June 2023 :: Pride

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Happy Pride y'all!

It’s here—another Pride season! While we are certainly not completely out of the woods when it comes to the pandemic, we are eternally grateful that this is yet another summer we can spend outdoors and with our chosen family.

This year, we are beyond thrilled to put Black Pride front and center, showcasing all the important work they do to honor queer, Black folks this time of year and all year. You’ll hear from the Black Pride founder as well as some of the entertainers and learn more about why June is such a monumental month for the Black, queer community.

In 2023, the focus is global, and we know queer rights are human rights, and there are no queer rights without intersectionality. That’s why we’re also stoked to highlight the global phenomenon that Denver Pridefest has become, including all the diverse entertainment, as well as every last corner of Colorado, including the queer comings and goings on the Western Slope.

So this year, expand your horizons, and dive into all things Colorado and Pride season have to offer, not just the regularly scheduled programming. See you all out there!

-Addison Herron-Wheeler

FROM BLACK PRIDE COLORADO

And just like that, we are back again celebrating Pride Month! I am so excited for this issue as a co-creator with OFM. The Pride issue is the one that among all the others is one I always make sure to grab. Now, the reason why I am so excited for this issue is because Black Pride will be taking up all the space and spreading joy throughout.

For those who don’t know the history of Black Pride, let me take a moment to share. Black Pride is and always will be a celebration and empowerment for Black and AfricanAmerican people to not only take up space and be seen but also to celebrate outside of the predominantly white corporate mainstream movement. In the early 1990’s, D.C. Black Pride was born in response to lack of proper medical and mental healthcare, racism, and homophobia in our communities. It was also because of the AIDS epidemic, and as much as it has gone quiet in the media, it is still a major issue within our community. As D.C.’s Black Pride was one of the earliest, it is now one of the largest globally.

While Black Pride in Colorado was first celebrated in 2021, the journey began decades before. From drag queens to politicians, Black Pride has been slowly building itself to be seen and heard through the community movements speaking to the larger issues. As we have been able to come together and celebrate what we have accomplished, it is important to remember that the first Black Pride in the early 1990’s was not a celebration—It was a call to action.

For our third year, our call to action is to support Black LGBTQ people who are doing the work in the community. From organizations, to performers, to business owners, to politicians, support our work. Donate. Volunteer. And as you join us for our events this year, please be respectful of the space and prioritize our community over your comfort.

With kindness and resilience,

Dr. Tara Jae

About Black Pride Colorado

Black Pride Colorado, a program through YouthSeen, was created to celebrate, liberate, and engage our Black LGBTQIA2+ community by building resilience, honor, and preserving our history and culture.

It is through our fellowship and gatherings that we provide aid, dismantle the oppressive ideals behind mental health and wellness, provide community engagement, and showcase where we thrive and create in arts and culture.

Photo by Eboni Coleman

Colorado Black Pride 2023

by Ray Manzari

Starting in 2021, Colorado community members and activists felt the need for a Pride celebration that focuses on the state’s Black community and the colorful history of queer rights. Thus, Colorado Black Pride was born. Held during the weekend leading up to Juneteenth, Black Pride features events and entertainment that highlight Black excellence within the community.

“The reason why we have pride is because of folks of color. The first pride was a riot,” says Youth Seen Executive Director and co-founder of Black Pride, Dr. Tara Jae.

“When it comes to Black Pride, it’s really the celebration of Black LGBTQ folks because, as much as we want to pretend or say that our marginalized group of folks are inclusive, we're still working on some racism issues.”

Black Pride will kick off its festivities in the beginning of June with a joint feature presentation with Denver Filmfest of a sci-fi comedy with an all-Black cast. The official start of Black Pride weekend will be on Thursday, June 15 and will go until Sunday, June 18. The scheduled events for that weekend are as follows:

Thursday, June 15

Cannabis Bingo @ Jed’s Mile High Smoke Shop

Friday, June 16

Black Excellence Gala @ Denver Botanical Gardens

Saturday, June 17:

Zara and the Chocolate Factory Drag Show @ X Bar

Sunday, June 18

Black Pride Cookout (family friendly event) @ Reel Works

Monday, June 19

Juneteenth

While everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend these events, non-Black attendees should remind themselves that this weekend is largely for Black LGBTQ folk’s voices to be heard.

“A big part of Black Pride is, you know, so often our voices go unheard. It's only during this week that we actually really get a megaphone, right?” Dr. Tara Jae tells OFM. “It's really structuring the week in a way of what could this look like if it was year-round and our voices were heard and respected year-round.”

The importance of saving space specifically for Black LGBTQ members is imperative. As Dr. Jae pointed out, there would be no pride without the Black community leaders making a stand at Stonewall. There would be no gay liberation movement without the civil rights movement that came before it. Educating ourselves about not only queer history, but Black history, better serves the LGBTQ community at large to build more solidarity when fighting means of oppression.

Through previous years, Denver Pridefest used to fall on or around the weekend of June 19, also known as Juneteenth, which celebrates the day that the last bastion of slaves were made aware of their freedom. Overshadowing such a day while not acknowledging the Black historical figures who secured the rights, we often take for granted does a monumental disservice to the entire community. Thus, the event made the decision to move to the following weekend instead.

“Black Pride is, fundamentally, fellowship with folks; it's being able to connect with people. It's suicide prevention. People have the ability to engage and connect because as much as we're out and about and we're in the world, we still need to acknowledge that we were separated from each other and from our community for quite some time and that we're still all healing from that,” says Dr. Tara Jae on the importance of building back community post-pandemic.

Photo by Julius Garrido

Eboni Coleman, Co-Founder of Black Pride Colorado

Black Pride Performer Spotlight: Juiccy Misdemeanor

by Denny Patterson

riginally from St. Louis and moving to Denver in 2017, Juiccy Misdemeanor has made quite an impact on the Mile High drag scene.

Considered to be derivative of old-school, classic drag and female impersonation, Juiccy’s artistry is sparkly, fun, high-energy, and full of love and joy. Being a professional dancer for a living, she feels right at home on stage while giving audiences an unforgettable performance. Currently, Juiccy has a monthly residence at X Bar with her show X Factor, taking place on the first Friday of every month, and she can also be seen at other popular queer haunts such as Tracks, Triangle, and Charlie’s.

In June, Juiccy will be sharing the stage alongside her drag sisters Miss Zarah Misdemeanor and Porsha DeMarco-Douglas at Black Pride Colorado, and she took some time to talk more about it and her artistry with OFM.

How excited are you to be performing at this year’s Black Pride?

Oh my gosh, it's a thrill! This is our third year of events, so to see the growth and getting to perform at such a momentous occasion, I’m very excited. We are creating space and holding awareness for us as BIPOC and queer people of color, and I think it’s going to be an amazing weekend event. We have some very exciting things coming up.

Who is Juiccy Misdemeanor, and what is she all about?

Juiccy Misdemeanor is a combination of this Midwestern, Southern belle. She loves drag; she loves community and family, and she's very big on making everyone feel included because that's just my natural nature. As far as about her, she's very sparkly, usually high-energy, and loves to connect with people on a deeper level. So, I always make sure that I’m connecting with people offstage as well, and I always try to be at community events and hold up space when I can. I’m just a girl who loves to have fun and cares for the community.

When and how did you discover your love and passion for drag?

Crazy enough, which has been a struggle to explain, but also kind of exciting, during the pandemic, the world of virtual drag came about. I always told myself I wasn’t going to be a drag entertainer. I didn’t want to do drag. I was just a fun, queer, nightlife dancer person or whatever, but I’ve always loved drag. Back home, I was called a drag roadie or a drag hag because I was always involved in some way, whether that was carrying someone’s suitcase or being the small corners and crevices of bars.

As time evolved, and during the pandemic, I tried to stay creative by doing makeup challenges, but prior to that, Felony Misdemeanor asked me to be in her drag family. I was like, "No, I’m not ready. It’s too much" (laughs). Then, after the pandemic, I started to fall in love with makeup and drag even more, and I kept looking for ways to be creative and inspired. A lot of that has to do with ballroom, but also with drag, and then the next thing you know, we had virtual drag popping up at X Bar. I submitted a video called “My Power,” and then everyone was like, "You should do drag!" I was like, "OK!"

What ballroom houses are you involved with?

Currently, I am in the iconic house of LaBeija, which is the first founding house of ballroom. Then in the beginning of my ballroom days here in Colorado, I was in the Kiki House of Flora. They are really thriving and growing in the scene here.

