really convenient. One side holds your weed, and the other houses a metal piece (most look identical to cigarettes). Just press the metal part into the weed side to load it each time. The container’s wood, so you’ll look really old school. ($10+) RIG Maybe you’ll end up at a party where the hosts are dabbers.

(That’s where you smoke with highly concentrated amounts of THC with wax and shatter.) Just think of a whole bunch of weed being condensed into a small piece you can smoke.

Honestly, if you’re not much of a smoker, just avoid this for now. Or whatever, it’s Pride. Get super high. (Typically $100+ for a good one.)

Happy Mile-Highing!

SEPT 24

SEPT 21

THE STEELDRIVERS

AN EVENING WITH PAT METHENY

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1 bottle (750ml) high quality vodka 10 navel oranges (preferably organic) 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 1/2 cups water plus more for wax removal PREPARATION Boil water in a small saucepan.

Dip oranges, one at a time, in water for 10 seconds.

Immediately rub with a clean kitchen towel to remove wax coating on oranges.

Remove zest on each orange (do not remove the white pith, it will make the drink bitter).

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Lemon Buttermilk Panna Cotta 1 cup heavy cream 1 vanilla bean, split/ scraped 1/2 cup sugar, granulated PREPARATION Heat heavy cream in a saucepan with vanilla bean, sugar, lemon zest, and salt until well combined and simmer for five minutes. Do not boil and stir occasionally to make sure it does not burn.

2 lemons, zested Pinch kosher salt 1 1/4 tsp gelatin 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

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ike great recipes, great occasions require great ingredients. You’re not just setting a table; you’re delivering an experience, setting a standard, and creating a level of expectation.

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One local and incredibly successful catering company seems to have soared above the rest. Epicurean has become known as Colorado’s premier culinary group — with a reputation that has grown to precede all others.

They have served heads of state, heads of companies, and heads of households for almost four decades.

Epicurean is the first local caterer to cook on site at events, ensuring to deliver food that is not only delicious, but fresh. They are also the first caterer to be recognized for serving Colorado grass-feed beef, free-range poultry, and locally grown produce, even before ‘farm-to-table’ was all the rage.

There’s more than great food on the menu when producing or hosting an event. Caterers should be known for creating the kind of memories you hold onto forever. Now you can create your own memories in the kitchen.

Epicurean is giving you a sneak-peak into their recipe book, with two of their most popular menu items that you can create right at home.

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Whether

you’re new to Denver or plan on visiting us for PrideFest this year, it’s imperative that you know one thing: We love our dogs. And if PrideFest isn’t a good place to take our dogs, no such place or event exists.

So if you’re a native, transplant, or coming from outside the city or state to feel and celebrate Pride with us this June, you can count on seeing plenty of dogs in all varieties.

18–19 this year, but don’t forget we’re in the Mile High City, and it’s simply harder to stay hydrated than average.

As a fellow attendee of Pride and a dog owner (although do any of us really own our dogs?), I’m happy someone taught me once how to keep my dog cool and healthy in the summer months. Being that Pride happens this year in the summer, it’s important to make sure we watch out for our four-legged friends. Keeping them cool is paramount.

We’re in luck because Civic Center has a large fountain, for your pups to cool off in.

First, protect their paws. Dogs do not like roasted paws! While paws may seem like solely cute little doggie feet, they in fact play a very important part in regulating dog body temperatures. Ergo, hot paws = too hot a body.

Tip: Make sure you keep your furry friend off the concrete. Concrete may seem harmless to our protected feet in flip flops, but recollect for a moment the feeling of walking barefoot on the sand at the beach on a hot day. Walking on concrete for a dog is much worse.

A great product I like to use is called Mushers which protects their paws from the heat (and cold in the winter) as well as small splinters and glass.

Next, keep ’em hydrated! Nothing’s more of a downer to witness during Pride than a dehydrated and sick dog. Not only will it be hot on June 30 JUNE 15, 2016

Tip: Give yourself and your dog a break to sit down and cool off in the shade at a nice restaurant terrace somewhere in the Downtown Denver area — established eateries often have little bowls of water for dogs to enjoy for this exact reason!

Also, pack some water and a portable drinking bowl. I can’t tell you the difference it has made for me hiking in the mountains with my dog to have a nice big jug and an apt portable drinking vessel.

So in short, protect their paws and keep them hydrated! Being careful about these two will let you and your pup have a great time at PrideFest this year.

Akiva Weinstein

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the Line of

of Fire

LGBT-activist Riamoni Christy won’t be celebrating Pride this year. He, along with other members of the movement in Bangladesh, are now underground.

His friend edited the first and only LGBT publication there and is one of two men recently killed — hacked to death with machetes — for being gay. Riamoni is not alone. While we celebrate with parades and parties, hundreds of thousands of people around the world remain at ground zero.

Pride for them is not a party; it’s a political act. Often a dangerous one.

Riamoni and his friends organized a “rainbow rally” in 2009. This makeshift Pride was small and largely unnoticed. Still, he says “supporters of the ruling party and its leaders attacked the rally and injured some of my fellow activists.” Riamoni recently fled to Germany where he tells Deutsche Well, a German publication, that after the rally “locals flagged me as a gay activist.” This, he says, led to several attacks including one where Islamic militants tried to cut off his fingers so he couldn’t write about gay rights. Before it was over, extremists beat, kidnapped, and raped him.

New research by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA) finds same-sex sexual contact is illegal in 74 countries. In 13 of them, it’s punishable by death. ILGA Executive Director Renato Sabbadini says that while discrimination laws remain on the books, attitudes appear to be changing. “We are witnessing a global shift in consciousness away from discrimination,” he says. “Even in countries known for anti-LGBTI laws.”

32 JUNE 15, 2016

Reading survey results is one thing, standing in the line of fire is another.

Lebanon, Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey, and Russia are among the nations holding Pride this year, despite laws against it. Every year, a handful of activists unfurl a rainbow flag in Moscow, determined to mark the event. They are usually surrounded by thugs who beat them while police stand and watch. At times, the activists themselves are taken to jail for breaking Russia’s anti-gay propaganda laws.

Beirut is the only Arab city to host Pride. In 2006, the first parade took place under heavy security. Over the years, people became afraid to participate publicly. Seminars, workshops, and exhibitions now comprise Pride in Lebanon. In Istanbul, the parade will go on as planned in late June. Last year, Turkish police fired water cannons and rubber pellets on participants. Turkish volunteers set up a fundraising page to ensure Pride continues this year. The page reads: “We are not leaving the streets and letting fear rule our bodies.”

