#269 JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 ONE ON ONE WITH PRIDE COMES MEAN GIRLS KATHLEEN WYNNE TO BROCKVILLE BURLESQUE E 7 E 15 E 16
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@dailyxtra Who’s watching you? facebook.com/dailyxtra facebook.com/dailyxtra Government surveillance and the bill that keeps coming back to haunt us E 10 dailyxtra.com dailyxtra.com 2 JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 XTRA! OTTAWA’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS XTRA OTTAWA’S Published by Pink Triangle Press GAY & LESBIAN NEWS PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brandon Matheson Roundup #269 JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 EDITORIAL ACTING MANAGING EDITOR Robin Perelle MOBILE REPORTER Julie Cruikshank TRAVEL COPY EDITOR Lesley Fraser EVENT LISTINGS [email protected] CONTRIBUTE OR INQUIRE about Xtra’s editorial content: [email protected] EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE Eight great summer Zara Ansar, Natasha Barsotti, Matthew DiMera, John Finnigan Lin, Aefa Mulholland, Rob Salerno, Tanja-Tiziana, Margaret Webb, Jeremy Willard events for women ART & PRODUCTION CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucinda Wallace From Greek island antics to GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Darryl Mabey, steamy Florida fi estas E25 Bryce Stuart, Landon Whittaker ADVERTISING ADVERTISING & SALES DIRECTOR Ken Hickling SALES ADMINISTRATION MANAGER Lexi Chuba SALES TEAM LEAD Lorilynn Barker CLIENT SERVICES & ADVERTISING ADMINISTRATOR Eugene Coon ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Gary Major DISPLAY ADVERTISING [email protected] 613-301-9910
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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 3 email [email protected] comment dailyxtra.com & facebook.com/dailyxtra Comment tweet @dailyxtra Under siege, now and then FEEDBACK
EDITORIAL for the best vantage point to hear, view Maybe I looked in the wrong places, Kathleen Wynne OTTAWA’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS FREE 15,000 AUDITED NATASHA and provide running commentary on but I found no follow-up stories or After watching this video and hearing CIRCULATION BARSOTTI the unfolding theatre of the day. editorials in the island’s media con- INSIDE! her responses, I think we as Ontarians 2014 16, JUNE 19–JULY
I use “theatre” deliberately, because demning the “no lipstick” crowd’s #268 Xtra should consider ourselves blessed with Living The crime? A “homo- even in the midst of their outrage, actions. No expression of disgust, THE BEST OF GAY & LESBIAN Kathleen Wynne as premier [“Feature OTTAWA sexual” allegedly applying or wearing laughter and remarks are bandied however empty, from the minister of Interview with Ontario Premier lipstick in public. It might even have back and forth among the spectators, justice, nor from the prime minister, Kathleen Wynne,” dailyxtra.com, Summer been lip balm for all we know. demonstrating a profound lack of con- who can’t or won’t give “a timeline” for June 26]. Sizzle The details didn’t seem to matter to cern for the terror they are unleashing. her plan to address the buggery law. She is a fi ne representative of the gay @dailyxtra GLITTER the incensed people who chased him In a way, the level of aggression and Lest we forget, gay Torontonians — community, and her sensibility, wisdom into a store in a southern Jamaican violence that is prevalent in countries who just hosted the world for Pride and tact shows. facebook.com/dailyxtra BOMB DJ Kitty Glitter parish and held him under siege for like Jamaica and my own, Trinidad, — have been in the same boat as that dailyxtra.com brings Aussie sparkle ROB W to Glow Fair E 14 more than an hour. where the murder rate is staggering, still-nameless lipstick man who fl ed DAILYXTRA.COM at More As I watched the TV Jamaica report, provides an apt backdrop to what his tormentors. I almost forgot about the man holed went down in that carpark. In October 1980, Xtra’s prede- Thank you for this very good interview. up in his refuge, so entranced did I Not to draw a glib connection be- cessor, The Body Politic, carried an Kathleen is very honest and open Read our condensed interview with become with the mass of people so tween a homophobic siege and the editorial on the annual siege of To- with her relationship. Also, she is Kathleen Wynne on page 7; watch the willing and eager to hold him hostage. murderous violence that’s a byprod- ronto’s gay St Charles Tavern, where understanding of the challenge of full version at dailyxtra.com. They clambered on top of cars and uct of drug- and gunrunning. But it’s thousands of people — “most of them religions and how we can be ostracized. crates for a good sightline to the door. no surprise that such an act of casual young, most of them straight” — an- She provides hope for us. Are we as liberal With mobile phones at the ready, they aggression is possible, particularly in a nually descended for Halloween with PAUL SUDBURY, ON as we think? clamoured for him to come out and climate where leaders lack the politi- chants of “Kill the queers!” I thought I was a liberal until I read face their censure. cal will to address the long-festering The editorial concluded with a call Why should Kathleen Wynne “Raging Homos” (dailyxtra.com, April It was reminiscent of a scene from issue of anti-gay discrimination. to action that still applies to many of sacrifi ce her “gayness” to make people 17) and realized just how reluctant a Roman amphitheatre. All that was What would have happened had the the world’s citizens who just gathered comfortable? Doesn’t equality include I am to give voice and ear to those missing was a Caesar-like figure to store turned the man away, instead of in Toronto to celebrate: “Every citi- the right to equal displays of public whose philosophy diff ers from my own. turn his thumb up or down. And for providing sanctuary and calling the zen, every elected offi cial should share aff ection? If straight men can kiss their Thank you. what? Putting on lipstick, or possibly police? Would he have suff ered the every gay person’s dismay at having wives, why can’t gay politicians kiss FRANCES STOLIAR lip balm? Brushing his lips with his same fate as teenager Dwayne Jones, to face, each year... humiliation and their same-sex partners? DAILYXTRA.COM fi ngers? Why? who was chased, shot and stabbed in hate... passed over in silence, that has SAMUEL DANIEL Even a hint of “scandal” or a snippet Montego Bay last year? Or as that hap- drawn no criticism, no condemnation, DAILYXTRA.COM of gossip fuels the rhythm of island life, less young man who was beaten and that has not moved one single elected and I don’t say this patronizingly. It kicked by security guards at Kings- offi cial to say, ‘This is appalling and often takes very little to arouse excite- ton’s University of Technology, where disgraceful. This must be stopped.’” ment and titillation, and before you yet another crowd gathered to jeer As we reflect on WorldPride and If straight men can kiss their know it, you have an audience angling and cheer? prepare for Capital Pride, think of the nameless Jamaican man and everyone wives, why can’t gay politicians The outcome that we seek is this — gay and lesbian else still struggling to live freely. kiss their same-sex partners? people daring together to set love free. Xtra is published by Pink Triangle Press, at 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, M5B 1J3. Natasha Barsotti is the staff reporter RE: KATHLEEN WYNNE at Xtra Vancouver.
