June 7, 2017 :: Pride

JUNE 07, 2017 O U T FR O NT M AGA ZINE .CO M FREE

7 1 0 2 e Prid

Pulse Tribute Pride Under Fire PrideFest + Rainbow Road

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CONTENTS JUNE 07, 2017 VOL41 NO05

22 10 REMEMBERING THE LIVES LOST IN THE PULSE NIGHTCLUB MASSACRE 20 NOT LAST, NOT FIRST: THOUGHTS FROM A PRIDE VIRGIN

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30 PREPPING FOR PRIDEFEST

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36 CHAD MICHAELS RETURNS TO DENVER FOR PRIDEFEST 52 CHI CHI LARUE HITS DENVER FOR PRIDE 56 CALENDAR 66 THE L WORD: LESBIANS MAKE THEIR MARK ON PRIDE 74 A TRIP DOWN RAINBOW ROAD 84 ODE TO BILLIE JOE: A PRIDE HISTORY LESSON

86 RECENT WINNER OF 8 AWARDS from the Society of Professional Journalists, an Excellence in News Writing award, and an Excellence in Feature Writing award from the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association.

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SERVING THE LGBT COMMUNITY OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS SINCE 1976 PHONE 303-477-4000 FAX 303-325-2642 WEB OutFrontOnline.com FACEBOOK /OutFrontColorado TWITTER @OutFrontCO INSTAGRAM /OutFrontColorado FOUNDER PHIL PRICE 1954-1993 ADMINISTRATION info@outfrontonline.com JERRY CUNNINGHAM Publisher J.C. MCDONALD Vice President MAGGIE PHILLIPS Operations Manager JEFF JACKSON SWAIM Chief Strategist EDITORIAL editorial@outfrontonline.com RYAN HOWE Editor ADDISON HERRON-WHEELER Digital Content Manager BRENT HEINZE Senior Columnist SARAH FARBMAN Copy Editor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chris Arneson, Paul Bindel, Brett Longhi, David-Elijah Nahmod, Denny Patterson, Joseph Soto, Mike Yost, Yvonne Wright ART art@outfrontonline.com TRISHA HIMMLER Art Director CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS Charles Broshous, Deirdre Fritz, Eric Magnusson MARKETING + SALES marketing@outfrontonline.com TOPHER LA FLEUR Marketing Executive NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 | sales@rivendellmedia.com DISTRIBUTION

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WHAT WE FEEL, FOR YOU TO READ

FROM THE EDITOR

THE PURPLE RHINO’S STRONG BEGINNINGS, EXTINCTION, & RESURRECTION Back in the early ‘70s, queer activists in Boston found an eclectic mascot for their movement — the purple rhino. The rhino began popping up in the city’s subways in an attempt to bring queer issues into the public view. The campaign didn’t last very long due to the originators’ small budget, and it didn’t really gain traction among activists in other cities. Except one.

In November 1974 Denver’s first LGBTQ magazine hit stands. In bold, capitol letters, the word “Rhinoceros” floated above a photo of two men passionately kissing. Within the textheavy pages, the staff explained that they had indeed stolen a page from the Boston activist’s book when naming the publication.

“The great rhino, of all our great beasts, is perhaps the least loved, the least understood, the least taken seriously. Just like us.”

– The Rhinoceros staff But, it went beyond that. The rhino, although misunderstood, is strong, docile, and intelligent, but when it is angered, it will fight ferociously.

It worked. It was a beautiful analogy, as queers around the nation started coming out of the closet, standing proud, and fighting against their oppressors.

Basically, we are loving, beautiful, and accepting, but do not poke us.

But, why purple? Purple is the color of creativity, wisdom, dignity, grandeur, devotion, peace, royalty, independence, magic, and pride.

The Rhinoceros folded not long after its first issue, and the use of the purple rhino went extinct.

On April 2, 1976, OUT FRONT’s first issue hit the stands, picking up where the Rhinoceros left off. Lead by Phil Price, our first editor’s goal

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was to bring the community together, educate queer people throughout Denver, and advocate for our rights — “while not overlooking its humorous side.”

“We view ourselves and other homosexuals as both gay people and members of a larger community, in that order. To restrict coverage to 100% gay news is to deny existence in the larger community.” ­– Phil Price That mission has not changed in 41 years. Today, we continue to educate, advocate, and celebrate Colorado’s queer community. But, we are still getting poked — now more than ever.

During the last decade we’ve seen our fair share of victories. But, we’ve also seen our trans brothers and sisters denied the right to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity. We’ve seen queer youth suicide rates remain the highest in the nation. Last year, we lived through one of the biggest tragedies our community has faced in this nation. We’re being silenced, discriminated against, and murdered.

It’s time to fight back. It’s time to stand tall, and make sure your voice is heard. It’s time to rip some pages from our predecessor’s books and show them how ferocious we can be.

Pride began as a protest. It was a way for queers to tell the world that they are done hiding, and everyone else will have to deal with it. While we may no longer live in the closet, we still have a long fight ahead of us.

That is why OUT FRONT resurrected the extinct purple rhino a few years back. We’re tired of being poked, and now you’ll have to deal with our horns.

Be prepared.

Your lung cancer can spread to your brain.

Rose, Rose, age age 59, 59, Texas Texas

Smoking caused Rose’s lung cancer.

She had to move from the small town she loved to get the treatment she needed, including chemo, radiation and having part of her lung removed. Recently, her cancer spread to her brain. You can quit.

CALL 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

#CDCTips

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REMEMBERING THE LIVES LOST IN THE PULSE NIGHTCLUB MASSACRE NOTE: ONE YEAR AGO, 49 SOULS WERE TAKEN FROM US AT PULSE NIGHTCLUB IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA, WHEN A MAN USED A FIREARM TO ATTACK THE SPACE WHERE THEY WERE ENJOYING LATIN NIGHT. THIS IS A TRIBUTE TO THEM. JOHN DONNE, THE ENGLISH POET, WROTE THAT “NO MAN is an island entire of itself,” essentially saying that we are all connected to each other in a very real way, in a way that changes who we all are as one community.

The poem Donne wrote also contains lines that spoke out through the ages as we all continue to make sense of the Pulse NightClub tragedy in Orlando.

“If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as any manner of thy friends or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me…”

We all exist in our own communities, and the pain we felt here in Denver after the Pulse tragedy cannot be compared to the pain felt by the loved ones of those we lost and the Orlando community. But if anyone out there is reading this, know we are all part of one community together, and the deaths of these 49 spectacular individuals have devastated us in a way that leaves us ready to heal with you.

One part of what I call the “after-tragedy,” that immediate period that all of us experience, is healing.

The other part, remembering. As we continue to create safe spaces for healing, we want to take the time to remember as well. These are the 49 souls we lost one year ago.

Akyra Murray, 18, was the youngest victim of the Pulse tragedy. Akyra was in Orlando with her family to celebrate graduating third in her class from West Catholic Preparatory High School. She was a successful basketball player and had plans to continue playing at Mercyhurst University. Her mother described her to the Associated Press as “out to help anybody.”

Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21, was from Cuba, where his mother still lives, and had moved to Orlando only recently before his life was taken from him. He moved to Orlando to live with his father. He 1 0 \\ J U N E 0 7 , 2 0 1 7

was a regular at Pulse, and a friend told The Orlando Sentinel that he had limited English fluency, but that it didn’t stop him from having many friends.

Amanda Alvear, 25, was a fashionista according to her family, and the day she died, she had taken her nieces shopping. She had gone through significant weight loss and went to gay clubs because she felt free there. She was working as a pharmacy technician but was hoping to become a nurse.

Joseph Soto

LEGAL DIRECTORY

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CREATE A LIST OF POTENTIAL ATTORNEYS There are a number of resources available online, but a good place to start is by soliciting recommendations from a trusted source, friend, or colleague who knows about the attorney’s overall process, how they performed, and their track record.

KNOW YOUR COSTS You have the right to know upfront what everything is going to cost and should be in a written contract. While additional fees may be incurred along the way, the average cost for a non-injury, non-property damage DUI is between $5K and $12K.

HIRE LOCAL A local attorney will be more familiar with the courts, judges, and prosecutors where your case

A DUI is a serious matter. Make sure you have competent representation.

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

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Angel Luis Candelario Padro, 28, was from Guanica, Puerto Rico but had lived in Chicago until he moved to Orlando. In Puerto Rico, Angel earned a degree in nursing from the Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico Recinto Metropolitano. Angel studied at the Illinois College of Optometry while living in the state. He was an ophthalmic technician at Florida Retina Institute, and he also worked as a zumba instructor.

Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, 25, was from Puerto Rico and had been a communications student at Universidad Del Sagrado Corazon before moving to Orlando to pursue his passion for dance. His cousin told the The Orlando Sentinel that she wanted people to remember Anthony as “someone who was very happy and very kind.”

Antonio Davon Brown, 29, was a captain in the Army Reserve at the time of his passing. Antonio had been in ROTC and served his country in Iraq and Afghanistan. From Cocoa Beach, he graduated from Florida A&M University with a degree in criminal justice in 2008. He was remembered by a friend to The Orlando Sentinel as a “down to earth guy.”

Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49, was at Pulse with her cousin and son when she was taken from us. She was known for enjoying music and being a strong person, having overcome both breast and bone cancer. She was the mother of 11 children.

Christopher Sanfeliz, 24, was a former high school marching band member and community college student living in Tampa. He worked at JPMorgan 1 2 \\ J U N E 0 7 , 2 0 1 7

Chase. His brother remembered him as “kind and generous.”

Cory James Connell, 21, worked at Publix and was studying sports journalism/broadcasting at Valencia Community College. Cory lived in Ocoee and was a football player as well as an assistant coach for a women’s football team in Orlando. He was at Pulse that night to celebrate his birthday with friends, one of whom was Jerald Wright, who was also murdered.

Darryl Roman Burt II, 29, lived in Jacksonville and was a member of a community service and professional networking group in the city.

He worked as a financial aid officer at Keiser University, a private school. Darryl’s best friend remembered him as the kind of person who was “always giving great advice to anyone who would listen.”

If anyone out there is reading this, know we are all part of one community together, and the deaths of these 49 spectacular individuals have devastated us in a way that leaves us ready to heal with you.

Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32, was a bartender at Pulse the night she was murdered.

Deonka’s girlfriend, whom she had a child with, talked about how she had a cruise booked and was excited to go. Deonka’s girlfriend said their child, who is three, didn’t understand what was going on and could only point her out in pictures as “Mommie.”

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Drew Leinonen, 32, was from Detroit and had celebrated a birthday that month. He had been at Pulse that night with his boyfriend, Juan Guerrero, who was also murdered at Pulse. Drew’s sister told TIME that he and his boyfriend were in love. They planned to marry and had a joint funeral.

Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30, was an accountant who went to Pulse that night with his best friend Demetrice. Before his life was ended, he texted his mother, “Mommy I love you.”

Edward Sotomayor, 34, was a traveler living in Sarasota, where he worked at the gay travel agency AlAndChuck.travel and had recently organized the first-ever gay cruise to Cuba, according to The Orlando Sentinel. Edward’s employer said that he was someone who would always say, “we cannot be afraid.”

Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25, was from Brooklyn, New York. He earned a degree from St. Francis College in Brooklyn and worked as a social worker in the area. He left behind a community of loved ones and friends in New York and Florida.

Eric Ivan Ortiz Rivera, 36, was from Puerto Rico and was not a “club-scene person,” a friend told The Orlando Sentinel. He had been at Pulse for a friend’s housewarming party. His friend described him as generous and said he was, “always willing to help everybody.” He had a communications degree from Universidad Central de Bayamon. He was about to celebrate his first wedding anniversary.

Frankie Hernandez, 27, went by the name Frank Escalante and was from Weslaco, Texas. Frankie 1 4 \\ J U N E 0 7 , 2 0 1 7

had gone to Pulse with his partner Brett Rigas, who survived the shooting.

Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50, was the oldest person taken from us at Pulse, according to The Advocate. He worked at Forever 21 and was from San Juan in Puerto Rico, like many other victims and survivors in the Orlando community.

Geraldo Ortiz Jimenez, 25, was from Santo Domingo but moved to Puerto Rico later in life. Geraldo, who bore some resemblance to Drake and went by the name on the internet, said online that he was a law student at Universidad Del Este in Carolina, Puerto Rico. He is remembered as someone who liked dancing, listening to music, going out to watch movies, and going to the club.

Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25, was from Manti, Puerto Rico and was in a relationship at the time of his passing. He also worked at Speedway as a sales associate.

Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19, had been recognized for his 4.0 GPA at Southern Technical College, where he was working towards becoming an office specialist. He was a native son of Orlando, was a cheerleader in high school, and enjoyed Jeremiah’s Italian Ice. Videos and messages he left behind on social media reveal a silly and also emotionally complex human being.

Javier Jorge Reyes, 40, was from Guayama, Puerto Rico and worked at Gucci after leaving his longtime position at Guess. He loved So You Think You Can Dance. He had a “sarcastic sense of humor,” loved

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his mini Schnauzer, and bragged about his nephews and siblings on Facebook.

Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35, was at Pulse with his partner Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, who was also taken from us. He worked at Perfumania. He was from Puerto Rico but had moved to Florida as a teenager and was living in Kissimmee. He enjoyed going out, and his sister-in-law told The Orlando Sentinel that he was a loving uncle who spoiled her children.

