November 15, 2017 :: Best of Denver

Best of

Denver The Kings of Denver:

A Look at Mile High’s Rich Drag History

L.A. Zwicky: Hits Denver with Heavy Beats

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CONTENTS

NOVEMBER 15, 2017 VOL41 NO22

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6 THE KINGS OF DENVER: A LOOK AT MILE HIGH’S RICH DRAG HISTORY 12 L.A. ZWICKY HITS DENVER WITH HEAVY BEATS AND HOT HAIRSTYLES 19 BEST OF DENVER 42 COLLABORATION OVER COMPETITION: COLORADO’S NEW APPROACH TO HOLIDAY SHOPPING 48 Q-MUSIC: YOUR WINTER LGBTQ PLAYLIST 52 HOLIDAY RICHES FOR READING

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DUELING WITH DEPRESSION: RIDE THE CYCLES

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SERVING THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS SINCE 1976 PHONE 303-477-4000 FAX 303-325-2642 WEB OutFrontMagazine.com FACEBOOK /OutFrontColorado TWITTER @OutFrontCO INSTAGRAM /OutFrontColorado FOUNDER PHIL PRICE 1954-1993 ADMINISTRATION info@outfrontmagazine.com JERRY CUNNINGHAM Publisher J.C. MCDONALD Vice President MAGGIE PHILLIPS Operations Manager JEFF JACKSON SWAIM Chief Strategist EDITORIAL editorial@outfrontmagazine.com RYAN HOWE Editor ADDISON HERRON-WHEELER Digital Content Manager BRENT HEINZE Senior Columnist SARAH FARBMAN Copy Editor SOPHIA ALESSI Intern ARIANNA BALDERAMMA, YVONNE WRIGHT, GREGG SHAPIRO Intern WRITERS Rick Kitzman, Mike Yost ART art@outfrontmagazine.com DESIGN2PRO Graphic Designer CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS Charles Broshous, Deirdre Fritz, Eric Magnusson MARKETING + SALES marketing@outfrontmagazine.com HARRISON SCHAFFER Director of Sales & Marketing DANNY GREGORY-O’SHEA Marketing Executive SARAH JACOBSON Marketing Executive BRENNAN GALLAGHER Marketing Executive NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 | sales@rivendellmedia.com

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By Addison Herron-Wheeler

A Look at Mile High’s Rich Drag History

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T

hey often get overlooked in favor of their drag queen sisters, but drag kings have just as meaningful a history and presence in Denver as the boys in heels do.

An important and beloved part of the lesbian community, drag kings have been doing their thing in the Mile High City for years. They helped lay the foundation for the welcoming queer community we know today, and they looked fierce and butch doing it. And much like the queens, while some may see drag as a time to be silly, or a chance to make tips, these kings were also creating a safe space for butch women and trans men to be comfortable and be who they are.

“I moved to Colorado in early 1999,” said Kody Morgan, who goes by Hunter Down when in drag. “I went to this little place called Zu on a Wednesday night and had my young mind blown. They had these amazing performers—drag kings. I, being a natural extrovert and performer, I knew right away that I wanted in on that scene. I began going to every show and getting to know the guys. By the end of 1999, I was a regular guest performer, and by the beginning of 2000, I was a member of the troupe.”

The troup Morgan refers to was known as the Zu Kings, named as such because of the venue where they performed.

Since his Zu King days, he has been involved with other troupes, including the Southtown Kings and Alterboys, and he is now the owner and producer of local troupe Tranzcend. The experience of being involved with drag allowed Morgan to come to terms with his gender identity and embrace being male.

“For me, drag started as a place for me to be the rock star I dreamed I could be but wasn’t in real life,” he elaborated. “I remember the thrill I got the first time someone recognized me in a store. I was in the Gap at Flatirons Mall and a woman asked for my autograph. But, as I acclimatized to big city life and became more self-aware, I began to understand my own gender. Drag became a safe place for me to express the masculine parts of me without the harsh judgement and stigma I faced in everyday life. Most recently, I chose to transition from female to male.

“I can say with my whole heart that were it not for drag and the safe environment I was afforded to express my gender, I would not be here today.”

Despite all this positivity, the kings faced many hurdles on the road to success.

In the early days of being a king, the logistics of presenting as male on stage weren’t as easy as they are today. While queens can tuck their junk, then stuff and pad, individuals with breasts have a lot of restraining to do.

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“Back in the early days of drag, we used to put on two sports bras and an a-shirt, then wrap duct tape around our chests to bind down our breasts,” Morgan explained.

“Compression shirts didn’t exist. I have some scars from pulling off the tape where it had stuck to my skin. I remember when UnderWorks.com came out with their compression shirts. We scrimped and saved to buy them. They were modern miracles— we could finally take full breaths while performing!”

In the early 2000s, the kings performed to standing-room-only crowds and had quite a following in the underground sector. They constantly created new personas and acts revolving around their characters in order to keep performances fresh and inspired.

When Zu was reborn as 60 South, the kings became the Southtown Kings. (60 South Broadway now, of course, is 3 Kings, a name that keeps the spirit of the kings alive, even if it’s mostly a heavy metal bar.) Many of the characters that popped up, like many drag queen personas, were over-the-top and campy, a mix of sexy and silly. As they developed, these characters often took on a personality of their own.

“Shayne McMunchen was a work in progress when I was first introduced to drag in 2010,” explained Sarah Alder, who identifies as female, except when playing the role of Shayne. “His character came to full fruition after figuring out his influences: Kid Rock, Shayne McCutcheon from The L Word, and Usher. Today, he continues to be the ultimate douchebag, which displays brilliantly with his ridiculous red and black wig. Born in Canada, a high school dropout and a womanizer, he specializes in hitting on women confidently and failing just as brilliantly with his incredible pickup lines, like, ‘You should buy me a drink.’ He proudly wears his douche bag title on his clothes but never disappoints with his flattery and crude behavior. Many times he has stolen my wallet to go on a week-long bender, has borrowed my car without asking, and always leaves his dirty clothes on the floor.

“His two signature numbers were Kid Rock’s ‘Picture,’ in which he was both male and female, and ‘Without You’ by Usher, where he serenades a poster of Justin Bieber,” Alder added. “I love his character because I get to be something that people love to hate, and it pushes the boundaries just enough to keep it fun and engaging.”

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The kings also shared their stories with interested youth at Rainbow Alley and went on national tours. Jody Bouffard, now the owner of iconic Denver lesbian bar Blush & Blu, did sound for the troupe for a while. Many of the staples that we take for granted as a part of queer life in Denver were brand new when the kings started performing, and their energy and enthusiasm helped spur on the community.

Today, drag kings are still alive and well in Denver. In addition to newer troupes like the Mile High Kingdom, many classic troupes are still around in some form or another. Tranzcend can trace their lineage back to the Zu Kings, the Southtown Kings, and the Alterboys.

“Tranzcend has been a staple in Denver for just over 10 years,” Morgan said. “Over this time, we have raised thousands of dollars for charities, given countless new performers their platforms to grow into well-known local performers, and opened for the likes of Susan Westenhofer and EnVogue at Denver Pride.”

Not all those who started out with the early drag scene are still performers, but even those who have moved on still remember their time fondly.

“This was a fun and amazing time of my life,” said Amy Cervantez, who went by MaXX Wilson back when she performed as a drag king. “I would not have changed anything. Many of the people and friends I met I still talk to today. I think we were so blessed to have such an amazing time to pioneer drag kings in Denver.”

What started as a small troupe called the Zu Kings gave way to countless rouge kings, and even for those who didn’t stick with drag, inspired many to live as their true selves. It also inspired modern-day drag troupes, like Tranzcend.

2017 is an incredibly exciting time to do drag in Denver, as a king or queen. With the rich history of performers that came before, and the potential that makeup and clothing have in 2017 to transform gender performance, there is plenty to inspire today’s royalty to have fun, make change, and do it all with the smoothness and grace of Hunter Down or Shayne McMunchen.

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L.A.

Zwicky

Hits Denver with Heavy Beats and Hot Hairstyles

By Arianna Balderrama Photos provided by L.A. Zwicky

L.A. Zwicky, a DJ with a booming sound and a hairstylist with an arsenal of imaginative creations, has been a regular pop-up in the Denver queer community for nearly eight years. Much like her two professions, she stands out in a crowd.

L.A. Zwicky’s focus on lesser known artists flood the dance floor with an eminent rhythm perfectly selected for any event she DJs. Her pallet of songs braids in emerging artists with hits and classics to create a unique soundscape. As a DJ who has never learned to play an instrument, her personal symphony comes from her knowledge and passion for music in general.

Not only is L.A. Zwicky a local DJ, she is also a hairstylist— predominantly catering to the LGBTQ community. L.A. Zwicky manages to pull out a pallet of colors and styles to fit the needs of her clients. Being a big fan of self-expression, she uses her platform to promote the idea of self-love. Non-gender-specific looks and vibrant colors are the majority of styles L.A. Zwicky bestows on whomever sits in her chair.

