Oct. 15 :: Halloween by OUT FRONT Magazine

TRI CK O R TREAT! IT’S

OCTOBER 15, 2014 OUTFRONTONLINE.COM FREE

BATTLE AT THE BALLOT: LGBT EDITION • THE TERROR BEHIND AMENDMENT 67 • BLUCIFER’S DARK PAST

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9 0 0 E C O L F A X AV E . D E N V E R , C O 8 0 2 1 8 ( 3 0 3 ) 8 3 9 - 8 8 9 0 O u t f ro n to n l i n e . co m

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CONTENTS

VOLUME 38

ISSUE 14

OCTOBER 15, 2014 On the Cover: Pictorial by Jay Diers jaededartstudios.com Model: James Suzuki Costume: Disguises disguisescostumes.com See more on Page 38 10

Battle at the Ballot

Amendment 67: A “no” vote helps lGBT families, too

Too Close for Comfort: neck-and-neck election races in Colorado

udall vs. Gardner on lGBT Rights: A Stark Contrast

A Presence in Pueblo: Daneya Esgar

Out front and Center: Stand up and Be Counted

Bleed like me: The naked Pumpkin Run

The lesbian Socialite: Empathy and Celebrity Deaths

An Ounce of Prevention: Screening for Breast Cancer

The Trade Off: Training for a marathon

Photos: The Out front Power Party

legal Directory

Calendar

Trick or Treat! The Halloween Special

En Garde: A Pictorial by Jay Diers

Photo: Charles Broshous

40 You Say Potato, i Say Problematic

8 Marriage Equality Comes to Colorado Stay tuned for Out front’s complete coverage of this new development, on stands nov 5. The views expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect the opinions of all Out Front employees, associates, or advertisers. (Just the ones who believe in inalienable rights for all Americans.) 4

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Cuisine: let Them linger

Theater: The unsinkable molly Brown

film: Annabelle

Travel: Driving into fall

marketplace

Bar Tab

Sexpert: Dining in

HeinzeSight: fifty Shades of Cheating

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Serving the LGBT Community of the Rocky Mountains since 1976 3535 Walnut Street, Denver, Colorado 80205 Phone: 303-477-4000 • Fax: 303-325-2642 Web: OutFrontOnline.com Facebook: facebook.com/OutFrontColorado Twitter: @OutFrontCO • Instagram: /OutFrontColorado Out Front is published by Q Publishing, Ltd., a Colorado corporation and is a member of: Denver Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and Denver Drama Critics Circle. FOUNDER Phil Price, 1954-1993 ADMINISTRATION info@outfrontonline.com Jerry Cunningham, Publisher J.C. McDonald, Vice President Lis Porreco, Operations Manager Jeff Jackson Swaim, Chief Strategist EDITORIAL editorial@outfrontonline.com BERLIN SYLVESTRE, Editor MIKE YOST, Senior Contributor ROB BARGER, Digital Content Manager BOBBY CREW, Editorial Intern Contributing Writers Lauren Archuletta, Mindy Barton, Rex Fuller, O’Brian Gunn, Kyle Harris, Brent Heinze, Noah L. Jordan, Shanna Katz, Kelsey Lindsey, Scott McGlothlen, Amanda Moutinho, Tiffany Reed, Robyn Vie Carpenter-Brisco, and Nuclia Waste MARKETING & SALES marketing@outfrontonline.com jordan jacobs, Senior Marketing Executive DUSTIN KRIER, Marketing Executive TOPHER LA FLEUR, Marketing Executive JAY DUQUE, Marketing & Events Coordinator National Advertising Rivendell Media / 212-242-6863 • sales@rivendellmedia.com

ART art@outfrontonline.com COLBY BRUMIT, Art Director CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Laura Baccus, Charles Broshous, Chad Chisholm, Jay Diers, Christina Gressianu, Nikki Kushner, Hans Rosemond, and Evan Semón DISTRIBUTION Out Front’s print publication is available semi-monthly, free of charge in Colorado, one copy per person. Additional copies of Out Front may be purchased for $3.95 each, payable in advance at Out Front offices located at 3535 Walnut Street, Denver CO, 80205. Out Front is delivered only to authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of Out Front, take more than one copy of Out Front. Any person who takes more than one copy may be held liable for theft, including but not limited to civil damages and or criminal prosecution.

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

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Marriage Equality Comes to Colorado Supreme Court move brings triumph — and many questions Rob Barger e Last week, The Supreme Court of the United States made the decision not to decide on any of the same-sex marriage cases brought before them. What seemed like a benign announcement actually meant that the lower courts’ rulings in place on each case would become the default decision. As a result, every same-sex marriage case ruled in favor of the abolishment of discriminatory same-sex marriage bans. The cases in question came from the 4th, 7th, and 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, with Indiana, Oklahoma, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Utah receiving marriage equality immediately, and Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Kansas, and Wyoming close behind with few legal obstacles remaining until they also received same-sex marriage. The controlling precedent in each of these Circuit Courts will now be the unconstitutionality of same-sex marriage bans. Colorado was the first state to remove these legal obstacles, and embrace marriage equality. Colorado’s legal obstacles were actually the stays issued after Boulder, Denver, and Pueblo counties began issuing same-sex marriage licenses this summer. These summer issuances were possible due to the Utahn marriage equality case that was held in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Colorado, also under the jurisdiction of the 10th Circuit Court, was also subject to the outcome of the Utahn case.

The court ruled the Utahn same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional, which had far-reaching consequences for all states within the 10th Circuit. Though there was a stay issued on the case, rendering the ruling ineffective until review from higher court, Boulder County Clerk Hillary Hall began issuing same-sex marriage licenses which further emboldened County Clerks from Denver and Pueblo counties to issue same-sex marriage licenses of their own. This revelation was battled by Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, who feared the issuing of these licenses without solid legal basis would create more trouble than expected. In fact, Suthers argued that these marriage licenses might not be valid, even after same-sex marriage became legal in Colorado, and issued the stays on the counties to prevent confusion. The SCOTUS decision not to decide on same-sex marriage meant the 10th Circuit Court decision was the valid ruling on marriage equality, effecting Colorado, Kansas, and Wyoming directly — the states’ same-sex marriage bans were unconstitutional. After the SCOTUS decision, Suthers quickly changed his tune and began working aggressively for a quick legalization of same-sex marriage in Colorado. At that point in time, all that remained preventing Colorado marriage equality were the stays issued. An emergency injunction had been filed, with the sole purpose of dissolving the stays, which

was approved by Colorado’s Supreme Court early in the day on Oct. 7. “Beginning today, Colorado’s 64 county clerks are legally required to issue licenses to samesex couples who request them. In addition, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is required to register such marriages in the records of the State of Colorado,” Suthers said after the injunction’s approval. Denver’s first same-sex married couple, Vicky Pierce and Nikki Holmlund, tied the knot that day. See their short and sweet interview with Out Front at ofcnow.co/zRs At the time this issue went to print, the only states to officially legalize same-sex marriage that are presided by the 10th Circuit were Colorado and Nevada. That’s not to say that it won’t happen, because it will; it simply means that each state has more legal obstacles in place than Colorado and Nevada. 

It’s about damn time. 8

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Stay tuned while Out Front delves into the mechanics that made this happen, and how it could happen for other states in our next issue, premiering Nov. 5.

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Love Wins in Colorado Why Marriage Matters Colorado hosted a victory celebration in front of the Byron White Federal Courthouse on Oct. 8. The gathering celebrated same-sex marriages being legalized in Colorado as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to deny review or several pending gay marriage cases. Featured speakers included Governor John Hickenlooper, Senator Mark Udall, and One Colorado Executive Director Dave Montez. All 64 counties in Colorado are now issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

See more photos at outfrontonline.com | Photos by Charles Broshous

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BATTLE AT THE BALLOT Friends, countrymen, lend me your ears. Before you place a check next to their box, get to know the candidates a little better. Do they have your back … do they care about your rights ... are they friend or foe to the LGBT population in Colorado? We’ve done a bit of digging and found some pretty interesting items you might want to consider if you value your rights as a member of this community. Now, to the booth with you! Mike Yost

The Scuffle for Senate Mark Udall • Supports full marriage equality. • Co-sponsored the Employment NonDiscrimination Act. • “Gay or straight, couples want to get married for the same reasons — to make lifetime commitments to love and care for each other and their families. Our laws should not discriminate against any couple that wishes to make those commitments, regardless of whom they love.” – Udall’s website.

Cory Gardner • Does not support full marriage equality. • Voted Against Allowing State Employees To Add Domestic Partners To Their Health Insurance. • Voted Against Bill To Allow Adoption By Gay Couples. • Opposed the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” • Doesn’t support the Employment NonDiscrimination Act.

The Clash for Colorado Attorney General Don Quick • Will NOT defend gay marriage amendment ban

The Grapple for Governor John Hickenlooper • Signed Civil Unions Act into law. • Supports the rights for gays and lesbians to get married in Colorado. • “We have advocated for equal rights for all Coloradans and we will continue to advocate for equal rights for all Coloradans. Last year, Colorado took a historic step forward when we passed bipartisan legislation recognizing civil unions. If all men and women truly have the inalienable right to pursue happiness, and if all people are created equal, then by extension of law, logic, and love, every adult couple should also have the freedom to join in marriage.” Bob Beauprez • Supported Amendment 43 (the same-sex marriage ban) in 2006. • Opposed Referendum I (which made domestic partnerships illegal for gays and lesbians) in 2006. • “I’m with our Constitution. The people of Colorado spoke repeatedly in the law of Colorado that marriage is between a man and a woman. I think we’ve made a wise step with civil unions, and I support that. I’m very much in favor of equal civil rights for all our citizens, but that’s very different than as we define marriage in Colorado. The distinction that needs to be drawn here is, whether you like it or don’t like it, it is the Constitution.”

