JUNE 2013 ® ISSUE 116 • FREE The Voice of Alberta’s LGBT Community JUJUBEE Bombshell with a Beautiful Heart Seth Knight ”Twink of the Year” comes to Edmonton

Getting Real with Natalie Maine

PLUS: Blood: It’s In You To Give…Maybe Maverick Jim: The Gay Caballero Alberta Pride Celebrations Scan to Read on ...and more! Mobile Devices Amy Grant http://gettag.mobi Christian Music Legend

Business Directory Community Map Events Calendar Tourist Information STARTING ON PAGE 55 Calgary • Alberta • Canada www.gaycalgary.com 2 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com

4 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Table of Contents JUNE 2013 ® 7 Hidden Treasures Publisher: Steve Polyak Editor: Rob Diaz-Marino Publisher’s Column Sales: Steve Polyak Design & Layout: 10 Edmonton Pride 2013 Rob Diaz-Marino, AraSteve Shimoon Polyak

Writers and Contributors 11 Walter Koenig MercedesMercedes Allen, Allen, Chris Chris Azzopardi, Azzopardi, Dallas Dave Barnes, Mr. Chekov Beams into Calgary DaveBrousseau, Brousseau, Jason Sam Clevett, Casselman, Andrew Jason Collins, Clevett, Rob AndrewDiaz-Marino, Collins, Janine Emily Collins,Eva Trotta, Rob EvanDiaz-Marino, Kayne, StephenJanine Eva Lock, Trotta, Lisa Jack Lunney, Fertig, Steve Glen Polyak, Hanson, Romeo Joan 12 Stephen Sadowski Hilty,San EvanVicente, Kayne, Ed Sikov, Stephen Krista Lock, Sylvester, Neil McMullen, Nick

AllanWinnick Neuwirth, and the Steve LGBT Polyak, Community Carey ofRutherford, Calgary, Super-artist drawing Superheroes 10 PAGE Romeo SanEdmonton, Vicente, Ed and Sikov, Alberta. Nick Vivian and the GLBT Community of Calgary, Edmonton, and PhotographyAlberta. 13 Made in Calgary: The 1970s Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino, A Decade of Timeless Art Revisited at the Glenbow Museum Karen Hofmann,Photography B&J, Rob Browatzke Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino, VideographyB&J 15 Discussing Community Safety Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino Personal Safety Videography Steve Polyak,Sales Rob Diaz-Marino Craig Connell 16 CRIR 2013 [email protected] North Hill News/Central Web 20 Years of Rodeo Fun & Memories Printers DistributionWeb exPress Calgary: Gallant Distribution 18 Heart in Motion GayCalgaryDistribution Staff A conversation with Christian music legend Amy Grant EdmontonCalgary: GayCalgaryClark’s Distribution Staff EdmontonOther: Greenline: Canada DistributionPost Other: Canada Post 21 Peace River Pride 2013 12 PAGE Legal Council Courtney Aarbo, Barristers and Solicitors 22 Deep Inside Hollywood SalesGeneral & General Inquiries Inquiries Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are guys who need dolls GayCalgaryGayCalgary and Edmonton® Magazine Magazine 2136 17th Avenue SW Calgary,Calgary, AB, Canada AB, Canada T2T 0G3 23 Cocktail Chatter [email protected] 0G3 The Gin Rickey Office Hours: By appointment ONLY Phone: 403-543-6960 24 Blood: It’s In You To Give… Toll Free: 1-888-543-6960 Fax: 403-703-0685 Maybe gazine E-Mail: [email protected] This Month's Cover 25 Team Edmontonma Honoured Cher and ChristinaMain: Aguilera Jujubee courtesy of Sony Pictures; AnnieTop Lennox Right: Sethcourtesy Knight of Mike Owen; Middle Right:Rex Goudie. Natalie Maines, 25 Letters photo by Danny Clinch PAGE 26 PAGE Bottom Right:Proud Amy Members Grant, photo byof: Jim Wright 26 Maverick Jim Proud Members of: The Gay Caballero 28 Out of Town Edmonton Rainbow Business Association 4 Unconventional Gay Seaside Getaways 30 Lethbridge Gay Pride International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association 35 Natalie Maines Gets Real Dixie Chicks singer talks lesbian hair, Rachel Maddow crush and ‘fake’ country music

National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association PAGE 30 PAGE Continued on Next Page  www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 5 Table of Contents

 Continued From Previous Page

38 Rewriting Jessie Ware ® Singer on career switch, big gay following and her wildest moment Magazine Figures Monthly Print Quantity: 40 Murs Invasion 2,000–3,000 copies British crooner on exhibitionism, gay rumors and cracking America Guaranteed Circulation: 2,000 copies Bonus Circulation: up to 1,000 copies

44 Seth Knight Readership “Twink of the Year” comes to PURE Pride Edmonton Readers Per Copy: 4.9 (PMB) Print Readership: >9800 Avg. Online Circulation: 250,000 readers 45 A Bombshell with a Estimated Total Readership: PAGE 35 PAGE >259,800 readers Beautiful Heart Frequency: Monthly Jujubee lights up Edmonton’s PURE Pride night Proof of monthly figures are available on request. 47 Queer Eye Distribution Locations: Please call us if your establishment would 53 A Couple of Guys like to become a distribution location. 54 Mr. GayCalgary June 2013 - Darrel Reid History Originally established in January 1992 as Men for Men BBS by MFM Communications. 55 Directory and Events Name changed to GayCalgary in 1998. Independent company as of January 2004. 60 Classified Ads First edition of GayCalgary.com Magazine published November 2003. Name adjusted in November 2006 to GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine. February PAGE 44 PAGE 2012 returned to GayCalgary Magazine. February 2013, GayCalgary® becomes a registered trademark.

Disclaimer and Copyright Opinions expressed in this magazine are specific to the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of GayCalgary staff and contributors. Scan for this Issue: Scan for Latest Issue: Those involved in the making of this gazine publication, whether advertisers, contributors, or the subjects of articles or photographs, are not necessarily gay, ma lesbian, bisexual, or trans. This magazine also includes straight allies and those who are gay friendly.

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6 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Editorial Hidden Treasures Publisher’s Column

By Rob Diaz-Marino, MSc. shelter from the intermittent rain. Some made their way over to the bar to On occasion there are events going on in Alberta’s compete in shuffleboard and horseshoe matches, and other games. We got LGBT community that manage to completely elude us. photos of some of the campers, and fought with mosquitoes as we played around with an app for our phones to make 3D 360° panoramas. Surprising, I know, when we are informed about virtually On our way back to Calgary we stopped in Drumheller to eat our packed everything happening in our community – even the stuff dinner, at which point Steve got the idea that he’d like to get some driving that may not be eligible for publication in this magazine. practice. As I’ve mentioned in previous columns, Steve has never gone for Usually it takes one or two cycles of such an event to transpire before word his driver’s license, although last year he surprised me by finally getting his makes its way to us. In most cases this is because event organizers come learner’s. We weren’t prepared for this, but luckily the helpful lady in the from isolated pockets of the LGBT community, and it isn’t until they poke Drumheller tourism information centre was able to give us a piece of paper, their heads out into the public sphere for the first time that they discover a felt marker, and even some tape so that I could make a “Student Driver” us and other LGBT organizations (or vice versa). This was the case with sign for the car. Lethbridge Pride several years ago, and also Peace River Pride just recently. The sparse traffic on the streets and highway were ideal for Steve to practice However, the Ghost Town LGBT Campout in Wayne, Alberta (15 minutes – in fact, it was his first experience with highway driving and subsequently southeast of Drumheller) was a case that baffles us a little. It has been the fastest he’s ever driven in the vehicle. He seemed to enjoy the liberties running annually for the past 32 years and yet we only crossed paths with of being in the driver’s seat, namely the ability to pull over at will to check information of its existence last year. It is a small event of about 50 people, out some of the sights around Drumheller. Although highway driving was a most of whom are regulars that come back year after year, sometimes inviting little scary for him at times, he persevered and got us all the way back to the friends and slowly growing the group’s numbers by word of mouth. In fact, QE2 before I took over to get us the rest of the way home through the busier we almost missed this year’s event because we didn’t see any information traffic. I was certainly happy being able to take a break during the long drive, about it through the usual channels we monitor. It came as just a side and proud of him for doing so well. In fact, I’m going to put him to use for the mention in an incidental conversation, and so we planned to make our way drive between Calgary and Edmonton from now on. Mwahahahaaa. out to take pictures. The area is quite scenic – nestled in a small river valley in the badlands. May 2013 The campground is adjacent to the Last Chance Saloon, what I’d describe May was our month to get caught up on work, and in some respects we as a diner / biker bar - although this label makes it seem more intimidating did. I made some headway on our website (see below) as well as getting than it actually is. caught up on a great deal of yard work before the rain started: painting Everyone out for the campout seemed very relaxed and laid back, just having a great time sitting around socializing (and drinking) while taking Continued on Next Page 

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 7  From Previous Page

our front fence, cleaning up all the leaves and branches that were slowly composting behind the retaining wall at the back of our property, and then hauling it off to the dump while the city was still taking yard waste for free. Online Last Month (1/2) Later in the month, Cowboys Nightclub held a congratulatory event for Creep of the Week the newly elected Empress, Argintina, where they offered to donate cover to the ISCCA. Granted the show time of 8:30pm was a little too early for a Dave Agema drag show, but nevertheless they were able to raise a good chunk of change. Facebook’s ever-changing privacy settings A tournament was held in Calgary last month as part of the North can be confusing, but you might want to American Gay Volleyball Association circuit. The turnout wasn’t quite click the “Only Me” setting if you’re... what organizers had expected, thanks to complications with American participants crossing the border into Canada. Nevertheless, the show http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3506 went on, and Steve and I stopped by the Olympic Oval at the University of Calgary a number of times over the course of the weekend to snap photos of NAGVA Championships XXXI the ongoing matches. Steve and I remained professional, but on the inside In Calgary May 24-26 we were woofing over several of the participants. This is one of the joys of Calgary is proud to host the National taking photos. Gay Volleyball Association (NAGVA) XXXI Meanwhile, in the midst of the incessant rainfall, the Fairy Tales Film Championship Tournament this... Festival was kicking off their week. Steve and I went to the opening gala where we saw two very entertaining films:Margarita and Go Doc Project. http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3511 Steve often makes fun of me for my lack of pop culture knowledge, especially when it comes to classical gay culture. If it were possible to take Creep of the Week away my “gay card”, as the saying goes, it would have been revoked several Louie Gohmert times over. Most of what I do know, he has been there as I have been There are few topics that raise the exposed to it. This is why, when we went to the retro film night to see The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, he was shocked to learn I had collective temperatures of Americans on already seen it once before – prior to even being out of the closet, to boot. all sides as much as gun control and... When I was a kid, one of my friends who I would regularly hang out http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3507 with, belonged to a family that was a bit more open minded and receptive to arts and culture, perhaps, than my own. I would sometimes join them Deep Inside Hollywood for movie night, and one such night the movie was Priscilla. I suppose they had rented it on recommendation of it being a “classic”. Of course, as I Sara Gilbert moonlights with Bad Teacher kid I didn’t understand most of what was going on, and the cross dressing Success breeds success. As a child star weirded me out a little bit. So it was good for me to watch it again and put on Roseanne, Sara Gilbert won over the things right in my mind. coveted sullen teen demographic with... Unfortunately, Fairy Tales overlapped our press deadline as it does every year and so Steve and I had to miss a number of movies and events. We http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3512 particularly regret missing the party at Goliaths after the movie Interior. Leather. Bar. - a rare opportunity for the whole community to explore the Paul Rudd & Tina Fey: Dream Duo otherwise men-only space. Admission stars talk new film’s acceptance However, we did manage to squeeze in the IBM and Telus VIP Reception theme, first jobs and shower scene held at Pulcinella in Kensington. We had a great time socializing with Fairy They say dreams come true, and that one Tales board members and other business professionals while enjoying the where Tina Fey and Paul Rudd act (and food – although I had the oddest mishap while here. One of the appetizers being served was tiger prawns in a slightly spicy red sauce. As I tried to shower) together on the big screen – it’s... get the remainder of meat out of the tail section by pinching it, my fingers http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3514 slipped and the tail got launched around my index finger, hitting me square in the right eye before falling to the floor. I recoiled in shock and covered Hear Me Out my eye, noticing the hot sauce burning progressively worse. Steve’s hands were full so someone else had to grab me a napkin to dab the sauce away, Jessie Ware, Ashley Monroe but I still had to run to the bathroom to thoroughly rinse it out. Good grief, Jessie Ware, Devotion If you’ve heard you can’t take me anywhere. British breakthrough singer Jessie Ware’s It has been a while since we last covered a Hot Mess dance, so we “Wildest Moments” (and if you haven’t... planned to stop by Local 510 this past month to check it out. However, as we drove by and saw the line-up going down the block, we decided against http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3515 fighting the crowds. It’s good to see the event doing so well though, and perhaps next time we will need to show up earlier. Screen Queen: Oscar Winners 2013 On the final night of May, we made our way up to Edmonton to check out Les Misérables, Skyfall, Wreck-It Ralph, and photograph the grand opening of, UpStares Ultralounge - an “everyone Zero Dark Thirty, Lincoln, Life of Pi, Argo Les Misérables Wins: Actress in a Supporting Role (Anne Hathaway), Sound Mixing, Makeup and Hairstyling... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3517

Thinking Out Loud: Waiting for History What the Supreme Court marriage cases will mean for equality This week, as the Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of Prop 8 and DOMA, I’ve heard the following... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3519

8 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com welcome” concept that is not exclusively a gay bar, but still explicitly LGBT friendly. A familiar face from the early days of FLASH Nightclub, Jeannine Online Last Month (2/2) Bjornson, is heading up this new project. The space is quite nice, with lots of lounge seating, an awesome disco-style dance floor that does changing The OutField light patterns, a few mirror-ball style walls, and several different areas to Go! Athletes fields an all-star team choose from in which to hang out. The only drawback to the space might A team finds success only through be the numerous flights of stairs to climb to get to their floor near the top of teamwork. That’s as true off the playing the multi-level building. It’s good exercise, and certainly nothing that will sap your strength if you’re going there to dance anyway. field as on it. Jay Hayes has earned.... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3518 This Month Ahh June: my birth month, and probably one of the craziest months Deep Inside Hollywood for events in the LGBT community. Immediately after this edition hits the Anderson Cooper and Kathy stands, Edmonton will be celebrating their Pride week which will be jam- Griffin: better together? packed with events. The night of Saturday, June 8th will be particularly It’s official: both Anderson Cooper and hectic with the Pride Dance, the Bearbash, and the PURE Pride dance all happening at the same time. For more information, look for the 2 page Kathy Griffin have canceled talk shows. spread in this edition with the Edmonton Pride events listing, as well as ads And while both also have other career... for Bearbash and PURE Pride. http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3513 We’re looking forward to Lethbridge Pride again this year, as the event keeps growing and growing. In previous years we have only made a day trip Thinking Out Loud: The Thrill of It down to Lethbridge, but this year we plan to stay a few nights to witness and enjoy a bit more of the festivities. Look for their ad in this edition of the Remembering the crazy beauty magazine for an itinerary of events. of the coming-out years As much as we’re curious to attend Peace River Pride, the 8 hour drive Last night my partner and I watched The from Calgary (or 5 hours from Edmonton) is a little daunting, especially Perks of Being a Wallflower, the sweet, having to do it again to get back. However, any readers in Grande Prairie slightly retro coming-of-age film... would have a much easier time getting there. http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3520 Website Updates Creep of the Week A newer version of the software that we use for playing streaming videos on our website was released last month. The update boasted Tony Perkins much wider compatibility than previous versions, using HTML5 to plug The only thing that can stop a bad guy many of the compatibility gaps between internet browsers that we’ve with a gun is a good guy who is not having experienced with previous versions - and indeed it works as advertised. gay sex. At least this seems to be the... Unfortunately when we installed it onto our website, we discovered it was failing in some browsers because our website itself was not HTML5 http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3509 compliant. Fixing this was a simple matter, however it had unacceptable side-effects on the layout of some parts of our site. Hear Me Out Rather than rebuilding our existing design to look correct with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gin Wigmore HTML5, we decided it was high time to refresh our website with a brand Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Mosquito Karen O and new look. The design we formulated is inspired by the layout used in Co., the New York alt-rock trio widely Windows 8 and on our Windows phones – high contrast, large fonts, square corners, tiled items, tablet and mobile device friendly – along known as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, went... with the color scheme and some familiar elements from the layout of our http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3516 own magazine. First we updated the templates that are common across the many Creep of the Week pages of our site – the header and footer, if you will. This fixed the Diocese of Columbus most severe layout problems, leaving just the contents of each page to be Imagine that your mother has just died. transitioned one by one from the old design to the new one. This is, for most, a difficult, emotional So far we have transitioned the Magazine area of our website, as it is the most commonly used area and core to what we do. The process of time. Plus there’s so much to take care... updating this page wasn’t just a matter of fixing the appearance of the http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3510 existing elements – it was a full reinvention of those elements too, with user-friendliness in mind. In the process we added some useful new Thinking Out Loud: Straightening features, such as the ability to easily flip to the next/previous edition of the magazine, next/previous article, and even a button to jump to a Up At The Boy Scouts Of America random article (for fun). Another nice change is to the listing of articles It’s Time For The BSA To Take A and editions, which are now laid out so that each item is a tile that can Tip From Its Own Handbook wrap on the page to be 2 or more columns. This means a more efficient Sometime in the ‘20s my grandfather use of space no matter what resolution of monitor you are viewing the website on, making for less scrolling and easier browsing. became the then-youngest Boy Scout to The only remaining eyesore is the comments box at the end of the obtain the top rank of Eagle Scout... Magazine page, which will be taken care of as part of the upgrade to the http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3521 Forum area when that time comes. All in all, the Magazine page looks a lot cleaner, and seems to operate To Boldly Go Where No Delta much smoother than before - take a look for yourself at: www.gaycalgary. Nu has Gone Before com/magazine. Front Row Centre Players does justice For the next little while, other pages of the website will have some strange clashing between the old and new style but, we look forward in Legally Blonde the Musical to similarly reinventing them over the next several months, as time When the first sun in days came out this permits. morning it was a struggle to drive away from the garden to see an indoor matinee, but before the character Elle... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3523 http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3524 More articles online... View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 9 Community