What would you say you enjoy the most about drag as an art form?

I'll say my first and second. My first is the makeup process because I think it's so cool. You can transform yourself into someone of a different personality and energy, but also, I think the performing aspect really hones in for me. I love being on stage, and I love hosting and talking to people on the microphone. It’s fun to see people smile and get into what you’re doing. The world can be crazy, but I am so happy once I’m in the moment.

What can one always expect from a Juiccy Misdemeanor set?

You’re going to get high energy, high kicks, dance, sparkles, and sequins in a loving, communal, and inclusive space. My sets are a place for all people.

What do you think makes the Denver drag community unique and stand out from other drag communities? That's a good question. Being from the Midwest, and I also have family that resides in the South, from Georgia, the scenes are different. I think that Denver is a very eclectic and inclusive scene. Down south, like in Georgia, the pag-

eant scene is very heavy, so everyone’s obsessed with polished, primped, and female presenting, or sometimes male presenting. It’s almost definitive on these lines of old school styles versus Denver where it’s very eclectic and inclusive.

We have bearded queens, androgynous individuals, alternative performers, pageant girls and guys, they/them—It’s such a mixture. Denver has a melting pot of drag, and there’s so much acceptance as well. Of course, everything has its bumps and rocky roads, but I feel like I've gone through many transitions, even through my drag, and every stage has been very accepting, welcoming, and loving.

Besides performing, what else are you looking forward to the most about this year’s Black Pride?

I'm excited to see how we can reach and connect to different communities and different amounts of people. Last year, we were really involved and immersed ourselves into community events, so I’m very excited to see how we can do that on a bigger level and scale, reaching more audiences and gathering more people to really commune and celebrate who are as a BIPOC community. I'm also excited to see the new fresh talent.

I believe we’re going to bring in some new faces and different individuals in and out of state who are just local drag entertainers. We’re giving a platform for local talents from different states to really showcase themselves because I think we sometimes forget that we have so much local talent across the world. As you know, drag has been commer-

cialized, and it’s like, if you don’t do this show, you’re failing. No, that’s not true. So, we want to celebrate, highlight, and appreciate local drag talents from all over.

What does Pride mean to you?

Oh, my goodness. That's such a weighted question (laughs). I think Pride has a two-part meaning. The first part is knowing where the struggles of Pride came from and knowing that it was a protest and a fight for people to live their lives as authentically and holistically as possible. However, I also think Pride is a celebration of the future, how far we've come, and the progression. Even with our back falls, we can still commune and shine bright regardless of the people who are trying to oppress or weigh us down. It’s one of those black and white kinds of things. We’re sad and angry that we’re still fighting, but also, let’s celebrate, let our voice be heard, shine bright, and be beautiful. It’s a struggle and a triumph.

Do you remember the first Pride event you ever attended?

Yes! One of my first pride events was in St. Louis, the Pride parade, and I was working with a circus called Circus Kaput. They wanted me to be a ringleader person in front of the circus with this big umbrella, and I was like, "You want me to walk in this parade? Ok! " And that was one of my first amateur drag experiences. One of my friends, who is a fantastic makeup artist, put me in makeup, and I had this ringleader costume on, and I walked the entire St. Louis Pride parade twirling my umbrella parasol feeling my best self. That was my first full immersive experience with a Pride event, and to be in it, that was so cool.

What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your drag and platform?

At this point, I'm saying the sky's the limit. I have some plans to create some merch and reach more fans, etc., and that’s everyone’s goal, but my long-term goal in terms of my platform and as a performer, I want to continue to highlight and curate space for Black and brown artists who do drag or perform. I always want to curate space for people to feel safe, so if that means going into more non-queer friendly spaces and devising some sort of collaboration/connection partnership so queer people can feel safe in all spaces that they attend, I think that's very important.

As our work progresses, and we have so many members of our community, I want everyone to feel as appreciated. So, that's very big for me. Also, there are a couple dreams that I have that may or may not happen, like Drag Race and things like that. I don't think they are needed to exceed your platform, but I think they do boost and help. Also, I produce an in-house hot sauce, and I’d love for that to become a worldwide thing. I love spicy food. We love a good hot sauce.

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you’d like to mention or plug?

Just come out and enjoy Black Pride weekend! It’s the same weekend as Juneteenth.

Stay up-to-date and connect Juiccy by following her on Instagram @juiccymisdemeanor. For more information on Black Pride, visit blackpridedenver.com.

Photos by Jay Cupcake Photography

Black Pride Performer Spotlight:

Miss Zarah Misdemeanor

by Denny Patterson

Born and raised in the Mile High City, Miss Zarah Misdemeanor is a lovable, high-energy drag queen who can always guarantee a fabulous time. For her day job, Miss Zarah is the CampSeen Director at YouthSeen, an organization working with queer people of color with mental health and wellness, but by night, she is a diva extraordinaire, who primarily does shows to help raise money for different organizations in and around the Denver community.

In addition to performing at brunches at popular queer venues such as Triangle, Hamburger Mary’s and the Clocktower Cabaret, Miss Zarah has a monthly show at X Bar called XYZ. In June, she will be performing at Black Pride Colorado, a program she co-founded with Dr. Tara Jae.

OFM caught up with Miss Zarah to talk more about Black Pride and her drag artistry.

How excited are you to be performing at this year’s Black Pride?

I am so excited! This will be our third year doing the Black Pride celebration, and we have a lineup of several fun events. I can’t wait.

Who is Miss Zarah, and what is she all about?

Miss Zarah is a fun, high-energy, loveable drag performer who loves to entertain and bring joy and happiness to her audiences. I’m all about bringing joy, love, and just celebrating who we are as a queer community.

When and how did you discover your love and passion for drag?

I've always been a performer. I started when I was around 8 or 9 years old, and I’ve done lots of theatre and musical theatre. So, I’ve always had a love for performing, but the first time I got into drag was when I was in college. I did it for a friend

who was a visual arts major. She was doing a painting of The Last Supper, but she wanted to have all drag queens for it. She asked me to be her Jesus, and when I got into drag, I just loved it.

It brought out this different side of me that I didn’t know existed, and that was the start of this amazing drag journey that I'm on now. I love that I can use drag as a creative and performing outlet, but it has also given me a platform to really advocate, support, and help my community, which I really, really love. I'm all about supporting and helping to elevate my community.

What can one always expect from a Miss Zarah set? Definitely a high-energy number. Whether that's an upbeat bass or a ballad, I'm always giving you that energy that you love, and I like to do a tight lip sync. I love lip synching. It's my favorite, but honestly, I ultimately just want to bring joy and light. That's what I always strive to do when I'm on stage. I want to be a joy and light to everybody that’s out there watching, and I want you to leave my performances and shows feeling happier and inspired. I just want people to have a good time.

What do you think makes the Denver drag community unique and stand out from other drag communities?

I think Denver has a very eclectic group of entertainers. We have a variety of identities, races, and ethnicities that are represented, so I think it’s a pretty diverse community. I feel like for the most part, we as entertainers get along. If we

don’t get along with a different entertainer, we know how to be professional. We do our job and then go home.

Besides performing, what else are you looking forward to the most about this year’s Black Pride?

I am co-founder of Black Pride Colorado with Dr. Tara Jae, and our goal with creating this was to give queer Black folks the opportunity to take up space and have ownership. The reason why we can do what we do today, as queer people in general, is because of our Black and brown ancestors. They truly paved the way, so I really want people to learn the history and be able to educate themselves on why we're able to do the things that we do today, and it's because of Black queer people, Black trans women. They were at the forefront of the Pride revolution in 1969.

What does Pride mean to you?

It means freedom and celebration. To be able to show your pride and be happy with who you are as a human and your queer identity, I think that is so beautiful. You should be able to share that with the world, and I think that’s what Pride is about—sharing your true, authentic self with the world, not being ashamed of that, and being happy, proud, and confident.

Do you remember the first Pride event you ever attended?

Oh my God, yes! I think it was 2008; that was the first time I went to Pride, and feeling the vibe of everybody showing up and just being who they are, whatever that is, it was beau-

tiful and amazing. It was so much fun, and I feel like when you get the opportunity to experience that, it takes you into that place where you know you can be proud. You can live that true, authentic life that you deserve to live.

What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your drag and platform?

I love working with children and younger kids, so a goal of mine is to be able to incorporate educational programming for children through my drag persona. I love doing drag story time and stuff like that, and it’s so fulfilling to see kids who are just so accepting. They don't care that I'm a man in a dress reading them books. They're just there to go along for the ride, and they're accepting and loving.