“It’s another medium for me to create beauty in the world,” she said. “I feel the most powerful when I get to share my joy, my self-expression, with other people.”

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Photos courtesy of L.A. Zwicky

“I play more unique international stuff, anything with a good bassline that’ll make your body dance,” she said. Her rejuvenating, crazy, colorful sound greets the audience with a blast of adrenaline, keeping them twirling on the dance floor.

L.A. Zwicky had the dream, now a reality, of being a DJ after attending an EDM show at Red Rocks. She has been spinning in Denver for seven years now. Her specialized playlist focuses on highlighting as many queer-identified artists as possible. L.A. Zwicky enjoys bringing awareness of self-expression to the table, both on the dancefloor and within your follicles.

OUT FRONT sat down with L.A. Zwicky to talk about her music and spreading beauty around Denver. Peep it!

When did you start DJing? Did this develop organically from just playing music for yourself and your friends?

I’ve never been a musician, but I always knew I wanted to be a DJ when I grew up. I saw Fatboy Slim at Red Rocks and thought, “that’s what I wanted to do.” I went to school in Boulder and didn’t start playing until then. Then I started DJing in 2010 in Denver. I got in with the DIY art music scene like Rhinoceropolis, Glob, all the warehouses that were throwing parties.

How would you describe your sound when it comes to what you play?

What I play is pretty unique. I try to focus a lot more on lesser known artists and queer-identified artists because there are a lot out there, and they don’t make it onto the radio or in the Top 40. I’ll throw in some fun, classic dance tracks that are just well-known dance floor songs, but I like to focus on the more unique international stuff, anything with a good bassline that’ll make your body dance.

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What’s a track that you can’t stop playing right now?

“Shamir.” I play it at almost every gig and I mix it in with Missy Elliot’s new track. He’s a little gender-queer cutie, rapper, singer.

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What are your plans for 2018 and the rest of this year? Any cool shows or sets in the works?

For the rest of this year I’m kind of taking gigs and stuff as they come. I’m just kind of having this influx of a million gigs.

I’ve gotten involved with Meow Wolf and I have a couple of random weird parties coming up. I’m also getting involved with another party, Hype Her Hour [at Blush & Blu]. I just kind of take things as they come.

You’re also a hairdresser and you have a very distinct look. How does your look help you express yourself?

That’s pretty much why I got into hairdressing. Because I have my degree in psychology, I talk to people every day as if I were a therapist, but I get to talk to people in the fashion industry, as well. It’s another medium for me to create beauty in the world, so whether it’s making people feel good about themselves on the dance floor or in the chair, you can have whatever hair color you want, and you can dress however you want.

You put yourself out there as a non-gender specific hairstylist. Why do you think it’s important to make this distinction clear when working with clients?

How inclusive do you think Denver is of the queer community? What about our music scene?

They are pretty intermingled. For me, my access to the community has been through the music scene. It has amazing potential and there is already a lot of inclusivity, but we definitely have a way to go as far as creating inclusivity across the community and not just focusing on specific aspects of it. I feel like there’s a lot going on underground. I’ve been here in Denver for seven years, and I’m just now seeing people step up and start to be a little more out, proud, loud, and trying to work really hard to build community across the board.

You seem to consciously try to curate queer events and play in queer spaces. Why is this important for you?

Kind of related to what I was just saying, I think it’s a community that could use more cohesion. I think the easiest way to bring people together through all different backgrounds is through dance parties. It’s a great way for self-expression to happen.

When I started [the dance party] Damn Girl I wanted people to be able to come together and be whoever the heck they want to be. It’s one place they can come, and they know at the end of their week they can show up looking absolutely fabulous.

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I had a wonderful mentor at the beginning of my career who kind of instigated this foray into non-gender-specific hairstyling, and that was so in line with my idea about the beauty industry. It’s 2017: there are so many different types of gender expression, and that doesn’t always conform to a woman’s haircut or a man’s haircut, and if I can do my small part by not having to adhere to those two genders when people come into my space, I want to do that.

What does power mean to you, and how can we show our power in this current political climate?

Power to me is definitely self-expression and confidence. I feel the most powerful when I get to share my joy, my selfexpression, with other people. I think a big part of power, especially in this political climate, is creating a really strong community, really strong bonds with the people we care about the most. As cheesy as it might sound, I think love is the most powerful tool we have right now. I think love can overcome the hate. When I feel the most powerful is when I feel connected to people through love.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I’m really proud of the queer community in Denver and people coming out of the woodwork and finding their feet as far as how they want to express themselves and create their community.

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What is TRUVADA for PrEP?

Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP?

TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medicine that is used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health.

Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: ® Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. ® Also take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP? Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-negative. ® Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin.

While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. ® You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. ® If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. ® To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: ® Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. ® Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. ® Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. ® Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. ® If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: ® Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking TRUVADA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: ® Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA. ® Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. ® Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. ® Bone problems, including bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.

Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? ® All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. ® If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA. ® If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk. ® All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. ® If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose.

These medicines include certain medicines to treat hepatitis C (HCV) infection.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page.

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I’m passionate, not impulsive.

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TRUVADA for PrEP™ is a once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when taken every day and used together with safer sex practices. ® TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.

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IMPORTANT FACTS

This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEPTM (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.

(tru-VAH-dah) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative.

• Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1.

• You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you think you were exposed to HIV-1 or have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

• See the “How To Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information.

TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA for PrEP is a prescription medicine used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1.

• To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health.

Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status.

• Take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1.

• Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection.

• Use TRUVADA for PrEP together with condoms and safer sex practices.

• Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP” section.

• New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure.

• Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.

• Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.

• Bone problems.

Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight.

These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.

BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis.

• Have any other medical conditions.

• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

• Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can pass to the baby in breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

• Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.

HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners.

• Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you.

• Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners.

• Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV infection.

• Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.

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Best of

Denver

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O

h, Denver. You’re beautiful and special, and you are filled with queer people looking for queer things to do and Instagram about. This city has become a hub for transplants all over the nation who are looking for a new, hip, forward-thinking, cannabis-consuming, accepting, sexy city.

Lucky for them, there are queer places all over the city, and even spaces that are not specifically queer welcome our community with open arms. And we’re here to give y’all some suggestions on what we find are the best places in Denver.

Photos by Sorted.

We asked our writers, photographers, editors, and even our publisher to suggest some of the most eccentric, fun, and off-the-wall Best Of picks that they could think of.

After all, we’re all a little queer here...

A rave so good you don’t need to do drugs enjoy it Sorted For many, dance parties are just an excuse to get weird and do drugs, which, as your friendly neighborhood queer mag, we of course don’t condone or support. What we do condone and support is going to the next Sorted event when it’s announced. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill raves. The carefully curated DJs specialize in classic house, juke, and techno, so all the staples of your electronic diet are there.

The music is so catchy and uplifting that you don’t have to be super familiar with the artists, or even the genres, to have a good time and get down. Plus, the raves always have fun sober options like a coffee bar to keep you up. The last rave even had dumplings and a cake to celebrate their anniversary.

The icing on the cake (pun intended), Sorted also posts signs that make it clear that the event is a safe space, and that no one should feel harassed while on the dance floor. Although they aren’t specifically queer events, you can always spot queer folks at these parties, feeling safe and getting down. Check out facebook. com/staysorted for info on their next event.

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Ice cream flavors that actually sound appealing Inside Scoop Everyone likes to experiment and try new things sometimes.

But does anyone really want basil-rum-pepper-jack ice cream, or muscles-and-cream-cheese sorbet? Inside Scoop has a few interesting-sounding, experimental flavors, like honey lavender, but for the most part, they just have good, homemade ice cream.

They also make their own delicious cake cones, and they’re located right downtown across from the Lower Highlands, and in Littleton. Plus, there are plenty of gluten and dairyfree options, so everyone can enjoy the awesomeness that is their ice cream.

Best place to walk your pup Trade Get out your leash, leather collar, boots, vest, and tail, and make your way over to Trade (Sante Fe & 5th Avenue) for their pup mosh. Don’t bring your lab or basset hound out to this—even though the bar currently resides in the old Barker Lounge, actual dogs are not allowed.

Having trouble following? Pup play is when one person takes on the role of a pup and one person acts as a handler. The pup becomes their canine counterpart and the trainer, for the most part, handles the pup like he would a biological puppy. For many it serves as a release of the primal animal part of them.

It is not bestiality: real animals are not involved.

Pups, which can be spotted at events around the city, have found a home in Denver’s Leather and Levi bar Trade, a bar that’s accepting to all, thanks to some of the most personable bartenders the city has to offer, and its dedicated owners Ray Hurtado and Chris Newell.

“We want everyone to feel comfortable here,” Ray said.

“We want to harbor a gay community not just for gay men,” Chris said.

During the day on weekends, they open their doors to gaymers, ladies who brunch, and drag bingo enthusiasts. On Saturday evening they host a weekly beer bust where $8 gets you bottomless Bud Light from 3:30 to 8 p.m.

Seriously, if you’re in town visiting or have been sleeping under a rock, get over to Trade. Take your pup!

