Pride & Summer Guide 2015 by OUT FRONT Magazine

e d i r P ummer

S &

d i e u G

PRIDE AFTER DARK

clubs, bars, djs, restaurants, + alternatives

2015 PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE OUTFRONTONLINE .COM

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CONTENTS PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

12 PLANNING PRIDE 22 PECKISH AT PRIDE?

PRIDE PM CALENDAR 32 PRIMED FOR THE PINK PARTY

LISA LAMPANELLI 40 THE ULTIMATE DENVER BAR BREAKDOWN 46 "EXCUSE ME, SIR, MAY I HAVE THIS TWERK?" 52 STAY OUT LATE AND STILL EAT GREAT

10 6

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

SERVING THE LGBT COMMUNITY OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS SINCE 1976 3535 Walnut Street, Denver, Colorado 80205 PHONE 303-477-4000 • FAX 303-325-2642 WEB OutFrontOnline.com FACEBOOK facebook.com/OutFrontColorado TWITTER @OutFrontCO INSTAGRAM /OutFrontColorado Out Front is published by Q Publishing, Ltd., a Colorado corporation and is a member of: Denver Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and Denver Drama Critics Circle.

FOUNDER PHIL PRICE 1954-1993 ADMINISTRATION info@outfrontonline.com JERRY CUNNINGHAM Publisher J.C. MCDONALD Vice President MAGGIE PHILLIPS Operations Manager JEFF JACKSON SWAIM Chief Strategist EDITORIAL editorial@outfrontonline.com BERLIN SYLVESTRE Editor NOAH L. JORDAN Digital Content Manager BRENT HEINZE Senior Columnist CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chris Arneson, Stephanie Cochrane, Janet Corniel, O’Brian Gunn, Mike Hastings, Rick Kitzman, Gary M. Kramer, Mikey Rox, The Cycle Sluts MARKETING & SALES marketing@outfrontonline.com DUSTIN KRIER Director of Sales JORDAN JACOBS Senior Marketing Executive TOPHER LA FLEUR Marketing Executive CURTIS STAFFORD Marketing Executive BRITTANY OSTERHOUT Marketing & Events Coordinator NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media/212-242-6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com ART art@outfrontonline.com TRISHA HIMMLER Senior Graphic Designer CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Charles Broshous, Christina Gressianu, Paul Wedlake

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Out Front’s print publication is available semi-monthly, free of charge in Colorado, one copy per person. Additional copies of Out Front may be purchased for $3.95 each, payable in advance at Out Front offices located at 3535 Walnut Street, Denver CO, 80205. Out Front is delivered only to authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of Out Front, take more than one copy of Out Front. Any person who takes more than one copy may be held liable for theft, including but not limited to civil damages and or criminal prosecution.

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

15 U R AC 0 4 4 3 • AC - 0 0 6 9

1201 16th St., Suite 200, Denver, CO 80202

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PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

ON T H E COV ER

ON THE COVER

Chloe Bundt, Carrie Booze, & Ashley Howard photographed by Christina Gressianu. Hair and makeup by Matthew Morris Salon. Clothing and accessories provided by Candy's Vintage of Boulder and Jewelius of Denver. Location provided by Element 47 by Windsor in Denver. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

PRIDEFEST

FAST FACTS 3

ALL BAGS, COOLERS, (ETC) WILL BE CHECKED.

YOU CAN’T BRING YOUR OWN ALCOHOL.

YOU CAN’T SET UP A TENT.

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

THERE’S NO CHARGE FOR ENTRANCE.

ALL NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MUST BE SEALED. Only factory-sealed water or soda bottles allowed. There are free water fountains inside the park.

NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND WILL BE TOLERATED.

FOOD/BEV VENDORS WON’T TAKE YOUR MONEY, BUT THEY WILL TAKE YOUR FOOD/DRINK TICKETS.

DOGS ARE ALLOWED!

You can buy those tix with cash or card once you’re inside the park.

9 10

YOU CAN’T LEAVE WITH DRINKS YOU BOUGHT AT PRIDEFEST.

THERE WILL BE ATMS INSIDE THE PARK.

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PLANNING PRIDE

Sheraton

SheratonDenverDowntown.com

BROWN PALACE

YOU'VE STILL GOT A FEW MORE DAYS TO MAKE 2015 PRIDE ONE TO (TRY AND) REMEMBER. LET US HELP.

Chris Arneson

STAY CLOSE Sheraton 1550 Court Place

Literally the closest hotel to PrideFest, the Sheraton is just across the street from Civic Center Park. If you need to change out of your sweaty park-attire after bustin’ some serious moves, pound the pavement for a block or so and take a refreshing shower back at your place. (~$199/night) SheratonDenverDowntown.com

11th Avenue Hotel and Hostel 1112 Broadway Street

Enjoy cheap and cozy dorm-style rooms with rates starting at $23 and single rooms starting at $45. No frills, but very accomodating. 11thAvenueHotelandHostel.com

The Curtis 1405 Curtis Street

Each floor has a different theme (big hair, chick flicks, etc.) to make this a memorable stay. This hotel is colorful, fun, and has a fantastic rooftop. Also pet friendly. TheCurtis.com 12

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

321 17th Street

Experience the power of the Brown in Denver’s historic downtown hotel. Elegant and luxurious, this hotel has it all: a spa, restaurants, chandeliers, the romantic works. Don’t miss their famous tea time from noon to 4pm. BrownPalace.com

BARK & PLAY The Warwick 1776 Grant Street

Located just a few blocks away from Civic Center Park in Uptown, the Warwick offers arguably the best rooftop pool in the hood. Bonus: Each room has its own balcony. (~$327/ night) WarwickHotels.com/Denver

Hyatt Regency 650 15th Street

One of the highest-rated hotels downtown also offers the best price. In the heart of the city, Civic Center Park is a quick walk away … or an even quicker ride on the 16th Street Mall Ride. (~$159/night) DenverRegency.Hyatt.com

BOARD YOUR BARK BARK! Bark! is a daycare, plus a hotel and spa. Half days are $19, full days are $29, and overnight boarding is $42. Full-service grooming packages start at $15. BarkDenver.com

Woof in Boots Currently offering a free day and bath when you sign up on their website, this playhouse-for-pooches is a few blocks southwest of Civic Center Park. Rates start at $25 for a day and $34 for day/night. WoofInBoots.com

A few blocks west of Civic Center Park, Bark & Play will watch your pup for half a day ($17), a full day ($26), or board him/her for the night ($39). Discounted rates are available for multiple dogs. BarkAndPlayDenver.com

HOTEL TEATRO

1100 14th Street

Blending the best of Denver’s old charm a nd new f lair, this stylish boutique hotel has repeatedly been voted one of the best in Colorado. It’s also pet friendly, so bring your furry friends along. HotelTeaTro.com OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

CAR2GO

TRANSPORTATION B-cycle With tons of locations downtown, it’s only $9 for 24-hour access. Planning to use it all weekend? The 30-day pass is just $15. Memberships can be purchased online or directly at the bike station. Denver.Bcycle.com

Lyft and Uber Make sure you download the apps! If you’ve never used either, you can probably score a free ride for your first time. Honestly, Lyft is a little cheaper. Lyft.com and Uber.com

RTD A ride on the light rail will cost you $2.25 one way. Reserve a day-pass for $6.25 online if you plan to explore the city outside of downtown. RTD-Denver.com

Pedicabs Downtown is full of these guys. Most work for tips or charge $2/block — a great alternative if the free 16th Street Mall ride is packed and you can’t walk anymore.

HAMBURGER MARY'S

There’s a $35 registration fee, but after that you’ve got a car for 41 cents/minute. Many designated spots are located downtown and there's free parking at all city meters and 2-hour zones. Car2Go.com NEW TO DENVER? TRY SOME OF OUR FAVES! Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret

If you’re thinking of seeing a raucous drag show or playing some NSFW bingo with some queens this weekend, you need to make reservations. All shows and events are conveniently listed on their site. HamburgerMarys.com 14

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

Kick up your heels with some locals under the big clocktower downtown at 16th and Arapahoe. Make your reservations early (and online) to reserve good seats for a burlesque show. Aww, yeah. Lannies.com

Rafting Want to some experience some of Colorado’s best? Reserve a rafting trip without leaving downtown. Up to seven of your friends can raft the Platte River via the Confluence Skyline for $140. Adventures.Citywild.org

7555 E Hampden Ave Suite 310 Denver, CO, 80231 BEFORE

AFTER

Dr. Raymond loves to make Porn Stars SMILE!!