Jean Carlos Nieves Rodriguez, 27, was from Puerto Rico and went to high school in Orlando. At the time of his passing, he was a general manager at a check cashing business. He had recently purchased his first house and was hoping to help his mother find a new home as well. A friend remembered him, saying that he wanted to be the best and was always putting in the work to make that happen. That friend also talked about his caring nature saying, “he was just a caring, loving guy — just like a big teddy bear.”

Jerald Arthur Wright, 31, worked in marketing and sales and also as a seasonal worker at Disney World in Magic Kingdom. He had a degree in hospitality management from Florida International University and studied marketing at Northeastern. He was at Pulse to celebrate the 21st birthday of a friend, Cory Connell, who also had his life taken from him that night.

Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32, was from Veracruz, Mexico and had lived in Ocoee before moving to Tampa. He worked in the area to send money to his family back in Mexico.

One of his favorite quotes seems to fit his legacy well: “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”

Jonathan Camuy Vega, 24, was from Puerto Rico and died at Pulse trying to protect his friend, Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, whose life was taken as well. He worked for Telemundo in Puerto Rico, and moved to Orlando to work for the media outlet, eventually working for La Voz Kids, a show on Telemundo.

Juan Chavez Martinez, 25, was one of three Mexican citizens who died at Pulse, according to The Orlando Sentinel. Juan was living in Davenport and working as a housekeeping supervisor in Kissimmee, a job he had for seven years. His supervisor remembered him as “extremely friendly, very dedicated to his family, to his coworkers…” At the time, some in his family could not go back to Mexico for his funeral because of their immigration status.

Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37, was at Pulse to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Juan came to Pulse that night with his husband, Luis Daniel Conde, who he had been a peer in high school in Puerto Rico before working with him at Alta Peluqueria D’Magazine Salon. Salon regulars loved Juan, as did his surviving family.

Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22, was a telemarketer who had recently come out to his accepting family and had been a student at the University of Central Florida. Juan’s cousin told the Associated Press that he was not someone to go out to parties and that he would “rather stay home and 1 6 \\ J U N E 0 7 , 2 0 1 7

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care for his niece and nephew.” He was at Pulse with his boyfriend, Christopher “Drew” Leinonen, another victim of the Pulse tragedy.

Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. Luis was studying physical therapy at Seminole State College of Florida.

KJ Morris, 37, was a college basketball player from Connecticut who was passionate about mixed martial arts and performed in drag as “Daddy K.” That night, she was working as a bouncer and her ex-girlfriend told The Orlando Sentinel that she was “thrilled to get more involved in the LGBT community” in Orlando.

Martin Benitez Torres, 33, was a student at Sistema Universitario Ana G. Mendez in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he was from. Martin had posted a video of himself cooking with his family days before his life was taken from him. He was in Orlando visiting family. He was at Pulse that night with his boyfriend, who survived the attack.

Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25, was from Ponce, Puerto Rico. He worked as a leasing agent, did hair, and was a huge fan of Beyoncé. Leroy’s friend remembered him as “really very spirited and always happy.” Leroy was at Pulse that night with Xavier Rosado, another victim of the Pulse tragedy. They had been in a new relationship.

Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26, was from Queens, New York, studied literature at Valencia College in Orlando, and had gone to the club with Amanda Alvear, another victim of the tragedy. Mercedez’s niece told The Orlando Sentinel that she loved music and was a “fun nice person” who cared about her friends.

Luis Daniel Conde, 39, was from San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico and was at Pulse that night with his husband, Juan Rivera, who also died that night. He shared a business with his husband, where he did makeup.

Miguel Angel Honorato, 30, lived in Apopka, and was the father of three. He worked at FajitaMex Mexican Catering in Orlando with his brother. He was also the owner of four restaurants.

Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37, was from Puerto Rico and endured bullying from others in his religious small town. He was at Pulse with his boyfriend, Jean Carlos Perez, who also lost his life that night. He had been with his boyfriend for eight years. Bravely, he moved to Vero Beach alone and with no working English skills.

His longtime friend said, “he was my hero.”

Omar Capo, 20, was a dancer who worked at the Target in Kissimmee as a cashier and Starbucks team member. A colleague memorialized him on Facebook, saying, “he lit up any area he worked in…” He was remembered by his friend as a “happy soul” who liked to dance and listen to music.

Luis Vielma, 22, was part of a team that ran the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction at Universal Studios. His passing captured the attention of likeminded fans online, as well as that of J.K. 1 8 \\ J U N E 0 7 , 2 0 1 7

Oscar A. Aracena Montero, 26, lived in the Dominican Republic as a kid. At the time of his death he was living in Kissimmee with his boyfriend Simon Fernandez, who also died that night. They owned three chihuahuas and had just come back from a

trip to Niagara Falls. He was also a university student. He is remembered by his cousin as “a very sweet guy” who was “the type of guy who goes along with anybody.”

Paul Terrell Henry, 41, was from Chicago and loved to dance.

He also loved to make people laugh and spend time with his two children. At the time of his passing, he worked as a sales representative at Orange Lakes Resorts. One coworker remembered one detail about him and many more, saying, “his laughter was contagious.” A piano and organ player and singer, he was a vibrant spirit who left behind two children and a loving boyfriend.

Peter Ommy Gonzalez Cruz, 22, was from South Africa and was working in Orlando as a UPS employee. He had previously been a high school student in New Jersey.

Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33, was from San German, Puerto Rico, where he attended the university. He lived in Kissimmee at the time of his passing. He worked as a biologics assistant at OneBlood, a blood bank that was inundated with people looking to donate following the shooting. A friend online memorialized him with, “you touched many lives with your energy, always had a smile on your face, a joke to make, and stories to tell.”

Shane Tomlinson, 33, was the face of the band Frequency, a big fan of Janet Jackson, and a self-described vocal arranger, singer, actor, model, and songwriter. He was an East Carolina University graduate.

Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31, was a college student when he was taken from us. He was at Pulse that night with his partner, Aracena Montero, who also was killed. They had recently bought a home in Kissimmee together. His coworker remembered him as driven, saying fondly, “he had to be the best, that was his thing.”

Stanley Almodovar III, 23, was from Springfield, Massachusetts, but was living in Clermont, Florida at the time of his passing.

Stanley was at Pulse with his friend Marissa, who was shot that night but survived. He worked as a pharmacy technician and had a humorous side. His aunt remembered him as someone with a bright future who was “an amazing person with a good soul.”

Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25, was from North Carolina and lived in Michigan, where he owned his own marketing business.

A college graduate, his brother described him to The Orlando Sentinel as someone who was “very ambitious” and worked hard on his goals.

Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35, was from Ponce, Puerto Rico. He worked at Splash Bar as a male entertainer and go-go dancer under the name “Eman Valentino.” Xavier was at Pulse that night with Leroy Valentin Fernandez, another victim of the Pulse tragedy, and the two had begun dating recently. Xavier leaves behind a young son.

Yilmary “Mary” Rodriguez Solivan, 24, was a wife and the mother of two children. She was at Pulse that night for the first time, there to celebrate a visit from her brother-in-law, who survived the night. She was also with Jonathan Camuy Vega, who died in the attack trying to protect her.

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Paul Bindel

Not Last, Not FirstOM A R F S T H G U O TH N I G R I V T S E F E PRID I don’t know who thought a 10 a.m. 5K on the first morning of PrideFest was a good idea.

Somehow (thanks, Advil), I stumbled out the door in time for our rideshare.

Last year was my first PrideFest, not because I don’t love watching drag shows and concerts in the sun with sexy, queer people of all shapes and sizes. I’ve just usually traveled during the summer. I’d read enough to expect hangovers, exposed torsos, and sunburn. Yet, there I was encountering all three.

Not until I was jogging up the hill on 14th Street did my hangover and endorphins begin to do-si-do, the grumpiness fading away.

As I ran through Capitol Hill, I was face-to-face with queer history. All I could think of were the stories I’d heard in the past nine months writing for OUT FRONT, and the ones I had yet to hear, a swirl of LGBTQ history in the gayborhood.

Denver’s post-WW-II zoning laws aimed to keep families in the city, since so many were headed to the suburbs, so in most parts of town, unmarried adults were prohibited from living together.

(The law was typically invoked through neighbor complaints, and people of color and queer couples faced the most discrimination.) Capitol Hill, however, had the loosest zoning laws, due to its density, so it naturally attracted queer people who wanted to live discreet lives together close to downtown.

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This, I thought, is where queer people lived for decades, attending coming-out classes together at First Unitarian Church, sharing stories over coffee, exchanging glances at the Queen Soopers. This is where thousands of people donned drag, some exploring their true gender identity for the first time through eyeliner, wigs, or haircuts.

This is where the Mattachine Society met before the Denver PD intimidated them to shut down. These are the alleys where trans women were harassed, some of them killed by police.

This is where men were subject to entrapment, arrested for cruising around the Capitol. This is where queer sex workers returned home after spending a night in Denver Jail and where others less fortunate were never able to return.

This is where some, newly informed of their positive HIV status, wrestled with what they should do next, where groups of men and women gathered to mourn those lost to disease, where others reeled from rejection from their families, where still others discovered a new kind of family that offered support and love.

This is where picnics, volleyball, acro-yoga, weddings, vigils, and after-dark hookups all went down. This is where people were sexually assaulted, and this is where they found the strength to heal from those horrific experiences. This is where people explored new substances, invented new kinds of relationships, discovered each other’s bodies, and dared to begin lives without fear or shame.

As I crossed the finish line, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for all the people who have come before me and, unknown or known, been a part of Denver’s queer history. I’m not the first queer person to live in Denver, and I certainly won’t be the last, but I am overwhelmingly proud to be in this city with all of you beautiful people.

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TAKE A BITE INTO

Peppermint

P

ride is upon us once again, and Denver is in for one of the sweetest treats around:the one and only Peppermint, one of the stars of the hit television show RuPaul’s Drag Race. The season 9 contestant will be making her Denver debut this year performing at PrideFest on Center Stage, Sunday, June 18, at 3:30 p.m.

This Queen, who is still in the running to take home the competition’s crown, has graciously decided to sashay all the way from New York City to Denver, a far cry from the bustling city that never sleeps, otherwise known to her as home. Ladies and gentlemen, get prepared to sink your teeth into the incomparable Peppermint.

Agnes Moore, better known by her stage name Peppermint, was born and raised in Hershey Pennsylvania. In 1998 she packed her belongings and fled the countryside, making her way to the glitz and glam of New York City, arguably the drag capital of the world. She found her first “big break” after meeting infamous New York party promoter and owner of Tunnel night club Peter Gatian.

Gatian hired her to strut her stuff and perform at Tunnel’s legendary Kurfew parties, and soon after that Peppermint became one of New York City’s “it girls,” as well as one of the most sought-after Queens in New York City nightlife.

Peppermint has spent years working at her craft, all the while guest-starring in multiple projects, from roles on CSI: NY, gay.com’s web series Queens of Drag: NYC, and America’s Next Top Model (appearing as a drag version of Tyra Banks) just to name a few.

Drawing from her surroundings, Peppermint attributes her inspiration to begin a career in drag, as well as her basic inspiration for life, to two very special women.

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Brett Longhi

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“My Mom has always been my inspiration, and I’m inspired by her today. My mom and Janet Jackson,” Peppermint said. While she’s always been a queen in our peripherals, Peppermint has finally made it to Drag Queen Mecca, taking center stage in this year’s competition of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

“Honey, RuPaul is a legend and pioneer in our field, and she’s been inspiring me way before Drag Race started,” boasts Peppermint, expressing nothing but love for the drag icon when asked what RuPaul meant to her as a drag performer.

Peppermint is not only living her dreams and competing in the competition of a lifetime, she is also making drag race history. Peppermint is only the second queen to openly compete as a transgender woman (after Monica Beverly Hillz from season 5). Entering the race as an openly transgender woman from the beginning of the competition, Peppermint has fiercely competed while wearing her heart on her sleeve and keeping a pep in her step. Sure there have been other contestants who have courageously come out as transgender once finishing with the competition, but Peppermint could very well be the first to pave the way as a transgender winner of drag race.

For some, the idea of a transgender woman performing in drag can be a challenging concept to grasp, being that when people generally think of drag, they traditionally think of a gay man as the prime candidate for the art.

But Peppermint is keeping cool while challenging drag stereotypes. She doesn’t blink when it comes to some who might not exactly understand her: “Hopefully, if

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I live my truth they will figure it out. I ain’t got time for explanations,” she added.

Peppermint takes no prisoners as she works her way to the top, crushing the competition. Her message is as clear as ever: to be true to who you are and to express yourself in the most authentic of ways, making her a perfect performer for this year’s pride celebration.

“Pride means celebrating true equality with everyone, including those who aren’t in the LGBTQIA+ community,” said Peppermint when asked what pride celebrations mean to her personally.

With celebrations happening across the country and all over the world, it’s important to remember the true meaning of why the community has these celebrations, and Peppermint is here to remind us why we celebrate.

Some would argue that in this current political climate, participating in pride celebrations is a direct resistance to the current administration, making pride a political statement. Peppermint agreed wholeheartedly.

“To live your truth in this environment is a political statement.”

Denver invites you to be a part of that statement, and Peppermint continues to slay the competition each week on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Be sure to catch the show on both LOGO and VH1. If you can’t get enough of what Peppermint serves each week on television, make your way to see her live at PrideFest on Center Stage, Sunday June 18, at 3:30 p.m.

