May 6, 2015 :: The DIY Issue by OUT FRONT Magazine

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ROUND TWO FOR AZUCAR BAKERY + D ENVER GAY TIN OS

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CONTENTS MAY 06, 2015 VOL39 NO3

08 TRANSPORTATION AND THE LICENSE TO FLY 10 COPYCAT SERVES AZUCAR BAKERY WITH YET ANOTHER RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT

HOW TO & DIY 17 DO IT YOUR DAMN SELF

HOME 32 HOME POISONING 101

36 HOMEOWNERS BEWARE! 38 CALENDAR 40 UNMASKING THE REAL SUPERHEROS OF DENVER COMIC CON 42 MARKETPLACE 48 BAR TAB 40 EL AMOR DE MI FAMILIA ES MAS GRUESO QUE MI CULTURA (THE LOVE OF MY FAMILY IS THICKER THAN MY CULTURE) 58 BACKWORDS

ON THE COVER

Sam H. photographed by Paul Wedlake Photography.

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Thank you to Carmelo Paglialunga and his husband John Reilly for letting us photograph their gorgeous house.

our talent stands out from the crowd.

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House Republican [Lois] Landgraf voted yes on the grounds of personal liberties. Was that aspect presented to the Republicans on the State Affairs Committee to try and encourage a yes vote?

N E WS

We tried to pitch personal responsibility and personal dignity, yes, those arguments were made. I think we’re seeing a bigger issue, truthfully … a big miscommunication between the House and Senate. Unfortunately, just because you get bipartisan support in one chamber doesn’t mean you’ll get it in the other. There are even Republican-sponsored bills that die in the [Republican-controlled] Senate. So they voted no, anyway. There were literal tears on the Senate floor that day ...

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST FRESH ON THE HEELS OF HB 1175’s demise — the bill that

would’ve banned “gay conversion therapy” here in Colorado — comes the April 15th defeat of HB 1265, the bill that would’ve made it easier for transfolk in the state to amend the gender marker on their bir th cer tificates. Berlin Sylvestre

Passed by the House with bipartisan support earlier this month, House Bill 1265 was shipped off to members of the Senate’s State Affairs Committee, commonly known as the “kill committee” by many who feels its lessthan-objective voting procedure relies more on “partisan marching orders from above” than it does actual deliberation on legislative proposals.

So I spoke with Rep. Dominick Moreno who, along with Rep. Jessie Ulibarri, sponsored the bill to see what went wrong. In a nutshell? Politics is what went wrong.

In spite of tearful testimony from members of the community — including CO State Registrar of the Vital Statistic Division Ron Hyman — and in spite of its bipartisan momentum in the House, the three Republicans who sit on the Senate committee could not be swayed to pass the bill.

Yeah, I think it was intentionally sent to the kill committee. I don’t think explicit instructions were given, but it’s an unspoken expectation. At the end of the day, it was party politics — sending it there just sealed its fate. Had that bill gone anywhere else, we might have gotten it passed.

Rep. [Paul] Rosenthal told me earlier that if you want a bill to die — especially one that involves LGBT issues — you send it to the State Affairs Committee. Do you agree?

That’s true. We had a little transboy break down and cry in front of everyone over the no vote. His mom came and testified and they literally brought him to tears with that vote — it was so disheartening. People came and poured their hearts out. I don’t understand how you can listen to compelling emotional testimony and still say no, but that’s what happened. I will say that one good thing to come out of all this is that there was a lot of education that happened to that committee. Not a lot of them had exposure to trans issues in general. That at least had some effect. A member of the committee even said, “I don’t have a lot of experience with this issue, so I feel fortunate we had this discussion.” Rep. Rosenthal is going to try HB 1175 again next year. Do you think you’ll reintroduce HB 1265 in the future? I absolutely will and I need everyone — especially those in the trans community — to get behind the effort. But like I said: A big win for us that day was bringing awareness to the issue. I’m still thankful for the bipartisan efforts in the House. We had Republicans on board in the House, and not a single Democrat voted against it. The only roadblocks we saw were with Republicans in the Senate, which we kind of expected. I’d like to say again that we’re so thankful for everyone who supported the bill.

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TRANSPORTATION & THE LICENSE TO FLY THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION IS tasked with

ensuring passenger safety on all flights. This responsibility requires a meticulous pilot screening process that can prove more difficult for some pilots — specifically when they happen to be transgender.

Daniel Alvarez

When pilots identify themselves as transgender — or “gender dysphoric” — the FAA requires that they submit additional paperwork for review. This paperwork must include copies of the applicant’s medical history, including all information regarding their so-called Gender Identity Disorder. The reviewing of these documents could take weeks, even months. Jessica Taylor, an airline transport pilot for a regional airline in Denver, has experienced this first hand. After submitting an application for her first-class medical certificate, she was faced with the possibility of losing her license because she’s transgender. “I submitted all my information to the FAA on November 14, 2014,” Jessica says. “That went to Oklahoma City.” All applications for a first-class medical certificate go to the Aerospace Medical Certification Division in Oklahoma City before being passed along to the FAA in Washington D.C. “I got a letter saying it was going to D.C. for further evaluation,” she says. “When I called D.C. they said, ‘Guess what? You’re looking at 6-12 months.’ My medical [certification] was expiring in two months, so I was going to be grounded.” This is the reality for transgender pilots attempting to obtain their first-class medical certificate. The FAA grounds these pilots, without pay, until they can furnish additional documents. 8

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“The first requirement is a letter from a doctor stating what medications you’re on, the dosages, and any known side effects,” Jessica says. “Any surgical things that were done need to be documented, as well as [anything] post-treatment. And you must have a psychological evaluation from a board-certified Ph.D or licensed psychologist experienced in transgender issues.” All these requirements must be fulfilled before the FAA will even begin the evaluation and provide the pilot with a first-class medical certificate. The applicant must also cover out-of-pocket costs while being grounded throughout the process. “A mainstream pilot does a quick medical examination for a first-class medical [certificate],” Jessica says. “It’s fairly simple.” However, for Jessica and other transgender persons like her, the process can include several visits to a psychologist to obtain a psychological profile clearing them of any mental health concerns. “It gets really pricey and a lot of pilots can’t afford that because we just got done with school.” Jessica was aware of how lengthy process could be and took a very methodical approach when applying. She was as transparent as possible, and provided the FAA with all the information they would need to complete her review. Regardless, she was still subject to a lengthy wait.

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After submitting an application for her first-class medical certificate, Jessica was faced with the possibility of losing her pilot’s license because she was transgender.

”

Being out of work was not an option. Determined to get her certification, she turned to Congresswoman Diana DeGette. “Jessica contacted our office, and one of my coworkers reached out to the FAA and inquired about the case,” Senior Policy Advisor/District Press Secretary for Rep. Diana DeGette Jen Clanahan says. “We wanted to know [the status] and offered that they give Jessica full consideration. We can’t make an agency determine in someone’s favor, but we can inquire with that agency and perhaps help move things along.” On December 3, 2014, Jessica received a call from the FAA. “I got a call back from Dr. Duvall saying, ‘We received your package and it was quite impressive. We want to let you know that we issued your special issuance and it’s on its way.’” This news meant that Jessica was able to keep her license and was cleared to fly. Jessica is the first transgender pilot to have navigated the Federal Aviation Aeromedical Administration without being grounded, and now she is working to help streamline the process for others. “It’s pretty significant,” Jessica says. “But it’s changing quick. The tempo at the aeromedical office in Washington D.C. is incredible.”

LEGAL DIRECTORY CIVIL PROTECTION ORDERS Getting a protection order in Colorado is a two-step process. The first step is to file a written complaint with the court where you live. Most courts have set aside specific times for these to be filed and then immediately ruled upon. So long as you have said that some other person has done something to put you in fear of imminent danger of harm to your life or health, the court will grant a temporary protection order and will set the matter for a permanent protection order hearing. The second step is the permanent protection order hearing. It is set no more than fourteen days after the temporary protection order, which must be personally served on the restrained party before the hearing. Proof of service is required at the permanent hearing, and if it has not occurred by that date the hearing will be continued. At the hearing, the plaintiff must prove two things: (1) that the restrained person committed acts constituting grounds for issuance of a civil protection order and (2) unless restrained [that

person] will continue to commit such acts or acts designed to intimate or retaliate against the protected person. Different kinds of evidence can be used to support or deny a permanent protection order, including testimony, telephone messages, emails, text messages, and communication through social media. Even though the trial is generally user friendly, the technical rules of evidence apply and many hearings have been lost because people are unfamiliar with those rules and court procedures. If you are involved in a situation involving a protection order, it’s critical that you hire an experienced attorney immediately to protect your rights. A protection order can remove you from your home, your job, and be a black mark on your record. The ramifications of a permanent protection order are simply too severe to try to do it alone. Who can help? One of Bloch & Chapleau’s aggressive attorneys. Reach them at (303) 331-1700 or visit them online at BlochChapleau.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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COPYCAT SERVES AZUCAR BAKERY WITH YET ANOTHER RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT Berlin Sylvestre

JANUARY 23 — THE AUDIO is garbled at first, and fea-

tures a clamor not unlike devices colliding as a call is awkwardly recorded. “Hello? Hello?” an impatient male calls out. A young woman confirms she’s there. “Yes, hi. I’d like to order a cake, please.” And so begins another mission to buy a very specific kind of cake from Denver’s Azucar Bakery.

at Azucar on edge. Now, there’s a guy on the phone who’s putting the team on alert with his insistence that a yet-to-be-revealed message be written in fancy letters on his cake. It all feels very, very familiar.

