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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! FEB 6–19, 2014 3 XTRA Published by SHERBOURNE HEALTH CENTRE PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brandon Matheson 333 SHERBOURNE STREET TORONTO, ON M5A 2S5 EDITORIAL ADVERTISING MANAGING EDITOR Danny Glenwright ADVERTISING & SALES DIRECTOR Ken Hickling ‹>>>:/,9)6<95,65*( ARTS EDITOR Phil Villeneuve NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Jeffrey Hoffman COPY EDITOR Lesley Fraser RETAIL ACCOUNTS MANAGERS EVENT LISTINGS: [email protected] Brian Garrison, Phil Clowater CLIENT SERVICES & ADVERTISING CONTRIBUTE OR INQUIRE about Xtra’s editorial ADMINISTRATOR Eugene Coon 3.BT HEA3TH content: [email protected], ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION [email protected] COORDINATOR Gary Major EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE DISPLAY ADVERTISING: [email protected] FAMILY DAY EXTRAVAGANZA FEBRUARY 17! Natasha Barsotti, Drasko Bogdanovic, 416-925-6665 or 800-268-XTRA Please join the LGBTQ Parenting Network for our Family Day Extravaganza! Kyle Burton, Rolyn Chambers, LINE CLASSIFIEDS: classifi[email protected] Julie Cruikshank, Chris Dupuis, Elah Feder, Monday, February 17th, 2014, 11:00am-3:00pm. LGBTQ Parenting Network is proud Max Lander, Michael Lyons, Marcus McCann, SPONSORSHIP AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Erica Bestwick, [email protected] to partner with Pride House Toronto to host the Family Day Extravaganza at the Eduardo Sabate, Sissydude, Johnnie Walker, Jeremy Willard The publication of an ad in Xtra does not mean Sochi Games Lounge! Please RSVP online: www.lgbtqparentingnetwork.ca ART & PRODUCTION that Xtra endorses the advertiser. Storefront CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucinda Wallace features are paid advertising content. GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Darryl Mabey, Printed and published in . ©2014 Pink Bryce Stuart, Landon Whittaker DYKES PLANNING TYKES REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Triangle Press. Xtra is published every two The course will take place Wednesday evenings, February 19 - May 7, 2014 weeks by Pink Triangle Press. ISSN 0829-3384 7:00-9:30pm at . Contact [email protected] or 416-324-4100 Address: 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, ON, M5B 1J3 x 5276 or visit lgbtqpn.ca/familyplanning for more information and registration. Office hours: 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday Registration is also available at The 519 front desk. Phone: 416-925-6665 Fax: 416-925-6674 Website: dailyxtra.com General email: [email protected] MATURE TRANS SISTERS SUBSCRIPTIONS MTS is a weekly drop-in group for Mature Trans Women who are 45 years and older to meet, learn, $77.81 for one year (26 issues); $69 (US) in the United States; $125 (US) overseas. [email protected] | 800-268-XTRA WSHUHUKZOHYLL_WLYPLUJLZ[VNL[OLYPUHZHMLZWHJL;OLNYV\WPZMHJPSP[H[LKI`Z[HќHUKJVSSLJ[P]LS` run by participants who decide on group activities. The drop-in is open to older trans women of all PINK TRIANGLE PRESS types of gendered experiences and expressions. Founded 1971 DIRECTORS Jim Bartley, Gerald Hannon, For more information, including dates/times and access/ability needs, contact Ander Glenn Kauth, Didier Pomerleau, Ken Popert, Gillian Rodgerson Negrazis at 416-324-4100 x 5230 or email [email protected]. HONORARY DIRECTOR Colin Brownlee PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ken Popert CEO, DIGITAL MEDIA David Walberg CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Andrew Chang :\WWVY[PUN6\Y@V\[O:6@ZLLRZ[VPTWYV]L[OLX\HSP[`VMSPMLMVY3.);`V\[O\W[V  [OYV\NO[OLHJ[P]LPU]VS]LTLU[VMHK\S[Z^VYRPUN[VNL[OLY^P[O`V\[O>VYRPUN^P[OPU HUHU[PVWWYLZZPVUMYHTL^VYR:6@KL]LSVWZPUP[PH[P]LZ[OH[I\PSKZRPSSZHUKJHWHJP[PLZ WYV]PKLTLU[VYPUNHUKZ\WWVY[HUKU\Y[\YLHZLUZLVMPKLU[P[`HUKILSVUNPUN  ‹ >>>:6@;6965;669. Check out our FREE Real Estate App SUPPORT SOY! Harvey Malinsky, Broker MONDAY NIGHT DROP-IN MAKES QUEER VALENTINE’S CARDS: FEBRUARY 10 Shana Malinsky, Sales Representative RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage (^LLRS`WYVNYHT^OLYLX\LLYHUK[YHUZ`V\[O\UKLY JHUÄUKHUPUJS\ZP]LJVTT\UP[`6U 723 Mount Pleasant Rd., [email protected] February 10, join us for a night of delicious food and crafting Queer Valentine’s Cards! Mondays, www.HomesWithUs.com 416-486-5588 !WT !WT*VU[HJ[1VOUH[QJHɈLY`'ZOLYIV\YULVUJHVY_ 

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ONSTAGE Cultivating Rhubarb

After 35 years, the annual queer Laura Nanni, Rhubarb’s theatre festival is as hardy as ever — festival director at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. no thanks to the government E20 TANJA TIZIANA

Editorial Coming of age For the love of fucking The new Hidden Cameras By Danny Glenwright E6 Upfront album is the band’s darkest Feedback E6 Coalition to host yet, so why is still laughing? E23 Xcetera E7 LGBT lounge during Sochi Olympics E9 What’s On E24 Shameless games Could Club Scene E25 pornographic video games help Deep Dish online at prevent the spread of HIV? E10 By Rolyn Chambers E26 National news BC Law Society Xtra Living E27 dailyxtra.com considers TWU application E10 E Finnish swimmer History Boys comes out to raise Murder in Manhattan Daily Xtra Travel By Jeremy Willard E12 awareness about Reinventing Curaçao Cover story Russia’s anti-gay laws The Dutch island fi nds new Take a pill You’re HIV-negative. life as one of the Caribbean’s E Leatherpride Belgium You’d like to stay that way. Is most gay-friendly vacation a daily dose of pre-exposure E Alberta theatre spots E28 prophylaxis the solution? E14 company claims Delray Beach delights anti-gay complaints A stylish, laid-back hurt operations Out in the City beach town E30 Classifi eds E32 Arts roundup Filling the lesbian hole E19 Xtra Hot By Drasko Bogdanovic E33

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FEEDBACK When the elephant in the room is a For the love of fucking raging pachyderm and nobody mentions Manor Hair it, somebody had to get the warning out. EDITORIAL where the Food and Drug Administra- Lounge closure [RE: POSTER THAT CHANGED AIDS] DANNY GLENWRIGHT tion approved Truvada for use as an The 519 does not attract any higher HIV preventative in 2012. Lisa Capaldi- proportion of troubled, disorderly or “If having sex can kill you, ni, a doctor who treats gay men, noted annoying people than does the College Village: we are suff ering from the “If I doesn’t anybody with half in a recent New York Times article subway station or the Loblaws super- build it, they will come” syndrome a brain stop fucking?” about PrEP that she’s seen “very little store at Church and Carlton [“Manor [“The Vic on Church Street Closes Its Dr Emma Brookner’s question in interest” among her patients. While the Closes,” Xtra #763, re: Brent S, Jan Doors,” dailyxtra.com, Dec 19]. Sadly, Larry Kramer’s play The Normal Heart same article highlighted stigma from 23]. The 519 is one of the safer places what really happened with The Vic and is a cymbal-crashing line that resonates healthcare workers as one possible rea- I visit in Toronto. It performs a very many other recent restaurant failures even after the scene is over — at least in son for this, it also noted stigma among useful and important function in the along Church Street is that they failed the 2012 production I saw at Toronto’s gay men. Apparently a new word for local gay community, and if anything to provide good customer service and Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. PrEP users — “Truvada whore” — is be- it is a credit to the Village and attracts quality food. They fi gured all they had Of course the answer is no, it’s not ing used on gay social networks. many people who would not otherwise to do was come in and open a place and quite so simple — even for Emma’s gay When will we stop stigmatizing one visit at all. The reason that shops in the gays would fl ock to it because it was in friend Ned, who takes up her call for another? If we have HIV, if we like to Church Street gay village keep closing “the Village.” Sorry, but the Vic’s food abstinence and then promptly falls in bareback, if we participate in group sex is because they are pinched between was overpriced, downright awful and love. He soon learns that even mono- — somehow gay men continue to stig- escalating rents and stagnating or tended toward anemic portions. The gamy is no defence against AIDS. matize other gay men for all these rea- declining visitor traffi c from out-of- service at the Vic was extremely poor. But her words also reverberate be- sons. And now we’re stigmatizing those area. Local residents, like Brent S, with with an up-from-the-streets group of The owner failed to rectify the problem cause they are ideologically weighted who acknowledge they sometimes their stuck-up, snotty and exclusionary youthful activists called Queer Nation and that’s why the Vic failed. Many of down, typifying a stigma associated bareback and therefore want to ensure attitudes, do not help. in San Francisco in the early ’90s. It the other restaurants along the gay with gay men’s sexuality that remains they can do it as safely as possible. CHERRY BITCH was partly a successor to ACT UP as strip had the same problem. Many pervasive today, even (possibly espe- Here’s the reality: about half of us TORONTO, ON a grassroots anti-AIDS organization others continue to suffer from this cially) within our own community. do not consistently use condoms with and partly a new cultural movement (the new Garage restaurant comes to Stigma is central to the discussion casual sex partners. This is accord- The 519 Community Centre was in of young lesbians, gays and bisexuals. mind). Business owners need to start surrounding the use of pre-exposure ing to a 2008 Public Health Agency the Village before there even was a I was sorry to see the movement dis- looking at why they aren’t getting cus- prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily medical of Canada study that also found that Village. The alcoholics, drug addicts sipate after a couple of years but sorrier tomers (like paying attention to online regimen that is being used by HIV- more than three quarters of men who and mentally ill people are still people still to see “queer” taken up on the left reviews!) rather than blaming it on the negative gay men as a way to stay that sleep with men (MSM) in Canada of the community, and many rely on as a sort of cultural orthodoxy, as I hate things that aren’t the real problem. way (see page 14 for the full story). said they’d had at least one casual sex its services. Your [reader’s] argument the word so much. I can understand TERRY G The emergence of PrEP, a drug that partner in the six months prior to the about the closing of The Manor has not how others feel diff erently, but to me TORONTO, ON has the potential to once again sig- study. It’s worth juxtaposing this fi nd- been proven to be because of The 519. personally, “queer” is the N-word of nifi cantly change how we have sex, is ing with a similar study that found How would you explain the success of the LGBT world and still has no place Poster that changed being hailed as a game-changer in the between 11 and 23 percent of MSM in Angst salon on Queen at Sherbourne? in any serious narrative. AIDS history of HIV/AIDS. Canadian cities have HIV. Maybe The Manor just wasn’t a suc- DON HIX In those dark days, it really did TORONTO, ON But an in-depth Xtra investigation The fact is, many of us would not cessful business. [“Silence=Death Co-Founder on How reveals questions around its eff ec- choose to use PrEP even if it was LES DALZELL One Poster Changed the AIDS Move- TORONTO, ON Twenty-fi ve-year-old gay man here: I tiveness, not to mention widespread cheaper and more readily available. ment,” dailyxtra.com, Jan 22]. How reached queer saturation in my fi rst ambivalence among sexually active It doesn’t make sense for everyone, long did it take for Reagan to even year of university. As soon as I hear gay men. Perhaps this is not surpris- including those who always fuck with Using ‘queer’ acknowledge the illness? And when it about queer stuff now, my eyes glaze ing. Even though the pill, Truvada, is condoms or have easy access to post- Everyone is free to call themselves fi nally got talked about, the resources over and my brain shuts down. Going not yet approved in Canada for use as exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if they what they like, of course [“Question- allocated toward it were minuscule. about with “queer queer queer” on PrEP, I’m not sure it would be widely do slip up. ing the Use of Queer,” dailyxtra.com, When the elephant in the room is a your lips is a sign of membership in an taken up if it were. Even so, after several decades living Jan 21]. For now, my guess is that the raging pachyderm and nobody men- ephemeral subculture that’s privileged For one, studies seem to indicate with the blight of HIV, we know that term queer will coexist with other tions it, somebody had to get the warn- and oblivious to the teeming masses that it’s eff ective only if taken consis- we still love fucking and we’re not terms, like gay, lesbian, trans, et cetera. ing out. tently every day. It also comes with going to stop just because it’s risky. of repressed homosexuals who aren’t “Queer” likely appeals more to activ- CATHY ANTELL (FACEBOOK) a hefty price tag: more than $850 a So can’t we get half a brain and have ists who like the edginess of the term, even ready to call themselves by those TORONTO, ON month unless you’re covered by the an honest discussion about PrEP while more mainstream, integrationist fi lthy words (irony intended) “gay” or right insurance plan. without stigmatizing each other? people use the more traditional terms, “lesbian,” let alone take an interest in Silence still equals death: we need And then there’s the other issue of some as little as possible. As time goes intolerably narcissistic postmodern to respond to homophobia. Is there access — to non-judgmental doctors Go to dailyxtra.com for a on, however, we may see the emer- “queer” culture (wince). Besides, my a poster for Uganda, Nigeria, most willing to prescribe Truvada as PrEP four-part video series on PrEP. gence of a new term or terms. Language generation doesn’t even remember a Muslim countries and Russia? Our to sexually active gay men. fl ows like a river, always changing. time when the go-to slurs were any- brothers and sisters are being rounded thing but “gay” and “faggot.” Interestingly, uptake among gay men Danny Glenwright is Xtra’s managing GORDON HARDY up, murdered, beaten and imprisoned. has been tepid in the United States, editor. TORONTO, ON TIMMY We have to ask ourselves “What have I MONTREAL, QC done?” If you respond, “I can’t do any- The outcome that we seek is this — gay and lesbian I didn’t get to Gay Liberation until thing,” then stay in bed or get a book The Vic closure people daring together to set love free. the name had already been decided, on how to empower yourself. but what I remember about reha- Let’s be honest about many of the res- Xtra is published by Pink Triangle Press, at 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, M5B 1J3. PAULA KEY bilitation of the word queer begins taurant closures in the Church Street TORONTO, ON

