Jan. 7, 2015 :: The 2014 Yearbook by OUT FRONT Magazine

13&4&/54

+"/6"3: t (":4,*8&&, $0.

TO BOOK TICKETS, CALL 866-564-8398 OR VISIT GAYSKIWEEK.COM

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

Happy New Year, Everybody! (Fine. The celebration was a week ago.)

For the first issue of 2015, we wanted to start by taking a good look at how far we’ve come last year. From same-sex marriage to full-on cannabis legalization, Colorado has made some moves. We pored through the print and digital articles of 2014 — and added a few updates, naturally — to bring you the Out Front Yearbook 2014. Take a look around: We’ve got lots of photos and throwbacks that might have you saying, “I remember that. It’s about the only thing I remember in 2014, but yeah!” We at Out Front wish you the absolute best of years to come and hope you’ll be a part of our 2015 Yearbook. See you around!

ON THE COVER E]did Wn ?Vn 9^Zgh! ?VZYZYVgi HijY^dh _VZYZYVgihijY^dh#Xdb Men’s grooming: Jody Martinez, Bang! Salon Wash Park Model: Randy Boo See Page 32 for more

CO N TENTS

VOLUME 38

News

Out Front & Center

Colorado Same-Sex Marriage: What’s The Hold-Up?

Still Serving In Silence

Meet Denver’s First Legally Married Same-Sex Couple

National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Marriage Equality Comes To Colorado 12

10th Circuit Court Rules For Equality

State Judge: Colorado’s Gay Marriage Ban “Discriminatory”

Supreme Court Delays Action On Same-Sex Marriage

Supreme Court Brings Marriage Equality To Five States

Did John Suthers Flip Flop On The Same-Sex Marriage Issue?

So … Can Same-Sex Coloradans Marry Today? |

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

ISSUE 19

How Did We Get Here? A Same-Sex Marriage Timeline

Heinzesight: New, More Accurate Acronyms

Bear Bar In Denver Wrangled, Branded Discriminatory

The Lesbian Socialite: Relatability Is The New Black

Hit And Run Or Self-Defense?

Do I Really Have To Pay Those Traffic Camera Tickets?

Legal Directory

Calendar

LGBT Economics

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

JA N UA RY 7, 2 0 1 5

Adelante: A Push For The LGBT & Latino Communities To Keep Moving Forward

New Year: A Pictorial

The King Of Union Station

Bianca Del Rio

2014: The Year In Photos

40 Marketplace 43

Medical Myth-Busting: Marijuana Edition!

Bar Tab

Lesbian Bed Death

Sexpert: BDSM Therapy?

Bleed Like Me: My Romantic Alone Time

BackWords

SERVING THE LGBT COMMUNITY OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS SINCE 1976 3535 Walnut Street, Denver, Colorado 80205 Phone: (%("),,")%%% Fax: 303-325-2642 Web: OutFrontOnline.com Facebook: facebook.com/OutFrontColorado Twitter: 5Dji;gdci8D Instagram: /OutFrontColorado Out Front is published by Q Publishing, Ltd., a Colorado corporation and is a member of: Denver Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and Denver Drama Critics Circle. FOUNDER PHIL PRICE, 1954-1993

The b*tch is back. Let’s get some

coffee.

ADMINISTRATIO N info@outfrontonline.com JERRY CUNNINGHAM, Publisher J.C. MCDONALD, Vice President MAGGIE PHILLIPS, Operations Manager JEFF JACKSON SWAIM, Chief Strategist EDITORI AL editorial@outfrontonline.com BERLIN SYLVESTRE, Editor ROB BARGER, Digital Content Manager CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chris Azzopardi, Mindy Barton, Rex Fuller, O’Brian Gunn, Kyle Harris, Brent Heinze, Isa Jones, Noah L. Jordan, Shanna Katz, Kelsey Lindsey, Scott McGlothlen, Amanda Moutinho, Mikey Rox, Nico Stoerner, Pieter Tolsma, Robyn Vie-Carpenter, and Mike Yost MARKETIN G & SALES marketing@outfrontonline.com DUSTIN KRIER, Director of Sales JORDAN JACOBS, Senior Marketing Executive TOPHER LA FLEUR, Marketing Executive JAY DUQUE, Marketing & Events Coordinator NATIONAL ADVERTISING G^kZcYZaa BZY^V $ '&'"')'"+-+( hVaZh5g^kZcYZaabZY^V#Xdb

ART art@outfrontonline.com COLBY BRUMIT, Art Director CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Laura Baccus, Flor Blake, Charles Broshous, Chad Chisholm, Jay Diers, Christina Gressianu, Nikki Kushner, Hans Rosemond, and Evan Semón DISTRIBUTIO N

Out Front’s print publication is available semi-monthly, free of charge in Colorado, one copy per person. Additional copies of Out Front may be purchased for $3.95 each, payable in advance at Out Front offices located at 3535 Walnut Street, Denver CO, 80205. Out Front is delivered only to authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of Out Front, take more than one copy of Out Front. Any person who takes more than one copy may be held liable for theft, including but not limited to civil damages and or criminal prosecution.

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

Free cookie, just for the asking J an 10, 11 & 17, 18, 2 0 1 5 4 5 0 E . 1 7 TH A V E . DENVER, COLORADO *right next door to Henry’s Salon!

P R O U D LY S E RV I N G

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

N EWS FACT-CHECKED, WEB-APPROVED

The hottest Out Front stories this side of the LGBT news cycle.

Above: Philly gay-bashing defendants Right: Trans teen Leelah Alcorn Below: Bert & Ernie Bottom: Out & About at Charlie’s

JUDGE IN PHILLY GAY-BASHING CASE: “I’VE SEEN ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO GO FORWARD WITH THE TRIAL.” On Sept. 11, 2013, two gay men were jumped by a mob of hostile pedestrians — both male and female — after it was revealed that the two men were lovers. One of the men was seriously injured, requiring his jaw to be wired shut. After witness testimony during a preliminary hearing to determine whether or not the case should go to trial, the three defendants were wished good luck by the presiding judge as he dropped the gavel. Get the details at: bit.ly/ofc-philly A CALL TO ACTION: OHIO TRANS TEEN PENS DEVASTATING SUICIDE NOTE “If you are reading this, it means that I have committed suicide and obviously failed to delete this post from my queue. Please don’t be sad, it’s for the better. The life I would’ve lived isn’t worth living in… because I’m transgender. I could go into detail explaining why I feel that way, but this note is probably going to be lengthy enough as it is. To put it simply, I feel like a girl trapped in a boy’s body, and I’ve felt that way ever since I was 4. I never knew there was a word for that feeling, nor was it possible for a boy to become a girl, so I never told anyone and I just continued to do traditionally ‘boyish’ things to try to fit in.” – Leelah Alcorn, 1997 – 2014 Read the rest of her letter and the get the story at: bit.ly/ofc-leelah BERT & ERNIE SHARE HOW THEY’VE BEEN TOGETHER FOR SO LONG Sesame Street staples Bert & Ernie have been friends (who benefit from sharing a bedroom and house) for more than 40 years. This is a long time to have a companion, especially in such closed quarters, so naturally they seem like a great fit for each other. To what do they attribute to the success of their relationship? Check out the video and find out at: bit.ly/ ofc-berternie OUT & ABOUT VIDEO @ CHARLIE’S DENVER We did it! We created a homegrown video at Charlie’s and we hope you like it. Soon, you’ll see us all over your favorite places in Denver and we encourage you to come over and say hi. Catch the first round of hijinks at: bit.ly/ofc-charlies OUT FRONT IS LOOKING FOR FRESH VOICES IN OUR MAGAZINE! The assignments are fun, the work is steady, and the pay depends on how many stories you pick up and if they’re fit to print. Industry experience is preferred, but if you can write well (but have never been published) that might be fine, too. (We’ll just need writing samples.) The ability to tell a good story is a must. We employ humor and that “letter from a friend” feel in our work here. Though snark is a mainstay for a few of our freelancers, we still like to keep things positive. Email writing samples to Berlin@OutFrontOnline. com and we’ll go from there.

Keep in touch! Visit us online at outfrontonline.com for the latest news & updates. Or get social at: facebook.com/OutFrontColorado

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

ASSESSING THE CENTER’S 2014 PROGRESS Rex Fuller | Out Front & Center

Hill Care Link is designed to help elderly Capitol Hill residents remain in their own homes. “This program is based on a concept known as a ‘naturally WHAT A YEAR 2014 HAS BEEN! According to the Associated Press, occurring retirement community,’” says Debra Pollock, CEO of The Center. only nine states and the District of Columbia issued marriage licenses to “Instead of needing to go to a nursing home, this program will bring services same-sex couples in 2013, and 30 states banned same-sex marriage explicitly. to residents in their own homes so they can remain an active part of our By the end of 2014, the statistics were almost reversed: 15 states restricted community.” Capitol Hill Care Link is already connecting elders to services marriage to one man and one woman, and 35 states — including Colorado such as in-home health care, meal services, in-home repairs, transportation, — issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples. According to the Human and other referrals. Rights Campaign, 64 percent of the U.S. population now lives in a state with The Center’s youth program, Rainbow Alley, saw a renaissance in 2014. marriage-equality protections. Under new leadership, LGBTQ youth and their allies are visiting The Center to The rate of cultural change we’re currently witnessing is remarkable. make new friends and find support. “We are excited about some of the new With 2014 having just sounded the closing bells, it’s a good time to review programs we’re developing,” says Rainbow Alley Director Nadine Bridges. the numbers and reflect on how far The Center has come and look forward “We’re starting a new six-week partnership with Swallow Hill Music where to an exciting future. young people can come to The Center to learn to play “From day one, The Center’s main service was the ukulele! We’re continuing our Fun Fridays and “We are so grateful to everyone in the helping people come out,” says Phil Nash, The Center’s other great programming for youth ages 12 – 21, and community who supports us and helps first paid staffer in 1976. In the early days, people we’re already in the process of planning Stepping us pursue our mission of creating a came for support groups, meetings, and to visit the Out, our summer youth academy. It’s a very exciting safe space for our community.” free library. “People called and people dropped in time to be at The Center.” — Debra Pollock, CEO of The Center “The Transgender Program assists many trans— often after walking by the building a dozen times to build up the courage,” Nash says. gender Coloradans each year in living their true Today, roughly 40,000 people visit The Center annually. People from across selves,” says Courtney Gray, transgender program manager. “It’s really the socioeconomic spectrum participate in Center programs and come from important work that saves lives. Funding for programs like this is very across the Denver metro area to visit. People still use the free library but now difficult to come by.” In addition to support groups for those questioning or they also come to visit the free cyber center. People participate in programs exploring their gender identity, The Center also holds a biannual job fair that serving the transgender community, youth, seniors, and families. More than provides the trans community with access to inclusive employers looking to 400 people use The Center’s free legal help line to resolve legal questions, and hire qualified workers. “It’s exciting when we find employers who are able roughly 12 percent of last year’s visitors attended a Center program for the to look past gender identity and see the skills and talents a trans employee can bring to the workplace,” Courtney says. first time, many of whom were still working on the process of coming out. “We are so grateful to everyone in the community who supports us and One of the most active programs at The Center is SAGE of the Rockies. SAGE stands for “Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders.” About 27 percent helps us pursue our mission of creating a safe space for our community,” of the visitors to The Center came to participate in a SAGE program including Deb says. “Next June, Denver PrideFest will celebrate its fortieth anniversary. (but not limited to) health and wellness activities, free art workshops, coffee The Center was founded shortly after that first gay pride parade in 1975. It’s groups, and lunch-and-learn events. The SAGE Friendly Visitor Program amazing to think that The Center has been an advocate for LGBT rights, a grew dramatically in 2014. Designed to offer friendship and companionship resource for education, and a service provider for our community for nearly to elders isolated by health issues either in their homes or in care facilities, four decades. As we get ready for this important milestone, I think we can the Friendly Visitor Program has become an active program drawing new look back and recognize that we have a lot to celebrate.” clients and volunteers. The Center created a new program serving seniors in 2014 as well. Capitol For more information about The Center and its programs, visit GLBTColorado.org.

Life is happier with a pet!

Adopt a new friend today! At the Dumb Friends League, all cat and dog adoptions include spay/neuter, a microchip ID, and initial vaccinations. Visit DDFL.org to see all adoptable animals looking for good homes. '%-% H FjZWZX HigZZi! 9ZckZg (%( ,*&"*,,'

OLLIE — ID# 0686248 New people can be a little scary, but my previous owner said that once I warm up to you, I can be quite an affectionate lady. I’ve lived with both dogs and cats in the past and did just dandy. I can’t wait to find my forever home. Do you think we’d make a good match? I’d love to get to know you and see what a purrrrrfect pair we could be! 8

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

DANNY — ID# 0687998 I’m a special needs cat, but I have special love to give. I’m very affectionate and interactive. Getting pet by my favorite people makes me sooooo happy! My personality is gentle, kind, and sweet. If your heart is extra big, then I have the heart to match it! Let’s make today our special day!

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

THE 2014 YEARBOOK

STILL SERVING IN SILENCE Though the US military lifted its 17-year-old Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy in 2011, transgender servicemembers are still prohibited from serving openly — but the ban could soon come to an end. Mike Yost “You suffer from isolation,” says Krista Whipple, president of the Gender Identity Center of Colorado. “You feel you can’t talk to anybody about it. You’re very closed off. It’s not a comfortable way to live for anybody.” Krista joined the Marine Corps in June of 1998 shortly after she graduated high school. Trained as a computer technician, she was stationed at Okinawa, Japan for two years before transferring to the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command at Twentynine Palms, California. Though Krista found some support outside of the military at nearby Palm Springs, she was reticent to share her transgender status with others. “I wasn’t really out about my situation while I was in the military,” says Krista, “with the exception of a few close friends who were also in the military at the time.” Even after she left the Marine Corps to work for Lockheed Martin, Krista didn’t escape her seclusion. When a transgender contestant was featured on a nation-wide talent show, she was inundated by her co-workers with discriminatory and ignorant comments regarding the transgender community. “I absolutely felt trapped,” says Krista. “It was excruciating, because on one hand, you really want to stand up and say, ‘You guys are being stupid.’ But on the other hand, it’s about self protection.” According to a Palm Center study released in March of this year, there are 134,350 transgender veterans, and an estimated 8,800 active duty transgender servicemembers with an additional 6,650 in the Guard or Reserve. For those thousands of military members, coming out as transgender — or being discovered — means the end of a military career. In April, The Washington Post featured a story on Landon Wilson, who was booted out of the Navy after it was discovered he was born female. But the very next month, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel stated in an interview with ABC’s “This Week” that the military should review its ban regarding transgender servicemembers. “Every qualified American who wants to serve our country should have an opportunity if they fit the qualifications and can do it,” Hagel says.

“This is an area that we’ve not defined enough.” but again you’d have to have enough people in the Krista approaches Hagel’s statement with situation who are supportive, who could challenge cautious optimism. “I appreciate the sentiment. anyone who doesn’t support it.” I think it’s great we have people In addition to the growing in power who have the ability momentum within the military itself, there are clear signs that to make these decisions and make these changes, but I don’t a progressive shift in perspecthink it’s one that we should look tive is taking place within at lightly.” private companies that work on Transgender organizations military bases as government were very critical when Don’t contractors. Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) ended, “I transitioned at Schriever emphasizing that transgender AFB, which is kind of out there in the middle of nowhere,” says personnel are still serving in Krista. “There’s a lot of military silence, but Krista reiterates there are issues that must be and former military, and I origiaddressed before lifting the ban. nally expected I wasn’t going to “I’m not big on the [DADT] be able to transition on the job.” decision,” says Krista, “but I But when she approached Lockheed’s human resources kind of understand why it may Krista Whipple be better currently to keep the department in 2011, she was told [transgender ban] in place. If I the company had helped other go into boot camp, and I identify one way and transgender employees before. Starting this year, they put me in an opposite group, how does that Lockheed has begun covering surgeries under work? Or on the other side of the case, if I go in as their health program for transgender employees. I identify, and I’m put in with a group that matches Krista knows that not everyone has had the same positive experiences, and she encourages my identity, how does that play out?” Krista adds that although protecting military those who silently endure discrimination to find personnel from harm is top priority, especially support in the community and within. during boot camp, the safety of military members “Ultimately, it’s about finding solace and cannot be guaranteed all the time. strength within yourself,” says Krista. “Transition “There’s still a lot of hateful people who don’t should not be a burden, it should be a wonderful have a problem using violence to express their thing. It should be about becoming the real you and allowing yourself to be that person. And if point of view. It’s just not a safe environment.” But Krista is hopeful that Hagel’s insistence to you have that in front of you, something to look review the ban will address those issues. “It’s a forward to, that’s going to help you surpass the step in the right direction. If it’s handled with care obstacles you’re currently facing.” Krista is confident that the military’s ban on and it’s handled in such a manner that it keeps people protected and safe, then absolutely I’m all transgender personnel will one day be removed, for it, obviously.” but only if everyone works in solidarity to impleOne strategy is to review the military policies ment that change. “It’s not a matter of the trans of other nations. There are as many as 12 coun- community banding together and stepping out tries that allow transgender servicemembers to and saying we want these things changed. It’s serve openly, including Canada, Israel, Australia, more a matter of everybody who’s not trans and England. standing up and saying we want equal rights for “It’s all about education,” says Krista. “If every- them as well, and we’re here to support that.” body was taught that there’s no tolerance for any kind of discrimination or violence, it might work, Originally published Sept. 30, 2014.