Cynthia Coffman • Will defend gay marriage amendment ban

One Colorado wanted in on the action to referee the: Dustups by the District Senate District 5 in Western Slope Kerry Donovan (D) (pro-LGBT) Don Suppes (R)

House District 59 in Durango Mike McLachlan (D) (pro-LGBT) J. Paul Brown (R) LGBT Candidates

Senate District 11 in Colorado Springs Michael Merrifield (D) (pro-LGBT) Bernie Herpin (R)

Senate District 34 Lucia Guzman (LGBT) Stuart Siffring

Senate District 16 Jeanne Nicholson (D) (pro-LGBT) Tim Neville (R) (RMGO)

House District 9 Paul Rosenthal (LGBT) Celeste R. Gamache

Senate District 22 Andy Kerr (D) (pro-LGBT) Tony Sanchez (R) (RMGO)

House District 32 Dominick Moreno (LGBT) Edgar Antillon

House District 3 Daniel Kagan (D) (pro-LGBT) Candice Benge (R)

House District 46 Daneya Esgar (LGBT) Brian Mater

House Distrcit 33 in Broomfield Dianne Primavera (D) (pro-LGBT) Marijo Tinlin (R)

House District 52 Joann Ginal (LGBT) Donna Walter

*information compiled from the state of Colorado’s voting records 10

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BATTlE AT THE BAllOT

Amendment 67: A “no” vote helps LGBT families, too. Some same-sex couples rely on in vitro fertilization to start their families, but opponents of Amendment 67 warn that the far-reaching measure on the ballot this November will put those families at risk. mike Yost “it waS aMaZing,” SayS anDie LyonS, reflecting on the day she and her wife, Laurie Lynch, discovered they were having a child. “I think the real moment for both of us was when we went in at seven weeks for a very early ultrasound and saw the baby. All of the tears and the sadness and the struggle finally resulted in what we’ve been dreaming about for years.” Andie had been attempting to get pregnant for two years, frustrated with numerous failed attempts. She first tried intrauterine insemination (IUI) where the egg is fertilized by inserting the sperm from a donor directly into the uterus. Every attempt was unsuccessful. “There was a certain amount of loss that happened every month it didn’t work,” says Andie, “and so there was this huge amount of grief that was kind of cyclical.” The couple’s doctor recommended in vitro fertilization (IVF) where the egg is fertilized outside of the womb, and the embryo is then inserted back into the uterus. Andie is now 16 weeks pregnant, with the newest member of the family arriving in April. “There is a certain amount of magic about having babies. They can do everything known to science and it still won’t always work,” says Andie, adding that she retook the pregnancy test at least 10 more times when it came back positive. “How could this be true, something that had not been true for two years? We kind of thought it was impossible.” Andie met Laurie five years ago while working at Rainbow Alley, a program designed for LGBT youth headquartered at the Colorado GLBT Center in Denver. “Laurie came in to do a theater program with the kids at Rainbow Alley. I thought she was cute, so I asked her out and things went from there.” Laurie and Andie had a wedding ceremony three years ago to honor their commitment to each other, even though at the time Colorado did not recognize their relationship. They obtained a civil union last year and got a marriage license from Boulder County earlier this year. Boulder County Clerk and Recorder Hillary Hill issued more than 200 marriage licenses in July against multiple requests by Colorado Attorney General John Suthers to stop, this after the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Utah’s marriage ban to be unconstitutional on June 25. The couple is very excited about the Supreme Court’s Oct. 6 historic decision to allow the 10th Circuit’s ruling to remain, allowing gay marriage for the first time in Colorado. “Obviously the timing for us couldn’t be better,” says Andie. “[Same-sex marriage] certainly helps our case in terms of having some of those protections for us.” The couple has four embryos which have been frozen, and it’s uncertain what the fate of those embryos will be should Amendment 67 pass. 12

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lAuRiE lYnCH & AnDiE lYOnS

And with the success of IVF, the couple has the option for their child to grow up with a baby brother or sister, but Andie is worried that the upcoming personhood amendment on this November’s ballot could eliminate that possibility. “In vitro, from my reading of Amendment 67, won’t be an option anymore.” The couple has four additional embryos which have been frozen, and it’s uncertain what the fate of those embryos will be should the amendment pass. “There’s a huge concern,” says Andie. “These are our embryos. We have the right to do with them what we will, whether that’s producing children for our family or — once we’ve reached the number of children we’re comfortable having — donating them to science or giving them to another couple.” Carr DeGette, communications director for VoteNo67.com, told Out Front that Andie and Laurie’s concerns are not unwarranted. “Amendment 67 includes the term ‘unborn human being’ as the definition of person in the Colorado Criminal Code,” Carr explains, “and so by inserting that into the criminal code, effectively what you’re doing is extending legal and constitutional rights at every stage of development of a pregnancy, all the way back to a fertilized egg.” This means the measure would ban all forms of abortion, even in circumstances of rape, incest, or where the life of the mother is in jeopardy. In addition, the amendment would restrict access to various forms of birth control. “It would also, in effect, criminalize women and the doctors who try to treat women during a pregnancy,” says Carr. “So a woman who has had a miscarriage [would be a felon] if Amendment 67 were law. That miscarriage would be considered a person — the same as you and I. A prosecutor would be obligated to investigate the circumstances of that miscarriage because that miscarriage is the same as a person.” This causes serious challenges for couples who utilize IVF. Before the procedure can even begin, embryos are tested for viability to determine the probable success rate in order to reduce the number of miscarriages. Embryos which are unviable are discarded, effectively leaving the entire process open to prosecution under the Colorado Criminal Code as it would for a person. “And that’s the other component of what Amendment 67 would do,” adds Carr, “in that it would ban, effectively, in vitro for couples who want to have children.” IVF births around the county are on the rise. CNN reported earlier this year that there has been

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a record number of IVF births in the US, with 2,000 more IVF births in 2012 than in 2011, putting the total number at 61,740 at clinics represented by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. Many of those couples who use IVF are part of the LGBT community, some of which use IVF as a last resort. “These kinds of decisions are so critical,” says Carr. “When to have a family, how to have a family, making sure that pregnant women are protected and are not criminalized, not allowing the government to come into the personal, private lives during our most vulnerable times.” This is not the first time Coloradans have voted on a personhood amendment, rejecting similar measures in 2008 and 2010. But this year, the number of voters supporting the bill is higher. “The initial polling was really alarming for us” says Carr, “because people don’t understand what it would actually do.” Out Front reached out to the organization lobbying for Amendment 67, AVoiceforBrady.com, sponsored by the nonprofit Personhood USA, but several requests for a comment on this article were not returned.  OPiniOn AmEnDmEnT 67: DEfiniTiOn Of PERSOn AnD CHilD Berlin Sylvestre Now wait a minute. Why are people attempting to legislate the ladies with confusing language? Let’s make this easy, y’all. At the voting center, you’ll be asked: Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution protecting pregnant women and unborn children by deﬁning “person” and “child” in the Colorado criminal code and the Colorado wrongful death act to include unborn human beings? Protecting pregnant women, you say? How very interesting, that wording. I do words, too, but mine go a little somethin’ like this: Shall we institute a major failure of a policy and make felons of women who fail to carry a fertilized egg to term?  Yes, I feel a woman and her health care provider(s) should be charged with homicide if she has a miscarriage or an abortion, regardless of how she got pregnant (even via rape and/or incest) or if pregnancy-related issues may threaten her life. I believe the government should have a say in a woman’s reproductive abilities and methods. or  No, I think a woman’s reproductive rights are hers to determine. I don’t think she should be criminally and civilly prosecuted if she either cannot or chooses not to go through with her pregnancy. Further, if a woman wants to donate her eggs to a family who can’t have children on their own, she should be able to — even if that family identifies as LGBT. 

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OCTOBER 15, 2014

BATTLE AT THE BALLOT

Too Close For Comfort

With some state legislative races predicted to be determined by a handful of votes, and both the race for Colorado governor and US Colorado senate neck and neck, the continued presence of pro-LGBT representation in Colorado remains uncertain. Mike Yost Two years ago, Colorado State Representative and LGBT ally Dianne Primavera of House District 33 in Broomfield won her legislative seat by only 55 votes. And this year’s race against Republican candidate Marijo Tinlin promises to be just as close. “In some of these races, with how tight we expect them to be,” says Jon Monteith, One Colorado’s Communication Director, “the number of supporters from One Colorado who are in those districts could effectively be the margin of victory.” One Colorado recently endorsed 47 candidates running for state legislator, with many of those races still too close to call. And if just one of those legislative seats is lost in the Colorado state senate, the pro-LGBT equality legislature will no longer have a majority vote. Some of the pro-equality candidates One Colorado is watching closely include: • Michael Merrifield in Colorado Springs (SD 11) • Kerry Donovan along the Western Slope (SD 5) • Jeanne Nicholson along the Front Range (SD 16) • Andy Kerr in Lakewood (SD 22) • Daniel Kagan in south Denver (HD 3) • Mike McLachlan in Durango (HD 59) Daniel Ramos, political and organizing director of One Colorado, points out that two opponents in those close races — Republican candidate Tony Sanchez of SD 22 and Republican candidate Tim Neville of SD 16 — are endorsed by the conservative nonprofit Rocky Mountain Gun Owners. “Sanchez defeated his primary opponent by the opponents’ support for civil unions and for marriage,” says Daniel. “He will not be a friend to One Colorado or to the LGBT community.” The Rocky Mountain Gun Owners is the same organization that was involved in a lawsuit filed by a same-sex New Jersey couple when their engagement photo was used without permission in political fliers in 2012 disparaging same-sex marriage in Colorado. US Colorado Senator Mark Udall is also in an extremely close race against Republican candidate and US Colorado Representative Cory Gardner, who is trailing Udall by only a few points according to the Denver Post. “Gardner’s record is really poor when it comes to LGBT issues,” explains Daniel. “When he was a Colorado state legislator, he voted against the LGBT community in a lot of ways.” In 2006, then Colorado State Representative Gardner voted against adding sexual orientation to Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws. In 2007 he voted against allowing Colorado gay and lesbian couples to adopt children. And in 2009, Gardner

“You hear that phrase thrown out there a lot that every vote matters, every vote counts,’” says Jon. “For this election, it’s actually true.” 14

CLOSE CALLS: One Colorado is closely watching these pro-equality candidates

Michael Merrifield Colorado Springs • SD 11

Kerry Donovan Western Slope • SD 5

Jeanne Nicholson Front Range • SD 16

Andy Kerr Lakewood • SD 22

Daniel Kagan Denver • HD 3

Mike McLachlan Durango • HD 59

voted no on a bill that granted the right of a state worker to add a domestic partner to his or her health insurance plan. Daniel emphasizes how Senator Udall has been a consistent supporter for LGBT rights, advocating for marriage equality, working to end the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, and co-sponsoring the Employment Non-Discrimination Act which would have protected LGBT community members from being discriminated at work based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. And the race for the next Colorado governor is also extremely close, with Republican candidate Bob Beauprez and Governor John Hickenlooper at a statistical tie. Beauprez has stated that he supports civil unions, “but does support the marriage ban,” says Daniel. “He said he supports the definition of marriage in our state constitution, and he has just come to realize that he supports civil unions.” Daniel emphasizes how Hickenlooper has consistently supported the LGBT community. “The current governor has been supportive on all of our issues. He signed civil unions, he signed our state’s school bill, he signed more job protections for LGBT employees, and so we know he’s going to continue to be a supporter of our issues moving forward.” One Colorado also came out against personhood Amendment 67. “It would ban all abortions,” explains Jon, “even in the cases of rape, incest, or the health of the mother. It would also restrict access to common forms of birth control.” Jon explains how the amendment is farreaching and has an enormous impact on gay and