I want to be able to let everyone know, regardless if you’re queer or not, that you can go and live your life authentically. Be proud; be kind, and be respectful to yourself, as well as other people. That's what it's all about. So, my goal is to really dive in and start doing more educational programming for children through my drag.

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you’d like to mention or plug?

I’d just like to say, whenever you can, come and support local drag artists. Even If it’s not me, just go out and support local drag entertainment, especially with the political climate that we’re in right now. We need the love and support.

Stay up-to-date and connect with Miss Zarah by following her on Facebook and Instagram @heymisszarah. For more information on Black Pride, visit blackpridedenver.com.

Photos courtesy of Jay Cupcake

Black Pride Performer Spotlight: Porsha DeMarco-Douglas

by Denny Patterson

L oud, proud, and as sassy as they come, Porsha DeMarco-Douglas is a drag queen you are bound to remember.

Originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina, Porsha has been doing drag for almost 18 years and would describe her art as very high-energy and in-your-face. Although she may be a plus-size gal, she can kick, flip, split, and buck with the best of them. From stand-up comedy to inspirational ballads, Porsha can do it all, and she says her favorite part about doing drag is connecting and resonating with audiences.

Porsha can usually be seen at Tracks, Hamburger Mary’s, and X Bar, but in June, she will be doing a special performance for Black Pride Colorado. OFM caught up with the diva to talk more about Black Pride, her drag artistry, and other upcoming projects.

How excited are you to be performing at this year’s Black Pride?

I am so freaking excited! Most of the members that are a part of Black Pride are my friends, so it's always a great time to be on stage with them, laugh and be giggly and silly—all the good stuff that comes with being able to see each other again.

Who is Porsha DeMarco-Douglas, and what is she all about?

Porsha DeMarco-Douglas, I would consider her that loudmouth auntie that everybody loves. She’s that one. She’s bougie, but a little crazy and knows how to give out tough love when she needs to. All around, she just wants to make sure that you are successful.

When and how did you discover your love and passion for drag?

(Laughs) It’s actually a very weird story. When I was younger, I was a sports gay, and I hated drag queens. I don’t know what it was, but I could not tell you what my disliking of drag entertainers was. It was not pretty. I had nothing nice to say about any of them, but then I befriended one. She became a drag mother later on, but we were legit at her house, and we were watching a football game. She goes, “If this team wins, you have to do drag. I was like, “OK, looking at their record, they’re not going to win. I have nothing to worry about,” but then they won. I said, “Oh, snap!” However, I quickly realized that I was kind of good at this, and I really liked the attention. They went hand in hand.

What can one always expect from a Porsha DeMarco-Douglas set?

Oh, that’s my favorite question of all time! You will always get a show out of me. I am typically known as the big, curvy, dancing diva, so I do the kicks, flips, and splits. I can do it all. She’s getting a little older, so she may not do it as much, but I can guarantee that you will always get a show out of me. I’m a firm believer, and it’s something that I’m fine with, you may not remember my name, but you will always remember what I did on stage.

What do you think makes the Denver drag community unique and stand out from other drag communities?

Honestly, and this is going to sound petty, but the one thing that I will say that our community does better than most, we have a huge variety of drag entertainers here that coexist very well with each other. However, no matter what drag scene you look at, there's drama of some sort. There's going to be drama. There's going to be girls that are fighting. Yes, it happens, and we all know it does. We all see it, but I also feel like our community makes sure that when it comes down to handling those situations, it's very much internal and it gets squashed. We tend to squash our drama quickly. It doesn’t really linger. There’s no, “Hey, I heard this and that.” No, no, baby. That’s last week’s news. Move on. We also make sure that our community and the people who come see our shows don’t get pulled into the drama because it sometimes happens.

Besides performing, what else are you looking forward to the most about this year’s Black Pride?

Going off something I said earlier, I’m not going to lie; I like attention, so I’m very excited about that (laughs). Then just being able to be on stage and live in my authenticity. Being able to share another part of me of that, with everything going on in the world, gets misconstrued. Being a Black entertainer, some people don’t get it.

What does Pride mean to you?

Pride, for me, is being happy, being able to stand in your truth, and being authentic. When it comes down to Black Pride, or Pride in general, I am unapologetically me. It gives me that feeling of this is my time, this is my space. This is my time to show everyone who I am and not have to question, “Am I being too much? Am I not being enough?” I am just able to live in my existence.

Do you remember the first Pride event you ever attended?

I sure do! It was in Colorado Springs in 2007, and it was a hella hot day! I was a lot younger back then, so I could do things I can't really do any more, and little baby me used to wear things that she shouldn’t have. Porsha used to very much shop off the rack. Don’t get me wrong, I was still a bigger person; I’m just a little bigger now, but I would sit there and try to buy these cute little miniskirts and small tops. I thought I was that girl. I was like, “Yeah, I look sexy!” I look at those pictures now, and I’m like, “Oh, shit. Baby, no.” There were no tights; I could never do that now. I was advocating for being a hoochie, let me tell you.

What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your drag and platform?

One of the few things that I really want to do, I wouldn’t say that I’ve become a bit of a pageant girl, but I like doing pageants, and two of the major pageants that I’d love to do are Miss Continental and Miss Gay US at Large. Before I retire, my goal is to become a national title holder. I’ve always looked up to those pageants, and if I win one next year, I’m probably going to retire. I’ve accomplished my goal, I’m good to go.

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you'd like to mention our plug?

Yeah, there are a couple projects that I’m currently a part of and working on. One, I’m doing a really cool and nifty show with a couple others at Meow Wolf called We Are Here. The Drag Guide to Pride, and that’s June 15 and 16. You’ve got some Denver hard hitters, like Jessica L’Whor, Lulu Alnite, and Mariah Spanic. I’m very excited about the event because I’ve lived in Denver for two years and I’ve never been to Meow Wolf. I also have another event that weekend, a Juneteenth performance at Tracks, and then later on in June, I’m the mother of the House of Ninja’s Colorado chapter, and we have a ball that I’m going to in Texas. This will be my first outing as a parental figure for the Colorado chapter.

Stay up-to-date with Porsha by following her on Facebook and Instagram @porshademarco. For more information on Black Pride, visit blackpridedenver.com.

Photo courtesy of Porsha Demarco-Douglas

Good Judy’s

Western Colorado’s Queer Nightclub is Born

by Caleb Ferganchick

The bastion of Boebert politics, few would identify Grand Junction, Colorado as a queer-friendly travel destination. Lifelong resident Jesse Daniels hopes to change that, inviting residents and tourists alike to ditch the holsters and don ruby slippers in the city’s newest nightclub, Good Judy’s.

The nightclub, which opened on St. Patrick’s day of 2023, pays homage to the Old Hollywood queer icon Judy Garland.

“It’s a throwback to the days when it was illegal to be queer in public. We used to identify each other as friends of Dorothy. Good, meaning good. Judy, meaning friend. Good Judy’s.”

Co-owned by Daniels and Vann Guitierrez, Good Judy’s is Western Colorado and Eastern Utah’s only queer nightclub. It took over the former Charlie Dwellington’s at the intersection of 1st and Main Streets.

“We had roughly three weeks to open doors. It was hell on wheels,” Daniels says. “We’re super proud of the VIP area and DJ booth. The stage and the dressing room are going to be huge for entertainers, and you can’t forget our sick-ass sound system. This is a Vegas-level quality sound system. It’s definitely something that sets us apart in every market that I’ve seen.”

Good Judy’s is open Tuesday through Sunday and hosts an array of events including resident DJ nights, drag shows, karaoke, and brunch, a monthly Zodiac party, and a long-standing Western Slope LGBTQ+ social night, First Friday.

“It’s fulfilling,” resident drag queen Stella Rae Van-Dyke says. “This is a space

where queer people are able to fill up their cup, metaphorically and literally. They can take that back out into the world. To be in this space is to always have my cup full.”

Careful work was put into developing a queer forward atmosphere from the pastel purple patio to walls adorned with body-positive rainbow artwork from Grand Junction artist Kalena Pe’a. The bathrooms are also the first and only gender-neutral bathrooms in Grand Junction’s downtown area, featuring a mural done by Daniels' sister, Brooke Safken-Bartholomew.

“We wanted to do something really different with the bathroom because we are a queer space and we don’t give a damn,” Daniels says.

