TAKING FLIGHT Sexuality, Mccree Knows Others Are Not As BACK ON

IN CALGARY 2013

Camp fYrefly empowers LGBT youth to stand up for social change

BY PAULA TROTTER AT FYREFLY, PEOPLE CAN FULLY BE hen Monica McCree came out as THEMSELVES WITHOUT WORRYING bisexual in January 2012 and started ABOUT BEING DISCRIMINATED, I Wdating another woman, she didn’t know how her friends and family would react. FELT A LOT MORE CONFIDENT IN “I didn’t know what to expect, but my MYSELF AND KNOW THAT I AL- friends were so cool,” says the 17-year-old who graduated from Sir Winston Churchill this year. WAYS HAVE THE SAFETY NET OF While friends and family have embraced her “THE LGBT COMMUNITY TO FALL TAKING FLIGHT sexuality, McCree knows others are not as BACK ON. fortunate. “There are a lot of people who aren’t in the situation where they can safely be out or they’re The camp also provides participants with a safe being bullied,” she says. “Even if people don’t and unconditional sense of belonging, says Wells. face direct discrimination, there’s still the overall All of this helps inspire campers to stand up for oppression that you get from society. Our society social change the remaining 361 days of the year. is very heteronormative.” McCree was one of the more than 40 youth who Sexual and gendered minorities continue to participated in the first Calgary-area Camp fYrefly. face discrimination. A few examples of this “At fYrefly, people can fully be themselves include: sex education in schools is only directed without worrying about being discriminated,” toward straight students; police-reported hate she says. “I felt a lot more confident in myself crimes motivated by sexual orientation increased and know that I always have the safety net of the by 10 per cent between 2010 and 2011, while LGBT community to fall back on.” incidents motivated by race, ethnicity and McCree’s experience at camp further fueled religion decreased during the same period, her desire to advocate for sexual and gendered according to Statistics Canada; lesbian, gay and minority rights. bisexual youth are at higher risk of attempting The teen established a Gay-Straight Alliance suicide than heterosexual youth; and the Alberta at her high school the year she came out, government approved Bill 44 in 2009, which helping to foster student discussion about allows parents to pull their children out of class sexuality and organizing awareness events such when lessons of sexual orientation and other as a Pride Day. contentious topics are being discussed. She would like to be a youth leader at Camp “We can have all the legal equality we want, fYrefly next year, and has signed up to volunteer but that doesn’t rapidly equate to social equality,” with fYrefly in Schools. An evolution of camp, says Kris Wells, a researcher with the Institute Wells says fYrefly in Schools goes directly to for Sexual Minority Studies in Edmonton and where the students are to raise awareness about co-founder of Camp fYrefly, an Alberta-based the consequences of bullying motivated by leadership retreat for LGBT youth. sexuality and gender. Photo submitted by Kris Wells “They don’t need to change,” he says of young He believes standing up to injustice within the Monica McCree was one sexual minorities. “It’s society that needs to school environment will result in rapid social change. of the more than 40 youth change — and the best way to change that is to “I think resistance is still largely based in to attend the first Calgary- empower these people.” stereotypes,” says Wells. “Misinformation, area Camp fYrefly, a four- That’s the goal of Camp fYrefly, which got stereotypes, prejudice — all of these can be day leadership retreat its start in Edmonton nine years ago and just rectified through education.” for LGBT youth. McCree, offered its first retreat to Calgary-area LGBT McCree and Wells will be walking with other who is bisexual, says the youth in Cochrane this July. Camp fYrefly members as parade marshals at experience strengthened The four-day camp includes a plethora of this year’s Pride Calgary. her resolve to advocate workshops that educate teens and young adults Calgary’s first Premier’s Pride Brunch in for sexual minority and on issues such as healthy relationships, knowing support of Camp fYrefly will be held Aug. 31 in gendered rights. their rights, self-defence, what community conjunction with Pride Week. Tickets are $50 and resources are available, basic life skills such as can be purchased at www.premierspridebrunch. financial literacy. eventbrite.ca. IN CALGARY 2013

