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january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
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VOL. XXXVI ISSUE #19 JANUARY 16, 2013
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contents cover Story:
“Beginning in Jan. 2014, insurance companies won’t be able to keep you from choosing their policies simply because of a pre-existing condition, which will open up the opportunities for people to be covered.” . Dr. Mark Thrun
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feature:
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“The new studio has a very urban feel, yet it’s sophisticated. The energy is spectacular ... We want this space to be more about community than anything else. I’m really excited for what we have to offer. It’s groovy, good-energy space for everyone to participate.” . Stacey Lei Krauss Co-owner of willPower FIT STUDIO
On the cover: dr. mark thrun. Photography by Flor Blake, FlorBlakephoto.com.
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january 16, 13 | outfrontonline.com
Columns and departments
focus 6 letter from the editor 7 SPeaKout 9 neWS 10 Panel: voiceS 12 out in colorado body and mind 15 Beauty 16 thrive 19 faith & SPirit social 24 food for thought 26 high Society 31 Bar taB 33 Qrave living 37 faShion 38 SPortS 40 ShoW & tell 41 BacK in the day 45 heinZeSight
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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 Email: info@outfrontonline.com Web: OutFrontOnline.com Facebook: facebook.com/OutFrontColorado Twitter: @OutFrontCO Out Front Colorado is published by Transformation Communications Group, LLC, a Colorado limited liability corporation and is a member of: Denver Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and Denver Drama Critics Circle. Phil Price / Founder, 1954-1993 Jerry Cunningham / Publisher Email: Jerry@outfrontonline.com J.C. McDonald / Vice President / Director of Circulation Email: JC@outfrontonline.com Nic Garcia / Associate Publisher Email: Nic@outfrontonline.com Jeff Jackson Swaim / Chief Strategist Email: Jeff@outfrontonline.com
ED ITORI AL Holly Hatch / Editor-in-Chief Email: Holly@outfrontonline.com Matthew Pizzuti / Junior Editor Email: Matt@outfrontonline.com Contributing Writers: Brent Heinze, Maya Salam, Robyn Vie-Carpenter, Scott McGlothlen, Jeff Steen, Josiah Hesse, Gary Kramer, Mike Yost, Ashley Trego, Nuclia Waste, David Marlowe, Steve Cruz, Chris Azzopardi, Shanna Katz, Max Oliver, Amy Lynn O’Connell, Jonathan McGrew, Jasmine Peters, Lauren Archuletta.
ART Sara Decker / Creative Director Email: Sara@outfrontonline.com Crystal Hatch / Freelance Designer DENEE PINO / Graphic Design Intern Charles Broshous / Photographer
SALES jordan jacobs / Marketing Executive Email: Jordan@outfrontonline.com HOLLY KOMAR / Marketing Executive Email: Holly.Komar@outfrontonline.com
DISTRIBUTION: Out Front Colorado’s print publication is available semi-monthly, free of charge in Colorado, one copy per person. Additional copies of Out Front Colorado may be purchased for $2.95 each, payable in advance at Out Front Colorado offices located at 3535 Walnut Street, Denver CO, 80205. Out Front Colorado is delivered only to authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of Out Front Colorado, take more than one copy of Out Front Colorado. 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 COLORADO, its staff or advertisers.
january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
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Why it’s imperative to find our common ground
CONNECT WITH HOLLY
Reach executive editor Holly Hatch by email at holly@ outfrontonline.com, phone (303) 477.4000 ext. 711 or friend her on Facebook at facebook.com/ hollyamberhatch.
january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
struggle for fairness is over. Yet it’s imperative that we stand up and continue to fight for everyone to get the best resources for a healthy and vibrant life. We are all in this together, after all, in ways extending far beyond our need for better public health. We’ve heard from trans folks in the community – those like Julia Hatch, whose Speak Out column in our Dec. 5 issue detailed her frustration with segregation between lesbians and gays and the transgender population. We’ve also heard frustration from those who are cisgendered about segregation and discontinuity in our community. When did our promise to support and include one another turn into a bad episode of Gossip Girl? At Out Front, we see and hear about these gaps in equality, and our commitment and our goal is to be a platform for all voices in the LGBT community. We hope we see our struggle as a common one, not just a “gay” struggle or a “lesbian” struggle or a “trans” struggle. Our promise to the community is that we will continue to take all issues within the LGBT community to heart, and fight to create change and opportunity for everyone, whether it is same-sex relationship recognition, trans equality or anything else affecting our community’s diverse members. A friend, Summer Snover, once told me about her work as a masseuse. Over a beer at a local tavern I asked her if it was difficult to deal with such different needs and body types, or stay energized with five hour-long massages in a row. Her response changed the way I look at people who society deems “different.” She said: “It used to be really hard, especially if there was someone who neglected to take care of their body, because my job is to revive what they’ve neglected. But I realized that if I found something – even if it’s small – to love about every person on my table, I could more easily give them a better experience. I began to love what I do on a whole new level.” Perhaps the message for this arrived year is just that: To learn to love something about the people we struggle with, or don’t feel like we can connect with, and relinquish our stereotypes to our basic human connection. Love is our commonality. Let us take the time to love those we don’t understand, and realize that someone else’s struggle or fight, is also our own struggle. We all deserve the right to equality. We can do better. And we will do better as we continue to fight the challenges we all face on a daily basis. That is, after all, the goal of our existence as humans. ]
Holly Hatch Editor-In-Chief
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ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS: For Mike Yost, there’s no such thing as being too loud. He loves to interview clamorous activists and clangorous nonprofits for Out Front, telling the stories of those who aren’t afraid to stand for change and reporting on the efforts and policies affecting the whole community, from the middle to the margins. Mike also listens to deafening metal, writing reviews for NoCleanSinging. com. His fondness for vociferation comes from serving in silence in the Air Force under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, which became the basis of his first novel, Remnants of Light. Read the cover story by Mike Yost on page 20.
Flor Angela Blake is a portrait, fashion, and commercial photographer in Denver who styles her work on vibrant and energetic imagery. She has a background all aspects of theater, documentary coordination, video production and editing, and a degree in Advertising from the University of Puerto Rico. For more info, visit FlorBlakePhoto.com. See Blake’s photography on the cover of this issue.
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Each January is a fresh start – full of excited promises we’re making to ourselves and hope for change developing during the coming year. Our resolutions are commitments and promises to continue improving our bodies, souls, faiths and psyches. Toward the beginning of each new year, our selfimprovement agendas may seem inspiring, even if a little daunting. We hope to build our strength and self-image by joining a new fitness center (See pages 23 and 38 to learn about new workout centers in the community), we vow to keep up with the latest trends in order to boost our career and social lives (see page 37 for new fashion), yet the largest and last part of our lives that ultimately escapes control is physical health. We all age, we all get sick – we all sooner or later encounter the health care system, and put ourselves into the hands of someone else. Some of us take for granted that our health is under our own control. We take for granted being able to see a doctor when we’re sick. We think nothing of the ability to medicate away that headache or sniffle, cure that ache or rush a prescription to the Queen Soopers pharmacy and fill it for less than $12. But for many folks in the LGBT community, basic health care is not a guarantee – it’s a daily struggle, financially and emotionally draining. Where does one find health care providers or insurance companies that will cover us if we are transgender, if our partner’s employee benefits don’t cover us, or if we have a pre-existing condition? Where does “equality for all” end, or begin? Hopes and fears abound surrounding Obamacare – the Affordable Care Act – the political buzzword of a decade. The law, to some, gives hope of catching those falling through the health care system’s cracks, while to others it’s a matter of uncertainty and worry about how we’ll be affected by its complicated provisions. In our cover story on page 20, many experts say the ACA will mend some concerns about access to health care in the LGBT community. But we still have a ways to go ensuring those in the trans community can get medical support through their transitions, those with HIV get the best life-saving care, and the whole community has access to LGBT-friendly doctors. I urge all of us in the LGBT and allied community to take a stand for the under-represented and under-served. Lesbian and gay couples who’ve been covered by one partner’s insurance policies might think the
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froM tHe eDitor
speakout
Councilmom Kniech A life that’s fabulously ordinary By Robin Kniech Long, long ago, in a land far away called Iowa, I went to college. The Bisexual Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Drake University, aka BGLAD, was the first community where I felt I really belonged. Rarely one to take the easy path when a much more difficult one can be found, I worked with BGLAD to design a Homophobia/Heterosexism workshop for the Greek system, which they actually agreed to let us present to fraternities and sororities. The workshop opened with a twopanel cartoon. The first was a teaser to prepare the reader for the “deep, dark, secret inner life of gays and lesbians, what they did in the privacy of their homes….” The second? A picture of gay men watching TV and lesbians doing their laundry. We followed with many highly regarded diversity workshop exercises, but I don’t think anything was as powerful as that opener. It confronted deeply held imagery and stereotypes of what it means to be gay, and demystified them with the plain, ordinary facts of daily life. Not to mention it was hilarious. Fast forward to today, when in addition to doing our own laundry, more and more LGBT couples are washing cloth diapers, fire truck sleepers and karate or ballet costumes. And lieu of watching our own TV shows, we know all the words to episodes of the Backyardagains and Toy Story 3. The deep, dark, secret inner life of gays and lesbians has long-included parenting, whether from prior relationships or planned after coming out. But as more of us feel safe being in our jobs, families, and communities, more LGBT individuals and couples are coming out as parents who can love, raise, make mistakes with, and embarrass our children in the same ordinary and extraordinary ways as other families. Why is it important to shed light on the deep, dark secret inner life of cleaning milk-lip imprints off the back of your slacks? Or about reading Mr. Strong for the 1000th time and pretending to be shocked when he picks up a barn and fills it with river water
Family OUTing:
to put out the fire? Because these things simply don’t change with your sexual orientation, nor do the values we try to promote in our children, such as caring, kindness, responsibility, honesty and respect. Denver is a largely inclusive city, where LGBT parents live next door to straight ones, and we sit next to each other at school performances and soccer practice. But we still face discrimination in relationship recognition, we can’t participate with our sons in the Boy Scouts, and our kids might face teasing or bullying from classmates who don’t learn a lot about families like ours in school, books or television. Your City Government is an open and inclusive one too. But because of these lingering barriers, sometimes I think it’s important to make a little extra effort to be sure folks know about the resources available to all the families in our City. This summer I taught my son to swim by trying out all the different public pools in Denver. And we both fell in love with toddler slides, splash pads, zero depth kiddie pools and other amenities hiding in neighborhoods across Denver while some parents think they have to head to the ‘burbs. So this January, when the temps are cold, new toys are old, and the kids are driving us all up the wall, let’s get together and run and swim and play and laugh. Join us on Jan. 26 at the Montclair Recreation Center for a Family OUTing, and consider signing up for a lesson or a membership afterwards. Denver’s Parks and Recreation system is an asset for all families, including LGBT parents. Add oohing and aahing at missed swings at the T, or cheering every summersault as if it was the first, to your deep, dark, secret inner life as a gay parent. ] Robin Kniech is the City Council’s first openly-gay council member. Her goals include: affordable housing options, a more sustainable budget, and renewed retention and development of light industrial and manufacturing jobs. Robin and her partner of 10 years have a young son.
What: Meet and mingle with LGBT parents When: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Jan. 26 Where: Montclair Recreation Center, 729 Ulster Ct.. More info on the Family OUTing, visit ofcnow.co/yCa RSVP required at SurveyMonkey.com/S/9XDSQ9M
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january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
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FYI
Lawmakers introduce same-sex marriage bill in Rhode Island Rhode Island is the only state in New England without same-sex marriage, but that could soon change with two recently-introduced bills in the state’s legislature. On Jan. 3, Rep. Arthur Handy introduced a bill for same-sex marriage in the state’s House, while Sen. Donna Nesselbush, who is openly lesbian, introduced a similar bill in the state’s Senate. Rhode Island could be come the tenth state in the U.S. with marriage equality, depending on whether Illinois passes a same-sex marriage bill first. ]
Study finds smoking plays outsized role in health of HIV-positive patients
CONNECT
January 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
Read more @ ofcnow.co/pT9
FOR MORE ONLINE NEWS, VISIT OUTFRONTONLINE. COM/OFCNOW/
Read more @ ofcnow.co/gFy
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Everybody knows that smoking is bad for you – but a new study out of Denmark found that smoking plays an outsized role in the prognosis of people living with HIV. Combined, having HIV and smoking is far more dangerous than just adding up the health impacts of having HIV or smoking. The results were dramatic: HIVpositive people who smoke are more likely to die prematurely from smoking-related causes than they are from HIV-related causes. The good news is, smoking is the one you can quit! ]
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neWs
Historic moment for Colorado’s LGBT community Ferrandino takes Speaker’s gavel as legislation sets May 1 date for first civil unions By Nic Garcia
State Rep. Mark Ferrandino smiles from the House floor Jan. 9 after his colleagues made his election to Speaker of the House official. Photo by Evan Semon
When the Colorado General Assembly opened for business at 10 a.m. Jan. 9, a transition of political power established one the most diverse political bodies in the state’s history – including eight openly gay and lesbian lawmakers – and the closest thing to a guarantee in politics that on May 1, same-sex couples here will be able to form civil unions sanctioned by the state. And there was plenty of pomp, circumstance and history for everyone. While hundreds of lobbyists and politicos crowded in the Capitol’s third-floor gallery to watch history unfold, from a makeshift front row John and Stephanie Ferrandino watched a dream came true. Not because their son Mark Ferrandino just became the first gay man in Colorado’s history to assume one of the most powerful positions in state politics – Speaker of the House – but because, as John said, “it’s always a wonderful thing for a parent to see his kid’s dream come true.” “Not every parent gets to see that,” John added. History aside, in his opening remarks after being officially voted Speaker, Ferrandino blended bipartisan rhetoric with clear legislative priorities. “The investments of previous generations have allowed Colorado to grow and prosper, and we have a responsibility to build on what previous generations have handed to us,” Ferrandino said. “By working together, we will build an even greater state of Colorado that we will be proud to hand off to the next generation.” While issues like the state’s budget, the economy and a response to the Aurora theater massacre still need to be sorted out – and Ferrandino made note of each in his address – the fate for the Colorado Civil Union Act, a bill re-introduced for
the third time Jan. 9, was predetermined on Election Day last year after Ferrandino helped orchestrate a Democratic victory that claimed every competitive House race and gave his party a nine-seat majority. With nothing to stand in its way, the civil unions bill now sets May 1 as the date for unions to begin in Colorado. Ferrandino was first appointed minority leader in late 2011 after state Rep. Sal Pace, D-Pueblo, stepped aside to focus on his Congressional bid. Since taking control of the caucus, one of Ferrandino’s top priorities was to restore the majority his party lost by one seat in the 2010 elections. House district lines favorable to the Democrats, a downticket effect from the Presidential race and a sea of enthusiasm from Colorado’s progressive coalition helped the self-proclaimed budget wonk establish his wins, with added energy from a nationwide network of donors supporting gay rights. “If you looked at our campaigns and the volunteers and donors, right after the special session (on civil unions), they increased to our campaigns and that continued,” Ferrandino said in a pre-session interview. “You saw a lot of people activated – both gay and straight – working from the special session all the way through Election Day to make sure a different outcome occurred.” Last May, the state House came to a screeching halt after the Colorado Civil Union Act cleared three Republican controlled House committees, and, knowing there were enough votes to pass the bill to Gov. John Hickenlooper for his signature, then-Speaker of the House Frank McNulty and his GOP leadership team put the House in recess and ran out the clock on
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More on civil unions and the 2013 legislature Bill introduced on the first day of session would have civil unions begin May 1 http://ofcnow.co/0UF Why the civil unions bill is virtually guaranteed to pass this year http://ofcnow.co/ZV5 Gov. Hickenlooper calls for civil unions in his State of the State Address http://ofcnow.co/MgV the bill, denying it a House vote. Onlookers from the third floor gallery chanted “shame on you,” after McNulty called the breakdown an “impasse” between him and Ferrandino. Hickenlooper called for a special levislative session, urging GOP leadership to reconsider, but McNulty sent the bill to a “kill committee” where it was unceremoniously voted down by the committee’s Republican majority. For gay rights activists and the progressive community, payback arrived Jan. 9. “It is our job to keep an open mind and a willingness to bend, if just a little, for the good of the whole,” Ferrandino said in his speech, moment after accepting the speaker’s gavel from McNulty. “It is our job to question our preconceived notions … When we go it alone, the path to success
is far steeper and narrower. the legislature is no place for rugged individualists.” Newly-appointed Republican House minority leader Mark Waller, from Colorado Springs, echoed Ferrandino’s call for bipartisanship. “We begin our work on the heels of a difficult election season, but the time for political grandstanding is past,” Waller said. “As a body of citizen legislators, we are united by our duty – and our desire – to create new opportunities for every individual living in Colorado … I pledge to you that House Republicans will do everything in our power to build the coalition we need to strengthen our state together.” And House Republicans will have at least five chances to reach across the isle and work with openly gay and lesbian lawmakers. Returning to the House with Ferrandino is state Rep. Sue Schafer of Wheat Ridge, and newly elected out state Reps. are Joann Ginal of Fort Collins, Paul Rosenthal of Denver, and Dominick Moreno of Commerce City. Three other openly gay and lesbian lawmakers hold seats in the state Senate: Joining state Sen. Pat Steadman and Lucia Guzman, both of Denver, is Jessie Ulibarri of Commerce City. Schafer said she was excited about the tone both Ferrandino and Waller took with their opening remarks. “I don’t just reach across the isle,” she said. “I walk across. I have to model my bipartisanship.” First elected in 2008, Schafer suggested newly-elected out lawmakers – both gay and straight – listen to their constituents needs. “We get down here and we think, ‘I have to get 33 votes to pass a bill,’ but first you need to ask ‘what do my constituents think?’” she said. ]
january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
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Panel: voices
Q:
How do you see the LGBT movement’s relationship with the civil rights movement?
