More at dailyxtra.com facebook.com/dailyxtra @dailyxtra #771 MAY 15–28, 2014 TORONTO’S GAY &LESBIAN NEWS Our guide tothe best ofToronto’s INSIDE PREVIEW OUT 2014 LGBT film fest fest film PREPPING FOR WORLDPRIDE HISTORY OF HISTORY 36,000 AUDITED AN ORAL THE 519 CIRCULATION FREE E PLUS! 19 E

10 E 7 Exploring: never stop Single Tablet Regimens While they’re not a cure, these treatment options are designed (one pill, once a day) are a step forward in HIV treatment. to be effective and convenient. If you’ve been exploring different HIV treatments, talk to your doctor about Single Tablet Regimens Explore more at exploreHIV.ca too. It’s good to know what is out there.

2 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS XTRA Published by Pink Triangle Press TORONTO’S PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF GAY & LESBIAN Brandon Matheson SAME-SEX LEGAL ISSUES NEWS EDITORIAL #771 MAY 15–28, 2014 CYNTHIA BOROVOY WARREN Roundup MANAGING EDITOR Danny Glenwright ARTS EDITOR Phil Villeneuve BARRISTER & SOLICITOR COPY EDITOR Lesley Fraser 416-964-0900 Volunteers paint a mural EVENT LISTINGS: [email protected] [email protected] on the side of The 519. CONTRIBUTE OR INQUIRE about Xtra’s editorial content: [email protected], Domestic Matters: Domestic Agreements [email protected] Real Estate: Purchase, Sale & Mortgages: EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE Drasko Bogdanovic, Jori Bolton, Kyle Burton, Estate Planning: Wills and Powers of Attorney Graeme Coleman, Chris Dupuis, Ryan G Hinds, Lauryn Kronick, Serafi n LaRiviere, 30 St Clair Ave W Suite 400, Toronto ON M4V 3A1 Becca Lemire, Michael Lyons, David Owen, Lydia Perovic, Anna Pournikova, Rob Salerno, Sissydude, Jeremy Willard Ŕ
ART & PRODUCTION CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucinda Wallace GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Darryl Mabey, Bryce Stuart, Landon Whittaker ADVERTISING ADVERTISING & SALES DIRECTOR Ken Hickling NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Jeff rey Hoff man SALES ADMINISTRATION MANAGER Lexi Chuba SALES TEAM LEAD Lorilynn Barker RETAIL ACCOUNTS MANAGERS Brian Garrison, Phil Clowater CLIENT SERVICES & ADVERTISING ADMINISTRATOR Eugene Coon ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Gary Major DISPLAY ADVERTISING: [email protected] 416-925-6665 or 800-268-XTRA LINE CLASSIFIEDS: classifi [email protected] SPONSORSHIP AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Erica Bestwick, [email protected] The publication of an ad in Xtra does not mean that Xtra endorses the advertiser. Storefront features are paid advertising content. HISTORY Printed and published in Canada. ©2014 Pink Triangle Press. Xtra is published every two weeks by Pink Triangle Press. ISSN 0829-3384 Address: 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, ON, M5B 1J3 Offi ce hours: 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday Phone: 416-925-6665 Fax: 416-925-6674 See you at The 519 Website: dailyxtra.comEmail: [email protected] Subscriptions: $77.81 for one year (26 issues); How a dilapidated meeting hall became a home $69 (US) in the United States; $125 (US) overseas. [email protected] for the queer community E10 800-268-XTRA

PINK TRIANGLE PRESS Founded 1971 DIRECTORS Jim Bartley, Gerald Hannon, Editorial Jamaica’s long game 2014 Glenn Kauth, Didier Pomerleau, Ken Popert, By Natasha Barsotti E4 Gillian Rodgerson HONORARY DIRECTOR Colin Brownlee Feedback E4 PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ken Popert CEO, DIGITAL MEDIA David Walberg Xcetera E5 INSIDE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Andrew Chang Upfront OUT Seniors gear up for PREVIEW WorldPride Senior Pride Network coordinator says Our eight-page guide 2 MINUTES TO CHURCH ST many LGBT seniors face to the best of Toronto’s OR THE SUBWAY discrimination E7 LGBT fi lm fest Online resource for E19 ALL OF TORONTO gay dads is born E8 IS AT YOUR DOORSTEP History Boys What’s On E35 The lost language of gay Club Scene E36 By Michael Lyons E14 Xposed By Anna Pournikova E38 Out in the City Xtra Living E39 Arts roundup Classifi eds E40 Touring Thrones E17 Xtra Hot Wild at heart Olivier Hébert- By Drasko Bogdanovic E41 Bouchard performs E30 Toronto at Night TORONTO DOWNTOWN CENTRE #TeamBianca ondailyxtra.com 30 CARLTON STREET By Ryan G Hinds E32 TORONTO, ONTARIO M5B 2E9 CANADA E Daily Xtra to host Hotel Front Desk: 1-416-977-6655 ON THE COVER: Olivier Rabourdin and WorldPride town hall www.holidayinn.com/TorontoCentre Kirill Emelyanov star in Eastern Boys.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 3 email [email protected] comment dailyxtra.com & facebook/dailyxtra.com Comment tweet @dailyxtra

FEEDBACK The apex of the Toronto gay Jamaica’s long game scene was the ’80s and ’90s, and Fly Nightclub closure EDITORIAL hold things and to see... whatever deci- it has been in a slow decline since NATASHA BARSOTTI sions we take — because we have to take The apex of the Toronto gay scene tough decisions — that it doesn’t impact was the ’80s and ’90s, and it has been then. [RE: FLY NIGHTCLUB CLOSURE] Jermaine, 23, Jamaican in a very serious way the majority of our in a slow decline since then [“Fly and gay, knows what it’s people.” Nightclub to Close After WorldPride,” PrEP like to live on the streets. What if Jamaica’s parliamentarians dailyxtra.com, April 29]. It will never I’m glad that Xtra is reporting on “You have to fi ght against the weather legalized gay sex? It would certainly be be what it once was; that is, until the TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS — night cold, sun, rain,” he told me on a a sign of forward movement, but with younger generation realizes that be- PrEP, but this article defl ects atten- MAY 1–14, 2014 1–14, MAY recent trip to Jamaica. “Hurricane season more than 80 percent of Jamaicans self- ing out in the real world, seeing real #770 tion from the real issue in Canada come an’ ketch me on de road a’ready.” describing as homophobic, a victory on people, in real time, is really far more Hail [“If PrEP is a Party Drug, Then Cue At 18, Jermaine often found himself that score won’t translate into societal authentic and superior to having your the DJ,” dailyxtra.com, April 29]. locked out of his home, his mother tell- acceptance. face buried in your phone or having MARY Canadians are not shaming PrEP Photographer Devon Poole users because there are virtually no ing him to “go back where mih a come That’s long-game work, which is on- your hands tap-tap-tapping endlessly reimagines the seven deadly sins E18 PrEP users in Canada. Canadians from,” while his father tried a little going but proceeding in baby steps, on a keyboard in pursuit of some @dailyxtra PLUS! aren’t being called “Truvada whores” harder to wrap his head around his son’s whether it’s outreach to potential allies online phantom. TEENS ON STEROIDS facebook.com/dailyxtra facebook.com/dailyxtra because (outside of a couple of clinical sexuality. in religious circles, convincing media E10 JOHNNY GREAT GAY

dailyxtra.com dailyxtra.com CAMPING FREE trials and in a few individual cases) TORONTO, ON 36,000 AUDITED “They didn’t understand about the to eschew sensationalism for more bal- E28 CIRCULATION whole gay and all ah dat,” Jermaine says. anced reporting about LGBT people and at More we can’t even get Truvada for PrEP “They weren’t taught in school how to their experiences, or working within and I wonder how many other struggling in this country. That’s the issue in handle situations like dat.” outside the community to address the businesses in the Village plan to stay Steroid feature Canada. That’s “what’s stopping” us For two or three years, he led an itiner- interconnected issues of marginaliza- open during WorldPride 2014 — in I wonder why gay teens are six times — not shaming. Americans have FDA ant street life, punctuated by sofa surfi ng tion, under- and unemployment, and order to attempt to make as much more likely to use steroids [“Mass approval, CDC guidance and access, at the homes of sex-work clients and homelessness among men who have sex money as possible from the crowds Appeal,” Xtra #770, May 1]. Flipping and they’re now in the privileged position of calling each other names. I friends — until they wanted him out. with men. and the tourists — but then close when through your publication and oth- wish that were our problem! We don’t “Hygiene was a major issue,” he says. According to a 2012 University of the Pride is over? ers, I noticed many ads promoting even have Health Canada approval or “If you want a job, the way you look, the West Indies study on the attitudes and ELLEN “body enhancements” like Botox, access yet. That’s what you should way you smell — the fi rst impression... perceptions of 1,000 Jamaicans regard- TORONTO, ON non-surgical facelifts and an assort- didn’t cut it.” ing same-sex relationships, these are be investigating and reporting on, ment of cosmetics. Finally, the full- not cutting and pasting from news His fi rst step off the streets was to fi nd the stats activists are up against: “Ap- I see a lot of the older gay male genera- page ads for Squirt, Cruiseline and a reliable water source and clothing. proximately 88 percent felt that male tion referring to how the young gay reports in the United States as if all Hardline — the models are obviously you have to do to get PrEP in this Then came a job, classes in English, food homosexuality was immoral, 83.7 percent community relies too much on social using steroids. The time of year when apps and doesn’t support the Village, country is “call your doctor.” It’s not preparation and other life skills. While felt the same for female homosexuality it is most obvious and pounded into et cetera. Here’s the thing: the Village that easy here. Find out why not. Stop volunteering at the Jamaica Forum for and 83.5 percent felt bisexual relation- us is during Pride, when it is one ad Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), ships were immoral.” isn’t to us what it was to you. A lot of interviewing Americans and put some after another displaying a model with he started an empowerment session These fi ndings represent a six to eight my gay male friends don’t like going Canadian public-health offi cial’s feet a “perfect body.” The not-so-subtle out of which four people found jobs and percent increase in intolerance since to the Village. It can be full of very to the fi re. You could have started with message is if you want to be accepted another six went back to school. 2011, the study shows. vain, catty and superficial people. Mark Tyndall. Instead of cutting and and attractive, this is what you need. His “whoa” moment came when the Jermaine’s friend Christopher thinks It has become a venue for straight pasting a quote from 2011, you could The pharmaceutical industry has also United Nations Population Fund ap- change is more likely to occur “behind people (especially women) to make a have picked up the phone and asked him if his thinking about PrEP had proved his request for $1.5 million (Ja- doors.” The very people who think noth- spectacle out of gay men. It can also be been active promoting testosterone- evolved or not. maican) to train 10 HIV-positive gay ing of shouting homophobic slurs in a very racist and transphobic place. I replacement therapies, and sales have sex workers in health and employment- the streets will show a diff erent side of soared. I realize that your publication IVAN can’t speak about before my time, but TORONTO, ON seeking strategies, using a peer-education themselves when there is no public to currently it is not a safe haven. It’s and others depend on the revenue format. consume their venom, he suggests. from these ads, so I especially want actually an unsafe environment for a Family matters The government wasn’t falling over Even as he tries to embrace his sexu- lot of LGBT-plus people. to thank you for putting this forward for discussion. I think it’s interesting how many gay itself to help, so Jermaine started to help ality and how to express it, Christopher DREW SILVERTHORN himself, and then his peers. refers to himself as “gay and...” He’s TORONTO, ON GORDON WASELNUK men, as they get older, reconnect with “I can’t tell you when, because you trying to integrate into society as a “pre- TORONTO, ON their straight family members — espe- are going to hold me [to it] if I give you a cautionary measure.” My fi rst-ever visit to Toronto a few cially if they fi nd themselves middle- timeline,” Prime Minister Portia Simp- Jermaine says accessing education, years back involved a couple nights Who chose this image? This is an aged and alone in a gay community son-Miller recently told Jamaican media employment and housing with harass- out at Fly. I have been back a couple of insulin syringe. Steroids are injected that values youth above all else [“All when asked about her 2011 promise to ment is key. “This country still don’ reach times since. The place blew me away. with a 3-millilitre syringe (not 1 mL) in the Family,” Xtra #769, April 17]. review the country’s archaic buggery law. dat level.” Great environment, music, staff and into the thigh or glute (not the arm) I’ve had that experience and so have Simpson-Miller followed that serving drinks. I will really miss Fly. I have with a larger-gauge needle (one to some of my gay acquaintances. I now of political evasion with another slice of Natasha Barsotti is the staff reporter at also been to a number of the other one-and-a-half inches, not half an see the leftwing Toronto queer estab- obfuscation. “We are so busy trying to Xtra Vancouver. bars mentioned in the article. Such a inch). They are suspended in oil that lishment as a hostile, negative force. shame to see these places close and is too thick to fi t in a small syringe like My benefi ciaries are now my straight The outcome that we seek is this — gay and lesbian become condo developments and to this, and this oil forms a depot in the family members (who now accept me) and their children. people daring together to set love free. see the Village slowly fade away. muscle where it is gradually released. DAVID C Xtra is published by Pink Triangle Press, at 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, M5B 1J3. RICHARD CROOKS (FACEBOOK) TJ BUSE TORONTO, ON HALIFAX, NS TORONTO, ON

4 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Sushi Gaelen Patrick Real Estate Sales Representative A BIWEEKLY HELPING OF POP CULTURE, Buying? Selling? Pre-construction? SERVED À LA CARTE Proudly Serving Our Community! XCETERA Give me a call or check out my social media Yves Saint Laurent 416.801.9265 | [email protected] 65 Colgate #2 FROM THE PTP ARCHIVES 18 YEARS AGO 2 bed, 2 bath w/ parking French biopic www.gaelenpatrick.com $569,000 playing at this year’s Inside Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc. Brokerage Not intended to solicit those already XTRA #302, MAY 23, 1996 Out festival. Independently Owned and Operated | 416.762.4200 Toronto under contract with another Realtor. Two poetic powerhouses sit down at a kitchen table together: Adrienne Rich meets Dionne Brand after reviewing her book of 1991 PAUL T. WILLIS B.A., LL.B. poetry No Language Is Neutral, and the two Barrister & Solicitor Notary Public appear together in Brand’s conversational The year Inside Out began. fi lm Listening for Something, which screened at the fi fth Inside Out LGBT Film Festival. Oprah That same year, the TV OUT ON THE STREET BY KYLE BURTON mogul discussed GENERAL LAW gay marriage for an entire episode and UÊReal Estate garnered some of her highest-ever ratings. UÊCorporate/Commercial What is your worst quality? UÊWills/Estates High ratings The fi rst gay comedy UÊFamily on Taiwanese public television aired recently to good ratings and no Day or evening appointments available complaints.