 Photos from Edmonton Pride 2012, by GayCalgary Magazine

The Celebration on the Square will have a family fun zone with a bouncy castle, airbrush tattoos and activities for the Edmonton Pride 2013 little ones. Wine on the Square will also take place from 1-5pm for the 18+ audience. The Edmonton Pride Festival is excited to bring back the By Lisa Lunney Loud “N” Proud dance held at Delta Edmonton Centre starting at 8pm (tickets are $25 in advance, or $35 at the door). The The LGBT community in Alberta’s capital city are taking a bold Starlite Room will host the PURE Pride Party at 9pm (tickets stand to ensure the message of Pride rings loud and clear. are $35 in advance or $40 at the door). The Lockeroom Bar Edmonton’s LGBT community has made significant strides in will host another fantastic Bear event, Bearracuda at 8pm ($10 the pursuit of equality, with a history of early Pride Marches and cover charge). demonstrations, to being the first Pride celebration attended by Sunday, June 9th kicks off with Pancakes for Pride at Oliver an Alberta Premier. Hall from 10am to noon. McDougall United Church (10025-101 This year’s festival theme is Stand PROUD! For Albertans, this street) offers a Pride Church Service at 10:30am. The Mercury is an easy task, as there is much to be proud of. Stand PROUD! Room will host the Beef Bear Bust BBQ from noon to 5pm with provides a platform for the community to access information, a charge of $5. Sunday concludes with an intriguing event at learn the importance of equality and of course, to showcase The Unitarian Church of Edmonton. Starting at 7:30pm will pride in individuality. Throughout the week, the events will help be a display of wonderful music benefiting the Pride Centre of build visibility and recognition for the LGBT community, and Edmonton. patrons of all ages are encouraged to join in reflecting on the Bennett is excited for this year’s festival. She encourages past and building hope for the future. patrons to attend the Saturday, June 15th event from noon to Edmonton Pride takes place from June 6th - 13th - an entire 10pm. “The family picnic is shaping up to be our second largest week of Pride-themed activities, made possible by over 150 event for Pride and with ReMax as a sponsor, we are delighted volunteers donating their time and effort. to be able to provide families with some awesome activities including a magic show and movie!” The first official event of Pride Week will take place atthe Art Gallery of Alberta (102A Avenue & 99st) from 4:30-7:30pm. Meanwhile, another extremely exciting family-based event, This free event allows families the opportunity to create colorful the Come Out and Play Picnic, is happening Saturday June banners and flags to represent Pride. Friday night’s kick-off 15th from noon to 10pm alongside the aforementioned family is jam packed with plenty of activities to get you in the Pride picnic. “We look forward to some great interaction at Oliver spirit. Alley Kat Brewing hosts Pack the Pub for Pride!, an event Park,” says Benett. targeted to the 18+ audience beginning at 6pm. Keeping with Aside from these major events, throughout the week there tradition, Buddy’s Nite Club will be celebrating Pink with Pride will be history tours, movie nights, pageants and much more! at 9pm. The Lockeroom Bar (11834 Kingsway Avenue) will The downtown Edmonton Winners will be giving away rainbow be hosting the BEEF Underbear Party for patrons 18+ (a $10 flags to gain support and rev up positive energy for the week. cover fee will be charged). The Traveling Tickle Trunk (9923- Everyone is welcome to come out and celebrate the many 82 Avenue) will host an 18+ party from 8-11pm with a special milestones and achievements in the LGBT community of discount of 15% off for all patrons. Edmonton. Stand together with the community, and Stand Mark Saturday June, 8th on your calendar as the annual PROUD! Pride Parade will begin at noon in Edmonton’s downtown core with an estimated 75 to 80 floats for your enjoyment. The title of Official Parade Marshal for 2013 goes to the Pride Centre of Edmonton Pride Festival Edmonton. From noon to 8pm, a celebration on Sir Winston Churchill Square will take place with great food, intriguing June 6th - 13th exhibits, dancing, and more! Angela Bennett, executive http://www.edmontonpride.ca director, is excited to share new programming for Celebration on the Square including a second stage in the Virgin Radio http://www.gaycalgary.com/ Entertainment Zone featuring local bands such as Rae Spoon. a3525 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

10 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Interview Walter Koenig Mr. Chekov Beams into Calgary

By Evan Kayne Walter Koenig, the original “Pavel Chekov” from Star Trek, was in town for the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo in April. One of the unfortunate things about Expos is that it’s an artificial environment. Actors who know how to play up to a crowd like William Shatner or Wil Wheaton get the praise of everyone. Yet for some who are quieter and perhaps more introspective, it’s not that good of a showcase – despite these type of actors having a lot more interesting things to say than the showboaters. While preparing this article, I had a chance to watch part of a long interview Mr. Koenig recently did for the Academy of American Television. You do get a better sense of the person and the actor than what I saw for a short time at the Expo. Given the body of his work and that Mr. Koenig has been in the industry for decades, he has certainly seen a lot of changes – from a three network universe (ABC, NBC, CBS) to a world where not only are there 500 channels, sometimes you don’t even need a network or a television to produce a show. Unlike back in the 1960s, people don’t have to worry as much about being typecast, Mr. Koenig said: “People break out of that all the time...television people As for his feelings on the new film series? “The first one go on to movies nowadays” and actors in a genre show will was great...it’s not our Star Trek. It’s a different generation find other work. He didn’t think it was an inhibitor to a – this generation is committed to action, adventure... career, compared to the past when there was a clearer line pyrotechnics. I don’t say that in a derogatory way – it’s between the two. Producers back then, as Mr. Koenig put it, part of the excitement. Ours...moved slower, we were a wouldn’t touch anyone for a movie they were already getting little more involved in introspection and the depth of some for cheap on television. of the characters.” Funnily enough, while Star Trek Into Besides changes to the industry, as someone who is in his Darkness has gotten a good reception overall, there are later years, as someone who has worked on a show which more than a few people who are pointing out the sacrifice of had an idealistic vision of the future, and as someone who characterization to bright lights, big fights, and explosions. has given his support to George Takei (he was the Best Man That being said, if we could magically turn back the clock at George’s wedding to his partner), I asked Mr. Koenig what on all the actors of the original series and have them act in he thought about us slowly turning into the kind of open this movie, Shatner would still hog the screen time, Chekov society in which Star Trek was set. would still speak his few lines in his funny accent and I “I think it’s great we’re more tolerant in many ways, but suspect everyone would be raving about the new Trek movie. I’m not sure I could confidently attribute it to Star Trek. I It may not be your father’s Star Trek, and that’s okay, but think the country is moving forward and that’s encouraging. sometimes we do miss the original – not just for the writing On the other hand, for every three steps we take forward we and the ideas, but for the actors in it. take two backward.” Of course, we do have to ask his opinion on the new Chekov (Anton Yelchin). Mr. Koenig has met the Chekov on http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3526 the new series of films, and described him as “a very bright young man...he’s starred in several movies already.” View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 11 Interview

 Artwork by Stephen Sadowski

of several recurring guest authors for DC Comics’ new Adventures of Superman series. Many people know Card for Stephen Sadowski his Ender series of books. He is also a political and social commentator whose opinions, including his opposition to Super-artist drawing Superheroes same-sex marriage, have made him a controversial figure. When the news spread, a massive public outcry against Card By Evan Kayne overwhelmed DC; resulting in the cancellation of his story. What Stephen thinks was amazing regarding this fiasco was Besides a lot of the big name talent attending the Calgary how the reaction surged so quickly over the Internet because Comic and Entertainment Expo, we also keep a watch Card’s opinions were widely disseminated. “Knowledge is out for other LGBT talent or talent that actively supports there so readily now. Back ten years ago...you would never our community. This year we met Stephen Sadowski; really know what his policies were...nowadays, everything he’s worked as an artist for DC, Marvel, and Dynomite you put out there is for worldwide knowledge.” Entertainment. He’s currently doing some stuff for Personally Stephen thinks everyone has a right to their Vertigo comics – the adult imprint line of DC comics. own opinion, and he wouldn’t want to take away anyone’s Steve has been working in the industry for years: “after employment based on their beliefs; but when it comes to 1989 when the first Batman movie came out, I was super a Superman comic, Stephen believes we want writers with inspired to get back into drawing (because I used to draw greater ideals to write his stories. “We just don’t want to see all the time as a kid)...there was a comic store right next our heroes under the control of someone whose ideas we are to the theatre. I...went right out and into the comic store so vehemently against.” and basically decided at that point I was going to start to Steve himself has had to face a little bit of criticism himself try.” It then took many years of sending samples to editors for this work for injecting a mild amount of homo-eroticism and building relationships, until eventually he started to get into his drawings. “I always try to imbue all my characters noticed. with sexuality...but not over the top. I have a reputation for As a gay man who’s been working in the industry, there giving male characters extra large packages, but all I really have been a lot of changes in the last 2 decades when it do is give them a package.” comes to the acceptance of LGBT characters and LGBT talent. It’s a straight male dominated group usually doing the For the artists and writers, the consensus would seem to be artwork, so no one blinks twice about giving a female hero that generally it’s a very open industry. “I know a lot of gay massive breasts, but do something similar for guys and creators...and whenever we get together to try and talk about people get nervous. “The minute you give a noticeable – not any kind of homophobic reaction, we all agree we’ve never even overly large – but just realistic package on a male, it’s really experienced any.” Steve has had nothing but good like Whoa...I feel uncomfortable. I don’t think twice about it. I experiences with most of the editors with whom he’s worked. just draw it the way it would be.” “As far as the characters in comics...I think there’s a ways to go.” Granted you are seeing gay and even transgender characters in comic books, but Steve thinks there’s room to further explore. What sometimes happens is a softer form of homophobia – in the past it was the girlfriend/wife/female supporting character’s role to suffer at the hands of a villain. Stephen Sadowski Today, that role is filled by the gay superhero or supporting Art of Stephen Sadowski on Facebook character. While it may all be justified by the story, and there is no anti-gay agenda, the optics aren’t necessarily great. http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3527 Yet what is promising was the response to any homophobic behavior. Recently Orson Scott Card was selected as one View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

12 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Made in Calgary: The 1970s A Decade of Timeless Art Revisited at the Glenbow Museum

 “Puddle” by Katie Ohe

By Janine Eva Trotta Ohe is known as one of the first Canadian artists to practice In the second of five ten-year eras of Calgarian art to be abstract sculpture in Alberta. celebrated at the Glenbow, Made in Calgary: the 1970s Moppett happily points out ten silk-screened Christmas offers an intimate array of eclectic pieces created by a cards Ohe made over the course of the ’70s – one from each tightly woven artist community at an explosive time in year of the decade – displayed on a wall of the fourth floor the city’s art history. section of the exhibit, intimating he might have been a Cleverly selected and hung, no two pieces too alike or too recipient of such. dissimilar are to be found on the same wall. The Glenbow Ohe’s husband, Harry Kiyooka, is also featured, his Museum selected a guest curator whose memory and desire to nameless styled canvas conjuring a feeling of one peering re-exhibit the creative decade is exuded in his excitement and through a castle window in some long ago prairie landscape. knowledge of each and every piece. Continued on Next Page  “If you weren’t there you wouldn’t have a hope,” Ron Moppett says about the job of curating this collection. “If they had chosen someone else it would have looked different but it would have looked similar in a lot of ways.” He is speaking on some of the big names in art of that time that no one would have missed. Names like Katie Ohe, the sculpturess who creates what Moppett calls “these wonderful kinetic kind of things” that many of us have seen and spun without knowing it. Ohe’s sculptures are showcased on the first, second and fourth floors of the Glenbow, the latter two as part of the show, as well as on the University of Calgary campus. Ohe has been a longtime professor at the Alberta College of Art and Design, sculpting in difficult shiny media. Her works entitled Puddles are composed of spinning chrome steel and bronze, baring the mark of excellent crafts-woman-ship.

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 13  From Previous Page

Another power art-couple likely to have been selected Moppett says. “It doesn’t make [the art] better, just different regardless of curator are the painters Joyce and John Hull. circumstance. And some are no longer with us.” Their flowery, bright pieces – conceptual still lifes –are This is art for the sake of art: a dynamic expanse of material perhaps the focal pieces of the entire show, literally drawing and matter. No one theme exists, a fact that Moppett feels one in from across the rooms in which they are hung. distinctive of the Calgary art scene. Moppett worked closely with Hall in the days of the Rose The ’70s show conveys an art period where no boundaries Museum, a collection that was on display at the old Glenbow existed; when artists abandoned the ideas of the time and gave Museum location before it moved to its current home in 1976. themselves over to a complete freedom to express. You will, A symbolic throwback to this collection is presented in a glass refreshingly, not find a single equine canvas in this show. case on the fourth floor – featuring just what the original You will find, however, an abstract, boxy take of the Calgary exhibit had, virtually anything containing a visual or written Tower, as seen through a window, by artist and selected rose. This could mean a stencil, a letter, or an actual flower. curator for the upcoming 80s show Jeff Spalding, “referencing The 1970s were an intense time for the art scene in Calgary. a surrealist kind of image thing,” Moppett says. Not only was the Glenbow moved and expanded, ACAD opened You will see tapestries of monsters, woolen lava, billowy its doors and through them walked a realm of artists and textile, mixed material sculpture, wood etching, earthenware, instructors from nations wide. photos of installations that occurred throughout the decade, The pieces featured in Made in Calgary are just as the title stoneware, and works by “the king of Canadian mail art” of the exhibit suggests; they were all crafted or created in the himself, Don Mabie. city by artists living, teaching or showing here, though not The button making craze that came out of ACAD was lead necessarily by locals. by this creative genius, another Calgary artist who never “You sort of had to be there,” Moppett says on selecting posted a letter without decorating it to the point of assured these roughly 100 pieces, adding that in some capacity he safe keeping by its recipient. knew all of the artists included in the show, either through Moppett says Mabie is “like a saint in the art community” seeing their work at the time, as a student at ACAD himself, and was a big player in the implosion of artist run centres that later as a teacher, or in his career as a curator. “You can’t go occurred in the city in the ’70s. to a book and find out the top ten best artists in Calgary.” “[Artist run centres] were a new breed of animal that “The way you make that discernment is like a thousand purportedly could respond much more quickly than the things synapse in your brain and give you the answer.” institutions,” Moppett said – venues for a new population of This means resumes were not considered. Nor were sales artists that had something to say and a wanted to say it now. volumes, or current notoriety, or where the pieces had traveled “Everybody was just so in the moment that you will see a or showed. poster that says August 2nd to 23rd; there’s no year attached,” “Some of [the artists] are out there in the public domain Moppett says. “That’s kind of a wrinkle.” and others are retired or more quiet in their practice,” If you could travel back to 1963, and ask Moppett as an art student whether he could see himself putting together this show, he likely would have said no. His first three years at ACAD were spent focused in ad art, with an aim to one day work for Walt Disney as an animator. “Then art school opens your eyes to all of the other options out there that one doesn’t know about,” he says. Furthered by a trip to England, in which he had the opportunity to view what he called “real paintings”, he returned to his fourth year of college with a new desire: a desire to paint. Curating became his day job, a less emotionally draining career choice than teaching proved to be, and has allowed him to meet a host of fine artists and keep active and relevant in the art community at large. It also meant he knew where to go to find the pieces that compose this show. With few exceptions, most of the works displayed were procured pretty close to home. Many are taken from the Foundation of the Arts compendium, others from the Glenbow itself, the City of Calgary collection, the Nickle Arts Museum, and ACAD’s store. Although these Made in Calgary shows will not travel, “there is a hope that after the five decades have gone that a proper catalogue will be published documenting the shows and work that has gone into them,” Moppett says. In any event, your opportunity to view this intriguing collection is now.

Made in Calgary: the 1970s Until August 11th At the Glenbow Museum, Calgary

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14 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Community Discussing Community Safety Personal Safety

By Constable Andy Buck Personal safety at home Hello again everyone. This is the last article before my first big community event of the year, the ARGRA rodeo Do not leave keys in a hiding spot. Keep window coverings closed out at Strathmore that runs from June 28th to June when home alone, or at night. Establish a “safe room” where you 30th. If you are planning on attending the event, keep can hide from intruders. The safe room should be equipped with a telephone or cell phone and an escape route or window. your fingers crossed for some decent weather and please come and search out my colleagues and I to say “Hi”, I would love to see you all. If you witness a crime or emergency situation, please call 9-1- 1 immediately. If you witness suspicious activity, please call the This month I want to talk about something that is closely related Police non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. to last month’s article on the work of the Victim Assistance Unit. In an effort to avoid the need for VAU, the Calgary Police Service You may think that these tips seem like common sense. Well, reminds citizens of Calgary to keep their personal safety in mind at they are, but it never hurts to refresh your memory. Remember, all times - at home, while driving, while outside walking, and while despite some of the horrific events that have recently been reported in the work place. Attacks on a person can be motivated by many in New York regarding attacks against gay men, these incidents factors. These factors include personal gain, power struggle and are very scarce especially here in Calgary. Remain vigilant, stay mental or physical impairment. safe and look after each other. As always, feel free to call or email regarding anything that you want to talk about. Quick personal safety tips See you in Strathmore! No matter where you are, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts if you feel a situation may be unsafe. Keep these important tips in mind: Constable Andy Buck • Do not carry large amounts of cash or valuables on your person or in your home. Use banks and safety deposit 403-428-8154 • [email protected] boxes for safe storage of valuables. • If you feel you are being followed, stay in busy public http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3529 areas, drive to a police station, or call the police. View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments • Carry a personal safety alarm or noise-maker, instead of items like bear spray and mace, which are considered prohibited weapons. • Carry a cell phone. Call police at 403-266-1234 if you see suspicious activity, or call 911 if you or someone else is in danger, or if you see a crime in progress. • Limit the number of packages or belongings that you carry in your arms so you don’t become vulnerable. • If you are attacked, create lots of noise to attract attention. Do not try to keep possession of valuables. Personal safety while walking Walk on well lit, busy streets and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Walk in the middle of the sidewalk. Avoid isolated areas like parks and alleys. Carry a cell phone on your person at all times if possible. Scream or yell loudly if attacked but keep in mind that bear spray and mace are considered prohibited weapons. Personal safety while driving Have your keys in hand before reaching the vehicle. Check both front and rear seats before opening the door. Keep valuables out of sight or in your trunk. Tell friends, family, or co-workers where you are going and when you will be back. Park in a well-lit, visible area. While driving, keep doors locked and windows closed enough to prevent someone from reaching in. Personal safety in the workplace Avoid isolated corridors or hallways. Be extra careful in stairwells and isolated or poorly lit rest rooms. Avoid entering an elevator which is occupied by only one other person, especially if that person is a stranger to you. Once inside the elevator, stand near the controls, and make a mental note on the location of the emergency button. If you are assaulted in an elevator, push the emergency or help button and push as many floor buttons as possible.

