Gaycalgary and Edmonton Magazine
January 2011 ISSUE 87 • FREE The Voice of Alberta’s LGBT Community magazine Natalie Portman Black Swan
Nevermore The Life of Edgar Allan Poe
Winter Celebration Snowballs & Jasper Pride Bash’d Returns!
Business Directory Community Maps Events Calendar Tourist Information Starting on Page 17 Calgary • Edmonton • Alberta www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Table of Contents January 2011 5 Strength in Numbers Publisher: Steve Polyak Publisher’s Column Editor: Rob Diaz-Marino Sales: Steve Polyak Design & Layout: 9 Bash’d Boys Return To Rodeo Rob Diaz-Marino, Ara Shimoon
Writers and Contributors Mercedes Allen, Chris Azzopardi, Dallas Barnes, 11 Dirty Dancing Dave Brousseau, Sam Casselman, Brandon Natalie Portman and Black Swan cast talk ballet thriller and that Chaisson, Jason Clevett, Andrew Collins, Emily Collins, Rob Diaz-Marino, Janine Eva Trotta, girl-on-girl sex scene
Jack Fertig, Glen Hanson, Joan Hilty, Evan Kayne, A GE 9
Stephen Lock, Neil McMullen, Allan Neuwirth, P Steve Polyak, Carey Rutherford, Romeo San Vicente, Ara Shimoon, Ed Sikov, , Nick Vivian 13 nevermore and the GLBT Community of Calgary, Edmonton, Catalyst Theatre brings Edgar Allan Poe to Life at High Performance and Alberta. Rodeo Photography Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino, B&J 16 Come As You Are Telus Launches CAYA: the LGBTQ-Forward Communications and Videography Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino Electronic Retail Store
Printers North Hill News/Central Web 17 Directory and Events
Distribution Calgary: Gallant Distribution 24 a New Dawn Within The American GayCalgary Staff Edmonton: Clark’s Distribution Military Other: Canada Post A GE 11
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Finally Repealed P Legal Council Courtney Aarbo, Barristers and Solicitors 26 Snowballs Ski Weekend Times Two Sales & General Inquiries Ring In the New Year with Winter Cheer GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine 2136 17th Avenue SW Calgary, AB, Canada 26 Jasper Pride T2T 0G3 Celebrating in a Winter Wonderland Office Hours: By appointment ONLY Phone: 403-543-6960 27 GALA/LA Toll Free: 1-888-543-6960 Fax: 403-703-0685 Serving Lethbridge’s GLBTA Community for 20 Years E-Mail: [email protected] This Month's Cover 27 Q Scopes Natalie Portman in Black Swan “Take up the tough issues, Leo!” Photo by Niko Tavernise. A GE 13 Proud Members of: 28 Deep Inside Hollywood P Best Gay Entertainment Stories of 2010
Edmonton Rainbow Business Association 29 Cocktail Chatter Kahlua, Cream and Fiasco: The White Russian
International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association 30 Queeries We want to help other kids fight bullying 31 Inspirational Iocchelli Rallies Community
National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association 32 Fundraising Photos A GE 16 P Continued on Next Page www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 Table of Contents
Continued From Previous Page 34 St. Petersburg’s Renaissance Out of Town 36 San Antonio, Texas Magazine Figures Monthly Print Quantity: Out of Town 9,000–11,000 copies Guaranteed Circulation: 8,500 copies 38 The OutField Bonus Circulation: 500–2,500 copies The athletic buddy system Readership Readers Per Copy: 4.9 (PMB) Print Readership: >41,650 40 Choice Avg. Online Circulation: 150,000 readers A GE 38 Estimated Total Readership: P >191,650 readers 43 a Couple of Guys Frequency: Monthly Proof of monthly figures are 44 Bitter Girl available on request. 45 Book Marks Distribution Locations: Calgary: 150 Best of 2010 Edmonton: 130 Other Alberta Cities: 10 47 rockin Night At The Museum Other Provinces: 30 Jubilations Rocks Out With Brilliant Show Please call us if your establishment would like to become a distribution location. 48 Classified Ads History Originally established in January 1992 as Men for Men BBS by MFM
A GE 47 50 a Thousand Laughs Communications. Name changed to P Badly Named Product Edition GayCalgary.com in 1998. Independent company as of January 2004. First edition of GayCalgary.com Magazine published 51 Chelsea Boys November 2003. Name adjusted in November 2006 to GayCalgary and 52 Immigrants and Refugees Edmonton Magazine. Creating Safe and Positive Spaces for LGBTQ Newcomers Disclaimer and Copyright Opinions expressed in this magazine are specific to the author, and do not 54 Hear Me Out necessarily reflect those of GayCalgary Best of 2010 staff and contributors. Those involved in the making of this 56 Queer Eye publication, whether advertisers, contributors, or the subjects of articles or photographs, are not necessarily gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans. This magazine also includes straight A GE 50 allies and those who are gay friendly. P No part of this publication may be reprinted or modified without the expressed written http://www.gaycalgary.com/RSS permission of the editor or publisher. Articles • Recent News • Prize Draws • Events • Travel Info Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. GayCalgary is a registered trademark. http://www.gaycalgary.com/Twitter Feb 2011 Print Deadlines Follow us on Twitter for articles, weekly news and updates! Ad Booking: Fri, Jan 28th http://www.gaycalgary.com/Facebook Submission: Mon, Jan 31st http://www.gaycalgary.com/FacebookFan In Circulation: Thu, Feb 3rd Join us on Facebook for articles, weekly news and updates! Please contact us immediately if you think you may have missed the http://www.gaycalgary.com/i87 booking or submission deadline. A GE 52 More articles and exclusive content online! P
GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Editorial Strength in Numbers Publisher’s Column
By Rob Diaz-Marino, MSc. 1,814,793 Downloads As of January 2011, apparently GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine is now the only freely available LGBT publication operated out of Alberta. By freely available, we mean there is no cost associated with picking up a print copy at any and all locations where print copies are available (approx. 300 in Alberta), nor is there any cost associated with viewing or downloading the electronic version from our website. Of course, you already know that we have always kept GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine free for our readers – we feel that it is the best business model for a regional community publication like ourselves. By keeping it free we also reach a much wider local audience, which I’m certain, our advertisers who spend money to get their message out Screen shot of actual report. to the Alberta LGBT Community, duly appreciate…perhaps even more, now that our year-end totals are in. And despite classifying ourselves as “local” or “regional”, Even we were impressed – we had been paying attention GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine does still get a healthy to average downloads of our electronic PDF (Portable following of people reading us across Canada, in the US, Document Format for Adobe Acrobat) per month, but had and around the world – people who specifically seek us out never extrapolated what that totalled for an entire year. But because our content is relevant to them, for travel purposes no extrapolation is needed now – we have the actual total for instance. for 2010: 1,814,793 downloads. This averages to roughly So yes, it may seem odd for little ol’ GayCalgary & Edmonton 151,233 downloads per month, which is right on par with Magazine to be reaching more people than something that our quoted 125,000 to 150,000 monthly average. classifies itself as a national publication. Nevertheless, we This statistic is compiled by WebTrends, trusted third continue to be the leading LGBT publication in our province party web reporting software that we own and have installed - and we are proud to prove it. on our servers to monitor our website. WebTrends gets its statistics first-hand from server logs, and is thus able to produce far more accurate results than a free service like 2011 Reader Survey Google Analytics could ever do from the outside. Make no mistake, we still find Google Analytics to be a useful tool, As mentioned in my column last month, our 2011 Reader but we sometimes have to be careful how much we can trust Survey went online mid month December, and will run what it reports. until the turn of Midnight on January 15th. This is your opportunity to lay it all on us, good or bad, about how we’ve Of course, this statistic does not include the number of been doing in your eyes over the past two years. times the online flip-book application was browsed, the number of times the plain text articles were read, or the Of course, realizing that a grand prize of a Chinook Gift number of times an article or edition was read from other Card didn’t offer much motivation to our readers outside of sites that may have re-posted it – any of which may save Calgary, we instead opted to go for a grand prize of a $150 a reader from downloading the whole PDF document from VISA Gift Card, which can be used pretty much anywhere our site. a VISA credit card is accepted. We will also be drawing for a whole slew of other things to give away, including CDs, To put that number further into perspective, the DVDs, books, and other miscellaneous products that are approximate populations of Calgary and Edmonton are too numerous to list individually. 1,071,000 (2010 Municipal Census, www.Calgary.ca) and 782,000 (2009 Municipal Census, www.Edmonton.ca) As has been the case in previous years, this survey is not respectively. So our total download quantity for 2010 is just about us, but also about the local community in general. equivalent to 98% of the total populations of Calgary and This is a chance for you to tell us your unabashed opinion of Edmonton combined! Of course, that is not to say those the local climate, and any businesses and non-profit groups entire populations are reading our magazine, since we expect in the community that you feel are contributing to it in a an overlap of the same people downloading our magazine good or bad way. every month. Still, it says something about the enduring What do we do with this information? After the last demand for our product, and the amount of exposure that survey we published a top 10 list of the most recognized our advertisers receive. LGBT figures in the local community as a way of passing Furthermore, this new figure shows 43% growth from along the good feedback, and we plan to do the same again 2009, when our yearly total was 1,270,230 PDF downloads. this time. If we maintain this growth rate for next year, we can project But something different this time around is that we are this number to hit 2,595,154 for 2011. asking the flip side, such as: what don’t you like about our Lastly, so that we are crystal clear on how this statistic community, and what organizations do you feel are not distinguishes us from others around us, I need to say the living up to your expectations. This is not something we are following: Don’t make the assumption that any sort of asking for the sake of being mean, nor should you need to National LGBT Magazine out there is getting more online feel it is mean to give your honest opinion. traffic or inherently has a larger readership than we do. National means more area, but not necessarily more people. Continued www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 Editorial Contd. Online Last Month Our motivation for this is quite simple. We want to know Amy Sedaris Talks Queers and Crafts if there is something that we can do to improve the state From a wacky misfit to her Martha-on- of things in Alberta’s LGBT Community. In some cases, crack domesticity book, Amy Sedaris has that may mean simply pointing to a statistic that shows made a career out of being different. She’s what percentage of survey respondents are dissatisfied and wanting change from a particular organization. With us as at it again with Simple Times... the intermediary, we are able to reasonably verify that these www.gaycalgary.com/a1981 opinions are coming from actual, and varied individuals, without their identities being known to the organizations Refinancing Tips for in question. It serves as a good check and balance to LGBT Homeowners gathering feedback that you may feel uncomfortable giving Mortgage interest rates recently fell so to an organization directly. low that they broke all-time historical Otherwise we have some checks and balances in place for records, and rates have managed to ourselves, which make it difficult for us to trace any answers remain extremely cheap and attractive... back to the exact identity of respondents. This helps us give fair consideration to all opinions that come in. www.gaycalgary.com/a1982 You may also notice that this Reader Survey is considerably Dr. Rufus and Mr. Wainwright shorter than it has been in previous years. That is because, Seeing Rufus Wainwright’s November for the second time in a row, we have participated in a 28th concert was like seeing two different larger third party marketing survey that concentrates on performers. With signs posted throughout understanding the general LGBT demographic. At the end of it, we received a report containing statistics from the Jubilee Auditorium requesting... the respondents that were directed to the survey by us, www.gaycalgary.com/a1983 which was quite a healthy number. We are combining these results, along with the more magazine-specific results that Intimate Jay Brannan Show we collect in our own survey, into our 2011 Media Kit - due a Thing of Beauty to be released middle of this month. It is appropriate that, of the songs Jay So as you can see, here at GayCalgary & Edmonton Brannan performed at his November Magazine, we care about providing our advertisers with 25th concert at the Marquee room, a accurate and proven numbers that give a realistic picture cover of Jann Arden’s Good Mother was of the value of our product. If I do say so myself, it really is included... impressive work, why wouldn’t we want to show it off? www.gaycalgary.com/a1984 New Year Upgrades Bedouin Soundclash Back In The Saddle Okay, I’m not quite done giving ourselves a wank. I feel like It was only a short time ago that Toronto we tend to be a little too humble about our product sometimes, band Bedouin Soundclash was on the and sadly, understatement doesn’t often get us very far. verge of ceasing to exist. After a brief break As all businesses should, we continue to evolve and improve that saw frontman Jay Malinowski... ourselves. January is our month to review and refresh our design www.gaycalgary.com/a1985 templates for the print edition. You likely noticed that we have made major revisions to the cover, cleaning up the design and Viva Elvis! widening the area for the featured image(s). We have made other Cirque Du Soleil has long been a creative minor alterations and improvements throughout the magazine, and dynamic entity. When blending their but most noticeably to the Directory and Photo areas. artistry with an icon like Elvis Presley, the Those website improvements that I’ve been promising for the pressure is on to create... past several months are very close now. We already went ahead www.gaycalgary.com/a1986 with the image viewer, helping to make our online Holiday Gift Guide a uniquely interactive experience. But otherwise, I’ve Alexisonfire Heats Up Cold been occupied with infrastructural upgrades that need to be December Night in place before I can start making the more outwardly visible Alexisonfire gets credit for being gutsy changes. Patience. I’ll speak more about our new and improved enough to tour Canada in December again. features as they come online. In 2007 they got stuck in a snowstorm Meanwhile, keep an eye out for our online Valentines Day Gift which resulted in their December... Guide starting mid January and running up until V-day. If you have any gift ideas from gay owned or gay friendly businesses, www.gaycalgary.com/a1987 we’d love to hear them! Wonderful Wizard While there is a long list of iconic musicals, December 2010 The Wizard of Oz is arguably the most universally loved. With an innovative People often wonder if Steve and I ever have any time for ourselves in our busy lives. I’m happy to say that we did each story (not to mention gay... get an opportunity to spend time with our families, and even www.gaycalgary.com/a2027 have a brunch at our place on Christmas day. All the cats hid as our young niece and nephews charged around our home, playing with their new toys and opening Christmas Crackers. This was the first year we’ve ever gotten the tree up in advance of Christmas eve, and even decorated the outside of our house with lights. We’ve never felt so...straight? Is that fair to say?
Continued GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Editorial Contd.
And amidst our flirtations with domestic life, we made it out to most of the major community events this past month. While in many of cases the turnout was on the low side, there were still fun times to be had. The Ms. Mary Christmas Pageant in Edmonton didn’t seem to suffer – the Junction appeared to be comfortably saturated with drag queens and their partners. Jeffy Lube put on a photo booth fundraiser where you could get a picture of yourself sitting on the lap of their scantily clad “sexy santa”, and their slightly more modest Mrs. Claus. The audience was treated to traditional Christmas songs, with a cute hint of sacrilege in things like “Santa’s Baby”. (Personally, I’m waiting to hear the song that goes “I saw daddy fisting Santa Claus” that Steve told me about from events he covered.) A highlight of the evening was JJ Velour proposing to his husband Craig (in drag as Marsha Mallow) on stage – and yes, of course, he did. In the end, Ruby Slippa was announced as the winner, and rightly so for her powerful number and fantastically over-the-top costume. In Calgary, the Calgary Eagle held their annual Christmas dinner for their customers, where they wowed us with sophisticated flavours in a 7 course meal. Barry, who has been struggling with health concerns since September, was present to help host and lighten the mood with some goofy antics.
Living Christmas Tree T’was night of the annual Living Christmas Tree fundraiser, and all through the Calgary Eagle, not a “victim” was stirring, not even the ones presumed agreeable. Two young’uns were asked to step up, with jest, but soon they had ornaments pegged to their chest. Their arms and their legs and their nipples were bare, but sans green latex, they preserved all body hair. Around to the masses they flew like a flash, with ornaments given for 5 dollars cash. For certain these boys were not used to the pinch, so they toughened resolve as they tried not to flinch. On backs and on fronts, on faces on hands, on undies, on armpits, on abs and on glans. Soon in the bar there arose such a clatter, were the ornaments real, they surely might shatter. The rest were removed at the end of the night, when the boys, on their skin, felt the last of the bite. Yes, from the photos you will realize that one of the boys was me. I helped convince Myron to do this, therefore I felt a sense of responsibility to help spread out the ornaments so that he didn’t have to take them all. Luckily Steve was with me at this event, so the responsibility of taking photos fell on his shoulders. Never in my gay life did I imagine that I would be a living Christmas tree – I’ve watched others go through this in prior years and was amazed that they could endure it. So I really surprised myself with how well I was able to handle it. Maybe it was adrenaline, or perhaps I just have dull nerve endings, but by the end of the event I could still feel the pinch of the pegs, yet they didn’t bother me. Myron and I even shared a “Living Christmas Trees Gone Wild” moment (the two of us shared a kiss with all of our ornaments on), which got Steve excited on the other side of the camera. I actually found it fun in a testing-my-mettle sort of way. I already knew that when the pegs are removed, there is a nasty sting as the blood rushes back to those pinched areas of skin. I challenged myself not to flinch as this happened, and succeeded quite proudly. I even went so far as to tense all my muscles to pop off some of the ornaments before the rest were removed manually. What a wild experience, can’t say that I regretted it in the slightest. Sadly we didn’t raise as much for the SHARP Foundation as has been done in previous years, but I think all of us were feeling a much nastier pinch from our Holiday spending.
http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2028 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Bash’d Boys Return To Rodeo
By Jason Clevett In 2008, Bash’d: A Gay Rap Opera was one of the highlights of the High Performance Rodeo. The run quickly sold out, an indication of what was to come for creators/ performers Chris Craddock and Nathan Cuckow. Since then they have performed across Canada, participated in the Olympics, in Ireland, and even had a successful Off-Broadway run in New York City which netted them a GLAAD Award. “We played Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver as part of the cultural Olympiad at the Olympics. Then we did an encore run at the Edmonton Fringe last summer. Chris and I both found ourselves in Edmonton with time free. People in Edmonton hadn’t seen it since it debuted at the Roost in 2006,” recalled Cuckow. “The show has changed even since we were last at the Rodeo. When we went to New York for the Off-Broadway run we did another draft of the script and pushed it to the next level. There are some changes in the writing and a whole new draft of music came out for that run. So the show people will be seeing this run is a slightly different production. We sold out our run at the Fringe and were held over. It was an incredibly fun experience performing there again. The Fringe attracts such a wide, diverse audience base - it was exciting to play to a lot of people that probably had no idea about the show.” www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 Theatre Preview
Bash’d returns to Edmonton as part of the Canoe Festival from “With the book being published we would love to see a transition January 19th to 23rd, and then to the High Performance Rodeo in happen, to pass the show on to others. It is a show we both feel very Calgary from January 26th to 29th. strongly about. It has been an incredible challenge and gift for us as “Both Chris and I had performed with other shows at the Rodeo so performers. It is a show that we really believe in and feel it can have a we are quite friendly with One Yellow Rabbit and big admirers of them. powerful and profound impact on audiences. We have been contacted by We always have a great time playing at the rodeo and have expressed people who have seen the show and passed on their own experiences. as much. They are excited to have us back, and the show having gone We had an e-mail from a student at the University of Victoria who saw to another level, they are excited to show their audiences. Calgary is the show and said it was the first time in his life that he feels ok about my hometown so coming back to perform there in any context is very being gay. You hear somebody say something like that…that is powerful, exciting for me. I know Chris loves playing Calgary. Getting to come back that is amazing.” to be part of the crazy circus that the rodeo is, is very exciting and a big It has been an incredible journey for the show and its creators, and privilege for us.” continues to be an incredible experience for the audience as well. This Cuckow points out something remarkable at their 2008 rodeo may be the last time that Bash’d plays in Alberta, so get your tickets. performances: the diversity of the audience, which ranged in age, sex, “It has been a true gift. It doesn’t happen with every project. To have and sexuality. a show reach this kind of attention... we won a GLAAD award when “You would think it would be for gay audiences but I think a lot of times we were in New York. That was a dream when I lived there and went the rap scares away the gay. People will think, it’s not a show I am going to school, to win something like a GLAAD award, and it came true and to like because it’s rap music. Rap music in mainstream music today has happened with this show. It has been a huge learning experience to shown itself to be quite homophobic and misogynistic, promoting greed spend this kind of time on a show and go to other communities. A great and violence and excess. So a lot of the gay community turns away from learning experience.” mainstream rap music. The great thing about Bash’d - and we often hear this when we do the show - we have had senior citizens tell us afterwards that they hated rap music but they now love it from seeing the show. They perceive it differently because they understand how it’s lyrically driven and exciting, creative, and [how] complex it can be to craft words Bash’d for hip-hop. It’s like Shakespeare. People appreciate his language and Edmonton January 19th - 23rd – Canoe Festival way with verse.“ www.workshopwest.org “We end up converting people. If people are going to come see a gay rap opera, they are probably ok with gay but might have a problem with Calgary January 26th - 29th rap. That is where we end up converting people to appreciate hip-hop. www.hprodeo.ca We have played to audiences that aren’t gay friendly which is shocking, you would think most people would have a sense of their comfort with sexuality, that being the focus of the show. People say that we are just http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2029 preaching to the converted because the people who go see theatre are View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments the open minded type of people generally. So Bash’d would be effective if it could be done at schools, which is something we would love to see happen. It’s not necessarily a reality right now but we would love to see the show get out there into the world and be performed in less traditional venues.” The show has taken on a life of its own, such that both Craddock and Cuckow are able to move on to other projects, and then return to play their characters T-Bag and Feminem. “Bash’d has been an anomaly for Chris and I, in that we keep going http://www.gaycalgary.com/aYYY back to it. We have created other shows that have had life but this has been the longest for both of us. Whenever we come back it continues View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments to get deeper for us. Lyrically, the way the words are said is part of the challenge: really being in the moment and saying things for the first time. The script continues to get tweaked here and there. The show continues to evolve like any piece of theatre should.” In addition, the duo has finally recorded a soundtrack, which is in the process of being mastered. They hope to have it available for sale at their shows, and for download online. The book and script for the show are also being published, opening the door for others to play their own versions of T-Bag and Feminem.