The man’s vocal demeanor sets off a red flag for the attendant, however; he rushes and fumbles while building his order, asking for the name of the attendant and making her confirm twice that she’ll write a message he wants on the cake. He says he needs to feed 12, but hastily chooses a cake that feeds 60, and his line of questioning is tinged with a suspiciously insincere nature that’s already sent one pastry chef to flag down a superior to take over the order.

After building his order, the young woman asks for his message.

And her doubt makes sense.

“Uhhhh, that’s against federal law — it’s discrimination if you don’t, and this call is being recorded, so if you violate federal law, you can get into a lot of trouble.” She states her position again, then asks if he’d like to speak to her manager. He agrees, but when the young woman returns, she says the team has decided it’s best to wait for the owner to return. The man is not pleased.

The call comes on the heels of the biggest news story ever centered on the small Peruvian bakery, and the staff is in the throes of a media frenzy after refusing to write a disparaging comment about God and gays on a cake. The calls of support have been welcome, but the threats from angry callers from have put everyone 10

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“It has to say on it the following,” he declares with sudden articulation. “The Bible says gay marriage is wrong.” There is an uncomfortable silence that lasts more than a beat. “We can’t actually say that on our cake,” she begins, before he cuts her off.

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So you think it’s ok to discriminate against people? You’re discriminating against people who oppose gay marriage, and that’s illegal,” the caller proclaims.

”

“So you and your boss think it’s ok to discriminate against people? You know that’s illegal, right? You’re discriminating against people who oppose gay marriage, and that’s illegal. You can’t discriminate based on someone’s religious beliefs. Listen, this call is being recorded so you can’t say later on you didn’t know or you weren’t told. I told you several times, so you can’t say well oh, you didn’t know — you did know, because I warned you many times now it’s discrimination and it’s illegal. This entire recording is going to be used against the company to prove you’ve been discriminating.” The woman remains calm. “I will write down the message that you would like on the cake, and the owner will call you to see if we can write it or not,” she offers. “That’s not good enough,” he says. The recording ends. (We’ve included a link to the recording in the online edition of the story.)

Since the initial story centered around Azucar Bakery and its alleged religious discrimination broke on January 18, owner Marjorie Silva

has been inundated with calls, emails, and letters of support. “Most of them are incredibly nice,” she says, bright-eyed and in good spirits on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 14. She’s surprisingly upbeat for someone who’s been through a whirlwind of a year. Her story has been picked up by every major news outlet in the United States, had a plot-driving role on CBS’ The Good Wife, and was parodied by The Onion and Saturday Night Live. People from all around the world, including Peru, New Zealand, Ukraine, England, and Spain have flooded her inbox with thank-you letters, and she’s had to ramp up the overtime hours for employees as business has boomed in the wake of the story. “I have people coming into the store just to hug me,” she says. “So many tell me they’re Christians who support me. I still get really mean messages, people calling me fat cow and saying I’m going to hell, but that’s ok.” It’s par for the course — Marjorie’s life has an apparent sweet-and-sour theme lately. Earlier this month, the Colorado Civil Rights Division determined that Marjorie didn’t violate William “Bill” Jack’s civil rights for denying him a cake that declared — in so many words — that God doesn’t approve of gay people. Though on one hand something to celebrate, she says she was also informed by her attorneys to ready herself for court. Expecting Jack to quickly appeal, she isn’t exactly thrilled at having to take time off for depositions, hearings, and the rest of the tedium that goes with being sued. “My lawyer thinks this is just the beginning — not the end,” she sighs, excusing herself briefly. There is a line forming, and the young attendant in a chef jacket needs some assistance. When Marjorie returns, she puts a big white envelope on the table and takes a seat. Judging by her body language, this isn’t good news. “And now I have to go through it all over again,” she says. I remove the contents of the envelope grimly, as the letterhead is a familiar one. It appears that on March 6, Robert Mannarino filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission against Azucar Bakery citing that — because the bakery wouldn’t write “The Bible says gay marriage is wrong” on a cake — he is the victim of religious discrimination. Mannarino writes under the Personal Harm section: “That on or about January 23, 2015, I was denied services by a place of public accommodation based on my creed (Christianity).” Under the Discrimination Statement section, Mannarino writes: “I believe I was unlawfully discriminated against because of my creed in violation of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. 1) On or about January 23, 2015, I attempted to purchase a cake from the respondent. 2) I expressed that I wanted the cake to state “The Bible says gay marriage is wrong” but the respondent refused to take

the order. 3) Only after I alluded to the specific message did the respondent deny the service. 4) I believe I was discriminated against based on my protected class.” And so it’s confirmed: Marjorie Silva is dealing with Bill Jack’s copycat. “I called my lawyer crying,” she admits. “And since then, [Mannarino] has gone onto so many wedding review websites and left me one star [out of five].” Her eyes widen with disbelief. “I’ve worked eight years to get all those reviews and [remain] at five stars, then he leaves nasty messages and brings it down to four.” She says that people who are planning their weddings use sites like TheKnot.com, WeddingWire.com, and MyWedding.com to steer them toward places they feel they can trust.

A man came banging on her windows three hours before the store opened, alarming the staff as they prepped for the day’s business.

“Things like that affect my business, you know? This is how I pay my bills.” She shakes her head. “I feel like I’m being targeted.” She tells me about a “politician” who started visiting around the same time Mannarino called. She says he came banging on her windows three hours before the store opened, alarming the staff as they prepped for the day’s business. “The guy left some papers and said he wanted me to go [to the State Capitol] with him.” She took the documents and gave the local LGBT political advocacy group, One Colorado, a ring.

”

“I’m from Peru, so there’s a language barrier,” she says of the legalese on the paperwork. “I didn’t fully understand what it was saying.” When she sat down with members from One Colorado to sort out the details, they knew immediately who came calling. State Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt of Colorado Springs — also known as Dr. Chaps, his YouTube alter ego — is an outspoken religious-right Republican who’s against homosexuality and gay marriage. (You might remember the guy being admonished by the public and his peers in the Colorado House for suggesting that the Longmont baby cut from its mother’s belly was the result of a “curse of God upon America for our sin of not protecting innocent children in the womb.”) “[Klingenschmitt] said that if I don’t go [to the Capitol], then everyone would only hear Bill Jack’s side of the story,” she says. After a few rounds of unwanted communication from Klingenschmitt, Marjorie hired a PR expert who advised her to keep her distance from him. After reviewing the documents and going over his track record on gay issues with One Colorado, Marjorie says she also agreed it was probably best to steer clear of him, so as not to make a rough situation any worse. Now that she’s dealing with the second complaint case, she’s more interested in focusing on as much work at the bakery as possible. A dyed-in-the-wool optimist, Marjorie wants to

make a tumultuous time a more virtuous one. Not only did she tackle the mountain of extra orders, baking cookies from sun up to sun down, but she gave people who couldn’t patronize the shop for treats the opportunity to show their support through shirt sales. In the end, though, with much of the cost for her attorney out of the way, she wants to use the financial support for “something beautiful.” “After the story, I got so many calls from teenagers who were kicked out of their homes for being who they are,” she says. “It made me think about people I know back home who were treated poorly for being gay.” She says she’s been inspired by numerous LGBT youth advocacy programs here in Colorado and would like to recreate something similar for LGBT youth back home in Peru. “We didn’t have anything like that growing up,” she says, adding that she wants to make a difference in the lives of teenagers who don’t have those kinds of resources. But for now, Marjorie is contending with the uphill battle of running a business that’s also a target of religious discrimination activists who build platforms on hate-cakes. Still, she remains positive. “For every 10,000 kind messages, there are maybe 10 bad ones,” she says. “I think that shows the world is going the right way.” She sighs. “But here we go again.”

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Do you believe that Ann Coulter is one of the best political pundits in America?

OPINION

Yes No Bug eyes, makes up shit, laughs all the way to the bank … that Ann Coulter? I might do her, but then she’d have to buy me a condo in LoDo.

Do you believe, like Michele Bachmann, that “if you’re involved in the gay lifestyle, it’s bondage and enslavement?” Yes No

THE KURMUDGEON KWIZ FOR KERMIE’S KAMPERS! HEY KERMIE KAMPERS! YOUR POLITICAL pundit, Kermie Kurmudgeon, wants to know: Are you a Lefty or a Righty? Take the quiz and find out!

Rick Kitzman

Do you read the same magazines as Sarah Palin?

Do you think accusations that Hillary Clinton is the Antichrist are correct?

Yes

Is this a “gotcha” question?

Benghazi! (Sorry, old habit.)