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 15 CRIR 2013 20 Years of Rodeo Fun & Memories

 Photos from CRIR 2012, taken by GayCalgary Magazine

By Evan Kayne The festival stage is being rotated closer to where the June 28th to 30th marks the 20th anniversary of the Community Carnival was last year, and the carnival will Canadian Rockies International Rodeo and Music be moved closer to the grandstand entrance. “Now that Festival. In April, I spoke with ARGRA Communications we’re not using it (the curling rink) we don’t have to string Director Drew Davidson about the music festival side everything out so much...everything is going to be a real of the event; we recently reconnected to see what else short distance.” Overall, the “look” of the new arrangement they’ve got in store. of the Midway grounds should be appealing. As for the Tornado nightclub in its new location, “we are First, the Midway layout is undergoing a substantial expanding it a little bit...we think that we’re going to have change. With the Tornado nightclub dances being moved a large amount of people, so we’re moving the bars outside from the distant curling rink into the newly renovated barn the hall (under tents).” The hall will be strictly for dancing right beside the rodeo entrance gates, the big push this and mingling. Acts booked in the Tornado nightclub include year is the convenience of the layout, Drew said. You could both local talent and beyond. Look for Adam Dready, DJ be dancing your ass off, get hungry and instead of hiking Kid V, DJ Daina Tribble, DJ John Landry, DJ Nico, DJ halfway back to Calgary, the food trucks will be “not even Phon3hom3, and DJ Goldstar to generate the beats, with ten feet away.” April Storm doing performance segments throughout the night. The local burlesque group “The Garter Girls” will be on both the Tornado and festival stages. Food and other facilities will be conveniently located right outside the door of the dancehall in the rodeo midway. “Vendors are contacting us to set up...the Red Light District is still a go and there will be six vendors for that,” Drew explained. The Quonset hut will have the anniversary displays showing 20 years of ARGRA. Furthermore, in the back of the hut will be drag performances and they may put the underwear auction in there as well, but as of press time the exact location of this last item was yet to be confirmed. Food vendors will be different this year as well; while many may not be finalized until the week of the event, there are

16 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com  Band plays at music festival  DC Cowboys at 2012 dance  Goat Dressing several known new food vendors onsite, and ARGRA is 2008. If you have these items, or even other ARGRA / looking into getting some of the local Calgary food trucks to CRIR memorabilia from past years, please contact Janie at come out to the rodeo. [email protected] The GayCalgary Magazine Country Carnival is back ARGRA is also selling a special keepsake. “We have our again and still accepting submissions. As much fun as souvenir buckle on sale...people can order online, and the rodeo, the dances or the music acts are, the carnival, it’s about six weeks (for delivery).” It’s selling for $150 for for me, has always been a fantastic social event – you can ARGRA members, $165 for non-members. Pictures and the buy an item that catches your eye, find out about local order form will soon be available on their website. community events, or support a community group with If you’ve never been to the Canadian Rockies International games or the infamous dunk tank. Drew confirmed the tank Rodeo, this is your year to go. Grab a friend, make plans will be running all three days instead of just the one – the with a group, join with other friends who always go, and drag queens of the Imperial Courts will split the time with get your ass out to Strathmore on the July long weekend. another group. For information on the GayCalgary Country Carnival, Rodeo Speaking of community groups, to highlight their School, the Souvenir Buckle, tickets, musicians and the importance, during the Grand Entry at the rodeo on rodeo itself, visit the ARGRA website. Saturday, representatives of community groups from around Alberta are coming to march under the flags of provinces and territories, along with a piping band and dignitaries who will also take part for the 20th anniversary event. If the dances, music, and games don’t provide you with enough excitement, there are still openings for the rodeo school on the morning of Friday June 28th. This is your Canadian Rockies International Rodeo 2013 chance to participate in the rodeo by learning how to do calf roping on foot, chute dogging or steer riding (among others). Presented by The Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA) Finally, ARGRA is doing a few things to recognize the two Fri, Jun 28th - Sun, Jun 30th decades this event has been in existence. As mentioned http://www.argra.org earlier, they will have a Memorabilia display of past posters, programs, pictures (etc.). They’re still accepting items, http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3530 but they are specifically looking for programs from 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2002; along with posters from 2002 and View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 17 Heart in Motion A conversation with Christian music legend Amy Grant

 Photo by Jim Wright

By Chris Azzopardi were the nerves of this being the first time performing those songs A call from Amy Grant started as these promo chats for anybody. I guess I have felt emotionally drained, but you’re right usually do. Hellos were exchanged, small talk was made – it’s because of what’s been going on. We’re all connected. and questions about her first studio album of all-new GC: How does this new album reflect your life at this point? material in 10 years, How Mercy Looks From Here, were AG: It’s funny, being 52 and putting a record out, I have felt this answered. incredible freedom. It feels like this is going to be the least required Then we shifted into territory the most successful Christian of me as a person to sell the songs. As a woman, when you’re music artist of all time, now 52, has never spoken about publicly younger, so much of it has to do with looking pretty, doing a video since hitting the scene in the ’70s with her spiritual pop, before and wearing the right clothes, because a lot of music is visual. Heart in Motion turned her into a crossover success. But there is real freedom in going, “I never have to worry about During her first gay press interview, and for an entire hour, what I’m going to look like in a bikini again.” Not that I ever looked the Grammy winner reflected – with her usual sincerity and good in one, but I would feel weird even just putting one on, because thoughtfulness – on her loyal gay fan base, how she reconciles I’m old … er. Older! (Laughs) You sort of go, “Whew. That pressure’s Christianity and homosexuality, her “compassion” for gay marriage not going to be there.” And I feel that way about the music. To me, and the unforgettable dinner she shared with out ACLU Executive it feels essentially about the message of the songs and not even a Director Anthony Romero. reflection of me. It just feels like collective life experience. GC: How are you, Amy? GC: I know you have a thing for eating chips in the studio because AG: Honestly, my brain is so rattled today. the oil coats your throat. How many bags of Lay’s potato chips did you go through while recording How Mercy Looks From Here? GC: There’s a lot going on in the world right now, especially with the Boston Marathon bombing and the Texas plant explosion. AG: It was funny, because (producer) Marshall (Altman), who I had never worked with before, we did a lot of preproduction work. There is a lot going on, yes. I just want to go somewhere and AG: I knew him from (working with) Natasha Bedingfield. And when we sit and be very still. I just did, with the band, a kind of unplugged started comparing notes, and when I made a request to make sure performance for SiriusXM Radio. It was the first time I have sung we have Lay’s potato chips, he came around the corner wide-eyed some of those songs for an audience and, you know, you can create and he said, “I didn’t think about it until you said that. This is part muscle memory with a song. You just work on your technique and of urban legend that this started with you.” I said, “Well, I don’t then it becomes like muscle memory. But the first couple of times know if it started with me, but all those early days up at Caribou you do it, it engages all the emotions around the song – and I just Ranch, where it was so dry, that’s when I started doing it.” Marshall kept getting choked up. said, “You don’t go to a studio if they don’t have a bowl of potato GC: Which songs from the album were you performing? chips.” And I laughed my head off. I said, “Well, it works; the whole AG: The first one was “How Mercy Looks From Here,” and with world should do it!” all the stuff going on I could hardly get the song out. I was going, “Well, great, they’ll be playing this over and over on XM.” So, there

18 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com GC: When the biggest Christian music artist of all time is doing who eventually said, “I’m living a gay lifestyle,” but they didn’t say it gay press, you know we’ve come a long way. Were you kept at bay then. People were very private about their sexuality, period. Maybe from gay press beforehand, earlier in your career? not everywhere, but I just don’t remember, “I’m exploring this, I’m AG: It never came up. exploring that.” GC: But you have obviously had a big gay following for quite GC: When did you first know you had a gay fan base? sometime. Why have gay people connected to you in such profound AG: Probably by the time I was 18. ways? GC: How did you know? Did a fan tell you his or her coming-out AG: All of us sometimes feel disenfranchised or, for whatever story? reason, like we’re just on the periphery or marginalized. People AG: No. Just from meeting people. I don’t know. I guess I’m kind feel that for all kinds of reasons, and by the time you’ve lived of going, that was a long time ago. I’m 52. (Laughs) I’ve never even any amount of life, I think anybody has had that experience thought about it. It’s like saying, “There’s gray-haired people in the somewhere. I remember doing concerts back in the early ’80s and crowd, too.” If people come to my shows, this is what they say: going shopping with some of the singers that I was working with “Wow, there are people of all ages and lifestyles in your crowd.” and one of them, Donna McElroy, had to get some makeup – and That’s what they always say. But then someone will come up and she’s African-American – and I said, “Hey, I’ll meet you back here.” say, “You know, I saw a guy with a boa on,” and I’ll say, “Oh yeah, I ran my errands and I came back and said, “Are you done?” She yeah, I’ve always had a big gay following.” (Laughs) said, “No one’s waited on me.” To me, I don’t give it a second thought. I remember the first time Everybody is outside of some circle, but what I’ve always wanted someone from the crew said, “I smell pot in the back of the crowd,” to do is have a message of honesty and welcoming, and being willing and I went, “Well, fantastic! Yay!” I’m so glad that just people are to say this is the good, bad and the ugly. This is who I am. And if I’m coming. saying that about myself, it’s like, jump in, the water’s fine. So I love GC: From photos I’ve seen and conversations I’ve heard, you that. I love that people connect to my music. seem to have established some close relationships with people in GC: At this point in your career, are you at all concerned about the Gay Friends of Amy Grant group on Facebook over the years. people passing judgment on you for talking to gay press? Can you describe your relationship with them? AG: We all ultimately need to know that we’re loved, and I think AG: When you’ve done something for a long time, there is a great it would be really crazy if you said, “I’m not going to talk to this familiarity that comes over the years. I will say that I have a couple group of people because someone’s looking on that’s not a part of friends that I made – just because they came to shows for a long of the conversation and might have an opinion about it.” I mean, time – and I figure we must have some things in common because, my whole life has been that. (Laughs) It takes all of our energy to of all the music we’re all attracted to, at least we share this music navigate whatever road we’re on. What’s interesting is, this last year in common. I was invited on Monday mornings to go to a woman’s house – also a GC: Weren’t you invited to perform at the wedding of one of your songwriter, also a singer – and just have some time of quiet stillness gay fans but couldn’t due to your schedule? all together. But her house wasn’t even quiet. There were workers there sometimes, or there was nowhere to get that was quiet. AG: I was invited. I was honored to be invited. I have to tell you: Anytime somebody asks me to perform at a wedding, I say, “I do As we were sitting there trying to get quiet, she said, “It never not have a good track record.” (Laughs) A lot of the weddings I’ve gets still, and so I’m not gonna get all rankled in my head. I’m just performed at, the marriages have ended poorly. gonna say, ‘Well, there’s the noise of the person next door blowing off their driveway with that really load motor. There it is. There’s the GC: I recall seeing you perform with Melissa Etheridge for sound of sirens going up and down the street.’” She said, “When Lifetime’s Women Rock! special in 2000 and thinking, as a teenager we learn to observe without judgment, then we have the ability to struggling with his sexuality, “She’s performing with an openly observe and learn, or to observe and be.” And I said, “Do you know lesbian performer; she’s throwing her gay fans a bone.” how exhausting it is to observe with judgment all the time? It’s just AG: You know what’s so interesting, even when I was discovering exhausting.” I have thanked her many times. We could all stand to my own sexuality and meeting people that had a different experience, hear that. I didn’t categorize then, and I don’t categorize right now. It makes GC: You came from a fairly strict religious upbringing, but it me realize that I don’t have any idea of what it would feel like every sounds like there’s been an evolution in the way you see people. moment of my life to go somewhere and feel judged. AG: Well, I don’t know. When you say strict, that’s interesting. GC: But you have felt judged, right? Judged for getting divorced. What do you mean by that? (Laughs) I mean, we went to church Judged for your pop crossover, even. every Sunday morning, every Sunday night, every Wednesday AG: No, no. Do people from a distance have an opinion? Yeah, night. that’s human nature to have an opinion. Whatever was going on in GC: You’re right. I should say diligently religious. a rag magazine, or whatever someone was saying behind my back or in a heated conversation, I was never in that circle. I wasn’t part AG: Yeah. I remember when we moved to Texas and my parents of that conversation. I never, ever pursued one chat room. If there went to this really, I guess, conservative church – a Church of Christ was an article or some argument – “I can’t believe you’re doing this” – and something incredible was happening within that church – I just never pursued it because I thought, “We don’t understand community. I remember seeing this transformation in my mom and each other.” dad. I was old enough to remember that. What I remember about our home after that was that it was welcoming … to everybody. There are a lot of times that I wind up in situations that I do not see eye to eye with somebody. And it doesn’t help to throw gas on GC: To black people? To gay people? the fire. Clearly they’re going to have their opinion. Carry on. And AG: Just to people. I’m gonna go do what I’m gonna go do. GC: Did you ever feel that you had to reconcile your Christian GC: I know you are not a political person. faith with your acceptance of homosexuality? AG: Yeah, I’m not. AG: That’s not my life experience. In the same way, if you put my GC: So how do you respond to people when they ask you about shoes on, you would go, “I thought this experience was going to be your feelings on gay marriage? one way and it was totally different.” None of us has any idea what somebody’s life experience is like. AG: In the same way that I did not tell one person who I voted for. I don’t. I never talk about anything like that. I did tell Vince (Gill, her GC: Do you remember the first gay person you knew? Did you husband) the day after the election. (Laughs) have a close gay friend? But I think my response is, I have had so many occasions in Absolutely. But my first: maybe college. Someone might have AG: my life where I have felt really strongly about something – but just seemed theatrical or, I don’t know, effeminate, but when I was that feeling has changed. Those feelings change about different in high school – I graduated in ’78 – I had friends in high school Continued on Next Page  www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 19  From Previous Page situations, and so because I’m a public person – and because I nurturing if it’s competitive, it’s this: When you don’t understand want always to bring people together – I really do say this is a world something, you can either default to judgment or you can default that’s unfamiliar to me and I am always trying to observe with to compassion. Those take you down completely different roads. compassion. GC: Are you speaking about yourself? GC: This isn’t a cut-and-dry issue for you, then. AG: Yeah, and that’s really … ahh, I’m just talking about life in AG: Well, nothing is cut-and-dry. You know, one of the most general. This is interesting because I have never done an interview fascinating dinners I’ve ever spent sitting next to somebody I had where it feels every question is saying, “Tell me I’m OK.” That’s what not met was at a large function with my family. We were all seated feels like the underlying energy behind the questions, and I’m just with place cards; it was a large group and I introduced myself to going, “That’s a powerful kind of energy” – and for different reasons. the fellow next to me. It was Anthony Romero (executive director of Maybe not sexuality. Because that’s what every person’s crying out the ACLU). I mean, we didn’t line up our views; I just said, “Oh my for. Anyway, sometimes a good night’s sleep helps for more concise goodness.” And he said, “I think they probably thought this was answers. going to be very funny having us sit next to each other.” (Laughs) It’s just that we’re living lives that are different from each I just said, “Tell me about your life.” He asked me the same thing. other. It’s like two people sitting at a dinner table having a long He told me good things about his job and hard things about his conversation. If you and I were facing each other at a different table job. It was two human beings that have had very different lifestyles and we walked away and somebody asked us to describe where sitting next to each other and sharing life. Given 10 choices, would we were, my entire view was behind your head. I mean, I’m gonna Anthony and I choose the same things? Maybe so. Maybe not. But describe the place differently than you. That’s just true about all I felt so changed by that. And what I really felt was, well … I … of life and really, I’m trying to listen and learn and in a way have a (pauses) great opportunity to try to understand the fan base that comes to GC: What did you feel? a show. I’m even more glad they feel welcome. Even more glad after this. Can I say one thing? AG: Well, I kept his card for a long time, and I hoped that our paths would cross again. I felt a lot of compassion for his parents, GC: Of course. first-generation immigrants, and he described his childhood and AG: I know that the religious community has not been very what it was like. I went, “This makes total sense that he has welcoming, but I just want to stress that the journey of faith brings invested his life coming to the aid of the people in his world that are us into community, but it’s really about one relationship. The disenfranchised because, for a whole different set of reasons, his journey of faith is just being willing and open to have a relationship parents were marginalized.” with God. And everybody is welcome. Everybody. GC: And you found that inspiring? AG: Yes. You know what, we all face challenges in our life that we didn’t anticipate, and the most important thing is that we http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3531 not face them alone. To me, if there’s anything that comes out of this conversation, in the same way that a relationship cannot be View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

20 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Peace River Pride 2013

By Carey Rutherford off. Patrons can make a float, walk with a group, ride a bike, Peace River, Alberta will host their third annual all scooter down, or just sit back and enjoy the show. Attendees ages Peace River Regional Pride weekend June 14th to are encouraged to wear their hats and lather the SPF; it is 16th. The 2013 edition has both the community and important to have fun outdoors, and be sun-safe at the same the planning committee very eager for festivities to time. Following the parade, at 1pm the Riverfront Park activities commence. will begin which will include: a BBQ, face painting, music and other entertainment. At 4pm, River City Cinema will have a free This unique celebration brings together and celebrates all screening of the 14A movie Cloudburst. The evening events lifestyles within and around the community, aiming to bridge will commence at 6pm, with a play and dance party at Java the gaps between them. The Peace River Regional Pride Planning Dominion. Java Dominion will offer music entertainment and Committee hopes to inspire confidence, and empowerment an open mic session for sharing experiences at Riverfront Park towards the unique nature of patrons’ individuality, and following the parade. sexuality. The weekend will draw to a close Sunday morning with This year’s festivities will mark the first celebration including an informal breakfast. This allows for attendees to say their a parade. While previous years have only included a walk goodbyes to their new friends, and draw a great weekend to a through downtown Peace River, a parade marks the growth of close. festivities and involvement of the community. Last year even included a free barbeque, live music, crafts and an open mic. This year hopes to be the biggest and best yet. Invitations have been spread en masse through organizations, town Previous years have brought around eighty attendees officials and businesses, with an invite even going to the local from in and around the area, from as far as Grande Prairie. MLA. The Peace River community encourages all ages to come The Peace River Regional LGBT Pride Planning Committee is out and show support. looking forward to seeing familiar faces as well as making new connections. The festivities begin Friday June 14th at 7pm. The McNamera Peace River Pride Hotel Bar, located in Peace River (1022 100 Street) will host a meet and greet. This will allow for out of town guests to get a Fri, Jun 14th – Sun, Jun 16th feel for the community and mingle. Follow them on Facebook Saturday the 15th is a packed day; patrons will be kept busy with a colourful set of events. On Saturday morning, behind http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3532 Horizon, (9801 100 Street) there will be face painting and a craft setup for poster making. At 12pm the parade will kick View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 21 Gossip

Life Partners’ Gay-Straight Alliance Take one Gossip Girl – Leighton Meester as a young lesbian slacker – and one Community misfit – Gillian Jacob as the hetero best friend – and put them together. The result is Life Partners, the new film from writer-director Susanna Fogel and co-writer Joni Lefkowitz. It’s the story of what happens when the Type-A straight girl vows not to take marriage vows until her friend is legally permitted to do the same. This comedic rebuke to the forces fighting against marriage equality co-stars Mark Feuerstein (Royal Pains) and Kate McKinnon (hilarious lesbian and spot-on Ellen impersonator from Saturday Night Live) as well as Gabourey Sidibe, Abby Elliott, Beth Dover, Adam Brody and Julie White. Let’s just hope they get it in the digital editing bay, hooked up with a distributor and into theaters before that bad ol’ Defense of Marriage Act gets itself invalidated by the Supreme Court or else its reason to exist will blow away like that plastic bag in American Beauty. Of course, instantly dated or not, if it’s blisteringly funny it’ll have some legs. Hurry up all the same, Life Partners, we’re not amazingly patient.

