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CONTENTS JULY 3, 2019
PHOTO BY LINDSEY BYRNES
VOL43 NO7
6
14
24
30
QUEERCORE: DECADES OF CHALLENGING THE MAINSTREAM
X MARKS THE SPOT: AN INTERVIEW WITH EXENE CERVENKA OF X
TEGAN AND SARA ARE CHANGING LIVES WITH LOVELOUD
‘STATE OF PRIDE’ GIVES A VOICE TO THE NEXT GENERATION
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32
A KIKI WITH NINA FLOWERS
AND THE ODDBALL TAKES THE CROWN!
HEINZESIGHT: ADDICTED TO THE DRAMA
CANCER SEASON: JULY HOROSCOPES
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SERVING THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS SINCE 1976 PHONE 303-477-4000 FAX 303-325-2642 WEB OutFrontMagazine.com FACEBOOK /OutFrontColorado TWITTER @OutFrontCO INSTAGRAM /OutFrontColorado FOUNDER PHIL PRICE 1954-1993 ADMINISTRATION info@outfrontmagazine.com JERRY CUNNINGHAM Publisher J.C. MCDONALD  Vice President MAGGIE PHILLIPS  Operations Manager JEFF JACKSON SWAIM  Chief Strategist EDITORIAL editorial@outfrontmagazine.com ADDISON HERRON-WHEELER Editor VERONICA L. HOLYFIELD Creative Director BRENT HEINZE  Senior Columnist INTERNS: Angel Rivera, Arianna Balderrama, Bryce Walsh, Sophia Gabrielson WRITERS: David-Elijah Nahmod, Denny Patterson, Gregg Shapiro, Joshua Lionlight, Keegan Williams ART art@outfrontmagazine.com DESIGN2PRO  Graphic Designer COVER DESIGN: Veronica L. Holyfield PHOTO BY Lindsey Byrnes CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER: Brian Degenfelder MARKETING + SALES marketing@outfrontmagazine.com BENJAMIN YOUNG Director of Sales & Marketing BRENNAN GALLAGHER Marketing Executive QUINCEY ROISUM Marketing Executive KELSEY ELGIE DOMIER Marketing Executive
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OUT FRONT is published by Q Publishing, Ltd., a Colorado corporation and is a member of: the National Equality Publishers Association and Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce.
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Queercore DECADES OF CHALLENGING THE MAINSTREAM
By Keegan Williams
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s part of an “alternative culture,” LGBTQ people have often intersected with the forefront of other countercultures in society. The booming disco scene of the 70s gradually shifted to the emergence of Chicago house in the 80s, with LGBTQ people at the wheel, and it’s difficult to listen to the radio today without hearing some of these early influences.
problematic sexual politics often seen in punk rock.
Venturing back to that same era of “Dancing Queen” dominating the airwaves and clubs, another musical genre was also on the rise: punk rock. While the roots of classic punk are often traced back to England in the mid-tolate-70s, bands from years past like The Velvet Underground, The Ramones, and The New York Dolls set the stage for the birth of the new, IDGAF rebellion of punk.
Just as LGBTQ people had to take it upon themselves to fight during this time, so did the queer punks who were so often shut out of their own community.
Of course, we know the sound of harsh guitars and brash vocals as what defines the punk genre, but punk rock, then and now, is a subculture and way of living. In a time where music was largely romanticizing society or blindly optimistic, punks called bullsh*t. They sympathized with the working class and those oppressed by the greedy and powerful, rejecting the norm and embracing the avant-garde in fashion, media, and everyday life. Punks themselves were a minority, deviants. As rock music photographer Bob Gruen said, "If you wanted to work in the music business, you didn’t go round admitting that you saw The New York Dolls. That was like admitting that you had friends who were homosexual. It was not popular in the mainstream.” A nod to this comparison, while punk culture was embracing ideas apart from the norm, it was still mostly fostered by straight people. As punk music became more cemented in the mainstream in the 80s, the queer punks who embraced those same ideals the culture fostered and grew upon were still largely unseen in society as a whole, let alone the punk world, even though the LGBTQ community shared a lot of the unrest and urge to protest being shut down by the rest of the world. Thus, queercore was born, a subculture of the punk scene that specifically looked at the experience of LGBTQ folks and rejected the heteronormativity and
This was also in the midst of the HIV epidemic and the inaction of the Reagan administration, when LGBTQ people in the public eye hastily juggled being radical enough to get leaders to act while staying mainstream enough to garner allyship when they desperately needed it.
A pivotal shift in the empowerment of queercore and queer punks was the rise of queer zines, self-published to specifically tell the stories of queer punk rock artists and activists who often saw themselves fitting outside the box of what was considered the mainstream LGBTQ community. Artists G.B. Jones and Vaginal Davis, among others, are often credited with jumpstarting the queercore movement with their zines, music, and art. Jones explored her lesbian identity and questioned the conventions of gender and sexuality in society, and Davis inserted her genderqueer, intersex, punk, black body into zines and performances, challenging the mainstream and LGBTQ culture to expand their idea of queer to span beyond cisgender and white. In an interview about her zine Juvenile Delinquents/J.D.s, Jones said, “We were intent on creating a new subculture inclusive of other, pre-existing subcultures, but critical of them at the same time. We wanted to really bug the mainstream gays and lesbians while at the same time upsetting the punks as well, so we started the queercore movement.” Davis spoke about her involvement in punk in the documentary This is Not a Dream, saying she often felt, “...too gay for the punk scene and too punk for the gay scene.” Her drag performances often had little or no flashy props or makeup, largely aiming to disrupt the the corporate-friendly drag of the time by challenging the slight representation in the LGBTQ community. She often interrogated the internalized homophobia, transphobia, and sexism inherent within the community.