While gay men can get up to two years in prison for sexual contact in Singapore, nearly 30,000 people gather every year to turn their only legal gathering place into

Yvonne Wright

Pride

in the Li

YOUR DREAM

a sea of pink. The Pink Dot celebration is the country’s equivalent to Pride and it’s become so popular that other countries — and states like Alaska and Utah — are adopting similar gatherings. Participants wear pink, then gather to form a pink dot in support of inclusiveness, diversity, and the freedom to love.

“Singapore is gradually evolving,” says one Singapore Pride activist who tells OUT FRONT he prefers to remain anonymous for safety reasons. “It is only a matter of time before anti-gay laws are abolished here and samesex marriage is legalized.” As for Riamoni, he is hopeful the same will someday be true in Bangladesh. He intends to finish school in Germany, then work toward LGBT rights in his homeland.

With its roots in the Stonewall riots that ignited the entire LGBT rights movement in the United States, Pride remains a political force for many. World Pride month is June because that’s the month Stonewall took place.

In Colorado, it’s a time for friends and family to celebrate how far the movement has come.

For others around the world, it’s a time to mark how far the movement has to go.

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Where The Girls Are

Colfax’s legendary Blush & Blu is, by day, a wonderful place to plunk down with a magazine and sip fresh espresso and, by night, the place you go when your company of choice is an incredibly diverse crowd of people who aren’t afraid to parlay in a joint that doesn’t distance itself from femininity, whether in men or in women.

In fact, it celebrates it.

DRINK UP

I pinky-swear that any night you visit Blush & Blu (or just Blush, as regulars call it), you’ll be seated around people of various skin-shades and cool haircuts who are there to strike up the most intriguing conversations, from political candidates to kick-ass tattoo shops. What’s more, you can do so without the “let’s judge people on their f*ck-ability” that you might find in other places around the city/country. Not only that, you’re in a lesbian bar that has some of the raddest men (cis, gay, and trans) you’ve

34 JUNE 15, 2016

ever met. Instead of being a “woman at a gay bar” who gets hastily dismissed by your new bar-buddy the moment he spots someone he might want to take home, these guys are here because they’re down to home in on intellectual back-and-forth over cocktails.

Make no mistake, though: If you’re a man at Blush, you’re like a glittering jewel in a sea of women both cis, gay, and trans — a beacon of “Oh, hey!” to those who love men.

Then there are the shows Blush hosts — everything from stand-up comedy to heartrending poetry to broaden the horizons of patrons. I’ve seriously had bouts of laughter from a comedienne that had me CMAO. (Coughing my ass off.) It’s no-holds-barred on all ends.

Can we talk about the unique layout of the joint, though? There’s a frickin’ library upstairs! Seriously: It’s a cozy spot filled with LGBT-inspired books (and non), board games, and a giant table to confer over. Then you’ve got a darker dance floor/lounge area that’s got that touch of sexy you expect from underlit areas of a good bar/club. Lastly, there’s the stage area where above-mentioned performers bring the house down.

The drink pour is heavy and the service is stellar. The company is top-notch and the welcoming vibe starts at the door.

If you’re looking for the place to mix and mingle with ladies and their fans, you’ll find it at 1526 E Colfax Ave.

Eva Woods

I’ve

made the rounds of LGBT Denver night-life, and (for the most part) have nothing but good things to say about the bustle. There’s one spot in particular, though, that I have great things to say about, and that’s because I’m a huge fan of lesbian nightlife, a staple that (for reasons unknown) seems to disappear with alarming frequency in cities around the nation.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 35

Prohibition

Though not gay-oriented, these are the happiest hours around Denver

Vita

Looking to shy away from the gay-bar scene and find some places that’ll get you some day-drinking deals? Check out these frugal-budget approved spots from Cap Hill to Downtown and even into the Highlands.

3–6pm, Monday through Friday 2–6pm, Saturday and Sunday 2-For-1 appetizers, martinis (18 options) and wines by the glass (26 options) One of the best! Rooftop patio in the heart of the Highlands, located just around the corner from Little Man Ice Cream, so you should probably grab dessert there afterward.

Hapa

DRINK UP

Either downtown or in Cherry Creek, Hapa’s specials begin at 3pm but end according to location. Tons of cheap sushi items and unique Asian appetizers, and heavily discounted sake and sake-infused drinks. The OUT FRONT staff have been … tipsy at Hapa on many occasions and couldn’t recommend a better deal on belly-warming sake during the day.

Pride Parties Beyond the Pale (Ale)

Or: How to look like a spirits sophisticate without breaking the bank Jane Custer

36 JUNE 15, 2016

Charlie Brown’s Two daily happy hours: 4­–6:30pm 10:30–12:30pm First round 2-for-1s on calls, wells, house wine, and domestic beer. Cheap food options like sliders, tacos, a huge plate of nachos, and an amazing quesadilla. One of Jack Kerouac’s old hangouts, there’s almost always live piano.

Armida’s 2-for-1 drinks and half off food from 4–6pm.

This popular karaoke spot on Lincoln can get pretty crowded if a party’s there, but it’s worth it if you can find a spot to sip margs and sing your heart out.

Appaloosa Grill Two daily happy hours from 3–6pm and 10pm–midnight. Late-night food is served from 11pm­–1:30am. On the 16th Street Mall directly across from the Pavilions, you might miss it unless you’re looking for it.

Paramount Café 3–6pm daily, drink specials from $4 to $6.

Deals on appetizers for $5; Late-night happy hour every day from 10pm–1:15am, $1 off draft pints and 2-for-1 shot specials.

Also directly across from the Pavilions, this one’s got a rockin’ vibe inside, but try for the patio if you can, especially on a hot night. One of the best patios to see a hybrid of the Comic Con crowd and Pride attendees.

Chris Arneson

Happy Hour with the Allies

Monday through Friday, 3­–7 pm = $3 wells and drafts with killer appetizers.

Conveniently on the corner of Pennsylvania and Colfax, the atmosphere brings a cozy vibe with a patio that’s prime for people-watching.

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LGBTQ PRIDE SERVICE

Celebrate the

Spirit Commemorating the Anniversary of the Charleston Church Shootings

Friday, June 17, 7 pm First Unitarian Society of Denver 1400 Lafayette St

Christ Church United Methodist

Sixth Avenue United Church of Christ First Baptist Church of Denver

A free-will offering will be received for One Colorado www.One-Colorado.org For more information contact revmitulski@gmail.com OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 53

spirit at

at Pride!