Do you believe, like James Dobson, that gay marriage will lead to civil war? Yes

Do you believe, like Mission America founder Linda Harvey, that “there is no proof that there’s a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered” human? Yes

No The Civil War ended. Somebody wake him up and tell him. (And while you’re at it, tell the South.)

Do you think Kirk Cameron should win a special Academy Award for his films against gays? Yes

No Has she met RuPaul? Linda baby, take your pick.

Do you believe in the Gaypocalypse? Yes No Is that a new club in Gaypleton?

No I’d do him.

Do you believe, like Mike Huckabee, that the ultimate goal of gays is to ban churches? Yes

Do you think Sen. Ted Cotton and the other senators who signed a letter to sabotage the Iran nuke deal are true American patriots? Yes No

No I would definitely NOT do him.

Let me ask my Persian cat Mister Schmooshy-Face.

Bobbie Chuck, get these handcuffs off me. Bobbie Chuck? Hello? Damn it, Bobbie Chuck! I gotta finish this damn quiz!

Do you believe, like Christian Pastor Larry Tomczak, that programs like Ellen are causing a ‘tidal wave of unprecedented evil’ to sweep America? Yes No Ellen for President!

Do you agree with Mitt Romney’s opinion that Hillary Clinton isn’t trustworthy because she’s not driven a car in 18 years due to transportation by the Secret Service? Yes No 47% of me agrees.

Do you think Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock, who had his office designed like Downton Abbey, should have been forced to resign? Yes No I’d lick artisanal ale from the crevices of his abdominal six-pack, anytime, anywhere.

Do you believe one mommy and one daddy make the best parents and two mommies or two daddies make the worst parents? Yes No Who cares! They’re parents.

Do you believe in a “gay agenda”? Yes No Duh!

SCORES Mostly Choice 1: You’re a Righty! You’ll eventually move to Texas and lobby to successfully secede from the Union, at which time the billions of dollars in FEDERAL money Texas receives will be used to achieve the gay agenda, after which you will implode/explode wondering why a majority of voters elect to rejoin Mexico in say, the year 2037. 12

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Mostly Choice 2: You’re a Moderate, and it’s totally ok to go both ways. Mostly Choice 3: OMG! Let’s all get married on the Focus on the Family campus!

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SO KAMPERS, HOW’D YOU DO? No matter. Remember

Ker mie Kampers, Ker mie loves you, and so does God (depending on your score)!

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OPINION

ONE NATION, UNDER GOD (AS LONG AS YOU’RE STRAIGHT) REP. JARED POLIS (D-CO) ON LGBT DISCRIMINATION AND THE ROLE OF CONGRESS

THE EQUALITY FOR ALL RESOLUTION (EFA), a bill specifi-

cally written to “prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity” on a federal level twas introduced in Congress the week of April 13. Within the bill’s pur view are legislative protections from biases regarding “credit, employment, education, federally funded programs, housing, jur y ser vice, and public accommodations.” Betrearon Tezera

The press release also notes that while many states, including Colorado, have instituted direct legal prohibitions on the discrimination of LGBT Americans in areas such as employment, housing, and public accommodation, a staggering number of states don’t have formal, explicit ordinances banning LGBT discrimination on the books. I interviewed Rep. Jared Polis, one of the coauthors of ERA, along with House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chair Steve Israel (D-NY), Congressman André Carson (D-IN), Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), and Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA) this past Thursday. Referring to recent grumblings in my own microcommunity of artists, scholars, and writers, I wanted to know why so many people have come to consider EFA as just a rebuttal to recent “religious freedom” laws passed in Indiana and Arkansas.

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“Certainly some of the actions in states like Indiana and Arkansas, and the moral outrage that many Americans showed at those [actions], led us to author a resolution that sends a clear message: Discrimination is wrong, and discrimination against LGBT Americans is wrong in every single area, whether it’s public accommodations, or housing, or employment,” Rep. Polis asserts. While the timing of the EFA closely follows recent laws passed in Indiana and Arkansas, the bill is anything but a reactionary document. These laws might have catalyzed the introduction of the EFA, but the concepts and sentiments buttressing it have been circulating in and out of Congress for some time now. Rep. Polis notes: “The LGBT community has faced a lot of … political attacks in states like Indiana and Arkansas, and even nationally… and what we wanted to show the LGBT community and our allies is that there

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The EFA is only one in a slew of recent laws and regulations that have continued to spur the ongoing debate pitting notions of state sovereignty and federal oversight as antitheses.

”

are many of us in Congress who believe in equality and who will continue to fight and won’t rest until we achieve equality for LGBT Americans. It’s about showing solidarity with the majority of Americans who are outraged at these discriminatory laws,” he relates. As Rep. Polis’ April 20 op-ed in The Advocate insists, much of the political power of social policy movements today is propelled by “millennials who are willing to question the norms they or their parents were brought up with in favor of fairness and reason.” As a millennial myself, I couldn’t agree more. Indeed, millennials might not be the only ones trading in stuffy conventions (read: homophobia) for reason. If the numbers are anything to go by, the EFA has been hugely successful since its introduction in Congress weeks ago. Rep. Polis tells me: “It’s been amazing that we have over

128 co-sponsors in two weeks, which is a lot for a bill. There’s been an enormous amount of interest since we introduced it.” In a Congress with 435 representatives and 100 senators, 128 co-sponsors represent nearly a full quarter of the United States legislative branch.

BEST P RI DE EV E R!

This bill represents a significant shift in tone from DOMA’s repeal in the summer of 2013. Whilst many people rightly celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a federally imposed definition of marriage, many were left disgruntled, wondering how each state would independently define marriage, and as a result, how a family could be legally recognized in one state and deemed illegitimate in another. The EFA’s importance is further underscored here. As Rep. Polis adamantly states: “It often takes our federal government to ensure that all Americans, regardless of their race or gender — and now what we propose as part of their sexual orientation and gender identity — don’t face discrimination and can live up to their potential and live life with their families [without worrying] about being discriminated against.”

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The EFA is only one in a slew of recent laws and regulations that have continued to spur the ongoing debate pitting notions of state sovereignty and federal oversight as antitheses. But the EFA is perhaps the first piece of LGBTrelated legislation proposed since DOMA’s repeal that stands a chance to unify both LGBT Americans who are happy to exist without a federal definition of marriage and LGBT Americans whose freedom and comfort are compromised precisely because there has been a historical reluctance in this country to assert federal control on matters deemed to be related to “sexuality.” Of course, the EFA isn’t really about sexuality at all, but about equal claims to citizenship and, ultimately, a sense of belonging. Rep. Polis’ invocation of the term “solidarity” is ever poignant; he insists that “just like all discrimination is a national issue, so is discrimination against LGBT Americans.” It is important to conceive of the EFA as an intervention committed not just to LGBT rights, but human rights more broadly. The improvement of LGBT lives in America stands to benefit Americans regardless of sexual orientation, as it sets a veritably positive example for each and every one of us, whereby the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness should never be conditional. To this end, the EFA is but one part of a larger project involving Reps. Polis and Cicilline, one that is committed to implementing an array of non-discriminatory legislation across the United States, and concretizing liberal sentiments by translating them “into legislative language.” With these signposts firmly planted and leading the way to a more complete equality for LGBT Americans, there may be much to hope for yet.

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HOW TO ENTER:

We’ve been around for nearly 40 years and we want to see how you OUT FRONT. We want to see how you read us. You have until 11:59pm on Sunday, May 24th to submit your photo using the hashtag #OutFrontMe via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Or, email pride@outfrontonline.com and we’ll post it for you. The top 15 photos will be chosen on May 25th, then we’ll leave it up to the community to vote at outfrontonline.com. Prize winners announced each day starting June 10th-12th.

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pain

pick an enemy

love

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chin curtain + western bow tie

style: self tie, pre-tied

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pattern: solids

fabric: silk

fabric: silk, microﬁber, cotton

colors: any

colors: black, burgandy, dark gray, dark navy, brown

spirituality

partially sew together

love

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adorn with enemy s hair 1 8 | M AY 0 6 , 2 0 1 5

pin color meanings: success

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true love

taurus

gemini

cancer

leo

virgo

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hookups: how to

irt the night away

00:00// make a grand entrance 00:02// greet your host 00:05// pay a visit to the bartender

pair the perfect match 00:10// scope out the scene 00:15// locate your buddies 00:30// focus in on a hottie

lumberjack + club bow tie

00:31// chat up that good-looking stranger

goatee + the big butterďŹ&#x201A;y

style: self tie, pre-tied

style: self tie

pattern: plaid

pattern: solids

fabric: wool, cotton, linen

fabric: silk, velvet

colors: reds, dark green, brown, gray

colors: black, burgandy

00:50// hit the dance floor 01:30// get another round

01:45// retire to a private nook libra

scorpio

sagitarius

capricorn

aquarius

pisces

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grilling: how to cook that meat

what you’ll need: a grill a spatula long-handled tongs stiff-bristled grill brush a thermometer

beef

160°f

ground beef

165°f

chicken poultry breasts

165°f

145°f

steaks

165°f

poultry legs

165°f

pork

turkey breasts

145°f

sausages

pork chops

145°f

seafood salmon

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thin pieces of poultry can be cooked over direct heat; larger pieces should be cooked via indirect heat.

