November 2006 Issue 37

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GLBT RESOURCE • & EDMONTON 2 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Established originally in January 1992 as Men For Men BBS by MFM Communications. Named changed to 13 GayCalgary.com in 1998. Stand alone company as of January 2004. First Issue of GayCalgary.com Magazine, November 10 2003. Name adjusted in November 2006 to GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine. Publisher Steve Polyak & Rob Diaz-Marino, [email protected] Table of Contents Editor Rob Diaz Marino, [email protected] 5 Reflecting on 3 Years Original Graphic Design Deviant Designs Letter from the Publisher Advertising Steve Polyak [email protected], David 10 The Naked News Bonin [email protected] Vancouver and BC area Putting the “nude” in Newsworthy Contributors Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino, Nina Tron, 16 Stephen Lock, Jason Clevett, Jerome Voltero, 13 Bret Hart Kevin Alderson, Roseline Carter, Kaitlyn S. C. “The Hitman” Comes Home in Aladdin Hatch, Benjamin Hawkcliffe, and the Gay and Lesbian Community of Calgary 16 Map & Event Listings Photographer Find out what’s happening Steve Polyak and Rob Diaz-Marino Videographer 23 B & D Emporium Edmonton Steve Polyak and Rob Diaz-Marino Not Just for the Kinky Please forward all inquiries to: GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine 25 Q Scopes Suite 100, 215 14th Avenue S.W. “Get nasty, Cancer!” Calgary, T2R 0M2 Phone (403) 543-6960 or toll free (888) 26 Adult Film Review 543-6960 Lebanon, Rammer, The Coach, and Last Call 48 Fax (403) 703-0685 E-mail [email protected] 28 If You Can’t Beat ‘Em…Bully Them Intimidation Tactics of the Right Print Run Monthly, 12 times a year Masthead continued on page 4 30 23rd Annual AIDS Benefit Roost Fundraises for AIDS Research 32 Q Puzzle “C Minus,” 33 The Twisted Element 2 Years and Going Strong

Continued on page 4 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 3 Continued from page 3 34 A Couple of Guys 35 Fundraising Photos

39 Leather and Lace Continued from page 3 The Art of Romance Copies Printed Monthly, up to 10,000 35 40 Boots copies. Gay Space for 28 Years Distribution points 200 points in Calgary, largest number of distribution points for any Gay publication in Calgary. 150 41 Music Review points in Edmonton, largest number of Snakehouse and We Love You but… distribution points for any Gay publication in Edmonton. Also distributed coast to 42 “Focus on the (Gay and Lesbian )Family” coast across in select locations in Part I – Are Lesbian Women and Gay Men Suitable Parents? Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and other places across Canada and the United States. 44 Review Please call us if you would like to be a distribution point. 45 Letters to the Publisher Distributed by DLRJ Distributions (Calgary), Clark’s Distribution (Edmonton), 46 Bitter Girl Canada Post(rest of Canada and USA) and by GayCalgary.com 48 Press Releases Deadline for Ad Bookings 25th of the month (unless otherwise stated) 52 Calgary Men’s Chorus 60 Deadline for Ad copy 28th of the month Dishing Out Something a Little Less than Traditional (unless otherwise stated) 53 Sing a Song of Inclusion Legal Council Courtney Sebree Aarbo, Barristers and Solicitors 54 Mr. Calgary Leather Printers North Hill News 2007 Candidate Steps In This Issue Cover Models Johnathan Finlayson (top left), Ralf Biggs (top right), 55 Introducing the Calgary Sexual Health Bryce Reid (centre bottom), photographed by Steve Polyak. Photo taken at Twisted Centre Element in Calgary. The opinions expressed in this magazine are 56 Holiday Hampers not necessarily those of GayCalgary.com or Make this Holiday Season a Little Jollier for Someone in Need … the contributors of the magazine. People photographed or interviewed, 58 Just Ask Nina! writers, advertisers, contributors and The Dish who dishes advice anyone else involved with this publication are not necessarily gay, lesbian, bi, 60 Queer Eye - Calgary & Edmonton bi-curious or trans gendered. They can be Community Events this Month straight people that are gay friendly. December No part of the publication may be reprinted 2006 Press 68 Classifieds Ads without the expressed permission of the editor-in-chief. Deadlines Copyright 2006

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AAdd SubmissionSubmission - GayCalgary.com FFridayriday DecemberDecember 1st1st 20062006 GayCalgary.com Magazine is a proud IInn CirculationCirculation - ThursdayThursday Magazine is a proud member of Edmonton DDecemberecember 7th7th 20062006 member of Tourism Rainbow Business Calgary. Association.

4 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Reflecting on 3 Years Letter from the Publisher

This Month By Rob Diaz-Marino This month we felt that we wanted to do something very Where has the time gone? When I was a child, a special to further boost the popularity of our magazine online, and offer our advertisers a very unique new way of reaching year seemed like a very long time but now, this gay readers. We’ve done some looking around, and believe we year in particular has positively zoomed by. I are perhaps the fi rst publication in Canada (possibly North remember what I was doing last November as if America), gay or straight, to make use of these features that it were yesterday – scary enough, to some degree have been available in Adobe Acrobat for the past 5 years or so. I even remember writing the publisher’s column back then. Time fl ies when you’re working hard Look for streaming VIDEO CLIPS and SOUND BYTES em- just as much as it does when you’re having fun. bedded right in the PDF that you download from our website each month! Advertisers can now have video commercials While running GayCalgary.com Magazine, Steve appear online, in conjunction with their conventional print and I can say that we’ve gotten a big share of advertising that appears in the hard copies of the magazine. both. We have also been taking short video clips of drag shows and other events while we were photographing, so several photo- Similar to climbing a mountain, in life it’s customary to take graphs in this issue can invoke these clips when clicked. In a moment to look back when you reach a major milestone. To the music review you can now preview select tracks from some appreciate the view is to refl ect on how much you have grown, of the CDs that I write . both personally and professionally. In my case, I hold a lot of skill-based duties: graphic design, writing, editing, and The neat part is that because all of this video and audio is website design. The magazine has helped me to hone these streamed from our servers, the PDF fi le is not any larger a far beyond what I ever thought I was capable of. download than it usually is. Naturally the streaming content cannot be viewed when on a machine that doesn’t have an I remember writing articles not too long ago about my be- internet connection, but in that case readers will just default ing shy, but ironically enough the magazine has helped me back to what they would normally see in a printed copy. make big strides on a social level too. Last year Steve needed me to photograph an ARGRA Dance because he was covering We were very proud of the outstanding performance by another confl icting event in the city. It was my fi rst time doing Nina, Selma and Jaylee when they performed Madonna’s photography for the magazine and although I had seen him do “Vogue” at the coronation earlier this year. As many people it hundreds of times I was terrifi ed to approach anyone, even who missed it (and those who would love to see it again) have people that I knew. This Halloween, Steve was in Edmon- asked to see the video, we decided to include the clip with ton covering the events up there while I was doing the same Nina’s column this month as a fun bonus. in Calgary, and I noticed how once I get the ball rolling, my You may also notice that our logo on the front cover has an hesitation is all but gone. In a way, taking photos has become addition to it. As we have been receiving more acceptance, an ice-breaker for an introvert like me, and I’ve befriended a support, readership and content from the Edmonton gay number of people this way. Steve has told me this was one community, we deemed it necessary to refl ect that fact in our reason he photographed events at some of the bars before the title. At the same time…we like our name and our logo. At magazine started, as believe it or not he has been through a our inception many commented “GayCalgary.com Magazine is stage where he felt awkward trying to meet new people too. too long, it has too many syllables,” but innumerable others

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 5 praised us for the fact that it explains beyond a doubt what Last Month our magazine is about. It would be stupid for us to let this name, and 11 years of using it, go down the drain in favor of a I haven’t always written the publisher’s column; when the snazzy but arbitrary title. We promised ourselves that no mat- magazine fi rst started it was up to Steve to write it. Well… ter what, we would never rename the magazine. So now call- Steve doesn’t exactly have the best English skills and he can ing ourselves “GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine” was the sound a bit scatter-brained. In August of 2004 I began writing most reasonable compromise we could fi nd. It does become the column on both our behalves, and by June of 2005 I was more of a mouthful…but isn’t a mouthful a good thing? Okay listed as sole author. Over the last year I have talked from fi ne, if you have to shorten it you can stick with the moniker my own perspective, but Steve still offers a great deal of input that you’ve always preferred using, or a cool half-acronym about what I should mention. I have received the occasional like “GC&E Magazine.” Legally our business name is still praise for this work, but nothing compared to the response I GayCalgary.com Magazine, but there is a degree of fl exibility got from my column last month! to the aliases that you can register. If you recall, I wrote about the “Dooms-gay Prophecies” As future expansion goes, I doubt this is really feasible for – how the rumor mill across Canada is spinning out of control us without major structural change to the way we run our about the closure of gay bars in Calgary, and how this has the business. Steve and I like keeping the magazine well ground- potential of causing the very thing that everyone fears to come ed and close to the people, which wouldn’t be possible if we true. Some otherwise respectable writers have been buying got much bigger. Edmonton isn’t far from us, and we can into this story and have become a tool for further fear monger- afford the time and money to send one of us up there on an ing. Aside from Steve being quoted as the overly-optimistic interval. Canada-wide coverage is out of the question, though skeptic in some of these articles, we may have been one of the we continue to distribute our magazines in every province fi rst publications to denounce this theory, and offer a differ- across the country, and don’t say no to advertisers from these ent explanation for the phenomena that many were taking areas. Alberta would be the upper bound for us – any more to foretell the end of the gay community. For the amount of and we may start pulling out our hair. praise I received from individuals in Calgary this month, I get the feeling my article must have made a lot of sense! Just The cover this month shows Bryce, Johnathan and Ralf about every time Steve and I were out this month, at least one – three generations that can fi nd a way to coexist at the same person was coming up to us and saying “great column this hangouts and events. In the straight world there is a lot of month, that’s so true!” I just hope it was enough to empower segregation between generations, and often people of one age our readers to help prevent the boulder of bullshit from gain- will prefer to be around those that are relatively the same. ing any more momentum - preventing further damage to Although this phenomenon is still visible in our own commu- Calgary’s reputation. nity, we stick together because of our sexual orientation. As a result, it seems like we have a lot more people without reser- vation about crossing the age line for friendships and relation- Bar Banter ships. Even Steve and I have a nine year age gap between us, but we get along because our personalities and maturities are This month, online escort and recent cover able to meet somewhere in the middle. Jamal and his sisters had to be forcibly removed from the premises of Twisted Element after allegedly instigating a bar Lastly, we would like to welcome our new writer, Kaitlyn brawl. Several staff members were injured attempting to Hatch, who just started this month. I worked with Kaitlyn in break up the fi ght, and after calling the police for assistance, the past to put together the Safety Under the Rainbow website a SWAT team was sent in. Witnesses believe that the incident (www.safetyrainbow.com) – she has been a very active and was the result of jealous rage that may have been attributable community-minded individual, the likes of which is rarely to drug use. Upon their arrest, one sister told police that their seen for someone her age. She was featured on our August removal was racially motivated, but a contingent of Twisted 2006 cover, with an article about herself and the various com- Element’s black clientele stepped forward in support of the munity projects she has on the go. You may remember her club. Most of the staff members that were injured during the from the Fake Moustache drag king shows put together by her incident told us that they will be pressing charges on Jamal parent organization Miscellaneous Youth Network. To say the and his sisters. At time of press, GayCalgary.com was unable least, we are excited to have her on board! She may be young to reach Jamal for comment. but she brings a lot of knowledge and experience from the realm of queer youth, and non-profi t support agencies. Though incidents like this are rare in the gay community, it is still a far cry from the stabbings and shootings that occur creative. I was going to duct-tape a can of Coca-Cola to almost regularly at many straight night clubs. On Halloween my forehead and see how many people got the pun. At the weekend, as Steve was up in Edmonton covering the parties last minute I whimped out and went back to my Monk/ at all the bars, he passed by the straight club where several Druid costume that I’ve worn or not worn for the past 7 people were shot less than an hour later. As I was doing my years. It was originally meant to be a monk outfi t from rounds by foot here in Calgary, I found it alarming the number the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. One person of police cars that were in active circulation, and the number at the Backlot got it right away, and told me the hilarious of ambulances I saw whizzing by enroute to the next injury. meaning of the Latin chant they use in the movie – I never Speaking of Halloween (okay not the most positive segue I knew! But it says something about our culture that, even could have come up with), or in our case October 28th when without a light saber, more people thought I was a Jedi most Halloween parties were held, my night went something than a Monk. Still, on the train, an older woman with an like this. Before the parties even started, I needed to run out accent and dressed as a Gypsy asked me, “Are oo a priest? to the Backlot, the Calgary Eagle, and Twisted to restock them Then pray for me – Maria.” Okay…was she just playing with October magazines for this traditionally insanely busy along with her costume, or was she hitting on me? Either night. Round about 9:00pm I headed out to photograph Grave way Maria, you were REALLY barking up the wrong tree! Gala at Hotel Arts, then to the Backlot. After that I barely missed the bus up to PUMP (the GirlsGo dance) so I went to I saw some really elaborate costumes this year, and I the Eagle which was scheduled as my next stop anyway. After applaud those people that went all out despite the cold photographing there, I ran back to the bus stop and caught weather. The most amazing costume I saw however, was the 1 up to the Inglewood Community Hall. Once I was not in any of the bars – it was someone getting off the train fi nished I saw the bus already coming and, by some miracle in the downtown core. They had a home-made dragon I was able to beat it to the stop, saving myself a 20 minute costume that made them look about twice their actual wait in the cold. I caught the train to 8th Street and briefl y size. They had on a mask with the dragon’s head towering stopped by Twisted Element on my way up to Money-Pennies. a meter over their own, a long tail trailing behind them, I returned to Twisted in time for their costume competition, and what looked like a walking stick in each hand to con- and to take more candid shots. After that, the trains were no trol the Dragon’s front legs, making it look like the crea- longer running, so I walked up 7th Ave to the Eagle, arriving 5 minutes before last call, where I ordered my fi rst and only two ture was actually walking! My Monk/Druid/Priest/Jedi drinks of the night. WHEW!! hood goes off to you, my friend. My original plan for a costume this year was simple but Steve in Edmonton had a similarly busy night but with heavy snowfall and colder temperatures. There were times when he would pop into an establishment for less than an hour, and his footprints would be gone by the time he left. He was a poop and didn’t wear a costume, though consid- ering he could only carry so much in his backpack, I guess this is excusable. It’s that time of year when many of the bars have their own anniversaries to worry about too...it’s pretty funny that so many are clumped together in a period of two months. Backlot’s was last month, but upcoming we have Twisted Element’s 2nd Anniversary on November 11th, and Money Pennies’ 11th Anniversary on December 4th. In Edmonton, Boots has their 28th Anniversary coming up on the 25th of November. We extend our congratulations to all of these businesses for having another year under their belt!

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gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 7 8 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 9 The Naked News Putting the “nude” in Newsworthy

By Benjamin Hawkcliffe Review | TV You’re watching your local news broadcast and amidst headlines, arts and entertainment and stock tips, the broadcaster starts taking off their clothes. Yeah, I would blink too. This unique idea however is the concept behind The Naked News. Naked News was conceived in 1998 and debuted with a female cast in December 1999. In April 2001 the fi rst male anchor, Lucas Tyler, started and the male version was born. In April 2004, the program was re-branded as Naked News Daily Male and was made available at www.NakedNewsDaily Male.com. Naked News Daily Male also revised its’ program- ming to appeal specifi cally to a gay audience, and became subscription based online, as well as offering a TV version on OUTtv.

GayCalgary recently spoke to three of the broadcast’s to the naturist - exhibitionist - performer in me. There are most popular anchors - 26 year old Jeremy Chase, 35 year still times when I’ll be in the studio or watching the show at old Matt Waterman and 48 year old Dale Danforth - about home and think ’did this really happen?’, ’Am I really a part letting it all hang out in the news room. Sadly, they were all of this show?’ It’s amazing!” clothed at the time of this interview. It would seem to be a daunting task to even audition for the show, let alone be a Waterman on the other hand responded in a way that any part of it. viewer of the program will tell is very much Matt Waterman. “Initially, I auditioned to challenge myself,” explained “As a Gemini, I have two very different sides to me. Some Chase. “Can I really I present the news naked? But once would say I have a split personality! My training is both as I auditioned, I realized it was a great opportunity for me an actor and as a journalist, so Naked News Daily Male al- to explore my interest in journalism in a unique way. I’ve lows me to indulge all of my different sides – literally! Plus, always been comfortable with , so the adjustment I’ve never had a problem with nudity. In fact, if I knew I was minimal. I have to be honest though, every once in a wouldn’t be arrested, I’d be naked in public more often,” he while I am standing in front of the camera with my cowork- said. “I’ll admit that it felt a little weird when I auditioned. I ers and I think, ‘I don’t have any clothes on.’ I usually have couldn’t help but think of that scene from the movie Fame a good chuckle at that point and then get on with the news.” when Irene Cara’s character starts to cry when a fi lm direc- Danforth was a loyal viewer of the show. “I am one of the tor tells her to take her top off. But not to worry, no tears original Naked News subscribers so I am a long time fan. were shed during my audition. In fact, I’m totally used to To be a part of it now is a real kick and certainly appeals being naked in front of people. Recently, I had a few friends over at my place and we were getting ready to go out, so I tucked my shirt in. And I started unzipping my pants right there in my living room. My friends were, like, ‘So glad you feel so comfortable around us.’ But I didn’t even realize what I was doing, because I’m so used to getting dressed and undressed in front of other people now.” Naked News isn’t pornography so the anchors have to battle the urge to “stiffen up” but at the same time, don’t want to be small. The studio must get cold sometimes so, GayCalgary asked the anchors how they battle these unique issues.

