GayCalgary Magazine - August 2005

August 2005 Issue 22

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Bif Naked…

On loving Calgary, The L Word and Superbeautifulmonster

Need Help?

Map, Places and Events of Calgary’s Gay Community in every issue

DevaDave That’s Deva with an ‘e’!

Calgary’s resource for Business, Tourism, Events, Bars and Entertainment for the Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Gay Friendly Community.

Prime Timers Calgary Bridging the Gap http://www.gaycalgary.com

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28 Established originally in January 1992 as Men For Men BBS by MFM Communications. Named changed to GayCalgary.com in 1998. Stand alone company as of January 2004. First Issue of GayCalgary.com Magazine, November 2003.

Publisher Steve Polyak & Rob Diaz-Marino, publisher@gaycalgary.com Editor Rob Diaz Marino, editor@gaycalgary.com

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Table of Contents 5

Copy Editor Jake Wallace Original Graphic Design Deviant Designs Advertising Steve Polyak and Dan Dinu sales@gaycalgary.com Contributors Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino, Nina Tron, Stephen Lock, M. Zelda, Jason Clevett, Jerome Voltero, Darryl A. Aarbo, Alykhan Velji, Jake Wallace and the Gay and Lesbian Community of Calgary

8 Prime Timers Calgary Bridging the Gap

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Please forward all inquiries to: GayCalgary.com Magazine Suite 100, 215 14th Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2R 0M2 Phone (403) 543-6960 or toll free (888) 543-6960 Fax (403) 703-0685

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Just Ask Nina!

The Dish who dishes advice

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Map & Event Listings Mapping Calgary’s core

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Q Scopes “Check your budget, Gemini”

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Adult Film Reviews Q Puzzle “Reorientation”

E-mail magazine@gaycalgary.com Print Run Monthly, 12 times a year

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That’s Deva with an ‘e’!

Photographer Steve Polyak and Rob Diaz-Marino Videographer Steve Polyak and Rob Diaz-Marino

Wild Gay West Letter from the Publisher

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When The Saints Coming Marching In: A Thousand Gay Christians Converge on Calgary

Masthead continued on page 4

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Gay Legalese Common Law

continued on page 4

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Copies Printed Monthly, up to 10,000 copies.

The legend begins at Jubilations

Distribution points 150 points in Calgary, largest distribution points for any Gay publication in Calgary. Also distributed coast to coast across Canada in select locations in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Montreal, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and other places across Canada. Please call us if you would like to be a distribution point.

The Last Resort

Distributed by DLRJ Distributions, Canada Post and by GayCalgary.com

continued from page 3

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The saga of Batt-Man and Boy Blunder

Stage West season finale a fun musical romp

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A Couple of Guys

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Letters to the Publisher

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Music Review

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The Cut-a-Thon

This Issue Cover Model Bif Naked, photographed by Albert Normandin. Used with permission.

Bitter Girl The Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Bif Naked‌ On loving Calgary, The L Word and Superbeautifulmonster

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Legal Council Courtney Sebree Aarbo, Barristers and Solicitors Printers North Hill News

Putting a Face to Gay Business

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Deadline for Ad copy 28th of the month (subject to change without notice)

The Latest in Party Groove from Centaur Music

Great Cuts, Great Cause

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Deadline for Ad Bookings 25th of the month (subject to change without notice)

Queer Eye - for the Calgary guy (or gal)

The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of GayCalgary.com or the contributors of the magazine.

People photographed or interviewed, writers, advertisers, contributors and anyone else involved with this publication are not necessarily gay, lesbian, bi, bi-curious or trans gendered. They can be straight people that are gay friendly.

Events that happened around Calgary

No part of the publication may be reprinted without the expressed permission of the editor-in-chief.

Classifieds Ads

Copyright 2005

Wild Gay West Letter from the Publisher

By Rob Diaz-Marino and Steve Polyak

This year we came to the realization that you haven’t fully experienced the ARGRA weekend until you’ve camped out. Last year we popped up to Symon’s Valley Ranch for some of the main events (thanks to More Better Buses who were shuttling people back and forth), but this year we got a great deal on renting an RV. So, we proudly sported our GayCalgary banner on the front of our vehicle, even though we were only able to get a campsite in overflow. Needless to say, Steve and I don’t get out much, so the weekend was a pleasant change of pace – a chance to get to know new people and spend time hanging out with friends. Don’t get me wrong, we still had work to do taking photos and manning our booth, as well as other general public relations. Man did it rain though! At one point we literally had a river running through the merchant tent. I shudder to think what the competitors and spectators must have gone through! But, in the end it all panned out – the sun came out, things dried, and everyone was happy.

Except for one poor guy to whom, I started giving a back massage later that evening, not knowing he’d injured his shoulder…ouch, SORRY!!

a spot up at the front, leaning on the corral fence. The show was exceptional, and coupled with the fireworks, it totally blew us away. Plus, we didn’t know A-Channel’s Dave Kelly could sing so well! The four hours we spent on our feet were certainly worth it…we’re just sad we didn’t make it on the ‘cuddle cam!’ Well, there’s always next year.

Now we’re onto August which is usually a slow month for Calgary in general, since a lot of people are out of town. We found it mildly surprising that the necessity arose for us to expand to 64 pages this issue. Oh well, call us ‘pain pigs’, but we’ve got to roll with the punches.

In the News Are you sick of reading about gay marriage yet? It’s certainly a topic that’s getting hammered to death in the media these days – though that’s a good thing because there are still a lot of thick skulls out there that need it.

Our July issue certainly went like hotcakes with ARGRA and the Calgary Stampede. It was the MCC Conference that caught us off guard though. Imagine our surprise when out of nowhere they request magazines to supply to the 1000+ people that were expected to be attending the conference. To meet their quota, we needed to tuck into some of our back issues; otherwise we wouldn’t have had enough July issues to tide us over to the end of the month!

We had a phenomenal time at the Calgary Stampede this year. For Steve and I, it was our first time attending a Grand Stand show. Though we weren’t lucky enough to find room in the rush seating area, we were able to get

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As we already mentioned, the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) had a HUGE conference in Calgary this month where they performed a whole slough of marriages for gay couples from the US. You’re probably thinking “of all places in Canada, why would they choose Calgary?”

The whole ‘red-neck factor’ doesn’t exactly make our city seem like the most welcoming, but in actual fact they told us that they chose Calgary specifically for that reason.

They knew they could make the most impact in Canada’s most reputably conservative city. Check out the Letter to the Editor that MCC Media Coordinator Ian Taylor wrote to us on page 38 – from the way it looks, Calgary’s not that bad after all.

Highlights this Month “The Queens are Back” at Detour! They’ve brought back their drag shows every Sunday at 11pm and 12:30am. In addition they’ve re-introduced their popular “Girlz Night” event on the first Friday of every month.

Twisted Element launched their version of the Newly Wed Game every Wednesday – coincidentally it started the day after the gay marriage laws were officially passed.

The game is geared toward gay, lesbian, and even straight couples, however close friends are also welcome to participate…and trust me, with some of those questions, you’d better be close!

There’s a ton of stuff happening at the bars this upcoming September long weekend! For more information take a look at Detour’s ad on page 47, Metro the Club’s ads on page 20 and 37, and Twisted Element’s ads on page 11 and 63. You know that we have to try and be at them all right? (Sigh…)

Questions or comments about the magazine or other things happening in the community, please E-mail us at publisher@gaycalgary.com

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PRIME TIMERS CALGARY Bridging the Gap

By Jake Wallace

In September of 2003, Prime Timers Calgary was re-established to meet an important need within our community. There had been a growing number of mature gay and bisexual men in Calgary and area that were lacking opportunities to interact with other like-minded men. Their mission is “to foster positive interaction for its members by facilitating social, recreational and educational activities.”

We contacted Tony Ries, who is one the executives of Prime Timers Calgary, and reviewed their website to find out more about this fine organization and how it came to be. “Prime Timers was formed by Woody Baldwin in 1987, in Boston. He felt that a wide gap existed in today’s society, which caters almost exclusively to youth. He observed this to be equally true of the gay community and decided to establish an organization whose primary purpose was to foster social and cultural interaction among mature gay and bisexual men. Many such men often find themselves marginalized within the larger society. The goal of Prime Timers is to help reverse this tendency by offering a supportive social environment through a variety of activities for older gay and bisexual men.”

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It is not surprising to find that there are over fifty chapters of Prime Timers located in major cities around the world with most being located in North America. “The chapter in Calgary was started a number of years ago, but just dwindled away after a lack of leadership and loss of interest. Two years ago it was resurrected with a membership of twelve. It has grown year after year since its beginning to now forty members.”

Prime Timers was started for gay or bisexual men, who are over forty year of age, from all walks of life regardless of their income levels. Their members are men who desire to have their social lives enriched by a diverse number of activities. “Prime Timers can be fathers and care givers.

They can be businessmen and entrepreneurs. They are workers and they are retired. Some are always on the go, and some enjoy the quiet company of others at home. But one thing is true of all Prime Timers: they enjoy the opportunities and friendships that develop with other Prime Timers in the greater Calgary area (and throughout the world if they choose to travel). No mature gay or bisexual man need be alone or lonely if he chooses not to be! Our group totally respects whatever the degree of anonymity each member desires. Some of our members are completely out, while others are not. Whatever your situation, you would be made to feel most welcome in a very supportive

and positive social environment. There is no need for anyone to sit at home and feel alienated.”

Any gay or bisexual male who is forty years of age or older can join this Chapter. Currently their annual membership fee is $30 per person. This entitles each member to participate in any sponsored activity.

“We have a wonderful variety of things to do, so you can be as busy as you like. We are involved in many social activities and we try to give back to the community by doing volunteer work. Our activities are completely member driven. If a member is interested in an activity that is not offered, it is not unusual for that member to offer to host/organize the activity and invite other members to participate. The heart and soul of Prime Timers Calgary (as in any Chapter) is the variety and number of activities it offers to its members through the monthly calendar.

We now have an executive committee, to set up and plan these activities. Since September we have enjoyed potlucks, theatre, dining out, bridge, concerts, pub nights, hiking, movie nights, regular coffee hours and parties. If you check out our website you will see we are involved in many, many more social activities. We welcome all new members to a non-threatening atmosphere of camaraderie. We are not really a support group, but for some we are. The gay community has always been youth oriented, so we have had to create our own little niche.” You too

can have a sense of belonging in a supportive community while being exposed to various social and cultural activities.

Prime Timers’ next social event is a potluck dinner on August 7th. It will be held at the “Old Y” Center located at 223 – 12 Ave. SW, and starts at 5:00PM. If anyone wishes to attend they may contact Harvey or Tony at (403) 5479129.

Prime Timers Calgary Harvey or Tony at (403) 547-9129 www.primetimerscalgary.com primetimerscalgary@telus.net If would like to have your business or non-profit group reviewed in an up coming issue of GayCalgary.com Magazine or have comment or suggestions of businesses to be reviewed, please contact us at (403) 543-6960 or E-mail us at reviews@gaycalgary.com.

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DEVADAVE That’s Deva with an ‘e’!

By Rob Diaz Marino

DevaDave Salon is a full-service salon that offers everything from massage to full aesthetic services such as waxing, facials, skin care, manicures, pedicures, and makeup. The business will be celebrating its 1st year anniversary this August. The owner, Dave Richards, brings in a rich background as a stylist and makeup artist having been established for over 8 years 10

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“Of the 8 years, I have worked six years here [in Calgary], and the other two were spent in Germany. A lot of my background came from my spa experience as a manager, and the services I had to train myself on – not just as an aerobics instructor, but the ongoing massage treatments and specialty treatments.”

“I like using the best of any product. You will see some of the caviar shampoos and conditions we have in here, and the white truffle shampoos, so you see any of the products we have are high-end. We live in Calgary; we have a unique weather system that dries you out. You

need to spend your money on the deep products and rich products – you can’t compromise that.”

One of many things that really stands out is the extensive presence of new and interesting artwork hanging on the walls throughout the salon.

“We have a lot of wall [space] for young artists’ work.

All the work that is in here is for sale, and the artist gets 100% of that. Most of the galleries are pre-booked, so when they come out of school or are producing work, there is no place to showcase it. We have great traffic in here so, a lot of the work sells right away. It is quite affordable because it is not subjected to the gallery markup.”

Richards likes to make the Salon interesting for his customers by changing things up from time to time. Whether it be moving around the artwork, repainting the walls with new colors, or even removing the ceiling tiles to take the edge off the acoustics in the room.

“I like reinventing the space, so that when clients come in, they say ‘oh my god, what did you do?’ It has been very strange because a lot of the clients ask, ‘what paint color is that?’ People take a lot from this space and go home with it, which is to me a great compliment. [We removed some of the ceiling tiles] because the sound would come right back down on our heads when we spoke and we found it a bit too much. We opened up the ceiling to

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let it up, [and decorated the inside with ferns]. We are quite lucky; with all of the windows open we have this amazing cross-breeze in here. A lot of clients fall asleep because it is so relaxing. You don’t hear the street traffic at all.”

Another thing that makes DevaDave Salon so unique is their on-site wig boutique.