6 FEB 6–19, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Ari-Pekka Liukkonen Name of a Finnish Olympic swimmer St. John’s Norway Sushi who recently came A BIWEEKLY HELPING out in an eff ort to Cemetery and Crematorium OF POP CULTURE, raise awareness SERVED À LA CARTE about Russia’s anti- ŲŵŶɠ #(!-.)(ɠźɠ.ɠ))#( gay laws. XCETERA HAVE YOU HAD A LOVED ONE DIE? Chapel and Crematorium FROM THE PTP ARCHIVES 30 YEARS AGO ,#)/-ɠ)*.#)(-ɠ ),ɠ3)/,ɠ#(. ,' (.ɠ( -ɠƀɠ , 0 ' (.ɠ, ɠ0#&& #( )ƞ-.$)"(-(),13 ' . ,3źɠƀɠŴűŶƐŶŹűƐŲŹŶŵ THE BODY POLITIC #99, DEC 1983 )(3ɠƑɠ,#3ɠŸ'Ɛŵ*'Żɠ./,3ɠŹ'Ɛų*' The world is on the verge of learning about the Coca-Cola human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV). Rick Bébout’s groundbreaking article explores theories of what The company’s Super Bowl ad causes AIDS symptoms to manifest and outlines celebrating the Search MLS listings directly from my Facebook page! straightforward safer-sex practices — guesswork at American “melting New! the time, but also possibly life-or-death education. pot” featured a pair of gay dads. OUT ON THE STREET BY KYLE BURTON Kordale and Kaleb Gaelen Patrick Two African- Real Estate Sales Representative American gay men whose photos of Buying? Selling? Renting? Would you have themselves with their three children Thinking Pre-construction? have made internet Proudly Serving Our Community! sex with someone headlines. Achievement in Exceptional Sales Performance and Service who is HIV-positive? For our HIV cover story on PrEP, turn to page 14. 127,276 Proud Financial Supporter of the Church St. 519 Community Centre with a donation Number of followers from every sale going to the centre! Kordale and Kaleb have on Instagram. Contact me 416.801.9265 | [email protected] Oprah_Scholar A fake Instagram www.gaelenpatrick.com account for Oprah’s OWN Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc. Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated | 416.762.4200 Toronto network that Not intended to solicit those already under contract with another Realtor. promised to give out college scholarships to the Anthony John Ryan Kelly fi rst 50,000 followers. SALES ASSOCIATE MANAGER REALTOR STATISTICAL ANALYST Off the bat I would Yes. I have in the I think it would be I’d have to do some say no. But if I past. Your partner case-specifi c. Sex research and assess knew it would be should disclose their doesn’t happen very the risks. But I’d $20,000 100-percent safe, status to you so that often, so I’d have to defi nitely be open Amount the promised I might. you can be safe. think about it. to it. scholarships were supposedly worth.

Safe Schools QUOTABLE Coalition A statewide program Australian politician Daniel Andrews Damn it, I am hopes to introduce to fi ght homophobia in whoever I am when Victoria’s classrooms. Closet Party A gay party in I am it / Loving Melbourne whose organizers create posters using whoever you are unauthorized photos of celebrities to when the stars promote the night. Harry Styles shine / And whoever Closet Party’s most you’ll be when recent poster the sun rises boy. Davey Rapper Angel Haze’s freestyle Wavey Featured on lyrics, recorded over the cover of the Macklemore’s “Same Love” latest Spartacus International Gay Guide.

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8 FEB 6–19, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS PrEP or not, my behaviours have changed over time, my relationship status has Upfront changed over time, but I think that’s not out of the ordinary. Len Tooley E 14

ATHLETES GET Coalition to host LGBT MIXED MESSAGES ABOUT SPEAKING lounge during Sochi Olympics OUT AT SOCHI Athletes headed to Sochi for the Winter Olympics may be a little SOCHI 2014 confused about what they can ELAH FEDER say at the Games, where and to whom. Offi cials have made vague Toronto’s LGBT community will be and confl icting statements about invited to hang out in an open-air free speech on gay issues during lounge at Ryerson University during the Games. Here’s a rundown: the upcoming Sochi Olympics — a Jan 13: In an interview with ESPN, space where they can come together the head of the United States daily, watch the Games and discuss Olympic Committee, Scott Black- LGBT rights in Russia. mun, says that he hopes American The lounge is being organized by athletes feel free to speak their PrideHouseTO, a coalition of 15 orga- minds before heading to the Sochi nizations working to ensure that To- Games but that they will be at the ronto’s 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Olympics to compete, not to be Games are inclusive, so the lounge is political. ultimately meant to help build momen- Jan 17: Russian President Vladimir tum toward the Pan Am Games. The Putin, in a question-and-answer project is led by Gay and Lesbian In- session, manages to be both sooth- ternational Sport Association (GLISA) ing and threatening to gay visitors North America, OutSport Toronto and in the same breath. “One can feel The 519. It’s being funded by the City of calm and at ease,” he says. “Just Toronto, the Government of Ontario leave kids alone, please.” and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Jan 18: A Russian protester is de- The lounge will include a skating tained after unfurling a rainbow fl ag rink, a large viewing screen, a fenced- during the Olympic torch relay in in licensed area and a series of huts Voronezh. with food and drinks. Jan 27 (approximately): Interna- “It’s going to be a really rad place to tional Olympic Committee offi cials watch the Games,” says Barb Besharat, send a letter to Russian LGBT part of the PrideHouseTO staff . which are set to take place in Mos- activists, reassuring them that Not everyone supports watching the cow between the Olympics and the free speech will be ensured at the Olympics and many have called for a Paralympics. Olympics: boycott, but Besharat argues that this It’s also a chance to celebrate Rus- Jan 27: IOC President Thomas event plays an important role within sian culture. “A lot of the media which Bach says in a press conference broader eff orts. “For us, as a coalition of has come out casts all of Russia in a that athletes may not make politi- organizations trying to work within the bit of a negative light,” Besharat says. cal statements on the medal stand system to make change, it’s not authen- “We’d really like to take this opportu- but are “absolutely free” to speak in tic for us to boycott,” she says. “We ob- nity to celebrate LGBT communities press conferences. viously know that a boycott or another in Russia, and the culture.” Jan 29: Dmitry Chernyshenko, chair kind of action ... is important and part On Feb 14, PrideHouseTO will en- of the local Sochi Games organiz- of the bigger process for change. You gage with Russia even more directly ing committee, contradicts Bach, need some of those people out on the with a “To Russia with Love” message- saying that athletes may make streets for us to be able to eff ect some writing event. The Games lounge will statements only in a designated changes within the organization, and so be open daily from Feb 7 to Feb 23 protest zone, 18 kilometres from the we see them working in synchronicity.” at Gould and Victoria streets on the Olympic Village. Besharat sees the lounge in par- Ryerson University campus. The area Jan 31: Australian Olympic Com- ticular as an opportunity to create will be wheelchair accessible, with mittee head John Coates says that an inclusive space for LGBT people accessible washrooms on-site or at a athletes should not protest on the to gather during the Olympics while nearby café. podium, but press conferences are highlighting the oppression and mar- okay. He threatens dissenting ath- ginalization occurring in Russia and Further details and updates will be post- letes with nonspecifi c punishment. fundraising for the Russian LGBT The 519’s Matthew Cutler and Barb Besharat are part of the PrideHouseTO ed on the PrideHouseTO Facebook page — Natasha Barsotti Sports Federation’s Open Games, coalition. N MAXWELL LANDER and on Twitter: @pridehouseto.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! FEB 6–19, 2014 9 SAME-SEX LEGAL ISSUES CYNTHIA BOROVOY WARREN BARRISTER & SOLICITOR 416-964-0900 Shameless games [email protected] Domestic Matters: Domestic Agreements Real Estate: Purchase, Sale & Mortgages: Estate Planning: Wills and Powers of Attorney Could 30 St Clair Ave W Suite 400, Toronto ON M4V 3A1 pornographic video games help prevent the spread of HIV?

TECH NEWS ELAH FEDER

Everyone else has left the party and it’s just you and Steve making out in his mood-lit bedroom. Up close, he looks a touch pixelated and zombie- eyed, but he’s buff and into you, so you decide to have unprotected sex with him anyway. “Hold up. Anal sex For an interactive public service announcement, SOLVE-It is surprisingly explicit. without a condom?” asks a future ver- sion of you. He’s been monitoring you In addition to targeting shame, NATIONAL NEWS all evening, interrupting at the most the team designed SOLVE-It to turn inopportune moments. “You know players on — though, for the record, 523 Parliament St. how dangerous that is. Whether you’re Christensen prefers to call it “sexually BC Law Society Tel 647.988.489 a top or a bottom, protection keeps you arousing” rather than “pornographic.” safe from most STDs, including HIV, “There’s this idea called ‘state- considers Visit www.ftjco.com/custom the virus that causes AIDS. You don’t dependent learning,’” Christensen ex- want that worry.” plains. “If you are learning information You decide to ignore “future you.” in a certain context, it’s actually easier TWU application You two will have a chat about HIV to recall that information later down The final decision on whether Trinity later, but for now you spread your legs the road if you’re in a similar context.” Western University (TWU) can oper- and let Steve fuck you bareback. So if you learn how to navigate a sex- ate a law school now rests with the This is level one of Socially Opti- ually charged situation while aroused society governing the province’s legal mized Learning in Virtual Environ- (as opposed to, say, while seated in your profession, which began debate on the ments, or SOLVE-It, a game designed eighth-grade classroom), you might issue Jan 24. by Lynn Miller of the University of find it easier to recall that information To be admitted to TWU, students Southern California and colleagues the next time you’re aroused. must sign a covenant agreeing to to promote safe sex. For what is es- At this point, SOLVE-It is a promis- uphold Christian biblical teachings, sentially an interactive public service ing prototype, not a fully developed including no premarital sex and no announcement, SOLVE-It is surpris- game. There are only a handful of story- homosexuality. The issue boils down ingly hot and explicit, and according lines, and due to budget constraints, to balancing equality rights with free- to John Christensen, a member of only three ethnicities are represented. dom of religion, board member Sharon Miller’s team and an assistant profes- In fact, all the characters have iden- Matthews told the Law Society of BC sor at the University of Connecticut, it tical bodies and faces, differing only meeting. is the cutting edge of HIV-prevention in their outfits and colouring. Given President Jan Lindsay says the de- research. these limitations, it’s not surprising bate could take several months. Gavin Previous studies have shown that the game hasn’t worked for everyone. Hume, a past president of the society, shame is associated with self-harming But SOLVE-It’s creators plan to further told the board that TWU’s application behaviour, so SOLVE-It was specifi- develop the game, creating more op- highlights several areas of concern, cally designed to be gay-positive, sex- tions and integrating feedback from including teaching ethics and teaching positive and generally ego-boosting. the community as they go. Christensen public law. Hume says there is “ten- It seems to work. In a study of 921 hopes to keep pace with the latest in sion” between the teaching of those self-identified HIV-negative men aged gaming technology. subjects and the covenant that TWU 18 to 24, those who played the game “I personally have an interest in insists its students sign. “There is no reported on average reduced feelings highly immersive virtual reality,” he doubt that is the focus of the issue.” of shame. As the researchers predicted, says, noting that the cost of this tech- TWU’s application to open a law participants who exhibited reduced nology is dropping sharply. “I would school was approved in December by shame were less likely to report hav- like to... move to three dimensions, BC’s Ministry of Advanced Education ing unprotected anal sex in the three where you can turn around in 360 and by the Federation of Law Societies months following the game. Not all degrees and actually walk ahead and of Canada, an umbrella group for ter- participants had the intended response bend over.” ritorial and provincial regulators of the — some even had increased shame after Indeed, if these games evolve to the legal profession. — Jeremy Hainsworth playing — but the results are promising point Christensen is imagining, we enough to establish the potential of won’t need safe-sex interventions at Read the full story these kinds of interventions. all. We’ll just do it with Steve. on dailyxtra.com.

