GayCalgary Magazine - July 2016

JULY 2016

® ISSUE 151 • FREE The Voice of Alberta’s LGBTQ Community

Interview with

ALEXANDER

SKARSGÅRD

Chad Michaels

Returns to Alberta for ILGA Party

Michael Bernard Fitzgerald

Calgary Singer releases new album

PLUS:

Milk • Kristian Bruun Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi ...and more!

Business Directory

Ab Fab stars

Scan to Read on Mobile Devices

Community Map

Calgary • Alberta • Canada

Events Calendar

dish on their gay darlings

Tourist Information

STARTING ON PAGE 59

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GayCalgary Magazine #151, July 2016

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Table of Contents

JULY 2016

Videography Photography Steve Polyak

Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino, B&J Sales Steve Polyak Videography sales@gaycalgary.com Steve Polyak, Rob Diaz-Marino

Legal Council

Courtney Aarbo,Printers Barristers and Solicitors North Hill News/Central Web

General Inquiries ® GayCalgary Magazine Distribution

2136 17th Avenue SW Calgary: Gallant Distribution Calgary,GayCalgary AB, CanadaStaff T2T 0G3 magazine@gaycalgary.com Edmonton: Clark’s Distribution Other: Canada Post

Office Hours: By appointment ONLY Legal403-543-6960 Council Phone: Courtney and Solicitors Toll Aarbo, Free: Barristers 1-888-543-6960 Fax: 403-703-0685 Salesmagazine@gaycalgary.com & General Inquiries E-Mail:

GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine This Month's Cover 2136 17th Avenue SW Main: Alexander Skarsgård, photo by Warner Calgary, AB, Canada Bros. Top Right: Chad Michaels. Mid Right: T2T 0G3 Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, photo by Allison Seto. Bottom Right: By Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Office Hours: appointment ONLY Saunders, photo by Fox Searchlight Phone: 403-543-6960 Toll Free: 1-888-543-6960 Fax: 403-703-0685 E-Mail: magazine@gaycalgary.com

This Month's Cover Cher and Christina Aguilera courtesy of Sony Pictures; Annie Lennox courtesy of Mike Owen; Goudie. of: ProudRexMembers

Proud Members of:

Words from the Publisher

Backwards is finally open, Orlando Shooting, Edmonton and Lethbridge Pride

11 The Love of Michael Bernard Fitzgerald Calgary Singer releases new album, playing Calgary Folk Festival

15 GayCalgary at Lethbridge Pride Drag Race’s Milk… on Ice

16 Queer Eye

Edmonton Pride 2016 - Parade and Street Festival

19 Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi The allied Alberta way

21 Chad Michaels Returns to e Alberta zin

a g a

RuPaul’s Drag Race Superstar Highlights Pure Pride’s Aqua-ILGA After-Party

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23 Discussing Community Safety Orlando, Toronto Pride

PAGE 19

Writers and Contributors

Mercedes Diane Anderson-Minshall, Allen, Chris Azzopardi, DallasDallas Barnes,Barnes, Dave Dave Brousseau, Brousseau, Constable Sam Andy Casselman, Buck, Jason Jason Clevett, Clevett, Steve Andrew Polyak, Collins, Mikey Emily Rox,Collins, Carey Rob Rutherford, Diaz-Marino, Romeo San Janine Vicente, Eva Trotta, and theJack LGBT Fertig, Community Glen Hanson, of Calgary, Joan Hilty, Evan Kayne, Edmonton, Stephen andLock, Alberta.

Neil McMullen, Allan Neuwirth, Steve Polyak, Carey Rutherford, Romeo San Vicente, Ed Sikov, Nick Vivian and Photography the GLBT Community of Calgary, Edmonton, and Steve Polyak, Jeff & Brian Alberta.

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PAGE 13 PAGE 15

Publisher Publisher: & Editor: SteveSteve Polyak Polyak Copy Editor: Editor: RobJanine Diaz-Marino Eva-Trotta Sales: Steve Polyak Design & Layout: Rob Diaz-Marino, Steve Polyak Ara Shimoon

PAGE 11

®

25 Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson His word on gender politics

28 Deep Inside Hollywood

Kristian Nairn, Amandla Stenberg, Tom Ford, Azealia Banks

30 Queer Eye

International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association

PAGE 21

Lethbridge Pride 2016 - Parade and Street Festival

32 Positive Thoughts National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association

Gay European Tourism Association

Good Morning Vietnam

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Table of Contents  Continued From Previous Page ®

35 Forever Fabulous

Magazine Figures

PAGE 25

Over drinks (obvs), Ab Fab stars Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley dish on their gay darlings, drag doubles and being ahead of the queer curve

39 Alexander the Great Ally

True Blood alum on coaching gay sex scenes, his outsider perspective, and Tarzan vs. Farrah Fawcett

44 Kristian Bruun at the Calgary Comic Expo 2016 Orphan Black actor on upcoming twist

PAGE 35

45 7 Hard Truths the LGBT Community Must Address in the Wake of the Orlando Massacre 47 7 Steps to Weaning Yourself Off Social Media for a More Memorable Summer 49 Queer Eye 55 A Couple of Guys

e n zi

56 News Releases 59 Directory and Events

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64 Classified Ads

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Combined total of PDF and ISSUU Downloads/Reads –100,000 copies

Total Readership of PDF/ISSUU/WEB

Readers Per Copy: 4.9 (PMB) Avg. Online Circulation: 310,000 readers Estimated Total Readership: >319,800 readers Frequency: Monthly

Proof of monthly figures are available on request.

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. December 2014/ January 2015 is the last print edition.

February 2015 is the first digital only edition.

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 #151, July 2016

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Editorial

Words from the Publisher

Backwards is finally open, Orlando Shooting, Edmonton and Lethbridge Pride

By Steve Polyak Edmonton Pride Weekend To some great weather, Edmonton Pride was celebrated at the start of June. Though many were present in body, it appeared their hearts and minds were elsewhere; as if they were going through the motions of pride but not embracing it as they would normally. Maybe it was the heat, or maybe it was lack of spending money for drinks and event tickets; or leftover emotions from the Fort McMurray fires. When I spoke to people after all the events had wrapped up, they had noticed the same thing. Take a look on pages 16 and 17 for complete coverage of the event.

Orlando Shooting June witnessed a horrible attack on a gay bar in Orlando, Florida, during which a gunman killed 49 patrons of the bar.