10 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Dirty Dancing Natalie Portman and Black Swan cast talk ballet thriller and that girl-on-girl sex scene
Natalie Portman in the movie Black Swan. Photos by Niko Tavernise
By Chris Azzopardi “It’s really just a retelling of Swan Lake,” says director Natalie Portman flaps her arms and moves as gracefully Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler), “but it definitely shows the as a bird in the twisted psychosexual thriller Black challenges and the darkness and the reality of how hard it Swan, but the comparisons don’t stop there. The actress is to be a ballet dancer.” ate like one, too. Hype, however, isn’t over how much weight Portman and To transform into mentally unstable ballet dancer Nina co-star Kunis (That ’70s Show) shed to play rivals – about Sayers, a darkly disturbing role that’s already giving 20 pounds each – or that it took a grueling year for Portman Portman major Oscar pull, the 29-year-old had to train to move as skillfully as she does onscreen. All anyone’s intensely – for nearly eight hours a day she exercised, toned talked about is how they get it on (intensely), how far they and practiced – and eat lots of carrots and almonds. Then, go (pretty far), and how much of Portman you see (sorry, as soon as production wrapped, she stuffed her face with zilch). Recently, Portman told V Magazine, “It’s not raunchy pasta… for breakfast, lunch and dinner. – it’s extreme.” “The physical discipline really helped for the emotional At the November premiere in New York, she also insisted side of the character,” Portman says, a sweet laugh escaping that shooting sex is hard whomever it’s with: “It doesn’t her as she discusses the film during a press day at Los matter if it’s a friend, a male, a female,” she told The Angeles’ Pantages Theatre. “That’s a ballet dancer’s life – Huffington Post from the red carpet. “You’re with 100- you don’t drink, you don’t go out with your friends, you something crew members, lighting you, repositioning you; don’t have much food. You are constantly putting your body there’s no comfort whatsoever.” through extreme pain, and you get that understanding of It was just as awkward for Kunis, who spoke about the the self-flagellation of a ballet dancer.” scene at the Pantages Theatre: “Whether you have a same- But simply twirling around in pointe shoes, in Nina’s sex scene or a scene with the opposite sex, it’s a sex scene case anyway, is only the half of it. Pressure to be the best, nonetheless,” says the actress, who suggestively bedded to succeed in every way for everyone – herself, her mother another woman – but not so graphically – in 2007’s After (Barbara Hershey) and her instructor (Vincent Cassel) Sex. “Doing something like this with Darren was very safe – mounts in mental madness, as Black Swan becomes and as comfortable as it could be. I never had a fear of being less about dance than the psychosis of performing it. New exploited.” dancer Lily (Mila Kunis), who impresses with her dark Black The steamy scene, a switch from Portman’s usually prim- Swan personification, only adds to the fire burning inside and-proper image (there’s a reason we fell madly in love Nina, throwing her into a charged competition that’s as with her in Garden State), is pivotal in creating Nina, whose destructive as the dance form itself. www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 11 newfound liberation after years of repression leads to a actress. “(Portman and I) got to a feeling of ritual. And I raging sexual awakening. tried to copy her eyebrows as much as I could. We were She masturbates, vomits, hallucinates and anxiously very aware of the symbiotic everydayness of living together scratches herself until she bleeds. The Harvard-educated forever, and that was fun. We didn’t talk about it too much, actress – who says, “This was actually a case where something but we knew it.” I learned in school did turn into something practical” – has How they reached that unique bond was the product a name for it: “religious obsession-compulsion.” And then of Aronofsky’s genius suggestion: Exchange letters in there’s Nina’s smother-mother. Think Mommie Dearest, but character, as mother and daughter. with Hershey in Faye Dunaway’s place. Portman starts, “Barbara wrote gorgeous letters that were “It was really exciting to come in and do this insular, really in character that really gave a sense –” claustrophobic, intense relationship,” says the Beaches “Of our history,” Barbara adds. “To suggest that was just amazing preparation and it gave me the door to my character, which was great.” Singularly, as Nina, Portman was made for this role. Until age 12, she was a dancer and dreamed of growing up to be one. “I always idealized it, as most young girls do, as the most beautiful art,” Portman says. “I always wanted to do a film related to that. So when Darren had this incredible idea that wasn’t just related to the dance world but also had this really complicated character – two characters, really – it was just something completely exciting.” Really tough, too. Training aside, it’s one of the actress’ most complicated characters, a role that summons an extensive out-of-body performance that only someone with Portman’s range could pull off. And she has before, effortlessly slipping into the erratic seductress role in Closer, as a stripper, and in period pieces like The Other Boleyn Girl. In January, she’ll star alongside Ashton Kutcher in the sex farce No Strings Attached. Aronofsky was sold far sooner, though, with one of the actress’ first films, starring a then- 13-year-old Portman as a precocious sidekick to a hit man in The Professional. “One of the reasons I think Darren and I had such telepathy during this was because he’s as disciplined and focused as could possibly be, and that’s what I try to be,” Portman muses, mulling over her Black Swan character. “And I’m not a perfectionist but I’m definitely… I think I like discipline.” Laughing, she insists: “I’m obedient!” Big shock.
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12 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Nevermore Catalyst Theatre brings Edgar Allan Poe to Life at High Performance Rodeo
By Jason Clevett In 2008, Catalyst Theatre first workshoppedNevermore , a dark musical tale of the life of Edgar Allan Poe. It has since travelled across Canada, as well as to London and New York. Nevermore lands in Calgary this month as part of the High Performance Rodeo. It takes a lot of talent to tackle as complex a character as Poe. Since the beginning, Edmonton’s Scott Shpeley has brought the master of macabre to life. “…Iconic characters like Poe or Romeo or Juliet or Mary Poppins, which we saw in New York…are hard to approach. I have never looked at it as I have to be Edgar Allan Poe. We did a lot of research on his life and I read his poetry and short stories. For me it was about finding the person in the story we were telling about Edgar Allan Poe, to imagine the darkness that has be inside you to imagine the types of stories he wrote about. His dream poetry is very powerful and beautiful but also has a darkness. That is what I was trying to do, not think about it as this iconic poet that a lot of people grew up and studied in Junior High School.” www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 13 Between runs, Shpeley has gone on to do other roles passion and respect for the show and are excited to work on before returning to Nevermore. Most actors perform a role it and discover something in the story that we haven’t yet. I once, and then move on. To continually revisit the show and am very grateful for what we have done with the show and character is a pleasure, he says. how well it has been received. I had no idea how it would be “It is nice that you have time to step away and get a received especially in major theatre centres like London and broader sense of the show. When you are in it the first thing New York. The audiences there are exposed to world class in your view is right in front of you. When you have time international theatre, the best shows are going there. It has off and do other shows you are always learning and getting been a privilege to perform on the stages we have.” older and wiser sometimes, or stupider at others. When To add the High Performance Rodeo to its list of festivals you come back you are always bringing more. It is nice to is something else that he is proud to be part of. He is looking have the chance to become a better performer and richer forward to returning to the rodeo. person because you have more experience to bring to the “I can’t wait. I have performed in 2005 in the Rodeo and next round. That is something really special about doing it was one of my favorite theatre experiences. The energy this show, I keep refining my performance and ch-Allan- that Calgary has during the rodeo and all the artists that ging myself to go deeper into the show. Often you don’t get are there is amazing. Being from Edmonton it is a great to do that, you do three works of performance and are done. way to build connections to the Calgary community. To have That is nice. (Director) Jonathan Christenson is there to Mark Bellamy be excited about another show and bringing watch most of the performances and sees it grow on stage it in doesn’t happen a lot. That is the great thing about through different eyes.” the Rodeo - it brings all these great artists together. I am When he first got the role, he never imagined that it would excited to do the show for other artists and connect with take him as far as it has. other artists as well.” “I was excited to work with the show because I am passionate about the style that Citadel created with Frankenstein. So it was exciting to go in not knowing the potential of where it was going. We knew going into it that it was commissioned for Magnetic North and the Luminata Festival so we knew we were going to Ottawa and Toronto, but after that we had no idea where it would lead. I never Edmonton January 19th - 23rd – Canoe Festival dreamed it could travel places like New York and London. It was pretty amazing when we found out that little gem,” Vertigo Studio Theatre he recalled. www.hprodeo.ca He made time to play tourist while the show was on. “It was my first time in Europe and going overseas. It was a http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2031 lot of firsts and pretty overwhelming at points. We were in View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments London nine days and New York almost two weeks. So we had the day to adventure and in New York we would go catch matinee performances. I tried to do as much as I could. I do spend a lot of time worrying about the show and sometimes I will stay in and rest when I could go out because I want to perform well.” The show has received rave(n) reviews from patrons and critics alike, a massive achievement in the often cynical world of New York theatre critics. The team has become a family, Shpeley explained. “Every time we come back to it we are all aware of the family and unity that we have created with each other and respectful of the work everyone has done. I am very grateful every time I return to this because the ensemble and company is something I am so thankful to be part of. The ensemble works together so well and we all have this
14 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 15 News
Caya Store - Exterior Caya Store - Interior shots Come As You Are Telus Launches CAYA: the LGBTQ-Forward Communications and Electronic Retail Store
By Janine Eva Trotta The grassroots-like marketing and advertising campaign “The future is friendly” we often see as the for Caya is entirely run by “local community members who mantra marketed by Telus, one of Canada’s chief are leaders in the community, and take pride in being in the telecommunications providers. community,” Hamlin says. It would certainly seem that Telus is taking a step Caya has utilized a variety of local Vancouver advertising in making that mantra true for the Canadian LGBTQ media including billboard, local publications, and online community as well. With its long-standing commitment to social networks such as Twitter. “It’s quite a unique equal rights and diversity; a staff-directed contribution to approach.” the It Gets Better campaign; and the opening of the first of Over the last decade, Telus and its team members have two LGBTQ and ally-oriented communications retail stores contributed over $17,500 to Out in Schools in British in North America, the future is looking friendlier indeed. Columbia, an awareness endeavour providing education “Telus introduced same-sex benefits to our team members on issues such as bullying, diversity and homophobia to in 1994,” Kenn Hamlin, director of special projects for thousands of students in BC. In Caya’s celebratory first Telus says. “Over the last decade Telus has contributed month of operations, $25 was donated from the sale of each over $1-million in cash in kind, gifts and support to LGBT Android, Blackberry and iPhone to Out in Schools. communities across Canada.” Closer to home, Telus has supported such LGBTQ The most recent manifestation of this support came in the initiatives in Calgary as the Alliance to End Violence, the form of an It Gets Better solidarity video. Contributing Telus AIDS Calgary Awareness Association, the Calgary Sexual team members begin the video by sharing intimate stories Health Centre, EGALE, and the Fairy Tales International of when they were victims of bullying because they were Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. “different”, and complete the video by sharing how those In Edmonton, Telus support has gone to Camp fYrefly, events turned around, and things started to get better. HIV Edmonton, the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies The video and webpage on which it appears is composed and Services, and the Edmonton Vocal Minority. by a Telus team member group called Spectrum, an LBGTQ “We are looking to expand the [Caya] concept on a national resource incepted by Telus in 2009. Spectrum now boasts scale,” Hamlin says, adding that Caya is “evaluating more than 100 members, “facilitates mentoring, networking, additional cities Canada-wide.” and leadership opportunities for LGBTQ team members at If, like me, you are hopeful that one of these locations Telus,” says Hamlin, who began working for the company will be Calgary, you can submit your feedback on the Caya more than four years ago. “Telus has been one of Canada’s Facebook page or on their website, which also hosts a top diversity employers two years running.” plethora of LGBTQ news and events. The idea for the Come as You Are, Caya stores was “We would love to hear everyone’s feedback,” says Hamlin. generated just over a year ago. “We heard from our team members from the LGBTQ community and allies within the community that a retail environment like this would be well received,” Hamlin Come As You Are (CAYA) explains. “Hence Caya was born.” www.thisiscaya.ca The first Caya store was opened October 16, 2010 in Vancouver on Davie Street at Howe, and the second within a month later in Vancouver’s Gastown district. http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2032 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments
16 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Directory & Events
24 DOWNTOWN CALGARY
43 41
37 55 4 59
9 60 34 36 2 35 33 3
5 6 16 1
13 N
1 Calgary Outlink------Community Groups 9 FAB------Bars and Clubs 35 One Yellow Rabbit------Theatre 58 Theatre Junction------Theatre 2 Aids Calgary------Community Groups 13 Westways Guest House---- Accommodations 36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects------Theatre 59 Village Bistro & Lounge------Restaurant 3 Backlot------Bars and Clubs 16 Priape Calgary------Retail Stores 37 Pumphouse Theatre------Theatre 60 Club Sapien------Bars and Clubs 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.------Bars and Clubs 24 Courtney Aarbo------Services 41 La Fleur------Retail Stores 5 Texas Lounge------Bars and Clubs 33 Twisted Element------Bars and Clubs 43 Lisa Heinricks------Theatre and Fine Arts 6 Goliath’s------Bathhouses 34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------Theatre 55 Marquee Room------Bars and Clubs
60 Club Sapien------✰ Calgary 1140 10th Ave SW 403-457-4464 FIND OUT! http://www.clubsapien.ca Accommodations Dance club & restaurant. LGBT Community Directory 13 Westways Guest House------✰ 55 Marquee Room------✰ 216 - 25th Avenue SW 403-229-1758 612 - 8th Avenue SW GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine is the go-to source for 1-866-846-7038 [email protected] www.marqueeroom.com information about Alberta LGBT businesses and community www.gaywestways.com Alternative night every Wednesday. groups—the most extensive and accurate resource of its kind! This 9 FAB (formerly Money Pennies)------✰ print supplement contains a subset of active community groups Bars & Clubs and venues, with premium business listings of paid advertisers. 1742 - 10th Ave SW 403-263-7411 3 Backlot------✰ www.fab-bar.com ✰...... Find our Magazine Here ...... Wheelchair Accessible 209 - 10th Ave SW 403-265-5211 Closed Mondays. Open 7 days a week, 4pm-close Bar and restaurant. Spot something inaccurate or outdated? Want your business or 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.------✰ 5 Texas Lounge------✰ organization listed? We welcome you to contact us! 424a - 8th Ave SE 403-263-5847 308 - 17 Ave SW 403-229-0911 http://www.calgaryeagle.com www.goliaths.ca 403-543-6960 1-888-543-6960 Open Wed-Sun, 5pm-close Open 7 days a week, 11am-close Leather/Denim/Fetish bar. [email protected] 33 Twisted Element------✰ Club Paradiso 1006 - 11th Ave SW 403-802-0230 1413 - 9th Ave SE, upstairs www.twistedelement.ca http://www.gaycalgary.com/CalgaryTravelRss 403-265-5739 Dance Club and Lounge. http://www.gaycalgary.com/EdmontonTravelRss www.villagecantina.ca Local Bars, Restaurants, and Accommodations info on the go! Carly’s Angels on Sat. Billy Schmidt’s “Sounds Bathhouses/Saunas of Sinatra” on Fri. and varied entertainment on 6 Goliaths------✰ http://www.gaycalgary.com/Directory Thurs. Please call for details. 308 - 17 Ave SW 403-229-0911 www.goliaths.ca Browse our complete directory of over 540 gay-frieindly listings! Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 17 Directory & Events
Calgary Events Wednesdays Womynspace------ 7-9pm Worship------ 10:30am Communion Service------ 12:10pm See 1 Calgary Outlink 2nd See Scarboro United Church Mondays See Knox United Church New Directions------ 7-9pm Boot Camp (B)------ 10:30am-12pm Squash------ 8:15-9:45pm Women’s Healing Circle------ 1:30pm See 1 Calgary Outlink 3rd See Apollo Calgary Sep12 See Apollo Calgary Oct18 See AIDS Calgary Beach Volleyball------ 7:30-9:30pm Worship Services------ 11am ASK Meet and Greet------ 7-9:30pm Wing Night------ All Day See Apollo See Knox United Church Bonasera (1204 Edmonton Tr. NE) At 9 FAB Heading Out------ 8pm-10pm BBQ Social Sundays------ 2pm Inside Out Youth Group------ 7-9pm Free Pool------ All Day See 1 Calgary Outlink 4th At 4 Calgary Eagle See 1 Calgary Outlink At 4 Calgary Eagle with Prime Timers Calgary Alcoholics Anonymous------ 8pm Movie Night------ 2pm-6pm Yoga (A)------ 6-7:30pm Badminton------ 7-9pm Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) By ISCCA at 5 Texas Lounge Nov7Feb13 See Apollo Calgary Sep27Dec6 See Apollo Calgary Sep8Dec15 1227 Kensington Close NW Church Service------ 4pm Yoga (B)------ 7:45-9:15pm Bowling------ 7pm Saturdays See Rainbow Community Church See Apollo Calgary Sep27Dec6 See Apollo Calgary Sep1Mar30 Running------ 9am Swim Practice------ 5-6pm Tuesdays See Apollo Mosaic Youth Group------ Evening See Different Strokes Sep9Dec Calgary Networking Club------ 5-7pm See website for details. Tennis------ 10am Sunday Socials------ Afternoon See 1 Calgary Outlink 1st Tues Thursdays By Apollo At 4 Calgary Eagle Boot Camp (A)------ 7-8:30pm Lesbian Seniors------ 2pm Coffee------ 10am Free Pool------ All Day See Apollo Calgary Sep7 Kerby Center, Sunshine Room 3rd See Prime Timers Calgary At 4 Calgary Eagle Between Men------ 7-9pm 1133 7th Ave SW Wing Night------ All Day Calgary Networking Club------ 5-7pm See 1 Calgary Outlink 2nd, 4th Swim Practice------ 6-7pm At 9 FAB By Calgary Outlink At Ming (520 - 17th Ave SW) Rehearsals------ 7-9:30pm See Different Strokes Sep9Dec Karaoke------ 8pm-1am Tuesday, January 11th See Calgary Men’s Chorus Jun 5 Fake Mustache Show------ 7-9:45pm At Texas Lounge Community Meet & Greet------ 7:30-9pm Karaoke------ 8pm-1am See Miscellaneous Youth Network 1st Alcoholics Anonymous------ 8pm By Pride Calgary At 5 Texas Lounge Alcoholics Anonymous------ 8pm Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) Old Y Building Fetish Slosh------ Evening Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW 223 12th Ave SW At 3 Backlot 2nd 1227 Kensington Close NW Tuned Out Music Trivia------ Evening Saturday, January 29th Alcoholics Anonymous------ 8pm Fridays At 9 FAB 1st, 3rd Monthly Dance------ 8pm Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) Leather Night------ Evening Fundraising Shooters------ Evening By ARGRA 1227 Kensington Close NW At 4 Calgary Eagle By ISCCA at 5 Texas Lounge Hillhurst-Sunyside Community Hall 1320 5th Avenue NW Lawn Bowling------ 6-9pm BBQ Fundraiser------ 5-9pm Sundays See Apollo Satuday, February 26th By ISCCA at 3 Backlot Worship Time------ 10am Sleight Ride------ TBA Illusions------ 7-10pm See Deer Park United Church By ARGRA See 1 Calgary Outlink 1st Legend: = Monthly Reoccurrance, = Date (Range/Future), = Sponsored Event
Calgary Contd.
Community Groups with over 400 athletes in up to seven different • Golf • Slow Pitch sports. [email protected] [email protected] 2 AIDS Calgary------✰ • Badminton (Absolutely Smashing) Occasional rounds will occur during the summer of Will be running Friday nights during the summer 110, 1603 10th Avenue SW St. Martha School (6020 - 4 Avenue NE) 2010 depending on weather and leaders. Sign up of 2010, location to be determined. Sign up at 403-508-2500 [email protected] at myapollo.org to receive updates. myapollo.org to receive immediate notice of start [email protected] Per session: $4 for Apollo member, $5 for non- • Lawn Bowling date and location. www.aidscalgary.org members. Season’s pass $75 Inglewood Lawn Bowling Club • Squash Alberta Society for Kink • Boot Camp 1235 8th Avenue SE Mount Royal University Recreation 403-398-9968 Platoon FX, 1351 Aviation Park NE [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] • Outdoor Pursuits All skill levels welcome. http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/ group.albertasocietyforkink 8 classes (one per week) for only $50.This is a 50% [email protected] • Tennis saving for Apollo members only. If it’s done outdoors, we do it. Volunteer led events U of C Courts Apollo Calgary - Friends in Sports • Bowling (Rainbow Riders League) all summer and winter. Hiking, camping, biking, [email protected] www.apollocalgary.com Let’s Bowl (2916 5th Avenue NE) skiing, snow shoeing, etc. Sign up at myapollo.org All skill levels welcome. Drop in. Look for Randall. www.myapollo.com [email protected] to get updates on the sport you like. We’re always • Volleyball (Beach) A volunteer operated, non-profit organization looking for people to lead events. serving primarily members of the LGBT communities Nightly - $17.00/night ($12.50 for lineage; $4.50 Volleydome (2825 24 Avenue NW) but open to all members of all communities. in prize money) and shoe rental is $3.00. • Running (Calgary Frontrunners) [email protected] Primary focus is to provide members with well- • Curling YMCA Eau Claire (4th St, 1st Ave SW) • Volleyball (Rec + Int/Comp) [email protected] organized and fun sporting events and other [email protected] [email protected] activities. Will return in September 2010. Sign up at East Doors (directly off the Bow river pathway). Both Leagues will return in September 2010. Sign myapollo.org to receive updates. Distances vary from 8 km - 15 km. Runners from 6 up at myapollo.org to receive updates. • Western Cup 29 minutes/mile to 9+ minute miles. www.westerncup.com North America’s largest LGBT sporting competition
18 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Directory & Events
Calgary Contd.