Penguins at 120 Carlton St., Suite 308 North Pole Toronto ON, M5A 4K2 Name of the www.paulwillis-law.com lighthearted show [email protected] dealing with 416.926.9806 Ryan Sasha Mikhail Norman homosexuality in ARTIST JOURNALIST ADMINISTRATOR PERSONAL Taiwan. BANKER I am emotionally Nothing — I’m I’m indecisive. unstable and have a perfect, ha ha! Especially in I put too much Same-sex marriage high propensity for high-stress pressure Not recognized in Taiwan. self-loathing. situations. on myself. Tomodachi Life Upcoming Nintendo QUOTABLE life-simulation game that prevents gamers I was about 10, 11, 12, when from marrying someone all of this stuff was going of the down that The Normal Heart is same sex. #Miiquality Hashtag movement really about... I found it created by a gay gamer to protest frightening. I did grow Nintendo’s move. up very much with the Tye Marini Name of the young man behind banner over ‘casual Miiquality. sex is a death Arizona sentence.’ So I didn’t Marini’s home state. ‘Rise Like a Phoenix’ miss that boat Name of Austrian completely. drag queen Conchita Wurst’s Actor Jim Parsons on his breakout personal connection to the single, which won the story of The Normal Heart, Eurovision which premieres at this Song year’s Inside Out festival. Contest. See page 19 for more.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 5 THE MEN YOU WANT!

IMD* OUTBREAKS IN MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN (MSM): NEW YORK CITY (August 2010 – May 2013): 22 cases Deaths: 7

* Invasive Meningococcal Disease INVASIVE MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE YOU CAN DO WITHOUT

Meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis), responsible for causing In 2012 greater incidence of IMD in the NYC MSM meningitis and septicemia, can be found in the nose and throats of about there population than the age-adjusted rate for 10% of healthy adults in North America and Western Europe. was a 50X the general population of the US.

HOW IS MENINGOCOCCAL BACTERIA TRANSMITTED? Meningococcal bacteria is spread through saliva contact or inhalation of tiny droplets that are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. WHO SHOULD GET VACCINATED? MSM who may find themselves in crowded conditions such as bars, nightclubs, bathhouses, and mass gatherings such as Pride events. MSM who may engage in the following activities: • Intimate contact – including wet kissing and sex. • Sharing food utensils, drinks, toothbrushes and so on. • Smoking cigarettes or inhaling second-hand smoke since this damages the delicate cells lining the nasal passages and throat and increases a person’s susceptibility to meningococcal bacteria. ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT MENACTRA® VACCINATION.

MENACTRA® is a vaccine to prevent meningococcal meningitis and other meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis (strains A, C, Y and W-135) in persons 9 months through 55 years of age. MENACTRA® does not protect against disease caused by strain B, and is not a treatment for meningococcal infections or their complications. The length of protection is currently not known. As with any vaccine, MENACTRA® may not protect 100% of vaccinated individuals. The amount of time it takes for your body to develop enough antibodies to protect you from meningococcal diseases can vary. It can take several days to a few weeks after your vaccination. MENACTRA® should not be used in persons with known severe allergy to any of its components or its container. A recent large study found no evidence of increased Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) risk associated with the use of MENACTRA®. Persons with a previous history of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) may be at increased risk of GBS following receipt of MENACTRA®. Some people who receive MENACTRA® may have mild side effects such as redness or pain at the site of injection, headache or fever. Common side effects in infants include fever, increased crying, fussiness, vomiting, drowsiness and loss of appetite. These side effects usually go away within a few days. Allergic reactions may occur. Talk to your doctor to see if MENACTRA® is right for you. For complete product information, visit www.sanofipasteur.ca.

MENACTRA® is a registered trademark of Sanofi Pasteur. Copyright © 2014 Sanofi Pasteur Limited. All rights reserved. 284-031-04/14 E01

6 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS In 1991, I got queerbashed twice on Church Street, so I contacted 52 Division Upfront and said, ‘Where are the stats? Is this growing?’ Kyle Rae E 10

DAILYXTRA.COM TOWN HALL Seniors ready for WorldPride WHAT’S UP WITH WORLDPRIDE? Senior Pride Xtra is hosting a WorldPride town hall featuring Pride Network Toronto executive director Kevin Beaulieu and four other coordinator community members on Thurs, May 15 at 7pm. It will be says many LGBT broadcast live on dailyxtra.com and remain on our website for seniors face further viewing following the broadcast. Go to dailyxtra.com discrimination for more information. in retirement PRIDE NEWS homes Former Pride COMMUNITY NEWS DAVID OWEN Toronto co-chair “Celebrate diversity” and “positive found not guilty space” stickers decorate the reception area at Toronto long-term-care facility of sexual assault True Davidson Acres. Carlos Herrera, the home’s administrator, has a Pride Former Pride Toronto board member flag on his desk, while two water guns and co-chair Luka Amona was found used in last year’s parade sit in the cor- not guilty of sexual assault after a judge ner of his office. Although Pride is still ruled that the alleged victim’s story was weeks away, this facility acknowledges inconsistent. its residents’ diversity year-round as Amona was charged with sexual as- one of Toronto’s designated queer- sault stemming from an incident in friendly retirement homes. August 2012, when the alleged victim The residents have participated in Being on the Pride bus is the only time you can shoot — a former lover and Pride volunteer the parade since 2004, but WorldPride whose identity is protected by a publica- will include a set of events all seniors a police officer with a water pistol and get away with it. tion ban — claims Amona drugged him can look forward to. The Senior Pride Alf Roberts, an 84-year-old resident of Fudger House, came out shortly after he moved into the facility. DAVID OWEN and sexually assaulted him in his home Network is hosting its seventh an- after a volunteer appreciation party. nual conference on June 22 and 23. The residents at Fudger House, an- says. “When people asked me about work closely with representatives from The complainant claimed to have Called Opening the Closet on Aging: other queer-friendly, long-term-care being gay years back, I would say, ‘I am The 519 and Sherbourne Health Cen- blacked out at the party; however, wit- Wired to Connect, it will focus on in- facility located just outside the Village, what I am,’ and now I say, ‘Yes, I’m gay.’” tre. Bain, however, thinks the package nesses testified that he didn’t appear tergenerational relations in the LGBT at Sherbourne and Wellesley streets, are Staff members at Fudger House set in place for long-term-care facilities drunk, was actively pursuing Amona at community. also excited about WorldPride festivi- the standard for a queer-friendly en- is insufficient. She says that only half the party, and insisted on getting into a Heather Bain, older LGBT com- ties. June will be a busy month at the vironment in long-term care. Admin- the homes in Toronto have received cab with Amona at the end of the night. munity service coordinator at the 519 residence, with the annual rainbow- istrator Lorraine Siu says it upsets her updated training since 2008, and while The complainant also could not ex- Community Centre, says that this flag-raising ceremony and preparing a when she hears that LGBT people are Fudger House and True Davidson plain why multiple text messages were year’s focus is to overcome ageism and float for the parade. scared to move into long-term care be- Acres have integrated it, she knows sent from his phone to Amona during establish a network between adult and “Being on the Pride bus is the only cause of the reputation it has for forc- others have not. Further, with high the party. youth community members. Bain says time you can shoot a police officer with ing queer people back into the closet. rates of staff and volunteer turnover, Superior Court Justice Michael Quig- other Toronto retirement homes have a water pistol and get away with it,” says In 2008, the City of Toronto devel- it is difficult to maintain consistent ley delivered his verdict after both Amo- failed to create supportive environ- Alf Roberts, 84. oped a 146-page reference manual for levels of training. na and the complainant took the stand. ments for their queer residents. Roberts, who was a church organist creating LGBT-inclusive environments Bain says serious issues exist for Amona was first elected to the Pride On the first day of the conference, in Toronto for more than 50 years, called Diversity Our Strength. Siu says LGBT people in care facilities, such Board in a by-election in January 2011. the Sunshine Centres for Seniors is came out of the closet shortly after that while all 10 City of Toronto long- as staff members misgendering trans He secured a full term in an election in partnering with the Senior Pride Net- moving into Fudger House four years term-care facilities received the train- people and avoiding physical contact October 2011. But Xtra reported that work to host the Rainbow Bridges ago. Now, he is head of the home’s Molly ing together, Fudger House saw a need with HIV-positive residents. “Seniors he resigned from the board a year later Festival on Ward’s Island. Bain says it Wood Social Club, a group dedicated to to implement the toolkit’s messages be- shouldn’t have to hide their favourite because of “personal reasons.” He now will bring together people of all ages LGBT topics and activities. “Coming cause of the diversity of its population. photo or feel anxiety from having a lives in Manitoba and could not be for food and fun. here really opened me up,” Roberts Designated LGBT-friendly homes partner come to visit.” reached for comment. —Rob Salerno

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 7 Online resource for gay dads is born Gays with Kids helps men navigate parenthood

PARENTING GRAEME COLEMAN

After plunging into fatherhood and find- ing little information directed at gay dads, Brian Rosenberg and Ferd van Gameren decided to launch an online resource to fill the hole. Now they’re ready to intro- duce their brainchild to the world. Five years ago, the couple collapsed in their cozy New York apartment and swore they would never drink again after an “indulgent” Memorial Day week- end. That’s when their adoption agency called to say a baby boy had been born in Brooklyn. The next day Rosenberg and van Ga- meren, who had been hoping to adopt a child for some time, learned the baby was healthy and available for adoption. They could pick him up from the hospi- tal the following day if they wanted him. “At the time we had nothing,” Rosen- berg says. “We were completely over- whelmed and underprepared.”

Nevertheless, they told the agency Ferd van Gameren and Brian Rosenberg with their son, Levi, and twins Sadie and Ella. GRAEME COLEMAN they wanted the baby, then opened their wallets at a Manhattan store called custody to the adoption agency, and the “It was great, but that whole whirlwind Virginia and brought the girls back to a man who didn’t know he was gay and Buy Buy Baby. “We walked in and said, adoption agency was giving him to us was absolutely beyond crazy.” their new home in Toronto, where Rosen- got married, had a kid, then divorced ‘We’re going to adopt a baby tomorrow. outside of the hospital,” Rosenberg says. Two months later, van Gameren, berg says he felt somewhat overlooked and now is a gay man who has to come What do we need?’ Two hours and a lot But an hour and a half later, the agen- who is Dutch, was told that his request as a gay father. out to his kids. But that’s not often the of money later, we bought the entire cy’s attorney came out with baby Levi for a green card had been denied. After “We’d go to all these big stores and case now,” van Gameren says. store, basically,” van Gameren says. and handed him to the new dads. spending 18 years in the United States small boutique stores and everything; the Rosenberg says they want to cover all When they got home, their confused “Neither of us had any experience tak- studying, working and planning for a big stores had labels that said ‘mommy gay dads, from the ones who were pre- doorman was waiting for them. “He ing care of newborns,” Rosenberg says. family, he was told he had to leave. tested,’ ‘mommy approved,’ ‘for moms, viously married to women to the ones said, ‘I think there’s been a mistake They called their mothers for help, but “We chose Canada, and we chose by moms,’ ‘we love moms.’ We’d go to who became dads when they were out because this baby stroller was just de- one lived out of state and the other in a Toronto because it’s a big city,” van these small stores with names like Moms gay men, whether through foster care, livered for you guys,’” Rosenberg says. different country; it would take some Gameren says. “We’re a blended family, to Be or Bump to Baby — everything was surrogacy, adoption or other scenarios. “We said, ‘That’s right. We’re getting a time for them to travel to New York. gay dads, so we thought a big city was a so targeting the moms,” Rosenberg says. “If you’re a gay dad in some way, shape baby tomorrow.’” Then they contacted a baby-nursing good choice, very multicultural.” They “I’m not a mom; I’m a dad.” or form, we want Gays with Kids to feel The next day, they went to pick up agency, but no one could come for a few found an apartment in Toronto and The couple discovered that few re- like home to you,” Rosenberg says. the newborn at the hospital but were days. “So we called a baby store near our made the move. sources for gay dads existed. They talk- For now, the website offers content told they couldn’t see him until the apartment, called Bump to Baby, and Coincidentally, several days before ed about building an online community from bloggers, columnists and regular paperwork had been filled out. “All we they got us in touch with a doula who Levi was born, the couple had signed a but were too busy to make it happen. writers who tell stories about their had was a picture,” van Gameren says. came over and helped us with Levi. She contract and put down a deposit with “Then finally, the kids were all tod- everyday experiences raising their “We couldn’t go up to the maternity showed us how to feed him, change his a surrogacy agency. “It was a non- dlers and we said we still want to feel families. It also features a variety of ward because the hospital was giving diaper and bathe him,” Rosenberg says. refundable deposit,” Rosenberg says. connected with other gay dads. And we family spotlights that highlight the “So we said, ‘Okay, we’ll try this. We went online, and sure enough, there are diversity of real gay men with kids. don’t want Levi to be an only child.’” more gay-dad writers and bloggers now, Rosenberg and van Gameren believe We’d go to all these big stores and Their agency found a gestational carri- but no one has come together to build a Gays with Kids will be the biggest on- er in West Virginia who had three kids of community,” Rosenberg says. line resource available for gay fathers. small boutique stores and everything; her own and had given birth to twin girls So the dads co-founded Gays with They’ve had a soft launch for friends the big stores had labels that said for another gay couple. Within months, Kids, an online resource that aims to and family, but a bigger launch is the new dads received another call. They, help gay dads navigate parenthood, from planned for June 1. ‘mommy tested,’ ‘mommy approved,’ too, were going to have twin girls. creating families to raising families. ‘for moms, by moms,’ ‘we love moms.’ After Sadie and Ella were born, van “‘Gay father’ up until a few years ago For more information, Gameren and Rosenberg drove to West primarily meant a closeted gay man or visit gayswithkids.com.

