NOVEMBER 2011 ISSUE 97 • FREE magazine The Voice of Alberta’s LGBT Community Howie D Backstreet Boy makes Solo Debut MIKE RUIZ Is Pretty Masculine

CYNDI LAUPER Not Unusual, Just Human

PLUS: Tori Amos Joss Stone LeAnn Rimes The New Gay Generation Scan to Read on ...and more! Mobile Devices AIDEN LESLIE http://gettag.mobi On Leaving Love Business Directory Community Maps Events Calendar Tourist Information STARTING ON PAGE 17 Calgary • Edmonton • Alberta www.gaycalgary.com 2 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Table of Contents NOVEMBER 2011

Publisher: Steve Polyak 5 Lost in Translation Editor: Rob Diaz-Marino Publisher’s Column Sales: Steve Polyak Design & Layout: Rob Diaz-Marino, Steve Polyak 8 Make Way For Some Blazing Queering Writers and Contributors Edmonton’s Loud & Queer Cabaret Marks its 20th Year Chris Azzopardi, Dallas Barnes, Dave Brousseau, Jason Clevett, Andrew Collins, Rob Diaz-Marino, Janine Eva Trotta, Jack Fertig, Glen Hanson, Joan 10 How to be an Energy Superstar Hilty, Evan Kayne, Stephen Lock, Allan Neuwirth, Troy Ordami, Steve Polyak, Carey Rutherford, 5 Quick Tips on Keeping Costs Down this Winter

Romeo San Vicente, Mick Sandoval, Ed Sikov, 11 PAGE Samuel Watson and the LGBT Community of Calgary, Edmonton, and Alberta. 11 LeAnn Rimes Photography Country Star talks equality, gay ‘dads’ and ex-hubby rumors Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino

Videography Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino 13 The Teachings of Tori Gay icon on Christian phonies, being OK with a lesbian daughter and Printers Transcontinental Printing why ‘It Gets Better’ isn’t enough

Distribution Calgary: Gallant Distribution, 17 Directory and Events GayCalgary Staff Edmonton: Clark’s Distribution Other: Canada Post 23 Freedom of Speech vs Freedom from Legal Council Courtney Aarbo, Barristers and Solicitors Hate PAGE 13 PAGE Sales & General Inquiries GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine 26 Can A Trans Human Rights Bill Pass With 2136 17th Avenue SW Calgary, AB, Canada A Harper Majority? T2T 0G3 28 Joss Stone: The Solo Sessions Office Hours: By appointment ONLY Singer on being a free soul, adoring Melissa Etheridge and going Phone: 403-543-6960 Toll Free: 1-888-543-6960 lesbian for a day Fax: 403-703-0685 E-Mail: [email protected] 30 Deep Inside Hollywood This Month's Cover Main: Howie Dorough, Top Right: Photo by Mike Ruiz, Mid Right: Cyndi Lauper, photo by Ellen 31 Cocktail Chatter Von Unwerth, Bottom Right: Aiden Leslie. What to Do with Cheap Champagne, Part II

Proud Members of: 32 Western Canada Leatherboy 2011 28 PAGE Looks Back

Edmonton Rainbow Business Association 33 Mike Ruiz is Pretty Masculine 36 Out of Town International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association Winter Adventures: Vail and Beaver Creek 38 Fundraising Photos

National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association PAGE 33 PAGE Continued on Next Page  www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 3 Table of Contents

 Continued From Previous Page 40 THE BE-LEAVER Aiden Leslie On Leaving Love Magazine Figures 43 A Couple of Guys Monthly Print Quantity: 9,000–11,000 copies Guaranteed Circulation: 8,500 copies 44 Bitter Girl Bonus Circulation: 500–2,500 copies

Readership 45 World AIDS Day in Alberta Readers Per Copy: 4.9 (PMB) Print Readership: >41,650 Avg. Online Circulation: 150,000 readers Estimated Total Readership: PAGE 40 PAGE 46 Cyndi Shines >191,650 readers After all these years, singer/activist isn’t so unusual – she’s just Frequency: Monthly human Proof of monthly figures are available on request. 49 Howie D Flies Solo Distribution Locations: Calgary: 160, Edmonton: 120 Backstreet Boy makes solo debut with Back To Me Other Alberta Cities: 15 Other Provinces: 35 52 Chelsea Boys United States: 15 Please call us if your establishment would like to become a distribution location. 53 New Gay Generation History Originally established in January 55 Queer Eye 1992 as Men for Men BBS by MFM Communications. Name changed to PAGE 46 PAGE GayCalgary in 1998. Independent 60 Classified Ads company as of January 2004. First edition of GayCalgary.com Magazine published November 2003. Name adjusted in 62 Q Scopes November 2006 to GayCalgary and Pay attention, Capricorn! Edmonton Magazine. Disclaimer and Copyright Opinions expressed in this magazine are specific to the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of GayCalgary staff and contributors. Those involved in the making of this publication, whether advertisers, contributors, or the subjects of articles Scan for Scan for or photographs, are not necessarily gay, this Issue Latest Issue lesbian, bisexual, or trans. This magazine also includes straight allies and those who PAGE 49 PAGE are gay friendly. http://gettag.mobi No part of this publication may be reprinted or modified without the expressed written http://www.gaycalgary.com/RSS permission of the editor or publisher.

Articles • Recent News • Prize Draws • Events • Travel Info Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. GayCalgary is a registered trademark. http://www.gaycalgary.com/Twitter Follow us on Twitter for articles, weekly news and updates! DEC 2011 Print Deadlines Ad Booking: Mon, Nov 28th http://www.gaycalgary.com/Facebook http://www.gaycalgary.com/FacebookFan Submission: Wed, Nov 30th Join us on Facebook for articles, weekly news and updates! In Circulation: Fri, Dec 2nd Please contact us immediately if http://www.gaycalgary.com/i97 you think you may have missed the booking or submission deadline. PAGE 53 PAGE More articles and exclusive content online!

4 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Editorial Lost in Translation Publisher’s Column

By Rob Diaz-Marino, MSc. Yes, I have a desire to help my fellow man; they say men lead This month I’m reminded just how long I’ve been a part lives of quiet desperation, and who knows, perhaps I have few of Alberta’s LGBT community. It has been over a decade life lessons and words of wisdom from my unique perspective in since I gave up the delusion that the “straight-fairy” might the LGBT community that could help them shake this. Yes, I still visit me, and 8 years since I started contributing feel good when I’ve done a little something to brighten someone’s my efforts to publish GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine life, to make their day just a little more bearable. I’d like to say each month. it stems purely from an altruistic heart, but what I look to gain out of all this is simply to be understood and accepted. As scary as that sounds, I’m realizing that being so acclimated But even under the right circumstances, friendships take to the LGBT way of doing things has left me a bit out of touch time to build, and that’s the one thing that I don’t have a lot with the outside world. of. I keep a pretty hectic schedule outside of daytime work I’m no stranger to getting work done, and at my day job I’ve hours because of this magazine. In general this makes it had no problems whatsoever integrating into my workplace difficult for me to find time for “friend stuff” with people, and and becoming a productive member of a team. I have no hitch those casual activities are invaluable for bonding with others. dealing with all manner of people when it comes to getting a job The only reason I’ve managed to bond with people in the LGBT done; I’m a lion when it comes to that. community is that the magazine regularly brings me out to But in other situations, not so much. When it comes to spend time with them. To go out for any other reason is very hanging out more casually with people from work, I seem to rare and difficult to arrange. Without it, I suppose I’m just become my shy and quiet self again. I find that I have difficulty another guy at work. connecting on a personal level with many straight men, and Having to explain the whole thing about the magazine is software development is a notably male-dominated industry. another hurdle – and when I’m getting to know someone, it’s The majority of experience I’ve had making friends with other hard to go for very long without having to take on this subject. men has been within the LGBT community, where we encourage It’s a lot of information for someone to handle in one bite, and and appreciate many character traits that most straight men leads to other questions that pile on even more. My sexuality are trained from birth to keep hidden. The TV depiction of close aside, those who can fathom how much work we do to publish relationships between straight guys seems like a triumph over GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine may think it’s an impossibly nature and nurture, when there are so many forces at work to grandiose story designed to make me sound important if not repel them from one another. super-human. On the flip side, others may underestimate the When I’m working alongside of other people toward a common whole situation and think it’s just some casual little hobby, and goal, I feel this amazing sense of camaraderie that drives me to not the big thing that it is. do better. It makes even tough and arduous tasks fun in a Either way I end up feeling awkward talking about it because way because I get to learn from my peers and share my own nobody really seems to “get it”. I fear a lot of the work I’ve done experiences. It’s a sure-fire way that I can relate to them. in the LGBT community just doesn’t translate outside of it, and But work like this pushes people together. True friendships with what a big chunk of my existence it has been, there seems emerge when some of those people have the desire to come little else for me to share with colleagues about my personal life. together of their own accord. And this sort of camaraderie still Others in my position may think it is better just to stick to eludes me. the LGBT community where people are more likely to “get me”, This is where I feel that I’m sorely lacking in my experience when it comes to friendship. That would certainly be easier. with straight social conventions; that I’m ill equipped to relate to But what does translate across from the LGBT community is many straight guys, even when I recognize strong potential for that I still feel the same compulsion to reach out to people, to friendship. My dilemma is, how can I nurture close friendships be understood, and to find little ways to make their lives better with straight men when my instincts draw me to them and as a friend or even as a stranger. theirs push me away; when I’m not satisfied until I see past The difference is that I don’t have a fancy magazine to help the walls that they put up, and they feel uncomfortable seeing me do it. Like every other person, I have to figure out my own past mine? ways of doing this, and I have to be patient because I’m still learning how to balance it all.

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 5 Milestones Galore Online Last Month (1/2) This edition marks the 8th anniversary of GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine - a huge milestone for us, soon to be Thinking Out Loud followed by another biggie in February: our 100th edition. The biggest threat for our youth. Forget Normally, this November edition would be the one where politics – the real challenge is our families. we collect and publish letters of congratulation from any In my travels lately as a professional individuals, community groups, or politicians that wish to gay I’ve been speaking at a lot of PFLAG submit one. However we are holding these off for the 100th meetings. No matter where I go, the edition milestone instead. following people are always there:... www.gaycalgary.com/a2548 From what we’ve seen happen in the LGBT community in the past, I should point out that this will actually be our Book Marks 100th edition published, as in, we’ve not skipped ahead in our A Queer History of the United States numbering at any point to suit ourselves or pretend to reach A Queer History of the United States, by Michael this milestone any sooner. So it’s a big deal, 100 solid months Bronski. Beacon Press, 287 pages, $27.95 of publishing, 100 different covers, I’ve written (just about) 100 hardcover. From the Puritan imposition of... publisher’s columns, and we’ve put ourselves through this www.gaycalgary.com/a2533 same childbirth-calibre stress 100 times. Furthermore, this January will mark the 20th anniversary Cocktail Chatter of Men for Men, the early precursor to GayCalgary.com that Oooo –La-La: A Proper Gimlet Steve started when he was only 19 years old (I don’t think we’ve The vision that greeted me as I walked into the ever truly been acknowledged as a gay youth initiative, but in beach house was Fellini-esque. Craig wasn’t essence that’s what GayCalgary is). And in fact, we will have expecting an audience for the indescribable... been using GayCalgary as our trade mark for just short of 15 www.gaycalgary.com/a2536 years now. Creep of the Week: Rick Perry October 2011 So how about that Gov. Rick Perry, eh? Last month was certainly not the most eventful October that Awesome alert! Am I right? “I wish Rick Perry we’ve seen, but still enough to keep us busy. was my daddy and/or boyfriend,” say all... www.gaycalgary.com/a2537 We were very proud to sponsor Risen, the queer perspectives and creative youth expression art show on October 13th. It was Deep Inside Hollywood a unique opportunity for LGBT youth to present their artwork Cynthia Nixon and Kim Cattrall and other talents, including singing, spoken word, dance and drag. The event raised just over $2000 for Miscellaneous Youth head for Broadway From man-eating Samantha on Sex and the Network. City to a revival of Private Lives, that’s what Kim ARGRA held their first monthly dance since the Rodeo at Cattrall will be doing over Thanksgiving... the end of June, a Pirates and Princesses themed Halloween www.gaycalgary.com/a2541 party. Mark Randall (a HEAT worker from AIDS Calgary) and I were chosen to be the judges for the costume competition, 7 Tips: How to Stay Sane which was a tough call with so many great costumes. Our three While Traveling finalists were a formidable Pirate, a sexy Viking, and pregnant As I write this, I’m sitting in a crowded terminal Tinkerbell. in Boston’s Logan Airport waiting for my flight The day afterward was the annual Great Chili Cook-off at the to France. Though there’s a lot of madness... Calgary Eagle. This year 11 contestants provided chilli for a full www.gaycalgary.com/a2543 room of hungry people. Though the judges disagreed, I have to say I liked the Chili made by Johnathan’s mom the most. Not Hear Me Out only that, she remembered me as the guy with the Tupperware Katy B, Pistol Annies containers from two years ago, when Steve had to miss it for Katy B, On a Mission They’re everywhere – something going on in Edmonton. That wasn’t a problem this British songbirds trying to take over the world time, as Steve was happily present with me – and a good thing with their voices. But Katy B, who’s already... too, because there was a lot of chilli to sample! The announced www.gaycalgary.com/a2545 total raised for Beswick House was $1300. These days it’s rare to find events at Twisted Element that Book Marks meet our “special event” criteria for photographic coverage in Stealing Angel the magazine. The ISCCA held their annual Turnabout drag Stealing Angel, by Terry Wolverton. Spinsters show, organized by the Imperial Crown Prince and Princess, Ink, 288 pages, $14.95 paper. Estranged lovers, where performers tried on the opposite gender to their usual custody fights, child abuse, kidnapping... drag personas. Half the fun of Turnabouts is seeing who rises www.gaycalgary.com/a2534 to the challenge, and who comes out a complete train wreck. The show raised just over $450 for the ISCCA, and yes, there Creep of the Week: Sally Kern were a lot of train wrecks. With the tenth anniversary of Sept. 11 behind us it’s important to reflect on the state of national PURE Pride held their PURE Masquerade Halloween party security. For weeks now, pundits have... in Edmonton at FLASH on Friday the 28th, and in Calgary at www.gaycalgary.com/a2538 Club Sapien the day after. At both events, April Storm made a very memorable debut on stilts, towering above the crowd as Deep Inside Hollywood she performed a hair raising number. It definitely had people Justin Timberlake’s got the beat talking! If you’re old enough to remember disco’s I made the rounds to the bars in Edmonton on Saturday the heyday, then you know Casablanca 29th to capture everyone in costume celebrating Halloween. I Records. It was the dance music record started at 8pm at the Junction for the ISCWR’s production of label of the 1970s, home to Donna... the Rocky Horror Picture Show – it was very well done! I hung www.gaycalgary.com/a2542 around for a while afterwards prior to heading over to Buddys

6 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Online Last Month (2/2) and Woody’s, FLASH, and the Womonspace dance, before finally settling down to enjoy myself. Meanwhile in Calgary, The OutField Steve walked to all of the bars plus the Girlsgroove dance – Grappling with Donna Rose 7 different locations - to get photos. Needless to say his feet David’s father was an academic, so the and legs were sore for several days after; he calculated that he family moved often. Whether in California walked 15.5 km that night. or Nova Scotia, though, sports provided This was the first year in our house where we were both at a great way to make friends... home for actual Halloween. Steve had hopes that we might see www.gaycalgary.com/a2547 a few trick-or-treaters come to our door, but I knew from the previous year this was not likely. As we were working on the Creep of the Week: Dave Agema magazine, we took some time to put out a few decorations and There’s one thing you can say about the state prop our gate open, but in the end we didn’t see a single visitor. of Michigan: it’s too friendly to gays. I mean, I think it’s too dangerous for kids to be out along such a busy yes, it’s still legal in Michigan to be fired... road as 17th Avenue. Oh well, more candy for us! www.gaycalgary.com/a2539 This Month Shady Business a fun-filled farce Terms like “madcap comedy” can instantly set Here’s the rundown: off warning alarms in the head of a theatre goer. • The Loud & Queer Festival is happening in Edmonton on Often the farce-style comedy can be anything... November 5th and 6th. Call 780-477-5955 for tickets. www.gaycalgary.com/a2551 • We have two bar anniversaries: the Twisted Element is turning 7, and the Texas Lounge is celebrating their Hard Days Knights Beatleriffic 24th anniversary on Wednesday, November 16th. Medival Times Congratulations! The concept of blending the music of the Beatles with a medival theme is not • The Calgary Eagle is hosting the Western Canada a new one to Jubilations. They have LeatherSIR, Leatherboy, and Community Boot Black done it twice in the past nine years... Contest 2012 over the weekend of the 18th. www.gaycalgary.com/a2552 • ARGRA is hosting their annual Christmas dinner and dance on December 3rd, now at a new venue: Club Sapien. Penny Plain is pleasure Tickets are required to partake in dinner from 6pm to Alberta-born Ronnie Burkett’s newest show, 9pm, after which time doors open up with no charge for Penny Plain, marks the 25th anniversary the dance. of the Theatre of Marionettes. After a change of direction to a brighter... Taboo www.gaycalgary.com/a2553 November always means Taboo show for us. This year the timing Arriba! An Aruban Adventure for both the Calgary and Edmonton shows, relative to other community The International Gay and Lesbian Travel events, is very unfortunate. I’m particularly choked that we will be Association welcomed their first hotel missing the BEEF Bearbash in Edmonton while we are at the Calgary member from the Island of Aruba, the Taboo Show. Furthermore, we will be missing the World AIDS Day Aruba Marriott and Sellaris Casino... fundraiser at FAB, and Mz. Rhonda’s toy drive at Twisted Element while www.gaycalgary.com/a2544 we are away at the Edmonton Taboo Show. Once again we’re looking going bigger and better at the Taboo shows. Thinking Out Loud We’ve got some surprises up our sleeve but I will say that we’re providing Who you calling a hater? It might space and fundraising opportunities for multiple non-profit groups look good on bumper stickers, this year, so please come on down and check out the show! I have to but hate is a lousy P.R. word. admit, after a whole year of diligently working out I’m looking forward I’ve always had a sort-of wincing reaction to to doing my part for the photo fundraiser...sans my horrible Movember the word “hate” in LGBT rights messaging. Like moustache this time. those bumper stickers that say, “Hate is not... www.gaycalgary.com/a2549

Hear Me Out http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2556 Erasure, Tori Amos Erasure, Tomorrow’s World Over 25 years ago, View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments when Erasure came together, Vince Clarke and Andy Bell were on the cutting-edge of the... www.gaycalgary.com/a2546

