The Calgary September 2012 FREE

JournalReporting on the people, issues and events that shape our city

Trans 101 | p. 4 G e n d e r Bruce McCulloch | p. 20 issues Rae Spoon | p. 14 Inside the Calgary Journal...

Editor-in-Chief PRINT Melissa Molloy Christine Ramos

EDITOR IN-CHIEF ONLINE Trevor Presiloski

Production editor Eva Colmenero

reporters Karry Taylor, Anna Brooks Juliet Burgess, J. Emily Clark James Wilt, Ian Esplen

supervising editor Jeremey Klaszus

Production Manager & Advertising Brad Simm PH: (403) 440-6946 Photos courtesy of Derek Besant calgaryjournal.sales@gmail. Internationally renowned artist Derek Besant speaks about public art on page 15. com OUR CITY ‘I don’t dress people THINGS TO DO Produced by journalism students at Mount Royal Fake Moustache like you’ YYComedy Festival University, the Calgary Page 6 | Calgary’s drag king troupe Page 12 | Local model faces racism Page 21 | Bring all of Calgary’s Journal is a community done up corporate style while shopping best comedic genius together this newspaper that reports month on the people, issues and events that shape our city. We are the CALGARY VOICES ARTS proud winners of the Meet The Artist SPORTS 2010 Pacemaker award Born This Way for North American Page 8 | One writer remembers her Page 15 | Calgary’s Derek Besant Gay Athletes explains the art equation newspaper excellence years as a boy Page 22 | Why some don’t come from the Associated out, and what people are doing to Collegiate Press. No Safe Place help reduce homophobia in men’s Page 10 | Calgary GLBTQ activist BOOKS sports shares experience of growing up CONTACT THE queer WordFest JOURNAL: Page 16 | The annual festival is COVER ILLUSTRATION: [email protected] back this October, so what’s it all Melissa Molloy 403-440-6561 about anyway?

Illustration by: Eva Colmenero The people who make Calgary’s LGBTQ community. Starts on p. 8. 2 September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca Singing for community, joy and survival Calgary Jewish Seniors Choir offers second chance to sing MELISSA MOLLOY | [email protected]

was in Auschwitz.” competitive — members of any vocal ability would Steven Spielberg’s film, “Schindler’s List.” Chorister Frieda Plucer says, holding up her be able to come and sing, even if they had been When the group sings one can see, and feel the “I forearm to reveal a set of faded tattooed told earlier in life that singing was not on their absolute ecstasy in the room. Heads sway and numbers marking her registration into the repertoire of talents. lyrics are belted out with passion — if the song is notorious concentration camp. Secondly, the choir would aim “to revive and upbeat members clap in tandem, some even get “To live after the horror I went through,” she says to keep alive Jewish music,” while members up and dance. of her role as a chorister, “I come here to be alive.” formed bonds and relationships with each other Szulc, with guitar in hand paces in front of the Plucer is only one of several Holocaust survivors that would effectively “decrease isolation” in the group singing with as much gusto as the rest. She that pepper “Voices,” a choir for seniors mostly senior’s community. is accompanied up at the front by the fabulous comprised by members of Calgary’s Jewish But despite the group’s inclusivity, Szulc is very pianist Arlein Chetner, who volunteers her time community. The five-year-old group meets every clear that this is not just a “sing-a-long” for seniors. and 40 plus years of music expertise. All together, Wednesday at the Calgary Jewish Community These folks rehearse with performances in mind the room feels as though it is bursting with Centre for rehearsals and tonight the room is and have been asked to sing in front of the Prime emotion. packed with singers. The excitement among them Minister of Canada, clergymen and women of the Later on, Szulc explains that the near-tangible is palpable. Calgary community and Mayor Naheed Nenshi. emotion of the choir and their music is due in part It takes the choir’s director and creator Karina Szulc says that the performance aspect gives the to the history of some of its membership. Szulc a bit of effort to get the group to quiet choristers much more than singing practice. “There’s a lot of Holocaust survivors,” she says. down. Members are much too busy laughing and “A choir has a purpose,” she says. “When they “There is something about using music to send a catching up with each other after a week apart. perform in front of an audience there’s a sense of message: That they survived — that they are here The vitality among the choristers is contagious and accomplishment and pride, and also a sense of and they are alive and they are strong and vital. if one were to close their eyes they’d guess they purpose in life that they are sending a message.” “The same reason that they survived in the were in a room of 20-somethings. Chorister Amalia Tauber makes it very clear that prison or were tortured in a concentration camp Six years ago when Szulc moved to Canada from Szulc’s intentions for the choir have been realized. for being Jewish, now that is something they can her native Argentina, the music therapist who “When we are here we forget everything that express openly. So they sing those songs with a specializes in gerontology immediately immersed bothers us,” she says. “We are just here together lot of feeling. To honour their relatives that passed herself in the Jewish seniors community. and it’s a camaraderie among us. For me the choir away and to keep the music alive makes them feel “I moved to Calgary and went to work for Jewish is so much, and I couldn’t live now without the that they are delivering a message.” immigrant services,” she says. “I realized that there choir. For Plucer, her role in the choir is part and parcel were a lot of programs here for seniors but there “I wait every week for the day we get together.” with her life as a survivor of one of history’s darkest were none with music.” Back in the rehearsal room the choir sings songs eras. Szulc says that she began to develop a plan for ranging from “Thank You for the Music” by Swedish “I’ve been through hell,” she says earnestly, but a choir with “very specific goals in mind.” For one, group, ABBA, to the traditional Yiddish song “Oyf’n her face quickly changes into a delighted smile. the choir was going to be all-inclusive and non- Pripetshok and Nacht Aktion” made popular by “Now I’m living it up!”

“When they perform in front of an audience there’s a sense of accomplishment and pride, and also a sense of purpose in life that they are sending a message.”

­— Karina Szulc

Photo by: Melissa molloy / Calgary Journal “Voices” is a Jewish seniors choir that sings both traditional Hebrew and Yiddish music as well as contemporary pop songs like “Thank you for the music” by ABBA. September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca 3 Photo by: Quinn Dombrowski / flickr “My sex doesn’t define my identity” reads a sign at the Montreal Gay Pride Festival Trans 101 Alberta group lends collective-voice to transgender issues and experience

MELISSA MOLLOY | [email protected]

ransgender. It’s a term that has been used in surgery has been reinstated, but TESA has “At the end of the day what is making Calgary popular media perhaps more than ever over incorporated into its mission an array of other issues better and what it still needs is education. It needs a Tthe last few years, but what does it mean in that trans-identified people face from day to day, as trans 101 session,” she says. a community? What does it mean in a workplace, a well as education and information sharing with the bus stop or at the hospital? community at large. BATHROOMS WARS By definition, to be transgender is to be born “We try to educate the community as well as The group feels that opening up an education- with a very burdensome misalignment between the medical and legal professionals about issues facing based dialogue with folks who still feel confused interior and exterior of a person. The physical sex trans Albertans,” says Langille, adding that being or uncomfortable with trans people, can only help defining one as male or female from birth does not of service to individual members of the trans to break down barriers that affect even the most match up with the person’s own knowing of what community is also a high priority. mundane daily events in a trans person’s life, such their gender feels like from the inside. A male child “If there’s a way we can help a member as far as as the bathroom example above. might be trapped in a little girl’s body, or vice versa information or anything else that we can possibly “I spent a long time either not going to the — as well as many variations in between. do, we do it,” she says. washroom in public or counting the people that “Everybody just wants to be who they are,” says And the issues facing the trans community in go in and come out and making sure I’d be alone,” Brianne Langille, the current president of the Trans Calgary are many. Langille says. Equality Society of Alberta (TESA). “Imagine a 10-year-old child in a restaurant being Adam Legace, an active member of TESA, notes The non-profit organization was formed in 2009 terrified to use the bathroom because they are that the gendered-bathrooms issue is key because after the Alberta government passed legislation to scared someone is going to tell them that they are it highlights one of the great ironies facing trans withhold funding for gender reassignment surgery. in the wrong one,” says secretary for TESA, Lyn Baer. people. Feeling a pressing need for there to be a collective Baer, who identifies as “cis-gendered” meaning “Being trans, if that trans person whether trans voice coming from the trans community, trans that her female body and mind are in alignment female, androgynous or trans male — especially identified folks and their allies began the group that with one another, is deeply involved with the trans for a trans male going into the men’s washroom — would, as Langille says, “be a witness to and voice community in Calgary — in fact, she has just gotten the trans person is more afraid of going into that for issues affecting trans-identified Albertans.” engaged to Langille as well as raising a trans- washroom than you are of finding them,” Legace Recently, funding for the gender reassignment identified child. says laughing.