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lesbian couples who are also hopeful parents. “It would ban in vitro fertilization. There are certainly many couples here in Colorado who actually rely on fertility services like in vitro to start a family. They’ve been told already their families are not equal, and I think this is just another message being sent to them that that’s the case.” One Colorado also points to the race for Colorado’s attorney general, and that Don Quick, the Democratic candidate, stated publicly he would not defend Colorado’s marriage amendment ban. And even though the Supreme Court recently paved the way for same sex couples to marry in Colorado, the Republican candidate for Colorado attorney general, Cynthia Coffman, stated she would have continued to defend the ban. Jon is encouraging voters to verify they’ve completed the whole ballot, as sometimes people skip or miss voting for important political seats. “Filling out the entire ballot and returning it is going to be the biggest factor around how close the race is for attorney general,” says Jon. Both Daniel and Jon emphasize that there is a lot at stake this year, and voting in November’s midterm election is more important than ever. “You hear that phrase thrown out there a lot that every vote matters, every vote counts,’” says Jon. “For this election, it’s actually true.” Ballots for the upcoming election will be mailed to registered voters in Colorado on Oct. 15. Voters can register online or on the same day of the election on Nov. 4 at a local polling center.  Find more online at JustVoteColorado.com

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BattLe at the BaLLot

udaLL VS. GaRdNeR ON LGBT RiGhTS: a STaRk CONTRaST mike Yost from co-sPonsorIng the emPloyment non-dIscrImInatIon act (enda) and working to repeal the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, in addition to his support for marriage equality, Colorado Senator Mark Udall has voted consistently with the LGBT community’s interest at heart. But Sen. Udall is in danger of losing his seat in this year’s midterm election to Republican candidate and Colorado Representative Cory Gardner. The Denver Post reported in a September poll that Udall is pulling slightly ahead, but that the race is essentially a statistical tie. “Sen. Udall has consistently been out there fighting for equality,” says Kristen Lynch, press secretary for Udall for Colorado. “That’s why it’s so important that in this election, people stand by him.” Out Front reached out to Rep. Gardner’s campaign, but the congressman did not respond to multiple requests for an interview. As of the completion of this article, Gardner’s website does not take a position on any LGBT issue, including his position on same-sex marriage. However, when gay marriage became legal in Colorado on Oct. 7, Gardner told Fox31 Denver, “My views on marriage have long been clear. I believe we must treat each other with dignity and respect. This issue is in the hands of the courts and we must honor their legal decisions.”

OctOBer 15, 2014

Gardner’s record as a Colorado state representative reveals that he consistently fought against legislation granting numerous rights to the Colorado LGBT community. “I think the most egregious vote was blocking couples from adopting children in the state house,” says Lynch, commenting on his 2007 vote to keep same-sex couples from adopting in Colorado. Gardner also attempted to block same-sex couples from jointly planning their estate and voted against a bill prohibiting sexual orientation discrimination in 2008. Conversely, Lynch highlighted Udall’s work as a US Senator at the local level. “He was a big supporter of civil unions and same-sex benefits, whether V.A. partners with people who are in the military or making sure that same-sex domestic partners get the same Social Security benefits that straight couples would receive.” Lynch also reassured LGBT Colorado voters that Sen. Udall will continue his work for the LGBT community in his next term. “At the top of his list is the Employment Non-discrimination Act,” she says, adding that the US House has failed to act on the measure. She emphasized that the senator will work to make certain all same-sex partners receive federal benefits, pointing to Tracy Johnson’s year-long battle with the military to be awarded survivor benefits from her deceased wife, Staff Sergeant Donna Johnson, killed in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber.

OutfrOntOnline.cOm

mArK uDAll

• Photo: aDaM BoUsKa

“And while marriage equality is certainly gaining steam,” says Lynch, “the fact that the Supreme Court hasn’t taken it up has created a patchwork across the US, with some states allowing discrimination in terms of marriage equality and others supporting marriage equality. I know that making sure this is a blanket right everyone has, no matter if they’re born in Alabama or California or Colorado, is something else we need to work on.” 

A Presence in Pueblo

This November, Daneya Esgar could become the first openly gay state representative from Pueblo, bolstering an already strong LGBT presence in the Colorado Congress. Mike Yost

Daneya Esgar Photo: EVAN SEMÓN

“When I started this adventure in January, being the first openly gay candidate from Pueblo for any open elected office, I was a little nervous,” says Daneya, who is running for House District seat 46. “But I’m proud to say it’s never come up in conversations I’ve had with constituents.” Daneya emphasizes that being out has been a nonissue during her entire campaign. “I think that speaks volumes about the progress Colorado’s been making and the forward thinking of Coloradans — that who I love has absolutely nothing to do with leadership ability.” She is running against Republican candidate Brian Mater, a business owner who told The Pueblo Chieftain that, although he believes marriage is between a man and a woman, he is not opposed to allowing gays to marry in Colorado. “I’d like to believe that if it came down to it, he would vote on the side of equality for everyone,” says Daneya. “But the fact that my opponent believes marriage is between one man and one woman tells me that, in his heart, he doesn’t support full marriage equality.” But Daneya, a Pueblo native, wants to do much more than fight for same-sex marriage. She hopes to tackle a number of issues facing her community including Pueblo’s struggling education system, the city’s high poverty levels, and Pueblo’s unemployment rate. “I think one of the biggest issues the LGBT community talks about down here is being able to provide for their families. That goes back to working hard to bring better

jobs to Pueblo. Of all the issues we have, it always keeps coming back to jobs. We just don’t have enough goodpaying jobs.” According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pueblo has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state at 8.6 percent as of July, 2014. In comparison, the unemployment rate for Colorado Springs is was 6.7 percent, and Denver’s unemployment rate was at 5.4 percent for the same month. And it’s not just jobs she wants to bring into Pueblo. Daneya stated she would support a bill that would raise the minimum wage. “We need to make sure that the jobs we do get are jobs that actually pay a living wage.” As a gun owner, Daneya advocates for safe gun ownership and supports the recent Colorado gun laws which include limiting ammunition magazine to 15 rounds and background checks for gun sales. “Colorado is a safer place to live because of the legislation that went through,” says Daneya. She adds that the conversation revolving around gun control should focus on improving availability to mental health care in Colorado. “We need to make sure it’s easier for people to have affordable access to mental health than have access to a gun.” She is strongly opposed to Amendment 67, adding it would be “very dangerous for women and for families.” She is still listening to arguments on both sides regarding Amendment 68, which would permit gambling in Arapaho, Mesa, and Pueblo Counties, the revenue of which would be distributed to public schools. 

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Stand up and Be Counted Rex Fuller | Out Front & Center Anyone who’s watched television in Colorado for five minutes has probably picked up that 2014 is an election year and Colorado is a battleground state for several important candidates and issues that affect the LGBT community. During the 2012 elections, exit polls indicated that LGBT voters played a significant impact in many important election races and issues nationwide, but while LGBT votes do make a difference, low voter turnout, especially for mid-term elections, continues to be a problem. Mindy Barton, Legal Director of the GLBT Community Center, has been working to address these shortfalls and increase voter registration among the LGBT community. “Registering to vote is a key component in influencing the outcome of elections,” Mindy says. “We know that politicians listen to communities that actively participate in the system of civic engagement. If we want politicians to listen to the needs of LGBT community members, that’s what we need to do: get out there and register to vote and then actually vote on Nov. 4.” The Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which means it is a non-partisan group and generally The Center cannot take a stand on candidates or issues. However The Center can actively encourage voters to participate. For the last several years, The Center has been a part of the Colorado Participation Project. “The goal is get various organizations to get their

clients to register to vote and promise to vote during the election,” Barton explains. “We know that if people put their name on a postcard and promise to vote, they’re more likely to actually mail that ballot back in when the time comes.” Center staff and volunteers have been busy engaging visitors in the voter registration process. The Center hosted a National Voter Registration Day event on Sept. 23, attended by Denver County Clerk and Recorder Debra Johnson. Center volunteers have also made voter registration forms available at The Center’s front desk in both English and Spanish. “We also have a website where people can easily register online,” Mindy says. “Sometimes people think voter registration is complicated but it’s not. It’s a really, really simple form.” Recent changes to voter registration laws have made it even simpler this year. “People can register all the way through and including Nov. 4,” Mindy says. “Ballots are expected to start mailing in early October. It is an all-mail ballot this year. If voters don’t receive their ballot by late October, they can go down to a voter registration center and actively participate there.” Whether you register online or in person, Mindy says that the most important thing is to vote and make sure that LGBT voices are playing an active role in this election. “We are hoping that 100 percent of the participants at The Center will actually participate in the election come November.” 

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Voters can visit The Center in person or check out The Center’s website and register to vote up until October 14. After that, you can still register online, but you have to do it directly through the Secretary of State’s office, the easiest way being to visit GoVoteColorado.com before October 27. The site has an easily digestible FAQ and can help voters find a voter service center where they can register through Election Day. GLBTColorado.org is also a great resource to get your started on your journey to the booth.

The Naked Pumpkin Run Our upfront honesty seemed to only get the boyfriend more enamAs an adult, I had never been ored. At one point, the girlfriend a big fan of Halloween. The tripped and fell down. But his atpressure of dressing up doesn’t work tention was so focused on us that he well for a total spaz such as myself. left her behind and continued to talk However, in 2008 with us for three my nudist mentor more blocks. We certainly had another spooky suggesdidn’t mind. tion that would Once we got to involve dressing the starting point, down: the Naked Luke kissed me Pumpkin Run. goodbye. Like evThis event had eryone else, I took become a Boulder off my clothes and tradition for shoved them in nearly a decade. my backpack and Like everyone else, I took off Participants met put the pumpkin my clothes and shoved them up at undisclosed on my head. We in my backpack and put the houses where all began running pumpkin on my head. they spent the down the Pearl evening carving Street Mall as jack-o-lanterns they could put over naked as the day we were born their heads. Then, at a late-night hour, (minus the pumpkin). The partying they’d run wildly down the Pearl Pearl Street crowds quickly formed Street Mall sans any other attire. No to cheer us all on. Unfortunately, two blocks into it, kids would be around to see it and the naked mentor informed me that the large groups of gawkers caused the police do not arrest anybody as our little pathway to narrow and long as they don’t do anything (else) we all bottlenecked. So there I stood illegal. So how could I say no? … naked … with a pumpkin on Knowing that the smell of raw, my head. The combination of cold carved pumpkin tends to make me weather and high adrenaline can dry-heave, I opted out of using a make for some considerable shrinkreal one. Instead, I found a pumpkin age. This certainly wasn’t my most mask that looked like the real thing. flattering moment. Still, my endorphins maintained Although my partner Luke refused to partake in such shenanigans, I still in high gear and once I hit the finish managed to drag him with me so he line, I felt a sense of complete juvenile could enjoy it from the sidelines. joy. I didn’t want to put my clothes We met up with my naked back on. That is until I noticed the guy comrades at the mysterious house. next to me suddenly getting arrested. People had their clothes on and we In fact, people were getting arrested enjoyed drinks with a mixed crowd all around me. I quickly darted to of younger college students and older the side and put my clothes back on before a cop could get near me. hippie types. Eventually, the time came for Luke and I stood aside as we everyone to walk on over to the watched a dozen naked people sitting run’s undisclosed starting point. In handcuffed on the curb in front of the sheer excitement, many folks in the Boulder Court House. Crowds of the crowd began removing most of young, drunken, angry Halloweeners their layers. And these college guys began to form, shouting and chanting were looking pretty swell in their “f*ck the police.” Joining angry mobs birthday suits. has never worked well for me, so we As we walked down the street, decided to cut our night short and slip Luke and I struck up a conversation away from the scene. with a topless girl and her completely News sources reported that naked boyfriend. We kept slyly trying these runners were going to be to look past her in order to get a prosecuted for indecent exposure, better view of him. It only took a few which could have required them to moments for him to notice that Luke file as sex offenders. Fortunately, and I were holding hands. later reports confirmed that most, “Oh … you guys are queers!” he if not all, were able to plea bargain squealed with some odd sense of joy. the charges down to disorderly Even though his remark was obvious- conduct, a far-less punishable offense. ly not derogatory, the drunk girlfriend Luckily for me, I didn’t have to find began to apologize profusely. out first hand. I had no idea that “It’s okay,” we told her. “He is such silly, innocent fun could be so right. We are queers.” devastatingly illegal.  Scott McGlothlen | Bleed Like Me