Ready for four hours with Olive Kitteridge? It might help if you knew what Olive Kitteridge is first, right? Well, it’s the title of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Elizabeth Strout, a title that got the attention of Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman of Playtone. That production company will develop it into a four-hour miniseries to be directed by Lisa Cholodenko (The Kids Are All Right), and Frances McDormand will star as the title character. Kitteridge is a witty but abrasive woman who observes (and, presumably, narrates or comments on) all the uncharacteristically scandalous activities taking place in her small, seemingly peaceful town on the coast of Maine – affairs, crime and other run-of-the-mill human foibles and tragedies. Richard Jenkins will play McDormand’s husband, the town pharmacist. Based on the number of characters and interwoven connections in the book, four hours might not even be quite enough time to  Ross Matthews, photo by Helga Esteb/Shutterstock.com include them all, but at least it’ll provide work for actors who can nail that specific accent found among dyed-in-the-wool, North-of-Massachusetts New Englanders. Think less Marky Deep Inside Hollywood Mark, more Murder She Wrote and you’re almost there. Hello Ross, we’re ready to watch your talk show called Hello Ross. Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt It’s good to be funny and know Chelsea Handler. Of course, you might think that in the case of Ross Mathews, are guys who need dolls who began his chat show sidekick career freaking people out with his excellently high-pitched speaking voice (he By Romeo San Vicente went by “Ross The Intern”) on The Tonight Show, that it’d be good to be funny and know Jay Leno. But it’s actually A Guys and Dolls movie with Channing Tatum and Handler who hooks up her pals. Case in point: Mathews, Joseph Gordon-Levitt? Is it Awesome Ideas Week or who guests on the Chelsea Lately comics roundtable on an something? almost weekly basis, is spinning off into hosting territory thanks to his current boss. Handler’s production company Because in a world of cringe-inducing announcements is behind Hello Ross, which will premiere on E! later this about this or that unnecessary remake, the thought of a year. We’re happy for Ross, who’s both funny and sweet- classic musical getting an update with two of Hollywood’s natured, but sooner or later his show is bound to bring up most appealing younger actors – both of whom know their the tired old argument about masculine versus feminine gay way around a song and dance – is a welcome shot of good male representation on TV. It’s inevitable. For the record, we news. Twentieth Century Fox has the rights in place to start don’t care that the author of Man Up! is frequently mistaken development and both Tatum and Gordon-Levitt are reported on the phone for female, as long as he makes us laugh. So to be interested in starring in the gangsters-meet-gamblers make us laugh, Ross. musical (first a Broadway staple, then a great 1955 film with Romeo San Vicente thinks a good sense of humor trumps being butch Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando). Of course, anyone who pretty much any day. pays attention to the production process knows that projects in development can evaporate like a sneeze, but can some Power- Gay make this happen, please? It’d be a great way for Tatum to develop past the Step Up/Magic Mike school of bump-and- grind (something he showed while whisking Charlize Theron literally off her feet at this years Academy Awards) and needed evidence that Gordon-Levitt isn’t only good at being a member http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3533 of the dancing chorus while Seth McFarlane sings “We Saw Your Boobs.” Breathless anticipation starting now. View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

22 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Lifestyle Cocktail Chatter The Gin Rickey By Ed Sikov “Whatcha makin’, hot stuff?” I was at the kitchen island mixing an experimental drink; I felt the hand slip around my stomach and jumped slightly before I heard the coo in my ear. Dan never calls me “hot stuff,” so I knew it wasn’t him. But whose hand was suddenly tweaking my right nipple? “Chipper! You dog!” I gave a slight shiver and felt a certain stirring. “Seriously, tiger,” Chipper whispered. “Can I try it?” “My nipple or my drink?” I inquired in a lewd tone. Chipper made a growling noise and started to work on a hickey on my neck. I shook him off, finished making the cocktail and handed it to him. Wasting no time, he took a sizeable gulp. “Yikes!” he said. “That’s strong! Strong but good! What’s it called?” “Loooo-cyyyyy?!” was my response. “The Ethel?” “Good guess, but no. Not ‘The Ethel.’ Close, though.” The Gin Rickey Pink Gin “Certainly not ‘The Fred.’ Not even you would name a drink ‘The Fred.’” 3 Tbsp. Beefeater gin 5 dashes Angostura bitters “Indeed not,” I sniffed. “Not ‘The Fred.’” 4 Tbsp. Beefeater gin, chilled “The Ricky?” 2 Tbsp. lime juice, either bottled or fresh (1 lime’s Lemon peel garnish (optional) “Right!” I cried. “You win the prize,” at which point I whirled around and grabbed his nuts. Of course that was precisely the moment for Dan worth, if the lime is juicy) Shake 5 dashes of bitters to make his pointless entrance. Seltzer into a chilled cocktail glass. (Bitters bottles have caps similar “I’m not jealous. You can have him,” he said to Chipper as he Lime wedge garnish to Tabasco sauce so you can’t continued past the kitchen and into the living room. There is little more (optional) overdo it.) Swirl the bitters deflating than having one’s husband offer you to the nearest mouth. Put some ice in a highball around until the glass is coated Chipper and I moved away from each other quickly; our illicit fondling glass (a tumbler); add the with it, then toss the excess had been killed before it got interesting. in the sink. Fill the glass with gin, juice and seltzer in “Yes,” I said. “It’s a Gin Rickey. What do you think?” chilled gin and serve. that order. That’s all, folks! “It’s fabulous!” Chipper enthused. “What’s in it?” “Gin and lime juice and seltzer and that’s all, except for the ice.” “Wait a minute,” Chipper said. “I thought that was a Collins.” “Good catch, shortstop!” I said. “A Rickey is a Collins without sugar licorice, almonds, oranges, lemon peel and everybody’s favorite, orris and with lime juice instead of lemon. But like a Collins, a Rickey can be root. made with….” What the hell is orris root? Orris happens to be one of the “notes” “… various kinds of liquors.” Dan was finishing my sentence for me. in Yves Saint Laurent’s perfume Opium. It’s flowery, and heavily so “Rum, bourbon, even Scotch.” when sniffed on its own. And apparently witches use it to pry into “Very good,” I said with a certain edge to my voice. “Would you like me other people’s subconscious. (Note to readers: If someone you know to throw one in your face?” – say, your mother – wears Opium, be very wary of having even the “No, thank you, darling dearest,” Dan coolly replied. “Just make me slightest contact with her, or else your wonderfully filthy fantasy life a standard Gin Rickey, and don’t be stingy with the gin.” The nerve of will be an open book.) some people! Which brings us to the subject of this column: Pink Gin. Tailor made for lesbian and gay drinkers, Pink Gin is even closer to straight Pink Gin gin than a martini is. Even the driest martinis have something in them Straight gin has such a degenerate reputation that to drink it besides the main ingredient. Pink Gin, on the other hand, contains without mixing in some other ingredient is to invite either derision or nothing but straight gin that is faintly colored by the addition of an intervention. I have no idea why. Straight up, on the rocks, or neat, Angostura bitters. asking for nothing but gin simply isn’t done in public, and pouring a What’s in Angostura bitters? According to Rachel Maddow, who glass at home makes many people so self-conscious that they begin knows everything worth knowing, the recipe is such a secret that only to think they can actually feel the cirrhosis nodules beginning to grow five people on the planet know it. All the rest of us know is that it’s a in their livers. Drinking straight gin is the kind of thing folks do with tincture of herbs and spices that originated in Venezuela in the 19th the blinds drawn. century. One of the great Latin American liberator Simon Bolivar’s This is sad and quite needless. Juniper-flavored alcohol has a long, doctors cooked it up; he may have based his highly guarded recipe formerly proud history as a tonic. Monks made it, for God’s sake – on the local Amerindians’ folk medicine. It does not – repeat, not – literally. People in the Dark Ages made that drab era a little lighter contain angostura bark, which is poisonous. with it; they drank it as a way of warding off the Plague. Of course it Angostura bitters have a very complex taste, one that’s difficult to didn’t really work to that end, but gin did make one’s buboes seem describe beyond “herbal and spicy.” Easier to describe is the feeling a great deal less repulsive for the brief period between their onset one gets while drinking a Pink Gin – delightful! The botanicals of the and the drinker’s unpleasant and smelly demise. Buboes are best gin are well complemented by the bitters. But don’t overdo it. The experienced through a gin haze – on that I think we can all agree. following recipe creates exactly the right proportion of gin to bitters. The 17th century, when gin was flavored with turpentine, will not And the color is lovely. be elaborated upon here except to note that the phase didn’t last long. Juniper berries returned as the primary flavoring soon thereafter, though today’s premium brands often feature such an array of secondary essences that the roster resembles the ingredients in high- http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3534 end organic shampoo. Beefeater gin, for example, features not only juniper but also eight other botanicals: the seeds and root of angelica, View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 23 Politics Blood: It’s In You To Give…Maybe

By Stephen Lock The former Director of the Canadian Red Cross, Dr. Roger Perrault, was Canadian Blood Services (CBS), in conjunction with eventually acquitted by Ontario Superior Court judge, Mary Lou Benotto, Héma-Québec, after years of disallowing any man who on charges of criminal negligence causing bodily harm. She also acquitted Dr. John Furesz and Dr. Donald Wark Boucher, formerly of Canada’s had sex with men since 1977 to donate blood, has Health Protection Branch, and Dr. Michael Rodell, a former vice-president sought and received approval from Health Canada to of a New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company, of charges relating to amend that policy. their alleged role in the tainted blood scandal. CBS has been lobbied for several years by various gay rights and AIDS Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a $1.1 billion compensation groups to rescind the blanket policy, which effectively disbarred any gay package for 5,500 people who contracted Hepatitis C before 1986 and after man or any other man who has had sex with men from donating blood due 1990 but who were left out of the original 1988 compensation package. to HIV/AIDS and/or Hepatitis concerns. The Canadian Red Cross was fined $5,000.00, the maximum fine Activists believed the original policy amounted to discrimination on the allowable, for distributing a contaminated drug in violation of the Food basis of sexual orientation. CBS, of course, disagreed, citing their primary and Drug Administration Act. Six other charges against the agency were concern was maintaining the safety of Canada’s blood and blood product dropped. In addition, the organization agreed to donate $1.5 million to the supply despite there being procedures in place that effectively screen for University of Ottawa for a research endowment fund and a scholarship for pathogens. family members of those affected by the tainted blood. The new policy is seen, however, as only a partial victory by activists. This, then, is the environment out of which sprang the blanket ban While less stringent than the former one, is still somewhat prohibitive. against men who have sex with men donating blood. Under the new policy gay/bisexual men, or any other men who have had Dana Devine, vice-president of Medical, Scientific and Research Affairs sex with men, can donate blood so long as they have been celibate or not with CBS, has acknowledged the five-year deferral will not satisfy all had sex with another man for the last five years. Such criteria are not critics of the new policy. However, Devine did state this is just a first step applied to heterosexual men or women. in what is hoped will be a continued effort in determining what is the best The argument put forward by activists has always been the policy approach to incorporating gay/bisexual men into the donation system. needs to be based on specific behaviours, sexual or otherwise, that may The Canadian AIDS Society (CAS), a national education and advocacy increase the risk of carrying the Human Immuno-difficiency Virus (HIV) group on HIV/AIDS, sees this as an “important first step” although still which is believed to be a precursor to AIDS and not whether a potential believing the five-year deferral is too long. donor may or may not have had sex with another male. Monique Doolittle-Romas, the organization’s Executive Director, was The CBS does acknowledge on its website that on an international level quoted as saying CAS would like to see a model based on a donor’s “...there is no medical consensus on blood donor screening practices for behaviour rather than the current one based on sexual orientation and MSM [men who have sex with men]. Some countries in Europe, and the gender. United States, maintain lifetime bans. The UK and Australia have moved Libby Davies, Health Critic for the federal NDP, and Randall Garrison, to a one-year deferral, and others have different practices altogether.” NDP critic for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer issues, The original ban was instituted by the CBS’ forerunner, The Canadian issued a statement stating the five-year ban still discriminates against Red Cross, which up to the 1980s was the agency responsible for collecting gay/bisexual men and that the system would be safer if screening focused and maintaining the blood supply. As evidence grew that HIV/AIDS was on eliminating high-risk donors, regardless of sexual orientation. transmitted through a variety of body fluids, including blood, the Red Meanwhile, an Associate Professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Cross took steps to protect the supply by instituting the ban against gay/ Western University in London, Ontario, Greta Bauer, called the length of bisexual men donating blood. the deferral “excessively cautious”, saying an Australian study showed no Despite that, hundreds of individuals - primarily hemophiliacs increase in contaminated blood donations when that country moved to a dependent on plasma to prevent life-threatening hemorrhaging due to an one-year deferral policy. inability to clot, but also others who had received blood transfusions - A problem with the life-time ban, and one she fears will also manifest contracted HIV and/or Hepatitis C before effective screening procedures with the current policy, was the lack of compliance. A British study found were introduced. that 11 percent of gay/bisexual men and other men who have sex with A Royal Commission, known as The Krever Inquiry, determined the men said they had donated, despite being aware of the ban against doing Red Cross had failed to move quickly enough to stem the danger posed so. When asked why, some indicated they did not believe, based on their by such pathogens even after the technology was available to do so, and own sexual behaviour, they posed a risk to the supply. But others, Bauer recommended the agency be stripped of its authority to manage the believes, donated blood because of a perception the policy was “blatantly Canadian blood supply, resulting in the creation of the Canadian Blood unfair”. Services. It also called for victims of tainted blood to receive compensation. “I’m not sure with the move to a five-year policy if it’s going to increase the perception of fairness to the extent that people will be more compliant with it versus the lifetime deferral,” said Bauer, adding that if the goal of the policy is safety, good compliance on the part of the public is key. Some studies have indicated uncircumcised men from Sub-Saharan Africa, for instance, regardless of sexual orientation, were also in a high-risk category for contracting HIV/AIDS. Haitians were one of the identified “high risk groups” throughout the 1980s, and yet neither of these two groups had a blanket ban imposed upon them. To do so would be racist, of course. Describing the original policy as homophobic, then, was not such a stretch. The current policy is better but, as has been pointed out by CAS, Egale Canada and the NDP, a policy based not on sexual orientation but on behaviours, including drug use, would be even better. CBS, to their credit, is committed to getting there but says it will ”take time”. Why that is, is unclear. The policy change request by Canadian Blood Services and Héma- Québec was made to Health Canada in December of 2012 and will be implemented by June 2013.

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24 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Team Edmonton Honoured By Lisa Lunney Last month came the announcement that Team Edmonton has been awarded an Honourable Mention of the Lieutenant Governor’s Leadership for Active Communities Award in the Group Spirit of Community Leadership category. The Lieutenant Governor’s Leadership for Active Communities Award was developed as a legacy to Norman Kwong’s honorary patronage of the Alberta Active Communities imitative. For Team Edmonton to rank with an honourable mention for such a prestigious award is incredible. This province-wide awards program recognizes achievements of teams who demonstrate the very best of active community leadership; the breed of individual who works towards making their community and their world a better place. These leaders work to create opportunities for the community at large to better themselves. June 1st marks the official ceremony for the award recipient. The ceremony will take place at the Royal Alberta Museum auditorium, with the reception to follow at Government House adjacent to the museum. On behalf of GayCalgary Magazine, congratulations to Team Edmonton, and thank you for all you do to enrich Alberta’s LGBT community.

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Dear GayCalgary, I for one 100% agree with “Hockey Night In Canada” (HNIC) on CBC Sports commentator Donald S. Cherry on the issue of not allowing women into men’s change rooms before, during, and after sporting endeavours, such as hockey. Mr. Cherry, or as my postcard from him when I was a kid says: “your pal Don” says women shouldn’t be allowed to be in the change rooms as reporters. I for one agree, the change room where hot, sweaty, glistening, half (or fully) naked men should be reserved for gay male reporters to try and develop further relations with players and ogle them. Plus, they can also try and convert the straight men who aren’t married and the players as well over to the gay cause, maybe even get them to perform a healthy switch to a gay centred and focused orientation. Homo-eroticism and stickhandling shouldn’t be considered dirty words, they should be appreciated. Thanks to Don Cherry, gays now have a solid ally in the fight for athletic queer rights and justice!

Graciously, Walter Dean Blake

P. S.: I am only eight more weeks away from getting my sex change to gender feminine and becoming the woman I know I can be!

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www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 25 Maverick Jim The Gay Caballero

 Spring Valley Guest Ranch

By Carey Rutherford Governor-General) based in a bustling metropolis, rather than Jim Saville’s life is a bit like Tchaikovsky’s First Piano nestled 60 km off the #1 Highway? Concerto. There’s the dramatic, pounding keyboard “I was living in Saskatoon, but at that time there were bylaws opening as the 17 year old man leaves Nowhere, preventing B&Bs...I could cook; I could clean; I’m not well Saskatchewan, looking for the city life he hoped would educated, but I enjoy people, and I’ve travelled. I went through give him something he had not yet found on his parents’ Europe and stayed at B&Bs. It was getting to be big then in ranch. Europe.” “I left here in 1972 because I had to find out who I was. You With his parents’ help he found an outstanding building and can only imagine how confused I was at that age, at that time. location in Irvine (near Medicine Hat), but there were bylaw issues But I had a true entrepreneurial spirit: I wanted to own my own there as well. Push came to shove, and he sold in Saskatoon business.” and bought in Irvine. He petitioned the residents and presented his bylaw amendment proposal to the town council, only to be The pounding keyboards settled into a classical exploration turned down. of themes as the young man worked at different jobs as a waiter. He then went to college and worked in parks for five ”So I took the house (he laughs). The town was pissed off years after getting some background in Park Interpretation and because they were going to designate it as a heritage site.” Environmental Science. By “took the house” he literally means he moved the building. “But I wanted to be my own boss,” he realized. That’s our cowboy! He tells us that the building was originally shipped to Irvine by rail car as a kit that could be purchased from So why isn’t Jim’s dream of arts and guests (he hosts writers, the Eaton’s catalogue. “All the nails, the windows the doors, the photographers, workshops, retreats, concerts, and the occasional wood, it was all there. But you had to put it together.” Thus, Tchaikovsky’s first movement ends dramatically, with the house being trucked down the road to Jim’s portion of the family ranch. The house celebrates its 100th birthday in 2013, which is also the 25th year of the annual Ranch Rendezvous GLBT Weekend. However, after spending this much time raising rare heritage breeds of cattle and poultry, running a successful B&B with a restaurant, bringing in artists for both performances and

26 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com professional development, and not making enemies of any of his immediate family, Jim is wanting a change. Now begins the concerto’s quieter, reflective 2nd movement as Jim considers the future of a single gay rancher. “I guess I’m getting lonely as I age; I don’t want to be alone. I want to share my life, and I’d love to share my property, but gay men don’t want to live in the country. If they can’t go shopping in a Wal-Mart, get a drink in a piano-bar, and get their hair done... (exasperated sigh); get a life! But they don’t want to feed chickens.” Fueling these recent reflections was certainly the passing of both of the Saville parents in 2012, separated by only a few months. Jim mentions seeing his mother being cared for in a nursing home like she was their own family. But with neither he nor his 3 siblings having any children, he wonders about the companionship he will retain as the senior years creep up. “I’ve never had a partner, (never found) anybody that would share this dream. Initially when I came here, when I was 30, I had this passion, to own and start my own business out in the country.” And he keeps trying new ones. For two years he used the dairy cattle to make his own cheeses: feta, havarti, cheddar. But the focus on that industry cut down on his travelling guests, which he couldn’t stand. And Jim is aware of the challenges of being gay in a ‘straight’ retirement home, so his business mind is whirling again: he put ads in a couple of local publications to see if anyone was interested in a gay retirement/semi-retirement home near his locale: he could make the Ranch into a place for like-minded seniors. “I’ve had quite a bit of response: there’s definite interest in that. As the baby-boomers age, whether you’re gay or straight, it doesn’t matter: there’s going to be issues with housing, and health-care and long-term care. So then I’m thinking, maybe I don’t need to sell this place.” “Though location does become critical as we age. And this house isn’t conducive to aging, with stairs to the loft, and stairs to the second-level bedrooms. But I thought that would be the easiest, just to stay here.” Besides, Jim has 25 years of Ranch Rendezvous (and the first two movements of the Piano Concerto) behind him: though he hasn’t heard the final notes yet, themes have been established and drama has been experienced. He mentions that some of his regulars casually threaten him when he discusses a possible sale: where would they go to kick up their heels in the hills? This year, the Rendezvous is from August 2nd to 5th, and there will be both a 100th and 25th anniversary celebration, with vintage fashion shows, music, hot tubs, games, meals, and all of the usual shenanigans. If you’ve attended, you’ll know what they are: if you haven’t, it’s a great opportunity to see some of the beauty in the Cypress Hills. Having gone out to see for ourselves, there’s definitely a little bit of magic as you descend into the Spring Valley. A fellow traveler gasped, “It’s like those beautiful little glens you see in the movies!” So if you’re an investor looking to put money into new developments, a hottie looking to settle down on a historical ranch, someone particularly interested in the prospects of LGBTQ retirement space, or a man or woman simply interested in the Ranch Rendezvous’ 25th incarnation, give Maverick Jim a call. He’s friendly to a fault, and the music hasn’t ended yet!

