Gaycalgary and Edmonton Magazine
February 2010 ISSUE 76 The Only Magazine Dedicated to Alberta’s LGBT Community FREE
Interviews with: Kent Monkman TOM FORD The Triumph of Mischief God-Des & She at the Glenbow Museum God Made Me Funky
The Forgotten Male Victims of Spousal Abuse
Community Directory • Map and Events • Tourism Info >> Starting on Page 17
LGBT Resource • Calgary • Edmonton • Alberta www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #75, January 2010 Table of Contents February 2010 5 Fitness: Not Always a Shallow Endeavour Publisher: Steve Polyak Publisher’s Column Editor: Rob Diaz-Marino Sales: Steve Polyak Design & Layout: 8 The Triumph of Mischief Rob Diaz-Marino, Ara Shimoon A Land of Cross-Dressing and Role-Swapping Writers and Contributors Chris Azzopardi, Dallas Barnes, Dave Brousseau, 9 Shave Yourself for Mr. Right Sam Casselman, Jason Clevett, Andrew Collins, Five Fantastic Stubble-Stoppers Rob Diaz-Marino, Jack Fertig, Glen Hanson, Joan Hilty, Leah Kelly, Stephen Lock, Allan Neuwirth, Steve Polyak, Pam Rocker, Ara Shimoon, Romeo 11 Tom Ford San Vicente, Jerome Voltero, Dan Woog, and GE 8 PA GE XXX PA the GLBT Community of Calgary, Edmonton, and The Other Man Alberta. 13 Chelsea Boys Photography Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino, B&J, Craig Taylor, Tiffany Thomas 14 out of Town Sydney and Mardi Gras Videography Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino Exploring Mardi Gras In The Land From Down Under
Printers 17 Directory and Events North Hill News/Central Web 24 beautiful Thing Distribution Calgary: Gallant Distribution An Urban English Fairytale In Alberta GayCalgary Staff Edmonton: Clark’s Distribution 25 nevada’s Legal Brothels Go Male, But Other: Canada Post Not Gay Legal Council Courtney Aarbo, Barristers and Solicitors 26 Adult Film Review GE 11 PA GE XXX PA Sales & General Inquiries Bear Hunt, Dirty! GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine 2136 17th Avenue SW 27 Q Scopes Calgary, AB, Canada T2T 0G3 “Don’t worry, Aries!”
Office Hours: By appointment ONLY 28 Deep Inside Hollywood Phone: 403-543-6960 Kerry and Kristin sittin’ in a tree… Toll Free: 1-888-543-6960 Fax: 403-703-0685 29 Mariah and Me E-Mail: [email protected] How the Diva Changed a Life–and her Own This Month's Cover Painting by Kent Monkman 30 LGBT Hockey Courtesy of Glenbow Museum Help Give Canada’s National Sport a Queer Slant
Proud Members of: 30 running for the Fun of It Calgary and Edmonton Frontrunners GE 29 PA GE XXX PA 31 Slapshotolus
Edmonton Rainbow Olympic Bronze in a Unique Form Business Association 32 The Biological Case for Transsexuality An Overview and Analysis
International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association 34 Fundraising Photos 36 exploring Leather Relationships Part 2 of 3: “Daddies” and “Boys”
National Lesbian & Gay 37 From Spectator to Torch Barer Journalists Association Steve Parent-Korbie Fulfills a Childhood Dream GE 31 PA GE XXX PA Continued on Next Page GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Table of Contents
Continued From Previous Page 38 Queeries Valentine’s Advice, Groping & Closet Cases 39 The OutField Magazine Figures Sweet turnaround for Peggy Beck Monthly Print Quantity: 9,000–11,000 copies 40 get Your HEART On Guaranteed Circulation: 8,500 copies Bad Romance Gives New Saturday Night Options Bonus Circulation: 500–2,500 copies 41 bitter Girl Readership Readers Per Copy: 4.9 (PMB) 42 A Couple of Guys Print Readership: >41,650 Avg. Online Circulation: 125,000 readers Estimated Total Readership: GE 37 PA GE XXX PA >166,650 readers 43 The Forgotten Frequency: Monthly Male Victims of Spousal Abuse Proof of monthly figures are 45 Team Edmonton Mixer available on request. Sport and Socializing Promises to be Sensational Distribution Locations: Calgary: 150 45 LGBT Dodgeball Edmonton: 130 New Sport Enters Western Cup Other Alberta Cities: 10 Other Provinces: 30 46 Music Review Please call us if your establishment would Unbroken, Animal, Stronger with Every Tear like to become a distribution location. 47 Alberta Bowling History The Rainbow Riders & Northern Titans Originally established in January 1992 as Men for Men BBS by MFM 48 Classified Ads Communications. Name changed to GE 43 PA GE XXX PA GayCalgary.com in 1998. Independent company as of January 2004. First edition 51 Wanna Dance? of GayCalgary.com Magazine published November 2003. Name adjusted in GMMF brings the Funk to Calgary November 2006 to GayCalgary and 52 Movie Review Edmonton Magazine. St. Trinian’s and She’ll Cut a Bitch Disclaimer and Copyright Opinions expressed in this magazine 53 Truth Equals Beauty are specific to the author, and do not Rodeos and the Olympics, Paul Wong Style necessarily reflect those of GayCalgary staff and contributors. Those involved in the making of this 54 god-Des and She publication, whether advertisers, contributors, An Interview with Lesbian Legends or the subjects of articles or photographs, are not necessarily gay, lesbian, bisexual, or 58 Queer Eye - Community Events trans. This magazine also includes straight allies and those who are gay friendly. GE 53 PA GE XXX PA No part of this publication may be reprinted or modified without the expressed written permission of the editor or publisher.
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GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Editorial Fitness: Not Always a Shallow Endeavour Publisher’s Column By Rob Diaz-Marino he hadn’t previously released, which drew mixed reactions from the audience. One piece featured a computer-generated In this month’s edition I am amazed to see how many arrangement of a whole year worth of Wong’s photographs, sports articles we are publishing. With Apollo Western flashing by at 1000 frames per minute. While the effect was Cup coming right up at the beginning of April, I suppose interesting at first, the sheer duration of the hyperactive this is appropriate. But I remember a time when our slideshow left me with a headache, and Steve at the point of magazine had trouble finding anything sports-related to feeling nauseous. You see, it’s true that art can make you talk about. feel! Nevertheless, Wong’s installation makes an interesting You know there are two sides to the coin when it comes addition to the Glenbow. The wall leading to the entrance of to magazines publishing articles about sports activities and the presentation room is painted as a rainbow flag, and the fitness. There are those sporadic “get fit so you can get laid” presence of photographs from the ARGRA rodeo on display pieces that pop out of nowhere to make you feel guilty for in such a popular mainstream venue is just fantastic – it’s not taking care of yourself. They tend to recommend doing bound to blow a few minds. While I anticipate the Glenbow boring exercises that build muscle and trim fat, but really do will receive complaints from those unable to handle such a little else for you. In a way it’s like strapping a bag of oats to public acknowledgement of queer history, the fact remains your face - all you have to do is chew. There are so many fun that history is immutable no matter how unpopular some and interesting ways to get the exercise you need, and while may find it, and it’s wonderful that the Glenbow understands they may not replicate the repetitive motions required to build this...and us. those unnaturally large muscles, they will keep you just as fit and happy to boot! Here We Go Again! That’s why, for the past several months leading up to The Calgary Eagle hosted the Western Canadian Leather Western Cup, we have published articles about the many Sir/Leatherboy contest on the 30th, and GayCalgary was out different LGBT sporting subgroups part of Apollo Friends in in full force to cover the event. While Steve took photos, I Sports, and Team Edmonton. There is an overwhelming array stayed behind the video camera to make a recording of our of choices depending on your level of skill and desired activity, local contestants and out of town judges performing certain and unlike the ol’ bag of oats, these activities also entertain acts of fetishy intrigue on stage. your brain as you build skill and make like-minded friends. If you recall in my column last year, I spoke about how one So if you find that you’re having difficulty staying active, and of the contestants gave himself a razor blade tattoo, and the you want to do something about it, then you have a choice. sight of blood caused me to pass out with a flash fever. This You can go on the exercise binge that you read about at a year I was pretty determined not to make an ass of myself random time in a random magazine out of panic for not feeling in front of the panel of distinguished (and in some cases, good about yourself, do something boring in the privacy of downright sexy) leathermen judges; determined to prove I can your own home, and eventually lose the motivation to keep handle, at the very least, witnessing anything else that is legal going with it. Or you can go out to any number of weekly to do in a bar. sporting events in Calgary or Edmonton with your LGBT peers and have some fun, become a better player, and meet people The fantasy scene for Dakota, the Leather Sir contestant, who can help keep you motivated. had him using an army knife to cut the clothes off his boy participant René. He had sliced into René’s jeans and Cowboys and Indians shredded them enough to tear them off completely, when I saw red rivulets down his leg. At first I thought they had just used This month’s cover may strike you as deliciously body paint under the jeans to simulate blood for when they controversial. In the spirit of Valentines month, surprisingly came off...but then I realized the cuts were real, and one was this is the first gay kiss that we have ever featured on our pretty deep. René was a trooper and although this was not cover! Furthermore, this passionate kiss is between a cowboy planned, they kept going, but I was no longer watching. They and an Indian, which I see as an extremely powerful portrayal finished the scene and treated him for his wounds (he later of love and peace between two groups that underwent a bitter shrugged off the nine stitches they put in at the hospital as if struggle in our country’s past. it was nothing), but I knew I was done for, a ticking timebomb This is just one of several outrageous paintings by Kent no matter how hard I tried to put the sight of blood out of my Monkman (see page 8) being featured at Calgary’s own Glenbow mind. Museum until the end of April. Accompanying Monkman at So resigning myself to repeat history, I leaned forward and the Glenbow is the work of an award winning multimedia rested on my knees as I felt my ears start ringing and body artist, Paul Wong (see page 53), whose video presentation go numb. It was an awful buzzing sensation and I kept entitled 2 Hot 2 Handle is on display in a special room on the expecting it to worsen or to feel some sort of sharp pain from 3rd floor. The presentation features photographs from last my insides, but somehow I remained semi-conscious. Last year’s ARGRA rodeo in Strathmore. year I distinctly remember losing track of time, but not so in We attended a reception at the Glenbow, hosted in this instance. association with Fairy Tales Film Festival. Wong presented some brutally honest films from his collection of works that Continued
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Editorial - Cont’d
Lady Fawn who was sitting beside me at the time, noticed me in distress and arranged for a bottle of water. She told me, of all the people to pass out in the presence of, the leather crowd was probably the most capable of helping - being equipped to handle “dungeon emergencies” and all. Steve was in town this time, and made sure I didn’t fall off the bench until I had recovered. When the feeling passed, I sat up again and copious amounts of sweat poured down my chest and back. I saw Johnathan, last year’s Leather Sir winner and notorious Calgary Eagle owner, explaining to guest judge, 2009 International Leather Sir, what just happened to me. No doubt this included mention of the same occurrence last year, and they both looked at me with expressions as if to say, “that’s so cute!” So once again the big tough important leathermen think I’m silly and adorable, and I’m at a loss to say whether that is a good or a bad thing. Speaking of adorable (and changing the subject from my personal humiliations), Edmonton resident Curtis took the title of Leatherboy after a compelling boot-licking fantasy scene, a woofy jock-strap display, and some innocent but cheeky responses during the Q&A period. Curtis recently adopted the bearded bear-look and has been working it with great success. His other half Max, who participated as a judge, I’m certain was very proud of his normally shy hubby. Dakota got in by a slightly narrower margin, but passed the judging criteria nonetheless. He is an older gentleman who I’ve seen quite frequently at the Eagle for leather events and fetish demonstrations, and is definitely worthy to represent our region in the next phase of the competition. The 2010 Western Canada Leather Sir and Leatherboy go on to compete for the international titles. Just...no more blood, mmkay? I’m getting light headed all over again just thinking about it. This Month There are a couple of exciting things happening this month that you should be aware of: The Calgary Eagle will be undergoing a makeover in time for their 8th Anniversary. The bar anticipates they will be closed from Sunday the 14th until and including Friday the 19th, but check their website for updates. The Anniversary Party is scheduled for February 20th, so mark your calendar to go down and be among the first to see what has changed. ARGRA is hosting their annual Sleigh Ride the afternoon of the 27th instead of their monthly dance. There is limited availability so if you want to take part, make sure you book early through their website (www.argra.org). It costs $25 per person, which includes the sleigh ride, hot dogs, hot chocolate, and a cozy bonfire. Calgary has a new dance party to stir things up. Bad Romance Entertainment has come onto the scene with a special Valentine’s party scheduled for Saturday, February 13th. Read the article on page 40 for more information, and if it sounds like your thing, make sure to get you remember to pick up a BRE membership.
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GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Arts
“Trappers of Men” painting by Kent Monkman, at the Glenbow Museum until late April
by myself,” says Monkman. “She has such a strong presence in the work, they are all sort of self-portraits of her.” The Triumph of Mischief The process of finding her grew organically. “The performance part of my practice grew out of painting and similarly I developed A Land of Cross-Dressing and Role-Swapping my alter-ego in my painting. It evolved to the point where I knew I had to bring her to life via live performance and video work. By Pam Rocker There’s a safety in how far-reaching she can be in the painting; in a live performance, that safety is removed, but I knew that’s At first glance, some of Kent Monkman’s paintings could what I needed to do.” remind of you of something that you’ve seen in your Miss Chief performed live for the first time in 2004 at the grandmother’s living room. McMichael Canadian Arts Collection in Ontario, where Monkman Reminiscent of 19th century oil paintings of the Wild West, his was invited to do a weekend residency. “The place had become work is exceptionally detailed, portraying landscapes, cowboys, known for being a little stuffy, and I felt that it needed to be Aboriginals. However, a closer look reveals shaken up a bit. Some of their policies about something that might make Grandma spill programming seemed to be going backwards her tea: a two-spirited libertine, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, wearing nothing but a long in time, so I knew this was the place for her white fur coat lined in pink satin, and knee- to come out.” high pink leather boots. This particular The Triumph of Mischief has been painting, Charged Particles In Motion, specifically designed to allow Monkman to gives us a taste of what we can expect in work collaboratively with different curators at Monkman’s upcoming exhibition at the each exhibit. Ben Portis is the guest curator Glenbow Museum. for the exhibition at the Glenbow Museum. The Triumph of Mischief contains a “One of the things that the Glenbow is doing collection not only of Monkman’s oil is making evident links between Kent’s work paintings, but also his sculptural spaces, and portrayals of the West and Aboriginal life objects, films and photography from 2003 in the 19th century that is already evident in to present. His version of the Old West the historical section of its collection. We’ve symbolizes the unknown stories of personal pulled out a number of paintings by First encounters between the European and First Nations artists who lived in the plains either Nations in North America. He uses humour, in Alberta or the U.S. in the 1800’s,” says eroticism, and evocative allegories to re-tell Portis. and disrupt historical stereotypes around “A great thing about working with the sexuality, identity, and narratives about Glenbow is that it’s not just passively Aboriginal culture. embracing the work. Sometimes, this kind of provocational art Monkman, a multidisciplinary Canadian artist of Cree can go somewhere and be allowed to sing its own tune with little ancestry, knew from an early age that he was meant to create elaboration – either it hits or misses its audience. The tone at and tell stories. “I had a strong artistic identity at a very young the Glenbow is really going to grapple with the implications of age. From the time I was 5 or 6, I decided I was an artist and that the artwork on several levels; being a challenging expression in was that. My parents were great about encouraging all aspects of terms of indigenous identity, gay identity, and contemporary my artistic path and I feel really lucky.” culture.” A great muse for Monkman’s work is his performance Portis gained a deeper appreciation for Monkman as an artist, alter-ego, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle (punning ‘mischief and as he became more and more familiar with his work. “I came ‘egotistical’), who also appears in several of his paintings and into this exhibition with some awareness of Kent and his work. films. “Sometimes I find the works by her, sometimes I find them I had seen two prior editions of this show [TOF] and there were
Continued on Page 27 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Review Shave Yourself for Mr. Right Five Fantastic Stubble-Stoppers By Rob Diaz-Marino The Razor: ShaveMate All in One Going on a date this Valentines day, it’s important to What a neat idea, a razor and shaving cream canister in one! It’s ideal for travelling, and make a good first impression. Whether you sport a you won’t need to fumble with a separate can. beard, goatee, or no facial hair at all, you can send the The dispenser has a twist lock to ensure no message that you take good care of yourself by culling cream escapes by accident if it gets squished your stubble. True, the 5 o’clock shadow can make you in your luggage. The six blades offer a far look like a bad boy, but this isn’t your average hook-up superior shave over your typical disposable – you’re playing for keeps here! travel razors. Though it has somewhat of a Over the past few months we have received an influx of low-grade plastic feel, you get 3 in a packet shaving products to review, and it only seemed appropriate to and it comes with its own shower hook! tell you about them for this, the month of love and romance. So Obviously I reviewed the men’s take a gander at these products, some of which you might have equivalent of the shaver, the Titan 6, been previously unaware. Learn a bit about them through my but I used it to test a variety of shaving experience, and then go get ‘em loverboy! creams. While I was able to obtain the same end result, the process of getting there was the make-or-break distinction. Cream Criteria Nivea for Men: Active 3 Scent – did it offer a pleasant scent that might draw in the same sex, or did it smell like cheap crap? Scent: Smoothness – did it keep the razor lubricated enough to Smoothness: be a painless shave, or was it a razor-burn nightmare? Removal: Removal – did it wash off cleanly when I was done, Visibility: or did I have to scrub like a son’bitch? Economy: Visibility – could I see and sculpt my beard underneath, or was I braving the fog of war? “Active 3” refers to the fact that it is 3 products in one: shampoo, shave, and body wash! By far it offered the smoothest shave, and one of the nicer, more distinguished scents. While it lubricated well for shaving, this same trait made it difficult to wash off completely, even under the bombardment of water in the shower. Nevertheless, it’s hard to beat the portability; take it with your favourite razor and you’ve got your showering essentials covered. Every Man Jack
Scent: Smoothness: Removal: Visibility: Economy: LUSH: Prince The Every Man Jack shave kit and Scent: Smoothness: travel kit make for nice classy gifts that Removal: are actually affordable for the every man, Visibility: and come with far more than just the Economy: shaving cream. Both kits come with tubes of the following: face wash, shave cream, face lotion, SPF 15 lip balm, and With essence of triple orange SPF 15 face lotion. The travel kit goes one further with a blossom, this luxury LUSH creation had a pleasant smell tube of 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, while the shave kit of subdued creamsicle. As I drew the razor across my face, provides a handsome travel bag that you might use with the I could tell the cream was staying put, but lubricating, it travel kit. was not – in fact it seemed more of a waxy texture that was The shave cream was non-frothy, making it easy to see making the blade stall and lurch, and it was difficult to wash my underlying facial hair for better sculpting accuracy. It off. To solve this dilemma, the instructions suggest soapy lubricated moderately well, and had such a light scent of water to rinse your razor and clean your face afterward, mint that it was almost undetectable. On the plus side, it which may or may not prove to be an inconvenience. I won’t interfere with your cologne or after shave, but on the myself tend to use plain warm water, so I didn’t really get downside...you might need cologne or aftershave. It took a along with this concoction. few rinses to remove, but nothing unreasonable.
Continued GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 While You’re At It... ShaveMate All in One
Shave the Planet Scent: Smoothness: By: LUSH Removal: If you find the triple orange blossom Visibility: of Prince too fruity, Shave the Planet Economy: offers a more muted sandalwood scent. We reviewed the Shave the Planet This is, of course, the cream that gift box in our March 2009 edition. is dispensed out of the handle of the ShaveMate All in One Razor. Diva 6 The cream has the same consistency of the cheap travel- sized shaving creams: it smells synthetic, but is super easy By: ShaveMate to wash off, which might not be such a good thing. Its Pretty much the same as the Titan frothy consistency meant I was sculpting in the dark on the 6 - 3 in a pack, with built in shaving first stroke, and scraping up a storm after that—it really cream - but in bright pink! The didn’t stick around to lubricate. obvious choice for lipstick lesbians and drag divas on the run. Priced roughly the same as the Every Man Jack shave kit, you’re paying purely for the convenience in this novel product. They say there is enough in each razor for 10 shaves, so a pack will keep a non-fussy daily shaver (un)covered for about a month.
