Movies selected for the Desperado Film Festival reflect the comedy and drama of LGBT life. PLUS: Festival details and the film schedule.
Matthew Ludwinski can identify with the trials of his character in the film Going Down in La-La Land.
The directors of the documentary Wish Me Away talk about following country singer Chely Wright's coming out story,
Film critic Neil Cohen gives his assessment of six of the movies to be screened at the Desperado Film Festival.
Films that deal with gender identity are a major theme at this year's film festival.
Christopher Bradley's experience as an actor helped him direct his short film, The Violation.
Musical performances are a new feature at this year's film festival.
Comedian Thai Rivera will use shows in Scottsdale as material for his first DVD.
Unmarried couples in Flagstaff will soon be able to register as domestic partners.
Drag novices will get their own pageant when Miss Gay Arizona USofA introduces a newcomers competition.
The work of gay-straight school organizations will be recognized with the first National Gay-Straight Alliance Day.
A new scholarship at ASU is open to students who identify as LGBT.
Film Festival Preview
Liz Massey sees the benefit of working with a life coach who can reinforce the ideas of choice and acceptance.
Bruce Christian reflects on the life and death of Tom Panciccia, a pioneer in the fight for gays in the military.
Melissa Myers and Michael Tucker say gay couples approach financial planning differently from their straight counterparts.
Meg Sneed says activists need to know when it's time to take a break.
Tony Felice provides a playbook for those planning to attend a Super Bowl party with business associates.
Nate Whitten uses the prospect of doomsday to encourage a fitness routine.
Claudine M. Wessel steps back to the past for lunch at the soda fountain at MacAlpine's. PLUS: The owner of MacAlpine's talks about why she's interested in preserving the store.
Craig Peterson test drives a fantasy vehicle, the limited edition Porsche Cayman R.
Neil Cohen reviews Albert Nobbs and Pariah. PLUS: Previews of three movies coming to theaters.
Previews of three productions coming to Arizona stages — The Dixie Swim Club, My Fair Lady and Cabaret.
Kurt Niece says the gay character in Happy Endings is a realistic mess.
Bob Lind reviews four new books, including Butterfly Boy: Memories of a Chicano Mariposa.
Broadway song and dance man Gavin Creel releases Noise, a message for his brothers and sisters in the LGBT community.
An out actor in the cast of the touring company talks about how a Broadway classic speaks to issues of racism and equality.
Echo's film critic Neil Cohen lists the best and worst movies of 2011. PLUS: The Phoenix Film Critics Society makes its awards.
Miss Gay America plans a series of performances in Phoenix.
Transgender singer-songwriter hits Arizona to promote her new album, 10 Bones.
A three-woman lesbian rock band is becoming a local favorite.
Caleb Laieski is recognized for his work for safer schools, lobbying at the local, state and national levels.
Kado Stewart is the woman behind the annual OUTdoors! gay camp.
Merik Castro took on a local school board in 2011, then set his sights on the Arizona School Board Association. PLUS: More stories about youth in 2011.
A member of the touring company of Stomp says every show is different.
Cirque du Soleil pays tribute to Michael Jackson with its new show, The Immortal World Tour.
Five top local stories from 2011 include a shooting, a coming out and a community center in crisis. PLUS: Other local milestones.
Echo's managing editor found that not everyone is anxious to go on the record in 2011.
Save the date for dozens of events planned in the new year.
Community members and allies make plans for the new year
Stacey Jay Cavaliere ranks the top albums from the past year.
Humberto Bandera is dancing in Ballet Arizona's The Nutcracker, but his journey to the Phoenix stage started with an escape from Cuba.
Actress Rena Riffel writes and stars in Showgirls 2: Penny's From Heaven.
Designer Travis Smith combined his passions for holiday and mid-century design when he wrote Kitschmasland!: Christmas Décor from the 1950s to the 1970s,
Children are a big part of the holidays when Melinda Murphy and Dorian Kreiling stage Christmas at their home.
After a painful coming out, Nate Whitten's Christmas includes finding new ways to celebrate with partner Ben Burke.
Tucson writer Shannon Cain explores female protagonists living in ways that are outside the mainstream in her book of short stories, The Necessity of Certain Behaviors.
Mark Cole, the new managing director at Arizona Theatre Company talks about his life and work.
The LGBT concert band plans its second Christmas concert, which will be staged in Phoenix and Glendale.
The women's chorus will celebrate a multicultural holiday.
A holiday concert marks the emergence of a classical women's community choir.
Group gets inspiration from a TV show for a parody of the Glee holiday episode.
A downtown Phoenix hotel's rooftop venue will set the stage for a party featuring a forest of Christmas trees.