• Yoga • Heading Out ISCCA Social Association mature minded and “Plus 40” LGBT individuals World Tree Studio (812 Edmonton Trail NE) Peer group for men who are looking for an http://www.iscca.ca seeking to meet others at age-appropriate activities Robin: 403-618-9642 alternative social activity to the bar. Activities vary Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch. within a positive, safe environment. [email protected] and are fun and entertaining. Charity fundraising group.. Parents for Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) $120 (10 sessions); $14 Drop-ins open to all • Illusions Calgary Knox United Church Sean: 403-695-5791 levels. Apollo membership is required. Social group for Calgary and area transgender 506 - 4th Street SW 403-269-8382 http://www.pflagcanada.ca Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA) community members (cross dressers, transvestites, http://www.knoxunited.ab.ca A registered charitable organization that provides www.argra.org drag kings and queens). A safe, discrete and Knox United Church is an all-inclusive church support, education and resources to parents, • Monthly Dances------welcoming atmosphere, in which transgendered located in downtown Calgary. A variety of facility families and individuals who have questions or Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association people can meet others of like mind. rentals are also available for meetings, events and concerns about sexual orientation or gender identity. 1320 - 5th Avenue NW • Inside Out concerts. Positive Space Committee Artists for the Quality of Life Peer-facilitated youth group for GLBTQ ages 15-25. • Worship Services 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW 403-890-1261 www.afqol.com Aims to let youth know they are not alone, and to 10:30am in July and August. 403-440-6383 connect them with their peers. Safe environment http://www.mtroyal.ca/positivespace Miscellaneous Youth Network Cabin Fever with a variety of resources and activities. Works to raise awareness and challenge the The Soda http://www.miscyouth.com • New Directions patterns of silence that continue to marginalize Women’s dance and social night. • Fake Mustache------Drop in peer-support group to provide support and LGBTTQ individuals. The Soda, 211 - 12th Ave SW Calgary Gay Fathers resources for individuals who identify as transsexual Pride Calgary Planning Committee Calgary’s ONLY Drag King Show. $5 cover. $2 [email protected] or inter-sexed. 403-797-6564 www.pridecalgary.ca http://www.calgarygayfathers.ca cover under 18. Advance tickets available at Barbies Peer support group for gay, bisexual and • SHEQ Soulful Healing Ego Quest Shop. Pride Rainbow Project Trudy or Krista, 403-585-7437 [email protected] questioning fathers. Meeting twice a month. Mystique Workshop for women—a chance to grow and share http://www.priderainbowproject.com [email protected] Calgary Men’s Chorus their experiences related to women’s sexuality. To Youth run project designed to show support for Mystique is primarily a Lesbian group for women 30 http://www.calgarymenschorus.org participate, please call or leave your name and a same-sex marriage in Canada and elsewhere. A and up but all are welcome. • Rehearsals contact time/number with Calgary Outlink. fabric rainbow banner approximately 5 feet wide • Coffee Night Temple B’Nai Tikvah, 900 - 47 Avenue SW • Womynspace - goal is to make it 3.2km (2 miles) long, in order Second Cup (2312 - 4th Street SW) to break the world record. Calgary Sexual Health Centre------✰ Peer social/support group for women providing an 304, 301 14th Street NW evening of fun, bonding, discussion and activities. NETWORKS Primetimers Calgary [email protected] [email protected] 403-283-5580 Calgary Queer Book Club A social, cultural, and service organization for the http://www.primetimerscalgary.com http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca Weeds Cafe (1903 20 Ave NW) A pro-choice organization that believes all people have the right and ability to make their own choices Deer Park United Church/Wholeness Centre regarding their sexual and reproductive health. 77 Deerpoint Road SE 403-278-8263 http://www.dpuc.ca 1 Calgary Outlink------✰ #4, 1230A 17th Avenue SW Different Strokes 403-234-8973 http://www.differentstrokescalgary.org http://www.calgaryoutlink.com • Swim Practice Formerly know as the Gay And Lesbian Community SAIT Pool, 1301 - 16th Ave NW Services Association (GLCSA). No practices on long weekends • Peer Support and Crisis Line Don’t Buy In Project 1-877-OUT-IS-OK (1-877-688-4765) http://www.dontbuyin.ca Front-line help service for GLBT individuals and This Calgary Police Service Initiative aims to their family and friends, or anyone questioning encourage youth to working towards an inclusive their sexuality. environment in which diversity is embraced in their • Library schools and community. A great selection of resource books, fiction, non- FairyTales Presentation Society fiction, videos and everything in between, all with a #4 - 1230A 17th Avenue SW queer perspective. 403-244-1956 • Drop-In Center http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com A safe and supportive environment for one-to-one Alberta Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. peer counseling for many issues surrounding family, • DVD Resource Library coming out, homosexuality, loneliness and other Over a hundred titles to choose from. Annual issues. membership is $10. • Between Men and Between Men Online Gay Friends in Calgary Peer support, sexual health education for gay http://www.gayfriendsincalgary.ca or bisexual men, as well as those who may be Girl Friends uncertain or questioning their sexuality. [email protected] • Calgary Networking Club members.shaw.ca/girlfriends Ming, 520 - 17th Ave SW Girlsgroove The networking meetings are open to all individuals http://www.girlsgroove.ca who would like to promote their businesses or who would like to meet new people - no business HIV Peer Support Group affiliation is necessary. 403-230-5832 [email protected] www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 19 Directory & Events
DOWNTOWN EDMONTON 1
5
7 3 6 4 N 11 12 14
1 Pride Centre------Community Groups 5 The Junction------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 14 FLASH------Bars and Clubs 4 Edmonton STD------Community Groups 7 Down Under Baths------Bathhouses 12 Woody’s------Bars and Clubs
Calgary Contd.
Designed to foster social interaction for its members same-sex domestic violence and homophobic youth the awareness of gay men’s domestic violence and 41 La Fleur------through a variety of social, educational and bullying. the services available to them. 103 - 100 7th Avenue SW recreational activities. Open to all gay and bisexual Scarboro United Church “Yeah...What She Said!” Radio Show 403-266-1707 men of any age, respects whatever degree of 134 Scarboro Avenue SW CJSW 90.9 FM Florist and Flower Shop. anonymity that each member desires. 403-244-1161 www.scarborounited.ab.ca [email protected] The Naked Leaf------• Free Pool An affirming congregation—the full inclusion of 305 10th Street NW 403-283-3555 4 Calgary Eagle LGBT people is essential to our mission and purpose. Restaurants http://www.thenakedleaf.ca • Saturday Coffee Sharp Foundation 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.------✰ Organic teas and tea ware. Midtown Co-op, 1130 - 11th Ave SW 403-272-2912 See Calgary - Bars and Clubs. 16 Priape Calgary------✰ Queers on Campus------✰ [email protected] 60 Club Sapien------✰ 1322 - 17 Ave SW 403-215-1800 279R Student Union Club Spaces, U of C http://www.thesharpfoundation.com 1140 10th Ave SW 403-457-4464 http://www.priape.com 403-220-6394 Unity Bowling http://www.clubsapien.ca Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear, http://www.ucalgary.ca/~glass Let’s Bowl (2916 - 5th Ave NE) movies and magazines. Gifts. 9 FAB (formerly Money Pennies)------✰ Formerly GLASS - Gay/Lesbian Association of [email protected] See Calgary - Bars and Clubs. Wares & Wear Ventures Inc. Students and Staff. Urban Sex Radio Show See Canada - Retail Stores. Halo Steak, Seafood & Wine Bar • Coffee Night CJSW 90.9 FM Canyon Meadows Plaza Services & Products 2nd Cup, Kensington http://www.cjsw.com 13226 Macleod Trail SE Rainbow Community Church Focus on sexuality; gay bisexual lesbian trans 403-271-4111 Calgary Civil Marriage Centre Hillhurst United, 1227 Kensington Close NW gendered and straight issues here in Calgary and www.halorestaurant.com 403-246-4134 [email protected] [email protected] around the web. Marriage Commissioner for Alberta (aka Justice of 59 Village Bistro & Lounge------ the Peace - JP), Marriage Officiant, Commissioner http://www.rainbowcommunitychurch.ca Western Canada Bigmen and Admirers 2F, 610 8th Ave SE for Oaths. The Rainbow Community Church is an all-inclusive groups.yahoo.com/group/ 403-262-6342 ext 236 church; everyone is welcome. WesternCanadaBigmenGroup/ M-R: 9am-4pm, F: 9am-5pm, S: 11am-5pm 24 Courtney Aarbo (Barristers & Solicitors) Rocky Mountain Bears [email protected] www.villagebistrocalgary.com 1138 Kensington Road NW [email protected] Vigor Calgary 403-571-5120 http://www.rockymountainbears.com 403-255-7004 www.vigorcalgary.ca Retail Stores http://www.courtneyaarbo.ca GLBT legal services. Safety Under the Rainbow Violence in Gay Male Relationships (VIGOR) is a Adult Depot------✰ http://www.safetyrainbow.ca committee of professionals dedicated to increasing 140, 58th Ave SW 403-258-2777 Mission: To raise awareness and understanding of Gay, bi, straight video rentals and sex toys.
20 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Directory & Events
Calgary Contd. Edmonton Contd.
Cruiseline 37 Pumphouse Theatre------✰ Camp fYrefly • Community Potluck 403-777-9494 trial code 3500 2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW 7-104 Dept. of Educational Policy Studies Main Space – Upstairs http://www.cruiseline.ca 403-263-0079 Faculty of Education, University of Alberta [email protected] Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY. http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G5 A potluck open to all members of the LGBTQ community. A time to get together, share a meal DevaDave Salon & Boutique Stagewest------✰ http://www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca and meet people from the community. 810 Edmonton Trail NE 727 - 42 Avenue SE 403-243-6642 Edmonton Pride Week Society 403-290-1973 http://www.stagewestcalgary.com http://www.prideedmonton.org • Free School Main Space – Upstairs Cuts, Colour, Hilights. 58 Theatre Junction------✰ Edmonton Prime Timers [email protected] Duncan’s Residential Cleaning Theatre Junction GRAND, 608 1st St. SW [email protected] Free School provides workshops on a variety of Jim Duncan: 403-978-6600 403-205-2922 www.primetimersww.org/edmonton topics related to local activism. Residential cleaning. Free estimates. [email protected] Group of older gay men and their admirers who come • Get Tested for STIs Lorne Doucette (CIR Realtors) http://www.theatrejunction.com from diverse backgrounds but have common social Free STD testing for anyone interested. For more 403-461-9195 34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------interests. Affiliated with Prime Timers World Wide. information please contact the Pride Centre. http://www.lornedoucette.com 161, 115 - 9 Ave SE 403-221-3708 Edmonton Rainbow Business Association • GLBT Seniors Drop-In Marnie Campbell (Maxwell Realtors) http://www.vertigomysterytheatre.com 3379, 11215 Jasper Ave 780-429-5014 Main Space – Upstairs 403-479-8619 http://www.edmontonrba.org [email protected] http://www.marniecampbell.ca Primary focus is the provision of networking Edmonton opportunities for LGBT owned or operated and LGBT- A social and support group for seniors of all genders MFM Communications friendly businesses in the Edmonton region. and sexualities to talk, have tea and offer each 403-543-6970 Bars & Clubs other support. 1-877-543-6970 Edmonton Illusions Social Club 5 • Men Talking with Pride http://www.mfmcommunications.com 6 Buddy’s Nite Club------✰ Boots Bar & Grill Main Space – Upstairs Web site hosting and development. Computer 11725 Jasper Ave 780-488-6636 780-387-3343 [email protected] hardware and software. groups.yahoo.com/group/edmonton_illusions 14 FLASH------✰ A social discussion group for gay, bisexual and 4 Edmonton STD MPs Catering 10018 105 Street 780-938-2941 transgendered men to discuss current issues and to 11111 Jasper Ave 403-607-8215 [email protected] offer support to each other. Edmonton Vocal Minority SafeWorks 5 The Junction------✰ • Men’s HIV Support Group 780-479-2038 [email protected] Free and confidential HIV/AIDS and STI testing. 10242 106th St 780-756-5667 Green Room – Upstairs http://www.junctionedmonton.com www.evmchoir.com • Calgary Drop-in Centre [email protected] Room 117, 423 - 4th Ave SE PLAY Nightclub (closed)------✰ Exposure 2010 Support group for people living with HIV/AIDS. TBA 403-699-8216 10220 103 Street 780-497-7529 • PFLAG Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm, Sat: 12:15pm-3:15pm [email protected] 3 HIV Network Of Edmonton Society---- ✰ Red room - Downstairs 780-436-1998 http://www.playnightclub.ca • Centre of Hope 9702 111 Ave NW www.hivedmonton.com [email protected] Room 201, 420 - 9th Ave SE Prism Bar & Grill (closed)------✰ Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: A support 403-410-1180 Mon-Fri: 1pm-5pm 10524 101st St 780-990-0038 http://www.iscwr.ca group for family members and friends of GLBT http://www.prismbar.ca people. An excellent resource for people whose • Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre OUTreach family members and friends have just come out. 1213 - 4th Str SW 403-955-6014 12 Woody’s------✰ University of Alberta, basement of SUB Sat-Thu: 4:15pm-7:45pm, Fri: Closed 11725 Jasper Ave 780-488-6557 [email protected] • Prime Timers See Edmonton Primetimers. • Safeworks Van Bathhouses/Saunas http://www.ualberta.ca/~outreach 403-850-3755 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender/transsexual, • Suit Up and Show Up: AA Big Book Study Sat-Thu: 8pm-12am, Fri: 4pm-12am 7 Down Under Baths------✰ Queer, Questioning and Straight-but-not-Narrow Downstairs Couch Area 12224 Jasper Ave 780-482-7960 student group. Discussion and support group for those struggling Theatre & Fine Arts http://www.gayedmonton.com 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton------✰ with an alcohol addiction or seeking support in staying sober. 36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects 11 Steamworks------✰ 95A Street, 111 Ave 780-488-3234 403-294-7402 http://www.ATPlive.com 11745 Jasper Ave 780-451-5554 [email protected] • TTIQ http://www.steamworksedmonton.com Green Room – Upstairs AXIS Contemporary Art------ [email protected] 107, 100 - 7 Ave SW 403-262-3356 Community Groups [email protected] www.axisart.ca Alberta Bears Fairytales www.beefbearbash.com See Calgary - Community Groups. Altview-Strathcona County LGBTQ Group Jubilations Dinner Theatre #44, 48 Brentwood Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB Bow Trail and 37th St. SW www.altview.ca 403-249-7799 www.jubilations.ca Book Worm’s Book Club Howard McBride Chapel of Chimes 43 Lisa Heinricks (Artist)------10179 - 108 Street Art Central, 100 7th Ave SW, lower level [email protected] http://www.creamydreamy.com Buck Naked Boys Club 35 One Yellow Rabbit------ 780-471-6993 Big Secret Theatre - EPCOR CENTRE http://www.bucknakedboys.ca 403-299-8888 www.oyr.org Naturism club for men—being social while everyone is naked, and it does not include sexual activity. Participants do not need to be gay, only male. www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 21 Directory & Events
Edmonton Events Wednesdays Youth Understanding Youth------ 7-9pm Youthspace------ 3-6:30pm PFLAG------ 12:10pm At 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See Pride Centre of Edmonton Mondays See Pride Centre of Edmonton 1st Book Club------ 7:30pm Bowling------ 5pm Boot Camp------ 7-8pm Youthspace------ 3-7pm See BookWorm’s Book Club 3rd See Team Edmonton See Team Edmonton See Pride Centre of Edmonton Martial Arts------ 7:30-8:30pm Sundays Men’s HIV Support Group------ 7-9pm Youth Sports/Recreation------ 4pm See Team Edmonton Running------ 10-11am See Pride Centre of Edmonton 2nd See Youth Understanding Youth Intermediate Volleyball------ 7:30-9:30pm See Team Edmonton Curling------ 7:15pm Youth Understanding Youth------ 7-9pm See Team Edmonton Free School------ 11-5pm See Team Edmonton Oct4Mar21 At 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton Wet Underwear Contest------ Evening See Pride Centre of Edmonton 2nd, 4th Amateur Strip------ 12am Mixed Badminton------ 8-10pm At 6 Buddys Womonspace Meeting------ 12:30-1:30pm At 6 Buddys See Team Edmonton Jan13End of May Fridays See Pride Centre of Edmonton 1st Tuesdays Wing & Sing------ Evening Edmonton Illusions------ 8:30pm Yoga------ 2-3:30pm GLBT Seniors Drop-in------ 1-4pm At 5 Junction At 5 The Junction 2nd See Team Edmonton See Pride Centre of Edmonton Wings + Karaoke------ 7pm Youthspace------ 3-6:30pm Men Talking with Pride------ 7-9pm TTIQ------ 2-4pm At 12 Woodys See Pride Centre of Edmonton See Pride Centre of Edmonton See Pride Centre of Edmonton 2nd Thursdays Youth Sports/Recreation------ 4pm Ballroom Dancing------ 7:30-8:30pm Youthspace------ 3-7pm GLBT Seniors Drop-in------ 1-4pm See Youth Understanding Youth See Team Edmonton See Pride Centre of Edmonton See Pride Centre of Edmonton Youth Movie Night------ 6:30-8:30 Monthly Meetings------2:30pm Bowling------ 6:45-9pm Get Tested for STIs------ 3-6pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton Unitarian Church (10804 119th Street) See Team Edmonton Sept7Mar15 See Pride Centre of Edmonton Last Youth Understanding Youth------ 7-9pm See Edmonton Primetimers 2nd Community Potluck------ 7-9pm Youthspace------ 3-7pm At 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton Tuesday, January 11th See Pride Centre of Edmonton Last See Pride Centre of Edmonton Saturdays Business Mixer------ 5:30pm Recreational Volleyball------ 8:30-10:30pm By ERBA Youth Sports/Recreation------ 4pm Naturalist Gettogether------ ??? See Team Edmonton Oct5 TU Gallery (10718 - 124 Street) See Youth Understanding Youth See Buck Naked Boys Club 2nd Swimming------ 7:30-8:30pm Tuesday, February 8th GLBT African Group------ 6pm AA Big Book Study------ 12-1pm See Team Edmonton Sept9Dec21 At 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton 2nd See Pride Centre of Edmonton Business Mixer------ 5:30pm Martial Arts------ 7:30-8:30pm By ERBA Monthly Meeting------ 2:30pm Swimming------7-8pm Investors Group See Team Edmonton By Edmonton Primetimers 2nd See Team Edmonton Sept9Dec21 #107 Broadway Blvd, Sherwood Park Unitarian Church, 10804 - 119th Street Legend: = Monthly Reoccurrance, = Date (Range), = Sponsored Event
Edmonton Contd.