8 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 9 COMMUNITY

How a dilapidated meeting hall became a home for the queer community, in the words of the people who were there SeeTHE you at519BY ROB SALERNO

SINCE 1975, the 519 Church Street Helen Rykens (519 staffer, 1983– 2013): It’s way more efficient than the Community Centre has been the centre of city-controlled system. We wouldn’t have been successful without that the Church and Wellesley neighbourhood. model. Although not officially a “queer” centre, Kyle Rae: Every year we’d go in and defend our budget and say there’s an The 519 is known as a home for Toronto’s increase in staffing or we need new LGBT people. So how did this inauspicious computers, and the city would deter- mine, is this in the operating budget building become one of the most innova- or the programming budget? For ex- ample, there was a battle in 1986. We tive bases of queer activism in the world? bought those new steelcase chairs, which are still there. We had a battle creates the tension with the seniors. with the budget committee: is that BIRTH OF A Then in ’78, the big kerfuffle with a capital expense or a programming QUEER SPACE [anti-gay activist] Anita Bryant oc- expense? ’Cause it’s for the people to curs. That is when the seniors walk sit during your programs. The 519 was originally a hall for the away. When everyone organizes for Helen Rykens: You get an active board Granite Club, but by the 1970s it had be- Anita Bryant’s event up in North York, in the community and they don’t want come a dilapidated hangout for the 48th the buses load people up at The 519. that building to be empty. You have to Highlanders, and the city condemned it. They have effigies of Anita Bryant and respond to the people who live in the somebody burns the effigy and puts neighbourhood because they’re going Kyle Rae (board member, 1981–86; ex- the torch in her crotch. The seniors to elect the board. ecutive director, 1987–91; city council- go nuts because Anita Bryant was Miss Top, an architectural rendering of the new wing that was finalized in 2010. Above, lor, 1991–2010): The city was about to USA in 1960. Kyle Rae: The gay groups didn’t get funding. They were all self-actualized. many community members first got involved with The 519 through its food co-op. destroy it, and the neighbourhood said, Top right, a new mural is painted over an old mural. Right, volunteers prepare to “Hold on, we need a place for meet- That was the quintessential essence paint the first of many murals that eventually grace the side of The 519. ings, a place for services.” So they give INNOVATIVE of The 519 back in the ’70s and ’80s. and they charge two bucks for coffee a drag queen who’d get behind it or it to the community and set up a very Chris Phibbs (programming direc- special way of operating. At first the FUNDING every week in order to make money. someone who had some sway within tor, 1987–91): People would apply for seniors dominated, but in 1976/77, an the community. space, and then we would map it out David Snoddy (former board mem- application comes from a group called Many say the key innovation of The 519 to see whether we could squeeze them ber): The drag community and the bars Philip Hare (519 bookkeeper, 1988– Gay Youth Toronto. It was young gay was that the city owned the building and paid for its upkeep and core staff, but all in — does it respond to a need that the were always an active part of support- 91): My first Pride Day ever, it was the people trying to get use of the building, community has expressed? Whatever ing The 519. If you were a new group, first Pride focused on The 519. There and in the end they do get in, which programming was made and funded by the community. they do in that room is what they do, you’d partner with a local business and used to be an auction in the park [to

10 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS tion, and at that point in my life that Chris Phibbs: There was a program was enough, just to be in a gay place. every Friday night for developmentally I’d just go in, and there’s something disabled adults. It was also user-run. reassuring about being in a place that’s The users would DJ, they would collect so gay-friendly, even though I wasn’t the tickets, run the bar, select a theme, officially out at the time. do the decorating. It was their only day In 1988 they advertised a job for out of their group home. bookkeeper, which I had no experience Kyle Rae: The queer community had at whatsoever, but I applied because I no idea it was there. They were at the had just come out and I really wanted bars on Friday nights. to work there. Chris Phibbs: There was also a home- For 30 years, Helen Rykens worked at less drop-in that would happen every The 519, retiring as manager of public Sunday morning. There’d be clothes access and facility services in July available for them; there’d be a hot meal. 2013. She was a rare constant in the fast-changing space. Helen Rykens: I moved to Toronto A BASE FOR probably ’78, ’79, and I lived in one of those apartment buildings on Jarvis THE COMMUNITY Street, and I felt lost in a large city. Still, The 519 has been a home to dozens I walked around and found Church of queer community groups who needed Street, and there was The 519 Com- a safe, public, welcoming space to hold munity Centre. There was a food co-op group meetings and organize. there that I joined. I started there as a volunteer. Kyle Rae: I was coordinating Pride; the gay dance committee met there, and Helen [Rykens] Kyle Rae: She was absolutely amazing all the gay community organizations was one of the first at welcoming the people who were in who had weekly or monthly meetings tears from losing their jobs for coming met there. And if you had a big public faces I met when out or losing their parents because meeting, you’d use the auditorium. they’d come out. I walked through Chris Phibbs: Notso Amazon baseball Kristyn Wong-Tam (city councillor): league met there. That was the reason the door, shaking Helen was one of the first faces I met I started going. when I walked through the door, shak- and trembling as ing and trembling as a young teenager Kyle Rae: Political activism grew out a young teenager coming out to LGYT. I didn’t know of The 519 because of the queer issues. where I was going or what I was look- Helen Rykens: We had a thing in the coming out to ing for, and she just looked at me and space-use policy where advocacy was LGYT. said, “Up the stairs.” encouraged. Because we were able to Kyle Rae: Helen knew who belonged provide space for free, those groups KRISTYN WONG-TAM, here. With LGYT there were people were able to meet more easily. CITY COUNCILLOR who would hang out who shouldn’t be Once they’d felt they’d dealt with hanging around LGYT, and she knew the issues in their own communities, fundraise for The 519], and Jack Lay- who shouldn’t be here. Helen knew those groups would tend to disband. ton was the auctioneer. I thought he how to keep the building safe, keep the The Polish Gays and Lesbians, when was drop-dead gorgeous and I wanted building’s integrity, keep the building they started — it was very funny — to meet him, and I was crushed when working. the leader of the group said, “I’m very I learned he was straight. But he was sorry, but I think some older Polish so sweet. ladies will be protesting outside the A QUEER CENTRE? building. Do we have to cancel the meeting?” And I said, “Absolutely not!” GOING THROUGH Officially, The 519 has never been a Eventually they were accepted in the THE DOORS queer centre — the city authorized it Polish-Canadian umbrella organiza- to serve the neighbourhood bounded tion. That’s the sort of thing that could Kyle Rae: Kids were often drifting to by Bloor, Bay, Gerrard and Parliament happen in The 519. Toronto. There were far more street streets. It has always served a diverse David Snoddy: Programming for gay kids then than there are today. You’d group of communities. people focused on coming out and have kids who would be working the Kyle Rae: It was by accident, by creativ- integrating to the community because street. They would go to The 519. There ity, it turned into the gay community there weren’t supports. was a real mix of kids. centre, but I fought that because once Helen Rykens: I thought it was really Philip Hare: I was aware of The 519 it becomes that, [other] people will feel important to make space available for for years before I actually ventured it’s not part of their community. It’s people who needed the room urgently, into it. I knew about LGYT [Lesbian great that queers from Scarborough like if someone had had a bashing and and Gay Youth Toronto], but I wasn’t came in, and it’s sad because you’re not wanted to have a community meeting. brave enough to venture in the doors. going to get anywhere with the mayor No matter how busy we got, I kept the I’d pick up brochures about groups of Scarborough or Mel [Lastman] in flexibility in the schedule. that were meeting there. I just knew North York. Being a community centre it was a great place to get informa- gave it legitimacy. continued next page E

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 11 E continued from previous page because the worry was it would just grow and grow and grow. Helen Rykens: Years later, parents A BRIDGE would come in and say, “Someone told TO THE POLICE me my son’s name is on the memorial. Did you know him? Could you tell me Kyle Rae: In 1991, I got queerbashed about him?” I would look in my records twice on Church Street, so I contacted and fi nd out who put in the name and 52 Division and said, “Where are the try to get them in touch, and if not, stats? Is this growing?” And they said, I would take them out to the memorial “There are no stats because no one is and show them. telling us about the gaybashing.” So I started this phone line, this bashing line, so people could record OPPOSITION their being bashed and they could submit it anonymously, or they could Despite The 519’s community involve- submit it with their name and address ment and autonomous governance, hoping police would respond. Every it faced occasional opposition from day we would fax them to 52 Division. neighbours and even city hall. Chris Phibbs: It was just an answer- LE Wakelin (board member, 1975– ing machine in the beginning. We’d 86): We had challenges with one of the be sending it and the police were like, mayors, a female, who seemed to think “None of these people are talking to that we weren’t worth the money that us,” and we started forging a real rela- they were giving for core staffi ng. We tionship with 52 Division. In the end, did about a six-month survey of who we started doing fundraisers to buy was coming, what they were doing, bicycles for the police so they could do what the volunteers were doing, and bike patrols. Nine bikes we bought — 10 discovered that for every dollar the years after they turned our community city was spending, they were getting upside down! back $10 in volunteer time for people running programs. David Snoddy: Some of the commu- nity members were invited to go to Kyle Rae: In 1984, [then-councillor, the police training camp at CO Bick future mayor] June Rowlands forced [police college] to provide some aware- the city auditor to do a major audit ness. I became one of the volunteer of The 519, and the article in The Sun community speakers. Toronto took it ended up saying something like, “It’s quite seriously at that time. That was quirky, but it works.” We’d tried to get a fi rst to be done by any police service. a new stove in the kitchen, and she did It started to show that with a little building. Chris Phibbs hated it, but not believe they needed to have it. It work with communities and partner Kyle loved it. The original building wasn’t so much a queer issue, although agencies, you could build bridges with had an arch at the front that became she had a real problem with queer. She how the public views the police and the crotch, and I added feet and little used this kitchen issue. how the police deal with problems of Disney gloves and a face. community safety. THE FUTURE THE AIDS CRISIS A NEW NAME Kyle Rae: We were in a struggle and Chris Phibbs: The AIDS memorial that struggle’s gone. There are strug- It’s officially The 519 Church Street became a program of The 519 that did gles that are around the world that Community Centre, but almost no one have some staff involvement. We helped we should be involved in leading on calls it that today. do the design competition and the call and changing that experience. But for submissions and the second call for the world has changed from when we Kyle Rae: When I became ED, I went submissions. There were a lot of angry were fi ghting the police, the province, through a rebranding. We got Philip artists because the fi rst one didn’t de- the city. Hare to do a new design, and the let- mand that they have names on it. terhead said “The 519,” right in the Chris Phibbs: The hope is that it’s not corner. It became The 519. Helen Rykens: A lot of the necessary because we should be able time when someone died, to meet and get organized anywhere, Philip Hare: It was just kind the funeral would take place and in most big cities that’s probably of a no-brainer. That’s what somewhere else. The family possible. But there was a time where everybody was calling it. would come down and a lot that wasn’t possible. We could only do The logo that I did was just would be denied, and peo- Parents would come in and say, that in our living rooms or at The 519. “519” in sort of a loose, hand- ple from Toronto wouldn’t Helen Rykens: Pride Uganda is still drawn style with “The” writ- Philip Hare’s necessarily be invited. The ‘Someone told me my son’s name 1988 logo design meeting at The 519; the Queer Refugee ten above it. This is 1988, so idea was that people needed for The 519. is on the memorial. Did you know him? Program still meets and is advocating the logo I submitted was a place to grieve. hand-drawn. The original drawing Could you tell me about him?’ for queer rights around the world. was just marker on paper, old school. Chris Phibbs: There was some push- We also had a sort of informal logo back, but the neighbour stuff was dealt HELEN RYKENS, 519 STAFFER, 1983–2013 Go to dailyxtra.com for our video that we put on T-shirts for fundrais- with by having neighbourhood input coverage of the launch of this ing that was a dancing version of the early on and being careful about where Top, the completed mural puts a rainbow over the community on a cloudy day. year’s Green Space, the annual Pride it was placed and how it would grow, Above, a mourner at the AIDS memorial. fundraiser for The 519.

12 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS An evening celebrating Queer Contemporary Ceramic Art and the Canadian Lesbian & Gay Archives.

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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 13 Immigration is for lovers!™ Complete immigration services. Competitive pricing Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Extraordinary success rates. The lost language of gay How a secret Not sure where to begin? Call us today for FREE assessment lingo known as 416-651-8889 Polari brought www.immigrationservices.ca together a community

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Picture this: you and me in a bar, a mixed crowd, David LeBlanc, Bruce Ferreira-Wells, Successful Clients Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants RCIC – ICCRC mostly straight. I sidle up to you and shout over the din, “Bona nochy, my bijou bitch. Vada the dish on that dally gajo! Think he’d charver with this omi- palone, or is he naff ... maybe bibi?” Is your business 51% + Maybe you’d think I’m completely insane, or maybe you’re one of the few LGBT owned and operated? people in the room who understands. “Aunt Nell said he’s a dilly boy when the dinari’s bona,” you cackle, “but tonight he’s alamo, ogling you for a bold blag.” You and I have just parlayed in ma- Polari is a coded gay lingo that grew and evolved as it borrowed from jestic Polari, the “linguistic mongrel” disparate groups and languages over several centuries. JORI BOLTON of thieves, travelling entertainers and homosexuals. groups and circuses, mixing Lingua If the mid-20th-century’s state- Polari — which can be traced back Franca into the cant that was used sanctioned crusades necessitated a to at least the 19th century, possibly within those groups. language that off ered protection and as early as the 16th — isn’t so much a An influx of Italian immigrants to secrecy from heterosexual culture, the language as an in-group lexicon; it’s a England in the 1840s added to this grow- rise of political and societal protections secret lingo that grew and evolved as it ing lexicon, since they often worked as in the late 20th century was what killed Are you interested in corporate procurement borrowed from a number of disparate entertainers, too. Travelling actors and Polari. After England decriminalized groups and languages. circus people were despised, even to the homosexuality in 1967, public opinion and business development opportunities? In her dissertation on the lost gay point of being denied Christian burials; slowly started coming around for the language, Heather Taylor explains that they used a linguistic relative called omi-palones and palone-omis (man- Join the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Polari likely grew out of cant slang: Parlyaree. Infl uences from “gypsy” — nish women, ie lesbians). partners and certified LGBT business enterprises at the: phrases or catchwords passed among a derogatory term for Romani people With gay pride on the rise alongside a travellers, vagabonds and criminals. — lexicon added back slang (a coded zeitgeist of virile gay masculinity, Polari, LGBT Supplier Diversity Forum camp behaviour and eff eminacy — seen as irreverent and carnal symbols of June 19, 2014 - 1:30-6:00pm Aunt Nell said he’s a dilly boy when prior repression — were denigrated and rejected. Only as it fell out of use within The Carlu, 444 Yonge St, Toronto the dinari’s bona, but tonight he’s the gay community did Polari begin to alamo, ogling you for a bold blag. be studied seriously and documented. Meet procurement leaders from Canada’s top corporations who Much was lost, as tracking the mostly are looking to buy goods & services from companies just like yours. spoken language proved diffi cult. Cant could be picked up quickly and language in which written words are I didn’t even learn about Polari un- Registration was incomprehensible to outsiders, pronounced backward — for instance, til late 2013, but I owe my newfound providing speakers a certain amount of “boy” becomes “yob”) and rhyming knowledge to the Polari Rosetta Stone is now available at secrecy. With its wide range of words slang. Other elements were borrowed program compiled by Damien Atkins for body parts, bodily functions and from Yiddish, the Cockney dialect and for the Buddies in Bad Times pro- www.cglcc.ca genitalia, cant was a true language of Shelta, a cant of Irish travellers. duction of The Gay Heritage Project. the demimonde. As gay scenes began consolidating in Atkins’s spoof reintroduced Polari to Another likely influence is Medi- urban centres in the 19th and 20th cen- many gays who might have gone their Platinum Sponsor Event Sponsors terranean Lingua Franca, one of a turies, police action against them grew, whole lives without hearing nary a “cod number of bridge languages used to necessitating the insular community cottage” or a “zhooshy shush bag.” make communication possible be- of which Polari was a key component. tween speakers of diff erent tongues, It reached its height as a secret gay History Boys appears in every issue which was cultivated by sailors and language in London in the 1950s and of Xtra. enriched with “nauticisms.” Injured or 1960s, when police entrapment was retired British sailors who had trouble routine. This was coupled with the rise Visit dailyxtra.com adjusting to home life in the 18th and of fl amboyant “camp” culture, which the for a collection of more 19th centuries would join travelling outrageous language is well suited to. than 150 Polari words.