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Photo by Charles Broshous

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Best place to channel your inner witch Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre Not only does Red Rocks host some of Colorado’s most relaxing, beautiful hiking trails, it’s also home to one of the most iconic music venues in the world. For decades, the world’s biggest stars have stood on the outdoor stage and spilled their guts to hundreds of people under the beautiful moon.

This moon, with or without musical guests, hovers above the beautiful, natural, red rock formations every night. The smooth, peaceful atmosphere and positive energy that radiates from the dirt gives you the perfect opportunity to get out and become one with nature.

Even if you aren’t a witch and prefer not to summon Manon, you should still get out and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds our growing city.

Sourest beers to help you practice your duckface Trve Brewing Yep, their beers are sour, but be careful pulling a duckface here, because Trve is also a metal bar.

However, it’s honestly fine if you feel a duckface coming on and realize you accidently stepped in wearing your North Face and Ugg Boots. Even though Trve is dark and dismal with doom or black metal constantly blaring through the stereo, they are used to all kinds and don’t judge anyone, whether it’s for being queer or for being a Becky. Plus, they have delicious beer, and they specialize in “mixed culture ales,” or sours.

So next time you need to practice puckering, order something with cherries from Trve and grab your phone to capture those selfies.

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Best place to take a hipster Scruff date Denver Art Museum The Denver Art Museum is one of the largest art museums between Chicago and the west coast, with a collection of more than 70,000 works scattered throughout its campus. Its walls have housed millions of beautiful, multicultural works of art since it opened its doors in 1983, including the work of LGBTQ artists. In November 2018, the museum will display the work of iconic gay designer Christian Dior with Dior: From Paris to the World, an exhibit that that surveys 70 years of the House of Dior’s enduring legacy and its global influence. pro tip* Don’t follow it up with Starbucks or a trip to Chili’s. second thought* Chili’s is delicious and he will fall in love over Chicken Crispers.

Many vintage clothing stores feel stuffy and out of touch, lined floor to ceiling with out-of-style designer gear and clothes your aunt would buy you for your birthday. Buffalo Exchange stands out because they actually stock the store with what is hip, cool, and flattering—not just with top-of-the-line name brands.

They are also major allies and doing some pretty cool stuff for the queer community.

“We at Buffalo Exchange Colorado are super proud of our work with the LGBT[Q] community,” public relations rep Greg Maronde told OUT FRONT. “Not only are we a shopping destination for bears, queens, and everything in between, but we’ve worked to raise money for Hey Denver, hold an annual month-long Pride gallery featuring homocentric work, and host our smash hit Cross Walk/ Walk Off during Pride.”

Yes, some of their clothing is a little pricey if you’re on a budget, and the fact that they’ve already picked out all the good stuff takes some of the fun out of shopping. (Real pickers will revel in the amount of bad sweaters and mismatched socks they have to look through at the thrift shop to find the gem they’ve been looking for.) But all in all, the cute, affordable selection and good ethos of this small chain earn them an OUT FRONT seal of approval.

Photo provided by Buffalo Exchange

Best place to hide your crippling anxieties behind a cute new outfit Buffalo Exchange Best place to avoid going home and eating all the potato chips in the cabinet Lipstick Nightclub

Unlike the other bars in town, Lipstick’s doors stay open until 4 a.m. Not only does it stay open for two more hours than the rest of Denver’s queer bars and clubs, it’s also one of the only bars in town geared toward our Latinx community.

With two dancefloors, one that plays Top 40 and another that plays Latinx music, it’s also one of the best places in town to have a drink or let your hair down or to host birthday parties and celebrations of all kinds. With two hosts to lead their dual dance floors, Lipstick is booked up almost every night of the week for an event.

“We have different people renting every single week,” Brenden Neeave, who sets up events and manages the bar, said. “We host several different groups. We have six organizations that do their shows here.”

If you are looking for some awesome entertainment and non-stop dancing, check out Lipstick Nightclub. Even if you aren’t a member of the Latinx or LGBTQ communities, the dual dance floors and constant entertainment will make you feel at home, until you stumble into bed.

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Best place to sit in part of Denver’s queer history R&R Bar R&R Bar, Denver’s oldest queer bar, is one of the most historyfilled parts of our culture. Nestled snugly on Colfax, R&R Bar was a cozy and becoming hole-in-the-wall before dive bars and the grimy charm of Colfax were hip. While unassuming and small, R&R Bar proudly serves the LGBTQ community with a smile and friendly conversation.

R&R bar is fun, friendly, and not cliquey, according to Rich Illgen, owner of the bar. The atmosphere is light-hearted, and the clientele is always eclectic. The small space screams acceptance. Think of all those dive bars in the movies where everyone is smiling and a little drunk. They laugh; they play darts; they’ll read you in the most flattering way. The bartenders are nice and often pour with a heavy hand. Oh yeah, and the drinks are pretty cheap, too.

A Denver must-visit spot for over 50 years, R&R Bar is still going strong. Knowing your history is important, and what better way to learn than through a hands-on experience? Trust us, you won’t regret it.

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Metal is an acquired taste, and it’s not for everyone. But everyone likes pizza and deliciously brewed beer, and everyone needs to find a loud spot to bring that clingy, verbose date that just won’t call it a night, but insists on following you around the city and making annoying comments. Taking them to a loud metal bar and just pretending that you can’t hear anything they’re saying is the perfect way to get out of it.

Plus, you’ll be welcomed. Black Sky likes being neighbors with the queer community.

“We have always had a great relationship with Patrick and Lawrence from the Barker Lounge and now Chris from Trade,” explained Lila Mackey, owner. “We are great neighbors. We look out for each other. Both the Barker and Trade have been gracious enough to put our beer on tap, and they are the only place in town that we deliver food to. As a metal bar, we are considered to be an underground community. We are not always accepted at places around town. This is one of the main reasons we opened Black Sky Brewery, to have a place where we could feel comfortable. As such, we are accepting of anyone that walks through our doors.”

Did we mention they brew their own awesome beer and the pizza is New York-style and completely delicious?

Next time you have a late night at Trade, come grab a slice.

Photos provided by Black Sky Brewery

Loudest date spot to drown out the failed blind date Black Sky Brewery

Best place to make a fool of yourself in front of fam X Bar

The bar boasts nightly specials and drink deals, as well as two dance floors for the weekends and a large patio section. People flock to the bar to dance and get down or just to drink and relax, and many in the LGBTQ community have made it their regular hangout. In the winter, the patio crowd dwindles, but the inside becomes much more of a party.

The bar hosts a number of events throughout the week that give patrons plenty of opportunities to embarrass themselves, such as karaoke on Tuesday nights. It’s very American Idol auditions without the painful embarrassment of being broadcast on national TV. Yes, queer bars can be filled with judgement, but X Bar isn’t like your average queer bar.

On Thursdays, X Bar rips a page from drag queens and hosts a lip sync competition. Any and all are welcome to compete for free drinks or tickets to see the iconic Cindy Wilson of the B-52’s. It’s a friendly competition where you finally get the chance to debut the killer dance moves and spot-on lip sync you’ve been practicing in your mirror since middle school.

Photo by Charles Broshous

X Bar is a staple for Denver LGBTQ folks. Known for its inclusivity of both the queer and straight communities, X Bar has been around for seven years and has garnered the reputation of the place you go to have a good time, and not feel judged.

Best secretly liberal town for a day trip Manitou Springs

Best place to get household items you can actually afford ARC Thrift Stores

Getting away for a day hike is a great way to relax, but it’s natural to worry about how queer-friendly your destination is going to be. Manitou Springs is right next to Old Colorado City in Colorado Springs, but it’s separate from the Springs, an area that tends to be more conservative and very Christian. Manitou even has recreational cannabis, so you can grab a pre-roll for your hike if you forgot to get one in Denver.

Known for being eccentric, the type of city that once elected a music store owner to be mayor, they aren’t going to look twice at queer kids getting ice cream and then heading out for a day on the trails.

No, you didn’t spend the last $30 in your bank account on Taco Bell and ice cream.

Ok, you did, but it’s fine, because you also spent it on a new sweater for work and a cup to replace your broken one, thanks to ARC Thrift Stores! With almost every already-reasonably-priced item half off on Saturdays, it is possible to make your millennial salary work and actually get new clothes and household items for a fraction of what they would cost new. This is helpful to people who have to consider their income and budget carefully (which is most of us), and all the proceeds also benefit the Association of Retarded Citizens, a group that helps developmentally disabled people enter the workforce and live productive lives. What’s not to love?

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Best place to pull a Dolly Parton Charlie’s Nightclub Much like the iconic star Dolly Parton, Charlie’s Nightclub has found a way to bridge the gap from country to pop. Hell, it does it almost every night! It’s always a party at Charlie’s.

But more than the drag queens, the sassy MCs, and the ready presence of some bananas bulging out of their hammocks, the thing that partygoers seem to like best about Charlie’s is its attitude. And trust me, there is plenty.