Exposed Studio & Gallery hosts a fundraiser featuring teddy bears decorated by local artists.
The drag troupe puts its spin on the holidays with its first Christmas show.
Pianist Nicole Pesce willperform seasonal favorites for a show that will benefit the church.
A Tucson chorus will present gay-themed renditions of holiday songs.
YEP! House youth and Logan's Playground will benefit from contributions of gifts and toys.
Billy Knoop opens his historic house as part of a Phoenix holiday home tour.
Neil Cohen previews seasonal shows coming to stages around the Valley. PLUS: There will be snow in the desert when White Christmas comes to ASU Gammage.
Stacey Jay Cavaliere reports on 10 new holiday albums.
The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team plays its first match in Arizona since 2000.
The Alternative Poker Tour offers games at local LGBT-friendly venues.
Bernard Uzan talks about how his Arizona Opera production is modernizing a classic.
The Agape Network and the Joshua Tree Feeding Program deal with growing needs and fewer resources. PLUS: A profile of Joshua Tree volunteer Joaquin Mota.
As the touring production comes to the Valley, a member of the Blue Man Group talks about his show.
A photographer explores sexual identity in work that also deals with the tricks that memory can play.
Actors Theatre's production of Next Fall deals with a complicated relationship between two men.
The Riviera Palm Springs is known for a past that included Hollywood stars.
Shopping, culture and nature are among the reasons to make a trip to Palm Springs.
Arizona LGBT safe schools advocate Caleb Laieski will be grand marshal of the Palm Springs Pride parade.
Before a concert in Arizona, the outspoken singer talks about her work and her causes.
Director Andrew Haigh talks about putting a subtle gay love story on film
Melissa Ferrick's songs reflect her life's highs and lows
Couple works together as owners of Phoenix coffee shop
Test your knowledge of LGBT history with this quiz
Historians say William Rufus King may have been first gay U.S. vice president
Evidence suggests James Buchanan had relationship with another man
12 stars join the list for their contributions to the community
A sampling of benefits, shows and parties for the holiday
It takes planning to transform into a character who will get noticed
Hotel San Carlos has been home to Hollywood glamour, but the historic structure also has ghost stories
Bebe Neuwirth will take the stage at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts with her one-woman show.
Palm Springs artist Gary Peterson's work takes its inspiration from needlework as it pays homage to famous artists.
Photographer Scott Pasfield's book, Gay in America, features portraits of gay men from every state in America.
The Martini Social Club brings piano bar-style entertainment to Apollo's.
Two reality TV show stars will be among those making appearances at Tucson Pride parties.
A RuPaul's Drag Race alum will make an appearance at Tucson Pride.
The southern Arizona festival features a variety of entertainment in a new venue.
The pop singer who's headlining Tucson Pride talks about his career and his future, including a possible reality TV show
Supporters of a bill that would extend anti-bullying protections to LGBT students plan a new strategy for the legislation that failed last year.
Madelaine Adelman reacts to her selection as a recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Award.
Qualifying rounds are underway to find the best country karaoke singer in the Valley.
An evening for women is being planned by the local chapter of the Human Rights Campaign.
The local chapter of Lambda Car Club International will host a car show as part of a January event.
Keith Clark prepares for his first concert as artistic director of Voices of the Desert.
The Phoenix Metropolitan Men's Chorus is recording videos in support of the Trevor Project.
A short film puts the spotlight on the issue of teens and young adults who don't have a place to call home.
An LGBT family in Tucson will benefit from a Habitat for Humanity project.
Two local real estate professionals say LGBT homebuyers are among those participating in the market turnaround.
Three films with LGBT themes will be screened during the Fabulous Faygeleh Film Series in Tucson.
Eric Buckmaster and his alter ego, Lady Christian, share a mission to serve the community.
The Bears of the Old Pueblo plan a weekend of events in Tucson.
The membership of the 1 Voice LGBT Community Center elects five new board members and re-elects three others.
1n10 plans to move its Phoenix youth services to a new location. PLUS: 1n10 unveils a new logo and makes plans to honor Greg Stanton.
Valley clubs plan events to ring in 2012. PLUS: A New Year's Eve party in Tucson is a fundraiser for the Wingspan community center.
A program that provides food for those living with HIV/AIDS seeks a new location.
A local AIDS service organization prepares to observe its 25th anniversary in 2012.
The Rev. Patrick Stout plans to release a book based on a series of sermons he delivered at the Community Church of Hope.
Mr. Phoenix Leather 2012 will be named in January.
Phoenix Pride plans to ask for donations to the Pride Community Fund.
The leader of the Greater Phoenix Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce defends the decision to include a Salvation Army angel tree at an LGBT event.