While mainstream media provided constant update, it was pretty much impossible for a local magazine like us to compete with coverage. So, instead, we posted information about the various vigils that were happening throughout the province, and handled phone calls from other local media seeking information about Calgary’s LGBTQ community.

It was nice to see how some members of the community were able to pull things together really fast, like Hot Mess, who was able to set up an event at Flames Central in four days, with

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Wild Rose Brewery as partner. They were able to raise $3275 for the Pulse Victims in Orlando. The owners of Flames Central and the National have been providing space for the LGBT community to host events for quite some time, so it was great to see them step up to the plate and help the victims. I felt that this was a lot more helpful for the affected people than standing on a stage praying, and making empty promises from a distance away.

Unfortunately, the incident cast a spotlight that was needed on LGBTQ bars and community groups. Comments about going out and supporting your local bars and groups was something positive to see but, at the same time, as local LGBTQ media, we are wondering “what about us?”. People forgot that for GayCalgary to exist, we need advertisers. We sponsor just about every Gay Pride that happens in Alberta, plus lots of other events throughout the year – to the point where some months there are more sponsored ads running in the magazine than paid ones.

When you hear that when you support a gay bar or gay business, you support the gay community, just remember you saw that gay bar or gay business’s advertisement in GayCalgary, or their logo appear on a non-profit group website or poster we sponsor. To run an ad in the magazine, the cost is about two cocktails per day. So when you are out there

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 From Previous Page spending your money in gay businesses, maybe remind them to support GayCalgary too. For those who are wondering, yes, we are looking for a part-time commission sales person, so contact us for further details.

Backwards Opening Backwards Nightclub soft opened the same weekend as Lethbridge Pride, so I was not able to attend. Rob and I had, in the past, tried to attend all bar openings and closings, but I knew that they had planned to open softly first to get things sorted out before their grand opening weekend, which is July 22nd to 24th, 2016. Having it after the Calgary Stampede and away from other competing LGBTQ events was a wise decision.

During any free time I had, while covering Lethbridge Pride, I checked on social media to see how it went. As I expected, it was a rocky weekend for them, which is pretty much typical for every gay bar that has opened over the past 15 years. I remember a year after the magazine started, Rob and I were attending a grand opening of a new gay bar. Other than a coat check booth and DJ booth, everything else was pretty much leftovers from the straight bar it used to be, so you would have assumed that it be a cake walk on their first weekend. But it wasn’t; to the point that Rob and I had to put the camera down and actually bus tables because they were short staffed, plus they ran out of change, ran out of alcohol, customers complained about how slow it was to get their drinks, and the list goes on. It took them several months to work out issues from their opening weekend.

But back then, social media was nothing like it is today.

People could not publicly, and instantly, post issues that they had. Instead customers that received bad experience for the first several weekends either just told us directly about the problems, or they gossiped about them with their friends. So the only way to respond to customer feedback was to either write about things in the magazine, explain things while we were out at other events, or wait until the person returns back to the bar. We tried to correct misconceptions and mistakes for several years, but it just became impossible to do so.

At least the owners of Backwards can work with the comments if they are made to their Facebook Fan Page but, at the same time, as I was looking at the comments and ratings, I saw that some of them had been posted months BEFORE they even opened. How is it possible to give a negative rating to a business that had not even opened their doors? But Facebook allows it.

I have been in the bar since it has opened, and the space is amazing and very different from every nightclub that the gay community has had in Calgary. As we have recommended in the past, for all other new gay bars that have opened, give them a chance to work things out – especially if things don’t click for the first couple times are you in the bar. They need time to work things out over the next several months, and other bars in the past have been given the same courtesy when they opened too.

Online Last Month Gay Pride Guest Article Submission

Coming Out Again and Again

We talk about coming out as if it’s something you only do once. In my experience it’s an ongoing part of life.

Sometimes it’s easy, and other times it makes my stomach flutter.... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5132

Creep of the Week Glenn Beck

OK, I’m not trying to alarm anyone, but I think Glenn Beck is planning on molesting kids at Hersheypark (you know, the amusement park where everything is made of chocolate, I’m... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5172

Creep of the Week Louie Gohmert

A few months ago I watched “The Martian” starring Matt Damon as an astronaut who crash lands on Mars and is left for dead. Only he isn’t dead, everybody just thinks... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5175

City & Colour Let Music Do Talking

Dallas Green and Band More Subdued at Saddledome

There has been a lot of change in recent years in the life and career of Dallas Green, the man behind City and Colour.

Prior to his 2013 release The Hurry & The Harm he changed... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5134

Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA) Ceases All Operations

Economic Downturn is the Reason for the Cancellation of the Rodeo and Music Festival in Strathmore After cancelling the upcoming Canadian International Gay Rodeo Association on May 19th, 2016, word has finally come out today on the status on the Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5154

Creep of the Week Tim Wildmon

Happy Pride Month, everybody! Or as right-wingers like to call it, End Times.

As you may know, President Obama has once again issued an official proclamation that June is Pride... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5180

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Creep of the Week Omar Mateen

No one on an FBI watch list should be able to easily buy a gun. No one should be allowed to buy a gun designed for the military to kill as many people as possible as quickly as... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5135

Deep Inside Hollywood Anika Noni Rose, Chaz Bono, The Catch One

Anika Noni Rose presents Shirley Chisholm The odds were always stacked against Shirley Chisholm. She was a woman and she was black, which means that the corridors of political... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5183

Hear Me Out

The Healing Power of Beyoncé’s Lemonade

Everyone has their own theory about Beyoncé’s Lemonade. Is it about her marriage to Jay Z? Her father’s infidelity?

America’s pervasive racism and its wrenching consequence: the... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5184

The last gay bar to open in Calgary was in 2010, and it closed in 2012. It has taken over four years for something else to open in the city, after years of complaints on not having enough gay bars. So I suggest to support this one, because you don’t know how long the wait will be before the next one opens. When Club Sapien closed, there was outrage in the community and disappointment that someone who supported the community did not get the same support to continue operations. You can read about it in “A Visionary with at Heart for his Community: Club Sapien says goodbye” at http://www.gaycalgary.com/ a2726 Lethbridge Pride Since Lethbridge Pride happened two weeks after the shooting in Orlando, the attendance and support for pride felt doubled compared to past years. The street festival and beer gardens were really busy. Lethbridge Pride even the moved the dance to a new venue, which was just about double the size of the previous year’s venue, and it was still not enough space for everyone. The dance tickets were sold out by 8:30pm on the night of the dance. Check out the coverage on pages 30 and 31.