TTIQ is mixed gender open support group addressing • Badminton (Mixed) • Cycling (Edmonton Prideriders) All genders and levels of runners and walkers are the needs of transsexual and transgendered St. Thomas Moore School, 9610 165 Street Various locations in Edmonton invited to join this free activity. individuals. [email protected] [email protected] • Slo Pitch • Womonspace Board Meeting New group seeking male & female players. • Dragon Boat (Flaming Dragons) Parkallen Field, 111 st and 68 ave Main Space – Upstairs • Badminton (Women’s) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Oliver School, 10227 - 118 Street • Golf Season fee is $30.00 per person. $10 discount for Womonspace is a Social and Recreational Society 780-465-3620 [email protected] players from the 2008 season. in Edmonton run by volunteers. They provide [email protected] • Gymnastics, Drop-in • Snowballs III opportunities for lesbians to interact and support Women’s Drop-In Recreational Badminton. $40.00 Ortona Gymnastics Club, 8755 - 50 Avenue February 5-7th, 2010 each other in a safe environment, and to contribute season or $5.00 per drop in. [email protected] to the broader community. [email protected] •Ballroom Dancing Have the whole gym to yourselves and an instructor Skiing and Snowboarding Weekend. • Youth Movie Foot Notes Dance Studio, 9708-45 Avenue NW to help you achieve your individual goals. Cost is • Soccer Main Space – Upstairs Cynthia: 780-469-3281 $5.00 per session. [email protected] [email protected] • Blazin’ Bootcamp • Hockey • Spin Movie chosen by youth (aged 14 – 25), usually Garneau Elementary School with LGBT themes. Popcorn is served. [email protected] MacEwan Centre for Sport and Wellness 10925 - 87 Ave 109 St. and 104 Ave • Martial Arts • YouthSpace [email protected] Wednesdays, 5:45-6:45pm [email protected] 15450 - 105 Ave (daycare entrance) • Bowling (Northern Titans) 780-328-6414 Season has ended. A safe and supportive space for GLBTQ youth aged Ed’s Rec Room (West Edmonton Mall) [email protected] [email protected] 13–25. Video games, computers with internet, [email protected] 7 classes, $28.00 per registrant. clothing bank, and more. [email protected] $15.00 per person. Drop-ins welcome. • Swimming (Making Waves) Team Edmonton • Cross Country Skiing NAIT Pool (11762 - 106 Street) • Outdoor Pursuits [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] http://www.teamedmonton.ca www.makingwavesswimclub.ca Members are invited to attend and help determine • Curling with Pride • Running (Arctic Frontrunners) the board for the next term. If you are interested in Granite Curling Club, 8620 107 Street NW Emily Murphy Park, west end • Tennis running for the board or getting involved in some of [email protected] [email protected] Kinsmen Sports Centre the committees, please contact us. Sundays, 12pm-3pm [email protected]
22 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Directory & Events
Western Canadian Pride Campout Lethbridge Events Lethbridge www.eventmasterinc.net Fridays YouthSafe Community Groups http://www.youthsafe.net Monthly Dance------ 9pm-2am GALA/LA Alberta’s website for youth with sex-and-gender By GALA/LA 403-308-2893 differences. Youthsafe.net lists the resources, Moose Hall (1401 5th Ave N) http://www.galalethbridge.ca information and services to help youth find safe and Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge and Area. caring spaces in Alberta. Edmonton Contd. • Monthly Dances Theatre & Fine Arts • Ultimate Frisbee Henotic (402 - 2 Ave S) Products & Services Alberta Ballet Sundays Bring your membership card and photo ID. http://www.albertaballet.com Summer Season starts July 12th Cruiseline • Monthly Potluck Dinners Frequent productions in Calgary and Edmonton. [email protected] 780-413-7122 trial code 3500 McKillop United Church, 2329 - 15 Ave S E-mail if interested. http://www.cruiseline.ca GALA/LA will provide the turkey...you bring the rest. Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY. • Volleyball, Intermediate Please bring a dish to share that will serve 4-6 Canada Amiskiwacy Academy (101 Airport Road) Robertson-Wesley United Church people, and your own beverage. [email protected] 10209 - 123 St. NW • Support Line 780-482-1587 Community Groups • Volleyball, Recreational 403-308-2893 [email protected] Alberta Trans Support/Activities Group Mother Teresa School (9008 - 105 Ave) Monday OR Wednesday, 7pm-11pm www.rwuc.org http://www.albertatrans.org [email protected] Leave a message any other time. Worship: Sunday mornings at 10:30am A nexus for transgendered persons, regardless of • Women’s Lacrosse People of all sexual orientations welcome. Other • Friday Mixer where they may be on the continuum. The Mix (green water tower) Sharon: 780-461-0017 LGBT events include a monthly book club and Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition Pam: 780-436-7374 a bi-monthly film night. As a caring spiritual 103 Mayor Magrath Dr S Every Friday at 10pm P.O. Box 3043, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 3S9 Open to women 21+, experienced or not, all are community, we’d love to have you join us! (306) 955-5135 welcome. Call for info. • Soul OUTing Gay & Lesbian Integrity Assoc. (GALIA) 1-800-955-5129 University of Lethbridge [email protected] • Yoga Second Sunday every month, 7pm http://www.rainbowhealth.ca GBLTTQQ club on campus. Grant MacEwan Centre An LGBT-focused alternative worship. Egale Canada Dance Studio ,Room 186, 10045 - 156 Street • Film Night • Movie Night 8 Wellington St E, Third Floor [email protected] Room C610, University of Lethbridge Bi-monthly, contact us for exact dates. Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1C5 1-888-204-7777 www.egale.ca Womonspace • Book Club Gay Youth Alliance Group 780-482-1794 Betty, 403-381-5260 [email protected] Egale Canada is the national advocacy and lobby Monthly, contact us for exact dates. [email protected] Every second Wednesday, 3:30pm-5pm organization for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans-identified people and our families. www.womonspace.ca Theatre & Fine Arts Lethbridge HIV Connection Women’s social group, but all welcome at events. Membership fees are pay-what-you-can, although 1206 - 6 Ave S Exposure Festival pre-authorized monthly donors are encouraged (and Youth Understanding Youth http://www.exposurefestival.ca PFLAG Canada get a free Egale Canada t-shirt). Egale has several 780-248-1971 Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival. 1-888-530-6777 committees that meet by teleconference on a www.yuyedm.ca [email protected] regular basis; membership on these is national with A support and social group for queer youth 12-25. The Roxy Theatre 10708 124th Street, Edmonton AB www.pflagcanada.ca members from every region of Canada. • Sports and Recreation 780-453-2440 Pride Lethbridge Brendan: 780-488-3234 www.theatrenetwork.ca [email protected] Products & Services [email protected] Squirt Restaurants Banff/Canmore http://www.squirt.org Red Deer Website for dating and hook-ups. 18+ ONLY! 5 The Junction------Community Groups Community Groups Theatre & Fine Arts 10242 106th St Mountain Pride Affirm Broadway Across Canada 780-756-5667 BOX 4892, BANFF, AB, T1L 1G1 Sunnybrook United Church http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca 8 Prism Bar & Grill------ Brian, 403-431-2569 403-347-6073 OUTtv ✰ 1-800-958-9632 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm [email protected] http://www.outtv.ca See Edmonton - Bars and Clubs. Composed of LGBTQ people, their friends, family www.gaybanff.com GLBT Television Station. 12 Woody’s------Serving the GLBTQS community in Banff, Canmore, and allies. No religious affiliation necessary. ✰ Lake Louise and Area. Activities include support, faith and social justice 11725 Jasper Ave discussions, film nights, and potlucks! 780-488-6557 Retail Stores Grande Prairie Alberta Rodéo Drive Community Groups 11528 - 89th Street Community Groups 780-474-0413 GALAP Central Alberta AIDS Network Society 10113 - 103 Ave, T8V 1C2 [email protected] 4611-50 Avenue, Red Deer, AB 780-512-1990 http://www.rodeodrive.ca http://www.caans.org Gay and Lesbian Association of the Peace. His and hers fetish wear, toys, jewelry, etc. The Central Alberta AIDS Network Society is the • Wednesday Coffee Nights local charity responsible for HIV prevention and support in Central Alberta. www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 23 Politics A New Dawn Within The American Military Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Finally Repealed
By Stephen Lock under DOD Directive 1332.14 (Enlisted Administrative Separations). It stated: After considerable debate, and fierce opposition from Homosexuality is incompatible with military service. The social conservatives on both sides of the House over presence in the military environment of persons who engage in the years, the United States Congress finally voted on homosexual conduct or who, by their statements, demonstrate December 18th, 2010 to repeal the ban against openly a propensity to engage in homosexual conduct, seriously gay and lesbian individuals serving in the American impairs the accomplishment of the military mission. The military. presence of such members adversely affects the ability of the armed forces to maintain discipline, good order, and morale; The Senate voted 65-31 in favour of lifting the ban, which to foster mutual trust and confidence among service members; came into effect in 1993 under Bill Clinton, often seen as a to ensure the integrity of the system of rank and command; supporter of gay rights. to facilitate assignment and worldwide deployment of service The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy was introduced members who frequently must live and work in close conditions as a compromise measure by President Clinton who had affording minimal privacy; to recruit and retain members of the campaigned on the promise to allow all citizens to serve in the armed forces; to maintain the public acceptability of military military regardless of sexual orientation. Prior to DADT it was service; and to prevent breaches of security. the position of the US military, under Department of Defence This, then, was the climate under which DADT came into Directive 1332.14 (10 U.S.C. § 654) that homosexuality was being. incompatible with military service. Persons who engaged in homosexual acts or stated that they were homosexual or Originally, Clinton had hoped to repeal the existing ban on bisexual were discharged, with many being court-martialled GLB personnel, whether openly homosexual or closeted, but and then dishonourably discharged for being in violation of due to an intense campaign headed by Democratic Senator The Uniform Code of Military Justice passed by Congress in Sam Nunn of Georgia who was in favour of retaining the full 1950 during the Truman Administration. ban; despite the work of openly-gay Democratic Congressman Barry Franks of Massachusetts who favoured modification but Under this directive, military authorities often sought out ultimately voted in favour of the ban; and retired Republican homosexual personnel, interrogating suspected homosexuals Senator Barry Goldwater; and after Congressional phone or those suspected of engaging in, or found to have engaged in, lines were flooded by organized anti-gay opposition, Clinton same-sex sexual activity, in an attempt to purge the military backed off his campaign promise to repeal the ban in favor of of the “corrosive” effect of homosexuality. Clinton’s DADT the DADT compromise. was viewed by many as a more liberal and humane alternative to the decades of witch-hunts that preceded it. Since the implementation of DADT more than 13,500 men and women have been discharged - kicked out - from the The essence of the policy, known at the time as “Don’t Ask, military despite an official policy that prohibited asking any Don’t Tell, Don’t Pursue,” was to forbid military authorities serving member what his or her sexual orientation was. Prior asking about or forcing individuals to reveal their sexual to that, under the old Uniform Code provisions, hundreds orientation. A “Don’t Harass” provision was later added, of thousands of serving personnel are believed to have been thereby disallowing any harassment or violence against any discharged or forced to resign. service member for any reason, including sexual orientation or assumed sexual orientation. Clearly, there has been a huge toll on the well-being of those forced to resign or who have been discharged for being, or Conduct Unbecoming: Lesbians and Gays in the US Military suspected of being, homosexual or bisexual; the personal cost from Vietnam to the Persian Gulf War, by Randy Shilts, author of such a policy is almost impossible to calculate. However, of the seminal book on the history of AIDS in America, And the the United States’ Government Accountability Office released Band Played On, examined in considerable detail the emotional its estimates on the financial cost in 2005. It reported at and even financial costs to gay, lesbian, and bisexual service least $95.4 million in recruiting costs was lost and another personnel that the then existing policy wreaked on them. $95.1 million for training replacements of those discharged Shilts’ exposé of the tactics used by the different investigative was incurred. services (Army, Navy, United States Marine Corp, National Guard, Coast Guard, and Air Force) was chilling. Instances of The following year a Blue Ribbon Commission at the suspected homosexuals being placed under surveillance day University of California which included former Assistant and night, interception of mail, wiretaps, approaching friends, Defence Secretaries Lawrence Korb and William Perry (Reagan neighbours and family members to question them about and Clinton Administrations respectively) and professors the suspect’s sexual practices, and entrapment whereby an from West Point Military Academy, concluded the figures undercover officer would attempt to seduce or proposition a should be closer to $363 million, including $14.3 million for suspect and then charge him or her if they responded to the “separation travel” following a service member’s discharge, advances, were commonplace and accepted tactics. Once $17.8 million for officer training, $252.4 million for training under interrogation, which could last for hours or even days, enlistees and $79.3 million in recruiting costs. That comes bribes, false promises of leniency, and coercion would be used to a whopping $726.8 million dollars, or over three quarters to get the suspect to inform on others. of a billion dollars, and that doesn’t even include the value of lost expertise or intangibles like the effect of losing a member Despite studies, such as the 1957 Crittenden Report, which fluent in Arabic and English while the United States is engaged indicated openly gay and lesbian service members posed no in “action” in Arabic-speaking territories. risk to military operations or security, the anti-homosexual policy remained in effect for decades. With the repeal, the US military joins Canada and most other NATO forces in allowing openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual In 1981, the Defense Department issued a new regulation personnel to serve in the American military. However, the on homosexuality designed to withstand a court challenge process is not over. by developing uniform and clearly defined regulations and justifications that made homosexual status (whether self- Defence Secretary Robert Gates and other supporters of applied or by the military) and conduct, grounds for discharge the repeal have argued that Congress, rather than the courts, needed to act if the military was to have time for an “orderly
24 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com transition” to the new policy and that any court-ordered end do your job, back your compatriots, and “soldier on”, nobody to the policy would be “disruptive.” gives a rat’s ass who you have sex with. Once the bill is signed by President Obama into law, which The fear that hordes of hardcore feminist dykes and is thought at the time of writing to be within a week of the raving queer boys would take over the military have likewise Congressional vote, the Pentagon will have an undetermined come to naught. It is a very specific personality type that amount of time - possibly months - to educate service is attracted to the military and that personality type spans members and to prepare for the policy change throughout the sexual orientation. I grew up Army and those who stuck with military hierarchy before it is ready to certify the new policy. it, regardless of who they had sex with or the type of sex they Once that certification is enacted, there will be another 60- enjoyed, had more in common with each other than they did day period before the new policy takes effect, during which with “civvies.” The military is very much a world unto its own, time DADT remains in effect and any personnel found to be with its own codes, its own way of doing things, and its own homosexual can still be discharged from the military. way of seeing things; and those who are in the military share Obama had also campaigned on a promise to repeal DADT, that. If they don’t, regardless of orientation issues, they don’t although he came under criticism by liberal and gay rights last long and usually opt out themselves. For those who stay groups for failing to push hard enough to end DADT. Obama, in, their time in the military is one of the major lynchpins of in several media interviews and town hall meetings, repeatedly their lives; it defined who they were and who they are like no stressed that DADT could not be repealed by Executive Order other career or job can. Being in the Armed Forces is truly a (a directive from the President) and that he, as President of way of life - a ‘lifestyle’ if you will - and if one is also lesbian, the United States, had to permit due process to occur. gay or bisexual, that in no way minimizes or compromises That process, in the latest round, was not without that way of life. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell did. That it is now at controversy and drama. In September and early December long last repealed, heralds a new day and new hope. of 2010, Democrats had failed to bring about repeal because As President Obama said, “...by ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, they lacked the 60 votes needed to prevent a Republican no longer will [the American] nation be denied the service of filibuster. However, several moderate Republicans, including thousands of patriotic Americans forced to leave the military, Senators Scott Brown of Massachusetts and Lisa Murkowski despite years of exemplary performance, because they happen of Alaska, withdrew their opposition after the release in early to be gay...and no longer will many thousands more be asked December of a Pentagon study endorsing the policy chang to live a lie in order to serve the country they love.” following a Defense Department survey of military personnel on bases throughout the United States and overseas. This study included 400,000 service members and 150,000 military spouses, 70 per cent of which said homosexuals serving in the military would not negatively affect unit cohesion or harm the war efforts in Afghanistan or Iraq. Interestingly, though, http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2034 40 to 60 percent of personnel in the Marine Corps and combat specialties said that repealing the ban would be negative. View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments A 2006 poll of military members found that 26 percent were in favor of gays serving in the military, 37 percent were opposed, while 37 percent expressed no preference or were unsure. Of the respondents who had experience with gays in their unit, six percent said their presence had a positive impact on their personal morale, 66 percent said no impact, and 28 percent said negative impact. Regarding overall unit morale, three percent reported having lesbians and gay men in their unit as a positive impact, 64 percent stated there was no impact on unit morale, and 27 percent claimed it created a negative impact. As for respondents uncertain whether they had served with gay personnel, two percent thought gays would have a positive effect on personal morale, while 29 percent thought that they would have no impact and 48 percent thought that they would have a negative effect. 73 percent of respondents said that they felt comfortable in the presence of gay and lesbian personnel. It is generally assumed those higher up in the hierarchy were opposed to the inclusion of openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual military personnel or were, in fact, outright homophobic. While that is doubtlessly true given the overall culture of the military, nevertheless in December 2007, 28 retired generals and admirals urged Congress to repeal the policy, citing evidence that 65,000 gay men and women are currently serving in the armed forces and that there are over 1,000,000 estimated lesbian and gay veterans. On November 17, 2008, 104 retired generals and admirals signed a similar statement. Certainly the Canadian experience is indicative of the minimal effect that having openly homosexual or bisexual personnel has on unit cohesiveness and effectiveness. The Canadian Armed Forces has had a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation for a number of years and all the dire warnings of those opposed to such inclusion have failed to materialize. Basically, whatever one’s personal views on homosexuality may be, what it comes down to for your average soldier, sailor or airman/woman is, so long as you www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 25 Event
Snowballs Ski Weekend Times Two Jasper Pride Ring In the New Year with Winter Cheer Celebrating in a Winter Wonderland
By Dallas Barnes and Sam Casselman By Dallas Barnes and Sam Casselman Snowballs is helping you celebrate the winter months by One great thing about the summer is the fact that offering two fun-filled weekends to enjoy, offering both you could travel to any country in the world and find winter activities and social networking. somewhere to celebrate Pride on any given weekend. The first trip of the season runs from January 28th to 30th in Banff. Perhaps more unique to Canada is that we have the Roundtrip transportation is provided by their very own party-bus that is thick skin to hold celebrations during the unbearable licensed to serve alcohol, alongside of their contingent of movies, prizes, and winter months, and this includes Jasper Pride. entertainment. The bus departs on the Friday evening in Edmonton, with a This is now Jasper’s 2nd year holding Pride celebrations, and they quick stop in Calgary on the way, and returns that Sunday evening. would like everyone to come to the mountains and join in the festivities. According to Aaron Churchill and Mike Stansberry, founders of Jasper Pride began with the efforts of OUT Jasper, HIV West Snowballs, this is a vacation for everyone to take pleasure in. “Skiers of Yellowhead, and the support from local businesses including Mountain all levels will find plenty of challenges and excitement in Banff, on both Park Lodges, Marmot Basin, Coco’s Café, and Jasper Adventure Centre downhill slopes. Non-skiers who enjoy other winter activities, or who simply in partnerships with Travel Alberta. prefer a relaxing week in the mountains [after] the usual hectic holiday Jordan Tucker feels that in particular, OUT Jasper is on the right rush, are equally welcome.” track. “OUT Jasper is a new LGBTQ project that was set up to create a Banff has plenty of other activities to enjoy, even if you’re not much of a supportive group for the community living in town and to educate and skier. You will be staying in a comfortable hotel that offers a hot tub to relax spread awareness of the LGBTQ community at large within the town in, in walking distance from restaurants, shopping, and the excitement of and surrounding area. There will be outings such as ice skating, movie downtown Banff. nights and cross country skiing in the winter. Once the summer is here Downhill skiers can enjoy both the Lake Louise Mountain Resort and again, there will be hiking, the 4th annual LGBTQ camping trip, BBQs the Sunshine Village Resort. There is even an opportunity to learn how to and more. OUT Jasper will have its 4th annual International Day against snowboard, or sign up for a lesson. Both of these resorts are world renowned Homophobia BBQ May 17th, celebrate National Coming out Day, while and offer hills for beginners, intermediates, and experts. also continuing to visit the local and surrounding high schools to give There is plenty of opportunity for those that are travelling alone to make talks on sexuality and bullying. All the while, OUT Jasper will be helping new friends. According to organizers, there are already singles signed to work on Jasper Pride Weekend 2012.” up, and a fun night is planned at the Dancing Sasquatch Night Club on According to Pride Jasper, some of their goals for hosting the annual Saturday night. Jasper Pride Weekend are “to support OUT Jasper and the GLBTQ Prices for the weekends are on a per-person basis and cover round-trip Community, create positive awareness within the community of Jasper transportation, two nights accommodation, and lift tickets at both hills. to both locals and visitors while promoting Jasper as a gay friendly A continental breakfast provided each of the mornings that you will be destination.” travelling to and from the resorts on the bus. Last year’s premiere event was attended by about 40 people along Double Occupancy runs for $395.00 per person, triple occupancy with friends and supporters. There was a plethora of activities and a $375.00, and quadruple occupancy at $355.00. If you don’t want to ski night of dance and drink. at Lake Louise a $50.00 discount applies, and if you feel the same about This year Pride Jasper runs from February 11th to 13th. Mountain Sunshine you will get a $25.00 discount and a gondola pass. Final payments Park Lodges and Chateau Jasper is the host hotel and they are are due immediately. featuring guest rooms for $79.00+tax per night (based on single/double Trip number two falls on the weekend of February 11th to 13th. The occupancy). You are welcome to book at another hotel if you prefer, but Snowballs Jasper Pride Weekend includes round trip transportation from if you would like to stay at the Chateau Jasper you can give them a call Edmonton (fully licensed of course), two nights accommodation at Chateau at 1-888-8JASPER to book your room. Jasper which includes complimentary WIFI, two lift tickets at Marmont There will be a mixer on the Friday night that comes complimentary Basin, and access to Snowballs hospitality room, discounts on activities, with the Pride Package. It will be held in the Skyline Room, Lobstick dining and shopping, and all other fees and taxes. Lodge right beside Chateau Jasper. There will be a cash bar, reception You can add the Snowballs entertainment option for only $75.00 and compliments and live music by local performer Sam Heine. There will this includes a continental breakfast each day in the Snowballs hospitality also be a silent auction benefitting OUT Jasper. room, and a Prime Rib and Chicken Buffet dinner Saturday night, as well as On Saturday OUT Jasper and HIV West Yellowhead will be hosting the Jasper Pride Weekend entertainment ticket for Saturday night. a themed party at the Jasper Activity Centre. The cost is a small fee of Once again, pricing is on a per-person basis. Single occupancy is $450.00, $10.00 and again, all of the proceeds will go towards future events for double occupancy $350.00, triple occupancy $330.00, and quadruple OUT Jasper that include activities and peer support. There will be a occupancy is $320.00. If you prefer to arrange your own accommodations, performance by Rae Spoon, a drag show and dance with DJ Feen. you can opt for the Snowballs Bus only option at a lower price of $90.00. The two days worth of events include ski days. Marmot Basin will For more information on the Snowballs Events, or to purchase tickets, be featuring an Après Ski in the Lower Chalet at 3:00pm on Saturday contact Mike or Aaron at the numbers below. afternoon. Take some time to visit Jasper and celebrate Pride in a way only Canadians can! Snowballs Gay & Lesbian Ski Weekend Banff Weekend: January 28-31, 2011 Pride Jasper Mike: 780-905-8182 February 11th – 13th, 2010 Aaron: 780-908-5151 [email protected]
http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2035 http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2036 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments
26 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Community Q Scopes GALA/LA “Take up the tough issues, Leo!” Serving Lethbridge’s GLBTA Community for 20 Years Mars is very happy in Capricorn where the planet of energy and action is focused productively. Aspecting Uranus and Jupiter in Pisces, and Neptune in Aquarius, he can lose focus, but if you By Dallas Barnes and Sam Casselman can stay on track while examining your process you can find new purpose and methods to strengthen your efforts. Lethbridge’s GLBTA community is celebrating a milestone this year. GALA/LA or The Gay and Lesbian Alliance of ARIES (March 20–April 19): If you can focus (and there’s Lethbridge and Area will be celebrating its 20th year the challenge!), you can achieve great things. Meditation can serving the queer community. help tame that unruly, dreamy mind and draw inspiration. Friends who want your time can be a distraction, or you can Mickey Wilson, President of GALA/LA took time to talk to GayCalgary & enlist them to help! Edmonton Magazine about the past 20 years, and what lies ahead. “The GALA/LA originated as the Southern Alberta Gay Equality group in TAURUS (April 20–May 20): Ideas brewing in your head the 1980’s. In 1991 it re-emerged into the group it is today. One of our current need a release. Getting yourself heard could help or hurt you at board members, Dave Mabell has been with us from the beginning.” work. Discussing those notions with a friend first can help you improve them and see best where and how to air them. “GALA/LA is a dynamic, growing organization that is making a difference in our community. GALA/LA works with every one of the growing mosaic GEMINI (May 21–June 20): Explore your fantasies and of LGBTTQ organizations in Lethbridge and others in Calgary, Medicine bring them into your real-life lovemaking. Well, at least consider Hat and beyond. When asked, we support and sponsor other local queer them carefully. Some of those dreams may need safety checks organizations as well as other agencies and groups in Lethbridge and area and adaptations to be performed in the physical world. by providing money, volunteers and supplies and equipment as we are able. And even beyond our community, partnerships with organizations in the CANCER (June 21–July 22): Your fancy notions could larger community continue to increase.” shock or titillate your partner. A discussion of limits may be in order. Even out of the sack, your sweetheart can help you with “It is our hope that GALA/LA, along with the other members of the rich reality checks to help you figure out which of your dreams can mosaic of LGBTTQ community organizations and passionate individuals, come true. can continue to move forward toward the goal of creating a city and region free from all forms of oppression and discrimination.” LEO (July 23–August 22): Every relationship takes work. “As 2010 comes to a close, we want to share with you all the many Take up the tough issues now while it’s a little easier. You might accomplishments, successes and amazing steps forward that GALA/LA has be surprised at what problems can be resolved in the bedroom. made in the past eight months, each one of them with the members of our That might not solve everything, but it will at least help! local LGBTTQ community in mind. We will continue to move forward with VIRGO (August 23–September 22): Your intuition is all of this work in 2011, redefining ourselves as a valuable and necessary especially clear now. With some practice you can learn to use it resource and presence in the community.” to better purpose in any kind of teamwork, practical or romantic. Enterring 2011, the current board is proud of their accomplishments over Trust those hunches in healing any kind of relationship – or the past year. finding one. “The current GALA/LA board has strengthened the organizational LIBRA (September 23–October 22): As onerous as family structure by developing good policies to govern and protect the organization. or community duties may feel, you can accomplish a lot and Procedures and policies ensure responsible and respectful governance. Our gain great influence. You’re creative enough to find a positive committees have been streamlined under key areas of operation.” approach. Once you start there will be no stopping you! “Strong partnership development has been a hallmark of the past year. As a result GALA/LA has a strong presence in the larger community and is SCORPIO (October 23–November 21): What you have to say is too important to be wasted. Polish those gems and involved in and invited to an increasing number of initiatives and events such as Pink Shirt Day, Homeless Connect and City Council presentations.” be careful to share them where they are appreciated. A little imaginative probing can reveal family secrets or community More partnerships include Lethbridge Family Services, Immigrant scandals. Services, The Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge, Lethbridge Regional Police Services, Woman Space, The Southern Alberta Ethnic Association, YWCA, SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 20): Discuss your The City of Lethbridge and the Government of Alberta, to name a few. financial worries with a trustworthy friend, or a parent or sibling. In the future, GALA/LA has much to look forward to. There will be a You may stumble on solutions or just realize that things aren’t as much needed group for queer youth kicking off in late January, and many bad as you think. Clear your head of worry to think clearly about resources at hand. groups created last year will be repeating this year. Some of these include rafting, hiking, bowling, a book club, Trans coffee nights, and dances. The CAPRICORN (December 21–January 19): Your sign redevelopment of the website will launch in mid-January, and last-but-not- improves most with age, but exercising the body and mind least, GALA/LA will be changing its name! Make sure to check out their are important for staying sharp. Advice from friends should be website to submit your ideas for a name change. heard, but not necessarily followed. It could open your mind to GALA/LA is a shining example of how communities can strengthen every even better possibilities. year. Congratulations and here’s to another 20 years! AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18): Self-criticism can be very helpful if you don’t take it to extremes. There’s always room for GALA/LA improvement, and an honest assessment of your virtues and your flaws will make you clearer on what you have to offer. 1206 6 Ave South Lethbridge, Alberta PISCES (February 19–March 19): You have to be very T1J 1A4 careful not to give too much of yourself. Have a long talk with 403-308-2893 a friend you can count on to be ruthlessly honest about your limits and how you should set them. [email protected] Jack Fertig, a professional astrologer since 1977 teaches at the Online College of Astrology : http://www.astrocollege.com. He can be reached for http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2037 personal or business consultations at 415-864-8302 or through his website View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments at http://www.starjack.com www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 27 Gossip
Glee becomes Gayest TV Show Ever The all-singing, all-dancing show’s lone gay character Kurt, played by Chris Colfer, was all over the place in season one. He was strong, he was weak, he was predatory, he was vulnerable. And then along season two came with a triple whammy: a tender father/son dynamic unlike anything seen on network TV up to this point, an intriguing bullying plotline that injected tension into a series that often feels weightless and a swoon-inducing introduction of a new gay character played by Darren Criss, one that may or may not be Kurt’s ticket to teen romance. All of this on a show families watch together. We’ve come a long way from Will & Grace.
Black Swan magnetizes audiences, Phillip Morris’s pull somewhat weaker The ballerina-cracking-up psychodrama Black Swan, starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and that lesbian sex scene, broke opening weekend records for a movie in limited release, racking up per-screen box office tallies previously unheard of for a decidedly non-mainstream film. Now it’s gone wide and looks like a lock for a slew of Oscar nominations. Meanwhile, the weird saga of one of the year’s most daring, biting comedies, I Love You Phillip Morris gets its final chapter, as the American film actually earns, at long last, an American theatrical release. Featuring Jim Carrey in what may be the most out-on-a-limb performance of the year (not to mention his entire career), the movie also features some explicit gay sex between Carrey and co-star Ewan McGregor that’s keeping away the same male audience lining up to see Natalie and Mila go at it. Expect Academy Award voters to give it an undeserved cold shoulder too.
“It Gets Better” fights against tragedy Sex columnist and humorist Dan Savage had an idea to use the Internet to combat anti-gay sentiment aimed at teenagers, vicious abuse that was causing a wave of teen suicides. It was simple: any gay or lesbian grown-up with a camera and a happy life was invited to share their story and the truth that, in fact, life does get better once you’ve left that awful high school behind. Within weeks a phenomenon was born, one that got bigger and bigger, one that included celebrities and local politicians – even actors like Zachary Quinto, who isn’t exactly openly gay – and did what no “very special episode” of a fictional movie or TV show could do: affect real lives. Sometimes regular people are Cast of Glee, by Matthias Clamer/FOX the stars.
Oprah and Gayle: Still not lesbians Barbara Walters, while talking to Oprah Winfrey for her annual Deep Inside Hollywood roundup of “fascinating” people, broached the tired old rumors that have followed Oprah and Gayle King (and, by extension, poor Steadman, too) for years. Never mind that Oprah has talked Best Gay Entertainment Stories of 2010 about it on her own show many times. Never mind that Oprah and Gayle discussed it in a widely read interview in O magazine; By Romeo San Vicente until Barbara Walters gets an answer, the question hasn’t been asked. So this time Oprah responded in a new way, by crying Modern Family goes there about it. It was weird, it involved her personal feelings about Modern Family began its second season the object of fan friendship between women, and only served to make it all seem protest. Why, asked viewers, on a sitcom featuring a gay couple, that much more unresolved. Thanks Barbara Walters, now we is that gay couple never seen being affectionate the way the all have to keep talking about it. straight couples are? It came down to a Facebook campaign, Romeo San Vicente can be reached care of this publication. some idiotic “Who cares?” mouthing off from co-star Ed O’Neill (who should really know better by now) and then an episode the show’s creators assured us had always been on the agenda, one in which Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet finally gave each other a husbandly smooch. Feathers unruffled, the Earth didn’t fall into the Sun and now those guys are the first http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2039 fictional gay couple on the cover of TV Guide. Holding their TV baby. Everybody wins. View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments
28 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Lifestyle Cocktail Chatter Kahlua, Cream and Fiasco: The White Russian
by Ed Sikov Drink, Pay, Love: Rum and Coke My cold lasted another week, so forget about literary reticence. Let the gross descriptions fly: Snot spewed out News of my breakdown spread like an aging star’s belly; soon unflattering photos of me in Star would be on the horizon. I knew of my nose like raw scrambled eggs, only darker, more I’d become a public whack-job when some naked guy I didn’t know translucent, and graced by tiny bloblets of blood. approached me in the gym locker room: “Hey, man – I’ve been My lungs hacked up a hocker so gray it could have come out through it. The guy who stole my dreamboy wasn’t obese – he just of an old coal miner. When I wasn’t wiping smears of sputum stank like a train station tearoom. But it turned Jeremy on. I didn’t. off my hands, sheets and nearby skin mags, I contemplated my Solidarnosc, bud!” Then he strolled off to the steam room. recent poor behavior. Dan was right: I’d become “an old-fashioned Who was this guy? Had somebody put my crackup on Reuters? I asshole.” Dan was nothing but affectionate with me, even after I leapt back into therapy. Gary was always sympathetic – I’d seen him spat goose-shit-green mucous onto his pillow while he slept. He when my mother was dying – but he was no cheerleader. When he deserved better from me. So did my friends. thought I was nutty he told me so, once even using that exact word. When I stopped being viral, I invited Craig and Kyle to dinner. “So tell me,” Gary said as he leaned back in his chair. And I did. Surprisingly, Craig didn’t hang up on me when I called. “I’m Gary’s face remained placid. “Does this remind you of anything?” sorry…” I began. He cut me off: “Listen, dollface – I’ll forgive you “Yup,” I replied. “My dick, my mother and my bank account.” anything as long as you keep your tongue off my boyfriend.” “Right- “What does the money represent to you?” Gary asked earnestly. O!” I sang out, anxiety turning me strangely into Terry-Thomas in “It ‘represents’ another transfer of wealth from me to you,” I snarled. some British war comedy. “How about dinner here on Saturday? “Help me get over this now or I walk.” Gary looked stunned for a It’s Chicken Cacciatore and an after-dinner drink that doesn’t moment, regained his composure and softly said, “That’s such a suck.” All was well. cruddy thing to say that I think you’re genuinely terrified.” I burst Dinner was a disaster. Dan was late, so I had to wield the vacuum into tears. cleaner and a can of Pledge and set the table while trying to make “Look,” Gary said. “We’ve all made fools of ourselves at one time what turned out to be an absurdly complicated “hunter’s style” or another. This is your time. Wallow in it. When you’re really sick chicken with only half the ingredients the recipe called for. (I hadn’t of yourself, we’ll talk about why you’re acting this way.” bothered with a shopping list. “Calling Dr. Freud! STAT!”) The result “Gary, please! I’m already sick of myself.” was a greasy, taste-free horror – no wild mushrooms, no fresh sage or thyme, clumpy years-old garlic salt instead of garlic… . “Hunter’s “If you were, you’d stop being so nutty.” style?” What were they hunting – something out of Oliver Twist? “That word again!” I shouted. “Even you hate me.” Having tasted the cacciatore, I downed some Tormore Single Silence ensued for seven minutes. Only when he said, “Time’s Malt and became morose. But when Dan waltzed in mere minutes up,” did either of us move. before Craig and Kyle were supposed to show up, my irrepressible I thought constantly about my – what? – hysteria? One thing life force returned. I became hostile. Craig and Kyle thus entered was certain: I was, in Dan’s immortal phrase, “an old-fashioned during the second act of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, with me asshole.” OK, I indulged in a hell-as-comedy routine – the Three playing both George and Martha. I behaved terribly; Dan was Dog Night variation, “I’m just an old-fashioned asshole/one I’m sure rightly embarrassed. I might have summoned enough dignity not to that frightens you and me” – but twice a week, with great effort, I spend the whole evening staring at the gap between Kyle’s bottom told Gary some of the secret shames I’d withheld from him earlier. shirt button and his belt, a space out of which a perfect tuft of soft Five weeks later, with Gary’s help, I worked up the nerve to call hair emerged. Craig noticed, much to his glee and my continuing Craig. I heard Kyle in the background cleaning up after dinner – disgrace. probably rigatoni stuffed with lard and covered in a cream-based But dessert was fabulous! The White Russian is one of my favorite triple-fat-cheese sauce for Craig, a hard-boiled egg for Kyle – and cream-based cocktails because of its subtlety, simplicity and relative once again Craig was forgiving. “Sweetness,” he said, “We all know lack of sweetness. It’s got a little Kahlua for a café au lait effect, you’re a mess. You’ve been a mess for years. It’s not news. I’m vodka for some kick and thick, chilled heavy cream for the mouth- Tubby the Whale, and you’re Olivia de Havilland in The Snake Pit. to-belly bliss that only cold dairy fat can provide. Still, two rounds It’s who we are. Embrace it! You and Dan come over to my place in of White Russians wasn’t enough to make up for hurling lettuce an hour. I’ll make some cocktails.” fragments and bacon chunks in Craig’s face after discovering that “What?” I asked skeptically. puppy Kyle had been gobbled up by Jabba the Hut. “Control freak,” Craig announced. Then he hung up on me. Am I still bitter? You bet your elephantine ass I am. Rum and Coke Rum to taste – I like dark rum to go with the dark cola. Craig used some store brand; use what you like. The White Russian Coca-Cola (in a nod to Kyle, used Coke Zero; I suppressed an 1 part Absolut instinctive “yeccchhhh” and downed it with humility. 1/2 part coffee liqueur Pour rum into a tall, ice-filled glass. Add Coke slowly and 1 part chilled heavy cream stir gently; don’t kill the fizz. Then stay up all night from the caffeine, get fat from the sugar, stop worrying and live for the Put some ice in a shaker and add all the ingredients; moment. put the cap on and swirl it around a bit rather than shake it. (After all, you’re not trying to make liquor butter.) Pour Ed Sikov is the author of Dark Victory: The Life of Bette Davis and other through strainer into a good-looking glass and serve. books about films and filmmakers.
http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2040 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 29 Advice Queeries We want to help other kids fight bullying
By Steven Petrow is that if he doesn’t speak up, you will, but I wouldn’t actually “We want to help other kids fight bullying” say that. Q: It’s been so upsetting to the queer kids at my middle school to hear about all the teen suicides lately and the awful bullying Still, Barry may call your bluff by not saying anything. Then, going on. One guy I know got punched in the face recently and I’d fold and sit it out on the sidelines because you’re really his Facebook page was smeared with homophobic comments in a no-win situation. If you turn Barry in, there’s the slight like “faggot.” What can we do to help our friends? possibility that your understanding of their monogamous status A: That’s really admirable that you want to reach out to other was wrong in the first place -- or that sharing this information kids in trouble. This recent series of high-publicity gay teen wasn’t what your friend would have wanted. Perhaps, ignorance suicides has lots of people asking that same question: “What may be bliss for him. can we do?” And while the answers at first feel overwhelming, Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that couples often my advice in this situation is quite clear: It’s everyone’s do “kill the messenger” in a charged situation like this. If these responsibility to help fight public and private expressions of two fellows get through this rough patch and back to trusting homophobia and transphobia, especially when violence is each other, there’s a real possibility they will both view you as involved or could be anticipated. interfering or as a troublemaker. If in the end, if your friend The truth is that you and your friends may already be doing does find out that you knew about his philandering partner the two most important things: Being yourselves and supporting and didn’t say anything, tell him the truth: That was Barry’s each other. But there’s always more. responsibility. In the case of your friend at the other school, you could Gay cop faces harassment certainly help him if you suggested that he talk to his parents or school officials about reporting that assault —yes, he was Q: I started working as a police officer just last year. When assaulted. I know that can be hard to do, but you can’t stop I was first hired, pretty much everyone asked me why I’m not bullying unless he (or she) is called on it. married. Then came the gay jokes. I’ve tried to let it go since I’m That Facebook mess is an example of how “direct” still a rookie, but it seems like they know I’m gay and want to confrontation has its place: Without saying anything push me out the door. How would you handle this? threatening or targeting individuals by name, go ahead and A: As a law enforcement officer yourself, you may know that post some supportive messages on the guy’s page. Make sure the workplace you’re describing pretty much fits the description that lots of your other friends do that too. You can also report of “hostile” and your treatment verges on harassment. It may the individuals making the hateful comments to Facebook, who even be sexual harassment, depending on various factors such will cancel their accounts. as whether your harassers know you’re gay. Often, people think that sexual harassment only happens to women, but “Dad just told us he’s gay” that’s not the case. In fact, it was only recently that same-sex Q: On National Coming Out Day, my father recently told the sexual harassment became widely accepted as real. The law family that he’s gay. To be honest, I didn’t know what to say now extends its protections to all of us, regardless of gender or back to him. What would you have suggested? sexual orientation. A: In a dream world, you’d be genuinely happy for your father However your workplace mistreatment might eventually be and shout “Mazel tov” or “Congratulations” and give him a big categorized, there are things you can do about it. Start by talking hug. And it would be but one supportive voice among many, informally and off-the-record to a supervisor or ombudsman with warm wishes from friends, colleagues and other relatives (someone whom you think is generally supportive), to decide alike. But if that’s not in your heart right now, at the very least whether or not to file an official complaint. At the same time, do I’d suggest you thank your dad for being open and honest with your best to make sure you have communicated that the “jokes” you and tell him that your love for him has not changed. Most offend you or make you uncomfortable. This communication LGBT people—yes, even our fathers and mothers—fear rejection can be in person, by letter or through email. In addition, keep more than anything else when they’re coming out. By the way, a diary of what’s going on, including dates, times, places and it’s not too late to take my advice and speak with your dad. what exactly has been said and done and by whom. Also keep track what you have done in response. “My best friend’s lover is fooling around” If all else fails, make an official report to the department and/ or contact an LGBT rights group or an attorney specializing Q: The other day my friend, Stan, invited me over for drinks. in employment law to find out your options. But be careful: When I got to his apartment, Barry, who is partnered with my Lesbians and gay men can be fired at will simply because of their best friend, had just come out of the bedroom wearing a towel. sexual orientation. And until Congress enacts the Employment It was really awkward and Stan was shocked that I know Barry Non-Discrimination Act, that will remain the case. and his partner. Barry and my best friend have been together for years and their relationship is supposed to be monogamous: Do Breast cancer makes me nervous about sex I tell my friend, yell at Barry -- or just keep my mouth shut? A: Yikes! What’s up with Stan that he invited you over while Q: I’m a lesbian who’s had breast cancer. I’ve been dating a he still has a paramour on the premises? little but am uncomfortable about my body and not sure when to discuss the various health issues and the marks they’ve left. If you step back from the situation a little, however, you’ll Before we have sex – or after? realize that best thing that could happen would be for Barry to let you know that he’s going fess up to his partner—so that A: Starting to date and then going to bed with someone new 1) you don’t have to and 2) you won’t have to have a guilty can raise all kinds of anxieties; add into the mix feeling self- conscience about saying nothing to your friend. With any luck, conscious about scars and/or the loss of body parts and I can Barry will reach out to you with this plan. But, if he doesn’t, call understand why you might feel uncomfortable. Your question is him and let him know “what a good idea” you’d think it would part and parcel of one of the most common of dating concerns: be for him to “do the right thing.” Obviously, the implied threat Continued on Page 31 30 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Community Inspirational Iocchelli Rallies Community
By Brandon Chaisson It was Mother Teresa who said “Not all of us can do great AIDS and by raising more awareness by drawing people who things, but we can do small things with great love”. wouldn’t normally attend such an event. This simple, yet empowering, quote has stayed with For more information on the fundraiser, or to get fundraiser and event planner, John Iocchelli. involved, please contact John Iocchelli by e-mailing him at [email protected] Iocchelli, who just held two successful fundraisers at Club “Building a community involves person-to-person contact Sapien, was inspired by Mother Teresa’s words and decided and making connections to others...,” Iocchelli believes. to act upon them. After speaking with friends and asking “We need to turn off our cellular and smart phones and pay them what they believed would improve Calgary’s GLBTQ more attention to the people who are actually in the room community, he decided to organize a group to rally people. with us.” “The response quite often is, does Calgary even have a GLBTQ community?” Iocchelli said. With this simple question, he created Gay Friends in Calgary, a group designed to foster a new kind of cohesiveness amongst community members. By targeting http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2042 the needs of individuals, whether they are more political View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments or social, Iocchelli hopes to achieve unity by providing a place where people can meet others for friendship, dating or support. “For many, the journey is difficult and providing a soft Queeries - From Page 30 place for people to land is essential to a community’s well- being,” he added. When do you talk about the “skeletons” in your closet? The With each step forward in being accepted by the general answer is slowly. As the relationship deepens, offer up the basic public, the GLBTQ community takes a step back in accepting facts of your medical history and be open to any questions. Not one another. When things like “no fats” or “no fems” are surprisingly, that’s why many of us with body image concerns being slung around, the discrimination isn’t coming from (full disclosure: I have a testicular prosthesis) choose to wait just the straight community any longer. to have sex until we’re comfortable enough with a new partner to discuss these issues. Still, steel yourself for the possibility By working to create an environment where everyone is of rejection. Once, after I told a new boyfriend that I had had not only tolerated but instead, completely accepted, Iocchelli testicular cancer, he thanked me for being honest and sent me hopes to tear down walls created by our own “brothers and on my way, saying: “I just buried my partner who died from sisters in the community”, to share a common cause. cancer. I can’t go down that path again.” Once he had gathered a dedicated group of members The last word: Don’t forget that each of us is the composite of willing to move the group forward, Iocchelli geared himself our experiences (surgery included), and these make our beauty to other things. unique. Among his event planning, he has organised and held several major fundraising events, including the one-year Gay couple (plus cat) contemplates a holiday photo card anniversary of Gay Friends in Calgary, which raised $3,300, Q: Many of my straight friends send holiday cards with and another called Calgary Artists for Life, which raised their kids front and center. Since my partner and I don’t $4,400 and benefitted AIDS Calgary. have any offspring, can we send a card with just us as the Each event was designed with not only the idea of helping cover models? We could add in our cat if you think that community organizations, but also to help focus on fun would help. ways to unite people in the GLBTQ community, giving them A: Most holiday photo cards feature kids (“aren’t they the opportunity to be with friends as well as to make new adorable!”) or vacation destinations (“look at how fabulous ones. we are!”) as key elements. The truth is that these images are Calgarians tend to see themselves as busy people, so just another example of the deep narcissistic streak in our it isn’t always easy to convince individuals within the culture (“look at me and my beautiful family”). But there are community to take responsibility for others. limits: It’s actually pretty rare that couples alone -- straight “The success of any event depends majorly on the patrons or gay -- pose for their close-ups without a supporting who support the cause by attending the event,” Iocchelli player. Since equality is all about parity, I’d say do go ahead explains. with your close-up—just don’t forget your cat (“isn’t she However, Iocchelli believes despite the obstacles, the most beautiful?”) gratifying part is knowing that the event has brought people One last note: If you’re not already out, this is quietly together. effective way to do so. Imagine the photo: two husbands and Iocchelli attributes part of the success of such events and their cat in front of the fireplace. (“The warmest of holidays fundraisers to Club Sapien, where several of his most recent from Justin, Benji, and Garfield!”) happenings have been held. Steven Petrow [www.gaymanners.com) is the author of “The Essential Book “Their presence in the community has been felt and will of Gay Manners & Etiquette” and a regular contributor to Huffington Post continue to enrich the lives of GLBTQ Calgarians because it and GayWeddings.com. Send him your questions: [email protected] is their mission, as stated at the entrance to the business,” Iocchelli said. Iocchelli plans to hold another Calgary Artists for Life http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2041 later this year where he plans to have an even larger impact by raising more funds to benefit people living with HIV/ View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 31 Photography
ISCCA Xmas Show at the Texas Lounge - Calgary ISCCA Xmas Show at Club Sapien - Calgary
Living Xmas Tree at the Calgary Eagle
Misc Youth at Club Sapien, Calgary
32 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Photography
ISCWR Miss Mary Christmas Pageant at the Junction, Edmonton
www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 33 St. Petersburg’s Renaissance Out of Town
Downtown St. Petersburg’s beautiful waterfront, with the elegant (and very pink) Renaissance Vinoy Resort in the background.
