Denver’s hottest event for LGBTQ youth, Queer Prom, takes place Saturday May 19. This year’s Queer Prom theme is Queerpocalypse, so youth should expect some post-apocalyptic fun. Organizers expect a large youth turnout: Last year, almost 200 youth attended.

Queer Prom is produced by Rainbow Alley, The GLBT Community Center’s youth program, and is not attached to a school. Youth are free to bring whomever they want while presenting however they want. Queer Prom is open to any LGBTQ and ally youth in the community.

Cory Barrett, Rainbow Alley’s director, says that Queer Prom is important because LGBTQ youth may avoid going to a prom at their school since “they do not see it as a place for themselves or others like them.”

“Prom is a part of the traditional adolescent development of a youth,” Barrett explains. “Rainbow Alley produces Queer Prom as a means of allowing youth to engage in this rite of passage in an environment that is not only safe but honors youth for who they are regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.”

Unlike a conventional prom, there is no formal dress code. Barrett stresses, “We do not want clothes to hold youth back from participating.”
Like many other proms, Queer Prom will offer a photo station so that individuals, couples, and groups can take pictures to remember the evening. There is no cost for photography services, which are sponsored by Hewlett Packard.

Throughout the evening, there will be drag and dance performances. A door prize drawing will take place every hour, and youth will also have the opportunity to win prizes in sexual health trivia games.

Youth will also vote for prom royalty in four categories: Prom King, Prom Queen, Prom Drag King, and Prom Dray Kween.

If youth still feel like dancing after the prom, an afterparty will take place in Rainbow Alley’s drop-in center until 2:30 a.m.
Queer Prom is an opportunity to create new memories, meet other like-minded youth, and make new friends. Youth won’t want to miss this fun-filled evening!

The Alexander Foundation’s annual Spring Fling fundraiser May 11 promises “good food, good libations and a lovely host to make attendees feel welcome,” said Palmer Pekarek, Director of Communications for the all-volunteer Colorado LGBT charity organization.

“It was founded because GLBT people face a different set of circumstances that aren’t always understood by other agencies,” Pekarek said of the foundation – started in 1981 – which provides financial assistance to LGBT Coloradans needing emergency relief for food and housing, financial assistance in health care crises and scholarships.

In more recent years, “other agencies are coming around,” Pekarek said, but he said the foundation still offers very immediate access for those needing help on a short timeline.

The foundation is on track to give $60,000 to the community through crisis funds this year, which will be boosted by the Spring Fling ticket sales – tickets cost $45 for students and $85 for others.

And it’s an especially important time to help those in need, Pekarek said.

“I think given the economy, [some people in the LGBT community] are experiencing harder times. Choosing between paying for food and healthcare this month is not a good choice to have,” Pekarek said.
Pekarek said all are invited to the May 11 Spring Fling, which is from 6 to 9 p.m. at the residence of Tom Dang and Jerry Green, 2330 E. Louisiana Avenue in Denver. To purchase tickets, go to http://ofcnow.co/ykA6.

For more information on The Alexander Foundation, the TAF Spring Fling or to consider volunteering for the organization, visit http://ofcnow.co/alex.

Mike Maez and Michael Hobbs – partners in both love and business – have owned the prized pride store Heaven Sent Me since October 2010. Maez and Hobbs came to the business with ideas to transform its image from a “rainbow store” to a stop for all types of LGBT merchandise.

The duo has begun to sell books, magazines, underwear, rubber gear, lube, fetish gear and other adult products, and now shares its space with local leather gear business CJ’s Leather. They also invested in a makeover for the old brick building on Broadway.

After a year and a half of upgrades, they decided a new name is in order.

“We no longer have to brand ourselves with rainbows to feel a part of the community,” Maez said. “We are more accepted and have become a more valued part of the fabric of society at large.”

The new name is “One in Ten,” which Maez said reflects the percentage of the population who identify as LGBT.

Yet Maez and Hobbs say one thing about the re-named shop will never change: commitment to the community.

“Michael and I are heavily involved with various organizations in Colorado’s GLBT community,” Maez said. “We volunteer our time, we reinvest in the community through donations. We take a role in being socially and politically active.”