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Empathy and Celebrity Deaths Here’s the interesting part: the public connects to the type of person they think this public figure is. When the figure dies, they’re losing a representative hen I first got the idea to write this column, it was right after Joan of an ideal. For some, loss acts as a catalyst to action. The death means a void Rivers died, which was less than a month after Robin Williams’ death. must be filled and someone must take up the cause. I would say Matthew Each death created a great deal of public grief. Each person had been a Shepard and Harvey Milk are two great catalysts from our community. source of entertainment and amusement for many people. The media was Sometimes the death is a cautionary tale, a “you don’t want to end up like …” filled with sad faces, sad sentiments, meaningful tributes, kind of thing. Then for others, the attachment goes much moment-by-moment reports on every minute detail about deeper. They associate so strongly with that person, their their lives and deaths; friends posted all kinds of heartfelt death feels like they really have lost someone meaningful tributes on their Facebook walls. to their life. The two public deaths that hit me hardest I kept trying to put into words what I was observing were Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy, Jr. They both and offer something erudite to say on what we do with represented a hope for the world that I was sad to lose, “Candles in the Wind” so to speak. public grief over a public figure. I observed how the way someone dies definitely plays a part in how we deal with What do you do with your grief for someone that it … suicide/murder/illness/sudden death, they all elicit you don’t really know? Is there grief counseling over the different types of responses. What really stood out is that death of a relative stranger? the “sins” from life seem to no longer matter in death. If it’s someone you really admired, you may stay Death is a most becoming way to un-tarnish your image. glued to every media outlet to get the latest word on It’s this post-death amnesia that allowed the queer every detail leading up to the funeral, overdosing on community — female impersonators aside — to celebrate everything they ever did. People can get up-to-theJoan Rivers’ best bitch comments about celebrities and minute updates on their social media feeds. Then once collectively forget her less-than-supportive comments they’ve been laid to rest, the media outlets generally about the queer community over the years. Everyone turn their attention in other directions, along with the general public. has their shining moments and their dull thuds, but in Let’s be honest, we can really only focus on someone death, the shining moments shine brighter. JOAN RIVERS It’s as though the way we publicly deal with the death else for a short amount of time. Then we have to go back to of someone we really didn’t know is to highlight the good living our own lives, being the center of our own universe. stuff they did, because, in all honesty, we don’t really know anything about So, unless this public figure was part of your private life, their death didn’t the life, health, or mental well being of another person — even those really really affect your life as much as it seemed. close to us. So, the public reacts to what they can relate to. They connect to Time continues to pass with the memory of them getting more fond and the similarities they share or, in the case of Joan Rivers, people connect to glowing. I think it’s our mind’s way of connecting us to the brighter side of life. her ability to say anything to anyone without regard to stature or status, a We hold on to the parts of them that brought us joy, inspiration, happiness. skill most of us do not make use of. She gave voice to peoples’ inner bitch. If we remain grateful for these moments, the best parts of them live on.  Robyn Vie Carpenter-Brisco | The Lesbian Socialite

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An Ounce of Prevention

Screening for breast cancer doesn’t have to be terrifying Tiffany Reed Information about breast cancer screening can be confusing and misleading. Conflicting guidelines and selective use of data may cause uncertainty about how early or how often to screen and which screening methods are most effective. Breast cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer deaths in Colorado, killing more than 500 women annually. At the same time, there are more than 42,000 breast cancer survivors in Colorado. Like many cancers, the likelihood of surviving breast cancer increases dramatically with early detection and treatment. Simply put, screening saves lives! However, all screening methods have both benefits and limitations which women should be aware of before deciding which screening method is right for them. Screening guidelines are carefully developed and regularly re-evaluated after extensive review of currently available research and evidence. Guidelines are established based on which methods have the potential to provide the most benefit, while incurring the least amount of harm to the greatest number of people possible. The American Cancer Society breast cancer screening recommendations for average risk women include: Optional Self Breast Exam (BSE) for all women beginning at age 20. Women who choose to perform BSE should review their technique with a trained medical provider and inform their provider immediately if they notice any changes. Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) every three years for women ages 20 – 39. This appointment also offers an important opportunity to review personal health history, including factors that may increase risk for breast cancer. Clinical Breast Exam and Mammogram (either standard or digital) every year for women aged 40 and older. Modern mammography equipment is designed to utilize the lowest dose of radiation possible. “To put it into perspective, if a woman with breast cancer is treated with radiation she will receive around 5,000 rads (a measure of radiation dose). If she had yearly mammograms beginning at age 40 and continuing until she was 90, she will have received 20 to 40 rads.” (Per the American Cancer Society.) Screening recommendations for high risk women (women whose risk for developing breast cancer is 20 - 25 percent higher than average based on comprehensive risk assessment) include a mammogram and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) every year beginning at or around age 30. Age of initial screening may vary depending on individual health history and personal preference. Thermography, often touted as a preferable option for detecting breast cancer without radiation, is not approved by the FDA as a tool for primary screening, nor is it recognized as a reliable screening tool by American Cancer Society, American Society of Clinical Oncology, or the American College of Surgeons. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, all health insurances are now required to cover recommended cancer screenings at no cost to the patient. For those uninsured, or underinsured, the Women’s Wellness Connection program provides FREE breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostics to women who qualify.  Visit WomensWellnessConnection.org for more information. Outfrontonline.com

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The Trade-off

ARE YOU TREATING OR TRICKING YOURSELF? Kelsey Lindsey I’m training for my first marathon, and I am far from being in the best shape of my life. I realized this mid-run, as my stomach was turning from the handfuls of candy corn m&ms I ate twenty minutes before (I need the energy!) and as my head was pounding from the beers I enjoyed with friends the night before (I’m just carbing up for the run!). Needless to say, by mile three of the seemingly bazillion I had to run that day, I was ready for it to be over. I registered for the marathon thinking it would be a good challenge, a kickstart to running seriously again. What I didn’t realize is that I would start using it as an excuse to start eating like crap, introducing donuts and large burritos into what was a relatively healthy diet. I used the running as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted, since I was just going to burn it all off, my metabolism was increasing, I needed the fuel for the run, etc. etc. It reminded me of all the other “compromises” I’ve heard of people taking, or I have personally crafted, that justify unhealthy habits. I can drink this fifth rum and Coke as long as the soda is diet. I can eat this thousand-calorie burger for lunch and just have kale for dinner. And while diets are all about balance, each of these actions would be seriously tipping the scale one way, with no hope of equalizing no matter how many kombuchas I drink or miles I run in retribution. Sure, you can indulge once in a while, but if the treat turns into excess and has you practicing unhealthy habits to atone, is it really worth it? So this gets me back to the marathon, and my realization that putting in the miles was only a fraction of the training. Treating your body with respect and not punishing it for slip-ups was another fraction. That, and a lot of blister tape and anti-chafing lotion. Even if you’re not training for a marathon, even if you’re not a runner at all, it’s something that can be applied to every aspect of life. It’s important to have the respect for your body, and to know that you can’t trick it into forgetting your unhealthy habits. It’s a struggle I know, with unhealthy habits being so convenient (and for some of them, so, so good). But, in the end, after you’ve crossed that finish line, it will be so worth it. 

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Update: Hit-and-Run or Self-Defense? Kyle Harris Nathaniel Mancha, the subject of our Oct. 1 story “Hit and Run or SelfDefense?” was accused of running over Anthony Jafari in Colorado Springs. On Monday, the court convicted Mancha of first-degree assault and leaving the scene of an accident. The jury was hung on the charge of attempted homicide and the judge declared a mistrial on that count. On Tuesday, the District Attorney opted not to attempt to retry the case. Mancha’s supporters say he hit Jafari to escape an eminent homophobic hate crime. Jafari approached Mancha’s vehicle wielding a large metal object and screaming homophobic slurs, according to Mancha’s boyfriend Carlton Mohn. KRDO reports that in court Jafari admitted to “cursing violently” at Mancha, but said he did not threaten him or engage in homophobic behavior. Sentencing will take place on Dec. 2 and Mancha faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 33 years in prison.

In a statement, the Colorado AntiViolence Program wrote, “While we are relieved that Nate and his family do not have to face another trial experience, we are angered and saddened that yet another community member is facing the harsh realities of the criminal injustice system. Our hearts are heavy today as we grieve this verdict with Nate and his family. “We know all too well that LGBTQ communities face severe and deadly violence. We also know that LGBTQ people who defend themselves from violence are often fighting for their lives, as Nate was on March 1st, 2014. “Colorado Anti-Violence Program calls on its community of supporters, organizations, and families to come forward to support Nate and continue the fight against hate violence. CAVP will continue to support Nate with exploring legal options, getting the full story out, and continuing the crucial dialogue about survivors who are prosecuted for self defense.”  For the October 1 story, visit OutFrontOnline.com

Life’s Happier with a Pet! Adopt a new friend today! At the Dumb Friends League, all cat and dog adoptions include spay/neuter, a microchip ID, and initial vaccinations. Visit DDFL.org to see all adoptable animals looking for good homes. 2080 S Quebec Street, Denver • (720) 241-7117 HEADS UP! October is known as Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month, a month dedicated to increasing awareness of the millions of shelter dogs looking for homes across the country. To celebrate, the Dumb Friends League is offering 50 percent off the adoption fee for all adult dogs, 1 year and older, throughout the entire month of October. SNOWFLAKE – ID# 0673136 Snowflake here! I am being proactive in seeking out my new family and home. I’m putting my best paw forward and being very positive about my future. I am a sweet cat who aims to please. I enjoy pets, playing, and people. Come visit me at the league and see if we’re a new dynamic duo. DOZER – ID# 0684577 Handsome fellow seeks loving adopter and great forever home! I trust that we swiftly will become the best of friends and I will be a treasured presence in my new home! If I might be the pet for you, please come visit me today! Outfrontonline.com

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O u t F r o n t P o w e r Pa r t y 2 0 1 4 Out Front’s 3rd Annual Power Party was held at the EXDO Event Center on October 4. The annual awards extravaganza honors extraordinary people within the community who have selflessly gone above and beyond in the fight to create a fair and just society for LGBT citizens. This year’s award winners included Anthony Aragon, Angel Bradley, Ginger Douglas, Mark Ferrandino, Courtney Gray, Debra Johnson, John Kelly, DeMarcio Slaughter, and One Colorado. Eden Lane of “In Focus” and Kevin Torres of 9News hosted the event. “American Idol” finalist Blake Lewis and local entertainer Cora Vette were the musical guests. Proceeds from this year’s party benefitted One Colorado. See more photos at outfrontonline.com Photos by Charles Broshous • Step & repeat photos by Jasmine Thompson

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Celebrity Purse Auction The Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire hosted a Celebrity Purse Auction on Sept. 25 at the Black Crown Lounge. More than 25 custom-designed purses created by local entertainers, artists, and community leaders were sold in the auction to help raise money for charity. The event included a free glass of champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and live music. The auction, which was presented by Baroness 41 Jackie O. Nasis, raised more than $3,100 for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Designers included Congresswoman Diana DeGette, 9News weekend anchor Cheryl Preheim, entertainer Lannie Garrett, “Under the Gunn” contestant Stephanie Ohnmacht, and fashion designer Mona Lucero. Anthony Aragon served as the auctioneer.

