November 2009 ISSUE 73 The Only Magazine Dedicated to Alberta’s GLBT+ Community FREE
sexing and sizing up Edmonton’s Exposure Festival
6th Interviews with: Anniversary Dolly Parton Edition! Jann Arden Buck Angel Tegan & Sara Three Days Grace And many more!
Community Directory • Map and Events • Tourism Info >> Starting on Page 17
GLBT Resource • Calgary • Edmonton • Alberta www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Table of Contents Table of Contents
Publisher:...... Steve Polyak 5 Settling In Editor:...... Rob Diaz-Marino Publisher’s Column Graphic Design:...... Rob Diaz-Marino Sales:...... Steve Polyak 7 Jann Arden is Free! Writers and Contributors New Management, New Album, and More Mercedes Allen, Chris Azzopardi, Dallas Barnes, Camper British, Dave Brousseau, Sam Casselman, Jason Clevett, Andrew 10 hello Dolly! Collins, Rob Diaz-Marino, Jack Fertig, Glen One-on-One with the Queen of Country Music
Hanson, Joan Hilty, Leah Kelly, Stephen A G E 7
Lock, Allan Neuwirth, Steven Petrow, Steve P Polyak, Mark Randall, Pam Rocker, Romeo 13 Chelsea Boys San Vicente, Jerome Voltero, Dan Woog, and the GLBT Community of Calgary, 14 out of Town Edmonton, and Alberta. Brussels, Belgium Photography Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino. 17 Directory and Events Videography Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino 24 Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Needs to be
Printers Dumped North Hill News/Central Web 26 adult Film Review Distribution
Calgary:...... Gallant Distribution Stag Fight, Going Under A G E 10 ...... GayCalgary Staff P Edmonton:...... Clark’s Distribution 27 Q Scopes Other:...... Canada Post “Sex is not a competitive sport, Aries!”” Legal Council Courtney Aarbo, Barristers and Solicitors 28 Deep Inside Hollywood Panic Sales & General Inquiries Madonna makes another movie and Peter Paige in a GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine 2136 17th Avenue SW 29 Cocktail Chatter Calgary, AB, Canada T2T 0G3 All About Absinthe Office Hours:...... By appointment ONLY Phone:...... (403) 543-6960 Toll Free:...... 1-888-543-6960 30 Sexing and Sizing Up Fax:...... (403) 703-0685 Edmonton’s Exposure Festival E-Mail:...... [email protected] A G E 30 32 Self-Definition Without Injury P This Month's Cover Model Dolly Parton, taken by Fran Strine. 34 Fundraising Photos 37 letters to the Editor 38 Queeries Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are Continued on Next Page 39 the OutField Rounding third, heading home A G E 40 www.gaycalgary.com P Continued on Next Page GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Table of Contents
Continued From Previous Page Proud members of: 40 tegan and Sara From Second Cup to International Headliner 41 Bitter Girl 42 a Couple of Guys 43 the Cat Empire 44 highway 63: The Fort Mac Show
A G E 43 What Happens in Fort Mac, Stays in Fort Mac P 45 Profile Updated: HIV Status Unknown? 46 Merry … Midwinter? Tori Amos talks about her new seasonal CD Continued from Previous Page Magazine 48 life Starts Now Print Circulation:...... ~10,000 copies Three Days Grace, New Album, New Tour Pickup Density:...... ~3 readers/copy Online Circulation:...... ~125,000 readers Total Readership:...... ~155,000 readers 52 Music Review Frequency:...... Every Month La Roux, Carmen Reece, Electrik Red, Vanessa Williams Proof of monthly figures can be requested.
A G E 59 Distribution Locations P 53 Sorting out our Sordid Lives Alberta:...... ~300 Drop-off Points A Chat with Del Shores Please call us if your establishment would 54 Welcome to the Jungle like to become a distribution point. How literary icon Rita Mae Brown learned about life from animals History Originally established in January 1992 as Men for Men BBS by MFM Communications. 55 Survey Says… Name changed to GayCalgary.com in 1998. Calgary Outlink Tells Us What We Want Independent company as of January 2004. First edition of GayCalgary.com Magazine published November 2003. Name adjusted 56 Classified Ads in November 2006 to GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine.
59 alberta’s Got Talent Disclaimer and Copyright
A G E 62 Lethbridge’s Tara-Jean Popowitch Crowned Dancing Queen Opinions expressed in this magazine
P are specific to the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of GayCalgary staff December 2009 62 the Many Sides of Buck Angel and contributors. Print Deadlines Those involved in the making of this 64 Queer Eye - Community Events publication, whether advertisers, Ad Booking contributors, or the subjects of articles Friday, November 27th, 2009 or photographs, are not necessarily gay, http://www.gaycalgary.com/i73 lesbian, bisexual, or trans. GayCalgary also includes straight allies and those who Ad Submission Read more articles and exclusive content online! are gay friendly. Monday, November 30th, 2009 http://www.gaycalgary.com/RSS Articles • Recent News • Prize Draws • Events • Travel Info No part of this publication may be In Circulation reprinted or modified without the expressed written permission of the editor Wednesday, December 3rd, 2009 Follow us on Join us on or publisher. Please contact us immediately if you think acebook Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. you may have missed the booking or GayCalgary is a registered trademark. submission deadline. www.gaycalgary.com/facebook www.gaycalgary.com/twitter
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Editorial Settling In Publisher’s Column
cuts on his face that he didn’t appear to notice). The vehicle could not By Rob Diaz-Marino, MSc. be pushed off the road, as one of the tires was pinched by the chassis. We spent about an hour there, alerting the authorities, ensuring other Immediately after completing my last publisher’s column cars passed by safely, keeping the driver from freezing without a coat, and getting the October edition to press and online, we and giving a statement to the RCMP when they arrived. concentrated on completing our move to the new location. Aside from our little scare, we’re quite happy that the three hour trips between Calgary and Edmonton are not such a waste of time Prior to our press deadline we had only been moving smaller stuff anymore. Having a power connection in the car is a big advantage in boxes, but then when it came to the larger furniture, it got very over the lack thereof on the Greyhound. Being the tech geeks that we serious. We paid a visit to Budget and rented a cargo van first thing are, Steve has managed to rig his cell phone to act as a wireless hub in the morning. And then came, hands down, the most grueling so that his laptop can maintain a stable internet connection while we experience of my entire life. It was a solid 48 hours of loading, driving, are on the road. He’s able to get work done, and I’m perfectly happy unloading, and cleaning, with a reprieve of a mere 3 hours of sleep. as long as he’s playing some music for me. Despite the stereo in our Near the end of it I found myself in utter amazement that I was still second-hand car being hopelessly damaged, we managed to rig some functioning, that my body hadn’t given out from exhaustion after all computer speakers to work quite nicely in its place. So in our typical the heavy lifting, leaps and bounds beyond any limit that I assumed annoyingly resourceful, Macgyver-esque fashion, we’re set to go! I had. Even after it was all done, I had returned the cargo van and was driving home, I felt I could have probably kept going if I needed to. Halloween H1N1 But no, we forced ourselves to settle down in our old bed, in our new bedroom, and take a much deserved rest. In all the commotion of moving and driving, we had fallen behind on watching the local news, and knew nothing of the brouhaha surround- It took several days after that to sort out the random arrangement ing H1N1, and the vaccinations that were being made available in of furniture that had accumulated in our haste to get everything done. select locations. I showed up on a Monday evening at the clinic at the With most of our possessions tucked away, the first few days felt like old Children’s Hospital site (literally across the street from us) looking camping – minimal kitchen supplies, minimal toiletries, and a quickly to get my seasonal flu vaccination, only to be told the lines were so diminishing supply of clean clothes. It was such a relief to finally find long for the H1N1 vaccine that they had closed the clinic early. As those boxes with the things we needed, and to slowly start getting our a Diabetic I am considered a high risk group, so I felt compelled to lives back in order again. commit to getting this done despite the warning of a long wait. I tried again the next morning and followed the lineup as it wound down For the first few days we had to keep the cats locked up in the multiple hallways. Several people were carrying their lunches and downstairs bathroom while we removed some of the dangers to them, water bottles, a few even had their collapsible lawn chairs. People had like fiberglass, screws, and precariously balanced objects. By the time come with their kids, and were trying to keep the little ones enter- we were able to let them out, they were so cramped and stir crazy that tained and out of trouble. It felt almost like a procession of refugees this big new world was a welcome change for them. Getting used to from a disaster movie. the stairs went a lot more smoothly than I anticipated, and soon it seemed like they didn’t particularly miss their old locale at all. In the first 45 minutes I moved no more than 5 meters. By that time, staff had come by to give everyone ticket numbers and fill out We returned one last time to the condo to complete our cleaning ob- the necessary forms. Knowing that with my ticket I would be served ligations, and it felt so surreal seeing the place completely empty; the in order regardless of my presence in the lineup (so long as I didn’t carpet still showed perfectly where our furniture had been. Several miss my ticket being called), I popped home for lunch, and then back times I found myself looking around with mixed feelings, like I didn’t to the clinic just in time for my turn. I had started in line at 11am…I want to forget the many memories from living there, but I was glad to exited the clinic, after having my vaccination, at 2pm. I found out a be moving on. While I had been living with Steve in that Condo for the few days afterward that I had been lucky: first to have avoided a six past 6 years, Steve calculated that he had been living in that suite for hour wait, then to have gotten the vaccination at all. a total of 12, and in the building for 15. It was difficult to leave that much history behind. I suppose I shouldn’t complain, but I was told that the seasonal vaccines were put completely on hold for the H1N1 vaccines. So now With the car at our disposal, the two of us getting up to Edmonton that the H1N1 vaccinations are at a standstill, why are the seasonal has been a lot easier, and cheaper. However the weekend that we vaccines not resuming in the meantime? As nice as it is to be safe popped up for the ISCWR Investitures and headed back to Calgary the from the big bad swine flu (or not), the plain old flu is much more same night, we did run into a bit of a scare. No, it wasn’t me falling common, and still poses a danger to many Albertans. asleep behind the wheel, it was the car ahead of us on the highway that did. Out of nowhere I saw headlights pointing toward us on our 6th Anniversary Edition side of the divided highway, and we quickly pulled over to find a com- pletely mangled van that appeared to have rolled several times. Half We have a pretty amazing edition for you this month, as you prob- of the nearby exit sign was missing, about a meter and a half off the ably gathered from our cover. Dolly is probably the biggest star that ground. I ran to see if anyone was hurt, to find the vehicle completely we’ve interviewed yet! empty. When I called out to try and locate the driver, he came out of We also have a large number of prize giveaways this month, includ- the ditch insisting he was unharmed (aside from a couple of minor ing copies of Dolly Parton’s new album/DVD Live in London, so watch for them online. Incidentally, I’m told there are people who would kill for these, so don’t be surprised if there is a lot of competition.
Looking back over the six years, we have a lot of people to thank for helping us to keep going strong after all this time. Our writers and contributors have worked particularly hard in recent times to ensure the magazine continues to provide articles that are entertaining and informative. As editor, I know they are doing this job well when they make my head ache from the amount of interesting information I
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Editorial take in while proofing their articles in rapid succession. Jason, who has been with us from the beginning, goes beyond just writing - the inroads he makes while pursuing his articles open new doors for this magazine; Evan Kayne distinguishes himself with his thought-provok- ing articles on tough community matters; Stephen Lock continues to provide valuable perspective on political topics; Mercedes continues to challenge us to open our minds and realize that trans issue affect all of us too. I watch our junior writers grow on a monthly basis with the experience and feedback they receive, and it’s always such a pleasure to notice when they make a breakthrough. And then there are so many others whose contributions range from articles to photos, and information to transportation.
Our advertisers provide the funding that we need to continue print- ing the magazine, and make it possible for us to remain independently owned and self sustaining. Without the need for external investors or government funding, GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine is able to decide its own direction. So not only do we thank advertisers for choosing us, but we continue to seek new and innovative ways to make a difference in the community that benefits everyone.
We thank our community partners – those who we work alongside symbiotically to reach new people, and with whom we find new op- portunities for collaboration that keeps us involved, informed, and in touch.
Finally, we thank our readers, who continue to encourage us with your comments, and amaze us with your sheer numbers. Last year our online readership climbed from 90,000 downloads to over 125,000, and continues to expand, encompassing people from all over Canada, and indeed, the world! We know we are doing something unique when people from outside of Alberta still take a regular interest in our magazine.
This Month It’s become a tradition every anniversary month, for us to have a table at the Taboo Sex Shows in Calgary and Edmonton, and this year is no exception. Come and visit us while checking out the hot strippers, drag queens, and unique adult-oriented wares. Once again, we have partnered with the ISCCA and ISCWR to make our booth a fundraising opportunity for them. Calgary’s show will be a whole day longer, starting on a Thursday and going through until Sunday.
Many other businesses are celebrating their anniversaries this month. For instance, Boots will be turning 31. The Texas Lounge has their anniversary this month, but has decided to push celebrations to a later month so as to not compete with others.
Last Month • The Calgary Eagle held their “To Sirs with Lust” leather demon- stration. Thankfully there was no real blood this time, so I was able to watch. In fact, there were some pretty hot scenes that leather enthu- siasts enacted on stage for the audience. Mister Leather Sir winner, Johnathan Finlayson, and Leather Boy winner, Boy David, got some practice for the international competition. Just before press, we received a text message to inform us that Johnathan won 3rd place internationally, while David won 4th. Not bad guys, and I’m sure you did Calgary proud!
• The Texas Lounge is getting into the swing of hosting Drag Shows at their venue, with two last month. This little bar is showing just how versatile it can be, despite the tight space. Similarly, Goliaths is also continuing to host special events, with a jockstrap themed men- only dance coming up this month. See their ad for more details.
• The Backlot was packed to the rafters, on a Wednesday no less, for their 11th Anniversary party. Owner Ken Schultz could be found celebrating amongst many loyal patrons, as were his mom and dad.
• Boots hosted the Bi-monthly BEEF Bearbash, which continues to draw a strong crowd for the Edmonton bar. Maybe it was the cold weather, but there seemed to be a lot more mischief going on than what I recall from previous events.
• Our writer Jason strongly suggested that we come out to experi- ence a Ghost Tour this year, and indeed it was a lot of fun, especially since Jason was our tour guide! He took a small group of us around the Inglewood area to explain the ghost stories behind many of the Continued on Page 23 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Celebrity Interview Jann Arden is Free! New Management, New Album, and More
“I don’t even know how! I did though. I am doing 6 songs off the new re- By Jason Clevett cord, and then I have a few obscure gems that I have never played live before. It is really stripped down, there are a couple of songs that are Sitting down with Jann Arden is like visiting with just by myself. There are some hilarious slides of my family, people I have talked about for years but people have never seen. I will have a big a long time friend. When I walked into the trendy screen, very different for people. I am going to try and cover a lot of the downtown bar that was arranged for this interview, singles in a very different fashion. People will leave pleased and there she immediately came up to give us a hug and offer will be some surprises. I don’t think we are concentrating so much on the new album that they will feel dislocated from it. They will hear a “refreshing beverage.” She then began to ask about enough of the old stuff that they will really like the new stuff as well.” my life. Perhaps by this point she was tired of talking about herself, but it is the genuineness of Arden that It is amazing that the world didn’t implode when Arden toured with crooner and funny–as-hell Canadian, Michael Bublé. has made her so wildly popular. “We were all through Europe, Australia and the states with him When we last spoke to Jann (March 2007 issue) she was promoting twice. I was like, what am I doing here in Radio City Music Hall? I her cover album Uncover Me and embarking on a tour, with the plan set Michael up every night, telling people he was 4’6” and came up to being to return to the studio and release a new original album in 2008. my crotch which was very convenient for me. I made fun of him every Instead, Free, her 8th album was released in September. night but he has stolen so many of my jokes now it is unbelievable. It was very humbling for me. Michael was good to me, he was very fair. “The album title Free couldn’t be truer, as I made a lot of changes. I When I have been doing this for so much longer than him, when you have new management now, I am with Bruce Allen which is fantastic, are opening for someone so much younger than you and a newer act, I am actually having to listen to somebody. It has taken an enormous you do learn a lot, you do get back to your roots. I sat there and played workload off of me because I have someone making decisions for me my guitar in a trio thing so the songs were presented very much in the that should have been made a long time ago - but that is my fault. way they were written. People loved us, in some venues we were selling There was this two year time that I was straddling because I knew I 200 albums a night. I was like, holy shit, we are out of that. I don’t had to make some changes. It is like when you end a relationship, it have any more. I had an opportunity to write with Michael because of it is easier to push everything you don’t like to the side and you have to (Lost which is also included, sung by Arden on Free). It was a glorious make them hate you and break up with you. It didn’t work, it was like, experience. He is just one of the best entertainers in the world, I saw holy shit this is never going to dissolve itself. That is what the gap was, his show 100 times and he is so fucking funny.” I just didn’t feel passionate about it, I didn’t feel like writing anything. I didn’t like the direction I was headed. I thought, if I am going to be so The new album features 11 tracks that continue with what brought non-committal about this all maybe I shouldn’t be doing it.” Jann success in the first place, songs of heartbreak and sadness and songs of hope and joy. Much of the album was produced in Nashville She made several changes, most notable, parting ways with long with the support of up and coming act SHEdaisy. time collaborator and comedic foil Russel Broom. “I have worked in Nashville quite a bit in the last few years and these “We had made some great records together but it felt like I was two great women I wrote with both went through divorces. When you standing still, I needed to move on and we didn’t work together on are sitting in a room with other people I really had to learn to listen and this record. I worked with a producer named Bruce Liddel who I have think about their ideas, which were so undeniably good that as a writer known for 20 years. He does a lot of film scores, his music is very I couldn’t be narcissistic and say, I am going to go with what my idea orchestral and that really comes out, there is a lot more strings and was. Co-writing is really symbiotic, what you end up with is so cool. It keyboards on this record for me. Then just working with a new band, is almost like having three people do a painting. It was a great experi- I moved into my new house... that was the gap. I am so glad I took ence learning about their lives. One of the girls remodeled everything that break because I feel invigorated about this now, I feel like I have in her house because she just didn’t want him there. In the song Free, something left to say. “ one of the metaphors is that you are tearing down wallpaper, busting An Intimate Evening With Jann out walls, changing your hair Arden will be out on tour with and having a relationship with dates in Calgary November 23rd your maker again. I love the and 24th, and Edmonton the sentiment of feeling better now 25th and 26th. that your stuff’s out in the yard. I think that is funny. I “The tour is going to be amaz- can just picture this woman ing, the set is bigger and more standing there with all this glorious then I have ever had, I fucking bad shit sitting out have been pretty low key on my there,” she said. live shows. Bruce wanted to step it up a notch, he thinks very “It was a joy to write this globally. I am listening to what he whole record, it took place over has to say and learning from him the last two years and been fin- and learning about myself again. ished since May. It took three Bruce doesn’t have any track re- months to record, a couple of cord though, he has sucked with months to mix, and the most everything,” she says sarcasti- fun I have had on a record in a cally. “Who the fuck is Michael decade. I did feel very liberated. Bublé? Anne Murray? Bryan I felt very helped, Bruce Allen Adams? Never heard of them.” made it very possible to not worry about all this bullshit She admitted that picking a set that goes around, that I had list for the tour has been difficult. always been in control of. All
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 they were so serious about it. They went to such lengths to shoot this little video and I watched it and my heart just broke because it was terrifyingly bad. I have seen lots of Unloveds, Insensitives, Good Moth- ers. I have seen more Japanese cartoon people to I Would Die For You than I would care to see again for the rest of my life. There is already an Asian cartoon for A Million Miles Away. Who sits and does this shit? YouTube is crazy, I like it. I have to get on board because it is not going away and is what it is, but I don’t mind it.”
And just like that, our time was up and Jann had to head off to perform at an office as a promotion. Her enthusiasm is infectious and I found myself greatly looking forward to seeing her take the stage again, after far too long.
“I am very glad that we got together. I am really excited about the tour. I don’t know what Bruce Allen has in store for me next year but I am just going to make sure I have a good bra, strap myself into it and go out there and have some fun, know what I am saying?”
http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1448 View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments.
You could win a copy of Jann Arden’s latest album, Free! Visit www. gaycalgary.com for details.
Jann Arden Free in stores now. of the decisions had been mine so it felt weird to just be responsible for doing music, it was a fantastic feeling and I think you can hear it in the Calgary - November 23rd and 24th, songs themselves. The SHEdaisy girls are singing all over this and the Jack Singer Concert Hall backup vocals are so lush and rich. I have been doing my own backup Edmonton - Edmonton November 25th and 26th, vocals for years. Live, this is going to be so much fun to do. I have Keith Jubilee Auditorium Scott, who has been playing guitar for Bryan Adams for 18 years, Ali- son Cornell who played violins for Shania Twain for many years. I can www.JannArden.com capture so many of the Nashville guys I had play on this record and do justice to the recordings. There are seven of us now.”
A song that will be recognizable to fans is You Are Everything with which Arden closed her shows on the 2004 Love Is The Only Soldier tour, and was briefly available on Puretracks.
“I did it live towards the end of the night and I loved the song. I wrote it at that time and really wanted to perform it because I wrote it after I had finished that record. So this time I said to Bruce Liddel that I wanted to revisit that song and put it on our record. I have gotten so many e-mails from people who say things like, my husband and I were looking for that song forever and we played it at our wedding. I love how it turned out. I think people were really happy to find it.”
When we interviewed Theo Tams for our July issue, he spoke about how Arden left a message for him at Toronto station EZRock. She ad- mits she didn’t watch the show but is flattered to be both an influence, and from the comparisons to Tams.
“It was explained to me who he was and that he had done Good Mother. I was sent the link of him doing it and thought he did a very nice job. To me it is very flattering and I hope he does well. For a young man to choose that song to do is very perplexing for me because it is a very vulnerable song. It is an honor but it feels weird too. It can be very isolating, I am not aware of what is going on around me. About every six months I have to ask Chris (assistant) what he is listening to that is cool? I will scour MySpace and look around, look at the indy stuff in iTunes. To influence anybody, I can’t get my head around it, I am very touched. I know the people that influenced me growing up, and I would never have had access to them. Social networking has changed things so much. I just got a message from (gay singer songwriter) Jay Brannan (whose cover of Good Mother can also be found on YouTube), I don’t know how he found me but it got to me. I was impressed with his version too. I am thinking Good Mother? What in the hell are you guys choosing that song for? I thought it was the stupidest song I had written in my life. I hear these young guys do it and think it is an odd choice.”
Arden takes advantage of the internet to send her music to a new audience, using YouTube, Twitter, Myspace and Facebook. On YouTube especially there are several covers of her songs.