Where there’s Peppermint, there is sure to be a sweet surprise.

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What is TRUVADA for PrEP ?

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

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

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

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

While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: u You must continue to use safer sex practices.

Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. u You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP: • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months.

• If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. u To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners.

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

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

• Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. u If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1.

TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: u Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection.

TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking TRUVADA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

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

IWhat are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: u Kidney problems, including kidney failure.

Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA. u Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.

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

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Have you heard about

TRUVADA for PrEP™?

The once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when used with safer sex practices.

• TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex.

• You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.

Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. u Bone problems, including bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.

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

IWhat should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? u All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. u If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA. u

u If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to

breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk. u All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. u If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose.

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

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

visit start.truvada.com

O U T F R O N T O N L I N E5/30/17 . C O M2:01 //PM2 7

IMPORTANT FACTS

(tru-VAH-dah)

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

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

• Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected.

Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must continue to use safer sex practices.

Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1.

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

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

TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection.

TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

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

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

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

• Take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

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

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

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

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

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

• New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure.

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

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

• Bone problems.

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

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

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

• Have any other medical conditions.

• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

• Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed.

Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can pass to the baby in breast milk.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TRUVADA, the TRUVADA Logo, TRUVADA FOR PREP, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.

Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0096 05/17

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5/30/17 2:02 PM

G N I P P E PR T S E F E D I R P r fo For those new to Denver, welcome to one of the largest Pride Fests in the nation! More than 380,000 people poured into Civic Center Park at last year’s PrideFest, with 120,000 crowding the sidewalks of Colfax for the Pride Parade.

Water your Voice Tunnel

Toss lots of H20 down your throat, especially if you plan on dancing your heart out next to the vodka tent. Dance that heartache from your ex right off of your sunblock-slathered body. Just stay hydrated so you don’t pass out next to your green-eyed hookup. Pro Tip: Ask for a lime so the water looks like a vodka drink.

Dress like a Freak To make the best of this gargantuan gathering, be sure to prep yourself before you sashay your way through the throngs of friendly folks while wearing your purple speedos to accentuate your… sass.

Pride is like a summer version of Halloween with rainbow flags instead of black sackcloth. Jennifer Holliday instead of Siouxsie and the Banshees. Denver Cycle Sluts instead of the Denver Zombie Crawl. Be creative. Be fabulous. Be you!

Sunblock

Volunteer

So if you’re a size queen, Denver is the city for Pride.

Slather it on. Lots of thick, creamy layers of sunscreen greedily applied to your now-shiny skin — hopefully by some scantily-clad hookup with dark-green eyes you picked up the night before.

Denver’s sun will burn layers of skin off, even if it’s cloudy.

Spontaneous combustion has been reported in the past. So wear your sunscreen and flame on. (Figuratively speaking.)

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Showcase your talents to help with one of the nation’s largest Pride Fests — even if that talent involves bowling balls, nipple clamps, and lube. You’ll meet a ton of new faces, see what it’s like to put together the third-largest Pride Fest in the nation, and maybe even get laid. It’s a win-win. Just don’t suck face until your volunteer shift is over.

F*ck a Local

There are plenty of lonely Colorado natives who would jump on the chance to be a Pride escort for some hot transplant from Minnesota. Denver has a treasure trove of local hidden wonders made all the more wonderful as a shared experience.

Mike Yost

Gear Up

Throw some rain gear in a backpack for when the sky opens up with angry sheets of rain. Bring cash to avoid ATM lines. You can’t bring any coolers, but you can bring empty jugs and fill them with water inside the park. (If you do bring bottles of water, the must be factory sealed.) And they will search through your stuff, so leave the diamond-studded dildo nunchucks at home.

Ignore the F*cking Protesters They are there to nurture conflict.

They are there to be assholes. They are there to steal away the joy of you being you. Don’t waste your time arguing with hate.

Be Mindful

Sometime during PrideFest weekend, just stop. Ground your feet and stop.

Hold the hand of your green-eyed hookup. Look around you. Thousands upon thousands of people are enjoying the day. There was a time, not too long ago, when being LGBTQ in Denver could get you thrown in jail. Take a few minutes to stay in the present and recognize that you are here, on this planet, being you, surrounded by people who support you being you. What a phenomenal experience to be a part of.

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SPONSORED

7 QUESTIONS FOR DR. HOFFMAN ABOUT MELANOMA DOES THE SUN ACTUALLY CAUSE WRINKLES? WHAT KIND OF PROCEDURES ARE AVAILABLE IF I ALREADY HAVE SUN DAMAGE? Yes, yes, yes. Burns, as well as tans, accumulate to cause wrinkles, discoloration, unevenness in skin texture and thickness, and skin cancer. Many things can be done to improve the wrinkles you already have. For prevention: a broad spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher before you go out, and every two hours after that. Do not tan in the sun or under a bulb. To treat wrinkles you already have there are topical products like tretinoin, retinol and other product lines; Botox injections, injectable fillers, chemical peels and laser treatments. You should see a dermatologist to figure out what combination of interventions would work best for you.

I TAN PRETTY EASILY, AND I RARELY BURN; AM I AT HIGH RISK FOR CANCER? WHO IS AT HIGH RISK? People who tan easily do have a little protection built in but not much. Tans AND burns increase cancer risk, not just burns.

Avoid tanning by wearing protective clothing. Repeatedly using sunscreen is strongly recommended. People with multiple burns are, on average, at higher risk but all skin types can get skin cancer.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I PUT ON SUNBLOCK? DOES IT MATTER IF I DO A MIST OR JUST LAY IT ON THICK? Before you go out, and repeat every two hours if you’re out that long. Being in your car counts as being out. If you are in water you need a water-resistant 80 minute sunscreen to put on every 80 minutes, and more often if you are toweling off. A mist will not cut it! Whether it’s a cream or a spray, it needs to go on like a lotion, not like a cologne. If you underdose then an SPF 30 becomes no better than an SPF 4 or even less.

BUT WAIT. DOESN’T SUNSCREEN CAUSE CANCER TOO? WHY SHOULD I BOTHER WEARING IT? No. There was a study about 15 years ago (not that well designed) which suggested people who put on sunscreen were more likely to feel “invincible” and stay out for longer periods of time without putting on more. But if you put on sunscreen before you go out and reapply it regularly, you will be greatly protected from skin cancer. This is not a controversial opinion.

AM I AT HIGHER RISK FOR SKIN CANCER IF I HAVE TATTOOS? No. Some people have allergic reactions to tattoo dyes and there could be infection risk if the tattoo isn’t done sterilely, but there is no known increased skin cancer risk.

SKIN CANCER DOESN’T RUN IN MY FAMILY. SHOULD I STILL BE WORRIED? Yes. Genetics plays a part but is not the sole determinant of who will get skin cancer. Your own personal history of sun exposure is much more predictive of your skin cancer risk than your family background.

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Chad Michaels RETURNS TO DENVER FOR PRIDEFEST CHRIS ARNESON

I

f you think you see Cher at Pride this year, take a second glance — it’s probably drag icon Chad Michaels.

Chad, runner-up of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 4 and winner of the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race AllStars, is no stranger to Denver. He’s visited the Mile High City many times performing regularly at Drag Nation in the past. He was last seen at Denver’s PrideFest in 2011.

“I love Denver and come back whenever I have an opportunity,” Chad said. “Pride weekend is massive in Denver, and I always look forward to being a part of it.”

A San Diego native, Chad is well known for his portrayal of Cher, which has been featured on TV shows like Jane the Virgin, 2 Broke Girls, and MadTV. He has also produced her own web series, Cher Tweets, and continues to produce his own live show, The Dreamgirls Revue, which is the longest running female impersonation show in California. Chad has appeared alongside Cher on The Talk and starred in her lyric video for Woman’s World.

“I love what I do,” Chad boasted. “It’s fun to recreate the different Bob Mackie costumes and iconic looks Cher has made legendary. But, anyone who follows me also knows I have a wide range of performances in my repertoire.”

Those include impersonations of other icons like Celine Dion, Marilyn Manson, and Joan Crawford. On the “Snatch Game” episode of All-Stars, Chad impersonated film star Bette Davis. “[My impersonation of Bette] introduced this Hollywood legend and icon to a new generation through the medium of drag,” Chad explained. “I love celebrity impersonation and all that it entails, including makeup, hair, costuming, and character study.”

A drag performer for more than 20 years, Chad began as Brigitte Love but changed to Chad Michaels while performing in An Evening at La Cage in Las Vegas. His real name is Chad Michael, but he added an “s” to avoid any similarities with George Michael. Despite rocketing to fame after his appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Chad remains genuine.

“My experience on Drag Race simply confirmed what I already knew — find and always be your authentic self, and treat others with respect and kindness. It is a very simple way to live life and be successful!”

You can catch Chad hosting Drag Nation’s Cosmic Queens on June 16 at Tracks, featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 9 queens Alexis Michelle, Peppermint, and Aja. Chad will also be headlining the PrideFest Center Stage at Civic Center Park on Saturday, June 17, at 3 p.m.

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadMichaels1.

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Mike Yost

PrideIS FOR E HEART H T G N I HEAL I had the opportunity several years ago to drink a beer at the historic Stonewall Inn, an inconspicuous bar of red brick and glowing-red neon tucked comfortably away in New York’s Greenwich Village.

I remember making out with my boyfriend-at-the-time, and an older straight couple sitting nearby suddenly snapped their heads in our direction. Their faces were wrinkled in disgust,like crumpled-up rags with narrow, angry eyes. They loudly shoved their stools out from under them and left the lounge, shaking their heads in revulsion.

We laughed at the thought of homophobic miscreants mindlessly stumbling into one of the most iconic gay bars in America — the birthplace of Pride — only to get butt hurt seeing two guys swapping slobber. I guess ignorance isn’t always bliss.

We made out some more and then headed upstairs where TonyAward-winning Liza Minnelli was performing that night. Okay, so not the actual Liza, but a spectacular performer working a small stage who f*cking nailed it that night as Liza. (She was truly the Queen Supreme of the evening.)

It was there that we met a host of locals and a few other tourists, many of us singing and swinging our bodies to Liza’s phenomenal performance.

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The night peaked when Liza dragged a few people from the small crowd onto the stage, including myself, where we participated in a fake-orgy contest. Each contestant did his or her best to replicate that moment of pure ecstasy where the world melts away and the rational mind prostrates itself before pure euphoria (if only for a few seconds).

Sally Albright from When Harry Met Sally would have been so proud of me, as I ended up on my back using the microphone as a… prop for my performance. I won that contest and got a free drink at the bar.

I couldn’t have asked for a better night at the historic Stonewall Inn. That evening was packed with joyful memories and shared experiences I’ll always keep stored in a special place in my heart. It was truly a wonderful, magical night drinking with all the other “freaks” who are looked down upon by those homophobic miscreants.

We were the hated, healing our hearts from scars left by jagged judgments, stitching up wounds carved out by ignorant comments and emotional violence — those cruelties still lingering just outside the red-brick walls, waiting patiently to hate again.

Pride was born as a risqué respite for the heretic in us all. Pride is a chance to live like Dionysius, drinking wine and indulging in ecstasies of all varieties. Pride is an opportunity to dismantle social norms and shed the rational self.

Use PrideFest to foster your own joyful memories and shared experiences. Build your own wall of stone where you can heal the heart, that resilient muscle which has endured too many hardships, yet still beats resolute beneath a fragile frame.

Be lascivious. Be safe. Be Liza at the Stonewall Inn and sing!

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’ Dave Aude

Keeps the Beat at Pride Addison Herron-Wheeler

D

ave Audé is a family name in the LGBTQ community, but it wasn’t always this way. In fact, until a few years ago, Audé didn’t know much about the queer community at all. As a lifelong music fan and career DJ, his focus was on the music and not necessarily on who was or wasn’t listening to it. But after becoming even better-known for his remixes of Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry, Audé was thrust onto gay dance floors worldwide and was brought face-to-face with the queer community.

Now, about seven years later, Audé plays Pride fests all over the country. This year, he’s taking over the mainstage at Denver PrideFest on Sunday at 4 p.m. He is ready to play pride and connect with Denver’s queer community. OUT FRONT caught up with him about his support for the scene and current musical projects.

How did you get started making music? What made you want to be a producer and DJ? I got started making music when I was a kid. I got a keyboard and that really started me making music in my bedroom when I was 13.

As far as becoming a DJ, I kind of fell into it. It wasn’t really something I wanted to be, but out of high school all my friends wanted to hear club music and the only way to hear it was on vinyl, so I used to buy it and make tapes, and that turned into a DJ career.

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Of all the super-well-known artists you’ve worked with as a producer, who has been the most fun to work with and why?

There are so many, but my favorite group growing up was Erasure, and so crazily enough a few years ago I connected with Andy Bell, the lead singer, and we made a few records together. I’ve worked with lots of different people, but that was a dream come true, being able to write songs and work with one of your favorite singers of all time. I still can’t believe that happened.

Do you have any major releases or projects in the works right now?

Yeah I have a couple huge records out right now. I have a single that’s number seven on the dance charts called “Back to Love” with a singer called Jvmie. I have a new band that I’ve formed called JX Riders; there is a brand new song called “Hiccup” that just came out last week on Cherrytree Records.

I’m remixing “Desposito” with Justin Bieber as I talk to you.

Are you looking forward to performing at Denver Pride this year?