Ranch Rendezvous Aug 2nd – 5th Spring Valley Guest Ranch http://www.springvalleyguestranch.com

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www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 27 Out of Town 4 Unconventional Gay Seaside Getaways

 View from Homer Spit of Kachemak Bay and Alaska’s glacier-capped Kenai Mountains. Photo by Andrew Collins

by Andrew Collins unspoiled paradise - there’s also overnight camping. The Beach vacations come in many forms, especially in formerly workaday town of Rockland has come into its own the context of gay and lesbian travel. Years ago, GLBT in recent years, with several outstanding restaurants and travelers seeking summer fun at the shore tended to focus cafes - don’t miss In Good Company (ingoodcompanymaine. on several tried-and-true resort communities, primarily com), a dapper neighborhood wine bar with creative Provincetown, Ogunquit, Rehoboth, Fire Island, Laguna American cuisine, or Primo (primorestaurant.com), where Beach, Key West, and Saugatuck. Although all of these James Beard award-winning chef Melissa Kelly turns out stunning farm-to-table Mediterranean-inspired fare. The towns are as are still justly popular, with their lively gay key draw in Rockland is one of the country’s best small art beach bars and inviting accommodations, America has museums, the Farnsworth, which focuses on noted regional no shortage of quirky, scenic seaside communities with artists of international acclaim, including Louise Nevelson, progressive bents and welcoming vibes. George Bellows, and the Wyeth, who are celebrated with Here are four great little coastal towns - two on the West their own wing. Coast and two on the East Coast - you may not have thought Among recommended accommodations, Camden much about, especially if you live outside the regions is home to the GLBT-owned Camden Harbour Inn they’re in. Each has plenty going for it, from an abundance (camdenharbourinn.com), which is situated across from of romantic, gay-friendly inns to urbane restaurants to a harbor and has 18 warmly appointed rooms and suites, memorable cultural and recreational assets. plus a terrific restaurant. In Rockland, the gay-owned LimeRock Inn (limerockinn.com) is a handsome painted- Camden and Rockland, Maine lady Victorian B&Bs whose rooms are outfitted with all the To experience a less-developed, ruggedly scenic part of perks you’d expect of a modern hotel. A lavish breakfast is New England, make the two-hour drive north of Portland, included in the rates, and downtown restaurants are within Maine to visit the historic seaside communities along easy walking distance. western Penobscot Bay, including Rockland and Camden Homer, Alaska (mainesmidcoast.com). Maine’s Mid-Coast is a place for quiet vacations, ideal if you’re a hiker, photographer, You may not think of Alaska when you’re planning a fishing enthusiast, or sailor. Camden is home to a fleet of beach vacation, but the offbeat fishing town of Homer Windjammer sailing ships, which can be booked not only on (homeralaska.com) is an endearingly funky and gay-friendly multiple-day excursions throughout the region but also for coastal getaway popular both with residents and visitors afternoon jaunts along Penobscot Bay. to the Last Frontier. On the Kenai Peninsula and reached The craggy 1,000-foot peaks of Camden Hills State Park from Anchorage either by a stunning 220-mile drive or an delight outdoors enthusiasts - you can scamper along more easy 40-minute flight, the town is situated at the mouth of than 20 miles of rugged nature and hiking trails through this

28 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Kachemak Bay and affords dramatic views of the glacier- fare and laid-back yet efficient service, and the MacCallum capped Kenai Mountains. House (maccallumhouse.com) - also a nice place to stay - You can stroll among the cool coffeehouses and seafood serves some of the most accomplished regional American restaurants along Homer Spit, which pokes out into the cuisine on the Northern California coast. bay - good bets include Captain Patties Fish House, which Mendocino and nearby villages have a bounty of gay- serves delicious crab cakes and a nice selection of Alaska friendly inns and B&Bs, with an emphasis on unpretentious, microbrew beers, and Coal Town Coffee & Tea. A must-see rustic luxury. The J.D. House (jdhouse.com) is a lovely here is the fascinating Alaska Islands & Oceans Visitor eight-room B&B surrounded by fragrant gardens, and Center, but also note Homer’s many outdoorsy activities, with an invitingly simple and fresh country-chic aesthetic. from sea kayaking to road-biking to wildlife- and whale- Innkeepers Andrew Hindman and Damien Wood also run watching tours. two sister inns, the Packard House and Blue Door Inn. A For a splurge, consider taking a water-taxi across stylish “eco-resort” with one of the country’s most acclaimed Kachamak Bay to spend a couple of nights at the secluded vegan restaurants (Ravens’), the Stanford Inn by the Sea and rustic-elegant Tutka Bay Lodge, which overlooks (stanfordinn.com) has a breathtaking location overlooking a crystalline fjord and has its own cooking school run Mendocino Bay. by talented chef-owner Kirsten Dixon. Back in Homer, A short drive south of town near verdant Van Damme charming, gay-friendly accommodations include Brigitte’s State Park, the gay-owned Glendeven Inn (glendeven.com) Bavarian B&B (akms.com/brigitte), on a bluff outside town, looks like a Maine farmhouse and is surrounded by lush and the Bay Avenue B&B (bayavebb.com), a modern house gardens and dewy meadows. Most of the rooms here have with plenty of big windows and great views over the bay. private decks overlooking the ocean and are warmed by In Homer’s funky village center, notable dining options fireplaces, and the on-site wine bar is a wonderful dining abound - be sure to check out colorfully decorated Mermaid option. Another highlight is the gay-owned boutique resort Bistro (mermaidbistro.com), which serves out-of-this-world Stevenswood (stevenswood.com), which is nestled among salads, sandwiches, and pizzas with an emphasis on organic tall trees and open meadows and has 10 rooms decorated ingredients; colorful Café Cups (cafecupsofhomer.com), in a light and airy contemporary style. A big draw here is where you can feast on platters of tiger prawns with honey- the serene full-service spa. Also nearby is the the 65-room habanero sauce, and charbroiled filet mignon; and adorable Little River Inn (littleriverinn.com), a rambling and comfy Two Sisters Bakery, which is known for seafood chowder, hideaway with a friendly staff and charming rooms - it’s creative salads, and delectable baked goods. There’s not a perfect for a romantic getaway - room all face the ocean, and ton of nightlife in these parts, but offbeat Alice’s Champagne some with fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs. Palace (aliceschampagnepalace.com) is a fun spot for live Tybee Island, Georgia music, cold beer, and juicy burgers. Every bit as quirky, laid-back, and personable as historic Mendocino, California Savannah, which lies just a 20-minute drive inland, Tybee Among the many jewels of the rugged California coastline, Island (visittybee.com) is one of Georgia’s famed barrier islands, the beautiful little town of Mendocino (visitmendocino.com) an idyllic locale for beach-bumming, fishing, or boating. In May stands out for its rugged sea cliffs, charming New England– 2013, this colorful beachside community hosted its first Tybee inspired cottages, and serene seclusion. The town is just Gay Days (gaysavannah.com/tybee-gay-days), a weekend of 150 miles up the coast from San Francisco, and 80 miles parties and events that organizers plan an annual gathering. via the lovely Anderson Valley from the heart of the Sonoma You’ll find plenty of condo and cottage rentals on this Wine Country. compact island, making it a popular destination for extended This cliff-top community is in the heart of a region stays with groups of friends. One very good options is the where loggers, tourists, winegrowers, writers, farmers, LGBT-friendly Beachside Colony Resort (beachsidecolony. hippies, yuppies, and fishermen all more or less coexist com), which has upscale one-, two-, and three-bedroom condos harmoniously. And while it’s not really a gay mecca, it set among eight different buildings and adjoins the terrific, does have a strong following among same-sex couples who lesbian-owned restaurant and bar, Marlin Monroe’s Surfside appreciate the low-keyed vibe and alluring setting. Grill (marlinmonroessurfsidegrill.com). Here you can feast on The most intriguing activities in coastal Mendocino tasty seafood and minty mojitos while relaxing on the deck County usually involve one kind of touring or another. You overlooking the sea. Also check out the sister restaurant, can rent mountain bikes, kayaks, or canoes and explore Fannies on the Beach (fanniesonthebeach.com), which is steps the region’s rivers or country lanes. And you can hike along from the island’s colorful pier and pavilion. And off U.S. 80 as oceanfront bluffs that loom high over the frothy Pacific surf you enter the island, lively Coco’s Sunset Grille (cocostybee. and watch whales during the spring and fall migrations. A com) has occasional gay parties and is another sure bet for great place for this is Mendocino Headlands State Park, an delicious seafood. easy walk from downtown. Just north of Mendocino, the The fact that Tybee is so close to Savannah (visitsavannah. once-prosaic lumber town of Fort Bragg has lately gentrified com) makes it a great option if you’re keen on a vacation that with hip coffeehouses and fun restaurants - it’s also mixes beach relaxation with touring historic homes, tony home to such attractions as the 47-acre Mendocino Coast galleries, and upscale Southern restaurants - and, of course, Botanical Gardens, and the historic 21-mile Skunk Train you can always overnight in Savannah and visit Tybee as a scenic excursion railroad, which passes through soaring day-trip. Charming properties like the snazzy yet historic redwood groves. Mansion on Forsyth Park (mansiononforsythpark.com); the You can also go wine-touring in the adjacent Anderson stylish and art-filled Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront Valley, whose cool climate is particularly suitable for (bohemianhotelsavannah.com), and the sleek Andaz Savannah turning out stellar Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Mendocino (savannah.andaz.hyatt.com) are all favorites with gay travelers, County Wine (mendowine.com) has information on and Club One (clubone-online.com) is a hot spot for dancing tastings at dozens of vineyards open to the public. The and drag shows, it being the home nightclub of Lady Chablis, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil region has no shortage of stellar restaurants. Occupying of fame. a dark, wood-paneled room with big windows overlooking colorful gardens, 955 Ukiah (955restaurant.com) serves sophisticated California-style cuisine. Also outstanding, http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3539 the unassuming Moosse Café (themoosse.com), which is warmed by a fireplace, offers exceptional mod-American View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 29 Community

 Photos from Lethbridge Pride 2012, by GayCalgary Magazine

“We are very excited this year to have Shangela as our special guest headliner. Outloud Talent has been very Lethbridge Gay Pride supportive and helpful in making this happen,” Hollander says. “She is truly an amazing performer and one not to be By Krista Sylvester missed.” Shangela is of course a renowned drag queen who appeared Everyone loves a colourful parade and for the first time in its on RuPaul’s Drag Race and Glee, and will heat up the nights five year history, Lethbridge Pride Fest will be hosting one in of the festival. Shangela has quite the cult following and is a celebration of its half-decade anniversary. very exciting addition to the festival. She is the self-professed “We’re excited to celebrate our anniversary in style with big personality with even bigger hair drag queen that has the community,” Lethbridge Pride Fest Society chair Reid sprung to fame proving you truly never know where you may Hollander says. “And we’re having a parade, which is a end up one day. Following her dream, Shangela is a popular definite first for Lethbridge.” drag entertainer who stars in many television shows and The parade will take place at noon on Saturday June 22nd short films now, too. and Hollander invites everyone to cheer on the procession Hollander is also excited for the return of Fendi Ashleen along its route, starting at City Hall and heading north on La’fierce! Fendi, who has had numerous roles in Pride Fest Stafford Drive. Some confirmed participants in the parade over the last few years, will be performing throughout the include ARGRA, The Lethbridge HIV Connection and the week along with newcomer, Delores Van Cartier. Van Cartier Lethbridge Roller Derby Guild, just to name a few. grew up in the area, has spent some time out west, and will “It’s going to be a lot of fun and we really encourage people be coming home to perform for us. to come out and watch if they aren’t (already) in it,” Hollander The city of Lethbridge has been very supportive of the adds. festival, say the organizers who are happy to grow bigger in Lethbridge Pride Fest has grown a lot over its five year such an accepting city. Over the last two years the group history becoming a more public celebration over time, has been the recipient of funding from the “Heart of the City” Hollander explains. initiative and Downtown Lethbridge. “In past years, a celebration of Pride in June meant “Both programs encourage activities in the downtown core someone was having a backyard barbecue to celebrate. and we do our absolute best to make sure all of our events Pride was celebrated in private,” Hollander says. “From there are downtown. Both of these groups have sponsored us it became a celebration of friends at a restaurant, probably now for two years and we look forward to their continued because of all the dishes that had to be done.” support,” Hollander explains. “We’re also very happy to be one of the first events in the new Community Arts Centre But after a few years, the group needed a bigger restaurant, for Southern Alberta (CASA). It’s a great facility and we look which sparked “pride in the park” and from there it has forward to using it again.” grown into a weeklong – and sometimes month-long - festival that starts with a flag raising at City Hall. Hollander would also like to thank the volunteers, the sponsors and the supporters of the event. “Events of this size And as the festival grows, so does the entertainment. just can’t move as easily as they do without donations in all There is a ton on tap, focusing on local talent and popular forms.” headliners. “Shaela Miller and the Emma Austin Band are coming back for an encore and the group Cosmic Charlie impressed us so much last year at the Owl Acoustic Lounge we’re moving them onto the big stage in the park. Amy Bronson will be Lethbridge Pride singing solo and we’ve also signed The Ruby Plumes as well.” Fri, Jun 7th – Sat, Jun 22nd Barefoot at the Bordello, a group of fantastic entertainers http://www.lethbridgepridefest.com will also be performing for three nights over pride in partnership with the sponsor Barefoot Winery. The group will perform some of the skits from their 10th anniversary http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3540 show of “Pretty, Witty and Gay”, which will be hosted by View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments Lethbridge’s foremost camp queen Didi d’Edada.

30 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 31 32 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 33 34 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Natalie Maines Gets Real Dixie Chicks singer talks lesbian hair, Rachel Maddow crush and ‘fake’ country music

 Photo by Danny Clinch

By Chris Azzopardi In our recent chat, Maines revealed why she went rock To quote a Dixie Chicks song, fearless frontwoman (country “seemed so fake”), how being disowned – and her Natalie Maines has “been a longtime gone.” new short hair – made her feel closer to the gay community and whether now, a decade after her Bush outburst, she’s Seven years after one of the most successful country music ready to make nice. acts released Taking the Long Way, and its unapologetic single “Not Ready to Make Nice” in response to the singer’s GC: You’re sporting that punkish ’do; before, with the political dig at then-President George W. Bush, Maines goes Dixie Chicks, it was the long, blond locks. her own way for her first-ever solo album, Mother. Parting NM: I know. Well, with the Chicks, I definitely felt like I with longstanding bandmates Emily Robison and Martie was playing dress up a bit – but I liked it! Maguire for the album (don’t worry, she says there’s a GC: Are you conscious of your look and how it represents “50/50” chance for a reunion LP), it’s also decidedly not the music? country. NM: With two kids, there’s not enough time in the day to spend on what I look like; this is a much easier look. And it fits my personality more. I had short hair growing up, and it always felt right for me. GC: Has the short hair scored you more lesbian cred? NM: (Laughs) I barely leave my house. So maybe. But the lesbians liked me already! Yeah, this is definitely a lesbianish haircut I’ve got going on. I don’t mind. I love Rachel Maddow. She would be my lesbian girl crush. GC: Why Rachel? Continued on Next Page  www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 35  From Previous Page

NM: She’s hot! And she’s smart and beautiful … and I like of people – and that was all really positive. I was always her hair. able to separate business from personal – and my friends GC: I could see it working out between you two. weren’t fellow country artists, so I really didn’t care about that. What I cared about was being banned at a corporate NM: Yeah, I think that would work. I don’t know if my husband or her girlfriend would think so. (Laughs) level; it felt very un-American and very not OK to me, so that was my issue. And that is my issue with country music. GC: You’ve always had a really loyal gay fan base, even before you publicly chastised George W. Bush. How do you I don’t have an issue with country music fans. I don’t have explain your connection with gay fans? an issue with country music artists. I was very honest about my influences and the kind of music I came from – and NM: We had some very costume-y, over-the-top looks that country was not it. I say that now and people think, “Ooh, the gays do appreciate. (Laughs) But after the controversy, she’s mad at country,” and I never listened to country. I I feel like there was even more of a connection, and that’s would say that if ever asked, but I was never asked as much just because we both know how it feels to be hated just as I am now. But … I can’t remember what I was talking for who we are – not for doing anything, bothering anyone, about. (Laughs) murdering anyone or being arrested. Just for being us. Apparently, that’s not good in some people’s eyes. But also, GC: You were talking about not being fond of the country too, to just continue being and let other people get used to music industry. it – learning to be OK with yourself and just putting it out NM: Oh, you asked if I felt let down. I mean, it did suck there, and people can either like you or not, but it’s really to see all these radio stations cave so quickly to emails and on them. phone calls they were getting and feed the controversy, which was so really nothing and ridiculous. That did feel GC: Were you noticing more support from the gay community at shows after the incident? like a stabbing in the back, just because I felt like we waved that country flag and we had country pride for all those NM: Yeah. And we would get lots of emails, and a lot of the years. But everyone jumped on board. We were fun to hate. community would come right up and say, “I love that you did this. I didn’t listen to your music before, but after this, GC: That’s because you were ahead of your time. I went and bought every record.” However it was that they NM: Exactly. Always have been. showed their support, I definitely felt it. GC: When hardly anyone in country music was speaking GC: During the time country radio blacklisted the Dixie out about equal rights and gay marriage, you were. Chicks and country stars stopped supporting you, what was NM: Well, that’s why I was so shocked that people were it like for you behind the scenes? so shocked that I was a Democrat and wasn’t for the war! NM: At the time, I was just in fight mode and feeling defiant I mean, I did not ever feel like I was hiding something. To and ready to take on everything and everybody. Actually, at be in country music, I felt like we were accepted because the time, we were getting such overwhelming support and of our differences, really, and we went beyond your typical letters from people in the industry – actors and all sorts country fan base, and I feel like it was because we were different. It was a real surprise to me that people thought I was something that I wasn’t. I felt disappointed in myself! How could I let anyone think anything else?! (Laughs) But we did always answer questions if we were asked them, and I always supported women’s rights and gay marriage and everything. GC: Why do you think more country music artists haven’t taken that step in publicly supporting equal rights – even though some of them might? NM: Well, they weren’t speaking out about it before, either. But I’m sure some do. How I always viewed country music growing up – why I didn’t really relate to it or why I wasn’t drawn to it – was because, to me, it seemed so fake. Everyone was putting on these fake smiles, nobody had any anger and they were all just happy to be there. I just did not relate to that. Shoot. What was your question again? I get so on a soapbox! (Laughs) GC: About the lack of country artists advocating for equal rights. NM: I just think that’s the nature of country music. I don’t know. I just don’t feel like they ever have. I have to think that Faith Hill has answered that question, honestly, and that she’s for gay marriage. I don’t know that she is, but I’ve spoken to her some and I know that she’s a pretty liberal person. I don’t keep up with her press so I don’t want to assume these people haven’t spoken out. GC: Will there ever be another Dixie Chicks album? NM: I don’t know. It’s possible. I’d say 50/50. (Laughs) I try to not predict the future or project; I just really try to live in the now, so I’m open to it. I have no ill feelings about the Dixie Chicks. I think right now, it’s logistics. There are eight kids among the three of us and, for me, making an album takes a lot of focus and a lot of concentration and a lot of time, and I’m not willing to go to Texas to do that. I wouldn’t expect Martie and Emily to leave their families and come here to do that, either. I just think it’s really hard right now. GC: With the Dixie Chicks, you covered several Patty Griffin songs, and Mother features Griffin’s song “Silver