Religion and Spirituality have a role to play at Pride! Some of us grew up around healthy religious communities, where we were taught that all of humanity is made in the divine image, therefore worthy of dignity and respect.

Others grew up around pathological religion that instills hatred for self or others, or that stigmatizes difference, or progress. All of us live in a society where religion can influence public policy, sometimes for good, sometimes for ill.

The great gay American poet Walt Whitman recognized the positive potential of religion to liberate if we do not surrender control of our spiritual lives to others: We consider bibles and religions divine — I do not say they are not divine, I say they have all grown out of you, and may grow out of you still, It is not they who give the life, it is you who give the life.

Religion can be life-giving, or it can be twisted to control people, or to subdue them. It has long played a part in the LGBT liberation movement.

In his new book, Stand By Me: The Forgotten History of Gay Liberation, historian Jim Downs devotes an entire chapter to how LGBT religious movements have been one place where we formed essential community: “Gay people in 1970’s America found one another and together created a lexicon, an idiom, newspapers, prayer groups, churches, beauty contests in bars, bookstores of their own — a culture and a history that said their name.”

In many instances these religious groups were life-saving. It took religion, reclaimed through a queer lens, to liberate people who had been oppressed by religion.

54 JUNE 15, 2016

In the just-concluded CO legislative session, homophobic religion was instrumental in preserving conversion therapy, and in promoting anti-gay prejudice whenever any law relating to gay civil rights or to women’s reproductive rights was under consideration. To listen to the religious right, God is a vengeful, anti-intellectual misogynist being that legitimizes intolerance in religious language. Thanks to the strategic efforts of the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado and OneColorado, these bigoted distortions of religion were not the only voices that were heard.

Many religious leaders also defended the rights of LGBT people as an expression of their faith. Some of these progressive leaders themselves are openly queer, and many more are our faithful allies.

The diversity of Denver includes many LGBTaffirming religious communities. Times are really changing. For the first time this year, the historically gay Metropolitan Community Church was included in the Citywide Interfaith Thanksgiving Day Service held at the Tri-State Buddhist Temple downtown, and the gay church’s musical group led the assembly of Jewish, Protestant Roman Catholic, Muslim, Unitarian-Universalist and Buddhist worshipers in South African freedom songs. While the United Methodist General Conference recently tried to definitively exclude LGBT people, Christ Church United Methodist here bravely

Rev. Jim Mitulski

Celebrate

the Spirit

DRINK UP

challenged their denomination’s regressive stance, and they proudly provide a home to the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus, in defiance of United Methodist guidelines. While Southern Baptists denounce religious liberty in the Capitol Building, First Baptist Church of Denver stands proudly across the street as a gay-affirming sanctuary where all are welcome. On numerous occasions, I’ve heard the pastor of Shorter African Methodist Episcopal Church defend gay rights at this historically black church, linking the fight against homophobia and racism. The gay/straight co-pastors of the Lutheran/ Episcopal House for All Sinners and Saints spoke up in favor of banning reparative therapy. Sixth Avenue United Church of Chris hosted a Transgender Day of Remembrance service. The city’s two Unitarian Universalist Churches have always been a haven to LGBT people. While the Roman Catholic Church denies full equality to women in leadership, Pax Christi Ecumenical Catholic Church models an egalitarian model of leadership, ordaining women to the priesthood. The Highlands Church risks censure from their evangelical counterparts by moving past tolerating and into embracing our people These are just a few examples of spiritual options available to us. Metaphysical churches, synagogues, meditation and recovery groups, temples, and many other expressions of faith welcome and encourage our participation. This year, let your Spirit be part of what you claim, reclaim, or re-invent as we gather to celebrate Pride.

Jim Mitulski is the interim pastor of MCC of the Rockies MCCRockies.org OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 55

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e m o S t Pu

r u o Y in Pride ian G

O’Br

W

hile the LGBT community is abuzz, aglow, and atwitter with the arrival of yet another Pride, let’s not forget another massive community event happening a superpowered hop, skip, and jump away: DENVER COMIC CON! The geek community and culture has always had a fond place in my heart, and I won’t hesitate to admit that I’ll likely choose to attend Denver Comic Con over Pride if you pointed a phaser at my head (please don’t discontinue my Cylon model for saying that). I’m certainly not advocating that you scrap your Pride festivities this year, but I am saying that you should at least carve out some time to swing by the Colorado Convention Center on Pride weekend. And here are a few reasons why.

58 JUNE 15, 2016

unn

Cosplay You think gay men and drag queens wear some of the most inventive and insane outfits? You ain’t seen nothin’ til you’ve witnessed the sartorial extravaganza that is cosplay. For the uninitiated, cosplay simply means costume play. Ever wanted to dress up as your favorite comic book, video game, anime, movie, or sci-fi/ fantasy character when it’s months away from Halloween? At Comic Con you’re encouraged to dress up as Captain America, Nightwing, Edward Elric, Solid Snake, or anyone else who strikes your geeky fancy. What’s more is that it’s not uncommon for gay geeks to dress up as their favorite character but with 80-percent less clothing!

Broaden Your Horizons Just as there are subcultures and worlds within worlds in the LGBT community, the same is true of the geek community. You’ve got gamers, Trekkies, otakus, fanboys/girls, Ringers, Browncoats, and many more I simply don’t have the space

or knowledge of to explain. Just as your Great-Aunt Gertrude likely can’t tell the difference between a silver daddy and a twunk, the same could be true for you when it comes to geek subcultures. To clear up the haze of confusion and make yourself look like the overflowing font of knowledge I know you are, don’t be afraid to ask cosplayers who they’re dressed up as or Comic Con attendees who they geek out about.

Not only is this an opportunity to edumacate yourself, it’s also a great way to spark up a conversation with that cute girl or guy who lights up your Bat-signal. The fastest way to a geek’s heart is through his/her brain.

Witness Pride From the Other Side Comic Con is a time of geek pride.

While we geeks know there are others out there who are just as passionate about science fiction, fantasy, comic books, and video games as we are, there’s something heartwarming and soul-stirring about coming together with those individuals and feeling the collective vibration that binds us all together. That same feeling exists when the LGBT community comes together to celebrate and rejoice at how far we’ve come since the Stonewall riots. While the geek community may not have gone through the same struggles as the gay community, parents may have just as hard of a time accepting a child who cosplays as they do a child who’s gay. Take the opportunity to see how another community shows its pride and unity.

