NOVEMBER 2013
® ISSUE 121 • FREE The Voice of Alberta’s LGBT Community
Interview with
GLORIA
ESTEFAN
Icona Pop
“The Perfect Couple”
Stacey McKenzie
Modeling off the Catwalk
PLUS:
10 Years of GayCalgary Magazine Chloë Grace Moretz Young Kaii ...and more!
Business Directory
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Community Map
Calgary • Alberta • Canada
Events Calendar
Dallas Buyers Club
Unlikeliest of Love Stories
Tourist Information
STARTING ON PAGE 55
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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Table of Contents
Photography Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino, Videography Steve Polyak, B&J Rob Diaz-Marino
Videography Sales
Steve Polyak, Diaz-Marino CraigRob Connell sales@gaycalgary.com
Printers
North HillPrinters News/Central Web Web exPress
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Calgary: Gallant Distribution Distribution GayCalgary Staff Staff Calgary: GayCalgary Edmonton:Greenline Clark’s Distribution Edmonton: Distribution Other: Canada Post
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LegalBarristers Council Courtney Aarbo, and Solicitors Courtney Aarbo, Barristers and Solicitors General Inquiries ® Sales & General Inquiries GayCalgary Magazine
GayCalgary Magazine 2136and 17thEdmonton Avenue SW 2136AB, 17thCanada AvenueT2T SW0G3 Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada magazine@gaycalgary.com T2T 0G3
Office Hours: By appointment ONLY Office Hours: appointment ONLY Phone:By 403-543-6960 Phone: 403-543-6960 Toll Free: 1-888-543-6960 TollFax: Free:403-703-0685 1-888-543-6960 Fax: 403-703-0685 E-Mail: magazine@gaycalgary.com E-Mail: magazine@gaycalgary.com This Month's Cover Month's Main: GloriaThis Estefan, photoCover by Jesus Cordero Cher and Christina Aguilera courtesy Sony Top Right: Icona Pop, photo by FredrikofEtoall Pictures;Middle Annie Right: LennoxStacey courtesy of Mike Owen; McKenzie, Rex Goudie. Bottom Right: Matthew McConaughey, photo c/o Focus Features
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Publisher’s Column
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What’s the deal with Priape?
“Canada’s Favorite Gay Store” is undergoing some changes
9 AIDS Calgary’s Holiday Hampers 9 Letters 10 Stacey McKenzie Takes Modeling off the Catwalk
PAGE 10
Writers and Contributors
Mercedes Chris Azzopardi, Allen, ChrisDave Azzopardi, Brousseau, Dallas Andrew Barnes, Collins, Dave Brousseau, Tom Corliss, SamRob Casselman, Diaz-Marino, Jason Clevett, Janine Andrew Eva Trotta, Collins, Marisa EmilyHudson, Collins, Vera Rob Diaz-Marino, Kala, Evan Kayne, Janine Eva Stephen Trotta,Lock, JackLisa Fertig, Lunney, Glen Hanson, Steve Polyak, Joan Mark Hilty,Randall, Evan Kayne, Romeo Stephen San Vicente Lock, Neil andMcMullen, the LGBT Community Allan Neuwirth, of Calgary, Steve Polyak, Edmonton, Careyand Rutherford, Alberta. Romeo San Vicente, Ed Sikov, Nick Vivian and the GLBT Community of Calgary, Edmonton, and Photography Steve Polyak,Alberta. Rob Diaz-Marino, Cheryl Patricia & Sabina
5 10 Years of GayCalgary Magazine
Leave your egos checked and bring a notepad
12 Reds & Blues Transcends Time and Pain 13 “We Are Diverse-City” 14 Third Street Theatre Finds Promising Opportunities for Development
Queer Theatre Group Partners with Alberta Playwright’s Network and the Association for German Education
15 Celebrate World AIDS Day with a Night to Remember The Backlot hosts fundraising eve wrought with fun festivities
16 My Prairie Home
e n zi
Rae Spoon hits the screen in a musical documentary
17 Discussing Community Safety
a g a 20 Planning a Financial m Future Hate Crimes
18 Thirty Years On
An Anniversary of an Epidemic
PAGE 22
Publisher: Steve Polyak Editor: Rob Diaz-Marino Sales: Steve Polyak Design & Layout: Rob Diaz-Marino, Ara SteveShimoon Polyak
NOVEMBER 2013
Advice from TD’s Rodney McPherson
22 Young Kaii 23 Sex&Violence
PAGE 24
®
New series premiers on OUTtv
24 The Girls Guide
Local filmmaker launches lesbian web series
Edmonton Rainbow Business Association
26 Deep Inside Hollywood
Casting update: Ryan Murphy’s Open gets some
28 She Twerks Hard For The Money Big Freedia talks new reality series, gender confusion and bounce phenomenon
30 Out of Town National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association
Denver: Five Cool Neighborhoods
PAGE 28
International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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Table of Contents Continued From Previous Page
32 Out Destination
®
Knoxville
34 Pajama Party
Magazine Figures
36 Carrie for the Queer Age PAGE 38
Chloë Grace Moretz talks gay brothers, queer take on classic and not being a lesbian
38 Icona Pop is Lovin’ It
41 Dallas Buyers Club: The Unlikeliest of Love Stories McConaughey and Leto talk inspirational HIV drama
43 Gloria Estefan Lives for Loving You
PAGE 41
The Queen of Latin Pop on covers album, being ‘saved’ by gay fans and Broadway musical
47 51 52 54
Queer Eye A Couple of Guys News Releases Mr. GayCalgary November 2013 - Floyd Visser 55 Directory and Events 60 Classified Ads
a m
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History Originally established in January 1992 as Men for Men BBS by MFM Communications. Name changed to GayCalgary in 1998. Independent company as of January 2004. First edition of GayCalgary.com Magazine published November 2003. Name adjusted in November 2006 to GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine. February 2012 returned to GayCalgary Magazine. February 2013, GayCalgary® becomes a registered trademark.
Disclaimer and Copyright Opinions expressed in this magazine are specific to the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of GayCalgary staff and contributors. Those involved in the making of this publication, whether advertisers, contributors, or the subjects of articles or photographs, are not necessarily gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans. This magazine also includes straight allies and those who are gay friendly. No part of this publication may be reprinted or modified without the expressed written permission of the editor or publisher.
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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Editorial
10 Years of GayCalgary Magazine Publisher’s Column
By Rob Diaz-Marino, MSc. This month marks a very big milestone for us here at GayCalgary Magazine – our 10th anniversary of publishing. In November of 2003, Steve took a chance and started up this magazine to fill a need for many LGBT businesses in Calgary. Our first edition was a measly 24 pages on newspaper stock, but we had strong support from many in the community that kept us going and growing throughout the years. 10 years later, times have changed. We’ve seen many LGBT businesses and organizations rise and fall over the past decade. In recent times we’ve seen mainstream establishments stepping up, taking a gay-friendly stance and welcoming the LGBT community with open arms. Many events for the LGBT community would not exist, or would not have grown to their current size if not for these new allies. It is the same case with us. We started off quite focused on the gay bar scene, but as things progressed, we branched out into other areas like music, art, theatre, entertainment, and more. Our content became less about what was exclusive to the gay community, and more about what the gay community has in common with the rest of the world. Accordingly, our advertisers gradually shifted away from being exclusively LGBT toward a good balance of everyone. In fact, if it weren’t for this, we surely would not be around today.
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The people we have to thank for helping GayCalgary Magazine get this far are too numerous to name. We’ve had quite a remarkable list of contributors to our magazine, all of whom deserve our thanks for their dedication and hard work - in particular, Jason Clevett and Stephen Lock who hold the impressive distinction of having been with us since day one! It is also both humbling and bittersweet to think back to contributors like Don Turgeon, Nico Hofferd and Jack Fertig who made a big impact on this magazine, but sadly have been outlived by it. We hope that our efforts to preserve history through our magazine will also help their memory live on. Additionally, we would like to thank our long-standing advertisers who have stuck with us through most if not all of the past decade: Goliaths/Texas Lounge, the Backlot, Cruiseline, and Priape. Being able to rely on their advertising dollars has been like finding solid ground in what sometimes feels like a sea of quicksand. Of course, our readers also deserve our gratitude for your continued interest in what we do, and for helping us to earn the distinction of most popular Canadian LGBT publication online! If you can remember picking up a copy of Issue #1 back in 2003, and you’re reading this now, you are officially a die-hard GayCalgary Magazine fan!!
Continued on Next Page
GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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From Previous Page So what does it feel like for Steve and I putting together this, our 10th anniversary edition? Well…I’d love to say it feels like walking on air. Actually, it feels exactly like every other edition before it - just as much work as always, which on our crazy schedule doesn’t leave much margin to do anything special. So don’t expect us to plan a party or anything! We thought about doing a feature to recap some of our favorite articles over the past 10 years, but there have just been so many (we estimate over 4000) that it is nearly impossible to single out small a handful. Besides, we have too much fresh content for this edition to go with a “clipisode”! Sticking with anything for 10 years is an achievement in itself but, as fun and rewarding as it has been, life is too short to do only one thing! Neither of us want to be doing this for the rest of our lives, so there will have to be a stopping point for GayCalgary Magazine sometime in the future. But that day has not yet come! Our Super-Secret BC Road Trip Maybe it’s just Murphy’s Law, but it seems like whenever we try to take time for ourselves is the exact moment that a slew of people want our attention. It’s like that phone call that happens without fail just as we’re about to sit down to dinner, or we’re feeling ragged and about to take a nap, or we’re in the shower, or in the middle of having…err…doing other things. And when we try to warn people that we will be unavailable, it’s even worse. This is the drawback of running a business out of your home – you can never truly leave work at work. That’s why we decided to keep things on the down low as we disappeared for a week in the middle of October. We didn’t breathe a word of it to anyone that didn’t absolutely need to know (such as my parents, who we needed to take care of our cats). I even forbade myself from posting anything to Facebook or Twitter that might tip anyone off. For all intensive purposes we were at home, just not answering the door or the phone. Surprisingly this succeeded in giving us a clean getaway. We were away for a week without any major crises or community drama to make us anxious to get back home. It was wonderful. This trip had two purposes. It was a chance for us to see for ourselves what British Columbia has to offer, and to gather content for some forthcoming travel articles. (Yes, I know, even our holidays aren’t really holidays.) So we embarked on a week long road trip that took us round-trip through some of BC’s major centres. Doing this right on the cusp of season’s end, we were a bit concerned we might not catch the attractions in their full glory. But all of the leaves changing to brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red, made many outdoor sights even more striking. I don’t want to reveal too much before the articles but to sum it all up, we stayed at some amazing places, ate some of the best tasting food of our lives, saw (and photographed) some breathtaking sights, and met some lovely people. I’m very much looking forward to writing in more detail about it all in future editions. Publisher’s Column I got into writing at a very young age. At home I have notebooks full of unfinished hand-written free style stories that I toyed with throughout Junior High and High School. While some of these were merely throw-away exercises, they helped me develop a strong grasp of expressing myself through written word, and these skills continued to develop in University as I applied myself to technical writing. When Steve started publishing GayCalgary Magazine, I came on board initially just to help with ad design. However, in August 2004 I began co-writing the publisher’s column with Steve, and eventually took over that role completely. 6
GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
Online Last Month (1/2) Creep of the Week Pat Robertson
For decades conservative Christian yapping head Pat Robertson has made a living by saying really crazy shit. He... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3733
Deep Inside Hollywood
Jodie Foster leaves prison, moves into House of Cards
Jodie Foster leaves prison, moves into House of Cards Jodie Foster’s next feature as a director, Money Monster, is... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3737
Hear Me Out
Ariana Grande, Janelle Monáe
Ariana Grande, Yours Truly Hold up, people. Ariana Grande, even with all the belts and coos and high notes, is not the... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3739
Screen Queen
Behind the Candelabra, Tales of the City, The Sapphires, Girls: The Complete Second Season, Amour, The Muppet Movie
Behind the Candelabra Looking beyond the razzle-dazzle – though plenty of... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3742
Thinking Out Loud: For or Against? My LGBT opinions aren’t so simple to come by lately
When the deadline for this column loomed, I panicked. I have absolutely... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3745
The OutField
Chicago LGBT youth play with the pros
It was big news in April when Jason Collins came out as the first openly gay athlete still active in a major American... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3743
NSFW: Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
An interview with “Best Top” Austin Wolf
Austin Wolf knows how to make a man howl. It’s why the 6’4, 235 pound Adonis is the most watched porn star on the... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3741
The Motherfucker with the Hat A modern day love/hate tale
It’s modern-day New York and PuertoRican American childhood sweethearts Jackie (Haysam Kadri) and Veronica... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3727
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Online Last Month (2/2) Creep of the Week Tony Perkins
If Tony Perkins knew you were coming he’d have baked a cake. That is, so long as you aren’t gay and the cake mix doesn’t... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3735
The OutField
Cason Crane Conquers Mt. Everest
The home page of Cason Crane’s website asks, “What’s your Everest?” The question is not as metaphorical as it sounds ... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3744
Deep Inside Hollywood
Matt Bomer as Montgomery Clift (aka perfect casting)
Matt Bomer as Montgomery Clift (aka perfect casting) Nothing against actors like Sean Penn, Michael Douglas or Tom... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3738
Thinking Out Loud: More Than Gay I often joke that I’m a professional gay. What I mean is that I have this-here... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3746
Hear Me Out
Elton John, Chvrches
Elton John, The Diving Board The advantage of being an aging icon is the artistic freedom to do whatever the hell... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3740
Tips to Ease the Stress of Relocation If you thought that selling a home would take time, think again. These days in... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3728
THE FITNESS GUY
Tips for Building an Impressive Chest
Q: What should I be doing in the gym to build my chest? A: A man with a welldefined chest exudes power and... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3730
Screen Queen: Halloween Edition Chucky: The Complete Collection Dolls used to be disposable. Toss ’em, sell ’em, give ’em to Goodwill. Not Chucky. The... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3747
Creep of the Week Vladimir Putin
Want to be horrified? Do a Google image search for “anti-gay attacks in Russia.” Scroll through the photos of gays, lesbians, and pro-LGBT... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3736
To date, I have written 111 publisher’s columns. It has been mostly a privilege, but also a burden in some respects. Writing a column like this every month has not been easy, especially when I kept raising the bar higher and higher. I glanced through some of our publisher’s columns from the first 12 months of publication which were short and simple – around 4 paragraphs at most. This was before I started delving into 2000 to 3000 word articles that I would agonize over as our press deadlines were looming. I can’t say that I agree with all of my philosophical rants from publisher’s columns past. While I can see where I was coming from, I realize some of them were just stepping stones along the way to better understanding. My philosophies about life and our place in it have certainly evolved in response to my life experiences – even since the last time I wrote about it. In 2010, I left academia for a full-time job as a Software Developer at the Calgary head office of an international technology company. I made the decision that I would be “out” at this job right from the beginning – I wouldn’t rub it in anyone’s face, but if someone asked questions that touched on these aspects of my life, I would give honest answers. This was probably one of the best decisions I have made in my life. The awkwardness of telling someone that you are gay when they are first getting to know you is nothing compared to the awkwardness of telling them you lied to them about who you are later when they think they know you. It was a bit unnerving at first, but once I felt secure enough, I made an attempt to reach out to other LGBT employees. I received almost no response. I realized that, while there were indeed others, they felt no need to get together because they were perfectly happy with the people they were situated with. And soon, I realized, so was I. While I had been a strong advocate of LGBT people sticking together, my experience working with and being accepted amongst straight people began to erode this philosophy, and in fact lead to several new revelations about the natural place of LGBT people in the grand scheme of things. But I’ve kept these more recent insights to myself. I feel they are too complex to be squeezed into a few pages at the beginning of a magazine, so I will need to seek another medium for them if and when I’m ready to express them. So as much as it has been a privilege to have your attention as a reader of our magazine, and as much as the burden of doing so has tested me and shaped me into a better writer and over all person, I have made the decision that I will be officially retiring from writing the monthly publisher’s column. This doesn’t mean there will never be another publisher’s column. It just means that there may not be one every month, it may not be written by me, and even if so, it won’t be the same as you’ve come to expect. My reasoning for this is that I’m not a fan of repetitive tasks, and mostly I am a very slow and thoughtful writer, so laying this responsibility to rest will free up a great deal of time I can spend elsewhere. I’m not entirely sure where yet – there is plenty that I could do faster or better with the magazine, and I’m excited that I can now afford to take on some of these new challenges. I have been writing for most of my life, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. So if you enjoy my writing style, this is not the last you’ll see of me. For one, I will still be writing other articles in this magazine when necessity dictates. And otherwise, this new freedom may lead to other creative outlets
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
7
Community
What’s the deal with Priape? “Canada’s Favorite Gay Store” is undergoing some changes By Marissa Hudson Priape is a brand that many men know well. For the past thirty-four years it has catered primarily to gay and bisexual men, not just in the fetish community but for anyone seeking to explore their sexual identity. At the end of last month it underwent not only an ownership change, but a change in its infrastructure as well; even so, the new owners have remained confident that the heart of the business will remain the same. For those who may not know, Priape’s efforts began in 1974 when it opened its first store. Since then it has grown to cater to men, namely those who are gay or bisexual, but as of late has attracted a straight clientele as well. At its core, it has been a friendly, welcoming hub allowing people to find themselves. It offers a selection of fetish gear, leather, fashionable clothing, and all that anyone would want to find in a sex shop – DVDs, toys, lubricants, and other things to catch your fancy. In fact, Priape often buys the rights of hundreds of adult films from US companies for distribution in Canada, making its selection some of the best in the country. More than just a store, it has kept a focus on the gay community as well. They’ve sponsored events in Montreal, Toronto, and across Alberta, their presence growing with each store they opened. They helped to start the Mr. Leather Calgary competition in 2009, putting force and funding into helping cultivate the leather community in our somewhat conservative province. But one disadvantage to the new Priape is that its stores in Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver will be shut down; its location in the heart of Montreal’s Village will remain, as well as its online presence, Priape.com. So customers throughout the country will still have access to the store’s cutting edge clothing and selection online. The new owners are Stephen Pevner, owner of New York production company Saint At Large, and Denis Leblanc, an employee of Priape for fourteen years. “I have given my life to the survival of Priape and I refused to see it expire on my watch. The P remains tattooed on my heart,” says Leblanc. It’s hard to say what the future holds but, if its history gives us any indication, Priape should not disappoint in its new direction. Leblanc further says that “I have always been a huge fan of PRIAPE’s progressive approach to clothing,
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
Priape Calgary Grand Opening (Oct 2003), Photo by GayCalgary
its unique position as a pillar of Montreal’s gay Village and its role in helping gay men discover their sexual identity. It’s an exciting opportunity to work toward broadening the definition of fetish wear for an ever changing marketplace, invoking the same creativity and passion we have brought to New York’s long-running BLACK PARTY.” The BLACK PARTY is the biggest underground gay dance party in North America, and is a production of Saint At Large – a company well renowned for its progressive approach to music, dance parties, art exhibits, independent films, and costume design. Combine that with the sexual liberation and influence of Priape, and it promises to be a team-up that can only bring good things. With both Leblanc and Pevner at the wheel, Priape is steering toward new and exciting territory, all while doing what it has always done – opening the hearts and minds of men and women.
Priape http://www.priape.com http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3749
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Community
AIDS Calgary’s Holiday Hampers By AIDS Calgary Awareness Association For many of us, the holiday season is a joyous time filled with friends and family, gift giving, and holiday feasts. But isolation, stigma, poverty, and health concerns mean that the season may be anything but joyous for people impacted by HIV/AIDS. For an individual or family struggling to meet their day-to-day basic needs, the holidays can be overwhelming.
This year, as the holidays approach, we ask that you please consider making a donation to the Holiday Hamper program. On December 13th the Hampers will be distributed to ACAA clients in Calgary and Medicine Hat. Approximately 140 Hampers are expected to be given out of this year. Those who are interested in donating or volunteering can visit our website, or contact us by email.