Absolutely. I haven’t played Denver Pride. I did New York, did Toronto Pride AKA World Pride, San Diego. I’ve played 30 or 40 Prides... but I haven’t done Denver, so I’m excited to play a new Pride.

Have you played in Denver before?

Yes, probably about 60 times. I’ve played The Church about 20 times, Beta about 20 times, Global four or five times, and a bunch of other places. I’ve also played at Tracks. I am trying to get Tracks to do something right after Pride for everyone who wants to party. We are in talks right now.

All of your pop hits have made you very popular with a large faction of the queer community. Why is that audience important to you and how do you give back to them musically?

It’s funny because I didn’t really know a lot about the gay community, the gay music scene, gay club scene, festivals, or Prides until probably seven or eight years ago when I started doing remixes of Madonna, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga. Then I got a whole new fanbase and got introduced to the gay community.

I have a great time and it has just opened my mind. I’m very proud to be part of this scene. I have made a lot of gay friends.

I didn’t really think about it before because I’m not one of those people who thinks straight or gay: I just think people.

Why do you think LGBTQ pride and openness is important in 2017? How can the queer community be more visible in the world of pop?

I think there are a lot of terrible things going on in the world and it would be nice to live in a world where we didn’t have to explain things to people or to have to think about gay rights, but unfortunately we do live in a world where there is a lot of segregation and people aren’t treated equally. It is important to have a voice and make people aware.

I wasn’t really in the know of the issues — not that I didn’t know about the gay community or gay festivals — until I started going to them and playing them. It’s a very important thing to teach your children that everyone is equal and has the right to do whatever they want to do, marry whomever they want to marry, pay taxes, and have kids, all the rights we all take for granted.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I’m very honored to be asked to play Denver PrideFest. I realize there are a lot of DJs out there. When I started DJing there weren’t a lot of DJs, and now everyone and their mother is a DJ. I’m very honored to be the one they asked to play this year.

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PRIDE UNDER FIRE YVONNE WRIGHT

Pride began as a protest. Not a party. While hundreds of LGBTQ celebrations are held around the world this month, a growing number of people within the community are being forced into hiding.

Some are kidnapped, beaten, even killed. There are spikes in government crackdowns on Pride activities from Asia to Africa as you read this.

“A brutal campaign against gay men is sweeping Chechnya, with reports of abduction-style detention, enforced disappearances, torture, and deaths,” said Kyle Knight, a researcher with the U.S.-based Human Rights Watch (HRW). The HRW recently confirmed reports of the anti-gay brutalities in the Russian republic of Chechnya Knight said that while Russia’s president turns his head to the atrocities, President Trump’s crackdown on refugees, particularly Muslim refugees, is making it even more difficult for these men to escape persecution.

“We need to take seriously our obligations and our burden sharing to make these people safe,” Knight said. According to the HRW, suspected gay men in this largely Muslim federation in

southern Russia are “outed” by authorities and handed over to their families who feel dutybound to perform “honor killings.”

This type of “looking the other way” in Chechnya fits into what Knight refers to as “a disturbing global pattern of governments explicitly driving anti-gay violence or tacitly allowing vigilantes to attack LGBT people with impunity.”

We are seeing examples of the restricting of LGBTQ rights in Asia, the Mideast, Africa, Europe, and even here in the U.S. While homosexuality is punishable by death in many Middle Eastern countries, it is legal in Turkey. For the last 13 years, Istanbul has hosted the largest (and as far as we know the only) Arab gay Pride parade. Last year, it was

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blown apart when police in riot gear fired tear gas and rubber bullets at participants. Tensions are still so high that organizers say they doubt a parade will be held this year at all.

Clare Byarugaba is a gay rights activist in Uganda.

She was at one of the attempted Pride events where police showed up and hauled people to jail. “[The police] were dragging people, they were beating people, they were undressing people… to find out whether they were men or women,” she told Reuters.

A U.S.-based Quaker association reports that violence against LGBTQ people there has steadily increased since 2014, when lawmakers tried to make homosexuality an executable offense.

The measure failed, but the anti-gay sentiment continues to grow. Since the law was introduced three-years ago, Quakers report having helped 1,800 LGBTQ individuals escape Uganda.

In Russia, a 100-year ban on Moscow Pride is being fought in court.

Elsewhere in the country, officials are using the same propaganda law used in the nation’s capital to ban Pride activities across the country. The law prohibits the dissemination of homosexual information to minors. Gay Star News reports that at least nine permits to hold Pride demonstrations were denied this year.

Rising tensions are also being felt in Asian countries like Singapore, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. In Singapore, an estimated 30,000 people gather every year

for the Pink Dot, a growing Pride celebration that defies the country’s anti-gay laws. This year, a new law bans foreigners from participating. With the loss of foreign participants comes the loss of international corporate revenue. Local groups are working extra hard to raise the money needed for the July event.

“Singapore is doing all it can to truncate international support for the rapidly growing movement of Singaporeans who support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights and non-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity,” Phil Robertson, deputy director of the Asia division of HRW, told Reuters.

Despite the new restrictions, local organizers are going on as planned.

In Indonesia, Knight said that “throughout 2016, officials and politicians stoked anti-LGBT sentiment that boiled over into police violence against peaceful demonstrations and raids on suspected gay gatherings and vigilante attacks on activists.”

Anti-gay sentiment in Indonesia is nothing new, but after years of what some call a “don’t ask, don’t tell” cultural sentiment, an anti-gay tsunami has hit the island nation full-force.

The backlash began with a proposal to ban LGBTQ student organizations from the University of Indonesia. This snowballed when government, educational, and religious leaders began publically denouncing homosexual activity.

Bangladesh is more than 2,000 miles north of Indonesia, but right in the same political spot. Last — 46 —

year, the editor of the country’s only LGBTQ publication and his friend were hacked to death by a group of machete-wielding extremists. Most of the people involved in the burgeoning movement are now in hiding, living under the threat of execution. “My bosses... say the two ‘deserved’ their fate because they were homosexual. My bosses don’t even know that I am gay, and neither does my family,” a friend of the victims in hiding confided to activist Raad Rahman. “Imagine having to hide grief like this. Now I have nothing. No life. No future.”

Pride was born from the Stonewall Inn riots that followed a police raid of the New York gay bar in 1969. The riots were commemorated a year later with the very first Pride parades in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago. While it has evolved into more of a party, Prides across this country may be drawn back to their political roots as activists anticipate more anti-gay legislation this year.

Legislatures across America saw more anti-LGBTQ measures proposed in 2016 than they had seen in nearly a decade. Lawmakers in a number of states have already pre-filed discriminatory bills for 2017. If worldwide trends continue, these measures could increase anti-gay sentiment, even if they don’t pass.

“This,” Knight said, “is a critical time. Now more than ever in history, we have power to keep stories alive and issues on the desks of policymakers. We can make sure coverage is fact-driven and leaders are held accountable for their actions or inactions.”

FESTIVAL RULES • All bags, containers and packages are subject to search.

• No coolers allowed.

• NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL ALLOWED. • Only factory-sealed, non-alcoholic beverages allowed in • the park. No open beverage containers allowed.

• No glass containers.

This includes water bottles.

• There are free water fountains inside the park at Colfax & Bannock and at 14th & Broadway.

• Guests will not be allowed to carry alcoholic beverages • through the exit gates.

• No weapons of any type allowed in the park.

• No marijuana use allowed in the park.

• Public marijuana use is illegal in Denver.

• No bicycles or unicycles allowed in the park.

• Pets should be left at home for their comfort and safety.

Thank you for your cooperation.

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D AV E A U D É

Sm irn of f Da nc e Wor ld | Ju ne 18 at 5p m A veteran producer and DJ, DJ Dave Audé has created an unprecedented 117 #1 Billboard Dance tracks. In 2016, he won a Grammy for his remix of Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk” featuring Bruno Mars. He has produced music for such artists as Coldplay, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and Beyoncé. Audé’s recent hit singles include: “Love Me Like You Mean It,” a collaboration with country star Kelsea Ballerini and “True Original” featuring Andy Bell of Erasure. Audé also hosts the podcast “Audacious Radio”, which showcases some of the hottest release and exclusive remixes. www.daveaude.com

JENNIFER HOLLIDAY The Center State June 18 at 3pm Jennifer Holliday skyrocketed to stardom 35 years ago in the smash Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, with her showstopping performance as Effie “Melody ” White, the iconic role which garnered her a Tony Award for Best Actress in A Musical. She also earned Drama Desk and Theater World awards for her performance and her recording of the song, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from the musical, catapulted Holliday to the top of the Billboard charts. In addition to Dreamgirls, Holliday has also appeared on Broadway in Chicago, Grease and The Color Purple.

O T O S AB U.S. Bank Latin Stage June 18 at 2pm Performance artist and musician A.B. Soto is one of the freshest voices in music today. Born in East Los Angeles, Soto’s work is influenced by Latin roots as well as street and pop culture and defies categorization, combining rap, dance and house music. Soto’s early background as a professional dancer and fashion designer informs his work as the artist he is today – all of A.B.’s work is original and self -produced; choreography, lyric, styling and design. His aim is to show the diversity of the more marginalized members of the gay community and bring them to a wider audience.

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MI D HA

L E A CH

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The Center Stage June 17 at 3pm

Chad Michaels has been enterbtaining crowds for more than two decades with her spot-on impersonation of Cher. The popular drag performer was also the winner of the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars. Michaels is a producer and performer with the Dreamgirls Revue in San Diego, California’s longest-running female impersonation show and also appeared in An Evening at La Cage in Las Vegas.

PEPPERMINT

The Center State | June 18 at 3:30 pm Peppermint, is an American actress, singer, and drag queen best known as a fixture in the New York City nightlife scene and contestant on the ninth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Though other transgender women have competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race, she was the first to be out at the time of filming. Peppermint was featured in the web series Queens of Drag: NYC.

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Ryan Howe

Chi Chi LaRue Hits Denver for Pride Chi Chi LaRue, a drag queen legend, deejay, and porn director, is coming to Denver for Pride for the second year in a row. We chatted with about her beginnings, her sobriety, and the porn industry. You can catch her at Phoenix Multisport’s Sober Dance on Saturday, June 17. Trust us, it’ll be a party.

For those that don’t know, how would you describe Chi Chi?

Chi Chi is a bigger-than-life drag queen who directs porn, deejays, emcees, does shoes, and finds gorgeous boys to entertain you.

I started doing drag — oh god — like 40 years ago. I’ve always wanted to be on stage, and I entered this contest in Minnesota at a straight bar called First Avenue, where they filmed the music video for Purple Rain. Which is crazy because I actually got asked to be in the video by Prince himself. That was just amazing, and honestly it was one of the best moments in my life because I was a Prince junkie. I’m not kidding, he told me to get my haircut one day and I went out and got it instantly cut.

My life was to go out to clubs and see Prince and perform in drag.

I started deejaying because I have always been a music lover in every shape and form. So about seven years ago, I started really diving into deejaying. I wanted to hear the music that I wanted to hear, and clubs were playing this music that didn’t have any words — it was just kind of like beats that would melt your face off. That music has its place at certain times, but I like to play happy gay music with words.

I play a lot of pop dance, with some ‘80s thrown in like Xanadu. I love seeing the people get excited about the songs I play.

When I first started, it was kind of hard to get gigs as a deejay. My drag persona helped me get the deejay shows — I wouldn’t get the gigs if I wasn’t in drag. I’m not the typical master mix deejay who wears the headphones and stands behind the booth. I party with the crowd when I’m up there playing music.

I’m really lucky to have established myself as a good deejay. But I almost destroyed that reputation by letting myself become an alcoholic. But I took care of that and went to rehab.

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You went to rehab in 2015. Can you tell me a bit about that?

On July 1 I will be one year sober. By the grace of goddess I will make it to one year.

I realized that I needed help about four months before I went. But I had a few friends really push me into it with an intervention. At the time of the intervention I was ready to go — there was no coaxing me into it.

It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. I wouldn’t change anything for the world. I had been trying to get sober for five years, but every time I was dry I was always on my way to the next drink.

Was it hard after treatment to dive back into a job that is surrounded by alcohol?

It wasn’t, because that is what I do.

I couldn’t switch what I do midstream. As a drag queen deejay who also directs porn, I get to travel the world and entertain people. If I can help people with my story of sobriety, that’s a definite plus.

We are everywhere — it’s not a secret club anymore.

Talk to me about porn.

I’ve been directing porn for 30 years. I moved to LA in 1985 and started working in the industry right away. It was something I really wanted to do, and I pushed and pushed until I was able to do that.

It’s like my deejaying, where I decided I wanted to do it and I made it happen. I’m blessed to be able to accomplish the things I am able to.

I’ve won many awards: I just won the Best Sex Scene at the last awards show for Rocco Steele and Casey Everett.

Pride

I use these videos to bring my fantasies to life and help people live out their fantasies and not go out and have unsafe sex.

You’ve been very vocal about not shooting bareback scenes. Can you elaborate on that?

I left Vivid Video, where I had been shooting a lot of Jenna Jameson videos and a lot more, but when they decided to go condom optional, I just couldn’t stay there out of my own beliefs.

As a drag queen deejay who also directs porn, I get to travel the world and entertain people.

If I can help people with my story of sobriety, that’s a definite plus.

I feel really strong and connected right now. I don’t believe that I’m going to slip, but the chance is always there. What they say is to “Play the tape through and realize that at the end of it, it’s going to be bad.” Make a different movie with a good ending.