“Isn’t that weird? I spent one weekend looking at all of them, Jay Brannan, people from the Philippines. It freaks me out but some of them are so cute. There are two dorky guys who did Insensitive and
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009
Celebrity Interview Hello Dolly! One-on-One with the Queen of Country Music
By Jason Clevett
In preparing for my interview with the one and only Dolly Parton, I was certain of two things. The first, that her southern charm would win me over within about two seconds. The second, that I would have to deal with a lot of drag queens jealous of my time with one of the most impersonated icons in drag history. “I got a bunch of drag queen fans, they don’t hesitate to come to the show and sit right down front either. Some of my best laughs are from that, and the audience loves it,” she said, laughing when I mentioned my drag queen fear. ”The last time I remember a big showing we were around the San Francisco bay area and we had several Dolly’s, it was just too funny. I am so little, so short and you have these guys that are six feet tall and with their high heels and big hair they look about eight feet tall, you can’t miss them.” She then explained how she switches up her 1974 hit Jolene in tribute to them, singing over the phone “Drag Queen, Drag Queen, Drag Queen Drag Queen.. I’m begging you please don’t take my man. I have a huge gay following and I love ‘em.” GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine chatted with Parton over the phone to promote her new CD/DVD release, Live In London, hitting stores November 10th. The set was recorded at the O2 Arena in 2008 and includes many of her greatest hits, such as Here You Come Again, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You. “We thought it would be exciting, and it was. We don’t get to Eu- rope that often and I have always had a huge fan base in England. People love to feel like they get to go somewhere, it is like we get to go to London with Dolly and see what is going on around there. The sample of what the experience is like. One can’t help but be awed O2 arena is a huge wonderful place, a lot of people play there and by the fact that at 63 years of age, she can outperform some art- Michael (Jackson) was going to do his last shows there. We had ists 40 years her junior. 18,000 people at two sellout shows and taped them both. When we first started the tour we hadn’t planned to make it a show, we just “I have had a lot of practice and am singing songs I have been wanted to document it. When we got home we realized it was really for years. I am not a dancer as you can see, I just work off my good and we should make it into a live CD and DVD. We put it in natural energy. A whole lot of it is just being my own natural self, a neat little package that looks like a suitcase with passports and whatever moves I make is whatever steers me on to get across the plane tickets, they did a great job on the artwork for it.” stage and involved with the audience. I love what I do, I love to sing. I never quit singing so I keep my pipes up to date and tuned For those who have never seen Parton live, the DVD gives a up,” she said. Another impressive feat is the assortment of six instruments that she plays during the show. “I love to play. I usually play a little bit of fiddling and electric guitar too. We had so much show we had to edit down. I am not great at it but I play everything as I write. I play enough to accompany myself on a show. I come from a musical background, my Mother’s people all sing and play some sort of musical instrument. We can all play enough to make it.” It is amusing listening to the London audience sing back to Dolly with a British accent. “I sometimes am hard to understand in my own country be- cause I have such a country southern accent. The fact that my people in the great Smokey Mountains are heavily influenced by the Irish and English, all those old Irish and English ballads I grew up singing. I think they understand me more in England than in America because I have that old flavor. It is fun to hear different countries singing along. When we used to play in Japan and other
10 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Celebrity Interview places where they didn’t know a word of English but had memo- where it belongs, and go market it and we will continue to do what rized the music, they would be so quiet when you are talking, but we do and not be left behind.” when you go into the song they start stomping their feet and sing- ing. Whatever it takes, it is nice to be popular around the world.” Another amazing fact about Parton - in an industry that has 5 minute marriages, affairs and divorces galore, she and husband In a career that has spanned 4 decades Parton has seen and Carl Thomas Dean have stayed together for over 40 years. We done it all – music, movies, two variety shows, and a Broadway asked her the secret for her successful marriage. musical based on the movie 9 to 5. “My husband is not in the business, I have noticed that can be “I’m a Broadway diva!! I am blessed to get to do so many things. a great hindrance in some cases. Two people in the same busi- Getting to do 9 to 5 was a wonderful thing. We didn’t get to stay on ness can be competitive or their schedules can screw things up. Broadway as long as we would have hoped but it made a big show- My husband is very much a homebody and doesn’t like being out ing while it was there. Now it is being prepared to go on tour, we in public. We are great friends and get along really good, we never open in Nashville next September and will be traveling on the road have fought or argued. I feel safe and secure with him and who he for the next two or three years. I am looking forward to that. I am is, how he is. He knows me through and through. The fact that now in the process of writing my life story as a Broadway musical. we are not in each other’s face night and day, we appreciate each I have had some fun times. I had two variety shows: one before other when we do get to be together. I am sure that, now that we you were born, out of Nashville, and then the Dolly show out of are older, we could hang out more and be less apt to feel like we L.A. I had a wonderful time doing both the shows, I kind of miss are getting in each other’s face - we do mellow as time goes by. getting to do that. Last week I did a special with Carrie Underwood almost like the same format we used to do. It was fun working “That is one of the reasons the gay and lesbian community with her and going back to doing the jokes, skits, guests and doing has responded to me, because I believe everybody should a duet.” just get to be who they are...” When I told people that I would be speaking with Parton, the most common reaction after “oh my god are you serious?!” was I was blessed, God was kind to me with good friends and a good “she seems like such a sweet person.” As anyone who has inter- husband. The fact that our lives are different, we want to hear acted with her will attest that is very much true, and people really what is going on with each other. It gives us stuff to talk about feel a connection to her. that we are not going to argue or fight about.” “I have been around a long long time so people feel like they The live DVD will leave Dolly fans longing for the chance to see know me, like I am a relative somehow. I have been around longer her live and in person, something she promises will happen soon than a lot of my newer fans have been alive. A lot of it has to do enough. She will be making music for a long time, as she insists with being from a big family, the story of rags to riches and I have she will never retire. always fought for the right to be me. The fact that I have been in movies helped some, 9 to 5 and The Best Little Chickenhouse in “We are talking about touring. I am going to spend the next Texas. People have just known me so long, but I hope I am a good- few months on a musical on Broadway and a movie about my life guy.” story. Then we are talking about touring in the fall and winter next year and hopefully a big part of that will be in Canada. I certainly While Dolly may not have changed much, the music industry hope to not retire unless it is something I am not expecting. If sure has. In a world filled with twitter, Myspace and Youtube, something happened to my husband I would want to be with him, Parton says she relies on her team to keep her up to date in the or if I was ill. As long as I am able to get out and do it, I want to be internet age. doing this all the days of my life.” “I have managed to put together a wonderful group of people. I Any long lasting iconic female performer from Bette Midler to haven’t changed how I go about my work in terms of how I write Cher to Madonna will freely admit that the support of her gay fans a song because it has always just come from me. The music in- is a key to their success, and Dolly is no exception. To the readers dustry and the way that you do marketing has changed a lot. The of GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine she says: big labels that used to be such powerhouses are now in as bad a shape as some of the older artists. I think it is important if you in- “I do think it is true. If you look at all those personalities, we are tend to stay in the business like I do - I don’t ever intend to retire all very similar. With Cher, Madonna, myself we are all so who we - is that you surround yourself with people that are in the know, are, and out there, ourselves; accepting of other people because and keep you current know how to market you in those areas. I we want to be accepted for who and how we are. That is one of have been blessed with a group of people that put me out there the reasons the gay and lesbian community has responded to me, and keep me alive. I just say, go to it, here’s the money, go put it because I believe everybody should just get to be who they are. We are who we are, why can’t we be allowed to celebrate that and have a good time. We are partners and buddies and friends and let’s just keep keeping-on. I love you and thanks for loving me.” “I have had a blessed, charmed life, I’ve gotten to do some of everything and I can’t wait to see what I get to do next.”
http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1449 View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments.
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Dolly Parton: Live In London Hits stores November 10th, 2009 www.dollypartonmusic.net
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 11 12 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 13 Out of Town Brussels, Belgium
By Andrew Collins
As the headquarters of NATO and the European Union, Brussels ranks among the most international and sophis- ticated cities in the world. Though founded in the seventh century, Brussels is a remarkably modern metropolis, the capital of a progressive, relatively young country (Belgium celebrates its 180th birthday in 2010) that passed gay- marriage legislation in 2003. It’s also a dynamic hub of modern architecture, cutting-edge fashion and fine shop- ping, and it has a sterling reputation among foodies. Brussels hosts a well-attended Lesbian and Gay Pride celebra- tion each May as well as a first-rate gay and lesbian film festival each January. The city is also home to the International Lesbian and Gay Association. In addition to Flemish and French, English is widely spoken and understood here. And although the euro is currently faring poorly against the U.S. dollar (as of late fall 2009, 1 euro traded at about US$1.50), Brussels is less expensive than many major European capitals. The city is divided into two, Upper Town and Lower Town. The latter begins just east of rue Royale, where a fairly steep slope rises just beyond the city’s 1,000-year-old historic core. Most of the wealthy neighborhoods, fancy shopping and grand hotels are in Upper Town, as are several museums. The neighborhood also has stunning art nouveau architecture – the work of Victor Horta (1861-1947) and his pupils, who designed hundreds of townhous- es whose sensuous facades are decorated with the style’s charac- teristic sinewy ironwork. You can learn more about Horta and the city’s art nouveau legacy by visiting the Horta Museum (set inside his former home) or by logging on to www.brussels-art-nouveau. be. Lower Town is characterized in part by working-class neighbor- hoods, some of which have undergone major revitalizations in recent years, and in part by one of the best-preserved medieval quarters of any major city in Europe. The main plaza, Grand Place, contains dozens of ancient buildings and narrow lanes, and it buzzes with energy. It’s also near Brussels’ small but vibrant gay district, centered around rue du Marche au Charbon and rue des Pierres, near the Bourse. Facing Grand Place you’ll find see the magnificent Hotel de Ville (City Hall) and many ornate guild halls, all built in the elabo- rate baroque style of the late 1600s. Also nearby the Museum of Costume and Lace contains a fine collection of beautifully crafted lace, a product for which Belgium is justly celebrated. Just off the square, rue Charles Buls leads to rue des Brasseurs, where poet Paul Verlaine shot and wounded his lover, fellow poet Arthur Rim- baud, in 1873. Walk along rue de l’Etuve to the corner of rue du Chene to see Manneken Pis, a statue of a pudgy little boy peeing into a fountain - this beloved tourist attraction and photo op has been a source of curiosity for centuries. Here it’s a short stroll southeast to the lower slopes of Upper Town to reach the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, which combines two museums – one dedicated to Flemish-Dutch painting tradi- The Grand Place is the heart of beautiful tions, dating from the 15th to 19th centuries, and the other to Brussels, and it’s just a few blocks from more modern works, such as paintings by Belgian surrealists the city’s lively and friendly gay scene. James Ensor and Rene Magritte. The museums overlook the Photo: Andrew Collins. supremely elegant Place Royale, a fittingly lavish 18th-century
14 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Travel square that acts as gateway to Upper Town’s posh residential and caters to a rugged leather-and-Levi’s bunch. Laid-back L’Homo shopping districts. Erectus packs them in each night with funky music and a friendly staff. For the best antiquing and cafe-hopping, wander around the streets emanating from the Grand Sablon, another ritzy square. There’s also a very popular gay bathhouse in this area, Macho Continue toward the monolithic Palais de Justice, and turn left Sauna, and another with a considerable following not far away to reach avenue Louise, where you’ll discover yet more high-end called Sauna Spades 4. Brussels may seem more conservative, at shopping. least in style, than London or Berlin, but saunas are quite well-at- tended in this city, and very welcoming toward visitors. Brussels is very much a city of gardens and parks, and many neighborhoods are also punctuated by verdant squares abloom There aren’t many full-time gay discos in town, but Box night- with flowers. Favorite places to stroll, jog, or simply relax on a club is always a good bet for dancing into the wee hours. Also, bench to soak up the sunshine include Brussels Park, near the you can count on a few monthly shindigs such as the famed La Royal Palace, and the sprawling Parc du Cinquantenaire, which is Demence, held on certain Fridays throughout the year and draw- home to some prominent museums. ing partiers from all over the region. You can maximize your sightseeing value by purchasing a Several intriguing, hip hotels have opened in Brussels in recent Brussels Card, which costs 19 euros for one day (32 euros for years. Be Manos, just a 15-minute walk south of Grand Place, three) and entitles the bearer to free use of public transportation is very close to Gare du Midi/Brussel-Zuid train station. Styl- and admission to some 30 museums, plus discounts to numer- ish, sleek rooms on this gay-friendly property are decorated with ous attractions and shops. You can purchase this online at www. framed black-and-white photos, and bathrooms have high-end brusselscard.be. fixtures and products. The on-site restaurants, Be Lella and Kolya, serve very good food to a trendy crowd. The affordable Hotel Bloom Whatever you’ve heard about fine chocolates in Switzerland and is another favorite of artsy types, students and others with a yen Germany, Belgium arguably produces the most sublime chocolates for intriguing design. Private parking, proximity to the metro and in the world. Brussels in particular is teeming with purveyors of Gare du Nord and a friendly, helpful staff are additional assets. this addictive treat. Two shops worth checking out are Wittamer and Pierre Marcolini, both of which produce high-end, artful Across from the St. Catherine metro stop, the aptly named truffles and have tony shops along Upper Town’s Grand Sablon. Hotel Welcome ranks among the loveliest small hotels in Brussels. But the relatively less expensive and ubiquitous Belgian chain, Each of its 15 rooms is themed after a different nation, from the Leonidas, is excellent, too. You should also consider a visit to Congo to Morocco to Vietnam. Rooms contain beautiful artwork Planete Chocolate, which is steps from the gay district and pro- and decorations, and congenial hosts Michel, Sophie, and staff duces delicious artisanal chocolates. could not be friendlier and more helpful. A bountiful breakfast is included, and rates are highly reasonable. Brussels not only excels in fine French fare but also in regional Flemish fare. Classic dishes found at many local eateries include Among larger international hotels, you can’t go wrong with the waterzooi (a rich chicken stew), rabbit with beer and prunes, and Brussels Marriott, which opened in 2002 and has an enviable mussels with frites (French fries). Festive and friendly Au Steker- location near the funky Saint Catherine and Saint Gery neighbor- laplatte restaurant turns out astoundingly delicious and authentic hoods. Of high-end hotels, Metropole is a restored belle époque Belgian food. It’s just up a narrow lane in quasi-gentrified Marolles beauty that dates to 1895 and is filled with ornate furnishings. It’s District from rue Haute, which has a handful of worthy antiques also home to a chic, gay-popular cafe of the same name. shops and home-furnishings stores. Spend a little time in Brussels, and you may soon realize Another great purveyor of traditional Belgian fare, Le Pre Sale that it’s not just a convenient pass-through city on your way to serves up superb traditional Belgian seafood in the St. Catherine Europe’s gay meccas. Whether to shop, dine, museum-hop or area. If it’s truly a special occasion, book a table at the acclaimed even hobnob in convivial bars, this clean, friendly and reasonably Comme chez Soi, a temple of haute cuisine that’s garnered three priced city has much to offer. stars from Michelin and serves truly inspired food. Among hip Upper Town haunts, Lola serves pretty, modern food to pretty, http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1451 modern people – it’s popular with the see-and-be-seen crowd. View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments.
Brussels is where the fast-growing gourmet coffeehouse and Andrew Collins covers gay travel for the New York Times-owned website About. cafe Le Pain Quotidien began, and there are outposts of this invit- com and is the author of Fodor’s Gay Guide to the USA. ing spot set throughout the city. You’ll find particularly appealing the branches along avenue Louise, close to high-end shopping and along funky rue Antoine Dansaert. Bar-going in Brussels tends to be sedate, but there’s no short- age of inviting and cozy options. The city’s more up-and-coming nightlife areas, the St. Catherine and St. Gery districts, have doz- ens of cool, artsy, intellectual bars that pull in a mostly straight The Little Black Book (Belgium’s country code is 32) crowd, but also plenty of gays and lesbians, too. Some worth pok- ing your head inside include Monk and de Walvis. Au Stekerlaplatte (www.stekerlapatte.be). Be Manos (www.be- In Upper Town, beer lovers should check out Le Bier Circus, manos.be). Brussels Marriott (www.marriott.com/brudt). Le Belgica which carries a huge selection of this beverage for which the coun- (www.lebelgica.be). Le Bier Circus (www.bier-circus.be). Box (www. try is known – in fact, Belgium produces some 400 beers. For more boxclub.be). Chez Maman (www.chezmaman.be). Comme chez Soi on this national preoccupation, visit www.beer2005.be. (www.commechezsoi.be). Le Boys Boudoir (www.leboysboudoir.be). La Demence (www.lademence.com). Le Duquesnoy (www.duquesnoy. Only a few blocks from St. Catherine and St. Gery, you will com). L’Homo Erectus (www.lhomoerectus.com). Hotel Bloom (www. find the city’s mini gay hub. Good bets include Le Belgica, a cozy hotelbloom.com). Hotel Welcome (www.brusselshotel.travel). Lola tavern that draws a mix of women and men, and TelsQuels Cafe, (www.restolola.be). Macho Sauna (www.saunamacho.com). Metropole which functions both as a bar and the city’s gay and lesbian com- (www.metropolehotel.com). Le Pain Quotidien (www.lepainquotidien. munity center. Fans of drag shows shouldn’t miss the campy fun co). Planete Chocolate (www.planetechocolat.be). Sauna Spades 4 at Chez Maman. Le Boys Boudoir is a fun little piano cabaret and (www.saunaspades4.be). TelsQuels Cafe (www.telsquels.be). Tourism restaurant that appeals to guys of all ages, and Le Duquesnoy Flanders (www.visitflanders.com). Tourism Belgium (www.visitbel- gium.com).
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 15 16 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Directory and Events
http://www.calgaryeagle.com http://www.marqueeroom.com Legend Open Wed-Sun, 5pm-close Alternative night every Wednesday. Bathhouses/Saunas Our Magazine Available Here------✰ Leather/Denim/Fetish bar. 9 MPs (Money Pennies)------✰ 6 Goliath’s------✰ Wheelchair Accessible Venue------• Fetish and Gear Night 1742 - 10th Ave SW (403) 263-7411 308 - 17 Ave SW (403) 229-0911 Fridays http://www.money-pennies.com http://www.goliaths.ca Closed Mondays. Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day • Crazy Pig Raffe/Cowboy Gear Nite Bar and restaurant. CALGARY Nov 7th • Jock Strap Party • 10¢ Wings Sat Nov 28th, Midnight-8am • Leather Swap Accommodations Wednesdays, 4-7pm $7 entry fee, 8 hour stay. Nov 14th, 5-7pm ✰ 13 Westways Guest House------Bring used leather to buy & trade. • Boy’s Nite Out Community Groups 216 - 25th Avenue SW (403) 229-1758 Nov 10th • Alberta Week of Leather (AWOL) 1-866-846-7038 [email protected] $5 steak, drink specials, male stripper. 2 AIDS Calgary------✰ Nov 14th-15th www.gaywestways.com 110, 1603 10th Avenue SW • World AIDS Day Fundraiser • ISCCA 100 Years of Broadway Show (403) 508-2500 Wingate by Wyndham Nov 28th, 8pm-close 400 Midpark Way SE (403) 514-0099 Nov 21st [email protected] • Grey Cup Party www.wingatehotels.com • Christmas Dinner http://www.aidscalgary.org Nov 29th, 4pm Dec 13th • World AIDS Day Bars and Clubs Tickets on sale November 12th. 5 Texas Lounge------✰ Dec 1st 308 - 17 Ave SW (403) 229-0911 3 Backlot------✰ Club Paradiso • Volunteer Activity Nights http://www.goliaths.ca 209 - 10th Ave SW (403) 265-5211 1413 - 9th Ave SE, upstairs AIDS Calgary Training Room Open 7 days a week, 11am-close Open 7 days a week, 4pm-close (403) 265-5739 403-508-2500, ext.116 www.villagecantina.ca • Karaoke • Toys 4 Tots [email protected] Carly’s Angels on Sat. Billy Schmidt’s “Sounds Tues & Sat, 8pm-1am Sun Dec 6th, 3-7pm Wednesday, November 4, 5-7pm of Sinatra” on Fri. and varied entertainment on Bring an unwrapped toy for a child. 33 Twisted Element Bring a friend, have a laugh, make a difference! Thurs. Please call for details. 1006 - 11th Ave SW (403) 802-0230 Registration required 2 weeks prior. 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.------✰ 55 Marquee Room------✰ http://www.twistedelement.ca 424a - 8th Ave SE (403) 263-5847 • Women’s Healing Circle 612 - 8th Avenue SW Dance Club and Lounge. AIDS Calgary Training Room 24 DOWNTOWN CALGARY
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1 Calgary Outlink------Community Groups 9 MPs (Money Pennies)------Bars and Clubs 35 One Yellow Rabbit------Theatre 52 Sandra G. Sebree------Services 2 Aids Calgary------Community Groups 13 Westways Guest House----Accommodations 36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects------Theatre 55 Marquee Room------Bars and Clubs 3 Backlot------Bars and Clubs 16 Priape Calgary------Retail Stores 37 Pumphouse Theatre------Theatre 56 Sacred Balance Piercing------Retail Stores 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.------Bars and Clubs 24 Courtney Aarbo------Services 41 La Fleur------Retail Stores 58 Theatre Junction------Theatre 5 Texas Lounge------Bars and Clubs 33 Twisted Element------Bars and Clubs 43 Lisa Heinricks------Theatre and Fine Arts 59 Ageless Skin Technologies------Services 6 Goliath’s------Bathhouses 34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------Theatre 48 Barbies Shop------Retail Stores GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 17 Directory and Events
403-508-2500, ext.200 • Running (Calgary Frontrunners) • Rehearsals • Illusions Calgary Wednesdays, 1:30pm Coffee Junkies, 7th Street and 1st Ave SW Temple B’Nai Tikvah, 900 - 47 Avenue SW Social group for Calgary and area transgender Topics Covered: Safer Sex & HIV/AIDS, Living with Tim (403) 660-6125 Tuesday nights, Sept-Jun, 7pm-9:30pm community members (cross dressers, transvestites, HIV/AIDS, Challenging Stereotypes. [email protected] Calgary Sexual Health Centre------✰ drag kings and queens). Illusions provides a safe, Alberta Society for Kink Saturdays at 9am 304, 301 14th Street NW discrete and welcoming atmosphere, in which (403) 398-9968 Distance varies. 8km-15km. Runners from 6 (403) 283-5580 transgendered people can meet others of like mind. [email protected] minute/mile to 9+ minute miles. During the http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca Illusions offers discretion, acceptance, compassion ca.groups.yahoo.com/ summer we attempt to have evening runs during Calgary Sexual Health Centre is a pro-choice and a safe place to express your gender. Cross- group.albertasocietyforkink the week. organization that believes all people have the right dressing is the purpose of the group, but is not Meet and Greets: Mondays, 7pm-9:30pm • Slow Pitch and ability to make their own choices regarding mandatory. Apollo Calgary Friends in Sports See website for details. their sexual and reproductive health. Calgary • Inside Out http://www.apollocalgary.com • Tennis Sexual Health Centre started as a volunteer based, Every Monday, 7pm-9pm Apollo Friends In Sports is a volunteer-operated, See website for details. grassroots organization and has been providing Peer-facilitated youth group for GLBTQ ages 15-25. comprehensive sexuality education and counselling The group aims to let youth know they are not non-profit organization serving primarily members • Volleyball (Intermediate/Competitive) of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgendered programs to the Calgary community since 1972. alone, and to connect them with their peers. It is YWCA, 320 - 5th Avenue SE a funky and safe environment with a variety of communities but open to members of all www.apollocalgary.com/apollo/volleyball • Revolution 69 resources and activities. communities. We currently have more than 400 (Season has ended) Crescent Heights Community Hall members and are growing fast! The primary focus This is for seasoned players. You can sign up for the 1101 - 2 St. NW • New Directions of Apollo is to provide our membership with well season or drop-in. (403) 283-5580 ext. 316 Every 3rd Friday of the month, 7pm-9pm organized and fun sporting events and other Fri Nov 20th, 7pm Drop in peer-support group to provide support and activities to allow them to participate and interact in • Volleyball (Recreational) Tickets: $40 each, 2 for $69. resources for individuals who identify as transsexual Langevin School, 107 - 6A Street NE a positive social framework. 1 ✰ or inter-sexed. If you are transsexual, or know www.apollocalgary.com/apollo/volleyball Calgary Outlink------• Badminton (Absolutely Smashing) #4, 1230A 17th Avenue SW of someone who is, please contact our office for Nov 6, Dec 4, 11, 7pm-9pm information and assistance. You are not alone! St. Martha School (6020 4th Avenue NE) Volleyball League, Co-Ed, Recreational, Drop-in. (403) 234-8973 Wednesdays, 7pm-9pm http://www.calgaryoutlink.com There is support! (Season has ended) • Yoga Formerly know as the Gay And Lesbian Community • SHEQ Soulful Healing Ego Quest Fees Per session: $4 for Apollo member, $5 for non- Season has ended. Services Association (GLCSA). Trudy or Krista, (403) 585-7437 members. Season’s pass $75. Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association • Annual Fundraising Casino Runs for a ten week period on Thursdays, 7pm • Boot Camp (403) 541-8140 www.argra.org Nov 11th-12th A workshop for women that want to be themselves in a supportive, safe environment. It is a chance Stone steps, SE corner of Crescent Park • Monthly Dances------ Jim or Ivy: (403) 234-8973 to grow and share their experiences related to Crescent Road & 2nd Street NW Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association [email protected] women’s sexuality. To participate, please call the Nov 7, 14, 10:45am-12pm 1320 - 5th Avenue NW Seeking volunteers, please call ASAP for a shift. exclusive SHEQ line or leave your name and a [email protected] Nov 21st, Dec 6th, Doors open 8pm Lots of fun and a fabulous buffet meal is included. contact time/number with Calgary Outlink. Dress in layers and running shoes, bring plenty Team Dance - wear you team jersey or shirt & • Peer Support and Crisis Line of water, bring payment in cash to first session. receive a free drink! Front-line help service for GLBT individuals and • Womynspace Registration has closed. Every first and third Friday, 7pm-9pm • Holiday Dinner------their family and friends, or anyone questioning Peer social/support group for women providing an • Bowling (Rainbow Riders League) Alexandra Centre (922 9th Ave SE) their sexuality. evening of fun, bonding, discussion and activities. Let’s 10 Pin Bowlerama, 2916 - 5 Ave NE Dec 12, 6pm • Library (Season has ended) Members: $30, Non: $35. A great selection of resource books, fiction, non- Calgary Queer Book Club • Curling Artists for the Quality of Life fiction, videos and everything in between, all with a Weeds Cafe (1903 20 Ave NW) Look us up on Facebook. North Hill Curling Club (1201 - 2 Street NW) (403) 890-1261 www.afqol.com queer perspective. Saturdays: 2:20pm and 4:30pm Deer Park United Church/Wholeness Centre • Last Days of Disco Revisited • Drop-In Center (Season has ended) 77 Deerpoint Road SE (403) 278-8263 Texas Lounge A safe and supportive environment for one-to-one http://www.dpuc.ca • Golf Fri Nov 27th, 7-10pm peer counseling for many issues surrounding family, [email protected] coming out, homosexuality, loneliness and other Worship Time - 10am Sundays Cabin Fever See website for details. issues. Different Strokes Calgary Eagle, 424a 8th Ave SW http://www.differentstrokescalgary.org • Lawn Bowling 3RD THURSDAY every month • Between Men and Between Men Online Inglewood Lawn Bowling Club Women’s dance and social night. Tuesdays 7pm-9pm • Swim Practice 1235 - 8th Avenue SE Peer support, sexual health education for gay SAIT Pool, 1301 - 16th Ave NW Calgary Gay Fathers Tuesdays, 6-9pm or bisexual men, as well as those who may be Thursdays 6-7pm, Sundays 5-6:30pm [email protected] [email protected] uncertain or questioning their sexuality. Discussions (no practices on long weekends) http://www.calgarygayfathers.ca See website for details. range from personal relationship or life issues, to Peer support group for gay, bisexual and Don’t Buy In Project sexual health and well-being. • Outdoor Pursuits questioning fathers. Meeting twice a month. http://www.dontbuyin.ca See website for details. • Calgary Networking Club This Calgary Police Service Initiative aims to Calgary Men’s Chorus Ming, 520 - 17th Ave SW encourage youth to working towards an inclusive http://www.calgarymenschorus.org First Tuesday of every month, 5pm-7pm environment in which diversity is embraced in their The networking meetings are open to all individuals schools and community. who would like to promote their businesses or FairyTales Presentation Society who would like to meet new people - no business Looking for Something? #4 - 1230A 17th Avenue SW affiliation is necessary. (403) 244-1956 Browse over 450 listings in our Online GLBT Business Directory, and our • Heading Out http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com complete Online GLBT Community Events Calendar. 2nd and 4th Friday of every month, 7pm-9pm Alberta Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. Peer group for men who are looking for an • DVD Resource Library www.gaycalgary.com alternative social activity to the bar. Activities vary Over a hundred titles to choose from. Annual and are fun and entertaining.