4 September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca WHY DOES IT MATTER? because they have had bad experiences with health professionals,” adds Baer says the amount of discrimination still accepted by Albertans in regards Langille. “Especially when your ID is not fully aligned with your body. There to trans identified people make her angry. are some really horrid stories of discrimination out there. “I want to grab the world sometimes and ask ‘why does it matter?’” she “Imagine cutting your hand and bleeding profusely but thinking twice says. “Why does it matter if my voice is deeper than what you think it should about calling for an ambulance.” be? Why does it matter if I’m bigger or smaller than you think I should be? “It makes me really angry because at the end of the day it’s just fear and HOPES FOR THE FUTURE judgment.” Despite the level of stigma affecting the trans community, Langille remains Baer also acknowledges that many people are simply confused as to how hopeful that change is possible. to approach the situation in the first place. “I see a lot of similarities to when racial segregation was ending, when the “A lot of people are afraid of saying the wrong thing, and not realizing they gay community started coming into its own 20 years ago, it’s that same fear,” have the permission to say the wrong thing with most people,” she says. she says. “It’s something you don’t understand, and it’s something that is “There is an innocence in saying, ‘You know what? I don’t know which different.” pronoun to use. What are you comfortable with?’” Baer adds. “How many Langille says she hopes to see “explicit protections for gender identity people have ever been taught that it’s okay to say something like that? and gender expression in human rights legislation both provincially and “And yet I don’t know anybody in my world that wouldn’t welcome that federally” within the next five years. question.” “I’d also love to have identity issues being resolved with documents — a Still, not every question one might have will be welcomed so easily. member of ours made a flow-chart about how to change your ID and it is Langille adds that a heavy line should be drawn between asking a question three pages long. It’s ridiculous how many hoops you have to jump through out of a genuine wish for understanding, and asking highly personal to get all of your ID aligned,” she adds. questions to satisfy one’s own morbid curiosity For Baer, most of her hopes lie within giving the younger generations “Asking ‘when did you have surgery?’ in a coffee shop — that’s not access to information about trans-identification. appropriate. Especially with someone that you just met,” she says. “I’d like to see TESA in every school, every public service doing an education seminar that would be mandatory,” she says. “I’d love to see TESA as a resource for employers.” MEDICAL CONCERNS School-aged children are an especially important audience for Baer. It is these types of discussions that TESA hopes to bring to public institutions, “If you imagine TESA starting with schools — which of course is a huge, especially within business, educational and medical platforms. contentious issue — but if kids at a very young age understand that if there “Finding a doctor to begin with is hard,” says Legace. “A GP that will deal is not a congruency with what they see — it’s okay,” she says, “Then that with you. A GP that is educated (about trans people) and a GP that will give generation will grow up to be much more welcoming.” the right referrals.” And as for non-trans people who want to help but don’t know how, Also, hospital staff that are not educated about transgendered identities Langille has a simple solution. can make the interactions between a trans patient and medical professional “All it takes is to say ‘hi.’ You don’t have to say ‘hi, I like that you look uncomfortable for both. androgynous,’ — it’s just a person. Chat.” Baer describes how “finding a doctor that understands that there’s a man Perhaps Legace sums it up best: standing before him that probably needs a pap smear, or a woman standing “We’re all people just trying to make our way through the world, and some before him that needs a prostate exam” can be difficult. are just doing it differently than others,” he says. “We should just try to help “A lot of trans people won’t even go to a hospital unless it’s very serious each other out. That’s what we’re all here for.”

INAPPROPRIATE QUESTIONS FOR TRANS PEOPLE: • What was your birth name? • Oh, so you used to be a boy? • Do you have bottom surgery?

PRONOUNS Use whatever pronoun the person is comfortable with. If unsure whether to use “He” “She” or “They” —ask!

FACT: “Despite the fact that the T is included in the LBGTQ, or whatever acronym you use —being transgender is not about sexuality. It has nothing to do with your sexuality. And it’s really hard to get people to separate from that because the two get grouped together. Being transgender doesn’t make you gay. I probably know more straight transgendered people than I know queer people. That’s a key piece of education for the rest of the world.” - Lyn Baer.

Photo by: Melissa Molloy/The Calgary Journal Lyn Baer (far left), Adam Legace (middle) and Brianne Langille are members of the Trans Equality Society of Alberta.

September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca 5 Fake Moustache Calgary’s drag-king troupe stars in this months photo essay MELISSA MOLLOY | [email protected]

ake Moustache is this city’s currently rival-less drag king troupe, and for nearly a decade the Fbois have been performing for loyal fans around local night clubs. Formerly a frequent act at the city’s now-closed Club Sapien, the group has felt the loss of gay bars perhaps more deeply than most. Still, James Demers aka James Dean, feels that there is hope yet for the Calgary Queer scene. “What’s interesting about Calgary is if you see someone who’s queer on the street, you can make eye-contact and recognize each other — very small town like, ‘hey! you’re family’” he says. “ There’s a warmth there.” Demers also notes that there seems to be less of a seperation between gay men, bisexual people or lesbians as he’s noticed in other places. “Calgary has a lot of growing to do, but it has the potential,” to develop a more visible queer scene, he says. Fake Moustache is a volunteer group that raises money for the Miscellaneous Youth Network, a non- profit group that supports queer youth.

*All photos by: Melissa Molloy

Jason Byrd (left) and Nolan Neptune share an intimate moment near the library.

From back left: Poppa Q, Howie Feltersnatch, Andi Lebowitz, James Dean, Daisy Deville. Front Row from left: Cheri Pintrix, Nolan Neptune, Jason Byrd, Layne, Mackenzie Rae, and Josh McShane.

6 September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca Calgary’s Rat Pack: Nolan Neptune, Daisy Deville, Poppa Q and Layne.

Above:Cheri Pintrix (left) and Mackenzie Rae spend a flirtatious evening out.

Left: Mackenzie Rae shows Daisy Deville how to shoot proper pool.

Below: Josh McShane (right) stares down James Dean with a seductive intensity.

September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca 7 Born this way Gender not a black-and-white subject for many Ann a Brooks | [email protected]

nna, you’re a strong ones that unzipped into shorts on an whole may not be ready to explore the for the community including youth speller. Can you try spelling unpredictably hot day – and I made notion of “biological sex, gender identity, groups, trans-specific groups, one-on- “Asuperfluous for the class?” sure they rode low so all the girls could and sexual orientation as being on a one peer support counseling, library Mrs. Rose’s question was answered see my navy boxer shorts. I always continuum.” hours, and a peer support phone line with silence, broken only by the peacocked when girls were around, “The dualistic perspective of there which is open seven days a week. uncomfortable shifting of bottoms in proudly puffing out my sunken chest being two separate categories of sex Monica Conaway, a member of the chairs. and cracking crude jokes in the hopes of and gender only perpetuates gender transgender community and the events “Anna, could you please answer the triggering a satisfying squeal of disgust. stereotypes. Not only are these coordinator for Outlink, mentions the question?” I stared resolutely at my On the odd occasion, one would point stereotypes limiting, but they in no way “significant improvement” in her life doodle-laced notes, refusing to meet out that I was both a “liar and a weirdo” portray reality,” says Pittman. since she became involved with the Mrs. Rose’s penetrating gaze. I had no for pretending to be a boy, and if I was a Laura Kelly, a 22-year-old queer organization. problem answering the question; if girl that liked girls, I should just admit it woman living in Calgary, sips tentatively “I have met more people, become she would not acknowledge me by my and be a lesbian. That girl usually earned on a hot coffee while she shares her more outgoing, and have had a lot of name, I would not acknowledge her me yet another trip to the office after I thoughts on the dangers of travelling questions I’ve struggled with my whole at all. Steve. My name was Steve. All slugged her hard in the stomach. with gender-binary blinders on. life finally answered. Calgary’s LGBT my friends, even my parents, had no How lucky I was to have parents who “I think labels exist because I guess community is very close-knit, and the problem appropriately addressing me. let Steve be Steve from ages seven to right now, people need them to. But ability to accept each other makes it Why did Mrs. Rose? nine, instead of taking my third grade I don’t think it’s a positive way to raise easier to be accepted by the straight “Anna, if I don’t get an answer in teacher’s advice to promptly ship me off children, or to understand adults,” she community,” says Conaway. the next 10 seconds, I’m going to have to see a child psychologist. Looking back says. “It’s such a condemning cycle to to send you to the office.” Mrs. Rose on my days as a scrappy, adolescent say, ‘You have to be like this at all times.’ Gender Neutral Spaces tried to mask her agitation with an “boy,” I cogitate about why there was There is such a multiplicity of ways Encouraging communities to adopt authoritative glare, but the angry red such a compulsive need to diagnose people can be, so why would you limit a more gender-neutral stance is a patches blotting her cheeks gave her me as gay or straight. Was it out of fear that?” step towards challenging stereotypes away. My best friends Tim and Taylor for missing an opportunity to label the Kelly says that although we’ve and deterring unfounded acts of began to snicker at my impervious abnormal as such, or something else reached a point where most of us are discrimination. Yes it’s true: we have behavior. Exasperated, Mrs. Rose threw altogether? Although society has grown aware of the existence of alternative made strides in the same-sex marriage her hands up in defeat. more accepting of the sexually diverse, identities, a “heavy, hetero-normative department. Sadly, the sanguinity of “Alright, off you go. Office.” A snide there still exists a “survival-of-the- umbrella” impedes our progress in that stride ebbs as Aberle coolly informs smirk tugged at my lips as I sauntered gayest” mentality in a world dominated accepting and understanding those that me that there are as many transgender from the room, making sure to give Tim by conservative social norms and stand out from the norm. individuals as there are redheads, yet and Taylor celebratory high-fives on the expectations. “All we can do is start small and build,” Ontario is the only province to have way out. says Kelly. “We need to start some clubs, passed any legislation protecting I trudged down the hallway, the Labels: just for cans, perhaps? events – anything we can to create safe the community from workplace untied laces of my dirty sneakers Cathy Pittman, a registered psychologist and accepting spaces for everybody.” discrimination. threatening to trip me. I was wearing specializing in human sexuality, says that “People can be fired for being my favorite pair of cargo pants – the the hetero-normative population as a Queer in Cowtown transgender. I am looking for new work Peer support organizations such as because I am getting harassed for being Calgary Outlink: Centre for Gender trans,” says Conaway. “They feel what I and Sexual Diversity are spaces that am doing is wrong and I shouldn’t be in work towards building community the workplace.” and providing resources for the all “The rejection faced by LGBT persons encompassing acronym Lesbian Gay is especially senseless in the face of Bisexual Transgender Two-spirited recent brain research suggesting these Queer and Questioning (LGBTTQQ) individuals represent examples of the community. natural variation of human sexuality and Brett Aberle, community support gender,” says Dr. Pittman. worker at Calgary Outlink, stresses the For those suffering the throes of importance of providing and continuing unfounded discriminatory acts still to build infrastructure for the queer prevalent today, change may seem to community. be moving at a sluggish pace. But as “If we don’t offer any support, we’re Kelly affirms, “be unabashedly yourself just perpetuating what discriminations at all times” because whether L, G, B or already exist,” says Aberle. “Sexual T, accept that baby, you were born this and gender diversity need to be way. acknowledged and supported.” For further information and resources, Predominantly volunteer run, Calgary please visit: http://calgaryoutlink.ca/

