SPECIAL REPORT VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS FLEEINGSYRIA One couple’s hopes for Fearless a freer, safer life E12 JULY 4–17, 2013 4–17, JULY RULING ON #518 ZESTY’S Fruit E 8 BODY IMAGE STUDY Fly E10 Actor Leslie RHIZOME Jordan brings E 11 his new show to Vancouver E17 @dailyxtra facebook.com/xtra.ca facebook.com/xtra.ca dailyxtra.com dailyxtra.com FREE 20,000 AUDITED CIRCULATION More at at More Exploring: never stop Single Tablet Regimens While they’re not a cure, these treatment options are designed (one pill, once a day) are a step forward in HIV treatment. to be effective and convenient. If you’ve been exploring different HIV treatments, talk to your doctor about Single Tablet Regimens Explore more at exploreHIV.ca too. It’s good to know what is out there. 2 JULY 4–17, 2013 XTRA! VANCOUVER’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS XTRA VANCOUVER’S Published by Pink Triangle Press GAY & LESBIAN NEWS PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brandon Matheson #518 JULY 4–17, 2013 Roundup EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR Robin Perelle STAFF REPORTER Natasha Barsotti COPY EDITOR Lesley Fraser EVENT LISTINGS [email protected] CONTRIBUTE OR INQUIRE about Xtra’s editorial content: [email protected]. EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE David P Ball, Victor Bearpark, Niko Bell, Sondi Bruner, Nathaniel Christopher, Tom Coleman, Matthew DiMera, Tyler Dorchester, Erin Flegg, Danny Gray, Serafi n LaRiviere, Shauna Lewis, Raziel, Mark Robins ART & PRODUCTION CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucinda Wallace GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Darryl Mabey, Bryce Stuart ADVERTISING ADVERTISING & SALES DIRECTOR Ken Hickling NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Jeff rey Hoff man DISPLAY ADVERTISING Corey Giles, Teila Smart CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Jessie Bennett ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Lexi Chuba DISPLAY ADVERTISING Call 604-684-9696 or email [email protected] YOUTH LINE CLASSIFIEDS Call 604-684-9696 or email classifi [email protected] The publication of an ad in Xtra does not mean that Xtra endorses the advertiser. SPONSORSHIP AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Erica Bestwick, You can come as [email protected] ‘ Printed and published in Canada. ©2013 Queer Prom gives Pink Triangle Press. Xtra is published every two youth a place to connect weeks by Pink Triangle Press. ISSN 1198-0613 E Address: 501–1033 Davie St, you are and be themselves 9 Vancouver, BC, V6E 1M7 ’ Offi ce hours: Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm ERIN FLEGG Phone: 604-684-9696 Fax: 604-684-9697 Website: dailyxtra.com Email: [email protected] Editorial A celebration and a goodbye SUBSCRIPTIONS $55 for one year (26 issues); When courts judge comedy Rhizome holds its farewell $65 (US) in the US; $100 (US) overseas. [email protected], 800-268-XTRA by Robin Perelle E4 open house E11 PINK TRIANGLE PRESS Feedback E4 Feature Founded 1971 DIRECTORS Jim Bartley, Gerald Hannon, Glenn Xcetera E5 A gay Syrian’s fl ight Kauth, Didier Pomerleau, Ken Popert, Gillian As civil war rages and gay Rodgerson people hide, Danny Ramadan HONORARY DIRECTOR Colin Brownlee Upfront seeks a better life E12 PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ken Popert CEO, DIGITAL MEDIA David Walberg CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Andrew Chang How to revitalize Davie Street Vancouver’s LGBTQ Out in the City advisory committee has 33 recommendations E7 Cover Story Zesty’s comedian loses Sissy, sassy and successful appeal Comedy not exempt ‘Everything I was ashamed of from discrimination law, as a kid made me my fortune’: E judge rules E8 Leslie Jordan 17 Simpson, Thomas Body-image shift? Melissa Ferrick settles down New study suggests gay Singer gets a new job, a new E & Associates men less preoccupied with relationship and a full band 18 appearance E10 Blitz & Shitz TRIAL LAWYERS The great gay divide by Raziel E19 online Edailyxtra.com What’s On E20 Barrister & Solicitor Canadian Forces says gay Xposed Practice restricted to ICBC man can’t train cadets East Side Pride By Victor Bearpark E21 personal injury claims US: Legislators move to E repeal DOMA in full Out on the Town 22 E Surrey School District Real Estate 23 passes anti-homophobia Index E24 JEAN-MARC HÉBERT* regulation The Brotherhood 778 999 5328 United Church moderator/ by Tyler Dorchester E25 cell city councillor couple [email protected] *Professional Law Corporation receive Queen’s medal COVER PHOTO: REACTION PRODUCTIONS MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JULY 4–17, 2013 3 email [email protected] comment dailyxtra.com & facebook/xtra.ca Comment tweet @dailyxtra Men, gay or straight, are