36 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com GC: Why was the seven years between Taking the Long Way and this new solo album a necessary break for you? NM: Basically because kids take a lot of time. (Laughs) I just decided to dive into motherhood and do that 100 percent – just try to enjoy this time and my life and my kids’ lives and be, you know, a stable force in their lives. I definitely felt like I had worked really hard and been on the road for over 10 years, so I did want to slow down and just get real for a while. So there was a lot of self-realization and a lot of things that went on, but yeah, I needed a long while to just … be. GC: Why was the distinction between this album and your work with the Dixie Chicks important to you? NM: It’s just bugged me whenever I would see lead singers do a solo album that sounded exactly like their band. It always seemed to be a way to get all the money for yourself. (Laughs) So I did want to be different. But I didn’t have to be conscious of that; this is just what I’m naturally drawn to. When we went into the studio, we didn’t even know we were making a record. I was very upfront about that with Ben (Harper’s) band, just because they were basically coming (to the studio) for free every day; they enjoyed music and they wanted to experiment and see what happens – but I wasn’t telling my management or my label, so there was no money coming from anywhere. It was really like a band starting from scratch, everybody putting in the same amount of time and hard work … and they got paid eventually. (Laughs) There just wasn’t a discussion; it was just very organic in what naturally comes to me musically or appeals to me. GC: Are you ready to make nice yet? NM: I don’t sit around stewing over it or thinking about it at all, but if making nice means making a country record and going back to that, then no, I’m not ready. GC: Has there been a peace agreement between you and Toby Keith? NM: Sure, I’ve got no issues. I don’t even think about any of these people. (Laughs) I wouldn’t have even thought of Toby Keith if he hadn’t put out a picture of me and Saddam Hussein cuddling. GC: He could’ve at least had you cuddling with Rachel Maddow. Gosh. NM: (Laughs) Exactly! Bell.” What is it about Patty and her songwriting that resonates with you so much? The darkness? The realness? NM: It’s all of that. I’m bad putting into words things like Natalie Maines - The Dixie Chicks that, but I love her songwriting. And I hate her because, not only has she written a million songs that are out there, she’s Playing the Stampede, July 12th got all these songs that we’ve never even heard. It’s so hard to write a song for me! And I’m so jealous that she has, like, http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3541 back stock. View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 37 Rewriting Jessie Ware Singer on career switch, big gay following and her wildest moment

 Photo by Cherrytree Records/Interscope

By Chris Azzopardi No, not at all. My grandma made me watch concerts of With all the due praise for Jessie Ware’s honeyed debut, JW: hers when I was younger and she was just obsessed. My mom Devotion, including a Mercury Prize nomination, no one’s took my grandma to a concert and I remember it very vividly. complaining that the Londoner dropped journalism for music. But no, it was more a later love and find when I started watching Least of all Ware herself. Yentl and Funny Girl and things like that, and actually getting As she heads stateside, the charming “Wildest Moments” so madly into the stuff that she did with Robin Gibb. singer chatted about changing careers, first recognizing a Are there other gay-loved singers you idolize that we do gay fan base while touring America and the Whitney Houston GC: as well? Bette Midler? album that inspired her debut. JW: Uh, hello! I’m partly calling my unborn child – my GC: Do you think you would’ve pursued a solo career if your daughter that I hopefully will have – C.C. because of C.C. Bloom mom hadn’t convinced you to? from Beaches, and also because my grandma is called Cecilia, JW: No. Probably not. It was a joint thing – my mom and my so I’m calling her that. Yeah, there’s a definite Bette Midler love friends put me in a session with some tracks. I felt like I was in there. I just love strong Jewish women. very lucky to have people who really had faith in me. GC: Mariah or Whitney? GC: Were you a good journalist? JW: Whitney was my one, my love. In fact, I had Whitney and JW: No, I was rubbish! That’s why I didn’t do it for that Barbra Streisand vinyls in the recording booth when I made my long. I found it really, really competitive and it just didn’t feel album just so if ever I wasn’t trying hard enough, I’d just look completely right for me. My father is a journalist and I was at them and be like, “Oh no, try harder. Babs wouldn’t do that. under the impression that it’s very glamorous and that I’d be a Whitney wouldn’t do that.” hard-hitting journalist, but no. I just wasn’t very good. GC: Which Whitney album? GC: Isn’t music competitive, too? JW: I had the Whitney Houston one – the orange vinyl where JW: Yeah, but I feel like I was extremely lucky with how I she looks very elegant. came into music, because I had people really rooting for me Why do you think gay men gravitate toward big female and so I didn’t feel quite guilty about it. I didn’t really have that GC: voices like those and yours so much? struggle. I went from backing singer to solo singer, but I was so content being a backing singer. It was really my mates pushing JW: Look, I don’t know, but maybe it’s the drama. There’s me to get in a session on my own, which I was petrified about. always a huge passion. I don’t know if it stems from musical theater and the kind of fabulousness of it. I don’t know. You Look, I put my time in as a backing singer and I was a dance tell me. You’re gay! vocalist, but it felt sometimes too good to be true with how generous people were with me, giving me these opportunities. GC: I like to say we have good taste. GC: Your Twitter wallpaper is Barbra Streisand. What kind of JW: (Laughs) It’s good taste, but also I feel like you’re always influence has she had on you and your career? the ones who have your finger on the pulse. You’re always the first to know about people. You’re breaking me! You know what, JW: She’s brilliant and just so charismatic. I just think she’s when I came in January and I saw how many gay people were at a great, great singer and a great performer, and you can just my gigs, I breathed a sigh of relief, I’m not gonna lie. I thought, learn a lot from watching any performance of hers – that you “OK, yes, they’re on my side. Wicked. Let’s go.” must never forget to try your hardest all the time. GC: Were you doing a club tour? GC: Were you an obsessive fan as a kid? JW: No, I didn’t, actually. The only club that I played was in San Francisco, which I think had quite a renowned gay club

38 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com night and that was amazing. been a bit exhausting on the It was the second sellout of ears. Don’t get me wrong, the tour. It was just amazing. live I go for it a bit more I loved it. But I have really because I think it’s more catered to the gays in the new necessary. But I definitely video (for “Imagine It Was Us”). wanted to be able to exist It’s got voguing and lots of in people’s homes, cars and beautiful men with no tops on just in the background, and and choreographed dancing I didn’t want people to want and a disco feel to it. to turn me down. GC: Thank you so much! GC: Were there times JW: Pleasure! while recording where you just wanted to let your voice GC: When were you aware that you had a gay following? rip? I feel like you could’ve gone there with “Running.” JW: I only really realized when I came to America. You JW: For “Running,” it’s know what, I’m still working just enough, I think. I keep out who’s coming to see me that really long note, and anyway, but when I saw all you should see how long I these beautiful black men at keep it in the live show. It’s the front (at one of the shows) ridiculous. I try to test myself I was like, “Oh, heyyy,” and and see how long I can hold they’d be like, “Gurrrrlfriend!” that note, but no, I think it’s It was definitely America that not about me showing off made me realize you were on on a vocal; it’s more about my side. what’s necessary for the song. GC: What song on Devotion speaks most to your gay fans? GC: What’s been your wildest moment so far? JW: I feel like quite a lot of them like “Taking in Water,” and JW: Probably getting I don’t know if that’s because the A$AP Rocky verse in it’s about my brother and they the inbox (for the “Wildest know that. It was written when Moments” remix). That was he was having a really tough pretty amazing and nobody time, which could’ve been really thought it was going partly to do with sexuality and to happen. We were just the struggle of that. about to deliver the album, and then he popped up in GC: Did you write it about everyone’s inbox with the him and his struggle with his verse. sexuality? GC: With artists like you, JW: It’s not just about that. Adele and Florence Welch, It’s kind of the aftermath of and several other emerging coming out. I don’t know. It’s female performers who about a few things. I was very actually wear clothes, I’m protective of him but I wasn’t reminded of the early ’90s very good at expressing it, when Mariah, Whitney and and then I kind of wrote this Celine didn’t have to look song. I’m not saying the song  Photo by James Moriarty like floozies to sell records. made us closer at all, but we What do you think of this definitely are much tighter now. new wave of women who are I make sure everyone knows he’s in the audience when he is bringing a more sophisticated – and clothed – look back? and I make sure everyone knows it’s about my little brother. JW: Oh, I love it. Whenever I dress up, it’s always gotta be GC: How has having a gay brother influenced the way you something that my mother would be happy with me wearing, feel about gay rights? so I always have that in the back of my mind. But yeah, I think JW: I’ve always felt really protective of my brother. I think we it’s brilliant. What’s better than a classy woman who can sing? all kind of knew he was gay from quite a young age, and I felt I mean, I show my tummy a lot. But I think I can get away with like he was picked on at school because of maybe him being a little bit of midriff. more effeminate and not being able to come out and it became GC: What’re you wearing now, then? an issue. He was having to defend himself and he wasn’t even sure if he was gay yet. You can still see it happening, and JW: A knitted pink crop top with a really big roll-neck and a people are still so casually homophobic without even knowing lovely silk jacket with high-waisted trousers and slippers. it, whether it be, “Oh, that’s so gay.” Things like that. It really GC: So you’re completely covered. annoys me. I feel very protective of him and I’d like to do more JW: There is a tiny bit of midriff. I’m so sorry. supporting gay rights, absolutely, because it’s close to home for me. I don’t think he’s had an easy time being gay, to be honest. It’s been harder for him, I think. GC: You really demonstrate a lot of self-control on this album, and the album is better because of that. Were you conscious of keeping your voice in check? http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3542 JW: Absolutely. I wanted to tell stories and draw people in and not inundate them with a big powerhouse vocal. It would’ve View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 39 Murs Invasion British crooner on exhibitionism, gay rumors and cracking America

 Photos by Bella Howard

Chris Azzopardi thong for an all-queer crowd, championed games of gay Olly Murs isn’t your average straight dude. The U.K. X chicken and been on the receiving end of a man-spank. Factor alum, who recently released his proper stateside We, uh, uncovered all the nitty-gritty in our recent chat debut Right Place Right Time, has stripped down to a with Murs, who also addressed the gay rumors, taking on America and the threesome he’d like to have with a Kate Beckinsale look-alike … and yours truly? GC: Some straight guys might have a problem being as chummy as you are with the gays, but not you. Why’s that? OM: Personally, it’s because I’m so comfortable with my sexuality. I know I like women and it’s simply that. I’ve had gay friends and it’s never been a problem. Sure, there’s obviously boundaries you can’t cross, but nine times out of 10, it doesn’t bother me. I find that gay guys are really funny and quite bitchy – but in a good way. It’s always very funny and it never bothers me if, like, they slap my bum. It’s not like I’m freaked out by it. I don’t care. That’s why I’m so chill with it. GC: Using the Kinsey Scale, where 0 is exclusively hetero and 6 is exclusively homo, how gay is your fan base? OM: Well, it’s funny, because I’ve done a couple of big events in the U.K. I performed at G-A-Y a few times, and every time I perform I have a really great response from the gay fans. I’m really comfortable with my sexuality, and to be around gay guys is fine. I enjoy their company and they enjoy the music as well, which is good. 40 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com GC: So we’re saying maybe a 3 on the scale? OM: It’s about 3 to 6. I reckon quite a lot of guys like me. GC: Some interviews you’ve done address how not gay you are. Is that something that comes up a lot? OM: Yeah, like I said, I’m really comfortable with my sexuality and I’m really extroverted and I like having a good time. Some people have even said, “He’s obviously gay,” because I like to have a good time and I don’t really care. Some people struggle with that. GC: What do you make of the gay rumors? OM: I’m straight and I love girls, but I’ve always been able to hang around with gay guys and have a laugh. I think sometimes that offends straight guys for some reason. I don’t know why they decide to write stupid rumors on Twitter and in different magazines saying that I’m gay. I just think that’s ridiculous. The fact is, they’re probably more worried about their own sexuality than I am. There are so many people in this industry that I’m friends with who are gay, and if I was so dead against talking to gay people, what kind of person am I? I think that’s just ridiculous. We’re all human beings. We’re all the same. Whether you’re gay, straight, bisexual – it doesn’t matter. But for me, I think it’s quite clear that I’m straight and that I like women. So I don’t know. It’s unfortunate. But hey, who cares. GC: I hear you’re a pro at gay chicken. OM: (Laughs) You know, I’ve played it twice now. Obviously the game is a straight guy vs. a gay guy, and normally you’d think that a gay guy would last longer. Well, I’ve done it twice now and both gay guys have turned away, which is funny. GC: So you win? OM: I won both times! GC: If you could pick any dude celebrity and play gay chicken with him, who would you pick? OM: Good question. Who do you think I could play with in America? GC: Anderson Cooper? Neil Patrick Harris? OM: Could I do it with Mila Kunis? (Laughs) I’d like to see if Will Ferrell would do it. I’d like to see if he’d actually go for it. I think he would. Continued on Next Page  www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 41  From Previous Page

GC: Who are two gay artists who’ve influenced success and to see how much we’ve sold over you musically? there, it’s brilliant. OM: Definitely Elton John. He’s incredible. GC: What kind of exposure did The X Factor I’d probably say George Michael, as well. give you? Regardless of his personal life and the problems OM: It gave me an amazing opportunity. he’s been through, his music and his ability to Reality TV shows seem to put a negative sing and his performances – he’s an amazing spin sometimes on artists, and people artist. Elton John and George Michael are the don’t seem to like that I came from The X two who’ve really inspired me in some way, Factor. For me, it gave me an opportunity to shape or form musically. showcase my personality as well as my voice GC: Your first album, In Case You Didn’t and my performing, and obviously I was able to Know, never had a proper release in showcase that to lot of girls and female fans the U.S., and then the label scrapped – and, of course, the male fans. People that for Right Place Right Time. What liked it and I enjoyed what I did. It happened there? was great for me, and it’s given me OM: To be honest, I always felt it the most amazing job and I love it was a bit weird. I was always unsure very, very much. I hope I get to do about releasing that album over it for many years to come. here. I wanted a really good album, GC: You’ve toured with One but it didn’t feel like it was the Direction. Were you a fan of boy right album to bands growing up? release OM: Yeah, massive! I was here NSYNC all the way, as well as at the Backstreet Boys. I was also a moment. massive Spice Girls fan back in I was the day. I mean, come on, every writing at guy hates to admit it, but we all the time, bought or danced to their songs so I said in a club at some point. to the label, GC: What’s your go-to Spice “Look, hold off for Girls song? a minute; let me just finish this album.” I told the U.S. label, “I OM: For me, it’s, (singing) “Stop have this really good album coming right now, thank you very much; I out. I’m really pleased with it. It’s need somebody with a human touch.” got ‘Troublemaker,’ which I think GC: Let’s talk about this naked will be a big song in the U.K. and infatuation you have. Pics I’ve seen hopefully in America.” on the web show you either with your GC: How is this album different shirt off, pants off, something off. And you than In Case You Didn’t Know? stripped at G-A-Y. Are you an exhibitionist? OM: This album has much more OM: No, I don’t know why. I just, for some depth to it. It’s much more mature. reason, have taken a lot of clothes off in the last It’s cooler. I think the American three years. And people have taken pictures and audience is gonna love it a lot more. caught me with my clothes off. But maybe I am an The title, for me, says it all: Right exhibitionist. I’m not afraid to take my clothes off; Place Right Time. It feels like the right that’s basically it. It just happens. If someone dares place and the right time for me. me to do something, I always do it. GC: What’s been the biggest GC: What’s the most ridiculous dare you’ve been asked challenge of cracking America? to do? OM: It’s a massive market. I’ve OM: Oh god, I was asked to dress up in drag for my never had my expectations high in documentary (Olly: Life on Murs). It just got weird. They America; I’ve always kept them low, wanted me to dress up as a drag queen and sing one of my and I always knew it was gonna be songs at a proper evening night at a gentleman’s club or a tough challenge. I’ve noticed a something. I was like, “No way am I doing that! I don’t think massive change in the last year. I I can do it. I’m not that good at it.” came from a TV show here in the GC: What don’t we know about you? U.K. – obviously, X Factor – so I OM: I can’t stand raw tomatoes. I hate olives. I’m a 32 came off that show with a huge waist. I am conscious of my belly and I wish I could have fan base who knew who I was a six-pack. And I love Kate Beckinsale. She’s my ideal without any music coming out, woman. but in the states, people don’t GC: So maybe a game of chicken with her, too? really know me, so people haven’t got to know me as a OM: If you could arrange it. We’ll do a threesome. person; they’re just listening We’ll have a gay guy, a really hot Kate Beckinsale look- to my music. I haven’t really alike and me. been over there that much GC: I’m in. to do lots of TV shows or OM: Let’s do it. big performances. To be at the point where we are now, with how http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3543 well the singles have done, and to see that View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