165°f

turkey turkey burgers

use direct heat for sausages, chops, steaks, & hamburgers. use indirect heat for roasts and larger cuts of meat.

shrimp

to cook a turkey breast, use indirect heat. set a drip pan below the turkey and cook with the lid closed.

start sausage off on high heat to get a nice char, then move to a cool zone to finish cooking through.

oil fish well with a neutralflavored oil such as canola to keep it moist. cook fish quickly over direct heat.

cpr: how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation *the victim must be on a firm, flat surface and facing upwards

30 chest compressions draw a line, with your hand, from armpit to the center of the chest.

place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum or breast bone and place the other hand over the first. interlace fingers.

give 2 rescue breaths ensure head is tilted back and chin is lifted.

pinch the nose closed and cover the victim’s mouth, with your mouth, forming a complete seal.

straighten your arms and position your shoulders over the victim’s chest.

18”

push down to give 30 deep chest compressions in 18 seconds or less. it helps to count out loud. push down hard and fast, 2 inches deep at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute. lift your hands slightly off the chest between each compression to allow for full chest recoil.

after 5 cycles of cpr, if help is not available and the victim has not resumed breathing, call 9-1-1

blow in for one second and look for the victim’s chest to rise.

if chest does not rise, re-position if needed.

repeat steps 1 & 2 until: i]Z k^Xi^b WZ\^ch WgZVi]^c\# Vcdi]Zg igV^cZY gZhedcYZg arrives and is ready to take over.

ndj VgZ e]nh^XVaan jcVWaZ id continue.

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DIY AUTOMOTIVE SAVE YOURSELF SOME MONEY IN the long-haul and DIY with the car. We’ll help.

Jonathan McGrew

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Check and adjust your tire pressure

This will save you stress in the rain and other weather. It’s also nice when nature (talking to you, birds!) helps you out by decorating your windshield.

Clean the inside of your vehicle’s glass You’d be surprised the amount of film that builds up on the inside of your windshield and windows from A/C and heat systems, dirt, dust, and smoking. A clean windshield heightens visibility and helps defogging.

Check the engine fluid levels Consult your owner’s manual for location of dipsticks and reservoirs. Checking your levels is the crucial to you and your vehicle’s longevity. Not comfy with this particular DIY? Go to an auto parts store — they’re happy to help.

start donor car

black on bare metal

black on donor -

red on donor +

start dead car

*remove in opposite order (4-3-2-1)

Check your cabin air filter and engine air filter Cabin air filters clean the interior air as it comes in from the outside. If the filter is dirty, so is the air coming in. Most engine air filters are easily accessed. If it’s dirty, replace it at the next oil change or DIY at the store.

dead

Check and fill your washer fluid reservoir

donor

Not only a gas saver, this will prevent premature tire wear and keep you safer on the road by having the proper traction available when you need it most.

red on dead +

Still not into it? If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, here’s a tip: Look for included maintenance. Vehicles like the MINI Cooper and BMW X4 come with included maintenance that covers most of the above if you just stop into your dealer.

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PHOTOS BY PA U L W E D L A K E P H O T O G R A P H Y

spoon: how to avoid arm discomfort

step 1: wrap your arms around your lover

step 2: gently roll him onto his stomach

step 3: pull your arm out from under him

step 4: place your arm above him, spoon

cocktails: how to treat your tastebuds fresh lemon juice triple sec

fresh lime juice maraschino grapefruit juice

top sparkling wine

white rum

créme de cassis

cognac white rum blackberry liqueur simple syrup

simple syrup

fresh lemon juice

nutmeg

serve while burning

fresh cream créme de cacao cognac

oil from lemon peel

pineapple juice raspberry liqueur vodka

grand marnier bailey’s irish cream

gin

vodka

between the sheets bramble hemingway special 24 | and M Astrain Y 0 6 , 2 0 1 5 | stir O U T F R O N T Oshake N L I Nand E.C OM shake strain

russian spring punch shake

kahlua

b52 layer

alexander shake and strain

french martini stir and strain

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tea: how to make teas from around the world

lemon

ice

chinese asmine green tea ice

sugar cubes heavy cream e tra spices

ceylon or dar eeling tea

thai bai miong tea sugar

indian assam tea condensed milk

thai tea

german ostfriesentee

sugar

tapioca balls cardamom

monin syrup

half half

condensed milk

karak chai tea

bubble tea

indian assam tea

chinese pu-erh tea

tibetan butter tea

butter

sugar

american sweet iced tea

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how to decipher clothing labels do not wash

hand wash

machine wash permanent press

dry clean

bleach as needed

non-chlorine bleach

do not bleach

tumble dry no heat

tumble dry gentle

do not tumble dry

drip dry

dry flat

dry in shade

tumble dry low heat

tumble dry medium heat

tumble dry high heat

iron any temp

iron low heat

iron med heat

iron high heat

do not steam

ice

machine wash machine wash machine wash cold warm hot

salt, then boiling water

lemon juice

nail polish remover

white vinegar

machine wash

hydrogen peroxide

clothing:

dish soap

clothing: how to remove stains

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If you would like to become more productive and organized, hire As You Wish immediately. [They] get more done in one hour than most people accomplish in a full day. [They’re] a spark of productivity and a joy to work with.” -LoDo Client

DON’T DIY! LET US DO IT FOR YOU TIRED OF YOUR WEEKENDS BEING taken over by your to-do list? Are you missing those Sunday fun days with your friends? Have you once again missed picking up your dry cleaning and have nothing to wear to tonight’s event? Or do you just wish you had more time in the day? At As You Wish, we hear you ... and we’ve got your back. As You Wish is a full-service, personal assistant firm that handles everything from errands, concierge, organizing, moving management, and vendor coordination to personal/corporate events, weddings, pre-arrival planning, and home property management. Having your own “occasional assistant” can make your wishes come true. Anything from picking up your prescriptions, returning unwanted holiday gifts, doing your grocery shopping, and organizing your home, to assisting in your office move, or having the table set for you when you arrive home from work, you name it and As You Wish will come to the rescue. Personal assistant duties include daily errands, shopping for groceries, picking up your dry cleaning, organizing your house, helping sell those items on Craigslist, and maintaining your vehicle maintenance. Need help hiring domestic staff? We can assist with interviewing so you can find your perfect housekeeper, nanny, and more. If you’re out of town for a week or two, they can take care of your home by picking up the mail, watering the plants, and keeping a personal eye on your house. They can also help with travel reservations and keep your social calendar in check. 28

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Private Concierge duties include hiring and screening domestic staff, making reservations to the perfect restaurant you didn’t even know existed, and obtaining theater or sports tickets. You’ll have access to our A-List vendors from house cleaners, dog walkers, handymen, and painters. “I feel very comfortable having As You Wish take care of things. I have been able to relax knowing that things are taken care of, from party planning and errands to hiring household vendors. I know this is the beginning of a really good relationship.” - Greenwood Village Client The firm’s Move Coordination duties include organizing, moving management, decluttering, help with selling or donating unwanted items, packing and unpacking, and obtaining moving bids and supplies to get the best price. They can supervise the move for you to make sure everything runs smoothly, and can help you plan that perfect going away or housewarming party. As You Wish has a passion for planning events, handling everything from personal soirees, corporate events, holiday events, to restaurant openings, birthday parties, and Halloween parties. They also have a full-time event designer to help plan that perfect wedding. They offer wedding

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AT HOME WITH OUT FRONT You don’t have to own a home to benefit from knowing a thing or two about them. Who knows — you may change your mind about renting and find yourself looking for ways to save a cracked driveway or debating the importance of a home inspection. Either way, we’ve made it a little easier. Come on in. Berlin Sylvestre

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THREE COMMON TOXINS COULD THROW a kink in the works for your pad, your comfort, and possibly your life. Let’s explore. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium. It’s usually found in igneous rock and soil, but can also appear in well water. Radon can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted, so you must be mindful of the symptoms.