innately FEEDBACK attracted to youth and beauty; they always have been and likely always will be. Gay men know this and therefore Botox battles When courts judge comedy aim to enhance their own appearance I am 43 and more than happy with to attract other gay men. my lines and “imperfections” [“Battle Earle discriminated against Pardy, that his expression is limited to that The unintended consequence of EDITORIAL Lines,” Xtra #517, June 20]. They add the court ruled, dismissing Earle’s argu- which may off end the most sensitive trying to blame these natural incli- ROBIN PERELLE character and show that I have lived. ment that as a performer onstage he is member of the audience,” Earle told nations on social pressure is that we I don’t want to look like a plastic Ken If I were to tell you that entitled to express himself freely. the court. give ourselves yet another reason to doll, thanks very much. my human rights had Sure he is, the court agreed, but only “Had I used the very same language feel guilty. It’s your body, your choice, but get- been violated, what would you imagine? until he steps on someone’s toes. with a party who suff ered no loss of dig- Although we shouldn’t be slaves ting free Botox so you can peddle this That I’d been rounded up with other If that limits someone like Earle’s ex- nity or who didn’t care what a comedian to our biology, we could be easier on crap onto young gay men who are, gay people, branded, then executed and pression, it’s a reasonable loss in pursuit might say in a comedy club, recognizing ourselves by accepting that our at- as the article states, more insecure dumped in a mass grave? of a discrimination-free society, Justice the source and the circumstances, then traction to youth and beauty, and our than heterosexual men is selfi sh and That I’d been evicted from my home? Sigurdson ruled. there could be no claim,” Earle noted. desire to look good, are simply part damaging to the community. It’s time Fired from my job? Thrown off a bus Is it? What kind of society would we “Such an uncertain measure should be of our human nature. If we’re always we all accept ourselves for who we just for being diff erent? live in if performances were subject to ju- a source of the greatest concern for all advocating self-acceptance, why can’t are. We look diff erent because we are What if I told you my human rights dicial review at the end of the evening to artists, writers, entertainers and come- we accept this part of ourselves, too? meant to be. had been violated because a talentless ensure no one’s feelings had been hurt? dians who contribute to the cultural life EDDY ELMER Why are we all trying to look the VANCOUVER, BC comedian insulted me from the stage What’s next? Will I get hauled into of all Canadians.” same? Gym fi ve times a week to look and called me nasty names? court because this column offends I agree. We should all be concerned What an absolute shame that someone like clones, instead of being someone Off ensive and maybe even traumatic? someone’s sense of worth? about the rulings in this case — and the as young as this guy would even con- who just has a normal active lifestyle. Sure. Suggesting someone stick a cock Sigurdson found that Earle’s act was willingness of some community mem- sider any type of procedure(s). Hair dye, teeth bleaching, waxing, in a lesbian’s mouth to shut her up is not only abusive, but indistinguish- bers to run to the courts for validation If this guy feels at his current age body grooming, trendy tattoos, anal repugnant. But I hardly think hurt able from the service provided by the whenever their feelings have been hurt. (27) that he looks old, what the hell bleaching . Where will it end? feelings are on par with the denial of restaurant he was performing in and Is it because our march toward equal is he going to feel at 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 If a pornstar started binding his feet access to life, liberty, employment and therefore violated the Human Rights rights has been led by the courts that we and beyond? Sad is the word that keeps and ads in magazines told us it was basic accommodation. Code. If another judge fi nds that, like run back to them now whenever we feel coming to mind. Not the aging process, the new, hot thing, would we all do it? Lorna Pardy disagrees with me. a restaurant, a newspaper off ers a ser- picked upon? Are we no longer capable but rather the thinking process — or If people worked more on their per- She told the BC Human Rights Tri- vice customarily available to the public of discerning denial of service from lack of thinking on the part of the weak sonalities and emotional well-being, bunal in 2010 that Guy Earle’s insults and therefore must welcome everyone disagreeable ideas contrary to our own? and easily led astray.