Photo by: Photo by: libertygrac0/Flickr/CreativeCommons Outlink offers free programs and services community-resources “How lucky I was to have parents who let Steve be Steve.” Anna Brooks

8 September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca Photo by: Photo by angela1_ca/Flickr Feminist, gay-rights advocate, socialist– and a Christian Ally in LGBTQ community confronted discrepancies between political belief and biblical texts James Wilt | [email protected] he question arrives in my inbox once a week. raised in an evangelical church. A personal scrapbook So it’s an odd place to be, knowing that feminism The predictability of it would be almost comical made for a Grade 7 class assignment featured a and queer politics are as crucial to my worldview Tif it wasn’t so simultaneously disheartening, vitriolic rant about my disdain for homosexuals. I was as progressive Christianity. But the problems that I alarming and rage inducing. indoctrinated with hate, any questions about the face in this fight — having to reply to essay-length Granted, the exact wording of the queries are rarely issue always finding reconciliation in the apparently homophobic tirades on Facebook — are miniscule identical, but the point is always the same: how can holy words of the highly problematic Apostle Paul. compared to the animosity that my friends who are I be a fellow Christian and also an advocate of gay openly gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and queer face rights? daily. 17th Avenue SW is still a dangerous street for It’s never easy to explain. The word “bigot” slips “Outcast” might be them to walk down holding hands with their partner. from my mouth more often than it should during That such hostility is permissible in a so-called such exchanges. Other times, I condemn the Bible — an appropriate term progressive country is abhorrent. That such animosity the meaning of life for many of my friends who are is not only tolerated but also encouraged by an Christian — of possessing an irreconcilable number of to describe me; as a institution that reportedly follows a subservient logical flaws and historical errors. This often leaves me rabbi who preached love, acceptance, compassion in a rather awkward position. self-described socialist and redemption to an nation of oppressed people is “Outcast” might be an appropriate term to describe sickening. But unfortunately, a 2,000-year-old book me; as a self-described socialist feminist, I don’t feminist, I don’t exactly keeps a society hostage, to the detriment of us all. exactly fit in with most religious folk. But strangely, it’s It’s my belief that if there is indeed a deity, she is one never my vocal attitudes about the liberalization of fit in with most of love for all. What Paul (not to mention Moses) had drug legislation, the moral failures of economic neo- to say about homosexuality seems just as relevant as liberalism or the radical improvement of rights for sex religious folk. what he had to say about the role of women in society. workers that get me in theological trouble. Most of his archaic views have been disregarded, and It’s almost always concerning gay rights. so should his views — or lack of views — on gay rights. Many of my Christian acquaintances can’t A few women’s studies classes broke the spell, Unfortunately, it’s never as easy as that. mentally hurdle the rather elementary concept awakening me to the discrimination I had proliferated As a self-defining Christian feminist, my persistent that gender is fluid and that sexuality is diverse. To for years amidst enormous privilege. It hadn’t arrived petitioning for equal rights is sort of unique, sure. them, heternormativity is a holy trait. Hence, the soon enough. A mere few weeks prior to my first But what’s truly important and inspiring to me is the same question inevitably arises, and I’m forced to course, I’d told a friend who was gay that I didn’t efforts of those who belong to the LGBTQ community: compromise “traditional Christian values” in order to judge him because Jesus reportedly dwelled with they are the ones that are worthy of immense amount defend universal human rights. sinners, the inference being — of course — that my of respect and love, fighting with each kiss for a more Of course, I wasn’t exactly an ardent supporter buddy was inadequate and in need of some form of accepting society. Hopefully, one day, the religion of the rights of the LGBTQ community while being redemption. that I adhere to can support them.

September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca 9 No safe place to grow up queer Local activist reflects on being ‘out’ in Calgary, and elsewhere JULIET BURGESS | [email protected]

owntown Calgary in November 2001, the community that is starving for it. doesn’t feel safe, it’s not because Calgary isn’t a safe pavement shines with a fresh, thin layer While these temporary spaces of resistance pop city. It’s because archaic and terrifying ignorance Dof ice. A small group huddles together at up nearly every weekend in Calgary, there are few permeates the culture everywhere. Tomkins Park where they light candles to remember venues — some may argue none at all — that exist A prescription for change is building and Jordan Smith, a gay man that was murdered a few where we can congregate and feel safe. While this empowering Calgary’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual days earlier in British Columbia. My friend and I stop is not only an issue specific to Calgary, there’s an Transsexual Transgender Intersex Queer walking to listen to Jordan’s story. I am 14 years important void here to fill. Questioning 2-Spirited and Allies (LGBTTIQQ2SA) old. A decade later, I recognize that as the moment As someone who has always lived in Calgary, population at every opportunity: Members of the I realized I was not straight, and that my journey the concept of a “gay village” like Sainte-Catherine community can volunteer with Calgary Outlink on would not be an easy one. Street East in Montreal or Davie Village in Vancouver the 1-877-OUT-IS-OK phone line providing peer Resources for youth were scarce and those that sounds utopian. To walk hand-in-hand with my support. Calgarians can work to implement inclusive did exist didn’t find us in the Catholic school system. partner without the sneers and slurs, or to just run company policies. We can choose to patronize In the 12th grade, I met a trans-identified guy, and into members of my community at the bookstore businesses that support the gay community and we started dating. People called us “dykes” and or grocery store — these are simple luxuries queer boycott those who don’t. Female-identified queer pushed us into lockers. After graduation, we were people lack in this city, and without them, it’s easy to people and their allies can walk in the Calgary thrust into the real world to defend ourselves and feel lonely. Dyke March. Anyone can lobby the government create our own community. Through volunteering to provide the protection of and support for safe at the new queer youth group, The Miscellaneous A spoonful of glitter helps the medicine spaces in this city. You can throw some glitter Youth Network, like-minded people met to form go down on and attend one of the great queer events that what is now the thriving drag king troupe called In June 2012, the province of Alberta finally rewrote happen in Calgary to support this fabulous, resilient, Fake Moustache. My partner performed with the discriminatory billing codes that treated sexual thriving but too-often neglected community. You troupe weekly while I would sometimes press play minorities as people with mental disorders akin won’t regret meeting people whom I consider the on the iTunes. to bestiality and pedophilia. In April 2012, queer most amazing, generous and interesting individuals Eventually he and I broke up and my activism took activist Raymond Taavel was beaten to death I know. me into politics. At 18, I ran for federal office. My outside of a gay bar in Halifax after having survived face was on the front page of The Calgary Herald, a similar physical and verbal attack just two years * I use the word queer as a general umbrella term donning a faux-hawk and a hickey peeking out from prior. In October 2010, a gay couple’s house in Little for people who identify under the LGBTTIQQ2SA my collared shirt. I was the youngest woman to ever Pond, PEI was firebombed. In March 2009, Ritchie (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, run for Canadian federal office, out and proud. The Dowrey, a 62-year-old gay man suffered serious Intersex, Queer, Questioning, 2-Spirited and Allies) hate mail poured in. I filed them away under “bigots” brain damage from an attacker who cited Dowrey’s acronym. I understand this label does not apply to in my inbox. One day, I received a letter from a sexuality as motivation for the Vancouver crime. everyone and apologize for any offence its use may young gay man in Okotoks who read about me When I say that Calgary’s queer community cause. online and wanted to tell me his story of growing up queer in small-town Alberta. After reading the torment he went through, I was reminded that not all of us have the luxury of graduating high school and finding a community. Some of us are landlocked by ignorance and hate.

We create spaces of resistance At one point in the 1980s Calgary was home to 11 gay bars. Today we have three, and one of them will close its doors by the time this story is published. What changed? Eleven bars may sound like the product of a thriving gay community, but that may not have been the case. I’ve heard that even in the late 80s holding hands with a member of the same sex along 17th Avenue commonly ended in disaster. “Beware the white trucks filled with cowboys holding baseball bats,” a friend once regaled to me. Today, Calgary’s queer community, despite its lack of gay bars, is prosperous. Newer groups like the Mosaic Youth Group and the Trans Equality Society of Alberta are creating community where it has been lacking. Events like The Calgary Dyke March, Guerilla Gay Bar and the Fairy Tales International Queer Film

Festival bring people together in spaces that aren’t Photo by: by Simon Götz designated as gay or straight to create visibility for a “At one point in the 1980s Calgary was home to 11 gay bars. Today we have three,” notes Burgess.