AN IMPORTANT WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR: January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and the American Cancer Society would like to encourage all women between the ages of 21 and 65 to talk to their doctor about getting regular cervical screenings. Approximately 12,000 women in America are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually and roughly 4,000 of them die of the disease. Latinas and AfricanAmerican women are at higher risk for developing cervical cancer. A routine pap test can prevent most of these deaths. The Pap test screens for abnormal cells that may develop into cancer and the HPV test screens for the HPV virus that causes these cell changes. Cervical cancer usually doesn’t have any signs or symptoms, so a routine pap test will tell you if you have a problem. When diagnosed in its earliest stage, up to 93 percent of cervical cancers are preventable. 10

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

Even though screening works, 10 percent of women in the US in 2012 reported they had not been screened in the last five years. More than 50 percent of all new cervical cancers are in women who have never been screened or have not been screened in the previous five years of their lives. Under health care reform, insurance plans are required to cover women’s preventive health services, like pap tests, without charging co-pays. The Women’s Wellness Connection offers free cervical cancer screenings and any necessary follow-up treatments to Colorado women between the ages of 40 – 64 years who have little or no health insurance and meet income requirements. For details, visit WomensWellnessConnection.org or call (866) 951-WELL (9355). Tiffany Reed, Screening Systems Specialist American Cancer Society, Great West Division

Style Like a Rockstar PRESENTS

MORE THAN

A N E L I M I N AT I O N

CONTEST

$15,000

FOR HAIR & MAKEUP PROFESSIONALS

IN PRIZES AND G I V E A W A Y S

Which one is yours? FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT ENTRY, PRIZES, ELIGIBILITY & RULES, PLEASE VISIT www.henryssalon.com 4 5 0 E . 1 7 TH OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

2014: MARRIAGE EQUALITY COMES TO COLO RADO 10th Circuit Court Rules for Equality: On June 25, the Denver-based 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals struck down Utah’s same-sex marriage ban, a landmark decision that could pave the way for gay couples in Colorado. Mike Yost IT STARTED OFF AS A TYPICAL DAY in the office. Jodi Martin was sitting at her desk when suddenly somebody started banging on the office wall. “It’s out!” a voice yelled from the other side. It was Jodi’s partner, Jenny, yelling out the 10th Circuit ruling which struck down Utah’s gay marriage ban. “I was very excited,” says Jenny Martin. “I had been watching the 10th Circuit opinion page, and I hit refresh and saw the [Utah] case name, and my stomach just ... I just got butterflies.” Their daughter, 13-year-old Morgan Martin, was in the building as well. “I ran to where she was,” says Jenny, “and yelled: the 10th Circuit ruled! We won!” Jodi and Jenny, who have been together eight years, have been following the Utah case closely. Although they have a civil union, the protections Colorado affords is not enough — especially for a couple raising a child. Once the Martin family leaves the state of Colorado, they lose their rights as a family. They are hopeful the Utah case will change that. In a 108-page decision, the three-judge panel at the 10th Circuit handed down the 2-1 ruling which outlined that restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples violates equal protection rights. Writing for the majority opinion, Judge Carlos F. Lucero scribed: “We hold that the 14 Amendment protects the fundamental right to marry, establish a family, raise children, and enjoy the full protection of a state’s marital laws. A state may not deny the issuance of a marriage license to two persons, or refuse to recognize their marriage, based solely upon the sex of the persons in the marriage union.” The 10th Circuit Appellate Court is the highest court to rule on gay marriage since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Windsor last year, striking down a section of the Defense of Marriage Act. There are six states which fall under the 10th Circuit’s jurisdiction, including Colorado. And though the ruling would apply to all six states, the court immediately stayed its ruling, preventing the

issuance of any valid same-sex marriage licenses in states with marriage amendment bans. Judge Lucero knocked down Utah’s defense that same-sex marriage will somehow adversely affect opposite-sex marriages. “We cannot imagine a scenario under which recognizing same-sex marriages would affect the decision of a member of an opposite-sex couple to have a child, to marry or stay married to a partner, or to make personal sacrifices for a child.” The 10th Circuit also criticized Utah’s argument which posits that because same-sex couples cannot procreate naturally, they should be denied the rights afforded to married couples. Writes Judge Lucero: “... each of [Utah’s] justifications rests fundamentally on a sleight of hand in which same-sex marriage is used as a proxy for a different characteristic shared by both same-sex and some opposite-sex couples.” Nancy Leong, associate professor at the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law, emphasizes the significance of this momentous ruling. “This is a very comprehensive, thoroughly researched, and well supported majority opinion. Clearly what Judge Lucero is doing here is talking to the U.S. Supreme Court.” Though it is likely Utah will appeal to the Supreme Court, a hearing is not certain. The Court could deny Utah’s request and allow the 10th Circuit’s ruling to stand, or the Court could hold Utah’s case until other federal courts have ruled on similar cases. There are currently marriage lawsuits in six different federal circuit courts throughout the nation, including another case before the 10th Circuit regarding Oklahoma’s samesex marriage ban. There is also a possibility the lawsuit will stay in Denver, as Utah can ask the 10th Circuit for a rehearing with the same three-judge panel or a rehearing before all the judges within the 10th Circuit. However the case moves forward, it is likely Utah will pull arguments from the dissenting opinion on the panel, Judge Paul J. Kelly. He is the first federal judge since United States v. Windsor to

rule in favor of a same-sex marriage amendment ban. But Leong explains that in his dissent, Judge Kelly does not defend Utah’s gay-marriage ban itself, but rather outlines the importance of separation of powers. “Judge Kelly’s argument,” explains Leong, “is that states deserve deference in deciding what laws to pass, how to justify those laws, and when to defend those laws. What he is getting at is that state legislatures have a certain role, and the courts have a certain role. As members of the judiciary, we need to stay in our role, and part of that role involves deference to state legislators.” Judge Kelly was very critical of his two colleagues who voted to strike down Utah’s ban. “We should resist the temptation to become philosopher kings imposing our views under the guise of constitutional interpretation of the 14th Amendment,” Judge Kelly writes. Since Windsor, there have been 22 consecutive court decisions upholding the right for gay and lesbian couples to marry. Colorado’s largest LGBT lobby organization, One Colorado, held a celebratory rally in Civic Center Park on the night of the 10th Circuit’s ruling. “We’re gathered here tonight to celebrate our success,” said Dave Montez, executive director of One Colorado, “and send a clear message that Colorado is ready for the freedom to marry. There can be no doubt that marriage equality is inevitable in the not-too-distant future here in Colorado and all across the county.” In his ruling, Judge Lucero echoed what he also sees as inevitable progress, delineating the large paradigm shift that has occurred regarding LGBT rights. Judge Lucero writes: “A generation ago, the declaration by gay and lesbian couples of what may have been in their hearts would have had to remain unspoken. Not until contemporary times have laws stigmatizing or even criminalizing gay men and women been felled, allowing their relationships to surface to an open society. As the district court eloquently explained, ‘It is not the Constitution that has changed, but the knowledge of what it means to be gay or lesbian.’” Originally published July 16, 2014.

S TAT E J U D G E : C O L O R A D O ’ S G AY M A R R I A G E B A N “ D I S C R I M I N AT O R Y ” On July 9, Adams County District Judge C. Scott Crabtree ruled that Colorado’s 2006 constitutional same-sex marriage ban violates the fundamental rights of gay and lesbian couples, adding that civil unions only reinforce the biased nature of the statute. Mike Yost REBECCA BRINKMAN SAT IN HER CAR in the parking lot and checked her voicemail — it was an urgent message from her partner of almost 35 years, Margaret Burd. Last October, the couple sued Adams County when the county clerk politely refused to issue a marriage license, explaining that Colorado’s Amendment 43 prohibited same-sex marriage. They were offered a civil union license, which they politely refused. For the last nine months, Brinkman and Burd have spearheaded the challenge to the ban, and their lawsuit was recently combined with a similar case in which nine same-sex couples sued Denver County in February for the right to be married. 12

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

“It was very emotional. I called my partner back right away,” says Brinkman, overwhelmed with excitement when she heard Judge Crabtree ruled in their favor. She sat in her car phoning friends and family with the good news. “I just had to share it.” Ralph Ogden, the couple’s attorney, received the news as he was leaving a theater. “I had a ton of emails about the ruling, and I couldn’t read the decision fast enough. Judge Crabtree was so thorough in taking apart the state’s argument. It was a very courageous thing for him to do.” Though Crabtree immediately stayed his ruling, the state judge’s 49-page decision vigorously dismantled Colorado’s defense of the voter-approved gay marriage ban. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Coloradoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central argument revolved around what it called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;responsible procreation,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; outlining that the optimal environment for child rearing required opposite-gender parents, and that it was in the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest to promote that environment. Judge Crabtree did not mince words in razing the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claim, asserting that the child-centric defense, utilized to deny gays and lesbians the right to marry, was nothing short of blatant discrimination. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The avowed State interest can be distilled down to encouraging procreation and marital commitment for the benefit of the children,â&#x20AC;? writes Crabtree. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The problem with this post-hoc explanation is that it utterly ignores those who are permitted to marry without the ability or desire to procreate. It is merely a pretext for discriminating against same-sex marriages.â&#x20AC;? Crabtree highlighted that the passage of civil unions in Colorado, which became legal last May, only serves as further evidence of a separate but not equal system of governing which â&#x20AC;&#x153;does not ameliorate the discriminatory effect of the Marriage Bans.â&#x20AC;? In addition, the state judge emphasized that those who organized and backed Amendment 43 in 2006 pushed for the ban even though the Colorado legislature had already enacted a similar provision prohibiting gay marriage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This historic fact evidences a clear intent to ensure that gay and lesbian Coloradans be preemptively denied rights under the Constitution.â&#x20AC;? Ogden applauded Crabtreeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s candid verbiage, emphasizing that the ruling echoes other federal and state court decisions in declaring gay marriage bans to be in violation of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The standard for violation of fundamental rights,â&#x20AC;? says Ogden, â&#x20AC;&#x153;is that the government must show that the law which violates rights serves a compelling state interest and is narrowly tailored to serve that interest. What Judge Crabtree said was that the state law was invalid because it infringed on this fundamental right [to marry] without any rational basis.â&#x20AC;? Crabtreeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ruling came only a few weeks after the Denver-based 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction in Colorado and five other states, ruled that Utahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marriage amendment ban was unconstitutional. On July 18, the 10th Circuit also ruled Oklahomaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional. And on July 23, U.S. District Judge Raymond P. Moore ruled that Coloradoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Amendment 43 was unconstitutional. All three courts immediately stayed their rulings. Since last June, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a section of the Defense of Marriage Act, there have been a total of 29 consecutive federal and state court decisions upholding the right for gay and lesbian couples to marry. A poll conducted in April of this year by Quinnipiac University revealed that 61 percent of Coloradans support the right of same-sex couples to marry. But despite the court of victories and public support, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers has appealed Crabtreeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ruling, taking the fight for marriage equality to the Colorado Supreme Court. Requests from Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper and LGBT organizations such as One Colorado to stop defending the ban have gone unheeded. Suthers shows no sign of relenting, as he recently joined nine other state attorney generals in filing a friend-of-the-court brief defending a same-sex marriage ban in Indiana. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really understand [Suthersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;] motivation,â&#x20AC;? says Brinkman, who pointed out that several attorney generals in other states have decided not to defend similar gay-marriage bans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t figure out why he is doing this, other than he might have political aspirations later. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a real waste of taxpayer money.â&#x20AC;? The appeals process also takes time. Ogden explained that a ruling on Brinkman and Burdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lawsuit by the Colorado Supreme Court wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come until early next year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only if the courts decide to expedite the case. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the length of time itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to take to get this through the Colorado Supreme Court,â&#x20AC;? says Brinkman, â&#x20AC;&#x153;there are going to be gay people who die without protections, who miss out on Social Security benefits â&#x20AC;Ś there are going to be children who are confused whether their parents are married or not. It affects peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives on a very real level.â&#x20AC;? But no matter how long it takes, Brinkman and Burd are committed to their goal to get married in Colorado and put an end to Amendment 43. Though the couple has been fighting for gay rights in the Centennial State since the early â&#x20AC;&#x2122;90s, they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see themselves as courageous. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybody has thanked us for putting out the effort and [said] that we are brave to do this,â&#x20AC;? says Brinkman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really have to say that I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel that brave. I feel like the trail had already been blazed by Edith Windsor.â&#x20AC;? Brinkman added that although thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a flurry of court victories in the past 12 months, ending these discriminatory bans which violate the 14th Amendment is long overdue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talking about how fast this is going, but if you think about it, the Constitution has been here for more than 200 years.â&#x20AC;?

We will make your LGBTQ wedding

exquisite.

For over 20 years, we have been proud to be Coloradoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier gay-owned caterer. Let our experience help make your event truly special.

We work with you We understand you because We are you!

Colorado Gay-O

QR Code

! ! and more!

Operate servi Comm since

303.2 www.lifestyl

www.lifestylescatering.com 303.232.7932 Scan to read what our customers say about us!

Originally published Aug. 6, 2014. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

2014: MARRIAGE EQUALITY COMES TO COLO RADO SUPREME COURT DELAYS ACTION ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE Rob Barger, Oct. 2 In an orders list released today, the U.S. Supreme Court selected 11 cases to hear this term, same-sex marriage not being one of them. This rings of disappointment to many Americans, as one decision could be enough to affect same-sex marriage in all 50 states. There are currently five same-sex marriage cases awaiting their day in court, each from Utah, Oklahoma, Virginia, Indiana and Wisconsin. All of these cases involved an overturn of the state’s same-sex marriage ban. The previous same-sex ruling from Supreme Court ended with the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which had widespread consequences providing equality for millions of gay Americans.

SUPREME COURT BRINGS MARRIAGE EQUALITY TO FIVE STATES Rob Barger, Oct. 6 The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) came to the decision NOT to decide on seven cases regarding same-sex marriage bans, effectively bringing marriage equality to Indiana, Oklahoma, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Utah. SCOTUS had issued a stay on same-sex marriage equality that would effectively terminate if the court chose not to hear the case. The decision will hold off high court review for the time being. This brings the total number of states with marriage equality to 24. This SCOTUS decision also cements the effective end to the same-sex marriage bans in the 4th, 7th, and 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, meaning the states in those circuits should have marriage equality shortly. This occurs due to the change of the controlling precedent which is now the unconstitutionality of same-sex marriage bans. Below is a list of states within those circuits that are affected by the decision and will likely have marriage equality soon: • Colorado • North Carolina • South Carolina • West Virginia • Kansas • Wyoming

DID JOHN SUTHERS FLIP FLOP ON THE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE ISSUE? Berlin Sylvestre, Oct. 6 Nope. (Not anymore than the law did, anyway.) Attorney General John Suthers has been viewed pretty harshly these days. To put it nicely, let’s just say he’s been called “the roadblock in the path to same-sex marriage in Colorado.” Whether that’s an accurate depiction of the man is up to you. In fairness, I couldn’t find any info on the guy’s personal stance on same-sex marriage. I mean … is he for? Is he against? Does he give a damn? So I gave his office a quick ring, knowing it was a longshot (insert chicken/head-cut-off analogy here), but to my astonishment someone actually answered. It was Carolyn Tyler, the communications director for Camp Suthers. Right outta the gate, she reminded me of 14

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

his official statement — “We will file motions Yes, it’s a new look for the man to act swiftly to expedite the lifting of the stays in the federal in same-sex marriage’s corner. That’s because the and state courts and will advise the clerks when law is brand new. And it’s binding. And it’s about to issue licenses.” — and didn’t balk when I to change our world here in Colorado. asked: “But c’mon: Is he for or against same-sex The only downside Suthers has expressed marriage personally?” is a disappointment in SCOTUS’ She tells me Suthers has never decision not to decide, as it creates been publicly for or against samea “patchwork” of law across our sex marriage. In two words, he’s country, rather than a national unibeen: intentionally mum. formity on the issue of same-sex Carolyn says: “He sees that as marriage. I think we can all agree irrelevant. His job is simply to that giving same-sex marriage uphold the law.” the greenlight across the country My knee-jerk reaction as would pose so fewer legal headan often skeptical butthead is aches and hangups. But here we something like, “Right. How conveare, 10th Circuit denizens … and nient.” But as it turns out, Suthers we’re all set to one-up the (mostly) has upheld the law in matters second-class citizenry of same-sex that conflicted with his personal civil unions. JOHN SUTHERS views, because the law is the law. A But there’s an odd twist to all quick example? this, Carolyn admits. Writing for The Washington Post, he opines: “It’s conceivable to think that a federal stay “I have been attorney general of Colorado for would be lifted before one at the state level,” she nine years, during which time the state has enacted says, adding that there are stays in Denver, Boulder, laws that span the philosophical and political spec- and Adams County specifically, and to issue licenses trum. I personally oppose a number of Colorado’s before the stay is lifted is to be in contempt of laws as a matter of public policy, and a few are court. “The marriage licenses that have been issued contrary to my religious beliefs. But as my state’s prior to today — the ones issued in Pueblo, for attorney general, I have defended them all — and instance — they’re invalid.” will continue to.” Her advice? Start making plans for marriage, He cites, for example, defending the First but save yourself some time and money and wait Amendment even when it meant that children in until the stays are lifted before heading down to Colorado would have visual access to marijuana- the courthouse. themed content. Though it posed moral and internal “That way, your marriage will be valid and strife for Suthers, he kept to his duty as Attorney legal. [You] deserve certainty that your marriages General and stood by the law. To be in opposition are valid.” Ok. So when, then? I ask her: “If past is precto the rule of law, he says, would “undermine many edent, when can we expect the Supreme Court of important principles of our democracy.” He applied the same principle to the ban on Colorado to give us an answer?” same-sex marriage. “I wish I had a crystal ball to look at that So now that the Supreme Court of the United court docket,” she responds with a laugh. “We’ve States has refused to hear the same-sex marriage been working as quickly as possible, joining with argument within its halls, the law has been de- plaintiffs in filing a motion to lift both the federal ferred to the 10th Circuit’s decision which declares and state stays.” She says everyone there hopes a ban on gay marriage “unconstitutional.” the Supreme Court of Colorado will release the And now we’re seeing Attorney General John determinations soon. “I think we can expect an Suthers do what he’s been doing all along, whether answer within a few days,” she says. Commence breath-holding in 5 … 4 … 3 it hurts or not: He’s getting behind the law.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

SO … CAN SAME-SEX COLORADANS MARRY TODAY? Berlin Sylvestre, Oct. 6 The short answer: Possibly. (Just be patient as they sort stuff out.) I made a phone call to the Marriage and Civil Union License Division downtown a moment ago, and was told that the Denver County Clerk & Recorder — and noted LGBT ally — Debra Johnson was “in talks with attorneys” at the time of my calling. As well, those in the office are simply “waiting on [their] marching orders” to greenlight the issuances of marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Also, hot off the press from Clerk Johnson’s office: “In light of the Supreme Court decision, my Office hopes [Colorado Attorney General] John Suthers will voluntarily revoke his appeal which ultimately hurts the People of this State. However, when equality is extended and countless couples are finally given the freedom to marry, it is a day for celebration.” And what does Suthers say? “We have consistently maintained that we will abide by the Supreme Court’s determination on the constitutionality of marriage laws. By choosing not to take up the matter, the court has left the 10th Circuit ruling in place. We expect the 10th Circuit will issue a final order governing Colorado very shortly. Once the formalities are resolved, clerks across the state must begin issuing marriage licenses to all same-sex couples. We will file motions to expedite the lifting of the stays in the federal and state courts and will advise the clerks when to issue licenses.” So it looks like a simple case of, “Hold your horses! It’s almost here!” COLORADO SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: WHAT’S THE HOLD-UP? Berlin Sylvestre & Rob Barger, Oct. 6 With the decision from SCOTUS paving the way for same-sex marriage in Colorado, LGBT community members await the final ok from the Colorado Supreme Court. Attorney General John Suthers has abandoned his attempts to uphold the same-sex marriage ban and is currently pushing for the immediate legalization of same-sex marriage. The final hurdle is an official green light from the Colorado Supreme Court. An emergency injunction has been filed asking for the dissolution of any and all legal stays that keep the ban on same-sex marriage in Colorado in place. Though the stay is still active in Pueblo County, same-sex marriage licenses are being issued. “Hopefully, the Colorado Supreme Court will pass this expeditiously,” says William Porter of County Clerk Debra Johnson’s Office. “Our due dilligence is done and we are ready [for Colorado same-sex marriage].”

You’re first! How’s it feel right now? Nikki: “Awesome!” Vicky: “It’s amazing!” Nikki: “We got married in California last year.” Vicky: “We got really frustrated with the wait and wanted to have access to all the benefits that other couples get to access.”