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6 JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 XTRA! OTTAWA’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Let’s worry about this big community event . . . It’s far more important than Upfront anyone’s political agenda or individual egos. Hannah Watt E 8
Canada’s first elected gay premier doesn’t think she would be leading Ontario’s government today had she not come out and been true to herself. TANJA-TIZIANA Face to face with Kathleen Wynne I do. I thank God that I am who I am. say that I am who I am. me, and I know that there are challenges Xtra sits down with Canada’s I feel blessed to have had the particular I try not to be defined by those — still. And it’s one of the things that worries set of circumstances that have led me to either public displays of affection or me. But it’s also one of the things that we first elected gay premier be in this office. I believe that coming out not, whatever particular comfort level have to accept and we have to push on. first openly gay head of state in the helped me to tap into who I really am. Jane and I have with being in public I think it’s very good that the Ontario POLITICS entire Commonwealth. This seems to There’s a spirituality attached to that, and recognizing that the people that English Catholic Teachers Association MARGARET WEBB me like an LGBT Obama moment. How and I’m quite sure that had I not come I’m with and that I’m interacting with is going to be marching in the Pride pa- rade, despite criticism on that. I think Midway through Toronto WorldPride do you feel about that? out, I wouldn’t be the premier of Ontario, have a certain comfort level, too. I want it’s very important that teachers see celebrations, on Tuesday, June 24, because I wouldn’t have been able to tap everybody to feel that they can interact KATHLEEN WYNNE: Well, I’m excited themselves reflected in their organiza- Kathleen Wynne, the first openly gay into my whole being. So I thank God for with me, that there isn’t a barrier, that about it. It’s hard, when you’re in it, to tions and in our curriculum. person elected head of government the opportunity to be who I am. we’re not excluding, you know? think that its impact will be as broad as it So I have been very clear, and our in Canada, was sworn in as premier of So we are as affectionate as we choose probably will be. But I know from the last Symbolic gestures: so much of politics minister of education is very clear, that Ontario. In the days following, she made to be in public, and our relationship 16 months having been in this role that seems to be about those little impor- our equity policies and our legislation appearances at a number of WorldPride is very strong. She was with me every there are so many girls and parents who tant gestures. With you and Jane on the that’s in place applies to everyone. So events: The 519 Community Centre’s single day on the campaign, and that are looking at me and feeling good be- campaign trail, how much discussion the right for kids to form gay-straight Starry Night on Thursday, the Pride was a very clear message to people about cause it changes the view that they have did you have around how you were going alliances at schools — it’s absolute. and Remembrance Run on Saturday who we are as a family. of what their daughters can do, and for to present your relationship? We now have to push that and make morning (she did the five kilometres in the kids, it changes their view of what’s Well, we didn’t have much discussion We have a publicly funded [Catholic] sure that those schools and those school 31 minutes, 26 seconds) and the parade possible. And that’s a wonderful thing. because we’ve been at it quite a long school board that doesn’t recognize boards are safe, not just for the kids, but on Sunday afternoon. In the midst of time, so there are norms that we’ve just your relationship or your family. How for the adults, and not just for the teach- it all, she took time to sit down with We both came out in 1991, which was established. It’s interesting: I was asked do we move forward on this? ers, but for the parents and for all of the Xtra. Here are some excerpts from that the same year that a seminal Canadian Thank God I’m a Lesbian about election night and — there was a Very intentionally. I have had meetings people who are associated with them. interview. film called came out. You’re a member of the hug and not a kiss, right? And that was with the cardinal, before he was the car- XTRA: First female premier of Ontario, United Church, I understand. Do you a hard question because I was being dinal, because I was minister of education Watch the full interview first openly gay premier in Canada, and thank God you’re a lesbian? asked, “Why not a kiss?” and I have to at that time, and he came in and met with on dailyxtra.com.
MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 7 New Capital Pride board brings fresh perspective Sweden and the US. Group is committed to representing “There’s been a shift away from the board looking inward and asking itself Ottawa’s queer communities what it wants and a shift to looking PRIDE NEWS about little personal conflicts and little outward to the community and asking JULIE CRUIKSHANK political vendettas and things like that what they want,” McNamara says. later. Let’s worry about this big impor- “Ottawa’s not a major party city,” Despite internal conflicts in previous tant community event that we’re doing. McNamara says. “Our LGBTQ scene has years and the recent departure of vice- It’s far more important than anyone’s a lot of parents, it has a lot of youth, it chair Luke Smith, the 2014 board of political agenda or individual egos.” has a lot of people in school, and so it’s Capital Pride says it’s working cohe- “The majority of the board has only less about dancing, it’s less about clubs, sively as a group, even though most of been involved for within the last year or and it’s more about learning, together- its members are relatively new to the two,” McNamara notes. “In an organiza- ness, growth and community building.” board. (For more on Smith’s departure, tion with a 32-year history, absolutely, McNamara says she’s been troubled go to dailyxtra.com.) that’s notable.” in the past by a “tendency to insist on “There’s a real sense on our board In addition to McNamara and Watt, a focus on one part of the community, of wanting to move in a positive direc- the new board includes treasurer Giselle and sort of accepting the falling off the tion,” says Jodie McNamara, who was Gardipy, outreach director Ashley Black- Treasurer Giselle Gardipy, chair Jodie McNamara and director of youth and families map of other parts of the community as Hannah Watt, of the Capital Pride board of directors. JULIE CRUIKSHANK elected chair last October after serving wood, assistant treasurer Stephanie collateral damage, or, you know, ‘You as vice-chair of operations last Pride. Lavergne, secretary Rob Schwartz, last year, taking charge of Capital Pride’s educational events. That includes the can’t please everyone.’ The truth is that “Everyone’s very aware of the history and vice-chair of operations Andrea financial organizing presented “a big Free to Love conference, featuring pan- I think we have to try to be there for of Pride in that there’s a sense of sort Guilbault. learning curve.” She says the organiza- els on LGBT athletes and trans youth; a everyone as much as is possible.” of — it’s mired in this cloud of conflict, The board’s newness has led to closer tion now works with a bookkeeping series of international film screenings; Parties and glitter are still an impor- or it has been in the past. There’s a sense working relationships among members. service and auditors to keep everything and the return of the family-friendly tant part of Pride, and the people who of wanting to make good on the promise “I think everyone’s a little bit more will- on track. Picnic in the Park, in partnership with love them are valuable members of the that is Pride.” ing to ask questions,” Watt says. “There’s McNamara acknowledges that the the Ten Oaks Project. community, McNamara hastens to add. “Little conflicts aren’t terribly impor- a little bit more information sharing, group has much to learn but says the The shift, Gardipy says, is largely “The mainstream sort of denies us as a tant,” says 19-year-old Hannah Watt, at the very least, so we don’t drop any board is committed to learning and because of Capital Pride’s community whole, gay men included... I think that who joined the board midway through balls and so we don’t get nervous about moving forward. partners, which include Gender Mosaic, we have an ethical responsibility to not 2013. “We’re running something incred- anyone forgetting anything.” The focus of this year’s Pride is chang- Amnesty International, and a number repeat that particular mistake within ibly huge, so let’s just run that and worry For Gardipy, who joined the board ing slightly, from parties to family and of international embassies, such as our community.”