All in the family BY MEGHAN JESSIMAN

hat’sagood party without atheme? —CalgaryHerald Archive This year,Pride Calgary will be Wfocusing on bolstering the family- Our Pride is growing friendlyaspects of its festivities and drawing attention to an important aspect of LGBTQ life in Calgary: same-sexfamilies. Pride 2013 Parade &Street Festival Today’sfamilyunit is no longer just comprised of amom, dad and their children. BY, MEGHAN JESSIMAN Canadian families come in amultitude of formats, and, as long as they contain love, veryone lovesaparade —evenmoreso, it seems,when it’srainbow-themed. that’ssomething to celebrate. It’sunderstandable, really. Imean, what’s not to love about aweeklong festivaldedicated to equality, Calgary Pride has not always operated with acceptance and, well, pride within Calgary’shomosexual community? If that’snot areason to go all out atheme.Infact, last year wasthe first time it with acelebration, Idon’t knowwhatis. took on asocial message. E Though YYC’sfestivities still pale in comparison to Pride festivals thattakeplace in cities such as For2013, the boardofdirectors has Vancouver,San Francisco and Sydney,Calgary’sfestivalgrowth rate is on aremarkablyspeedytrajectory.Since decided it is important to raise awareness the first Pride Festivalin1990, which onlyinvolved afew hundred people,Calgary’scelebration has growninto a of the challenges faced by same-sex multi-dayextravaganza, with morethan 30,000 attendees in 2012. families.The hope is thatthe regular “Wehaveseen ahuge growth in attendance over the last five years,” says Pride Calgary president Stephen Pride festivities,aswell as the family- Wright. “Attendance forthe parade and festivalseems to be expanding by about 5,000 people each year,so focused events taking place this year,will within the next five years we hope to see 50,000 people hereinCalgary.” allowsame-sexparents and children the This year’sfestivalkicks offFriday, Aug. 23 with Qthe Arts,aperforming arts presentation and dance opportunity to connect with others like party in partnership with Fairy Tales Presentation Society.The party continues with avariety of events the them. following long weekend. From club events to socials and brunches,this festivalhas alot to offer in terms of Pride Calgary 2013 features an expanded diversity. FamilyFun Zone run by alocal LGBT youth Of course,the main draw is always the parade and street festivalitself.Starting at noon, Sunday, Sept. 1, organization and afamily-friendlybarbecue the parade,floats and all, begins at 8th Avenue and 1st Street S.W. and ends at the festivalgrounds at Shaw (Bi-B-Q) held on Saturday, Aug. 31 from 5to Millennium Park.With participants from all walks of life in YYC, the parade is atestament to our city’sshifting 8p.m. at James Short Park. attitudes. Pride Calgary president Stephen Wright “Calgary reallycomes together forthis festival, sometimes in unexpected ways,” Wright says.“We have entries says thatwhen it comes to daytime events in from the Calgary Police Service,RCMP,Hazelle the Ga(y)zelle from GayFriends in Calgary,churches and all Calgary,the focus is on fun of the good, clean sorts of community associations.It’satrue mix.” variety. It is important to note thatthe parade and street fest thatfollows areafamily-friendlyevent, and always have “The Pride parade and the street festival been. Featuring live performances,great music from out-of-town and local DJs,food trucks,and afamilyzone, thatfollows arehaveand always been the festivalisthe ideal place —the beer gardens excepted, of course —tobring the kids foranall-access lesson completelyfamily-friendlyevents,” Wright in acceptance and celebration of diversity. explains.“They’re open to all ages and “Everyone is welcome at Pride Calgary,” says Wright. “People of all ages,genders,sexual orientations and as such, public indecency will be nationalities.” prohibited.”

