#541 MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 FREE INSIDE! 20,000 AUDITED CIRCULATION Xtra Living THE BEST OF VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS GAY & LESBIAN VANCOUVER More at dailyxtra.com facebook.com/dailyxtra @dailyxtra

Raging homosHas the gay lobby E10 become the bully? Exploring: never stop Single Tablet Regimens While they’re not a cure, these treatment options are designed (one pill, once a day) are a step forward in HIV treatment. to be effective and convenient. If you’ve been exploring different HIV treatments, talk to your doctor about Single Tablet Regimens Explore more at exploreHIV.ca too. It’s good to know what is out there.

2 MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 XTRA! VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS XTRA VANCOUVER’S Published by Pink Triangle Press GAY & LESBIAN PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NEWS Brandon Matheson #541 MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 Roundup EDITORIAL Get MANAGING EDITOR Robin Perelle FRESH STAFF REPORTER Natasha Barsotti NEWS COPY EDITOR Lesley Fraser at EVENT LISTINGS [email protected] Nesters CONTRIBUTE OR INQUIRE about Xtra’s editorial content: [email protected] EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE Greg Armstrong-Morris, Niko Bell, Leah NATHANIEL CHRISTOPHER NATHANIEL VSB trans Bromley, Nathaniel Christopher, Tom Coleman, Randall Cosco, Tyler Dorchester, Rob Easton, Jeremy Hainsworth, Jon Haywood, Shauna Right in the Heart of Your Community Lewis, Justin Ling, James Loewen, Raziel Reid, Great Selection U Great Prices U Quality Products policy Pega Ren, Mark Robins, Sissydude, Tallulah ART & PRODUCTION Convenient Locations UÊFriendly Staff CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucinda Wallace GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Darryl Mabey, Bryce Stuart, Landon Whittaker draws fire ADVERTISING ADVERTISING & SALES DIRECTOR Ken Hickling ‘What this is doing NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Jeff rey Hoff man is setting up a war,’ SALES ADMINISTRATION MANAGER Lexi Chuba SALES TEAM LEAD Lorilynn Barker opponent warns E8 DISPLAY ADVERTISING Corey Giles, Teila Smart ONLINE ACCOUNT MANAGER Jessie Bennett Yaletown 990 Seymour St. Vancouver ADVERTISING COORDINATORS Monday - Friday 7am - 10pm, Weekends 8am - 10pm Brad Deep, Gary Major DISPLAY ADVERTISING Call 604-684-9696 or email [email protected]. CLASSIFIEDS Call 604-684-9696 or email classifi [email protected]. The publication of an ad in Xtra does not mean that Xtra endorses the advertiser. Storefront features are paid advertising content. SPONSORSHIP AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Erica Bestwick, [email protected] Printed and published in Canada. ©2014 Pink Triangle Press. Xtra is published every two weeks by Pink Triangle Press. ISSN 1198-0613 Address: 501–1033 Davie St, Vancouver, BC, V6E 1M7 Offi ce hours: Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm Editorial Ask the Expert Phone: 604-684-9696 Fax: 604-684-9697 Website: dailyxtra.com Michael Sam’s Sidestepping Email: [email protected] game-changing smooch the rush to anal sex SUBSCRIPTIONS $55 for one year (26 issues); E E $65 (US) in the US; $100 (US) overseas. By Natasha Barsotti 4 By Dr Pega Ren 13 [email protected], 800-268-XTRA Feedback E4 PINK TRIANGLE PRESS E Founded 1971 Xcetera 5 Out in the City DIRECTORS Jim Bartley, Gerald Hannon, Glenn Kauth, Didier Pomerleau, Ken Popert, Girl power revival Gillian Rodgerson HONORARY DIRECTOR Colin Brownlee Upfront Drag Spice Gurls impress PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ken Popert Texas on three-city tour E15 CEO, DIGITAL MEDIA David Walberg Uniformed RCMP on Wreck CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Andrew Chang Beach Cops cite drugs, alcohol Storefronts and ‘public lewdness’ as risks E7 Over easy From old favourites to new, breakfasts Street party to be fenced that won’t disappoint E16 again Davie party unlikely to shed cage for Pride E9 An all-inclusive Oasis New manager wants to maintain Cover story strong ties to gay community E17 Bully pulpit Now that gay people are part of the Trek and tango through French establishment, are we abusing Argentina Designer Trips wants E our newfound power? E10 to whisk you away for free 19 LGBT group Xposed Mr/Miss Cobalt Drag notes ondailyxtra.com Competition By Tallulah E20 increase E St Louis Rams draft Blitz & Shitz Michael Sam The face of East Van By Raziel Reid E21 in anti-gay E Uganda passes bill E that criminalizes HIV What’s On 22 incidents transmission Real Estate E23 E New Zealand seeks to Xtra Living E24 change gay blood-donor The Brotherhood rules By Tyler Dorchester E25 E Church of England to tackle homophobia in dailyxtra.com its schools COVER ILLUSTRATION BY SISSYDUDE

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 3 email [email protected] comment dailyxtra.com & facebook.com/dailyxtra Comment tweet @dailyxtra

FREE 20,000 AUDITED FEEDBACK CIRCULATION VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS PRIDE LEGACY AWARDS E 10 ARE STEROIDS

MAY 8–21, 2014 8–21, MAY HARMFUL? E 12 Sam’s game-changing smooch #540 Support Trevor MR SPIKED PHOTOS Loke vs TWU E 23 EDITORIAL profession, journalists, columnists, Except — as expected — not all of It seems that the decision to grant Trin- NATASHA activists, anyone bold enough to us were so inspired. ity Western University a law degree BARSOTTI question the criminal and corruption Among the moments of misplaced program [“BC Law Society Approves

status quo. Toe the blasted line, or aversion and resentment over what Trinity Western Law School,” dailyxtra. @dailyxtra Mere blocks from this will be you,” a Trinidadian cul- men and masculinity ought to look, com, April 11] is primarily based on the

facebook.com/dailyxtra facebook.com/dailyxtra Death by bigotry where I used to live in my home coun- tural studies researcher wrote in an act and sound like: the Miami Dol- 2001 Supreme Court decision to allow Leo Mantha was the last man executed in BC. Would a straight man have been spared? try of Trinidad, the life of a woman opinion piece 48 hours later. phins’ Don Jones tweeted Sam di- it a teachers’ degree program. I hope dailyxtra.com E15 revered for her take-no-prisoners We are meant to be — called to be rectly about his “horrible” kiss, while Trevor Loke’s lawsuit goes all the way at More candour and clear-as-crystal explana- — outraged and heartbroken. former Ole Miss college basketball to the Supreme Court. Lawyers and tions of complex legalese was snuff ed So when I clicked on to the NFL player Marshall Henderson deemed diff erent provincial law societies are in Uncomfortable out, assassination-style. Network a week to the day after it “sickening” and declared he would disagreement about the decision, and with ‘queer’ Dana Seetahal’s murderers — still at that stomach-churning news broke, boycott ESPN “til this michael sam much has changed since 2001. It is time Thank you [“Use of ‘Queer’ Split Largely large — cut in front of her as she drove the sight of a tense, then sobbing nasty ass shit is off .” for the law to catch up. by Age in Vancouver,” dailyxtra.com, home in the early morning hours of Michael Sam bear-hugging and kiss- As if that predictable homophobic TWU requires those attending its March 20]. After seeing “queer” used May 4 and emptied their gun clips. ing his equally delighted boyfriend, manure wasn’t enough, Washington programs to sign, and adhere to, a cov- thousands of times in Xtra, I thought For the better part of a decade, Vito Cammisano, was a relief from DC lobbyist Jack Burkman pledged enant that states that sexual relations that I was alone in being alienated by Trinidadians have come to expect the sombre daze in which I had been to release the Christian hounds via must be restricted to those in a mar- it. It’s a huge relief to see that others the almost-daily ticking over of the drifting for days. a boycott against the Rams and Visa riage between a man and a woman. dislike it as much as I do. “Queer” to me murder count. The bold, chillingly My own tears blurred my vision. for signing Sam, predicting “terrible Since same-sex marriage has been legal now means “extremist who puts his or executed hit on Seetahal brought the My hands were balled into fi sts, fi nancial” repercussions while advo- since 2005, it seems to me that TWU is her politics ahead of the issue of sexual toll, at that point, to 160 killings for pumping the air in the direction of cating for legislation to ban openly creating diff erent classes of that legal orientation.” The huge amount of ill 2014, more than for the same period the new St Louis Rams player, who gay players from the NFL and other institution. How could the Supreme feeling that this has generated also is an last year. is poised to become the fi rst active, pro sports. Court allow that? Are we not all equal issue that has to be addressed. In many people’s shell-shocked openly gay NFL-er if he makes the Michael Sam has the second-best- under the law? UNLEARNED minds, her murder and the meticu- team’s fi nal cut in the fall. selling jersey of his NFL draft class... Also, as there is more and more agree- (DAILYXTRA.COM) lous manner in which it appears to Sports networks, the domain of so good luck with that anti-gay ment that being gay is not a choice and have been commissioned, conceived loud, bravado-fuelled commentary, agenda, Jack. the “pray away the gay” myth has been Evenhanded reporting and concluded signalled that the didn’t slink off to a commercial break Something is wrong — almost discredited, TWU’s covenant should I found “Accused Denies MLA Offi ce At- ante on violence committed by pro- about muscular trucks but lingered pathologically so — when we muster be seen to be as discriminatory as if tack” [Xtra #538, April 10] remarkably fessionals with reptilian blood has on the Sam smoochfest, which be- the kind of anger rightfully reserved it expected people in, say, mixed-race evenhanded and fair in its presentation. been upped. came contagious enough to inspire a for cold-blooded murders like marriages to agree not to have sex while Hainsworth presented Chandra Her- “We woke up Sunday morning callout for Facebookers, Instagram- Dana’s, the kidnapping of Nigerian attending its programs. bert’s and Williams’s statements with- knowing in a very concrete way that ers and tweeters to share their own children, the vicious cauldron that This is wrong, and if our current laws out bias. That Williams was allegedly a message was being sent to the legal lip-locking moments. is Syria and growing civil strife in are allowing it to happen, then the laws intoxicated when he was arrested, but Ukraine and unleash it instead on must be changed. presumably sober when his statements two men joyfully sealing a landmark We should all be behind Trevor Loke. were recorded, is not irrelevant. Kudos The outcome that we seek is this — gay and lesbian moment with a kiss. We’ve had them before, but currently, to Hainsworth, to Xtra and to its manag- people daring together to set love free. he is our hero. ing editor (my daughter, by the way). Xtra is published by Pink Triangle Press, at 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, M5B 1J3. Natasha Barsotti is the staff reporter at DAVID NASH DAVID PERELLE Xtra Vancouver. (EMAIL) (EMAIL)

@6<9)90+.,6=,9;96<)3,+>(;,9: 0M`V\ULLKHWLYZVUHSPUQ\Y`SH^`LYPU=HUJV\]LY [OL(JJPKLU[ZHUK7LYZVUHS0UQ\Y`3H^ KLWHY[TLU[VM5VY[O:OVYL3H^WYV]PKLZHM\SSYHUNLVMSLNHSHK]PJLPUHSSHYLHZVMWLYZVUHS PUQ\Y`SP[PNH[PVU >LVMMLYHMYLLJVUZ\S[H[PVU5VSLNHSMLLZHYLWH`HISL\U[PS `V\YJHZLPZZL[[SLK 796<+3@:,9=05.;/,3,:)0(5.(@)0:,?<(3 (5+;9(5:.,5+,9,+*644<50;0,:

[OÅVVY>LZ[,ZWSHUHKLc5VY[O=HUJV\]LY)*=41 ;LSLWOVUL!  c-H_!  c;VSSMYLL!    ^^^UVY[OZOVYLSH^JVT

4 MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 XTRA! VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Achieving great things XCETERA together.