See more photos at outfrontonline.com | Photos by Charles Broshous

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LEGAL

Relationship Violence: Beyond the Headlines Mindy Barton, Esq. Legal Director, The GLBT Community Center of Colorado Domestic violence, also sometimes called intimate partner violence, is being discussed everywhere right now because of the high-profile nature of some of the current cases. Within these conversations, there also needs to be a discussion of violence occurring in same-sex couples. It is important to know that both Colorado and federal law provides protections for same-sex couples facing issues of domestic violence. Here are some tips on the topic: Domestic violence occurs in an estimated 1 in 3 relationships, and at about the same rate in same-sex couples as opposite-sex couples. The core of domestic violence is that one partner systematically asserts power and control over the other. It is rarely, if ever, mutual. Gender roles do not determine which partner is abusive. It is not automatic that the more masculine male or more “butch” female partner is the abuser. If you are a survivor of intimate partner violence, the best step

to take is to be clear with officers immediately that the abuser is not merely a friend or a roommate, but your boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, or significant other. However you want to title your relationship is fine, but you should be solid in your statement that this is a situation where the investigation should be focused on possible domestic violence by an intimate partner. Domestic violence can look different for LGBT couples than straight couples for several reasons. First, an abuser can hold significant power around outing someone who is closeted. Also, many same-sex couples may have the same set of friends which can make it more difficult for a person to seek help or create an escape plan. Lastly, there can be struggles with finding LGBT-friendly and knowledgeable resources. Need help? Reach out! The Colorado Anti-Violence Program 24 hour crisis line: 888.557.4441. The Center’s Legal Helpline: legal@ glbtcolorado.org or 303.282.6524. The opinions expressed in this article are general in nature. For specific legal advice about your particular situation, please contact an attorney.

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CALEN DA R SAT

OCT

FABULOUS EVENTS FOR LGBT COLORADO & BEYOND

NOW OPEN

Liver Failures for Charity @ Squire Lounge, 1800 E. Colfax. • 8PM Put your booze where your heart is. The more you drink, the more money you raise for the Denver Children’s Home. The Goal Miners & Denver Coed Soccer invites you out to party for a good cause. Come get all the drunk. Host Jackie Summers, DJ Jas & DJ Luke, and special guests Sha’dynasty and Jesus Cristo. • More info at charity.denvergaysoccer.org

O C T 24 – N OV 7

LORD OF THE BUTTERFLIES @THE JONES, SPEER BLVD. & ARAPAHOE ST., DENVER

ASYLUM @ 6100 E. 39th Ave. Denver Catch all the scares at the Asylum, an intense psychological thrill ride, rated one of the scariest Halloween attractions in America. asylumdenver.com

On a trip gone terribly wrong, drag stars Shirley Delta Blow, Zoe O, Olive de Bottom, and Dan D Lite find themselves stranded on an island far, far away. All they have are their wits, fabulous wardrobes, and fellow passengers, Jackie, Simone, and Rachel in this outrageous re-telling of “Lord of the Flies.”

THE 13 th FLOOR @4120 Brighton Blvd.

More info at DenverCenter.org

The 13th floor is typically absent in most buildings. Come see why at this terrifying attraction, voted one of Fangoria’s magazine top 10.

13thfloorhauntedhouse.com

SAT

OCT

SAT

SUSAN G. KOMEN

PINK TIE 15 AFFAIR

NOV

@ SHERATON HOTEL DENVER, 1550 Court Pl. • 6PM

One in seven Colorado women will battle breast cancer in her lifetime. Help Komen Colorado in the fight against breast cancer, and enjoy a beautiful night out at the same time. The Pink Tie Affair features cocktails, silent and live auctions, dinner, casino games, and dancing. Learn more at komencolorado.org

N OV 1 4 – 1 6

Zombie Crawl & The Organ Trail @ Skyline Park, 16th Street & Arapahoe 2 PM

@COLORADO CONVENTION CENTER This finale event to Denver Arts Week promises to be “the next big thing.” Visual artists will present one-of-akind and handcrafted works for sale, exhibition, and inspiration. Fashion designers, home designs, Colorado artisans, and local food and beverages round out this indoor arts experience.

More info at art-denver.org

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Live the zombie apocalypse at Denver’s 9th annual world record breaking zombie crawl. Dress to impress the other walking dead. Start the day off with the Organ Trail at 9am. Put together a team of fellow zombies and solve clues to identify downtown Denver locations. Part Amazing Race, part haunted house, the quickest zombies will take home a cash prize. For more information on the crawl or the Organ Trail, check out eyeheartbrains.com

Halloween Haunts

OCT 24 & 25

SAT

OCT

EXOTICA EROTICA

mASQuerAde BAll BOULDER: 10/24 @ 9PM @ SHINE, 2027 13TH ST.

mile HiGH freedOm BAnd

SPOOKTACULAR! SPOOKTACULAR!

@ 216 S. GRANT ST., DENVER • TWO SHOWS: 3 & 7:30PM Spooktacular! Spooktacular! is the Mile High Freedom Band's annual musical cabaret featuring haunting tunes and spell binding shenanigans in celebration of Halloween. Doors open one hour prior to each performance for the Bizarre Bazaar, featuring a costume shop, spooky snacks and libations, and an opportunity to get into the spooky spirit. The matinee Bazaar will also feature face painting and a kid's costume contest.

DENVER: 10/25 @ 9PM @ MERCURY CAFE, 2199 CALIFORNIA ST. Explore your naughty side at Colorado’s biggest annual adult themed event of the year. Costumes are required, and the more risqué the better (for both men and women). Live entertainment includes pole dancers, Boulder Burlesque, the Dungeon of Desire, and a fantasy costume contest. | Details at exoticaball.com

For tickets, visit mhfb.org

O C T 2 4 cOlOrAdO BAllet PreSentS dRaCUla — NOV 2

SUN

OCT

cOlOrAdO SymPHOny

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR @ BOETTCHER CONCERT HALL • 1PM Come out for some family-friendly fun at the Colorado Symphony’s annual not so scary event. Dress up for some Halloween festivities and witness your Colorado Symphony musicians’ Spooktacular spirit. Tickets available at Coloradosymphony.org

Photo: Terry Shapiro

@ ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE Dracula returns to sink his teeth into Denver at the Colorado Ballet for a special Halloween weekend performance. Come see Bram Stoker’s classic Gothic Horror transformed, featuring choreography by Michael Pink, music by Philip Feeney, and performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. | Tickets: coloradoballet.org Photo: Tomás Castelazo

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COLOWEEN @ CITY HALL EVENT CENTER • 9PM

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

Halloween night, party like a monster at Denver’s biggest Halloween bash, guaranteed to sell out at 3000 attendees. With four separately themed rooms, sexy costume contests, and concert style production, this party is guaranteed crazy. This year’s sexy costume theme is Voodoo. Get your tickets before they're gone! Coloween.com

Come experience the traditional Mexican festival, the Day of The Dead, a joyful day of remembrance of loved ones, and celebrating life after death. See arts & crafts, beautiful alters, and get your little one’s face painted. Costumes are encouraged. Advance tickets recommended; available at botanicgardens.org

@ DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS • 9AM – 3PM

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Photo: Jay Diers. See more on Page 38.

dOn't fOrget! after halloween, toss your razors and join the no shave november movement for men's cancer awareness. Find more information at no-shave.org & us.movember.com

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COLORADO'S GHOST TOWNS

Ouija, Is Anyone Here? O’Brian Gunn

Lauren Archuletta

f reading Stephen King novels and watching AMC’s FearFest just isn’t doing it for you, take a walk outside. Colorado may be home to some of the best ski slopes and dispensaries in the country, but the Centennial State also has a haunted history.

"Cemetery-SilverCliffCO" by Plazak - Own work. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Colorado Grande Casino, Cripple Creek This old town isn’t only known for its secluded casino scene. Staff at the Colorado Grande Casino has reported suddenly smelling roses and slot machines being played after hours; it’s believed that an Irish woman named Maggie haunts the casino floor. Masonic Cemetery, Central City If unexplained alien phenomena are more your thing, take a trip to Central City. There have been reports of strange lights appearing above the cemetery during the night. Even better, ghosts of both a little boy and a woman in black have been spotted over the years from time to time. The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park An oldie, but a goodie. Located in Estes Park, the hotel is undoubtedly most famous for being the headquarters for Stephen King while he wrote “The Shining.” The Stanley’s been around for more than 100 years, and the staff caters to the creepiness of it. There’s even a channel dedicated to showing the film adaption of “The Shining” 24/7. Also awesome? You can book a ghost tour complete with infrared detectors. Silver Cliff Cemetery, Silver Cliff This cemetery has been around since the late 1880s, and rumors of “dancing blue lights” have been around almost as long. Legends of these lights have been passed down for generations, and were even featured in a 1969 edition of National Geographic. Ramada Inn, Sterling For an almost cheap thrill, take a trip down to Sterling, CO. For less than $100 a night, request room 104. Over the years guests have reported seeing a woman in a blood-drenched white nightgown cleaning the room in which she was murdered. Brittany Hill Mansion, Thornton As ghost stories go, this one is particularly creepy and nearly plausible. Rumor has it that some years ago, the wife of the mansion’s owner discovered her husband in bed with another woman. She was so upset that she flung herself from the third story of the tower. Now you can supposedly see the ghost of the husband standing in the tower window, clutching his dead wife in his arms. So put on your Ghostbusters gear, take out your iPhones, and step into the paranormal world of Colorado. You’re sure to stumble onto something. c

he spirit of Halloween has started to move in while the spirit of summer has started to fade into the early sunset. It won’t be long until pumpkins are being carved (and used to flavor everything under the Harvest moon), Halloween costumes are being put together, the leaves start to change their wardrobe, and Halloween decorations adorn neighborhood porches. If you want to add a hint of the supernatural to your Halloween this year, you may decide to make a spiritual call with a Ouija board to the Other Side to see how your ancestors are living in the Great (or Not-So-Great) Beyond.