MEET DENVER’S FIRST LEGALLY MARRIED SAME-SEX COUPLE Berlin Sylvestre, Oct. 7 We could only grab a quick interview (talk about a big moment for these two!), but Vicky Pierce and Nikki Holmlund stopped just outside the doors of the Clerk’s office in the Webb Municipal building to be the first same-sex couple to get hitched under the new law of the land. The two have been together for eight years, have a 5-year-old daughter (Audrey), and are finally official in the state of Colorado. Here’s what they had to say before rushing in: 16

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

In what ways is this going to change your life in Colorado? Nikki: “We’re not second-class citizens anymore.” Vicky: “Exactly.” Honeymoon plans? Vicky: “Tahiti?” Nikki: “Fiji?” Vicky: “Somewhere with a beach where we can take our daughter!” So Out Front offers its congrats to Nikki and Vicky for being the first to sign the first official marriage certificate given to a Denver couple after the 10th Circuit’s greenlight. Here’s to many more happy couples for years to come.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

HOW DI D WE G ET HE RE? A SAME-SEX MARRIAGE TIMELINE Isa Jones | Opinion

t first, Colorado had no law making gay marriage legal. Unfortunately, due to legal jargon, this meant it was illegal by default. This terrible idea was solidified by the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which became a law in 1996. That law federally defined marriage as between a man and woman (boo) and Section 3 of the law denied any federal rights to gay partners that are otherwise granted to heterosexual spouses. In 2013, the Supreme Court became true American heroes and struck down Section 3 following a court case related to it. This ruling put gay marriage in the hands of the state since now any married couple (straight or gay) would be recognized federally. This brave and amazing decision was crucial because not only did it put the legality of gay marriage in the hands of the states, all state laws regarding marriage were now able to be challenged, because in the court system, federal law overrules any state law. TIMELINE OF GAY MARRIAGE IN COLORADO: 2006: Long before DOMA became unconstitutional, anti-gay assholes succeeded in passing a law excluding same-sex couples from marriage. Gay marriage was already illegal by default, but now it was super illegal, like in writing nailed to the town hall door illegally. 2009: Designated Beneficiaries Agreement Act of 2009 became a law. It’s a big old thick law full of confusing words but basically, it allowed same-sex couples to receive benefits. Long before the federal courts were debating DOMA, Colorado was already giving gay couples more rights than most states. This was a big victory, especially considering the tragic and harmful law passed just three years earlier. 2013: Civil Unions become legal in Colorado. While this still seperates gay couples and hetereosexual couples, and hardly has the same connotation or amazing weddings that marriage allows, it creates a “marriage-like” status that allows couples even more benefits and rights. July 9, 2014: A district judge who is truly the best district judge there ever was, strikes down Colorado’s gay marriage ban as part of a case with two other states. While there is still no federal precedent, for the moment, gay marriage is legal in Colorado. October 6, 2014: The Supreme Court decides against ruling on two federal gay marriage cases. When the Supreme Court decides not to take a case, the existing ruling on that case stands, which luckily, in this case, was that gay marriage was legal. Suddenly gay marriage becomes legal in multiple states, and the ruling that gay marriage in Colorado is legal stands. Current Status: Go get married you lovebirds. It’s your right. Originally published Nov. 5, 2014.

Photo: Christina Gressianu

Brent Heinze | HeinzeSight GAY CULTURE HAS SO MANY SHORTHAND TERMS AND ACRONYMS used online and elsewhere to simplify situations or concepts. Unfortunately, many of the terms on HIV, sex, and hooking up are discriminatory and/or mean-spirited. Take “DDF,” for “drug and disease free” (as in: “I’m looking for someone who’s ‘DDF,’” or “I’m ‘DDF’ and you should be too,”) which lumps people who are HIV positive with the use of illegal drugs. These categorical ways of describing people bother me for a few reasons — first, because they’re inaccurate. The term isn’t usually intended to describe non-sexuallyrelated diseases like cancer or diabetes, nor does it address someone’s usage of alcohol, caffeine, or nicotine — but what it does describe is simplistically conflated as a batch of things that carry social stigma. If you don’t want to hang with someone who uses illegal drugs, say so. (Be aware that he or she may be addicted to other things like being bitchy or chronically late.) If you’re looking to get with someone who’s HIV negative, say so. (Be aware that just because someone claims to be negative doesn’t mean it’s true.) My second concern with using terminology like this is that it can cause feelings of isolation, stigmatization, anger, and hurt for many people who see or read your comment, even if that wasn’t your intent. I’m sending out a worldwide challenge — develop language that can be used to describe yourself or what you’re looking for in positive terms, rather than perpetuating stigma toward what you don’t want. Send me your own ideas! Let’s start the revolution of empowering each other instead of separating and hurting each other. PUSH: Positive Undetectable Sexy Healthy Here is new acronym that could describe someone who is HIV positive, consistent with their medication, and has a low level of HIV in their blood which represents a hugely reduced risk of transmitting HIV to an HIV-negative partner — and, oh yeah — is totally woofy. NEAR: Negative Educated Affirming Responsible Here is one for an HIV-negative person who understands how HIV is transmitted and how to reduce the risk of becoming HIV positive. These people have thought through their personal limits and realize that there are ways to protect themselves without being afraid of (or condescending to) HIV-positive people. PONG: Powerful Optimistic No Games This describes an individual with integrity and an optimistic attitude toward meeting people to build great relationships. When they express interest or make plans, they mean it and can be counted on to follow through. FLUID: Fun Lacking Using Illegal Drugs These people may be sober, struggling with recovery, or simply wanting to stay away from people who use drugs. Additionally, people may want to express if they usually stay away from socializing in bars or clubs because hanging out in quieter environments can mean more intimate conversations. WHIP: Wanting Hotness In Person Use this when you want to reinforce that being online or endless texting/ chatting is not as fulfilling as meeting in person. Get out there and go do something! BAD FEAR: Bullshit- And Drama-Free, Enjoyable Authentic Relationships Wouldn’t that be nice? Hopefully this is what we are all endeavoring to have in our lives.

#6% #6% -*()5 %3"'54

%63*/( #30/$04 (".&4

NEW, MORE ACCURATE ACRONYMS

#6% #6% -*()5 .*/* 1*5$)&34

#6% #6% -*()5 #6$,&54 #"$"3%* #0054

"/: %3*/,

'3&& 8)&/ 5)& #30/$04 4$03&

SUNDAY FOOTBALL 13*;&4 (*7&/ &7&3: 26"35&3 (3"/% 13*;& &7&3: (".&

#"3 5"#4 t 4067&/*34 $0/$&35 5*$,&54 t (*'5 $"3%4 .03&

THE HOTTEST SHOT BOYS IN TOWN

Brent Heinze, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor. Get more HeinzeSight online at outfrontonline.com or send him a question for his column at PerspectiveShift@yahoo.com. Originally published Feb. 5, 2014. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

BEAR BAR IN DENVER WRANGLED, B R A N D E D D I S C R I M I N AT O R Y

First-round victor opens up about retaliation, gay slurs, and what’s next Berlin Sylvestre THOUGH NINE-MONTHS NEW TO TOWN, Vito Marzano claims his face wasn’t unknown to security at Denver’s most prominent “bear” bar, the Denver Wrangler. Having visited multiple times, he says he had an established (albeit casual) relationship with a few of the patrons and employees. But add some sunglasses, foundation, and a wig, and Vito says his formerly acceptable ID — and bonhomie with Pat Steimer, the assistant manager working the door that fateful evening on August 31, 2013 — were no longer recognized. He stepped to the entrance of the bar known locally as just ‘The Wrangler’ in his more feminine presentation, and says he was immediately denied entry for not appearing as he does on his Colorado driver’s license, in spite of being recognized as a patron. He tells Out Front: “The night I went, [Pat] said that the gender I was presenting didn’t look like my ID, and I said, ‘Well, that’s discrimination.’ From there, it morphed into, ‘Well, your gender doesn’t match your ID.’ I immediately pulled my wig and sunglasses off and said, ‘Look. It’s me. You know me.’ He said, ‘It doesn’t matter if I know you — I have to ID you.’ With my wig off, I didn’t look that different from my ID. The only difference was I didn’t have a beard and I had some foundation on. He knew who I was.” In later correspondence with Out Front, Pat insists he never said “gender-matching ID,” but rather “appearance-matching ID.” Having been involved in activism in New York for a number of years before this incident, Vito felt that what happened that night wasn’t right. He went back minutes later to videotape The Wrangler’s protocol. A four-minute video of what follows shows Pat and manager of The Wrangler, Phil Newland, engaging in a heated discussion with Vito outside the entrance. The Wrangler team asserts that because of the scene created, Pat and Phil demanded Vito leave the property. When asked repeatedly why, Phil explains: “The law states you must have an appearance-matching ID.” Vito counters in a later correspondence with Out Front that according to the licensee handbook issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Liquor Enforcement Division, that simply isn’t true. Per section II.A of the handbook:

acceptable proof of age is not available from the questionable patron, no service or sale should be provided. In the video, Vito accuses the duo of discrimination. “The reality is you don’t want drag queens in your bar,” he says. The accusation wasn’t a new one: Some members of the Denver community have long decried (via the online business review website Yelp) that the bar, which caters to the overtly masculine, burly, hirsute gay male — “bears,” as they’re known — discriminates against the effeminate, whether male, female, or trans. Denying it, the gentlemen reiterate that the reason Vito is not allowed into their establishment is because the “drag” version of Vito standing before them doesn’t resemble the Vito in the driver’s license. “The first step they have to do is go to the DMV and take a picture if they’re transgender,” Newland is heard saying in the video. The next day, Vito created a Facebook group called Boycott the Denver Wrangler. The video, immediately uploaded to YouTube, then the Facebook page, went viral and escalated the incident from heated online conversation to what Vito claims was a virtual tug-of-war for posting rights. The video was removed from YouTube on September 17, 2013 for an alleged privacy violation, but soon found a new home on Vimeo.com. What hurt Vito most, he says, was brought on by the recourse Phil took against Denver’s all-male, multicultural rugby team, The Colorado Rush — a team on which Carlos Marzano, Vito’s husband, was a board member and one of the team’s coaches. Out Front received a copy of a letter Phil sent The Rush stating he “will not offer financial support” to the team if it allows players or members who support

Do Patrons have to produce identification, and what kinds of identification can I accept? Colorado law does not require a patron to produce identification when making a purchase of alcohol beverages. Colorado law does not prohibit underage persons (those persons under the age of 21 years) from entering or remaining in a licensed establishment. However, Colorado law does prohibit any licensed establishment from selling, serving, or giving alcohol beverages to an underage person. Licensees should always check for acceptable proof of age if there is any doubt about the age of the patron. If an 18

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

the boycott to remain. This would directly affect the fundraising the team receives from The Wrangler. [Editor’s Note: We have reached out for a follow-up attempt with The Rush. We will update the story if we receive response.] “So The Rush took the side of The Wrangler, and that isn’t what rugby is about. The concept of brotherhood and fraternity, they just took it and threw it out the window for a couple bucks. The Rush immediately started a witch-hunt, though they tried to say they were neutral. Carlos was forced to resign from his position on the team due to his support of me — his husband — and the boycott. The Rush then had a Wrangler employee appointed to the board and refused to allow a [boycott] supporter be on the board. The backlash from The Rush hurt the most.” He adds: “A lot of the people were very close friends of ours — one of them my husband considered his best friend. He turned on us and sent text messages calling me a fagg*t twice, and not in a joking way — not that it would be ok if he were joking; I hate that word — period. I even contacted The Rush board and said, ‘Hey, this is what one of your board members is doing,’ and their response was basically, ‘We’re going to review our rules.’ I can get over a lot of the crap that the members of the community at large were saying, but people that we’d actually had in our home …” But a surge of support for Vito came from far and wide. “A lot of lesbians in the Denver community were incredibly supportive, as well as a lot of gay men outside Colorado,” Vito says. “The trans community by and large came out in support, but the drag community was surprisingly a bit more mixed.” CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

VITO MARZANO IN — AND OUT — OF DRAG

When asked why: “I think a lot of that has to do with loyalties — I think I’m perceived as an outsider. I’d only been in Denver for nine months when this all happened, and I was a new drag queen. So I think it might be seen as, ‘Who was I to speak for the drag community here?’ and the fact that The Wrangler raises a lot of money for charity. In fact, Phil Newland said to me flat out [in the video], ‘I have the block on charity in this town.’ I feel they believe they’re beyond reproach. They’re one of the most prominent gay clubs in Denver — maybe even in the state.” By mid-September, Vito filed a complaint with Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), an organization (per their website) “dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment to Colorado.” Vito claims that he made many attempts to remedy the situation through mediation — even outside of the agency — but to no avail. Reaching out to the bar’s ownership via the Facebook group, his demands for The Wrangler were outlined. Vito wanted: • An immediate change to the Wrangler’s discriminatory policy concerning gender; • [For The Wrangler to] hold a fundraiser where all proceeds will go to an organization that helps to fight transphobia; • An end to the retaliation against the Colorado Rush RFC (guaranteed two beer busts, same as last year); • An official apology to all members of the trans- and drag communities. “The Wrangler sent me a cease and desist letter [for the Facebook postings],” he tells us. “I posted [pics of the letter] immediately.” All hopes for communication appeared to break down completely. “Phil said [at a later date] that had I called him [the day after the incident], we could have had the issue resolved. I felt that that was bullshit. I felt that he would’ve maintained his position and it would’ve been a waste of time. When he got his lawyers involved, I agreed to meet for mediation at a neutral spot: no lawyers — just Phil and one person, me and one person, and we can hash it out. They turned that down because we were applying conditions.” The next attempt fell through when another member of the Facebook group’s request to mediate was rebuffed. Shortly after, DORA accepted the discrimination complaint. “After the complaint was accepted, I requested mediation through DORA,” says Vito. “For that to happen, both sides need to agree to it. [The Wrangler] said no without reason.” On December 10 of last year, Vito received a letter of response provided to DORA on behalf of The Wrangler. Not only were there allegations of Vito being intoxicated, a signed testimony written by Shawn Smith, who Vito believes is an acquaintance to the staff at The Wrangler, states that prior to the incident at The Wrangler, he’d been with Vito and a group of friends at a Colorado Rush fundraiser held at Hamburger Mary’s. Some of the members were performing in drag. Shawn states that as the night progressed, Vito was becoming “increasingly intoxicated.” His testimony claims that he reminded the group to change out of their drag attire before heading to The Wrangler, as they were all aware of the bar’s appearance-matching form of identification. At this point, Shawn claims Vito refused to change and quotes him: “IF they don’t let me in … then I’m going to cause some SHIT!” He further alleges that Vito’s intention was to “cause a fight.” Vito balked at the allegations, along with two other Rush players who were with the group that night. Both players subsequently penned disputes of their own against Shawn’s claims and added them to DORA’s investigation cache. Further, in an August 5 chat with Out Front, Vito alleges: “Shawn approached me at the Eagle [two weeks ago], and at first I didn’t recognize him. When he identified himself, I asked why he was speaking to me. He told me he really liked the drag outfit I had on the night of The Wrangler incident. I then asked him about the letter he wrote in support of The Wrangler to DORA. He was shocked by this and kept repeating that he couldn’t believe [the letter] existed. He really had no recollection of a letter — or at least that’s what he led me to believe. I referenced specific points of the letter, i.e. the alleged confrontation we had when he claimed he said to everyone that [The Wrangler] requires an appearance-matching ID. He claimed he did say that but when I pushed a little harder and said we never even exchanged words, he said he didn’t remember that part. He was skeptical about the letter and said he was upset [The Wrangler] used his name. He did admit that he doesn’t recall any such conversation between us and he openly questioned whether or not a letter was sent.” CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

WRANGLED CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 Via phone, Vito reinforces: “[If the letter was fabricated], that would be perjury. It could be a case of him lying about submitting that letter, but I’d like to get it on record that I think his word is unreliable.” In a follow-up interview with Out Front, Shawn Smith denied the allegations. (See below.) “As well, [The Wrangler] never once said to me, ‘You’re too drunk.’ That was never said. That was something that came after, in the revisionist attempt. Never in the video did they say, ‘You’re too drunk.’” On August 4, the national media — from The New York Times to the UK’s Daily Mail — ascended on Denver when word got out that DORA had issued its official letter of determination. In it, DORA proclaimed that there was substantial evidence to issue a probable cause determination that Vito Marzano was discriminated against via the denial of services from a public accommodation on the basis of his perceived/actual sexual orientation and sex by the Denver Wrangler. Congratulatory statements came from around the globe. “It’s overwhelming,” he admits. “I really want to thank The [GLBT Center of Colorado]. Although they remained neutral in all this, they were always willing to hold the mediation. The mass of support in Denver came from the trans community, so I want to thank them as well. We held three events called Queer Busts at Compound Basix, where we raised money for trans programming at The GLBT Center and for It Takes A Village, so I’m thankful for them,” he says. (Per It Takes A Village’s website, the group is a non-profit organization on a mission to reduce health and social disparities for people of color in the Denver area.) “Even outside of Denver, the support from the trans community has also been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone in the Boycott the Denver Wrangler movement helped it become a movement on its own. I also want to recognize my husband, who is normally apolitical — this politicized him.” So with the determination and the newfound momentum, are there newfound demands from Vito, or are the four he outlined months ago his final offer? “I can’t answer that at the moment. I’ll be conferring with other people who have organically come out as leaders of the boycott. Other people really stepped up to the plate.” Vito’s New York accent comes front and center, propelled by gravitas. “I want to hear any conditions from trans and nonconforming individuals in the state. I want to hear from members of the boycott about what they want to happen. I feel like they should have just as much of a say at mediation. I’m not sure I can have anyone with me at mediation, but if I can, I’d like to bring someone who identifies as trans — these voices really need to be heard.” So what’s next in the process? “Now it’s in mandatory mediation, which is a logical next step,” he says. “If that breaks down, the Colorado Civil Rights Commission will make a decision on whether or not they want to continue the case. If so, it could go to trial. At that point, the commission becomes the complainant.” He goes on: “But they could also decide to not take the case, and it just kind of … stays in limbo for the rest of my life, but I believe they’ll take it as it’s a high-profile case and the evidence is abundant. But at this point, it’s letting the process go through and letting DORA do what DORA does. I’m fine with that.” Although Out Front has maintained cordial correspondence with The Wrangler throughout the process of developing the story 20

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

in its present state, attempts at comments and additions from representatives from the bar have been denied. However, an official statement given to Out Front early in the writing process by the Denver Wrangler states: “The Denver Wrangler does not deny entrance or service to anyone, including women and those that identify as transgender. The Denver Wrangler operates under the State of Colorado’s Liquor Laws as well as Civil Laws. Liquor law dictates that licensees must KNOW an individual is of legal drinking age. Liquor law does not allow individuals to present any identification that is not valid and have a photo as proof of identity or age. Ultimately, Liquor Law determines [whether] or not we are allowed to remain open for business. Finally, the Department of Regulatory Agencies is not a court of law, and does not issue a ‘ruling’ of any kind.” No other comments were made available from the Denver Wrangler. Originally published Aug. 6, 2014

SHAWN SMITH DENIES ALLEGATIONS HE WAS “SHOCKED” HIS OFFICIAL STATEMENT EXISTED Berlin Sylvestre IN A CANDID PHONE CALL the morning of August 7, Shawn Smith spoke with a quick, confident clip as he assured Out Front that the letter given to Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) was, in fact, written and signed by him, despite a claim by Vito Marzano, the complainant in a successful discrimination case with the agency, that a mere two weeks ago, Shawn denied knowing the letter even existed. In the letter, Shawn alleges that not only was Vito intoxicated prior to The Wrangler incident on August 31, but that Vito had also informed a group of people at Hamburger Mary’s that he had intent to “cause a fight” if denied entry into The Wrangler because of his drag attire. Shawn’s interview with Out Front went as follows: OF: Vito claims that he saw you two weeks ago and your stance was: “What letter? I don’t know anything about that letter.” SS: Which I find really funny. He’s actually friends with some friends of mine, so I just went to talk to them. [Editor’s Note: Vito claims he was talking to two of Shawn’s friends outside The Eagle two weeks ago and their meeting was simply happenstance.] I didn’t give a shit about [Vito], quite frankly. One thing I can recollect from that night was saying he looked good [the night of the incident], like Mike Myers’ character from “Coffee Talk” on SNL, [Linda Richman]. I thought that was fantastic, it was hilarious! And the fact that he mentioned moving to New York very, very soon — that’s all I remember talking to him about. My concern was not even with him; I didn’t even recognize him. But then I was like ‘Oh! Hey, you’re Vito,’ and then we both recognized each other. But all I remember is me telling him he looked good and that’s about it. So it blew me out of water, suddenly getting all these inquiries and whatnot. And thanks for talking to me about this. These things have a tendency to get muddy, so it’s nice to be able to clarify. Absolutely. So let’s make certain: The letter submitted to DORA was indeed written and signed by you.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

Absolutely. 100 percent, that’s exactly what happened. That completely happened. Yes. Are you an employee of The Wrangler? No, not at all, no. When [some friends and I] ventured down [to The Wrangler at a later date], I heard what was going on with Vito and the camera and [Vito] going batshit crazy to apparently start shit — and again, that’s what he was going down there to do — I mentioned to Phil, ‘That’s funny. I told him not to do that … to, you know, not go down there and cause shit.’ So Phil’s like, ‘Can you write me a statement?’ and I went ‘Absolutely.’ And that’s it. I’m a patron [of The Wrangler]. I go down there quite a bit. I’ve only lived in Denver for fifteen months and it’s kind of my watering hole. At that time, I [lived] nearby so it was close place to drink. Vito alleges you never really had the conversation about changing out of your drag attire before going to The Wrangler with him directly … that it was never vocalized in a one-on-one conversation, nor confirmed that he’d heard you. Per the testimony you gave to DORA, it appears that Vito not only heard it, but challenged you on it. We were in the men’s restroom getting our makeup off and he was back there, so he obviously heard me — I’m a pretty loud person. If he didn’t hear me, that was selective hearing in his case. But everybody knew we were going down to The Wrangler and they knew their policies there, so it wasn’t a big surprise. Well, for him, it apparently was. Thank you. Is there anything you’d like to add that I haven’t touched on? No, I have nothing to add except that [my statement to DORA is] exactly what happened that night on August 31. And this conversation that we had at The Eagle … you know what, I haven’t seen that guy since last year. To throw my credibility out the window is pretty funny considering where he’s standing. Originally published Aug. 7, 2014

SO WHAT HAPPENED? THE COMMISSION decided not to take up the case, meaning if Vito wanted to pursue any further action, he would have to hire an attorney on his own. Requests for comment to the Denver Wrangler were rebuffed, but Vito had this to say: “Phil Newland and the Wrangler can never take the boycott’s victory away. I decided, however, not to pursue this manner any further. I’ve been awarded a full-tuition scholarship to law school and have relocated back to New York City. While I appreciate the love and support I’ve received, the financial strain of a legal battle is simply too much. My final thoughts come down to a place of growth and happiness. I am happy with the friends I’ve made and I’ve grown as I saw the undeniable shame and gross hypocrisy that are those who support the Wrangler, those who claim to fight for equality but seek to deny that same equality to our trans* family. Shame on them; they spit in the face of every single person who has fought for the right to marry and to be protected against discrimination. I would like to send a special shout-out to the LGBT Center for their willingness to mediate, the Denver Eagle for creating a space that celebrates hyper-masculinity while still being safe for trans* and gender non-conforming individuals, and every other LGBT establishment in Colorado that doesn’t turn their back on their family. You do Colorado proud.”