Smile Makeover Drill-Free Dentistry

Digital X-Rays Chris Rockway “I care about helping my patients feel conﬁdent in their smiles! You don’t have to be a celebrity, to have a celebrity smile!”

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this is the place where your efforts in the gym can be derailed. Pick one serving of any of these, and you’ll be fine. Just know this, and think about it when cheat-time arrives. That said, salsas and green chili are probably ok, but beware: The chips are a different story. Don’t wipe out the bag!

Drinks

PARTY SEASON OR BUST! (NOT YOUR WAISTLINE)

LET'S FACE IT: IT'S ALWAYS PARTY SEASON AROUND THESE PARTS. WHETHER IT'S PRIDE WEEK, THE holidays, or just summertimeBBQ season, temptation to go off the rails with food and beverages haunts us at every turn. Well, there are ways you can mitigate this. You can still attend your favorite parties, dinners, and picnics while maintaining some semblance of attention to your fitness efforts. And yes, while still having fun! There’s a balance when it comes to partying that doesn’t have to be an all-ornothing prospect. So how does this apply to your situation? Pretty easily, if you ask my clients. I can help you attain your fitness goals with a little planning and some forethought. For example, I know the importance of cheat days, and I make sure my clients do as well. The thing I tell them to keep in mind is the proper use of their cheat day (or cheat meal) if they have one. 16

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

Plan that around your event and have fun! Maybe something like this:

Protein You almost have a free pass on this one. (Almost!) Most BBQ is probably going to not harm you too much, but watch out for the sauces that may come with it — or what it may have been soaking in beforehand. Keep the sauces to a minimum. Most have tons of sugar and extra calories you don’t need. Ditto anything fried, which is going to be an issue for you past the first one or two pieces.

Carbohydrates Breads, cakes, pies, cookies, pasta, potatoes (that includes french fries), chips, and candy … let’s just say that

Let’s start with soft drinks. Your best bet is water. Always. Iced tea is fine, if it’s unsweetened. Colas and anything else that has fake sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or real sugar (like cane sugar) means you’ll need to refer to the rule above about carbohydrates.

Beer, wine, hard alcohol There is no “good” alcohol if weight is your issue. They can all contribute to your body storing fat. Try this: Have a drink, and nurse it for as long as you can. Make it last. Your best bet, though, is to drink water or (unsweetened) coffees and teas instead.

All of this is up to you. These are just guidelines to make you aware of what’s out there at these parties, and the choices you have. Think about it this way: Your fitness journey will always be there. It’s like taking a trip somewhere: You have a destination, but along the way there may be things you want to see and experience. All of these pit stops will only lengthen the time it takes to get to your destination. I’ve had many successful clients and if you’re ready, I’d like to add you to that list. I offer a complimentary consultation/ workout to see what’s possible! Check out my website for more about me, my blog, and to sign up for my newsletter! Email me to get started: Greg@BirthdaySuitTailor.com B I R T H D AY S U I T TA I L O R . C O M

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VANESSA WILSON WITH AURORA PD: SERVING AND PROTECTING EQUALITY MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE POLICE has always revolved around red plastic Solo cups and too-loud music, or me, windows down and going 15 over. That blue uniform is intimidating from your rearview mirror. Sitting down with Aurora PD’s Vanessa Wilson, I was slightly nervous at first, like maybe I had done something I wasn’t supposed to or someone had planted drugs on me and I was about to be found. But the dramatic story lines racing through my head were silly fictions and quickly dissolved as our real conversation began. This ain’t your mama’s police force. Stefanie Cochrane

The Aurora PD is decidedly progressive and takes pride in the diversity of its staff and in their positive outreach to the community they serve. Aurora PD 18

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

has a huge presence on social media; check out their Twitter, Facebook, YouTube channel, and more (they school us all at the internet, btw).

Vanessa showed me a glimpse of what it’s like to work for her city and what it really means to be a police officer. Under those badges are beating hearts — the majority of police really do just want to help. Vanessa certainly does. She is the first female in the history of the department to earn the rank of Division Chief. She is also openly gay. In other words, she’s a powerhouse. She has helped the Aurora PD sail into 2015 with open arms to all communities and will march with her fellow officers at PrideFest. Go wave at her! How did you get into law enforcement? When I was in college, there was some anti-police sentiment, you know, this ‘F the police’ mentality. But I saw a lot of good the police did and then I saw some things that I was like, yeah, this is messed up. I thought I could do a lot more by joining the force and making changes from the inside out rather than just complaining and trying to

THERE’S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO CELEBRATE YOUR PRIDE OUR TEAM CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN

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knock the walls down from outside. I put in the application and got hired in a small college town and I really just fell in love with it. I realized that the majority of the police officers had the same mentality to do the right thing and help the community. I know that’s sort of a cliched statement, but it’s truly about making positive changes for people. It’s not a job that most are knocking down the doors to do, but it’s an important job. A lot of the country is very angry at police. Is it difficult seeing your comrades in the news like that? Some things have been really bad, but it does overshadow the good that’s being done. It does overshadow the good. But it’s important to talk about, like what happened in South Carolina. We’re just as upset as everyone else is to watch that video. Most people don’t realize that we’re angry too. It makes us all look bad. We take pride in our profession and try to do the right thing, but it comes down to a difference in training and departments have different ways of handling policies and procedures so it has been difficult to rebuild trust within the community. You can’t be defensive about it, though. You have to be open-minded and realize that people are angry and all we can do is explain how we train our officers in Aurora. Is it tough on morale? It’s hard to get beat up in the media and know that that’s not what your agency is or who you are, and you know that the reason you come to work everyday is an honorable reason. So it is hard, but I think we just tell everybody to stay the course and try to have positive interactions with the community because you can be having a horrible day and somebody comes up and thanks you and that really just reminds you why you do the job. 20

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Do you ever find people are apprehensive about dealing with or calling the police in Aurora?

Did you face any discrimination when you started? Not only as a woman, but as an openly gay woman as well.

Not that I know of. Like with the LGBT community, we want them to know that they are going to be taken seriously and

Not so much as a female. It’s obviously a male-dominated profession, but things are definitely changing as women are being more valued. Especially in our agency, we need those communication skills that women often bring to the table. It’s not a brute force job anymore; it’s about how you can communicate with people with empathy and compassion. It’s about deciphering the community’s needs and then effectively responding to them. You need tactical response sometimes, but as long as you’re explaining to people why you’re there, they’ll be much more cooperative.

The police force gets just as upset as everyone else does watching those videos. Most people don’t realize that we are angry too. It makes us all look bad.

”

that any and all crimes against respect and human dignity can be reported. We want everyone to know that we won’t put up with discrimination of any kind and if there’s something going on, I definitely want to know. Because if they don’t let us know, we won’t have the chance to fix things. Hopefully the community thinks we’re approachable. We’re all over social media now to make connecting with them easier. Describe your current position. I’m the Division Chief of Patrol Operations and Traffic, with about 460 people reporting to me. I’m fortunately the first female division chief in Denver and openly lesbian. [We hope that allows] so people to know you can be who you are in this profession. Believe me. We’re going to have a booth at PrideFest and we’d love to have more LGBT people join our agency and be better able to represent the community.

You need that human element. What about as a lesbian? Well, I’ll give an example of when I started out in 1996. One of my instructors in the police academy, he’s not there anymore, was telling a story about a homicide scene and he made this comment about how it involved two gay men. He wouldn’t stop mentioning it. And this part really stuck out in my mind: He said, "It’s Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve," and I was shocked that he said that while we were supposed to be training. Like that kind of behavior was acceptable. In the evaluations, I wrote about how terrible that was, but no one ever contacted me about it. Now I can make sure complaints are taken seriously and we can support things like PrideFest and representing that community and Aurora at large. We do have about a dozen openly gay officers within our organization and they’ll be there with us at the Pride booth. We also have a number of straight officers coming to support us. There were some grumblings about why we were in the Pride parade and we told them because it’s the right thing to do.