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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 15 16 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS I relate the most to Schumann . . . probably because of the impulsive, even wild, moments in Out inthe City the music. Olivier Hébert-Bouchard E 30 Touring Thrones Responses to HBO’s touring exhibition Game of Thrones have been, in a word, mixed. Presented in New York, Mexico City, Austin, Oslo, Rio de The royal wedding crown from Season 4 of Game of Hervana rocks Janeiro and Belfast, the show’s been called every- Thrones will be on display at TIFF. ASHLEY SEARS The Drake. thing from innovatively terrifying to torturously SYDNEY HELLAND mind numbing. How Torontonians will react when the mammoth spectacle descends on us is anyone’s It’s interactive (sort of) There are no hot guys guess. But if you’re looking to brave the lines in the Designed to “bring the fans closer to the series, on Overwhelming art direction and ridiculously com- hopes of scoring a rush ticket to the sold-out aff air, both a physical and emotional level,” the exhibi- plex story lines aside, much of the show’s appeal here are a few things to keep in mind. tion’s interactive components vary in their level can be attributed to its stunningly attractive and of interactivity. The “Blackwater Bay” video-game often naked cast. simulator lets you shoot fl aming arrows at Stan- But while there’s a video component to the show, HERVANA It’s all about the craft nis Baratheon’s ships while defending King’s those hoping to view unreleased Tyrion Lannister It all started with a tweet in May 2013, when The hours put into costumes and props on most TV Landing. “Ascend the Wall” replicates the Night’s or Jon Snow nude scenes will be disappointed. Yes, Carly Beath spotted a message from some- shows don’t get much hype. But checking out the Watch elevator through a virtual-reality headset I asked. — Chris Dupuis one she had never met stating that Toronto GoT team’s handiwork up close is awe-inspiring. complete with blasts of cold air. Oddly, the most needed an all-female cover band named Hundreds of tailors, embroiderers, dyers, weav- popular feature is a replica of the Iron Throne. Game of Thrones: The Exhibition runs Wed, May Hervana. ers, carpenters and metal workers give the show Visitors wait for hours to snap selfi es while seated 14–Sun, May 18, at TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King “I was like, yes! This [name] has to be a wow factor unlike anything else on the big or on a plastic copy of the royal chair built from the St W. tiff .net/exhibitions taken, this has to be a thing,” Beath says. small screen. swords of the Targaryen’s vanquished enemies. Hervana’s lineup includes Beath (Skirt Cobain) as lead singer, bass player/backup vocalist Erin Saunderson (Miss Novoselic), drummer Sonia Sennik (Dave Grrrl) and gui- Micah Barnes (far right) reunites tar player/backup vocalist Michelle Turingan with The Nylons at Sing! (Pap Smear). Beath started playing guitar when she was 15 and recalls practising in her bedroom with SO MUCH her binder of Nirvana guitar tabs. She and Saunderson had played together previously in a band, while Turingan — who always lust- ed after Cobain’s lyrics — was the odd one out of her group of friends growing up, who were mostly into R&B and hip hop. Sennik has played in various bands across Ontario. The group’s fi rst show was this past March SINGING at The Drake, where the foursome was re- Two high-profi le Toronto LGBT artists are making warded with a packed crowd and a bustling rare live appearances this month as part of Sing! mosh pit. The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival. Hervana’s sets include a mix of hits and As lead singer for the Parachute Club, Lorraine more obscure songs that diehard Nirvana Segato set radio afire with the group’s timely fans want to hear. The band tries to fi nd a blend of new wave and pop, charting multiple suc- middle ground and also takes requests from cesses with their eponymous debut album and two the audience. follow-ups. The group’s biggest hit, “Rise Up,” still “We put our own energy into it; the vocals endures as an anthem for social justice, personal are obviously diff erent. Kurt’s voice was so empowerment and just plain fun. unique, and you can’t imitate it, so we do the “I had a bit of a relationship thing with that song best we can,” Beath says. “To us, it’s really for a while,” Segato admits. “I didn’t want to ride Up” with them, I said, ‘Yeah!’” the ropes,” says Barnes, who promises the band important to celebrate Nirvana because they on its coattails, but I started listening to people’s Micah Barnes’s appearance at Sing! will be as will perform favourites like “Kiss Him Goodbye” had this mainstream platform and were still stories about what it meant for them. I’m back varied as his long and vibrant career. From his and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” willing to get up and say, ‘We’re not cool with racism and homophobia, and if you’re into into my loving-it stage, and I feel an incredible piano-man beginnings to the cutting-edge club “Right now I think they have the best voices ever. that — don’t come to our show.’ We pay trib- amount of gratitude towards it.” tracks that took Los Angeles by storm, Barnes is a They just keep getting better and better. Jumping ute to that, too.” — Lauryn Kronick Segato likes to mix things up when performing true musical chameleon. His latest foray into jazz back in has been pure heaven.” — Serafi n LaRiviere the song, and she’s excited to be singing it with re- placed his song “New York Story” in the top fi ve of Hervana performs alongside Spoils, Filthy nowned a cappella group Retrocity at the festival. iTunes Canada downloads. The festival will fi nd Sing! runs Fri, May 30–Sun, June 1, at the Distillery Liars and Zoey (from Lunchlady) on Tues, “They’re my new favourite experience band,” she him in two roles: coaching vocal acts and reuniting District and features performances, workshops, May 20, 7pm, at Handlebar, 159 Augusta Ave. says. “I’ve been following them around, so when I onstage with famed a cappella group The Nylons. a sing-along and a school workshop program. facebook.com/hervanaband was asked to sing their acoustic version of “Rise “The Nylons were really the ones that taught me singtoronto.com

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 17 PRESENTING SPONSOR

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Opening Gala Party Local Heroes Party Transplane tarium Closing Gala THURSDAY MAY 22, 10:00PM THURSDAY MAY 29, 10:00PM presents Party and Awards Media Bar Gladstone Hotel Back to the Future SUNDAY JUNE 1, 10:00PM 77 Peter Street 1214 Queen Street West FRIDAY MAY 30, 10:00PM Hotel Ocho (South of Adelaide Street West) (Corner of Gladstone Avenue) 195 Spadina Avenue Join Inside Out as we kick off the Toronto Toronto is fi lled with talented Queeroes and The Steady (North of Queen Street West) LGBT Film Festival and celebrate the best this year we celebrate the DJ! You won’t want 1051 Bloor Street West Join Inside Out as we wrap the 2014 Toronto in LGBT cinema from around the world. to miss this jam-packed party. Come dance (2 Blocks East of Dufferin Street) For this very special edition we partner your face off to DJs Vee Stun (Vag Halen), LGBT Film Festival. Dance the night away to the sounds offered by our beautiful guest with the Hotnuts crew and superstar divas, John Caffery (Mighty Real, Pit Bull), Cozmic The never-to-be-missed Transplanetarium DJ, Regina the Gentlelady (Light Fires). Mary Messhausen and Produzentin, who Cat (Cherry Bomb), Phil V (Big Primpin’, After Party will not will amaze and entertain us with their Business Woman’s Special), Joe Blow and Cheers to another Festival! Most women disappoint! The evening know what they want. Regina knows what draglicious stylze and their dance and Sigourney Beaver (Steers & Queers, Bent), will feature DJs Daddy K house music realness! This is the perfect Linguist (Andy Poolhall, Footwork) and Secret you want. With the voice of a shady angel and Nik Red on the decks, way to get us all in the mood for 11 days Agent (Sweaty Bettys, Here Kitty Kitty). Axel and a body made for breaking hearts, she of fi lm, panel discussions and parties. Blows and Shane MacKinnon will also grace us along with a special guest. delivers anthems from the alleyways, and with their extraordinary gravity-defeating pole sets the nights ablaze. Regina is shadow Tickets: $10 General No cover dancing abilities. and light, high kicks and deep splits, fi erce Public/$8 Members tongue and soft touch. You already need her, Cover: $6 at the and you haven’t even met her yet. Regina is Free with your Opening door or free with a celebration of love. Regina is a celebration Gala screening your Local Heroes of the night. Regina is Light Fires, and Light and party ticket screening ticket stub Fires is what you’ve been missing in your life. Tickets: $10 General Public/$8 Members Free with your Closing Gala screening and party ticket

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18 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS 2014 INSIDE OUT PREVIEW

Fly Lady Di and Emily Law battle it out in Waack Revolt, screening in the Local Heros program (see page 27).

The Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival’s 2014 tagline is #seeforyourself, which encapsulates this year’s festival perfectly. From major premieres like The Normal Heart to the always-entertaining Local Heroes showcase (featuring the stunning dance film Waack Revolt), this is a festival that consistently takes chances and surprises its loyal audience. The scope of this year’s lineup is so large as to be intimidating. To help navigate the 11-day frenzy, Xtra has put together a guide to some of our favourite films; however, we highly recommend you see as many as possible for yourself.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 19 INSIDE OUT 2014 PREVIEW FEATURES

From Brazil with love Touching opening gala is both sappy

and powerful THE WAY HE LOOKS Based on his short I Don’t Want to Go Back Amorim), is a tall and languid young woman face like an angel, a head full THURS, MAY 22, Alone, director Daniel Ribeiro’s coming-of- who speaks her mind and likes to call their of dark curly hair and big 8PM age feature debut, The Way He Looks, has friend Karina a slut. pretty eyes that rival Bambi’s. the feel of those 1980s teen flicks, like My Giovana is awesome. Like clockwork, she Giovana is smitten and so is Bodyguard or a beloved John Hughes film. walks Leonardo home from school every day, Leonardo. Mind you, it doesn’t have any quirky slapstick asking him for his keys so she can open the When the teacher assigns Leonardo to or an eclectic pop-rock soundtrack. What it gate to his home. They have a routine. work with Gabriel on a project, the boys start does have are great young actors who pull the At home, Leonardo continually tests his to get to know each other: they dance to Belle viewer into the simple and tender story. loving yet overly protective parents. He and Sebastian, watch an eclipse and have an Leonardo (Ghilherme Lobo) is a teenaged doesn’t really do anything wrong except lean innocent yet very sexy shower scene. There’s boy with wavy, brown locks (he’s as cute as a back too far in his chair, blast his beloved some Giovana drama, a game of spin the puppy) who longs to be independent, leave Beethoven or ask if he can study abroad. bottle and a touching ending that is simple his home in São Paulo and travel the world. Mom won’t have any of it; Dad may just cave. yet incredibly powerful. Yes, the script is full Blind since birth, Leonardo mixes in just fine One day, a new boy shows up in class. The of clichés, but it all works, with its precise at school (save for a few non-threatening teacher tells him to sit behind Leonardo. His editing and many quiet, intimate moments bullies). His best friend, Giovana (Tess name is Gabriel (Fabio Audi), and he has a between characters. —Sissydude Sexy trouble Robin Campillo’s Eastern Boys is stark, EASTERN suspenseful and surreal BOYS SUN, MAY 25, I can’t remember the last time I was so Eastern European boys who weave through door; it’s a boy no more than 14, 6:30PM riveted by a film, especially the perfect first the crowds of train passengers. Even from a and he’s definitely not Marek. 30 minutes or so of director Robin Campillo’s distance, with the boys’ posturing, cigarettes We the audience know this kid is a Eastern Boys. It’s like Larry Clark’s 1995 film dangling on their lips, the new sneakers — we member of the gang. Kids mixed with the “what the fuck is gonna just know these bad boys, the gang of them, There’s a constant feeling of suspense and happen next?” intensity of Michael Haneke’s are sexy trouble. danger in Eastern Boys, a hovering sense that 2007 film Funny Games. It plays with your Daniel senses the danger, but that’s also the something monumentally horrendous is brain and your loins. thrill. He’s obsessed with one boy and follows going to happen to Daniel or Marek. Yet most Olivier Rabourdin plays Daniel, a tired, him to a secluded area under a staircase in scenes are shot in bright, sunny daylight. It middle-aged Frenchman cruising Paris’s a shopping centre. The boy’s name is Marek has the stark coldness of Hitchcock’s Vertigo: Gare du Nord. We watch him as if by (Kirill Emelyanov), and he agrees to meet the streets are vacant, stores lack shoppers. And surveillance, with the camera shooting from next day for sex at Daniel’s sleek apartment. I never knew there are parts of Paris that way above, never zooming in close to the It’ll cost Daniel 50 euros. look like Mississauga. many young Ukrainian, Russian and other The next day there’s a knock on Daniel’s Mind blown. —Sissydude

20 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS For in-depth video coverage of Inside Out, go to dailyxtra.com. All screenings are at TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St W, unless otherwise noted. For complete festival listings, go to insideout.ca.

Deadpan duo Lisa Haas and Jackie Monahan in The Foxy Merkins.