ARGRA Status On the July long weekend, it felt strange not heading out to cover the Canadian Rockies International Rodeo. We found out that, in the end, ARGRA did cease operations. So there will not be any future rodeos put on by the organization. It was sad to hear that ARGRA is gone, but there is not much that anyone can do, and it definitely was not an easy choice for the board to make.

Screen Queen

http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5192 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

Death Becomes Her, How to Be Single, Sisters, Carol, and more

Death Becomes Her Character development, be damned. The archetypes in the Robert Zemeckis-directed commentary on showbiz superficiality and the general vanity of being human... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5185

The OutField

Jeremy Brener’s inspirational high school journey

Growing up in Houston as the son of a multi-sport athlete, it felt natural for Jeremy Brener to play sports. He enjoyed them all, especially soccer and basketball.

He coached younger... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5186

Staging Secrets - Make Your Home Irresistible During Showings

Selling your home is a process, and one vital part of that is making the home look warm, cozy, and inviting. If you’re going to continue living in the home while it’s up for sale,... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5169

Creep of the Week Donald Trump

So much anti-LGBT dumb fuckery has emerged after the shooting of 102 people, of which 49 were killed, by a man with a military-style assault weapon at Pulse, a gay nightclub in... http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5189

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The Love of Michael Bernard Fitzgerald

Calgary Singer releases new album, playing Calgary Folk Festival  photo by Cameron Postforoosh

By Jason Clevett “In case you can’t tell, the whole thing is about a relationship. I have written a lot of love songs before but this album is about love lost. I had to experience a bit of heartbreak,” Michael Bernard Fitzgerald said, sipping a coffee in his favourite local coffee shop. We are chatting about his new album I Wanna Make It With You which was released in March. MBF – as his fans lovingly call him, released the album after the ending of a relationship. “I just started writing about it, It wasn’t intentional but it is where I was at and as an artist I allowed myself to stay there. To the point where your friends are tired of talking about it so we just write about it instead. We started writing - there

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a couple of songs from fall 2014 and we really started writing it in January 2015.”

While there are many songs that are upbeat songs, lyrically they easily resonate with anyone that has suffered through a break up. A song like the hauntingly beautiful Temptation for example is universal in the emotion in which Fitzgerald sings it and the pain that echoes through the chorus.

“Temptation is an interesting tune. That song maybe is one of the only ones that doesn’t have that hope. This Isn’t It and Heart of America are both also so sad for me but the last punctuation is not there. Temptation was one of the songs from 2014 and a few of us in a room wrote that song and there is an amazingly talented writer from Nashville sang on the demo. We had another writer and had to recut the demo and the only reason I sang it was because Emily from Nashville wasn’t there to sing it so it was kind of an accident.

After I sang it I realized I liked it and kept it.”

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Other songs like ABC and Love Or Nothing are lyrically complex. Days before a January concert the singer confessed he was not sure how he was going to play them live.

“Love or Nothing is that one song where I went I have to play this live, what was I thinking? I wrote that one, sometimes you can write a song from real story, or from real emotion.

Sometimes you write a song and it is just plain rhyme and like a fun exercise with words. Love or nothing is like that and the key verses are similar and they are so fast so it’s hard to learn. I have lyrics taped to the monitor for sure.”

The breakup of his relationship inspired not only the album, but a contest. In May Fitzgerald announced he was giving away the engagement and wedding band set and ran a contest looking for people to submit love stories. Hundreds of entries were submitted with the winner to be announced soon. He plans to be involved in the wedding of the winners as well. Something like the contest, giving away free copies of his CD at a concert, or having folk music festival attendees get together to eat pie, speaks to the kind of person he is. His reputation as a genuinely nice guy shows in much of what he does on stage and off.

“It is easy to not be humble and connected. I can lose sight of it here and there. I truly believe when I am at my best and 12

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able to do my best that is the space that I live in. When I drift out of that and am not grateful and humble and cognizant of others the whole thing stops. It is great practice to just stay in that so I am ready to help.”

One way that MBF contributes is by including community in his large scale shows. His sold out album preview show at the Jack Singer Concert Hall in January featured a massive high school choir and a string section.

“Originally (large scale shows) came from us wanting to put on a big show that was epic to see and to hear. We did a show with 26 singers that the University of Lethbridge sponsored us to tour around Alberta. Then we did a show with 56 then 120 then we did the Jubilee with 300 on stage. I felt like this year at the Jack Singer it was way more about community then the other ones. Downstairs we had a seated dinner for 60 then in the show we had all these students in the choir and the string section and it was all their show. Upstairs Monogram Coffee had a café in every dressing room. It was a point where I was completely overwhelmed. It was a long day but you want to meet and spend time with everybody. I love the idea that it becomes everybody’s show which is the only reason we would continue to do that. We have toured the big show and tried to build a cast in each city. It was cool to try it because every night was a totally different group. So we will do that again eventually. For the moment I am just happy to travel with five of us and do a few shows like that as well and sit in one row of the plane.”

To work with kids who seemed absolutely thrilled to be on stage on one of Calgary’s iconic stages is a highlight.

“Both (longtime collaborator) Andrew (Ball) and I recognize that a lot of these musicians, their training is classical and there is a mentality and professionalism which is all great foundations for them to be musicians. There are a lot of them that after High School will stop. The show is a pop show so if they forgot their jacket or music - nobody cares just have fun. I think that experience is great for them. It is great for us to because we get to watch them light up and almost let loose. If they want to dance while they are playing or get up from their chair during the encore and clap and dance, they can because it’s their show.”

A set on the main stage of the Calgary Folk Festival on July 22nd along with small stage collaborative shows on Saturday and Sunday promises to be an unforgettable experience.

He has performed everywhere from peoples living rooms to opening for artists like Jully Black and Michael Franti.

A veteran of festivals including previous local appearances at Virgin Festival, X-Fest and the Folk Fest are a great opportunity to play for fans and soon to become fans.

“The folk festivals are such a captive and wonderful audience. Touring with any artist is fantastic. The house concerts, some of the moments that happen in someone’s living room or kitchen stays with you your whole life. Any time I get to sing a few songs, it has such a cool takeaway.

It is really cool to be at festivals - I remember doing the first Virgin Festival at Fort Calgary. The best way I can put it is any opportunity like that for me is what I enjoy the most. The time I am in front of the microphone I am the most myself.

Sometimes you are singing a song thinking about what you are going to eat later but most times you are mesmerized by the whole process. It is a total joy, playing live is the whole reason that I make music.”