Phil Nash’s 37-year career in public affairs encompasses nonprofits, philanthropy, governmnent and advocacy. A former writer and editor at Out Front, Nash is a communications and marketing consultant with nonprofit organizations and foundations.
Elisabeth Long is a sassy and sensitive queer femme-inist Pisces babe. She’s passionate about anti-violence and queer activism and enjoys nerding out on socio-cultural theory and rockin’ a hot pair of stilettos.
Interested in becoming one of the voices on Out Front’s PANEL? 10
january 16, 13 | outfrontonline.com
Naturally, I identify closely with both of these social justice movements. At a level, it concerns me that this topic maintains its cultural and political prevalence, particularly in its current form. I’m the first to appreciate the value of careful and meaningful analysis, to draw comparisons and contrasts for the sake of learning and improving. However, often the focus is whether and how the LGBT movement and civil rights movement are the same or different, and discussions devolve into opinions about the value of each movement’s existence. Comparing and contrasting the righteousness of campaigns aimed at securing equal rights for all citizens is at the very least unhelpful, and seems to me a colossal waste of time. As we continue to witness advancements for the civil rights of LGBT people, it is relevant to consider how the LGBT movement relates to the civil rights movement. Like all relationships, it is complex and evolving. Descriptively, while there are obvious similarities and differences, the LGBT movement is to me a variant of the civil rights movement that came before it, seeking first and foremost equal protection under the law. In many respects, the civil rights movement was a kind of blueprint for LGBT activists because its scope was comprehensive, including legal, political, economic and social objectives. Soon (relatively speaking), the LGBT movement matured and diverged in service of its specific goals and in response to the political landscape of the times, resulting in enhanced capabilities. I see the relationship trending toward greater convergence of issues important to both movements. ] Katina Banks
Socially, the LGBT movement differs from its civil rights counterparts in one critical way. African Americans, Latinos, Jews, Muslims and other racial/ ethnic/religious minorities are raised in families and communities that provide support, empathy and insight in how to deal with prejudice. Children growing up L, G, B or T usually do not. Unlike other movements, we have had to build our communities from scratch to get a base of power. We have had to find each other, help each other cast off internalized homophobia, build a service infrastructure and get organized. In Colorado, that work began in the 70s and 80s. Our early LGBT rights victories followed, often after initial, heartbreaking defeats. Today, the work is different. Many people of color have come out and assumed leadership roles in the LGBT movement while staying connected to their roots. We have had allies like Mayors Federico Peña, Wellington Webb and Michael Hancock bringing the LGBT community to the table. Our politics today are a struggle between Old America, shaped in the last half of the 20th century primarily by white, heterosexual men, and 21st century America where people of color will be the majority within a generation. The 2012 election was the turning point, with women, African Americans, Latinos, and LGBT voters aligned with Barack Obama’s inclusive vision of America’s future, or perhaps just against the GOP’s “members only” America. The big takeaway: There’s enough social justice to go around. Just keep reaching across while reaching forward. ] Phil Nash
Iowa native George Gramer is the president of the Colorado Log Cabin Republicans.
I cannot do justice to the oft-simplified relationships between the Freedom Movement and LGBT Movement, but as a younger white queer person who’s watched recent LGBT movements play out, what comes to mind are the ways in which white LGBT activists and community members use images and strategies of the Freedom Movement in action for LGBT civil rights. I have seen white activists and white-led lesbian and gay organizations and media outlets appropriate stories and photos of the Freedom Movements in calls for policy change to include, recognize, and/or protect lesbian and gay people. While well-meaning, the comparison of Black Freedom Fighters with lesbians and gays fighting for gay marriage today does not do justice to the depth and lethality of racist violence, discrimination, disenfranchisement, and oppression experienced by African Americans, particularly those in the Jim Crow South. It situates anti-Black racism as something of the past, something that has been overcome, and in doing so invalidates contemporary experiences of racism, the ways in which racism intersects with transphobia and homophobia, and continued freedom movements for racial justice and liberation. I hope the relationship between Freedom Movement and LGBT Movement is one in which history is honored and used to inform contemporary movements for all forms of liberation. When we celebrate our different histories and experiences while exploring the ways in which our struggles are linked, we are stronger than when we collapse our experiences into identical struggles separated simply by time. ] Elisabeth Long
George K. Gramer, Jr.
Any GLBT connection to the civil rights movement of the 1960’s is tenuous, at best. Perhaps too many 2013 GLBT activists want to create a gay rights supporter from a Southern Baptist minister gunned down 45 years ago. There is a tight rope to walk between the GLBT community and the minority communities of the United States. All one needs to do is to look at exit polling on Proposition 8 in California.* Seven in ten African Americans voted for Proposition 8 (to eliminate the rights of same-sex couples to marry). Fifty-three percent of Latinos also supported Proposition 8. The GLBT community is perhaps the most non-religious of America’s minorities. The very religious, Bible-based core of the African-American and Hispanic communities defeats some mutual understanding among all the parties. The Reverend Doctor King was a Southern Baptist minister. The reality is that King never spoke publicly about the issue of homosexuality, and almost 50 years later, the frame of reference is quite different. Perhaps the bottom line is the question “Is the battle the GLBT community is facing on religious, political, and cultural fronts equal to what the Black community in American had to face in the sixties – and continues to face in some ways even today?” Kirsten West Savali answered that question early last year when she wrote, “No, but it cannot and should not be minimalized by that fact. Injustice is injustice, whether due to the color of our skin, the content of our character, or sexual orientation.” ] *EDITOR’S NOTE: While one CNN exit poll reported majorities of black and Latino respondents voted for California’s Prop. 8 in 2008, it has been noted that those subsets of the poll were small and the survey’s methodology gave them exceptionally large margins of error.
Katina Banks is a Denver native and the Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law. She serves on the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the One Colorado Education Fund.
Contact Holly Hatch by email at Holly@outfrontonline.com or call (303) 477.4000 ext. 711 to be considered!
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tHe leBanese lesBian
Flight Fright: When overcoming fear might not be an option
Maya Salam Email Maya at mns.outfront@gmail.com For more columns by Maya, visit ofcnow.co/rMp
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ot-so-fun fun fact: I have a genuine fear of flying, and I fly all the time all over the place (and always have). I don’t think I’ve had a year in my life where I made less than six airborne trips. It all began when I was in utero, and my mom made the trek from Beirut to Tucson, Arizona, nine months pregnant to give birth to me. Then a mere week of two later, I was packed up (tiny little passport and all) and shipped back out to Beirut. Well, maybe not shipped – my mom was with me, of course – but still. It was quite the venture for a newborn and the beginning of my love/hate relationship with traveling. Make that my love of traveling, my hatred of getting there. In fact, I’m on a plane right now, and because this flight took off at 6 a.m., I didn’t even get to guzzle my usual two glasses of crappy and overpriced airport wine to take the edge off. So I’m assuming that makes me coherent enough to write. Well, you can be the judge of that. For the sake of full disclosure, I did take my oh-so-necessary Xanax, but it just softens the edges instead of making me loopy, as it would if I were not hurtling through the sky at 600 mph in a metal cylinder. I have done a lot to try and conquer this fear that inexplicably began before most kids even realize the logistics of what’s happening. I was about 5 when I started to be paralyzed upon air travel. My parents didn’t know what to do, and it’s definitely not a concern shared by any family members, who all globetrot via the friendly skies with ease. I’ve learned a ton about air travel, even working at two private airports for a few years in my early 20s. I’ve gone to therapy. I’ve even been hypnotized by a psychologist specializing in this type of panic. All these attempts have had “eh”
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results. It’s seemingly ingrained in my psyche, for better or worse (make that for worse). There are several theories as to why this aversion is so deep-seated: I was unable to pop my ears until I was about 19, following a surgery – maybe all the pressure at a young age caused an adverse reaction that I couldn’t express. Maybe all the anxiety surrounding us when we fled from the war in Beirut caused a permanent internal correlation that I can’t shake. Maybe I was in a plane crash in a past life! Who the hell knows, really. All I know is what the heck am I supposed to do now. I’ve certainly tried to get away from some of my more morbid internal coping mechanisms and rituals: i.e. approaching every trip with the mentality of “I assume I’m not going to make it, and if I do, I feel lucky”; not allowing anyone to say “Let me know when you get there,” without the eye-roll inducing retort of, “If I get there, you mean”; and not eating anything on the day of travel until I land. So that’s progress, right? I guess the bottom line of sharing all the minutiae of my neurosis with you is that while I might be the most nervous flyer you know, I won’t let it stop me from doing what I want to do – seeing the world, visiting with my loved ones, exploring the new and dynamic adventures awaiting in every time zone. I always joke that I lose a couple weeks off my life every time I fly, but even if that is true, it’s worth it. Because allowing fear to prevent me from living is not a life worth extending, but conquering fears (no matter how logical or not) and pushing the walls of these comfort zone regularly can only prevent regret and bring strength – and if not strength, at least understanding. ]
january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
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out in colorado
Denver’s Mile High Freedom Band to march in the
Presidential Inauguration Denver’s favorite LGBT-inclusive band announced will be sending four musicians to contribute to President Obama’s Inauguration Parade Jan. 21 in a larger contingency composed of the national Lesbian and Gay Band Association. This momentous occasion marks the second time that members of the MHFB have participated in the event. Members of the MHFB also participated in the 2009 Inaugural Parade. “It is a privilege to be able to represent the GLTB community as a part of the Presidential Inauguration and we are particularly pleased to be representing the Colorado GLBT community,” said Rice Majors, artistic director
of the MHFB. “We greatly appreciate the support we receive from the GLBT community here in Colorado and we are proud to be representing our state in this mass band of musicians from around the county.” Participating musicians will be rehearsing in Baltimore Jan. 19 and 20, prepping for the event. It’s a fast and furious process of learning new music, practicing marching and getting new uniforms in order for this big event. It’s a particularly challenging parade given the winter weather and all of the security logistics. ] For more info on the MHFB, how to get involved, and where to see performances, visit MHFB.org.
the lesbian Gay Band association is working to raise some funds to off-set expenses. each member is individually responsible for expenses for this event but there are numerous shared expenses to pull something like this off (buses for transport, application fees, rehearsal space, etc.) if you are interested in contributing, visit lGBa.org and click on the donate button!