Ghilherme Lobo and Fabio Audi in The Way He Looks. Midnight cowgirls Madeleine Olnek turns the male hustler genre into a lesbian buddy movie Who among us has not wondered — only out of sociological their total reversal into the opposite. There’s a gem THE FOXY curiosity, of course — why there’s never been a critical mass of of a scene in the hotel elevator in which Margaret MERKINS SAT, MAY 31, sex-crazed dykes who simply have to get off as soon as the thought and Jo get slickly picked up by two older women 6:45PM occurs, and have enough disposable income to pay for it, that who are in town for a conference. Elsewhere, one of would sustain a lesbian-only hustling industry? (Okay, maybe I’m the characters explains that she started working as a the only one who’s wondered that.) Director Madeleine Olnek’s lesbian prostitute because it was so damn easy: she was new comedy, The Foxy Merkins, obliquely explores this question walking around and a woman in an SUV kept honking at her. through a sly, deadpan appropriation of the male hustler genre and “It’s just . . . easy, you know? Just walk outside.” And the designated her hapless protagonist: the asthmatic, bespectacled, jeans-and- spots where the lesbian hookers hang out waiting for some work tee-clad newcomer to town with the sexy name of Margaret. to come their way? The Chelsea-looking rows of brownstones In part, the joke is on the tropes of the hustler movie. There are and the outside of the Talbots department store. An older woman situations straight out of Midnight Cowboy, but in this parallel persistently propositions Jo in a way that’s only ever seen done by universe they’re more obviously absurd: the adoption by the men, and this is a joy to observe despite her awful pickup lines. wizened pimp/best friend, the sudden need to search for a lost The film goes to town with the fact that we have much less money parent, the trip to somewhere out of town with a mandatory bus and power than our gay brethren and straight men, the more likely scene and melancholy score. But the joke is also on us and lesbians’ consumers of sex for pay. An elderly woman tries to pay Margaret agonizingly fussy courting and mating practises. (“A yellow with a gift card. Another client goes down on Margaret in a dark bandana in your left back pocket means you have more than one cinema just so she can steal her snacks. Olivier Rabourdin kisses Kirill cat,” Jo explains to Margaret in one scene. A different pocket means Many scenes will read absurd yet completely true. Can Olnek Emelyanov in Eastern Boys. “that you like women that have been through the change.”) take on the nouvelle vague or the big Hollywood studio romantic The hangups and the self-consciousness that often come between comedy next, please? I’d pay much more than a Talbots gift card to women who have just met are made visible — and hilarious — by see that. —Lydia Perovic

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 21 PRESENTING SPONSOR

How to buy tickets ONLINE www.insideout.ca BY PHONE 416.599.TIFF (8433) Toll-free: 1.888.599.8433 10am to 7pm daily IN PERSON TIFF Bell Lightbox Reitman Square, 350 King Street West 10am to 10pm daily

COMPLETE PROGRAMMING AT INSIDEOUT.CA | ALL SCREENINGS AT THE TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

Opening Gala Women’s Gala Centrepiece Gala Closing Gala THE WAY HE LOOKS TRU LOVE LOVE IS STRANGE 52 TUESDAYS THURSDAY MAY 22 | 8 PM SATURDAY MAY 24 | 7:30 PM TUESDAY MAY 27 | 9:30 PM SUNDAY JUNE 1 | 7:30 PM Daniel Ribeiro Kate Johnston and Shauna MacDonald Ira Sachs Sophie Hyde Brazil, 2014 Canada, 2013 USA, 2014 Australia, 2013 Canadian Premiere Canadian Premiere Canadian Premiere Canadian Premiere This charming trio of teenage friends at the heart Who knows what attracts us to someone: beauty, Director Ira Sachs (2012 Centrepiece Gala, Keep Sixteen-year-old Billie’s reluctant path to inde- of his feature-length adaptation, it will be hard to a dazzling smile or the way a laugh line crinkles the Lights On) returns to Inside Out with a poignant pendence is accelerated when her mother reveals resist The Way He Looks, a sweet and sensitive just so. For 37-year-old Toronto dyke, Tru (Shauna and sensitive study of love, the strain of separation plans to change genders. In order to minimize the portrayal of friendship; the desire for independence, MacDonald)—a notorious womanizer with inti- and the enduring bond of long-term commitment. stress as Jane transitions to James, it is decided and the longing for fi rst love. With his debut feature, macy issues—it happens to be all of those things Propelled by exquisite performances from John that Billie will live with her father, Tom, for a year Ribeiro has crafted a touching coming-of-age story and more, as she fi nds herself falling for her friend Lithgow and Alfred Molina, a powerfully understat- and will see James once a week, every Tuesday. tinged with humour and laced with a dreamlike Suzanne (Christine Horne)’s mother, the beguiling ed turn from Marisa Tomei, and solid support from As Billie attempts to adjust to the dramatic changes longing that will leave audiences rooting for the 60-year-old Alice (Kate Trotter). the remaining cast, Love is Strange is a tender dra- in her life, she develops an intense new friendship endearing teens. Portuguese with English subtitles. ma infused with gentle humour. The fi lm’s subtle with two older schoolmates, which serves as a Join us for a cocktail reception intimacy draws the audience into the extraordinarily catalyst to independence and self-discovery. Teddy Award for Best Feature, preceding the screening. ordinary lives of George and Ben, and will leave you 2014 Berlin International Film Festival Join us after the screening for the in love with their love and devotion. Closing Gala Party and Awards. Join us for a cocktail reception Winner of Best Director Award preceding the screening. (World Cinema Dramatic), 2014 Tribeca Film Festival 2014 Sundance Film Festival

FOUNDING MEDIA SPONSOR PLATINUM SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS BRONZE SPONSORS

22 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS The Third One

International Focus On Latin America When it comes to telling hot, dramatic and charming LGBT stories on screen, things are going south! This year, we focus on Latin America, highlighting fi ve fi lms and a mixed shorts program that spans Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Brazil and beyond. Opening the Festival is the Teddy Award-winning fi lm from Brazil, The Way He Looks, which helps set the tone for some of the best and most engaging Queer cinema south of the border.

THE WAY HE LOOKS (Brazil) THE THIRD ONE (Argentina) THURSDAY MAY 22 | 8:00PM SUNDAY MAY 25 | 9:45PM MIXED SHORTS: PRAIA DO FUTURO FOCUS ON LATIN AMERICA (Brazil/Germany) FRIDAY MAY 23 | 7:15PM FRIDAY MAY 30 | 7:15PM EVERYBODY’S GOT MY STRAIGHT SON SOMEBODY...BUT ME (Venezuela/Spain) (Mexico) SATURDAY MAY 31 | 9:15PM SUNDAY MAY 25 | 7:15PM Special Fundraising Event MATT BOMER Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf? THE NORMAL HEART IN ATTENDANCE FRIDAY MAY 23 | 9:30 PM Ryan Murphy USA, 2014 Canadian Premiere Inside Out, in partnership with HBO Canada and Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, is pleased to present a special premiere screening of the fi lm adaptation of Larry Kramer ’s Tony Award-winning play, Best from the Fests The Normal Heart. Directed by Ryan Murphy (Glee, American Horror Story) and featuring an all-star cast that includes Julia Roberts, Mark Ruffalo, Jim Parsons, Matt Bomer and Taylor Kitsch, the fi lm is an emo- Inside Out presents: Best from the Fests, a unique showcase of eight of the most sough after LGBT fi lms on tionally powerful refl ection on the advent of the AIDS epidemic. the international circuit. These fi lms have had their world premieres from A-List festivals such as Cannes, Sundance and Berline, and we are proud to bring them to our Toronto LGBT fi lm fans and supporters. The Normal Heart explores the nation ’s sexual politics, as gay activists and their allies in the medical com- munity fi ght to expose the truth about the epidemic to a city in denial. Largely autobiographical, the fi lm is DRUNKTOWN’S FINEST SOMETHING MUST BREAK set in New York City between 1981 and 1984, as seen through the eyes of writer and activist Ned Weeks (Sundance Film Festival) (Goteborg International Film Festival) (Mark Ruffalo), the founder of a prominent HIV advocacy group. MONDAY MAY 26 | 9:30PM SATURDAY MAY 24 | 9:30PM Ned prefers public confrontations to the calmer, more private strategies favoured by his associates, friends, and closeted lover Felix Turner (Matt Bomer), none of whom are prepared to throw themselves LAND OF STORMS THE CIRCLE into the media spotlight. Their differences of opinion lead to frequent arguments that threaten to undermine (Berlin International Film Festival) (Berlin International Film Festival) their mutual goal. WEDNESDAY MAY 28 | 7:30PM THURSDAY MAY 29 | 7:15PM The screening will be preceded by an exclusive VIP cocktail reception (including host bar and hors ME, MYSELF AND MUM THE FOXY MERKINS d’oeuvres) from 6:30-8:30pm. Details will be provided with ticket. (Cannes Film Festival) (Sundance Film Festival) Ticket Prices: SUNDAY JUNE 1 | 5:00PM SATURDAY MAY 31 | 6:45PM Film Only: $40 General Public/$30 Inside Out members Film (priority seating) and Pre-Screening Reception: $150 General Public/$125 PRAIA DO FUTURO WHO’S AFRAID Inside Out members (a tax receipt will be issued for the maximum amount allowable). (Berlin International Film Festival) OF VAGINA WOLF? Tickets are available through the regular Festival box offi ce. FRIDAY MAY 30 | 7:30PM (Frameline Film Festival) FRIDAY MAY 23 | 9:30PM All proceeds from the screening and reception will benefi t Inside Out and CANFAR.

FUNDERS

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 23 INSIDE OUT 2014 PREVIEW DOCUMENTARIES

Kate Bornstein in Kate Bornstein Thank you, ma’am Is a Queer & Pleasant Danger. Behind the scenes with proud pornographer mr Pam “Here is a woman, mr Pam, who creates mostly — in front of the camera, so when porn for gay men. How great is that? And you find women creating content it’s quite how does that work?” rare, and so quite compelling.” KATE Pink Triangle Press director Nicolas And quite lonely. Though mr Pam BORNSTEIN Kazamia’s question is the driving force surrounds herself with people she IS A QUEER & PLEASANT behind Wham, Bam, mr Pam, the Inside treats as family, it’s clear that DANGER Out Film Festival entry about porn being a woman in such a SAT, MAY 24, director mr Pam. The film takes a peek male-dominated industry WHAM, BAM, 5PM into the life of what most gay men would takes its toll on her MR PAM agree is a dream job. (The film was personal and social life. FRI, MAY 30, produced by Pink Triangle Press, which But she faces it all with 10PM publishes Xtra.) a smile. “The fact is, for better or worse, porn “I genuinely think she’s a shapes our expectations and desires of great person; she’s complex and sex,” Kazamia says. “The people who shape funny as fuck, as well as a cheerleader,” those fantasies are not the performers, but Kazamia says. “The fact is, being on a porn the people like mr Pam who create these set is tedious, and I know people don’t Bornstein this way works.” believe this, but it’s pretty dull. It’s work. She started out as a web designer and It’s not erotic at all. later became a film editor at Falcon “What was interesting, however, was Studios, but mr Pam has never spent much watching mr Pam direct; her approach was time in the spotlight. really very much her own. She can swear Doc about trans activist’s life “I am fascinated by women in the adult like a sailor but also coddle the models at film industry who work behind the scenes,” the same time. It was pretty remarkable unveils a welcome warmth Kazamia says. “Porn is mostly consumed to witness her at work . . . she’s really a by men and created by men, whether it sweetheart. I hope that comes across.” Activist, author, gender-fucker, at the beach and lying around the house be gay or straight. Women’s roles are — —Andrew Jacome Scientology survivor and SM enthusiast with her partner and their numerous Kate Bornstein hasn’t just been a pets. The documentary delves into her art groundbreaker for the trans community; practice, her process of discovering and her seminal writings Gender Outlaw and creating language, and her struggle with My Gender Workbook provided a template intense depression. for an entire generation to deconstruct Even if you think you know everything societal understandings of gender. For there is to know about Bornstein, Feder’s many trans people, she offered the first film will show you sides you hadn’t glimmer of hope that accepting and imagined were there. With unbridled manifesting their true selves could lead to warmth and occasionally self-effacing happy and fulfilling lives. humour, she tracks the journey that’s How it’s possible that there’s never been made her the person she is today. a documentary about Bornstein before, The film opens with Bornstein I’m not sure. But this year sees the release discussing her motivations for making it. of the much-anticipated Kickstarter- “The real reason why I agreed to do it?” funded project Kate Bornstein Is a Queer & she says. “Because you said you were going Pleasant Danger. Taking its name from her to make me a star. If I was a star, by golly, 2012 memoir, the film manages to provide I could bring about world peace. That’s a newly intimate portrait of a person who’s the ethical reason why. The personal rarely shied from spilling the most visceral little-kid reason is that I always wanted details of her life in public. to be a star, just like I wanted to be a girl.” The director and her stars in Wham, Bam, mr Pam. Director Sam Feder films Bornstein at —Chris Dupuis speaking engagements, on photo shoots,

24 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS For in-depth video coverage of Inside Out, go to dailyxtra.com. All screenings are at TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St W, unless otherwise noted. For complete festival listings, go to insideout.ca.

Stephanie Stephens in An Evening with the Impostors. Fixing history Doc tracks struggle to rewrite colonial-era laws It all started in India. Under British capture that dynamic through different rule in the former colony, it became the contributors and their thinking on a first country to write laws criminalizing particular issue. There’s always debate homosexuality. Enacted in 1861, Section within social movements, and that’s a 377 punished “carnal knowledge against very positive thing because it’s the way the order of nature,” catalyzing the we analyze and grow in relationship to movement that would see generations social change. Documentary is a form of gay people across the globe arrested, that is completed not on the screen, but imprisoned and executed. It was then used by its interaction with the audience. as a template for similar laws in Canada, What makes good doc is something that Australia, the Caribbean, East Africa and generates discussion and debate.” even Britain itself, which had no similar Nicol’s work is part of a larger project Pretty in Port Hope laws at the time. Today, half the world’s called Envisioning Global LGBT Human existing anti-gay laws trace their origin to Rights. Composed of 31 partners in 12 Section 377. countries, the interdisciplinary research On the road with four Toronto Given her focus on international LGBT team looks at people fighting against anti- rights, it seemed only logical for filmmaker gay laws left over from British colonialism. Nancy Nicol to head to India in 2009 when “People have heard about the situation drag legends the Delhi high court struck down the law. in places like Uganda and they know it’s “I thought it was a really interesting way horrible,” Nicol says. “But sometimes Many a drag queen has longed to grace the over show-stopping numbers. to take on issues around oppression,” the they don’t know the extent of organizing stages of New York, Las Vegas or Key West. “At one point, Ala Mode steps on the mic York University professor says. “Looking and the brilliance and courage of people But Port Hope, Ontario? Hellz no, gurl! and it smacks him in the face,” Helkio says, at the treatment of sexual minorities on the ground who are fighting to make Despite the burg’s unglamorous rep, last laughing. “But he just kept on going like through the lens and legacy of British change. What’s happening right now in September four Toronto queens packed nothing happened. Now that’s fierce.” imperialism and colonialism.” India is powerful. It’s small in terms of their stilettos and hit the 401 to play a gig The Impostors takes its name from a Nicol’s film No Easy Walk to Freedom the massive scale and diversity of the at the town’s 400-seat Capitol Theatre. piece of Toronto drag history. The original charts the journey of activists and their country, but it’s growing. India The original point of the excursion Impostors were a team who played Yonge opposition. In keeping with past works, is the second most populous wasn’t to make a documentary. The queens Street club La Cage through the 1980s. Nicol stays out of the way, letting those country on earth, so what had been invited by local residents to do a Owned by the Mirvishes and located involved speak for themselves. happens there has huge NO EASY fundraiser. But when organizer Stephanie where the Hard Rock Café now stands, it WALK “A social-justice movement is itself a implications for the rest of Stephens ran into filmmaker Raymond was open seven days a week and catered TO FREEDOM kind of discussion,” Nicol says. “I try to the world.” —Chris Dupuis Helkio in the Village, she invited him along to a mainly straight crowd. Along with SUN, JUNE 1 , to document the whole thing. Stephens, the original lineup included NOON Stephens figured the show would be famed queens Georgie Girl, Michelle recorded just for posterity, but Helkio had DuBarry, Rusty Ryan and Christopher other ideas. His previous short, Death of a Peterson. Bathhouse, had screened at Inside Out last “My first La Cage show year, and he was longing to make a follow- freaked the shit out of me,” up. Not content to simply film the girls and Helkio recalls. “In the AN EVENING fork over the footage, he decided to turn final number, one of the WITH THE the experience into his first feature, and queens started slowly IMPOSTORS An Evening with the Impostors was born. taking off his drag in front SAT, MAY 31, : Stephens, along with Rachael, Ala Mode of the audience. They 12 45PM and Teran Blake, make up the country- used to end their shows that bound quartet. In keeping with the DIY way to convey to the audience aesthetic of his last piece, Helkio shot with they were watching actors playing a handheld video cameras and iPhones. part. At the same time, they were also Activists protesting in Capturing the gritty hilarity of a group of challenging the nature of being queer in No Easy Walk to Freedom. queens on a road trip, the film prioritizes a way that’s missing from today’s shows.” rehearsal blunders and backstage banter —Chris Dupuis

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 25 INSIDE OUT 2014 PREVIEW SHORTS

Tawiah M’carthy, Brendan Healy and Shoot the Shoot. Tera Mallette and Drew Alejandro Santiago’s Danielle Belsky’s Momentary.