Playing at home is something special. After recording his previous album YES in LA, Fitzgerald recorded I Wanna Make It With You at OCL studios near Langdon.

“YES was the product of meeting producers – Jon Levine and Brian West from Philosopher Kings that I wanted to work with. I would fly down whenever I could to work with them.

We made that record track by track over 3 years. This time around I wanted to work with Josh Gwillam who is one of the main engineers at OCL. He said to me I want to work together again and I have this great space. The whole cast of people there is great. Josh and I recorded together for the first time www.gaycalgary.com

 photo by Allison Seto

in 2006 so it was a no brainer to go out there and work with musicians that I’ve toured with or hung out with and really build a great story piece. They are all fantastically talented but also people you care about and that care about you and that changes it.”

Calgary is home to several artists that have achieved success but still remain here, despite being able to live anywhere. While Michael spends time in Los Angeles and Nashville, Calgary remains home.

“I went to Toronto and had an apartment there the first year I was on a label. We started touring and when the tour was done I was happy to be here. I always try to be objective about it and be in Calgary for the right reasons. I love Calgary.

I love the age of the city, I love that amazing ideas are coming in and there is world class stuff coming from the city. With airplanes and the internet, I don’t know that it really matters where I am. Part of me thinks that whether I lived in LA or here I don’t think it would be any different. As someone who wants to go for a bike ride or a dog walk and one day have kids, this is the place where I would want to do those things.

I think I have made a decision as an individual as much as a musician to be from and be a part of the city.”

With the album out in the world now, Michael Bernard Fitzgerald is busy promoting it. The lead single title track continues to be played on alternative radio. It’s a fantastic album and one that MBF and the entire group involved in its creation is deservedly proud of.

“I am very excited and thankful for the music. We worked really hard putting it together and I feel very proud of it. It is also out, there is no more mystery about it, it is just time

to see the life that it leads which is nerve wracking. I should detach more from it. I have no idea how people will respond or what’s next so it’s cool. Putting it out almost feels like the beginning. A bunch of us put well over a year into it, so now what? It’s like having a baby and we have to figure out how to parent. I am going to tour and support the record as best I can. I will end up starting to break down another bit of music. Usually I don’t write on the road but this time I would like to write a record from the road and see what that encompassed. We released in 2009, 2013 and 2016. I would like to be more prolific with the music we put out just to try that out. Often times you write a record and don’t pick up pen and paper and write again for a while. I do think you have to take a break but it is good to stay in that mindset and continually play with that craft.”

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Michael Bernard Fitzgerald I Wanna Make It With You – Available Now In Concert – Calgary Folk Music Festival – July 21st 2016 http://www.ilovembf.com http://www.gaycalgary.com/a5193 View Bonus Pics/Videos • Share with a Friend • Post Comments

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GayCalgary at Lethbridge Pride

Drag Race’s Milk… on Ice

Watch the video online: http://gaycalgary.com/a5194 

 Milk, photo by Milk

by Carey Rutherford Syracuse-born Milk barely fits onscreen while Publisher Steve discovers that her heels are about the same length as a particular male body part… A decent-sized one.

Milk likes these despite the fact she’s already six foot three, in her naked feet! They discuss the expansion of drag into the areas that Milk and the other RuPaul Drag Racers love from their non-racer lives, and can connect to their drag careers.

Milk also mentions the origins of her stage name, (“Avocado eggrolls!”), as she and Steve continue to discuss the need to push the envelope of drag with the new audience that RuPaul has created. Then, in a twist, Milk states: “Stay tuned! I’ll post it on Twitter one day if I get diagnosed lactose-intolerant.”

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In that respect, if you clean up your hockey arenas with some chic, you may get a chance to see Milk on Ice, first produced in February of this year via New York, and a result of Milk’s original career in figure skating! “We were discussing, What is the next evolution of drag? Because it is very mainstream – not in the straight world – but it is in the gay community. So where do we go from there?. . . I want to elevate the idea of drag and skating together.”

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Photography Edmonton Pride 2016 http://gaycalgary.com/pa1172

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GayCalgary Magazine #151, July 2016

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Photography

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GayCalgary Magazine #151, July 2016

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Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi

The allied Alberta way

 photo by Vanessa Paterson

by Carey Rutherford

“I have never had a pet; I find pets confusing. Except for the time I brought the hamster home, in Grade Six, but then he escaped from his cage, and I spent the entire Sunday night thinking I had killed the classroom’s hamster.” #PetlessNenshi!

His Honour takes the reins: “Maybe I can start off a little generally… In my first year as mayor, right at this time of year – so exactly five years ago – I was asked if I would be the marshal of the Pride Parade. I said Yes! I didn’t even think about it. It’s a big parade.

“When it came time for the actual march, the people in my office were sort of preparing for what kind of a backlash we were going to get for this – first [Calgary] mayor to be in the Pride Parade, and so on.

“Not only did we not get any backlash at all… the most interesting phone call we get in the office… was a person who said ‘I’m calling to see if the mayor’s getting any backlash for being in that Pride Parade’. And the receptionist said ‘No’ and the guy said, ‘I don’t much like the gay agenda’ – whatever that is – ‘but he is the mayor for everybody, and good for him for doing it’. So to me, there is something about living in this place that talks about that opportunity for everyone.

“A good friend of mine just posted online, after Orlando, that despite all of the tragedy in the world, with homophobia and so on, we live in a province where all three orders of government have our back. And I thought that was a very interesting, and a very touching, thing to say.

“For me, I feel that so many big civil rights victories for the LGBT community have occurred in the last little while. It’s happened fast: same-sex marriage is only 10 years old in Canada, and one year old in the U.S. I don’t really know any trans people very deeply; I wish I did. But I do think that the fight for equality and acceptance of trans people is probably the defining issue of our generation, and one that I hope we will actually see happen soon and quickly.”

GC interrupts, describing the mayor as clearly an alien android with plans to overthrow the Earth, because clearly this is not an Albertan politician speaking to a member of the press.

“Here is one of the things about the real Alberta: Ronnie Burkett, the puppeteer, I remember 20 years ago, maybe 30, that he had a puppet character which was an older rural Albertan lady. She was a founder of the Reform Party and spent her time volunteering for AIDS organizations. [GC and Nenshi both laugh] To me, that’s very Albertan, because most everyone here – other than our Indigenous brothers and sisters – has come from somewhere else. To build a barn on the prairie, you didn’t get a barn unless the community built the barn, and I think there is something about Alberta that is very misunderstood by people away from here; which is that we may have our political views, but we also really believe in giving people a fair shake.