10 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 “We have to be in between; otherwise we’d read the news until I became a subscriber. be on a whole different network! We are a Suddenly, I was actually enjoying being news program and are here to report the ’informed‘. daily headlines. We just happen to do so in The combination of nudity and news is the nude. We are not to be confused with fantastic!” said Danforth. “We provide a pornography. Erections happen – it’s natu- great service to the gay community; Dr. ral. When they do, you just have to think Keith is there to answer questions that a lot about your grocery list or the pile of laundry of gay men don’t want to ask their doctor at home while the rest of the folks in the face to face. We show what’s going on in studio wait for you to go back to the ‘ground the international gay community on a daily fl oor’ from the ‘penthouse’,” said Danforth. basis and I think having three clearly gay “When it does get cold I usually try to think hosts is just icing. I also fi nd when I am of Vin Diesel or Mark Wahlberg. If that not sure if I want to attend an annual event doesn’t work some quick cardio warms the or not, I can go into the Archives and see body up pretty fast. Apart from that if it is it from the year before. There really is no really cold and things still aren’t ’up‘ to par, timelier an information outlet for the Queer I’ll just apologize to the viewers and let them Community like the ’Naked News Daily know not to adjust their set.” Male‘ and that in itself I think has value as “The same company that produces our an immediate resource.” show also produces a show with all women. ”I think both aspects of the program are For obvious reasons, the men’s studio is supposed to be really important,” said Waterman. “First, there’s the issue of warm – we don’t want shrinkage! And the women’s studio providing a service for the gay male community. The news, is supposed to be cool – keep those nipples perky, girls! But particularly our gay community headlines, is a critical part sometimes the women use our studio as well, and so the of what we do. Plus, since we have a global audience, our temperature gets turned down. So by the time we guys get in mandate is to cover stories from around the world, not just there, it’s a wee bit chilly. To combat the problem, I usually in North America. As far as the nudity goes, I also think it’s jump around or do jumping jacks, which of course looks important to showcase guys who are comfortable in their really funny when I’m naked,” said Waterman. “Sometimes own skins. I wish more guys were comfortable enough in I get a little carried away getting my parts ‘camera-ready’ so their own bodies to be naked more often. Yes, a hot body is then have to wait for things to calm down a little before we sexy, but self-confi dence is much sexier. I am looking for- start shooting, so to speak... ahem!” ward to Naked News in 3D! Wouldn’t that be cool?! The news The show is fi lmed in Toronto and available worldwide. – coming at you!” When the anchors are out and about they are often recog- Jeremy Chase, as the senior member of the cast members nized and the reaction is always positive. we talked to, had the fi nal words. What he had to say would ”We are recognized fairly frequently in the city, although probably be something any member of the cast, crew, and it’s probably not that easy to tell that it’s us with our clothes guests would say when asked about The Naked News. on! The people that we meet are always so friendly and eager ”I’m really proud of our program and I feel fortunate to to chat with us about the program. I don’t separate the ‘na- have the opportunity to contribute to the gay community ked’ version of myself from the ‘clothed’; I’m always the same through my work. I don’t feel any apologies need to be made person. Besides, if you just want to see someone naked, you for a healthy appreciation of the naked body, especially if it can get that anywhere. Our audience wants to be engaged encourages people to get informed about the issues affect- by real people, seeing us nude is just one component of that ing their community. We have the best fans! Our audience is relationship,” said Chase. Waterman agrees. “I have been quite straightforward with us. They are generous with com- recognized a few times, mostly in the Gay Village. And yes, pliments, but they never hesitate to take us to task if they guys at fi rst tend to focus on the fact that they’ve seen me disagree with something. I think that honesty is the highest naked. In fact, one guy, after talking to me for a while said, compliment that you can pay someone, and I feel all the ‘Wow, you’re really nice for someone who takes his clothes more connected to the view- off for a living.’” ers because of it. The people It’s an exciting time to be watching at home really part of the broadcast as they welcome us into their lives, continue to reach a broader so they want more than just audience who want to know nice abs, they want someone what is going on in the gay they can relate to. However, world. All three anchors men- nice abs never hurt!” tioned how proud they are to The Naked News Daily Male be part of the show and their www.nakednewsdailymale. hopes for the future. com ”I know who our audience www.outtv.ca. is, having been a member of it for so long, that I see the show from both perspectives. I’ll be honest, I was never one to sit down and watch or

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 11 12 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Bret Hart “The Hitman” Comes Home in Aladdin

By Benjamin Hawkcliffe Review | Theatre He is without a doubt one of the most famous Calgarians, if not Canadians in the entire world. For over twenty years Bret Hart went out in front of thousands of fans worldwide as one of the best professional wrestlers on the planet. Dubbed “The Excellence of Execution” Bret’s history begins in his father’s legendary “Dungeon” basement in Patterson. After breaking in with Stampede Wrestling, Bret went on to Vince McMahon’s WWF, where he held 9 championships, including being World Champion fi ve times. After a bitter fall- ing out with McMahon in 1997, Hart went to rival WCW and won their World Title, before an errant kick by Bill Goldberg in December of 1999 gave him a career-ending concussion. In June 2002, Hart suffered a stroke. Anyone with a family member who has been through a stroke knows that it is a long, weary road to recovery. Four years later, Bret Hart is a happy man, living in Italy with his wife Cinzia. He has buried the hatchet with McMahon and was inducted into the WWE funny, well adapted with a lot of tongue-in-cheek jokes about Hall of Fame in March of 2006. In 2004, Hart was chosen as wrestling. Anyone who is even a remote wrestling fan will en- number 39 in the television special The Greatest Canadians joy the humor of the whole play itself. If you miss my wrestling and ranked number #32 in Time Magazine’s “Greatest Canadi- character this is a way to see him one last time.” ans of All Time” article. For Hart it also brings a sense of closure. While he bade his Most remarkably, Hart is healthy enough to perform again. farewells to wrestling fans in his speech at the WWE Hall of While his wrestling career may be over, he will be coming Fame, this is Hart’s chance to perform for his loyal Canadian home again as The Genie in Aladdin The Magical Family Musi- fan base one more time. WCW didn’t tour western Canada, so cal! running in Edmonton from November 14th to 19th, and the last time Hart wrestled in Edmonton and Calgary was July Calgary from November 28th to December 3rd. of 1997. “When they fi rst came to me with the idea I was still in the “It means something to me because I never got the exit I throes of my stroke,” Hart told GayCalgary.com in an exclusive was looking for in pro wrestling. I just got hurt and swept out interview. “I appreciated the fact that they thought of me but I and never really got the big goodbye. This isn’t necessarily my initially declined it because I didn’t think I was capable of do- farewell but it’s pretty close. It is so much fun and the fact ing it. We left it open. The more I thought about it the more I that it relates to so many age levels in the audience, and such realized I owed it to myself to at least try this challenge to my- a great cast and crew - it really is a fun experience. This is the self. I have been so fortunate to have a pretty good recovery. farewell I never got.” So it was a chance to step up and try something different and Acting isn’t new to Hart. In many ways professional wres- in a lot of ways it’s turned out so much better than I could tling requires a person to stretch their acting chops. Hart has have anticipated. The whole thing is so much fun for me. The many credits to his resume outside of the ring. In the 1995 script is really well written and drafted around my wrestling – 1996 season of the locally fi lmed Lonesome Dove, Hart had persona, it’s written around the Hitman character. I really feel a reoccurring role as Luther Root. He played an animated ver- like I get to be Bret ’The Hitman’ Hart one last time. Over the sion of himself on The Simpsons and played The Hooded Fang past six years I have moved on from my wrestling persona but, in Jacob Two-Two. Hart compared these different experiences. walking out on the stage and doing this role as the Genie it all comes back to life for me. This isn’t a hard role for me to “The Genie role, I relate to it more as a wrestler than I did play, I get to be ’The Hitman’ for two hours. The show is very Lonesome Dove. It is everything I used to get from the wres- tling except I don’t have the aches and pains the next morn- ing, and the long travel schedule. The camaraderie and focus of the team, and pulling it off on a nightly basis is very much like it was with wrestling. Really wrestling is just acting with your body. With this you have to have your lines down and know your stuff. As far as Lonesome Dove went, I have noth- ing but great memories from that. I thought I did some pretty

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gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 13 14 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 15 Events Listing Find out what’s happening

Calgary Eagle Inc. O4 Check the GayCalgary.com web site for updated Calgary Listings See our ad on page 24 event calendar information. Bathhouse and ’s Goliath’s O6 424a - 8 Ave SE • (403) 263-5847 See our ad on page 9 and 14 Open Wed-Sun 5pm-close Tuesdays - Karaoke 308 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 229-0911 http://www.calgaryeagle.com Wednesdays - Hi-Ball Specials Accommodations Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location* Saturdays - Karaoke Westways Guest House O13 7 Days a Week, Specials on Lockers and Single Sundays - Beer Specials (selected brands) also 216 - 25 Ave SW • (403) 229-1758 the Loft Nite Club Rooms for Students. Valid student ID must be Ernestines Matinee Madness http://www.gaywestways.com See our ad on page 12 shown. Student Rates unavailable 8pm to 4am http://www.loftniteclub.ca Twisted Element O33 Weekends. Bars and Clubs coming soon 1006 11th Ave SW - Front Entrance• (403) BackLot O3 802-0230 Money-Pennies O9 Businesses See our ad on page 31 See our ad on pages 9, 14, 15 and 59 See our ad on page 52 Alykhan Velji 209 - 10 Ave SW • (403) 265-5211 http://www.twistedelement.ca 1742 - 10 Ave SW • (403) 263-7411 See our ad on page 30 Open 7 days a week, 4pm-close GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location* (403) 617-2406 GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location* Open Mon-Fri 11:00am-close; Sat & Sun 10: 30am-close Twisted Element Lounge O33 Interior Decorator BLVD Lounge See our ad on pages 9, 14, 15 and 59 http://www.money-pennies.com Adult Depot See our ad on page 57 1006 11th Ave SW - Backdoor Entrance • (403) GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location* See our ad on page 7 http://www.blvdlounge.ca 802-0230 140, 58th Ave SW •(403) 258-2777 coming soon Texas Lounge O6 http://www.twistedelement.ca 1514 14th St SW •(403) 264-7399 O23 See our ad on page 15 Sex toys, and Straight, Bi, Gay video rentals 308 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 229-0911 Open 7 days a week, 11am-close

16 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Adult Source Canada Olympic Park Calgary’s Only Marketplace featuring Women Professional Relaxation 10210 MacLeod Trail S • (403) 271-7848 Highway 1 Calgary West Entrepreneurs. Coffee Shop too! (403) 510-7572 1536 - 16 Ave NW • (403) 289-4203 http://www.canadaolympicpark.ca Male to Male massage by appointment only La Fleur O41 2770 - 32 Ave NE • (403) 250-8225 Courtney Sebree Aarbo O24 See our ad on page 9 Rev. Nadene Rogers 1127 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 244-6537 O20 See our ad on page 24 #103 - 100 7th Avenue SW See our ad on page 14 4310 - 17 Ave SE • (403) 273-2701 1138 Kensington Road NW • (403) 571-5120 (403) 266-1707 (403) 247-0602 Calgary’s largest selection of adult DVD, VHS, toys http://www.csalaw.ca Florist Shop http://www.weddingsmyway.com and magazines. Barristers & solicitors Marriage Commissioner Leather and Lace B&D Emporium Inc. O14 Chronos Apollo See our ad on page 31 Russell’s Cobalt O45 829 17th Ave SW • (403) 265-7789 #520 922 5th Avenue SW • (403) 237-2353 2020 32nd Avenue NE • (403) 291-4060 See our ad on page 56 http://www.bndemporium.com Physican directed skin care and more The art of romance 735 12th Avenue SW • (403) 228-7822 Adult clothing store and accessories specializing in Hair & Aesthetics fetish, leather, latex, Gothic, punk, and corsets. Cruiseline MFM Communications See our ad on page 71 See our ad on page 28 Sol Sourced Weddings Barbies Shop O48 (403) 777-9494 trial code 3500 (403) 543-6970 See our ad on page 58 1518 4th Street SW • (403) 262-8265 http://www.cruiseline.ca http://www.mfmcommunications.com (403) 270-9480 Adult clothing store, shoes, Gothic, punk, fetish, Phone chat room & talking classifieds for 18+ Web site hosting and development. Computer http://www.solsourcedweddings.com custom corsettes and more. Hardware and Software. Wedding Commissioner Deva Dave Salon O32 Bay, the O29 4th Floor, More Better Buses Thomas Cook Travel 200 - 8th Ave SW • (403) 262-0345 1304 4th Street SW • (403) 290-1973 (403) 651-1692 Wade Wiley http://www.hbc.com http://www.devadave.com Providing unique, comfortable & affordable (403) 253-8494 Brian Mahoney & John McNeill transportation. Charter us for: High School Doug R. Glasser Z-Group See our ad on page 53 Graduations, Senior Groups, Pub Crawls and See our ad on page 7 Voice over IP (VOIP) phone service and long #10, 6020 - 1A St SW • (403) 259-4141 Sporting Events 9625 MacLeod Trail SW • (403) 278-2900 distance Re/Max Reality Professionals Re/Max Reality Professionals Calgary O16 (403) 770-1940 BuBu Bear See our ad on page 8 First Class Flowers (403) 852-6977 1322 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 215-1800 See our ad on page 59 Community Groups and http://www.bububear.ca http://www.priape.com Elbow and Heritage Drive SW• (403) 255-2239 See our ad on page 27 Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear, Organizations Portable adult novelties Jane Doe Marketplace & Cafe O50 movies and magazines. Gifts. Aids Calgary O2 See our ad on page 25 200, 1509 Centre St South • (403) 508-2500 311 17 Avenue SW • (403) 245-5263 http://www.aidscalgary.org

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 17 Introduction to AIDS Calgary, Challenging Volleyball.- The 2006/2007 season for volleyball November 10Th to [email protected] Calgary a safer place for people of diverse sexual Stereotypes, Safer Sex & Living with HIV/AIDS. starts on September 10, 2006! New this year: orientation? If UR, we are looking for dynamic Calgary Humane Society Saturday, November 18, 2006. 9:00am - 4: Recreational volleyball Friday Nights! Recreational volunteers for our Anti-Homophobia Program. See our ad on page 29 00pm. If you are interested in attending any of Volleyball King George School,2108 10th Street This program is intended to raise awareness (403) 250-4455 our workshops, please call in to register at NW, (a few blocks north of SAIT) Friday Nights and understanding among students about the http://www.calgaryhumane.ca 403.508.2500. 7:00pm – 9:00 pm. Intermediate/Competitive experiences of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, two spirited, YWCA, 320 5th Avenue SE. Sunday afternoons 4: Animal Adoptions and for Prevention of Cruelty to transgendered, queer and questioning youth. If Alpine Frontrunners Club Calgary 30pm – 6:30 pm Animals you are interesting in sharing your experiences with (403) 660-6125 other youth, and are available days, please call us [email protected] Rainbow Riders Bowling League - Let’s 10 Pin Calgary Gay Fathers at 283-5580 and ask for an Educator or contact Bowlerama, 2916 5 Avenue NE, Wednesday’s at 6: [email protected] The AFCC was formed in 1991 after individuals who [email protected].. http://www.geocities.com/calgaryfathers participated in the Gay Games in Vancouver decided 30pm. Season is from September to April. League they wanted to form a club to promote health and fees are $15.00 per Night. Shoe rental is $2.00 Peer support group for gay, bisexual and Different Strokes http://www.differentstrokescalgary.org fitness in the gay community. Unity Bowling League - Let’s 10 Pin Bowlerama, questioning fathers. Meeting twice a month Swim Club. The club has a membership of approximately 20. 2916 5 Avenue NE, Sundays at 2:00 p.m. League Calgary Men’s Chorus Check website for current schedule These members are active in Team Calgary which fees are $15.00 per day. Shoe rental is $2.00 (403) 262-6295 supports athletes going to the Gay Games. Outdoor Pursuits - WE DO IT OUTDOORS. Skiing, http://www.calgarymenschorus.org Don’t Buy In Project http://www.dontbuyin.ca The AFCC hosts a Pride Run as part of hiking, camping, biking. Any outdoor sports. Why The Calgary Men’s Chorus is excited to announce This Calgary Police Service Initiative aims to Week, every June (on Father’s Day). As well, we do it alone when you can do it with a group. that rehearsals for its 2006-2007 season begin encourage youth to working towards an inclusive send teams to the Banff Mountain Ekiden race Weekends and weekdays, all year round. Drop Tuesday September 5, 2006. Rehearsals are held environment in which diversity is embraced in their held the Saturday after Canadian Thanksgiving us a line. from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Old Y Centre schools and community. in October. ARGRA – Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo for Community Organizations, located at 223 12 Avenue SW. Join the Calgary Men’s Chorus as we Fake Mustache AFCC Fun Runs: Eau Claire YMCA. 200 Barklay Association prepare for our seasonal concert, “LUX”, under the Calgary’s ONLY Drag King Show Parade SW (4th street and 3rd ave. SW). Saturdays. See our ad on page 32 leadership of our new Artistic Director, Jean-Louis Soda Lounge: 211 - 12th Ave S.W. 9 am. Eau Claire YMCA. Brunch follows; location Hotline: (403) 541-8140 Bleau, and our new Accompanist, James Picken. (403) 923-3953 varies. Distance varies: 8 km - 15 km. Runners http://www.argra.org http://www.miscyouth.com from 6 minute/mile to 9+ minute miles. For more Calgary Networking Club ARGRA Dance Saturday November 18, 2006 [email protected] information, contact Tim at (403) 660-6125 or November 2, 5:00-7:00pm - We’re kicking up our heels in our new digs at A benefit show for the Miscellaneous Youth Network, e-mail: [email protected] the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Centre. Join us at Money Pennies (upstairs) 1742 - 10 Ave SW Fake Mustache is guaranteed to please! Come see Apollo Calgary Friends in Sports there (1320-5th Avenue NW) for a country-rockin’ our boys strut their stuff at Soda, the first Thursday http://www.apollocalgary.com good time! Calgary Networking Club (CNC) is back.... after a of every month. $5 cover. $2 cover under 18. 5 year hiatus, CNC is meeting again in Calgary ARGRA Dance Saturday December 9, 2006 Advance tickets available at Barbies Shop. Apollo: Friends in Sport, is coordinating the Calgary on the first Thursday of every month, starting - We’re kicking up our heels in our new digs at teams for both the Montreal Outgames and Chicago NOVEMBER 2. The networking meetings are open All Ages show starts at 7:30. 18+ show starts the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Centre. Join us GayGames. Uniforms will be created for both to all individuals who would like to promote their at 10:15. there (1320-5th Avenue NW) for a country-rockin’ events so that teams can march into the opening businesses or who would like to meet new people ceremonies under “Team Calgary” banners. Sizing good time! Gay Prairie Alumni - no business affiliation is necessary. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gayprairiealumni/ and orders will be done at the Apollo tent at the Artists for the Quality of Life CNC is for members of the LGBTQ community to This group is for all gay/lesbian/transgendered Pride Street Fair on June 11. Please let Apollo (403) 890-1261 make new friends or business contacts. This group is alumni of Prairie Bible Institute and/or Prairie know if you are going to compete at one or both http://www.artistsforqualityoflife.com games by E-mailing [email protected] not age or gender specific. High School in Three Hills, Alberta. It’s purpose m or [email protected]. Between Men and Between Men Online Come listen to our monthly guest speaker, have a is twofold: First, social -- to renew old friendships (403) 234-8973 snack, and enjoy talking with some new people. and make new ones. Second -- to talk about Absolutely Smashing! Badminton- The 2006/ http://www.glcsa.org/ Admission to the meeting is $5, or a yearly our common experiences as gay people at a 2007 season for Badminton starts on Sunday, Peer support, sexual health education for gay subscription pass can be bought for $25 (a 28% fundamentalist school. Any other questions, please September17, 2006 (FREE FIRST DAY). Special or bisexual men, as well as those who may be savings). If you have a GLCSA membership take feel free to ask. extended session. We will start at 12:30 p.m. and uncertain or questioning their sexuality. Discussions an additional $5 off your yearly subscription cost. go to 3:00 p.m. on this session only. All future Girl Friends range from personal relationship or life issues, to GLCSA memberships will also be available at http://members.shaw.ca/girlfriends sessions are 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Location: sexual health and well-being. the meeting for $10. (Call GLCSA for details on Western Canada High School (641 17th Ave. SW) Girlsgo Productions Meetings at GLCSA Tuesdays 7:00pm to 9:00pm membership benefits). Schedule: Sunday afternoons in the MAIN GYM, 1: For more information contact GLCSA at (403) 234- (403) 510-2502 30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Drop-in Fee: $5 for each 1.5 Calgary Big men and Admirers 8973....or just drop in on the meeting. http://www.girlsgo.ca hour session for Apollo members or $6 for non- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalgaryAlbertaB Calgary Networking Club (CNC) is a Gay & Lesbian Event production and promotion in Alberta for members (Apollo memberships are $15) igmenClub/ Community Services Association (GLCSA) event. women. Check online for fun things to do! Curling- The 16th season of Apollo Curling will A group for gay and bisexual men only. Interested Food and venue sponsored by Money Pennies Bar Halloween Dance Saturday, October 28, 2006 begin in October 2006, with the same general parties are welcome to join our VIRTUAL Group in and Eatery. (doors open at 8pm) at the Inglewood Community format as last year. Games are at the North Hill Alberta to: Ease Friendly meetings between big guys Hall, 1740 - 24th Avenue SE. Tickets: Non- Curling Club (1201 - 2 Street N.W.) with two draws and those who love them, organize different social CBCA Sexual and Reproductive Wellness Centre members $15, GIRLSGO Members: $10 Tickets on Saturdays: 2:20 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and at activities, and market a positive image of big men. 304, 301 14th Street NW available at: Barb’s Book Loft in Kensington, 328C - the Inglewood Golf and Curling Club, Saturdays at Hope to See you soon... (403) 283-5580 10th Street NW (near the Safeway, above Wayne’s 12:30 p.m. Big men’s and Admirers Sunday Brunch. Our 1st http://www.cbca.ab.ca Bagels) or GLCSA #4, 1230A - 17th Avenue SW, CBCA offers counselling and educational services Please call first! 403.234.8973 Squash -Location: University of Calgary. Mondays, event will be Sunday Nov. 12/2006 @ 11am. Mother Tuckers ,345 10Th Ave S.W., Calgary. A that help people consider their sexual and GLASS, Gay & Lesbian Association of Students 6:45 - 8:15 p.m. (90 minutes), Sep 11 - Dec reproductive choices in informed and responsible 11 (Fall Session) Cost: $89.00 for the 13 weeks social outing for bigger guys and those who enjoy and Staff their company AND its a FOOD DRIVE, so bring ways. 279R Student Union Club Spaces (6.85 per week) OR $10.00 drop in fee Apollo RU a lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirited or queer membership required ($15.00 per year) something that is non perishable so we can help University of Calgary out the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank! RSVP before youth, ages 17-24? RU interested in helping make