R E L ATA B I L I T Y I S T H E N E W B L A C K Robyn Vie Carpenter-Brisco The Lesbian Socialite So the Primetime Emmy nominations have been announced and “Orange is the New Black” came out big with 12 nominations, including the first ever nominations for a trans actress, Laverne Cox. While I am a fan of this show like many other queers, I have to say that I’m a little disappointed. While OITNB is breaking ground with all of its nominations, particularly for a series produced for Netflix only, it feels a bit sensationalized. Think about this: How many women are actually in prison fighting off advances from crazy-eyed inmates and damnation from Christian zealots, while being embroiled in narcotics rings and mafia-style kitchen battles? Now ask yourself: How many are living their lives, working hard, working to have a good relationship, and/or raising their children to be good citizens? Exactly. I bet you know a lot fewer of the more, shall we say, colorful bunch. The second show that I’m “reading” is the ABC Family series, “The Fosters.” The show stars Sherri Saum and Teri Polo as a lesbian couple raising biological and foster children, struggling to be good parents, good partners, and good people. They look like my neighbors and my friends. It’s not sensational — it’s real life. I am thrilled that a queer show is getting recognized by the Television Academy. OITNB is proving that a show filled with gay humor can be enjoyed by a straight audience, haha! Good television is just good television, regardless of

the sexual orientation or gender orientation or gender identity. identity of the players. It’s just … Then why only “honor” the the whole lesbian prison story nice, clean, family show and isn’t a new one. (Don’t tell me throw 12 nominations at a colyou didn’t watch Linda Blair orfully worded, raucous, adult suffering under the control of show? I figure it’s because OITNB is how people like to prison mistress Brigitte Nielsen on one of those insomniatic late think of our queer community. nights of your youth.) Your average lesbian is just “The Fosters” is a truly new that: average, by Hollywood way of showing our “family” standards. We’re not showy. as just that — a family. No We just kind of live our lives rainbows, no glitterbombs, no being people. Yes, things can parades, no big gay anything. get a bit more dramatic – hello It’s a story about the triumphs we’re lesbians! — but for the and tragedies that families face most part, we just do what daily. I proudly watched as the other people do. Our families producers received awards may be more created than biofrom GLAAD and the LA LGBT logical, but the love is the same. Teri Polo and Sherri Saum Center for their positive depicCome August 25, I will be at the GLAAD Media Awards, tion of family life. They were like all of my queer friends on April 2014 also nominated for an Imagen Emmy night: dying to see what Award, and won a Teen Choice Laverne Cox wears, watching Award. Although there will be no Emmy this year, for all of the lezzies on the red carpet, and rooting “The Fosters” was recognized with a Television for them to take home that golden statue — all Academy Honor. It’s an award that the Academy has while secretly hoping that some day soon, a quiet given out for the last seven years to shows that are show about my family’s everyday life challenges “using the power of television to bring awareness will some day get the true attention it deserves. to important social issues.” I don’t know about “important social issues” on Robyn Vie-Carpenter is a social columnist on the TV beyond the regular television family drama. It local and national LGBT community. See more of is nice that collectively these organizations have Robyn’s columns at outfrontonline.com or find all seemed to come to the same conclusion: Good her on Twitter @TheLesSocialite. television is good television, regardless of sexual Originally published Aug. 20, 2014.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

HIT AND RUN OR SELF-DEFENSE? Jailed Colorado Springs man contends he was the a victim of a hate crime Kyle Harris

NATHANIEL MANCHA & CARLTON MOHN

t dusk, in Manitou Springs, Christian Radio plays; a Focus on the Family marriage counselor asks God to forgive a woman’s batterer. In a park, cops eye vacationers and an orchestra plays Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. A man shouts “homo.” Another man laughs. Above the park, in a one-story, motel apartment, Carlton Mohn waits for his boyfriend, Nathaniel Mancha, to call from the El Paso County Jail. A loveseat and television are the living room’s only furniture. Nothing hangs on the walls but a ticking clock and a black and white, nighttime photograph of the Brooklyn Bridge. “That’s Nate’s,” Carlton says. “He loves it.” Nate has been in jail since he was arrested for attempted murder on March 14 of this year. The judge set bail at 125,000, a figure neither Nate nor Carlton can afford. Not long ago, the two lived on the streets for 10 months; rent stretches their earnings. Since March, Nate has languished in jail. His trial began September 24. Carlton’s phone vibrates. “It’s him.” Carlton answers. Minutes pass as he enters his credit card number to replenish his account. When they connect, Carlton says, “I’m here with the reporter. I was just telling him how good our relationship is.” Carlton steps out of the apartment for privacy; their chihuahua, Bowser, spins in circles waiting for him to return. Describing his calls with Nate, Carlton says, “We talk about Bowser and our life together. I try to give him the support he needs. We mostly talk about him coming home. I try to give him extra encouragement and let him know he has a big support team.” Before the call cuts out, Carlton says, “I love you babe.” He hangs up, sucks back his tears, laughs, and steps into his bedroom to collect himself. “My stomach’s hurting. I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” he says. Later, Carlton drives from Manitou Springs to Colorado Springs taking the route he and Nate took on March 1. That morning, Nate drove his Toyota truck and Carlton fretted about whether or not they would make it on time; they often got to work late. He didn’t want to again. At a stoplight at Academy and Vickers, Carlton points out where he and Nate turned left in front of Mohammad Anthony Jafari’s green van. Jafari claimed Nate’s truck clipped his mirror, said Detective Jerry Schiffelbein, at a pretrial hearing, April 22, 2014. “We didn’t,” Carlton says. The only testimony from Jafari or Nate that we were able to access came from Detective Schiffelbein. Jafari was not available to comment. Nor was his family. Nor were his supporters who had organized themselves on Facebook. “Thanks for your message and your interest in telling both sides of the story. I am not in a position to speak on behalf of anyone without their consent, but I will get back to you after I’ve had an opportunity to find out if Jafari, his family, or his supporters would like his side of the story told,” wrote a representative from the Facebook site State 22

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

Thousands of supporters of an incarcerated man, including the Colorado Anti-Violence Project, believe we’re witnessing another case of victim-blaming in a hate crime. of CO vs Mancha. Weeks later, the representative had yet to reply. The lawyers prosecuting Mancha also had no comment: “We’re not permitted to discuss open/ pending cases, so the prosecutors aren’t able to comment,” wrote Lee Richards of the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Neither Nate nor his lawyer were directly available to comment either. The story of what happened that morning comes from Detective Schiffelbein’s report about his conversations with Nate and Jafari and Carlton’s recollections. Carlton and Nate didn’t think twice about the van as they pulled into the strip-mall where Carlton works. The two said their goodbyes. Carlton got out of the truck and realized that the van was creeping behind them, blocking Nate in. “Is that the guy from the intersection?” Nate asked Carlton. It was. A large, bald man looked out the window and shouted “faggot assholes” — presumably because of the rainbow sticker on the back of the truck, Carlton says. As Jafari crept by, he called them more names. Carlton stared him down and Jafari “burnt tires around the corner.” Nate and Carlton shook it off, and Carlton went in to work. Nate drove away, his destination requiring him to take the same path as the van.

arlton walks the same route: He turns the corner, heads a few hundred feet down a narrow roadway, and examines the scene of the confrontation that both Nate and Jafari described in detail to Schiffelbein. The two tales were “for the most part, a very similar story,” Schiffelbein said.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

s Nate drove forward, he saw the van parked at an angle, blocking him in. Jafari rolled down his window and said, “Get out of your car, fag,” Carlton says. Nate refused. “Nate said, ‘I’m trying to leave.’ The guy did something with his phone and reached under his seat and grabbed a crowbar. He stalked toward the truck. Nate sat there not knowing what to do,” Carlton says. Schiffelbein says the “crowbar” was actually a socket wrench. Either way, the large metal object could crack a skull. Nate scanned his options. He had nowhere to go. Jafari approached the truck holding the metal rod in front of him, continuing to call Nate a faggot and telling him to step out and fight, Carlton says. Nate says Jafari hit the truck with the socket wrench; Jafari says he didn’t, according to Schiffelbein. “Mr. Jafari said he got out, was carrying, like, a wrench handle … the guy had been driving so crazy and was so belligerent, he didn’t know what he was going to do, so he was carrying the wrench handle. “[Jafari] said that he told the driver of the Toyota [Nate] that they needed to call the police. The driver told him they weren’t going to call the police. He said: ‘You have two choices. You can wait here while I call the police or you can turn around and go the other way to leave.’ He explained that he wanted him to turn around because he was trying to ... he wanted to take a photograph of the license plate with his phone. “He said that [Nate] ... chose option three, revved the engine, and bumped him with his truck.” Carlton describes Jafari’s story as “bullshit lies.” The truck had a license plate on the front and the back. CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Together, we do great things. The intelligent way to buy or lease any vehicle! Hassle free experience All makes / All models New & Preowned Finance or Lease PERFECTLY APPOINTED RESIDENCES AND UNMATCHED AMENITIES IN AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR OUR FRIENDS OVER 55

Dutch Bollinger 720-746-6610 direct | 720-746-6611 fax dbollinger@hmbrown.com www.hmbrown.com

THE NEXT EXPERIENCE

Providing distinctive care and services on the Shalom Park Campus

MENTION THIS AD AND RECEIVE SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICING 303.328.0156 Patio Homes * Apartment Homes * C The Retreat * Nursing Home Wellness Center Outpatient Therapy

* home health - dining - housekeeping - more

1 & 2 BEDROOMS AVAILABLE

303-680-5000

ShalomCares.org

RESERVE ONLINE NOW â&#x20AC;˘ MOVE IN SUMMER 2015 groveatstapleton.com

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

HIT AND RUN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 If Jafari wanted to take down the number, it was right in front of him. He invented the story to justify his attack, Carlton says. Nobody denies that Nate’s truck hit Jafari — maybe once, maybe twice; Schiffelbein’s testimony suggests both men seemed confused about what actually occurred. As Nate drove off, he saw Jafari stand up. It was like a horror movie, Carlton says. Nate fled. “Nate would have done anything he could have to avoid a fight. He was just trying to carry on with his day,” Carlton says. The police arrived and saw Jafari bleeding. “[The police] said that when they got there, he was alert and talking. He was actually the one that made the 911 call that there had been a road rage incident, and he had got in a confrontation with another person, and that during that confrontation, he had been struck and ran over by a vehicle,” Schiffelbein says. Despite injuries, Jafari managed to describe to the detectives the truck’s rainbow flag and Texas plates. Carlton believes the flag triggered the homophobic attack. According to Schiffelbein, doctors diagnosed Jafari with dislocated and fractured hips, a fractured pelvis and ribs, and internal injuries. His affidavit chronicles his interviews with Carlton and Nate, but makes no mention of Jafari’s homophobic slurs. Schiffelbein was not available to comment on why he neglected to report allegations of Jafari engaging in a homophobic attack — an omission Carlton calls “crooked.” The day of the incident, Nate called Carlton and explained what had happened and said that it was no big deal. Carlton finished his shift without telling anybody about the incident. When he saw Nate, Carlton began to realize how serious the situation was. He asked his boyfriend why he had not called the police. Nate feared they would not believe his side of the story. “It’s Colorado Springs; it’s not known for gay-friendly politics,” Carlton says. “I told him if the authorities get involved, it’s gonna come out that this guy is the aggressor.” Nate resisted the idea; he didn’t trust the system and needed time to think it over. The two had plans to visit Nate’s family in Texas. It would be the first time Carlton would meet his boyfriend’s parents. Their schedules didn’t line up, so Nate went alone. Later the media would report Nate fled Colorado. Schiffelbein found video evidence showing Nate’s truck passing by near the time of the incident, Carlton says. The police put out a media advisory announcing that Nate was the suspect. Media covered the case as a road rage incident. The Jafari family offered a reward for any information leading to Nate’s capture. The media unquestioningly assumed he was guilty, “a monster,” as Jafari’s sister Jennifer called Nate on a Facebook page. In Texas, Nate decided turn himself in and returned to Colorado. March 12, Carlton was grocery shopping when the police approached him. An officer said, “We’re looking for Nathaniel and we’d like to talk to you.” Carlton agreed. The police ran a background check, found an outstanding warrant, and took him to the station where Schiffelbein questioned him. Carlton told the story as Nate had relayed it to him. Within 24 hours, the police released Carlton. 24

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

Two days later, he, Nate, and a friend waited at a hotel to meet with a lawyer to accompany Nate to turn himself in. Before the lawyer arrived, the police showed up, guns drawn, and arrested all three. Nate was charged with attempted homicide; Carlton was charged for helping Nate hide. In jail, Nate did not know that the police had arrested Carlton too, as he was first to get carted away. “When he saw I had been arrested, he just broke down,” Carlton says.

NATHANIEL MANCHA Before his court date, Carlton called the Colorado Anti-Violence Program seeking legal advice. Director of Advocacy Lynne Sprague helped him find out what he faced in court. On his date, all charges were dropped. Nate remained in jail where, according to Carlton, guards denied him needed prescriptions for more than a month, and when they finally gave him medicine, it was the wrong kind. In his first month in jail, Nate suffered relentless bullying. Fellow inmates ridiculed him calling him “faggot.” He plummeted into depression. “Without proper medicine, he is getting sicker every day. His spirits are low,” says Carlton, who listens and offers words of encouragement to Nate while trying to keep it together. “The crazy thing about jail is that Nate doesn’t physically see Carlton. He can only see him through the video screen,” says Sprague. Because she has professional visitor status, she can visit Nate in person. “He can see me through the glass. When I go down there, he can see another human being — granted, through glass —but he can see somebody who cares about him.” CAVP staff spends a lot of time talking with Carlton about his feelings about the case. “It shores him up emotionally so he can feel replenished and offer a lot of support for Nate when they talk.” Sprague spoke with Nate and Carlton about other LGBTQ people jailed for self-defense and how community organizing transformed their experiences of incarceration. “We talked about the value of those campaigns and the kinds of resources that we can bring to a person who is facing those charges. Carlton was pretty excited about hearing about those options and wanted to build a more formalized campaign,” Sprague says. With CAVP, Carlton organized the Justice for Nate campaign to raise legal defense funds and encourage people to write Nate letters. “We’re really trying to get Nate some emotional support. Jail is lonely. Jail is scary. In some of the

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

letters I’ve received from Nate, he spends a lot of time feeling really overwhelmed emotionally,” Sprague says. “We wanted to use the campaign as a way to continue larger dialogues about jails, prisons, hate crimes, and some of the root causes of homophobia.” Sprague says Jafari’s alleged attack exemplifies an escalation of hate crimes against LGBTQ people. “I think there’s this myth that things are getting better for LGBTQ communities and people cite things like the push for marriage equality and Laverne Cox on the cover of Time Magazine. But what do you mean things are getting better? “The lived experience LGBTQ folks have is not improving and in some places is getting worse for certain parts of the community. It’s erroneous to say things are getting better, when in fact the root causes of homophobia and transphobia are still deeply ingrained in our culture.” Schiffelbein’s alleged omission of Jafari’s homophobic slurs is not uncommon, Sprague says. In 2013, 80 percent of callers who reported hate crimes to law enforcement experienced police misconduct including harassment, omission, and disbelief. “There is not really a track record that tells us the legal system is up for the challenge of talking about marginalized communities’ experiences of being targeted in this culture. There aren’t cases restoring our faith or creating faith in the system to be able to hold the complexities in that dialogue,” Sprague says. Carlton once had faith in the system, but he does not anymore. He no longer feels safe in Colorado. Nate’s case proves that as a gay man, he cannot trust law enforcement to support his right to self-defense. Ready to turn in for the night, Carlton talks about how he wishes Nate could come home. “He’s always been there for me. I’ve always been there for him. We always find a way to laugh together,” Carlton says. After the trial, a hopeful Carlton plans to splurge on a new bedroom set to celebrate his boyfriend’s release. “I want him to have somewhere comfortable to sleep.” Originally published Oct. 1, 2014

SO WHAT HAPPENED?

On December 12, Nathaniel Mancha received the maximum sentence of 32 years in prison for felony assault for a March 1 hit-and-run. According to his boyfriend Carlton “Cruz” Mohn, Mancha was defending himself against a homophobic hate crime. The Justice 4 Jafari campaign released the following statement on its Facebook page: “After all of these convictions I think it will be safe to say that our community will be facing one less psychopath for the next 20 years.” The Colorado Anti-Violence Program’s Justice 4 Nate website states: “Our hearts are filled with outrage and sadness that yet another queer survivor who defended himself is facing this extremely unjust sentence. CAVP will continue to support Nate with exploring options for an appeal, getting the full story out and continuing the crucial dialogue about survivors who are prosecuted for self defense. To learn more about the campaign, go to Justice4Nate.com.

LEGAL

LEGAL DIRECTORY BACHUS & SCHANKER, LLC 866-277-6711 • www.ColoradoLaw.net 1899 Wynkoop St., Suite 700, Denver

DO I REALLY HAVE TO PAY THOSE TRAFFIC CAMERA TICKETS?