8 JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 XTRA! OTTAWA’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS #news #arts #travel #events
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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 9 COVER STORY Guess who has eyes for you How the government’s surveillance bill will invade your privacy
MATTHEW DIMERA
E CAN EITHER STAND parts of Bill C-30 and slipped them into the disclosed how many times they had com- with us or with the child newly packaged Bill C-13, this time under the plied with government requests. It’s also pornographers.” auspices of combating cyberbullying. Opponents unknown how many of those requests With that infamous are concerned that these bills will allow the were made without warrants. statement, former public government to invade your privacy. The truth In March, the House of Com- safety minister Vic Toews is, it’s been happening for years. mons also learned that the Can- sparked an inferno of pub- ada Border Services Agency lic outrage in 2012 against (CBSA) made 18,849 requests the controversial Bill C-30, he federal government asks Canadian for customer data between which ostensibly promised telecommunications companies for April 1, 2012 and March 31, to protect children from private customer information an aver- 2013. Of those, the majority internet predators. age of 1.2 million times a year, according were requests for “basic subscrib- Twelve months later, the Harper government to documents released in April by the er information,” and 99 percent of them were The CBSA disclosure came after NDP MP dropped the bill after its fi rst introduction to T federal privacy commissioner. Those provided without warrants. That basic sub- Charmaine Borg made an official inquiry in the House of Commons. Then-justice minister numbers were obtained by the commissioner’s scriber information includes names, addresses, Parliament as to how, why and how often federal Rob Nicholson said it was dead and wouldn’t be office in 2011 and represent the responses of telephone numbers, email addresses, internet agencies accessed Canadian telecom data. coming back. nine telephone and internet companies that protocol addresses and local service providers. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service “We will not be proceeding with Bill C-30, and “represent a substantial proportion of Canada’s Other information requested by the CBSA (CSIS) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police any attempts that we will continue to have to telecommunications customer connections.” included geolocation (cellphone tower loca- (RCMP) did not disclose how many requests modernize the Criminal Code will not contain The nine companies provided their responses tions), call detail records (date/time of calls, their agencies had made. The RCMP said they the measures contained in C-30,” he promised in aggregate through an intermediary law fi rm calling number, called number, redirecting were unable to answer because they don’t keep reporters in February 2013. “We’ve listened to so that none of their answers could be attributed number, length of call), text message content, centralized records of the requests they make to the concerns of Canadians, who have been very to any individual company. voicemails, cell tower logs, websites visited and telecoms. CSIS also declined to answer Borg’s clear on this.” From those 1.2 million requests, the telecoms personal identifi cation info like dates of birth. In questions. The Conservative government kept that prom- handed over private customer information at all but 13 of the cases, the individual customers “For reasons of national security and to protect ise for almost 10 months. In November 2013, least 784,756 times. The real number is likely were not notifi ed that their information had CSIS’ ability to collect intelligence and provide Justice Minister Peter MacKay resurrected higher, since only three of the nine companies been accessed. advice to Government, CSIS does not disclose
10 JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 XTRA! OTTAWA’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS hen we use telephones, mo- When you then pair that information with a bile phones, desktop com- second or third person’s data, that image can puters, laptops, tablets or reveal much more. other computing devices, we If your phone spends every night at the same leave behind a digital trail of location as another phone, then it likely indicates W metadata. Metadata is infor- you have some kind of relationship with the other mation about other information. It’s the phone’s owner. data created by communications devices If you make a call to a gay men’s health centre and telecom service providers. and then later that week your phone visits that In her paper “A Primer on Metadata: centre, what could that say about you? Or if you Separating Fact from Fiction,” Ontario’s start making regular phone calls to a doctor privacy commissioner, who specializes in HIV, or one Ann Cavoukian, ex- who specializes in cancer? plains the significance Or if you visit a psychiatrist of these digital crumbs. What secrets frequently? “Metadata includes What if you’re making late- information that reveals night calls to someone who the time and duration would your isn’t your spouse? of a communication, If every Saturday night you the particular devices, cellphone visit a gay nightclub and after- addresses, or numbers ward your phone spends the contacted, which kinds night at a diff erent location, of communications reveal about never at the same place twice, services we use, and at what could someone infer what geolocations. And you right now? about you or about your per- since virtually every de- sonal life? What could they vice we use has a unique infer if you never call back identifying number, our the people at whose places communications and in- What about you stayed overnight? ternet activities may be Do you use any dating or linked and traced with hook-up apps? OkCupid? relative ease — ultimate- your internet Grindr? Squirt? Scruff ? All of ly back to the individu- the above? How often? Whom als involved,” she writes. history? do you communicate with? Government offi cials Do you have a type? in both Canada and the Now take all that informa- US have repeatedly defended the collection tion and combine it with your internet history. of this information as “only metadata.” Which news sources do you read? The National Their position is that while the content of Post? Sun News? The Globe and Mail? Do you emails or phone calls should be private, visit gay-themed websites? the rest is fair game. What about porn? Do you have specifi c tastes But many experts argue that or fetishes? Twinks? Bears? Twinks who domi- metadata is far more revealing nate bears? How often do you watch porn and than the actual content of our for how long? calls and emails. Even suppos- Privacy experts say that all sorts of details about edly aggregate metadata isn’t people’s personal lives can be inferred by where that anonymous. A 2013 they go and how they interact with others, both MIT study showed that in person and online: including but not limited to only four time-and-location health/medical history (abortions, HIV status), data points were needed to sexual orientation, sexual practices, religion uniquely identify someone and politics. in 95 percent of cases. The futurists who predicted Orwellian govern- Sometimes whom you call is ment-owned surveillance were partially wrong. details of its operations and tradecraft,” their Stephen Harper told the House of Commons just as revealing as what you’re saying. What Governments don’t need to create their own written response explained. in April. if you call a rape hotline, a domestic violence massive surveillance apparatus when they can In January, the CBC reported that classifi ed “Law enforcement and other investigative hotline, an addiction hotline or a support line just compel corporations to turn over what they documents released by American whistleblower agencies always seek warrants when they are for gay teens? know about their customers. Edward Snowden showed that Canada’s elec- required to do so,” he continued. “There is inde- What secrets would your cellphone reveal In this current data age, information has be- tronic spy agency tracked thousands of airline pendent surveillance, independent oversight, to about you right now? What about your internet come a valuable and monetized commodity to big passengers for days after they left a Canadian make sure that these laws are respected.” history? The more data someone can access, the business. Many companies you deal with — from airport by using WiFi information from their The government maintains that while war- more that person can learn about you. In isola- the supermarket to your bank — collect swathes wireless devices. rants are needed to read the contents of emails tion, a few bits of data may not say much, but of information about you so they can learn how Despite these revelations, the Conservative and texts, or to listen to voicemails, they aren’t start to piece them together and they begin to to make more money from you. But once that government insists that concerns over invasions needed for what they claim is information more paint a vivid picture: where you live, what time information is in the hands of corporations, it of privacy are unfounded and that Canadians akin to what might be written on the outside of you wake up, what time you leave for work, where takes only a short jump for governments to ac- have nothing to worry about. an envelope or in a phonebook. you work, how you get to work, who your friends cess it as well. “What we do say is that privacy laws are re- Critics aren’t so quick to dismiss the impor- are and how often you talk to them, how close you spected by the government,” Prime Minister tance of snooping through our digital crumbs. are with your family, what time you go to bed. continued on next page E
MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 11 E continued from previous page provide your personal information voluntarily. As it stands now, companies can either provide ot surprisingly, Bill C-13 and its prede- your information voluntarily during a normal cessor, Bill C-30, have awoken oppo- TIPS TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS ONLINE police investigation or they can tell police that nents from all directions of the political a warrant is needed before they will cooperate. spectrum. Even after public outrage Between the potential do some research to find a Never ever use public WiFi This immunity would eliminate the threat of forced the government to kill Bill C-30, threats of government sur- provider within your budget to access private informa- lawsuits launched by consumers concerned N privacy advocates remained on guard veillance, criminal hackers that doesn’t keep logs of your tion such as banking, social about their privacy and essentially give corpora- that the Conservatives would try again. and corporations, protecting activity and will protect your media or email. tions no reason not to hand over your informa- Last fall, more than 50 Canadian organizations your online privacy can seem anonymity. tion when requested by the government. joined the Protect our Privacy coalition, under like a daunting task (espe- Reconsider what Ken Popert, the president and executive the coordination of openmedia.ca. Members cially if you’re starting from Disable GPS and WiFi 4 you share on social director of Pink Triangle Press, thinks that include the right-leaning Canadian Taxpayers scratch). Here are four be- 2 on your phone until you media sites. gay Canadians should be especially concerned Federation and the Canadian Constitution ginner tips to start shielding need them. Facebook’s entire business about the government’s push for increased Foundation, as well as a slew of more progressive your data from prying eyes. While your cellphone com- model is based on collect- spying powers. groups, including Xtra’s publisher, Pink Triangle pany can figure out your ing and using your personal “The deeper issue here is that the whole Use a personal virtual approximate location using information, and if they have Press (PTP). politics of equality do not address the content 1 private network (VPN). cell towers, GPS can pro- it, then they can share it with “More than ever, Canadians need strong, of our sexual and emotional lives, and those are For a monthly fee, you can vide your exact location. the government. If you’re not genuinely transparent, and properly enforced subscribe to a VPN service, When WiFi is enabled on prepared to give up all social the things that remain vulnerable to surveillance safeguards to secure privacy rights. We call on which creates a secure tun- your phone, it broadcasts media just