18 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 http://www.ucalgary.ca/~glass Last Sunday of the month - Texas Lounge Movie Pride Calgary http://www.glcsa.org/ (403) 220-6394 Matinee (403) 262-3410 A workshop for women that want to be themselves Tuesdays - Texas Lounge, 7:00pm Shooters http://www.pridecalgary.ca GLCSA - Gay And Lesbian Community Services in a supportive, safe environment. It is a chance Wednesday - Twisted Element - Boyz to Burlesque Association O1 Pride Rainbow Project to grow and share their experiences related to 7:00pm to 9:00pm See our ad on page 51 [email protected] women’s sexuality. Runs for a ten week period on Fridays - Backlot - BBQ Burgers and Hot Dogs 6: #4, 1230A 17th Avenue SW http://www.priderainbowproject.com Thursdays at 7pm. Call Trudy or Krista at 585- 00pm to 8:00pm (403) 234-8973 7437. To participate, please call the exclusive The Pride Rainbow Project was started in Fall 2003 http://www.glcsa.org Every Second Sunday, 6:00 to 9:00 Pool SHEQ line at 585-7437 (you may leave a voice by 4 youth of the Unitarian Church of Calgary. Tournament and BBQ at the Calgary Eagle message for Trudy or Krista) or leave your name Peer Support and Crisis Line - Front-line help service The Pride Rainbow Project is a project designed and a contact time/number with the Gay & Lesbian for GLBT individuals and their family and friends, Integrity Calgary to show support for same-sex marriage in Canada Community Services Association at 234-8973. or anyone questioning their sexuality. Please click http://members.aol.com/DWFrancis/integrity.html and elsewhere. It is a fabric rainbow banner here for further information on our Peer Support approximately 5 feet wide, and the goal is to make Speak Sebastian Worship – Every Second Sunday of the month at Program. it 3.2km (2 miles) long, in order to break the world http://www.cjsw.com 7pm. Meet at St Stephen’s Anglican Church, 1121 record (set by a group in Florida at 1.25 miles)! Radio Show – Every first & third Wednesday from 24-Hour Info Line - Calgary’s resource directory - 14 Ave SW. Christian fellowship for gay, lesbians, It contains the 6 colours of the pride flag: Red, 9-10pm. Radio for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, for information, events, business referrals, bisexuals and our friend and family. Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple. The project trans gender and kink community. Listen on CJSW organizations and support for the GLBT community. Knox United Church is youth run, but anyone can help!. FM 90.9. Library - A great selection of resource books, fiction, 506 - 4th Street S.W. • (403) 269-8382 Primetimers Calgary Urban Sex non-fiction, videos and everything in between, all http://www.knoxunited.ab.ca/ E-mail: [email protected] http://www.cjsw.com with a queer perspective. Knox United Church is an all-inclusive church http://www.primetimerscalgary.com Radio Show – Every second & forth Wednesday Drop-In Center - A safe and supportive environment located in . A variety of facility Prime Timers Calgary is designed to foster social from 9-10pm. Focus on sexuality; gay bisexual for one-to-one peer counseling for many issues rentals are also available for meetings, events and interaction for its members through a variety of lesbian trans gendered and straight issues here surrounding family, coming out, homosexuality, concerts. social, educational and recreational activities. It is in Calgary and around the web. Listen on CJSW loneliness and other issues. Worship Services open to all gay and bisexual men of any age and FM 90.9. Unity Pages - A service directory of GLBT or GLBT- Wednesdays - Communion Service 12:10 pm respects whatever degree of anonymity that each Western Leather Federation friendly businesses, organizations, and services Sundays - 11:00 a.m. September to June member desires. Coffee Night – Wed, 8:30pm. At the Calgary Eagle. within Calgary. Sundays - 10:30 a.m. in summer July and August. Rocky Mountain Bears Womynspace Heading Out New Directions http://www.rockymountainbears.com (403) 234-8973 or [email protected] (403) 234-8973 (403) 234-8973 or [email protected] Safety Under The Rainbow http://www.glcsa.org/ http://www.glcsa.org/ http://www.glcsa.org/ http://www.safetyrainbow.ca Peer social/support group for women providing an Peer group for men who are looking for an Drop in peer-support group to provide support and Mission: To raise awareness and understanding of evening of fun, bonding, discussion and activities. alternative social activity to the bar. Activities vary resources for individuals who identify as transsexual same-sex domestic violence and homophobic youth Meets every first and thrid Friday 7pm to 9pm at and are fun and entertaining. The group meets or inter-sexed. The group meets every 3rd Friday of bullying. GLCSA. the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month from 7 pm the month from 7 pm to 9 pm at GLCSA. to 9 pm. Project Areas: Vigor Calgary If you are transsexual, or know of someone who (403) 255-7004 HIV Peer Support Group is, please contact our office for information and Partnerships – Create partnerships with like-minded http://www.vigorcalgary.ca/ (403) 230-5832 assistance. You are not alone! There is support! groups. Organize a meeting to discuss a province- [email protected] wide cross-sector entity addressing domestic Violence in Gay Male Relationships (VIGOR) is a Positive Space Committee at Mount Royal violence and homophobic bullying. committee of professionals dedicated to increasing Illusions Calgary College the awareness of gay men’s domestic violence and (403) 234-8973 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW Training - Develop and pilot training modules that the services available to them. http://www.glcsa.org Phone: 403-440-6383 address GLBTT domestic violence and homophobic Web: www.mtroyal.ca/positivespace youth bullying. See the website or contact the office “Yeah... What She Said!” Social group for Calgary and area transgender Email: [email protected] for information on the next training session. Every Monday evening from 8:30-9:00pm community members (cross dressers, transvestites, CJSW 90.9 FM drag kings and queens). Illusions provides a safe, The Positive Space Committee at Mount Royal Research – Conduct an enviro-scan of services and [email protected] discrete and welcoming atmosphere, in which College works to raise awareness and challenge support available to GLBTT family violence and transgendered people can meet others of like mind. the patterns of silence that continue to marginalize abuse victims. Youth 4 Youth Illusions offers discretion, acceptance, compassion lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gendered, two-spirited (403) 283-5880 Directory – Publish a province-wide directory of and a safe place to express your gender. Cross- and queer (LGBTTQ) individuals. http://www.youth4youth.com services and supports addressing same-sex domestic dressing is the purpose of the group, but is not We are proud to host Transgender Day of Awareness violence and homophobic bullying. YouthSafe mandatory. & Remembrance on Friday November 24, 2006, http://www.youthsafe.net Survey – Conduct a survey on how same-sex Inside Out from 10:00am to 3:00pm in the Lincoln Park domestic violence and homophobic bullying affects Alberta’s website for youth with sex-and-gender (403) 234-8973 Room at Mount Royal College. This free event GLBTT individuals. Contact the office if you would be differences. Youthsafe.net lists the resources, http://www.glcsa.org invites professionals, students, faculty, staff and willing to fill out this survey. information and services to help youth find safe and valued members of the community to explore Peer-facilitated youth group for GLBTQ ages 15-25. caring spaces in Alberta. the issues that affect transgender persons and Sharp Foundation The group aims to let youth know they are not their communities. The program will feature Phone: (403) 272-2912 alone, and to connect them with their peers. Every presentations examining trans-gendered identity, E-mail: [email protected] Monday, 7 pm to 9pm at GLCSA. It is a funky and health, violence, and other related issues. http://www.thesharpfoundation.com Restaurants safe environment with a variety of resources and Presenters include Psychiatrist Dr. Lorne Warneke Calgary Eagle Inc. O4 activities. World AIDS Day - December 1, 2006 Fundraiser at from the Gender Identity Clinic at the Grey Nuns See our ad on page 24 Money-Pennies ISCCA – Imperial Sovereign Court of the Hospital in Edmonton; Dr. Mary Valentich, Professor 424a - 8 Ave SE • (403) 263-5847 Chinook Arch Emerita of the Faculty of Social Work at the SHEQ Soulful Healing Ego Quest Open Tues-Sun 4pm-close See our ad on page 24 and 27 University of Calgary, and others. (403) 234-8973 or [email protected] http://www.calgaryeagle.com http://www.iscca.ca GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location* gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 19 Haddock & Hoof’s One Yellow Rabbit O35 Theatre Junction Cruiseline 3851 17th Avenue SW See our ad on page 6 http://www.theatrejunction.com See our ad on page 71 (403) 242-0522 Big Secret Theatre – EPCOR CENTRE for the (780) 413-7122 trial code 3500 Truck Gallery O46 Specializing in Fresh East Coast Seafood Performing Arts • (403) 299-8888 http://www.cruiseline.ca 815 1st Street SW (Basement) • (403) 261-7702 http://www.oyr.org Phone chat room & talking classifieds for 18+ Jane Doe Marketplace & Cafe O50 http://www.truck.com See our ad on page 25 QUAB Gallery Inc. O43 Pride Construction Vertigo Mystery Theatre O34 311 17 Avenue SW • (403) 245-5263 See our ad on page 58 (780) 239-9197 161, 115 – 9 Ave SE • (403) 221-3708 Calgary’s Only Marketplace featuring Women 212, 100th 7th Avenue SW • (403) 261-2855 Construction and Renovations http://www.vertigomysterytheatre.com Entrepreneurs. Coffee Shop too! http://www.quab.ca LORD ARTHUR SAVILE’S CRIME Money-Pennies O9 Pumphouse Theatre O37 Community Groups and See our ad on page 52 2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW • (403) 263-0079 by Constance Cox, based on the story by Oscar Wilde 1742 - 10 Ave SW • (403) 263-7411 http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca Organizations November 18 - December 10, 2006 GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location* The Dazzle November 23 – December 2, presented Week Society “To put it briefly, I find myself obliged to murder by SAGE Theatre http://www.prideedmonton.org somebody before next Thursday.” Homer and Langley Collyer are brothers. One a From the pen of one of the great writers of the ERBA - Edmonton Rainbow Business Theatre and Art lawyer, one a concert pianist. They both are living twentieth century comes this delightful comic Association Alberta Ballet the upper middle class lifestyle in . concoction of family relations and murder. When a #3379, 11215 Jasper Avenue • (780) 4915- http://www.albertaballet.com They have it all - or do they? They fill the void until nefarious palm reader tells young Lord Arthur that 4458 the junk has piled high and blocked them from the Nutcracker - December 21 - 24 he will commit murder, he decides that one of his http://www.edmontonrba.org outside world. The Hermits of Harlem. Dancing Joni - February 8 - 10 eccentric relatives would be the perfect victim. The Our primary focus is the provision of networking Cinderella - March 22 - 24 An unbelievable story. Easy to pass off as only questions remaining are which one to kill? And opportunities for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and Dracula - April 9 - 10 imaginative whimsy, except for one thing: the how to do it? So many relatives, so little time. transgendered (GLBT) owned or operated and Collyer brothers were real. The Dazzle runs from ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects O36 GLBT-friendly businesses in the Edmonton region. Thursday, November 23 to December 2 with Phone: (403) 294-7402 Membership is open to all kinds of entrepreneurs, performances Tuesdays thru Saturdays. Edmonton Listings http://www.ATPlive.com from tradespeople to professionals to commission November 25 – December 27, 2006 - PETER PAN, Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for students and salespeople. seniors or $50 for season tickets. Tickets available Adapted by Jeffrey Pitcher The Edmonton Rainbow Business Association After at www.sagetheatre.com or call (403) 263-0079. Bars and Clubs January 31 – March 4, 2007 - ENBRIDGE playRites Boots & Saddles O5 Business Mixers. Held on the second Wednesday of FESTIVAL OF NEW CANADIAN PLAYS Stagewest 10242 106th St • (780)423-5014 every month 5:30 – 7:30 pm 727 42 Avenue SE • (403) 243-6642 March 13 – April 1, 2007 - TEMPTING O Nov 8 Upper Crust Café & Caterers, 10909 – 86 http://www.stagewestcalgary.com Buddy’s Nite Club 6 PROVIDENCE, by Robert Chafe, A presentation from 11725 Jasper Ave • (780) 488-6636 Ave, (780) 433-0810 Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador DREAMGIRLS: September 14 – November 19, http://www.buddysniteclub.ca/ Dec 13 Pride Centre, AGM & Elections,(780) April 17 – May 5, 2007 - SITTING ON PARADISE, 2006, DREAMGIRLS is a show about a time in Prism Bar & Grill O8 488-3234 by Eugene Stickland American musical history when what is called rhythm and blues blended with other styles of 10524 101st St • (780) 990-0038 Edmonton STD O4 Broadway Across Canada popular music creating a new American sound http://www.prismbar.ca 11111 Jasper Ave http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca – Motown! From the fabulous 60’s – a time when O The Roost 9 Edmonton Vocal Minority we were still screaming at Elvis and listening to Nov. 28 - Dec. 3, 2006 - Aladdin at the Southern See our ad on page 45 See our ad on page 30 the Beatles, but were dancing to the new beat of Alberta Jubilee Auditorium 10345 104th St • (780) 426-3150 http://www.evmchoir.com countless girl and boy groups like The Supremes, http://www.theroostniteclub.com Phone: 780-479-2038 Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra the Marvelettes, The Temptations and The Shirelles http://www.cpo-live.com • (403) 571-0849 to the creation and arrival of disco, DREAMGIRLS This September the Roost is celebrating it’s 29th Free To Be volleyball birthday Week, the dates will most likely be Sept.17 Fairytales International Gay & Lesbian Film is a behind-the-scenes look at the reality of the Amiskiwcy Academy, 101 Airport Rd. (near the - Sept. 24 with huge nightly prizes & great shows. Festival entertainment industry – the business part of downtown airport) http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com show business that made possible this cultural Woody’s O12 Every Wednesday and Thursday night, 8pm-10pm phenomenon. 11725 Jasper Ave • (780) 488-6557 The Globe Cinema O49 Welcome GLBT players! VICTOR/VICTORIA: Nov. 23, 2006 – Feb. 617 8th Avenue SW • (403) 262-3308 Wednesday night recreational level: All players 11, 2007, We know we’re in Paris, but is this Bathhouse and Sauna’s www.globecinema.com and skill levels welcome. Contact Marc for more person a he or a she? A man or a woman? What Down Under Baths O7 information: [email protected], Tel: (780) Call for showtimes confusion… What fun! VICTOR/VICTORIA is an 12224 Jasper Ave •(780) 482-7960 445-0365. Jubilations Dinner Theatre appealing, sophisticated show, based on the http://www.gayedmonton.com/ career of the Paris entertainer Victoria Grant, who http://www.jubilations.ca Steamers O10 Thursday night intermediate level: Coaching and becomes a star female impersonator, only to fall 1002 - 37th Street SW, at the Westbrook Mall • 9668 Jasper Avenue • (780) 422-2581 drills provided. Contact Alex for more information: (403) 249-7799 in love-at-first-sight with macho King Marchan. [email protected], Tel: (780) 424-9984. (Please Inspired by the 1982 movie (7 Academy Award Steamworks O11 note that there is limited space on the intermediate Looks Could Kill Art Boutique Nominations) starring Julie Andrews, James Garner 11745 Jasper Ave• (780) 451-5554 night) Art Central, lower level #11, 100 7th Ave SW • and Robert Preston, Victor/Victoria features musical http://www.buddysniteclub.ca/ (403) 264-7576 O such as Le Jazz Hot, You and Me, Almost HIV Network Of Edmonton Society 3 a Love Song, Trust Me, and Crazy World. Life’s 11456 Jasper Ave New Gallery O25 Businesses complications are both hilarious and touching. iHuman presents 516D - 9 Ave SW • (403) 233-2399 B & D Emporium O13 TRASHED Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm Stride Gallery O47 See our ad on page 40 1004 MacLeod Trail SE • (403) 262-8507 #101 11745 Jasper Ave• (780) 428-5847 November 17, 2006 8pm http://www.stride.ab.ca http://www.bdemporiumedmonton.com 11355 - 105 Ave ~ north of Oliver Square.