These and other self-starters pushed punk rock to recognize that queers were innate within their culture, and by the 90s, the zines, art, and performances cultivated by the queercore community, just like that of the punk community as a whole decades prior, grew to new heights. J.D.s released its first compilation tape in 1990 featuring queercore bands from around the world. The first queer zine gathering was held in Chicago in 1991, and after the successful first run, it was followed by two more in the coming years. The zine culture of queercore was booming and intersecting with the music of queer punks more than ever before, with the zine Outpunk creating a label in 1992, the first of its kind specifically for queercore artists. As the movement flourished, many queercore bands were not necessarily made up of all queer members but came to support the ethics behind the movement and embraced the community as part of the original essence of punk rock. Today, queercore is often used as a term to span past just punk rock, covering a wide array of alternative music from pop-punk to ska to hardcore, goth, and industrial. Through history, what remains constant is the ability for queer folks to be able to hear themselves represented and empowered in music that previously bypassed their experiences. Beyond the music, queercore politics continue to echo throughout the LGBTQ community. Before marriage equality, and even after, many have questioned whether our fight for rights as a community should focus on marriage with other unaddressed issues like gender equality, sex work, legislative discrimination, and violence still prevailing. During Pride season, we often queston if corporations or police belong at Pride with their history of oppression of LGBTQ people and people of color. Queercore to this day urges us to recognize the LGBTQ community as vast and diverse and challenges us to look at LGBTQ folks beyond the heteronormative lens. Pioneers like Jones and Davis remind us even 30 years later that we must embrace the essence of punk by challenging everyone inside and outside of the LGBTQ community to continue the push for progress and equity in society. OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM
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PRIDE IN ENERGY SPONSORED CONTENT
A
s a cornerstone of America’s energy revolution, trade association Colorado Petroleum Council (CPC) represents all segments of the oil and natural gas industry, and is proud of that fact. Leading the pack with innovation and creativity, the progress doesn’t stop at environmental sustainability for CPC but continues the conversation of advancement through a humanitarian lens. Teaming up with One Colorado and the Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, CPC hosted the fourth annual Pride in Energy panel on Monday, June 10 as a way to not only honor the month of Pride but to nurture a dialogue of inclusivity and representation in the field. Held at Tracks Nightclub, the afternoon luncheon Pride in Energy event was a fantastic opportunity for leaders in the oil and natural gas industry to network, share best practices, and challenge one another on areas of opportunity in LGBTQ acceptance and affirmation. Moderator Lynn Granger, executive director of CPC, lead a robust panel of diverse voices that offered insight into what is working and what may still need improvement when it comes to policies that protect and support queer individuals in the industry. Among the panelists were One Colorado Executive Director Daniel Ramos, HRM Resources Operations Tech Leah Dillard, DCP Midstream HR Data Analytics Lead Michael Chen, and Beatty & Wozniak Senior Council Jim Martin. The discussion included topics such as the growth in the industry, the need for LGBTQ creative minds in development, and the evolution of company practices in the various sectors. With a continued mission of seeking forward thinkers in the lucrative field of oil and natural gas, CPC knows that the inclusion of LGBTQ input is the key to unlocking the next wave of radical progress.
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A KIKI WITH
Nina Flowers By Denny Patterson Photo by TOBY
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N
ina Flowers may have been on that horrifically blurry season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, but no way are people going to forget her so quickly. In addition to drag performance, Nina is a musical artist and DJ who has collaborated with some of the most talented producers and remixers in the world. Her music career began in 1989, when she became a resident DJ at Krash Klub Kafe, one of the most prestigious clubs in the Caribbean. Bringing an infectious understanding of how to connect with audiences through her music, Nina continues to captivate fans and make magic at clubs and events all around the world. OUT FRONT had the chance to catch up with her and talk more about her music and if she will ever make a return to the main stage on Drag Race.
How would you describe your aesthetic and style of music? Tribal house, progressive house circuit.
Have you always had a passion for music? Yes, always. As long as I could remember. I received my first turntables when I was 12 years old. Music has always been a part of my life.
What would you say are some of the perks and challenges of being a DJ? Some of the perks are being given the opportunity of new experiences and making people happy. Remind them to live, dance, and let the music drive you! Other perks involve visiting new cities, gaining fans due to and for my sound, and making new friendships and social connections. Regarding the challenges, in all honesty, as my home is my sanctuary, I always hate leaving it. I end up missing my fur babies and my hubby when he is not able to travel with me. Another personal challenge worth mentioning—flying! I hate it! Hate it! [Laughs]. Regardless, I count myself blessed. The perks still outweigh the challenges.
Millions of people also know you from your time on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season One and All Stars. Which passion came first, music or drag? Music.
During your time on Drag Race, what was the biggest learning experience for you? That we can express to people that drag is an art form, and wherever you want to take it, the options are infinite. It’s as unique as you and me. It’s about self-expression and offering
people the gift of being in awe by the art of expressing, be it a female allure or any other allure you are trying to convey.
If asked to compete again, would you? Boarding the ship was tempting, but that ship has sailed.
How would you say the show has evolved since your time on it? It is part of popular culture, versus it being something in the fringe. Season One and the seasons that followed started the ground work and have been piling on those bricks. I believe we have a good foundation.
Over the past couple of years, there has been some backlash about the way Drag Race portrays minorities within the queer community. RuPaul has also made some certain comments about trans people competing. What is your opinion on these recent controversies, and do you think the show is still heading in a positive direction? Drag is an art form! It’s creativity, whatever you believe that creativity should be! With diverting views of what art is, it is good that we are having the conversation. This show has been an opportunity for so many and has opened the eyes to many more. I believe it will continue to do that. We all live and have our own experiences and perceptions, and our privileges are not always recognized. So, what do we do? Talk about it. Things coming to light is always a good thing. As far as the show’s direction, that is not for me to say, but I guess the ratings will offer us the hint. Whatever the circumstances, what RuPaul’s Drag Race has done is epic! That is what’s worth remembering and recognizing.
Do you like people seeing you more as a drag artist or a DJ? Really, why do I have to choose? Besides, I hate labels. While music has an integral part in all I do, be it as a performing artist, DJ and music producer—I am an artist. I love to create.