The great thing about these reasons is you don’t even have to buy a Comic Con ticket, which can be a little pricey even for a single day.

If you are interested in checking out the Con, I recommend going on Saturday when the geeks will be out in full technicolor force. No matter when you go, there’s bound to be a distinct lack of secret identities.

FULL GUEST LIST ON OUR WEBSITE GEEK THEMED GROUP WEDDING in partnership with PrideFest 2016

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 59

Northstar

o h W s r e t c a r a Ch k o o B c i m o C LGBT

e s n e S a s U e v i G of Pride O’Brian

B

ecause Comic Con coincides with this year’s Pride, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to get my geek on and write about gay comic-book characters. Comic books and graphic novels provide us with a creative lens through which to experience everyday life with a unique twist. What’s it like to live in a world where your parents would rather you be born gay than a mutant, or vice versa? What’s it like being in a same-sex relationship with an individual who can accidentally kill you with super strength if s/ he becomes a bit too passionate during lovemaking? Thanks to the following LGBT comic-book characters, it’s a bit easier to imagine the impossibilities.

60 JUNE 15, 2016

Gunn

Midnighter

I have to start this list with one of my absolute favorite gay comic-book characters. Imagine the fighting prowess of a Batman with enhanced reflexes and a network of cybernetic implants running through his body and a combat computer for a brain and you’ve got Lucas Trent/Midnighter.

This gritty vigilante isn’t afraid to serve up an extra bloody serving of justice, and he’s not afraid to profess his love for husband Apollo, who is essentially an ivory-haired Superman.

Mystique What I find most fascinating about Mystique/Raven Darkholme is that her sexuality is just as fluid as her shapeshifting abilities. Are you really a lesbian if you can shapeshift into a man?

To be fair, Mystique can be classified as bisexual since she’s had relationships with men and women, but her one true love is the precognitive Destiny. If that doesn’t have the makings of one of the most intricate and mind-bending love stories ever told ...

Jean-Paul Beaubier/Northstar is one of the more high-profile gay comic book characters. In addition to his principal powers of super-strength and superspeed, Beaubier is also a skilled athlete, businessman, and writer. What’s so groundbreaking about Northstar is that he was Marvel’s first openly gay character, and his was the first gay marriage to grace the pages of a Marvel comic books. The guy simply doesn’t believe in half-measures.

Batwoman There seems to be someone new joining the Batfamily every incarnation, but can you really blame them? Kate Kane stealth-walked her way onto the DC stage in 2006 with the publisher’s limited 52 series. In addition to donning a fetching scarlet and black suit, Kate also brought her military training with her to Gotham City where Batman inspired her to become a crimefighter, making time to date Detective Renee Montoya and eventually marry her girlfriend when she wasn’t handlin’ her business in the streets and on rooftops.

Deadpool That’s right, your favorite Merc With a Mouth is part of the LGBT community.

To be completely fair, Deadpool is pansexual rather than gay or bisexual, but let’s not make this more complicated than it needs to be. What this means is he doesn’t let gender or sex determine who he’s attracted to, but rather whatever makes his demented little brain stop and take notice. If you’re lookin’ for a boyfriend who cracks ribald and offensive jokes and is delightfully mentally unhinged, then I might have found your guy. Just don’t blame me when he leaves you for the teddy bear across the hall. You know the one with that saucy lil’ bow around its neck.

While there are many more mainstream and indie LGBT comicbook characters for you to explore, these are some of the more wellknown. These men and women may only be fictional, but they give us sense of pride and wonder that’s quite real.

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Prominent LGBT Icons of Color O’Brian Gunn

P

ride month is a great time to honor our LGBT ancestors and those who are taking steps to bridge the many gaps of inequality that still exist today. Rather than focus on the entirety of the LGBT community, I’d like to instead tighten the focus on individuals of color, those who exist as a minority within a minority and still struggle for equality in their own community.

The rainbow flag represents our community, so why not take that spread of colors to heart and learn more about our brothers and sisters who help create a palette of pride?

Frank Ocean While it might be easy to be a black man in the hip-hop industry, you can make yourself a target when you’re a black man in the hip-hop industry who’s openly gay. Frank Ocean bathed and baptized himself in the light of Truth and Clarity when he voluntarily came out in 2012. Of course more than a little negativity was expected, but when icons like Jay-Z and Russell Simmons support you, the great gnashing of teeth might as well exist in the nosebleed section.

Bayard Rustin Everyone knows about the historic and revolutionary efforts of Martin Luther King, Jr., I think it’s fair to say that what many people failed to learn in school is that his personal secretary and advisor was a gay man named Bayard Rustin. What you may find even more surprising is the fact that Rustin was a key component in organizing the 62 JUNE 15, 2016

has a … unique way of dealing with family members who are gay, mainly by acknowledging it but refusing to speak on it. Rodriguez experienced this firsthand when he drew his partner further into his family, who accepted them as a couple, but wouldn’t name or define their relationship.

Laverne Cox A quickly rising icon in the transgender community, Laverne Cox deftly juggles her roles as actress, television producer, LGBT advocate, and reality-television star. Laverne is the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy, and the first openly transgender individual to grace the cover of Time magazine.

March on Washington. In addition to the history books omitting Bayard’s efforts, then-NAACP chairman Roy Wilkins didn’t want him to receive public credit for his efforts, either.

Audre Lorde Another LGBT icon who didn’t believe in half-steppin’, Audre Lorde was a Caribbean-American writer, civil rights activist, radical feminist, womanist, and lesbian. On the page, Lorde focused her poems on sexuality, race, social injustice, and the black female experience. One of Lorde’s most famous quotes is, “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.” The woman was the original mic dropper.

Richard Rodriguez Mexican-American author Richard Rodriguez came out in his book Days of Obligation: An Argument With My Mexican Father. Much like in the Black community, the Latino community

Of course more than a little negativity was expected, but when icons like Jay-Z and Russell Simmons support you, the great gnashing of teeth might as well exist in the nosebleed section.

