Le e ate
PRIDE edmonton!
Mayor Don Iveson
Ward 1 Andrew Knack
don.iveson@edmonton.ca
andrew.knack@edmonton.ca
Ward 2 Bev Esslinger
Ward 3 Jon Dziadyk
Ward 4 Aaron Paquette
bev.esslinger@edmonton.ca
jon.dziadyk@edmonton.ca
aaron.paquette@edmonton.ca
Ward 5 Sarah Hamilton
Ward 6 Scott McKeen
Ward 7 Tony Caterina
Ward 8 Ben Henderson
sarah.hamilton@edmonton.ca
scott.mckeen@edmonton.ca
tony.caterina@edmonton.ca
ben.henderson@edmonton.ca
Ward 9 Tim Cartmell
Ward 10 Michael Walters
Ward 11 Mike Nickel
Ward 12 Mohinder Banga
tim.cartmell@edmonton.ca
michael.walters@edmonton.ca
mike.nickel@edmonton.ca
mohinder.banga@edmonton.ca
780-496-8100
780-496-8136
780-496-8120
780-496-8130
780-496-8122
780-496-8128
780-496-8138
780-496-8140
780-496-8132
780-496-8333
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780-496-8142
780-496-8146
780-496-8148
4 The year was 1969… 6 A Brief History 8 The Torch of Pride 10 A Throwback 12 Another Throwback 14 Performer Bios 18 Community Group Bios 20 Rainbow Refuge 22 Fruit Loop
24 Edmonton LGBTQ+ Newcomers Group: Settlement through Social Support 26 Film 28 Event Listings 3 4 Peer N Peer (PNP) 3 6 Books 3 8 St. Albert Pride
© 2019 Eyesight Publishing
Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the moon. Over 400,000 music fans attended Woodstock. Judy Garland passed away. Sesame Street debuted on PBS. The Academy Award for Best Picture went to Oliver! The Grammy for Record of the Year went to Simon & Garfunkel for “Mrs. Robinson”. In Canada, Bill C-150 introduced major changes to the Criminal Code. This included decriminalizing homosexual acts between adults over the age of consent. Just two years earlier, Everett George Klippert had been convicted and imprisoned for gross indecency. Six weeks later, in the US, police raids at the Stonewall Inn led to riots and protests from the crowd there, who were predominantly transgender individuals, drag queens, and queer youth of colour. A year later, the first Pride marches in the United States commemorated these riots. Later that year, here in Edmonton, on the corner of 106 Ave and 101 St, Edmonton’s first official gay club opened – Club 70.
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF LGBTQ2S+ EVENTS IN EDMONTON & ALBERTA 1969 - Bill C-150 amends the Criminal Code of
1998 - The Supreme Court ruled in Vriend’s fa-
Canada to decriminalize homosexuality.
vour. Provincial governments could not exclude the protection of individuals from human rights legislation on the basis of sexual orientation.
1972 - Individual rights protection act was enacted.
2005 - The Civil Marriage Act received Royal
1973 - First same-sex union held at Unitarian
Assent on July, 20, 2005.
Church.
2011 - Alberta Family Law Act Amendments
1975 - The Gay Alliance Towards Equality was
come into force.
formed. Lobbying began to add sexual orientation to the individual rights protection act.
2013 - Blood donation ban for men who have sex with men reduced from “lifetime” to five years.
1976 - The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose was founded.
2016 - Blood donation ban for men who have
1978 - Womonspace founded.
sex with men reduced from five years to twelve months.
1980 - It’s suggested that this was the first
2017 - June: Bill C-16 passes and receives Roy-
Pride celebration, with 75 people holding a baseball game and campfire.
al Assent. Gender identity and gender expression are added to the Canadian Human Rights Act as prohibited grounds for discrimination.
1981 - Pisces Bathhouse raid occurred on May 20. Fifty-six men are arrested after a lengthy undercover investigation by the “Morality Control Unit.”
2017 - November: Justin Trudeau apologizes for
1983 - Edmonton has its first week-long Pride
2017 - November: Bill 24 passes in Alberta. The
celebration.
bill protects LGBTQ2S+ students and supports GSAs in schools.
historical discrimination of LGBTQ2S+ people by federal agencies.
1984 - AIDS Network of Edmonton Society is formed. GALA unsuccessfully petitions the City to declare June 27 a Gay & Lesbian Awareness Day.
2018 - February: Gender Health
1985 - Another request is made for the City to
2018 - April: The Pride Centre of Edmonton holds its Grand Reopening. The Pride Centre has been supporting Edmonton and area residents for more than 40 years.
Program opens at the University of Alberta Hospital.
recognize June 27 as Gay & Lesbian Awareness Day. City Council once again denies the request.
1991 - Delwin Vriend fired from King’s College. Sexual orientation was not protected under the provincial human rights code at the time.
1993 - For the first time, Edmonton’s Pride Parade is recognized by then-mayor, Jan Reimer, who proclaimed June 26 Gay Day.