THIRTY-SIX Proudtocelebrate. Everywhere. Everyday.

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arriage is the ultimate commitment, not just to another person buttobeing honest and transparent with yourself about whoyou are, says Calgary-area reverend Nadene Rogers. M It’sasentiment her partner,Maureen Phillips,agrees with. Phillips,69, wasmarried to aman for33years.She struggled to come to terms with her sexuality evenafter thatrelationship ended. “It wasahuge turmoil formeatthattime because Ihad to decide between following wheremyheart wasand what Ireallydesired, or staying whereIwas in thatlimited thinking and restricting myself from what Ifelt wastrulyright forme,”saysPhillips. Her apprehension entering into asame-sexrelationship waslargely based on howshe thought other people would perceive her. “I feared therewould be some negative reaction, eventhough this was the relationship thatIwanted to enter,” she says. Rogers,60, whofirst openlydated another woman in 1990, also let potential societal judgment steer her away from marriage. “One of the reasons Ididn’t marry wasbecause Ifeared the stigma,” she says.“It’svery painful to not be able to ownand love yourself because society labels it as right or wrong.” But after finding one another in 2004, both women found away to let go of their fears and the judgments of others,and embrace whothey are. “I have changed and growntoaccept and love myself exactlyasIam,” Phillips says. With thatgrowth, Rogers and Phillips realized they wanted to marry to declaretheir love forone another and forthemselves. The morning after their 2005 wedding in British Columbia, news that the federal government wasgoing to legalizesame-sexunions made the front page of the local paper.(B.C. wasquick to followOntario’s unprecedented lead in 2003 to legalizesame-sexmarriage provincially). “Love is love.Marriage is marriage.Tohavethatrecognized, it wasa real relief,” Phillips says. Prior to the legalization of same-sexmarriage in Canada, Rogers,the senior minister at the JoyofLife Centrefor Spiritual Living, performed numerous commitment ceremonies. Today, about 40 per cent of the weddings she performs arefor same-sex couples. In addition to its having granted everyone equal rights to declaretheir love and commitment, Rogers celebrates howthe legalization of same-sex marriage helps challenge the discrimination some individuals face because —Paula Trotter photo of their sexuality. Theday after Maureen Phillips, left, and Nadene Rogers married in B.C., the federal “These couples want to solemnizetheir relationships in the eyes of government announced it was going to legalize same-sex marriage across Canada. society,really, because it’salreadydone in the eyes of God.”

THIRTY-EIGHT IN CALGARY 2013

—Paula Trotter photo Lyn, left, and Brianne Langille arenewly married. As pleased as the couple is that same-sex marriage is legal in Canada, they arelooking forwardtothe day when it’ssimply referred to as marriage. Legal unions lessen discrimination

BY PAULA TROTTER alocal lesbian group,say the introduction of agender-neutral Civil Marriage Act wasamajor step in acknowledging the equal rights of the LGBT community. espite coming out as alesbian when she was15, LynLangille married aman “Looking at the bigger picture, it’serasing one morething that’sdifferent,” in her 20s. Langille says. D “Going back into the closet, apiece of me died,”she says.“Ilet family Same-sexmarriage can be seen as giving gays,lesbians and transgendered —such pressure, my ownfear and lack of self-esteem pile up and push me into some really as Brianne,who wasborn male and started transitioning at the ageof21—the same bad choices thatincluded marrying aman Ididn’t love.” opportunity as heterosexual couples to declaretheir love and commitment, she adds. But it wasn’t unhappiness thatmotivated Langille to stop suppressing herself. It also has an evenbroader impact on society,Langille says.Giving same- Instead, it waselation. sexcouples equal rights to marry has lessened, and will continue to lessen, She vividlyremembers feeling overjoyedwhen Michael Leshner and Michael discrimination, likethatwhich pressured her into entering aheterosexual Starkbecame the first same-sexcouple to legallymarry in Canada 10 years ago. relationship. Langille’semotional reaction to thatcivil union could not be ignored —she knew She also says couples no longer have to feel likestraight marriages aretheir only the time had come to divorceher husband and be true to herself. opportunity to have afamily, something manyofher older friends felt and acted on This August, she married her partner of five years,Brianne,inanintimate service prior to the legalization of same-sexmarriage. in British Columbia, Langille’schildren from her first marriage acting as ring “I believe thatinthe generations coming up behind us,you’ll see fewerand fewer bearers and Brianne’sfather serving as the marriage commissioner. people having to come out of choices likethat,”Langille says. Their union comes just eight years after the federal government formallylegalized Despite progressive legislation in Canada, Brianne says the LGBT community same-sexmarriage —aprecedent first set in 2003 by Ontario,the province in which continues to face inequality,including wheremarriage is concerned. Leshner and Starkmarried. “One dayitwon’t have to be called same-sexmarriage —itwill just be called The Langilles,who call Calgary home and first met at asocial outing arranged by marriage,” she says.