Foo Fighter’s Give Fans Their Monies Worth If you regularly read my reviews, you know my biggest concert pet peeves are paying $100 for a ticket to see a band play for 90 minutes. That... www.gaycalgary.com/a2554

Screamfest Brings Terror and Gross Out Gags Screamfest – running until October 31st at Canada Olympic Park – has become a tradition in Calgary over the last 5 years. It has now... www.gaycalgary.com/a2555

And more... www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 7 So Darrin Hagen begins his introduction of the Loud & Queer Anthology Queering the Way, a collection of written works that “attempt to present a snapshot of the event” – 20 years of “the never-ending smorgasbord of art that has been paraded across the stage” of western Canada’s longest running queer occasion. Upon the 1991 dismissal, and amid the Alberta government’s “uneasy relationship with anything not straight-white-male- cowboy” Ruth Smillie, then director for the Catalyst Theatre, approached Hagen and his partner/publicist Kevin Hendricks with an inspiration to launch the province’s first Queer arts event. With the exception of the “dark year” of 1995, which followed a negative media slandering of the Cabaret in a news series that aired on Edmonton’s ITV station entitled “You Paid For It”, Loud & Queer has treated audiences to “full evenings of artists, boasting newcomers and veterans alike, …spanning every artistic discipline” for two decades straight. Hagen, artistic director of the famed Guys in Disguise, editor of the anthology and the steadfast backbone of the L&Q Cabaret, curates and directs this year’s event which is to take place Saturday November 5th and Sunday November 6th at Edmonton’s La Cite Francophone. “Even though something like an anniversary is a completely artificial construct, it does create an opportunity to attempt to define the event,” Hagen says. “As a prairie Queer, one notices that most of the LGBTQ art that gets national profile originates from the larger Queer metros. It’s extremely satisfying to me to see the stellar work emerging from the prairies.” “Not only is it exciting to hear a new story of the Queer experience, but it’s absolutely necessary. The story of Queer Canada isn’t complete without these voices.” The L&Q Cabaret has kick started the careers of Canadian performers, debuted more than 100 different works, and brought to the Alberta stage esteemed talents such as Dan Savage, Ronnie Burkett and Mark Meer. “Loud & Queer has launched writers, performers, musicians, comedians and filmmakers,” Hagan writes. “It has featured YYY dancers, singer-songwriters, monologists, spoken- word artists, poets, and belly dancers; Opera; Heavy metal; Drag queens; Drag kings; Performance artists; Activists; Politicians.” This year’s line-up promises no different; organizers recommend that tickets be purchased in advance. Saturday night slates a “mix of acts, tracts, rants, dance, plays, scenes, monologues, film, drag and music from emerging and Make Way For established LGBTQ writers”, while Sunday hosts Queering the Way - A Retrospective that will return to the stage a sampling of the Cabaret’s most memorable pieces in honour of the L&Q’s Anthology launch. It is described as cast members and Some Blazing guests from 20 years of cabarets reprising some of their most notorious, hilarious and poignant moments. A visit from Canadian play write and icon Daniel MacIvor, Queering reading from some of his most recent work, is also scheduled. Queering the Way; The Loud & Queer Anthology, edited Edmonton’s Loud & Queer Cabaret Marks by Darrin Hagen and published by Brindle & Glass, can be purchased – and autographed by some of the authors – at the Cabaret or on online through BrindleandGlass.com. its 20th Year “I… wanted to honour the efforts of writers whom I felt were personally transformed by the [L&Q] experience,” Hagen says of composing the anthology, which came together quickly By Janine Eva Trotta In 1991 the Loud & Queer Cabaret was the Edmonton LGBTQ community’s answer to a political discussion that began when Delwin Vriend lost his job as a teacher at King’s College simply for being gay. At that time, Alberta’s Individual Rights Protection Act did not include sexual orientation on the list of protected subsections.

8 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com between last year’s Cabaret and it submission for publication this June. “Some of the writers in the collection are published here for the very first time. I respect artists who see what an opportunity like L&Q can do for their craft, and use it to hone their skills or their career.” “Also, I wanted readers who had never attended the event to get a taste of what it’s like sitting in the audience,” he continues. “That means the anthology had to embrace the diversity and variety that hits the stage every year – stylistically, thematically and emotionally.” Poignant, funny, sad and titillating: Queering the Way offers an interesting read, and a wonderful recap and celebration of how far the festival and Alberta’s LBGTQ community in general has come in the past 20 years. “I hope people find something in the collection that moves them, or makes them laugh, or opens their minds to a new way of looking at things,” Hagen says. “And I hope they embrace it as an important milestone in Alberta’s Queer history.”

Queering the Way; The Loud & Queer Anthology http://www.gaycalgary.com/u282

Loud & Queer Cabaret November 5th – 6th La Cite Francophone

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www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 9 Living How to be an Energy Superstar 5 Quick Tips on Keeping Costs Down this Winter

5 Energy Saving Tips 1. Replace your furnace filter, now!

By replacing your filter every two or three months you can save up to 5% on heating bills. Replacing a conventional furnace with a high  Dave Walton, Director of Home Ideas, Direct Energy efficiency one can save you about $565 a year.

2. Schedule a home energy assessment. By Dallas Barnes As the snow levels on the Rockies begin to become more 3. Get to know the Federal ecoENERGY Retrofit program. prominent, and we count down the days on the calendar I am sure that this isn’t on the top of your priority list, but you until the Christmas holidays, one thing that becomes will be glad that you did. “The government recently renewed the very apparent is the escalating electricity cost of winter. program for another year offering Canadians significant financial And this year in particular is rumoured to be a doozie! incentive to take steps towards energy efficiency,” says Walton. “In addition to savings per bill, making energy investments in Dave Walton, Director of Home Ideas for Direct Energy your home may qualify your family for thousands of dollars in took the time to talk to GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine federal rebates. With 47% of Albertans telling us that they’d about what we can do to save our pennies as well as our consider making energy updates after being informed of the environment this season. rebate, we’re really motivated to continue spreading the word.” According to a survey conducted by Direct Energy, 55% of consumers are afraid of the amount of their winter utility bills. One can imagine that steep bills from Calgary‘s frigid 4. Reevaluate your insulation! climate will definitely put a damper in your Christmas spending. Walton agrees. “We know that higher energy bills in the winter can be stressful for homeowners, and many Canadians are unaware of the simple steps they can take to achieve real savings every month.” But according to Direct Energy, with these tips you may be able to save up to $5,634 this year! Let’s face it times are tough and Alberta winters are cold. With these simple steps, you can ensure that you stay warm in your home, and keep some extra green insulation in your back pocket. Direct Energy is one of North America’s largest energy and energy-related service providers with more that 6 million residential and commercial relationships. By checking out their website, you can find videos with step-by-step instructions on By simply adding more of the fun pink stuff to your basement how to make some of these improvements. and attic you could save up to $307 a year, plus the additional potential of a rebate of $1250 from ecoEnergy! This is definitely a venture worth taking up.

5. Seal your leaks! Direct Energy Weather stripping and caulking will be your best friends this www.directenergy.com/alberta winter as getting rid of these breezy leaks can save you about $108 per year and warrant $240 in ecoENERGY rebates.

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10 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com LeAnn Rimes Country Star talks equality, gay ‘dads’ and ex-hubby rumors

 Photo by Adam Bouska

By Chris Azzopardi actually experienced it as a woman, they take on a whole different LeAnn Rimes was a free-spirited 13-year-old when, on connotation. one of her biggest songs, she threw caution to the wind GC: You’ve been a big supporter of gay issues for a very long and bought a one-way ticket on a westbound train. You time, having done an It Gets Better video and recently a photo know, “to see how far I can go.” Pretty far, it turned out. shoot for the NOH8 Campaign. Why are these LGBT issues so That ticket took her everywhere: to the Grammys, to No. important to you, and why is it important to be part of these 1 and to the gay clubs. projects? Drama threw her career off track, however, and lately she’s made LR: I believe in equality. Everybody should be treated exactly tabloid headlines for everything but music: she’s too fat, she’s too the same way no matter what their race, no matter what their skinny; she’s a home-wrecker; she’s an unfit stepmother. But sexuality. I’ve learned from everything I’ve gone through and from now Rimes, 29, is heading in a new direction, pumping estrogen being in this business for so long and being judged since I was into songs by the kings of country on her 13th album, Lady & 13. That was my biggest lesson in life: not to judge others. You’ve Gentlemen. never walked in their shoes, you don’t know where they’re coming from, and you don’t know their story. Rimes spoke candidly about one of her “second dads” co- producing her latest work, how a gay uncle inspired her to speak I just believe that everybody should be able to do what they out on LGBT issues, the lack of a successful out country star and want to do as long as no one’s hurting anybody. I don’t believe what to make of those rumors of her ex-hubby being homosexual. in hate. I don’t believe in bullying. It’s something that’s become a huge issue, especially with cyberbullying. It just breaks my heart You do some gender bending on this album, LeAnn. GC: seeing kids committing suicide because they’re not accepted. It LR: Gender bending – I like the way you put that. kills me. GC: Is this the closest you’ve come to doing drag? GC: You were visibly shaken when you performed “The Rose” LR: I would guess so! I’ve always watched others do my songs, with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles last Christmas. How but I’ve never taken it in the opposite direction. I didn’t dress up have the suicides affected you specifically? in the studio! (Laughs) LR: I have not known anyone personally that has committed But it was fun doing this record because there’s a certain suicide because of their sexuality. But the stories from fans always softness and a different vibe that a woman brings to these songs make me appreciate and love what I do even more and drive me at in a lot of ways, especially songs like “Good Hearted Woman.” the end of the day, because I feel like to touch someone through When you’re singing it from the first person, from someone who’s my music is the ultimate thing for me, especially if I’ve written Continued on Next Page  www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 11  Photos by Kurt Iswarienko  Photo by Brian Higbee

it. I’ve had many people say, “I was thinking about committing happy for (Chely) and her wife. But I don’t know. You pose a very suicide and your song came on the radio and I just decided not good question that I haven’t thought about in a very long time. to do it, that life was worth living.” It’s unfathomable to, I guess, GC: There were obviously many upsides to finding fame early really understand the impact I’ve had on some people’s lives. It on, but what about the drawbacks – what sucked about being a does affect me. It deeply, deeply affects me. Obviously you can tell 13-year-old star? by that performance. LR: (Laughs) What sucked about it – I love how you put it. I lost GC: You mentioned having felt judged since you were 13. Is that a lot of my childhood, obviously. I used to say, “Oh no, I didn’t lose why you gravitate toward gay people, because we’re some of the anything,” but I think as you get older – and now having my two least judgmental of people? “bonus boys,” as I call them, and seeing how they are as children LR: Oh, you guys can be very judgmental! I’m just kidding. and how innocent they are – a lot of innocence was taken away (Laughs) early on because I had to be responsible for so many at such a GC: When it comes to fashion maybe. young age. So I think that’s the hardest part. But the great part is getting to do it now, with them. Where I’ve come, the place that LR: Exactly! You’re like, “Girl, why you wearing that?” No, I don’t know. I have a lot of gay friends and it’s something that has I’ve come to know, I couldn’t have skipped any of it. I started at a just naturally happened in my life and in this business. I have a young age, I love music, I was so driven as a kid – this is my path. lot of straight friends too, but my closest, deepest friends are gay I’m a true believer in what’s supposed to happen will. And this is and a lot older than me. Darrell Brown, he actually co-produced my path. I can’t change it, and I wouldn’t. I’m enjoying having fun the record, and his partner are like second dads to me; they are with Eddie (Cibrian’s) kids for sure – and being a kid when I can. with me through thick and thin. All my friends that I have known GC: There have been many headlines regarding you lately, but in my life are solid, but there’s something about my gay friends; the latest is that you’re an overbearing stepmother according to they’ve always stuck by me and never judged, ever. Eddie’s ex-wife, Brandi Glanville. What are you really like as a mom? GC: You also had a gay uncle. How did he affect you? LR: I guess if loving them with all my heart and taking care of LR: Yeah, I did. He actually passed away from AIDS when I was 11; it was very hush-hush and no one went to his funeral in our them when they’re with us and being there for them is overbearing, family except for my dad. He was someone really, really close to then I guess I am – but I don’t think that’s the definition of me. So I think it goes way back, I guess. He loved me and I loved overbearing. him, and it was a very early-on experience that made me want to I grew up in a family where my parents divorced when I was get involved even more. 14. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I know my mom and dad weren’t meant to be together other than to have me (laughs), and GC: As someone who’s been part of the country community for so long, do you feel it’s broken the stigma of not being welcoming I’m totally cool with it. The kids are our main priority, and we have to gay people? a house full of love and I have a great relationship with them. GC: What do you make of the outing of your ex on a Detroit LR: I hope it’s progressed. Country music has become so mainstream and I think all of us have a lot of gay fans, so I hope radio station a couple of years ago when a so-called extended that no one’s discriminating from somebody coming to a concert or family member, “Pebbles,” came on the air to say he’s gay? anything. But I do think it has, in the past, had that unfortunate LR: I was actually with him at the time. I think it was a bunch of stigma. I think the walls are breaking down, at least I hope so. But craziness. I support Dean (Sheremet) and his happiness, and he’s I hope the walls are breaking down all over, not just in country married now (to Sarah Silver) and I’m very happy for him. That music. was a big, big prank at the end of the day. GC: So you don’t think the genre is as homophobic as some GC: Have you ever fallen for a gay man? people perceive it to be? LR: Have I ever fallen for a gay man? I don’t think so! I think LR: I don’t think so, I really don’t. I can’t speak for everybody it’s always been a straight man, but I love my gay friends to death, obviously, but I don’t think that it is as homophobic as you said. that’s for sure. GC: Then why isn’t there an out gay country star who’s mainstream and successful? LR: I don’t know. That’s a really good question. And that’s http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2559 kind of unfortunate. I have thought about it. Shelby Lynne is an amazing singer and Chely Wright is such a sweetheart. I’m so View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

12 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com The Teachings of Tori Gay icon on Christian phonies, being OK with a lesbian daughter and why ‘It Gets Better’ isn’t enough

 Photos by Victor de Mello

By Chris Azzopardi GC: You’ve said, “I knew more about shoes than classical Tori Amos doesn’t do anything straight. Regarded as one music.” What was your crash course in 400 years of classical of the premier singer-songwriters of our time, the gay music like? icon’s veered off every which way – into babe-pounding- TA: I don’t know if it was a crash course. I was at the piano rock and baroque-influenced orchestrations; conservatory for five, six years studying only classical music. not to mention seasonal songs, straight-up pop, adult I wanted to be a composer. I knew that I was not going to be a contemporary and gender-bending covers. concert pianist for all kinds of reasons, but you have to really be dedicated and devote your whole life to playing, for the Night of Hunters, her 12th album over several decades, most part, someone else’s ideas and thoughts and feelings. taps into 400 years of classical music for the backdrop to I felt much more that I had the soul of a composer than the the musician’s conceptual damsel-in-distress narrative. It’s some of Amos’ finest work in years. Continued on Next Page  On album release day, Amos called in to chat about the if- you-were-lesbian talk she had with her daughter, her message to anti-gay Christians and how “It Gets Better” might not be the best way to prevent suicide among gay youth. GC: How do you celebrate a new release? TA: That’s a really good question. We’ll probably have a glass of champagne tonight. Some of the team that put so much energy into it is with me, so we’ll gather and show gratitude. GC: With alcohol, naturally. TA: Well, champagne. You know, a toast is a toast. It’s more about the camaraderie. GC: Do you still travel with a wine cellar when you tour? TA: You know it.

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 13 soul of an interpreter. I felt mainstream, because you closer to the sonic architects were born out of that? than I did to the Horowitzs of TA: I was born out of that, the world. and I’m still that, but I needed GC: It sounds a lot like to take the singer-songwriter an extension of your last by the hand and say, “Honey, album, Midwinter Graces. we gotta expand.” This Did working on that project French journalist said, “Are inspire this one? you willing to be honest and TA: I think it did inspire admit that what you really are me, because working with is a conceptualist and you’ve carols and doing variations on been disguising yourself as them was kind of me cutting a pop star?” (Laughs) And my teeth on how to approach I said, “Well, geez, I love the idea of variations on a contemporary music, I love theme and to expand upon pop music and I love the an original theme from idea of the singer-songwriter. another time. I did gain some That’s part of my soul. But experience by doing that, but maybe there is another part I must tell you – hand on my that needed to expand – a heart – I did not think about composer in me.” going up to (classical record GC: Does having your label) Deutsche Grammophon 11-year-old daughter, and saying, “Uh, excuse me, Natashya Hawley, on four I’m gonna mess with the tracks mean you’re trying to masters. Will you all pay for turn her into a gay icon, too? this?” It’s not something you TA: (Laughs) Well, I don’t do. It’s like calling up black know if I’m trying to turn op and saying, “Hi, can I blow her into anything! She’s some shit up? I’m available!” turning herself. She helped It doesn’t really work like me develop “Annabelle” (a that. character on Night of Hunters). But they approached me I designed it, but she helped with the idea and I thought it develop the character. She’s was pretty bold, and I found been pushing me about the them to not be reticent about musical and she realized she it but saying, “We’ve studied was too young to play any of your work and we think the girls and she said, “Look, you’re ready to do this. We I could stuff my bra!” And I know you’ve been working said, “Stop stuffing your bra!” on the musical ( So Tash is very proactive. ) so you should She’s grown up with gay understand narrative to a people in our life. We have degree.” And then they said, people from all walks of life “You know what, how about a on our crew – gay women and 21st century song cycle based gay men that we work with. on classical themes?” And I She’s been brought up in it. said, “How about a drink?” GC: She had no choice – GC: Do you think this is look at her mother. a project you would’ve even TA: Yeah, I know! (Laughs) considered 20 years ago? But she knows very well what TA: Oh, are you kidding? I I think. I had a chat with her think having worked on the once that if she ever came musical now for 5,000 years home and said she was a I’ve learned a lot. (Laughs) I’m lesbian then that’s her choice. working with these incredible And she said to me: “Mom, creative minds and that has I’m not a lesbian. Black guys really pushed me as a creative are hot.” force to expand my ability as GC: You’re from North a composer. In the pop field, Carolina, which has the composition form is quite previously banned gay regimented. I can see it right marriage and is now seeking now: If I had turned in almost to amend that to the state 10 minutes to one of my constitution to define favorite people in the whole marriage as being between a world, (record label exec) man and a woman. How do Doug Morris, he would’ve you feel about this legislation, looked at me and said, “Tori, as it affects such a huge part what ar’ you doin’?” of your fan base? How do you feel GC: TA: What I think is so about the disappearance of strange. It is. (Laughs) If the singer-songwriter from anybody calls themselves a