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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! FEB 6–19, 2014 11 THE LITTLE ARMY STORE TOP QUALITY AUTHENTIC MILITARY SURPLUS & WORK WEAR BEST PRICES IN CANADA 50 NORTHLINE RD. PLEASE COME ENTRANCE ON BERMONDSEY RD. AND SEE US Murder in Manhattan EAST YORK, TORONTO AT OUR NEW 416-759-8038 LARGER LOCATION. Wayne Lonergan married his sugar daddy’s daughter, then bludgeoned her with a candelabra

HISTORY BOYS JEREMY WILLARD

I have something in common with murderer Wayne Lonergan. In 1943 he perpe- trated a crime so riveting that it pulled international attention away from the Second World War. Because the details of the case were like the tawdriest of fi ction, people thought of it as enter- tainment, a welcome diversion from seemingly never-ending war. When life starts behaving like fi ction, people treat it as fi ction. There are chapters of my life that were like that; I’ve always felt like a bit of a fraud telling people things like “I left home when I was 16 and lived with a drug smuggler for two years.” Those were hard years, but it’s almost too movielike for most people to believe, or if they do believe it, it still doesn’t seem real somehow. Similar to this is Lonergan’s own tragic story — a cheesy, overblown murder mystery almost impossible to regard without amusement. In the summer of 1939, the 21-year- old Lonergan, a Torontonian from a While married, Wayne Lonergan and Patricia Burton lived a wild life; she spent modest background, went down to her nights with handsome men in New York nightclubs, and he continued to New York City looking for adventure. spend time with wealthy male “patrons.” ERIC WILLIAMS He got a job as a “chair boy,” pulling wealthy people around on rickshaws to NYC to visit his son. At 8am the next “moral lepers” and “sex inverts.” from exhibit to exhibit at the World’s day, he visited his wife at her posh It’s so much like fi ction that it was Fair in Flushing Meadows. That’s how Beekman Hill residence (incidentally, part of the inspiration for Kenneth he met millionaire William Burton, Beekman Hill previously had been Fearing’s 1946 novel The Big Clock, whose family had gotten rich selling the site of several other high-society which was subsequently made into beer in the years between 1850 and murders). She had just returned home a fi lm noir thriller of the same name the 1940s. Burton became Lonergan’s from a night out with one of her close starring Ray Milland and Charles sugar daddy. male companions at the Stork Club. Laughton. Burton died a year later but not They started arguing, naked for some Lonergan was convicted of second before introducing Lonergan to his reason (they may have been fucking at degree murder and served 22 years daughter, Patricia. Perhaps at William’s fi rst), then he killed her by choking her before being paroled and eventually urging, Lonergan and Patricia married and clobbering her on the head with a sent back to Canada in the 1960s. He in Las Vegas in 1941. Their son was born silver candelabra. Though his motive then started a relationship with Cana- about seven months later. The couple for the murder is not totally clear, he dian actress Barbara Hamilton, whose lived a wild life; she spent her nights later said she’d infl icted “great physi- roles included Eulalie Bugle on Road to with handsome men in New York night- cal pain” on him. It’s unclear what this Avonlea from 1992 to 1996. Possessed clubs and he continued to spend time meant, but it was rumoured she’d cut of a wacky sense of humour, her nick- with wealthy male “patrons.” or bitten off some or all of his penis. name for Lonergan was “Killer.” So, Two years into their marriage, Pa- As the highly publicized trial began if you encountered her at a party, she TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN tricia decided to cut Lonergan out of and the whole sordid tale came out, might ask, “Oh, have you met Killer?” NEWS her will and was probably filing for people started to blame the couple’s Then she’d wave over a still-handsome, separation. In a huff , Lonergan tried to behaviour on the decadence of their middle-aged man with “Killer, come Create a team of 8 people, raise a minimum of $1200 and enjoy two join the US army but was rejected on class. The Journal-American said that meet these people!” hours of bowling and buffet on us! This year we have 3 different the grounds that he was a homosexual. “possessed of too much money, jaded Lonergan died in Toronto of cancer times you can bowl with us: 1, 4 & 7pm! Register early to get the He returned to Canada to try his luck by normal activities, they turn to the in 1986. He was 67. time you prefer. We want to thank you for your support over the past with our military and became a Royal unnatural for diversion.” The same 40 years as we continue to work towards a violence free city. Canadian Air Force cadet in 1943. journal then published an article de- History Boys appears in every issue On Oct 23, 1943, Lonergan fl ew back scribing two types of homosexuals, of Xtra.

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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! FEB 6–19, 2014 13 COVER STORY t works like the birth control pill. It’s a once-a-day tablet. It can have side eff ects, but for most, it’s relatively safe. Like birth control, it works only if you actually take it every day. And it doesn’t prevent sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea. The difference is this pill doesn’t prevent pregnancy. It You’re HIV-negative. prevents HIV. The drug is Truvada, which is a common first-line treatment for people who are HIV-positive. But doc- tors are beginning to prescribe it to people You’d like to stay that way. who are HIV-negative as a way of keeping them negative, part of a strategy called pre- exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP for short. In the United States and the United King- dom, PrEP has sparked a protracted, public Is a daily dose of pre-exposure shouting match between its supporters and opponents, who ask whether PrEP is good — not just whether it works, but whether it is something scientists should be researching. prophylaxis the solution? The debate about PrEP has not reached a fevered pitch in Canada, at least not yet. However, the intensity of the interna- tional debate about PrEP has left its mark. Most of the Canadians I spoke to for this story — on and off the record, inside and outside the AIDS establishment — are to It turned out that his doctor — a gay man some degree hesitant. with lots of HIV-positive patients — already In on-the-record interviews, a common knew about PrEP. They discussed LeBlanc’s rhythm developed. I would ask a question. risk profi le. His doctor ordered a full round The question would hang in the air for of tests for sexually transmitted infections, several seconds before I received a careful, including HIV, as well as a test to determine measured sound bite. kidney health. At a follow-up appointment, The drug is not approved for use as PrEP his doctor prescribed Truvada. LeBlanc in Canada, yet some doctors are prescribing returns for STI and kidney testing every it anyway, an arrangement that is unusual, three months. “I just take it with my vita- although not illegal. Health offi cials in Que- mins, which I’ve been taking for years,” he bec have even released guidance for doctors says. “It’s already part of my routine, so that Take a who are prescribing PrEP — even though it’s made it super easy to add Truvada. It’s been not approved. seven months, and as far as I know, I haven’t Stranger still, Gilead, the company that missed a pill.” makes Truvada, has not even applied for LeBlanc’s story highlights some of the approval in Canada. Has the controversy hoops Canadians must jump through to over PrEP made Gilead shy about seeking access PrEP. First, you have to have a fam- approval? Or is there another reason? ily doctor. And not any doctor will do: you have to feel comfortable talking to him or her about sex. And your doctor has to be knowledgeable (or at least prepared to CANADIANS ARE learn) about HIV — and willing to prescribe a drug off -label. ALREADY TAKING PREP But the bigger barrier may be price. It Marc-André LeBlanc began taking PrEP costs more than $850 a month. LeBlanc, who in 2013. is covered by Quebec’s provincial prescrip- LeBlanc, who lives in Gatineau, Quebec, tion drug plan, pays just $80 a month, with read about PrEP’s deployment in the US. the rest of the tab picked up by the province. He found himself thinking a lot about US “Cost is a big [problem]. If I had to pay the guidelines — guidance that recommends almost $900 a month, that was going to be a PrEP for people who are unable or unwilling nonstarter. If I had to pay that out of pocket, to consistently use condoms and who are at I absolutely wouldn’t be on PrEP,” he says. high risk for HIV. It’s a diff erent story in the rest of the coun- He’d noticed his own condom use slipping try, which doesn’t have a universal prescrip- over the previous three years. Eventually, tion drug coverage. For those with private BY MARCUS MCCANN he concluded that PrEP was right for him. drug plans, coverage will depend on how He gathered material, including pamphlets, Truvada is listed in the plan. In any insurance scientifi c studies and the American guide- scheme, a drug may be covered generally or lines. He took the information to his doctor. it may be covered only for particular uses.

14 FEB 6–19, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS South Africa early because it found no cor- the realities of condom use among gay men. Without health coverage, PrEP can cost more than $850 a month. relation between those given Truvada and We tend to think of ourselves as either Go to dailyxtra.com for a four-part video series on PrEP. those given a placebo. Again, poor adherence condom users or barebackers. But the real- was blamed for the results. ity is that most gay men have had sex both There’s a big diff erence between 44 per- with and without condoms at some point cent and 99 percent, obviously. The most in their lives. partisan players in the US will often use one At the same time, safer-sex messaging for or the other of these stats, usually without 30 years has had a singular message: use a explaining the bigger picture. condom every time you have sex. James Wilton, coordinator of the bio- “Wearing condoms became associated medical science of HIV prevention project among gay men with being a good citizen,” at CATIE, has been following PrEP. He’s LeBlanc says. “So now that there are preven- excited by what he’s seen so far. The bot- tion options — plural — we’ve sort of painted tom line, he says, is that PrEP works — and ourselves into a corner.” it works better when taken consistently. If you’re already barebacking, PrEP will He says there is some promising research reduce your risk. But if you start taking showing that consistent use of PrEP may be PrEP and drop condoms — well, no one is more than 90-percent eff ective, but we don’t recommending that. Why? know for sure because of the limitations of For one thing, condom use is highly eff ec- – the studies. However — because of study tive, at least in theory. In practice, it depends 0.8 3.2% limitations and diffi culties in identifying on proper usage, lube and the condom not Risk of HIV infection study participants who are taking PrEP breaking. It also depends on people actu- from unprotected consistently — right now we can’t be more ally using them, and we know that people anal sex. As with precise than that. tend to over-report condom adherence in most of this research, the precise Robert Grant, the lead researcher on research studies. number depends the first major study, recently told Xtra Given those variables, it’s hard to say that on which study that he believes PrEP is “more than condom use as it’s actually practised is more you believe. 99-percent” eff ective. (Find that interview eff ective than PrEP, or the other way around. on dailyxtra.com.) But if PrEP can even roughly approximate Wilton adds that most common side the risk reduction of condom use, we have For Toronto’s Len Tooley, who uses PrEP, that group either took the drug irregularly or 44–99% effects of PrEP are relatively minor, like to admit that it will change the math on the drug is covered by his employer’s insur- not at all. The study concluded, tentatively, nausea, and they tend to disappear after condoms for some gay men, especially The amount that ance plan. He agrees with LeBlanc that cost that Truvada is 92-percent eff ective, if taken the fi rst few weeks. In a small number of those who fi nd the downsides of condom PrEP reduces this — along with access to a non-judgmental every day. And a subsequent study using the risk, depending on participants, Truvada has led to more seri- use — reduced sensation, reduced pleasure doctor — can be a major roadblock for those same data and diff erent modelling produced whom you believe. ous side eff ects, including kidney damage or reduced intimacy — to be signifi cant. who might otherwise be interested in PrEP. an even rosier number: if Truvada is taken and reduced bone mineral density. But even Both LeBlanc and Tooley say they used A third factor, Tooley says, is knowledge. seven days a week, it’s 99-percent eff ective, kidney risks have tended to return to normal condoms before starting PrEP but not al- Both LeBlanc and Tooley have worked in researchers found. once patients stop taking the drug. ways. And now? the AIDS movement; for them, reading the Now, these conclusions are less reliable, “So far, the randomized clinical trials do “I am curious to know how people latest research on HIV is all part of a day’s because the sample size is smaller — 34 PrEP works best show that Truvada is generally pretty safe would react diff erently depending on how work. But for the rest of the country, aware- newly HIV-positive people, compared to when you take it for HIV-negative people to take,” Wilton I answered that question. PrEP or not, my every day. ness about PrEP remains low. almost 2,500 in the larger study — and not says. “But you have to understand, for HIV- behaviours have changed over time, my protected by randomization. Therefore, positive people, treatment is taken for the relationship status has changed over time, other behavioural factors, such as condom rest of your life. Whereas PrEP is not neces- but I think that’s not out of the ordinary,” DOES PREP WORK? use, could have infl uenced the results. $850+ sarily an intervention that would be used for Tooley says. So why weren’t participants taking the The monthly cost a long period of time. It may be months or a LeBlanc, who has been keeping a journal The fi rst study to conclude that PrEP re- pill every day? Darrell Tan, a doctor and re- of Truvada as few years, but probably not your whole life, of his sexual practices over the last several duces HIV risk was released three years searcher at St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, PrEP, not counting and therefore, the long-term impacts, the years, says that his trend away from condom ago. It immediately became controversial, says that people’s attitudes during trials doctors’ visits or side eff ects, the toxicities may be smaller. use pre-dated PrEP. and it’s cited by both PrEP supporters and can distort research. “The motivations for liver screenings. But it is certainly something someone needs “I’ve committed to looking at my risk However, some skeptics. To explain why requires a little taking a drug consistently in a clinical trial to consider before taking PrEP.” behaviour over the last several months to private drug plans background on the study itself. could be diff erent than the motivations for already cover see if it’s changed my behaviour,” LeBlanc Researchers tracked 2,499 gay men and taking it in real life,” Tan says. Truvada. says. “My gut instinct is that condom use trans women; half were given Truvada and Tan is launching a new pilot study of PrEP has not increased. But it’s that old ques- half a placebo. Researchers asked them all in Toronto in the coming months. He’ll be WILL CONDOMS tion: is it cause or is it eff ect? The fact is, to take the pill every day. putting PrEP into the hands of participants I introduced Truvada when I was already On fi rst blush, the results were less than outside the clinical trial setting. In other BECOME ANTIQUES? taking more risks.” stellar. The study concluded that the Tru- words, the people he will be studying know You must wear a condom every time you But LeBlanc also points to a curious vada group experienced a 44-percent reduc- that they are taking Truvada, not a placebo, have sex, even if you’re on PrEP. That is research finding. From the randomized tion of their risk of HIV transmission. Such and they will be told that the drug has been the message Tooley received when he was control studies, people who have been on a reduction is large enough to show that the shown to work. prescribed it by his doctor. PrEP have reduced their risk behaviours, drug has an eff ect but perhaps not strong “PrEP is not a purely biomedical thing. It’s Tooley’s doctor was following American not increased them, he says. enough to recommend it as an effective also a behavioural thing. Therefore, the only guidelines, which is itself something of a “And you can understand that, because prevention strategy. way to know for sure how eff ective PrEP will paradox: they recommend PrEP for folks when you’re on Truvada, you have to con- But here is where things get complicated. be in real life is to try it in real life.” who are at high risk for HIV transmission stantly report to your doctor, and that is In the study, blood testing revealed only Adherence has become one of the central and who are unable or unwilling to use an opportunity to stop and refl ect on your about half of participants given Truvada questions of PrEP. Tan’s study will come on condoms. But they also recommend using a sexual practices and risk behaviours and were actually taking the pills. And, in par- the heels of other studies that have had less condom every time you have sex, even after be more conscientious about what you do.” ticular, these tests revealed that every one optimistic results. Researchers halted one you start taking the pills. of the men who tested positive for HIV in study of women in Kenya, Tanzania and Let’s admit that it’s diffi cult to talk about continued next page E