The mural centers an upside down pink triangle, the protest symbol utilized by the Act Up Movement comparing government apathy during the AIDS epidemic to the systematic killing of queer and gender queer people by the Nazi regime. Rainbow wings extend from the triangle covering both of the bathroom doors.

“It feels like home,” patron Vincent Davis says. “It’s knowing that as unsure as you feel about yourself on the outside of the building, you feel safe to be yourself and decisive, or indecisive, inside.”

Despite operating out and proud in one of the state’s most conservative areas, the nightclub has been well received by the larger community.

“We’ve been fairly lucky in this community in that we don’t get as much pushback as I always anticipate us getting. But there are challenges,” Daniels says.

Grand Junction has a population about one tenth the size of Denver, Colorado, making the opportunity for queer nightlife, or any diverse nightlife, operationally challenging. Where larger metropolitan-area bars and nightclubs can cater to specific interests, Good Judy’s has striven to create a space where the entire queer and gender queer spectrum can have a good time together.

“We definitely focus more on having the safe space so you can be yourself,” bar manager Joshua Beckage says. “It’s bigger than us. I come from an area where the bears went out on Thursday, and the twinks went somewhere else. It was very cliquish. Here it doesn’t matter. It’s a whole. Together.”

Beckage, who moved to Grand Junction from Pennsylvania in 2022, was nervous about being able to build a meaningful life on Colorado’s Western Slope.

“When I moved to Colorado, I was very intimidated, and when I moved to this area, had I not known there was a space like this, my entire life would be different,” Beckage says. “I got a place to live, a job, and a tight-knit community of people that I rely on. It changed everything.”

Good Judy’s isn’t only providing a safe and fun space for LGBTQ patrons, it is also providing a much-needed avenue of employment for queer and gender-queer residents in Grand Junction. According to the U.S. Beurea of Labor Statistics, Grand Junction has a job market that is occupationally concentrated with average wages below the national average. In 2021, the Kaiser Foun-

Photos by Joshua Scott Smith;

Models: Marcela Ayon-Salas, Taylor Rubalcaba

dation also noted that COVID-related job loss was experienced to a much larger degree by LGBTQ adults.

“Damn near everyone falls on the queer spectrum save for maybe two or three individuals,” Daniels says. “We’ve always been the token, never the majority, so it’s fantastic.”

But Good Judy’s isn’t just a good queer business. It’s good business for Grand Junction’s entire downtown sector, situated in an area of downtown undergoing significant development.

“A lot of effort is going into the West end of Main Street with the development of the I-70 B coordinator,” Trent Prall, Grand Junction Public Works Director, says. “We are looking at a mobility hub where we will bring in a lot of public transportation elements into one location. It’s where Amtrac currently has a station and a private investment has been proposed to

redo our Union Station which was one of only three in the State.”

Across the street from Good Judy’s, a new, 256-unit apartment complex is under construction as the city’s population continues to increase.

“We lost a significant chunk of the population after oil and gas and the recession,” Elizabeth Forgaty, Director of Visit Grand Junction, says. “Now that Grand Junction’s population is trending toward significant growth, I think that will naturally attract diversity in our community. I think (Good Judy’s) says we’re very welcoming and we support culturally diverse groups, and I think it will attract other businesses as well.”

The City of Grand Junction has invested in attracting LGBTQ tourism through Visit Grand Junction in collaborations with Pride Journey’s and the travel blog “2 Dads With Baggage.”

They have also promoted Good Judy’s First Friday and Second Saturday drag show.

“We’re successful with our brand because we bring all the elements of what this community has to offer into one platform that naturally creates a culture where we’re all complimenting each other,” Forgaty says.

Visit Grand Junction’s Consumer Survey platform shows tourists appreciating Grand Junction’s friendly atmosphere and locals in comparison to other Colorado travel destinations. While that data does not specifically capture LGBTQ tourist attitudes, Good Judy’s is a solid indicator that Grand Junction is becoming a more welcoming sector of the State.

While the former Charlie Dwellington’s provided a safe space for the LGBTQ community and hosted a variety of LGBTQ events, prior to Good Judy’s, there has never been an openly queer bar or nightclub in the downtown sector of Grand Junction.

In the late ‘80s, advertisements for Quincy Bar could be found in the independent LGBTQ journal The Paragon. Advertisements ran the accompanying text, “Cruising Place for Gays and Lesbians: Straight Before 8 PM.”

“The queer scene back then was very disjointed. We had Quincy, which was under different ownership back then,” Daniels says. “It was very predatory towards the gay demographic, wanting our money but not giving us anything for it. They wouldn’t call themselves a gay bar. It was very well known than the gay folk frequentented, but there were no assurances that it was a safe space.”

Evidence of a cultural shift is alive and well at Good Judy’s, promising a safe, welcoming, and celebratory environment for Grand Junction's LGBTQ locals and tourists considering a visit to Colorado’s Western Slope.

For more info, visit good-judys.com.

“I’ve seen people in public who completely blossom here and free themselves from the stress of where they’re at in their journey,” Beckage says. “The part that I enjoy the most is looking around and just seeing happy people.”

by Ray Manzari

PrideFest 2023: Be Proud Out Loud

As we enter yet another pride month, Denver’s two-day festival looms nearer. We had the chance to speak with Rex Fuller, CEO of the Center on Colfax, about the history of the festival and what to expect from this year.

PrideFest is coming on its 47th year, the first one being held in 1976, the same year as what would eventually evolve into the Center on Colfax was founded.

“There was a lot of activism in the early ‘70s that was in response to Stonewall and was spreading across the country. We were one of those cities that it spread to, and out of that activism, the first pride events emerged and also the activists at the time, decided that a community center was something that was really needed,” Fuller tells OFM.

The Center took over the production of PrideFest in the 1990s, which is when it went from a parade and one-day fes-

tival to a two-day festival which now attracts over 525,000 guests annually. During the pandemic, PrideFest went completely virtual, livestreaming performances and even a parade to folx from the safety of their homes.

The festival has since returned to an in-person format, with some changes. Last year saw the festival’s first-ever “sober area” which will be returning again in 2023. The festival holds three stages with constant entertainment throughout the two days.

The Latinx Stage, located on the great lawn of the Civic Center Park, features Denver’s best Latinx performers including R&B artist LaLa Cerros. The Absolute Dance World DJ Booth will also host two full days of entertainment and dancing with DJs such as Deanne and T-Beatz. Finally, the Center Stage located as always in the Civic Center Park’s Greek Amphitheater will be graced by two full days of the most talented local artists.

Perhaps the most difficult for us at OFM to keep quiet about are this year’s headliners. PrideFest goers will be excited to hear that RuPaul's Drag Race Season 15 contestants Marcia Marcia Marcia and Salina EsTitties will be performing on the Center Stage. Additionally, Big Freedia will also be headlining this year’s PrideFest.

Returning again will be the work of artist Lonnie Hanzon, known for his large and immersive art installations. His piece this year is promised to be just as big and colorful as previous years, tying in the theme for PrideFest 2023; Be Proud Out Loud.

“I think that anything that can be counted as a success in the LGBTQ community has come from people speaking up and making their voices heard,” Fuller says of this year’s theme.

“Right now, there are so many attacks, especially on the transgender community, that it's important that all of us

speak up and say that these attacks are not right. This has been one of the biggest years for anti-LGBTQ and specifically anti-trans legislation across the country, and it's being done for such cynical reasons because it's just to score political points so that political parties can advance. It's not because anybody actually cares whether a drag queen reads a story book to a kid. They get all whipped up into a frenzy saying this is wrong, and we need to speak out about that.”

Calling on its roots in protest and political activism, this year’s Pridefest will focus on the importance of standing up to hate against the community. As always, remember to be safe during the weekend's various events. Festival rules prohibit the bringing of weapons and firearms into the festival, as well as non-factory sealed water bottles. The Center recommends leaving your furry babies at home, as June weather in Denver is expected to be quite hot.

Look for OFM’s booth to snag some free swag bags and other goodies!

Photos courtesy of The Center on Colfax

‘Drag Race’ Star

Salina EsTitties is Bringing the Titties to Denver Pride

by Denny Patterson

As a queer, Latinx Libra who has hustled to become a beacon of light within the Los Angeles drag community, Salina EsTitties is looking forward to bringing some of that joy to the Mile High City. She will be a headlining performer at this year’s Denver PrideFest, taking place June 24-25 at Civic Center Park.