14 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Christian, I don’t see how you can ban consenting adults. I GC: There’s been a series of suicides among gay youth just don’t understand how you can see yourself as Christian in the last year due to bullying, with 14-year-old Jamey and have no compassion for another person’s path. It goes Rodemeyer reported most recently. The “It Gets Better” against the Christ-like energy and light that I was brought project was launched to give kids hope and remind them that up with. it’s not the end of the world. My mother and father, they’re both Southern, have opened TA: But it is the end of the world to them. When you are up, especially my dad. He had to really stretch as a Methodist being bullied because of who you are, the shame of that is minister, but he’s embraced the idea that gay people deserve so great that it does seem like the end of the world and like rights. I’m really proud of him that, as a Methodist minister, they’re not accepted in this world – and they’re not being he was able to make that shift and see that he did need to accepted by part of this world. And yet, the people that see it differently. are not accepting them and bullying them call themselves He took me to a gay bar when I was 13. He’s come a long Christian, and that is a lie. You are not a Christian if you way, let’s put it that way. So I think there’s hope for people treat people like that. I don’t care what office you’re running who are judgmental, but what they have to say to themselves for. You just are not. That is not the definition of walking the is, how can they call themselves a Christian and then insist Christ-like path. that gay people don’t have the right to be married? Then gay When artists say it’s not the end of the world, I don’t know people shouldn’t have to pay taxes in the state of Carolina! if that’s the approach. I think the approach is acknowledging GC: Is there hope for Michele Bachmann or people like her? what they’re feeling and hopefully creating a space where TA: I don’t understand people. Again, I’m a minister’s people feeling bullied can go to. daughter, I was brought up in the church; I do know the This next election, it’s so important the gay community political side and how it works. If I could sit down with these become very aware of what’s going on and be very proactive people you’re mentioning, I’d say, “I thought Jesus was about about your rights as human beings. The fact that gay people love and not about judgment and damnation. I thought are not treated as if they’re human beings by some of these Christ came to question the judgment of a very harsh God.” people who are running for office, it’s barbaric. Whatever I just find it completely against Christ’s message. I don’t you think I am, I would like to be in a society where we’re know what they’re representing, but they’re as far away from enlightened, and I just find it all very primitive and that we’re Christ as my Bible teaching taught me and, you know what, regressing mentally. I was brought up in the church! I’ve gone to church enough for almost every woman in America! (Laughs) GC: With all the bullying and suicides among LGBT teens in the news, have you considered writing a song about that? http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2560 TA: Could you send me some information about that? I’m not aware of all that you speak about. View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 15 16 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Directory & Events

24 DOWNTOWN CALGARY

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1 Calgary Outlink------Community Groups 9 FAB------Bars and Clubs 35 One Yellow Rabbit------Theatre 58 Theatre Junction------Theatre 2 Aids Calgary------Community Groups 13 Westways Guest House---- Accommodations 36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects------Theatre 60 Club Sapien------Bars and Clubs 3 Backlot------Bars and Clubs 16 Priape Calgary------Retail Stores 37 Pumphouse Theatre------Theatre 61 Holidays on the Hill------Retail Stores 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.------Bars and Clubs 24 Courtney Aarbo------Services 41 La Fleur------Retail Stores 62 Concept Bar & Lounge------Bars and Clubs 5 Texas Lounge------Bars and Clubs 33 Twisted Element------Bars and Clubs 43 Lisa Heinricks------Theatre and Fine Arts 6 Goliath’s------Bathhouses 34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------Theatre 55 Marquee Room------Bars and Clubs

60 Concept Bar & Lounge------✰  908 17th Ave SW  403-228-1006 FIND OUT! CALGARY  www.facebook.com/ConceptLounge Accommodations Premiere crossover lounge. Entrance on 16th Ave. LGBT Community Directory 55 Marquee Room------✰ 13 Westways Guest House------✰  612 - 8th Avenue SW  216 - 25th Avenue SW  403-229-1758  www.marqueeroom.com GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine is the go-to source for  1-866-846-7038  [email protected] Alternative night every Wednesday. information about Alberta LGBT businesses and community  www.gaywestways.com 9 FAB------✰ groups—the most extensive and accurate resource of its kind! This  1742 - 10th Ave SW  403-263-7411 print supplement contains a subset of active community groups Bars & Clubs  www.fab-bar.com  Closed Mondays. and venues, with premium business listings of paid advertisers. 3 Backlot------✰ Bar and restaurant.  209 - 10th Ave SW  403-265-5211 5 Texas Lounge------✰ ✰...... Find our Magazine Here ...... Wheelchair Accessible  Open 7 days a week, 2pm-close  308 - 17 Ave SW  403-229-0911  www.goliaths.ca Spot something inaccurate or outdated? Want your business or 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.------✰  424a - 8th Ave SE  403-263-5847  Open 7 days a week, 11am-close organization listed? We welcome you to contact us!  http://www.calgaryeagle.com 33 Twisted Element------✰  Open Wed-Sun, 5pm-close  1006 - 11th Ave SW  403-802-0230  403-543-6960  1-888-543-6960 Leather/Denim/Fetish bar.  www.twistedelement.ca Club Paradiso Dance Club and Lounge.  [email protected]  1413 - 9th Ave SE, 2nd Floor  403-265-5739 Bathhouses/Saunas  www.clubparadiso.ca  [email protected] Fri: Garter Girls Burlesque. Sat: Carly’s Angels. Weekdays: 6 Goliaths------✰ http://www.gaycalgary.com/CalgaryTravelRss Magic, Comedy & Music.  308 - 17 Ave SW  403-229-0911  www.goliaths.ca http://www.gaycalgary.com/EdmontonTravelRss 60 Club Sapien------✰  Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day  1140 10th Ave SW  403-457-4464 Local Bars, Restaurants, and Accommodations info on the go!  http://www.clubsapien.ca Dance Club and Restaurant/Lounge. Community Groups http://www.gaycalgary.com/Directory 2 AIDS Calgary------✰  110, 1603 10th Avenue SW Browse our complete directory of over 600 gay-frieindly listings!  403-508-2500

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 17 Directory & Events

Fake Mustache Show------ 7:30pm Tuned Out Music Trivia------ Evening Friday, November 18th Calgary Events By Miscellaneous Youth Network  1st At 9 FAB  1st, 3rd  Quincy’s (609 7th Ave SW) Gong Show: The Sequel------ 9pm-12am Mondays Go-Go Boy Competition------ Evening At 5 Texas Lounge ASK Meet and Greet------ 7-9:30pm Fake Mustache Show------ 9pm At 60 Club Sapien By Miscellaneous Youth Network  3rd WCLS/b Meet & Greet------ 9pm  Bonasera (1204 Edmonton Tr. NE) Sundays At 4 Calgary Eagle At 60 Club Sapien Inside Out Youth Group------ 7-9pm Worship Time------ 10am Saturday, November 19th Alcoholics Anonymous------ 8pm See 1 Calgary Outlink See Deer Park United Church  Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) WCLS/b & WCCBB Contests------ 9pm Karaoke------ Evening 1227 Kensington Close NW Worship------ 10:30am At 4 Calgary Eagle At 60 Club Sapien Fridays See Scarboro United Church Sunday, November 20th Tuesdays Leather Night------ Evening Sunday Services------ 10:45am WCLS/b Victory Brunch------ 9pm Calgary Networking Club------ 5-7pm At 4 Calgary Eagle See Hillhurst United Church At 4 Calgary Eagle See 1 Calgary Outlink  1st BBQ Fundraiser------ 5-9pm Worship Services------ 11am Friday, November 25th Between Men------ 7-9pm By ISCCA at 3 Backlot See Knox United Church 80s Dance Party------ 9pm See 1 Calgary Outlink  2nd, 4th Rec Volleyball------ 7pm Int/Comp Volleyball------ 12:15-1:45pm At 4 Calgary Eagle See Apollo Calgary Karaoke------ 8pm-1am See Apollo Calgary Saturday, November 26th At 5 Texas Lounge BBQ Social Sundays------ 2pm Illusions------ 7-10pm World Aids Day 2011 Fundraiser------ 7pm  At 4 Calgary Eagle Fetish Slosh------ Evening See 1 Calgary Outlink 1st At 9 FAB At 3 Backlot  2nd Womynspace------ 7-9pm Church Service------ 4pm Sunday, November 27th Alcoholics Anonymous------ 8pm See 1 Calgary Outlink  2nd See Rainbow Community Church  Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) Social Sunday Dinner------ 6pm Swimming------ 5-6pm 1227 Kensington Close NW New Directions------ 7-9pm At 4 Calgary Eagle See 1 Calgary Outlink  3rd By Different Strokes Wednesdays  SAIT Pool (1301 - 16 Ave NW) Friday, December 2nd Heading Out------ 8pm-10pm A Night Under The Big Top------ 9pm Communion Service------ 12:10pm See 1 Calgary Outlink  4th Women’s Volleyball------ 7-8:30pm See Knox United Church See Apollo Calgary At 5 Texas Lounge Alcoholics Anonymous------ 8pm Saturday, December 3rd Women’s Healing Circle------ 1:30pm  Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) Free Pool------ All Day See AIDS Calgary 1227 Kensington Close NW At 4 Calgary Eagle Christmas Dinner and Dance------ 6pm By ARGRA at 60 Club Sapien Free Pool------ All Day Saturdays Saturday, November 5th At 4 Calgary Eagle with Prime Timers Calgary Running------ 9am Sock & Jocks------ 9pm Mad World------ 8pm Mosaic Youth Group------ 7-9pm See Apollo Calgary At 4 Calgary Eagle By Calgary Men’s Chorus  At Rosza Centre, U of C  Old Y Centre (223 12th Ave SW) Sunday, November 6th Coffee------ 10am Saturday, December 17 Thursdays By Prime Timers Calgary Social Sunday Dinner------ 6pm  Midtown Co-op (1130 - 11th Ave SW) Lesbian Seniors------ 2pm At 4 Calgary Eagle A Very Starlight Christmas------ 9pm By ISCCA at 60 Club Sapien  Kerby Center, Sunshine Room  3rd Curling------ 2:20 & 4:30pm Saturday, November 12th 1133 7th Ave SW See Apollo Calgary Sun, Dec 18 Cowboy Night------ 9pm Swimming------ 7-8pm Alcoholics Anonymous------ 8pm At 4 Calgary Eagle Christmas Dinner------5pm By Different Strokes  Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) At 4 Calgary Eagle  SAIT Pool (1301 - 16 Ave NW) 1227 Kensington Close NW Wednesday, November 16th Lesbian Meetup Group------ 7:30-9pm 24th Anniversary------ All Day At 1 Calgary Outlink  1st At 5 Texas Lounge and Goliaths

 Calgary Contd. Legend:  = Monthly Reoccurrance,  = Date (Range/Future),  = Sponsored Event

 [email protected] • Bowling (Rainbow Riders League) • Slow Pitch Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA)  www.aidscalgary.org  Let’s Bowl (2916 5th Avenue NE)  [email protected]  www.argra.org  [email protected] Alberta Society for Kink • Squash • Monthly Dances------ 403-398-9968 • Curling  Mount Royal University Recreation  Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association  [email protected]  North Hill Curling Club (1201 - 2 Street NW)  [email protected] 1320 - 5th Avenue NW  http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/  [email protected] All skill levels welcome. group.albertasocietyforkink Will return in September 2010. Sign up at myapollo.org Artists for the Quality of Life to receive updates. • Tennis  403-890-1261  www.afqol.org Apollo Calgary - Friends in Sports  [email protected]  [email protected]  www.apollocalgary.com • Golf  www.myapollo.com  [email protected] • Volleyball (Beach) Calgary Gay Fathers A volunteer operated, non-profit organization serving  [email protected]  [email protected] primarily members of the LGBT communities but open to all • Lawn Bowling  http://www.calgarygayfathers.ca members of all communities. Primary focus is to provide  [email protected] • Volleyball (Int/Comp) Peer support group for gay, bisexual and questioning members with well-organized and fun sporting events and  West Hillhurst Community Center fathers. Meeting twice a month. other activities. • Outdoor Pursuits 1940 6th Avenue NW  [email protected]  [email protected] Calgary Men’s Chorus • Western Cup 30 If it’s done outdoors, we do it. Volunteer led events all  http://www.calgarymenschorus.org  www.westerncup.com summer and winter. Hiking, camping, biking, skiing, snow • Volleyball (Recreational) Easter long weekend, 2012. shoeing, etc. Sign up at myapollo.org to get updates on  235 - 18 Ave SW • Rehearsals the sport you like. We’re always looking for people to  [email protected]  Temple B’Nai Tikvah, 900 - 47 Avenue SW • Badminton (Absolutely Smashing) lead events.  6020 - 4 Avenue NE • Volleyball (Women’s) Calgary Sexual Health Centre------✰  [email protected] • Running (Calgary Frontrunners)  YWCA Calgary (320 - 5th Avenue SE)  304, 301 14th Street NW  YMCA Eau Claire (4th St, 1st Ave SW)  [email protected]  403-283-5580 • Biking  [email protected]  http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca  [email protected] East Doors (directly off the Bow river pathway). Distances • Yoga A pro-choice organization that believes all people have the  World Tree Studio (812 Edmonton Trail NE) vary from 8 km - 15 km. Runners from 6 minutes/mile to right and ability to make their own choices regarding their  Robin: 403-618-9642 • Boot Camp 9+ minute miles. sexual and reproductive health.  Platoon FX, 1351 Aviation Park NE  [email protected]  [email protected] $120 (10 sessions); $14 Drop-ins open to all levels. Apollo membership is required.

18 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Directory & Events

 Calgary Contd.

1 Calgary Outlink------✰ Calgary’s ONLY Drag King Show. Early show 7:30pm, Focus on sexuality; gay bisexual lesbian trans gendered and Services & Products  B1, 1528 16th Avenue SW late show 9pm. straight issues here in Calgary and around the web.  403-234-8973 • Mosaic Youth Group Vigor Calgary Calgary Civil Marriage Centre  [email protected]  The Old Y Centre (223 12th Ave SW)  403-255-7004  www.vigorcalgary.ca  403-246-4134  [email protected]  http://www.calgaryoutlink.com For queer and trans youth and their allies. Violence in Gay Male Relationships (VIGOR) is a committee Marriage Commissioner for Alberta (aka Justice of the Peace of professionals dedicated to increasing the awareness of - JP), Marriage Officiant, Commissioner for Oaths. • Peer Support and Crisis Line Mystique  1-877-OUT-IS-OK (1-877-688-4765) gay men’s domestic violence and the services available  [email protected] 24 Courtney Aarbo (Barristers & Solicitors) Front-line help service for GLBT individuals and their family to them. Mystique is primarily a Lesbian group for women 30 and  1138 Kensington Road NW and friends, or anyone questioning their sexuality. up but all are welcome. Wild Rose United Church  403-571-5120  1317-1st Street NW  http://www.courtneyaarbo.ca • Calgary Lesbian Ladies Meet up Group • Coffee Night GLBT legal services. • Between Men and Between Men Online  Second Cup (2312 - 4th Street SW) “Yeah...What She Said!” Radio Show • Heading Out  CJSW 90.9 FM Cruiseline NETWORKS  [email protected]  403-777-9494 trial code 3500 • Illusions Calgary  [email protected]  http://www.cruiseline.ca • Inside Out A social, cultural, and service organization for the mature Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY. minded and “Plus 40” LGBT individuals seeking to meet Restaurants • New Directions DevaDave Salon & Boutique • Womynspace others at age-appropriate activities within a positive, safe 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.------✰ environment.  810 Edmonton Trail NE See Calgary - Bars and Clubs.  403-290-1973 Cuts, Colour, Hilights. Calgary Queer Book Club Parents for Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) 60 Club Sapien------✰  Sean: 403-695-5791  Weeds Cafe (1903 20 Ave NW)  1140 10th Ave SW  403-457-4464 Duncan’s Residential Cleaning  http://www.pflagcanada.ca  http://www.clubsapien.ca Deer Park United Church/Wholeness Centre A registered charitable organization that provides  Jim Duncan: 403-978-6600 Residential cleaning. Free estimates.  77 Deerpoint Road SE  403-278-8263 support, education and resources to parents, families and 9 FAB------✰  http://www.dpuc.ca individuals who have questions or concerns about sexual See Calgary - Bars and Clubs. Lorne Doucette (CIR Realtors) orientation or gender identity. Different Strokes  403-461-9195 Halo Steak, Seafood & Wine Bar  http://www.lornedoucette.com  http://www.differentstrokescalgary.org Positive Space Committee  Canyon Meadows Plaza  4825 Mount Royal Gate SW 13226 Macleod Trail SE Marnie Campbell (Maxwell Realtors) Don’t Buy In Project  403-440-6383  403-271-4111  http://www.dontbuyin.ca  403-479-8619  http://www.mtroyal.ca/positivespace  www.halorestaurant.com  http://www.marniecampbell.ca This Calgary Police Service Initiative aims to encourage Works to raise awareness and challenge the patterns of youth to working towards an inclusive environment in which silence that continue to marginalize LGBTTQ individuals. MFM Communications diversity is embraced in their schools and community.  403-543-6970 Pride Calgary Planning Committee FairyTales Presentation Society Retail Stores  1-877-543-6970  403-797-6564  www.pridecalgary.ca  http://www.mfmcommunications.com  403-244-1956 Adult Depot------✰  http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com Pride Rainbow Project Web site hosting and development. Computer hardware  140, 58th Ave SW  403-258-2777 and software. Alberta Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.  [email protected] Gay, bi, straight video rentals and sex toys.  http://www.priderainbowproject.com MPs Catering • DVD Resource Library 61 Youth run project designed to show support for same-sex Holidays on the Hill------ 403-607-8215 Over a hundred titles to choose from. Annual membership marriage in Canada and elsewhere. A fabric rainbow  210 - 7th Ave SW  403-263-3030 is $10. banner approximately 5 feet wide - goal is to make it Christmas, Halloween, and much more. SafeWorks 3.2km (2 miles) long, in order to break the world record. Free and confidential HIV/AIDS and STI testing. Gay Friends in Calgary 41 La Fleur------ http://www.gayfriendsincalgary.ca Primetimers Calgary  103 - 100 7th Avenue SW • Calgary Drop-in Centre Organizes and hosts social activities catered to the LGBT  [email protected]  403-266-1707  Room 117, 423 - 4th Ave SE people and friends.  http://www.primetimerscalgary.com Florist and Flower Shop.  403-699-8216 Designed to foster social interaction for its members  Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm, Sat: 12:15pm-3:15pm Girl Friends through a variety of social, educational and recreational The Naked Leaf------ [email protected] activities. Open to all gay and bisexual men of any age,  305 10th Street NW  403-283-3555 • Centre of Hope  members.shaw.ca/girlfriends respects whatever degree of anonymity that each member  http://www.thenakedleaf.ca  Room 201, 420 - 9th Ave SE Girlsgroove desires. Organic teas and tea ware.  403-410-1180  Mon-Fri: 1pm-5pm  http://www.girlsgroove.ca Queers on Campus------✰ 16 Priape Calgary------✰ • Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre Hillhurst United Church  279R Student Union Club Spaces, U of C  1322 - 17 Ave SW  403-215-1800  1213 - 4th Str SW  403-955-6014  http://www.priape.com  1227 Kensington Close NW  403-220-6394  Sat-Thu: 4:15pm-7:45pm, Fri: Closed Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear, movies  (403) 283-1539  http://www.ucalgary.ca/~glass and magazines. Gifts. • Safeworks Van  [email protected] Formerly GLASS - Gay/Lesbian Association of Students and Staff.  403-850-3755  www.hillhurstunited.com  Sat-Thu: 8pm-12am, Fri: 4pm-12am HIV Peer Support Group • Coffee Night  403-230-5832  2nd Cup, Kensington  [email protected] Safety Under the Rainbow ISCCA Social Association  http://www.safetyrainbow.ca  http://www.iscca.ca Mission: To raise awareness and understanding of same-sex Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch. Charity domestic violence and homophobic youth bullying. fundraising group.. Scarboro United Church Knox United Church  134 Scarboro Avenue SW  506 - 4th Street SW  403-269-8382  403-244-1161  www.scarborounited.ab.ca  http://www.knoxunited.ab.ca An affirming congregation—the full inclusion of LGBT Knox United Church is an all-inclusive church located in people is essential to our mission and purpose. downtown Calgary. A variety of facility rentals are also Sharp Foundation available for meetings, events and concerts.  403-272-2912 • Worship Services  [email protected]  10:30am in July and August.  http://www.thesharpfoundation.com Miscellaneous Youth Network Unity Bowling  http://www.miscyouth.com  Let’s Bowl (2916 - 5th Ave NE)  [email protected] • Fake Mustache  Quincy’s (609 7th Ave SW) Urban Sex Radio Show  Club Sapien (609 7th Ave SW)  CJSW 90.9 FM  http://www.cjsw.com