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The new destination for discounts and deals at Out Front
Your one stop shop for discounts, coupons and gift cards 12
There’s a new way to save. Out Front, the state’s largest and oldest LGBT news organization and network, has launched QRAVE, a website devoted to customer loyalty and savings for its readers and marketing partners. Qrave.OutFrontOnline.com is a one stop shop for discounts, coupons, gift cards and rewards. “QRAVE is the next evolution of our VIP program,” publisher Jerry Cunningham said. Out Front launched it’s VIP card in the mid 2000s. The loyalty card featured marketing partners from various services including restaurants, retail and real estate offering regular discounts. Readers could request a card, present it at the time of purchase and receive savings. QRAVE does all of that and more.
january 16, 13 | outfrontonline.com
Readers can now log on and download vouchers and gift cards featuring regular discounts – like 15 percent off at Hamburger Mary’s or 20 percent off at Dress for Less Clothiers – or can purchase gift cards to Hapa – $25 for a $50 gift card – in the same vein as LivingSocial. But, Cunnigham said, “What separates QRAVE from websites like GroupOn is how we work with our partners, they pay a flat rate and don’t end up losing their profit on each deal.” QRAVE has been a program in development since Cunningham assumed ownership of Out Front in 2012. “Our team has been working hard all year to develop and execute a website and program that works for both our readers and our partners,” Cunningham said. “We’ve listened to our partners and readers, done the research and worked
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out as many bugs on the website as we could before the launch.” While readers are still encouraged to use their VIP Card, the QRAVE website also allows readers to download vouchers and gift cards and redeem savings electronically via email. A reader simply needs to select their savings, render any payment and wait only a few seconds to have the electronic voucher arrive in their inbox. Participating businesses then click one button on a customers’ smartphone and the savings is redeemed. “We’re excited to provide this new technology to Colorado’s LGBT community and our allied businesses,” Cunningham said. “This year is going to be a year of savings and profits for everyone in our network.” Log on to QRAVE.OutFrontOnline. com to begin saving today. ]
radioactive vision
To the drag cave, Batman!
Nuclia Waste Nuclia Waste can be reached through her website at NucliaWaste.com For related articles by Nuclia Waste, visit ofcnow.co/Hx9
Our drag dungeon in Gaypleton is expanding. It’s not because I am running out of space for my 22 wigs, 32 purses and racks and racks of dresses and costumes. It’s because Mr. Waste is getting back into the world of drag – as Lushus La’Rell. It’s been a few years since Lushus hit the clubs, performing in show fundraisers. In 2002 she carried the title of Miss Colorado Gay Rodeo Association. Lushus took up about a quarter of our basement back then. Over the years, Mr. Waste gifted his drag to various queens until Lushus could fit into two small plastic storage tubs.
Not anymore. Lushus has slowly been reclaiming drag dungeon territory. First it was a clothing rack. Then wigs began to perch about, hanging like bats from the ceiling. Sparkly jewels began to light up the dark corners of the drag cave. I am certain I heard something shuff ling about the other day, muttering, “My precious.” This drag expansion is all part of a larger plan for Lushus to run next April for empress of the Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire. This past December she hosted a Sunday brunch where she announced her intention to run for empress in front of friends, co-workers and members of Colorado’s U.S. Congressional Delegation. Lushus turned in her application right there on the spot. And now we wait for the ICRME board review to see if she gets approved to run. That won’t happen until some time in March, which gives Lushus plenty of time to tunnel more space in our basement. Having two drag queens in the house does pose challenges. If it’s a night where both of us are going to be in drag, we need to coordinate dog walking of Puppy Waste One and Two before we don our lashes and lipstick. Walking a dog in makeup might frighten the neighbors, but it’s the stilettos combined with pulling leashes that will take you down. Thanks goodness we have one more than one bathroom. Florescent pinks and greens do not mix with the earth tones of a Latina. One bathroom is constantly covered in glitter while the second has a perpetual dusting of tancolored foundation. When only one of us is in drag and going out for the evening, the “boy” handles all the drag luggage and garment bags. But when we are both in drag, there’s no one available to play drag valet for the other. So it’s every drag queen for herself. I imagine Batman and Robin had to deal with similar issues. “Holy harnesses, Batman. I have no room for my green leotards with all your leather masks taking up the entire bat cave!” While not as noble as fighting crime, drag does allow us to raise money for so many Denver charitable organizations. And that’s why we do it. I guess that makes us a drag dynamic duo. ]
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january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
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GAL ON THE MOVE
What is in a name? One of the first things that people started asking when I announced I’ll be getting married this summer was whether I plan to change my name. My last name, already, is hyphenated because my father took on my mother’s maiden name attached to his. Over the years it’s been a source of pride for me. I always that it was cool that my dad loved my mom so much that he didn’t want her to be the only one to change by getting married. When I first began my coaching practice, I liked the translation of my name even more – Vie is French for “life,” a Carpenter is a builder. So, my name means “Life Builder.” What’s cooler than that? Flash-forward to 2012 and two things are different. One, I am known professionally and publicly by my maiden name. Two, I am also getting married to a woman who is pretty traditional about some things. In other words, she wants me to change my name. All kinds of issues have come up. I’m a feminist; I don’t have to change my name if I don’t want to. I love my name and feel it really encapsulates my life’s mission. And vanity says her name, “Brisco,” just doesn’t sound very good on me, syllabically speaking – it’s too short. My friends have been joking about it for months. I have considered a double hyphenate, only using my married name on my driver’s license and our joint credit. And then it came to me: I am going to drop my hyphen and give my name a little flair… Robyn Vie Carpenter de la Brisco. My friend Alden first came up with the idea. Yes it’s a mouthful. Yes, if you speak other Latin-based languages, it is breaking “gender” rules with a “la” despite ending in “o.” Here’s how I see it: we’re lesbians. The fact that marriage (or any other euphemistic term) is an option means all bets are off. We’re queer, so why not break rules? I love my fiancé. She is one of
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Robyn Vie-Carpenter Email Robyn at GoddessOfJoy1@ gmail.com. For more columns by Robyn, visit ofcnow.co/FQv
the best people to ever come into my life. I am proud to become her wife. And I am very moved by the idea of creating our new family. At the same time, honoring myself, my ancestry and my path is also important to me. So, the decision about a name was not something that I really could take lightly; although I have no qualms about being both authentic and unique. I have friends – a couple – who changed their names to a familial name from one partner’s mother. Other couples decide that both partners will hyphenate. Other couples never change their names. Again, we’re queer, so there aren’t really any rules about this. For us, I believe I’ve said she’s a bit more traditional. She has no desire to change her name. I don’t really feel a need for her to change. So there hasn’t been any issue around her name, just mine. She would agree with anything I said I wanted. She has expressed her preference for the name change. I believe my way honors both wishes. I also like the idea of having her name. I will be her wife, she will be my wusband. I accept that the dynamics of our relationship have a slightly more hetero-normative look and feel. It’s part of the reason she suits me. My choice honors that traditional feel while allowing for the socially-renegade nature of our union. Plus, it just makes me giggle because I sound extra fancy! I think I shall have a wax seal created with all of my initials. ]
boulderiTe beauTy
High brow, low brow: Kelsey Lindsey Email Kelsey at Kelsey@OutFrontOnline.com
Men’s eyebrow grooming
Let me set a scene: I’m procrastinating studying for my finals (psh – school, who needs it?), sitting down to an hour of mindless TV, convincing myself that channel scrolling would my equivalent of an athlete’s “day of recuperation.” Each channel garnered a cursory glance, but I stopped at a wide-pan shot of the judges’ table on a cooking show. Looking at the guy on the far left, I thought: “He’s cute. He can cook. I wouldn’t mind staring at that face for the next hour. Sold!” But just as I was repositioning myself on my couch cushions, the camera zoomed in on this aforementioned hottie, and I found myself staring at the ugliest, most unmanaged, really-no-adjectives-can-do-it-justice unibrow. It was as if his eyebrows tried to emulate the hairline above them, joining forces at a widow’s peak that ended halfway down his nose. I let out a horrified “nooooo!,” called my roommates over so they could revile in its disruptiveness, and proceeded to change the channel. I couldn’t support this man’s blatant disregard for his otherwise-undeniable hotness any longer. Now, I know that this is dramatic, and every man has the right to do with his brows what he so desires, but come on – eyebrows? They are the easiest fixes on your face, with just a few trims and plucks transforming you from Groucho Marx to Ryan Gosling. Please don’t be that guy that believes the caterpillars on his forehead give him “character” or are scruffily “cute.” They don’t, and they aren’t. Below are some tools that can help any guy give his brows a little love, from the beginner tweezer to the experienced waxer.
Tweezerman Slant Tweezer (TweezerMan.com, $22):
Let’s start with the basics here. Tweezerman’s eyebrow tweezer is one of the top-rated tools to help you remove any unwanted hair found between the eyes. Its angled tip increases your plucking precision, and free sharpening guarantees that it will last for years.
Remington ComforTrim Dual Blade Nose, Ear and Brow Trimmer (RemingtonProducts.com, $12.99):
For those that are a little wary of taking an electric shaver between your brows, Remington’s ComfroTrim trimmer will help sooth those beginner’s anxieties. This detailed groomer has an angled head to reduce nicks and long and short eyebrow trimming combs to insure your preferred look.
Men’s Deluxe Eyebrow Grooming Kit (EyeBrowz.com, $47.15):
Ever looked at Denzel Washington’s sculpted brows
with envy and wished you could obtain that clean look? Now you can! This deluxe eyebrow kit includes small brow razors, scissors, clear brow styling gel, and eyebrow stencils modeled after celebrities’ eyebrow shapes, including good ol’ Denzel.
Wahl Micro-Groomsman 2-in-1 Precision Detailer (Ulta.com, $11.99):
Even less intimidating than an electric shaver, this pen-shaped device includes an attachment for noses and brows, with an eyebrow guide-comb that fits over its vertical head. Use it more for reducing brow volume than for shaping.
Parissa Brow Groomer Express Wax Strips for Men (parissa.com, $7.99):
These all-natural, ready-to-use wax strips make waxing easy and semi-painless. Each kit comes with 8 pre-waxed strips and an Azulene Oil Wipe to sooth and cleanse post-waxed skin. ] For more related articles on beauty by Kelsey Lindsey visit ofcnow.co/dgw.
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january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
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THriVe: ParenTinG
Talking to your kids about violence Sadness. Anger. Confusion. Anxiety. When is this going to stop? Should I go get my children now or let them stay? What do tell them? All these emotions and questions chased my thoughts as I learned news of the tragedy in Connecticut. Then a call came thorough on my cell phone from the kids’ school district alerting parents that there is heightened security at all schools in response to to the incident in Connecticut. As I followed updates on my Facebook page and news websites, I couldn’t help but wonder what am I going to tell my children this time when they get home from school. They are still mourning the loss of a classmate’s mother from the tragedy in the Aurora shooting. Do I keep them out of school? Do I start going to school with them? What do I do? As my little ones came home from school, they busted through the door with so much to say about their day. Who hit who. What the teacher did or didn’t do. How fun a particular class was or was not. All I could do was fall to my knees, look them in the eyes and smile. Not because they were full of conversation, but because they walked through the door to tell me all of these things. This didn’t happen for some parents. Yet, another tragedy hits before we can even fully grieve the previous tragedy. All the senseless violence is taking a toll in my house. The explanations to provide comfort are no longer working. The reassurance that they will return home to their complete family is no longer convincing. Preparing them for death, living life to the fullest and living in the moment seems to be a regular conversation now. Is this the new norm for families? It seems to be in my house. When all of my children got home from school I sat them down and asked if they heard about the tragic event that
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Jasmine Peters Jasmine Peters is the founder of Parenting Wellness Center, a certified Life Coach, an ordained non-denominational pastor, author and single parent of five. Reach her at jasmine@parenting wellnesscenter.com. Online at parentingwellnesscenter. com. To read more related articles by Jasmine on parenting, visit ofcnow.co/ijZ.
took place at the elementary school out of state. They heard bits and pieces so I went on to share what happened. I didn’t go into details, but I did let them know that this was not a random act of violence. This decreased the fear in them of returning to school. We talked about our individual roles and treatment towards our peers, siblings and one another. We reiterated the importance of living and loving in the moment and whispered a prayer for everyone affected by this senseless tragedy. I saw the blank stares beginning to across their faces so I knew they were shutting down. I ended the conversation by letting them know that I was available to them ANYTIME for questions or to just sit in their presence. As a grieving parent supporting grieving children, I understand that this is going to be a process that we can’t avoid, but it doesn’t have to be done alone. My children and I have decided to reach out to the grieving families in Connecticut with handmade cards and love notes expressing our condolences. We are a grieving nation and it’s important to grieve as a community, heal as a family and forgive as loving energy. As you go about your day, hug your babies a little tighter, hold them a little longer and tell them that you love them more often. Consider doing a random act of kindness for a stranger and remember, we are all in this together. ]
January 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
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BLEED like me
The bug chaser
M
Scott McGlothlen
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“Umm, yeah,” he said contrary to what I expected. “That is the point. I want to get HIV, especially from you.”
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Months after my HIV diagnosis, I wanted to feel like things were OK. Dumb activities like chatting online helped me to escape the truth. I loved making conversations in cyberspace, a guilt-free place where my emotions wouldn’t win a game of tug-a-war with my arousal. Eventually I struck up a conversation with a twentysomething year old guy who had excellent tattoos. He lived a couple hours away, far enough to be a buffer for realism. In our little private chat window he began describing all of the dirty things he wanted to do with me – he loved to bottom and even bareback. I didn’t want to ruin his fantasy by telling him about my own reality, so I played along as he begged me to fu*k him. “When can we meet to actually do this?” he asked. Suddenly the sex was not so cyber anymore – he wanted to live out this fantasy. My arousal immediately let go of the rope. Emotion won the game. Now with no sex drive, I wondered if I could at least turn this into a valuable lesson for the young man. “So if we met in person, you would let me fu*k you bareback?” I asked him. He confirmed. “Would you let me cum inside you?” He confirmed again. “Well, then you just contracted HIV,” I climbed on my high horse. “Good thing I know my status otherwise I would have totally given it to you.” Surely my powerful statement would remind him about the risks of barebacking and jump start his engine on the road to safer sex. “Umm, yeah,” he said contrary to what I expected. “That is the point. I want to get HIV, especially from you.” He couldn’t see the horror across my face. I didn’t understand what he was saying. As I asked him to clarify, he kept verifying that he indeed wasn’t looking for love, but the bug. I closed the chat window to cut him off. How could anyone
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want to get a disease, especially one so serious? How could someone want the very thing that wreaked havoc in my own life? I had encountered my very first bug chaser and loathed it. A bug chaser is a person who pursues sex with those who have HIV in order to get infected on purpose. It’s a mostly-secret subculture of mostly gay men. I researched more online to make sense of it. These guys seemed to have their reasons – they loved bareback sex, and with modern medication, the virus wasn’t killing people anymore. To them, it was win/ win. But these reasons weren’t good enough – it wasn’t fair they saw HIV as an opportunity while it was ruining my own life. A week later, I got back in the chat rooms and the bugchasing boy quickly found me. He didn’t apologize, and reignited the pressure to have sex. I switched the conversation and asked him what this was all about. He gave the same reasons the websites did. I argued that life with HIV wasn’t black and white like that, but my reflection didn’t seem to deter him. “Besides,” he wrote. “This way I get to at least know who, how and when I get HIV. And you are a really nice guy. I would rather get it from you than some jerk.” With this little flattery, he did hit close to home. So many poz people hated the fact that they didn’t know when or with who they were infected. For this bug chaser, HIV was inevitable and he might as well have some choice in the matter. But for me and most with HIV, being infected was devastating mistake. Perhaps our discrepancy was more about perception – he wanted to put a nice face on a grimacing disease, I grimaced about a disease that could never seem nice. ] Email Scott at BleedLikeScott@gmail.com. For more columns by Scott, visit ofcnow.co/aI9.