The self-described Cholita, plus-size, ghetto superstar has received tremendous acclaim by creating original drag productions and parody videos, appearing in TV shows such as Modern Family and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and leading commercial and national print campaigns for high-profile corporations including Sephora, Nintendo, and Calvin Klein, but more recently, she became an LGBTQ icon by competing on the most recent season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Although she didn’t take home the crown, or win a single challenge, Salina continuously tore up the stage with her lip sync smackdowns and became one of the most memorable queens in the show’s herstory. Authentic and unapologetic, she has provided visibility for the queen Latinx community across the world.

Salina sat down to talk more about her upcoming Denver appearance and Drag Race experience with OFM.

Let me begin by asking, how excited are you to be headlining this year’s Denver Pride?

I am so excited! I've been in LA for 15 years, and LA Pride is one of the biggest Prides out there, but I’ve never been asked to be a part of it. And I’m such a hard worker in the community! So, the fact that Denver wants the titties, it’s very exciting.

Photos courtesy of Salina EsTitties

Without giving too much away, what can we expect from your set?

I’m working and curating it right now, but there will be some original music that I’m very excited about, and we did a little comedy challenge on Drag Race. I hope to tickle your titties while on the microphone.

What does Pride mean to you?

Oh my God. For me, personally, Pride is not only having pride in being who you are sexuality-wise, but it’s having pride with all parts of who you are. For me, that means having pride for being Latino, having pride for being a little thicker. Everything about yourself; there’s pride to be had, 100%.

Do you remember the first Pride festival you ever attended?

Yes! I was 18 years old in LA, a tiny little twink baby, and I was just blown away with how free everyone was. It was funny because I grew up in San Francisco in the Castro with my gay uncles for the most part, so seeing gayness was always a part of my life, but to be thrown into this world where it was being celebrated all day every day, that was very exciting and really cool. I felt like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.

What is one of your crazier Pride moments?

Uh oh (laughs). The Pride parades are always so much fun, but as the years have gone by, I’ve been getting on some crazier and crazier floats, but one of the first floats I ever got on was literally just a little pickup truck. We were dangling off the back of it trying to raise money for HIV/AIDS. It was just so cute, but I think the craziest would probably have to be when we got to go on stage and dance with Troye Sivan.

For those who don't know, how did your journey with drag begin?

I was a male dancer in LA, and they always make you take off your shirt. That’s, like, the first thing they do at auditions, and I always had man titties. Well, a friend of mine started doing drag, and I was helping her choreograph and do all the mixes. She wasn’t hitting the choreography right whenever

she performed, and the lip syncs weren’t as tight, so I was like, “Girl, let me do this.” Once I started doing it, they were throwing money at my titties. I was like, “OK, I can make money like this. Let’s go!”

Now, you are a drag superstar thanks to your run on this most recent season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. How did it feel making Top 6?

So good. It was so satisfying because I had to claw my way up there, you know? I didn't have any wins, so each time I got further and further, I was like, OK, this is good. Then the fact that I got to Top 6, and I possibly could have even gotten to Top 5, it was amazing. Maybe if Anetra didn’t say my name, I would have been Top 5 (laughs).

Why did you initially want to be on the show, and was this your first time auditioning?

It was my fifth time auditioning, and I’m happy that I got on when I got on because I don't think I would have been prepared or had as good of a run had I got on earlier. I always believe every girl wants to be on Drag Race, and it's such a great launchpad for the rest of your career. If you plan on doing something with it, and I plan on doing something with it, it was a dream come true.

What would you say was the most rewarding and challenging aspect of your Drag Race experience?

The most challenging was, I went in wanting to represent my culture and my experience as a POC in the queer community. I feel like I did a really good job at that, but the challenging part was having the judges picking up what I was putting down. I don't feel like they were. Then the most rewarding part for me is the fans who connected with what I put down and connected with the titties.

Looking back, is there anything you would have changed? Oh, maybe my fashions (laughs).

But you had such iconic looks though!

Thank you! That's what I thought too, but it's so hard preparing for this show. You don't have a lot of time, and I had several grand ideas. So, we didn't have enough time to execute the grand ideas, and it ended up being what it was. If I had a little more time or maybe edited down my ideas, I may have had a better run in the eyes of the judges.

Which challenge was your absolute favorite?

I loved the Rusical challenge. I felt like it was just perfect and so good.

Wigloose: The Rusical! is going down as one of the most iconic Rusical challenges in the herstory of Drag Race, and it’s so unfortunate that you went home that episode because everyone received pretty good critiques. Were you surprised to be in the bottom?

I don't think I deserved to be in the bottom, but at that point, it was coming down to splitting hairs. That’s why Ru asked, "Who should go home, and why?" Of course, some of the girls said my name because I've been in the bottom so many times. It was shocking, but I wasn't surprised.

I appreciate you letting the girls who said your name know exactly how you felt about being picked to go home. I can't imagine what was going through your mind at that moment.

Like I said, I had to claw my way as far as I could, knowing I was going to be at the end. It was a matter of time. I kind of had a feeling.

Many fans also disagree with your bottom placements, and as we all know, the Drag Race fandom is very passionate. How are you navigating your newfound fame with the online fandom?

Oh, it's very scary (laughs). People can be very nasty, but I have to remind myself that one negative comment, there’s 17 other positive ones. It’s very hard to not focus on the negative ones, so it’s just going where the love is all the time.

How meaningful has it been for you to connect with so many Latin people around the world?

Like you said in the beginning about having pride, I get to have pride in being Latino, and I used to be very ashamed of being Latino because I lived in white West Hollywood around muscle studs since I was 18 years old. I used to hate being brown and chubby, so I always battled to own my heritage. Now showcasing that on Drag Race and seeing people receive it, it feels beyond. It’s crazy to me.

What is your message on how to push back on the rhetoric that is being pushed onto our community and the drag community right now?

I think we just need to keep getting louder and wear bigger wigs, more glitter, and bigger titties! You cannot let these people scare us away!

If asked to come back for All Stars, would you?

I would. I don't think I should anytime soon, but maybe later down the line. I would love to.

What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your drag and platform?

Yes! I'm working on my own little sitcom right now, a little mini-series, and I hope to have more down the line. I have scripts that I've written for movies for myself, and I also have a little music stuff. I'm not trying to be a vocalist or anything, but I have music in line to help create shows. People are so used to regular shmegular drag shows, and I have always been like, "How can I take a regular shmegular drag show and make it an event and experience for someone?" So, I am excited to curate those experiences down the line.

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you'd like to mention or plug?

Yes, I have a telenovela series that came out in April called Amigas y Amores, starring Saline Estitties! You can find that on Producer Entertainment Group’s (PEG) YouTube page, and I'll be posting it on my Instagram as well.

Stay up-to-date and connect with Salina by following her on Instagram @estitties. For more information on Denver Pride, visit denverpride.org.

Denver Pride is Ready for the Marcia

Marcia Marcia

Experience by Denny Patterson

ulti-talented, beautiful, and smart—It's no wonder why Jan is so jealous of her!

New York City drag superstar Marcia Marcia Marcia first made a splash in the club circuit with her hilarious mixes, handmade outfits, and dynamic moves, and her love of theater landed her roles in multiple Broadway productions including Kinky Boots, Newsies, and the national tour of Hello, Dolly! Most recently, Marcia can be seen competing in the latest season of RuPaul’s Drag Race

As the resident Broadway baby of Season 15, Marcia let her theatrical talents shine throughout her time on the show. Although she didn’t win any challenges and was constantly critiqued on her makeup skills, her positive and upbeat attitude is what made her a fan favorite among viewers. Plus, who can forget her iconic elimination lip sync against Anetra to Doja Cat’s “Boss Bitch?” In the words of fellow competitor Salina Estitties, “Free Willy!”

Marcia’s star power is continuously rising, and she will be a headlining performer at this year’s Denver PrideFest, taking place June 24-25 at Civic Center Park. She took some time to talk more about her upcoming appearance and Drag Race journey with OFM.

Let me begin by asking, how excited are you to be headlining this year’s Denver Pride?

I'm so excited! When you embark on a journey like Drag Race, one of the best parts is getting to travel around and meet people, and I think Pride is one of those times of the year where people are so excited to celebrate queer people and artists. The fact that I get to be a part of these celebrations on such a large scale is so cool to me. I’ve been to many Prides in my life, so this is very full circle.

Without giving too much away, what can we expect from your set?

As I said on the show, when I lip sync, it's a flippin’ good time. I'm sure there's going to be some callbacks from this season, but also some new stuff and new looks. It’s Pride, it’s time to party!

What do you always hope audiences take away from Marcia Marcia Marcia performance?