Discussions are happening and they’re not hush hush anymore. That’s the environment I want, for every officer and new recruit to know that they don’t have to hide who they are. If they see any foul play or hear an off-colored remark, they can bring it to attention. We’re not going backwards, we’re going forward. It’s refreshing to see these changes. We’re hoping that when we go to the booth, we see people who always wanted to be a cop and they want to go to Aurora because they know they’re going to be accepted. Will y’all be there all weekend? We have the booth both days and we’ll be marching in the parade. The community’s very supportive — they come by and cheer and get pictures. Sometimes they’re like, "Wow, I can’t believe you’re here!" One day I hope it’s not surprising to anyone and it will be expected.

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PECKISH AT PRIDE? THIS YEAR, AS IN EVERY year, PrideFesters will be spoiled for food and bev choice here in Denver. Perhaps the best part of this great city is its diverse culinary scene. Denver is at the forefront of the farm-to-table movement and many local eateries cater to this. Delicious food abounds wrapped up in cool, kitschy decor, often reflective of an experience and not just a meal. The best way to indulge? Get out and explore.

If you weren't told it was vegan and/or gluten-free, you wouldn't know.

”

Janet Corniel

PRE-FEST FUEL: BREAKFAST

Sam’s No. 3

Sassafras American Eatery

Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on Food Network, Sam’s No. 3 has a large selection of breakfast favorites, which include skillets, omelets, breakfast burritos, pancakes, and waffles. You name it, they either have it or can make it for you. Sam's is another reasonably priced restaurant that will fill your tank for the festivities ahead.

Sassafras is open for breakfast and lunch, and is conveniently located in Capitol Hill on Colfax near the park. Inspired by Southern comfort food, the menu is full of favorites like benedicts, traditional breakfast platters, and grits. This quaint eatery is also reasonably priced. 22

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DJ’s Berkeley Cafe Located on 9th and Lincoln, DJ’s offers a fantastic selection of breakfast favorites. From omelets and pancakes, to eggs benedict and waffles, you’ll struggle to choose. Healthy portions and reasonably priced menu items will leave you more than satisfied.

DIETARY RESTRICTIONS? NO PROBLEM Beet Box Beet Box is transforming how vegan and gluten-free options are made. Everything in this amazing bakery is made from scratch and delicious! If you weren’t told it was vegan and/ or gluten free, you wouldn’t know. I’m not even vegan and I love this place. They offer healthy and delicious sandwiches for a reasonable price. Definitely worth the trip.

Watercourse Watercourse is a homegrown vegan restaurant that’s also making an impact on how vegan and gluten-free options are made. As with most folks, if I can eat healthy and it

tastes amazing at the same time, bonus! Banter aside, this place is serious about its commitment to food. So don’t roll your eyes if your friend is vegan or gluten free. Join them at Watercourse. You won't feel like you're sacrificing flavor.

OFFERINGS DURING THE FESTIVAL AT THE PARK The festival will offer a variety of professional culinary artists who specialize in outdoor events. Offerings include but are not limited to snacks, dessert, pizza, Greek, Mexican, Asian, barbecue, as well as vegetarian and gluten-free selections. A few local establishments will be in the park offering their specialties. Em’s Ice Cream offers organic small-batch ice cream that will cool you off on a warm Pride day. Berry Kabobs, who sell their fantastic treats at Colorado Rockies’ games, will be offering you delicious chocolate berry treats. Grammy’s Goodies will be at the park offering some amazing Italian treats, and Island Noodles will be selling some yummy noodles so you can carbo load for more festivities.

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EAT UP AND GET DOWN! YOU’VE MADE THE MISTAKE OF gorging on pizza before a romantic tryst, so you’re ending the night alone and bloated rather than in the 300-thread-count embrace of someone hot and ready (eerily similar to that extra cheese you just had to order). This is no way to get laid, folks. Enter aphrodisiacs, foods’ answer to foreplay. Aphrodisiacs are long rumored to increase sexual desire and stamina, each containing tiny bits of sexy magic to give you that extra boost in the bedroom. Hit any of these Denver spots to get your fill and to make sure the date continues long after the check’s paid. Stefanie Cochrane

Milk chocolate also contains tryptophan which promotes relaxation and feelings of wellbeing. You’ll finally feel confident and alluring in the new, weird underwear you bought.

”

Avocado

Bananas

You might think less of paying a little extra at Chipotle for this wonder fruit (yes, fruit!) from now on. Rich with vitamin E, avocado is said to increase levels of estrogen and testosterone, two essential hormones in making whoopee. The word ‘avocado’ stems from the Aztec word for testicle, so there’s that. Let the crew at Lola prepare guacamole tableside while you and your date prepare to reap all the bennies. Lola Denver // 1575 Boulder St.

Besides the obvious resemblance to a certain body part, li'l Bs

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

are rife with potassium, which is crucial to building muscle strength. Also, eating bananas will help you avoid the dreaded ass/leg cramp and ease any aches. Denver’s Humble Pie Store has a wide selection of treats, but their banana cream pie will leave you beggin’ for more, more, more. Humble Pie Store // Call ahead! (720) 479-8690

Chocolate Cocoa contains phenylethylamine, a Love Potion #9 of sorts that’ll give you a heightened sense of sensuality. Milk chocolate also contains tryptophan which promotes relaxation and feelings of well-being. You’ll finally feel confident and alluring in the new, weird underwear you bought. The Chocolate Molten Cake at D Bar is a perfectly oozy dessert to share. D Bar // 494 East 19th Ave.

Chiles Found in spicy peppers, the chemical capsaicin gets your blood pumping and stimulates nerve endings in all your favorite areas. Try the Chile Fire cocktail at Izakaya Den to get nice and heated, and maybe a little drunky ... Izakaya Den // 1487A South Pearl St.

Oysters Sure, ya heard it before, but these little ocean globs really are stellar for your sex drive. Oysters are packed with zinc which links to an increase in testosterone levels which links to extreme bedroom fun. They’re kinda sexy to eat, too, as long as you know what you’re doing. Jax Fish House has one of the best raw bars this side of the Mississippi and a great happy hour. Jax is also committed to sustainability in all fishing and harvesting practices — doesn’t that turn you on a little bit? Jax Fish House // 1539 17th St.

Pomegranates The pink seeds promote GENITAL SENSITIVITY! Who knew? Try to figure out how to open one of these things and let the good times roll. In the meantime, drop by Purple Door Coffee for one of their homebrewed pomegranate molasses sodas. Purple Door Coffee // 2962 Welton St.

Red wine Vino stimulates a part of your brain known as the hypothalamus, responsible for our more primitive urges, such as hunger and horniness. Red wine relaxes you, gives your lips that sexy red stain, and if paired with the just the right amount of R&B, will get you Drunk in Love, if I do say so myself. For a night in, Fairfax Wine and Spirits at Marczyk Fine Food has a great selection and free tastings to find your fit. Marczyk Fine Food // 770 East 17th Ave.

Salmon Get your Omega 3s for sex-hormone levels in this tasty fish. Eat enough of it and you’ll hopefully find the sexual unicorn, the 3rd Orgasm. Head just outside the city to The Bagel Deli for house-made lox with a classic Jewish deli flair. The Bagel Deli // 6439 East Hampden Ave. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

PR I DE PM O'Brian Gunn

JUNE 19

PRIDE BEACH PARTY @ T HE EAGLE • 2P M Just because Denver’s landlocked doesn’t mean you can’t take a trip to the beach during Pride. Swing by the Eagle in your favorite beach-going attire to enjoy DJs spinning and drink specials. TheEagleBar.com

T HE E AGL EBAR .CO M

JUNE 19

T RACKS D ENVER .COM

SEXCOM @ BLUSH & B LUE • 7 P M Learning about sex has never been more educational or hilarious. Local sexologist Shanna Katz and comedian Debbie Scheer are your hostesses for the evening at Blush & Blu’s SexCom, where your questions set the course for the show. BrownPaperTickets.com/Event/155967 26

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

DRAG NATION DRAG BEFORE TIME @ EX DO HALL • 9P M History can be a real drag, especially when you’ve got headlining queens at the head of the class. Drag Nation brings Sharon Needles, Lisa Vanderpump, Nina Flowers, and Raja as special guests along with primal dance beats. TracksDenver.com