Coming together All this year’s In Your Pocket shorts are team efforts Drew Lint and Vika It’s hard to picture two unacquainted lesbians only works created using smartphones or ubiquitous smartphone devices Kirchenbauer’s as meeting by chance in some public place, then iPads are accepted, even novices with no are, there’s no excuse for people yet untitled film. quickly finding a secluded backstreet or park equipment can see their work screened. not to produce more films.” in which to get it on — only gay men do that, This year’s Come Together theme, chosen She’s also learned a few IN YOUR right? Tera Mallette’s short film Momentary by co-curators Marcin Wisniewski and Xtra things from her collaboration POCKET: challenges this expectation. “[In the film] writer Chris Dupuis, stipulates that each with Drew Danielle Belsky. COME TOGETHER MON, MAY 26, 7PM two girls are walking in the city. They pass four-minute-or-less film must be the product “I’m a terrible person to & TUE, MAY 27, 7PM each other and there’s an instant spark of of collaboration. Wisniewski and Dupuis were work with. I’m awful; I’m VIDEOFAG, attraction, so they go down an alley to make eager to explore unconventional pairings and never satisfied,” she says. 187 AUGUSTA out,” Mallette says. “It’s a loose narrative examine the effect of collaboration on the “But it’s kind of cool, because AVE about lesbians hooking up like gay men do.” creative process. I could have made a film I would Momentary is just one of many short films Mallette acknowledges that shooting a have made, Drew could have made that make up the In Your Pocket program. film on a smartphone or iPad means making a film she would have made, but the film Now in its second year, In Your Pocket aims concessions in terms of quality, but she we made together wasn’t one either of us to promote accessible filmmaking; because appreciates the benefits: “Considering how would have made.” —Jeremy Willard

26 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS For in-depth video coverage of Inside Out, go to dailyxtra.com. All screenings are at TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St W, unless otherwise noted. For complete festival listings, go to insideout.ca.

Art with a message from FAG Feminist Art Gallery Video.

Aaron and Xavier embrace in Reveille.

Heartbroken Darcy and pals in Click. Homegrown homos Local short films give Inside Out an emotional twist As usual, Inside Out is bubbling over with REVEILLE the 1970s-era dance style of flailing arms in the garage of their Parkdale home, local talent. Here’s a selection of home- and fierce posing for which Sonia Hong’s they arrived with one hell of a mandate: Actor Ron Kennell’s directorial debut has grown shorts to make you laugh, cry, dance Waack Revolt is named. The time-travelling phuck the patriarchy and bend the walls already been making the festival rounds and and protest. —Chris Dupuis love story begins in 1940s Hollywood of the conventional gallery system until racking up awards. Reveille adds a gay turn when lovers Emily Law and Fly Lady Di they break, all without accepting a cent of to the well-trodden path of wartime love bond over their shared need to groove. But government money. CLICK stories. Just like every other day, Aaron and public outrage over their freakish moves Three years later, FAG is still going What’s the difference between the Afghan Xavier wake up in each other’s arms, but forces them to flee both their era and their strong, nurturing and supporting a plethora war and a lesbian breakup? The Afghan war today is special: Xavier is being deployed to identities, and they float between time of practices. A kind of musical scrapbook is shorter and less bloody. Chris Chew’s Afghanistan. With the flickering thought periods and genders while waacking up manifesto, their video flips through the “sort of” sequel to last year’s hit Falling that this might be the last day they ever a storm. ongoing mayhem of party pot-lucking, for Caroline starts with die-hard romantic spend together, Aaron struggles to make angry letter writing, free schooling, cat Darcy having her heart stomped on as a every second count. Part of Mixed Shorts: Local Heroes petting, directed reading, protest-sign 30th birthday present. Her girlfriends rally Thurs, May 29, 7:30pm Part of Gay Shorts: Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda making, herbal tea and gluten-free-muffin- to help her recover with a simple two-step Wed, May 28, 9:45pm top-consuming days that make FAG a place solution: get revenge and score some easy FAG FEMINIST ART like no other. online hookups. WAACK REVOLT GALLERY VIDEO Part of Mixed Shorts: Local Heroes Part of Lesbian Shorts: Building a Herstory The waacking I’m most familiar with When Allyson Mitchell and Deirdre Thurs, May 29, 7:30pm Sat, May 24, 2:30pm usually involves a dick or three. But it’s Logue launched the Feminist Art Gallery

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 27 INSIDE OUT 2014 PREVIEW PARTIES Festival fiestas Inside Out is known for bringing fantastic queer cinema to Toronto, but it also throws one hell of a party. Here’s a list of highlights you won’t want to miss.

OPENING GALA CENTREPIECE GALA TRANSPLANETARIUM: DJ Produzentin spins and Mary Messhausen Celebrate the Oscar-buzzed film Love BACK TO THE FUTURE takes the drag stage to kick things off. Is Strange with drinks at OCAD. One of the festival’s crazier parties features Thurs, May 22, 10pm, at Media Bar, 77 Peter Tues, May 27, 6:30–8:30pm, at OCADU, DJs Daddy K and Nik Red on the decks, with St. $10, $8 members, free with opening gala 49 McCaul St. Admission with centrepiece gala a very special guest. ticket stub. ticket stub. Fri, May 30, 10pm, at The Steady, 1051 Bloor St W. No cover. WOMEN’S GALA LOCAL HEROES Inside Out raises a glass to women in Inside Out celebrates the DJ, with sets from CLOSING GALA filmmaking and in our community. Also, Vee Stun, John Caffery, Cozmic Cat, Phil V, take a look at the Generations of Queer Joe Blow, Sigourney Beaver, Linguist and AND AWARDS exhibit onsite, which was curated by Lisa Secret Agent, while Axel Blows and Shane DJ Regina the Gentlelady wraps Inside Out Deanne Smith. MacKinnon work the poles. for another year with a goodbye party for the books. Sat, May 24, 5–7pm, at OCADU Gallery, 230 Thurs, May 29, 10pm, at the Gladstone, Richmond St W. Admission with women’s gala 1214 Queen St W. $6; free with Local Heroes Sun, June 1, 10pm, at Hotel Ocho, 195 Spadina Vee Stun, at Local Heroes CLAIRE LOUISE FOSTER ticket stub. ticket stub. Ave. $10, $8 members, free with closing gala ticket stub.

Regina the Gentlelady, at the closing gala ALEJANDRO SANTIAGO

Hotnuts girls, at the opening gala ALEJANDRO SANTIAGO

28 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS .com Xtra brings you a chance to win a Psychotherapy • Counselling • Depression • Anxiety pair of tickets to Sheila Cavanagh’s Gender • Sexuality • Life & Executive Coaching Queer Bathroom Stories at Clinical Member, Ontario Todd Kaufman Society of Psychotherapists 1.800.699.3396 • [email protected] Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Saturday, May 31 at 8pm.

To enter, send your name and phone number to [email protected], with “Contest: Queer Bathroom Stories” in the subject line, before Friday, May 23. Some restrictions apply. Only winners will be contacted.

GRAPHIC DESIGN DARRYLMABEY.COM CASSANDRA BY PHOTO SILVER

Queer Bathroom Stories acknowledges the support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies at York University AFFILIATE EVENT

Miss Cleo talks about being gay

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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 29 Wild at heart Olivier Hébert-Bouchard brings rebellious spirit to Stepping Stone classical music competition

CLASSICAL MUSIC Pēteris Vasks, Tomas Adès, Einojuhani LYDIA PEROVIC Rautavaara, Osvaldo Golijov (“My ex- boyfriend first introduced me to the Pianist Olivier Hébert-Bouchard acts amazing The Dreams and Prayers of like a teenager when it comes to clas- Isaac the Blind), George Crumb and sical composers. “I have ‘phases,’” he Arvo Pärt. says. “I get obsessed with a certain Competitions are a good way for kind of music, then find something a young pianist to get noticed and else.” Hébert-Bouchard will compete build connections, but what else does in Toronto as one of the 30 finalists Hébert-Bouchard recommend? “Be of the Canadian Music Competition’s active. Be out there and visible; people elite Stepping Stone Competition for are not going to look for you. Most young musical talent. “But consis- of the great projects that I got hap- tently, I would say that I absolutely pened because I started talking to adore Ravel. I feel like I know him. Of people, talking to my friends, asking the Romantic composers, I relate the if they would like to work on a piece most to Schumann... probably because or an event with me, and it would start of the impulsive, even wild, moments slowly from there. And now it’s going 523 Parliament St. in his music.” so well that I don’t have any social life.” Tel 647.988.489 The Trois-Rivières-born musician Later this year, Hébert-Bouchard would know something about that: and his frequent music collaborators Visit www.ftjco.com/custom he describes himself as an impulsive are starting their own indie label. piano player who might have prac- Pianist Olivier Hébert-Bouchard “Time for some indie classical labels tised something one way for days out there,” he says. “There are some but then decides in the middle of a New music is often col- new music labels, but performance to do it differently. This laboration and a way to STEPPING STONE they only do new music. creative approach to a repetitive activ- explore. And as a player, COMPETITION What we’re going to try ity attracts him very much. It’s also I feel more confident that Wed, May 21–Sat, May 24 to do is to integrate new Edward Johnson Building, one of the reasons he’s so passionate I can tell how somebody Walter Hall, U of T and old repertoire — to about new music. felt if we share the same 80 Queen’s Park Crescent make recordings based “With new music, you get to be part historical context. For cmcnational.com on concept.” Their first of the creation. Sometimes you get a the composers from the project will unite De- piece written just for you or share your past, we really have to guess.” Among bussy and contemporary French spec- Organic leaders for 30 years! piano knowledge with a composer. his favourite living composers he cites tralist composer Tristan Murail. Ontario’s 1st Certified Organic Retailer! Look for the Certified Organic Logo on products available in our Vegetarian Deli, Juice Bar and throughout our store. Natural Food Market 416.466.2129 [email protected] 2)#/+%
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30 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Xtra and Soulpepper Theatre Company bring you a chance to win a pair of tickets to both Nicholas Banks parts of Tony Kushner’s Angels (877) 306-IPRO (4776) in America, on Monday, June 16 www.nicholasbanks.ca at 7:30pm (part 1) and Wednesday, When you are ready to do it June 25 at 7:30pm (part 2).

To enter, send your name and phone number to [email protected], with “Contest: Angels in America” in the subject line, before Thursday, May 29. ‘...Thanks Banks...’ Some restrictions apply. Only winners will be contacted.

RAQUEL DUFFY, PHOTO: CYLLA VON TIEDEMANN

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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 31 #TeamBianca An interview with Drag Race The Sisters want YOU! favourite Bianca Del Rio Join the Toronto Mission of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence - TORONTO ing a drag show and you’re all ages, races, genders and sexual identities welcome. AT NIGHT off ended, then you’re a fuckin’ RYAN G HINDS fool. You need to rethink your /TorontoSisters @TorontoSisters life. Rule of thumb: you’re [email protected] torontosisters.org RuPaul’s Drag Race fans never going to win if someone have coalesced behind Bianca Del Rio, else has a microphone.” so local members of #TeamBianca She’s very clear about being were ecstatic when she recently an- an insult comic with an abra- nounced a handful of Toronto appear- sive sense of humour. “I’m not ances in conjunction with WorldPride. a spokesperson for everyone. By The 519’s Green Space and OUTtv will no means am I curing cancer or Drag Race present Bianca in her Toronto debut, paving the way for the world. It’s frontrunner alongside Adore Delano, Courtney Act what comedy is: I say what every- Bianca Del Rio and Darienne Lake, on June 26 and 28. one else is think- will be in Toronto for WorldPride With the RPDR fi nale days away, the ing, but they in June. NEW COUNSELLING & question must be asked: was snatching don’t have the PSYCHOTHERAPY PRACTICE a crown always an ambition? Bianca’s chance. I’m answer might surprise you. “Everyone now accepting clients including does drag for diff erent reasons. Some ‡/*%7DQG4(OGHUV do it for exposure; some use it as a ‡6FKRRO$JH&KLOGUHQRI6DPH6H[3DUHQWV pathway to transitioning,” she says. RURID/*%7RU46LQJOH3DUHQW “I didn’t plan on being a drag queen. I didn’t plan on being a 38-year-old ‡6DPH6H[&RXSOHV man in a dress. What I’m proud- ‡1HZFRPHUV est about is that on the show we IRUVLWXDWLRQVLQFOXGLQJ were all very skilled in diff erent ways, and the world got to ‡/LYLQJZLWK&KURQLF see that.” Without a trace 3K\VLFDO 0HQWDO+HDOWK'LDJQRVHV of her trademark shade, ‡6H[XDOLW\ she adds, “What was great ‡&RQÁLFW about this season was hav- ‡$GGLFWLRQV ing some older queens, be- cause they know what they’re FRQYHQLHQWVXEZD\ORFDWLRQVHUYLQJ 9 doing. I’ve always wanted to look 7RURQWR:HVW0LVVLVVDXJD(DVW like a cartoon... and not necessarily ZKHHOFKDLUDFFHVVLEOH 9 a pretty cartoon.” 9HYHQLQJ6DWXUGD\DQG6XQGD\ When it comes to naming her fellow DSSRLQWPHQWV castmates, she does not shy away, and 9LQFRPHDGMXVWHGIHHV knowing her, would we expect anything the Norma Rae else? “Courtney and I clicked with of the drag world... John Brac,%(G2&706:56: mutual respect. Adore and Trinity? I I’ve accepted responsibil-   loved them. Bitch, Trinity can lip-sync ity when someone thinks what www.growingheart.ca a mothafucka down! That’s something I I’ve said is too much, but I stand can nevah, evah do. Have I lip-synched? by what I say and I do.” Yes. Can she kick my ass at it? Yes! Now, What really stung was the ac- do I hate Laganja? I don’t, because she’s cusation of racism against Lati- a brilliant performer. My point was if nos. “It’s hysterical, because my CEO defends hotel you cry once, I understand. If you cry mother is from Cuba, my dad is 10 times, you need therapy. She needs from Honduras and I grew up in company as boycott over therapy. Or maybe a joint.” New Orleans, where blacks, whites Never one to mince words, Del Rio and Hispanics all blended. You really Brunei law expands recently weathered a potential scandal didn’t know someone’s ethnicity until because of a viral video clip wherein a you asked.” fan in San Francisco took to the stage She brings that multiracial world- to call her racist. To put it nicely, it view to her performances, with hi- dailyxtra.com didn’t end well for him. “If you’re in a larious, edgy results, more akin to a bar on a Monday night at 2am watch- Don Rickles routine than anything