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Prominent LGBT Icons of Color Wentworth Miller Yes, Wentworth Miller is a man of color, one whose genetic cocktail is blended with African-American, Jamaican, English, Spanish, Dutch, Syrian, Cherokee, and others. The actor/ producer/model/screenwriter has been open about his struggles regarding his sexuality and the emotions that fueled his inner turmoil and thoughts of suicide. Well-known for his performance as Michael Scofield on the show Prison Break, Miller also wrote the screenplay for 2013’s psychological thriller-horror film Stoker.

LGBT individuals of all colors and social statuses should be recognized and praised for their efforts to advance the community, but those of color have a special song that needs to be heard. Even though our voices may be mostly underrepresented, they are most definitely loud and proud.

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CLIMAX 10TH ANNIVERSARY Climax kicked of its 2016 season and celebrated its 10th anniversary at Club Vinyl on May 29th. The largest LGBT weekly rooftop party in the nation featured multiple DJs, go-go dancers, rooftop games, drink specials, grilled food, and a great view of the city. Climax, hosted

by Tatiana Von Feigenblatt, is held every Sunday throughout the summer from 6pm until 2am.

Photos by Charles Broshous

EMMITT THE ENORMOUS Emmitt is 131 pounds of pure love! He enjoys going on leashed walks and showing off all his tricks for treats!

Emmitt would do best in an active home without other dogs. Come meet this big ol’ love-bug today!

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CHARLIE’S 35TH ANNIVERSARY Charlie’s Denver kicked off their 35th anniversary celebration with country music star Ty Herndon on June 3rd. Herndon, who made his chart debut in 1995 with “What Mattered Most”, performed for an hour before spending time with fans and taking photos. Charlie’s opened in 1981 and has flourished because of its loyal, steady and doggedly determined customers who received free drinks for an hour before the concert.

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Opening Night Film: Strike a Pose

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We actually booked our trip to stay a few extra days in Denver to have a look around and experience what we can.

We are there for five days so we would like to see the mountains, and go on some hikes — whatever you guys do over there.

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DGLFFL SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP The 2016 Denver Gay and Lesbian Flag Football League held their 2016 Spring Championship Game in Cranmer Park on June 4th. The Red Filth took on Under the Sea Men for the championship trophy.

Congratulations to Under the Sea Men, the 2016 Spring Champs! The post-season celebration was held later in the afternoon at Broadway’s.

Photos by Charles Broshous

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H E I N Z ES I G H T

GOING BEYOND SURFACE DEFINITIONS Brent Heinze IT’S NOT UNUSUAL THAT CERTAIN WORDS ARE MISUNDERSTOOD, misused, or unclear. We hear, see, or read so much in our lives without the assurance that the appropriate meanings are conveyed. Even if we think there’s a firm grasp on the actual definition, there may be some disconnection about the implications when expressing these ideas and how they can impact and influence our lives. Don’t just claim to live your life by these beliefs, actually do it. It may be harder than you think.

Authenticity is more than just doing what you want to do when you feel like doing it. It is about living your life in the ways that support the person you want to be. Many times our first instincts or desires may not be the best choices to build a fulfilling life. Choosing to live a more authentic life can be quite challenging, especially due to two main activities that take significant time and effort. You first need to identify what you feel is the best path for you to pursue at this particular time.

Our goals and priorities may shift throughout our lives, but it is important to figure out what aspects of ourselves truly make us proud and motivated to get up daily and attack the world. The second challenge is maintaining the focus to work on changing long-standing ways of thinking and acting. Identifying yourself as a “perpetual asshole” because that is “just who I am” is not an accurate statement, nor does it help you become successful.

It’s a cop-out that keeps you from working on gaining skills helpful in gaining strong support in your life with good friends.

Beliefs and actions like these are hurtful to your own life and others around you. Be careful to also evaluate if you are doing things to gain popularity, status, or success.

Gratitude happens on a basic level when we’re feeling thankful for certain things, but it’s more than simply thinking about ways you’ve been successful or fortunate. It can be about something 98 JUNE 15, 2016

Our actions risk becoming self-centered and entitled when we become cocky or think we deserve something.

Be cautious of allowing feelings that we are owed anything to creep into our lives.

small that might not appear significant to others, or profound, like discovering our passions, motivations, fears, or hopes for the future. We could make a new friend or get through an extremely challenging day. Our actions risk becoming self-centered and entitled when we become cocky or think we deserve something. Be cautious of allowing feelings that we are owed anything to creep into our lives. We can be thankful for things in our lives and continue to strive to gain other aspects that have not yet been gained.

Mindfulness reminds us to remain aware of our internal thoughts and feelings while taking in all of the sensory information around us. It can aid us in identifying aspects in our lives that strengthen us, while offering hope to develop perseverance into changing those patterns, beliefs, and experiences that reinforce negativity. Beyond just experiencing something, you may need to actually pay attention as you walk along this path. It may be cliché, but most times we benefit more from the process of going on a journey to gain something than simply rushing quickly to the finish line. Be aware when we are talking crap to each other or ourselves. Perfection is not the goal, but work to be as strong and successful as possible.

Most of us want to be seen as enlightened people with integrity and a caring heart. More than anything else, it’s so important to realize our actions speak louder than anything else. It takes more than simply shouting ideas into the universe to make them accurate or realistic. Think about how many of us have been smacked upside the head by hatred perpetuated from “good” people, or not lived up to our expectations of ourselves.

Take the time and effort to think about implications from using terms like these. If you want to describe yourself like that, live up to those expectations while making your life and the world around you a healthier and happier place.

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PERSPECTIVES

H EA LT H

COMING OUT AGAIN. AND AGAIN. AND AGAIN. Laila Ibrahim WE TALK ABOUT COMING OUT AS IF IT’S SOMETHING YOU ONLY DO ONCE. IN MY EXPERIENCE, it’s an ongoing part of life.

Sometimes it’s easy, and other times it makes my stomach flutter. I first came out as a lesbian 30 years ago when I was still in college. Initially, I was very careful with whom I shared this tender information. In 1985, being gay felt both like being part of a special club and living in a freak show. Over time, I widened the circle of people I told. Sometimes, I was praised for being courageous and other times I was treated with contempt or confusion. One of the more memorable responses to my coming out was when my sister-in-law’s 60-year-old mother said, while we were cooking Thanksgiving dinner, “I’ve seen that on The Phil Donahue Show, but never met one before.”

In 1991, my partner Rinda and I had a service of commitment in our Unitarian Universalist Church. Most of our family members came, and as far as I was concerned, I was out to the world. It was a done deal.