42 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 43 Interview

won over a good portion of his hometown. “Eventually I just came out and started being me. Everyone started to love me, Seth Knight and wanted to hang with me. Now, when I visit, I get a warm welcome.” “Twink of the Year” comes to PURE Pride Edmonton Out is activism enough for the young star, however. Pride events aren’t something that he seeks out specifically, and as for becoming an outspoken advocate? “Being in the public By Nick Winnick eye is enough for me. When you do porn, you’re in the public eye a lot.” No argument with that last point, given that Knight Festival season is kicking off once more, and Edmonton’s has been featured in more than a dozen films in a little over Pride week is right near the top of the docket. Organized two years. Those who’ve grown to love Knight’s work on film by PURE Pride Entertainment, PURE Pride kickoff may be in for a disappointment, though, as it seems that parties are fast becoming a fixture of western Canada’s Knight isn’t particularly keen to be a public figure on a long- major Pride festivals. Headlining this year’s Edmonton term basis. For the foreseeable future, he’s transitioned event are Jujubee, Nick Bertossi, and the stunning away from film, and is only booking personal appearances adult film actor Seth Knight, with whom I recently had like those coming up in Edmonton and Saskatoon. His real a chance to speak. focus at this point in his life, he tells me, is starting his career outside of adult entertainment. While performing, the If you like your pornstars lithe, strong, and smooth, the industrious Knight found time to complete his schooling as name is doubtless familiar. Knight’s career in porn started at a cosmetologist and dental assistant - no word on when he’ll a dead run with him being named Twink.com’s 2011 Twink of be taking clients. the Year just two months after his debut. Starting out light, I Far from seeming disillusioned about his time in porn, asked Knight about maintaining that physique. Does he have Knight remembers several of his co-stars, and the experiences a specific workout routine, or is he a calorie-counter? he had working with them, fondly. Among his favourites was “No, I eat like a fatty,” he laughed. “It’s hard for me to gain Jake Genesis, who he liked enough to date seriously for a weight [and] I try to work out as much as possible.” time. “Yes, sadly it didn’t work,” Knight said, “but wish him Knight’s only prior visit to Canada was all business; a shoot the best.” And if you’ve developed a taste for Seth’s exquisite in Montreal with Jake Bass and Gabriel Clark. Nice work if figure, don’t despair. He certainly hasn’t ruled out the you can get it. As for Edmonton, and his encore performance possibility of performing again, and would especially like to in Saskatoon? reprise his performances with Trenton Ducati and Gabriel “I’m very excited for these two towns because I’ve never Clark. He’s also on the lookout for opportunities to perform been. I’m very excited to meet fans, sign autographs, and I’m with Adam Killian, Tom Wolfe, and Austin Wolfe. definitely excited for [The Starlight Room’s] V.I.P.” Wherever Knight’s future takes him, we certainly haven’t It’s safe to say that Edmonton is in for a treat. When I asked seen the last of this ambitious young Texan. For right now, about his previous live performance experience, Knight very you can see him at PURE Pride, where the party’s organizer, nearly demurred. While he has worked clubs in the past, this Dale Plourde, promises a show full of theatricality, suspense, will be his first time in the limelight. “To be honest,” he told and a soundtrack that can’t be - if you’ll forgive the phrasing me, “I’ve never done a live appearance in front of people, so - topped. this will be a new experience for me. I’m a little nervous.” Do be gentle with the poor boy, gentlemen. Not that the experience is likely to ruffle any of Knight’s Seth Knight feathers. True to his easygoing Texan upbringing, Knight appears well-armoured against the slings and arrows life Performing at PURE Pride Edmonton, June 8th launches his way. Chatting about his background, Knight Saskatoon’s Odeon Events Centre, June 15th told me that he “grew up in Wichita Falls, so it was a little difficult because it’s a lot of straight, redneck cowboys.” As with many gay teens, his local rumour mill had essentially http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3544 given him a de-facto outing before he came out himself. Ever View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments unflappable, Knight embraced his identity and eventually

44 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com A Bombshell with a Beautiful Heart Jujubee lights up Edmonton’s PURE Pride night

By Janine Eva Trotta Jujubee says it was clear from a very young age that she was On Saturday, June 8th any fan of drag not in Edmonton’s destined to be a performer, despite the economic struggles faced by Starlite Room will surely be burning with envy. Pure Pride her family. 2013 was lucky to land blossoming star and busy globe trotter “I knew since I was a child that performing would be my life,” she says. “It was my way of leaving reality and creating a new world for Jujubee amidst her stops in Paris, France, throughout the me and my sisters.” United States and onto Amsterdam. Like many eccentric souls, growing up in Fresno, California, she Of Laotian descent but born in Boston, Massachusetts, the striking never really felt she fit in. Jujubee was created by Airline, who always Jujubee received world attention when she was selected among the had a passion for musicals and theatre and auditioned wherever he most talented queens in America to compete as a contestant on could. RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 2 at the age of 25. “It’s really funny thinking back, because I’m not sure there was “It was an amazing experience,” she says. “I can’t say I have that really anything to fit into,” she says. “I struggled with being different, many experiences in films, but RuPaul’s Drag Race has opened up but my family was poor so that was always first on my mind.” many doors for me.” Her first experience performing drag occurred unexpectedly when Doors to an unthinkable amount of nightclubs, Pride fests, she was 16. cabarets and shows worldwide. Since June of last year Jujubee has “It wasn’t a planned situation, but it definitely opened my eyes to averaged roughly three performances per week at various venues. the art,” she describes. Though the travel has to be wearing, she says she is happy to be Airline attended the University of Massachusetts Amherts, doing what she loves. studying Theatre Arts. “My international experiences include Cape Town, South Africa; The name Jujubee was selected for him by his drag mom, Karisma Dublin, Ireland; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Vancouver and soon I’ll be Geneva Jackson Tea. Though the name didn’t catch straightaway, seeing the beautiful faces of Edmonton! I can’t wait!” Jujubee kept it because of its significance to Karisma. Continued on Next Page  www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 45  From Previous Page

Jujubee is the eldest of a tight female clan she says is full of queen stars with co Drag Race contestants Raven and Tyra Sanchez dramatics – great training for a diva. in RuPaul’s humourous and colourful music video, Don’t be Jealous “My youngest sister just moved in so there’s glitter everywhere!” of my Boogie, what some are hailing RuPaul’s best track yet. she exclaims. “My friends and family have always been supportive. I “Being in one of RuPaul’s music videos is surreal,” Jujubee couldn’t be happier having them in my life!” describes. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would happen.” The ladies share an abode in Boston with Jujubee’s doting fiancé “The making of the video was so fun and again, Tyra, Raven and I of 7.5 years, Chris. had the chance to grow together as drag queens.” “…and if you count the cats (Mister and Priss), we already have a Jujubee says she got on well with everyone on the show and still family,” she says. does. Though Jujubee does not name dance as one of her talents (it is “Raven and I became friends quickly and I’m sure we’ll be friends said – however – that she is a great cook), she certainly possesses an for a very long time; Tyra and I always have a great time when we electric grace that the camera has no problems capturing. The drag see each other,” she says. “The three of us definitely shared many moments together that will forever be remembered.” Fans definitely pick up on the charm and charisma that the star radiates. Jujubee achieved second runner up during her season of Drag Race, and received a 2010 nomination for the NewNowNext Award for “Most Addictive Reality Star”. Her style and demeanour come completely naturally. “As far as fashion goes, I just wear what I like,” she says. “I’m not one who knows much about who’s who and what’s in, but I do know fashion is what you make of it.” Despite being relatively new to performance, Jujubee’s confidence landed her a role as professor on RuPaul’s Drag U Season 2 and Season 3, got her to The Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 2011 runway for Richie Rich, made her a model for LOGO’s The Arrangement, and scored her a spot in her first commercial ad – for Absolut Vodka. “Wear it, own it and be yourself,” she states. Life in the limelight does not prevent her from giving back to the community. Jujubee is an activist and voice for gay rights, human rights and animal rights, and donates her time to a variety of charities. The starlet says she doesn’t like to plan much, and takes things as they come. That said, she promises future projects are brewing, so keep your feelers out. “One of my dreams is to write and sing,” she says. To pick up tickets to Pure Pride 2013 with Jujubee, Seth Knight, Nick Bertossi and more, visit ticketfly.com.

Jujubee Twitter: @jujuboston http://www. jujubeeonline.com PURE Pride 2013 http://www.purepride.ca

http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3545 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

46 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Photography

Edmonton Queer Prom ISCWR - Leather Feathers and Fur photos by B&J and Karen Hofmann photos by B&J and Rob Browatzke

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 47 Photography

Annual LGBT Campout in Wayne, Alberta Calgary Outlink Kiss-in http://gaycalgary.com/pa490 http://gaycalgary.com/pa489

48 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Photography

Grand Opening of UpStares Ultralounge, Edmonton http://gaycalgary.com/pa494

Congratulations Argintina Party at Cowboys Nightclub, Calgary http://gaycalgary.com/pa491

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Fairytales Film Fest, Calgary http://gaycalgary.com/pa492

50 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Photography

NAGVA Weekend, Calgary http://gaycalgary.com/pa493

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 51 52 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 53 Despite admitting he never left the campground during his first visit to the pool parties for the past 3 years. Aside from the Rodeo which he calls his “little ARGRA Rodeo in 1999, Darrel Reid has come a long way. He has been on the hobby”, the two enjoy spending time and socializing with family and friends. ARGRA board of directors for 8 years, starting as Fundraising Director for 2 Darrel has worked as a residential service provider for disabled individuals years, then as Sponsorship Director for another 2, and finally Rodeo Director for the past 22 years. He has worked in this field all his life, and continues to for the past 4. train in Special Education while providing care for several individuals out of Darrel lives with Ron Gargas, his partner of 10 years. Their house, his home. Although this means he has to share his personal space, he prefers affectionately nicknamed “Chateau Aubergine Urban Spa” for the indoor hot working out of the home because it allows him greater freedom and control of tub and outdoor swimming pool, has been the location of the ARGRA summer his life. http://gaycalgary.com/pa496

54 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Directory & Events

24 DOWNTOWN CALGARY

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13 N

1 Calgary Outlink------Community Groups 13 Westways Guest House-----Accommodations 35 One Yellow Rabbit------Theatre 59 East Village Cafe------Bars and Clubs 2 Aids Calgary------Community Groups 16 Priape Calgary------Retail Stores 36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects------Theatre 60 Cowboys Nightclub------Bars and Clubs 3 Backlot------Bars and Clubs 24 Courtney Aarbo------Services 37 Pumphouse Theatre------Theatre 5 Texas Lounge------Bars and Clubs 33 Twisted Element------Bars and Clubs 41 La Fleur------Retail Stores 6 Goliath’s------Bathhouses 34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------Theatre 58 Theatre Junction------Theatre

Club Sapien (CLOSED) FIND OUT! CALGARY  1140 10th Ave SW FAB (CLOSED) LGBT Community Directory Accommodations  1742 - 10th Ave SW 13 Westways Guest House------✰  216 - 25th Avenue SW  403-229-1758 Bathhouses/Saunas GayCalgary Magazine is the go-to source for information about  1-866-846-7038  [email protected] 6 Goliaths------✰ Alberta LGBT businesses and community groups—the most  www.gaywestways.com  308 - 17 Ave SW  403-229-0911 extensive and accurate resource of its kind! This print supplement  www.goliaths.ca contains a subset of active community groups and venues, with Bars & Clubs  Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day premium business listings of paid advertisers. 3 Backlot------✰  209 - 10th Ave SW  403-265-5211 Community Groups ✰...... Find our Magazine Here ...... Wheelchair Accessible  Open 7 days a week, 2pm-close 2 AIDS Calgary------✰  110, 1603 10th Avenue SW 60 Spot something inaccurate or outdated? Want your business or Cowboys Nightclub------ 403-508-2500  421 12th Avenue SE organization listed? We welcome you to contact us!  [email protected] 5 Texas Lounge------✰  www.aidscalgary.org     308 - 17 Ave SW 403-229-0911 Alberta Society for Kink 403-543-6960 1-888-543-6960  www.goliaths.ca  403-398-9968  Open 7 days a week, 11am-close  [email protected]  [email protected] 33 Twisted Element------✰  http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/  1006 - 11th Ave SW  403-802-0230 group.albertasocietyforkink  www.twistedelement.ca Apollo Calgary - Friends in Sports Dance Club and Lounge. http://www.gaycalgary.com/CalgaryTravelRSS  www.apollocalgary.com http://www.gaycalgary.com/EdmontonTravelRSS 59 East Village Bistro  www.myapollo.com  2nd floor, 610 - 8 Avenue SE A volunteer operated, non-profit organization serving Local Bars, Restaurants, and Accommodations info on the go! Restaurant and lounge. primarily members of the LGBT communities but open to all members of all communities. Primary focus is to provide Calgary Eagle Inc. (CLOSED) members with well-organized and fun sporting events and http://www.gaycalgary.com/Directory  424a - 8th Ave SE other activities. Browse our complete directory of over 650 gay-frieindly listings! www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 55 Directory & Events

Wing Night------ 5-8pm Alcoholics Anonymous------ 8pm Friday, June 21st Calgary Events At 59 East Village Cafe  Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW Stomp and Swoosh------ 8pm Mondays Student Night------ 6pm-6am By Calgary Men’s Chorus Buddy Night------ 6pm-6am At 6 Goliaths Saturdays  Rosza Centre, U of C At 6 Goliaths Mosaic Youth Group------ 7-9pm Coffee------ 10am Wednesday, June 26th By Prime Timers Calgary   Old Y Centre (223 12th Ave SW) ASK Meet and Greet------7-9:30pm  Midtown Co-op (1130 - 11th Ave SW) Pistols and Pearls------ 10pm  Bonasera (1204 Edmonton Tr. NE) Thursdays By ISCCA at Texas Lounge Alcoholics Anonymous------ 8pm  Thursday, June 27th Inside Out Youth Group------7-9pm Lesbian Seniors------ 2pm  Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) See 1 Calgary Outlink  Kerby Center, Sunshine Room  3rd 1227 Kensington Close NW Wet Jockey Contest------ 10pm Tuesdays 1133 7th Ave SW At Backlot Sundays  Uniform Night------ 6pm-6am Monday, July 1st Calgary Networking Club------5-7pm Worship Time------ 10am See 1 Calgary Outlink  1st At 6 Goliaths See Deer Park United Church Survivor Party------ 5pm  Lesbian Meetup Group------ 7:30-9pm By ARGRA at Backlot Student Night------6pm-6am Worship------ 10:30am At 6 Goliaths At 1 Calgary Outlink  1st See Scarboro United Church Friday, July 5th  Alcoholics Anonymous------ 8pm Between Men------7-9pm Sunday Services------ 10:45am Drag Queen H2O------ 10pm See 1 Calgary Outlink  2nd, 4th  Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW See Hillhurst United Church By ISCCA at Backlot  Karaoke------8pm-12:30am Worship Services------ 11am Sunday, July 7th At 5 Texas Lounge Karaoke------ 7pm At 3 Backlot See Knox United Church BBQ and Show------ 5-7pm Fetish Slosh------ Evening By ISCCA at Backlot Fridays Church Service------ 4pm At 3 Backlot  2nd See Rainbow Community Church Sunday, July 14th Illusions------ 7-10pm Alcoholics Anonymous------ 8pm See 1 Calgary Outlink  1st Flashlight Night------ 6pm-6am   Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) Broke Back Brunch------11am-2pm At 6 Goliaths By Osteria with Crowsn for Kids 1227 Kensington Close NW Womynspace------ 7-9pm Wednesday, June 5th Wednesdays See 1 Calgary Outlink  2nd Tee Dance------ 2-9pm 3rd Anniversary Party------ All Day By Osteria with Crowns for Kids  New Directions------ 7-9pm Communion Service------12:10pm By 3 Backlot See Knox United Church See 1 Calgary Outlink  3rd Saturday, July 27th Sunday, June 9th Pool Night------ Evening Heading Out------ 8pm-10pm Annual BBQ------ All Day At 59 East Village Cafe with Prime Timers Calgary See 1 Calgary Outlink  4th Annual General Meeting------ 1pm By Pushing Petals  By ISCCA at East Village Cafe 1209 5th Avenue NW

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

• Western Cup 31 • Running (Calgary Frontrunners) • Monthly Dances------✰ • Calgary Lesbian Ladies Meet up Group  www.westerncup.com  YMCA Eau Claire (4th St, 1st Ave SW)  Arrata Opera Centre (1315 - 7 Street SW) • Between Men and Between Men Online  [email protected] • Badminton (Absolutely Smashing) East Doors (directly off the Bow river pathway). Distances Calgary Gay Fathers • Heading Out  6020 - 4 Avenue NE vary from 8 km - 15 km. Runners from 6 minutes/mile to  [email protected] • Illusions Calgary  [email protected] 9+ minute miles.  http://www.calgarygayfathers.ca • Inside Out Peer support group for gay, bisexual and questioning • New Directions • Boot Camp • Slow Pitch fathers. Meeting twice a month.  Platoon FX, 1351 Aviation Park NE  [email protected] • Womynspace  [email protected] Calgary Men’s Chorus • Squash  http://www.calgarymenschorus.org • Bowling (Rainbow Riders League)  Mount Royal University Recreation Calgary Queer Book Club  Let’s Bowl (2916 5th Avenue NE)  [email protected] • Rehearsals  Weeds Cafe (1903 20 Ave NW)  [email protected]  All skill levels welcome. Temple B’Nai Tikvah, 900 - 47 Avenue SW Deer Park United Church/Wholeness Centre • Curling • Tennis Calgary Sexual Health Centre------✰  77 Deerpoint Road SE  403-278-8263  North Hill Curling Club (1201 - 2 Street NW)  [email protected]  304, 301 14th Street NW  http://www.dpuc.ca  [email protected]  403-283-5580 • Volleyball (Beach)  http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca Different Strokes • Golf  [email protected] A pro-choice organization that believes all people have the  http://www.differentstrokescalgary.org  [email protected] right and ability to make their own choices regarding their FairyTales Presentation Society • Volleyball (Competitive) sexual and reproductive health. • Lawn Bowling  [email protected]  403-244-1956  http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com  [email protected] 1 Calgary Outlink------✰ • Volleyball (Recreational)  Old Y Centre (303 – 223, 12 Ave SW) Alberta Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. • Outdoor Pursuits  [email protected]  [email protected]  403-234-8973 • DVD Resource Library If it’s done outdoors, we do it. Volunteer led events all • Yoga  [email protected] Over a hundred titles to choose from. Annual membership summer and winter. Hiking, camping, biking, skiing, snow  Robin: 403-618-9642  http://www.calgaryoutlink.com is $10. shoeing, etc. Sign up at myapollo.org to get updates on  [email protected] • Peer Support and Crisis Line Gay Friends in Calgary the sport you like. We’re always looking for people to  1-877-OUT-IS-OK (1-877-688-4765) lead events. Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA)  http://www.gayfriendsincalgary.ca  www.argra.org Front-line help service for GLBT individuals and their family Organizes and hosts social activities catered to the LGBT and friends, or anyone questioning their sexuality. people and friends. Girl Friends  [email protected]  members.shaw.ca/girlfriends Girlsgroove  http://www.girlsgroove.ca Hillhurst United Church  1227 Kensington Close NW  (403) 283-1539