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I’ve won best director many times and best movie. I’ve met so many great people who have helped me come out of my insecurity shell a little bit. It helped me realize how to not be so hung up on sex.

I’m very vocal about condom use, and I tried to police the entire industry, but now I just police myself. I have to take care of myself. I understand that the industry is veering more and more towards condom-less scenes, and I get it, but I don’t love it. But I can only take care of the people who work for me, and I’m okay.

I would never want someone to weld steel without a mask and gloves, so I don’t ask my actors to put their health at risk for a porno scene. They can go out and do it in their personal lives, but they won’t do it around me.

We are very excited to have you back in Denver for Pride.

The people in Denver are great. I’m hoping there will be some snow while I am there!

Do not jinx us — we are just now getting into the summer weather. Is there anything else you want to tell our readers?

I’m currently directing for a few companies, and I’m always on the lookout for hot men. If anybody is looking to be in the gay adult film industry, I’m looking for gay, gay for pay, and bisexual guys that want to work for great companies.

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CALENDAR JUNE 13

JUNE 12

ORLANDO ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY Cheesman Park @ 6:30 p.m.

On the one-year anniversary of the tragedy at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, it is time to bring the community together in love and remembrance. Since the tragedy, the strength of the queer community has grown. It is more important now than ever to continue to come together. Join PFLAG Denver for an evening of support, reflection, and love as we honor the 49 victims. There will be song, speakers, and most importantly a community of individuals committed to love and kindness. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude with a candlelight vigil. For more information visit PFLAGDenver.org

MOONLIGHT SPECIAL SCREENING Sie FilmCenter @ 7 p.m.

The Denver Film Society and ARRP present a special screening of the Academy Award Winning film Moonlight. The film chronicles the life of a young, black, gay man growing up in Miami. It snagged the 2016 Academy Award for Best Picture. For more information visit DenverFilm.com

JUNE 13

JUNE 12

LUNCH & LEARN: BIG MAMA RAG Reynaldo @ 11 a.m.

Big Mama Rag was a groundbreaking publication for women in Denver from 1972 to 1984. The Colorado LGBT History Project will host a lunch and learn discussion of this historic publication in conjunction with Denver PrideFest. Please RSVP for lunch to Reynaldo at rmireles@glbtcolorado.org or 303-9515222. Special thanks to AARP Colorado for hosting this lunch and learn event.

JUNE 3

MELODIES OF PRIDE City Park Pavilion @ 7 p.m.

Join the Mile High Freedom Band for their 5th annual “Melodies of Pride” concert. This is a great, family-friendly, free event. Get out and enjoy the summer evening and a rousing concert by Denver’s out and proud concert band. For more information visit MHFB.com 5 6 \\ J U N E 0 7 , 2 0 1 7

I WANT TO BE A COWGIRL’S SWEETHEART Denver Central Presbyterian Church The Denver Women’s Chorus is fixin’ to entertain and inspire audiences with a tribute to the fierce and fearless women of country music. This toe-tappin’ show will feature hit songs from country music’s legendary female artists from Patsy Cline to Dolly Parton to Taylor Swift. We invite friends new and old to take a load off and join us for this one of a kind concert experience.

JUNE 14

THE BIG GAY SING

JUNE 15-17

Central Presbyterian Church

SCIENCE LOUNGE: SPACE ODDITY Denver Museum of Nature and Science @ 6:30 p.m.

The Greeks and Romans were no strangers to adult encounters. Go “starGAYzing” in Gates Planetarium as you delve into the myths behind constellations. Explore sex and gender in the ancient world and end the night by viewing celestial bodies through telescopes. Presented in partnership with the GLBT Community Center of Colorado as part of Denver Pride Fest Week. Ages 21+. Cash bar. For tickets visit DMNS.org/ScienceLounge

JUNE 16

For 35 years, the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus has been a voice for equality and community in the Front Range. Thirtyfive years later, the mission of building community through music is just as poignant as when they began in 1982.

Join them for a very special celebration, with their favorite music to celebrate their milestone anniversary. For more information visit RMarts.com

JUNE 15

MEGAN-PHELPS ROPER SPEAKS OUT Temple Sinai @ 7 p.m.

Join the Mountain States Region of the Anti-Defamation League for its 2017 Annual Meeting, featuring a very special keynote presentation by Megan Phelps-Roper, a former member of the Westboro Baptist Church and granddaughter of its founder. Ms. Phelps-Roper’s talk, ”The Other Side of the Picket Line,” provides a rare behind the scenes look at one young woman’s journey from being on the front lines of the Westboro Baptist Church’s hate-filled protests against Jews, the LGBT community, members of the military and others, to escaping the Church and becoming an ally against hate. Free admission.

JUNE 17-18

BABES AROUND DENVER Tracks Get ready for Denver’s largest women’s dance party in the US and experience a wild and sexy time. More than 1,500 lesbians come out to dance, mingle and party at Denver’s largest LGBTQ club, Tracks/EXDO. Since 2003, BAD has been connecting women of all ages and all walks of life offering something for everyone.

Although primarily a women’s party, all LGBTQ and straight allies are welcome. For tickets and more information visit BabesAroundDenver.com

DENVER PRIDEFEST Civic Center Park Let loose at Denver PrideFest at downtown Denver’s Civic Center Park. Two days of entertainment include Grammy and Tony Award-winning singer Jennifer Holliday, stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race Chad Michaels and Peppermint on the Center Stage, Latin Sensation A. B. Soto on the U.S. Bank Latin Stage, and Grammy Award-winning DJ Dave Aude at Smirnoff Dance World. Free festival. For more information visit GLBTColorado.org/PrideFest OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

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Dog-GoTneYOU RIGH BE D L U O SH HAMED AS Just one day after Pride last year, veterinarian and animal activist Carolyn Karrh says she treated a dog whose front pads had literally burned right off. That’s how hot the pavement was.

“It is incredibly sad and totally preventable,” Carolyn said.

What’s more, she tried to warn several people at Pride that their dogs were in a potentially life-threatening situation and she was either ignored or met with dirty looks. “Someone has to speak for the animals when they can’t speak for themselves.”

Here’s what a lot of people don’t know: Dogs don’t sweat like we do, so when the temperatures climb, they can’t cool off as easily.

Being covered in fur and having a higher body temperature to begin with makes it even more difficult. In minutes, a dog can go from panting to organ failure. What’s worse is that the temperature on the ground is often much higher than the temperature in the air. At 77 degrees, asphalt in the sun can be 125 degrees. Now, imagine how hot it was at Pride, where the temperature reached 100!

This seems pretty obvious, but it merits a mention. Dogs don’t wear shoes. Their pads are not like leather. Walking on asphalt for them is like walking on it barefoot for us. “If a surface is too hot for

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you to walk on with bare feet, it’s too hot for them,” said Tammy Wolfe, a canine physical therapist. She says that Pride is usually scorching hot and she “always sees dogs walking on hot asphalt.”

OUT FRONT asked readers on its Facebook page if they would support a ban on dogs at Pride. Of the nearly 100 people who responded, the vast majority said “yes.” Scot Walker is among them. “I nearly melted [at Pride] … couldn’t imagine having a fur coat and bare feet.”

One woman who’s been a veterinarian technician for 10 years said she’s “witnessed the horrific burns not only on feet, but on the bodies of these poor animals.” She said she’s spent weeks changing wet to dry bandages and treating infections and excruciating pain. She also “saw a lot of dogs that appeared to be scared and anxious around all people.”

Others said a total ban is not the way to go. “Don’t take the privilege away from those of us doing it the way we should. Just take it away from the morons who don’t do things the way they should,” says Alex Schaff. He brought his dog and he brought paw protection, water, and plenty of food. He also made sure to keep his dog on the grass and in the shade — something Carolyn says is a must for dogs on hot days. But, Carolyn argues, many don’t treat their dogs the way they should even when they’re warned about the dangers. “There will always be some people who think it would never happen to their dog.”

Yvonne Wright

JUNE 17

DENVER DYKE MARCH Blush & Blu @ 3 p.m.

The Denver Dyke March & Rally is open to self-identified dykes, femmes, butches, queers (with cheers), studs, stems, AGs, lesbian and other feminists, tomboys, womyn of color, bi-dykes, boi-dykes, trans folks of all flavors, labia lovers, supporters of any and all types…you know what they want. THEY WANT YOU! The Dyke March was created to break away from the typical PrideFest form, which is viewed or perceived to be very male-centric or geared toward only a handful of people in the community. Rally together at 1 p.m. at Blush & Blu. The march begins at 3 p.m. sharp!

There aren’t figures on how many dogs die from heat exhaustion every year, but most agree it’s far too many — especially for something that can so easily be prevented. We all know by now not to leave our dogs in hot cars, but what some don’t know is that just being outside on an extremely hot day can be deadly as well. To prevent heat stroke, keep your dog inside where it’s air conditioned as much as possible, limit exercise, give them plenty of water, and if you are out in the heat, pour water on them as well. They need to stay cool on the inside and the outside.

Warning signs include heavy panting, excessive thirst, glazed eyes, vomiting, staggering, and passing out. Do not wait. Once your dog starts panting heavily, it’s time to get him or her out of the heat. “Every dog I saw [at Pride] was panting heavily and fast, some lethargic and almost limp, a precursor to heatstroke and the no-turning-back cascade of events that lead to death,” Carolyn said.

Some stories are hard to believe. Carolyn said she even saw “a Pomeranian in someone’s arms who had a heavy hair coat and a sweater on. I would not be surprised if this dog died that day.”

JUNE 17

SOBER DANCE 2239 Champa St. Phoenix Multisport fosters a supportive, physically active community for individuals who are recovering from a substance use disorder and those who choose to live sober. Phoenix will host a sober dance during Pride weekend, featuring DJ Chi Chi LaRue. Admission is free!

JUNE 18

Carolyn Karrh practices at The Center for Animal Wellness and at Every Creature Counts. She also has a non-profit organization that helps pets that belong to homeless people.

PeaceLovePaws.org Tammy Wolfe owns and operates The K9 Body Shop.

PRIDEFEST PARADE 9 a.m.

Don’t miss the biggest celebration in town! Featuring groups from throughout Denver’s thriving queer community, the Coors Light PrideFest Parade commemorates the start of the LGBTQ civil rights movement in the U.S. Get out and support your community! Free event.

For more information visit GLBTColorado.org/PrideFest

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SEXSHO Ryan Howe

talk music, Denver Pride, & Relationships

The SEXSHOOTERS, a London-based DJ duo, are invading Denver for Pride and bringing with them some upbeat, uplifting music and a lot of muscle.

Since forming in 2013, David Hart and Claudio Girardi have been touring around the world and making some of the best queer parties around the globe dance their sexy asses off.

The duo are returning for their second consecutive Denver Pride. We chatted with the pair about music, performing, and dating.

How did the SEXSHOOTERS come to be?

David Claudio is the talker so I’ll let him take charge here.

Claudio We came together when we met three years ago at David’s club night called Gigilo, and not long after we started a relationship. It wasn’t long before we figured out we wanted to work together and spend as much time together as possible, so we thought since we were already in the nightclub industry, we could start performing as DJs. We’ve been performing as the SEXSHOOTERS, and it’s been a great adventure ever since. At first, we were blessed to have Gigolo give us a platform to perform, and we toured internationally with them, learning the trade as we went. So that was really fortuitous to have. However, obviously it does take a bit of time to get your name out there and there is a shit-ton of shade floating out there.

D We get plenty of it on a daily basis, but it’s okay. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and you just continue doing what you love. Just soldier on.

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Why were people so shady?

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

photographer and I was an actor and director, so I think people got used to us in that way. When we came onto the scene as SEXSHOOTERS, we made ourselves the brand as opposed to our work. For both of us, our brand is the most important and it has to be a reflection of how we live and the things we love. But the transition of people seeing that in photos to seeing it all on us made people a bit skeptical about whether there was any talent involved, or whether we were trying to get by with just some pretty faces.

What can we expect from the show?

C I suppose before we got together, David was a

D But the reality is that you do work hard and you do have to learn and grow, none of which was easy. You make the most with what you have.

C The hardest part was the pressure we put on ourselves to achieve and to succeed. We didn’t have anybody mentor us. The only thing we had was a bit of knowledge and the internet. We put a load of pressure on ourselves to bring something exciting and new. That came with a lot of arguments and slapping and hair pulling, but a lot of laughter as well. But no matter how bad it got, we always come back to the same thing: We did this to be together and to enjoy working, being, living, traveling, and sharing this life together. We are doing what we love. When we kept coming back to that idea, and putting our focus on the music and what we share with our audiences, then we could overcome all of the challenges.

If you guys do everything together, how do you keep from k illing each other?

D We really rely and depend on each other.

C Pretty much from the beginning we’ve been inseparable. We met on a Wednesday and I moved in on the following Tuesday. We’ve been attached at the hip since then. But I think it is what we both need in a relationship. We need to be with [one another] as much as possible; we thrive off each other. It’s not normal, but we aren’t normal — we’re happy.

Are you excited to play in the Mile High City?

C Oh yeah! We actually booked our trip to stay a

few extra days in Denver to have a look around and

C Really what it comes down to is not the ‘show,’ because visually, we are just two guys standing behind a DJ booth doing our thing. But we love engaging with the audience; we are very energetic, and we really want everyone to have just a great time.