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10 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Interview
Tom Ford Tom Ford The Other Man By Chris Azzopardi shift and left something that I had been doing for 15 years. All of a sudden, I had no identity and I had no voice in contemporary All you know about Tom Ford isn’t it. The style-savvy man culture, and it fell at a time when I had what is really a very classic we’re familiar with through the fashion-world lense – as midlife crisis. Gucci’s former creative director for 10 years – is more than that I was lucky enough to have everything early in life, including debonair hunk-and-a-half. Much of Ford’s unknown facets a great relationship and everything the material world can offer are in his directorial debut, A Single Man – award bait starring – a successful career, lots of money, a great life, friends – and yet Colin Firth as George, a suicidal gay man suffering from his I couldn’t find a certain kind of happiness. When I left Gucci, it longtime partner’s death. just really pushed me into a kind of tailspin because I had no way Ford spoke with us about reactions to his first film, what the to express myself, and I was really grieving that. That was my movie says about him personally and why – as a gay man – he’d relationship to the book. have no problem taking a whiff of a woman. GayCalgary: So reading Christopher’s book later on in life GayCalgary: The film has picked up numerous award nods and influenced you differently than when you first read it? lots of Oscar momentum. You’re floating on cloud nine now, aren’t Oh yeah. Reading it when I was young, I was living in L.A. you? Ford: and I was single and I fell in love with George. I loved him as a Ford: I’m on cloud nine because everyone has responded really character, and it was so perfectly written I really imagined I might almost unanimously positively. That’s a great feeling, when you just run into him somewhere. And I did run into him in his real-life know that you’ve created something that speaks to a lot of people. form as Christopher Isherwood. GayCalgary: Is this attention giving you a push to pursue film When I reread the book three-and-a-half years ago, I was relating further? to what George was going through and to his somewhat suicidal Ford: Well, I’m so stubborn that I was going to do more no thoughts, because he couldn’t figure out why he’s living, what’s the matter what (laughs). I never intended to make just one film; I point to life, what is this all about, why do we struggle every day. I always intended that this one would be my first. So even had I could certainly relate to a man who came to a point where he could really failed, I would be doing it again. I can’t wait to get started on not see his future and he questioned the meaning of life. the next one. GayCalgary: Did you have the idea of turning it into a film the GayCalgary: Despite the universal, humanistic quality of the first time you read it? film, it still felt pretty gay, though you don’t like to call it that, Ford: Oh no. Not at all. At that time I was an actor and I worked right? quite a lot in television commercials, but that was about all I did. Ford: I hate categorizing things. I wanted to depict a gay Most of the time I went to night clubs and did all the things that relationship in a very matter-of-fact way, and that was one of the people when they’re 20 years old usually do (laughs). So, no, I things that always drew me to Christopher Isherwood’s writing, wasn’t thinking at all about making film. It was really maybe about because when he wrote this book in 1964, it was a landmark piece 12 years ago that I started to really become serious about making a of gay literature. It was so matter-of-fact. There was no issue. film, and then when I left Gucci almost six years ago, I opened my I’ve lived with the same man for 23 years, and much of the production company and decided this was the time to do it. film is taken from my own life. I will have someone still say to me GayCalgary: How did being a fashion maven – and having that “your lifestyle.” And I say, “My lifestyle? What is that?” I live with aesthetic eye – assist in the direction of the film, especially the art somebody I love. We make dinner at home together. We lie around direction? and read books and watch television and walk our dogs and go on Ford: I’m used to framing an image through still photography. vacation and argue occasionally – that’s a lifestyle? That’s what I But what helped the most was the way I’m used to working, which meant. That’s what I wanted to depict – just a very straightforward is with a large group of people, making very quick decisions and love story. creating an environment where everybody feels they can give you GayCalgary: While making the film, did you think about how – and wants to give you – their absolute best, and then in leading you would react if you were in George’s shoes? and guiding all of these people in achieving your ultimate vision Ford: I was in George’s shoes, but it wasn’t over the loss of a lover. It was really the loss of a career, and I had made a major Continued GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 11 Interview - Cont’d
or point of view. And that is exactly the same in film as it is in fashion. And my age helped me. A lot of first-time directors are in their 20s and I’m – I hate to say it (laughs) – nearing 50. I’ve been around. I’ve got a certain amount of experience, and if someone threw a tantrum, which nobody did, I would’ve known how to handle it. GayCalgary: One of the morals of this movie is to cherish the little things in life. For you, what are those? Ford: A lot of them are in the film. When I was writing the scene with the hustler in the parking lot, my little smooth fox terrier, which is in the movie, was curled up on my lap. One of the greatest pleasures of my entire life is my dogs, and I’ve always had dogs going back to when I was a little kid. I really thought about the things in life that I’m going to miss (when I die), that I’m going to want to take with me. And they’re never material things. You’re not going to wish that you worked more. You’re not going to die thinking about a car you had in 1970-whatever. You’re going to think about the connections that you had with other people. The moment in life where you felt truly connected to someone. A lot of people didn’t foresee you taking this path and making a film. What are some of your other hidden talents? Besides making a convincing straight man on the cover of Vanity Fair. (Laughs) I wasn’t trying to be a straight man on the cover of Vanity Fair. If you’re a gay man, why can’t you sniff the back of a beautiful girl? I’m completely gay, but I have a lot of women friends who, sometimes, I want to touch because they’re beautiful and they smell great and I love them. I don’t think most people knew that I’m extremely romantic, and I’m extremely emotional and insecure and shy. I kind of always pose in the same way. I don’t let a lot of people very far into my life. I’ve always kind of presented a surface veneer, which works for fashion. A lot of people maybe thought that’s all there was to me. I have a very good friend that I’ve had for about 20 years, and he said he’s always thought of me as a beautiful lacquered box from the ’20s with a platinum handle, but he had no idea there was anything inside the box (laughs).
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12 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #75, January 2010 13 Out of Town Sydney and Mardi Gras
Exploring Mardi Gras In The Land From Down Under
By Andrew Collins Wales contains one of the world’s most pretigious Asian In North America, January marks the very heart of collections. Just south of the opera house, you can lose yourself for hours strolling the lush grounds of the Royal winter, and for much of the continent, this means Botanic Gardens. Grab a ride on Sydney’s sleek monorail chilly weather and dark, gloomy days. This is not to poke around the Darling Harbour neighborhood, home the case on the other side of the world, in Sydney, to the shark-infested Sydney Aquarium and impressive Australia, which might just be the hottest and hippest Powerhouse Museum, a trove of fascinating science, natural gay destination in the southern hemisphere. history, and anthropology exhibits. And if it’s a sky-high Here, January marks the height of summer. And just a photo op you’re angling for, take an elevators to the top of month later (February 19 through March 7 in 2010), it’s 1,060-foot Sydney Tower, where the southern hemisphere’s the time for Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. This hugely highest observatory platform offers 360-degree views. popular series of cultural events, parties, and parades If you’re keen on getting in touch with Sydney’s famed celebrating gay life in Australia rivals any LGBT festival in natural scenery, consider a stroll along the Bondi Coastal the world. Regardless of whether you’re planning to Mardi Walk, a simple and easy path along the ocean that takes less Gras, summer is a terrific time to visit this visually stunning than an hour to complete. If there’s a true must-try activity, city. it’s booking a tour with BridgeClimb Sydney to hike across Cultural draws are many in Sydney, beginning with one the very top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, one of the most of the world’s foremost architectural icons, the Sydney beautiful such structures in the world. Opera House, which apart from possessing a magnificent An excellent, economical way to sightsee is to buy a exterior overlooking Sydney Harbour presents fine operas Sydney Pass - these are available for three, five, or seven and other musical and theatrical performances. It’s right days and include unlimited travel on Sydney’s extensive beside Circular Quay, from which you can catch water network of ferries, buses (including the Sydney and Bondi taxis and harbor cruises to some of Sydney’s famous beach Explorer sightseeing buses), and trains as well as discounts communities, such as Manly, Watsons Bay, the Harbour to numerous attractions. Islands, and also to the fascinating Taronga Zoo (an excellent Sydney’s renowned gay scene is concentrated chiefly along place to come face to face with the many unusual animals Oxford Street, in the city’s Darlinghurst and Surry sections, unique to this continent). The harbor is surrounded by The but you’ll also find an increasing GLBT presence in such Rocks neighborhood, which fringes Sydney’s modern central funky neighborhoods as Newtown and Erskineville, which lie business district, a warren of glitzy high-rise office towers. about 3 miles southwest of the city center. There are several other top sightseeing draws in this The Oxford Street neighborhood is most interesting from fabled city. The outstanding Art Gallery of New South about the edge of Hyde Park for several blocks east, until a
14 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 bit beyond Taylor Square. In this area you’ll find several gay bars and clubs, some fun restaurants, numerous fashion boutiques, and quite a few shops selling porn and sex toys. Tops among the watering holes, the Colombian Hotel (note that bars and pubs in Australia often take the name “hotel” even when they don’t offer overnight accommodations) is a trendy, mixed-gender spot with two floors of fun. Nearby, the four-level Exchange Hotel has long been a favorite for dancing and cruising into the wee hours. It’s great fun to watch the crowds gather in the neighborhood’s gay epicenter, Taylor Square, from the balcony at the Kinselas Hotel, which draws a fairly mixed crowd. Near here is Bodyline Sauna, a much-visited bathhouse; Oxford Hotel has been popular with gay guys for years, especially after a major remodel a few years back. It’s open 24 hours and draws an eclectic bunch of all ages and styles to its several bars. Fans of drag and cabaret shows should make a point of checking out both Slide Bar and Cabaret and the campy Taxi Club. The bilevel Midnight Shift is another highly recommended spot, with a disco upstairs and a more laid- back bar on the ground level. Younger guys tend to favor the loud and festive Stonewall Hotel, which offers dancing downstairs and a lounge on the second floor. Finally, hard- core lesbian and gay disco bunnies cut loose at ARQ, which is open only Thursday through Sunday nights and packs in hundreds of buff dance-aholics. The more eclectic scene in Newtown is focused along King Street, where bars tend to draw a more local bunch. The main queer mecca along here is the Bank Hotel, which contains a very good Thai restaurant, and bars on the terrace and overlooking the garden. A short walk south in Erskineville, serious fans of drag shouldn’t miss the Imperial Hotel, which has both drag-king competitions and very popular shows that inspired the classic movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (parts of the movie were filmed here). Sydney is of the world capitals of inventive dining - there are great restaurants all over town. For a truly special occasion, few restaurants in Australia deliver more “wow” factor than Rockpool, a temple of creative modern Australian (aka “Mod Oz”) cuisine, where you might sample such innovate fare as stir-fried squid and King prawns with squid- ink noodles, smoked bacon, and chilies. Around the corner, Wine Odyssey Australia is a restaurant and vino bar with a terrific selection of wines from every part of the country, plus very good contemporary food to match (including a knock- out cheese plate). For more casual dining and drinking, stop by one of the city’s quintessentially old-school pubs, such as the warm and festive Lord Nelson Hotel, which serves a nice array of ales and lagers as well as tasty pub food. And for incredibly delicious Thai food, look to Sailors Thai restaurant, an elegant restaurant on one of the Rocks’ busiest streets. In the heart of the main gay district, for inexpensive, home- style food, drop by laid-back Betty’s Soup Kitchen, which is known for its huge, meal-size bowls of soup, from lentil to gazpacho, plus simple pastas and homemade desserts. The Grumpy Baker is a cute coffeehouse with delicious baked goods and a typically delicious-looking clientele, too. More upscale options include The Falconer, which specializes in region - mostly organic - cuisine, such as slow-roasted pork belly with saffron pears and chestnut puree. Just off from Taylor Square, hip Emmilou serves authentic yet contemporary Spanish tapas (goat sausage with red cabbage jam, sardines on toast with sweet-chili salsa) and groovy cocktails. Coco Cubano is a casually elegant coffeehouse and bar serving Latin-inspired drinks to a sexy, mixed crowd. Wok on Inn is a cheap-and-handy Asian restaurant specializing in noodle bowls. Nearby in trendy Paddington, Toko Sushi on Oxford turns out some of the most inventive sushi in town, in an uber-trendy dining room.
Continued GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 15 Out of Town - Cont'd.
A couple of blocks north of Oxford, check out trendy posh room and is steps from gay scene. Just a short walk Fishface for exceptional seafood - everything from sushi to from Oxford, the boutique-y, gay-welcoming Kirketon Hotel fish-and-chips, all prepared with great creative flourish. And is hip yet moderately priced, its room TVs with DVD and CD nearby Le Petit Crème serves wonderful coffees, breakfast players - guests also receive free passes to a nearby gym. fare, and sandwiches - enjoy them on the lovely terrace. If you’re seeking a little extra leg room, try the nearby In the up-and-coming Inner West area, the Newtown Vibe Hotel, whose spacious, brightly colored, and relatively and Glebe neighborhoods have become popular for funky affordable studio rooms have kitchenettes. In a similar vein, shopping and ethnic dining. King Street in Newtown is a Quest Apartments is ideal for longer stay. Units at this good bet for food explorers. Here you might try the slightly property near Kings Cross (a 10-minute walk from Oxford glam Twelve Restaurant, which prepares modern Italian and Street) have kitchens and beautiful modern furnishings, and Australian cuisine, including very good pizzas, grills, pastas. the staff is top-notch. Hipster-favored Corelli’s Espresso offers great people- watching, plus tasty breakfast fare (try the waffles) and light Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras sandwiches and salads at lunch. This massive celebration began in 1978 and takes place Although it’s huge and a tad banquet-y feeling, Thai over about four weeks and includes a huge launch party, Pothong serves authentic, delicious food, from barbecue a Mardi Gras Film Festival, several big parties, and the octopus with chili-sour sauce to spicy Thai duck salad. Not incredibly colorful Mardi Gras Parade. New this 2010, Mardi far from Newtown, charming Cafe Giulia - set in a remodeled Gras began holding its massive Mardi Gras tk party a week century-old butcher shop - serves some of best breakfasts in after the parade (as opposed to directly after it, as it has in town. Try the Tuscan toast topped with grilled mushrooms, the past). More than a half-million observers and tourists avocado, and tomatoes. have come to watch the parade in past years, and the party Sydney has a number of inviting accommodations, most of can draw another 15,000 revelers. Log on to www.mardigras. them downtown, which is either a pleasant 20- to 30-minute org.au for a full description of events as well as tickets. walk or a relatively quick cab ride from Oxford Street. Directly Andrew Collins covers gay travel for the New York Times-owned website facing Sydney Harbour, you’ll find the stunning Park Hyatt, About.com and is the author of Fodor’s Gay Guide to the USA. He can be a four-story hotel with unbelievably cushy rooms, round- reached care of this publication. the-clock butler service, and a loyal celeb following. If you get a chance, eat lunch in the hotel’s open-air dining room overlooking the harbor and opera house. There aren’t too many accommodations right along Oxford Street, but one lovely and relatively affordable option is the The Little Black Book Arts Hotel, just east of Darlinghurst in Paddington. This intimate and friendly property has reasonably priced, simple, ARQ (www.arqsydney.com.au). Arts Hotel (www.artshotel.com.au). yet contemporary rooms plus a pool and exercise room. Bank Hotel (www.bankhotel.com.au ). Bodyline Sauna (www.bodyl- Right on Hyde Park, there’s the Sydney Marriott, which has inesydney.com). Cafe Giulia (www.cafegiulia.com). Colombian Hotel (www.colombian.com.au). Emmilou Tapas (www.emmilou.com.au). The Establishment (www.establishmenthotel.com). Exchange Hotel (www.exchangehotel.com.au). The Falconer (www.thefalconer.com. au). Grumpy Baker (www.thegrumpybaker.com.au). Imperial Hotel (www.theimperialhotel.com.au). Kinselas Hotel (www.kinselas. com.au). Kirketon Hotel (www.kirketon.com.au). Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel (www.lordnelsonbrewery.com). Midnight Shift (www. themidnightshift.com). Oxford Hotel (www.theoxfordhotel.com.au). Park Hyatt (www.sydney.park.hyatt.com). Quest Apartments (www. questpottspoint.com.au). Rockpool (www.rockpool.com). Sailors Thai (www.sailorsthai.com.au). Slide Bar and Cabaret (www.slide. com.au). Stonewall Hotel (www.stonewallhotel.com). Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras (www.mardigras.org.au). Sydney Marriott (www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sydcc-sydney-marriott-hotel). Syd- ney Pass (www.sydneybuses.info/tourist-services/sydneypass.htm). Sydney/New South Wales office of Tourism (www.visitnsw.com). Taxi Club (www.thetaxi.com.au). Thai Pothong (www.thaipothong.com. au). Toko Sushi on Oxford (www.toko.com.au). Vibe Hotel (www. vibehotels.com.au). Wine Odyssey Australia (www.wineodyssey.com. au). Wok on Inn (www.wokoninn.com.au).
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16 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Directory & Events
24 DOWNTOWN CALGARY
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1 Calgary Outlink------Community Groups 9 MPs (Money Pennies)------Bars and Clubs 35 One Yellow Rabbit------Theatre 52 Sandra G. Sebree------Services 2 Aids Calgary------Community Groups 13 Westways Guest House---- Accommodations 36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects------Theatre 55 Marquee Room------Bars and Clubs 3 Backlot------Bars and Clubs 16 Priape Calgary------Retail Stores 37 Pumphouse Theatre------Theatre 56 Sacred Balance Piercing------Retail Stores 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.------Bars and Clubs 24 Courtney Aarbo------Services 41 La Fleur------Retail Stores 58 Theatre Junction------Theatre 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 48 Barbies Shop------Retail Stores
of Sinatra” on Fri. and varied entertainment on Calgary Thurs. Please call for details. Find Out! 55 Marquee Room------✰ Accommodations 612 - 8th Avenue SW LGBT Community Directory 13 Westways Guest House------✰ http://www.marqueeroom.com 216 - 25th Avenue SW 403-229-1758 Alternative night every Wednesday. 1-866-846-7038 [email protected] GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine is the go-to source for 9 Money Pennies (MPs)------✰ information about Alberta LGBT businesses and community www.gaywestways.com 1742 - 10th Ave SW 403-263-7411 groups—the most extensive and accurate resource of its kind! This Wingate by Wyndham http://www.money-pennies.com print supplement contains a subset of active community groups 400 Midpark Way SE 403-514-0099 Closed Mondays. and venues, with premium business listings of paid advertisers. www.wingatehotels.com Bar and restaurant. ✰...... Find our Magazine Here ...... Wheelchair Accessible 5 Texas Lounge------✰ Bars & Clubs 308 - 17 Ave SW 403-229-0911 Spot something inaccurate or outdated? Want your business or 3 Backlot------✰ http://www.goliaths.ca organization listed? We welcome you to contact us! 209 - 10th Ave SW 403-265-5211 Open 7 days a week, 11am-close Open 7 days a week, 4pm-close 33 Twisted Element 403-543-6960 1-888-543-6960 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.------✰ 1006 - 11th Ave SW 403-802-0230 [email protected] 424a - 8th Ave SE 403-263-5847 http://www.twistedelement.ca http://www.calgaryeagle.com Dance Club and Lounge. Open Wed-Sun, 5pm-close http://www.gaycalgary.com/CalgaryTravelRss Leather/Denim/Fetish bar. Bathhouses/Saunas http://www.gaycalgary.com/EdmontonTravelRss 6 Goliaths------✰ Club Paradiso 308 - 17 Ave SW 403-229-0911 Local Bars, Restaurants, and Accommodations info on the go! 1413 - 9th Ave SE, upstairs http://www.goliaths.ca 403-265-5739 Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day http://www.gaycalgary.com/Directory www.villagecantina.ca Carly’s Angels on Sat. Billy Schmidt’s “Sounds Browse our complete directory of over 525 gay-frieindly listings!