by Andrew Collins center. What’s particularly special about downtown is the wealth Although Florida’s fourth-largest city has seen a minimal of internationally renowned arts and cultural attractions. The increase in population over the past 30 years, this sunny one receiving the most attention right now is the iconic Salvador metropolis on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Dali Museum, which has been a fixture in St. Petersburg since Gulf of Mexico has changed a great deal demographically. the early 1980s but is slated to reopen in a dramatic new Once unflatteringly dubbed “God’s Waiting Room” for its waterfront space on the south edge of downtown in January predominant retirement-age population, the city and 2011 - right beside the impressive Mahaffey Theater performing arts complex. surrounding beach towns have become dramatically more youthful and vibrant of late, and this extends to the Another must is the acclaimed Museum of Fine Arts, which has a sterling permanent collection and also mounts important region’s gay community, which has grown significantly. traveling shows. Steps away is the striking Chihuly Collection, St. Petersburg now hosts the state’s largest gay pride opened in summer 2010 and containing works by seminal glass march (in late June), and the region is home to dozens artist Dale Chihuly. Both attractions are along leafy Beach and of LGBT-owned businesses. Bay Shore drives, which straddle a lush park and overlook Greater St. Petersburg is made up of numerous distinct Tampa Bay. From here it’s a short stroll along 2nd Avenue out neighborhoods and municipalities, from downtown – which to St. Petersburg Pier, which is presently anchored by a kitschy- fringes Tampa Bay – to the many beach towns that extend south looking inverted-pyramid with touristy shops and an aquarium to north some 50 miles from Fort De Soto State Park (which (it’s currently slated to be razed and replaced with a new building regularly notches awards for having one of the cleanest and in a few years). most beautiful beaches in the country) to Clearwater, Dunedin Head just a couple of miles west of downtown to reach the and Tarpon Springs. Much of the region’s emerging gay scene is Grand Central District, the commercial center of historic focused on downtown, a historic mid-city neighborhood called Kenwood and home to the highest concentration of gay-owned Kenwood, and the small town of Gulfport, which lies just across businesses in the city, not to mention dozens of impressively lovely Boca Ciega Bay from St. Pete Beach and the Gulf of Mexico. restored Craftsman bungalows. About four miles southwest, All of these areas have been integral in St. Petersburg’s steady funky and historic Gulfport is notable for its offbeat cafes and renaissance, increased hipster appeal and continued popularity galleries, and for hosting a popular Art Walk the first Friday and with LGBT visitors. third Saturday of each month. Downtown St. Petersburg is home to several noteworthy hotels Continue west across the Highway 682 causeway to reach the as well as a bumper crop of trendy restaurants and boutiques, string of barrier islands that hold the region’s beach communities many of these located in the upscale, open-air BayWalk shopping – turn left (south) to reach pristine Fort De Soto State Park and
34 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Travel the charming town of Pass-A-Grille, or turn right (north) to visit running lesbian bar in the United States. Gulfport gay lounges tony St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island and Madeira Beach. In include the Oar House Bar and Pepperz Lounge, both of which Treasure Island, you’ll find the most gay-identified of the region’s are a bit down at the heels. You may have a better experience beaches, the so-called “Bedrocks Beach.” It’s a little tricky to find strolling along the community’s main drag, Beach Boulevard, – when you cross the bridge from St. Pete Beach onto Treasure and stopping by any of the many gay-friendly bars and eateries Island, turn left at the 7-Eleven onto West Gulf Boulevard and - Peg’s (http://www.pegscantina.com) is a particular standout, follow it south for a mile to the parking area just north of the known for terrific hand-crafted ales with a kitchen serving fresh Mansions by the Sea condo tower. Follow the boardwalk over the and well-prepared in Mexican food. short span of dunes, and you’ll typically find plenty of gays and In downtown Clearwater, the convivial Pro Shop Pub (http:// lesbians tanning their hides along the beautiful beachfront. www.proshoppub.us) is one of the oldest gay bars in the state and Head a bit north up the coast and you’ll come to the resort has a popular following at happy hour. Just north in downtown city of Clearwater, which has a lively, somewhat up-market Dunedin, the Kelly’s/Blur (http://www.kellyschicaboom.com) beachfront separated from downtown by a picturesque harbor. complex comprises an LGBT-friendly nightclub, showbar, And still a bit farther north is the funky little town of Dunedin, martini lounge and casual American restaurant. which has a charming, gay-friendly cluster of shops, boutiques St. Petersburg is home to one of the largest gay resorts in the and restaurants along its historic downtown Main Street. country, the Flamingo (http://www.flamingofla.com), which in St. Petersburg has seen an influx of notable restaurants in addition to being a popular LGBT nightlife venue has a large recent years. One of the city’s classics is Marchand’s Bar & Grill central pool, a good restaurant and 130 simply but pleasantly (http://www.marchandsbarandgrill.com), a refined venue inside furnished – and reasonably priced – hotel rooms. the historic Renaissance Vinoy Resort – for a special occasion, The city’s grandest and most famous hotel is the swell-elegant this is one of the top spots in town, whether for dinner or Sunday Renaissance Vinoy Resort (http://www.marriott.com), which brunch. Overlooking the marina at the foot of the pier, Fresco’s has long been a friend to the gay community. This pink palace Waterfront Bistro (http://site.chefjasonesposito.com) pulls in overlooks the downtown waterfront, comprising both a historic a festive happy-hour crowd, serves mouthwatering haddock main building, which opened in 1927, and a newer wing with po’boys, and provides lovely views of the waterfront. roomier accommodations but a still-classic color scheme and A relative newcomer, Cassis (http://www.cassisab.com) serves design. Amenities include an impressive health club and spa, reliably good French bistro fare in an urbane setting – choose a golf at the resort’s private course a couple of miles away, and table on the sidewalk when the weather is nice. A few blocks excellent dining at three different restaurants. north, Hooker Tea Company (http://hookertea.com) is a cheery There are also several excellent, mid-priced chain properties option for gelato, pastries and toothsome breakfast fare. Drop downtown, including the Courtyard Marriott (http://www. by slick and arty Kahwa Coffee (http://www.kahwacoffee.com) marriott.com), the Hampton Inn and Suites (http://www. for first-rate espresso and drip coffee. Bella Brava (http://www. stpetehamptonsuites.com) and the hip, lime-hued Hotel Indigo bellabrava.com) and Ceviche Tapas Bar (http://www.ceviche. (http://www.hotelindigo.com) – all are just a few minutes’ walk com) are two additional downtown notables, each cultivating from Tampa Bay and major museums. You’ll also find few gay- a fairly trendy crowd. And the see-and-be-seen Independent friendly and very charming B&Bs in the Old Northeast Historic (http://www.independentbeer.com) attracts a stylish, arty crowd District, which flanks downtown and is a pleasant walk from for hard-to-find imported beers, fine wines by the glass and live shops and restaurants. Among these, the gay-owned Dickens music. House (http://www.dickenshouse.com) is a stunning example of In Gulfport, head to Habana Cafe (http://www.habanacafe- Arts and Crafts architecture with plush, beautifully furnished usa.com) for authentic Cuban fare (including delicious drunken accommodations. Also consider the Mansion House B&B (http:// shrimp with garlic and mojo sauce); and La Fogata Churrascaria www.mansionbandb.com), with its glorious full-size pool; and (http://www.lafogataonline.com) for well-prepared seafood, the Beach Drive Inn (http://www.beachdriveinn.com), which is steaks, tapas and elegant cocktails. MadFish (http://www. across from the famed Renaissance Vinoy Hotel. madfishonline.com) is a slick spot set inside a shimmering The well-priced and popular clothing-optional GayStPete stainless-steel diner in St. Pete Beach – the kitchen here turns House (http://www.gaystpetehouse.com) is an excellent base out creative contemporary fare. At nearby Wildwood BBQ & for proximity to the bars and restaurants of the Grand Central Burger (http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/restaurants/ District, and in Gulfport, consider the marvelous Sea Breeze wildwood_bbq) you can feast on tasty comfort food – note the Manor Bed & Breakfast (http://www.seabreezemanor.com), a impressive list of small-batch bourbons. historic Tudor-style 1920s house that overlooks Boca Ciega Bay Tiny downtown Dunedin has several good restaurants, and has spacious, warmly appointed rooms. including Pan y Vino (http://www.panyvino.com), for brick-oven Across the bay in St. Pete Beach you’ll find the area’s other pizzas and a nice selection of wines by the glass; and the gay- famous grande dame, the Loews Don Cesar Resort (http://www. popular Mexican restaurant Casa Tina (http://www.casatinas. loewshotels.com), an opulent, pink wedding-cake of a hotel that’s com). hosted countless celebrities and appeared in such prominent St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District has a few good films as Health and Once Upon a Time in America. Nearby, the restaurants, one of which, the stylish Queen’s Head (http:// circa-1957 Postcard Inn on the Beach (http://www.postcardinn. www.thequeensheadbar.com), is also one of the city’s top LGBT com) is a sleek, surfer-chic boutique hotel on the water that’s nightlife options. Sip cocktails in one of the outdoor cabanas or steadily developed a gay following – book a poolside cabana room inside the slick bar and dining area, where you might enjoy a for optimum swank factor. dinner of pan-roasted skate with truffle-mash carrots, beetroot- For easy access to Clearwater and a location in the heart of vanilla chutney and lemon oil. A few blocks away is arguably the charming downtown Dunedin, look no further than the stylish most gay bar in the city, Georgie’s Alibi (http://www.georgiesalibi. Meranova Guest Inn (http://www.meranova.com), which has com), which pulls in a youthful, see-and-be-seen crowd. eight tastefully furnished rooms, each with private entrances. Other good bets along the Grand Central corridor include Gemini Lounge (http://www.myspace.com/gemini_lounge), Andrew Collins covers gay travel for the New York Times-owned website which books fun live bands; Detour, a laid-back watering About.com and is the author of Fodor’s Gay Guide to the USA. He can be hole; quirky Lucky Star Lounge (http://www.myspace.com/ reached care of GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine. luckystarlounge28), which is tucked behind a liquor store; and Beak’s Old Florida, an inviting tavern and grill that has a popular following with straights and gays. You’ll find a few other neighborhood bars around the city, such http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2044 as Haymarket Pub, a low-keyed dive bar on the north side of the city - it’s next door to the Hideaway, which bills itself the longest- View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 35 San Antonio, Texas Out of Town
Restaurants and bars line the festive River Walk in downtown San Antonio. Photo by Andrew Collins
by Andrew Collins five missions built along the San Antonio River during the 18th Although it draws more visitors than any other city century. The other four, which are south of downtown within 6 in Texas, San Antonio has always been a little less miles of one another, have been preserved and are open to the pronounced as a gay destination than Austin, Dallas, public. Stop by the San Antonio Missions National Historical and Houston. This is changing, however, as the city’s Park for details. reputation for innovative arts, distinctive dining, hip Steps from the Alamo you’ll find the fabled River Walk, a boutique hotels, gay-friendly B&Bs, and friendly but network of cobbled and flagstone paths hugging the San Antonio lively GLBT nightlife has grown tremendously over the River some 15 feet below street level. The branches of cypress past decade. The tried-and-true, family-friendly classic and willow trees droop over the walk. During the day it makes for a peaceful stroll, and river taxis offer tours that provide an attractions are still here: raucous theme parks, the excellent sense of the architecture and greenery. Recently, the glittery River Walk, and - of course - the Alamo. But now River Walk has been extended to the historic Pearl Brewing you’ll also find emerging arts districts and chef-owned Complex, which has been converted to a dashing mixed-use restaurants specializing in everything from Belgian complex of condos, studios, restaurants, shops, and branches bistro fare to haute Nuevo Latino cuisine. of Aveda Institute and the Culinary Institute of America - there’s The city has made a concerted effort in recent years to reach also a farmers market here on Saturdays and Wednesdays. out to gay visitors - note that the San Antonio tourism office Between downtown and the Pearl, you’ll find the San Antonio has an LGBT section on its website (www.visitsanantonio.com/ Museum of Art, which inhabits the former Lone Star brewery visitors/SanAntoniosLGBTScene/index.aspx). and is famous for its Asian works and arguably the nation’s Downtown San Antonio has been carefully protected by a premier collection of Latin American art. If you have a car, it’s zealous spirit of historic preservation. At the turn of the century, worth continuing north to such notable attractions as the San concerned local citizens fought developers bent on converting Antonio Botanical Gardens, the Japanese Tea Gardens, the the Alamo into a hotel. Similar efforts led to the restoration of San Antonio Zoological Gardens and Aquarium, and the McNay the city’s other iconic landmark, the San Antonio River, with its Art Museum (which doubled in size following a sleek and eye- enchanting River Walk. catching expansion $50 million expansion in 2009). And on the city’s true outskirts, there’s fun to be had at Schlitterbahn Only a fraction of the original Spanish Colonial mission known Waterpark, Seaworld of Texas, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. popularly as the Alamo stands today: the small chapel whose facade has come to symbolize the pride and independence of A few blocks south of downtown, HemisFair Park contains Texas, and one of the living quarters. The buildings are set the remnants of the 1968 World’s Fair attractions, including within a tranquil walled plaza of lawns and gardens. It’s one of the 750-foot Tower of the Americas and several museums. Be
36 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Travel sure to check out La Villita, a nearby complex of more than two Main Avenue, less than a 10-minute drive from downtown. Here dozen arts and crafts shops, as well as downtown’s impressive you’ll find the pulsing dance club Heat (http://www.heatsa. new Briscoe Western Art Museum. Continue south to reach the com), which is jammed nightly with buff-bodied revelers, and King William Historic District, where many of San Antonio’s The Saint, known for arguably the best drag shows in Texas. early German immigrants settled and built elaborate Victorian Other North Main options include Pegasus, a convivial video mansions (one particular ornate one, the Edward Steves bar with a volleyball court and patio out back, and Sparky’s Pub Homestead, is open for tours). It’s adjacent to the more modest (http://www.sparkyspub.com), an English-style tavern in the but increasingly hip Southtown area, which buzzes with funky space formerly occupied by Silver Dollar Saloon, a gay tejano shops, galleries, and restaurants. and country club that’s moved just a few blocks north to an San Antonio emergence into a first-rate culinary destination expansive new locale. Nearby, the Electric Company is a friendly has been rapid of late. It’s still worth considering classics neighborhood spot with a lesbian following, and the Annex is a like Paesanos (http://www.paesanosriverwalk.com), a festive rugged, cruisy bar with a leather-and-Levi’s following. Northern Italian trattoria on the River Walk, and elegant Biga on San Antonio has a wonderful mix of inviting accommodations, the Banks (http://www.biga.com), one of the first restaurants from quaint gay-friendly B&Bs to chic “designer” hotels to in town to earn praise for truly daring contemporary regional historic grande dames. Among gay-owned options, the lovely cuisine. Ayres Inn (www.1908ayresinn.com) occupies a historic home In Southtown, Azuca (http://www.azuca.net) is an airy space with five smartly furnished rooms with a mix of contemporary decorated with the colorful glass art (blown next door at Garcia and classic pieces, plus flat-screen TVs and L’Occitane bath Glass studio) and serving terrific Nuevo Latino fare, from ceviche products. This gay-owned property is one of the most romantic to plantain-crusted salmon with olive-garlic butter. There’s live in town. Latin music and dancing many evenings. A few steps away, A marvelous boutique hotel set inside a 1914 Mediterranean La Frite (http://www.lafritesa.com) is known for hearty but Revival former boarding school, the 28-room Havana Riverwalk sophisticated Belgian bistro fare, such as frisee salad with Inn (http://www.havanasanantonio.com) captures the bacon lardons, and mussels prepared in several different ways. sophisticated sensibility of 1920s Paris along with the romance It’s a sophisticated storefront spot with closely spaced tables of vintage Cuba. It’s on one of the less noisy stretches of the and a fun vibe. San Antonio’s famed (and gay-popular) Liberty River Walk. The sleek and contemporary Westin Riverwalk Bar (http://www.liberty-bar.com) moved to Southtown in 2010 (http://www.starwoodhotels.com) is centrally located, has and remains a fine option for crab cakes, salads, and excellent spacious rooms (request one with a River Walk view), and an cheese plates. Nearby in King William, Madhatters (http://www. excellent restaurant, Zocca. madhatterstea.com ) draws a “who’s who” of local characters for Hotel Contessa (http://www.thehotelcontessa.com) draws coffee, beer, wine, conversation, and great food. raves for its palatial rooms with floor-to-ceiling river views, 12- Southtown is also home to one of the better Tex-Mex option story atrium lobby, and friendly staff. The Mokara Hotel (http:// in San Antonio, Rosario’s (http://www.rosariossa.com0, a loud www.mokarahotels.com), formerly known as the Watermark, and spacious joint with live music on weekends, and such tasty occupies a former saddlery and has 99 of the snazziest rooms dishes as chorizo quesadillas and steak ranchera topped with in the state, as well as a state-of-the-art spa and superb dining poblano peppers. Other reliably good bets for traditional Mexican in its Ostra restaurant. Finally, looking more West Hollywood food include La Fonda on Main (http://www.lafondaonmain. than Central Texas, the uber-hip Hotel Valencia (http://www. com), which is close to the gay nightlife district; El Milagrito valenciagroup.com) provides a strikingly contemporary contrast (http://elmilagritocafe.com), a colorful and affordable spot on to the historic downtown blocks that surround it. There may the hip St. Mary’s Strip, and Mi Tierra Cafe, in the touristy but not be a sexier room in the city than the Valencia’s V Bar - fun Mercado, where you can find vendors selling roasted corn definitely plan to toast your visit with a cocktail in this vibrant and shops carrying Mexican arts and crafts. If nothing else, lounge. come to Mi Tierra (http://www.mitierracafe.com) to admire the Andrew Collins covers gay travel for the New York Times-owned website long case of delicious colorful cookies and sweets - it’s open About.com and is the author of Fodor’s Gay Guide to the USA. He can be 24/7. reached care of GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine. Other restaurants of note around the city include downtown’s romantic Fig Tree (http://www.figtreerestaurant.com), which has outdoor seating on a stepped terrace that descends toward the River Walk, and the trendy and lively Zinc Wine Bar (http:// zincwine.com), a downtown hot spot with great food and vino. http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2045 Il Sogno (http://www.pearlbrewery.com) is one of the culinary View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments draws at the Pearl Brewery Complex, serving superb modern Italian fare. Right around the corner, Josephine Street Cafe (http://www.josephinestcafe.com) serves steaks and fresh seafood in a historic storefront. Other casual, affordable spots include Luther’s (http:// www.lutherscafe.com), which is right across from several gay bars and has ample outdoor seating and tasty sandwiches, burgers, and salads; and Lulu’s Bakery & Cafe (http://www. luluscafeinsa.com), just south of the gay bar district, in a retro space and serving filling comfort food (hearty chicken-fried steaks) and pies. A longtime staple of the gay community, W. D. Deli (http://www.wddeli.com) is a cheerful spot with the best chicken tortilla soup around, and healthy sandwiches (try the turkey-avocado wrap) and salads. Finally, just north of downtown, Candlelight Coffeehouse (http://www.candlelightsa. com) is the perfect blend of a wine bar, cafe, and rainy-day hangout. In good weather enjoy the lushly landscaped patio. San Antonio has about a dozen gay bars of note, one of which is downtown’s long-running (and enormous) Bonham Exchange (http://www.bonhamexchange.net), lovingly nicknamed the “Bottom Exchange.” It’s a high-energy club drawing a mostly gay bunch along with quite a few straights for hot dancing. Most of city’s other well-frequented bars are clustered along North www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 37 Sports The OutField The athletic buddy system
By Dan Woog