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Your faithful GayCalgary craftspeople have done it for you! We’ve answered the burning question on every Calgarian’s mind about our internationally-renowned mayor: pets?

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“It may come out a little more openly now, in public policy, but I think it actually speaks to something that’s really deep about who we are. You know, when I first was elected, a lot of people were very interested – in places all over the world – about how can a Muslim be the mayor? And, in fact, it never, ever mattered during the election. Everyone just said Oh, he’s from Marlborough! We want to know what he wants to do with public transit!

“I think there’s something special about this place, and I’m not just being a Polyanna. We still have Islamophobia and xenophobia; we still have racism; and, of course, we still have homophobia. But the optimistic part of me says, ‘I would much rather be facing those issues and having those conversations here, than just about anyplace else in the world’.

GC brings out one of its formalized mayor questions: Rainbow crosswalks are fine, but what about schools, workplaces and the media – what are some constructive plans you have for our cities?

“The reason that I was so active, and so was Mayor Ivrson by the way, in the debate over Gay/Straight Alliances (GSAs) in schools, was a very simple thing for me. A public school has to accept everyone, and every student at that school has to be safe, everyday, at school. We know that GSAs not only help the students feel safe, but we also know that we have got a group of people that have very high issues of mental health and very high rates of suicide, and that’s LGBTQ teens. So if we know what works to make them feel safe, to make them feel better about themselves and to live their best life, then why the hell aren’t we doing it everywhere? That was really my point: that people require this place of safety, and it’s the government’s role to make sure that people have this safety, so that they have this chance to lead their best possible life. To me, that’s very simple; that’s why we do government.”

GC is a little speechless. Mayor Nenshi to the rescue: “Rainbow crosswalks are also lovely!”

GC brings out another of its formalized mayor questions: With events like Orlando on everyone’s minds and hearts, 20

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do you think it’s possible to learn productively from such an incident?

“That shooting happened on a Saturday night, and on the Sunday we had hundreds of people in Olympic Plaza, and we had all the landmarks of downtown Calgary lit up in rainbows.

It SOUNDS hokey, but that lighting up the city, and having the community gathered all together in that place, spoke to me more volumes than the violence itself. It’s about the reaction that people have, and how we come together.

“The best thing I saw online was something like ‘Oh, you gun activists are going to rue the day this happened, because now you’ve mobilized the LGBTQ community against gun violence.

Because these people of LGBTQ persuasion (using a word that started with ‘Q’) know how to get things (using a different word for ‘things’) done!’”

GC: I guess what strikes us is you’re saying that, with the mobilization that occurred, it’s a few creating a terrible incident which mobilizes the many into realizing who really matters, and where the community is.

“That’s it. It’s about mobilizing, as you say, ‘the many’. I’m very, very aware of my position in life, and the fact that I come from a position of privilege. I’m a straight, cisgender male.”

Here Mayor Nenshi decides to show off his gender politics know-how. For those of us unfamiliar with this newly applied adjective, ‘cisgender’, as defined by dictionary.com, is “a prefix meaning on the same side of, referring to the alignment of one’s gender identity with one’s biological sex assigned at birth.”

Slam-dunk for Naheed!

Referring to the orientation question, Mr. Nenshi continues: “Whenever anyone asks me I say No, but who cares? Unless you’re asking for a date, it doesn’t matter. And I come from that place. But I’m also an ethnic minority, and a religious minority, and I think I understand a little bit about what it means to be a minority, particularly what it means to make sure that everyone in our community has opportunity.

“So to me, that’s the most important part of this work. It’s not just about mobilizing people in the LGBTQ community, it’s also about helping other people be better allies.”

GC clarifies that this writer’s legal blindness perhaps increases my sensitivity to others’ vulnerabilities, and I ask how much Mr. Nenshi thinks his minority background has affected his approach to being mayor.

“I’m not sure I have ever met anybody who doesn’t feel isolated, or an outsider, in one way or another. There might be people who feel the world is at their feet, but I don’t know those people.

“I grew up in a first-generation Canadian family that didn’t have a lot of money, in the working-class part of Calgary. But the community really gave me an enormous opportunity, through many different prisms: excellent public education; public transit so I could explore the city; the public library was always a great place of refuge for me; I learned to swim in a public pool very badly… I should perhaps stop telling that story, as people keep reminding me that I RUN the public pools now.

“The big lesson for me, in that, is that the community was willing to take a chance on me, and help me succeed, and so it’s my job – my requirement in my life – to make sure that I provide that opportunity to other people as well.”

Lastly, GC interrogates the mayor’s office line that Every single person has the opportunity to live a great Canadian life right here.

“It’s where I live, but it’s also something we have got to fight for. Every. Single. Day. It is really, really fragile. And it’s important that good and decent people stand up and have their voices heard every single day.”

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Chad Michaels Returns to Alberta Ru Paul’s Drag Race Superstar Highlights Pure Pride’s Aqua-ILGA After-Party  photo by Jose Guzman Colon

by Dallas Barnes A Pure Pride event is one of your best bets for a fantastic evening, and this year’s event in Edmonton just levelled up.

Chad Michaels, winner of RuPaul’s All Starts Drag Race will be highlighting the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatic Championship After-Party at the Starlite Room on August 13th.

Michaels has carved a name for himself in pop culture history. As runner up of the fourth season of Ru Paul’s Drag Race and winner of Ru Paul’s Drag Race Superstar, Michaels is one of the most successful drag stars to date. For nearly two decades, Michaels has undeniably become the top Cher impersonator in the world, and continues to delight fans while performing with the Dreamgirls Revue in California, as well as touring both nationally and internationally.

GayCalgary had a chance to chat with Michaels about his upcoming visit, some thoughts about our persistence as a community, and his future plans.

GC: Have you ever been to Edmonton?

CM: No! I have visited Calgary twice working for Pure Pride and

GC: What can we expect from your performance at the PURE: AQUAIGLA Closing Party?

CM: I will definitely be bringing Cher with me to Alberta, and possibly a character from my #CosplayJuly Cosplay Photo Series on my Social Media this month. Harley Quinn anyone?

GC: This year has been a challenging year for all of us in the queer community. Events such as the PURE: AQUA-IGLA Closing Party, in my opinion, strengthen our community. What are your thoughts on this year, and our persistence as a community?