FOR BETTER OR WURST!

This night is Congratulations to Morgan Camley, 2014 PRIDE Legacy Award Finalist for dedicated to everyone Community Leadership. GAME CHANGER who believes in Miller Thomson is proud to recognize her signifi cant peace and freedom. THE LIP LOCK contributions to Vancouver’s LGBTQ community. Miller Thomson is one of Canada’s most respected national You know who you are. SEEN AROUND business law fi rms. Morgan Camley practices in the fi rm’s Litigation group where she represents clients in complex We are unity, and we commercial disputes. She can be contacted at 604.643.1234 THE WORLD or [email protected].

are unstoppable. “I just said, ‘Michael, hi. This is Jeff Fisher. You are a Ram. The wait is now Austrian drag queen Conchita fi nally over. Congratulations. We think Added experience. Added clarity. Added value. Wurst, aka Tom Neuwirth, after you can come help us win.’ I don’t know how much he heard of that.” winning the 2014 Eurovision Song The head coach of the St Louis Rams Miller Thomson LLP Contest. The Russian politicians describes his call to a sobbing Michael millerthomson.com who called the contest a “sodom Sam, poised to become the fi rst active, show” and deemed her win openly gay NFL player if he makes the team’s fi nal cut. As if that wasn’t VANCOUVER CALGARY EDMONTON SASKATOON REGINA LONDON the “end of Europe” are no KITCHENER-WATERLOO GUELPH TORONTO MARKHAM MONTRÉAL history-making enough, the NFL doubt thrilled that Conchita’s Network and ESPN didn’t scramble number, “Rise Like a to a commercial break when Sam ORF/THOMAS RAMSTORFER ORF/THOMAS Phoenix,” quickly topped gave his boyfriend, Vito Cammisano, Russia’s iTunes chart. a lingering celebratory kiss.

ET, PHONE VATICAN NPR.ORG/THINKSTOCK Get your Martian baptism here! In keeping with his professed reticence to judge gay people, Pope Francis now says he’s open to blessing aliens. In a recent sermon in which he presented the case of a hypothetical Martian seeking baptism, the PR-savvy pope asked, “Who are we to close doors?” THEGAY MARRIAGE FINAL USA COUNTDOWN: Number of American states with same-sex- marriage bans that have yet to be challenged in court. They are North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. A lawsuit is set to be fi led in South 3 Dakota any day. MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 5 How do I take this medication?

What will the medicine you prescribed do to me?

What if I miss a dose?

your doctor if TIVICAY™ is right for you.

I asked. I learned.

Together we considered the options. Learn as much as you can. It starts with one question. Then two... asking questions is the first step. Work together with a healthcare professional. Put your trust in each other. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

new ™TIVICAY logo used under licence by ViiV Healthcare ULC ask-your-doctor.ca ™TIVICAY used under licence by ViiV Healthcare ULC

6 MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 XTRA! VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS For 2014, really, the train has already left the station. Upfront Tim Richards, Vancouver Pride Society president E 9 Uniformed RCMP on Wreck Beach

Cops cite drugs, There is certainly alcohol and an enormous ‘public lewdness’ amount of risk. Public lewdness, as risks where we’ll have people out there POLICING NIKO BELL openly masturbating or voyeuring on Police officers will watch over Wreck Beach almost every day from the May people... 19 long weekend until Labour Day, ac- RCMP SERGEANT cording to a new RCMP plan. DREW GRAINGER Sergeant Drew Grainger, of the RCMP’s UBC branch, says he wants to establish a “storefront police presence” at the beach — a tent with uniformed When asked if there have been any police officers — to protect public safety. incidents that prompted the new police Grainger says police will crack down on presence, Grainger says no. illegal drug and alcohol sales, which he “But there is certainly an enormous says are a threat to beachgoers. In the amount of risk,” he says. “Public lewd- past, RCMP officers have sometimes ness, where we’ll have people out there cast a blind eye on vendors selling beer openly masturbating or voyeuring on and pot at the beach. people down there... There’s the drugs “There’s certainly some different and alcohol down there, which can be- tolerance levels down there,” Grainger come a competitive market. We’ve seen says. “The way we want to approach it that in the Downtown Eastside, where this year is to reduce those tolerances. drug dealers will be against other drug Our overall objective is to make sure dealers to make sure they’re the dealer everyone is safe and secure.” in the area. We want to remove that Grainger says the RCMP will not go kind of competition atmosphere.” after individual drinkers unless they Giles says that if the RCMP really are causing trouble. “If a family wants wants to tackle voyeurism, it should to come down or a group of people want focus instead on the speedboats that to come down and have a bottle of wine anchor offshore and ogle naked beach- or a six-pack of beer and continue to Rick Fearman, who has been visiting Wreck Beach for 30 years, doesn’t object to the RCMP presence. As long as gay goers. Judy Williams, chair of the Wreck behave to the point of not causing harm beachgoers keep their cruising in the bushes, they shouldn’t have any trouble from police, he says. RANDALL COSCO Beach Preservation Society, agrees. to themselves or other people, then we “The real issues are beach safety be- can manage that,” he says. “As long as Grainger says the RCMP will not I don’t think it will help anything at all,” says. “I get along with them fine. The gay cause authorities will not ban jet skis they aren’t blatantly showing it off to make any trouble for the beach’s usual he says. “And it will really kill the vibe.” community gets along with them fine.” in our swimming areas, because the the public sphere.” community of nudists. “We fully under- Giles thinks a permanent RCMP pres- Fearman says RCMP officers help party boats are being allowed to bom- The changes are the initiative of stand and embrace and respect that it’s ence will have a chilling effect on the remove drunk, aggressive young men, bard and blast us with a cacophony of Grainger and UBC RCMP commander a clothing-optional beach,” he says. “We nudist and gay communities at Wreck who often arrive on boats, and help keep noise, fumes, angry engine noises, and Darren Malcolm, both of whom trans- feel privileged to be part of that culture. Beach. “I’m not an unlawful person; the busy main beach under control. water pollution, and because authori- ferred last summer from Surrey, where, We respect their rights to do that, and I’m not a troublemaker, but almost As long as gay visitors get along with ties go after the more-easily enforced Grainger says, they used similar tactics we want to protect them from people every encounter I’ve had with police everyone else and keep cruising and orders to chase us off the beach before to tackle drug crime. who might be preying on them.” has been negative,” he says. “They’re hookups well hidden in the bushes, we can enjoy the beauty of afterglows,” Last August, the RCMP arrested and Longtime gay beachgoer Corey Giles antagonistic.” Fearman says, they have nothing to fear she writes in an email. “Drinking is not charged Alana Thomson, a woman who (who works for Xtra’s publisher Pink But Rick Fearman, a gay representa- from the police. the problem, but ill-advised, heavy- openly sold homemade alcoholic freez- Triangle Press) says he does not want tive in the Wreck Beach Preservation “If you’re going to do it, just stay well handed policing that refuses to ad- ies at Wreck Beach. Grainger says it is his police protecting him at Wreck Beach. Society who has been visiting the beach in the bushes,” he advises. “They don’t dress the serious issues of human and goal to go after “other Alana Thomsons” “I think having a police presence on for 30 years, says the RCMP is a welcome go hunting for people in the bush. I’ve wildlife safety from jet skis and muscle who might show their faces this year. the beach will anger a lot of people, and presence. “They’re doing their job,“ he never seen them do it once.” boats are.”

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 7 VSB trans policy draws fire and non-trans, will be protected and be ‘What this is welcomed in the school.” Hesther Chan expressed concern doing is setting for children who may later regret their transition. “I’m a very concerned par- up a war,’ ent. I believe this transgender issue requires extensive research and consul- opponent tation, and there are many side effects of the hormonal blockers and [it] will be warns extremely damaging to a child’s physical and emotional health if he or she takes EDUCATION hormonal blockers for a long time,” she NATHANIEL CHRISTOPHER said. “It will be very traumatic for the child as the development of the sexual Hundreds of supporters and opponents organs has already been greatly inter- packed a Vancouver School Board meet- fered with by hormonal therapy, and I ing May 14 to discuss the board’s plan believe we should leave this to medical to update its anti-homophobia policy professionals.” to make schools more welcoming to Karen Chan objected to what she transgender students. considers the policy’s attempts to regu- The new policy addresses areas such late feelings and expressions of attitude as washroom and change-room acces- instead of behaviours. “When I look at sibility, proper use of pronouns, access the glossary of what homophobia and to physical education and sports, as well transphobia means,” she said, “it means as a commitment by schools to reduce an expression of fear. Fear is an emotion or eliminate sex-segregated activities. and it’s not healthy to suppress a child’s The board is expected to vote on the emotion, and we should allow the child policy next month. to express that emotion, and we should Vancouver Technical Secondary stu- not punish them or discipline them dent Roan Reimer spoke in favour of because of that emotion.” the policy update. “I can tell you about Andrea Szewchuk, a family physician how I spent months using only the with four years’ experience working Above, dozens of protesters brought washroom in the basement in my school signs to the Vancouver School with gender-diverse and trans com- where no one ever goes. About how I Board meeting on May 14 to oppose munities, said the 2004 policy no longer would sneak in it so nobody would see, proposed policy changes to make meets the needs of today’s youth. “A na- just so I wouldn’t get yelled at for using trans students safer in the district’s tional study in 2010, long after the last the ‘wrong’ washroom,” Reimer said. schools. VSB policy was put into place, showed Many of the policy update’s oppo- Right, opponent Cheryl Chang, that nearly 80 percent of trans kids felt spokesperson for Protecting nents are part of a group called Pro- All Children in School. unsafe in their own schools, and when

tecting All Children in School (PACIS), NATHANIEL CHRISTOPHER half of them went for help it was not to which believes the proposed changes be found.” are flawed and being rushed in without Fiona Chen, a proud mother of a proper consultation. cusations of homophobia as a result of gender-nonconforming child, said the Cheryl Chang, who spoke on behalf of that petition. policy would better protect her child PACIS, decried the consultation process “I don’t hate those people. I care for and other gender-nonconforming and asked that the policy conversation those people, and yet rumours are being students. She spoke about her child’s be slowed down so that “proper” con- spread around, and by the way, I have struggle with coming out in Grade 5 and sultation could take place with parents served my PAC [parent advisory coun- praised the support provided by VSB and health professionals. Chang also cil] for four years — two as chair — and teachers and administrators. urged the board not to vote on the pro- now the whole Grade 12 class is upset “And I tell you, [during] this process posed policy changes without prior because they are saying that I’m homo- she was depressed and had a lot of anxi- approval from the BC College of Physi- phobic. How do you think that affects ety, and six months later, through the cians and Surgeons and the BC College my child? Bullying? You want to know help from the school and with the help of Psychologists. about bullying? Try being a Christian Bullying? speak on their behalf. of the school principal and teachers “In my view, you should cancel all in this town; try being a Conservative Many opponents also cheered Char- and supportive classmate, he’s much further public meetings until this goes in this town.” You want to know ter Lau, who was a key player in the op- happier and more confident at school. back to the staff to talk to the profes- Chang said she supports the school about bullying? position to the Burnaby school board’s It’s a day-and-night difference, I will tell sional organizations that should be in- board’s existing anti-homophobia pol- Try being a Christian anti-homophobia policy in 2011. Lau, a you. So that’s why I’m here to support volved in approving this policy,” Chang icy, which was implemented in 2004. Burnaby resident who says he spends this proposed policy. This policy is not said. “What this is doing is setting up a Several opponents of the policy in this town; try being more time in Vancouver, said parents coming out of nowhere. It’s the result war, and I call tell you in my petition it voiced their support for Chang. Some, a Conservative need to have more say on this policy. of the needs of these students.” says we care for all people, regardless who said they were more comfortable “We don’t have to rush it, in my of race, religion, sexual orientation or speaking in Cantonese, attempted to in this town. opinion,” he said. “Your challenge is Read the full story gender identity.” allot their five-minute speaking time CHERYL CHANG, to make a good policy that appeals to on dailyxtra.com. Chang claims that she has faced ac- back to Chang to give her extra time to PACIS SPOKESPERSON both sides so that every child, both trans

