GayCalgary Magazine - June 2007

June 2007 Issue 44

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Pride 2007 Guide Inside!

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>> STARTING ON PAGE 16

GLBT RESOURCE • CALGARY & EDMONTON

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gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

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gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

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. Name adjusted in November 2006 to GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine.

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

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Table of Contents 7

Original Graphic Design Deviant Designs Advertising Steve Polyak sales@gaycalgary.com Contributors Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino, Jason Clevett, Jerome Voltero, Kevin Alderson, Benjamin Hawkcliffe, Stephen Lock, Arthur McComish, Allison Brodowski , and the Gay and Lesbian Community of Calgary Photographer Steve Polyak and Rob Diaz-Marino Videographer Steve Polyak and Rob Diaz-Marino Please forward all inquiries to: GayCalgary and Edmonton 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

Letter from the Publisher

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10 Priape Swimwear 2007 Winners of the Priape Model Search

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Gay Pride Event Listing Calgary

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Gay Pride Event Listing Edmonton

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Map & Event Listings

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Gay Legalese

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Bitter Girl

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Q Scopes

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Adult Film Review

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Q Puzzle

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A Chance to Respond

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Pride Calgary 2007

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Mamma Mia!

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

That Personal Touch

Masthead continued on page 6

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Find out what’s happening

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“Shrug off scandal, Cancer!”

Waterbucks II, Hard Surf, Full Throttle, and Raw Retreat “‘Til Death Do Us Part,” An Unprinted Letter to the Lloydminster Booster

Smash musical back in Calgary by Popular Demand

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Continued from page 5

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Music Review

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Lucky in Leather

Wyrd Sisters and Michael Bublé Northern Chaps Continues to Grow in Edmonton

Continued from page 5

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Remembrance

Copies Printed Monthly, Over 10,000 copies.

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Canadian Explosion!

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Fundraising Photos

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Edmonton Pride

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What defines a leatherman?

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Thinking of refinancing?

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AS THE WORLD SITS BACK

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A Couple of Guys

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Letters to the Editor

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Press Releases

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Pride Exhibit

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Queer Eye - Calgary & Edmonton

This Issue Cover Mathew Tomczynk of Edmonton, photo provided by Priape, taken at Sky Club in Montreal .

The Drag King Project and Little Men

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

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GORD WOIMA (1951 – 2007)

Distribution points up to 200 points in Calgary, largest number of distribution points for any Gay publication in Calgary.

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

A slice of Canadiana at Stage West

So Big you Might Pee…A Little!

Distributed by Gallant Distributions (Calgary), Clark’s Distribution (Edmonton), Canada Post (rest of Canada and USA) and by GayCalgary.com

Here is some expert insight to help you avoid mistakes

Deadline for Ad Bookings 25th of the month (unless otherwise stated) Deadline for Ad copy 28th of the month (unless otherwise stated) Legal Council Courtney Sebree Aarbo, Barristers and Solicitors Printers North Hill News

Community Events this Month

Harcourt House Presents Pride Exhibitions

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.

Classifieds Ads

July 2007 Press Deadlines

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

Member of Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

Ad Space Booking - Wednesday June 20th 2007 Ad Submission Friday June 2nd 2007

Member of International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association

In Circulation - Thursday June 28th 2007 Please contact us if you may have missed the Booking or Submission Deadlines Member of Tourism Calgary.

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gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

Member of Edmonton Rainbow Business Association.

Copyright 2007

That Personal Touch Letter from the Publisher

By Rob Diaz-Marino It feels like my columns from the past few months have lost that personal touch. I suppose it shows how getting into the groove of work can make you develop a pretty myopic view of the world around you. A friend of mine told me that when work starts to become your life, it’s time for a holiday. I laughed and said, “Maybe one of these days.” Our trip to Panorama in March was about the closest thing that Steve and I have had to a holiday just the two of us, which is scary as we will hit our 6th anniversary in August. I’m afraid all we can hope for is that proverbial change of pace, which is allegedly just as good.

May was supposed to be a mostly empty month, or so we thought. We still ended up keeping just as busy as other months, only it doesn’t feel like we have been out to the Calgary bars very much. With my new schedule at the University I have been spending 3 days a week writing my thesis, while Steve has been doing a valiant job of making sure I don’t get distracted while I’m there.

Steve, on the other hand, had to spend a great deal of time in Edmonton this month to cover the a number of events including the ISCWR Coronation. I was originally supposed to go with him but the Greyhound strike put a damper on those plans. His alternate form of transportation was pretty costly and Steve concluded that it was really not worth the price.

I will have to take a picture of Steve one of these days as he is geared up and ready to head off to Edmonton. His backpack is so full that it sticks out a good two feet, and one or both hands are carrying other heavy equipment or spare bundles of magazines in big blue Ikea bags. It is truly a sight to behold. Unfortunately carrying so much weight for so long is starting to take its toll on him. His right foot has been giving him quite a bit of pain and leaving him a bit grumpy and short tempered. Hopefully the doctor will be able to recommend something other than “stay off your feet for a while.”

While Steve was off in Edmonton, I did my duty to cover a number of events from the Fairy Tales Film Festival. Being able to sit down and watch movies for a couple of hours was a very welcome tangent to the usual routine of taking photos. Attending some of the discussion panels and listen-

ing to filmmakers talking about their work had a certain personal interest to me.

In case you haven’t noticed from my writing, I’m something of a storyteller. You probably would not have known I’ve been writing short stories since elementary school. My desk at home has a drawer full of unfinished manuscripts, some spanning multiple notebooks, and a few of which I still hope to revive one day. Filmmaking is just another form of storytelling, and Fairy Tales reminded me it is still a medium that I would like to further explore. However, ultimately I Video Game Design is the field I dream of getting into some day, no matter how ambitious it may sound.

This Month It started out with Media Night at Stage West, where we saw their latest production Canadian Explosion. If you’re a Canadian Idol fan, you may remember Aaron Walpole, the adorable bear who fell just short of the final 2. Well he’s right here in Calgary, starring in this production and putting his vocal talent to good use! After observing him goofing around between shots at photo call, and meeting him after the performance on media night, I have to say he’s such a fun guy. Add my name to the list of countless others who wish they could get to know him better. Hey, I had some dignity – it’s not like I begged for an autograph…only a photo.

Our cover model this month is Matthew Tomczynk, the winner of the Mr. Priape Calgary Model Search that happened in early May. Matthew went on to the International Mr. Priape competition, coming in 5th place over all. More photos from the shoot can be seen on page 10.

Matthew came up all the way from Edmonton to participate, and it certainly paid off for him. As a judge I was in agreement with the final decision – he showed confidence and personality, but his extra flare with props and poses made him impossible to ignore. In close second was our April cover model Rob, who impressed us with his ability to accessorize even in a swimsuit. Don’t take this as a euphemism but the mask, snorkel, and water wings were a really nice touch.

The details are still very preliminary, but it looks like Le Stud in Montreal if facing a serious human rights charge after they denied service to the daughter of a male patron. I want to hear what YOU think about this issue! The GayCalgary.com website has had an open discussion area in

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our forums since it launched in 1995, so let’s make use of it.

Log on to our website, click the “Chat” link and look for my posting about Le Stud in the Open Discussion room. I look forward to hearing from you! While you’re there, feel free to participate in other topics, or bring up one of your own.

opinions day in and day out.

This is something we all need to be a little more conscious about.

A Little TOO Proud?

Gossip Theory I read an article in the newspaper this month that referred to a study recently published in the Journal of Psychology.

It revolved around the way humans form their opinion about group consensus. They proved that hearing the same opinion from many different people has the exact same impact on how we form our own opinion, as hearing it repeatedly from one person.

This certainly puts an interesting slant on the gay rumor mill – the phrase “if I want your opinion I’ll give it to you” is not entirely wrong. I say this to encourage people to reflect on whether their opinion is really how they feel, and not just a rubber stamp of someone else’s sentiment.

When there was still a buzz around BLVD and The Loft, it seemed that Calgary was in desperate need of a new gay bar.

I got the impression it was a very prevalent opinion throughout the community, but regardless of actuality, I only heard it from 3 people.

Furthermore, it is no wonder that customers can be such a driving force in the bar wars when the owners are subjected to ill-founded gossip and emotionally charged personal

Behold the seven deadly sins: Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and…Pride? Is it any wonder that the seriously religious think gay people are depraved when we openly celebrate one of their deadly sins every year? We know full well we are not trying to be evil or spiteful in this celebration, which makes me wonder if “Pride” is the right word for what we feel.

Our writer Arthur McComish came up with a good quote from Jane Austin in his article on page 31. However, I would like to quote Wikipedia.org to give a sense of the biblical interpretation of the word: In almost every list Pride is considered the original and most serious of The Seven Deadly Sins, and indeed the ultimate source from which the others arise. It is identified as a desire to be more important or attractive than others, failing to give compliments to others though they may be deserving of them, and excessive love of self (especially holding self out of proper position toward God). Dante’s definition was “love of self perverted to hatred and contempt for one’s neighbor.” ...In perhaps the most famous example, the story of Lucifer, Pride was what caused his Fall from Heaven, and his resultant transformation into Satan. Vanity and Narcissism are prime examples of this Sin. There is a very important point at the core of this description no matter what your belief system. When pride goes too far it turns to arrogance, closed-mindedness, delusion and contempt – it is often the root cause of bigger problems. Does the religious right feel like they are not getting through to us because we’re too proud to seriously consider their arguments against homosexuality?

You see, pride gives you the false sense that you are greater than someone else and, once that happens you can dismiss everything they have to say, valid point or no.

I’ve heard the main arguments and crackpot theories against homosexuality, and though plenty of people have revealed the logic to be as hole-ridden as swiss cheese, they keep throwing the same stories at us. For anyone in the religious right to chastise us for being too proud is like the pot calling the kettle

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Priape Swimwear 2007 Winners of the Priape Model Search

Review | Fashion

By Rob Diaz-Marino

Last month, Priape held a model search competitions in select cities across North America, and each of the five finalists were given the title of Mr. Priape Wear for their city. The grand prize winner, Gerry King, was crowned Mr. Priape Wear International.

Edmonton’s own Mathew Tomczynk competed and won at the Calgary event, hosted at the Twisted Element early last month. He was flown out to Montreal for the finals and came in 5th place.

These are photos of the finalists sporting the new 2007 Priape Swimwear line.

Priape Calgary 1322 – 17th Ave SW (403) 215-1800 www.priape.com

Mr. Priape Wear Toronto Gerry King, First Place

Mr. Priape Wear Calgary Mathew Tomczynk, Fifth Place 10

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

Mr. Priape Wear Montreal Adam Madjar, Second Place

Mr. Priape Wear Montreal Helmuth Grand, Third Place

Mr. Priape Wear Quebec Manuel Bouchard, Forth Place

Mr. Priape Wear Quebec Marc-Andre Croteau

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PRIDE CALGARY Thursday, June 7th (7pm) Pride Kick-off Party At the Auburn Saloon.

Two local Music artists will be hosting a range of their produced music. John Worthannam and Sandra Clemons will be performing starting at 8:00pm. Drink specials and good times!! www.johnworthannam.com and www. sandraclemons.com. Donations at the door!

(7:30pm) Fake Mustache Amateur Competition The Soda (211 12th Ave S.W.) Awesome prizes and for Pride.

Friday, June 8th (10pm) Military Ball Located at The Calgary Eagle this is an exhilarating uniform event packed with hot firemen, barechested sailors and camouflaged soldiers. Dj Don spinning, Shooter Specials, Costume Contest!

Saturday, June 9th (10pm) Uncover the Cure (403) 269-3337 www.uncoverthecure.org

Sunday, June 10th (12pm) Pride Parade The Pride Parade will start at 8 St SW and head east along 8 Ave SW into Stephen Ave Walk, Calgary’s Historical Main Street.

(12pm-6pm) Street Gala at the Plaza Formerly known as the Street Festival, located at Olympic Plaza, the heart of Calgary’s Art Community. Beer Garden, Variety of Retailers, Family Zone hosted by GLCSA. Many DJ and Performers on the CityTV Stage.

Post Parade Party & BBQ At the Backlot (209 - 10th Ave SW) Post Parade Party Money Pennies (1724 - 10th Ave SW). Featuring live entertainment by Toni Vere and Jenn Swayne’s 14

Swayne Dive.

(2pm) Pride After Party Calgary Eagle (424A 8th Ave SW).

After Pride Party Twisted Element (1006 11th Ave SW).

T-dance, Special Drag Shows, Hourly Prizes. Free Burgers, $2.50 Hi-balls and Domestic beer.

Monday, June 11th Rocky Mountain Bears - Coffee Night @ Good Earth Café www.rockymountainbears.com

Saturday, June 16th (8pm) Xist 2007: Forbidden Fruit At EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts - Jack Singer Concert Hall Lobby. Local DJ’s along with Performances from SilverFever and local artists. Tickets can be purchased online at www. pridecalgary.ca or at Priape, The Calgary Eagle, The Backlot, Texas Lounge, The Box and Giant45.

Afterparty at the Warehouse.

(8pm) Calgary Men’s Chorus Come to the Music Concert The Grand (608 1st St. SW) Tickets available thru chorus members, Money Pennies, Priape and Backlot. $20.00 each, on sale now. EPCOR Centre Lobby.

Sunday, June 17th (1pm) ISCCA SA AGM At the Calgary Eagle.

Friday, June 22nd (7pm) Investitures 2007: Wild West Show The Twisted Element (1006 11th Ave SW).

Doors open @ 7pm, Show starts @ 9pm sharp.

Saturday, June 23rd (7pm) Pride Tribal Awards At the Auburn Saloon. Featuring live jazz and entertainment.

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(8pm) Talent Showcase & Silent Auction For Breast Health Awareness Jane Doe Marketplace & Café 311 17 Ave SW, just off 2nd St. www.janedoemarketplaceandcafe.com Rocky Mountain Bears - Bears Bar Night @ Calgary Eagle www.rockymountainbears.com

Saturday, June 30th (8am-10am) Pancake Breakfast (9am) Contestants Meeting First time competitors must attend.

(10am) Roping Events (12pm) Grand Entry & Rodeo Events

Thursday, June 28th Queen Street Desperados - New Works by Andy Fabo Presented by Skew Gallery. Runs until August 4th.

1615 10th Ave SW (403) 244-4445 www.skewgallery.com info@skewgallery.com (8pm) A Tribute to Stonewall At the Twisted Element (1006 11th Ave SW).

Featuring entertainer of the year Mz. Toni.

(6:30pm) Dinner Doors at 5 pm and tickets must be purchased in advance.

(9pm-2am) Bud Light Barn Burner Dance

Saturday, July 1st (8am-10am) Pancake Breakfast (10am) Roping Events (12pm) Grand Entry & Rodeo Events (5pm) Doors open at the Driftwood Hall

ARGRA Thursday, June 28th (8pm) Prairie Fire Warm-Up Money Pennies Eatery & Bar (1742 – 10th Ave SW) (9pm) Wet Jockey Contest Calgary Eagle (424A 8th Ave SE)

(8pm-2am) Awards Ceremony and Money Pennies Happy Trails Dance

Monday, July 2nd (5pm) ARGRA’s Official Survivor Party Money Pennies Eatery & Bar (1742 – 10th Ave SW) (10pm) The Last Stand Calgary Eagle (424A 8th Ave SE)

Friday, June 29th (6pm-9pm) Contestants & Grand Entry Registration Valley View Hall, Symon’s Valley Ranch (Lower Level)

RED DEER PRIDE

(8pm) Friday Night Cabaret Presented by ARGRA & Stuart Aikins Casting Inc. 8pm Rooster in a Hen House, 9pm Emerson Drive

(8pm) Red Deer Gay Pride Dance Cost $10. Over night camping available. For information please call toll free: 1-877-4299272.

Saturday, June 9th

EDMONTON PRIDE Friday, June 15th (7pm) Pride Kick-off Kicking off Pride with the Annual Pride Awards and Reception and the raising of the Pride flag all at City Hall.

(9pm) Northern Chaps: Leather Cocktails At Roost Nite Club (10345 104 St).

Buddy’s Pride Kick-off Hot stripper at Midnight. No cover. Pink with Pride - dress in pink.

(6pm-12am) Boots Customer Appreciation Beer Bash & BBQ Shooter specials, prizes and giveaways.

Saturday, June 16th (1pm-5pm) Northern Chaps Vendors Market At TransAlta Arts Barn (10330 - 84 Ave) (2pm) Pride Parade 108 Street & Jasper Ave to Churchill Square.

(3pm) Celebration on the Square At Churchill Square.

Business and Community Group Fair, live entertainment, food vendors, beer gardens.

Uncover the Cure (403) 269-3337 www.uncoverthecure.org (8pm) Northern Chaps: Mr. & Ms. Edmonton Leather Contest TransAlta Arts Barn (10330 - 84 Ave). Keynote Speaker IMBB 2006 Benjamin Palmer.

(9pm) UNITY PRIDE DANCE Presented by Womonspace. Music by DJ ‘Licorice Whip’ Hellenic-Canadian Community Hall 10450 – 116 Street This is a ‘mixed’ event!!