Maez said many turn to corporate chains like The Crypt, Fascinations and Romantix for adult toys – but One in Ten promises the community much more: a business that has policies and practices that are truly in line with the LGBT community’s struggle for equality, he said.

One in Ten is located at 16 S. Broadway, Denver 80209.

Why so shy, Amber Lee?

The Houston Sisters — Amber Lee and Mercedes — reunited for a rare performance at Tracks April 30. Amber Lee, better known by kids today as Scott E. Crotzer, Tracks’ general manager, and Mercedes ruled back in the day at “old Tracks.”

The duo dawned their faces once again for a special performance during a viewing party for RuPaul’s Drag Race. The club also hosted Ginger Sexton’s The Ultimate Club Kid finale. Three lady bois battled it out and Scarlet Red took the crown.

So, is Amber Lee planning a full on comeback. Don’t count on it.

The time has come to once again to help a Denver queen earn her a spot on RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The breakout hit featuring drag queens competing to be crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar started with online voting. That’s how Denver’s Nina Flowers landed on season one. A queen from Denver has yet to return to the workroom since. But that can all change with a little help from you.

Ginger Sexton is in the running for a spot on Season 5.

You can vote for Sexton via Facebook once a day here.

The first round of voting ends April 30. The top five queen will advance to a second round that lasts just two days. Sexton is currently in sixth place.

Last year, Sexton was voted Logo’s Absoult Drag Queen in a similar online contest. She was recently named Denver’s OUTstanding Drag Queen in Out Front Colorado’s reader survey.

In the LGBT community, we’re familiar with the threat of violence. We read about it, hear about it, witness it or experience traumatic incidents – ranging from domestic violence to hate crimes – all too often.

But do we talk about it? Not as much, said Crystal Middlestadt, the director of training and education at the Colorado Anti-Violence Program.

“Violence is something many people do not want to talk about,” Middlestadt said. “However, it is something that every member of our community is vulnerable to, and one that takes a huge toll on the resilience of our communities.”

CAVP, founded in 1986, is a nonprofit dedicated to ending violence and rehabilitating members of the LGBT community who have been victimized. The organization deals with hate violence, intimate partner violence, HIV-motivated violence, dating violence, stalking, verbal or physical harassment, threats and even suicide, Middlestadt said.

According to Middlestadt, half the cases the CAVP deals with are intimate partner violence or violence by family members against LGBT people. Middlestadt said partner violence is just as prevalent in LGBT relationships as in cases involving heterosexual couples, but is “just less visible, or people are more anxious about talking about it because of fears around being outed, not being believed, being mistreated by police or service providers, or being denied shelter,” she said.

A 2010 CAVP study found gay men are the subset of the LGBT community most likely to be victims of domestic or intimate partner violence. Statistics also showed a 25 percent increase in police brutality against LGBT people that year – which mean’s it’s that much more important to know where victims can turn.

CAVP works to raise awareness through training, education workshops, events and poster campaigns and a 24-hour statewide toll-free hotline. The CAVP hosts is signature fundraising event, the 5th annual Pancake Breakfast, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., July 14 at an undetermined high school in Denver.

The Human Rights Campaign’s 2012 Mile High Gala was held April 21 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown Denver.

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennett, U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, State Sen. Pat Steadman, State Rep. Mark Ferrandino, Mary Louise Lee and Kathy Najimy were among the speakers, presenters and performers at this year’s event.

Outstanding Youth Awards were presented to Kevin Maza of Wheat Ridge and Cody Medina of Montrose as a result of the work they accomplished working towards social justice and equality.

Joe Barrows won the Paul Hunter Award for his activism and tireless efforts in the advancement of equality for Coloradoans.

The 21st anniversary celebration featured a reception, silent auction, dinner, dessert and after party.

Photos by Charles Broshous

Plenty of revelers packed Bar Standard April 13 for DJ Tatiana’s Pornstar 2nd Fridays. This month’s event, dubbed “Muscle Gods Edition” featured hot house music, X-rated drink specials, sexy dancers and of course, porn stars. DJ Spencer Reed, Robert Van Damme and Blake, the 2008 Playgirl Man of the Year were April’s special guests. A portion of the proceeds benefits The Center. Pornstar 2nd Fridays was voted OUTstanding monthly male party for 2012.

Photos by Charles Broshous