EZghdcVa >c_jgn 6jid 6XX^YZcih Ldg`ZgÈh 8dbeZchVi^dc LV\Z 9^hejiZh BLOCH & CHAPLEAU, LLC 303-331-1700 • www.BlochChapleau.com 1725 Gaylord St., Denver ;Vb^an AVl 8^k^a Jc^dc 9^hhdaji^dch EgZ"Jc^dc 6\gZZbZcih 6jid 6XX^YZcih LAW OFFICES OF

IF YOU DRIVE IN THE DENVER METRO AREA, odds are you have (or will soon) receive a photo radar ticket. This ticket will include a picture of you (or someone) driving your car, a picture of your license plate, and an explanation that you were photographed while allegedly speeding or running a red light. So what should you do if you receive such a ticket? The ticket itself will have several payment options and reference the easy ways to pay your fine, and will allude to the more difficult options of contesting your identification in the photograph or pleading not guilty. There is another option. Under Colorado law, if the only witness to the traffic offense is a camera, you have to be o cially served with the penalty assessment notice or summons and complaint. Being mailed the original ticket has no legal effect. Being served means the document is either handed to you by a police officer or process server, left at your home with an adult (18 or older), or mailed to your last known address via certified mail, return receipt requested. If you haven’t received the ticket by one of the formal methods listed above, service has not occurred and you have no duty to respond. If 90 days pass from the date of your alleged offense without service, your violation will automatically be dismissed. Within those 90 days, though, there is some risk to ignoring the ticket. Although points cannot be assessed against your license, if the city does move forward with personal service, you would be liable for the costs of that service, which could substantially increase the cost of the ticket. Different cities are more aggressive with moving forward with the more formal service methods, so drive carefully and remember — even empty intersections could have eyes on you.

LISA E. FRAZER, LLC 303-861-7717 • www.FrazerFamilyLaw.com 936 E. 18th Ave, Denver ;Vbân AVl$8^kâ Jc^dch 9^kdgXZ$9^hhdaji^dc 8]âY 8jhidYn LAW OFFICE OF

BYRON K. HAMMOND, LLC 303-501-1812 • www.BKH-Law.com 3900 E. Mexico Ave., Denver L^aah Igjhih :hiViZ EaVcc^c\ EgdWViZ :aYZg AVl WOODY LAW FIRM, LLC 303-968-1711 • www.WoodyLawLLC.com 1407 Larmier St., Suite 300, Denver Dissolution of Civil Unions & Marriages AZ\Va HZeVgVi^dc HZXdcY EVgZci 6Ydei^dc outfrontonline.com/legal-directory To advertise here, please call 303-477-4000, or email marketing@outfrontonline.com.

Got legal issues you need sorted out? Don’t hesitate to contact our friends of the family at BlochChapleau.com. The opinions expressed in this article are general in nature. For specific legal advice about your particular situation, please contact an attorney.

FAMILY LAW PRE-MARITAL AGREEMENTS DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

PERSONAL INJURY AUTO & SKI ACCIDENTS ESTATE PLANNING & WILLS

CRIMINAL LAW DUI DEFENSE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BUSINESS LAW

Master of Arts in Social Justice and Ethics degree and graduate certificate programs that immediately help you use your powers for good Online • On-campus • Hybrid

Call today to speak to an attorney: 303-331-1700 Small Firm Attention, Big Firm Results Serving the LGBT Community for Over 25 Years BlochChapleau.com | 1725 Gaylord Street • Denver, CO 80206 OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

CA L E N DA R

FA B U LO U S E V E N T S F O R LG B T C O LO R A D O & B E Y O N D

WOMEN & WHISKY MIXER

THURSDAYS

JAN 11 – 18

5 6G<N AA! &%(* :# &, T H 6K:CJ:! 9: C K:G +EB Every Thursday, Argyll Whisky Beer celebrates women and their love for a good whisky! Immediately following happy hour at the bar, they’ll be featuring a new whisky, bourbon, or rye each week. Their knowledgeable experts will walk you through the unique qualities of the whiskies you’ll be sampling, and always features a new signature cocktail. ArgyllDenver.com

JAN 10

CAPRICORN ZODIAC PARTY

ASPEN GAY SKI WEEK

5 IG68 @H! (* %% L6ACJI HI# .EB You’re a Capricorn, known for work before play. (Yeah, right!) How about kicking up your cloven hooves for once VcY aZii^c\ IgVX`h hed^a ndj [dg V c^\]i4 <Zi i]^h/ Ndj \Zi free entry if you’re a Capricorn for you and three of your [g^ZcYh# 7dcjh/ Ndj Vahd \Zi i]gZZ [gZZ Yg^c`h I^e/ 9dcÈi share; it’s your time to shine, Cappy!) TracksDenver.com

JAN 26

Taking a look at the schedule for Aspen Gay Ski Week (and photos from years past), it’s clear the producers of the annual event pretty much go, “How much sexy can we cram into a week?” and take it from there. The evening cocktail reception says, “Come talk to me,” the ski events insist, “Show me what you got,” and the late night dance parties, fashion shows, art exhibitions, and hot tub hangouts all beckon, “Show me who you are.” GaySkiWeek.com

JAN 27

DENVER LGBT CHEER SQUAD Eji ndjg edb"edbh je VcY try out for the LGBT cheer squad. Make new friends and show your fierce pride ^c 9ZckZg# EZdeaZ l^i] coaching experience are also needed. If interested in trying out, contact Melissa Vi (%( +-&"&&.* dg ZbV^a at markmt49@q.com

SAM SMITH

SPANDAU BALLET IJ :H96N! ?6CJ6 GN ', - EB Spandau Ballet, one of the most influential of British bands, announce their Soul Boys of the Western World Tour, the first time they’ll tour North America in nearly (% nZVgh# Cdi dcan Y^Y i]Z^g VaWjbh hZaa Wn i]Z b^aa^dch! Wji i]Z^g add` VcY hinaZ ^beVXiZY dc i]Z [Vh]^dc ldgaY VcY WZndcY ^c i]Z Ç-%h ### VcY cdl i]ZnÈgZ Xdb^c\ to Denver. You better know this much is true! Tickets @ bit.ly/ofc-spandau

CIRQUE MUSICA

5 &HI76C@ 8: CI :G ,/(%EB Sam Smith — the out singer with pipes that make Aguilera go, “Daaaamn!” — will be in town to melt our hearts (and faces) with his signature stylings. If you haven’t jammed out to Sam’s entire album (In the Lonely Hour), radio hits such as “Stay With Me” and “I’m Not the Only One” mean you’ll still be able to croon right along. Or just stare at longingly at his Morrissey-esque pompadour. Either way. centerbroomfield.com 26

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

PRESENTED BY ARROW ELECTRONICS 5 7D:II8=:G 8DC8 :GI =6AA ,/(%EB

JAN 30

Cirque Musica takes audiences on a musical journey to a land of dazzling beauty, mystery, and suspense. The show blends the grace and thrills of the world’s greatest circus performers with stunning symphonic music from classical, pops, and popular repertoire. Tickets.ColoradoSymphony.org

UNBEATABLE CHEESMAN LOCATION!

LEASING LUXURY STUDIO, 1, 2 AND 3-BEDROOM LUXURY APARTMENTS NOW AVAILABLE ROOFTOP & MAIN LEVEL LOUNGES

11th Avenue & Gaylord St. 2190 E. 11th Avenue Denver, Colorado 80206 (877) 315-5380 amaranthdenver.com

FITNESS CENTER | YOGA STUDIO CONTROLLED ACCESS UNDERGROUND PARKING BIKE & SKI REPAIR SHOP | DOG WASH COMPLETELY SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT FURNISHED GUEST SUITE & MUCH MORE MENTION THIS AD AND GET A FREE APP!

I ’ M A V I P. YOU COULD BE TOO.

F I N I S H L I N E CAR WASH & D ETAI L CENT ER S 1 1 6 0 S . C O L O R A D O B LV D . DENVER, CO 80246 303.756.9565

AC HIEVING CARWASH EXCELLENCE. S T R IVIN G FOR PER FECT ION.

Please bring in this advertisement to receive a complimentary VIP membership. For the full details of VIP membership, please visit www.FinishLineCarwashes.com. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

LGBT ECONOMICS The marketing firm Witeck Communications estimated the 2013 buying power of American LGBT adults was $830 billion, but additional studies revealed that poverty rates are higher for certain demographics within the LGBT community. They show that between extreme depictions of affluence and poverty, there’s a bigger, more complex picture of LGBT economics. Mike Yost LGBT buying power & financial health

“B

uying power simply means one thing,” said Bob Witeck, President and Founder of Witeck Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that includes the lesbian and gay market as one of its specialties. “It means the amount of money that households or people have available to spend and to save after paying their taxes or their pension contributions.” Also known as disposable personal income (DPI), the buying power of the adult LGBT community in the U.S. is growing, up from 790 billion in 2012 (compared to total U.S. consumer buying power was at $12.4 trillion that year). “I hope what the data does is tell some of the economic truth about who we are,” said Witeck, emphasizing that LGBT people have long suffered from being made invisible — and that the $830 billion figure represents to him more than just the ability to spend. “We are part of every neighborhood,” Witeck said. “We buy homes. We have jobs. We pay taxes. We get promotions. We open businesses. We do all the same things everyone else does. We want that to be realized, that we’ve actually contributed a lot. We want success in life as much as anybody else, and by doing that we want to show you value in who we are.” Witeck calculated DPI using hundreds of population samples implemented by marketing research 28

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

partner Harris Interactive, which showed 6 to 7 percent of Americans age 18 and up identifying themselves as LGBT — which translates to about 15 to 16 million people. “There are some estimates that put it around 5 percent, there are other estimates that put it higher,” said Witeck, adding that estimations are usually undercounted since many LGBT individuals are reluctant to identify their sexual orientation or gender identity in a survey. “We’ve been doing samples with Harris interactive for almost 14 years and no matter how we sample American adults, if we ask sexual orientation, it normally comes between 6.5 and 7 percent almost every time.” In addition to robust buying power, the overall financial health of the LGBT community is strong, according to Prudential Finances, Inc. which released a study in 2012 asking 1,401 LGBT Americans about their economic well-being. The report cited statistics indicating LGBT individuals have a higher median income than the general population: at $61,500 compared to $50,000, attributing higher education levels and living in LGBT friendly cities with elevated median incomes as contributing factors. But the Prudential study stressed that the LGBT population includes a wide spectrum of demographics and incomes. For example, although gay male couples had the highest median household income at $103,100, they only represented 19 percent of the whole LGBT community. Comparing same-sex couples to heterosexual couples in income

he Williams Institute, a national think tank in Los Angeles at the University of California, released “Same-sex and Different-sex Couples in the American Community Survey: 2005-2011,” outlining the economic condition of male and female same-sex couples compared to oppositesex couples. Although the study found that lesbian couples reported a median personal income of $38,000 in 2011 — 8,000 higher than women of opposite-sex couples — women still earn less than men regardless of sexual orientation. “None of it overcomes the basic gender gap,” said Dr. Gary Gates, author of the study and distinguished scholar at the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy. “You still see lesbians earning less than gay men.” One of the possible reasons lesbian couples make more than women in opposite-sex relationships is that lesbians are less likely to have children, which means they are less likely to have had disruption in workforce participation, Gates said. But that income gap is shrinking, as the wage difference between lesbian same-sex couples and women of opposite-sex couples has narrowed by $2,000 since 2008. And although gay couples in the labor force make more than women, their median personal income is slightly lower than male members of opposite-sex couples. This is despite the fact that same-sex couples have higher levels of labor force participation and higher levels of education, with 46 percent of same-sex couples in 2011 reporting having a college degree, compared to 32 percent of oppositesex couples.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

Discrimination in the workplace is one of the more obvious factors for lower wages, Gates said. The Williams Institute reported that 21 percent of LGBT people in the work force experience unfair treatment in hiring, pay, or promotions. Gates also cautioned that the results of the survey do not provide an accurate representation of the LGBT community as a whole. “I don’t know if the same-sex couple sample gives you a very good picture of what we might see if we had the entire LGBT community,” Gates said, “particularly around this issue of economic advantage or disadvantage.” Gates added that patterns regarding income gaps within the LGBT community mirror that of the overall population. “For instance, people in same-sex couples, racial minorities, have similar kinds of economic disadvantage as they would in the general population.” The LGB community and poverty

n June 2013, the Williams Institute released a report, New Patterns of Poverty in the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Community, which revealed that members of the LGB community are more vulnerable to poverty — particularly women, people of color, and children of same-sex households. Though the study reported that poverty rates since 2008 have increased for both the LGB and heterosexual communities, African American same-sex couples have poverty rates at least twice that of opposite-sex married African Americans. In addition, African American male samesex couples are more than six times as likely to be poor than white male same-sex couples. African American lesbian couples are three times more likely to be poor than white lesbian couples. “We see the same kinds of patterns for Hispanics,” said M.V. Lee Badgett, co-author of the study, distinguished scholar at the William’s Institute, and Director of the Center for Public Policy & Administration at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. “They are more likely to be poor than non-Hispanic or white people in same-sex couples.” Badgett added that the only difference is that Hispanic opposite-sex couples are actually more likely to be poor than same-sex Hispanic couples. The report also showed that same-sex families are especially vulnerable to poverty, with children living in same-sex households almost twice as likely to be poor as children of married oppositesex couples. Strikingly, 52.3 percent of African American children in a same-sex male household live in poverty, the highest rate for any children in any household type. Badgett said discrimination and lack of proper policy protections are contributing factors to the higher poverty levels since LGBT individuals who are treated poorly are less likely pursue benefits they may be entitled to — assuming they even qualify for those benefits in the first place. Badgett said legislative policies cannot entirely eliminate wage gaps and working to explicate all of the factors contributing to these income disparities is a challenge. “It’s still a bit of a mystery. Very few people have studied this. I’m very interested in it and plan to do more in-depth studies in the future.” CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Later this year, Badgett will work with the Williams Institute to create simulations that will test additional factors which contribute in broadening economic disadvantages. “We’ve decided to ask, what would happen if the minimum wage went up? What would happen if we got rid of the gender wage gap? What would happen if gay men’s wages were equalized to straight men’s wages?” Badgett stated that the biggest challenge in organizing the survey was finding all the necessary data to paint a comprehensive picture of the economic LGB landscape. The transgender community, for example, lacked the essential census information regarding gender identity to be included in the report. Poverty in the transgender community

views the transgender community will take time. Scarpella added that it wasn’t that long ago the LGB community faced similar amounts of harassment and discrimination, but the transgender community got overlooked. “People are becoming more and more comfortable with gays and lesbians, and part of it is that who they are attracted to is their private business,” Scarpella said. “For transgender people, their stigmatized identity is very public, and people are uncomfortable with something they don’t understand.” And those misconceptions are not limited to communities outside of the LGBT population. “There’s transphobia in the gay and lesbian community, and there’s homophobia in the trans community,” Scarpella said. “It’s interesting because I really believe it’s based on fear and internalized issues based on society’s marginalization.”

ut a 2011 survey from the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Brand loyalty to pro-LGBT corporations Gay and Lesbian Task Force revealed that the transgender community is one of the most vulnerable demographics to discrimination, harassment, hile studies are providing a more nuanced and poverty. understanding of the entire LGBT economic The survey showed that, compared to the experience, many corporations have taken notice general population, a transgender household is of the LGBT buying power. In doing that, they have four times more likely to have an income of less moved ahead of inadequate public policies and than $10,000 a year. The rate of unemployment established their own workplace protections for was twice that of the general population, with LGBT employees. “Only in the last five years have they (corporates for transgender people of color four times the national unemployment rate. rations) become much more engaged in public “Everybody is struggling,” said Dr. Karen M. policy,” said Witeck. “There were only 3 compaScarpella, Executive Director and Program Director nies that signed the amicus brief in California’s at the Gender Identity Center of Colorado (GIC), Prop 8 case.” By the time Proposition 8 and the Defense of “but the additional challenge is that there’s so much discrimination, the transgender person Marriage Act reached the US Supreme Court last really in this economy doesn’t stand a chance.” year, more than 200 companies had filed briefs Scarpella said that there are several unique calling for same-sex marriage equality, includchallenges facing the transgender community, es- ing Google, Facebook, Amazon, CBS Corporation, pecially when it comes to special healthcare needs Starbucks and the Walt Disney Company. The Human Rights Campaign reported in the regarding medicines, hormones or counseling. Though the Affordable 2014 Corporate Equality Care Act now provides Index that for the first protections so that time ever, more than The Human Rights Campaign 60 percent of fortune transgender individu500 companies have als cannot be denied reported in the 2014 Corporate implemented sexual insurance, the obEquality Index that for the first stacles that reinforce orientation and gender poverty endure. identity protections. time ever, more than 60 percent For example, some“Marketers who of fortune 500 companies have thing as simple as are truly invested and implemented sexual orientation accessing a food bank engaged in the LGBT market are looking can be problematic. and gender identity protections. “Transgender people not at today’s customare afraid to go to a ers necessarily,” Witeck food pantry,” Scarpella said. “They’re looking said. “Or if a religious organization is running on how to make tomorrows customers.” food pantry services, the transgender person is Polls have consistently shown that an overprobably not welcome or wouldn’t know if they’re whelming majority of Americans under the age welcome or not and won’t go.” of thirty support same-sex marriage. Witeck The GIC offers food assistance at their head- commented that if businesses want to engage quarters for those who cannot access food banks. that particular demographic, companies must But to defeat these steep income dispari- reflect analogous perspectives on important ties, Scarpella said that a transformation in the social issues. often-skewed perception of the transgender “Brands should look as forward thinking as population is needed. “I think the backdoor key they [younger Americans] do,” explained Witeck. to fixing this is education. If society at large un- “Ten years ago, a marketer would have divided the derstands what transgender is, the discrimination world into risk and reward. If we’re going to do goes away, and the additional barriers go away this, connect with gay people, what are we risking? as well.” Today it’s not what are we risking, it’s just what Part of GIC’s work in Colorado includes educat- rewards are we losing.” ing companies to be more culturally competent, but And studies show the LGBT population and its Scarpella said fostering a shift in how the public allies are loyal to pro-LGBT companies, with 88

percent of gay and lesbian adults and 70 percent of heterosexual adults more likely to consider a brand that provides LGBT workplace benefits, according to a Harris Interactive study. Dismantling stereotypes

ith the combination of brand loyalty and $830 billion in disposable personal income, marketers are taking notice of the LGBT community Witeck cautioned that buying power is not synonymous with wealth. “There’s a lot of mythology about gay a uence or gay incomes,” he said. “Along the way, gay people pretty much look a lot like other people.” M.V. Lee Badgett of the Williams Institute hopes that current and future studies, which analyze how that $830 billion in buying power is disseminated within the LGBT community, will help dismantle the common misconception that being gay means being wealthy. “There is this stereotype of gay people as this very a uent group,” Badgett said. “One way that it’s harmful is that it makes it look like same-sex couples maybe don’t really need marriage. They can go hire a lawyer to try to make-up for the fact that they can’t get married, when in fact no lawyer can create something that’s equivalent to marriage.” Badgett said the stereotype of gay a uence can also cultivate roadblocks in establishing equality safeguards, the lack of which can contribute to financial uncertainty. Though Colorado has workplace discrimination protections for LGBT employees, there are 29 states where workers can be fired on the basis of sexual orientation, and an employee can be fired based on gender identity in 33 states. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would provide workplace protections for the LGBT population nationwide, but House Speaker John Boehner recently told the LGBT Equality Caucus that there was “no way” ENDA would pass this year. “People look at LGBT people and think, well, if they’re doing so well, how can they be victims of discrimination?” Badgett said. “Stereotypes can sometimes blind people to the fact that inequality has economic harm.” And though protections such as ENDA would directly impact LGBT employees and their ability to establish financial independence, Badgett hopes her work will also broaden the political framework of what is defined as an LGBT issue. “Congress is about to cut food stamps,” Badgett said, citing the report she co-authored which found 14.1 percent of lesbian couples and 7.7 percent of male couples receive food stamps, compared to 6.5 percent of opposite-sex couples. “Now we know the issue of food stamps is an LGBT issue.” On Feb. 4, the U.S. Senate voted 68-32 to pass the 2014 Farm Bill, which included a cut of 8.7 billion from the food stamp program — now referred to as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The bill heads to President Obama where he is expected to sign the legislation into law. “Think about some of our policy debates with an LGBT lens,” Badgett said. “Think about what it means to be a community and what the community’s responsibilities are for all of its members, not just the ones doing well economically.” Originally published Feb. 19, 2014.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

ADELANTE A PUSH FOR THE LGBT & LATINO COMMUNITIES TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD

JESSIE ULIBARRI PHOTOGRAPHED BY HANS ROSEMOND

Lauren Archuletta

delante, siempre adelante. It’s a phrase that is heard frequently in Hispanic culture — the idea of “moving forward, always moving forward,” resonates within the minds and hearts of Latinos. A sentiment passed down from one generation to the next, it’s a reminder to one another that we must continue to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. “To me, adelante means no matter how hard it gets for the Latino community, we are still a community of people who always push forward and break though,” said Jose Plazola, a 22-year-old member of both the Latino community and the LGBT community of Denver. While adelante has always been strongly tied to the Latino community, it fits a sentiment the LGBT community also knows well. You could easily substitute LGBT for Latino in Plazola’s quote and its significance would remain the same.