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PR I DE PM

BEARRACUDA @ CI T Y HALL • 9P M Don’t miss out on the hirsute fun at the largest-attended bear party in the US at Bearracuda, hosted at one of Denver’s best events venues. Join more than 1500 men and enjoy music provided by London’s DJ Wayne G and a troupe of gyrating go go bears. Bearracuda.com

BE A R RACU DA.CO M

JUNE 19

JUNE SWEET 19 GLOW

JUNE 21

@ WRANGL ER • 10PM

Get your glow on at Denver’s favorite bear bar. Wrangler kicks off Pride with mega blacklights, painted go go bears, body paint, and a light show. DJ Craig C provides your hips with an incentive to move and your body to groove. No cover. DenverWrangler.com

JUNE 20

WOMEN'S PRIDE @ T RACKS • 8 P M Ladies, this Pride event is all about you. Enjoy live entertainment, dance performances, and go go dancing all in a prehistoric-inspired venue for Denver’s largest women’s Pride party. Tickets available for $7 before 9pm, and $10 after 9pm. TracksDenver.com 28

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

LISA LAMPANELLI

@ PARAMOUNT THEATRE • 8PM

Get your laugh on with the hilarious Lisa Lampanelli at the Paramount Theatre. If you love throwing shade and reading the eyes out of everyone you meet, you’re sure to love the offensive barbs Comedy’s Loveable Queen of Mean slings hither and yon. MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY AltitudeTickets.com/Event/ Lisa-Lampanelli-3635/

RAGE AFTERHOURS @ EX DO HA L L • 1A M

If you’ve still got some energy left on Sunday night, end your Pride with one last dance … or several if you just can’t help but move when you hear the needle etchin’ the groove. DJ Billy Lace takes over to keep the true night owls up and at 'em on the dance floor. Tickets available online for $20 (more at the door). BrownPaperTickets.com

JUNE 20

PRIDE GEAR NIGHT @ THE EAG L E • 9PM

Polish your best gear and leather and head on over to Eagle for a gear event that’s not to be missed. There’s sure to be plenty to see, do, and dance to. DJ Keith provides the beats, live demos provide the entertainment, and drink specials provide the libations. TheEagleBar.com BROA DWAYS D EN V ER .COM

JUNE 20

TS MADISON

NOW WAIT A MINUTE B*TCH! @ BROA DWAY’S • 1 0 P M • $ 1 0 P R ESA L E , $ 1 5 AT DOOR Known for her uproarious YouTube videos that tell us to “always read good books ... and bad people,” TS is bringing her divinity to the Absolut Outrageous Pride Party at Broadways. To say we’re stoked is underselling it. Just find the Wait A Minute series from World of Wonder on YouTube and see for yourself. Known for her uproarious YouTube videos that tell us to “always read good books ... and bad people,” TS is bringing her divinity to the Absolut Outrageous Pride Party at Broadways. To say we’re stoked is underselling it. BroadwaysDenver.com

JUNE 19

DRAGSTRAVAGANZA!

@ HAMBURGER MARY’S CLUB M • 8PM • $10

JUNE 21

PRIDE GRAFFITI GLOW PARTY @ X BA R •8P M • NO COVER

JUNE 21

PRIDE BEER BUST

LANNI ES.COM

@ THE WRANGLER • 2PM

Bust out in your Pride Sunday best at the mega beer bust at Wrangler. Doors open at 2pm, cup sales start at 3pm, and the bust to end all busts starts at 4pm. Early arrival is encouraged to bypass the long line.

JORDAN WIELEBA @ L A N NI E' S CLOCKTOWER • 7P M End Denver Pride 2015 with a laugh at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret with comedian Jordan Wieleba. Enjoy a recorded event as Wieleba shows us just how edgy comedy can be. MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY Lannies.com OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

CO C KTAILS CALE N DA R Stefanie Cochrane

TACO TUESDAY @ EL CAMINO TAVERN • 3628 WEST 32ND AVE Hangout in a different part of town and head to this Highlands hotspot for tasty dollar tacos and sweet (or spicy!) margaritas.

MONDAY MUSIC & MOVIE TRIVIA @ HEND E RSON LOU N G E AT T H E S I E F I L M C E N T E R • 25 10 EAST COLFAX Finally! A chance to showcase your obscure knowledge of French New Wave cinema and Kurosawa classics while imbibing at the Henderson Lounge. Themes vary each week with prizes to be won and drink specials to be drunk.

WU TANG WEDNESDAYS @ SQUIRE LOUNGE • 1 800 EAST CO L FA X AV E Hit this perfectly divey bar to relive the 90s the Wu way. DJs Ear-Attent and Jeremy Worn will spin the classics along with a healthy shot of recent hip-hop tracks. There’s no cover and drinks are cheap so go to get down and save some money. Dollar, dollar, bill y’all.

TWO DOLLAR TUESDAYS @ LUCKY STRIKE BOWLING ALLEY • DENVER PAVILLIONS ON 16T H ST REET Play to your heart and goofy shoes’ content with 2-buck games and drink specials. Lucky Strike has 12 lanes, pool tables, and a kick-ass patio so bring the gang for a night of good ol’ fashion competition.

THROWBACK THURSDAYS @ X BA R • 629 COL FA X AV E Kick it old school at one of Denver’s fave clubs. Play doubles or as a one-wolf show in their Neon Glow X Pong tourney to win all kindsa prizes. X features $1 Bud Light Drafts and $3 wells, and the hot music blares from 8pm to close.

FRIDAY FIESTA @ C LU B VI NY L • 1082 B ROADWAY Vinyl brings on Latin-infused attitude to shake up your Friday nights. You’ll get your workout in dancing to house, hip hop, salsa, reggaeton, and more on their four (count 'em FOUR) different floors. 18 and up, so go show them youngins how it’s done.

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

SINFUL FIRST SATURDAYS @ T HE ROXY THEATER • 2 549 W E LTO N ST Denver’s largest LGBT urban party, The Roxy, hosts this jam the first Saturday of every month with an alternative hip hop slant. Sinful boasts an impressive lineup of local DJs and go go dancers. A party created for the LGBT community, but meant to be shared with all!

ST RA IG H T VS. GAY SATUR DAYS @ T RAC KS • 35 0 0 WA L N U T ST A monthly gathering of gays and straights to duke it out on the improv floor. Each face-off has new twists and turns that’ll leave you rolling in the aisles. Place your bets and see who is crowned the winner!

SU MMER, DONNA SUNDAYS @ DISCO B RU N C H AT T H E CO R N E R OFFICE • 140 1 CURTIS ST Make Sunday morning as cool as Saturday night. Enjoy bottomless mimosas and a stacked Bloody Mary bar to go with dishes like Red Velvet Revolver pancakes or Hawaii 5-0 wings. Dressing in your best polyester is encouraged. Boogie on down from 7am–3pm. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

PRIMED FOR THE PINK PARTY WE LIVE IN COLORADO, SO it’s probably not incredibly surprising that the main sponsor for one of Pride’s biggest fundraisers happens to be a dispensary. Chris Arneson

This year, One Colorado’s 10th annual Pink Party is primarily sponsored by local marijuana retailer Good Chemistry, owned by San Francisco-native Matt Huron. Matt’s roots in the cannabis industry tie directly into the LGBT community. Back in the early 90s, Matt lived in The Castro with his late father and his father’s late partner, both HIV positive. In 2000, they began to grow and cultivate medical marijuana, providing plants to assisted living and hospice care facilities. They simultaneously started a nonprofit that year, but soon after, his father’s partner passed away. In 2009, Matt’s father died, and he moved his company to Denver. Good Chemistry was launched the following year in 2010. 32

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

Good Chemistry has tried to work with other businesses in the past, but unfortunately for the marijuana industry, being a sponsor isn’t easy.

”

“We have [so much] compassion in our co-op,” Matt explains. Good Chemistry offers free and low-cost medicine to low-income patients. His dispensary currently has about 60 members. “Seeing the AIDS epidemic as a kid, I’ve always tried to stay involved in the gay community,” he says. Matt started working with One Colorado about five years ago, sponsoring their Ally Awards. His involvement with the Pink Party began last year, and Good Chemistry is yet again the only sponsor of the event. This year their contribution has doubled. Good Chemistry has tried to work with other businesses in the past, but unfortunately for the marijuana industry, being a sponsor isn’t easy.

