June 17, 2015 :: Denver Pride Turns 40!

J U N E 1 7, 2 0 1 5 OUTFRONTONLINE .COM FREE

DENVER PRIDEFEST TURNS 40!

DAY & NIGHT

the deets on pride

NEW TO OUR CITY? we’ll show you around

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INSIDE

the 2015 Out Front pride guide

Thank you to our sponsors:

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CONTENTS JUNE 17, 2015 VOL39 NO6

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08 SOMEONE LEAVE THE CAKE OUT? 18 ARE WE MORE THAN ANIMALS IN A GAY ZOO?

KEEP YOUR COOL 22 GET THE COOLEST CLOTHES ON THE BLOCK 32 CLOSET PRIDE

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A PRIDE HISTORY 34 PRIDE IS COMMUNITY 36 OUR STORY: A CURIOUS AND FASCINATING TIMELINE OF LGBT DENVER 42 CALENDAR 48 DON’T HATE THE PLAYER 52 BAR TAB 58 I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SUNBURNED SKIN 64 SURVIVOR 68 HOROSCOPES

ON THE COVER

Andrew Silva and Colin Martin photographed

by Paul Wedlake Photography.

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Special thanks to Candy’s Vintage for providing our vintage shirts.

SERVING THE LGBT COMMUNITY OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS SINCE 1976 3535 Walnut Street, Denver, Colorado 80205 PHONE 303-477-4000 • FAX 303-325-2642 WEB OutFrontOnline.com FACEBOOK facebook.com/OutFrontColorado TWITTER @OutFrontCO INSTAGRAM /OutFrontColorado Out Front is published by Q Publishing, Ltd., a Colorado corporation and is a member of: Denver Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and Denver Drama Critics Circle.

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COPYRIGHT & LIMIT OF LIABILITY Reproduction of editorial, photographic or advertising content without written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Advertisers are responsible for securing rights to any copyrighted material within their advertisements. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims of advertisers and reserves the right to reject any advertising. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles or advertising is not to be considered an indication of the sexual orientation or HIV status of such person or organization. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage of materials submitted. OPINIONS EXPRESSED are not necessarily those of OUT FRONT, its staff, or advertisers.

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SOMEONE LEAVE A CAKE OUT? DENVER PRIDEFEST CELEBRATES MARRIAGE EQUALITY

WITH LANDMARK SCULPTURE BY ARTIST LONNIE HANZON MY GOAL AS A CREATOR is to reach the largest audience

possible with images and messages of joy, histor y, and faith in the human spirit,” says ar tist Lonnie Hanzon. Known inter nationally for his monumental works of public ar t, Lonnie is preparing to bring his ar tistic vision to Denver PrideFest in celebration of the event’s 40th anniversar y.

Rex Fuller

Equality Cake will be a temporal sculpture created in the heart of the Denver’s LGBT pride festival.

At 20 feet tall, it will serve as a glittering, celebratory centerpiece adding a fun and colorful element to the festival while also articulating important concepts about marriage equality and the history of the LGBT political movement.

Timed with the pending decision in the U.S. Supreme Court that could possibly make marriage equality the law of the land, the sculpture will be created from steel, foam, and mirrored disco balls. (Yes, disco balls.) Lonnie has a unique way of combining all kinds of objects into appealing and engaging public artworks that morph into interactive, one-of-a-kind events. Equality Cake will provide festival attendees with a dramatic backdrop for selfies and social media. In a combination of whimsy and seriousness, it will also list all of the 1,138 benefits, rights, and privileges of marriage as defined by the US General Accounting Office. Lonnie wants crowds to be attracted to the sculpture’s colorful glitz while being moved by its content and intent.

“After being ‘illegally’ married for 33 years, I’m anxious to have the same legal rights in my partnership as others have,” Lonnie says. “I think the next few months might be looked back on as a ‘sea change.’”

Recent polls indicate that nearly 60 percent of American citizens support marriage equality. “I want to help define the imagery and memories of this time. If the Supreme Court comes back with a negative decision, I plan on turning the work into a protest.”

Lonnie’s sculpture will be created through community input. He is currently in the process of setting up a Kickstarter campaign that will launch April 7. “We have to raise funds to pay for supplies, construction, and installation costs,” he explains. He’s also setting up a series of rewards for supporters who contribute to making the sculpture possible.

“Cue the Donna Summer!” Lonnie jokes as he prepares for a giant cake in the park. “I want this work to be fun about a very serious subject. Campy and empowered and impassioned.”

Originally published April 01, 2015

With an astute sense of visual dramatics and an understanding of the classic rules of storytelling, Lonnie has a reputation for amazing crowds around the globe with his highly original works. Among his accomplishments, he co-designed the largest Christmas display in Hong Kong’s history. He has created works for the Neiman-Marcus Corporate Collection and the Mazza Gallerie in Washington, D.C. In Denver, he created installation works throughout the Kenneth King Performing Arts Center on the Auraria Campus 8

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I want to help define the imagery and memories of this time. If the Supreme Court comes back with a negative decision, I plan on turning the work into a protest.

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as well as the landmark Evolution of the Ball at Coors Field. He is excited about creating this unique work at Denver PrideFest during what he sees as a pivotal time in US history and the history of LGBT civil rights.

LEGAL DIRECTORY

DO I REALLY HAVE TO PAY THOSE TRAFFIC CAMERA TICKETS? If you drive in the Denver metro area, odds are you have (or will soon) receive a photo radar ticket. This ticket will include a picture of you (or someone) driving your car, a picture of your license plate, and an explanation that you were photographed while allegedly speeding or running a red light.

So what should you do if you receive such a ticket?

The ticket itself will have several payment options and reference the easy ways to pay your fine, and will allude to the more difficult options of contesting your identification in the photograph or pleading not guilty.

There is another option.

Under Colorado law, if the only witness to the traffic offense is a camera, you have to be officially served with the penalty assessment notice or summons and complaint. Being mailed the original ticket has no legal effect.

Being served means the document is handed to you by a police officer or process server, left at your home with an adult (18 or older), or mailed to your last known address via certified mail, return receipt requested.

If you haven’t received the ticket by one of the formal methods listed above, service has not occurred and you have no duty to respond. If 90 days pass from the date of your alleged offense without service, your violation will automatically be dismissed.

Within those 90 days, though, there is some risk to ignoring the ticket. Although points cannot be assessed against your license, if the city does move forward with personal service, you would be liable for the costs of that service, which could substantially increase the cost of the ticket.

Different cities are more aggressive with moving forward with the more formal service methods, so drive carefully and remember — even empty intersections could have eyes on you.

BACHUS & SCHANKER, LLC 866-277-6711 • www.ColoradoLaw.net 1899 Wynkoop St., Suite 700, Denver Personal Injury • Auto Accidents Worker’s Compensation • Wage Disputes

BLOCH & CHAPLEAU, LLC 303-331-1700 • www.BlochChapleau.com 1725 Gaylord St., Denver Family Law • Civil Union Dissolutions Pre-Union Agreements • Auto Accidents

LAW OFFICES OF LISA E. FRAZER, LLC 303-861-7717 • www.FrazerFamilyLaw.com 936 E. 18th Ave, Denver Family Law/Civil Unions • Divorce Child Custody

LAW OFFICE OF BYRON K. HAMMOND, LLC 303-501-1812 • www.BKH-Law.com 3900 E. Mexico Ave., Denver Wills • Trusts • Estate Planning Probate • Elder Law

WOODY LAW FIRM, LLC 303-968-1711 • www.WoodyLawLLC.com 1407 Larmier St., Suite 300, Denver Dissolution of civil unions & marriages Legal Separation • Second Parent Adoption

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.

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The Obergefell case is actually a total of four cases, consolidated into one: Obergefell v. Hodges (OH) Tanco v. Haslam (TN) DeBoer v. Snyder (MI) Bourke v. Beshear (KY)

“Hodges is being sued in his official capacity as the director of the Ohio Department of Public Health, which is the government agency responsible for taking the action that the plaintiff claims is unconstitutional,” says attorney Tawny Mack. “In Obergefell, [the agency] was the Department of Health, because Obergefell wanted to be listed as the surviving spouse on his husband’s death certificate.”

Why is he a namesake in the case?

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No stranger to the Supreme Court — this is his ninth appearance! — Bursch is new to the fight against marriage equality. That doesn’t mean, however, that he isn’t passionately defending the ban on same-sex marriage: His main argument is that same-sex couples aren’t fighting for the right to join the institution of marriage — they’re fighting to redefine it.

JOHN BURSCH

Does the Fourteenth Amendment require all states to honor other states’ marriages?

two things!

Does the Fourteenth Amendment (which addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the laws) require a state to marry two people of the same sex?

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A seasoned attorney and civil rights activist, Bonauto helped her homestate of Maine pass a marriage-equality law. She was the lead counsel for Goodridge v.

Department of Public Health, the case that made Massachusetts the first state where gay couples could marry. Connecticut can also thank Bonauto for its passage of samesex marriage. On a federal level, she assisted in having Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act ruled unconstitutional, meaning same-sex couples can enjoy federal marriage protections. As she argues on behalf of gay couples in the Supreme Court, she’ll contend with ...

As his boyfriend of two decades, John Arthur, lay dying of Lou Gehrig’s disease, Jim the Ohioan asked for his hand in marriage and was rewarded with a yes.

They traveled to Maryland, tied the knot, and returned home to a state that refused to recognize their marriage. So they sued, and the case — now consolidated with three other same-sex marriage cases from around the nation — is being decided by the Supreme Court. The case for same-sex marriage is being argued by ...

so what will the case determine?

MARY BONAUTO

JIM OBERGEFELL

Originally published May 20, 2015

Richard A. Hodges is the director of the Ohio Department of Public Health.

Who is Hodges of Obergefell v. Hodges?

let’s meet the players

OBERGEFELL V. HODGES

the name of the case is

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THE SUPREME COURT FIGHT FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

SOTOMAYOR A newer justice who, in liberal fashion, usually votes with Ginsburg and Breyer.

JUSTICE SONIA

“[One man/one woman marriage] has been the law everywhere for thousands of years, among people who were not discriminating against gay people. And, suddenly, you want nine people outside the ballot box to require states (that don’t want to do it) to change what marriage is to include gay people. Why can’t those states at least wait and see [if same-sex marriage] is harmful to marriage?”

BADER GINSBURG A feisty liberal, the “Notorious RBG” is a hit with millennials and long-time lovers of racial and gender equality.

JUSTICE RUTH

“What about Article IV? I’m so glad to be able to quote a portion of the Constitution that actually seems to be relevant. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. Now, why doesn’t that apply [for samesex marriage]?”

JUSTICE

“All the incentives, all of the benefits that marriage provides will still be available. [Same-sex marriage] won’t be taking away anything from heterosexual couples; straight couples will have the very same incentive to marry, all the benefits that come from marriage that they do now.”

SAMUEL ALITO A conservative with a liberal streak, Justice Alito can get playful when he pipes up.

JUSTICE

“How does withholding marriage from one group — same-sex couples — increase the value to the other group? I’m sorry, [but] nobody is taking that [liberty] away from anybody. Every single individual in this society chooses … who to marry or not marry. I suspect even with us giving gays rights to marry that there’s some gay people who will choose not to.”

“In all [SCOTUS’ right-to-marry] cases, we didn’t try to define the right more particularly. Is there a right to interracial marriage? Is there a right to marry if you’re a prisoner? We just said there’s a right to marry that is fundamental and that everybody is entitled to it unless there’s some good reason for the state to exclude them. So why shouldn’t we adopt the exact same understanding here?”

JUSTICE ELENA KAGAN The newest member of SCOTUS, she’s an Ivy-Leaguer who served as policy adviser under Clinton, and is most likely a liberal ally.

JUSTICE

Justice Thomas was characteristically silent during arguments.

CLARENCE THOMAS Arguably the most conservative justice, he usually aligns with Justice Scalia, and hardly speaks during oral arguments — especially to press.