Members: $7.00

Non-Members: $12.00 (10pm) Climax Ball Boots (10242-106 Street)

Sunday, June 17th (11am-2pm) Northern Chaps: Victory Brunch Visit website for more info: www.northernchaps.com (10am) Pride Run At Emily Murphy Park. Meet at the west end of the parking lot.

(12:30pm) Mayor’s Brunch St. Andrews Centre. (111 Ave & 127 Street).

With Special Guest Mayor Stephen Mandel. All proceeds go to Camp fYrefly. Tickets $30, available at the Pride Centre.

Thursday, June 21st

family fun activities. The perfect end to a fantastic week of events.

(8pm) EVM Concert: Forever Young Cloverdale Hall (9411 97 Ave). Tickets $15/$12 (low income).

Saturday, June 23rd (9pm) Pride Dance 2007 At Citadel Theatre Complex (9828-101A Ave).

Tickets $15 advance, $20 at the door.

Saturday, June 24th (12pm) Pride Centre Family Pride Brunch At Edmonton Pride Centre (9540 - 111 Ave).

A free pancake and sausage brunch, including

(1:30pm) Volley Ball and Tennis Group Pride Open House Kinsmen Park next to the Husky House.

(3:30pm) The Gay Cup: Pride Challenge Softball Game At Kinsmen Park Field #2.

Gay and Lesbian Softball Team vs. Edmonton Police Team.

Monday, June 18th (5pm-7pm) Pride in Transit DL MacDonald LRT Garage Shuttle buses available from/to City Hall.

Tuesday, June 19th (7pm) PFLAG Panel Discussion At Stanley Milner Library - Centennial Room.

Parents in the Closet: The Family’s Coming Out Experience.

Wednesday, June 20th (7pm) Queer Images: Edmonton’s GLBT Film Fest Zeidler Hall - Main Floor Citadel Theatre Complex (9828-101A Avenue). Tickets #10.

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Events Listing

Find out what’s happening Calgary Listings Accommodations

Westways Guest House 13 216 - 25 Ave SW • (403) 229-1758 http://www.gaywestways.com

Bars and Clubs

BackLot 3 See our ad on page 30 209 - 10 Ave SW • (403) 265-5211 Open 7 days a week, 4pm-close Calgary Eagle Inc. 4 See our ad on page 26 and 36 424a - 8 Ave SE • (403) 263-5847 Open Wed-Sun 5pm-close http://www.calgaryeagle.com

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Money-Pennies 9 See our ad on page 19 and 51 1742 - 10 Ave SW • (403) 263-7411 http://www.money-pennies.com Texas Lounge 6 See our ad on page 59 308 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 229-0911 Twisted Element 33 1006 11th Ave SW - Front Entrance• (403) 802-0230 See our ad on page 9, 11 and 60 http://www.twistedelement.ca Twisted Element Lounge 33 See our ad on page 9, 11 and 60 1006 11th Ave SW - Back door Entrance • (403) 802-0230 http://www.twistedelement.ca

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

Bathhouse and Sauna’s Goliath’s 6 See our ad on page 13 308 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 229-0911 Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

Businesses Alykhan Velji (403) 617-2406 Interior Decorator

Adult Depot 140, 58th Ave SW •(403) 258-2777 1514 14th St SW •(403) 264-7399 23 See our ad on page 67 Sex toys, and Straight, Bi, Gay video rentals Barbies Shop 48 1518 4th Street SW • (403) 262-8265 Adult clothing store, shoes, Gothic, punk, fetish, custom corsettes and more.

Brian Mahoney & John McNeill #10, 6020 - 1A St SW • (403) 259-4141 Re/Max Reality Professionals BuBu Bear (403) 852-6977 http://www.bububear.ca Portable adult novelties Canada Olympic Park Highway 1 Calgary West http://www.canadaolympicpark.ca Courtney Sebree Aarbo 24 1138 Kensington Road NW • (403) 571-5120 http://www.csalaw.ca Barristers & solicitors Chronos Apollo #520 922 5th Avenue SW • (403) 237-2353 Physician directed skin care and more Cruiseline See our ad on page 72 (403) 777-9494 trial code 3500

http://www.cruiseline.ca Phone chat room & talking classifieds for 18+ Deva Dave Salon 32 See our ad on page 8 910 12th Avenue SW • (403) 290-1973 http://www.devadave.com eXude Productions http://www.exudeproductions.com First Class Flowers Elbow and Heritage Drive SW• (403) 255-2239 Inside See our ad on page 71 Corner of Blackfoot Trail & 34th Avenue SE• (403) 241-8550 Jane Doe Marketplace & Cafe 50 See our ad on page 8 311 17 Avenue SW • (403) 245-5263 Calgary’s Only Marketplace featuring Women Entrepreneurs. Coffee Shop too!

La Fleur 41 See our ad on page 9 #103 - 100 7th Avenue SW (403) 266-1707 Florist Shop Lammle’s Western Wear Chinook Centre •(403) 255-5292 Crowfoot Crossing •(403) 547-9808 Deerfoot Mall •(403) 275-6877 Market Mall •(403) 247-9224

Marlborough •(403) 273-2233 Stephen Avenue Walk •(403) 266-5226 Westhills Town Centre •(403) 249-2822 See our ad on page 2 Leather and Lace 2020 32nd Avenue NE • (403) 291-4060 The art of romance Lorne Doucette /CIR Realtors See our ad on page 12 (403) 461-9195 http://www.lornedoucette.com Marcy Calberry /CIR Realtors See our ad on page 58 (403) 291-4440 or (866) 859-4440 MFM Communications See our ad on page 44 (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 Priape Calgary 16 See our ad on page 16 1322 - 17 Ave SW • (403) 215-1800 http://www.priape.com

Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear, movies and magazines. Gifts.

See our ad on page 67 http://www.aidscalgary.org

Rev. Nadene Rogers See our ad on page 12 (403) 247-0602 http://www.weddingsmyway.com Marriage Commissioner

Apollo Calgary Friends in Sports http://www.apollocalgary.com

Reymark See our ad on page 23 Able Craftsman, Your home renovation specialist (403) 478-2411 • reymark@telus.net R. Cobalt 45 See our ad on page 9 735 12th Avenue SW • (403) 228-7822 Hair & Aesthetics Sol Sourced Weddings See our ad on page 7 (403) 270-9480 http://www.solsourcedweddings.com Wedding Commissioner Z-Group Voice over IP (VOIP) phone service and long distance (403) 770-1940

Community Groups and Organizations

Aids Calgary 2 200, 1509 Centre St South • (403) 508-2500

Apollo Friends In Sports is a volunteer-operated, non-profit organization serving primarily members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgendered communities but open to members of all communities. We currently have more than 400 members and are growing fast! The primary focus of Apollo is to provide our membership with well organized and fun sporting events and other activities to allow them to participate and interact in a positive social framework.

Absolutely Smashing! Badminton- Winter Event Curling- Winter Event Squash - Winter Event Volleyball.- Winter Event Rainbow Riders Bowling League - Let’s 10 Pin Bowlerama, 2916 5 Avenue NE, Wednesday’s at 6:30pm. Season is from September to April. League fees are $15.00 per Night. Shoe rental is $2.00 Outdoor Pursuits - In attempting to meet our members requests for diverse sporting activities we have formed the Apollo Outdoor Pursuits League!

If it’s done outdoors we do it! (and occasionally we venture indoors too). This summer we will be hiking, biking, rock climbing, rafting and a whole bunch more. If you’re interested in any of these

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or something else completely, get in touch with us. Tired of playing alone outdoors? Well this is a GREAT opportunity to participate in events you enjoy doing with other interested members of the community. To be added to the distribution list for regular updates please email outdoorpursuits@ apollocalgary.com.

Golf - Contact golf@apollocalgary.com, Or by phone 276-8094 Lawn Bowling - For more information, please contact Chris or Phil at lawnbowling@ apollocalgary.com.

out the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank! RSVP before November 10th to bigpaul41@yahoo.com Calgary Frontrunners Running Club When: 9 am on Saturdays, Where: Update! Coffee Junkies -795 1 Avenue SW (no longer meeting at Eau Claire Y) What: Walkers and Runners between 5 km – 15 km from sub 5 min/km pace to 10 min/km pace.

Who: All are welcome - Typically about 15-20 men and women depending on the weather conditions Contact: E-mail calgaryfrontrunners@shaw.ca or call Tim at (403) 660-6125

Slow Pitch - Friday Nights - Slo Pitch League, Co-Ed * Rec * Drop-In, Every Friday at 7:00pm - starts May 11, 2007 (tentative – based on weather), West Hillhurst Community Centre, 18 Street & 5 Avenue NW (East Field)

Calgary Gay Fathers calgaryfathers@hotmail.com http://www.geocities.com/calgaryfathers

Yoga - Winter Event.

Calgary Humane Society See our ad on page 45 (403) 250-4455 http://www.calgaryhumane.ca

ARGRA – Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association Hotline: (403) 541-8140 http://www.argra.org

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

See our ad on page 3

Animal Adoptions and for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Artists for the Quality of Life (403) 890-1261 http://www.afqol.com

Calgary Men’s Chorus See our ad on page 65 (403) 262-6295 http://www.calgarymenschorus.org

See our ad on page 36 A Tribute to StoneWall - Thurs. Jun 28th, 2007 at The Twisted Element (1006 11th Ave SW) Hosted

by Entertainer 15 Mz. Toni!

Rehearsals are held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Old Y Centre for Community Organizations, located at 223 12 Avenue SW.

Cut-a-Thon - Mon. September 3rd 10:00am to 5:00pm at Tomkins Park (17th Ave, 8th Street), Join us at Tomkins Park for the 4th Annual Donnie Peters Memorial Cut-a-Thon! Get your hair cut to help fundraise for the Positive Living Lunch program at AIDS Calgary. Entertainment for the whole family, including DJs, Prizes, and more! Haircuts: $20 for Adults, $10 for Children, $20 for Pets

November 2, 5:00-7:00pm At Money Pennies (upstairs) 1742 - 10 Ave SW

Between Men and Between Men Online (403) 234-8973 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.

Meetings at GLCSA Tuesdays 7:00pm to 9:00pm Calgary Big men and Admirers http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ CalgaryAlbertaBigmenClub/ A group for gay and bisexual men only. Interested parties are welcome to join our VIRTUAL Group in Alberta to: Ease Friendly meetings between big guys and those who love them, organize different social activities, and market a positive image of big men.

Hope to See you soon...

Big men’s and Admirers Sunday Brunch @ 11am.

Mother Tuckers ,345 10th Ave S.W., Calgary. A social outing for bigger guys and those who enjoy their company AND its a FOOD DRIVE, so bring something that is non perishable so we can help 18

Calgary Networking Club

Calgary Networking Club (CNC) is back.... after a 5 year hiatus, CNC is meeting again in Calgary on the first Thursday of every month. The networking meetings are open to all individuals who would like to promote their businesses or who would like to meet new people - no business affiliation is necessary.

CNC is for members of the LGBTQ community to make new friends or business contacts. This group is not age or gender specific.

Come listen to our monthly guest speaker, have a snack, and enjoy talking with some new people.

Admission to the meeting is $5, or a yearly subscription pass can be bought for $25 (a 28% savings). If you have a GLCSA membership take an additional $5 off your yearly subscription cost.

GLCSA memberships will also be available at the meeting for $10. (Call GLCSA for details on membership benefits).

For more information contact GLCSA at (403) 2348973....or just drop in on the meeting.

Calgary Networking Club (CNC) is a Gay & Lesbian Community Services Association (GLCSA) event.

Food and venue sponsored by Money Pennies Bar and Eatery.

Calgary Sexual Health Centre 304, 301 14th Street NW (403) 283-5580

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca Calgary Sexual Health Centre is a pro-choice organization that believes all people have the right and ability to make their own choices regarding their sexual and reproductive health. Calgary Sexual Health Centre started as a volunteer based, grassroots organization and has been providing comprehensive sexuality education and counselling programs to the Calgary community since 1972. In the early 70’s, CBCA’s work focused on improving access to birth control and increasing support for women facing unplanned pregnancies. Since that time Calgary Sexual Health Centre has evolved to include a range of services to ensure that individuals are able to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive well being. Our programs promote sexuality as a normal, positive and healthy part of life to be valued and respected. Currently the Calgary Sexual Health Centre offers education and youth peer education programs, counselling and groups for women who are questioning their sexual orientation.

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, bisexual, 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..

Deer Park United Church and Wholeness Centre 77 Deerpoint Road SE - (403) 278-8263 http://www.dpuc.ca Worship Time - 10:00am Sundays Different Strokes http://www.differentstrokescalgary.org Swim Club.

Check website for current schedule Did You Say Bike?

YOU TOO CAN PEDAL YOUR ASS OFF! Riders Wanted - experience or no!

Come ride your bike with us and make new friends, learn how to maitain your wheels, maybe even learn a few tricks, and best of all get fit!

Everyone welcome!

The Windmill at Eau Claire, 12 until 3-ish. Tasty snacks and refreshments later on.

For more info on a great motivational experience, E-mail us at ridingincalgaryrocks@hotmail.com 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.

Fake Mustache Calgary’s ONLY Drag King Show Soda Lounge: 211 - 12th Ave S.W.

(403) 923-3953 http://www.miscyouth.com calgaryfakemustache@hotmail.com A benefit show for the Miscellaneous Youth Network, Fake Mustache is guaranteed to please! Come see our boys strut their stuff at Soda, the first Thursday of every month. $5 cover. $2 cover under 18.

Advance tickets available at Barbies Shop.

All Ages show starts at 7:30. 18+ show starts at 10:15.

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!

Women’s Weekend Escape - Choose your adventure in Fernie, BC, Friday, June 22nd to Sunday, June 24th Camping with GIRLSGO - Two opportunities to escape to a private, group campsite with other Women. August 24nd to 26th & September 7th to 9th GLASS, Gay & Lesbian Association of Students and Staff 279R Student Union Club Spaces University of Calgary http://www.ucalgary.ca/~glass (403) 220-6394 GLCSA - Gay And Lesbian Community Services Association 1 #4, 1230A 17th Avenue SW (403) 234-8973 http://www.glcsa.org Peer Support and Crisis Line - Front-line help service for GLBT individuals and their family and friends, or anyone questioning their sexuality. Please click here for further information on our Peer Support Program.

24-Hour Info Line - Calgary’s resource directory for information, events, business referrals, organizations and support for the GLBT community.

Library - A great selection of resource books, fiction, non-fiction, videos and everything in between, all with a queer perspective.

Drop-In Center - A safe and supportive environment for one-to-one peer counseling for many issues

surrounding family, coming out, homosexuality, loneliness and other issues.

open flavour. Sundays at 4 PM. Pre-service prayer gathering at 3:30.

Unity Pages - A service directory of GLBT or GLBTfriendly businesses, organizations, and services within Calgary.

Knox United Church 506 - 4th Street S.W. • (403) 269-8382 http://www.knoxunited.ab.ca/

Heading Out (403) 234-8973 http://www.glcsa.org/

Knox United Church is an all-inclusive church located in downtown Calgary. A variety of facility rentals are also available for meetings, events and concerts.

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 2nd and 4th Friday of every month from 7 pm to 9 pm.

Worship Services Wednesdays - Communion Service 12:10 pm Sundays - 11:00 a.m. September to June Sundays - 10:30 a.m. in summer July and August.

HIV Peer Support Group (403) 230-5832 hivpeergroup@yahoo.ca

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

Illusions Calgary (403) 234-8973 http://www.glcsa.org

Drop in peer-support group to provide support and resources for individuals who identify as transsexual or inter-sexed. The group meets every 3rd Friday of the month from 7 pm to 9 pm at GLCSA.

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. Crossdressing is the purpose of the group, but is not mandatory.

Inside Out (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

If you are transsexual, or know of someone who is, please contact our office for information and assistance. You are not alone! There is support!

PFLAG Calgary (403) 234-0445 ext 801 Positive Space Committee at Mount Royal College 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW Phone: 403-440-6383 Web: www.mtroyal.ca/positivespace Email: stavcer@mtroyal.ca The Positive Space Committee at Mount Royal College works to raise awareness and challenge the patterns of silence that continue to marginalize lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gendered, two-spirited and queer (LGBTTQ) individuals.

Pride Calgary (403) 262-3410 http://www.pridecalgary.ca

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

See our ad on page 57 Check out the GayCalgary Pride Guide in this issue

A transdenominational Christian fellowship under the auspices of the Anglican Church, for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and our friends. We have for the moment stopped our monthly Eucharist on the second Sunday of the month at 7:00pm in St. Stephen’s Anglican Church (1121- 14 Avenue S.W.): NO SERVICES TILL PRIDE

Pride Rainbow Project prp@planet-save.com http://www.priderainbowproject.com

St. Stephen’s Anglican Church is a very welcoming community that you may consider going to, they worship every Sunday morning at 8:00 am (traditional prayer book service) and the contemporary worship service at 10:30 am.