yet, then do your abuse,” he told Xtra in October. Government to put in place effective legal mea- nel online between the VPN detailed information about best to stay anonymous. “There is a reason why Facebook has privacy sures to protect the privacy of every resident of server and your computer your device, so turn it off Use pseudonyms when you settings and a reason why people use them,” Canada against intrusion by government enti- or device. It masks your IP when you’re not using it. sign up to make it harder for he continued. “The very fact of what Grindr ties,” the coalition’s founding statement reads. address and encrypts all searchers to find you. Also, actually is would upset a lot of straight people When the controversial Bill C-30 was first your internet activities. Any Stop using create a new email account if they understood it. It’s treated in the press as tabled, it was briefly called the Lawful Access websites that you visit will 3 public WiFi. for each website you join, a humorous thing in a way but could be put to Act before being retitled the Protecting Children see the IP address of the While public WiFi may be so all your accounts can’t other purposes.” from Internet Predators Act. But aside from the VPN server and not yours. convenient and free, it be connected or identified Popert thinks the mere suggestion of sur- title, the bill didn’t actually include any mention It also allows you to use also leaves your informa- through a common email. veillance could scare people into silence. “We of children or predators. public WiFi safely. Be sure to tion vulnerable to hackers. — Matthew DiMera belong to a community that has a long history of So when MacKay introduced C-13, the Pro- being subjected to unbenevolent surveillance by tecting Canadians from Online Crime Act, last government agencies,” he points out. “Now they November, championing it as a much-needed “Nobody is against giving better tools to the Two of the most controversial elements from want to keep an eye on everyone, not just us.” tool to combat the scourge of cyberbullying, police to make sure there is no cyberbullying C-30 — warrantless mandatory disclosure of “There’s a deeper question of why the govern- for many privacy advocates there was a distinct happening,” Boivin tells Xtra. “But that bill is basic subscriber information and the require- ment wants to know anything about us, let alone sense of déjà vu. so much more than that.” ment for telecoms to build intercept capabilities to the extent it seems it’s willing to go into the “[Cyberbullying] is clearly a case of the worst She accuses the Conservatives of stonewalling in their systems — have been removed. Privacy details of our personal lives,” he says. form of harassment, intimidation and humiliation critics’ valid concerns about privacy intrusion. advocates like Michael Geist still say that C-13 He dismisses the common argument that of young people, which resulted in a feeling of “With this government should raise alarms for Ca- only people who have done something wrong hopelessness, that there was no other way out, and it’s so hard to get the actual nadians. A University of Ot- should be worried about heightened government they took their lives,” MacKay told Parliament. answers,” she says. “It’s more tawa law professor, Geist is surveillance. Openmedia.ca’s executive director, Steve An- like [they’re] laughing at the Nobody is one of the country’s leading “Anybody who says that sincerely is stupid, derson, welcomes the sections of the bill directed opposition for even raising experts in internet law. and I think that an awful lot of people just say it at cyberbullying but says there’s little in the bill the issues.” against giving “We now know that many cynically as an easy way of characterizing people to address it. Instead, he says, the bill focuses, of the kinds of surveillance who are opposed to this kind of surveillance as once again, on government access to private better tools to the capabilities that I think having criminal intentions,” he says. information. he government people were envisioning “What you think is wrong might not be the “There are proposals in this legislation that claims that Bill C-13 police to make and concerned about, when same as what the government thinks is wrong,” are common sense and that nobody would dis- is entirely different they were thinking about he notes. “There’s an awful lot of things that agree with. Yet by having most of this legislation from its predecessor sure there is no Bill C-30, may already be in aren’t wrong that we do that we might not want consist largely of failed online spying proposals and that the conten- place,” Geist says. everyone to know about.” that Canadians have already clearly rejected, the T tious portions have cyberbullying He notes that the gov- He also worries about the potential for abuse government is doing great disservice to an issue been removed. ernment has been trying to by individual police or government employees many citizens care deeply about,” Anderson said Xtra’s request for an inter- happening. introduce similar and re- who could use the system for their own personal in a press statement. view with Justice Minister lated measures for years; gain, pointing to recent instances of police of- “Our consultation with legal experts sug- Peter MacKay was declined. first under the spectre of ficers caught using databases to spy on former gests that this legislation could enable state Instead, a spokesperson But that bill is fighting terrorism, then romantic partners. authorities to force telecoms to keep our sen- provided links to an online combating spam, then child sitive private information in giant unsecured statement called “Myths and so much more endangerment and now databases,” he said. “What’s more, it could give Facts.” cyberbullying. ill C-13 passed scrutiny by the House’s a range of authorities access to the private lives According to the Depart- than that. According to Geist, Bill justice committee, which reported back of almost any Canadian, even if they are not ment of Justice, “The Bill C-13 has two significant is- June 13, and is now awaiting its third suspected of any wrong doing. It could open the does not contain the former sues that would affect Ca- reading in the House of Commons. NDP JUSTICE CRITIC door to suspicionless surveillance. That why it’s Bill C-30’s controversial nadians’ privacy. First, it Despite MacKay telling reporters FRANÇOISE BOIVIN so important that the government address the amendments relating to lowers the evidentiary bar B earlier this year that he hoped the new concerns Canadians have by strengthening the warrantless access to sub- for the government to get a bill would pass this spring, it failed to become privacy safeguards in this draft legislation and scriber information and telecommunication warrant for your metadata. Under C-13, these law before Parliament recessed near the end of removing all the off-topic content.” infrastructure modification. It simply aims to warrants would be available if officials have June. The House is scheduled to resume busi- NDP justice critic Françoise Boivin worries provide police with the necessary means to fight “reason to suspect” that an offence has or will ness on Sept 15. that the Conservatives are using a popular and crime in today’s high-tech environment while be committed, instead of the current “reason So far, MacKay has shown no signs of willing- sensitive issue to shield some of the bill’s other maintaining the judicial checks and balances to believe.” ness to amend or remove the bill’s most conten- provisions from criticism. needed to protect Canadians’ privacy.” Second, it grants immunity to telecoms that tious components.
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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 13 14 JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 XTRA! OTTAWA’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS We thought it’d be funny to see grown women reenacting Out in the City these iconic high school characters. Rhapsody Blue E 16 Pride comes to Brockville Small-town celebration promotes acceptance
PRIDE EVENTS JULIE CRUIKSHANK
From Pride flotillas in the 1,000 Is- lands to celebrations in a Manitoba mining town, small communities in Canada — once considered bastions of conservatism — are beginning to promote themselves as gay-friendly destinations. In that sense, Brockville is slightly ahead of the curve. From July 13 to 19, the St Lawrence town will be celebrat- ing Pride, something it has done for the past four years. Beginning with a week of festivities and ending with a parade, the festival focuses on youth and fami- lies and gets local businesses involved. The festival began as a way of creating something positive from a tragic situ- ation. When a queer Brockville youth committed suicide, organizers, includ-
ing media director Rhiannon Cham- Brockville Pride promises a week of festivities focused on youth and families. FACEBOOK.COM/BROCKVILLEPRIDE pagne and chair Brandon Timmerman, came together to show the community sometimes they just can’t get the voice cally starting right after the previous more and more people by the hun- says, giving them a chance to show that Brockville could do better. and the support that they need because year’s event has ended. Funding comes dreds, and we’re expecting double their pride and be more visible. “I re- “We just decided that this wasn’t ac- there are no outlets.” Bigger cities are from the City of Brockville, as well this year,” between 1,800 and 2,500 member last year, we were noticing a ceptable anymore,” Champagne says. more likely to have resources for LGBT as from charity events and fundrais- visitors, she says. lot more families were walking in the “[We] worked with the town and cre- people, she says, so it’s important for ers like dances and yard sales; many The major event of Brockville Pride parade, even with their pets, and there ated this beautiful thing, and now it’s towns like Brockville to make their sup- local businesses donate items to be is, of course, the parade, [were] a lot more LGBT annual.” While Champagne says that port for the community visible. raffled off. which takes place July couples with their children BROCKVILLE the organizers initially met with some Given its beginnings, involving Brock- “The amount of support that all of 19. But the town also has PRIDE in their strollers,” she says. resistance from the town, once the first ville youth in Pride is a priority for the the businesses in Brockville are giving activities planned for the Sun, July 13–Sat, July 19 “I know that’s definitely big event took place successfully and was organizers. “The turnout for youth Brockville Pride throughout this is just week prior, and many local PRIDE PARADE in Brockville now.” well received by the community, the for Brockville Pride is spectacular,” amazing,” Champagne says. “I think businesses are involved. Sat, July 19 By holding Pride events, Noon, starting from municipality got on board. “Once it was Champagne says, adding that the town businesses just understand that, you Activities include a church Brockville Armoury Champagne says, small up and running and the town saw how also has a number of programs aimed know, everybody is a person and people service, an AIDS memori- towns like Brockville dem- FESTIVAL & much support and feedback Brockville at LGBT youth, including drop-ins in shop and buy things, so you might as al, glow-in-the-dark bowl- VENDOR FAIR onstrate that they are good was giving our little cause, they were high schools and youth centres and well not alienate yourself and accept ing, and a family-friendly Hardy Park places to live for members really into it.” programming through the local library. the fact that we are here and we’re bouncy castle. After the 1–4pm of the LGBT community. She says that in some ways small- The Pride festival itself is almost here to stay.” parade, the festivities wrap facebook.com/ “It’s one thing to go to a big brockvillepride town Pride events are even more im- entirely youth-led, with committees Pride in Brockville is not just a bea- up with a party at local city to celebrate a Pride,” portant than those in big cities, because handling such tasks as sponsorship con of hope; it’s also become a tourist restaurant and nightclub she says, “but it’s also nice they reach the people who may need and volunteer coordination and a core draw for the town, attracting visitors Bud’s on the Bay. to be able to come back home to where them most. “Some of the most vulner- branch of adults dealing with the legal from as far away as Dubai, Champagne The festival has become very popu- you live and also have that acceptance able people live in small towns, and aspects. Organizers meet all year, typi- says. “Every single year we’re getting lar with LGBT families, Champagne where you live.”
MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 15 Secrets hidden in big hair It’s a Mean Girls burlesque, duh
BURLESQUE tal Pride and the Ottawa Burlesque really that’s what happens in the movie,” JEREMY WILLARD Festival, will take place Aug 16. Blue says. “The event was supposed to have a The roster of almost-too-gay-to- If a certain 2004 high school movie high school or semi-formal kind of function burlesque routines includes has taught us anything, it’s that a) the fl avour to it, because it’s happening in Imogen Quest and Dottie Danger- only costume you need is a baby-doll a high school dance sort of venue,” says fi eld’s Damien and Janis Blow dress and mouse ears (“I’m a mouse, Rhapsody Blue, an Ottawa Burlesque Off Some Steam, RoKit Caba- duh!”); b) one of the, like, rules of Festival board member. “But we didn’t ret’s Rise of the Mathletes, feminism is that ex-boyfriends are off- want to repeat Queer Prom, which is a Sassy Ray Burlesque’s limits to friends; and c) separate event, so we The Plastics Work “On the third day, God GET IN, LOSERS: decided to have an event Their Milkshakes, and created the Reming- A BURLESQUE TRIBUTE that spoke to the same Bettie Royale’s Mrs TO MEAN GIRLS ton bolt-action rifle, kind of alienation in a George Is a Cool Mom. Sat, Aug 16, 9pm so that man could fight Bronson Centre fun, campy way.” Helvetica Bold rounds the dinosaurs. And the 211 Bronson Ave Many of the acts in out the evening with her homosexuals.” ottawaburlesquefest.com the tribute take ad- totally fetch monologue The performers of vantage of how Mean The Burn Book/Amber an upcoming Mean Girls burlesque Girls, like nearly all high school movies, D’Alessio Made Out with a tribute are prepared to impart these saw actors in their 20s and 30s cast as Hot Dog. and some of the many other secrets teenagers. they have hidden in their big hair. “We thought it’d be quite funny to Get In, Losers: A Burlesque Tribute see grown women reenacting these Imogen Quest plans to blow off some to Mean Girls, a fundraiser for Capi- iconic high school characters, because steam at Get in, Losers. JOHN FINNIGAN LIN
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Terms vary by model. Offers valid until July 31, 2014 or while supplies last. Offers subject to change without notice. Dealer may lease or sell for less. See Argus Mazda for complete details. A classic gem with a luxe ambiance, Giovanni’s is also justly renowned for it’s thoughtful and extensive wine list and wide selection of fine spirits. 7 Ê7 " Ê*,/ -Ê"Ê1*Ê/"ÊÈäÊ* "* °Ê 6>iÌÊ-iÀÛViÊÇÊ >ÞÃÊ>Ê7ii° ÜÜÜ°}Û>ÃÀiÃÌ>ÕÀ>Ì°VÊUÊÎÈÓÊ*ÀiÃÌÊ-Ì°ÊUÊ,iÃiÀÛ>ÌÃ\ÊÈ£ÎÓÎ{ΣxÈ Advertise with us ! [email protected] or 416-925-6665 MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 17 19, noon. The Good Companions Alyna Moore, Ariel Sin and Cherie Aug 13, 6pm. Saint Paul University DJ Lowpass and burlesque Seniors’ Centre, 670 Albert St. $11. Blossom. Sat, July 26, 7pm. Ottawa Amphitheatre, 223 Main St. $3. performances by Rhapsody Blue, ospn-rfao.ca City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave W. $10. ospn-rfao.ca Jolie Stripes and Kitty Kin-Evil. Sat, July 19, 8pm–midnight. Café OSPN Annual Pride Party Against Me! Last Chance Nostalgica, 601 Cumberland Queer people 50 and older and their Fronted by Laura Jane Grace, This National Film Board St. $12 advance, $15 door. loved ones are invited to socialize the punk rock band brings its documentary screening and wondergeeksactivate.com over refreshments. For more info, Transgender Dysphoria Blues tour discussion tells the stories of fi ve WHAT'S ON contact [email protected]. to Ottawa. Sun, Aug 3, 8pm. Ritual, queer people fl eeing their countries Get In, Losers: A Burlesque FOR MORE LISTINGS, GO TO DAILYXTRA.COM Wed, Aug 20, 7–10pm. The Good 137 Besserer St. $23 advance. to seek asylum in Canada. Mon, Tribute to Mean Girls Companions Seniors’ Centre, 670 spectrasonic.com Aug 18, 4:30–6:30pm. Centretown This tribute to the movie Mean Girls Albert St. Free. ospn-rfao.ca CHC, 420 Cooper St. Free. is “almost too gay to function,” with and related topics, participate in Pride Party with centretownchc.org performances by Helvetica Bold, workshops, receive counselling and Strip Spelling Bee VE and Mo Diggity Imogen Quest, Randi Rouge and ART & LITERATURE more. Every Tuesday, 7–9pm. YSB, It’s a lot like strip poker, but DJs Yalla! Yalla! and Zehra bring more. (See story on page 16.) Sat, 147 Besserer St. Free. ysb.ca Shoot Me, Please it’s spelling, and it’s in front of heat to the dancefl oor with SEX & BURLESQUE Aug 16, 9pm. Bronson Centre, 211 an audience of hooters and Bronson Ave. $15. facebook.com/ Adam Barbu and Guy Berube Pink Triangle throwback hits, R&B grooves, hecklers. Spellers must register in dancehall jams and hip-hop Halloween in July ottawaburlesquefestival co-curate this exhibit of Peter Youth Drop-In Shmelzer’s paintings and shooting- advance by contacting events@ classics. Fri, Aug 22, 9:30pm–2am. Putrid partiers get on their fangs range-style posters. Runs until A peer-led discussion and support ptsottawa.org. Thurs, Aug 21, 9pm. Café Nostalgica, 601 Cumberland and fake blood and BDSM 201: Edge Play Sun, July 27. La Petite Mort group for queer and curious Babylon Nightclub, 317 Bank St. St. $5–15. venusenvy.ca head out for and Power Gallery, 306 Cumberland St. Free. youth aged 25 and under. Every $10 spectators, free for spellers. music by Relationships Wednesday, 7–9pm. PTS, 331 ptsottawa.org lapetitemortgallery.com Andrea Zanin Cooper St. Free. ptsottawa.org hosts a two-part The Hard Cover Book Club Queer People of Colour PLAYS & workshop Men gather to discuss Steve aimed at QPOC of all genders, abilities, NIGHTLIFE Berman’s Boys of Summer, an people ready ages or orientation meet and talk anthology about the allure that Thursdays Are a Drag MUSICALS to go beyond in a supportive, open and non- summer can hold for gay teens, Zelda Marshall hosts a night of the basics judgmental environment. Takes Young Forever Thurs, July 17, 7pm; and Andrew performances by drag queens, drag of BDSM. place the last Tuesday of each Written by Gregory- Binks’s Strip, Thurs, Aug 21, 7pm. Gay kings and burlesque dancers. DJ Sun, Aug month. Tues, July 29, 7–9pm. PTS, Yves Fénélon, this Zone, Centretown CHC, 420 Cooper Bill spins progressive house. Every 17, 6:30– 331 Cooper St. Free. ptsottawa.org dramatic comedy St. Free. gayzonegaie.ca Thursday, 10:30pm. Swizzles, 246B 8:30pm. explores the eff ects Queen St. No cover. swizzles.ca Venus of a suicide on a Envy, 226 Bank group of young Capital Kings St. $25, $15 HEALTH & ISSUES LEISURE & PLEASURE adults. Runs until The drag king troupe kicks off the sliding scale. Fri, July 18, various Seniors’ Bowling weekend right with diff erent themes venusenvy.ca The Living Room times. Studio Queer seniors 50 and older and — from a wet T-shirt contest to the HIV-positive people and their Léonard- their allies are invited out to bowl a musical Grease — and hosts each loved ones are welcome to access Beaulne, 135 few frames. For more info, contact week. Every Friday, 8:30pm. The many resources, including a food Seraphin-Marion. [email protected]. Takes place Lookout Bar & Bistro, 41 York St. $3. bank, laundry facilities, internet, $13, $10 students. the second and fourth Monday of thelookoutbar.com counselling and workshops. youngforevertheplay. each month. Mon, July 28, and Mon, Contact The Living Room for an tumblr.com appointment. AIDS Committee of Aug 11, 6:30pm. West Park Bowling, Once Upon a Pride Ottawa, 251 Bank St, 7th fl oor. Free. 1205 Wellington St W. $3 per game; Zelda Marshall, Ariel Sin, Jasper The Book aco-cso.ca free shoe rental. ospn-rfao.ca Cox and others come together for a magical night of fairy-tale-themed of Mormon BiAmore Jer’s Vision 10th drag and burlesque to benefi t A highly