8 MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 XTRA! VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Street party to be fenced again Despite new laws, Davie party unlikely to shed cage for Pride

PRIDE have to have some type of barrier,” ROB EASTON Richards says. The same controlled-entry regula- To much fanfare, BC’s attorney general tions will affect the VPS’s Sunset Beach announced the next stage of the prov- festival, which runs alongside the end ince’s liberalized liquor rules on April of the Pride parade route. 26, saying attendees will now be able Richards says he’s aware of the new to walk freely — beer in hand — around laws that mean the festival’s beer gar- festival grounds without having to stay den will no longer have to be fenced in. inside a fenced-in beer garden. “Instead, you have to fence in a larger But if you are expecting to walk area, which to us would be a bigger with ease from bar to street party on cost,” he explains. Davie Street during this summer’s Still, he says, the VPS will con- Pride celebrations — even without a sider how it serves alcohol for its 2015 beer — think again. events, including the possibility of     “For 2014, really, the train has al- fencing in a much larger area at the ready left the station,” says Vancouver Sunset Beach festival, rather than       

    *+    $          , -$   

  

Stefan Oeser and Skeeter Stanbak enjoy the 2013 Davie Street party, ! "#$$   despite the fences. JON HAYWOOD

Pride Society (VPS) president Tim caging only a small beer-garden area. Richards. “We submitted plans for The VPS might also consider asking  #% &"   all of our events back in February, so Davie Street bars and restaurants to to reverse-engineer that at this point expand their patios into the street would be difficult.” to allow for outdoor liquor sales on &  $ '  The VPS has heard from many their premises during the street party, Pride-goers unhappy with the wall of for a different “fenceless” approach, fencing that cuts off the street party he says. from the bars and restaurants in the When reached for comment on the ()    Davie Village, Richards acknowledges. disconnect between the promise of BC’s new liquor regulations initially fenceless beer gardens and the real- offered a glimmer of hope that the ity that many festivals will not take Davie Street party fencing could come advantage of the new rules, the Min-   down. But, it turns out, beer gardens istry of the Attorney General provided can be fence-free only if the event in a briefing statement citing the need  which they’re housed has controlled to limit access to alcohol by minors. entry and exit points. The statement also said each appli- “Liquor is still a controlled sub- cation is subject to the Liquor Control stance, so you still have to have it in and Licensing Branch, which approves    a controlled area, which means you licences on a case-by-case basis.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 9 COVER STORY BULLY PULPIT Now that gay people are part of the establishment, are we abusing our newfound power?

BY JUSTIN LING ILLUSTRATION BY SISSYDUDE

I TRIED TO STIFLE A LAUGH. But 10 years ago, that rhetoric was pretty well “The activists don’t bring up marriage first of commonplace. Politicians and proselytizers alike all; they start with one thing, then they move on warned of the “homosexual lobby” and of the to something else. Before you know it, they want dystopian hellscape that would exist if gays kept same-sex marriage, then they want equality of receiving substantive, broader rights. adoption, then they want to promote homosexual- They were right, in the end; there really was a ity in schools. That’s the process.” gay lobby, and it was damned effective. That was Diane Watts, a researcher and spokes- That lobby made sure that our rights were not person for REAL Women of Canada, a socially just an ebbing of the tide but became the core conservative advocacy organization that I’ve of our progressive society. Where the gay com- profiled on numerous occasions. I was speaking munity was once a marginalized faction, we are to her on the evening that her group threw down now a part of the establishment. Where once the the gauntlet over Foreign Affairs Minister John state worked to stunt our movement, it now fights Baird’s “promotion” of homosexuality abroad. other states who do the same. (Baird had criticized Uganda and Russia for pass- While the struggle continues for smaller mi- ing anti-gay legislation.) norities within the queer community — trans “We value the family, and our institutions have people, for example — it is now blasphemy to been changed because of the homosexual activ- advocate standing still on gay rights, let alone ism,” Watts told me. taking a step back. Their views, of course, were readily brushed From the bathhouse riots to grassroots orga- off. Every metre of their rhetoric was laughed nizing and ACT UP, we made it into the courts at. How drôle. and eventually stuck our foot in the door of the Some comments were wry: “Why don’t they go political system. off and suck up to their fundamentalist patriarchal But in this round of musical chairs, there is one and gay-hating friends in the Taliban?” group left standing.

10 MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 XTRA! VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS John McKay Ted Bird John McKay is the federal Liberal member of Ted Bird was a morning radio host on Montreal’s Parliament for Scarborough-Guildwood. TSN 990. In his 17-odd years as an MP, he’s come to be In July, I was about to hop on the metro in known as a sharp policy mind and as a dedicated Montreal and head to a panel discussion on a social conservative. He was a member of the friend’s podcast about the Sochi boycott. I got a ever-shrinking pro-life caucus and was offside message pointing me to Bird’s blog, so I gave it on his government’s stated position on the gay a read. “Gay rights have evolved into a political marriage vote. McKay, an evangelical Catholic, issue in North America, but in many parts of the argued that legalizing gay marriage would hurt world it’s still a moral issue, and it’s no one’s place the institution and increase divorce rates. He to impose their moral standards on someone else’s didn’t end up voting against his government’s culture,” Bird waxes. bill; he abstained. “Russia will evolve at its own pace. It always has, When discussing his support for a study to and always will. In the meantime, calls to boycott examine when human life begins — seen as a all things Russian from vodka to nesting dolls to backdoor into regulating abortion — he told Sun Olympic Games because Bill can’t hold Bob’s hand News that his contrarian position on the issue at the Olympic Village in Sochi are as dubious as made things “awkward” at times. “I don’t like to they are impractical,” he concluded in his on-air go against my colleagues or the platform of the remarks, the text of which appeared on the blog. Liberal Party. It is not a lot of fun,” he said. But, I posted the link to Twitter and hopped on the he continued, “I think my opinion should count metro. When I got out, it had turned into a tweet for something.” war between Bird and the rest, myself included But McKay’s opinions have become less the — the situation in Russia is dire, we pointed out, convictions of one man and more the indictment and that’s nothing to take lightly. of a political party. In the last week of the Toronto But the effigy burning of Bird went further. Centre federal by-election, Liberal MP Chrystia The bare-knuckles boxing match culminated in Freeland, then just a candidate, posted a picture repeated calls, including from some other radio in which she had her arm around McKay. That personalities in the city, to have Bird fired. It set off the ire of Justin Stayshyn, who works for also included a blog by Adam Goldenberg, Kirby the Ontario NDP. Simon Human Rights Fellow at Yale Law School “It may come across as a bit odd to have a and former Liberal speechwriter, in Maclean’s. candidate for the riding with Canada’s highest “Why do we tolerate statements by sportscasters proportion of LGBTQ people posing with her arm about the persecution of LGBT people in faraway around a guy with a long record of opposing gay places that we would instantly condemn if they rights,” he wrote on his blog. He also took to Twit- were about any other group?” Goldenberg wrote. ter to flatly suggest that Freeland’s support for the Later, he concluded, “Homophobia’s defenders queer community ought to be in question. Other have a right to their opinions, and to express them partisans joined the pile-on, especially thanks to how they wish, but the rest of us are just as entitled the awesome power of social-media groupthink. to demand that their patrons stop paying them Freeland’s repeated and emphatic support for to do so. We should hold advertisers and station gay rights was irrelevant in the context — touch- owners accountable for what they’re sponsoring.” ing a man who opposed gay marriage eight years Homophobia? Is that what Bird’s views are? ago somehow taints that support, like he was af- In another version of history, one where gay flicted with a terminal virus. Like a leper. Merely rights were still but a marginal notion, would gay touching him could communicate the contagion advocates — such as myself, or Goldenberg — be and turn you, too, into a virulent homophobe. chased off the airwaves for suggesting that Russia This isn’t just one-off partisan opportun- shouldn’t be implementing such laws? Would that ism — though it is certainly that, as well — it’s call-to-arms target us? Is it really free speech if symptomatic of a shift. Bring up Employment you can expect pitchfork-wielding townspeople Minister Jason Kenney in queer company and after you, and your livelihood, for each contro- you’re sure to hear some mumbling of “self-hating versial opinion you express — even if it is odious? gay.” (There is no evidence of Kenney being gay, Bird’s views may force the hair on the back of for the record.) our necks to stand up, but they are not akin to Kenney opposed gay marriage while the de- taking to air with the view that Russia’s Jewish bate was had. When it was over, he muted his population should be rounded up. In that regard, objections. Whether he opposes it now or not is some want us to have it both ways — they want us immaterial — if he ever vocalized it, his political to be considered normalized, and accepted, yet capital would plummet. And continuing to chide still maintain that we are a political movement. Kenney, or any other federal politician, over his Rest assured, we are very much a political past non-support of gay marriage dwarves, in a movement. And political movements can expect way that is emblematic of a long narcissistic streak opposition. Which is why we must continue to in the cisgendered gay community, the fact that he agitate and reach out instead of trying to subli- refused to support the federal Trans Rights Bill. mate those who speak out. The gay community has a chip on its shoulder I sent Bird an email and invited him for coffee. from the politicians and preachers that it once We met up at an ungodly early hour at the Tim fought, passing it off as a never-again mentality. Hortons in Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau That’s bunk. International Airport. It’s not a popular opinion, but it’s true: the gay lobby has become the bully. continued next page E