18 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Directory and Events membership is $10. Parents for Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) church; everyone is welcome. 9 MPs (Money Pennies)------✰ • Shorts for all Sorts: Queer Film Quickies Sean: (403) 695-5791 Rocky Mountain Bears See Calgary - Bars and Clubs. Uptown Stage & Screen (612 8 Ave SW) http://www.pflagcanada.ca [email protected] Nov 10th, 7:30pm PFLAG Canada is a registered charitable http://www.rockymountainbears.com Retail Stores organization that provides support, education and Gay Singles in Calgary resources to parents, families and individuals who Safety Under the Rainbow Adult Depot------✰ http://www.gaysinglesincalgary.org have questions or concerns about sexual orientation http://www.safetyrainbow.ca 140, 58th Ave SW (403) 258-2777 Girl Friends or gender identity. Mission: To raise awareness and understanding of Gay, bi, straight video rentals and sex toys. same-sex domestic violence and homophobic youth members.shaw.ca/girlfriends 48 Barbies Shop------✰ Positive Space Committee bullying. Girlsgroove 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW 1313 16th Avenue SW (403) 262-8265 Scarboro United Church http://www.girlsgroove.ca (403) 440-6383 http://www.barbiesshop.com 134 Scarboro Avenue SW http://www.mtroyal.ca/positivespace 41 La Fleur------HIV Peer Support Group (403) 244-1161 www.scarborounited.ab.ca The Positive Space Committee at Mount Royal 103 - 100 7th Avenue SW (403) 230-5832 Sunday Worship: 10:30am College works to raise awareness and challenge (403) 266-1707 [email protected] Scarboro United Church is a caring community the patterns of silence that continue to marginalize Florist and Flower Shop. ISCCA Social Association lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gendered, two-spirited for risk-takers, adventurers, and explorers in The Naked Leaf------ http://www.iscca.ca and queer (LGBTTQ) individuals. contemporary Christian living. Scarboro is an Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch. All affirming congregation, which means that the full 305 10th Street NW (403) 283-3555 monies raised go to Charity. Pride Calgary Planning Committee inclusion of LGBT people is essential to our mission http://www.thenakedleaf.ca (403) 797-6564 www.pridecalgary.ca and purpose. Scarboro United Church welcomes Organic teas and tea ware. • Drag Show at Texas Lounge all to our spiritually enriching Sunday Service at Thurs Nov 5th, Thurs Nov 19th Pride Rainbow Project 16 Priape Calgary------✰ [email protected] 10:30am. Afterwards, all are welcome to join us 1322 - 17 Ave SW (403) 215-1800 • 100 Years of Broadway http://www.priderainbowproject.com in fellowship downstairs over coffee, tea, juice, and http://www.priape.com Calgary Eagle Youth run project designed to show support for home-baked treats. Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear, Nov 21st, 11pm same-sex marriage in Canada and elsewhere. A Sharp Foundation movies and magazines. Gifts. Tickets: $10 advance, $15 at door. fabric rainbow banner approximately 5 feet wide (403) 272-2912 Wares & Wear Ventures Inc. • World AIDS Day Show - goal is to make it 3.2km (2 miles) long, in order [email protected] See Canada - Retail Stores. Money Pennies to break the world record. http://www.thesharpfoundation.com Nov 28th Primetimers Calgary Unity Bowling Services & Products Knox United Church [email protected] Let’s Bowl (2916 - 5th Ave NE) 59 Ageless Skin Technologies 506 - 4th Street SW (403) 269-8382 http://www.primetimerscalgary.com [email protected] Mount Royal Village, Main Level http://www.knoxunited.ab.ca Prime Timers Calgary is designed to foster social New season begins Sept 13th. Suite 106, 990 - 16th Ave SW Knox United Church is an all-inclusive church interaction for its members through a variety of Urban Sex Radio Show (403) 228-1777 [email protected] located in downtown Calgary. A variety of facility social, educational and recreational activities. It is CJSW 90.9 FM http://www.ageless.cc rentals are also available for meetings, events and open to all gay and bisexual men of any age and http://www.cjsw.com concerts. respects whatever degree of anonymity that each Back2Basics Consulting member desires. Every Wednesday from 9-10pm (403) 607-1691 • Worship Services Focus on sexuality; gay bisexual lesbian trans www.back2basics-consulting.com Wednesdays - Communion Service 12:10pm. • Monday Walkers gendered and straight issues here in Calgary and Sundays - 11am. September to June. Every Monday around the web. Calgary Civil Marriage Centre Sundays - 10:30am in July and August. (403) 246-4134 [email protected] • Lawn Bowling Western Canada Bigmen and Admirers Marriage Commissioner for Alberta (aka Justice of Miscellaneous Youth Network Every Tuesday groups.yahoo.com/group/ the Peace - JP), Marriage Officiant, Commissioner http://www.miscyouth.com WesternCanadaBigmenGroup/ • Free Pool at the Calgary Eagle for Oaths. • Fake Mustache------ Every Wednesday [email protected] 24 Courtney Aarbo (Barristers & Solicitors) The Soda, 211 - 12th Ave SW • Saturday Coffee Vigor Calgary 1138 Kensington Road NW 1st Thursday, 7pm-9:45pm Midtown Co-op, 1130 - 11th Ave SW (403) 255-7004 www.vigorcalgary.ca (403) 571-5120 Calgary’s ONLY Drag King Show. $5 cover. $2 Every Saturday, 10am Violence in Gay Male Relationships (VIGOR) is a http://www.courtneyaarbo.ca cover under 18. Advance tickets available at Barbies committee of professionals dedicated to increasing • Card Night GLBT legal services. Shop. the awareness of gay men’s domestic violence and Harvey and Tony’s House Cruiseline Mystique the services available to them. Nov 17th (403) 777-9494 trial code 3500 [email protected] RSVP: (403) 547-9129 “Yeah... What She Said!” Radio Show http://www.cruiseline.ca Mystique is primarily a Lesbian group for women 30 CJSW 90.9 FM Queers on Campus------✰ Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY. and up but all are welcome. [email protected] 279R Student Union Club Spaces, U of C DevaDave Salon & Boutique • Coffee Night Every Monday evening, 8:30-9pm (403) 220-6394 810 Edmonton Trail NE Second Cup (2312 - 4th Street SW) http://www.ucalgary.ca/~glass (403) 290-1973 TBA Restaurants Formerly GLASS - Gay/Lesbian Association of Cuts, Colour, Hilights. NETWORKS Students and Staff. 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.------✰ Duncan’s Residential Cleaning (403) 293-3356 • Coffee Night See Calgary - Bars and Clubs. Jim Duncan: (403) 978-6600 [email protected] 2nd Cup, Kensington. Halo Steak, Seafood & Wine Bar Residential cleaning. Free estimates. A social, cultural, and service organization for Every Tuesday, 7pm. Canyon Meadows Plaza the mature minded and “Plus 40” gay, lesbian, Interactive Male 13226 Macleod Trail SE bisexual, and transgendered individuals seeking to Rainbow Community Church (403) 261-2112 trial code 8873 (403) 271-4111 meet with others at age-appropriate activities within Hillhurst United, 1227 Kensington Close NW 1-800-777-8000 www.halosteakseafoodandwinebar.ca apositive, safe, non-threatening and nurturing [email protected] www.interactivemale.com http://www.rainbowcommunitychurch.ca environment. Jeff LeBlanc, Century 21 Services: every Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm The Rainbow Community Church is an all-inclusive #1, 4600 Crowchild Trail NW
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 19 Directory and Events
DOWNTOWN EDMONTON 1
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1 Pride Centre------Community Groups 5 Boots Bar and Lounge------Bars and Clubs 8 Prism Bar & Grill------Bars and Clubs 13 PLAY Nightclub------Bars and Clubs 3 HIV Network------Community Groups 6 Buddy’s Nite Club------Bars and Clubs 11 Steamworks------Bathhouses 4 Edmonton STD------Community Groups 7 Down Under Baths------Bathhouses 12 Woody’s------Bars and Clubs
Cell: (403) 542-6926 56 Sacred Balance Piercing http://www.ourworldnetwork.com/dianevp (403) 205-2922 Pager: (403) 509-2121 1528 - 17th Avenue SW (403) 277-4449 [email protected] Fax: (403) 509-2130 www.sacredbalancetattoo.com Theatre and Fine Arts http://www.theatrejunction.com [email protected] Tattos and body piercing. 36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects 34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------ www.homesweethometeam.ca SafeWorks (403) 294-7402 http://www.ATPlive.com 161, 115 - 9 Ave SE (403) 221-3708 Keith Hill, North Hill Mazda Free and confidential HIV/AIDS and STI testing. AXIS Contemporary Art------ http://www.vertigomysterytheatre.com 1211 Centre Street NW • Calgary Drop-in Centre 107, 100 - 7 Ave SW (403) 262-3356 Cell: (403) 614-7359 Room 117, 423 - 4th Ave SE [email protected] www.axisart.ca Phone: (403) 276-5962 (403) 699-8216 EDMONTON Fax: (403) 276-7361 Fairytales Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm, Sat: 12:15pm-3:15pm [email protected] See Calgary - Community Groups. Bars and Clubs www.northhillmazda.com • Centre of Hope Jubilations Dinner Theatre 5 Boots Bar and Lounge------✰ Room 201, 420 - 9th Ave SE Lorne Doucette (CIR Realtors) Bow Trail and 37th St. SW 10242 106th St (780) 423-5014 (403) 410-1180 Mon-Fri: 1pm-5pm (403) 461-9195 (403) 249-7799 http://www.bootsbar.ca/ http://www.lornedoucette.com • Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre www.jubilations.ca 6 Buddy’s Nite Club------✰ 1213 - 4th Str SW (403) 955-6014 Marnie Campbell (Maxwell Realtors) 43 Lisa Heinricks (Artist)------ 11725 Jasper Ave (780) 488-6636 Sat-Thu: 4:15pm-7:45pm, Fri: Closed (403) 479-8619 Art Central, 100 7th Ave SW, lower level 13 PLAY Nightclub------✰ http://www.marniecampbell.ca • Safeworks Van http://www.creamydreamy.com 10220 103 Street (780) 497-7529 (403) 850-3755 MFM Communications 35 One Yellow Rabbit------ [email protected] Sat-Thu: 8pm-12am, Fri: 4pm-12am (403) 543-6970 Big Secret Theatre - EPCOR CENTRE http://www.playnightclub.ca 1-877-543-6970 52 Sandra G. Sebree, Lawyer (403) 299-8888 www.oyr.org 8 Prism Bar & Grill------✰ http://www.mfmcommunications.com 1610 - 17th Ave SW 37 Pumphouse Theatre------✰ 10524 101st St (780) 990-0038 Web site hosting and development. Computer (403) 228-8108 2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW http://www.prismbar.ca hardware and software. www.sandrasebree.com (403) 263-0079 12 Woody’s------✰ North Shore Safety TherapyWorks http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca 11725 Jasper Ave (780) 488-6557 (403)771-6393 (403) 561-6873 Stagewest------✰ www.northshoresafetyconsulting.com [email protected] 727 - 42 Avenue SE (403) 243-6642 Bathhouses/Saunas http://www.therapyworks.com Rick Grenier (Invis) http://www.stagewestcalgary.com Take back your life from stress, sadness, and worry. 7 Down Under Baths------✰ (403) 862-1162 [email protected] 58 Theatre Junction------✰ 12224 Jasper Ave (780) 482-7960 Mortgage solutions. Youth Juice Theatre Junction GRAND, 608 1st St. SW http://www.gayedmonton.com (403) 686-7714 [email protected]
20 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Directory and Events
11 Steamworks------✰ • Special Christmas Mixer [email protected] Movie chosen by youth (aged 14 – 25), usually 11745 Jasper Ave (780) 451-5554 TU Gallery (10718 - 124 St) Every Tuesday & Thursday, 1-4pm with LGBT themes. Popcorn is served. http://www.steamworksedmonton.com Tues Dec 8th, 5pm-8pm A social and support group for seniors of all genders • YouthSpace and sexualities to talk, have tea and offer each Edmonton Illusions Social Club [email protected] Community Groups Boots Bar & Grill other support. Tuesday to Thursday, 3-7pm Alberta Bears (780) 387-3343 • Trans Education/Support Group Fridays, 3-6:30pm www.bearbeef.org groups.yahoo.com/group/edmonton_illusions Green Room – Upstairs Saturdays, 3-6:30pm 2nd Friday of each month 2nd Tuesday, 7:30-9:30pm A safe and supportive space for GLBTQ youth aged Book Worm’s Book Club Transgender Education and Support Group: 13–25. Video games, computers with internet, Second Cup, 11210 Jasper Ave 4 Edmonton STD Education and support for transgender, transsexual clothing bank, and more. [email protected] 11111 Jasper Ave and questioning people in any stage of transition. Nov 19, Dec 17, Jan 21, Feb 18, Mar 18 Edmonton Vocal Minority • Youth Theatre Project 7:30pm (780) 479-2038 [email protected] • Men Talking with Pride Downstairs Couch Area Main Space – Upstairs [email protected] Buck Naked Boys Club www.evmchoir.com [email protected] Every Wednesday, 7-8:30pm (780) 471-6993 Exposure 2009 Every Sunday, 7-9pm An opportunity for youth to address the problem of http://www.bucknakedboys.ca Nov 13th- 22nd, 2009 A social discussion group for gay, bisexual and homophobic bullying through theatre. Write and 2nd Saturday of every month 3 HIV Network Of Edmonton Society---- ✰ transgendered men to discuss current issues and to rehearse skits, perform in the community, and help Naturism club for men. Our club has been meeting 11456 Jasper Ave www.hivedmonton.com offer support to each other. make a documentary. continuously for over 10 years. The similar club in Calgary ceased to exist several years ago. Naturism Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose • Men’s HIV Support Group • Youth Understanding Youth is being social while everyone is naked, and it does http://www.gayedmonton.org Green Room – Upstairs See separate listing. [email protected] not include sexual activity. Therefore participants • Crowns for Kids • Youth Yoga 2nd Monday of the month, 7-9pm do not need to be gay, only male, but almost all Prism Bar & Grill Alex Taylor School Gym (9321 Jasper Ave) Support group for people living with HIV/AIDS. participants over the years do self-describe as being Fri Nov 27th, 9pm-2am Every 1st Thursday, 4:30pm gay or bisexual. • PFLAG • Queen of Hearts Cabaret Team Edmonton Red room - Downstairs 780-436-1998 Camp fYrefly Boots Bar and Lounge [email protected] [email protected] 7-104 Dept. of Educational Policy Studies Sat Nov 14th, 9pm-2am http://www.teamedmonton.ca Faculty of Education, University of Alberta 1st Wednesday, 7-9pm Members are invited to attend and help determine OUTreach Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G5 Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: A support the board for the next term. If you are interested in http://www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca University of Alberta, basement of SUB group for family members and friends of GLBT running for the board or getting involved in some of people. An excellent resource for people whose Edmonton Pride Week Society [email protected] the committees, please contact us. http://www.ualberta.ca/~outreach family members and friends have just come out. http://www.prideedmonton.org • Badminton Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender/transsexual, • Prime Timers Oliver School, 10227 - 118 Street Edmonton Prime Timers Queer, Questioning and Straight-but-not-Narrow See Edmonton Primetimers. (780) 465-3620 [email protected] student group. www.primetimersww.org/edmonton • Queer Youth Sport & Recreation night [email protected] EPT is a group of older gay men and their admirers 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton------✰ Alex Taylor School Gym, 9321 Jasper Ave Wednesdays, 6pm-7:30pm who come from diverse backgrounds but have 95A Street, 111 Ave (780) 488-3234 Brendan, (780) 488-3234 Oct 7th-mid March 2010, 6-7:30pm common social interests. Meetings include a social [email protected] [email protected] Women’s Drop-In Recreational Badminton. $40.00 period, a short business meeting and then either • Bears Movie Night First Tuesday of every month, 4:30pm season or $5.00 per drop in. a guest speaker, discussion panel, or a potluck TV room, Pride Centre of Edmonton • Suit Up and Show Up: AA Big Book Study •Ballroom Dancing supper. Special interest groups meet for other social Last Sunday of the month, 1-6pm Downstairs Couch Area Foot Notes Dance Studio, 9708-45 Avenue NW activities throughout the month. In July and August • Community Potluck Saturdays, 12-1pm Cynthia: (780) 469-3281 we have a BBQ or picnic in lieu of a meeting and in Main Space – Upstairs Discussion and support group for those struggling Oct 11th-Dec 13th, Sundays, 7:30-8:30pm December it’s replaced with a Christmas party. EPT with an alcohol addiction or seeking support in • Blazin’ Bootcamp is affiliated with Prime Timers World Wide. [email protected] staying sober. Last Tuesday, 7-9pm Lynnwood School • Monthly Meetings A potluck open to all members of the LGBTQ • TTIQ [email protected] Unitarian Church, 10804 - 119th Street community. A time to get together, share a meal Green Room – Upstairs Every Mon + Thurs, 7pm-8:15pm 2nd Sunday of most months, 2:30pm and meet people from the community. [email protected] Mon Oct 19th at Lynwood School Edmonton Rainbow Business Association 1st and 3rd Sunday, 2-4pm • Free School • Bowling (Northern Titans) 3379, 11215 Jasper Ave (780) 429-5014 TTIQ is mixed gender open support group addressing Main Space – Upstairs Gateway Lanes, 100 - 3414 Gateway Blvd http://www.edmontonrba.org the needs of transsexual and transgendered [email protected] [email protected] ERBA’s primary focus is the provision of networking individuals. Brunch at a local restaurant on the last 2nd and 4th Sunday, 11am-5pm Every Saturday, 5pm-7pm opportunities for gay, lesbian, bisexual and Sunday of each month at 12:00. Free School provides workshops on a variety of Resumes Saturday January 3rd transgendered (GLBT) owned or operated and topics related to local activism. • Womonspace Board Meeting $15.00 per person. GLBT-friendly businesses in the Edmonton region. Main Space – Upstairs • Curling with Pride Membership is open to all kinds of entrepreneurs, • Get Straight – Cocaine Anonymous [email protected] Granite Curling Club, 8620 107 Street NW from tradespeople to professionals to commission Downstairs Couch Area 1st Sunday, 10:30am-12:30pm (780) 463-5942 salespeople. Thursdays, 7-8pm Womonspace is a Social and Recreational Society Cocaine Anonymous: Support group for anyone [email protected] • Annual General Meeting in Edmonton run by volunteers. They provide struggling with cocaine or drug addictions. Begins Oct 19th, Mondays, 7:15pm. Prism Bar & Grill (10524 - 101 St) opportunities for lesbians to interact and support • Cycling (Edmonton Prideriders) Sun Nov 15th, 2pm • Get Tested for STIs each other in a safe environment, and to contribute Various locations in Edmonton Please bring a friend (someone who owns and/or Last Thurs of Month, 3pm - 6pm to the broader community. [email protected] operates a GLBT business or a GLBT-friendly Free STD testing for anyone interested. For more • Youth Movie Every Wednesday, 6:30pm business). New members are always welcome. information please contact the Pride Centre. Main Space – Upstairs • GLBT Seniors Drop-In [email protected] • Dragon Boat (Flaming Dragons) Main Space – Upstairs Fridays, 6:30-8:30pm [email protected]
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 21 Directory and Events
• Golf [email protected] Wed/Thurs/Fri, meet at 4:00pm [email protected] 7 classes, $28.00 per registrant. Theatre and Fine Arts • Gymnastics, Drop-in • Swimming (Making Waves) Restaurants Exposure Festival Ortona Gymnastics Club, 8755 - 50 Avenue NAIT Pool 5 Garage Burger Bar & Grill------ http://www.exposurefestival.ca [email protected] [email protected] 10242 106th St (780) 423-5014 Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8pm-10pm Resumes Sept 4th 8 Prism Bar & Grill------✰ The Roxy Theatre Have the whole gym to yourselves and an instructor • Tennis See Edmonton - Bars and Clubs. 10708 124th Street, Edmonton AB to help you achieve your individual goals. Cost is Kinsmen Sports Centre (780) 453-2440 $5.00 per session. Sundays, 12pm-3pm Retail Stores www.theatrenetwork.ca • Outdoor Pursuits [email protected] Rodéo Drive [email protected] • Ultimate Frisbee 11528 - 89th Street BANFF/CANMORE • Running (Arctic Frontrunners) Sundays (780) 474-0413 Emily Murphy Park, meet at West End Summer Season starts July 12th [email protected] Community Groups [email protected] [email protected] http://www.rodeodrive.ca Every Sunday, 10am-11am E-mail if interested. His and hers fetish wear, toys, jewelry, etc. Mountain Pride All genders and levels of runners and walkers are Brian, (403) 431-2569 • Volleyball, Free To Be Intermediate The Travelling Tickle Trunk invited to join this free activity. [email protected] Amiskiwacy Academy (101 Airport Road) 9923 - 82 Avenue www.gaybanff.com • Roller Derby (Practices) [email protected] (780) 469-6669 Serving the GLBTQS community in Banff, Canmore, [email protected] Thursday nights from 7:30pm-9:30pm www.travelingtickletrunk.com Lake Louise and Area. Mondays & Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm • Volleyball, Free To Be Recreational Grass Sex-positive adult toy store. E-Ville Roller Derby is a community-wise sports • Coffee Night Kinsmen Sports Centre Wares & Wear Ventures Inc. initiative for adult females. Their purpose is for fun, The Hub, 302 Buffalo Street [email protected] See Canada - Retail Stores. 4th Tuesday, 7pm-10pm friendly sports competition among like-minded Outdoor season, Sundays, 3-5pm women. You need no prior experience in roller • Queer Cinema Night • Women’s Lacrosse Services derby. They’ll teach you everything you need to The Hub, 302 Buffalo Street Sharon: 780-461-0017 Cruiseline know, including how to skate! 2nd Monday, 8pm-11pm Pam: 780-436-7374 (780) 413-7122 trial code 3500 • Samsara Yoga Open to women 21+, experienced or not, all are http://www.cruiseline.ca Korezone Fitness, #203, 10575 -115 Street welcome. Call for info. Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY. [email protected] LETHBRIDGE Classes resume Oct 4th, 2- 3:30pm Womonspace Interactive Male (780) 482-1794 (780) 409-3333 trial code 8871 • Slo Pitch Community Groups [email protected] 1-800-777-8000 Parkallen Field, 111 st and 68 ave www.womonspace.ca www.interactivemale.com GALA/LA [email protected] Women’s social group, but all welcome at events. (403) 308-2893 Over the Top Designs Wednesdays, 7pm. Season resumes May 6th. http://www.galalethbridge.ca • Games Night & Pool Tournament Season fee is $30.00 per person. $10 discount for (780) 974-5269 Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge and Area. players from the 2008 season. Prism Servicing Calgary, Edmonton & Red Deer Fri Nov 20th, 7pm exclusively. • Monthly Dances • Snowballs III Airforce Veterans Hall, 517 - 5 Ave S Youth Understanding Youth Robertson-Wesley United Church February 5-7th, 2010 Nov 21st, 9pm-2am Edmonton Pride Centre, Main Space Upstairs [email protected] 10209 - 123 St. NW (780) 482-1587 Bring your membership card and photo ID. Skiing and Snowboarding Weekend. [email protected] www.members.shaw.ca/yuy [email protected] www.rwuc.org Every Wed/Thurs/Fri, 7pm-9pm Worship: Sunday mornings at 10:30am • Monthly Potluck Dinners • Soccer A place where LGBTQ youth under 25 can gather to People of all sexual orientations welcome. Other McKillop United Church, 2329 - 15 Ave S [email protected] have fun and learn about themselves and others in LGBT events include a monthly book club and 3rd or Last Sat. every month, 5:30pm-8pm • Spin a safe, supportive, and caring environment. a bi-monthly film night. As a caring spiritual Members/family/friends, and children are all welcome to attend. Please bring dish that will serve MacEwan Centre for Sport and Wellness • Sports and Recreation community, we’d love to have you join us! 109 St. and 104 Ave 4-6 people and own beverage (no-alcohol). Plates, Pride Centre, 9540 - 111 Ave • Soul OUTing Wednesdays, 5:45-6:45pm utensils, and coffee provided. Brendan: (780) 488-3234 Second Sunday every month, 7pm Season has ended. [email protected] An LGBT-focused alternative worship. • Support Line (403) 308-2893 • Film Night Monday OR Wednesday, 7pm-11pm Bi-monthly, contact us for exact dates. Leave a message any other time. • Book Club • Parents & Friends for Lesbians & Gays Monthly, contact us for exact dates. [email protected] Same Gender Speed Dating Ltd. • Gay Youth Alliance Group (780) 221-8535 Betty, (403) 381-5260 [email protected] www.samegenderdating.com Every second Wednesday, 3:30pm-5pm An LGBT-focused alternative worship. • Friday Mixer • Gay Male Speed Dating The Mix (green water tower) Boston Pizza Private Party Room, Whyte Ave 103 Mayor Magrath Dr S Tues Nov 26th, 7:15pm Every Friday at 10pm Must pre-register to attend - please contact us. • Movie Night • Lesbian Speed Dating Room C610, University of Lethbridge Boston Pizza Private Party Room, Whyte Ave TBA Tues Dec 1st, 7:15pm Must pre-register to attend - please contact us. Continued on Next Page 22 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Directory and Events Editorial