D Our music has to build and drive. It has to excite people. It’s sexual, fun, and uplifting, and it keeps people going.

C That’s what we want. We want to keep people going and going and going and going and going. Which just makes it impossible to leave the dance floor.

What are some of the best reactions from people who’ve seen you perform?

C It depends on the event, really. If we don’t have to fly out somewhere for another show, we like to get out and interact with the crowd. Sometimes it’s not possible because we have to be in and out.

D It’s a fine balance because when we are in the club we are working. We don’t have the opportunity to let our hair down and party — we provide the party.

We do love meeting people and engaging with the audience and fans.

C Honestly, how open can we be? Because we get a lot of cock shots. And some ass shots. We go back to the hotel and there will be a lot of messages from people. There’s a compliment there with a bit of subtle pornography. Who doesn’t love that?

Finally, what is a SEXSHOOTER? C What is a SEXSHOOTER? David?

D There are a few different ways to look at that, really. In music, it is delivering sexy, uplifting music. As far as a persona, it’s someone who knows themselves, isn’t shy or embarrassed to have a good time, someone who is sexy and isn’t scared of their sexual side, and someone who takes risks and is adventurous.

C That’s a SEXSHOOTER.

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For more information on the show and tickets, visit MileHighPartyWeekend.com.

BOOTS N’ BOXERS ’17 Photos by Charles Broshous

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Yvonne Wright

The L Word KE A M S N A I B S LE E D I R P N O K THEIR MAR This is the 23rd year that Carmen Mireles has helped open Denver’s Pride parade. Lesbians on motorcycles have ushered in Pride since 1976, when Dykes on Bikes were placed at the front of San Francisco’s parade.

Mireles, who is not a member of any group, describes her first experiences riding in Denver’s parade as very different.

“When I was 22, there weren’t very many bikes and it was mostly men, actually, trying to fill up the spots.” While Dykes on Bikes originally coordinated the ride, Mireles says it’s “just evolved into the lesbian community. There’s so many different groups of riders; everybody just shows up and we ride together.”

Working together is something lesbians know a lot about.

Historically, Pride celebrations have been seen as male dominated. Not anymore. This year we see women everywhere — from headliner Jennifer Holliday to the annual Dyke March that creator Jenn Vaught said has grown from 300 participants eight years ago to an anticipated 1,500 this year.

“The Dyke March was created to break away from the typical PrideFest form, which is viewed or perceived to be very male-centric or geared toward only a handful of people in the community,” said Vaught, a 32-year-old Denver native.

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The rally culminates at the main stage of the Civic Center Park on Saturday, June 17. Participants will line up at Blush & Blu, a lesbian-owned bar dubbed Denver’s “lesbian Cheers.”

“This year, we are building the Dyke march in a new light with the support of The Center and PrideFest committee, but as our own event,” Vaught said.

“Women have stepped up. More women have bought bars [and] they are footing the floats.” Mireles said this is in sharp contrast to when she began coming to Denver’s Pride years ago.

“Women are pretty much running everything now,” she adds with a giggle. She said she used to keep her kids away from Pride because it was so sexualized. “With women it’s become more family oriented. The way it should be.”

It’s also become more inclusive. Denver is using the same theme as this year’s World Pride: ¡Viva La Vida! – a Spanish saying that loosely translates into living life the way you want.

DJ Tatiana, who is performing at World Pride in Madrid, has worked with Denver Pride for more than ten years. Not only as a PrideFest board member, but as a dance stage manager and performer. “I believe our lesbian and Latin communities have

not only grown in size in Colorado, but you can see in events and social gatherings how inclusivity has increased,” she said.

Tatiana believes this increase is partly due to “the vast access to social media and LGBTQ specific applications.”

Overall, women are taking on more significant roles. Leading up to Pride, the Anti-Defamation League has tapped a woman to be its keynote speaker. The granddaughter of the founder of the Westboro Baptist Church is speaking about the anti-gay sentiment that church spreads and what can be done to stop it. The Denver Women’s Chorus will perform a tribute to what they call “the fierce and fearless women of country music.”

And Carol, an Academy Awards nominated film about a lesbian relationship in the 1950s, will be shown by the Denver Film Society.

More women mean more business. This year at least four parties are catering to lesbians, three in one night. Friday, June 16th will see the largest dance party at Tracks. 1,500 women are expected there. Vaught/Onyx Steele will be performing the same night with comedian Debbie Scheer at Blush & Blu. And DJ Tatiana will be providing some Latin flavor with her performance at Lipstick Nightclub’s party. Saturday, June 17th, Bar Standard is hosting Girl Pride. Both DJ Tatiana and Onyx Steele will be performing at this self-described Art Decothemed, modern-day speakeasy.

Historically, lesbians close Pride down Sunday night on the rooftop of Club Vinyl. This is where the official Pride Fest after party is held after the parade. DJ Tatiana will also perform here – where all members from the LGBTQ community gather. “I always look forward to Pride because it is a weekend in which most of us put our phones down, interact with each other, and flaunt our pride and good vibes,” Tatiana said.

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PAUL BINDEL

AB SOTO INVITES DENVER QUEERS TO BE “GAYER, PROUDER, OUTER” AB Soto is crushing hard on Harvey Milk. You might remember his sequins and feathers from 2015’s Mr Soto, an album that reveled in camp and whose music video “Cha Cha Bitch” explored iconic Mexican and Mexican American looks from vaquero to charro to Aztec.

Visibility, Part 1, AB’s latest album, which dropped in late May, is still rooted in Latino experience and Spanish language (“Desnudate” may literally have you taking off your clothes on the dance floor), but the album’s also informed by a strong dose of gay liberation. “Every gay person must come out,” Milk demands in the opening track, and his speeches are threaded throughout, mixed in with a dance beat.

Why is the fierce, playful, East-LA-born performer drawn to the first openly gay political leader? “Growing up, I didn’t have any role models on TV or around me,” AB explained.

“We’re a little bit more on TV, a little bit more in society, but are we becoming more visible, or are people more comfortable? We need to be gayer, prouder, outer. Put your phones down, go out to the clubs, go out to Pride.”

In fact, Denverites will have the chance to be “gayer, prouder, outer” on Sunday, June 17, when AB Soto performs at PrideFest, his first appearance in the Mile High City. OUT FRONT spoke with him more about his new album, his muses, his politics, and his upcoming show.

IF YOU WERE STRANDED WITH QUEER HEROES ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHO WOULD YOU PICK? In a perfect world, I would probably pick Harvey Milk, Pedro Zamora, Tom of Finland, Sylvester, Leigh Bowery— artists from the past whom I could sit down with and pick their brain and whom I could just dance with.

“As I came out and owned my queerness, I started researching gay history. I was always fascinated with the Castro era, Harvey Milk, the Cockettes, the AIDS epidemic.

Harvey Milk was one of the first people that I connected with.

I felt that he was for the people, that he was a hero to me.”

WHAT LOOKS CAN DENVER EXPECT FROM YOU AT PRIDEFEST? They can expect ALL the looks. There’s a lot of costume changes. It’s going to be a full set. I’ll be doing all my hits and some new music. It’ll be a good show.

And AB’s call for visibility seems all the more relevant now. The sparkles from Obergefell v. Hodges seem to have dimmed as states chip away at civil liberties, proposing 131 anti-LGBT laws in 2017 alone. “It’s almost kinda scary,” AB Soto noted, “that some of the speeches that Harvey gave are the same speeches that could be given right now.

Homophobia is reversing. It’s no time to get comfortable.”

WHO ARE THE SONGS ON VISIBILITY, PART 1 FOR? It’s for the gay community, and it has something for everyone. A lot of older people will appreciate and identify with the Harvey Milk threads. The Latin community will definitely embrace it. I make music that feels authentic to me. I think that when you do stuff that you love, other people are bound to love it.

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YOUR ALBUMS ENGAGE WITH LATINO EXPERIENCE. HOW DO QUEER IDENTITIES AND LATINO IDENTITIES INTERSEC T FOR YOU? What I like to do with my music is go into these genres of music that aren’t as gay-accepting. My first album was rap, which I grew up with. My second album was more experimental, club kid, playing around with femininity and pronouns. The last album — Mr. Soto — was me going home and going back to my Latin roots, having a voice within the Latin community, in Latin house, waking up the stereotypes and machismo within Latin culture.

Growing up in East LA, I was always fascinated with

Within the gay Latino community, there’s a lot of discrimination. Even gay brothers and sisters are discriminating against each other. “I’m gay and Latino, but I’m not femme.” What is this about? That’s machismo residue, which is the next fight. Ok, now we’re out and proud, we’re Latino and proud, but machismo needs to be tackled, and the stereotype of what a gay Latino should look like is the next topic.

truth; live in your truth. As long as you’re being authentic,

Some people have the courage to say “I’m gay,” but not that “I’m femme.” Maybe they’ll see me owning my gayness and my Latinidad and that will inspire them.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH A QUEER ALBUM OR ARTIST? I don’t remember having a queer artist experience. I do, however, remember listening to a lot of house music.

One album that comes to mind is Dlite’s Dew Drops in the Garden. Although I think they were straight, they were open in terms of music.

fashion and art. It always called me. I remember buying their album and thinking “What is this?” I didn’t even know how to categorize it at that time. The fashion was so fierce, and their sound was everywhere. That was the first musical experience that affected me.

WHY IS QUEER VISIBILITY IMPORTANT NOW? How is it not important? Whether it’s celebrating your queerness, Latinidad, whatever it is — come out. Speak your truth. I can’t speak that for each individual. Live your the rest will follow.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE WILL TAKE FROM VISIBILITY, PART 1?

People need to remember the fight we started a long time ago and hear these words again. I don’t like to be to preachy about things. But I like to get people thinking.

Someone out there needs encouragement. Maybe you need to come out to your parents. Maybe you need to be reminded to hope. Maybe you need to go out and march.

Maybe you need to come out as a gay artist. Maybe it will help you want to know more about Harvey Milk and open a book. It’s just a way of planting a seed.

That, and I love a good dance beat. I’m a dancer. I love music. I wanted to put together a batch of music that inspires you and make you have fun on the dance floor.

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Ryan Howe

Blow Pony CEPTANCE, OFFERS AC L A N E M O N E H DELIVERS P PARTIES Airick Redwolf is in the business of making people feel comfortable. Everything about him is welcoming; from how he greets strangers with a hug, to his soft spoken voice that dances from behind his giant, ginger beard and tattooed chin, Airick radiates acceptance.

It’s that heavy, 10 letter, three syllable word that inspired Airick to start Blow Pony. Blow Pony is a monthly queer party originating in Portland and slowly making it’s presence known in Denver. Full of music, dancing, performances, and beautiful people, the only requirement to attend is to be 100 percent accepting of everyone.

Acceptance: the action or process of being received as adequate or suitable, typically to be admitted into a group.

It seems simple, especially in a community that has been attacked from all angles. But, we are living in the age of outrage, where we are attacking each other within the community. And segregation is a very real thing among popular nightlife venues.

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“I’ve been fighting this segregation for a while,” Airick said.

Airick, a colorado native, is the self proclaimed originator of the club kid scene here in Denver. Every Wednesday, they would fill “the old Tracks” with people of all shapes and sizes. From bears, to twinks, to lesbians, to trans people, queers would come and dance to an array of music ranging from, punk, to dance, to top 40.

“It was huge to fill up a bar on a Wednesday night in Denver,” Airick said. “When I left Denver, I hoped it would continue, but unfortunately it didn’t. That’s what we are trying to change, and why we brought Blow Pony to Denver.”

Bow Pony threw its first party more than seven years ago, not knowing that it would still be the go-to queer party in Portland nearly a decade later. The mission was simple, create a space where queer people can go, appreciate queer art, and be accepted by everyone in the room.

That mission hasn’t changed, and is strictly enforced. Airick has no problem telling people to leave his party if they stray away from that goal. For example, at one Blow Pony a bachelorette party came in to have a good time. But, when they saw a trans person they walked up to him and said, “are

you one of those women who wants to be a boy?” in a condescending tone. Airick asked them to leave, and they asked for their money back.

“I told them no, but rather I would take the money from their tickets and give it to the person they made feel uncomfortable,” he explained. “They ruined that person’s night, and I had to do whatever I could to make them feel comfortable again.”

Perhaps it’s that compassion that has 600 plus people flooding the doors in Portland each month. But, it could also be the queer artists he books to entertain. Or the cheap price of admission, which has never exceeded $10. Whatever the reason may be, Blow Pony is one hell of a party.

Lucky for us, it’s not just Portland that gets to dance their asses off and celebrate their queerness. Slowly but surely, Blow Pony is solidifying its place here in Denver.

Over the years, it has brought acts like Raja, Katey Red, Zebra Katz, Will Sheridan, Laganja Estranja, and numerous DJs to Denver.

Blow Pony is celebrating Pride with Trade this year, inviting special guests Laila McQueen on Saturday.

“Come out and dance,” Airick said. “Meet new people. Try new things. Be accepting.”

n w o d P I R D T A A O R W O B RAIN

X Bar

Addison Herron-Wheeler X Bar is a staple for Denver LGBTQ folks. Known for its inclusivity towards both the queer and straight communities, X Bar has been around for seven years and has been an important staple of Denver Pride for just as long.

“X Bar is well known for the pink flamingos during pride, and they are everywhere,” explained Cindy Alix, general manager at X Bar. “We also give them away and have the biggest pink flamingo around on our float. We have a very special float this year, so we are looking forward to the parade on June 18.”