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 17 Directory & Events
CALGARY EVENTS Swim Practice------ 6-7pm Sunday, February 7th ManHunt Party------ 1pm See Different Strokes Lusty Lasagne Contest------ 5pm At 4 Calgary Eagle Mondays Fake Mustache Show------ 7-9:45pm By Pride Calgary at 4 Calgary Eagle With Rocky Mountain Bears ASK Meet and Greet------7-9:30pm See Miscellaneous Youth Network 1st Tuesday, February 9th Cabin Fever------ Evening See Alberta Society for Kink At The Soda Fridays William Yang’s China------ 8pm Inside Out Youth Group------ 7-9pm Leather Night------ Evening At 58 Theatre Junction Feb13 March 2010 See 1 Calgary Outlink At 4 Calgary Eagle Wednesday, February 10th Prof. Development Workshop------ ??? Yoga------ 7:45-9:15pm By Calgary Sexual Health Centre Mar3 Illusions------ 7-10pm Core Training Workshop------ 9am-4pm See Apollo Calgary Jan11Apr5 See 1 Calgary Outlink 1st See 2 AIDS Calgary Monthly Dance------ 8pm Radio Show------ 8:30-9pm Womynspace------ 7-9pm Saturday, February 13th See ARGRA Mar13 See “Yeah...What She Said!” See 1 Calgary Outlink 2nd Black Out Fetish Party------ Evening Mardi Gras Dance Party------ 12-8am Tuesdays 6 New Directions------ 7-9pm At 4 Calgary Eagle At Goliaths Mar13 Steak Night------ All Day See 1 Calgary Outlink 3rd Love is In the Air Dance Party------ 12-8am Potluck Dinner------ 12-8am At 9 Money Pennies Heading Out------ 8pm-10pm At 6 Goliaths See Rocky Mountain Bears Mar13 Calgary Networking Club------ 5-7pm See 1 Calgary Outlink 4th Valentines Day Dance------ Evening St. Patricks Day Irish Auction------ 8pm See 1 Calgary Outlink 1st Tues Saturdays By Bad Romance Entertainment At 6 Texas Lounge Mar14 Between Men------ 7-9pm Coffee------ 10am 35th Floor, 220 4th Avenue SW Alberta Weekend of Leather------ Evenings See 1 Calgary Outlink 2nd, 4th See Prime Timers Calgary Wednesday, February 17th At 4 Calgary Eagle Mar19-21 Rehearsals------ 7-9:30pm 25¢ Wings------ All Day HIV & Employment Workshop----- 9am-4pm From Sirs With Lust II------ Evening See Calgary Men’s Chorus Jun At 9 Money Pennies At 2 AIDS Calgary At 4 Calgary Eagle Mar20 Karaoke------ 8pm-1am Curling------ 7pm Prof. Development Workshop------ ??? Bear Night------ Evening At 5 Texas Lounge See Apollo Calgary Feb13 By Calgary Sexual Health Centre Mar3 At 4 Calgary Eagle Wednesdays With Rocky Mountain Bears Karaoke------ 8pm-1am Friday, February 19th Communion Service------ 12:10pm At 5 Texas Lounge Positive Living Lunch------ 1pm April 2010 See Knox United Church 2 Tuned Out Music Trivia------ Evening At AIDS Calgary Western Cup------All Day See Apollo Calgary Apr1-3 Women’s Healing Circle------ 1:30pm At 9 Money Pennies 1st, 3rd Saturday, February 20th See AIDS Calgary Sundays Bears Dine Out------ TBA Monthly Dance------ 8pm Wing Night------ All Day See ARGRA Apr10,May29 Worship Time------ 10am See Rocky Mountain Bears At 9 Money Pennies See Deer Park United Church 8th Anniversary Party------ Evening Hot Tub Party------ 8pm Free Pool------ All Day 4 See Rocky Mountain Bears Apr10 Worship------ 10:30am At Calgary Eagle At 4 Calgary Eagle See Scarboro United Church Sunday, February 21st Coronation 34------ 6pm With Prime Timers Calgary See ISCCA Apr17 Worship Services------ 11am Flashlight Party------ 6pm-6am Badminton------ 7-9pm At the Westin Hotel See Knox United Church At 6 Goliaths See Apollo Calgary Jan6Mar31 Annual General Meeting------ 7pm Church Service------ 4pm Thursday, February 25th Bowling------ 7pm See Rocky Mountain Bears Apr29 See Rainbow Community Church Chinese New Year------ 6:30pm See Apollo Calgary Mar3 Regency Palace Seafood (328 Centre Street SE) September 2010 Swim Practice------ 5-6pm Radio Show------ 9-10pm See Different Strokes See Girlfriends Pride Dance------ TBA See Urban Sex Radio Saturday, February 27th Sep4 Free Pool------ All Day Thursdays Pride Parade/Street Festival------ TBA At 4 Calgary Eagle Sleigh Ride------ 1pm Country Night------ Evening See ARGRA Sep5 Friday, February 5th At 4 Calgary Eagle With Prime Timers Calgary Positive Living Lunch------ 1pm At 2 AIDS Calgary Legend: = Monthly Reoccurrance, = Date (Range/Future), = Sponsored Event
Community Groups Apollo Calgary Friends in Sports • Boot Camp • Lawn Bowling http://www.apollocalgary.com Stone steps, SE corner of Crescent Park Inglewood Lawn Bowling Club 2 AIDS Calgary------✰ A volunteer-operated, non-profit organization Crescent Road & 2nd Street NW 1235 - 8th Avenue SE 110, 1603 10th Avenue SW serving primarily members of the LGBT communities [email protected] [email protected] 403-508-2500 but open to members of all communities. Currently Dress in layers and running shoes, bring plenty [email protected] • Outdoor Pursuits have more than 400 members! Primary focus is of water, bring payment in cash to first session. http://www.aidscalgary.org [email protected] to provide members with well organized and fun Registration has closed. • Running (Calgary Frontrunners) • Women’s Healing Circle sporting events and other activities. • Bowling (Rainbow Riders League) AIDS Calgary Training Room Hillhurst United Church, 1227 Kensington Close • Western Cup Let’s 10 Pin Bowlerama, 2916 - 5 Ave NE 403-508-2500, ext.200 Tim 403-660-6125 Largest LGBT Sporting Competition in North America [email protected] Topics Covered: Safer Sex & HIV/AIDS, Living with [email protected] HIV/AIDS, Challenging Stereotypes. • Badminton (Absolutely Smashing) • Curling Tues, Thurs, Sat at 8am St. Martha School (6020 4th Avenue NE) North Hill Curling Club (1201 - 2 Street NW) Calgary Alcoholics Anonymous Group For Gay Alberta Society for Kink [email protected] [email protected] Lesbian Bisexual and Transgendered People. A safe 403-398-9968 Fees Per session: $4 for Apollo member, $5 for non- place to find help for problems with alcohol. [email protected] • Golf members. Season’s pass $75. ca.groups.yahoo.com/ [email protected] group.albertasocietyforkink
18 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Directory & Events
• Slow Pitch • Calgary Networking Club GLBT Housing Designed to foster social interaction for its members • Tennis Ming, 520 - 17th Ave SW http://www.glbthousing.ca through a variety of social, educational and • Volleyball (Intermediate/Competitive) The networking meetings are open to all individuals recreational activities. Open to all gay and bisexual HIV Peer Support Group YWCA, 320 - 5th Avenue SE who would like to promote their businesses or men of any age, respects whatever degree of 403-230-5832 [email protected] who would like to meet new people - no business anonymity that each member desires. [email protected] www.apollocalgary.com/apollo/volleyball affiliation is necessary. • Free Pool This is for seasoned players. You can sign up for the ISCCA Social Association • Heading Out 4 Calgary Eagle http://www.iscca.ca season or drop-in. Peer group for men who are looking for an Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch. All • Saturday Coffee • Volleyball (Recreational) alternative social activity to the bar. Activities vary monies raised go to Charity. Midtown Co-op, 1130 - 11th Ave SW Langevin School, 107 - 6A Street NE and are fun and entertaining. Knox United Church Queers on Campus------✰ [email protected] • Illusions Calgary 506 - 4th Street SW 403-269-8382 279R Student Union Club Spaces, U of C www.apollocalgary.com/apollo/volleyball Social group for Calgary and area transgender http://www.knoxunited.ab.ca 403-220-6394 Volleyball League, Co-Ed, Recreational, Drop-in. community members (cross dressers, transvestites, Knox United Church is an all-inclusive church http://www.ucalgary.ca/~glass Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA) drag kings and queens). A safe, discrete and located in downtown Calgary. A variety of facility Formerly GLASS - Gay/Lesbian Association of 403-541-8140 www.argra.org welcoming atmosphere, in which transgendered rentals are also available for meetings, events and Students and Staff. people can meet others of like mind. • Monthly Dances------concerts. • Coffee Night Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association • Inside Out • Worship Services 2nd Cup, Kensington 1320 - 5th Avenue NW Peer-facilitated youth group for GLBTQ ages 15-25. 10:30am in July and August. Rainbow Community Church Artists for the Quality of Life Aims to let youth know they are not alone, and to Miscellaneous Youth Network Hillhurst United, 1227 Kensington Close NW 403-890-1261 www.afqol.com connect them with their peers. Safe environment with a variety of resources and activities. http://www.miscyouth.com [email protected] Cabin Fever http://www.rainbowcommunitychurch.ca • New Directions • Fake Mustache------ 4 Calgary Eagle The Rainbow Community Church is an all-inclusive The Soda, 211 - 12th Ave SW Women’s dance and social night. Drop in peer-support group to provide support and church; everyone is welcome. resources for individuals who identify as transsexual Calgary’s ONLY Drag King Show. $5 cover. $2 Calgary Gay Fathers or inter-sexed. cover under 18. Advance tickets available at Barbies Rocky Mountain Bears [email protected] Shop. [email protected] http://www.calgarygayfathers.ca • SHEQ Soulful Healing Ego Quest http://www.rockymountainbears.com Mystique Peer support group for gay, bisexual and Trudy or Krista, 403-585-7437 [email protected] Safety Under the Rainbow questioning fathers. Meeting twice a month. Workshop for women—a chance to grow and share their experiences related to women’s sexuality. To Mystique is primarily a Lesbian group for women 30 http://www.safetyrainbow.ca Calgary Men’s Chorus participate, please call or leave your name and a and up but all are welcome. Mission: To raise awareness and understanding of http://www.calgarymenschorus.org same-sex domestic violence and homophobic youth contact time/number with Calgary Outlink. • Coffee Night bullying. • Rehearsals • Womynspace Second Cup (2312 - 4th Street SW) Temple B’Nai Tikvah, 900 - 47 Avenue SW Scarboro United Church Peer social/support group for women providing an NETWORKS 134 Scarboro Avenue SW Calgary Sexual Health Centre------✰ evening of fun, bonding, discussion and activities. 403-293-3356 403-244-1161 www.scarborounited.ab.ca 304, 301 14th Street NW [email protected] Calgary Queer Book Club An affirming congregation—the full inclusion of 403-283-5580 A social, cultural, and service organization for the Weeds Cafe (1903 20 Ave NW) LGBT people is essential to our mission and purpose. http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca mature minded and “Plus 40” LGBT individuals Deer Park United Church/Wholeness Centre A pro-choice organization that believes all people seeking to meet others at age-appropriate activities Sharp Foundation 77 Deerpoint Road SE 403-278-8263 have the right and ability to make their own choices within a positive, safe environment. 403-272-2912 regarding their sexual and reproductive health. http://www.dpuc.ca [email protected] Parents for Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Different Strokes http://www.thesharpfoundation.com 1 Calgary Outlink------✰ Sean: 403-695-5791 http://www.differentstrokescalgary.org #4, 1230A 17th Avenue SW http://www.pflagcanada.ca Unity Bowling 403-234-8973 • Swim Practice A registered charitable organization that provides Let’s Bowl (2916 - 5th Ave NE) http://www.calgaryoutlink.com SAIT Pool, 1301 - 16th Ave NW support, education and resources to parents, [email protected] Formerly know as the Gay And Lesbian Community No practices on long weekends families and individuals who have questions or Urban Sex Radio Show Services Association (GLCSA). Don’t Buy In Project concerns about sexual orientation or gender identity. CJSW 90.9 FM • Peer Support and Crisis Line http://www.dontbuyin.ca Positive Space Committee http://www.cjsw.com 1-877-OUT-IS-OK (1-877-688-4765) This Calgary Police Service Initiative aims to 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW Focus on sexuality; gay bisexual lesbian trans Front-line help service for GLBT individuals and encourage youth to working towards an inclusive 403-440-6383 gendered and straight issues here in Calgary and their family and friends, or anyone questioning environment in which diversity is embraced in their http://www.mtroyal.ca/positivespace around the web. their sexuality. schools and community. Works to raise awareness and challenge the Western Canada Bigmen and Admirers • Library FairyTales Presentation Society patterns of silence that continue to marginalize groups.yahoo.com/group/ A great selection of resource books, fiction, non- #4 - 1230A 17th Avenue SW LGBTTQ individuals. WesternCanadaBigmenGroup/ fiction, videos and everything in between, all with a 403-244-1956 Pride Calgary Planning Committee [email protected] queer perspective. http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com 403-797-6564 www.pridecalgary.ca Vigor Calgary Alberta Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. • Drop-In Center Pride Rainbow Project 403-255-7004 www.vigorcalgary.ca A safe and supportive environment for one-to-one • DVD Resource Library [email protected] Violence in Gay Male Relationships (VIGOR) is a peer counseling for many issues surrounding family, Over a hundred titles to choose from. Annual http://www.priderainbowproject.com committee of professionals dedicated to increasing coming out, homosexuality, loneliness and other membership is $10. Youth run project designed to show support for the awareness of gay men’s domestic violence and issues. Gay Singles in Calgary same-sex marriage in Canada and elsewhere. A the services available to them. • Between Men and Between Men Online http://www.gaysinglesincalgary.org fabric rainbow banner approximately 5 feet wide “Yeah...What She Said!” Radio Show - goal is to make it 3.2km (2 miles) long, in order Peer support, sexual health education for gay Girl Friends CJSW 90.9 FM to break the world record. or bisexual men, as well as those who may be members.shaw.ca/girlfriends [email protected] uncertain or questioning their sexuality. Primetimers Calgary Girlsgroove [email protected] http://www.girlsgroove.ca http://www.primetimerscalgary.com
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 19 Directory & Events
DOWNTOWN EDMONTON 1
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7 3 6 4 N 11 12
1 Pride Centre------Community Groups 5 Boots Bar and Lounge------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 4 Edmonton STD------Community Groups 7 Down Under Baths------Bathhouses 12 Woody’s------Bars and Clubs
Restaurants T&T Honda Cruiseline MFM Communications 888 Meridian Road NE 403-777-9494 trial code 3500 403-543-6970 4 Calgary Eagle Inc.------✰ 403-291-1444 http://www.cruiseline.ca 1-877-543-6970 See Calgary - Bars and Clubs. [email protected] Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY. http://www.mfmcommunications.com Halo Steak, Seafood & Wine Bar www.tandthonda.ca DevaDave Salon & Boutique Web site hosting and development. Computer Canyon Meadows Plaza • Kelvin Hur 810 Edmonton Trail NE hardware and software. 13226 Macleod Trail SE 403-990-9080 403-290-1973 North Shore Safety 403-271-4111 New Vehicle Sales Manager Cuts, Colour, Hilights. (403)771-6393 www.halosteakseafoodandwinebar.ca • Lawrence Wong Duncan’s Residential Cleaning www.northshoresafetyconsulting.com 9 MPs (Money Pennies)------✰ 403-870-5001 Jim Duncan: 403-978-6600 Rick Grenier (Invis) See Calgary - Bars and Clubs. Sales Consultant Residential cleaning. Free estimates. 403-862-1162 [email protected] Retail Stores Wares & Wear Ventures Inc. Interactive Male Mortgage solutions. See Canada - Retail Stores. 403-261-2112 trial code 8873 56 Sacred Balance Piercing Adult Depot------✰ 1-800-777-8000 1528 - 17th Avenue SW 403-277-4449 140, 58th Ave SW 403-258-2777 Services & Products www.interactivemale.com www.sacredbalancetattoo.com Gay, bi, straight video rentals and sex toys. Back2Basics Consulting Keith Hill, North Hill Mazda Tattos and body piercing. 41 La Fleur------ 403-607-1691 1211 Centre Street NW SafeWorks 103 - 100 7th Avenue SW www.back2basics-consulting.com Cell: 403-614-7359 Free and confidential HIV/AIDS and STI testing. 403-266-1707 Phone: 403-276-5962 Florist and Flower Shop. Bad Romance Entertainment • Calgary Drop-in Centre www.badromance-entertainment.com Fax: 403-276-7361 Room 117, 423 - 4th Ave SE The Naked Leaf------ [email protected] 403-699-8216 305 10th Street NW 403-283-3555 Calgary Civil Marriage Centre www.northhillmazda.com Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm, Sat: 12:15pm-3:15pm http://www.thenakedleaf.ca 403-246-4134 [email protected] Lorne Doucette (CIR Realtors) Organic teas and tea ware. Marriage Commissioner for Alberta (aka Justice of • Centre of Hope the Peace - JP), Marriage Officiant, Commissioner 403-461-9195 Room 201, 420 - 9th Ave SE 16 Priape Calgary------✰ for Oaths. http://www.lornedoucette.com 403-410-1180 Mon-Fri: 1pm-5pm 1322 - 17 Ave SW 403-215-1800 Marnie Campbell (Maxwell Realtors) http://www.priape.com 24 Courtney Aarbo (Barristers & Solicitors) • Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre 403-479-8619 Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear, 1138 Kensington Road NW 1213 - 4th Str SW 403-955-6014 http://www.marniecampbell.ca movies and magazines. Gifts. 403-571-5120 Sat-Thu: 4:15pm-7:45pm, Fri: Closed http://www.courtneyaarbo.ca GLBT legal services.
20 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Directory & Events
• Safeworks Van 12 Woody’s------✰ Queer, Questioning and Straight-but-not-Narrow • Youth Movie 403-850-3755 11725 Jasper Ave 780-488-6557 student group. Main Space – Upstairs Sat-Thu: 8pm-12am, Fri: 4pm-12am [email protected] 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton------✰ 52 Sandra G. Sebree, Lawyer Bathhouses/Saunas 95A Street, 111 Ave 780-488-3234 Movie chosen by youth (aged 14 – 25), usually with LGBT themes. Popcorn is served. 1610 - 17th Ave SW 7 Down Under Baths------✰ [email protected] 403-228-8108 12224 Jasper Ave 780-482-7960 • Community Potluck • YouthSpace www.sandrasebree.com http://www.gayedmonton.com Main Space – Upstairs [email protected] A safe and supportive space for GLBTQ youth aged TherapyWorks 11 Steamworks------✰ [email protected] 13–25. Video games, computers with internet, 403-561-6873 11745 Jasper Ave 780-451-5554 A potluck open to all members of the LGBTQ clothing bank, and more. [email protected] http://www.steamworksedmonton.com community. A time to get together, share a meal http://www.therapyworks.com and meet people from the community. • Youth Understanding Youth Take back your life from stress, sadness, and worry. Community Groups • Free School See separate listing. Theatre & Fine Arts Alberta Bears Main Space – Upstairs Team Edmonton www.bearbeef.org [email protected] [email protected] 36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects Book Worm’s Book Club Free School provides workshops on a variety of http://www.teamedmonton.ca 403-294-7402 http://www.ATPlive.com Second Cup, 11210 Jasper Ave topics related to local activism. Members are invited to attend and help determine AXIS Contemporary Art------ [email protected] • Get Tested for STIs the board for the next term. If you are interested in running for the board or getting involved in some of 107, 100 - 7 Ave SW 403-262-3356 Buck Naked Boys Club Free STD testing for anyone interested. For more [email protected] www.axisart.ca the committees, please contact us. 780-471-6993 information please contact the Pride Centre. Fairytales http://www.bucknakedboys.ca • GLBT Seniors Drop-In • Badminton (Mixed) See Calgary - Community Groups. Naturism club for men—being social while everyone Main Space – Upstairs St. Thomas Moore School, 9610 165 Street is naked, and it does not include sexual activity. [email protected] [email protected] Jubilations Dinner Theatre New group seeking male & female players. Bow Trail and 37th St. SW Participants do not need to be gay, only male. A social and support group for seniors of all genders 403-249-7799 Camp fYrefly and sexualities to talk, have tea and offer each • Badminton (Women’s) www.jubilations.ca 7-104 Dept. of Educational Policy Studies other support. Oliver School, 10227 - 118 Street 780-465-3620 43 Faculty of Education, University of Alberta • Men Talking with Pride Lisa Heinricks (Artist)------ [email protected] Art Central, 100 7th Ave SW, lower level Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G5 Main Space – Upstairs http://www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca [email protected] Women’s Drop-In Recreational Badminton. $40.00 http://www.creamydreamy.com season or $5.00 per drop in. Edmonton Pride Week Society A social discussion group for gay, bisexual and 35 One Yellow Rabbit------transgendered men to discuss current issues and to •Ballroom Dancing http://www.prideedmonton.org Big Secret Theatre - EPCOR CENTRE offer support to each other. Foot Notes Dance Studio, 9708-45 Avenue NW 403-299-8888 www.oyr.org Edmonton Prime Timers • Men’s HIV Support Group Cynthia: 780-469-3281 37 ✰ [email protected] Pumphouse Theatre------ Green Room – Upstairs • Blazin’ Bootcamp www.primetimersww.org/edmonton 2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW [email protected] Lynnwood School Group of older gay men and their admirers who come 403-263-0079 Support group for people living with HIV/AIDS. [email protected] http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca from diverse backgrounds but have common social interests. Affiliated with Prime Timers World Wide. • PFLAG • Bowling (Northern Titans) ✰ Stagewest------ Red room - Downstairs 780-436-1998 Gateway Lanes, 100 - 3414 Gateway Blvd Edmonton Rainbow Business Association 727 - 42 Avenue SE 403-243-6642 [email protected] [email protected] http://www.stagewestcalgary.com 3379, 11215 Jasper Ave 780-429-5014 http://www.edmontonrba.org Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: A support $15.00 per person. 58 ✰ Theatre Junction------Primary focus is the provision of networking group for family members and friends of GLBT • Cross Country Skiing Theatre Junction GRAND, 608 1st St. SW opportunities for LGBT owned or operated and LGBT- people. An excellent resource for people whose [email protected] 403-205-2922 friendly businesses in the Edmonton region. family members and friends have just come out. • Curling with Pride [email protected] • Prime Timers http://www.theatrejunction.com Edmonton Illusions Social Club Granite Curling Club, 8620 107 Street NW 5 Boots Bar & Grill See Edmonton Primetimers. 780-463-5942 34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------ 780-387-3343 • Suit Up and Show Up: AA Big Book Study [email protected] 161, 115 - 9 Ave SE 403-221-3708 groups.yahoo.com/group/edmonton_illusions Downstairs Couch Area http://www.vertigomysterytheatre.com • Cycling (Edmonton Prideriders) 4 Edmonton STD Discussion and support group for those struggling Various locations in Edmonton 11111 Jasper Ave with an alcohol addiction or seeking support in [email protected] staying sober. Edmonton Edmonton Vocal Minority Every Wednesday, 6:30pm 780-479-2038 [email protected] • TTIQ • Dragon Boat (Flaming Dragons) Green Room – Upstairs Bars & Clubs www.evmchoir.com [email protected] [email protected] 5 Boots Bar and Lounge------✰ Exposure 2010 TTIQ is mixed gender open support group addressing • Golf 10242 106th St 780-423-5014 TBA the needs of transsexual and transgendered [email protected] http://www.bootsbar.ca/ 3 HIV Network Of Edmonton Society---- ✰ individuals. • Gymnastics, Drop-in 6 Buddy’s Nite Club------✰ 11456 Jasper Ave www.hivedmonton.com • Womonspace Board Meeting Ortona Gymnastics Club, 8755 - 50 Avenue 11725 Jasper Ave 780-488-6636 Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose Main Space – Upstairs [email protected] Have the whole gym to yourselves and an instructor 13 PLAY Nightclub------✰ http://www.gayedmonton.org [email protected] to help you achieve your individual goals. Cost is 10220 103 Street 780-497-7529 OUTreach Womonspace is a Social and Recreational Society in Edmonton run by volunteers. They provide $5.00 per session. [email protected] University of Alberta, basement of SUB opportunities for lesbians to interact and support http://www.playnightclub.ca [email protected] • Hockey each other in a safe environment, and to contribute ✰ http://www.ualberta.ca/~outreach [email protected] 8 Prism Bar & Grill------to the broader community. 10524 101st St 780-990-0038 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender/transsexual, • Outdoor Pursuits http://www.prismbar.ca [email protected]