Good Chemistry opened its first Aurora location, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful, upscale locations in the entire industry. 16840 E. Iliff Ave

“People don’t take our money,” Matt says. Project Angel Heart could not accept a check a few years ago because of the affiliations with cannabis. “The industry is moving quickly and becoming more accepted, but five years ago, medical marijuana was new to Denver,” he tells us. “I think their board of directors was concerned about having a direct tie with a marijuana company.” There’s a still a bit of a stigma, but Matt says he’s noticed a shift — especially depending on the size of the organization and whether or not they’re local. Good Chemistry has one Denver location (both medical and recreational) and recently opened a gorgeous recreational location in Aurora. OneColorado’s Pink Party will be held on Saturday, June 20, from 5pm–10:30pm at Tracks/Rino Beach Club. Tickets, which include entry into Tracks with an open bar for the evening, are currently $85. One-Colorado.org + GoodChem.org OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

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LISA LAMPANELLI THE QUEEN OF THE MEAN IN THE QUEEN CITY Stefanie Cochrane

NO ONE CAN CALL YOU a twat like Lisa Lampanelli can. The ‘Queen of Mean’ is bold, brash, but above all, very funny. She’s been a mainstay on Comedy Central’s ever-popular celebrity roasts and has a number of albums and stand-up specials to boot. She’s been in the biz a long time and at 53 years old, she’s still hot on the scene. Because she doesn’t discriminate, her comedy allows us to laugh at ourselves and frees us, if only for a night, from cultural prejudices and the taboos therein. We’re all just silly twats, after all. Before her June 21 appearance at Denver PrideFest, Lisa chatted with Out Front about her signature acid tongue, the growing popularity of comediennes, and Honey Boo Boo. Photo Credit: Dan Dion

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

Let’s start from the ground up. You were a journalist before you got into comedy. How’d you make the switch? It just seemed like a natural progression. There was always a little bug inside me. I had to try it once and if nothing ever came of it, I could just go back to doing what I was doing. I turned 30 and started doing small clubs and it suddenly just blew up. I have this joke that I could make a steady living or get paid to sh*t on people. Luckily for me and for all of you it worked. You’re welcome. Thaaaanks, Lisa. Did you immediately get into insult comedy or did you have to work to find the right style? It was easy for me. That’s just my nature. But I only ever take a crack at people and groups that I love. It always comes from a place of acceptance and authenticity. That’s what my act is all about. How does your stage presence stack up to you off stage? My personality is probably 10 percent of what it is on the stage. I’m a lot more boring than people think. I sit around in my socks and binge watch shows, too.

Speaking of, you’ve done reality TV. Do you think you’d ever do it again? I don’t think so. It’s a lot, a lot of work. On The Apprentice, we had 20-hour days! And you’re working with a bunch of crazies, myself included. You did pretty well though. I did. I came in fourth place and was able to donate $130,000 to the Gay Men’s Health Crisis. [NY nonprofit for AIDS outreach and service] I’m very proud of that. You know, I would do Dancing With the Stars if they asked me. It looks like so much fun. Maybe you should just send them a tape of your moves and they’d invite you down. Yeah, maybe after they were done vomiting! So that’s a lot of money for a worthy cause. You obviously love the gays and they sure love you! Why do you think the LGBT community has embraced you so wholeheartedly?

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

I was at a book signing in a super gay part of town and I asked why the gays loved me so much. 'We just really like mean girls,' one guy responded. I looooved that.

”

I have a great story for this. I was at a book signing in Atlanta and it was like a super gay part of town and I asked why they loved me so much. I was thinking it was because I’ve always felt like I didn’t fit in and maybe they did too, so we could connect in that way. But this one guy raised his hand and said, “No. I think it’s because we just really like mean girls.” I looooved that. Ha! Your nickname is the ‘Queen of Mean.’ Do you love that or what? Oh yeah, I put it out there! I said to The New York Times one day early on that people call me comedy’s ‘Lovable Queen of Mean’ and they ran with it. I kind of fostered that because I think it’s a real badge of honor to be an insult comic and not just a comic, because it shows you can do something most people can’t do. So yeah, I love totally love it. 38

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

Are you mean in real life? No. I think it’s funny — I had a real anger streak up until about a year and a half ago, like I just hasn’t worked on a lot of my issues. So I started with the weight-loss surgery, and got that out of the way, and then I started to work on the real internal stuff. It got me way less angry because I wasn’t taking out stuff on people who didn’t deserve it. So then I could do it all on stage and people could tell it was just out of fun and for entertainment’s sake. I’ve been so much happier since getting all that anger out of my system. Is comedy sort of like therapy for you? No, not for me. I view comedy more as a service. [I turn it around and] make somebody happy that lost their job that day or had a death in the family. Sometimes I’m tired and I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore,

but then I think people like to laugh just like I like do. So if I can help brighten them up, I’m much happier and so is the audience.

fearless and he tells the truth about himself and his faults,

So it’s more of an outlet.

is Don Rickles. I just love him.

Yeah, it takes all the stuff I’ve been feeling all week and by making it funny so it doesn’t hurt anyone, hopefully the outcome is someone in the audience has a better day because I was performing for them.

You get compared to Rickles a lot.

How do your personal relationships mingle with your comedy? Is your family supportive?

Do you think comedy these days is more welcoming

Oh yeah. My family is super proud and cool — probably because I have enough money to put them all up. My mother definitely liked it better when I didn’t curse a lot, but she’s learned to live with it. She has a dirty mouth, too. I talk about them in my act all the time, so they kinda have no choice but to like it.

and I love that openness. And he evolves so much year to year. And, of course, the best insult comic who ever lived

Yes. I’m really lucky to even share a sentence with him because he’s just the man.

for women? I never noticed because I always just did it either way. I have sort of a guy’s style, you know, rapid-fire and not storyteller-ish, so I just did it on my terms. I do think there are way more women comics who are getting noticed now ,which is really good. I take full credit for that even

You’ve said you’re actually the quiet one of the bunch.

though maybe I shouldn’t.

I am! Oh my god, you can hear my sister and my mom coming 12 miles away.

Take it all!

Maybe you guys should do a Partridge Family type show? Put me in the grave right now! Has comedy ever been hurtful for your romantic relationships? I could never be with someone who doesn’t have the sense of humor where they can take it. I’ve been really lucky that way. I never seem to attract people that take themselves too seriously.

Well, ever since Joan Rivers showed that women can be bawdy and crazy like men, it’s opened the door for people like me. There are a lot of great female comedians working today and it’s about time. YES, girl, yes! You lesbos have some good ones, too. Even the clam-slammers are getting out there. Can you tell me about your upcoming comedy special on EPIX? Let’s plug it! Of course I can! You’re not gonna watch it, are you, you

Is anything off limits in your show?

little twat!? It’s gonna be great. It’s a lot of things people

If I can make it funny I’m gonna say it, but if I can’t, then what’s the point? It could be about AIDS, rape, cancer, pedophila, or whatever — as long as I can make it funny. That’s the only rule I have.

have been asking me about over the years. Like the inside

Are you ever surprised by things you think of? Like you just can’t believe your mind went there.

them and me that makes me tick. Matter of fact, ever

Oh yeah, for sure! But then I say it again and again until I’m not surprised anymore. I’ll do a bit about Honey Boo Boo being too fat to be molested, stuff like that. I’ll be like, “Oh god, that was hardcore,” but then I’ll be like, “I can’t wait to do that at the show tomorrow!” It’s never been for me to shrink from anything.

been getting standing ovations rather than just from

Who are some of your favorite comics today?

sweetly smutty mouth. Check out her new special, Back

My hero has always been Howard Stern because he’s so

to the Drawing Board, airing on EPIX June 26.

scoop on the weight loss and the divorce and the surgery. Just all the stuff I’ve been through recently. As an insult comic, I’ll be including the audience a lot, so it’s sort of since I’ve been talking about myself a little more, I’ve the seats. I think people like when you expose yourself a little bit more.

