The P-Word by Brendan Dunbar and Had Its Own Piece Posted Online Within 12 Festival
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The P-Word by Brendan Dunbar and had its own piece posted online within 12 festival. “We welcome everyone. We narrow interpretation of a certain hours of the event. always have… We’ve never kyboshed word, combined with a misunder- In an exclusive interview with Wayves Sav- a float. We’ve never told anybody they A standing and outright bad report- age said the Metro reporter misunderstood him. couldn’t do something in particular.” ing, has led to the recent flap surrounding “I’m sure he took what I said a little bit wrong… The media ruckus has raised a perti- the Halifax Pride festival’s media launch. What was said basically is that our festival is nent question: What does the GLBTQ On June 2 Pride’s co-chair Ed Savage was known for being less promiscuous” than the community define as promiscuous? quoted in Metro news as saying, “That’s what Toronto and Montreal Prides. “This whole battle has come down we strive for, to make it less promiscuous than Xtra ran with the story — without contact- to one word: Promiscuous,” Savage said. other Prides across the country…. Our way of ing members of the Halifax Pride committee “‘Promiscuous’ means a lot of different life in the Maritimes is different. And we also for additional comments — electing to focus on things to a lot of different people.” feel that our allies and our family aspect of the word ‘promiscuous’ and “make something To those people who were active in Pride is just as important.” of it,” Savage said. the early fights for equal rights, the word Savage made the comment — clarifying The Halifax GLBTQ community sometimes pertained to sex and continues to relate the organizing committee’s earlier reference feels promiscuity is an issue, he added. Some to sexual activity. For others, the defini- about its dedication to “a new professional- people believe that Pride excludes some groups tion broadens to include nudity or erotic ism” — to media and sponsors at the official as a result. dancing. festival launch on June 1. Xtra, Canada’s largest “Nothing could be further from the truth,” Times have changed, and Pride fes- GLBTQ publication, picked up the Metro article he said. The committee wants an all-inclusive Cont’d on p. 3 Halifax Dyke & Trans March Ed Savage at a press conference. Photo by Anita Martinez By Rebecca Rose n the Friday of Halifax Pride 2010 by Halifax Pride Co-Chair Ed Savage in the nearly 100 people marched through June 2 issue of the Metro. In an article that Rebellious Queers Plan Othe city behind a brightly painted celebrated Halifax Pride’s professionalism and and glittering banner that read, “This is a close relationships with business, Savage was Anti-Corporate Pride Week March, Not a Parade.” This year, Halifax quoted as saying, “That’s what we strive for, By Kaley Kennedy trying to create a space for other people, for Dyke & Trans March organizers are well into to make it less promiscuous than other prides This article uses the singular, gender-neutral pronoun people of colour, for trans people, for people planning another non-corporate, political across the country.” “they” and refers to cisgender people, meaning those with disabilities, for cis women and queer march for the Friday before the Pride Parade. “It’s dangerous and irresponsible to pro- people whose sex and gender are mostly aligned. women, for people who might not feel com- The Dyke & Trans March will be held on mote the idea that sexual expression should be ollowing in the steps of other cit- fortable or represented in a lot of the events Friday, July 22 at 6:00 p.m. and is open to allies muted to cater to the palate of a larger commu- ies, Halifax will have an alternative, happening at Pride.” of all identities and orientations. It is being nity, one that Pride Halifax isn’t even supposed Fanti-corporate queer pride week, dubbed Enxuga adds that the intention is for Queer organized by and for queer women and trans to represent,” says Jessica Carlile, one of the Queer and Rebel Days, this summer from and Rebel days to go along with Pride. The people, and seeks to not only celebrate these march’s organizers. “This direction seems to be July 1 to 10, the week before Halifax Pride. events are scheduled before Pride to ensure that identities, but to challenge continued oppres- in response to corporate sponsorship. It makes “Queer and Rebel Days is a grassroots, DIY, people who are interested can attend both sets sions, particularly gendered oppression. me feel like Halifax Pride is aligning themselves anti-corporate alternative to Pride