What’s next for Nina Flowers? Any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for? A big goal is putting my own music label out there; it’s coming! As for major, upcoming projects, this summer I will be spinning for one magical weekend in Orlando, D.C. Pride, Toronto Pride, World Pride in New York, Providence Pride, and Market Days in Chicago. To keep up with other events and nightclubs I will be visiting throughout the year, please visit ninaflowers.com. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and I have teaser sets on MixCloud and SoundCloud. OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM
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X marks the spot AN INTERVIEW WITH EXENE CERVENKA OF X By Gregg Shapiro Photo by Frank Gargani
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here are only so many bandmates who can say they are still at it after more than 40 years. Far fewer, as you can imagine, when it comes to bands from the first wave of the punk era. Even less in terms of American punk bands. But that’s where X is different than the rest. Formed in Los Angeles in 1977, X (Exene Cervenka, John Doe, Billy Zoom, and D.J. Bonebrake) became the face of Southern California punk in two distinct ways. X’s 1980 debut album Los Angeles (Fat Possum), the first of the band’s albums to be newly reissued, was produced by Ray Manzarek (ex-Doors) 1 4 \\ J U L Y 3 , 2 0 1 9
and received much critical acclaim. The band was also featured prominently in the 1981 Penelope Spheeris music documentary The Decline of Western Civilization. Albums that followed, including Wild Gift(1981), Under the Big Black Sun (1982), and More Fun in the New World (1983) were also well-received. Fast-forward to 2019. X is continuing their 40th anniversary tour which includes concert dates with Violent Femmes, The Damned, Squeeze, and others. We got to speek with Exene about the band, touring, and being queer in music.
Around the same time that the series of X album reissues are being released, queercore band Team Dresch is also having its albums reissued. Do you see a connection between what you do with X to the queercore and riot grrrl scenes? I haven’t heard Team Dresch in a long time! That’s great! Our records have never been out of print, ever, not for a day. They’ve been in print on one label or another. These are reissues on a new label, Fat Possum, who are great, by the way. We’ve just been going and going. If there’s any kind of similarities with those bands, all these people are tough. All the gay bands are tough; that movement is tough. And it’s tough people with a sense of humor. I think that’s kind of lacking with younger people now, because they don’t have much hope. It’s impossible to move out. It’s impossible to buy a car. It’s impossible to pay insurance. It’s impossible to rent a place. In the old days, we could get a place in San Francisco, in the Mission, for 400 bucks a month. I think it’s harder for people now. I’d like to see how younger people relate to all those bands from that time. If they get it, or if everything has to be political. As opposed to, in the old days, just being alive and being yourself. All you had to do was walk down the street.
As a way of making a political statement? Yes, just by the way you dressed or you felt about things. You had to be tough, but you also had to have a sense of humor.
X’s 1980 debut album Los Angeles has been newly reissued on Fat Possum Records, and X received considerable critical praise which continued through albums such as 1981’s Wild Gift and 1982’s Under the Big Black Sun. What did that kind of attention mean to you and the members of the band? It was great to have that. I think a lot of that had to do with [ex-Doors member and Los Angeles album producer] Ray [Manzarek] helping us get a foot in the door. People were paying attention to us and to the scene a little bit before that. It was great, because it vindicated the contempt that a lot of people had for Los Angeles. They thought the music scene was just The Knack, and that everybody had swimming pools, and we were all rich kids, which was, of course, not true at all. It was a vindication for the scene in general. I quickly realized at that young age, I just wanted to write and have fun. On the spectrum of reviews, and I think we were written about more than just about anybody, on the one side there were horrible, negative [write-ups], “You shouldn’t even have been born. You ruined everything.” [To positive reviews such as] “You’re geniuses. You’re the greatest band since The Doors.” Somewhere in the middle is the truth which cancels out the rest. The truth is, we’re great musicians, I think, and we write
pretty great songs. We’re strong-willed and funny and smart and literate and a lot of people like us. We’re probably never going to be a great commercial hit, but we’re still alive. That’s all you can say in the end. “Did you go out there and give it your best shot and do some good things?”
I’ve always maintained that one of the things that separated X from other U.S. punk bands of the time was the literary nature of the band’s song lyrics. Please say something about your influences as a poet/lyricist and the process of turning your words into songs. The biggest thing for me was my sister first as an influence and then moving to California and going to Beyond Baroque (Literary Arts Center), where I learned a lot about writing, and which I’m still involved with today 43 years later, and then meeting John [Doe]. I dropped out of high school. I didn’t read a lot of poetry. I loved Charles Bukowski, James M. Cain, Raymond Chandler, Flannery O’Connor, [John] Steinbeck. That’s where the literary part comes from. Of course, John, also. He read a lot of existential writing and all kinds of poetry. He’s a lot more educated than I am. I think what we really liked was the idea that you can get in a car and drive down any road in America and find a story. We did that in real life. We did that when we were on tour. We did that when we were in Hollywood, and we still do, to some extent, although a lot of that has vanished. There’s still that idea that there’s a working man out there sitting at a bar having a shot and a beer. What’s he thinking about? What’s he going home to? Maybe there’s a woman behind the bar. What’s she thinking? To me, that’s never boring. I’m into that kind of short story and vignette in a song as opposed to just ranting and railing against something. The other thing is that I wanted to write songs about America, as I was seeing it dying in the early 80s. The factories were closing, and manufacturing was going away. You could see these cities starting to die, and it was horrible. Instead of saying, “Reagan’s an asshole, and I hate him,” which I didn’t necessarily want to say anyway, there’s a timelessness to the songs. I think timelessness is what makes good writing. Even if you aren’t familiar with the time or the place, it should still be timeless enough that you can put yourself in the story and get it. If you can do that in three minutes, wow, that’s great!
Is there any chance that X may someday return to the recording studio and release a new album? We’ve recorded five songs. One is a completely new song to which I wrote words and John wrote music. The others were older songs that we never put on a record or one song that we completely redid. We have five songs. When we get a little time, what we’ve been talking about doing is going in and doing three or four more. Taking our time. I mean, what’s the rush now? OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM
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And the
Oddball
Takes the Crown! By Addison Herron-Wheeler Photos by Brian Degenfelder
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veryone was rooting for her. Not only was she a Denver queen, she represented the underdog in all of us. As a person of color who is vocal about her disability and queerness, as well as a queen who’s not afraid to be all odd, all the time, there is nothing about Yvie that conforms to the status quo. Yet she won, and in a way, all of the misfits and underdogs won Ru Paul’s Drag Race. We were lucky enough to follow up with Yvie about snagging the crown and her plans now that she’s Denver’s official qween.
How did you feel when you first found out that you won? And what was the first thing that you did? I mean, I was shocked, because I didn’t believe that it could or would happen. And it’s extremely overwhelming to say that I solidified my place in Drag Race herstory, and I will forever have the crown on my head. As far as what I did, we were still on the Season 11 tour, so I celebrated with my girls that evening and then went back to hit the stage.
How has your life changed since then? Well, I get a hotel room now. [laughs] I mean, I wish my answer was bigger than that. But it’s only been a week! I’m sure I’ll feel more as time goes on.