CM: Throughout this very difficult year of human suffering, our community has above all shown its strength and ability to love and support in the face of true evil. We are inherently equipped to survive, as we have had to do all our lives, as members of the resilient LGBTQ community.

GC: What is next for you?

CM: I don’t know what’s next; I can’t see the future. I just know I

will fulfill my purpose here and continue to Cher the love. See you all soon!

always love the warm Canadian welcome and the beautiful landscapes.

GC: Can you tell me about your start in drag?

CM: I was always a theatrical child. I started experimenting with drag

IGLA - Pure Pride AQUA Performing, Saturday August 13, 2016

in my late teens and my drag mother pushed me past the point of no return in my early twenties. Cher was not the original plan, but certainly worked out well in the end.

Starlite Room http://www.purepride.ca

GC: Obviously being on Ru Paul’s Drag Race has changed your life.

Can you tell us a bit about that?

CM: Drag Race gives any competitor some amazing exposure and a platform to do with whatever one endeavours to do. I have had the most amazing experiences and opportunities since my appearances on the show, and I’m so grateful to be able to visit and perform for you all in Edmonton!

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Community

Discussing Community Safety Orlando, Toronto Pride

By Constable Andy Buck Hello again everyone. Yet again I have the unfortunate pleasure of speaking with you after some traumatic and difficult situations have taken place in the community.

Firstly, the events in Orlando on June 12th were incredibly sad and disturbing. I remember seeing the news early on Sunday morning and watching as the story unfolded. It is unbelievable that one person could carry out such a hate-filled attack on anyone, let alone a large group of people who were simply out to enjoy themselves and enjoy being themselves. 49 innocent people were killed, and 53 others injured in the deadliest mass shooting and the deadliest incident of violence against the LGBTQ* community in United States history. However, what was equally incredible was the way that everyone came out in support of the community and to remember those lost in the massacre. Despite having been involved in a police event for much of the day, there was no way that I was not going to attend the vigil in Olympic Plaza that night. I stood in awe and amazement at how so many people were able to gather with very little notice to pay their respects and show their love and support. Likewise, I was honoured to be a part of the memorial service to the Orlando victims a few days later, and stood among the many attendees with tears in my eyes listening to the songs and hearing the words spoken by the guests. Again, a tremendous turnout by the community and such impeccable behavior by everyone as you would expect.

I noted with interest some of the reporting of the memorial service, hearing media outlets reporting an increased police presence. Yes, that was true; after all we have a job to do to make sure that any event is safe for everyone. More importantly, there were a large number of officers who were there not because they were paid to be there, but they were there on their own time because they wanted to be there.

They also wanted to be in uniform to demonstrate support.

If they had been there in their street clothes then they would just have become a face in the crowd, but it was important to them to give that visible message of support individually and from our organization to the community. I have no doubt that June 12th will become as infamous a date in history as September 11th.

That brings me to the incident during Toronto Pride on 3rd July. I don’t know if it is my personality, upbringing or professionalism, but I find it difficult to comment on something without having all the facts available. What is known is that the Black Lives Matter Toronto group staged a sit-in which held up the parade for 30 minutes. They obviously felt that they had to bring awareness to an issue or issues, and this was one way that they could achieve that. Could this have been done differently? Maybe, but perhaps then it wouldn’t have been so widely reported.

Were a set of demands made, and subsequently met? I don’t know, I wasn’t there, and I don’t know how accurate the reporting of it all is. Having said that, I know lots of gay police officers and consider myself the biggest ally, and the thought of being in a position where we would not be welcome to participate in the parade is not something I really want to contemplate. I hope that the work that the Calgary Police Service, my Chief’s Advisory Board and I are doing is recognized and appreciated by the community. I really believe that the relationship we are building together is pretty special, but I also know that we have a long way to go. You know that I always welcome the opportunity to meet www.gaycalgary.com

with any of you, to answer your questions and to give you the opportunity to find out what I am really like. Of course, I am not naive enough to believe that everyone is like me, but I can only assist in making positive change if you tell me about any negative interactions that you have with our members. I am completely transparent and it has to be that way in order to gain your trust and to make this work.

If that continues to be the case, I am sure that whatever problems are faced in Toronto will be less of a problem here in Calgary and that you can look forward to seeing Calgary Police Service representation in the Pride parade for many years to come. We cannot forget the past, but together we can change the future.

As always, please look after yourselves and each other, and connect with me if you have any questions, comments or concerns. I look forward to speaking with you all again soon.

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Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson His word on gender politics

 Mayor Don Iveson at Edmonton Pride 2014, photo by GayCalgary

by Carey Rutherford True to GC’s hard-hitting journalistic mandate, we put the same dangerous questions before the Mayor of Edmonton, Don Iveson, as we had his unsuspecting Calgary counterpart: Pets?

“We used to have a dog. We had a border terrier, and I think I would like to have a border terrier again one day.”

Mayor Iveson then decides to tackle the next of our infamous GC formalized mayor questions: What is the vulnerability point, in gender politics, that you would like to address (relatively safely) here?

“Our [city] council, at one time, had gender parity in the early ’90s and, at the time, we had a female mayor. Six male councillors, six female councillors, and a female mayor. So the majority of the council was female in that case. Typically, the UN-sponsored ‘best practice’ goals that most nations and communities are trying to get to, is 30 per cent representation.

Lots of studies suggest that that is the minimum threshold you www.gaycalgary.com

need in order to have critical mass: some safety for (a group) to participate and have their voice sufficiently amplified.

“Right now, in Edmonton, we have one female councillor, 11 male city councillors – and I’m obviously a man – so that means our council certainly does not reflect the diversity of the city.”

Mayor Iveson notes that, while this disparity was also reflected during the election (only 17 per cent of the candidates were female, which is what he describes as “an input challenge”), this has stimulated Edmonton into creating mentorship programs directed towards ‘under 35’ women, trying to encourage participation in municipal politics.

Now on LGBTTQA; Mr. Iveson notes that Edmonton’s municipal scene was pretty progressive in the early ’90s, but that it became “quite grumpy and reactionary”. He claims that mood has changed.

“Issues around LGBT and trans-inclusion have come up in our council a number of times though, interestingly, they have come up. . . most often from our Youth Council. [The youth] have been right out front when it came, particularly,

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to advocacy for Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) safe spaces. Our council took a strong position in support, on their behalf and on behalf of the city [to the province], based on their research and their presentation to us. “[The Youth Council] wanted the city to take a position [on GSAs] as a matter of safety, and there are LGBT youth on the Youth Council, so that’s how the perspective got to council. As for the sexual orientation and diversity on council, I can only make assumptions, and I wouldn’t want to.”