10 September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca Make the most of your college years Writer leaves her best advice after years in university

MELISSA MOLLOY | [email protected]

esterday, the first of Life is too short to only August, I was driving impress your parents, and Ydown Sarcee Trail and when you love every minute noticed two small patches of of every course you are in, yellow leaves surrounded by there is no greater feeling. their neighboring grass-green counterparts. Fall is coming, 4. Step out of your comfort even though the humid feels- zone. like-over-thirty degree weather I came into college with would tell me otherwise. English on the brain, but Being a student all my life my gosh, how I fell in love has made September my with sociology and women’s “new year.” The fall fashion studies. These are courses and makeup collections, I never would have taken school supplies and super- had it not been for the chunky magazines have recommendation of a friend, historically made September but in these disciplines I the most exciting time of the learned that sometimes you year for me, and this year is don’t even know what you no different —and yet it’s love until you try something entirely different. completely new. Maybe you My academic journey is have a latent astronomer (finally) coming to an end, inside or you or a dormant and this fall marks the close dramatic actor —that’s what of the most transformative the introductory courses are experience of my life so far. I for other than fulfilling credits. came to school at 24-year-old They are there so you can with the hope of somehow dip your toe in and see if it’s becoming a “real writer.” something you can really dive That was the goal, but I Illustration from: clker.com/ Creative Commons into! never could have anticipated “Don’t be ‘too cool for school’ and creep on Facebook during class!!” says writer, the journey that would unfold Melissa Molloy. 5. Never go silent! inside the pages of the last six This was the mantra of one of years. When I arrived at Mount Royal (then) College in 2. Read the readings! my English instructors. Post-secondary can be very 2006, I didn’t even know what sociology was. Terms I once believed that I was smart enough to never do intimidating, especially for those of us with less than like “marginalized” or “historicity” were words I’d never homework but always pull of A’s at the end of the 100 per cent confidence in our capabilities. I used heard before, and studying lesbian-feminist texts was day. In the beginning I admit that I got away with to crumble with shame every time people started the very last thing I’d imagined myself doing. a lot of b.s.–ing —not reading the books but talking talking in the language of academia, because I didn’t I came for Shakespeare, but I left with James about them like I did, or writing a five page essay understand what they were saying and I thought Baldwin, bell hooks and Adrienne Rich. on a concept that I barely understood, that sort of that that was confirmation of my inadequacy. Not For me, the university journey is ending and I leave thing. But then something amazing happened: I had true at all! Keep asking and answering questions with a still palpable thirst for knowledge. In fact, the an epiphany. By half-assing my way through school, even at the risk of being wrong. Failures are of equal greatest thing about becoming a journalist is that one I wasn’t fooling anyone and I was only cheating value as successes when it comes to school because is constantly learning about the world. I’m taking that myself. I made the decision to study like a scholar you will either learn what you need to know or terrifying leap from student to professional, and I can and to seek understanding above grades, this was find out that, yes, you really do understand what is only pray that the next chapters are as fulfilling as this MY opportunity to receive knowledge that nobody going on. And trust me, if you do not understand last endeavor. could ever take away from me. People have fought a concept, that means there are other people in For those launching into their own academic for centuries to have access to information, and this the room who are equally confused. Be the brave careers this September, I have some advice: is something never to be taken for granted. student who has the humility to say, “I don’t know, can you please explain this more,” and you will be 1. Instructors will put as much effort into you as 3. Take courses that you love. amazed at how far this gets you. you do to them. Sure, we all have requirements to fulfill, but Above all things, treat your education like a grand Ask questions, participate in class discussions and university should be about falling head over heels adventure. Take every opportunity you can to grow immerse yourself in the content. A lot of university life in love with learning. If every class you sit through as a person, and as a participant in the ongoing ends up being about suiting up and showing up and feels like agony, you are taking the wrong path! conversation between academics. I wish you the there is nothing worse than a class full of people who Sure, there must be those introductory courses very, very best and hope you might do the same are “too cool for school,” spending the hours creeping that everyone has to sit through, but make sure for me as I leave these walls and rooms and books on Facebook instead of listening to what is going on. that your degree is in a discipline that you adore. behind. For now.

September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca 11 ‘I don’t dress people like you’ What do you say when racism rears its ugly face? Sunday Omony | [email protected] & Melissa Molloy | [email protected]

Photo by: Armando Borges Sunday Omony, a Calgary plus-size model and body-image activist, writes about a startling experience she recently had while shopping for clothes. had an interesting shopping experience a few “I don’t dress people like you,” she said again. employee had fled to the backroom because she was weeks back at a northeast Calgary clothing I was in a state of disbelief that she had never so upset about the matter. I store. helped dress a person who looked like me, and her I was holding back my tears and trying to be As I walked into the store, the sales rep greeted apathetic attitude in not realizing that she had hurt professional. My goal was to create a calm and open me right away with a friendly smile. I approached my feelings was confusing to say the least. dialogue for discussion, but the employee and store her, as I needed help finding a blazer and a blouse So I asked to speak with her manager. To be fair, I manager were not interested. for a TV interview that I had booked for the following explained to the manger how pleasant her employee I realized that there was going to be no restoration, morning. I was excited about the interview because I was towards me when I entered the store, and no conversation between us from which to learn from was going to be discussing positive body image and described the sudden shift in her tone and attitude and there would definitely be no apology. my experience as a plus size model. followed by the comment that had tore up my I’d been silenced, and it felt as though a wave of I wanted to look my best for the segment. insides. powerlessness had washed over me. On first impression, the lady was positive and The manager’s response, however, was baffling. I do love Calgary. My family and I have lived here pleasant. We also shared a few laughs as we walked “She did not mean it that way,” the manager told for 22 years and we feel safe. But situations like this around the store searching for the right outfit for me. me in defense of her colleague. “I am a person of leave me yearning for a world in which more people She ended up picking out a gray blazer and paired it color. I get discriminated against all the time because would treat others the way that they want to be with an orange blouse for me to try on. I am white.” treated. After putting on the clothes I came out of the I tried to explain why the statement “people like Despite the fact that these two people treated change-room to get her opinion. I asked her thoughts you” was deeply offensive for a person who was a me unfairly, I know that this is not the mission of the on the fit of the clothing and if the colors looked visible minority, but it was all in vain. It felt like my entire company. I walked away reminding myself that good together. voice had been completely stripped away. discrimination exists everywhere. My dignity was still For reasons unknown, the sale rep’s demeanor had Inside my mind was a flurry of emotions and I intact, and their comments served to be eye opening changed dramatically. wondered: was all of this happening because of my rather than spirit shattering. I also found myself “I don’t know. I don’t dress people like you,” she race, my size or both? reflecting on the fact that this is neither the first nor said. I asked if the three of us could talk about the matter the last time I will experience discrimination. Feeling like I’d been kicked in the gut, I paused and give the sales rep an opportunity to explain her Essentially, discrimination is everywhere, but if you for a moment before telling her that I found her intentions. keep calm and brush off negativity then nothing can comment offensive. The manger was hesitant. She told me that the disturb your spirit.

12 September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca Why don’t you cut your hair? A writer’s connection to her grandmother through hairstyle j. emily clark I [email protected]

have a lot of hair. me to the wonders of styling serums or leave- attempt to make Grandma feel better. It’s not a huge secret, but apparently it’s a big in conditioners. So I made do with two-in-one It didn’t work. I deal. shampoos and a bristle brush. She passed away in a hospice only months after “Wow, you have a lot of hair,” people will often Older Brother nicknamed me Medusa, or Cousin the initial diagnosis. inform me, as though I don’t know, as if I haven’t It, or Messica (his most clever play on my first Her death devastated the family. And I chose to been carrying around this mass of curls 24 hours name). He was a beacon of sympathy and tact. keep my hair short, even years later, despite the a day for most of my life. And then they proceed Grandmother would harp every day until she new taunting that I looked like a boy. into the weirdest non-compliments: “Is it natural?” eventually exhausted herself and settled into “Does it take a long time to dry?” “Have you ever tsking her tongue at me when I walked by and New Growth cut it short?” then shaking her head in disappointment. I never felt like myself with short hair. Yes, yes and yes. Part of that, I think, is because chopping my On that last question is where I’d like to dwell. hair was a sign post for my grandmother’s death. Older Brother nicknamed A constant reminder when I looked in the mirror Sermons and serums me Medusa, or Cousin It, or that I was missing someone and something. And My grandmother was a hyper-Catholic (I mean keeping my locks cropped allowed me to ignore that both in terms of her tendency to get riled up Messica. how long she’d been gone. So I never allowed and in her devotion to giving me a good lecture them to grow back. — or to what she affectionately referred to as a Diagnosis and the makeover When high school graduation crept up, and all sermon.) By redhead standards, I was a fairly good As I dealt daily with the embarrassment of the girls were giddy about growing out their hair kid — mostly I was adept at not getting caught unkempt hair and the barrage of junior high for photos, I hopped on the bandwagon to see doing wrong. So Grandma’s sermons would school transitions, my grandmother was what the fuss was about. revolve around my looks, with great scrutiny of diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As I started to grow out and grow up, I found my hair. There was talk that the chemicals in her at- my personality in my hair again. “Why don’t you cut your hair?” “You can’t see home hair dyes were culprit, she’d also visited the I’m unkempt and unruly at times, but your pretty face?” “At least you could tie it back in salons for perms for decades, but I didn’t care the also unmistakable and unforgettable, like my a ponytail or braid.” cause — I wanted a remedy. grandmother was. Those are the things I need to And so forth. So I cut my hair. remember — that my grandmother loved me and At the time, my locks sat past my shoulder I chopped off over six inches, and slicked my wanted to see me happy. I can let my hair grow, blades in a heavy mass like over-used scouring curls into that oh-so-hot-at-the-time wet surfer but I also need to let my memories of her grow pads. I was thirteen and no one had introduced look — like Trinity from The Matrix. All of it an with me.

