One suspect is dead, another in custody after a shooting today around noon in the Mayfair neighborhood right in front of Aqua Lounge and The Cluttered Closet (both are gay owned businesses.)

Two armed suspects robbed a cell phone store in the shopping center at 6245 E. 14th Ave. in Denver.  Over 20 police units were on scene within minutes.

Fleeing from the cell phone store, the gun-men made their way through the shopping center that holds several shops including a 7-11 – located right across the street from Aqua Lounge. That’s where one of the suspects pointed a gun at Robert Oudenhoven, who was parked in front of the 7-11 in his black Jeep. “The suspect pointed a gun at Robert,” said Laurence Sermo who owns The Cluttered Closet with his partner Patrick.  Sermo went on to tell gayzette that Oudenhoven told the gunman he could have the truck. “No, you’re going to drive”, the suspect replied.

That’s when police shot the gunman dead right beside Oudenhoven’s truck which can be seen parked in front of the 7-11.

Robert Oudenhoven works as a bartender at the R&R Lounge. He was not injured in the gun fire.

A second suspect was arrested after police found him hiding in a dumpster behind Krameria Cafe. The glass is shattered at 7-11.  A bullet hole went through the glass of a window at Aqua Lounge. The bar was not open at the time of the shooting.

“Were just glad everyone is ok,” Sermo said.

The DAV (Disabled American Veterans) told ICRME (Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire) today that their organization was not interested in associating with gay groups; that according to ICRME Emperor Dan Yates.

ICRME fundraiser “Momma” Becky Linger planned the Oct 28 which was to benefit DAV at Club Pure. “I have been a long time supporter of the DAV, my son was in the military, and for years I’ve donated to the non-profit.” But Linger tells gayzette that those days are now gone.

Karen Rosa of the Disabled American Veterans showed great interest in the fundraiser scheduled to benefit them. However, her supervisors did not share in that enthusiasm who wanted “no association with a gay organization.”

Prior to the shoe dropping, it was explained to the DAV that although sending a representative from their organization to the Oct 28 show would be nice; it was not required – DAV would simply get a check in the mail from ICRME. “We were told that the DAV would not accept our check” said Linger.

The show is still planned for Oct. 28 without a beneficiary. More more information on the ICRME visit www.icrme.org

The Orange Party organized by Elitch Gardens, which was to be held this Friday, Oct. 7th as a benefit for Colorado AIDS Project and The Center has been canceled. Elitch’s website states:

“Due to lack of consumer participation, Elitch Gardens, The Center and Colorado AIDS Project have come to a mutual decision to cancel The Orange Party originally scheduled for October 7.

The Orange Party was planned to bring the GLBT community together for a night of costumes, music, coasters and enjoying Elitch Gardens’ Fright Fest as well as to raise money for The Center and Colorado AIDS Project. Elitch Gardens will donate an undisclosed amount to both organizations despite the cancellation of The Orange Party.

Guests will automatically be refunded their money for The Orange Party.

Elitch Gardens, The Center and Colorado AIDS Project would like to thank all of the supporters who came together to help organize and support The Orange Party. We apologize for any inconvenience the cancellation may have caused.”

Bottom line – Not enough advance tickets were sold. It was unclear if Elitch’s planned on selling admission at the door, as this was billed as a private event. — Bummer! It would have been a great time!

Gay Night at Elitch’s (The Orange Party) is this Friday, October 7th. Do you have your tickets yet? The Orange Party organized by Elitch’s is a private Halloween event for the GLBT community benefiting Colorado AIDS Project and The Center. Ticket price includes 3 Haunted Houses and admission to the Theme Park; but Elitch’s has taken things a step further by bringing in top-notch DJ’s like Tatiana, Chaotic and Micro (just to name a few). There will be Drag Shows, a Go-Go Galaxy, Fire Dancers and a whole lot more to enjoy! When you consider admission to the park is right around 40.00 bucks on it’s own, and a price of just one haunted house in Denver is around $20.00 — this night is a steal of a deal, benefiting two great gay charities!

There are two levels of ticket admission:

For $50.00 you get admission to the Theme Park (which includes rides!) and  3 World Class Haunted Houses - Brutal Planet, Blood Bath &  Grind House.

At the $100.00 level, you get access to the VIP Lounge which includes an OPEN BAR!

Tickets to this private event are available for advance sale right now at www.elitchgardens.com/GLBT (enter promo code: ORANGE)

On Saturday, October 1st at 7 p.m., Tracks will be hosting a benefit to support Keshet’s work in Colorado and across the country. Mix and mingle, hear how two straight Jewish men transformed the Denver LGBT party scene, then dance the night away.