If you have difficulty breathing, chest pains, the coughing up of blood, wheezing, hoarseness, and recurring respiratory infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis that you can’t explain or be rid of, you might consider having your home tested for the presence of radon, as it’s the number

If the place you’re staying (or are planning to buy) was built before 1978, it’s probably a good idea to have it tested for lead levels. Even in tiny doses, like those seen in lead dust-particles and paint chips that can work their way into our system while we renovate or simply co-exist, lead can really mess you up on a number of incredibly toxic levels. Neurological, gastrointestinal, reproductive, renal, and blood issues commonly arise when lead levels in the human body aren’t addressed. Symptoms include headache, abdominal pain, memory loss, kidney failure, and weakness, pain, or tingling in the extremities. Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, coal, and wood don’t burn fully. (See also: boilers, gas fires, chemical fumes, central heating systems, water heaters, blocked chimneys, cookers, cigarette smoke, burning charcoal, and running cars.) It can seep through drywall, so even if the source isn’t in your condo/townhouse/apartment, you can still be affected. Symptoms include dull headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision, and loss of consciousness. You should already have a carbon monoxide detector in your home (it’s the law), so if you don’t: Get on it! Carbon monoxide kills.

and a bit expensive to fix. Consider yourself fortunate to get a clean bill of health in this area. Plumbing issues

7 MOST COMMON HOME DEFECTS

... AS TOLD BY YOUR HOME INSPECTOR

“THE HOME INSPECTOR MIGHT SAVE you $150,000,” my mortgage counselor says. “If he or she finds something that compromises the integrity, you’re probably not going to purchase the house.” Of course! So what are some common issues a home inspector will check for? Faulty wiring Outdated or worn electrical systems and homeowner additions are the most common defects, especially in older homes. Problems with your electrical system pose a huge safety issue and require immediate attention. Roof problems Improper installations occur frequently, as do poorly installed or missing flashing at transition 32

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areas. The repair could be simple, or you might need a new roof. At any rate, you’re going to need followup by a roofer. Heating/cooling system defects It can almost be assumed that there will be something wrong with your HVAC, my inspector told me. Improper installations, careless maintenance, and old/worn parts are common

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The most common defects are leaking, outdated, or problematic systems. Repairs can often be made, but sometimes the only remedy is a total system replacement. My first-time homebuyer counselor, having owned 10 homes himself, told me to do nothing less than order a septic scope inspection, meaning a camera will be sent through the system to check for breakage, obstructions, and things of that nature. “The last thing you want is problems with plumbing,” he says. Poor drainage around the structure Water needs to drain away from your home to prevent water intrusion. Roof gutters and downspouts can sometimes be added to rectify site drainage problems, but once the damage is done, the value of your home depreciates. Air and water penetrating cracks and window perimeters at exterior Cracks and gaps at the windows can let rain into the wall cavities, which is conducive to structural damage, expensive heating/cooling bills, and mold growth. Environmental issues Any sign of mold growth is a bad omen for the homebuyer. After a positive diagnosis from the inspector, consider a complete environmental evaluation of the property you’re thinking of buying.

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COLORADO SOIL: A (PAVEMENT) KILLER IN OUR MIDST YOU’VE NO DOUBT NOTICED THE ubiquity of potholes, gnarly roads, and obliterated driveways if you’ve been here for more than two miles’ worth of Colorado driving.

HOMEOWNERS BEWARE! WE HAVE AN AMAZING TEAM over at the Colorado

Attor ney General’s office. They’re constantly on the hunt to prevent Coloradans from getting ripped off by snakeoil salesmen and the many forms of predator y practices they get up to.

Most recently, the AG’s office (under the brandnew leadership of Cynthia Coffman, no less) successfully sued an air-duct cleaning company for false advertising, making this the fourth time in two years something of the sort has gone down in this state. A consent judgement was obtained against 212 Home Inc. (AKA Denver Air Duct) and its owner, Eliran Raviv. Consumers were reeled in with a bargain $39 cleaning offer, then were charged significantly higher amounts. According to the judgment, the company misrepresented the qualifications of its staff and told homeowners their systems contained mold. Under the consent judgment, Raviv and 212 Home Inc., are permanently

barred from the air duct cleaning business in Colorado and must pay $15,000 in penalties. “It costs about $300 to properly clean a home air duct system, so Coloradans need to review deals that seem too good to be true with a skeptical eye,” says Coffman. “Unprofessional air duct cleanings can damage consumers’ HVAC systems and stir up dust and debris, which may lead to health issues.” Good to know! Many thanks to Carolyn Tyler of the AG’s office for her continual and reliable updates on what’s going down, as well as always being available to take questions from the pesky ol’ media. StopFraudColorado.gov.

M A RQU EE

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“It’s the constant expansion of the ground with all the snow and temperature fluctuations,” one man will explain. “No, it’s the harshness of the scraping as we plow the snow away,” his female friend will counter. “Look here, now: It’s all the salt we pour onto the asphalt!” a final pavement intellect will declare. And they’re all right — to a degree. But one of the major factors they miss involves the composition of our region’s soil, a key component of which is sodium bentonite (or just bentonite if you’ve become friendly with the stuff). Trouble with having so much bentonite in our soil is that it’s a thirsty-ass agent that drinks up its own mass many times over in water, then metaphorically lays on the couch, unzips, and spreads out an extra 35–50 percent with a satisfied grunt. In real terms, the soil dramatically expands underneath the roadways — that includes your precious driveway, yes — and “unzips” your handiwork. (Truth be told, it also affects the foundation of the house if you haven’t taken the necessary precautions.) So what can you do? Try paving stones. When you’re installing the stones, you dig down a foot into the soil, lay down some geo-tex fabric, throw on some highway base, lay a plate compactor down in there to reinforce that highway base and lock out water and air pockets, then get your sand and stone on. Easy peasy, right? It’ll take some googling, but you’ll get it. Save yourself from having to redo the driveway in a few years and handle that cracky mess asap.

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Hantavirus is primarily carried by deer mice that spread the disease via infected urine, saliva, and feces. People become infected by breathing in dried fecal dust from their nests and any surfaces contaminated with their droppings. What happens if you get it? Hantavirus symptoms begin one to six weeks after exposure to rodent feces. Early symptoms include fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, especially in the large muscle groups — thighs, hips, back, and sometimes shoulders. There may also be headaches, dizziness, chills, and abdominal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and pain. About half of all hantavirus patients experience these symptoms. Last year, Colorado was second only to New Mexico for reported hantavirus cases, so residents — especially those in rural places — should take heed when: • Living in buildings infested with rodents. • Cleaning barns, outbuildings, or grain storage areas. • Working in rodent infested confined spaces. • Clearing shrubbery or hand-plowing.

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THE BIG WONDERFUL Yay! It’s back and it’s pretty wonderful, you guys. Every Saturday from now on, get your kicks at the Big Wonderful market filled with good peoples, good food, live music, and craft beer. (Oh, AND a volleyball court!) Head to 2500 Lawrence Street for some quality hang time. Open noon thru 7:30pm.

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RACHEL BRATHEN @ 1ST BANK CENT ER • 11:30AM The social media guru and world-traveling yogi heads to the 1st Bank Center to celebrate her new book and consequent Happiness Tour. Join Rachel hosting an inspiring yoga class and Q&A as she shares a little about what she’s learned on this crazy trip called life. AXS.com

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@ MUSEO DE LAS AMERICAS • 861 SA NTA FE DR, DENVER Per the website: “[This] is a study of Colorado’s Chicano movement of the 60s and 70s, designed to wow viewers with wit, installations, color and imagery, and convey a real sense of why the movement has never really gone away and still has issues like immigration law to conquer.” Museo.org

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@ BOUL D E R THEATE R • 2 03 2 14 T H ST, B OU L D E R • 7:30P M Headin’ out to Boulder? You are now. CEI (Colorado’s Elusive Ingredient) is putting on another rousing of RHPS — in May, no less! The troupe holds the world record for the largest attendance to a RHPS production, so who knows: Maybe this’ll top that. BoulderTheater.com

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Trekkies, Bronies, and Nerds unite! Get your tickets early for this world-renowned fest, celebrating all sorts of pop culture goodness at the Denver Convention Center. We’ll be the ones in Xena outfits. DenverComicCon.com

CAMERON ESPOSITO @ COMEDY WORKS DOWNTOWN • 1226 15 T H ST, DENVER “I didn’t choose my sexuality, but I did choose this outfit,” says the woman in a denim jacket and a half mullet. “Of course I’m a lesbian.” Dubbed the future of comedy by Jay Leno’s chin, Cameron’s standup will have you rolling as she touches on everything under the rainbow umbrella. ComedyWorksDenver.com

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UNMASKING THE REAL SUPERHEROS OF DENVER COMIC CON SOME SEE “NERDS IN WALKING DEAD COSTUMES.” WE SEE “TEACHING INMATES TO READ.” SERIOUSLY.

AS WITH MOST THINGS, if you take a deeper look, Denver Comic Con isn’t all that simple. I don’t necessarily mean the logistics of the event, although Programming Director Bruce MacIntosh will attest to what a beast that can be. More so, I mean that the convention isn’t as cut and dried as selling tickets to people who then attend in costume, meet celebs, have a blast, and go back to their lives leaving the organizers of the annual event to roll in dough until next year. Rather, Denver Comic Con is a nonprofit with a few missions of its own, most notably two involving literacy — one for children, the other for Denver County inmates. Berlin Sylvestre

Unlike the more corporatized Cons around the nation, Bruce says Denver’s version doesn’t operate solely to line its organizers’ pockets. One could even think of our Con — the third-largest in the nation, just behind NYC and San Diego — as a giant philanthropic throwdown. A raucous, wildly popular, big-on-heart throwdown.