In 2014, the Latino community is intersecting perhaps more than ever with LGBT issues. Issues that affect one community clearly are clearly affecting the other. Even in this modern era of the new millennium, both groups experience daily injustice. Leaders in both communities are now coming together to voice their opinions about this unique intersection. For Colorado State Senator Jessie Ulibarri, two issues he has noticed to deeply affect both the Latino and LGBT communities are police brutality and basic human dignities under the law. “When I think of issues that are evident in both communities, I think police brutality, and I especially think of the Michael DeHerrera case here in Denver,” Ulibarri said. “Not many people know the full story, that Michael and his boyfriend Shawn Johnson were ejected from the club for crossing the gender line.”

“To me, adelante means no matter how hard it gets for the Latino community, we are still a community of people who always push forward and break though.”

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

In 2009, two Denver police officers were caught on tape beating DeHerrera outside of a LoDo nightclub after Johnson had been booted from the club and then arrested for entering a women’s restroom. The city surveillance tape showed Johnson laying face-down in the street and DeHerrera speaking to his father on the phone nearby when Denver Police Officer Devin Sparks forced him to the ground and began beating him. Ulibari explained that Johnson (who recently worked as his intern) was acting as most gay men and other members of the LGBT community do when they are in line for the bathroom. “You go to whichever bathroom has the shortest line,” Ulibarri explained. “When Shawn went into the women’s restroom, the police officers chose to enforce gender norms.” Senator Ulibarri compared this specific case of brutality to several other historic police brutality cases. “The issue of police brutality has a long and challenging history,” he said. “We saw it as far back as the Stonewall Riots and with voting rights. The fact that it still happens in 2014 is appalling.” He said that DeHerrera and Johnson faced this injustice “exactly because of who they were” — gay men of color. The state senator commented that this discrimination is something neither of them should have ever had to face. “For being as young as they are, it’s sad that they had to deal with this in their lifetimes at all.” In 2012, Ulibarri was working with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) as a consultant during the time that the Catholic Church pulled its funding from Compañeros de Durango, another immigrant rights group in Durango. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development refused to continue supporting Compañeros because of their alliance with the CIRC. “Compañeros was a member of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, which is a member of One Colorado,” Ulibari said. “So even though Compañeros didn’t directly support One Colorado or civil unions, they lost all funding.” This particular instance affected both Latino and LGBT communities, and in turn both stepped in to rectify the situation. “Both communities came together to make the claim for basic human rights,” Ulibarri said. “The LGBT community stepped in to help fill the budget for three years on behalf of human dignity.” While we are beginning to go adelante collectively as Latinos and members of the LGBT community, the movement is also taking place outside our state lines. Arizona State Senator Steve Gallardo has been making headlines recently as he publically came out as gay following the announcement of Senate Bill 1062, the infamous anti-gay bill that was passed in Arizona by the legislative — but vetoed by Gov. Jan Brewer. Senator Gallardo worked to defeat SB1062, as well as Senate Bill 1070, the extreme anti-immigration bill that stirred uproar in 2010 when it became Arizona law. “Senate Bill 1070 was an attack on the Latino population of Arizona,” Gallardo said. “(Senate Bill) 1062 was no different. It was an attack on the LGBT community.” Both bills allowed for the discrimination of either community. While SB1070 requires police officers to AZ STATE SENATOR attempt to determine an individual’s STEVE GALLARDO immigration status during “lawful stops, detention or arrest” or “lawful contact,” SB1062 would allow business owners to deny service to LGBT individuals by citing religious values. “The whole purpose of this bill was that legal protection would be given to business owners to deny services to LGBT people,” Gallardo said. “This opens the door to discrimination.” To defeat this bill, Gallardo turned to coalition politics — he rallied both LGBT and Latino communities to come together and work collectively to overturn the bill, focusing on the economic impact SB1062 could have on the state of Arizona. “This is a business-related issue,” Gallardo said. “Keep in mind, (Senate Bill) 1070 was four years ago and it created national attention. It hurt our tourism, our economy and our image. This (Senate Bill 1062) wouldn’t be any different. We have to keep moving forward.” The senator has been working for years to help push the state of Arizona past the devastation of SB1070. As a member of the Latino community, the senator

saw himself possibly being affected by the implications of the bill. When SB 1062 was originally passed, Sen. Gallardo again considered the impact it would have on his personal life. While Sen. Gallardo was never publically out, he has never taken extreme measures to hide his sexual orientation. “My personal life has never gotten in the way,” Sen. Gallardo said. In the political arena he has lobbied for LGBT rights, being a politician

Both Senator Gallardo and Senator Ulibarri are both recognized as champions in the Latino and LGBT communities, not just in their own states but on a national level. For each of them, they have stories of moving forward, adelante. known to be outspoken and debate certain bills. Privately, Sen. Gallardo came out to friends and family years ago. “I came out to my friends when I was 25 and to my family when I was 30,” said Gallardo, now 44 years old. Senate Bill 1062 had a stronger impact on the senator than any previous bill. While he had never before felt the need to come out publicly and professionally, SB1062 motivated him to do so. “(Senate Bill) 1062 had a tremendous impact on me personally,” Gallardo said. “I felt like it was time to take a stand and send a message. I wanted to send a broader message to people to let them know that it’s okay. I’m gay, I’m a Latino, I’m a state senator and it’s okay.” He said that coming from a Mexican and Catholic family, the word “gay” was never mentioned. “In my family, we order the Pay Per View fights and my dad will ask if Larry [my partner] is coming over, too,” Gallardo said. “Since I came out, my parents have never said the word ‘gay.’ Larry is mentioned as being Steve’s roommate or Steve’s friend, but never Steve’s partner.” Gallardo said he feels like the issues he experienced being gay in a Mexican Catholic family are common. Young Latinos especially are concerned with the aftermath of coming out, often scared of family rejection. He said that this is a misconception of coming out in a Mexican Catholic family, especially. “Latino families would leave the Catholic Church before they leave la familia,” Sen. Gallardo said. “In Latino culture, we keep it (the family) together. We take care of one another.” By coming out publically, Gallardo said he hopes his message reached individuals that might be fighting this internal battle. “If I helped one Latino come out, then I’ve done a service,” Gallardo said. “It means that I’ve raised the level of debate on gay rights.” Senator Gallardo said that the time has come to begun for the LGBT and Latino communities to come together and work for inclusive Latino and LGBT rights. “Let’s talk about the issue of same sex marriage, let’s talk about immigration reform,” Gallardo said. “It’s important to realize that we haven’t advanced gay rights in the state of Arizona. No protection is given for gays in housing, or in jobs. We are far from cheering victory in the gay community.” He hopes that by initiating these conversations and sending this message, the LGBT and Latino communities can begin moving forward and making progress. “Adelante, keep moving forward,” he said. Both Senator Gallardo and Senator Ulibarri are both recognized as champions in the Latino and LGBT communities, not just in their own states but on a national level. For each of them, they have stories of moving forward, adelante. They are paving the way for the next generation of leaders in both communities, just as the trailblazers that came before them. “I got to where I am because of others that had trailblazed before me, like Senator Lucia Guzman,” Ulibarri said. “And now I get to help the next generation, breaking down other barriers.” The message of adelante is strong. The movement has always been widespread throughout the Latino community, and is now so clearly found in the LGBT community. For the young Latinos nervous to come out to their families, adelante. To members of both the LGBT community and the Latino community, adelante. Adelante, siempre adelante. Originally published April 16, 2014. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

6 e^Xidg^Va Wn ?Vn 9^Zgh! ?VZYZYVgi HijY^dh _VZYZYVgihijY^dh#Xdb BZcÈh \gddb^c\/ ?dYn BVgi^cZo! 7Vc\ HVadc LVh] EVg` WVc\hVadc#cZi Models: Randy Boo & Drew Silva

NE W YE AR

PUT

Denver’s Newest Doggie Daycare Denver Bark & Play is a safe, clean, healthy, and a fun daycare to bring your “Best Friends” while you are at work or on vacation. We will treat your pet as our FAMILY, and you will know they are getting the best care and having fun!

YOUR

best smile

3,000 sq. ft. indoor play area • 1,500 sq. ft. outdoor play space 24 spacious boarding kennels • Doggie Cams to watch your pet play

1277 Santa Fe Dr. Denver, CO 80204 (303) 446-2275 denverbarkandplay.com

2015 IS THE TIME T O S TA R T F E E L I N G & LOOKING YOUR BEST

F O R WA R D A 5280 Magazine Top Dentist 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014

New Patients

General & Aesthetic Dentistry Dr. Terry Brewick, D.D.S. 303-832-7789 700 E. 9th Ave., #102 at Washington St. govparkdental.com

receive a FREE Opalescence® Go At-Home Whitening System

with a full exam & x-rays

PREVENTATIVE CARE • CROWNS & FILLINGS • SMILE RECONSTRUCTION • WHITENING

10 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN:

PERSONAL TRAINING WEIGHT MANAGEMENT NUTRITION I CAN HELP YOU ACHIEVE THE BODY YOU WANT. CALL ME TODAY: (303) 881-5016 Greg Dyer, CPT The Birthday Suit Tailor www.BirthdaySuitTailor.com

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

The King of Union Station WITH A VAST AND VARIED MENU, THIRSTY LION GASTROPUB IS AN EXERCISE IN RESTRAINT WE JUST DIDNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T HAVE Berlin Sylvestre

beautiful little corner of Denver yields room for a beautiful new establishment and its already famously large patio and diverse menu. Even though my dinner-date and I dodged some pretty thick Rockies-game foot traffic, we found our way fairly easily and were seated promptly â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a surprise considering how packed the place was. Further, by the time weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d casually downed our first Leinenkugel, our appetizers were hittinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the table. Well, hello! With everything made inhouse, it was no wonder the freshness kept coming. You ready? Bacon-Wrapped Dates Have you ever had something so delicious, the moment you pop it in your mouth you make a mad face as you slowly savor it? Yeah. These. Oh, Lord, these. The fact that only four come on a plate is probably mealtime providence â&#x20AC;&#x201D; I mightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve filled up on the addictive nature of sweet meets salty. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d never guess that gorgonzola could be tamed. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t nearly as kicky as Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve come to expect, and the balsamic reduction had me shoutinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hallelujah. Scotch Eggs If thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one thing on this planet thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gonna knock the wind outta your hangoverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sails, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s this appetizer right here. Big enough for a meal, and delicious enough to have you coming back (which is exactly what this has done to me), the Scotch Eggs actually made an Englishman in our midst give props to the kitchen. High praise, no? Not a diet dish, the sausage â&#x20AC;&#x153;shellâ&#x20AC;? is fried crispy and the egg inside is cooked just a touch under complete, imparting a creamy finish. (Ok, brb. Going back. Again.) Seared Atlantic Sea Scallops When in Rome, you do as the Romans â&#x20AC;Ś so when I had a gander at jasmine rice at a gastropub, I went for it. As my mother is Thai, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had fresh jasmine rice in a countertop rice cooker all my life. Never have I had it done so fragrantly and delicately as the kitchen at Thirsty Lion prepared it. Hints of lemon and thyme rush in behind the

WINE &

DINE 34

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

initial exhale, and epiphany sets in: This is just the side dish, girl. The flash-seared scallops fill out the flavor profile and bring the sea to Union Station. This is a fantastically light dish you neednâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel guilty (or too full) for finishing. Beer-Braised Corned Beef & Cabbage To call this dish fork-tender is an insult. The way the brilliantly braised beef (done with Newcastle Ale, which is just pub etiquette, câ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mon) succumbs to the lightest touch is testament to the deliberation that goes into the execution. The stone-ground mustard vinaigrette is marvelous, with an underlying sweetness (was that nutmeg, maybe?) that hugs up to the beefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s briny base. A succulent portion of white cheddar mashed potatoes and braised cabbage ensure you get your veggies and happy-hum the entire way through the dish. Rhubarb & Strawberry White Chocolate Cheesecake â&#x20AC;&#x153;We get a discount on everything, except the cheesecake. They know weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d eat it all!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a TL employee. Taller than your average cheesecake, but surprisingly light (whipped, actually), the white chocolate cheesecake is a summer-menu smash. PurĂŠed rhubarb cascades down high sides, a sweetened nest cradling fresh strawberries. The kicker: a chocolate-hazelnut crust that (somehow) doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bully through the mellow flavor of the cake. Brilliant. Tip: Let valet park. With all the Coors Field parkingticket piranhas about, you might wanna forgo that risk. Bonus: Inside or out? Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter. Huge windows next to the booths open up to the fabulous patio, letting the breeze and all the sounds and smells of summer waft over your comfy inside booth â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a fine case of â&#x20AC;&#x153;the best of both worlds.â&#x20AC;? 1605 Wynkoop St., Denver, CO 80202 (303) 623-0316 ThirstyLionPub.com/Denver Originally published July 16, 2014.

DJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 9th Avenue Cafe HAMBURGER MARYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 700 East 17th Ave. %FOWFS q Ä? Ä? HamburgerMarys.com/denver

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

DJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 9TH AVENUE CAFE -JODPMO 4U %FOWFS q Ä? Ä? DjsCafe.biz

You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

CONQUER YOUR WORLD on an empty stomach

Great food â&#x20AC;˘ Friendly service â&#x20AC;˘ Two fabulous locations

865 Lincoln Street 303-386-3375

3838 Tennyson Street 303-482-1841

Free espresso drink with purchase of an entrĂŠe when you mention this ad, 7â&#x20AC;&#x201C;11 a.m. weekdays

In a hurry? Place your order online at djscafe.biz

Dont forget Tuesday is $15.00 Liters of House Margarita Gold!

FUN AFFORDABLE DELICIOUS

Not all green chili is created equal. Come in and get your Bennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fix. 1

BENNYSRESTAURANT.COM OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

MARQUEE tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a h W

UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL

4VOEBZ +BOVBSZ Sie FilmCenter, 2510 East Colfax DenverFilm.org

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

D A E R ALL OVER?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;S

This issue is called Fabulous and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re exploring a few things, femininity in men being one. When I think back, I see over the years that some of the most bullied of my friends were men who expressed their feminine side and got shit for it. Do you think that some of the fire, that intimidation in drag queens comes from pushing back against femme discrimination? Everybody does drag for different reasons. Some

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

men have seen tough times, so their self-esteem wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as high as it couldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been and through drag, they were able to channel it. I understand that. Then there are people who do it as a business, as actors. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m an actor. Right, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a job. So is taking off the hair and makeup like turning Biancaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cell off? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fun question. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always been told out of drag that I was a hateful queen. When I get dressed itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hysterical!â&#x20AC;? The packaging will let you get away with murder. Through the years, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve realized it is a business and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m judged by what I put out there. There are endless videos of me being insulting and joking or whatever. Then when they get to know me, they say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re actually a nice person!â&#x20AC;? Of course Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a nice person! How else are you gonna survive out in the world? I like people. I like conversation and when someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funnier than I am. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always want to be the center of attention. I know when to turn it off. I also know you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go to a bar with a wig and 20 pounds of makeup on and go, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Leave me alone.â&#x20AC;?

Photo by Mathu Andersen

Berlin Sylvestre orry Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m late!â&#x20AC;? Bianca apologizes a mere three minutes after her scheduled call time. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s different. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My last interview just kept rambling, girl. No bad reports!â&#x20AC;? I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but be instantly charmed, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kind of Bianca Del Rioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thing, isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it? Putting aside her hectic schedule (sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not only in a state of constant travel, but sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s currently writing a one-man/woman show), she spent a solid hour with us, gabbing about life and lash. Read or get read.

HARVEY +BOVBSZ l 'FCSVBSZ 8BETXPSUI #MWE q "SWBEB ArvadaCenter.org

and

Bianca Del Rio

FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: ALIVE & KICKING! November 15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; March 1, 2015 Garner Galleria Theatre, Denver DenverCenter.org

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF November 14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; February 28, 2015 "SBQBIPF "WF q #PVMEFS BDTStage.com

ked c a t S

ht d Tig

I never planned to be a drag queen. As far as being intimidating, it’s just my personality. After so many years of doing this, my job can be abrasive for some people, but by no means do I feel that’s how it applies to my everyday life. I take full responsibility for my first impression, but I’m used to dealing with an audience and with a stage, where you’re going up there to deliver. Sometimes in life, and especially with this show, the lines get blurred until things settle. In the beginning, when there are 14 personalities in the room, it can be overwhelming. And it’s a competition. And it’s a reality show. There’s a lot going on and I think people do act intimidating out of fear. In the end, we’re all on a journey. What’s funny is sometimes, when you crack that layer, you realize underneath is a basketcase. People have told me I can be a bit much, but I don’t make excuses for it like, “Oh, something happened to me when I was 20.” We’re here to deliver, so shit or get off the pot! I’m one of those. I think I’m a lesbian. Is the show over now or are you still in the process of filming? I don’t know what I can say about that, but there is no winner decided as of yet. I gave our readers the opportunity to ask some questions, and I know some of these are inside references, so pardon me if they’re meanspirited. You can just say ‘next!’ if it’s stupid. No, I like the mean ones! “You should ask her about her relationship with Trinity and Adore and how it changed throughout the season, because she started out on a rough note with both of them.” For obvious reasons! With Adore, I didn’t have an issue, but I thought it was interesting that she was afraid of me after the first meeting. We really don’t have much time together, so first impressions are really strong. I was unaware that she had such a strong opinion of me, but from that we were able to become better friends. I think that’s a typical gay male-slash-drag queen situation. You walk into a room and go, “Mmmph. She’s not my favorite.” As far as Trinity, we were in the same group and I immediately thought she was extremely well put-together and polished for her age. I did know on a personal level, there seemed to be something going on. I didn’t know her story, didn’t see any of her interviews where she was expressing what was going on. It was interesting how we were paired together and got to know each other. We had a journey. In my situation, I had a[n HIV-positive] friend who passed away that I couldn’t help and here was someone else in the same situation who was helping herself — she just needed some encouragement. It was like payback. For what I couldn’t do for my friend, I could do for her. I put all my petty differences aside once I realized the differences came from her insecurity, her wall. Once I broke through, she was just amazing and I hated for her to leave so quickly. She had just found her moment, she was shining, she was alive.