Learn how to use it the right way or risk starring in your very own horror movie franchise.

Ouija Roots The origin of Ouija boards goes back to the late 1840s when spiritualism started taking root in the United States. Mediums (psychics who can communicate with the dead) originally used planchettes and “table turning” as a way for spirits to write messages. The major obstacles with these earlier methods were that they were either too slow or the messages were too difficult for us “unlearned living folk” to decipher. Now Entering the Ouija Station After several failed attempts at communicating with that dead cousin who still owed them money, mediums created a “talking board” in 1886 that consisted of numbers, letters, and the words “yes” and “no,” and “goodnight.” The name of the Ouija board comes from the Egyptian word that means “good luck.” Now that you know a bit more about the history of the Ouija board, learn how to use it the right way or risk starring in your very own horror movie franchise that will inevitably be remade at least three times by the Hollywood machine. Ouija Done Right If you’re going to do the Ouija dance, you’ll want to have a partner with you. It’s also recommended that you do your conjuring at night when there’s less “spiritual interference.” If you really want to set the mood, turn off the lights and light some candles to help guide the spirits to you. You’ll also want to designate one person as the speaker or medium who will be in charge of asking questions. Before you start asking grandma the secret to that bomb-ass lemon cake she only made once a year, warm up your medium muscles and the board by purposely moving the planchette around. It’s also best that the speaker/medium announce that the session will only be a positive one and that negative energies and spirits are not welcome. Doing so might feel a little silly, but why take the chance of stirring up some bad juju and having it follow you throughout your days like a bad credit score? Once your session has ended, it’s vitally important that you “close the board” by intentionally sliding the planchette to “GOODBYE” and removing your hands. By neglecting to close the board, you’re essentially leaving the front door of your spiritual house wide open to all manner of invasion. Before you engage in any type of supernatural mischief, tomfoolery, or shenanigans this Halloween, make sure you read the instruction manual from cover to cover. There are no warranties or takebacks when you’re dealing with the spirit realm. c Outfrontonline.com

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Five Haunted Hospitals Kyle Harris

ospitals and mental institutions bear witness to endless trauma. As sterile as these spaces seem, the screams of the sick, the tears of the grieving, and the last breaths of the dying echo on decade after decade. For brave souls looking to lift the veil between this world and the other, Colorado has dozens of known haunted medical sites. These five are some of the state’s most notorious. Rock Ledge Ranch The good news about the bacterial infection tuberculosis is that only 1 in 10 people who contract the illness show symptoms. But for that unlucky 10 percent, the symptoms are maddening. The victim begins to cough blood, shed weight, panic from night terrors, and soak the bed with sweat. Fifty percent of untreated patients die, and treatment often fails. In the late 1800s, the Rock Ledge Ranch in Colorado Springs housed tuberculosis patients, and their souls linger on. In the basement, a rocking chair rocks on its own. Lights turn on and off without human touch.

Footsteps sound throughout the building, even when nobody’s there.

Aurora Fitzsimons During World War I, the army brought soldiers to the Fitzsimons Army Hospital, to help them heal from mustard gas attacks. There, soldiers suffered and died, skin blistered, eyes burned, lungs failed. Now, the glass and chrome Anschutz Medical Center occupies the site. Some say the haunting cries of the dead still fill the buildings, the ghosts of soldiers wander the hallways, and objects crash to the ground when nothing touches them. Old Logan County Hospital At the abandoned Old Logan County Hospital, a little boy named Sterling has lived there a long, long time. Only, he’s not alive. He tugs the shirts of unsuspecting wanderers who stumble into the building and wreaks havoc on the electrical system, even though it’s been defunct for years. The Northeast Colorado Health Department shuttered the building two days before a local theater group planned to turn it into a haunted

Messages from Beyond the Grave

house. The NCHD cited environmental contaminants, but others say the greater threats were the paranormal phenomenon littering the building. Miramont Castle Haunted by life, a nun at the Miramont Castle tied one end of a rope around her neck and the other to a radiator and threw herself out the window of the castle’s solarium; at least, that’s what some staffers think. Now, her headless ghost wanders the labyrinthine hallways alongside several other apparitions: a Victorian girl holding a doll, a couple, hand in hand for eternity, and a little boy and his stepfather, too. Ridge Home In our world of big box stores and fast food chains, concrete parking lots have been built on haunted ground, and Super Target in Arvada is no exception. It was built over the former site of Ridge Home, a “State Home and Training School for mental defectives.” Rumor has it that before the facility closed, orderlies beat and restrained patients, incapacitated them with drugs, and let them fester in their own waste for days. Their

We’re all psychic around these parts. Lauren Archuletta

ith all of the scary movies coming out right now, the idea of communicating with the dead is front and center in some of our Halloween-lovin’ minds. Rather than consulting a Ouija board, read the exclusive interview with Kim Moore, a psychic medium practicing in Denver. Do you consider yourself a medium or a psychic? I think of myself as a medium who serves as a conduit between the two worlds, and also a psychic because I do readings and talk to people who have passed on. Have you always known you had these capabilities, or did you develop them over time? It’s not like a sixth sense; it’s something I’ve had to work on. Ten years ago my kids’ father suddenly passed away and I really wanted to talk to him. I was able to have a reading done on the radio with Debbie Shepard (another medium) and she helped me connect with him. After that, I discovered this was something I could do myself with the right mindset and dedication. Since then, I’ve taken her workshops and I’ve learned how to open my mind and really develop my individual language to communicate with spirits. So would you say anyone can develop this skill? Absolutely. We’re all psychic, like when you’re thinking of a friend and they call you a moment later. It’s those spidey senses. You just learn to develop them over time. It’s like playing a musical

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ghosts cried out until the building was demolished in 2007; their spirits may still be seen at the Super Target today. c

instrument. If you’re born with the talent, you still need to practice to perfect it. But you can also learn it with dedication. How are you able to communicate with spirits? Do you hear specific words? All of my senses are involved. I see, hear, and smell things from the soul on the other side. Are there such things as “evil” spirits trying to come through during a reading? Sorry to disappoint, but it’s not exactly like the movies make it out to be. I would say that 99.9% of the time my readings are positive experiences. I believe that after we die, our consciousness continues and people lose all of the baggage they had while alive. The spirits are just there to communicate with their loved ones. What’s a typical reading like? When I go into a reading, I like to have as little information as possible. I want to be able to make my clients comfortable and trust that I’m communicating with a loved one, so I’ll give as much evidence as possible. Does the desired spirit always come through? About 95 percent of the time, the spirits they want to talk to come through. If there’s a need, loved ones show. Sometimes a group of spirits will come through together. What’s one thing you’d like readers to especially know about what you do? I’ve never gotten any negative messages from spirits. They always want their loved ones to know that they’re okay. c

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N e t f l i x In s t a n t S c r e a m i n g Lauren Archuletta

t’s October now, which means we officially have an excuse to get drunk on the couch and watch scary movies. Thanks in part to my Twitter crush/pretend-boyfriend/ actual movie critic Matt Patches, I have compiled a list of the best horror flicks available on Netflix. Spend your $11 on Dave Matthews Dreaming Tree Cabernet Sauvignon instead of movie tickets, and settle in for the night with one of these Halloween favorites. Happy binging! Day of the Dead Let’s do a little #TBT for this 1985 horror flick. While I was hoping for a little Mexican Dia de los Muertos, I was comically surprised with a total zombie takeover. It’s not what one would call a “scary” horror flick, but tequila will help bring out some laughs at the makeup and ridiculousness of this plot. The Stuff Apparently Matt Patches gets off on brains, because we have yet another zombie movie. Weird shit starts bubbling out of the Earth, people stupidly taste it, become infatuated with it, and then their brains mutate and they themselves become zombies. Best line? “Are you eating it, or is it eating you?!” Antiviral Welcome back to the 21st century. “Antiviral” is a movie from 2012 that centers on live viruses from famous people being injected into crazed fans. It’s strange, to say the least, but let’s face it: this is totally feasible. The Legend of Hell House This 1973 classic is the basis for modern-day paranormal research movies. As a special bonus, there are some very erotic dream scenes.

Rosemary’s Baby Praise the heavens that this is available on Netflix instant! If you’ve recently made the (terrible) decision to see “Annabelle” in theaters, push play on this classic for an ultimate, scary palate cleanser. You’re Next I have mixed feelings about this one, but that’s probably because the first time I watched it was during a makeout session with a guy from Tinder. Having watched it again recently, however, this family drama turned absolute nightmare gets two thumbs up. The Innkeepers For such a small cast, and an apparently small budget, this film does old-school ghost movies justice. As if this movie wasn’t already pretty good, Lena Dunham makes an appearance as “annoying coffee shop girl.” Carrie Another classic, but how do you pass it up? A lot of us were that same awkward girl in high school, just maybe sans the tampon abuse and magic powers. But I think we can all agree that if we had telekinesis we would’ve raised some serious hell.

Re-Animator

Re-Animator If you’re looking for gore, comedy, and horror all in one place, look no further. This cult classic features the ultimate line, “I gave him life!” It’s like the horror movie version of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Ish. Just ish. Let the Right One In While not as good as the original (I mean really, how can you beat Swedish horror?) the 2008 remake of “Let the Right One In” is readily available on Netflix. This interesting twist on typical vampire movies is worth putting on sweatpants for a night on the couch. c

Amanda Moutinho

The Stanley Hotel

Colorado’s premiere spooky destination 34

CARRIE

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ocated in the mountains of Estes Park sits a hotel with a haunted history. The Stanley Hotel was completed in 1909, and in 1911 a housekeeper was involved in an explosion that took place in what is now the spot of room 217. She is said to haunt the room and occasionally take special care of its guests by putting things away and unpacking. Famously, it was staying in room 217 that inspired Stephen King’s to write “The Shining,” which was the source material for Stanley Kubrick’s much-praised 1980 film. The hotel even plays the movie on a continuous loop in every room.

ROSEMARY'S BABY

Guests have claimed to have had other paranormal encounters throughout the hotel. Children have been heard giggling and playing down the hall, items have been moved around, and lights have turned on and off on their own. F.O. Stanley, the hotel’s creator, is said to still roam the lobby, and his wife Fiona can sometimes be heard playing her beloved piano. The hotel has even been featured on episodes of “Ghost Adventures” and “Ghost Hunters.” The hotel embraces its spooky past and provides a variety of ghost tours fit for all ages and scare levels. c

Learn more at StanleyHotel.com.