At AIDS Calgary Awareness Association we try and offer support and provide services that meet each individualistic need. We provide financial and emotional support, housing and food bank referrals, and the knowledge that our clients are not alone.
AIDS Calgary Awareness Association
The Holiday Hamper program provides clients with a grocery card and a gift. The gift card allows clients to choose grocery items that fit their cultural, religious, and dietary needs. Around the holidays, there are often extra expenses such as gifts, insulated winter items, higher utility bills, transportation costs, etc. The Holiday Hamper program provides additional support to many of the individuals and families we serve who are living on low incomes.
Letters Dear GayCalgary, I would like send a big congratulations on the 10th anniversary edition of your magazine. The magazine is a great source of information and culture to the Alberta LGBT community and does keep us connected, which is so important. I work hard producing Pure Pride events to bring our community together in celebration and thank you for being such a dedicated sponsor and partner through the years. Your coverage of everything that happens in Alberta is so important and I wish you growth and give you my support for many years to come. From my heart, Dale Plourde - Producer Pure Pride Entertainment
http://www.aidscalgary.org • info@aidscalgary.org
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Odds are you are in for a lot of headaches. Under the Conservatives’ New Veterans Charter, you will get a lump sum payment instead of a disability pension. Many—including Canada’s Veterans Ombudsman—say that this sum is inadequate for the pain and suffering you’ve endured. A group of injured veterans is suing the Conservative Government because they say the money they have received is paltry and doesn’t even keep up with Workers’ Compensation awards. When you try to access government services for help, you’ll find a system that the Auditor General says is overly complex and hard to use. You’ll have a one-in-four chance of being released from the Canadian Forces without a support plan because the Department can’t even meet its own service standards. If you don’t live in a major city, you’ll have to drive for hours if you need a meeting with a Veterans Affairs official because the Government is closing 9 Veterans Affairs’ offices, including Saskatoon. If the Department makes a mistake, you’ll have a tough time getting it fixed. The Veterans Ombudsman found that in cases that ended up in Federal Court, the Veterans Review and Appeal Board had failed to make fair decisions 60% of the time. The state of the system is shocking. As one Veteran told me recently:
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“Many believed that their government would look after them, but obviously we were wrong. The battles that we have at home hurt more than those that were fought in other parts of the world...”
Dear GayCalgary,
The Conservative Government puts more time and energy into using veterans for photo-ops than it does in meeting their needs. That’s wrong. Our veterans put their lives on the line for our country. We owe it to our veterans to do everything we can to help them recover, re-integrate into civilian life and live with dignity and respect.
On behalf of Les Girls, we want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on an amazing 10 years! Above and beyond we simply want to say thank you for all that you do for our ever growing community. GayCalgary Magazine is such a pivotal part of our expanding culture and provides a means of communication amongst diverse and integral groups including Les Girls. Your impact is truly amazing and I do not think we could really ever fully express our gratitude. The ladies of Les Girls are so grateful to work with you and cannot wait to see what the next decade brings. Congratulations on all your success.
Yours sincerely, Jim Karygiannis, MP Liberal Party Veterans Affairs Critic 613-992-4501
Les Girls Amanda & Julie
Dear GayCalgary, Imagine you are a Canadian soldier who has been disabled in the line of duty—what kind of support do you think you’d get as you transition to civilian life under this supposedly military-friendly Conservative Government?
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
9
Culture
Stacey McKenzie Takes Modeling off the Catwalk
Leave your egos checked and bring a notepad By Janine Eva Trotta In an industry painted green with envy and competition, Stacey McKenzie decided young to cast off the typical cutthroat attitude that shadows modeling and to, instead, become a guide though that jungle. As young as six years old, living in her home country of Jamaica, McKenzie made the decision to become a model when her sister showed her a magazine with Madonna gracing its cover. “I didn’t know modeling could be an actual career,” she laughs. “I thought it was something everyday, like you get dressed.” With inspiration and drive she moved to Toronto with her family in 2013 and hunted down an agency, but it didn’t turn out to be legit. “A real modeling agency does not charge you to be in,” she says. It seemed she was catching a lucky break when an agent spotted her in a club in Toronto and asked her if she wanted to model. She replied with her trademark confidence: “Of course. I am a model.” The agent was taking a group of girls to New York to show at a host of agencies. McKenzie leapt at the chance to join them and when she was told by an agent to pack her bags and come back, she was ecstatic. She quit school, left her friends and family behind and returned only to find out that the agency had lost interest. “I cried my eyes out,” she says. McKenzie was 16, alone, and bereft. But her resolute attitude didn’t allow her to stay down for long. “Then I said to myself, you know what- I’m going to try one more time.” Her early-developed industry savvy meant that she had kept a comprehensive list of each agency the agent had taken the girls to visit. She went back to all of them until she found one that signed her. “I was relentless in learning about the business,” she says. She discovered early that light on the ins and outs of the industry was not going to be shed by fellow models – not even the big named ones at the peeks of their careers would offer breaks to the young or up and coming. “I didn’t have a good experience when I first started out as a model, and thought I was the only one,” she describes. “But I found out there were hundreds of other models going through the same thing as I was.” “We have to learn the business ourselves,” she says. “You are your own business.” “No one would help us. No one would give us any advice.” Though she began sharing her knowledge and coaching other models as soon as she launched her career, this advice giving eventually ‘grew
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
by Stacey McKenzie into a venture’. In 2005 McKenzie formally developed the Walk this Way Workshops. “I feel like this opportunity was give to me for a reason,” she says. “What I’ve seen is that the girls and guys in my workshop are more aware of modeling as a business as opposed to treating it as this is fun or this is so cool.” McKenzie educates her pupils on all aspects of modeling; including managing finances, dealing with agencies, and how to conduct oneself at a casting.
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Walk This Way Workshops “How to be on the next level,” she calls it. “They walk away with more of a business sense – it’s like a whole other outlook and they treat it as such.” She ensures her workshop attendees leave knowing it’s the agencies that work for them because they are paying them their 20 per cent cut; not vice versa. McKenzie recently conducted a Walk This Way workshop in Calgary at the Hotel Le Germain to whom she called some of her most enthusiastic and eager to learn students she’s had yet. “It was pretty much the first class where practically everyone was taking notes,” she describes. “They had a notepad and a pen – not just a computer.” “ [Calgary] produces some serious talent,” she praises. “I will definitely be back soon.” In addition to touring these workshops across Canada McKenzie offers charity seminars in her home country and around the Caribbean where, she says, there is a lot of potential but youth don’t yet know how to get out there. “I go into certain communities and teach about the business,” she says. “If I see potential in someone I don’t hesitate to give them connections and point them in the right direction.” McKenzie says it is really rare for someone of her stature to offer this business education. The model has worked with many of fashion’s elites and landed a team of major fashion campaigns including Harpers Bazaar, Interview, Verve-girl, Flare, Calvin Klein, Jean Paul Gaultier, MAC Cosmetics and Vogue (U.S., Italy, Britain, Korea, Spain). She was a judge for Canada’s Next Top Model, walked the runways at New York Fashion Week 2008 for Xuly Bet, and landed a small role in the film The Fifth Element. She is a professional speaker and tackles the topics of low self-esteem and how to build confidence through self-acceptance. Her Walk this Way workshops are not just for potential models; everyone has something they could stand to learn under her direction. “[The workshops] appeal to everybody and all sexualities,” she says. Her directive is to give her pupils the confidence to “go out in the world and do whatever you want.” McKenzie hopes to see her workshops blossom into an actual school, and aims to increase the locales she reaches to include the U.S. and more of the Caribbean. She wants Walk This Way to evolve generation after generation. “I’m ok with getting older,” she says, “and passing on the torch.”
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
11
Culture
Reds & Blues Transcends Time and Pain By Krista Sylvester It Gets Better. Popular and influential sex advice columnist Dan Savage started a revolution with those three words – “it gets better” – but for many gay people it doesn’t get better. And that’s why the world needs aspiring filmmakers such as Karina Vidal, who wrote and directed the short lesbian film Reds & Blues. While the short was filmed on the streets of New York and New Jersey, it is a film that will resonate across the world to gay and straight men and women. Reds & Blues takes place in Asbury Park, NJ in 1997 and it depicts a visual journey into the thoughts of Daphne, who hasn’t gotten over the death of her girlfriend Haylie. Both
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
women couldn’t be together because of interference from Haylie’s aunt, Dolores, who convinced Haylie to think she was straight, and which subsequently led to her suicide. “I wanted to portray the manipulation to teenagers by their parents - in this case the aunt - about sexuality and not just the aftermath of the life they’re damaging but also the collateral effects in those involved with them,” Vidal explains. “It was inspired by my teenage years and those of someone I used to know who in fact committed suicide. This is a work of fiction though because I wanted to target a broader issue.” Vidal and her crew shot the 10-minute film over three weekends and other weekdays in her Brooklyn apartment while they also utilized the recognizable Asbury Park, Hoboken, Union City, Manhattan and Brooklyn spots. Vidal and her producer Aimee Sequeira put everything together for the short film and not only wrote and directed the footage but edited and distributed it as well. The cast have been receiving accolades for their roles, especially lead actress Theodora Woolley who wowed audiences at the screenings. “A lot of people really like it and in fact my lead has been getting compliments for her performance from people who’ve watched it at screenings or online,” she says, adding Woolley is currently working on off-Broadway plays. Able to successfully fund the film through private investors and indiegogo, Vidal is thankful to the talented cast plucked from different NYC conservatories and the crew, which was formed by undergraduate students and alumni from Manhattan’s School of Visual Arts. “It’s only 10 minutes long but it gave us a year of headaches,” she jokes, adding she spent five months editing the film after it was shot. “But we are all very proud of our collaboration and we really hope the message resonates.” The film, which was beautifully shot and woven together, brings audiences on a journey through the time the lovers met until the aftermath of the suicide death, which is not shown. It has already been shown and well received at several screenings but Vidal hopes more audiences find their way to the piece. “I really hope it gets people thinking about the issue and the consequences of certain actions.”
Reds & Blues https://vimeo.com/75282557 http://vimeo.com/karinavidal/redsnblues http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3753
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Event
“We Are Diverse-City” By Mark Randall, HEAT Coordinator The GLBTQ community is often marginalized and at risk for harm and discrimination at many levels and there are limited opportunities to link individuals to services and supports that exist in Calgary for GLBTQ. Through focus groups, partnership collaborations, community engagements, and input from the HEAT Advisory Committee it was determined an event showcasing GLBTQ services and supports will be of value and interest to community. With all of this said we are now planning and developing the outline and activities for “We Are Diverse-City”. “We Are Diverse-City” is an exciting event that will take place Sunday, November 24th at the Arrata Opera Centre (1315 – 7th Street SW). The AIDS Calgary HEAT Program in partnership with some Calgary GLBTQ groups, services, businesses and organizations will be hosting this two part full day event that includes a family friendly, all-ages, Resource and Information Fair during the day (11:00am to 4:00pm) and an evening adultonly (18 yrs. +) Sex Positive dance party which includes a fashion show, drag numbers and other adult themed activities (between 6:00pm and midnight) for the GLBTQ and allied community. The goals for this event are threefold. First, create a safe welcoming environment for Calgary’s GLBTQ community, their families, friends and guests of all ages to learn, share and support each other. Second, create a space where Calgary GLBTQ and allies can have fun, dance, laugh and celebrate their diversity. Lastly, we want to recognize AIDS Calgary’s 30 years of service to the Calgary GLBTQ community. The Free Admission Day Event is designed to bring together groups, professionals, supports and businesses that are GLBTQ inclusive to promote their services in a safe and supportive venue open to all ages. Workshops, film presentations, games and other fun activities will be included. The Paid Admission Evening Event will see the venue switch to an adult only event with DJ, dance floor, bar, entertainers, prizes and silent auction to name a few evening activities. See the link at the end of this article for tickets. We invite all interested GLBTQ friendly and inclusive sponsors, donors and contributors along with GLBTQ groups, businesses and organizations to become involved in making this day a success and ask you to consider being a part of making “We Are Diverse-City” a truly unique event for all community to take part in.
Mark Randall, HEAT Program Coordinator 403.508.2500 ext. 129 • heat@aidscalgary.org
“We Are Diverse-City” Sunday, November 24th Arrata Opera Centre (1315 – 7th Street SW) Resource Fair: 11am - 4pm • 18+ Dance: 6pm - midnight Tickets: https://www.facebook.com/events/619278101458143/ An exhibitor/volunteer/presenters registration form is available to interested parties.
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
13
Culture
Third Street Theatre Finds Promising Opportunities for Development
Queer Theatre Group Partners with Alberta Playwright’s Network and the Association for German Education By Janine Eva Trotta With a generous grant awarded by The Calgary Chinook Lesbian and Gay Fund, Calgary’s Third Street Theatre has been given the chance to partner with the Alberta Playwrights’ Network for, what Artistic Director Paul Welch describes as, “dramaturgical support in further developing Third Street Theatre’s Queer Theatre Creation Ensemble projects.” The queer-rooted theatre company launched its first season with This is How I Left, a piece created from scratch by the 2012-13 Queer Theatre Creation Ensemble. “This is How I Left, which told the story of a murdered transgendered teen, played to sold-out houses and was nominated for two Critter Awards: Best New Script and Best Actress in a Drama for Alyssa Bradac’s work in the show,” says Welch. The grant will aid the company in further developing the script for subsequent and touring productions. Alberta Playwrights’ Network, a not-for-profit organization, has been providing support to Alberta playwrights for more than 25 years. This includes workshops that aim to improve professional dramaturgy and help to mature scripts. “These services allow the playwrights to clarify the story, strengthen the character journeys, and sharpen the structure of the piece to ensure that the play is as polished as it can be,” says Welch. “We are thrilled for this partnership. When I shared my idea to apply for this grant to further develop our Creation Ensemble projects, Alberta Playwrights’ Network’s Artistic Director Trevor Ruegor was keen to help us ensure this partnership could happen.” Welch says he was told that few queer playwrights – and even fewer queer scripts – come through the Network each year. “The opportunity to offer professional support and guidance to Third Street Theatre, and to branch out into the queer community and increase awareness about Alberta
Playwrights’ Network’s services, was very exciting to Trevor,” Welch says. A portion of the Chinook grant will also go towards providing dramaturgical services for the 2013-14’s Queer Theatre Creation Ensemble project The Passion of Sergius and Bacchus. This is a story that follows two openly gay Roman soldiers who are also secretly Christian. “They were wed in secret by church officials in a brothermaking ceremony, and were later executed for their religious beliefs,” Welch describes. The Passion of Sergius and Bacchus will play in the Motel venue at the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts from April 22nd to May 3rd, 2014. “The Creation Ensemble was a huge experiment for us, and it paid off,” says Artistic Producer for Third Street Theatre Jonathan Brower. “We feel we are going into this year’s Ensemble with a lot of lessons learned, but we are thrilled to have the services of professional dramaturgy from start to finish. This will allow us to ensure that The Passion of Sergius and Bacchus has its strongest showing right from the start.” The Calgary Chinook Fund was established to support the funding of gay and lesbian causes in Calgary. Its primary means of supporting the community comes through the Chinook Lesbian and Gay Endowment Fund. Third Street Theatre has additionally partnered with the Association for German Education to present a free screening of Rosa von Praunheim’s documentary-drama Ich bin meine eigene frau/I Am My Own Woman. The screening date comes six months after Third Street presented the sold-out run of Doug Wright’s I Am My Own Wife, a one-man show in which Welch portrayed 36 characters in seven dialects and in German. His performance went on to win him the Critter Award for Best Solo Performance, as well as a nomination for the Betty Mitchell Award for Best Actor in a Drama. “Our audiences were truly moved by our production,” says Brower. “Both Paul and I can’t wait to see the film, and we hope our patrons – many of whom come from Calgary’s LGBT community – will join us to revisit the life of this remarkable woman one more time.” The film will play at the Cardel Theatre on November 13th at 7pm. Admission is free with a donation to the Calgary Food Bank.
Third Street Theatre http://www.thirdstreet.ca http://www.germaneducationcalgary.ca
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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Event
Celebrate World AIDS Day with a Night to Remember
The Backlot hosts fundraising eve wrought with fun festivities By Janine Eva Trotta
Mark Saturday, November 30th at 7pm down in your virtual calendar for an evening filled with drag, games and liquor. Hosted by Emperor 26 and 29 Dion Boink and Empress 30 Dyna Myte, the World AIDS Day celebration and fundraiser at the Backlot promises nothing short of a good time for a good cause. All proceeds raised throughout the evening will go to the AIDS Calgary Lunch Program, donated through the ISCCA, SA. This is Dion’s second time hosting the event at Backlot and fifth time hosting over all. He says the night is getting bigger and bigger and with the additional dancing space offered at neighbouring Vinyl, he hopes for a large crowd. “World AIDS Day to me, it’s remembering the people that we’ve lost and supporting the people that are here dealing with it,” he says. “That’s why I host the event – to help make a difference,” The Lunch Program makes daily lunch deliveries to hospices and offers meals to others in need. The night will include door prizes, a 50/50 draw and ‘Pop it Poker’ – a poker tournament with a twist. Players can purchase balloons for $2 and pop them. They will either hold a playing card or prize inside. The best hand of the night – a royal flush of spades – will go home with the grand prize. Red ribbons will be on sale for you to show your support for AIDS research. This year’s World AIDS Day theme in Canada is It’s Not Over. “If you’re over 50 and think you’re not at risk for HIV…If you think people aging with HIV aren’t faced with serious health issues…If you think the fight against HIV/AIDS has been won… THINK AGAIN” – that’s the message the Canadian AIDS Society is delivering this year with its red ribbon campaign. Drink specials will run all night and a drag show will be performed on the Vinyl side. “Argentina’s going to be in there and Carly’s angels perform at the end of the night,” Dion says. “Malibu and Brandy; most of the court queens.” A donation will be requested at the Vinyl space in lieu of cover, but not at the Backlot.
World AIDS Day – Calgary Saturday, November 30th @ 7pm At the Backlot (209 10th Ave SW)
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
15
Review
My Prairie Home
Rae Spoon hits the screen in a musical documentary By Marisa Hudson
We start off in a diner, filled with eating and conversing patrons. Though the decor is a bit kooky, it is no different a setting as might be found in any restaurant just off the highway. The camera focuses on a lean back, hunched over at the counter. After a moment the individual rises, takes up their guitar, and turns a bespectacled face towards the lens. “I wanted you to think I was a fighter / so I showed you all my teeth,” they sing in a pure, sweet voice, beginning to move through the diner, heedless of all the other guests. This is the opening scene of My Prairie Home, and it is this strange and imaginative from the start to the very end. And while it may be a documentary-musical focusing on musician Rae Spoon, the subject matter will resonate deeply among viewers, especially those who hail from Alberta. If you’ve never heard of Rae Spoon before – well, you should hear about them now. Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, Spoon is a trans musician who pens songs about their complicated life growing up in the suburban prairies. Their voice is sweet, ethereal, and sometimes heartbreaking, and these songs – most of which can be found on the album of the same name – are the score to My Prairie Home. Instead of existing as an examination of Rae Spoon’s contributions to Canadian music, however, the film acts more like an extension of the music itself.