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 11 E continued from previous page government-sponsored cleansing. Similar hor- support for gay rights than a forum post on neo- of the publisher. “They reinforced our opposition rors are repeating themselves in Gambia, Nigeria, Nazi website Stormfront will convert the broader to state censorship as a form of social control — I asked him why he decided to opine on the Kenya and elsewhere. population into anti-Semitic racists. even control of material that might be controver- gay issue at all. How is it that selfies are the real issue? Egale made the case that people like Whatcott sial within our own communities,” Pink Triangle “The more I read about calls for a Sochi boycott, Perhaps it’s because we feel threatened at the present a danger and their opinions could inspire Press’s website reads. the more I thought, ‘Well, a boycott doesn’t do first sight of seeing fellow Canadians not fitting others to violence against the gay community. It was an uphill battle from then on. You can any good.’ We’ve seen that historically. Then the into the narrative that we’ve demanded of them. One of the best arguments against that idea, find online a rather unnerving list of attacks on other angle of it, of course, is what I perceived It is a very recent phenomenon, demanding however, comes from an unlikely duo — noted this paper by the Toronto Sun, which, in retro- as the automatic assumption that anyone who that society at large need not just stop beating us, conservative commentator Ezra Levant, chan- spect, verge on the comically absurd. is not vehemently and unconditionally opposed nor just tolerate us and not even just accept us, nelling the ideas of former Egale head Gilles But the spirit of the paper, which would even- to the Russian laws is automatically a bigot and but that they have to like us. The queens ducking Marchildon, to the House of Commons committee tually become Xtra, survived. Its position is a homophobe,” Bird said. batons at Stonewall didn’t give a shit who liked on justice and human rights. cemented as an utterly normal, mainstream Bird says he’s not necessarily in favour of the them. We shouldn’t, either. “Marchildon was asked why he didn’t want to publication. And it has maintained an editorial Russian laws — and certainly doesn’t excuse the Quite the opposite: we ban anti-gay speech, even the position that emphatically refuses to gang up on violence against the minorities there. He says should revel in the fact that most vicious kind. He gave the little guy — even if that little guy doesn’t fit he wanted to offer some perspective on those nobody can defend or propose three reasons why he was for into the queer-friendly line that it commits to. who did hold conservative, moralist views on homophobia in this country freedom of speech,” Levant At the end of the day, where does it end? Do we homosexuality but who don’t necessarily hate and that we have to read into told the committee. go after every person who actively works against gays. People like his family. a selfie or a vague on-air rant “One, he wanted to know us — like Diane Watts and REAL Women? Do we Acknowledging that it sounds like a classic on early-morning sports radio who the bad guys were so he destroy every funder of anti-gay movements — “one of my best friends is gay” defence, Bird told to delineate even a whiff of could isolate them and argue like Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich? Do we attack me the story of his openly gay cousin who died anti-gay attitude. against them. Two, he wanted everyone who speaks out or makes a one-off of AIDS in 1986. While Bird says his family may Bird was fired, in the end, what he called a teachable comment — like Ted Bird or reality-TV bachelor not have been entirely onside with his cousin’s but he says it has nothing to do moment: ‘Look, people, we Juan Pablo? sexuality, they still loved him, in a time when that with his on-air pontificating. just saw an act of bigotry; let’s Where does it end? wasn’t the norm. reeducate people on why that Institutionalized homophobia, transphobia, But those people, the ones who did not evolve was wrong.’ Three, which I racism or discrimination should always be fought. on the matter as fast as society at large, are painted think may be the most im- But teasing out the personal convictions of anyone as homophobes. Bill Whatcott portant, he did not want to and using it as a basis to take them out? That’s Bird never said anything homophobic, or even Bill Whatcott is a social- outsource his civic duty to exactly what we experienced, and we know how anything tremendously controversial, in his post. conservative activist from some bureaucracy.” oppressive it feels. He tells me he’s largely indifferent to most ques- Toronto. Whatcott was certainly iso- The queer community won its rights — and tions concerning homosexuality — he accepts In 2013, the Supreme Court lated. Yet, rather than just will continue to win its rights — by engaging the it’s biological and calls initiatives like You Can fined him $7,500 for dropping leaving him be to espouse his debate and winning. We won’t cement those rights Play “terrific.” leaflets into mailboxes in Sas- ill-informed insanity in peace, in place by turning around and taking shots at He did, however, fail to entirely condemn the katchewan. Those leaflets, the they went after him. He was those who haven’t come around to seeing us as legislation, like most people. That, apparently, is court decided, contravened dragged through the courts, normal, yet. grounds to have him fired. the Saskatchewan Human flogged and even put inside And we don’t reduce violence by engaging the He calls it a “lynch mob mentality.” Rights Code. They further IT IS A VERY RECENT a jail cell. His finances were state to attack our enemies. We do the opposite. And maybe it is. saddled him with the legal destroyed; his life, essentially, Gay rights are not a lucky break brought about Bird wasn’t the only one who faced the wrath costs of his opponents. During PHENOMENON, ruined. by fooling the populace at large. Gay rights are of the Sochi boycott crew. During the Games, a his long run-in with the state, And for what? not a fragile peace that can be broken by a man gaggle of Canadian athletes dared to take selfies Whatcott has even seen the DEMANDING THAT in a sandwich board with a strongly worded with Russia’s autocrat-in-chief, Vladimir Putin, inside of a Calgary jail cell. leaflet. Gay rights are the product of decades and post them on social media. Their comments Whatcott’s flyers — and his SOCIETY AT LARGE of struggle, and if you think a few holdouts are were fawning and perhaps a little undignified. almost comedic sandwich NEED NOT JUST On winning going to threaten that, you have another think But the responses were swift and exact — those boards warning of the dan- coming, sister. selfies are homophobic. gers of homosexuality — cer- STOP BEATING US, the fight If you want to stand up for closeted youth or “You’re all dead to me,” wrote one Canadian tainly bridged on hateful, and marginalized queer populations or our oppressed gay rights activist, epitomizing a wrong-headed, they were entirely incorrect. NOR JUST TOLERATE The absurdity of it all is that cohorts overseas, do it not by demonizing the few albeit well-intentioned, campaign to demonize They warned of the horrifying we’ve won. who don’t like us, but by holding up the millions the athletes. sexually transmitted diseases US AND NOT EVEN Not every member of the who do. All in all, Putin’s anti-gay law is odious and that, he contends, are thanks queer community. Far from I remember when, back home in Cape Breton, contrary to the fundamental right to freedom to the vile homosexuals. JUST ACCEPT US, it. And hardly all of our broth- we held our first Pride parade. There was initially of expression. But is it not less extreme than his Civil liberties groups in- ers, sisters and fellow queer some nail-biting over the moral preening of a decades-long campaign against the Chechens that tervened in the Supreme BUT THAT THEY people worldwide have ex- half-dozen anti-gay protesters assembled, but it has claimed thousands of lives? And what of his Court decision, arguing that perienced the same victory was otherwise uneventful. In the years that fol- considerable support for the iron grip of ousted Whatcott’s freedom of speech HAVE TO LIKE US. that we have. lowed, as the area’s small gay community became Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych? Or, ought to be protected. But if we’re talking about an integral part of the town, the small crowd dis- perhaps, his obstruction that is costing thousands “In their view,” wrote Jus- middle-class white gay men in sipated to one man. of Syrians their lives? tice Marshall Rothstein, delivering the unanimous Canada? Hell, we arguably have it better than the The local paper described him as “dressed How is it that when a Canadian athlete hugs decision of the court, “speech that is made in good average straight guy. That’s not a comfortable, or neatly and all alone.” Putin it is an endorsement of homophobia but faith and on the basis of the speaker’s religious perhaps even conceivable, thought for a popula- Pride president Peter Steele spoke to the Cape not of a genocidal foreign policy? And how have beliefs should be given greater protection.” tion so well trained in cultural guerrilla warfare. Breton Post about that neatly dressed man: “We we expended so much energy in attacking fellow But Egale Canada, the country’s premier gay Violence still occurs and discrimination still never mind him being there. Every time he’s Canadians who never signed up to be activists? rights group, argued that even someone’s deep- happens, but we don’t solve that by rooting out there, we all make it a point to wave and say, ‘Hi, Energy that could be better spent on lobbying seated beliefs can be dangerous — they argued every homophobe and destroying them. how are you?’“ efforts for struggles that have obtained hardly that Whatcott marginalized the opinions of sexual Xtra knows better than anyone. On Jan 5, 1978, We are the majority, now, and we should take a a modicum of the attention that we focused minorities. charges were brought against the paper’s prede- lesson from our experience as the vocal minority. on Sochi — like in Uganda, where gay rights This seems absurd when you consider that cessor, The Body Politic, and its parent company, We should wave and say, “Hi, how are you?” group GEHO is struggling for resources as the Whatcott is one man, facing a crushing majority of Pink Triangle Press, for publishing “immoral, state enforces draconian new laws that threat- pro-gay Canadians. He’s no more likely to sway the indecent and scurrilous material.” To comment on this story, en to elevate state-sanctioned homophobia to population to backtrack on their overwhelming Those charges stiffened the editorial backbone go to dailyxtra.com.