Oh, Blucifer Noah L. Jordan The day after I take on this assignment, I am in the car with a friend from out of town leaving DIA. She is nonchalantly discussing the complexities of her flight, the baby crying, how big the airport is, and how confusing it is to navigate. Mid-sentence she stops talking and appears distressed. “Is that Satan’s horse?” she asks. I nod. Yes, it is. “No really though, what is that? It’s horrifying!” “His name is Blucifer,” I say without taking my eyes off the road. And when the end of the world finally rears its ugly head, I have no doubt that in surge of lightning; Blucifer will magically come to life, and kill anyone in his path. Back in 1992, when the DIA art committee first commissioned New Mexican artist Luis Jimenez to create the 32-foot sculpture, everything seemed fine and dandy. It would be a public instillation of art for travelers to enjoy. It would signify the old American west, and piece of history that resonates with Colorado specifically. Little did the people know that this specific piece of art was cursed long before it would even make its debut. Two years later (when Blucifer was supposed to be unveiled), a cornea transplant Jimenez received twenty years before had begun to deteriorate causing him to miss his deadline. After several extensions — and even more missed extensions — people began to speculate that the sculpture would never be finished. It was 2006, and in an attempt to rush the completion, Jimenez was alone in his studio using a lift to hoist a section of the 9,000-pound sculpture that needed to be welded onto another section. A rope broke, the piece fell, and an artery in the 66-year-old artist’s leg was sliced.

LUIS JIMENEZ, "MUSTANG" • PHOTO: DENVER ARTS & VENUES Jimenez died alone and pinned to his studio floor by the sculpture he’d spent the last 14 years working to complete. Jimenez’s family joined together to complete the sculpture and in February 2008, "Mustang" (appraised at $2 million) made its official debut. Members of City Council attended the formal dedication ceremony and immediately the people began to speculate. Was the horse cursed due to its role in Jimenez’s death? Should the city have even moved forward with the project? People even went as far as starting groups to remove the piece of art. In 2009, with more than a thousand members, local realtor Rachel Hultin created a Facebook group called, “DIA’s Heinous Blue Mustang Has Got to Go,” and soon the sculpture was more than just a local eyesore and drew the attention of national

news outlets. People from around the world came to find out if the infamous sculpture was indeed a “killer” or haunted in some way. The year is now, 2014 and The Blue Mustang, with its Horsemen of the Apocalypse feel, is only one addition to the cluster of conspiracies that surround Denver International Airport. Despite the bad vibes and petitions for its removal, the hellacious horse will not be vacating its position anytime soon. It will continue to maintain its unnerving watch over our beloved airport, but on that ill-fated day when planes fall from the sky, blood-rain races along our neighborhood streets, and the world as we know ceases to exist, I can promise you this — I will be nowhere near that damn horse, and if you’re smart you won’t be either. c

First stop for UFOs: the Watchtower in Hooper Amanda Moutinho

alloween makes us question The Great Beyond. While witches and ghosts might walk our Earth, some people are more concerned about the inhabitants of other planets. The UFO Watchtower, located north of Hooper, CO, has a 360-degree view of the San Luis Valley. With no light pollution, people say this is a great spot to notice any alien contact. The Watchtower is run by Judy Messoline. Originally moving to Hooper to raise cattle, Judy realized the UFO business was more profitable and in 2000 built a watchtower for enthusiasts to keep an eye on the sky. There have been well over 60 number of claimed sightings, varying from different-colored lights, constant bright lights, lights zooming through the sky, and objects moving around in circles, witnessed by an individual, or groups of people. You can also visit the garden, which several psychics have said holds two vortexes, meaning portals to different universes. You are encouraged to bring a personal token as an offering and enjoy the unique energy inside the garden. But don’t worry if you don’t see any extra-terrestrials ... at least there’s a gift shop.  Visit The Watchtower online at ufowatchtower.com Outfrontonline.com

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The Ghosts of Cheesman Park O’Brian Gunn

hhh. There’s nothing quite like stretching out on the grass of Cheesman Park to soak up some sunrays and look up at the sprawling open sky overhead. The next time you’re relaxing in the park, there’s a very good chance that you might be enjoying the latest bestseller on top of someone’s final resting place. A day at the park isn’t complete without walking barefoot over someone’s desecrated grave. This Land Is NOT Your Land The haunting of Cheesman Park stretches back to 1858 when a man named William Larimer elbowed some Arapaho Indians aside and laid claim to 320 acres of land to use as a cemetery in the newly-named city of Denver. The Mount Prospect cemetery was divided up into tiers for influential residents of the city, ordinary folk, and paupers and criminals. The new cemetery’s first resident was the murdered brother-in-law of a Hungarian immigrant who soon became the cemetery’s second resident after he was hanged for his crime. In an effort to make sure they kept in touch in the afterlife, the two were dumped into the same grave. When Mount Prospect started to look more like Mount Murder & Accident Victim, the original name soon fell out of use and the cemetery was referred to as “Boot Hill” or the “Old Boneyard.” Rest in Pieces When Denver started movin’ on up in the Western

side due to real estate and silver mining success, the Old Boneyard became old news … old news with tumbled tombstones, digging prairie dog squatters, and cows with a hankerin’ for graveyard grass. In true affluent family fashion, Denver’s well-off residents left the cemetery to the city’s paupers, criminals, unclaimed victims of infectious diseases, and other unsavory types and set up their dearly departed shop in the newer, glitzier Fairlawn and Riverside Cemeteries. Interred Inheritance Cabinetmaker John J. Walley had the pleasure of inheriting the cemetery from Larimer. Walley treated the cemetery more like spam email and ignored his obligation to keep up the grounds. The city government was pressured to take action and figured out a way to bamboozle Walley by “suddenly” discovering that the shame-etery was part of an Indian treaty made before 1860, which made it US property. Not wanting to appear un-American, the US government sold the land to Denver for a cool $200. Yours, Mine, and That’s Not Ours After learning about the cemetery’s new owners, Jewish synagogues moved their dead from the graveyard and decided to lease the land to the water

department. The Catholic church bought up their section of the cemetery and kept it looking like a cover of Better Homes & Graveyards … until 1950. Get Out Your Dead Eventually, City Hall announced that everyone had 90 days to remove their dead from the cemetery. By the end of the deadline (get it?) more than 5,000 bodies were left unclaimed. When arrangements were made to have the unclaimed remains removed in 1893, Denver mayor Platt Rogers was on vacation sunning his butt in Cabo (not really), leaving the task to an underhanded undertaker named E.F. McGovern. McGovern did a haphazard job of moving the remains, stuffing them into too-small boxes and leaving them vulnerable to looting. It was then that reports of supernatural activity started trickling in from residents living around the cemetery who heard restless spirits knocking at their doors and moaning in the dead of night. When the project was abandoned due to legal intervention, the rest of the broken and desecrated bodies were left in the ground where they are still being discovered to this day. Who’s up for a relaxing day at the park?  ChessmanPark.net

OPINION

Sc i e n to lo gy i s Sca ry Kyle Harris Few things are as scary as religion. Consider the monstrous, crucified Jesus dying only to rise again and walk the earth like a zombie; or the symbolic cannibalism known as communion; or war after war after war, one zealot murdering the other in the name of divinity. Looking at the body count of believers, how could anybody with a drop of scruples invent a religion knowing the consequences of faith? Well, America’s youngest Eagle Scout and prolific pulp fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard did. His acolytes brag that he founded the only major 20th century religion. And just like most religions, Scientology has already garnered a nasty reputation for abuse, exploitation, and yes, even homophobia, in the name of purity, truth, and freedom. The church denounces psychiatry. Instead of therapy, members go through “audits.” Volunteer auditors hook people up to “E-Readers,” which work a bit like lie-detector tests, but instead measure a person’s emotional response to memories. The auditors ask questions, delving into past traumas, sometimes going so far back that people end up talking about life before birth. Even past lives. After all, according to Scientology, people 36

aren’t mortal. Our bodies have nothing to do with who we really are. In our purest form, we are “Thetan.” Their creation story, as published in the Los Angeles Times, goes something like this: 75 million years ago, a dictator named Xenu, overlord of the Galactic Confederacy, tried to suppress a rebellion by tricking dissidents into coming to Teegeeack, the planet now known as Earth. Facing overpopulation, he ordered the beings to be thrown into volcanoes and destroyed with hydrogen bombs, killing the people, but liberating their souls. The souls— known in Scientology parlance as Thetans — attached themselves to human bodies. We are Thetan; we are immortal. As odd as the mythology is, it pales in comparison to the horror stories exposed by Lawrence Wright in the New Yorker. His balanced article, “The Apostate” cites a flurry of accusations: The Church of Scientology traffics humans, tears apart families, ostracizes gay members, and brainwashes devotees into spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on classes. David Miscavige, the church leader, beats his staff and followers, slanders dissidents, and wages legal battles against critics, say many exScientologists that Wright quotes. But it doesn’t take an insider look to get the

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willies. Just watch the propaganda videos the church mails out, and you can take a free trip into their theological haunted house. Only, you won’t see cobwebs, chainsaws, and corpses; you’ll see lots chrome, smiling true believers, and promises of a happy, pain-free life — all promises so good, they seem dangerous. “This is an invitation to freedom. Man can save his soul. Like a bright cool dawn after a night of prison and thunder, you can taste that freedom,” a Scientology promo video boasts. “You are a spirit. You are your own soul. You are not mortal. You can be free. You have been invited.” Audit, anyone? 

HALLOWEEN HITMAKERS

Amanda moutinho so you have to throw a halloween party, and you want to impress your friends with how Pinteresting you can be. don’t fret. nearly everything can instantly become halloween-flavored with a little effort and some color dye. fOOd By using a little imagination, your classic recipes can easily become fun, festive body parts. Turn deviled eggs into eyeballs by placing some olives in the middle to make the pupil and adding streaks of red color eye to make them blood shot. Spooky fingers can be made out of hot dogs, carrots, or cheese sticks. Cut a few slashes in the middle for knuckles and complete the look with almond slices as fingernails. Smother a head of cauliflower in red food dye and you’ve instantly got a brain. Stuffed peppers can become jack-o-lanterns by cutting out eyes and a mouth. Pizzas are a versatile option. Lay down some olives as eyeballs and cut mozzarella into long strips to create a mummy. Or cut mozzarella into ghost-shapes. Don’t forget the toppings can also be strategically placed to resemble a jack-o-lantern. drinKS You can use dye to make your vodka or gin look more sinister, or add a splash of grenadine for a

bloody cocktail. To make your drinks look radioactive, drop a glow stick in each cup. Put some plastic spiders, gummy worms, or googly eyes in your ice cube trays to include fun surprises for your beverages. For a fall-time centerpiece, grab a large pumpkin and empty it out. Fill it with ice and use it to chill your beers. deSSertS This is the season for pumpkin everything. Add pumpkin filling or spice to any of your beloved baking recipes. Dip strawberries in white chocolate and use black icing or sprinkles to paint on a ghost face. Cake pops can easily be transformed into Frankensteins, spiders, pumpkins, witches hats, or eyeballs. No one likes biting into a candy apple on a stick. To make the experience a little less sticky, set up a candy apple bar. Cut the apples into slices and give everyone a bowl of caramel. Line up ingredients like nuts, candy, and sprinkles so your guests can create their own. Jello is a very versatile and quick fix. You can buy creepy brain molds or even use a plastic glove to make a hand. Tightly pack a group of straws into a cup and pour the Jello into them. Stick them in the fridge and a little while later you’ll have a bunch of worms. Or use syringes as an inventive way to serve Jello shots. c