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 19 Directory & Events

DOWNTOWN EDMONTON 1

5

7 3 6 4 N 11 12 14

1 Pride Centre------Community Groups 5 The Junction------Bars and Clubs 8 Prism Bar & Grill------Bars and Clubs 13 PLAY Nightclub------Bars and Clubs 3 HIV Network------Community Groups 6 Buddy’s Nite Club------Bars and Clubs 11 Steamworks------Bathhouses 14 FLASH------Bars and Clubs 4 Edmonton STD------Community Groups 7 Down Under Baths------Bathhouses 12 Woody’s------Bars and Clubs

 Calgary Contd.

Theatre & Fine Arts 34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------11 Steamworks------✰ diverse backgrounds but have common social interests.  161, 115 - 9 Ave SE  403-221-3708  11745 Jasper Ave  780-451-5554 Affiliated with Prime Timers World Wide. 36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects  http://www.vertigomysterytheatre.com  http://www.steamworksedmonton.com Edmonton Rainbow Business Association  403-294-7402  http://www.ATPlive.com  3379, 11215 Jasper Ave  780-429-5014 AXIS Contemporary Art------Community Groups  http://www.edmontonrba.org Primary focus is the provision of networking opportunities  107, 100 - 7 Ave SW  403-262-3356 Alberta Bears  [email protected]  www.axisart.ca EDMONTON for LGBT owned or operated and LGBT-friendly businesses  www.beefbearbash.com in the Edmonton region. Fairytales Bars & Clubs AltView Foundation Edmonton Illusions Social Club See Calgary - Community Groups.  #44, 48 Brentwood Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB 6 ✰  5 The Junction Buddy’s Nite Club------ 403-398-9968 Jubilations Dinner Theatre    780-387-3343 11725 Jasper Ave 780-488-6636   Bow Trail and 37th St. SW [email protected]  groups.yahoo.com/group/edmonton_illusions   403-249-7799 14 FLASH------✰ www.altview.ca  www.jubilations.ca  10018 105 Street  780-938-2941 For gender variant and sexual minorities. 4 Edmonton STD  [email protected]  11111 Jasper Ave 43 Lisa Heinricks (Artist)------Book Worm’s Book Club   Art Central, 100 7th Ave SW, lower level 5 The Junction------✰ Howard McBride Chapel of Chimes Edmonton Vocal Minority  http://www.creamydreamy.com  10242 106th St  780-756-5667 10179 - 108 Street  780-479-2038  [email protected]  http://www.junctionedmonton.com  [email protected]  www.evmchoir.com 35 One Yellow Rabbit------ Big Secret Theatre - EPCOR CENTRE PLAY Nightclub (closed)------✰ Buck Naked Boys Club 3 HIV Network Of Edmonton Society---- ✰   403-299-8888  www.oyr.org  10220 103 Street  780-497-7529 780-471-6993  9702 111 Ave NW  www.hivedmonton.com  http://www.bucknakedboys.ca  [email protected] Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose 37 Pumphouse Theatre------✰  http://www.playnightclub.ca Naturism club for men—being social while everyone is  2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW naked, and it does not include sexual activity. Participants do  http://www.iscwr.ca  403-263-0079 Prism Bar & Grill (closed)------✰ not need to be gay, only male.  10524 101st St  780-990-0038 GLBTQ Sage Bowling Club  http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca    http://www.prismbar.ca Camp fYrefly 780-474-8240 [email protected] Stagewest------✰  7-104 Dept. of Educational Policy Studies 12 Woody’s------✰ Faculty of Education, University of Alberta Men’s Games Nights  727 - 42 Avenue SE  403-243-6642  Unitarian Church (10804 119th Street)  http://www.stagewestcalgary.com  11725 Jasper Ave  780-488-6557 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G5  http://www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca  780-474-8240  [email protected] 58 Theatre Junction------✰ OUTreach  Theatre Junction GRAND, 608 1st St. SW Bathhouses/Saunas Edmonton Pride Festival Society (EPFS)  http://www.edmontonpride.ca  University of Alberta, basement of SUB  403-205-2922 7 Down Under Baths (temp. closed)  [email protected]  [email protected]  *RELOCATING*  780-482-7960  http://www.ualberta.ca/~outreach  http://www.theatrejunction.com Edmonton Prime Timers  http://www.gayedmonton.com  [email protected] Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender/transsexual, Queer,  www.primetimersww.org/edmonton Questioning and Straight-but-not-Narrow student group. Group of older gay men and their admirers who come from

20 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Directory & Events

Martial Arts------ 7:30-8:30pm Bowling------ 5pm Friday, November 18th Edmonton Events See Team Edmonton See Team Edmonton Kate Reid------ Evening Mondays Intermediate Volleyball------ 7:30-9:30pm Sundays At 5 The Junction See Team Edmonton Boot Camp------ 7-8pm Running------ 10-11am Saturday, November 19th See Team Edmonton See Team Edmonton Fridays Beach Party------ Evening Tuesdays Men’s Games Nights------ 7-10:30pm Yoga------ 2-3:30pm At 5 The Junction Martial Arts------ 7:30-8:30pm See Men’s Games Nights  2nd, Last See Team Edmonton Sunday, November 20th See Team Edmonton Edmonton Illusions------ 8:30pm Ballroom Dancing------ 7:30-8:30pm BigDaddy’s Perogy Dinner------ 5-8pm Wednesdays At 5 The Junction  2nd See Team Edmonton By ISCWR at 5 The Junction GLBTQ Bowling------ 1:30-3:30pm Youth Sports/Recreation------ 4pm Monthly Meetings------ 2:30pm Friday, November 25th See GLBTQ Sage Bowling Club See Youth Understanding Youth  Unitarian Church (10804 119th Street) See Edmonton Primetimers  2nd Crowns for Kids------ 8-11pm Youth Sports/Recreation------ 4pm Saturdays By ISCWR at 5 The Junction See Youth Understanding Youth Saturday, November 5th Naturalist Gettogether Saturday, December 10th Thursdays See Buck Naked Boys Club  2nd The Loud & Queer Cabaret-  6:30-9:30pm  La Cite Francophone (8627 91 Street) Miss Mary Christmas Pageant------ 8-11pm Youth Sports/Recreation------ 4pm Monthly Meeting------ 2:30pm By ISCWR at 5 The Junction See Youth Understanding Youth By Edmonton Primetimers  2nd Saturday, November 12th  Unitarian Church, 10804 - 119th Street Book Club------ 7:30pm Bearbash------ 8pm See BookWorm’s Book Club  3rd By BEEF Bearbash at Junction

 Edmonton Contd. Legend:  = Monthly Reoccurrance,  = Date (Range),  = Sponsored Event

1 Pride Centre of Edmonton------✰ • TTIQ • Cross Country Skiing • Snowballs V  *RELOCATING*  780-488-3234  TBA  [email protected]  January 27-29, 2012  [email protected]  [email protected]  [email protected] TTIQ is mixed gender open support group addressing the • Curling with Pride Skiing and Snowboarding Weekend. • Community Potluck needs of transsexual and transgendered individuals.  Granite Curling Club, 8620 107 Street NW  TBA  [email protected] • Soccer  [email protected] • Womonspace Board Meeting  [email protected] A potluck open to all members of the LGBTQ community. A  TBA • Cycling (Edmonton Prideriders) time to get together, share a meal and meet people from  [email protected]  Various locations in Edmonton • Spin the community. Womonspace is a Social and Recreational Society in  [email protected]  MacEwan Centre for Sport and Wellness Edmonton run by volunteers. They provide opportunities 109 St. and 104 Ave • Free School for lesbians to interact and support each other in a safe • Dragon Boat (Flaming Dragons)  Wednesdays, 5:45-6:45pm  [email protected]  TBA environment, and to contribute to the broader community. Season has ended.  monika\[email protected]  [email protected] • Youth Movie • Golf 7 classes, $28.00 per registrant. Free School provides workshops on a variety of topics  [email protected] related to local activism.  TBA  [email protected] • Swimming (Making Waves) • Gymnastics, Drop-in  NAIT Pool (11762 - 106 Street) • Get Tested for STIs Movie chosen by youth (aged 14 – 25), usually with LGBT  Ortona Gymnastics Club, 8755 - 50 Avenue  [email protected] Free STD testing for anyone interested. For more themes. Popcorn is served.  [email protected] information please contact the Pride Centre.  www.makingwavesswimclub.ca • YouthSpace Have the whole gym to yourselves and an instructor to help you achieve your individual goals. Cost is $5.00 • GLBT African Group (Drop-In)  [email protected] • Tennis per session.  [email protected] A safe and supportive space for GLBTQ youth aged 13–25.  Kinsmen Sports Centre  [email protected] Video games, computers with internet, clothing bank,  Sundays, 12pm-3pm • Hockey  [email protected] Group for ALL gay refugees and their friends and families, and more.  [email protected] from all around the world. Team Edmonton • Ultimate Frisbee • Martial Arts  Sundays • GLBT Seniors Drop-In  [email protected]  15450 - 105 Ave (daycare entrance) Summer Season starts July 12th  SAGE building, Classroom B  http://www.teamedmonton.ca  780-328-6414  [email protected] 15 Sir Winstone Churchill Square Members are invited to attend and help determine the  [email protected] E-mail if interested.  [email protected] board for the next term. If you are interested in running for  [email protected] A social and support group for seniors of all genders and the board or getting involved in some of the committees, Drop-ins welcome. sexualities to talk, have tea and offer each other support. please contact us. • Volleyball, Intermediate  Amiskiwacy Academy (101 Airport Road) • Outdoor Pursuits  [email protected] • Men Talking with Pride • Badminton (Mixed)  [email protected]  TBA  St. Thomas Moore School, 9610 165 Street  [email protected]  [email protected] • Volleyball, Recreational • Running (Arctic Frontrunners)  Mother Teresa School (9008 - 105 Ave) A social discussion group for gay, bisexual and New group seeking male & female players.  Emily Murphy Park, west end  [email protected] transgendered men to discuss current issues and to offer  [email protected] support to each other. • Badminton (Women’s) All genders and levels of runners and walkers are invited to  Oliver School, 10227 - 118 Street • Women’s Lacrosse join this free activity.  Sharon: 780-461-0017 • Men’s HIV Support Group  780-465-3620  Pam: 780-436-7374  TBA  [email protected] • Slo Pitch Open to women 21+, experienced or not, all are welcome.  [email protected] Women’s Drop-In Recreational Badminton. $40.00 season  Parkallen Field, 111 st and 68 ave Call for info. Support group for people living with HIV/AIDS. or $5.00 per drop in.  [email protected] Season fee is $30.00 per person. $10 discount for players • PFLAG •Ballroom Dancing • Yoga from the 2008 season.  Lion's Breath Yoga Studio (10350-124 Street)  TBA  780-436-1998  Foot Notes Dance Studio, 9708-45 Avenue NW  [email protected]  [email protected]  Cynthia: 780-469-3281 Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: A support group for family members and friends of GLBT people. An • Blazin’ Bootcamp excellent resource for people whose family members and  Garneau Elementary School friends have just come out. 10925 - 87 Ave  [email protected] • Prime Timers See Edmonton Primetimers. • Bowling (Northern Titans)  Ed’s Rec Room (West Edmonton Mall) • Suit Up and Show Up: AA Big Book Study  [email protected]  TBA $15.00 per person. Discussion and support group for those struggling with an alcohol addiction or seeking support in staying sober.

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 21 Directory & Events

 Edmonton Contd.

Womonspace Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition  780-482-1794  P..O. Box 3043, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 3S9  [email protected] GRANDE PRAIRIE ALBERTA  (306) 955-5135  www.womonspace.ca  1-800-955-5129 Women’s social group, but all welcome at events. Community Groups Community Groups  http://www.rainbowhealth.ca Youth Understanding Youth GALAP Central Alberta AIDS Network Society Egale Canada  780-248-1971  www.yuyedm.ca  10113 - 103 Ave, T8V 1C2  4611-50 Avenue, Red Deer, AB  8 Wellington St E, Third Floor A support and social group for queer youth 12-25.  780-512-1990  http://www.caans.org Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1C5 Gay and Lesbian Association of the Peace. The Central Alberta AIDS Network Society is the local  1-888-204-7777  www.egale.ca • Sports and Recreation charity responsible for HIV prevention and support in Egale Canada is the national advocacy and lobby • Wednesday Coffee Nights  Brendan: 780-488-3234 Central Alberta. organization for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans-  [email protected] identified people and our families. Western Canadian Pride Campout Restaurants LETHBRIDGE  www.eventmasterinc.net Products & Services 5 The Junction------YouthSafe  http://www.youthsafe.net Squirt  10242 106th St  780-756-5667 Community Groups Alberta’s website for youth with sex-and-gender differences.  http://www.squirt.org 12 Woody’s------✰ Youthsafe.net lists the resources, information and services Website for dating and hook-ups. 18+ ONLY! GALA/LA to help youth find safe and caring spaces in Alberta.  11725 Jasper Ave  780-488-6557  403-308-2893  http://www.galalethbridge.ca Theatre & Fine Arts Retail Stores Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge and Area. Theatre & Fine Arts Broadway Across Canada Rodéo Drive • Monthly Dances Alberta Ballet  http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca  11528 - 89th Street  Henotic (402 - 2 Ave S)  http://www.albertaballet.com OUTtv Frequent productions in Calgary and Edmonton.  780-474-0413 Bring your membership card and photo ID.  http://www.outtv.ca  [email protected] GLBT Television Station.  http://www.rodeodrive.ca • Monthly Potluck Dinners His and hers fetish wear, toys, jewelry, etc.  McKillop United Church, 2329 - 15 Ave S GALA/LA will provide the turkey...you bring the rest. Please CANADA Products & Services bring a dish to share that will serve 4-6 people, and your own beverage. Community Groups Cruiseline • Support Line  780-413-7122 trial code 3500  403-308-2893 Alberta Trans Support/Activities Group  http://www.cruiseline.ca  Monday OR Wednesday, 7pm-11pm  http://www.albertatrans.org Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY. Leave a message any other time. A nexus for transgendered persons, regardless of where they may be on the continuum. Robertson-Wesley United Church • Friday Mixer  10209 - 123 St. NW  780-482-1587  The Mix (green water tower)  [email protected]  www.rwuc.org 103 Mayor Magrath Dr S  Worship: Sunday mornings at 10:30am  Every Friday at 10pm People of all sexual orientations welcome. Other LGBT events include a monthly book club and a bi-monthly film Gay & Lesbian Integrity Assoc. (GALIA) night. As a caring spiritual community, we’d love to have  University of Lethbridge  [email protected] you join us! GBLTTQQ club on campus. • Soul OUTing • Movie Night  Second Sunday every month, 7pm  Room C610, University of Lethbridge An LGBT-focused alternative worship. Gay Youth Alliance Group • Film Night  Betty, 403-381-5260  [email protected]  Bi-monthly, contact us for exact dates.  Every second Wednesday, 3:30pm-5pm • Book Club Lethbridge HIV Connection  Monthly, contact us for exact dates.  1206 - 6 Ave S PFLAG Canada Theatre & Fine Arts  1-888-530-6777 Exposure Festival  [email protected]  http://www.exposurefestival.ca  www.pflagcanada.ca Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival. Pride Lethbridge  The Roxy Theatre [email protected]  10708 124th Street, Edmonton AB  780-453-2440  www.theatrenetwork.ca RED DEER BANFF/CANMORE Community Groups Affirm Community Groups  Sunnybrook United Church  403-347-6073 Mountain Pride  2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm  BOX 4892, BANFF, AB, T1L 1G1 Composed of LGBTQ people, their friends, family and  Brian, 403-431-2569 allies. No religious affiliation necessary. Activities include  1-800-958-9632 support, faith and social justice discussions, film nights,  [email protected] and potlucks!  www.gaybanff.com Serving the GLBTQS community in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Area.