We certainly do, especially when it comes outta Lisa’s

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

THE ULTIMATE

DENVER BAR BREAKDOWN Chris Arneson

YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED AT THE NUMBER OF “GAY BARS” IN DENVER … BUT WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU? HERE’S A BREAKDOWN OF OUR CITY’S OFFERINGS. AQUA LOUNGE

BLUSH & BLU

A few miles east and a block south of Colfax on Krameria,

More than just Denver’s most prominent “lesbian bar,” Blush & Blu offers a great selection of coffee and tea. Blush has a cozy atmosphere and, though not exclusively an LGBT hangout, the community has definitely staked claim in it. A galley-style layout means you’re most likely making eye contact with other people as they walk by, and the snug loft area in the back feels like a secret library. Bonus: It’s next door to Voodoo Doughnuts.

the Aqua Lounge is the neighborhood LGBT bar of Denver’s Mayfair neighborhood. Slightly divey, but not uncomfortable, and catering to a slightly older crowd, the Aqua Lounge is never too packed and is sometimes home to a few amiable drag queens.

BARKER LOUNGE Dog friendly! The Barker Lounge has a large patio with a pool table and dartboards. You probably wouldn’t know this was an LGBT bar just by walking in. Definitely more of a neighborhood bar feel.

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

BROADWAY’S One of the few LGBT bars in Denver that feels like a true dive bar, Broadway’s knows low key. The back patio is where it’s at, but there’s a dance floor inside as well. There are always

good specials on drinks, and the age of the clientele varies, but you’ll mostly catch an older crowd here sprinkled with some young people.

BOYZTOWN A fun mix of gay guys enjoying a stop on a bar crawl and the occasional girls’ night out, Boyztown is rarely a bore. There’s no cover, so it’s a nice option to keep on hand. The guys are decently hot and know how to work a pole. If you’re going after midnight, expect it to be packed.

CHARLIE’S At its core, Charlie’s is a cowboy bar … but don’t let that keep you away, city slickers. One of the most accessible bars during Pride, there are two dance floors — one tends to stay country, the other more like a club. You might have to pay a cover, but they apply it directly toward your first drink. The clientele is a wide range. As of early June, the patio is under construction, but it’s still usable. Hopefully that means it’ll be ready for Pride.

COMPOUND BASIX This bar might surprise you. It feels a little divey, but it’s actually rather big. A nice range of guys, a large dance floor in the back room, and the tiny heated patio out back means it’s like three spots in one. If you need a place to store your wares, they have lockers. The bathroom is pretty awkward, though — tight with troughs. Still, it’s worth a stop if you’re on Broadway.

DENVER EAGLE Just around the corner from Tracks, Denver Eagle caters a lot to the leather community. Here, you’ll find underwear and gear nights. It has the atmosphere of an old warehouse, so there's lots of room to socialize. Curiously, you won’t find the Tracks crowds wandering over here too often.

HAMBURGER MARY’S An enjoyable balance between bar and restaurant, Mary’s always seems to be hopping. There’s a full bar inside, and the huge patio has one too. If you’re here during the evening, expect some kind of event, like bingo or karaoke. The staff features a few working drag queens.

LI’L DEVILS Not a huge bar inside, but there’s a great patio outside that wraps around the building. Li’l Devils is located farther south on Broadway, so it’s best to find a ride here. Once in, you’re set up with a relaxed atmosphere that makes for excellent (scream-free) conversation. Formerly the location of the Barker Lounge, it still feels like a new bar.

R&R LOUNGE A dive-style bar further east on Colfax past Colorado Boulevard, R&R mostly caters to an older crowd, but maintains a friendly atmosphere. You won’t find any draught beer, so expect a bottle or just go for a cocktail. Bonus: Play your own jams on their jukebox.

TRACKS Tracks is the largest LGBT nightclub in Denver, offering several rooms with different DJs, dance floors, and an alley in the back for smoking and cooling off. This is where you’ll find the youngest and most enthusiastic of Pride crowds. Stop by and say hey to the Out Front crew on Friday and Saturday night!

DENVER WRANGLER If you were to define "bear bar," you'd pretty much just take someone to Wrangler. It has a man-cave vibe with pool tables and darts, but there’s also a dance floor. A fenced patio out front offers a much-needed expansion, and during the summer, a larger outdoor space is extended into the parking lot. Despite its bear affiliation, you’ll find many types of guys here.

X BAR Probably one of the more inclusive LGBT bars on Colfax, everyone tends to end up here at some point during the night. There’s a large, fenced patio with an outdoor bar, and inside, there’s a bar and dance floor both on the main floor and upstairs. A lounge area is at the top of the stairs, and gives off a club atmosphere on the weekend. Still, X Bar has more of a dive bar feel on quieter weeknights.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

CROSSING THE VIRAL DIVIDE IT WAS LITTLE SURPRISE WHEN HBO’s Looking — a critically acclaimed but poorly rated TV series about gay men in San Francisco — introduced an HIV-positive character in season two. After all, the city was once the epicenter of the AIDS crisis and now has one of the nation’s highest rates of HIV-positive gay and bi men. Diane Anderson-Minshall

The real revelation, though, was that Eddie, the character Daniel Franzese (already popular from his influential role in Mean Girls) plays is poz, proud, and body positive. People with HIV are rarities on TV (the last series to have one was Brothers & Sisters in 2011), and when they exist there’s usually a lot of stigmatizing, handwringing, and self-loathing around them, with singular storylines that play like a “very special episode.” But Looking (and the season finale of How to Get Away with Murder, in which Conrad Ricamora’s character Oliver finds out he has HIV) broke the mold with an ordinary gay man who just happened to have HIV. Moreover, it was the first scripted television series to talk about PrEP, or Truvada, as preexposure prophylaxis. 42

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

“The brief conversation that we have in the Halloween episode happens in a way that I’ve heard PrEP come up amongst my friends … not too preachy,” Franzese told Plus magazine. “I really like the way that it’s handled.” So did I. Eddie is sexy, healthy, and — this is important — romantically pursued by an HIV-negative character. So that the pair can have sex without either of them worrying about transmission, the love interest begins a regimen of PrEP, the daily HIV-prevention pill that the iPrEx study proved can reduce HIV infection by up to 99 percent when taken properly. The fact that Looking handled PrEP in this manner may mean the tide has turned on PrEP, a prevention method initially debated — and actually lobbied against — by some gay men

(notably AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Michael Weinstein, who argued it was a “party drug” that would make users ditch condoms). Both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have begun recommending PrEP to gay and bi men and transgender women, in hopes of stemming the tide of the 50,000 new HIV cases each year in the US. It’s the sociocultural changes we see from PrEP. The social dynamics among gay men are changing. I’ve talked to dozens of men who are dating across the viral divide: poz and negative guys dating each other, marrying each other, becoming what romantics call “magnetic couples.” (The rest of us call them serodiscordant couples, partnerships in which one is poz and one isn’t.) Between “treatment as prevention” (a method in which someone with HIV suppresses the amount of HIV in their blood, or their viral load, to “undetectable” levels and thus can no longer transmit HIV) and PrEP, many gay men are now having sex without the fear that they can transmit, or acquire, HIV, whether or not there are condoms involved. My friend Alex Garner, who conducts HIV awareness and prevention

programs across the country, says this has impacted how gay men now relate to each other because it’s eliminated a key emotional obstacle to love that gay men have had since the late 1980s: fear. Like a lot of guys, Alex used to almost exclusively date other HIV-positive men, but PrEP has changed that. He told Plus magazine that the possibility of having a real relationship with someone who is serodiscordant seems much more realistic now because PrEP is available — and it changes the relationship too. Despite Weinstein's rants, PrEP really doesn’t seem to be really used by wanton sluts who want to man-whore about town. (But, if it is, more power to the users, I say; the LGBT rights movements was built on sexual liberation, and PrEP is to gay men in 2015 what birth control was to feminists in 1970, but I digress.) In fact, when someone is considering PrEP because their partner has HIV,

it’s very often a sign that they love and want to build a future with that person, the exact opposite of one-night stands popular in hookup culture. Weinstein’s ditching condoms theory seems inaccurate. At least one study from Brown University found that many HIV-negative men in relationships already ditch condoms because they want more intimacy in their relationship (and they do so even when one or both of the guys are having sex outside of that relationship). More than half the men in that study said they’d go on PrEP, which is good because we know from another study out of Emory that nearly 70 percent of all new HIV transmissions for both gay and bi men and transgender women occur in a primary relationship. But the Brown researchers are quick to note: These men and women are willing to go on PrEP, not to suddenly ditch condoms

once they’re on PrEP, but to protect themselves because they already ditched those condoms long ago. Today, PrEP is appearing in dating profiles and on apps like Grindr and Scruff. Even sites aimed at HIV-positive men, like BarebackRT, report that HIVnegative men are now posting profiles there and touting that they are on PrEP. For generations of men and trans women who’ve lived in fear of HIV, suddenly having a prevention pill is a godsend. The bottom line is: Truvada as PrEP is one option, one of the best we have available today. Like birth control pills, though, it isn’t for everyone. Soon we’ll have a rectal microbicide, injectable preexposure prophylaxis, vaginal rings, and more. And when we do, I hope the writers of Looking get at least a tiny footnote in history for breaking ground on TV and for having helped destigmatize PrEP for a generation of LGBT viewers.

OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

PRIDE DJS Chris Arneson

Chris Cornell

Plays circuit, house, progressive-house, dancepop, dance, electronic, vocal house, and electrohouse. Resident DJ at Tracks.

Christopher Fish

Plays an eclectic mix including country, remixes, and retro. Has been a resident DJ at Charlie’s, The Compound, and Broadway’s.

Craig C

Influenced by classic soul, jazz, rock, and dance with versatility and appreciation for both the deep underground grit and prime-time energy of dance floors. Resident DJ at Wrangler.

Brent

Grew up immersed in Canadian club and rave scene (European-style, progressive house without a lot of lyrics, mostly rhythm and groovebased). Loves a good, dark, driving beat and a killer baseline.

EvenflO

Along with her trusty sample technician, Mr. McGRNWohnkey, they look like they just escaped a twisted circus. Armed with the latest electro, fidget, drumstep, and original mash ups. Adds a special visual twist. McGRNWohnkey adds new layers with his sampler, keyboard, hype vocals, and effects.

This Pride, I’ll be moving around Denver. Friday, I’ll be at Urban Pride, a 21+ event at Bar Standard geared toward the urban community that enjoys hip hop, reggaeton etc. We are bringing in four out-of-town headliners that are big in that community. Dress to impress for our black-and-white themed party.

Phot

d it : o Cre

Ta y lo

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On Saturday, I have the 7th annual Girl Pride at City Hall with five of the world’s top female DJs. Trust me: You want to be there.”

SMIRNOFF DANCEWORLD Saturday, June 20 11am–2pm: Gary Givant and Heckler Fabulous Disco Brunch

Gary Givant

Denver DJ since 1977. DJ at Tracks’ SNAP! 90s Dance Party. Hosting a Fabulous Disco Brunch with Heckler, playing 70s, 80s, and 90s tunes.

Juju Bat

Dark alternative model, DJ, performer, nightlife personality, and over all multi-talent artist.

Kyree Myst

Diverse variety of music including Top-40, hiphop, electrohouse, Latin hits, and more. Resident DJ at Club Q in Colorado Springs.

Markie

Diverse mix of tunes. Also known as Mark Andrew. Resident DJ at Tracks.

DJ Rockstar Aaron "I consider myself an Open Format DJ. For Pride events and LGBT clubs, I spin the big room around with dance anthems."

2pm EvenflO 3pm Tony Alonso 4 pm Sante 6–7pm JuJu

Sunday, June 21 10am: Chris Cornell 11am: Christopher Fish 12 pm: Kyree Myst 1pm: Craig C and Brent 2pm: Skunk 3pm Shane Cox

ORGULLA LATINO STAGE

4pm: Markie 5pm: Sinna G

Sabado (Saturday) 11am: DJ Buzzy

Sante

11:45am: Untraceable Talent

Something for every distinctive palette. His track selection and performance are customized to perfectly enhance every atmosphere.

12pm: Ballet Herencia Mexicana 12:30pm: LISTOS Talent

Shane Cox

1:30pm Antonio Reyna

Shane’s a pretty enigmatic DJ whose style is hard to pin down. You’re gonna have to trust us when we say: Catch one of his shows.

1:50pm: DJ Chula 2:30pm: Victor Morales 3pm: Untraceable Talent

Sinna G

Styles include house, electro, lounge, downtempo, minimal, nu-soul, tech-house, soulful house, Top 40, radio remixes, tribal, circuit house, dutch house, and progressive house. Won OutFront’s OUTstanding DJ in 2014 and 2011.

DJ Skunk

Evan Nelson has been on the Denver scene for nearly 20 years. Music style is best described as deep rhythmic techno soul.

Tony Alonso

Primarily house music and remixes. Playing the Denver gay scene since 2011.

DJ Buzzy

Electrohouse-orientated group composed of Mac East and Sev Collazo. In the group, Mac writes and Sev edits.

3:15pm: Lucely Show 4:15pm: Ballet Herencia Mexicana 4:45pm Antonio Reyna

Domingo (Sunday) 10am: DJ Buzzy 10:45am: Ballet Herencia Mexicana 11:15am Untraceable Talent 11:50am: Antonio Reyna 12:30: Dancers 1pm: LISTOS Talent 2:45: DJ Chula 3:30pm: Nora Del Mar 5pm: Grupo Kaoba

5pm: DJ Chula

"EXCUSE ME, SIR, MAY I HAVE THIS TWERK?" THERE’S NEVER A BETTER TIME or reason to hit up a club or three than Pride season. No matter which deafening dance floor you visit, there’s bound to be something to see, someone intriguing to talk to, and memories to be made. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to act when they slip their leash and tear up the town. Don’t forget to bring your manners and a bit of class when you head to the club. Both are sure to serve you better than flashing the doorman a peek at your fun bags. You know the ones I’m talkin’ about.

If you ask someone to dance or if you can buy them a drink and they decline, respect their decision and wish them a good night.

O'Brian Gunn

”

Bartenders Are People Too

drinks at once if you manage to catch the bartender during an

Before you and your friends attack the bar for that first drink

especially busy time. There’s no telling when the bartender

of the night, take a moment to see how busy the bar and the

will be able to swing around your way again. While you’re

bartenders are. If the bar is four or more deep, it’s better that

at it, it’s a good idea to get the bartender’s name to make it

you have one person order for everyone or order all of your

easier to get her or his attention later.

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

Hey, DJ! If you go to a club where the DJ takes requests, don’t take his or her kindness for granted and request a song every time the bass drops. You’ll also want to refrain from incessantly reminding the DJ about your request if it takes a while to play. Remember that there are probably several other people who absolutely need to hear their favorite artist to set the mood. Also, the DJ might play songs according to the current mood of the crowd, and your selection might not fit the mood just yet. Besides, what better feeling is there than suddenly hearing your current favorite song when you least expect it?

Move It, Sucka! One of the least enjoyable things about going to a club is attempting to maneuver through the press of gyrating, ambling, and standing bodies while trying your best to avoid stepping on anyone’s feet or having your feet stepped on. Don’t be that douche who shoves and shoulders through a crowd like people should just know not to stand where you step. Gently touch the other person’s shoulder or back, move a bit closer to their ear, and say, “Excuse me.” You’ll suddenly feel like Moses. If you do happen to bump into someone or step on their shoes, repeat those two magic words. Words can serve as a great asset no matter where you are, so wield them with wisdom.

You Can Come Better Than That Have respect and tact when you approach someone in a club or bar. If you ask someone to dance or if you can buy them a drink and they decline, respect their decision and wish them a good night. Begging, clinging, and being aggressive are all a waste of time and good ways to get popped in the mouth. No matter how much you want Shorty to swing your way, he or she just might not be feeling the game you’re spittin’, and that’s perfectly fine. Other than a gentle hand on the shoulder or back, refrain from putting your hands on someone and respect their physical space, even in a packed club. Anything can go down in a club, but it should always be consensual. Always.

No matter how primal the energy might be in a club or bar, be respectful. Doing so can keep you from getting kicked out, knocked out, or bailed out. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

out and gets really popular for it. I’d choose this one for a group of friends winding down after a night out.

Getting Go This fictional documentary-style flick is worth watching for the eye-candy, but you’ll stick around for the really intriguing storyline. To get close to a really hot go go dancer, a guy pretends he’s filming a documentary about his lifestyle. They end up getting together, but it’s not what he expects.