32 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS else. “I bring up an Asian girl, a black Bad Times’ QueerCab youth cabaret girl and a white girl onstage with me. last year, she sent a personal greeting Xtra and Talisker Players bring you a It’s equal-opportunity ‘hating,’ and along with some homework: “Find we make jokes, no different from out who Charles Pierce is, who Jackie chance to win a pair of tickets to what I’ve done my entire life. How- Beat, Lady Bunny, Coco Peru, Varla ever, now because of technology and Jean Merman are... all of these people A Poet’s Love, a concert of songs about RPDR, it’s heightened, with more that have been working for many, attention. But I’m not complain- many years without Drag Race. In- romantic love, on Tuesday, May 27 ing, because now I’ve got a lot more vestigate, but stay true to yourself: Twitter followers.” there’s no other right or wrong way. or Wednesday, May 28 at 8pm, A peek behind the lashes reveals You’re gonna fi nd a little piece of it a softer side that’s only hinted at on at 18. You’re gonna fi nd another piece Trinity St Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St W. television. With the requisite dishi- of it at 21, then 25. Everything good To enter, send your name and phone number to [email protected], with “Contest: I’m not a spokesperson for A Poet’s Love” in the subject line, before everyone. By no means am I curing Thursday, May 22. Some restrictions apply. cancer or paving the way for the world. Only winners will be contacted. It’s what comedy is: I say what everyone else is thinking, but they don’t have the chance. ness out of the way, she eventually and bad that happens to you is going opens up about both inspirations and to help. God, I sound like Yoda now.” being an inspiration. “I worship Chita It’s great to see that underneath the Rivera and have gotten to go back- lashes and faux bitchiness is a mother stage to chat, starting when I was 17. hen who is serious about tending to She doesn’t need to talk to some fag her chicks. “Younger kids reach out in a wig in her dressing room going, to me and say, ‘I can’t get into the ‘Ohmygawd I love you,’ but she told club; can I meet you outside?’ So I me, ‘Every night you have to prove that meet them outside and take a picture, you deserve to be there. You can have then realize it’s their mother or father a bad night, but you have to deliver to bringing them. To be 13 and know who realize that it’s a bad night. Every new you are and what you are? That’s fabu- experience, you’ve gotta go, I’m lucky lous. Those are the people who are to get to do this. I’m lucky to be in this going to be running the world when city. I’m lucky to get to perform.’” So I’m dead and gone, so kudos to them.” now that Bianca herself has gone from To everyone on #TeamBianca, starstruck teen to a full-grown diva, young or old, out there: whether it’s how does she pass inspiration on to the maternal matron or the foul- others? Through both word and deed. mouthed, vulgar, raunchy, lovable When I mention Theo Rose, an bitch who shows up at the end of June, 18-year-old Toronto queen who WorldPride is going to be one sicken- made her drag debut at Buddies in ing party!

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 33 where words & music meet a poet’s love The Romantic Imagination May 27 & 28, 2014, 8:00 pm Trinity St. Paul’s Centre tickets $35 / $25 / $15 CPY
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VPGUUJYDB www.taliskerplayers.ca ”- The New York Times ”- The York New ONLY INTENSE DAYS FOUR ”- Toronto Star “ Star Toronto ”- PRIAPIC tix/info- buddiesinbadtimes.com or 416-975-8555 tix/info- buddiesinbadtimes.com Toronto Street 12 Alexander 8pm May 21-24, 2014 8pm May QUICKSAND an double bill ” – The Straits Times “ Times Straits The – ” IN BAD TIMES THEATRE buddies WOW “ SKIN

34 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Queer as Fuck: Comedy Open-Mic Catherine McCormick, the creator of Laughs at Slack’s, presents a twice-monthly comedy night in the west end. Wed, May 21, 9:30pm. The Steady, 1051 Bloor St W. PWYC. WHAT'S ON thesteadycafe.com FOR MORE EVENT LISTINGS, GO TO DAILYXTRA.COM Carla Collins: Selfi e-Centred In honour of Queen Victoria’s ART COMEDY & CABARET birthday, the self-proclaimed “queen beaver” performs her Hungry Bottom Unzipped: A standup routine. Sat, May 24, 7 Comics 2012–14 Fundraiser for Buddies and 9pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. $20 advance, $25 This four-day celebration of the Sandra Shamas performs her door. pubaret.com release of Eric Williams’s Hungry one-woman show and Gavin Bottom Comics 3 and The Collected Crawford draws from his rich Russia and Back Again Hungry Bottom Comics includes bank of character sketches in a reading and a sale of original a benefi t for the queer theatre. During the Sochi Olympics, Kristy artwork. Opening night is Thurs, May Thurs, May 15, 6pm. Buddies in Boyce travelled to Russia to 15, 7–9pm; exhibit runs until Sun, Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. $47. interview members of the queer May 18. Videofag, 187 Augusta Ave. buddiesinbadtimes.com community and to take photos and Free. videofag.com video. She’s back, with a captivating Hypnotixxx: A Slightly show-and-tell. Fri, May 30, 7pm. The One Night Stand Standing Ground: Naughty Comedy Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. — The Mod Club, PWYC. pubaret.com Estates of Robert Hypnosis Show Fri, May 16 Flack and Will Munro Brandon the Hypnotist takes A Very Christerical This exhibit focuses on Flack’s audience volunteers on a risqué ’90s Cabaret: 5th and workshops, and chat with provided. For more info, contact Glad Day Bookshop, 598 Yonge St. Empowerment (1990) and Munro’s and slightly rude jaunt into the Anniversary Edition Supporting Our Youth’s community [email protected]. Every $20, $15 students. yogibare.ca untitled photographs series (2004). subconscious. Wed, May 21, 7pm. Wednesday until June 11, 6–8pm. Riffi ng cabaret marvel Chris mentors. For more info, contact Runs until Sat, May 31. Paul Petro The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament Yorkville Public Library, 22 Yorkville Tsujiuchi, whom Sharron Matthews jcaff [email protected]. Every Contemporary Art, 980 Queen St W. St. $10 advance, $15 door. Monday, 5:30–8pm. Sherbourne Ave. Free. craftactionto.tumblr.com Free. paulpetro.com pubaret.com once described as “hot in the bum SEX & BURLESQUE area,” returns with a host of special Health Centre, 2nd fl oor, 333 Sherbourne St. Free. Inside Out Film Festival One Night Stand Sex Lives and Videotape Club120 Wednesday guests. Fri, May 30, and Sat, May 31, 8pm. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 soytoronto.org A celebration of queer fi lm, including The Toronto Burlesque Festival An array of video footage provides a Standup comedian Mandy Alexander St. $20 advance, $25 the premiere of The Normal Heart. hosts a glamorous gala headlined chance to contemplate the role that Goodhandy presents a door. buddiesinbadtimes.com Positive Routes Runs Thurs, May 22–Sun, June 1, by Immodesty Blaize (UK) and home video played in the recording weekly open-mic comedy to Recovery various times. TIFF Bell Lightbox, Medianoche (NYC). Fri, May 16, of Canadian queer night. For more info, contact A peer-led support group for gay 350 King St W. $10–30. insideout.ca 8pm. The Mod Club, 722 College history pre-YouTube. [email protected]. Every men working through substance St. $40 advance, $50 door. Runs until Fri, June 6. Wednesday, 8pm– HEALTH & ISSUES abuse issues. Takes place the fi rst Punk Rock Bingo torontoburlesquefestival.com Canadian Lesbian 1am. Club120, The 519 Legal Clinic and third Tuesday of each month. Jenna Syde hosts a night of getting and Gay Archives, 120 Church St. pissed and playing bingo to punk Sapphic Aquatica A free, accessible service for Tues, May 20, and Tues, June 3, 24 Isabella St. No cover. rock. All proceeds go to charity. low-income people. Volunteer 6–8pm. The 519 Community Centre, Women and trans people enjoy Free. clga.ca club120.ca Takes place the last Wednesday of lawyers provide legal advice, 519 Church St. Free. pr2r.org a sauna, an outdoor heated pool, each month. Wed, May 28, 9pm. referrals and help with plush playrooms and ice-breaker The Beaver, 1192 Queen St W. No forms and letters. The LGBTQ Peer Support games. Takes place the last Sunday cover. beavertoronto.ca confi dential and private Drop-In Group of each month. Sun, May 25, 8pm– Queer people with mood disorders 2am. Oasis Aqualounge, 231 Mutual visits are fi rst-come, fi rst- In Conversation with served. Bring any gather for support and discussion. St. $20. oasisaqualounge.com necessary If the building door is locked, press Justin Trudeau and the button under the intercom Seamus O’Regan near the wheelchair Justin and Seamus speak on a THEATRE entrance. Wed, variety of topics, including queer May 21, 7–9pm. issues. For more info, contact The Last Confession Mood Disorders [email protected]. Thurs, May 29, David Suchet, best known for Association of Ontario, 6pm. The 519 Community Centre, playing Belgian sleuth Poirot, documents. 36 Eglinton Ave W, Ste 602. 519 Church St. Free. events.liberal.ca stars as Cardinal Giovanni Benelli, Every Thursday; Free. mooddisorders.ca who must investigate the sudden registration 6–6:30pm. Inspire Awards and mysterious death of Pope The 519 Community In addition to cocktails, John Paul I. Runs until Sun, June 1, Centre, 519 Church St. LEISURE & PLEASURE performances and general revelry, various showtimes. Royal Alexandra Free. the519.org some remarkable people in the Theatre, 260 King St W. $35–119. Hola Group Fundraiser queer community will be recognized. mirvish.com FTM Support The Spanish-language-focused Fri, May 30, 7pm. Hart House, Group non-profi t social organization 7 Hart House Circle. $40–100. Hedwig and Trans men share raises money in preparation for inspireawards.ca the Angry Inch their experiences WorldPride. Sun, May 18, 10pm– Nathaniel Bacon stars as Hedwig in a supportive 2am. Flash, 463 Church St. $5. in the rock musical about “a slip environment. Takes fl ashonchurch.com RUNNERS & BENDERS of a girly boy” from East Germany place the fi rst and brought to the US as an army third Friday of each Play Again? Get Out! Running Group bride. Lower Ossington Theatre, month. For more Gamers gather to play Super People of all experience levels 100 Ossington Ave. Runs until Sat, information, contact Mario, Tetris and other games stay in shape while darting around June 7, various showtimes. $49. [email protected]. on a big screen, as well as board Toronto’s streets and trails. lowerossingtontheatre.com Fri, May 16, and Fri, June games like Trivial Pursuit and Every Sunday, 10am–11:30am. 6, 7:30pm. The 519 Community Scrabble. Every Tuesday, 7pm–2am. Fuel Plus, 471 Church St. Free. Queer Bathroom Stories Centre, 519 Church St. Free. Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St W. Free. getoutcanada.com Based on actual washroom the519.org henhousetoronto.com experiences, this work looks at Queer Bathroom Yogi Bare: All-Gender, the complexities of gender and Stories — Buddies, SOY Monday CraftActionTO: Dyke Clothing-Optional Yoga sexuality and the secret sex life of Sat, May 31– Night Drop-In March Banner Project Whether toga-draped or bare- the toilet. Runs Sat, May 31–Sun, Sun, June 15 Queer youth ages 14 to 29 Crafty dykes hang out and create assed, folks are invited to get June 15, various showtimes. Buddies DRASKO BOGDANOVIC gather to watch movies, banners for the Dyke March at comfortable at this soothing yoga in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. $20– participate in art projects WorldPride. All materials are session. Every Sunday, 1:15–2:30pm. 25. buddiesinbadtimes.com