Photo courtesy of : J. Emily Clark Jessica Clark as a young girl (left) with her beloved Grandmother. September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca 13 Q & A with Rae Spoon Artist originally from Calgary to release first novel

Christine Ramos | [email protected]

ae Spoon’s voice is ethereal. went by the male pronoun for many The transgender musician and now writer years and that was the option I had for R has six solo albums under their belt and being trans. Over the years I just kind was nominated for the Polaris Prize in 2008. This of relaxed about it and realized I don’t month, their new book “First Spring Grass Fire” need to have a gender or I don’t need hits the shelves. Spoon’s work of fiction recounts to be gendered like that. So, I prefer growing up in Calgary queer. not to be. Currently on tour with Ivan E. Coyote for their I personally consider myself gender- multi-media show “Gender Failure,” Spoon spoke retired. with The Calgary Journal from their home in Montreal to discuss writing, gender and growing Is that what your show up in Cowtown. “Gender Failure” is about? It’s a theatre/multi-media project with Why did you write the book? story telling, music and visuals about I’ve been writing for a long time. When I was how Ivan and I failed at gender, how younger I wrote stories so when I started writing gender failed us and how we think music it kind of took over my writing. I guess I just gender fails everyone. It’s a project felt like I had some more specific things to say, that will be touring for the next few songs are usually general. years. Hopefully we’ll bring it to Also I tour with a really great storyteller (Ivan E. Alberta. Coyote) so watching her tell stories during our shows all through the years kind of made me The book is very Calgary. Can Photo courtesy of JJ Levine fascinated with that and what you can do with you talk about growing up here? that. It’s very much about Calgary. For me, I I’ve taken something that is maybe thought of as had to leave Calgary when I was 19 and that was not a good thing and I actually think it is a good Can you explain the “they” pronoun for a good thing because I didn’t know any trans thing to be trans and I’m proud of it. Even if it has me? folks in the city so I moved to Vancouver and met its difficulties with pronouns. A lot of trans people go by “they” or “their.” For trans people and came out as trans. I launched my I think more people are coming out in high me, I just feel like I don’t need to be gendered. I music career out of Vancouver. school. A lot my friends who are in their 20s now, It was good to leave at that time. came out in high school in Vancouver, in Toronto I think a lot of people leave where and it was kind of fine. They weren’t getting they’re from to do what they have to chased around as much as we were. do. It feels like things are changing a bit, that’s a I kind of think you can change the good thing, even if it’s just a little bit. place you grew up. So if I go there and I’m out and trans and I play the folk What still needs to happen? festival then that’s good because in I think what needs to happen with queer people some little way it changes what people in the queer community is addressing the issues are seeing there. So it’s not about within the community like the kind of racism, completely abandoning where you’re sexism, trans-phobia that happens within it. from even though at the time it was Because I feel there’s a very generic image of hard. queer people that’s presented like white people or Christians. I think to actually contend with the You came out in high school in outside world and politics and right wing people, Calgary? there needs to be a more holistic view of the I came out in ’96 or ’97. I think we queer community to actually make a more united were 16 but I was dating someone for thing. A more inclusive queer community means a a while. Mostly grade 12 we were out stronger political front to change everything else and that was pretty complicated. There outside. wasn’t a lot of protection. You couldn’t go to a teacher and say “this person is Why the title “First Spring Grass Fire”? gay-bashing me” because they would Every spring in Calgary when the snow melts tell your parents that you were queer. and the grass is so dry and it hasn’t grown in, It definitely didn’t feel like there was someone throws a cigarette and then Nose Hill much adult support at that time. lights on fire. It’s sort of like burning away the old I got to have a queer relationship stuff so then things can grow better. You can see in high school, which I think is really where the fire’s been because the grass is really special. A lot of people wait till after. It’s green where the fire was, so it was a metaphor for always complicated and I think coming working through old stuff so you can grow better. out always has to be a strategic thing. A lot of the times, it’s a safety issue. Like a phoenix rising? Photo courtesy of Arsenal Pulp Press I’m glad that I’m really out as trans. Totally, but with a cowboy hat on.

14 September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca Profiling Calgarian artist Derek Besant christine ramos | [email protected]

Photos courtesy of Derek Besant Derek Besant is the internationally renowned artist behind the RiverWalk images (right). His “15 Restless Nights” (left) will show at MOCA for Calgary’s first Nuit Blanche scheduled for Sept. 15. f you’ve driven down Memorial West,” said Besant. it?’” They did. people are drowning. Why would you Drive you’ve seen his work alongside Besant attained his BFA with Besant has also collaborated with put up these images by the river?” said Ithe river. Honours from the University of writers and musicians to create Besant. Whereas another women, came Or if you’ve walked through the Calgary. Following graduate studies he multimedia shows that engage by to make sure the installers weren’t shadows of a story sandblasted in became the exhibition designer for the the audience on levels beyond the taking the images down because she glass along the Plus 15’s you’ve also Glenbow Museum. “I’d ride my bicycle visual. His 2006 show “Body of Water” loved them so much. encountered Derek Besant. around the exhibition floors and I’d included a soundscape where a One of Besant’s favourite pieces Besant is the internationally look out the windows and the skyline woman’s voice is turned into water. is contained in the Plus 15 walkway renowned artist behind those giant was full of cranes because they were How so? By recording the sound of system. It is a narrative etched into steel chairs delicately balanced on each still building Calgary,” recalls the artist. water flowing under Venetian bridges glass and one side tells the story of other in front of the west entrance at ACAD invited him to teach in the and then having a woman read all a man thinking about a woman and Mount Royal University. You might also late 70s and he remains a senior faculty possible dictionary definitions of the other, a story of a woman thinking remember two years ago when buses, member teaching on a part-time “water,” Besant then rebuilt the sound about a man. Depending on morning CTrains and billboards boasted his “I permanent basis. waves of her voice to mimic those of and evening light, the shadow of one am the River” images. When the artist turned 40 he made water. story is cast on the floor as people get Besant recently got a call from Oprah the decision to “lock into the arts part” “It was strange because all the to where they need to. requesting the use of his “Flatiron of his career and concentrate more “on sounds are really her voice and it sound While installing one of the panels, Mural” for a segment they’ll be filming international museum exhibitions.” likes creaking ships and all kinds of Besant was stopped by a woman who in Toronto. The famed trompe l’ oiel Thus, he and his wife Alexandra watery things. It’s spooky.” claimed the artwork. mural that looks like a curtain billowing Haeseker (who is also an artist and Besant insists that the audience must She said, “This is my window,” in the wind pinned to a building has ACAD instructor) built a studio in engage with the artwork and complete pointing to the window that had an appeared in architectural books, Mexico, went back to university to take the collaboration as a viewer. image of a window etched onto it, to scientific magazines, and even in David Spanish and then made the move. “The nature of art is such that when the building adjacent that was her Cronenberg’s “The Fly.” The two now split their time between you place or locate a work into the boyfriend’s office window. The artist who calls Calgary home Mexico and Calgary. public domain, you set in motion an “I thought, ‘Man, this has just hit that will help launch the city’s first Nuit Besant attributes his ability to equation, a kind of dialogue between a one person and she’s taken ownership Blanche, an annual international late- stay current and relevant to the concept, a question or a possibility.” in it and she’s invested herself in the night contemporary arts festival with collaborations and teams he’s But it is up to the viewer to complete narrative. This is what you’re after - his “15 Restless Nights” opening at the worked with throughout his career. that equation and put one’s own somebody coming out of the blue Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) He recounts the story of booking an meaning on the piece, whether it’s and laying his or her own experiential gallery on Sept. 6. appointment with a structural engineer derived from love or hate. “The worst reaction to it. She took ownership of The show will simultaneously open to build “Homage,” the work that sits reaction of course, is none at all.” that piece in that moment.” at the Canadian Cultural Centre in in front of Mount Royal University: “I While putting up the River Walk Besant’s work can incite fear or joy, Paris as its main event for Nuit Blanche. walk in with my stuff and he’s looking portraits, the gigantic images of or act as markers for meeting places - “Most of the artists, writers and dancers at buildings and bridges and I have persons immersed in water alongside meet me at the exit where the chairs that are showcased in the Cultural my image of chairs balanced on one the Bow River, the artist encountered are. In any case, the man’s work is a Centre in Paris are out of Quebec, so another and I remember he laughed different reactions to his work. One fixture in the city. this is a kind of coup to be able to do it, out loud and said, ‘This is great.’ I said, woman power-walking by stopped in The artist behind the work is Derek considering I’m out of the heart of the ‘That’s all very well but can we build horror and said, “Oh my god, all these Besant.