“With celebrities and their agents, we constantly have to deal with the misconception that we’re this little cow-town,” Bruce says. “And don’t get me wrong — I’ve lived here since the Broncos were a laughingstock of the NFL. But now we’re a major city for those into pop culture. We have such a diverse constituency here in Denver, and it’s truly a shame we didn’t start sooner.” And he’s right. The very first Denver Comic Con (back in 2012) had a mild but decent turnout of roughly 27k people, most of them locals. Then, two years later, Denver more than tripled the 40

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crowd, ridin’ nerdy with roughly 87k revelers. This year, the organizers expect more than 100k lovers of all things pop culture to converge on the Colorado Convention Center. Perhaps the popularity is owed to the style in which Denver holds the event. While the more corporate Cons focus on celebs — you’re charged $89 or more for the privilege to stand in a line that allows you to pay another $50 to $100 per autograph — Denver Comic Con offers famous folks on panels, taking questions, talking about their foundations and what’s important to them, and being interactive with their fans. The cow-town misconception has made it more of a challenge to secure the more prominent names in today’s pop culture, but that’s not to say that the celebs who do agree to engage the Denver crowd are bit players — think Star Trek’s William Shatner, for instance. So where does most of the money go? Front and center is Pop Culture Classroom, a children’s literacy project that uses pop

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culture literature (think kid-friendly graphic novels and comic books) to bolster the kiddos’ love of reading. “This year, we’ve added more schools, have gone nationwide, and have an online program,” says Bruce. But there’s a new mission underway and that’s LEAD with Comics. (LEAD stands for Literacy Education Adult Detention.) “We asked ourselves, ‘Where are our services needed most?’” The nonprofit turned itsattention toward an unlikely focus: Colorado inmates. Living in cells with little hope for their future, inmates — much like Pop Culture Classroom’s young learners — can turn to a program where learning new vocabulary and building language proficiency is fun again. In a three-hour session with members of LEAD’s staff, inmates create a character, draw the character, create a villain, create a situation, and find the story therein. “Inmates at our local correctional institutions need educational engagement and lifelong learning just like the primary school students we help,” says Bruce. “As many of us who learned to read with comics know, or learned to love reading in general, being creative increases vocabulary and teaches positive interpersonal skills. Our LEAD program gives these men and women the creative and critical thinking skills to succeed upon their release.” Bruce also attests: “Another one of our fundamental missions is to support local artists. The Artist Valley at our Con will be comprised of mostly locals who are making waves in the industry.” Bruce touts the importance of having huge draws, but says that ultimately, people want more than just an autograph. “Our Con is an event with substance,” he says. “All of us are really, really proud of the content we bring. This is more about the people than it is about us. We’re the anti-corporate Con, you could say.”

So let’s take a look at some of the programming this year. “There’s something for everyone,” Bruce promises. For the Kids The Pop Culture Classroom Kids’ Lab: More than 9000 sq.ft. of hands-on learning experience with a focus not just on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) but … STEAM (the a is for the arts). “There’s Flash’s Forensics Lab, Building Stark Tower, and Bridges of Gotham, a greenscreen to mess around with, all kinds of cool stuff,” says Bruce. Some of this year’s talent will also be there to speak to and play with the kiddos. For the Teens The 8-Bit Lounge: Comfy couches and bean bags make the perfect spot for teens (12–19) to relax and get some facetime with artists, writers, and other industry folk. Guest artists will give drawing demos and take questions from teens about their experiences, and teens will mingle with pros during a Q & A sessions with comic and TV/film creators. “[Teens] are able to hear from people they look up to that it’s ok to be exactly who you are,” Bruce says. “That you don’t have to starve to be an artist. That there are examples of people making a living doing what they love right in front of them, and they’re telling them to pursue their dreams.” For Everyone The All Age Stage: Anyone is welcome as children learn “everything from how to draw their favorite cartoon characters to creating a web comic.” Stars from the event will interact one-on-one with the young attendees. (In past years, William Shatner and Adam West got chummy with the crowd of brainy kids.) Panel Discussions “There are roughly 400 panels and events for kids, adults, and anyone who wants to be entertained and educated,” says Bruce. Among two our readers might enjoy: “Is there discrimination in pop culture?” Though the industry has gotten a lot better, women, minorities, and the LGBT crowd still endure advancement and creativity hurdles. DCC is bringing in experts from the world of pop culture to share experiences and propose solutions in a roundtable discussion. Slated: TV Director Vince Gonzales (of The Walking Dead), Musician Stephen Brackett (of Flobots), playwright Crystal Skillman (of King Kirby), and comics historians Jackie Estrada and Trina Robbins (from She Makes Comics). “The Great Gaming Paradigm” Let’s talk about what the typical hero in a game/comic book looks like, then take a look at the lack of representation for minorities, women, and LGBT people. After that, let’s check out some emerging characters that rep these

groups. The panel also aims to talk about the over-sexualization of women in comics/video games, unrealistic beauty standards for both men and women, and women supervillains being portrayed as seductresses. The Festivities Friday (Opening Ceremonies): Expected to easily fill the Main Events Hall (~2100 seats) and the overflow simulcast room (~1400), the opener for Denver Comic Con is going to be huge. (It even needs an intermission.) Two bands will be on hand for partygoers who want to relish the energy of live music. Protomen will be performing a live rock-opera of music and story from Megaman 2, widely considered one of the best original video games. MC Lars will bring his cerebral flow. No, really: He’s a Ph.D who doubles as a well-spoken and dangerously literate rapper. “Con isn’t all about comic lovers,” Bruce reminds. “Gamers and music lovers get into it, too! We’re going all out for the opening ceremony.” Heads Up! It’s free for anyone with any DCC badge (or a receipt from a recent purchase of a badge). But it’s first-come, first-served, so you line up early along the Stout Street side of the convention center! Saturday: The Weird Science Reunion is a special evening event that features the cast of the 1985 classic. Anthony Michael Hall (Gary Wallace) and Ilan Mitchell-Smith (Wyatt Donnelly) will be in attendance. Additional guest surprises to be announced!

WHO’S COMING TO COMIC CON? (HERE’S A SMALL LIST.) David Morrissey of The Walking Dead Scott Wilson of The Walking Dead Karen Gillan of Guardians of the Galaxy Arthur Darvill of Doctor Who Sean Astin of Lord of the Rings Manu Bennett of Arrow Mitch Pileggi of X-Files Nichelle Nichols of Star Trek Alan Tudyk of Serenity Jewel Staite of Serenity Michael Hogan of Battlestar Galactica

“We’ve done something that no one has ever done, and that’s bring the cast of one of the classic John Hughes movies that symbolizes the 80s for a 30th reunion,” says Bruce. “The actors swear this particular group will never appear together in public again, so this is your only chance to see it happen.”

Emma Caulfield of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Sunday: Sunday Funday, Denver Comic Con style, features the Cosplay Shindig, where competitors vie for cash prizes for their stellar, highly original costumes. “People spend all year creating their look,” says Bruce. Last year’s top prize went to one man’s rendition of Mr. Freeze.

Cary Elwes of The Princess Bride

Amy Acker of Angel Lindsay Wagner of The Bionic Woman Austin St. John of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Lou Ferrigno of The Incredible Hulk Garrett Wang of Star Trek Voyager Clare Kramer of Bring It On Christopher Lloyd of Back to the Future

WANT THE FULL LINEUP? DenverComicCon.com PopCultureClassroom.org

Monday: Are you Team Batman or Team Daenerys? (Wait. What?) Because they’re getting married. (Wait, what?!) A local couple is tying the knot with Stormtrooper ushers and a throng of costumed observers in Denver Comic Con’s first-ever wedding. Should be pretty cool, actually. Tip: There’s not gonna be much parking because of multiple Memorial Day Weekend events, so plan on getting a drop off, or using light rail and/or buses. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

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P H O T O B Y M I C H A E L TA C K E T T

THE LONG RIDE

SCOTT EASTWOOD TALKS GAY FANS, BEING AN OUTCAST, AND WHY HE ENDORSES HIS FAMOUS FATHER’S GAY MARRIAGE MANTRA SCOTT EASTWOOD HAS ALREADY PROVIDED a generous

hunk of swoon-wor thy shir tlessness, but the modeltur ned-actor is just getting star ted. In his first lead role as Luke Collins in the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ The Longest Ride, Clint’s sexy son gives you all the feels as a bull rider pursuing a hard-won girl (and, for good measure, f lashing his now-famous abs).

Chris Azzopardi

During our interview, the 29-year-old talked about winning over the gay world as a full-time stud, identifying with his father’s Libertarian beliefs on LGBT equality, his Martin Luther King, Jr. man crush, and keeping his thoughts (and other stuff) in check during sex scenes. You were blessed with good genes. How aware are you that gay men enjoy you? You’re bringing it to my attention! I love it. I don’t discriminate against any fans, and gay men are great. I support gay marriage and the whole bit. I think everybody should be able to be with who they want. My dad is the same way. He’s a total Libertarian — everyone leave everyone alone; everyone live their own private life. Why does everyone gotta be all up in arms about it? 44

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Your dad put it best when he spoke about gay marriage: “I don’t give a f*ck who wants to get married to anybody else!” I’d give the same f*cking quote. I’m a firm believer that we’re only on this planet for a short period of time, and we should all be as kind as we can to other people because, in life, all you really have is how you affect people, in a negative way or a positive way. How did you learn to embrace that mentality? My mom and my dad were firm believers, and really compassionate and selfless. She’s such a firm believer that in life you gotta be compassionate. Everyone’s from different walks of life and everyone has their own reality, and to be uncompassionate isn’t human.

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We’re only on this planet for a short period of time ... we should all be kind.