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 35 gala fi lm Tru Love. 5–7pm. OCADU Madonna-thon — Gallery, 230 Richmond St W. Byzantium, Sat, May 24 Admission with gala fi lm ticket. insideout.ca Cherry Bomb DJs Cozmic Cat and Denise Benson spin for the ladies and their friends at this monthly CLUB SCENE event. 9pm–3am. Andy Poolhall, 489 College St. No cover before Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St W. $5 10pm, $8 after. facebook.com/ Thurs, May 15 after 11pm. henhousetoronto.com Back End Burlesque Daytona cherrybombtoronto DFMO DJs The Robotic Kid Bitch and Red Herring host and Ryze Up Vol 4 DJ Tom Peters and Mark Falco spin, with guest perform on the drag stage along (Berlin) makes his TO debut performance by Fay Slift. 10:30pm– with a rotating cast of the funniest spinning serious house, EDM and 2:30am. Buddies, 12 Alexander St. and sexiest performers they can tech beats with Cevin Fisher (NYC), $5. buddiesinbadtimes.com fi nd. The third Wednesday of every Sharron Young, Ryan Wiley and month in the Zone. 8pm. Crews Cruiseline’s Best Men’s Ass Andy Roberts. 10pm–5am. Ryze, & Tangos, 508 Church St. $10. Contest Georgie Girl performs 423 College St. $15–25 advance, crewsandtangos.com and coaxes the boys to expose more at the door. ryzeoncollege.com their butts for $300 in cash prizes. Random Play DJ Dwayne Minard Culture Cub: A Fuzzy Look Back DJ Mark Falco on decks. Midnight. spins disco, yacht rock, new wave DJs Fforeplay, Andrew Awesome Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. and ’70s and ’80s beats. 10pm. and Dislexia spin ’80s, ’90s and woodystoronto.com WAYLA, 996 Queen St E. No cover. 2000s tracks for bears, cubs, facebook.com/waylabarnounge Sat, May 17 otters and their friends. Throwback Trailer Sass: Monster MAYhem performances by Fay Slift and Allysin Chaynes hosts the Torn: Rubber Saturday The Nancy Bocock. 10pm. Henhouse, glamorous and trashy dance party, Toronto Rubbermen Network 1532 Dundas St W. $5 after 11pm. while DJ Aqua Vulva spins doo wop, presents an interactive event henhousetoronto.com ’70s and ’80s non-hits. 11pm–2am. featuring live demos and rubber Sissyboy Hissyfi t: Gag Me with The Beaver, 1192 Queen St W. No fetish wear to try out. No dress a Spoon Edition DJ Orange Pekoe cover. beavertoronto.com code. 4–9pm. Black Eagle, 457 spins ’90s hip hop and bossy Church St. No cover. facebook.com/ bottom faves, with live performance Fri, May 16 torntorontorubbermen by Jordan Tannahill 11pm–2am. Baby, Look How Far We’ve Come The Beaver, 1192 Queen St W. $5. Pop Asia: Block Party DJ Sumation Here Nathan Carroll presents beavertoronto.com throws down in the main room; M a speech-impediment cabaret, Fatale battles Dark Champagne on Sultry Saturday: Madonna- featuring Wade Muir and a special the dancefl oor, with their arsenals of thon DJ Cajjmere Wray spins a appearance by Ryan Bommarito as vogue, waacking and poppin’ moves. full night of Material Girl, with live Beyoncé’s rhythm section. Music VJ Gary White mixes the video play performance by Heaven Lee Hytes. of Allie X, City High, Death Cab for in the Lounge. 10pm–3am. Fly, 8 11pm–2:30am. Byzantium, 499 Cutie, India Arie and more. 8pm. Gloucester St. $5 before 11pm, $10 Church St. No cover. byz.ca Free Times Café, 320 College St. after. fl ynightclub.com $5–15. freetimescafe.com Barbershop Ho- Sun, May 25 Fit: Fourth Birthday Party DJs Motown from the Crews & Tangos Sunday By Kris Steeves and Phil V give the speakers, with Request, with Michelle Ross crowd a workout to celebrate Go Hard: All White Aff air DJs DJs Michael and Carlotta Carlisle, 6:30–9pm; another year. Hosted by Blackcat, Lady Supa and Craig Wed, May 21 Thurs, May 22 K and Phil Sexy Sunday, with Devine Darlin, Kinnon. 11pm–2am. The Dominic spin R&B, dancehall, hip 120 Wednesday Calling all standup Inside Out: Opening Gala DJ V. Allysin 9–11pm; Sultry Sunday, with Beaver, 1192 Queen St W. hop, soca and house for the almost- comedians! Mandy Goodhandy Produzentin spins, with Mary Chaynes Farra N Hyte and Lady G or Jada beavertoronto.com presents the weekly open-mic Messhausen on the drag stage, to virgin white-clad crowd, with an Hudson, 11pm–2am. Crews hosts. night. Performers must show up kick off the Inside Out LGBT Film 80/20 breakdown of old and nu &Tangos, 508 Church St. No cover. 10pm. between 8pm and 8:45pm. To book Festival. 10pm. Media Bar, 77 Peter Sun, May 18 school. 10pm. Club120, 120 Church crewsandtangos.com in advance, contact toddklinck@ St. $10, $8 members; included with Hola Fundraiser The Latino St. club120.ca gmail.com. 8pm. Club120, 120 opening-gala screening and party non-profi t organization needs your Church St. No cover. club120.ca ticket. insideout.ca Mon, May 26 support in preparing for WorldPride Mon, May 19 Ultimate Thursday DJ Craig Drag Industry Night Queens and continuing to provide Dodgeballer Night The Gay Ball Dominic spins top 40, dance, EDM, dazzle Queen West at the only social connections, Society hosts a fl irty social, with urban, dancehall and soca beats. weekly drag night on the west side. orientation and DJ Blue Peter on decks. 8pm. 10pm. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church 11pm–2am. The Beaver, 1192 Queen activities to the Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. St. No cover. crewsandtangos.com St W. No cover. beavertoronto.com Spanish-speaking woodystoronto.com Stumpgrinding: Dance Freely/ queer community. RuPaul’s Drag Race Viewing 10pm. Flash, 463 No Parking on the Dancefl oor Tues, May 27 Party Scarlett Bobo and Daytona DJs Secret Agent and Mary Mack Church St. $5. Bitch host the dinner and bitchfest Pretty Girls Make Grave Mistakes spin no-wave, post-punk and guilty fl ashonchurch. every Monday, with A Brit pop, alternative and indie pleasures at the monthly party. com Bradley serving up food night in the west end. 11pm–2am. 11pm–2am. The Beaver, 1192 Queen and libation. 8pm. The The Beaver, 1192 Queen St W. No St W. beavertoronto.com 8th Deadly Sin, 6 cover. beavertoronto.com Gloucester St. No cover. Varsity Tuesday Sofonda Cox the8th.ca Fri, May 23 hosts the amateur So You Think You Woody’s Friday Star-studded Can Strip? competition, with a $100 Tues, May 20 preview of A Chorus Queen, the cash prize. 11pm. Remington’s, 379 offi cial drag musical of Pride, Yonge St. $5 before 11pm, $7 after; Dinner and Drag Race Finale 9–11pm; Best Men’s Ass Contest, no cover with student ID before House of Filth hosts a viewing of hosted by Georgie Girl, with 11pm, $2 after. remingtons.com RuPaul’s Drag Race, with Judy Virago, Vitality Black, $300 in cash prizes Igby Lizzard, Allysin Chaynes and and DJ Mark Falco, at midnight. Nancy Bocock. Untucked to follow, Wed, May 28 Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. fi nishing with a live performance. Top Shelf Comedy Christopher woodystoronto.com 9pm. Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St W. Allin and Brian Ward present some No cover. henhousetoronto.com Culture Club — Henhouse, Sat, of the best and brightest up-and- Sat, May 24 coming comedians. 9pm. WAYLA, Blue Collar DJs Tyler Johnston May 24 ANDREW AWESOME and Joel French spin danceable Women’s Gala Reception Inside 996 Queen St E. No cover. facebook. Out raises a glass to women’s com/waylabarnounge Sissyboy heartland rock hits by Springsteen, Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Mellencamp Hissyfit — College Night DJ Sumation spins and more. 11pm–2am. The Beaver, The Beaver, top 40, house and dance beats for 1192 Queen St W. No cover. Submit your event listing to [email protected]. Sat, May 24 the studious hump-day queers. GREG WONG beavertoronto.com 10pm. Church, 504 Church St. Deadline for the May 29 issue is Wed, May 21. No cover. churchonchurch.com

36 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS PRIDE IS CLOSER #news THAN YOU THINK! #arts Book your Ultimate Pride Guide ad for maximum exposure. #travel

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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! MAY 15–28, 2014 37 1 XPOSED ANNAAANNA POURNIKOVA PHOTOSPHOTO BY BECCA LEMIRE

1E Worn fashion journal cel- crazy number of people at- ebrated seven years with a tended over four days — like, special edition and a special 25,000. What makes this event — Secondhand Prom. event such a grower is the I love these second-chance sheer number of true To- proms that crop up in the rontonians who show up. city because it gives us a Fashion sense is always on chance to do what so many point and not such a shower, of us didn’t have the chance like the fashion events, but to do in high school: rock the that’s kinda what makes it fuck out with the person we so hot. It’s understated. It’s really wanted to go with, in about the art. And style. Like 2 exactly what we wanted to Ash here. Even the way he’s wear. Look at the smiles on standing, so one red stripe is Bella and Beth here. Worth covered and his man-clutch 3 5 an annual go, I say. almost escapes your gaze. It’s 2E Eliza, Noel and Keith were conservative enough for the found getting down on the family/boardroom but ver- dancefloor. I love Eliza’s ’60s satile enough for the dance- backup-singer look. Killer floor. Makes me love my city shadow/dress combo, for to look at Ash’s face. sure. The shindig celebrated 7E See what I’m saying about the release of The Worn Ar- the Torontonians here, with chive, a 400-page book show- Nigel and Nick? This city casing the best of 14 issues of (and especially OCAD) is the fashion/art quarterly. made up of the fabulous and 3E Erica and Beth did some- the rejected and the too-big- thing interesting in their for-this-small-town from all prom attire. I like how Beth over the world, and honey, has that neck scarf in the they are all going through same fabric as Erica’s shirt. OCAD at some point. Nick’s Just so we all know who col- got that Jake Gyllenhaal/ lared her. Or, as Jay-Z loves updated Ethan Hawke to say, “I got the hottest bitch thing about him, and Nigel in the game, wearing my is actually hurting me a bit chain.” Mmmmmhhmmmm. with those fucking glasses. Have you noticed how great 4E OMG, OMG, OMG — everyone’s glasses are getting Nando and Steven are so lately? fucking cute. Jesus Murphy. 4 8E And my favourite and final 5E Oh hello, Nicole and Julia look at the OCAD GradEx: — the lady couple with the Canadiana. How can you 6 8 most. Nicole has that young tell it’s Canadiana? One Britney thing going for her: word: plaid. Patrick (left), prom queen, captain of the Peter and Jeff are all rock- cheerleading team, the girl ing Toronto Canadiana here all my young lezzie friends — there are two beards, two wanted to bang in high plaid shirts and two camel- school. And on the right is coloured coats with three Julia, the porcelain vision of (count ’em!) button-ups. This Tilda Swinton that so many look is popular with young of my female friends (gay and urban men of all sexual ori- straight) want to fuck now. entations around the world, And they get... with each but after taking an extensive other. Whoa. poll in the past two years, 6E This year marked the 99th I gotta say no one’s beard- exhibit of graduate work and-plaid game is as tight as at OCAD University. Some our Canuck boys. Bar none.

Xposed appears in every other issue of Xtra. For this week’s Deep Dish column, by Rolyn Chambers, 7 go to dailyxtra.com.

38 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Pet Stores & Renovations & E xtralivingtoronto.com Supplies Restorations Helmutt’s Bryant Pet Supply Renovations 416-504-1265 416-260-0818 Pharmacies Newbright Pace Pharmacy Construction and Compounding 416-985-8639 Experts Restaurants 416-515-7223 & Cafés THE BEST OF GAY & LESBIAN TORONTO The Village C’est What? Pharmacy Brew/Vin Pub 416-967-9221 Restaurant Accommodations Massage – David Moulton, Bryant Psychotherapy 416-867-9499 Holiday Inn MEd Canadian Renovations Certified/ Registered Bruce M Cora Breakfast Toronto Certifi ed 416-260-0818 & Lunch Downtown Counsellor gesund Small, MSc G J MacRae Psychotherapist 27 Carlton St holidayinn.com/ davidmoulton.ca 416-913-5170 Foundation - - 416-340-1350 torontocentre 416 598 4888 David W Repair Service Japanese 277 Wellington St W Ms Hema Routledge – Since 1975 Male RMT Nick Mulé, 416-598-2672 PhD, RSW Murdock, CA (MSW, RSW) 905-824-2557 416-804-9248 Psychotherapist Hair of the Dog - - Psychotherapist 416 696 6653 Newbright The Power 416-964-2708 416-944-1291 416-926-9135 Construction of Touch Susan Calverley Publications Lola’s Kitchen MBA, MSc, CMA Phillip Coupal 416-985-8639 647-330- Counselling Pink Triangle lolaskitchen.ca 416-605-1553 Insurance ALEX(2539) 416-557-7312 Press The 8th Advertising Kenton Waterman Meats & Dental Services Delicatessens 416-925-6665 Deadly Sin Raymond Helkio – Investors Group 416-960-3473 Advertising Adelaide Dental Financial Services St Jamestown Xtra + Design 416-429-0150 416-860-1668 Steak & Chops 416-925-6665 The Blake House 416-925-7665 416-975-1867 raymondhelkio.com Broadview Investment Radio Stations Automotive Dental Clinic Services Mortgages Proud FM The Churchmouse & Firkin Sales & Leasing 416-466-6400 Kenton Waterman Investors 416-213-1035 416-927-1735 Ken Shaw Lexus Dr Kevin Russelo – Investors Group Group Financial Real Estate 416-776-0055 & Associates Financial Services Services – Kenton Sex Shops 416-860-1668 Waterman Nicholas Bohr Bars & Clubs 416-966-0117 – RE/MAX Bed Time Toys Juice Bars 416-860-1668 Fly Nightclub Galleria Dental, Hallmark Realty bedtimetoys.ca Dr Iudita Costache Juice Box Linda Rudolph Ltd, Brokerage 416-410-5426 at The Mortgage Condom Shack 416-534-9991 416-924-4671 416-465-7850 Butchers Centre 416-596-7515 Dog & Cat Lawyers 416-282-1677 Philip Kocev Spa Services St Jamestown Grooming – Sales Steak & Chops Harvey L Hamburg Moving & Representative Dermatology Tailspin Dog Spa 416-925-7665 416-968-9054 Storage 416-364-2036 on Bloor 416-920-7387 dermonbloor.com Cheese Shops Ivan Steele Agility Moving RE/MAX Fashion Law Offi ce & Storage Ltd Leslieville Baywatch Ltd, Tax Services - - Cheese Market Take a Walk on 647-342-0568 416 654 5029 Brokerage CJH Tax Services TM 416-465-7143 the Wildside Law Offi ce of Naturopathy 705-756-7629 647-270-8057 416-921-6112 Chiropractors El-Farouk Khaki gesund Theresa Telecomm- Florists 416-925-7227 - - Forget, Sales gesund 416 913 5170 unications Astra Florists Paul T Willis Representative 416-913-5170 Painting RE/MAX First Acanac astrafl orists.com – Barrister 416-849-8530 Churches & Solicitor, Newbright Realty, Brokerage Foundation Painting 905-686-3800 Metropolitan Notary Public Theatre Repairs - - Community 416-926-9806 416 985 8639 Real Estate Buddies in Bad Basement Church of Toronto Robert G Coates Personal Care Agents Times Theatre 416-406-6228 Waterproofi ng 416-975-8555 G J MacRae 416-925-6490 Dermatology Nicholas Banks Coffee Shops on Bloor iPro Realty Foundation Repair Timothy E Leahy Veterinarians 877-306-4776 Fuel Plus 905-824-2557 – Forefront dermonbloor.com Blue Cross 647-352-8807 G J MacRae Migration Ltd Personal Gaelen Patrick Animal Hospital Foundation 416-226-9889 Trainers – Sutton 416-469-1121 Community Group Realty Repair Service Evolution Fitness Groups & Legal Services Systems Inc Waterproofing Services – Since 1975 - - Craig Penney, 416 220 7883 - - Waterproof 905-824-2557 416 801 9265 City of Toronto, Toronto Criminal Pet Care Masters Economic Gardening Defence Lawyer Roy Runions, Sales Tailspin Dog Spa Representative waterproofmasters.com Development Davenport 416-410-2266 Division 416-920-7387 RE/MAX Websites Garden Centre Lighting Hallmark Realty dailyxtra.com toronto.ca/business 416-929-7222 Ltd, Brokerage Computer Sales Living Lighting 416-925-6665 Graphic Design on King royrunions.com & Service Squirt.org Mixtape Strategy 416-364-9099 Contemporary squirt.org Computers mixtapestrategy.com ccomp.ca Health & Fitness Concierges Evolution Fitness 416-220-7883 THE BEST OF GAY & As You Wish

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40 MAY 15–28, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS DRASKO XTRA HOT BOGDANOVIC

NAME: KATIE SLY AGE: 27 SIGN: AQUARIUS

“The process of writing a play is the loneliest descent into madness I’ve ever known,” says bisexual playwright and performer Katie Sly. “I write from my experience, my bowels, my cunt, and it costs something huge. It’s worth it — it’s more than worth it — to have the privilege to share my soul, but it demands a willingness to go temporarily insane.” Sly has a passion for mid-century- modern furniture, her favourite clothes are corsets made out of red hemp, and when asked how she likes to get fucked says, “Past the point of civility.” Sly hosts Too Queer: A Bi Visibility Cabaret, Fri, June 6 at Videofag, 187 Augusta Ave.

To comment on or become an Xtra Hot guy or gal, email Drasko at [email protected].

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