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 21 Directory & Events
EDMONTON EVENTS Youth Understanding Youth------ 7-9pm Youth Understanding Youth------ 7-9pm Tuesday, February 9th See Youth Understanding Youth See Pride Centre of Edmonton ERBA Business Mixer------ 5:30-7:30pm Mondays Mixed Badminton------ 8-10pm Saturdays See Edmonton Rainbow Business Association Boot Camp------ 7-8pm See Team Edmonton Jan13End of May Naturalist Gettogether------ ??? Saturday, February 13th See Team Edmonton Thursdays See Buck Naked Boys Club 2nd Womonspace Dance------ 9pm-1am Men’s HIV Support Group------ 7-9pm GLBT Seniors Drop-in------ 1-4pm AA Big Book Study------ 12-1pm Bellevue Comm. Hall (7308 - 112 Ave) See Pride Centre of Edmonton 2nd See Pride Centre of Edmonton See Pride Centre of Edmonton By Womonspace Curling------ 7:15pm Get Tested for STIs------ 3-6pm Monthly Meeting------ 2:30pm Sunday, February 14th See Team Edmonton Mar See Pride Centre of Edmonton Last By Edmonton Primetimers 2nd Queen of Hearts Cabaret------ 10pm Tuesdays Youthspace------ 3-7pm Unitarian Church, 10804 - 119th Street By ISCWR at 5 Boots Bar and Lounge GLBT Seniors Drop-in------ 1-4pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton Youthspace------ 3-6:30pm Saturday, February 20th See Pride Centre of Edmonton Youth Sports/Recreation------ 4pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton Winterfest with Wayne Lee------ 6pm-10pm TTIQ------ 2-4pm See Youth Understanding Youth Bowling------ 5pm By ISCWR See Pride Centre of Edmonton 2nd Main Ballroom, 10155 - 105 Street Youth Understanding Youth------ 7-9pm See Team Edmonton Youthspace------ 3-7pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton Sundays Sunday, February 21st See Pride Centre of Edmonton Intermediate Volleyball------ 7:30-9:30pm Running------ 10-11am Dinner with the ISCWR------10pm Community Potluck------ 7-9pm See Team Edmonton See Team Edmonton By ISCWR at 5 Boots Bar and Lounge See Pride Centre of Edmonton Last Saturday, February 27th Swimming------ Evening Free School------ 11-5pm Swimming------ Evening See Team Edmonton See Pride Centre of Edmonton 2nd, 4th Mixer & Silent Auction------ 7-11:30pm See Team Edmonton Sawridge Inn (4235 Gateway Blvd) Fridays Womonspace Meeting------ 12:30-1:30pm Wednesdays By Team Edmonton Edmonton Illusions------ ??? See Pride Centre of Edmonton 1st Leather, Feathers, and Fur------ 8pm PFLAG------ 12:10pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton 2nd Samsara Yoga------ 2-3:30pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton 1st By ISCWR at 5 Boots Bar and Lounge Youthspace------ 3-6:30pm See Team Edmonton June 2010 Youthspace------ 3-7pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton Men Talking with Pride------ 7-9pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton Pride------ TBA Youth Sports/Recreation------ 4pm See Pride Centre of Edmonton Jun 11Jun20 Youth Sports/Recreation------ 4pm See Youth Understanding Youth Ballroom Dancing------ 7:30-8:30pm See Youth Understanding Youth July 2010 Youth Movie Night------ 6:30-8:30 See Team Edmonton Camp fYrefly------ All Day Women’s Badminton------ 6-7:30pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton Friday, February 5th See Team Edmonton Mar See Camp fYrefly Jul22Jul25 Snowballs III------ All Day Legend: = Monthly Reoccurrance, = Date (Range), = Sponsored Event See Team Edmonton Feb7 • Running (Arctic Frontrunners) Season has ended. • Women’s Lacrosse http://www.rodeodrive.ca Kinsmen Sports Centre, front entrance [email protected] Sharon: 780-461-0017 His and hers fetish wear, toys, jewelry, etc. [email protected] 7 classes, $28.00 per registrant. Pam: 780-436-7374 The Travelling Tickle Trunk All genders and levels of runners and walkers are • Swimming (Making Waves) Open to women 21+, experienced or not, all are 9923 - 82 Avenue invited to join this free activity. NAIT Pool welcome. Call for info. 780-469-6669 • Samsara Yoga [email protected] Womonspace www.travelingtickletrunk.com Korezone Fitness, #203, 10575 -115 Street • Tennis 780-482-1794 Sex-positive adult toy store. [email protected] Kinsmen Sports Centre [email protected] Wares & Wear Ventures Inc. • Slo Pitch Sundays, 12pm-3pm www.womonspace.ca See Canada - Retail Stores. Parkallen Field, 111 st and 68 ave [email protected] Women’s social group, but all welcome at events. [email protected] • Ultimate Frisbee Youth Understanding Youth Products & Services Season fee is $30.00 per person. $10 discount for Sundays Edmonton Pride Centre, Main Space Upstairs Cruiseline players from the 2008 season. Summer Season starts July 12th [email protected] www.members.shaw.ca/yuy 780-413-7122 trial code 3500 • Snowballs III [email protected] A place where LGBTQ youth under 25 can gather to http://www.cruiseline.ca February 5-7th, 2010 E-mail if interested. have fun and learn about themselves and others in Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY. a safe, supportive, and caring environment. [email protected] • Volleyball, Free To Be Intermediate Interactive Male Skiing and Snowboarding Weekend. Amiskiwacy Academy (101 Airport Road) • Sports and Recreation 780-409-3333 trial code 8871 • Soccer [email protected] Pride Centre, 9540 - 111 Ave 1-800-777-8000 [email protected] Brendan: 780-488-3234 www.interactivemale.com • Volleyball, Free To Be Recreational [email protected] • Spin Mother Teresa School (9008 - 105 Ave) Over the Top Designs MacEwan Centre for Sport and Wellness [email protected] Restaurants 780-974-5269 109 St. and 104 Ave Outdoor season, Sundays, 3-5pm Servicing Calgary, Edmonton & Red Deer 5 Garage Burger Bar & Grill------ Wednesdays, 5:45-6:45pm exclusively. 10242 106th St 780-423-5014 Robertson-Wesley United Church 8 ✰ Prism Bar & Grill------ 10209 - 123 St. NW 780-482-1587 Edmonton - Bars and Clubs See . [email protected] www.rwuc.org Worship: Sunday mornings at 10:30am Retail Stores People of all sexual orientations welcome. Other Rodéo Drive LGBT events include a monthly book club and 11528 - 89th Street a bi-monthly film night. As a caring spiritual 780-474-0413 community, we’d love to have you join us! [email protected]
22 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Directory & Events
LETHBRIDGE EVENTS Thursday, February 4th Monday, February 22nd March 2010 Geoff Berner/Rae Spoon------ 9pm Board Meeting------ 7pm OUT Spoken Workshops------ All Day Fridays Henotic (402 - 2 Ave S) By GALA/LA at Lethbridge HIV Connection University of Lethbridge Mar3Mar5 Friday Mixer------10pm With GALA/LA Friday, February 26th See GALA/LA Saturday, February 6th Queeraoke------ 10pm Valentines Dance------ 9pm Mix Lounge (103 Mayor Magrath Dr S) Henotic (402 - 2 Ave S) By GALA/LA By GALA/LA
• Soul OUTing • Monthly Potluck Dinners Western Canadian Pride Campout Egale Canada Second Sunday every month, 7pm McKillop United Church, 2329 - 15 Ave S www.eventmasterinc.net 8 Wellington St E, Third Floor An LGBT-focused alternative worship. GALA/LA will provide the turkey...you bring the rest. YouthSafe Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1C5 Please bring a dish to share that will serve 4-6 • Film Night http://www.youthsafe.net 1-888-204-7777 www.egale.ca people, and your own beverage. Bi-monthly, contact us for exact dates. Alberta’s website for youth with sex-and-gender Egale Canada is the national advocacy and lobby organization for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, • Book Club • Support Line differences. Youthsafe.net lists the resources, trans-identified people and our families. Monthly, contact us for exact dates. 403-308-2893 information and services to help youth find safe and Monday OR Wednesday, 7pm-11pm caring spaces in Alberta. Membership fees are pay-what-you-can, although Same Gender Speed Dating Ltd. Leave a message any other time. pre-authorized monthly donors are encouraged (and 780-221-8535 get a free Egale Canada t-shirt). Egale has several • Friday Mixer Theatre & Fine Arts www.samegenderdating.com committees that meet by teleconference on a An LGBT-focused alternative worship. The Mix (green water tower) Alberta Ballet regular basis; membership on these is national with 103 Mayor Magrath Dr S http://www.albertaballet.com members from every region of Canada. • Gay Male Speed Dating Every Friday at 10pm Frequent productions in Calgary and Edmonton. Boston Pizza Private Party Room, Whyte Ave TBA Gay & Lesbian Integrity Assoc. (GALIA) Retail Stores Must pre-register to attend - please contact us. University of Lethbridge [email protected] Wares & Wear Ventures Inc. GBLTTQQ club on campus. Canada 780-980-1977 www.wwlatex.com • Lesbian Speed Dating Fetish wear and toys. Boston Pizza Private Party Room, Whyte Ave • Movie Night Community Groups TBA Room C610, University of Lethbridge Alberta Trans Support/Activities Group Products & Services Must pre-register to attend - please contact us. Gay Youth Alliance Group http://www.albertatrans.org Betty, 403-381-5260 [email protected] Squirt A nexus for transgendered persons, regardless of Theatre & Fine Arts Every second Wednesday, 3:30pm-5pm http://www.squirt.org where they may be on the continuum. Website for dating and hook-ups. 18+ ONLY! Exposure Festival Lethbridge HIV Connection Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition http://www.exposurefestival.ca 1206 - 6 Ave S Theatre & Fine Arts Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival. P.O. Box 3043, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 3S9 PFLAG Canada (306) 955-5135 Broadway Across Canada The Roxy Theatre [email protected] 1-800-955-5129 http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca 10708 124th Street, Edmonton AB www.pflagcanada.com http://www.rainbowhealth.ca 780-453-2440 OUTtv Pride Lethbridge www.theatrenetwork.ca http://www.outtv.ca [email protected] GLBT Television Station. Banff/Canmore Red Deer Community Groups Mountain Pride Community Groups BOX 4892, BANFF, AB, T1L 1G1 Affirm Brian, 403-431-2569 Sunnybrook United Church 1-800-958-9632 403-347-6073 [email protected] 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm www.gaybanff.com Composed of LGBTQ people, their friends, family Serving the GLBTQS community in Banff, Canmore, and allies. No religious affiliation necessary. Lake Louise and Area. Activities include support, faith and social justice discussions, film nights, and potlucks! Lethbridge Alberta Community Groups GALA/LA Community Groups 403-308-2893 Central Alberta AIDS Network Society http://www.galalethbridge.ca 4611-50 Avenue, Red Deer, AB Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge and Area. http://www.caans.org • Monthly Dances The Central Alberta AIDS Network Society is the Henotic (402 - 2 Ave S) local charity responsible for HIV prevention and Bring your membership card and photo ID. support in Central Alberta.
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 23 Theatre
with oppression or AIDS and death. Jonathan Harvey subtitled it ‘An Urban Fairytale’ because there is a happy ending; it is a love story. That was very new for the time.” For its time, a more positive look at sexuality was indeed hard to find. In essence, the play was risky even to the open- minded, because people were used to darker subject material on stage, and not-so-happy endings. This shift in focus may be why it struck such a chord, so much so that it was made into a film in 1996. If The Mama’s and The Papa’s makes you feel all groovy and warm inside, you’ll love the soundtrack, as every song is performed by them. Although it’s been well over a decade since its release, it’s still revered as a significant film, having just taken fifth place on AfterElton.com’s 2009 poll of the Fifty Greatest Gay Movies. Bennett notes the importance and relevance of the story, both in the past and present. “For me, Beautiful Thing is no longer an edgy play, and that’s fantastic. That a story about two young boys simply falling in love is regarded by many, not as a threat or even as a gay play, but as a love story, just shows how far the GLBT movement has progressed. There are, however, still Photo Caption Text roadblocks. Even in Alberta with recent government decisions such as de-listing sex change surgeries and Bill 44, the GLBT community faces forms of discrimination. It’s important to be out there with stories like this that remind everyone there is far more we share in the human experience that makes us the same, Beautiful Thing than makes us different.” An emerging local director, actor, and sometime playwright, Bennett recently wrote and directed Addition: An Unconventional An Urban English Fairytale In Alberta Love Story at the 2009 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre By Pam Rocker Festival. Addition is a comedy about a loving gay couple who decide to bring a third into their bed (now that romantic evenings “Once I believed that when love came to me filled with Scrabble just aren’t cutting it any more). It received It would come with rockets, bells and poetry 4.5 stars from Edmonton’s Vue Weekly. There will be a reading of But with me and you, it just started quietly and grew.” the play at a fundraiser for HIV Edmonton this coming April. - “It’s Getting Better,” The Mama’s and the Papa’s Considering Bennett’s history both in breaking conventions and with comedy, it’s a good bet that the wit and heart of Harvey’s Beautiful Thing will shine right on through the foggy streets of Like it or not, February is known as the month of London. The show opens on February 10th and if you’re stuck love. For those of us who are unhappily single or even for a Valentine’s date idea or can’t stand the thought of sitting unhappily attached, the abundance of heart shaped at home in your sweatpants, they have two shows on the 14th. decorations, sash-wearing babies with bows and arrows, So even if we disagree on our support of Hallmark, maybe we and cheap chocolates, causes us to curse Hallmark and can still all agree on the power of a great story to pull ourselves update our Facebook statuses with bitter diatribes about outside of our heads and believe in the magical yet elusive commercialism. possibility of a crazy little thing called love. Those of us who are starry eyed and in love make everyone else sick with our doe-eyed eagerness to buy human sized teddy bears and spend $9.99 on a greeting card that sings “Love Me Beautiful Thing Tender” when you open it. February 10th–20th, 8pm Whatever category we find ourselves in, sometimes we’re in the Walterdale Playhouse (10322 83 Avenue) mood for a realistic love story; one that doesn’t involve Katherine 2pm matinee on Valentine’s Day Heigl or Ashton Kutcher. Edmonton’s Walterdale Playhouse www.walterdaleplayhouse.com has just the thing to soothe the savage beast inside us that is prowling for something a little more interesting. Enter, Beautiful Tickets from $12 to $16, 780-420-1757 or www.tixonthesquare.ca Thing, a play about working class teens finding love in a bleak housing project in London. Written by Jonathan Harvey (a writer Can also be purchased at the door (cash only) one-hour prior to for Coronation Street and most recently, Beautiful People), this performance. sharp English comedy covers the gamut from the serious subject of physical abuse to a drugged out Mama Cass worshipper, and Thursday, February 11, is 2-for-1 Thursday! Bring a friend and the sparks of hope and romance that can be born in a grim enjoy the show. environment. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill cheesy romance, says Justen http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1558 Bennett, director of the Walterdale production of the play. “While Beautiful Thing has some tenderness, I wouldn’t call it View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments sentimental. There are rough sides to these characters. People insult each other in this play, they tease one another, they fight, and underneath it all they do care for one another. It’s tender, but it’s real; it’s not sentimental.” This will mark the first time that Beautiful Thing has been produced in Alberta, although it has had a full life since its start in the early 90’s. Bennett talks about the play’s beginnings in England. “When it premiered in the UK in 1993, Beautiful Thing was one of the very few plays about gay culture that didn’t deal
24 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Politics Nevada’s Legal Brothels Go Male, But Not Gay
By Stephen Lock Markus, a former Marine with self-admittedly little sexual experience, prefers to be called a gigolo or a ”surrogate lover”, and Dolly Parton’s Miss Mona may have had the best little has stated in a couple of interviews he will only ”entertain” women whorehouse in Texas but it’s Nevada where such brothels and that, while he has the utmost respect for the gay community, are legal. his “sphincter is not for sale.” Up to now, Nevada’s legal brothels have only employed women Davis has held off hiring more men until all legal and but The Shady Lady Ranch’s Bobbi Davis and her husband Jim bureaucratic hurdles are cleared. Her last hurdle is dealing with are out to change that, despite opposition from some quarters the Nye County Licensing and Liquor Board, which is made up of within Nevada’s surprisingly conservative brothel community. five county commissioners and Sheriff Tony DeMeo who, unlike The Nye County Board has, after months of sometimes rancorous Burt Reynolds’ Sheriff Ed Earl in The Best Little Whorehouse In debate, given permission for the Davis’ to hire “a few good service- Texas, has been openly skeptical of Davis’ plan. oriented men” to work at their brothel near Death Valley. DeMeo, along with Flint and Dennis Hof (owner of another legal Nevada’s brothels are an interesting remnant of the state’s brothel, the Moonlite Bunny Ranch), expressed concerns about wild Gold Rush era when enterprising women from “back East” monitoring the spread of infectious diseases, despite current established bawdy houses in the territory’s rough and tumble, and female prostitutes being required to have weekly cervical checkups predominately male, mining camps. for STDs and having state health regulators already clear the way for male sex workers by agreeing to institute urethral exams. There The brothels, while legal in much of the state, are banned in has been no word on whether rectal exams will also be instituted such gambling meccas as Las Vegas and Reno. State legislators for either gender. are historically reluctant to tax the establishments, apparently fearing to do so would “legitimize” the enterprises. Legal brothels It is quite apparent what the real concern is and Davis, despite are seen by many Nevadans as the state’s ”dirty little secret.” wanting to hire male workers, addressed the issue. Even those involved in the trade tend to be resistant to any “It seems the biggest hoopla is a great fear in some people’s minds change or opening up of the industry. When attempts by some that some kind of homosexual activity might go on,” she said. owners were made to add porn stars to their existing staff, they “Why panic I don’t understand…it’s not my intent to encourage or were met with resistance from some other brothel owners. promote or to turn my business into a ‘gay property.’ “ When Davis, along with the American Civil Liberties Union, This, along with Markus’ assertion he will be a ”woman-only” sought to overturn the state’s ban on advertising of brothels, it sort of guy, appears to me to support the underlying homophobia created a firestorm of debate within the trade, with many owners here rather than challenge it. If a legal brothel became a “gay fearing such publicity would focus unwanted attention on them property”, so what? If a male sex trade worker refuses to even and result in their brothels being shut down. While none of the consider allowing men access to him, either as a top or a bottom approximately 25 legally-operated brothels were affected, many (and Markus seems to assume ”entertaining” men necessitates his owners continue to prefer to operate “off the grid” and are wary of being a bottom) what does that say about sexual attitudes still any undue attention. prevalent on this continent? Davis’ move to bring in male workers prompted George Flint, a What is also often missing from similar discussions is the long time lobbyist for the Nevada Brothel Association, to publicly recognition of gender differences when it comes to how individuals state such a move would be disastrous, likening the move to the approach sex. I suppose it is a misplaced concern about appearing devastating attack on Pearl Harbour which forced the United sexist. States to declare war against Japan and enter WWII. If Davis is successful in her bid - and I hope she is - she simply He has hinted that brothels offering gay sex - a choice each will not find any significant increase in female clientele. Women, prostitute, as an independent contractor, would be free to make generally speaking, do not approach casual sex the same way the - might sour some legislators on the entire brothel system. majority of men do. Flint, despite referencing a historical catastrophe to shore up his For whatever reason, men rarely have an issue with separating arguments against the move to hire male workers, appears to be “sex” from “making love.” Certainly within gay male communities unaware of historical fact. During debate at the Nye County Board there is ample evidence we are fully capable of engaging in meeting regarding the proposal, Flint was quoted as emphatically “anonymous sex” and do so quite frequently be it via a bar pickup, stating, logging onto Internet sites, cruising parks and t-rooms, or going to the baths. I do not see this as negative whatsoever. In fact, I think “This is the first time in the history of the world…that men have it is something to celebrate. been licensed to sell sex. It’s never been done!” Will heterosexual women utilize this new-found access to men History is filled with accounts of registered, licensed, and willing to engage in casual sex for pay? Possibly, but it is a huge “legal” male prostitutes. Even in our modern era male escorts, leap and entails disengaging from a myriad of social proscriptions, while technically not “legal” if engaging in sex for pay, they are many of which most of us are not even aware we are ensnared in. nonetheless licensed with municipal authorities who turn a blind eye to what escorts of either gender are actually engaging in. The Heterosexual men have always availed themselves of Nevada proposal simply brings it out of the shadows and creates opportunities to ”get their rocks off” with little social or political an atmosphere of openness the industry can only benefit from. repercussions apart from the odd tsk-tsking when doing so has been cause for scandal - such as the case with one high-profile Furthermore, this is not the first time Nye County has faced politician, for instance. It is generally seen as “boys will be boys.” this issue. In 2005, infamous “Hollywood Madame” Heidi Fleiss announced she was moving to Pahrump, in southern Nye County, Is this a double standard? Absolutely. When men pursue and opening a “stud farm.” She opened a Laundromat instead. sex it’s seen as a biological imperative, something that men do, perhaps not what decent, family men do but of course it’s known However, Davis’ proposal has created considerable interest. decent family men do do it (now there’s a double standard for you!). Davis has apparently received over 1,000 applications from men When women pursue sex in a similar casual manner it’s seen as interested in working at the Shady Lady Ranch. To date, there their loose morals, proof that the woman in question is nothing appears to be only one male worker, Markus, and eight females. more than a slut and a tramp.