This fall’s epidemic of gay youth suicides shocked and saddened millions of Americans. Dan Savage’s “It Gets Better” video project provided hope to young people struggling with their sexual orientation; LGBT men and women told inspiring stories of their own lives, while leaders, including President Obama, added their own voices of support. The broad-based effort heartened Glenn Witman. But he also smiled in recognition: He was already leading a similar project, admittedly on a much smaller scale. Witman is the founder, president and captain of the G-Force Hockey Club. A Denver-based non-profit organization, G-Force plays some mean hockey – and does a lot more. Demonstrating competitiveness, teamwork, pride and courage on the ice, they break down negative stereotypes about gay athletes. From the start, G-Force wanted young, gay hockey players to know about the team – and, by extension, to realize that they were not alone. Witman’s e-mail and phone number were on the Internet. Young athletes were encouraged to call him for information and help – and they did. For many reasons, gay athletes may have a harder time coming out than other youths. It can take longer, too. A 23-year-old player from Minnesota called. He was so closeted, Witman recalls, “he couldn’t even Glenn Witman say the word ‘gay.’” Witman recounted his own story – he did not come out until he was 28 – and put the young man in touch with G-Force’s goalie, Goldstein says. “Upon coming out we found that our coaches were who was not fully out. sometimes big allies who wanted to be mentors/educators and do the right The Minnesotan responded soon: “Thank you. You changed my life!” thing to protect their athletes and create a supportive environment.” Now, G-Force is institutionalizing its support program. They call it Goldstein also notes that “in general, we should give our teammates the Athletic Buddy System (ABS). Anyone wanting help in coming out to more credit to change. Although they may denigrate gays in the locker teammates, coaches, family or friends – or just needing someone to talk room, they don’t generally mean harm by it. Once they’re more aware that to – can contact [email protected] or call 303-808-1116. They’ll be their words hurt a teammate, they can change dramatically.” paired with a G-Force player, of whom there are many. Though Goldstein felt the audience reaction in Toronto was very “Nearly everyone on the team wants to help,” Witman notes. positive, he knows that “these sessions tend to attract those with similar views. We need to make sure the message reaches all types of people, One of those helpers is Ben Gardent. He got involved because he had including those who never consider gays in sports an issue or a reality.” not come out until age 24 – in part because he had no gay athletes as role models. His message: “No matter how difficult things may be now, they get G-Force’s next step, he says, is to speak in high schools and to a whole lot better when you’re older.” youth programs, reaching younger closeted athletes and their straight teammates and coaches. Then, perhaps, a program like ABS would no Adam Mills looks forward to speaking with young gay athletes – but he longer be needed. says he may have to wait a while. Coming out where he lives – Nashville – is not easy. “I will tell people my journey and the rollercoaster ride of my For more information, visit www.gforcehockey.com. athletic career,” Mills says. Looking back at 2010 “Dealing with the uneasy feeling of being gay and on a sports team can be overwhelming. It can affect an athlete’s performance, as well as As another year winds down, The OutField’s inbox fills up. Here are a academics. Having someone who understands what an athlete goes few stories from 2010 we had no space for – but that merit a big ol’ LGBT through can be the difference between life and death.” shout-out. ABS is not G-Force’s only project. The team is also working on another effort aimed at young athletes. Called an “athletic safety and respect “Gay” and “NASCAR” are rarely used in the same sentence. But if we policy,” it’s an agreement between G-Force and a university or sports truly are everywhere, that includes stock-car speedways. And Michael organization. The latter agrees to support only those activities that are Myers makes sure we connect with each other, above the roar of race “constructive, educational, inspirational, and that contribute to the cars. intellectual and personal development of students.” Queers4Gears.com is a website for gay NASCAR fans – though all are The policy includes sanctions for violations. These include probation welcome. It features photos, race reports, even discount ticket deals. It’s and suspension of athletes and coaches – even cancellations of games. been named one of NASCAR’s top 50 blogs. G-Force will provide diversity training before the season to programs “NASCAR fans have been more accepting of (Myers) being gay than gay wishing to implement such a policy. people have been accepting of his being a NASCAR fan,” the site says of One such session was held in October at the University of Toronto. the 37-year-old founder. The goal was to create a dialogue between out athletes and other players, According to a recent article in the New York Times, Myers “acknowledges students, coaches and support staff. that gay male race fans are attracted to stock car drivers the way straight Panelists Andrew Goldstein (a G-Force player better known for his All- female race fans are.” However, he adds, it’s really just about the races. American lacrosse achievements at Dartmouth College), David Farber “I’m not there to ask drivers what they think about gay marriage,” he (University of Pennsylvania) and Blake Anderson (Central Hockey League) says. “I’m there to ask them about racing.” shared personal stories. Another oxymoron could be “gay professional baseball umpire.” But “Some of the main points were that everyone has a different experience, when a manager attacked an out ump with anti-gay language, it was the but the general language in a locker room is a big problem in sports,” manager who suffered most.
38 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com The Golden Baseball League incident began in July, when Billy Van Raaphorst ejected Edmonton Capitals manager Brent Bowers for repeatedly objecting to a call. Bowers raced over, called Van Raaphorst a “fucking faggot,” and asked, “Do you take it up the fucking ass?” (Just to make sure there was no mistake, Bowers bent over and grabbed his ankles.) The tirade continued, with the manager saying, “I ought to kick your ass, you faggot.” The league suspended Bowers for two games. Van Raaphorst’s fellow umpires thought the punishment was insufficient and threatened to walk out. The league then suspended Bowers for the rest of the season – and fined him $5,000. The Capitals’ owner – who also owns the National Hockey League Edmonton Oilers – supported Van Raaphorst and the league against its now-former manager. Then – recognizing a “golden” opportunity when they saw it – the owners announced plans to provide diversity training for all its baseball and hockey staffs. In more gays-and-baseball news, a group of gay men and lesbians got fed up watching the St. Louis Cardinals’ hetero-only “Kiss Cam.” That’s the traditional shot shown on an enormous scoreboard of a man and woman passionately smooching. A cute little heart is superimposed on the shot, and cute little music plays. Big deal, huh? To David Whitley – a columnist for MLB.Fanhouse.com, a national website – it was. “I can’t help sympathizing with that father who’ll be sitting next to his son or daughter at Busch Stadium,” the not-very-empathic dad/fan/ writer wrote. “Daddy, why are those two men kissing?” he imagined a child saying. “Umm, err, hey isn’t that Albert Pujols coming to bat?” he figured would be the only possible reply. “I’m not ready to discuss same-sex relationships with my 3-year-old,” he wrote. “I don’t think she’s ready, either.” Using that logic, he would have to discuss opposite-sex relationships every time the “Kiss Cam” showed two straight people making out. Scrambling to avoid charges of homophobia, he added: “If my daughter grows up and falls happily in love with another woman, I’ll proudly walk her down the aisle.” Chances are, though, he’d first have to get over his daughter’s fear that he wouldn’t, in fact, be proud – based on his reaction, years earlier, when daughter and dad watched two women doing the exact same thing straight people do every day, at every ballpark in America. Finally, from the Stand-Up-And-Cheer Department: For the fifth consecutive year, the Gene and John Athletic Fund of Stonewall has awarded a scholarship to an outstanding gay athlete. This year’s recipient is Jessica Leigh Weather. At the University of Florida, Jessica studied six languages. A runner, she has completed two marathons, three half-marathons and a half- Ironman triathlon. She’s a swimmer too, with a 12.5-mile swim around Key West and 8-mile swim through Boston Harbor and a relay swim of the English Channel to her credit. She hopes to compete in the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland. Jessica is currently enrolled in Duke University’s Physician Assistant Program. Her goal is to specialize in pediatrics. “My knowledge of the mental and physical benefits of athletics, along with my first hand understanding of the spectrum of sexuality, will make me a unique asset to the field for the next generation of youth, both straight and LGBT.” Including those who aspire to be NASCAR drivers, baseball umpires, or kiss their same-sex partner in public. Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach, gay activist, and author of the “Jocks” series of books on gay male athletes. Visit his website at www.danwoog.com.
http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2046 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 39 Trans Identity Choice
By Mercedes Allen dismiss or denigrate any of the three, we’re missing part of the picture. Currently, our society still overemphasizes and We spend a lot of time fighting the “choice” meme. distorts the effect of socialization [3] and we are just starting Which is understandable, given the fact that who we’re to revisit the instinctive. But our collective attitudes about attracted to and who we identify as are not things that we choice are all over the map. can switch on or off like a light. The idea that everything So today, I’m owning my choices. we are boils down to a whimsical choice gets bandied around While growing up, I chose to try to be the person everyone flippantly and turned into the club used to try to bash us back expected me to be. I knew I was different, but perceived that into hiding. it had to be that either I was wrong, or everyone else was. I But I’m owning my choice – even though giving any quarter chose to believe the latter, although I blame society a little for at all to those who hate us always gets exploited and twisted. stifling all discussion of anything else, and making it seem like Any admission of possibly choosing to be LGBT gets distorted there was little choice available. I also consider it a shared beyond recognition. This is one area where society’s failure to responsibility that difference seemed like a character flaw, discern between sexual orientation and gender identity and which became an attack on self-esteem that I still struggle expression inevitably affects us all. with. And in fact, part of the panic raised about us — the After spending the first 16+ years trying to exorcise myself possibility that we might (*gasp*) influence kids when in roles and living in the eternal ex-gay Jesus-fix-it perpetual emotion as teachers or parents, or the possibility that our ability to machine, I realized god wasn’t going to “fix” it, that I couldn’t communicate with media or openly in public might encourage live that cycle any longer. I chose to walk away… and because others to turn gay or trans — only works if people swallow the at that time there was no such thing as an “affirming” church, idea that our identities and orientations are choices informed and homophobia and faith were synonymous, I chose to by flighty, misguided (or evil) notions. abandon Christianity along with it. Finding no information Homosexuality is no longer considered a mental disorder other than partial answers that led me to believe I’d never (delisted from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual governing be able to afford to transition, I chose to continue trying to mental health in North America in 1973 and finally delisted play the hand dealt to me and live as a testosterone-fuelled in Alberta in December 2010), but the concept of choice organism for another 20 years, identifying only as bisexual. provides an opportunity for those who conflate orientation When I kept hitting the wall of suicide ideation, I finally chose and identity to try to “cure” people of being gay - although to stop hiding, fighting, and living the lie that was causing me the major medical bodies have condemned reparative and to suffocate. aversion therapies for homosexuality, such treatments for Yes, that much was a choice. transsexual and transgender people are still largely excused. Many of the clinicians working to revise sexual-related issues Prejudice Is Presuming to Judge Behaviours, Beliefs, in the DSM-5 still practice choice-based aversion therapies Abilities and Life Choices Based on Assumptions that One to cure kids who display signs of gender transgression, while Associates With a Trait stating a conviction that if they don’t, the kids may one day We quite commonly hear from people who cry “reverse choose to be gay. [1] And society is still so repulsed by the discrimination” over protections given based on minority traits idea that someone can “choose” their gender to be different — forgetting, of course, that protections based on general from that decided at birth, that many governments require terms like “race” actually do include the majority along with forced sterilization [2] in the form of surgical modification the minority, and that the imbalance they perceive happens before considering to recognize them legally — if even then. largely because one of the two really does have a relentless (I strongly believe in the necessity of GRS for those who are tendency to be bigoted. But many minorities often have a less in severe distress about their body, but also believe that the obvious commonality that the “choice invalidation” argument choice to have GRS should only have to be made based on seeks to undermine. Are people really discriminating against that distress, and not from expectations from outside or even someone purely because of the colour of their skin, for example, within our community.) or is colour an indicator that triggers presumptions about one’s Picking and Choosing Those Worthy of Rights culture, lifestyle, behaviours and tendencies? Biased people always excuse their bigotry in this way: “I have nothing against Our understanding of human rights is still based on the ____ people,” you might commonly hear,” but you know what concept that some people are deserving of rights and some they’re like….” Prejudiced people are blind to their prejudice aren’t, with choice being the latest magical divisor (which is because they’ve seduced themselves into believing that what ironic, of course, considering that most of the people repeating they’re reacting to is not really the trait itself, when they’re this meme expect to be assured rights based on their choice of acting on the unspoken and often inaccurate smorgasbord of religion). If the current structure of human rights were to be inventions that go with it. scrapped, like some of our opponents opine, then it could only And those are inventions that generalize, assume and cast be done under one of two pretexts: that either everyone alive judgment on behaviours, abilities, perceived beliefs, and choices deserves equal rights, or that no one does and the majority — some of which may appear at times to hold true because should have the right to tyrannize if it wants to. The former they’re driven by common recurring factors like poverty, would seem the sensible alternative, but would mean accepting minority stress and socialization. people regardless of their choices, LGBT people included. It probably won’t happen, though, so for now, we need a piece of Regardless of how we want to couch things, society needs legislative paper to remind people that it is not acceptable to to recognize and respect any life that is lived with care to the treat anyone as lesser people for any reason. Including what safety of others, with responsibility in our interactions, with is perceived to be their life choices. mutual respect, and with mature / informed consent from those we invite into critical intimate areas of our lives, such as And we do make choices. Human behaviour stems from (but not limited to) our sexual behaviours. When people are a combination of biological / instinctive drive, influential living within those parameters, it is not acceptable that they socialization and conditioning, and choice. Any time we should ever be excluded, invalidated or hated — regardless of
40 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com how different their choices and lives may be from what we live, ourselves. As much as homophobia and transphobia are driven by a societal stigmatization of sex and denigration of the shades of gender expression, it is also informed by a shunning of difference itself, and the persistent use of social engineering to eliminate it. What happens when we magnify the use of choice (as is being done by the far right regarding LGBT people), as the wedge differentiating the acceptable from the unacceptable, and as a tool to be dismissive of entire populations? For that matter, what happens when the elimination of difference by social engineering becomes bolstered with genetic engineering? The scientific journals are already musing over the moral implications introduced by the possibility that the use of dexamethasone in pregnant women might reduce or eliminate behaviours indicative of lesbianism or transness. [4] To what length is society prepared to go, in order to eliminate difference, and does denigrating choice provide the means to do so? Part of change rests in owning, respecting and defending choice, and our right to choose.
References: 1) www.gaycalgary.com/u163 2) www.gaycalgary.com/u170 3) www.gaycalgary.com/u177 4) The Anti-Lesbian Drug, Newsweek, July 2, 2010, www.gaycalgary.com/u184
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www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 41 42 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 43 44 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Book Review Book Marks Best of 2010
By Richard Labonte Duvert and Lorin Stein, Faber & Faber. The bad news: Alyson Books, founded 30 years ago and for a time the preeminent gay and lesbian press, It would be a mistake to pigeonhole this controversial flamed out in October despite a bid by editor Don Weise book as solely about the politics to purchase it mostly for debts. More than a dozen of safe sex versus barebacking contracted books are languishing in limbo and Alyson in the middle years of the AIDS authors are organizing to demand unpaid back royalties, epidemic. It’s first a heady while owners Here Media plan to emerge in 2011 as an intellectual narrative, a rich e-book only press. The good news: in November, Weise novel of ideas and then, amidst announced the launch of Magnus Books (after Magnus the tumult of personalities at Hirschfeld, an outspoken German advocate for gay war with each other, the story rights in the 19th and early 20th centuries), with plans of romance gone awry. to publish up to a dozen titles next year. I Came Out for This?, by More good news: Victoria A. Brownworth has launched Tiny Lisa Gitlin, Bywater Books. Satchel Press, a young adult publisher whose first list features Love comes late for Joanna books by J.D. Shaw, Greg Herren, Patty Friedman, Diane DeKelb- Kane, who denied her sexual Rittenhouse and the anthology From Where They Sit: Black Writers self well into her 40s. Debut Write Black Youth. Jameson Currier started Chelsea Station Editions novelist Gitlin’s breezy novel with three books released in 2010. J.M. Snyder expanded JMS about a late-bloomer is told Books, which publishes both print and e-books with a focus on through sometimes manic, sometimes maudlin, sometimes wise, male romances. And novelist Marshall Moore announced Signal 8 and sometimes simply wonderful journal entries, a narrative tack Press and BookCyclone, based in Hong Kong, the former a print that propels the tale with engaging quirkiness. publisher whose first 2011 book is Philip Huang’s story collection, A Pornography of Grief, the latter focusing on e-book reprints, with a Spanking New, by Clifford Henderson, Bold Strokes list that includes Juliet Sarkessian’s Trio Sonata and backlist/out of Books. print books by Andy Quan and Neal Drinnan. Spanky is an unborn baby who can flit from one character’s thoughts and emotions to another’s – a storytelling perspective that Best Fiction 2010 might have come off as a diaper-load of a gimmick. But Henderson handles the unorthodox point of view with inventive style and charm Another Life Altogether, by Elaine Beale, Spiegel & Grau. – and this is the other truly original queer read of the year. Beale’s memoir-style novel – about a 13-year-old girl struggling Yield, by Lee Houck, Kensington Books. with an unstable home life (her suicidal mother is bipolar, her ineffectual father is mean-tempered), an unrequited crush on another Houck writes about 20-something queers with perfect emotional schoolgirl, and bullying by her peers in 1970s East Yorkshire – is pitch, as they scramble to make their way in contemporary heartbreaking, heroic and, somehow, also humorous. Manhattan, navigating uncertain years of youthful drift. This luminous debut novel captures big-city New York hustle with the The Big Bang Symphony, by Lucy Jane Bledsoe, Univer- values of small-town heart. sity of Wisconsin Press. An Ideal for Living, by Marshall Moore. Lethe Press, 214 Antarctica, which Bledsoe has visited three times – feet-on-the- pages, $15 paper. ground research that captures the southern continent’s blend of mystery, menace and majesty with ravishing immediacy – is as What better themes for a skewed-view gay novel than the much a character in this crystalline novel as are the three women concepts of self-loathing, gym culture and body image, abetted by confronting the emotional puzzles of their lives in a riveting a supernatural solution to avoirdupois and a money-buys-anything narrative. sense of entitlement? Moore’s razor-sharp dialogue and well-honed
Krakow Melt, by Daniel Allen Cox, Arsenal Pulp Press. Continued It’s quite likely Cox’s second novel qualifies as one of the two most original queer stories of the year. Radek Tomaszewski is a sometimes-bisexual parkour-loving queer pyromaniac and activist whose fiery romance with fellow fire-lover Dora is set against a backdrop of Polish homophobia, Pope John Paul II’s death and the music of Pink Floyd.