20 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Great entertainment where Garbage, Music, Art & Pride Centre of Edmonton O1 - Bisexual Discussion Group - Youth Understanding Youth Fashion collide. 95A St. and 111 Ave. • (780) 488-3234 Open to drop in - Mixed social and discussion group Youth support and social group meets every meets the first and third Tuesday of every month Saturday from 7 to 9 pm at the Pride Centre Join us in support of ihuman Youth Society. This - Bears Movie Night in Meeting Room A @ 7pm at the Pride Centre of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph: organization needs to find a studio/education space Bears club of Edmonton meets the last Sunday of of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph:488-3234 (780) 488-3234 Contact: [email protected] to call their own; they must relocate from 11355 the month for movies 1- 6 pm in the TV room at Facilitator: Vanessa - edmbigroup@yahoogrou (www.members.shaw.ca/yuy ) - 105 Ave in the near future. the Pride Centre of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. ps.com Ph:488-3234 - Womonspace The ihuman approach is holistic, their name coming - Community Potluck Dinner 1st Saturday of every month from 10 am to 1 pm from an Inuit term describing the individual’s place - Trans Education/Support Group Everyone welcome. Second Tues of every month at the Pride Centre of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 within the collective community. The garbaganza Support and education for all transsexual, bring the family and share good food and a Ave. Ph:488-3234 Contact Womonspace for details costumes evolved from an individual’s desire to transgendered, intersexed, two-spirited and socialize with great people! 7 – 9 pm at the Pride http://www.gaycanada.com/womonspace/ REcover and REuse the REsources from the common questioning individuals meets 1st, 3rd and last Centre of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph: products of the collective community. Come out, Sunday of each month, 2-4 pm at the Pride Centre Womonspace Christmas Dinner and Dance (780) 488-3234 watch our event, support this deserving society; of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph:488-3234 Saturday December 9, 2006 see ihumanites…vigorous young people talented - Meditation Circle Bellevue Community Hall 7308 112 Ave. - Trans Education/Support Group and in action. Be amazed as you recognize what is Guided Meditation Group, Drop In - no charge Dinner: 7 pm to 9 pm Support and education for all transsexual, garba-cotuRE. Costumes far from ordinary. to the public. Meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday Dance:? 9 pm to 1 am transgendered, intersexed, two-spirited and of each month in Meeting Room A at the Pride Members: $10.00, Non-members: $15.00 Suggested donation $10 to support iHuman questioning individuals meets 1st, 3rd and last Centre of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave., Ph: project. iHuman is a registered non-proifit. Sunday of each month, 2-4 pm at the Pride Centre (780) 488-3234, Facilitator Hanne Csanyi - Prime Timers of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph:488-3234 Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose – [email protected] Monthly Member Meetings at the Pride Centre of http://www.gayedmonton.org - Sunday Night Mens Discussion Group Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph:488-3234 - The HIV Positive Gay Men’s Group Mens social and discussion group meets every Living Positive (Edmonton Persons Living with Drop in caring circle every Thursday, 1-4 pm @ 7- - Parents Rock the World Workshops Sunday @ 7 pm at the Pride Centre of Edmonton HIV Society) O2 9 pm in main area, at the Pride Centre of Edmonton PFLAG Canada: Edmonton Chapter - Workshop 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph: 488-3234, Contact: Rob (780) 488-5768 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph: (780) 488-3234 Series Tuesdays (Feb 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, Wells - [email protected] http://www.edmlivingpositive.ca Facilitator: Mark, HIV Outreach June 6), Pride Centre (95A St. and 111 Ave.) 7:00 - Monday Movie Night The HIV positive Gay Men’s Group is a place for – 10:00 p.m. Ph: (780) 488-3234 Providing confidential one-on-one peer support for Weekly movie nights, with themed movies and gay men to come and share their feelings on A series of workshops for Parents of Gay, Lesbian, infected or affected individuals…. Internet support discussion afterwards at the Pride Centre of how it is affecting their personal lives. This is a Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning children. [email protected] Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph:488-3234 personal private time for them to express how it has Each session will feature a 30 – 45 minute changed their outlook on life. As well to support and topic specific presentation, followed by a group Northern Chaps - Womens Spirituality Group help each other dealing with being HIV positive. discussion. Social time for sharing and networking http://www.northernchaps.com Drumming Circle, meets 2nd Tues of every month Whatever is said in the room stays within the room. will follow at the end of each session. Call the Pride in the TV room @ 7 pm at the Pride Centre of We have twice-monthly social meetings at Boots Remember! You are not alone! Centre to register or for more details. Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph:488-3234, Bar and Garage, on the first and third Saturdays of Facilitator: Kuaitzi every month. Come down about 9:00 pm and meet your brothers and sisters gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 21 - Dykes to Watch Out For! [email protected]. You can add your Discussion and Social Group Wednesdays (Feb 8, Lethbridge Listings #310, 396 Cooper information to the GayCalgary.com directory on the Feb 22, March 8, March 22), Pride Centre (95A GALA/LA - Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Ottawa, ON K2P 2H7 website for free. St. and 111 Ave.) 8:00 – 10:00 pm, Ph: (780) Lethbridge and Area 1-888-204-7777 toll free GayCalgary.com endeavors to have the information 488-3234 (403) 308-2893 (live on Mon. and Wed. evenings Stephen Lock – Regional Co-Director (Male) here as accurate as possible. Events and listings A social and discussion group for gay women, until 11 p.m.) Prairies/NWT/Nunavut can change at any time so it is recommended to dykes, lesbians and questioning women wanting to http://www.newgaylethbridge.ca (403) 708-5302 cell phone check with the establishment before you head out. network, learn more about issues and interested in http://www.egale.ca Non-Profit groups free listings. Business receive a building community! Call Pride Centre to register, Monthly dances (Sept.-May) start Sept. 16 at [email protected] listing once an ad has been placed. The business or you can also just drop in for just one session! Croatian hall Call for directions, or for information listing will last 1 year after the last ad is placed Egale Canada is the national advocacy and lobby on P-Flag, campus groups and monthly pot-luck unless there is a GayCalgary.com service located at - GLBT Seniors Drop IN organization for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, dinners that location. Every Wednesday Pride Centre (95A St. and 111 trans-identified people and our families. Ave.), 10:30 am – 3:30 pm Membership fees are pay-what-you-can, although The Pride Centre is thrilled to introduce a new pre-authorized monthly donors are encouraged (and program serving our GLBT seniors. Hosted by Jeff get a free Egale Canada t-shirt). Egale has several Bovee, contact the Centre at 488-3234 for more National Listings committees that meet by teleconference on a info. regular basis; membership on these is national with Businesses members from every region of Canada. - In together Out Together Get Together Love and Pride A welcoming group for GLBT members in their See our ad on page 59 20’s, 30’s & 40’s and their friends, in Edmonton, Gay and Lesbian themed Jewlery Theatre and Art Alberta and surrounding area, for social activities http://www.loveandpride.ca Brothers TV and support through sharing. Hosted by Robert http://www.brotherstv.com Squirt Blatchford http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/ See our ad on page 70 OutTV intogether Dating and hookups website See our ad on page 8 and 51 Theatre and Art http://www.squirt.org http://www.outtv.ca Alberta Ballet Wega Video http://www.albertaballet.com See our ad on page 16 If you would like to add your business or Adult DVD’s non-profit group to the list above, please call Carmina Burana - October 20 - 21 http://www.wegavideo.ca (403) 543-6960, (888) 543-6960 or E-mail Nutcracker - December 15 - 17 Dancing Joni - February 16 - 17 Cinderella - March 30 - 31 Community Groups and Dracula - April 12 - 13 Organizations

Broadway Across Canada Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition / Coalition http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca santé arc-en-ciel Canada Aug. 30 - Sept. 24, 2006 - Phantom of the Opera P.O. Box / C.P. 3043 at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium Saskatoon SK Canada S7K 3S9 306-955-5135 Nov. 14 - 19, 2006 - Aladdin at the Northern toll -free / sans frais 1-800-955-5129 Alberta Jubilee Auditorium fax/ télécopieur 306-955-5132 Jubilations Dinner Theatre http://www.rainbowhealth.ca http://www.jubilations.ca http://www.santearc-en-ciel.ca 8882 — 170 Street, Inside the West Edmonton Mall • (780) 484-2424 June 9, 2006 - Aug. 13, 2006 - Emergency Room Aug. 18, 2006 - Oct. 22, 2006 - Butch, Sundance & The Gang

22 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 B & D Emporium Edmonton Not Just for the Kinky

By Jason Clevett Review | Business B & D Emporium has long been the place to go for leather, kink and fetish-wear in both Calgary and Edmonton. In August of 2000, Stephen Hosie moved from Vancouver to help then-Calgary owners Barbie and Christine open up a store in Edmonton. After a few changes (including the addition of the suffi x of “Empo- rium” on their name) Hosie was offered the chance to purchase the store in 2003 and since then has been the sole proprietor while maintaining the name. “We kept the name because there is too much name recognition in the kink community,” Hosie told GayCalgary during a visit to his store. “We are talking about changing it now because we are slowly changing our focus on who our customer base is. The kink will always be there but we are going to more of an overall alternative lifestyle store. We are bringing in more Pride stuff, underwear, books and mags devoted to gay and lesbian stuff. I grew up with Little Sis- ters bookstore in Vancouver so that is the image I have in my head for the store while still keeping the leather and kink component.” can hear them talking outside about coming in. We had a big street The store offers custom made leather work and clothing, as well as sign that we put out there with the words “fetish clothing” on it, now offering the popular gay Canadian Priape wear. Other clothing lines we don’t even say fetish anymore.” that they have started carrying are Lip Service, a punk rock/Goth line out of L.A., and Allure Leather, which is Canada’s only manufac- An experience last year made the decision to adjust focus an easy turer of fetish clothing. While there are new draws to the store, the one. fetish and kink products are still accessible there. ”The clincher was last Halloween the Edmonton Sun did a two “We see more gay traffi c than we did at our old location,” Hosie page color spread on the store. The caliber of the customers that said. Since the time he became owner, the store had also changed came in after that for the next week [were the reason why we decided location. It is currently next door to the gay clubs Buddy’s & Wood- that] we needed to bring down the fetish aspect. We call them the ys, and underneath Steamworks bathhouse. “We have always had ’Wal-mart shoppers‘ - they come here to giggle. The young woman a bit of a scary image problem with people, as far as the kink image, that worked here was in the paper and she looked really hot. She because we played that up for the fi rst fi ve years. So I think a lot of was harassed constantly by dirty old men for months after that. So ’mainstream‘ people drew away from that. That is part of the reason we decided to tone the sexuality down. We’ve gotten rid of all the why we are changing the merchandise we are selling. We have a Dungeon furniture because it was the fi rst thing people focused on back room for the kinky stuff to keep it out of public view so that when they came here and it makes people uncomfortable. It has someone who is just coming down here to buy a pair of pantyhose been a diffi cult balancing act because I don’t want to lose the cus- doesn’t feel like they are walking into someone’s basement Dungeon. tomer base we built for six years, but in order to stay in business we We are battling that image now, people are afraid to come in here. need to turn over product quickly.” I’ve always thought it was kind of strange but I’ve been living this for a long time.” In today’s market it is important for the store to evolve. B&D Emporium now offers something for everyone. They still pro- “A lot of the kink market has gone online because it is so convenient vide a variety of services and products to their loyal kink customer and the whole kink lifestyle is still pretty in the closet. People like the base, as well as offering a variety of options to those who are kink- anonymity of ordering online so they do. Our business in that has curious or vanilla. So if you were ever deterred by the mental image slowly dropped off as has Christine’s in Calgary. There is nothing of whips and chains, it is no longer something that should prevent you can do to counter that. We talked about going online with a store you from checking out what Edmonton’s B&D Emporium can offer. but I am old fashioned and want the face-to-face, its much more fun ”We are pretty evenly split between men and women. Demo- for me. I could do this at home but I would rather come out here.” graphically we are just a cross-section of society. Our gay clientele It’s been a gradual process towards the store’s change, but a nec- is 15 – 20% the rest is husbands and wives and a real mish-mash. essary one. Even within our own community people aren’t as open as We get a lot of fi rst time people who are just starting out into the they really should be. kink lifestyle; they are actually kind of fun. You don’t want to scare people who are truly interested because it can be pretty intimidating. ”It’s a big surprise as I have been out as a gay person for thirty When people ask about toys for S&M I don’t make recommendations years. I have always considered myself to be pretty open-minded and because everyone is different and has their own preferences and thought most gay people around me would be pretty open-minded. choices.” Thirty years ago they were. Now I fi nd there are just as many nar- row minds in the gay community as in the world at large, and they B & D Emporium Edmonton have serious issues with kink just like other people do. It came as a 101-11745 Jasper Ave. surprise. I’ve had 25-year-old gay men come in here and giggling like Edmonton, AB schoolgirls, because it’s embarrassing and titillating and taboo. It’s (780) 428-5847 really strange. Even in the summer when the windows are open you www.bdemporiumedmonton.com

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 23 24 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Q Scopes “Get nasty, Cancer!”

By GayCalgary.com Magazine Staff Lifestyle | Astrology The Sun and Mercury are aligned in Scorpio, mak- ing our own ideas feel very important and profound. you can have a great time, whoever wins. They are also square to Neptune, so those ideas are probably more muddled than you’d like to admit. SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): It’s a bad Whether or not Confucius actually said it, acknowl- time to be quite so sure of yourself, and a good edging confusion is the fi rst step to enlightenment. time to dig up family scandals and secrets. They could knock you for a serious loop, but the knowledge will make you stron- ger in the long run.

ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Especially feisty these days, you seem to be looking for a fi ght, SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): You and that could scare off some friends. You want a good chal- are not to be trusted with secrets this week! Hide lenge, but to what end? Clarify your ideals so you can clarify in some meditative retreat where you won’t reveal existing your goals. confi dences. Failing that, keep your conversations tuned to poetry and art, where you now have great insights.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Your love life should be especially good these days; enjoy it CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): while you can. The drawback is that it may be distracting you Don’t loan or borrow or try to collect on debts. from your work and clouding your professional judgment. Be That’s a notorious danger to especially careful of colleagues and competitors who might friendships, even in the best betray you. of times. Focus instead on what you really value in your friends. Money can wait. GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Ideals clash with practical considerations now. You may have to dig through your ideals to fi nd some larger, if vaguer, guiding AQUARIUS principle; review your work to reconcile the confl ict. Look for (January 20 - changes you can make at work before actually changing jobs. February 18): The spotlight is on you everywhere, especially at work. This could illuminate CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Get nasty. Talk personal details you’d rather fi lth. Read the Marquis de Sade. (Philosophy in not share. Intrusive questions the Bedroom is a nice intro to his work.) Giving voice to your can be dismissed with other darkest erotic dreams will open your imagination, not just questions: “Is that what you sexually, but to richer creative visions. heard? Really? Hmm...” Keep your sense of humor! LEO (July 23 - August 22): Arguments with fam- ily members will seem to deepen, not alleviate, PISCES (Febru- confusion. Examine (preferably in conversation with someone ary 19 - March else) your parents’ relationship and how that might affect your 19): You have a great need own partnerships. for both learning and expres- sion that can pull you into arguments. Stick to art and VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Needless other topics in which so much arguments can make you ill, but so can holding is subjective and you don’t in what you need to express. Be careful of what debates you have to fall back on facts or get into and with whom, but do fi nd an outlet, and be ready to learn a few things that may make you change your position. logic.

LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Leave your money alone! Don’t shop for anything you don’t really need, and never mind investments or gambling. Play for funsies, especially with a naughty edge (strip Twister?), and

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 25 Adult Film Review Lebanon, Rammer, The Coach, and Last Call

By Jerome Voltero Review | Adult Male “Collin O’Neal’s World of Men: Lebanon” by Raging In this movie, a mysterious man wearing a scary clown mask Stallion Studios, Courtesy kidnaps “evil men” and lets their victims teach them a les- of Priape son. I’d say that it’s a mixture between “Saw” and “Hostel”, but adapted for porno. Most of the evil men are handsome devils With three muscular and – Jake Dakota being one of them – and the guys they have furry chests on the front wronged seem less appealing in my eyes, but would probably be cover, how could I resist? You quite hot for some. guessed it, this new release is fi lmed in a desert climate The fi rst kidnappee wakes up with an electric collar around wrought with secluded hills his neck. An employee that he has stepped on in the past now and abandoned buildings holds the button to activate the collar, and after a few minor – perfect for these randy shocks the boss has no choice but to comply. There are very “Lebanese” men to hook up strong themes of dominance and humiliation in this fi lm, as and get nasty. most of the sex scenes aim to seem non-consensual. In the fi rst scene, Fran- Eventually Dakota is kidnapped in his sleep and wakes up cois Sagat is cruised by the bound to a sling. As he gets rammed by his victim, Jake repeat- butch Said in an abandoned edly growls, “Get your dick out of my ass!” Eventually he loses building. Sagat still has that darn hairstyle that looks like it’s track and starts grunting “Yeah!” instead. The chains come off painted on, but he has grown his goatee a little longer and it and he gets to take some control back, but he’s enjoying himself seems to have an almost blonde tinge to it when seen through too much to try to escape. the sunlight. Lifting his shirt and stroking his belly and chest, Sagat is able to encourage Said to do the same, revealing his nice furry torso. Having laid claim to one another, they retreat “The Coach” by Pacifi c to the inside of the building for a romp. Sun Entertainment, Cour- Later on we’re introduced to two porn stars that were new to tesy of Adult Depot me: Marco, and Martin Mazza. Marco is probably the most be- Hey, you don’t have to stick lievable Lebanese guy of the lot, and he goes pretty rough on the to the new releases, especially intermittently cute-looking Martin. I say intermittent because when there are tons of other with a dick in his mouth, Martin’s good looks are overshadowed movies that you haven’t seen by his blazing red face. Good grief! yet! “The Coach” is an oldie On the other hand, Collin O’Neal, after whom the movie is from 2001 and although the named, is most obviously playing the tourist. In the last two music sounds like it’s from scenes he gets up to no good with a number of the cast. Maybe the 80’s, it has many other I’m just jealous but it seemed a little self-indulgent to me. He redeeming features - namely goes one-on-one with Said while Francois watches from a safe Chris Steele, Joshua Scott, distance, and then he has a three-way with Francois and the (in and Dante. my opinion) not so hot Jacko. In the fi rst scene, Coach Not a lot of story here so Scott orders his trainee Dante it’s hard to say much more. to run several laps around The main reason to buy this the baseball diamond in the rain. The two of them don’t look DVD would be if you’re into like much until they lose their clothes in the locker room after masculine, good looking the training session is over. Scott sits on the locker room bench middle-eastern guys…which I wearing nothing but a jock strap, polishing a baseball bat with certainly am! a cloth. If that’s not obviously phallic then I don’t know what is! He makes some inappropriate comments as Dante comes out of the shower, and Dante dons a look of mock surprise. Scott offers his coachly advice, suggesting that Dante has an attitude “Rammer” by Mustang problem that needs fi xing. With the hilarious line of “Relaxation Studios, Courtesy of Priape is not inappropriate, it’s therapeutic,” Dante drops his towel and Well, Jake Dakota keeps off they go. pumping out the movies, so I had to laugh though…how many people do you know shower I just have to keep pumping with a cock ring on? Okay, so a little contrived but what the out the reviews. It’s all his heck, the action is very hot between these two muscled studs. fault, honest! Coach has a goatee and a nice helping of chest hair, while Dante is smooth save for his fi ve-o-clock shadow. I can’t imagine too

26 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 many people would thumb their nose at this scene. Even if they do, the blonde muscle boy and burly daddy in the next scene should make up for it. There are many more scenes with an even bigger variety of guys, so if you’re turned on by the idea of older on younger, teacher on pupil, then this one is a must-see.