Gay & Lesbian Integrity Assoc. (GALIA) Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition Publishers Column - From Page 6 University of Lethbridge [email protected] P.O. Box 3043, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 3S9 GBLTTQQ club on campus. (306) 955-5135 more interesting buildings in the area, but unfortunately as actual paranormal activity goes, it was a pretty calm night. As I’m told, this 1-800-955-5129 Pride Lethbridge is rarely the case. [email protected] http://www.rainbowhealth.ca Egale Canada • AIDS Calgary hosted the GLBT-A conference, a day long series of presentations focusing on strategies to promote philanthropy and 8 Wellington St E, Third Floor community giving, for businesses and non-profit groups. RED DEER Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1C5 1-888-204-7777 www.egale.ca • Pride Calgary Planning Committee held their first Annual General Community Groups Egale Canada is the national advocacy and lobby Meeting and for once received kudos from the community on a job well organization for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, done, even from former opponents. While official copies of the finan- Affirm cials are still forthcoming, the treasurer declared significant profits trans-identified people and our families. thanks to the cost-saving support they received from their sponsors. Sunnybrook United Church Membership fees are pay-what-you-can, although In light of past AGMs under the former Pride Calgary organization, the (403) 347-6073 pre-authorized monthly donors are encouraged meeting was moderated as a precaution. Virtually all of last year’s 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm (and get a free Egale Canada t-shirt). Egale has board returned for another year, with a few new faces stepped up. Composed of LGBTQ people, their friends, family several committees that meet by teleconference on The new board is determined to see the organization grow stronger and allies. No religious affiliation necessary. a regular basis; membership on these is national and better this coming year, and plans to continue having Calgary Activities include support, faith and social justice with members from every region of Canada. Pride on the September long weekend. discussions, film nights, and potlucks! Retail Stores http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1447 View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments. ALBERTA Wares & Wear Ventures Inc. (780) 980-1977 www.wwlatex.com We want to hear what YOU have to say about the topics in this article, and any other Fetish wear and toys. articles in GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine. Visit our chat forums at www.gaycalgary. Community Groups com/forum and write your heart out! Or write us a letter to the publisher by post or by E- mailing [email protected], and we may publish or respond to it in the magazine! Central Alberta AIDS Network Society Services 4611-50 Avenue, Red Deer, AB http://www.caans.org ATM Service Solutions The Central Alberta AIDS Network Society is the 1-866-640-8830 local charity responsible for HIV prevention and [email protected] support in Central Alberta. http://www.minibanks.net Squirt Western Canadian Pride Campout www.eventmasterinc.net http://www.squirt.org Website for dating and hook-ups. 18+ ONLY! YouthSafe http://www.youthsafe.net Theatre and Fine Arts Alberta’s website for youth with sex-and-gender differences. Youthsafe.net lists the resources, Broadway Across Canada information and services to help youth find safe and http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca caring spaces in Alberta. OUTtv http://www.outtv.ca Theatre and Fine Arts GLBT Television Station. Alberta Ballet http://www.albertaballet.com Frequent productions in Calgary and Edmonton. CANADA Community Groups Alberta Trans Support/Activities Group http://www.albertatrans.org A nexus for transgendered persons, regardless of where they may be on the continuum.
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GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 23 Politics Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Needs to be Dumped
cialized society; and (B) The military society is characterized by its own By Stephen Lock laws, rules, customs, and traditions, including numerous restrictions on personal behavior, that would not be acceptable in civilian society.
The American military apparatus is one of the few (9) The standards of conduct for members of the armed forces regulate amongst Western nations that continues to deny that a member’s life for 24 hours each day beginning at the moment the mem- lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals can and do play an ber enters military status and not ending until that person is discharged important role within their military. It’s time the Pen- or otherwise separated from the armed forces. tagon got with the program. (10) Those standards of conduct, including the Uniform Code of Military Justice, apply to a member of the armed forces at all times that Having grown up Army, I know how difficult a job it can be, even in the member has a military status, whether the member is on base or off peacetime. There are stresses involved that your average “civvie” can’t base, and whether the member is on duty or off duty. imagine. Add on top of those, always worrying about being outed and losing the career you have spent years building, along with the shame (11) The pervasive application of the standards of conduct is neces- of having your personal life splashed across the whole base, it’s a won- sary because members of the armed forces must be ready at all times for der we don’t have more problems with morale. worldwide deployment to a combat environment.
The Canadian Armed Forces openly accepts homosexual and bi- (12) The worldwide deployment of United States military forces, the sexual personnel. The Bundeswehr (Federal Germany military), along international responsibilities of the United States, and the potential with the Dutch, Belgian, Danish, British, Israeli and other Western for involvement of the armed forces in actual combat routinely make it militaries, have also done so. It just isn’t a concern. Nor should it be. necessary for members of the armed forces involuntarily to accept living conditions and working conditions that are often spartan, primitive, and There are very specific personality types that tend to be attracted to characterized by forced intimacy with little or no privacy. serving in the military, regardless of the orientation of the individual. It is that which makes the military effective. If a soldier happens to also (13) The prohibition against homosexual conduct is a longstanding be gay, lesbian or bisexual, this in no way impacts his or her dedica- element of military law that continues to be necessary in the unique tion, ability to serve, or commitment to the command structure of the circumstances of military service. military. (14) The armed forces must maintain personnel policies that exclude If there is a problem, it usually originates with heterosexual peers persons whose presence in the armed forces would create an unaccept- who have an issue with “some queer/dyke” being in their unit. If able risk to the armed forces’ high standards of morale, good order and that’s the case, there are systems in place to deal with harassment and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability. prejudice. Negative reaction to a particular sexual orientation is no (15) The presence in the armed forces of persons who demonstrate a different than a negative reaction to race, religion, ethnicity, or gender propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts would create an unac- and should be dealt with on that level. ceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, The Pentagon has long maintained that having openly les-bi-gay and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability. personnel within the ranks will negatively affect general morale. Over There are, however, exceptions. Section 654 (b) states: the last few years, as various Western militaries have opened up, this rationale has been proven bogus. Pure crap, actually. A member of the armed forces shall be separated from the armed forces under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense if one or Like most of us, your average gay soldier/sailor/airman/Marine, is more of the following findings is made and approved in accordance with not about to try and bed someone who is not interested. Military units procedures set forth in such regulations: tend to be “family” and, not to be too crude, one doesn’t shit in one’s own nest. The complications of having a sexual liaison or a romantic (1) That the member has engaged in, attempted to engage in, or relationship with those one lives and works with day in and day out is solicited another to engage in a homosexual act or acts unless there are something most individuals will recognize as just too complicated to get further findings, made and approved in accordance with procedures set involved with. forth in such regulations, that the member has demonstrated that: (A) such conduct is a departure from the member’s usual and customary Of course, if two guys or two women do happen to connect and form behavior; (B) such conduct, under all the circumstances, is unlikely to a relationship, assuming they are of equal rank, it’s really nobody else’s recur; (C) such conduct was not accomplished by use of force, coercion, business anyway. or intimidation; (D) under the particular circumstances of the case, the Under 10 U.S.C. subsection 654 it states, first and foremost, there is member’s continued presence in the armed forces is consistent with the no constitutional right to serve in the American armed forces. interests of the armed forces in proper discipline, good order, and morale; and (E) the member does not have a propensity or intent to engage in Subsection 654 (a) continues, stating: homosexual acts.
(8) Military life is fundamentally different from civilian life in that: (A) (2) That the member has stated that he or she is a homosexual or The extraordinary responsibilities of the armed forces, the unique condi- bisexual, or words to that effect, unless there is a further finding, made tions of military service, and the critical role of unit cohesion, require that and approved in accordance with procedures set forth in the regulations, the military community, while subject to civilian control, exist as a spe- that the member has demonstrated that he or she is not a person who engages in, attempts to engage in, has a propensity to engage in, or intends to engage in homosexual acts.
(3) That the member has married or attempted to marry a person known to be of the same biological sex.
The language is confusing, but the policy seems to state those who identify as homosexual and are likely to continue to be homosexual, and then act, or are believed will potentially act, on that orientation, will be removed from or disallowed involvement in the American armed
24 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Politics forces. were in favour of gays and lesbians serving in the military, 37% were opposed, and 37% expressed no preference or were unsure. My reading of the regulations indicates if an individual engaged in a “one-off” homosexual experience, he or she should not be dismissed 72% of respondents who had experience with gay men or lesbians in from the armed forces, assuming the encounter did not involve force their unit said that the presence of such individuals had either no im- or coercion on their part. The hook here, however, is whether the pact or a positive impact on their personal morale. 67% said as much investigators believe the conduct was “a departure from the member’s for overall unit morale. usual and customary behavior” and unlikely to happen again; rather a difficult thing to prove when the investigator perhaps already perceives Of those respondents uncertain whether they had served with gay or an individual as being probably gay, lesbian or bisexual for having had lesbian personnel, 51% thought that such unit members would have a a homosexual experience. neutral or positive effect on personal morale, while 48% thought that they would have a negative effect on unit morale. 73% of respondents This gets into the whole debate around whether straight men that said that they felt comfortable in the presence of gay and lesbian per- have sex with men are, in fact, actually closeted gay/bisexual men. sonnel. [Data from Wikipedia] Does having one or two homosexual experiences mean one is at least bisexual? My view is that straight men can have sex with other man Given the penchant of your average military type to be socially con- and still be heterosexual. Behaviour does not always equal orientation. servative, these statistics are surprising but do indicate the Pentagon is out-of-touch with its own servicemen and women. And it’s not just To give a clearer example, if I as a self-identified gay man had sex the rank and file who have moved to a more accepting point of view in with women once or twice, am I suddenly bisexual? A “closet straight?” this regard. Of course not: I’m a gay man who had sex with a woman. If one is a gay man married to a woman, it does not mean he is bisexual; it means he Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General John Sha- is a gay man in an opposite-sex marriage. likashvili, along with former Senator and Secretary of Defense, William Cohen, publicly spoke against the policy in January 2007. General Likewise, then, a heterosexual man who - for whatever reason Shalikashvili stated, “I now believe that if gay men and lesbians served - engaged in homosexual sex is not suddenly gay or bisexual or even openly in the United States military, they would not undermine the “confused”; he’s a straight man who had sex with another man. The efficacy of the armed forces... Our military has been stretched thin by regulations appear to accommodate this, but I suspect that may not be our deployments in the Middle East, and we must welcome the service the case. I can’t imagine the military being that subtle in their thinking of any American who is willing and able to do the job.” or understanding of human sexuality. In December 2007, 28 retired generals and admirals urged Congress To further complicate matters, the regulations attempt to define to repeal the policy, citing evidence that 65,000 gay men and women homosexual, bisexual and homosexual acts: are currently serving in the armed forces and that there are over 1 million gay veterans. Nearly a year later on November 17, 2008, 104 (1) The term “homosexual” means a person, regardless of sex, who retired generals and admirals signed a similar statement. [Stats from engages in, attempts to engage in, has a propensity to engage in, or Wikipedia] intends to engage in homosexual acts, and includes the terms “gay” and “lesbian”. When Barack Obama was running for President, he went on record as being in support of repealing DADT, citing the huge costs involved in (2) The term “bisexual” means a person who engages in, attempts to dismissing, and replacing, personnel. engage in, has a propensity to engage in, or intends to engage in homo- sexual and heterosexual acts. However, less than a month after moving into the Oval Office, it was announced plans to repeal the policy may be delayed until as late as (3) The term “homosexual act” means: (A) any bodily contact, actively 2010 because Obama wanted to confer with the Joint Chiefs of Staff undertaken or passively permitted, between members of the same sex and his new political appointees at the Pentagon. Following that, he for the purpose of satisfying sexual desires; and (B) any bodily contact would then present legislation to Congress. which a reasonable person would understand to demonstrate a propen- sity or intent to engage in an act described in subparagraph (A). There appears to be some difference of opinion on who has the au- thority to repeal the legislation. Obama’s position is that Congress has Little wonder enlisted men and women might be well advised to “not the exclusive authority to lift the ban. However, a committee of military tell.” Nobody can possibly know what might be allowed and what might law experts at the University of California at Santa Barbara concluded not be allowed under such confusing regulations. Goofing around with it is within the authority of the executive branch (ie. the President) to your buddies and playing grab-ass in the showers could get you tarred discontinue the policy. as “demonstrating a propensity or intent to engage” and out you go. Maybe. Or would that fall under the exceptions of 654(b)(1)? Perhaps, The costs involved in the removal of homosexual and bisexual unless evidence indicated one often engaged in such shenanigans.... personnel are staggering. Since the introduction of DADT in 1993, the Oh dear.... military has dismissed over 13,000 individuals. While the number of discharges dropped significantly following 9/11, discharges still num- If one is found to have engaged in any contact, passively or otherwise ber over 600 per year. (ie. as “trade”), it will be perceived as a homosexual act and grounds for dismissal. Even though the regulations appear to allow for “one-off” Between 1994 and 2008, the United States Coast Guard dismissed situations, if the investigators believe the experience falls under the a total of 113 individuals, the United States Marine Corp (USMC) definition of a homosexual act, the individual can be dismissed. Some- dismissed a total of 655, the United States Navy dismissed 2,626, the one accused of contravening the code can’t win if it’s shown he or she Army 2,583, and the United States Air Force dismissed 2,139 individu- engaged in any homosexual activity. als. That’s 12,961 individuals over a 15-year period, who are no longer serving their country. Yet a large majority of Americans approve of - or at least are not con- cerned with - allowing individuals to serve openly in the armed forces. It should be noted that this figure reflects only those known to A national poll conducted in May 2005 by The Boston Globe showed having been discharged for homosexuality or who came forward to the 79% of participants having nothing against openly gay people serving Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (who conducted the survey) in the military. and does not include those who did not disclose the reasons for their discharge. A 2008 Washington Post/ABC News poll indicated 75% of Ameri- cans - including 80% of Democrats, 75% of independents, and 66% of Despite common perception, it has not been servicemen who suffer conservatives - said that openly gay people should be allowed to serve the most under DADT, it is women. The New York Times reported in in the military. June 2008 that, according to information obtained by SLDN , within the Army and Air Force a disproportionate amount of women were Of course, civilian life, as the regulations point out, is quite different dismissed. While women make up 14 percent of Army personnel, 46 from military life. The military is a world unto itself and civilian views percent of those discharged in 2007 were women. And while 20 percent rarely carry much effect. So, what is the view within the rank and file of Air Force personnel are women, 49 percent of its discharges were of the American military? women. A 2006 Zogby International poll of military members found that 26% Continued on Page 29 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 25 Adult Film Review Adult Film Review Stag Fight, Going Under
It should ring a bell for some Calgarians, as it was the name of a By Jerome Voltero guy who used to do hypnotism shows here in Calgary. However, you can rest assured this is NOT the same guy. “Stag Fight” by Stag Homme Actually, Kent Larson is the hypnotist, and it turns out this Studios, Courtesy of Priape mysterious Trevor Knight is just another twink. In this movie, Dr. Cast: Dennis De Nello, Larson is an evil hypnotherapist that takes advantage of his pa- Damien Crosse*, Manuel Lo- tients while they are under hypnosis, in a vulnerable state. Derek pez, Alain Lamas, Francesco Cruz comes to Dr. Larson to quit smoking, and while Dr. Larson D’Macho*, Pedro Andreas*, Aitor uses the power of suggestion to make Cruz give up his habit, an- Crash* other craving is substituted in its place. Cruz is reprogrammed so that his smoker’s cravings become the urge to suck cock. It takes a while to clue in, but this DVD is a series of six “short As you can imagine, this causes some havoc in the life of poor films” by Stag Homme Studios. Mr. Cruz. Barely a minute out the hypnotist’s door, he spots From what I can tell, Damien Trevor Knight enjoying a cigarette on a park bench, and begging Crosse is an integral part of this like a puppy dog, Cruz is after one thing. Cruz is never satisfied Spanish production studio, as and so Knight must eventually kick him out, late at night, when he is credited for starring in, or he can give no more. producing every one. The com- While mostly a twink-orientated film, there are a few saving mon theme is that the men are graces for guys with my taste. Kent Larson, easily the oldest mem- muscular, and brutally rough ber of the cast, has wolfish good looks. And Park Wiley, the only with one another (aside from Alain Lamas in his solo scene, who twink with a beard AND body hair, (and whom I seem to remember looks comparatively like the sensitive pansy of the bunch). from a hot tub scene in some bear flick) is a fairly cute cub. For instance, the first film entitled “Stockholm Syndrome” has Dr. Larson lures in many more twinky victims, hypnotizing a Damien Crosse as a kidnapper who punches Dennis De Nello top to be a bottom and other such diabolical things. He seems to unconscious. De Nello comes to with a black eye, tied to a chair, take a certain sick pleasure in fingering his victims, and getting in a room with the walls covered in newspapers. Crosse begins them to imagine how much better it would feel if it were his “fat to sex him up, and perhaps out of relief that he is not being killed cock” instead. But Larson’s “fat cock” doesn’t make an appear- (yet), the Stockholm Syndrome kicks in…to be read as, De Nello ance until later, when he plugs it into Knight’s mouth to cure a gets a massive boner. Crosse makes thorough use of this captive stutter, and when he finally goes in for the kill, so to speak, with boner in multiple orifices before untying De Nello to have sex on gullible Trevor. equal ground. Another interesting one was the film “Numero Tres” (num- http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1454 ber three), which begins with a very artistic juxtaposition of two View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments. scenes: on the left, Francesco D’Macho arriving home and taking a shower, while on the right, Pedro Andreas and Damien Crosse Priape Calgary meet up to perpetrate a hostage taking. D’Macho is number three Canada’s Favourite Gay Store in their threesome, whether he likes it or not – in fact, for the two 1322 17th Avenue SW - (403) 215-1800 masked gunmen, he accomplishes the rare feat of being double- Adult Depot penetrated. Over 3000 Gay Title for Sale or Rent 140 58th Avenue SW - (403) 258-2777 Collectively the DVD offers a cast of some very hot macho men, [email protected] some you will recognize from other pornos. If there’s a chance that dirty talk in Spanish would be a turn on, then you’ve come to the right place. And for some good laughs, check out the bonus blooper reel!