“It’s very difficult for the court to say, ‘We know better’ after barely a decade of experience with samesex marriage in the United States.

Same-sex couples say, of course, ‘We understand the nobility and the sacredness of marriage. We know we can’t procreate, but we want the other attributes of it in order to show that we, too, have a dignity that can be fulfilled.’”

ANTHONY KENNEDY Often the swing vote, Justice Kennedy sides more with liberals on gay issues, and is considered an ideal libertarian by many.

JUSTICE

The nine justices don’t always reveal their hand during hearings, since they’re … y’know … going to need a minute to deliberate and all that jazz, so the outcome is anyone’s guess. In case you’d like to join in on the Educated Guessing Game, we’ve provided some quick facts about each justice, as well as some of their April 28 responses during the oral arguments on same-sex marriage.

who are the justices of the supreme court and how are they expected to rule?

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the legitimacy of same-sex marriage by the end of June.

when are they going to decide?

how will these be determined?

There are nine Supreme Court Justices who have heard the arguments from both attorneys. Now, they must deliberate. Because there are an odd number of justices, the hope for all in favor of same-sex marriage is that at least five of them will make marriage equality the law of the land.

“There have been cultures that did not frown on homosexuality.

That is not a universal opinion throughout history and across all cultures. Ancient Greece is an example.

It was well accepted within certain bounds, but did they have same-sex marriage in ancient Greece?”

“You say join in the institution [of marriage]. The argument on the other side is that they’re seeking to redefine the institution. Every definition that I looked up, prior to about a dozen years ago, defined marriage as unity between a man and a woman, as husband and wife. Obviously, if you succeed, that core definition will no longer be operable. You are not seeking to join the institution. You are seeking to change what the institution is. The fundamental core of the institution is the opposite sex relationship, and you want to introduce to it a same-sex relationship.”

STEPHEN BREYER Often liberal and pragmatic, he’s not inclined to interpret the U.S. Constitution in literal, rigid terms. That’s why this stunned us:

JUSTICE ANTONIN SCALIA Staunchly conservative, Justice Scalia is inquisitive and (curiously) BFFs with Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

But don’t let that fool you: He wasn’t feeling Bonauto’s arguments concerning same-sex marriage rights on a federal level.

JOHN ROBERTS A conservative (but not rigidly so) with an encyclopedic knowledge of the law.

CHIEF JUSTICE

SIMPLIFIED! Berlin Sylvestre

P RI DE

THE POWERHOUSE OF PRIDEFEST TURNS 40 DENVER’S PRIDEFEST WOULD NOT be possible without The GLBT Center, Colorado’s largest non-profit LGBT organization that’s instrumental in engaging, connecting, strengthening, and empowering the LGBT community while reducing discrimination and harassment. This year rings in the 40th anniversary of the Center’s beginnings, founded soon after the first Pride in 1975.

Stefanie Cochrane

The Center is proudly run by a small but powerful group of staffers alongside hundreds of volunteers. The Center serves more than 40,000 people annually with their many resources available to all on their way to self-loving, healthy, and productive lives. Rainbow Alley offers services to LGBTQ youths in a caring and safe space to celebrate individuality and develop and honor their own unique identities. R.A. welcomes ages 12 to 21 to any of their activities designed to support and educate LGBTQ youths on topics like coming out, suicide-prevention, safe sex, and more. The Center’s affiliate group, SAGE of the Rockies, provides programming and assistance for elder community members. SAGE offers counseling, wellness clinics, and Lunch and Learn sessions on topics like health care and employment. The Center’s Transgender Program ensures that trans and gender-nonconforming

JOJO

This adorable little dog has been described by new friends here as a sweet little man who enjoys leash walks. JoJo is looking for an active home where he can be your one and only! If you’re looking for lots of love in a small package come meet this guy soon!

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individuals receive the help and outlets necessary to their success. This program also focuses on educating and informing others on the specific needs and cultural stigmas that transgender persons face today. The Center’s call center is available 24/7 and is run by legally-minded volunteers to help any and all members of the LGBT community in Colorado.

The Center has given us all so much and now comes the cherry on top: PrideFest! YAS, QUEEN! PrideFest is The Center’s largest annual fundraiser and is supported by a number of sponsors, large and small, to keep their bright mission shining.

PrideFest also connects members of our Denver community as people volunteer from all walks of life to help out at the festival.

GET LEI’D WITH OUT FRONT Out Front’s tent at PrideFest is once again themed. Last year, our Red Carpet had folks walking on a literal red carpet for snapshots in front of a step-and-repeat that were uploaded onto the interwebs. This year, we’re taking you to Hawaii by-way-of Denver.

Come into our tiki hut for more of that photo goodness as we drape a lei around your gorgeous necks and insist you say cheese with us. We’ve got plenty of Pride swag as always, and plenty of good company if you feel like resting your heels for a bit and chatting up some media nerds. If you weren’t with us for PrideFest last year, just know: Our black and yellow Out Front backpacks were mad popular — “on fleek,” as the kids would say.

The team will be there for the entire duration of PrideFest, so in between the live shows, romps in the grass, and eating your weight in food-truck delights, swing by and shake hands with your biggest fans at Out Front.

But you know that already! We’ll see you down at the park this weekend!

JESSIE & GUCCI

Meet Jessie! An adorable little dog who is looking for her forever home with her best pal Gucci. Jessie and Gucci love treats and are looking for a home where they can spend their days relaxing together. They would do best in a home without children.

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BEHIND THE CURTAINS OF PRIDEFEST ENJOY THE PARADE. ENJOY THE high-energy

performances. Enjoy the sno-cones, the street dancing, the new friends, the experience! Denver PrideFest 2015 is a blast to be had, brought to you by the hard work, sponsorship, and spirit of area LGBT groups we’re lucky to call our own.

With a slew of non-profits aimed at making the lives of our LGBT population a little safer, we Coloradans are in good hands.

Stefanie Cochrane

DGLCC: DENVER GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The DGLCC is a collective of local business owners and professionals connected by their shared passions for diversity and inclusivity. It supports business development through collaboration in hopes to challenge and inspire local entrepreneurs to combine their powers for the greater good!

The DGLCC offers a wide array of opportunities and educational support for their members. Visit DenverGLC.com to get hooked up with the team for Pride volunteering and meet ups with their Breakfast Club.

BABES AROUND DENVER BAD (go ’head, girls) is the city’s premiere rainbow connection for lesbians and friends to immerse themselves in Metro Denver’s social scene. BAD covers all spectrums from dance parties to fantastic volunteer opportunities and community engagement that promotes inclusivity and fun activities for the LGBT community and allies. Get out your night planner and take this down: BAD will host Women’s Pride at Tracks on June 19. Themed Pangea 2015: The Land Before Pride, this party is the largest of its kind in Denver. Live entertainment by the Fractal Tribe features hooping, fire dancers, and aerialists, oh my, and of course, hot music and a bodyheated dance floor. Bring EVERYBODY! That Saturday, June 20, BAD also sponsors the Denver Dyke March, a staple event in the PrideFest parade.

Sign up for free and march down Colfax to Civic Center Park with a bunch 14

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of badass ladies. Tickets available at GLBTColorado.org. Psst! BAD also has some tricks up its sleeve for the rest of Pride weekend. Stay tuned!

BabesArounDenver.com

ONE COLORADO: WORKING TOGETHER FOR A FAIR AND JUST COLORADO ONE is a homegrown advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding and advancing equality and opportunity for Colorado’s LGBT community and their families. With offices in Denver, Durango, Grand Junction, and Colorado Springs, One’s presence serves to enact positive change in issues such as relationship recognition, safety and outreach in schools, and health and human services for all LGBT across our great state. One Colorado is able to further their mission by lobbying the General Assembly and local branches of government, as well as through their endorsement of like-minded political candidates via the One Colorado PAC. Last year, the PAC provided support and resources to 49 candidates, 75 percent of whom won their races. The One Colorado Education Fund is devoted to strengthening the bond between LGBT people and their communities with educational programs, public research, and the mobilization of advocacy campaigns. All this, and they know how party! One is hosting their 10th Anniversary Pink Party at Tracks and the Rino Beach Club on June 20.

Drinks, dancing, and good times are in store. Ticket proceeds will fund One’s quest to reach equality and understanding for all mountain. Tix are $65 in advance and $85 at the door. One-Colorado.org

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PR I D E

SOBO CHIC

IF YOUR PRIDE ISN’T FEELING FAB ENOUGH, BUFFALO EXCHANGE HAS YOU COVERED Chris Arneson

FOR ITS THIRD YEAR, THE South

Broadway clothiers are sponsoring a Crosswalk Walk-Off as par t of its Gayer Pride celebration. The fashion event is aimed at anyone who wants to express themselves, according to event coordinator Carlos Garcia. He’s par tnering with Nadia Mackinnon, a fellow Buffalo Exchange employee. The store’s owner, Todd Colletti, is heading the event.

“We want to bring Pride down to SoBo,” Carlos explains. The free event, initially intended for drag style, now incorporates any and all types of fashion.

Contestants will be judged by a randomly selected panel chosen that day. Prizes will include swag bags, gifts cards, and clothing donated by local businesses.

“Freaks and weirdos and fab people are all invited,” he adds, noting that everyone is allowed to be whoever they want without fear of hecklers.

After the walk, Buffalo Exchange is teaming up with Blow Pony & Sugar Twist for an after-party (QUEER MUTINY!) at The Compound Basix featuring a Club Kid fashion show.

The 21+ event has a $5 cover.

The walk-off begins at 7pm.

Basically, participants are able to strut their stuff across the Broadway crosswalk in front of Buffalo Exchange. Carlos says you’ll see everyone from little boys in dresses to leather daddies participating.

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Carlos encourages attendees to check out the event on Facebook and RSVP for updates. Those interested in participating are encouraged to shoot and email to GayerPride@ gmail.com, but it’s possible to show up and ask to join.

Don’t miss the CinemaQ Film Festival as we share the stories and experiences of the GLBTQ community by presenting a slate of films from the important and inspirational, serious and fun, and recent and classic. Schedule, tickets & pass information coming soon!

Sie FilmCenter

2510 E. Colfax Ave.

July 23-26, 2015 denverfilm.org OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

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ARE WE MORE THAN ANIMALS IN A GAY ZOO? HEY BRENT,

I don’t understand why guys in our community have a need to use terms like “bear” and “otter” to describe themselves or the guys they like. It seems so pointless and makes me feel like I’m trapped in a zoo. In addition to feeling like I don’t embody any of these predeter mined types, I think it causes more separation than unity in the gay community. Why do gay guys waste so much time on these animal names and creating separate groups?

Brent Heinze, Senior Columnist

I do find it amusing that our gay culture has moved into the animal world to find kinship, but I’m not sure that we’re much more different than any other group of people when it relates to forming sub-groups within a larger community.

We’ve created some type of queer Noah’s Ark with bears, pigs, otters, puppies, wolves, and other assorted creatures. Some of these animalassociated types are based on how we look, while others are based on activities we enjoy.

In our lives, it’s normal to look for individuals and groups that make us feel welcomed and appreciated. We break off into clusters of people based on a variety of shared characteristics and interests including sexuality, religion, interests, and body types. It’s also normal to hang out with people who we consider attractive in various ways. These types of tribal divisions have been around since the dawn of humans on Earth and 18

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have evolved in the gay community to include designations like these.

Some feel drawn to particular groups of people or commonly identified types. Many of us experience a strong desire to be accepted by other people and to be included in group activities. Inclusion in a group may feed our ego and quell the aspiration to feel we’re valued by others. We should still be cautious about using these designations to discriminate against others or attempt to hurt their feelings.

Sometimes, associations with these identities are used to exclude others from activities or may be perceived as stigmatizing to the individual or group — depending on what characteristics are being discussed.

One of the largest potential concerns with breaking into separate groups is the adoption of group expectations and what constitutes

If animal designations thrill and excite you, embrace your inner animal and bark, oink, or growl at every cute guy around.