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! FEB 6–19, 2014 15 PrEP effects, and those were more pronounced PrEP makes sense only for people who are in the pill’s early days. As well, there are at high risk. But what behaviours, exactly, WILL PREP EVER BE E continued from previous page many ways to reduce the risk of pregnancy would put someone into that category? At without taking a pill, in the same way there this point, Tan admits, we just don’t know APPROVED IN CANADA? is with HIV transmission. where to draw the line. ANOTHER WAY OF And so, before the pill could be adopted, PrEP is available in Canada, if you can find large of women needed to be con- a doctor willing to prescribe it off-label. But THINKING ABOUT RISK vinced that transmission was otherwise PrEP hasn’t been approved by Health Can- impossible to control and very likely to WILL HIV-POSITIVE ada. In fact, Gilead, the maker of Truvada, Most studies are presented in the media occur, Patton points out. hasn’t even applied for approval. Why not? in a way that makes them sound more If you take those lessons and apply them PEOPLE LOSE OUT? Gilead won’t say. In correspondence dramatic than they are. Think of the risk to PrEP, the warning is potentially very Perhaps most troubling, there is a risk that with Xtra, Cara Miller, one of its California of infection as a pie chart. If you reduce chilling. There’s a danger that, in order to if HIV-prevention becomes more PrEP fo- media reps, would say only that, while they your risk by 90 percent, your remaining sell PrEP to a broad demographic, HIV- cused, it will divert attention and resources haven’t applied, “discussions are ongoing How common risk is a 10th of the pie. Easy. positive people will be painted as extremely is inconsistent from people who are living with HIV. with the Canadian regulatory agency.” Easy, that is, but wrong, according to infectious or reckless or even duplicitous. condom use? In a recent article in the Journal of What does that mean? It’s hard to say. Cindy Patton, a professor at Simon Fraser Or that condoms will be publicly slagged Percentage of Bioethical Inquiry, Patton sharply criti- It could mean that Gilead wants special University. Without introducing PrEP, the as inconvenient, imperfect and a buzz kill. participants in cizes the South African study of PrEP treatment for PrEP in the approval process risk isn’t 100 percent. For unprotected a 2008 M-Track for women. It was halted because of poor (which it got in the US). Or it could mean anal sex with an HIV-positive partner, study who reported adherence, meaning that the women in the an application by Gilead was submitted but your average risk is actually pretty small, inconsistent study weren’t taking the pills. One theory deemed incomplete. Or it could be a simple in the neighbourhood of 1.2 to 2 percent, IS IT WORTH IT? condom use with of their poor adherence was that, because blow-off to a journalist thousands of kilo- casual partners although, again, it depends on which study At heart, the two biggest and most contro- there was a 50-percent chance that they metres away from Gilead’s headquarters. during receptive you believe. versial questions are bound up together: anal sex in the six were getting a sugar pill, there wasn’t a Nonetheless, the fact that Gilead doesn’t But all studies of per-act risk of trans- who should be taking PrEP and is it worth months prior to sense of urgency about taking it. have an application in the hopper at Health mission agree: most of the pie chart is al- it? It’s a point where Tan, who is doing the study. The other theory is that, in areas where Canada is significant. One possibility is ready empty. That means that a 90-percent research on PrEP, and Patton, one of its HIV medication isn’t widely available, the that Gilead isn’t strongly committed to reduction would change the preexisting critics, may actually agree. women in the study were giving the pills using Truvada as PrEP. risk much less, probably reducing it by Consider this. In one scenario, we draw to their HIV-positive loved ones, hoping it In the high-stakes world of drug patents, roughly one percentage point (for instance, the boundary narrowly. Only the highest- 51% was the real deal. The study highlights an the goal is to keep generic drug companies Toronto ethical dilemma about giving HIV-negative out of the market. One of the main ways to people pills that are urgently needed for extend the life of a patent, and to therefore people who are positive. keep generics out, is to find what’s called WHEN YOU’RE ON TRUVADA, YOU HAVE TO A milder form of this conundrum has “a new indication” for the drug. By doing CONSTANTLY REPORT TO YOUR DOCTOR, AND THAT 44% been raised in Quebec. If there is a surge so, you make it harder for a generic drug Ottawa in prescriptions for Truvada used off-label company to enter the market. as PrEP, health officials may be inclined to Truvada’s main use is as a first-line treat- IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STOP AND REFLECT ON YOUR tighten the rules, for instance by requiring ment for people who are HIV-positive. RISK BEHAVIOURS AND BE MORE CONSCIENTIOUS proof that you are HIV-positive before Doctors like to prescribe it because it’s 57% your drug plan will cover the costs. And relatively safe, in terms of side effects, MARC-ANDRÉ LEBLANC, that would be an extra barrier — essen- and because it’s a simple once-a-day pill. ABOUT WHAT YOU DO. PATIENT Victoria ( data tially more paperwork, perhaps an extra Using Truvada as PrEP is a new indication, not available) doctor’s visit — to HIV-positive people but it’s essentially a side show for Gilead. from 1.2 percent to .12 percent). It’s a lot risk people should be on PrEP, folks who, getting treatment. After PrEP was approved in the US in more modest than what the headline- for instance, never use condoms and have Given that PrEP is resource intensive, 2012, fewer than 1,300 prescriptions were grabbing stats suggest. sex with multiple unknown partners a we can’t yet say for sure what the implica- filled for it in the whole country. Those “So, the touting of a ‘dramatic reduction’ week. In that scenario, we don’t have to tions are for others who are HIV-positive numbers are expected to rise this year, for any individual is simply unknowable. write very many prescriptions to prevent and whose access to treatment is already but not by much. Predictions for 2013 peg One percent is very small,” writes Patton, a new HIV infection. precarious. PrEP scripts at around 2,000. And that’s who is on sabbatical and corresponded In another scenario, you draw the bound- But Tooley says there’s another way of in the US, known for having some of the with Xtra by email. “Basically, you’re a ary more broadly. In this scenario, we looking at PrEP. It’s not a zero-sum game, most inclusive formularies in the world. little un-careful, and very unlucky if you include people who have sex less often and 1 in 5 in which providing Truvada to an HIV- Insurance companies tend to cover a much get infected with HIV. You are among a who usually wear condoms but sometimes Men whose negative person takes the pill away from broader range of drugs in the US. good minority if you have a side effect slip up. This larger group’s risk profile is HIV transmission folks who are positive. “If there are more It’s entirely possible that Gilead has from Truvada.” already much lower, and so you’d have to came from gay sex people who are impacted by access, includ- done the math, and given the dismal up- who don’t know It’s also worth remembering that risk put more people — 10 times more, say — on their HIV status ing now some HIV-negative people, it has take in the US, decided it’s not worth the fluctuates depending on what people are PrEP to prevent each new infection. (about 6,500 men). the potential to improve access for all.” cost of the application here in Canada. actually doing in bed. If you’re weighing the costs of giving the SOURCE: PrEP isn’t a bogeyman that will keep Or, at least, not yet. It’s possible that DAVID MCLAY STUDY, “Getting infected on any given occasion drug to many people to prevent one new XTRA INTERVIEWS, pills from HIV-positive people. Instead interest in PrEP among gay men or other depends on whether the other person infection, then the costs are high. There’s CATIE FACT SHEETS of restricting access to PrEP, we need to higher-risk groups may climb gradually, has HIV, how infectious they are at that no doubt that PrEP as it’s currently used double down on our commitments to as more and more people become aware moment, and whether you ‘receive’ their is resource intensive: doctors’ appoint- eliminating barriers for positive people of it as an option. And research on other semen anally, vaginally or orally. That is a ments every three months, lab tests and who need treatment, Tooley says. “Real drugs and other methods of delivery that lot of contingencies.” more than $10,000 of pills per patient per factors affecting access to HIV meds by poz could be used as PrEP — for instance as an And that gives rise to another, less flat- year. And there are also the health costs, people are things like lack of comprehen- injectible — are coming down the pipeline, tering comparison between PrEP and the including nausea and other symptoms sive drug coverage, institutional barriers which will likely create more buzz. birth control pill. The risk of pregnancy, when a patient starts, the risk of serious to healthcare access, being homeless or But in the meantime, don’t expect a for most of a woman’s ovulation cycle, is kidney problems in the medium term, street-involved and deemed unable to be PrEP revolution anytime soon. relatively low, in the same ballpark as HIV and longer-term effects that may not be treated, or being non-status and having transmission during anal sex, Patton says. totally clear yet. difficulty accessing medical services — to Go to dailyxtra.com for a Like Truvada, the birth control pill has side In that sense, the first generation of name a few.” four-part video series on PrEP.

16 FEB 6–19, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Support the businesses that support YOU Xtra would like to thank all our advertisers from 2013. Without their commitment, we would not be able to tell our community’s stories. By choosing to advertise with us, they make it possible for us to document our successes and to challenge oppression. They help us celebrate our culture, chronicle our growth and reflect on our evolution. We couldn’t do it without them.

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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! FEB 6–19, 2014 17 THE 35TH RHUBARB FESTIVAL FEATURING Heather Cassils Regina the Gentlelady Henri Faberge Maggie MacDonald Small Wooden Shoe Gein Wong Roynation Christopher Willes The Young Creators Unit Bridget Moser Hope Thompson lemonTree creations Humboldt Magnussen Catherine Hernandez Alvis Pasley Gerard Reyes Jenn Goodwin & Camilla Singh Nat Tremblay, Vivek Shraya & Sedina Fiati and more!

Full Festival Guide at LEAD QUEER CORPORATE MEDIA SPONSOR PARTNER buddiesinbadtimes.com

18 FEB 6–19, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS I think we’re going into a dark age Out inthe City this decade. Joel Gibb E23 BEYOND DRAG

Cult sensation Dina Martina is returning to hook skirt/athletic-supporter combo in the Toronto with two evenings of unparalleled fi rst act and a frog suit and snorkel in the sec- chatter and song, hideous costumes and incred- ond act. White pumps throughout the entirety, ible video. because my mother always said to wear your Dina, whose work director John black pumps during cold and Waters has described as “[going] fl u season and white pumps way beyond drag into some during flea and tick season, new kind of twisted art,” is and I’m kinda always itchy, so I bringing her latest show to feel like I’ve pretty much got a The Flying Beaver Pubaret. blank cheque for wearing white Asked to describe this pumps whenever.” spectacle, which she spent Her show takes place dur- last summer performing in ing the Sochi Winter Games. Provincetown and New York “My boycotting of the Olym- City, she says, “I would have pics is more unintentional, to get back to you on that one. because I’m not actually going Dina Martina It’s diff erent.” DAVID BELISLE to be doing anything. It’ll be very Dina’s humour is hard to de- subtle. The Russians won’t know scribe. Her shows are a mixture of what hit them when my boycott starts elements, from hilarious wordplay to and neither will I,” she says. what The Flying Beaver’s website describes as She’s looking forward to once again perform- “unnecessary” dance. “They made me say [it was ing at The Flying Beaver Pubaret, which she unnecessary],” Dina says. “I think it might be a describes as a “very inviting, comfortable place,” little green-eyed monster, jealousy, on Maggie in contrast to Maggie Cassella, she points out. Cassella’s part, because I’m a classically trained — Jeremy Willard gymnast and she’s not. I’m very lithe and refi ned, whereas Maggie is very brittle and rustic.” Dina Martina performs Fri, Feb 14 and Sat, Dina already has her outfi ts picked out for her Feb 15 at The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. upcoming shows. “I’ll be wearing my favourite pubaret.com Filling the lesbian hole Lezzies, rejoice! There’s a new Village hangout just for you. Since the closure of Slack’s in the summer of 2013, there hasn’t been a drinking spot targeting women-loving women, even though a number of new monthly lesbian parties — Tramp, Bush Beat, Back to Church and Toastr — suggest there’s a demand for a regular venue. The Flying B aims to fi ll that void. BIG If the name sounds familiar, it’s no coinci- dence. “I’ve spent the last two and a half years trying to explain how the Flying Beaver is not a DJ Jacqie Jaguar lesbian bar. Flying B will be one,” says Maggie Big Locks is the name of David Hawe’s new series photos of George Hurrell or even those awesome Cassella, co-owner of The Flying Beaver Pubaret of photos, currently hung at Wayla Bar. The show 1960s yearbook photos of bouff ant teen girls that on Parliament Street. “We wanted people to town, and also in Montreal,” Cassella says. consists of six gigantic head-and-shoulder shots have inspired so many queer artists, from John know it was us [opening this new spot] . . . under “We’re trying to bring a little P-town and of men in big, beautiful wigs (made by wig-master Waters to, well... Every. Drag. Queen. In. The. Fly. We’re trying to tie it all together.” Montreal to Toronto. The space reminds me of Mikah Styles). The photos don’t have the jazzy, Universe. The owners of Fly asked Heather Mackenzie, small lesbian bars in New York, too, that I love so much,” Mackenzie adds. bold colour play Hawe frequently uses in his “It doesn’t matter how butch a man tries to act; Cassella’s business partner and the owner of the original Slack Alice, if the pair was interested “I want to put the light back into the eyes of professional work (Now, Xtra, Fab); this time there’s something magical that happens once he in taking over the lower lounge area once con- the people I disappointed when I told them he’s going all black and white on your ass... and gets a big ‘do’ put on his head... and the bigger the nected to the 8 Gloucester St nightclub. Within The Flying Beaver Pubaret isn’t a lesbian bar,” it’s stunning. better,” Hawe says. “The eyes sparkle, a hip falls six weeks, dates were set. Mackenzie and Cas- Cassella says. “This is my first of many solo and group art down... and his world gets sassy. These photos are sella are eager to get women into the cozy space exhibits I’ll be doing this year,” Hawe says. “I love just about that.” —Sissydude just off Church Street. The Flying B opens Fri, Feb 7, 8pm, with DJ Jacqie wigs! My mother wore a wig every day of her “It’s a lesbian dance club open weekends Jaguar, followed by DJs Leticia Love, Sticky Cuts life... so there were always lots around while I Big Locks opens Thurs, Feb 6 and runs until and Sunday for tea-dances, which are very and Kish Delish on Saturday, and DJ Dallas spin- was growing up.” Mon, March 3 at Wayla Bar, 996 Queen St E. common in the United States, like in Province- ning the Sunday tea-dance, 4–7pm. The images evoke the old movie-star glamour davidhawe.com