“Going Under” by Jet Set Productions, Courtesy of Adult Depot Cast: Kent Larson, Trevor Knight, Derek Cruz, Bobby Wil- liams, Travis Carlson, Shane Collins, Park Wiley*, Tyler Stu- art, Clint Peak, Ivan Andros. Hypnotism is the obvious story premise for Going Under, so I felt somewhat mind-blown when I saw the name “Trevor Knight” pop up in the cast list.
26 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Astrology Q Scopes “Sex is not a competitive sport, Aries!””
By Jack Fertig LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Your usually excellent instincts for teamwork are a bit off right While Mercury and the Sun line up in Scorpio, they now. Suggestions from colleagues may be helpful. In are aspecting Uranus, Neptune and Eris, stimulating games and sports, you can’t seem to go right. Then again, new inspirations on how to innovate and compete in if having fun is more important than winning, you can’t go too wrong. this radically changing world. Instead of reacting to challenges, see what they have to offer you. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Choose your Sharing housework can be a touchy issue, leading to confidantes carefully, especially in sexual matters. Secrets confusion and hurt feelings. Can you/should you be are likely to come out and complicate your friendships. To doing more? If you’re already doing too much, raise the help protect your privacy, avoid getting high – or (again) issue another week! For now, focus instead on artistic choose your company very carefully. Also, remember: Sex adventures. is not a competitive sport. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Your partner’s 20): The best adventures can be in your own mind and sincerest efforts to support you may hit the wrong notes. spirit. Stay home, meditate, read and challenge your own Getting out with some friends, doing something new and creativity. If home is too full of noise and distractions, find different can be more assuring than words. Avoid secret a quiet retreat. alliances at work; they’re a set up for betrayal. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Try new approaches The best intentions of good friends can get you into big to reaching your goals. Professional competition can be a – and very expensive – trouble, but their suggestions could good spur to better work, but be careful what challenges be a springboard to a better, if very different, approach. you accept. Somebody could be leading you to disaster. Trust your own new perspectives on traditional wisdom. Doing your best at what you do best should be good enough. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): How you handle a financial crisis could get you noticed, turning CANCER (June 21 - July 22): It’s a great time for that disaster into a great opportunity. Use a rival’s ideas erotic experimentation, but keeping that private may be a to your own benefit, but acknowledge the source the ideas, challenge. That naughty sense of humor may amuse your even if you’ve improved on them. boss, but that’s not the way to get a promotion or a raise. Innovative teamwork is a better approach. PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Ideas you might usually detest could provide new inspiration. You LEO (July 23 - August 22): When expressing don’t need to change your mind about anything, but better hometown and ethnic pride, at least keep it light and understanding of different views can make your own a lot friendly. A boss or a new acquaintance may be from the clearer. rival town or country. In collaborative efforts, credit is best offered to the team. Let individuals shine in shared glory. Keeping VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Jack Fertig, a professional astrologer since your mind sharper and busier than your tongue may be 1977 teaches at the Online College of a challenge. Ask for opinions more than you offer them. Astrology : http://www.astrocollege.com. Competitive impulses can lead to trouble, except in the He can be reached for personal or business bedroom where some contests may offer new fun! consultations at 415-864-8302 or through his website at http://www.starjack.com
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 27 Celebrity Gossip Deep Inside Hollywood Madonna makes another movie and Peter Paige in a Panic
now on the other foot. At the recent Rome Film Festival, critics and By Romeo San Vicente jury members alike went gaga over Brotherhood, a film generally considered to be the best of the fest. Director Nicolo Donato sets his Madonna makes another movie. Guy assists. story in present-day Denmark, where neo-Nazis perpetrate violent crimes against gays and foreign immigrants. So naturally things Madonna is going to direct again. What, you say you didn’t know get a little awkward when new recruit Lars (Thure Lindhart) finds she’d already directed one feature film? Well, she did. And it was that he has feelings for gang leader Jimmy (David Dencik) – and called “Filth and Wisdom.” It was bad. Came out in 2008. A handful that those feelings wind up being mutual. Given its timeliness – to of people saw it. So she’s giving it another go. After promising not say nothing of the film’s sex and violence –Brotherhood looks like to be in the film, the former Mrs. Guy Ritchie has received generous a good candidate to get a U.S. release; look for it to hit art-house help from her filmmaking ex-husband in finding a cast for the cur- screens, or at least stateside film festivals, sometime in 2010. rently titled W.E., a romantic comedy with roots in the relationship between Britain’s Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. Meeting with Heather Matarazzo as Jessica Simpson. Yes, really. respected U.K. actors Mark Strong and Toby Kebbell (both from Ritchie’s cool crime-comedy RocknRolla), the singer is also seeking Heather Matarazzo is a brave young performer, and not just a big name to help boost the film’s budget. In other words, she’s because she came out of the closet. She played the aggressively going to have to get Guy to call Gerard Butler for her, too – and that nerdy (and horribly dressed) Dawn Wiener in her film debut, the this movie is at least a couple of years away from any ticket-pur- modern classic pain-comedy Welcome to the Dollhouse, and she chasing opportunity. screamed and screamed while her blood rained down onto another naked woman who paid to torture her in Hostel 2. Now she’s play- ing US Weekly cover staple Jessica Simpson – sort of. Matarazzo has signed on to play the lead role in Magnus!, a new film from gay Fat Girls director Ash Christian. And while Christian says that it’s not exactly Simpson’s life story, Matarazzo will play a trailer-trash gal who loves singing and gets cast in a local production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Romeo’s already intrigued, but the casting of the hilarious Jennifer Coolidge as Matarazzo’s mom makes for the perfect cherry on top. Shooting starts in late November, which means Magnus! should be ready to hit all the queer film fests next summer, just in time for Simp- son to start a tabloid feud with everyone involved. Romeo San Vicente wants you to join the Special People Club. He can be reached care of this publication or at [email protected].
Photo courtesy Christopher Lim/Ping
Peter Paige in a Panic If you want to know more about the bad old days and how homo- sexual citizens of the United States had to live extremely discreet lives not so long ago, you should really read Neil Miller’s disturb- ing book Sex Crime Panic: A Journey to the Paranoid Heart of the 1950s. Filled with instances of incarceration in prisons and mental hospitals for no other reason than being discovered as gay, it’s non-fiction that will shake you up. And soon it will be Peter Paige’s (Queer As Folk) third feature film as a director. The indie drama Paige is helming will be titled simply Sex Crime Panic and will follow the harrowing story of a group of men suffering under American anti-gay laws half a century ago. And, OK, sure, maybe that doesn’t sound like much fun to watch, but when did important history les- sons ever promise you a rose garden? Casting now, the film shoots mid-2010. That gives you plenty of time to read that book first. Gay neo-Nazis in love The “Hitler was gay” crowd is going to like this one. Homosexu- als sporting shaved heads who also have a fondness for swastikas have generally been the sole provenance of avant-garde Canadian filmmaker Bruce LaBruce, but it looks like the shiny leather boot is
28 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Lifestyle
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell - From Page 25
Not only have the human costs been staggering, the financial costs Cocktail Chatter are as well. In February 2005, the Government Accountability Office reported $95.4 million in recruiting costs and $95.1 million for training All About Absinthe replacements for the 9,488 troops discharged from 1994 through 2003. In February 2006, a University of California Blue Ribbon Commission that included former Assistant Defense Secretary under the Reagan Administration, Lawrence Korb, former Defense Secretary under the Clinton Administration, William Perry, and professors from West Point, By Camper English concluded that figure should be closer to $363 million. This is includ- ing $14.3 million for “separation travel” once a service member is dis- Despite sampling nearly every brand of absinthe available for sale charged, $17.8 million for training officers, $252.4 million for training in the United States, I have yet to see any green fairies outside of the enlistees, and $79.3 million in recruiting costs. LGBT contingent at the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. This much maligned spirit has many unique qualities, but the rumored instant The Democratic leader of the US Senate, majority leader Harry Reid, urged both the president and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, in a dementia is just not one of them. letter dated September 24th and released by his office, to approach In the late 1800’s in Europe when absinthe was extremely popular, Congress with recommendations on how to repeal the law. people were largely not running around in circles screaming either. “At a time when we are fighting two wars, I do not believe we can The absinthe serving ritual was and is a way to relax over a slow afford to discharge any qualified individual who is willing to serve our drink with a long preparation. Cold water drips from a table-top country,” he wrote. fountain onto a sugar cube resting atop a slotted spoon above a glass of absinthe, slowly sweetening and diluting the spirit. Eventually the The chairman of the Senate’s Armed Services Committee, Senator liquid turns cloudy as oils in the alcohol come out of solution. It is Carl Levin, promised in July that a hearing on the issue would be held more like a teatime ritual than a thirty second run to Starbucks for in autumn of 2009. an espresso shot. With files from: The Calgary Herald, Wikipedia, The New York Times, and the Absinthe’s hallucinogenic hype is based on one of its ingredi- United States Military Code of Conduct. ents- the grand wormwood plant that contains the chemical thujone. Thujone quantity in absinthe is now regulated, but probably it wasn’t http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1453 the problem in the first place. View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments. Most absinthe is nearly two-thirds stronger than vodka and other spirits on the market- and the high alcohol content is likely the cause of the erratic behavior associated with it. Absinthe was thought to be addictive and it was certainly being abused by alcoholics in a time when people drank a lot of everything, so a social backlash and tem- perance movement formed with absinthe as the main target.
The catalyst required for its outright banning came in the form of a sensational court case involving a Swiss man who murdered his family after drinking two glasses of absinthe in 1905. His lawyers ar- gued that the man suffered from absinthe madness, but he had also consumed nearly twenty other glasses of alcohol that day. Regardless, soon thereafter many countries around the world banned the produc- tion and sale of absinthe.
Fast-forward about ninety years and absinthe is back on shelves as the US government allowed bottles with a legally negligible and safe amount of thujone from grand wormwood to be sold as absinthe again. Interestingly, new chemical analysis of old absinthes suggest there wasn’t that much more thujone in absinthe of the 1800’s than is allowed by law now. It’s the real thing, baby.
As absinthe has been illegal for most of the past hundred years, most of us don’t know how it is supposed to taste. The short answer is: like black jelly beans. Most absinthe is flavored with the trinity of bitter grand wormwood and soothing fennel and anise. It can be her- baceous, creamy-sweet, spicy, or bitter, but most brands of absinthe have a dominant anise quality. If you like ouzo or pastis, chances are you’ll like absinthe.
If not, please do not force feed it to yourself with the expectation that you will hallucinate. You won’t, and that’s not classy. If you want to see a green fairy, just pour yourself you usual drink, dress appro- priately, and look in the mirror. http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1457 View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments.
Camper English is a cocktails and spirits writer and publisher of Alcademics.com.
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 29 Community Event Sexing and Sizing Up Edmonton’s Exposure Festival
By Pam Rocker
Playwright Neil Labute wrote, “Go back to the the- atre, audience members everywhere, and get your hands dirty. Sit closer than you usually do. Smell the actors and make eye contact and let a little blood splash on your hem. Let us know that if we are brave enough to write about the stuff that matters, then you’ll come and watch...” His words resonate profoundly with the mandate of Edmon- ton’s Exposure Festival: exposing queer artists to new audienc- es, and exposing Edmonton audiences to new art. By present- ing these artists working in diverse media, Exposure seeks to question and inspire, celebrate and expand the spectrum
of queer expression. This requires something from both sides Photo by Ted Kerr of the footlights: the courage to take risks and venture out to showcase your work, and a sense of adventure to see and hear who pays for them; issues of porn and the Queering of main- both the emerging and the established artists that are shaping stream porn; of the bodies that we not just occupy, but that we our culture. celebrate and sexualize. When we draw power from our physical This year marks the third for the festival and Dave Jackson, selves and when we falter because of our self-doubt or because Exposure’s Media Director, shares that they have been rapidly of what the media tells us.” gaining national and international recognition. The theme is the skeleton, but the presenting artists will be “This means that when we approach artists to present their the flesh that makes it come alive. Among them is Exposure’s work, that they have already heard of us and are usually eager headliner, Buck Angel, the first female-to-male transsexual to participate. It also means that audiences have begun to hear porn star. about the Festival and we are growing in terms of interest and “Buck is so exciting and lovely and I feel that his energy is so attendance. It has always been a goal of Exposure to reach infectious that it will be magical. I think we are taking risks in beyond just the gay, lesbian, bi, trans-gendered, two-spirited different ways with bringing such a porn star into our festi- community and show Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and the val and situating his work within a larger discourse around world, the contributions that Queer artists are making.” complex issues. It is bound to generate stimulating discussions Their theme: Sexing Up and Sizing Up Queer Bodies, exempli- around bodies, power, sex and money,” shares Todd. fies some of the big issues and ideals that we encounter daily. Making its world premiere is the locally made documentary Todd Janes, Programming Chair for the Festival, says that this And the Rest is Drag. Featuring Edmonton’s own Alberta Beef year, a lot of discussions with the programming team were Drag King Troupe, this film contemplates gender from the wrapped around ideas of the Queer body. perspective of people who consciously and politically queer their “The body as a site for protest and transgression, but also gender. Edmonton locals Danielle Pears and Melisa Brittain co- at the same time there is a duality of the theme, and we are produced the film and shared the director’s chair with accom- situating much of the work around the body as a site for cel- plished novelist, Shani Mootoo. Danielle and Melisa share that, ebration and empowerment. We are about queering concepts through the film, “we are hoping to encourage people to think and offering multiple points of access into Queer communities less linearly about gender: to think about all of the shifting and and larger discussions. Including issues of Trans surgeries and complex intersections that constitute our genders. These inter- sections include race, class, sexuality, size and ability, but also the political climates and sub-cultures in which gender is being performed.” It was very important to them to premiere at Expo- sure, because “it is by, for, and about this community, and is the result of the work and support of members of Edmonton’s queer, arts and academic communities; communities that the Exposure festival brings together.” Screening immediately after And the Rest is Drag is Inva- sion-Lesbian Beauty Queens, a look inside a series of beauty pageants that took place in the UK. Overall winner Valerie Mason-John (AKA: Queenie) will be in attendance. Valerie, an international artist/facilitator, will also be working with a local troupe of multi-disciplinary artists to present the “Queerly I Am Nothing New” Salon. This performance event explores the idea that queerness has always been around. “There have been LG-
30 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Community Event
BTQ people in all communities since humanity evolved in this world,” says Valerie, “even the animal kingdom had its queer lifestyle. We’re not going to go away, we’re in an era in the West that many of us can be Out and Proud. Let’s celebrate that, but remember that we are doing nothing new. I hope that as many visible minorities as possible will come out of the Queer closet and take part in this exciting Salon. Queer has always been more than white, able bodied, professional male.” For the literary crowd, a Festival highlight will be a reading of the award winning Fruit: A Novel about a Boy and His Nipples, by Canadian author, Brian Francis. Published in 2004, Brian’s story about a 13-year-old boy and his talking nipples, captures the realities of puberty and budding sexuality in living colour. A favourite of both teens and adults, Fruit went on to make the CBC Canada Reads list in 2008. Francis will also be in atten- dance for, Our Queer Bodies, a lively panel discussion focusing on issues of body image and queer-identified people. In addition to providing a platform for seasoned artists, Ex- posure offers a safe space for new artists to cut their teeth and present their work to the public. Ted Kerr, a founding member and the current Producer of Exposure, is excited about the involvement that local youth are taking in the Festival. “When I think of the queer youth in Edmonton, I am amazed and heart- warmed by how many great, open, productive, and awesome members there are in the community. This year, the Queer Youth Curators show (Printed Matters: Creating and Curating queer), received the highest amount of submissions in its 3 year history. This speaks of the great work that Camp fYrefly does and the importance of festivals like Exposure to provide oppor- tunities for Queer Edmonton youth to ‘be queer’ all year round, through their expression and passions.” The very word, “festival”, evokes an image of many different people coming together, and the whole team at Exposure is quick to point out that the queer community has made their success and growth possible. Jennifer Alabiso, Board Chair for Exposure, says that there is incredible support in Edmon- ton. “We have many friends among the downtown businesses. They support us with space, by making both in-kind and cash donations, and by attending our events. This is one of the most gratifying things about being a part of the festival, really, the ways that the Edmonton community responds.” Nevertheless, finding funding is still the biggest challenge to any arts-based festival. “Especially in a recession, money can be hard to come by. We’re lucky, as I said, to have so many local supporters, but this has been a year where we all feel the pinch a bit,” says Jennifer. “I think it’s safe to say that the entire team feels that stress and they all bust a move to make it go. It’s amazing, incredible, and awe inspiring. But trust me, we all break a sweat at least once during the lead up.” Break your own sweat and get out to the Third Annual Ex- posure Festival. Take Labute’s advice; get your hands dirty, sit closer that you usually do, and let them know that if they are brave enough to create stuff that matters, then you’ll come and watch. http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1458 View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments.
Program details can be found in this issue of Gay Calgary and Edmonton Magazine.