Before you start thinking that documentaries are boring, you need to take into account the subject and the execution. Bits of life on tour are scrambled up with surreal sequences of narration, interviews, and performances. Since the documentary is scored by Rae Spoon themself, their haunting and ethereal voice gamely draws the viewer onwards in their story. Spiritual recognition, gender identity, familial relationships and even Spoon’s first love are all given their turn to shine. Peppered here and there are subtle and notso-subtle hints of the issues Spoon (and many others in this country) still face; perhaps the most iconic being shots of Spoon, who prefers to identify themself through the gender neutral pronoun ‘they’, walking in and out of men’s and women’s bathrooms alike. Helmed by filmmaker Chelsea McMullan, My Prairie Home takes us through the flat and mesmerizing landscape of the prairies, on a straight and yet strangely twisting journey not unlike the highways that snake through the grasslands themselves. In the press release, McMullan gave light to this, saying “I’ve always been interested in landscape and atmosphere and how that reflects your psychological state. This is a further exploration of those ideas, of how we live in spaces and how that forms our identity.” The psychological state viewers could find themselves in might just be one of familiarity. Though Spoon tackles topics that can be more than troubling – their father’s mental illness, their infant brother’s death, the beginning of religious doubt – the film never dwells in dissatisfaction nor drags the viewer down into a depressed state. Rather, the narrative tiptoes deftly between thoughtful meditations and goodnatured humour. The lingering effect is not one of negativity but rather of bittersweet, Albertan nostalgia. Spoon’s story may not be ours, but there are many elements within it that a lot of us will be able to recognize as a shared experience. The truly ‘musical’ aspect of the documentary-musical comes in the form of Spoon’s songs, which are visually represented in what can best be described as music videos. With each new remark and reminiscence by Spoon, the related song creeps up and begins to roll out its own sequence, many of them strange and surreal (the ‘Love is A Hunter’ segment shows Spoon running about a forest in flannel, pursuing and being pursued by elegantly dressed people with giant deer heads). In all, the entire documentary feels like a dream sequence you might have had about someone you were particularly close to, or even yourself. In short, even if you’ve never heard of Rae Spoon before, this documentary-musical is not something you will want to miss. Beautifully shot and intelligently put together, it will make you think without weighing you down, and you also might walk away with a new musical obsession. The film will premier this month at the Calgary Underground Music Festival on November 22. After that, you can catch it at the Globe Theatre, where it will be playing for a week starting November 29.
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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Community
Discussing Community Safety Hate Crimes
By Constable Andy Buck Hi there everyone. I want to start by addressing something that happened as a result of the article last month. I received an email from somebody who, in a nutshell, wanted to point out that the police were not to be seen as an ally to the LGBT community, and that it was hypocritical for me to be writing these articles and to take part in the Pride Parade. Well, it was abundantly clear that this writer had been through some extremely difficult and unpleasant experiences over the years which had resulted in them having these stereotypical views of the police service as a whole. I get all of that, I really do, but that just goes to underline the need for my position here at the Calgary Police Service. Thankfully, through correspondence, I was able to liaise with the writer and I hope that we have a better understanding of each other and that perhaps the opinions of that person may have softened just a little. I want to urge anyone who may feel the same way to please get in touch with me, meet with me, see me as a compassionate, caring human being, and then make your decisions. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by finding out just how much I and the CPS are doing to make the LGBT community in Calgary a better and safer place. Incidents that have occurred in the community during my time as the liaison officer have led me to believe that there may be some misunderstanding as to what constitutes a “Hate Crime”, so I wanted to address that with a little education here. A hate or bias crime is a criminal occurrence committed against a person or property which is motivated by hate, bias or prejudice based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, language, mental or physical disability, sex, age, or any other similar factor. The Criminal Code of Canada contains several specific offences related to hate propaganda, such as advocating genocide, public incitement of hatred, and willful promotion of hatred. There is also an offence related to hate motivated mischief against religious property. Some common offences that could be motivated by hate are assaults, threats, harassment and mischief to property, such as vandalism or graffiti. Hate and bias incidents are those actions by an individual or group that, while motivated by bias, prejudice or racism, do not rise to the level of a criminal offence. These include racial slurs, homophobic bullying, racist or offensive emails, or distributing material that endorses hate.
incidents of hate be investigated, in order that a strong message is sent that hate will not be tolerated in Calgary communities. If you’re witnessing a crime or are involved in an emergency situation, please call 9-1-1. If you’d like to report a crime but are not presently in danger, call the non-emergency police line at 403-266-1234. Hate incidents can also be reported to the Alberta Human Rights Commission via their confidential inquiry line at 403297-6571. Be an active witness. Often our silence signals our consent in acts of hate or discrimination. If you observe a hate/bias incident or crime, consider being an active witness if it’s safe to do so by using your cell phone to take pictures or video of the event; taking some notes of the date and time, what was said and done; and recording suspect descriptions, including age, height, weight, clothing, tattoos, and distinguishing features. When safe to do so provide the information to police. Non-criminal activities Although many citizens might not agree with the viewpoints of certain groups who openly demonstrate to voice hate based ideas, Canada is a free and democratic society that provides fundamental freedoms to all its citizens. The Calgary Police Service must balance the requirement to enforce Canadian laws with the duty to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Canadians. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: • Freedom of conscience and religion; • Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; • Freedom of peaceful assembly; and • Freedom of association. The Charter states that individuals have the freedom to their own thoughts, beliefs, and opinions and can express those openly. The only time the police would infringe on that right is when the law is broken. For further information about Hate or Bias Crimes, please contact my colleague Constable Eric Levesque at 403-4288155. As always, stay safe and look after each other. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments of concerns.
Reporting Hate Crimes Research indicates that only approximately 1 in 10 hate motivated incidents are reported to police. Many victims of hate motivated crimes do not report their victimization to the police, for a variety of reasons, including fear of retaliation, language or cultural barriers or a perception of the importance of the incident. If you’ve been a victim of a hate motivated-crime, or have witnessed a hate-motivated crime, please report it to police and have it investigated. It is crucial to the safety of all citizens that all
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Constable Andy Buck 403-428-8154 • pol4792@calgarypolice.ca http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3758
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
17
Politics
Thirty Years On
An Anniversary of an Epidemic By Stephen Lock It’s interesting how seemingly unrelated events or situations come together at the same time and become intertwined. It’s one of those weird ‘cosmic moments’, an alignment of the planets, or evidence of a sentient universe, or something. For instance, as I was searching for a topic for this month’s column (which is a monthly challenge at the best of times but then something in the news ‘reveals’ itself and I have a topic...talk about your cosmic moments!), I came across a small article about the rise of STI’s (sexually-transmitted infection) in Alberta, or what used to be called STD’s (sexually-transmitted disease) and before that, VD (venereal disease). I wasn’t sure what I could do with that, but I clipped it and added it to my pile of ‘potential pieces’. Then I received an announcement in my in-box about ‘We are DiverseCity’ and the celebration of the 30th anniversary of AIDS Calgary. That was a shocker; was it really 30 years ago I sat around a kitchen table in an old two-storey house in the Beltline (which coincidentally became one of the SHARP Foundation’s residences for people living with AIDS a few years later before being demolished to make way for the Safeway expansion along 12th Ave SW) along with Bob Humphries, Damien Pepper, Jim Lang, and a couple of other folk, discussing the possibility of creating an AIDS support group? At the time, AIDS was ‘big news’ with the gay populations of San Francisco and New York City being decimated. The virus had only recently been identified as being sexually-transmitted, after months of speculation that it might be air-borne or some other end-of-the-world scenario. Calgary had yet to see its first AIDS case, although as it turned out Jim, Damien, and Bob were all HIV-positive, and Bob - who was the driving force behind it all - was adamant we needed something in place for when AIDS did hit Calgary. AIDS Calgary’s first office was in two cramped rooms above what was then Dick’s, a gay club later known as ‘318’, and Victoria’s Restaurant in the old Model Dairy building on 17th Avenue at 2nd Street SW. Jay’s Relaxation Centre (later Goliath’s) was down in the basement. It was a busy time setting up a phone-line, seeking start-up funds, designing training manuals for volunteers and safer sex information, and establishing a system of support for the men we knew would be coming to us for help. The office was usually in a controlled state of confusion, with Bob and Damien often there at all hours, cans of Coca-Cola everywhere, and huge ashtrays overflowing with butts (yes, back then we all smoked in the office!!) and often accompanied by their large, rambunctious Labrador Retrievers - two of them, as I recall. We managed to pull together a Board of Directors who would meet in the back office, surrounded by boxes of pamphlets, coffee supplies, and reams of condom packages and little tubes of lube. It was here I remember having a meeting with representatives from the United Way from whom we hoped to obtain funding. The representatives appeared distinctly uncomfortable and, when offered coffee (Victoria’s Restaurant had donated the mugs to us) they all got this Bambi-caughtin-the-headlights look at the idea of drinking coffee out of mugs that ‘AIDS victims’ probably had used! They politely refused the coffee. And we didn’t get the funding, either. Since then, of course, the United Way has become one of the principal funders of AIDS Calgary, but it took several years for that to happen. At the time, it was the various gay clubs and the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch who raised money for us to pay the rent, phone bills and cover printing costs of our safer-sex literature. We were definitely a ‘grass roots’ organization, never quite sure if we would make it through the next six months. Once the phone-lines were up and running, operating from 7-10 every night, just like the phones at Gay Lines Calgary, most of our calls centred around safer-sex information and symptoms of HIV infection...and dealing with whack-jobs calling in bomb threats and promises of physical harm. The offices themselves were either freezing cold or sweating hot. The steam radiators dating from the early 1900s gathered their heat from Jay’s, which had a large cast-iron fire furnace in a back room behind the
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
front counter to keep the steam room operating and their premises warm enough to be comfortable for men padding around in towels. We were constantly calling down to the attendant to please turn up the heat...or to please turn it down! Funding was a constant issue. All of the mainstream funding organizations at the time not only bought into the stigma surrounding AIDS (and homosexuality), but had issues with the ‘pornographic’ content of our literature. AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) back then were all based in the gay men’s community and operated by gay men, by and large, a few lesbians and even fewer straight allies. AIDS was specifically a gay issue since that was where the vast majority of the infections were occurring; AIDS had not yet crossed over into the heterosexual community, although those of us involved in AIDS work back then knew it was only a matter of time before it did. In fact, one of our first cases was a bisexual man and his wife, both of whom were infected. The literature was tailored to the gay, bisexual and MSM (men who have sex with men) community and it was sexually graphic and frank. We used the language gay men used. Who would understand what the hell “manual-anal intercourse” meant? Or “oral-anal”? Fisting they understood. Rimming they understood. Fucking they understood. Sucking cock they understood. And that’s how we wrote it up. A few of us had designed the training manuals for not only the phoneline volunteers dispensing safer-sex information and information on symptomology and members of our Speakers’ Bureau, but also for those wonderful individuals who came forward to serve as ‘buddies’, the front line emotional and practical support caregivers. Those early manuals, designed by Barry Elmer, Sully Yankovitch, and myself, were highly technical and very detailed. Volunteers in those early days got a crash course in the complex world of viral transmission and mutation, endocrinology, hematology, and disease transmission modules. In fact, I think it is safe to say that the handful of AIDS Calgary volunteers in 1983 were better experts than the majority of the medical establishment was at the time. This was a time when doctors and nurses would refuse to enter the room of an ‘AIDS patient’ or if they did, they donned Hazmat suits. Hospital housekeeping would place food trays outside rooms, forcing the weak and frail and often confused patient to climb out of bed and retrieve their food themselves or wait until friends came to bring it in for them. I think those early days we made a definite impact on our community. I know we saved lives by handing out condoms at the bars and down at the baths, by having Information Nights at those establishments, by hosting fun, informative and actually kind of sexy Safer Sex Workshops. Naturally, there was resistance to using condoms at first. Rubbers were perceived as such a heterosexual/birth control thing so the big challenge was to overcome that and make using condoms the ‘hot’ thing to do, not just the right thing to do. And it worked. Fast forward 30-plus years and we are in an era where HIV/AIDS is just a fact of life. Gone are the days of seeing those you cared about test positive and waste away within a matter of a few months. Gone are the days of attending two or three memorials a month as yet another friend/ lover/ex-lover/fuckbuddy died, most before they hit 40, many before they saw their mid-30s. Some of us lost entire friendship circles, our whole ‘adopted family’ groups. The social impact of AIDS was devastating and truly traumatizing, to say nothing of the medical and health impact it clearly had. Now HIV/AIDS is a ‘manageable disorder’, kept under control by a daily regimen of medication, and with those infected living for years past what they initially were told they would. AIDS just isn’t that big a deal anymore. Only, of course, it is. Safer sex teaching was always controversial, especially when directed toward youth and high school age. But this is the age group most in need of it so that they can incorporate that understanding into their own sexual expressions as they become sexually-active. The survey on STIs, commissioned by Trojan Condoms, indicates Alberta’s post-secondary students are below the national average when
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it comes to condom use. Of the 1,500 students surveyed across Canada, approximately 51% reported they had used a condom the last time they had sexual intercourse, but only 45% of Albertans did. The survey also indicated 67% of Alberta students reported they were not concerned about contracting a sexually-transmitted infection while the national average was 56%. Predictably, the rate of infection jumped. Chlamydia amongst female Albertans aged 20-24 increased from 3,370 in 2011 to 3,541 a year later. In men of the same age group the number jumped from 1,860 in 2011 to 1,994 the following year. Gonorrhea, a particularly nasty STI by the way, saw the number amongst females go from 199 reported cases to 294 in the same time period, while amongst males it jumped from 246 to 297. Syphilis would probably match the rate of infection of gonorrhea, with some individuals contracting both. If the rates of infection for these has gone up in Alberta, infections for which the symptoms can (but not always) manifest fairly soon after exposure, one can only imagine what the HIV-infection rates will prove to be. HIV symptoms don’t show immediately, sometimes not for years. AIDS Calgary, now a relatively well-funded health service organization rather than a gay grass-roots organization run and operated by a handful of volunteers, has struggled for 30 years to get the message out there, and continues to struggle. That they have hung in there through a variety of internal and external challenges over the years, continuing to care for people with HIV/AIDS, and their loved ones, expanding their outreach beyond gay men and onto the streets is laudable. Sitting around that kitchen table in the Beltline, who amongst us could have known the fight would go on for 30 years? Bob, Damien, Jim and the others never lived to see what AIDS Calgary became, but I like to think they know.
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
19
Advice
Planning a Financial Future Advice from TD’s Rodney McPherson By Vera Kala The world of investment can be a tricky place. With the shifting political and economic environment these days, we posed several questions to Rodney McPherson, a Financial Planner with TD Wealth Financial Planning. Having worked in the industry since 1996 and holding Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) designations, his input makes it a little easier for us to put our money where it is most valuable. GC: Why do you think an individual or couples should have a financial plan? RM: Anyone can benefit from having a financial plan. A financial plan is tailored to your own financial needs and identifies shortfalls, presents solutions and helps monitor your financial success. It is a financial roadmap that will help keep you on track to meeting your financial goals. GC: How can one become more financially savvy? RM: There are many online tools and resources available that can help teach you more about personal finance and investing. Staying informed with financial news is a great way to get supplementary information. At the end of the day, speaking with an advisor can help you become more financially savvy and ultimately help you take control of your financial future. GC: What is the first thing couples should consider when combining their savings? RM: Couples should consider using a domestic contract when combining savings to determine how assets are to be distributed on divorce or death, exclude certain assets such as a business, or determine support requirements. GC: What should one look for when considering a Financial Advisor? RM: You need to consider whether there is a fit during the initial meeting. You need to get to know the advisor and they need to get to know you. Ultimately, you need to feel comfortable with the individual. Other questions include: What are your credentials and designations? Will you share your commission formula with me? Do you work on a fee for service basis? Do you get paid based on the number of trades made in my account? Are you an independent advisor or do you sell investments from specific firms only? Will you prepare a written financial plan and update it annually? GC: A financial plan may fit your current situation and create a path towards your goal, but what if your current situation changes? RM: A financial plan is a snapshot in time of an individual’s financial circumstances. When a life event occurs, this presents the need to have the financial plan updated and revised. Therefore, a financial plan is not ‘locked in’ like a mortgage and should be revised from time to time. Most individuals will need to update their financial plans every three years, or when there is a significant life change. GC: What should same sex couples consider when investing? How do they protect their partner and ensure that their partner, either common law or married, is the beneficiary?
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RM: There are no different rules for same sex couples verses heterosexual couples when investing. What is important is that their risk tolerance and investment objectives match the investment solutions. This is personal in nature and will differ from individual to individual. To protect their partner, beneficiary designations and joint registration should be considered. Consider joint registration of assets such as bank accounts, principal residence, and cars “with right of survivorship”*. This enables the surviving partner to assume immediate ownership in the event of the death of the other partner. By excluding these assets from the deceased’s estate, probate may also be avoided. Naming your partner as the beneficiary of your pension and registered plans* aids in a smooth, tax efficient transition of assets, as funds can be rolled over to the surviving partner on a tax-free basis and may avoid probate. [*Not applicable in Quebec] GC: When considering a Retirement Plan with your partner, what are some of the do’s and don’ts? RM: Develop a financial plan together to reflect your new family situation: update net worth, cash flow and investment plans, explore ways to minimize your taxes and review your retirement and other long term goals. Make sure your Wills are prepared or updated, since marriage commonly invalidates a Will made prior to marriage (unless it was made in contemplation of marriage). GC: If in a partnership, not legally married, what should our readers know about family and estate laws? RM: In certain provinces, there are still significant differences between the treatment of legally married couples and commonlaw couples, in respect of property rights, the matrimonial home, support obligations and intestate succession (dying without a valid Will). The very definition of “common-law” varies across the country and may range from two-to-three years of cohabitation depending on the province (or less if the couple are parents of a child). GC: What is something every QLGBT person should know about financial planning? A rule of thumb, so to speak.... RM: In brief, there are no significant financial planning differences for same sex couples versus heterosexual couples. There are more differences related to whether you are married or common law than your sexual orientation. However, one estate planning consideration that sometimes arises is family members may be unwilling to accept the partner as a beneficiary; and family members who are excluded from a Will that favours a partner may challenge the validity of the Will. This makes it particularly important for the solicitor attending to the execution of the Will of same-sex partners to establish testamentary capacity, the absence of suspicious circumstances, and undue influence. For more financial advice, hit up https://www.tdcanadatrust.com/planning/ life-events/planning_future.jsp?referer=https://www.tdwaterhouse.ca for the bigger picture.
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
21
Young Kaii
By Lisa Lunney Openly gay rap artist Young Kaii is taking the music world by storm. She is an activist for change and determined to leave her mark through her passion for music. At a young age she discovered that writing song lyrics and performing were a great outlet to relieve tension and stress caused by her day-to-day life. Her experiences served as inspiration for words that would help others in similar situations to herself. Her lyrics advocate that it is okay to be different, and for individuals not to allow themselves to be beaten down. Young Kaii is an artist whose career spans close to a decade; and yet has already shown great growth and even the sort of reinvention commonly seen in artists that have been around for twice as long. In the midst of creating her debut album Young Kaii appeared in features nationally and internationally from large mainstream media outlets to smaller local publications. December of 2012 marked a milestone in her career: Young Kaii released her album, “This Is Love.” This debut features 14 tracks filled with tales of hope and love. She is self-proclaimed as the “LGBT Community’s Artist.” The genre of rap is mostly dominated by males, for Young Kaii to emerge as a gay female and immediately find a strong following of fans is proof that the voice of truth is one to be reckoned with. Most would see an ‘outted’ female in the rap industry as having two huge strikes against her potential for a successful career, but for this young artist, it simply adds gasoline to her already lit fire. Her fans admire her music, and the love she sends to her community. Kaii’s goal for ‘This Is Love’ is to display her authentic concern for the acceptance of diversity within the community.