THIRTY-NINE IN CALGARY 2013

Planting aseed Gay-straight alliance provides safeenvironment in schools forLGBTQ students

BY MEGHAN JESSIMAN “Whatstarted with about four different schools participating has nowevolved into 25 or 30 within Calgary and anumber of participants from surrounding communities likeLethbridge and Okotoks,” Mooresays. “Thatoriginal meeting just carried along ust over ayear ago, March 2012 to be exact, the Calgary Gay-Straight Alliance getting stronger and stronger and better at linking moreand moreGSAs together.” wasofficiallyborn. Bringing together agroup of 35 to 75 folks each month —mostlyyouth, but J often parents,grandparents,counsellors and community members —these The brainchild of 31-year-old Nick Moore, the sexual and gender minority youth education co-ordinator forCalgary Sexual Health Centre, the CGSA seeks meetings areequal parts fun and socializing and round-tablediscussions on to create safe and supportive environments forlesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender pertinent issues the LGBTQ community is facing. and queer students who, unfortunately, often feel likeoutcasts in their schools, “Wefocus on social advocacy,identify community opportunities as they arise, communities and eventheir ownfamilies. and work on cultivating leadership,” Mooresays. “Participants then turn around While working within Calgary’sschools as acomprehensive sexual-health educator, and takethese lessons,ideas and skills to their ownGSAs.” Moorediscoveredthatmanyteachers were looking forwaystosupport LGBTQ It maynot sound likemuch, butitall comes down to connection. CGSA plants a students in their schools,but weren’tsurewhataction to take. seed and it growsfromthere. Forthose individuals whosooften feel ostracized or “Myself and our other educators continuouslyencountered caring and compassionate excluded, building anetworkofpeople whosupport and understand them can be an teachers whorecognized the trials and tribulations of being aLGBTQ youth in our city’s unparalleled, and often life-altering, gift, says Moore. schools,” Mooreexplains.“We found thatthe teachers whowereinviting us into their Moving forward, Moorehopes the important conversations the CGSA facilitates not classes were usuallyalso supportive allies to their LGBTQ students,but didn’t necessarily onlycontinue,but continue to grow rapidly. have the resources to support and engage them.” “Wehope to further support and connect the GSAs of Calgary and area,”hesays. “We Moorebegan to host monthlymeetings of the CGSA, as well as facilitating hope to find newand creative ways to engage the youth and their supportive teachers,as individual schools to start their owngroups. well as the greater community,tomakeall communities —especiallyschools —safe and The rate of growth in their first year has been phenomenal. nurturing forthe typicallymarginalized LGBTQ youth.”

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An abundance of travel companies offervacation-planning that caters to same-sex families craving travel adventure

BY MEGHAN JESSIMAN

he nuclear familyour grandparents and parents grew up with is no longer the rule.Between 2006 and 2011, the number of same- Tsexfamilies living in Canada grew from 7,465 to 21,015, and continues to expand with every passing year. Canadian families arenow abeautiful hodgepodge of foster, adopted and step-siblings,blended colours and ethnicities.and

—Thinkstock photo parental genders.