“Last Call” by Daddy Oohhh! Productions, Cour- tesy of Adult Depot The bar – it’s a setting we’re all familiar with, and this porno shows what can (and sometimes does) happen in the bars after close when nobody’s watching. A lot of the guys in this fi lm are a little more on the seedy side, or at least a lot more realistic than the hand-picked porn stars that are so typi- cal. In the fi rst clip, two guys bump into each other in the washroom. Cruising leads to kissing, kissing leads to groping, and before long everything is hanging out. They don’t seem at all concerned that someone might walk in on them. Jude Marshall is a younger smooth and slender guy with a goatee, and Nathan York is about the same build but a little older, slightly furrier, with salt and pepper hair and goatee. The bar is empty later on after last call, and bartender Nick Stone is wiping down the counter when the woofy Tyler Kane stops by to say “hi”. Stone offers him a beer – a HUGE no-no serving alcohol after last call – but Kane decides to reach across the counter and help himself to the bartender instead. Both guys are athletic and hairy, probably in their late 30’s or early 40’s. They do the usual course of sucking and fucking behind the bar counter while the cold-one grows wet with condensation, sadly untouched. If you’ve ever fantasized about having sex in a bar, as I’m sure many of us have at some point, then this porno is a great way to live vicariously through others. I’m obligated to encourage you NOT to do this in real life because you can get your favourite bar in a lot of trouble if you’re caught. The bar staff may turn a blind eye…or they may dump a bucket of ice water into your bathroom stall!

“Collin O’Neal’s World of Men: Lebanon” and “Rammer” Courtesy of Priape Calgary Canada’s Favorite Gay Store 1322, 17th Avenue SW – (403) 215-1800 http://www.priape.ca

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gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 27 If You Can’t Beat ‘Em…Bully Them Intimidation Tactics of the Right

Perceptions Magazine, a queer publication published out of By Stephen Lock Saskatoon. That we are embroiled in a societal and cultural In late October, I received a phone call from Terleski, who had obtained my number from Egale after posing as “media.” battle between the liberal Left and the conserva- In the message left on my voicemail, he claims I was advocat- tive Right won’t come as a surprise to many. It ing violence by my statement, specifi cally violence towards also will not be much of a surprise to hear this him, and that if I did not issue a letter of apology he would fi le confl ict, increasingly centred on GLBTQ issues, is a human rights complaint against me. My initial reaction, I will admit, was one of if not panic, then “oh great, just what I often a black/white, either/or type of battle. need”. While admitting to a certain bias, I believe the liberal left After thinking it through, however, and talking to various at least tries to play fair, even while it strongly, even vehe- activists across Canada and to the publisher of Perceptions, mently, disagrees with the views of its opponents. From where a renowned activist in his own right, I realized my comments I stand, the same cannot be said of much of the conservative were probably not actionable. They were not an incitement to right, especially those who identify with the Right Wing. violence nor were they a support of violence. Combating the misinformation often trotted out by vari- I did write the letter, however, as it gave me an opportunity ous right wing interests is hard enough. We certainly saw to clarify not only my position on the specifi c incident, but plenty of that during the equal marriage debates, even down also on the use of violence. For the record, in case anyone is to terminology; the Right kept insisting on referring to it as in any doubt, I am opposed to violence. “gay marriage,” which, of course, it wasn’t – the institution of civil marriage didn’t suddenly acquire a sexual orientation or I am sorry Terleski was attacked. He is, like all of us, a “turn gay.” The issue was always about equal access to a civil person with feelings and, while I deplore his views, I assume institution, in this case the civil institution of marriage, with he believes them to be right. To be spat upon, hit, knocked all its rights, obligations and responsibilities. However, we’ve down, and allegedly kicked for quietly standing on the side- had that debate and I don’t intend to rehash it here. walk with his signs is, under any circumstance, just not right. Verbally engage, even argue; just don’t hit. As many of you may recall, there was an incident during last June’s wherein one of “ours” went after and, However, what Terleski is engaging in, whether he is aware based on what the news cameras caught, assaulted Merle Ter- of it or not, is a tactic too often employed by those opposed to leski, a well known anti-gay, anti-choice, pro-war, pro-Bush, our equality; intimidation. rightwing activist. I fi nd it ironic that when those from “our side” complain to When questioned by the media, I refused to condemn one of a human rights tribunal about those who publicly come out our own for reacting to the provocation of anti-gay signs being with some truly nasty comments about us, we are condemned held up at a Pride Parade. Whether Tyson McCann Cormack for “running to the Human Rights Commission” and much ink should have done what he did is a question I will leave to the and too much bandwidth is wasted on bemoaning how such courts, where the case now resides. tactics are an infringement on free speech. I was quoted in media as saying “I don’t condemn Cormack. Sometimes they are and often they are not an infringement, You can only push people so much before they start push- but be that as it may, human rights commissions are often the ing back.” The quote was reprinted in an August article in only avenue open to those who are truly being victimized. On

28 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 top of that, commissions can choose not to accept frivolous or vexatious cases…from either end of the spectrum. Yet here we have one of the foot soldiers of the Right threat- ening to take me to the very commission so many of his co- horts characterize as a product of the left-lib nanny state. He is fully prepared, it would seem, to try to thwart my freedom of speech in his attempt to stymie any sort of advancement of equality rights for GLBTQ people. I am not the fi rst to recognize that many of the tactics used by those aligned with The Right are bullying tactics. Disagree with our positions, but do so with facts not innuendo and supposition, and do so reasonably not with threats of punitive action. Terleski appears to believe he is some sort of victim in all this. And, in one sense, he is; he is the alleged victim of an alleged assault. I say “alleged” because the case is now before the courts and I have no desire to prejudice the case in any way. However, in my opinion Terleski was present at the Pride Parade to provoke. Holding up anti-gay signs at a GLBTQ event is a provocation. That he would invite a reaction is a reasonable assumption to make. It is perhaps worth noting that if a demonstrator held up signs criticizing Jews at a pro-Israel rally, someone would react strongly. If someone held up signs with racist slogans, however obtuse, at a Black march, there would be a huge reaction. However, when someone shows up at a Pride Parade and holds up anti-gay signs we are all expected to just pas- sively ignore them and not react. In fact, we are told this by Parade marshals at just about every Pride parade held in Canada…just ignore them, don’t get into it with them, wave, smile, keep moving. Tyson McCann Cormack refused to take it anymore and reacted. Each and every one of us remembers growing up and be- ing intimidated, pushed around, threatened, harassed, even beaten by bullies because we were known to be or assumed to be fags and lezzies. Some of us got it worse than others, but for all of us the experience left a lasting imprint on our psyches. Not to put too fi ne a point on it, but growing up gay, lesbian, bi, or trans and being ostracized and harassed and even terrorized for it, has scarred many of us. There are very few of us who do not still carry around inside us that 12- or 14-year old, desperate to just be liked, who is traumatized by the actions of his or her peers. We may think we have dealt with it, we may think that kids will be kids, and we are all grown up now. But sometimes something triggers those buried feelings and that 12- or 14-year old lashes out. I believe that is what happened that day for Tyson McCann Cormack. So, yes, I support him and, yes, I will not and do not condemn him even while I disagree with and condemn his actions. If the Terleskis of this world, those who believe it is their God-given right to stand amidst us to condemn and ridicule us and who would try to intimidate us, choose to see our reac- tion as somehow suddenly victimizing them, then they truly do not understand. No other minority would stand for it. Why should we? Stephen Lock is a long time gay activist in Alberta. He is also the Secretary and Regional Co-Director (Prairies/NWT/Nunavut) of Egale Canada, the national equality seeking organization for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans-identified people and our families. He is the producer and host of Speak Sebastian, a semi-monthly queer radio show broadcasting the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 9pm on CJSW FM 90.9, and a freelance writer. The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the views of Egale Canada, CJSW, or any other organization or publication unless specifically stated as such.

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 29 23rd Annual AIDS Benefit Roost Fundraises for AIDS Research By Jason Clevett Community | Spotlight HIV and AIDS is still very much out there, and drag shows, Capital City Burlesque and much more to keep while people are having longer, healthier lives with you entertained while the auctions run. There are a number of the disease, the search for a cure continues for this businesses that donate to the auction. 2005’s event featured a still devastating disease. Every November, The Roost $9,000 complete fi tness workout as an auction item. This year nightclub in Edmonton puts on an event to raise organizers have arranged for a number of big prizes, including some autographed material from musical stars such as Anne funds, with proceeds going to AIDS research. Murray. There will be lots to bid on and a great chance to take “We started doing the fundraiser when the AIDS epi- home one-of-a-kind memorabilia. demic started,” event organizer Joe Achtemichuk told “Last year we raised $4700, which was up from previous GayCalgary.com. “The bar used to do it for Kairos House, years. We made a lot of money on the hair last year. The silent which was a care home for those dying of HIV/AIDS. That auction is a great way to do Christmas shopping, as you can organization is now run by Catholic Social Services and there go through and pick a few items and bid on them. You aren’t are no gay people there. People had started complaining going to pay full price for anything at a silent auction.” that the money was going to the wrong organization. So we researched and felt the University of Alberta’s AIDS research The Roost’s 23rd Annual Aids Benefi t centre [was more worthy]. The fundraiser is all to fi nd a cure. Friday November 10th, at 8:00pm The UofA is always struggling for money. They are one of the Cover: $5 best research laboratories in the country. It has taken a while http://www.theroostniteclub.com for them to get to that.” This year’s event takes place on November 10th. The fundraiser is injected with new concepts and ideas to keep it fresh every year. The staples however are a live and silent auction, as well as $10 haircuts. ICON Hair Architexture has graciously donated its stylists’ time to the event. “Tyrell at Icon has been great, we do so much with him its not even funny. Working with the hair salon, you feed off their customers and get some great things. The haircuts are in a space that is very visible; if people are walking past it they will think about it. This is the most promotion we have done with the haircutting because of the deal we have with Icon. The amount of e-mails we’ve gotten about the haircuts is phenom- enal. We are trying to draw in the new generation to an event that brings out the old generation. There’s a ’four time a year‘ crowd that comes out and this is an event that they do.” The evening, which begins at 8pm and runs until close (last years event ran until 4:30am) will also feature live performers,

30 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 31 Q Puzzle “C Minus,”

By GayCalgary.com Magazine Staff Fun | Crosswords CLUE: in which the “c” is deleted from phrases to “queer” them.

Across ings 1 Maurice of Bewitched 55 Writer Castillo 6 Snakes in the grass 56 Copies of a women’s 10 Glen or Glenda: ___ Two magazine Lives 57 Cheer at a k.d. concernt? 14 Gift recipient 60 Privy to 15 Gay tune 61 Deviate 16 Hatcher of Desperate 62 Louganis, for one Housewives 66 Cock attachment 17 B. D. Wong, for one 67 “Miz ___ Sez” (poetry set 18 Protected, to seamen to music by Del Tredici) 19 Gomer’s “anti” 68 Like Mary’s follower 20 Type of porno computer 69 Discouraging words program? 70 Lid problem 23 From __ Z 71 Intense desires 26 Abbr. on a Froot Loops box Down 27 Bea’s Golden Girls role 1 Childcare writer LeShan 28 Clipped in the rear 2 Marilyn ___ Savant 30 Digits used when the IRS 3 Singer DiFranco gets its hand in your pocket 4 Biweekly tide 31 Poem about a drag 5 Kahlo and others queen? 6 Gallo portrayer in And the 33 Lover, after “signifi cant” Band Played On 23 American Idol judge 53 U.S. investment 38 Bear up there 7 Russian River deposit Paula 54 Endora portrayer 39 Happy Days role Ralph 8 Asks on bended knee 24 Joe of baseball 58 Joel of Cabaret ___ 9 Pool parties? 25 Too big for your britches 59 Become exhausted, with 42 Karl with a gay stepdad 10 Prefi x for Da Vinci’s land 29 Peter the Great, for one “out” 43 Looks at a hottie in a bar 11 On the up and up 32 Conduit bend 63 Strive 45 Have an American Idol 12 John of Gay Sex Quotes 34 Dixie Chicks, e.g. 64 It goes after butt and tail lover? 13 Like a two-incher 35 Malarkey 65 Hi-___ graphics 47 R. Cohn, e.g. 21 “On the down low,” for 36 Makes straight 50 Grab by Sheryl Swoopes example 37 Splits Answer key is on page 69 51 He danced in Silk Stock- 22 Bond opponent 40 Cold-cock 41 Whoopi, in The Lion King 44 Travel with your fi rst mate 46 You can make love with this 48 Country singer Randy 49 Rent payer 51 Uranian, for example 52 Holy, to Manuel Puig

32 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 The Twisted Element 2 Years and Going Strong

By Jason Clevett Review | Business When The Twisted Element fi rst opened its doors on November 12th, 2004 nobody could have foreseen the ”The Twisted Lounge came about from wanting to attract an impact they would have on Calgary’s club scene and gay older crowd that wants to sit and socialize, and listen to the piano. The average age group upstairs is about thirty, but the community, and the changes they themselves would un- lower level gives our older customers somewhere to go,” said RJ. dergo in two years. Since that fi rst chilly November night, “We wanted two distinctive looking spaces. If you didn’t want the Twisted Element has created a versatile staging setup, high-energy dance you could come downstairs and relax and not added a shower and go-go cage around the dance fl oor, have the music cranked.” and created the Twisted Lounge out of the previously un- Now the competition comes not so much from other gay bars used space in the basement of the building. Even owners as from different options in Calgary’s bar scene. While some have Cliff and RJ are surprised at how much things have stated that gay people can feel more comfortable in straight bars, changed but, it all fi ts into their primary focus – giving each weekend people still fl ock to Twisted. back to Calgary’s gay community. ”We wanted to create a fabulous space where people can be “When we were putting our business plan together, we didn’t proud to go out on a Saturday night and bring their straight give much thought to spending money in two years on developing friends. We know we can compete on the same level as a straight the basement. This was a product we thought could fl y. We had club,” said RJ. Cliff added “We are defi nitely competing on the to expand because we have long line ups and we were hoping to same level as many straight nightclubs because we want to pro- reduce those. We didn’t think that on Saturday nights from day vide a better-quality product. In turn what happens is that some one we would be running at capacity,” Cliff told GayCalgary.com. of the gay guys [will] bring in their straight friends because they are proud of this space. It’s designed for the gay community and ”Having line ups outside of a gay club is a new thing in they’ve accepted us.” Calgary, it’s never [been a regular occurrence] before. There are nay-sayers that say we pay people to stand in line. The fact is Another way of reinventing themselves comes in the form of that for the past two and a half years, capacity laws have been Twisted’s famous parties. Themes like Club 54, The White Party implemented and are there for a reason. We have capacity levels and New Years Eve have given patrons the chance to have fun in we have to adhere to, so unfortunately when we are full, we are a different environment. Expect their 2nd Anniversary Party on full. That is why we expanded the basement so we can get more November 11th to be another must-attend event. people inside.” ”The club will be decorated to the tits with a birthday party While it has remained popular, there are those who are not type atmosphere. Everyone is going to get something. There will fans of Twisted Element, many who have not even set foot inside be all sorts of door presents and giveaways, to thank our custom- its doors. From being dubbed a “twink bar” to being accused of ers who I like to consider my friends. My number one priority is maliciously forcing other bars to close their doors, some people’s always to ensure my customers are happy, safe and secure,” said perception of the club is not positive. RJ and Cliff take the criti- RJ. cism and rumors in stride. “We are always working to improve the club. We have to mix it ”A lot of people thought we went into the bar business to put up because our clientele is so regular that we work at making it other people out of business and make money. It wasn’t about different for them and not being stale, [while still attracting] new that. When we sold Chicken Hawks restaurant we looked at a customers. You can come here and then, a month later, see a bar as a possibility. When we would go out to the clubs we found whole group of new faces. We have a lot of guys who are ques- the issue that a lot of people found, that the scene sucked. Our tioning themselves but feel very comfortable here. We get married idea behind opening a club was to bring the community together couples that want to meet a third. It’s a comfortable environment and get them back out and enjoying themselves. We had to make with opens doors.” money but it wasn’t our priority - it was more about everyone go- Expect many more anniversary parties for The Twisted Ele- ing out and having fun,” said Cliff. “Because we rocked the boat a ment. If the past two years have been any indication, RJ and Cliff bit, a lot of the older members of the community didn’t like that. plan to always take feedback from their customers and evolve to I didn’t think we would have this much of an impact on the com- provide the best possible place for Calgary’s gay community. Ac- munity. Did I think the other clubs would go out of business? It cording to Cliff, the coming years continue to look bright. wasn’t even a consideration we just wanted to give an alterna- tive space to the community. We didn’t put the competition out ”We are looking at securing the future of Twisted Element. We of business; they did it to themselves fi ve years ago when they have a vision to ensure we are going to be around in the future. didn’t change anything up. People were not patronizing those We aren’t in this just for the quick money right now, we want to clubs anymore. That is why we opened a bar, to get people out be around forever.” more.” The Twisted Element The biggest change in the club was the opening of The Twisted 1006 11th Ave SW Lounge in the basement in the spring of 2006. It’s a space where (403) 802-0230 patrons can relax and get away from the high energy dance fl oor www.twistedelement.ca upstairs when they want to.