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Young Kaii has two personas, which fans will notice when they listen to lyrics; sometimes she refers to herself as K-Star, which she considers to be her more flashy/mainstream look and Young Kaii represents the more personal and soft side. She is not afraid to show all sides of her life within her lyrics. Her music is channeled from emotions: she touches on love and longing, happiness and everything in-between. This is a very unique trait for a female rapper to express, especially one who is new to the rap game. She is quite simply, wise beyond her years. ‘This Is Love’ is a powerful album. In my opinion, her most notable tracks are: Apology, Everytime and I Am Young Kaii. This is music that delivers a message and tells a compelling story. It is refreshing for a new artist to be so confident with her identity. Her confidence shines through in her lyrics and powerful voice. Young Kaii’s determination is contagious. It is impossible to not feel a sense of pride and strength while listening to her rap
This is Love Available on iTunes http://youngkaiimusic.com/music/ Young Kaii Facebook: youngkaiimusic Twitter: @YoungKaii http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3761
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Entertainment
Sex&Violence New series premiers on OUTtv By Vera Kala
When it comes naming your new TV show, Sex&Violence packs a wallop. Set to premier on OUTtv on November 17, it is a series that promises to break your heart as well as break a few boundaries. The series was written and directed by Halifax born Thom Fitzgerald, and one of the stars crowning the cast list is none other than Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis. When I asked Thom what more could we expect in the show besides the title, he replied with “What the Hell more do you want?” A fair question but, as it turns out, it is the simplest of people’s actions that reveal the nuances of their characters and, for that, Sex&Violence is aptly named in more ways than one. GC: First off, tell us a bit about the series. TF: Sex&Violence follows social workers, therapists, lawyers, cops who work with victims of domestic abuse - and abusers. It looks at how violence seeps its way into the lives of the professionals who deal with it every day. GC: Who are the characters? TF: Roach is a butch lesbian beat cop. She has no sympathy for victims who she sees as pushovers or doormats, and she sort of resents that the dispatcher sends her to respond to domestic abuse complaints because she’s the only woman on duty. Her partner Downey is more optimistic and by-thebook. Drucie McKay is a child welfare social worker married to a plastic surgeon. Alex Mandalakis is a Victim Advocate - she helps a victim find their footing, guides them to get medical help, safe shelter, legal counsel. Brenda Shaw is a therapist whose marriage is falling apart because her wife is too depressed to leave the house. Jasper Whynacht is a downtrodden crown prosecutor who has lost his mojo, lost his wife, lost his cases, and is starting to experiment with his sexuality late in life. There are Steven and Stephen, a pair of gay foster dads who recur in the show. Those are the characters we follow, and they encounter dozens more. GC: What was it like working with Olympia Dukakis? TF: I work with Olympia a lot, most recently in Cloudburst and Forgive Me. She is my joy to work with, she lights my fire creatively. I revel in her wisdom and craft as an actor. And I love that her character is pretty slutty in this show. She goes through men like candy. GC: During the filming did you ever feel you were pushing the envelope too far? TF: Oh, I grew numb to the sight of ass dimples pretty quickly. It’s not like this is a torture porn movie depicting long sequences of abuse; this is about what happens after the abuse, recovery, whether people can move on or whether they get held back by it. Like, okay, there’s a sex scene wherein Drucie the social worker and her husband Padraig are trying to get pregnant. It’s kind of graphic but it’s also the essence of her story. These are characters evolving through sex. Some people might say I included more sex than was absolutely necessary. Yeah, I did. Because I felt it made the work more powerful. GC: The topics in the series show up in movies and television, but often with a glamourized portrait. Did you want to consciously avoid that? TF: There’s a sense of realism in the show in that it’s a handheld camera, the locations are mostly real places, and because the cast is populated with actors who look like real www.gaycalgary.com
people. The light is often the available light. I focused on the moments I felt would be cathartic for viewers. Awful, awful things happen in the show - rape and murder - but it never revels in those moments. Where Sex&Violence is somewhat distinctive in the market is in its concern with the victims on 9 out of 10 TV procedurals the victim is a corpse in the prologue. This isn’t a procedural. We know whodunnit. It’s a story of survivors. GC: What does the series mean to you, personally? TF: I’m a survivor so I relate to these characters. Despite a focus on events that are traumatic and disturbing, I think facing these stories head-on is an act of optimism. I wanted to face some demons and stare them down. It’s a gripping story of survival... not against zero gravity, not against the raging sea, but surviving our worst selves. It’s relevant.
Sex&Violence Premiering on OUTtv on November 17th
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
23
The Girls Guide
Local filmmaker launches lesbian web series By Krista Sylvester Straight guys and lesbians live together all the time, right? That’s what one dynamic local filmmaker Justine Stevens wanted to explore with a new eight-part web series she wrote and directed, dubbed The Girls Guide, which premiered on YouTube earlier this fall. “I have always thought that the relationship between lesbians and straight guys was an interesting one and that is where the concept of having the show revolve around the three roommates came from,” Stevens explains. Each episode focuses on the lives of Lucy, Victoria, and Shaun - all friends since high school who are currently roommates. The three each have quite individual tastes; however, they have one thing in common, girls. The series follows the three as they struggle to form meaningful, lasting relationships in the years following college. “Of course, I think in all of the characters there is a little bit of myself as well as different bits from a lot of my close friends. I think it is impossible to write a show or film where your personal experiences don’t creep in somehow.” The show premiered on September 19th on YouTube to an overwhelmingly positive response, and proceeded to premiere a new episode each Thursday, garnering thousands of hits. The show was produced independently on a small budget with money raised from RocketHub. “We’re so excited about the response to the show, which has been extremely positive. I really had no expectations for how many people were going to watch the show or care about it, but the
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response has been greater then I could have asked for,” she says, adding the first episode has over 8,000 views. “It is also great seeing some of the comments that the show has gotten and you can see that a lot of people are getting invested in the characters and I think that’s what you want more than anything.” Stevens was born and raised in Calgary and has a self-professed love for the city. Moving away for school, she missed Calgary and while she moved back to Calgary in June, she did have some reservations. “I was a little worried about the state of the industry in the city and that I wouldn’t be able to find work but it hasn’t been anything like that for me. This industry is all about networking and I have met some great and talented people in the short time I have been back.” Since the first season aired, a lot of viewers have asked Stevens if there will be a second, to which she is cautiously optimistic. “A lot of our viewers seem to be sad that we only have eight episodes. To be honest, I would love to make a second season, I really enjoyed the process of making the show and I got to work with amazing people. If there is an audience and if we can secure some funding - they may not have seen the last of The Girls Guide.”
The Girls Guide First episode: http://www.gaycalgary.com/u597 http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3763
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
25
Gossip and Bulges: The Life & Works of Tom of Finland, arrived in the late 1980s, while 1990’s Daddy and The Muscle Academy was an LGBT film festival staple in its moment, just as Tom himself was dying at age 71. Now a biopic currently titled Tom of Finland is in production, ready to tell the story of the sexual and artistic pioneer. Finnish director Dome Karukoski will helm the feature, which has yet to be cast. And it has the official, authorized blessing of the Tom of Finland Foundation, so as extremely hot men find their way into the cast, you’ll hear about it here first. Nearly naked Men, it’s time for your close-up Alan Ball has a to-do list when True Blood comes to an end: He’s going to get a lot of guys naked. That means he’s writing and directing I Am Chippendales, adapting his screenplay from the book by Rodney Sheldon. It’s the story of Somen “Steve” Banerjee, an Indian immigrant who started his career pumping gas in Los Angeles before running an upscale nightclub that would evolve into the Chippendales male revue franchise. Exploding into the mainstream of pop culture in the 1980s, when gangs of women decided, en masse, to begin attending male strip clubs in groups, Banerjee became very, very rich catering to the as-yet-untapped market potential of the straight female (and gay male) libido. As the decade wore on, however, Banerjee’s excessive lifestyle and paranoia grew. Things got weird, illegal activity followed, assassination plots were hatched (!) and the man who brought so much joy to so many people via the simple act of taking off a man’s shirt and leaving the bow tie affixed to his neck, found himself in prison, where he died. One day there’ll be a happy male stripper movie (downbeat Magic Mike, we’re looking at you) but until then we’ll take what we can get. Casting is underway right now, and Ball hopes to start shooting sometime in early 2014. Until then, keep it in your pants. Ryan Murphy, photo by Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com
Deep Inside Hollywood Casting update: Ryan Murphy’s Open gets some By Romeo San Vicente Earlier we reported that Ryan Murphy’s latest project, the HBO series Open (note: this is the one that will not involve singing teenagers or covens), would star Wes Bentley. That’s still the case, but he’s got more people to act opposite and behave R-ratedly around him at this point. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Scott Speedman, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol’s Michelle Monaghan and Fringe’s Anna Torv have all signed on to participate in what is described as a “provocative” investigation of human sexuality and modern relationships. That means everyone on the show till be attractive and, really, that’s kind of what you want with a show about sex. With Murphy at the helm it’s certain to have its share of gay characters and plotlines, we just don’t know who the homo characters are going to be at this point. And, most importantly, since it’ll be on HBO, we’re just going to start lobbying right now for full frontal nudity from everyone in the cast. No more sex with bras on and strategic sheet placement! Liberation for the flesh!
Oprah’s Gay In Hollywood. Does Steadman know? Set your DVR because Oprah’s gearing up for a late October night of gay programming that’ll probably make you laugh as well as move you to tears. On Oct. 27, the OWN Network will air Oprah’s Next Chapter: Gay In Hollywood. No, she has nothing to announce about Gayle, but she will be interviewing the hilarious Wanda Sykes, Modern Family’s Jesse Tyler Ferguson and actor/ producer Dan Bucatinsky about how being openly gay has affected their careers in entertainment. Immediately after that, OWN will host the television premiere of Bridegroom, the devastating documentary that’s been the talk of LGBT film festivals all year. It tells the story of Shane Bitney Crone and Tom Bridegroom, a young male couple whose happy relationship was cut short when Tom died in tragic accident. What unfolded after that sad day – Bridegroom’s family rejected Crone entirely and denied him access to his partner’s funeral and more – would come to shed ugly light on what happens when same-sex couples in relationships without the legal protections of marriage find themselves cut out of families during times of crisis. Don’t miss it. Romeo San Vicente should probably clear all those old episodes of True Blood featuring shirtless Joe Manganiello out of his DVR...
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Boots, biceps and bulges The late Touko Laaksonen, the Finnish artist also known as “Tom of Finland,” probably did more to push gay male erotic images into the mainstream than anyone else in the 20th century. His illustrations were designed to inspire lust and to erase the boundary between art and pornography. They also helped re-create happier, hornier self-images for many gay men in the 1970s with their fantasies of muscular masculinity, confidence and outsize sexual achievement. One documentary short film, Boots, Biceps 26
GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
27
She Twerks Hard For The Money
Big Freedia talks new reality series, gender confusion and bounce phenomenon
Big Freedia, photo by Kareem Black
By Chris Azzopardi Big Freedia likes big butts and she cannot lie – but, for the purpose of the dirty dance du jour known as twerking, size ain’t no thing. “You just gotta know how to work it,” says the New Orleanscultured bounce-music trailblazer, who asserts that even a little pancake fanny can do the job. “They have lots of flat asses in New Orleans, and they definitely know how to work ’em.” Expect those rumps to work and twerk on Big Freedia’s new reality show, Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce, airing for an eight-episode run on cable music channel Fuse. To kick off its Oct. 2 premiere, the network recently hosted a throng of ass-shakers in the Big Apple. Drawing 350-plus twerkers, the first event of its kind broke into the Guinness World Records. Why now?
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“Everything has its time and season,” Freedia says, “and right now is the time and season of the twerking.” And for proof, look no further than this year’s MTV Video Music Awards in September, where Miley Cyrus generated a flurry of bad buzz for twerking up on Robin Thicke. Even Freedia wasn’t impressed. The “queen” insists, “They gotta get us together so I can give her ass a lesson.” And no one’s more qualified for teaching twerk; when it comes to hip-wiggle, butt-dropping dance, Freedia’s practically got her Ph.D. Born Freddie Ross, the bounce purveyor has been – and pun intended – behind the movement’s surge ever since the early 1990s, when the genre was just an underground fixture. Singles like 1999’s “An Ha, Oh Yeah” and, more recently, “Peanut Butter” with RuPaul boosted Freedia’s profile, as did an opening slot on a Postal Service tour this
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year. A singles album, Big And now – thanks to Freedia Hitz Vol. 1, was Miley, thanks to the Oxford released in 2010. Dictionaries (“twerk” became an entry this year) “We’ve been working hard and especially thanks the last few years making to Freedia – this is her people twerk all around time. Twerk is a cultural the world, and working to phenomenon. A reality be mainstream,” she says. show about it could be just “We’re so excited about the the thing to push Freedia whole twerking thing that’s all the way to the top. going on right now.” “I feel really amazing Freedia, of course, has about all of the work that something to dance about I’ve been putting in the because, ever since she last 14 years,” she says. was a teenager, this has “I still have a lot I want been a dream of hers – to to accomplish and a lot of see bounce reach a bigger work I want to do, so it’s audience. Then, it was just a Big Freedia, photo by Jeremy Simmons not over yet. But for now, high school pastime for her. I’m happy with where I Bumping to genre staples stand and what I’ve done like DJ Jubilee, DJ Jimi and so far, but more to come, baby.” “sissy bounce” artist Katey Red, Freedia recalls being “at the For now, the focus is Queen of Bounce, a show not even its school dances, flipping upside down on the wall to bounce music.” It was at 16 that Freedia’s curiosity piqued regarding star knows much about. “It’s real and it’s about my life, but there are so many things that were recorded. And I haven’t the opposite gender – and not in the sexy time way. Freedia really been watching the episodes. I wanna be surprised.” was born a man, is gay, and has a closet full of women’s clothes. But Freedia makes one promise: “You gon’ see ass “I just always had a taste for different things,” she says. everywhere.” “I was growing up in a house full of women, and being around my mom and getting some of my class and style from my mom, it would make me wanna wear different things, http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3765 especially girly stuff.” View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments That garb is the reason people often confuse Freedia for transgender. “I’m not a tranny,” she clarifies, adding that she’s not bothered by that – or which gender pronoun people use for her – because “I’m comfortable with who I am and I know who I am and I’m comfortable with my sexuality, but sometimes mistakes do happen and reporters do tend to come up with their own idea of what they think I am or how I classify myself.” A label Freedia will challenge, a topic of discussion on the premiere episode of Queen of Bounce, is one that plagues plenty of queer performers: “gay artist.” It doesn’t bother her – again, she says, “I am what I am” – but if there’s an opportunity for a commercial breakthrough, where she can just be an “artist,” she’s obviously not opposed to it. As long as she doesn’t have to sacrifice who she is. “To become mainstream is still hard work,” she says, “and I’m not hiding behind no shield trying to say, ‘Oh, I’m straight’ and then I’m gonna bust out gay later on. They gon’ take me gay full force one way or ’nother, and I’m just gonna keep working and keep on grinding to keep making it mainstream. And I’ll make it mainstream in my own way.”
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
29
Out of Town
Denver: Five Cool Neighborhoods
by Andrew Collins Situated a mile above sea level in the shadows of the dramatic Rocky Mountain range, Denver is home to plenty of locals whose personalities neatly match the city’s setting: think of people who are open, sunny, outdoorsy, and - thanks to last year’s vote to legalize small amounts of marijuana for personal consumption - high. As of January 2014, both local and out-ofstate residents will be able to legally purchase pot in Colorado. Whether Denver really becomes “New Amsterdam,” as some have predicted, is unclear, but this development does reflect the generally progressive nature of this city that’s long been a favorite LGBT destination. With a vibrant arts and cultural scene, a vast supply of cool and hip lounges and restaurants specializing in craft beverages (from beer to spirits) and seasonal cuisine, and gay hangouts spread pretty evenly around a number of parts of town, Denver is a great city for neighborhood touring. You can even make your way around on bike - just rent a twowheeler from one of the many Denver B-Cycle bike-sharing stations around the city. With this in mind, here are five of the best parts of town for exploring, eating, drinking, and shopping. South Broadway A part of town that’s long been a bastion of gay nightlife but has steadily developed cachet as a hotspot of hipster cafés and quirky clothiers, design boutiques, and arty mixed bars is South Broadway (aka the Baker District), especially the blocks from about 3rd Avenue south to Alameda. Along here you can stop inside Beatrice & Woodsley (beatriceandwoodsley.com), an urbane spot for creative regional cooking, while Happy Coffee (happycoffeeco.com) is a cool little java joint serving espresso that’s every bit as “freakishly amazing” as this establishment claims. Catch a film at the gloriously restored Mayan Theatre, an ornate movie palace that was built in 1930 and screens indie and foreign flicks, or head to the Punch Bowl Social (punchbowlsocial.com), a quirky bar, bowling alley, craft beer hall, and restaurant with all sorts of amusing diversions, including ping-pong and shuffleboard. Other neighborhood fixtures include Sweet Action Ice Cream (sweetactionicecream.com), which serves handmade desserts in fun flavors (biscuits-and-jam, blackberry whiskey), and the Hornet (hornetrestaurant.com), a venerable diner–cum–pool hall–lounge, great for everything from a full meal to cocktails. As for gay nightlife along this quirky corridor, you’ll find a somewhat cruise-y, all-ages bunch at the Compound (compounddenver.com), the city’s longest-running GLBT dance club, and Boyztown (boyztowndenver.com), a fun place to watch go-go dancers strut their stuff. South Broadway is just a couple of miles south of downtown hotels, and there’s also a convenient chain property, TownePlace Suites Denver (marriott.com) that’s geared to extended stays and is within walking distance of the neighborhood. Golden Triangle Museum District Just south of downtown and its gleaming skyscrapers, this tract of first-rate museums can easily keep fans of art and history busy for a day or two. The spectacular Denver Art Museum, in a memorable building with a striking expansion designed by Daniel Libeskind, contains a terrific and diverse permanent collection and also stages excellent temporary shows. Next door, the unusual Clyfford Still Museum houses nearly the entire body of work of the acclaimed abstract expressionist painter for which it’s named, and across the street you can tour the Byers-Evans House Museum, which was built in 1883 and now contains rotating history exhibits. Other cultural draws nearby include the Molly Brown House and the relatively new and very impressive History Colorado Center.
Daniel Libeskind’s stunning expansion of the Denver Art Museum is one of the top draws of the city’s Golden Triangle Museum District. Photo by Andrew Collins
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The district also has a few fun bars and restaurants, including the laid-back gay neighborhood bar Broadway’s (broadwaysdenver.com), which has fun drag shows; and La Rumba (larumba-denver.com), an attractive, mixed gay/straight Latin club known for great salsa and meringue (Friday’s Lipgloss party is a particularly wild romp). Rooster and Moon Coffee Pub (roosterandmoon.com) is an inviting nearby spot to fill up on espresso drinks and light lunch and dinner fare. Just a fiveminute drive southwest, check out the galleries along Santa Fe Avenue, a stretch of colorful old buildings that now supports a vibrant gallery scene as well as the Museo de la Americas - there’s also a fun little gay bar, the Barker Lounge.
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The gay-owned and quite elegant Capitol Hill Mansion (capitolhillmansion.com), with its eight elegantly furnished suites and rooms, is one of the best accommodations in the Golden Triangle - it’s just around the corner from the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, a somewhat underrated treasure packed with pop art, Arts and Crafts furnishings, and works by late Colorado artist Vance Kirkland and many others. Larimer Square One of the most intriguing sections of downtown, especially for culinary exploring, is artsy Larimer Square, a restored Victorian block that is now lined with trendy boutiques and cafes, including two of the city’s restaurant gems, Rioja (riojadenver.com) and Bistro Vendome (bistrovendome.com), which are helmed by talented James Beard Award–winning chef Jennifer Jasinski. For a post-clubbing nosh or late breakfast, drop by Tom’s Urban 24 (tomsurban24.com), a mod diner that’s open all the time, or stop inside longtime favorite Market at Larimer Square (themarketatlarimer.com), a wonderful little bakery, coffeehouse, and deli. Other dining highlights on nearby blocks include Cholon (cholon.com), a stylish and contemporary PanAsian restaurant; and Euclid Hall Bar and Kitchen (euclidhall.com), which is part of same group as Rioja and Bistro Vendome and is known for its interesting beer list and fun take on late-night comfort food (pad Thai pig ears, chicken-and-waffles with maple gastrique). The neighborhood offers close access to the state-of-the-art Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA), the second-largest such space in the nation (trailing only New York City’s Lincoln Center), with its several superb performance venues hosting everything from nationally touring musicals to first-rate opera.