irreverent, ruthlessly Anniversary Pride Cruise Capital Pride. Fri, July 18, 9–11pm. satirical musical story of Elder People who are bisexual, Price and Elder Cunningham, who Aboard Capital Cruises’ Empress of Zaphod Beeblebrox, 27 York St. $12 polyamorous and bicurious are sent to convert Ugandans when Ottawa, partiers enjoy a luxurious advance, $15 door. zaphods.ca get together for activities and they’d rather be in Florida. Runs jaunt along the Ottawa River. Thurs, discussion related to achieving until Sun, July 27, various times. Aug 14, 6:15–8:30pm. Gatineau Off beat: Mashup healthy relationships. Takes place National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin St. dock (in the Jacques Cartier Park Revellers grind to music by DJ the fi rst Thursday and third Monday $60.75–125.75. nac-cna.ca of each month. Mon, July 21, 7–9pm, beside the Alexandra Bridge). $25. Dan Valin and singer/songwriter and Thurs, Aug 7, 7–9pm. PTS, 331 jersvision.myshopify.com Kapri. Sat, July 19, 11pm–3am. Cooper St. Free. ptsottawa.org Babylon Nightclub, 317 Bank St. $10. Pride BBQ Lunch thequeermafi a.com RUNNERS & BENDERS Spectrum The Ottawa Senior Pride Network Queens in the Hall Men’s Yoga at GayZone This Youth Services Bureau program co-hosts a lunch with the Good Kapri at Surely one of Ottawa’s biggest ever This class is suited to both off ers queer and questioning Companions Centre that includes Offbeat — drag shows, this evening includes beginners and experienced youth aged 12 to 25 a safe space a musical performance by Jamie Babylon, performances by more than 25 practitioners. Every Thursday, to socialize, discuss sexuality Anderson. For more info, contact Sat, July 19 [email protected]. Tues, Aug drag queens, including Eva Darling, 5:15–6:45pm. Gay Zone, Centretown CHC, 420 Cooper St. Free. gayzonegaie.ca Ottawa Frontrunners Queer people and their friends walk or dash around Ottawa’s streets and trails. For more info, contact [email protected]. Every Saturday, 9am, and every Tuesday, 6:30pm. Ottawa City Hall, Lisgar Street entrance, 111 Lisgar St. Free. ottawafrontrunners.org SCREENINGS Pride Film Night: Queer As a $3 Bill The Ottawa Senior Pride Network and the Lesbian Information Xchange screen Silent Pioneers (1985), about coming out in an intolerant era, and Out Late (2008), about coming out after Submit your event listing to [email protected]. age 55. For more info, contact Against Me! — Ritual, Sun, Aug 3 Deadline for the Aug 14 issue is Tues, Aug 5. [email protected]. Wed, 18 JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 XTRA! OTTAWA’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Last chance to get your pride on! Get your Pride event listing to us by Monday, The best of gay & lesbian July 28 Ottawa — on your desktop to make it into our Ultimate and on your mobile device! Pride Guide. xtralivingottawa.com Email us at advertising.ottawa @dailyxtra.com or call 613-986-8292 MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 19 2 4 BY ZARA XPOSED ANSAR 6 5 1 3 7 8 The New Glow Fair Art Festival Eight blocks of Bank Street were Ottawa’s largest non-commercial closed June 20 and 21 for the in- outdoor art festival took place augural Glow Fair. The festival June 21 and 22 at Central Park in included acts from as far away as the Glebe. More than 200 artists Australia (DJ Kitty Glitter), local participated in the New Art performers, a silent disco, extended Festival, where art lovers could buy patios, performance art, and sound anything from visual art, pottery and light shows. 5E Marilena Gaudio, and jewellery to fi bre art and left, and Glow Fair organizer Sebas- woodworking. tien Provost take a short break for the camera. 6E Carly Beau shows 1E Shirley Liu takes a break from off her Glow Fair outfi t. 7E Conn checking out the artists. 2E Lucky Simard, left, and Mike Knowles at Jackson and her eclectic pieces. 3E their Stroked Ego table on Bank Eryn O’Neil poses in front of her 8E Jeremy Pigeon work. 4E Community activist and Street. From left, , Jonathan Coté, Madison House, organizer Bhat Boy shows off his detailed artwork. Christopher Mortagua, Mina Dadar and Simon Ducas. 20 JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 XTRA! 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JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 21 A world of gay adventure Travel Vintage vacatıons Airstream trailers, reborn motels and other retro stays AEFA MULHOLLAND If you’re nostalgic for childhood va- be found in Cape Town on the rooftop cations in travel trailers, caravans or of the Granddaddy Hotel , where seven motels but time has tempered your Airstreams nestle alongside mailboxes, tolerance for campfire fare, cramped barbecues and an expanse of AstroTurf. quarters and drab, done-in décor, fear Another option that boasts both cabins not: a dazzling array of dapper, design- and trailers comes courtesy of Kate Pier- conscious cabin camps, trailer parks and son, of The B-52s. Kate’s Lazy Meadow motels has stepped into the spotlight motel in Mount Tremper, New York, over the past few years. near Woodstock, adheres to the more- For a streamlined stay with style, is-more school of décor, with nine rustic, there are now a slew of reconditioned over-the-top suites and five similarly Airstream options from which to choose. spaced-out Airstream trailers. In Kate’s The gleaming mid-century marvels own words, “You’ll find mind-blowing reassuringly similar rooms they were have reclaimed their place in the hearts mid-century modern/space-age/rocket- known for in the 1950s. Today’s bou- of holiday-makers, from upstate New your-socks-off décor.” And that’s an tique motels and reborn motor lodges York to Colorado to Cape Town to the understatement. It’s co-owned and offer distinctly different destinations. foothills of the Pyrenees in France. managed by Kate’s life partner, Monica A couple of the most memorable mo- With its nine retro 1940s and 1950s Coleman. tels are in Portland, Oregon. The Jupiter trailers, Bisbee, Arizona’s Shady Dell You’ll find plenty more parks farther is a renovated motor inn in the happen- RV Park takes you back to a time when west. It’s another slice of life in the past ing Burnside neighbourhood. Offering the Cold War was still hot and Tupper- lane at Utah’s Shooting Star Drive-In. rooms on the “chill” or “bar patio” sides, ware was tops. The diminutive copper- Eight trailers, including John Wayne’s depending on your reasons for coming mining town in the Mule Mountains is digs from the set of The Searchers, an — and your tolerance for noise — the unexpectedly LGBT-friendly and has a Airstream-only drive-in section and 80-room, pet-friendly place also entices lively Pride every June. a posse of classic cars from which to guests with its Doug Fir restaurant and Things also stay firmly with one foot watch films from the 1940s, ’50s and music and club venue. The in-spot fre- in the ’50s in the Belrepayre Airstream ’60s are all on the bill at this eccentric quently hosts local luminaries, including and Retro Trailer Park in Mirepoix, Escalante station. Beth Ditto and Penny Lane. Portland is France. Europe’s first such camping Accommodations at Astoria’s also home to The Modera, which ben- creation, the park offers an array of 10 Sou’wester, in the Pacific Northwest, efited from a multimillion-dollar mid- models of Airstreams, ranging from range from a Silver Streak and a Spartan century refit in 2008 and is now a luxe the 1940s to the 1970s. There’s also an Manor to a Potato Bug and an African haven of impeccable hospitality on the aluminum diner and a restaurant/bar Queen. light rail line. with a vinyl-only music policy. At Colorado’s Starlite Classic Camp- North of the border, in Vancouver, For an even hipper take on tin-can ground in the Royal Gorge, 45 minutes the Burrard Hotel opened in 1956. Fifty tourism, breeze into Berlin’s Huetten- from Colorado Springs, Winnebagos, years later it cast off its rough reputa- palast, where a cache of quirky cabins Tee Pee trailers and Sportsmen are just tion and morphed into a sleek modern and vintage trailers have come home to some of the constellations of camping hotel with loaner bikes, gym passes roost in an old factory in the Neukölln quarters. and oodles of attitude. It’s an excellent area of the city. Motels have mutated far from the address for downtown and gay-village More uber-cool urban camping can original utilitarian conformity of the social shenanigans. 