Frequent Charlie’s-goer Sean Doyle cited the “be yourself vibe” as one of the things that keeps him coming back. Louisa Silverman, another Charlie’s regular, gushed over the fact that people who like Charlie’s are kind of like their own club. You find out that someone else likes Charlie’s, she explained, and the excitement and love of the club bounce back and forth between you. Doyle also explained that, as Denver doesn’t have a concentrated gayborhood the way, say, Chicago or San Fran do, Charlie’s is one of the “few places that the gay community can own as one of theirs.”

An absolute must if you like: fierce and fabulous drag queens, cheap drinks handed out by topless cowboys, watching go-go boys hang from the ceiling, or having a good time while wearing and doing just about whatever (and whomever) you want.

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Photo by Charles Broshous

With its popular two-step lessons early in the evening, go-go boys, cheap sloshy beer, and an entire room for its frequent drag shows, this staple of the Denver gay scene has something for everyone.

Best place to have a fast and fancy date Parisi

Best place to get really weird with your drag The Wizard’s Chest

Whether you’ve been dating forever or it’s your first night out, everyone can use a fancy date now and then. But not everyone wants to make a reservation and spend hours at a restaurant. Parisi is a fast casual restaurant where you order delicious pasta and then sit down at an assigned table. Moments later, the pasta is out to your table, complete with bread, appetizers, and sides. And if you want drinks or dessert, there’s also a full bar, a dessert counter, and a gelato counter.

Essentially, this place has everything you could ask for in fine dining without the long waits, reservations, annoying dress codes, or general negatives associated with fancy food.

Sure, anyone can put on a wig and an outfit, tuck and stuff, and be in drag. But if you want to get really weird with it, you need more than just a blond wig and a pink dress. At the Wizard’s Chest, not only will you find a ton of options as far as wigs and outfits, you’ll also find just about every cosplay costume imaginable and tons of kooky, creepy masks. Want to be Pennywise the Clown in drag with moose antlers? You can find that costume here. They also have tons of fun games, so you can get started on a Dungeons & Dragons campaign after you finish marathoning Stranger Things.

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Best place to hit up an open mic night Blush & Blu Spilling out of patio doors surrounded by the perfect rainbow paint job that covers the entire face of Blush & Blu is an assortment of people of all shapes, colors, sizes, and genders. Some look like they’ve stepped out of a club kid fantasy while others are sporting a more casual look. This is the bar on a typical Friday or Saturday.

But on the weekdays, Blush & Blu hosts some of the most inclusive, relaxed, entertaining open mic nights in the city. It also offers some of the most diverse music showcases, poetry, drag, karaoke, or whatever the hell you want to talk about. Its doors are open to everyone— except assholes.

“Yeah, we have a zero asshole policy here,” manager SJ Payne said. “We make sure that no matter who walks through that door, they’ve got a friend. It’s something that’s missing in a lot of queer bars these days.”

You may come for the open mic nights or the dancing or the cheap drinks, but the company is what will keep you in one of Denver’s best queer spaces.

“When you walk through that door and sit down across from a bartender, or sit next to a stranger, you’re not leaving here without a friend or at least a good night,” Payne said. “It truly is a special place.”

Best selection of every book and record, ever. Period.

Black & Read Music, Books & Games If you need a book or want to find a record, no matter how little-known, you can count on finding it at Black & Read. Think you’re oh-so-hip because your favorite musician or writer is super obscure? We’re willing to bet that this place has a whole section on the person in question. They also have a gaming section and even some clothes. If you have hours to kill, then this is the place to be.

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Chicest brothelturned-restaurant around Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox, Denver What was once a low-key brothel is now a happening restaurant with a focus on indulgence. Built originally in 1894, the building itself makes it onto the National Register of Historic Places; tell me that isn’t trendy and posh. The restaurant honors its history as a brothel, peepshow parlour, and flop joint by infusing its main floor and basement with edgy and provocative decor.

Now hosting beautiful and ornate boudoir-esque themes, the restaurant is home to nightly music and talents ranging from an open-mic night to jazz bands and even burlesque events and peepshows. Yes, you read that correctly—peepshows.

They’ve also got kickass brunch offers, including bottomless mimosas. Bottomless, because obviously one mimosa is never enough. Last call for these babies isn’t until 3:15 p.m. So if you’re hungover and need a minute to gather yourself and maybe touch up last night’s makeup before you dive back into drinking, they’ve got you.

And on your way out, grab a few condoms. In line with their pleasure-based atmosphere, they opted for condoms instead of those nasty little mints for on your way out the door. And we can bet that after some of their unique drinks and a peepshow, you’ll put those condoms to good use.

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Best drunk munchies spot to eat your feelings after a bad night Illegal Pete’s We’ve all had those nights when, instead of in bed with an attractive human or on stage earning a round of applause, we find ourselves crying into a bag of takeout food and drying our tears with taco wrappers. Next time you’re in one of those moods, head on over to Illegal Pete’s. The local atmosphere and awesome burritos will make it all seem OK, at least for a little while. And the loud punk they play in the bar will drown out the sounds of your sobs.

Oh, and did we mention that they don’t have a drivethru and are actually open until super late inside? That discourages drunk driving and encourages walking, which OUT FRONT is all about. They do a Chipotle or Qdoba-style line where you can create your own meal, with real veggies and meat, not fast food slop.

They are also a small, local chain, and are known for doing good in the community, like having trans rights fundraisers or donating their tips to the ACLU. And if all that hasn’t sold you yet, their queso is also to die for, and they have OUT FRONT on their news stands.

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Best place to grab a piping hot cup of joe while getting glam Bellwether, Denver This trendy little coffee and cocktail shop exceeds all expectations. Not only is it edgy, hip, and super chill, but the coffee is delicious and drinks are on point. Whether you want a quick coffee to go or a sit and sip to escape your terrible office job, this is the place to go.

With a spacious interior and lots of seating, there’s literally no reason not to head over and take your sweet time enjoying a hot cup of coffee (or if you’re anything like me, a double gin and tonic) while you read over your busy schedule for the day.

And get this: they’ve even got a barber shop. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Get beautified and woke with coffee and a hair cut. I mean, come on, how ideal is that?

Best place to spit out tater tots from laughing Mile High Hamburger Mary’s Forget Sonic and its cheesy Hulu commercials; Hamburger Mary’s has the best tater tots in town. Hands down. Don’t argue, because you’ll simply lose. They are perfectly fried to a crisp, light perfection, and their seasoning explodes in your mouth. Not to mention they are usually matched with delicious burgers that fit the restaurant’s eccentric theme.

Oh yeah, and patrons of the iconic queer restaurant are also treated to some gutwrenching events throughout the week featuring some of Denver’s funniest drag queens. The most popular of these take place at Bingo on Mondays at 8 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. They also have a scrumptious mimosa brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

Hamburger Mary’s has a long tradition of bringing queer people together for food and “being Mary,” but the Mile High Hamburger Mary’s is expanding on the queen-centric chain—hosting sports-viewing parties and karaoke.

So forget Sonic, go to Mile High Hamburger Mary’s, and try to keep those tots in your mouth.

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It’s been a year since The Wrangler strapped up its boots and headed north out of the Uptown neighborhood and into the RiNo district. Now comfortably nestled on the corner of Downing Street and 31st, the Wrangler boasts three full floors of a fun, sexy time for all. They also just updated their policy on patron’s I.D. pictures matching their gender.

The Wrangler’s move hasn’t stopped its customers from getting out for its weekly and monthly events, especially Beer Bust.

On any given Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., both full-sized patios, the dance floor, and the main bar area are packed. The only spare space is the area around the pool tables, which is only out of courtesy to the guests who want to play. It’s a Denver staple for a reason, and it gives Sunday Funday a whole new meaning.

Throughout the week, you can grab lunch at Hungry Bear Kitchen or hit the weekday events like Trivia hosted by Geeks Who Drink.

Don’t let the weekend end on a boring note!

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Photo by Charles Broshous

Best beer bust The Wrangler

Best place to see queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race Tracks Tracks hosts one of the best drag shows in the nation, lead by the gorgeous, talented Nina Flowers, who stole our hearts in season one of RuPaul’s Drag Race. We don’t say this lightly. With the growing popularity of drag, shows are getting better and better, thanks in part to the money they pull by featuring RuPaul contestants. But Drag Nation earned its reputation as one of the best and it’s not letting it slip away.

Every final Friday of the month, Tracks brings out some of the show’s most iconic queens to stomp the stage alongside Denver’s best local gurls.

Tracks continually delivers fun themes and great music on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, usually starting at 9 p.m. It has cemented their legacy as a premiere cultural center for LGBTQ and drag culture in the Denver community.

For young people, Tracks is a place to go for a fun time in a safe space, and it has been providing that kind of atmosphere for nearly 40 years. Hit the ATM and come tip these queens! p.s. There’s a special spot in hell reserved for those who only tip the famous queens. Support your local drag artists!

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THE SHOW'S ABOUT TO BEGIN

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Every office is different; every client special.