Rainbow Community Church of Calgary meets at Hill Hurst United Church off (Kensington Close NW).

They’re a GLBTQ etc. church (and straight folks are welcome too!) that seeks to provide tools for the spiritual journey thorough developing a supportive community. They are an interdenominational church in the Christian traditions with an evangelical and

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!.

Primetimers Calgary E-mail: primetimerscalgary@gmail.com http://www.primetimerscalgary.com 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 of any age and respects whatever degree of anonymity that each member desires.

June 02 – Coffee at Midtown Co-op 1130- 11 Ave. S.W. Meet at 10:00 am June 3 - Monthly Gathering to be held at Inglewood Lawn Bowling Club for meeting, BBQ and some fun bowling. Starts at 4:00pm June 5 - Apollo Lawn Bowling June 6 - Free Pool at the Eagle June 9 - Coffee at Midtown Co-op 1130- 11 Ave. S.W. Meet at 10:00 am June 10 - Gay Pride Parade and Festivities June 12 - Apollo Lawn Bowling June 13 - Free Pool at the Eagle June 16 - Coffee at Midtown Co-op 1130- 11 Ave. S.W. Meet at 10:00 am June 19 - Apollo Lawn Bowling June 21 - Pumphouse Theatre Production of “Sour Water Strippers” June 23 - Coffee at Midtown Co-op 1130- 11 Ave. S.W. Meet at 10:00 am June 26 - Apollo Lawn Bowling June 27 - Free Pool at the Eagle June 28 - Pumphouse Theatre Production of “Five Blue Haired Ladies On A Park Bench” June 29 - ARGRA Rodeo weekend begins June 30 - Coffee at Midtown Co-op 1130- 11 Ave. S.W. Meet at 10:00 am Rainbow Community Church See our ad on page 22 Hillhurst United Church 1227 Kensington Close N.W. Website: http://www.rainbowcommunitychurch.ca E-mail: roneberly@shaw.ca The Rainbow Community Church is an all-inclusive church. Everyone is welcome (and we mean it!).

Services are held every Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM. Rocky Mountain Bears http://www.rockymountainbears.com Monday, June 11 - Coffee Nite - 7:00pm at Good Earth Cafe, 1502 11th Street S.W. This is a great spot to hang out and make new friends or renew last summers fling!

At the very least, come have a cup a joe!

Saturday, June 23 - Bears Bar Nite - Calgary Eagle, 424A 8th Avenue S.E. Bears head to the Calgary Eagle to enjoy a beverage anytime after 10:00pm.

Safety Under The Rainbow http://www.safetyrainbow.ca Mission: To raise awareness and understanding of gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

19

same-sex domestic violence and homophobic youth bullying.

Foundation. So before you plan your next trip with WestJet, email Ed at TravelMasters

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

Broadway Across Canada http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca

Project Areas:

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

Womynspace (403) 234-8973 or womynspace@glcsa.org http://www.glcsa.org/

Jun. 19 -24, 2007 - Mamma Mia!, Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

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 5857437. 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.

Peer social/support group for women providing an evening of fun, bonding, discussion and activities.

Meets every first and third Friday 7pm to 9pm at GLCSA.

Partnerships – Create partnerships with like-minded groups. Organize a meeting to discuss a provincewide cross-sector entity addressing domestic violence and homophobic bullying.

Training - Develop and pilot training modules that address GLBTT domestic violence and homophobic youth bullying. See the website or contact the office for information on the next training session.

Research – Conduct an enviro-scan of services and support available to GLBTT family violence and abuse victims.

Directory – Publish a province-wide directory of services and supports addressing same-sex domestic violence and homophobic bullying.

Survey – Conduct a survey on how same-sex domestic violence and homophobic bullying affects GLBTT individuals. Contact the office if you would be willing to fill out this survey.

Sharp Foundation Phone: (403) 272-2912 E-mail: sharpfoundation@nucleus.com http://www.thesharpfoundation.com Travel Masters - Need a vacation?, Ed Smith at Travel Masters has agreed to donate 25% of his profit from WestJet bookings to The SHARP

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.

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.

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.

“Yeah... What She Said!”

Every Monday evening from 8:30-9:00pm CJSW 90.9 FM yeahwhatshesaid@gmail.com Youth 4 Youth (403) 283-5880 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.

Restaurants

Calgary Eagle Inc. 4 See our ad on page 26 and 36 424a - 8 Ave SE • (403) 263-5847 Open Tues-Sun 4pm-close http://www.calgaryeagle.com Jane Doe Marketplace & Cafe 50 See our ad on page 8 311 17 Avenue SW • (403) 245-5263 Calgary’s Only Marketplace featuring Women Entrepreneurs. Coffee Shop too!

Money-Pennies 9 See our ad on page 19 and 51 1742 - 10 Ave SW • (403) 263-7411

Theatre and Art Alberta Ballet http://www.albertaballet.com

ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects 36 Phone: (403) 294-7402 http://www.ATPlive.com AXIS Contemporary Art 107, 100 – 7 Ave. SW • (403) 262-3356 rob@axisart.ca Monday to Friday: 10am to 6pm Saturday: 10am to 5:30pm Sunday: 11am to 3pm First Thursdays (the First Thursday of each month): 10am to 8pm

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gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

See our ad on page 12 A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Over 20 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make MAMMA MIA! The ultimate feel-good show! Writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The storytelling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone’s having the time of their lives! With more productions playing internationally than any other musical, MAMMA MIA! Is the World’s No.1 Show Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra http://www.cpo-live.com • (403) 571-0849 Fairytales International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com Looks Could Kill Art Boutique Art Central, lower level #11, 100 7th Ave SW • (403) 264-7576 One Yellow Rabbit 35 Big Secret Theatre – EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts • (403) 299-8888 http://www.oyr.org QUAB Gallery Inc. 43 212, 100th 7th Avenue SW • (403) 261-2855 http://www.quab.ca Pumphouse Theatre 37 2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW • (403) 263-0079 http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca Skew Gallery See our ad on page 12 1615 10th Avenue SW • (403) 244-4445 http://www.skewgallery.com Stagewest 727 42 Avenue SE • (403) 243-6642 http://www.stagewestcalgary.com CANADIAN EXPLOSION – The Best of Canada’s Pop, Rock and Country, Written by: Howard Pechet, April 26 – July 1, 2007 We tuned into the Americans and the Brits throughout the 60’s and 70’s and then came Bryan Adams, Shania Twain and Celine Dion. By the 90’s Canada boasted a flourishing music industry and some of the world’s greatest recording stars. Let us take you on a “Spinning Wheel Ride” from the Guess Who in the 60’s to Nickleback today.

Stride Gallery 47 1004 MacLeod Trail SE • (403) 262-8507 http://www.stride.ab.ca Theatre Junction http://www.theatrejunction.com

Truck Gallery 46 815 1st Street SW (Basement) • (403) 261-7702 http://www.truck.com

Steamworks 11 11745 Jasper Ave• (780) 451-5554 http://www.buddysniteclub.ca/

Vertigo Mystery Theatre 34 161, 115 – 9 Ave SE • (403) 221-3708 http://www.vertigomysterytheatre.com

Businesses

Edmonton Listings Bars and Clubs

Boots & Saddles 5 10242 106th St • (780)423-5014

B & D Emporium 13 New City Compound, 10081 Jasper Avenue http://www.bdemporiumedmonton.com Cruiseline See our ad on page 72 (780) 413-7122 trial code 3500 http://www.cruiseline.ca Phone chat room & talking classifieds for 18+

Buddy’s Nite Club 6 11725 Jasper Ave • (780) 488-6636

Pride Construction (780) 239-9197 Construction and Renovations

Prism Bar & Grill 8 10524 101st St • (780) 990-0038 http://www.prismbar.ca

Community Groups and Organizations

The Roost 9 10345 104th St • (780) 426-3150 http://www.theroostniteclub.com Woody’s 12 11725 Jasper Ave • (780) 488-6557

Bathhouse and Sauna’s Down Under Baths 7 12224 Jasper Ave •(780) 482-7960 http://www.gayedmonton.com/

Steamers 10 9668 Jasper Avenue • (780) 422-2581

Buck Naked Boys Club (Edmonton) Naturism club for men.

Meets the second Saturday of each month.

(780) 471-6993 http://www.bucknakedboys.ca Our club has been meeting continuously for over 10 years. The similar club in Calgary ceased to exist several years ago. Naturism is being social while everyone is naked, and it does not include sexual activity. Therefore participants do not need to be gay, only male, but almost all participants over the years do self-describe as being gay or bisexual.

Camp fYrefly See our ad on page 30

7-104 Department of Educational Policy Studies Faculty of Education, University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G5 http://www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca

downtown airport) Every Wednesday and Thursday night, 8pm-10pm

Edmonton Pride Week Society http://www.prideedmonton.org See our ad on page 4

Wednesday night recreational level: All players and skill levels welcome. Contact Marc for more information: padremark@hotmail.com, Tel: (780) 445-0365.

ERBA - Edmonton Rainbow Business Association #3379, 11215 Jasper Avenue • (780) 49154458 http://www.edmontonrba.org

Thursday night intermediate level: Coaching and drills provided. Contact Alex for more information: flipside@telus.net, Tel: (780) 424-9984. (Please note that there is limited space on the intermediate night)

Our primary focus is the provision of networking opportunities for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) owned or operated and GLBT-friendly businesses in the Edmonton region.

Membership is open to all kinds of entrepreneurs, from tradespeople to professionals to commission salespeople.

HIV Network Of Edmonton Society 3 11456 Jasper Ave

The Edmonton Rainbow Business Association After Business Mixers. Held on the second Wednesday of every month 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Living Positive (Edmonton Persons Living with HIV Society) 2 (780) 488-5768 http://www.edmlivingpositive.ca

Jun 13 Prism, 10524 – 101 St, (780) 990-0038 Edmonton STD 4 11111 Jasper Ave Edmonton Vocal Minority http://www.evmchoir.com See our ad on page 30 Phone: 780-479-2038 Free To Be volleyball Amiskiwcy Academy, 101 Airport Rd. (near the

Welcome GLBT players!

http://www.hivedmonton.com Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose http://www.gayedmonton.org

Providing confidential one-on-one peer support for infected or affected individuals…. Internet support peersupport@edmlivingpositive.ca Northern Chaps http://www.northernchaps.com See our ad on page 27 Northern Chaps is Edmonton’s original leather, latex, fetish, uniform club. We have been in existence officially since 1987 but have been in

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

21

existence originally around 1982 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Everyone is welcome to join or attend events Northern Chaps is a social group existing for the purpose of providing a safe, accepting social climate to people interested in the leather/fetish/uniform lifestyle.

Northern Chaps believes that people should be free to express their individuality and to exercise personal lifestyle choices without social constraint, to the extent that they do not interfere with the freedoms of others.

In particular, Northern Chaps defends and pursues this belief on behalf of gay men and lesbian women who, through positive alternative lifestyles, seek to explore the boundaries of their sexuality, including the use of certain associated dress, signs and symbols, and safe, sane and consensual behaviors.

Pride Centre of Edmonton 1 95A St. and 111 Ave. • (780) 488-3234 - Bears Movie Night Bears club of Edmonton meets the last Sunday of the month for movies 1- 6 pm in the TV room at the Pride Centre of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph: (780) 488-3234 - Trans Education/Support Group Support and education for all transsexual, transgendered, intersexed, two-spirited and questioning individuals meets 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month, 2-4 pm at the Pride Centre of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph: (780) 488-3234 - Sunday Night Mens Discussion Group Mens social and discussion group meets every Sunday @ 7 pm at the Pride Centre of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph: 488-3234, Contact: Rob Wells - robwells780@hotmail.com - Saturday Movie Night Weekly movie nights, with themed movies and discussion afterwards at the Pride Centre of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph: (780) 4883234. from 2:00 to 5:00 - The HIV Positive Gay Men’s Group Drop in caring circle every Thursday, 1-4 pm @ 79 pm in main area, at the Pride Centre of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph: (780) 488-3234

Facilitator: Mark, HIV Outreach The HIV positive Gay Men’s Group is a place for gay men to come and share their feelings on how it is affecting their personal lives. This is a personal private time for them to express how it has changed their outlook on life. As well to support and help each other dealing with being HIV positive.

Whatever is said in the room stays within the room.

Remember! You are not alone!

- Youth Understanding Youth Youth support and social group meets every Saturday from 7 to 9 pm at the Pride Centre of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph: (780) 4883234 Contact: yuy@shaw.ca (www.members. shaw.ca/yuy ) - Womonspace 1st Sunday of every month from 10 am to 1 pm at the Pride Centre of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph:488-3234 Contact Womonspace for details http://www.gaycanada.com/womonspace/ - Prime Timers Monthly Member Meetings at the Pride Centre of Edmonton 95A St. and 111 Ave. Ph:488-3234 - Suit Up and Show Up Big Book Study Saturdays at 12 noon. At Pride Centre - Sick and tired of being sick and tired? Cocaine Anonymous meeting Thursdays 7-8pm CA Hotline 425-2715 - Youth Drop-in Every Wednesday at 5:00pm Open to all youth 25 years and under Contact brendan@pridecentreofedmonton.org or call 488-3234 for more info.

- Men’s HIV Support Group Will be meeting on each second Monday of the month. At the Pride Center, Edmonton Starting in April, from 7pm to 9pm.

- Parents Rock the World Workshops PFLAG Canada: Edmonton Chapter - Workshop Series Tuesdays (Feb 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6), Pride Centre (95A St. and 111 Ave.) 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. Ph: (780) 488-3234 A series of workshops for Parents of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning children.

Each session will feature a 30 – 45 minute topic specific presentation, followed by a group

discussion. Social time for sharing and networking will follow at the end of each session. Call the Pride Centre to register or for more details.

Love and Pride Gay and Lesbian themed Jewelry http://www.loveandpride.ca

- GLBT Seniors Drop IN Every Thursday Pride Centre (95A St. and 111 Ave.), 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm The Pride Centre is thrilled to introduce a new program serving our GLBT seniors. Hosted by Jeff Bovee, contact the Centre at 488-3234 for more info.

Squirt See our ad on page 70 Dating and hookups website http://www.squirt.org

Theatre and Art Alberta Ballet http://www.albertaballet.com

Broadway Across Canada http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca July 17 - 22, 2007 - Mamma Mia!, Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Over 20 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make MAMMA MIA! The ultimate feel-good show! Writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The storytelling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone’s having the time of their lives! With more productions playing internationally than any other musical, MAMMA MIA! Is the World’s No.1 Show

Lethbridge Listings GALA/LA - Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge and Area (403) 308-2893 (live on Mon. and Wed. evenings until 11 p.m.) http://www.newgaylethbridge.ca Monthly dances (Sept.-May) start Sept. 16 at Croatian hall Call for directions, or for information on P-Flag, campus groups and monthly pot-luck dinners

Red Deer Listings Affirm Composed of LGBTQ people, their friends, family and allies. No religious affiliation necessary.

Activities include support, faith and social justice discussions, film nights, and potlucks! Affirm meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7PM at Sunnybrook United Church, (403) 347-6073.

National Listings Businesses

Entre Nous 1-866-467-5252 http://www.entrenousnetwork.com

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gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

Wega Video Adult DVD’s http://www.wegavideo.ca

Community Groups and Organizations Alberta Transgender Support and Activities Group http://www.albertatrans.org A nexus for transgendered persons, regardless of where they may be on the continuum.

Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition / Coalition santé arc-en-ciel Canada P.O. Box / C.P. 3043 Saskatoon SK Canada S7K 3S9 306-955-5135 toll -free / sans frais 1-800-955-5129 fax/ télécopieur 306-955-5132 http://www.rainbowhealth.ca http://www.santearc-en-ciel.ca Egale Canada #310, 396 Cooper Ottawa, ON K2P 2H7 1-888-204-7777 toll free Stephen Lock – Regional Co-Director (Male) Prairies/NWT/Nunavut (403) 708-5302 cell phone http://www.egale.ca stephenlock@egale.ca Egale Canada is the national advocacy and lobby organization for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans-identified people and our families.

Membership fees are pay-what-you-can, although pre-authorized monthly donors are encouraged (and get a free Egale Canada t-shirt). Egale has several committees that meet by teleconference on a regular basis; membership on these is national with members from every region of Canada.

Theatre and Art Brothers TV See our ad on page 43

http://www.brotherstv.com OUTtv See our ad on page 64 http://www.outtv.ca If you would like to add your business or non-profit group to the list above, please call (403) 5436960, or toll free 1 (888) 543-6960 or E-mail magazine@gaycalgary.com. You can add your information to the GayCalgary.com directory on the website for free.

Gay Legalese

By Darryl Aarbo

Dear GayCalgary, Recently I am hearing more and more from friends that people are being stopped for having rainbow stickers on their car, or if they are leaving from Twisted, with the police officer making a point of mentioning the sticker and the fact they are gay. They are stopped, scrutinized intensely, and then let go with no charge and no reason for stopping them.

The police saying they don’t require a reason to stop them.