7:00 pm – Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
8:00 pm – A conversation with MARTIN CHERNOFF, co-founder of Tracks
9:30 pm – Stay for the best dance party in Denver!

The interactive conversation will explore the club’s early years and Tracks’ 31 years of being one of the top LGBT nightclubs in the country. ANDREW FEINSTEIN, co-owner of Tracks, IDIT KLEIN, Keshet’s ED, and DAVID SHNEER, Keshet Board Vice Chair, will also be featured speakers.

Host Committee

Chairs
Justin and Tobey Borus
Gregg Drinkwater and David Shneer
Andrew Feinstein
Jane E. and Stanton Rosenbaum

Shayna Alexander
Judy Altenberg and Bruce Plotkin
Corky Blakenship
Brad Clark
Goldie and Joel Cohen
Angela and Daniel Feiner
Dylan Geller
Christopher Ott and Jeremy Simons
Evan and Kelli Pfaf
Cintra Pollack
Dan Recht and Elaine Selsberg
Willie Recht
David and Tara Rontal
Jamie Sarche
Ean Seeb
Amy Toltz-Miller

$36 – Purchase tickets at: http://keshettracksbenefit.eventbrite.com/ 21+
Hors d’oeuvres provided by Eden

Ticket proceeds benefit Keshet’s work for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Jews in Jewish life.

The local chapter the the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is holding a special roof top reception / community meeting on September 17th at The Center. They invite you to come down and hear about how you can make a difference in our community!

The two hour meeting will highlight what the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is doing to make our lives better here in Colorado and how you can build power, take action and create change.

Special guest speakers include NGLTF, Executive Director, Rea Carey. Wine and appetizers will be served.

As space is limited for this special engagement you are asked to RSVP by September 14 to Cynde Horne, chorne@thetaskforce.org or 646.358.1473.

Saturday, September 17
6:00 – 8:00pm
The GLBT Community Center of Colorado
1301 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80218

BAR WARS 2011 was held on Sunday, Sept 11th at Charlie’s Denver. The event which was hosted and produced by gayzette raised a grand total of $5622.00 for Colorado AIDS Project. Congratulations to Karl Wesley of the Compound who came out on top as Best Bartender in the Mile High Galaxy with a total of 3824 points. X Bar and There Bar tied for second place with 3030 points each, and Charlie’s finished in third with 2357 points.

Gayzette would like to thank our partner sponsors, Absolut Vodka and Charlie’s Denver. Another round of thanks to Goddess Duane, Martini Monroe for emceeing the evening, Missy for counting the chips; as well as several dedicated volunteers that helped make the event a smashing success!

In a down economy this type of money is hard to raise. We thank everyone who came out and drank a litte… ok a lot, in support of BAR WARS.

A special thank you to the eight bars who worked very hard to raise money towards the event by selling placards in their establishments for an entire month. The night of BAR WARS these bars brought it! - Drinks, Flair, Auctions & Entertainment! – The audience loved every moment of it! A million thank yous to: Compound, JR’s, Barker Lounge, There Bar, X Bar, R&R Lounge, Charlie’s and Boyztown.

Pima County Republicans have come up with a new type of fundraiser to help “get out the vote”. They are raffling off a handgun – the same type of handgun used in the attempted assassination of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Actually this gun (a Glock 23) is a little stronger than the Glock 19 used by Jared Lee Loughner in his shooting rampage less than a year ago.

And according to Arizona Republicans you’d better act quickly if you want in on this raffle because they are only selling 125 of these $10.00 tickets and they are going FAST! —- Just as fast as the six other people whose lives were taken on January 8th, 2011; because although Gabrielle survived, six other people, including a federal judge and a nine year old bystander.

The gun comes with three 12-round magazines, adjustable grip and a case – as described by the Pima County Republicans eTracks Newsletter which can be viewed in it’s entirety here.

Republican, Democrat or otherwise. Bad idea made worse by the state it’s being held in and the circumstance surrounding. – She’s not even fully recovered yet!!!

Making things worse the idiots only stand to raise $1250.00

News of Chaz Bono being cast on season 13 of Dancing with the Stars has created the usual (and by today’s standards, expected) controversy over at www.abc.com . Here are just a few of the comments of over one thousand:

blue_persuasion, writes:

Mr. Know It All is the first single from Kelly Clarkson’s forthcoming fifth studio album, Stronger – due out Oct. 25th.