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NATIVE CONTENT

Putting the High in the Mile High City It’s no secret that cannabis is one of the hottest commodities in Colorado. Since the state decided to recreationally legalize, no one is surprised that products have been flying off shelves day after day. But in addition to run-of-the-mill cannabis products like many types of flower, joints, and concentrates, there are a lot of high-end cannabis products that put an emphasis on quality and presentation. Here are a few of the companies that are leading the way in Colorado for top-of-the-line cannabis.

Blue Kudu Chocolate is already considered a high-end commodity. If you want to impress a love interest or celebrate an important anniversary, you choose chocolate. Now, you can jazz up that gift with an infused chocolate that combines the gift of cannabis with the gift of sweets.

“Blue Kudu products are both medicinally beneficial and recreationally enjoyable,” explained Derek Ng, marketing director. “Our alcohol extraction method preserves the full spectrum of the cannabis plant’s cannabinoids and leaves no cannabis taste in our products. The quality of our products is what we’re most proud of. Only the finest, most carefully sourced ingredients are used in Blue Kudu products. Our chocolate is sourced from Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade Certified farms. Our dark chocolate is everything dark chocolate should be—rich and creamy without a bitter aftertaste while providing beneficial antioxidants.”

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Frosted Leaf While some dispensaries just focus on stocking the products that will sell well or that appeal to a mass audience, Frosted Leaf dispensary makes sure that they are providing quality products for the careful consumer.

“Frosted Leaf sets itself apart as a high-end cannabis store by not carrying generic ‘store brand’ products; instead most of our inventory consists of award-winning products,” said Sabrina Andrews, vice president. “Not only does Frosted Leaf carry award-winning brands, our inventory includes products from well-recognized vendors. Our unique approach to selling cannabis makes Frosted Leaf stand out from the rest of Denver’s dispensaries. Frosted Leaf offers a high-end marijuana shopping experience with superior quality and a cutting edge sophisticated approach to providing recreational cannabis for us to enjoy.”

Kaviar When one thinks of premier cannabis products, a joint may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But for Kaviar, a company that has made a name for themselves with their signature pre-rolls featuring cannabis rolled in kief, joints are certainly a high-end commodity.

“Right from the start, we knew that we wanted to build a brand that both customers and dispensaries could count on for professionalism, consistency, quality, and innovation,” explained Kali Mutty, marketing director at Kaviar.

“From production to packaging to working with our customers, Kaviar is focused on these principles. Our proprietary blend of top shelf flower, highly concentrated cannabis oil, and premium kief allows us to provide moments of euphoria through various consumption methods.”

While all of Kaviar’s products are extremely potent, the dosing is not a shot in the dark. They take care to make sure that each of their products offer the same punch.

“When you purchase Kaviar, you always know exactly what you’re getting.”

Concentrate Supply Company One of the most popular ways to consume cannabis is to vape it in a pen, or take dabs of shatter or wax made from concentrated cannabis.

Those who extract the product have to be precise and careful, and if it’s done well, that results in a quality product.

Concentrate Supply Company takes this task very seriously, and creates a well-crafted concentrate.

“Our refined cannabinoid products undergo a process called molecular distillation,” said Kyle Williams of Concentrate Supply Company. “Once fully processed, the cannabinoids are free of any plant by-products.

This yields an extremely pure, potent product that is suitable for multiple methods of consumption. CSC distillate typically hovers around 96-99 percent fully activated cannabinoids.

Our purification methods are

second-to-none, with the utmost consistency batch after batch.”

Their careful methods have paid off, and the company has been the recipient of several local accolades.

Lightshade

“Lightshade has won several local and national awards for their product quality and high level of customer service,” she explained. “Additionally, Lightshade utilizes organic pest control and fertigation methods in their cultivation facilities. They consistently exceed compliance standards in testing and have a loyal base of cannabis connoisseurs who deem their product the best.”

Every small variable counts when it comes to growing cannabis. Factors as minor as the type of light or additives in the soil can have a major impact on how a plant turns out. At Lightshade, the growers know that attention to detail is everything “Lightshade uses the most cutting-edge cultivation techniques to grow the highest quality flower on a consistent basis,” said Shannon Brooks. “Their grow team constantly evaluates plant genetics and quality control cultivation methods to ensure that they are producing the best flower and concentrate products possible. Once their products are in their beautiful, comfortable Coloradoinspired stores, their incredibly knowledgeable staff is available to consult with their customers to educate them and to provide them with the best match between their products and their customers’ needs.”

Terrapin Care Station Sometimes, the mark of a truly high-end producer is one that values a personal touch and caring for customers. Terrapin Care Station’s name says it all; they strive to treat customers with respect and provide good quality care, and they do so by offering top-of-the-line products.

“Terrapin Care Station has developed a selection of high-grade cannabis that provides its customers with a variety of tasting profiles and experiences,” said Selina Sena. “We pride ourselves on curating an assortment of homegrown strains of Terrapin-bred originals and popular classics, including our elite phenotypes Hell’s Angel OG, Princess Leia, and Grapefruit Durban, which test at over 30 percent THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. We pride ourselves on providing quality products that we can share with our customers at affordable prices.”

Terrapin also offers their own line of concentrates, and they carry high-quality infused products.

Even though their products are carefully curated, they don’t upcharge for what they sell.

“Whether it’s to serve the needs of patients utilizing the medical marijuana system, or for adults who choose to incorporate cannabis into their active lifestyle, Terrapin Care Station prides itself on putting its customers first.”

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TR Concentrates Known as the pioneers of the live resin process for extraction, TR Concentrates go above and beyond when it comes to extractions and making concentrates.

“We strive to produce only the highest quality products to keep our customers happy and healthy,” explained William Palmer. “Though our product is on the high end of the spectrum, it appeals to everyone, both the connoisseur and the new user alike. Our wide range of products ensures that we do not shut anyone out, regardless of status or lifestyle. All different kinds are welcome here at TR and the proof is in our team. We have a very eclectic and dynamic team from all over our country, all from different walks of life. All of our employees are also TR customers because they know the care, time, and effort that goes into every single product we make. So when you ask who our products appeal to, it is easy for us to say everyone and all.”

In the Flow Growing cannabis is an art in and of itself, and at In the Flow, that art is taken very seriously. Not only do the growers put care into every batch and crop, they also use only the finest products during the grow process.

“We are cannabis connoisseurs focused on ensuring the highest quality by maintaining small batches, attention to detail, and natural growing techniques,” explained Bonnie Bahlmann of In the Flow. “We believe that a clean environment, optimal soil health, and plants naturally rich in terpenes are the best way to ensure connoisseurgrade flower. We are passionate about cannabis and we strive to cultivate a flower for everyone so that they may experience an elevated purpose within their own lives and ‘Find Their Flow.’”

The company also believes in close attention to detail when it comes to testing products for purity and cultivating them with care.

“Quality care leads to quality product,” she explained. “Every batch of In The Flow flower is tested for terpene content, potency, and purity. In addition, our 4 0 \\ N O V E M B E R 1 5 , 2 0 1 7

proprietary curing techniques ensure a terpene-rich experience our customers know they can rely on.”

O.PenVAPE Small, discreet, and easy-to-use, vape pens are definitely becoming the champions of the legal cannabis era. The pioneers of the vape pen revolution are O.PenVAPE, who were making classy and heavy-hitting pens back before many of the new vape pen companies existed.

The secret? A commitment to quality and a line of Craft Reserve products that set them above the rest.

“Craft Reserve is our most potent and flavorful cartridge,” explained Jackson Tilley. “Molecular distillation allows us to isolate cannabinoids, remove impurities, and capture volatile terpenes for reintroduction to create an ultrapotent offering with pristine clarity. The strain-specific oil comes in indica, sativa, and hybrid dominances. We know you'll love using them as much as we love creating them.”

Willie’s Reserve A man who needs no introduction, Willie Nelson has been a cannabis advocate and activist for years, and now he has his

own signature line of high-end cannabis products.

“Willie’s Reserve celebrates the timeless connection between culture and cannabis with products inspired by Willie Nelson’s journey as a musician, activist, and thought leader,” said Rachel Hurvitz. “At Willie’s Reserve we are proud to say that we always showcase weed worthy of Willie’s namesake. We provide access to the legendary stash by making Willie’s Reserve available everywhere voters say yes!”

DRAGON Originals From high-quality caviar to CBDinfused elixirs, nothing says quality and attention to detail like the finely crafted products from Dragon Originals.

“Superior quality is the benchmark of every DRAGON Originals product, from our signature hash oils and caviar, to our delicious, super-food elixirs and deep-tissue CBD salve,” explained Greg Schriener. “We often talk to people wanting information about cannabis and how our products may help them.

We have seen many miracles with our ‘patients’ over the years, and while it is all anecdotal, and we can’t make any claim... we know, and they know, and that’s all that matters... and that is most gratifying.”

LOST HOTEL

A capacity crowd celebrated Halloween in the Lost Hotel at Tracks Nightclub on October 28. The venue transformed into multiple horrific rooms, creepy creatures, and a mind blowing video and lighting show that accompanied 100,000 watts of block-rocking sound.

Festivities included a $2,000 costume contest and the musical stylings of DJs Kidd Madonny, Sean O’Grady, Jordan P, Blaque Gurl, and Robbie Winehouse.