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Formerly the Devonian Botanic Garden
Have a fabulous time during Pride Festival! Then, plan a visit to the Garden - a perfect place for post-Pride relaxation.
Open daily till Thanksgiving
botanicgarden.ualberta.ca Located in Parkland County, 5 km north of Devon on Hwy 60
Happy Pride! ¡ EDMONTON ¡
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the Torch of Pride Anniversaries provide us with a moment to reflect on the progress of our Queer nation. This year, in particular, the fresh context of the recent Alberta election should give all of us pause, and compel us to examine our long journey towards inclusion and integration. It doesn’t really matter which anniversary you are recognizing this year. Whether it’s the five decades since the Stonewall riots, or the five decades since the passing of Bill C150 into law, we need to remember the brave Queers who risked everything in order to accomplish even the smallest of victories that led us to this moment. And in the decades leading up to 1969, countless individuals achieved incremental successes just by the simple act of gathering in an era where gathering was a dangerous act, when even recognizing our own could be deadly. Our power is in our numbers. If we fail to gather, we lose our most important weapon. The debate around the unfortunately-named “Equality Coin” shows that there are many who are ready to challenge assumptions about justice and equality for sexual minorities in Canada. Equality wasn’t suddenly real in 1969: we still had to imagine it. Pride isn’t something that is legislated. It takes generations of learning how to think differently. That’s still true today. The torch has been passed forward, and will be passed many more times before equality is realized. Queer history doesn’t have a beginning or an ending. It’s impossible to find a starting line, or a finishing line in our marathon search for justice. Every one of us carries that torch. It was handed to us by those who came before. Take this moment to hold it high and light the sky and honour every Queer person who defies the status quo, who names what they are, who risks it all by stepping forward and speaking it aloud. Darrin Hagen
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P.A.L.S. - Project Adult Literacy Society
Literacy Matters
Want to help? Volunteer! Need help? Call 780.424.5514 palsedmonton.ca
PRIDE DAY is Thursday, July 25! Celebrate with a Pride Party on the Tim Horton’s North Stage featuring acts from BoiGrl, Man Up And friends and DJ Showboy! k-days.com 9
JULY 19-28, 2019
A Throwback As I best remember there were a number of Pride events and activities in the 1980s that were organized by different groups and by the queer bars in Edmonton. In the late 80s and into 1990, GALA, a group primarily involved with advocacy – I was a member – organized four or five Pride Fairs held in late June. Pride Fairs were held on the Library’s South Plaza across from the Westin Hotel which has a small outdoor stage. Generally the fair was a one-day event with a few speakers, some ‘rainbow’ and pink decorations, local performers and recorded music. Around the plaza there were booths (tables) set up by interested community groups, and a couple of businesses. What was unique about the Pride Fairs in the late 80s is they were public, open to all, publicly advertised by the media (before digital media!), and speakers included the first gay member of Parliament, Sven Robinson and Glen Murray, councillor from Winnipeg—one of the first openly gay local politicians in Canada who came two years and spoke! In 1990, at the last Pride Fair, Mayor Jan Reimer opened the event and presented GALA with a letter congratulating the group on behalf of the City! After what became the last Pride Fair, with much discussion and debate, GALA decided to organize a parade for the next year—joining the many cities across North America with Pride Parades. GALA’s discussions highlighted the issues of the amount of organizing that would need to happen, the raising of funds and the deep skepticism that no one would attend—at that time there were very, very few persons who were ‘out’! However the first Pride Parade went ahead, organized at the Gazebo by the Bus Barns and marched two blocks on Whyte Avenue! About 30-50 people marched, on behalf of GALA, Maureen Irwin and I led the parade with a banner and a few persons in the parade wore paper bags to cover their faces! The parade was a success. Michael Phair
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...but we
LOVE a parade!
10918 88 AVE 780.435.2674
REDBIKE.CA
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Another Throwback My grey hair was black in the early 80s. I had left my beautiful wife and my two handsome sons. Sad, afraid, and excited, I was finally stepping out of the closet, only to realize how our province was treating our community. For years I had lived a life of guilt, shame, risk, regret, and obligation, like many of you reading this missive. That “less than” sense that most are worthy of the gold standard of equality yet others are offered the blue card. Collectively, with our logical and/or biological families, friends and allies we fought. Then and still today we are denied, dismissed or fired. Yes, we were and are beaten, bashed, and killed. Despite that, we pushed and lobbied, protested, and got arrested. It is that courageous energy that taught us to hold hands and try our best to walk through the doors of equality together. That is how we move forward: We cooperate; we get elected and selected to positions of power. Together we build bridges, in community, in governments and in the halls of power. If you don’t know the name Delwin Vriend, Google him. We took the Government of Alberta to the Canada’s Supreme Court and we WON! Year after year we have been building and growing our Pride-filled march to equality. Today our community is in the midst of conflict, without which we would never grow. I am saddened at a time when we need to take a deep breath and pull together to take on the current government. This year our diverse community has never had a better opportunity to truly come together respectfully and collectively to build the most fabulous Edmonton Pride ever in 2020. Cooperating together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. #Pride2020Together “Discrimination hinders coming OUT. Coming OUT hinders Discrimination.” Murray Billett
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COME JOIN US AT THE EDMONTON PRIDE COMMUNITY STREET FESTIVAL ON 103 COMMUNITY STREET
In partnership with:
RUM PUNCH
NEW
THIS YEAR!