I always want people to feel the joy that I have when I'm performing because that's really where I feel the most comfortable. I feel the most at home while being up on stage and doing my thing, so I hope that joy and light radiates. It’s contagious.

What does Pride

mean to you?

Pride in general, especially right now, is when the queer community kind of feels the most normal. We are constantly exposed to media about heterosexual, cisgendered people, and that is sort of the status of our society. Finally getting to turn on the TV and see an ad with a queer couple because it’s Pride, and this obviously should be a year-round thing, but I think it’s a moment where we are allowed to feel that our presence is normalized and important. Honestly, it's more so a brief glimpse into what equality should feel like.

You are now a drag superstar thanks to your run on this most recent season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. How did the show change your life?

It's changed my life in a million ways. Number one, people don’t really talk about this because it’s kind of a gauche topic, but financially, this show has given me the opportunity to support myself as an artist, which I think is incredibly important. I love that so much, and because of that, there’s almost more agency for me to take risks, try new things, and invest more into my art. Then the show itself, I think the people I connected with the most are people who are starting drag.

I get a lot of messages and comments from people being like, oh, you're giving the baby queens a shot and inspiration, which I think is so sweet because starting out and figuring out who you are is kind of the hardest part of a drag queen’s career. So, I think having a presence on the show as someone that was still finding their footing, I think that was important because it's all about showing the perspective of a drag queen, and those drag queens very much exist. It’s been cool to be a voice for those people.

What would you say was the most rewarding and challenging aspect of your Drag Race experience?

The most rewarding, I think it came out of that lip sync on my elimination episode. If you told me that before the season, I would have been like, what? Not only was the performance obviously really great, but again, so many people have reached out to me being like, "The way that you exited was so noble, and you can tell you were very proud of the work you did." I always strive to be a team player. I’m not a sore loser or a sore winner, so the fact that people were able to kind of see that from that high-pressure moment, that was nice.

Then the most challenging, gosh. Honestly, it’s been learning how to deal with social media and how you really internalize the fact that you do what you do for you, and that other people's opinions don't necessarily matter. Obviously, it matters

in a competition setting because that's what you're playing to, but after the show and standing by the intellectual property of who Marcia is and why Marcia does what she does, it was learning to be more secure in my thoughts and intentions and not allowing other people's ‘I don't like that personally’ energy to affect me.

I’m glad you mentioned your lip sync against Anetra because it is now being considered one of the top lip syncs in Drag Race herstory. What do you remember the most from that moment, and what were your thoughts watching it back?

Number one, that is not the kind of song that I usually lip sync to (laughs). You know how we have the lip sync songs on little iPods? Leading up to that week, I was listening to that song in particular so much because I was like, if I have to do this, I need to know it very well, or else I’m going to look really stupid. I mean, in that moment, you’re just doing whatever you can to stay. I was focused on giving a good show, and you can see the response from the other queens and the judges, but most of the time, you don't know what they're responding to. You're like, “Oh, did I do something? Did she do something? Did we do something together?”

When Anetra jumped over me, I had no clue that happened. Someone told me that she jumped over me, and I was like, what? I honestly had no idea. Then watching it back, people obviously went nuts. The whole room was certain that I was staying, but it was the best way to go out. It was like a celebration of the experience rather than a somber thing.

You are also now known as the queen with the most consecutive safes. How does that feel?

(Laughs) That is so funny to me, but I think it’s also a little misleading. I think it kind of indicates that I was just in the middle of the pack throughout the whole season, but I was in the top in the first episode when we had the most queens showing what they thought were their best attributes. The fact that I stood out from 16 other girls; I had a great Snatch Game, which is infamously one of the hardest challenges in the competition; I brought some beautifully constructed garments in the design challenges, and while I was technically safe every episode, yes, I did serve a lot of highs.

Stay up-to-date and connect with Marcia by following her on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @marciax3nyc. For more information on Denver Pride, visit denverpride.org.

Photos by Gabrielle Carrubba

with the Queen Diva,

Big Freedia

by Denny Patterson

Are you ready to shake your ass and have the time of your life? Big Freedia sure is!

The larger-than-life ambassador of New Orleans bounce music will be a headlining performer at this year’s Denver PrideFest, taking place June 24-25 at Civic Center Park. Giving queerness from the South visibility since the beginning of her career in the late 90s and roaring onto the music scene with her 2003 debut EP Queen Diva, Freedia knows that she is a loud, proud voice for queer people everywhere, and she has no intention of changing that.

As an irrepressible force behind bounce rap music going mainstream, not only does Freedia love to get the party started, but her projects come with a message that will immediately capture our attention. Her signature creativity and resilience continue to set her apart and inspire many others. OFM sat down with the cultural icon and vibrant artist to talk more about her upcoming Denver appearance, the importance of Pride and being a role model, and upcoming projects we need to stay tuned for.

Let me begin by asking, how excited are you to be headlining this year’s Denver Pride?

It’s always exciting! Every time it’s Pride Month, I get to show my true colors, and to represent every Pride event I’m performing at, I am super excited to bring what I love and who I am to these different areas. We get to celebrate the LGBTQ community, and so I’m ready to be loud and proud.

Without giving too much away, what can we expect from your set?

You can expect some new songs, for sure, from my upcoming album Central City Freestyle. I also have a new song that is a celebration, and it’s called “Celebration.” I think it will definitely be a Pride anthem.

What do you always hope audiences take away from a Big Freedia performance?

For me, it’s all about bringing different walks of life together through the power of ass, and when they come, I want them to have a great time. I want them to have a great experience. I want them to remember the music and the sound. I love what I do, and you can see the true nature of bounce music and its culture when you come to a Big Freedia show.

What does Pride mean to you?

Just being exactly who I am. Prideful of who I am, where I've come from, and where I'm going. The struggles, the good, the bad, and the ugly in-between. Pride is all about being my true authentic self and being real.

Around the world, you are known as the Queen of Bounce. How did your journey with music begin?

I started in gospel music at an early age as a kid. I started singing with my church choir, and then I started singing in high school and around the neighborhood, doing different things at different churches. Then I became the choir director at my high school, as well as the choir director at my church home, and I then went on to sing with the Gospel Music Workshop of America, which is a choice here in New Orleans.

They traveled around the world, and you got to see so many great gospel artists. Then I started singing with the Gospel Soul Children of New Orleans, which is a very renowned worldwide choir here in New Orleans. So, I started in gospel music at an early age, and then I started with bounce music in 1998 when Katey Red, who was my friend, jumped into the game. I did my first solo project in 2000, and it’s been going ever since.

You have worked with several high-profile artists such as Lizzo and Drake, and last year, you appeared on Beyonce’s single “Break My Soul.” What was that experience like?

It was amazing to get the second call to work on another Beyonce project. It was so amazing to get that phone call, and I'm just grateful for Beyonce allowing me and the sound of bounce music to be a part of her project. The cause of the songs, and just the messaging, was very powerful. I'm forever grateful.

I read in another interview that you said you want to be a role model for all the different people. What does that entail?

Being myself and keeping it real, but also allowing them to be able to look up at someone that can inspire them to want to be better as a person. They look up and say, if Freedia did that, then I can do that. I want to be that type of role model.

You came out to your mother when you were 12 years old, and you said she allowed you to be your true self. What advice can you offer to parents of queer children who might be having a difficult time accepting their child?

It is a learning process, and first of all, you have to accept. Simple as that. Then it is a learning journey and a learning experience, but also still be a parent. Set barriers and set boundaries because my mom did. Even though she accepted me, she set boundaries and things that allowed me to still be myself, but also to keep me a kid and not grow up too fast. So, take your time. You're going to figure it out together. It’s one step at a time, one day at a time, but allow yourself to learn. Do homework and talk to other people and parents, but the main thing is to love your child and be there no matter what.

For those looking to help protect the rights of LGBTQ individuals, what would you recommend?

Support, that’s the main thing. Be there in any way that you can, and get in with people, companies, and organizations that support the LGBTQ community. PFLAG is one of my favorite organizations that stand up as allies for the gay community. Just support the community in whatever way you can.

Would you like to comment on the recent sweep of anti-drag and anti-LGBTQ laws?

It just saddens my heart that we are here in 2023, and these so-called leaders are still making stupid decisions and doing things they shouldn’t be doing in this current time and current state that we're in. We are going to keep on praying for things to change and to turn around, but it's up to us as a community to come together and fight for everyone's equal rights. That's where I'm at with it.