Little did I know that becoming a parent would force me to be out in whole new way. It started at the birth in the hospital where I had to justify my relationship with my own child at every change of shift. Some nurses were tickled pink to be working with an ‘alternative’ family. But others were confused, offended, or outright hostile.

Looking back, I wonder how well I explained the situation, as sleep deprived as I was.

At restaurants, waitresses would casually ask, “Who’s her mother?” Rinda and I would stare at each other, unprepared at first. Eventually we learned to say, “We both are. We’re a couple.”

“Who’s her real mother?” often came next.

“We both are. But Rinda’s her birth mom, if that’s what you’re really asking.”

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Changing laws is important to creating the just, multicultural society the US Constitution promises. Changing hearts and minds is equally important in making that dream a reality.

By the time we had two kids, with the same donor but two different birth moms, the story of our how our family came to be was often more than we wanted to convey to a casual inquiry before ordering drinks. And yet, we wanted our children to hear us talk easily about our family structure and learn how to explain it themselves. Their experience of having two moms was nearly invisible in popular culture. We wanted to make it a source of pride, and not shame.

So I learned to say enough without saying too much. I learned to uncover what I was really being asked. I learned when to give a ten-second explanation, and when to have a longer conversation, I learned to let our children take the lead as they grew older.

I also learned to say the word ‘wife.’

I never expected to be a wife or have a wife, but now I am one and I have one.

It’s turned out to be the best thing ever, because that single word conveys so much, so clearly. Without any further explanation, total strangers understand my relationship to Rinda. “Girlfriend,” “partner,” and/or “life mate” require more sentences to be certain that I’m being understood. But “wife” is completely clear.

The federal legal recognition that came last year brought more ease and clarity to my life than I had expected.

After all, we’d been married in our hearts and souls since 1991, and our marriage was recognized in the state of California. What could a federal blessing of our marriage give us that we didn’t already have?

It turns out, a lot. Now that we were ‘out’ to the federal government, when we got a mortgage we knew how to hold title.

In the past, we had long conversations with the title company, and all of us were just making a guess about the best way for us to hold title as a couple that was legally married in California, but not at the federal level.

We only have to fill out one joint federal tax return, which can be used for our state return. For many years, our accountant did a joint federal tax return so he could do a joint state return, and then he did an individual return for each of us. We paid a lot of money for those extra returns.

When I fill out our Federal Financial Aid forms for college, I don’t have to leave out a parent. In the past, I felt like I was holding back information, but there was no way to represent our reality because federal tax returns (the basis for the form) did not recognize both parents.

I even called to make sure I was doing it right. The woman on the phone was kind, but told me the financial aid form simply didn’t include a way to represent the reality of our family.

Changing laws is important to creating the just, multicultural society the US Constitution promises. Changing hearts and minds is equally important in

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slowly roll down the middle of Colfax Avenue amid a cascade of jubilant cheers — feeling as hollow as the shadow itself.

I remember walking past a few friends who were leaning against a building, watching the parade. As we greeted each other, the shadow at my feet leaned in and tapped me on the shoulder, whispering into my ear: “They don’t want to talk to you. You’re bothering them. Leave them alone.”

After a brief hello, I said I’d catch up with them later and kept walking, turning up the music pumping into my headphones.

Later that day, I ended up at the library next to Civic Center Park, sitting by myself at a table up on one of the higher floors while watching the festivities below.

The shadow was overwhelming, creating a disconnect from everyone around me, even my friends. And the irony of a gay man feeling isolated in the center of one of the largest Pride Festivals in the country isn’t lost on me. Oh depression, you certainty love to flaunt your sarcastic sense of humor!

What the shadow never acknowledged was what a beautiful day it was. It forgot to remind me that I do indeed have friends who care about me. And the shadow never explained how fortunate I am. It wasn’t that long ago that just me holding a guy’s hand in public was a dangerous endeavor — it still is in some communities.

No, the shadow is a skilled predator with sharp talons, clawing away at the delicate fabric of the present, all too eager to ruminate on past mistakes or future worries.

[WARNING: GRAPHIC]

DUELING WITH DEPRESSION: OF SHADOWS AND PRIDE Mike Yost THERE ARE DAYS WHEN DEPRESSION FEELS LIKE A SHADOW bound to your feet. Even when you manage to clamber out of bed and walk down the street, engaging the world with a broad smile painfully nailed to your face, that shadow glides silently behind you with each step.

The shadow followed me out the door at last year’s PrideFest.

I strolled along the parade route with my headphones on, snaking my way through the lively crowd, watching the floats 102 JUNE 15, 2016

But for this year’s Pride, I have a way to throw some light on that shadow using mindfulness, that simple act of putting your clamorous thoughts on hold and making yourself aware of the current moment — that elusive present which slips so quickly through your fingers like water falling to the ground drop by drop ... second by second.

It’s being mindful of the look a sexy stranger gives you when you’re standing in line for a drink, your face blushing a bit as a pair of dark green eyes hold their gaze on yours.

Or it’s being mindful of that gentle kiss your partner gives you on the back of your neck as you both stand together watching the parade.

Those are the exceptional moments depression can so unfairly pilfer from your life.

The shadow will always follow me, even after the sun sinks beneath the horizon. But mindfulness is not about eradicating the shadow, but rather seeing it for what it really is — vacant and powerless.

So this Pride weekend, when that shadow attempts to slide up under your feet and cling to your ankles with its crooked fingers, you can defend those exceptional moments with a simple phrase I learned from the writer Kurt Vonnegut: “If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.”

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9 MUST-KNOW FITNESS TIPS TO SCORE YOUR BEST BODY Cathy Scarlet

Changing workout routines once every couple of weeks results in more enjoyment, motivation, and superior results.

ALMOST 90 PERCENT OF MEN AND WOMEN ARE UNHAPPY ABOUT their bodies because they are overweight, skinny, or lack a great body shape. And a lot of them turn to cosmetic treatments and fat-removal surgeries to improve their appearance. However, one thing they don’t realize is the best way to score the best body is to practice natural health and fitness tips.

applies for professional bodybuilders whose focus is only on muscle development. For people like us, daily exercise is a must. Any form of physical activity (walking, jogging, running, swimming, skipping, etc.) that gets your heartbeat up for about 20–30 minutes is highly recommended if you wish to maintain the best health and fitness level.

Here are some tips to get started.

LIFT WEIGHTS

CHOOSE MULTIPLE EXERCISES

It’s very common for amateurs like us to ignore weightlifting for fear of gaining more muscles and looking like the next Hulk.