12 MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 XTRA! VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS S? L ABOVE? NONE O R? LESBIAN?OME D ? GAY? QUEER? LESBI EE S AB Sidestepping the QU GBT? THE KE? TRANS? LGBT? SOME OF T S? L E OF E? GAY?TRAN ON ? LES OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? OV ? N UEER ? DYKE ABOVE? Q E ABOVE?ARE GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN?YOU DYKE? TRAN AN E GAY? NE NE OF THEESBI AB TH ? NO BIAN? DYKE? TRANS? LGBT? SOMENO OF THE ABOVE? L NONE OF BOVE VE? EE rush to anal sex VE? ? SOME HE A BO QU BO QUEER? T A ? SOME OF THE ABOVE? NONE A OF ?THE ABOVE?LGBT GAY?OF QUEER? LE THE GAY THE GAY ? ONE E OF E? TRAN NE OF THE ABOVE?E OF GAY? QUEER?RANS LESBIAN? N DYKE? TRANS?OM LGBT?AB SOMEOV O ? OM E ABOVE? T T? S E ‘Can I be neither top nor bottom?’ ER? LESBIAN?T? S DYKE?TH TRANS? DYKE? LGBT?E ABOVE? SOME OF THE LGB ABOVE?OF THNONE OF THE ABOVE GB IAN? TH S? NE ESBIAN? DYKE S? L NONE OF OF TRAN ? NO L newly single man asks ? ? LESB KE? VE BOVE UEER ? SOME ? DY ABO Q LGBT BIAN THE GAY? ? LES E OF ASK THE EXPERT is foreshortened, and coming becomes TRANSGAY?R? SOM EE DR PEGA REN the only goal. E? ? QU GBT? F THE ABOVE? GAY? QUEER? Without plans to develop an ongo- GAY S? L OF THEE? ABOVE?AN NONE OF? NONE THE ABOVE?O GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN? DYKE? TRANS? LGBT Dear Dr Ren, ing relationship, efficient behaviours ABOV ? TR DYKE I am recently single and reign. Since our limited expectations AN? enjoying meeting new men. Although necessitate rapid arousal and release, AREE OF THE ABOVE YOU I have been able to connect with men we disregard sensual activities in fa- ? SOM easily, I am a little put off by the obses- vour of sexual ones. E OF THE ABOVE? GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN? DYKE? TRANS? LGBT? SOME OF THE ABO sion with being identified as a top or When the goal is to get more, faster, ER? LESBIAN? DYKE? TRANS? LGBT? SOME OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY bottom. Does the position each person sex with strangers is the consequence. LGBT? SOME OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN? DYK chooses really need to be the first thing If you are seeking ways to have a I know? Maybe I’m alone here, but for conversation about your hopes for a VE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN? DYKE? TRANS? LGBT? SOME OF T me the decision to have penetrative successful — and pleasurable —sexual AY? QUEER? LESBIAN? DYKE? TRANS? LGBT? SOME OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE A UEER sex seems rushed and shallow. encounter without the assumption E? TRANS? LGBT? SOME OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY? QUEER?Y? Q LESB How can I have a discussion about that it will end with penetrative sex, QUEER?? GA sex where I can tell them... neither? the BDSM community has developed F THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN? DYKE?BOVE TRANS? LGBT? HE A – Fish nor Fowl respectful and efficient sexual nego- ABOVE? GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN? DYKE? TRANS? LGBT? SOMEOF T OF THE ABOVE? NONE O tiation skills and the language to talk ? DYKE?What TRANS? words LGBT? SOME do OF THEyou ABOVE? use NONE ON OFE THE ABOVE?BIAN? DYKE? GAY? QUEER?TRANS? LELG E? N Dear Fish nor Fowl, about sex in various situations. You OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY?AB OVQUEER? LESBIAN? DYKE? TRANS? LGBT Not only do I appreciate such a per- can find copious resources, including to describe yourself?E E? N ABOVE? GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN? ODYKE?F TH TRANS? LGBT? SOME OF THE ABOVE? OVNONE tinent question, but I’m heartened current terms and sample contracts, ME QU AN? DYKE? TRANS? LGBT? SOME? SO OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY? GAY?QUEER? that you realize the solution lies in by exploring the BDSM blogs. What wordsLGBT do you use ME OF THE? AB communication! Funny, isn’t it, that Good communication requires your E OF THE ABOVE?NS NONE? OF THE ABOVE? GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN?SO DYKE?BOVE TRANS?? TRANS LGB TRA E it is often more comfortable for us to awareness of what you like sexually E? ? LGBT?OF THE A ? DYKE ABOV HE ABOVE?DtoYK describe GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN? our community? DYKE? TRANS?RANS LGBT? ESOME BIOFAN THE ABOVE?THE NON engage in sexual behaviour than it is and your willingness to risk divulging IAN? ON LES OF for us to talk about it? that information very early in your SOME ME OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY?E ABOVE? QUEER?QUEER? N LES ? ? TRAN The reasons for this are understand- negotiations. It requires sufficient Do any of these termsTH LGBT DYKE OF GAY? ? ? E ABOV able, given our ambivalent cultural interest in your hookup’s likes and THE ABOVE? GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN?SOME DYKE? TRANS?RANS LGBT? SOME OF THEF ABOVE? TH NO attitudes toward sex. We’re fascinated dislikes to listen to his list and imagine ? E ABOVE?E? T LESBIAN SBIAN?make DYKE? TRANS?GA youY? QUEER? LGBT?? feelLGBT LESBIAN?SOME leftTH OF out? THEDYKE? DYK ABOVE? T NONE OF THE SOMEABOVE? O GAY? QUEE by sex yet shy about it. Compartmen- how best to incorporate your wishes VE? OF IAN? ? QUEER? ? OME OFBO THE ABOVE?RANS NONENONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY?AY QUEER?? LGBTLESBIAN? DYKE? TRANS? talizing our behaviours permits us the and his into a mutually enjoyable ex- YKE? T ? ? LESB G luxury of sexual release while insulat- perience. You’re then ready to discuss F THEN? JoinA D usABOVE forUEER a community town TRANS hall on HE Q E ABOVE?YKE? ing us from emotional closeness, which your options and plan your encounter. ESBIA ? GAY? TH D OME OF T OF requires far more skill and vulnerabil- If you find resistance to such a dis- S the ABOVE words ?we NONE useLESBIAN? and why they matter. ity than many of us can handle. cussion, perhaps you are engaging in THE ? E A OF ABOVE OF TH In any new relationship, we risk sex you don’t really want, with men THE ME LESBIAN?OF DYKE?? TRANS? GAY? QUEER LGBT? SOME OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE? SOABOVE? GAY? Q rejection. To decrease our anxiety who are unprepared or disinclined to OMWHAT:E BT about that potential outcome, we start invest in meeting your needs. T? S Can’t join? LG us in TWho’sHE ABOVE Queer Now: Xtra RANS in a defensive stance and lower our You can ask for what you want and NE OF E?person? T Watch and barriers only as we receive positive even demand it, but it’s more difficult DYK R? LESBIAN?presents DYKE? a TRANS? town LGBT?hall on SOME identity OFIAN? THE ABOVE?participate NONE OF in THE the ABOVE? GAY? feedback. Sensible. When the object with anonymous partners. Neverthe- LESB of our desire is significant, we project less, the better you get at communicat- BT? SOME OF THE ABOVE? NONEER OF? THE ABOVE? GAY?town QUEER? hall liveLESBIAN? on DYKE? TR WHEN: QUE ABOVE? GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN? DYKE? even more what we hope will be well ing clearly and respectfully, the easier ONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY?GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN? DYKE? TRANS?dailyxtra.com LGBT? SOME, OF THE ABO received. it will be to expand the possibilities VE? ER? LESBIAN?Wed, JuneA DYKE?BO 18, TRANS? 6:30pm LGBT? SOME OF THE ABOVE?generously NONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY When enjoying purely casual sex, beyond fucking. GBT? SOME THE OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN? DYKE? T however, we need to exchange only Seek guys who share your appre- E OF streamed by Shaw NON WHERE: sufficient information to move rec- ciation for a slower, more nuanced TV community ognized desire into quick consum- approach to the enjoyment of sexual UEER? TheLESBIAN? Fountainhead DYKE? TRANS? Pub,LGBT? SOME OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? G mation. This quick pace reduces the excitement. Wait for those opportuni- ? LGBT?1025 SOME Davie OF THE St ABOVE? NONE OF THE programming. significance of potential rejection, but ties that promise fulfillment rather ? NONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN? DYKE? TRANS? LGBT? SOME OF THE it also requires some complex ques- than instant gratification. Risk, and tions to be asked and answered almost appreciate, personal revelation. Set QUEER? LESBIAN? DYKE? TRANS? LGBT? SOME OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? instantaneously. Hence the develop- your standards and stick to them. S? LGBT? SOME OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN? DYK ment of the shorthand of labels like You are not alone in hoping for more VE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY?VANCOUVER’S QUEER? LESBIAN? DYKE? TRANS? LGBT? SOME OF TH top and bottom. authentic encounters, however brief ? QUEER? LESBIAN? DYKE? GAYTRANS? & LESBIAN LGBT? SOME OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE ABOVE Routes to pleasure get demoted to they may be. NEWS methods to climax. When the nuances NS? LGBT? SOME OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN? DY are eliminated, so are the possibilities Have a question for Dr Ren? Send an OVE? NONE OF THE ABOVE? GAY? QUEER? LESBIAN? DYKE? TRANS? LGBT? SOME OF T for adventurous exploration. Foreplay email to [email protected]. Y?Y QUEER?LGB LESBIAN?T DYKE? TRANS? LGBT? SOME OF THE ABOVE? NONE OF THE ABO S? LGBT?E OFSOMEOF THE OF ABOVE?N? THE DYDYKE? ABOVE? GAY?ABOVABOVE? TRANS? QUEER? NONEQUEERQUEER? NONE LGBT? OF LESBIAN? OF SOMELESBIAN?THE THE ABOVE? OFABOVE? DYKE? THE DYKE? GAY? ABOVE? TRANS?GAY? TRANS? QUEER? QUEER? NONE LGBT? LGBT? LESBIAN? OF LESBIAN?SOME THE SOME AB O D MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 13 14 MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 XTRA! VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS It takes more than a cute outfi t and a Gaga song to impress the judges and this crowd. Out inthe City Blitz & Shitz E 21 Girl power revival Drag Spice Gurls impress Texas on three-city tour

ONSTAGE RAZIEL REID

“It was ‘Fuck you, bitch, fuck you, fuck you!’” Ce- lestial Seasons says with a laugh. “But as soon as we stepped onstage, we were sisters.” In other words, it was just like a real Spice Girls tour. So here’s a story from A to Z: last May, Peter Breeze and The Rio presented a screening of Spice World with a live drag shadow cast. It sold out and caught buzz all the way to Texas, where the Spice Gurls recently travelled for a three-city, six-show tour. Filling the platforms were Celestial Seasons as Scary Spice, Jadis Vanity as Baby Spice, Lady Jem as Sporty Spice, Jane Smoker as Posh Spice and Laura Vanity Tyme as Ginger Spice. Laura was brought in after Raye Sunshine impersonated Geri Halliwell so well that she left the group! “When I fi rst was told of the tour in Texas, it all sounded fantastic and I was willing to put some differences aside for the better of the group,” Raye says. Rumour has it those diff erences were between her and Lady Jem, but Raye remains discreet. “Lady Jem and I have a professional relationship,” she demurs. “Like Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj . . .” Clockwise from left: Posh Spice (Jane Smoker), Baby Spice (Jadis Vanity), Ginger Spice (Laura Vanity Tyme), Scary Spice (Celestial Seasons) Ultimately, Raye decided to focus on her other and Sporty Spice (Lady Jem) channel their girl power backstage at the Fortune Sound Club. TALLULAH partnership with The Rio and Peter Breeze — she also plays Sailor Mars in the Sailor Moon shadow Spice World during recess. They weren’t always so confi dent. When they their hotel one night and kept creepily calling out cast — rather than tour with the Gurls. She When I interview the Gurls backstage at Fortune fi rst hit the road, they were a bit worried about the to them, “Hey, I’m gay, too.” Now that’s how you helped fi nd her replacement, Laura — literally Sound Club before their homecoming perfor- reception they’d receive in Texas, and whether it get strangled — or have the best sex of your life! a perfect fi t, since she’s shared costumes with mance on May 1, they talk all over each other like would involve guns. But the only guns encountered Sometimes, both. Raye in the past. one campy, shared consciousness. were on grade A Texan beef. The drag Spice Gurls are the closest thing people The Gurls travelled to Texas in a single van with “I just want to say, my mother’s my best friend,” “They embraced us with open arms,” Jadis says. can get to the real band. Not only because the Spice eight people, even sharing a single hotel room for Jadis says, with a fl ip of her Emma Bunton pigtails. “The men were beautiful,” the Gurls all agree. Girls aren’t currently touring, but because these one stopover. Not surprisingly, drag in such close “Baby Spice is always wasted,” someone says So beautiful, in fact, that they hooked up with “14 drag queens have the vivacity the real deal lost by quarters saw Union Jacks and sequins fl ying. The with a laugh. guys simultaneously.” 1998. The chemistry is so hot there’s been interest bitch fights got so intense one night that even “I do lots of ecstasy,” Jadis says. I thought they were joking until I went to Lady in taking their show as far as Singapore. Ginger Number 2 quit the band. Jadis’s Baby Spice is a little rough around the Jem’s house for some wine in teacups (which, by It’s a serious dream for the Gurls, as Lady Jem “The fi rst night, Sporty and I got in a screaming edges. She’s spent the last decade raving, got a the way, is illegal in Texas) and she showed me her showed me when she shared all her Spice Girls match,” Jadis says. few facial piercings and lost all that baby chub the sex tapes from the road. I watched some uncut memorabilia, including several boxes of dolls, “There was only one mirror,” Lady Jem shrugs. old-fashioned way: cocaine. Southern boy jerk off for Jem in a bar bathroom. magazines and newspaper clippings she has col- The road to sisterhood may be paved with melt- The state’s slogan may be Don’t Mess with Texas, “I’m famous in Texas for blowjobs!” Jem says. lected over the years. She grew up in foster care, downs, but the group came together in the name of but that doesn’t mean don’t get messy in Texas. *Insert Sporty Spice high kick* and the Spice Girls were her childhood escape. girl power to honour all the 1990s gay boys (Baby “We came and we conquered,” the Gurls boast. The Gurls were so popular in Texas they even “They were like drag queens,” she says, so it’s fi t- Spice for life) who grew up acting out scenes from “Without RuPaul!” had a stalker. A man hid in the bushes outside ting that drag queens should revive them.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 15 STOREFRONT From old favourites to new, breakfasts that won’t disappoint