Exposure: Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival November 13th-21st www.exposurefestival.ca
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 31 Trans Identity Self-Definition Without Injury
mostly assimilating into English-derived culture, many hap- By Mercedes Allen pily embraced it at the expense of other marginalized cultures and races. Among African-Americans too, “skin privilege” al- As communities rise from the margins, they undergo a lowed whiter-looking people or those of mixed heritage to rise process of introspection, microscopic self-examination from the lowest levels of discrimination to partial authority, and self-definition. It’s a process of healing, throwing off with the compromise being the reinforcement of marginaliza- the ill-fitting definitions that had been imposed previously tion of black people. Today, white-looking Natives, Hispan- by a majority that didn’t experience and most often didn’t ics, Jews and mixed heritage people still often enjoy “passing understand what it was building a box around. It’s a privilege” and have the option to say nothing when confronted process of finding pride in oneself and one’s identity. It’s with prejudices about people of similar background - which an important and necessary step in emerging and finding some do, sometimes even participating (offhand, I am re- one’s strength and will. It is this process that the trans minded of a local white supremacist who is said to be of Métis community (or communities?) is evolving through. background). But history shows that when left to happen without agreed- In other words, as each – gay, lesbian, feminist, ethnic Eu- upon parameters, this newfound freedom to self-define has a ropean, or white-appearing – found the opportunity to say to tendency to exclude and marginalize others mainstream society that “we’re just like you; we’re non-threat- that share some fundamental common ening” through new self-definition, they purposes. (and by this I mean general majorities, not necessarily overwhelmingly) tended to give As the gay community became able to in to the human tendency to take the path articulate their issues as ones of sexual of least resistance, and left behind or even orientation, it facilitated the ejection of trans injured brothers, sisters, allies or kin. issues (gender identity and expression), which they tended to feel were irrelevant or even em- Today, the trans community (or for phraseol- barrassing - decades later, it has become clearer ogy that some are more comfortable with, the col- that LGB people are inevitably as much stereotyped lision of transsexual and transgender populations) by gender expectations in society as orientation provides an intricate microcosm in which one can issues, even if those expectations are sometimes a see the evolution of minorities, the struggle against fallacy. oppressions, the quests to assimilate. The emergent divisions are exacerbated by diversity, views on stealth, As lesbians who did not fall under the “butch/femme” the embrace or rejection of sex-negative mores, exist- motif felt comfortable enough to come out and define ing and evolving medical frameworks from outside trans themselves, they ejected those who they felt perpetuated “bad spheres, and the inciting of resentment from the elapsed stereotypes” of who they were. Years later, it has come to be time between the genesis of trans activism in the late 1960s acknowledgement that this had only served to injure an inte- and the development of real, substantive progress in the late gral part of that community - a part that was often integral to 1990s (later in Canada). the early years of lesbian emergence. Part of the battleground has been over the word “transgen- As feminism came into its own and defined itself, it ejected der” itself, over its appropriateness as an umbrella term or sex workers, transwomen, housewives and more who didn’t whether there should even BE an umbrella term at all. The fit the emerging definitions of the modern woman. Today, it’s word was invented to describe exclusively crossdressers who increasingly understood that each have valuable insights into were attracted to women, and reviled transsexuals or andro- the ongoing dialogue of womanhood, even if they aren’t always philes (people attracted to men), so it came into this world completely representative of the whole. with some baggage in the first place. Others fear that by using an umbrella term, the unique needs of sub-communi- Self-definition is important up to, but not including, the ties such as transsexuals are erased – although my experience point where it seeks to define others by comparison. Emergent (perhaps unique to the region I live in?) has tended to be that communities have often made this mistake and caused years transsexual issues and identities have been at the forefront of of bitterness and resentment as a result. And in most cases, trans activism and sometimes threatened to erase other trans they have been seriously wrong in crossing that line. identities. The problem arises when a community or a part within a [Either way, I’ll be clear: I don’t give a damn what the word community sees an opportunity to rise above its marginaliza- is, as long as there’s somewhere we can all meet for coffee tion and concludes that it is prudent to distance itself from its once in awhile and talk about things that are of mutual impor- potential allies to do so. tance to us.] Historically, racial groups in North America demonstrated One development has been the emergence of genderqueer this visibly. German, Irish, Italian, Polish, Scottish and other thought, which is often an embrace of either dual-gendered, European heritages weren’t always considered “white” by the non-gendered or third-sex identity. Genderqueer warrior con- standards of early immigrants, but as society evolved and ceptualization has invited an influx of people – mostly younger appeared prepared to accept these nationalities at the price of and progressive-minded, occasionally trend-seeking – who
32 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Trans Identity don’t feel that they really fit into the socially-constructed ers (although I don’t know if this is how O’Brien identifies). In boxes of “male” or “female.” Gender deconstruction derives the past, I’ve offered advice and support in many online trans significantly from a relatively recent evolution of feminist communities and various local groups, transsexual, cross- thought. dresser, mixed and more. Another has been the development of Harry Benjamin Something that is to me universal amongst all is a struggle Syndrome (HBS), Woman Born Transsexual (WBT), Classic with confusion from being outside societal expectations, a Transsexual and other forms of transsexual-only philosophy. struggle that is inevitably only resolved by following one’s I’m not the best person to describe the nuances that separate heart to self-realization. Although the realizations may vary, them. These tend to embrace a belief in duality of gender, the the “realness” of identity is just as genuine. current medicalized structure of transsexual treatment and the emergent and increasing scientific discoveries demonstrat- In order to find commonality and learn the valid lessons ing a strong likelihood of a biological origin of transsexuality. that each of our realities can illuminate, we must learn to And if this were the sole framework of HBS / WBT / Classic respect other identities, and not fall back on philosophical thought, I’d tend to be quite impressed – but unfortunately, means to invalidate each other. many of the people driving this branch of self-definition have As we define ourselves, we need to take care to base those made it a central point to deride and vilify other trans identi- definitions on responsible, mutually-respectful foundations, ties. and avoid mistaking the various parts of the elephant we’ve With transsexual-only philosophy deriving from a physi- blindly discovered for the whole. It is my wish that our loose ological focus and genderqueer thought from dissection of coalition of trans (or whatever name we want to gather under) social constructs, two of the three factors of human behaviour identities can learn from the past and show the future how (biology, socialization and choice), they have a tendency to be self-definition should be done. fundamentally in opposition to each other by dismissing the other’s fundamental principles. http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1459 As I already mentioned, self-definition is important up to, View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments. but not including, the point where it seeks to define others by comparison, and each has been seeking to elevate at the Mercedes Allen is a writer who blogs at http://dentedbluemercedes.wordpress. com/, has been featured on bilerico.com, PageOneQ and others, and has also other’s expense to some degree. HBS / WBT / Classic think- developed the website at AlbertaTrans.org as a resource for transgender information ers have had a habit of ejecting moderates who are willing to and support. embrace a “transgender” umbrella, with genderqueer people happy to take in the refugees, but both have a capacity for betrayal in those times that they insist on discounting the other. HBS / WBT / Classic writing has had a particular habit of taking genderqueer thought and painting it onto other trans segments – crossdressers, non-operative transsexuals – sometimes exploiting the same shock value that transphobes have taken advantage of for centuries. I don’t believe that either are wrong at their foundations, but each risks repeating the mistakes of the past when they seek to define others and deny the validity of lives and experi- ences which may be different, but no less real. Although I may seem to pick on HBS / WBT / Classic thought more, I certainly know that the problem is not one- sided. In fact, stripped of any practice of criticizing others’ experiences or identities, it’s probably where I’d find myself most at home. During the GRS delisting controversy earlier this year, I was confronted by one genderqueer person who insisted that surgery is a “cop-out,” that blurring all gender lines was the key to human harmony and that surgery could never make one whole. Taking a hardline view from any direction is equally capable of alienating real lives and real experiences. In a recent interview, Rocky Horror Show creator Richard O’ Brien laid bare some of his own trans experience: “All my life, I’ve been fighting, torn in two and battling – nev- er belonging, actually. Never being male. Or female. Wondering if I was born transgender? Did it happen in the womb? That might have made it easier. I don’t know. Or was it psychologi- cal? I’d been going to therapy, treating what I was as though it was some kind of illness – getting more and more depressed, wondering, ‘could I be cured?’ I went mad, really. My marriage was going down the tubes and I just lost it. Lost it. Lost it...” This seemed to me to drive home the reality of what is often the most denigrated part of the trans community, crossdress-
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 33 Fundraising Photos
Exposure Festival Fundraiser at Buddy’s - Edmonton Skaryoke Fundraiser at the Texas Lounge - Calgary
Dyke to Diva Launch Party at Prism - Edmonton
34 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Fundraising Photos
ISCCA Oynx Mardi Gras Party at the Texas Lounge - Calgary Mathew Shepard Fundraiser at the Texas Lounge - Calgary
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 35 Fundraising Photos
ISCWR Investitures at Boots - Edmonton Mathew Shepard Fundraiser at Play - Edmonton
36 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Letters
Dear Editor, length version? The Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association would like to con- Morgan Worth gratulate GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine for their 6th year anniversary. Rob and Steve have done an excellent job of reporting, pro- Dear Gay Calgary, moting, and supporting the gay community in both Calgary and AIDS Calgary would like to take the opportunity to thank every- Edmonton. one who was involved in making the 2009 Scotiabank AIDS Walk ARGRA would like to specifically thank them for their Premier for life such a huge success! The dedication and commitment of Sponsorship of the Canadian Rockies International Rodeo over the our staff, volunteers, sponsors, team captains, walkers and donors last few years. was simply amazing. We recognize their strong support and involvement in ARGRA At our most successful walk ever, over 600 walkers braved gray and the gay community and wish them many more years of suc- skies and chilly temperatures. We still have a few late donations cess. trickling in but to date the walk has raised over $168,000. That is a 15% increase over 2008 totals. Judy Munsen, Communications Director Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association All funds raised from the AIDS Walk support our HIV/AIDS prevention education, community outreach and support services for people at risk for, living with, and affected by HIV.
Dear Steve and Rob, Thank you Calgary, once again, for showing such amazing sup- port and we look forward to seeing you at next year’s walk! For six years GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine has been a valued member of our community providing excellent coverage of Sincerely, events and insightful articles on topics that affect all of us. Apollo - Friends in Sports has been fortunate to have partnered with AIDS Calgary Executive Walk Committee GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine over these many years in promoting our annual Easter sports tournament, Western Cup, and wish them many more years of successful publishing. Dear Gay Calgary and Edmonton Magazine, On behalf of the board and members of Apollo, congratulations We would like to offer our congratulations on your 6th Anniver- on six great years! sary. You have been a leading sponsor of Pride Calgary throughout these six years, and with this we could not be more grateful. Your Michael Leboldus generosity has also benefitted other major GLBT non-profit and President, Apollo - Friends in Sports community groups within the Calgary and Edmonton area, which Calgary, Alberta has ensured their continued success. You continue to provide an all inclusive publication that is al- Dear Editor, ways an enjoyable and informative read. Each month contains in- formation that is always beneficial to the GLBT community. Pride Have you ever felt so moved by a story, or a performance that Calgary owes much of its success to the unwavering support of you can’t help but take it with you? You carry it in your mind, or Gay Calgary and Edmonton Magazine, and will be forever grateful. even in your heart, and revisit it when needed. Perhaps it even evokes some important conversation, or resonates with you be- We sincerely hope for another 6 years and more for Gay Calgary cause it tells your story. and Edmonton Magazine, and look forward to your continued sup- port of Pride Calgary and all other GLBT organizations in years to I experienced all of the above on Friday, October 23rd. The come. show in question? Pam Rocker’s Heterophobia. I was really ex- cited to see the performance, I knew it was going to be great. Little Sincerely, did I know how great it was going to be. The Pride Calgary Planning Committee
It starts simply enough, with the perfectly chosen “The Promise” http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1461 by Tracy Chapman. The audience is then thrust into an alternate View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments. world where “being gay is the norm, and being straight is the devi- ance”. Humor is woven masterfully through this story of discov- ery, helping to ease the angst of Grant, the main character. For those of us from the GLBT community, Grant’s story resonates. It’s a road we’ve travelled at one point or another in our lives. The story itself is somewhat autobiographical, while Grant is her own person, she does seem to be in ownership of some Rocker like traits, but only noticable to the trained eye. After the show there was a “talk back”, Pam was completely at home on the stage, she charmed and delighted the audience with her answers and willingness to have her show run at places of the audience’s request. Audience member sthanked Pam for writ- ing Heterophobia, many people found what I found to be true: we could relate, it was our story too. Pam achieved her goal, people are thinking and discuss- ing. Pam mentioned that the full-length version is going to be produced with a local theatre company in Calgary in September, 2010. But does she realize how much we’re all waiting for the full
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 37 Interest Queeries Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are
First, take stock of your new neighbors and figure out who has kids By Steven Petrow more or less the same age as yours. Much as you may have done when you first came out, befriend three or four of them who you think How do I come out at work (and keep my job)? might be welcoming. Invite them and their kids over for some sort of function - a birthday party, summer BBQ, or the like. More likely Q: I’ve worked at a fairly conservative firm for years and have than not, you’ll soon find yourself being welcomed as a family into always brought opposite-sex “dates” to parties. But now that I am your neighborhood circle. At the same time, make an appointment partnered with a wonderful woman I’d like to come out, but how? with your kids’ teachers so that they can introduce you to other LGBT parents in the school as well as keep an eye open for any trouble - es- A: Congratulations on your new romance. Having a significant pecially anti-gay bullying (because of your sexual orientation). And, of other is often the impetus for people to come out at work because be- course, talk with your kids directly about their own feelings regarding ing in a couple makes the issue seem more concrete - at least to your your sexuality. colleagues - and there are more ways to bring the subject up . You don’t even have to say, “I’m a lesbian,” for instance, because it will be Do I have to be labeled? clear that she’s your girlfriend if you introduce her as such. Q: I’m a guy who’s had a couple of relationships with other guys, But first, consider the pros and cons of coming out at work. Let’s but I’ve also had two girlfriends. So, I’m not exactly sure if I’m gay, start with the pros: but I know that I’m different. Everyone I know seems to care about la- bels - “straight,” “gay,” “bi” - but I’m just not sure what to call myself. - You won’t have the stress of living in the closet or worrying about What should I be telling people? switching pronouns at the last moment any more. A: First of all, you don’t need to tell anyone anything. How you - You can talk openly about your relationship. define yourself is your business and just because someone is asking - You may make deeper friendships by being honest with your you a question doesn’t mean you should feel obligated to answer it. coworkers. If a friend or family member asks you a direct question about your sexuality, you can reply, with a smile: “Thanks for asking, but I prefer On the other side: to keep my private life private.” You don’t need to be snarky, just firm.
- You may lose your job or otherwise be discriminated against (i.e., But as you’ve noticed, our culture values labels - whether it comes run up against the pink ceiling). to race (black, white, Asian), politics (red or blue state), or sexuality (gay, straight, bi). - Your colleagues may not accept you in the way that you hope, and that could hinder your work performance. Things aren’t always that clear, however. A recent study of non-straight young people asked them how they define themselves - You may find that LGBT partners are not treated the same as sexually. The results suggested that more than 7 out of 10 endorsed heterosexual spouses. the usual sexual identity labels (gay, lesbian and bisexual), but 10 Before making a final decision, find out whether your company has percent, those like you, showed resistance to those labels or fluidity in a nondiscrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and gen- their sexual identities. Thirteen percent reported they were “question- der identity. See if there is an LGBT affinity group in your workplace ing” their sexual identities. So, take comfort that you’re in a sizeable that can provide you with guidance and support. Still, I’m in no way minority - a minority that is often referred to as “post-gay,” and, in trying to dissuade you from coming out - in fact just the opposite--but fact, should probably be considered avant-garde in having rejected do your due diligence. sexual identity labels. How can I be out without causing problems for my kids? http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1462 Q: I have two kids in junior high who already don’t want to have View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments. anything to do with me or their other mother - not because we’re gay, just because we’re their. We purposely don’t wear our T-shirts that Steven Petrow is the author of “The Essential Book of Gay Manners & say, “We’re Here, We’re Queer,” but do wonder how out can we be Etiquette.” without causing problems for them?
A: That can be a tricky age for kids. Any difference makes you suspect. A foreign accent. An idiosyncratic haircut. Same-sex parents. Needless to say, the answer to this question depends to some degree on where you live. For families in the Castro, Greenwich Village, and other gayborhoods, it’s fair to say that LGBT parents are not just common but ubiquitous.
But for parents and kids in areas where LGBT families are less visible, it makes sense to deploy a step-by-step coming out strategy.
38 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Sports The OutField Rounding third, heading home
counters: “In large parts By Dan Woog of the country, what is natural for us does not Straight readers say that it takes them about 80 exist. In my own home- pages before realizing that the two high school play- town in Pennsylvania, ers at the heart of Rounding Third are attracted to the school board is so out of touch about things each other. much less radical than Gay readers figure it out in the first few paragraphs. this, that I can’t imagine going to them about any If anyone needs proof that, even in 2009, Americans view gay issue. Most kids in sports and athletes differently depending on their sexuality, Wal- Ohio wouldn’t know what ter G. Meyer’s recently published book offers it. a Gay-Straight Alliance is. We like to think we’ve The story follows two 17-year-olds in a small Ohio town. One come a lot farther as a is a benchwarmer; the other, a star pitcher. But their lives inter- country than we have.” sect both lyrically and ominously, with twists and turns seldom found in a typical baseball novel. Even in Southern California, he notes, a Meyer has constructed a complex and compelling tale, in part high school student was because he knows the territory. Growing up in suburban Pitts- recently prohibited from burgh, he was – like his fictional character Rob Wardell – small giving a report on Harvey and often picked on. Like Rob, he rode the baseball bench. Milk. Like Rob too, he had crushes on teammates. “I always won- The book has been out for only a few weeks, but Meyer is dered how people would have reacted if I did something about heartened by the reactions he’s heard. One reader commented: it,” Meyer says. “What if…” “I feel like you followed me around when I was in high school. Unlike Rob, he did nothing about it. Rob does, and both he You captured my life.” and pitcher Josh Schlagel pay dearly. Meyer’s hometown library heard about the book and asked “Parts of me are very visible in Rob,” Meyer says. “But I was him to speak. He did not immediately accept the invitation. never as noble or brave as he is. He’s an idealized version of “I told the librarian to read the book first,” Meyer says. “We’ll me.” see how this works out after she reads it.” In the high school he Meyer handles his characters’ attractions with an intriguing graduated from, he knows of only one openly gay student. The combination of gentleness and ferocity. There are no graphic total population is 2,000. sex scenes – but the intensity of the teenagers’ feelings is never Some readers wonder about the title. “What does a baseball far from the surface. At the same time, he does not shy away player do when he ‘rounds third’?” Meyer asks. “He heads for from describing the violence that those feelings – some perhaps home – and tries to get there safe. This book is about finding shared by supposedly straight boys – arouse in others. your way home, safely.” He knows those reactions well. He witnessed some of them, It is also a book about freedom. One character tells his father: years ago as a boy. He has researched more recent ones – beat- “You went to Vietnam to fight for our freedom. But we’re not ings of teammates suspected of being gay, the indifference of even free to walk down the halls of our high school.” adults to intervene, the inexplicable rejection of gay children by too many parents – and weaves them all into his narrative. Some “I grew up in the shadow of Vietnam,” Meyer says. “America readers may think the scenes of violence are overdone. Meyer has always talked a good game about bringing freedom to oth- assures them that those scenes are all too commonplace – and ers. We’re doing the same thing today in Iraq. But gay people in real. America are still not free to marry. We’ve still got a long way to go.” Yet Rounding Third also shows heroism. Baseball coach Hud-
son emerges as a powerful, if surprising, voice for gay youth. http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1463 “He was always that person,” Meyer explains. “But no one View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments. had ever challenged him to be an advocate before. It’s just like war: No one knows whether he’ll turn and run, or stay and fight, (Rounding Third is published by MaxM Ltd) before the bullets start to fly.” Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach, gay activist, and author The lack of action by adults in the face of anti-gay rhetoric of the “Jocks” series of books on gay male athletes. Visit his Web site at and violence – there is no mention in the book of school law, or www.danwoog.com. of supportive organizations like the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network – surprises some readers. Meyer – who now lives in San Diego, where he writes on a broad range of topics and volunteers at a GLBT youth center –
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 39 Band Interview Tegan and Sara From Second Cup to International Headliner
By Sam Casselman and Leah Kelley
On Tuesday October 27, 2009, born and raised Cal- garian lesbian band Tegan and Sara released their sixth album titled Sainthood. We spoke with Tegan to ask her a few questions about their music, their time in Calgary, and life in general. ”(Sainthood) sounds big and feels big, giving it a real rock and roll feel,” says Tegan. She also feels that their previous album, The Con, was darker, heavier and narcissistic compared to Sainthood’s more “poppy” sound. Tegan cites many musical influences such as Bruce Springsteen, Ani Difranco, the Killers, U2, and the mid nineties punk rock scene in Calgary - all of which are reflected in their self-proclaimed eclectic style, evi- dent throughout the album. Tegan admits that she is Sainthood obsessed and her favourite song to play live is “Don’t Rush” because she enjoys the challenge despite the stressful timing that it requires. Tegan admits that she is proud of all of the music they have tour. Creative director on the project, Emy Storey, also the vi- recorded but, that she relates most to the music on Sainthood sionary behind the Sainthood album cover, brings her talent to compared to previous albums. the 3 book set. The book set will be available for purchase with Sainthood on their official website, and while on tour. “People always ask why we don’t play Under Feet Like Ours and I’m like, I was seventeen, it’s so hard to relate to that mu- In 1998, the group got their start in Calgary by winning the sic, not necessarily what I was writing about at the time, but Garage Warz Battle of the Bands competition. They started musically – the arrangements, keys and melodies of songs. I playing at local Second Cups and released their first album in hadn’t even figured out where my voice sounded best yet. Fuck, 1999. Ten years later they are headlining their own internation- I can’t even think of some of the songs off our first record, I al tours and no longer frequent local Calgary coffee shops. can’t even think of a name, that’s how much I can’t relate to it.” The twins haven’t been back to Calgary in two years since Along with Sainthood, Tegan and Sara are very their last show here in September of 2007, at the time, their proud to be releasing their first ever set of biggest show to date. Sara now resides in Montreal and Tegan books titled ON, IN, AT. It’s a project they in Vancouver. However, Tegan says she is a Calgarian through have poured their hearts into and have and through. Despite their busy schedule touring the world, been working on for over a year. The they still find time to volunteer with their local GLBT+ Com- project consists of a three-book set that munities. chronicles different periods over a year Calgary and Edmonton are neck and neck as Tegan and in their lives with writing and photo- Sara’s favourite cities to visit, and compete for having the big- graphs. Some of these gest crowds. The girls are back this coming January for shows include the 2008 in both cities, playing with special guest An Horse. Hurry and US national tour get your tickets - the first shows are already sold out! and the 2009
Australian headlining http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1464 View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments.
Check out www.gaycalgary.com for your chance to win your very own copy of Tegan and Sara’s latest album, Sainthood.