The bar boasts nightly specials and drink deals, as well as two dance floors for the weekends and a large patio section. People flock to the bar to dance and get down or just to drink and relax, and many in the LGBTQ community have made it their regular hangout.

“In addition to our weekly events like Karaoke (Tuesdays), Lip Sync (Thursdays), and Latin Night (Fridays in O Lounge) we have had some really fun events, including a Hillary Clinton promotion where America Ferrara and Lena Dunham came to the bar to speak,” she said. “Pride is the most intense and fun weekend of the year because we get to meet so many people from all over the country. Also, my favorite event of the year is Fairytopia, and it is coming up Saturday August 12.”

If you haven’t already, check out X Bar for Pride festivities or just generally to get down with the LGBTQ community.

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Lipstick Nightclub

Addison Herron-Wheeler Lipstick Nightclub, Denver’s resident gay Latinx club, has a lot of great things planned for Pride. With two dancefloors, one that plays top 40 and another that plays Latinx music, it’s also one of the best places in town to have a drink or cut loose.

“For Pride, we have our kickoff on Thursday, the 15th,” Brenden Neeave, who sets up events and manages the bar, said. “We’ll have official after-parties for some of the Latin singers coming to town, as well as some dancers from L.A. On Friday, the 16th, we have a Latino singer coming; on the 17th we have our Pride Party with go-go dancers, and on the 18th we will be opening the bar early, at 4 p.m.”

In addition to the Pride festivities, Lipstick Nightclub is known in the LGBTQ community as one of the bars with the most going on. They stay open until 4 a.m. and host birthday parties and celebrations of all kinds. With two hosts to lead their dual dance floors, Lipstick is booked up almost every night of the week for an event.

“We have different people renting every single week,” Neeave said. “We host several different groups. We have six organizations that do their shows here.”

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

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475 Santa Fe Dr, Denver 7 6 \\ J U N E 0 7 , 2 0 1 7

R&R Bar

Addison Herron-Wheeler Denver’s oldest gay bar, R&R Bar is a Denver staple. Nestled snugly on Colfax, R&R Bar was a cozy and becoming hole-in-the-wall before dive bars and the grimy charm of Colfax were hip. While unassuming and small, R&R Bar proudly serves the LGBTQ community and is going to be participating in Pride again this year.

“We open the Sunday of Pride Week at 7:30 a.m.,” explained Rich Illgen, owner of the bar. “We do complimentary breakfast burritos before the parade, so that’s always a big thing, and people get a couple of cocktails in ‘em before the festivities start.”

R&R bar is fun, friendly, and “not cliquey,” according to Illgen.

The atmosphere is light-hearted and the clientele is always eclectic. The small space screams acceptance. Think of all those dive bars in the movies where everyone is smiling and a little drunk. They laugh, the play darts, they’ll read you in the most flattering way. The bartenders are nice and often pour with a heavy hand. Oh yeah, the drinks are pretty cheap too.

A Denver must-visit spot for over 50 years, R&R Bar is still going strong and not calling it quits anytime soon.

Hamburger Mary,s

Joseph Soto Hamburger Mary’s, at 1336 E 17th Ave, is, dare I say it, one of the more important cultural institutions in modern Denver history.

Its website begins its introduction in such fashion, stating, “Hamburger Mary’s is an open-air bar & grille for open-minded people…” When I brought up the fact to some people in my family and group of friends and colleagues that Hamburger Mary’s was indeed one of many franchises across the country, they did not believe me, which I believe lends itself to how well this specific Hamburger Mary’s has been able to ingrain itself into the very specific and very niche culture of modern Denverites. I am a fan of Hamburger Mary’s and have been for some time.

For me, food and culture blend well at Hamburger Mary’s, and the chill nature was one of the first exposures to queer culture some of my friends ever had, which I believe made it easier for them to accept me coming out years later. Many of their events are centered around drag competitions and feature elements of drag culture. These were some of the first times I was ever exposed to that community, and I am grateful for that. Those events take place most prominently at Bingo on Mondays at 8 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. They also have a scrumptious mimosa brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

During PrideFest, Hamburger Mary’s will be continuing its calendar of regularly-scheduled events, so stop by for a delicious mimosa brunch over the weekend!

Tracks

Joseph Soto Tracks Nightclub is a haven for LGBTQ people and allies, bottom line.

Tracks continually delivers fun themed nights, great music, and some of the best drag queens Denver has to offer on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, usually starting at 9 p.m. The establishment and the event space next door have cemented Track’s legacy as a premiere cultural center for LGBTQ and drag culture in the Denver community.

For young people, Tracks is a place to go for a fun time in a relatively safe space, and it has been providing that kind of atmosphere for nearly 40 years. The pride Tracks has for its place in the Denver community is evident from how it tells its history on its website,.

“It all started in 1980 on Fox St. Tracks opened as an after-hours bar, serving no alcohol. After that, a full service nightclub was followed by one in Washington, D.C., Tampa, and NYC, but alas, they’re all gone now. Condos and office buildings stand where we once partied the night away. All that remains is our pride and joy Tracks Denver and we’re confident it lives up to its predecessors.”

It has lived up to its predecessors and then some.

Charlie,s Nightclub

Sarah Farbman Once, during a wistful phone conversation a few months before I moved to Denver, my Nashville-native, long-distance girlfriend told me something crazy: she had found a gay country bar in Denver. This lead me to wonder: what goes on in Denver, and how soon can I get there?

It wasn’t until several months later, when I had finally moved to colorful Colorado, that I found myself at Charlie’s Nightclub.

Warm, slightly damp air hit me as soon as I walked in, followed by a blast of music. A bouncer took my five dollars, and a ripped, topless dude in a cowboy hat handed me a shot in a test tube. It’s always a party at Charlie’s. With its mythical two-step lessons early in the evening (though I cannot personally attest that these actually happen…), go-go boys, cheap sloshy beer, and an entire room for its frequent drag shows, this staple of the Denver gay scene has something for everyone.

But more than the drag queens, the sassy MCs, and the ready presence of some bananas bulging out of their hammocks (tbh,

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dick’s not really my thing, but if it’s yours, this could be one of Charlie’s best features…), the thing that partygoers seem to like best about Charlie’s is its attitude. And trust me, there is plenty.

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

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

Blush & Blu

Sarah Farbman A black facade with two simple stripes and a black awning, the Colfax storefront of Blush & Blu is unassuming. I managed to walk by it about a million times before I ever paid attention to it. But inside is an unbeatable vibe: think coffee shop/bar/pool hall/open mic/over all good time.

This local hub, proudly owned and operated by lesbians, thank you very much, boasts a bar downstairs and a lounge upstairs, complete with books and coziness. The downstairs is ideal for the casual partier, while the upstairs is perfect for those who want to be part of the crowd but not actually have to talk to anyone. A recent expansion also added on a room with a small stage, perfect for the occasional weeknight open-mics.

I asked Blush and Blu enthusiast Danny Henningsen what makes the place so special. He said that it’s “a local watering hole,” where people know regulars’ names and care about their stories. Henningsen shared with me his favorite Blush memory. He had gone one night after some difficult events in his personal life. None of the bartenders that he knows where there, but the owner was. When she saw him looking blue, she told the bartender to give him anything he wanted. For Henningsen, that story exemplifies the community atmosphere that he loves about Blush. He also mentioned that, amidst the recent explosion of the Denver gay scene, he hopes that this tried-and-true won’t change.

Head over to Blush & Blu if you like coffee, coffee drinks, pool, books, and a cozy (but still crazy) vibe.

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Trade

Ryan Howe Located on Sante Fe Avenue and West 5th Street, Trade has done more than just survive its first year in Denver — it has thrived.

Opening in April of 2016, Trade quickly made a name for itself as the Levi’s and Leather bar in town, making it a go-to spot for queer nightlife in Denver. Hosting popular weekly events that range from fetish to hilarious, it’s providing a space beyond the niche that caters to a wide net of Denver’s queers. And it’s doing it with open arms, thanks to some of the most personal bartenders the city has to offer and its dedicated owners Ray Hurtado and Chris Newell.

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

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

The party at Trade starts on Thursday when they host their weekly Skivvy Strip Down, an underwear night. Throughout the weekend they host rotating themed nights on both Friday and Saturday night. The themes include Hanky Code, Rough Play, and Harness Happy Hour. One Saturday a month they partner with the queer dance party Blow Pony, which brings queer artists to Denver from all over the nation.

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

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

The Wrangler

Ryan Howe Last year, not long after its epic Pride Beer Bust, The Wrangler strapped up its boots and headed north out of the Uptown Neighborhood and into the RiNo District. Now comfortably nestled on the corner of Downing Street and 31st, the Wrangler boasts three full floors of a fun, sexy time.

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

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

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

Get ready for another huge Beer Bust this Pride with special guest Cazwell.

Li,l Devils

Addison Herron-Wheeler Nestled snugly on a quiet corner of South Broadway, Li’l Devils may not be the go-to spot for rowdy dancing or wild nightlife, but it offers a welcome, cozy change from the fast pace of most LGBTQ hotspots. This year, Li’l Devils wants to give you a place to relax and reboot with some food and drinks in between Pride festivities.

“We don’t get too, too excited,” stated Tony Fleith, bar owner. “We are going to keep it kind of low-key since we are on South Broadway; we will do a barbeque, some food and drink specials, but as far anything over and out of the ordinary of what we normally do, there isn’t really anything planned. We kind of get the overflow; people hang out, relax, and get away from the crowd here.”

Li’l Devils is used to being the go-to spot for relaxing and taking it easy after or before a long night of dancing.

“We are kind of a neighborhood hangout, a relaxed place where you can have a conversation,” explained Fleith. “We do barbeques Friday and Saturday and have a huge patio.”

This Pride, take a break at Li’l Devils for some grilled food and cheap drinks. Their barbeques will take place Friday, June 16 at 5:00 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m.

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In 1967, the song “Ode to Billie Joe” captured the imagination of the American public. Written and performed by Mississippi native Bobbie Gentry, Ode to Billie Joe posed the question: why did Billie Joe McAllister jump off the Tallahatchie Bridge, a real location in rural Mississippi?

“Ode To Billie Joe” offered unusually strong lyrics for a pop tune. The song is set at the female narrator’s dinner table, where the young girl’s family questions why Billie Joe killed himself as they engage in mundane dinner table conversation: “Billie Joe never had a lick of sense, pass the biscuits, please....”

Listeners never do find out why Billie Joe jumped off the bridge, though Gentry does reveal that the narrator continues to make pilgrimages to the bridge so she can throw flowers off of it into the muddy water below.

“Ode to Billie Joe” stood out as a haunting, almost ghostly, Southern Gothic tale of madness and death. The song rose to #1 on the pop charts and garnered several Grammy Awards for Gentry, who was then 23 years old.

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Ten years later,“Ode To Billie Joe” was adapted as a film. Robby Benson, then a teen idol, starred as Billy Joe McAllister (the spelling of the character’s first name was changed to the more traditional “Billy” for the film). Glynnis O’Connor, at the time Benson’s girlfriend, was cast as Bobbie Lee Hartley, the song’s unnamed narrator. The couple had previously co-starred in Jeremy (1973), a popular teen romance of the era.

When Bobbie Gentry met with screenwriter Herman Raucher, she told him that “Ode to Billie Joe” was based on a true-life incident from her hometown, admitting that she had no idea why Billie Joe had jumped off the bridge. This gave Raucher a great deal of leeway in creating the film’s storyline. What Raucher came up with is a sad, heartfelt reminder of how bad things were for LGBTQ people during the generations which preceded ours.

Ode to Billy Joe was released to theaters on June 4, 1976. The film took viewers back to a sweltering hot Mississippi summer in 1953, where the adorably nerdy Billy Joe is “courting” Bobbie Lee. She feigns disinterest, though it soon becomes apparent that she’s falling for her goofy “gentleman caller.”

Throughout the film, Raucher drops hints of what is to come.

After a night of drunken partying, Billy Joe’s buddies take him to a “house of ill repute.” His friends eagerly dive into the pleasures which the house offers. Billy Joe, by contrast, not only seems disinterested, he appears to be genuinely frightened.

Eventually the audience find out what it is that terrifies him.

“Something bad happened, Bobbie Lee,” he says late one night.

“Something real bad.”

David-Elijah Nahmod

e o J e i l l i B o T Ode IDE A PR LESSON Y R O T HIS

The distraught young man admits that he had spent the night with a man. The following morning, his dead body is found floating in the river beneath the bridge. Ten years after “Ode To Billie Joe” sold millions of records, Gentry’s audience finally found out why Billie Joe McAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge: he was ashamed of being gay.

Bobby Lee kept his secret. As the film draws to a close, she helps to spread a false rumor that she’s pregnant with Billy Joe’s baby — better to be known for the sin of premarital sex than for the gravest sin of all: homosexuality.

Today, Ode to Billy Joe stands as a stark reminder of how far we’ve come. Our battles are far from over: we certainly have our work cut out for ourselves as we stand up to the virulently anti-gay Trump administration.

But the days of the deep shame Billy Joe felt in 1953 Mississippi are indeed behind us. LGBTQ people are very much a part of today’s mainstream pop culture landscape. Openly LGBTQ people are now serving as elected officials across the country. Marriage equality remains the law of the land.