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acceptable behaviors. In the animal world, this kind of “pack mentality” is crucial to survival, but in our world, it can be both beneficial and concerning. The group may attempt to dictate how we act in public or determine what’s acceptable to wear. These sub-groups can parallel a clique of mean girls quite easily if not kept in check. Sometimes, being an individual without the safety net of a clique can be a more challenging process, but it can also provide more confidence that you don’t need that group to feel good about yourself.

Don’t feel that you ever have to adopt any particular image or set of expectations. If these designations thrill and excite you, though, embrace your animal image and bark, oink, or growl at every cute guy around. If none of the previously mentioned options fit your physical or personality characteristics, feel free to create your own! A hyperactive, smooth guy could be a described as a salamander, or a furry sci-fi geek could be a Wookie, Ewok, or Tribble. Although we’re more than simply animals in a big gay zoo, it can be a fun place to visit sometimes and check out the exhibits.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

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KE E P YOUR CO O L

eat your way to a

coolersummer Lovers of the summer season rejoice! Not only is it time to break out the shorts, tank tops, and flippy floppies, it’s also time to head to your local farmer’s market to check out the selection of fresh summer fruits. To maintain that summer body you worked so hard for during the winter, or if you’re just trying to eat healthier, there are a few foods you should add to your culinary regimen this Pride season.

Not only are these foods healthy, they offer a number of health benefits that are perfect for the summer.

O’Brian Gunn

icedcoffee

You may not realize it, but Denver is the number one state in the country for skin cancer. Before you head out into the sun’s embrace — and as you’re slathering on sunscreen — do your skin and your energy levels a favor and make yourself an iced coffee. One study showed that women who drank a cup of caffeinated coffee a day were able to lower their overall risk of developing skin cancer by as much as roughly 10 percent.

While technically not a food, iced coffee does make for a good addition to this list.

watermelon tartcherries

If you’re trying to lose weight or get lean, chug some tart cherry juice. Not only are tart cherries a good way to help send you off to Slumberland, they also help to keep you from gaining weight and packing on additional body fat. The reason is that tart cherries contain anthocyanin, which is a flavonoid and the pigment that gives cherries their red color. Anthocyanin revs up a molecule in your body that helps burn fat and lower fat storage. Besides drinking tart cherry juice, you can also add cherries to a smoothie or salad, eat them with trail mix, or add them to one of your favorite desserts.

tomatoes

If you don’t like corn, or if you’d rather not spend hours picking it out of your teeth, you can eat tomatoes to protect your skin from becoming sunburned. Tomatoes contain a carotenoid called lycopene that can prevent your skin from reddening. You’ll want to add two and a half tablespoons of tomato paste to your regular daily diet for at least 10 weeks to reap the benefits of this fruity sun blocker. If you’re thinking of getting your dose of lycopene through a supplement, know that you probably aren’t getting the same protective benefits as the lycopene found in an actual tomato.

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There’s a reason watermelon has its name. (Wait for it.)

Because it has lots of water in it! In addition to drinking water to stay hydrated, you can also munch on some watermelon. Not only can you replenish your fluids by eating watermelon, you can also keep cool by sweating away the heat. Watermelon is about 90 percent water, and it’s another good source of lycopene. Even better, watermelon and other foods that contain water can actually make you feel fuller on fewer calories.

sweetcorn

While sweet corn is as yellow as the sun, it contains two antioxidants called zeaxanthin and lutein that help to keep UV rays from burning their way into your skin by forming macular pigment. These antioxidants can also help you in your older years by preventing the development of macular degeneration, which is the main cause of blindness in individuals 60 and older.

Pay close attention to what you eat and how those foods make you feel this summer season. We want you stay in good health and in good spirits to keep your Pride going strong all month long.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

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KE E P YOUR CO O L

THE COOLEST CLOTHES ON THE BLOCK EVEN THOUGH DENVER MAY NOT have the suffocating

humidity of the South or the scorching heat of Death Valley, hot is hot no matter where you are. As you’re looking up effective ways to stay cool while enjoying Pr ide, be sure you don’t neglect your wardrobe as you’re freezing bottles of water. Even better, these hacks can keep your clothes from looking like you got into a fight with a tidal wave.

O’Brian Gunn

CHILL YOUR PANTS Icing up your favorite denim jeans in the freezer is a good way to stifle odor-causing bacteria and give your legs some relief on those days where you’d rather wear pants than shorts. For maximum cool factor, slip your frozen jeans on right before you head out. You won’t stay cool all day, but your walk to your car or the bus stop is sure to be a bit more comfortable and bearable.

WEAR A TANK TOP Put on a light cotton tank top underneath your dress shirt when you have to wear business or business casual attire. While an extra layer is the last thing you want to wear on the hottest days of the year, your tank top can keep you from sweating your way through a nice shirt.

Even better, all of that perspiration your tank 22

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top is soaking up can help you feel cooler. Nasty as all get out, yes, but better than feeling as though you’re auditioning for the Human Torch.

Flame off!

CROP IT AND LINE IT Ladies, a longer top might make your torso look longer than Suge Knight’s rap sheet, but all that flowing material also makes you sweat like you’re going through detox. Opt for a crop top to stay as cool as you look. If you’d rather not bare that much flesh, you can pair your short top with a pencil skirt or a pair of high-waisted jeans.

To keep that fresh look alive, let’s go old-school cool. These nifty little sartorial inventions go right under the bottom of your bra and work to keep you from looking like you’ve got two sweating foreheads on your chest.

It’s gonna be hot as Hades this Pride.

Let’s get hip to clothinghacks.

”

GO OLD SCHOOL To keep looking fresh, go for what some might call an old look. Use a handkerchief to dab away sweat dripping and gushing from your forehead and to keep your makeup or sunscreen from running down your face. Nothing gives you more undiluted class than a few gentle dabs of a handkerchief, and nothing makes you look more dire and distressed than being drenched in sweat.

While you’re shopping for the perfect handkerchief to match your summer wardrobe, consider adding a straw hat to your arsenal.

Straw hats are great for giving yourself some shade as they dissipate heat. Maybe the best way to stay cool is to rely on clothing conventions from a time where there wasn’t central heating.

Besides the above suggestions, you can also look into anti-sweating fabrics, like Uniqlo’s AIRism line. Be sure you stay well-hydrated and seek out shade, no matter what you’re wearing. With Denver being so close to the sun and having so many days of sunshine, you might be putting yourself at risk for skin cancer by spending too much time in the sun. Stay cool and in good health as you enjoy Pride. Uniqlo.com

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

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KE E P YOUR CO O L

THE SIGNS OF ANIMAL COOL-TY DENVER LOVES ANIMALS, AND THERE’S a good chance

you’ll see four-legged doggies (and two-legged pups, nudge nudge) at Pride this year. No matter if you plan on taking your pets to the festivities with you or if you decide to leave them at home, lear n how to keep your furr y family members nice and cool in the unforgiving summer heat.

O’Brian Gunn

RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS

BEAT THE HEAT TOGETHER

You probably already know the reason dogs pant is because they’re trying to cool down, but you might not be aware that the two leading reasons Fido starts panting are that he’s suffering from hyperthermia and/or his upper airway system is compromised. Hyperthermia is common in hot environments where dogs are unable to properly cool themselves, which causes them to pant.

Certain animals can also have a paralyzed larynx or another acquired condition that renders them unable to regulate their body temperature.

You and your pet can benefit from early morning or evening exercise when the temperatures aren’t as high. You may find that your canine companion is reluctant to go outside when it’s hotter and would rather stretch out underneath an AC vent. Another reason to enjoy outside time with your pets early in the morning or later in the evening is that hot surfaces won’t be as hard on the pads of their paws.

The main problem with hyperthermia and some acquired conditions is they can actually cause dogs to become hotter as they pant. Some of the signs of overheating in pets are labored breathing, high respiratory rate, drooling, and mild weakness. Keep a close eye on your dog while you’re outside and visit the vet before heading to Pride to ensure your pooch doesn’t have a compromised upper airway system.

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WATER, WATER, WATER While panting is sometimes a good way for your dog to cool off, the downside is panting can easily lead to dehydration. Share some of your water with your pets so you can replenish your fluids together. Besides water, you can also offer your dog a water alternative to help replenish electrolytes.

BE MINDFUL OF YOUR DOG’S BREED Certain dog breeds, like Pekingese, Boston terriers, and pugs, aren’t able to pant as well

Keep your pup cool and comfortable as you show your pet pride this year.

”

as other breeds, which means it’s harder for them to stay cool. Be sure to keep an especially close eye on your four-legged friends for signs of heat stroke and make sure they have plenty of water, shade, and rest if you bring them out with you. The same rules apply to overweight and older pets as well as those with lung or heart problems. As a matter of fact, you might want to keep older or overweight breeds at a doggie daycare or at home.

LET IT GROW, LET IT GROW, LET IT GROW Before you decide to take your pet with you to the salon for a grooming, you might be better off waiting until after the hotter months of the year.

Humans stay cooler with fewer layers of clothes on, but dogs and cats often fare better in the heat and have less chance of becoming sunburned if they have a luxurious coat. Trimming long hair is okay, just make sure you don’t overdo it.

Keep your pup cool and comfortable as you show your pet pride this year. If you’re visiting us from out of town, be sure to check out Denver’s options for pet boarding, like Bark & Play.

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IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY, HONEY THE RULES SURROUNDING YOUR ASSETS and legal rights get tricky — but they don’t have to be. The more you know about what you’re entitled to as married couples (or single entities!) greatly affects the financial stability of your future.

Feeling brainy? Take our quiz and test your financial mettle.

Suzanne Charrin

Q: Mark and Fred, both 66, are married. They tied the knot in a state that recognizes same-sex marriages, and moved to Colorado.

Mark would like to elect the file-and-suspend Social Security strategy, which would enable Fred, the lower-earning spouse, to collect benefits while Mark continues to work and accrue additional retirement credits. Can Mark file for this benefit?

A: Yes he can, now that the Supreme Court declared Section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional. Same-sex married couples now get the same benefits as straight married couples — and this is just one of 88 benefits that’ve opened up to our community.

Q: Coloradans Kim and Pam are married. Kim was previously married to Jim and they had a child together. Their child is 24 and lives in Texas. Kim divorced Jim 12 years ago. Neither Kim or Pam have siblings, and Kim’s parents are still alive. Kim hasn’t made any beneficiary designations on any of her financial accounts, and neither Kim nor Pam have wills.

Kim dies intestate (without a will).

Who receives her assets?

A: Pam! Since gay marriage is legal here, same-sex spouses are treated the same as any other. In this situation, Pam would receive the first $150k and half of the remaining estate (if any). Kim’s child gets the remainder.

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Q: Your partner passes away unexpectedly, and you’re the sole beneficiary of their IRA. How much time do you have to move it into an inherited IRA so you can use your life expectancy for the IRA proceeds?

A: You have until Dec. 31 of the year after the account owner’s death for all designated beneficiaries to use their own life expectancies.

Q: James and Dan, together for 20 years, have been legally married for the past two. Dan was previously married to Linda for two years, just before Dan and James met. Dan named Linda as primary beneficiary to his $1M 401(K) 22 years ago and forgot to change the beneficiary to James. However, James and Dan had wills drafted specifying that they’re each other’s beneficiary on all financial accounts. Dan dies.

Who gets his 401(K)?

A: Linda, although unintended, would be the beneficiary of Dan’s $1M IRA. ERISA rules trump any other designations and since Dan forgot to update his 401(K) beneficiary form, his company has to honor what was written.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Feel free to reach out to me, Suzanne Charrin, to learn more about your financial options and plan for your future!

LIFECERTAIN.COM (303) 739-3999 SPONSORED CONTENT

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PARTY WITH THE ALLIES NOT READY TO TACKLE THE exuberance of Denver’s LGBT bars during Pride weekend? Never fear, traveler: There are plenty of other bars nearby to get your drink on with the locals.