56 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Directory & Events

 Calgary Contd.  [email protected] to address violence. For same-sex domestic violence SafeWorks Bathhouses/Saunas  www.hillhurstunited.com information, resources and a link to our survey please see Free and confidential HIV/AIDS and STI testing. our website. 11 Steamworks------✰ HIV Peer Support Group • Calgary Drop-in Centre  403-230-5832 Scarboro United Church  11745 Jasper Ave  780-451-5554  Room 117, 423 - 4th Ave SE  http://www.steamworksedmonton.com  [email protected]  134 Scarboro Avenue SW  403-699-8216  403-244-1161  www.scarborounited.ab.ca  Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm, Sat: 12:15pm-3:15pm ISCCA Social Association An affirming congregation—the full inclusion of LGBT Community Groups  http://www.iscca.ca people is essential to our mission and purpose. • Centre of Hope Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch. Charity  Room 201, 420 - 9th Ave SE Alberta Bears fundraising group.. Sharp Foundation  403-410-1180  Mon-Fri: 1pm-5pm  www.beefbearbash.com  403-272-2912 Knox United Church  [email protected] • Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre AltView Foundation  506 - 4th Street SW  403-269-8382  http://www.thesharpfoundation.com  1213 - 4th Str SW  403-955-6014  #44, 48 Brentwood Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB  http://www.knoxunited.ab.ca  Sat-Thu: 4:15pm-7:45pm, Fri: Closed  403-398-9968 Knox United Church is an all-inclusive church located in Unity Bowling  [email protected] downtown Calgary. A variety of facility rentals are also  Let’s Bowl (2916 - 5th Ave NE) • Safeworks Van  www.altview.ca available for meetings, events and concerts.  [email protected]  403-850-3755 For gender variant and sexual minorities.  Sat-Thu: 8pm-12am, Fri: 4pm-12am Lesbian Meetup Group Wild Rose United Church Book Worm’s Book Club  http://www.meetup.com/CalgaryLesbian  1317-1st Street NW  Howard McBride Chapel of Chimes Monthly events planned for Queer women over 18+ such Theatre & Fine Arts 10179 - 108 Street as book clubs, games nights, movie nights, dinners out,  Restaurants 36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects [email protected] and volunteering events.  403-294-7402  http://www.ATPlive.com 59 East Village Cafe Buck Naked Boys Club Miscellaneous Youth Network  2nd floor, 610 - 8 Avenue SE AXIS Contemporary Art------ 780-471-6993  http://www.miscyouth.com Restaurant and lounge.  107, 100 - 7 Ave SW  403-262-3356  http://www.bucknakedboys.ca  [email protected]  www.axisart.ca Naturism club for men—being social while everyone is • Fake Mustache naked, and it does not include sexual activity. Participants do • Mosaic Youth Group Retail Stores Fairytales not need to be gay, only male.  The Old Y Centre (223 12th Ave SW) ✰ See Calgary - Community Groups. For queer and trans youth and their allies. Adult Depot------Camp fYrefly  140, 58th Ave SW  403-258-2777 Jubilations Dinner Theatre  7-104 Dept. of Educational Policy Studies Mystique Gay, bi, straight video rentals and sex toys.  Bow Trail and 37th St. SW Faculty of Education, University of Alberta  [email protected] 41  403-249-7799 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G5 Mystique is primarily a Lesbian group for women 30 and La Fleur------ http://www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca  103 - 100 7th Avenue SW  www.jubilations.ca up but all are welcome.  403-266-1707 35 One Yellow Rabbit------Edmonton Pride Festival Society (EPFS) • Coffee Night Florist and Flower Shop.  Big Secret Theatre - EPCOR CENTRE  http://www.edmontonpride.ca  Good Earth Cafe (1502 - 11th Street SW)  403-299-8888  www.oyr.org The Naked Leaf------Edmonton Prime Timers NETWORKS  305 10th Street NW  403-283-3555 37 Pumphouse Theatre------✰  [email protected]  [email protected]  http://www.thenakedleaf.ca  2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW  www.primetimersww.org/edmonton A social, cultural, and service organization for the mature Organic teas and tea ware.  403-263-0079 Group of older gay men and their admirers who come from minded and “Plus 40” LGBT individuals seeking to meet diverse backgrounds but have common social interests. 16 ✰  http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca others at age-appropriate activities within a positive, safe Priape Calgary------Affiliated with Prime Timers World Wide.  1322 - 17 Ave SW  403-215-1800 environment. Stagewest------✰  http://www.priape.com  727 - 42 Avenue SE  403-243-6642 Edmonton Rainbow Business Association Parents for Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear, movies  http://www.stagewestcalgary.com  3379, 11215 Jasper Ave  780-429-5014  Sean: 403-695-5791 and magazines. Gifts.  http://www.edmontonrba.org  http://www.pflagcanada.ca 58 Theatre Junction------✰ Primary focus is the provision of networking opportunities A registered charitable organization that provides Services & Products  Theatre Junction GRAND, 608 1st St. SW for LGBT owned or operated and LGBT-friendly businesses support, education and resources to parents, families and  403-205-2922 in the Edmonton region. individuals who have questions or concerns about sexual Calgary Civil Marriage Centre  [email protected] orientation or gender identity.  403-246-4134 (Rork Hilford)  http://www.theatrejunction.com Edmonton Illusions Social Club  [email protected]  5 The Junction Positive Space Committee Marriage Commissioner for Alberta (aka Justice of the Peace 34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------ 780-387-3343  4825 Mount Royal Gate SW - JP), Marriage Officiant, Commissioner for Oaths.  161, 115 - 9 Ave SE  403-221-3708  groups.yahoo.com/group/edmonton_illusions  403-440-6383  http://www.vertigomysterytheatre.com  http://www.mtroyal.ca/positivespace 24 Courtney Aarbo (Barristers & Solicitors) 4 Edmonton STD Works to raise awareness and challenge the patterns of  1138 Kensington Road NW  11111 Jasper Ave silence that continue to marginalize LGBTTQ individuals.  403-571-5120  http://www.courtneyaarbo.ca EDMONTON Edmonton Vocal Minority Pride Calgary Planning Committee GLBT legal services.  780-479-2038  [email protected]  403-797-6564  www.pridecalgary.ca  www.evmchoir.com Cruiseline Bars & Clubs Primetimers Calgary  403-777-9494 trial code 3500 GLBTQ Sage Bowling Club  [email protected]  http://www.cruiseline.ca 6 Buddy’s Nite Club------✰  780-474-8240  [email protected]  11725 Jasper Ave  780-488-6636  http://www.primetimerscalgary.com Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY. HIV Network Of Edmonton Society---- ✰ Designed to foster social interaction for its members  9702 111 Ave NW 780-488-5742 through a variety of social, educational and recreational DevaDave Salon & Boutique 14 FLASH (CLOSED)  www.hivedmonton.com activities. Open to all gay and bisexual men of any age,  810 Edmonton Trail NE  10018 105 Street  780-938-2941 Provides healthy sexuality education for Edmonton’s LGBT respects whatever degree of anonymity that each member  403-290-1973  [email protected] community and support for those infected or affected desires. Cuts, Colour, Hilights. The Junction (CLOSED) by HIV. ✰ Duncan’s Residential Cleaning  10242 106th St Queers on Campus------InQueeries  279R Student Union Club Spaces, U of C  Jim Duncan: 403-978-6600 Hooliganz Pub  [email protected]  403-220-6394 Residential cleaning. Free estimates.  10704 124 St NW Student-run GLBTQ Alliance at MacEwan University.  http://www.ucalgary.ca/~glass Formerly GLASS - Gay/Lesbian Association of Students Lorne Doucette (CIR Realtors) UpStares Ultralounge  Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose and Staff. 403-461-9195  4th Floor, Jasper Ave and 107th Street  http://www.lornedoucette.com  http://www.iscwr.ca • Coffee Night 12 Woody’s------✰ Living Positive Society of Alberta  2nd Cup, Kensington MFM Communications  11725 Jasper Ave  780-488-6557  403-543-6970  #50, 9912 - 106 Street 780-423-3737  1-877-543-6970  http://www.facebook.com/LivingPoz Safety Under the Rainbow Living Positive through Positive Living.  www.sutr.ca  http://www.mfmcommunications.com A collaborative effort dedicated to building capacity Web site hosting and development. Computer hardware and acting as a voice for the LGBTQ community, service and software. providers, organizations and the community at large

www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 57 Directory & Events

DOWNTOWN EDMONTON 1

13 N 6 4 11 12

1 Pride Centre of Edm.----Community Groups 6 Buddy’s------Bars and Clubs 12 Woody’s------Bars and Clubs 4 Edmonton STD------Community Groups 11 Steamworks------Bathhouses 13 UpStares Ultralounge------Bars and Clubs

QH Craft Night------ 6-8pm QH Anime Night------ 6-8pm Monthly Meetings------ 2:30pm Edmonton Events See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton  Unitarian Church (10804 119th Street) See Edmonton Primetimers  2nd Mondays Cycling------ 6:30-7:30pm Movie Night------ 6-9pm Boot Camp------ 7-8pm See Team Edmonton See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton Thursday, June 6th See Team Edmonton Yoga------ 7:30-8pm Men’s Games Nights------ 7-10:30pm Pride Week By Edmonton Pride Festival Society Jun16 TTIQ------ 7-9pm See Team Edmonton See Men’s Games Nights  2nd, Last See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton  3rd Thursdays Youth Sports/Recreation------ 4pm Friday, June 7th See Youth Understanding Youth HIV Support Group------ 7-9pm QH Youth Drop-in------ 3-8pm BEEF UnderBear Party See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton  2nd See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton Saturdays By Fellowship of Alberta Bears Tuesdays Youth Sports/Recreation------ 4pm Naturalist Gettogether Saturday, June 8th QH Youth Drop-in------ 3-8pm See Youth Understanding Youth See Buck Naked Boys Club  2nd PURE Pride Dance------ 9pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton By PURE Pride at  10030 - 102 Street QH Game Night------ 6-8pm QH Youth Drop-in------ 2-6:30pm Martial Arts------ 7:30-8:30pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton Bearracuda Dance------ 9pm See Team Edmonton By Fellowship of Alberta Bears Swim Practice------ 7-8pm Monthly Meeting------ 2:30pm Swim Practice------ 7:30-8:30pm See Team Edmonton By Edmonton Primetimers  2nd Sunday, June 9th See Team Edmonton  Unitarian Church, 10804 - 119th Street Women’s Social Circle------ 6-9pm BEEF Bear Bust BBQ Wednesdays See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton  2nd, 4th Bowling------ 5pm By Fellowship of Alberta Bears See Team Edmonton GLBTQ Bowling------ 1:30-3:30pm Book Club------ 7:30pm Friday, June 14th See BookWorm’s Book Club  3rd Sundays See GLBTQ Sage Bowling Club Gay Edmonton Pageant Part 1------ 8pm QH Youth Drop-in------ 3-8pm Martial Arts------ 7:30-8:30pm Running------ 10-11am By ISCWR at Hooliganz Pub See Team Edmonton See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See Team Edmonton Saturday, June 15th Yoga------ 2-3:30pm Youth Sports/Recreation------ 4pm Intermediate Volleyball------ 7:30-9:30pm Gay Edmonton Pageant Part 2------ 7pm See Team Edmonton See 1 Youth Understanding Youth See Team Edmonton By ISCWR at Hellenic Hall Counseling------ 5:30-8:30pm Fridays Men Talking with Pride------ 7-9pm Saturday, June 22nd See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton QH Youth Drop-in------ 3-8pm Concert------8pm Knotty Knitters------ 6-8pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton Ballroom Dancing------ 7:30-8:30pm By EVM See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See Team Edmonton  Westbury Theatre (Art Barns) 10330 84 Ave

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

Men’s Games Nights • Counselling • Queer HangOUT: Craft Night board for the next term. If you are interested in running for  Unitarian Church (10804 119th Street)  780.488.3234 Come OUT and embrace your creative side in a safe space. the board or getting involved in some of the committees,  780-474-8240  [email protected] Free, short-term counselling provided by registered please contact us. counsellors. • Queer HangOUT: Anime Night OUTreach Come and watch ALL the anime until your heart is content. • Badminton (Mixed)  University of Alberta, basement of SUB • HIV Support Group  St. Thomas Moore School, 9610 165 Street  [email protected]  [email protected] • TTIQ  [email protected]  http://www.ualberta.ca/~outreach Support and discussion group for gay men. A support and information group for all those who fall New group seeking male & female players. under the transgender umbrella and their family or Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender/transsexual, Queer, • Badminton (Women’s) Questioning and Straight-but-not-Narrow student group. • Knotty Knitters supporters. Come knit and socialize in a safe and accepting  Oliver School, 10227 - 118 Street • Women’s Social Circle Pride Centre of Edmonton------✰ environment - all skill levels are welcome.  780-465-3620  10608 - 105 Ave  780-488-3234  [email protected]  [email protected]  [email protected] • Men Talking with Pride Women’s Social Circle: A social support group for all Women’s Drop-In Recreational Badminton. $40.00 season  http://www.pridecentreofedmonton.org  [email protected] female-identified persons over 18 years of age in the GLBT or $5.00 per drop in. Support & social group for gay & bisexual men to discuss community - new members are always welcome.  Tue-Fri 12pm-9pm, Sat 2pm-6:30pm current issues. •Ballroom Dancing We provide a safe, welcoming, and non-judgemental Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton  Foot Notes Dance Studio, 9708-45 Avenue NW drop-in space, and offer support programs and resources • Movie Night  780-474-8240  Cynthia: 780-469-3281 for members of the GLBTQ community and for their families Movie Night is open to everyone! Come over and sit back,  [email protected] and friends. relax, and watch a movie with us. • Blazin’ Bootcamp Team Edmonton  Garneau Elementary School • Queer HangOUT: Game Night  [email protected] 10925 - 87 Ave Come OUT with your game face on and meet some  http://www.teamedmonton.ca  [email protected] awesome people through board game fun. Members are invited to attend and help determine the

58 GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 www.gaycalgary.com Directory & Events

Saturday, June 22nd Pride Dance------ 9:30pm Red Deer Events Lethbridge Events By Lethbridge Pride at Cultural Arts Centre Pride Parade------ 12pm Wednesdays Sunday, June 16th By Lethbridge Pride Peace River LGBT Coffee Night------ 7pm Pride Week------ All Day Pride in the Park------ 1-5pm See CAANS  1st By Lethbridge Pride Jun22 By Lethbridge Pride at Galt Gardens Peace River Pride------ Jun14-16

 Edmonton Contd.

• Bowling (Northern Titans) • Ultimate Frisbee • Book Club Pride Lethbridge  Ed’s Rec Room (West Edmonton Mall)  Sundays  Monthly, contact us for exact dates.  [email protected]  [email protected] Summer Season starts July 12th $15.00 per person.  [email protected] E-mail if interested. Theatre & Fine Arts • Cross Country Skiing Exposure Festival RED DEER  [email protected] • Volleyball, Intermediate  http://www.exposurefestival.ca  Amiskiwacy Academy (101 Airport Road) Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival. • Curling with Pride  [email protected] Community Groups  Granite Curling Club, 8620 107 Street NW The Roxy Theatre  [email protected] • Volleyball, Recreational  10708 124th Street, Edmonton AB Affirm  Mother Teresa School (9008 - 105 Ave)  Sunnybrook United Church • Cycling (Edmonton Prideriders)  780-453-2440  [email protected]  www.theatrenetwork.ca  403-347-6073  Dawson Park, picnic shelter  2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm  [email protected] • Women’s Lacrosse Composed of LGBTQ people, their friends, family and  Sharon: 780-461-0017 allies. No religious affiliation necessary. Activities include • Dragon Boat (Flaming Dragons)  Pam: 780-436-7374  [email protected] support, faith and social justice discussions, film nights, Open to women 21+, experienced or not, all are welcome. BANFF and potlucks! • Golf Call for info.  [email protected] Community Groups Central Alberta AIDS Network Society • Yoga  4611-50 Avenue, Red Deer, AB  Lion's Breath Yoga Studio (10350-124 Street) Bow Valley Cares Centre  http://www.caans.org • Gymnastics, Drop-in  [email protected]  Ortona Gymnastics Club, 8755 - 50 Avenue  302 Buffalo Street, Banff, AB The Central Alberta AIDS Network Society is the local  [email protected] Womonspace  PO Box 3160, Banff, AB T1L 1C8 charity responsible for HIV prevention and support in Have the whole gym to yourselves and an instructor to  780-482-1794  403-762-0690  1-877-440-2437 Central Alberta. help you achieve your individual goals. Cost is $5.00  [email protected]  [email protected] per session. LGBTQ Education  www.womonspace.ca  [email protected] • Hockey Women’s social group, but all welcome at events.  http://LGBTQeducation.webs.com  [email protected] Youth Understanding Youth LETHBRIDGE Red Deer (and area) now has a website designed to bring  780-248-1971  www.yuyedm.ca various LGBTQ friendly groups/individuals together for fun, • Martial Arts A support and social group for queer youth 12-25. and to promote acceptance in our communities.  15450 - 105 Ave (daycare entrance) Community Groups  780-328-6414 Pride on Campus • Sports and Recreation GALA/LA  [email protected]  Brendan: 780-488-3234  [email protected]  403-308-2893  [email protected]  [email protected] A group of LGBTQ persons and Allies at Red Deer College. Drop-ins welcome.  http://www.galalethbridge.ca Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge and Area. • Outdoor Pursuits Restaurants  [email protected] • Monthly Dances The Junction (Closed)------ Henotic (402 - 2 Ave S) MEDICINE HAT • Running (Arctic Frontrunners)  10242 106th St  780-756-5667 Bring your membership card and photo ID.  Kinsmen Sports Centre 12 Community Groups  [email protected] Woody’s------✰ • Monthly Potluck Dinners All genders and levels of runners and walkers are invited to  11725 Jasper Ave  780-488-6557  McKillop United Church, 2329 - 15 Ave S Medicine Hat Cares Centre join this free activity. GALA/LA will provide the turkey...you bring the rest. Please  356 - 2 Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB Retail Stores bring a dish to share that will serve 4-6 people, and your  403-527-5882  1-877-440-2437 • Slo Pitch own beverage.  [email protected]  Parkallen Field, 111 st and 68 ave Passion Vault  [email protected]  15239 - 111 Ave • Support Line • Telephone Support Season fee is $30.00 per person. $10 discount for players  780-930-1169  403-308-2893  M-F, 8:30am - 11:30pm  Monday OR Wednesday, 7pm-11pm from the 2008 season.  [email protected] • In-person Support “Edmonton’s Classiest Adult Store” Leave a message any other time. • Snowballs V  M-T: 1:30pm - 4:30pm  W-F: 8:30am - 4:30pm  January 27-29, 2012 • Friday Mixer  [email protected] Products & Services  The Mix (green water tower) Skiing and Snowboarding Weekend. 103 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cruiseline  Every Friday at 10pm ALBERTA • Soccer  780-413-7122 trial code 3500  [email protected]  http://www.cruiseline.ca Gay & Lesbian Integrity Assoc. (GALIA) Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY.  University of Lethbridge  [email protected] Community Groups • Spin GBLTTQQ club on campus.  MacEwan Centre for Sport and Wellness Robertson-Wesley United Church Alberta Trans Support/Activities Group 109 St. and 104 Ave  10209 - 123 St. NW  780-482-1587 • Movie Night  http://www.albertatrans.org  Wednesdays, 5:45-6:45pm  [email protected]  www.rwuc.org  Room C610, University of Lethbridge A nexus for transgendered persons, regardless of where they  Worship: Sunday mornings at 10:30am may be on the continuum. Season has ended. Gay Youth Alliance Group  [email protected] People of all sexual orientations welcome. Other LGBT  Betty, 403-381-5260  [email protected] 7 classes, $28.00 per registrant. events include a monthly book club and a bi-monthly film night. As a caring spiritual community, we’d love to have  Every second Wednesday, 3:30pm-5pm Theatre & Fine Arts you join us! • Swimming (Making Waves) Lethbridge HIV Connection Alberta Ballet  NAIT Pool (11762 - 106 Street)  1206 - 6 Ave S  http://www.albertaballet.com  [email protected] • Soul OUTing Frequent productions in Calgary and Edmonton.  www.makingwavesswimclub.ca  Second Sunday every month, 7pm An LGBT-focused alternative worship. PFLAG Canada  1-888-530-6777 • Tennis  [email protected]  Kinsmen Sports Centre • Film Night  www.pflagcanada.ca  Sundays, 12pm-3pm  Bi-monthly, contact us for exact dates.  [email protected] Continued on Page 61  www.gaycalgary.com GayCalgary Magazine #116, June 2013 59 Classifieds

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