“We also have on site a full wig boutique, which is quite unique for a salon in Calgary. We not only do consultations for clients with Alopecia or Cancer survivors, we do full fittings just for the sake of getting dressed up. [For some, it it important to find wigs that look very realistic.] A lot of them have a natural scalp. If I am standing close to you, I can’t tell you’re wearing a wig. They don’t have too much hair like a cancer wig would have. They are very natural and very realistic, but they are synthetic!

Technology has come so far that you cannot tell.”

Richards is not just about personal aesthetics. Aside from the Salon, he runs an event planning service, which puts his many other talents to use.

“We do weddings, event planning for dance parties, graduation ceremonies, and bridal showers. We do full weddings from beginning to end, where we do the sourcing of the vendors, musicians, florists, caterers, and location. On the wedding day, I personally work as the bride’s personal assistant, and I do her hair, as well as her makeup. I follow her the rest of the day, for the entire event. So, very ‘Jennifer Lopez,’ but more reality in terms of the budget.”

This year’s dance for Apollo Western Cup was an example of DevaDave’s event planning abilities.

“We go to the clients or the clients come here. We do a full consultation. We discuss what they want – their ideas, the theme, what inspiration they have for the event – and so it’s my job to create the realization of that actual event.

In the case of Apollo Western Cup, they told me what the event was for, how many people they were accommodating for that evening so, my job was to create a party to fit in not only the sports theme, but incorporate as much of the community as possible.”

With recent developments in Canadian politics, we asked Richards the burning question – does he do event planning for gay weddings?

“I have been asked that question quite a bit. I have always said ‘no’ in the past because the whole idea for me at that time, getting married was just to push buttons, and that did not work for me. You need to get married for the right reasons, And now that we have a law in place, now that we have people who realize how hard they had to fight to get that law, I would gladly do gay weddings. But, it has to be a union that represents that couple, who they are, and not to show off to society. I don’t do in-your-face, up-yours events.”

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By far, Richards’ favorite part of event planning is the food.

“I’m all about food. I’m from the Caribbean and we like food. The heart of every celebration, be it a wedding or a funeral, or hell, even just passing an exam, it is all about food. Consequently, my events revolve around great food and great service.”

Whether you are looking for a relaxing afternoon of pampering, or professional advice on getting a fabulous event off the ground, DevaDave Salon is your one-stop shop!

“It’s all about the glamour, darling…”.

DevaDave Salon 1304 4th Street SW, 4th Floor (403) 290-1973 www.devadave.com If would like to have your business or non-profit group reviewed in an up coming issue of GayCalgary.com Magazine or have comment or suggestions of businesses to be reviewed, please contact us at (403) 543-6960 or E-mail

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Just Ask Nina!

The Dish who dishes advice

By Nina Tron Dear Nina, The group of people I hang out with have been getting into a bad scene. Up until about three months ago, we were all weekend party boys. Now I think things may be out of hand, three of us have lost our jobs and by sounds of it, the rest are to follow at any moment. I know that perhaps I should get out, but these are my best friends and without them I would feel lost. Can you offer any advice to help maintain the friendships and also gain my life back?

Tweeked Out Twink

phase, and yes, many a party boy has lost a job or two.

Eventually the party comes to an end and reality hits.

Sounds to me like it may hit you a little sooner than your friends. It has to happen one day, and today is your day.

Don’t despair my little twink, take care of yourself first.

Remember that your friends may have made the choice to keep the party alive, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a life of your own. It also doesn’t mean you have to cut yourself off from your friends either. It’s just you taking control of your life. When you hang out together, pick a different activity. The party is always there for you guys to visit, but as you have already seen it has a heavy price at times. You are the master of your own destiny. I wish you the best of luck my dear. Keep in touch.

Nina

Dear Tweeked Out Twink Oh, to be young again!! Sweetie this story is much more common than you think. Most people go through a party

I am here for you, and I look forward to hearing from you all, I can be reached at: AskNina@gaycalgary.com or Mailed to Ask Nina c/o GayCalgary.com Magazine, Suite 403, 215 14th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2R 0M2. You can also watch Nina every Sunday night and events through out the week at Twisted Element, 1006 11th Avenue SW. Other than the question, all personal information (i.e. name, address, E-mail) will remain confidential.

GayCalgary.com does reserve the right to alter questions for brevity and content. Responses are for entertainment value only.

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Events Listing Find out what’s happening around Calgary

Accommodations

http://www.gaywestways.com

Foxwood B&B ●12 See our ad on page 46 1725 - 12 St SW • (403) 244-6693 Accommodation review in GayCalgary.com Magazine August 2004 - Issue 10 http://www.thefoxwood.com

Bathhouse and Sauna’s

The Seville Park Place ●40 See our ad on page 49 239 12th Avenue SW • (403) 265-6111 Renovated Bachelor Suites Starting at $525/month. Right in the heart of the Gay Community.

Westways Guest House ●13 216 - 25 Ave SW • (403) 229-1758 Accommodation review in GayCalgary.com Magazine June 2004 - Issue 8

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Goliath’s ●6 See our ad on page 6 308 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 229-0911 Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day 7 Days a Week, Specials on Lockers and Single Rooms for Students. Valid student ID must be shown. Student Rates unavailable 8pm to 4am Weekends.

First Monday of the Month - Membership Appreciation. All Day Drink Specials on Beer and Hi-balls in the Texas Lounge. Valid Membership must be produced. 10:00pm Draw for a voucher for Free room or $20 bar tab

Businesses Alykhan Velji See our ad on page 33 (403) 617-2406 Interior Decorator A Woman’s Place Book Store 2030 34th Avenue SW • (403) 263-5256 http://www.awomansplacebookstore.ca Business review in GayCalgary.com Magazine March 2005 - Issue 17 Self help, spirituality, Gay/Lesbian, woman’s studies, parenting, children and health.

Adult Depot 140, 58th Ave SW •(403) 258-2777 524A 6th Ave SE •(403) 264-7399 ●23 Sex toys, and Straight, Bi, Gay video rentals http://www.adultdepotstore.com Adult Source See our ad on page 15 Business review in GayCalgary.com Magazine October 2004 - Issue 12 10210 MacLeod Trail S • (403) 271-7848 1536 - 16 Ave NW • (403) 289-4203 2770 - 32 Ave NE • (403) 250-8225

1127 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 244-6537 ●20 4310 - 17 Ave SE • (403) 273-2701 Calgary’s largest selection of adult DVD, VHS, toys and magazines.

B&D Emporium Inc. ●14 Business review in GayCalgary.com Magazine July 2004 - Issue 9 829 17th Ave SW • (403) 265-7789 http://www.bndemporium.com Adult clothing store and accessories specializing in fetish, leather, latex, Gothic, punk, and corsets.

Bay, the ●29 200 - 8th Ave SW • (403) 262-0345 http://www.hbc.com Brian Mahoney & John McNeill See our ad on page 22 #10, 6020 - 1A St SW • (403) 259-4141 Re/Max Reality Professionals Cobalt See our ad on page 49 735 12th Avenue SW • (403) 228-7822 Hair & Aesthetics

Courtney Sebree Aarbo ●24 See our ad on page 21 1138 Kensington Road NW • (403) 571-5120 http://www.csalaw.ca Business review in GayCalgary.com Magazine August 2004 - Issue 10 Barristers & solicitors

Edges Salon & Spa #7 - 400 Crowfoot Crescent NW Phone: (403) 375-0000 http://www.edgessalonandspa.com Our spa’s unique environment, independent of salon, is a tranquil sanctuary where stresses of everyday life melt away.

Christopher Wittke, AMP See our ad on page 6 (403) 451-8648 • Toll Free (877) 718-0884 Mortgage Agent

Ho Ho Ho Inc. ●38 2nd Floor, Scotia Centre Downtown• (403) 398-4685 The Christmas Store

Cruiseline See our ad on page 64 (403) 777-9494 trial code 3500 http://www.cruiseline.ca Phone chat room & talking classifieds for 18+

Interactive Male (403) 261-2100, Trial code 3418 or try 1-900451-3800 ($1.99/min) http://www.interactivemale.com Phone chat room for 18+

Customers First Auto Care 221 41st Ave NE • (403) 276-8001 Brakes, tune-ups, general repair, insurance reports, drivability problems, computer diagnostics

La Fleur ●41 See our ad on page 12 #103 - 100 7th Avenue SW (403) 266-1707 Florist Shop

Deva Dave Salon ●32 4th Floor, 1304 4th Street SW • (403) 290-1973 http://www.devadave.com

Mary’s Electrolysis ●39 110 815 8th Avenue SW • (403) 234-8704 Permanent Hair Removal

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MaxWell Reality - Dale Erickson (403) 253-5678 MaxWell Real Estate Agent MFM Communications See our ad on page 24 (403) 543-6970 http://www.mfmcommunications.com Web site hosting and development. Computer Hardware and Software.

More Better Buses (403) 651-1692 Providing unique, comfortable & affordable transportation. Charter us for: High School Graduations, Senior Groups, Pub Crawls and Sporting Events Pine Mountain/Java Bear ●42 1406 17th Avenue SW (403) 228-9693 Coffee, Psychic/Tarot/Tea Leaf readings, Gifts and more!

Play Market Mall •(403) 202-1774 2nd Level , TD Square •(403) 252-9672 ●31 Priape Calgary ●16 See our ad on page 7 1322 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 215-1800 Business review in GayCalgary.com Magazine May 2004 - Issue 7 http://www.priape.com Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear, movies and magazines. Gifts.

Professional Relaxation Massage See our ad on page 23 (403) 510-7572 Male to Male massage by appointment only RBC Investments - Bob Sokoloski (403) 969-8588

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Thomas Cook Travel See our ad on page 5 Wade Wiley (403) 253-8494

Clubs and Bars BackLot ●3 See our ad on page 18 209 - 10 Ave SW • (403) 265-5211 Open 7 days a week, 4pm-close Business review in GayCalgary.com Magazine March 2004 - Issue 13 GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location* Calgary Eagle Inc. ●4 See our ad on page 29 424a - 8 Ave SE • (403) 263-5847 Open Wed-Sun 5pm-close Business review in GayCalgary.com Magazine February 2004 - Issue 4 http://www.calgaryeagle.com GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location* Sunday - Beer Bust 4-8pm. Two Big Beef bones $5.95. $2.00 Draft (12oz) Canadian.

Wednesday - Free Pool Thursday - Get Boned. Two Big Beef bones $5.95. and Wing Night. 20 cents per wing Friday - Dark Night - “Feel your way around and come in the Dark” Toonie Sundays (First and last Sunday of every month) - $2 Pizza Slices and $2 Draft Detour/Arena ●5 See our ad on page 47 318 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 244-8537 Open Thursday-Sunday 10pm-close Business review in GayCalgary.com Magazine November 2003 - Issue 1 http://www.detourcalgary.com GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location in the Loading Dock area*

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Indulge Closed.

Loading Dock ●7 318 - 17 Ave SW, side entrance • (403) 244-8537 Open 7 days a week, 3-9:30pm Business review in GayCalgary.com Magazine November 2003 - Issue 1 GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location* Metro the Club ●8 See our ad on page 20 and 37 213 - 10 Ave SW • (403) 265-2028 Open 7 days a week, 9pm-close Business review in GayCalgary.com Magazine December 2003 - Issue 2 http://www.metroboyztown.com

Wednesdays - 15cent Wing Night Sundays - Happy Hour All Day Friday’s - Karaoke at 9pm Saturday - Karaoke, Name that Tune, or Dancing Sunday - 10:00 am - Brunch 11 to 3pm Happy Hour All Day and Happy hour all day Check the GayCalgary.com web site for updated event calendar information.

The Rekroom ●10 See our ad on page 30 213a - 10 Ave SW • (403) 265-4749 Open 7 days a week, 4pm-close Business review in GayCalgary.com Magazine December 2003 - Issue 2 Solar Cafe ●26 Closed.

Money-Pennies ●9 1742 - 10 Ave SW • (403) 263-7411 Open Mon-Fri 11:00am-close; Sat & Sun 10: 30am-close Business review in GayCalgary.com Magazine January 2004 - Issue 3 http://www.money-pennies.com GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location*

Texas Lounge ●6 See our ad on page 9 308 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 229-0911 Open 7 days a week, 11am-close Check the GayCalgary.com web site for updated event calendar information.

Business review in GayCalgary.com Magazine November 2004 - Issue 13

Tuesdays - 2 steak sandwiches $9.99

First Monday of the Month - Membership

Appreciation. All Day Drink Specials on Beer and Hi-balls in the Texas Lounge. Valid Membership must be produced. 10:00pm Draw for a voucher for Free room or $20 bar tab Tuesdays - Karaoke Wednesdays - Hi-Ball Specials Saturdays - Karaoke Sundays - Beer Specials (selected brands) Ernestine Movie Matinee: August 7th - 2001 A Space Odyseey, August 14th - Rock Star, August 21st - Constantine, August 28th - George of the Jungle, September 4th - Kill Bill Vol1.

The Twisted Element ●33 1006 11th Ave SW • (403) 802-0230 See our ad on page 11 and 63 7 days a week 4:00pm to close http://www.twistedelement.ca GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location* The Verge Closed

Community Groups and Organizations Aids Calgary ●2 200, 1509 Centre St South • (403) 508-2500 Non-Profit review in GayCalgary.com Magazine March 2004 - Issue 5

http://www.aidscalgary.org These workshops are offered free to all interested individuals.