Photos by Charles Broshous

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Collaboration OVER Competition:

Colorado’s New Approach to Holiday Shopping

By Yvonne Wright

W

alking into Aurora’s Stanley Marketplace is like simultaneously stepping into the future and the past. It is a huge, industrial warehouse where more than 50 locally owned, socially conscious businesses operate.

Homemade sausages hang from the ceiling and bricks of aged cheese are stacked high in a small grocery store straight out of the 1800s. An apothecary with barrels of dried teas and homemade soaps sits amid the concrete floors, exposed beams, and a mesh gated catwalk.

It’s the kind of place where a pastry chef and a fitness coach come together to sell low-sugar chocolate packed with antioxidants. Collaboration over competition. It’s not just a motto. It’s a business model everyone here subscribes to.

“Our original plan was to open a small beer hall in Stapleton and it was a series of fortuitous events that led us to this much bigger project,” said Bryant Palmer, chief storyteller.

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It’s a title he gave himself. He is really in charge of marketing, communications, and public relations. But, chief storyteller sounds like so much more fun and it captures the not-so-serious spirit of everyone here.

Holiday shoppers can find everything from locally made high-end clothing to affordable jewelry. A former aviation manufacturing plant, the Stanley now offers nearly 150,000 square feet of retail space, a community hanger for events big enough to fit several jets, and more than 22 acres of land where a park is in progress to provide another gathering place for neighbors.

“Twenty-one of the businesses are food related, and then there are retail shops, fitness entities, and service businesses,” Palmer said. He’s quick to emphasize, “So much food! So much good food, too!”

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No one knows more about good food than David Lewis. He was just 32 years old when he began working as the executive pastry chef at Denver’s historic and world-renown Brown Palace Hotel. Gonzo Jimenez, an Argentinian hotel pastry chef, was working out of Manhattan, New Orleans, and Santiago, Chili when he joined Lewis last year to open Miette et Chocolate, a high-end French patisserie at the Stanley.

to From the Hip Photo

Jimenez and Lewis were partners in chocolate sculpture competitions across the U.S. before leaving their prestigious jobs to go out on their own here in Aurora.

“It’s really scary, but we got a lot of community support from the neighborhood and stuff. People want to support this,” said Lewis.

They will be joining other businesses to kick off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving. His handmade confections range from delicate pastries, cakes, and cookies, all freshly baked, to chocolates that last up to four months.

“We’re trying to put together a [holiday] gift set with Mr. B’s,” said Lewis, who is working with the neighboring wine shop to “put together wine and chocolates... a combination so people can one-stop shop it.”

Working together is part of the business model. Lewis and Jimenez provide chocolate sauce for the mochas sold at the coffee shop; chocolate-covered coffee beans for the donut store; super dark chocolate sold at Endorphin, the gym and fitness center; and they source and toast coconut used for one of the artisan beers at the Cheluna Brewing Company, the first business to open its doors here.

Cheluna is the creation of Javi Koch, an emergency room physician who decided to combine his love of science with his love of beer. His story is not unique. The Stanley is the brainchild of Mark Shaker, a social worker who wanted “a group of like-minded businesses who do things differently: sustainability, thoughtfully, creatively, with way more than the bottom line in mind.”

He even created something called The Stanifesto. It outlines specific guidelines of how they do business. “We believe there’s no point in making a profit if you’re not also making a difference,” it states. They also believe “the best rules are simple and clear: Love your neighbor. Leave each place better than you found it. Be good and do good.”

The true.manifesto is a boutique that has its own mission statement right above the cash register. It talks about optimism, compassion, peace, and self-care.

“We are a holistic boutique, which means we sell clothing and home goods, but we also have the apothecary aspect of it, things for your hair and skin, focusing on beauty from the inside out,” said Amanda McCoo, the manager. Customers looking for something special can find it here. “Everything is unique.

We only buy one size of everything, so when that’s done we move onto something else.” Items range from $6 keychains to $300 hand-crafted leather boots. You’ll also find hand-made pottery, jewelry, and other novelty items.

There are a lot of one-of-a-kind shops here. “We turned our life into a store,” said Jesse Manderson who, along with his 4 4 \\ N O V E M B E R 1 5 , 2 0 1 7

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It looks like a store from the Old West.

Wooden shelves hold old-fashioned, refillable glass jars. There are waist-high barrels filled with homemade soaps.

Recyclable glass containers can be bought and used over and over again. In fact, they encourage people to reuse bottles by offering refill stations for everything from organic teas to jars and jars of homemade potions for your skin, your hair, even your teeth. There is organic, handmade toothpaste, deodorant, laundry soap—even environmentally friendly antifreeze oil. You can stock up on every type of oil imaginable—from coconut to castor.

After just a few months in business, Manderson said, “The response has been overwhelming, to the point where we’re now open seven days a week.”

Seriously. The Stanley is very different from most other businesses. Even their vending machine stands out. Instead of chips and candy bars, you’ll find gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, paleo, and locally-sourced snacks and meals. The glass-encased unit is filled with recyclable glass jars filled with things like Caribbean chips with chimichurri and mango salsa and cardboard containers with Korean beef stir fry or blue corn tamales with salsa verde.

It opened just one year ago, and this year will mark their second holiday season.

They plan to celebrate with Christmas tree and Menorah lighting ceremonies. Santa plans to visit. And the first Saturday after Thanksgiving—the day marked nationwide as Small Business Saturday—will be turned into a giant festival with sales and events.

For Lewis and other shop owners, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate that collaboration can and does pay off.

“It’s that whole community. It’s working with businesses you normally wouldn’t work with and everybody’s working toward the same goal, to run a successful business. It helps when other people are behind you. When everybody wants everybody to succeed, most likely you will,” he said.

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wife Lyndsey, live a zero-waste, plant-based lifestyle. Six months ago they became one of a handful of people in North America to open an apothecary that generates no trash.

At Zero Market, less waste doesn’t mean less choice. “We have almost 1,000 products, from items you can bulk refill to containers you can keep,” he said.

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Q-Music:

Your Your Winter winter LGBTQ Playlist playlist

By Gregg Shapiro

T

his winter of 2017/2018, whether you’re all bundled up and trudging through snow and ice or wearing board shorts and soaking up the sun at the beach or pool on vacation, remember that music makes everything better.

Linda Perry Before Linda Perry became the Grammy Award-winning hit songwriter/record producer and wife of Sara Gilbert, she was the dreadlocked lead singer of the blues-rocking band 4 Non Blondes.

There’s not much on 4 Non Blondes’ 1992 debut album Bigger, Better, Faster, More, newly reissued on 180gram vinyl, to indicate that Perry was capable of writing hits such as “Beautiful” and “Get The Party Started” for Christina Aguilera and P!nk, respectively. In fact, the album’s lone massive hit single, “What’s Up,” qualified 4 Non Blondes for one-hitwonder status. “Dear Mr. President,” another of the Perry-penned tunes on the album, is the other highlight.

Johnny Mathis Now in his seventh decade as a recording artist, the remarkable 82-year-old Johnny Mathis returns with The Great New American Songbook. Throughout his career, Mathis gained a reputation for being a top-notch interpreter of other people’s songs. Co-produced

by Clive Davis and Babyface, the disc features Mathis’ singular renditions of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” A Great Big World’s “Say Something,” Adele’s “Hello,” Pharrell’s “Happy,” and the Josh Groban hit “You Raise Me Up,” just to name a few.

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Susan Wener With her new Cuban-spiced album An American in Havana, singer/ songwriter Susan Werner proves once again that there aren’t any musical genres she’s unable to master. Having established herself in the folk world, Werner turned her attention to cabaret/ jazz on I Can’t Be New, modern liberal spirituality on The Gospel Truth, contemporary classical on Classics, and country on Kicking the Beehive and Hayseed.

“1955 Chevy Bel Air” brings all of her songwriting chops, including her ability to pen marvelous lyrics, to the fore. “Havana Moon” is swoon-worthy, “Cortadito” puts her fantastic sense of humor on display, and “Stray Dogs” invites listeners to salsa to their heart’s content.

Torres Since the release of their respective 2015 albums, the second for Torres and the first for Julien Baker, both artists have undergone musical transformations on their follow-up discs. On Three Futures, Torres (aka Mackenzie Scott) comes across like the kid sister of St. Vincent and Mitski.

Sure, there were hints on Sprinter, including the song “Cowboy Guilt.”

But metamorphosis is complete for Torres on Three Futures, as is obvious on songs including the title track, “Tongue Slap Your Brains Out,” “Helen In The Woods,” “Greener Stretch,” “Concrete Ganesha,” “Bad Baby Pie,” and the near-epic electronic “To Be Given A Body.” There is an additional accessibility to Torres’ music on a song such as “Righteous Woman.”

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Baker

Miley Cyrus and Halsey

Whereas Baker’s Sprained Ankle was a mostly acoustic guitar and vocal affair, Turn Out the Lights is more sumptuous. Fleshed out with piano, strings, woodwinds, and brass, the recording also features electric guitar, adding to the radiance of the music.