22 JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 XTRA! OTTAWA’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS AEFA MULHOLLAND Clockwise from far left: Hotel Modera, in Portland, Oregon; the funky Thunderbird Motel, in Savannah, Georgia; Astoria’s Sou’wester, in Washington State; the Granddaddy Hotel, in Cape Town, South Africa; Kate’s Lazy Meadow in upstate New York. AEFA MULHOLLAND SOUWESTERLODGE.COM Elvis, Dean, Marilyn and Frank’s old rooms were renovated from top to bot- favourite, Palm Springs, is another tom in 2012. time capsule of a town, with its dozens Down south, two divine destinations of impeccably restored mid-century- lure lovers of luxe vintage lodgings. The modern motels, a cool clutch of gay Belmont Hotel, home to BarBelmont, resorts and a stunning backdrop of the Smoke Restaurant and fantastic down- 3,000-metre San Jacinto Mountains. town skyline views, in the Bishop Arts So line up the martinis, relive the glory District of Dallas, is a favourite with days of this oasis in the desert and avail queer travellers and other fashion- yourself of the hospitality of super chic conscious folks. Austin, Texas’s Hotel moteliers, such as the folks behind the San José is a boutique bungalow that quirky 170-room Ace Hotel & Swim opened in the 1930s and now appeals to Club, the exquisitely retro Orbit In or visiting arts, music and design people. the fun Century gay resort. It’s crammed to its groovy gills during Savannah, Georgia’s funky Thunder- South by Southwest. Any time of year, bird Motel has budget boutique billets grab a seat at Jo’s coffee shop and watch within strolling distance of the 24 lush, the action on bustling South Congress. Spanish-moss-draped squares that this So, whether you fancy a redone retro southern city is famed for. It’s also just room on wheels or an old-school road- a 10-minute saunter from the infamous house with every modern trapping, Club One, the haunt of notorious drag with all these options to choose from, queen Lady Chablis, star of the book it’s time for a vintage vacation. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Meanwhile, one of the most atmo- Access this story on spheric accommodations in LGBT- dailyxtratravel.com for web frequented Rehoboth Beach, in links to select featured businesses Delaware, is the snappy Crosswinds and attractions. Motel. Centrally located, contemporary and affordable, it reopened in 1998, and LAZYMEADOW.COM AEFA MULHOLLAND MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 23 Travel Alberta’s two biggest cities have plenty to offer LGBT travellers Big sky country THINKSTOCK ROB SALERNO Edmonton for some excellent views. At night, you can take in a fi ne show If Calgary is Canada’s Dallas, then Ed- at the Citadel Theatre or the new Win- monton is the Great White North’s spear Centre for Music. The Varscona Calgary Austin — a hip, artsy and active city Theatre in Old Strathcona has been There’s more to Calgary than the ste- with a strong pioneering spirit not quite hosting the weekly drag soap opera Die- reotypical cowboys and oil barons. But sullied by its great oil wealth. With a Nasty for more than 20 years — it’s an if your tastes run to cowboys, you’ll fi nd strong arts scene, shopping that could Edmonton institution frequented not plenty of those, too. In fact, the classic keep you busy for days, and a thriving only by the gays. gay fi lm Brokeback Mountain was fi lmed gay and lesbian scene, there’s plenty to The gay scene, such as it exists in here. Still, Cowtown is a thoroughly keep visitors busy in Edmonton. Edmonton, is centred on Jasper Av- modern and cosmopolitan city with lots Start with a stroll down Whyte Av- enue in downtown. The combo pub/ for visitors to enjoy. enue in the Old Strathcona neighbour- dance club Woodys/Buddy’s attracts You won’t have any trouble fi nding hood. This part of town features lots of a mixed, casual crowd, while the more country-western bars in Calgary, but quirky independent shops, nice restau- stylish dance club is the upstart Flash if you want to freshen up your ward- rants and a bar and pub scene frequent- nightclub. Weekly listings can be found robe with some authentic cowboy gear ed mostly by a college-aged crowd. It in the local free magazine GayCalgary (or heck, if you want to spice up your can get pretty rowdy on weekend nights. and Edmonton. love life with some authentic cowboy On the north side of the river lies Finally, no trip to Edmonton can be gear), you’ll fi nd plenty of shops selling the downtown core, thick with offi ce considered complete without a stop at cowboy boots, jeans, Stetsons, leather BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES towers and government buildings. The the massive West Edmonton Mall. The Top, the Calgary skyline. Above, the pirate ship inside the West Edmonton Mall. gloves, spurs and everything else you’ll sprawling grounds of the Alberta Legis- West Eddie (as the locals call it) was long need to rope a cowpoke in the shops on is a 90-minute drive west, near Drum- ally more like the lobby of a bathhouse, lature make for a pleasant stroll, and the the biggest mall in the world but now the Stephen Avenue pedestrian mall. heller: the Royal Tyrrell Museum, which which you enter through a rear parking massive, colonial-style building itself must settle for being the biggest mall in You’ll also fi nd the usual shopping mall houses a magnifi cent collection of more lot off 17th Avenue. The local scene is quite beautiful. At night the grounds North America. You could easily spend stores, a good mix of bars and restau- than 100,000 dinosaur fossil specimens magazine is the monthly GayCalgary are a popular spot for gay cruising and days exploring it — it has a built-in hotel rants, and some cheap food trucks. that were found in the Alberta Badlands. and Edmonton, which has up-to-date for straight teenagers to sneak off and for when you get tuckered out. There’s The mall ends at Olympic Plaza, where If you’re visiting in the winter, it’s event listings. make out, but be warned — police patrol also an indoor water park, a petting zoo, medal ceremonies for the 1988 Winter worth making a trip to Canada Olympic But if you’re looking for your Jack the area frequently. cinema, roller coasters, skating rink, Olympics took place. Park. The facility is open year-round Twist, your best bet is at Calgary’s pre- The North Saskatchewan River valley mini golf, two night clubs, a comedy club, For more fine dining, interesting for training and recreation in various mier gay summer event, the Canadian is the largest urban parkland in North several large restaurants, indoor skate independent retail options and the bulk sports, but on certain days in the winter, Rockies International Rodeo — better America — larger than 20 Central Parks. park, 24-hour gym, dinner theatre and of the city’s nightlife, take a stroll along the bobsled and luge track is open for known as the gay rodeo. The fi ve-day The valley cuts deeply through the city a billiards and arcade complex. Among 17th Avenue SW. A more bohemian visitors. It’s one of only two bobsled event takes place in nearby Strathmore along a meandering path, and it’s lined the more