Continued on Page 33 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 25 Adult Adult Film Review Bear Hunt, Dirty! By Jerome Voltero Well we are about half-way through winter, and if you aren’t lucky enough to escape for a holiday then maybe it’s time for your booster shot of warm climate fantasy. Spanish Heat, available now at Priape, features some gorgeous 3D Porn Stars: Vol 1 Spanish studs, lounging around with very little clothing By: Dominic Ford in the arid climate and scenic rolling hills of the Spanish From: Adult Depot countryside. Genre: Novelty In the first scene, Denis de Nello and Maikel Cash are Cast: relaxing by their private swimming pool with nothing better Story: to do but dick around with each other. The scene to follow Visual: Faves: Arpad Miklos, builds on this as two very hot country hikers, Lucio Saints Manuel Torrez, and Fabio Costa, stroll by the same pool and ask for a Vinnie D’Angelo chance to cool down with Cash. But jealousy is afoot, as de Nello feels excluded, and lashes out in other ways. Naturally my favourites were the boys with facial hair, however all of the bodies were smooth and well built, with tattoos and that irresistible olive tan! Set against beautiful With all of the recent buzz about 3D movies and television scenery and signature Latino architecture, you can almost sets, this porno brings us one final blast from the past. If feel the heat. you can’t find your old pair of red/blue 3D glasses don’t worry – Adult Depot has a pair that they can loan you. While You’re At It... Otherwise Don’s Hobby Shop on Centre Street has a ton that they’re looking to get rid of for a reasonable price. Road Trip Vol 11: San Francisco There’s a reason why this type of 3D technology hit the By: Jocks Studios ceiling very fast, and why it’s not very common in movies From: Priape Genre: College/Twink today. Using color filters, of course, limits your ability to Cast: see the actual colors in the film. The newer technology at Story: the movie theatres uses polarized glasses, and a special Visual: projector to produce their non-tinted 3D effect. The new 3D televisions work roughly the same way, however they haven’t caught on enough yet. I fully expect to see more Pirate’s Booty 3D pornos in the near future, but in the meantime this is a By: Adult Source Media preview of better things to...“come”. From: Adult Depot Considering a 3D camera is no easy thing to come by, I Genre: Animated Cast: was a little disappointed that they really didn’t use it to its Story: full potential. Sure the guys jump out at you while they’re Visual: ploughing each other into the couch, but they could have done more to find an interesting environment, or really blown our minds with some panning shots. Also, they need to be careful when doing zoomed in shots because when 3D limbs go off the edge of the screen, the effect can be lost. Priape Calgary - Canada’s Favourite Gay Store Nevertheless, the novelty of seeing hotties like Arpad Miklos and Manuel Torrez in full form is kinda worth it! 1322 17th Avenue SW • 403-215-1800 Adult Depot - Over 3500 Gay Titles for Sale or Rent 152 58th Avenue SW • 403-258-2777
Spanish Heat http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1560 By: Alpha Male Media View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments From: Priape Genre: Latino Cast: Story: Visual: Faves: Fabio Costa, Alberto José, Ruben Rodriguez
26 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Q Scopes Arts - From Page 8 “Don’t worry, Aries!” Mars retrograde in Leo sextile Saturn in Libra can help repair relationships and politics, but that takes humility and reflection! Jupiter in Pisces sextile Pluto in Capricorn should offer opportunities through spiritual examples and charity to fix broken social structures. Alas, these pairs clash with each other, arousing more polarization and reactionary violence. Think twice before speaking about religion and politics, or any other relationship problems! ARIES (March 20 – April 19): Showing off and jokes at others’ expense are likely to backfire. Your best work will show up better if you just keep your nose to the grindstone and let people see your efforts. Don’t worry. They will be noticed! TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): Your efforts for your family or community may seem underappreciated. Feel free to take a break any time you like. Your work is valued, but it doesn’t all rest on your shoulders. Let others chip in. GEMINI (May 21- June 20): Your mouth is dangerously “Charged Particles in Motion” painting by Kent Monkman ahead of your brain. If you can rein it in (good luck!), you can say exactly the right thing and solve important problems. Exploring new erotic paths can help you focus, but keep some aspects of the work that I appreciated more than others. that in its place! I always responded well to his films, the paintings seemed CANCER (June 21- July 22): It’s easy to blame money kind of coded to me, and maybe that’s still true. But having troubles on others, malfeasant bankers and politicians, really concentrated on them and given them attention, I’ve sure, but you – not your partner or family members – are discovered that there’s a considerable consistency of imagery responsible for your situation. Their advice is more helpful and inference, that not only connects all of the paintings but While You’re At It... as a springboard than taken as is. connects the films and the performance work.” The Monkman painting featured on the cover, ”Si je t’aime Road Trip Vol 11: San Francisco LEO (July 23 – August 22): All your roaring passion and prends garde à toi” (If I love you, beware!), uses James Earle angst is good for self-exploration. Don’t make others take it By: Jocks Studios Fraser’s classic sculpture, End of the Trail [1915] as one of its too seriously. An older friend has great insights, though you inspirations, but flips the implications entirely, shares Portis. From: Priape may not like them. Genre: College/Twink “Fraser’s sculpture - a defeated, weary, Indian warrior on a Cast: VIRGO (August 23 – September 22): You need to horse, this sinewy figure with little life left in it, became a strong Story: conserve spiritual and material resources, but social image of a closing of chapters. In Kent’s work, this gesture of Visual: demands make that difficult. Creative selectivity is one of weariness is now one of regeneration. The warrior is coming your talents. Suggestions from your partner, or a spiritual back to life, his muscles are rippling, and now being bent over advisor, can be helpful. is a gesture of acceptance and adoration. It’s a complex image, Pirate’s Booty LIBRA (September 23 – October 22): The future ain’t what and Kent straddles all of this ancestry and history beautifully.” By: Adult Source Media it used to be. The entire world has missed opportunities. Looking at the already extensive collection of Monkman’s From: Adult Depot Don’t beat yourself up on that score. Give yourself credit for creations and noting that he has showings scheduled for 2011 Genre: Animated the work that you do, and adjust your long-term plans and and 2012, it’s hard to imagine that he has any downtime. But Cast: hopes accordingly. he’s not complaining. “I do take great pleasure in my work and Story: SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21): Your best efforts traveling,” says Monkman. “Even if I’m not applying myself to Visual: to get ahead feel counter-productive while your ruler, Mars, the work I have ideas floating inside my head but it’s never a is retrograde. It’s just going to be that way for a while. Co- burden because I love my work so much. It’s energizing, never ruler Pluto suggests creative communications now to build tiring, and I get so much out of it.” a base for effective actions after March 9. If you’re looking for a chance to see this accomplished and SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 20): What you exceptional artist in person, Monkman will be in attendance have learned in your studies and travels can help you better to at the launch party for The Triumph of Mischief on February appreciate the values of your tradition, which can in turn charge 13th at the Glenbow Museum. He is also in attendance at the your batteries and ground you better for further explorations. Trépanier Baer Gallery in Calgary on February 11th, where some of his most recent works, including the monumental The CAPRICORN (December 21 – January 19): You’re lately at the Death of Adonis and Sunday In The Park, will be exhibited. An top of your game, but there’s still always room for improvement. exciting chance to see these works before they head to the 17th Learning a new skill, even some simple basics, can have a huge Biennale of Sydney, Australia, this May. catalytic effect to open brilliant opportunities. AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18): You need to figure out what’s important for you. Anything your partner does seems wrong only because of your own internal questions. Reflect, don’t react! Your partner can help you focus on traditional, old ideas that can offer new insights. The Triumph of Mischief PISCES (February 19 – March 19): You’re enjoying a spell of good luck. Despite that, your work is likely to go oddly Launching: February 13th awry anyway, so you may as well go out on a limb and risk Glenbow Museum, Calgary genius. Feedback from colleagues will disperse risk and www.glenbow.org encourage your genius. Jack Fertig, a professional astrologer since 1977, is available for http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1552 personal and business consultations in person in San Francisco, or online everywhere. He can be reached at 415-864-8302, through his Web site View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments at www.starjack.com. GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 27 Gossip
certainly intended), about three straight couples deciding that it’s time to try group sex for the first time. And while it’s almost a certainty that they will all come to some sobering realizations about themselves – guiltless orgies are for canceled TV shows like Swingtown, really – at least one glimmer of comedic hope rests with the presence of comic Laura Silverman (who co-stars as “herself” on her sister’s sitcom The Sarah Silverman Program). With any luck it’ll be more freewheeling than the average PSA for monogamy. Logo greenlights more RuPaul and controversy RuPaul’s Drag Race was only the beginning. The “Supermodel of The World” is trning into quite the media mogul and, it seems, about to turn cable channel Logo into the Drag Network with his new series RuPaul’s Drag U. Stepping into the void left behind by Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, the premise of RPDU involves drag queens showing up at the front door of unsuspecting citizens and giving life makeovers. What this sort of intrusion will entail is a mystery, but Romeo assumes it won’t involve tucking lessons. Meanwhile, Logo has also given Kristin Chenoweth, Daisy Pusher the go-ahead to Kept, a reality show sure to anger a whole bunch of people – hilariously so, by documenting the lives of pretty young kept boys in New York City, their rich, doting sugar daddies and those who aspire to that sort of lifestyle. In Deep Inside Hollywood other words, it will be totally gross and Romeo is going to watch every minute. Coming soon! Kerry and Kristin sittin’ in a tree… Romeo San Vicente has never “kept” anything but a really adorable pug, several dozen pairs of really expensive shoes and a lot of insanely hot men clamoring Romeo San Vicente for more of his attention. He can be reached care of this publication. In the ongoing development saga of the slow-to-boil Dusty Springfield movie, the original question seems to have been http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1562 definitively answered – and after a protracted period of “she is” and then “oh wait, no she isn’t,” the starring role has gone (finally!) to View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments Romeo’s favorite Pushing Daisies alum Kristin Chenoweth. That’s the good news, since we can’t think of anyone who doesn’t love her. And the hopefully even-better news is the possible addition of Kerry Washington, who’s now circling the role of Springfield’s love interest. It’s all negotiations and talks right now, but the Ray co-star has already appeared in the lesbian-themed She Hate Me and played a lesbian in the indie film The Dead Girl, opposite the late Brittany Murphy. Furthermore, she’s beautiful, she’s talented, she’d be great in the role and, frankly, four out of five lesbians surveyed agree that it would be really hot to see her making out with Chenoweth. Gregg Araki goes Kaboom When your most recent film, a goofy stoner-comedy called Happy Face, gets unjustly ignored and barely released, what’s your next move as a director? Go back to your roots and make a hot, young teenage sci-fi comedy thriller about sexual awakenings, that’s what. Gregg Araki’s latest film, Kaboom, stars Kelly Lynch (The L Word) and Araki mainstay James Duval alongside sexy young stars Thomas Dekker (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), Juno Temple (Atonement) and Haley Bennett (The Haunting of Molly Hartley). The plot involves a Twin Peaks-style small town mystery, some hallucinogenic cookies and a lot of boundary-blurring sexual connections. Translation: it’s what you already know and –presumably – love about Araki’s weirdly cool worldview. Be on the lookout later this year for an explosion of old-school New Queer Cinema in a theater that shows that sort of thing near you. Cummings Farm hosts an orgy After the low-key success of 2009’s indie film Humpday, the one about the two straight men playing a game of Gay Chicken by planning to make a video of themselves having sex, it’s no surprise to see other scruffy, alt-comedies about nervous heterosexuals experimenting with naughty action coming down the pipeline. So welcome to Cummings Farm (pun almost 28 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Mariah Carey, still inspiring Mariah and Me How the Diva Changed a Life–and her Own
By Chris Azzopardi Call it corny, but many of us had one – a celeb crush So Mariah Carey isn’t just that vocally inimitable pop who felt like a friend. For many of my gay peers, that was goddess who belts the hell out of “Hero,” like she said Madonna. But I always related more to Mariah. Her music saw during a press conference recently. me through a myriad of drama: family turmoil, identity issues I know that now, and am constantly reminded by some of and self-esteem struggles. her loopy antics (ice cream, anyone?), very public break-ups/ At her pinnacle, and at my lowest, she released Butterfly, breakdowns and that one recent sloshed award-acceptance 1997’s reflective opus. It wasn’t her best-selling album, but it speech that made a big buzz. was her best – full of revealing, minimalistic ballads that were Bigger, anyway, than her R&B-throwback flop Memoirs of heartbreaking, including a cathartic gospel song about being an Imperfect Angel, released in September. That, along with its an outsider. Oh, the money it saved me in therapy. Mostly, remix reissue due in March, is what brings Mariah on the road anyway. There was the first time I saw her live 10 years ago, during a theater outing titled The Angels Advocate Tour. blowing over 500 bucks to see her sing in Chicago. She was there, and so was I. How surreal, I thought. Her last trek, to support 2005’s juggernaut The Emancipation of Mimi, was in arenas, so why’s Mimi going mini? Despite the When I met Mariah backstage in Cleveland years later, that bomb it’s backing, a real singer, like the Celines and Whitneys of magical aura once enveloping her had completely lifted. As cool yesteryear, aren’t the easiest sell in this post-vocal world, when and climactic and OMG-that’s-Mariah as I remember it, it was voices sound a lot less human than they used to (even Mariah, also like learning the secret to a magician’s trick. of all people, has turned to Auto-Tune). And here we have In the way her handlers wouldn’t allow fans to give hugs the queer-worshiped warbler, trying to be more human, more (I stole one anyway) and in how she’s towering over everyone “imperfect,” more drunk than she ever was publicly, stammering else in the group photo that was taken, she still seemed very through that speech like your average boozer – and then not even majestic – all statuesque and untouchable and flawlessly shot covering up for it. “I have a sense of humor,” she defended days from the one side, hand on hip. later, “and that’s basically what gets me through life.” But the Mariah we see now – the one who unabashedly rambles Mariah helped carry me through much of mine. I was what in buzzed sex-kitten purrs – seems to care less about nurturing she calls her uber-fans – a “lamb.” The proof was in my bedroom: a specific image, less guarded and more love-it-or-leave-it walls plastered with posters, two double-inch binders full of than ever before. And why the heck should she care? She’s magazine clippings and rare memorabilia. I’d hound music- left her mark (with some of the biggest heels known to women store clerks to claim some of their promo gear, once fetching and drag queens) – the awards, record-breakers, the criminal a huge cardboard display rack. That became the spot for my American Idol wannabes all speak of her accomplishments in a Mariah CDs – all of them, which turned out to be a lot more remarkable two-decade career. than the 12 most people thought she had (this includes imports Being herself wasn’t always one of them. But now she seems from other countries, singles, live bootlegs and often multiple happily married to Nick Cannon, forsaking vanity for a frumpy copies of the same album, just in case I wore the first one out). role in indie-sleeper “Precious,” fully proud of her ta-tas and Gee, how we grow up and realize that life isn’t just rainbows more Mimi than ever before on Memoirs, cracking ridiculous and butterflies and Mariah, who seemed to be this bigger-than-life jokes (there’s that sense of humor!). Finally, Mariah’s Mariah, lady. It’s that angelic, superhuman shroud I miss about Mariah. or Mimi, or whatever she wants to call herself – and she doesn’t How is it that she’s a real person who does her duty on the toilet really give a damn about what you think. and bleeds when she gets a paper cut? She used to be God. These days, she’s inspiring in a whole new way. So she’s not the savior – and, despite her whole anniversaries- not-birthdays motto, she turns a year older every year, too. As I have, I’ve expanded my music-listening loves (everyone around me seems happy about that), but there’s still something that’s very nostalgic about Mariah, for which my unwavering fondness http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1563 is like the rock she once was, and sometimes still is, to me. View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 29 Sports LGBT Hockey Running for the Fun of It Help Give Canada’s National Sport a Queer Slant Calgary and Edmonton Frontrunners
By Sam Casselman By Sam Casselman In a country that considers hockey an integral part Have you even been interested in running? If you are anything of its national identity, it’s surprising that the LGBT like me, the thought of running for the fun of it is somewhat of community of Edmonton has never had team of its own. an oxymoron. However, the fact of the matter is that running According to Brian Parker, GLBTQ Hockey Coordinator is extremely good for us, a population inundated by health problems related to inactivity. Edmonton’s Arctic Frontrunners for Team Edmonton, “there have been a few attempts in Club and Calgary Frontrunners Club would like to change our the past to get a team going, but there has never been attitudes about running by inviting us to join them in an activity enough interest.” to keep us happy and healthy. In the past, through perseverance and with the assistance of The Calgary Frontrunners Club was formed in 1991 after Calgarians Team Edmonton, thirty individuals showed enough interest to who participated in the 1990 Gay Games in Vancouver led an effort to form a team. However with not enough financial commitment promote health and an active lifestyle to the Calgary LGBT community. to cover the pricey hockey rental bookings, this initiative did Currently they run with a core group of 20 runners and walkers of various not last. skill levels, both gay and straight. The focus of the club to provide a free, friendly, and social atmosphere where anyone can feel comfortable and Parker hopes to start up a Team Edmonton queer hockey share an interest in fitness, without being competitive. night this fall if people Like clockwork, every commit. It is hoped that this Saturday throughout the will lead to a one night a year at 9am, the Calgary week hockey night at a rink Frontrunners meet at the Eau that is central, preferably Claire YMCA. Tim, Calgary close to downtown. Frontrunners organizer, emphasizes the variety of routes “The first part would and participants each week. include practicing and “We support a walking teaching skating, puck group that meets on Saturday handling, etc., skills to mornings with us. This is an the group. We would play effort to include those who do shinny in the second half of not wish to run. …We run or the night,” explains Parker. walk in groups that organically form after starting out together, Until that time, interested according to ability, fitness, or athletes should take the time even by the conversation you to register in Western Cup’s get into that particular day.” One Day Hockey Event at Typical routes include this year’s tournament, to the Crowchild underpass, be held on Friday, April 2nd Edworthy Park, Nose Hill Park, at the Fairview Hockey Arena. It will be happening from 9am Calgary Zoo, or the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Afterwards coffee/brunch to 7pm at a day cost per individual of $55.00 before March 1, is usually held at any number of locations. or $80.00 after. Registration ends on March 15th. Each game Further north, the Edmonton Arctic Front runners is similarly a has three periods of 18 minutes. All players get to play 4 games, free recreational running and walking group for Edmonton’s LGBT changing teams between each one. Organizers warn that there community. All are welcome, and similarly the group runs all year long, is a zero tolerance policy for fighting or abusive behavior or every Sunday at 10am. They meet at Emily Murphy Park in the spring, summer, and fall and at the Kinsmen Centre in the winter. language of any kind. Bill Addison, organizer of Edmonton Frontrunners encourages All individuals are welcome to take part, as the event is co-ed. individuals of all skill sets to come for a run to try them out – “bring a Make sure to bring your full hockey gear, including helmet with sense of humour,” he adds. Afterwards the group goes for a post-run a half visor or full face mask, and hockey jersey. Pucks will be coffee at Leva or Tesora. “We are coffee snobs.” provided, as well as jerseys for those that don’t bring one. So, bring your running shoes, and dress for the unpredictable Show some of that Canadian patriotism by playing our Albertan weather. national sport during the Western Cup. And furthermore, why not make it a routine by signing up for the Team Edmonton league in the fall? You won’t regret it, eh? Calgary Frontrunners Saturdays, 9am Team Edmonton Hockey Eau Claire YMCA Brian Parker: [email protected] [email protected] Edmonton Arctic Frontrunners Western Cup Hockey Sundays, 10am Friday April 2nd, 9am-7pm Emily Murphy Park (spring/summer/fall) Fairview Hockey Arena (8038 Fairmont Drive SE) Kinsmen Centre (winter) www.westerncup.com [email protected]
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30 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Arts
Queer athletes at the Olympic Games will be greeted by “Slapshotolus,” a unique bronze creation by Edmund Haakonson
work needed to happen. A year and a half ago I applied for and received a project grant from the Canada Council for the Arts that Slapshotolus allowed me to produce the sculpture.” This is a welcome acquisition for the first ever Pride House in Whistler. “We are so honoured to be able to have such a beautiful Olympic Bronze in a Unique Form and moving piece of art to be one of our centre pieces at the 2010 Pride House,” says Dean Nelson, CEO of GayWhistler. “The By Dallas Barnes inspiration and story behind Slapshotolus is perfectly aligned with the values and objectives of the Pride House.” The Vancouver Winter Olympic Games are promising to The Mission of the Pride House is simple: “to provide an open be a year of firsts. For the athletes it could be their first and welcoming venue for the LGBT community and their allies to Olympic Games, their first medal, or even their first time celebrate together diversity and inclusiveness through sport.” They on an airplane. But for some, it may be their first time recognize that many of the athletes coming to Vancouver represent competing as an out Olympian. countries that do not accept homosexuality. In fact, many of these Another first, The Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre which is countries may even imprison or execute the athlete if they knew. at the core of all the action, will be hosting Pride House, a venue What better way to show how accepting Canada is by providing a available to all gay and lesbian athletes as well as their supporters. safe place for all LGBT members and their supporters. Moreover, Sitting central in this Pride House will be another first:Slapshotolus , how amazing it is to have a sculpture such as Slapshotolus as the a sculpture by Edmund Haakonson described as “a personification central piece? of the philosophical ideal of living one’s life true and honest unto The Olympics have come a long way. When you tune in to watch one’s self, with a noble character and pure spirit.” your Nicholas favourite Hoult athletes in the weeks to come, take notice of how Edmund Haakonson is a revered sculptor with a concentration Canada has stepped up to accept all individuals regardless of in human form as his subjects. Slapshotolus, a play on Discobulous cultural restrictions. It is good to know that we have people like a famous ancient Greek Sculpture meaning “the Discus Thrower”, Edmund Haakonson and organizations such as Pride House to is a unique piece in that it gives an ancient, stoic quality to an all recognize how amazing our human diversity really is, and yet how too familiar form; the hockey player. As Haakonson puts it, “The similar we all really are. image of ancient nude sculpture makes perfect sense to us, the image of a hockey player makes perfect sense, the hybrid of the two has a decidedly amusing result. There is something of the http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1566 absurd in a hockey player wearing only skates, gloves and helmet, especially for anyone who has actually played hockey.” View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments This absurdity was on purpose though. “Slapshotolus is a connecting of the ancient sacred games and the modern Winter Games. The artist has taken the Classical Greek image that is an expression of high ideals, and given it a twenty-first century make over, a modern face. The body is that of an individual, not the formal, stylized convention of ancient Greek art. This recognizes the focus on individual achievement in our culture as opposed to the pre-eminence of the collective in the ancient. I have kept the body nude to acknowledge a millennia old tradition in art of what a nude symbolizes. The nude human form in art is used as a symbol of purity, innocence, truth. Nude = naked truth, if you will. The representative sport was chosen because hockey is the winter sport in Canada.” This project has been a long time in the making. “I first had the idea for the sculpture about six years ago. I was not able, at that time, to pursue realizing the piece because of the expense of working in bronze. Because there is a direct connection in the sculpture between the ancient sacred games and the modern Winter Olympics, it seemed to me that now was the time that this
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 31 Trans-Identity The Biological Case for Transsexuality An Overview and Analysis By Mercedes Allen It’s In the Genes? Something I’m often asked about is the research done Most of the recent press has surrounded genetic findings since 2006. in recent years that point to a biological component to The best publicized has been a finding that an elongated androgen receptor transsexuality. gene has a higher-than-typical occurrence in male-to-female transsexuals. This was not the first study to demonstrate this: many other studies had I get that question both from cisgender (non-transgender) people daring done so before 2009, but this one had the largest and most quantifiable me to present proof that would validate trans identities, and from transsexual sample size yet, ruling out random chance and research errors as causes and transgender people wanting some understanding of what makes them of the findings. trans. In both cases, that’s an awful lot to stake on a field of study, and to I couldn’t possibly detail all the genetic findings and corroborating tackle that, I feel it’s best to present a brief overview, and put that all into a studies, other than to say that the volume of study that has accumulated larger context. thus far show a likelihood of a chromosomal link to at least some forms of I should preface from the beginning that the science currently under both male-to-female and female-to-male transsexualism. I will, however, study pertains specifically to transsexuals. Other transgender identities list a few relevant links following the article as starting points for anyone (genderqueer, crossdressers, bi-gendered persons) haven’t really been interested in delving deeper. consciously integrated into researchers’ studies at all, thus far, so it is impossible to say if the data proves or disproves anything pertaining to Brain Sex anything but transsexual identities. One of the most controversial areas of research has been a finding in “As Nature Made Him” which subtle structural differences were found in the brain development of men and women (which has raised some objections in feminist circles – Dr. John Money famously recounted how an infant was brought to him more later), and the physical structures of transsexuals’ brain development after a circumcision accident in 1965, whereupon he concluded that the best more closely resembled those of their identified genders, rather than their thing the family could do for the child was to intervene surgically and raise birth sex. Newer studies along this line have replicated this with trans- him as a girl. Referred to as “John / Joan” in his writings throughout the identified individuals who have not yet started hormone therapy, ruling this 1970s and 80s, Money trumpeted the case study as evidence that gender out as a cause. was entirely socially-constructed and therefore malleable. The reality wasn’t so straightforward. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals “John / Joan” had in fact struggled throughout childhood and adolescence, In 1999, Dr. Scott Kerlin founded a support and advocacy group for male constantly asserting a sense of being a boy, despite the parents’ best efforts children adversely affected by exposure in utero, to Di-Ethyl Stilbestrol (DES, to affirm female traits and discourage male ones. Finally, the truth came a synthetic estrogen once administered to pregnant women as a “vitamin” out, and by the time he met Rolling Stone contributor John Colapinto (who designed to help prevent miscarriage). When DES Sons was only a few chronicled his story in the book, “As Nature Made Him”), David Reimer had months old, a new member raised the issue that he had always felt that he transitioned back to living as male. Unfortunately, Reimer’s story ended was a girl, and was, in fact, transsexual. This initiated a flood of confessions tragically in 1994, when a broken marriage, suicide of his twin brother and about other members’ own gender identity issues, and quickly became one the loss of all his money in an investment scam drove him to take his own of the dominant themes raised by male children of DES births (although life. not all DES Sons experience transgender leanings). With pharmaceutical David Reimer’s story woke the medical world to a reality that gender is companies fearing possible lawsuits, research on DES is underfunded and not so changeable, that biology does indeed play a part in our identities. harder to find than genetic studies or brain sex, but provides a dramatic Opponents of the trans community have sometimes pointed to this as proof example of an Endocrine Disrupting Chemical (EDC) that is suspected to that a person can’t change their sex. Reimer’s story, on the other hand, has influence gender and sex development in the womb. in fact resonated with transsexuals, who struggle with the same sense of The EDC theory of transsexuality often speculates that because physical being not the gender that their body indicates. gender and psychological gender develop at different times in early fetal “Male and Female Created He Them” development, the introduction of an interruptive chemical through diet, inhalation, absorption or other methods — usually estrogenic in properties There are precedents in nature in which chromosomes, physical sex but sometimes androgenic instead — can affect signals sent by the brain and / or gender identity have been mismatched. Intersex refers to a large during fetal development. number of conditions in which physical gender variance demonstrably Canadians are probably more familiar with an EDC known as bisphenol exists (some researchers use the controversial term “Disorders of Sex A, whose harmful effects resulted in the recall and banning of certain kinds Development,” but most intersex advocates oppose this terminology as well of plastics, sometimes used in the production of baby bottles. Bisphenol as the often-accompanying practice of surgically assigning gender at birth). A has been shown to have subtle feminizing and cancer-causing effects in These conditions include: Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (in which the animal populations and potential harmful effects to humans, especially adrenal glands in usually female-assigned people produce high amounts young children and infants. The effect on human fetal development is as of androgens); Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (in which the body is yet unknown. unresponsive to the effects of testosterone, causing it to develop as female despite being chromosomally male); 5-alpha-reductase-deficiency; Mosaicism Body Maps and Chimerism; and less obvious conditions such as Klinefelter’s Syndrome Phantom Limb Syndrome has been widely studied to date, but or Turner’s Syndrome. It is important to distinguish that intersexuality researchers have begun applying this idea to transsexuality, theorizing is not the same as transsexuality. If there is an overlap, it is likely that that transsexuals may in fact have an intuitive knowledge of their body transsexuality would be a smaller part of intersex phenomena and not the as that of their identified gender, rather than their birth sex. Research other way around. Consequently, not all people who are intersex experience here is in its infancy, so I can’t yet point to definitive findings. However, a sense of being gender variant or transgender in any way. the theory looks solid and promising, is consistent with the body squick With these things in mind, researchers began looking at biology for a that many transsexuals experience (making surgery necessary in order to proverbial smoking gun that would explain transsexualism. What is function in social situations and relationships) and also potentially holds emerging is a puzzle – it’s not clear yet how the pieces all fit together, but in discoveries relevant to other phenomena, including Body Integrity Identity each of these cases, quantifiable and repeatable patterns have been found. Disorder (BIID, in which a person has an identity in which they are without a particular limb or body part).