FORTY-TWO IN CALGARY 2013

But while Canadian society has come along wayinterms of accepting one WHILE THE FOCUS OF THIS NICHE manyother families like another,same-sexparents still face challenges thatheterosexual couples just TRAVEL INDUSTRY ISN’T ABOUT theirs. don’t come up against. This is especiallytrue when it comes time to plan a “Most kids with same- familyvacation. CREATING VACATIONS AWAY sexparents don’t live in While it’sone thing to battle intolerance on one’shome turf,taking FROM HETEROSEXUAL PARENTED communities with many one’sfamilytoanew environment wherethey maynot be understood or other same-sexparents,so respected, can be an intimidating, evenoverwhelming prospect. FA“MILIES, OPTIONS OFFERED BY our vacations provide an This is one of the main reasons whyoverthe last decade or so an RFAMILYDOPROVIDE A environment wherethey abundance of travel companies have begun offering vacation-planning arethe majority,” explains catering specificallytogay and lesbian families whocrave travel CERTAIN COMFORTZONE Gregg Kaminsky, afounding adventures. FOR TRAVELLERS ... partner of RFamily. One of North America’slargest purveyors of same-sexfamily-specific “Some couples mayfeel like tours is RFamilyVacations.Founded in 2003 by Rosie O’Donnell and her they can’t hold hands outside partner Kelli, the NewYork-based operation offers cruises,resort stays and of their home and thatisn’t fair to them, or the kids.” evenfamilysummer-camp programs to the LGBT community. This isn’t to saythatLGBT holidays areonlyopen to homosexual While thereare plenty of companies offering fun and sun to homosexual families.According to Kaminsky, RFamily’strips areall about travellers,RFamily’sdistinctive vibe is its familyfocus.Along with activities inclusion. likecooking and yoga classes,Broadwayreviews and concerts by big-name “Everyone is welcome and we have all types of families and extended celebs,RFamilyoften offers discussion groups on adoption, surrogacy and families whotravelwith us —both gayand straight,”hesays. gayparenting. If it sounds utopian, that’sprobablybecause it is. While this niche travel industry isn’t about creating vacations away from “Kids on our vacations ask other kids,‘arethose your moms?’ or,‘are heterosexual parented families,options offered by RFamilydoprovide a those your dads?’” Kaminskysays. certain comfort zone fortravellers and allowthem to meet and interact with “Absolute acceptance and love is the theme of every trip.”

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FORTY-THREE pride week events

Friday,August 23 12th Ave. S.W.) Location: Vinyl Nightclub (Downstairs, 7:30 to 9p.m. 213 10th Ave. S.W.) Presented by: The Calgary Queer 9p.m. to 3a.m. History Project Featuring: Phon3hom3 (Edmonton) Admission: free and Special Guest DJ Moreinfo at calgaryqueerhistory.ca Tickets: $20 presale, $30 at the door www.facebook.com/ Friday,August 30 events/290392137772722/