September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca 15 Where authors and readers can meet WordFest 2012 brings words off the pages and into downtown Calgary

MELISSA MOLLOY | [email protected]

Illustration courtesy of WordFest

he WordFest head office is like a dream- Steffens notes that the University of Calgary’s well as local talent like Calgary’s poet-laureate Kris world built for bookworms. PhD program in Creative Writing helps to bring Demeanor and the University of Calgary’s Sandy TNestled comfortably behind a frosted glass and nourish literary talent. Poole. wall in downtown Calgary’s Eau Claire Market, the “The university attracts some brilliant professors “You will hear authors reading from their books,” open-concept office is busy with trendy-looking and students to their program,” explains Steffens. says Steffens, describing the actual festivities. employees working away at their desks. “We also have the Markin-Flanagan Distinguished “That seems very simple, but on the other hand A library of fresh-off-the-press book samples Writers Program that’s based out of U of C. They it is not as easy to explain as watching a movie or covers the right hand side of the place, and behind bring in a writer-in-residence for the year that we something visual. Everyone loves to be read to.” the glossy covers that seem to be begging to be have at WordFest. Speaking of movies, WordFest’s marketing read, sits the organization’s tres stylish executive “So it is just a very exciting element for the local assistant Ariel Bastian says that the 2012 festival director, Jo Steffens. Calgary writing scene.” will be using some visual mediums to add to the “There is nothing more rewarding than Mary Kapusta, the marketing manager for storytelling experience. discovering an author or a book that speaks to you WordFest says that the upcoming event is going “I think the interesting thing that WordFest is personally,” says the director of her love for the to add even more excitement for Calgary’s readers doing is broadening what it means to be a literary written word. and writers. festival,” she says. “This year we have a partnership This will be Steffens’ second year leading “This year there’s a focus on a lot of fresh, new with Quickdraw Animation so we are having quick WordFest, a task she has come to after an authors, and a lot of books that are going to be literary movies.” illustrious career as both the curator for The breaking these people out,” she says. “I think the The festival will be taking place this upcoming Municipal Art Society in New York City and the people that are coming to the festival this year, Oct. 9 -14 at various venues within the city’s cofounder of The Independent Booksellers of New the people you see but don’t know their name, in downtown core, including the Central Library and York City. three years they’re going to be on a lot of big lists.” The Glenbow Museum. Although one might imagine that coming back This year’s WordFest will be bringing talented Steffens believes that this sort of cultural festival to her native Calgary from the very mecca of writers from all over the world. Some of the home taps into something much deeper than mere artistic expression might be difficult, Steffens is countries of its authors include: France, Columbia, entertainment. quite enthusiastic about Cowtown’s potential in Mexico and Scotland to name only a few. “We try to feature the power of words and the literary world. “You are really going to be seeing a diverse the fact that storytelling is important, I think, for “There are not very many Calgary-based group and I think that is what will be balancing our everyone,” she says. “It’s a universal human need, I publishers, but the writing scene in Calgary is regional talent,” says Kapusta. think, to hear stories.” vibrant,” she says. “I would go out on a limb and Some of the Canadian writers coming in to do So be sure to come out, if only to be read to. For say that the young poet scene is one of the biggest readings include CBC Radio One’s Jian Gomeshi of more information please check out: in North America.” “Q”, Scotiabank Giller Prize winner Vincent Lam as www.wordfest.com

“There are not very many Calgary-based publishers, but the writing scene in Calgary is vibrant. I would go out on a limb and say that the young poet scene is one of the biggest in North America.”

— Jo Steffens

16 September 2012| calgaryjournal.ca Calgary writer to read at WordFest Award-winning author talks about writing and latest novel KARRY TAYLOR | [email protected]

orn and raised in Bombay, really. A short story is just a very tiny shoes, that is simply a question of written about that time period and India, author Shree Ghatage slice of life. I think that the scope imagination as how I would feel if I what the general feeling was. Bhas called Calgary home for and the need to tie all the ends didn’t know the person. the past 14 years. This fall Ghatage together make writing a novel much About London and the Blitz, there You will be participating will take to the stage as one of the more challenging than writing short is so much material out there, even in WordFest this year for featured authors in WordFest, the stories. Once I was finished writing about what the bombs sounded like. the first time. As a Calgary- annual international writer’s festival my short stories, I haven’t wanted to What I liked the most were the first based author, what does it held in Calgary and Banff. Ghatage write more over the past 10 years. person accounts that people gave mean to you to be invited to spoke to The Calgary Journal about I might later on, but I always see about what they remembered. That read from your work at the her most recent novel, Thirst. myself more likely to write another was what I wanted. I didn’t want to festival? The novel follows the story of Vijay novel than another book of short delve into the politics of the time or It really means a lot to take part in it. Chafékar, or Baba as he is popularly stories. It might be that my style the war. I wanted to write on a social I am really glad to have been invited. known, a young man struggling to lends itself more to a longer work and interactive level. Of course this I think local recognition is important reconcile the complexities of love, than a shorter one. story is not set when the Blitz was as it means that people are reading, loss, and desire after emigrating from going on, but just after it. But it’s very and hopefully liking, your book at the India to an England still rebuilding You mentioned Baba’s visceral, the way that people have local level. itself after the devastation of the connection with the Blitz. collection of short stories and this novel. Do you have Can you tell me a little bit plans to take the story about yourself? further with your next Along the way, I had two children book? and fell into writing. I was 35-years- Yes. In my head, this is a trilogy. Two old when I began writing, so I started have been written. I am writing the writing relatively late. My first book, third novel at the moment and it’s set a collection of short stories, was in Calgary and in western Canada. It published when I was 40. will have one or two characters that we saw in Thirst. I want to bring it Where do you find your into the 21st century. inspiration to write? I think my writing is very character- Why did you decide to set based. Beginning with my short Thirst in post-Blitz England? stories and then moving into The Blitz chose itself because in (her 2005 novel) I always saw the Brahma’s Dream— when I didn’t characters first. So that is how I get even know yet that Baba was going into the story. Then it’s almost as if to become a character in another the character is writing itself. I don’t novel — he had left India for have pre-planned plots. And I literally England. So that was decided for don’t know until the end of a novel me. It was a very happy coincidence what the ending will be. So as far as because it meant I was able to inspiration, the character enters my research the Blitz. Research is such head, and that is how I start writing. a lovely part of writing. You learn so much through it. Where did the character of Baba come from? As an author, how did you Baba was actually an off-camera transport yourself to a time character in Brahma’s Dream. It is and place that doesn’t exist mentioned that he leaves India for anymore? England to become a barrister. After My father was born in 1923 and that book was finished and I started my mother in 1929. I grew up in my next one, he was the character an extended family, including my who kept occupying my head. I grandfather who was born in 1890. wondered what had happened to And I was born in 1957 — 10 years him in England after he left. after Indian independence. So the rhythms in our house were very much As an author, what is the pre-independence and traditional. main difference between I grew up with stories related to my writing short stories and parents’ generation. So I didn’t have Photo courtesy of Shree Ghatage writing novels? to do too much research for that. And Author Shree Ghatage’s first published book was a book of short stories. I think it is a difference of scope, as far as stepping into someone’s She has now turned her focus to novels and plans to complete a trilogy. September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca 17 Considering a puppy? Read this first New book asks families to consider ‘time and money’ before bringing home a dog

KARRY TAYLOR | [email protected]

ost of Slice network’s “At the End of My — how much time do they truly have to devote to complete set of four. One of my clients recently Leash,” Brad Pattison has been involved in this puppy? Also people need to look at where their mentioned that he spends more money on gas than Hprofessionally modifying the behaviour of family is today and what they are going to be doing ever before because now he was drives his dog to a dogs for over 15 years. His work covers everything three years or five years from now. If a family doesn’t dog park every weekend. Little things like this can from creating workout programs for dogs and their have enough time to devote to it, a puppy quickly quickly start to add up. owners to rescuing pets post-Hurricane Katrina. becomes a burden. As soon as a puppy becomes a His latest venture has been to author the recently burden, it’s hands off. Do you recommend that people take out published “Brad Pattison’s Puppy Book: A Step-By- The second thing people need to look at is pet insurance? Step Guide to the First Year of Training.” money. Not so they can spoil the puppy with In most cases I would say no. My reasoning is that if Pattison recently discussed his new book with The things like toys and expensive beds, but money people feel that their puppy or dog is safe because Calgary Journal. for veterinary bills in case the dog breaks its leg or it has insurance, they tend to not mind their animals needs to have a tooth removed. And people need as much. Instead of being pro-active, we often What was your motivation to write a to understand that a puppy doesn’t come with a become reactive. So I would say no to insurance, with book specifically about puppies? manual and it doesn’t come already trained. So any the understanding that some people are going to If you go to any SPCA or Humane Society and look at puppy is going to take time, effort and energy, as need it. If you have a dog that eats everything, like the average age of the dogs they are mostly under well as consistency. cell phones and glasses, you probably should have the age of two. They are being dumped. People get insurance. But for the average pet owner, if you do a cute, adorable puppy that they say they are going What are some of the hidden costs of the math, you will find that over time what you pay to devote all this time and energy and money to, and puppies that people may fail to consider? in insurance is a considerable amount of money. Put then they dump it a few months later. It has to stop. There are things like buying a crate to transport the the money in a bank account and you will have a nest But I understand why it’s happening. My book aims to dog in your vehicle. That can range from $50 to a egg and the means to pay if you pet does require help people not go down that path. few hundred dollars. Then there are training costs if expensive treatment. there are behavioural issues because the puppy was What are the basic considerations for removed from the litter too early. Some dogs will How do you make things fair for both the anybody considering getting a puppy? require boots in the winter. If the dog loses one of puppy and the family? The first thing that I want people to look at is time the boots, you can only replace it by buying another The best thing is getting the whole family involved. The reason being that the puppy comes from a pack. That is its natural instinct. So the best thing is if there are children in the family, the parents need to establish the rank of alpha right away. That way if the puppy is belligerent or rude to the kids, when the mom or the dad disciplines it the puppy will take things much more seriously. It also ensures that the children behave properly around the puppy. The puppy needs somebody to come to its aid.