FAITH & SPIRIT
How self-care and faith
Ken Ludwig
work together
Ken Ludwig is an Intuitive Life Path coach. Visit him at MakingItOutAlive.com.
The mere mention of the word “faith” conjures up religious connotations for almost all of us – for better or worse. So often, faith is a reference to a belief in things not seen, but it really is so much more than that. Each of us has faith in many things in the material world. Simple things, like the sun coming up in the morning. But how conscious are we of the faith that we place in ourselves and our place in the cosmos and our own abilities? I venture to say, “Not very.” Those are things we take for granted or have no real consciousness of at all. The truth is that faith in who we are and who we came into this life to be is the key component in creating the life you desire. And we can start at the basest level – ourselves. Self-care is the surest way I know to ensure our ability to have faith in our own magnificence. It is in expending the time and effort to create the highest vision of me that I can present to the world, every day, that I develop a sense of faith in myself and my capacity to be, do and have anything and everything I desire. Nourish, mindset, fitness and renewal are four foundational concepts on which to build a strong, confident belief in my personal creative power. Nourish you body and mind with the proper mix of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and nutrients. I start every day with an amazing shake that sets my body and brain chemistry on a positive path by flooding my whole system with endorphins. Mindset is all about whatever daily practices, like meditation, help you feel you are in communion with your Source – whatever you choose to call that. Fitness is taking the time to do conscious movement or exercise to enhance respiration, circulation and your overall physical vibration.
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Each of us has faith in many things in the material world. Simple things, like the sun coming up in the morning.
Renewal, in its simplest form, is just getting a good night’s sleep. Self-care is part of my daily practice that contributes to bringing the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical components of every aspect of our lives into balance. It is from that feeling of balance that I derive the confidence to have faith in me. And faith in me is the activating force that my “human” requires in order to align with that over-arching creative intelligence of the Universe that is my Source and the source of my ability to manifest all that I require and desire. Since I am clear that we all are the creative intelligence in form, I have complete faith that each of us can marshal that intelligence into whatever form it is that our imagination can picture. Through self-care I create an atmosphere of alignment and collaboration with the informed energy that is all things and all beings. By demonstrating the results of this atmosphere in the form of what I manifest as my life, I build a faith in the process. Each new manifestation adds a layer of confidence in that faith. Ultimately, the faith becomes all that is necessary to bring all the pieces into their proper place and the life I desire becomes the reality of my existence. It never really needs to be more complicated than that. ] Ken Ludwig specializes in guiding you to discover your true purpose and life’s calling. Ken is also an author, speaker and radio talk show host. For more articles on faith and spirituality, visit ofcnow.co/J5y.
january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
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T ARE O B A M AC
AND
US
By Mike Yost
It survived court challenges and a close election; how President Obama’s defining achievement, The Affordable Care Act, will impact LGBT health care
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n February 2012, it entails for the LGBT com- [category],” she said. Services stipulated the rights Thrun said. “They’re able to LGBT issues in the health of same-sex partners to make stay on their parents insurHealth and Human munity. Some of its effects are Services Secretary left to be decided by states, care system were detailed by medical decisions on behalf of ance as they develop their own careers. It’s covering the gap Kathleen Sebelius and millions of Americans statewide advocacy organiza- patients. spoke in Philadelphia inside the LGBT community tion One Colorado in its EduDr. Thrun, who was a that many young adults used at the first of several White and out are still unaware or cational Fund survey, Invis- co-chair of Gov. John Hicken- to have.” The second option is House summits on LGBT unclear about how they’ll be ible: The State of LGBT Health looper’s Health Care Policy issues in health care. “There affected. When key provisions in Colorado, conducted with and Financial Transition a Medicaid expansion to cover low-income are still many areas where we are implemented in 2014, the more than 1,300 LGBT people outside can do more to ensure equal ACA will expand health in- respondents in 2011 – the margins of the opportunity for LGBT Ameri- surance coverage to millions after the ACA passed, current program’s cans,” Sebelius stated, adding, while establishing a compre- but in the early stages reach. Medicaid, “the Affordable Care Act is a hensive patient bill of rights when its most crucial the existing federal huge step forward in closing that forbids discrimination components were not based on preexisting condi- yet in effect. program funding LGBT health disparities.” One Colorado’s health care for poor Many – but not all – of tions and prevents insurers dropping patients study, of which Dr. individuals and Colorado’s LGBT community from [Because of] painful families with little advocates and health experts without cause. Many ACA pro- Thrun was an advisor, experiences with health or no other means agree with Sebelius’ remarks, tections are already in place, found 10 percent of of getting care, is hopeful that the ACA will addressing some known in- respondents reported providers, only 59 percent currently available expand access and address equalities for LGBT people living with no health of LGBT Coloradans feel coverage and 21 safe enough to be very open to those below the issues in LGBT health care. seeking health care. But the ACA faces scrutiny percent of respondents about their sexual orientation poverty line and “The benefits of the Affordable with qualifying cirCare Act are enormous for our even among some LGBT ac- reported being refused or gender identity with their cumstances – particcommunity,” said Dr. Mark tivists. Karen Scarpella, Ex- medical services by health providers. ularly children and Thrun, Director of HIV and ecutive Director and Program health care providers. Brad Clark, One Colorado “LGBT Coloradans, those with disabiliSTD Prevention and Control at Director at the Gender Identity Center of Colorado, said the just like straight Coloties. In 2014, under Denver Public Health. an ACA provision President Obama signed ACA leaves out important pro- radans, are often uninthat governors can the ACA into law in March tections that trans Coloradans sured,” said Brad Clark, opt to adopt or reject, 2010 after a prolonged battle need. “It’s going to be harder One Colorado’s Execustates can receive in Congress, which itself came for people to deny the poorest tive Director, who added that even those federal funding to after decades of failed with health insurance Team and appointed by the expand Medicaid to cover all attempts by Demoface discrimination. “As governor as an advisor to the individuals living at or below crats and progressive a result of painful expe- State Medical Assistance and 133 percent of the federal activists to overhaul riences with health pro- Services Advisory Council, poverty level, which is about the health care system viders, only 59 percent spoke with Out Front about $14,800 for an individual and to expand access to of LGBT Coloradans feel key measures under the ACA $30,600 for a family of four. the roughly 50 million safe enough to be very that he says have a powerful On Jan. 3, Gov. Hickenlooper Americans that year It’s going to be harder for open about their sexual impact on the LGBT com- announced Colorado would who still remained orientation or gender munity. “There’s five major participate in the expansion, uninsured. The law, people to deny the poorest to identity with their things the Affordable Care which is expected to provide dubbed “Obamacare” have insurance for things health providers.” has become the PresiAct will do that will benefit services to more than 160,000 that are not transition One Colorado’s the LGBT community, many Coloradans. dent’s signature firstrelated, which is an survey and efforts of which overlap with the “It is important to note that term achievement, improvement, but the to track LGBT health benefits to the population as these are the people who critibrought unprecedentneeds in Colorado a whole,” Thrun said. cally need services,” said Clark ed political uncertainbiggest expense is are part of a growing in a One Colorado statement ty even after it was transition care, and that’s national trend sup- Increased following Gov. Hickenloopsigned – challenged not going to be covered. ported by local groups Coverage Options er’s announcement. “We are both in the newly-ReDr. Karen Scarpella, Gender and even President Expanding coverage was at the pleased Colorado is moving publican 2011 House Identity Center of Colorado Obama’s White House heart of the political movement forward with implementation of Representatives to address LGBT health that led to the ACA, and the of the Affordable Care Act’s and in state lawsuits care access issues. Be- law addresses that through new Medicaid program. This against the federal ginning with a White three different expansions of Medicaid program will provide law that advanced to House executive coverage. access to many LGBT families the Supreme Court, where the ACA was upheld in a to have insurance for things order in 2010, hospitals that “New coverage options, the and individuals who have faced narrow 5-4 decision. That fight that are not transition related, receive federal dollars through most important aspect of the barriers to affordable health was followed by the 2012 pres- which is an improvement, but Medicare or Medicaid are ACA, is simply the new means care for far too long.” One Colorado’s 2011 study idential campaign, in which the biggest expense is transi- required to honor a patient’s by which people will have GOP nominee Mitt Romney tion care, and that’s not going designation of who can be a access to health insurance, revealed who might benefit promised to work on repeal- to be covered,” Scarpella said. visitor regardless of marital access to health care,” Thrun most from the expansion, noting ing Obamacare his first day in Scarpella also raised concerns status, allowing visitation rights said, explaining the three new that 8 percent of lesbian and about the ACA’s economic for same-sex partners. In April routes. gay respondents had been unoffice, if elected. With the president’s re- impact. “When they start man- of 2011, Secretary Sebelius The first option, already in employed for more than a year, election instead, and Demo- dating employers to provide issued a nondiscrimination place, covers young adults. As opposed to 4 percent of heterocrats maintaining control of this, there’s going to be fewer policy protecting LGBT indi- of September 2010, individuals sexuals in Colorado. Beyond Transgender people viduals seeking federal HHS up to the age of 26 can stay on that, a recent study by the the U.S. Senate, it’s finally safe jobs. to say that the ACA will be law are going to have a harder medical services. And in Sep- their parents’ employer health National Center for Transgender for the foreseeable future – time finding jobs, further tember of 2011, the Centers insurance, “which is huge Continued on page 22 inviting a closer look at what pushing them into the poorest for Medicare and Medicaid for many young LGBT folks,”
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January 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
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Community groups are have regulations to fall back ventative sexual health services for women, coverage for HIV taking advantage of the policies. upon. Our families can’t be screening for gay men,” Thrun One Colorado plans to increase discriminated against.” Equality revealed that 15 percent In addition, Sebelius consaid, adding that those who take community awareness of the of transgender Coloradans live advantage of this “won’t have changes the ACA entails, Clark firmed last July that the ACA’s on less than $10,000 a year. to pay co-pays to receive those told Out Front, enabling LGBT language concerning sex-based The third coverage option the protection services, which is huge for our patients to navigate them. “One discrimination ACA will create is through Afcommunity.” In addition, indi- of the next steps after policies included gender identity. Transfordable Insurance Exchanges, a viduals living with HIV or AIDS are implemented is education in gender individuals who face state-run marketplace where inwill benefit from the ACA’s pro- our community and making sure discrimination from any federdividuals can purchase their own vision within the Patient Bill of that people are able to navigate ally funded health service or health insurance and small busiRights prohibiting lifetime dollar [the ACA] and have access,” program can seek help from the nesses can purchase coverage limits established by insurers for he said. “We are working with Office of Civil Rights at the HHS. for employees. “The exchanges The transgender community patients with chronic diseases or the Colorado Medical Society will offer a great opportunity serious illnesses that add up to and Denver Medical Society to is one of the most vulnerable defor people who don’t have insurdevelop and implement educa- mographic groups when it comes large costs over time. ance through their jobs or other Lambda Legal reported tional programs to fill existing to health coverage. One Colorameans,” said Thrun, “for those that a 2006 health gaps in physician understanding do’s survey revealed that only 38 people between 133 percent of transgender responcare overhaul in of LGBT health disparities.” percent and 400 percent One Colorado also recently dents had sufficient coverage Massachusetts that of federal poverty level.” is similar to the ACA hired a Health Policy Director for their medical needs, while 54 coincided with a 37 to work with an existing LGBT percent replied they were denied Elimination of percent decrease in Health Steering Committee to health care services. Pre-existing Scarpella said there are still new HIV infections ensure same-sex partners and Condition there between 2005 their families are not excluded shortfalls that need to be adExclusions “We are very excited about and 2008, at the same from health plans and that the dressed during the implemenThe ACA also bans time that new infec- medical needs of transgender tation of the ACA. “There’s a insurance providthe possibilities that health care lot of transgender people who tions increased by 8 Coloradans are met. ers from rejecting reform will bring to those living believe they will be able to get percent nationally. applicants because with HIV. Currently, fewer than care because they are no longer Schuetz said “this Limited Discrimination they have previous one in five people living with denied based on pre-existing effort increased the op- Protection medical conditions HIV in the United States have portunities for federal Provisions in the ACA allowed conditions,” she said. “It might or risk factors – money to be focused LGBT-friendly regulators to help transgender people get which is especially private insurance, and nearly on preventative care enforce some measures of overall health care, but what pertinent to LGBT 24 percent do not have and less on primary protection against health care they’re most worried about is people whose condiany coverage at all.” care and complica- discrimination against LGBT how they’re going to pay for tions, such as HIV or Tim Schuetz, tions associated with identities, but some still point their transition care.” a need for transitionColorado AIDS Project “Transition related care is an AIDS diagnosis,” to work that remains. related health care, “In March of 2012, The De- likely to remain uncovered,” adding that CAP hopes can be expensive. Thrun said. “This is an to see similar “Beginning in Jan. issue that One Colorado reductions 2014, insurance comhas taken on as one of in HIV infecpanies won’t be able their primary areas of to keep you from choosing record allowing the patient to tions in Colorado with focus this year, and we their policies simply because seek hormone therapy or gen- the ACA. are hopeful we will see of a pre-existing condition,” der-reassignment surgery. improved access to care The young man is now taking Data Collection Thrun said, “which will open for transgender Coloraup opportunities for people to