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 33 34 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Fundraising Photos

Photos by Steve Polyak and Rob Diaz Marino of GayCalgary.com Magazine Beswick House Karaoke Fundraiser/Halloween Party at the Texas Lounge Misc Youth Drag King Show at Soda

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 35 ISCCA Fundraising Karaoke at the Texas Lounge ISCCA TNT Drag Show at Twisted Element

36 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Mr. & Ms. Edmonton Leather Fundraiser/Halloween Party at Boots

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 37 November ARGRA Dance

38 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Leather and Lace The Art of Romance

By Jason Clevett Review | Business It’s a special occasion for you and your partner. All you know is it’s a surprise, but you have no idea what is in store for you. A limousine picks you up and takes you for a romantic dinner, and then whisks you downtown to the Hotel Arts. You are taken to a room with a Jacuzzi tub, bubble bath, and silk rose petals spread out on the bed and massage lotions waiting to be used. You look at your partner in admiration for all the effort he or she put into making your night special. However, they had a bit of help. Everything was arranged through Calgary’s Leather and Lace, the high-class adult store that has been operating in Calgary since Feb- ruary 1st of this year. “It’s what we call the ‘Romantic Concierge’ package and we are the fi rst in Calgary to offer it,” store manager Jessica Lee recently told GayCalgary.com. “People call us to set up a romantic evening with their partner and we take care of it all for them. If they want their home, it was a very quick turnaround. “We got possession of something picked out from the store we can have it set up in the this store, completely renovated it and had it opened in 21 days. It hotel room for when they get there. It is something that is different, was a lot of work and a few all-nighters. It was quite a process as and we have been getting really good reactions to it. It is absolutely well in fi nding our distributors and such in a very short time period. something that same-sex clients can take advantage of - if you want We were hoping to open up last fall but because we couldn’t fi nd the a special night we can help you out. We are enjoying doing that and space we were unable to. Once we got in here and the landlords saw it really is a relief for a lot of people not to have to worry about the the kind of store we were, they absolutely loved it.” details.” Don’t want to go out? Invite a few dozen friends and Leather Leather and Lace is more than just a date service however. Their and Lace to your home for a house party. It’s a fun way to get your location on 32nd Avenue NE features an assortment of toys, lingerie friends together with free and discrete delivery, previews of new and gifts. What makes them stand out is the comfortable shopping products and services, ideas to spice up the romance in your life and environment. Roman columns and soft colors greet clients as they the chance to try before you buy. walk in the door, and the space itself is quite beautiful. They offer “We are offering home parties to anyone, gay or straight, single, a variety of products such as lingerie (even including plus sized couples, you can set it up however you would like. We are hoping to garments), toys, kits, games, and gag gifts that range from mild to pick up a little more with that..” wild. For Lee, it’s all do to the hard work of her mother Coralea, who designed the space with customers’ comfort in mind. Lee made it clear that Leather and Lace is open to everyone and very welcoming to members of the gay community. You don’t have ”It was my Mom’s dream, she always wanted to do something to feel awkward bringing your same sex partner into the store and like this, and she wanted it to be classy. She designed the interior, shopping for whatever it is that tickles your, well, anything. wanted it to be just beautiful. She is a very adventurous person herself and she wanted it to be somewhere she would feel comfort- ”We want the LGBT community to know we are here and not just able in, somewhere that a person who had never been in a store like for straight people. We carry different things and are very open and this would feel relaxed and not try and hide the fact that they were willing to bring products in. We are trying to get our name out there here. The whole idea was to offer something for everybody. Women and let people know we aren’t just for straight clientele only. It is absolutely love it here because women get really shy about sex. Men very important to us to get our name out to the gay community.” and Women both fi nd being here…comfortable and welcoming.” Leather and Lace has big plans for the future with wide expansion That philosophy also involves hiring open, knowledgeable and of their classy adult stores throughout the country. A big advantage welcoming staff. to that will be the chance to book your Romantic Concierge getaway out of town. ”All of the staff is very warm and easy to talk to. We fi nd a lot of our customers fi nd it easy to open up and tell us what they are “We are working towards expanding to 30 stores across Canada. looking for. It is an important quality. We try really hard to make We are trying to be very competitive with our prices and as we grow our customers feel very welcome. With every purchase we give out it will be easier to go directly to the manufacturers and offer better condoms and lube because we are really trying to promote safe sex. prices. As well, we really want to boost this romantic concierge pack- We get on a very personal level with our customers; most of us have age and have it available wherever we have a store, so you can plan a our own clients that come in specifi cally to see us.” night out anywhere in Canada.” While things are going extremely well for Leather and Lace now, it Leather and Lace wasn’t easy to get started at the conception of their business. 2020 32nd Avenue N.E. Calgary, AB ”Coralea had a really hard time fi nding space. Once landlords Phone: (403) 291-4060 found out what kind of store we were, they didn’t want to rent to us. Fax: (403) 291-4063 We had a really hard time fi nding this location.” Once they found www.leatherandlace.ca

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 39 Boots Gay Space for 28 Years

By Jason Clevett Review | Business The address of 10242 106th Street in Edmon- ton has been a gay space since 1969. First known as “Club 70” and then “The Cha Cha Club,” from 1979 until just recently it was known as “Boots and Saddles.” Now shortened to simply “Boots,” the bar has been owned by Jim Schafer and his business partner for 12 years. On November 25th Boots will be celebrating its 28th Anniversary of operation. ”On the Saturday we are having a Drag show put on by Tootsinelda Woofenpickle and I. Declare, two of the hottest drag queens in Edmonton. We are hoping to have Louise here singing on the Friday night. It’s going to be customer apprecia- tion week.” Schafer is also owner of the bar right next door, The Garage, the main room, while the other side of the bar has a room with whose famous Garage Burgers have won multiple awards. seating in front of a stage for drag shows. In addition Boots The community is an important aspect of both businesses. offers a big-screen TV, pool tables and darts to keep their cli- entele entertained. Schafer spends a lot of time running both ”We have won awards in several publications for years. The businesses, but is appreciative to get away from them at the AMA magazine recognized our hamburgers as comparative to end of the day. Peters in Calgary. The Restaurant caters to all walks of life. We try and do a lot of events for the gay community for busi- “…You have to keep track of your customers and visitors. ness meetings, catering, court functions, fetish functions and The restaurant is a lot of work; staffi ng and ordering takes up lesbian functions. We’ve done it all.” On the Boots side there a lot of time. I am here a lot, when I am done I go home and have been numerous events. “We’ve done [fundraiser] events enjoy my peace and quiet.” for the Court, Cancer, Alzheimer’s, AIDS, the Centre of Hope, Shafer invites everyone to come out and enjoy their 28th and the SPCA.” Anniversary party on the 25th of this month. The 6000 square foot space sports artwork on the walls Boots including numerous pieces from Calgary’s own Jarret Quinn, 10242 - 106 St but over all comes across as a venue with a western theme. Edmonton, AB They draw from all aspects of the community - a mixture of (780) 423-5014 gay and lesbian, straight, fetish, bears, cubs, young and old, male and female – and they offer a laid-back rumpus room atmosphere. The white stucco walls exude a relaxing vibe in

40 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Music Review Snakehouse and We Love You but…

By Rob Diaz-Marino Review | Music “Snakehouse” by The Cliks 9) Soul Back Driver They waste no time getting the 10) Back In Style listener’s attention as the fi rst phrase on the fi rst track goes “Fuck your pain away.” It was an excellent way to set “We Love You but Not as Much as the tone for the poignant lyrics and we Love Ourselves” by Kelly and the themes throughout the album. Kelly Girls There’s quite a story behind this To- If you thought the title and band ronto band. The Cliks came together as name were a mouthful, just try singing the result of a formidable chain of unexpected clicks, beautiful along with what’s on the CD! The way I coincidences that led to the formation of an unstoppable trio see it, take 80’s music and turn it Goth of underdogs who have ended up on top with this killer album. – that’s the sound this band captured. The band consists of guitar-playing vocalist and songwriter The lyrics are very abstract but still Lucas Silviera, drummer Morgan Doctor, and bassist Jordan pack a major punch with powerful prose and imagery. Some B. Wright. of it may sound like nonsense on the fi rst listen, but after a while it starts making eerie sense. “…The amazing part was how much everything clicked as soon as I started playing with Morgan and Jordan. I started The fi rst track is the hilariously quirky track mocking “Na- writing much harder stuff. It was fuller and cohesive, and poleon”, which starts off with the phrase “With your ass full there was much stronger energy onstage,” comments Silviera of metal and your head full of stars.” Another strong fi rst im- in the band bio. pression and a great introduction to the lead vocalist R. Kelly Clipperton. His deep and rich voice has an amazing energy Along this journey, guitar-playing vocalist and songwriter that I found quite captivating throughout the entire album. for The Cliks, Lucas Silviera, underwent a personal transfor- mation. Biologically born a woman, his gender was out of step “Napoleon” is followed up with “Catherine Deneuve and the with what his heart was telling him, and transitioned to live Deus Ex Machinas”, a strong and fast-paced piece that left his life more comfortably as a transgendered man. Though me exhilarated. Perhaps electric guitars and trumpets don’t the vocals sound like that of a woman, Silviera takes on a sound like the most likely combination, but it is one utilized masculine style and makes subtle allusions that presume him quite frequently on this album. Odd, but somehow they just to be male. sound so right together! Although his gender transition is not the main confl ict in My next favourite was “We were Almighty”, a slightly more the songs on Snakehouse, it certainly ads a different spin on laid back piece with a jazzy swing to the chorus. It has an the theme of love and loss. intoxicating confi dence and compelling nostalgia that I found very appealing. “A lot of the songs on this album are about me coming to terms with the loss of someone I completely trusted.” Lastly was the deliciously dark cover of Concrete Blonde’s “Bloodletting”, a track very appropriate for Halloween. At Personally I found the lyrics from these garage-pop style the beginning, don’t let the dreary funeral trumpet put you songs to be gritty and refreshingly intelligent compared to the off. The song soon turns upbeat with a pleasantly discordant average rosy “chick-fl ick” pop that I’ve sadly gotten used to. It trumpet and a thrilling chorus. took a couple of listens through before I got into this music, but it has truly grown on me and opened my tastes to a new The Toronto band is currently on Canadian tour to promote genre. their new CD, and will be playing at Broken City on Tuesday November 14th. “You don’t know it yet, but [Snakehouse]…is going to be- come the soundtrack to your best-ever road trip, your sweetest Track List: fi rst kiss and your most triumphant fi ght for a girl’s honour.” 1) Napoleon 2) Catherine Deneuve Track List: 3) Slow Death 1) Complicated 4) Ferris Wheel 2) Oh Yeah 5) We were Almighty 3) Nobody Else Will 6) Sugar Drops 4) Whenever 7) Firescaping 5) Misery 8) Tits and Tattoos (more tits) 6) Eyes in the Back of my Head 9) Heavy Metal 7) Cry Me A River 10) Melting Bones 8) Start Leading Me On 11) Bloodletting

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 41 “Focus on the (Gay and Lesbian )Family” Part I – Are Lesbian Women and Gay Men Suitable Parents?

By Kevin Alderson, Ph.D., R. Psych. Queer Quest As a gay parent myself, researching this topic mothers do not differ in self- was itself threatening for me. What if the research concept, happiness, overall indicates that overall, gay men are lousy parents in adjustment, or psychiatric some respects – perhaps that we are irresponsible or status. [9] In a study compar- that we fl aunt our sexuality in front of our children? ing 34 lesbian and 47 hetero- sexual mothers, the former Do the religious right have sound arguments for group was more child-oriented suggesting that we are a danger to children? There in disciplinary techniques. is an extensive body of research regarding the effect While another study found gay men and particularly lesbian women have on no differences regarding the childrearing, and consequently, I decided to break quality of the parent-child re- this topic into two. This month, I will look at the lationship between the lesbian and heterosexual mothers, parenting qualities of lesbian women and gay men, [10] a different investigation whereas next month, I will explore the impact we found that lesbian moth- have on our children. ers slapped their children less and engaged more often How prevalent are gay and lesbian parents, and how many in imaginative and domestic play compared to heterosexual are themselves raising children? Surveys suggest that about mothers. [11] Yet another study found that lesbian couples 20 percent of lesbian women and 10 percent of gay men are having children were more satisfi ed with their partner rela- biological parents, [1] while the 2000 U.S. Census revealed tionship than were couples without children. [12] Research that 34 percent of cohabiting female couples and 22 percent has also shown that lesbian mothers share more equally in of male cohabiting couples had children under age 18 living childcare and household duties compared to heterosexual with them (we cannot conclude that all of these women and couples. [13] Other research suggests that lesbian parents men are “lesbian” or “gay,” by the way). Also from the U.S. take great pride in raising their children, and they describe Census, this compares to 46 percent of heterosexual married their families as “thoughtfully planned, proud, accepting couples who are raising children! [2] It is no wonder that two and celebratory of diversity and difference, fl exible in gender authors recently had a book published called, The Gay Baby roles, and as having interesting, supportive, extended kinship Boom, [3] and that other writers have coined the term, “gayby networks that included a wide range of positive role models for boom,” refl ecting a movement by lesbian women and gay men their children.” [14] to create families through donor insemination, adoption, and surrogacy. [4] In studies where children were born to the lesbian couple (planned lesbian families), the parent-child relationship Current psychological research suggests that heterosexual has been found to be better than in heterosexual families. and homosexual relationships are not essentially different [15] In a longitudinal study of planned lesbian families in from each other, and as you may have guessed already, a the U.S., the mothers have limited their children’s exposure parent’s sexual orientation has no bearing on her or his ability to homophobia, and they have taught their children to deal to provide a healthy, nurturing environment. [5] Two research- with harassment in a healthy manner. [16] Another interest- ers conducted a meta-analysis comprised of 18 studies. A ing fi nding from this longitudinal study was that the lesbian meta-analysis provides “an evaluation of information that is as mothers used alcohol and cigarettes at a remarkably lower objective as science permits.” [6] Although meta-analysis does rate compared to the U.S. population averages for women, not provide conclusive proof for any claim, it does provide the refl ecting their sensitivity to raising children in a healthy best summary that is available in psychological research. The environment. results of the meta-analysis revealed that there were little dif- ferences found between homosexual and heterosexual parents The number of studies examining gay fathers is much more across all measures used in the various studies. [7] limited compared to lesbian mothers, and consequently, the fi ndings are considered less conclusive at present. However, What you may not have already known, however, is that the available research suggests that gay men are as fi t to par- research has suggested that lesbian and gay parents may ent as are heterosexual men. [17] Not only that, we may also actually demonstrate certain advantages regarding their have some advantages over heterosexual fathers! In a recently childrearing practices and abilities over their heterosexual completed dissertation, for example, 33 gay and 31 heterosex- counterparts! I’ll begin by reviewing lesbian parenting. First ual adoptive fathers – parenting 90 adoptive children aged 3 to of all, no differences have been found regarding the parenting 11 years old – were compared regarding parenting character- ability between lesbian and heterosexual mothers. [8] istics. Although the heterosexual fathers had greater self-con- fi dence, the gay fathers reported more available instrumental In a literature review of existing research, the authors support. The author concluded that openly gay men choosing concluded that lesbian mothers and divorced heterosexual

42 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 to adopt fare as well if not better as adoptive fathers compared that there are any shortfalls in their parenting ability. Whether to heterosexual men. [18] this results in positive gains or negative consequences for the children themselves, however, is the topic for next month’s A noted scholar suggested that gay fathers do not promote Queer Quest column. traditional masculine role development in their sons, and instead offer role models of gender-role androgyny. Androgy- Dr. Alderson is an assistant professor of counselling psychology at the nous individuals are more accepting of others, of their own University of Calgary who specializes in gay and lesbian studies. He also sexuality and that of others, and they also hold less traditional maintains a private practice. He can be contacted by confidential email at views regarding masculinity and femininity. In this regard, [email protected], or by confidential voice mail at (403) 605-5234. gay fathers, in being more androgynous as well as having References: a homosexual orientation, are less likely than heterosexual 1) Tasker, F. (2005). Lesbian mothers, gay fathers, and their children: A fathers to hold hegemonic views of masculinity and pass these review. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 26(3), 224 240. on to their children. When gay fathers disclose their sexual orientation to their children, they help them learn the impor- 2) Herek, G. M. (2006). Legal recognition of same sex relationships in the United States: A social science perspective. American Psychologist, 61(6), 607 621. tance of tolerance for others. Research has suggested that gay fathers are more in tune with children’s needs, they are more 3) Johnson, S. M., & O’Connor, E. (2002). The gay baby boom: The psy- nurturant in providing caregiving, and they are less traditional chology of gay parenthood. New York: New York University Press. than heterosexual fathers in their view of what children need. 4) Ryan, D., & Martin, A. (2000). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender parents in the school systems. School Psychology Review, 29, 207 216. Gay fathers are repeatedly described in studies as having warm and positive relationships with their children. [19] 5) Herek (2006). 6) Allen, M., & Burrell, N. (1996). Comparing the impact of homosexual Both gay fathers and non-gay fathers have similar desires and heterosexual parents on children: Meta analysis of existing research. Journal to have children, and they are similar in most respects. Gay of Homosexuality, 32(2), 19 35 [quote from p. 23]. fathers provide stable and highly structured environments 7) Ibid. for their children, and they tend to be stricter in parenting 8) Herek (2006). style than heterosexual fathers. However, they often adopt 9) Bos, H. M. W., van Balen, F., & van den Boom, D. C. (2005). Lesbian an authoritative parenting style, one in which they create families and family functioning: An overview. Patient Education and Counseling, reasonable limits on their children’s behaviour while provid- 59(3), 263 275. ing them choices. [20] Gay fathers also appear to demonstrate 10) Ibid. more emotional expressiveness and rely less upon traditional 11) Tasker (2005). sex-role behaviours in parenting their children compared to heterosexual fathers. [21] 12) Bos et al. (2005). 13) Gartrell, N., Rodas, C., Deck, A., Peyser, H., & Banks, A. (2006). The We have known for some time that most men who fa- USA National Lesbian Family Study: Interviews with mothers of 10 year olds. Femi- thered children within a heterosexual relationship do not do nism & Psychology, 16(2), 175 192. so while identifying as gay. Instead, they procreated in good 14) Perlesz, A., & McNair, R. (2004). Lesbian parenting: Insiders’ voices. faith, meaning that they were either not aware or not accept- Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 25(3), 129 140 [quote from Internet abstract]. ing of their homosexual orientation. [22] Despite the fi nding that most gay fathers enjoy a positive relationship with their 15) Bos et al. (2005). children, most do not have custody of them. Daughters tend 16) Gartrell et al. (2006). to be more accepting of their dad’s homosexuality than sons, 17) Herek (2006). but overall the research suggests that children love both their 18) Lichtanski, K. (2004). A comparison of adoptive gay and adoptive lesbian mothers and their gay fathers, and their adjustment to heterosexual fathers: Differences in their perception of parenting abilities, level of accepting their sexuality is not highly problematic. Overall, we parental stress, style of parenting, and available social support. Dissertation Ab- know that gay fathers are also highly committed to parenting stracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering. Vol 65(5 B), 2004, pp. 2635. their offspring, and they do not intentionally harm them in the 19) Bigner, J. J. (1999). Raising our sons: Gay men as fathers. Journal of process. Gay & Lesbian Social Services: Issues in Practice, Policy & Research, 10(1), 61 77. In conclusion, lesbian mothers and gay fathers are generally 20) Ibid. well equipped to parent their own and their mate’s biological 21) Ibid. children. They offer some advantages in their parenting style 22) Miller, B. (1979). Gay fathers and their children. Family Coordinator, over heterosexual parents, and research has not suggested 28(4), 544-552..