Alpine Frontrunners Club Calgary (403) 660-6125 calgaryfrontrunners@shaw.ca The AFCC was formed in 1991 after individuals who participated in the Gay Games in Vancouver decided they wanted to form a club to promote health and fitness in the gay community.

The club has a membership of approximately 20. These members are active in Team Calgary which supports athletes going to the Gay Games.

The AFCC hosts a Pride Run as part of Gay Pride Week, every June (on Father’s Day). As well, we send teams to the Banff Mountain Ekiden race held the Saturday after Canadian Thanksgiving in October.

AFCC Fun Runs: Tuesdays. Eau Claire YMCA. 200 Barklay Parade SW (4th street and 3rd ave SW) June thru October, at 6 pm. Outdoors.

Saturdays. 9 am. Eau Claire YMCA. Brunch follows; location varies.

Join our mailing list: calgaryfrontrunners@c oollist.com

Apollo Calgary Friends in Sports Non-Profit review in GayCalgary.com Magazine April 2004 - Issue 6 http://www.apollocalgary.com Schedule and events are changing, please check website for Fall/Winter activities.

Sundays - League Sun Bowling, Regular League at Let’s 10 Pin Bowlerama, 2916 5 Avenue NE. Starting 2:00pm Tuesday - Lawn Bowling, at the Inglewood Lawn Bowling Club, 1235 - 8th Avenue S.E. between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm. Starts Tuesday, June 1, 2004 and run until the end of August.

Wednesdays - Rainbow Riders Bowling League at Let’s 10 Pin Bowlerama, 2916 5 Avenue NE. Starting at 6:30pm. League fees are $15.00 per Night. Shoe rental is $1.25 Saturday - Badminton. 1:30pm - 3:30pm.

Hillhurst Community Center, 1320 5th Avenue NW Thursday - Tennis, from 7 pm to 9 pm at West Hillhurst Community Centre, 1940 6 Ave NW., from May 27th to September 9th. The fees are $3 for Apollo members and $5 for non members. For further information please email Peter at tennis@apollocalgary.com Fridays - Slow Pitch. at 7:00pm - starts Friday

May 13, 2005. Sunnyside Hillhurst Community Centre. 1320 - 5 Avenue NW. For more info send email to slow.pitch@apollocalgary.com or call Don B. at 245-6826 Saturday - League Curling. Details North Hill Curling Club (1201 - 2 Street N.W.) 2:20 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. games Round Robin 1 Sundays - Golf. Starting Wednesday May 4, 2005. Tee Time start 5:30. Apollo members $26.00. Non-members $28.00. First payment of 4 nights is required to start. $104.00 for Apollo members or $112.00 non - members. Pay by visa/cash/cheque. Contact golf@apollocalgary.com Or by phone 2281952. Confirm your booking with payments by phone or email every Sunday. Apollo encourages participation of men and women of all abilities and skill levels. Come out and meet like-minded individuals. And of course enjoy the golf season while we have it.

ARGRA – Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association See our ad on page 43 Hotline: (403) 541-8140 http://www.argra.org Non Profit Group review in GayCalgary.com

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Magazine June 2004 - Issue 8 ARGRA AGM - Wednesday, September 14th - 7 pm, at Old “y” Common Room (223- 12th Ave SW). ARGRA Annual General Meeting of Members: The 2006 Board of Directors and Rodeo Committee will be elected at this time.

ARGRA Volunteer Appreciation Dance September 17 , 2005 - 7:30 pm. Dance cost is $6 for members and $9 for non-members.

Country music until 10pm and hot mixed music the rest of the evening IGRA Convention 2005 hosted by ARGRA. October 21-22, 2005 - Various times.

ARGRA White Hat Dinner & Dance Competition.

October 22 - 7:30 pm. (Runs concurrently with IGRA Convention 2005). Dance cost is $6 for members and $9 for non-members. Country music until 10pm and hot mixed music the rest of the evening.

ARGRA Fall Frolic Dance. November 19 , 2005 - 7:30 pm. Dance cost is $6 for members and $9 for non-members. Country music until 10pm and hot mixed music the rest of the evening.

ARGRA Christmas Dinner & Dance. December

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10 , 2005 - 7:30 pm. Dance cost is $6 for members and $9 for non-members. Country music until 10pm and hot mixed music the rest of the evening

Calgary Gay Fathers (403) 777-9499 ext 2090 calgaryfathers@hotmail.com http://www.geocities.com/calgaryfathers

Artists for the Quality of Life See our ad on page 7 (403) 890-1261 http://www.artistsforqualityoflife.com

Peer support group for gay, bisexual and questioning fathers. Meeting twice a month

Between Men and Between Men Online Sean (403) 234-8973 or sean@glcsa.org http://www.glcsa.org/ Peer support, sexual health education for gay or bisexual men, as well as those who may be uncertain or questioning their sexuality.

Discussions range from personal relationship or life issues, to sexual health and well-being.

Mondays - Meetings at Money-Pennies from 7pm to 8:30pm Calgary Humane Society See our ad on page 30 1323 - 36th Avenue NE (403) 250-7722 http://www.calgaryhumane.ca Animal Adoptions and for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

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Calgary Men’s Chorus See our ad on page 17 (403) 262-6295 http://www.calgarymenschorus.org Tuesdays - Rehearsals, 7:00pm to 9:30pm at Rosedale United Church, 1317 1 Street NW Canadians for Equal Marriage http://www.equal-marriage.ca We have chapters in Calgary, Edmonton, Medicine Hat and Red Deer. If you would like to volunteer contact us at volunteer@equalmarriage.ca.

CBCA Sexual and Reproductive Wellness Centre 304, 301 14th Street NW (403) 283-5580 http://www.cbca.ab.ca CBCA offers counselling and educational services

that help people consider their sexual and reproductive choices in informed and responsible ways.

RU a lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirited or queer youth, ages 17-24? RU interested in helping make Calgary a safer place for people of diverse sexual orientation? If UR, we are looking for dynamic volunteers for our Anti-Homophobia Program.

This program is intended to raise awareness and understanding among students about the experiences of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, two spirited, transgendered, queer and questioning youth. If you are interesting in sharing your experiences with other youth, and are available days, please call us at 283-5580 and ask for an Educator or contact pkrause@cbca.ab.ca..

Choices (403) 234-8973 or glcsa@glcsa.org http://www.m2mchoices.ca/ Choices provides tailored prevention and education to Choices is a partnership between GLCSA and AIDS Calgary. Choices employs a harm reduction philosophy to educate men and HIV/AIDS and STDs, so they are able to make the best decisions for themselves.

Different Strokes http://www.differentstrokescalgary.org Swim Club.

Non-Profit review in GayCalgary.com Magazine March 2005 - Issue 17 Come Celebrate Our 10th Anniversary With Us! Friday, August 12 - Bar Night Twisted Element 5pm-ish to closing-ish. We have front line privileges until 10pm. Happy Hour prices 5pm10pm. Pizza Special($8.99) to 9pm Saturday, August 13 - Barbeque Mike and Ken’s House 5pm-ish until the police come. Bring your own beverages, BBQ fixings, and a something to share ... that’s edible ... besides you ... Food!

Please also bring your own chair. Indoor POOL! Bring a suit and a towel.

Sunday, August 14 - Picnic Heritage Park 10am - 3pm. We must have attendence numbers in advance for this event! The cost for Heritage Park is $30, which must be paid in advance, by July 31! We have the Chautauqua Tent booked, and a hot lunch being served between noon and 1:30. Everyone will be given a ride bracelet which includes the SS Moyie Sternwheeler, the Steam Train, midway, and the Horse-drawn Wagons Wednesday - 7:00 to 8:00 PM at YWCA (Fitness on Fifth), 320 - 5 Avenue S.E. not the Eau Claire YMCA $5.00

Gay Prairie Alumni http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ gayprairiealumni/ This group is for all gay/lesbian/transgendered alumni of Prairie Bible Institute and/or Prairie High School in Three Hills, Alberta. It’s purpose is twofold: First, social -- to renew old friendships and make new ones. Second -- to talk about our common experiences as gay people at a fundamentalist school. Any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Girl Friends http://members.shaw.ca/girlfriends Girlsgo Productions (403) 510-2502 http://www.girlsgo.ca Event production and promotion in Alberta for women. Check online for fun things to do!

Saturday, September 17th, 2005. Alpine Women’s Golf Tournament at Wintergreen Golf Course near Bragg Creek, AB. Friday, September 16th to Sunday, September 18th, 2005. Camping Higher Ground 2 Weekend Escape for Women Paddys Flats Group Campground in the Elbow Valley.

GLASS, Gay & Lesbian Association of Students and Staff PF4255 in the Professional Faculties Building, University of Calgary (403) 220-6394 Non-Profit review in GayCalgary.com Magazine October 2004 - Issue 12 http://www.glassuofc.com GLCSA - Gay And Lesbian Community Services Association ●1 206, 223 - 12 Ave SW, Old “Y” Centre (403) 234-8973 Non-Profit review in GayCalgary.com Magazine February 2004 - Issue 4 See our ad on page 30 http://www.glcsa.org Great Alberta Campout http://members.shaw.ca/GACampout/ Alberta’s Favorite Gay And Lesbian Camping Experience. The GAC is Red Deer’s longest running Gay And Lesbian organization, and one of Central Alberta’s most anticipated GLBT events. For one affordable rate, you get four days of camping enjoyment. It also includes delicious meals, games, activities, bonfires, draws, prizes, 2 dances and much more!

Benalto Rodeo Grounds, Benalto, Alberta

Heading Out Sean (403) 234-8973 or sean@glcsa.org http://www.glcsa.org/ Peer group for men who are looking for an alternative social activity to the bar. Activities vary and are fun and entertaining. The group meets the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month from 7 pm to 9 pm.

HIV Peer Support Group (403) 230-5832 hivpeergroup@yahoo.ca Illusions Calgary #206, 223 - 12th Ave. S.W.• (403) 2348973 http://www.glcsa.org Social group for Calgary and area transgender community members (cross dressers, transvestites, drag kings and queens). Illusions provides a safe, discrete and welcoming atmosphere, in which transgendered people can meet others of like mind. Illusions offers discretion, acceptance, compassion and a safe place to express your gender. Cross-dressing is the purpose of the group, but is not mandatory.

Answers to this month’s Q-Puzzle on page 27

Sunday - 6:00 to 7:00 PM YWCA (Fitness on Fifth), 320 - 5 Avenue S.E. not the Eau Claire YMCA $5.00 Don’t Buy In Project http://www.dontbuyin.ca This Calgary Police Service Initiative aims to encourage youth to working towards an inclusive environment in which diversity is embraced in their schools and community.

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Inside Out 206, 223 - 12 Ave SW, Old “Y” Centre• (403) 234-8973 http://www.glcsa.org Peer-facilitated youth group for GLBTQ ages 15-25. The group aims to let youth know they are not alone, and to connect them with their peers. Every Monday, 7 pm to 9pm at GLCSA. It is a funky and safe environment with a variety of resources and activities.

ISCCA – Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch http://www.iscca.ca Non-Profit review in GayCalgary.com Magazine November 2003 - Issue 1 and December 2003 - Issue 2 Crowns for Kids

A social group for womyn – Every First Saturday of the month at 7pm. At The Good Earth Café, 1504 - 11 Ave SW Pride Calgary (403) 262-3410 Non-Profit review in GayCalgary.com Magazine May 2004 - Issue 7 http://www.pridecalgary.ca Pride Rainbow Project prp@planet-save.com http://www.priderainbowproject.com

Integrity Calgary http://members.aol.com/DWFrancis/ integrity.html

The Pride Rainbow Project was started in Fall 2003 by 4 youth of the Unitarian Church of Calgary. The Pride Rainbow Project is a project designed to show support for same-sex marriage in Canada and elsewhere. It is a fabric rainbow banner approximately 5 feet wide, and the goal is to make it 3.2km (2 miles) long, in order to break the world record (set by a group in Florida at 1.25 miles)! It contains the 6 colours of the pride flag: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple. The project is youth run, but anyone can help!.

Worship – Every Second Sunday of the month at 7pm. Meet at St Stephen’s Anglican Church, 1121 - 14 Ave SW. Christian fellowship for gay, lesbians, bisexuals and our friend and family.

Primetimers Calgary See our ad on page 13 E-mail: primetimerscalgary@telus.net http://www.primetimerscalgary.com

New Directions (403) 234-8973 or glcsa@glcsa.org http://www.glcsa.org/

Prime Timers Calgary is designed to foster social interaction for its members through a variety of social, educational and recreational activities. It is open to all gay and bisexual men over forty and respects whatever degree of anonymity that each member desires.

August 5th - Backlot BBQ August 12th - Backlot BBQ August 19th - Backlot BBQ August 26th - Backlot BBQ

Drop in peer/social support group to provide support and resources for individuals who identify as transgendered, transsexual or intersexed. Social support meetings 1st Friday of every month from 7 pm to 11 pm and peer support meetings 3rd Friday of every month from 7 pm to 9 pm at GLCSA. Kitty Group Phone: Nico (403) 605-6597 E-mail: kittycoffee@hotmail.com

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Deerfoot Mall at 9:00 a.m. to carpool. Don’t forget to check around for 2 for 1 coupons (ie. Treasure Chest books). RSVP Phil at bearlover@nucleus.com, especially if you want to Carpool.