advantage the ACA provision The ACA authorizes dans because of it.” allowing him to remain on his HHS to gather crucial be covered.” Secretary Sebelius Tim Schuetz, Chief Develop- parents’ health insurance plan demographic informa“Through this expansion of acknowledged at the tion on national health ment Officer at the Colorado until the age of 26. health care, through these Philadelphia Summit “There’s so many trans care disparities. In AIDS Project, said, “We are very new exchanges, through the that there were still deexcited about the possibilities people who are going to be June 2011, Secretary new Medicaid program, we have ficiencies when it came that health care reform will bring able to get access to insurance,” Sebelius took advanregulations to fall back upon. to fair health care treatto those living with HIV. Current- he said, adding that banning tage of this law when ment for LGBT people. ly, fewer than one in five people discrimination based on pre- she announced that by Our families can’t be “But I am confident (13 percent) living with HIV in existing conditions is “one of 2013, HHS would be discriminated against. ” that the progress of the the United States have private the major victories for the trans adding questions on Dr. Mark Thrun, last three years will sexual orientation and insurance, and nearly 24 percent community with the ACA.” Denver Health continue because ultigender identity to their do not have any coverage at all.” mately, the goal we are central database, the The pre-existing condition Preventative Services working towards is the National Health Interprovision is already partly in and Elimination of goal that’s at the heart of view Survey. effect – as of 2010, insurance Lifetime Limits what this country stands “The ACA will companies can no longer exclude The ACA places new emphasis for: the idea that every minors for pre-existing condi- on funding preventative care, to improve some of the tions, and adults can sign up for avoid health conditions or catch data that we have on health dis- partment of HHS put out regula- American, no matter who they the Pre-existing Condition Insur- them early before they result in parities in the LGBT population,” tions that prohibited discrimina- are or where they come from, tion based on sexual orientation should have the same chance to ance Plan to acquire coverage advance diseases in which case said Thrun. In addition, the HHS-run and gender identity,” said Thrun. reach their full potential.” ] until the ACA goes into full effect treatment is more expensive and website at www.healthcare.gov “Through this expansion of less effective. in 2014. “The Affordable Care Act includes search tools to help health care, through these For more info on how the AffordA 23 year old who identified himself as an FTM (female expands coverage for preventa- people find providers covering new exchanges, through the able Care Act will impact LGBT new Medicaid program, we health care: http://ofcnow.co/UPu. to male) trans person living in tive services, coverage for pre- same-sex domestic partners. Colorado spoke with Out Front about the discrimination he faced when trying to acquire health coverage prior to the passage of the ACA. Because of possible health care discrimination for revealing himself as trans, he asked to remain anonymous. “As a teenager, I wasn’t able to be covered on my parent’s insurance,” he said. “So, when we went to get independent insurance for me, I was denied because of gender identity disorder, a GID diagnosis,” the official diagnosis that goes on a trans person’s medical
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[ [ cover story ] ]
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Feature
Shuck the shoes
Denver’s new Barefoot fitness studio transforms from the ground up
By Alison Wisneski
The barefoot fitness story began 12 years ago when Krauss forgot to bring her shoes to a dance class she was teaching. She realized that people didn’t know how to move on their feet because they were always wearing shoes. “Everything we do here is based on foot fitness. People are afraid; but we’ve been training people on the barefoot method for so many years. [The feet are] a pretty important piece to fitness,” Krauss said. Barefoot training can be scary for first-timers, but Krauss is an experienced trainer. She’s been the lead fitness advisor for Vibram, as well as a master trainer for the Bosu ball, accredited with ACSM, ACE, and AFAA, along with 10 years of dance training as well as 20 years in the fitness industry. The studio opened this month with a seven-day class schedule, including personal training. “I’m a total city rat,” Krauss said. “The new studio has a very urban feel, yet it’s sophisticated. The energy is spectacular. I don’t know if it’s the
Stacey Lei Krauss, co-owner of willPower FIT STUDIO
In a spacious historic brick building two blocks from Coors Field, two women who’ve spent decades studying, training and teaching fitness around the world are taking a step toward planting their feet – opening their first studio for their barefoot fitness method. Stacey Lei Krauss and Jennifer Schumacher – partners in business and life – are co-owners of willPower FIT STUDIO, located inside the Spray Coffee Building at 2110 Market Street in Denver, where they train patrons who range from fitness beginners to professional athletes on Stacey’s willPower Method – all of it barefoot. former coffee business, but…” She took a long, deep breath and smiled. “That’s the energy,” she said. What makes their studio different from any other gyms is not only the barefoot aspect, but also the overwhelming positivity. “Nobody’s here to compete. It’s a different atmosphere. That is why we’re here,” Krauss said. “In the world out there, we hear ‘no, no, no’ on a regular basis,” co-owner Schumacher said. “We want everyone out there to only hear positives. Our work is totally different because Stacey infuses positives in the word of the week.” The word of the week – a word that elicits a positive meditation, such as “explore” or “transform” or “prepare” – Is stated at the beginning of class, and then used not only throughout Krauss’ teaching but in the background music as well. All negative lyrics are removed from songs, leaving behind positive encouragement and instrumentals. Continued on page 32
[ [ Feature ] ]
January 16, 13 | outfrontonline.com
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FooD For tHouGHt
Photos courtesy of Sonnenalp.com
Sonnenalp, Vail’s surprising, savory ski shore By Jeffrey Steen Somewhere nestled in the jagged peaks of the Rocky Mountains, dusted with snow and marked by Austrian gables, sits a jewel of the Old World: Vail’s own Sonnenalp Resort. For those who have meandered through the cobbled streets of Vail Village, Sonnenalp is no interloper – it sits at the edge of it all with humble propriety, one face smiling toward the sloping, pristine white of the mountain and one grinning at the bustle of the city itself. Its balconies – lining many of the 100 plus room in its cozy interior – are carved in the style of Austrian ski chalets, while the faint glow of fireplaces tease passers-by, tempting visitors with hot chocolate to-dos and Champagne fêtes. In the laughter-tinged background of the sprawling lounge at the hotel’s base sound the ivory keys of a happy piano, dusting off old classics and culling warmth from countless staves of music. This is Austria as we would have it – complete with an accented and convivial service staff, many from Europe, who don traditional Austrian dresses and gray woolen coats. It is what we all fantasize about, isn’t it? Flavors of the austere and foreign, but comfortable enough to inspire a bit of dreaming. And whether that dream begins with a book by the fire, or a stint in your suite’s hot tub, there’s a bit of something for everyone here. And that goes for the food as well. Once upon a time, the chef of Sonnenalp’s in-house restaurant, Ludwig’s, crafted a culinary program that rang of the Old World in spades –rich with game meats and heavy sauces, rife with flavors of Europe and the comforts of its ski country. The trouble was, there were far too many chefs clamoring
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for attention in the Valley with those offerings. So, Sonnenalp donned a bit of a different toque and brought on the extra-talented Steve Topple to turn things over. Now, instead of Wienerschnitzel anchoring Ludwig’s dinnertime service, seafood does – the likes of flounder, bouillabaisse, dover sole, and snapper. And, thanks to the wiles of the chef himself, not a fillet of it is frozen before it hits the table. That’s right – flying in from both coasts and Hawaii, there’s not a single bit of seafood that’s spent longer than 24 hours out of the water. Let’s be honest – that’s a feat. And that’s not the end of it either. A recent tasting of the menu’s delicate flounder left me a touch verklempt: gently coated in toasted almonds, fried leeks soaring above the plate like a monument to the meal, and a luscious sauce that walked the thin line between decadence and overbearance with remarkable poise. And yes, Topple does still master the favorites – Lamb Loin and Beef Wellington, both expertly handled, mark the menu with prominence. But the focus has shifted at Ludwig’s, and people are taking note. When asked if longtime guests were having a been of a struggle with the menu, Topple laughed. “Not at all,” he said with a beaming smile. “In fact, the Snapper has become one of our new staples.” Snapper – a staple in Colorado? Who would have thought? It seems that as soon as Coloradans get over the idea that fresh seafood is possible in our landlocked state, we go nuts for the sea. And while a bouillabaisse might not be the norm for native Austrians slung up high in the Alps, it brightens the possibilities and ignites a few more dreams in Vail. Before or after
January 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
a trek down the mountain. A note, however, before I leave this fantastical world behind: If ever you thought the American Continental breakfast was a beloved institution, I advise you to indulge in an early morning feast on Ludwig’s light-soaked terrace. The buffet is broader and of higher quality than any I have ever enjoyed – complete with charcuterie, quaint breakfast pastries, and my personal favorite, eggs Benedict. They even bring you your tea on a tray with a baby jar of honey. If that doesn’t make your day, I don’t know what will. ] Sonnenalp Resort is located at 20 Vail Road, 81657. For more info call (866) 284.4411 or online at Sonnenalp.com. For more restaurant profiles and musings on food and drink, visit http://ofcnow.co/4Ha.
The Melting Pot 2707 W. Main Street, Littleton, CO 80120 • (303)-794-5666 MeltingPot.com
Hamburger Mary’s 700 East 17th Avenue Denver, CO 80203 • (303) 832-1333 HamburgerMarys.com/denver
Delizios Bistro and Wine Bar 2299 West Main Street, Littleton, CO 80120 • (720) 897-6550 Delizios.com
/Make a Wish Sure, everyone has their own idea of the ideal vacation, but put some of these amenities together and tell me the Sonnenalp isn’t a pretty darn good bet for most of us: In-room fireplaces, spa treatments, wine dinners, live music, private suite hot tubs, balcony views, swimming pool, general euphoria , in-room stocked mini fridge, full room service, in-room breakfast option, discounts on ski passes and retail, happiness, three full-service restaurants plus a luxurious lounge area, seasonal golf packages, marital bliss, valet and concierge services, prime location in Vail Village, nirvana, tennis, life-long companionship, and the best chocolate croissants this side of the Atlantic.
[ [ social ] ]
Serioz Pizzeria 1336 East 17th Avenue Denver, CO 80218 • (303) 997-7679 SeriozPizza.com
Little Dragon 1305 Krameria Street, G Denver CO 80220 • 303-322-2128 LittleDragonDenver.com
Dont forget Tuesday is $15.00 Liters of House Margarita Silver or Gold!
FUN AFFORDABLE DELICIOUS
Not all green chili is created equal. Come in and get your Benny’s fix for the winter. 301 EAST 7TH AVE. • 303 894 0788 BENNYSRESTAURANT.COM
January 16, 13 | outfrontonline.com
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HIGH SOCIETY
‘War Horse’ brings a story of love to the Buell By Holly Hatch
Jon Riddleberger, puppeteer, plays Joey the horse in the Buell’s production of ‘War Horse.’
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urprisingly unique about ‘War Horse’ is that the main character is, as the play’s title suggests, a horse named Joey. The horse – unpersonified, yet a central character nonetheless – is controlled by three puppeteers and creates a tale of partnership between the main human character, a boy named Albert, and Joey, developing during the period production set at the start of World War I. With themes of courage and loyalty and with a minimalist set, the show puts front-and-center its special effects from pyrotechnics to realistic sound effects like gunshots and the mastery of puppetry. The production runs at the Buell Theatre through Jan. 20. One of the head puppeteers, Jon Riddleberger, who has been performing since the 5th grade and works the majority of the year at his theatre company in New York City, spoke with Out Front about what makes this production different, and why puppetry is an art in itself.
JR: Puppeteering excites me because it’s such a pure form of theater. It invites the audience to help imagine the puppet into life. I like to say the horses have a fourth puppeteer, the audience. I think this puppetry is exciting because of the way we have to work in a team. This horse is a product of three people with different ideas and instincts coming together to make one character. It’s an incredibly exciting journey to go on.
Holly Hatch: How is this show different from other productions you’ve been a part of and what is your role or character in the production and how is it unique? Jon Riddleberger: The obvious thing that makes ‘War Horse’ different from other show is that the main character is a horse, and that horse is portrayed by three people. ‘War Horse’ might be the first time a play has starred an animal that doesn’t talk. He’s not anthropomorphized. He’s just a horse. I’m a head puppeteer for the two main horses in the show. I work with two other puppeteers (the heart and the hind) to bring the horses to life.
HH: What is your favorite element about this particular production? JR: I love how minimal the production is. We’re able to stage a war with very few sets and props. It’s pretty magical. We haven’t started at the Buell yet but I’m really excited to be in Denver. I visited once when I was younger and really liked it!
HH: Talk a bit about the art of puppeteering.
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HH: Who can relate to the message or theme? JR: I think the thing about ‘War Horse’ is that the message is unbelievably universal. It takes a moment of conflict, WWI, and really neutralizes all sides. No one is good and no one is bad. Michael Murpurgo, who wrote the original book, likes to say that this story is an anthem for peace. I think in a time when gay rights are still being fought over it’s meaningful to see a story like this.
HH: As a performer, do you have any rituals or unique things you do before a show night? JR: I have my physical and vocal warm-ups that I do nightly. My team and I have our own rituals. We always hug when getting in or out of the horse. Intermission will usually be a time for us to talk about that nights show and get us ready to go into act two.
january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
HH: What do you see as valuable about the art of puppeteering? Why should people come see this show, in your opinion? JR: I think audiences are very surprised about their reaction to the show. I hear people remarking that they didn’t expect to get so attached to a puppet. But I think they could get so attached because it was a puppet. They helped us make that character come to life and each person in the audience has their own Joey in their imagination. It’s a very exciting thing to be a part of.
Ballet MasterWorks February 22 – March 3 Ellie Caulkins Opera House 1101 13th Street Denver, CO 80204 More info: http://coloradoballet.org (303) 893-4100
HH: What are one or two aspects that made this show fun for you, or exciting, or especially flavorful? JR: It’s a blast to get to travel the country. Each city and each audience is so different. But all of them have been so appreciative of the show. So it’s awesome to get to bring this story around the country. HH: People in the LGBT community are very fond of the theatre for aesthetic reasons. Talk about aesthetic appeal. JR: When seeing the show the obvious aesthetic choice is minimalism. There’s very little on stage besides people (and of course giant horse puppets). The lighting design makes some incredible illusions happen using just fog and stage lights. There are some really gorgeous English folk songs throughout. I think the show is very picturesque. Each scene is a new image being burned on the stage. It’s one of the most beautiful shows I’ve ever been in. ] ’War Horse’ runs through Jan. 20 at the Buell Theatre. More info at DenverCenter.org.