Rich Zavala reflects on a nine-year career as one Arizona's most popular drag queens.
The Right to Marry Arizona Equality Walk announces plans for three campaigns to cover all regions of the state next summer.
The AZ Gender Outlaws release a documentary about how they got started, who they are and what the do.
A local LGBT group plans a day at Castles and Coasters amusement park.
A doctoral candidate at Arizona State University is doing research that he hopes will be helpful to LGBT moms and dads.
A comedy to be screened in Tucson and a drama to be shown in Prescott have similar themes about finding acceptance and tolerance.
Including a Salvation Army angel tree in a holiday event sponsored by LGBT groups is raising questions.
The annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk in Tempe will raise funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. PLUS: A professor at the University of Arizona studies LGBT youth suicide.
Thomas Beatie — who became famous as the world's first pregnant man — talks about relocating his family to Phoenix and his relationship with the LGBT community.
Local groups plan events on Dec. 1 to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. PLUS: Five movies that depict the AIDS crisis.
A naval officer who made news when he married his partner as Don't Ask, Don't Tell ended takes his husband to the Marine Ball at Fort Huachuca.
Community members express concern about the LGBT community center's board position on political advocacy.
An agency that provides services to transgender people celebrates the purchase of a new facility.
Events in Phoenix and Tucson will be part of a worldwide observance of the lives and deaths of transgender individuals.
An event planning novice tries his hand at staging a benefit dinner. PLUS: A Scottsdale jeweler designs a gift for donors to the community center.
A class at Arizona State University examines how books aimed at children are challenging the notion the heterosexuality is the normal sexual orientation.
Arizona State University's Gamma Rho Lambda Sorority will celebrate its first Founder's Week.
Two HIV/AIDS groups to benefit from Boy of Leather event
The TV show Fear Factor inspires events to be staged as part of a relay competition.
Silent and live auctions will be the focus of an event benefiting the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation in Tucson.
Sway Events plans a promotion that mimics Internet sites that offer discounts.
A Phoenix man has organized a local chapter of Hell's Fairies, a group of LGBT scooter enthusiasts.
Members of the Phoenix chapter of Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays will attend the group's national convention.
A golf tournament will help raise money for the Tucson LGBT community center.
The screening of a film that explores the impact of the AIDS crisis will be part of the Loft Cinema Film Festival in Tucson.
Men will be growing out their mustaches during November in an event the benefits the fight against prostate cancer.
Male singers from local high schools and junior highs will join male choruses for a concert.
A couple's plans for a small commitment ceremony have grown into a major event.
Renovations have started on the building that will become the new location for the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS.
Local activists are planning to protest a national meeting of a group that promotes reparative therapy.
As the runoff election for Phoenix mayor nears, Greg Stanton's campaign questions opponent Wes Gullett's commitment to extending non-discrimination protections
The community center board gets mixed signals from Magellan Health Services about a refund of grant money.
Sway Events creates a new group of promotional models
The Maricopa Community College Governing Board votes to include gender identity as a protected class in its non-discrimination policy.
One Community will recognize 12 gay, lesbian and allied leaders at a luncheon
A song from the musical ~Wicked~ inspires the theme for an Arizona Women in Tune event.
Local transgender advocates applaud Chaz Bono's appearances on Dancing With the Stars.
Echo names a new associate publisher and unveils a redesign of its website.
The Phoenix Tennis Alliance hosts the second annual Cactus Open.
Magellan Health Services requests proposals for an adult alcohol abuse prevention program aimed at the LGBT community.
A film about how San Francisco responded to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s will be screened in Tucson.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be screened to benefit Grand Canyon Performing Arts.
The Melonhead Foundation plans an event to support families that have children with cancer.
The 1n10 suicide prevention project presents Sources of Strength: A Showcase of Music, Arts and Community.
About 6,000 walkers are expected to raise funds for the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation
Five people selected by Phoenix Pride to participate in OUTdayPHX tell their stories.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network join forces to fight efforts by schools to filter Web sites.
Click here to view the digital issue.
Movies selected for the Desperado Film Festival reflect the comedy and drama of LGBT life. PLUS: Festival details and the film schedule. more...
Matthew Ludwinski can identify with the trials of his character in the film Going Down in La-La Land. more...
Unmarried couples in Flagstaff will soon be able to register as domestic partners. more...
Bruce Christian reflects on the life and death of Tom Panciccia, a pioneer in the fight for gays in the military. more...
Claudine M. Wessel steps back to the past for lunch at the soda fountain at MacAlpine's. PLUS: The owner of MacAlpine's talks about why she's interested in preserving the store. more...