Earlier this year, details were shared about a forthcoming music venue, restaurant, and micro hotel in New Orleans called Hotel Freedia. How is that coming along? It’s coming along great! I can’t wait for it to happen.

It was also announced that you will be in a new Fuse series called Big Freedia Means Business. What can you tell us about that?

Yes, my new TV series Big Freedia Means Business will be airing this summer, and I'm super excited! Audiences will get to see me in a whole new type of way. It's about me inspiring young entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs out there to be on their business shit, be on their hustle, and grind. It’s not all peaches and cream. There are many ups and downs to businesses, but the main thing is, if you put your all into it, be professional, and put your heart and soul into your business; you will be able to see the fruits of your labor. You will be able to have a successful business.

What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your career and platform?

I hope to keep on growing. I hope to keep on taking it to new heights, keep elevating, go beyond the stars, and continue to open doors and breakthrough for different people and artists like me. Also, I want to continue being a role model that people can look up to and be inspired by. Like I said, I want them to say, "If Freedia can do it, I can do it." Then I also want to be able to have enough things going on that at some point, I can sit my ass down and not have to be on stage shaking anymore (laughs). That's why I'm working so hard to set up for my future and for my retirement, whenever that may finally come.

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you would like to mention or plug?

Just that my album, Central City Freestyle, drops this summer, as well as my new eyeglass line, Shades by Big Freedia, and my new makeup line with BLK/OPL. It’s a Big Freedia summer takeover!

"be professional, and put your heart and soul into your business; you will be able to see the fruits of your labor."

Photos by Wayan Barre

Diversions Word Search - Banned LGBTQIA+ Books Par t 1

Find the words in the list below hiding across, backwards, up, down and diagonally in the grid. Words separated by a slash “/” are found individually in the puzzle. Words in parentheses “( )” are not in the puzzle. The unused letters starting at top left and going down by row will reveal a famous related quote by Isaac Asimov!

Banned/LGBTQIA/Books

Maia/Kobabe

Gender/Queer

Peter/Parnell,/Justin

Richardson,/Henry/Cole

And Tango/Makes/Three

Jonathan/Evison

Lawn Boy

Juno/Dawson

This Book/Is Gay

Ellen/Hopkins

Tricks

Susan/Kuklin

Beyond/Magenta: Transgender/Teens

Speak Out

Mike/Curato

Flamer

George M/Johnson

All Boys/Aren’t/Blue

Tim Federle

Better/Nate/Than Ever

Rainbow/Book Bus (dot org)

Bookmobile/Book Fair

Visit Facebook.com/DiversionsPuzzles for more free puzzles & book info!

Puff Puff Pride Guide 2023

Take your Pride celebration a mile high with this definitive guide to all things cannabis. As an added bonus, we’ve reviewed some cute undies as well, so you can be in style from head to toe this summer!

Favorite

Staff Favorite Staff

Native Roots ‘Live Resin “Training Day” (Indica)’

DŌSD Nano Bites by Concentrate Companies ‘250mg Mixed Fruit’

DŌSD Makes sure to not neglect flavor when when they create their gummies! The flavors have been compared to those brightly colored Worms and Bears and let me tell you, they’re not wrong. It’s also so wonderful that they’re fast acting as well. You don’t even have to digest the gummy to really enjoy its effects. I felt so relaxed and definitely chill enough to get ready for bed! Some Gummies taste a little too much of THC and these were perfect! They listen to feedback of their customers and they show that with the products they keep coming out with. If you’re a fan of gummies, you need to get a package of your own. This is a Colorado-bred gummy!! You can get one of these packs of DŌSD Nano Bites in 100mg, as well as 250mg. These are perfect to split and still feel very relaxed!

Native Roots has so many wonderful products to choose from, and I had the pleasure of getting to review Training Day! We all have very busy days, and Training Day is perfect when you’re ready to wind down for the day. It gives you a bit of a heavier high, which for me is perfect for when I’m getting ready for bed. I felt really calm and like I wouldn’t have to wait too long to go to sleep. This is really perfect for a chill night in. When it comes to vape pens, I prefer the ones that help me have a chill night in. I love Native Roots and their friendly staff helped me pick out the right cartridge for me who isn’t always full of knowledge when it comes to cannabis in general. I highly recommend Training Day the next time you venture out for a cartridge!

The Clear Flavored Vape "Elite Lime Sorbet"

For the vape enthusiast, this pen is a must. After getting my sample pen for review, I went out and bought several more. The unique shape makes it easy to hit without any clogging issues, and the flavor and high are 10 out of 10. It’s super easy to hit this pen without pressing any buttons or turning it off and on again, so if you’re puffing (safely and responsibly) on the go, this is the pen for you. Our favorites are the key lime and grape.

Woxer ‘Inclusive Underwear’

Snug Box Co ‘ Boho Nouveau Stash Box’

We absolutely LOVE this drug box—I mean Snug Box! Are you into microdosing? Or maybe smoking the devil’s lettuce is more your style? Whatever your vice, this box keeps your stash locked up tight in style!

Go Easy ‘Cloud 9 Pipe’

This Cloud 9 Pipe by Go Easy isn't just aesthetically pleasing; you'll be puffing huge clouds of smoke with this cutie piece. Who doesn’t want to puff out of a cloud?

Pair of Thieves ‘Crew Socks’

You always have to be careful when buying socks. If you pick the wrong pair, you could be picking a very thin pair of socks that you’ll wear through quickly. You also might as well plan on having cold feet. Pair of Thieves keeps all that in mind when designing their socks. Their Crew Socks are so comfortable and keep your feet warm without making them sweat.

Haut Underwear ‘TOF Paris, Sailor Brief’

This pair made me feel really sexy with its comfy and generous pouch! I actually didn’t mind the pouch because it seemed to bring a bit more attention to what I have to offer. The red and white sailor stripes are super cute on this pair, and they’re designed with a low-waisted band, which can really help the imagination run wild! Not to mention the cotton jersey fabric feels so amazing against my sailor!

Goody Glass Co ‘Unicorn Pipe’ Sold at Hemper

Hemper hooked up the entire OFM office with the Goody Glass Co Unicorn Pipe. This extra-gay pipe is perfect for Pride! We’re all obsessed with the aesthetic of every single thing from Hemper, and this one is no exception.

Haut Underwear ‘Marcuse Arose, Jock’

I don’t think I could thank Marcuse enough for making this sexy pair of underwear that has me reminding myself that I need to stop checking myself out! This jock is cut SUPER low at the waist! I was so happy to find out the mesh front pouch wasn’t just silky smooth but also lifting my goods up and placing them on display. It’s really wonderful when a pair of underwear helps you feel good about yourself, but this pair goes above and beyond!

If you’ve worn whitey tighties before, you understand why they’re not everyone’s cup of tea. This brief is not only extremely comfortable but also very breathable! It cups your package without applying too much pressure. You do not have to forgo comfort to also have style with this brief. They have beautiful and creative queer

Tsumo Snacks by Roy Choi ‘Spaghetti & Meatball Puff Balls’

No more nights eating Chef Boyardee and smoking. With a perfect hint of sweet tomato seasoning and your favorite puff ball snacks, these addictive puffs will be sure to leave you with your appetite craved and ready for a chill night!

Get ready for it and hold onto your butts because Pair of Thieves are about to release their Pride collection! Pair of Thieve is a brand I LOVE to wear. The fabric is so soft, and their jock wonderfully supports your tush while providing comfort to your package. The pouch of the jock doesn’t put pressure on the goods but does keep them covered. This jock is sexy and also so comfy. Order your pair by checking out pairofthieves.com. Pair of Thieves loves the LGBTQ community and has committed to donate $100,000 to the Trevor Project!

Tsumo Snacks by Roy Choi ‘Spicy Cheesy Ramen’

Munchies that give you the munchies? Don’t mind if I do! As a lover of both cheese and ramen above pretty much all other things in life, as well as cannabis, of course, I was beyond stoked to try these, and they lived up to the hype. It’s kind of hard to capture all those flavors in one cheesy bite, so think of spicy organic cheese puff with a little extra kick. So good!

Good Chemistry ‘Small Batch Drops’

By now, these small batch drops are probably already gone, but never fear! Good Chemistry drops new small batch strains all the time. Stop in for your weekly, monthly, or daily weed run and see what they have on offer at the moment!