What are your thoughts on families with babies getting a puppy? I don’t suggest people go and get a puppy right away, or even within two or three years of that child being born. Moms are already stressed out enough with a newborn. There is so much that needs to be seen to with a new baby that it will take time away from the puppy. Combining the two is a lot of work, especially if the mother wants to go back to work. So I suggest people wait a couple of years until after a child is born. Families really need to look at whether they can carry that stress load.

What is the best way of dealing with the frustration that puppies can cause? When things go wrong I tell people to celebrate it. Get excited about the puppy chewing the remote — don’t get upset. Yes it’s a huge inconvenience, but it’s also a learning opportunity. Should we blame Photo courtesy of Karen Seminchuk-Kovach. the puppy? No. Let’s bring the accountability factor Cute factor: Brad Pattison’s concerns about puppies being dumped once they are no longer cute pro- into the equation and look at how we might have vided the impetus for his new book. messed up.

18 Septemeber 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca Pride Calgary For tickets visit: www.ticketmaster.ca Family Fun BBQ on the Bow Official Pride Dance Stone Temple Pilots Sept. 2, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Sept. 1, 9 p.m. Sept. 11, 7 p.m. Eau Claire Festival Market Flames Central Big Four Building Free For tickets visit: www.pridecalgary.ca For tickets visit: www.ticketmaster.ca Toopy & Binoo and the Marshmallow Moon Pride Parade Band of Skulls Sept. 22, 1 p.m.; 4 p.m.; 7p.m. Sept. 2, 12 p.m. start time Sept. 11, 8 p.m. Southern Jubilee Auditorium Stephen Avenue Republik For tickets visit: www.ticketmaster.ca Start: Olympic Plaza; end: Shaw Millennium Park For tickets visit: www.ticketmaster.ca Sports Pride Street Festival Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros Sept. 2, 12:30 – 6 p.m. Sept. 17, 7 p.m. Calgary Stampeders vs. Edmonton Eskimos Shaw Millenium Park MacEwan Hall Sept. 3, 2:30 p.m. Free For tickets visit: www.ticketmaster.ca McMahon Stadium For tickets visit: www.stampeders.com/tickets Entertainment The Weeknd Sept. 27, 8 p.m. Spruce Meadows 2012 Masters Music Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium Sept. 5 – 9, 9 a.m. Arkells For tickets visit: www.ticketmaster.ca Spruce Meadows Sept. 4, 8 p.m. For tickets visit: www.ticketmaster.ca The Gateway (SAIT) Theatre For tickets visit: www.ticketmaster.ca The Bob Shivery Show by David Sealy Hardknocks 27 – Live MMA Sept. 10 - 28 Sept. 7, 7 p.m. Daniel Wesley 12:10 p.m. Mon.–Sat.; 6:10 p.m. Fri.; 7:30 p.m. Sat. Subway Soccer Centre Sept. 7, 8 p.m. Lunchbox Theatre, 160 9 Ave. S.E. For tickets visit: www.hardknocksfighting.com The Gateway (SAIT) For tickets visit: http://tickets.lunchboxtheatre.com For tickets visit: www.ticketmaster.ca Calgary Stampeders vs. Winnipeg Blue Nights Off by Michael Frayn Bombers The Aggrolites Sept. 21 – 29, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14, 7 p.m. Sept. 8, 8 p.m. Pumphouse Theatre, 2140 Pumphouse Ave. S.W. McMahon Stadium The Gateway (SAIT) For tickets visit: http://tickets.morpheustheatre.ca For tickets visit: www.stampeders.com/tickets For tickets visit: www.ticketmaster.ca YYComedy Festival Calgary Hitmen vs. Kootenay Ice Roxette with special guests Glass Tiger Sept. 24 – 30, various times Sept. 22, 7 p.m. Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m. Various venues Scotiabank Saddledome Scotiabank Saddledome For tickets and info visit: www.yycomedy.ca For tickets visit: www.hitmenhockey.com

Calgary Stampeders vs. Edmonton Eskimos Sept. 28, 8 p.m. McMahon Stadium For tickets visit: www.stampeders.com/tickets

Cis Football: Calgary Dinos vs. University of Saskatchewan Huskies Sept. 29, 5 p.m. McMahon Stadium For tickets visit: www.ticketmaster.ca

Calgary Hitmen vs. Red Deer Rebels Sept. 29, 7 p.m. Scotiabank Saddledome For tickets visit: www.hitmenhockey.com Tradeshows Calgary Home and Design Show Sept. 20 – 23 BMO Centre and Corral For tickets visit: www.calgaryhds.com

Mens Expo Sept. 29 – 30 Big Four Building For tickets visit: www.mensexpo.ca Photo by: Neal Jennings / flickr

September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca 19 Kids in the Hall veteran found comedy in Calgary Bruce McCulloch chats about his college days in YYC

MELISSA MOLLOY | [email protected]

nyone familiar with the cult-hit about those days? wanted to be a writer and I wanted to I still feel a kinship to that work. So, it’s CBC comedy show, Kids in the I do remember walking down the halls write movies. But I’m getting to the not like I’ve been in shows that I didn’t AHall, will remember classic with a black garbage bag that I kept all place in my life where I want to write understand, or hated or was on TV characters like Gavin, the kid that never my “work” in. books. commercials or something. So for me, stops talking, or Kathy, the middle- You know, in the beginning (at MRC) But then of course the other thing is the little I’ve had has been fine. But I aged office lady who loves the Toronto I didn’t have any friends. It was really that the rest of my creative life gets in see the drive to be famous in everyone Blue Jays. And who could forget classic a time when I was defining whatever the way — I owe a show to CBS and I’m who meets me in Los Angeles. songs like “These are the Dave’s I weird comic-punk-ethic I had. So it was pitching it to them next week. know.” kind of exciting, but very lonely. You’ll be performing at The All these, and plenty more were the At Mount Royal, I first took business What are your thoughts on YYComedy Festival. What are creations of Bruce McCulloch, who and got 20 per cent. And then I took fame? you most looking forward to? will be performing at the upcoming journalism and public relations. But Well, for one thing I’m not famous. I always enjoy a) performing in Calgary, YYComedy Festival running from it was during that time that I found For me, it came up too fast and then and b) not knowing what I’m doing, September 24 to 30. comedy. I enjoyed journalism, but I faded too slowly. But then of course and c) working with Mark (McKinney). McCulloch recently chatted over had found my calling. you start to miss it too. He’s such a hilarious guy. If you know the phone with The Calgary Journal It depends what you are famous for. our heritage at all, you know that Mark from his home in L.A. about living Were you always creative? The people who know me, know me and I started in Calgary. So there’s in America, writing, and of course, No, no, no —in high school, you know, I from stuff I wrote and performed, and something pretty cool about that. comedy. drank and did drugs. I spent my high school years How much do you still between Calgary and Edmonton and consider Calgary to be “home” when I went to Edmonton in Grade 11 for you? I got into competitive weight lifting, Well, it’s changed over the years and I was a distance runner. I wasn’t because I first crawled out of there popular but I wasn’t unpopular. I was as a comedic punk in ’83, but I have the thing in the middle. a strong association with One Yellow But I wasn’t an artistic kid. I was, like Rabbit Theatre, so I come back every all kids, drawing dragsters in the back year. It’s a new kind of home. of the class knowing I had something but not knowing what it was. After living in Los Angeles for Although I can’t really draw 12 years, do you start to feel dragsters, I’m using the term more like an American? metaphorically. Now I have two kids and I’m sort of getting to that place where I want to How did you start writing for move back to Canada. Only recently Swerve magazine in Calgary? have I started to feel like I’m a bit They asked me. It is something you different than the Americans. I always could actually connect to (writing felt that people were just people and at Mount Royal) in the sense that that a Kids In The Hall fan in Seattle is the thing I started doing more than no different than a Kids in the Hall fan anything else was writing. And if you’d in Calgary. But there is sort of a subtle, asked me what I would want to do weird difference between the two that when I was writing for The Reflector— I I think only as I’m getting older am I probably thought I would want to write realizing it. funny things for National Lampoon. I think what is more insidious for me is that I’ve been shaped by American You are such a talented show business more than I have been writer. Do you ever plan on by Americans. writing a memoir or getting into fiction? You attended what was then Well, I’ve been thinking of putting Mount Royal College in the something together for a long time. early 80’s. Do you ever think When I was in Kids in the Hall I said I

Photo courtesy of Bruce McCulloch 20 September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca And I think we’re going to try and go do something at Loose Moose too which is obviously a place that I YYComedy Festival showcases best of owe a lot too, and Mark owes a lot too. And I’ve never performed there since we left other than the year after we moved. But to be a part of a bigger comedy event in Calgary’s comedy Calgary feels pretty good. Names from city’s past, present and future to appear in Do you still think about your characters? Have any of them aged? weeklong event Oh, they’ve all aged.