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PRIDE ON 103 COMMUNITY STREET The legendary Vanity Fair has had her hands in almost every aspect of Edmonton’s LGBT2S+ Community over the past 20 years. Most actively involved with the fundraising efforts of the ISCWR, she has held almost every title the city has to offer, a few bar titles, Miss Gay Edmonton, Entertainer of the Year, Princess and Empress 37 of Edmonton. PRIDE, HIV Edmonton and the Pride Centre have always been special causes near to her heart. Her class and sass approach to drag is a welcome edition to any event, soak her in gin and let the good times roll.
SNAP is a Canadian network of LGBTQ2S+
dancers providing informative, entertaining, and memorable performances for our community. SNAP aims to redefine what is considered “feminine” and “masculine” in today’s society and enable every individual to express themselves fully without fear of judgement. SNAP seeks to offer the LGBTQ2S+ community a new entertainment experience that informs, engages and entertains our community.
Sister Mary Clarence is the Party Queen of YEG hosting at various venues throughout the Edmonton area. She is most well known for her hosting and unplanned numbers! Current Princess with the 43rd reign of the ISCWR. Birthed at EVO and thrilled to be back home celebrating a our wonderful Pride Community!
Doing shows for almost twenty-five years now, Tara Bull is a fire cracker: Small with a huge bang. She treats everyone in the crowd like they’re the only ones watching. A past Queen of Hearts, her love for the art and an amazing crowd is what keeps her going. This high energy entertainer has performed in Edmonton, Calgary, and Montreal, as well as being a featured guest for Kelowna Pride 2016.
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TREET FESTIVAL PERFORMER BIOS Divina Diefor is a lively entertainer with four years of performance experience under her belt. She combines theatre, dance, and comedy in her high energy routines. She is a dynamic and flexible performer who has been a star since she first stepped on the stage giving us all the reasons to love her! She has represented Alberta as both Imperial Crown Princess 42 and Alberta’s Drag Superstar 2017. Sybil Satana is an Edmonton-based burlesque performer who was recently crowned as Edmonton’s first Burlesque Superstar. She is a queer performer who has danced on several different stages, which includes the Edmonton Burlesque Festival’s Love to You: Part Two show, the House of Hush Late Show, An Evening with Violet Chachki, and recently made her festival debut at the Itty Bitty Burlesque Festival in Quesnel, BC. She will become an international showgirl later this year as she travels to perform for different burlesque festivals across the United States. She is a little bit of darkness and a little bit of glamour... A sultry seductress who leaves you lusting for more. For over a decade Tequila Mockingbird has been dazzling local audiences. A former Mz. Gay Edmonton, Grand Duchess 37 and Entertainer of the Year, Tequila has combined her love of glitz and glamour with the deep, rewarding joy that comes with raising funds for worthy Canadian charities. Whether she’s sparkling alongside other local talent like Vanity Fair or GoDiva, or opening for legendary ‘Drag Race’ talents like Bianca Del Rio or Tatianna, this award-winning performer continually serves beauty and class, embellished with her trademark sarcasm and honest wit. Just like the alcohol that shares her name, Tequila is strong and unpredictable, and best taken with a grain of salt.
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Darla Darwin is a solo burlesque performer and also a member of the burlesque troupe the Feminine Mystique whose life’s mission is to “empower the masses with the magic of their asses”. Darla is a proud queer intersectional feminist and their own personal motto is “Destroy the patriarchy, not the planet.” They also recently won the title of “Master of the Munchies” at the 2019 Mile High Festival in Denver, Colorado, which is totally on brand. Just like a start codon, Darla is ready to turn you on. Darla is so hot they will denature all your proteins. They are sweeter than 3.14 and just like the mitochondria, they are a powerhouse. Khaled Rahime is a Canadian singer-
songwriter voted “Top Male Artist” in Vue Weekly’s 2018 “Best of Edmonton”. It’s no surprise Khaled’s sound has become a familiar one in Edmonton’s music scene. Khaled has opened for a variety of musicians such as Tyga, Sean Kingston, Nelly, and is currently booked as the only opener for Cardi B this September.
Edmonton’s sexiest goddess of the stage, Artasia has been awing the crowd and having people question their sexuality time and again. With just over a year on stage, this queen is here to stay and here to slay. Hailing from the Philippines, the current Mx. Naughty Christmas and the Judges’ Choice of the Glitter Cup, Artasia has become one of Edmonton’s Party Queens. With a thirst to flirt on stage, you’d best hold on to your man, because this queen loves to play. With drag as an integral part of her life, she’s found her passion for sharing intense moves and the wildest positions. She is a rare gem with a style that exudes a sense of creative intimacy leaving her audience wanting more.