By Nightfall, by Michael Cunningham, Farrar, Straus & Giroux. The allure of astounding beauty and how the mind can betray the body are the core of Cunningham’s elegant novel about mid-age angst, the hollow nature of elites, the elusiveness of once-dreamed goals, and the vanity of unexamined lives – all qualms confronted in a poetically pyrotechnic mix of humor and pathos.
Hate: A Romance, by Tristan Garcia, translated by Marion
www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 45 From Previous Page disdain for the concept of beauty at any cost makes this unsettling My Queer War, by James Lord, Farrar, Straus & Giroux. novel irresistible. As Congress dawdled over the inevitability of repealing “Don’t Act, The More I Owe You, by Michael Sledge. Counterpoint Don’t Tell,” art historian Lord’s posthumous wartime memoir arrived Press, 336 pages, $15.95 paper. at an opportune time. His cheeky recounting of WWII service as a practicing homosexual – he was good at it, once he eased out of the Fascinating fact is transformed into sumptuous fiction in Sledge’s closet – makes clear that queers, even back then, were everywhere, even debut novel, in which he re-imagines poet Elizabeth Bishop’s 15 in the military. years in South America – when she was tumultuously in love with aristocratic architect and activist Lota de Macedo Soare – with Madre & I: A Memoir of Our Immigrant Lives, by Guill- extraordinarily atmospheric prose and unflinchingly emotional ermo Reyes. University of Wisconsin Press. intimacy. Reyes, an accomplished playwright and theater professor, bares his soul with searing candor in this graceful memoir about growing up as a Chilean immigrant in America, a handsome lad drawn to other young Best Nonfiction 2010 men but nonetheless bedeviled for years by body shame, paralyzing fear expressed with a compelling combination of poignant honesty and rueful Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation, edited by Kate wit. Bornstein and S. Bear Bergman, Seal Press Just Kids, by Patti Smith, Ecco Press Transpeople. Genderqueers. Trannies. Sex/gender radicals. Though the likes of Burroughs and Ginsberg wander through Chelsea Transsexuals. They’re all represented in this prose-and-poetry anthology Hotel hallways of this memoir, they’re merely colorful bit players. The of intense, painful memoirs and breezy, joyous mini-biographies real stars, memorialized in pre-fame days, are then-waiflike Smith and addressing the fluidity – sometimes hard-won, often wholly fabulous her late-1960s cohort in cool ambition, Robert Mapplethorpe. Their – of the sexual self, many voices mulling a singular theme and bringing relationship endured physically until Mapplethorpe’s death and, as younger gender outlaws into the queer literary mainstream. this exquisitely tender book makes clear, emotionally well beyond his The Lost Library: Gay Fiction Rediscovered, edited by passing. Tom Cardamone, Haiduk Press. An Obscene Diary: The Visual World of Sam Steward, ed- Allen Barnett and Christopher Coe, Melvin Dixon and Robert Ferro, ited by Justin Spring, Elysium Press, Antinous Press. Michael Grumley and Paul Reed: fiction by writers taken by AIDS – too Spring’s biography of tattoo artist, avid sexhound and erotic author young, their books now out of print – is celebrated in Cardamone’s loving Sam (“Phil Andros”) Steward is a gay nonfiction standout in its own right – collection, part book review, part social history, part literary excavation but this limited-edition collection of Steward’s one-night-stand sketches, and, in summation, a loving memorial for queer writing and writers. Polaroid pics of tricks, tattoo flash art and written remembrances from Portrait of an Addict as a his “stud file” is a stunning visual companion to a story of a remarkable Young Man, by Bill Clegg. gay man’s life. Little, Brown. Role Models, by John Waters, Farrar, Straus & Giroux. The moral redemption at the It’s hardly surprising that boundary-shattering filmmaker Waters core of Clegg’s relentless, self- claims an eclectic roster of role models – the women and men he says flagellating memoir about hapless molded him into a healthily neurotic man. For a man whose shtick is to addiction and palpable paranoia shock, what’s most shocking about these essays is how sentimental, un- is likely as psychically searing ironic and humane they are. for the reader as it was for the writer. Clegg, young, handsome, Footnotes in love and at the top of the It was the year of queer life stories. Country singer Chely Wright asked literary management game in readers to Like Me; actor (and Ellen DeGeneres’s wedded wife) Portia de Manhattan, was everyone’s ideal Rossi wrote about her Unbearable Lightness; and, for former boy band – until he encountered crack. performer and current balladeer Ricky Martin, it was all about Me: three Inseparable: Desire Be- performers wrote about their queer selves (and Wright and Martin came tween Women in Litera- out) in not-bad autobiographies. (And, in January, muscularly fey Johnny ture, by Emma Donoghue, Weir proclaims Welcome to My World – it’s the year of pop star tell-alls. But serious books told the stories of serious queer lives, too: R. Tripp Evans, Alfred A. Knopf. in Grant Wood: A Life, tracks the subsumed homosexuality in the gothic There’s more to lesbian lit artist’s life; Sjeng Scheijen, in Diaghilev: A Life, gays up a ballet master; than The Well of Loneliness long-closeted British novelist E.M. Forster (Maurice, published after his – and novelist Donoghue (Room, death in 1970), is caressed critically in Frank Kermode’s Concerning E. one of the best non-lesbian M. Forster, and his homosexuality is made central to his life in Wendy books of 2010) has done the Moffat’s celebratory A Great Unrecorded History: A New Life of E.M. Forster. research to prove it. With And another venerable British gay scribe’s life is also queered up in Selena completely accessible (and often Hasting’s The Secret Lives of Somerset Maugham. More prosaically – but witty) prose married to rigorous no less importantly – Will Fellows writes about grandmother Helen P. academic research, this treasure trove focuses on writing about girl-girl Larson and her Gay Bar: The Fabulous, True Story of a Daring Woman and relationships from the medieval to the modern. Her Boys in the 1950s, and Archbishop and AIDS activist the Rev. Carl Bean tells how I Was Born This Way: A Gay Preacher’s Journey Through The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gospel Music, Disco Stardom, and a Ministry in Christ by Archbishop Carl Gentlemen Farmers, by Josh Kilmer-Purcell. HarperCol- Bean. lins, 320 pages, $24.99 hardcover. Richard Labonte has been reading, editing, selling, and writing about Kilmer-Purcell’s account of a retired drag queen and his Martha queer literature since the mid-’70s. Stewart-employed boyfriend settling into a rural setting has many hilarious high points. But the stress of holding down day jobs while handling farm chores on weekends while launching an online business http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2050 takes a toll on the men’s relationship too, a reality the author never shies away from. View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments
46 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com YYY YYY YYY
Rockin Night At The Museum Jubilations Rocks Out With Brilliant Show
By Jason Clevett they are shown on the front of the program I don’t feel bad revealing them. But a total of 17 musicians are played by Night At The Museum Of Rock N Roll is one of the the chameleon cast. Andre in particular plays 7 different best shows Jubilations Dinner Theatre has put on in characters and nails each one perfectly. Chaitan shows quite awhile. With an awesome soundtrack ranging incredible diversity and gender bending in her characters from Beatles to Van Halen to Journey, to incredible as well, while Haley’s Lennon is a dead-on impersonation performances by the cast, it sets the bar for what the both in look, mannerisms, and voice. Jubilations product should be. The difficulty in writing this review is in both trying to The concept parallels the “Night in the Museum” movies find the words to describe it without saying “awesome” over - Ted is a goofy security guard (Bob Cunningham, who also and over again, while at the same time not giving spolers. wrote and directed the show) at the Museum of Rock and So I will just say this. If you haven’t been to Jubilations in Roll. When a voodoo guitar that Jimi Hendrix smashed awhile, or ever, this is the show to see. during a concert is put back together, the wax figures come With the additional cast playing characters like Axl Rose to life. Ted has to team up with the likes of Diana Ross and Stevie Nicks, and seeing the essence of some of music’s (Crystal Chaitan), John Lennon (Craig Patrick Haley), Elvis greatest performers brought to life, Night At The Museum of Presley (Mat Andre), and former schoolmate Kelly Clarkson Rock N Roll is one of your best bets early this year for an (Chelsea Scantland) to battle a wickedly evil Madonna (Erin entertaining night out. McLean) as she tries to escape the museum. Every time the moveable stage spins around, you are eager to see which performer is next to come to life. These musical icons are just a few of the artists that make an appearance over the course of the evening, and since Night At The Museum Of Rock N Roll Runs until February 6th, 2011 www.jubilations.ca
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One “L” Away from Ass Walking down the aisle at a local T&T Supermarket, there are a lot of odd names that jump out at you. Like this one! Mmmm, Collon. Never has there been a more appetizing name for cake.
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50 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 51 Editorial Immigrants and Refugees Creating Safe and Positive Spaces for LGBTQ Newcomers
By Evan Kayne Ori gives the example of her experiences. She moved to Cancun thinking it would be more of an open society for a trans-woman. Canada is one of the leading countries when it comes The police arrested her for prostitution (to which she wryly notes “I to granting rights and freedoms to Lesbian, Gay, Queer, probably was the most conservative prostitute ever – I was wearing Bisexual, and Transgender citizens. Therefore, it is logical a long skirt and sandals”). She had a choice of staying in an unsafe to assume many GLBTQ individuals from countries jail environment for days or paying off the police. So telling someone where freedom of sexual expression is repressed might with her past experiences to “trust the police, trust the government” want to come to Canada. when they are in Canada is a big step. This fear of the authorities and worry about jeopardizing their However, there is a disconnect for newcomers to our country, claim may make GLBTQ newcomers reluctant to go to the police whether they be immigrants or refugees. While heterosexual or authorities here in Canada when they have a legitimate safety newcomers have a support network geared towards them, many or human rights concern (e.g. a landlord may evict them if they lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender newcomers face a system discover the claimant’s sexuality – instead of taking legal action which barely supports them. This was the subject of the seminar on the basis of a Human Rights violation, the claimant will simply “Creating Safe and Positive Spaces for QLGBT Newcomers” held run from the problem). This could happen because on one hand mid-November as part of the Canadian Council for Refugee’s Fall claimants are told not to get into any criminal troubles with the Consultation 2010. This seminar saw speakers from the Ontario police (as it could jeopardize their claim); but on the other hand, Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) and Vancouver’s they are not reassured you can trust the police or government to Rainbow Refugee Committee (among others) addressing the barriers protect you when you are in danger or when your rights are being and problems GLBTQ newcomers face. compromised. Some of the barriers are obvious, others more subtle; and even with obvious barriers there are complications that GLBTQ immigrants/refugees face, of which service providers may be ignorant. For example, language may be a barrier; yet even if you have a working knowledge of either of Canada’s two official languages, a GLBTQ newcomer from a different country may struggle with the binary gender options. As an example, this can really impact transgender newcomers – what pronoun do you tell people to use if you’re unsure yourself? Additionally, a huge barrier is that a newcomer’s claim may hinge on them revealing their sexual orientation. How many of us remember how difficult it was for us to come out of the closet to a friend or family member here in our native land? Now try doing this with a complete stranger and for some, add the barrier of overcoming ten, twenty or more years of internalized homophobia. Ori Garcia of Vancouver’s Rainbow Refugee Committee told us the best way for us to understand what a QLGBT claimant goes through is to imagine we are vacationing in another country and we get into trouble. As she puts it, “I don’t know anything about the place, I don’t know the language, I don’t know where I can go, I don’t know the resources...what if something happened to me? Where can I go? Should I call the police – can they be helpful?” Because claimants are facing these barriers and questions, addressing GLBTQ newcomer concerns requires a bit of a slower, nuanced approach at times. Even if an individual’s claim for entry into Canada is based on their sexual orientation, approaching the subject with a claimant may take several attempts, and above all, one has to work at their comfort level. Often one has to let all claimants know that alongside all the usual newcomer resources, there are also resources for GLBTQ individuals. People working with refugees and immigrants have to also communicate that there are safe spots and welcoming organizations if a claimant comes forward. Besides the difficulty for GLBTQ newcomers, existing groups working to make the claims process more queer-friendly are struggling with how to diplomatically broach this problem with agencies and other newcomer support groups. Given the media coverage/criticism and xenophobic attitudes of some members of the public, government and private agencies are a bit sensitive to any criticism – even if it’s to offer them suggestions on how to better address GLBTQ concerns. For claimants using these government agencies and services, creating a trusting atmosphere is another barrier. In Canada, on the whole we know the government and the police to be reliable and somewhat trustworthy. Many immigrants/refugees are fleeing countries where trusting the authorities is the last thing they want to do.
52 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com The speakers at the seminar had a few suggestions on how to resolve some of these barriers, but the big one was through Links and further information: sensitivity training of the agencies and support groups. As a start, questionnaires should be redesigned to be inclusive of claimants Please note many of the scenarios above may not apply to with GLBTQ concerns. As Sharalyn Jordan from the Rainbow all GLBTQ newcomers. Many, because of their educational Refugee committee told me: “put it out there in front as part of the or economic background, have already researched this whole package”. Much like health or survey questionnaires which information,and make their sexual orientation the main part have questions not relevant to the individual, an encompassing, of their claim. Furthermore, they may have already spoken to inclusive approach could help reach GLBTQ newcomers. Canadian resource groups prior to arriving in Canada. As well, Ori mentioned a simple change on interpersonal dynamics when meeting face-to-face with a newcomer may be As for the links below, the first three are from conference helpful to GLBTQ claimants: “Sitting there with this big face, this organizer (Canadian Council for Refugees), the Rainbow Refugee mean look at somebody who’s coming from a huge background Committee and OCASI: Ontario Council of Agencies Serving of fear and persecution, that’s not going to help this person open Immigrants, two of the speakers at the seminar. The links themselves to explain why they’re coming here”. following are agencies we’ve been told are GLBTQ specific. Sadly, Making this connection, creating a safe space can be done we couldn’t find any local links in either Edmonton or Calgary. by getting existing members of that particular ethnic/political/ I was told the Mennonite Newcomer Centre in Edmonton (and nationality/sexual orientation (etc) volunteering to help newcomer agencies. Ori recounts how she was working with someone who one would assume Calgary) was gay friendly, but at the time of provided her information about transgender issues, medications press, I have yet to hear back from them. and support. On one hand, she took in the information, but she also thought Who is this guy to tell me these things? How does he know what I’m experiencing? Yet, at the end of the discussion, when http://www.ccrweb.ca the individual came out to Ori as a trans-man, “there was a huge http://www.qmunity.ca/adults/community-groups-and- sense of relief” as she had connected to someone who could identify with her concerns. meetings/rainbow-refugee-committee/ If an existing agency or support group doesn’t immediately http://www.ocasi.org/index.php have someone with similar concerns with which the claimant can connect, they shouldn’t worry about their aid not resonating with http://www.legit.ca/ claimants. Sharalyn emphasized “...we’re not saying we don’t want http://www.emcn.ab.ca/ or valued allies. Valuing and having allies is critical in eliminating issues surrounding LGBTQ newcomers.” The panel was trying to http://www.centrefornewcomers.ca/index.shtml say if there is someone who has gone through the claim process or someone who is from a similar background, let them speak; encourage and help them to step forward for newcomers. Looking forward, the speakers at the seminar did encourage everyone to be patient with the process of change. Yes we may see the occasional article about some government official turning down a GLBTQ person’s claim because they felt the claimant “wasn’t gay enough”, yet there are many, many more gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual claimants who do get their claim allowed. And while not all of us may have the resources to directly work on these issues, Sharalyn from the Rainbow Refugee Committee tells us there are small ways we can help: “the Queer community has an important role to play in addressing some of the anti-refugee and anti- immigrant discourse that is out there now.” We can lend our voices to this and counter some of the myths and wrong beliefs people have towards newcomers, because some of those newcomers are from our community, and deserve the right to freely embrace who they are in Canada.
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www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 53 Music Hear Me Out Best of 2010 By Chris Azzopardi
6. Speak Now 10. Fearless Love By: Taylor Swift By: Melissa Etheridge No one hates Taylor Swift as much as Hearing the musician return to her they might say they do. It’s why the zenith and kill songs with raging burn Southern sugarplum’s as big as she was a rush like no other. She blows is, something her third album – as she the spiraling top off the title track, expands past her limited pop-by-numbers palette – strongly spilling desperation into a Kings of Leon-like arena rock tune, justifies. Love is, as expected from a boy-crazy 21-year-old, and sticks it to her home state on the rip-roaring fireball “Miss what brings out the best in her songwriting (which, here, she California.” She doesn’t always bite down hard, though: Her exercises in full) with “Back to December” and “The Story of narrative about family and illusions on “Gently We Row” is as Us,” all about the tickles and tortures of relationships that beautiful as her own fearless love. Swift’s so good at exposing. Speak now, later, whenever – just keep doing it, Taylor. 9. The Union By: Elton John and Leon 5. The ArchAndroid Russell (Suites II and III)
Two music greats got together By: Janelle Monáe and created, well, more greatness. Theirs is a Union, but so much Retro and funk collide in this more: a rare act of appreciation – the album came to be wonderfully conceived canon of Janelle because of John’s fandom for Russell, a soul veteran – deeply Monáe’s futuristic world, a mind- felt in their exchanges about war, morality and expensive blowing saga stretched over 70 crazy minutes. Taking off from shoes. It crosses genres, from gospel (“Hey Ahab”) to piano 2007’s debut EP about a robot-led land, it turns the Kansas- rock (“Monkey Suit”), with hat-tips to the ’70s era that both born ingénue’s easy “soul” tag on its head, spins it around, and were born out of. Oh, and did we mention that it’s John’s makes musical gumbo out of it. What a mess you’d think, what best album in, like, forever? with all the influences (from James Brown to Michael Jackson, and then pastoral folk and crazy theatrics), but it’s uniquely spellbinding – like nothing, and everything, before it. 8. Contra By: Vampire Weekend 4. The Suburbs The shameless sophomore album from the indie hipsters came out earlier in By: Arcade Fire the year, so by now, in this breakneck music industry, it should be long Never one to disappoint, the Montreal forgotten. Had it not been for how the N.Y. quartet expertly supergroup tempered their tiptoe-to- merges classical components with dainty pop melodies, making takeoff bombast, stepping back from feathers of harmony that ease their way in, it would’ve been. bloated epics to deliver this resonating But the airiness of Ezra Koenig’s voice floated to the clouds and rock opus. Impressive again is how transcendent their sound is, the songs were some of the most smiley sounds to fall on ears. especially with the majestic “Sprawl II” and lines like, “Let’s go for a drive and see the town tonight/There’s nothing to do but I don’t mind when I’m with you.” It plays out like the fleeting years of life – except in life, you can’t go back. The Suburbs at 7. We Are Born least takes you there. By: Sia
The singing Aussie, especially known for bummed-out numbers that hurt like hell, danced her way out of downers with this jiggy shake-up splashed in rainbow colors. A nod to her adoration for the ’80s era, even covering – and one-upping – Madonna’s “Oh Father,” Sia’s messages of optimism and survival were also intrinsically hers despite dollops of toy pianos, chimes and child chirps (see standouts “The Fight” and “Never Gonna Leave Me”). A new Sia was born, indeed, and cooler. Than. Ever.
54 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com 3. My Beautiful Dark 1. Body Talk Twisted Fantasy By: Robyn By: Kanye West Her body talked, but did you Hated like few others, the rapper’s listen? The irresistible (and narcissism often gets in the way of his overlooked) Robin Miriam crafty, boundary-breaking work. This Carlsson – flooding the club time, it was the reason for it, as he probed his own reckless scene with her genius trilogy, which culminated in a psyche for a thrilling, demented, self-deprecating, even 15-track masterpiece of shoulda-been-hits – wised- vulnerable genre buster that stretched hip-hop beyond its roots and into classic rock (uh-huh: That’s an Elton piano solo on up a genre that’s otherwise become insipidly dumb. “All of the Lights,” which boasts an impressive guest list) and “Dancing on My Own” was moving in every sense, electro-dance of extreme grandeur. Songs are big as his ego, and the hearty “Hang With Me” and “Call Your but just try turning away. Girlfriend” only confirmed what a refreshing, distinct diva of dance-pop this delicious Swede is. Innovative, transparent, entrancing, geeky and adorable – Robyn’s 2. Go a firecracker that just kept popping. By: Jónsi
Hope got a new name this year: Jónsi Birgisson, lead singer of Iceland’s Sigur Rós who, for the first time, went solo. Going at it alone, with support from his boyfriend Alex Somers and conductor Nico Muhly, proved revolutionary as he gave the vox behind some of the most soulful classic-rock restored life – working his soaring instrument into kaleidoscopic bursts of orchestral whimsicality. From the ecstatic “Animal Arithmetic” to the consuming swell of “Grow http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2056 Till Tall,” Jónsi was the sun, singing. View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments
www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 55 Photography
Queers on Campus PJ Party at Club Sapien, Calgary Xmas Dinner at the Calgary Eagle
Calgary Men’s Chorus Concert
Les Girls Night at Twisted Element, Calgary
56 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Photography
Pink Party at Club Sapien - Calgary Terry Stevens Anniversary Show at Twisted Element, Calgary
Backlot Xmas Party - Calgary
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New Years Eve at Backlot, Club Sapien, Calgary Eagle, FAB, Girls Groove Dance, Texas Lounge, Twisted Element and Village Bistro - Calgary
58 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #87, January 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Photography
Fashion Show at Flash - Edmonton
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New Years Eve at Buddy’s, Flash, Junction and Woody’s - Edmonton
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