Celebrate 50 years of tradition!

Fiddler on the Roof ON STAGE NOVEMBER 14, 2014 - FEBRUARY 28, 2015

TICKETS: (303) 449-6000 www.BDTStage.com

This has the makings of a lifelong friendship. Oh, totally. It’s effortless. I can’t imagine what she was going through in her heart. She had the look, but she was really closed off and I thought, “This is one thing I know how to do: to talk to people. And when we film this stuff, we don’t know what’s going to air and what’s not. I’m seeing this stuff for the first time with everyone else. I’m so grateful that they included [our story], for her and for myself. Here’s another reader question: “How many days would the other contestants’ years supply of lashes last you?” *hearty laugh* A week! I was like, “Are you kidding me?” I love a lash. I stack ’em. I like a good spider on my eye. I have to distract from my nose! Another follower wants to know if you’re releasing an album. I’ve done a lot of musical theater, but thanks to my nose, I sound like Bea Arthur. I collaborate on special projects, but I’m not going to be yet another person with an album that shouldn’t be singing. I’ll leave that to David Hasselhoff. Tell me if I’m reading this wrong: Did you not or did you not come for Laganja first? *hearty laugh* We were in a Snatch game and I was playing Judge Judy. She was playing Rachel Zoe and said something foolish, so you know Judge Judy had to respond. Laganja [later on “Untucked”] said, “Did you not or did you not come for me?” and I was thinking, “Giiiirl, we were in the setting! That’s what Judge Judy would say.” And they may think I went for her, but no. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

BIANCA DEL RIO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37 Judge Judy’s hardcore. I wouldn’t go on Judge Judy even if I knew I was right! I love her. She needs to be president and Suze Orman needs to be VP. This country would be clean, together, and done. You really are a lesbian. Didn’t I tell you? They’d be like, “We ain’t on Grindr; we gettin’ shit done!” You’d be a good Miranda Priestley for the Snatch game. Her look is fabulous, but truthfully I don’t think her personality is big enough. Adore was hysterical as Anna Nicole Smith and Ben Delacreme was genius as Maggie Smith, which is funny because I thought, What can you do with Maggie Smith? I was so wrong. I wanted to play Dora the Explorer as a Mexican lesbian, but there were some copyright issues there. Bring on the controversy! Speaking of which, what’s the word on the ‘tranny’ and ‘she-mail’ dust-up? I think two things here. On a personal level, I think of the show as a show. This isn’t “Meet the Press” or something on CNN; it’s a drag competition. I have a sense of humor and can see that it’s a play on the word ‘email.’ I don’t think it’s a slight to the trans community. I don’t think it’s that serious, but

once again, I didn’t have the same journey they had. Next, you really have to consider the source. This is a fun drag show and it’s not discriminatory in any way. That’s my opinion. And some people have an opinion and they think it’s wrong, but if we start telling people, “You can’t do that, you can’t do this,” what’s next? Are we taking ten steps back? I’ve had people tell me they don’t like what I do. In a bar! I tell them, “It’s 2 in the morning on a Monday night and you’re in a bar watching me. Go do something else! Go watch QVC or read a book.” And it’s been six years! Why now? Why all of a sudden? Where did this come from? To think for a moment that Logo or World of Wonder or RuPaul would be against the community, it’s insane. We’ve had transgendered guests; Candis Cayne has been on the show several times. Come on! And I’m sorry people got offended by it, but I do question their intent after six years. So what’s too taboo for you to joke about? Me, I’m an equal opportunity hater so I don’t target one group. I’m the biggest joke there is. People may not get it, people might not like it, but they don’t have to sit through my show. I don’t know where the boundaries lie. I go into it and I trust my instincts. What do you lose sleep over? Feeling like I’m going to miss an appointment or a flight. That drives me batshit crazy. My brain is constantly going and there just aren’t enough hours in a day. Six contestants are left. I’m gonna say their names aloud and after each one, and you give me a quick read. Ok. It might be something I’ve said before ... That’s fine. Let’s start with Joslyn Fox. I think she’s sweet, lovely, and adorable, but she has the gayest lisp I’ve ever heard in my life. No really. She’s so gay, her asshole has a lisp. Darienne Lake. Darienne is a funny, funny bitch! She can dish it but she can also take it. She’s just a ton of fun. Literally. Courtney Act. Oh. Her. She’s beautiful, talented, and very Australian. I say some things she doesn’t get, and she says some things that I don’t get. What I do know she isn’t going to get is citizenship in our country. BenDeLaCreme. She’s lots of fun. She’s consistent with her characterization. I’m fascinated by her, actually, even though she’s her number one fan. Adore Delano. THAT thing? She’s a hoot. She’s like that friend you wanted in college, but couldn’t be because she never finished high school.

Photo by Mathu Andersen

Bianca Del Rio. Oh, that’s me! She’s my favorite. She’s got a huge nose, but her wigs make up for it.

And her lashes … And her lashes! I’m surprised you remembered the lashes, you lesbian! Originally published May 21, 2014. |

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

THE YEAR IN PHOTOS It’s hard to believe that another year has come and gone. Time really does fly, especially when you’re having fun. Whether it was important news, worthy fundraisers, or a night out, 2014 offered a little something for everyone. This past year we continued our coverage on the fight for marriage equality and celebrated victory with you here in Colorado. We covered Pride celebrations in Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder and for the first time ever, Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora. We’ve welcomed new colleagues here at Out Front, and mourned the passing of friends and allies including Dennis Dougherty, Matt Kailey, and Robin Williams. We’ve attended numerous events in support of organizations like the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association, Denver Colorado AIDS Project, Denver Gay and Lesbian Flag Football League, GLBT Community Center of Colorado, Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire, Krewe of Chaos, Matthew Shepard Foundation, and Project Angel Heart. And we’ve seen more than a few of you at favored events like Beer Bust, Bearacuda, Boys Night Out, Climax Sundays, Dolls with Balls Bingo, Exile Fetish Ball, First Friday, Gear Night, Hump Dayoke, and our Power Party. Thank you all for another great year! We look forward to seeing you in 2015. Best wishes in the New Year! Photos by Charles Broshous See the full album at outfrontonline.com

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

For info. on placing a Marketplace ad > c 303-477-4000 or @ advertising@outfrontonline.com [ ACCOUNTING ]

[ COUNSELING ]

[ INSURANCE ]

Solving Your Small Business Challenges

Thomas Ramey Watson, Ph.D., Psychotherapist

We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t judge. We insure.

Author of Baltho, The Dog Who Owned a Man: the popular memoir of his dog and counseling.

Specializing in accounting, payroll and tax solutions designed to satisfy small business needs Most accountants work with numbers.

We work with people.

Coaching/Counselingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Individual, Couples, Group Starting groups & taking new clients.

303.987.1700 phone â&#x20AC;˘ 303.987.1829 fax â&#x20AC;˘ https://www.swickco.com/

WE ARE FARMERS 303-427-0355 DEBBIE BRUNDAGE

Your Local Agent 7390 LOWELL BLVD, WESTMINSTER, CO 80030 DBRUNDAGE@FARMERSAGENT.COM

A AAron Counseling | 720-506-4880 thomasrameywatson.com Central Denver location

[ LEGAL ]

BUSINESS LAW & CONTRACTS

)FBM 3FTUPSF *NQSPWF $PSSFDU 3FMJFWF "MJHO

LEGAL LIFE PLANNING Wills Trusts Estate Planning Probate Elder Law

Dr. Terry Brewick, D.D.S.

700 E. 9TH AVE. (AT WASHINGTON ST.), SUITE 102 DENVER, CO 80203 â&#x2C6;&#x2122; 303-832-7789 GOVPARKDENTAL.COM 5280 Magazine Top Dentist 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014

[[ LEGAL ]]

STOP Collection Calls Garnishments Wage Assignments

- - -

Package Discounts Available '$' $, &, (

nbelson@farmersagent.com

TRAVIS ALAN OCHS Bankruptcy Attorney Flat fee for most cases

Cherry Creek Spine & Sport Clinic 400 S. Colorado Blvd. Ste 300, Glendale 303-759-5575 | CherryCreekSpine.com J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

3773 Cherry Creek Drive North Suite #575 | Denver, CO 80209

303-777-4690 x101

Dr. Jason Markijohn, DC

p 303.501.1812 | www.BKH-Law.com

Norm Belson Agency

Active Release TechniqueÂŽ Certified

Byron@BKH-Law.com

[[ INSURANCE INSURANCE ]]

Chiropractic Massage Therapy Functional Rehabilitation Pain Management

ESTATE PLANNING & WILLS Felony & Misdemeanors DUI & Drug Charges Domestic Violence

PREVENTATIVE CARE STATE-OF-THE-ART CROWNS & FILLINGS SMILE RECONSTRUCTION TOOTH WHITENING

Optimum Health

FAMILY LAW Pre-Marital Agreements Dissolution of Marriage Adoptions $ Custody

CRIMINAL LAW

General & Aesthetic Dentistry

A Wellness-Oriented Lifestyle Can Assist You in Reaching Your

303-331-1700 BlochChapleau.com

PERSONAL INJURY

PROUDLY SERVING OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS

[ CHIROPRACTIC ]

Call today to speak to an attorney

Auto Accidents $ Ski & Snowboard Slips & Falls $ Dog Bites Medical Malpractice

[ DENTIST ]

[ CHIROPRACTIC ]

[ LEGAL ]

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

Free consultation

303-830-1300

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the bankruptcy code.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;˘ Criminal Defense â&#x20AC;˘ Estate Planning â&#x20AC;˘ Real Estate

Over 10 years of experience

Small Firm Attention, Big Firm Results Serving the LGBT Community for Over 25 Years

1725 Gaylord Street â&#x20AC;˘ Denver, CO 80206

[ MASSAGE ]

MASSAGE FOR THE MATURE MALE Stress relief, Full Body, Therapeutic. $50 per hour. South Denver. Near Porter Hospital Brad, 303-915-4941

[[ MASSAGE MASSAGE ]]

[ MATCHMAKER ]

RENTAL ]] [[RENTALS

INDIVIDUALIZED MASSAGE Michael Conti, BSPsy, LMT

HAVE YOU FOUND THE MAN OF YOUR DREAMS?

CHEESMAN PARK TERRACE 1402 RACE STREET 1 bedroom units from $750, Dishwasher,

An integrative approach to wellness $65/hour $80/90 minutes FIND A CZECH PARTNER

13th and Marion 303-832-1499

info@MostBeautifulPeopleDenver.com 720-235-0770

gay-man-introductions.com

[ MASSAGE [ MASSAGE ] ]

[ MEDIA & MARKETING ]

Certified & State Licensed

Enjoy the unique artistry of Celtic Touch

303-668-5014 t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t PARK GROVE 1280 LAFAYETTE STREET Large 1 bedroom units, $850-$975 Large 2 bedroom units, $1,000-$1,400 Balconies, dishwashers, parking garage, indoor pool, sauna, exercise room, and views! 303-830-1344 t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t CHEESMAN PARK 1360 WILLIAMS STREET 1 bedroom units from $775 to $850. 303-830-1344 t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t WASHINGTON PARK 960 S. LOGAN STREET 1 bedroom units from $750-$800 2 bedroom units from $825 720-205-0990 t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t WASHINGTON PARK 10 S. PENNSYLVANIA ST. 1 bedroom units from $750 to $800.

[ TRAVEL ]

720-205-0990 t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t GOVERNOR’S PARK 899 WASHINGTON ST. 1 bedroom units from $775-$800/mo. Fireplaces, rooftop deck, dishwashers, fabulous remodel! 303-668-5014

for rst time clients! call for details

• Pure relaxation • Peace of mind BASIL CARPENTER, CMT 303-885-6382

[ MASSAGE ]

[ SKIN CARE ]

DEREK CHANDLER YOUR CRUISE AND LAND SPECIALIST

303.386.3099 DCHANDLER@CRUISEPLANNERSCO.COM WWW.CRUISEPLANNERSCO.COM

Clean, Renovated and Friendly! Managed by Lloyd’s Apartments L.P.

FST#ST36334 CST#2034468-40

[ REAL ESTATE ]

FROM ENTRY TO LUXURY AN EXPERT REALTOR FINDING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS WITH KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, TRUST & RESPECT

RICH PLASMEIER 303-931-4155 REALRICH6@AOL.COM A 5280 MAGAZINE FIVE STAR REALTOR

[[ MASSAGE MASSAGE ]]

[ REAL ESTATE ]

KRAIGER www.kraigerworks.com

Full Body Therapeutic Massage with Strong & Sensitive Touch $45 per session 7 days a week 10am - 8pm

303-477-9511

MC & Visa Accepted $

5 OFF

for new clients

SMALL BUSINESS PACKAGE MARKETPLACE AD in each issue 24 ads per year WEB AD for one year front page visibility ONE MILLION IMPRESSIONS

x For more information, contact us: 303-477-4000 marketing@outfrontonline.com OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 8 0 s S K I PA R T Y @ H A M B U R G E R M A R Y â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S Hamburger Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hosted their annual â&#x20AC;&#x2122;80s Ski Apparel Party on December 14 to celebrate the end of their 3rd Annual Toy Drive. Revelers gathered in their favorite bibs, parkas, and snow boots to eat, drink, and be MARY. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event featured cocktails from SVEDKA and entertainment from jolly Jackie Summers. The toy drive was a benefit for Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital. Photos by Charles Broshous See more photos at outfrontonline.com

Cosmetics UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO

Get an Uplift - Not a Facelift Non-invasive, natural, noticeable results without surgery No downtime so you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss a minute of life No sun restrictions â&#x20AC;&#x201D; lets you enjoy your time outdoors

Call us today! 303-724-7770 or visit CUCosmetics.com â&#x20AC;&#x153;For full product and safety information, including possible mild side effects, see Ultherapy.com/IFU. Ultherapy is a registered trademark of Ulthera Inc.â&#x20AC;?

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

MEDICAL MYTH-BUSTING: MARIJUANA EDITION! Berlin Sylvestre

ne of the more frustrating elements of analyzing marijuana in a medicinal context is the lack of… well, stuff to analyze. Facebook memes shared by the thousands tell us pot is good for everything from PTSD to killing pain, while others tell us we’re on the slippery slope to SchizVille and cancer. And who are we to scoff, as though we know without a shred of uncertainty exactly what it is that pot can do? With laws being what they are, most of our friendly neighborhood scientists have been running into brick walls of red tape trying to catch a ride on the Pineapple Express for our benefit. That said, there are a few saplings of wisdom sprouting from the medical journals of those who’ve managed to break barriers and scrutinize the skunk under a microscope. Let’s examine some of their findings and bust a few myths, shall we?

Not only is marijuana responsible for zero cases of overdose, but humans have built-in cannabinoid receptors in our cute little noggins that were designed to pick up on the playful parsley! Marijuana and the lungs “Smoking cigarettes causes pulmonary dysfunction. That means smoking pot does too!” Yeah, not so fast. Researchers at the University of Alabama recently sifted through the data collected when more than 5,000 cigarette smokers and their counterparts, the weed tokers, agreed to have their lung functions monitored for 20 years. The researchers used two straightforward tests: one to test the amount of air a person can breathe out in one second (gauging their overall speed) and another to test the amount of air a person can breathe out after taking a maximally deep breath (gauging their overall volume). The tobacco, as previous studies have shown, had an adverse effect on both the speed and the volume of the smokers’ output, while the pot smokers (particularly those who smoked no more than a single joint per day) actually showed increase in both criteria. “What about cancer?” To date, there’s been no definitive link that marijuana is carcinogenic on its own, despite many attempts to prove otherwise. In fact, after carefully monitoring nearly 65,000 pot-puffin’ patients, researchers at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in San Francisco concluded that the subjects were not at increased risk for cancer in any of the demographics studied. Their conclusion states that marijuana “was also not associated with tobacco-related cancers or with cancer of the following sites: colorectal, lung, melanoma, prostate, breast, [and] cervix.” Put that in your pipe and smoke it! Pain, the brain and Mary Jane “You stoner bums are going against nature!” It would appear that humans dig the wacky tobacky because hey: we’re gettin’ spaced, right? Imagine the frowning among the throng of judgey t-totalers to learn that not only is marijuana

responsible for zero cases of overdose, but that humans have built-in cannabinoid receptors in our cute little noggins that were designed to pick up on the playful parsley! Turns out, this dashing little addition to our nervous system becomes especially active when we partake and orders a portion of our pain receptors to clock out and take a break. The news is good for those suffering from diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, spinal cord injury and many other devitalizing conditions, so who are the haters to wag a finger while we shake what Mother Nature gave us?

“Yeah, well it still can cause deterioration of your brain functions.” On the contrary! Its use in patients with Alzheimer’s revealed some uplifting findings. The Scripps Research Institute in California observed in awe as THC pumped the brakes on production of the enzyme responsible for the accumulation of amyloid plaque — the disease’s primary marker — in a “considerably superior” manner to approved Alzheimer’s drugs on the market. The researchers concluded that “[c]annabinoids offer a multi-faceted approach by providing neuroprotection and reducing neuroinflammation, whilst simultaneously supporting the brain’s intrinsic repair mechanisms.” In addition, scientists at the California Pacific Medical Center saw the onset of Lou Gehrig’s Disease (which affects the brain stem, among other sites) delayed in patients undergoing experimental treatment with THC, “potentially extending life expectancy and substantially reducing the overall burden of the disease.” And these are just two quick examples from a state that legalized medicinal marijuana! Imagine the possibilities … “OK, but the paranoia from pot can trigger a mental breakdown.” So does college algebra and people who drag their feet, I’ve found. To be fair, studies have shown that the psychoactive qualities of THC can cause paranoia and auditory hallucinations (both which are bad news for the mentally fragile), its non-psychoactive “other half” (cannabidiol, or CBD) can modify, and in some cases even diminish, the THC like a concert security guard holding the overzealous wannabe stage-diver at bay. It’s often the case that weed fortified with too much party and too little bouncer causes varying degrees of anxiety in the more sensitive among us, but people who toe the mental illness line should be careful of any script-flipping, both medicinal and recreational. Hippie lettuce and digestion The Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology published a study last year centered around pot and the gastrointestinal tract of patients with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s and Irritable Bowel Disorder, all of which are inflammatory diseases of the tum tum, scientifically speaking. Conclusion: the THC in marijuana works to “protect the lining of the stomach and intestine from injury and accelerate healing from inflammation.” Anecdotally, the nausea and pain of the a icted are eased with a few puffs of the good stuff. Originally published April 16, 2014.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BY THE NUMBERS* O F 1 17,0 0 0 PAT I E N TS W I T H M E D I CAL MARIJUANA ID

66% AR E M A LE AND 3 4% AR E FE MA LE. CAR DS,

*Survey released April 30, 2014 by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

42 IS THE AVE RAG E AG E OF ME D ICAL MA R IJUA NA PATIENTS . 307 ME DICAL MAR IJUANA PATIENTS A R E UND E R 1 8. 59% OF COLORAD O PATI ENTS R ES ID E IN TH E DE NVE R- METRO A R EA. 800+ PH YSICIANS H AVE SIG NE D FO R CUR R E NT PATIE NTS . OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

BAR TAB

THE HOTTEST DENVER NIGHTLIFE

AQUA LOUN GE

DEN VER EAG L E

1417 Krameria, Denver (720) 287-0584 ofcnow.co/aqua

1475 36 th St., Denver (303) 291-0250 theeaglebar.com

BAR KE R LOUNGE

EL POT R ERO

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

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

BAR RICUDA'S

HA MB U RG E R MA RY ’S

1076 Ogden St., Denver (303) 860-8353 barricudasdenver.com

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

BLACK CROWN

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

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

TUESDAYS: OUTRAGEOUS DRAG BINGO Hosted by Sasha Andrews & Jackie Summers. Balls drop at 9pm. Free to play!