This usually leaves the person with a feeling of being targeted, humiliated and afraid because they are gay.

As I understand it, stopping someone for no reason under Canadian Law is illegal and considered arbitrary detention.

Basically that if a police stops you without good reason, it is considered a charter violation and treated as fishing for a charge.

motion or advancement. I do think that the police hierarchy tries to keep the police honest and civil, especially since Chief Silverberg made her diligent efforts.

Your human rights and civil liberties have been a hard fought battle. Do not become complacent about defending them, because if you do not defend them then you may loose them. Even something as apparently small as filing a complaint can have a ripple affect at a later time.

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.

What can we do about this, what recourse do we have?

Is there actual human rights protection in place yet for gay men/women of this province? Can we honestly feel safe from being targeted and have legal protection against mistreatment from city authorities?

- Legally Wondering

Dear Legally Wondering, Your experience with the police sounds truly horrible. We all want to believe that the police are there to protect us, rather than the third world notion of who the authorities can be.

The police must have reasonable and probable grounds to stop any vehicle, otherwise it is indeed a charter violation.

Unfortunately, it can be pretty easy to find reasonable and probable grounds at times: if you are driving too fast or run a yellow light. Sometimes even leaving a bar can be reasonable and probable grounds.

Further, there can be little recourse if you do get pulled over. If you get charged with a crime then sometimes that crime will be thrown out of Court because there was a Charter violation, but if there are no charges then there is not much you can do. Filing a Human Rights complaint will be of little value if you do not have evidence of discrimination.

One’s only recourse would be to file a complaint with the police service itself. There is a formal complaint process and a human rights liaison officer to lodge informal complaints.

The first complaint may go unanswered, but if there is more than one made about an officer then perhaps someone will take notice. The police union is pretty strong and there may be no discipline. The union tends to defend almost any conduct these days. Nevertheless, the complaints may be noticed by management and the person will be denied a progaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

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gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

Q Scopes

“Shrug off scandal, Cancer!”

Lifestyle | Astrology

By GayCalgary Staff The Sun in Gemini already has tongues a-wagging.

Trine to Neptune, it opens up sensitivity, poetry, and sympathy. Logic is a bit weak, but you can win arguments with seductive appeals, if not actual facts.

Mars in Aries energizes this mix. Act quickly! Focus comes unpredictably, and only in short bursts.

ARIES (March 20 - April 19): It’s hard to resist following your impulses. Good, long walks and conversation with friends will help you see what those urges are about and where they may lead.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): You like to move with slow, careful deliberation, but now is the time to act on impulse, even while shopping. Trust your instincts, and stay true to whatever spiritual authority you acknowledge.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Your birthday gift is a license to jabber as you please. Stimulate your friends to share ideas that will challenge your own ideals. Out of that chatter can come sudden inspirations that will help you make clear plans for your future.

CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Some of your most secret desires and passions may be very publicly revealed. With dignity and humor, you can turn that to your advantage. At the very least, shrugging off hints of scandal will show impressive self-assurance.

LEO (July 23 - August 22): A little confusion about where you stand in your relationship is provoking you to ask questions, both pointed and philosophical. Stay philosophical. All in all, the quest for deeper understanding is great. Invite - don’t drag - your baby along for this ride!

comes to deciding.

SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Start a new exercise and health regimen. Review your diet and make improvements. Your sex life is also a factor in your health. Discuss that with a friend who can be trusted with the details and will show good judgment.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Explore new fun and games with your partner. Word games - something like Dictionary or Scrabble - will stimulate your elocution in the wider world. You want something more erotic? How about strip-Boggle or a kinky spelling-bee fantasy?

CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): At work, your energy is especially high, but a bit scattered. Doing some housework will help you focus. If you run out of household chores, ask yourself how Mom would prioritize and tackle the jobs at hand.

AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Your playful banter could come off a bit more aggressive than you intended. For safety’s sake, carefully choose appropriate targets and favor the pen over the tongue. If you can’t say anything nice, talk about Ann Coulter.

PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Usually a bad idea, retail therapy is now exactly what you need.

Perhaps something of a spiritual nature to decorate your home? Set yourself a budget and do some browsing; when the impulse is right, you’ll know it.

VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): You’re already pretty industrious and need no lectures on the value of hard work, but now that work pays extra dividends. Still, take time to play! Staying in balance and indulging your libido are important for morale and productivity.

LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): You’re especially playful these days, perhaps making it unusually difficult for your partner to keep up. Baby wants to play, but let your sweetie set the pace. Suggest anything new, different, and appealing, but defer to your darling when it gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

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Adult Film Review

Waterbucks II, Hard Surf, Full Throttle, and Raw Retreat

By Jerome Voltero “Waterbucks II” by Colt Studio, Courtesy of Priape Just in time for summer, this ensemble of studs is bound to get you wet as they play by the poolside. Knowing Colt, you can expect some pretty beefy men. A few of them are shaved smooth to accentuate their muscles, but the rest have let the forest grow.

The action consists of your standard stuff – kissing, blow jobs, rimming and anal. The unique part is more the setting than anything; a stunning private pool surrounded by a regal garden. It is a beautiful bright summer’s day, not a cloud in the sky, and these guys just can’t keep their paws off of one another.

Though the setting doesn’t change, each scene has a fresh new pair of men enjoying one another’s company. In scene two, the hunky Carlo Masi messes around with smooth muscle-boy Josh Weston. As the playing gets intense, veins pop out just about everywhere on Weston’s body – I expected him to start turning green!

Actually, that would be pretty hot if he transformed into the hulk mid-sex – Masi would certainly get a surprise.

Speaking of the hulk, Skye Woods bears an eerie resemblance to the comic book hero. In the third scene he sneaks up on sunbathing Tom Chase, another guy that appealed to my fur affinity.

If you like the idea of beefy, hairy guys having wet and wild outdoor sex, you’ll want to dive into this movie!

“Hard Surf” by Massive Studio, Courtesy of Priape Surf’s up! This film takes place on a beach that is, as one lifeguard so eloquently puts it, “crawling with cock.”

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Review | Adult Male On this particular day the waves are pretty whimpy, which leads a number of guys to find other ways to entertain themselves. In the first scene, Tim Towers pops in to the lifeguard hut for a different kind of practice with Scott Swan. I really hope nobody is drowning, since the other lifeguard Jason Ridge has wandered off to cruise a potential lay.

Meanwhile, police officer Mick Powers apprehends porn star “Trojan” for mischief in the public showers, but ends up giving him what he was looking for in the first place – a cock to suck. Powers barks out orders, panting and growling as Trojan services him. Brad Star walks in on the two and doesn’t even seem surprised – he nonchalantly puts down his surfboard and joins them. Only minutes later, Tim Towers walks in and joins the orgy as well, pairing off with Star.

Despite being completely smooth, I found Dakota James quite sexy. He has an awesome body – big muscles on a big frame - not to mention those large sexy tattoos on each shoulder. Marco Paris cruises James as he runs by, and the two hook up and head home for some fun.

Compared to “Waterbucks II”, this film didn’t have any outdoor sex scenes. The guys were generally less hairy, not quite as beefy, but perhaps more sexy if you like the beach bum type.

“Full Throttle” by Hot House Video, Courtesy of Adult Depot If this one is a holiday porno, then it’s based on the summer you hung around in the city not knowing what to do with yourself.

For Nick Piston, this means getting into trouble by cruising horny

biker dudes like Mike Power (not to be mistaken for Mick Powers).

Piston is a shy pup, adorned with numerous tattoos and piercings. He spots Power pulling into a secluded area and follows him in. Power may not be much to look at, but he has a dick from hell that Piston is all too eager to gulp down. Piston’s manhood is not to bad either, so Power takes a turn on his knees. They go on for some rimming, and what scene is complete without the butt sex?

Matt Cole is spending his summer working in the storage closet of a machine shop, and as he watches his colleague C.J. Knight up on a ladder, his urges take hold. Piston appears again in a later scene, as part of a three-way with the handsome Vinnie D’Angelo and Jay Armstrong.

The guys in this porno seem like your blue-collar grease monkey types – slender but muscular, tattooed, and sporting five-o-clock shadows to further the rough look. While most of them are attractive in their own way, D’Angelo takes my vote as favorite, with Armstrong in a close 2nd.

“Raw Retreat” by Hot Desert Knights Inc., Courtesy of Adult Depot Yes, it is a barebacking video.

This one comes with a very good warning on the DVD case, which also appears prior to the movie itself. For this reason you’re being spared the lecture from me this month.

In this film, a bunch of guys go up to a beautiful mountain retreat in Southern California for a weekend of shameless fornication. The cabin’s back patio overlooks a wide forested valley with not a trace of civilization in sight.

The cast of mainly no-names is a nice departure from the bigwig porn stars that are getting recycled all too often these days.

Still there is good variety, so at least one guy in the film you will adore. They have a few persuasions of twink, a young bear cub (over whom I drooled in scene 2), a muscle guy, a muscle-bear daddy, a token brown guy, and a dirty old man.

It’s really good to get away from it all, and this laid back porno felt like a relaxing holiday, just to watch.

Priape Calgary Canada’s Favorite Gay Store 1322, 17th Avenue SW – (403) 215-1800 http://www.priape.ca Adult Depot Over 2500 Gay Titles for Sale or Rent 1514B 14th Street SW – (403) 264-7399 140 – 58th Ave SW – (403) 258-2777 afterdk@telus.net

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

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Q Puzzle

“Til Death Do Us Part,” Fun | Crosswords

By GayCalgary Staff

CLUE: crossword about the new Court TV show Across 1 Treats for Rizzo at the Frosty Palace 6 Very top 10 Prick 14 Carpet layer’s calculations 15 Billy of Cleopatra (1999) 16 Crack the whip at, e.g.

17 Having a dark sense of humor like 51-Across?

19 Opposite of loads 20 Drives from the closet 21 Like Esera Tuaolo, from the NFL 22 Type of bath 23 Top-secret org.

24 Gay honeymoon spot in Hawaii?

28 Edginess 30 Bonheur’s motives 31 It makes the bottom line bigger 32 “Break ___!”

34 Snake sound 35 Quick transport for Samantha?

39 Delivery docs, for short 42 Tool with jaws 43 Moliere comedy, with The 47 Author Lev 50 Name with Dan or San

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51 ’Til Death Do Us Part narrator 54 Patty Hearst’s former org.

55 Lacking meat 56 AFL partner 57 Jones, formerly of The View 58 Sadist’s tool 59 Portrayer of 51-Across 62 Chicken, to a chickenhawk 63 Position at sea 64 Comedian Gomez 65 Barrie’s boys 66 Manhandle, with “with” 67 Atlas blow-up

Down 1 Malawi orphanage funder 2 Turned on 3 Dance piece 4 Scottish head covers 5 U-turn from NNE 6 Mexican friend of Maya Angelou?

7 Singer LaBelle 8 Hydrocarbon ending 9 Made a mark in Holly-

gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

wood Squares 10 Use them to go down 11 Skin decorations 12 Wonder Woman’s people 13 ___ death (loss of interest) 18 Gershwin and Levin 22 Bio. or chem.

24 The first Mr. 1-Down 25 Baudelaire’s brother 26 Otello villain 27 Papers of W.H. Auden 29 Marilyn ___ Savant 32 Loads, to Gomer?

33 R. Simmons helps you lose them 36 Spit it out, with confidence 37 Barbra’s Funny Girl guy 38 To me, to Magnus Hirschfeld 39 NGLTF or HRC, e.g.

40 Lesbian activist Gittings 41 Cuddled 44 Religious women who don’t have sex with men

45 What a penis pump does 46 Shows appreciation, as for a Kate Clinton set 48 Sweethearts 49 Sedaris of Strangers with Candy 50 Sneaky Pie cry 52 Remembers some S&M 53 Fire Island ___ 57 Gay-dog owner of South Park 58 One under Sgt. Matlovich 59 Fruity spread 60 Arena cry, to Lorca 61 Marcel Proust’s friend Answer key is on page 70

A Chance to Respond

An Unprinted Letter to the Lloydminster Booster

By John Michael Fleming In November of last year, the local paper here in Lloydminster printed an opinion column written by one of its reporters, geared towards the gay marriage issue. Basically the reporter implied that gay rights groups were using fear-mongering to advance their cause - making people who were opposed to gay rights afraid to express their true opinion because they didn’t want to be labeled as homophobic.

I wrote a response to this column being very careful to offer an alternate view without being insulting, crude or angry. I waited several weeks but my letter was never printed.

When I inquired I was told only that all letters are printed at the discretion of the editor. The letter was somewhat long but I was not told this was a reason. I had even made it clear I would shorten it if necessary. The only conclusion I could infer was that the local paper was not interested in providing a balanced view on controversial subjects.

Although I didn’t push the matter, it always bothered me that a newspaper would print articles but be unwilling to print public response to that article. So I checked out GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine wondering if it would be possible to have my letter printed. And so, here it is.

I am not someone who normally takes an active part in the letter writing process. However, I decided to make an exception after reading Leo Pare’s Opinion column of Nov. 20. In that issue, Mr. Pare discussed the rights of those opposed to homosexuality and same-sex marriage to express their opinions on the matter. As a gay man living in Lloydminster, I would like to offer my perspective.

First of all, let me say that I agree 100% with the primary point of Mr. Pare’s column. In our democratic society we all enjoy the fundamental right to freedom of speech. Those persons opposed to homosexuality and same-sex marriage have the right to voice their opinion on these matters. Just as those who consider men to be superior to women have a right to state that a woman’s proper place is in the home as a caregiver to children. And just as those opposed to the Jewish faith have every right to claim the falsity of the Holocaust. Personally, I do not agree with any of these opinions.

However, in respect of the right to free speech, I will concede that these persons have every right to express them. I would hope that Mr. Pare, obviously a strong advocate of freedom of expression, would make the same statement.

My concern is not with the right to free speech. After all, where would we be as a society without it? It allows each of us to publicly say what we believe, without fear of reprisal. I

Opinion question those who take advantage of this right and use it, and abuse it, to maintain intolerance and discrimination in a modern civilized world by arguing for the denial or outright removal of the rights of others. To quote Mr. Pare, “The hypocrisy of it all is too much for me to bear”.

In the early part of the 20th century, women fought for and won the right to vote. In the 1960’s African Americans finally achieved civil liberties after centuries of oppression.

Now it seems gays are facing a similar battle. Some may say it is unreasonable to compare the fight for gay rights to that of other groups. Yet, although we no longer tolerate use of the “B” word to describe a woman, or the “N” word to describe a person of African heritage, use of the “F” word to describe a gay man is widely commonplace. Discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, or age is not accepted in our society. However, discrimination based on sexual orientation is viewed as justified. And there are those who would be content to see homosexuals eradicated from the face of the earth.

Many will say they do not understand the gay lifestyle, a comment echoed by Mr. Pare. But is it really so important to understand something in order to tolerate it? I have difficulty understanding the unwavering devotion displayed by persons of faith. But I tolerate and respect them because their beliefs do not interfere with my life.

Mr. Pare states that people who are opposed to homosexuality and gay marriage should not let fear change their opinion. He is absolutely right. Too often fear is used to force the beliefs of one group onto another. However, I would add that people should also not let fear be the reason they harbor this opposition. People are afraid that allowing gays and lesbians to have the same rights and freedoms as them, will somehow undermine the stability of their own lives. But apart from offending your beliefs, how will it affect you? Will it cause gas prices to go ever higher? Will it prevent food from being placed on your table? Will it keep your children from achieving a good education?

Gay Pride is not a means of flaunting homosexuality in the face of those with different views. It is a way of saying that we exist, that we are a part of this world, and we are not ashamed of who we are. As I drive around Lloydminster, observing the numerous gay pride decals, logos, and billboards that Mr. Pare has grown tired of seeing, I wonder why this should be a problem (this is a sarcastic statement since there are no such symbols anywhere in this town).

Gays and lesbians do not consider themselves better than other members of society. We see ourselves as equals and are asking for no more than what every other member of society takes for granted. Like any other person, one of my goals is to ensure that those I love and care about are well looked after. The majority of employers, my own included, gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

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require that couples be legally married in order to be eligible for many benefits, including health insurance. Being denied the right to marry would also deny me the ability to fully provide adequate care to my loved ones.

Mr. Pare stated that he is tolerant of homosexuality and that his opinion is not based on prejudice. Although he makes no direct statement either way, my interpretation of his column tends to suggest he is opposed to same-sex marriage. If that is so, then it is certainly his right. However, I fail to see how having the opinion that a certain group of people are not deserving of the same rights as others constitutes tolerance and lack of prejudice.

We live in a chaotic world, a world in which violence, hatred, and bloodshed taint each and every day. How is it then, that love between two people, any two people, can be met with such hostility and negativity?

I respect the rights of all persons, including Mr. Pare, to have an opinion and to feel free to express that opinion openly. However, as long as those opinions involve denying me the same rights and freedoms as all members of society, then I will continue to be a gay rights activist screeching the words “It’s all about equality�.