32 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Trans-Identity - Cont’d. Politics - Cont’d from page.25
It’s Not Infectious… We Hope…. Then, of course, there is the whole question of exploitation. Are women in the sex trade exploited? Certainly, at the street Perhaps the most curious and bizarre discovery has centered around prostitute level and possibly within the porn industry as well. It’s intracellular bacteria referred to as Cytophaga-like organisms (CLOs) a bit blurrier when a woman is a high-priced call-girl or working - with Wolbachia being the best known. CLOs appear to induce several out of a legal brothel where she is able - or better able, at least - to reproductive effects in its hosts, feminizing male insects. We don’t yet know call the shots and have some say in who she will be with and how if CLOs can affect humans in any way: studies haven’t gone that far yet, but it will transpire. it is currently thought unlikely that they can affect organisms so complex Few raise the issue of exploitation around men in porn or other as we. sex trades unless the males in question are under-age or just Next: Adding it All Up “young.” Of course we as a society have a responsibility to ensure under- It’s important to note that most of the above is an oversimplification. age girls and boys are not exploited. But the spectre of exploitation Greater detail can be found in the studies listed with this article… for starters. in that regard is a whole other issue and we are clearly not talking Next month, I want to look at how all of this relates to trans identities, to about under-aged males or females being recruited to work in feminist thought (i.e. the second wave feminist conceptualization of gender these brothels. Systems have been in place for years under the as social construct), to medical ethics, to biological predetermination of Nevada system to safeguard against that, and bringing in male human behaviour and most importantly just how much legitimacy should workers will not affect that. really be staked on biological cause. Certainly working as a male prostitute at the Shady Lady is not a ”get rich quick” scheme. Current prices range from $200 for 40- Visit this article online for the full list of references. minutes, up to $2,000 for the whole night, with a percentage going to the house. Whether the men could pull in that kind of money Mercedes Allen is a writer who blogs at http://dentedbluemercedes.wordpress. from women-only clientele remains to be seen. com/, has been featured on bilerico.com, PageOneQ and others, and has also developed the website at AlbertaTrans.org as a resource for transgender information and support.
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GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 33 Photography
Prince and Princess Ball at Twisted Element - Calgary Photos by Tiffany Thomas - Essence Photography and Craig Taylor
34 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 ISCCA Duke and Duchess Show at the Texas Lounge - Calgary ISCWR Dukes and Diamonds Show at Woody’s and Buddy’s - Edmonton, Photos by B&J
ISCWR An Evening with the Legends at Boots - Edmonton, Photos by B&J
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 35 Lifestyle Exploring Leather Relationships Part 2 of 3: “Daddies” and “Boys” By David Stewart The age difference between Daddy and boy comes with an inherent dynamic of dominance and submission. This In this three part series, leather relationships that exist happens naturally, as the boy defers to his Daddy often within a dynamic of dominance and submission are without initial instruction to do so. As a result, there is less examined. The series continues this month I shed some focus on protocol or formality between Daddy and boy, and light on the often misunderstood relationship dynamic the relationship is less structured and militaristic on the of Daddy and boy. surface. Still, the Daddy may have plans for his boy, lining (Editor’s Note: The use of the term “boy” does not in any way up a series of experiences intended to introduce the boy to refer to a child or otherwise underage individual. It refers to different aspects of leather culture and provide him with the the younger participant in a consensual and legally acceptable tools he needs to grow even in his everyday life. What appears relationship.) to be domestic service is actually an exercise in getting the boy Both Master/slave and Daddy/boy relationships consist of organized: having the boy work on his Daddy’s boots until he a dominant, experienced top and a submissive bottom, but achieves a mirror shine will ensure that the boy cares for his there is a major difference. In Master/ own boots in a similar way. While there slave, the primary focus is on the is never a concrete lesson plan, the Daddy Master but with Daddy/boy, the focus sets his sights on what the boy wants to is on the boy. achieve and guides him in that direction. The reason for this lies in the way Unfortunately there are also many that participants approach dominance misconceptions about this kind of and submission. A Master ultimately relationship, most common is that it bares cares about his own quality of life incestuous connotations. While father above all else, and of course the quality and son roleplay may be a part of some of his slave’s life is bettered by serving play sessions, those are definitely in the the Master. Daddies and their boys minority, and in no way are the participants see things differently: The Daddy actually related. Another common enters the relationship often out of a misunderstanding of paedophilic fantasy desire to better the life of a boy who stems from the obvious connotations of can benefit from his knowledge and the words “daddy” and “boy” in a family experience, while the boy often enters sense, so I point out that within leather the relationship out of a subconscious culture it is understood that everybody desire for this knowledge and who engages in Daddy/boy relationships experience. are consenting adults. Furthermore, age- play (a form of roleplay where participants As a result, the Daddy in many ways take on the role of an age that differs from becomes a father figure in the boy’s life. their own) is rare in leather culture. The boy might seek his guidance both in and out of leather culture, and the Daddy provides the boy As a matter of fact, some Daddies and boys may not even with the wisdom he needs to learn and grow. On the surface have a sexual relationship. The Daddy may be a father figure and often in the boy’s mind, he is serving his Daddy, but in that mentors the boy, and they may share a certain personal actuality the relationship is all about the boy. That isn’t to say intimacy; however, their relationship may be non-sexual. In that the boy is encouraged or even permitted to top, however, this case, the boy often consults his Daddy before playing, his fantasies are desires are brought into play much more asking about what he needs to know about his potential play- readily than a slave’s would be when in a relationship with a partner. This may be extended to after the play session is over, Master. where the boy discusses his play sessions with his Daddy, who helps the boy learn and grow from those experiences. Since many boys involved in this style of relationships are inexperienced or even completely new to leather culture, the So in conclusion, the often misunderstood Daddy/boy play is often very light hearted and warm, with a lot of focus relationship is a warm, semi-casual dynamic of dominance on less intense sensations. Even those who desire heavy play and submission, and functions as a great introduction to need to work up to mentally and physically handling such leather culture. a scene. As a result, the Daddy would be more inclined to However, in time the boy may want a more intense level of give the boy his first experience wearing full leather, sharing dominance and submission, at which point the relationship a cigar, and exploring new sensations – less inclined to strap may evolve into one that is described as a Sir/boy dynamic. him to a cross and beat him black and blue. The time may This will be examined next month, as the conclusion to this come for the boy to be beaten black and blue, of course, but series on leather relationships. within a Daddy/boy relationship such a scene would likely be marked with periods of physical intimacy, and this physical intimacy is part of what allows the boy to explore. For boys who had previously only known leathersex as a fantasy within their minds, this establishes a bond and a level of trust http://www.gaycalgary.com/1569 between them and their Daddy. View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments
36 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Event
Steve Parent-Korbie was inspired as a child when he witnessed a disabled athlete carrying the Olympic Torch. From Spectator to Torch Barer Steve Parent-Korbie Fulfills a Childhood Dream By Dallas Barnes everyone else. The opportunity to carry the Olympic Torch On Day 74 of the Olympic Torch Run, Steve Parent-Korbie only strengthens his advocacy for future generations. carried the Olympic Torch through Fort Saskatchewan, “It is important to have this opportunity to allow the Alberta with over 50 supporters cheering him on. According general public to become a part of the Olympic family and to Parent-Korbie nothing could replace that feeling. to allow the future generations to see that no matter how “It was the most exhilarating experience once they light the odds are stacked up against you, with dedication and the torch and you hold it proudly above your head. I happen perseverance any dream you have can come true. There are to be the first torchbearer for the Fort Saskatchewan leg, always persons with disabilities carrying the torch. However so my torch was lit using the lantern that was lit from the it is a very small percentage of the overall torchbearers. For original flame in Greece. This made the experience even the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, there are only 3% out of the more special.” 12,000 torchbearers that have a disability. So I feel very Steve had been dreaming about this moment since 1988, privileged to be a part of that group. It makes me feel very as a 14 year-old afflicted with Cerebral Palsy, when he proud to see disabled people receiving a chance to show the witnessed the Torch passing by, carried by no ordinary world who they are. Being an openly gay disabled male, I runner. “I saw a disabled torch relay runner wheel with the have had to deal with the hardships that come along with torch back in 1988 for the Calgary Olympics. After seeing not only being disabled, but the ones that come along with only able bodied runners with the torch, it was actually being gay. So seeing people in the minority community, really cool to see the runner in the wheelchair. In the back gives me a sense of pride as we are just seen as member of of my mind I told myself if there was every an opportunity to society and just as important as the next person.“ run with the Olympic torch I would try.” And try he did. Standing by his side is his husband of nearly one year, In the Spring of 2009, Steve nominated himself to be an Randy. “I felt very proud of Steve as he went through this official Olympic Torch Bearer in a Coca Cola promotion. experience. I love his determination and outlook on both He answered the daily trivia contests, and waited for his us as a couple and our future together. I love my little chance. The cut-off date came and went, and Steve accepted Torchbearer Dimples.” the idea that he did not make it. All was not lost however as Upon reflection of this past year’s journey, Steve has a week later he got an email stating he had made it through many people to acknowledge. “I would like to thank all of my to round two. They now required an essay stating why he friends and family, everyone at NAIT, my husband Randy, should carry the torch integrating it with topics from the and the countless supporters that were with me on this previous trivia questions. He sent it in and waited, again journey. I would like to also thank Coca-Cola and VANOC not receiving any word back on cut-off day. On August 10, for giving me this opportunity to become part of the 2010 2009, two days before his wedding to his now husband Olympic family.” Randy in Niagara Falls; Coca Cola sent him an email. He And in the process, this 14 year-old with a dream has was a potential Olympic Torchbearer. The only thing left to undoubtedly passed along a torch of another kind, to inspire do was to fill out a consent form and send within a week. many others. Luckily, their marriage location was across from a Gift Shop with access to the internet. That night they had their wedding rehearsal, signed the forms, picked up their tuxedos and couriered off the forms. All Steve had to do now was enjoy his wedding and wait until January 2010. http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1570 Having a disability has not slowed him down. He is proud View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments of being an openly gay man with Cerebral Palsy living life like
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 37 Event Queeries Valentine’s Advice, Groping & Closet Cases By Steven Petrow may find it easier to limit your visits to his family so as to forego the pretense of being a “friend.” How to live with a closet case? Help for drunken groping? Q: I’m very comfortable with my sexuality, but my partner’s Q: Not too long ago my girlfriend and I went to a posh dinner not out to his family or colleagues. It’s driving me crazy. How do party hosted by my best friend Georgia, also a lesbian, who – we handle the tension? truth be told – has a problem with alcohol. Late in the evening, A: I’m wondering whether you mean the tension between flush with excitement (and wine), Georgia put her hand up my the two of you, one out and one closeted, or the tension you girlfriend’s skirt. GF made a big scene and insisted we leave. feel in the presence of your partner’s family, when you are We’re both furious, but what should we do? being asked to lie about your relationship. They are probably A: Well, what are you furious about most? That your best somewhat entwined. friend can’t control her impulses? That she accosted your Your real issue is that your partner, for whatever reason, is girlfriend publicly? What about that your girlfriend might think not able to be honest with himself or his family. Perhaps it’s his you didn’t stand up for her? fear of emotional rejection, the threat of financial or professional It’s easiest to wag your finger at Georgia: She violated your ruin, or concern that news of his homosexuality would be too girlfriend’s body and your trust (and may well be an alcoholic). I’d much for his parents to accept. But the truth is that because suggest either calling or making a coffee date (not a drink date) he’s an adult with a partner, it’s time to develop a coming out and telling her how you feel about what happened that night. I plan. Life in the closet is difficult enough for the guy in the also suggest doing a little asking and listening, however. While I closet without spreading the burden around by asking others can understand that you’re furious, it sounds like Georgia may to lie (or cover up) for him. need more help than you need retribution. And isn’t that what You may want to suggest he contact PFLAG and/or find a best friends are for? therapist to discuss his coming out issues—and offer to support As for your girlfriend, she has good reason to be mad at both him through the process. In the end, of course, the decision to you and Georgia. Why was it left to her to make the move to come out remains a personal one. Either your partner will or he leave? I’m sorry to say, but that was really your job and you let won’t. And you will either stay with him or move on. If he does her down. Take the initiative and say two of the most difficult remain in the closet and you do stay together, by the way, you words in the English language: “I’m sorry.” Help for Valentine’s Day? Q: I have been going out with this new guy for about two weeks and lo and behold Valentine’s Day looms ahead. I’m kind of freaking out – and not sure what to do – if anything. Help! A: What do you do for Valentine’s Day when you’ve only been dating for a short time? Many of my friends in the early stages of relationships have been vexed by this dilemma over the years. You don’t want to let the holiday slip by unnoticed (as if that were possible in this culture), but you don’t want to do “too much” in case that shows you’re more invested than your new flame. On the other hand, maybe you’re just having fun and sex and that’s your end game—and love’s got nothing to do with it. First of all, stop the mind games. Ask yourself how you feel about your new beau. How would you like to express those sentiments? Then follow your intuition. Another option is to talk with him before the 14th and say something like, “I know we’ve only been dating for a little while, but do you think we should celebrate Valentine’s Day?” If you’re still not sure how to handle the big day, under-do it rather than over-do it. Buy or make a card and write something authentic, like: “I’m really glad we’re getting to know each other.” Or if you’re feeling that this is more of a sexual tryst, “You’re so hot!” When all else fails, there’s the stalwart: “Happy Valentine’s Day.” By the way, if you haven’t said, “I love you” in real life yet, don’t sign your card, “Love, John.” Other options are: “XO” (for hugs and kisses) or “Fondly,” or just your name if you can’t decide what suits your current emotional state. Steven Petrow is the author of The Essential Book of Gay Manners & Etiquette. Find him on the web at www.gayandlesbianmanners.com
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38 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Sports The OutField Sweet turnaround for Peggy Beck By Dan Woog “I always was,” Janey says. Stereotypes have long held that there are no gay male The coach encourages Janey and Alejo to follow their feelings. athletes – but most female athletes are lesbians. However, That doesn’t always happen, Beck knows, but through her ever since The Front Runner, authors have tackled the research into coaches and coaching styles, she realizes that the theme of gay male athletes far more often than females. best coaches are supportive of all their athletes, whatever their personal feelings may be. Sweet Turnaround J changes all that. Like many young adult novels, Sweet Turnaround J is making The second novel by Peggy Beck, it explores the life of 16-year- its way slowly into libraries and onto suggested reading lists. old Janey Holmes after her old school closes, and she joins a Bloggers who discuss homophobia in women’s basketball have team that has not won a game in three years. Along the way she been positive and helpful. confronts her own temper, and falls in love with another girl. One reviewer said that the author’s “depiction of relationships Like Janey, Beck was a sports fanatic. Her father encouraged is often missing in the male sports books, which focus more on her love of athletics; her mother, concerned about raising narrative action. Beck’s portrayal of a multicultural team with a tomboy, was less enthusiastic. Growing up in Minnesota all the signifiers suggests an observant eye and much research… in the 1950s and ’60s, Beck played every game imaginable (We) discover the important lessons and human strength that –including football. But as she grew older, social strictures basketball or any sport can teach in the drive toward winning made coed play impossible. games and learning life’s lessons.” With no real sports available, she went through “bad emotional “I live in a complete fantasy world, where everyone will want stuff,” Beck says. Recognizing her attraction to women made to read it,” Beck admits. While she has heard nothing negative life even tougher. She gravitated to politics and folk singing. At so far, she understands that a gay protagonist may cause some Sarah Lawrence College, she wrote but did not show her work young readers to steer clear. to anyone. “My whole life was secret,” she says. Beck hopes that does not happen. “I’ll feel really badly if it After earning a Ph.D. in the history of consciousness, she gets pigeonholed. I think girls who aren’t lesbian can find a lot wrote fiction, poetry, articles and essays covering mythology, in the book to enjoy and learn from,” she says. folklore and history. In middle age she recalled that she once “There are no sports books for girls, gay or straight,” wanted to be the best female basketball player in the world and Beck says. “They’re the lowest of the low on the totem pole. decided to revisit that dream. Hundreds of thousands of girls play sports. They need to read “I wanted to write about a girl obsessed with basketball,” about their world.” Beck says. “But I realized I didn’t know anything about it Visit www.sweetturnaroundj.com for more information, including ordering anymore.” She spent a year watching every practice of a team in information and links to basketball websites. New Mexico, where she lived. She went to the Amateur Athletic Union 15-year-old Nationals where she interviewed coaches. It Took a Team She attended other tournaments, and then became an assistant high school coach and a seventh grade girls’ coach. Since its inception four years ago, The OutField has chronicled – and lauded – the work of It Takes a Team. We’ve She studied videos, read coaching books and interviewed covered the small organization’s large work in areas as diverse plenty of players. “I wanted to get it right,” Beck says. as anti-gay recruiting by college coaches, the preparation of She got it so right the first draft of her novel was 1,000 pages. an educational kit on LGBT issues in sport, and the rise of transgender athletes. The lesbian element is important. Janey falls in love with her But this is our last column about It Takes a Team. In new best friend. The chapter where they kiss and make love is December, its sponsor – the Women’s Sports Foundation – implied. Over the next two chapters, the reader agonizes as the announced the end of funding for the project. Budget woes in a girls can’t deal with what is going on. Janey goes through hell soft economy doomed the decade-old program. when Alejo won’t talk to her. It Takes a Team began auspiciously. Concerned about During her long research, Beck had watched girls trying to homophobia in sport, tennis great Martina Navratilova raised figure out their feelings for other girls. She’d also heard the funds to combat stereotypes and educate participants. Though anti-gay remarks so typical on teams and in high schools. what was then called The Project to Eliminate Homophobia Because Beck had felt and heard the same things, her writing in Sport became part of the Women’s Sports Foundation, Navratilova insisted it address male issues as well as female. is strong and real. From the start, the Women’s Sports foundation had a But it did not become truly powerful until Beck changed the hard time getting other LGBT or athletic organizations to narrative from third person to first. support the project. Its first directors were paid very little and Sweet Turnaround J is not, however, only about lesbians. administrative aid from the WSF was minimal, limiting its impact and visibility. “It always comes back to basketball,” Beck says. “The gym is like the theater – every day is a rehearsal for a play.” The novel A key moment occurred when Pat Griffin – a professor of social justice and former coach at the University of Massachusetts – includes alcohol abuse, parental issues, coaching issues – all the joined with Mount Holyoke College athletic director Laurie Priest, things teenagers of every sexual orientation deal with regularly. former Massachusetts Department of Education Safe Schools But sexuality is often part of high school sports, and Beck Program director Jeff Perrotti and former Oberlin College athletic does not shy from it. When Janey finally talks with a teammate, director Michael Muska to develop educational materials. the other girl asks, “How did you know you were gay?” Continued GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 39 Community Sports - Cont’d