The LGBT bars are bananas during Pride.

If that’s not your scene, we’ve got just the thing.

Chris Arneson

”

SATELLITE BAR

SANCHO’S BROKEN ARROW

Up the hill from Civic Center, Satellite Bar is a good escape to Dive Bar World. Nice selection of drinks and free shuffleboard will keep you entertained for the night.

A hipster and hippie haven. There are concert posters everywhere with a bit of a Grateful Dead theme. The place gets packed when there are concerts next door at the Fillmore, but compared to the gay bars, you’ll have plenty of room to breathe.

THE 1UP Honestly, you’re not coming here for the drinks. Grab a cheap beer, bring a pocketful of quarters, and enjoy the retro gaming vibe. Tons of 50-cent pinball, skee ball, and nostalgic arcade games make for a nice departure from the typical bar atmosphere.

THE NOB HILL INN

PROHIBITION

HORSESHOE LOUNGE

One of the few Colfax bars to offer a food menu with a decent selection, there’s lots of beer on tap and a great selection of cocktails and wine.

The bar itself features dark wood furnishings, and a younger, easygoing crowd tends to hang out here. If you can snag a spot on the patio, there’s excellent Colfax-watching.

Tucked away in Uptown, the Horseshoe might be one of your best nearby escapes from the Pride crowd. It’s hard to find unless you know what you’re looking for. Old couches offer a nice lounge area, and there’s a tiny patio in the back. You’ll find a mix of hipsters and older folks who have been coming for years.

STREETS OF LONDON PUB

KINGA’S LOUNGE

It’s right across the street from Voodoo Doughnuts, and if you don’t arrive too late, you can grab some pizza from the kitchen. I get a punk vibe from the place, but the crowd isn’t overly abrasive. Pretty good prices on drinks most nights, as well, mate.

You can grab some decent Polish food here and wash it down with infused vodka. There are lots of nooks to hang out in, including a lounge area and a back patio. However, like any good European hangout, there can be some rowdy folks, so take caution … and probably not too many vodka shots.

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Easily one of the best dive bars on Colfax … if not Denver. It feels like it hasn’t changed in decades, with quirky red seats and mirrored walls.

There’s a mixture of equally quirky clientele, at that.

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THE KING OF THE POOL PARTY

IF YOU HAVEN’T MET CORKY BLANKENSHIP YET, PERHAPS HIS ANNUAL PRIDE POOL PARTY IS THE PERFECT PLACE Chris Arneson

Corky started the notoriously crazy-sexyfun party in his own backyard in 2008 with a few close friends, and the following year the turnout was well over 100. With attendance doubling each year, Corky decided to ask for donations and teamed with his friend Jimmy Martin to create the Corky Cares Foundation.

The numbers kept climbing, even with the expansion to a block party, so Corky’s party had to find a new home. Since 2013, the party has been held at the McNichols Building in Civic Center Park and the Warwick Hotel. However, both venues were unable to accommodate the event this year.

“To plan a gay pool party anywhere is a little tasking,” says Jimmy Martin, executive director for Corky Cares. “A lot of venues don’t want to take us on.”

Corky’s 8th Annual Pool Party has another new location this year — “Corky’s Corner” at the Wrangler parking lot. Jimmy says that while the event’s location is being provided by the bar, the party is a separate entity.

“The Wrangler has really stepped up a lot this year, including waiving a lot of their policies,” Jimmy explains. The bar has also offered many of their vendors and is providing porta potties.

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Despite the tension between the drag and trans communities, the Wrangler wants everyone to attend the party. Corky says one of the best parts of his Pride celebration is how it’s a mix of all parts of the gay community.

The party kicks off at 11:30am with VIP entry.

Everyone else is allowed in at noon. Festivities will continue until 4pm, so you’ve got plenty of time to get ready for the Pink Party or take a disco nap before Tracks.

There will two 58-inch round pools and a 30-foot pool, all of which will be filled with heated water. “We’re unofficially having a c*ck-and-balls-shaped pool,” Jimmy laughs.

Club Q from Colorado Springs is donating a 175-square-foot foam pit for the end of the longer pool, and 12,000 pounds of sand will provide a beachy atmosphere.

Funds from ticket sales will be evenly split between charities through the Corky Cares Foundation. This is the first year contributions will be made to charities that aren’t necessarily driven by the LGBT community but still offer support, Jimmy clarifies.

For example, Adaptive Adventures helps disabled war veterans participate in recreational activities. They have a special division for transgender vets who are making the transition and may have a few more issues to deal with.

Money will also be provided to several theater programs, the foundation’s AIDS Walk team, and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation.

In fact, Gaga’s foundation donated a number of signed collectables to be raffled at the party.

Commemorative shirts will be available for a $20 donation.

Jimmy says they’re hoping for attendance to be close to 2000 this year. Historically, turnout has doubled every year, so that number is on track.

In other words: Prepare for a huge crowd.

If you’re planning to attend the party, Jimmy cautions to bring sunscreen. Clothing checks will be available as well. If you forget to plan for a ride, Uber (a party sponsor) has partnered to offer a special pickup spot outside the venue.

An open bar sponsored by Stoli, Svedka, and Coors will be offered to all attendees, and the VIP area will include its own private bar.

Earlier this month, volunteers began ticket sales at local LGBT bars. If you plan to grab one that way, sellers will be wearing Corky Cares tanks.

Voted “Most Creative Fundraiser” in Out Front’s 2014 Outstanding Awards, entertainment includes an underwear/ bikini fashion show, drag performers, gogo dancers, and several DJs. Thousands of Corky’s infamous Jello shots will be available in every color of the rainbow.

Tickets for Corky’s Pool Party are also available online. General admission is $30 and VIP is $50.

VIP tickets include entry into an exclusive zone.

VIP cabanas for 10 people are $700 and include bottle service. The pool party usually sells out, but a limited number of tickets may be available at the door. CorkyCaresFoundation.org

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CLOSET PRIDE NOT EVERYONE WHO CELEBRATES PRIDE gets to be 100 percent proud. Trust me, I’ve been that guy.

Chris Arneson

What a conundrum, right? Pride has almost a Comic Con effect. For a weekend, you get to wear your costume and live a little fantasy. But in an age of social media and overshare, it gets tricky to celebrate on the DL.

friends, and I was ready to take another step. I lived a few blocks from X Bar at the time, so I’d occasionally wander over alone, be awkward for a bit, and go home feeling a rush of adrenaline and disappointment.

This will be my first Pride being out to my parents. (I’m 26.) Since I moved to Denver from Wyoming in 2012, it’s been a slow escape. Before I planned to move away from home, I’d never even considered embracing it.

When my parents drove past Beer Bust at the Wrangler, they commented on it. When they left town, I went to it. This secret double life was exhilarating but exhausting.

I’ve had my timeline review on Facebook for years. When I was tagged doing something gay, I would hide it. It was a terrifying way to live life.

Had I stayed in Wyoming, I probably would’ve been one of those guys who kept trying relationships with girls until I decided to marry.

Maybe have some kids. From what I knew of the older gay men in my town … that’s just what you did first.

I remember my first Pride was on Father’s Day weekend. It had been about a month since I’d started opening up about it to new Denver 32

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It’s not easy to be a new you. I felt ready, but it was all about timing. I’m not the kind of guy who wanted to kick off the closet door with a high heel and toss glitter. That wasn’t me. I wanted it to be just another thing.

My sister found out by accident. After she saw me in a musical, one of my friends ran up to me screaming, “YOU WERE SO STRAIGHT!” She took me to the side, we high-fived … everything was cool.

It was another year and a half before I got the guts to tell my parents. I only saw them on holidays mostly, and it felt so selfish to hijack a holiday.

Even in the most accepting families, there’s still a societal fear that everything will change when you come out.

”

And I wanted to have a real boyfriend first.

I told them while we shared beers on my roof deck … right before they saw me perform in a musical based on a porno. As you do. They’d unwittingly met my boyfriend in the last show I did. “Hey mom and dad, remember this guy?

We’re dating now.”

And that was it.

Not everyone has the kind of family life where you can tell them everything. I’m lucky I know now that I do. Even in the most accepting families, there’s still this societal fear that everything will change. Looking back, I don’t know why I ever felt that.

If I’ve learned anything, Pride should not be avoided simply because you’re not proud yet.

It’s an excellent place to discover yourself. To realize there’s a community where you can feel a bit more ... normal.

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PRIDE IS COMMUNITY David Duffield

Aaron B. Marcus, a researcher at History Colorado, wrote Pridefest: A History of Denver’s Gay Pride Celebration in Colorado Heritage Magazine May/June 2013.

The evolution of Pride in Denver marked a turning point after the 1973 rise of the Gay Coalition of Denver (GCD). After the GCD’s victories, among them overturning anti-gay laws, Marcus notes: “The time was right for Pride.”

1975 saw Gay Pride Week, the first “gay-in” attended by 50 people and monitored by police at Cheeseman Park.

“Another step in gay liberation” read the GCD newsletter. 1976 saw the first Gay Pride Parade, as hundreds of people marched from Cheesman Park to the Capitol for more festivities and a live show featuring Christi Layne.

1977, however, was more contentious. According to Marcus, Out Front noted that Gay Pride was a “reaffirmation of pride and dignity for all gays.”

The same article noted the first “Gay Day” at Elitch Gardens, and that letters to the editor showed that people felt unity and pride in their community. The so-called “Coors Controversy” also hit like a busted keg that year. Coors was in a long-lasting labor dispute both involving the Chicano and Gay communities. Coors was served at Pride and was also a sponsor, sparking some community ire. Upset with Coors’ labor practices — among past issues were lie-detector tests for communists — some activists tried to stop Coors beer from being served. Though they had written a letter of apology in Out Front, and 34

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their keg was smashed, Marcus notes that there were larger concerns. As Phil Price, founder and then-editor of Out Front stated, police would be back at the bars once the media went away to arrest people for things like standing up and drinking. Marcus concludes that activismthemed Pride continued through 1979, among them protests over the growing support for antigay sentiments from orange-juice spokeswoman Anita Bryant. More lesbians joined the parade and the community showed more unity and strength than ever before.

Pride meant something different to many people.

Tea Schook was born in Michigan and moved to Denver in 1975 after being a student at the University of Michigan. Inspired by the “Rocky Mountain High” mystique, Schook wanted to “take a walk on the wild side and find a job.” Her early memories of Pride abound with community.

“We owe the outcasts of our revolution,” she says. Schook liked “that we could all be part of it, because the sum of who we are is a great force for changing the world.” Her first Pride was around 1976 and she remembers it being a “little parade.”

By 1978, Schook was the youngest member elected to the Center’s board. Just 21, one of her first jobs was to get the word out about the Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire (ICRME) who largely supported the festival. She remembers the 1977 Coors Controversy, and says women were tired of the parade being mostly about gay men. Women — many of them feminists — also wanted the parade to be a protest. Others simply wanted a parade.

“We all came together in the end,” she says.

For Chris Sloane (aka Christi Layne), early Pride events were political, but circumscribed by naiveté.

”

Some of her favorite memories of Pride include PFLAG making headway in 1989, ICRME, and Mayor Pena (among others) who really revitalized Pride. A year later, Tea ran for governor against incumbent Roy Romer. “I got him to speak to [the community]” she notes, making Romer the first governor to speak at Pride after the election. Schook says that he spoke about his understanding and evolution to being an ally stemming from his time during Selma in the Civil Rights era.

“It was a symbolic moment for our state,” she says. Schook admits to having no ‘worst memory’ about Pride. “It was about being with your own. There’s a euphoria, like a second adolescence when you come out [and share] that experience with people.”

She recalls the GLBT community having a denial complex over the question of whether or not we were too sexual. “We are a sexual people” Schook says, adding that we’re “not defined but embraced by our sexuality, and to ignore that is to ignore the breadth of our human experience.”