Pageant

OUR FAVORITE LGBT MOVIES ON NETFLIX YOU DAY-DRANK PRETTY HARD AT the park, and you need a night in recovering with a flick. You’re still in the Pride spirit, though, and Netflix has a ton of gay options for whatever mood you’re in. Here are some favorites. Chris Arneson

Beginners

Bridegroom

An older man within days of death reveals to his son that he’s gay. More of a drama, this film is really charming with a great script. There’s plenty of humor to save this one from being a downer.

Though ultimately sad, Bridegroom is a really important documentary that delves into some key issues still present in the LGBT community. Basically, you’re looking at the story of two incredibly attractive boyfriends. One dies, and the other tries to deal with his late partner’s unaccepting family. Buckle up and break out a bottle of wine and some tissues.

Blue is the Warmest Color Blue is the poignant journey of a young girl discovering her sexuality. It’s in French, so get used to reading subtitles for a while. Overall, though, it’s worth a watch if you’re looking for a legit lesbian love story with some browraising hookup scenes. 48

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

GBF Think Mean Girls or Easy A — except a little gayer. I expected to really hate this one, but it was a consistent, fun watch. A gay teen accidentally comes

If you want to watch a documentary about drag queens, choose this. It follows several queens on their path to compete in 2008’s Miss Gay America pageant. You might recognize Pork Chop from Drag Race.

Private Romeo Think Romeo and Juliet goes gay in military school. The story is poignant, and the acting is decent. The original Shakespearean dialogue is kept, so watch out for that … but you’ll get used to it.

We Were Here This documentary follows five individuals in San Francisco as they experience the AIDS crisis. If you weren’t around to see it firsthand, this historical work is worthy of your time.

Weekend Did you watch Looking? The same guy made this film. You can expect the same indie style with a captivating script. Two young men contemplate turning a one-night-stand into something more.

Were the World Mine A young gay man finds inspiration in his school’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and concocts a potion that essentially turns his entire school gay. It’s partially a musical, and the music is actually memorable. A fun watch.

The Largest Consumer Audio Show in the USA October 2-4, 2015 Marriott Denver Tech Center Denver, Colorado

www.audiofest.net OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

STOP!

HANGOVER TIME STAY IN GOOD SPIRITS THIS Pride by watching it with the spirits. Bartenders are sure to be generous with the pours, which is a good thing the night you’re out in bars and clubs, but a bad thing the morning after. Take a few hangover prevention tips with you before you head out into the glamour and glitz of Denver Pride nights.

While you might not know where the night will take you, we all know where you’ll be in the morning if you don’t take steps to prevent a hangover.

”

O'Brian Gunn

Proper Prevention Starts With Proper Preparation No matter how busy your schedule might be, leave time to eat a hearty meal before you start tossin’ back the dranks. This hangover prevention tip is widely shared, and with good reason. A good meal lines your stomach and slows down the rate at which you absorb alcohol. If you aren’t hungry or are unable to eat beforehand, stop by a convenience store and buy a carton of milk to achieve the same effect. 50

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

Water It Down Give your liver (and your wallet) a break and have some water between drinks. While you’re guzzling some good ol’ H2O, you’re giving your liver a chance to break down the alcohol in your system. Plus, water’s just plain good for you anyway. You also have to remember that you’ll become thirstier as the night wears on, and quenching your thirst with water is better. You’ll especially want to drink water if you’re sweating rainbows on the crowded dance floor.

Have Some Milk Thistle to Cut the Hangover Gristle While the effects of drinking liquid milk thistle or taking it in tablet form haven’t been proven, there’s a good chance the herbal medicine can help make the effects of any hangover you have easier to bear. To test the theory out and see if it helps your liver process alcohol faster, you’ll want to take milk thistle before you start throwing back shots and again before you go to bed.

Light Is Right If you don’t plan on drinking very much, you can order up whatever you like. If you know you’ll be drinking a lot — or if there’s even a chance you’ll be drinking a lot — stick with gin and vodka. Clear liquors are distilled, which purifies them. Gin and vodka also have less congeners, which are toxic chemicals often found in dark liquors, red wines, and brandy. Keep yourself in the clear by drinking clear. That being said, you can still have a hangover if you toss back a bottle of white wine, so use your head before you start poppin’ bottles.

Just Say No to Caffeine You may think drinking coffee or anything that contains caffeine helps cure or prevent a hangover, but the opposite is true. You might experience some temporary relief from the caffeine buzz, but you’ll regain your hangover status later. Another reason not to drink coffee is that it makes you even more dehydrated than the alcohol and irritates your already taxed stomach. Do yourself a favor and stick with water.

Shake Off the Shakes If you get a bite to eat after shutting down the club, order up some toast and honey if you have the option. The combination of fructose, potassium, and sodium helps replenish the nutrients you lost while drinking and keeps you from feeling shaky the morning after. You can also have a banana and a glass of pure fruit juice to keep your nutrient levels out of the red.

While you might not know where the night will take you, we all know where you’ll be in the morning if you don’t take steps to prevent a hangover. Use these tips to keep from hugging the porcelain and swearing off alcohol the morning after. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM

Jerusalem Restaurant @ 1890 E Evans Ave.

STAY OUT LATE AND STILL EAT GREAT YOU’RE ALL PRIDE-ED OUT FOR the night and your stomach is demanding some late-night sustenance. You may not know where to go if you’re visiting us from out of town, and you may not care to look up the nearest chain restaurant, no matter how great the waffles at Waffle House sound at two in the morning. Thankfully, Denver’s got you covered with a variety of great latenight restaurants to please your taste buds and your cravings. O'Brian Gunn

Tom’s Diner @ 601 E Colfax Ave.

No Denver restaurant list would be complete without at least mentioning Pete’s Kitchen. The family-owned restaurant is steeped in history and shares its name with five other Pete’s restaurants scattered throughout Denver. This is the place to go when the final beat fades in the club and the last drink is poured at the bar.

Another Colfax favorite, Tom’s Diner is a great dive joint and gathering spot for night owls. Here you’ll have your pick of simple but tasty food fare, such as chicken fried steak, club sandwiches, huevos rancheros, and eggs and bacon. Don’t expect to be dazzled by the interior of Tom’s, unless if you’re thoroughly impressed with golden-age diner décor. Both Tom’s and Pete’s aim to feed your stomach, your eyes, and your appetite for good conversation with strangers. High-class diners with equally high-class tastes will more than likely be left with much to be desired, but at least they’ll be well-welcomed with open booths.

PRIDE & SUMMER GUIDE 2015

Barricuda’s @ 1076 Ogden St. Barricuda’s is a neighborhood favorite found in Cap Hill, where you’re sure to feel like family, if you know what I mean. They offer a late-night menu until 1am that offers a popcorn shrimp basket, taquitos, veggie burritos, and burgers. Swinging by after one? No need to worry, as there’s a late late menu until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays with eggs benedict, grilled cheese, chicken cordon bleu, breakfast tacos, and omelettes.

Two-Fisted Mario’s Pizza @

Pete’s Kitchen @ 1962 E Colfax Ave.

You’re sure to feel right at home at Pete’s and find something you like, including anything from breakfast burritos and gyros to pancakes and sandwiches. The portions are generous and the prices are low. Be sure to check out the wall of autographs and pictures of celebrities in the back.

If you don’t mind doing a bit of driving or taking a Lyft to the DU (Denver University) neighborhood, Jerusalem serves up Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare that is not to be missed. The family-owned restaurant has been in business for more than 30 years. If you aren’t familiar with Mediterranean or Middle Eastern food, you’re in for a real treat. Here you’ll find falafel, shawarma, gyros, kabobs, baklava, and more. Try not to arrive too late, as they close at 4am Sunday through Thursday and at 5am on Friday and Saturday.

1626 Market St.

Head on over to Two-Fisted Mario’s Pizza, if you don’t stay out too late this Pride. Open until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, the joint is found in LoDo and is renowned for its beer, music, and general dive-y atmosphere. Sit down for a spell and enjoy a single slice of pizza or a medium or large pie with toppings ranging from Italian sausage, ham, and pineapple to spinach, olives, and mushrooms. The only thing missing is a TV, a Nintendo 64, and Mario Kart 65.

Now in addition to Pride events, you’ve got a slew of great late-night eating options to choose from. Having so much pride has never tasted quite so good.