John Michael Fleming Lloydminster, Alberta

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Pride Calgary 2007

By Arthur McComish

“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves; vanity, to what we would have others think of us.” - Jane Austen Pride is the foundation from which the gay sensibility has been built. Being proud of being queer has been the catalyst behind a flourishing, safe and equal community.

In this light it is only fitting that we have a festival celebrating our pride every year. Calgary’s week-long Pride festival will commence on June 10th with a parade down Stephen Avenue, followed by an afternoon of celebration at the street gala in Olympic Plaza.

Gay pride developed almost 40 years ago on a summer night in June of 1968. A group of drag queens were enjoying a lovely time at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York City, when the police raided the place for the umpteenth time. Such raids were common in New York for any place where homosexuals were thought to have frequented. On this particular evening the clientele of the pub would no longer tolerate being treated as second-class citizens and a riot ensued. The incident became known as the Stonewall Riots and forever more June has become the month in which gay communities around the world display their pride through celebration.

Pride in Calgary is extra special. To some people Calgary has had a reputation for being less progressive with queer issues than in the larger cites like Toronto, or Montreal. We are considered conservative and small when Toronto and Montreal are thought to have larger queer populations and established areas for their gay communities. The size of our community may differ from that of Toronto or Montreal, and we may not have all our gay establishments in one block, but Calgary does not lack in heart or in substance. We too are proud queer citizens. Calgary Pride is an opportunity for our community to look inside itself and see the amazing people who live here, and to recognize the outstanding accomplishments by the community this past year.

Community|Spotlight more reasons to celebrate, Pride has become a bigger celebration each year. It also provides an opportunity to remember our collective history and the overcoming of our adversity.

As Pride is one of the most important celebrations in the queer community it’s best to be fully prepared for the week. In past years it has been known to get a little wet during the parade and street gala so bringing an umbrella would not be such a bad idea. That being said, make it a small size umbrella because it is hoped the sun will be blazing. The next step is to read the GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine Pride Guide thoroughly! A lot of exciting activities will be taking place all over our city, and the Pride Guide will be your main source of information for what is going on. Some of the bigger events include the Military Ball and the Xist Pride Dance, which are perfect opportunities to meet new people and have fun with old friends.

Gay Pride in Calgary is only possible through a lot of hard work, organization, fundraising and volunteers.

Between the parade, the street gala and all the other activities, the cost of gay pride can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. So if you see someone who is donating their time, show them how proud you really are.

Calgary Pride Week 2007 June 10th – 16th www.pridecalgary.ca For more information on Gay Pride events in Calgary and Edmonton, see our Pride Guide on page 14.

Pride has been celebrated in Calgary for the last seventeen years. It has grown substantially since it began. In the beginning, Pride was celebrated by only a few hundred Calgarians - last year’s Pride saw over two thousand in attendance. John Skorka, co–chair of the Pride Calgary Association, still remembers when Pride was just a small group celebrating with a police escort over the bridge into Bridgeland, and how protesters met them along the way. It has changed so much since then, notes Skorka. With more people, better venues, and gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

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Mamma Mia!

Smash musical back in Calgary by Popular Demand

By Jason Clevett

Review | Theatre

Mamma Mia is one of the most successful Broadway musicals in recent history. Since its London opening in 1999, over 30 million people have seen the production internationally in nine different languages. It’s the longest running Broadway show in Las Vegas, and a film version is in pre-production set to star Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. After a highly successful visit to Alberta in September 2005, the demand has been so high for its return that this summer it is back at the Jubilee Auditorium!

Mamma Mia is an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship written by British playwright Catherine Johnson. ABBA composers Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson were involved in the development of the show.

The story takes place on a fictional Greek island, where Donna owns and manages a taverna, catering to locals and tourists alike. Her daughter Sophie is engaged to a young man named Sky. Sophie has long wondered who her father is, but her mother refuses to discuss her past.

As her wedding approaches, Sophie wants to have her father walk her down the aisle, so she invites three men that she discovers her Mother had relationships with 20 years prior. All three arrive and all sorts of tomfoolery occurs to a soundtrack of classic ABBA songs.

What a soundtrack it is. Just reading through the titles will makes the songs immediately start playing in your head. Money, Money, Money, Thank You For The Music, Dancing Queen, Gimme! Gimmie! Gimmie! (A Man After Midnight), S.O.S., Knowing Me, Knowing You and Take a Chance On Me - 23 classic ABBA tunes are incorporated into the show, and during the encore finale

the audience is encouraged to sing along to Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen and Waterloo.

The strength of the show comes through in the fact that the dialogue and storyline stand on their own, merely enhanced by the music. Simply put, you do not have to be an ABBA fan in order to enjoy the production, but if you are, you’ll likely marvel at how they have added in these classic songs.

Will Sophie discover who her father is? Will Donna find love of her own? What will become of Sophie and Sky’s relationship? All of these questions will be answered during the course of the show.

The North American tour coming to Alberta has played over 2154 performances in 109 cities (with 68 repeat visits) and is currently booked through until September 2008. The show’s success speaks volumes and Alberta will be no exception. Tickets are going fast so be a Super Trooper and Take a Chance On Mamma Mia. Mamma Mia! Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary June 19 - July 1, 2007 Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton July 17 - 22, 2007 http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.com http://www.ticketmaster.ca

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Music Review

Wyrd Sisters and Michael Bublé

By Rob Diaz-Marino “Wholly” by The Wyrd Sisters GirlsGo had hired the Wyrd Sisters to perform at the University of Calgary several years ago, and just this March the group was in town again for a one-night performance as part of OutFest. I attended both events and developed an instant liking for the group. The lead singer has a very spiritual mothering quality to her, but displays an occasional naughty flare that makes her hip and interesting.

Certainly the CD contains a fine collection of their songs, but it felt like a lot of the group’s personality was missing without their banter between songs. Without it, the songs didn’t seem to have as much impact on me as they did when I was sitting in the audience. Perhaps it means that I have been spoiled, and it just reinforces that there is no substitute for seeing them live in concert.

The CD carries themes of love and forgiveness, spirituality and equality. “High Horses” and “Skin” encourage us to stop focusing on the things that keep us apart, and concentrate on what brings us together. “John Badertscher” tells the tale of a man who refused to let his black friend stand alone outside of a church that rejects him for the color of his skin.

The album finishes off with the very quirky song “Faucet” - one that people in the audience begged for at OutFest this year. This would be that healthy flare of naughtiness I was talking about. The track opens with the line: “My sexual preference is my bathtub faucet, you might say that I’m in a water closet.” Now that’s got to put a smile on your face!

Track List: 1) Mary (Wholly) 2) High Horses 3) The One That Never Was 4) The Angels Tell Her 5) John Badertscher 6) Falling Down 7) Unforgiven 8) When Ships Had Sails 9) Travel 10) Skin 11) Solitary Waves 12) Faucet

Review | Music “Call Me Irresponsible”

by Michael Bublé, Courtesy of Warner Music Though I’ve never knowingly listened to any of Michael Bublé’s music, I instantly recognized his voice from the modern version of the song “Save the Last Dance For Me”. It has appeared in a number of movies, and has been borrowed for several Drag shows right here in Calgary. Bublé’s first album “Its Time” scored 7 X Platinum in 2005, and this new album may very well follow a similar destiny.

It is easy to see why Michael Bublé’s rich voice has such a wide appeal. On this new album he performs a melding of contemporary and classic genres. He sings “The Best is Yet to Come”, “Call Me Irresponsible”, and “I’ve Got The World On A String”, adding a modern flare to these laid-back classics.

Although the classics may only appeal to an older generation, songs like “Comin’ Home Baby” and “Everything” might appeal to a young crowd as well – they certainly made me sit up and take notice. It shows that with such a good voice, he does a fantastic job with a whole range of styles.

Track List: 1) The Best Is Yet To Come 2) It Had Better Be Tonight 3) Me and Mrs. Jones 4) I’m Your Man 5) Comin’ Home Baby 6) Lost 7) Call Me Irresponsible 8) Wonderful Tonight 9) Everything 10) I’ve Got The World On A String 11) Always On My Mind 12) That’s Life 13) Dream

The “Wholly” album can be purchased at Wyrd Sisters performances, or at www.wyrdsisters.com. gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

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Lucky in Leather

Northern Chaps Continues to Grow in Edmonton

By Allison Brodowski

It seems that in present times, the obligatory leather or kink reference has been played to death in popular culture without delving into anything beyond playful stereotypes. There are exceptions within the first season of queer as folk and “Kink” airing on late night Showcase; both of these examples are arguably mainstream in that they clearly are targeted to a certain audience and hard to reach for those who are exploring for the first time. Local bars like The Eagle present a welcoming atmosphere in Calgary for those ”in the life” and organizations such as Calgary Legacy House present the opportunity to discover the community gradually. One such introductory event coming up in June is the Mr. and Ms. Leather contest.

Jackie Krantz found a wonderful introduction to the world of leather through her life partner. She also found strong values within the community that lead her to a way of life she could be proud of. ”Three words stick out in my mind when I think of Leather: Integrity, Honesty and Respect.”

“Personally I feel the largest misconception about Leather Folk is we are all sadists that love to hurt or be hurt. From my experience, true Leather Folk are much more than that; we are a group of people that work hard for our community as a whole. They are caring, thoughtful and some of the most interesting people I have ever met.”

Having found great acceptance within the larger GLBT community, the roots of the Mr. and Ms. Leather contest grew. The first drummer contest was held in 1994, and a year later a weekend event called Black Solstice was started to coincide with Pride week. In 2001 the first Mr. Edmonton Leather Contest was created by Northern Chaps, and in 2006 they incorporated the Ms. Edmonton Leather title as part of the event.

“I personally see the contest as a venue for the Leather community to get together and be a part of selecting our cities Leather ambassadors,” said Krantz.

A panel of five judges from the gay, lesbian and kink community decide the winner. Potential contestants must be 18 years old, but all that needs to be done is to fill out an application and pay the $30 entrance fee. A potential contestant can also have a sponsor pay their entrance fee. The support for the contest comes from 34

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Community |Spotlight Northern Chaps, the community and the volunteers that make each year run smoothly.

Besides the love, admiration, and resultant jealously of your leather clad peers, previous years winners are required to represent the leather community at: The Pride Parade, Northern Chaps Black Ice / AGM, the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose Coronation Ball, and this year’s Mr. and Ms. Edmonton Leather contest. In addition, the winning contestant is also required to attend one of Edmonton O Society’s events, one National Leather Association: Edmonton chapter function and one Calgary community event. ”I think one of the main successes of the contest is the Club’s ability to provide an ambassador to Edmonton’s Leather community, both here at home and in other cities in Canada and the US.” In a community that is gaining visibility rapidly, partially due to the success of this contest and the successes of past events, tangible excitement is evident in Jackie’s vision of the future. ”At the moment I believe this event is the largest Leather Contest in Western Canada. I know personally that producers of a much larger event have commented of how well the event is run and how well it is attended for a city our size.”

“I hope it will continue to thrive and grow.”

Northern Chaps presents Black Solstice: Mr. and Ms. Edmonton Leather 2007 June 15th – 17th www.northernchaps.com

Remembrance

GORD WOIMA (1951 – 2007)

By Stephen Lock

Gord Woima was instrumental in the formation and development, of the Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA), devoting many years and considerable energy to the organization.

His partner of 18 years, Bruce Chudobiak, recalled Gord initially was not terribly interested in the idea of a “gay cowboy group.” In fact, it was Bruce, with his farming background, who was intrigued by the idea and decided to attend the initial meeting at Trax, a then popular gay Western bar, after seeing a poster suggesting the idea of a gay rodeo association. Gord tagged along.

“He was afraid it would end up being some sort of drag thing,” remembers Bruce. “The only exposure we’d had to the idea was the campy La Vegas drag rodeos in the late 70’s.

Gord just wasn’t interested in that.”

They were introduced to a group of Texas gay cowboys who had some footage of the Houston rodeo. Gord immediately understood how such an organization would be an opportunity for the men and women in the Calgary community who came from a rural/ranch background to display and honour that background.

The prevailing ethos of the gay community in Calgary, like most urban centres, was geared to trendy dance bars. Generally speaking, the Calgary community spent considerable energy distancing itself from the “Cowtown” image. If one held onto one’s rural roots, there just wasn’t a place to fit in.

At the time there was an organization called CLUB Calgary (Cowboys, Leather, & Uniform Buddies). Many of the men who identified as ‘cowboy’ quickly came to view CLUB Calgary as too ’Leather’. The rodeo association attracted many of these individuals as being a place, as Gord had hoped it would be, to celebrate their rural roots and to be in an environment that comfortably melded ‘rural’ with ‘gay’.

“Look at the Canadian Rockies International Rodeo and ARGRA today,” enthuses Bruce. “To say it’s a success would be a huge understatement.” While recognizing the contributions of many people over the years, it is clear Bruce is proud of the role Gord played in that success.

Gord held several positions within ARGRA over the years.

He served as Vice-President on the founding Board of Directors and, when the serving President stepped down after six months, Gord became President. He also served as Trustee for many years.

It is perhaps as Trustee that Gord made some of his most important contributions to ARGRA. The role of a trustee was to serve as a liaison between the local organization and the International Gay Rodeo Association based out of the US. Through his job at Canada Post working the Inglewood route, and his own interest in the arts, Gord got to know several artists and musicians in Calgary. One of these was Greg

Individual |Spotlight McKernan. Gord convinced Greg to submit a design for a logo, an abstract bronco rider superimposed over abstract mountains against a turquoise background. The logo is still in use, and still as fresh today.

The logo was used on all AGRA promotional material, including the organization’s newsletter, AGRACulture, a name Gord, who enjoyed puns, came up with.

The original name for the organization was the Alberta Gay Rodeo Association (AGRA) as the founding members envisioned gay rodeo as one day being a provincial entity, not just a Calgary one. However, the Arizona Gay Rodeo Association, a long time member of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), challenged Calgary’s use of the acronym, citing concerns about confusion if two separate chapters were known as “AGRA.” After considerable discussion facilitated by Gord, and many conversations at the international level, the name of the local chapter was changed to the Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA) in 1995.

Gord was diagnosed HIV positive in 1993. As with many individuals struggling with HIV, Gord had periods when his health and energy were not good. The demands of being a letter carrier forced him to go on sick leave from Canada Post for 10 years. During the entire time, up to when he retired in 2004, Canada Post stood by him and Bruce. Gord was with Canada Post for 29 years, and they ensured that Bruce, as Gord’s surviving partner, received a pension.

Prior to his diagnosis, Gord was also involved in the formation of the Calgary Lesbian and Gay Political Action Guild (CLAGPAG), where he and Bruce sat on the Steering Committee from 1989 to 1992. While he did not consider himself particularly “political,” he felt strongly that gay and lesbian people had a responsibility to ensure they were treated equally.

Prior to the 1997 Delwin Vriend Decision, sexual orientation was not covered by provincial human rights law. Up until that case, it was legal in Alberta to deny accommodation, refuse service, or to fire someone (or not hire them to begin with) for being gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

Gord’s doctor, Dr. Ruth Simkin, approached him and several others in the community to create an organization focused on the political goal of equality, and especially on amending the Individual Rights Protection Act to include sexual orientagaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

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tion as a protected characteristic. Gord’s humour, perspective, and pragmatic approach assisted greatly in the Guild’s development.

He possessed a great interest in art and music and while he tried his hand at painting, it was music that he enjoyed most.

Gord held a degree in recording engineering and made several recordings of various local choirs, including the Calgary Men’s Chorus, for CBC Radio. His favourite instrument was the guitar, of which he owned several.

Following his diagnosis, and having witnessed the effects of depression within his own family and on himself, Gord decided to pack as much living into his life as he could. As Bruce points out, “he got a kick out of some of the oddest things, and he was going to enjoy what life he had left.”

That life continued for far more years than Gord likely anticipated and Gord made the most of them. His humour was of the type some people couldn’t grasp, so showing up at rodeo events wearing a bright red silk kimono over top of his cowboy gear tended to them.

In honour of his wishes, no funeral was held. As with many gay men of his generation, Gord had attended far too many funerals, finally reaching a point where he simply could no longer bring himself to attend them. He wished to spare his friends and family that. Instead, a memorial is being planned.

“Memorials are different,” notes Bruce. “They are about celebrating and remembering and sharing stories; about friends coming together. Funerals are about saying goodbye. That is something Gord always appreciated – friends and good times.”

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Canadian Explosion!

A slice of Canadiana at Stage West

By Jason Clevett

Review | Theatre

One Tin Soldier. Snowbird. American Woman. Signs.

Good Mother. These are just a few of the truly great songs in Canadian music history. Following on the heels of the British Invasion and California Dreaming series, Stage West pays tribute to our own country with Canadian Explosion!, running until July 1st.

The show takes its audience on a musical journey from the early 50’s doo-wop style of The Four Lads to classic 70’s rock with The Guess Who and Neil Young, all the way up to current musical artists such as Nelly Furtado and Celine Dion. What is also cool about the show is realizing just how many songs are credited to Canada. When I first saw the song list I wasn’t sure I would recognize most of the first half of the show, but I found myself bobbing my head and singing along once I realized that I actually knew the song!