We have fought many long and difficult battles to get from where Billy Joe McAllister was in 1953 to where we are now. No matter what Donald Trump does, we will never have to go back to those days.

And that’s something that each one of us can take a great deal of Pride in.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

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Laila

Denny Patterson

MCQUEEN SET TO SLAY BLOWPONY DURING PRIDE

Serving us Beetlejuice realness, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 8 contestant Laila McQueen will be celebrating Denver Pride on June 16 at Trade during BlowPony, a monthly queer party. Laila is a fun-loving queen who knows how to have a good time. Although she only survived two episodes before sashaying away, she has made an everlasting impression on thousands of fans. OUT FRONT had the pleasure of chatting with her.

WHAT CAN AUDIENCES EXPECT FROM YOU AT YOUR SHOW? They can expect a lot of high energy without choreographed dancing. I love to do throwback songs that are a little more punky or whiny, a little more rock and roll. I love to do tracks that people will always remember, but they don’t necessary remember them until they hear it. So it’s like, “Oh wait, I remember this song!” That’s my favorite kind of energy to have during a drag number.

BLOWPONY AT TRADE IS A PART OF DENVER’S PRIDE WEEKEND. WHAT DOES PRIDE PERSONALLY MEAN TO YOU? When I was younger, I wasn’t necessarily out yet, but every time Pride came around, it would be an opportunity for me to go out and have fun and kind of forget about hiding behind something. Not necessarily going out and being like I’m here, I’m queer, and being crazy about it, but just having fun and forgetting the worries and trouble and struggles and enjoying the moment for what it is and what we are. I still think it’s like that.

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TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF LAILA MCQUEEN. WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR LOVE OF PERFORMING AND DRAG? I always loved doing artsy things, but I was never a theatre kid. I never performed. It absolutely terrified me to be on a stage in front of people, but I always loved the aspect of drag and the artistry of being someone else and changing the way I look. It’s fascinating. I would watch movies and the behind-the-scenes footage on how they would do makeup and special effects. I loved the transformation.

The older I got, the more relevant drag became in my life.

I was like, well shit, what can I lose by trying to perform?

The more practice I did, the more I became comfortable, and the energy and crowd response just felt good.

I think I answered the question. I babble a lot, so just a warning. I may rail off the real questions, but I’ll answer something…

NOTHING WRONG WITH BABBLING! IT’S JUST A PLEASURE TO CHAT WITH YOU. YOU WERE ONE OF MY FAVORITES ON YOUR SEASON OF DRAG RACE. Thank you! You have very low standards.

EH, IT CAN’T BE HELPED. SO I READ THAT MOST OF YOUR DRAG CAREER HAS BEEN SPENT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. IS THAT CORRECT? Yes. I went to a four-year college, an Institute of Art, and I started doing drag. I always dressed up and went out to house parties in drag, but the day I turned 18, I was like, “Alright, I’m getting my state ID, and I’m going to perform at the first bar that I can. The people I performed with lived in New Hampshire, and I told them where I was going to school. So when I got to school, I would do all these competitions and try to work every single night, or at least show up in drag every single night to the point where I was just hired as a regular showgirl.

AND WHEN YOU WERE 19, YOU WERE BANNED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE BECAUSE OF YOUR DRAG? WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT?

Photo // eric magnussen

Yeah, it was during season 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race and Sharon Needles made it very trendy to be spooky. She used fake blood during her performance. I did a duet with this girl from Boston because we were ‘the shocking queens of New Hampshire,’ so we decided to do a silly mix.

We did, like, a duet and songs about people’s p*ssies and periods and Sweet Transvestites. I lip-synced to a Jackie Beat song about Jesus and had a bible in my hand and blood pouring out of my mouth and threw the bible down the runway. I was a baby drag queen so I had a clusterf*ck of an idea happening. Some people were so offended that I had blood and a bible. It was very blasphemous and inappropriate. Two people had to leave the show and they caused quite a ruckus and got us banned.

We’re not welcome back, but we got paid, so whatever.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

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WHEN NOT TOURING AND PERFORMING, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR DOWNTIME? I, unfortunately, begrudgingly watch way too much television. I’m an artist by trade, so I like to draw and sketch and collage things. Make little books. I enjoy hanging out and going out to the bars in Chicago. I watch a lot of movies.

Lately, I don’t have much downtime, thankfully. I like to stay busy.

LET’S GO AHEAD AND CHAT ABOUT DRAG RACE FOR A BIT. HOW HAS THE SHOW CHANGED YOUR LIFE? It’s been a goddamn, f*cking roller coaster.

I am very glad that it happened at a convenient time in my life. I graduated school and immediately got right on the race. So that was very cool. I was a fan of the show, so I had all these preconceived notions on what it would be like. I built up something in my head. I was extremely nervous on how I was going to look and come off on national television to the f*cking world. That was kind of an earth-shattering feeling, but when the show came out, I received an overwhelming amount of love and support and work. Meeting awesome people, seeing fans, traveling – it’s been amazing. If you would have told me two years ago that this would happen, I would have not believed it at all.

WHILE ON THE SHOW, YOUR AESTHETIC WAS EDGY. HAS THAT CHANGED AT ALL? No, it’s just more refined. The thing about Drag Race for almost all the girls is that you get on the show with the drag that you have at the time. A lot of people don’t have the help or resources for really nice things. It’s more about being crafty with what you have. For me, it wasn’t that much.

When you get on the show and it films and airs later, you’ve refined yourself throughout that time, but once the show airs, everyone wants to see you, so you’re working, working, working. You’re then doing big events, so it forces you to step your shit up a bit.

Everyone gets better with their drag after the show and everything happens. I would say I’ve changed immensely. I feel like I have a better grasp of my character and am exploring different styles.

ARE THERE ANY PREVIOUS DRAG RACE QUEENS WHO YOU ARE VERY CLOSE WITH? I am good friends with Detox. I very much loved her drag even before she got on the show. She’s been very

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helpful to me by offering advice and just her overall general demeanor. The way she holds herself, her confidence and professionalism. She’s one of the most well-rounded, well-realized queens who has been through a lot and still has a lot more to show. I very much admire her.

NOW, I MUST ASK THIS QUESTION. JUST HOW SHOCKED WERE YOU WHEN RUPAUL ELIMINATED BOTH YOU AND DAX? I MEAN, THIS WAS ONLY THE SECOND DOUBLE ELIMINATION IN DRAG RACE HERSTORY. Well, you may be shocked to hear this, but believe it or not, I really wasn’t thrilled about it. I knew I didn’t do that great in the lip-sync. I was basically having a panic attack while doing it because I had just lip-synced a couple days before and I was like, ‘oh my god, I wasn’t expecting to be in the bottom then either.’ So I was already in the hot seat and kind of sweating, and when he said we were both going home, I was like, shit, that sucks, but what the hell can I do about that right now.

It sucked, it was very shocking. I didn’t want to dwell on it at that moment. I tried, and I guess all I can really do is laugh at myself and move on.

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE YOU MOVED ON TO SO MUCH MORE! More than I expected to do! When you get on Drag Race, it’s a lot. It’s a stressful competition. It really is a race, but the real race starts after the show airs because now we’re all trying to get work. We’re not trying to win a crown. We’re trying to stay relevant among the 114 of us now.

ANY THOUGHTS ON THE CURRENT SEASON? I love it. It’s so weird to watch because it’s a new set of girls and we’ve experienced filming and behind the scenes. I knew a lot of the girls prior to the show, so it’s fun to see what they do and bring. I’m not focused on the drama because I know they’re all friends. It’s just fun to see cool people do cool things.

WHAT’S THE NEXT BIG THING FOR LAILA MCQUEEN? Well, I’m trying hard to do more things with my artwork and trying, not to rebrand myself, but to branch out and do more design work. I have always wanted to travel the world. I’m not going to release an album; I don’t dance, but I’m always down to create new visual pieces. And I will be booked anywhere I am asked. I am doing my first Australian tour in June.

That’s something I didn’t think would ever happen.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

// 8 9

Pride is an exciting time of year for LGBTQ-identifying people and allies, but sometimes due to the nature of Pride, certain groups can end up feeling left out.

Pride is very openly all about ‘gayness,’ highlighting gay men especially. Queers have been critical, saying that the festivals have become too corporate and that it’s strayed too far from its roots. It’s not uncommon for trans individuals who identify as straight, nonbinary individuals, and pansexual or bisexual people to end up feeling like they don’t quite fit in.

This year, PAVES (Polysexual Alliance for Visibility, Education, and Support) have staked a claim to PrideFest to make sure that bisexual, pansexual, and polysexual people are represented at Pride.

These individuals may show up at Pride with a significant other of the opposite sex, giving the impression that they are just straight allies. They may choose to celebrate Pride in a different way than their gay or lesbian peers, but this doesn’t mean that they are any less entitled to the celebration.

“I attended my first Pride about three years ago and there wasn’t a single bi+ flag, float, or booth,” Codi Coday, President of PAVES, explained. “We asked a t-shirt vendor if he had any bi+ gear and he actually cussed at us! It was upsetting to be told you are a part of the LGBTQ community, but not be represented anywhere. It felt like LGBTQ Pride was for everyone except bisexuals.”

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Pride

Addison Herron-Wheeler

S L A U BpIuSshEfoXr T PRIDEFEST rp esencAe

Because of this, PAVES decided to make a bi pride float for 2016 Pride. Although they had little to no experience with float making or being an official part of PRIDE, they ended up with community support and 30 individuals who were willing to march with the float.

“The reception from the community was fantastic, and it was so nice to see young bi+ people see themselves represented,” dCoday added. “You could see their eyes light up from the float.

The float was a lot of work, but their reactions absolutely made it worth every bit of work.”

This year, the group plans to have an even larger float for bisexual Pride and more people marching alongside of them.

They will also have a booth representing bisexuals and giving exposure to the LGBTQ community. The booth will be there on both June 17 and 18 at Civic Center Park. They are also planning a Bi+ Pride and Visibility event, which will take place September 23.

Throughout their quest to make Pride more inclusive for bisexual people and others who identify outside of the L and the G, Coday and her colleagues have discovered that bi individuals make up a big part of the community but are still incredibly underrepresented.

“In the process, we learned that bisexuals actually are the majority, 52 percent, of the LGB community,” she explained.

“But biphobia and bi+ erasure are huge problems in the LGBTQ community. Out of the passionate volunteers for Pride, PAVES arose. We aim to increase visibility, education, and support for bi+ people and improve their lives.”

Despite all the efforts of organizations like PAVES, bi people still often feel underrepresented or left out at gay events. This year, stop by the PAVES booth or look for their float and show some love to your bi+ friends, neighbors, and allies.

For more information on how to get involved with PAVES, follow them on Twitter at @PAVESnonprofit.

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// 9 1

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When one thinks of Pride celebrations in Denver, pink flamingos, rainbows, glitter, and scantily-clad people on floats probably come to mind. Even though Pride is definitely about celebrating all kinds of people and lifestyles, the flashiest, most flamboyant parts of the celebration often get the most attention. But people all across Denver will be celebrating Pride weekend, even those in unexpected spots.

“On Pride Weekend, the Hi-Dive has its regularly scheduled programming of acceptance and love for all people that we practice 365 days a year and 366 days on leap years,” explained Curtis Wallach, who takes care of press and events for Hi-Dive bar. “We will also be hosting a kick-ass heavy metal fest. Come as you are and let’s party.”

Hi-Dive is a beloved dive bar in the hip South Broadway neighborhood, known for its cheap drinks, grimy rock shows,

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Pride

Addison Herron-Wheeler

C I R T C E e h L E t E t D I a PR T S E F L A R E FUN

and unassuming appeal. It is not known for being a queer bar or an LGBTQ hangout. However, as this generation’s increasingly inclusive and connected community is showing, that doesn’t always matter when it comes to having a good time.

Pride is a party, and Hi-Dive knows how to throw a party.

During Pride, Hi-Die will host the Electric Funeral Fest, a doom metal music festival that takes place every summer around the same time as Pride. Doom is a slow, heavy brand of metal conducive to cannabis-toking and general low-key partying.

Think Black Sabbath-inspired sounds.

The fest features big-name headliners as well as local openers and proves to be an awesome time for local metal fans and those who travel from out of town. This year, it happens to fall on the same weekend as Pride, and the local metal scene is stoked about the crossover.

“DUST Presents fully supports the LGBTQ community,” stated Mike, one of the guys that sets up the fest. “Our events are a welcoming space for anyone that wants to enjoy heavy music, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation. Art and music are all about people being who they want to be and creating beautiful things for themselves and others to enjoy. I hope we attract some of the LGBTQ community to Electric Funeral Fest to come and rock out.”

The fest is taking place at both Hi-Dive and 3 Kings on Broadway, and will be a two-day affair. More than likely, lots of rainbows and glitter will intermingle with studs, spikes, and black t-shirts, and the results will be truly glorious.

The folks over at Trve Brewing, the metal-themed brewery located on South Broadway, completely agree.

“We’re gonna do what we always do to support any human being: not judge ‘em and serve ‘em a beer,” explained Nick Nunns, one of the owners of Trve, when asked about the brewery’s plans for Pride weekend.

Pride is a great time to go out, cut loose, and party, and it’s also a great time to try something new and go outside your comfort zone.

Whether that means going to a queer dance party surrounded by fam or checking out your first-ever decibel-shattering metal show, make sure to get weird and have fun this Pride.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

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