Monday, August 8th - Coffee Night - Good Earth Cafe -1502 11 St. SW - 8:00 pm.

Weekend of August 12, 13 & 14 - Bears Campout Weekend. Kinbrook Island Provincial Park. Check their official website to get an idea what the campground offers.

Saturday, August 27th - Bar Night at The Calgary Eagle - 10:00 PM. The Eagle is located at 424A - 8th Avenue S.E. E. Sharp Foundation See our ad on page 2 Phone: (403) 272-2912 E-mail: sharpfoundation@nucleus.com http://www.thesharpfoundation.com BINGO!! Fun volunteer fundraisers needed!!

Mid-week, one evening 5-6 hr. per month. Age 18+. Smokers welcome! FREE FOOD! On job training. Please contact Felicia @ The SHARP Foundation 272-2912.

SHEQ Soulful Healing Ego Quest (403) 234-8973 or glcsa@glcsa.org http://www.glcsa.org/

Rocky Mountain Bears See our ad on page 41 Non-Profit review in GayCalgary.com Magazine January - Issue 3 http://www.rockymountainbears.com

A workshop for women that want to be themselves in a supportive, safe environment. It is a chance to grow and share their experiences related to women’s sexuality. Runs for a ten week period on Thursdays at 7pm. Call Trudy or Krista at 585-7437. To participate, please call the exclusive SHEQ line at 585-7437 (you may leave a voice message for Trudy or Krista) or leave your name and a contact time/number with the Gay & Lesbian Community Services Association at 234-8973.

Saturday, August 6th - Bear do Sylvan Lake Water Slide. Meet at Northwest parking lot at

Small Change...Big Changes http://www.smallchange.ab.ca

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Speak Sebastian http://www.cjsw.com Radio Show – Every first & third Wednesday from 9-10pm. Radio for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans gender and kink community.

Listen on CJSW FM 90.9.

Team Calgary http://www.teamcalgary.org Urban Sex http://www.cjsw.com Radio Show – Every second & forth Wednesday from 9-10pm. Focus on sexuality; gay bisexual lesbian trans gendered and straight issues here in Calgary and around the web. Listen on CJSW FM 90.9.

Western Leather Federation Coffee Night – Wed, 8:30pm. At the Calgary Eagle.

Womynspace (403) 234-8973 or womynspace@glcsa.org http://www.glcsa.org/ Peer social/support group for women providing an evening of fun, bonding, discussion and activities. Meets every Friday 7pm to 9pm at GLCSA. Vigor Calgary (403) 255-7004 http://www.vigorcalgary.ca/ Violence in Gay Male Relationships (VIGOR) is a committee of professionals dedicated to increasing the awareness of gay men’s domestic violence and the services available to them.

Youth 4 Youth 102, 1212 - 1 St. S.E. • (403) 283-8591 http://www.youth4youth.com YouthSafe http://www.youthsafe.net Alberta’s website for youth with sex-and-gender

differences. Youthsafe.net lists the resources, information and services to help youth find safe and caring spaces in Alberta.

Theatre and Art

Restaurants

2005 September 9 - 10, Calgary Grand and Glittering Homecoming Celebration September 16 - 17, Calgary September 20-21, Edmonton The National Ballet of Canada’s Swan Lake October 14 - 15, Calgary October 21-22, Edmonton Performance, Romeo & Juliet October 29, Calgary Grave Gala December 8 - 11, Edmonton Performance,The Nutcracker December 11 The Nutcracker Brunch December 14 - 18, Calgary Performance,The Nutcracker December 17 & 18 The Nutcracker Brunch 2006 January 27, Edmonton Edmonton Gala February 3, Calgary La Nuit Cartier February 10 - 11, Calgary February 17 - 18, Edmonton Performance, An Evening with Gershwin February 23 & 24 Adopt A Dancer Reception February 25 - 27, Edmonton March 16 - 19, Calgary Great Chefs in Great Homes March 24 - 25, Calgary Performance, Alice in Wonderland Subscriber Receptions March 26, Calgary Mad Hatter Tea Party March 31 - April 1, Edmonton Performance, Alice in Wonderland

Calgary Eagle Inc. ●4 See our ad on page 29 424a - 8 Ave SE • (403) 263-5847 Open Tues-Sun 4pm-close Restaurant review in GayCalgary.com Magazine December 2003 - Issue 2 http://www.calgaryeagle.com GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location* Money-Pennies ●9 1742 - 10 Ave SW • (403) 263-7411 Business review in GayCalgary.com Magazine April 2004 - Issue 6 GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location* Solar Cafe ●26 Closed Timothy’s Coffee ● 27 1610 10th St SW • (403) 244-7750 Restaurant review in GayCalgary.com Magazine September 2004 - Issue 11 Monday - Saturday: 7am to 11pm Sunday: 8am to 11pm The Twisted Element ●33 1006 11th Avenue SW • (403) 802-0230 See our ad on page 11, 63 Restaurant review in GayCalgary.com Magazine January 2005 - Issue 15 Sunday 11:00am to close Monday to Saturday 4:00pm to close http://www.twistedelement.ca GayCalgary.com Internet Terminal Location* Victoria’s Restaurant ●18 See our ad on page 17 306 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 244-9991 Mon Fri, 11am-close; Weekends 10am-close Restaurant review in GayCalgary.com Magazine January 2004 - Issue 3

Alberta Ballet http://www.albertaballet.com

Subscriber Receptions May TBA, Calgary School of Alberta Ballet Year End Show June 9 & 10, Calgary & Edmonton House & Garden Show

creations of Calgary’s most talented chefs.

Advance purchase strongly recommended, as tickets per night are limited.

ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects ●36 Phone: (403) 294-7402 http://www.ATPlive.com September 20 – October 8, 2005, AMADEUS,

by Peter Shaffer. A Cornerstone Play October 18 – November 05, 2005, THE SYRINGA TREE, by Pamela Gien. A Cornerstone Play November 26 – December 28, 2005, TREASURE ISLAND, Adapted by Michael O’Brien.

Presented in association with Quest Theatre.

Family Holiday Presentation January 24 – March 5, 2006, ENBRIDGE playRites FESTIVAL OF NEW CANADIAN PLAYS Fairytales International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com May 27th - June 2nd, 2005. Check website for more details New Gallery ●25 See our ad on page 30 516D - 9 Ave SW • (403) 233-2399 Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm One Yellow Rabbit ●35 Big Secret Theatre – EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts • (403) 299-8888 http://www.oyr.org Friday, September 9 and Saturday, September 10, 2005. 7th Annual Wine Stage. Ticket Price: $60.00. Sexy, stylish, sophisticated, OYR’s most dramatic fundraiser and the city’s premiere wine and food event kicks off the season. Savour the world’s finest wines poured for you by the experts while sampling the luscious culinary

September 13 - October 1, 2005. A Fabulous Disaster by Denise Clarke. Presented by OYR and Ground Zero Theatre. A tragic comedy of dire warnings and light-hearted musings created by and starring Denise Clarke. Where: Big Secret Theatre – EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts October 25 – November 12, 2005. Cooped

by SpyMonkey. One Yellow Rabbit presents the return of Euro physical comedy masters SpyMonkey with Cooped. Created by: Cal McCrystal and SpyMonkey. Performed by: Aitor Basauri, Stephan Kreiss, Petra Massey and Toby Park.

November 22 – 26, 2005. Moving Along by Simian Theatre. Written and performed by: Chris Craddock. Directed by: Sophie Lees QUAB Gallery Inc. ●43 See our ad on page 14 212, 100th 7th Avenue SW • (403) 261-2855 http://www.quab.ca Pumphouse Theatre ●37 2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW • (403) 2630079 http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca September 1 - 10, 2005, Sage Theatre Presents Yardies, In the Joyce Doolittle Theatre. Brand new one-man play: “Tales from the golf course... grammar vs grunt labour....’nuff said.”

September 20 - October 1, 2005, Broad Minds Productions Presents Waiting for the Parade, In the Joyce Doolittle Theatre. Celebrate Alberta’s Centennial with Broad Minds! Waiting for the Parade follows five women struggling to come to grips with a changing world and their own changing lives on the Calgary home front during World War II. Written by Calgary playwright

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John Murrell, who was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2002, this warm, touching, often humorous show continues to be appreciated by Canadian and international audiences alike.

politician, your old gym teacher, the waiter, all funeral parlor attendants, and your mother. In an evening of short plays by Christopher Durang, you’ll see them all and laugh with the giddy paranoia that is “Durang!”

November 4 - 12, 2005, Front Row Centre Players Present Leader of the Pack, In the Victor Mitchell Theatre. This hit Broadway musical retrospective celebrates the life and times of Ellie Greenwich, whose doo wop sounds skyrocketed to the top of the sixties charts. The story of Ellie’s rise to fame and fortune is punctuated with a virtual Hit Parade of her music: “Chapel of Love” ,”Da Do Ron Ron” ,”Be My Baby”, “Hanky Panky”, “Do Wah Diddy”, “And Then He Kissed Me” and, of course, the title song, “Leader of the Pack”.

December 7 - 17, 2005, Broad Minds Productions Presents Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet. In the Joyce Doolittle Theatre. This co-production with The Shakespeare Company focuses on Constance, a grad student and lecturer in Renaissance drama at Queen’s University who ghost-writes academic papers for the professor with whom she’s infatuated. She also deciphers a coded manuscript which she believes is a lost source for Shakespeare’s Othello and Romeo and Juliet, and literally falls into the worlds of these plays causing each of them to turn from tragedy to comedy!

November 17 - 26, 2005, Sage Theatre Presents Blowfish, In the Joyce Doolittle Theatre.

What do food, funerals, the Edmonton tornado and Mila Mulroney have in common? Join the elegant and debonair caterer Lumiere as he serves you up a whole new eating experience.

November 29 - December 3, 2005, Hidden Insanity Theatre Presents Durang! In the Joyce Doolittle Theatre. The following people are trying to mess with you: your doctor, your priest, your

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Skew Gallery ●44 1615 10th Avenue SW • (403) 244-4445 http://www.skewgallery.com Stagewest 727 42 Avenue SE • (403) 243-8642 http://www.stagewestcalgary.com

gaycalgary.com magazine

THE LAST RESORT July 7 – Sept. 4, 2005 From Canada’s Most Produced Playwright. A musical/murder-mystery/comedy written with Leslie Arden.

An off-the-wall spoof about a New York restaurateur on the run from the mob. He finds himself at a run-down hotel in Saskatchewan, where everyone who checks in could be the hitman who’s out to get him.

Pajama Tops

By Mawby Green & Ed Feilbert September 7 - November 13, 2005 An utterly mad spoof of the French bedroom farce. The plot is all fun. A husband plans a business trip with a “ friend “ for philandering purpose. His wife secretly invites this same voluptuous girl to spend the weekend. The husband is trapped! Out of the blue an old friend appears, and a policeman with a roving eye for beautiful women keeps you wondering what could possibly happen next. There is also a devilish-looking butler, a maid practicing to be a coquette, and some wildly artful dodging, all calculated to keep the audience laughing.

Theatre Junction http://www.theatrejunction.com Vertigo Mystery Theatre ●34 161, 115 – 9 Ave SE • (403) 221-3708 http://www.vertigomysterytheatre.com If you would like to add your business or non-profit group to the list above, please call (403) 543-6960 or E-mail magazine@gaycalgary.com. You can add your information to the GayCalgary.com directory on the website for free.

GayCalgary.com endeavors to have the information here as accurate as possible. Events and listings can change at any time so it is recommended to check with the establishment before you head out. Non-Profit groups free listings. Business receive a listing once an ad has been placed. The business listing will last 1 year after the last ad is placed unless there is a GayCalgary.com service located at that location.

Q Scopes “Check your budget, Gemini” Lifestyle | Astrology

By GayCalgary.com Magazine Staff

Mercury just went into Leo, stimulating bold new expression and pride in intellect. (Likely more pride than actual intellect!) Mars in Taurus offers stamina to carry through on whatever Mercury stimulates. Both planets aspect Uranus, so careful forethought is necessary to avoid going off in wacky directions. Once your course is started, correcting it will be difficult.

ARIES (March 20 - April 19): This is a great time to entertain - perhaps not at home, but out someplace safer. As much as you may enjoy showing off your abode, will it still be a showcase after the party, or a disaster area?

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Innovations can help you improve organization at work, but integrate them slowly and carefully. If there’s any question at all, ask for closer supervision. Share fears and doubts with a trusted friend, or stress may provoke you into stupid arguments.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Generous impulses can get you into trouble. Check your budget and motivations first. The treasures of your time, efforts, and unique perspectives will be more appreciated than material gifts.

CANCER (June 21 - July 22): The moon is nowhere near full now, but you’re howling way ahead of schedule! Outspokenness is looking sexy on you. Be careful where you work that energy. It could get you into big trouble at work.

LEO (July 23 - August 22): Ask your partner (or anyone) to take you to a religious service or political or metaphysical lecture. Their choice - let them surprise you. Pay attention not only to the event, but to your own reactions to it and where they come from.

VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Of course your friends should appreciate your advice.

Still, did they ask for it? Dig in and help out at a social

event, but keep your mouth shut, except to smile sweetly when you get noticed - as you will - by a very sexy someone.

LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Seeking attention - or paying it - too conspicuously will get you into unbidden trouble. Try to focus as much as you can on fun and games to ameliorate the situation.

SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): If you must get sucked into arguments, avoid long-winded posturing. Keep your answers terse. Direct your stamina to useful activities around the house or to exercise, but be careful! Accidents are a bit more likely than usual now.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): It’s not enough that you are even more playful and sexy than usual, but your mouth seems to be looking for trouble. Writing naughty short stories and poems can provide a safer outlet.

CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): You’re itching for an argument with your partner or anyone close. Try to focus that critical urge by examining parental or cultural influences on how you form relationships. Then see if there’s anything you’d like to work on changing.

AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Check out local mass transit. You are way too accident-prone now to be behind a wheel. If you must drive, at least stay focused. Keep an open mind at work.

Stubbornness is just asking for trouble, and no, the fact that you’re right doesn’t matter.

PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Creative impulses can carry you off in dangerous directions. Don’t avoid new ideas and perspectives, but do try to stay centered. Meditate and evaluate before you innovate!

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Adult Film Reviews

By Jerome Voltero

Review | Adult Male

This month from Adult Depot we have “PainPig Pickup” by Brush Creek Media, and “Entourage” episodes 1 and 2 from ThreeXFilms Productions.

“Pain-Pig Pickup” is a heavy fetish porno that’s definitely not for the faint of heart. As the title suggests, there is a fair amount of pain being inflicted in ways that some may find scary…for example, piercing one’s genitals with syringes, followed by a douse of melted candle wax. Aside from that, there was a great deal of spanking and flogging, nipple and genital clamping, armpit-licking, cigar-burning, knife-scraping, and of course, much to my relief, getting-off.

After an uncertain period of time cradling my knees and rocking back and forth, I was ready to move on to the next two pornos – part 1 and 2 of a series called “Entourage”.

My personal favorite was the hunky and hairy Arpad Miklos, among the other well-muscled and well-endowed Latino and Caucasian studs in their 20’s, and 30’s. The scenes alternate between the sexual misadventures of the son of the wealthy Arabic owner of “Club Entourage”, and the policemen who are investigating a mysterious “hypnotic drug.” I can only surmise that the two are somehow linked. Much to the dismay of his father, the crime lord’s son has group sex galore, with his body guard and several kidnapees – an entourage-a-trois, if you will! Meanwhile, the detectives spend much of their time in the interrogation room, as they “take out their frustration” on their suspect’s “air-tight alibis”.

From Adult Source we have “CUMplete & Uncut” by Inferno DVD, “Hairassment 2” by Macho Man Video, and “Freshmen Recruits” by Pleasure Productions.

“CUMplete & Uncut” struck me as being a little different from your average porno. The bearish main character, explains to his latest love interest, that he is a professional writer of erotic poetry. Indeed some of the scenes are accompanied by the reading of such poetry idolizing the foreskin. After a slow and oddly romantic twosome, the main character introduces his newfound buddy, to a group of older friends (in their 40’s and 50’s) for a big group orgy.

This is workplace harassment, and they DO have to take it…and boy do they take it. “Hairassment 2” shows how co-workers getting a little fresh with each other can

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quickly lead to “making the beast with two backs”. (Does that Shakespearean term even work for gay people?) As the title suggests, the boys are fairly hairy - otters, not bears - and there’s a good deal of anal.

Finally we have “Freshmen Recruits”, an army-themed flick that’s sure to please your uniform fetish – not that they remain clothed for very long. The guys range from well-muscled to light builds with buzz cuts and smoothshaven chests. Naturally the staff and drill sergeants imparted pearls of wisdom to their new recruits, if you get my meaning.

I never thought it would come to this, but after over 6 hours of watching pornos I have an itch to go and do something…well, more productive. Until next month!

“Pain-Pig Pickup”, “Entourage Episode I”, “Entourage Episode II” Available at Adult Depot 524 6th Ave SE – (403) 264-7399 140 – 58th Ave SW – (403) 258-2777 www.adultdepotstore.com afterdk@telus.net “CUMPlete & Uncut”, “Hairassment 2”, “Freshmen Recruits” Available at Adult Source 10210 Macleod Trail SE – (403) 217-7848 1536 16th Ave NW – (403) 289-4203 2770 32nd Ave NE – (403) 250-8225 1127 17th Ave SW – (403) 244-6537 4310 17th Ave SE – (403) 273-2701

Q Puzzle “Reorientation” Fun | Crosswords

By GayCalgary.com Magazine Staff

CLUE: A crossword that puts a gay spin on some “straight” words.

Across 1 Black Party, for example 5 Harold’s facial marks in The Boys in the Band 10 Jelly not for bread 14 Painting and sculpture, to Michelangelo 15 Film director Joseph 16 Top draft level 17 Home st. of Maupin 18 Carrie Chapman Catt, once 19 Peter the Great, for example 20 Committee leader with family support?

23 Feminine one of Baudelaire 24 Virginia Woolf ___ Stephen 25 Top, in a hierarchy 27 Reinaldo Arenas’ Peter 29 ___ Do It for Love (Monika Treut film) 33 Bar in the homeland of Elton John 34 La Cage ___ Folles 36 Urvashi has one 37 Sheehan’s tees, e.g.

38 WNBA player, perhaps?

41 Jeffrey won one 43 Edvard Grieg’s land (abbr.)

44 Heather Has ___ Mommies 45 Our Tribe and Redwood Records (abbr.)

46 Hannah of Steel Magnolias 48 Changed from a pair to a threesome 52 Type of daddy 54 Abbr. on a Provincetown Ferry ticket

56 One, for James M. Barrie 57 Smart, fey university set?

62 Thornton Wilder’s The Bridge of San ___ Rey 63 Fashion designer Perry 64 160 rods 65 Piece of Kahlo’s cash 66 Ages and ages 67 Greek oracle, e.g.

68 From A to B, to Debussy 69 “Let’s make it a threesome!”

70 Singer Fure Down 1 Have sex with from underneath?

2 Hard to know 3 Didn’t leave the next morning 4 Photographer Ritts 5 Cut 6 Emulated Susan Feniger 7 R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World ___ Know It” 8 Enjoy E. Lynn Harris 9 ‘N ___ (boy band) 10 The No. 1 to Christopher Street 11 Ready for action 12 Embrace from a hairy guy?

13 Copland capability 21 Aimee of Pret a Porter 22 Top ___ (fashionable) 26 Bob Paris’ pride 28 Martha, who was married to Mark Harris 30 Maurice director James 31 Lesbisch “the” 32 Candace Gingrich’s halfbrother

35 Warrior Princess of the boob tube 37 Poke with a stick 38 Drag outfit, in Some Like It Hot 39 A Place ___ Annie (AIDS film) 40 Lammy, for one 41 Lts. are made here 42 What Niles’ nose knows, in a wine cellar 46 Eminem’s mentor Dr. ___ 47 Male member, at LLEGO 49 Nureyev, for one 50 Rubicon Restaurant main dish 51 Priscilla’s queendom 53 Greek fabulist 55 The Celluloid Closet author Vito 58 Make a hole bigger

59 Protected, to seamen 60 One-armed bandit’s opening 61 Witch’s area in The Wizard of Oz 62 Treasured Garland disks Answer key is on page 21

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When The Saints Coming Marching In: A Thousand Gay Christians Converge on Calgary

By Stephen Lock

During the weekend of July 22-24 this year, approximately 2,000 members of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC) held their annual conference in Calgary. The organization was founded in 1969 by Rev. Troy Perry, with a specific outreach to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans (GLBT) communities,.

For several years, starting in 1978, the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) had a visible presence in Calgary with first one, then two, congregations (MCC Calgary and Alleluia MCC).

It would seem to have been a natural fit, as MCC started out as a heavily Pentecostal-influenced church, due to Rev. Perry’s own faith background, and gradually morphed into a more evangelical-style church. However, MCC was never a particularly large draw for many of Calgary’s disaffected queer Christians, even at its peak in the mid-1980’s. The largest Canadian MCC congregation is in Toronto, a city arguably based around Anglicanism and other liturgical-based churches. Alberta’s religious expression, on the other hand, is largely based on conservative Protestantism, specifically evangelical and sometimes fundamentalist theology.

My own faith journey included MCC before I finally walked away from ‘The Church’. My disaffection with ‘The Church’ is multi-rooted, but MCC played little or no role in that disaffection. If anything, MCC kept me involved with ‘the church’ longer than I might otherwise have been.

That journey has been complex. Born into a nominallyAnglican family, I became interested in church-y things early on. By age 8, my mother had taken to calling me ‘The Little Deacon.’ By my teens, I had moved into the rarified stratum of High Church Anglicanism, which is barely distinguishable from Roman Catholicism in its rituals. In my twenties, I crossed over to Catholicism (although I never formally converted) frequently attending Mass for over a decade and a half. I didn’t really see myself as ‘a Catholic,’ but I also no longer perceived myself as an Anglican, either. I was this odd hybrid the existentialist poet, T.S. Eliot, referred to as Anglo-Catholic.

Even at that, the term never quite applied to me as it did to him.

By the time I slammed through the age of 40, I had

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walked away from ‘The Church.’ I rejected its dogma and many of its tenets. I was critical of its rituals, and doubtful of the ability of the temporal church to represent the Deity on Earth. Its moral authority in my life had crashed and burned.

Before that, though, I took a stab at MCC. I had just come out and I was still attached to the Church, although I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable in the mainstream churches. They condemned me even as I yearned to seek out some Great Truth through them, needing some place to settle. MCC seemed tailor-made; a church that not only did not condemn me, but actively welcomed me with open arms.

However, those open arms were also, more often than not, raised in a ‘holy roller’ ecstasy punctuated by outbursts of “Yeeeeessss, Jesus!”, Pastors shouting out, “Can you say ‘Amen’!”, and “Halleluiah Jee-zus!” All a bit disconcerting for an Anglican boy with strong Papist leanings…

As I waited to speak to the rally of several hundred MCCers on the Stephen Avenue Mall on July 22nd, I was once again surrounded by swaying bodies, hands upraised to Jesus, joyous outbursts of “Praise Jesus” and “Mmm-Hmm…Speak out, sister!” It was all a bit disconcerting for a recovering Anglican boy with strong anti-Papist leanings, but I also felt surrounded by truly unconditional love and an energy that, to me, was truly Christian.

I first met the Reverend Troy Perry in 1980 in Calgary.

He was a powerfully-built man, with a booming voice still carrying the traces of his Southern upbringing, and a charisma that could easily have led him to create a cult. He held the small gathering assembled in a cramped living room in a NW Calgary turn-of-the-century bungalow that had seen better days rapt with his humour, his humanity, and his presence. He filled that room.

In October, the Reverend Elder Troy Perry, Moderator the Metropolitan Community Church, will retire to spend time with Philip, his husband who he married two years ago in Canada after 20 years together. The now closely–cropped hair and beard have turned grey. The face is a bit more weathered from years of working long hours.

The body is burlier. He is surrounded by security personnel 24/7, who hover around him like secret service agents around the President. They allow access to the reverend by those many admirers who want but a moment of his time, and to share a brief contact,. Troy Perry, a man of God and the Martin Luther King Jr. of the GLBTQ movement, needs them to protect his life following several death threats over the last 37 years. We don’t want him to be the martyr Martin Luther King Jr. became that dark day, on the balcony of a motel.

churches and clerics in general. I remain somewhat unnerved by the evangelical style of worship and celebration of Deity, but I am encouraged there does remain a spiritual home for those who seek it, within the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches.

Troy Perry is a maker of history and a hero. May he and his husband Philip forever enjoy the fruits of their labours and live long and happy lives together.

Stephen Lock is the Regional Director for Egale Canada and the Calgary Representative for The Canadians For Equal Marriage Coalition. He is also the producer and host of a semi-monthly glbt radio show, Speak Sebastian, airing at 9pm on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month on CJSW FM 90.9.

We are still looking for contributions to the Goliath’s Defence Fund. Donations can be made by cheque or money order, payable to “Stephen Lock (trustee).” In the memo section write “to be held in trust for the Goliath’s Defence Fund” and mail to: The Goliath’s Defence Fund, c/o The Calgary Eagle, 424-a 8th Ave SE, Calgary AB T2G 0L7. All proceeds go to defray the legal costs of the man charged as a found-in.

I interviewed Rev. Perry on Speak Sebastian in February of 2003 (rebroadcast on July 20th, 2005.) Amidst his many stories one stands out: a young minister living in Los Angeles recently being ejected from his church and shunned by his family, wife, and church elders for being homosexual. He was searching for a church to call home.

Not finding one that would welcome him as the gay man he was, he turned to his God and prayed for guidance.

Reverend Perry believes God answered him, by revealing to him that he needed to start his own church, where all were welcome and loved. He placed an ad in The Advocate and listed his home address, which he shared with a roommate, in East Los Angeles.

His roommate was mortified, convinced every whackjob, lunatic, and homophobe in Central California would hunt them down and slaughter them. Instead, MCC was born and is now, 37 years later, one of the fastest growing Christian denominations in the world with congregations and missions all over the world.

My partner Terry and I were invited to the tribute dinner for Rev. Perry, held at the Hyatt Regency in Calgary July 22nd. A thousand people stood, facing the Reverend Elder Troy Perry - their pastor, Moderator, brother, and leader. They extended their hands out to him in benediction and poured into him and his soul the love, care, and struggle he had poured out over the last three decades on their, and all GLBTQ people’s behalf.