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! FEB 6–19, 2014 19 Gerard Reyes presents ONSTAGE The Principle of Pleasure. DAMIÁN SIQUEIROS Cultivating RHUBARB After 35 years, the annual queer theatre festival is as hardy as ever — no thanks to the government BY CHRIS DUPUIS

uck it, Heritage Can- his boyfriend dancing at Montreal’s where one spouse plots to knock off the ada! Despite the still- CitiBar (a dive-y joint catering to trans other for their money so that they can unexplained loss of the sex workers and the men who love run off with a lover,” Thompson says. The funding cut didn’t infl uence my federal agency’s annual them), the piece is a movement-based “It’s usually depicted as happening in a approach to programming . . . I’m still grant, Buddies’ annual de/reconstruction of gender-norms. straight relationship. I wanted to create performance festival “CitiBar is an odd place, which is what a story using this familiar plot but with committed to making space for artists is back and bigger makes it so wonderful,” Reyes says. “We scheming, murderous, sexy lesbians.” engaging in boundary-pushing work. than ever. Though it like to get dressed up and hit the town The festival will also see Light Fires’ LAURA NANNI, RHUBARB FESTIVAL DIRECTOR took some creative ac- as gender-fuck creatures, and it’s a great fabulous front-woman Regina the counting and diffi cult place to go because no one there gives a Gentlelady (aka Reg Vermue) in her Sdecisions, the team, helmed by festival fuck about who you are, what you look fi rst solo show. Vermue has dubbed his of acting gigs, including turns in John Rhubarb is unquestionably one of director Laura Nanni, not only man- like or who you sleep with. I was danc- debut theatrical off ering — a mashup of Cameron Mitchell’s Shortbus and Mag- the country’s most important develop- aged to keep the festival alive through ing to Beyoncé in my dress and heels, poetry, standup, improv and music, with gie MacDonald’s The Rat King. Branch- ment platforms for new performance its 35th year, but put together one of the shaved head and beard, admiring myself plenty of banter with the audience and ing out to create his own work for the pieces. Its alumnae list reads like a most diverse programs ever. in the mirror while my friends were high kicks — Do I Have To Do Everything stage seemed the logical next step. who’s who of Canadian theatre: Ann- “The funding cut didn’t influence leaning against the bar watching me. My Fucking Self ? “It’s long overdue,” Vermue says. “The Marie MacDonald, Daniel MacIvor, my approach to programming at all,” When the song ended, they told me I’d “As an independent artist, that’s truly music industry is extremely demanding Brad Fraser, Hannah Moscovitch and Nanni says. “I’m still committed to just discovered my new piece.” how I feel half the time,” Vermue says. and challenging and is often virtually countless others have taken part. But making space for artists engaging in Rhubarb mainstay Hope Thompson “If I stop for a week, everything stops. impossible to make a living from. I’ve whether or not the Harper government boundary-pushing work. Rhubarb pro- (who penned past festival standouts She There’s no machine, no managers or been releasing albums and touring wants to support it, the team at Buddies vides a crucial testing ground for new Walks the Line and Green) is back with agents. I get gig offers, but generally the world for over a decade, and this is committed to keeping it part of our ideas and experiments, and I was par- her trademark genre-queering exploits if I’m not turning the wheels, they’re past year I’d never felt more unstable national theatrical landscape. ticularly interested in artists invested in Trapped!, a high-estrogen spin on fi lm not turning. It’s amazing since the an- in my life. I was living off grants and “Having to scale back our program- in process who consider the festival noir. Set in an imaginary 1950s, where nouncement of the show how many part-time jobs while pretending I had a ming was particularly unfortunate, a laboratory, not only a platform to gay marriage is the norm, the play tells people have said to me, ‘That’s exactly music career, when in fact what I really given we received a record number of showcase new work.” the story of a bedridden heiress who how I feel!’ The title obviously strikes had was perseverance. Part of creating submissions this year,” Nanni says. “But Dance artist Gerard Reyes (formerly overhears a murder plot in which she’s a chord.” Regina and Light Fires was a way to try thanks to the hard work and resource- of Compagnie Marie Chouinard) brings the intended victim and must act to save In addition to achieving offi cial music- and get out of this. Like, if I can’t make fulness of our team, I’m proud to say his solo The Principle of Pleasure to her own life before it’s too late. industry veteran status (he’s been at a living as one person, maybe if I’m two this year’s Rhubarb promises to be as the stage. Inspired by nights out with “I wanted to look at that classic set-up it since 1996), Vermue’s had his share people I can pull it off !” loud and epic as ever.”

20 FEB 6–19, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Kat Letwin and Carolyn Taylor in Trapped! DAVID HAWE RON Fetish Night YDE Saturday, February 22, 2014. 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. H $10 Cover 375 Yonge Street (UPSTAIRS), Toronto www.yongecinemas.com

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Regina the Gentlelady in Do I Have To Do Everything My Fucking Self? ALEJANDRO SANTIAGO

35th annual Rhubarb Festival Wed, Feb 12–Sun, Feb 23 Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St buddiesinbadtimes.com

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! FEB 6–19, 2014 21 PAUL T. WILLIS B.A., LL.B. Barrister & Solicitor Notary Public To be BUILT 1891 GENERAL LAW Sweet & Savory Valentine’s Menu ~ Feb 14th & 15th young, gay Appetizers UÊReal Estate Beef Carpaccio aged tenderloin thinly sliced with baby arugula UÊCorporate/Commercial and shaved grano podanodrizzled with extra virgin olive oil and or UÊWills/Estates Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Oregano UÊFamily Catholic and Feta Crumble served with crostini or East Coast Crab and Celery Root Remoulade Day or evening appointments available on tender Boston lettuce leafs Mains 120 Carlton St., Suite 308 Half Atlantic Lobster Stuffed with Prawns served with a rice pilaf and steamed broccoli florets Toronto ON, M5A 4K2 www.paulwillis-law.com dailyxtra.com or [email protected] Grilled Grain Fed Veal Chop topped with a brandy 416.926.9806 infused green peppercorn sauce served with sweet potato mash and sautéed mushrooms or House Made Gnocchi with baby spinach and asiago cheese in our white wine garlic cream sauce garnished with crispy shallots Dessert Strawberry Mousse topped with fresh berries or Ganache Covered Chocolate Layered Cake topped with fresh cream $35 | Call to reserve or book online

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22 FEB 6–19, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Volcano presents Coming of age A The new Hidden Cameras album is the band’s BEAUTIFUL darkest yet, so why is Joel Gibb still laughing? VIEW

MUSIC JOHNNIE WALKER By Daniel MacIvor F-minor: 18th-century German poet Christian Schubart claimed it was Starring Becky Johnson and Amy Rutherford the musical key of “deep depression, Directed by Ross Manson funereal lament, groans of misery and Presented in association with BeMe Theatre, Munich longing for the grave.” It’s also the key of half the songs on Age, the seventh studio album from gay indie pop outfit february 27 early bird The Hidden Cameras. It’s not neces- to march 9, 2014 discount sarily the most obvious choice for a Factory Studio Theatre band that cut its teeth in the aughts with joyous major-key anthems like $25 full price Book before February 14 “Ban Marriage” and the watersports $20 students, seniors with the promo code ode “Golden Streams.” So why the turn & arts workers CAMPING for $18 tickets! for the melancholy? PWYC March 4 (Offer valid for performances Feb 28, Mar 1, 2, 4 & 5) “It’s technically not melancholy,” Cameras mastermind Joel Gibb quick- tickets: volcano.ca or call 416 504 9971 ly corrects. “It’s more depressing than melancholy. That’s what I’ve heard F-minor is all about, and maybe that’s why I was drawn to it. I’ve heard it’s Hidden Cameras main considered the most dreadful and de- man Joel Gibb first recorded songs for Age pressing key of all.” in 2002. And would that make Age the most MAX LANDER dreadful and depressing Hidden Cam- eras album of all? “Oh yeah,” Gibb says, laughing archly. “Of course. It’s kind of centred around that idea.” Could the darker, more mature sound of the new record be the mean- ing behind its title? Has the group fi- NEW COUNSELLING & nally “come of age?” According to Gibb, PSYCHOTHERAPY PRACTICE the album’s name has more to do with ing, complete with otherworldly wail- up our pre–Rob Ford optimism and now accepting clients including how long he’s been working on it. “The ing from guest vocalist Mary Margaret officially retired “Torontopia” from first recording session that went for O’Hara and a moody music video di- our vocabulary. ‡/*%7DQG4(OGHUV this record was in 2002,” he explains. rected by Kai Stänicke. While the video “I think we’re going into a dark age ‡6FKRRO$JH&KLOGUHQRI6DPH6H[3DUHQWV “It’s a very slow birth. And that’s why tells a tragic gay-bullying narrative, the with this decade, actually,” says Gibb, RURID/*%7RU46LQJOH3DUHQW it’s called Age — ’cause it took an age to song comes from a different place. “For who now divides his time between ‡6DPH6H[&RXSOHV make.” Since the band was formed in me, this song is about forbidden love Toronto and Berlin. “I feel like society ‡1HZFRPHUV 2001, that means The Hidden Cameras and it’s about being a teenager,” Gibb moves forward, then it goes backward... have been recording songs for Age for says. “It’s about some gay goth teens I mean, the economy just tanked and I IRUVLWXDWLRQVLQFOXGLQJ almost their entire existence. “We’ve and a possible scene... but there wasn’t don’t think people even talk about that ‡/LYLQJZLWK&KURQLF been keeping them in the vault,” Gibb a bullying aspect to it, necessarily. But anymore. And the Cold War is being 3K\VLFDO 0HQWDO+HDOWK'LDJQRVHV says, “saving them up.” I really stood behind [Kai’s] fought over The Gay Issue, ‡6H[XDOLW\ All of which would seem to raise vision, and I thought he did THE HIDDEN which is pretty crazy.” ‡&RQÁLFW the question: how did he know when a really good job. He added CAMERAS But it isn’t all doom and ‡$GGLFWLRQV it was done? “I have no idea,” he ad- another dimension.” Sat, Feb 15 gloom for Gibb. Anyone who Lee’s Palace mits. “There’s another song that I’m If it took an age to record 529 Bloor St W knows what a jubilant oc- 9FRQYHQLHQWVXEZD\ORFDWLRQVHUYLQJ working on that I thought would be the album, does that mean casion a Hidden Cameras 7RURQWR:HVW0LVVLVVDXJD(DVW on the record, because it’s only eight we’re in a different age now concert can be — complete 9ZKHHOFKDLUDFFHVVLEOH songs — but it still is the perfect time than the one we were in when The with balaclava-clad go-go dancers — 9HYHQLQJ6DWXUGD\DQG6XQGD\ of 35 minutes, which I think is the best Hidden Cameras first came on the will be pleased to know the band hasn’t DSSRLQWPHQWV time for any album to be.” scene? It certainly feels like a different forgotten how to have fun. “We played 9LQFRPHDGMXVWHGIHHV Rather appropriately, the first single Toronto than the one Gibb and his Arts a show last Friday and it felt like the for Age is also that first track Gibb & Crafts label-mates Broken Social first show ever,” Gibb says. “We had a John Brac,%(G2&706:56: recorded way back in 2002: “Gay Goth Scene, Metric, Stars, Feist, et al helped crazy kind of childish giddiness about   Scene.” Fans who’ve heard the song put on the indie-rock map in the early the show, and it was with this quite www.growingheart.ca for years at live shows will surely be 2000s. Maybe F-minor is the perfect melancholy record. And I kind of like pleased to finally have a studio record- key for an age in which we’ve packed that the record can do that live.”