What are your plans for the future? What do you hope to do over the next few years? Well, my big, overarching plan is to try and take a traveling tour of Oddities and Curiosities on the road and just highlight some of the really avant garde, creative artists in the queer community and expose that to the wider public. 1 8 \\ J U L Y 3 , 2 0 1 9
That’s so cool! Was that something you were planning on doing whether or not you won? I mean, it’s the same thing I’ve been working at for all seven years that I’ve been doing drag. I wanted enough exposure for people to pay attention to my art. And I wanted to use that platform to elevate all of the artists I’ve worked around and with who have so much to offer but need a bigger stage.
Overall, what has this taught you? What is your biggest takeaway from being on Drag Race? With this whole experience, there’s always so much more to learn. Even if you’re extremely knowledgeable, even if you feel extremely prepared for something, there’s always going to be some new, brilliant aspects of whatever you’re doing that’s going to shock you. I’ve learned to roll with the punches and really live in the moment.
How did it feel to have all the support of Denver behind you? The night you won, it really sounded like everyone was watching, and everyone was posting about it on social media and cheering you on. How did that impact you? It was crazy. I feel like I understand why straight people rally around the Broncos. [laughs] You get one person or one team, in this case one person, to represent this whole place that you come from, this experience that you’ve grown up with. To know that I had a whole city cheering for me and in my corner, it blew me away.
Just watching the responses come in was so exciting, and we’re so happy for you! Is there anything else you’d like to add? Not really, just keep pushing. I want people to keep pushing themselves to do bigger and crazier things and show the world that Denver and our queer community is this beautiful place that has so much to offer. OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM
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‘State Of Pride’ GIVES A VOICE TO THE NEXT GENERATION
By David-Elijah Nahmod Image provided by State of Pride
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n State Of Pride, a new documentary now available on YouTube, gay activist and YouTube personality Raymond Braun travels to three diverse cities to chat with young people about what Pride means to them. The answers Braun gets may not always be what he expected. State Of Pride was directed by the filmmaking team of Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, who took home the coveted Oscar for the 1984 documentary The Times Of Harvey Milk. That film recalled Milk’s rise to political power, his brief tenure as one of the first openly gay elected officials in United States history, and the aftermath of his 1978 assassination. With State Of Pride, the auteurs, and Braun, are taken on a journey which poses the questions: What is Pride? What does it mean? And why is Pride viewed so differently in different cities? The film opens with a recollection of the Stonewall Riots. On June 28, 1969, patrons of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, fought back against the constant police harassment they had endured for many years. The rioting and demonstrations continued for several days, and is credited with launching the modern LGBTQ rights movement. Fifty years later, LGBTQ people the world over celebrate Pride and hold parades every June in commemoration of 2 2 \\ J U L Y 3 , 2 0 1 9
what happened at Stonewall. And now, all these years after Stonewall, Epstein, Friedman, and Braun wonder what younger people might have to say about Pride. Braun begins by skyping with young LGBTQ people in different parts of the country. He hears points of view which are as diverse as the people he chats with. "Coming from D.C., there’s two Prides; there’s Black Pride, and then there’s everyone else’s Pride,» says one black, gay man from Los Angeles. "If you don’t identify with one particular group, then you don’t have a place where you fit." "It’s just so wonderful to see so many people similar to you in one place in support of each other," says a gay, Asian man from San Francisco. "Pride is the reason I’m alive," says a young, trans woman, but another trans woman has a decidedly different point of view. "A lot of people don’t want trans women of color to even have a platform, so they’re not going to promote where people of color’s voices can be heard," she says. Hearing such differing views regarding Pride inspires Braun to take a road trip. He visits large cities and small towns, in conservative and liberal states, to get a better idea of what Pride means to young people 50 years post-Stonewall. His first stop
A completely different tale is told in San Francisco, considered by some to be the center of the LGBTQ universe. Pride is a big deal in the city, with no less than three parades taking place: the Trans March, the Dyke March, and the general Pride Parade. Rainbow flags are everywhere, and everyone is out, loud, and proud. Among the San Franciscans, Braun chats with Subhi, a young, gay man from Syria who fled his homeland in fear for his life. In San Francisco, he can be who he is openly; Subhi kisses his boyfriend on the street happily and proudly. Braun’s last stop is in Salt Lake City, Utah, home base to the anti-queer Mormon church—ten years ago, the church donated a great deal of money to help pass Proposition 8, California’s now-overturned ban on same-gender marriage. While in Salt Lake, Braun spends a considerable amount of time with Carson, a young, gay man confined to a wheelchair because of a spinal cord injury. Carson feels that it’s easier to be disabled than to be gay, and it’s clear as to why he feels that way—he left the Mormon church due to lack of acceptance. But Carson is blessed with a loving family. Grace is said at the table before a family dinner, after which Carson talks to the family about his sexuality. He asks them to fly a Pride flag in front of the house and invites them to join him for the Pride parade. They accept the invitation. Towards the end of the film, Carson’s father raises the rainbow flag in front of the family home as Carson smiles joyfully. “Right where it should be,” he says.
is Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he finds LGBTQ people living in communities that don’t accept who they are. The Tuscaloosa portion of the film is especially powerful, as it serves as a reminder of how far the LGBTQ movement still has to go. Alabama is one of the country’s most conservative states; the state made headlines recently when Governor Kay Ivey signed one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country. Soon after, Alabama announced that it would no longer issue marriage licenses. This was seen by many as an attempt to put a stop to same-gender weddings.
State Of Pride packs a lot of material into its short, 71-minute running time. The film beautifully illustrates how much progress LGBTQ people have made, but it also shows how much work still needs to be done. As Braun says in the film, “As long as LGBT people are facing any form of discrimination, Pride is still relevant.” State Of Pride can now be viewed on YouTube.
It’s our differences that make us great.
Braun chats with Meredith, a lesbian in Tuscaloosa who recalls the area’s first Pride parade in 2014. "t was adorable," Meredith says. "It was about 50 folks. People who grew up here were just shook; they were amazed that there was a Pride festival downtown, openly, without disaster happening." The other people Braun talks to underscore how real such fears are in the state. One young lesbian who works as a barista in a local café spoke of a customer who didn’t want to be served by her because of who she is. Another interviewee, a transgender man, says that the Pride festival is the only place where he feels safe kissing his girlfriend.