The result: a 15-minute video, curriculum materials and action guides, “Safe Space” stickers, posters, and a list of Get Your HEART On resources addressing LGBT issues in sport – provided help to athletes, coaches and administrators. It came at a crucial time, when student-athletes began coming out of the closet and a Bad Romance Gives New Saturday Night Options new generation of coaches moved into positions of power. By Dallas Barnes In 2004, director Lisa Thompson left It Takes a Team. Griffin – who had just retired from UMass – was hired at a Bad Romance is hoping to make your Valentine’s weekend higher salary. She worked from her home in Massachusetts, a memorable one. On February 13th, make your way down but was given administrative assistance at WSF’s Long Island (or up for that matter) to the 35th Floor of the International headquarters. In 2005, the program’s name was changed to Hotel Suites in downtown Calgary for Bad Romance Valentine’s It Takes a Team. Day Revelry. Griffin took her job seriously. She traveled widely, speaking This venue will hold up to 200 of Calgary’s elite “for an to athletes, coaches and administrators, and at PFLAG and evening of heart-pounding, sexy beats, specialty drinks, models athletic conferences. She developed strong relationships with donned in Priape’s hottest new arrivals and breathtaking city the National Collegiate Athletic Association and National views.” Sounds like it will be a fantastic evening, and a welcome Center for Lesbian Rights. to Calgary’s Gay Scene. Eighteen national advocacy organizations – from the The 35th Floor will be decked out in luxurious décor exclusive Association for Applied Sport Psychology and Anti-Defamation to its patrons, offering a safe space for gays and their allies to League to OutSports .com and the Transgender Law Center celebrate Valentine’s Day how they wish. DJ Twinky J will be – endorsed It Takes a Team and linked to its Web site. there to keep you dancing with his mix of gay anthems, while A monthly e-newsletter reached over 3,000 subscribers. Griffin DJ Fleur Bromfield and her tambourine “will take to the stage answered countless questions, and offered advice on ways to and keep the party pumping with her high-spirited performance make sports teams safe and welcoming for LGBT athletes. and sexy-funk house jams.” Entrance to Bad Romance Valentine’s Day Revelry is only “Coaches and administrators really relied on us,” Griffin says. permitted to Bad Romance Members. An annual membership “They knew to come to us with questions like ‘What’s a fair costs $20 and includes an exclusive pass to the Bad Romance transgender policy?’ or ‘How do I address negative recruiting by Valentine’s Day Revelry. Visit the ClubZone website to join BRE, coaches in our conference?’ We came a long way.” but of course you must be 18 years of age or older to attend. The organization had its most success at the college level, “It is our aim to offer Calgary’s gay community more social perhaps because of the older age of participants. “There’s much events and parties, to be on par with the likes of Vancouver and more work to be done in high school,” Griffin notes. Montreal,” says Matthew Tuer, CEO of BRE. “We are honored Her greatest satisfaction came from advising student- to provide our established culture the first of many marvelous, athletes about their legal rights, then following up to hear that safe and intimate events.” progress was made. She was especially heartened when parents Tuer adds, “Two of my friends and I started Bad Romance supported their LGBT sons and daughters. Entertainment a few months ago in hopes that we can breathe some new life into the Calgary gay scene. We are hoping to bring For five years, It Takes a Team raised money through grants the community closer together and put our city on par with and donations. In 2009, as funds dried up for non-profits across places like Vancouver and Montreal. …This party is for gays the country, the WSF decided to end the program. and their friends, so therefore anyone who has a friendly and The wealth of resources will remain on the WSF’s Web site open attitude towards gays are more than welcome to come. (www.womenssportsfoundation.org/Issues-And-Research/ We would eventually like to blur the lines between straight and Homophobia.aspx). However, there will be no more research, gay and make it so you don’t have to specify that a party or conferences or educational materials. event is for one or the other, as some of the best parties I’ve Griffin vows to continue her own work – including her blog been to around the world have been all encompassing. We feel (www.ittakesateam.blogspot.com). “I’m not done,” she says firmly. that before gays can really get a voice here in Calgary, we need “I have such a passion for this. I’m looking for my next venue, to give them some options on a Saturday night, and show that figuring out how to keep going. I want to stay in the game.” when we come together, we can accomplish anything we want to. Our community needs to work together and not against each She adds: “My goal was always to put myself out of business. other in order to make Calgary a more gay friendly place to live. It hasn’t happened yet. I hear too many stories and get too And in throwing this party and more like it in the near future, many calls about negative recruiting, anti-gay locker room that’s exactly what we hope to accomplish. “ environments and comments made by coaches and athletes. It sounds like Tuer and Bad Romance Entertainment is on “Our work is not done. We’ve got a foothold in the world of the right track. If you are looking for something different and sport. I’m sad to see It Takes a Team end now.” refreshing, make sure to check out Bad Romance Valentine’s Griffin is heartened that her group was alone in working Day Revelry. on LGBT issues in sport. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has a sports media desk. NCLR, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, the student-led Our Group, OutSports.com and individuals on campus around the country “won’t go away,” Griffin says. “We’re no longer a lonely voice in Bad Romance Valentine’s Day Revelry the wilderness. We’ve got lots of company now.” Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach, gay activist, and author February 13th of the “Jocks” series of books on gay male athletes. Visit his Web site at 35th Floor, International Hotel Suites www.danwoog.com. He can be reached care of this publication 220 4th Avenue SW, Calgary www.badromance-entertainment.com
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40 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #75, January 2010 41 42 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #75, January 2010 Support
Profile of the Abuser and the Victim For the average citizen, their concept of an abuser usually runs to someone with a prior history of abuse, perhaps in their family; this is only partially true. It’s possible than an abuser can learn this behaviour from someone else later in life, or simply develop it in the presence of their current partner with no such history. Ultimately, the abuser learns this power works in their favour to control their partner, and becomes a habit. Nevertheless, “you make a choice to be abusive,” Jane says. Another common factor amongst abusers is low self- esteem. Jane explained that “as much as they may be doctors, or lawyers or high-powered people or people with a lot of money…they don’t feel very good. They don’t feel good enough.” Other common traits of an abuser include (but are not limited to): • Easily insulted; • Inability to manage his/her own emotions (suppression and then explosion); • A gentle disposition one minute, a violent disposition the next (i.e. Jekyll and Hyde personality); Domestic abuse in a relationship doesn’t happen The Forgotten overnight; there are subtle steps. Abusers may resort to behaviours such as: Male Victims of Spousal Abuse • Threatening to “out” their victim to family, friends or work; • Controlling all finances and threatening to destroy their By Evan Kayne victim’s possessions; • Threatening to “out” their victim’s HIV status or to infect Traditionally, most domestic abuse victim support services them; operated under the assumption of abuser = male, victim = • Blaming the victim for his/her abusive behaviour; female. Unfortunately, this leaves the LGBT community out • Accusing the victim of adultery; in the cold – especially when both halves of the couple are • Controlling who the victim sees or talks to and where the male. What has changed recently is the awareness that men victim goes; can be victims of domestic violence. Note that this is not to • Threatening to harm the victim and others, or to commit downplay concerns of female victims and/or abusers in a suicide if the victim leaves; and female/female domestic abuse situation – this article is just • Using a level of force in sex beyond what the partner may to highlight the support for men who have suffered abuse. find acceptable (this INCLUDES couples who are into Abuse impacts people regardless of sexuality, yet while BDSM). heterosexual male-on-female abuse is well documented Just as an abuser has no set profile, a victim could and researched, for the LGBT community, there are few come from any background – they can come from a family statistics. According to local registered psychologist Jane with a history of abuse or from a loving, supportive family Oxenbury (M.Ed., C.Psych.), “the problem is that there isn’t background. Often victims make excuses for their abusers a lot of research out there, and the research…is only as good because of the honeymoon periods consisting of normal, as it is designed”. The pitfall of survey design regarding this happy, everyday life - the abuse only happens rarely. topic is that the respondents are in a closet with double- Unfortunately, over time the honeymoon periods shorten thick doors - not only does the person have to admit he was until eventually one abusive incident leads directly into in an abusive relationship (or an abuser), but also “out” the next. By then, the victim has difficulty seeing the whole himself. pattern objectively. Jane adds that a standard statistic for gay and lesbian Resources for Male Victims of Domestic Abuse domestic abuse that has been used for many years is an average of all the research that is known to exist, which Jonathan McGregor (M.Sc.), a councillor at the Calgary comes to 25-33% of all relationships. Counselling Centre, hopes to let men know they are not on Some numbers even suggest domestic abuse may be their own anymore thanks to their Male Domestic Abuse higher in a male-male partnership. Jane is not sure if that Outreach Program (MDAOP). is correct either: “there’s a lot of myths that go along with “The program [exists] to raise awareness in men women using violence against other women.” experiencing domestic abuse, and also to serve them,” says Furthermore, while some research shows men in MM Jon, who does both public advocacy and promotion of the relationships may be more prone to physical violence and service. women in FF relationships prone to verbal and psychological Additionally, he holds individual counselling and if abuse, there are many instances where the two trends are possible (if the aggressor and the victim first have attended reversed. individual sessions and the abuse has been stopped) he will counsel couples. As part of the program, they also have a support group for victims: Turn for the Better: For Men
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 43 Support - Cont’d
Who Are Victims of Violence. The MDAOP serves Calgary, a victim may feel a bit out of place here, as MATHS usually Strathmore, and surrounding rural areas. provides temporary emergency housing to men who have Such a program supporting male victims is very unique. been abusive in their intimate partner relationship. “The main issue we are confronting here is that men don’t We should consider this a good start anyhow; organisations know there are services available, or that there are too few are starting to realize they need to help male victims too. services,” Jon told us. Beside MATHS, the Wheatland Shelter in Strathmore is the Another issue is victims fear that they won’t be believed. only shelter in the Calgary area which also accepts men. “We’ve spoken with men who have had really bad experiences Meanwhile, Police services in Edmonton and Calgary have coming forward with their victimization or abuse.” Service made changes in addressing domestic abuse with peace providers such as police, social workers, and lawyers tend officers being trained to be more observant and sensitive to to pull back in disbelief - it’s an experience similar to what the fact that men can experience abuse too. women faced 30-40 years ago. It’s easy to see how social Can Family and Friends Help Victims of Abuse? norms applying to men cause male victims of domestic abuse to suffer in silence. When family and friends do observe abuse affecting a loved one, it’s important they not pressure the victim into making Or suffer silently in shame, according to Jon: “Men’s rash changes or leaving - the victim is doing what they know identity is tied to their masculinity, and when there’s an they need to do to keep the violence from escalating. Family experience they are going through that counters this general and friends should educate themselves about domestic stereotype of what is a ‘real’ man, it calls into question that abuse, find out what support services are available. They type of masculinity (their identity) and I think that’s where can help by aiding the victim to realize the behaviour is the shame comes in.” abusive, however, the decision on how to proceed has to Part of the counselling process is to label those behaviours come from the victim. Above all, the victim needs to know as stereotypes coming from outside (society) and inside that you can be counted on for support. (experience); once you do that, it gives men a chance to It should also be made clear to the victim that physical redefine their masculinity and heal. abuse crosses the line to assault, which is illegal regardless The program has its successes, “but we won’t claim 100%”. of their relationship to the abuser – and therefore the police Calgary Counselling Centre will do a partner check with the can be contacted if and when the situation gets out of victim in couples that have remained together through the hand. process. This is so they can see how the victim is doing, how Domestic Abuse is a big topic to cover, and unfortunately the former abuser is progressing, offer any suggestions, and to keep this article somewhat short we couldn’t cover areas ensure the victim is not being further abused. Most victims such as making a safety plan for leaving your abuser, what give Jon lots of positive feedback. “I think just the fact that to do in the event of sexual assault and, as mentioned at the the client is in treatment gives the victim some hope that start, female/female domestic abuse concerns. We chose they are least trying to work on this thing, making some to focus on a group that is underserved (male victims); differences,” he added. however large parts of the information above – and certainly Expanding services to help male victims is very important the web links below – does discuss domestic abuse issues in breaking the cycle of violence. Occasionally same sex which are relevant no matter what the sex of the victim or couples can see abusers and victims flip roles. the abuser. “People can flip from being a victim to being an abuser in If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, the next relationship or being an abuser to being a victim,” Gay Calgary and Edmonton Magazine encourages you to Jane Oxenbury notes. A man who was once a victim can seek out the help and resources you need. Love is not about become overly defensive around a less dominant partner; control, insults or bruises. and conversely, a man realizing his last relationship brought out abusive qualities in him, may try to be overly accommodating in the next and thus set himself up to become a victim. Jane works with victims of domestic abuse as part of her Men’s Domestic Abuse Resources regular work as a counsellor, but it was the lack of support In Calgary: for men in same sex relationships in Calgary which prompted www.calgarycounselling.com her to publicize her strengths in this area through her VIGOR www.vigorcalgary.ca program, short for Violence in Gay Male Relationships, www.wheatland.albertashelters.com where the O is substituted for the male symbol. Both VIGOR and MDAOP contrasts many other Calgary In Edmonton: support agencies which are set up on the assumption of www.edmonton.ca/for_residents/resident_services_programs/ primarily female victims, with only a nod to male support mens-support-services.aspx groups (for former abusers). www.pridecentreofedmonton.org http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/VictimSupport/WhatIsAbuse/Spou- As for Edmonton, they come up about the same for the salViolence.aspx level of support to what Calgary has. The City of Edmonton offers individual counselling along with several men’s support groups, including “From Chaos to Peace” – an LGBT Domestic Abuse - Town Hall Meeting eight week education support group for men who have March 25th • Eau Claire experienced partner abuse. Additionally, the Pride Centre of More details to follow in March Edition. Edmonton has counsellors volunteer their time Wednesday evenings at the Centre. In addition, Men’s Alternative Temporary Housing and Supports (MATHS) has sheltered http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1576 male victims when they have needed refuge. Unfortunately, View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments
44 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Sports Team Edmonton Mixer LGBT Dodgeball Sport and Socializing Promises to be Sensational New Sport Enters Western Cup
By Dallas Barnes By Sam Casselman Come out and meet the organizers and participants In recent years, Dodgeball has made quite a comeback. from the various GLBT sports and recreation groups in The Western Cup has caught onto this spirit and for the Edmonton, as Team Edmonton is puts on their annual first time, is offering a place for it in the Western Cup Mixer on February 27th. The much anticipated event is tournament! happening at the Art Gallery and Creations Lounge at the Sawridge Inn. “This year is the first year that dodge ball will be offered as a sport, we are really excited and hope that it takes off. Keith Andony, Team Edmonton organizer, is very excited about this event; all 28 of Edmonton’s LGBTQ sports and recreation We would love to turn this into a regular weekly schedule,” groups have been invited. Team Edmonton also partners with says Amber Reid, Dodgeball coordinator. local community groups such as HIV Edmonton, Edmonton Queer Professionals, Womonspace, and Calgary based groups like AARGA The Dodgeball Tournament is being held at Hillhurst and Apollo, some of whom will also be present at the event. Community Centre on Saturday April 3rd from 10am until Not only is the Team Edmonton Mixer promising to be a night 5pm, and anybody 18 or older can play. Reid asserts that of fun and entertainment, it will also give people an idea of the the average age of participants ranges from 20-35 with an over 28 different activities that Edmonton sporting group provides. equal helping of men and women. She would love to get Athletes that will be attending the Western Cup on April 1-3 are more people of all ages to join. “Dodge ball is a really fun strongly encouraged to come as well. Andony says, “If there are and easy - it’s also very addictive - sport to play, any age any Edmonton athletes who or gender too. Even if you would like to participate in have never played, just Western Cup, they can register sign up with a team and with Apollo that evening. play for fun. That is the The sports planned include Badminton, Bowling, Curling, most important part!” Hockey, Running, Swimming, The equipment is and Volleyball.” provided, so all you need to When asked about Team bring is a pair of running Edmonton’s role in its LGBT shoes. However, knee community he responded, “Team Edmonton became an official pads are recommended. society in 2007 and keeps as Registering for Dodge its main goal, the promotion of ball at the Western Cup GLBT sports and recreation in costs only $30.00 before the city. We operate a website March 1st and $55.00 at www.teamedmontion.ca that afterwards. Registration keeps the community informed closes on March 15th. and up-to-date on the latest activities in the city and send There will be two out a monthly newsletter to members. We also work to promote divisions paying, one consisting of experienced teams and Edmonton’s participation in national and international GLBT the other of new/beginner teams. When registering a team sporting events. Memberships are available at the Annual Mixer there is a minimum of 6 players and a maximum of 8. These and Silent Auction Celebration on the Square (Pride Week) and the Annual General Meeting.” players must be registered with Western Cup. Admission to the event is a free, however you must be 18 or If you are unfamiliar with the rules of Dodge ball, not to older to attend as it is a licensed liquor establishment. There will be worry: the rules are listed extensively on the Western Cup a silent auction, the funds from which Andony explains go directly website. to Team Edmonton to continue supporting their affiliated groups and make it possible for new initiatives. Apollo Friends in Sports is continuing to create some Team Edmonton would like to thank all of its volunteers and excellent, all-inclusive sporting initiatives, so give Dodgeball sponsor that assisted in helping this event to happen. Out of down a try at this year’s Western Cup. guests attending the event receive a special Team Edmonton Rate of $99 per night if they decide to stay.
Team Edmonton Mixer Western Cup Dodgeball February 27th, 7pm-11pm April 3rd, 10am-5pm Creations Lounge at the Sawridge Hotel Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Centre 4235 Gateway Blvd, Edmonton http://www.westerncup.com 1-888-729-7343
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GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 45 Music Music Review Unbroken, Animal, Stronger with Every Tear By Chris Azzopardi Animal By: Ke$ha Genre: Rock Unbroken My Rating: By: Katharine McPhee Genre: Rock My Rating: Pop’s new “bi” on the block is the kid Katy Perry would have if she could birth a 22-year-old smart ass. Her stock elocution is an almost-clone of the “I Kissed a Girl” phony’s. Now a blonde, you wouldn’t recognize the former Idol But Ke$ha likes booze more – or so she sings (and sometimes frontrunner on the cover of her second album. That’s probably raps) in her teen-sounding tone. The no-BS-taking brat is the point. After an awful, R&B-leaned 2007 debut bombed hammered on much of her drunk-on-dance debut, sneaking and struggled to artistically define the singer-turned-actress alcohol into her purse, guzzling it like water or using it (causing her then-label RCA Records to drop her), the former as a metaphor. Oftentimes she unleashes some snarky, broad’s going the Mandy Moore route – right down adult- cackle-causing zinger. All this is sloshed over electro-pop contemporary road. Songs like the first couple pop confections beats via music-making majors like Dr. Luke and Max – mid-tempos “It’s Not Right” and “Had It All,” the irresistible Martin, who manipulate Ke$ha’s Katy-meets-Miley vocals first single – fit McPhee better than the shoes she ridiculously to crazy robotic, half-Chipmunk effect. Much of Animal is sang about on her predecessor, partly because the focus wisely cut from the same blippity-blooping that assaults the first shifts to her fine, cloudless voice. It’s an alluring instrument single, “TiK ToK,” with the opening lead-in of songs offering that works marvelously on “Say Goodbye,” a piano-led lament irresponsible fun – especially on the fuzzed-out “Take It Off,” vulnerably conveyed in a haunting cadence. Unfortunately, promoting drunken hot messes. But as if to make her seem it’s often also stylistically vanilla – and a heap of bland ballads like a real person, she turns to insufferable ballads that rounding out the album aren’t particularly wooing. But at least aren’t believable when she’s channeling more machismo she’s moving her Manolos in the right direction. than a frat boy. There’s still instant gratification to some of this disposable, processed party-pop, but it’s on par with a night of nonstop drinking. You won’t remember much of it tomorrow.
Stronger with Every Tear By: Mary J. Blige Genre: R&B My Rating: ½
If ever an artist could sell a cliché, it’d be Mary J. Blige. So much raw conviction is served alongside her inimitable powerhouse voice that even self-empowerment platitudes, like those on the canned MJB upper-anthem “Each Tear” off her ninth studio album, go down easier than they should. But even a bona fide soul queen like Blige can’t redeem something as abominable as “Kitchen,” cooking up atrocious rhymes and silly appliance metaphors like a parody. Meat’s missing in the hallow shells of “I Love U (Yes I Du)” and “I Feel Good,” and a few cookie-cutter club songs – produced by trendy hip-hop hot shots – dilute Blige’s trademark stamp, but still do their job. She gets into her groove on “I Am” with its classic-ballad throwback vibe. But it’s the prized closing paean, “I Can See in Color” – a sparse, bluesy song of joy, redemption and self-love – that makes bold boasts like “I’m the best” more believable.
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46 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Sports
LGBT Bowling Leagues in Alberta Alberta Bowling Rainbow Riders (Calgary) Lets Bowl (2916 5th Avenue NE) The Rainbow Riders & Northern Titans Wednesdays, 7pm Running until March 3rd By Sam Casselman $17.00 per night. Shoe rentals: $2.50 [email protected] Calgary’s Rainbow Riders Unity Bowling (Calgary) “Bowling is a fun and social sport with just a little competition on the side,” says Brad, organizer for the Rainbow Riders bowling Lets Bowl (2916 5th Avenue NE) league in Calgary. Sundays at 1:30pm Bowling is a sport that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people as it is one that relies more on accuracy than stamina or brute Northern Titans (Edmonton) force. “We pride ourselves on participation and successfully cater Gateway Lanes (100, 3414 Gateway Blvd) to everyone who wants to bowl: young or old, beginner or dedicated, Saturdays, 5-7pm fun-seeker or competitive, and this year promises to be even more $15.00 per night. successful.” [email protected] Last season Apollo Bowling celebrated their 22nd anniversary and had 24 teams of 4 bowlers, made up of roughly 40% women and 60% men. “There is a good split between male and female bowlers to participate in all three events and score based on their overall of all ages.” performance – in which case they bowl three games per event. Teams consist of four members comprised of any combination of men and According to Brad, a quarter of the league each year is made up women, all of whom compete on an equal basis. Participants are of first time bowlers, and Brad encourages, “don’t be shy, come out made up mostly of the Rainbow Riders, and also Calgary’s newer and join us every Wednesday this season!” Unity Bowling league. Apollo bowling takes place at Lets Bowl every Wednesday at If the fun along isn’t enough to motivate you, there is an estimated 7pm. The cost is $17.00 per night, which includes Lineage, and a $12,500 in prize money up for grabs, among many other prizes. contribution to the prize fund. Shoe rentals cost a mere $2.50. Brad estimates that every bowler on every team will win back almost “Bowling is one of the original sports that take part in Western Cup half of the money they have contributed to the Prize Fund as part each year,” Brad explains. The Western Cup Bowling tournament of their nightly fee. During the weekly “Bowling for Bucks” game, is coming up soon, running from April 2nd to 3rd. The Tournament everyone has a chance at a cash prize of $150: buy a raffle ticket is a mixed handicap competition open to men and women made up for a dollar, if your ticket is drawn and you bowl a strike, you are of events for singles, doubles and teams. Competitors can choose an instant winner. If you don’t bowl a strike you still win $10 for every pin knocked down, and the strike pot grows weekly until it is won. Also for just a loonie, you could win the weekly 50/50 pot that averages $100. Edmonton’s Northern Titans Team Edmonton’s Northern Titans GLBT Bowling league meets every Saturday evening from 5 to 7pm at the Gateway Lanes. Nightly admission is $15.00. Unfortunately we were unable to speak to a representative of the Northern Titans league before time of press, however the upcoming Team Edmonton mixer is an excellent opportunity to find out what Northern Titans, and other Team Edmonton leagues are about. The mixer will be held on February 27 in the art gallery and Creations Lounge at the Sawridge Inn in Edmonton. Guests receive a special Team Edmonton Rate of $99 per night at the hotel if they would like to stay. Admission to this event is free, however you must be over 18 to attend.