22 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Politics Freedom of Speech vs Freedom from Hate

By Stephen Lock Parenthood office and clinic by picketing and referring to its workers as The principle of free speech is a prickly one and fraught “murderers, abortionists and disseminators of AIDS.” with conflicting rights. Whatcott sued SALPN claiming, since he was off duty and made no When does “free speech” become an assault on someone else’s rights reference to his professional status, he was well within his rights of free and freedoms and, if it ever does, does that mean there are limits to speech as a private citizen in protesting the clinic. The judge upheld the free speech? If the answer is yes to that, who imposes those limits? fine. The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal overturned the ruling by the Government? The law? The law can’t cover every eventuality or trial judge, and on May 29, 2008, the Supreme Court endorsed the Court circumstance. It is, by necessity, broad and subject to interpretation, of Appeal’s view that his off duty activities were protected by the right of which is why we have courts and judges. Extra-judicial entities like free speech and could not be used to suspend his nursing license. human rights commissions that can, and do, deal with non-criminal On February 25, 2010, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal also infringements of rights, must themselves tread that fine indistinct line overturned the Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal ruling against between one set of rights and another set. Such is democracy; messy him and dismissed the $17,500 fine. and convoluted and inconvenient, but the best system we got. Of The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission appealed to the course there are those, mainly on the right, who decry human rights Supreme Court of Canada, which has decided to hear the case. At the commissions as ”kangaroo courts” and non-democratic. time of writing, this is where we now sit. Interestingly, the day before The latest foray into this minefield involves a Saskatchewan “Christian appearing before the Supreme Court, Whatcott and an associate were activist” by the name of Bill Whatcott. Mr. Whatcott distributes graphic distributing anti-gay flyers in the Centretown district, Ottawa’s gay anti-gay pamphlets (referring to gay men as sodomites and pedophiles village, but was not charged and, after speaking with police he continued who spread filth and disease and urged people to ensure homosexuals be to distribute the flyers. barred from teaching children) by stuffing them into mail boxes of private Predictably, various conservative commentators have come out in residences, slipping them under apartment suite doors, and posting support of Whatcott and every one of them cite “freedom of speech” and/ them on various public surfaces. He has frequently been in trouble with or “freedom of religion” concerns. One of the common threads in their the police in Saskatoon, Regina, Ottawa, Edmonton and other major commentary is that hate laws, which they decry anyway, should not be Canadian cities. He has been arrested six times in Saskatchewan, but used to protect “hurt feelings” at the expense of free speech. never convicted of any charge. He has also been arrested once in the Well, you know...I agree with that. Thing is, this is not about “hurt United States and 20 times in Ontario. He is also an anti-abortion feelings” any more than 1930’s anti-Semitic writings were about “hurting” activist who has been successfully prosecuted twice for violating the Jewish feelings or sensibilities. If the Germany of the 1920s and 1930s ‘bubble zone’ around abortion clinics in Toronto. He has also distributed had gone through all the rigmarole we do over conflicting rights, maybe anti-Muslim literature depicting the Prophet Muhammad as a “violent history would have turned out differently. It certainly would have for man” and portraying images of a beheaded Indonesian girl. Whatcott is, European Jewry. To trivialize concerns about such material as being what could most charitably be called, ”a man of strong opinions.” about “hurt feelings” does a disservice to the debate. It’s dismissive. Whatcott spent his formative years in a variety of foster homes in Ezra Levant - himself no stranger to what he calls the ”kangaroo Ontario and claims he was physically and mentally abused. By the age courts” of human rights tribunals and so perhaps a tad biased here of 14 he was on the streets and became addicted to “huffing” glue and - wrote in an October 16 Calgary Sun column that Saskatchewan’s turned to prostitution and theft to support his habit. At age 18, he found Section 14 is, God and began, with the assistance of a group home he was then in, to turn his life around, eventually becoming a nurse and moving to Regina. ...[A] massive, vague and subjective limit on free speech. And it It was while living in Regina he began his “crusade” against abortion and limits Whatcott’s freedom of religion, too. homosexuality, seeking to make both illegal again. What mature society makes it illegal to “affront” someone’s “dignity”? In 2005, he was fined $17,500 by the Saskatchewan Human Rights That’s how kindergarten teachers treat their children. But this law Tribunal for distributing material deemed to be hateful. He is, as of applies to adults. This law makes it illegal to ‘likely’ cause someone this writing, arguing that case before the Supreme Court of Canada. to feel the emotion of hatred. He was also fined $15,000.00 and suspended for forty-five days by the Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN) for allegedly intimidating patients and staff outside a Regina Planned He goes on to write,

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 23  From Previous Page

If that’s all it took to wipe out the human emotion of hate - a natural circumcision, for instance, without their arguments being stated in a emotion that is part of a normal personality - then we could just pass way that promotes hate. the Love Each Other Act and be done with it. But people don’t work Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin repeatedly interjected that offensive that way. material can be censored without destroying an individual’s right to free expression. She said that human rights provisions are so convoluted No, they don’t...which is why we have laws in place to protect this and wordy that they can chill legitimate argument. The Court’s decision group from that group’s “natural emotions”. It’s natural to want the is expected to hinge on whether ‘hate’ can ever be defined in such a way cool things my neighbour has, but it’s illegal for me to go in and take that it doesn’t destroy legitimate opinion in the process. them. It’s natural for me to want to haul off and punch someone in the This is a valid concern and one that is at the forefront of every case face who’s pissed me off, and give him either a fat lip or a bloody nose that has come up in recent years. As mentioned above, the issue of or both, but it’s illegal for me to do that. It’s natural for me to want to freedom from hate literature/speech versus freedom of expression is a experience the adrenaline rush of driving my car at a high speed, but it’s minefield of conflicting rights. illegal to do so. Writing inaccurate, inflammatory and hateful prose, and I have a right to live openly and freely as a gay man and to consentually then distributing to those who may not wish to read it, should likewise love or have sex with whomever I please. Whatcott has the right to be illegal. believe that is immoral. Fine. He even has the right to promulgate his This is not about disallowing the Whatcott’s of the world their right to beliefs, but those of us who think he is a nutbar (probably he huffed express their opinion, even if such opinion is founded on misinformation a little too much glue back in the day, who knows?) have the right to or simply their own bigotry. That can be dealt with by countering counter his arguments. the arguments with reason and facts. As those opposed to “special It all gets a bit tedious, however, constantly having to counter these rights” for the GLBTQ community, ranging from the inclusion of sexual whackjobs, especially when we are confined in our attempts to do so. orientation as a protected characteristic in human rights acts right on How does one counter the material he goes around stuffing into people’s up to equal marriage, have always been fond of pointing out, rights need mailboxes, for instance? By stuffing our own material in people’s to be balanced by responsibility. I couldn’t agree more; they should. mailboxes? Not only does that infringe on individuals’ rights to the Whatcott has a responsibility to get his facts straight, so to speak, enjoyment of their home and their privacy, it has the counter effect of and not engage in ad hominem attacks against an entire population or promoting his views. However, silence in the face of the sheer volume of outright lies about that population to support his opinion. material being spewed out is not an option either. The key to whether or not material is hate is whether material has the effect of causing harm to a minority. Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission lawyer Grant Scharfstein has said in this case, “I would say [the material contained in the pamphlets] is as hateful as saying [the N word] to a black person.” Sharfstein also stated it is entirely possible for people to raise pointed http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2562 questions about such sensitive issues as gay lifestyles or Jewish View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

24 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 25 Trans-Identity Can A Trans Human Rights Bill Pass With A Harper Majority? By Mercedes Allen see who we really are, and hear about how we have been “It’ll never pass,” I often hear. “Not with a Harper obstructed in our jobs or met with harm for being trans. government. They’d never support human rights They need to see why inclusion is necessary. This means if inclusion for transsexual and transgender people.” your MP is Conservative, or from a different party but voted “no” last time, then it is especially important that you meet And then it passed. with them. Oh, Bill C-389 - championed by the now-retired NDP MP Be civil, be professional, and if they disagree, do so Bill Siksay - had its challenges. It narrowly passed Second courteously. Conflict will not help. And finally, keep heart. Reading in June of 2010, and again at Third Reading in We can - and do - have Conservative supporters (several February of this year. Had an election call not killed the supported the bill last time, including some Cabinet bill while awaiting discussion in the Senate, it could have ministers), and those who don’t can sometimes change reached Royal Assent. when they meet us and see past the myths. Randall Garrison and Hedy Fry have re-introduced legislation to include gender identity and gender expression If You’re a Parent, Significant Other, Sibling, Child or among the protected classes in the Canada Human Rights Friend of Someone Who Is Trans Act, as well as those in the hate crimes clause of the Criminal Code of Canada. Parents and loved ones of trans people also need to contact their Members of Parliament. Again, I recommend “It’ll never pass,” I still hear. “Not with a Harper majority. an appointment and civil discussion. Human rights They’d never support human rights inclusion for transsexual inclusion affects far more than ourselves, and it helps to and transgender people.” see real Canadians who are touched by our lives and want No doubt, the challenges are bigger. It would be tougher or need us to be enfranchised in society. to pass this bill. It will take more effort, and the additional support of trans-positive allies will be crucial. But it’s not If You’re an Ally impossible. Allies also need to contact their Members of Parliament. Here is a quick summary of the process the bill faces. If allies don’t have experience on trans issues and feel at a It has been read into Parliament for First Reading, which loss to help in that way, then at least write to your MP and is a formality. The order in which Private Members have voice your support. Don’t be discouraged. their bills discussed by Parliament is determined by a kind of lottery, and Garrison’s bill, C-279, could come up for Follow up Second Reading in as soon as five months from now. At The process is long. See your MP now, then contact that point, it will face its first hour of discussion and a vote; them before the Second Reading vote and the vote at the if it passes, it will be sent to committee - probably to the report stage. If there’s a Third Reading vote, then contact Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, where them again to remind them of your visit and your support. it was referred last time. Then the committee would need to A letter is just a letter: diligent persistence (but not to a discuss the bill and decide whether to hear statements from level of harassment) shows importance. If you have spoken interested parties, make modifications or pass it forward. to your MP and have a commitment of support or see an At that point, a vote on “report stage” would take place in “iffy” possibility of support, also send a short note to Mr. the house, allowing it to proceed to Third Reading, probably Garrison’s constituency office [1] to let them know. He may six to twelve months later. Third Reading is comprised of a also be able to follow up, and has a better picture of where second hour of debate and a final vote, and if it passes that, things stand, this way. then proceeds to the same three readings in the Senate. It sounds like a long, complicated and daunting process, Media: Be Visible if You Can impossible with a hard-right or hard-right -influenced government. But it passed under a Conservative minority, Media will make a lot of difference. Last time around, and could pass again. Here’s how: there was a lot of media interest in hearing from Charles McVety and other anti-trans people, but sometimes few if If You’re Transsexual or Transgender any interviews from actual trans people. Many of us were willing to talk. Do so again. But don’t stop there. Find Trans people need to contact their Members of media avenues to talk about the challenges you face as a Parliament. I believe it will be all the more crucial to make trans person. Blog. Write to smaller magazines, community an appointment to visit them personally. If they refuse or publications and weeklies. If larger media outlets are give you extensive runaround, find out when they’re in their uninterested, and if Second Reading, report stage or Third constituency office and drop by. Reading are approaching, hold a rally. Or better yet, hold Transphobia persists because we are usually technically a rally anyway. invisible, allowing people to make wild assumptions and form distorted pictures of us. Our legislators need to Procedural Questions When I hear some of the more defeatist comments, many of them include doubts that there will be a free vote. If Prime Minister Stephen Harper chose to enforce a “no” vote among Conservatives on a piece of human rights legislation, then it would need to be called out, and loudly. I doubt, though, that there would be that kind of visible obstruction of the bill, and by custom, votes on private members’ bills are always free. I expect that a free vote or at least partial free vote will happen.

26 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com If our representatives pledge their support, then it’s uncomfortable or perhaps under pressure, then encourage crucial that they be present for all three votes: Second them to consider doing so. Reading, report stage, and Third Reading. On October 20th, several Conservative Members of If the bill proceeds to committee stage, we need to send Parliament responded to the suicide of gay teen Jamie trans and trans-inclusive groups to the Standing Committee Hubley by making an “It Gets Better” video. [2] They were to speak on the bill. Some of those groups are underfunded, roundly criticized for doing so while supporting a government so may need allies to assist getting them there. which has often opposed legislation what would protect or benefit lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans (LGBT) people. I If Support is Not An Option, At Least Don’t Stand in the won’t, because when it comes right down to it, I’m willing to Way bet that on an individual level, they probably are genuinely And finally, if your Member of Parliament is positive concerned for LGBT kids. And as long as that is true, then toward you, and perhaps wants to support trans human there is some will to make it better... or at least willingness rights but feels pressured to vote against, there is a third to not support making it worse. Sexual orientation, gender option: abstain. identity and gender expression are different things, but that will can translate. It is practically impossible to determine if a failure to vote is because of deliberate abstention, or of not being In late September, Mr. Garrison estimated that he needed present for the vote (many MPs do not stay to vote on Private 15 more votes [3] from across the aisle to pass the bill. Members matters anyway), pairing or unavoidable absence. Canada, we can do this. Support is far preferable. But if there are fears about how Links: a voting group or party members may react, then abstention will allow a Member of Parliament to not obstruct the 1) http://www.gaycalgary.com/u289 chances for transsexual and transgender people to obtain 2) http://www.gaycalgary.com/u296 human rights. If your Member of Parliament seems strained, 3) http://www.gaycalgary.com/u303

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www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 27 Joss Stone: The Solo Sessions Singer on being a free soul, adoring Melissa Etheridge and going lesbian for a day

 Photos by Kristin Burns

By Chris Azzopardi Really fun, actually. GLAAD was fun, and then I did gay Pride “Yell at me like I pissed you off,” Joss Stone insists, trying in L.A. – that was also really fun. They’re the best crowd ever. to hear me over the poor reception. And then it’s just downhill GC: When did gay issues become important to you? from there: Her dog is eating her clothes, and an incessant beeping from her wonky phone ends our conversation. It’s always been something that’s been close to my heart, because a lot of my best mates are gay. It’s important that When Stone calls back, she’s not kidding when she says, everybody gets treated the same. I don’t like prejudice in any “Shit is going down.” In her career and personal life, it’s nothing kind of way, whether it’s color or sexual preference. I just think short of the truth. it’s disgusting the way that people treat people who are a little In June, Stone was the target of a murder plot that involved bit different. two men’s plan to rob and attack the performer at her England GC: You’ve performed with lots of notable gay people, home. She’s fine now, and during our interview already joking including Melissa Etheridge and Ricky Martin. Tell me about about it. There’s also the messy breakup with her former record those experiences. label, EMI, which ended in a legal battle and the recent release of a greatest hits package, The Best of Joss Stone 2003-2009, Melissa Etheridge was a wicked one. I love her because she going all the way back to Stone’s breakout debut The Soul stands for so many things. She stands for strength as a human Sessions. The singer also has her own project – on her own being, first and foremost. She’s one of the bravest women I’ve label, Stone’d Records – that dropped this summer, aptly titled come across. For lesbian and gay people, she definitely stood LP1. up in front of the world in the classiest of manners and said, “This is who I am and if you don’t like it, tough.” I just love her. Stone recently chatted about her newfound independence, I love her attitude about life, and everything she says always why performing with Melissa Etheridge was “one of the best comes from a good place. So, to be honest, performing with her experiences I’ve ever had” and how she’s kissed girls – but she’s was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. She gives me a not a lesbian. lot of good advice; she’s a good person to just talk to. Let alone GC: Years ago, when you said you’d had it with men, you perform with! I mean, that was mad! joked about going lesbian. How’s that working out for you? GC: What about Ricky Martin? That’s an odd question to start with. (Laughs) I’m not a He’s gorgeous, isn’t he? What a lovely person. He totally lesbian; don’t worry. I’m fine. I’m still into my heterosexuality. welcomed me into his home with open arms. And what a great GC: You’ve been a big supporter of gay people for a long time, dad! Those two kids, he loves them – and I love to see that. He’ll performing at Pride parades and for GLAAD. What’s that been drop everything for his kids. It says a lot about him. like? GC: Who’s your closest gay friend?

28 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com My friend Brian, my hairdresser, is one of my best friends in the whole world. I love him so much. He’s such a good person. But there are many, many, many. I don’t know if they want me to mention all of their names, but I can say Brian is a really close friend of mine and he’s been with me through everything since I was, like, 15. He’s the best friend you could ever have. GC: How does it feel to be a free woman and have an album out on your own label? I love the fact that I can do whatever I want. It was always a struggle to do that, and I was always in trouble for doing so. Now I’m happier because I’m doing something that I want to do and nobody’s telling me off for doing it – you know, threatening me with all sorts of horrible things. I can just be who I want to be, and I felt like there was a time where I was being told that whatever I was was wrong, and I hate that. It’s just a very cruel JS: Probably. It’s nice because it gives more of an thing. entertainment value to it, as well. It must be, like, the most I’d go off and make some music that I was really proud amazing show ever. Whereas people that just sing and play, it of, and they’d tell me it was shit. So I thought, “You go find can be amazing and mind-blowing but it’s a different type of whomever you want to sign that’s going to fit your mold, and I’ll feeling. It’s not bright lights and fireworks, but it doesn’t make just go be me and be a happy human being.” I’m not interested it any better or worse. Sometimes when I hear people talk about in becoming this humungous artist selling millions of albums. certain artists that I know are really great singers but they don’t I just want to be a happy human being and make great music. mention it, it’s like shit – it shouldn’t be about the boobs, the Now I have the freedom to do that. bum and the hairdo. GC: “Karma,” one of the songs on the new studio album, GC: Whatever happened to Snappers, the British film you references you owning a gun. Do you really have a loaded gun? shot a few years ago where you kissed another woman? Is it JS: (Laughs) I’m going to get one soon. (Phone starts beeping; ever coming out? Joss hangs up and calls back) My phone is really creepy. I’ve JS: Where I made out with a woman? I did! (Laughs) No, I changed my number because all these noises kept coming don’t think so. I think the guys that put it together had some through – what you just heard – and they keep happening! kind of crazy misunderstanding and it never got sorted. It’s GC: You better get that loaded gun fast. mad, the movie was. It’s so funny because some of it was really serious and very professional, and then there’s a lot of it that’s JS: I should! (Laughs) kind of slightly dodge, as we would say. GC: Are you tempted to get a gun because of that recent plot GC: Do you know how many women wish you were a lesbian? to attack you? JS: (Laughs) That’s funny! Aw, I don’t know. But the time I JS: No, actually. It’s a great excuse to get more dogs! did it for a movie, it was kind of halfway there; it was a local GC: You started something when you mentioned Lady Gaga thing that was happening 20 minutes from where I live, and my recently. friend was making the movie and he said, “Joss, will you play a JS: Oh, shit. What did I say now? lesbian? It’ll only take a day.” I said, “That sounds fun!” GC: That Gaga’s clothes distracted from her talent as a GC: Was that your first time kissing a woman? musician. JS: No! I’ve snogged girls before in my time. But I’m not JS: It does, though, right? I like to think that was a a lesbian; I swear it, I’m not! I don’t think I could go in that compliment to her, though. From my point of view, that was direction. But I have snogged girls before when I was little; of a compliment. That might not have come across as one. Oops. course I have. That’s what we do as girls. I think she’s a great singer and she plays piano pretty nicely, and it’d be nice if people would talk about her because of that. GC: With Gaga and Katy Perry relying more on just their talent to entertain, do you think you can be successful today without the frills? http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2564 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 29 Gossip

Will Leo make it turing’s turn? A big-screen biopic of World War II computer pioneer Alan Turing is in the works at Warner Bros and word is that Leonardo DiCaprio – clearly bucking for another Academy Award nomination – is interested in playing him. The working title is The Imitation Game and the script by Graham Moore is based on Andrew Hodge’s biography Alan Turing: The Enigma. During WW2, British military officer Turing was a key figure in breaking Nazi codes – he developed the Turing Bombe, a device that deciphered the Third Reich’s enigma codes – and he is considered a pioneer of modern computer technology. But Turing was also gay and, after the war, was punished by the very government he heroically served. The story will explore both Turing’s efforts during the war and also his post-war prosecution for being homosexual, his conviction for “gross indecency,” forced hormone therapy and his subsequent tragic suicide. Now, if they can just figure out a way to release this worthy but extremely depressing tale during Oscar season but not on Christmas Day…

Will Lee Daniels teach America to ‘Vogue’ again? Lee Daniels must not need as much sleep as normal human beings. The Precious director just signed on to direct a Valley of The Dolls update for NBC, he’s got a handful of other projects in various stages of development, and now he wants to turn Paris is Burning into a TV show. He’s currently attached to direct an untitled Showtime pilot that, while not specifically aligned with Jennie Livingston’s acclaimed an influential 1990 drag ball documentary, will explore the same subculture of drag “houses” –which inspired Madonna’s single “Vogue” – and the young Latino and African-American men who participate in the competitions surrounding them. Temple Grandin writer W. Merritt Johnson is working on the script, but no other details, including cast or title, are yet known. It’s a great idea, since the documentary has found a new audience among hip, urban, twentysomething gay men; that means the audience  Annette Bening (left) and Julianne Moore (right) for a high-quality exploration of this world is already primed for more “realness.” You better work, Lee Daniels.