Haut Underwear ‘ES Collection, Zebra C-Through Trunk’

Haut Underwear has an amazing, bespoke collection of extremely provocative and yet classy underwear and swimwear. This Zebra C-Through Trunk is giving sheer and also being classy about it! Sometimes when you wear sheer underwear, they can come off as coarse or simply uncomfortable, which definitely helps them “come off” sooner!

Good Chemistry ‘Banana Cake Flower’

Wedding Cake and Monkey Banana, YUM!! This tasty treat really does translate to the flower equivalent of Chunky Monkey ice cream. The high is mellow, and the flavor is sweet, floral and fruity. As with all the Good Chemistry drops, our only complaint is that they just do these for a short time and might not bring this specific flavor back.

Good Chemistry ‘Trail Mix Flower’

Trail Mix, a typical Colorado snack, and now a member of the GC Uniques family, is a cross of the breathtaking Peanut Butter Breath and our very own 5280 Gravy. When creating Trail Mix, the breeders at Good Chemistry Nurseries identified specific traits from PBB and 5280 that they wanted to bring together to create this new strain. “The Peanut Butter Breath is super sexy in appearance and 5280 Gravy, being one of our babies, has a unique savory citrus smell. Both strains are very relaxing and ultimately in this cross we were trying to keep a similar appearance to PBB while adding some purple hues and the strong aroma from 5280 and I think we achieved that!” – Heath Byington (Head Grower of Good Chemistry Nurseries)

OCEAN PRIME

You won’t want to miss the mile-high vibes this Pride month and beyond at Ocean Prime, the city’s premier destination for high-end seafood. Whether you go for brunch or dinner, or just drinks, you won’t be disappointed. True, it’s not a place most folks can work into their budget all the time, bit it’s a place you’ll definitely want to experience.

Their signature drinks are gorgeous, hand-crafted, and creative, whether it’s their Smoked Old Fashion made with fresh wood chips or their olive-oil infused martini.

Seafood is hard to come by in the Mile High City, but the lobster, Chilean sea bass, and other high-end fish are always fresh and in season. As is to be expected in this part of the country, their steak is extremely tasty as well.

And best—and most essential—of all, the spot is queer-affirming and friendly, welcoming of couples, throuples, and family units of all kinds.

Komos Cristalino Tequila, Grand Marnier Cuvee de Louis-Alexandre, Italicus, Fresh Lime Juice, Agave, Ginger-Sesame & Oak Bruleè

Crystal Margarita

Spring Halibut

Horoscopes

by Alanna L.P.

It’s Pride time once again, and before you dive head-long into the festivities, check out these horoscopes to get the scoop on what’s in store. These readings will resonate with some of you but not all of you. That’s OK! Take what you need, and leave the rest behind. And, as always, take care of yourself, and happy Pride!

Aries

If you feel like life is pulling you in too many different directions, Dear Aries, now is the time to tighten your circle and stick close to home. Intimate celebrations with a small circle of loved ones may be the sweet spot for you this Pride.

Tarot Mantra: The Defender of Cups – Love is a journey.

Taurus

This month, Dear Taurus, you may feel inspired to express yourself in new ways. So throw some glitter on, and go dancing. Who knows when and where sparks may begin?

Tarot Mantra: 6 of Swords Reversed – I celebrate who I am!

Gemini

Happy birthday, June Geminis! We love your words of wisdom! Making new discoveries about yourself can be refreshing this month. It might feel like everyone is blowing up your phone with something to say, so take a time out if you need to clear your head.

Tarot Mantra: The Leader – I’m taking a stand for myself and my community.

Cancer

Happy birthday, June Cancers! We love how you’re always there for us! This month, you’re being called to boldly and unapologetically be yourself at Pride. If community is what you’re craving, get out to a Pride celebration, and make connections!

Tarot Mantra: Two of Pentacles -- I’m nurturing the true me.

Leo

Darling Leo, no one needs to tell you that you can have it all. You know you can. But the best way to get what you want this month is through developing a routine. It’s amazing what a big difference constancy makes.

Tarot Mantra: The Moon – Self discovery is illuminating.

Virgo

Let the energy of Pride inspire you this month, Dear Virgo. The Sun is illuminating your hopes, wishes, and dreams. If you feel energized, it’s time to get out there and show the world you’re ready to take a real chance on love.

Tarot Mantra: 7 of Cups Reversed – There’s plenty of fish in the sea, but I’m after the best catch.

Libra

The big picture is coming into focus, and it’s time to make a big decision. You may receive important information from someone far away who will influence your choice. If someone tries to pull the wool over your eyes, be absolutely clear about your boundaries this time around.

Tarot Mantra: Healer of Pentacles Reversed – I know what’s best for me.

Scorpio

If past wounds are still holding you back from being who you really are this Pride, now is the time to bloom. You’ll attract like-minded people who have the same passion and lust for life you do. And of course, as always, you can seek out professional help if healing feels too difficult to do by yourself.

Tarot Mantra: 5 of Swords Reversed – It’s time to face my fears.

Sagittarius

Satisfy your need for adventure, and consider traveling to an out-of-town Pride this year! Take space from the expectations of others, and have fun in the sun with a new crowd. It could just lead to a steamy romance.

Tarot Mantra: 5 of Wands Reversed - I’ll go my own way.

Capricorn

This Pride you may find yourself in an unconventional situation in love and relationships. The key is to remain open and communicative yet spontaneous while you playfully give something new a try!

Tarot Mantra: The Sun – I let my love and happiness shine.

Aquarius

You may be feeling someone introverted this Pride, Dear Aquarius, and that’s OK! You can have just as much fun at home with loved ones as you can at a big party. Small, intimate gatherings will provide intellectual stimulation. What you've been looking for may have been right in front of you the whole time.

Tarot Mantra: The Chariot Reversed – My home is my sanctuary.

Pisces

An increase in your workload could lead to increased stress and not a lot of time to party this month, Dear Pisces. But because your passion lies with the team, you’ll enjoy what you’re accomplishing. Just make sure to take time to pamper yourself and relax to avoid burnout.

Tarot Mantra: Messenger of Swords – I see change as an exciting opportunity.

OFM

BAR TAB | Colorado Nightlife

BAD HABITS DENVER

3014 E Colfax Ave. Denver (303) 335-9690

badhabitsdenver.com

BLUSH & BLU

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

blushbludenver.com

BOYZTOWN

117 Broadway St. Denver (303) 722-7373

boyztowndenver.com

CLUB Q

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

clubqonline.com

CHARLIE’S NIGHTCLUB

900 E. Colfax Ave. Denver (303) 839-8890

charliesdenver.com

DENVER EAGLE

5110 W. Colfax Ave. Denver (303) 534-0500

Facebook @denvereaglebar

DENVER SWEET

776 N. Lincoln St. Denver (720) 598-5648

denversweet.com

• TUE: Solve That Puzzle 7p-9p

w/$5 House Margs

• WED: Music Bingo 7p-9p

w/$4 U Call It At The Bar

• THU: Karaoke 9p-1a

w/BOGO well & drafts to 7p

• SUN: Beer Bust 4p-8p & Showbears 7p-10p

EL POTRERO

4501 E. Virginia Ave. Glendale (303) 388-8889

Facebook @elpotreroclub

GOOD JUDY’S BAR & CLUB

103 N. 1st St. Grand Junction (970) 241-4010

charliedwellingtons.com

HAMBURGER MARY’S

1336 E. 17th Ave. Denver (303) 993-5812

hamburgermarys.com/denver

ICONS

3 E. Bijou St. Colo. Springs (719) 300-7863

Instagram @icons_colorado

LI’L DEVILS

255 S. Broadway St. Denver (303) 733-1156

Facebook @lildevilslounge

LIPSTICK DISCOTEQUE

5660 W. Colfax Ave. Denver (720) 669-3470

Facebook @lipstickdiscoteque

R&R LOUNGE

4958 E. Colfax Ave. Denver (303) 320-9337

Facebook @randrdenver

TIGHT END BAR

1501 E. Colfax Ave. Denver (303) 861-9103

tightendbar.com

TRACKS

3500 Walnut St. Denver (303) 836-7326

tracksdenver.com

TRADE

475 Santa Fe Dr. Denver (720) 627-5905

Facebook @tradedenver

THE TRIANGLE BAR

2036 N. Broadway St. Denver (303) 658-0913

triangledenver.com

WILD CORGI PUB

1223 E. 13th Ave. Denver (303) 832-7636

wildcorgipub.com

X BAR

829 E. Colfax Ave. Denver (303) 832-2687

xbardenver.com

#VYBE

1027 N. Broadway St. Denver (720) 573-8886

303vybe.com