RiNo Northeast of LoDo, the once downtrodden warehouse district now known as the River North Arts District (RINO, rivernorthart.com) continues to take off, as both retrofitted vintage buildings and brand-new constructions lure artists, designers, furniture makers, and other creative spirits. Visitors will find much of the action - from studio galleries to stylish lounges and eateries - along the main drags of Walnut and Larimer streets, from about Broadway to Downing Street. The neighborhood is home to two of the most popular gay nightspot in the city, the long-running dance club Tracks Denver (tracksdenver.com) and the leather- and fetish-driven Denver Eagle (theeaglebar.com). Among venues popular with a mixed crowd, the pleasingly named Infinite Monkey Theorem (theinfinitemonkeytheorem.com) is the city’s first urban winery - it’s open for tours, tastings, and all sorts of events. Across the street, the Populist (thepopulistdenver.com) is making waves for its stellar eclectic modern cooking (try the huitlacoche agnolotti or mussels with bone marrow). And nearby Black Shirt Brewing (blackshirtbrewingco.com) is producing some of the best beer in town, while Fuel Café (fuelcafedenver.com) is a great stop for creative diner-inspired fare, from fried-chicken with cheddar-scallion biscuits at breakfast to pork cheeks with mole sauce at dinner. Although there are no hotels in RiNo, the historic and charming Oxford Hotel (theoxfordhotel.com) is just a few blocks south of where the neighborhood begins, in the heart of LoDo (and also quite close to Larimer Square). Built in 1891, this luxurious and beautiful restored hotel is renowned for its individually appointed rooms (all with such modern perks as Bose Wave/iPod docks and free Wi-Fi), gorgeous art deco Cruise Room bar, and full-service spa and salon.
You’ll find several noteworthy hotels in this part of town. Opened in 2010, the stunning Four Seasons Denver (fourseasons.com/Denver) rises 45 stories above the neighborhood and contains 239 swank yet unfussy rooms with huge windows (the mountain-view rooms are especially nice), deep soaking tubs in the bathrooms, and pleasing stone and wood accents. Book a treatment in the superb spa, and dine at EDGE (edgerestaurantdenver.com), a stunning steakhouse renowned for regional game specialties like Colorado lamb chops with cucumber-mint raita and elk tenderloin topped with panseared foie gras.
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With its stylish look as well as a convenient location across from the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, The Curtis (thecurtis.com) looks like just another high-rise from the exterior. But inside you’ll discover a whimsical, retro-fabulous hotel with each floor themed differently - rooms on the eighth level have a sci-fi look, while those on the 12th are done with a get-yourgroove-on dance-floor theme. Across the street, if you’re seeking more room to spread out, consider the surprisingly sleek and luxurious Denver Embassy Suites Downtown (embassysuites3.hilton.com), the city’s only LEED-certified hotel, whose ample rooms have microwaves and minifridges; there’s a very nice indoor saline pool and 24-hour fitness center, and cooked-to-order breakfast and an evening reception with snacks and beverages are included. LoHi Take a trip north of downtown, beyond LoDo (aka Lower Downtown), to reach LoHi (Lower Highlands), and beyond that Highlands itself, neighborhoods that have become increasingly fashionable as places to eat out and bar-hop. Top spots in LoHi for dining and drinking include Jezebel’s Southern Bistro (jezebelslohi.com), which earns kudos for its delicious brunch and breakfast fare - it morphs into a more see-and-beseen bar and dinner scene later in the day. Fans of whiskey should order one of the artisan bourbon flights. Distinctive for its outdoor seating beneath a giant milk jug, Little Man Ice Cream (littlemanicecream. com) is a fine spot for artisan sweets, while around the corner, one of the hottest dining spots in LoHi, Linger (lingerdenver.com), occupies a former mortuary (the owners describe it now as an “eatuary”). You won’t feel too creeped out when you see the stylish interior, enjoy the great views of the neighborhood, and feast on such creative international dishes as lemongrass shrimp with crispy rice noodles, and carrot-andlentil falafel with cashews and Turkish chile. LoHi isn’t far from downtown accommodations, but there’s also a cluster of mid-range chain properties right on the edge of the neighborhood, within walking distance of the bars and restaurants nearest the pedestrian bridge into LoDo. Standouts include the Residence Inn Denver Downtown (marriott.com), which has spacious suites wellsuited to longer stays, and the clean and reasonably priced Hampton Inn & Suites Denver–Speer Boulevard (hamptoninn3.hilton.com).
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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Out Destination Knoxville
Hotel St. Oliver
By Joey Amato Tennessee’s third largest city is also one of its most cultural. Visitors to Knoxville are greeted by the city’s iconic Sunsphere. Constructed for the 1982 World’s Fair, the 266-foot structure features an observation deck on the fourth floor giving visitors’ unobstructed 360-degree views of the city. A new highlight of the Sunsphere is Icon Ultra Lounge, a chic bar and restaurant offering live music and cuisine from around the globe. Located a few steps away from the Sunsphere in World’s Fair Park is the Knoxville Museum of Art, a beautiful modern building housing an array of fine art and works related to the history of Tennessee. As impressive as the collection was, the highlight of my trip was my much anticipated visit to the Knoxville Zoo. A short drive from downtown, the Knoxville Zoo is one of the most visited attractions in the state, with over 400,000 guests last year. One of my favorite exhibits on the property is the Red Panda Village. Interestingly enough, since 1979, ninetythree cubs have been born here, more than any other zoo in the Western Hemisphere. Visitors can view the beautiful red panda lounging in the trees up above from any one of three viewing areas. The Grasslands Africa exhibition was a favorite as well. Home to the elephant, ostrich, zebra and giraffe exhibits. 32
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Grasslands Africa provides tons of great photo opportunities, including a giraffe feeding experience which recently opened to zoo guests. Perched eye-to-eye with the tallest land mammals in the world is quite an extraordinary experience; however, getting the opportunity to hand-feed them is even more memorable. After an eventful afternoon at the zoo, head to Cocoa Moon, a chic restaurant located on Market Square that feels like a trendy gay bar with great food. Cocoa Moon serves up a fusion of Asian and Latin flavors offering everything from Ceviche to Sesame Chicken. Standouts include Teriyaki Chicken & Shrimp and the Seafood Fajita, a combination of grilled shrimp, scallops and squid served over a bed of seasoned rice. Cocoa Moon’s delicacies don’t stop at their food; the restaurant also serves up an array of delicious cocktails. When in Knoxville, check in at the Oliver Hotel, a boutique property located on Market Square. The hotel features 28 elegantly appointed rooms featuring handcrafted furniture, original artwork, and luxurious room amenities including walk-in showers. Originally built in 1876 as the Peter Kern Bakery, the building has hosted everything from the Kern’s candy counter and soda fountain to a drugstore, and dancing hall. The current owners purchased the building in 2011 and developed it into one of the hottest properties in town.
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The Sunsphere and Convention Center
Knoxville zoo-red panda
Staying at the Oliver Hotel has its perks. Located at the base of the hotel, overlooking Market Square is Tupelo Honey Café, an offshoot of the original Asheville, NC establishment. Diners are greeted by friendly staff serving hot, fluffy homemade biscuits with of course, honey. Unique entrees worth trying include the Roast Beef Po’ Boy served with fried green tomatoes and cherry pepper aioli as well as When Shrimp Met Taco, two soft flour tortillas, filled with flash-fried shrimp, julienned Swiss chard, house-made smoked jalapeno aioli and Sunshot Salsa. The area in and around Market Square has emerged as the epicenter of Knoxville. This is where locals mingle with tourists and listen to live music, shop at small boutiques and art galleries and dine at a variety of restaurants. The square is also home to numerous festivals throughout the year as well as other family-oriented events and a Regal movie theater. While on the square, stop by Latitude35 for their famous weekend brunch, but come hungry because the restaurant serves up downhome favorites including Sweetwater Blue Ale Pancakes with blueberry butter and maple syrup, Bananas Foster French Toast made with rum syrup and banana cream, and Louisiana Eggs, served over lump crab cakes with Creole sauce and hollandaise. The venue is also a hotspot at night when their bar and dancefloor flood with partygoers. Just outside downtown lies an urban playground for nature buffs and those seeking to explore the outdoors. Ijams Nature Center is a tranquil oasis only minutes from urban hustle and
bustle, but it makes visitors feel as if they are miles away. The Wildlife Sanctuary Trail System features almost 4 miles of hiking-only trails and another 7.0 miles of multi-use trails that have been routed to enhance the distinctive features of the preserve which include a sparkling quarry lake, unique rock formations, scenic overlooks and rugged terrain. The 275acre park also offers bike, paddleboard and canoe rentals and is the perfect way to spend a beautiful Knoxville morning or afternoon. LGBT Nightlife in Knoxville is enjoyable, however not necessarily convenient. The city’s gay bars and clubs are spread out, making bar hopping a bit difficult and definitely unsafe if you choose to enjoy a few adult beverages. I recommend choosing one or two destinations per night. Favorite hotspots among the locals include Club XYZ, Club eXile, Sassy Ann’s and The Carousel II, a two-story complex boasting a sunken dance floor, huge performance stage and nightly entertainment. Knoxville is a great weekend getaway which offers a variety of experiences. If you have never been, be sure to visit for Knoxville Pride in June. For more information, go to www.knoxville.org
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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Pajama Party Mono Pijama by Es Collection
By Tom Corliss
At least that is what we’ve been led to believe. There has long been a stigma attached to men wearing pajamas. Today, what most consider as the official hip sleepwear for men are boxers and a white tee. Part of the reason is men’s pajamas have long signified sexless-ness. There is only one phase in a guy’s lifetime when pjs are acceptable: under 12, when they look cute. The rule of thumb being once you’re old enough to shave, it’s time to ditch the jammies. But it wasn’t always that way. Pajamas were sexy – once. Fifties heartthrobs like Cary Grant wore pajamas. But that was a time when anything slightly suggestive was sexy. Seeing Grant in his pajamas made viewers think of sex and nudity and wonder what lay beneath. These days, with full frontal
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nudity always a click away on the web, little is left to the imagination. Times are changing. It’s taken half a century for it to happen but pajamas are fighting their way back ‘in’ – thanks to some of today’s leading underwear designers. One thing these new pajamas have in common: they’re not what your Grandpa would have stepped outside in to pick up the morning paper from the curb. These new jammies are sexier and more suggestive than ever. They may even bring back the pajama party – for men. Hero Lounge Pant by Timoteo Drawstring lounge pants from Timoteo are perfect for hanging out at home or hitting the sheets in style. These stretch cotton lounge pants have an easy-to-wear relaxed fit and cool versatility. They feature a blue and black elastic drawstring waistband with black piping at the outer leg. The
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Hero Lounge Pant by Timoteo
fabric is extra soft and light-weight, making these men’s pants the ultimate in comfort. Cotton/spandex. Made in the USA. Machine wash. $38.00 at timoteo.net. Pyjamas by ES Collection Perfect for keeping guys warm on those chilly spring nights. Even better for guys who aim to heat things up with a twoperson (or more) party in bed. Made from 95% cotton and 5% spandex, the one-piece feels as good as it looks. The pouch area even features a fully functional buttoned fly for easy access. $120.00 at ESCollectionUSA.com.
Komfort Pant by Gregg Homme
Komfort Pant by Gregg Homme Gregg Homme’s prestigious yet laid-back KOMFORT collection is not called KOMFORT for nothing: this collection earns its name by being made from a subtly-brushed microfiber that feels like a breeze against the skin. The supersoft pants are straight-legged, hang loose on the body, and the Gregg Homme logo can be seen on its covered elastic waistband. Made from 92% polyester and 8% spandex. $55.00 at Gregghomme.com.
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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Carrie for the Queer Age
Chloë Grace Moretz talks gay brothers, queer take on classic and not being a lesbian Photo by Screen Gems
By Chris Azzopardi We might not have telekinetic powers, but the gay community knows what it’s like to be Carrie. We know the torment from kids at school. We know the pressure from parents to change who we are. It only makes sense, then, that a lesbian filmmaker – Boys Don’t Cry writer/director Kimberly Peirce – give her spin on Stephen King’s creepy classic, first adapted to screen in 1976 with Sissy Spacek in the titular role. The reboot stars 16-year-old Chloë Grace Moretz as Carrie (Julianne Moore plays her intensely religious mother, Margaret White). We caught up with Moretz to chat about her gay brothers inspiring this take on the iconic character, the queerness of Peirce’s reimagining and why people think the actress is a lesbian (but shouldn’t). GC: As if you weren’t cool enough, you recently told the press that you stuck up for your brothers when they were being teased for being gay. CM: Aww, thank you. People say that, but I don’t even do it to have that effect. I do it because I know what’s right and I know what’s wrong, and I grew up with my two gay brothers who were completely ostracized and manipulated into thinking what they were feeling, from the time they were born, was wrong and sinful and potentially life-threatening. That’s so aggravating to think about that when someone can, you know, smoke their entire life and people would never judge them. But just because you choose to be with the same sex, people can be a little cagey.
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GC: How much of your brothers’ personal experience became a part of your experience on Carrie? Did you have them in mind while you were playing her? CM: Yeah, of course. Whenever you play a character that is going through certain things and you can, in some way, understand them even more – when you have a personal aspect that can actually relate to the character – then it takes (the role) to a whole other level, because you’ve seen it and you’ve experienced it. GC: Why didn’t people mess with you when you were younger? They obviously didn’t know you’d grow up to be Carrie. CM: (Laughs) I dealt with a lot of stuff when I was younger. I had girls tell me it was a dress-up party and I showed up in a ballet-dancing outfit and it turned out that it wasn’t a dress-up party. No one was dressed up except for me. GC: Bullying, particularly in the LGBT community, has been a hot topic in the last few years. With that said, how is Carrie particularly relevant now? CM: It strikes a definite chord within us because we have seen these kids who have been pushed so far and have been so isolated and so ostracized within their communities that they eventually emotionally combust in several different ways: in suicide, in massacres, in whatever else. And the sadness about this movie is, it’s what you’ve seen in real life; it’s just portrayed on a screen. It’s relevant because of the things that have been going on, and it strikes a deeper chord than it did in the ’70s. GC: What was it like working with Kimberly Peirce?
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CM: Working with Kim is something that’s always been a dream for me. She’s an absolutely brilliant director and she taught me so much as an actor, especially not being scared to jump into things. Also, she shared a lot of her personal experiences with me. Because Kim is a lesbian, I saw a whole other side of what she went through (being gay) in a different time period. It was interesting to see the different takes on it, me being a young straight kid who’s never had to deal with that. I’ve dealt with bullying in different aspects, but my friends who are lesbians – and gay people in general – have dealt with another level of bullying. GC: Does the lesbian question come up often for you – not because you have two gay brothers, but because I saw a YouTube video of you simply stating, “I’m not a lesbian”? CM: (Laughs) Wait, what? Why’d I say that? Did someone ask me? GC: There’s no context to the video; it’s literally just you debunking a lesbian rumor. CM: I’ve actually gotten so much shit my entire career. Because of the characters I play, people have always said, “Oh my god, are you a lesbian because you play an action hero?” And it’s just like, “Noooo! And why are you so stereotypical for thinking that you can’t be a strong woman without being a lesbian?” GC: Why do you gravitate toward strong female roles? CM: They’re close to home. For me, playing these fiercer characters is easiest for me. Where I thrive the most is playing these characters that are strong and forthright. Just being able to play characters like Carrie who are vulnerable and scared is more of a stretch for me and more of an acting job, which I find particularly a bit more interesting. But I also love playing the fierce, empowering female characters, just because I think we’ve passed the point in time where female actors always have to be the damsel in distress. GC: You must know that gay men really admire strong female characters. Because of the tough roles you play, how would you feel one day being regarded as a gay icon? CM: That’d be crazy! It’d be such an honor to be considered that. I think that is a community that, when they recognize you and accept you into the fold, it is one that is very, very true and honest and they are very supportive. That’s all my brothers want from me! GC: Did Kimberly leave her queer mark on this film? CM: Yeah. Honestly, I think what I found interesting is, with her take on it she didn’t exploit female characters. I feel like in a lot of movies, especially horror movies, women tend to become sexually exploited. I think working with a female director – one that is a lesbian – she definitely respects women more. I found that enlightening in a way, and refreshing compared to a lot of male directors who just want, you know, sex in their movies because they think that’s what hits the teen community. GC: You have Laggies with Keira Knightley coming out soon. Rumor is there’s some lesbian action between you and Keira. So … is there? CM: (Laughs) There isn’t any! That was such a lie. It’s so funny. I talked to Keira about that and she said, with every single movie she’s ever done, that’s a rumor and she doesn’t know why it’s a rumor. But literally, in any movie she does with another female actor, that rumor comes out. GC: Would you be up for it if the role required it? CM: If it’s appropriately done, I don’t have any fears about it. It’s a real part of life, and as an actor you have to be able to portray any character. If it’s a brilliant role with a great director and a great script and everything else, then why not?
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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Icona Pop is Lovin’ It
Duo talks gay trendsetters, the best revenge and being ‘the perfect couple’ Icona Pop, photo by Fredrik Etoall
By Chris Azzopardi Girls just wanna have fun. And crash cars. And throw their ex-boyfriends’ crap down the stairs. That’s what one of Sweden’s latest imports, Icona Pop, did with “I Love It,” an inescapable kiss-off that turned indie darlings Aino Jawo and Caroline Hjelt into a legit pop act, scoring them a double-platinum top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. With their debut album This Is … Icona Pop just out, we caught up with the girls to chat about their “big family” of gays, capturing LGBT subculture in “All Night” and why they’d make the perfect lesbian couple. GC: When was the moment you knew how much the gays loved you?
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AJ: The gays are the first ones to pick up the trends when it comes to music, so it feels like they’ve been with us from the beginning. CH: Yeah. From the beginning, they picked up our music and put it on blogs and stuff, and we’ve been playing little clubs in London and DJing when we didn’t basically have anything – and that was at the gay bars. GC: You’ve performed at the White Party in Palm Springs and also at several Prides. What’s the best part of performing for a room full of gay men? AJ: That everybody dances! And that there’s so much love. It’s so much love, it’s crazy. We feel very home in those kinds of environments, so it’s like we’re a big family just singing along.