Kelly McGillis, Innkeeper from hell Deep Inside Hollywood Ti West’s new movie is coming soon! OK, sure, now maybe you’re asking “What is a Ti West?” And if you are then you didn’t see the coolest horror movie of the past couple years that didn’t have the words “paranormal” HBO welcomes Liberace and Kids or “activity” in the title. What would be West’s critically acclaimed indie The House of the Devil , which generated a lot of positive buzz for its impeccable homage to 1980s “satanic panic.” And now West is back on By Romeo San Vicente the festival circuit with his latest, The Innkeepers, another horror romp Remember that Liberace biopic that’s been such a longtime inspired by the spooky hotel House of the Devil’s crew stayed in during that film’s shoot. It stars Kelly McGillis and Shark Night’s Sara Paxton coming? Remember how it was going to be a big-screen event and this time the haunted house is a New England bed and breakfast directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Matt Damon and of terror. It can reasonably be assumed that McGillis’s lesbian fan base Michael Douglas as the legendary and legendarily closeted are just as likely to enjoy a good scare as the horror nerd contingent, so entertainer? Well, it’s still happening. But the screen’s going there’s no reason why this shouldn’t do at least Claire of the Moon-level to be a little smaller. HBO has taken the film and will give it box office. the audience-grabbing premiere it will surely deserve. And Romeo San Vicente’s hotel experiences are usually pretty devilish, too. why is this good? Consider Todd Haynes’s Emmy-winning Mildred Pierce. Debuting on HBO meant more people saw it than watched all of Haynes’s other theatrically released movies combined. And it was always going to be a tough sell getting audiences into theaters for a movie about the death of Liberace, so this way it’ll be as easy to see as programming a DVR. Meanwhile HBO is betting you loved the family from http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2565 The Kids Are All Right enough to watch them every week. They’ve commissioned a pilot script for a one-hour drama View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments from Kids writer-director Lisa Cholodenko. Sounds great, but will somebody make sure to woo Annette Bening to reprise her role as the Joni Mitchell-crooning matriarch?

30 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Lifestyle Cocktail Chatter What to Do with Cheap Champagne, Part II

by Ed Sikov It was too breezy for the beach, but the deck was sunny and Dan and I got home from our one-night honeymoon at the beach protected from the wind, so there they were, all lined up on chaises to find five silver or gold bags waiting for us in the mailroom. More like Atlantis boys with body hair. (Question: Do you really have to champagne – of sorts. Only one bottle met our snobby standards: a wax everything off to go on an Atlantis cruise?) Taittinger Prestige Rose. The others were destined for more Kir Royales – either that or re-gifting. My creation was simple: Absolut Pears with a little ginger liqueur “Mmmmmm! Champ-AGG-nee!” I squealed in the voice of Curly from mixed in. I added a touch of homemade ginger syrup, but it would be The Three Stooges each time Dan opened a package. (Note to youth: fine without it. But what would I call it? see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_three_stooges .) I do a pretty good As housemate after housemate trooped past wearing Speedos, Curly, but by the fourth time it was wearing very thin. “Stop doing that,” in my half-inebriated state I became aroused, then angry. So I Dan said. “I can’t help it,” I replied. “It’s Pavlovian.” “That’s bullshit,” he belligerently rejected all their naming suggestions, which were said. “You’re just trying to irritate me.” (I silently admitted that he was correct.) “And I’m sick of Kir Royales,” he continued edgily, “so don’t uniformly based on the suffix “tini.” This abomination drives me make any more. I’m hungry, I’m tired, and I don’t know why we don’t crazy. Just because a drink is vodka-based and destined for a have more sophisticated friends.” He stomped toward the bedroom. classic cocktail glass does not mean it must be called, in this case “Then I’ll make Queer Royales,” I declared, having no idea what the for example, a Gingertini. drink would contain. Then Jack Fogg brought up the rear (so to speak) and redeemed “OK, I’ll bite,” he said. “What’s in a Queer Royale?” every snotty thing he ever said by violating my strict anti-tini law Sudden inspiration: “Creme de Violette!” and dubbing the new ginger cocktail The TinaTini in honor of Tina “I love you,” Dan said as he marched back into the living room to kiss Louise. me. “Put a bottle of this… this… ‘cava’ in the freezer while we unpack.” The TinaTinis tasted better and better the more of them I “Cava is dead to us,” I announced for at least the 75th time. consumed. At the end of the main course, I made a little joke at Phil “There’s a clause in our pre-nup that says that if you say ‘cava is dead Levine’s expense: “And who would like a nice bowl of homemade to us’ one more time you get nothing in the divorce settlement,” he said ginge’ rice queen – I mean ginger ice cream!” There were giggles from as he stripped off his shirt. It was a sight I’ve seen daily for 10 years, Jack and Sammy, a glare from Dan, and a lawyerly, eye-to-eye stare- and it still produced a rush. I couldn’t wait to curl up next to him in bed down from the victim of my petit bon mot, bulldog Phil. and grope him. “Why is my attraction to Asian men so hilarious to you?” he asked I dialed Chen’s Sichuan and placed our usual order: seafood me point-blank. “Do you think it’s about girly-boy guys with 28-inch dumplings and Chicken with Peanuts for Dan, who doesn’t like heat, and the spicy tripe appetizer and the Fiery Shredded Pork for me. waists as if I’d really like 11-year-old white kids but make do with legal-age Asians or is it the old dick-size canard, ’cause I tell you By the time Dan came out of the shower and dressed, the food had already arrived, the biking delivery boy leaving a trail of petrified what, you asshole, I’ve had Asian guys with dicks bigger than yours, pedestrians and drivers alike from his race to our building. I put two lots, ha.” new, tall Waterford champagne flutes on the table (getting married is “I’m slorry, Phil,” I squealed. “I guess I don’ know’nough’boudit.” I a blast!), each with a few drops of Creme de Violette already poured. I offered my hand in drunken friendship. popped the cork (just like Fyedka; see above) and poured. Did he really refuse to shake my hand? I let it sort of wave in the The resulting color was strange; gold and violet don’t blend well. But air, just like the late Queen Mum. I was in no shape for backtalk. the taste was superb. We polished off the doctored cava during dinner. “I’smorry again, Philip,” I managed to get out, “but now’s not the “I love our cheap friends,” said a tipsy, happy Dan as I poked the last time for shoshiography – shoshilogy, I mean.” At which point, I am piece of blistering-hot pork in my mouth. told, I leaned back in my chair and fell asleep. “Let’s go to bed,” I said, still chewing. “Now.” “Brush your teeth for the full two minutes and I’ll consider it,” said The TinaTini Dan as he reached into my boxers from the bottom. So this is what they mean by “second honeymoon.” 1 oz. Absolut Pears 1 tablespoon Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur The Queer Royale ginger syrup to taste (optional) 1 bottle of cava, prosecco, or other champagne variant For every ounce of Absolute Pears you pour into a shaker full A few drops of Creme de Violette of ice, add one tablespoon Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur Put a few drops of the crème de violette in as many champagne and, if you have any, ginger syrup to taste. Shake. Serve. flutes as you have guests, then carefully pour in the ersatz champagne so that the flute doesn’t overflow. Keep as much fizz as possible. If you’re not able to try these recipes at home, then ask your favorite bartender to make them for you! Do I Contradict Myself? I Contain Many Drinks: The TinaTini http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2566 The housemates season just got to me, along with a few of my last cocktail du weekend du season, which I invented minutes before View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments Unhappy Hour began. The words “beware of dog” were written all over my face. I’d had it with everyone but Dan – Jack Fogg and his ego, Sammy and his perfect little body, Phil Levine and all the fawning Asian geisha boys who’d passed through the house for the last four months… . I was sick of myself, too – the humiliating blend I’d become of one of the losers at open mic night at some comedy club: the Little Red Hen, Max the bartender and Shirley Booth as “Hazel.”

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 31 Community Western Canada Leatherboy 2011 Looks Back

By Evan Kayne

The Western Canada LeatherSIR/boy & Community Bootblack contest occurs this coming November 18th to 20th at The Calgary Eagle. GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine spoke with outgoing Western Canada Leatherboy Rene Hebert (aka. boy rene) about his experiences with the event last year. From his win at the regionals, boy rene then went on to compete in the International Leather SIR/Leatherboy and Community Bootblack in San Francisco this past July. For him, while both contests were important and enjoyable, the regional one left more of an impression. Much like this year’s event, the contest ran over three days. Friday night was the introduction to the weekend, as the contestants and the judges socialized on an informal basis. As boy rene described it, the real “nerve-wracking” portion happened on Saturday. Judges conduct a twenty minute interview process of each contestant. In the evening, contestants give a two minute speech onstage. Next is the jockstrap event where contestants “...go onstage in nothing but a jockstrap and boots, to show that you’re comfortable in your own skin,” he told us. Finally, there’s the fantasy category of the contest. Every region has a different fantasy theme that contestants must illustrate in a five minute demonstration. Last year the theme was “cyber” and boy rene had his own take on this: “the theme I did involved a lot of electricity...almost like a cyber-Goth / cyber-punk fantasy.” How the international event in San Francisco was staged was very similar, he told us. In addition to variations on the above three events, all the Sirs and boys competing had a fifteen minute block to put on a demo showing how they play, or some skill they like to use. “Because bottom line this is a player’s title. They want to make sure the people who win finding there are a number of younger guys coming out of the woodwork the title are actually into it for the sexual aspect and the kink and the saying I kind of want to find out about this so it is kind of a cool thing play and all that.” to see.” In San Francisco there were 12 regions competing; however, while This is important because to a certain degree, boy rene feels leather boy rene was nervous going into the international event, he was more dykes and leathermen are underrepresented in our community. “Here in nervous on the regional. “For the international one, you’re kept so busy Edmonton, it’s not represented anywhere near as well as it could be, or you don’t really have time to get stressed...and once it starts it just goes.” used to be. In recent years, many leathermen have gone into retirement, Unfortunately, he was a 1st place runner-up internationally, losing out backing away from going to events and bar nights. And as far as the to one of the judges for this year’s event, boy Nitro from Atlanta. leather dykes... there’s almost no representation at all. I’m currently Yet even now, boy rene is still buzzed about both events – especially working on trying to get some visibility from the leather community San Francisco, he said. “You find yourself thrown into a room with only into the larger Edmonton LGBTQ community, and will soon be trying to the other contestants as company, and it was amazing to see the change actively bring out the leather dykes as well to get more involved.” in everyone. Within five minutes, everyone started bonding. It’s almost As he is finishing the year as regional division holder, boy rene would as if the competition didn’t matter as much anymore, it was all about like to thank the producers of the regional contest. Additionally, he helping each other get through the weekend.” appreciates the support he had this past year in both the Edmonton Looking back over the past year and the two events, he said it has and Calgary communities. “One thing I would like to say specifically is, I really imparted a strong sense of self-confidence within him. “I just feel wouldn’t have gotten as far as I did, or done as well as I did, without the much more comfortable in my own skin through the whole experience... support that I got. I was the only one representing the region title-wise, All I know is that I feel that I’ve grown as a person, and really come into but there were a lot of people backing me up. So this is by far not a solo my own. I’ve gained more confidence in myself, my abilities, and as a effort.” He’d also like to thank his title Sir, Sir Scott, as he was such an sexual being as well.” amazing support. Furthermore, by winning the regional title and with the work he has done in the leather community, he has found a sense of self-respect, acceptance, and belonging he was not able to find elsewhere within the gay community. Through his whole year he’s also met many wonderful Western Canada LeatherSIR/boy people: “It really is almost a sense of family...the people that you befriend & Community Bootblack contest through this, especially the international contest...you end up keeping them as friends your entire life.” November 18th – 20th Calgary Eagle (424a – 8th Ave SW, Rear Entrance) The event also gave a boost for boy rene to continue work with Edmonton Players in Gear (E-PIG), which is working on building interest www.calgaryeagle.com in kink/leather/gear in the GLBTQ community. “One thing that I am finding...with E-PIG...a lot of gay men, they have an interest init http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2567 (leather/kink) but they don’t know where to go to explore it, they don’t know who to talk to, to have these questions answered. We are actually View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

32 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Mike Ruiz is Pretty Masculine By Troy Ordami who is used to calling all the shots behind the lens. It was a Few do cool as hot as high-octane celebrity-fashion professional risk, too, but one Mike doesn’t regret as the show photographer and star of A List: New York, Mike Ruiz. With introduced him and his work to a whole new set of adoring fans. a unique approach to the exploration of visceral brilliance, his In his latest production, Mike Ruiz turns his attention to his finely crafted celebrity images have appeared in Vanity Fair, first photo book, Pretty Masculine, featuring a hunky gang of Italian Elle, and Spanish Vogue. He has shot some of the male models in various forms of undress. It’s pages and pages hottest in Hollywood from Kim Kardashian to Adam Lambert of eye candy and all for a good cause, too. Proceeds benefit and the girls of Jersey Shore. However, even he’ll say that none GMHC. shined as brightly as beloved Golden Girl turned rapper, Betty White – she actually raps on the new club track, “I’m Still Hot”. GC: How do you define beauty? Savvy reality fans know Mike’s career on the tube started MR: Beauty is very individual and personal. However, I long before A List: New York. In fact, he has appeared on consider beauty to be represented in everything that denotes several shows including America’s Next Top Model, RuPaul’s balance in our world and is in harmony with our environment. Drag Race, and Kathy Griffin’s My Life on the D-List. But A True beauty gratifies the senses, which in my case, inspires me List was different. It was the first time cameras documented to delve deeper into my creative psyche. Mike’s every move and even more significant, it was the first GC: Isn’t masculinity the opposite of beauty? time he gave up creative control. That’s a big deal for a man Continued on Next Page  www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 33 MR: The opposite of beauty MR: Beauty is whatever we is ugliness. So, to define want it to be. Just be open to masculinity as ugly is nothing new ideas and to the possibility but a limitation and inherent of breaking down inflexible misunderstanding of what ideological barriers. masculinity represents. GC: How do the men in Masculinity, irrespective of your book represent male how it is portrayed, is yet beauty? another facet of beauty. MR: “Pretty Masculine” GC: Traditionally, men depicts just one of many facets have been taught that beauty of beauty. In this case, the is a girl thing and that they subjects in my book are simply shouldn’t concern themselves a study of male muscularity— with how they look. captured through hyper- MR: Yes, western culture stylized imagery. The certainly has imposed its juxtaposition of accessories belief that the idea of beauty and materials commonly is relegated predominantly to depicted in our society as the female gender. However, being inherently feminine is this preconception is very meant to demonstrate that limited and I hope that, along beauty is all-inclusive and not with continued changes in meant to be segregated. our cultural behaviors and GC: Are they the male values, so too will we notice a equivalent to a Barbie doll? shift in accepting that beauty Are they placing the beauty is not “a girl thing”. I, for one, bar for men at an impossibly extrapolate what I find to high mark? be beautiful and interpret it MR: There isn’t or at least accordingly. In my mind, there there shouldn’t be any bar to are no limitations to what is to define male beauty. Moreover, be deemed as beautiful. it is important to remember GC: What is the main that the models in my book are message of Pretty Masculine? real people. They come from many different walks of life

34 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com and have many different interests and are of many different persuasions. They are all beautiful individuals with equally beautiful souls. To objectify, plasticize or minimize them by comparing them to Barbie dolls would be nothing more than a perpetuation of short-sighted stereotypical limitations. GC: Isn’t true beauty really on the inside? MR: If you look closely enough, you’ll realize that beauty is all around us—inside, outside and everywhere in between. GC: What are some things you do to be the most beautiful person you can be? MR: I live in my truth, openly and with joy. GC: Of course we have to ask about recent news that you will not be part of next season’s A List: New York. Is that true? MR: Yes, it is true. I won’t be returning for a third season. I am most grateful to the producers of the show for having given me the opportunity to be a part of the cast. I have met many people and made many friends in the course of the last two seasons. The show gave me an awesome platform to discuss my general philosophy on life and share what’s important to me. That said, I feel that my participation on the show has run its course and that I need to tend to other projects that are pending and continue focusing on my career as a photographer. GC: What is your parting advice to the guys of A List? MR: Love yourselves and remember that you are the masters of your own destiny.