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 43 ShortBus Review

By Kaitlyn S. C. Hatch Review | Movie I love entering a movie knowing little or noth- ing about it. I had seen a review of ShortBus in another unnamed local paper but had avoided reading it, knowing I would soon be writing a review myself. Of course tidbits got through as I told friends and family why I would be busy on Sunday evening. My mum had read about it. She said it was actually very graphic from what she’d heard. A few others told me it was about sex ‘but not’. I knew it starred Sook-Yin Lee, a prominent Canadian media icon…for those of you who had a television growing up (I didn’t) she was a VJ on MuchMusic. Other than that my knowledge on the fi lm was limited and I entered it expecting is the key quest of the fi lm, but not the only story. In a movie pretty much anything. set in New York, how could you possibly have a single story It opens in New York with amazing cinematography of the to follow? The cast includes the Jamie’s, an adorable queer Statue of Liberty. As it pans out you might notice something couple of guys, a dominatrix, Lee’s husband, and the satellite a bit off about the background and then you realize…it’s all characters attached to each of them. Oh, and for any L-Word made of clay. This clay backdrop is used throughout the fi lm fans, also plays a bit part, along with her partner and adds a delightfully whimsical feel to the story and its Bitch, who adds her musical talents to the mix. characters. Using interconnectivity, we are introduced to the So, what is it about, exactly? Specifi cally? I suppose we live explicit content and key players in the fi rst few moments. in an uptight world that has lost sight of what it means to be Lee plays a sex therapist, who prefers being called a ‘couples human. We are all so different, and so is the way in which we therapist’, and has yet to experience an orgasm. Indeed, this is experience day to day life. The director, John Cameron Mitch- a comedy but not your average comedy. While many would say ell, was trying to demystify sex and to pull us out of our shells. it’s about sex, I’d say it’s about relationships. It’s about the Sex isn’t just about procreation (as many of us know very relationship we have with our sexual selves. well) and relationships aren’t just about communication with The cast works together smoothly and the characters, words. We can’t expect to have a relationship with another though possibly a little over the top sometimes, are all com- human being until we have some sort of decent relationship pletely believable. ShortBus itself is a club that allows you to with ourselves. The diversity of characters allows us to see deviate from a black and white world into something far more how we close ourselves off from those around us, even those rich and beautiful. I wish such a club truly existed because who love us more than we feel we deserve. If this fi lm provides the colourful patrons and enriched atmosphere is exactly what anything, let it provide a sense of self worth and self-discovery. I seek in day to day life. It could be construed as a sex club, Refl ect on who you are and how you feel about your place in but truly it is much, much more. There is philosophy, games, the world…and then get out your favorite toy or sleeve, lube music and dancing and a sense of freedom, which Lee’s char- up your favorite hand, and enjoy some me time. acter sees as an opportunity to fi nd that Big O. This, of course ShortBus the Movie Now Playing in Calgary and Edmonton www.thinkfi lmcompany.com

44 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Letters to the Publisher

Three Years and Growing It is clichéd, but it’s true. There are times when I have to Letters pinch myself to make sure I am awake. These moments come when someone tells me how much they have enjoyed some- here in Calgary, and more recently Edmonton as well, is out- thing I wrote, when someone who I profi led comes to me and standing. I am very proud to say that I write for your publica- thanks me for doing a piece on them, or when I am on the tion. I remember when you told me about this magazine idea phone with someone famous and can’t believe that I am get- during one of our shows at Detours, I offered jokingly to be ting to talk to them. It’s truly been a dream come true these your advice columnist. Then 2 weeks later you asked for my past three years, and I have our readers who support our article I was fl oored and very honored (not to mention com- magazine, and its advertisers to thank for it. pletely unprepared)! I take a lot of pride in being part of this magazine. Our So here we are three years later and I am still dishing ad- growth has been astronomical and the feedback we get is vice, just as proud and honored to be a part of your legacy! much appreciated. There were people who said we wouldn’t succeed – 3 years later we’re going strong and continue to fi nd Keep it up - I can’t wait to see what the future years will new stories to tell, revisit old friends and put a gay spin on bring! Congratulations to both of you and the rest of the crew some unexpected topics. If in those early months of the mag- here at GayCalgary.com. azine’s life you had told me that we would be invited guests Sincerely, at events like ZooGala, or that this magazine would feature Nina Tron interviews with people like Bif Naked or Bret Hart, I would have thought you were crazy. But Bif was on our August 2005 cover, and this month features an interview with Bret, who ap- parently was quite gracious to speak with. We’ve gotten these interviews, and continue to do so because of the respect we have earned from our readers and the arts and entertainment community. With everything we’ve experienced and achieved, we con- tinue to evolve. We’re providing a much needed service to Cal- gary. However, our neighbors to the north are sorely lacking in the same type of media coverage. Our expansion to Edmonton brings a whole new series of stories to tell, places to go and experiences to be had. Welcome Edmonton, nice to meet you. I can’t even begin to list all of the people who deserve to be thanked. But the top of the list is obviously Steve and Rob. I’ve gotten to experience so many cool things because they gave me the opportunity to work for the magazine, and they take my suggestions and requests and run with them. Press dead- line is always a pretty crazy time for everyone involved in the magazine, and when I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off it would be easy to question why I go through this each and every month. Then I see the fi nished product and I remember why: because GayCalgary.com represents Calgary, its community, and each and every one of us. It is truly one of a kind. Here’s to three amazing years, and to many, many more. Yours truly, Jason Clevett Senior Writer

Still Dishing Advice Dear Rob and Steve, I just wanted to say thank you for the last three years of publication. Your dedication to reporting on our community

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 45 46 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 continued from page 7 be required to watch. “The Gift” airs on OUTtv on the evening of December 1st, World AIDS Day, because it talks about a dangerous emerging trend that so many are oblivi- Thank YOU! ous to: bug chasers. I’ve heard the term in passing many Though a lot of the magazine rides on our shoulders, we times myself, but until I saw this documentary earlier this still have a lot of people to thank for our success. After all, year, I didn’t realize the true severity and tragedy of the issue #1 of GayCalgary.com Magazine was only 24 pages, mentality that many of these individuals adopt. It can and now we’re regularly 72 pages by issue #37. All of the lead them to ruin their lives and hurt many others in the content to fi ll those pages has to come from somewhere, process. and so we have a lot of people to thank. Bug chasers are individuals who purposely try to First and foremost we have to thank our readers and become infected with HIV so that they no longer need to supporters, because without them the magazine would be worry about safe sex practices with others who may or an awful waste of effort to line bird cages! A lot of these may not have HIV/AIDS. Make sure you set your VCRs same people are the ones who allow us to photograph and PVRs to record this program if you are out for one them each month, who share their stories with us and give of the many World AIDS Day events. It is an eye opener us novel ideas and the heads-up when opportunities arise; – you owe it to yourself not to miss it. the same people who kick us in the butt and tell us why, if Reairing on OUTtv for WORLD AIDS DAY 2006 is the criti- they think that we’ve done wrong. cally acclaimed award winning documentary, THE GIFT, We thank our advertisers who infuse us with the fi nan- created by Louise Hogarth. The documentary will air at cial strength we need to bring the magazine to fruition 10pm EST on December 1st, preceded by a panel discussion each month. They do so in exchange for a means of get- about “gift giving” and AIDS in the GLBT community. ting their message to our readers, asking those people to If you’re looking rather to express your opinion, write a letter to the publisher support them by buying products and services, or attend- by E-mailing [email protected]. If you’ve got something good to say ing events. We thank our printers, North Hill News, for about someone or something, then that’s awesome! If you’ve got something bad their support and patience during our often hectic press to say about someone or something…well, just try to keep those claws sheathed! deadlines. We cannot forget the individuals, businesses and organizations that often offer to lend us a hand with a multitude of things, and apologize to the people who want to get to know us that we have not yet been able to fi t into our ludicrous monthly schedule. So far this has only covered the people outside of the company! Without our writers, putting together the magazine would be arduous if not impossible. Words cannot express our gratitude for our senior writers Jason Clevett, Ste- phen Lock, and Arin Chilton (Nina Tron) who have helped to shape the magazine over these past three years. They have tirelessly fulfi lled our requests while still bringing their own ideas to the table. We also thank the writers that have joined us on our journey that have contributed a great deal to us: Nico Hofferd, Shone Abet, Kevin Alderson, Darryl Aarbo, Alykhan Velji, Linda Huston, Jake Wallace, Benjamin Hawkcliffe and Jerome Voltero. We cannot forget about our other contributors, too numerous to list, but we appreciate the initiative you have taken to write us letters or even contribute the occasional article. If there is anyone else that we should mention but didn’t think of, we apologize and thank you too!

The Gift I fi nish off this rather long column with mention of a documentary that ever gay male, youth and adult, should

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 47 Press Releases

By GayCalgary.com Staff and Contributors Community | Spotlight Pajama Men in Fine Form, Until November 11th only! ties, such as ours, who wish to recognize same-sex marriage as part of their religious practice,” said The Right Rev. David Get your scare on (and Giuliano, Moderator of The United Church of Canada. “There are hurt yourself laughing at the many pressing and signifi cant moral issues facing Canadians same time) as the Pajama Men - the ongoing confl ict in Afghanistan, growing poverty, climate explore a haunted hotel in change and healthcare benefi ts, to name a few. The issue of what can only be described as equal marriage has been nationally debated and resolved. To a hilarious romp! (Really, we spend further precious time and the country’s resources on the tried calling it a “laugh-a-min- question in the House of Commons is morally inexcusable. We ute giggle fest” but it just didn’t respectfully ask that Prime Minister Harper tell Canadians that work). he considers the matter settled.” Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez will dazzle you with split- “As Reform Jews, we no longer accept any of the theoretical second shifts between a myriad of odd and endearing charac- rationales of the prohibitions against homosexual behaviour,” ters, including a horse with a murderous bent, lovelorn senior said Rabbi Steven Garten of Temple Israel Ottawa. “We partake citizens and, of course, the British twins Nigel and Nigel. of a religious culture which affi rms the right and the duty of Get your tickets today to this limited run show! Do you want its members to set aside those aspects of the tradition which to be the only person in your offi ce who doesn’t know why the no longer refl ect our consciousness of reality and morality. phrase “spicy lemonade” is so funny? We therefore lack any defensible moral or religious grounds to withhold from gays and lesbians the opportunity to express the Some heroes prefer tights; these comic heroes prefer pajamas. sanctity of their unions in precisely the way that heterosexual Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez are The Pajama Men, winners couples have always expressed it: through marriage.” of the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe Festival Double Act Award, as well as critical acclaim and awards at festivals and venues across “We’ve been marrying same-sex couples for several years and North America. The Pajama Men’s shows have often now,” said Elizabeth Bowen, former President of the Canadian been called “indescribable”. They are known for swapping and Unitarian Council. “Their love and commitment we’ve witnessed changing characters in a split second, weaving together multiple is a wonderful testament to our belief that no couple should be story-lines, and engaging in some of the most unique and hilari- excluded from marriage simply because of their sexual orienta- ous physical comedy you will ever see. Wear your pajamas to the tion. Same-sex couples deserve the same joy, love, celebration performance and you will receive our admiration. and community support as everyone else.” One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre presents “In 2003, we publicly stated our support for civil marriage to Pajama Men be available to all committed couples,” said Carol Dixon, Past- At the Big Secret Theatre – EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Clerk of the Canadian Friends Service Committee, the peace Arts and service arm of the Quakers. “Our spiritual discernment on #21 225 8th Avenue SE, Calgary this issue was shaped by the experience of wonderful, loving, Regular Show Times: Tuesday – Saturday @ 8pm and Sunday @ same-sex couples in our community, many of whom are now 2pm legally married. Some were married within our community years Tickets: (403) 299-8888 or www.ticketmaster.ca before, but not legally recognized as married. Taking away the Information and Passes: (403) 264-3224 or www.oyr.org legal right to marry at this point would be terribly unjust for all committed gay and lesbian couples.” Religious Leaders Say “No” To Re-opening Equal Marriage “Many people’s religious beliefs embrace equal marriage,” Religious leaders gathered on Parliament Hill on October 24th said Laurie Arron, National Coordinator of Canadians for Equal to let Canadians know that not all religions are opposed to mar- Marriage. “While many religions don’t wish to marry same-sex rying same-sex couples, and urged the Prime Minister to remove couples, which is their right, the religion of some should not be- the cloud of uncertainty that now hangs over the heads of come the law for others. It’s important that our laws be inclusive same-sex couples and all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender of all Canadians.” (LGBT) people. “Two-thirds of Canadians consider equal marriage to be Meanwhile, Defend Marriage and the Canada Family Action settled and want to move on,” Mr. Arron continued. “It’s unfair Coalition, both religious opponents of equal marriage, lob- to leave this uncertainty hanging. It’s time for Mr. Harper to get bied MPs to re-open the divisive equal marriage debate. They on with it, rather than delaying to please the religious right.” claim that with same-sex couples included in civil marriage, Mr. Harper had planned to move forward with the vote in “religious institutions and facilities have no protection.” See early October but, as Parliament resumed, he announced to www.defendmarriage.ca for details. his caucus that his government’s motion to re-open the equal “To reopen the debate and deny the right to equal marriage marriage debate would be delayed until just before Christmas. would be a violation of the religious freedom of faith communi- Equality opponents want a delay because they know Parlia- ment is poised to defeat this motion. (See http://www.equal-

48 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 marriage.ca/resource.php?id=518) Lesbian, is the most normal character in the series. Kim’s Stain of the Berry: A Russell Quant Mystery family consists of an obses- Canadian prairies are on equal footing with other great locales sively house-proud dad, a around the world—Paris, New York, Barcelona, the Arctic—as mum who is behaving as if she gay Canadian detective, Russell Quant, traipses the globe on the herself is 15 years old, and a heels of bad guys, always returning home to where he lives a big troubled brother she would like life in a small city. On Sunday, November 19, 2006, Saskatch- to throttle. Each episode takes ewan writer, Anthony Bidulka, will launch the fourth novel in us into Kim’s world- her wry the increasingly popular Russell Quant mystery series, Stain of observations bring us into the the Berry, at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Calgary. mind of a mixed up and lustful adolescent experiencing the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan provides the main setting in this bright lights of Brighton and series for the clash of prairie and urban, gay and straight, the rush of forbidden love for trendy and traditional. Blending character, place and culture, the fi rst time. Bidulka creates novels of intrigue, wit, action and travel. “Sugar Rush represents the In June 2005, Bidulka became the fi rst Canadian to win type of exceptional programming that will be coming to OUTtv the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men’s Mystery at a gala over the next while”, says VP Programming and Marketing Wen- ceremony in New York City. Bidulka was on hand to receive the dy Donnan. “We are in the process of acquiring and producing award amidst the company of many of the same authors who top notch dramas, comedies, movies, and other programming inspired him to write in the genre. that will appeal strongly to our audience of GLBT and GLBT Born and raised on a Saskatchewan farm and currently living friendly viewers. It will also help to build a solid reputation for in Saskatoon, Bidulka’s eclectic background is fertile ground for OUTtv as the network grows in subscribers and viewership.” his writing. He has three degrees from the University of Sas- katchewan as well as a Chartered Accountant (CA) designation, Stories, Lies and Heroes, At Vertigo Studio he has worked as an auditor, teacher, waiter and shoe seller, he Stories, Lies & Heroes is a touching tale of the consequences has toiled in a Saskatchewan Uranium mine and served drinks of following your passion. John leaves the farm (and Rosalie) to at the Saskatoon airport. go on the road with Hank Williams. After 30 years of struggle, Bidulka has toured extensively in Canada and the U.S., and John fi nally hits a song and returns to his hometown to discover he was recently named the Guest of Honour for the Bloody he is a grandfather. Choices made are for life. Words Mystery Conference to be held in Victoria, BC June 2007. Original music by local singer/songwriter Steve Nugent is Book Launch entwined with country legends such as Hank Williams, Johnny November 19, 2006 at 2:00pm Cash and Kitty Wells. At McNally Robinson (120 8th Ave SW) Written by Lynn Eaton, Stories, Lies and Heroes was de- See www.anthonybidulka.com for other dates, locations and veloped during a playwriting competition and workshopped details. through the Alberta Playwrights Network. “Sugar Rush” on OUTtv, Biggest Program Acquisition in “My father could capture an audience. He told me many sto- Network’s 5-year History ries over my lifetime, some were funny, others were sad, some frightening and most very, very long. Julie Burchill’s popular teen novel about growing up as a Lesbian in the United Kingdom has been made into a critically There were stories about local farmers, family members and acclaimed continuing comedy drama series called Sugar Rush. the ghosts in the houses we lived in. There were stories of The series airs on Channel 4 in the UK, and the North American intrigue and cruelty. There was a story about Johnny Cash and Broadcast Premiere is coming to OUTtv this November. Chan- how he got the scar on his cheek. And there was never a way to nel 4 is airing season 2 of the series to huge ratings, and is in prove or disprove his stories,” says Eaton. “We moved around a production on a third season. lot but the one constant was the farm in Upper Canard where my family had farmed since the 1700’s. I remember sitting at The series will launch on Sunday, 19th November, at 10: the dining room table at my grandparents’ farmhouse when 30pm EST / 7:30pm PST on OUTtv. Repeats include airings my aunts and uncles would return home for visits. I would be Wednesdays at 9pm EST / 6 pm PST and Fridays at 10pm EST exempt from dishes and allowed to sit at the table and listen / 7 pm PST during the same week. to the discussions as long as I didn’t open my mouth. They Sugar Rush is a riotous and honest exploration of what it were all storytellers. They would share jokes and debates and means to be young, queer, and philosophical questions and discussions about new seeds and growing up in 21st century grafting techniques. The old radio would be playing softly in Britain. OUTtv is airing series the background and sometimes dinner would be cleared away 1 and 2, consisting of twenty and supper would begin to be set before anyone made a move thirty-minute shows. The show to leave the table. So this is part of why I tell stories. It’s in my will continue with season 3 in blood.” 2007. Vertigo Studio presents,

Stories Lies and Heroes Sugar Rush explores the world $20 Adult, $15 Student of in the closet Lesbian Kim Nov 30th – Dec 8th, 2006 (played by Olivia Hallinan), and Tickets: (403) 221-3708 her love for the gorgeous and sassy Maria Sweet (otherwise known as Sugar and played by Lenora Crichlow) Kim, the

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 49 continued from page 13 can be inspirational to others. good stuff and was very happy with it. With the TV, when you ”I am aware of the fact fl ubbed up they would give you another take. This is a little that when I described different, if you mess up probably no one will really notice myself as a hero, it was a except yourself. Wrestling for all of those years for my father little awkward when the and the WWF, there was no editing and you couldn’t make a world is full of real heroes mistake out there because it was all live TV. This is all live and like fi remen and the sol- no room to make a lot of mistakes.” diers in Afghanistan. …I get people who come up While Hart will never forget what wrestling gave him, it to me every day that say I came with a price. In addition to his medical issues, Bret’s was a positive impact on younger brother Owen was killed in an accident at a WWF their life. Most of them are event in 1999 – a tragedy that tore apart the once close Hart very humble and sincere Family. In addition, the wrestling lifestyle has, in some ways, in their kind words. I don’t lead to the death of Hart’s brother in law “The British Bulldog” take the hero thing lightly Davey Boy Smith and friend Brian Pillman, among others. or parade myself around Now, Smith’s son Harry has signed a WWE contract, and tooting my horn. I have many other third generation Hart family members are pursu- come to respect the fact ing wrestling careers. Despite his history, Bret wants the best that people do see me as a hero. When I had my stroke….I for them. remember those dark moments where I couldn’t lift my hand and was half-paralyzed in the hospital. I really feared that I ”Harry has dreamed about being a wrestler since he was would be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. I found myself small. He never stopped and has had a passion for it. Despite remembering Make-A-Wish kids that I shook hands with, that everything that happened with Owen and Davey, it’s not fair to were going to die, and how much courage they had. I found pour water on this kid’s dream just because of all the things myself always bolstering myself and pushing myself a little that happened. Wrestling is a strange business; there are a harder, and becoming the hero I always pretended to be. I am lot of good things to be said for being a pro wrestler. There very proud of my recovery. I’ve had thousands of fans that are opportunities to see the world, stay in shape, make some have come up to me over the years and said ‘When you had money and meet girls. If Harry can fi nd peace and happiness your stroke we were praying for you.’ I think about that, they in the wrestling business I don’t know why anyone in my fam- must have prayed pretty hard because it worked and I am so ily would begrudge him his dream. Despite everything that grateful for everything I got.” happened he has the right to pursue that dream. I hope that the WWE will give Harry the chance to be the star he can be. Being in Aladdin is one of those opportunities that Hart is He is a great kid with a huge future and I hope it works out for cherishing. The production invariably has special meaning for both of them.” fans of Hart, but Aladdin is a family show that people of all ages can enjoy regardless. Hart also spoke of his relationship now with Vince Mc- Mahon. Once compared to that of a father and son, it was “This play is just one example of the opportunities for me destroyed by Owen’s death and a very public “screwjob” that to walk out and be the star of a show. For me to walk out in saw McMahon conspire to take the WWF title away from Hart Calgary at the Jubilee Auditorium, I think it’s fair to say that without his knowledge. In the past year Hart has worked with is something I never pictured myself doing. It’s a big step and the WWE to release a DVD about his career. Hart is also plan- it took something for me to get to it. It’s good for me and it’s ning to release his autobiography next year. good for fans of mine and it’s my way of giving back for the good fortune I have had since my recovery. Come for a good “I hope that by doing the Hall of Fame and the DVD, it put time. This is a really good show that is a lot of fun - I don’t some peace between Vince McMahon and myself. We have know anyone who wouldn’t love the play. It’s a great cast and a live and let live relationship now. Everything has been everybody works so hard. I am the centerpiece to the whole extended olive branches, trying to fi nd a road because [the thing but I am not the dancer or the singer that these other bridge] was burnt so great performers are. They carry the work of the show and I badly.” am lucky to ride on their coattails for this whole thing. I have The character so much fun being the Genie and I wish everybody in Canada of Bret “Hitman” could see this play. It is one of the most fun things I have ever Hart infl uenced done; I have a hard time saying this is work. …Anyone that many young people wants to go out and have a good time will really enjoy this both in Canada play, whether they are a fan of mine or not.” and around the Aladdin The Family Musical! world. Especially in Edmonton November 14th – 19th. Jubilee Auditorium Calgary, we beamed Calgary November 28th – December 3rd. Jubilee Auditorium with pride every Other dates across Canada: time his origin was http://www.rosspetty.com announced. Hart has never taken the label of ‘hero’ lightly, but his recovery from the stroke adds a new dimension to it. His comeback