[ [ Social ] ]
Bye Bye Birdie
January 3 – February 3 PACE Center 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue Parker, CO 80138 More info: http://PACEcenteronline.org
For more information on how to get your event listed, please call 303-477-4000
january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
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BAR HOP
Won over by Jezebel’s Southern charm
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lthough I grew up in the countryside, surrounded by horses and pickup trucks, the only thing southern about me is that I often go by my two first names: Amy Lynn. For this Yankee – native Ny’er to be exact – the south is reserved for a host of stereotypes and grandma’s very pink Florida retirement home. We’re raised in the northeast to believe venturing below the MasonDixon Line requires improper grammar, summer teeth (some are here, some are there) and some scary weapon in the front pouch of ratty overalls. 28
By Amy Lynn O’Connell
Before you go throwing fried green tomatoes at me, I’ve had a change of heart recently. Some of my spicy friends hail from below the belt, and a trip to Jezebel’s – the new eats and drinks spot in The Highland hood – turned up the heat for me. I guess you can say the lake effect snow slush inside me melted upon contact with some very strong moonshine. Jezebel’s is the latest from Wanda James and Scott Durrah, a power couple that brought us Caribbean delights at 8 Rivers. I was fortunate to pop by on opening night with fellow Out Front-er Sara Decker. We arrived the day after Christmas to a packed bar, sounds of whisky being poured, and the single most welcoming scene in Denver that night. Within 10 minutes, we were sipping on Southern Moscow Mules (a delightful twist on the classic by adding sweet tea vodka) with surprisingly down-to-earth movers and shakers in Denver politics, media and business. The energy was like a big old family reunion, and the staff was showing us some southern hospitality, complete with great jokes and genuine attentiveness. The only thing missing was a few old dogs and a blazing bonfire. Formally home to the Squeaky Bean, the bar is simple with minimal frills, and honors tradition by playing up its period charm. The deep dark wooden bar is contrasted by the large floor-to-ceiling windows that let in just enough sultry streetlight. It’s welcoming and devoid of overstuffed sitting areas that just get in the way of mingling (ah em, flirting). Buffet style, the new owners and cooks showcased small bites like fried
january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
chicken (in buffalo wing form), buttery mashed potatoes and smooth deviled eggs. Each bite was decadent, but small enough not to overwhelm the waistline and make you feel sluggish. I opted for a fried green tomato topped with mozzarella, basil and a flick of pimento. My new friends didn’t tease at my ignorance about what I was eating – instead, they shared stories about their favorite southern dishes and gave rave reviews for Jezebel’s offering. Finally, I tasted my first shrimp and grits out of a bite-sized brandy glass. I’m no connoisseur for grits, but whatever it was I tasted, I couldn’t find ONE thing I’d change about this rich, cheesy, salty seafood treat. Sold. Towards the end of the night, the owners gave a toast to all that made it happen. Durrah cited the name Jezebel’s and encouraged everyone to “google it and decide what it means to you!” Seriously, try it, it’s fun. The room chuckled and like magic, a small shot glass of housemade raspberry moonshine showed up in front of me, courtesy of the clever Sara Decker. Although it’s painfully strong and a bazillion proof, it goes down surprisingly smooth. If you’re a little fancier, feel free to order one of the martini’s mixed with any number of the flavored moonshines behind the bar. Word to the wise: Sip the moonshine, meet fantastic people at Jezebel’s for a few laughs, and make sure your cabby is on speed dial for the end of a great night. ] Jezebel’s Southern Bistro is located at 3301 Tejon St. More info at Facebook.com/JezebelsLoHi.
[ [ Social ] ]
Within 10 minutes, we were sipping on Southern Moscow Mules (a delightful twist on the classic by adding sweet tea vodka) with surprisingly down-to-earth movers and shakers in Denver politics, media and business.
january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
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DiVe
Photos courtesy
Facebook.com/T
ransmedian
Wieleba’s act is far from an after-school special about why you should be nice to transgender people. Her jokes are timely and universally relatable.
BABY STEPS:
They’re a Bitch in Heels Denver trans comedian Jordan Wieleba wins over her audiences with laughs By Josiah M. Hesse
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ore than music or theater, standup comedy is a medium where your personal identity goes under the spotlight. And, unlike those other two art forms, it can also sometimes be the last gasp of homophobia in the entertainment industry. So you could understand why Jordan Wieleba waited five years into his standup comedy career to publicly transform it into her standup comedy career. “I was petrified,” Wieleba remembers of coming out as a woman not only to her family, but to a community of fans and colleagues who’d spent half a decade getting to know Jordan-the-boy. “For some people, it’s still taboo. People have called me a pervert, or called it a fetish. But what I do with my act is try to educate people through humor, show them we’re not all Crying Game and Silence of the Lambs.”
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january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
Wieleba’s act is far from an after-school special about why you should be nice to transgender people. Her jokes are timely and universally relatable. Laughs are often sparse through the first minute of her set, many suburban straights writing her off initially, assuming there’s no common ground for a joke to take root. But in no time she’s won them over, succeeding in a double duty of cracking up an audience (a task in itself) and perhaps educating some patrons who’ve only heard about transgender people through Focus On The Family pamphlets. Before Wieleba made the leap into comedy, he was a teenage boy living in the affluent Denver suburb of Greenwood Village. Moving into the city to perform in the locally renowned punk-band, Fourth Yeer Freshman, Wieleba was homeless for a time, living the rock-lifestyle of no-money, no-problem, before attending Westwood College – which she to as her “alma-doesn’t-matter.” By this time the Denver comedy scene had picked up on the national alternative standup movement, which took the performances out of expensive comedy clubs and into rock venues, often the two mediums overlapping on the same bill. So it was a natural transition for both Wieleba and those who knew him when he stopped singing songs and began telling stories. The next transition would be a little less graceful. “The first show I did after I came out was in Colorado Springs,” she said. “And the guy who booked the show didn’t know I now identified as a woman. I showed up in a wig and women’s clothes and he was like ‘what are you doing?’” Wieleba remembers the night fondly, though not without a hint of residual anxiety at the thought of introducing new material (always nerve-wracking for a comic) about a highly personal, highly recent sexual issue, all while inside the capitol of Evangelical homophobia. “I’ve had some nights where the crowd just wasn’t into it. I’ve had some audible ‘ewws,’ or walkouts, which is no fun, but I do get good responses too … It’ll always be part of my act. I have to address it right away. It’s a goldmine for material, making jokes about people’s responses to it. One guy asked me how long it takes to transition, and I said a lifetime, and he misunderstood me and asked ‘so when you get your junk cut off you’re dead?’ And I was like ‘we’re not bees, man, when we lose our stingers we don’t die.’” One large portion of Wieleba’s set is explaining the difficulty she’s had coming out to her parents, which occurred one year ago on Christmas morning. “My Dad’s a macho football fan and he had a hard time with it,” she said explained to a crowd one night at The Improv Comedy Club. “’Aren’t you going to miss your penis? That’s going to suck.’ And I said ‘Dad, look at it this way: Have you ever worn a really uncomfortable, really ugly, really small sweater – for 32 years?’” In addition to her sketch comedy group, Fried Nothing, and a monthly showcase at The Bar, Jordan Wieleba has been filming a documentary on her transition, chronicling the successes and setbacks of coming out not only to friends and family, but to a public of strangers looking to laugh. Filming is scheduled conclude sometime this spring with her reassignment surgery, with a 2014 release date. “I struggled with this for so long. I was in the closet for 32 years. So I’m hoping this documentary will help others not be afraid to come out.” Standup comedy has come a long way since the days of AIDS jokes in the early ’90s, allowing for cross-dresser Eddie Izzard and lesbian Tig Notaro to rise above the niche political support of their base and become the premier iconoclasts of their field. Yet while Wieleba and other struggling, mid-level LGBT comics have discovered within themselves a goldmine of authentic comedy material, they still, from time to time, must face the anachronistic machismo of sports bars and comedy clubs fans who aren’t always so welcome to what they have to say. And she continues to do it, night after night, slowly winning them over, not through guilt-trips, public service announcements or pamphlets, but through their shaking bellies. “It’s a long road,” Wieleba says, “and it requires baby steps. Which are a bitch in heals.” ] More info online at Facebook.com/TransMedian.
[ [ Social ] ]
Charlie’s New Year’s Eve
Photos by Charles Broshous
[ [ Social ] ]
january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
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Family Centered Medicine
Serving the GLBT community for over 15 years
Peter Prutch, NP.C, PhD
Primary Healthcare HIV/AIDS Health care & prevention
2121 S Oneida St Ste 248 Denver CO 80224 • (303) 504-0600 familycenteredmedicine.com
FEATURE
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Continued from page 23
“We use yoga, Pilates, tai chi, and calisthenics with a focus on the foot, and that sets us apart.” – Jennifer Schumacher, co-owner of willPower FIT STUDIO
When Krauss and Schumacher first looked at the open, exposed-brick space that the Spray Coffee Company building had to offer, they both had a good feeling. Krauss said that feeling exploded when the realtor showing the space told her that Barefoot Ted, the CEO of Vibram and creator of the Vibram FiveFinger minimalist running shoe, had slept in the space before. “I looked at Jen and said that we had to have this space,” Krauss said. The space leaves room for posttraining conversation. After the hourlong willPower & grace class, participants that ranged from beginner to course instructor stuck around to talk shop – what they thought about the newest yoga studio that had opened nearby, their favorite instructors for different fitness courses, and their favorite nearby restaurants. “We want this space to be more about community than anything else,” Krauss said. “I’m really excited for what we have to offer. It’s groovy, good-energy space for everyone to participate.” Krauss’ philosophy of leaving bad energy at the door and using willpower and focus translates into the workouts she leads. The hour-long willPower & grace class concentrates on how to move the toes, because normal gym workouts – with shoes, of course – are like “strapping blocks to your feet,” Krauss said, which she says gradually weakens muscles and nerves in the feet that are crucial for balance, body awareness and strength. The exercise seeks to reinvigorate and re-sensitize the full body. Then, cardio comes into play with large focus on foot, leg, and lower body movement, similar to calisthenics. After a short water break, a slower-moving full body-focused workout moves into place, using centering and strength training often seen in yoga and Pilates. “We use yoga, Pilates, tai chi, and calisthenics with a focus on the foot, and that sets us apart,” Schumacher explained. “It’s meant to be a training tool used twice a week, as part of a regular
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JANUARY 16, 2013 | OUTFRONTONLINE.COM
[ [ FEATURE ] ]
cycle. When participants aren’t in class here, they’ll do yoga or go running,” Krauss said. Along with willPower & grace, there will be willPower infusion classes, which are held on a yoga mat and fixed on slower, static holds while infusing more sensory tactics. There will also be willPower ATHLETIX, which is a sport-specific. Upon launching in January, a ski-centric willPower ATHLETIX course will be launched. As the seasons change, so will the courses – focusing on volleyball, lacrosse, soccer, softball and more. There’s also willPower for girlPower, a confidencebuilding course for girls ages 8-18. As for future studio plans, the pair plans to open studios across the U.S. in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and New Jersey as soon as they get their feet on the ground in Denver. Until then, Krauss has and will continue to train instructors worldwide, with courses being offered in many major cities. The willPower FIT STUDIO in Denver offers both membership rates and drop-in options with special opening promotions. Along with the courses, there are options for semi-private and private training sessions, but Krauss recommends giving the group classes a chance first. “Different instructors give different vibes. Some are more focused on body movement and yoga, while others really push cardio,” Krauss explained. She recommends trying different courses to see which fits your workout style the most. Krauss’ philosophy is about holistic fitness that includes a physical, emotional and attitudinal grounding that affects the creation of a full life. “[The positive philosophy] carries into personal life,” she said. “I want to cultivate your willpower. I want to give you the feeling of ‘I’m getting my ass kicked, but I’m happy. This is willpower, focus and feeling self-centered.’” ] To learn more about the willPower method, to check schedules, and to take a peek at the new studio, visit willPowerFit.com.
QRAVE
THE
The Sie Film Center:
An all-encompassing cultural experience Whether you aspire to become an all-out cinema connoisseur, to be jolted out of the daily grind by a cinematic frame-of-reference shift, or to just be able to impress acquaintances as a better referencedropping conversationalist, the Denver Film Society’s thought-provoking film programs promise to enrich your life with the awe and culture brought by the art of movies. The Denver FilmCenter’s new home on 2510 East Colfax – next to the Tattered Cover Bookstore – is complimented by a new name, Anna & John J. Sie FilmCenter (Sie FilmCenter for short). But there’s lots more about the Denver Film Society’s 2013 plans to get excited about. Denver’s only GLBT-decicated film program, the Film Society’s Cinema Q, features cutting-edge LGBT-themed films from around the world and close to home – like North Sea Texas, a coming-of-age gay
film from Belgium about a shy gay teen living with a single mother on Belgium’s coast who longs for love until a traveler boards with the family and changes the boy – and his mother’s – life. The FilmCenter featured Struck By Lightning, an American smalltown dark comedy with an all-star cast about all the things a young man dreams to have in his life before a random act of fate cuts it off short. With special series ranging from science fiction to documentary night (and more), the full, fresh schedule at the Film Society offers a destination for provocative storytelling, conversation-starting insight, a cozy date or an evening getaway on any day of the week. Learn more about the film center or browse the calendar of upcoming showings at denverfilm.org, or stop by yourself to see what film buffs find so magical about the silver screen. ] More info: DenverFilm.org
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Love your VIP Card? Then you’ll be craving QRAVE. Coming soon from Out Front: A new way to experience all the wonders of the Mile High City. QRAVE and your QRAVE Card will be your pass to amazing deals from local businesses, restaurants and service providers. Discounts, deals and promotions are just the tip of the iceberg. We’ll have daily offers, year-long exclusive discounts and giveaways. Get ready to start Qraving.
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Out Front’s QRAVE program offers exclusive discounts at participating locations across the state. You choose the discount you want to offer to your QRAVE customers – then sit back and watch the people line up at your business! The QRAVE membership is free to Out Front readers who regularly check the QRAVE web page and printed participating business list to determine where to spend their hard-earned dollars.
Email advertising@outfrontonline.com or call (303) 477.4000 ext. 702 for details!
TO GET YOUR QRAVE CARD … Email promotions@outfrontonline.com JANUARY 16, 2013 | OUTFRONTONLINE.COM
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For information on placing a Marketplace ad, call 303-477-4000 [ COUNSELING ]
[ DENTIST ]
Rediscover the freedom to be yourself
General & Cosmetic Dentistry
[ CHIROPRACTIC ]
Heal, Restore, Improve, Correct, Relieve, Align
[ FITNESS AND HEALTH ]
Preventative Care • Smile Reconstruction • Tooth Colored Fillings • Teeth Whitening
TERRY L. BREWICK, D.D.S.
Positive and Practical counseling for the LGBT community
Jeremy Savage, MA, NCC National Certified Counselor
700 East Ninth Ave. at Washington St. Denver CO., 80203 303-832-7789 govparkdental.com
720-458-3150
jeremy@getcomplete.org 815 E. 17th Ave. (17th & Clarkson)
[ CHURCH ]
[ COUNSELING ]
Accepting New Patients
[ DENTIST ]
[ FITNESS & HEALTH ]
Michael Holtby, LCSW, BCD
PSYCHOTHERAPY www.denverpsychotherapy.com
IMAGO DEI
Serving All Including the LGBT Community Wedding • Holy Unions Baptisms • House Blessing End of Life Ministries Spiritual Coaching & Life’s Transitions For more information 303-394-3034 • www.imagodei-ecc.org
[ CLOTHING ]
Relationships & Breakups, Sex & Internet Addictions, Sexuality, STI’s & HIV, Depression and Trauma
Dr. Albert Cardoso, DDS General & Cosmetic Dentistry Veneers Teeth Whitening
303 722 1021
303-991-HILL (4455) • 3955 E. Exposition St. Denver CO., 80209 • caphilldental.com
[ COUNSELING ]
[ EMPLOYMENT ]
JAMEY COLLINS, LCSW PSYCHOTHERAPY
SAD BUT TRUE!