“I always enjoy a) performing in Calgary, and b) not knowing what I’m doing, and c) working with Mark (McKinney).”

Even Gavin? Well, Gavin was always a 60-year-old man stuck in a 7-year-old body. You know, my Kathy’s aged. Of course, I did a young rock guy in the first couple seasons, and I couldn’t play him after two years. I was already too Photo by: Melissa Molloy old for him when I was 30. Harry Doupe (left) and Cory Mack are putting together Calgary’s biggest comedy festival yet. I don’t think about my characters. I think more about my ideas. Someone like Scott Thompson is in e are going to put a bigger spotlight on goals of YYComedy is to introduce Calgarians to the love with his characters and thinks like they pay rent “WCalgary comedy than there has ever been comedy that already exists in the city week to week. or do their income taxes or whatever. But for me, I like before,” says producer, writer and long-time Canadian “It’s one of the things that’s come up with this, is to think about ideas. comedian, Harry Doupe. how little Calgary really knows how much (talent) Like I have this idea now that I think about Doupe, who normally resides in Toronto, moved there has been and is here,” he says. whenever I drive by a couch at the side of the road to Calgary after joining forces with fellow comedians “We want to celebrate what is,” adds Mack, noting that’s been lost and abandoned. I think that it’s Cory Mack and Jim Sutherland to put together the that Calgary has over 100 comedians living and part of a religion from outer space that is somehow upcoming YYComedy festival. working in the city as well as an endless procession of connected to a breeding ground for these alien The week-long event will take place at various up and comers. people. venues and plans to showcase a multiplicity of “Comedy is hugely popular with the youth. There And I had that idea once, and now I can’t go by comedic mediums: stage, stand-up, television, are more rooms and people are no longer waiting for a couch without enjoying that thought, and I can writing, improv —you permission to call themselves never not think that. So it’s more that my ideas are a name it, YYComedy comedians,” she says. “It’s constant companion. has found a way to “It’s one of the things very exciting. People are incorporate them all. starting rooms all the time I saw “Death Comes to Town” on Netflix “We started planning that’s come up with and the high schools are and loved it. Will The Kids in the Hall be back in October,” says more involved then they doing something similar again? Mack, who is also the this, is how little ever would have been in my I think so. About five or seven years ago now we founder of the festival. time.” started talking about how we hadn’t done anything “Harry likes to say that Calgary really knows Doupe says that in a while, and I said “Let’s just go to Steve Allen in comedy is Canada’s inclusivity, for both comic L.A., which is like our Rivoli in Toronto, and just start greatest cultural export how much there has acts and patrons, is high writing some material and see what happens,” and so if Calgary is the cultural on the list of priorities for that became the tour that we did three or four years capital of Canada then been and is here.” the festival planners. They ago. So we are kind of there again and talking about why don’t we have a hope to attract people who if we did do something, what would it be? Maybe comedy festival?” — Harry Doupe haven’t really given a night we’ll get a theatre space in Toronto so we can hunker Calgary has been the of comedy a shot before. down and draw something up to see what it is. launching pad for some “Take a week and go We’re such a weird animal. We get success. Small of Canada’s great comedians, and folks like the Kids celebrate your own, Calgary,” he says. success, like in “Death Comes to Town” and people in the Hall’s Bruce McCulloch and Mark McKinney, as “If you’ve never seen live comedy, it is so different say “let’s do more of those,” and we go “well, I don’t well as FUBAR’s David Lawrence will be performing than television,” Mack says. “And you’ll laugh like it’s know.” So we’ll do something in the next couple of among a plethora of other talent. going out of style.” years, we just haven’t figured out what it is. The festival isn’t just about bringing out the big For ticket and scheduling information, please see: names, though. Doupe says that one of the main yycomedy.ca

September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca 21 ‘Coming out’ for men in sports Destigmatizing homosexuality in contact sports

Ian Esplen | [email protected]

J Fedyk is an outstanding athlete. He is also needs to be broken: that just because you’re gay you teammates and test the waters. gay. can’t play sports. “My teammates were fine with me coming out. TFedyk is a softball and volleyball player “We’re raised just like everybody else and like They’ve always been supportive and have treated who plays on both gay and straight teams here in sports just like everybody else. I’ve played sports me the same as before.” Calgary. ever since I can remember.” After having such a positive experience with the “My teammates have been perfectly fine with me “John,” who has asked that his real name not few teammates he came out to, John decided it was being gay. The opposition for the most part is too, be used to prevent awkwardness with some time to tell his family before moving to the west and there has never really been an issue.” acquaintances knows exactly what Fedyk has been coast after college. About the only real issue Fedyk has ever come through. across while playing is the odd slip of the tongue, John played Division III college volleyball in the and the use of the word “gay” in a negative fashion. Great North Athletic Conference, and currently plays To that Fedyk generally doesn’t say much, but in high-level gay recreational leagues in softball, “The biggest rather spikes the ball on the commenting player basketball and volleyball. or belts a home run and casually smiles, reminding “The biggest misconception about gay athletes misconception about them that he is gay, and that he can play sports just is that they aren’t competitive and are held back in as well or even better then they can. some way.” gay athletes is that they Fedyk believes there is a misconception that But John says that the quality of athletes he faces in the recreational aren’t competitive leagues are not “held back” in any way. and are held back in “Gay athletes are good players too. I’ve some way. played in gay leagues where there are often Gay athletes are good several players who have played Division players too.” I college sports. The players are good, — John and the games are extremely competitive.” Growing up in the eastern United States, “Coming out was a little tough because I grew John wasn’t always so up in a conservative, Catholic family. My Dad took open about who he is. it a bit tough at first. Then he came around when “My high school he realized that I’m still the same person as I was coach used to make the before. I just don’t have the same interests that he odd joke about being pictured me having.” gay in practice from Overall, John has no regrets about coming out time to time. That was a and views the experience as a positive one. little difficult to take.” John offers this piece of advice to anyone who has The gay slander concerns about coming out. also followed John “Come out when you’re ready. Don’t let anyone to college, where he push you into it. You’ll know when the time is right. would routinely hear Your friends won’t think any different of you. All of the word “fag” while my friends still think of me as the same person, and playing in opposing if anything they respect me for being honest with team’s gyms. While them and myself.” he doesn’t think the One person that is helping break the biggest insults were ever misconception of gay athletes is “You Can Play” co- meant for him directly, founder and Philadelphia Flyers scout Patrick Burke. hearing those jokes You Can Play’s message is simple: Sexual and insults on a regular orientation doesn’t matter. If you can play, then you basis was hard. can play. After a few seasons “Athletes get judged by goals, assists, homeruns, away at college, John ERA, etcetra,” said Burke. “But there is also this belief Photo by: Lance Richardson via Charles McCain / flickr decided it was time that they are judged by sexual orientation. We want Australian diver Matthew Mitcham was the only openly gay male athlete to to come out to a few to remove that stigma.” compete in Beijing 2008. Only two more had come out by London 2012.

22 September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca What started with a few NHL players helping out with a public service announcement on March 4, 2012 has grown in leaps and bounds to now include 55 NHL players. Play Gay! “What we’ve found in the short time that we’ve been doing this is that now that it is spoken about, the majority of athletes are ok with it. Eighty per cent of If you are looking for a way to get more involved in gay sports, the NHL players would support a gay teammate and that number is anywhere from Western Cup, which is North America’s longest running multi-sport 65 to75 per cent in the other major North American sports.” event and the North American Gay Volleyball Championships are Burke feels those numbers reflect how athletes are starting to feel about coming to Calgary in 2013. supporting gay athletes. The Western Cup runs over the Easter long weekend every year “The situation is improving at a rapid rate and I believe (sexual orientation) in Calgary. It has been held for 31 years now and is a fundraiser for will be a non-issue soon.” Apollo Friends in Sport. When asked when he expects to see an openly gay athlete in major North The event is both gay and straight friendly and features volleyball, American professional sports, Burke responded confidently: curling, bowling, dodgeball and squash with plenty of fun social “I believe we will see an openly gay player in the NHL in the next two years.” events to go along with the sports. Mount Royal University’s athletic department also shares the same vision that The North American Gay Volleyball Championships are also being You Can Play has towards athletes. held in Calgary in 2013. This is only the third time the event has been In an email, Mount Royal University Athletics Director Karla Karch replied that hosted in Canada. sexual identities are irrelevant in Mount Royal’s recruiting process. The event runs May 23 to the 27th and will feature 1,200 “We recruit student-athletes who are quality people, have strong academic players from all over North America and roughly 130 teams. Past records and excel in their respected sport,” she wrote. tournaments have involved several national and Olympic level Karch expects that any student-athlete at Mount Royal will be treated with players. respect regardless of sexual identity. The event is described as “straight friendly and open to all teams.” While the athletic department doesn’t have its own program specially For more information on You Can Play, the Western Cup and designed to assist gay athletes, athletes are made aware of the expectations of Apollo’s Calgary Friends in Sport visit, www.youcanplayproject.org, the school and various services on campus to assist lesbian, gay, bisexual and www.westerncup.com, and www.apollocalgary.com transgender students. As a result of these programs, Mount Royal University hopes to provide a welcome environment for all students, regardless of sexual or gender identities.

September 2012 | calgaryjournal.ca 23