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Tegan and Sara are Changing Lives with
LOVELOUD By Veronica L. Holyfield Portrait photo by Lindsey Byrnes Festival photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for LOVELOUD Festival
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D
eveloping a queer-owned and operated nonprofit for LGBTQ youth is difficult; building a creative and lucrative career in the entertainment industry is near impossible, and coelescing the two spheres is simply unheard of. For Tegan and Sara, visibility for queer women is more than simply a band mission; it’s a driving force of their personas. With a continuous wading through an industry of misogynistic and homophobic notoriety, the two have resurfaced with a new mission of synergy, representation, and advocacy for LGBTQ self-identified women and girls unlike anything before. Tegan and Sara, the twin sister pop duo originally stemming from the Canadian town of Calgary, have worn a variety of professional hats since their entrance into the music scene in the 90s. Creative Jills-of-all-trades, the two are preparing for the release of their ninth full-length studio album, dropping their first memoir about their high school years, and the inevitable national and international tours that are sure to follow. As their career has now reached a span of more than two decades, the sisters are no strangers to arbitrary lists of female-hyphened adjectives that restrict them to fictionalized genres, like “female-fronted” and “lesbian-rock.” Many people know Tegan and Sara by sight, as the identical sisters have graced magazine covers, starred in music videos that have reached millions, and repped guest spots on shows like The L Word. Even more know the band by sound, with radio hits like “Closer,” “Back In Your Head,” and “Walking With A Ghost.” The band has been nominated for a Grammy Award, won multiple Juno Awards, and performed on the stages of festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza. With their ever-evolving music, from folk-indie during their early 2000s beginning with This Business of Art, to indie-rock in The Con era in 2007, to full-on pop stars with the release of Love You To Death in 2016, they have steadily grown their loyal following to reach an international scope. However, few people know the sisters as co-workers, steadfast entrepreneurs, activists, and radically queer. Two people on a path of LGBTQ, feminist, racial, and social justice. On the verge of something revolutionary, Tegan and Sara are utilizing their platform and power to help eliminate the gap between queer, female-identifying folks and the access to the vital healthcare that they need. “Sara and I recognized a handful of years ago, on the heels of our most successful record, that we had more access and more power, and we needed to use that while people were paying attention” said Tegan Quin. As one half of the duo, she explained that while she and Sara toured North America after the release of Love You To Death, they came to realize a disconnect between their perception of progress for LGBTQ folks and the reality of many who were still struggling. Since the beginning of their career, Tegan and Sara have been forthcoming about the fact that they are both queer, and often find themselves behind a mic talking about issues of gender inequality and LGBTQ injustice. As they faced frequent homophobic discrimination and misogynist belittlement, they relentlessly grew their activist voices, becoming comfortably outspoken. So, in 2016, while the current state of LGBTQ and
gender issues were not perfect, society was improving and earnestly seeking queer inclusivity and acceptance. Or was it? “We would meet young LGBTQ people and be like, ‘Things are changing! Marriage equality, right!?’ And they're like, ‘Well, it's not really changing for me. I live in rural Alabama, or I'm in the military and have to keep my relationship a secret, or my parents kicked me out.’ Their stories were not necessarily mine, and I realized that I was conflating my success and acceptance within the music industry as something that they were also experiencing,” said Tegan. Through these conversations, the two came to the conclusion that they could not rest on the laurels of personal success; they needed to invest their resources into seeking equal justice for those who couldn’t use their own voices. The Tegan and Sara Foundation was beginning. “As a member of the LGBTQ community and also somebody who has become the 1 percent in my community, [it's important] to acknowledge my power,” Tegan said. “I have power because I am a public figure; I'm in a successful band; I have a huge following on social media, and I have access to corporate money. So, I need to be standing up for my community and not just riding, ‘Well, I'm queer; I'm a marginalized person; I don't need to give back.’ Of course I need to give back.” Over the course of the Love You to Death tour, the band began to dig into research, meet with fans, youth activists, researchers, legislators, and nonprofits on the ground-level, people and organzations who were strenuously fighting for LGBTQ equality. As the pieces fell into place, the vision for the Tegan and Sara Foundation became clear—the needs of queer, self-identified women and girls were simply not being met. “When we met with the Williams Institute, one of the things that was probably the most shocking for us was the idea that with every question we had regarding LGBTQ health specific to self-identified women and girls, there was a ‘Well, we don't have any research. There's no research being done. Sorry, we don't have an answer to that,’” Tegan said. “If you chase the roots down into the ground, a lot of LGBTQ health facts and information are actually about men, which is very similar to health information about men and women in the greater population as well.” The overwhelming informational disparities that exist about LGBTQ women were alarming to the two. In addition, they came to discover that misinformation and a severe lack of knowledge of the long-term health risks that faced this already marginalized community kept them further ostracized. “One of the grants that we just wrote is to start gathering census-type information, just basic information, about women and girls in the LGBTQ community,” Tegan said. “There's this idea that LGBTQ women don't need regular pap tests, because they’re not having sex with men, which is not true.” She went on to say that one alarming stat that GLAAD provided them was that medical professionals typically spend one hour or less in medical school on trans and LGBTQ health. OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM
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“We're just funding hackathons and other get-togethers basically at this point, just to get medical organizations together to talk about how we can change that, and how we can get LGBTQ women to go to their doctors to talk about their health.” One of those hackathon sessions included a meeting at the 2017 Lesbians Who Tech annual summit in Washington D.C. which coalesced innovators and technology professionals to manufacture real systems to be implemented and made accessible to the masses. With the knowledge that the queer community has specific physical, mental, and social healthcare needs and concerns, the group culminated a resource to make it easier to locate LGBTQ-competent practitioners into a consolodated website. While these kinds of resources are vital, the fact of the matter is that not everyone can simply go to their doctor and freely discuss that they are queer and in need of LGBTQ-specific care. “We underestimate how many women are just not going to the doctor because they don't want to have to out themselves,” Tegan said. “If you are a lesbian woman from the rural part of Alabama and go to the doctor to talk about your sexual health or to talk about your lifestyle, it’s incredibly difficult. We're just trying to take some of the stigma away and to empower and work with the LGBTQ community so that women go and advocate for themselves.” The stigma that still exists for LGTBQ folks, especially within conservative and religious parts of the country, keeps many people in the closet. For queer youth, coming out can mean rejection not only from friends and faith, but can result in homelessness due to familial dissolution and abuse. The Williams Institute reported in a 2017 survey that 40 percent of youth experiencing homelessness are LGBTQ, and with results this overwhelming, it’s evident that the cultural shift is not even close to acceptable. Many feel the effects of these overwhelming disparities and discriminations in varying ways, and it even touches those who may not identify as members of the LGBTQ community. Dan Reynolds, lead singer of Imagine Dragons, witnessed first-hand the impact that the inequalities had on those he was closest to. “It was really difficult watching a lot of my friends growing up who are Mormon and LGBTQ and had to hide it from their parents,” said Reynolds. “It was really devastating to them; it affected a lot of them in really difficult ways.” Reynolds grew up in a conservative, Mormon family in Las Vegas, Nevada, and described the conflict between his heart and his religious teachings as existing in a state of constant odds. His own uncle is gay and chose to leave the U.S. to live in South America, because he felt that he couldn’t live in authenticity without judgement and rejection. Reynolds said that loss was devastating and confusing to him. 2 6 \\ J U L Y 3 , 2 0 1 9
“I know a lot of good people of religion, whether it's Mormonism or just Orthodox faith, who really want in their heart of hearts to fully accept, love, and even celebrate our LGBTQ youth but are told constantly by their leaders that there's a line you can't cross. It's like, ‘We love you, but just don't be queer.’ And that's not love at all; that's just an empty word. So, I felt like this is a real issue for me, and I've been given a voice and have a ton of privilege and just want to do something about that.” With Imagine Dragons, Reynolds has generated majorly successful hit songs like “Radioactive,” “Thunder,” and “Whatever It Takes,” which have provided him a platform and a means of connecting with people in a different way than Tegan and Sara can. Reynolds understands that being a cisgender, heterosexual, white male gives him bridge between the politics of religious teachings and proving LGBTQ youth the support they desperately need. As an ally to his friends and family, Reynolds formed the LOVELOUD Foundation in 2017 and held the first ever LOVELOUD Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah. With a mission to “ignite the vital conversation about what it means to unconditionally love, understand, support, and celebrate LGBTQ friends and family,” the queer-centered music festival was the first of its kind. Not only creating a safe space for queer youth and allies of all backgrounds, denominations, and musical interests, the festival reached people far and wide and formed community in ways many considered impossible. Acting as an umbrella fundraiser, the LOVELOUD Foundation brought in major sponsors like AT&T, while proceeds from ticket sales were in-turn dispersed to more than a dozen LGBTQ-focused organizations like The Trevor Project, Encircle, and the Tegan and Sara Foundation. “There are people who've been fighting this battle for a long time before me, who understand the sphere, understand what needs need to be met, and have been actively doing it. So, to begin with, the goal was simply to use the platform and privilege to raise the money and then to distribute it to those who do the year-round work,” said Reynolds. LOVELOUD Festival Powered by AT&T reached more than 7.2 million people between the sold-out show and via livestream in 2018. Additionally, it raised $1,000,000, which was then granted to the various charities and organizations that fall under the LOVELOUD Foundation umbrella. Due to the hefty check that LOVELOUD wrote to the Tegan and Sara Foundation last year, they were able to sign more than 100 grants in 2019 for LGBTQ youth to attend summer camps, something that is part of the foundation’s mission. “These summer camps focus on activism, mentorship and leadership, self-esteem and positive body image, and community building. And a lot of the summer camps that we give to you, we insist on some sort of connection outside of camp, so as the year continues, they still have a connection to the mentors and leaders they had there,” Tegan said.
It also gave the Tegan and Sara Foundation an enormous platform and access to a wider audience than they would be able to reach on their own accolades. Tegan even admitted with a laugh to the fact that she took selfies on the stage as the foundation’s name would appear on the jumbo-screen at the festival. “To be on the same screen as Encircle, The Trevor Project, and some of the other national organizations, that was a big deal for us. It definitely validated some of the work we're doing,” she said. The now-annual LOVELOUD Festival Powered by AT&T event held its third festival in West Valley City’s USANA Amphitheatre in Utah on June 29 and listed a robust blend of queer and LGBTQ-allied bands and musicians. Musicians Kesha, PVRIS, Daya, K. Flay, Tegan and Sara, and more took the stage, and was hosted by internet and TV sensation Kalen Allen. As the benefit concert created an experience of genre-crossing, it ultimately met its mission of creating a safe space in music for queer youth and allies. The significance of people like Reynolds stepping up in allyship is not profound; it’s vital for the movement of LGBTQ equality and the visibility that queer youth need in order to thrive. Reynolds admitted that in the beginning, he wasn’t positive that something like LOVELOUD could even come to fruition, especially in Southern Utah, but now that they have met and exceeded every goal they have set in front of them, he can conceptualize it continuing to grow even more. “I will say that I have a great interest in getting involved in schools, bringing education about what it means to accept, love, and celebrate LGBTQ youth to areas like Utah or of high Orthodox faith followers,” Reynolds said. “I don't really know what that looks like yet, but I would love to see LOVELOUD take place in different states, in different cities. I think there are a lot of places in the U.S. that need this desperately.” “I just don't think there's anything like LOVELOUD,” said Tegan. “I don't think there's ever been anything like this for LGBTQ people. The closest would be Pride, of course, but this is just different. This is so centered on youth and so centered on conversation, family, and community. “(Last year) was magical to me and lit a fire under me. This is a very, very, very, very important use of my time, and I'll be with LOVELOUD as long as they'll have me,” she said. For Quin and Reynolds, it all circles back to the youth, the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, musicians, artists, and ultimately world leaders and influencers. Hosting a safe and judgementfree festival for queer youth, providing healthcare access and information to LGBTQ folks, and shining a light of visibility towards those who may not feel like their stories matter, these are truly things to be celebrated. “I think the most political thing we can do is build LGBTQ youth to be strong, powerful, and engaged so they go on to take over the world and make it better,” said Quin.
OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM
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Heinzesight: ADDICTED TO THE DRAMA
By Brent Heinze
M
any of us have been exposed to images from melodramatic programs where chairs get thrown, hair is pulled, tables are flipped, and screaming insults fly though the air. These sensationalized shows seem somewhat removed from reality, but unfortunately, there are individuals in our society who not only live to see drama unfold, they also feel compelled to be at the forefront of creating it. There are many types of community blowhards that appear to enjoy targeting people. They may relish stirring the pot or bring misery into situations. Some may get off on being an online bully, dropping hate bombs, 2 8 \\ J U L Y 3 , 2 0 1 9
airing dirty laundry, or by simply being an irritable creature. Some people couch their aggressive behaviors under the guise of acting as the gestapo for political correctness, deeming what is or is not appropriate, or attempting to control others' behaviors and choices. It is unclear what gives them the right, ability, experience, or power to determine what should or should not be done. These actions may happen for a variety of reasons, but often, these rabble-rousers choose to focus on creating an aggressive bombardment instead of working to accomplish something more
constructive. Venomous exchanges replace what may have started out as a simple difference of opinion. It can quickly spiral out of control, picking up speed as it sucks more people, time, and energy into the vortex. We may also be the culprits of this negativity. There will always be people who can get under our skin or situations that can bother us, and it can be easy to be critical of others. Although there are plenty of things that rub us the wrong way, if our own pessimism isn’t carefully observed, it has the potential to take over our lives and impact the ways we interact with
to fix them. We may also determine that something is not worth the time or effort to worry about, and we can simply blow it off and focus on other things. There are people within communities who tend to be visionaries, creators, or just simply enjoy moving important initiatives forward. They might produce fun, new events, develop great relationships, or be of assistance to others. Although often met with positivity, there often are at least a few grumpy voices that tend to pop up for the purpose of causing gloom and doom. Those who take the initiative to create something know how difficult it can be to receive feedback from others. Many times, we can appreciate good ideas from individuals who offer assistance or their experience to help others. Unfortunately, there are times when messages of judgement, criticism, or negativity loudly interrupt the excitement of doing something positive. Sometimes offering suggestions or recommendations can be helpful in working to improve something, but these perspectives are not always welcomed or well-received. We all have opinions and judgments about almost everything in our lives, but some believe it is not only a desire, but a personal duty for them to express their viewpoints. Although some people claim that these intentions are to bring attention to something unjust, they may also be doing this to gain attention at the expense of others or deriving some twisted pleasure from creating drama.
our environment. It can easily turn into a type of addictive pattern that is harder to break the longer it goes on. It becomes our usual way that we engage with others. It may turn people away from wanting to spend time with us or cause a dark cloud to be created overhead. It’s more difficult to maintain a positive attitude when you feel that you are surrounded by crappy people or situations. It is up to us how we want to engage with these challenges, which often have a variety of options about how we can expend our energy. We can complain about things or do something
It can be difficult to determine someone’s true intentions, and there are times when engaging with someone argumentative just seems like a pointless endeavor, especially if a likely outcome is aggressive behaviors being directed at you. The fear of potentially being attacked can stop someone from getting involved. It can feel like you’re welcoming a storm of negativity into your life, and people often choose to be silent instead of confronting that negativity. There are times when it seems like everyone has an opinion about almost everything and can sit on the sidelines complaining about how messed up something is. It is easy to be an “armchair
quarterback” where someone screams at the players of some game that we feel should have performed better. It is a way to be critical without actually being able to cause an impact to improve the outcome. Even if they are infrequent, critical comments can still cause some strong, concerning impacts on us. They can quickly evolve from just a few bitchy remarks to becoming more frequent in our lives. Instead of focusing on what other people are doing wrong, efforts and energy need to be more productively used in causing positive impacts in our community and society. Unfortunately, there are ways that these people’s behaviors are actually encouraged either directly by others becoming involved to offer support or apathetically standing by while others are ridiculed or attacked. It is important for us to not give power to these toxic individuals, and our energy can be better spent on working towards making our environment as positive, productive, and encouraging as possible. For those who have enough free time to spend constantly making critical comments on other people's lives, they could benefit from focusing on how to improve their own lives instead of causing drama. Instead of getting fired up and calling people out on their behaviors, consider volunteering time for a nonprofit organization or with communities that could benefit from support. Focusing on positive change in the real world is more important than bringing more negativity into this world. Although it can appear that these negative people have the loudest voices, the reality is that not only do we not have to listen to them, but we have the ability to shut them down. It doesn't matter if it is calling others out on an online forum or confronting those people at a party that can suck the life out of a room full of enjoyment. As a culture, it is important for us to get better at telling those people that we would like them to close her mouth and stop attempting to spread their hatred when the world is such an amazing place to live in. It is up to us to cause the change we want to see. OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM
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Cancer Season JULY HOROSCOPES
1st – Mars moves into Leo 2nd – New moon and solar eclipse in Cancer 7th – Mercury moves retrograde 16th – Full moon and lunar eclipse in Capricorn 22nd – Sun moves into Leo 31st – New moon in Leo and Mercury moves direct
By Joshua Lionlight
ARIES: If you have been waiting to make a solid commitment,
LIBRA: Some award-winning ideas have come to you that
then July will be the time to do that. The universe is inviting you to form alliances or even a support group! Invest in people again. Loyalty is a long-term investment, but it is worth the time. Connecting with your roots and where you came from looks positive!
could genuinely increase your success! In July, you may find yourself at war with some of these ideas or a strong opinion that you’ve developed. Do not feel guilty. You are being encouraged to study and expand upon your thoughts of success. More information will put your mind at ease.
TAURUS:
SCORPIO: A surprising opportunity or extra income is being
The way you verbally and nonverbally communicate is wanting to radically shift! These forms of communicating may have worked for you in the past, but you must be honest and ask yourself, do they work now? Get to the point this month! A truth is coming that will allow you to think and imagine more freely!
GEMINI:
You will rise this month when you start or learn a new skill or job. It will liven up your energy to take on a new challenge. The adventure is there for you! A person with a fiery passion is wanting to take you with them on a quest. It will benefit you to keep a broader vision and to look at options that may seem foreign.
given. You are being guided to be open to big possibilities! Spend your energy and money wisely in July. Invest in the people and experiences that make you feel free. You have more control over your fortune then you realize. Seize what’s coming through and boss up!
SAGITTARIUS: You may find yourself deliberating, having to make a choice. A double life is rarely sustained for long. The choice that gives you the most adventure and freedom to be curious rings as the most beneficial. In some ways, you are finding your salvation this month. Profound inspiration will seep in when you find the courage to love and forgive yourself.