”

Your body is breaking barriers. I read a web comment recently that said, “Even I, as a gold star lesbian, look at this guy and state categorically, ‘A-hummina-humminahummina.’” What’s it like to know you can have that effect on even the lesbian community? *laughs* That’s awesome! I mean, I don’t really know what I’ve done that’s worthy of it. You’ve taken your shirt off a few times, so there’s that. *laughs* Yup! The hat, the Levis, the boots. You rock that look like you were born a cowboy. There’s probably a little bit of cowboy in me somewhere. When it comes to gay roles, could you see yourself playing one? Is it too soon to get you in a Brokeback Mountain remake? Oh my gosh, that’s funny! *laughs* To me, it’s all about the script and the director. I’m very director-driven and material-oriented, so if

it’s a great script and a great director, yeah. What do you look for in a great script and a great director? Ohh. That’s hard to put into effect. It’s gotta have that je ne sais quoi, as they say. You don’t know why it’s amazing, but it is. What about this Nicholas Sparks movie stuck out to you when you read the script? Well, for one, I love [director] George Tillman, Jr. — his films are great. I loved Men of Honor — I thought it was fantastic. I thought that movie was an old ’90s drama, which doesn’t exist anymore. I was really so excited to work with him. I thought it was a very unorthodox choice to have him direct a Nicholas Sparks movie.

*laughs* For me, I didn’t really care. The butt thing ... to me, this was a really classy story and a really classy movie, so I didn’t care about showing a little butt in there. That’s part of it. Sex scenes, you see a little bit of action, right? And that’s what makes a good sex scene. Not too much. You don’t wanna give it all away. You gotta leave something to the imagination. Has your father seen the movie? He hasn’t. How do you feel about him seeing those scenes? I’m really proud of the film, and I hope he enjoys it. It’s not all the time you do a film you’re really proud of.

The name of the movie, The Longest Ride, really lends itself to a porn spinoff down the line, don’t you think?

When you’re in a movie about love and relationships and sex, people are interested in your own personal experiences.

That would be amazing. That’d be so funny if that happened. And why not?!

*laughs*

Your sex scene in this movie wasn’t your first. I’ve had a few. I’ve had about four or five. What’s the trick to shooting a sexy sex scene? Keeping your thoughts sort of ... controlled.

How do you deal with those kinds of questions? Are you an open book? Partially. I don’t give everything away. You gotta have your private life too. But I’m not shy. I love women.

In addition to keeping other things “controlled.”

Well, then, barn sex: yay or nay?

*laughs* I’m only one man! I can only do what I can do. But I think it’s sexy. I mean, being in a shower with a beautiful, sexy woman – I was turned on! I had fun!

Who are some of your man crushes?

In The Longest Ride or during every sex scene you’ve done? *laughs* Some more than others. You’ve shown full butt before, and you graciously give us a glimpse. With this movie, how was it determined how much butt would be in the shot?

Why not?!

People who have the balls to change the world. Guys like Martin Luther King, Jr., who said things at a time when they weren’t acceptable. People who are out doing great things. Guys like Enric Sala who are saving the world. The Pristine Seas project. People who are working toward curing cancer, or working with kids — that’s really great stuff to me. What are or have been some of the challenges creating a career independent of your father?

I didn’t care about showing a little butt. Good sex scenes [show] a bit of action, right?

”

That people take me seriously. I’ve been doing it for 12 years, and I always say Hollywood is like high school: If you’re not the cool kid, you’re the outcast, and people don’t take you seriously. I was never the cool kid — definitely not the cool kid. And so I split. I split L.A. [and] lived in San Diego. There’ve been a couple of moments I thought about throwing in the towel, for sure. I once heard from Mel Gibson. His advice was: “Just stick around and keep plugging away at it. Keep your head down and keep working hard.” With so much attention on your shirtlessness, is there more pressure to prove yourself beyond the hunky exterior? I don’t really think about it like that. I don’t spend a lot of time on it. There’d be a lot of wasted time if I let that consume my thoughts. I just keep my head down and do the best I can.

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necesidad. Su misión es proporcionar y abogar por servicios sociales y oportunidades esenciales de una manera culturalmente sensible. Servicios es la agencia de Denver con multitudes de servicios que ofrece programas para jóvenes, víctimas de violencia doméstica, adultos en el sistema judicial, parentesco y familias de acogida, servicios de salud mental, urgencias básicas como banco de comida y sillas infantiles, inscripción de la asistencia médica y servicios cruciales para personas viviendo con VIH/SIDA. A causa del valor colocado en la comunidad, cultura y idioma, Servicios sirve como una parte integrante del corazón de la comunidad Latina a través de Metro Denver y Colorado.

GAYTINO

SERVICIOS DE LA RAZA LE RECIBE CON BRAZOS ABIERTOS

SERVICIOS DE LA RAZA WELCOMES YOU WITH OPEN ARMS FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES, Ser vicios de La Raza

(Ser vicios) has responded to the unmet needs of the community and has become a household name among many Denver natives. As the oldest Latino-ser ving non-profit organization in the state, Ser vicios has a long-standing histor y of helping the community in various areas of need. Its mission is to provide and advocate for culturally responsive essential human services and opportunities. Servicios is Denver’s “onestop-shop,” offering programs for youth, victims of domestic violence, adult parolees and kinship and foster families, mental health services, basic emergency services like food bank and car seats, healthcare enrollment, and crucial services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Because of the value placed on the community, culture and language, Servicios serves as an integral part of the heart of the Latino community across Metro Denver and Colorado. As a GLBTQ-friendly agency, Servicios is loud and proud to say so! It stands up and advocates for the rights of Denver’s residents, especially the GLBTQ community, Latinos, those living with HIV/AIDS, and other marginalized groups whose voices are not easily heard. The La Gente Program at Servicios has been serving people living with HIV/AIDS for nearly 20 years. Although the program specializes in bilingual HIV services for Latinos, it serves anyone living with the virus across the metro area with its unique approach 46

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to services. Program Coordinator, Jalene Salazar, says that “People who receive the services we offer in our program aren’t really clients; they’re more like family and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re confident they feel the same.” She continues, “Our goal is that anyone who comes through our doors will feel welcome, understood, respected, and that they have the support to help them gain the knowledge, skills, and empowerment to not only live happily and well with HIV, but to thrive.” If you are living with HIV, would like to learn more about La Gente or any of Servicios’ programs, schedule HIV/STI testing, volunteer or donate, please contact Jalene Salazar at 303.953.5902 or jalenes@serviciosdelaraza.org. Por más de cuatro décadas, Servicios de La Raza (Servicios) ha respondido a las necesidades no encontradas en la comunidad y se ha hecho un nombre conocido entre muchos nativos de Denver. Como la organización sin lucros más establecida en el estado que provee servicios a Latinos, Servicios tiene una historia increíble de ayudar a la comunidad en varias áreas de

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¡Como una agencia que apoya la comunidad GLBTQ, Servicios está orgulloso de decirlo! Lucha por los derechos de los residentes de Denver, sobre todo la comunidad GLBTQ, Latinos, los que viven con el VIH/SIDA y otros grupos marginados cuyas voces no son fácilmente oídas. El Programa La Gente ha sirviendo a la gente que vive con el VIH/ SIDA durante casi 20 años. Aunque se especialice en servicios bilingües del VIH para Latinos, también sirve a cualquier persona viviendo con el virus a través del área de Metro Denver con su enfoque único. La Coordinadora del Programa La Gente, Jalene Salazar, dice que “La gente que recibe los servicios que ofrecemos en nuestro programa no son realmente clientes, son más bien como familia y no lo tendríamos de ninguna otra manera. Estamos seguras que sienten lo mismo.” Ella continua, “Nuestro objetivo consiste en que cualquiera que entre a nuestras puertas se sentirá bienvenido, entendido, respetado, y que tendrá el apoyo para ayudarle a ganar el conocimiento, habilidades y obtención de poder a no sólo vivir felizmente y saludable con el VIH, pero prosperar.”