that provides of events. The schedule for the week includes “The way our genders are perceived and the with people who once tried to fit me into a anti-oppressive and safe spaces to people of all everything from political discussions on labels way that people and institutions interact with square. Now they want to fit me into a triangle.” ages, gender, and sexualities. It is a drug- and in the queer community to a queer bike repair us based on them create very real challenges, Come out on Friday, July 22 with your alcohol-free week of events that focuses on workshop and ride, and a letter writing event. especially for queer women and trans* people,” friends and family, dressed however you like, education, skill sharing, and community build- All events are free, and are open to people of says Rory Begin, a former coordinator for X to catch speakers and performers, and join the ing,” reads the Queer and Rebel Days mission all ages. Pride, who will be attending the march. “To march with your own signs or alongside more statement. “I think the aim of Queer and Rebel Days me, this march is a space for those of us who glittering, painted banners. The decision to organize the week came out is to create a space that is safe, but also edu- are privileged, as well as those of us who are Watch the Facebook group “Halifax’s first of discussions around organizing Halifax’s first cational and political. I hope people will come oppressed by gender inequities to acknowledge Dyke & Trans March!” and posters around Dyke and Trans March and an interest to create because they want to learn and connect with and challenge the status quo.” the city for the location and route. For more other alternatives to Pride, says Shay Enxuga, other people. I want it to be fun, but I also re- Recently, the march became even more information on the march or to get involved one of the organizers of Queer and Rebel ally want it also to build a strong sense of queer pertinent given the controversial comments e-mail [email protected]. Days. The first Queer and Rebel Days was community in Halifax.” held in 2009. Many of the organizers this time Enxuga explains that personally, they see around attended events for the 2009 week and the need for a queer community that ques- were interested in holding similar events this tions how we understand ourselves in terms year. Several other cities, including Toronto and of gender and sexuality and is really supportive Montreal hold similar alternative Pride events of queer people of colour, queer people living just before or just after mainstream Pride weeks. in poverty trans people, women, and queer “Queer and Rebel Days is a response to people in prison. Halifax Pride recognizing that the events of So far, response to the week has been posi- Halifax Pride have a specific focus that privi- tive, but Enxuga encourages people to come leges certain members of the queer community, out to events and get involved with organising, being white, cis* men,” Enxuga adds. “[We’re] Cont’d on p. 3 Regular Columns Chef’s Corner 16 • Groups & Services 12 • I Am What I Am- herst 7 • Kibitz and Bitch 6 • Last Word 22 • Letters From Cambodia 9 • Looking Both Ways 15 • NSRAP Report 10 Deadline for August issue: Friday, July 1 (first Friday of eve- ry month!) [email protected] • Online: www.wayves. ca • Join us on Facebook: Wayves Magazine Rocks! … and on Twitter: @WayvesMagazine 2 — July 2011 — Wayves Wayves — July 2011 — 3 Atlantic Canada News Pride Art Show by Michael Stowe. Come join Brandt vised the South Shore Pride dances a section for events and news (and St., Halifax. Integrity is an Anglican Swoon Art Gallery in Hammonds for a meet and greet reception on have ended. Because of financial eventually resources), and an easy GLBTQ and friends group who Plains, near Halifax, is presenting two Tuesday, July 19, from 2:00 – 7:00 troubles and lack of attendance we online registration. meet at the Cathedral on the third shows for Pride: “Happy Hour,” by p.m., or view the work anytime dur- decided that it was the time to bring If you haven’t already done so, Sunday of each month. Rev. Dianna Brandt Eisner and “Recent Work,” ing Pride Week. The shows run until them to an end.” sign up your Gay/Straight Alliance Brett-Frye presides and Rev. Alan Sunday, July 31. (and get a free GSA Pride flag!). Frye delivers the homily. Whoever Swoon is located N.S. Gay Straight Watch for information in the fall you are, wherever you are on your at 1410 Hammonds about the next GSA Conference, to spiritual journey, you are welcome. Plains Road, Ham- Alliance Network take place this coming November. Refreshments and conversation fol- monds Plains, NS.