BY GREG ARMSTRONG- MORRIS PHOTOS BY OVER EASY LEAH BROMLEY Whether you’re looking for hearty, classic fare or something more suited to dress pants, at the end of a The Elbow Room 560 Davie St long and loaded night or the theelbowroomcafe.com beginning of a bright and There’s a fine line between charming sass and run-of-the-mill bitchiness, shiny day, knowing where to and Patrick Savoie and Brian Searle know where it lies. In fact, they may have invented it. find a good breakfast is de The owners of the infamous Elbow Room have been serving their no- rigueur. It is, after all, the most nonsense breakfast with a side of cheeky insolence for 30 years. They’ve been featured in every local paper, are listed with the Japanese Tourist important meal of the day. Board and have cult status in Hollywood. “Whether you’re famous or not,” Savoie says, “we will treat you with abuse!” And while it might be this very cockiness that brings people in the door, it’s the consistently awesome food that keeps them coming back. That Red Wagon and the quiet community-building commitment that has seen patrons 2296 E Hastings St and owners together donate more than $78,800 to A Loving Spoonful redwagoncafe.com since 1993. From what people had to say about this joint, I thought it was the newest, hippest breakfast spot in the newest, hippest Vangroovey neighbourhood. But no! After almost three years in the East Village, the Red Wagon has established itself as beyond trendy and has cultivated a loyal and plentiful following. The fare is deliciously lacking in pretension. And the same can be said for the service — no grating “My name is Whimsy and I’ll be your server today” banalities. Check them out midweek, as that loyal and plentiful following makes for understandable lineups on the weekends.

La Brasserie 1091 Davie St labrasserievancouver.com I have two words for you: poutine and hollandaise. And gravy. And roast pork neck and eggs. And bacon. Joe’s Grill You get my point. 1031 Davie St joesgrill.ca And not just bacon, but lardon — a French cut of bacon. Because only the French would dare to improve Breakfast all day. Three of my favourite words. on bacon. Why has it taken me this long to discover There are four locations to choose from: Denman Street, Davie Street, this intensely satisfying breakfast combination? 4th Avenue or Main Street. And I’d wager a plate of corned beef hash that Because I’ve never treated myself to brunch at these are the only places in Vancouver where you can get a basic eggs La Brasserie before. benny (two eggs served with pan-fries) for less than $10! This Davie Street bijou knows exactly what it’s doing. My personal favourite is the Davie Street location. With a 7am opening Sturdy French and German fare, served by Derek and and being just an elevator ride down from Xtra’s office, it’s the perfect his dapper staff sans attitude, mais avec panache! spot for over-caffeinated deadline cramming!

16 MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 XTRA! VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS STOREFRONT AN ALL-INCLUSIVE OASIS New manager wants to maintain strong ties to gay community

Glen Calizon says the Oasis isn’t abandoning the gay community; it’s “just widening the net in terms of our target audience.” The new general manager of the popular Davie Village lounge’s re- branded restaurant and bar says it’s not financially feasible to maintain the business solely as a gay nightclub. After five years of trying to make a go of it, owner Thuy Dinh was ready to sell the Oasis on Craigslist, Calizon says, when he stepped in and suggested OASIS RESTAURANT a way to salvage AND BAR the business: make 1240 Thurlow St it “an all-inclusive facebook.com/ establishment.” oasisrestaurantandbar “We really want to be an extension of people’s homes,” he explains, “and treat them accordingly.” Chef Ash is the talent behind the Oasis’s newly emphasized, locally sourced Part of the home treatment is a new kitchen, which opened March 15. RANDALL COSCO emphasis on serving good-quality, locally sourced food, better than the maintain strong ties to the gay business model on the type of es- average pub fare, he says. community.” The Oasis hasn’t gone tablishment that he would like to Calizon calls the new and improved straight, he stresses; it continues to frequent but has a hard time finding Oasis “a modern social house — at support many community groups, in Vancouver: a fun nightclub for a the end of the day, we welcome such as the West End Slo-Pitch As- slightly older-than-Granville demo- everyone.” sociation (WESA). graphic that offers good food, good But, he says, “We really want to Calizon based the Oasis’s new drinks and a positive, welcoming vibe.

The best of gay and lesbian Vancouver — on your desktop and your mobile device!

Check out the interactive digital edition of Xtra Living at xtralivingvancouver.com

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 17 GENERAL dr. langston DENTISTRY raymond

Offering cosmetic restorative dentistry. Botox & Invisalign Braces in a comfortable environment

Serving the Community dr. anna since 2000 preis Suite 512-1033 Davie Street on-site parking available 604.687.1008 1025 DAVIE ST. • (604) 687-2222

Is your business 51% + LGBT owned and operated?

Cyndi Lauper did it... So can you! What if you could add 10-20 healthy years to your life? Are you interested in corporate procurement Platelet Rich Plasma - PRP Cosmetic PRP uses platelets and growth and business development opportunities? factors derived from your own blood to Join the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, stimulate new collagen and regenerate tissue to help reduce signs of ageing. partners and certified LGBT business enterprises at the: s,EADINGEDGETREATMENT LGBT Supplier Diversity Forum s2EDUCESAPPEARANCEOFWRINKLES June 19, 2014 - 1:30-6:00pm s4IGHTENSANDTONESTHESKIN The Carlu, 444 Yonge St, Toronto s(ELPSREDUCEACNESCARS s2EDUCESTHEAPPEARANCEOFCELLULITE Meet procurement leaders from Canada’s top corporations who are looking to buy goods & services from companies just like yours. 4ALKTOUSABOUTOURFULLRANGEOF treatments! Facial Acupuncture with $R+AREN,AM 2EJUVENESS.ON3URGICAL Registration &ACELIFT ,ASER4REATMENTS "RIGHTENING is now available at Facial and Corrective Facial www.cglcc.ca Visit integrative.ca for more information

Platinum Sponsor Event Sponsors

Integrative Naturopathic Medical Centre 730–1285 W Broadway 604.738.1012

18 MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 XTRA! VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS STOREFRONT The facilities at Iguazu Falls allow visitors to get up close. DAVID WALBERG

5030/50
%08/508/
$&/53& 30 CARLTON STREET TORONTO, ONTARIO t

.*/65&4
50
$)63$)
45
M5B 2E9 CANADA 03
5)&
46#8": Hotel Front Desk: 1-416-977-6655 t
"--
0'
5030/50
*4
www.holidayinn.com/ "5
:063
%00345&1 TorontoCentre WIN A LUXURY TRIP TO ARGENTINA Designer Trips presents Watch to Win Sweepstakes

What would you do with 12 days in of the Argentine tango? Make a The grand prize? A once-in-a- Argentina? Tour the sun-drenched solemn pilgrimage to the tomb of lifetime, 12-day, fully escorted, luxury wineries in the mountainous region Santa Evita? Shop for gauchos? trip for two to Argentina valued at of Mendoza? Submerge yourself in Whatever your desire, Designer Trips more than $12,000. The journey takes the vibrant and decadent nightlife and North South Travel (a member you on a 4,600-kilometre round trip of Buenos Aires? Knock the Eighth of the International Gay and Lesbian from Buenos Aires to the UNESCO Wonder of the World off your bucket Travel Association) has the perfect World Heritage Site of Iguazu Falls to list with a trek to Iguazu Falls? Lose opportunity for you: the Argentina the vineyard-blanketed hills of Men- yourself to the heart-racing romance Watch to Win Sweepstakes. doza near the Chilean border. Entering the contest is so A view of the breathtaking simple a niño could do it. Visit Argentine countryside. watchtowinargentina.com to view DAVID WALBERG enticing videos highlighting the regions you’ll be visiting and look for the “Watch to Win” code words. Complete the online entry form and submit for your chance to win. Three videos: three chances to win! Buena suerte y buen viaje! Or contact Darryl Grace at Design- er Trips and North South Travel to New Zealand seeks to change skip to the prize and book your whirl- wind Argentine adventure today. gay blood-donor rules

Email [email protected] or call him toll free at 1-800-665-1882. northsouthtravel.com dailyxtra.com

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 19 PHOTOS XPOSED BY TALLULAH 1

523 Parliament St. Tel 647.988.489 Visit www.ftjco.com/custom 2 3 Mr/Miss Cobalt Drag Competition The creators of Hustla, Queer Bash, Jerk It, Spit and Apocalypstick joined forces May 11 to launch their third annual “ultimate East Side talent orgy” at The Cobalt. Stay tuned for the finale on Saturday, May 24. 1E Anna Propriette 2E Travis Battaglia & Ikue Ueno 3E Beardoncé seeks the title. 4E Isolde N Barron 5E Dylan Archambault & Taylor Padget 6E Jan van Vianen & Crystal Meth

4

5

6

20 MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 XTRA! VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS NO or ? EST. FLIP TOP BOTTOM Mr. Mattress mattresses are VERSATILE!! 1964 JUST SAY NO Padded on both sides. The face of East Van This means you can FLIP your mattress. Two sides, twice the life. Sensible Prices s Friendly Service s Zero Pressure Mr/Miss 1315 Venables St mrmattress.ca | 604.255.2113 Cobalt carries A+ Rating Since 1975 a serious responsibility