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Agata Gogh is an artist and graphic
designer based in Edmonton. She works in painting, photography, video, poster design, music (Find her on Spotify/Apple Music), and obviously, she’s a drag queen! Her goal is always to bring the fun and the funny into whatever she is doing, and she always wants her performances to be funny, silly, and sickening! She loves learning how to do new things, she loves making mixes, and she loves dancing around! You can find her at Evolution Wonderlounge once a month hosting Tribute Thursdays with @GodDragQueen, and at various venues throughout the city. She’s Agata Gogh and you gotta go check out her work on instagram @AgataGogh.
GoDiva is Edmonton’s spastic elastic totally fantastic diva! After dabbling in drag a few times before moving to the big city, GoDiva hit the Edmonton stages twenty years ago where she discovered showtunes, standards, and classic divas, and has been following the Way of the Broad ever since. She has previously held titles like Mz Buddys, Entertainer of the Year, Mz Gay Edmonton, and Imperial Crown Princess, but nowadays you can find her hosting events for fundraising groups like the ISCWR, calling bingo at 9910, as well as performing across the city whether it’s a showtune solo or vintage girl group ditty with her besties. She is the current Alberta’s Drag Superstar. Melinda Verga is a former Mz. Gay Edmonton and is last year’s winner of Edmonton Pride Festival Society’s Battle of the Queens. She burst on to the Edmonton drag scene a little over three years ago, and has since become one of the most soughtafter performers in the city, having performed at private gigs and events outside the LGBTQ+ community. She sings, dances, acts, creates her own fashions and costumes, and styles her own wigs, making her one of the city’s most well-rounded artists. Get ready for this stunting high-energy queen!
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Shades of Colour is a safe and
supportive space for queer and trans Indigenous, Black and people of colour. We provide ongoing community support and hold meet ups for people to share their stories. We connect people with food, and a variety of other resources.
The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose is in its 43rd year of doing good deeds in Edmonton. This drag-based fundraising organization has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars since its founding, for groups like the Pride Centre, Living Positive, Little Warriors, Elizabeth Fry Society, and many, many more, as well as providing bursaries each year for LGBTQ+ post-secondary students.
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EMHC is a local collective providing a
unified voice that promotes the health needs of gay, bisexual, queer, and trans men in Edmonton. One of their newer initiatives is Peer n Peer, which is focused on LGBTQ2S+ substance use.
For over a decade, the Fellowship of Alberta Bears has been providing social activities for Edmonton’s bear community, sharing a message of body positivity and spear-heading fundraising opportunities for groups of importance to Alberta’s queer communities. Recently here in Edmonton, FAB’s efforts have been supporting HIV Edmonton. Remember, every body is a pride body. #iamfab
Founded in 1984, HIV Edmonton is a harm reduction agency, working to provide the best education and prevention methods to a wide variety of audiences. The vision of HIV Edmonton is Zero new HIV infections, Zero stigma and discrimination, and Zero AIDS-related deaths.
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Rainbow Refuge With all the talk about immigration resulting from Canada bringing over Syrians in large numbers, sub-topics related to immigration demographics began to emerge, one of which has become a topic of interest for Canada: Being a safe and welcoming country for LGBTQ refugees. Given EMCN’s values of Social Justice, Diversity, Compassion and Responsibility, it was clear that we should be supporting efforts to welcome and support LGBTQ refugees as well. We explored funding options but kept bumping up against a stumbling block: The vast majority of LGBTQ refugees come to Canada as Refugee Claimants, not as refugees processed through an embassy abroad. Most LGBTQ refugees are afraid to approach an embassy for fear that their sexual identity will put them in yet another unsafe circumstance – the very thing they are trying to escape. They, therefore, find a way to come to Canada to make a claim once they arrive. Refugee Claimants are not a category
of newcomers supported through Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The question became: Who in our government structure can support the settlement of LGBTQ refugee claimants? The answer is still not clear, but the urgency of the lack of support prompted EMCN to seek funding from the private sector. We approached the Stollery Charitable Foundation to support the vision of offering a program in collaboration with the Pride Centre of Edmonton. The proposal focused on offering support with the immigration process, settlement support regarding finding housing and employment, and supporting opportunities for social community connections for this very vulnerable newcomer population. The Stollery agreed to fund our proposal for two years, giving us the opportunity to create a strong model of support for the LGBTQ newcomer community. The model works as follows: EMCN staff supports a refugee claimant through the process of submitting their Basis of Claim. When this is accepted, a hearing date is set at which point EMCN connects the
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claimant to legal support. As well, the claimants are then eligible for both a work permit and income support. Once they have their work permit, they can look for work. Many find work on their own because they have strong English skills. Others seek help from EMCN’s employment counsellors. EMCN and the Pride Centre work together to offer community connection opportunities.
from this opportunity for preparing for their own hearing. To date, all of the LGBTQ claimants we have supported have been granted a hearing based on their Basis of Claim, and, with one exception, all who have had a hearing have been granted UNHCR Convention Refugee status, which qualifies them to apply for permanent residency.