La Gente Program Services • Case Management • Mental Health Therapy • Support Groups • Linkage to Care • Free HIV/ STI Testing • Free Safe Sex Materials • Medical Transportation Services

Servicios del Programa La Gente • Administración de Casos • Terapia de Salud Mental • Grupos de Apoyo • Servicios de Conexión al Cuidado • Pruebas del VIH/ITS Gratis • Materiales del Sexo Seguro Gratis • Asistencia de Transportación Si está viviendo con el VIH, le gustaría saber más del Programa La Gente u otros programas de Servicios, hacer una cita para una prueba del VIH/ ITS, ser voluntario o donar, por favor contacte a Jalene Salazar al 303.953.5902 o jalenes@ serviciosdelaraza.org. SERVICIOSDELARAZA.ORG SPONSORED CONTENT

PROJECT ANGEL HEART Out Front caught up with about a dozen volunteers at Project Angel Heart on April 17 as they spent part of their morning preparing meal after meal after meal. Project Angel Heart delivers free, nutritious meals to those coping with lifethreatening illnesses. The program, which started in 1991 by delivering donated lasagna to 12 people, now provides meals to approximately 1100 people in the Denver Metro area and Colorado Springs. For more information about volunteering or to donate, please visit www.ProjectAngelHeart.org. Photo by Charles Broshous

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39TH ANNIVERSARY AT VIE Out Front celebrated its 39th anniversary on April 10 at Vie Nightclub. The birthday bash featured hors d’oeuvres, drink specials, cake, and DJ Tatiana spinning Top 40 EDM beats all night. Thanks to all those who came out to celebrate! Photo by Charles Broshous

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GAYTINO

EL AMOR DE MI FAMILIA ES MAS GRUESO QUE MI CULTURA

THE LOVE OF MY FAMILY IS THICKER THAN MY CULTURE HAVING GROWN UP IN A Latin, Catholic household, I

knew coming out to my parents would be hard. Jorge Tovar

We migrated to the US from Colombia in 1993, and always went to church on Sundays — sometimes even Saturday evenings. Religion has always been incredibly important to my family. The Latin culture can accurately be portrayed as machismo. The men work and do all of the physical labor; the women take care of the house and the family. These cultural traditions are central to many Latin households, and my parents’ childhoods were no different. I was around 7 years old when I realized I was different, that I was attracted to the same sex. At that time, I couldn’t just Google what that meant — all I knew of being gay was what I’d heard from family members. I remember hearing something about my grandma’s hairstylist being gay. Either way, there wasn’t really much for me to know about being different. We moved to the US on June 29,1993 — I was 9. I remember that day like it was yesterday. My dad was already living in the US, and not long after I’d arrived, he gave me a neon-green remote control monster truck. Seriously, best toy ever. Gay anything was never really discussed in my household. I came out to my older brother before I even came out to my parents, but it wasn’t until after I finished school and joined the Army. In high school, I dated girls just like anyone else did; I wanted to “blend in.” (I definitely had a gay crush on a friend or two throughout high school, though.) 50

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Because I finished high school at 17, I needed to get my parents’ signature in order to enlist. I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life at this point and I didn’t want to “take a year off” like some of my friends did. My brother joined the Navy after he finished high school two years before me, and I had a couple uncles and even a grandfather that fought in the Colombian Army. The military was definitely in my blood. But apart from that, I joined the Army for a couple of reasons. • I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. • I knew it would get me away from New Jersey. • I’d be able to prove to my parents, and anyone else in my family, that being gay didn’t mean being a “sissy.” (It’s a pretty sad mentality, but unfortunately it’s a big imperception in the Latin culture.) Thusly, I chose one of the hardest and “manliest” jobs in the Army: I was an 11Bravo Infantryman. “Are you sure that’s the job you want?” the soldier behind the desk asked, which was understandable. I was just a 17-year-old kid who weighed 120 pounds soaking wet. I knew joining the Army, especially as an infantryman, would change the perception of what a gay man is that ran among my nuclear and my extended family. I finally came out to my parents in 2005 after I came back from deployment to Afghanistan. I would have hated dying without them knowing

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I came out to my parents after Afghanistan. I would have hated dying without them knowing who I really was.

”

who I really was. I said to myself, “I have to tell them.” I knew that after this conversation, I’d know whether I still had a family or if I had to go through the rest of my life without one. Unfortunately, the call didn’t go as well as I had hoped, but at the end, I really wasn’t hoping for anything — my goal was to let them know who I am. My father said some incredibly hurtful things to me that day, and I had no choice but to hang up on him. My family and I went from talking at least once a week, to maybe once a month. It was always the same conversation: “How’s work? How’s your health? How’s school?” It just got to the point where I had no reason to call. I told my mom that if these conversations were always going to be this scripted, I had no intentions of calling back. I wanted our conversations to be human. I wanted them to ask how my life was going, if I was seeing anyone, what I was up to this weekend … normal, human conversations that show they care. And though it took awhile, things finally started to change. The conversations got better, our relationships grew strong once more, and I finally had my family back. It took my father four years, but he apologized for the hurtful words he said to me that day. I love him to death, because at the end of the day, I must always realize and understand he was brought up in a much different world than we live in now.

MR.FRIENDLY MEET AND GREET Team Friendly Colorado hosted a meet and greet with Mr. Friendly creator Dave Watt at the Eagle on April 11. The group’s mission is to assist other organizations and individuals fight the stigma of HIV. The team seeks to minimize the further transmission of HIV, help raise funds, and maximize the quality of life for those living with the disease. For more information, visit MrFriendly.org. Photo by Charles Broshous

Public Invited |

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much of this heritage to La Crustaje por Justicia or the Crusade For Justice (CFJ), organized by Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales.

GAYTINO

In the late 1960s, the CFJ organized against anti-discrimination, education, and for political self-determination for the Chicano community. Yet, when Donaciano moved to Denver around 1976, he was told by other Chicano activists that the Chicano and Gay Liberation movement were separate things because their goals were different. In the early 1980s, Donaciano united with others against racism when local Denver bars kicked several black, gay men out for “causing trouble.” Your Own Understanding (YOU) was a group made up of whites, blacks, latinos, straight and gay people, and men and women. It took many years, but their efforts — and a sting operation — ended the discrimination.

EL PORTERO, EL PUENTE, Y COLORADO PORTERO IN SPANISH CAN EITHER mean “the bouncer” or

“the caretaker.” El puente means the “bridge.” Colorado itself is a Spanish name given to the red-colored clay of our plateau by Spanish explorers. Gloria E. Anzaldúa, activist and scholar, once wrote: “Being the supreme crossers of cultures … our role is to link people with each other — the blacks with Jews with Indians with Asians with whites. Colored homosexuals have always been at the forefront (although sometimes in the closet) of all liberation struggles in the country.”

David Duffield

For generations, there’s been homophobia, racism, and genocide in human culture. Among native peoples in the Americas, homosexuality was “not such a big deal” according to Yolanda Alaniz and Megan Cornish in Viva La Raza: A History of Chicano Identity and Resistance. The “rare exception” was the class-stratified and patriarchal Aztec culture, which featured “grizzly punishments” for female adultery, homosexuality, and transvestism. The conquistadors were equally bad for sexual minorities, unleashing a war against sodomy and codifying the “medieval moralism” of the church. Chicana/o homophobia thus has roots, they argue, in a community already subject to economic and racial oppression. External oppression magnifies internal pressures on minorities within minorities. Gays are also a small subset of the population, so our diversity can magnify broader cultural-social 52

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divides. According to Marc Stein, author of Rethinking the Gay and Lesbian Movement, among the gay liberation movement from 1970–1980, there was tepid reaction by white, gay, male leadership to the needs of other social movements. According to Stein, class-race consciousness led the cultural marginalization of minorities. Sometimes LGBT groups faced a cultural-competency crisis when dealing with people of color. Donaciano Martinez, a long-time activist in the LGBT, Latino, and Chicano communities, has seen intersectionalities of many identities. Born in Colorado Springs, he grew up seeing signs saying “No Mexicans or Dogs Allowed.” He saw learned that “bathrooms and bushes” were the only meeting spaces for gay men in Colorado Springs. Donaciano was among the first generation of large numbers of Chicanos in Colorado to get access and finish college. We owe

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According to the MileHighGayGuy.com blog, at same time gay and lesbian Latino/a people gathered to form their own support groups like Ambiente Latino for men, and Las Mujeres Alegres for women, both of which were forerunners of La Gente Unida. La Gente Unida, co-founded by Martinez, has been a strong advocate of immigrant, LGBT, and other rights. Recently, the LGBT Latino community organized their own cultural events at PrideFest, and for their own resource center known as Unidos en Orgullo (UNO), or “united in pride.” UNO still has a digital presence, though its physical space and organization are undergoing reconfiguration. Self-determination within the LGBT community has meant greater visibility. Space itself is important for community. El Portero is a gay, Latino nightclub in Glendale. It sits in a quiet lot, hushed away from busy streets. It seems a little decayed at first glance, but through the doors, one can hear bumping music and see young latinos gathered. For everything from a drag show to a concert, the club reminds this author of the Foxhole or Tracks (c. 1984). Like many of the best clubs, or community spaces, it’s a place away from places, where people can build community in their own comfort. Gender, race, and class blur slightly within these walls. Perhaps the patrons of El Portero are both porteros and puentes of Colorado culture. To bridge both sexuality and racial identity, one can speak truth to power in experience. By creating community in support groups like Las Hermanas Alegres or in groups like La Gente Unida, or in spaces like El Portero, common identity is secured. If we see the humanity within ourselves and others, then the magnitude of divide is lessened. If we stop to appreciate the intersectionality of identity, we understand our own even more. If we allow space for multitudes of people, then there is prophecy in Anzaldúa’s words that people who are porteros, puentes, y de Colorado are unknowing leaders in liberation.

2015 COLORADO SYMPHONY BALL From Bach to Rock: The Battle of the Bands was held on April 25 at the Fillmore Auditorium. More than 1000 guests, government officials, and corporate representatives came together to celebrate and help raise funds for the Colorado Symphony’s musicians. The evening included a cocktail hour, silent auction, live auction, dinner, concert, dancing, after-dinner party, and the presentation of the esteemed Margaret Phipps Award. Photo by Charles Broshous

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