BLITZ & SHITZ RAZIEL REID

The crossdressing vi- sionaries of Hustla, Queer Bash, Jerk It, Apocalypstick and Spit have united “for the ultimate A Terrible Beauty East Side talent orgy” — the third an- Edward Burtynsky nual Mr/Miss Cobalt Competition. Fourteen contenders kicked off Final Week – Until May 26th, 2014 the competition May 11 to represent Toronto-based photographer their favourite East Side homo haunt Edward Burtynsky is internationally as the ruler supreme. The winner will renowned for his captivating images receive three bookings at a Queer Bash of natural and man-made landscape Inc event and a $500 cash prize. that reflect both the impressive Sponsored by X-site East Van, reach of human enterprise and the JQ Clothing Ltd and Poetry Is Dead extraordinary impact of our hubris. magazine, the contest is hosted by Mr/Miss Cobalt hosts Junita Werk and Peach Cobblah warm up with Raziel. TALLULAH The Baddest Bitch, Peach Cobblah, and The Toonie Tramp, Junita Werk. means and how that meaning mani- In the judging thrones are the Queen fests as performance art. of East Van herself, Isolde N Barron; The winner has to Last year, East Van’s Dumpster Cup- last year’s Mr Cobalt, Tranapus Rex; have a strong grasp cake and bio-queen Anna Propriette and rotating guest judges. And, of competed, and I remember watching course, the first Ms Cobalt, Lady Jem, of what queer East her Cyndi Lauper “Girls Just Wanna who may get drunk and scream mean Van means and Have Fun” number and thinking, Sure, things at you. have your fun, girl — why not? Anna is how that meaning RESTAURANT & BAR The Mr/Miss Cobalt Competition back this year, but she’s not the only is my favourite drag battle of the year manifests as girl having fun anymore — she has because it’s about more than winning performance art. learned how to take the audience on Open Daily at 11am till Late for yourself alone. the ride with her. Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar Her performance of “The Age of competition may be fun, but ultimate- than every other ratchet bitch who Aquarius” with Sisters of Perpetual JOIN US WEEKLY FOR: ly, it’s about each individual queen shows their hairy asshole onstage mid- Indulgence backup dancers was all FAT TUESDAYS FRESH FRIDAYS fi ghting to win a ticket to New York performance or lights a toilet on fi re. sorts of divine and encapsulated the 6 items for $6.00 each 2 course meal for $15.95 City to party with the RuPaul’s Drag (Here’s to you, Bambibot and Brent East Van spirit of wonderment and WING WEDNESDAY SOCIAL SUNDAYS Race girls. The Mr/Miss Cobalt Com- Ray Fraser!) surprise from a busted hooker with 10 $0.35/wing $9.00 pitchers & petition is a little diff erent. It can’t be Many kings, queens, DJs and other pounds of makeup on her face. Now if $5.25 Caesars all about the winner because the win- such vagrants consider themselves that isn’t drag, I don’t know what is. ner can’t be all about him- or herself. part of the “Cobalt family” — which Making it to round two are Anna It’s like being elected into an offi cial would make Mr/Miss Cobalt the fam- Propriette, Beardoncé, Crystal Meth, governing position. You not only repre- ily patriarch or matriarch. There are Delica Cee, Evita Versace, Lea Ven sent yourself as a drag performer, but always a few amateur performers who Detta, Marcia Gay, Mila Dramatic, you become head of the court of drag try out each year, only to realize that Shanda Leer and Valynne Vile, all of queens and kings who can always be it takes more than a cute outfi t and a whom have been given a selfi e chal- found at The Cobalt, as well as all the Gaga song to impress the judges and lenge to see who can get the most “fa- common people who make it their this crowd. vourites” and “retweets” on Twitter. weekly queer playground. Not to dismiss the considerable Follow the hashtag #MrMsCobalt2014 Oasis Club Nights with special guest It’s a serious responsibility (being courage of fi rst-timers as they hit the to keep track of the contestants. DJs every Friday Proud Supporters of LOUD Business Group messy always is), similar to the Dog- stage. As many local competitions have I’m a guest judge on May 18, and and Saturday night and West End Slo-Pitch Association (WESA). wood Monarchist Society electing an proven, new performers sometimes because of an early press time for this Empress and Emperor each year. go straight to the crown. But I’m not column, you can find my review of As Mr/Miss Cobalt, you may not be sure if that’s possible for Mr/Miss round two on my blog, Blitz & Shitz, Phone: 604-685-1724 | 1240 Thurlow Street, Vancouver, BC expected to do any charity work, but Cobalt because it’s like being the face on dailyxtra.com. Don’t miss the fi nale you are expected to give back with of a brand, so the winner has to have of the Mr/Miss Cobalt Competition www.oasisondavie.com more theatrics, camp and shock value a strong grasp of what queer East Van on May 24!

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 21 Fri, May 23 Fetish Friday Club 8x6 devotes the last Friday of each month to fetish Dressing on the Side Freedom DJ Nick Bertossi at Freedom Friday lovers. $15; lockers available. 8pm–2 Cabaret presents the return of am. Club 8x6, 1775 Haro St. 8x6.ca Symone Says, with special guests. — Lux Lounge, Fri, Queer Women on the Drive 6pm doors, 8pm show. Lux Lounge, May 30 GRAHAM COOK 1180 Howe St. $7. luxlounge.ca This activities- and crafts-based get-together meets the last Friday Friday Yoga Drop-In The Health of each month. 7pm. Britannia WHAT'S ON Initiative for Men off ers yoga Community Centre, Seniors’ Lounge, FOR MORE EVENT LISTINGS, GO TO DAILYXTRA.COM sessions every Friday night. 1661 Napier St. For more info, email Bring your own mat. 7–8:15pm. generations@qmunity.ca. Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Wed, May 21 Rainbow Support Group BC’s Davie St. Free; donations gratefully AJ’s Café Join other HIV-positive Alzheimer Society off ers a support accepted. checkhimout.ca gay men every Friday for this free The End of AIDS: Reality or group for LGBT caregivers and social support group sponsored Hyperbole?The Peter Wall Institute those caring for LGBT people with Sat, May 24 by Positive Living BC. 3–6pm. hosts speaker, diplomat and dementia. Call 604-675-5153 or The Junction Pub, 1138 Davie St. Mpowerment Turns Two politician Stephen Lewis. 7:30–9pm. email [email protected]. positivelivingbc.org Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St. YouthCO’s peer health program for The Drag Show Miz Adrien Free; to reserve, visit pwias.ubc.ca. Timberline Vancouver’s country- gay, bi, trans guys and their allies western dance group meets every celebrates its second anniversary. welcomes special guests Celestial Thurs, May 22 Thursday; all levels welcome. 7pm. 7pm–midnight. 205-568 Seymour Seasons and Robin Loveless. 7pm St Paul’s Anglican Church, 1140 doors, 9pm show. The Heritage Grill, Reinvention of Disco St. $5. facebook/mpowermentyvr Jervis St. $10 donation partially 447 Columbia St, New Westminster. Three vocalists and six dancers Monroe The Saturday-night party benefi ts A Loving Spoonful. $5. theheritagegrill.com reinvent the hits of Donna Summer. has relaunched and is going full timberlinedance.org 8pm. Rio Theatre, 1660 E Broadway force in its new location. DJs Adam Sat, May 31 St. $20 advance, $25 door. Gay and Bi Men’s Bereavement Dreaddy and Kristina Cash spin. Off to the Races Friends for Life reinventionofdisco.com Support This support group for 9pm–2am. Heaven’s Door, 1216 Bute men grieving the loss of a same- heads to the track for a community Queering Citizenship St. $5. tfdpresents.com sex partner meets the second and day. Work your “hoedown country Ten Canadian and international Bears the Baths and Beyond fourth Thursday of every month. best” or your fi nest Ascot. artists explore ideas around queer Steamworks hosts an afternoon 7–9:30pm. Qmunity, Noon. Hastings Racecourse, citizens in global politics. Runs until for bears the fourth Saturday of Room 610, 1033 188 North Renfrew. $20–75 at Sat, June 28. satellitegallery.ca every month. 1–6pm. Steamworks, Davie St. Free. ffl races.eventbrite.ca. 123 W Pender St. $6 and up. Leaping Thespians The lesbian qmunity.ca Man Up: East Side Story The Man theatre troupe seeks models of all steamworksonline.com/ vancouver Up drag-king crew sprinkles some body types for its July 2 and 3 Butch gender-twist glitter on all your & Femme Fashion Show, showcasing Dandy Operandi: Cor Flammae favourite musicals. 9pm doors, 11pm lesbian-inspired fashions from Vancouver’s new queer classical show. The Cobalt, 917 Main St. $8 the early 1900s to current trends. choral ensemble presents a salon, before 10pm; $13 after. thecobalt.ca [email protected] followed by a karaoke party. Doors modern guilty pleasures. Leather, tickets to Lady Gaga’s concert on Gear Saturday: VML Join the Helicopter The Junction’s 8pm, show 8:30pm. Pat’s Pub, glitter and drag strongly encouraged. Fri, May 30. To compete, email 403 E Hastings St. $15 at the door Vancouver Men in Leather for their new night features Featuring DJs Nikki Nevver, Taffi [email protected]. monthly get-together. Dress code: the strippers of and at brownpapertickets.com. Louis and Killdear. 9pm–1 am. The 10pm–3am. Celebrities, 1022 Davie corfl ammae.com leather, rubber and fetish. 9pm. fantasymen.ca. 11pm Astoria Pub, 769 E Hastings St. $5. St. $5. celebritiesnightclub.com PumpJack Pub, 1167 Davie St. No doors. The Junction, Mr/Miss Cobalt Finale theastoriapub.com Gay Poz 30-Something cover. pumpjackpub.com 1138 Davie St. $5. The organizers of Hustla, Dvote Nova Bhattacharya and Noam Positive Living hosts a discussion Rough Trade 2 Wear your junctionpub.com Queer Bash, Jerk It, Gagnon explore lust, madness and group for 30-something, jockstraps, mustaches and tube Apocalypstick and Spit mayhem through dance. 8–9pm. The present the finale of Cultch, 1895 Venables St. Runs until their East Side talent Sat, May 31. $17–38 at thecultch.com. orgy. 9pm. The Shame Spiral Peach Cobblah Cobalt, 917 Main brings her East Side debauchery to St. $9. Followed her favourite West End lounge for a by Queerbalt. night of drag, perverse games, and thecobalt.ca true shame-spiral stories. 9:30pm. Queerbalt: A Messy Queer 1181, 1181 Davie St. No cover. 1181.ca Dance Party After Mr/Miss Cobalt Dogwood Monarchist Society is crowned, dance the night away AGM Anyone can attend the drag to tunes by DJs That’s So Raven court’s AGM, but membership and G-Luve. 11:30pm–2:30am. The (available for $3 before the meeting) Cobalt, 917 Main St. $9; free with Reinvention of is required to vote on any items. Mr/Miss Cobalt cover. thecobalt.ca 7pm. Qmunity, 1170 Bute St. Search Disco — Rio Theatre, Sun, May 25 “Dogwood Monarchist Society” on Thurs, May 22 Facebook. mothercourt.ca L MENDEZ Joan-Eleveneightyone Joan-E hosts an evening of drag fun Men on Men A weekly discussion Dvote — The group for men who have sex with and special guests, followed by HIV-positive gay men every socks to Mount Pleasant’s historic Cultch, Tues, men. Every Tuesday, 6:30pm. DJ Mumbles. 10:30pm–3am. Thursday. 6:30–8pm. Positive porno theatre for this monthly May 27 Gordon Neighbourhood House, 1019 1181, 1181 Davie St. No cover. Living, 1107 Seymour St. Free. ’70s-themed party. 10:30pm–1am. Broughton St. checkhimout.ca THE CULTCH facebook.com/1181lounge positivelivingbc.org Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main St. $12. Wed, May 28 The Sundown The Cobalt hosts foxcabaret.com Mon, May 26 a laid-back clubhouse-style night The Bobbers The queer Gay & Grey Join this group of gay for queer women every Thursday. Sun, June 1 senior men every Wednesday for improv-comedy troupe is 9pm. The Cobalt, 917 Main St. $3–6. Cruisey Cinema Sunday friendly, supportive discussions. back in the Davie Village with thecobalt.ca Hang out with other porn-loving 7pm. Roundhouse Community a whole new show. 7–9pm. guys in a safe, comfortable space. Centre, second-fl oor boardroom, 181 Heaven’s Door, 1216 Bute St. Fri, May 30 2–8pm. Club 8x6, 1775 Haro St. $10; Roundhouse Mews. No cover. heavensdoor.ca Freedom Friday Freedom Cabaret $5 each with a buddy. 8x6.ca Bingo for Life Joan-E hosts this BiFocus This peer-led support presents a new showcase of local Sunday Service Fall to your knees weekly Friends for Life fundraiser, group for bi- and pansexual people and international DJs. DJ Nick and make it your weekly religion. with prizes, cheap drinks and meets the second and last Monday Bertossi spins tonight. Midnight. Featuring Vancouver’s best DJs. snappy drag queens. 8–10pm. of every month. 7–9pm. Qmunity Lux Lounge, 1180 Howe St. $10. 4–8pm. Steamworks, 123 West Celebrities, 1022 Davie St. $10 Generations, 1033 Davie St. Free. luxlounge.ca Pender St. $6; $8 locker rental. donation at door for bingo cards. qmunity.ca steamworksbaths.com celebritiesnightclub.com Tues, May 27 Thurs, May 29 Submit your event listing to Tonight Is Forever: A Queer Disco A dance party featuring Italo-disco, Liberace: Lady Gaga Drag [email protected]. Deadline for the ’80s hits, glam, late ’70s punk and Competition The winner gets two June 5–18 issue is Wed, May 28.