BLUSH & B LU

WEDNESDAYS: DOLLS WITH BALLS BINGO Hosted by Alexandra Winters & Harley Quinn. Free! Starts at 9pm.

1526 E. Colfax Ave., Denver (303) 484-8548 blushblubar.com

LANNIE’S CLOCKTOWER CA BA R E T

BOYZTOW N 117 Broadway, Denver (303) 722-7373 boyztowndenver.com HAPPY HOUR Mon–Thu: 3–8:30pm & Fri–Sun: noon–8:30pm. $2.50 wells, domestic bottles & drafts. Check boyztowndenver.com for the latest drink specials! DENVER'S HOTTEST MALE REVUE Six nights a week — Never a cover! Tuesday–Sunday, 10pm–1:45am. 21+.

R & R DENV E R 4958 E. Colfax Ave., Denver (303) 320-9337 facebook.com/randrdenver

CHA RLIE'S ® 900 E. Colfax Ave., Denver (303) 839-8890 charliesdenver.com

T RAC KS

THURSDAYS 2-4-1 drinks from 7pm – close

SUPERSTAR THURSDAYS 18 + dance party Cover: 18–20 $10, 21+ $5 after 10pm

8TH AVE. 6TH AVE.

COMPOUN D B OYZ TOWN

COLFAX AVE. AQUA LOU N G E

R &R

BARRICUDA’S

L I ’ L D EV I LS ALAMEDA AVE.

COLORADO BLVD.

BARKER LOUNGE

KRAMERIA ST.

11TH AVE. V I N YL

ELM ST.

W RA N GL E R 17TH AVE. HA M B U RG E R MARYS X BA R

OGDEN ST.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

COLORADO BLVD.

B ROA DWAYS

ARKANSAS AVE.

CLARKSON ST.

145 Broadway, Denver (303) 722-7977 compounddenver.com

WASHINGTON ST.

FOR UPDATES & INTERACTIVE MAP, VISIT OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

scan or visit bit.ly/ OutFrontBarTab for interactive map

CHAR LI E ’S B LUS H & B LU

1ST AVE.

CO MPOUND BASI X

D ENVER BA R M A P

YORK ST.

COLFAX AVE.

AV E

BROADWAY

1891 14 th St #110, Denver (303) 586-4199 cravedenver.com

629 E. Colfax Ave., Denver (303) 832-2687 xbardenver.com

VD BL

X BAR

CRAV E

C RAV E

ST .M

O AH AP

WRA N GLE R

T. TS

110 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs (719) 578-7771 undergroundbars.com

PA R

T RAC KS

3430 N. Academy Blvd., Colo. Springs (719) 570-1429 clubqonline.com

16 T

U ND ERG ROUN D PU B

1700 Logan St., Denver (303) 837-1075 denverwrangler.com

CLU B Q

L A N N I E ’S

DRAG NATION LAST FRIDAYS The nation’s best drag show with the hottest celebrity drag queens!

SANTA FE DR. KALAMATH ST.

BRONCOS SUNDAY FOOTBALL Free drink of your choice with every Broncos touchdown! $1 Bud & Bud Light Drafts, $2 Bud & Bud Light Mini Pitchers, $10 Bud & Bud Light Buckets. $2 Bacardi Boots. Prizes every quarter.

. VD BL EAGL E

. ST

BROADWAY

SUNDAYS Svedka and well liquor bust from 4 – 8pm. Drag Divas: show starts at 9pm, featuring $5 big pitchers

N TO

BABES AROUND DENVER FIRST FRIDAYS The largest monthly women’s party in the US! Doors open at 6pm. 21+

A BL

ELEVATED SATURDAYS 2-for-1 drinks between 9–10pm No cover before 10pm

FRIDAYS $3 Absolut from 9pm – close

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

3500 Walnut St., Denver (303) 863-7326 tracksdenver.com

DOWNING ST.

DAILY SPECIALS Open – close: $3 domestic mini-pitchers (32-oz.). 11am – 7pm: $3 wells, $3 domestics, and $4 u-calls. 8 – 10pm: $5 PB&J daily drink & shot special

255 South Broadway, Denver (303) 733-1156 lildevilslounge.com

105 Central Plaza, Pueblo (719) 543-2683 ofcnow.co/cove

1027 Broadway, Denver (303) 623-0700 facebook.com/broadways.denver

LI L’ DEVI LS

PI RAT ES COVE

BROADWAYS

SATURDAYS 3 Svedka (all flavors) from 9pm

16th St. Mall @ Arapahoe (303) 293-0075 lannies.com

ALAMEDA AVE.

. EL P OT R ERO

B L AC K C ROW N

BAD SANTA PARTY @ TRACKS They were rocking around the Christmas tree at Tracks Nightclub on December 18 during the Bad Santa Party: the one night a year where naughty is nice. Kris Kringle, Ms. Claus, and a few hot, hunky elves cut loose in the mile high city as pre-Christmas revelers decked the halls , stuffed their stockings, and roasted their chestnuts with the sexiest Christmas crew in town. Photos by Charles Broshous See more photos at outfrontonline.com

D E N V E R D I VAS @ CHARLIE’S Denver Divas and Felony’s Cellblock teamed up on December 21 for an out of this world holiday celebration at Charlie’s. Shanida Lawya, Felony Misdemeanor, and the cast of both shows joined forces to help make the holidays a little more special for some deserving children. The super-sized show featured $3 Svedkas, $3 Shanidas, and $1 Jell-O Shots! Attendees were encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy or make donation to help benefit the Cell Block Toy Drive. Charlie’s host Denver Divas every Sunday night and Felony’s Cell Block the second Saturday of every month. Photos by Charles Broshous See more photos at outfrontonline.com

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

‘Lesbian bed death?’ AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE SEXLESS RELATIONSHIP Berlin Sylvestre

never knew it was a thing, this ‘lesbian bed death,’ until it was mentioned in passing on Showtime’s The L Word. Apparently, a couple had stopped having sex and it was such a common phenomenon among lesbians that it had a name. (The horror, right? Lesbian. Bed. Death.) The notion struck me in (what’re the kids saying these days?) some type of way. I mean, certainly a sexless relationship would be a relationship worth ending, I surmised — at that point you’re just best friends trying desperately not to end up alone. It was a good deal later — a good stretch into my first long-term girlfriend — that it struck me like a skillet thrown from a wagon that we hadn’t had sexy sex in about five months. My blood ran cold with unfavorable epiphany as I lay there, listening to her get into the shower, knowing I wasn’t going to sneak-attack her nakedness with irrepressible affection. At that point, the most I’d managed were quick booty-tweaks and boob-honks from the other side of the curtain on especially goodhumored days. At night, I’d often stay up working on my book or fiddling with the wires coming from the entertainment center (anything, really) while she called from our room, “Come to bed!” It never honestly occurred to me how low I prioritized sex with my ever-patient sweetheart. Not until that morning. Is this the beginning of the end? I worried. No, it can’t be. I love her, I do. This has nothing to do with not loving her. When I asked Cara about it a few days later, she mentioned that she’d noticed I was stressed out a lot lately. (For the past five months?) I nodded

along and rattled off watery excuses (bills, school, family) like they somehow prevented me from turning her around by her hips in the kitchen and masterfully encroaching her privacy or ambushing her as she changed into yoga attire. Like I used to. Like I used to with many-times-daily frequency. Back when things were better. And I would agonize in bed at night, knowing that all I had to do was reach over and show my feelings in that type of way. But I didn’t want to. I became irritable, more upset with myself than anything else. I thought of all the people from her past, present and potential future who could lavish her with the sexual attention she not only deserves, but most likely needs, in spite of her insistence to the contrary. How awful of me to put her through this desert of a love life, watching the tumbleweeds of depleted love blow by as lazy and empty as her attempts to justify it for my sake. Then I became irritable with her. Why doesn’t she initiate sex more? Why is it just my responsibility to take control of our love life? Well, of course I can’t feel sexy! It’s all this pressure! Where once I was embarrassed, I now felt fit enough to broach the subject with my buddy James, who was single despite his constant surge of gentleman callers…or perhaps because of it, come to think. I filled him in on the lack of sex in my life and he waved his hand. “It’s over,” he said flatly, leaving me to protest and frantically, naively ‘count the ways’ about my lady. He wouldn’t have it. He eventually said something like: “Take inventory of your relationship and you’ll see that it’s more than just sex

you’re missing” and my heart sank. I’d been doing that anyway. We no longer talked about the things we saw in our future; we didn’t playfully argue over marriage or kids or a home in California; we didn’t go jogging together, didn’t want to meet for lunch, didn’t talk politics or school or damn-near anything we used to rattle on for hours on end about. I’d been kicking and screaming that the deep bond we shared transcended sex, but who was I really kidding? Certainly not us. Months later, it happened. I met a girl at the university who made my knees quiver and my heart race. I tried to deny it, avoiding her at first. Speaking with her only made it worse, feeling that spark when she’d touch my arm or laugh at length at my anecdotes on college life. How I missed that rush of vitality! Partly through shame, I tried to reignite the lost magic between my girlfriend and me which was an utter and miserable failure that made me finally drink the water life had lead me to. We both deserved better than this facade. When we called it off, James didn’t gloat. He took me out to Midtown for drinks and assured me that lesbians aren’t the only group of lovers who linger in sexless relationships. “Y’all just stay for longer,” he laughed, assuring me that when I look back on this time years down the road, I’ll see that it was more than a lack of sex that drove us apart. It was just two people changing their minds about the whole idea of union. Originally published April 16, 2014.

BDSM therapy? Kink as a way to heal after sexual violence In some cases, allowing a survivor complete control over a sexual power play situation could be healing in that they could either be in a dominant role (which was likely not the case during their assault), or in a submissive role in which they can dictate exactly what does and does not happen, and can have the power hat an incredibly interto stop their interaction at any esting question, and one time. For many individuals, the ASK THE SEXPERT explicit consent that is required that Colorado local Tim Murray Shanna Katz is working on researching with for BDSM and/or any kink play his awesome project A Kink in can be empowering. the Cure, which examines the experiences with On the other hand, it can sometimes be members of the kink and BDSM communities and overwhelming, even re-triggering of previous exthe therapeutic benefits and challenges they have periences or interactions. Sometimes, the survivor experienced in these communities. So the long won’t even realize that something might trigger answer? Check out Tim’s work and contribute to them until they are in the middle of a situation, and his project in a quest for more knowledge around it could be something as seemingly innocuous as this issue: facebook.com/AKinkInTheCure a certain song playing on the radio, or a scent that The shorter answer? Anything can be either could trigger memories or emotions. Taking that helpful or hurtful (or even both in some cases) to into account, setting up a pre-negotiated kinky play survivors of sexual assault or any type of violence. date could seem like a great idea, until something

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

winds up not going according to plan or triggering someone and compounding their trauma. Solution? Communication is going to be an important part of figuring out what will work for you, and/or what will work for your partner. Consider also bringing in a sex-positive or kink aware professional to the conversation to support your planning — and to support you when things either go really well, or really not as planned. Be aware that intimacy and sexual activities always can result in unexpected emotional reactions, regardless of experiences of sexual assault or other trauma, so just be open about what is going on, and be ready to be flexible when the best laid of plans may change at the last minute. Best of luck! hanna at . d is a board certified sexologist, sexuality educator, and author who believes in open source, accessible sexuality education. For more info on teaching adults to optimize their sex lives, visit ShannaKatz.com. Send Shanna a question for her column at ShannaKatz@gmail.com. Originally published April 16, 2014.

Photo: Christina Gressianu

Dear Shanna, Can BDSM (bondage and discipline, domination and submission, and sadomasochism) or kink practices be healing for survivors of sexual assault? — Therapeutically Interested in Kink

MY ROMANTIC ALONE TIME Scott McGlothlen | Bleed Like Me

Photo: Christina Gressianu

[Warning: Submitted for April’s comedy issue of Out Front, this column contains graphic language.] I POURED A GLASS OF WINE, set out the lube and hand towel, and got the DVD player all fired up. Finally, without anyone home, I was going to be able to take my time doing this and be as loud as I wanted. I slid in the disc and the movie credits began to roll. Here it was; one of the hottest, naughtiest, sexiest films I had ever seen: “Sleepless In Seattle.” I wanted to do this ever since I saw this movie as a young man. The way Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan would keep getting so close to their love would certainly get me close each time. But the real money shot for my pleasure would come when they finally unite at the Empire State Building in true love. With this much excitement, I may need a second hand towel. Romantic comedies simply make for the best masturbation, and this is the reason why parents could never let their kids get exposed to such smutty films. Now that I was an adult on my own, I could not stop yanking my crank to these videos. But why would I? Nothing gets a person all hot and bothered like romance. I’ll never forget the first time I saw a romantic comedy. Like any eager teenager, I knew my parents would have one hidden somewhere in the house where the kids wouldn’t find it. Whenever

they weren’t home, I would go searching in their room. And then one day I found it: an old VHS copy of “Harold and Maude.” I slowly put it in and the movie happened to start at some random scene. Seeing as how it was the first time I had seen one of these kinds of films, I didn’t even have to touch myself in order to get fireworks to explode. Romantic comedies’ most raw, primal time was the Sandra Bullock era. When I first saw her in “Speed,” I thought she was going to be like any other pretty actress. It wasn’t until seeing the movie “While You Were Sleeping” that I knew she would be the reigning queen of the romantic comedy world. The way she kept getting into the silliest predicaments while Peter Gallagher was in coma kept getting me closer and closer. It took five or six times before I could even make it through the whole movie. One day, a friend suggested trying a new kind of movie. He called them “pornos,” a name that made me think I would be watching people set things on fire. He gave me one titled “Cocks and Jocks 4.” When I started watching it, I felt instantly bored. Sure the characters had slamming bodies in addition to their slamming, sweaty sex … but where was the love? Where were the cliffhanging

mishaps? How could I ever get off to this? I gave the movie back to him proudly stating that I would stick to the romantic comedy whenever I needed … ya know ... some release. But I have to be honest. Sometimes spanking the romantic comedy monkey can bring out peoples’ inner weirdo. I will never forget the time that another buddy of mine called me up and asked if I wanted to go see the new Jennifer Lopez movie. It had something to do with some maid working in Manhattan. I was appalled. Since when did we buff our bananas together? He and I were not those kind of friends. I immediately told him no and that I would go see the movie alone at the old, run-down theatre on West Colfax by myself … like a decent human being. I often wondered if anyone else loved jimmying their joey to romantic comedies as much as I did. And the truth was no, they didn’t. Because in reality, nobody masturbates to romantic comedies. And neither did I. This whole thing had just been one of many daydreams in my confusing quest to figure out the struggle of monogamy. Sure, love and sex go hand-in-hand, but if love and sex were meant to be mutually exclusive, then why weren’t we all just doing the five-knuckle shu e to the romantic comedies?

active duty military gets a free 8 hour locker membership or daypass required

$12 locker special 9am-5pm $20 rooms $15 lockers safe sex is all attitude

boys lockers $10 18-25 8 hours

denverswimclub.com

6923 EAST COLFAX AVE. DENVER, CO. 303.322.4023 OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

GET HIM ON THE LINE

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

Need help?

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

Try it for free

303-563-4828 More local numbers: 1-800-777-8000 Ahora en Español/18+ www.guyspyvoice.com

Advertise Here

Ò èÒƢ ƙ=¤ Ò¼ã· ·â Èƚ Y¼ƢĳĶĹĳĸ ¼È â ·ÒÌƢƹ ÌÆ ¤y°Ì

303-477-4000

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

W H AT O S C A R WILDE QUOTE FORETELLS YOUR 2015?

BACKWORDS

OUT & ABOUT 2014: FACES OF COLORADO Photos by Charles Broshous | See the full album at outfrontonline.com

CAPRICORN: “When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life. Now that I am old, I know that it is.”

AQUARIUS: “Always forgive your enemies — nothing annoys them so much.” PISCES: “Everything in the world is about sex except sex. Sex is about power.” ARIES: “Experience is merely the name men gave to their mistakes.” TAURUS: “I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train.”

GEMINI: “Ambition is the last refuge of failure.” CANCER: “I don’t want to go to heaven. None of my friends are there.” LEO: “You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” VIRGO: “I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.” LIBRA: “Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is far the best ending for one.”

SCORPIO: “The very essence of romance is uncertainty.” SAGITTARIUS: “Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess.”

VOFABULARY slumbersexual (n.) A butch, bearded guy (i.e. a “lumbersexual”) with a boring personality “That slumbersexual was a total snorefest. The most interesting thing about him was his suspenders!”

Yearbook 2014 Across 1. Movie that gets our columnist Scott revved up. (3 words) 2. The luxury salon on E. 17th Ave. 3. “Still Serving In Silence” author. (2 words) 4. Month that same-sex marriage became legal in Colorado. Down 1. Last name of the man who filed a DORA claim against the Wrangler. 2. The King of Union Station. (2 words) 3. Author of the hit-and-run story. (2 words) 4. “Grab a friend and get tested” at Denver P______ H______ .(2 words) 5. The musical performance advertised in this issue by the Boulder Dinner Theater. (4 words) 6. An Out Front advertiser that offers full-service car washes in this issue.(2 words) 7. The first trans homecoming princess from Colorado Springs. ' ldgYh ]^ci dca^cZ 5 W^i#an$d[X"X]Vi 8. A Subaru dealership that’s also an Out Front advertiser. ach week ut ront will eature a crossword pu le or our readers to sol e once they finish the issue. he answers will come rom our pages. he first photos o correctly completed pu les sent to Berlin@OutFrontOnline.com will be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift card to Hapa Sushi. 50

J A N U A R Y 7, 2 0 1 5

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

A win-win situation.

With a 250-hp turbocharged SUBARU BOXER® engine, the 2015 Subaru Forester® 2.0XT doesn’t let a little thing like snow get in its way. @ !45 ',+9> /)03

The all-new 2015 Subaru Legacy.® Our legendary go-anywhere capability and 36 mpg.1 The largest passenger volume in its class.2 It’s well equipped and ready to go everywhere you are. @ '/7('-8 89'3*'7*

@ 25- .<>4

@ 43-+89 1'89/3- 2/*8/?+ sedan in its class6

@ '79/'1 &+74 2/88/438 Vehicle (PZEV)5

@ >22+97/)'1 11 $.++1 7/;+

Courtesy deliver to your home or office and choice of window tint or clear bra! Subaru, Forester and Legacy are registered trademarks. 1EPA-estimated hwy fuel economy for 2015 Legacy 2.5i models. Actual mileage may vary. 2Based on manufacturer-reported interior volumes according to the EPA’s Midsize Car class as of 7/1/14. 32014 Top Safety Picks include the 2015 Subaru Forester, WRX and BRZ. 4EPA-estimated hwy fuel economy for 2015 Subaru Forester 2.5i CVT models. Actual mileage may vary. 5PZEV emissions warranty applies to only certain states. See your retailer for complete information on emissions and new car limited warranties. 6Based on IHS Automotive, Polk U.S. total new light vehicle registrations in the model years 2004 through 2013 (through October 2013) in the Non-Luxury Traditional Midsize Sedan segment for models that have been on the U.S. market for the entire ten-year time period.

1080 MOTOR CITY DRIVE COLORADO SPRINGS

800-789-5583 BESTBUYSUBARU.COM

#1 Largest Subaru Dealer in America* Committed to the Community We Serve *BASED ON 2013 NATIONAL SUBARU DEALER RANKING