But, actually weights are not meant just for gaining body mass.

They help develop lean muscle too. If you practice with smaller weights, you will develop strong bones and joints and great body shape. Have you noticed how sexy the fitness models you see in the gym-equipment commercials are? Less weight and fewer reps are their secret sauce. Consider circuit-style weight training if you wish to improve your stamina and develop fat-free muscles while boosting your heart rate.

A lot of people who look to lose weight are usually comfortable doing just one exercise, mostly jogging or running. A couple months later, they realize they haven’t gotten the best results.

What they don’t realize is one exercise is inefficient against multiple exercises. If they’d combined running with minor weights and stretching exercises, they’d have gotten 20 to 30 percent better results.

The multiple exercise routine applies even to professionals.

That’s exactly why we see bodybuilders doing four different workouts for the same muscle area. It not only delivers better results but also helps in their overall development. In a study conducted by the University of Florida, it was found that changing workout routines once every couple of weeks results in more enjoyment, motivation, and superior results.

EXERCISE EVERY DAY A lot of fitness experts recommend doing workouts six days a week and using the remaining day to relax your body. This 104 JUNE 15, 2016

DO NOT SKIP YOUR RECOVERY MEAL Many people think having a meal after workout will bring back the calories and easily ruin the effect of a 60-minute workout.

Here’s the truth: Post-workout meals do not cause weight gain; they help your body recover after exercising. After a rigorous training session, your body will lose all its stored energy and your muscle fibers will weaken. It’s important to refuel your body and supply your exhausted muscles with the required protein for quick recovery. However, keep in mind that your

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post-workout meal/drink should not be calorific in nature. Go for protein shakes or raw vegetables to supply your body with the required amount of energy and nutrients.

WATER KILLS MORE THAN JUST THIRST We all know that water has zero calories. What many of us don’t know is that water consumes energy from our body to get into the bloodstream. Hydration is very important for people who work out regularly and even for those who do not. Water boosts the body’s metabolism rate and promotes fat loss. It also improves the physical performance by keeping dryness away.

Insufficient supply of water results in dehydration, poor muscle development, poor endurance, tiredness, and muscle cramping.

If you run three miles, you lose about one liter of water in the form of sweat, so it’s important you consume water during workout breaks.

STAY FOCUSED If you’re training your chest muscles and thinking about yesterday’s football match, you won’t get the best results. Make sure to focus on your workout areas. This will help you avoid injuries, improve your efficiency, and keep you motivated.

Apart from focusing on the workout areas, you should also stay focused on your short-term goals. Prepare a daily and weekly workout schedule and stick to it. Don’t think too much about long-term goals! Take things one step at a time for better results. Have a reasonable schedule and stick to it.

GO OUTDOORS A study conducted by National Institutes of Health discovered that people who exercise outdoors are likely to burn 7 percent more calories than those who work out indoors. If you’re able to burn 270 calories during a 30-minute run indoors, the same activity when done outdoors at the same pace will help you burn 300 calories.

FRESHEN YOUR BREATH AND YOUR MUSCLES Have you tried peppermint before workouts? According to a Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition report, men who consumed two cups of water with one drop of peppermint oil ran more on the treadmill than those that didn’t. It’s revealed that peppermint freshens the breath, boosts oxygen to the brain, and improves stamina.

LEARN THE ROPES A lot of people focus on running and weightlifting but skip one thing: ropes. But actually a jump rope is one of the must-do exercises for everyone. Even professional boxers jump ropes in every training session. Ropes are inexpensive and easy to carry anywhere. You’ll be surprised that in about 20 minutes of jumping, you will be able to burn off 200 calories. That’s awesome for tiny fitness equipment, right?

Cathy is a fitness expert at GarageGymPlanner.com. She writes regularly on topics revolving around exercise and diet and helps educate readers on the best ways to improve their health and looks naturally.

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PRIDE FOR INTROVERTS Mike Yost GREETINGS, FELLOW WALLFLOWERS! IF YOU’RE LIKE ME, YOU’RE probably reading this article inside a comfortable bunker buried deep beneath the surface of the Earth, located at least five miles from the nearest human being.

To those who are not introverts, human beings are these exceptionally bizarre lifeforms we introverts try our best to avoid, as Homo sapiens are often very unpredictable, psychologically draining, and emotionally debilitating.

To paraphrase the writer Charles Bukowski from the movie Barfly, I don’t hate people, “but I seem to feel better when they’re not around.”

Unfortunately, some of these humans are attractive, and introverts end up reluctantly extracting ourselves from our grottos, pulled into the harsh, glaring sunlight by some archaic biological imperative to screw.

And even though we masturbate (a lot), this need for physical human contact and intimacy is remarkably persistent. So, since Pride is fast approaching, I thought I’d share some of the methods I’ve developed as an introvert, methods which have allowed me to navigate Pride and even (gasp) successfully interact with other human beings … a lot of human beings …

370K total was last year’s Pride count … all crammed together in a tiny park … surrounded by vendors and high fences ... trapped together under the harsh heat of the sun ... the throngs threatening to strangle my senses and my mind ... driving me to madness!

Breathe, Mike. Breathe.

Okay. I’m good.

HEADPHONES: These are a must, as the music creates a sonic shelter amid the pulsating mass of mortals. And you can control 108 JUNE 15, 2016

To paraphrase the writer Charles Bukowski from the movie Barfly, I don’t hate people, “but I seem to feel better when they’re not around.”

your mood (to a certain degree) with the music being pumped into your isolation-loving brain. Need to slowly linger into the crowd? Play some calming electronic music (I recommend Tycho). Need to quickly withdraw from the crowd? Play some metal to fuel your escape (I recommend Opeth). And if I happen to fancy some sexy British chap in the crowd, I can choose to remove those headphones and make an attempt to interact with said attractive British chap.

SUNGLASSES: They say eyes are the windows to the soul.

Well, we introverts don’t want to look into any more human soul. What we’ve seen already is terrifying, hence the tinted glass to avoid eye contact. And when I discover the sexy British chap has a boyfriend, I can don the sunglasses to hide my tears of rejection and perpetual loneliness.

SANCTUARIES: Take the time to find a few citadels of sanctuary before Pride. There are several coffee shops and restaurants in close proximity to Civic Center Park that are rarely busy, even during the festival. So, when the clatter of human contact becomes too much, I flee to these pre-determined bastions to be alone, giving me a chance to reset.