Vocally the 12-person cast is in fine form. The female cast members really throw themselves into tributes to Jann Arden, Sarah McLachlan, Susan Aglukark, K.D. Lang, Alanna Myles, Alanis Morrisettee and Avril Lavigne. When five of them join together to perform Amanda Marshall’s I Believe, it is an absolute showstopper. This is followed up by a goofy tribute to the Barenaked Ladies that I am sure the guys themselves would be impressed with. Timothy French’s choreography is some of the best I have seen in the three years I’ve been covering Stage West.

Canadian Idol fans will also see a familiar face in the show. Aaron Walpole, who placed third in Season 3 of Canadian Idol behind Rex Goudie and Calgary’s Melissa O’Neal, makes his return to Stage West. He was previously in Damn Yankees here in Calgary before his Idol success. ”I’ve been a professional actor and singer for a decade now, so I am used to doing this type of performance. I am kind of coming back to this now after Idol,” he told GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine after the show. “Canadian Idol was cool, knowing that on the other side of the camera there were two or three million people watching, but I perform the same in front of five people as I would in front of the entire country; I try to put on the best show I can. On stage is the only place where I feel where I belong, I am having a blast and loving it.”

Even now Walpole and others in the cast find themselves in awe of the material they get to sing on a nightly basis. Classic songs like The Guess Who’s No Sugar Tonight, Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi, Stompin Tom Conners’ Alberta Bound, Trooper’s Raise a Little

Hell and Bryan Adams’ Summer of 69 are major parts of the Canadian conscience.

“It is really cool. Doing this show, most of the songs I am doing, I’ve met a lot of the original rock greats. In the past few years (thanks to Idol) I have gotten to meet a ton of people. I’ve met both Randy Bachman and the boys from Guess Who, The Barenaked Ladies, a lot of these Canadian bands,” said Walpole. “One of the first things we did in rehearsal for this show was sit down with some of the guys who lived around here. When I am up on stage I am trying to pay tribute to these great Canadians and put on a show. It’s a blast doing this because most of the music is timeless, and that is why they are in it.”

The food is always a high point when going to Stage West.

Once again they have put together a solid buffet menu for the show. The highlights include a delicious broiled Atlantic salmon with maple whisky glaze and Mexican friend pork with jalapeño and lime glaze. Not to mention the ton of desserts. It’s a good thing we only go to Stage West five times a year because the dessert menu is often one of the best in Calgary. A recent addition was…well…awkward new cutlery, but really nice dinnerware inscribed with their own logo.

With Canada day fast approaching, Canadian Explosion! is a great way to remember our country’s musical history.

You will find yourself wanting to clap and sing along as you remember all of these great songs that we have spent the years listening to.

Canadian Explosion!

Stage West Theatre Restaurants April 26th to July 1st www.stagewestcalgary.com

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Fundraising Photos ARGRA Dance - Calgary Photos by Steve Polyak and Rob Diaz Marino of GayCalgary.com Magazine

AFQOL Gala at Twisted Element - Calgary

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ISCRW In-Town Show at the Roost

ISCRW Out of Town Show at Woody’s - Edmonton

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ISCRW Coronation Ball - Edmonton

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ISCWR Nunsense at The Roost - Edmonton

ISCWR Brunch at Prism - Edmonton

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SHARP Foundation: Art of Hope Auction at Art Mode - Calgary

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Womonspace Dance and Silent Auction - Edmonton

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Edmonton Pride

So Big you Might Pee…A Little!

By Jason Clevett Inside jokes aside, one of the biggest events of the year for Edmonton’s gay community is just days away. From June 15th to the 24th, the LGBT community celebrates its pride in Edmonton with 10 days chock full of special events.

Things kick off with the Pride Awards at City hall on the 15th and culminate with the dance at the Citadel Theatre on the 23rd. Edmonton Pride Society director Ken MacDonald, who has been involved with planning the event for the past three years, told GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine about the cornerstone events: The Pride Awards, the Parade, The Celebration on the Square, and the Dance.

“The Pride Awards kick off Pride week. They are held at City Hall every year and are a chance for the community to recognize their own. It’s been going on for quite some time, since the 1990’s. After the event we have the raising of the Pride Flag at city hall and then a reception. It has good attendance and is a great way to recognize people who have done a lot for the community,” he said. The next day is parade day and the celebration in Churchill square.

“The parade itself is growing and we are getting more entries then we have in the past. After a few years we started going down Jasper Avenue, which we go down now to Churchill square. We are the first festival of the summer at the square and recognized as one of the major festivals in Edmonton. Last year was the biggest year we had for the parade and festival as we were lucky to have a great sunny day, which lead to about 5000 people attending at the square, which is a huge turnout for us. The buzz really happened out of last year, and a lot of people who didn’t attend wished they had. This year we expect to be even bigger.

There is a lot of great local entertainment as well.

“The mayor reads the proclamation of pride at the beginning of the Celebration on the Square. The Pride Dance on

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Community |Spotlight June 23rd is held at the Citadel theatre - most of our events are centered downtown. This year we are going to have a fun casino and martini bar at the dance to add a little twist for people who want to something to do besides dance.”

The City of Edmonton is heavily involved in Pride as well.

Last year Mayor Stephen Mandel was the Parade Marshall and will be attending this year’s parade and celebration.

On June 17th, Mayor Mandel will host the Mayor’s Pride Brunch, a fundraiser for GLBT youth camp Camp fYrefly, at St. Andrews Centre. In addition, out alderman Michael Phair is hosting a Barbecue at Edmonton Transit on June 18th.

The community’s relationship with the city has come a long way from when former mayor Bill Smith refused to declare Pride Week. ”The support has happened with the current mayor, so this is the third year that we have had mayoral support.

With the previous mayor, he refused to proclaim Pride Week and there was a closed acceptance of the event. Three years ago with the election of Mayor Mandel, he had no hesitation in proclaiming Pride Week. He participates in the parade - last year he was the marshal and this year he will be attending,” explained MacDonald.

“Michael Phair has been incredibly supportive in the 15 years he has been on city council. He focuses on different civic departments every year. This year it is pride with Transit, last year it was an evening at City Hall and the previous year it was the police commission. It has been very public and visible support from the civic side. It gives us legitimacy and shows the GLBT community that we are welcome, accepted and an important part of the community.”

As with many communities in Alberta, there is a redneck reputation to Edmonton. However MacDonald stated that the citizens of Edmonton have been open and supportive as the years have progressed.

”The first few years we did have people who were on the parade route causing some negative tension. Last year I didn’t see anyone protesting and on the square we had no incidents. …We get a lot of positive reactions from people who ask what is going on as they walk by. I think people are starting to accept it as a cultural element to the city of Edmonton.”

Trying to put together a Pride Festival is a huge undertaking. In addition to the parade, festival, dance, and awards the pride society also puts on a one-day film festival, and coordinates with other groups who are offering their own pride events to ensure that they are on the calendar. MacDonald gave us a look at how they are able to pull off the event, and a hint about the secret to their success. ”The board has been a returning group of people getting involved, so that creates good continuity from year to year. We’ve have really good support in the last couple of years from the city and that certainly helps. We are funded through the Edmonton Art Council, who provides a grant to us each year, as well as to many other festivals. So we are recognized as a major festival in the city of Edmonton. ….In the two years I have been on board, it has grown tremendously.”

As they have improved, the society also has laid the groundwork for continuing expansion of Pride. ”One of the things we did last year was hire on an event coordinator. Prior to then it was entirely volunteer run, which was great, but you get to a certain point of critical mass and need some labour to move beyond to the next level. We re-engaged that person this year which has really allowed us to grow the sponsorship and advertising base.

It has allowed us to engage people more [widely] across the community and get them involved,” said MacDonald.

“We are a very low key, grassroots organization that is here to put on an event for the community. People put their egos at the door and do what is best for the community and focus on what we can do. We try to engage the community with things like having a focus group session earlier this year to ask what worked and what didn’t last year, and made changes based on that feedback. We are starting to get more formal by having staff on the event. If you look at the bigger events in Toronto and Vancouver they have full time year-round staff, and we are moving in that direction and laying a structure around that.”

This year is poised to be a breakthrough, history-making week in Edmonton. With large crowds expected, a number of vendors at the celebration, and plenty of events throughout the community, its an exciting time. If you haven’t attended before, or not for a long time, this year is your chance to reexperience Pride in Edmonton. ”I would encourage people to check out the events. Most of them are free so they are accessible to everyone in our community. It is a hugely diverse event this year as well. If you haven’t been to pride for awhile this is the time to come back and check it out.”

Edmonton Pride June 15th – 24th, 2007 www.prideedmonton.org

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What defines a leatherman?

Queer Quest

By Kevin Alderson, Ph.D., R. Psych.

Gay leather culture gets itself noticed. It is conspicuous, blatantly sexual, and clearly not attempting to pass as heterosexual or be respectably homosexual. [1] My first impressions of leathermen came from raunchy masturbations while lusting over Tom of Finland and Etienne drawings. The presentation of large muscles and unrealistically huge genitals made me salivate more than I care to admit (crap, I think I just admitted it). Anyway, what I learned then has stuck in my mind ever since: symbols of leather and leather culture “accentuate hypermasculine forms of sexuality.” [2] I vividly remember the first time I actually saw leathermen at a gay bar. It was back in 1993, the year I came out. I was both awed and afraid at the same time while conjuring up fantasies of what these men do sexually, which I assumed was to whip the living crap out of each other until the top had fully realized his pleasures – or until the bottom passed out from the pain. What were your first thoughts when you saw gay guys in leather? What are your thoughts now?

Truth is, the actual scene is nothing compared to what we might envision it to look like. Leathermen are part of an established subculture [3] within the gay male community who eroticize leather garb or symbols. Collectively, they form a leather social network or community and they practice leathersex. [4] Let’s look at each component of this definition.

For many leathermen, leather acts as a sexual fetish [5] – the smell, texture, colour, and fit are a turn on. This is dissimilar to the reasons drag queens dress in women’s clothing, but similar to the motives that transvestites have for cross dressing (transvestites are heterosexual males who enjoy cross dressing as a fetish). Leather is not a fetish for all leathermen, however, and it means more than this for the vast majority. For most leathermen, their dress and affiliation with the leather community is also about enjoying varying degrees of sadomasochism (SM). That is the part of leather culture that is least understood. Social scientists have not helped much either: “all the large survey studies of sexual behaviour have ignored SM behavior almost completely.” [6] According to one article, it is easier to describe what SM is not. “It does not entail violence and it is not non-consensual.” [7] In fact, the common adage used within the leather community is “safe, sane, and consensual.” SM generally consists of five components, but all of them do not need to be present at the same time: 1. “The appearance of dominance and submission; the 46

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appearance of rule by one partner over the other.

2. Role playing.

3. Consensuality, that is, voluntary agreement to enter into the interaction.

4. Mutual definition, i.e., a shared understanding that the activities constitute SM or some similar term.

5. A sexual context, though the concept that SM is always sexual is not shared by all participants.” [8] At the core of SM is creating power differentials via roleplaying within a sexual encounter or within a relationship.

[9] Some individuals live out a SM script on a full-time basis within their relationship. [10] Although both systems that provide diagnostic criteria for mental problems (DSM in North America and ICD-10 throughout most of the world) list SM as a mental illness, studies do not suggest that SM practitioners suffer from a mental disorder.

[11, 12] On the contrary, SM practitioners appear to be emotionally and psychologically well balanced, accepting of their sexual orientation, and socially well adjusted.

[13] As is common practice in psychiatric diagnostic systems, practices that are not understood are often seen as mental disorders instead of as extreme variations of usual behaviour, or simply viewed as harmless “kink.” The leather community is not small, and obviously if individuals were maliciously hurting each other, we would hear about it!

SM is about recreation and mutual enjoyment, often performed in a scripted roleplay. Leather roleplays have safeguards built into them, including code words for when the action is getting too intense or not intense enough. A simple system, for example, is for the bottom to say “red” to stop the scene, “yellow” to cool it, and “green” to intensify the action in that scene. The top has the responsibility to respect the boundaries (which they do) and to be of service to the bottom. SM sex is about mutual respect, caring, and compassion. I don’t want to suggest, however, that SM is not also about pain for many sadomasochists, but it is pain that is eroticized and that is enjoyed to the level of the bottom’s pain-pleasure threshold. [14] Research has shown that there are some differences between how gay and straight men enjoy SM. Gay men prefer leather outfits, anal intercourse, wrestling, dildos,

rimming, special equipment, and uniform scenes. Straight men, on the other hand, are more into being masked and blindfolded, gagged, verbally humiliated, and whipped with a cane. They prefer to wear rubber outfits, straightjackets, or to cross dress. They are also into vaginal intercourse.

Overall, gay men prefer hypermasculinity and straight men prefer humiliation. [15] Only about 5 percent of individuals who enjoy SM do so exclusively. [16] There are no studies that inform us as to how many engage in SM behaviour, but two experts in this field suggest that it may be about 10 percent of the general population. [17] Findings from a qualitative study revealed that the core idea associated with the leather community was its use of “signifiers of heightened masculinity to fortify itself against sexist and heterosexist stigma from both heterosexual and gay cultures – that as gay men they are effeminate and therefore weak.” [18] Other findings of lesser import were about the following: 1. Communicating sexual roles in an expedient manner.

Although the “master” and “slave” persona exist within the leather community, these terms are more commonly associated with SM in general. The terms “daddy” and “boy” are strongly rooted in leathersex.

2. Marginalization in both gay and straight communities leading to greater freedom.

3. Belonging to a “brotherhood.”

4. Celebrating closeness between men while emphasizing trust and loyalty.

5. Exchange of power in scripted sexual roles.

6. Embracing or incorporating masculinity into a gay identity.

Another aspect of the leather subculture is that it is a community unto itself and it is organized. As many informants in one study reported, the leather community has many official leaders, they take care of their members, and they organize many AIDS fundraisers. [19] The Folsom Street Fair held in San Francisco, for example, is an event that draws 400,000 people per year to celebrate their interest in and support of Leather and sadomasochistic (SM) interests. [20]

(Glenn, age 46). [23].

Dr. Alderson is an assistant professor of counselling psychology at the University of Calgary who specializes in gay and lesbian studies. He also maintains a private practice. He can be contacted by confidential email at alderson@ucalgary.ca, or by confidential voice mail at (403) 605-5234.

References: 1) Graham, M., & Litt, M. (1998). Identity, place, and erotic community within gay leather culture in Stockholm. Journal of Homosexuality, 35(3 4), 163 183. [quote from p. 163].

2) Mosher, C. M., Levitt, H. M., & Manley, E. (2006). Layers of leather: The identity formation of leathermen as a process of transforming meanings of masculinity.

Journal of Homosexuality, 51(3), 93 123. [quote from p. 97].

3) Peacock, B., Eyre, S. L., Quinn, S. C., & Kegeles, S. (2001). Delineating differences: Sub communities in the San Francisco gay community. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 3(2), 183 201.

4)

Mosher et al. (2006).

5) Weinberg, T. S. (2006). Sadomasochism and the social sciences: A review of the sociological and social psychological literature. Journal of Homosexuality, 50(2 3), 17 40.

6) Moser, C., & Kleinplatz, P. J. (2006). Introduction: The state of our knowledge on SM. Journal of Homosexuality, 50(2 3), 1 15. [quote from p. 2].

7)

Ibid [quote from p. 3].

8)

Ibid [quote from p. 4].

9) Cross, P. A., & Matheson, K. (2006). Understanding sadomasochism: An empirical examination of four perspectives. Journal of Homosexuality, 50(2/3), 133166.

10) Dancer, P. L., Kleinplatz, P. J., & Moser, C. (2006). 24/7 SM slavery. Journal of Homosexuality, 50(2/3), 81-101.

11)

Moser & Kleinplatz (2006).

12) Reiersol, O., & Skeid, S. (2006).The ICD diagnoses of fetishism and sadomasochism. Journal of Homosexuality, 50(2/3), 243-262.

13)

Weinberg (2006).

14)

Ibid.

15) Nordling, N., Sandnabba, N. K., Santtila, P., & Alison, L. (2006). Differences and similarities between gay and straight individuals involved in the sadomasochistic subculture. Journal of Homosexuality, 50(2 3), 41 57.

16)

Ibid.

17)

Moser & Kleinplatz (2006).

18)

Mosher et al. (2006). [quote from p. 116].

19)

Peacock et al. (2001).

20)

Moser & Kleinplatz (2006).

21)

Graham & Litt (1998). [quote from p. 167].

22)

Ibid.

23) Alderson, K. (2000). Beyond coming out: Experiences of positive gay identity. Toronto, ON: Insomniac Press. [quote from p. 162].

Some writers view an interest in the leather culture as the final stage in a gay man’s progression in his search for something new. This search for something new centres on developing interests in “more radical forms of sexual activity.” [21] Anecdotally, this appears to be true given that the average age of patrons in a Stockholm leather bar is about 40, [22] and my observations of leather bar patrons in Calgary, Montreal, and Berlin would suggest similar findings.