Apollo Friends in Sports www.apollocalgary.com Team Edmonton www.teamedmonton.ca Western Cup Bowling Tournament Lets Bowl (2916 5th Avenue NE) Friday April 2nd, 2010 Singles 9am-12pm, Doubles 1pm–4pm. Saturday April 3rd Teams from 12pm–4:30pm www.westerncup.com
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GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 47 Classified Ads
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GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 49
Interview Wanna Dance? GMMF brings the Funk to Calgary By Pam Rocker how it’s usually been done, but let’s try it this way. Plus she’s done a little to help dress some of the band – who shall remain If you’re looking to get your groove on, look no further than nameless.” God Made Me Funky. This 9-member ensemble has been called Calgary is also the hometown of O’Neil, so their upcoming Toronto’s most danceable band and their mix of old school hip- performance will be even more special. “Our first time here was hop with funk, rap, rock, and R&B come together to produce the for the Juno’s in 2008,” says Fitz, “and we’re really excited to band’s “Nu-Funk” genre. come back to Calgary.” GMMF’s drummer, Alan Fitz, explains what Nu-Funk means Fitz guarantees that they will bring nothing but a high-energy, to them. “Nu-Funk to us is an amalgamation; in the 1970’s, funk feel-good show that will get you moving. “If you don’t dance, was all about the party, and we definitely bring the party part of you’ll be the only one.” it. The ‘Nu’ part of it is that we add rap, rock, hip-hop. We’re a funk band that plays with the attitude of a rock band; bringing back the fun of bands like Earth, Wind and Fire, and Kool and God Made Me Funky the Gang. In the late 70’s, it’s what people used to dance to and was linked closely to disco. Musicians didn’t take themselves too Playing February 18th seriously, and that’s what we try to do. We’re all about putting Dicken’s Pub (1000 9th Ave SW) on a big show and making it lots of fun.” [email protected] Fitz has been with GMMF since their formation in 1996, but 403.233.7550 long before then, he found himself behind a drum kit. When asked what prompted him to pick up sticks at the age of 11, he laughs and says that his mother was a big influence. “My http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1582 mother decided for me because she wanted us to be musicians. It was either my sister or I, and my sister showed neither the View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments inclination or the aptitude for the guitar, so I thought I’d pick up the drums.” His Mom might have some problems with how well it’s worked out, though. “She may want me to give it up so that I would get married and give her some grandkids,” Fitz laughs. Having 9 people in the band from so many different musical backgrounds could presumably cause some tension when it comes to collective decision-making. But, Fitz says, they meld together really well and there’s always room for anyone to try new things. “The great thing about this band is that we play a lot of shows, and often times someone on stage will come up with something, and if the audience is enjoying it, the next thing you know it becomes part of how we do that song. In a lot of ways, the audience decides on different changes we make. We love playing live. We’re privileged to be able to play 100 shows a year and never take it for granted.” As evidenced on their latest album, “Welcome To Nu Funktonia”, GMMF doesn’t shy away from collaboration with other artists. Nu Funktonia features guest vocals from Jully Black, Instant Star’s Miku Graham, Moka Only and production by Keith Harris from the Black Eyed Peas. They are also looking to work with a great old school hip-hop MC and producer, KRS-One, on their upcoming album. “We all grew up listening to him - he really was a pioneer of hip-hop music and culture.” Ninety percent of the musical artists in the Toronto R&B scene have been in the band either as an artist or as a member at some point. Fitz feels like, for the most part, other Canadian artists are eager to team up with and support each other. “A lot of people seem willing to collaborate. Sometimes there’s an elitism – some people say they’re only a jazz musician or a rock musician and they won’t play any other style, but we think that new music comes from an amalgamation of old music. We always want to try new things. Like, what would happen if we took a polka artist and had him play with a funk band at 130 beats per minute?” GMMF newest member is Season 3 Canadian Idol winner Melissa O’Neil, who we interviewed in last month’s edition. She joined the band as a vocalist but has added much more than her voice talent to the ensemble, says Fitz. “Melissa is a real contributor as a singer and as a writer, (in the past, the lead female vocalists we’ve had were mainly vocalists). When she joined, we all felt like we’d known her forever. She’s kind of like the band mother; she’s always caring about your life, asking how you’re doing. And she has a lot of ideas, she’ll say, I know that’s
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 51 Movies Movie Review St. Trinian’s and She’ll Cut a Bitch By Chris Azzopardi By Jason Clevett
As a brainless British “Where are my gays farce gung-ho on at?” comic Kathy Griffin spreading grrrl-power, calls out to the Portland St. Trinian’s asks a lot audience that was selected of you just to see Rupert to tape her sixth Bravo Everett in drag. Patience, special She’ll Cut A Bitch, to ride out the whole now available uncensored tedious affair. A simple on DVD. sense of humor, to find She certainly knows the laughs in cheap fart her audience. The D- and dog-humping jokes. lister early in the show And a strong stomach, to talks about spending her endure reputable actors birthday with Cher. “I in regrettable roles: Colin am the only comic who Firth, brilliant in A Single Man and uncomfortable to watch can’t do a Cher impression” and it’s true. Her impression here, and Everett, pulling double-duty as the unruly school’s is terrible, but that is part of what is funny. However, her headmistress and its new student’s father. impression of Rosie O’Donnell is dead on. Like the infamous 1954 film on which it’s based, The Belles Her comedy is based on personal stories such as meeting of St. Trinian’s, the crux concerns a group of heinous girls James Gandolfini at the Schmemmys, being at the Grammys, hell-bent on saving their school from shutting down, doing and sitting with Tracy Morgan trying not to lose it while he it with true Trinian trickery – swiping a famous painting and makes fun of Oprah within earshot. Talking about her mom selling it on the black market. Oh, how cunning. Too bad the Maggie is some of the best comedic material on the disc. witless flick isn’t even remotely as sharp as their scheme. Fans of Griffin will enjoy the DVD. So maybe there The laughs sag, characters flat-line and the slapdash script weren’t any moments where I had to put it on because I should’ve gone down with the school. was laughing so hard, but there were still a lot of extremely Firth, as the man bringing the institution down and funny moments. Some of the material is dated – it aired Everett’s former love interest, is one-note – a respectable, on Bravo in April so targets like OctoMom and Sarah Palin even great, actor who shows considerable depth as a gay aren’t as fresh as they were at the time. Overall, She’ll Cut A man in A Single Man, but can’t do much with this ditzy Bitch is an enjoyable watch. dreck. One scene has him investigating the bug-swarmed school, looking disgusted. That look probably says more about his undignified part in this film than the bit itself. http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1583 Brit comic Russell Brand, as the schoolgirl’s tool, can’t View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments act, but the MTV tween audience he’ll attract here won’t care. Only Everett, as he completely camps up the part, is amusing as Ms. Fritton – engaging in a goofy fight, smoking a blunt and looking like he’s having a helluva time doing it all. “Don’t you think I make a remarkable queen?” he asks. In old-woman garb, Everett does, but the role’s still rather unremarkable (drag in a British film, how original) – and seeing him star in it feels like a waste. The talented, endearing and very out Englishman, having mostly ditched meaty parts in recent years, deserves better than the broad strokes of St. Trinian’s. And even with Oliver Parker (The Importance of Being Earnest) in the director’s chair, the flick feels amateurish with its very slick music-video sensibility and desperate attempts at eliciting laughs: holy crap, that’s a man in a dress! Farting! How funny! The last half especially drags when the school’s bimbos compete during a trivia showdown while the brainiacs try to steal the Vermeer piece; it’s all very Spy Kids-meets-Mean Girls without any of the smarts, sass or heart of the gay-loved latter. The worst part, though, is this: There’s a sequel.
52 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76,#75, FebruaryJanuary 2010 2010 Arts Truth Equals Beauty Rodeos and the Olympics, Paul Wong Style By Pam Rocker Paul Wong’s award-winning career as a multi-media artist spans over three decades. The native Vancouverite is best known for being a self-invented video pioneer, but my favourite pick of his many titles is “organizer of public interventions.” He embraces and engages, sometimes roughly, with issues of sex, censorship, race, and death. Wielding his weapons of video, photography, and performance, he has deftly broached subjects that many would run from, and as a result, many of his once- controversial works are now considered classics. Currently on exhibit at the Glenbow Museum is Wong’s installation: Photo 2 Hot Caption 2 Handle Text. Wong was invited Photo to Captionwork directly Text “2 Hot 2 Handle” by Paul Wong, at the Glenbow Museum with Glenbow’s diverse collections and to create new work based on his exploration. 2 Hot 2 Handle was inspired by the Glenbow’s extensive collection of western bronze sculptures. Truth seems to be a cornerstone in Wong’s practice as an Meshing the old with the new, Wong fuses the sculptures artist, even though he is consistently unpredictable and never with images from the Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association’s seems to stop growing and changing. “When I first picked up a (ARGRA’s) Canadian Rockies International Rodeo in 2009. video camera it was my way to look at the world, record it, edit Set within Glenbow’s permanent exhibition: Mavericks: it, and put it back out there. But now it’s more about seeing An Incorrigible History of Alberta, Wong delves into this things. The world is big, and luckily, I have an insatiable unconventional part of Alberta’s history, while grappling appetite. I’m excited about the world, I like seeing things that with the complexities of gender, masculinity and community. make me mad, make me excited, make me love.” “While looking at Mavericks, it was when I saw the rainbow His goal is to keep putting his work out there, and he flag in the grasslands that it really came alive for me,” says encourages his fellow artists to do the same. “There can be a Wong. “There is, was, and always will be a queer history in lot of self-doubt when you’re doing stuff that’s not mainstream, Alberta’s cowboy culture.” that’s not traditional film, or that’s not beautiful to watch. But Wong found himself equally inspired by his first excursion you can’t just keep holding on to your work, you have to be to a rodeo, when he visited Canada’s largest gay rodeo in truthful. For me, truth equals beauty, just like silence equals Strathmore last summer. He went with just his “happy snap” death.” camera, not really knowing what to expect. “The people were It’s clear that Wong will not keep silent, as he continues to so open and warm, they let me take their pictures with no stay up to ten projects ahead of even himself. Vancouver is the questions asked. I felt a real sense of community and was very site for his latest project: 5. Five site-specific events happening moved by the love I saw there. I really wanted to make those on five Saturdays during the Olympic and Paralympic Winter bronzes come alive with the heroes and heroines, the men and Games. Drawing together 79 artists from 22 countries, 5 will women of the gay rodeo circuit.” take the public on five extraordinary journeys through real, Recently, Wong has begun taking some of his old video invented and imagined places. If you can’t make it there in footage that’s never been shown and putting it out into the person, each event can be experienced virtually, beginning world. When visiting the Glenbow last month for a viewing of February 13th. some of his recent video work, he screened a short film called In the meantime, you can still catch 2 Hot 2 Handle at the Perfect Day. This self-portrait of Wong indulging in a variety Glenbow Museum until February 21st. of drugs by himself in his bedroom, straddles the line between humour and despair. While high, Wong searches desperately for a recording of the song Perfect Day by Lou Reed. He succeeds, but the CD is scratched, and the song skips, sending Wong into a bitter revolt, then on a journey to the bathroom to Paul Wong clean the CD with copious amounts of Windex. “I was really nervous watching that,” says Wong, moments www.5.paulwongprojects.com after the film is over. “It’s funny in parts, I know, but a certain part of me is horrified by it. But that’s the beauty of recording Glenbow Museum things and just putting them out there. When I looked back at 152 58th Avenue SW • 403-258-2777 this, I knew that I had edited it the morning after, when I was still high. But I didn’t change anything. If you start changing things, where do you stop? It’s real life, it was true at that http://www.gaycalgary.com/a1584 moment.” View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 53 Interview God-Des and She An Interview with Lesbian Legends By Sam Casselman and Leah Kelley expensive life. We wanted some sunshine, some more laid back environment and were also going to put together a live band here Remember that catchy song Lick it performed on the and start giggin, bi-weekly, or monthly around town, so that was Season Three finale of The L-Word before Shane and another reason we kind of wanted to make the move. Carmen’s wedding? GayCalgary: They say Alberta is like Texas. We’re supposedly Let us introduce you to the musical duo responsible for its very cowboy and “redneck” up here. What do you think? witty lyrics and funky beat; the talented God-Des and She. After God-Des: (Laughs) Austin is pretty cool ‘cause it’s extra liberal ten years of performing together God-Des and She have recently and progressive. The rest of Texas is pretty conservative, but it’s debuted their third album- Three, the title inspired by the many funny ‘cause Madison Wisconsin, where I went to college, is really three’s they encountered during the recording of the album, like a hippy, super artistic liberal town in the mid-west, then there’s and in other aspects of their lives. Three is a mix of God-Des’s like a lot of farmers. Here it’s like a bunch of artists and hipsters rhymes and She’s melodic voice in a genre labelled (by God-Des and hippies and cowboys, it’s a real cool mix. I kind of say there’s herself) as “UrbPop.” GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine had a lot of alternative cowboys walking around Austin. They still rock an exclusive opportunity to speak with this down to earth and the cowboy hats and Lee jeans, but they’re super progressive and friendly duo, one at a time. artistic, it’s pretty cool. God-Des: I’m really ignorant about Canada. I’ve been to Toronto GayCalgary: So when did you guys start making music? and Vancouver, so where is Calgary in terms of location of the God-Des: My entire family literally are professional classical country? musicians. My mom is a cellist and my dad is a trombonist. I GayCalgary: We’re right above Montana. started playing cello when I was three, I switched to violin at seven God-Des: Aw, shit, god it’s gotta be so beautiful there, I definitely and then I switched to percussion at ten, which is the instrument want to come. I really like to play. I really love the drums and I started in band in fifth grade, playing all the different percussion instruments and GayCalgary: Yeah, it’s super nice. So are you guys still based out of New York? I continued on through college. I started writing rhymes, I guess more like poetry that rhymed in high school and when I got into God-Des: No, we actually live in Austin, Texas now. I actually college my grandma passed away. I was really close to her and she moved to Austin from New York in May and She just moved didn’t have a lot of money to give all the grand kids but she just down here about a month and a half ago. This is going to be our left everybody like fifteen hundred dollars and with that money I home base. We were kind of getting tired of the fast paced super didn’t want to spend it on bills or anything stupid. I wanted to do
54 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 something really important with it, something that I thought would carry me through life and so I actually bought my first sampler keyboard. I started making beats with my roommate at the time and he and I formed God-Des. He was actually an opera singer but he had an incredible soul voice. We were also in a punk band together. Every time our punk band played, nobody really liked it but they liked the hip-hop part we did. So he and I started making beats and performing around Madison and this started to build up a pretty big buzz. Then he had to go away to grad school for opera so I wanted to find another singer. I really liked the melodic element with hip-hop and I heard She singing in her rock band Doll. I asked her if she wanted to do hooks on the side with God-Des and she was like, “Hip-hop? Oh okay, I guess I’ll try it.” (Laughter) And we just connected really well musically, our chemistry was pretty undeniable. We knew we had to go to one of the bigger cities so we chose New York, the home of hip-hop. We packed up our U-Haul and we moved to New York and the rest is history. GayCalgary: When did you guys start playing together? God-Des: We started playing together in like 2000. People think they saw us on The L-Word and we were this new band, but we were doing things way before that. GayCalgary: Do you think being on The L-Word was a big thing for you? God-Des: Oh Absolutely. It was definitely the right move, I mean that song She does, “Blue in the Face” is a great track. Everything’s we certainly got a lot of attention from the song “Lick It” and people so different, each song, but, I like ‘em all! remembered it. The next morning after it aired I was in Manhattan GayCalgary: What’s your favourite song to perform? selling beer. I remember looking in my inbox on my phone and it God-Des: I really like performing “Respect My Fresh”, that’s said I had 200 new messages and I was like, “holy crap, what the the real hip-hop sounding one on the record. We always get the heck.” It was instant, within about a month of being on the show crowd singing really loud. It’s really fun to dance to and when the both of us quit our jobs and have been able to do God-des and She beat drops it’s really cool. It’s always fun to sing songs that people full time ever since. know. I mean, I do have to admit I’m rather sick of singing “Lick GayCalgary: What would you guys classify your musical style it” (laughs). I used to love doing “Love You Better” because a lot of as? Would you say hip-hop? people know that song and it’s really cute to hear people singing God-Des: No, that’s just so hard to describe, especially when along. you hear Three, you’re going to be like holy crap, what is this? I GayCalgary: Was there some controversy about the “Lick It” was thinking a new funny name would be Urb/Pop. I think it’s a music video in Canada. mix between hip-hop, pop and soul music. I think that’s probably God-Des: Oh, I don’t know about in Canada, but there was some the best description. controversy here in the States. MTV banned it. We thought that GayCalgary: Your new album is called Three. Is this by any was so fucked up, because they’ll play all these really degrading, chance your third album? over sexualized, violent videos and they wouldn’t play that. We God-Des: It is, (laughter) it’s pretty literal! But, we named it were pretty upset about it, but hey, we kept it moving and now three for a lot of different reasons. 3 is kind of the magic and lucky they play it late night. number. We were on the season three finale ofThe L-Word, this is GayCalgary: So who makes up the majority of your fan base? our third record, we mixed it at Chuck D’s house in long Island and God-Des: I think the majority are girls and queer girls, but it’s we’ll just say it had a lot of three’s in it. My birthday is in March, really starting to change. I think our music is really universal and it’s a three, and I’m also going to be having some 3’s in my birthday it kind of speaks to everybody so I definitely don’t think its bias in coming up this year. age. A lot of people think oh its hip-hop, its young kids but you GayCalgary: What’s your favourite God-Des and She song? wouldn’t believe how many 50 and 60 year old women buy our God-Des: Man. (Sigh) it’s really hard to say. The new record only stuff. has ten songs on it and we put ten songs on it that we truly, truly GayCalgary: Are you involved in any queer community stuff in loved. I really like “Love Machine” I think that’s going to be the first your hometown? single and I just think it’s really fun and I never get sick of it. I think God-Des: We’ve always done a lot of human rights campaign benefits, and we’ve done a ton of just queer benefits. We did
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 55 Interview - Cont’d
something in New York; they have this really cool organization that gives homes to homeless gay kids. They provide them with shelter and schooling and stuff, we’ve played at the school. I guess it sounds corny, but we really just want world peace and equality for everybody. Next we spoke to She... GayCalgary: So when did you start making music? She: I was in a rock band for a long time before I even joined up with God-des. We actually met at a national organization of women benefit. She heard me sing...she’s extra pushy to be honest (laughs), so she convinced me cause I wasn’t really. …My voice is soulful so it lends itself to R&B and stuff but I never thought I’d be in a Hip Hop group (laughs). I play guitar and I write music that’s real different than God-des and She but I was like oh it will be fun, I’ll write some hooks and see what happens. So I started writing choruses and stuff, and we started performing under just the name God-Des. I would just stand there and sing the choruses and it was boring (laughs). I was used to being the front person of a five piece band so then just to be a chorus singer was weird to me and really foreign. Over time I started to do her doubles and we really interacted a lot on stage and the longer we’ve been together the more integrated the singing and the rapping. It’s very interwoven now, and it’s created a really cool new sound. GayCalgary: Do you have solo stuff going on? She: This is such a full time job right now. We are our own team and we’re business women and this is a full time business so we’re very focused on God-Des and She right now. Once everything is more a machine and we have a team and things are rolling along I think I will definitely do some solo stuff. I love playing guitar and singing and writing music, all different kinds. I do some trip- hop stuff, I love singing rock and I just love creating music in all different genres and stuff. I think it comes through in our songs, because the new record especially is really all over the place. GayCalgary: What’s your favourite God-Des and She song? She: Man it changes all the time, I love “Respect My Fresh” I think it’s a super fun song to perform and people really respond to it. I also like “Radio Up” a lot, it really speaks to what’s going on in the music industry and how nothing really makes you feel anything. When you turn on the radio, it all sounds the same. I think that we’ve really lost the heroes of music. There used to be heroes, where you not only loved their songs, but you loved them and I think that’s what we’re trying to bring back. We want to be
56 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 people’s heroes again, where they feel like they can relate to us and connect with us. I think that’s what separates somebody like Beyonce, she seems very untouchable to me, and she seems more like a product. So I think that there’s something missing when you turn on the radio and the song doesn’t give you goose bumps or you don’t get the chills. That is what we want to change and bring back to the people, that would be great! GayCalgary: Tell me about the fundraiser section on your website. She: Well, we are completely independent and we spent a great deal of money on this record; getting a really good producer, a good studio a good PR company. It’s just very expensive and we are asking our fans to help us out, if they have anything extra to send us. It’s been fairly successful, we’ll say the spiel at a festival and we’ll make a lot of extra money. We’ve been extra independent and have been doing this on our own from the beginning and it’s an expensive job to have. Every penny we make, we put back into our business, besides the bare essentials to live on you know. So it’s never an easy task, but we have a lot of integrity because we don’t have a record label telling us what we can and can’t do. GayCalgary: Have you guys ever been on a label? She: We had one song signed to Sony, on a compilation for Music with a Twist and that really didn’t get anywhere. Everybody’s like, “God, I can’t believe you guys aren’t signed.” At the same time, that dream of being signed is very archaic, it doesn’t work in the same way anymore and records are not selling in the same way. We sell a lot of records personally to people and we sell a lot of downloads. People don’t buy hard copy CD’s as much as they used to. So that whole business model, it doesn’t really fly anymore. We just need the right connections, to get on TV again and to get a good video out. A lot of the fundraising is to do a video. We want to film a video for “Love Machine” by summer at the latest, and we have all of our ducks in a row but it’s just really hard to make the money that you need because it’s expensive. GayCalgary: When you’re doing your own stuff, you’re the ones pounding the pavement and making your life what it is, right? She: Right, and we answer all our own e-mails and we do our own Facebook and Myspace. So anytime anybody contacts us on those places, it’s us reading it and responding and taking the time out to answer any questions or connect with them. At any music festival or gay pride or any show we stay after and sign and take pictures with whoever wants them. Sometimes it takes like two or three hours, but that’s part of your job, that’s part of what it means to be an artist, you give the people their moments and it means so much to them. Sometimes that’s the hardest part for me because I’m exhausted but if I didn’t do that, then I’d feel like such a douche bag (laughs). Honestly, we’re very real; we’re very down to earth. We love what we do; we’re greatful that we get to do it. We’re just normal; we put our pants on one leg at a time. Sometimes people are so nervous to meet us, it makes me laugh. I’m like, “yo homie, we could like totally chill and have a beer, grill out, it’s cool.” We’re probably never going to be different than that. GayCalgary: Do you guys hang out together when you’re off the road or are you sick of each other? She: It’s almost like being around each other is like being alone (laughs), ‘cause we’re so used to each other. Right now we spend all of our time together because we are working so hard and doing all our booking and the business. I just moved to Austin and I’m in the process of getting my own place and so right now were 24/7. It’s like a marriage that you can’t get divorced from, so you gotta figure it out. We know each other really well and we give each other our space when we need it and are down for each other, probably more than anyone, ever, just ‘cause it’s more than a marriage, more than a business partner, it’s more than a friend. I really feel like if we’re able to break through, that we are going to change the face of music and what it means and how people connect to it. I just want to bring some joy, love and goodness back into the industry and I think that we can - I am determined.
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GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 57 Photography
KINK II Night at Play - Edmonton, Photos by B&J Old Buzzard Drag Show at Boots - Edmonton, Photos by B&J
Paul Wong Exhibit Launch at the Glenbow Museum - Calgary
58 GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 Photography
The Chrysalis Project & Art Show Presented by Misc Youth at Axis Sandra Casey Memorial at MoneyPennies - Calgary Art Gallery and Art Central - Calgary
ARGRA Dance - Calgary
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine #76, February 2010 59 Photography
Western Canada Leather Sir/Boy Contest at the Calgary Eagle - Calgary
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