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GC: During “I Love It,” you evolve and why did you bag up your ex’s stuff and decide to represent this gay throw it down the stairs. subculture so prominently? In real life, what’s the best AJ: “All Night” is basically revenge you’ve gotten on an about expressing yourself. ex? And with vogueists, it’s AJ: The whole “I Love It” all about expressing song! (Laughs) We didn’t themselves. We asked crash any cars, but just (House of Ninja, a N.Y.for them to actually hear a based voguing troupe) if song that’s about them that they wanted to be in our became a huge worldwide video and they said yes, hit, I would say that’s pretty and then, actually, (we had) good revenge. Also, to see the vogueists that taught the look in their eye when, Madonna to vogue. even though they don’t say That song is about just anything, they know we’re finding your element. It’s all singing about them, that’s about being who you are, very good revenge. and that means if you’re CH: That is very good gay or straight or whatever. revenge! With that video, the people who are in it represent Icona Pop, photo by Fredrik Etoall GC: Was any of the album everything about what that written or created with your song is about, because they gay fans in mind? are doing it 1,000 percent. CH: I don’t think we think about anything or anyone except GC: How did the 1990 documentary Paris is Burning, which what we’re feeling in that exact moment. Our main goal is to make pop music that makes people feel, so in the studio we also focused on ball culture, inspire the video? don’t have any rules – it’s just pure emotions and pure feelings. AJ: It’s so great when you watch them and they’re talking So I don’t think we had anyone specific in mind when we wrote about why they’re doing what they’re doing. I think that’s so it. But performing – and doing White Party and Pride – and beautiful. It was a big inspiration for us and also for the director. seeing the gays adopting our music and understanding it, it GC: What can people expect from your debut? makes us feel so appreciated and very home. It’s so amazing. AJ: It’s definitely an album that’s very honest. It’s what we’ve GC: For the “All Night” video, which celebrates drag-ball been basically going through, so it’s not gonna be all songs culture, you obviously had the gays in mind. How did the video
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From Previous Page “I Love It” comes on. We were that sound like “I Love It” screaming. or “All Night.” Some are more down-tempo, more GC: You had a freak-out heartbreaking songs, and moment? some are party tunes. AJ: Oh yeah. A big one. CH: People are gonna GC: In the spirit of “I Love hear some new sides of It,” what’s one thing you love Icona Pop and get to know about the other? us even more, because on AJ: There are a lot of things this album we let people in. that I love about Caroline, Like Aino said, it’s a very but Caroline’s got one of the honest album and we’re not best senses of humor ever. hiding anything. It’s just She’s hilarious. And a good what we’ve been through storyteller. the last five years. CH: Aww! And Aino is such GC: Is there pressure to a special character and she live up to “I Love It”? gives me so much inspiration. AJ: I wouldn’t say so. The She’s a true artist. most important part is that GC: How often are you two we’re proud of what we do. I mistaken for a lesbian couple? know I am very proud, and AJ: Well, not that often. Icona Pop, photo by Fredrik Etoall I know that Caroline is as (Laughs) I mean, we don’t well. really care what people think. “I Love It” opened so We’re not together, but if people wanna think that, that’s fine. many doors for us. Before “I Love It” there weren’t that many CH: We wish we were. I mean, I wish I were into girls so I people listening to what we were doing because they didn’t know who we were, but now if we release something people could be with Aino. We would have the perfect relationship. actually do listen. AJ: Yeah. Like an old couple. Like an old, happy couple. No drama. I would say we’re like the perfect couple. “I Love It” has been played just about everywhere. Where were you when you first heard the song outside the studio? CH: The first time we heard it was on the radio, which was http://www.gaycalgary.com/a3770 quite an experience. We were in Las Vegas for the first time and one of the promoters wanted to show us the city, so we View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments were in his car driving down the street for the first time and
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Dallas Buyers Club: The Unlikeliest of Love Stories
McConaughey and Leto talk inspirational HIV drama Photos courtesy of Focus Features
By Chris Azzopardi The AIDS crisis reached a devastating peak in the mid ’80s, a time before cocktail therapies were sustaining life. Then, people were diagnosed and dead within days. Ron Woodroof should’ve been. The party boy, who was given just 30 days to live after he contracted HIV in 1986, defied the odds – and, by smuggling anti-viral medications from across the globe into the U.S., helped others do the same. “The hard truth that I could see, and the way I approached it, was him getting HIV is what gave him his purpose in life,” says Matthew McConaughey from the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, still looking slender after dropping 40 pounds to play Woodroof in the critically acclaimed dramedy Dallas Buyers Club. “That’s the first time that he had something that he grabbed ahold to for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day, until he was here no longer. That’s where he found a real identity. That’s where he found a purpose.” Jean-Marc Vallée, director of C.R.A.Z.Y. and The Young Victoria, tells the Texas cowboy’s story in this dramatized adaptation of his inspiring evolution from hard-edged homophobe to unlikely hero – and all from the perspective of a heterosexual man who thought only gay people got HIV. “He doesn’t start off as this crusader for the cause,” McConaughey says. “He’s not waving the flag. If anything, he’s a selfish son of a bitch who’s doing what he can to survive.” To find that fortitude, McConaughey channeled a buddy’s reallife battle with cancer. “He had a lot of similar instincts, fight and
characteristics that Ron had,” he says. “I secretly had some of this based on this guy and the way he was fighting against cancer.” Using a friend to inspire his performance – along with Woodroof’s diary, which the actor considered to be his “Pandora’s box” – McConaughey tapped into Ron’s humanity, says Vallée. “When he portrays a guy who’s racist and homophobic, and then his arc changes slowly but surely without even realizing it – he’s going to become the spokesperson of the gay community he’s been bashing for years and years – that’s what (McConaughey) brought naturally.” As he becomes a crusader for advancements in HIV medicine and the gay community, Woodroof’s journey leads him to Rayon (Jared Leto, who won our hearts in the mid ’90s during his My SoCalled Life stint), an HIV-positive trans woman with just enough spunk to stand up to Woodroof’s narrow-minded machismo. “Rayon is quick to love and fall in love,” Leto says. “She’s full of grace and charm and a huge, open heart, and Ron provides some kind of a father figure. She was shunned by her father at a very young age and, in a lot of ways, Ron provided that father figure, that big brother – and there was a lot of love there.” Vallée shares that sentiment, noting a scene where Woodroof sticks up for Rayon. “This is a love story between two guys,” he says, “and we’re not telling that, and it’s not really about that, but these guys love each other.” He pauses, laughing about the possibility of taking their relationship one or maybe two steps further. “I was asking myself, ‘Should we hint to the audience that maybe they’ll have sex together?’” Leto’s ‘role of a lifetime’
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So how did Jared Leto fare in heels? “I was a bit of a natural, to tell you the truth,” he laughs. “Size 12, baby!” The reason for that, and it’s just now dawning on Leto: This ain’t his first time at the rodeo. “I forgot about this, but there was another project years ago – I forgot what it was for – where I went and auditioned in drag for another film and walked down Fifth Avenue and thought I would have everybody fooled. But nope, nobody was having it.” In Dallas Buyers Club, every time Leto slipped into those heels, he slipped right into Rayon. And he did it often. “Every morning when I showed up on set – it didn’t matter how exhausted I was – I always stepped out of that van, that glorious passenger van, in my heels,” he says. “That was one of the little things that helped me lock into the character.”
The transformation, though, involved more than shoes. “You practice,” he says. “It’s one of the reasons why I was in character for the entire course of shooting, so I could get as much time in her skin as possible. But there was a lot going on. There was the gender. There was the voice. There was the dialect. There were the heels. There was the waxing. There were all kinds of things that made it a really unique experience.” He also had another priority: Embrace her as a sexual being. “Oftentimes, you see this role in a film and it’s a punch line, it’s a bit of a stereotype, and it’s also a safe choice for a lot of people,” he says. “It’s a role that doesn’t have a lot of sexuality. I mean, the character isn’t sexualized. And to me, I thought it was important not to be scared of that part.” And though the heels came easy, his biggest concern was avoiding caricature pitfalls and “representing (her) with dignity and grace.” As a “young creative kid,” Leto was surrounded by a diverse circle – including transgender folks – while living city life in New York and LA. “I think that the people come to these cities to be who they really are, and you certainly come across people of all shapes and sizes and desires (who are) living their dreams as they wish them to be. That’s what’s so great about them.” But before securing the role of Rayon, Leto wanted to dig deeper. To do so, he met with young trans kids to discuss their challenges – and to give him a better understanding of what life looks like for transgender people. He calls that time with these teens “impactful.” “For me, it was important to identify with the desire to get to know oneself – one’s true self – because that’s what identity is really about,” Leto says. “It goes even beyond gender. It’s who are you in your heart, and how do you express who you are? And Rayon was in a process of discovery as well. She was finding out who she really was and certainly wanted to live her life as a woman and identify with that. So, (for me, it was) a really beautiful experience and a role of a lifetime.” Behind the scenes it was as well. Leto recalls dancing and laughing at a bar after the cameras stopped rolling. Was it a gay bar in real life too? “Well, if it wasn’t before, it is now,” he says, laughing. “We certainly had a good time there. It was wild. It was toward the end – I think it was my last day – and I just kind of let loose.” Having minimal time to mingle during the intense 25-day shoot, McConaughey remembers it a little differently: “I gotta tell you, I had blinders on.” But he chuckles when asked how immersed he got with the gays. “Well, pretty immersed in those bars!”
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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Gloria Estefan Lives for Loving You
The Queen of Latin Pop on covers album, being ‘saved’ by gay fans and Broadway musical Gloria Estefan, photos by Jesus Cordero
By Chris Azzopardi You’d be lucky to see Gloria Estefan busting out the conga these days, but that doesn’t mean she’s not keeping on her toes. A spot on Glee last year, a new album, an upcoming Broadway musical, restaurants, hotels – the singer’s busier than ever, she says. We caught up with Estefan to chat about plans for her upcoming autobiographical stage show, being “saved” by gay fans and punking people with Gloria drag queens.
GC: What’s life like now for you compared to what it was in the ’80s? GE: Supposedly I’m leading a quieter life, but I’m busier than I’ve
ever been! (Laughs) In the ’80s, I was on the same cycle: write, go into the studio, record, then go on tour. All I could do was sleep, exercise and sing in the shows. I could do absolutely nothing else. Now, we just do so many other things. Back then we didn’t have two hotels and seven restaurants – all that came later – so in essence, we’re probably busier now than we’ve ever been. Plus: We’re working on that Broadway show. It’s very exciting.
GC: The Broadway musical is inspired by your own life. How did the idea first come to you?
GE: We’ve had many offers through the years to do something like this, so we’ve been working on an idea for a Broadway-type show for over 10 years. You can’t do it on your entire life. We’ve been able to synthesize what part of our story would make a great Broadway show. It’s really on the fast track, and we hope to be done with the book by January. It’s being written by Alex Dinelaris, who just did The Bodyguard in London. He wrote that and he really gets it. I really loved his approach. We’re incorporating the songs (of mine) with a meaning into the storyline, and of course I’ll do some rewrites, some interesting little turns and some new music as well. I love that, because the creative process for me is my favorite part of everything. Also, we’re very excited about finding a young Gloria and Emilio (Estefan, her husband). Whoever plays me already has their work cut out for her! GC: There’s been talk of Jennifer Lopez playing you. How likely is
that?
GE: I don’t know where people get all these rumors, quite honestly. I don’t think J. Lo would wanna do eight shows a week on Broadway. I don’t think that’s high on her list of priorities! (Laughs) But yeah, it’s an iconic role and I would love to find somebody new – a breakout. I honestly think there’s a reality show in the search for them, so we may even do that. It’d be a fun thing to share. After seeing Smash – I used to love that show and I don’t know why it got canceled – it’d be cool to do something like that. GC: You mention writing new music. So despite doing this covers album you just released, The Standards, you must feel like you still have more to say musically? GE: I sure hope so. Music is my life. It’s always been. Your life evolves, your career evolves, and you can’t always be at the top. But I love music,
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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From Previous Page so I might take a step back from the performance angle – and have done that already when my daughter was in school. But now she’s off to college, and so I wanna stay busy as hell!
GC: People used to say you were too American for the Latins and too Latin for the Americans. What did it feel like living between those two worlds? Did you feel like an outsider? GE: Because I’ve lived in this bubble, sometimes you do. Early on, when I was a very little girl, I still remember trying to look for an apartment in Miami – you’re talking 1960 – and there were signs that said “No children, no pets, no Cubans,” and my mom would cry. I would say, “Mommy, what’s happening?” And I could see it. She tried to keep it away from me, but I saw discrimination back then. I’ve led a kind of sheltered experience, and there’s always gonna be bigotry and racism – that’s just the way human beings are. People feel better about themselves if they put somebody else down. They’re always gonna find a group to accomplish that.
GC: Last season, you guest starred as Santana’s mom on Glee. I loved that you were the mother of a lesbian daughter. GE: Me too! I have no qualms about any of that. My son’s already married, but if my daughter were to be gay, to me, it makes no difference. My daughter is the most wonderful human being in the entire world, and all I want her to be is happy and I will love whomever she loves. GC: I wish every parent could say the same. GE: People have a tough time with things they don’t understand. GC: What was your experience on Glee last year? GE: I loved it and I hope that it happens again. They’ve pretty much
gone to a different arc and Naya (Rivera, who plays Santana) has a new girlfriend this season, but I’m a big Ryan Murphy fan – and a “gleek” – so I’m really hoping I get back on. It was wonderful. I got to meet Cory (Monteith, who died earlier this year from an overdose). Poor thing. He was very sweet and so talented, and what a shame. It’s just really a shame because it’s a waste. We lost a lot of great people that way.
GC: What’s the story behind how The Standards came to be?
GE: The idea really goes back 25 years when I did “Conga” on The Johnny Carson Show. I sang “Good Morning Heartache” as the second tune because they wanted us to do a second song but they didn’t want it to be an original because we weren’t that well known. “Conga” was just breaking through. So I sang “Good Morning Heartache” with my piano player. I’ve sung this genre since I was a kid. I grew up listening to all this music with my mom at my home, and then when I could play guitar I would play these songs for my dad and my mom. When I started having a career, I thought one day I would love nothing more than to do an album like this.
GC: How do you put your own spin on songs that have been covered so often already? GE: I literally bought six to seven versions that I was doing – the biggest versions of all the songs – because I wanted to make sure I wasn’t gonna make choices that weren’t mine. I just went inward and focused on the reasons I had chosen the songs and the inspiration for them and just let myself be free. Also, listening to those musicians was a big inspiration. They took me certain places. It was just about bringing the most me I could to the songs. GC: You can’t do an interview with Gloria Estefan for gay press without bringing up the video for “Everlasting Love,” which starred just drag queens. GE: (Laughs) Lemme tell you, baby, that was my favorite video – because they saved me! I was so, so pregnant, and there was no way I could even put my face in there. It was my idea, actually. I go, “Who does me better than my gays?” I mean, I have seen a few of them through the years at different places, and at shows, where they would do different phases of me, and I thought, “Oh god, this would be so cool.” Then I took a couple of them on the road with me. And they would fool people! People would think it was me! (Laughs) GC: At what moment in your career did you know a lot of gay people loved you? GE: We were looking to do a remix of a song called “Dr. Beat” that we had put on our seventh album, which was our fourth Sony album. Someone told us there was a guy in Puerto Rico that was DJing at a gay club there and that he was doing amazing things with our Spanish hits, because we hadn’t had any English hits yet. So the gay clubs were very much onto our music even before the English stuff came out. We knew they were always cutting-edge and Pablo Flores did many remixes for us over the years, from “Conga” to “Rhythm is Gonna Get You” to, more recently, “Hotel Nacional” and “Wepa.” He’s been huge in our lives. GC: Do you keep gay audiences in mind while making music, then? GE: Yes, totally! We knew we had an avenue to really express
ourselves in a whole other genre in the dance market. Now the dance market is really mainstream, but back then people didn’t hear dance remixes unless they were in a club. That was the way it was. It was very much cutting-edge and very much its own genre.
GC: Early last year you made a pit stop at a gay club in Miami to thank your gay fans and introduce your new single at the time, “Hotel Nacional.” What’s it like being in a room full of gay Gloria fans? GE: A blast! They’re the best. The gay community has always been first on all my records and they were the ones who gave my dance music a shot to begin with, so they are an amazing consumer of music, they’re very savvy and they’re always ahead of the curve. They’re very important to me. And I had a lot of fun there! GC: What does it mean to have an audience that’s been so loyal over the last three decades? GE: It’s wonderful. I’m all about family – and my fans are family. The only reason I actually toured was to cement those relationships. It was grueling for me, but so worthwhile to be there on the stage so we could share more than just the music, because for that they could stay at home. I’m very appreciative of that (relationship). I don’t take it for granted.
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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Photography Halloween at the Backlot, Calgary
Hot Mess Halloween at Local 522, Calgary
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Photography
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Fundraising Drag Show at the Texas Lounge, Calgary
ISCCA - Fall in Drag at Cowboys Nightclub, Calgary
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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Photography ISCWR at Fruitloop, Edmonton
ISCWR - Rocky Horror at Evolution Nightclub, Edmonton
photos by Cheryl Patricia and Sabina
photos by Cheryl Patricia and Sabin
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News Releases Stonewall national bus campaign hits the streets http://www.gaycalgary.com/n961
Earls Kitchen + Bar Launches Brunch - Weekends and Holiday Monday’s http://www.gaycalgary.com/n980
NEWS: Just 24 Hours To Save Cameroon’s LGBT Community http://www.gaycalgary.com/n962
COLUMN: Painless Pleasure http://www.gaycalgary.com/n981
Why Don’t We Come Out? http://www.gaycalgary.com/n963 NEWS: World’s Largest Pasta Firm In Hot Water ‘Won’t Include Gay In Our Ads’ http://www.gaycalgary.com/n964
COLUMN: 7 Ways To Be A Crap Boyfriend http://www.gaycalgary.com/n983 The New GRINDR: Zero Feet Away http://www.gaycalgary.com/n984
FEATURE: X Factor UK’s Sam Callahan Naked http://www.gaycalgary.com/n966
MOVIE REVIEW: Leave It On The Floor http://www.gaycalgary.com/n985
INTERVIEW: Laverne Cox from the Netflix series Orange Is The New Black http://www.gaycalgary.com/n967
Five Reasons Why Madonna’s Justify My Love Video Is a Masterpiece http://www.gaycalgary.com/n986
INTERVIEW: Coming Out To The Kids – Paul’s Story http://www.gaycalgary.com/n968
NEWS: Kuwait Plans Medical Test To Ensure No Gay People Enter The Country http://www.gaycalgary.com/n987
Indie artist Craymo releases anti-bullying song/suicide prevention awareness http://www.gaycalgary.com/n970 PEREZ HILTON: On Guys With iPhones http://www.gaycalgary.com/n971 TRAVEL: 5 Best Gay Scenes in Europe http://www.gaycalgary.com/n972 OPINION: Are Lesbians More Accepted Than Gay Men http://www.gaycalgary.com/n973
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OPINION: Fair Play http://www.gaycalgary.com/n982
Lovely Faggot – A film for the International Coming Out Day 2013 http://www.gaycalgary.com/n988 BOOK REVIEW: Hombres by Joan Crisol http://www.gaycalgary.com/n989 MUSIC: ABBA Release Ring Ring Deluxe Album http://www.gaycalgary.com/n991
NEWS: Britney’s Back B*tch http://www.gaycalgary.com/n974
NEWS: Heartbreaking Video About Unmarried Gay Couple Made Into Feature Film http://www.gaycalgary.com/n992
INTERVIEW: Michael Sheen, Masters Of Sex http://www.gaycalgary.com/n975
NEWS: Turkish Cypriots To Repeal Gay Ban By Christmas http://www.gaycalgary.com/n993
Pennsylvania Governor Compares Marriage Equality To Marriage Between Brother and Sister http://www.gaycalgary.com/n976
FEATURE: 10 Celebs Who Came Out In 2013 http://www.gaycalgary.com/n994
OPINION: Olympic Shame http://www.gaycalgary.com/n977
THE DILEMMAS: Should We Have An Open Relationship http://www.gaycalgary.com/n995
NEWS: NSFW - Your iPhone Can Be Unlocked With Your Penis http://www.gaycalgary.com/n978
Airline Apologises For ‘I Am Gay’ Sticker On Passenger’s Bag http://www.gaycalgary.com/n996
WILDBEAR: For The Wild At Heart http://www.gaycalgary.com/n979
NEWS: Protestors Condemn AntiGay President Of Gambia http://www.gaycalgary.com/n997
GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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News Releases BOOK: Denial, Deceit, Discovery http://www.gaycalgary.com/n999
We’re Conflicted, Gordon Ramsay Shows Of Muscly Bod http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1022
OPINION: Coming Out: You Say A Hill, I Say A Mountain http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1000
INTERVIEW: David W. Ross http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1023
FEATURE: Becoming Body Confident http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1003
MOVIE REVIEW: I Do http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1024
GUILTY PLEASURES: The Shameless Gay Selfie http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1004
Throwing Shade At Johnny Weir’s ‘You have to respect the culture’ Comments http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1025
BOOK REVIEW: It’s Okay To Be Gay, Edited by Alison Stokes http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1005
Could Neil Patrick Harris And Family Be Anymore Perfect http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1026
OPINION: Coming Out – We Can Do Without http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1006
CHRIS BROWN: Arrested http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1027
INTERVIEW: RuPaul http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1007
Book Review: Young Digby Swank http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1030
COLUMN: Some Days http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1008
MOVIE REVIEW: Bridegroom http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1031
OPINION: Lesbian Movies are NOT All Porn http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1010
HALLOWEEN: 8 Of The Gayest Halloween Costumes We Could Find http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1034
NEWS: Kelly Clarkson Quashes Lesbian Rumours By Marrying A Man http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1013
MEN: Do You Steal Your Girlfriends Concealer Or Hide A Stash Of Cosmetics? http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1035
NEWS: Police Scotland Ask For Condom Ban In Edinburgh Saunas http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1014
NSFW - Andrew Christian Releases New Video: Twerk Off http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1036
NEWS: Gay Actor Over Looked For 50 Shades Of Grey Role http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1015
Miley Cyrus Gets Halloweenie http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1037
NSFW: Olympic Pole Vaulter Shows Us His Pole http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1016
9 Of The Worst Halloween Costumes Fails http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1038
FOOD & DRINK: Halloween Treats http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1017
NSFW: Gregg Homme New Video Shake the Snake, STARRING... A Lonely Cowboy http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1039
GERI HALLIWELL: Tweets Saucy Pic From ‘Half Of Me’ Promo http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1018
NSFW - Andrew Christian Releases New Halloween-Themed Video: #SUCK http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1041
GUINEVERE TURNER: Needs You To Make Next Gay Movie http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1019
News: Christmas Carol De Gayed On ‘Fun’ Sweater http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1043
TOM HARDY: To Play Elton In Rocket Man Movie http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1020 Memoir I Rise By Transgender Author Toni Newman Available In Leather Hardcopy For Christmas http://www.gaycalgary.com/n1021 www.gaycalgary.com
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Floyd Visser is known to many in the community due to his role as the Executive Director of the SHARP Foundation. He is often seen at fundraisers that benefit SHARP and Beswick House. Floyd has a strong interest in design, and a love for working with people. He started off as an architect because he loved the aspect of building environments for people, before he worked at SAIT for 15 years as a career counselor where he helped people discover their aptitudes. He was hired as a consultant for SHARP Foundation in 2004, and has worked there ever since.