For Chris Sloane (aka Christi Layne), Pride was political but circumscribed by naiveté. Sloane was the person to get the permit for the Parade for the Tobie Foundation, among the first Pride coordinators, and an Empress of ICRME. Sloane

remembers a presentation about Pride in a poem, Spare Some Change for a Dying Queen

by Jimmy Centola which plays up to the kitsch, prejudice, and debt Pride and gay liberation owe to drag queens. “I remember the first march over Colfax, seeing everybody in force for the first time.”

Sloane remembers this profound naiveté about what gay liberation meant. “Our knowledge was limited, our publications were gossip sheets, and if we had to articulate what it meant to be treated equally, we would have to go searching for answers.” Sloane remembers that the first Pride was like “strength in numbers, seeing we weren’t standing in a storm all alone.” Sloane recalls a “men vs. women” thing in the early years, and that no one was willing to work on it. “That journey was a lot more difficult than people know.”

Sloane’s best memory comes from 1976: “As we arrived in Civic Center, we turned to see who had gathered — hundreds and hundreds and hundreds, as far as you could see back up Colfax, there were people.” Most were cheering, laughing, dancing, “holding hands and each other. We were a community.” Sloane concluded that “the blessing of pride is ongoing each year [that] we renew our dedication to being who we are. In the promise of Pride is a commitment to learning about our complex diversity. Pride is and always will be a work in progress.”

For Donaciano Martinez, who moved to Denver in 1975, Pride has changed a lot over time. He said he came as a representative of the Colorado Springs Gay Liberation Front in 1969. He remembered that “in the days before AIDS, [Cheesman] Park was always packed on the weekends,” and that in 1975, there were “no speeches, no banners, and no leaflets. With the use of a simple magic marker, the words ‘Gay and Proud’ were handwritten on poster boards that were stapled to tables.” He recalls a distrust between gay men and lesbians in those years, though this changed by the late 70s. He

also says many gays and lesbians had been marching in anti-war demonstrations since 1971 shouting loudly: “Out of the Closets and into the Streets.”

Martinez recalls the Coors event of 1977, observing that “irreconcilable differences” escalated to the physical confrontation over the keg, which led in part to controversies about the Center’s board thereafter.

Martinez also remembers that Pride 1978 was co-organized by lesbian activists and gay men, and that the lesbians wanted the drag queens to march in high heels the whole way, so they’d know what it felt like to be a woman.

“Whenever asked how Pride events have changed,” Martinez says, “my instant response is that the event is more expensive.”

He believes that marchers shouldn’t be charged. Regardless, Martinez notes that organizers should “revisit the principles that were brought to the table by [our] foremothers and forefathers.”

Aaron Marcus does an excellent job describing the history of Pride. He notes that attendance dropped in the 1980s just as HIV/AIDS hit the community hardest. By 1987, there were just a few hundred people versus the thousand at the beginning of the decade. By 1989, due to organizational problems, there were only 250 people. Gay Pride, as Tea Schook recalled, was saved “by everyone coming together.” According to Marcus, it was also rebranded “PrideFest” in 1990. Amendment 2 rallied people into the streets in 1992, as numbers grew by the thousands. By 1994, there were 40,000 people, and 60,000 by 1996. That year also saw the end of Amendment 2, and more corporate sponsorship with more than 220 businesses and booths. By 2001, the Two-Spirit Society were grand marshals, and by 2003 more than 100,000 people attended, and families got their own day. By 2013, civil unions were sealed

Upset with Coors’ labor practices — among past issues were liedetector tests for communists — some activists tried to stop Coors beer from being served.

”

and equality measurable as attendance reached more than 300,000.

Paul Hunter, a leader and activist in Denver, once said: “If we come out, and stay out, express ourselves and our love for one another, cease damning those creative energies which we — like all humans — have, the city of Denver will be better for it.” Marcus concluded: “Two persistent themes have defined PrideFest throughout its existence in Denver: visibility and unity.”

As always, our pride is community.

The Colorado LGBT History Project invites you to share your stories, documents, photos, and memories of Pride. We offer oral histories, help get your documents into archives, and educate the public. ColoradroLGBTHistory@gmail.com

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OUR STORY:

A CURIOUS AND FASCINATING TIMELINE OF LGBT DENVER Berlin Sylvestre

The year was 1858: Prospectors from Georgia crossed the

Colorado Territory and literally struck gold at the base of the Rockies. In short order, the dusty trails of a barely-sought region became the feverishly traveled roads of a Gold Rush frenzy.

Teepees and tents that were slapped together gave way to shoddy lean-tos which gave way to buildings that marked the makings of a small boomtown. General William H. Larimer staked flags along Cherry Creek’s eastern side and began his version of urban development. In an effort to curry political favor, he named the land Denver, after the governor of the neighboring Kansas Territory, James Denver.

Couple the Civil War and battles with Native Americans with rampant fires and flash floods that nearly obliterated the city, and you get an idea of the hardships Denver faced the next few decades. But like any grizzled company of Americans, the boots were dusted off, the horses were remounted, and it was onward prosperity into the future we see today.

But when did we — the LGBT community — start our movement?

Who were our pioneers and what sorts of setbacks did we face? For the answers, Out Front combed the history books, but admittedly found very little about the LGBT community. In fact, there was almost nothing at the public library. Lucky for us — and the region as a whole — the enormous body of work that Out Front Magazine’s forebears archived for the community are kept safe for reverence and posterity.

But how, in such a short amount of space, could we possibly fit nearly 40 years’ worth of archived LGBT goodness without skipping over pivotal turning points in our history? Even if we chose one event from each year since Out Front began, we’d have a tough time paying true homage to each historical event. Our task was a daunting one, indeed. As such, we decided to chat with some locals who lived through the days when the word ‘gay’ was practically profanity and devise a timeline of events they felt most notable.

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“The best way to visualize the progression of our history is to think of it in waves,” advises Phil Nash, longtime Denver resident and first director of the GLBT Center. As it turns out, it is easier to tell the story that way. So without further ado, we present: Out Front’s LGBT history of Denver and surrounding.

1860s: In spite of a population of 4800, Denver has no churches, schools, hospitals, libraries, or banks. What it does have? 35 saloons where “loose morals and same-sex bondings” are the norm. The town reportedly has a few “ladies of the night” in a red-light district of its own. My my, Denver. Weren’t you an oasis for the weary traveler?

Moses Home is a possibly gay bar in the settler days. A local newspaper reports that a man left the saloon to commit a “crime against nature” with another man he met there.

1889:

The Denver Times tells the story of two women — postmistress Miss Clara Dietrich and Miss Ora Chatfield — whose passionate letters were discovered, only to have their families attempt to keep them apart. Undeterred, they eloped.

1899: Citizens of Denver read of denizen W.H. Billings, who left his wife to be with his lover, saloon entertainer Charles Edwards. The scandal!

1914: “Homosexuality in Men and Women” is published, regaling readers with a report from a gay Denver professor that the city’s underground gay network was alive and kicking — especially at the university. The prof curiously listed the occupations of some of his gay colleagues: “five musicians, three teachers, three art dealers, one minister, one judge, two actors, one florist, and one women’s tailor.” He goes on to describe parties thrown by a “young artist of exquisite taste and a noble turn of mind” that

many gays in Denver attended — some in drag. In contrast, the professor also tells the story of an engineering student who, after being busted “carrying on with the boys in the YMCA building,” felt such shame at his arrest that he shot and killed himself.

1939: Denver’s first gay bar, The Pit, opens.

WWII: With the men off to war and the women left at home, same-sex bonding was a requirement. For gays and lesbians, the war made it easy to find and identify one another. It’s noted by a local historian that small groups of airmen from Lowry AFB transformed Mary’s Tavern on Broadway into a gay bar.

At attention, indeed.

haven for women in need of support groups, a place for artistic expression, and a lesbian-friendly library.

1972: Colorado becomes the third state in the nation to repeal sodomy laws.

The Gay Coalition of Denver, the city’s first gay liberation group, is founded in an apartment by five members.

1973: Angered by the 214 “lewd offer” arrests of gay men, the Gay Coalition of Denver manages to pack city hall with protesters.

36 brave souls stood before the crowd and gave impassioned speeches concerning their rights to freedom and happiness as gay citizens of Colorado.

1959: Activist-led homophile organization The Mattachine Society 1974: The efforts put forth by the Gay Coalition of Denver leads settles a chapter in Denver years earlier, but holds its first convention out of New York and California in — you guessed it — Denver. This is where many believe Denver was put on the proverbial Big Gay Map. After the local media cover the convention, police crack down on openly gay members of the society by raiding their homes and imprisoning them. The Denver police arrest Carl Harding, one of local Mattachine’s founders, for the possession of obscene (nude, male) photography. The society’s mailing lists are also confiscated. Some of the outed members are fired from their places of business; others stop attending Mattachine meetings and events, effectively dismantling the group. Gay activism in Denver has a sustained period of lights out.

1970s: Fresh on the heels of the Stonewall Riots in NYC, Denver’s enthusiasm to fight the man rushes in anew. The community bands together in the form of activism and community, but pays gives particular attention to the creation of the gay and lesbian publication. As well, bookstores such as the Woman to Woman Feminist Center and the Woman’s Voice provides a safe

to the successful repeals of four city ordinances: Lewd Act, Loitering for Sexual Deviant Purposes, Renting a Room for Sexual Deviant Purposes, and an Anti-Drag law. A lawsuit filed with the city results in a major win for Denver’s gays and lesbians. The final verdict declares acts that are legal between heterosexual couples just as legal for homosexual couples.

The First Metropolitan Community Church is established, providing a welcoming home of worship to the gays and lesbians of Denver. Gay Coalition of Denver works with Denver’s City Council to abolish anti-gay laws. Big Mama Rag, a feminist lesbian news journal, is created.

The Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire forms, giving gays and lesbians a fun way to raise money for charitable organizations.

Mid-1970s: Capitol Hill emerges as Denver’s premiere gay-

borhood. Cheesman Park hunkers down as “the gay park,” and is the site of the first gay pride rally — or “gay-in” — as it was called back in good ol’ ’74.

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1975: Clela Rorex issues first same-sex marriage licenses to a gay male couple, inciting hate-filled phone calls and death threats to her home.

1976: Out Front Magazine launches and remains, to this day, the third oldest LGBT publication in the United States. Thanks, Colorado!

1977: Former Miss Oklahoma and Florida Citrus Commission spokeswoman Anita Bryant becomes the face of “Save Our Children,” a conservative Christian organization with staunch beliefs regarding homosexuality’s inherent “sinfulness,” the perceived threat of pedophilia, and the “gay recruitment” of children. “Save Our Children,” based in Dade County, FL, manages to dismantle a new ordinance by the city that makes discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal. The ordinance is repealed, much to Bryant’s satisfaction, and discrimination is back on the books. Gay bars across the country, however, boycott orange juice and make vodka and apple juice drinks called the Anita Bryant. Proceeds of the sales go to gay civil rights activists who are fighting Bryant’s initiatives, now on the move across the nation.

resembles the closeted ’50s culture that has no place for the gay and lesbian movement. At the same time, a relatively unknown disease winds its nasty, virulent links around the gay community prompting a quiet panic. A group of Denverites meet to discuss the growing concern. From the meetings, the Colorado AIDS Project is formed. With humble roots, the organization manages a food pantry, case management, and a buddy program to those with HIV/AIDS. Today, the Colorado AIDS Project is the largest AIDS service organization in the Rocky Mountain region.

1982: The Colorado Gay Rodeo Association is formed, and the very first rootin’-est, tootin’-est gay rodeo is hosted in Denver.

1983: The gay and lesbian community mobilizes to elect Federico Peña, Denver’s first Latino mayor and a fierce ally to the community.

Peña takes strong stances on anti-discrimination issues for gays, including zoning laws that weren’t favorable toward unmarried occupants living under one roof. (Since gay marriage wasnot an option, same-sex couples were in violation of some pretty gnarly Denver zoning laws that were enacted under the apparent guise of being “family-friendly.”)