Tegan and Sara Calgary - Jan 8th-9th, Jubilee Auditorium Edmonton – Jan 10th-11th, Jubilee Auditorium Tickets through Ticket Master
Official Website: www.teganandsara.com MySpace Page: www.myspace.com/teganandsara Fan Site: www.teganandsara.org
40 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 41 42 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Band Interview The Cat Empire
By Jason Clevett
Australia’s hardest working band, The Cat Empire, is hitting Alberta this month touring behind its Live On Earth album. Famous for the dynamic intensity that they bring to their live shows, the six-piece successfully and beautifully harnesses disparate and eclectic musi- cal elements from various genres of music. Mixing ele- ments of Reggae, Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Funk and Pop with straight-up Hip Hop and Rock vocals, The Cat Empire delivers an infectious and unforgettable performance each and every time they hit the stage. GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine caught up with vocalist/ percussionist Felix Riebel on the phone from Melbourne, where the band was preparing for the tour. You can tell the band is dedicated to touring when they leave to a much colder climate. “We took some time off last year and we haven’t been to Canada in over a year. We are going to be making an album next year so we thought it was time to get back for a bit of a reconnaissance and promote our live album, which we made on our time off. We listened to all the recordings from around the world and it is a good album, we thought it deserved to be toured and Canada is a great place to play for us,” he explained. “There is a similarity between the audiences in Australia and Canada, they seem to be a really spirited crowd. I am not sure what and check out the gig but play with us. At some points we would it is, I think because both countries have real travelers. As a band have between 10 and 15 people on stage depending on how wild it we have attracted people who want music to take with you on some got. We have had eastern European violinists, comedians improvis- kind of a journey. Canadians and Australians share that same ing spoken word stuff, Scottish bagpipers, and sword swallowers. wanderlust, they love to go places and experience their music. We There was this pandemonium that we learned to adapt to, the idea enjoy playing Canada or we wouldn’t leave Australian summer to go that the more chaotic it was the more we enjoyed ourselves. We do a Canadian winter tour. We always have good crowds and shows learned to do that quite well. So it gets reminiscent of what it once there. It is all music anyway. There are cultural familiarities and was, we will invite local musicians to play with us or go out on tour differences but with music you don’t really worry about that and just with us. The last tour we played with a flamenco quartet and a string focus on playing.” quartet because it made the shows interesting for us. You have to Since its inception in 2001, The Cat Empire has focused on being find ways to make it fresh I suppose.” a world music project. From travelling with large bands to sideshow The Cat Empire plays the Starlite Room in Edmonton November tents to huge rock festivals and small dance clubs. The experience 20th and MacEwan Hall November 21st. With over 750 live shows in has taken them all over the world. Worldwide exposure is the focus their career, you can expect an incredible experience. of their current album. “The band is playing well at the moment. We had some time off “It is the way it turned out, really. We are moving around so much and are pretty relaxed. Touring the live album means we will be play- as a band and went through different periods in development from ing some older songs that never made it on to studio albums, some album to album and tour to tour. We would just record shows. It that was main stage for us, and some we are working on for the new captures the nature of what we are doing, we are moving around so album. They are going to get the best of what we’ve done with a bit much and different songs work on different nights. It seemed like the of humour as well. It is going to be a fresh tour and we are looking best kind of album we could make. We have some songs in a concert forward to coming.” hall playing with an orchestra, some in a really small bar in New
York, and some from an outdoor festival stage on New Year’s Eve in Australia. It is a really diverse group of places but it works, I think. It http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1467 feels like a show albeit one that skips around the world.” View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments. The group has often recorded and played live with a number of guest musicians. “As a band we have always been music first and foremost. Few of us actually knew each other that well before we started playing to- The Cat Empire gether and once we started something clicked. The musicians are re- ally talented and there are so many influences in their music, so we Edmonton - November 20th, Starlite Room have played with an enormous amount of people. Our first overseas Calgary - November 21st, Macewan Hall festival we played from 3 to 6 in the morning for 21 nights in a row. www.thecatempire.com A lot of the performers in these shows would not only come down
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 43 Theatre Preview Highway 63: The Fort Mac Show What Happens in Fort Mac, Stays in Fort Mac
By Dallas Barnes EDMONTON What do you get when you allow a queer theatre art- November 5th – November 14th ist to live in Fort McMurray for 3 weeks “research- Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sat Nov 14, 2pm ing, interviewing, and living life in that 21st Century boomtown?” You get Highway 63: The Fort Mac The Living Room Playhouse, Show by Jonathan Seinen, Co-Artistic Director for 11315 106 Avenue, Edmonton (780) 454-0583 the Emergency Architect Theatre. Tickets: Pay-What-You-Can at the door “This piece was created last winter in Fort McMurray where we lived for 3 weeks… Working through collective creation, we CALGARY impersonated the people we met and theatricalised the stories November 19th– November 28th they told us” recalls Seinen. “The approach is collective cre- Nov 19, 7.30pm; Nov 20, 9.30pm; Nov 26, ation, which is a ‘queer’ approach to theatre that works without 9.30pm; Nov 27, 7.30pm the hierarchy of director/writer/actor, but rather uses theatre to tell stories otherwise not found in the theatre. The Laramie As part of Downstage Theatre’s Uprising: A Festi- Project is a good example of this type of research/Verbatim val of New Political Work theatre.” At the Motel, EPCOR Centre for the Arts Inspired by the “queer element” of Fort McMurray which 225 8th Avenue SE, Calgary Seinen describes as “notable in its (apparent) absence,” he tells www.downstage.ca of a cold and lonely town with, as he had heard, the fastest growing markets for Cruiseline. It is a town with a predomi- nantly male populace. “Yeah, all the guys here are straight…TO BED!” “I felt a homoerotic charge in Fort McMurray, and in this play I aim to express, in a small way, that which I could feel but could not see. The queer story is one of the many we encoun- tered in Fort McMurray, one aspect of the complexity of this unique city that is given voice in our play. “ “Included in the play is the voice of a man using Craigslist to find sex with men at his remote worksite. I found the posting while we were in the northern and lonely city. The posting was a poetic cry for help in which the queer desire is palpable and irrepressible. It made me think of Jean Genet.” Jean Genet was a controversial author, playwright and politi- cal activist for the early 20th Century. This past June, Seinen directed an all-queer collective production of Deathwatch, in which Genet authored on scrap pieces of brown paper while in prison in France for the Toronto Pride Festival. “A homosexual criminal poet who celebrated life in the gutter, Genet infused his theatre works with the tension between the performance of masculinity and the expression of homoerotic desire. In many previous translations of Deathwatch, the queer element had been buried. We unearthed, brought it to life and celebrated it.” Definitely a show not to be missed,Highway 63: The Fort Mac Show is playing in both Edmonton and Calgary.
http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1468 View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments.
44 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Health Advice Profile Updated: HIV Status Unknown?
There will be a number of other events happening in and around the By Mark Randall city so keep your eyes open for announcements and posters for shows, fundraisers, information tables and seminars being planned for the In the very popular world of online dating and per- week leading up to World AIDS Day. And remember to take part and support the agencies and services that work to make a difference in the sonal social networking sites, we are often very good lives of persons living with HIV or who may be at risk for HIV infection. at ensuring we have updated our information: pic- Most importantly remember to take care of yourself and the ones tures and other fun and personal details we choose you love, as you take a moment out of your day on December 1st to to share with others on a regular basis to keep our remember the millions of lives lost to HIV and AIDS, and the millions personal profiles current and engaging to others. more who continue to live each day with HIV.
Another reality on these popular dating sites is that not everyone’s http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1469 personal profile is exactly current or, dare I say, even remotely accurate to the real person. They may not be as thin as they claim, as tall as View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments. they claim or as young as they claim to be, but you wouldn’t find out until you actually end up meeting in person. You chats and converse, and may even ask some of the more person- The AIDS Healthcare Foundation Present al questions that you should be asking before planning a more intimate connection. The most important one being: are you free of Sexually Know your Status Transmitted Infections (STIs)? Dec 1st, 2009 - 8am to 8pm I can pretty much guarantee, based on my personal experiences to Sheldon Chumir Health Centre date, that the answer will almost always be “yes” even when they are Main floor, 1213 - 4th Street SW not sure or even when they know they are infected with some kind of STI that should be disclosed to potential sexual partners. www.tenmilliontests.com
While there are people in developing countries that have no access to HIV testing, we continue to see people in developing countries like Canada, choose not to get tested even though the need is real and the opportunity is within their grasp.
These are the world wide statistics:
• 33 Million people are living with HIV/AIDS.
• The vast majority of HIV positive people are unaware of their HIV status.
• 9.7 Million people are in urgent need of lifesaving antiretroviral treatment (ART) today.
• Less than 3 Million people have access to ART today, leaving more than 6 Million to become sick and die.
• Traditional Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) models are inadequate and inefficient to provide the testing volume to reach global demand.
It’s time for a reality check. Ignorance and denial are not valid excuses for passing on STIs to others. You are fortunate to have the ability to know your HIV status for certain, so that you can make the right decisions and take the right precautions.
This 1st of December, there are no more excuses.
The Calgary Coalition on HIV/AIDS (CCHA) has chosen to connect with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s World AIDS Day challenge to test 1 million people in the developing world for HIV infection. This is being done to address the problem that, until people know their own HIV status, there is little that can be done to stop the spread of new infections and deaths worldwide.
As part of our local campaign and World AIDS Day activities, AIDS Calgary is promoting the message of “knowing your HIV status” and will be conducting a one day HIV testing clinic. It will run December 1st from 8am to 8pm on the main floor of the Sheldon Chumir Health Centre.
If you have never been tested, or are due to be tested again as part of your healthcare routine, I urge you to come by and be part of the 1 mil- lion tests campaign worldwide. Find out what YOUR true HIV status is.
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 45 Celebrity Interview Merry … Midwinter? Tori Amos talks about her new seasonal CD
happy. Tori albums aren’t. By Chris Azzopardi How would you describe the vibe and emotional nature It’s so like the religiously ambiguous Tori Amos to of this album? elude all the churchy mumbo-jumbo and trace pop- A: It’s a very beautiful ularized carols back to their non-worship roots. She work. It has a lot of full does just that on her new holiday album Midwinter orchestra, and there’s a Graces, out this month. big band track and there’s harpsichord and concert On it, she re-works songs she sang as a wee one at her bells, tubular bells, timpa- Methodist minster father’s church and includes a few new nis, concert bass drums. I seasonal tracks, like the bittersweet “Our New Year” and big would say that it embraces band-y “Pink and Glitter.” Graces is the follow-up to Abnormally the idea of the rebirth of Attracted to Sin, released in July. How exactly do you come off light. Within that, though, of an album about damnation? people get nostalgic and you have to acknowledge that there are people that aren’t with “You think,” Amos says during a press conference, “let’s go to you anymore, so there’s a song that does that. But for the most the church.” part, for a Tori record, it’s pretty upbeat. The gay-popular piano banshee took us there over the phone, Q: How would you compare playing these songs now versus chatting about recording one of her most “upbeat” albums, em- when you were a little kid playing them in your father’s church? bracing her spiritual side and leaving Satan out of it. A: When I was little, I started to question why the carols were Q: What inspired you to create a seasonal album? sounding musically different than some of the other hymns. In A: As a minister’s daughter, I figure I have an inside view- my teens, I started to research where this music came from. point – and I do understand how Christianity views it – but For instance, “Away in a Manger” is a different melody in what I think is really important is that other people don’t feel Britain than it is to the one that we sing. As I started to learn excluded from this. A lot of people that aren’t “religious” seem more about it, I realized that there were some songs that were to align themselves with the commercial aspects of the season. originally drinking songs or sea shanties (from) hundreds of years ago or Pagan songs such as “The Holly and the Ivy” (that I felt that as a minister’s daughter I could walk a very deli- were) Christianized. So I was tracing – as I got older through cate balance to open up the circle to all those people who might the years – where this music came from. not want to embrace Christianity, but have a spiritual feeling about the time. Q: Could you talk a little bit more about the confidence you need in approaching a project like this and the pressure you Q: Holiday albums are typically considered joyous and feel to tell these stories that are so old? A: Being a minister’s daughter, it gets pounded in your head every day of your life what the belief system is and there are aspects of Christ’s life (that) are beautiful and are included in this. But, again, the thing that always shocked me was that the Christianity I know is very exclusive. Not inclusive. That’s always not sat well with me because I thought Jesus’ whole message was to include; therefore, I approached this with that in mind – what I’ve been taught and what I don’t necessarily agree with. Q: Do you think your father will approve of these songs? A: He wanted me to do this. I think the fact that I didn’t write “She’s a Hussy, Merry Christmas” will make everybody really happy. There’s no mention of Satan or dancing with Satan or anything like that. There’s nothing disrespectful on this record; it’s really beautiful.
46 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Celebrity Interview
Q: Describe the process of taking apart some of the tradition- ecutive officer) looked at me – it was March – and he said, “I’m al material and reimagining it. 70, and I want you to do this. You can do this. You’ve been do- ing this your whole life.” He inspired me. He’s been able to have A: Although I’m a musician – I’m not anything but a musi- these conversations with me since the mid ’80s. He pushed cian – I’ve tried to research this. I went back through all kinds me to start writing “Little Earthquakes,” so he’s been in my life of sources – The Oxford Book of Carols, which talks about where for so long. (Before July of last year), I hadn’t seen him for 14 parts of the melodies and lyrics come from. I began to realize years. And even though he’s 70, he’s as sharp as he ever was. that “The First Noel” was from southwestern England – it’s not from France – and the original spelling was n-o-w-e-l-l, and that He challenges me, and he couldn’t accept that I couldn’t they believed that that music is hundreds and hundreds and achieve it. He said, “You can do this. If you don’t have some- hundreds of years old, and that it probably came from a whole thing to do, you’ll lose your mind.” So I thought about it, and other sort of lyric, and then it was embraced as a carol and one thing led to another. became the one that we have heard today. I changed it again because it’s just part of a tradition of variations on the theme I left him and ended up in Florida and it was 100 degrees and depending on what age and what their religious beliefs are and Tash came in running in a bikini saying, “Are you playing at the time, these songs get twisted and turned around. So that Christmas music, mummy?” And I said, “Yeah, I think I am.” was how I was approaching it. (Laughs) Q: What do you think we could learn about the things you’re Q: What was the intent of the album cover? trying to express on the record? A: We have all the elements represented – air, fire, water and A: I don’t know if anybody wants to know any of this stuff earth. I wanted to include the cycle of nature within this record (laughs); they might just want to be put on the record and because that’s part of the story as well, with the solstices and have a nice glass of champagne and have a dance to “Pink and the equinoxes and the precessions of those, and how we go Glitter.” And that’s just fine. The record contains a lot of story from one season to another. and beauty, and it does transcend some of the shame that Q: What were you thinking when that shot was taken? gets attached to some of the music even during the season, because if you really study the Christian version of the “The A: Why can’t I have these shoes? Holly and the Ivy” the crucifixion is all in there, and once you get to verse seven – or whatever it is – it all comes back to this http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1470 little baby (dying) for your sins. So you can celebrate, but you View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments. should really feel bad about celebrating. There’s a side to the record when you listen to it that talks about what is the gold – what really is that? It’s valuing whom you have in your life, the relationships you’ve built. It’s not just about suc- cess – or it just isn’t all your material possessions anymore – it’s how you live your life, and that’s all included in the music. Q: What do you like most about the winter season? A: That everybody takes a break. Things stop. We have a time out from our routine, and it’s so freeing. Certain busi- nesses close down; certain people aren’t in their office – which is kind of great because they don’t call you either. Sometimes I just think, especially in the states, we’re such a driven group of people to work; it’s part of who we are. The Europeans have an amazing way of just – especially in Italy – taking time out, and sometimes as Americans we don’t get to take much time out. We just don’t. Q: Why did you decide to make this record so quickly after the last one? A: Doug (Morris, Universal Music Group chairman/chief ex-
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 47 Band Interview Life Starts Now Three Days Grace, New Album, New Tour
ning when we were opening for other bands. We always thought it was By Jason Clevett important to get out and meet the fans. I don’t know otherwise how you would get the feedback. If people can only quickly meet you and only I can still remember back in 2004 when I saw a young upstart have a second or two to say what is important to them, we think that band, running on the success of their first single(I Hate) Ev- connection between us and our fans is important. A lot of time that is how we get that feedback from fans. We will keep doing that as much erything About You opening for Nickelback, and a few months as we can.” later Velvet Revolver at the Saddledome. By the time they left the stage I was thinking “these guys are going to be headlining Stock was initially surprised to learn about the bands LGBT fans. their own show here someday.” “I didn’t know that we had a gay fan base, that is pretty cool. For us, whoever we can reach out to and likes us is great. I don’t know what That statement has come true, as Three Days Grace is embarking the stereotype of what gay people should or shouldn’t like. Music to me on a 20 date cross-Canada tour that hits Edmonton’s Rexall Place No- is the international music of mankind, you either like it or don’t like it.” vember 26th, and the Saddledome in Calgary November 30th, including stops in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. The band has gone through its share of ups and downs on the road to success. After their breakthrough self-titled album, lead singer Adam “We are super excited, it has always been about the live show,” said Gontier battled depression and addiction. That process was featured guitarist Barry Stock, in an exclusive interview with GayCalgary and heavily on their second album One-X. The current album Life Starts Edmonton Magazine. “A lot of our songs are written around how they Now is a logical continuation of the themes of the last album. The title would sound live. It is what we have the most passion for, is getting out track, in which Gontier sings “you’ve done all the things that could there and playing. Back then we were thinking the same thing, it would kill you somehow, and you’re so far down, but you will survive this be great to be headlining these places. For us it is really exciting.” somehow, because life starts now” is about moving on from the past, be “We are true Canadians. We love our live show and we want as many addiction or otherwise, and re-starting your life. Canadians to see us as we can. Playing all these places is important to “It is exactly that. This is a whole new place, we are out and we are us. If we can fit this show into the arena, we will be there.” referring to the past, dealing with the hand you’ve been dealt and mov- After touring smaller venues, the band is playing the large arenas, ing on, while looking at it from a positive point of view. That is exactly in part because their live show staging requires it. The band has long what that song is about. This time around, a lot in the past was exactly been known for the quality of their live performance and it is evident that, personal issues and things going on with ourselves. This time from speaking to Stock, just how much they love playing for the fans. around we are all different as people with families and kids involved. From then until now, a lot of things have happened, like dealing with “This time around we put a little more into the show which is why sickness of family members. It woke us up to life being precious, and we wanted to step into some bigger arenas, give people more bang for there is more out there that is important to us. It was a bit of an eye their buck and be able to enjoy Three Days Grace not only on a musical opener that way.” point but a visual. We have a great looking show, I don’t want to give away too much but there are some cool things and something for every- With so much time spent on the road, the band has worked hard to body in this show. It is bigger and more exciting than it was last time center themselves and not return to bad habits. with some great visual effects and staging. People will be impressed “It comes back to our families. We are all family-minded people. with this show.” When we are home we enjoy family life and that keeps us on track for One amusing trait that seems to be common with Canadian bands is not having the rock ‘n roll lifestyle. Our band is not [made of] partiers how often they tour across Canada during the winter. either we are pretty light. We try to take care of ourselves so we can keep touring because we love it so much. The best way to keep doing “It seems weird but we all do it. Americans especially ask why we that is to stay healthy. “ would tour Canada in wintertime? Winter is the time when people feel locked up and want to get out and go see a show, and it makes it excit- From clubs and opening acts to headlining, it has been an incredible ing to go out and have a great time. In the summer there is a lot to do ride for Three Days Grace. in our great Canadian country, so in winter when they get out they are “We couldn’t have asked for more. When we started, all this it was more revved up.” the excitement of getting to play and we were just thrilled to be out. The show will be a triple bill with Default and The Used. For the It is still like that, our schedule isn’t quite as hectic as it was, but we band, which started in the same manner, featuring other artists is an love to do it. The fans have been there since the beginning and are still important way of giving back. growing. For us it is a privilege to be out playing… We will always be playing, but without the fans we wouldn’t be able to do that. We are “We wanted to do exactly the chance we had, to be the first band on certainly appreciative of that.” of three exciting bands, and it makes for a good show. We have Default, which is a great Canadian band, and The Used - I don’t know if many Canadians know about them but they should. We have been a big fan http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1471 for a long time and never gotten to tour with them in the past. It is go- View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments. ing to be a great package and people will have a good time at the show.”