Specializing in Gay/Lesbian, Stress/Coping, Anxiety, Depression, Couples, Dating, Spiritual Growth, Grief and Loss, Self-Esteem, Transitions, Aging, HIV
Offices in Denver and Boulder
303-641-6410
jameycollinstherapy.com The right balance of understanding, guidance, and support
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JANUARY 16, 2013 | OUTFRONTONLINE.COM
[ OUT FRONT ]
The DSC is looking for clean-cut, self-motivating workers. Medical and retirement available. Apply in person. Monday through Friday. $8 per hour. F/T. 6923 East Colfax
OutBack Classifieds are one of our most read sections. It’s like a car wreck – you can’t help but look. Irreverent Advertising that gets noticed. Check out page 46
[ INSURANCE ]
[ GIFTS ]
[ MASSAGE ]
[ MASSAGE ]
Save Money On Your Insurance
Experience the Unique Artistry of
CELTIC TOUCH
• Auto • Life • Fire Truck • Commercial Monthly Payments
Blending Extraordinary Body Therapies with Pure Relaxation
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BASIL CARPENTER, CMT Mon-Fri: 10am - 5pm $60/hour 303-885-6382 (no blocked calls) keltic0409@gmail.com
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INDIVIDUALIZED MASSAGE Michael Conti, BSPsy, LMT HUMAN TOUCH MASSAGE
AUTO • HOME • LIFE • COMMERCIAL
Package Discounts Available 400 S. Colo. Blvd. #220 Denver, CO 80246
An integrative approach to wellness JERRY SHIVERS, CMT
1905 Sherman St., Suite 810 Denver, CO., 80203
nbelson@farmersagent.com
720-837-5510
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[ OUT FRONT ]
[ LEGAL ]
STOP Collection Calls STOP Garnishments STOP Wage Assignments “We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the bankruptcy code.” TRAVIS ALAN OCHS Bankruptcy Attorney Flat fee for most cases Free consultation
303-830-1300
• Criminal Defense • Estate Planning • Real Estate Over 10 years of experience
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KRAIGER
www.kraigerworks.com Full Body Therapeutic Massage with Strong & Sensitive Touch $45 per session 7 days a week 10:30am - 7:00pm
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Located in Capitol Hill 720-838-6881
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MASSAGE FOR THE MATURE MALE Stress relief, Full Body, Therapeutic. $50 per hour. South Denver. Near Porter Hospital Brad, 303-915-4941
[ MOVING SERVICES ]
Household, Apartment, Office and Fine Arts Moving – IMMACULATE and SECURED Storage. Denver’s most reliable moving and storage company serving the LGBT community for over 16 years. Selected “Best of Denver” four times by Westword. COPUC Mover Reg #HHG-00038 745 Lipan St., Denver CO., 80204
303-893-8200
JANUARY 16, 2013 | OUTFRONTONLINE.COM
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[ PET SERVICES ]
[ REAL ESTATE ]
[ RENTAL ]
... the answer to all your animal needs
www.travelinchimp.com 303-915-7470 • travelinchimp@gmail.com Need a vacation or a weekend getaway? Let us take care of your pet and prevent separation anxiety. In-Home Overnights • Walks/Exercise Pet Visits • Administration of Meds Bonded & Insured • Accredited Member of Pet Sitters International
[ REAL ESTATE ]
Clean, Renovated and Friendly! Managed by Lloyd’s Apartments L.P.
[ REAL ESTATE ]
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[ REAL ESTATE ]
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[ REAL ESTATE ]
The United Church of Christ, Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
For more information, call 303-477-4000
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january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
To locate a church near you, go to: www.ucc.org/find/
“MARKETPLACE ADS ARE A RIP-OFF”
TRAVELIN’ CHIMP ANIMAL CARE
We’ve lost count of the number of ads that’ve been ripped out of our publication, but who’s complaining? For more information on the Marketplace, call 303-477-4000
CHEESMAN PARK TERRACE 1402 RACE STREET 1 bedroom units from $750, Dishwasher, fireplace, newly renovated. 303-668-5014 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• PARK GROVE 1280 LAFAYETTE STREET Large 1 bedroom units, $750-$950 Large 2 bedroom units, $1,000-$1,400 Balconies, dishwashers, parking garage, indoor pool, sauna, exercise room, and views! 303-830-1344 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• CHEESMAN PARK 1360 WILLIAMS STREET 1 bedroom units from $645 to $775. Rooftop deck, fireplaces, dishwashers. 303-830-1344 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• WASHINGTON PARK 960 S. LOGAN STREET 1 bedroom units from $615-$725 2 bedroom units from $775 720-205-0990 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• WASHINGTON PARK 10 S. PENNSYLVANIA ST. 1 bedroom units from $645 to $775. Rooftop deck, fireplaces, dishwashers. 720-205-0990 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• GOVERNOR’S PARK 899 WASHINGTON ST. 1 bedroom units from $645-$675/mo. Fireplaces, rooftop deck, dishwashers, fabulous remodel! 303-668-5014
FaSHion
What’s in a boot?
Top trends for the winter season lace-up Buckle Strap Combat Bootie
Ferocious and Friendly – This combat-style boot is made of cruelty-free vegan leather, with an inside zipper for ease and a double buckle strap for a solid fit. $40
Charlotterusse.com
Frye Harlow Multi Strap
Rustic and Refined – This high-heeled boot blends a rugged charm with modern sass, high-traction soles and the overlapping straps of the latest styles. $230
DieSel ‘tatradium Basket-on’ Chelsea Boot
Cool and comfortable – With a sneaker-style sole, these urban boots wear light but show up strong. $140
Nordstrom.com
tass from aldo
Warm and Workaday – Fit for the outdoors, these laced leather boots work the trending military-style look with a utilitarian charm. $75
Aldo.com
6pm.com
raquel 4 Strap tall Boot
Western and Wild – This 15-inch faux-leather footpiece hints urban chic with the general shape of a cowgirl boot. Tucked under long pants, it’s more like something you’d wear to work. $39.50
Dr. Martens tall Black 14 eye leather lace up Boots
Undaunted and Unisex – Technically a men’s boot, there’s something sassy about this black leather boot you could envision on anyone. Drag maybe? You probably want to cut that stupid yellow loop thingy off. $140
Ssense.com
Wetseal.com
Dr. Martens ‘1460 8 eye’ Boot
Shined and Sturdy – Simple yet tough, these smooth pewtercolored city boots guard against the rain and light snow looking fashionable and neat at the same time. $120
Nordstrom.com
Wolverine Heritage Pull-on Boot
Prim and Pastoral – They’re weather-resistant and warm, easy to pull on and simple – but the oldstyle Western shape still fits in fine in no-longer-a-cowtown, increasingly cosmopolitan Denver. $110
Eddiebauer.com
[ [ living ] ]
january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
37
SPortS
t Awaken owner, Orench Lagman
It isn’t too late
Adult gymnastics beginners are proving anyone can learn to fly
By Noelle Leavitt-Riley
Most people see gymnastics as an Olympic sport, or, alternately, as an activity for kids. But recently, gymnastics have become a new fitness fad for adults who strive to improve their mental and physical health. “So many adult gym classes have been popping up all over the nation, because there’s just this fascination about the sport,” said Shannon Miller, a two-time gymnastic gold medalist in the 1996 Olympics, who now lives in Jacksonville, Florida. The agility of the sport and how it can reshape fitness routines has added a new level of attraction to fitness gurus, giving local adult gymnastic instructor Orench Lagman the opportunity to reshape lives. Lagman owns Awaken Adult Gymnastics located inside the Qi Athletic Club, at 2636 Walnut Street in Denver. The Qi Athletic Club offers a variety of fitness programs, including gymnastics. “It coincides with the yoga facility,” said Lagman, who has operated Awaken at Qi for more than three years. “It blends really well because yogis understand flexibility and balance.” One of his clients, Oz Osborn, 50, started taking gymnastics from Lagman nine months ago. “For me, a lot of it has to do with age, and being an engineer and spending a lot of my time sitting at a computer, which resulted in some pretty significant physical imbalances,” Osborn said. “The first time I did my first gymnastic class, I found another home.” Osborn started yoga two years ago, which helped him regain balance from his office job, but it wasn’t until he started gymnastics that he started to become a much better yogi. “I found that, for example, I could get into yoga stretches much further,” he said. “I love the yoga, I love the gymnastics, I love the synergistic combination of the two.” One of the benefits of gymnastics that differs from other fitness routines, is that many of the positions invert
38
For more info on Awaken Adult Gymnastics, visit www.AwakenAdultGymnastics.com
the body, adding a completely different level of wellness and awareness. “When you’re going into an inverted handstand position, it takes the body to a whole different level on special awareness,” said Jim Jarett, who started coaching gymnastics across the nation in the late ’70s. “You’re also creating a cardiovascular workout in the brain.” Jarett was a USA Olympic coach, and now runs Capital Gymnastics in Austin, Texas. He thinks adults should seriously consider the sport to help maintain their health. “For someone who’s never been in it before who is 25 to 50 years old, might want to try private lessons so that they don’t feel uncomfortable, perhaps,” Jarett said. Awaken Gymnastics offers private lessons for around $75 a session. One of the most important components to starting a gymnastics routine is to strengthen shoulder muscles, Lagman said. “Because they’re adults, they’re not limber like little kids. We do a lot of shoulder, arms, trunk and leg openers,” he said. “There’s also prep classes that we do, because we want to make sure all the shoulder muscles are really strong and flexible first.” After completing the shoulder prehab classes, students can then start the beginning level classes, he said. “It really depends on the health of your shoulder and joints,” Lagman said. “We’re not training for the Olympics here, we’re training for health and fitness under the gymnastics umbrella.” Unlike joining a regular gym, fitness patrons can join Qi for roughly $99 a month – the membership includes group gymnastic classes – and benefit from a more agile type training. “My background has always been in exercise. You
january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
[ [ living ] ]
I believe when people go inverted or upside down, the blood rushes into your brain, so you get a euphoric feeling.
get tired of just pushing weights around,” Lagman said, noting that the sport is great for any age group. “I have a lady that I just got on the rings, and she’s in her 80s,” he said. The sport can be intimidating, he said, yet the overall benefits should be the main draw when considering hitting the gymnastics mat. It creates brain power. “I believe when people go inverted or upside down, the blood rushes into your brain, so you get a euphoric feeling. In essence, I’m helping promote circulation of the brain,” Lagman said. It’s also fun, according to Osborn. “There’s a really strong sense of team. It’s fun, and there’s really a strong sense of playfulness,” Osborn said. “Most of all, for me, it’s a community.” The community is also what kept gold medalist Miller on the gymnastic scene for so long. “In 1992, in Barcelona, I won two silvers and three bronze medals. At the age of 15, I was enjoying it so much, I stuck it out for another four years, and in Atlanta (olympics), I got two gold medals in 96,” Miller said. “The things that children are learning, my three year old is learning in gymnastics, these are the things we are also learning as an adult,” she said. “It really works all of the small muscles – the muscles you didn’t imagine that you had.” That is the goal for Lagman – helping people realize a different potential of physical growth. “As far as the fitness industry goes, it’s always going to have new trends. I really believe that this is the next big thing,” Lagman said. ] For other related stories on fitness and health, visit http://ofcnow.co/5y8.
travel: PRIDE AROUND THE COUNTRY
2013 National Pride Calendar February 8-12: Gay Mardi Gras New Orleans, LA
APRIL 6-7
Phoenix Pride (Phoenix, AZ)
APRIL 12-14
Miami Beach Gay Pride Festival (Miami, FL)
MAY 29-June 9 Boston Pride (Boston, MA)
LOCAL & REGIONAL PRIDE CALENDAR January 13-20:
June 7-9
LA Pride (Los Angeles, CA)
June 23-30
San Francisco LGBT Pride (San Francisco, CA)
JUNE 15-16
Denver PrideFest (Denver, CO)
June 23-30 NYC Gay Pride (New York, NY)
JUNE 20-24
New Orleans Pride (New Orleans, LA)
June 28-30 Chicago Pride (Chicago, IL)
Aspen Gay Ski Week
JUNE 29
Twin Cities Pride Celebration (Minneapolis, MN)
June 29-30 Seattle PrideFest (Seattle, WA)
June 15-16:
Denver PrideFest
June 29:
Albuquerque Pride
July 20-21:
CO Springs PrideFest
JULY 12-14
San Diego Pride (San Diego, CA)
Aug 28-Sept 2 Southern Decadence (New Orleans, LA)
September 3-7
Gay Days/Las Vegas Pride (Las Vegas, NV)
OCTOBER 12-13 Atlanta Pride (Atlanta, GA)
August 7-11:
Rendesvous, Cheyenne
September 8:
PrideFest, Fort Collins
Your HIGHLANDS real estate LGBT specialist MICHAEL MADSEN 303 726 1543 M i c h a e l @ UrbanLegendary.com
[ [ Living ] ]
URBAN HOMES. LEGENDARY SERVICE.
january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
39
Show & Tell
Adopt a pet
The Denver Dumb Friends League is looking for new homes for animals
Whimsy Hello, my name is Whimsy. I am a spayed female, seal point Himalayan mix. The shelter thinks I am about 10 years old. I have been at the shelter since Oct 21, 2012. I am a lovely, Seal Point Siamese who arrived here via the lost and found. I would love to find a new forever home, and I hope that it might be yours. If you have some warm
places to cuddle up in your house... or perhaps a nice window for me to view the outdoors, and maybe a few interesting cat toys for me to play with. I am ready to go home with you! Plus, I have lots of love to give. To Adopt Whimsy, visit Denver Dumb Friends League at 2080 S. Quebec St. Online at DDfl.org.
Bellatrix Hello, my name is Bellatrix. I am a female, brown and white Bull Terrier and Basset Hound. The shelter thinks I am about 10 months old. I have been at the shelter since Nov. 30, 2012. I am a beautiful girl with pretty socks (my cute feet). I am also playful and very friendly according to my new friends here. I am smart, too. I know the “sit”
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january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
[ [ Living ] ]
command and I’m learning “shake.” I love to run around and retrieve things, and playing “fetch” is my favorite. I hope I get a chance to shake your hand and meet you today! ] To Adopt Bellatrix, visit Denver Dumb Friends League at 2080 S. Quebec St. Online at DDfl.org.