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! FEB 6–19, 2014 23 Takes place the fi rst and third Positive Routes Friday of every month. For more to Recovery information, contact ftmtoronto@ A peer-led support group for gay yahoo.ca. Fri, Feb 7, and Fri, Feb 21, men working through substance 7:30pm. The 519 Community Centre, abuse issues. Takes place the fi rst Vividly 519 Church St. Free. the519.org VALENTINE’S and third Tuesday of each month. Tues, Feb 18, 6–8pm. The 519 Love=Family the wallfl owers. For more info, SOY Monday Community Centre, 519 Church St. WHAT'S ON Night Drop-In The Queer Parenting Program contact inconsolablecat@ Free. pr2r.org hotmail.com. Sat, Feb 8, FOR MORE EVENT LISTINGS, GO TO DAILYXTRA.COM Queer youth ages 14 to 29 gather and the Ten Oaks Project host a 9:30pm–3am. Dovercourt House, to watch movies, participate in art celebration of love at their annual LGBT Peer Support 805 Dovercourt Rd. $10 includes projects and special workshops, combined Valentine’s and Family Hypnotixxx: Drop-In Group dance-card booklet. and seek the support of Supporting Day event for queer families. Sat, Queer people with mood disorders ART A Slightly Naughty Our Youth’s community mentors. Feb 8, 10:30am–1:30pm. The 519 drop in for support and discussion. If Be Mein Valentine Comedy Hypnosis Show For more info, contact jcaff ery@ Community Centre, 519 Church the building door is locked, press the The burlesque troupes Skin Tight Push and Pull Brandon the Hypnotist takes sherbourne.on.ca. Every Monday, St. Free. the519.org button under the intercom near the Outta Sight and Boylesque TO Opening Reception audience volunteers on a risqué 5:30–8pm. Sherbourne Health wheelchair entrance. Wed, Feb 19, present two nights of Weimar Georgina Jackson curates a series and slightly rude jaunt into the Centre, 2nd fl oor, 333 Sherbourne TOG Board Games 7–9pm. Mood Disorders Association Berlin–themed Valentine’s of new works by Bridget Moser, subconscious. Wed, Feb 19, 7pm. The St. Free. soytoronto.org Night: Card Games of Ontario, 36 Eglinton Ave W, naughtiness. Thurs, Feb 13, Michael Vickers and Nikki Woolsey. Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. and Valentine’s Stuff Ste 602. Free. mooddisorders.ca 8pm and Fri, Feb 14, 9pm. The The exhibit features anything from $10 advance, $15 door. pubaret.com Love-sick nerds gather for Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St performance art to sculpture. Fri, Valentine’s Day–related Bisexual Men of Toronto W. $25–40. gladstonehotel.com Feb 7, 7–10pm. Mercer Union, 1286 Chris Tsujiuchi: Back activities, the new card games A peer-support and discussion Bloor St W. Free. mercerunion.org in the Saddle Boss Monster and Coup, as well group focused on community and The Scandelles as Settlers of Catan, 7 Wonders The cabaret marvel returns to the solidarity. Tues, Feb 25, 8–9:30pm. Valentine’s Spectacular On Dreams and Pubaret with special guests Scott and more. Sat, Feb 8, 7pm. Glad Sherbourne Health Centre, The Scandelles burlesque The Green Cat Christian, Matt Marcoccia, Robin Becoming Day Bookshop, 598 Yonge St. Rm 1077, 333 Sherbourne St. Free. troupe returns to Lee’s Palace An exhibit of new art work focusing Claxton and Sophie Dushko. Sun, an Image $6. torontogaymers.ca torontobinet.org for Valentine’s Day, with on André Ethier’s depictions of Feb 23, 8pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 at Rhubarb performances by Sasha Van “unlikely narratives in various Parliament St. $10 advance, $15 — Buddies, Queer Slowdance: Bon Bon, Kitty Neptune, Miss stages of unfolding” and Ron Giii’s door. pubaret.com Wed, Feb 12 Be My Valentine HEATHER CASSILS LEISURE & PLEASURE Fluff y Souffl é, Fay Slift and more. images of couples. Runs until Sat, & ROBIN BLACK Booty-shakers make dance Fri, Feb 14, 9pm–2am. Lee’s Feb 15, various times. Paul Petro dates with one another, while Out and Out Club New Palace, 529 Bloor St W. Contemporary Art, 980 Queen St W. HEALTH & ISSUES designated dancers coax out Free. paulpetro.com Members’ Night $18. leespalace.com The 519 Legal The queer social club introduces prospective members to its broad Clinic range of activities. Sessions are held Idiot’s Delight in performance art, dance, music and COMEDY & CABARET A free, accessible the third Tuesday of each month. A host of eccentric and international more. Runs Wed, Feb 12–Sun, Feb 23, service for low- Tues, Feb 18, 7–8pm. The 519 fi gures — arms dealers, showgirls, various showtimes. Buddies in Bad Heartbreakers: A income people. Community Centre, 519 Church St. revolutionaries and lovers — spend Times, 12 Alexander St. PWYC–$20. Fundraiser for Singing Out Volunteer lawyers Free. outandout.ca a weekend in the Italian Alps buddiesinbadtimes.com Toronto’s queer community provide legal while the dark clouds of war roll chorus sings to raise funds for their advice, referrals Sapphic Aquatica in. Runs until Sat, March 1, various Shrew participation in the Unison Festival. and help with Women and trans people enjoy showtimes. Young Centre for the Bianca cannot marry until her older Sat, Feb 8, 7–9pm. The Flying forms and a sauna, outdoor heated pool, Performing Arts, 50 Tank House sister Kate does. Unfortunately, in Beaver, 488 Parliament St. $15 letters. The plush playrooms and ice-breaker Lane, Distillery District. Cost varies. this unique take on Shakespeare’s advance, $20 door. pubaret.com confi dential and games. Takes place the last soulpepper.ca Taming of the Shrew, Kate is the private visits are Sunday of every month. Sun, wildest, loudest, maddest shrew in Singular Sensation: fi rst-come, fi rst- Feb 23, 8pm–2am. Oasis Untitled Feminist Show the Klondike. Runs Sat, Feb 15–Sun, A Musical-Theatre served. Bring Aqualounge, 231 Mutual St. $20. Young Jean Lee’s Theatre March 2, various showtimes. The any necessary Open Mic oasisaqualounge.com Company presents a play Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor St W. documents. Jennifer Walls invites amateur almost entirely without words PWYC–$19.99. redonetheatre.com Every Thursday; crooners to perform their favourite and entirely without clothing. registration songs accompanied by a live band. Without gender signifi ers, its six Komunka 6–6:30pm. The THEATRE Every Monday, 9:30pm–12:30am. performers “defi ne themselves for While the Olympics are going on in 519 Community Statlers, 487 Church St. No cover. themselves” in a “celebration of Sochi, six tenants in a communal Centre, 519 Once on This Island statlers.ca possibility.” Runs Wed, Feb 12–Sat, apartment in Moscow try to Church St. Free. Acting Up Stage Company and Feb 15, various showtimes. $39. answer two questions that have the519.org Obsidian Theatre Company join Gay Trivia forces in a new production of harbourfrontcentre.com plagued Russia for centuries. This is a workshop performance of a Drag divas Gina Hamilton and Bunni FTM Support the story of forbidden love in the Lapin host a night of outrageous The 35th Rhubarb Festival play created by Yury Ruzhyev and Group French Antilles. Runs until Sun, trivia and fabulous prizes. Every Feb 9, various showtimes. Daniels For two weeks Buddies in Bad directed by Sky Gilbert. Sun, Trans men share Tuesday, 9pm. O’Grady’s, 518 Spectrum, Ada Slaight Hall, 585 Times Theatre and the surrounding Feb 23, 2–8pm. Glad Day their experiences in a Church St. Free. ogradyschurch.ca Dundas St E. $24.75–106.44. area become a hotbed of artistic Bookshop, 598 Yonge St. TBA. supportive environment. actingupstage.com experimentation, featuring new works gladdaybookshop.com

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24 FEB 6–19, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Pfaff. Late-night shows. 10:30pm. Jockstrap DJ Jeremy Khamkeo is The Beaver, 1192 Queen St W. on decks for the monthly Men’s $7, no cover in Holympian drag. Jockstrap party; hosted by Chris beavertoronto.ca Munro and Dale C. 10pm. Marquis of Granby, 418 Church St. $10. Sun, Feb 9 facebook.com/jockpartyto Sweet 16 Debutante Ball The Sodom’s Vampire Love Ball V: CLUB SCENE Friends for Life Bike Rally’s coming- True Blood Edition DJ Sumation out party celebrates 16 years. spins for the fangers, fairies, furballs Thurs, Feb 6 Bontemps and guest. 10pm– Hosted by Proud FM’s Mike Chalut, and True Blood fans. Performances 2:30am. Round Venue,152A Augusta with DJ Sumation on decks. Prizes by Sapphire Titha Reign, Allysin Heidy P DJs Heidy P and Ave. $6. roundvenue.com for best debutante outfit. 6–10pm. Chaynes, dance sensation Sebber Chanteclair take over TO for one Trade DJs Scooter McCreight and The Gladstone, 1214 Queen St W. “Bash” Hirtenstein and more. night only. The Montreal DJs spin CBB spin for the dirty-boys party. PWYC. bikerally.org Werewolf dungeon hosted by house, Italo disco, funk and other Hosted by Deviant Otter. 10pm. Polo Izquierdo. 10pm. Club120, 120 tunes to make you want to call in , 457 Church St. $5. Church St. $10, $5 students. sick on Friday. 10pm. Henhouse, Mon, Feb 10 blackeagletoronto.com Bush Beat — Henhouse, Sat, Feb 8 sodom.ca Singular Sensation: A Musical 1532 Dundas St W. No cover. Skinhole DJs Sis and Bro are on Debauchery DJs Jamal and Theatre Open Mic Amateur henhousetoronto.com decks for the high-energy queer Hey!DW spin house, top 40 and crooners perform their favourite 120 Church St. $5 before 11pm, $10 The Big Thaw Judy Virago hosts dance party. 10pm. Henhouse, electro; hosted by Miss Raquel. show tunes with a live band every Fri, Feb 7 after. club120.ca the Rhubarb Festival Valentine’s 1532 Dundas St W. No cover. 10pm. WAYLA, 996 Queen St W. $5. Monday night. Hosted by Jennifer Day party for all the lovers — and henhousetoronto.com Butch Femme Salon Does the waylabar.com Walls. 10pm–1am. Statlers, 487 Red Carpet TO’s best performers those looking for one. DJs Phil V Bush Beat DJ Shoegayz and Pony Church St. No cover. Fri, Feb 14 Fit DJs Kris Steeves and Phil V showcase the queer theatre and and Regina the Gentlelady spin; spin for the ladies meeting ladies. Two of Hearts DJ Michael Venus celebrate the arrival of Madonna’s film scene, with DJ Nix spinning late-night shows with Igby Lizzard 10pm. Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St W. spins ’80s and ’90s electro and Hard Candy gym in Toronto with Hard the after-show party. Femmes Tues, Feb 11 and Scarlett Bobo. 10:30pm. No cover. henhousetoronto.com alternative for the Valentine’s Candy swag giveaways, go-go boys in gowns and butches in suits, Industry Night DJ Quinces spins Buddies, 12 Alexander St. $5; no and a Strength in Heels performance Bad Tuck: Holympics Igby Lizzard celebration of love, lust and broken paparazzi, and screaming fans top 40, hip hop, reggae, Latin pop, cover with Rhubarb ticket stub. by the gym’s own instructors! turns one at Toronto’s premier hearts. 8pm–2am. The Yukon Bar, get the red-carpet treatment. house, moombahton and more. buddiesinbadtimes.com 10:30pm. The Beaver, 1192 Queen St filth extravaganza; hosted by Judy 1592 Queen St W. No cover. Cover goes to performers, DJs and 10pm. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church W. $5. beavertoronto.com production costs. 8pm. Buddies, Virago. DJs Boy Pussy and Aeryn St. No cover. crewsandtangos.com Be Mein Valentine Skin Tight Sat, Feb 15 12 Alexander St. $10 or PWYC. Outta Sight and Boylesque TO Toronto Bound Weekend: Main Sun, Feb 16 buddiesinbadtimes.com Wed, Feb 12 onstage in the Weimar-era Berlin tradition, with hosts Mark Brown, Event Toronto Puppy Contest, for The Toronto Puppy Victory Were-House DJs Jeff Kirkwood Club120 Wednesday Open-mic for Balonia Wry and Ginger Darling; the title of Toronto Puppy 2014, Party and T-Dance Toronto Bound and Aeryn Pfaff spin high-energy comedians, magicians, illusionists musical guests Big Rude Jake and and HOTF Community Awards Weekend ends with a sit-back- house; hosted by Charles Pavia. and burlesque performers. Hosted Laura Desiree; performer Dolly presentation, with hosts Bob Watkin relax-and-enjoy-a-good-cigar. 10pm. Church, 504 Church St. $5. by Sasha Van Bon Bon and Rob Berlin; and DJ Sigourney Beaver. and Sarah Pie. 4–8pm. Black Eagle, Part of the TB 2014 Weekend. facebook.com/churchonchurch Testa and featuring performances 9pm. The Gladstone, 1214 Queen St 457 Church St. $15 door; included Open to everyone. 4–8pm. Black Big Primpin: Snowbort Winter by Mandy Goodhandy, Dawn W. $25–40. gladstonehotel.com in the TB 2014 VIP weekend pass, Eagle, 457 Church St. No cover. Edition DJs CBB, Kevin Ritchie and Whitwell, Andy Fruman, Steven $30–45. torontoleatherpride.ca Kittens & Cougars DJ Quinces blackeagletoronto.com Nino Brown spin hip hop for homos Pryce and Amish Patel. Open-mic spins top 40, hip hop, R&B, reggae Cherry Bomb DJs Cozmic Cat, Twisted: Rubber Up Men’s play while grainin’ on that wood. 10pm. performers must show up before and house to launch a new event Denise Benson and special guest party in the bathhouse. Hosted Wrongbar, 1279 Queen St W. $5. 8:45pm. 8pm. Club120, 120 Church for ladies and trans women. 10pm– Fawn BC are on decks for the by Andy Coatham, MIR 17/MRT wrongbar.com St. $8, $5 guest list (toddklinck@ 2:30am. Erotico, 463 Church St, 2nd inclusive event for queer women and 2014, and Farrell Collier, MLT gmail.com). club120.ca Fly Pop DJ Sumation spins top floor. $5. friends. 9pm–3am. Andy Poolhall, 2014. 8pm. Steamworks, 540 40 and dance faves. 10pm. Fly, Meet Your Match Ryan Russell 489 College St. No cover before Toronto Bound Weekend The Church St, 2nd floor. Regular rates. 8 Gloucester St. No cover before hosts Woody’s annual Valentine’s 10pm, $7 after. andypoolhall.com Toronto Puppy Contest and 2014 steamworksonline.com midnight, $4 after. flynightclub.com post-office game. 8pm. Woody’s, Kickoff Party; meet the contestants NBL Fetish Night: 24th BlackKnight Toronto The 467 Church St. No cover. and judges. Bootblacking services Anniversary Party DJs Matt C leather and rubber ball that’s woodystoronto.com Sat, Feb 8 available. Open to everyone. 10pm. and Dwayne Minard spin, with live taken Montreal by storm comes Snatch DJ Sticky Cuts spins for the The Black Eagle, 457 Church St. No performances and a full dungeon. to Toronto. DJ Jack Chang spins; return of the raunchy party; just as Thurs, Feb 13 cover. torontoleatherpride.ca Strict fetish dress code enforced; pornstars Dirk and Jesse Jackman acceptable attire includes leather, you remember it but in a slick new Dinner and Drag Donnarama Cub Camp DJs Scooter McCreight host. Strict mandatory dress code rubber, PVC, fetish sex wear, drag, location. Hosted by Girl Play. 8pm. performs with a special guest while and CBB spin for the long-johns- in effect: leather, rubber, jockstrap, lingerie, uniforms, athletic wear and Flying B, 8 Gloucester St. $5. diners stuff themselves. 7–10pm. wearing furry men. 10pm. The wrestling singlets. No exceptions, gothic. Part of the Toronto Bound Rangeela DJ Deep spins Bollywood, O’Grady’s, 518 Church St. No cover. Beaver, 1192 Queen St W. $7. no perfume, no attitude. 10pm. The 2014 weekend. 10pm. The Phoenix, bhangra, house and slow jams for ogradyschurch.ca beavertoronto.ca Courthouse, 57 Adelaide St E. $30 410 Sherbourne St. $20 advance, the queer South Asian event. 10pm. Ladyplus Party DJ Todd Klinck is door. blackknight.eventbrite.ca Her: The Metrop-Her-lis Edition $30 door. northbound.com Club120, 120 Church St. $10 before on decks for the meet-and-socialize DJs Kris Steeves, FormbyBrassBand midnight, $15 after. club120.ca event for T-girls, their friends, allies and OMGblog.com spin future Business Woman’s Special: and admirers. Spontaneous T-girl house and big-city disco all night; Olympic Realness Edition DJs Sodom — Club120, go-go shows and private VIP dances hosted by Cassandra Moore. Submit your event listing to [email protected]. throughout the night. 8pm. Club120, Sammy and Nino Brown on decks, Sat, Feb 15 10:30pm. La Perla, 783 Queen St W. Deadline for the Feb 20 issue is Tues, Feb 11. with performance by Barbie Jo $5. herherher.com