Points for the mayor! DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS! Mr. Iveson also points out the unequivocal stance of his council in GSA advocacy. He disparages the province’s ‘weakkneed’ Bill 11, which left many school boards’ decisions regarding on-site/off-site safe spaces in a regionally uncertain state.

“GSAs were important in every school, regardless of the complexities of that school board’s other governance. . . There was a clash between so-called ‘parental rights’ and the desire of the kids to, through free association and free speech, establish essentially a GSA, in any school in Alberta. “[Our Youth Council] pointed out to us that as many as 50 per cent of the homeless youth in our city identify as LGBT, and the reason they’re homeless is they have been either not welcome at home, or bullied, usually at school.

“But particularly that – if their identity is not supported at home – they need that support at school, and that is where GSAs have been established. It’s had a material impact in reducing the number of suicides among LGBT youth, and also instances of other kinds of dispossession or victimization.

“So I would put us firmly in the allies camp, not knowing if any of our councillors have an LGBT identity.”

GC brings out another of its formalized mayor questions: Given that WWE’s Hitman Hart, musician/actor Cher, Star Trek’s original Lieutenant Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Edmonton Councillor Michael Phair, actor/musician Jack Black, and Alberta icon k.d. lang have also graced GayCalgary’s pages, what do you thing being in our magazine will do for you?

“Well, we don’t generally turn down media interviews just as a matter of democratic accountability, unless somebody’s got 26

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an axe to grind. I was hoping to have an opportunity to talk about some of the positive things that the City of Edmonton is doing in regards, particularly, to gender inclusion and sexual identity inclusion.

“We struck a new advisory committee to council called WAVE, which stands for Women’s Advocacy Voice of Edmonton, which is a committee of about a dozen women from various walks of life in Edmonton: absolutely extraordinary leaders – from students to senior professionals, academics, policy experts, artists and writers. A fantastic cross-section of women who lead in Edmonton, and that group has provided input to us on a variety of different policy decisions.”

Mayor Iveson notes, as an example, one of their recommendations: the emergency assistance buttons on transit trains used to say ‘Penalty for Misuse’. WAVE noted this suggests you should almost never press this button. Instead, it now says ‘Press to Speak to an Operator’ which, Mr. Iveson says, is intended to “improve inclusion and access to help for people in vulnerable circumstances”. The intention is to make these people feel safer in the public space.

Mayor Iveson also highlights the Pride Centre, the Institute For Sexual Minorities Studies and Services, and Camp Fyrefly, which is partially funded by the annual Mayor’s Breakfast (that takes place during Edmonton’s Pride).

“I got a bunch of heat this year because I wasn’t in the Pride parade, but. . . I was in Winnipeg for a conference of the bigcity mayors. It was Winnipeg Pride that weekend, so Mayor Bowman from Winnipeg invited Mayor Nenshi and myself. By the end of it, we had about 25 to 30 mayors from across the country, and a huge contingent [from Alberta] who marched in the Winnipeg Pride parade.

“Edmonton is often described as a very tolerant, very inclusive, very progressive place, and we come by all that pretty honestly.”

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Gossip warriors and dragons. He’ll also star in Victrix, the supernatural fantasy co-starring Rutger Hauer and the legendary Max von Sydow. We’re not angry about this. We’re happy the man is working and we’ll be seeing these films. It’s just typical of timid producers and short-sighted casting people that this man isn’t also booked to star in a romantic comedy as the bisexual love interest of comedian Brian Posehn and also Ghostbusters’ Leslie Jones. It would be about very tall people falling in love. There you go, Hollywood, a free idea. You’re welcome.

Amandla Stenberg in talks for Where Hands Touch Did you see Belle? You really should have. From British director Amma Asante, it was the story of a biracial woman (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) raised in England’s aristocracy and her role in helping to dismantle that country’s involvement in the slave trade. Now Asante is working on a new film, Where Hands Touch, a romantic drama about a biracial woman and her relationship with an SS officer in Nazi Germany. Rising star Amandla Stenberg, who played Rue in The Hunger Games and also appeared in Beyonce’s Lemonade, is currently in talks for the lead, and we couldn’t be happier about this possibility. The outspoken and bisexual star, who’s been acting and modeling for years now, embodies the best of young Millenial boundary crossing, and this could be the breakout adult role she needs.

More talks, please.

Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals takes November

 photo of Kristian Nairn, photo by KathClick

Deep Inside Hollywood Kristian Nairn, Amandla Stenberg, Tom Ford, Azealia Banks

By Romeo San Vicente Kristian Nairn, Game of Thrones’ Hodor, lives on in new fantasy worlds Hodor is dead. We know, you’re still upset. So are we. But Kristian Nairn, the large, lovable, gay actor/DJ who played that Game of Thrones character, is very much alive, and currently in the process of moving on. Not that he’s shifting gears or anything. The film business is nothing if not consistent in its reductive demand that you stay in your lane – because once you star on a sitcom about a nun that can fly (Google it, and worship the resilience of Sally Field) they think you are a nun that flies until you prove otherwise. And that is why you will soon witness Mr. Nairn in not one, but two, fantasy-themed projects. He’s taken a role in Mythica: The Godslayer, the latest installment in the ongoing Mythica series where, you guessed it, there are

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Tom Ford’s A Single Man, the mournful yet stylish period drama starring Colin Firth, was a hit with audiences, critics and Academy Award voters (Firth received a Best Actor nomination). And based on that charmed first time at bat, the fashion designer-turned-filmmaker’s latest, Nocturnal Animals, has already secured a November release date. In case you weren’t aware, that’s when award season films typically begin aggressively stalking their prey. Animals, based on the novel

by Austin Wright, and starring the impressive line-up of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Armie Hammer, Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Isla Fisher, Kim Basinger and Michael Shannon, concerns a woman drawn into a mysterious manuscript that changes the direction of her life. It promises to be an unusual sort of literary, psychological thriller, and thank goodness for that. Call award season tedious if you like; it still prioritizes serious films for grown-ups, the sort of movies that are in ever-dwindling supply.

We’ll take it.