Even Baker’s vocals have a luminescence, especially on the title tune, “Televangelist,” “Everything to Help You Sleep,” “Hurt Less,” and “Appointments.”

A pair of bisexual divas have new albums. The new and improved Miley Cyrus, freed from the bonds of Disney and its affiliate Hollywood Records, defied the odds and emerged as a respectable (if slightly off-kilter) artist on 2013’s Bangerz.

Four years later, Cyrus returns with Younger Now, her most mature and assured effort to date. Just listen to the powerful “Inspired” as proof. “She’s Not Him” sounds like Joanne-era Lady Gaga, while Cyrus dares to venture into indie-pop territory on the title cut and “I Would Die For You.” She wisely serves up a dance track on “Malibu” and a duet with Dolly Parton (“Rainbowland”), which includes a personal message from Dolly to Miley.

Jeff Heiskell If there’s any justice, Jeff Heiskell, former front-man of The Judybats, will get the recognition he has long deserved. The openly gay front-man of the aforementioned Tennessee-based band, a group that benefited from the popularity of the college rock and alternative music scenes, released four major-label albums, and has been recording as Heiskell since putting out 2007’s Soundtrack for an Aneurism. The new Heiskell disc, Emotional Terrorism, is as haunting as the title and cover image suggest.

That’s meant to be a compliment, because unforgettable songs such as “I Want More Life,” “Abandoned Property,” “Like We Used To,” “Waking Up,” and the club-oriented “It’s Everything,” linger like musical ghosts

Tegan and Sara Compilation Benefiting the Tegan and Sara Foundation, whose mission is “fighting for economic justice, health, and representation for LGBTQ girls and women,” the various artists compilation The Con X: Covers features an all-star cast of artists commemorating the 10th anniversary of Tegan and Sara’s 2007 album The Con. As is often the case with covers/ tribute albums, The Con X: Covers is a little uneven, but less so than others of its ilk. First and foremost, there is healthy representation by LGBTQ artists, including MUNA (“Relief Next To Me”), Mykki Blanco (“Knife Going In”) and Shamir (“Like O, Like H”). There are also delightful surprises, including performances by Ryan Adams (“Back In Your Head”), City and Colour (“Hop A Plane”), Sara Bareilles (“Floorplan”), and devout Christian artist Hayley Williams of Paramore (“Nineteen”).

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Halsey doesn’t completely abandon the electro-pop style that helped to establish her popularity on her second album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom. However, she definitely sounds like she’s determined to expand her musical palette on certain songs, including “Devil In Me,” “Sorry,” “Lie,” and “Angel On Fire.”

Susie Wilkins UK-based lesbian singer/songwriter Susie Wilkins rocks like nobody’s business on her new four-track EP She Got Me Good. The titular opener kicks things off on a blistering note and “Fall To Pieces” lightens up the rock level. “Far Away” adds a gospel choir to the proceedings to get its message across.

Comedy: Solomon Georgio No matter where you are this season, we all need to laugh (especially during the reign of Trump). Take a break from the tunes with a little comedy.

Fabulous, “gay as hell” comedian Solomon Georgio nails it on Homonegro Superior (Comedy Central). An African immigrant, he jokes that he can “can say whatever the hell” he wants, because he’s “black and gay.” Georgio takes us through the history of his name, his family’s immigration story, fashion faux pas, coming out at 18 to the world and his parents, culture clashes, porn stashes, society, homophobia and racism, his boyfriend, being “a professional homosexual,” straight men, and fisting, all the while making us think as we laugh.

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Holiday Riches

by Rick Kitzman

B

ooks—printed, audio, online, or on e-devices—make risky gifts. But long after the tie hangs unworn, the toy bores and breaks, or the scent sits unopened, a book can forever give knowledge, new worlds, and wonders.

Books aren’t for everyone and can be a very personal purchase.

Suggestions: • Know the recipient’s reading habits and interests.

• Beware religious books. Proselytizing can backfire.

• Avoid self-help books. Your recipient may ask, “What problem?”

• Include the receipt for exchange.

Why should you trust my highly subjective list? Each entry or author changed my life, delighted an interest, and/or entertained. This tortuous task omitted hundreds of “favorites” and excluded hundreds unread. But it’s a start.

ADVENTURES

imprisonment in the Bastille in Paris, and his release to life in London with his daughter Lucie, whom he had never met.

It also focuses on Lucie’s marriage and the collision between her beloved husband and the people who caused her father’s imprisonment, as well as Monsieur and Madame Defarge, sellers of wine in a poor suburb of Paris.

A Wrinkle in Time Madelleine L’Engle, 1962 Before J.K. Rowling, L’Engle wrote a series of books with a then-unheard-of girl hero. The story stars Meg Murry, a high-school-aged girl who is transported on an adventure through time and space with her younger brother Charles Wallace and her friend Calvin O’Keefe to rescue her father, a gifted scientist, from the evil forces that hold him prisoner on another planet.

At nine years old, A Wrinkle in Time was my first challenging read and exposure to challenging concepts—good and evil, death, wondrous time travel—and it set reading standards that I still use today.

The Three Musketeers Alexandre Dumas, 1844 You won’t be able to put down the ribald, swashbuckling prototype! Iconic heroes, heroines, villains, and villainesses dueling for honor, power, and romance dwell within the pages.

Set in 1625 to 1628, it recounts the adventures of a young man named d’Artagnan (based on Charles de Batz-Castelmore d’Artagnan) after he leaves home to travel to Paris, to join the Musketeers of the Guard.

A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens, 1859 This is a nail-biting introduction to my favorite author—the genius Charles Dickens. The story follows one of literature’s bravest champions, The French Doctor Manette, his 18-year-long 5 2 \\ N O V E M B E R 1 5 , 2 0 1 7

Recommendations Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson, 1883; Dune, Frank Herbert, 1965; Neuromancer, William Gibson (inventor of “cyberspace”), 1984; any Clive Cussler stories featuring Dirk Pitt.

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CLASSICS The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1925 Arguably the greatest American novel, the book follows the lives of the impoverished and the millionaires, and shows their passions and obsessions thriving during the decadent Jazz Age as the American Dream haunts doomed lovers, Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby. Make sure to snag a copy with the original, iconic cover.

The Grapes of Wrath

Agatha Christie

John Steinbeck, 1939 This is another contender for greatest American novel. The Grapes of Wrath perfectly shows the dignity of a poor family juxtaposed against the overwhelming social upheaval of the Great Depression and is depicted with the right amount of grit and grace. You can’t go wrong with this one.

Brideshead Revisited Evelyn Waugh, 1945 Read it for the sheer beauty of the English language. Before Downton Abbey, Brideshead Revisited (of Masterpiece Theatre fame) kindled Americans’ love affair with British aristocracy in this heart-wrenching story of love, longing, and memory.

Narrated by the middle-aged artist and Second World War army Captain Charles Ryder, Brideshead Revisited tells the story of his involvement with the Flyte family, Catholic aristocrats whose family seat is the splendid Brideshead Castle.

The Short Stories of John Cheever John Cheever, 1978 The sublime “Chekhov of the suburbs” chronicles the lives and mysteries of everyday life with language wielded like a precise, yet tender, scalpel. It contains some of his most famous stories, including “The Enormous Radio,” “Goodbye, My Brother,” “The Country Husband,””The Five-Forty-Eight,” and “The Swimmer.” Gift it to those who have short attention spans or busy schedules. Trust me.

Recommendations The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton, 1920; Orlando, Virginia Woolf, 1928; The Berlin Stories (of Cabaret fame), Christopher Isherwood, 1945; Giovanni’s Room James Baldwin, 1956; On the Road, Jack Kerouac, 1975; The Last Picture Show, Larry McMurtry, 1966; Maurice, E. M. Forster, 1971; The Line of Beauty, Alan Hollinghurst, 2004.

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CRIME Murder at the Vicarage, 1930, Murder on the Orient Express, 1934, And Then There Were None, 1939, Curtain, 1975 Agatha Christie I’ve read more than 50 novels by my other favorite author, and these are only a few of my favorites. Christie’s detectives Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot always delight with ingenious crimes. And when I’m stressed (obviously often), visits to cozy English villages or exotic locales reassure me the world is ok. I’ve found solace within Christie’s page, and maybe you know someone who needs to sit back and get lost in beautiful stories.

Jack Reacher Novels Lee Child After pooh-poohing manly novels by manly authors, my partner suggested this manly, no-bullshit hero. Ten novels later, who knew! With justice seemingly non-existent, Reacher delivers it to deserving villains with a vigilant eye and savage hand. Vicarious, adrenaline-inducing thrills spill from every page, leaving readers at the edge of their seats.

Recommendations The Secret History Donna Tartt (forget her boring The Goldfinch), 1992; The Alienist Caleb Carr, 1994; Perfume: the Story of a Murderer, Peter Suskind (weirdest story), 1985.