Every Friday night, LGBTQ newcomers and allies are invited to join the LGBTQ Newcomer Group, which offers peer support and networking, as well as activities that support their integration into Edmonton. Many of the claimants join the EMCN Global Choir and find this to be a safe place to connect with people, sing together, and even lead in sharing new music. And finally, EMCN is the local organizer for the Immigration and Refugee Board’s Ready Tour. This program gives claimants the opportunity to see where their hearing will take place, and to sit through a Skyped presentation with opportunities for questions that explain in detail the process of the hearing. Participants benefit greatly
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Fruit Loop Fruit Loop is a non-profit
Edmonton-based social enterprise that supports the LGBTQ2S+ community through events, communications and fundraising activities. It is run by a volunteer board which dedicates over 1,000 hours per year to supporting the organization. Fruit Loop has supported over 60 events since it was founded in April 2013 and has helped to raise over $100,000 for community partners. Fruit Loop has supported organizations and groups such as HIV Edmonton, Pride Centre of Edmonton, Rainbow Refuge, Team Edmonton, Making Waves, Curling With Pride, Edmonton Pride Festival, Edmonton Mens’ Health Collective, Rainbow Visions Film Festival, Skirtsafire Festival, Edmonton 2 Spirit Society, Man Up!, Jasper Pride Festival, Artists For Life, OutLaw, Sexuality and Gender Advocacy Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute for Sexual Minorities Services and Studies, Latitude 53, Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton, Edmonton Burlesque Festival, Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose, and All Cycles. Fruit Loop focuses its entertainment and programming on local artists and performers and has provided a platform for over 100 artists including drag performers, dancers, singers, DJs, photographers, and designers. Fruit Loop works to establish safer spaces with host venues and helps to educate staff and management on how to support inclusive hospitality for a diverse community.
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Edmonton LGBTQ+ Newc Settlement through So LGBTQ+ Newcomers Edmonton is a community-based initiative that provides grassroots social and settlement support for members of the LGBTQ+ community who are in Edmonton as immigrants, refugees, refugee claimants, etc. We work in partnership with the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, Pride Centre of Edmonton, and are supported by various community members as well as with some small funds from REACH and AIPRG.
In Edmonton, LGBTQ+ newcomers often experience isolation due to language barriers, lack of appropriate services within LGBTQ+ community and newcomer services, arriving alone or not having family support. Most are hesitant to connect or come out within their ethno-cultural communities, especially if they experienced discrimination back home. LGBTQ+ newcomers are especially vulnerable if dealing with trauma, and need immediate connection and support throughout their settlement journey or asylum process. In response to this context the group was formed by LGBTQ+ refugees and supported by established community members. The idea was to help LGBTQ+ newcomers reduce social isolation and help them build a
community and be a family for each other, as well as to learn about things such as life in Canada, well-being, health and many other topics. We aim to provide opportunity for regular social connection, build community confidence, create positive memories, quickly identify and address issues as they arise, provide local and relevant information, and help people navigate/become comfortable in their LGBTQ+ identities within the greater local community. The group meets every Friday night (Holidays included!) at a neutral venue, and we choose topics through regular group assessments. Activities have included group discussions, cooking and art nights, movie screenings, holiday events, info sessions, trips to festivals, volunteering, self-care activities, and attending mainstream LGBTQ+ events. Since May 2017 our group has grown to over 75 members and we learned a key component is developing trust and confidence. We have focused our efforts on building trusting and supportive relationships, and often hear this is the only place members feel safe to be themselves, ask for information, or tell someone about issues they are experiencing. We try
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comers Group: ocial Support to connect them with resources and supportive community members to address their specific needs, however as the group has grown we are struggling to keep up. We invite suggestions, opportunities, participation and support from all stakeholders and community members to create a positive, supportive, and welcoming community for all LGBTQ+ newcomers to Edmonton! Contacts: Basel Abou Hamrah: bhamrah@emcn.ab.ca
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Most notably, though, they are often featuring individual films that in some way address the LGBT experience. When you’re looking for queer film content in Edmonton, you’re probably looking for Metro Cinema. Metro sets out to try to represent a cross-section of human experience through film and film-related experiences. Rainbow Visions, produced by the Global Visions Film Society, is the primary annual queer film festival for Edmonton. Metro traditionally has also produced and coproduced a range of queer content in June. Much of their recurring content naturally connects with LGBTQ+ issues of interest. For example, their Kink on Screen bi-monthly series often features films exploring queer sexuality, and our Music Docs and Night Gallery series often represent queer artists.
Metro is especially excited to support the work of local filmmakers, and are thrilled that queer artists like Trevor Anderson are getting the international attention that they deserve. They were very pleased to co-present the local premiere of Trevor’s new film, “Docking”, last month. Similarly, they were thrilled to present the premiere of Niuboi’s film “Milk Bar” earlier in March. Local LGBTQ+ artists should certainly contact them with ideas. In addition to Metro and Rainbow Visions, you can catch LGBTQ+ film content during the Edmonton International Film Festival in the fall. Some of last year’s queer content included Canadian “Breathing Through A Straw” and Dutch short, “Something About Alex”.