Louder: Turn Up The Volume Pre- Saturday,August 31 party Presented by: YYC Bad Boys &The Apollo Pride Hike Backlot Presented by Apollo Outdoor Pursuits Second Annual Possibilities Bi-B-Q Location: The Backlot (209 10th Ave. Visit apollocalgary.com for details Location: James Short Park (115 4th S.W.) Ave. S.W.) 6p.m. to 2a.m. 5p.m. to 8p.m. Featuring: DJ Nico (Calgary), Drag Admission: Free QThe Arts: The Official Pride Kickoff performances by Dynamite &Voodoo Featuring: Live entertainment and an Location: Hyatt Regency Calgary No Cover all-bodies, all-genders fashion show 7:30 p.m. to 2a.m. www.facebook.com/ www.facebook.com/ Presented by Fairy Tales Presentation events/342522825880810/ events/610317025680179 Society, Pride Calgary, and Swallow-A- Bicycle Theatre PurePride Calgary (Official Pride Tickets: $25 Early Bird, $30 Regular Premier’sPride Brunch Dance) Admission: $35 at the door In SupportofCamp fYrefly Location: Flames Central Featuring: The Cliks and plenty of Location: Hyatt Regency Calgary 9p.m. to 2:30 a.m. local artists. Tickets available at 11 a.m. Tickets: $40 and up qthearts2013.eventbrite.ca Tickets: $50 +GST Featuring: Alaska Thunderf**k of premierspridebrunch.eventbrite.ca RuPaul’s Drag Race Tuesday,August 27 www.facebook.com/ events/299906333479914/ CalgaryWomen’sCentreMovie Night Sunday,September 1 Location: Women’s Centre(646 1st Ave. N.E.) 6to8p.m. LOUDER Featuring: Gen Silent, acritically Presented by: YYC Bad Boys acclaimed film addressing the Location: Vinyl Nightclub (213 10th challenges faced by aging LGBT Ave. S.W.) CalgaryDykeMarch women and men. 9p.m. to 3a.m. StartLocation: William Aberhart Park Admission: Free; open to anyone who Featuring: Stephan Grondin (24th Avenue and 2nd Street S.W.) identifies as awoman. (Montreal) 11:30 a.m. RSVP to 403-264-1155 or caterina@ Tickets: $20 presale, $30 at the door Follows 24th Avenue to 4th Street, womenscentrecalgary.ca www.facebook.com/ down 4th Street to 18th Avenue, Pride Parade events/290392137772722/ finishing at Rouleauvillie Square(18th Location: Stephen Avenue, beginning Wednesday,August 28 Avenue &1st Street S.W.) at Olympic Plaza LOUDER PopLounge After Party to follow Noon CalgaryGay HistoryWalk Presented by: YYC Bad Boys & Admission: Free Presented by: TD Canada Trust StartLocation: CommunityWise (223 Tornado Productions calgarydykemarch.tumblr.com/ Admission: Free

FORTY-FOUR 6p.m. to 3a.m. Tickets: $30 presale Presenting: DJ Tatiana (Denver CO), DJ Fierce Tease (Louisville KY), Lisa Delux (Vancouver) www.facebook.com/ events/409547119162617/

Monday,September 2

Pride Street Festival Location: Shaw Millennium Park 12:30 to 6p.m. Presented by: TD Canada Trust Featuring: Live entertainment, beer —CalgaryHerald Archive gardens, family zone, community MayorNaheed Nenshi, 2011 marshall forthe Pride Calgary’sparade. vendors, food trucks and more Donnie PetersMemorial Cut-A-Thon Presented by: The St. Asia Hershe Day Club Foundation Presented by: Flygirl Productions Location: Thompkins Park (17th Location: West Rooftop Patio Ave. &8th Street S.W.) (225 7th Ave. S.W.) 10 a.m. to 5p.m. 1p.m. to 8p.m. In support of the AIDS Calgary Tickets: $35 +GST Positive Living Lunch Program Presenting: DJ Rikki Rocket www.facebook.com/ (Vancouver) and Jenna J(Vancouver) events/180427142131399/ www.ﬂygirlproductions.com/event/ hershe-day-club-rooftop-party- calgary/

The Big Gay Pride Brunch Presented by Gay Friends in Fused 2 Calgary The Ofﬁcial Calgary Pride Wrap-up Location: National on 10th (341 Party 10th Ave. S.W.) Presented by: Les Girls and YYC 11 a.m. Bad Boys Tickets: $25 Location: Commonwealth Bar & gayfriendsincalgary.ticketleap. Stage (731 10th Ave. S.W.) com/big-gay-pride-brunch/

FORTY-FIVE