1978: David A. Noebel of the Summit Ministries of Colorado publishes 1984: Ryan White, a 13-year-old hemophiliac, is diagnosed with “The Homosexual Revolution,” and dedicates it to Anita Bryant.

Early 1980s: During the Reagan era, America sees a more conservative shift in politics and to a time that more closely 38

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AIDS, taking the issue out of the sole realm of the gay community to the realm of humanity at large. No longer able to ignore pleas for assistance, the government sets aside more funding for HIV/ AIDS research and resources.

Late 1980s: A push for public policy changes regarding LGBT issues — with a heavy emphasis on HIV/AIDS — emerges.

1990: Denver becomes one of the first municipalities in the nation to adopt an anti-discrimination policy including gay and lesbians.

and bisexuals, nagging questions pervade everyday life: did the kindly person who just gave me her parking place vote for Amendment 2? Did my landlord vote for the amendment, knowing that I am gay? Will gay rights be pushed back to the days before Stonewall? Who or what is behind this hate?

1991: Denver voters supported the anti-discrimination policy Late 1990s: The community becomes distinctly aware that despite opponents trying to overturn it at the ballot.

Beloved basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jr. holds a press conference to announce that he is HIVpositive, raising the public discourse on the disease to new heights.

it’s under direct and active attack from the religious right. The new trajectory for LGBT advocates becomes the prevention of discriminatory laws (think same-sex adoption and marriage, to start) and the overturning of extant anti-LGBT legislation. The Center’s account is nearly drained fighting a slew of political battles and, according to Phil Nash, the organization “nearly died.”

1992: Voters approve Amendment 2, preventing any city, town, 2001: The state passes a hate-crimes law, providing protection or county in Colorado from taking any legislative, executive, or judicial action to recognize gay and lesbian individuals as a protected class. The legislation passes with 53 percent of Coloradans voting in favor.

1994: Denver businessman Tim Gill creates the Gill Foundation, an organization to advance LGBT rights through charity and education.

1996: The U.S. Supreme Court hears the case on Amendment 2. Dubbed Romer v. Evans, the amendment is ruled unconstitutional, sending shockwaves of relief and celebration throughout our community.

From the March edition of The Public Eye Magazine: An eerie unease hangs in the air in Colorado. For lesbians, gay men,

based on both sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

2006: Amendment 43 passes, adding a new section to the Colorado Constitution that defines marriage in the state as only a union between one man and one woman. It passes with 56% of the vote.

2007: Governor Bill Ritter signs a bill into law allowing unmarried couples to adopt each others’ children, thereby granting same-sex couples the ability to take on the legal rights of being a parent.

Now, children of LGBT couples can have two legal parents. As well, he expands the Employment Nondiscrimination Act to add protections for sexual orientation, including transgender status.

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2008: Governor Ritter signs the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, 2013: Colorado adopts the Colorado Civil Union Act establishing providing protections for LGBT people in the areas of housing and public accommodations.

2009: The Designated Beneficiaries law is enacted, allowing same-sex couples the benefit of insurance, inheritance, hospital visitations, funeral arrangements, death benefits, and other important legal matters.

Thought to be “the first [case] in which a hate-crimes law was applied in a murder trial where the victim was transgender,” a Greeley jury convicts a man of first-degree murder, finding it a hate-crime under state law.

Pat Steadman is appointed to the Colorado Senate, one of eight openly LGBT members of the Senate. A longtime advocate for gay rights, Senator Steadman is instrumental in the push for same-sex civil unions, introducing the bill two years after his official appointment.

2010: The GLBT Community Center of Colorado, which produces PrideFest — Denver’s version of the Gay Pride festivals seen in other cities around the word — adds a second day of festivities.

2012: Denver PrideFest ranks third largest in America!

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relationship recognition for same-sex couples. As well, Colorado welcomes Speaker of the House Mark Ferrandino, who is openly gay — a first for the state!

2014: The 10

th Circuit Court of Appeals rules same-sex marriage bans in Utah and Oklahoma unconstitutional, prompting cheers from the gay and lesbian community in Colorado, which is also under the 10th Circuit’s jurisdiction. Boulder County Clerk and Recorder Hillary Hall issues more than 200 marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Colorado’s Supreme Court orders Hall to stop to the issuances immediately, citing that it will hear the cases at a later date.

NATURALLY, WE COULDN’T COVER EVERY IMPORTANT LGBT EVENT IN A SINGLE ISSUE — THE SPACE JUST ISN’T THERE. HOWEVER, WE HOPE THAT ANY GAPS OR CORRECTIONS THAT MIGHT NEED ATTENTION WILL WARRANT A LETTER TO OUR OFFICE, SO THAT WE MIGHT PRINT AN ONLINE UPDATE. MANY THANKS TO PHIL NASH FOR HIS BRILLIANT STORYTELLING AND INSIGHT DURING THE BRAINSTORM FOR THIS PIECE.

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CA L ENDA R

BROUGH T TO YOU BY T HE DENVER GAY & L ES B IAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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Beginning with a pre-party brunch at 10am, the march is followed by a rally and a show at 1pm. Then at 4pm, march down Colfax to where all the action is at C.C. Park. Register your motorcycles in advance online.

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CLIMAX PRIDE PARTY MONTHLY BREAKFAST SERIES An exciting and informational breakfast with a breakfast buffet and featured speaker.

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J U N E 1 7, 2 0 1 5

BIG GAY 5K @ CI VI C CENT ER PARK • 10AM Join in the fun and run, walk, or wheeze your way through the city. Start at Civic Center Park at 10am and cross the finish line at Cheesman Park uptown in this timed race. Register online. GLBTColorado. org/PrideFest

@ CLU B VINYL • 6 PM End Pride 2015 with music from Nina Flowers, DJ Tatiana, DJ Erez Ben Ishay, and Brazil’s O’Halley Brothers. Get your camera ready to snap a few pics with adult film stars Billy Santoro and Boomer Banks.

There’s sure to be plenty of room to cut loose on Vinyl’s four dance floors. Tickets $20 for 18+ and $10 for $21+. ClubVinyl.co

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PRIDE DAY CELEBRATION BASH @ B OYZTOWN • 10 PM If you’ve got a coupla dollas taking up space in your wallet or pocket, why not stuff them down the underwear of a hip-grindin’, pelvic-thrustin’, halfnaked dancer who knows his way around a pole?

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DGLFFL CHAMPIONSHIP The Denver Gay and Lesbian Flag Football League’s spring championship game was held on May 31 at Garfield Lake Park. After a hard fought and sometimes damp season, the Blue Abyss and Gold Diggers battled it out under sunny skies for the championship trophy. Congratulations to the Gold Diggers, the 2015 Spring Champs! The post-season celebration was held at Charlie’s.

Photo by Charles Broshous

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TH E OUTFIELD

DON’T HATE THE PLAYER A HOME RUN IN THE net equals seven points across the ice, with a free throw rounding second base, sliding into a touchdown over a penalty box, and swooshing into nuttin’ but GOOOAL. That’s how spor ts work, right? (Not quite, I’m told.)

Anything that challenges traditional forms of masculinity has a history of being perceived as threatening to the nature of major league sports.

”

Stefanie Cochrane

The rules of sports are tricky, but they can be learned with ample study and application (and plenty of chicken wings). What can’t be found in any rulebook are the mentalities and attitudes that are just as pervasive on the playing fields as sweat and jerseys.

Our four major sports leagues — the MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL — have become more than sources of recreation and competition. These allAmerican pastimes are social institutions, with players and their respective organizations’ behaviors setting the example for millions of fans. Much of this behavior has been positive. Pro players didn’t get to the bigs without ambition, hard work, talent, and a sense of camaraderie. These are the qualities to admire. They’ve given millions of dollars to charities and raised awareness on a number of social issues, which, given the extreme megaphone at their disposal, is certainly meaningful. They’ve given us family traditions and pride, Prince’s halftime show, and Tom Brady’s beard line (page me, Tom!).

But there’s also a dark cloud that looms over the machismo-laden leagues that range from the subtle to the very explosive, read: punch-out in an elevator shaft. Anything that challenges traditional forms of masculinity 48

J U N E 1 7, 2 0 1 5

has a history of being perceived as threatening to the nature of major league sports. Athletes are often valued for their aggression and tolerance, and compassion may fall to the wayside because of it.

LGBT athletes have had a difficult run around the bases, so to speak, in order to find home in a team. In recent news, positive steps have been made by the major leagues to be more inclusive of our gay brothers — and sisters, WNBA, yass! — though this progress has been slow going and changes have been seemingly superficial at times.

BILLY BEAN

Not to be confused with that movie you saw that one time with Brad Pitt about a guy named Billy Beane-e-e-e. Our Billy Bean played professional baseball until suddenly retiring in 1995. Four years later, Billy publicaly came out and was vocal about his closeting being a direct factor in his decision to leave the league. Fifteen (count ’em!) years after that, Billy was appointed the MLB’s first Ambassador for Inclusion, a position designed to guide and educate sexism, homophobia, and prejudice within the MLB community. “If there would have been someone in the position that I’m

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now in when I was playing, I would not have quit. I would have reached out to somebody. And that’s a difference,” Billy said after the announcement.

Billy’s new position is certainly a giant leap in the right direction for acceptance, though this is one aspect of the game that’s incredibly hard to measure. These are not pop flys or curve balls being taught, but instead require a complete relearning of what it means to be a good sportsman.

JASON COLLINS

Jason, the first active and out player in any major league’s history, is a former NBA player with an impressive career that spanned 13 seasons on eight teams. If you didn’t play with him, one of your teammates certainly did. Jason came out to the world in a self-penned article on SI.com that dropped in April of 2013, after the season had ended. “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center,” he began the groundbreaking announcement, then: “I’m black. And I’m gay.” He was met with support from fans and players alike for his courage, though muted locker-room biases may have cut his career short. He became a free agent in July of that year and was not invited to any training camps. Coinkydink? Maybe. In February, he signed to the Brooklyn Nets and finished the season out and his number 98 jersey became the number-one-selling jersey of that season, 98 chosen by Jason in memory of Matthew Shepard. Jason officially retired in November of 2014 and left a permanent mark on the league. He has set a new standard of what strength means as an athlete. The guy is 7 feet tall and has shattered gay stereotypes just as swiftly as he could dunk a basketball. Though the league has not exactly made the strides that the MLB has put forward, the doors have been opened and that’s something to cheer for.

MICHAEL SAM

You may remember Michael Sam from the celebratory kiss seen round the world’s arenas when he planted one on his long time boyfriend on live TV after being drafted by the NFL. He became the first openly gay football player in the league’s history, following Jason Collins’ example and shining a light for LGBT athletes everywhere. But let’s start from the beginning. Michael was an all-American player at Mizzou and was named the AP’s defensive player of the year in the SEC. If that sounds impressive, it’s because it is. Michael came out just before the NFL draft season, which resulted in media headlines and much speculation on his chances in the draft after the announcement. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the 249 pick, just seven drafts from the final selection and a far fall for a player with his stats. “Every team that passed me, I was thinking about how I’m going to sack their quarterback,” he later said.

Isn’t that the kind of rough and tumble determination you want on the field and not on the sidelines? Michael played in the preseason, but was cut to make room for another player. The Dallas Cowboys signed him to their practice squad later that year, but eventually waived. He remained in the public eye as a positive and affective role model for the LGBT community, being named one of GQ’s Men of the Year, danced those hams out on Dancing with the Stars, and got engaged in January of this year to aforementioned boyfriend (congrats, y’all!). On May 22, he signed a two-year contract with the Montreal Alouettes and is currently practicing to be a defensive lightning bolt in the Canadian Football League. Time will tell, but perhaps the NFL will see what they’ve been missing out by casting off Michael Sam.