He feels this position brings many of his interests together, and it is plain to see how passionate he is about it. Floyd has been together with his partner Tim for 17 years. He feels blessed to have such a strong network of friends and family, and enjoys spending time with them. He also enjoys arts and culture, cooking, and keeping active (although he classifies himself as a fair-weather athlete). And of course, he still dabbles a bit in design and architecture.
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Directory & Events 24
DOWNTOWN CALGARY
41 37 34
2 33
35
36
3 1 60
5 6
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1 2 3 5
Calgary Outlink---------- Community Groups Aids Calgary------------- Community Groups Backlot------------------------Bars and Clubs Texas Lounge-----------------Bars and Clubs
6 Goliath’s--------------------------Bathhouses 13 Westways Guest House-----Accommodations 16 Priape Calgary----------------- Retail Stores 24 Courtney Aarbo-----------------------Services
FIND OUT!
Twisted Element--------------Bars and Clubs Vertigo Mystery Theatre------------- Theatre One Yellow Rabbit-------------------- Theatre ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects-------- Theatre
CALGARY
LGBT Community Directory GayCalgary Magazine is the go-to source for information about Alberta LGBT businesses and community groups—the most extensive and accurate resource of its kind! This print supplement contains a subset of active community groups and venues, with premium business listings of paid advertisers.
✰....... Find our Magazine Here
33 34 35 36
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Spot something inaccurate or outdated? Want your business or organization listed? We welcome you to contact us!
403-543-6960 1-888-543-6960 magazine@gaycalgary.com
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Accommodations 13 Westways Guest House------------------- ✰ 216 - 25th Avenue SW 403-229-1758 1-866-846-7038 westways@shaw.ca www.gaywestways.com
Bars & Clubs 3 Backlot---------------------------------- ✰ 403-265-5211 Open 7 days a week, 2pm-close
209 - 10th Ave SW
60 Cowboys Nightclub------------------------ 421 12th Avenue SE 5 Texas Lounge------------------------------ ✰ 308 - 17 Ave SW 403-229-0911 www.goliaths.ca Open 7 days a week, 11am-close 33 Twisted Element--------------------------- ✰ 1006 - 11th Ave SW 403-802-0230 www.twistedelement.ca Dance Club and Lounge.
East Village Cafe (CLOSED)
2nd floor, 610 - 8 Avenue SE
Calgary Eagle Inc. (CLOSED)
Local Bars, Restaurants, and Accommodations info on the go!
424a - 8th Ave SE
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1140 10th Ave SW
Club Sapien (CLOSED)
Browse our complete directory of over 650 gay-frieindly listings! www.gaycalgary.com
37 41 58 60
Pumphouse Theatre----------------- Theatre La Fleur------------------------- Retail Stores Theatre Junction--------------------- Theatre Cowboys Nightclub-----------Bars and Clubs FAB (CLOSED)
1742 - 10th Ave SW
Bathhouses/Saunas 6 Goliaths------------------------------------ ✰ 308 - 17 Ave SW 403-229-0911 www.goliaths.ca Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Community Groups 2 AIDS Calgary-------------------------- 110, 1603 10th Avenue SW 403-508-2500 info@aidscalgary.org www.aidscalgary.org
✰
Alberta Society for Kink
403-398-9968 albetasocietyforkink@hotmail.com http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/ group.albertasocietyforkink
Apollo Calgary - Friends in Sports
www.apollocalgary.com www.myapollo.com A volunteer operated, non-profit organization serving primarily members of the LGBT communities but open to all members of all communities. Primary focus is to provide members with well-organized and fun sporting events and other activities.
• Western Cup 31
www.westerncup.com
• Badminton (Absolutely Smashing) 6020 - 4 Avenue NE badminton@apollocalgary.com
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Directory & Events Calgary Events
Pool Night----------------------------- Evening
Heading Out----------------------- 8pm-10pm
Drag Show------------------------------- 10pm
Wing Night------------------------------ 5-8pm
Alcoholics Anonymous-------------------- 8pm
Saturday, November 23rd
At 59 East Village Cafe with
Mondays
Buddy Night------------------------- 6pm-6am At 6 Goliaths
ASK Meet and Greet---------------- 7-9:30pm Bonasera (1204 Edmonton Tr. NE)
Inside Out Youth Group---------------- 7-9pm
Prime Timers Calgary
At 59 East Village Cafe
Student Night------------------------ 6pm-6am
Lesbian Seniors--------------------------- 2pm Kerby Center, Sunshine Room 1133 7th Ave SW
3rd
Student Night------------------------ 6pm-6am
Uniform Night----------------------- 6pm-6am
At 6 Goliaths
At 6 Goliaths
Between Men--------------------------- 7-9pm
Lesbian Meetup Group------------- 7:30-9pm
Karaoke------------------------- 8pm-12:30am
Alcoholics Anonymous-------------------- 8pm
See 1 Calgary Outlink
2nd, 4th
At 5 Texas Lounge
Fetish Slosh---------------------------- Evening At 3 Backlot
2nd
Alcoholics Anonymous-------------------- 8pm Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW
At 1 Calgary Outlink
1st
Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW
Deer Park United Church
Worship------------------------------ 10:30am Scarboro United Church
Karaoke----------------------------------- 7pm
Worship Services------------------------- 11am
At 3 Backlot
See
Fridays
Church Service---------------------------- 4pm
Illusions------------------------------- 7-10pm
Communion Service----------------- 12:10pm
Womynspace---------------------------- 7-9pm See 1 Calgary Outlink
1st
2nd
New Directions-------------------------- 7-9pm See 1 Calgary Outlink
3rd
See
Hillhurst United Church Knox United Church
Rainbow Community Church
Flashlight Night--------------------- 6pm-6am At 6 Goliaths
Platoon FX, 1351 Aviation Park NE bootcamp@apollocalgary.com
• Bowling (Rainbow Riders League)
• Squash
• Curling
• Volleyball (Beach)
golf@apollocalgary.com
• Lawn Bowling
lawnbowling@apollocalgary.com
• Outdoor Pursuits
outdoorpursuits@apollocalgary.com If it’s done outdoors, we do it. Volunteer led events all summer and winter. Hiking, camping, biking, skiing, snow shoeing, etc. Sign up at myapollo.org to get updates on the sport you like. We’re always looking for people to lead events.
• Running (Calgary Frontrunners)
YMCA Eau Claire (4th St, 1st Ave SW) calgaryfrontrunners@shaw.ca East Doors (directly off the Bow river pathway). Distances vary from 8 km - 15 km. Runners from 6 minutes/mile to 9+ minute miles.
• Slow Pitch
By 2 AIDS Calgary Scarboro United Church (134 Scarboro Ave SW) Saturday, December 7th
Season of Light-------------------------------8pm By Calgary Men’s Chorus Temple B’Nai Tikvah (900 47th Ave SW) Saturday, December 14th
Feast’n Friar----------------------------------5pm
Calgary Sexual Health Centre---------
beachvb@apollocalgary.com
• Volleyball (Competitive) • Volleyball (Recreational) recvb@apollocalgary.com
• Yoga
• Peer Support and Crisis Line
Robin: 403-618-9642 yoga@apollocalgary.com
Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA)
www.argra.org
Arrata Opera Centre (1315 - 7 Street SW)
Calgary Gay Fathers
calgaryfathers@hotmail.com http://www.calgarygayfathers.ca Peer support group for gay, bisexual and questioning fathers. Meeting twice a month. http://www.calgarymenschorus.org
✰
1 Calgary Outlink---------------------------- ✰ Old Y Centre (303 – 223, 12 Ave SW) 403-234-8973 info@calgaryoutlink.ca http://www.calgaryoutlink.com
vb@apollocalgary.com
• Monthly Dances--------------------------
• DVD Resource Library
304, 301 14th Street NW 403-283-5580 http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca A pro-choice organization that believes all people have the right and ability to make their own choices regarding their sexual and reproductive health.
✰
1-877-OUT-IS-OK (1-877-688-4765) Front-line help service for GLBT individuals and their family and friends, or anyone questioning their sexuality.
• Calgary Lesbian Ladies Meet up Group • Between Men and Between Men Online • Heading Out • Illusions Calgary • Inside Out • New Directions • Womynspace Calgary Queer Book Club
Weeds Cafe (1903 20 Ave NW)
Deer Park United Church/Wholeness Centre
77 Deerpoint Road SE http://www.dpuc.ca
403-278-8263
Different Strokes
http://www.differentstrokescalgary.org
FairyTales Presentation Society
403-244-1956 http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com Alberta Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.
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United Voices-----------------------------7:30pm
At 3 Backlot
Temple B’Nai Tikvah, 900 - 47 Avenue SW
tennis@apollocalgary.com
Calgary Men’s Chorus
slow.pitch@apollocalgary.com
At 3 Backlot
Art & Music Show------------------------- 7pm
• Rehearsals
Mount Royal University Recreation squash@apollocalgary.com All skill levels welcome.
• Tennis
• Golf
World AIDS Day------------------------------7pm
Legend: = Monthly Reoccurrance, = Date (Range/Future), = Sponsored Event
Let’s Bowl (2916 5th Avenue NE) bowling@apollocalgary.com
North Hill Curling Club (1201 - 2 Street NW) curling@apollocalgary.com
Saturday, November 30th
By ARGRA The Blind Monk (918 12 Ave SW)
Saturday, November 16th
Calgary Contd. • Boot Camp
At 6 Goliaths and 5 Texas Lounge
Worship Time---------------------------- 10am
See
Tuesday, November 26th
26th Anniversary Party------------------- All Day
Sundays
Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW
See 1 Calgary Outlink
Knox United Church
Alcoholics Anonymous-------------------- 8pm
See
Sunday, November 24th
We Are Diverse-City--------------- 6pm-12am By 2 AIDS Calgary/HEAT Aratta Opera House (1315 7 St SW)
Sunday Services--------------------- 10:45am
Wednesdays See
By Prime Timers Calgary Midtown Co-op (1130 - 11th Ave SW)
See
ISCCA at 3 Backlot (upstairs)
At 3 Backlot
Coffee------------------------------------ 10am
Old Y Centre (223 12th Ave SW)
By
Crowns for Kids
Mosaic Youth Group-------------------- 7-9pm
Tuesdays 1st
Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW Saturdays
Thursdays
See 1 Calgary Outlink
4th
At 6 Goliaths
See 1 Calgary Outlink
Calgary Networking Club-------------- 5-7pm
See 1 Calgary Outlink
GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
Over a hundred titles to choose from. Annual membership is $10.
Gay Friends in Calgary
http://www.gayfriendsincalgary.ca Organizes and hosts social activities catered to the LGBT people and friends.
Girl Friends
girlfriends@shaw.ca members.shaw.ca/girlfriends
Girlsgroove
http://www.girlsgroove.ca
Hillhurst United Church
1227 Kensington Close NW (403) 283-1539 office@hillhurstunited.com www.hillhurstunited.com
HIV Peer Support Group
403-230-5832 hivpeergroup@yahoo.ca
ISCCA Social Association
http://www.iscca.ca Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch. Charity fundraising group..
Knox United Church
506 - 4th Street SW 403-269-8382 http://www.knoxunited.ab.ca 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.
Lesbian Meetup Group
http://www.meetup.com/CalgaryLesbian Monthly events planned for Queer women over 18+ such as book clubs, games nights, movie nights, dinners out, and volunteering events.
Miscellaneous Youth Network
http://www.miscyouth.com
www.gaycalgary.com
Directory & Events Calgary Contd. • Fake Mustache • Mosaic Youth Group
Adult Depot-----------------------------
The Old Y Centre (223 12th Ave SW) For queer and trans youth and their allies. mystiquesocialclub@yahoo.com Mystique is primarily a Lesbian group for women 30 and up but all are welcome.
• Coffee Night
NETWORKS
networkscalgary@gmail.com A social, cultural, and service organization for the mature minded and “Plus 40” LGBT individuals seeking to meet others at age-appropriate activities within a positive, safe environment.
Parents for Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
Sean: 403-695-5791 http://www.pflagcanada.ca A registered charitable organization that provides support, education and resources to parents, families and individuals who have questions or concerns about sexual orientation or gender identity.
Positive Space Committee
4825 Mount Royal Gate SW 403-440-6383 http://www.mtroyal.ca/positivespace Works to raise awareness and challenge the patterns of silence that continue to marginalize LGBTTQ individuals.
Pride Calgary Planning Committee
www.pridecalgary.ca
Primetimers Calgary
primetimerscalgary@gmail.com http://www.primetimerscalgary.com Designed to foster social interaction for its members through a variety of social, educational and recreational activities. Open to all gay and bisexual men of any age, respects whatever degree of anonymity that each member desires.
Queers on Campus---------------------
✰
• Coffee Night
2nd Cup, Kensington
Safety Under the Rainbow
www.sutr.ca A collaborative effort dedicated to building capacity and acting as a voice for the LGBTQ community, service providers, organizations and the community at large to address violence. For same-sex domestic violence information, resources and a link to our survey please see our website.
Scarboro United Church
134 Scarboro Avenue SW 403-244-1161 www.scarborounited.ab.ca An affirming congregation—the full inclusion of LGBT people is essential to our mission and purpose.
Sharp Foundation
403-272-2912 sharpfoundation@nucleus.com http://www.thesharpfoundation.com
Unity Bowling
Let’s Bowl (2916 - 5th Ave NE) sundayunity@live.com
Wild Rose United Church
1317-1st Street NW
Restaurants East Village Cafe (CLOSED)
2nd floor, 610 - 8 Avenue SE
www.gaycalgary.com
✰
• Safeworks Van
403-850-3755 Sat-Thu: 8pm-12am, Fri: 4pm-12am
41 La Fleur------------------------------------ 103 - 100 7th Avenue SW 403-266-1707 Florist and Flower Shop. 305 10th Street NW http://www.thenakedleaf.ca Organic teas and tea ware.
36 ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects 403-294-7402 http://www.ATPlive.com
403-283-3555
AXIS Contemporary Art--------------------
107, 100 - 7 Ave SW rob@axisart.ca
16 Priape Calgary------------------------- ✰ 1322 - 17 Ave SW 403-215-1800 http://www.priape.com Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear, movies and magazines. Gifts.
Fairytales
Services & Products Calgary Civil Marriage Centre
403-246-4134 (Rork Hilford) MarriageCommissioner@shaw.ca Marriage Commissioner for Alberta (aka Justice of the Peace - JP), Marriage Officiant, Commissioner for Oaths.
Cruiseline
7-104 Dept. of Educational Policy Studies Faculty of Education, University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G5 http://www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca
35 One Yellow Rabbit------------------------- Big Secret Theatre - EPCOR CENTRE 403-299-8888 www.oyr.org
http://www.edmontonpride.ca
37 Pumphouse Theatre------------------ 2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW 403-263-0079 http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca
✰
Stagewest-------------------------------
✰
58 Theatre Junction---------------------- Theatre Junction GRAND, 608 1st St. SW 403-205-2922 info@theatrejunction.com http://www.theatrejunction.com
EDMONTON
810 Edmonton Trail NE 403-290-1973 Cuts, Colour, Hilights.
Ellen Embury
Hardline
Calgary: 403-770-0776 Edmonton: 780-665-6666 Other Cities: 1-877-628-9696 http://www.hardlinechat.com Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY.
Lorne Doucette (CIR Realtors)
403-461-9195 http://www.lornedoucette.com
MFM Communications
403-543-6970 1-877-543-6970 http://www.mfmcommunications.com Web site hosting and development. Computer hardware and software.
Bars & Clubs 6 Buddy’s Nite Club------------------------- ✰ 11725 Jasper Ave 780-488-6636
Evolution Wonder Lounge
10220 - 103 St http://www.yourgaybar.com
FLASH (CLOSED)
10018 105 Street flashnightclub@hotmail.com
Hooliganz Pub (CLOSED)
10704 124 St NW
13 UpStares Ultralounge 4th Floor, Jasper Ave and 107th Street 12 Woody’s------------------------------------ ✰ 11725 Jasper Ave 780-488-6557
Bathhouses/Saunas 11 Steamworks------------------------------- ✰ 11745 Jasper Ave 780-451-5554 http://www.steamworksedmonton.com
Community Groups
• Centre of Hope
Room 201, 420 - 9th Ave SE 403-410-1180 Mon-Fri: 1pm-5pm
780-938-2941
10242 106th St
Free and confidential HIV/AIDS and STI testing. Room 117, 423 - 4th Ave SE 403-699-8216 Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm, Sat: 12:15pm-3:15pm
780-424-0077
The Junction (CLOSED)
SafeWorks
• Calgary Drop-in Centre
✰
34 Vertigo Mystery Theatre------------------ 161, 115 - 9 Ave SE 403-221-3708 http://www.vertigomysterytheatre.com
DevaDave Salon & Boutique
403-750-1128 www.DBBlaw.com Fellow, American Academy of Reproductive Technology Attorneys
Buck Naked Boys Club
780-471-6993 http://www.bucknakedboys.ca Naturism club for men—being social while everyone is naked, and it does not include sexual activity. Participants do not need to be gay, only male.
Bow Trail and 37th St. SW 403-249-7799 www.jubilations.ca
727 - 42 Avenue SE 403-243-6642 http://www.stagewestcalgary.com
24 Courtney Aarbo (Barristers & Solicitors) 1138 Kensington Road NW 403-571-5120 http://www.courtneyaarbo.ca GLBT legal services.
Howard McBride Chapel of Chimes 10179 - 108 Street bookworm@teamedmonton.ca
Camp fYrefly
Jubilations Dinner Theatre
Best Health
Calgary: 403-777-9494 Edmonton: 780-413-7122 Other Cities: 1-877-882-2010 http://www.cruiseline.ca Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY.
403-262-3356 www.axisart.ca
See Calgary - Community Groups.
206A 2525 Woodview Dr SW 403-281-5582 besthealthcalgary@hotmail.com http://www.besthealthcalgary.com
AltView Foundation
#44, 48 Brentwood Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB 403-398-9968 info@altview.ca www.altview.ca For gender variant and sexual minorities.