than 800 shops are several experience focused on cafés rather than tracks in Canada. Sign a waiver and and features all the ridin’, ropin’ and with recreational trails, park spaces, golf Edmonton-exclusive shops and the only bars can be found in the Kensington hit the ice — if you dare! It’s also fun to racin’ you could wish for. courses and wildlife areas. Included in Simons store outside of Quebec. neighbourhood north of the Bow River. watch athletes train on the ski-jump Sure, it’s somewhat overshadowed by the river valley system are the four glass Edmonton celebrated Pride in early The Calgary Zoo is a world-class and half-pipe courses. the annual Calgary Stampede, which pyramids of the Muttart Conservatory June. Check edmontonpride.ca for institution that also houses a botani- Calgary’s gay nightlife scene includes is the city’s premier event and one of (a biosphere hosting plants in diff erent details for 2015. cal garden. The Glenbow Museum is the old stalwart Twisted Element, which the biggest rodeos in the world. But it’s environments), the Edmonton Val- the largest in Western Canada, and hosts drag performances, amateur strip nowhere near as fabulous. ley Zoo and the costumed historical For maps of both cities and it focuses on local history with regu- nights and popular dance parties on Pride 2014 celebrations in Calgary experience at Fort Edmonton Park. In listings of interest to LGBT larly changing art exhibits. But the the weekends. There’s also the Texas take place Aug 22 through Sept 1. Visit the summer months, you can cross the travellers, go to dailyxtratravel.com. best museum experience in the region Lounge, a small basement bar that’s re- pridecalgary.ca for more information. valley in the High Level Bridge streetcar 24 JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 XTRA! OTTAWA’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Eight great summer 2 MINUTES TO CHURCH ST Place OR THE SUBWAY for Paws ALL OF TORONTO Boarding Camp for Dogs & Cats events for women IS AT YOUR DOORSTEP raised and socialized as girls,” events Angela Zorn are aimed at feminist activists, writers and creatives. Events include comedy, 2432 Old Hwy 17 From Greek live music performances, speakers and RR #1, Rockland, ON workshops. K4K 1K7 613-446-2280 island antics Womenfest Key West, Florida, Sept 4–7 to steamy womenfest.com The tropical island delight of Key West, Florida fiestas the southernmost point in the conti- TORONTO DOWNTOWN CENTRE LGBT nental US, puts on this steamy social owned and 30 CARLTON STREET booking every September. A wonder- TORONTO, ONTARIO M5B 2E9 CANADA operated AEFA MULHOLLAND Hotel Front Desk: 1-416-977-6655 fully walkable island, dotted with six- www.holidayinn.com/TorontoCentre and seven-toed cats and free-roaming Summer has finally hit and things are chickens, Key West is a quirky wee place heating up. On top of the incredible with a decidedly LGBT ambiance and a social smorgasbord for women that’s character all its own. It even proclaims on offer during summer’s plethora itself The Conch Republic, although ev- of Pride celebrations, there’s also a eryone’s too laid-back to actually make captivating collection of women’s The steamy Womenfest is held every any serious efforts toward indepen- events happening around the world, September in Key West. AEFA MULHOLLAND dence. Highlights of Womenfest include from Greek island antics to steamy eco tours, jet skiing, snorkelling and Florida fiestas. Lesbomonde Reunion Montreal, Aug 2 dolphin-watching trips, golfing among Girl Splash diverscite.org the palm trees, drag shows, yoga, speed Provincetown, Massachusetts Following up on 2013’s event, which was dating, karaoke, comedy, cocktail par- July 22–26 without doubt the best ladies’ beach ties, concerts and contests. The Bour- provincetownforwomen.com party in Canada, held on the sands of bon Street Pub, an LGBT mecca, has a Just one of the five fantastic women’s the St Lawrence River, this year Lesbo- hectic itinerary, including the Beach events that happen in this LGBT- monde covers up and heads indoors for Blanket Butch and Babe Bash, complete adored Cape Cod town each year, this super-hot girl party on the islands with tiki bar and hot tub, and the Burly Girl Splash has a hectic calendar of of the St Lawrence. Details are still to Burlesque Show, while women-owned daily dance parties already lined up, come, but book early for this one. resort Pearl’s puts on the pool parties from the opening kickoff party and and Itsy Bitsy Bikini Contests. Friday’s tea dance and deck party, all Michigan Womyn’s the way to the closing White Party on Music Festival Shedonism the Sunday night. Hart, Michigan, Aug 5–10 Las Vegas, Sept 4–8 shedonismvegas.com Spend your days exploring the michfest.com dunes, schmoozing on a schooner as it Depending on the weather, Michigan Taking over the Rumors all-suite bou- sails past Martha’s Vineyard and Cape can be equal parts mud and music, but tique resort, this weekend-long cel- Cod, going on an all-women’s whale the six-day extravaganza is always an ebration is Sin City’s most alluring watch, or mingling with the many, amazing experience that attracts near- women’s event. Parties by day and many women to be found roaming the ly 10,000 women to 650 wooded acres night, pop stars, comedy, poker and a colourful streets of P’town, and spend in the state’s northwest. Though orga- parade are just some of the enticements your nights at a bonfire in the dunes nizers say the festival is intended for on the table for those who want to or on the dancefloor. “womyn who were born female, raised strike out for Nevada this September. as girls and who continue to identify LaDIYfest The 14th International as womyn,” they say they are forging Eressos Women’s Festival Berlin, Aug 1–3 dialogue and will not ask anyone’s ladyfest.net Lesbos, Greece Sept 6–20 gender. Affinity groups abound, with womensfestival.eu A spinoff from the original LadyFest activities and workshops for pretty Workshops and walks, massages and events, this alternative women’s and much any interest you can dream up. reiki, art and photography workshops trans festival takes a hands-on, open- Daytime programming tends to music and exhibitions, outings and safaris, to-all approach to entertainment. Last and comedy, early evening to theatre plus the company of women from all year’s event started off with a vegan and dinnertime dramatics, while the over the world are just some of the draws barbecue at the Tempelhofer Feld, an night stage boasts the big draws, with of this event at the ultimate lesbian abandoned airport, where barbecue this year including Elvira Kurt, Bitch destination. Folk music from Greece, sites are tucked between runways. It’s and Melissa Ferrick. definitely a unique spot to grill tofu. Turkey and other areas of the Mediter- Along with the array of film nights, FemiFest 2014 ranean lines up alongside DJ nights, concerts, parties and live music on the London, Aug 30 & 31 fashion shows, open-air cinema show- schedule, this fest stands out from the femifest2014.com ings and rock-climbing demos. Run by crowd with options that include drum- Women-only, feminist antics take the Sappho Women, this is definitely the ming lessons and haircuts. Cutting podium at this political festival in East only women’s festival on this list that edge, indeed. London. Open to all “women who were offers the opportunity to learn how to master Greek dancing. MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 25 Hot ’n horny hookups. Join for FREE Get 5 Days Unlimited access LAPTOP MOBILEOR WE’RE VERSATILE 26 JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 XTRA! OTTAWA’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JULY 17–AUG 13, 2014 27 Your passport to WorldPride. 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