Mike Ruiz http://www.mikeruiz.com

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www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 35 Out of Town Winter Adventures: Vail and Beaver Creek

 Skiing the Back Bowls at Vail Mountain. Photo by Andrew Collins

By Andrew Collins wilderness developed by the resort in 2000. In reality, from the Colorado’s most famous gay ski weeks are held in Aspen majority of Vail’s ski runs, you can’t see a single mile of freeway and Telluride, in mid-January and late February respectively, or village infrastructure. Just avoid the Front Side, which is but over the past few years, Vail Gay Ski Week (http:// possible as long as you’re comfortable with intermediate terrain. vailgayskiweek.com) has begun drawing serious crowds. The If you’re planning to ski at more than a couple of the gathering takes place in late March and includes the usual mix seven facilities owned by Vail Resorts (Vail, Beaver Creek, of fun on the slopes and hobnobbing back around the fireplaces Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, and and hot tubs. In winter, skiing and snowboarding may be the Heavenly and Northstar in Lake Tahoe, California), consider region’s big draws, but it would be unfair to describe Vail (www. buying an Epic Pass (www.snow.com/epic-pass.aspx), which visitvailvalley.com) and nearby Beaver Creek (www.beavercreek. offers great deals whether you’re skiing for a week or a full com) as mere ski towns. These scenic communities in the heart season. Standard lift tickets for Vail are also good at nearby of the Colorado Rockies offer plenty of diversions. Beaver Creek. Another misconception about Vail (www.vail.com) is that it’s Vail was developed as a planned resort community in a crowded, freeway-side ski park. True, the resort’s Front Side 1962, designed with a nod toward the quaint chalet-inspired can get busy on weekends and does overlook Vail’s bustling architecture of the Alps. Dozens of resorts, condos, shops, and villages and I-70, and this facility is one of the largest in North restaurants have sprung up over the years, the earlier ones America, with some 5,300 skiable acres and nearly 200 runs. retaining the vintage, occasionally kitschy, aesthetic of Bavaria But there are many places on Vail Mountain to escape from the or Tyrol. More recently, Vail has seen a surge in ultra-luxury crowds, and skiers of all abilities will find challenging, varied condo and hotel development. Several notable newcomers - terrain. Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and Arrabelle at Vail Square among For more solitude, ascend to the upper slopes of Vail’s Front them - have upped the town’s posh factor. Side to access the fabled Back Bowls, a glorious - and vast - You don’t need a car in Vail - the 10-mile paved, multi-use swath of less-trammeled runs that descend down the back of Gore Valley Trail wends through the village, and free buses the mountain. From there, additional lifts carry those seeking run regularly among the key neighborhoods and connect with truly secluded terrain into Blue Sky Basin, a stunning patch of low-priced service throughout the entire valley. You can reach Vail by flying into Eagle County Airport (with direct flights to about a dozen cities), which is 30 miles west, or flying to Denver and renting a car or taking a bus - Vail is a two-hour drive from Denver (allow another 45 minutes from DIA, and account for slow-going on weekends and during rough weather). Vail is a 20-minute drive (shuttle bus service is available) from its smaller, swankier cousin, Beaver Creek.

36 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com The small but dapper town of Avon lies at the base of the Bridge Street and Garfinkel’s Bar and Grill. A best bet among Beaver Creek ski area and is home to several good restaurants dance clubs is Samana Lounge, but Vail is more about listening as well as the superb Westin Riverfront Resort. It’s a short, to live music than dancing to DJs. In Beaver Creek Village, winding drive up the hill to reach fashionable Beaver Creek head to the hip Osprey Lounge for tapas and artful cocktails, Village, home to 1,800 acres of superb skiing and snowboarding. or check out the scenes at Vin 48 wine bar and Loaded Joe’s Chains like Hyatt and Sheraton have impressive hotels set at Coffeehouse and Lounge, both down in Avon village. Beaver Creek’s main base village, which is also anchored by a Vail and Beaver Creek are home to some of the finest large skating rink. Lifts and ski runs join Beaver Creek’s main resorts in Rockies. Venerable long-time favorites include the area with Arrowhead and Bachelor Gulch mountains - the latter centrally located and beautifully designed Lodge at Vail (http:// has runs that trickle down to a sumptuous Ritz-Carlon. Almost lodgeatvail.rockresorts.com), with its excellent spa, hot tubs, improbably, given its location down on the Eagle River, the pool, and warmly furnished rooms, including suites of up to Westin Riverfront is an actual ski-in, ski-out resort - a gondola three bedrooms. It’s the flagship of the venerable RockResorts carries guests to a lift at Lower Beaver Creek Mountain (or you brand, which also operates the sumptuous Arrabelle at Vail can take free shuttle buses up the hill to Beaver Creek Village). Square (http://arrabelle.rockresorts.com) in Lionshead Village. Head 5 miles west of Avon, and you’ll find more upscale dining, The Four Seasons Vail (www.fourseasons.com/vail) has been lodging, and shopping in the town of Edwards. wowing visitors since it opened in late 2010. It’s a fairly intimate It bears repeating that these communities abound with the member of the illustrious brand, with just 121 rooms and the usual diversions you might associate with acclaimed winter personal, top-notch service Four Seasons is famous for. resorts. You can snowshoe, cross-country ski, take snowmobile Up in Beaver Creek, you’ll find two more excellent RockResorts tours, or simply stroll among the dozens of high-end shops in properties, the hip and contemporary Osprey at Beaver Creek each village. You’ll also find more than a dozen full-service spas (http://ospreyatbeavercreek.rockresorts.com) and the more among the area’s resorts. At the Westin Riverfront, Spa Anjali classically elegant Pines Lodge (http://pineslodge.rockresorts. offers a memorable Himalayan-inspired Abhyanga massage com). The Ritz-Carlton at Bachelor Gulch (www.ritzcarlton. treatment as well as a red clover and mountain honey body com) excels on service and has beautiful rooms within a many- mask. Other spas of note include the plush RockResorts Spa gabled lodge-like building. And Avon’s Westin Riverfront (www. at the Arrabelle at Vail Square, and the serene Spa at Four starwoodhotels.com) has huge, contemporary rooms with large Seasons Vail. windows, extensive kitchens in suites, and plenty of luxe perks If you’re planning a visit outside the snow season, note that - it’s LEED-certified and designed with a clean, modern, yet several festivals take place in the area from late spring through unquestionably cushy aesthetic. early autumn, including Taste of Vail in April, the Vail Valley Down within walking distance of the many shops and Music Festival from June to August, and the Vail International restaurants in Edwards, the Inn at Riverwalk (www. Dance Festival in late July and early August. The area is also innandsuitesatriverwalk.com) is a reasonably priced, upscale renowned for mountain biking, hiking, fly-fishing, golf, and option, perfect if you don’t mind being a short drive or bus horseback. ride from the slopes. Vail’s Christiana Hotel (www.christiania. com/) is another mid-priced option, and there’s also a perfectly Dining and lodging comfortable, nicely updated Comfort Inn (www.comfortinn.com) The dining scene in Vail and Beaver Creek has begun to earn in Avon. serious acclaim in recent years. Many of the top special-occasion Finally, the area has a dizzying variety of condo restaurants are in resort hotels. In Vail, you don’t want to rentals, which can be ideal for groups of friends traveling miss Flame at the Four Seasons (www.fourseasons.com/vail), together. Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals (http:// which is renowned for its sterling service and artfully presented rockymountainvacationrentals.com/) is the official go-to for food. Montauk Seafood Grill (http://montaukseafoodgrill. condo rentals during Vail Gay Ski Week and is a great bet any com) in Lionshead is quite good, and Terra Bistro (www. time of year. vailmountainlodge.com/terra-bistro) at Vail Mountain Lodge Andrew Collins covers gay travel for the New York Times-owned website can be counted on for exceptional and innovative American GayTravel.About.com and is the author of Fodor’s Gay Guide to the USA. fare. Atwater on Gore Creek at Vail Cascade (www.vailcascade. com/atwater) impresses diners with its reasonable prices and tasty updates on American comfort food, from seared wild salmon to Angus beef sliders. And Centre V (http://arrabelle. rockresorts.com/dining) at Arrabelle resort in Lionshead turns http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2569 out excellent French bistro fare (including addictive truffle- parmesan frites and Moroccan chicken tagine) in a romantic View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments but informal space. At the Westin Riverfront, the stylish but relaxed Restaurant Avondale (www.avondalerestaurant.com) is well worth visiting - celeb chef Richard Sandoval took over operations here in fall 2011, giving the food the same creative Pan Latin spin he’s made famous at his Denver restaurants. Up at Beaver Creek Village, there are few more romantic places to dine than Grouse Mountain Grill (www.grousemountaingrill.com), whose commitment to local ingredients is evident in such dishes as pan-seared Colorado striped bass over lentil ragout. And in the village of Edwards, the smart but casual Juniper Restaurant (www.juniperrestaurant.com) has a splendid wine list and specializes in creative American and Continental fare. More casual options include Blue Moose Pizza (www. bluemoosepizza.com) in Lionshead Village, and and Rimini Gelato (www.riminigelato.com), with locations in Vail and Beaver Creek, a fine choice for sweets or a cup of hot cocoa. There are no gay bars in the Rockies, but the dozens of convivial nightspots in these parts are consistently gay-friendly. In Vail, excellent options for enjoying regional ales and lagers from Colorado’s bounty of craft breweries include the Tap Room at

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 37 Photography

Chili Cook Off Fundraiser for SHARP at the Eagle - Calgary ISCCA Joey Hailey’s Can You Beliebe It at the Texas Lounge - Calgary

ISCCA Turn a-bout Show at Twisted - Calgary

38 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Photography

Risen, Fundraiser for MiscYouth at Arrata Opera House - Calgary ISCWR Rocky Horror Show at the Junction - Edmonton

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 39 THE BE-LEAVER Aiden Leslie On Leaving Love

By Samuel Watson AL: It simply came down to timing. It wasn’t the time for Aiden Leslie’s “Trying to Leave Now” is about salvaging us to pursue anything more than what it already had been. what is right in a relationship before losing everything. GC: Is there a right time for love? Penned by the artist, the single is the follow-up to AL: I don’t think it’s about right or wrong, it just happens. “World’s Away”, his song that nabbed the top spot on That is the beauty of love. But I do think that circumstances LOGO’s “Click List” countdown show for four consecutive in one’s life definitely can influence the direction it should weeks last summer. or shouldn’t take. “I wrote Trying to Leave Now about a person in my life I GC: Where were you going that he wasn’t willing to follow? have always had deep feelings for,” says the out artist. “We We wanted different things. Our needs didn’t match. I eventually came together but at the wrong time in both our had to leave and choose another way for myself, even though lives, making it impossible to pursue.” the feelings were still there. Leslie says he battled with trying to leave while the GC: Would you follow your true love wherever he went? feelings were still strong and alive. He says it’s important AL: I would like to believe that I would find a way to make to understand that sometimes, leaving is the only option. it work and that he would do the same for me. As I get older, “At some point, you have let go to see where it ends up I am starting to see that you must follow your heart. If you on its own.” don’t, you’ll likely pay a hard price. “The same holds true with life,” contends Leslie. He GC: World’s Away was a breakout hit. Do you expect encourages fans to embrace the truth, even if it means “Trying to Leave Now” will be as successful? having to part ways with the one you love. AL: When I finish a project, I always ask myself one GC: What do you look for in a partner? question: Am I satisfied with what I have done? If I am not, AL: At this point in my life, it’s attractive to me if I know then I would never put it out for the world to see. I try not that the person has lived a little. I want someone that has to approach anything in the sense of its success or failure. been around the block a few times, but is now looking for In my mind, the simple fact that I did it and I am proud of it something more rooted. Also, they need to have a belief in means it is successful. I try and leave off any expectations. something bigger than themselves. I’m looking for someone GC: What is World’s Away about? who has dreams and wants to fulfill them, no matter what. AL: The core of World’s Away is about life’s journey and GC: “Trying to Leave Now” is about a person you loved but the struggles we all go through. It’s about realizing where at the wrong time in your life. What do you mean by that?

40 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com you have been, taking what passion. I’m single right now, you have learned and letting but I am definitely looking it go. forward to sharing my life GC: Are all your songs so with someone. So much in deep and personal? my past has been about settling, but at this point AL: Always. For me, sharing my experiences in my life, I won’t do that. through music helps My career consumes much me grow personally and of my time. It’s my priority artistically. Hopefully, the and will continue to be, but I raw truth resonates with the also want to strike a balance listener and they take away between my career and something from it as well. personal life. GC: What was it like GC: As an out gay man, have you written about your shooting the music video for coming out experience? “Trying to Leave Now”? AL: Shooting a music video AL: I have never written specifically about coming is always a big undertaking. out, but I have written about I am one hundred percent my life experiences, being a involved in every step of the gay man in today’s world. way from concept to the final moment of editing. It’s always GC: Would you agree that important to have support ‘it gets better’? along the way. Working with AL: Yes, without a doubt, my Creative Director, Robert but, I will also say that it Vasquez, and the rest of my comes down to choosing it to artistic team was a productive be better for yourself. learning experience for me. GC: Are you in a good place We raised the bar in terms in your life today? of production from the last AL: I’m probably in the video. Can’t wait to do the best place I have ever been in next one. my life. It’s largely because I have re-connected to my Continued on Next Page 

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 41  From Previous Page

GC: What do you want fans to come away with from the video? AL: “Trying to Leave Now” is an anthem. My goal when anyone listens or watches anything that I do is that they see the journey in all that we are and experience. It’s also pays homage to my love affair with NYC, so it’s a reflection of my home and my life. GC: Are you working on new songs? AL: I’m always working on new material. GC: When do you expect you will release your new album? AL: Right now, it looks like a new single will be releasing early in the new year. GC: Underneath the muscles and pretty face, who is Aiden Leslie? AL: Just like everyone else, he’s someone longing to be heard and ultimately seeking to find his own way.

Aiden Leslie http://www.aidenleslie.com

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42 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 43 44 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Community World AIDS Day in Alberta

By Carey Rutherford provide a more memorial-like candle vigil, not on that day. This year, AIDS Awareness Week spans from November [At the celebratory memorial] we’ll be focussing on what a 24th and concludes with World AIDS Day on December gift this person was, but we know that some people need 1st. This year HIV Edmonton is making their fundraising to grieve in a different way, so on a separate day we’ll be initiatives both fun and memorable. providing the more restrained vigil.” “We are going into our third year of a partnership with What would make these AIDS service organizations Starbucks called the Celebrity Barista Campaign [where] happiest about how things go on December 1st this year? we partner with various media outlets throughout the city, They agreed that It would be great if the media and general and they send personalities to make lattes and such for community understood that some phenomenal things customers, and chat up World AIDS Day,” explains Joyce have happened during the last 30 years, “that has made LaBriola, a consultant for HIV Edmonton. “They get to getting HIV so much different than what it used to be,” says steam milk and play with whipped cream. It’s pretty cool.” Simonne. “It used to be a horrible-death sentence, and now with all the advantages of new drugs, new services and so And related to that effort is their Red Ribbon Brigade. on, there’s lots to be celebrating.” Joyce explains that, “…[HIV Edmonton] sends red ribbons to every Starbucks in the city (there are currently 55) and we “Of course in Alberta the numbers overall of new sell the red ribbons for donations: you can have a red ribbon diagnoses went down in 2010 from 213 to 192, and it went for a penny, or you can have a red ribbon for a twenty.” And down the year before. Still, the largest population of that the collection goes to HIV Edmonton. 192 are MSM [Men having Sex with Men], and the fastest increasing population between last year and this year is Meanwhile in Calgary, “We wanted to put a real positive aboriginal heterosexual women: they’re the next biggest spin on [Calgary’s events], said Simonne LeBlanc of AIDS group…and they’re very closely followed by heterosexual Calgary, Medicine Hat & Bow Valley. “We also wanted to African/Caribbean men.” recognize that it’s the 30th anniversary of the first diagnosis of HIV/Aids in North America, and [it’s global effects]. So But there is still much work to be done. we’re having this huge open house event where we are going “It’s still here; it’s part of Canada; it’s not going to go away. to have foods from around the world and activities from [While the US may have higher rates than Canada], they around the world.” are ahead of us in some ways, because they have a whole “We are running a movie that night called One Blood. It is new program set by the federal government that’s looking youth from Ottawa’s African-Caribbean community talking at housing. We know that once an individual is properly and meeting with youth from Jamaica. They’re talking about housed, there’s far less chance of them getting HIV/AIDS the two countries, and HIV…. It’s really interesting, and it [because of less risky behavior, better access to health care, gets into rap music, and it’s really upbeat.” etc]. Although a lot has happened, it’s still a devastating disease, and the medicine is hard on the body: we’re only Both the Edmonton and Calgary HIV/AIDS centres are starting to find out what a lifetime of anti-retroviral drugs interested in promoting a more positive outlook for its does to you.” clients and their supporters. Though the devastation of HIV/AIDS related illness continues, the progress made in the last 30 years needs to be recognized at the same time as it is put into perspective. Simonne mentions that, “At the open house we will also have a celebratory kind of memorial, AIDS Calgary recognizing some of the clients we lost this year. We always recognize them. Rather than having a sombre [memorial], http://www.aidscalgary.org we decided to do one that allows people to celebrate the wonderfulness and the gifts that those individuals brought HIV Edmoton into the world.” http://www.hivedmonton.com “The other big thing that is happening that night is our chief coordinator will have a panel, and they’ll be showing the movie We Were Here. It’s pretty sombre, but it has some HIV Awareness Week interesting points in it. And then they’ll discuss it. They did November 24th – December 1st something like this last year, and it was very well received, with lots and lots of discussion.” World AIDS Day Joyce of HIV Edmonton notes that, “we have an event that’s called Angels Amongst Us, which is an intimate December 1st affair honouring our positive mentors... HIV Edmonton just celebrated their 25th anniversary last year, and we re- http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2574 engaged a lot of our supporters and long-time survivors. This is a continuation of that campaign, providing an View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments opportunity for people to get together, light a candle, talk and share stories of their struggles. [The centre] is inviting the public to come and listen to stories of HIV advocates in the city, and the doors will open at 6:30.” We asked Simone when is the time to remember and celebrate people who succumbed to HIV/AIDS many years ago, not necessarily just last year. “People come to [World AIDS Day events] and recognize those they’ve lost over a period of time. And we do also

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 45 Cyndi Shines After all these years, singer/activist isn’t so unusual – she’s just human

 Photos by Ellen Von Unwerth

By Chris Azzopardi and I had written one (“Boy Blue”). That didn’t work out too Twenty-five years ago, Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” good, because I wrote about my feelings – which were big.” shined through – on the radio, and in the hearts of so But “True Colors,” originally written by Billy Steinberg many. It was in the midst of the horrifying AIDS epidemic and Tom Kelly for Anne Murray, spoke to her. Years later, when she lost her dear gay friend, came across the song, it’s not just a song; it’s an anthem for everything that and made it into a hit that comforted millions. Lauper – a selfless, admirable activist for the community – “I was very much in mourning,” the 58-year-old icon stands for. As part of her True Colors Fund, she launched recalls of the chart-topper, the title track from her 1986 a project last year, the Give a Damn Campaign, to create album, in our recent chat. “I was sad and I wanted to be awareness of LGBT discrimination with the help of high- able to do something. He wanted me to sing a song for him, profile celebrities, many of them heterosexual.