Book Worm’s Book Club
Theatre & Fine Arts
The Naked Leaf----------------------------
Good Earth Cafe (1502 - 11th Street SW)
279R Student Union Club Spaces, U of C 403-220-6394 http://www.ucalgary.ca/~glass Formerly GLASS - Gay/Lesbian Association of Students and Staff.
1213 - 4th Str SW 403-955-6014 Sat-Thu: 4:15pm-7:45pm, Fri: Closed
140, 58th Ave SW 403-258-2777 Gay, bi, straight video rentals and sex toys.
Mystique
403-797-6564
• Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre
Retail Stores
Alberta Bears
www.beefbearbash.com
Edmonton Pride Festival Society (EPFS) Edmonton Prime Timers
edmontonpt@yahoo.ca www.primetimersww.org/edmonton Group of older gay men and their admirers who come from diverse backgrounds but have common social interests. Affiliated with Prime Timers World Wide.
Edmonton Rainbow Business Association
3379, 11215 Jasper Ave 780-429-5014 http://www.edmontonrba.org Primary focus is the provision of networking opportunities for LGBT owned or operated and LGBT-friendly businesses in the Edmonton region.
Edmonton Illusions Social Club
5 The Junction 780-387-3343 groups.yahoo.com/group/edmonton_illusions 4 Edmonton STD 11111 Jasper Ave
Edmonton Vocal Minority
780-479-2038 www.evmchoir.com
sing@evmchoir.com
GLBTQ Sage Bowling Club
780-474-8240
tuff@shaw.ca
HIV Network Of Edmonton Society----
✰
9702 111 Ave NW 780-488-5742 www.hivedmonton.com Provides healthy sexuality education for Edmonton’s LGBT community and support for those infected or affected by HIV.
InQueeries
inqueeries@gmail.com Student-run GLBTQ Alliance at MacEwan University.
Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose
http://www.iscwr.ca
Living Positive Society of Alberta
#50, 9912 - 106 Street 780-423-3737 http://www.facebook.com/LivingPoz Living Positive through Positive Living.
Men’s Games Nights
Unitarian Church (10804 119th Street) 780-474-8240 tuff@shaw.ca
OUTreach
University of Alberta, basement of SUB outreach@ualberta.ca http://www.ualberta.ca/~outreach Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender/transsexual, Queer, Questioning and Straight-but-not-Narrow student group.
Pride Centre of Edmonton-------------
✰
10608 - 105 Ave 780-488-3234 admin@pridecentreofedmonton.org
GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
57
Directory & Events DOWNTOWN EDMONTON
1
15
N
13 11 6 12
1 Pride Centre of Edm.---- Community Groups 4 Edmonton STD---------- Community Groups
Edmonton Events Boot Camp------------------------------ 7-8pm Team Edmonton
TTIQ------------------------------------- 7-9pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
3rd
HIV Support Group--------------------- 7-9pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
2nd
QH Youth Drop-in---------------------- 3-8pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
Martial Arts--------------------- 7:30-8:30pm Team Edmonton
Swim Practice------------------- 7:30-8:30pm See
12 Woody’s-----------------------Bars and Clubs 13 UpStares Ultralounge--------Bars and Clubs
Counseling---------------------- 5:30-8:30pm
Martial Arts--------------------- 7:30-8:30pm
Knotty Knitters-------------------------- 6-8pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
QH Craft Night-------------------------- 6-8pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
Team Edmonton
See 1 Youth Understanding Youth
See
Fridays
Men’s Games Nights-------------- 7-10:30pm
Monthly Meetings--------------------- 2:30pm
Youth Sports/Recreation----------------- 4pm
Youth Sports/Recreation----------------- 4pm
See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
Thursdays See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See
Youth Understanding Youth
QH Game Night------------------------ 6-8pm See
Team Edmonton
See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
2nd, 4th
Book Club----------------------------- 7:30pm See
See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
BookWorm’s Book Club
3rd
See See
Men’s Games Nights
2nd, Last
Youth Understanding Youth
See
2nd
QH Youth Drop-in------------------ 2-6:30pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
Monthly Meeting---------------------- 2:30pm By Edmonton Primetimers Unitarian Church, 10804 - 119th Street
2nd
Team Edmonton
• Counselling
• Queer HangOUT: Anime Night
Come and watch ALL the anime until your heart is content.
St. Thomas Moore School, 9610 165 Street coedbadminton@teamedmonton.ca New group seeking male & female players.
• TTIQ
• Badminton (Women’s)
• Men Talking with Pride
robwells780@hotmail.com Support & social group for gay & bisexual men to discuss current issues.
• Movie Night
58
Come OUT with your game face on and meet some awesome people through board game fun.
• Queer HangOUT: Craft Night
Come OUT and embrace your creative side in a safe space.
A support and information group for all those who fall under the transgender umbrella and their family or supporters.
• Women’s Social Circle
andrea@pridecentreofedmonton.org Women’s Social Circle: A social support group for all female-identified persons over 18 years of age in the GLBT community - new members are always welcome.
Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton
780-474-8240 tuff@shaw.ca
Team Edmonton
Movie Night is open to everyone! Come over and sit back, relax, and watch a movie with us.
Team Edmonton
Robertson-Wesley United (10209 123 St) Unitarian Church (10804 119th Street) See Edmonton Primetimers
2nd
2nd
Thursday, November 14th Nov17
Friday, November 22nd
BEEF Bearbash----------------------- Evening By Fellowship of Alberta Bears At 15 Evolution Wonderlounge Friday, November 29th
Crowns for Kids--------------------------- 8pm By ISCWR The Locker Room (Ramada Edmonton Hotel)
Legend: = Monthly Reoccurrance, = Date (Range), = Sponsored Event
• Queer HangOUT: Game Night
Come knit and socialize in a safe and accepting environment - all skill levels are welcome.
See
Edmonton Expo Centre, Northlands
Buck Naked Boys Club
http://www.pridecentreofedmonton.org Tue-Fri 12pm-9pm, Sat 2pm-6:30pm We provide a safe, welcoming, and non-judgemental drop-in space, and offer support programs and resources for members of the GLBTQ community and for their families and friends.
• Knotty Knitters
See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
Taboo Show---------------------------- All Day
Saturdays
Naturalist Gettogether
Edmonton Contd.
huges@shaw.ca Support and discussion group for gay men.
Team Edmonton
QH Youth Drop-in---------------------- 3-8pm
Team Edmonton
See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
See
• HIV Support Group
Team Edmonton
Yoga--------------------------------- 2-3:30pm
Bowling----------------------------------- 5pm
780.488.3234 Free, short-term counselling provided by registered counsellors.
See
Soul Outing------------------------------- 7pm
Yoga--------------------------------- 7:30-8pm
Women’s Social Circle------------------ 6-9pm
Youth Sports/Recreation----------------- 4pm
Team Edmonton
Movie Night----------------------------- 6-9pm
Team Edmonton
QH Youth Drop-in---------------------- 3-8pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
See
Ballroom Dancing-------------- 7:30-8:30pm
See
Swim Practice--------------------------- 7-8pm
GLBTQ Sage Bowling Club
Intermediate Volleyball-------- 7:30-9:30pm
Sundays
Running------------------------------ 10-11am
QH Anime Night------------------------ 6-8pm
Cycling--------------------------- 6:30-7:30pm
GLBTQ Bowling------------------ 1:30-3:30pm See
Team Edmonton
Men Talking with Pride---------------- 7-9pm
See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
Wednesdays
See
15 Evolution----------------------Bars and Clubs
QH Youth Drop-in---------------------- 3-8pm
See
Tuesdays
See
6 Buddy’s-----------------------Bars and Clubs 11 Steamworks----------------------Bathhouses
See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton
Mondays See
4
president@teamedmonton.ca http://www.teamedmonton.ca
GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
Members are invited to attend and help determine the board for the next term. If you are interested in running for the board or getting involved in some of the committees, please contact us.
• Bowling (Northern Titans)
• Badminton (Mixed)
• Cross Country Skiing
Oliver School, 10227 - 118 Street 780-465-3620 badminton@teamedmonton.ca Women’s Drop-In Recreational Badminton. $40.00 season or $5.00 per drop in.
•Ballroom Dancing
Foot Notes Dance Studio, 9708-45 Avenue NW Cynthia: 780-469-3281
• Blazin’ Bootcamp
Garneau Elementary School 10925 - 87 Ave bootcamp@teamedmonton.ca
Ed’s Rec Room (West Edmonton Mall) bowling@teamedmonton.ca $15.00 per person. crosscountry@teamedmonton.ca
• Curling with Pride
Granite Curling Club, 8620 107 Street NW curling@teamedmonton.ca
• Cycling (Edmonton Prideriders) Dawson Park, picnic shelter cycling@teamedmonton.ca
• Dragon Boat (Flaming Dragons) dragonboat@teamedmonton.ca
• Golf
golf@teamedmonton.ca
• Gymnastics, Drop-in
Ortona Gymnastics Club, 8755 - 50 Avenue gymnastics@teamedmonton.ca Have the whole gym to yourselves and an instructor to help you achieve your individual goals. Cost is $5.00 per session.
www.gaycalgary.com
Directory & Events Red Deer Events
Lethbridge
Wednesdays
Saturday, November 23rd
LGBT Coffee Night------------------------ 7pm See
CAANS
1st
Entertainment Expo--------------- 10am-7pm Sunday, November 24th
Entertainment Expo--------------- 10am-5pm
Edmonton Contd. • Hockey
hockey@teamedmonton.ca
• Martial Arts
15450 - 105 Ave (daycare entrance) 780-328-6414 kungfu@teamedmonton.ca kickboxing@teamedmonton.ca Drop-ins welcome.
• Outdoor Pursuits
outdoorpursuits@teamedmonton.ca
• Running (Arctic Frontrunners)
Kinsmen Sports Centre running@teamedmonton.ca All genders and levels of runners and walkers are invited to join this free activity.
• Slo Pitch
Parkallen Field, 111 st and 68 ave slo-pitch@teamedmonton.ca Season fee is $30.00 per person. $10 discount for players from the 2008 season.
• Snowballs V
January 27-29, 2012 snowballs@teamedmonton.ca Skiing and Snowboarding Weekend.
• Soccer
soccer@teamedmonton.ca
• Spin
MacEwan Centre for Sport and Wellness 109 St. and 104 Ave Wednesdays, 5:45-6:45pm Season has ended. spin@teamedmonton.ca 7 classes, $28.00 per registrant.
• Swimming (Making Waves)
NAIT Pool (11762 - 106 Street) swimming@teamedmonton.ca http://www.makingwavesswimclub.ca
• Tennis
Kinsmen Sports Centre Sundays, 12pm-3pm tennis@teamedmonton.ca
• Ultimate Frisbee
Sundays Summer Season starts July 12th ultimatefrisbee@teamedmonton.ca E-mail if interested.
• Volleyball, Intermediate
Amiskiwacy Academy (101 Airport Road) volleyball@teamedmonton.ca
• Volleyball, Recreational
Mother Teresa School (9008 - 105 Ave) recvolleyball@teamedmonton.ca
• Women’s Lacrosse
Sharon: 780-461-0017 Pam: 780-436-7374 Open to women 21+, experienced or not, all are welcome. Call for info.
Womonspace
780-482-1794 womonspace@gmail.com http://www.womonspace.ca Women’s social group, but all welcome at events.
Youth Understanding Youth
780-248-1971 www.yuyedm.ca A support and social group for queer youth 12-25.
• Sports and Recreation
Brendan: 780-488-3234 brendan@pridecentreofedmonton.org
Restaurants
BANFF Community Groups Bow Valley Cares Centre
302 Buffalo Street, Banff, AB PO Box 3160, Banff, AB T1L 1C8 403-762-0690 1-877-440-2437 info@aidscalgary.org
LETHBRIDGE
The Junction (Closed)----------------------
10242 106th St
Community Groups
780-756-5667
12 Woody’s------------------------------------ ✰ 11725 Jasper Ave 780-488-6557
Retail Stores Passion Vault
15239 - 111 Ave 780-930-1169 pvault@telus.net “Edmonton’s Classiest Adult Store”
Products & Services Cruiseline
780-413-7122 trial code 3500 http://www.cruiseline.ca Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY.
Robertson-Wesley United Church
10209 - 123 St. NW 780-482-1587 jravenscroft@rwuc.org www.rwuc.org Worship: Sunday mornings at 10:30am People of all sexual orientations welcome. Other LGBT events include a monthly book club and a bi-monthly film night. As a caring spiritual community, we’d love to have you join us!
• Soul OUTing
Second Sunday every month, 7pm An LGBT-focused alternative worship.
• Film Night
Bi-monthly, contact us for exact dates.
GALA/LA
403-308-2893 http://www.galalethbridge.ca Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge and Area.
• Monthly Dances
Henotic (402 - 2 Ave S) Bring your membership card and photo ID.
• Monthly Potluck Dinners
McKillop United Church, 2329 - 15 Ave S GALA/LA will provide the turkey...you bring the rest. Please bring a dish to share that will serve 4-6 people, and your own beverage.
• Support Line
403-308-2893 Monday OR Wednesday, 7pm-11pm Leave a message any other time.
• Friday Mixer
The Mix (green water tower) 103 Mayor Magrath Dr S Every Friday at 10pm
Theatre & Fine Arts
Room C610, University of Lethbridge Betty, 403-381-5260 bneil@chr.ab.ca Every second Wednesday, 3:30pm-5pm
Lethbridge HIV Connection
1206 - 6 Ave S
PFLAG Canada
Exposure Festival
1-888-530-6777 lethbridgeab@pflagcanada.ca www.pflagcanada.ca
The Roxy Theatre
lethbridgepridefest@gmail.com
http://www.exposurefestival.ca Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival. 10708 124th Street, Edmonton AB 780-453-2440 http://www.theatrenetwork.ca
galia@uleth.ca
• Movie Night
Gay Youth Alliance Group
Pride Lethbridge
Community Groups Affirm
Sunnybrook United Church 403-347-6073 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7pm 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!
Central Alberta AIDS Network Society
4611-50 Avenue, Red Deer, AB http://www.caans.org The Central Alberta AIDS Network Society is the local charity responsible for HIV prevention and support in Central Alberta.
LGBTQ Education
LGBTQeducation@hotmail.ca http://LGBTQeducation.webs.com Red Deer (and area) now has a website designed to bring various LGBTQ friendly groups/individuals together for fun, and to promote acceptance in our communities.
Pride on Campus
rdcprideoncampus@gmail.com A group of LGBTQ persons and Allies at Red Deer College.
MEDICINE HAT Community Groups Medicine Hat Cares Centre
Gay & Lesbian Integrity Assoc. (GALIA)
University of Lethbridge GBLTTQQ club on campus.
• Book Club
Monthly, contact us for exact dates.
RED DEER
356 - 2 Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB 403-527-5882 1-877-440-2437 info@aidscalgary.org
• Telephone Support
M-F, 8:30am - 11:30pm
• In-person Support
M-T: 1:30pm - 4:30pm W-F: 8:30am - 4:30pm
ALBERTA Community Groups Alberta Trans Support/Activities Group
http://www.albertatrans.org A nexus for transgendered persons, regardless of where they may be on the continuum.
Theatre & Fine Arts Alberta Ballet
http://www.albertaballet.com Frequent productions in Calgary and Edmonton.
• Yoga
Lion's Breath Yoga Studio (10350-124 Street) yoga@teamedmonton.ca
Continued on Page 61 www.gaycalgary.com
GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
59
Classifieds Event
140
Celebrate Affirming Covenant
Erotic Massage
420
Marriage Ceremonies
Come on down to the Backlot the 2nd Tuesday of every month for a no-cover Fetish party. Upcoming dates are November 13, December 11th, etc. You can dress up in Leather, Latex, cuffs, collars, or just your skivvies. Have the conversation you like without offending a vanilla in sight. The Backlot supports and promotes the alternative lifestyles of Calgary so feel free to express your KINK!
Wedding/Union
Best Erotic Male Massage In Calgary. Studio with free parking. Deep Tissue and Relaxation. Licensed, Professional. Video on website. 403-680-0533 mike@ultimatemalemassage.com
Cleaning
517
GET A LIFE! STOP CLEANING!
It’s not about special treatment. You can’t assume the LGBT person, or the straight person will follow the pack anymore. The LGBT market is becoming more and more aware of what organizations support them, and which ones don’t, ultimately sending them away from businesses and communities that do not recognize them or their lifestyle. Does your staff need LGBT sensitivity training? Want to attract the market but unsure how to proceed? Local, Domestic, International, We can assist. Check us out at http://blueflameventures.ca, Email us at info@blueflameventures.ca, Call us at 604-369-1472. Based in Alberta.
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215
Gay Talent Wanted Beauty & Mayhem Production Agency is are looking for Gay Talent to perform in Adult entertainment Productions. Call Pj @ 403 826 2670 E-mail: pj@beautymayhem.ca www.xxxbmpa.com
Models/Escorts
Rork Hilford MC, Commissioner for Oaths. MarriageCommissioner@shaw.ca | 403246-4134
Mark Massage
Health
McDougall United Church (Edmonton), an Affirming congregation proudly performing same-sex unions or same-sex marriages since 1998. http://www.mcdougallunited.com
Audition
527
Want to attract the LGBT local or traveler to your business?
UltimateMaleMassage.com
McDougall United Church (Edmonton) Affirming Covenant Service-Nov 24, 10:30 am. McDougall United Church is located on 101 Street, south of Jasper Avenue (10025 101 Street). http://www.mcdougallunited.com
The Fetish Slosh at the Backlot!
Consulting
460
Alberta Escort Listings
Relaxation, Therapeutic, Foot Massage, Erotic Massage. Hot Asian Male Age:24 Swimmer Build. YOU’LL KEEP COMING BACK FOR MORE. 403-630-8048 • www.markmassage.ca 12pm to Midnight (24hrs optional) Ladies Welcome
Internet
Does your home or business need a professional cleaner? Steve is bonded/Insured. Flexible prices and brings all his own supplies. Steve is apart of the LGBT Community and has been cleaning for over 5 years in Calgary. getalifecleaner@gmail.com http://www. getalifecleaner.com (403)200-7384 www. facebook.com/getalifecleaner
Clothing/Fashion 445
www.ABS-Hosting.com Make your mark on the Web... Create a blog, register a domain, build you personal website at www.abs-hosting.com
520
Twice Trendy! Used Quality Clothing Most clothing $3! New style? New family? Broke as a joke? We have a great selection of gently used clothing for men, women, children and babies. We also keep a selection of furniture and housewares too! Twice trendy makes it easy to get quality style without destroying your wallet. Come check us out! #14, 3434 - 34 Ave NE.
550
Trinity Best Health Store Vitamins & Minerals, Herbs and Greens, Active Lifestyle, Weight Management, Fitness Nutrition, Natural Bodycare. Located in Woodbine Square 2525 Woodview Drive SW 403-281-5582 | www.besthealthcalgary.com Gay Owned and Operated
Legal
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Same-sex Spouse/Common-Law Sponsorship, LMO/Work Permit, Immigration, Citizenship, Separation/Pre-Nuptial/Co-habitation Agreements, Uncontested Divorces, Accounting, Translations, Commissioner foroaths. Active Professionals. #220, 2705 Centre Street NW Calgary 403-590-3818 • www.activeprofessionals.com
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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Find Out - From Page 59
CANADA Community Groups Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition
P..O. Box 3043, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 3S9 (306) 955-5135 1-800-955-5129 http://www.rainbowhealth.ca
Egale Canada
8 Wellington St E, Third Floor Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1C5 1-888-204-7777 www.egale.ca Egale Canada is the national advocacy and lobby organization for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transidentified people and our families.
www.gaycalgary.com
Products & Services Squirt
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Theatre & Fine Arts Broadway Across Canada
http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca
OUTtv
http://www.outtv.ca GLBT Television Station.
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GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
www.gaycalgary.com
www.gaycalgary.com
GayCalgary Magazine #121, November 2013
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