Halloween Fun Facts

What's in a name? Halloween is short for “Hallows’ evening,” the night before All Hallows’ Day — some called it Hallowmas (also: google it) — on nov. 1. to convert pagans, the christian church decided that Hallowmas and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2) should assimilate all the sacred pagan holidays that fell on or around Oct. 31. Ghosts love carbs trick or treating evolved from the ancient celtic tradition of setting out treats and food to placate spirits who roamed the streets at Samhain, a sacred festival that marked the end of the celtic calendar year. OutfrOntOnline.cOm

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Pictorial by Jay diers  jaededartstudios.com † Model: James suzuki costume: disguises  disguisescostumes.com OutfrOntOnline.cOm

OctOBer 15, 2014

You Say Potato, I Say Problematic Robyn Vie Carpenter-Brisco Ok, I admit it. I’m an addict. It’s true. I’m addicted to potatoes. (More specifically those that are low in beta carotene and high on the glycemic index.) I love a potato every which way — fried, baked, au gratin, scalloped, whipped, mashed, smashed, hash browned, home fried, warm salad, cold salad, the list goes on. Go ahead, laugh … but this is a serious thing and I’ve known it for years. My first real indication that it might be an issue was an encounter I had while living in NYC. I was having lunch with a friend at this diner over by FIT. We were grabbing a bite before going to an exhibit at the museum. After chatting and contemplating the menu, I decided upon a side of fries and a side of mashed potatoes and gravy! Yep, this actually happened. Funny thing is, I had no idea what I had said until my friend said, “I guess you’re in the mood for potatoes. Are sure you don’t want it baked too?” That’s when I realized I had ordered potatoes with a side of potatoes. (That can’t be healthy!) Add to that my current issue with potato chips: I devour them whenever they come in through the front door. I asked the wusband to bring home chips three times in one week. (<That> is most definitely not healthy.) I’ve given up certain foods in the past, only to put them back in my diet when I had lost the desired amount of weight, felt that my body had learned its lesson (no caffeine for 40 days, never again), or whatever. This time is different. I don’t really need to add potatoes back. There is nothing that I will miss nutritionally by excluding potatoes from my diet. Yams/sweet potatoes are exempt. There are way more nutritious white vegetables that come from the ground — parsnips and taro root, to name two, which are delicious mashed. Cauliflower is also great mashed and is an excellent complement to melted cheese. If I get that dehydrator I put on my bridal registry, I’ll be able to make chips out of everything. Now, please don’t be upset with me if you’re a potato farmer or make your money trading commodities in potato futures. Although I consume a lot of potatoes, I’m pretty certain you won’t miss me. Potatoes are the world’s

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fourth largest food crop. Americans, at last count, average about 116 pounds of potatoes a year! Doing the math, that’s something like 300,000 calories before you add butter, cheese, milk, or anything else. I should lose almost 100 pounds just by cutting out potatoes. Perfect! (Now I won’t have to give up drinking wine and I’ll be svelte for my wedding next year.) I’m excited at the challenge this is going to place in my life. Being a vegetarian, my go-to choice at a restaurant with limited vegetarian selections is usually pasta, sides, or something potato oriented. When I’m craving something salty and crunchy, I’ll be choosing kale chips instead. I’m interested in discovering the unexpected and delightful benefits. (Do you think I’ll go through withdrawals?) Oh, I don’t care; I know this is the right thing to do. I’ll be posting my potato resistance project (#PRP) on Instagram and Pinterest. Join me! Let’s see how creative we can get.  Read more from Robyn on Twitter @TheLesSocialite.

Keep the love, lose the handles.

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The Power of Cool Developed by Harvard scientists, Coolsculpting targets specific areas of the body including the abdominal region, inner and outer thighs, love handles, and back. The cooling process targets fat cells and literally kills them by freezing them. There are no needles. No suction hoses. No scars and no kinves! Not to mention, Coolscuplting is a much more affordable option than other weight loss processes.

The Timeline

Unlike other weight loss procedures, Coolsculpting takes very little time with little downtime. Each session lasts about an hour – the same time you would spend at the gym. A Coolsculpting session could be completed within a lunch hour!

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OctOBer 15, 2014

We Denverites are smitten with the idea of a unique restaurant concept, as evidenced by the sheer volume of kitschy restaurants that are opening every year and the amount of citizens that flock to their tables. A mere five years ago, if you had mentioned the name Linger you would’ve been met with quizzical stares because a mere five years ago, Linger was nothing more than a dream and a prayer. But that was then and Linger is certainly not kitschy. A not-so-small corner in the LoHi neighborhood, Linger (formally known as Olinger Mortuary) rocks a menu of street food from around the world, featuring classics from the Americas, Morocco, Turkey, Italy, Asia, and India. As we settle in to our seats on Linger’s rooftop patio, we are immediately met with the warm October breeze and two of the eateries signature cocktails — the La Rosa and the New Saigon. The two are a contrasting pair with the La Rosa deemed “a sleeper drink” (meaning you can drink it like water until you abruptly pass out) while the New Saigon gives the taste buds a refreshing blast with just a hint of spice. Mentioned by nearly everyone we encountered, the Devils on Horseback (bacon-wrapped dates with goat cheese and sambal gastrique) were an early favorite along with the Achiote Shrimp & Grits served with an apple-tomatillo salsa, charred pineapple, and grilled vegetables and a staple item for Linger, the Mongolian BBQ Duck buns. Each bite of these three starters engaged the palate, and created a sensation that never ceased to make this small town Minnesotan boy grin from ear to ear.

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After our first round of delectable bites, we opted for another round of handcrafted cocktails, landing on the Devil Inside (a tasty balance of rye whiskey, ramazzotti amaro, red wine, lemon juice, and bitters) and the French Quarter (combining cognac, rye whiskey, green chartreuse, lillet rose, and bitters). We certainly weren’t disappointed, and our cocktails only complemented our next round of food — a rousing round of Sesame BBQ Tacos, Veracruz Fish Tacos, Masala Dosa, and a Chicken B’stilla that lasted on the plate about as long as an amateur bull rider. If our stomachs weren’t already maxed out, the true knockout came from the Caramel Pots de Crème — a crispy rice crumble with lime caramel and house-made brown sugar cotton candy. I could go back, take a seat at the Lite Brite bar with a cocktail and that dessert, and be completely content. There are so many different stories you could tell about this place; the history of the old Olinger mortuary that used to reside in the space, the details of the road trip that brought them the RV bar and food truck high above on the rooftop, the idea behind the hundreds of pool balls nestled on the lower floor en route to the bathrooms, yada yada. The stories go on and on, but I think the best story is the one Cucci and his team will continue to write as they go, introducing new ideas and restaurant concepts to the hungry and growing citizens of the Mile High city. And as a lover of food, and newfound resident of this glorious state, I know I will be checking in quite often. 

Linger is located at 2030 W. 30th Avenue.

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OctOBer 15, 2014

starZ denver FiLm FestivaL

November 12 – 23 Sie FilmCenter, 2510 East Colfax Denverfilm.org

Molly Gets a Makeover Bobby crew

November 14 – 16 Colorado Convention Center, Denver Art-Denver.org

tHe unsinKaBLe moLLY BroWn September 12 – October 26 Champa & 13 th • Denver Denvercenter.org

THE CLASSIC TALE OF COLORADO’S OWN HEROINE, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” is revitalized with new — and perhaps more accurate — storytelling, and is easily one of the best musical performances I’ve seen in a long time. This new vision of Molly Brown was performed for the first time, and in the very state where it all takes place. “I have such an enormous depth of love for this state and ‘The Unsinkable Molly Brown’ is truly a love letter to Colorado,” says Beth Malone, who plays Molly Brown. “I honestly believe this new adaptation is a great piece of theater.” Beth Malone’s performance is filled with country sass and is so totally adorable, you can’t help but fall in love. “I’ve been at the theater game for over thirty years. Dick Scanlan’s revised ‘Unsinkable Molly Brown’ is the best rewrite I’ve ever read. Period,” says Burke Moses, the actor who plays J.J. Brown. “For the actor, nothing compares to being in a show’s first production.” The show, put on by the Denver Center Theater

AnnABelle lauren Archuletta

a second HeLPinG: tHe cHrucH Basement Ladies seQueL September 12 – November 8 5501 Arapahoe Ave. • Boulder BouldersDinnertheatre.com

rFK: a Portrait oF roBert KennedY October 17 – 26 2450 W. Main St. • Littleton townHallArtscenter.com

OctOBer 15, 2014

You’re more than likely going to spend a good chunk of this week’s paycheck on scary movie date night. If you plan on seeing “Annabelle,” read on for 300 words on why you shouldn’t. After seeing weeks’ worth of previews for the sequel (technically, the prequel) to “The Conjuring,” I was ready to go all out for a full-on fright night. I bought a ticket to the 10pm showing of the film and decided to put on my big-girl panties and see the movie alone for the full scary experience. I was expecting chills to run down my spine, as I was deathly afraid of an American Girl doll that used to sit outside of my bedroom during my childhood. What I got instead was like a “Mad Men” Halloween episode. The movie follows a young, expecting couple in the early 1970s that just so happen to live next door to neighbors whose daughter ran off and joined a

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Company, features several brand new songs, yet keeps the favorites from the old story, like “Belly Up to the Bar, Boys,” and “I’ll Never Say No.” Dick’s rewrite looks at Margaret Tobin Brown’s entire history and becomes more than just a girl who goes from dirt poor to filthy rich sort of story. More time is spent in Leadville, and there is a greater focus on Molly Brown’s charity work in Denver. “Early in the process of adapting ‘The Unsinkable Molly Brown’ for a new generation of musical comedy lovers and unearthing treasures in Meredith Willson’s previously unopened trunk of songs, I knew that the Denver Center Theater Company was the perfect place for our maiden voyage,” Dick says. I’m always amazed at how fast actors can get out of their clothes and into new ones to play several different characters in the same show. The entire cast had such a collection of strong voices. This was the perfect group to take on the premier performance of “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.”  Runs through October 26. Find showtimes & tickets at denver-theater.com cult. The cult premise had some serious potential, as news clips of Charles Manson were scattered throughout the beginning of the movie, but even this didn’t end up being a super essential plot line. Within the first 10 minutes, we discover the neighbors’ daughter is Annabelle, and after she dies during a murder attempt of our pregnant main character, her soul inhabits the already terrifying-looking porcelain doll. Other than providing proof that all dolls are essentially creepy, the movie only delivered loud noises and things that jump out at the camera. Despite trying to draw on themes from “Rosemary’s Baby” and even “The Omen,” “Annabelle” didn’t quite measure up to the Warrens in “The Conjuring.” I will admit, however, that after the movie, I did call up my mom and beg her for the 100th time to get rid of the “Little Lauren” doll, just in case anyone decides to die with her in their arms and, in turn, possess the damn thing.  Annabelle is now playing in theaters.

Beth Malone, John Scherer, Michael Halling, and Gregg Goodbrod. Photo credit: Jennifer M. Koskinen.

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