It is easy to fear something you have not experienced.

I am reminded of the words of one of my interviewees in Beyond Coming Out: “Leather relationships are like any relationship: there are many things that need to be negotiated and agreed upon. We still have to go through the relationship dynamics of being in love and settling in and making the adjustment to live together. My friends in the leather community live normal lives like everybody else.” gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

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Thinking of refinancing?

Here is some expert insight to help you avoid mistakes By www.GayRealEstate.com Many who bought homes during the peak of the housing boom used high-leverage, high-risk loans in order to keep up with the inflationary environment of sky-high prices. Along the way, mortgage lenders and banks became more creative (some would say downright reckless) at figuring out how to qualify people for loans that actually exceeded their reasonable and manageable monthly budgets.

Some bought more house than they could afford and used loans that did not require immediate repayment of principal, because they intended to flip the home and make a fast profit to pay off the loan. Others figured that if they could get into a home before prices got even higher, they could play catch up until their own careers or salaries grew, so they opted for loans with low introductory “teaser” rates that adjusted higher later.

But if their strategies failed to unfold as planned – for example, if the “flipper” got stuck holding the property as prices plummeted or the person on a fast career track suddenly become unemployed – then these borrowers wound up in a precarious financial position. For that reason, housing analysts predict that between 1 million and 3 million American homes will be foreclosed upon in 2007.

Real Estate | Advice necessarily mean that you should not refinance anyway. If you can save enough money over the period of time that you plan to service the loan to more than compensate for the penalties, then go ahead and do it anyway. But first crunch the numbers with a financial professional, lender, or lawyer to make sure that paying the fees in order to switch loans is worth the price you’ll pay.

Try Not to Borrow or Pay Too Much The mistake that is most often cited by homeowners and mortgage experts is twofold. Consumers tend to pay too many closing costs, or refinance so often that they negate their positive financial savings by accumulating additional expenses that it can take many years to erase.

Get a written estimate of your refinance closing costs, and then figure out how much money you will save each month by lowering your monthly mortgage payment.

If you can save $200 a month, you will save $1200 a year.

But if your closing costs are $3,000 and you only plan to stay in the home for another two years, you won’t break even. On the other hand, if you plan to sell after 10 years you’ll save $9,000 – even after subtracting out your closing costs.

Meanwhile, the smart money is moving into reliable, predictable, affordable conventional fixed-rate 30-year mortgages. These loans have no risky bells and whistles, and with fixed rates hovering near their historical lows, they represent solid value that will sustain over the long haul, regardless of how high fluctuating rates may climb.

Do the math and you’ll avoid running the risk of going into the red while trying to get back in the black. Refinancing too often can be counterproductive because of the expenses involved, but refinancing wisely can save you lots of cash.

Many homeowners with expensive or high-risk mortgage loans are refinancing, and it can be a very wise move. But there are common pitfalls to avoid. As homeowners refinance to these less expensive loans en masse, many will make mistakes along the way. After all, haste makes waste, and this is especially true when borrowing substantial amounts of money.

Take time to browse around and comparison shop, because lenders are highly competitive. You may want to stick with your same lender. But even so it is a good idea to get quotes from other mortgage companies, as a bargaining tool to get your lender to offer you a preferential rate or discounted closing costs.

To avoid the most common errors, here are some helpful insights from mortgage experts: Don’t Forget to Check for Pre-payment Penalties Before you exert any energy preparing to refinance, first study the fine print of your existing mortgage agreement – or have an attorney review it for you – and make sure than your loan does not have a pre-payment penalty clause.

These pesky legal stipulations automatically sound alarm bells if you pay off your loan early, and you’ll be forced to pay a penalty to your lender. While most loans don’t have pre-payment penalties, it pays to be sure before you bother with any refinancing efforts.

If your loan does have a pre-pay penalty, that does not 48

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Shop Around and then Lock Your Loan

Once you’ve established who your lender will be, decide what interest rate you are comfortable with and lock in the rate to avoid the risk that it might rise and “run away from you”. Get a written confirmation from your lender that the interest rate has been locked, to minimize any confusion or miscommunication.

Then sit back and relax, because the heavy lifting is finished.

Letter from the Publisher, Continued from page 8 black. Though I don’t think either side is in the right.

I can understand that in the past, Gay Pride Parades were a way of pushing back after we had been pushed ourselves too many times – to spite all the horrible things that people have said and done to us because of our sexuality, and responding with an overzealous liking for ourselves. Some may call it narcissistic; but it was a product designed to bolster our self esteem with unnatural praise in the face of unfair and irrational threats to our rights and our existence.

Don’t get me wrong – it was very necessary and served its purpose to get us through a time where taking the abuse would be too crippling for us to save ourselves. I certainly recommend maintain a respectful remembrance of all those struggles that brought us where we are today, and continuing to push until we are no longer in danger or living in fear.

But we can’t stay in that self-gratifying mindset forever; the butterfly has to emerge from its cocoon. The stereotypical self-absorbed homo routine gets tiring, even to other homos.

Redneck, homophobe, breeder; these are words we use to describe people who are too proud of their heterosexuality to accept that we are different. A chauvinist is so proud of their gender that they feel superior to women. A supremacist is so proud of their race that they think they are better than all others. So deriving a similar sense of pride and elitism from our homosexuality cannot be the answer for us in the long-term if we are truly interested in equality.

I treat sexuality as an immutable aspect of who you are.

It is not right or wrong, good or bad, nor is it even black and white in a lot of cases - it just is the way it is. So when I say that I’m proud to be gay, what I really mean is that I feel a calm and balanced liking for myself - I don’t feel high and mighty, as if being gay makes me somehow superior; I don’t feel a vengeful sense of entitlement because of the past, nor do I feel a need to brainwash others to fight for my cause.

When I strip away all the layers of history and politics, I feel a love and acceptance of myself and all others; I embrace the fact that I am different, and I feel the need to bring others to understand me. We cannot all share our differences, but we can share our experiences. If a concise word exists for this feeling, I have yet to learn it. But I hope it can become the natural next step in the evolution of Gay “Pride”.

Holding Youth Back This month the words finally left someone’s lips – confirmation of something I have suspected for some time now.

At the outset of my entrance to gaydom I could sense the negative connotation around the word “twink”, and I was quick to distance myself from any possible association with it. But these days Steve and I are noticing some members of the older generation fostering a growing resentment toward gay youth in general, and “twink” is the blanket term being applied in a lot of cases.

invasion that will go away if ignored?

I had dismissed this whole issue as a crock of nonsense being spread by a couple of venomous queens (by way of that psychological phenomenon I mentioned earlier). Then someone finally had the insight to bring their anti-youth sentiment to rational words. This is good, finally something that can be answered to.

The younger generation has no concept of the horror the older generation went through during the AIDS epidemic; what it was like when gay-bashings happened frequently, or when one had to worry about getting arrested if the bar one was in got raided by the police. They feel the gay youth have no appreciation for the struggles and sacrifices past generations made to bring them the rights and freedoms they enjoy today.

To some extent they feel jealous they could not enjoy these same freedoms when they were young, but they cannot overcome the fears and insecurities that prevent them from enjoying those rights now. To them, this baggage is seen as an integral part of being gay, and they will lash out until they impose the same limitations on the more liberal youth.

It’s a vicious cascade, but an entirely natural one; the same phenomenon that perpetuates homophobia in the young straight generation. It is the reason why society takes time to change.

Don’t forget that gay youth are facing their own set of problems right now – squaring off against conservative school systems, and finding their place in a world with ever-growing possibilities. Why do some of the older generation want to offload their problems onto youth, when they are already carrying their own unique burdens? Furthermore, why would the older generation want anyone else to go through the same hardships that they did. Logically it makes no sense, but emotionally it draws on our fear of being displaced; becoming obsolete.

No matter what, youth have an upper hand: they don’t die as soon. The choice is up to the older generation – you can push us out and let the gay community die with you. Or you can welcome us with open arms, be our mentors, and in that way become a part of our future.

If you’re looking rather to express your opinion, write a letter to the publisher by E-mailing Publisher@gaycalgary.com. If you’ve got something good to say about someone or something, then that’s awesome! If you’ve got something bad to say about someone or something…well, just try to keep those claws sheathed!

According to the comments I’ve heard, twinks are faceless, mindless, interchangeable and entirely disposable. They are all bar-flies, e-kids, and hustlers; if you take one home you will likely find your valuables missing the next morning. It’s almost as if people forget they were once young too – that lots of people making a difference in the community today, in fact, started out as twinks themselves. Shouldn’t this be a sign to start helping shape the young minds in our community, rather than treating them like an unwelcome gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

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AS THE WORLD SITS BACK

By Stephen Lock

Over the years there have been various agencies established to deal with human rights violations worldwide – Amnesty International, which deals with political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, and others.

While the records of these agencies is not perfect – they are, after all, human endeavors – there is a certain expectation they will step up and address a situation; especially when that situation is so egregious that to sit back and not speak is a violation of the very principles they were created to uphold.

The situation facing gay men and transsexuals, but also lesbians and bisexuals, in Iran and Iraq is deadly. Homosexuals and transsexuals are being persecuted, killed, arrested and detained in terrible conditions, even tortured, yet we do not hear any hue and cry arising from any quarter except the odd GLBTQ organization like Outrage UK or groups within the countries that are working on behalf of GLBTQ citizens. Such organizations are, themselves, at severe risk and ”illegal”.

Doug Ireland, a well-known gay journalist who primarily “gets the word out” via his own blog (www.direland.typepad. com) and a Yahoo group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ direland/), has frequently reported on the situation facing Iranian and Iraqi gays.

The world paid brief attention a year or so ago when two teenagers were publicly hanged. It was never clear if the boys were executed for being gay (and lovers) or if they were executed for sodomizing a 13-year old boy, as the authorities claimed.

The situation has not improved in either state, both of which are heavily Islamist.

It should be noted here, that a distinction is being made between those states which are “Islamist” and those states which are “Islamic.” Islamist states are, essentially, totalitarian theocracies.

Iraq continues to harass, beat, arrest, torture and kill homosexuals. If someone even so much as ‘appears’ to be gay, they can be arrested, interrogated, beaten or even tortured.

Homosexual activists are particularly targeted, according to some reports.

Many gay Iraqis and Iranians live in constant fear and many will not – or cannot – leave their homes for fear of being targeted. It is not hard to imagine the dire straits such individuals find themselves in due to this culture of ”honour”, whereby a gay son or lesbian daughter (to say nothing of a transsexual offspring) is seen as a dishonour to the family.

Now add an at least tacit approval of so-called ”honour killings”.

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Politics the illegal homosexual groups, they are only marginally safer.

The authorities frequently ferret out such houses, arrest all who are inside, and anyone involved in ‘aiding and abetting’ them.

Doug Ireland reported the arrest and treatment of one Iraqi activist recently.

“Hani was handcuffed, blindfolded, and taken to a police interrogation center. While he was in custody, Hani was beaten and tortured for several hours. ‘The police used a screwdriver, which they pounded into Hani’s legs with a hammer - sometimes the police use electric drills for this sort of torture - and they also beat him badly,’ Hili said.”

Ali Hili is a spokesperson for Iraqi LGBT, a homosexual advocacy group within Iraq, and the arrested man, known only as “Hani,” was the communications officer for the Baghdad chapter of the group.

The United States makes considerable noise about its support of human rights, holding itself out as a beacon of equality and justice in the world.

While Hani was being interrogated and tortured, he said he heard several voices speaking American-accented English outside the interrogation room. He reportedly requested he be allowed to speak to one of the American soldiers to explain why he was being detained and, he hoped, rescued. He was refused access to the Americans.

The American authorities in Iraq are aware of that country’s persecution of homosexuals and have chosen to view it as ”an internal matter.” The murderous campaign of “sexual cleansing” being waged by hard-line religious elements followed a fatwa issued in 2005 by the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the Iranian born-and-trained spiritual leader of Iraqi Shia Muslims.

Ayatollah Sistani’s fatwa led to the creation of anti-gay death squads by the military arm of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), the Badr Corps. The SCIRI is the most powerful political Shia group in Iraq and is now the cornerstone of the current US-approved Iraqi government.

The situation in Iran is, if anything, more bizarre.

The late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini - leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution and father of the Islamic Republic of Iran - issued a fatwa which declared that sex-change surgery was permitted since it was not mentioned as forbidden in the Qu’ran.

On the surface, this would appear to be relatively enlightened, despite Iran’s hard stance on all things sexual and its treatment and attitude towards women. It would be, if applied to transsexuals seeking corrective surgery. However, given the prevailing - dare one say overriding - attitude

towards any expression of sexuality deemed deviant (and therefore criminal) - such as homosexuality - this supposedly enlightened view has been bizarrely and terrifyingly corrupted.

As Ireland writes: “Because homosexuality is a capital crime in Iran, and because the regime of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been engaged in what he has called a ’cultural revolution‘ that involves highly-organized persecutions targeting feminists and homosexuals, the choice presented to Iranian same-sexers [sic] is often a stark and unpleasant one...”

In short, if you are a gay Iranian, and are discovered, you face a death sentence. A significant number of gay men reportedly have chosen sexual reassignment surgery instead, even though they are not transsexual. It is seen as a viable option to undergo the surgery in order to continue to be able to have sex with men. Of course, as an Iranian woman who has sex with anyone not her husband, other penalties come into play. The Iranian authorities take a very dim view of adultery and whoredom.

An Iranian transsexual living as a refugee in Turkey, an officially secular Islamic state, was recently quoted in an interview with Arsham Parsi, executive director of the Iranian Queer Organization (formerly known as the Persian Gay and Lesbian Organization). The activist, known as Sayeh, stated: “[In Iran] [i]f you are known to be gay, you will be hanged.

Therefore, many gays try to plead for societal acceptance by announcing themselves as transgendered [sic]. A lot of gays have been brainwashed into believing they are ill. Some believe that if they present themselves as women, they might find a boyfriend more easily.”

The actual surgery is complex and most countries performing it adhere to ethical standards. This does not appear to be the case in Iran. Setting aside the apparent total lack of any sort of screening to ensure those seeking surgery are, in fact, transsexual, many doctors in Iran reportedly perform the surgeries as if they “are cutting paper, not flesh.”

Sayeh told Parsi doctors routinely “perform sex-change operations on people without even paying proper attention to each case, just because it’s a highly profitable business.

Yet they are so proud that they are in a country that allows people to have sex changes. But they perform all these operations improperly, and often incompletely.”

There have also been several allegations of sexual misconduct – or outright rape – of patients by psychiatrists and doctors.

“You can’t complain about these doctor rape cases to anyone, because the police …commit the same sort of acts,” Sayeh is quoted as saying.

The situation in both countries is deadly for gay men. Lesbians are also targeted but, it would seem, less so than gay men. Part of this no doubt stems from the restrictions imposed on women in both countries. Because so many women are confined to the home and/or all-women environments one could assume any sexual activity between women goes largely unnoticed, especially in a culture that clearly is unable to imagine sexuality that does not involve a penis.

in the street, and rapes, either by the Basiji, the para-police force used by the Iranian regime to enforce morality, those posing as Basiji, or by the police themselves.

To leave Iran is complicated and expensive, even if one is applying for refugee status.

Even that process is fraught with pitfalls, corruption, and bureaucracy. Because reports of the persecutions rarely gets to the West, refugee claims are often seen as suspect, especially those of transsexuals seeking to leave a country that, in the eyes of Western nations, “accepts” transsexuality and offers state medical procedures.

For Iranian and Iraqi gay men to seek asylum the situation appears equally Orwellian. If one is unable to leave the shelter, such as it is, of a safe house or ones home for fear of arrest, torture, and execution, how is one to get to a consulate to apply for asylum?

The situation facing homosexuals and transsexuals in these countries – countries benefiting and even being courted by the Bush administration – is horrific, and is being carried out with the tacit approval of American interests…and the disinterest of the rest of the Western nations.

Stephen Lock is a long time gay activist and free lance writer in Alberta. He is the former Secretary and co-director for Egale Canada in the Prairies/NWT/Nunavut Region, a founding member of the Sexuality and Gender Diversity Advisory Committee (aka Police Liaison Committee), and was the producer and host of a semimonthly GLBTQ radio show, Speak Sebastian, for 14 years on CJSW FM 90.9 (currently on hiatus). He lives in Calgary with his partner of 26 years and their ‘fur child’, Joey, a Bishon-Cavalier Spaniel cross.

The situation faced by transsexuals is hardly less dire.

While being transsexual does not necessarily involve the risk of execution, they are not accepted within the culture, are often denied work or access to proper housing, and are ostracized by their families. They also face harassment, beatings gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

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Letters to the Editor Letters

By Contributors and Staff Dear GayCalgary, On May 12th Twisted Element was the place to be. Artists for Quality of Life (AFQOL) hosted their Gala Celebration with Awards for 2006 and 2007. Once again, it was a tremendous success. As we are a totally volunteer based charity that endeavors to make a difference in the quality of life for those living with HIV/AIDS, it’s no wonder there are so many people to be recognized and rewarded for their incredible commitment. We handed out numerous awards for those that made an unbelievable difference for us in 2006.