This towering, authoritative, powerful man - a giant in so many ways - stood there amongst his congregation, his husband Philip by his side while he wept openly.

I remain un-churched and I remain wary of Christian

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Gay Legalese Common Law

By Darryl Aarbo

Dear GayCalgary, I have been together with my partner for nearly a decade now, and recently some issues of ownership have come up that neither of us knows what to do with. My partner is the owner of a business, and I’m wondering if under common law I have any control or ownership of that business too? What exactly is common law and what are my rights? With same-sex marriage now legal in Alberta, how much difference is there legally between the two?

Thank you for your time!

- Tug ‘o War

An excellent and timely question, although complex - I will do my best to answer without too much “legalese”. A “common law” relationship is one where two people live together in a “marriage-like” relationship without actually getting married. In other words, you live in an intimate relationship with emotional and/or financial dependence.

The two people can be of the same or opposite sex.

your partner are extensive and too long to list in this response, but a few major examples are the right to apply for spousal support if you break up, rights to a portion of their estate if they die, rights (and obligations) under the Income Tax Act. One of the few remaining distinctions between married and common law relationships is property. When you legally marry someone then you acquire substantial rights to your partner’s property. The rule is simple: you acquire a 50% interest in everything acquired during the marriage, regardless of ownership. In other words, it does not matter who actually owns the item. If it was acquired during marriage then you own half. For example, if your wife owns a house in her name alone or shares in a corporation then you own half if it was acquired during the marriage. There are a few exceptions for inheritance and the like, but not many.

Common law partners do not have the same property rights. In fact, people in a common law relationship have

The length of cohabitation required to be considered common law depends on who you ask. If you ask the Alberta government then you need to live together for three (3) years. If you ask the federal government then you only need to live together for one (1) year. Why the difference?

I have no idea; I suppose our governments disagree as a matter of principle.

There is very little difference between being married and being common law. Your rights and obligations to

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fewer property rights in the assets of their partner. Any rights are not “automatic” like they are in a marriage.

Thus, you do not “automatically” have a 50% ownership in your partner’s business simply because you are in a common law relationship. If you were married and your partner acquired the shares in the business during marriage then you would have an automatic claim to the shares in his business.

It is possible for people in a common law relationship to acquire property rights in two limited cases. First, there is an area of law called “constructive trusts”. This area of the law states that one may be able to acquire rights to your partner’s property over time if you contribute to the acquisition or maintenance of the property. The length of time and the amount of contribution are specific to each case. Here you may acquire an interest in the property or get paid a reasonable amount for your time spent acquiring or maintaining the property.

A second case where a person in a common law relationship may be able to acquire an interest in his or her partner’s property is where the persons are of the same sex and were not allowed to marry during the acquisition of the property. The argument here is that “I would have married my partner but couldn’t, therefore, I am being discriminated against. If I had married him then I would have got half of everything”. This case is very complex because it would involve a constitutional challenge.

Now that same sex people can marry, people considering marriage should seriously consider a prenuptial agreement. Even if you are living in a common law relationship, an agreement is always a good idea to ensure everyone’s rights and obligations are perfectly clear.

Darryl A. Aarbo If you wish to send in a letter, please email it to legaladvice @gaycalgary.com. Darryl A. Aarbo can be directly reached at Courtney Sebree Aarbo, Barristers & Solicitors, 1138 Kensington Road NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 3P3. Visit their website at http: //www.csalaw.ca. Phone (403) 571-5133. Fax: (403) 571-5134 Other than the question, all personal information (i.e. name, address, E-mail) will remain confidential. GayCalgary.com Magazine does reserve the right to alter questions for brevity and content.

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The saga of Batt-Man and Boy Blunder The legend begins at Jubilations

By Jason Clevett

Review | Theatre

Whether through comics, cartoons, the movies or the 60’s television series, everyone knows who Batman is. While many of the gags, characters and costuming in Jubilations Dinner Theatre’s summer production are based on the TV show, the influence of everything is evident.

Batt-Man and Boy Blunder has lots of jokes, fight scenes, evil villains, gaping plot holes, narrative voices from above, and layers upon layers of cheese - it’s so much fun and has so much going on, it would be a good idea to see it twice just so you can catch everything.

Jubilations is an interactive experience, and we were served by our gracious host for the evening, Bruce Dwayne, who was holding a fundraising gala for his Aunt Harriet’s favorite charity cat houses. Evil is afoot however, as the Joker and The Riddler invaded the event and it all goes in typical Batt-style from there. The show runs the gamut of some of the most reveled villains – Poison Ivy, Catwoman, The Penguin, The Minstrel and Popsy Cicle all appear and put our heroes in various compromising positions. One of the absolute highlights is the hysterical rendition of “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” that has to be seen to be truly appreciated.

GayCalgary.com took on the task of sitting down with the entire cast of eight people (who effortlessly create the 19 characters in the show) who have a noticeable chemistry on stage and off. Calgary is the final run of the touring production, which started in January and ran in Winnipeg and Edmonton. While some actors get tired of roles,

this group has had a lot of fun and feel there is a great deal of freedom in repetition.

“We have all slowly descended into insanity. We started off normal, as accountants and selling real estate and we gradually started committing minor crimes outside of the theatre. I have a hostage at home right now,” quipped Brad Duffy, who plays The Riddler, Chief O’Hara and the Penguin. “We are all fairly outgoing, silly people anyway so getting the chance to exploit that is an opportunity.

Being in a show like this gives you real freedom with the characters. We can train a young villain by taking a child from one of the tables and teach them the ways of villainy.

Or we can take hostages. Or we can be afraid of bees.”

“It is fun watching the characters and plot develop over time. There are gags I did in Winnipeg that I have forgotten about until someone from Winnipeg reminds me I did them,” added Chris Monroe, who plays Alfred, The Joker and Commissioner Gordon. Katie Fullerton, who plays Aunt Harriet, Poison Ivy and Popsy Cicle agrees.

“In the pre-show, Chris and I play Alfred and Aunt Harriet, but one night in Edmonton we hated each other and it was so much fun. Your relationships are always changing. It’s great to play with these characters; Poison Ivy was never in the 60’s show, just the terrible movie. So it just had to have the feel of that campy villain.”

Recent high school grad Shawn Newman who plays the

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Henchman, The Minstrel and False Face had his own take on how the show changes.

“Doing a show like this for so long is like making Macaroni and Cheese. You have the basic ingredients that you put into it. If you want to change something it won’t ruin it, it will just be different every time you make it. When we do the show every night, once you do it a lot you don’t measure how much milk or butter, you just put it in.”

While it’s a great opportunity for a character actor to bring these people to life, at the same time there can be pressure of living up to expectations.

“You don’t have to be the character from the show, but there has to be the idea of the character behind what you are doing, which is what the audience looks for. It doesn’t need to be 100% Adam West or Burt Ward,” said Peter Bass, who plays Bruce Dwayne and Batt-man. His sidekick Michael Kovac, who plays Dickie Grayson and The Boy Blunder agrees.

“There are so many jokes that haven’t even been tapped when it comes to the campy vibe of the old Batman series that it is a wonderful opportunity to work those out.”

Jubilations presently has a summer seat sale on, so hop in your Batt-car and make a Batt-line to see this show. It runs Wednesday through Sunday until August 28th. Check with the box office for Batt-times at the Batttheatre.

Jubilations Dinner Theatre Presents The Saga of Batt-Man & Boy Blunder… The Legend Begins!

July 16 – August 28 1002 - 37th Street SW (Westbrook Mall) Phone: (403) 249-7799

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The Last Resort Stage West season finale a fun musical romp

By Jason Clevett

Review | Theatre

Stage West’s current production The Last Resort, wraps up a highly successful season.

It was kicked off with the hilarious The Allergists Wife, continued with the great musical Grease, a classic Broadway play in The Odd Couple, and a fantastic musical revue in California Dreaming. The company brings the season to a close with a homegrown note – Leslie Arden and Norm Foster’s The Last Resort.

The show is set in a run down resort in Northern Saskatchewan, where Nick Galeazzo (David Leraney) has been brought by FBI agent Angela Miller (Natascha Girgis) after testifying against the mob in New York City. While Miller is confident that no one can find Galeazzo in the middle of nowhere, Nick is not so sure. Consequently he suspects that every new guest that walks through the door could be a hitman sent to take him out.

Directed by Di Nyland-Proctor, who directed this year’s production of Grease, the show is a musical murdermystery comedy that lives up to the billing. Who knew that Saskatchewan could be the main part of a song and work? The songs are well written and performed. The characters are highly amusing, especially overwrought poet Trent Balfour (Don Noble) and resort owner Freda Heitz (Petra Hinschberger.) While those two characters provide a lot of the laughs, this is a very strong cast of talented actors who attack their roles with gusto, including

married couple Sid and Liz Barzina (Lew Wetcherell and Katherine Kerbes), Inspector Closely (J. Sean Elliot) and twins Jessica and Julia Youngstead (Naria C. Babb and N. Catriona Babb), who you would swear they are the same person! Musically, everyone is a strong singer, and they are backed up by Brent Rock on piano, who adds his own humorous quirks to the show.

“The really nice thing is that the cast are all really smart actors. This show is quite a farce; if you don’t have smart actors, it can go the wrong way. The actors really understand what the show needs, and has been well cast. Working with them has been easy and delightful; it is something different every night,” Rock told GayCalgary.com. “Dy really tries to cast a show where all people get along. There isn’t any kind of ego problems and we all sit and have drinks after the show.”

Many of the shows at Stage West are popular and wellknown musicals. Rock elaborated on how presenting a show with original music that isn’t well known provides unique challenges.

“It is such a short rehearsal period that, it is a little tough. The actors did their homework beforehand and were looking at the story and their characters. Some people in the cast can’t read music and they would come to the house to get down the musical parts before we went to rehearsals. They are such professionals, they want to be on top of it. The fact that they want to spend time on their own, learning things, speaks about the quality of the

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actors. It is a short period and it is more of a challenge when it’s not a show that people know really well.”

One of the fun things about Stage West is they will frequently have a unique dish or two that will pique your curiosity and cause you to try something that you might not normally try. In this case, I’m referring to the baby octopus salad with chipotle salsa - it’s not for everyone, but it is quite tasty and certainly worth a try. If you like your food to have a little less tentacle, try the Corn Flake Crusted Chicken Breast with Roasted Honey Plum Glaze, or the Broiled Atlantic Salmon Fillet Chimicurri, or even the Four Cheese Ravioli ala Rustica. The food is fantastic as always; it will leave you full and relaxed for when the curtain goes up.

But back to the plot - is someone really trying to take out Nicky Galeazzo? What is with that poet dude? What’s the story behind Freda Heitz? You’ll get all your answers by the end of the show, but you’ll go on quite the roller coaster of twists, turns, and surprises to get there. It is a great ride, so hop on, you won’t regret it!

Stage West Dinner Theatre Presents The Last Resort 727 - 42 Avenue S.E. Phone: (403) 243-6642 http://www.stagewestcalgary.com

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Letters to the Publisher For a fifth and final time in the past two years, the House of Commons has voted to affirm equal marriage rights for same-sex couples in Canada.

This is a proud and exciting day to be a Canadian. Just days before the Canada Day holiday, we are affirming once again our world-wide reputation as a country that is open, inclusive and welcoming.

Not only have courts ruled that excluding same-sex families from civil marriage is unconstitutional, but Canada’s elected representatives have clearly and decisively upheld our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Our Parliamentarians have said that the Canadian thing to do is to protect religious freedom, to ensure that religious marriage is the exclusive purview of faith communities without infringement by the state. Our Parliamentarians have also said that the Canadian thing to do is to end discrimination and to extend full citizenship to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people.

Today we salute the political leaders who have had the courage to stand on principle and defend the Canadian way. You will go down in history as champions of human rights. In particular, we would like to acknowledge Prime Minister Paul Martin, Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, NDP leader Jack Layton, Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe, former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and former Justice Minister Martin Cauchon.

We salute those who, over the years, have had the tenacity to challenge their own governments. Those who - as citizens, taxpayers and members of the community - insisted that they deserved equal treatment under the law. The first same-sex couple in Canada to go to city hall for a marriage license did so over 30 years ago. This has been a long and arduous road. For those who have been at the forefront of this struggle long before it was a view shared by the majority, we express profound appreciation.

Many took on this battle at considerable personal cost.

Many have not lived to see this day.

But the biggest champions are the millions of individual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people who live their lives on a daily basis with open-ness and honesty.

It is the act of simply being that has made today’s victory possible. Because of individuals’ commitment to live their lives matter-of-factly they have demonstrated this reality: lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people are your brothers and sisters, neighbours, friends, co-workers. At the end of the day, no argument in favour of exclusion

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can withstand what people can see with their own eyes – that it is wrong to treat people they care about in a way that diminishes their personhood.

A word to those who greet this vote with disappointment. Many of those who oppose this law did so because they see a world that is changing rapidly. They worry there may not be a place in this changing world for them or for their beliefs. All of us who supported this legislation have a special responsibility to make clear to our fellow Canadians that we all benefit from the principles that underpin this bill. The genius of Canada, almost unparalleled in the world, is to build a shared identity out of our respect for each other’s differences. No one minority is diminished when another minority is acknowledged.