46 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com “In any civil rights movement, you need everybody,” Lauper says with heartfelt indignation. “That’s how you win. You need your straight allies.” She had them on the tour, also named after the song, which ran for two years and featured Debbie Harry, Margaret Cho, The B-52s and Erasure. Now, Lauper’s showing her support with a shelter, recently opened in Central Harlem, to offer supportive housing for LGBT youth without any place to go, who may have been thrown out of their own homes. A mother herself, Lauper can’t fathom a parent disowning their child. “Parental love should be unconditional,” she says. “Love your kid for who they are or who they aren’t. The parent/ child bond should never be broken.” But if it is, they have a place that loves them: the True Colors Residence. Lauper’s quick not to take all the credit, though; she names off a list of important key players who made this – a six-story, 30-bed facility, the first permanent establishment of its kind in New York – happen. Her manager, Lisa Barbaris, is one of them, along with the West End Intergenerational Residence, a non-profit focused on providing housing for homeless families and the elderly. “I was the famous person there, but a lot of people did a lot of work,” she says of the shelter’s official opening in Continued on Next Page  www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 47 September. “I was just the Something she was told one who cut the ribbon. It’s an she could never do – by interesting project because Sony, her label at the time it’s a low-income housing – was the blues. She sure project, which makes it work showed them. “To Memphis, on so many other levels. It’s With Love” is Lauper’s latest kind of fabulous.” release, a live CD/DVD Same could be said for combo that captures one Lauper’s career, officially night of her most recent, and launching in the early ’80s one of the more extensive, – during an out-of-control tours in her career. The house party that had the songs performed are off last singer persuading her year’s “Memphis Blues,” her parents to whoop it up, all baby she’d been working for a little single called “Girls toward her whole career. Just Want to Have Fun” Her 11th studio album, the off her 1983 debut She’s project scored the top spot of So Unusual – as the New the Billboard Blues Chart for Yorker shot to superstardom 14 consecutive weeks. instantly with funky-punky “It’s the spirit of the blues sunburst hair (one of many that propels you into an colors we’d see throughout otherworldly state,” she says. the decade) and her “Basically, that’s what you outrageous fashion sense. would hope for from music.” She, like Madonna, was Gaga While editing the docu- before Gaga existed. Lauper style DVD, filmed at The had the eccentricity, and she Warehouse in Memphis and certainly had the hits. featuring special guests There was the sweet charm Jonny Lang and Tracy of got-your-back ballad Nelson, Lauper had to do the “Time After Time,” a song unthinkable for anyone who still in heavy rotation nearly  Photo by Joseph Cultice can’t stand mirrors: look at 30 years later. “A magical herself for hours on end. time,” she calls it now. “Once you get over the fact “She Bop” blasted myths of that you thought you looked masturbation, promoting it different but this is what you as something just as routine really look like, it’s fine,” as brushing your teeth. The Lauper laughs. “It’s always video – and “all my friends that way. You can’t ever take and family that showed up in yourself seriously.” the video with me” – is what Next up for Lauper? New she remembers most. original music, which she’s There was also “We Are the currently working on; writing World,” the all-star charity for the Broadway show single – a monster one, at “Kinky Boots”; and a memoir that – featuring Michael that’s still in the early Jackson, Diana Ross and stages. A reality show, set to Lauper. Her fondest memory: air early next year, is also in “That I walked in with almost the works. the same jacket that Michael Lauper’s also determined had on, and I changed it to get the True Colors really quick. But I was upset Tour, on hold because of anyway because I had the the economy, back off the flakes in my hair, because I ground. was doing that performance- art piece for the American “It’s going to take a minute Music Awards and didn’t  Photo by Ellen Von Unwerth to figure out how to do it right have time to clean up. I was but I’ll get it back,” she says. having a moment.” “I always wanted it to be a little party, a real festival in In the next three decades, Lauper would have many more one place – different stages, food and music. But I don’t moments. She would win Grammys. Have a son. Sing to know really how to do that. I’m not a businessperson; I’m a disgruntled group of flyers at an airline terminal. Flub an artist that wanted an inclusive tour with straight people the “Star-Spangled Banner,” and gracefully recover from and gay people and transgender people – everybody mixed it, as she did recently before the US Open just this past together. That was my big dream.” September. And her true colors, shining through. Looking back, what would she have told her younger, more “unusual” self? “I know I said all the wrong things to the right people,” she laughs, “but probably not listen all the time to everything everybody told me. That there was a bigger world out there.” A world she’s still happy to be a part of. “I’ve been told, http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2575 ‘No, it’ll never work.’ It’s always the same. But I’m still View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments working.”

48 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com Howie D Flies Solo Backstreet Boy makes solo debut with Back To Me

By Jason Clevett in other ways. By helping other artists it puts me in a totally Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough doesn’t have a stop different mind frame and I get excited about it, then I work on button. In July he wrapped up a concert in Edmonton, my solo project, it puts me in a different mind frame so I am went to an after party until 2am, hopped on a tour bus able to get excited about that. Not one thing gets too boring to Calgary, was on Breakfast Television in the morning, after awhile.” did radio interviews in the afternoon, returned to the Amazingly, Howie D somehow found time in his day to meet stage with NKOTBSB at the Saddledome before a near up with GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine backstage prior sold out screaming crowd, did an impromptu set with to the NKOTBSB show in Calgary. He was beaming about Nick Carter at an after party at The Roadhouse, and the success of the tour, which will kick off for a string of European dates in the spring. Before that he will be opening then was off to the next city. for Britney Spears in South America this month. For many artists, just being on a massive tour – the “The tour has been amazing. I didn’t really know what to combined New Kids on the Block & Backstreet Boys tour expect when we had this idea of us going on tour together, this past summer – would be enough. For Dorough, add in if we were going to get along, stuff like that. I have known owning a management company, working on and promoting the New Kids forever, our former manager was their tour his upcoming album, and being a father to two year old manager so we have gotten to know them, but it is one thing James. His wife Leigh referred to him as a “machine” to me at to know them and another to put them together on stage and the after party, and it is very much accurate. expect them to live together for two and a half months. It has “I have a lot of energy. Since I was a little kid I have always been amazing, a great partnership that we have. We all get been a workaholic I need a lot of stimulation. My Mom along great and there have been no beefs with anybody, it had me doing everything from dance to voice to acting to has been really smooth sailing.” piano, everything she could think of to keep me stimulated,” The spectacular show – including the legendary “penis Dorough explained. “I find that I get bored very easily ifI stage,” a cavalcade of hits and high energy, was a sensation am not working on several things at once. When I am doing with fans, and surprisingly a lot of critics. But in praising one thing I get an itch to try and do other things and help the show, many reviewers made sure to get their digs in;

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 49 whether it was at thinning got more centered with the hair, fans no longer being sound I wanted it to be, teens, or New Kid Donnie within the last year here. Wahlberg ripping off his I felt like right now the shirt. It seems that despite momentum we have and selling millions of albums, visibility we are able to both bands still have to create in towns on this tour battle for respect. almost piggybacks to a “If we were to make our point. Nick Carter, Jordan shows for the critics after Knight and myself all have awhile we would throw solo records coming out. the towel in. I think both The album was supposed groups learned that we to be out in August but are making these shows got pushed back because for our fans and hopefully the original deal was done the critics will like it. It is in Japan, and when the crazy because sometimes tsunami happened we the people being sent had to push things back down to see us are people to November. But I really that probably shouldn’t wanted to capitalize upon be interviewing us, we the fact that I was going have a rock guy coming in to be in the States and to interview a pop group Canada. We signed a deal and you know it’s not in Canada with Fontana their style. We make our music who is a label I use shows the best we can be with artists that I manage. and hope to win over the I felt the timing was right critics. At the end of the to capitalize on press and day, we are what we are. use this momentum and We know we are boy bands platform to launch it.” and we have all accepted He is the last Backstreet those titles, it doesn’t hurt Boy to do a solo project, our feelings to be called and applied the lessons that. At least they are learned from his friends’ calling us and asking us experiences to the album. to do shows, we are doing “I have learned a lot arenas and all tickled pink from them, some things about it.” that they did that were At the July 1st show really great and things in Los Angles, former they probably could have member Kevin Richardson done better. I am very joined the group on stage blessed to have a great for I Want It That Way, management team, the a special moment for same management for fans and the band, said the group I am using for Dorough. my solo project. For some “It was great, really people in this situation, amazing and shocked the there would be too much fans. I heard our twitter to focus on with the tour. was trending that night. If they were to release a Kevin has always been record…if you have the a part of the group and opportunity and you can always will be. He is taking capitalize on it, it is a win- this journey right now for win situation. If you have himself in life, the door is it and you don’t capitalize always open and I hope on it and you just let the one day we will be back album sit out there you lose on stage together for a full momentum. That is why show again.” I am trying to strike right As a businessman now while the iron is hot, Dorough saw in the tour and I am blessed I heard the opportunity to promote that my single went to #1 his first solo effort, Back on the MuchMoreMusic To Me, in interviews, countdown. It is due to a even though it was 4 lot of the fans and hype months until the album’s around this tour that is November 15th release. helping me as well.” “Timing is everything. The Backstreet Boys and I have been working on Canada have always had a this album on and off for love-love relationship; it five years, I started in a was in Canada that their Latin direction and then first album really made waves back in 1996.

50 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com “I am very blessed that I have a lot of Canadian love. In have the time to be thinking those things, at least they are addition to Backstreet Boys and my solo project I have a thinking about us.” management company here in Canada called 3 Street with In fact, their support from the LGBT community led to another gentlemen named CJ Huyer who used to be in a boy the boys being asked to be the marshals for the 2010 San band called 3 Deep (with Young and The Restless stars Eddie Francisco Pride Parade. Cibrian and Joshua Morrow) several years ago. We had an “We were asked to be the Parade Marshall’s and it was an artist named George Nozuka who did really well on the charts honour, very flattering. [I have] a gay cousin and several of here and our newest project the band Neverest who actually my wife’s girlfriends are lesbians. I have no issues at all. A opened up for us in Canada on this tour. I learned a lot about lot of people came to the parade and were supporting us. Our the Canadian market and the tricks and trades about things music is out there for everybody - I don’t care what colour, like [the gay community] being very helpful to Canadian race, sexual orientation - it is about making good music that singers and writers. My first single was written and produced makes people happy. I am very, very thankful to our gay fans. by a Canadian group of guys and the video was directed by They are a huge part of our success. I support them, and am a Juno award winner. The songs have been really accepted glad they support us in our music.” here and I am really thankful. I have a great record label, publicity company, radio reps, it is a total win-win situation for me up here.” In addition to Canadian love, the boys indeed have Howie D long been loved by the gay community. As one of the only bands without a gay member, they have still experienced Back To Me available November 15th homophobia for themselves, being called names simply for www.HowieD.com being in an all-male pop band. “It comes with the territory. I can definitely say when we http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2576 started, you try and go out and give your all and there is a lot of jealousy out there in the world, especially from guys View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments to guys and it is sad. Instead of narking on the music, come to the concerts. There are so many women here, your odds of picking up girls is so great here you would be foolish not to come. Guys won’t admit it to us but sometimes their girls might be into us and they will use our music to get the girls, but then when it comes to seeing us eye to eye they always want to throw in slurs and whatever. I have a pretty thick skin, my family has kept me pretty well grounded. I have always believed in to each their own, I have a cousin who is gay and to me I have always been someone who doesn’t judge anybody and appreciate when people don’t judge you. If they

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 51 52 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com New Gay Generation

 Photo Courtesy of Dale Stine

By Mick Sandoval

“…and thus began the beginning of the new race. A race within the race of humanity. A race which bares no prejudice, no judgment.” - Lady Gaga How gay times change. In the eighties and nineties, a combative gay youth chanted “We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it”. Then came the young millennium gays who worked to alter their queerness, usually by morphing into muscle jocks, sporting cargo shorts and tight fitting Abercrombie & Fitch tanks. Today’s gay youth have a new take on what it means to be gay. They’re not picketing for gay rights. Nor are they manscaping their chest hair. The gay youth of today are following the creed of their leaders – Lady Gaga, Ke$ha and the cast of Glee – who call for self love and proclaim “We R Who We R” because we were born this way, baby. They’re embracing their inner sissy while simultaneously refusing to be defined by their gayness. Pop star D Alexander proudly counts himself among the new gays. He explains what being young and gay means today. GC: What encouraged you to come out as an artist? DA: In this industry, it’s hard to tell your team of producers that you want to write about being fierce and beautiful. The first few demos I wrote were about chicks and being fly. It came to a point where I

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 53 couldn’t handle being suppressed any longer. I had to unleash the will suck their fans into their world and never let them go until they vibrant side of my personality and write music I felt connected to. have consumed their deepest, most darkest thoughts. GC: Are you defined by your gayness? GC: Does the gay community support its gay artists? DA: To say that one’s sexual preference is who they are would DA: The problem I think most gay artists have is that they allow be silly. We have so much more to offer. Yes, we should celebrate their gayness to consume their craft. Instead of writing culturally ourselves and be prideful of our sexuality, but letting it define us groundbreaking music, they worry about their six packs and is a mistake. dancing around in their tighty whities. There has to be more to GC: What defines you? the artistry. DA: Pop music is my ultimate definition. My life goal is to make GC: Who are some of the gay artists that inspire you? people feel and hear the raw emotion in each song I write. DA: Melissa Ethridge and Elton John for their bravery in coming GC: When you sing about being beautiful, what are you referring out at a time when being gay wasn’t as accepted. They paved the to? way for many artists to talk about taboo subjects. Without them, there would be no Gaga. DA: Being beautiful is about embracing the most amazing, deepest and sickest parts of your self. It’s a statement that no GC: Is there anything about yourself that you feel is off limits in matter who you are or where you come from, there is beauty in the your music? madness. DA: When it comes to my music, nothing is off limits. If I write GC: Do you feel a gay artist has a responsibility to be out? about sex, I bare it all. DA: Absolutely, especially now that teen bullying and suicide GC: What should older gay generations know about the youth is so prevalent. The community needs role models to empower of today? youth and let them know its okay to accept themselves. My biggest DA: Past generations had to deal with a hell of a lot more responsibility as an artist is not the music but being an example of prejudice, and for that, we thank them. The young generation needs artistic truth. to continue the fight. We need to make it so the next generation has GC: Are there disadvantages to being out today? an even better canvas to express their cultural freedom. DA: I don’t think so. The music industry has changed so much over the years. Being honest with your crazy is what sells. Sell your honesty, sell your truth. Nobody wants a picture perfect cover boy D Alexander they can’t relate to. http://www.facebook.com/dalexandermusic GC: What has paved the way to this new enlightenment? DA: Lady Gaga has encouraged the world to shoot out with prideful colors. She is the perfect example of what an artist should http://www.gaycalgary.com/a2578 be: a poster girl for self acceptance and musical art. A true artist View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

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www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 61 Q Scopes Pay attention, Capricorn! Mars opposes Neptune just before going into Virgo. Showing off and excessive aggression or internalized anger will exact a price that you’ll have to pay very soon! Meditation and swimming help; contact sports are dangerous. You may go overboard with creative hobbies, but those excesses can draw out inner truths. ARIES (March 20–April 19): An ego trip usually has a very hard landing. Your ruler Mars opposing Neptune makes it hard to know whether you’re offering too much or too little. Who knows your heart best can tell you how big it really is. TAURUS (April 20–May 20): Your erotic charms are nearly irresistible. How you use them will tell the world a lot about your values. You’re better off keeping your reputation clean. Honesty and strategy are crucial to winning a struggle at work. GEMINI (May 21–June 20): You can charm your partner – real or prospective – into almost anything, but its best to use this openness to work on issues in your relationship. The high- minded, mature approach is harder, but in the long run yields better results. CANCER (June 21–July 22): This week’s full moon brings out your wild side, shocking some friends or making some new ones, and probably starting some very titillating gossip. Enemies at work might try to use that against you, but you can turn it to your advantage. LEO (July 23–August 22): Arguments with your partner are based on misunderstanding and your overreactions. Less drama, more empathy would help. Worries about money may be based in reality, but probably still exaggerated. The outlook will improve very soon. VIRGO (August 23–September 22): Don’t worry yourself sick! Channel that energy into exercise. Swimming and martial arts like tai chi are best. A wave of domestic bliss offers a platform for some serious improvements. Sexual competition can be fun; taking it seriously can get dangerous. LIBRA (September 23–October 22): Sometimes your charm comes too easily. Overdoing it can alienate some people. What does your partner think about your flirtations? Accept criticism graciously and think seriously about it!  SCORPIO (October 23–November 21): Adding another candle doesn’t mean you have to prove anything. Self- consciousness can provoke you to overdo things, hurting yourself or complicating your work. Think less about yourself, more about your partner: committed, for the moment, or hypothetical. SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 20): Mixed messages and rumors can hurt your reputation. Defensiveness just makes it worse. Look at the problem as one to heal with good humor, even at your expense. Clear it up! Opportunity’s around the corner. CAPRICORN (December 21–January 19): One can be over-competitive at work. Pay attention to those nagging inner voices. They can help correct your perspective even if you don’t like what they say. Charity work will also do you much good. AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18): Don’t take personal criticisms too seriously, but spats with friends can show where you need self-improvement. You don’t need to prove your intellectual prowess, but you may need to admit to your limitations so you can expand your wisdom.  PISCES (February 19–March 19): Give yourself a little room to be a drama queen – in the right time and place – just to let the frustrations out. Friends will be a lot more supportive than you expect. Being too nice can work against you; focus on being just nice enough. Jack Fertig, a professional astrologer since 1977 teaches at the Online College of Astrology. He can be reached for personal or business consultations at 415-864-8302 or through his website at http://www. starjack.com

62 GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 www.gaycalgary.com www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine #97, November 2011 63