Our Gala Sponsors were: Affairs Party Rentals, Visual Concepts, Fiore’s, Money Pennies, Mother Tuckers, 4th Street Liquor, Goliath’s/Texas Lounge, Brass Monocle, Country Furniture, Jami Symon’s Salon, AG Hair Cosmetics, Affinity, U-Frame It on 17th Ave, Barbie’s Shop, Twisted Element, and Pride Calgary.

Plaques were presented to the following AFQOL Executive Council Members for 2006: Linda Huston, David Patten, Doug Langill, Jami Symons, Gary Sloan, Grant Lockie, Bernie Matheison, Eric Jackson, Tony MacLean, Kurtis Kronk, Karly Durst, Scott Clark and Susan Cress.

Other awards went to Dyna Myte and Wolfgang, Barb Stein, Glenn Hurst, Debi Leong, Madding Crowd, Twisted Element, Money Pennies, Affairs Party Rentals, and of course GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine.

Many thanks to Debi and RJ for hosting; Coco, Trisha and Fred for back up; Brandy Bishop Towers, Mz Toni, Kiwi, Empress 31 Lonnie, RJ and Patrick for performing.

We look forward to seeing everyone on June 28th for Mz. Toni’s Tribute to Stonewall: The Ultimate Pride Party, an ISCCA sponsored event hosted by RJ and Anita Lay, with performances by Entertainers of the Year.

Once again, thank you Calgary!

Linda Huston Eckess.

Artists for Quality of Life (AFQOL.com)

Dear GayCalgary,

and we cannot find the words to express our gratitude. A simple thank you is just not enough. The last year for us has been a truly wonderful experience and we hope you enjoyed seeing us hosting functions around the city, and raising money for charities.

With the 31st House just starting out, we hope that you will continue to show your support as you did for us.

In closing, once again thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all who helped make a difference. Even if it helps just one person, it was worth all the time and effort. This is what our community should be about.

We look forward to seeing all of you out and about.

With love and Respect, Emperor Wolfagang Von Bearstein Empress 30 Mz Dyna Myte

Dear GayCalgary, The total net sales for the Womomspace Silent auction was $1510.50. It was an excellent turnout for what started out as a simple brainstorming session between Colleen, Linda and I on how to raise money for Womonspace. We were worried that we would only get about 20 items, but we were well over 80 items, and people were still bringing donations to the dance. We will definitely be doing it again for our May dance next year.

Womonspace will be hosting a mixed Unity dance on June 16th at the Hellenic Hall during Edmonton’s Pride Week. We will also have a booth at Churchill Square after the Pride Parade to kick off our Membership Drive. Also, on July 21st and 22nd, Womonspace will be hosting our Annual Carol Cattell Classic Golf Tournament at the Country 9 Golf Course located in Bashaw. Camping will be available Thursday through Sunday.

Lori Sitar Womonspace Marketing & PR Director www.gaycanada.com/womonspace/

Now that Coronation is behind us, we would like to extend our personal thank you’s and gratitude to each and every one of you. This year the 30th Imperial House of the ISCCA. raised just over $40,000. We only achieved this success due to the overwhelming support of Twisted Element, Backlot, Money Pennies, The Calgary Eagle, Texas Lounge, ARGRA, Apollo, and of course YOU. Your friendship and support has made all the difference gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

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Press Releases Review |Business

By GayCalgary.com Staff New Novel Explores Deadly World of Internet Predators on Gay Hook-up Sites May 7th, 2007 Rick R. Reed’s new mystery/suspense novel, IM, has just been released this month by Regal Crest Enterprises, LLC under their Quest imprint. IM turns to today’s headlines about internet predators to play up the inherent danger in online connections. Tyler R. Tichelaar, reviewing for readerviews.com , said, “IM is a fast-paced pager… The title is the abbreviation for “Instant Message” but in this case, the instant message results in instant murder. While it is a mystery concerning a series of crimes against gay men, and featuring a gay detective and a questionably gay killer, the plot twists, character development, and suspense make it a story any fan of mystery or crime fiction will enjoy.”

In another review, horror author Vince Liaguno, author of The Literary Six, describes the plot: “When Chicago PD detective Ed Comparetto is called to the grisly murder scene of a young gay man, his life is plunged into a nightmare as he is caught up in a cat-and-mouse game with a creepy killer – who may or may not be dead himself – who uses a gay Internet hookup site to lure his victims. Told from the multiple perspectives of Comparetto, both the killer and his occasional victims, and through the journal entries of the killer’s estranged aunt, Reed creates a fresh, multi-layered narrative that never tires. While it’s formulaic suspense thriller all the way, Reed wisely pitches just enough curve balls to keep the reader invested right down to the “nick of time” ending. Ripe with genuine suspense and an escalating momentum that doesn’t let up until the very end, IM is the kind of deliciously nasty psychological thriller that’s guaranteed to raise gooseflesh even under a hot summer sun.”

Rick says, “I’m excited about the release of IM and hope that it will deliver on its promise of being a scary, fast-paced ride for readers.”

Reed has published three novels so far, Obsessed, Penance , and A Face Without a Heart and, in addition to IM, has a vampire novel coming out this fall called In the Blood (also from Regal Crest). In 2006, his short story collection, Twisted: Tales of Obsession and Terror, was published. His short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies. He lives in Miami, FL where he is at work on another novel.

IM is available from Amazon and other online booksellers, as well as by order at all bookstores.

How Should Gay Pornographers React to the Falwell Death?

May 16th, 2007 How should a gay porn site react to the death of bigot Jerry Falwell? “My editor, Gabe, and I said the same thing almost 54

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instantly when we sent each other an instant message about the death of Falwell: what can we do that would truly offend the memory of Falwell?” said Cruising For Sex owner Keith Griffith. How about offering a membership special to CFS Porn for only $6.66? Throw in a DVD sale by offering 3 DVDs for only $66.66! For those not raised in the Christian faith, 666 is the “Mark of the Beast” that Christians believe will mark the last days of mankind.

“Humor and irreverence is what got gay people through so much of the hate we endured from the likes of Jerry Falwell.

This seems like the perfect way to respond to the death of our avowed enemy,” added Griffith. “Would that all it took was the death of one hateful man to vanquish all the hate that he spewed forth in his life! Those of us who lived through the Falwell nightmare should refuse to be silent and respectful.”

For many of the words of wisdom doled out by Jerry Falwell over the years, go here: http://www.cruisingforsex.com/falwellquotes.html For details of “The Jerry Sale” follow these links: http://www.cfsporn.com/666offer.html http://www.cfsporn.com/gallery.html Griffith added, “I’ve already caught phrases like ‘moral leader’ and ‘dignified and loving’ dropping from the mouths of the talking heads. I’ll let Jerry speak for himself (see the link, above, to some of his words of wisdom). In the meantime, Gabe and I decided to celebrate in the way that would most offend Jerry Falwell and his followers: to put porn on sale in his honor.”

Egale Canada Calls for Zero Tolerance of Homophobic Bullying in our Schools May 17th, 2007 The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognizes the rights of all Canadians to be free from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Yet homophobic acts, jokes and insults happen every day while people stand by and do nothing to stop it.

Teens are among those most vulnerable to homophobic bullying. As May 17, marks the fifth annual National Day Against Homophobia, Egale Canada is calling for zero tolerance of homophobic bullying in our schools.

“Students from same-sex families as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students are being harassed in school with homophobic behaviour and bullying,” said Egale Canada’s Executive Director, Helen Kennedy. “Students who do not feel safe cannot learn,” continued Kennedy. “These students need to see their lives reflected accurately and positively back to them within the curriculum.”

Kennedy added that schools must work harder to eliminate negative stereotypes and attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified people. “School boards must take a zero tolerance approach to homophobia, and transphobia,” said Kennedy. “They have a responsibility to be proactive in preventing homophobic bullying and behaviour.”

“Today we need to send a strong message that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two spirited and transsexual community like all communities are safe and valued in every city and town across this country,” said Nigel Flear, President of Egale Canada. “Everyone has a role to play in the fight for the elimination of all forms of discrimination.”

Lt. Governor Awards Medals an 18-Karat Rabbit Treats May 28th, 2007 One Yellow Rabbit is delighted to report that its resident Ensemble was one of three award recipients out of six shortlisted nominees at the 2007 Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards on May 26.

Ensemble members Blake Brooker, Michael Green, Denise Clarke, Andy Curtis, Richard McDowell, Onalea Gilbertson and David van Belle were presented with individual gold medals, commemorative lapel pins and a group cheque for $30,000 by Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor Norman Kwong.

An offer of a seven-day residency at the Banff Centre was also made to the group, who will likely use the opportunity to focus on several new original projects. The awards ceremony, emceed by Fil Fraser and Senator Tommy Banks, wrapped up the inaugural Arts Without Borders festival, a week-long multidisciplinary celebration of the arts in Lloydminster, a city which spans the Alberta- Saskatchewan border.

The Rabbits were on a shortlist of nominees that included: director Bob Baker; writer Greg Hollingshead; playwright Sharon Pollock; musicians Tom and Isobel Rolston; and writer Rudy Wiebe. Like the Ensemble, Greg Hollingshead and the Rolstons were also honoured with medals, pins and cheques, while Rudy Wiebe, Sharon Pollock and Bob Baker were awarded lapel pins and cash prizes of $5,000 each.

With One Yellow Rabbit about to celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Ensemble was especially thrilled to be selected for this prestigious award, started by Alberta’s previous Lieutenant Governor, the late Lois Hole. This most recent honour is the third major award for the company in what has been a stellar year. In September 2006, Managing Producer Stephen Schroeder received the Rosza Award for Excellence in Arts Management, a prize valued at $50,000. More recently, One Yellow Rabbit Co-artistic Director Michael Green won in the Established Arts category at Calgary’s annual Mayor’s Luncheon for Business and the Arts.

IGNITE! Calgary’s Next Generation Arts Festival Sage Theatre, in co-production with the Pumphouse Theatres, proudly presents their third annual Next Generation Arts Festival, IGNITE! for three days on June 14, 15 and 16th.

IGNITE! is a festival for emerging professional theatre artists, providing a venue for experience and exposure. IGNITE! will offer emerging artists a rare opportunity to produce one of six independent shows. Every show in the festival will be acted, directed, designed, stage managed and written by emerging artists, under the mentorship of established professionals.

exchange ideas and inspiration, helping to nurture the next generation of theatre artists in Calgary. Within the uninhibited and progressive environment of a summer theatre festival, IGNITE! artists can share ideas, explore their talents and build relationships in Calgary’s arts community, while showcasing their talents to Calgary audiences.” Sage Theatre’s Artistic Director, Kelly Reay explains, “This year’s festival, our third annual, and will feature theatre, music, dance and visual art.

Throughout our nine year history, Sage Theatre has played an important role in mentoring and nurturing young theatre artists. The IGNITE! festival helps build our presence as a leader in the development of the future of our community.”

Performances are 7:30 p.m. at the Pumphouse Theatre from Thursday June 14, Friday June 15 and Saturday June 16. Ticket prices are $10 per show or $25 for a Festival Pass and are available by calling 263-0079 or at pumphousetheatre.ca. For more info about Sage Theatre visit www.sagetheatre.com

Queen Street Desperados - New Works by Andy Fabo June 28th - August 4th Skew Gallery is pleased to present Queen Street Desperados, a series of new works by Andy Fabo, an internationally recognized (Calgary-born) artist, activist, critic, and curator.

This exhibition will mark the first solo showing of Andy Fabo’s work in Calgary in over fifteen years.

Queen Street Desperados is a series of silkscreen paintings depicting various infamous personalities from Toronto’s Queen Street Art scene. Simultaneously satirical and serious, these portraits ponder our compulsion for masquerade - an impulse often sanctioned by annual rituals such as Halloween, Mardi Gras, or Stampede Week.

The Western attire of the players in the paintings will also reflect the pioneering spirit of each generation of artists. While cross-dressing only appears in a few of the portraits, the portraits reflect the preoccupation with drag as a metaphor for aesthetic artifice that occurs in the work of Marcel Duchamp and Andy Warhol.

Andy Fabo was born and educated in Calgary. He currently lives and works in Toronto, where he first became recognized as a painter associated with ChromaZone, a highly influential collective that spearheaded Toronto’s figurative painting movement in the early eighties. Since this time, Andy Fabo’s work has explored issues of personal identity, focusing on his own gay identity, and how this relates to a broader social context.

Throughout a career spanning nearly three decades, Andy Fabo’s work has been exhibited extensively in Canada and abroad. In the mid-eighties he lived in New York where he was awarded the Canada Council residency at P.S.1. In 2005 Fabo’s work was surveyed in a solo exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Art. Additionally, Fabo has curated numerous exhibitions and as an art writer, he has published in a range of journals including in Parachute, Mix, Fuse, and C magazine.

Andy Fabo currently lives and works in Toronto, Ontario.

Skew Gallery 1615 10th Ave SW, Calgary (403) 244-4445 info@skewgallery.com www.skewgallery.com

“IGNITE! is the place where young artists can meet and gaycalgary and edmonton magazine #44, June 2007

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Pride Exhibit Review | Art

By Rob Diaz-Marino

QUAB Gallery is hosting a special Gay Pride exhibit from June 7th to June 30th, once again featuring a multitude of works from Montreal artist Yvon Goulet. If you have visited the Calgary Eagle lately, you will see a number of Goulet’s works on their walls.

Goulet’s artwork features particularly provocative imagery reserved for a particular gay male subculture accessible to all. His works explore the hidden meanings of uniforms, fetishes, stereotypes, fantasies, and male archetypes. Many paintings are done on the unique media of abandoned election placards, while others are done on conven-

tional canvas. The gazes of his subjects are particularly expressive, and the cover of our June 2006 edition featured such a painting.

His latest works continue to feature masculine men in uniforms and business suits (or no clothing at all). He has also delved into some pure scenery paintings depicting urban settings in his own distinctive style.

Other artists being featured this year are QUAB regulars Derek Stefanuk and Simone Bournival.

QUAB Gallery Pride Exhibit running June 7th - 30th 212, 100 - 7 Avenue SW, Calgary (403) 261-2855 info@quab.ca www.quab.ca

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Queer Eye - Calgary & Edmonton Community Events this Month

Photos by Steve Polyak and Rob Diaz-Marino of GayCalgary.com Magazine

Book Signing - Darren Hagen, Tornado Magnet A Salute to Trailer Court at Audrey’s Books Edmonton

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Drag Show at Boots - Edmonton

Drag Shows at Buddys - Edmonton

Drag Shows at the Roost - Edmonton

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Drag Shows at the Twisted Element - Calgary

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White Party at Twisted - Calgary

Herland Film Festival - Calgary

Fairytales Film Festival - Calgary

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The Drag King Project and Little Men Harcourt House Presents Pride Exhibitions

By Rob Diaz-Marino

Review | Art

This month in Edmonton, Harcourt House Arts Centre is presenting two unique exhibitions honouring Gay Pride.

“The Drag King Project” – Toni Latour Burnaby B.C. artist Toni Latour explores the fluidity of gender and sexual identities as the result of her work with two Vancouver drag king groups. The exhibit is comprised of individual photographs, video of drag performances and audio interviews.

“My motivation in conceiving The Drag King Project comes from a desire for continued queer representations from within queer communities,” says Toni.

“Giving voice to one’s world can be both a declaration and a celebration. When speaking about this project outside of queer scenes, the majority of people I encounter ask ‘what is a drag king?’ I often reply very casually by saying: ‘Well, you know what a drag queen is, so just think of it in reverse.’ This seems to bring about a mental picture to get things started.”

Within the past few years, despite minimal exposure and awareness from popular culture, drag kings have exploded on queer scenes.

Toni actively explores the possibilities within the diverse and integrated queer communities of Vancouver.

“Little Men” – Shane Golby Edmonton artist Shane Golby presents a series of mixed media art works created with gel transfer, acrylic paint, and cement.

The works were inspired by, and often make specific reference to, the Gay Marriage debate. Although in the 66

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process of creation, they have moved beyond anger and reaction to focus on censorship, freedom of expression, contemporary social values, gay identity and the interface of art and pornography.

“The works in the series Little Men were conceived in anger,” says Golby. “…During Alberta’s Centennial Year, the same-sex marriage issue came to the fore and, much to my dismay and frustration, I found my ‘bedroom’ and my very existence as a

human being scrutinized and questioned by various levels of Government, Church groups, and the population at large. This issue has profoundly impacted me on both personal and artistic levels; challenging me to confront how I wish to be perceived as both a man and as a member of the community at large, and how I wish that perception to be portrayed.”

The works that form Little Men are records both of a historical moment in Canadian Society and fragments of Golby’s personal life experiences. They are reflections on fear and celebrations of beauty in all its forms.

Harcourt House presents The Drag King Project and Little Men June 15th , 10-5pm, June 16th, 12-4pm 3rd Floor, 10215 – 112 St. Edmonton (780) 426-4180 harcourt@telusplanet.net

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