BaCK in My Day
It’s all nce in the da I’ve always loved what we used to call “ballroom dancing.” In my youth, in England anyway, it was one of those “social skills” taught in schools. Being trundled around the gym by gawky boys in farm boots and with sweaty palms was totally uninviting, but I was lucky. For some reason there was a serious female surplus in my year, so many girls had to dance together. Hey! I learned to lead at about 13. No wonder I’m gay! My husband also loved to dance. We could waltz and two-step for hours. Betsy loved to dance. We could waltz and two-step for hours. Alas, with Betsy’s back problems and my bum knee, not to mention that miscellany of other age-induced aches and pains, we slowly cut back on the dancing until now we only take to the floor a few times in one evening, and skip the faster numbers. We were a bit discouraged about it, one more joy severely minimized by that bloody aging thing, along with all-day hikes and backpacking trips. Betsy fears that her days of tennis and skiing are perhaps for the chop before long: things that have meant so much to her practically since she was just a little butch baby. So we are working on our attitudes. If you can no longer do things that have brought you endless joy over many years, be grateful for those many years. Be content to remember the many, many things you have
been fortunate enough to enjoy for so long: things that many others less fortunate have never experienced. Wallow in your happy memories rather than resentment and regrets. We sometimes sit, on a cold snowy winter morning, and sip at our coffee while watching a computer slideshow of one of the many warm and wonderful places we have been, and fortunately traveling is still something we can do. But we see a vision of the future in which we watch those rotating photos of endless things we can no longer do, and that’s OK. We are fortunate enough to know what it is like to do them, and that’s enough. And with luck our writing abilities, limited as they may be, will continue for a while yet. So through this wonderful story telling group we can relive endless experiences by sharing them with others who do the same. Perhaps we are only just beginning to see the endless positives to come from and to this group, and each and every one of us in it. ] This editorial was originally published on the blog “Telling Your Story” through the SAGE of the Rockies, a program for elders at the GLBT Community Center of Colorado. Gillian Edwards was born and raised in England. After graduating from college there, she moved to the U.S. and, having discovered Colorado, never left. Gillian has lived in
Gillian Ed wards
If you can no longer do things that have brought you endless joy over many years, be grateful for those many years.
the Denver-Boulder area since 1965, working for 30 years at IBM. Gillian was once married, raised four stepchildren, then got divorced after finally, in her 40s, coming out as a lesbian. She has been with her partner Betsy for 25 years.
Back in MY day…
Got a story, memory or reflection to share from way back when? Let us know about it! Email holly@outfrontonline.com with a story with “back in my day” in the subject line to have it considered for print!
[ [ Living ] ]
january 16, 2013 | outfrontonLine.com
41
Big ToyS
A spark of mobility
chevrolet brings fun to the mini car market 2013 chevrolet spark, photo courtesy of chevrolet.com
By Jonathan McGrew Denver isn’t necessarily a big city, but it still has the top issue of any urban environment: space. With a lack of space comes a lack of parking. That is, unless you have a car that can zip into any corner. We could be talking about the urban chic MINI or the two-seat Smart ForTwo – but this time we’re referring to the latest minicar to compete in the urban buyer’s challenge. Let us introduce to you the bright and somewhat-striking 2013 Chevrolet Spark. City dwelling requires an assessment of priorities, even budget consciousness. The Chevy Spark seeks to satisfy by offering ownership starting at $12,185. That fairly small bit of dough will get you four wheels, four seats and a parallel parking champion at more than 12 feet long. Moreover, you get air conditioning, 10 air bags, auxiliary radio input, power windows, cruise control, anti-lock brakes and a tire pressure monitoring system standard. Sounds pretty good, right? Wait, you wanted a little more luxury? Option up your Spark to the 2LT package like our Techno Pink test car and it will tip the scales at $16,720, but add machined alloy wheels, heated seats, leatherette appointments, satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity and an automatic transmission. OK, so Techno Pink might not be your color, but this peppy urban fighter comes in a lot of colors that will spark your imagination (or your
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january 16, 2013 | outfrontonLine.com
[ [ Living ] ]
appetite) like Jalapeño, Lemonade and Salsa. If you like more subdued options then lean toward Denim, Black Granite or Summit White. So far it sounds like the Spark is right in the hunt for your urban city dollars along with competitors like the Scion IQ, Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, Fiat 500, Honda Fit or the two-foot longer Nissan Versa. Add 28 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway and the non-hybrid Chevrolet Spark will also keep you from spending your hard earned dollars at the pump. It isn’t class leading, but it is reasonable for a car of its size. Getting down to brass tacks, the Spark is the replacement for the Chevrolet Aveo. In comparison, the Spark is a real step up and is a nice driving car, especially given its short length. Inside, the engine noise from the 1.2-Liter fourcylinder engine (a similar size to some touring motorcycles) is noticeable, but not unexpected. Need to get to Blackhawk for some Texas Hold’em or the loose penny slots? The Spark can even hack the I-70 grade while still maintaining 65 mph. You can even enjoy up to 31.2 cu. ft. of cargo space with both seats folded down; or get a shopping trip in with three friends with cargo room at 11.4 cu. ft. That means you can get a sports equipment bag in the trunk while still giving three of your friends a ride. Now that is some friendly urban living. ] For more related articles on Big Toys, visit our auto section online at http://ofcnow.co/Siw.
SeXuaLiTy
An addendum to my New Year’s resolution:
Removing the Kinsey Blinders
lauren archuletta
It may be possible that even more than 60 years since its creation, the still profoundly affects our sexuality and the way we think about it. In fact, the scientists and researchers at the Kinsey Institute recently created a Kinsey app that reports on the sexual behavior of people.
W
With every new year comes the hope of a new beginning, or at least the hope for a new way of looking at things. So now that we’re officially in 2013, I started thinking about all of the possibilities that would come about. Surely, we as a society have matured with every new year, right? Maybe we have a new way of looking at wars and love and sex through a different lens. After all, we as a culture have shifted views in the past few decades, right? Still pondering this, I went out to dinner with some old friends the other night. Sipping on my game-day special tall Blue Moon seasonal beer, I was trying to balance my attention between the football game on the big screen and my friends conversing, I managed to catch the sentence “I’d say I’m a five.” Assuming that my friend was absentmindedly or half-heartedly rating his attractiveness, I was rather shocked to hear him reference the Kinsey Scale and the placement he would give himself. Nearly spitting out my Winter Abbey Ale, I gathered my thoughts and tried to remember everything I could about the Kinsey Scale. I knew it had been invented nearly 60 years ago by sexologist and biology professor Alfred Kinsey, but I’ve always thought that it was rather archaic. Sure, in the 1940s and 1950s it may have been plausible that people could rate themselves on a scale from 1-6, of purely heterosexual or purely homosexual, but this is 2013. I have always thought that in the past 60 years, both sex and sexuality have changed drastically. The social acceptance of the LGBT culture and movement has come miles in recent years, from civil unions to trans inclusiveness. So why is it that when it comes to dealing with our own sexuality, we have stopped evolving? Over the years, with every New Year’s resolution we make, we usually decide to take on new things, thereby advancing our
lives and often bettering them. But while we were buying Paleo cookbooks and signing up for cross-fit and meditation classes at the closest YMCA, our health and attitudes have progressed, perhaps leaving our sexualities frozen in time. So the question remains: have we really changed the way we perceive and treat our sexuality? Or are we still looking at it through the Kinsey lens? My friend who placed himself on the number five marker gave me a simple response to this question: “It [the Kinsey Scale] is making its reemergence.” Maybe the infamous sex doctor did something right. While it seems absolutely preposterous that my sexual preference can be measured with a number that is neither here nor there, the scale’s creator sparked a generational shift. In fact, many people refer to the man as the “father of the sexual revolution.” Sexual topics in both the heterosexual and homosexual populations were brought to the forefront so much that the Kinsey Institute was founded at Indiana University. It may be possible that even more than 60 years since its creation, the still profoundly affects our sexuality and the way we think about it. In fact, the scientists and researchers at the Kinsey Institute recently created a Kinsey app that reports on the sexual behavior of people. Now available on your iPhone or any other smart phone device, you can measure not only your own sexuality, but you can also rate the sexuality of others with the scientific data. “People are natural observers,” said Kinsey Institute director Julia Heiman in an interview with The Advocate. “We expect to gain new insights into sexuality and relationships today.” With the invention and use of this app alone, the assumption is furthered that Alfred Kinsey still has our sexuality by the balls – quite literally.
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There are, however, people in the in and outside of the LGBT community that reject this notion, arguing that the Kinsey Scale is an outdated tool that has no place or precedence in today’s society or this day in age. “I like to think that we live in a society where hetero-normative concepts apply,” said Reagan McCauley, a 21-yearold student at the University of Georgia whose emphasis is queer literature. “People are so into talking about sexuality, even though the Kinsey report came out in the ’40s. It was a completely different time, and sexuality was first beginning to be explored. We should stop referring to it when describing our sexuality 60 years later.” We, as humans, have a natural ability to be influenced by a multitude of things, especially things that have a great significance on society as a whole. Our diets are influenced by the Jenny Craig commercials we see on television between the end of Dance Moms and the start of The Voice; our desire to be tied up by a silk tie may have been influenced by reading Fifty Shades of Grey along with the rest of the world over the summer. So it makes sense that our sexuality and the way we treat it is influenced by a social movement and sexual resource created back in the late 1940s. However, as humans, we should be naturally evolving. Alfred Kinsey took the world by surprise back in 1948. It’s 2013 now, and our sexuality is something that we can openly talk about without assigning ourselves a number. The time has come to take off the Kinsey blinders and exploring our sexuality in a new and more millennium-appropriate manner. ] Email Lauren Archuletta at Lauren.ofc@ gmail.com. For more articles on sexuality, visit ofcnow.co/ltS.
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aSK The SeXPerT
Say it before you play it dear shanna, it’s always awkward for me to bring up using a condom during oral sex with guys that i am hooking up with, but it’s very important to me to use protection, even during blow jobs. any suggestions? – Wanna Wrap That Sucker, Highlands Ranch Dear Wanna Wrap That Sucker,
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shanna katz
Make a rule of it for yourself – remind yourself that this is important to you and that you don’t want to back down,
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regardless if that means that sex is off the table.
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This is something that can be a tough conversation for folks. Although we’ve done a pretty good job as a community talking about condom use for intercourse, we’ve really missed the mark on talking about safer sex during oral. Whether you’re using a condom for fellatio or a dam/ saran wrap for cunnilingus, using protection while going down is one way to keep safer sex even safer. While the possibility of HIV transmission is very low with oral, other sexually transmitted infections (like herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, etc) are much more common. Make a rule of it for yourself – remind yourself that this is important to you and that you don’t want to back down, regardless if that means that sex is off the table. Let potential partners know how important it is to you to practice safer sex during oral, and what your reasons are. My hope would be that if people know that you want to protect both you and them, they’d be more open. If you’re having issues with people being turned off by the condom convo, you also have the option of learning to cheek a condom, and apply it with your mouth. If their objection is the way it feels, put a few drops of lube inside the condom before you apply it, to increase sensation. Importantly, you get to decide what you need to feel most comfortable. If other people don’t want to accept that, then they will just have to miss out on sex with you. Lots of people will be supportive of your choice around protection, and they’re the ones that deserve the pleasure of your company. ] Shanna Katz, M.Ed, ACS is a Colorado native, fierce femme and board certified sexologist. She loves teaching adults how to optimize their sex lives. For more info, please visit ShannaKatz.com or submit an anonymous question to ShannaKatz @gmail.com.
HEINZESIGHT
Are sub-stereotypes deceiving? Beginning at birth, we begin to categorize things and people to simplify the world. Some categories benefit and amuse us, while others really suck and can cause emotional scarring. As we get older, our categories become more engrained and we can become more skilled at labeling people. One of the biggest concerns is that we can miss out on some amazing people along the way because we assume that we already “know” them based on a few defining characteristics. Generally these are negative features and keep us from interacting – since they’re probably going to be douchebags anyway, right? Many of us think that stereotypes are great tools in protecting us from harm, but they can also keep us in negative and judgmental places. Think about what you have to gain by thinking badly about someone you don’t really know. Is it protection from rejection? Is it based on past negative experiences? Is it arrogance that you are better than? Is it bringing up feelings of jealousy or inferiority inside you?
Think about the following groups: Muscle Heads – There are many reasons why someone would choose to take the time and effort to get in shape by lifting heavy things. Although there are some that do this to overcompensate for small junk or a lack of friendships growing up, there are those who honestly like the look, feel, and health benefits of being fit. Be careful placing judgment on them by thinking they are self-absorbed jocks only interested in discussing workouts or becoming friends with those with under 4 percent body fat. Twinks – Some people are just naturally smooth, have smaller body frames and enjoy wearing overpriced t-shirts from A&F. Be careful thinking that no one who fits this physical description would be attracted to edgy, furry guys. Similarly, be aware that not everyone under age 25 places more importance on hair and large sunglasses than professional futures or self-improvement goals. Super Successful – Be wary of confusing insecurity and overcompensa-
Body Modified – Pierction with enjoying nice ings and tattoos have things. There are people become commonplace. in our society whose lifeIf the metaphor of the style affords them fancy “body as a temple” is conhouses, nice cars and extinued to its gay logical pensive clothes. Some of conclusion, many of us these people work very decorate our temples to hard in their lives and are differentiate ourselves not necessarily trust fund and feel more powerful babies. There are also in our self-expression. other people who work Be careful in thinking very hard to look like these Brent Heinze that someone isn’t kind, people. Be cautious in educated, or successful judging people based on their acquisitions. Thou shalt not covet because you perceive her or his appearance as extreme. thy neighbor’s Diesel jeans. Instead of judging a book by its Bears – Our world is full of a variety of cover, you may want to open some of body types and some are larger than these people up and begin to reading others. In the case of thicker builds, it does their story before automatically putting not speak to low self-esteem, laziness, or them in the bargain bin. There can only lack of pride in personal appearance. be so much gained from checking out Don’t think you can simply entice bears the front cover. ] with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with M&Ms and crushed up potato chips Brent Heinze, LPC, is a licensed professional inside. Many big guys are just as well- counselor. Email him at PerspectiveShift@ rounded as their tummies and genuinely yahoo.com. For more related articles written by Brent Heinze, visit ofcnow.co/xcp. happy with their lives.
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january 16, 2013 | outfrontonline.com
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