JAN. 31 TO FEB. 13, 2014

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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! FEB 6–19, 2014 25 DEEP DISH 1 2 ROLYN CHAMBERS

Come Up to Fly’s 15th My Room Anniversary THURS, JAN 23 @ SAT, JAN 25 @ THE GLADSTONE HOTEL FLY NIGHTCLUB Right now we’re walking around Right now we’re on our knees inside someone. With our shoes getting a better angle of the pret- on. Chatting, we fi nger stomach ty packages of two go-go guys in matter before daringly stick- the dressing room. Two perfect ing our heads through the ass. presents sure to be unwrapped Toronto’s Gladstone Hotel has later. Toronto’s Fly Nightclub swung its doors wide open, shov- has swung its doors wide open, ing everyone inside the hot and shoving everyone inside for a sweaty opening-night party for sweaty 15th-anniversary party the 11th Annual Come Up to fi lled with gorgeous groups of My Room. The exhibit is fi lled guys eager to satisfy their physi- with curious voyeurs (including cal needs. At a decade and a half, photographer Patrick Lightheart Fly has outlasted many. It’s a and TV’s Tommy Smythe) eager milestone. To all those who have 3 to burst their artistic mental been here since the beginning, loads. Artist Shannon Scanlan’s I salute you. To those who are 6 bright, colourful, interactive just discovering this emporium 4 installation, Gut Feelings, is of euphoria for the fi rst time, I one of the more popular rooms. welcome you. To Shawn, Gilles, 7 Basically, we’re all inside her. Gairy, Daniel, Rommel, Sonja, At the same time. I think I may Wade and all, I blow out the have heard of porn like this. candles on the birthday cake I’ve But it didn’t involve hipsters baked for you in my mind (it’s downing Moosehead beer and chocolate). As DJ Tom Stephan art-nouveau twinks sipping takes us on a musical journey mixed drinks. Dominating the spanning all 15 years, pumped main space is Hanging Matters up go-go guys Trent and Dila exit — created by Jordan Evans, Ryla the dressing room and mount Jakelski and Evan Jerry with Lois the speakers to entertain us in Weinthal — an inverted terrain Pump underwear. They provide of paper pyramids covering the excellent eye-candy for the hallway and ceiling that, when a packed house, but for a 15th- 5 hanging string is pulled, empties anniversary bash I was expect- its load of condoms and other ing much more on the décor 8 goodies onto the giggling crowd front. Like eye-opening, jaw- below. In a far corner sits Fall of dropping, huge, bam, in-my-face the Walled Garden, a cool, silent, sploogy goodness. All I got was icy-blue-and-white meditation limp-dicked cut-out numbers space that has been taken over hung on the banisters with a few by teen collective The Toronto- measly mirror balls for distrac- nians and Mammalian Diving tion. Visual Viagra is indeed Refl ex. “The others are playing needed. But rising Canadian a game of tag outside in their pop star Kapri, who performs underwear,” one member of the later, fi lls my ears with good- collective informs me before we ness, and I quickly forget 9 10 chat in greater length about the my unfulfi lled eyes. Fly? I’ll used tissue and Lubriderm lo- always stand by. tion positioned politely on the 5E Han, Simon & Jaz 6E Kav night stand. Come up to room? 7E Tyley, Daniel, Alex & Ja- Boom. mie 8E Trent & Dila 9E Party

1E Patrick, Tommy & pals 2E Rob, boys 10E JayJay, Zac, JR & David & Derrick 3E Brandon, Pat- Victor 11E Jay, Phillip & Jano rick, Andrew & Pedro 4E Carlos 12E Cody, Pierson & Jacky & Luke

Deep Dish appears in every other issue of Xtra. For this week’s Xposed column, by Anna Pournikova, visit dailyxtra.com. 11 12

26 FEB 6–19, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS E indexdirectory.ca Mortgages Real Estate Investors Agents Group Financial Nicholas Banks Services – Kenton iPro Realty Waterman 877-306-4776 416-860-1668 Gaelen Patrick Linda Rudolph – Sutton at The Mortgage Group Realty Centre Systems Inc 416-282-1677 416-801-9265 THE BEST OF GAY & LESBIAN TORONTO Moving & Roy Runions, Sales Storage Representative RE/MAX Agility Moving Hallmark Realty Accountants Fashion Investment & Storage Ltd G J MacRae Ltd, Brokerage Ms Hema Foundation Take a Walk on Services 416-654-5029 royrunions.com Murdock, CA Repair Service the Wildside TM Kenton Waterman Naturopathy 416-696-6653 – Since 1975 416-921-6112 – Investors Group Renovations & 905-824-2557 Financial Services gesund Susan Calverley Restorations Florists - - MBA, MSc, CMA Construction 416-860-1668 416 913 5170 Bryant Astra Florists 416-605-1553 G J MacRae Juice Bars Painting Renovations astrafl orists.com 416-260-0818 Automotive Foundation Juice Box Newbright Repair Service Foundation Sales & - - Painting Newbright – Since 1975 Repairs 416 924 4671 Leasing 416-985-8639 Construction 905-824-2557 Basement Lawyers 416-985-8639 Ken Shaw Lexus Personal Newbright Waterproofi ng Harvey L Hamburg - - Trainers Restaurants 416 776 0055 Construction G J MacRae 416-968-9054 Foundation Repair Evolution Fitness & Cafés Bars & Clubs 416-985-8639 Ivan Steele 905-824-2557 416-220-7883 C’est What? 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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! FEB 6–19, 2014 27 A world of gay adventure Travel Reinventing Curaçao The Dutch island finds new life as one of the Caribbean’s most gay-friendly vacation spots

DANNY GLENWRIGHT It is not unlike Curaçao, which, despite materials are basic, mostly plaster made a dark history as one of the largest slave from coral stones and sand. It means the Emlyn Peters leans against the nonde- depots in the Caribbean, has managed government pays thousands of dollars script tree and raises a hand to protect to continuously reinvent itself while each year to preserve its historic build- his eyes from the prodigious sunshine also respecting and preserving its past. ings, plastering and painting over what elbowing its way through the branches. Curaçao today is proudly Dutch (it is Peters calls “wall disease” — when salt He points upward at a human figure one of four countries that make up the creeps into the walls, peeling off layers carved into the variegated trunk. The Kingdom of the Netherlands). This is of paint and eating into the loose coral tree’s splotchy olive-coloured bark re- evident in its well-preserved colonial- stone. “It’s the greatest challenge for sembles an army-issue camouflage pat- style Dutch architecture that combines the last 20 years; the government is tern, but the relief-like carving inside is a modernist European aesthetic with a spending a lot of money renovating a smooth mahogany. distinct Caribbean colour scheme. While buildings,” he says, noting that Cu- Curaçao artist Mac Alberto has whit- the entire historic Willemstad city cen- raçao’s well-preserved architectural tled several of these human-like forms tre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, its landmarks, including its landhuizen, into a row of wayaka trees outside the oldest and most famous architectural former plantation houses dotted around historic Fort Amsterdam in downtown strip is a saltwater-taffy-coloured row the island, remain a major tourist draw. Willemstad, the capital of this tiny of buildings along Handelskade Street, That’s another quality Peters says Caribbean island. Peters, a local his- in the Punda neighbourhood. Curaçao has inherited from the Dutch: tory buff, says Curaçaoans compare the Most locals will tell you that Cu- a progressive and adaptable government wayaka to a snake because it constantly raçao has maintained its Dutch ar- that, in stark contrast to many others in sheds its bark “so it can stay young for- chitectural heritage better than its the Caribbean — not to mention other ever.” The indigenous tree, also known Leeward Antilles sister islands, Aruba parts of the world — recognizes what as lignum vitae — Latin for “tree of life” and Bonaire. But it’s been at a cost. Un- needs to be done to keep this speck — is in a perpetual cycle of renewal. like in Holland, Caribbean construction of coral solvent. The island is home to just 150,000 people, and it imports “Dutch people have always been windows cast a blue light on the rows of more than 90 percent of its food. The known for their controversial progres- pews carved from wayaka wood. The island also has few natural resources, sive mentality,” Peters says, noting that tree of life is resistant to termites and yet it’s managed to maintain one of the this is one reason Curaçaoans are proud doesn’t burn easily, another reason it’s highest standards of living in the Carib- of their connection to Holland. To prove wood is so cherished here. bean. This is mostly due to its knack for his point, he’s led me through Willems- Curaçao’s Jewish Cultural Historical reinvention. Over a few hundred years, tad’s narrow laneways to another Cura- Museum has a Torah scroll dating back Curaçao’s economic engine has suc- çao anomaly: the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel to 1320 and a 200-year-old silver tray cessively been powered by a variety of Synagogue. The bright-yellow syna- that is still used for the smashing of the commercial activity, beginning with salt gogue’s congregation can be traced to wine glass at weddings. The museum mining and slavery and later shifting to 1651, when 12 Sephardic Jewish families is also home to a copy of Anne Frank’s shipping, trading, tourism and oil (which migrated to Curaçao from Amsterdam, Diary of a Young Girl that has been continues to represent the lion’s share where they had fled following religious translated into Papiamentu, the island’s of the island’s exports, thanks to an ugly persecution in Spain and Portugal. The local Creole language that includes a refinery built in 1920). Most recently, the current building dates back to 1730, and mixture of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Curaçao Tourist Board, with full support its temple is the oldest in continuous English and French, with some African from the government, is attempting to use in the Americas. About 350 Jewish and Arawak Indian influences. reinvent the island as the Caribbean’s families still live on the island. In the The people of Curaçao embrace this Floris Suite Hotel is Curaçao’s first adult-only gay hotel. FLORIS SUITE HOTEL most gay-friendly destination. daytime, the synagogue’s azure-stained distinct historical potpourri today, but

28 FEB 6–19, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS of a cactus, a plant that is ubiquitous on Curaçao Tourist Board’s North Ameri- Curaçao and used in many of Veeris’s can marketing manager. Like the divers concoctions. Next up is the moringa who travel to Curaçao to jump into its tree, whose roots were eaten by slaves in clear blue water, the country’s decision order to build strength. She pulls a seed makers seem to have leapt feet fi rst into pod from its branches, cracks it open like the gay market. “We don’t secretly [pro- a pea and off ers me a small black pip. mote Curaçao as a gay destination]; we “Eat it,” she says. “You’ll have energy openly do it. It’s in every sector, in every and won’t be tired until late tonight.” I’m market, even in parliament, even the not sure that’s what I want, but I’m also prime minister,” says Rojer, who is gay. not sure how to say no to this formidable And it appears to be working. Floris herbalist. The seed is both astringent now plays host to the island’s most hap- and sweet, a natural Red Bull. pening gay night, the Rainbow Lounge. She pauses as she approaches the The Friday-night happy-hour party is a next tree, kicks aside a large pile of gathering spot for local gays and tourists iguana crap, and looks reverently into who often later move on to one of the the branches. “This is a very old and po- island’s other gay-friendly nightspots. tent tree,” she says as she leans against The hotel is also the main venue for Cu- the familiar olive-coloured bark. You raçao’s annual Pride festival, and in May guessed it — the wayaka, Curaçao’s tree 2014 it will host the fi rst South Carib- of life and renewal. “If people feel weak, bean Pride. “The idea is to have a Pride they stand under this tree,” she says. for those islands that can’t celebrate As I’m in no need of a lean, instead en- Pride for political reasons,” Holtslag ergized from the moringa seed, I thank says. “We’re the most tolerant island Veeris and head back to Willemstad to in the Caribbean.” check into Curaçao’s fi rst gay hotel. Arcusio Arruda Massa agrees. He’s a In 2011, the Argentine owners of the local journalist I meet at Floris’s Rain- Floris Suite Hotel decided to take a risk. bow Lounge party. He tells me about They asked Frank Holtslag, who was then Pink House, the island’s LGBT multi- managing one of their Miami properties, purpose centre, and says Curaçao has to move to Curaçao and turn Floris into always been gay-friendly — he came the island’s fi rst gay, adult-only hotel. out at a young age and says he’s rarely “We decided to go very slow in the gay encountered homophobia. “We are market,” Holtslag tells me over dinner ready for everything,” he says when I much of it was suppressed for decades, at Sjalotte, Floris’s excellent restaurant. ask about the tourist board’s push to according to Dinah Veeris, a woman “Of course, we still want to make money.” turn the island pink. known as the island’s plant lady. Veeris But over the last two years, Holtslag I think he’s right. While Curaçao will has spent years consulting with local and Jurandy Regina, Floris’s sales and never have the population to sustain spiritual healers in an eff ort to revive marketing manager, have worked incre- large gay bars and clubs, it has all the the use of traditional herbal and naturo- mentally to completely change the look other credentials necessary to become pathic medicine. Veeris excitedly walks and feel of one of the oldest hotel prop- the beloved gay destination its propo- me through her public herb garden when Clockwise from top left: Curaçao dust as she drags me in a circle. I smile erties in Willemstad. Along the way they nents have been pitching it as — not I stop by (if you plan to visit, call ahead has dozens of beach options; awkwardly and attempt to shuffl e my lost three staff ers who were uncomfort- to mention glorious beaches, heaps to book an English-language tour). She Willemstad’s oldest and most uncoordinated feet, deferent but also able with the gay thing, but they’ve also of natural beauty and compelling his- famous architectural strip is this opened it in 1991, but it feels like she’s saltwater-taffy-coloured row of completely unsure of what I’m sup- gained new employees who help give the torical sites. Perhaps most auspiciously, telling her stories for the fi rst time. At buildings along Handelskade Street; posed to do next. She eventually stops, hotel a genuine gay boutique vibe. “A lot Curaçao’s gay hotel is home to a healthy one point she pauses in a shady spot and Dinah Veeris, known as the island’s explains the song’s history as a harvest of people from the community want to stand of wayaka trees, surely a sign takes a deep breath as if she’s tired. But plant lady, in her public herb garden; chant, and then quickly moves on to the be part of it,” Regina says, noting that that some of the island’s most ancient then she raises her head, lifts her arms Goat stew and fried plantains can be next exhibit. Veeris snaps off a twig and many of the hotel’s staff and about 30 residents endorse its latest experiment purchased from local food vendors into the air and bursts into song — her in Willemstad’s Old Market. shoves the end of it in her mouth. It’s percent of its clientele are now LGBT. in revitalization. thunderous singing voice carrying over DANNY GLENWRIGHT what the islanders once used as a tooth- The Floris transformation is a key el- the entire compound. She grabs my brush, she says. A moment later she is ement in the island’s latest makeover as For the full-length version of this arm and begins dancing, kicking up lovingly stroking the ossifi ed remains a gay destination, says Andre Rojer, the story, go to dailyxtratravel.com.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! FEB 6–19, 2014 29 A world of gay adventure Travel Delray Beach delights A stylish, laid-back beach town

