Colorado Nonprofit to Advocate for Gay Causes

If you’re gay and living in Colorado, One Colorado wants to hear from you.

The new nonprofit organization launched an online survey meant to capture the pulse of Colorado’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community last weekend. It has already had thousands of responses.

“So far, it’s been pretty impressive,” said interim executive director Lea Ann Purvis.

The confidential survey, directed toward GLBT people across the state, asks about various topics, including discrimination and church affiliation.

“The questions generally are trying to get at what are people’s issues and how passionate are they about them,” Purvis said.

She said the issues, in many instances, run parallel to what most Coloradans worry about — unemployment, transportation and education all make the list.

The survey will run throughout the month.

Read more: denverpost.com!

Gay Ski Weeks Planned in Colorado

The producers of Telluride Gay Ski Week 2010 have brought on board the Matthew Shepard Foundation, one of the leading GLBT education, advocacy and awareness organizations in the United States, as its 2010 Presenting Sponsor. Meanwhile, Vail Gay Ski Week 2010 organizers are giving each guest a complimentary two-night lodging package in Las Vegas when booking two or more nights’ accommodations through the event’s website at any of the hotel and condo properties offered.

“As home to the largest ski resort in the U.S.A., Vail Gay Ski Week will provide an affordable ski destination within easy access of the GLBT community in Denver and those traveling to Denver,” said Tommy Z. Hoffman, founder of Vail Gay Ski Week. “We are excited to offer this exclusive travel offer to our guests to thank them for supporting our event.”

More at: First Tracks – Online Ski Magazine!

The Anti-Gay Twist of the Balloon Boy Saga

You know you have bad parents when they fool the the entire world into thinking that their six-year-old son is stuck in a balloon floating in the Colorado air. You know you have even worse parents when those same people allow their children to record a homophobic rap video, complete with lines like “I hate gay faggots, I hit ‘em with a bat,” and (possibly) “Faggot tried to pee on me.”

Yup, it’s official. The Balloon Boy saga has taken another turn for the absolute weird.

For those who have managed to escape the absurdity of this story, it all revolves around the Heene family in Colorado, and a set of parents, Richard and Mayumi, who have three children — Falcon, Bradford and Ryo. The parents duped the world into believing that Falcon was caught in a balloon last week, while he was off either hanging in the rafters of the family’s attic or down the street playing basketball (nobody knows where the hell he was — it’s just clear he wasn’t in the balloon).

More at: Change.org – Gay Rights!

Back to School Means High Anxiety for Many CO Teens

By now, most Colorado teens are back in school, and of course stress levels are up because of homework, assignments, peer pressure, and more. However, for many of the state’s gay youth, or those perceived as gay, there’s an extra level of fear and anxiety that comes along with each school day. That’s according to Cory Barrett, who directs youth services for Rainbow Alley in Denver. He hears from local youth dealing with bullying, harassment, threats and even being physically hurt by fellow students.

“This has actually lead to quite a few students skipping school or having unacceptable absences, and so forth, just because of that fear.”

Barrett says places like Rainbow Alley and growing numbers of gay-straight alliance groups are working with schools to make education a more comfortable experience for all teens.

Read more at: Public News Service!

The Religious Right Saving the Children from the Gay Agenda

There is an article in the Denver Post about a new add campaign being launched by the LGBT Community Center of Colorado with the help from Denver marketing firm, Peak Creative Media.

They have spent $100,000 on the campaign whit the goal of building public awareness of 5 state laws designed to prevent discrimination and protect the rights of LGBT citizens.

According to the post, the five laws:

Support second-parent adoptions and designated-beneficiary agreements for unmarried couples; provide enforcement against hate crimes; and prohibit job and housing discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Also according to the post, they used superheros because the “laws are written in dry, dull legalese” and the superhero theme is “an engaging, fun, entertaining and yet informative way to get people to become familiar with the laws.”

Oh, but wait…it’s not that simple. The Religious Right has already started attacking the campaign for using superheros. They claim this is just another part the “Gay Agenda” and how the LGBT community is trying to recruit children.

David Frisco of the Examiner has found us out. He states:

“cartoons are viewed overwhelmingly by children, and as such, can be detrimental to them due to inappropriate content or influence.”

and ends by stating since superheros are being used in the campaign, “The homosexual agenda is being marketed to children.”

First of all, I didn’t know that children were typically concerned with laws that deal with beneficiaries, housing or hate-crimes. But lets say they were, being that hate, discrimination and prejudice are all learned traits, what harm would be caused by letting children know that if Johnny or Susie has two moms or two dads, that’s no reason to dislike Johnny or Susie? I simply don’t understand the Religious Right’s Agenda of perpetuating fear, anger, and hate towards the LGBT community…because the Bible tells them so.

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