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Proud to support Pride
Linda Duncan
Member of Parliament Edmonton Strathcona
From your friends at
www.LindaDuncanMP.ca www.Li ww w.Lin .Linda ndaDunc DuncanM ncanMP.ca MP ca LiindaD L daDuncanM daDun D canMP MP P LindaDuncanMP
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Event Calendar June 1
Summer Bash
Evolution Wonderlounge 9PM • $10
Join Making Waves for their annual pre-pride underwear party. Door proceeds until 11 benefit our LGBTQ Aquatics team. $7 Doubles in your underwear. Free pants check.
June 5 Rainbow Karaoke ASPECC 9PM • $5 - $15
18+ Karaoke, Kink and Nude Friendly.
June 6 Rainbow Wine Tasting Devine Wines 7PM • $45
June 7
Flag Raising
Plaza on North Side of City Hall 1:30PM • Free
Wine and Tantric Social ASPECC 7:30PM • $10 - $15
Explore your erotic selves with demonstrations and workshops. 18+
Pride Kick-Off Party Evolution Wonderlounge 9PM • $5 - $10
DJ Kitty Glitter & DJ Darkstar start your pride weekend.
Bear Pride Dance Party 9910 8PM • $5 - $10
Physical Copies DJs this helping of bears, beers, butts, beef, and beats!
Private event featuring wines of various colors of the rainbow flag.
Lilith Fair’s Pre-Pride Show
Pride and Pasta Cabaret
Lilith Fair hosts a drag show. 18+
Chianti’s 8PM • $40
Two Sergeants 9PM • $10
June 8
Featuring RazzMaBerries Productions.
Sin:the:sys
Evolution Wonderlounge 8PM • $10
A night of gothic inspired burlesque by all-queer performers fused with the best industrial, goth, and dark electro dance beats.
Edmonton Pride Community Festival 103 St and 102 Ave Noon - 11PM • $10 - $20
Beer garden and entertainment stage, with free-access all-ages zone. Multiple DJs, vendors, and more.
See PAGE 14
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Drag Brunch
Pride Celebration
Lilith Fair, Chelsea Horrendous, Gogo Fetch, and Kat Marlowe star in a Pride Day brunch that starts with cocktails.
Kat Marlowe, Puddin’ and more host Two Sergeants first Pride Day event.
Spotlight Cabaret 11AM • $45+
Two Sergeants 9PM • $10
Corey Craig
Pride Picnic
Chvrch of John 9PM • $20 and up
Borden Park 11AM - 5PM • Free
Description: DJ Corey Craig with David Stone, Yelrihs, and Ultraviolet. Partial proceeds to Rainbow Refuge. No reentry.
Bring your picnic, frisbees, and fun! Everyone is welcome at this family friendly picnic. No alcohol. No cannabis. No speeches. No booths.
DJ Honey Soundsystem
Patio Party & BBQ
9910 9PM • $20+
Black Dog 2PM • TBA
A no drugs or alcohol safe space with dance floor and board games and more.
Description: Fruit Loop, Night Vision, and 9910 are proud to present DJ Honey Soundsystem. Jacob Sperber, Jason Kendig, and Robert Yang came together inspired by pivotal gay underground parties and dance music history. A portion of the event’s proceeds will go to benefit Rainbow Refuge.
Ivy’s Magic School Bus
Solid Gold Pride
Ages 14+, this drag production features amazing up and coming talent. Brought to you by Little League Productions and Nextfest.
DJ Kitty Glitter, DJ Reid Bourgeois and Miss Evolution Ivy League help celebrate Pride 2019. Line-up forms very early. Second line for expedited re-entry.
DJ Eddie Lunchpail headlines this evening event.
LGBTQIA2S+ Youth Dance ASPECC 7PM • Free
The Roxy 7PM • $12
Why Not Does Drag Why Not? Café 8:30PM • $5 - $10
Portia Lynn Doll, Moxie, and Connie Lingua.
Evolution Wonderlounge 9PM • $20
Pure Pride
Starlite Room 9PM • $40 - $80
Drag Race’s Miss Vanjie, Plastique Tiara, and Michelle Visage star.
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Event Calendar
Queer Space Nest Y Afterhours 1AM - 8AM • TBA
Description: This event is about cultivating a safe space and inclusivity to all in the LGBTQ-Y community, as well as those that consider themselves allies.
June 9
Drag Queen Bingo
9910 Early doors 1PM, games 1:30PM - 3:30PM • Late doors 3:30PM, games 4PM - 6PM Admission by donation Ruby Gorgeous Salon presents Vanity Fair, with bingo proceeds benefitting Making Waves Aquatics at IGLA 2019.
Drag Brunch
LGBTQIA2S+ Youth Karaoke
Yellowhead Brewery 10AM • $30
ASPECC 6:30PM - 10PM • Free
Gogo Fetch hosts this brunch and drag show.
Ages 12 – 25, allies welcome if attending with queer youth.
Pride Church Service
Thorgy Thor and the Thorchestra
McDougall United 10:30AM • Free
“Power of our Stories” is the theme for this year’s service.