50 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 51 Calgary Men’s Chorus Dishing Out Something a Little Less than Traditional

By Kaitlyn S.C. Hatch Community | Spotlight Hallowe’en has only just passed and we all know that means it’s time to start thinking about choir this September. Bleau fi rst heard of the Calgary Men’s Chorus through a friend two or three years ago, and had al- Christmas! The usually bevy of jingles will fi ll ways been a bit intrigued, especially as he is a counter-tenor. our radios and malls and soon we just won’t be He felt they could use his singing voice and approached them able to get that tune out of our head, whether it’s about it. Amusingly enough they didn’t need such a voice Jingle Bells or Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. but they were looking out for a director, and Bleau has been directing for four years, so jumped at the chance. October 31st goes by and suddenly we’re hear- ing White Christmas all over the place. You’ll be In a recent interview, Bleau told GayCalgary.com that he says is a bit nervous about this concert because it’s such a wanting to get those tunes out though, because well-established choir, and there is a certain expectation from it’s always the same thing every year. By the those attending their concerts. “It’s a bit intimidating,” he end of November we’re sick of it and wish the says, “but I’m looking forward to it. The music is challenging.” 25th would just hurry up and get here so we can It sounds like he’s quite comfortable with the selection and eager to see how well the choir works under his new direction. fi nally listen to something different. Well, this The president of the board, Randall McGinniss, has complete year you needn’t wait nearly so long. On Sat- confi dence in Bleau. urday December 9th the Calgary Men’s chorus Advance tickets to this holiday event are $15, or $18 at the holds their annual Christmas Concert at the Knox door. The proceeds will be put back into the Chorus this year. United Church. This Good luck to Jean-Louis and hopefully this will replace that year it will be a little dif- annoying Christmas tune stuck in your head with something ferent. Rather than the a little more enlightening. usual tired collection of The Calgary Men’s Chorus presents LUX: A Celebration of Light Christmas tunes they Knox United Church will be providing you Saturday, December 9th with LUX: A Celebration www.calgarymenschorus.org of Light, thusly named for the piece Lux Au- rumque. They will open with a Gregorian chant, to be followed with sev- eral uplifting pieces that will be sure to delight. As an added bonus the evening will include Encore, a local Calgary choir under the direction of Liz Paynter, who has collaborated with the Men’s Chorus in the past. She assisted them as director for their June concert and Encore is one of her own groups. They’re relatively new and the Men’s Chorus is glad to help them fi nd their footing with this, their eleventh Christmas concert. The Men’s Chorus them- selves will be under the new direction of Jean-Louis Bleau who only recently joined the

52 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Sing a Song of Inclusion

By Kaitlyn S. C. Hatch Community | Spotlight Established in 1992, the Edmonton Vocal Minor- ity (EVM) was one of the fi rst queer chorus lines to break-out of the tradition of being men only. It was originally called simply the Vocal Minority, started by Michael Phair and conducted by Ed Connell and John Valleue. It was mostly a men’s choir but it did have a few women in its early days. They never placed any restrictions on who could join the choir, and so they defi nitely uphold the ‘minority’ in their name. “Our youngest member is seventeen,” I was told by Lance Anderson, President of EVM. He went on to explain that they have several members under the age of twenty and that the group includes anyone and everyone, straight, gay, trans-iden- tifi ed or disabled. According to their history this has been the long-standing practice of EVM and is probably one of the key reasons they are able to do the work they do. Their inclusive was the turning point for EVM that made it what it is today: atmosphere has nurtured many passionate artists and helped an inclusive, proud, community oriented organization that them fi nd a sense of community. Through brilliant networking offers support to anyone, regardless of orientation, ethnicity, they have connected and worked with many prominent people religion, ability or age. and organizations, including but not limited to Folk Singer Kat Danser, The Derivative Duo of Seattle, the CHICKAdivas, and The Edmonton Vocal Minority presents the Out Is In Project. They hold several prominent fundraising Make We Merry and supportive events that have helped the Edmonton Unitarian Church of Edmonton (10804 119 Street) Women’s Shelter, the Annual AIDS Memorial Service, the Pride Mon., December 18th at 7:00pm Awards, and the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. This is all (780) 479-2038 in addition to the concerts they hold in June for Pride, Decem- Free Admission – Donations are Welcome ber for Christmas, and February as a mid-winter celebration www.evmchoir.com that prominently features and supports Out Is In. To ensure that no one misses out on their fabulous production the EVM includes a low-income ticket price to all their functions. Clearly this is a group of dedicated and motivated individu- als. They commit to a three hour practice once a week from the beginning of their season in September, right through un- til June. According to Kirk Kryvenchuk, general manager and group historian, the key to their success has been a strong administration. “This has enabled the choir to increase its funding base and expand its programming and offerings to its singers,” he explained in a brief but informative e-mail. They now have a singer’s retreat every Fall and plans are in the works to include out of town tours once every two years. The organization itself provides a strong sense of leadership to the group, which means that it’s stability is never resting on the shoulders of just one person. Indeed this is something to be proud of, and Kryvenchuk attributes this to one of their great- est accomplishments. In 1998 they initiated a Canada-wide gathering of Queer choirs that has since become an ongoing event every four years. “The second festival was in Toronto in 2002 and the most recent festival was this past May in Van- couver,” Kryvenchuk explains, “The festival was the idea of out then conductor, David Garber, and really solidifi ed the organi- zation.” The festival gave them their strong fi nancial founda- tion and secured their effective administrative procedures. It

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 53 Mr. Calgary Leather 2007 Candidate Steps In

By Rob Diaz-Marino Community | Spotlight Last month the Calgary Eagle held the annual Mr. Calgary Leather competition – an event very important to Calgary’s Leather and Fetish com- munity. Similar events are held in any city that has a leather or fetish bar, in order to appoint a community fi gurehead for that year. At this function, Mr. Calgary Leather 2006 Chris Enright stepped down to allow new candidates to vie for the position. “The title of Mr. Calgary Leather has…been held most years since about 2000, and usually in conjunction with the Eagle since 2002 because the Eagle is the home in Calgary of leather for gay men,” Enright told GayCalgary. “I see [Mr. Calgary Leather] as a representative of the community – someone who has been chosen to put a face to leather in Calgary, to be vis- ible within the community and to some extent outside of it, whether it’s at Pride Parades or what have you.” During his time holding the title and with the help of the Calgary Eagle, Enright was able to raise enough funds to cover part of the cost for himself and his partner to attend the Inter- national Mr. Leather competition (IML) in Chicago. “Canada did very well,” commented Enright, referring to the fact that 4 out of the 5 Canadian candidates were in the top 10. Enright himself placed number 8 out of a pool of over 50 contestants from across the globe. This year’s winner, Bo Ladashevska, is from Montréal. Back to Calgary, the competition was a matter of winning “The event organizer, Jim, he was a great help and very the votes of the judges – a panel of prominent men and women supportive, and sort of chatted to me a little bit before the from the leather community. As with previous years, individu- show on what I should wear, and the same thing applies to my als from the Edmonton leather community, such as the former partner who was quite good with giving me tips.” Mr. Edmonton Leather, played a part in the judging process. Although Enright is no longer the current title holder, Mar- Contestants got to show off some of their different leather shall was thankful that he hasn’t seen his work to be over just gear, answer a number of fun but challenging questions, and yet. “He has been great…even since I’ve gotten the prize he perform an amusing task to test their clout. This year, the has been E-mailing me tips and offering support and sugges- two contestants were asked to pick members from the audi- tions…when to wear your sash, an other helpful hints.” ence, and then given the task of removing that person’s cloth- ing above and below the waist - without using their hands! Marshall spoke about his plans for the next year as Mr. Calgary Leather. This year’s winner of Mr. Calgary Leather 2007 wishes to be referred to as “Marshall”. He and his partner just recently “I’ve agreed to host a few events at the Eagle Bar and take moved to Calgary from England for a change of life, to meet part in the Pride Parade in Calgary. And I’d like to visit some new people and have new experiences. Marshall commented other towns in Canada, get to some other Prides as well, to fl y on what it takes to be a competitor. the fl ag for Calgary. I’d be quite keen to get involved if there are any charity events going on, fundraising or what have you. “It does take a lot of hard work, in a way. There’s a certain I’d be happy to be involved with that as well.” amount of preparation that goes into it. …Getting down to the gym and preparing physically for it, and mentally as well For more information about Mr. Calgary Leather or Calgary’s because they’re quite rigorous with their questions. So [it leather scene in general, check out the Calgary Eagle’s website involved] doing research on the internet into the Leather scene at www.calgaryeagle.com. and thinking about what sort of questions they might ask at the interview. And then there’s the whole thing of organizing the different costumes; getting the leather gear all polished and looking nice and prepared.”

54 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Introducing the Calgary Sexual Health Centre

By Kaitlyn S. C. Hatch Community | Spotlight I fi rst discovered the Calgary Birth Control As- sociation at the age of sixteen, while volunteer- With all these changes the necessity arose to rebrand their organization, and on Thursday, October 26th they announced ing with Inside Out (Calgary’s only queer youth it. The Calgary Birth Control Association that we know and group) and soon my volunteering hours were com- love will now be known as the Calgary Sexual Health Centre. mitted there as well. My fi rst real experience with They will continue providing the same amazing services they CBCA was when I went in for the interview to be always have, to both the straight and queer community, sim- ply under a new name. I for one feel it encompasses all they a volunteer with their anti-homophobia program. do and look forward to any new and exciting programs they The program is usually the last class done dur- might develop in the future. ing the CBCA’s sexual education program in high school as part of the Career and Life Management The Calgary Sexual Health Centre (CSHC) course, so all high school students who are lucky 304, 301 14th Street NW enough to have CBCA coming to their schools will (403) 283-5580 receive the program. It involves a single educator http://www.cbca.ab.ca and a volunteer. For the interview, conducted by two of the Educators, I was asked about my com- ing out experience. They also challenged me with some examples of questions the kids might ask My fi rst class was actually pretty simple and I was amazed at the educated questions I was presented with. It’s prob- ably because of a more aware society, but I’m sure that the Anti-Homophobia program has played a large part in it. The program started in 1996 and since then has expanded to nearly every public school in the city and even a few outside! It’s the fi rst of its kind and, knowing the nature of it, does not really fi t in as an issue of birth control. CBCA has been a part of the Calgary community since 1973, at which time birth control was a far more controversial and pressing manner. They fought the fi ght to legalize abortion, playing a key role in Calgary’s conservative environment as spokesperson for safer practices. They helped people to make more informed choices when it came to sex and it was only natural that, as human sexuality and sexual awareness evolved, so did the CBCA. Along with the Anti-Homophobia program they also have YPEP, (Youth Peer Education Program) a youth run program educating high school students about their bodies and the choices they can make to have safe, healthy sexual experi- ences. The youths employed with this program gain amazing experience and the youths they educate are more receptive to what they have to say. CBCA has several counseling programs as well, including an eight week program for women questioning their sexual orientation. The program discusses everything from bipho- bia, homophobia and heterosexism to coming out, to healthy relationships. CBCA has become a strong part of the queer community and is often found at queer events such as the Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo and the Calgary Pride Parade and Street Festival…a long way from speaking out against abortion laws and the right for women to dictate what happens to their own bodies.

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 55 Holiday Hampers Make this Holiday Season a Little Jollier for Someone in Need …

By Roseline Carter, AIDS Calgary Community | Spotlight With the holiday season fast approaching, most of us are probably touching up our wish lists and items have been purchased by staff and volunteers with money that has been donated by the public. making sure that we don’t miss anyone on our own shopping list. Amidst our holiday cheer are those There are many ways to help out. Donating to the who are not as fortunate. They are the people who Holiday Hamper Program is as easy as going online, at www.aidscalgary.org. AIDS Calgary also invites people to come may be one paycheck away from homelessness, who down to our offi ce, 200, 1509 Centre Street South, to see some may already be experiencing homelessness, or those of our programs in action, and to drop off monetary donations or people who are just making ends meet. any holiday hamper items. Donations will be accepted until Dec 15th, 2006. Ted has recently lost his job and Mark works full time making minimum wage. Ted and Mark just recently received a notice from There is also the opportunity to donate your time as a volun- their landlord that their rent is increasing by $200.00 dollars. The teer helping put hampers together or delivering them to people only way they can pay their rent is if they don’t buy groceries in need. Call AIDS Calgary at (403) 508-2500 for more informa- and Mark doesn’t buy his bus pass for work. Ted has dinner with tion on how to support the program, or to register for a Holiday his friend one night and his friend tells him all about the news- Hamper.. cast he saw that evening about the Holiday Hamper program at AIDS Calgary Awareness Association AIDS Calgary and that he was thinking he would donate to the (403) 508-2500 program. Ted leaves dinner thinking that maybe he should call www.aidscalgary.org AIDS Calgary and ask about the program. The next morning Ted calls AIDS Calgary to fi nd out more information, and as he is HIV positive he is eligible for their hamper program and just needs to come to register. At the intake, the worker signs him up for a hamper as well as informs him about other services that he and Mark can access during this diffi cult time. Ted leaves feeling quite relieved knowing that he will have food and some extra items for their stockings, making this Christmas one that they will both be able to enjoy. My name is Roseline, and I am the Case Manager and In House Support Worker at AIDS Calgary Awareness Association. I provide longer term supportive counseling for people living with HIV/AIDS. I also coordinate the Holiday Hamper Program, with the help of a fi ne team of volunteers and staff. The hamper program has been running at AIDS Calgary for six years and provides anyone living with HIV/AIDS the opportunity to access a hamper crammed with holiday cheer. The hampers are fi lled with all the Christmas dinner essen- tials: potatoes, yams, cranberries, mixed vegetables, stuffi ng, Christmas oranges, and a Safeway food voucher to be used towards a or whatever somebody chooses. We also stuff the hampers with essentials to get through the winter season: canned soups and stews, jam and peanut butter, cookies, and crackers. We will include basic need items such as: laundry soap, bleach, toilet paper, dish soap, and basic bath and shower supplies. We also try to include a few bus tickets as transpor- tation is often an issue for people who are living on a lower income. The Holiday Hamper Program is available to people living with HIV/AIDS in Calgary who are in need. All we ask is that they register with AIDS Calgary as a client. It usually takes just one appointment with a support worker to apply for a holiday ham- per and to register. A successful hamper program is dependent on donations. In the past years all of the hampers have been made up of items that the public has donated from our wish list. Some of the

56 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 57 Just Ask Nina! The Dish who dishes advice

Dear Nina, By Nina Tron I’m leaving Calgary for a while and I’m not sure how to feel. Dear Nina, The gay Bar has been home for me when I have no where to go, and with out twisted or the people there I’m not sure how Recently I have been hearing all sorts of crap about my I should be feeling. I’m going to miss everyone so much and girlfriend of 11 months. Some people are saying that she is it’s just like leaving home was hard enough I feel as though having sex behind my back and laughing about it, and others I’m leaving two homes with two separate families. I knew that say that she is going to hurt me because of her past. I don’t I would be leaving for months now and it was just a matter of know who to trust - I love my girlfriend but don’t know what when. Well Thursday October 12 is that day, and as the time to do or who to believe. Can you help? grows closer the gay life here is something I feel I will miss Miss Guided more than my home life. Friends have always been so impor- tant to me because I never had many growing up. Coming out changed that, and I feel and fear that when I return to Calgary my friends will have forgotten me or even replaced me. This Dear Miss Guided, is something I know won’t happen but I still have the feeling It sounds to me like you really need to evaluate where you in my gut. So here’s where I need advice: how do I control are getting your info. Some questions I would ask myself: these feelings and try to enjoy what is their motivation, are they interfering in your life my time away, but be ready because theirs sucks, and the big question is how much do to start fresh and new again theses people really care about you? Are they of questionable when I come back? character or are they busy bodies trying to ruin your good Thanks Gone thing. I also wonder if you have talked with you partner, I would think you trust her fi rst…and if not then maybe you aren’t in the right relationship my dear. Don’t do anything rash. Talk to your partner fi rst and fi nd out what she has to Dear Gone, say, and go from there. Remember this relationship is between You should be called “Gone the two of you, and you both are what’s important, not the but not Forgotten.” I totally rantings of someone else who may or may not have your best relate to your situation; when interests at heart. I left Vancouver for Calgary I Best Wishes, too was very concerned that I would be erased from the Nina tron memory of friends. I can tell you true friendship never changes just because you are separated. In fact you can go for years without talking at all, and most of the time once you are all caught up, you’ll pick up right where you left off. Even the people you weren’t that close with will still remember you for one reason or another. I can think of a few people in Van- couver who would rather forget they ever knew me, hell I can think of a few here too but it sucks to be them doesn’t it!! Go spread your wings my dear, get out and experience life - don’t let what might happen stop you! Any that choose to replace you or forget, they weren’t very good friends anyways - they are expendable. Just think of it as spring cleaning for your social life. Good luck my dear, hope this helps! Nina tron

I am here for you, and I look forward to hearing from you all, I can be reached at: [email protected] or Mailed to Ask Nina c/o GayCalgary.com Magazine, Suite 100, 215 14th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2R 0M2. You can also watch Nina every Sunday night and events through out the week at Twisted Element, 1006 11th Avenue SW.

Other than the question, all personal information (i.e. name, address, E-mail) will remain confi dential. GayCalgary.com does reserve the right to alter questions for brevity and content. Responses are for entertainment value only.

58 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 59 Queer Eye - Calgary & Edmonton Community Events this Month

Photos by Steve Polyak and Rob Diaz-Marino of GayCalgary.com Magazine

Diva-Licious Drag Shows at the Twisted Element - Calgary

60 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 The Backlot 10th Anniversary Party - Calgary

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 61 Mr. Calgary Leather Competition at the Calgary Eagle

62 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Buddys 54 Party - Edmonton Buddys Drag Show - Edmonton

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 63 Bash’d at The Roost - Edmonton Drag Shows at The Roost - Edmonton

64 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Halloween in Calgary Photos from Grave Gala, The Backlot, The Calgary Eagle, PUMP, Money Pennies, and The Twisted Element.

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 65 66 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 Halloween in Edmonton Photos from The Roost, Prism, and Buddys. (See photos from Boots in the Fundraising Section)

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006 67 Classified Ads

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70 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006

72 gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #37, November 2006