ME TIME: Extroverts recharge by being around others, while we introverts recharge by being alone. I make it a habit to isolate myself before Pride, and I make some time for me afterward to replenish a weary and drained soul (whose body is hungover from downing those Jello shots at 11am). Finally, I’ve learned to be (somewhat) comfortable with being uncomfortable. As introverts, we will never not be overwhelmingly anxious in crowds. However, if you take these methods to heart, you might not only survive this year’s Pride, but make Pride your bitch!

(Who knows? Maybe you’ll even go home with that sexy British chap and his boyfriend.)

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FREEE P RO F I L

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CLEANSING & THE PHANTOM TOXIN Kelsey Lindsey I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE IF THIS issue’s column comes out like a rant. That’s largely because this week’s column is a rant.

It’s just on a topic, nay, a word I feel highly passionate about.

It’s a word so affronting to my vocabulary that even the slightest mention gives me heartburn. A word that, even passed through the Pope’s lips would sound like the dirtiest, most offending insult. Am I being dramatic?

Absolutely. But get me going on something that I stand strongly for (Kanye West) or against (those damn tiny food videos taking over my Facebook feed) and you get a diatribe of passion.

So what is this obscenity?

It’s not “moist,” “conscious uncoupling,” or “there’s no more wine.” It’s “toxins,” or, to put it in context: “I’m going to go on this cleanse to flush all of the toxins out of my system. I’m going to detox my body.”

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FR EE T IR T-SH N UP YOU SIG WH E N

Global 110 JUNE 15, 2016

Spot.com

In retrospect, it isn’t the word “toxins” that makes me break out into hives. Your body takes in a whole trove of toxins everyday, from particles in the air to that shot of whiskey Wednesday after work. It’s the belief that humans can magically rid themselves of these toxins with a strict regimen of cayenne-honey

water or green juice — a detox.

The human body has been pretty good at saving itself from these toxins, evident in the fact that you can drink moderately in small amounts without suffering an early death. Your liver, kidneys, skin, and lungs are all “detoxing” as we speak, the products of years and years of human evolution.

So why are companies hawking the transformative powers of SkinnyTea, Green Juice Cleanse, and Beach Bod Detox if there are usually no toxins built up in our systems to clean out? We’re vulnerable, for one. Two, it’s easy to attribute the “cleansing” one experiences when wholly subsisting on vegetables and fruitsto your new detox regiment, when in fact it’s just your body, you know, wholly subsisting on vegetables and fruits. Ban all sugar, alcohol, and dairy from your diet for even a week and I dare you to say you don’t feel better.

But let me reiterate: You’re feeling better because you’re eating better, not because you’re ridding your body of toxins. Because there are no toxins building up that need to be pushed out of your body.

We clear? We clear.

COMING OUT AGAIN. AND AGAIN. AND AGAIN. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 100

The potential cost of coming out is rejection, but the cost of being hidden, of living in shame, is far greater. And the opportunities that coming out affords are enormous. Coming out as a lesbian has given me the courage to come out as an artist, a writer, a Black Lives Matter activist, and a person of faith. It’s allowed me to be more of my authentic self in so many ways, and hopefully gives others the courage to do the same. And it’s given people permission to tell me their stories of spiritual and personal growth, connecting us across differences, and reminding us of our shared humanity.

Laila Ibrahim is the critically acclaimed author of Yellow Crocus and Living Right, available now on Amazon and all major booksellers. Connect with Laila Ibrahim on Facebook, and at LailaIbrahim.com.

G.MEN

My favorite coming-out moments are the ones that shine a light on my own prejudices. The times I was met with love and respect from the very people I had been taught would hate me filled my heart with grace. The military officer who told me that part of his duty was to stand with gay and lesbian service people who were being drummed out of the service because of their sexual orientation. My 80-year-old, devoutly Catholic aunt who told me that God loves everyone and doesn’t make any mistakes. The grandmother at my children’s elementary school, a Jehovah’s Witness, who apologized with tears in her eyes that her grandson had teased my daughter about having two moms. Each of those encounters taught me to put away my assumptions and treat people as individuals.

LIVE VIDEO CHAT

I’m part of a Facebook group for queer moms. Lately, there’s been a string of posts from women about their experiences with hospitals. The common theme is that they start out ready to fight to have “our family” recognized in Utah, or a in Catholic hospital. But instead they’re met with respect, joy, and clarity about filling in birth certificates, NICU visitation privileges, or being called Mom. Those stories bring tears to my eyes.

Wow! The pace of change is beautiful. And yet the moral arc of the universe doesn’t easily bend toward justice. There are always steps back: see the new Jim Crow and North Carolina HB2. We can’t let those who are afraid of widening the circle of love and justice decide the parameters of the conversation.

W W W.GME N CE N T R A L .C O M

making that dream a reality. As we make these changes, our coming out stories change as well.

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BAC KWO R DS

ASK A SLUT [WARNING: GRAPHIC]

How long does it take you to do makeup & dress?

Signed, FASHION DISASTER Latexa: On a good day, an hour and a half. On a bad day, three plus hours. No one ever notices anyway, because I still look scary.

Zoey: I can speed-paint and be out the door in five minutes. But if I do that, I look like a reject from a different drag contest.

Cookie: Less time than most queens take to do

Zoey: My glitter is daintily applied one sparkle at a time with a big brush.

Cookie: I feed at the trough of the Fountain of the Glittery Goodness and bathe in the Lake of Lip Sync Blessing. Come dive in with me.

JackLynn: There are several ways to apply. First is the smear method; next is the sticky blow method; and finally, patting it works sometimes too.

What do you say when your significant other screams out “bring me the axe”? Does it have anything to do with cleaning floors?

Signed, LEZZY LIZZY Latexa: MOM?! I told you you to stop trying to contact me!

one eyebrow.

Zoey: I don’t allow that brand of bodyspray

JackLynn: That definitely depends on alcohol

anywhere near my husband or myself. Gross.

consumption.

Cookie: When trying to remodel your house

Do you Cycle Sluts bury your face in glitter or does someone plaster it on you?

Signed, LOVES SHINY OBJECTS Latexa: I have a make-up gun and it’s set to Whore.

114 JUNE 15, 2016

around the corpses, you have to break a few bones. An axe is the quickest way without too much suspicion.

JackLynn: How do you know about that? Damn hussy.

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