Bears in the Park Victoria Park 12PM • $15
All you can eat burgers and salads with the Fellowship of Alberta Bears.
Queer Youth Art Club Exhibition Open House ASPECC 1PM - 4PM • Free
QYAC is an art and community club for youth aged 12-25. View and purchase projects!
Winspear Centre 7:30PM • $24 - $148
Classically trained violinist and drag performer Thorgy Thor will team up with Edmonton Symphony Orchestra to create an electrifying evening. $1 from every ticket will benefit the Pride Centre.
Gold Star Revue
Evolution Wonderlounge 9PM • $7 - $20
See some of your favorite drag performers and enjoy a meet and greet opportunity with Drag Race’s Thorgy Thor. Features Toronto’s Mona Moore, as well as Ivy League, Tequila Mockingbird, Lilith Fair, Sister Mary Clarence and more.
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June 10
June 13
Understanding and History Presentation
Seniors’ Strawberry Toonie Tea
LGBTQ, Transgender, Cisgender, genderqueer... what do these terms mean? This session will go over words like this and explore the social changes that have unlocked the closet door. Presented by Michael Phair.
Jeff Bovee hosts an afternoon celebrating our LGBTQ seniors with live music from Northern Heart, fun performances, tea, strawberry desserts, and more.
Classroom B, Sage Cafe 1PM • Free
Sage Cafe 1PM - 3:30PM • $2
Drag Queen Dinner Theatre
All Ages Drag Show Evolution Wonderlounge 7PM • Free
Yellowhead Brewery 6PM • $40
Bring the whole family down for Evolution’s first ever all ages event. Hosted by Vanity Fair.
Lilith Fair stars in a one woman show.
Tongue Pop!
Evolution Wonderlounge 7PM • $30 and up
June 11 A Star is Shook
Join local favorites such as Sister Mary Clarence, Agata Gogh, and more, and Alyssa Edwards AND Shangela on the EVO stage.
Drag Race favorite Shangela presents a one-woman show, with opening performances by Pheromone Kills, Ivy League and more.
Read and Write with Pride
Evolution Wonderlounge 7PM • $25 and up
Audreys Books 7PM • Free
June 12
Join local LGBT authors as they read from some of their published works. Snacks to follow.
Dancing Queen
Evolution Wonderlounge 7PM • $25 and up
Drag Race favorite Alyssa Edwards presents her one-woman show, with opening performances by Darla Darwin and Kat Marlowe Minorah.
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Event Calendar
June 14
Pronoun Embroidery Name Tags Workshop
LGBTQIA2S+ Dungeon
ASPECC 1PM
Sex positive dungeon. 18+ only.
Doggies and Drag Queen Disco Party
ASPECC 8PM • $10 - $15
Customer Appreciation Night Evolution Wonderlounge 9PM • Free
Description: DJ Arrowchaser and a series of drink specials make for a fun night out, as Evolution says THANK YOU for your ongoing love and support.
June 15 Edmonton Pride Walk and Run Remax Field 10AM • Free
Annual non-profit event that promotes access to inclusive fitness.
Sidewalk Sale
The QUILTBAG 11AM - 5PM • Free
Find wares by local LGBTQ+ artists including original art and prints, jewelry, textiles, clothing, stickers, buttons, patches, enamel pins, music, personal care products and more! In store, you’ll find featured pop-up collections by various artists.
Crash Hotel + Thrift Shop 3PM - 5PM • Free
Bring the doggos down and get a free pet portrait with iconic drag queen Teen Jesus Barbie. We’ll have treats for the pups and partiers, with no charge. DJ on site. 18+
Fruit Loop’s Pride Street Carnival Crash Hotel and Thrift Shop 5PM - 11PM • $10
Wrap up pride with a larger than life street carnival! Free snacks from 5-6 so get out early! Our massive roster of roving performers will keep you delighted and entertained while our incredible DJs will have you feeling the groove in the sweet summer sun. Featuring a special cabaret performance from Lilith Fair in the Crash Hotel Lobby. A portion of the event’s proceeds will go to Rainbow Refuge.
All About Broadway Westbury Theatre 8PM • $20
Darrin Hagen hosts this Edmonton Vocal Minority celebration of Broadway shows that speak to queer identity.
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Pride Finale Party
Sidewalk Sale
All Star Monet X Change stars in a dazzling finale party, with performances from Darla Darwin, Ivy League, Divina Diefor, and more. Bring Your Own Sponge. DJ Suco to follow.
Find wares by local LGBTQ+ artists including original art and prints, jewelry, textiles, clothing, stickers, buttons, patches, enamel pins, music, personal care products and more! In store, you’ll find featured pop-up collections by various artists.