22 MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 XTRA! VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Real

Estate P rofessional VOTED BEST REALTOR Xtra! Reader’s Poll R esponsive Top 10% of all Lower Mainland I n Touch Realtors - 18 years XTRA’S GUIDE Former Gay & Lesbian Business TO THE D ependable Association Board Director E thical Donates 5% of commissions to LUCRATIVE your favourite charity upon purchase GAY & LESBIAN of a new home Award-winning service to the Gay and HOUSING Lesbian Community for over 20 years MARKET Re/Max Real Estate Services

604.506.4264 s [email protected]

#news #arts #travel 7 YEARS IN A ROW! #events

Everything gay, every day. DAVID TUNG PREMIER REALTY DAILY Selling Homes In Our Community for Over 20 Years WANT TO 604.805.0825 | WWW.DAVIDTUNG.COM dailyxtra.com ADVERTISE?

604-684-9696 Knowledge, experience and advice for all your real estate needs

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 23 Health – Fitness Massage – Langley Bypass, Langley: Joe’s Grill - - & Exercise Certified/ 604 276 2254 1031 Davie St: E 152nd St, Surrey: xtralivingvancouver.com Body Energy Club Registered 604-682-3683 604-536-2330 604-697-0466 Linda Duncan RMT 948 Denman St: 604-630-0101 Physiotherapy 604-642-6588 Health Foods 2061 West 4th Ave: Rick Girardeau, RMT & Rehab & Nutrition - - Andrea Martens 604 736 6588 The Vancouver rickgrmt.com 604-669-8233 3048 Main St: Health Show Massage – Erotic 604-879-6586 888-999-1761 Burrard Physiotherapy Handsome Hands 604-684-1640 Oasis Restaurant & Bar Hearing Aids handsomehands.ca 604-685-1724 Printing Sound Hearing Clinic Men’s Services Ten Ten Tapas 604-687-1488 Mail Box Plus BCSMSSA 604-689-7800 604-683-1433 Holistic 604-682-6482 Seniors Minuteman Press Sequoia Thom Lundy Health Initiative for Men 604-572-8558 Prime Timers THE BEST OF GAY & LESBIAN VANCOUVER 778-786-3677 604-488-1001 604-564-4783 Psychologists Home Motorcycles West End Seniors’ Improvement & Scooters Dr Joachim Sehrbrock Network & Repairs 604-366-3112 604-669-5051 Accommodations Chiropractors Dental Services Martin Brothers Funeral Motorcycle World maison d’etre - - – BC 778-330-7799 604 582 9253 Publications Studio Space Downtown Chiropractic Dr Langston Raymond design build Quality Hotel Vancouver - - - - 604 685 9444 604 687 1008 Grocery Stores 604-484-4030 Naturopathy Pink Triangle Press The Dance Centre 604-682-0229 1-800-268-9872 604-606-6400 Cleaning & Redtree Dental Nesters Market Hotels Dr Aaron Van - - Accounting Maid Services 604 873 3337 604-682-3071 Gaver BSc ND Xtra (Toronto) Transportation Quality Hotel Vancouver - - Services The Maids 604 629 1120 416-925-6665 Education & Safeway 604-682-0229 Harbour Air Felicity Webb 604-987-5651 Instruction Davie: Dr Reuben Xtra (Ottawa) 604-274-1277 604-721-7537 Interior Design Dinsmore, ND - - Vesta 604-669-8313 613 986 8292 Clinics - - Helijet International Inc - - Robson: RodRozen Designs 604 568 7655 Addictions Travel Clinic 604 873 8378 Xtra (Vancouver) 800-665-4354 604-683-6155 604-558-4443 Integrative Healing Arts 604-684-9696 Orchard Recovery 604-736-9244 Entertainment Travel – BC 866-233-2299 Health Lawyers 604-738-1012 Community Ballet BC Real Estate Agents Pet Care Black Rock AIDS/HIV Groups & Services 604-732-5003 Dr Aaron Van Dahl & Connors Darryl Persello Oceanfront Resort Resources Gaver BSc ND 604-687-8752 Kitty Kare - - West End Seniors’ Playland 604 306 1340 877-762-5011 604-629-1120 604-813-4239 AIDS Vancouver Network Amusement Park barbara fi ndlay Ian Eggleton 604-893-2201 Tourism Harrison 604-669-5051 604-253-2311 Health & Wellness 604-251-4356 Pet Stores & 604-773-1443 604-796-5581 Supplies AIDS Vancouver Island Vancouver Primetimers The Dance Centre The Health Shows North Shore Law LLP Lyn Hart - - Travel – General 800 665 2437 604-564-4783 604-606-6412 888-999-1761 604-980-8571 Happy Pups 604-724-4278 ANKORS 604-782-7337 Travel Clinic Community Farmers’ Markets Health – Men’s Life Coach Susan Cameron 604-736-9244 800-421-AIDS Organizations Tisol - - Your Local Farmers’ Health Initiative for Men 21st Century Dynamics 604 266 1364 14th & Main: Websites Dr Peter AIDS Community Based Market 604-488-1001 778-877-6276 Renovations Foundation Research 604-873-4117 Daily Xtra 604-879-3276 Community Based & Restorations 604-608-1874 604-568-7478 Marketing 12th & Arbutus: 416-925-6665 Funeral Services Research 604-730-1768 maison d’etre Health Initiative for Men C&C Communications Construction 604-568-7478 Grandview Hwy: design build Weddings 604-488-1001 Arbor 604-664-8995 maison d’etre Healthcare 604-436-3001 604-484-4030 Ceremony Pathways Richmond: Massage Positive LIving design build 604-273-3748 Services Gilley Ave, Bby: Restaurants 778-688-5555 604-893-2200 604-434-2812 604-484-4030 Valley View Health Initiative for Men Relaxation Massage & Cafés 2DQ Weddings 604-789-0857 Market Crossing, Bby: - - Airlines Cosmetic Services Memorial Gardens: 604-488-1001 Ciao Bella Restaurant 604 306 1340 604-596-7196 604-431-8458 Harbour Air Seaplanes 604-688-5771 Wine & Spirits Daher Orthostyle Valleyview Funeral Home: Sound Hearing Clinic #3 Rd, Richmond: 604-274-1277 – Dr Sam Daher 604-596-8866 604-687-1488 604-276-2254 Gallery Café & Catering West End Liquor Store Alternative Health 604-662-3290 Richlea Sq, #3 Rd, Rmd: 604-688-2233 604-689-3100 604-241-7586 Ignite Smoke Shop Counselling 778-786-0977 Counselling BC Check Medicinal Cannabis 604-729-6059 Dispensary Iosono Counselling it out! 604-255-1844 Services – Ron Antiques Paviglianiti, RPC 604-290-1445 21st Century Promotions Joe Ramirez Integral THE BEST OF GAY 604-980-3159 Counselling THE BEST OF 778-227-9423 GAY & LESBIAN Apartments 2014 MAY—OCT VANCOUVER Lehmann Counselling Capreit Service caprent.com - - Exploring the & LESBIAN VANCOUVER 604 614 8121 new East Van Art Galleries Monique Silverman Bakeries Bill Reid Gallery of MA, RCC, CCC 778-228-8456 that hit the Northwest Coast Art sweet spot 604-682-3455 — ON YOUR DESKTOP Tricia Antoniuk Summer fun MSW, RSW Museum of Vancouver in the city 604-736-4431 778-378-2633 Automotive Willow Tree Counselling 604-521-3404 AND ON YOUR Alan Davis 604-308-5545 Couriers Boat Cruises Mail Box Plus & Charters 604-683-1433 MOBILE DEVICE! Waterway Houseboats Dental Services 877-928-3792 Aarm Dental Group Business & 604-647-0006 Check out the interactive Professional Daher Orthostyle Organizations – Dr Sam Daher Gastown Business 604-662-3290 digital edition of Xtra Living at Improvement Society Dr Dean Wershler - - 604 683 5650 604-688-4080 xtralivingvancouver.com West End BIA 604-696-0144

24 MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 XTRA! VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS NEXT AD BOOKING DEADLINE: MAY 28 @ 4PM NEXT LINE CLASSIFIEDS DEADLINE: MAY 30 @ NOON Classifieds To place an ad, call 604-684-9696 or email classifi [email protected] HEALTH & FITNESS PERSONAL TRAVEL MASSAGE CERTIFIED RELAXATION MODELS & ESCORTS ACCOMMODATIONS/RENTALS ASIAN MASSEUR HOT ASIAN MALE HUNG HOMO HOMESTAY : 5’7”/135 Swimmer build. 7 in 10 Sleep, Sex & Sightseeing in West End Massage VERY GOOD LOOKING Young with mature attitude. beautiful Victoria. Short or readers use great shape, naturally Fully trained in massage Convenient location. Clean long term accommodations for Xtra to locate smooth, very well comfortable setting. Great gay/bi men in premium suite & certified fitness trainer. endowed. Please call Luc. experience. gay-friendly or 1 bedroom apartment. Fraser/Broadway area. Text David @ In/Out. 778-869-7885 Separate entrances, private businesses. Private apartment. bath, steps from the ocean and 604-725-0172 604-716-6969 www.davidchacon.ca Massage: Relaxation Beacon Hill Park. Guests have and Deep Tissue EROTIC MASSAGE access to Nasty Pig Playpen and/or can attend Man2Man Vancouver School of Bodywork A1 MASSAGE Sex club orgies 4 x per week. and Massage trained / 9 Years Visit: www.hunghome.com or Experience PROFESSIONAL, EXPERI- call 778-265-4190 for details’. BE BOLD! Jiwan from Nepal ENCED, DISCREET Bold your line classified. 604.789.0857 West End 4 men only by MATURE male. 9AM-11PM. In-Calls. Student www.RelaxationMassageVancouver.com rates. Burrard & 6th. GRAB ANNOUNCEMENTS Alex 778-828-4683 LIKE us on ATTENTION! XTRA Facebook! Add features PSYCHIC/ASTROLOGY RELAXING OFFERS such as boxes, BODYWORK FREQUENCY borders and Love specialist bolding to reunites lovers, Because you deserve it. DISCOUNTS. In a peaceful setting DAILY get your ad solves all Contact us noticed. impossible problems. in Langley. 9am-8pm to learn more! facebook.com/dailyxtra Call now: 1-647-477-4279 Robert 604-857-9571

#news #arts #travel #events

Everything gay, every day. DAILY dailyxtra.com

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 25 Hot ’n horny hookups.

Join for FREE Get 5 Days Unlimited access LAPTOP MOBILEOR WE’RE VERSATILE

26 MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 XTRA! VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 22–JUNE 4, 2014 27