LESLEY FRASER West of downtown, the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens’ beau- Delray Beach is the Cinderella of South tiful grounds, rotating exhibits and Florida. In the 1990s, this Gold Coast renowned café are an ideal spot to pass town was plagued by drug-related an afternoon. COURTESY OF DOWNTOWN DELRAY BEACH crime; in 2007 it was labelled the drug- recovery capital of the US. In 2012, thanks to a 20-year eff ort by a passion- Where to dine ate and determined band of residents, With its house-roasted coff ee beans and Rand McNally/USA Today named it the homemade pastries, the family-run Caff e Most Fun Small Town in North America. Luna Rosa is a great spot for any meal, but Nicknamed the Village by the Sea, breakfast is particularly good. Try to get Delray, population 60,000, has so far one of the tables outside, facing Ocean escaped the condo explosion that has Boulevard and the beach just beyond. blanketed Fort Lauderdale and Miami Along with many other South Florida to the south. Visitors will discover a restaurants, the ambitious Max’s Har- laid-back, stylish town with a surfer vest has embraced the farm-to-fork vibe; six and a half kilometres of wide, concept. Highlights from chef Eric pristine beaches; an indie spirit (aside Baker’s menu include shrimp-stuff ed from a Starbucks, a Subway, and a Ben shishito peppers, from Swank Farms in and Jerry’s, there are no chain stores or Loxahatchee, and burrata, made by Vito restaurants downtown); a vibrant arts Mozzarita in Pompano Beach, served scene; and plenty of urban amenities. with caviar that’s sustainably raised in Sarasota. At 50 Ocean, above the lively Boston’s What to see on the Beach, chef Blake Malatesta’s COURTESY OF MAX’S HARVEST Start at Old School Square, the heart menu focuses on local seafood with a restaurant and a late-night lounge that of town and home to its many special Louisiana twist. Go before dark to get draws a diverse crowd. events, including the annual lighting the full eff ect of the ocean views from There are a number of lively bars of the 100-foot Christmas tree. There the second-fl oor verandah. along Atlantic Avenue, Delray’s famous you’ll fi nd the Cornell Museum of Art and If you’re planning to be in South main drag, which bustles from morning American Culture and the Crest Theatre, Florida March 27, be sure to make a until late at night. in the old school buildings. On the ground reservation at one of the restaurants level of the square’s parking garage is the participating in Savor the Avenue, wonderful Arts Garage; its mission is to which sees 1,200 people seated down Where to stay put “arts in every life every day,” via live the middle of Atlantic Avenue at the The Marriott, at the eastern end of At- theatre, music, art exhibits and education. nation’s longest dining table. lantic Avenue, is slightly dated in décor From there, stroll through the funky and amenities, but its location can’t be Pineapple Grove Arts District, rife with beat (its recently built one-, two- and public art installations and artists’ stu- Where to hang out three-bedroom villas are spacious and dios (on the third Thursday evening of Stop at Sandbar, just steps from the modern and surround a private pool each month, many open to the public ocean, for some post-beach refresh- area): it’s just steps from the beach and for Artists Alley). ment. With its plastic cups, trucked-in a short walk from the centre of town. sand and scantily dressed waitresses, EMILIANO BROOKS ON THE WEB you won’t feel underdressed. For more on Florida’s Gold Coast, Clockwise from top: Delray Beach boasts six and a half kilometres of pristine read our features on Palm Beach For more on Delray Beach, visit The most recent attempt at a gay bar beaches. The shrimp-stuffed shishito peppers, sourced from nearby Swank delraybeach.com and failed just over a year ago, but Dada on Farms, at Max’s Harvest. Savor the Avenue sees 1,200 people seated on and Fort Lauderdale (“Beyond Wilton downtowndelraybeach.com. Swinton Avenue is both a respected Atlantic Avenue, Delray’s famous main drag, at the US’s longest dining table. Manors”) at dailyxtratravel.com.

30 FEB 6–19, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS The Spa Retreat Boutique Hotel in Negril, Jamaica. ISRAEL GAY PRIDE TELJune 9 – AVIV17, 2014 “the city that never sleeps” 2QWDULR5HJ Experience this spectacular adventure, with fun events during *D\3ULGHDQGDVSHFLDOSHUIRUPDQFHRI9HUGL·V/D7UDYLDWDDWWKH foot of the breathtaking Masada. Designed exclusively for the DGYHQWXURXV/*%7WUDYHOHUWKHSURJUDPLQFOXGHVYLVLWVWRVRPHRI ,VUDHO·VEHVWNQRZQVLWHVDQGSOHQW\WRFHOHEUDWHDORQJWKHZD\

Visit www.aufgangtravel.com‡ SOAK UP SOME SUN 'XӽHULQ6W6XLWH7KRUQKLOO21/-0 Take a break from winter and indulge Love is in the air. Either that or the in some pampering at The Spa Jamaica desert willows are blooming again.

It’s that time of year again. The holi- body treatments include local ingredi- without paying the airfare. The Spa Ot- days are over and the rest of the winter ents, like the Java Sugar Scrub, which tawa, located in Bells Corners, occupies stretches ahead of us, long and grey incorporates Jamaica’s famous Blue a 115-year-old ex-church that has been and almost certainly full of slush and Mountain coffee, and the Lemongrass restored and renovated to include all freezing rain — or worse. If the lack of vi- and Brown Sugar Body Scrub, recom- the modern amenities. All the standard tamin D has you at the point where the mended to help hydrate the skin before spa services are offered, and there are long-range forecast makes you twitch long hours of sun exposure. If you do registered massage therapists and a and you can’t stop looking at other peo- end up spending too long soaking in the full hair team on-site. Makeup artistry, ple’s vacation photos on Facebook, it’s rays, The Spa offers a rejuvenating Aloe hand and foot care, facials, and body time to shut down your laptop and dig and Cucumber Body Wrap to soothe scrubs and wraps are all offered, in- out your flip-flops. And if you’re in need and soften skin. cluding a special Coconut and Mango of a winter getaway that involves sun, Of course, Jamaica is also known for Wrap inspired by The Spa Jamaica. sand and pampering, The Spa Jamaica its poor human-rights record when it There’s also a full suite of specialty ser- has what you’re looking for. comes to the LGBT community, some- vices just for men. Situated on the picturesque cliffs thing The Spa staff is very mindful The Spa Day Retreat in Kanata is of Negril, Jamaica, The Spa Retreat of. “It was very important to create a also located on a historic site, having Boutique Hotel has a local connection. warm, welcoming environment for all taken up residence in an 18th-century It’s a couple’s paradise out here, Owned by Ottawa couple Christine and guests and all travellers from every dif- farmhouse once owned by the Sparks with plenty to do by day and by Shane Cohen, it’s a resort-style exten- ferent walk of life and community,” says family. It offers all the same services sion of their two Ottawa locations. Jamie Keeley, The Spa’s communica- as the Bells Corners location, with the night. All accompanied by that After travelling to Jamaica for years, tions manager. All staff members at the ability to host large groups and corpo- sweet desert air found nowhere Direct flights to… the Cohens decided to expand their Jamaican location receive sensitivity rate parties. If you’re hoping to spend else. Breathe deep, friends. business, offering visitors a destination training, ensuring a welcoming and in- some quality time with your honey, experience. Guests can enjoy a huge clusive experience for LGBT guests. And the Couple’s Retreat package offers Breathe deep. No telling what range of treatments, from manicures the word has spread — The Spa has a 45-minute couple’s massage fol- can happen. and pedicures performed by the sea to gained a reputation within the com- lowed by facial treatments. If you’re in body scrubs and wraps, facials and a munity, and both tourists and locals the mood to really splurge, the Royal ™ range of massages, including Swedish now seek it out as a safe space where Day package includes a body wrap Like no place else. and deep-tissue sports massage, which they’re free to be themselves and enjoy followed by a relaxation massage, a VisitGayPalmSprings.com can be enjoyed in the Oceanside Spa or a bit of luxury. “We have had native facial treatment, a mani-pedi, makeup the privacy of your room. Many of their Jamaican guests come and stay with us and a hairstyling session for a full day because they have heard of our open of pampering. Both locations offer the ON THE WEB environment,” Keeley says. Shuttle ser- One Love package, which includes a vice to and from the airport is provided, tropical organic body wrap coupled For more information, go to as are private drivers for day trips and with a 30-minute relaxation massage Archbishop of Canterbury’s thespajamaica.com or excursions. to recreate the Jamaican experience. facebook.com/thesparetreatjamaica. Can’t make it to Jamaica? Recreate — Julie Cruikshank statement sparks African conflict The Spa has two locations in Ottawa: the experience at home. The Spa, at 2027 Robertson Rd in Bells If you can’t manage a trip this winter The Spa Jamaica is located in Corners, and The Spa Day Retreat, at but still need some pampering, The Negril, Jamaica, and offers a full 26 Castlefrank Rd in Kanata. For more Spa has two Ottawa locations where destination-resort experience, including dailyxtra.com information, go to thespaottawa.ca or facebook.com/thespaott. you can go for a tropical pick-me-up accommodation, dining and retreats.

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32 FEB 6–19, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS DRASKO XTRA HOT BOGDANOVIC STOREFRONT BODY BREAK WITH Checking in with Jeremy: Week 4 If you were to ask one of my friends to describe how I spend the majority of my evenings, the description you’d get would probably be that of a befuddled fop sipping tea in the tub, re-reading Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited, muttering phrases like the following in a faux British accent: “Oh, dear me, Sebastian has fl ed to Mo- rocco! I dearly hope he doesn’t ruin himself with drink!” In other words, I’m not usually considered a very intense person. As I fi nish the fourth week of my exercise campaign with Evolution Fitness, I fi nd myself thinking more and more about something my trainer Sam said: “All of these exercises are good, but if you don’t have intensity when you come work out, your results won’t be that great.” My friends are right to a degree — I do enjoy a good bath, and I’ve read all the better works of Evelyn Waugh — but I can be intense. It’s intensity that got me through school and allows me to churn out so many articles and helped me quit drinking three years ago. When I set my mind on something, I become very intense. At those times, it hardly matters that Sebastian has fl ed to Morocco — I need to get to the gym, goddammit! It’s paying off , too, because I’ve lost 10 pounds. That’s a little more than two pounds each week. Evolution Fitness is a small gym, but unlike some larger gyms where folks mill around cluelessly, people seem to go to Evolution when they’re serious about getting into shape. Everyone’s on some kind of intense, tailored, trainer-monitored program. Sam seems satisfi ed with my progress, but it irks him that I rarely call exercises by their proper names. To me, every exercise is a “thingy.” It’s silly of me, given that most of the exercises have names NAME: RYAN SCHEEL that pretty much write themselves. For example, a squat-curl-press AGE: 29 SIGN: AQUARIUS is simply that: you squat, then curl, then press. I’m considering in- venting an exercise called the “T-rex” just to piss Sam off .

Choreographer and performer Ryan moved to Toronto from the small town For more information about Evolution Fitness and its team of experts, of Elmira, Ontario. On weekdays he likes to go out to Pegasus with his boys to visit personaltrainerstoronto.com. JASON WEBSTER JASON play pool and darts, and on weekends it’s dancing and shows at Crews or Fly. Ryan loves to talk about books, even if some people fi nd it boring. “Reading is a great escape from your own life and troubles. It’s relaxing to start the morning with a book and a coff ee for a couple of hours or to sit in a café engulfed in a story.” Keep up with Ryan’s upcoming shows and performances on Facebook (facebook.com/ryangscheel), Twitter (ryanchase29) and Instagram (ry0129).

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