CANCER: The ability to manifest your thoughts and desires
CAPRICORN: Be prepared for some spicy, fast-paced energy
into reality is powerful this month! You are encouraged to channel your feelings into an activity or creative project. It will bring you balance and financial reward. When you find yourself questioning your worth because of a past trauma, remind yourself that you are in present time now.
this month! A discovery gives you razor-sharp focus. If you see the worth in a particular investment, then you are encouraged to take it. Your business endeavors look positive! A gesture or offering will help move things along. Own your space. Others are looking to you for leadership.
LEO: Are you feeling the need to change direction with your
AQUARIUS: Energetically, you will find that you are much
purpose? Now is a good time to make alterations. You have favor when stepping into a new role. Be sure to articulate what you want. You may feel that people are judging and expecting you to fail. Be open to people surprising you, and you’ll discover quite the opposite.
more aware this month. What is it that you value right now, and how do you wish to see it materialize? Let go of any judgements that surround your feelings of self-worth. Let yourself be seen more. You are more creative and noticeable when you’re having fun! Be a kid!
VIRGO: Sometimes we are pushed to stand alone. You are
PISCES: A relationship is coming toward you that is capable
being empowered to defend your own honor. One of the most effective ways of learning this is through experience. If something or someone is upsetting your heart, then give yourself permission to walk away. Explore more of your passions! Keep your mind in motion.
of offering worldly success and pleasure! There’s much passion and excitement to be had this month. The person coming in has deep insights to share about your purpose. You are capable of achieving a whole new level of financial security. Take a vacation. Everything is matching up.
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DEVIANT PRESENTS:
Animation Apocalypse Photos by Veronica L. Holyfield Deviant, Colorado’s largest alternative monthly dance party, partnered with OUT FRONT for the Denver Pop Culture Con-themed night, Animation Apocalypse, on Friday, May 31. Looks from comics, graphic novels, video games, anime, and more were expertly executed, and just in time, as Ru Entertainment held their go-go dancer auditions!
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In the early years of queer culture, bars were the only place
there are other ways to meet people. It starts with you!
to meet other LGBTQ people. Queer culture has become
Drag your friends on a hike in the mountains, play a sport,
almost synonymous with bar culture. While meeting people
volunteer your time. If you are a GBTQ male between ages
in bars is not the problem, substance abuse runs rampant
18-29, Denver Element has a program called Denver Pique
within our community. It’s hard to turn down a drink when
that puts on fun, safe, and sober activities weekly. The events
all your friends are drinking around you, then one turns in to six. Going out to bars is embedded in our culture. The
are constantly changing, and there is always something to pique your interest.
infamous words at the Stonewall Riots were even, “Out of the bars and into the streets!” So, how do we change this? How do we make sober activities cool? Now that it is 2019,
Geoffrey Gutierrez, MBA Program Coordinator – Denver Pique
OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM
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Rapids Pride Night Photos by Veronica L. Holyfield Colorado Rapids celebrated Pride at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 8 as they played Minnesota United FC. During the exciting game, fans sported their finest rainbow attire and cheered, as the Rapids took the win 1-0.
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Betty Who Photos by Veronica L. Holyfield A perfect Pride week intro, the tribe showed up to pack Summit Denver on June 11 for Betty Who as she fiercely gave the room all she’s got!
4 0 \\ J U L Y 3 , 2 0 1 9
OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM
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Photos by Veronica L. Holyfield Charlie’s Nightclub shut down Clarkson Street for the firstever Evolution Block Party & Ultimate Beer Bust on Sunday, June 9. Inviting the one and only one-and-only Alyssa Edwards to Denver, the bustling block was living for all the queens at this pre-Pride party kickoff event.
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CLOCKTOWER CABARET
2036 N. Broadway St. , Denver (303) 658-0913 triangledenver.com
16th St. Mall @ Arapahoe, Denver (303) 293-0075 clocktowercabaret.com
DADDY’S BAR & GRILL
1120 E. 6th Ave. Denver (303) 993-6365 daddysdenver.com
DENVER SWEET
776 N Lincoln St Denver www.denversweet.com
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11TH AVE.
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GLADYS TRADE COMPOUND BOYZTOWN 1ST AVE. LI’L DEVILS
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DADDY’S BAR & GRILL
R+R DENVER
CHARLIE’S BLUSH & BLU
CLARKSON ST.
1027 N. Broadway St. Denver (720) 608-8923 vybe303.com
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BROADWAY
629 E. Colfax Ave. Denver (303) 832-2687 xbardenver.com
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255 S. Broadway St. Denver (303) 733-1156 lildevilslounge.com
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475 Santa Fe Dr. Denver (720) 627-5905 THU: Skivvy Stripdown SAT: Beer Bust 3 - 7 p.m. SUN: Beer Bust 3 - 7 p.m.
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LIL’ DEVILS
1035 E. 17th Ave. Denver (720) 485-5503 Stoneysuptown.com WED: All You Can Eat Wings & Team Trivia THU: $1 Tacos & Tequila Specials FRI: Feud Trivia @8pm SAT/SUN – Brunch, Bottomless Mimosas ’til 2 p.m. HAPPY HOURS: M-F 4-7 p.m.
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1336 E. 17th Ave. Denver (303) 993-5812 hamburgermarys.com/denver
STONEY'S UPTOWN JOINT
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www.StoneysUptown.com
SANTA FE DR. KALAMATH ST.
500 Santa Fe Dr. Denver (303) 893-6112
THE TRIANGLE BAR
YORK ST.
GLADYS: THE NOSY NEIGHBOR
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COLORADO BLVD.
4501 E. Virginia Ave. Glendale (303) 388-8889 Facebook - Elpotrero.180
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3542 Walnut Street, Denver
BROADWAY
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DOWNING ST.
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OUTFRONTMAGAZINE.COM
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WE GO BOTH WAYS RECREATIONAL & MEDICAL CANNABIS
HighLevelHealth.com Denver Locations 970 Lincoln St. 10th St. & Lincoln St. (303) 839-9333
2028 E. Colfax Ave. Race St. & Colfax Ave (303) 355-9333
1620 Market St. 16th St. & Market St. (303) 953-0884
ENJOY $5 off $50 Valid at all locations. Valid through July 17th, 2019. Cannot be combined with other deals. Limit one use per purchase. Must be 21+ and have valid ID. Recreational only. Coupon code 7/12OF7/17
Mountain Location 1221 County Rd 308 Off Exit 234 on I-70 Dumont, CO (720) 242-8692