Through extensive touring, playing festivals, and doing autograph sessions, the band has developed a rabid group of fans. They are one of the few Canadian bands of this generation that have graduated to Three Days Grace arenas and had success in the USA. Life Starts Now in stores now. “We stayed pretty true to what we are and sing about. We use our Edmonton - November 26th, Rexall Place music as a tool to vent. It connects with the people it connects with. What we sing about is pretty straight up stuff that most people can Calgary - November 30th, Saddledome relate to on many different levels. That is a lot of it, the connection with Tickets at Ticketmaster our fans. That has been the most important thing from the begin- www.ThreeDaysGrace.com
48 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 49 50 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 51 Music Review Music Review La Roux, Carmen Reece, Electrik Red, Vanessa Williams
to expect, so jazz/easy listening By Rob Diaz-Marino was somewhat of a surprise to me. Okay, so it doesn’t appeal to the “Bulletproof” by La Roux dance/pop side of me, but it’s a nice album to put on to chill out. Some Music is a funny thing – often- particularly appealing melodies times it’s not about using the lat- include the blithe “Just Friends”, est, state of the art technology, but affectionate “Close To You”, and rather how you use what’s at hand. haunting “I Fell In”. La Roux makes use of low-tech synthesizers (to me they sound Singles like MIDI on early computer sound cards) as a bed for some pretty out- “Release Me” by Agnes – At first standing vocals. Odd as it sounds, I didn’t know what hit me. This song is absolutely amazing – in- her style seems to be a winning spiring, uplifting, beautifully melodic and irresistibly danceable. It combination; her song “Bulletproof” melds a classical string section with electronic rhythms - I love it has been appearing everywhere on radio and TV. so much that a snippet from the instrumental version is now my cell phone ringtone. If you hunt for one song mentioned in this Just about every song on the album is catchy – other good ones review, make it this one. include the defiant “I’m Not Your Toy”, optimistic “As If By Magic”, lively “Fascination”, and brooding “Reflections are Protection”. “Patron Tequila” by Paradiso Girls – A playful number with a lot of character. The girls sing about getting their friends hope- “Love in Stereo” by Carmen lessly drunk at the club, while a grating male vocal provides Reece humorous comments in the background. It’s very fun and catchy, We received a sampler disk of though none of the club mixes appealed to me as much as the Carmen Reece’s upcoming album, original. but in two songs I was turned from skeptic to fan! http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1472 View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments. Upbeat, sweet and sincere, the title track is a lighthearted dance number with an unusual elegance More Recommended Listening: to it. The chorus is really what “Party Groove Splash Days” made it a favorite – it grips the By DJ Seth Cooper heart with a beautiful sadness and Dance/Groove devotion as Reece sings, “You can • Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny) (Power Remix) walk away but you don’t. My love • Gotta Be Somebody (Power Remix) will follow you where you go. …You’re so used to monotone, but I • You Belong With Me (Power Remix) give my love in Stereo.” “Turn Me Loose” The Album version of “Right Here” is somewhat hyper-active, By Ledisi but nonetheless a great song. Several dance remixes are available, Alternative but in my opinion the Jason Nevins Radio Mix (V1) is the best of • Higher Than This the bunch – it stays truest to the original feeling of the song, with • Alone a danceable beat. Version 2 of the mix distorts the mood to be • Love Never Changes overly happy, and many others just muck around with it far too much. “Greatest Hits: Platinum Edition” “How to Be a Lady, Vol 1” by By Helder, Fritz & The Phantoms Electrik Red Electronica • Lagerfeld Lady I realized this was a girl-power • Like a Lady album right around “P is for Power”, where words of strength “Anjulie” are used to spell PUSSY - a humor- Pop ous song about the denial of sex to • Boom the man, set to primal drums. The gems of this album, however, are “Jessie James” the cool and euphoric melody in Pop/Country “Bed Rest”, and the cheerful and • Wanted energetic “Friend Lover”. As angry • Bullet ass-kicking numbers go, “Kill Bill” is a good one too. “So Glad I’m Me” “The Real Thing” by Vanessa Williams By LaKisha Jones Yay, our June 2009 cover celebrity! I finally got to hear the Soul/R&B album she was talking about in her interview. I wasn’t sure what • Let’s Go Celebrate (Bonus Track)
52 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 TV Interview Sorting out our Sordid Lives A Chat with Del Shores
and it was his idea. He has such a great By Jason Clevett business mind. He is kind and sweet and we just celebrated our Del Shores is an activist, screenwriter, playwright and sixth anniversary of marriage, really fun guy. Having been involved with shows like and coming up [we will have been] together eight years. We Queer As Folk and Dharma and Greg, he is also the have been legally married only a creative force behind Sordid Lives: at first a play, then a year, we got re-married legally on movie and most recently a 12 episode series. We caught the anniversary of our first wed- up with Del in Texas to discuss our favourite dysfunc- ding and a few days later Prop 8 passed. We are one of the 18,000 tional family. couples that legally married in California.” “I started writing it before I had even dealt with coming out. It has been an odd evolution for the piece. It started as a short story Dottley lets it all hang out, so to about aunt Sissy trying to quit smoking and three days later her speak, in a couple of nude scenes sister dies. In the story the nieces come in and are fighting over if the that leave nothing to the imagina- mother should wear the mink stole in the coffin. I realized it would tion. “Jason has no qualms about make a good play, and then started writing monologues after I came that. I told him, I would like you out, and that portion of the play was based on my Mother’s reaction to think about being naked in the series, and to my coming out. Then I started filling in a lot of blanks. When I he said ok. One of the main questions I always get was, how wrote it, it was so structurally odd. That is when I started directing, was it to direct your husband having sex with another man. It was so because I couldn’t explain my vision to other directors,” he recalled. technical, I was hopping in and having to move their leg, getting the shot right. I have to admit though when I was editing, it was very ”The play ran for 13 months in LA. You stand in the back of the hot. But not on the set, it was all about getting it right.” theatre and start thinking that it would be good as a film. Beau Bridges saw the play one night, he called me the next day and said, The series is left hanging (no pun intended), with many storylines Del, this is a movie and you’ve got to let me wear that black bra. He that still need to be tied off. Unfortunately, the second season likely wanted to play GW. I started adapting it, and it adapted so fast and won’t be happening any time soon. furious. I was with the agency ICM at the time and they shopped it around and no one would make it. I had to make it on a video cam- “It is in such limbo right now. It is very frustrating what we have era basically. At the time Beverly D’Angelo was attached to it as well. gone through with this series. I put four years of my life on hold One day Olivia Newton John called. She has been a friend of mine while the financing came together, and really we shot it for a lot less for many years. She asked what I was doing and I said I was trying than we should have. We did not have the support of Logo once we to get the movie made. She said, you have to let me play that bar got in trouble with the producers, who still owe all of us residuals. singer. She was kidding of course, but I called her the next day and It ran almost 300 times collectively and that adds up. We have not said, can you send me a letter of intent? I called all of my friends with been paid any money on those reruns. Logo picked up the second money and got it made for half a million dollars. I had no idea what I season contingent on the other financiers. There is bad blood with was working, but it worked.” all of us and the producers. It has gotten legal with the guild and no- body wants to work with these people. I presented to Logo that they The show features names like Caroline Rhea, Rue McClanahan, should buy the series. I got a price from the company and it was less Leslie Jordan and Olivia Newton John, as well as most of the cast than a million dollars, and they said no. …I don’t believe it to be the from the play and film. people who run LOGO’s fault, it is Viacom, who owns LOGO, that is not supporting this gay network. Gay people want good product, we “I just love Rue, and have loved her work for many years as most are very discriminate with what we want to watch.” gay men have. When I started thinking about doing it as a prequel I started seeing Rue in my head as the matriarch. For her to play So what will the future be of these crazy Texans and their Sordid this West Texas, sexually pent up woman so different from Blanche, Lives be? would be a wonderful vehicle for her. I knew that I probably couldn’t get her. We had no money to shoot the series or pay the actors, they “I don’t know what is going to happen. The performance is so all worked for scale, basically. I figured, what the hell, I got Delta good. We shot the impossible. I do have the rights to do more movies. Burke to get the movie, and Olivia, so I will send her the script. Rue I don’t own the rights to the series and would love to get that back called me and said, Oh honey, I just love it. I never thought at my through arbitration. The franchise will continue. It is not all I will age I would get to play a woman in love again, and I love playing a be doing but I would like to make a couple more movies - A Sordid woman in love.... it doesn’t pay anything does it. I said no, and she Christmas and A Sordid Wedding. It does not mean there won’t be a said well I don’t care. I want to do it. We will act like we are doing series but it will give the fans more of my crazy characters while they theatre. I really did take my theatre troop and put them on screen in wait.” a TV show.” The gays watching the series quickly found themselves smitten http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1473 with the adorable Ty, a blossoming actor in West Hollywood dealing View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments. with his own coming out, new relationship, and dealing with his fam- ily. Ty is played by Shore’s husband Jason Dottley. This means you Sordid Lives: The Series are probably thinking “Del, you are a lucky man.” Now available on DVD http://www.delshores.net/ “Yes I am, I am very fortunate. Not only do I get to go to bed with Jason a lot, when we are together he is just a good person. I already Win a copy of the complete first season at www.GayCalgary.com had quite a good career going but the Sordid franchise had stalled
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 53 Book Review Welcome to the Jungle How literary icon Rita Mae Brown learned about life from animals
By Chris Azzopardi and if you don’t grab them, they’re Situated on a quiet, rural area of central Virginia, on a gone. This just so happened to be a sprawling 1,000-acre farm, is Rita Mae Brown – and 70 time when they were there.” foxhounds, 19 hunting bassets and 40 horses. Inside the Spoken like a true literary icon, longtime novelist’s home, there are 11 house cats and, she an honorary label Brown’s more than earned since the release of Rubyfruit can’t say for sure, but probably seven dogs. Jungle, a controversial coming-of-age Animals are Brown’s life just as much as Brown’s life is animals, novel released in the early ’70s that and nothing epitomizes that more than the writer’s memoir: Animal changed LGBT literature with its, at Magnetism: My Life with Creatures Great and Small, in which she riffs least during that rigid decade, overt on the critters that inspired her, teaching lifelong lessons about love, lesbianism. The name referred to monogamy, trust and grief. female genitalia, and Brown’s book was the subject of intense controversy “All of those memories just came together,” says Brown from her and careful scrutiny. Any inclusion of home, seconds after gabbing with a chatty neighbor who was smitten by gay and lesbian characters – up until a phonograph needle, thus delaying our conversation. But sometimes Rubyfruit Jungle – involved suicide life is about the little things, a mantra Brown’s adopted while spending or “converting,” Brown says. She much of her life in peaceful sectors, away from the hustle-and-bustle dropped a bomb, and she knew it. of the city. She likes it quiet. She loves to be among nature. And she prefers animals to people. “I was just glad to live,” she recalls with a hesitance that signals relief. “It was the focus of so much hate. “They’re not diluted by ideology,” she reasons. “They live in the pres- I didn’t realize how ignorant people were – and I don’t mean that as an ent, and they accept the world just as it is.” ugly word; ignorant as in they simply didn’t know – nor how much anger there would be. Plus, everybody was in the closet, so there I was all They also don’t talk (and talk, and talk) about phonograph needles. alone.” And yet they can be just as inspiring: her horse, Suzie Q, taught her hard work; a Doberman, R. C., showed her courage. Sighing, and then continuing with a slight laugh: “Let me put it this way: I’m glad nobody else is going to have to do it.” Ever since growing up on her family’s Pennsylvania farm, and even as she eventually basked in big-city life while living in L.A. and New York We’ve come a long way in the last few decades – some states have City (where she participated in the Stonewall riots), four-legged and legalized gay marriage, a “modern family” – at least according to ABC’s feathered friends have remained close. Metropolitan living wasn’t for new sitcom of the same name – now includes LGBT units, and being her, as she feels “the more disconnected you are from nature, the more queer is more of a fashion statement than a death sentence. neurotic you get,” so Virginia became her home in 1988. Then, it was just cutover acres. Now it’s a farm. A big farm. But Brown was famous for more than pushing buttons. She’s gay, and that was big news: “There were 220 million people in America, but I Of all the animals living there, and many others who have passed, was the only lesbian,” she laughs. each changed her life in some small – or big – way. One in particular has become the muse for her popular Sneaky Pie Brown mystery series, in Was she afraid? which she gives a voice to her cat: “Somebody will come up and say, ‘Oh, “No, I’m not a coward,” she assures. “I may not be the brightest bulb you’re too cute,’ and somebody else will say, ‘Oh, no, that’s exactly what on the Christmas tree, but I’ve got guts.” my dog would say.’ I just listen – because how do I know?” She’s still bold: As millions of LGBT people steadfastly fight for rights, She doesn’t, but here’s a lesson – the most valuable, Brown says she’s sitting on the sidelines with an apathetic attitude. Not that she – that she’s learned from animals: Trust yourself. doesn’t understand the need for it; it just doesn’t personally affect her. “People don’t,” she says. “They over think. I’m a person that tests well, “Remember, I’m a farmer,” she says. “I’m really basic, and so the emo- and I appear to be bright if you give me a book to read, but I don’t know tional element of gay marriage is not important to me, but I know that it if I really am. The more I submitted to the process of education the less, is to others; it’s very compelling to millions of people.” in a way, smart I was, because I began to doubt my instincts; I began to doubt my animal sense – the basic five senses. Even if she were straight, she’d give it a so-what shrug. To her, job se- curity is a priority. So is professional promotion and starting a business “Every big mistake I’ve ever made in my life is because I just didn’t with the loan assistance. What about the flack from the gay community trust my animal self.” – is she worried? Her animal self, at least in some afterlife, is a thoroughbred, a “No, I don’t think anybody gives a crap what I think,” she laughs, spirited horse breed best known for its racing skills. Brown’s always “and that’s OK, too. But I want them to have it for them. I don’t want it been athletic, and “I would love to have the ability that they have. With for me.” a thoroughbred you’d get about 1,200 pounds of power and grace and heart – in one package.” Not that she’s opposed to relationships. She’s been in several – with tennis player Martina Navratilova, actress/writer Fannie Flagg and Feeling the love – and hate politician Elaine Noble. Currently, she shares an elusive something Here’s why Rita Mae Brown is a writer: Even when she’s speaking, with a “friend” who lives 3,000 miles away; she’s happy with what they discussing why – at age 64 – she wanted to share these vignettes, she have – it’s endearing and, when they meet, delightful – and that’s good paints us a poetic analogy. enough for her, she says. Why? All the love she needs rests in one place – on that long stretch of land in Virginia. “When the milkweeds are released, and they float through the air, they’re beautiful,” she muses. “Memories are like that. There are a couple of days when the milkweeds are there, and you can see them, http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1474 View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments.
54 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Community News Survey Says… Calgary Outlink Tells Us What We Want
Again, the biggest gap in the community as identified by these By Dallas Barnes organizations was the lack of a hub or community centre. “Such a community centre could take the lead in addressing How well do we really know our own community? In a some of the key challenges, needs and issues identified in the reputed, somewhat fractured community, it can be hard environmental scan, such as providing a safe space for LGBT to know what all of us want. In this time of exceptional people to go to for information or services, developing additional growth in Calgary’s GLBT community, we are fortunate programs for LGBT youth and the trans-identified communities, to hear the results of Calgary Outlink’s survey Exploring providing consistent services or programs to the LGBT com- the Needs of LGBT Community in Calgary prepared by the munities, promoting programs that are culturally sensitive, in- creasing coordination between LGBT services and mainstream University of Calgary’s Faculty of Social Work. services (e.g., shelters), and working with mainstream agencies The purpose of this study, according to Calgary Outlink, to develop safe spaces for LGBT people.” was to examine the service needs, barriers and best practices While it is commendable, Calgary Outlink’s initiative to un- for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified communi- derstand issues that the GLBT community of Calgary is facing, ties. The survey was completed by 230 individuals over the the next step of addressing them is a tall order. Only time will internet, showing a gender identity distribution of 45% female, tell how this information will go toward improving their services 48% male, and 7% trans-identified. There was also an environ- and visibility in Calgary. mental scan of “representatives of groups or services that offer programs or make particular efforts to be inclusive of LGBT people”. With the results, Calgary Outlink hopes to direct their http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1475 future programming to the appropriate audiences. View additional pics/videos. • Share with a friend. • Post your comments.
Much of the information in this survey does not come as For more information on this survey, please visit Calgary Outlink’s website a surprise. Most apparent on the survey and in the general at www.calgaryoutlink.ca. GLBT population of Calgary was the need for a central location or “hub” for the community. This would entail a community centre that provides “services, programs, groups, activities, and advocacy.” Forty-two percent surveyed believe that Calgary Outlink should be this centre. Survey results indicated that more than 75% of participants believe that being connected to GLBT community is a crucial part of their identity. This again comes as no surprise. What is disconcerting however is that only 57% of the participants took part in GLBT events, services, organizations, programs, groups, and activities other than bars, and only 59% felt they were part of the community. This shows a definite deficiency in the services that Calgary’s GLBT community needs. Some of the facts might have been a little tough for Calgary Outlink to hear. One participant suggested that the organiza- tion needs to focus on increasing notoriety, stating, “I’m not aware of a lot of the services that Outlink provides.” This senti- ment represents 30% of the participants who knew nothing of what Outlink has to offer. In fact, about 79% of participants were aware that Calgary Outlink exists to serve the GLBT com- munity of Calgary, and yet only 19% of the participants were “very aware” of what programs they provide. What is surprising is the high level of interest that partici- pants had for being involved in GLBT programs, activities or events. Special events such as Pride week pulled in 79% of the survey participants while organizations and advocacy/activism garnered 68% each. Only 14% of participants were interested in participating in religious events while 45% were interested in sports groups. Most astonishing was the level of interest in bars, which only accounted for 50% of participants, showing that there is indeed a bigger picture. The environmental scan provided some useful insight into the lack of services and programs for the GLBT community. All of the 22 organizations surveyed “had either programs or service that were targeted directly to the LGBT communities.”
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58 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Celebrity Interview Alberta’s Got Talent Lethbridge’s Tara-Jean Popowitch Crowned Dancing Queen
By Jason Clevett
There must be something in the water here in Al- berta. Theo Tams is Canadian Idol, Miles Faber and Allie Bertram were close runners up in the first sea- son of So You Think You Can Dance Canada, and now Lethbridge’s Tara-Jean Popowitch has won the second season of the hit show. “It is insane! I think Albertan’s just have a really solid work ethic. Every dancer I have met from Alberta doesn’t have an ego, they just work their butts off in everything they do. That is why Albertan’s go so far,” Popowitch surmises.
We caught up with her on the phone from Lethbridge, where she has returned home. A week after her victory she was still taking it all in.
“I was not expecting it at all. As soon as I woke up that morning my gut feeling was that Vincent was going to take it. When Leah said Tara-Jean it took a couple of seconds to kick in. I am still in shock actually. I am the happiest I have ever been in my life, my feet haven’t touched the ground yet.” a routine but I don’t want to. I do have to clean my room though - I The joy of the moment was the culmination of an emo- am back to being a regular person. My friends are the same, happy tional roller coaster for Popowitch. and crying a lot more than usual. Some friends I can tell want to ask questions and are nervous, wondering, now that I am famous, if I am “It is really stressful. You start in your audition city different. I pull them in and give them a hug and say, it’s still me!” and perform a solo and there are 4 cuts you have to go through. …Performing for the judges is very intimidat- Her homecoming is a brief respite before heading out on tour. So You ing because they are trying to find their next favorite Think You Can Dance Canada’s top ten tour hits Edmonton November dancer. The top 100 has so many great dancers 30th and Calgary December 2nd. you have to just stay confident throughout the process. Once we hit the top 20 I have never been surrounded by so much talent in my life! “It is a very stressful process but at the same time The process got harder because there is more the best experience of my life...” pressure and the country is starting to know you. I was not in my comfort zone, I only did one number that was my genre which was “I miss it already. I am texting everyone from the show because we contemporary dance. The rest was ballroom miss each other so much. I want the tour to come faster than it is. It stuff I had never performed before. It is a very is the first time I am going to be touring Canada, I can’t believe I get to stressful process but at the same time the best do what I love doing and see my country at the same time. It is a huge experience of my life. I worked so hard, I would thing and the luckiest thing for dancers. I don’t really get too nervous have to watch YouTube to find out what dance anymore because I love performing for thousands of people now. I never style I was doing. I was practicing non-stop. thought I would say that. We are going be like rock stars and there is One of Luther’s comments was, you are the really nothing you can do to prepare for that, nerves are going crazy hardest working dancer in the competition. It and you hope the show goes well - there is nothing you can do to pre- was nice to be recognized and that made me pare for that kind of experience.” want to work even harder.”
Now that she is home, it is at times strange, as she catches up with friends who are adjusting to her new found fame.
“It is crazy being home, people are giving me hugs, people are nervous to talk to me. I am still a person, and being called famous is something I don’t think I will ever get used to. I have been really busy and doing a bunch of inter- views a day, so I haven’t settled down into
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 59 Celebrity Interview
She is especially excited about the tour stop in Lethbridge on No- vember 29th.
“I get to say thank you in person instead of through radio and interviews. I just can’t wait to thank everyone in every city for voting and watching the show, especially in my hometown of Lethbridge. I was bawling when I found out we were doing a show here.”
Like any dancing girl, Tara has a lot of gay friends and fellow danc- ers, including Top-20 finalist Taylor James.
“He is the nicest and funniest person ever. I have many gay best friends, they are so personable. He is awesome and so entertaining. He is always dancing which I absolutely love. It shows how much he loves dance.”
The love of dance she shares with James is something that Popow- itch wants to pass on to others. She takes her new status as a role model very seriously.
“I feel like the luckiest person having that role. I was up until 4 in the morning trying to reply to people. Young girls are messaging me on Facebook saying, I don’t know how to achieve my goals and am too afraid to go for them. Honestly if you want anything in life, it is a lot of hard work but you can achieve it. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you came from, you can achieve anything in life as long as you put everything you have into it.”
With a new car, $100,000, and fame as Canada’s favorite dancer, the world is Tara-Jean’s oyster. Season one winner Nico Archambault focused on his group The Pinup Saints. Tara-Jean hasn’t settled on one plan yet.
“They are shipping the car to me on Monday. It worked out well be- cause my little Pontiac Sunfire broke down before the show so I needed a new car. I want to keep dancing. I love doing TV and film so I will be auditioning as much as I can. I want to do my own show, hire my own dancers, choreograph and rent the venue and put on a show. I am hop- ing to do that next year. Some of the money I won will go to that. I am going to pay the rest of my Mom’s house off for her. My brother, even though he is the most stubborn person I have ever met, I am going to try and make him take some money to pay off his school. I tried to pay for dinner last night and he got mad at me, so I will try my best.”
“Thank you for making me Canada’s favorite dancer. I appreciate it more than the world and can’t wait to perform for you on tour.”
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SYTYCD – The Top Ten Tour November 29 – Enmax Centre – Lethbridge November 30 – Rexall Place – Edmonton December 2 – Pengrowth Saddledome – Calgary Tickets at Ticketmaster
60 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 61 Celebrity Interview The Many Sides of Buck Angel
By Jason Clevett
Buck Angel is many things. For some, he is hardcore porn’s “real man with a pussy.” To others he is a speak- er who may have opened up their eyes to something they didn’t understand before. To others, he is someone who is an inspiration, a motivation, to stand up and be proud of who they are – trans, gay, lesbian, or straight. “Every day I get a letter from a young trans man or gay man. I got an e-mail the other day from a man saying, I’m gay, I never thought I would be attracted to a vagina but you made me realize it has noth- ing to do with a vagina it is just about you.” I get lots of e-mails from people saying that they want to change, how do they do it, is it ok to not have the bottom surgery and does that still make them a man? I have seen that grow tremendously, influencing how people feel about themselves. That is a big part of my work, why does everyone have to identify as gay or straight or bisexual? I just identify as a sexual man.” meeting people I haven’t met before. It is going to be a lot of fun. If you see me, come talk to me, I am very approachable and I won’t bite Buck is preparing to appear at part of Edmonton’s Exposure your head off.” Festival. There will be a reception with him on November 13th followed by a screening of clips he specifically selected for Buck is the only mainstream female-to-male transsexual in the festival and a meet and greet at Boots. On the 14th he porn. We asked what made him want to be a porn star. will be part of an artists workshop entitled Imaging Salon in “I was working in the industry behind the camera work- which he will model for Sculptors, drawers, sketchers and ing with transsexual women at the time. A light bulb went photographers. Finally on the 15th he will be part of the off over my head when I realized that in the whole industry Really Big Show at Steamworks. there was nobody. There were some guys producing under- “I am super excited, I have never been to Edmonton! Other ground porn but nobody taking it where I want to, super than the cold…I live in Mexico where it is super hot and hu- in your face and mainstream. At first I wasn’t sure if I mid so going from that to Edmonton will be super shocking for wanted to do it. It was really putting myself out there my body. They have promised me I wouldn’t be outside for more – am I comfortable enough to show my body naked than 5 minutes,” he said, laughing. let alone having sex? I realized that yes I am, it will also empower me to be more accepting of my “They originally wanted to screen one of my films, which body. My experience with the trans females, these is great, but I have learned it feels uncomfortable for me companies got a hold of them and really exploited to sit for two hours in front of my porn. My movies are them. Trans women porn is known as the freakish pretty hardcore and I don’t feel comfortable having people porn of the industry. I wanted to keep a hold of watching me having hardcore sex for two hours. I thought my porn and have whole control over it, and that I would put together more of a ‘Best of Buck Angel’ and is what I did.” explain my career, where I started and where I am at. There are clips from interviews with Howard Stern, What he did not expect were the requests for ap- Playboy TV, Spanish TV interspersed with some of my pearances and speaking engagements that would be favorite scenes. The theme of the festival is embracing the result. your body, so I interlaced it with a bunch of scenes I “I was a shy sort of guy, which is why the internet have done with transsexuals, transvestites, post ops, was so good for me. I could focus on my movies and men…different types of scenes showing the diversity of not have to interact with people. I was super shy at one my work.” time of my life. Every day something new happens to Buck admits some people are not sure how to me that is changing the way Buck Angel is affecting the react when they meet him, or if they should admit world. I thought I would shock the adult industry, which to being a fan. it needed because it is the same stuff over and over. I really turned it on its ear and said, there are more “It is quite interesting because I consider sexuality and gender differences than what they are myself pretty down to earth and approachable. producing…I never thought in a million years I would People see me as intimidating and end up be- get to the level I am at. I am really proud that my work ing fairly standoffish at times. Gay men are my is so powerful, making people think.” biggest customer base, I would say, and from there queer identified females and then straight Buck also let us in on an exclusive, the next step in females. The least is straight men, although I am the world of Buck Angel: his biography. seeing more of them interested in my work which “I am letting the cat out of the bag; you are the first is bizarre. So people seem super intimidated and I to know that I am writing my book now. That is a big need to be more there and approach them so they deal for me. I have put it off for a long time because it feel more comfortable in approaching me. I am feels like therapy, I have to deal with parts of my life that really looking forward to coming to the event and I dealt with and locked away, and now I have to revisit it.
62 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Celebrity Interview
I had to find the right writer for me who would make the right book, a very positive book… I wanted my book to be super empowering and the writer needed to understand that. Now that I have found the right writer it is time.” While Buck Angel wears many hats, in the end he is just like ev- eryone else, making his way in the world. “I don’t identify so much as a trans man, I am just a man. I think Ian (Harvie, stand up comedian and good friend – he set Buck up for his chest surgery) is the same way, and that is why we get along so well. We chose to just empower ourselves. I am a man who has a vagina and I am ok with that and have put it out there. My whole be- ing doesn’t happen to be between my legs, it just happens to be that is who I am. That is what my work was based on. We do completely different work so we are able to get into these situations where people can feel better about themselves, whether it is a trans person, a gay man, someone who is HIV positive. You need to be ok with who you are, not feel uncomfortable with your body and be able to celebrate that. That is really what my message is.”
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Buck Angel at the Exposure Festival November 13th – 15th, 2009 www.exposurefestival.ca www.BuckAngel.com
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 63 PhotographyQueer Eye - Community Events
Read Alberta Magazines Kick off Party - Calgary Womonspace AGM and Dance - Edmonton
Kinky Flea Market - Calgary
Pride Calgary AGM
64 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Queer Eye - CommunityPhotography Events
BEEF Bearbash at Boots - Edmonton From Sirs with Lust at the Calgary Eagle
Queen of Hearts at Boots - Edmonton
Play Girlz - Edmonton
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 65 PhotographyQueer Eye - Community Events
Backlot Anniversary Party - Calgary
66 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 Queer Eye - CommunityPhotography Events
Halloween in Calgary, photos taken at the Backlot, Calgary Eagle, Money-Pennies, Calgary Opera and the Texas Lounge
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 67 PhotographyQueer Eye - Community Events
Halloween in Edmonton, photos taken at Boots, Buddy’s, Play, Prism and Woody’s
68 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 69 70 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #73, November 2009 71