We call on the Senate of Canada to give speedy passage to this legislation. After all, the Commons have already voted five times to affirm equal marriage. After two-and-ahalf years of debate, Canadians want Parliament to finally decide.

In a generation, Canadians will look back on a time when lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people were denied full citizenship, just as we look back on the days when women or Aboriginal people could not vote or times when Canadian citizens were interned because of ethnic origin. We will talk about these days and this battle. We will be proud, as Canadians, that we rejected rejection, that we ended exclusion, that we said to LGBT people: there are no second-class Canadians, all people are full members of the community, without caveat or exceptions. We will long remember this proud day.

I would also like to express our gratitude to GayCalgary.com and the many other community-based media outlets who supported the cause of fairness and equality.

Alex Munter National Co-Ordinator – Canadians For Equal Marriage Tues. June 28, 2005 – Ottawa

In Memorium, Robert M. Julien March 20th, 1967 to July 8th, 2005 Born: Toronto, Ontario As a friend I have the honour of writing this tribute in celebration of the life of Rob Julien. It is hard to write in a neutral manner to share his accomplishments when emotions run rampant. He was my roommate and a dear friend, we were known to some as Felix & Oscar (The

Odd Couple) as we were as far apart as possible on the spectrum as could be; yet there was still a balance and understanding for each other. I witnessed Rob’s personal journey in learning to accept and come to peace with his HIV, his personal exploration of who he was and his challenges to status quo, and self-expectation. You never questioned his integrity and drive as he always gave from the heart. I cannot express the value of the memories I carry at this time to the insight into a man who was far more complicated than he presented to the world.

Rob moved to Calgary in 1997 and became an integral part of the community in the battle against HIV/AIDS. I came to know Rob through the HIV Peer Support Group, which he joined in the year 2000. As a facilitator at that time for the HIV Peer Support Group, it was apparent to that Rob had something special to teach us and give to the community. Rob was an active member of the group, and in short order he became co-chairman, and then chairman in later years. Rob took on a leading role and the responsibility to the sustainability of the group through training, fund raising, awareness programs and one-on-one support to those both affected and infected with HIV/AIDS. Also as a member of another group, Positive Action, he pushed the limits to advocacy around integrity and action to improving the lives of those again affected and infected with HIV/AIDS. Not to be sitting on just these initiatives, Rob was a volunteer at AIDS Calgary Awareness Association to which he facilitated AIDS 101 & 201’s (Speakers Network) at schools, university, colleges and the community at large.

Rob was a strong advocate for empowerment and harm reduction programs through education and his own ‘high powered’ face-to-face approach. As a ‘face’ of HIV/AIDS, Rob represented AIDS Calgary in TV, Radio and Newspaper interviews as a person living with this disease. Rob even went on to become the Education Outreach Coordinator at AIDS Calgary in 2004.

His list of involvement to the community goes on and on and to name a few; CCHA (Calgary Coalition on HIV/ AIDS) Consumer group, Steering committee for the last 2 symposiums for HIV Positive People in Alberta, ACCH (Alberta Community Council on HIV) HIV representative, Speakers Network, TV and Radio interviews to promote awareness and disseminate discrimination and stigma to HIV/AIDS, recipient of the Roger Leblanc award for Outstanding Achievement on HIV/AIDS work in the Calgary region, member of CATIE (Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange), CTAC (Canadian Treatment Action Council) around access to treatment issues, advocate for the Tipi of Courage, worked with the Tu’sina Nation Elders around HIV/AIDS and many more.

Rob and I worked on many initiatives together and his energy and devotion never ceased to amaze me. No matter how he felt and no matter how much pain he was

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in, Rob found an inner strength to carry on. He often commented, “…well someone’s gotta do it, why not me…”

Rob was always willing to jump in with both feet to help out, he could never say no to helping others. Our last big initiative and by far our most fun was the Straight to Diva fundraiser for HIV Peer Support on April 9, 2005.

Some 200 plus hours of organization and Rob’s spirit was still radiating with abundance. He was very proud of the accomplishment and being, again, the front man for HIV Peer Support Group, did interviews on TV and Radio and Magazine articles.

We will all dearly miss you Rob. Words cannot express the value you have given, and what you have become to us all. We are richer in our lives because of you, laughter has filled our hearts because of you and sorrow fills them for the loss of you.

Rest in peace my friend, Sincerely, Johnathan Finlayson

God bless Calgary Over 25 years ago, Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes sent Norm Collins and Lloyd Greenway from Toronto to Calgary to start a new Metropolitan Community Church. A second Calgary church started later, but both have since closed.

So it was left to Rev. Hawkes to return to Calgary July 21 to 26 with Reverend Jo Bell of MCC Toronto, to conduct 31 marriages for American couples attending the MCC world general conference.

And the result? It looks like there is interest in getting an MCC in Calgary again. God sure has a sense of humour.

What a welcome we received in Calgary at our conference.

Over 1200 delegates from 25 countries took over downtown Calgary – and were we ever treated “real nice!” Not a single negative experience was reported to conference organizers during our world-changing visit.

Calgary tourist officials should be very proud of the newest gay honeymoon capital of Canada.

I was often asked by local community leaders why we didn’t publicize our visit in advance. The main reason was security for our families, many with children, seniors and members with illnesses. We were afraid of Calgary’s reputation and we were wrong. I hope, however, we made a difference.

My husband and I want to thank everyone in Calgary.

We got to plan a wedding for our old friends Frank Zerilli and Franklin Calvin of Los Angeles, whom we’ve known for 20 years.

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We chose the songs for their wedding: “I am so glad that Jesus loves me.”

“Jesus loves me” “We shall overcome” “We’re going to the chapel of love.”

We got to hear Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire preaching to people who wanted to hear his message and join in solidarity.

We got to walk hand in hand in downtown Calgary and people smiled at us and welcomed us to the city.

We wore stickers from Pride Toronto announcing the word “Married” and people congratulated us. Heck, we’ve been married since February 14, 2004. After 20 years, we’re still on our honeymoon.

We got to gather together with several of the USA couples who’d been married in Calgary. We showed them our Ontario marriage certificate to prove everything was real.

Then we all had a message for Mr. Stephen Harper. “Mr. Harper – you can come and take our marriage certificates from our cold deal hands.”

Then we thanked our MCC family for giving us the spiritual love and power to say that.

God bless Calgary.

By Ian Taylor MCC Media Coordinator, Canada

The Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA) would love to thank all of the many volunteers, retail vendors, association members, rodeo contestants, rodeo officials, our rodeo sponsors, and of course all of the wonderful fans that came out to Symon’s Valley Ranch to make this year’s rodeo, our 12th Anniversary Canadian Rockies International Rodeo, such an incredible success!

We survived the rain!

We had visitors from all over Western Canada, the US and Overseas who all helped make this the best rodeo yet.

Many thanks to those who traveled far and wide to come to Calgary to help us celebrate and host the best rodeo in the IGRA circuit.

Stay tuned to the website and check out the scores that will be posted shortly in the CRIR section of the site (www.argra.org).

Thanks again, and see you next year in 2006, June 30th to July 2nd!

Greg Holsworth Director, Public Relations ARGRA 2005 publicrelations@argra.org www.argra.org

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Music Review The Latest in Party Groove from Centaur Music Review | Music

By Rob Diaz-Marino Party Groove: GayDays Volume 2 Mixed by DJ Randy Bettis GayDays is the internationally acclaimed week of celebration in Orlando Florida, starting the first Saturday of June. Most memorably, the GLBT community is encouraged to “Wear Red and Be Seen” while visiting the world’s most popular theme park – Disneyland.

GayDays Volume 2 is the official CD for this year’s festivities. It’s loaded with a high spirited mix of songs from Grammy Award Winning artists such as Tom Jones “She’s a Lady,” Ultra Nate “Free,” Kevin Aviance “You’ve Got The Groove,” and Jason Walker “Set it Free”. Chart favorites such as Simply Red “Sunrise,” RuPaul “Workout,” and Tony Moran “The Promise” are also included in this collection that is sure to put a smile on your face. It also features dance mixes of top 40 hits including “Amazing,” “Naughty Girl,” and “Could It Be Magic,” as well as some songs making their world premieres, such as “Live You All Over” and “Ball of Confusion.”

GayDays Volume 2 gives you that Disney meets dance floor mix, bringing you an energy filled dance compilation this summer, that’s set to be purely delightful.

personally I glommed onto this song as one of my favorites without ever having seen an episode of the show.

Finally Julian winds the CD down with some emotional song selections, including “Tear Drops,” “More Than This,” and “Never Knew Love Like This Before.”

DJ Julian Marsh will soon be retiring from his DJ career after 10 years and 21 compilation CDs. “If my choice of music has brought happiness into even one life over the years, then my mission has been accomplished.”

Centaur Music www.centaurmusic.com

Party Groove: Pride 05 Mixed by DJ Julian Marsh Upbeat, energetic and happy are words commonly used to describe DJ Julian Marsh’s style that focuses heavily on lyrical and melodic songs. This is his 8th consecutive year being the driving force behind Centaur Music’s annual Pride compilations. “I like pretty, happy music, always have and always will,” says Julian, “and these songs are great songs, with strong choruses.”

Most memorable for me was the inspirational opening track, Peyton’s “I’ll Rise.” The song pulls lyrics from Maya Angelou’s poem “And Still I Rise” concerning defiance in the face of racial discrimination, which has an equal ring of poignancy for us gay people. The CD then kicks into high gear with Tony Moran’s “Shine On” and several other dance mixes synonymous with the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s.

For fans of Fox’s hit show “The O.C.,” the album features an Italian dance mix of the theme song “California,” which puts a new spin on the indie rock original. But,

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PartyGroove: GayDays Volume 2 and PartyGroove: Pride 05 are available in Priape stores across Canada, and online at www.centaurmusic.com, where visitors can listen to samples of every track on the album.

The Cut-a-Thon Great Cuts, Great Cause

By Jason Clevett

Community | Spotlight

After nearly a decade of inactivity, Labour Day weekend 2004 saw the re-launch of the Cut-a-Thon in Tomkins Park on 17th avenue.

The event, originally created and run by the late Donnie Peters, raised over five thousand dollars in its first year, and expectations are high for this year’s September 5th event.

“All of the top salons get together once a year to recreate what Donnie Peters, who was a great advocate for this city, started. We’ve decided to carry on his legacy and it has turned into a festival. This year’s theme is ‘fashion and accessories’ because Donnie was always a victim of them,” Linda Huston, event organizer and chair told GayCalgary.com.

The family event will feature clowns, face painting, fashion shows, and DJ Gemini will be spinning. Huston plans on adding other entertainment as well. The focus however, is on the fundraising.

“There are hairstylists from all of the top salons in Calgary. Last year, we lost a good friend and advocate named Marcel Doucette - his drag name was Marsha. So, every year the stylist who sells the most haircuts will be given the Marsha Award.”

Haircuts are $20 for adults and pets, and $10 for children; a drastic discount from regular salon prices. 100% of all proceeds go towards the “Positive Living Lunch Program” provided by AIDS Calgary, for the provision of nutritious hot lunches for men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS.

“Currently the Lunch Program is still only able to be offered bi-weekly from the first Friday in September to the last Friday in June. There is always a need for funds to purchase groceries and ensure an on-going supply of basic cooking essentials, supplies, and equipment.

Funding is also needed to help provide additional tables, chairs etc. Our goal with this year’s ‘Cut-a-Thon’ is to achieve/acquire these necessary funds to get the free Friday Lunch Program back to every second Friday of every month of the year, as well as offering funds for the bi-weekly coffee and support program.”

Huston has long been involved in the community dating back to the first outbreak of AIDS in the early 1980’s.

“I was in Vancouver for the first AIDS walk in 1983 and the AIDS quilt. Vancouver has the PWA (Persons with AIDS) coalition. I realized that Calgary is the only city in Canada that doesn’t have a PWA coalition. Everyone is raising money for awareness and research, but no one is raising money to help out those living with the disease.

AIDS Calgary’s umbrella covers it but, not enough to

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cover things like the lunch program and services they had ten years ago. We are not about to let anyone else suffer because of politics. I chose to get involved because when I moved to Calgary, I was asked by Donnie to MC the event.

I saw the difference it made. After Donnie passed away, I found after making a difference with the AIDS Walk and Calgary Cares that, I wanted to establish Donnie’s old charity. It has progressed from there.”

Huston credits her board with putting the event together and is proud of the success of their first year back.

“It stopped when Donnie got sick in 1996, and he passed away in 1999. Bringing it back, we raised over five thousand dollars last year. It’s a small third party charity, so AIDS Calgary has to write the tax receipt. It makes it difficult because I don’t have my own charity and so the big money isn’t available. We are working on becoming our own charity next year. We are hoping to branch out to things like a pet food bank. It seems minor but, it will make a difference in someone’s life.”

It is a slow growth process for the Cut-A-Thon but, according to Huston, those involved see it getting bigger and better every year.

“Everyone involved agrees that we envision it in the Round Up Centre with hundreds of stylists donating their time, and it being a big event. We are just learning, it’s new and we are getting our feet wet. But, as we grow, we are getting so excited because we know our dream is quite attainable.”