These athletes have been integral players in the movement toward LGBT acceptance on a national sporting level. The point of equality is that hopefully these men will be remembered in sports for their talent and heart — not just their statuses as gay athletes. For now, someone must lead the way and these men have shared their truths with courage and are exceptional examples for players everywhere. What our great pastimes need are attitudinal shifts in the subtle hostilities of sports culture that will ultimately lead to more acceptance on and off the field. We can learn how to play the game, but we must learn to do it the right way. Period.

Home run. You get the idea.

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ART FOR LIFE Art for Life, an evening of fine art, delicious food, and beverages was held at Abend Gallery on May 29.

More than 100 pieces of art by well-known local and national artists were auctioned off to benefit Project Angel Heart. Project Angel Heart delivers free, nutritious meals to those coping with life-threatening illnesses.

For more information about volunteering or to donate, visit ProjectAngelHeart.org.

Photo by Charles Broshous

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BAR TAB

THE HOTTEST DENVER NIGHTLIFE

AQUA LOUNGE

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4501 E. Virginia Ave., Denver (303) 388-8889 facebook.com/elpotreroclub

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475 Santa Fe, Denver (303) 778-0545 facebook.com/BarkerLounge

700 E. 17 th Ave., Denver (303) 832-1333 hamburgermarys.com/denver

BARRICUDA'S

MANIC MONDAYS Happy Hour from open to close. Karaoke @ 9pm with Allison

B LACK CROWN 1446 S. Broadway, Denver (720) 353-4701 blackcrownlounge.com

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CHARL IE 'S ® 900 E. Colfax Ave., Denver (303) 839-8890 charliesdenver.com DAILY SPECIALS Open–close: $3 domestic mini-pitchers (32-oz.)

11am–7pm: $3 wells, $3 domestics, and $4 u-calls. 8–10pm: $5 PB&J drink & shot special THURSDAYS 2-4-1 drinks from 7pm–close FRIDAYS $3 Absolut from 9pm–close SATURDAYS $3 Svedka (all flavors) from 9pm–close SUNDAYS Svedka and well liquor bust from 4–8pm. Drag Divas: show starts at 9pm, $5 big pitchers

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ASK A SLUT [WARNING: GRAPHIC]

I keep seeing all the hubbub about Pride month. We go to the parade, we go to the parties — it’s so busy and crazy.

What is Pride all about, other than the awesome parties?

Signed,

GAYZED AND CONFUSED Bea: Awww, crack open a book! Everyone knows it’s about our independence from Canada. It’s because of the big war and stuff.

Geez, you don’t know nothing!

Latexa: I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but: Do not be a homewrecker! I love many of my married friends, but I don’t act on it. I’d rather have a dear friend than be known as that spouse-stealing Jezebel. Now if they swing, that’s a little different — it’s okay to be a marital aid!

Cookie: Yeah, threesomes! The more the merrier, I say. Schools of fish are much more fun to watch anyway. Remember having one goldfish as a kid? Boring! Two was eh. But a whole tank full?

That’s a party. You should ask! The worst that could happen is she turns into a betta fish and eats you.

Zoey: I always thought Pride was about drinking and finding a new boyfriend for the year. Next year you trade up.

Latexa: Oh, children! After the Stonewall Riots (look it up) in June of 1969, many LGBT people were inspired to fight for the cause. LGBT people began organizing, protesting, and mobilizing for LGBT rights. It may look like a party — cuz we are fabulous — but it’s actually a friendly protest march . The more you know.

Cookie: It’s about letting your freak flag fly. Be aloud and proud.

It is all about squinking out the ’nillas. The quicker you can get them to cover their conservative eyes, the more you let them know that we are here to stay.

I’m in love with best girlfriend’s wife. We spend a lot of time together. Should I say anything to them? We’ve been friends for a long time.

Signed,

IN LOVE WITH ANOTHER MUFF Bea: If you get really drunk then put the moves on her, you always have an excuse. “I was drunk, I don’t remember that.”

That’s how I see Zoey do it ALL the time.

Zoey: Say what? I rented a U-Haul for next weekend. Wanna be in a threesome?

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I’ve been spending a lot more time at the gym, and have noticed how fragrant some guys can be. Why do some guys smell so good when they sweat when others stink?

Signed,

SCENTSATION TITILLATION Bea: Okay, admit it — it’s your pits. I tease. I’m so glad you’re back at the gym, gurl! I find that when I have someone spotting for me, my nose is somewhere else for a much nicer smell.

Whoops! I mean: I was drunk, I don’t remember ever doing that!

Zoey: I could go the whole chemistry route, but it’s really the cheap after-shave some guys use after shaving their balls.

Latexa: It’s science! Those you like the smell of are probably very compatible with you. Be warned: Many guys hide their particular order to mask their stink of stale cigarette smoke, vodka, and desperation. You probably want to avoid people who smell like this, which are usually drag queens. Just sayin’.

Cookie: Shiny, sweaty new things are always interesting at first, but wait til you see what they’re really like: musty and dirty and smelly. The best thing you can do is take them into the shower and scrub them down with soap so you can take them home and get them sweaty where it matters.

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BOOTS N BOXERS Working Wet, the Krewe of Chaos’ 8th annual charity underwear auction was held at the EXDO Event Center on May 30th. Thirty local models and community members donned donated skivvies to wear across the catwalk. The highest bidder got a private peek as the garments were removed behind a silhouette screen. The Krewe of Chaos is a charitable group of volunteers dedicated to producing fun, innovative, and highly profitable fundraising events of the highest quality to benefit charities of interest to their members and to be an example to other organizations.

Photos by Charles Broshous

WIN E A ND DINE DJ’s 9th Avenue Cafe DJ’S 9TH AVENUE CAFE 865 Lincoln St. Denver • 303.386.3375 DjsCafe.biz 56

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HAMBURGER MARY’S 700 East 17th Ave. Denver • 303.832.1333 HamburgerMarys.com/denver

Pridefest 2015 starts with SpiritFEST 2015 Metropolitan Community Church of the Rockies www.mccrockies.org First Unitarian Society of Denver www.fusden.org Sixth Avenue United Church of Christ www.sixthavenueucc.org First Baptist Church of Denver www.fbcdenver.org Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church www.ppmcc.org Celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, HIV, Queer identity and spirituality with our Straight allies, families, and friends.

With song, prayer, testimonies, candle lighting, and a call to action.

Friday, June 19, 6:30 p.m.

First Baptist Church at 1373 Grant Street in Downtown Denver Across from the State Capitol Building For more information contact: Rev. Brian Henderson, minister@fbcdenver.org or Rev. Jim Mitulski, revmitulski@gmail.com OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

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H EA LTH

I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SUNBURNED SKIN IF YOU EVER TRY TO persuade someone to move to

Denver, you’ll more than likely mention the generous amount of sunshine we receive. Rather than a reason to move to the Mile High City and spend more time outside, all of that sun could be a good reason for you and new residents to spend more time inside.

Ample sunshine and our elevation have combined to make Colorado a leading state when it comes to skin cancer, and with the summer season approaching, you’ll want to lear n how to protect yourself and your skin the right way.

O’Brian Gunn

PREP BEFORE YOU STEP When you plan on spending the day outside, be sure you wear sun-protective clothing that comes with a UPF label, which stands for “ultraviolet protection factor.” A UPF rating of at least 30 is sure to provide you with adequate protection.

You should also opt for blue jeans and lightercolored clothing that reflects sunlight. The more skin you cover, the better protected you are.

It’s also a good idea to put on sunscreen before you go outside and reapply it every two hours or more if you swim or sweat. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30, which can keep out about 97 percent of ultraviolet B rays.

Keep in mind that just because you’re wearing sunscreen doesn’t mean you’re safe from the sun’s more harmful rays. Not only do you have to worry about ultraviolet A rays, which can penetrate the skin more deeply, but sunscreen 58

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only prolongs how long it takes for your skin to start burning.

FISH ARE JUMPIN’, AND THE CANCER RATES ARE HIGH If you’re outside between the hours of 10am and 4pm, seek out some shade to stay protected or carry a sun umbrella. The sun’s rays are the angriest and strongest during these hours, and it’s best that you plan your yardwork and exercise either early in the morning or during the afternoon. For those times when you’re exposed to the sun, grab some shade whenever you feel or see your skin getting red.

GET OUT OF THAT BED! Not even your beloved tanning bed is safe from the sun’s cancerous wrath. Some of the new sunlamps tanning salons use actually give off more UV rays than the sun. Overexposure can

There’s nothing like the feeling and warmth of the sun on your skin, but that sensation can come at a potentially deadly price.

Protect yourself.

”

damage and mutate your DNA, and that rich tan you love is just your skin attempting to prevent further damage.

If it’s vitamin D you need, there are more and healthier sources than the sun. Try taking a supplement or eating fish, fortified milk, or a glass of liquid sunshine (orange juice) to get your fix.

CHECK YOURSELF Examine every inch of your skin once a month for signs of skin cancer. Inspect your body in a full-length mirror, making sure you check your nails, elbows, hands, torso, underarms, and trunk. To check your back and other difficult-tosee areas, turn your back to the mirror and use a hand mirror. Potential signs of cancer include: • Open sores that don’t heal.

• Skin growths, beauty marks, moles, and brown spots that appear after the age of 21, increase in size, change color, or change in texture.

There’s nothing like the feeling and warmth of the sun on your skin, but that sensation can come at a potentially deadly price. Protect yourself and your health and use caution when having fun in the sun this Pride season.

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H EA LT H

ON “DAD BODS” AND BEARS Kelsey Lindsey

IT’S TIME, LADIES AND GENTLEMAN. Time to address the “dad bod.” I couldn’t escape this trend any longer, one that cornered me with every think-piece and listical of somewhat paunchy male celebrities in swimsuits. The only question that I have is why? Why the fixation?

Is this psychological, a way for the mostly-straight girls perpetuating the trend to fulfill some deep, Freudian desire?

Or is this a defensive mechanism, a way for men to get a break from the gym and spend their afternoons in guilt-free bliss, beer and pizza in hand?

But most importantly, why now?

Framing it from a gay perspective, this “breakthrough” way of thinking seems somewhat outdated.

What took so long for us as a society to finally shift our gaze to the male physique? And even then, we give it a happy, be-yourself mantra so often left out of society’s description of the ideal womanly body. While it took years for a visible counterculture to arise to the stick-thin supermodel expectations for women in years past, society as a whole seemed to leapfrog over those societal pressures for men.

Saying this, I do know that gay culture often has rigid expectations for the male body. Gay men — at least gay men siloed into the sometimes-uncreative groups of gay society — have seen pressures in the past to, at the very least, look good with your shirt off.

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But enter the Bear, and this expectation, perhaps a prelude to the dad bod, was suddenly softened.

Accepting of average-to-overweight men, fuzzy bellies, and overall paunch, Bears have been proudly showing off their hairy chests and groomed mane with gusto for years.

While still affixed with their own stereotypes and expectations, bears gave these “dad bod” dudes a pass at the perfect body well before the female college student that coined the term was even born.

So why did it take the rest of the society years to catch up to this manloving acceptance? That’s a loaded question, one that would probably require some deep sociological investigation and study.

I’ll offer my hypothesis, albeit with the precursor that it comes as a pure guess: Perhaps because gay people were already societal outliers, it was easier to be yourself as part of the gay crew.

While you’ll find judgment in any crowd, the term “dad bod” wasn’t needed, seeing that gay culture had already accepted this body type years ago. Like up-and-coming neighborhoods and the best clubs, the gays got to the dad bod first.

Time will only tell if they hang onto it.

WRANGLER BEER BUST The Wrangler’s Legendary Beer Bust on May 31 benefitted the Sunday Afternoon Car Klub. SACK, one of the oldest LGBT car clubs in the United States is celebrating their 30th anniversary. Beer Bust is held at the Wrangler every Sunday from 4pm to 8pm. Pay $10 for a bottomless cup of Coors Light and help out a different charity each week.