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HISTORY

A Short History of Byzantium (abridged) John Julius Norwich, 1997

Nicholas and Alexandra Robert K. Massie, 1967 How I became a Russophile. Tsar wars, ineptitude, and autocracy guaranteed the downfall of the Russian Romanov dynasty, but the love story between its last royal couple humanizes the heavy hand of history. In the novel Tsar Nicholas weds the German princess Alexandra, and the marriage proves unpopular with the Russian people, a situation not improved when she has four daughters. When she finally bears a son, the infant’s acute hemophilia can only be controlled by the powers of the fanatical monk Rasputin.

The March of Folly: From Troy to Vietnam Barbara Tuchman, 1984 The deathly absurdity of how and why governments pursue self-destructive policies was never made clearer, nor more relevant, considering America’s imperial entrenchments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The book is about “one of the most compelling paradoxes of history: the pursuit by governments of policies contrary to their own interests.” It details four major instances of government folly in human history: the Trojans’ decision to move the Greek horse into their city, the failure of the Renaissance popes to address the factors that would lead to the Protestant Reformation in the early sixteenth century, England’s policies relating to American colonies under King George III, and the United States’ mishandling of the conflict in Vietnam. More than half of the book deals with US intervention in the Vietnam War, while the other three case studies are shorter.

And the Band Played On Randy Shilts, 1987 Chronicling the AIDS plague, And the Band Played On documents the events following the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The book takes an investigative journalistic approach to describe how the disease was handled—or not handled—within four different communities: the gay community, the medical community, the political and governmental community, and the media.

Spoiler alert! Government indifference and political infighting doom the afflicted and guarantee a global disaster. A real mystery infuriatingly solved.

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Eccentric anecdotes enliven Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, in this piece of historical brilliance.

Power-hungry, Christian Europeans ensured its downfall— and almost Western Civilization’s—when in 1453, Muslim conquest set in motion the conflicts of today’s Middle East.

It’s a necessary read.

Sexually Speaking Gore Vidal, 2001 Here, fourteen essays and three rare, vintage interviews published over the past four decades tackle hot-button topics such as gay American founding fathers, sex and the Catholic church, gay bashing and the U.S. Congress, and bedding Jack Kerouac.

Becoming a Man Paul Monette, 1992 This National Book Award for Nonfiction details one man’s life in the closet and his example of how to courageously come out of any closet. Paul Monette tells the story of his life: growing up gay in a world where he felt gay was seen as just not right and how it shaped his life. It’s a story so many queer people are familiar with, and one that some still endure.

One Nation Under God; How Corporate America Invented Christian America Kevin M. Kruse, 2015 The Republican religious right began in the thirties as a repudiation of FDR’s New Deal. A union busting strategy and greedy grab by business led to Billy Graham’s role as the Antichrist, as well as today’s Dark Age of American politics, are all covered within the pages of this eye-opening book.

Recommendations The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (abridged), Edward Gibbon (seriously!), 1789; The Boys of Boise (homosexual underground scandal in 1955 Idaho), John Gerassi, 1966; The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson, Robert Hofler, 2005.

Patronize your neighborhood bookstores like Tattered Cover, and don’t underestimate used bookstores like Capitol Hill Books (300 E. Colfax at Grant) or Kilgore Books (624 E. 13th next to Wax Trax on Washington).

Congratulations to the 2017 Power Winners!

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Photo and Column by Mike Yost

Dueling with Depression:

RIDE THE CYC LES

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B

ack when I was a wee little kid who loved playing with Micro Machines and G.I. Joes, I remember the thrill of going to Denver’s famous Elitch Gardens almost every summer. This was back when the amusement park sat off of Tennyson and 38th, complete with a sky ride gondola that carried kissing teens over the parking lot and a “gum tree” which featured a layer of nasty, chewed-up gum over its bark.

It was at Elitch’s that I rode my first roller coaster, called the Wildcat. It was an old, rickety wooden coaster that always sounded like it was on the verge of shaking apart.

I vividly remember that slow ascent up the first drop of the Wildcat, my friend sitting next to me. That loud, clank clank clank of the chain shaking the coaster cars as it dragged us higher and higher into the sky. I could hear my heart kicking against my ribcage, my fingers turning white from holding the lap bar.

My friend (who had already ridden the Wildcat) gave me words of encouragement. “This is going to be fun!” My grip tightened. My heart kicked faster. Clank clank clank.

We reached the top, suspended in that moment of calm when you can see the whole amusement park beneath you.

Then we plunged downward, and my stomach floated into my throat as I screamed with terrible excitement, closing my eyes and pulling myself toward the lap bar while in freefall.

But when the coaster shot back up the next hill, the lap bar shot up too and smacked me in square the nose.

My first ride on a roller coaster was an odd juxtaposition of physical pain, fright, and exhilaration.

People often mistake the road to

recovery as just that, a road with perhaps a few pot holes or even some sinkholes to drive around. But depression and anxiety still toss my thoughts up and down, slamming them around like passengers on the Wildcat.

For me, the road to recovery certainly doesn’t mean I never get dragged down by depression anymore, especially when external stressors come screeching out of the darkness like shadows with obsidian claws, tearing away at anything that brings joy.

Instead of trying to completely eradicate melancholy from my life, I work to ride the cycles of depression and anxiety very much like I rode the Wildcat all those years ago.

Recovery is more about finding and using mental tools to just hold on to that lap bar as the world rushes towards you—not trying to escape that odd combination of pain, anxiety, excitement, and dread.

Maybe you have some really powerful mental tools yourself. What do you do to redirect your thinking from focusing on the chaos around you? And what do you do when those tools aren’t as effective?

Sometimes that means being so worn out from carrying all that weight on your shoulders, you cry in the shower and then toast your exhausted self some frosted brown sugar, cinnamon Pop-tarts for breakfast. However you choose to hold on to that lap bar.

I try to just take care of myself on those weeks I’m stuck on the Wildcat, hearing that dreaded clank clank clank every night. But I can’t fall all the time, as for every plunge, there’s a rise back to that temporary calm at the top of the hill, just before the fall again. Like waves in water, you can’t have the valleys without the crests.

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// 6 5

HEINZESIGHT:

Non-Creepy Cruising

By Brent Heinze

A

s we go along our normal lives, we notice things that catch our eye. It happens when we are watching a screen or shopping in a store. We see those items that make us want to check them out more or possess them for ourselves. It also happens when you see someone intriguing that makes you drool.

It’s not unusual to be walking around and notice people that turn you on, but the choices you make after the initial discovery of someone stimulating can influence potential success or an abysmal failure in connecting with them. Here are some common behaviors that can be easily corrected with a little attention and practice. Consider some of these suggestions before you move in for the kill, choke on your own drool, or appear quite creepy and annoying while you follow them around like a crazy stalker.

Walk by, don’t circle Maybe you’ll want another look at somebody adorable. Circling around them like a hungry vulture makes you seem like a scary predator waiting to get them in your mouth. Take a quick look, go do something, and then walk back for another glimpse. Take your time. You’re not running laps in gym class.

Don’t look away if you get caught looking Our first instinct may be to feel embarrassment or act shy if we make eye contact with the object of our affection. Avoiding this type of initial connection can show a lack of self-esteem or self-confidence. Simply smile or give a quick nod with a cute grin. This exchange may be the first step into actually talking to them.

Say something

Although physical beauty may be something you could stare at for hours, it can put off a strange vibe to others. Our first natural desire maybe to focus an intense visual interest on a person, but staring them down most likely won’t give you the results that you’re hoping for. Feel free to enjoy the scenery without being hypnotized by its radiant beauty.

There is truly no harm in giving a pleasant greeting to anyone, not just the attractive ones. Striking up a conversation may be challenging, especially when feelings of fear of rejection or nervousness makes our brain seem to shut down. Take social cues from your environment. If you’re in a bookstore, discuss a novel in the section. If you’re outside, make a comment about the weather or how you love fall colors. You may also want to consider staying away from talking about how much you want to massage their sexy body parts.

Watch where you’re looking

Give a compliment

Someone may have an amazingly tantalizing body part, but be aware of having a laser-focus while checking it out. Not only can it come across as getting in someone’s personal space, it also can be potentially sexually inappropriate depending on where you are looking. Getting slapped, thrown out of a place, or called a pervert is probably not high on your list of desired outcomes.

I would not recommend starting off with an exhaustive list of why you think that person is so hot or expressing the scripted scene you want to do with them. Telling somebody that you like their shirt or tattoo artwork is a relatively non-aggressive way of breaking into a conversation. Just say something complimentary without sounding fake. Don’t forget to treat them like a human being, not a slab of meat.

Glance or scan, don’t stare

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// 6 7

RUNNING OF THE GAYS The 8th Annual Running of the Gays was held along 17th Avenue on October 29. The three-block marathon in heels, sponsored

by Art from Ashes, ran from Steuben’s to Tony P’s. Proceeds from the event help fund creative empowerment workshops for LGBTQ youth, which increase self-perception and community involvement.

Photos by Charles Broshous

6 8 \\ N O V E M B E R 1 5 , 2 0 1 7

OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM

// 6 9

OUTBACK CLASSIFIEDS ENVISIONED

BY BOBERTO

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