The Cut-A-Thon Monday September 5, 2005 Tomkins Park www.artistsforqualityoflife.com

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The Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Putting a Face to Gay Business

By Jason Clevett

Community | Spotlight

A Chamber of Commerce’s objective is to enhance opportunities for its members. The Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) is focused on addressing business issues affecting GLBT business owners and professionals, as well as giving an economic face to our community. Currently the CGLCC has nearly 1200 members through its affiliate network. The established GLBT Chambers and Business Associations in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and BC and are working to encourage new groups recently formed in Saskatchewan and Atlantic Canada.

“In 1999 I became involved with the Ontario Gay and Lesbian Chamber Of Commerce that was encouraged to form by the Quebec Gay Chamber of Commerce,” R. Bruce McDonald told Gaycalgary.com. Mr. McDonald co-founded the organization with Darrell Schuurman. “In my consulting work, I traveled frequently across Canada and in the US. In 2000, I began making contacts with other similar organizations and GLBT business leaders throughout North America. The discussions focused on the idea of forming a national organization to link the current Canadian groups and foster groups in areas of the country, where no current business groups exist. As I traveled meeting people across Canada they all echoed the same theme: ‘Great idea, let us know when you have it up and running.’”

Over the next few years McDonald spent time gathering information and making contacts within Canada. In April of 2003, he was invited by the Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to the first US GLBT Chamber and Business Conference, where he met the two founders of the newly formed National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) [from the USA], Chance Mitchell and Justin Nelson. Over the course of the weekend McDonald discussed with them how they started the NGLCC and how things were progressing. Nelson and Mitchell invited McDonald to attend Equality Forum, the world’s largest LGBT Human Rights event and festival. At the event McDonald met a number of wonderful people, and returned to Toronto.

“I happened to meet Darrell Schuurman at an Ontario

Gay & Lesbian Chamber Of Commerce meeting the following week. I met him for lunch two weeks later to discuss forming a Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. I was booked to go to Washington DC the next day to meet with the US Chamber and begin to get more information to begin the process in Canada. I asked Darrell to come with me and he did. After our meetings with our counterparts in the US in early June 2003, we began the process. We hired a lawyer to prepare the Federal incorporation documents and set to work on a business plan.”

The plan came to fruition on August 1, 2003 in Montreal, when the formation of the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and a project to promote Canada

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as a “Gay Friendly travel destination internationally.”

In addition to the CGLCC Tourism (www.travelgaycanad a.com) the organization has had two other initiatives and is looking forward to other projects.

“We have launched a workplace initiative, which developed a training program for business organizations. The program deals with anti-homophobia training and gay friendly customer/client services. This program is now ready for delivery and will set the national standard for training in this area for Canada. We also have launched supplier diversity, which is our pilot project for this program, and it will begin this fall. The CGLCC will set the standards and certification requirements for Gay and Lesbian owned businesses to be certified as ‘Diversity Suppliers,’ for those corporations recognizing LGBT in their Diversity Procurement programs. IBM Canada is leading the way in this area and are providing [support] for the development of this program.”

McDonald touted the positives about the CGLCC’s existence.

“A focus on LGBT business is the only way to give the community an economic face and a say on issues affecting LGBT business and Professionals. Many mainstream chambers have applauded our efforts in areas like our tourism initiative, as they do not have the resources to concentrate on a niche market like LGBT Tourism. But, realize a program in that area will benefit everyone in the community, by bringing in investment and tourism dollars for the whole community. The LGBT community is a valuable component in our cities and provinces. We contribute substantially to the tax base and it is time that we work with government and industry to ensure reinvestment in our community.”

McDonald will be in Alberta in the fall to discuss Alberta branches of the CGLCC and believes Calgary can benefit greatly by establishing its own chapter.

“Alberta, and Calgary in particular, has a large and emerging gay population, but it is struggling to be heard and recognized within this conservative province. By businesses and individuals uniting, they can put an economic face to the LGBT community, a face that is for the most part completely overlooked by government. Calgary and Alberta need to see and hear, that gay business plays an important part in the economy. This will help in the fight, on all fronts, for true LGBT equality within the province.”

The question then is how can the community of Calgary and other cities form their own Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce?

“The CGLCC is here to help as much as possible, but it really needs to be driven from the local community. Individuals and businesses need to first acknowledge the need and desire for a Chamber, and then commit to working to

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ensure its sustainability. All it takes is a few dedicated leaders to take that first step and show the initiative.

With a strong leader, and assistance from the CGLCC and other provincial chambers, it can be a relatively simple process to get a chamber running. In a city like Calgary, there is no shortage of talented people who can assist in the success of a chamber, and [there are] numerous individuals that would reap the benefits of a chamber. I look forward to speaking to interested parties in Alberta later this year.”

The Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce #37, 552 Church Street Toronto, ON M4Y 2E3 (866) 300-7556 www.cglcc.ca. www.travelgaycanada.com

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Bif Naked…

On loving Calgary, The L Word and Superbeautifulmonster

By Jason Clevett

Interview | Music

Vancouver based rocker Bif Naked has been flying solo on the Canadian music scene for over a decade. Her newest release Superbeautifulmonster is one of her best albums, and for her, one of the most personal.

“I would have to say from beginning to end, plus the songs that didn’t make the disc, all of them make it personal for me. I was in a really sad place in Biffy land and it felt like I was really baring my soul. I went through a very sick time in my personal life in the last couple of years and felt very vulnerable,” the singer told GayCalgary.com magazine in an exclusive interview. “The song After Awhile I put at the end of the record because it really summed it up for me. It was me just being honest.

To sing the lyric ‘save me from myself’ is a pretty hard thing to admit to everyone. The lyric ‘Bare knuckle boxer in the third round’ is from the fact that I felt like I was at the end of my rope. It wasn’t just the fact that I was unhappy with some stuff, it was the fact that I didn’t want to go on many times. At the beginning and end of the Purge tour, I unintentionally had an eating disorder. It was such a depth of despair that bore that song and it is definitely the summary of the last couple of years of my life. It was really difficult for me to kind of really admit it and share that experience with my friends and with strangers. My fans aren’t strangers, but a lot of people who would listen to those lyrics are hearing some seriously personal shit.

For whatever reason, it was harder than the song Tell on you. I am such a good compartmentalizer, which is what makes me such a ‘successful sexual abuse survivor.’ Why? Hello, denial! Having a 50’s mother saying ‘Ok honey I know it’s devastating but lets all smile and go on.’ It is something that I have become very good at. I just couldn’t compartmentalize a lot of stuff before I wrote the songs and a lot of the writing is still really raw stuff.”

Other favorites on the disc are the sexually charged Funeral of a Good Grrl and a haunting cover of Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters.

“I can’t wait until somebody does a dance remix of Funeral of a Good Grrl. Can you imagine the hot pants wearers standing on platforms shaking their booty to the lyric ‘Do it to me now?’ The Metallica cover was hard to do. When I went into the studio with producer Dave Fortman I said ‘I know you just came off your Grammy win with Evanescence, but please know I am not Amy (Lee) and I can’t sing like a fairy princess.’ Eleven hours later I was singing like a fucking fairy princess and I was going

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to hang myself. Working with Dave made me nervous and obviously I couldn’t fuck the song up because everyone knows it. Metallica is one of my favorite bands of all time and that is my favorite Metallica song. I have always wanted to do a cover of it, it was the right time and the right producer, but it was do or die. I find I have a lot of soft spots for sad songs. Ladybug Waltz is a really sad song because it’s about unrequited love, and so is Henry.”

Naked recently was in town for a concert during Stampede and considers Calgary one of her favorite cities.

“It is a common fact that I love Calgary and it is the only other place in Canada that I would live in besides

Vancouver. I have been coming here for so many years, I know my way around. I love the people and the weather, Chinooks, and the natural food store on 10th Ave, and my friend Jann (Arden) lives just outside of the city. You get all four seasons here and it doesn’t rain like it does in Vancouver. The rain there drives me up the fucking wall because I am freezing and my dogs don’t want to poop or pee in the rain. That is a huge issue for me, time is of the essence and I need expedient bowel movements from these animals and god forbid it’s raining because these two will fuck the dog all morning. I would make a good Alberta girl, I like Ford F150 trucks a lot and if I moved here, I would definitely get one of those because I would probably start dressing like a rancher. I think Calgary and I would fit, and it calls me, it beckons and whistles.

Besides isn’t that where Gravity Pope Shoe stores started?

Calgary has a Holt Renfrew so I would be fine.”

Naked reflected on how Calgary fans helped her accept herself.

“We played the Republik so many years in a row, and one show there were a couple of really good looking girls who were really into the show and licking their lips and looking at me. The first time anywhere in the world that I recognized that I may be lucky enough to have Lesbian fans was in Calgary Alberta Canada, and that made me really happy. I’ve thought ‘This music is not just for breeders people, it’s music for everyone.’ It made me feel really good, especially at that time of my sexual identification issues. When I was in my early 20’s I was at a really delicate and impressionable age, behaviorally. It was an important realization for me because it validated me. At that point I was freaking out internally about being potentially bisexual, it was a real issue for me. It made me feel more comfortable, and made what I call my ‘switch-hitterness’ feel more validated.”

Naked appreciates her GLBT fan base. It was part of the reason why she auditioned for a role in the popular TV series The L-Word.

“The Gay and Lesbian fans are very supportive. My best friend Denise is a card carrying Lesbian and very politically and socially active. She is funny because she keeps me informed on a lot of issues that I may not otherwise consider because I am just a fluffy tight dress-wearing typical bi girl in my thirties. The L-Word was extremely fun. I auditioned for it about four times before I got a part.

The problem was one time I auditioned for a butch top and I am the furthest thing away from a butch top, I assure you I couldn’t pull it off. Denise was driving with me in the car on the way to audition trying to coach me on how to say things. Finally a couple of weeks ago the call comes in that I was finally going to be on. The scene was very short, I had four lines and it took nine hours. I am a gum freak and at one point between takes I had to pee, and so I was chewing gum, tried to spit it out in the toilet and it got caught in my hair. I had to get gum cut out of

my hair, and the continuity person was not very happy with me at that moment. The cast was great and the crew was even better.”

It isn’t her first foray into television; a few years ago Naked had a cameo on Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

“I remember that day very clearly because the snacks were quite lousy. They flew us in off of tour in the Eastern US, so you knew they were spending money. There was not even a bowl of smarties or peanuts people! That said, Sarah Michelle Gellar was absolutely resplendent in her etiquette. She was very polite and professional and came and greeted us on the set and was very gracious. I couldn’t believe that we got so much fan mail and E-mails from Buffy fans around the world. It was unbelievable, all because of one episode. It amazes me what a popular show that is.”

The music industry can be tough, and Naked is as open about her life in discussion as she is in her music.

“I am still trying to survive. The key to success in any industry you are in is perseverance. As long as you are able to carve out a living, stay healthy, take care of your parents if they get sick, and feed your pets, everything else is just fun. People need to enjoy what they do, that is the key to success. Success is happiness not money. I pinch myself every day of my life because I dropped out of university, how far can I go in life? I can’t believe I can feed myself doing this or put gas in my car and I don’t have to get up and do a regular job. The side effect is that ultimately I have a really modified existence and it is really isolating. I don’t date anymore; my last date was over a year ago. The only time when I feel like somebody gets me is when I am playing, because I am safe and can be myself when I am on stage and having a mutual exchange with my fans. They are there because they ‘get it.’ I feel like those are the only people in the world that understand me and that I understand them. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t play shows. When it comes to the show I can relax, exhale and be myself and feel accepted and with my friends. The most important part of my life is playing shows.”

Bif Naked’s Superbeautifulmonster is available in stores now. Catch her on tour this fall. http://www.bifnaked.com

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Queer Eye - for the Calgary guy (or gal) Events that happened around Calgary Photos by Steve Polyak of GayCalgary.com Magazine

ISCCA at the Solar Cafe

Same Sex Marriage ruling watch at Twisted Element

The Dentist and the Tooth Fairy Book Launch at QUAB Galleries

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Stage West Media Night for the Last Resort

Next 3 1/2 pages are photos from the ARGRA Weekend

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Calgary Eagle Wet Underwear Contest and a couple days later their Last Stand Party

Money - Pennies ARGRA Survivor Party

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MCC Conference Events

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Metro the Club Drag Shows

Twisted Element Drag Shows

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Not often does my schedule allow me to do many shows in Calgary - but this ‘Labour Day Weekend’ I am pleased to be able to be appearing on the club METRO Stage! On Sunday September 4th - along with the fabulous Eartha Quake - Zsa Zsa Del Rocko and our ‘Special Guest’ from Edmonton - Twiggy! I would like to invite you to come see myself and the ‘girls’ for a fun night of some favorites & some new things I think are sick and you will too!

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Bodybuilder: 5’-6” 210lbs very solid, muscular, dark brown hair shaved head goatee. 34 y.o. Easy going masculine for an unforgettable moment. by apt only. damsmuscle_99@yahoo.com

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Discreet Photographer Photographer for clothed or naked photos for either private or Internet use. Very discreet. Singles, Couples or Groups. Either your place, or mine or where ever they need to be taken. All photos are taken with a Hi-Res digital camera. All photos are burnt to CD for you to take in both Hi-Res and Web format. Also able to do VIDEO too! Please men only and from the ages 18 to 50. E-mail box1000@gaycalgary.com or Reply to box #1000. I get sometimes extremely busy so don’t freak if I don’t get back to you right away.

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