Photo by Charles Broshous

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H EA LTH

COME OUT AND PLAY IN THE MILE HIGH CITY AS ANCIENT LEGEND HAS IT, Denver gets 300 days of

sunshine ever y year. There’s no shor tage of awesome outdoor activities to enjoy during your visit. However, if the past month is any indication, we’ll all be underwater by next Tuesday. Either way, we’ve got you covered with some of our favorite ways to get fit or get a tan (don’t forget that SPF! We’re a MILE UP, you guys!) around town.

Jogging around the park is nice and all, but Denver offers way more intense and awesome ways to break a sweat.

Such as ...

”

Stefanie Cochrane

KINDNESS YOGA CAPITOL HILL

DENVER CRUISER RIDE

1280 Sherman Street #206 Classes at Kindness start early and the studio’s close to Civic Center Park. You might wanna get your chi aligned before you party into the wee hours of the night. KindnessCollective.com

Every Wednesday Throw on your best sparkles, superhero suits, wigs, and bedazzled helmets and join up with the locals to ride through our city. Each week has a different starting location and theme, but one thing remains the same: letting your freak flag fly! Check their website, DenverCruiserRide. com, for more info.

DENVER NUDE YOGA Mondays AND Thursdays at 7:15pm After the ice breaks, you’ll be right at ease in your own skin at nude yoga. The classes are for men only and are open to all levels. Though couple friendly, classes are strictly non-sexual.

(But self-empowerment is hella sexy, don’t you think?) The class goes to dutch-treat dinner afterwards, so it’s a great way to limber up and meet new friends. Hit DenverNudeYoga.com for locations.

GET FIT, STAY LIT Presented by Healthy Honeys and Green Labs Denver, this class will expand your flexibility and your mind in one sweet swoop. Open to beginners and pros alike, you’ll begin with yoga practice and follow it with a Q&A sesh on combining these two passions. Don’t forget to BYOC. Visit GreenLabsDenver.com for reservations.

SWIMMING POOLS Denver has three public pools near the downtown area. It’s only $3.50 for a day at the beach, er, well, as close as you’re gonna get around here. Look forward to slides, snack bars, and city views. Peep out DenverGov.org to find the right pool for you.

the perfect spot to relax after shopping and eating your way through the area. Tubing is also available if you’ve got the guts! Nearby Confluence Kayaks (ConfluenceKayaks.com) is ready to handle all your rental needs, like rafts, tubes, and kayaks galore.

CITY PARK This baby has it all: paddle boat rentals on Ferril Lake, bike tours, beautiful views of downtown, running paths, horseshoes, the works! It’s 15 smack-dab minutes from everywhere and is a center of city hap’nings like the Denver Zoo and the Nature and Science Museum. City Park also has baseball, soccer, and softball fields so get your crew together. Shirts vs. Skins! Also check out the City Park Golf Course, due just north, for 18 green holes in the heart of the city.

CONFLUENCE PARK Here, urban life meets Mother Nature’s cool, blue vibes. The Platte River and Cherry Creek ebb between the red bricks of classic Denver architecture making for a picturesque day at the park. There’s lots to do: running, biking, rafting, and people-watching (that’s a sport too, you know). Near Denver’s LoDo neighborhood, the park is dog friendly and is

MOVEMENT FITNESS 1155 West 5th Ave. This giant rock-climbing microcosm has something for everybody. Imagine you’re scaling Pike’s Peak from the safety harnesses and guidance of the experienced instructors. There’s also fitness classes and yoga to be had. Strap in and spread them limbs! MovementDenver.com

H EA LTH

SURVIVOR I’VE ALWAYS BEEN THE KIND of guy who has a hard

time taking compliments, be it a shred of low selfesteem convincing me I don’t quite deser ve it or perhaps even my own desperate attempt to remain humble. But my toughest compliment-accepting abilities came when folks dubbed me a “sur vivor” in regard to my HIV status.

Scott McGlothlen

When I think of the word survivor, I imagine people who narrowly escape the clutches of death. So to me, the real survivors always meant those who fought HIV and AIDS at a time when death seemed almost certain. Thanks to modern medicine, I technically never came close to losing my life.

However, this isn’t to say that those of us diagnosed in these modern times don’t have a whole set of challenges that we face. As I approach my eighth year of being HIV positive, I understand that overcoming these challenges can actually be little survivals in their own right.

First off, I had to survive going back into the closet. As most LGBT people know, it can be painful to hide a major portion of your life out of fear that others may not accept the real you.

Unfortunately, harboring secrets can eat at us from the inside out, so doing it a second time for my HIV status felt even worse than the first time with my sexuality.

I also survived telling my friends. A lot of them got scared and withdrew from our friendship while others tried to give toxically outdated advice.

Thankfully, it taught me to cherish the few who truly offered me health and wellness.

Frighteningly, I survived telling my family. It took two Xanax, a letter from my therapist, and a whole lot of tears in order to let those words slip 64

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from my mouth. I hated the idea of disappointing them, or causing them fear and pain. But they all pulled through and gave me new reasons to love and appreciate them more than ever.

I survived rejection. Even though it didn’t happen often, getting turned down for a date or a sexy rendezvous was humiliating. I felt like a kid sitting alone in the sandbox because all of the other kids thought he had cooties. In time, I realized the rejection was their loss; not mine.

I survived feeling like damaged goods. With such rejection, it seemed impossible that I would ever have a loving, long-term relationship again.

However, not only did I find an incredible man to share my life with, but I might have overlooked him had it not been for my HIV status. To this day, we have had no problems maintaining his HIV-negative status.

I survived loneliness. It seems that nowadays, having HIV is more fatal to one’s social life than to their mortal life. Consequently, not a lot of people are open about their status and it made me feel incredibly alone. When I learned that I wasn’t alone, I decided that no one should feel that way. Therefore, I vowed to never hide my status in the hopes that I could help others not feel so desolate. By very publicly embracing my HIV status, it landed me the incredibly prestigious opportunity to write about my experiences here at Out Front for nearly four years.

It seems that nowadays, having HIV is more fatal to one’s social life than to their mortal life.

”

I survived the haters. Out Front’s decision to have a column on the human experience of HIV (in addition to their educational reports) is a bold move. And like most bold moves, its great success didn’t come without some harsh critics. Receiving hateful retorts for exposing myself so personally, so vulnerably, so publicly often discouraged me, but learning to focus on my achievements rather than my pitfalls helped keep me going strong and determined to make a difference for HIV perceptions in our community.

But most importantly, I survived myself. For those of us who experience our diagnosis as a traumatic event, we can often travel down two very different roads — one of health and wellness, or the other of self-destruction. Sure, drugs and alcohol became a tempting option for a bad coping mechanism, but I had already given up alcohol and my new, profound fear of death kept me in check from doing any more damage to myself.

And now, I realize that downplaying my achievements doesn’t do any good — not for those who’ve enjoyed my writing and certainly not for myself. HIV was the most painful and challenging thing I have ever faced, but I faced it head on and came through kicking it and its stupid stigma in the ass. I have decided that it’s time to shut out any low self-esteem and shelve any need to be humble and simply say, “F*ck yes, I am a survivor.”

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O U T BAC K C L ASS I F I E DS Envisioned by Boberto

Need help?

If you believe you’re a victim of a sex or hate crime, contact the Colorado Anti-Violence Program at 303-852-5094

Advertise Here

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PRIDE AND PREDICTIONS

H OROSCO PES

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GEMINI: No one accuses Cancers of crawling around backwards on the beach, so why do they accuse Geminis of being “two-faced”? (#Annoying) Besides, there are way more than two sides to you. Perhaps, Gemini, it’s because you’re actually quite adept at slipping into the role that’s needed at almost any given time.

That’s why you tend to have such enormous social circles. Be mindful, though, to make sure you attend to the besties this Pride season.

They’re the ones who’ll always be there.

CANCER: So a few things fell through so far this year — no big deal. The good thing about Cancers is their ability to make the best of a rough situation, and this year is no different.

The garbage you’ve been dealing with lately will come to an end shortly, and you need to be strong enough to know when to pull the ripcord and act fast on the better opportunities. Before you write off 2015 as a total loss, remember who you are, and dust yourself off, Cancer. The rest of 2015 is all you.

LEO: You’ve been making sacrifices for the betterment of your health, Leo, and best believe you’ll be turning more heads this year than you ever have. Not only does the hard work change the way the world looks at you, it changes the way you look at the world. Those new eyes and good-humored disposition look really hot on you.

VIRGO: You’re an earth sign, Virgo, and we’re all naturally drawn to you. You have this amazing way of calming even the fiercest of spirits, which will come in handy this Pride season. We’re not naming any other signs, but you’re about to need to regulate some of those rowdy crew-members you roll with before they land in serious trouble.

But you got this, right? Right.

LIBRA: Your eyes gravitate toward all things beautiful, which is an excellent way to stay appreciative of the art and naturally gorgeous things around you … but also a good way to get checked by that hottie who wants your eyes to stay solely on theirs. Do yourself a solid and focus on that sexy creature in your line of sight, lest you find yourself wandering around alone in the park this weekend.

SCORPIO: The interesting thing about Scorpio is that you’re known for your openness toward sex (and all the mechanics therein), but people often overlook your careful attention to your lover’s non-sexual needs, as well. Perhaps it comes as no surprise that the one you’re looking for will appreciate you for more than just your prowess between the sheets … and it appears this weekend that you may just find what you’re looking for.

Watch for the person who knows how to give a good compliment, and see what we mean.

SAGITTARIUS: You may not realize it, but you’ve been pretty harsh to the person who only wants to see you happy and healthy. While the doting may come at bad times, make sure you check back in and make up for what a grouch

you’ve been. The stars are telling you to mind those bridges — not burn them. There’s so much love left in those you’ve tried to leave behind.

Don’t discount that. Also: Let it be said that your addictive energy and love of life makes you the type of person who deserves a second chance when you screw up. That’s a great quality, Sag. CAPRICORN: Why is it that the kinder you are, the more likely you are to be mislead by people only after their own interests? It’s a thing, apparently, but you should know: You’re amazing and you shouldn’t stop being who you are just because some people are jerks. This Pride, keep your eyes open for someone who’s just as kind as you are. That whole Bad Boy/Girl thing has done you no favors and it’s about time you get the attention and appreciation you deserve.

AQUARIUS: What we love about you is how you became so strong, in spite of the cards life has dealt you. Perhaps your strength was forged like steel in the abject chaos and hellfire of your past. Perhaps you galvanized yourself to avoid any chaos that might come at you. Either way, you naturally serve as the pillar that holds up your inner circle, and we’re all so thankful for that. This Pride, though, let your friends do some of the planning and aim for a bit more spontaneity. We want to take care of you right back, Aquarius! Let us!

PISCES: You’ve been working so hard all year, and it’s time you realize that you can relax more than once in a blue moon, Pisces. Everyone (and we mean everyone) worries about losing the job, the guy, the gal, you name it … but worrying does you no good. This Pride, try your best to kick back and enjoy yourself without the constant mental baggage of the overachiever.

We promise: Nothing’s going to fall apart just because you took a break. You’ve done well.

You’re safe. Go party.

ARIES: You have to be careful setting the bar so high for yourself, Aries. Sure, it’s great to strive for betterment, but you often overlook your achievements because you’re onto the next level of greatness. This Pride, please recognize that you look better than fine as you are, and ease up on the aspects of your life that don’t live up to your expectations. It’s so ironic, because you’re always giving people compliments. Don’t you deserve some praise? We certainly think so.

TAURUS: One of the most lovable (and frustrating) traits of the Taurean is that stubborn independence of yours. You’re never the one to get weird and clingy too fast (if you ever get there at all), but at the same time, it makes you incredibly hard to read at times. No one wants to ask how their lover is feeling more than someone who’s dating a Taurus. Our advice? Open up a bit. Don’t be afraid to come out and say, “I actually like you. A lot” to some poor soul who can’t tell whether to stick around or not. You’ll be doing both of you a favor this Pride season.