Evolution Wonderlounge 8PM • $15 and up
The QUILTBAG 11AM - 5PM • Free
Fruit Loop’s Drag Royalty Showcase Crash Hotel + Thrift Shop 10PM • $10
Queer Youth D&D
Fruit Loop has brought the best of the best to finish off Edmonton’s Pride Week! Featuring performances by some of the most recognized, celebrated, and cutting-edge drag talents, including Jon-Benet Ramsme, Duke Carson, Lucian LaPearl, Melinda Verga, Sister Mary Clarence, Artasia, Ladonna, and Claudie Hartout. DJ Thomas Culture, DJ Queerbait, DJ Vishus, DJ Kena Leon, DJ K-Stylz, and DJ Konstantine will be on the street and in the house. A portion of the event proceeds will go to Rainbow Refuge.
June 16 14th Annual Mayor’s Pride Brunch
ASPECC 630PM - 830PM
Revue Royale
Evolution Wonderlounge 9PM • $5
Open stage drag competition Pride recovery show.
June 23 Rainbow Documentary Screening ASPECC Noon • By donation
Watch some documentaries and join in discussions about resiliency in this political climate.
Edmonton Convention Centre 10AM • $20 - $70+
Guests will be treated to a delicious brunch with specialty drinks to brighten their Father’s Day. Performances include out of this world drag entertainers and kid friendly activities for the whole family.
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Peer N Peer (PNP) Peer N Peer (PNP) is a peerled queer substance use program, offered by the EMHC. Rooted in harm reduction principles, PNP meets folks where they’re at on their substance use journey. Whether you’re looking to use substances more safely, change how substance use impacts your sex life, or stop using substances altogether, the PNP team is here for you. Supports and services offered by the PNP team include:
focused on helping people reach their substance use and sexual health goals. In addition to this, PNP members are able to offer other forms of support such as referrals and system navigation support depending on your needs. All counselling and support services are free of charge. • Access to Harm Reduction Supplies - If you’re using substances, we want to help you do it safely. Sharing substance use equipment (needles, pipes, etc.) can put you and those you care about at risk for infections such as HIV or Hepatitis C. If you need access to clean substance use equipment, the PNP team is here for you.
• MyBuzz.ca - On MyBuzz. ca, you can complete an online questionnaire focused on your substance use, alcohol consumption, and sex life. Once you complete your personal questionnaire, you will receive tailored harm reduction advice, have access to online education about substance use, and learn about local services you can access for support.
• Education - If you’re using substances, there are a lot of different strategies you can use to ensure you’re staying as safe and healthy as possible. The PNP team has a variety of online and print resources that can help you use substances more safely.
• One-on-One Support & Counselling - Our PNP team members are trained to provide a structured 4-6 session counselling program
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To access any of these services or to learn more about the program, contact the PNP team at: w: peernpeer.ca e: connect@peernpeer.ca t: 587-599-7290 (Call or Text) *While PNP was primarily funded to serve queer men and masculine folks, like all EMHC programs, PNP is open to any LGBTQ2S+ folks who feel it’s a good fit for them.
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Read With Pride The Orlando Corner at Audreys Books has its origins in Orlando Books, an activist, progessive bookstore on Whyte Ave from 1993 - 2002. Orlando owner Jacqueline Dumas worked at Audreys after closing her store, ensuring we still had this important collection of LGBT fiction and non-fiction, with a focus on local authors. inclusivit as evidenced by their annual Audreys is devoted to inclusivity, support of the Read and Write with Pride Event.
Pride to me as a writer is a delicate balance between protest and celebration -Sheldon L’henaff
Pride makes me feel that my family and I are part of something bigger and that I’m not alone -Ruby Remenda Swanson
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Pride on 103 st
J un e 8 , 2 0 1 9 c omm u n it y f e st iv al 12pm - 10pm MULTIPLE DJS DRAG & BURLESQUE PERFORMERS ALL AGES FAMILY FUN ZONE
Proceeds benefitting multiple LGBT non-profits.
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St Albert Pride Festival
The St Albert Pride Festival will be June 22 from 2 to 6pm. We still have
room for some entertainers and some vendors. This is family friendly event and a celebration of pride and the LGBTQ community. We have a beautiful outdoor stage with live music from local artists. This event will also have food and nonalcoholic drinks for sale. Our vendors have a variety of Queer products and services to promote and sell. There are also many vendors with free items and interactive displays or games. Expect lots of family friendly fun!
www.outloudstalbert.ca
BDO is a proud festival sponsor
As a leading national accounting and advisory firm, we offer a breadth of expertise, innovative thinking and valuable insight to every client who walks through our doors.
Everyone’s invited!
Assurance | Accounting | Tax | Advisory
Happy Pride!
www.bdo.ca
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Visit www.AlbertaDistillers.com today. ÂŽ of Alberta Distillers Limited Calgary, Canada
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JUNE 7 - 16, 2019 er itty Glitt r Revue K J D 8 d ta June 7 an r and the Gold S o horgy Th Ages Drag Show T 9 e n u J All June 10 hangela S 1 1 e n Ju ds a Edwar s s y l A Alyssa June 12 d n a a l e Shang n Night o i t a i c e June 13 ge pr omer Ap ith Monet XChan t s u C 4 w June 1 le Party a n i F ale e d i Pr vue Roy e R June 15 6 1 e Jun 40