Azealia Banks trades Twitter for Coco Queer, controversial, hip-hop/dance artist Azealia Banks isn’t in hiding. The “212” musician whose refusal to back down from (and also start) a fight led to her recent banishment from Twitter (but, please, Twitter, by all means, let hetero men keep making rape and death threats, that’s not a problem at all) is moving forward with a new project from director (and Wu-Tang Clan alumnus) RZA. The film is called Coco, and it’s set in the world of hip-hop and poetry slams. Banks stars as an aspiring rapper in New York who works her way through the slam poetry scene, looking for her break. And the rest of the cast is pretty impressive, too: Pitch Perfect’s Hana Mae Lee, Common, Lorraine Toussaint, Method Man, Jill Scott, Scream Queens star Lucien Laviscount and Ballers’ John David Washington.

Not sure when this one will be finished and ready to see, but consider us pre-sold.

Romeo San Vicente supports all Wu-Tang Clan-adjacent media projects, especially Method and Red’s comedy classic How High.

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Photography Lethbridge Pride 2016 http://gaycalgary.com/pa1177

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Photography

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Lifestyle

Positive Thoughts Good Morning Vietnam

By Diane Anderson-Minshall My stepfather came back from Vietnam in the mid-’70s, a broken man with post-traumatic stress disorder and health complications that grow more dire the older he gets. His PTSD has lasted 40 years; he couldn’t “just let it go” as some people have admonished. I was talking with my friend Scott* recently and couldn’t help but notice the similarities between the two men, veterans of wars they didn’t want to participate in, both still suffering from PTSD. Scott, however, never served in the military. He is a veteran of the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and ’90s, that first wave of battle before the enemy was known but not before his comrades were all killed.

Scott has AIDS. He’s OK when I call it stage three HIV, as many activists and scientists now do to remove the stigma – after all, AIDS is simply the last stage of HIV disease – but he doesn’t want the world, and the LGBT community especially, to know he’s living with AIDS, and has been for 30 years or so.

Nobody listens to old gay guys living with HIV. Our world, from the prevention workers to the gay clubs to LGBT media, has focused on the fastest growing group getting HIV: young gay and bi men under 30. There’s good reason for that both from a prevention standpoint and a sense of racial justice.

Young gay and bi men, especially those of color, have the highest risk of HIV among all young people, and while African-Americans only represent 33 percent of people under 24 in the national population, they account for 57 percent of new HIV infections among those aged 13–24. For young black trans women the stats are even worse; 56 percent of all black transgender women already have HIV. Yes, it’s critical we reach these young men and women, because without intervention the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has predicted that half of all black gay and bi men will have HIV in their lifetimes. Nobody is modeling numbers for trans women, but I’d venture to say it’s even worse.

The number of people living with HIV over 50 is growing as well, both because antiretrovirals are keeping long-term survivors alive now and because new infections are growing for a variety of reasons. And in an ageist world and a youthcentric culture, this group has been largely left to fend for themselves, which is perhaps why it seems, anecdotally, the suicide rate is higher.

Take my friend Scott. He’s saying what a lot of these people over 50 have been saying: that they aren’t being listened to, seen, or addressed. They are living long lives, but they are experiencing early aging (researchers say people with HIV age 14 years faster, despite living as long as non-poz peers).

Scott’s had Sculptra in his face to remove signs of wasting (a 10 percent loss of body weight) and he’s had surgery to remove fat from his back (the dreaded buffalo hump some anti-HIV medications cause). He has a catheter that sometimes leaks (another drug side effect) thanks to bouts of Kaposi’s sarcoma and anal cancer; fighting the latter with radiation and chemo took a toll on his immune system.

Today he wears adult diapers, something that stops him from 32

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 Diane Anderson-Minshall

dating. His ego can’t take it. His longtime partner died of AIDS complications years ago. He’s lonely and isolated and sometimes battles depression.

But equally often he’s mad as hell. In large part, because like my stepfather, he’s been forgotten, as are the others who survived the first wave of the AIDS epidemic. He’s never really grieved (there’s no time) even though he lost dozens of friends, faced elected officials who suggested a vast quarantine system for people like him and realized how uncaring the world could be.

He’s also misunderstood, he says.

While the younger gay and bi men he meets treat HIV as a chronic manageable condition like diabetes, he’s had a different experience beginning with a constant fear of death in the early days. Young gay poz activists are sexy and healthy looking; Scott is not. He was the guinea pig, one of many who took the first HIV drug: AZT (azidothymidine), which was fast-tracked by the FDA in 1987 and thousands were dying.

People with HIV were thrilled to have something, even if that something was as flawed as AZT was back in the day.

The early dosing was too high (1,500 mg vs. around 300 mg later) and quite toxic. Many (perhaps most) who took it still died. But people often halved their doses and shared it with friends who didn’t have access, which is what Scott did.

Taking 750 mg may have saved his life. But it didn’t save him from AIDS. He was diagnosed with AIDS as soon as the term changed from Gay-related immune deficiency (GRID) to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV stage 3 or AIDS happens when a person’s CD4 cells falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood. If you don’t get treatment, people www.gaycalgary.com

with AIDS generally only live one to three years. But, with treatment, you can live many years, sometimes going in and out of the clinical diagnosis of AIDS, but often never getting your CD4 count up high enough because of previous damage from opportunistic infections.

Nowadays, we – the HIV and LGBT media, health advocates, and more – push for medication adherence, treatment as prevention and undetectable viral loads. (Your viral load is how much HIV is in your blood; when it’s below 50, it is undetectable and you have less than a 1 percent chance of passing HIV to others). And when we report on gay men living with AIDS for years, commenters on social media often write scathing comments about these poz folks blaming them for not being adherent, not caring, “spreading AIDS,” and so on.

What these ill-informed critics don’t get, what we don’t report often enough, is that many of these GBT folks with HIV take their medication religiously; perhaps they always have.

They may have never left the AIDS stage of HIV infection. In 2013, 27 percent of the 26,688 AIDS diagnoses in the United States were people 50 or older; of the deaths related to AIDS complications that year, 37 percent were people over 55.

Older people who get diagnosed today with HIV are more likely to actually be at stage 3 when they find out. Gay men like Scott who have lived with it since the earliest days of the disease didn’t ask for AIDS, either. They were the guinea pigs who took the earliest of the drugs – it wasn’t until the mid-’90s that we had decent drugs, wasn’t until the last decade we had the best combination antiretrovirals. What that means is that much like those Vietnam vets (who also were subjected to untested chemicals), Scott and his fellow long-term survivors went through hell with their bodies so

that young people today have the option to take a single pill a day and stay healthy and happy and undetectable. It’s an option that’s not available to Scott, but it’s one he helped create for all of you.

It took decades before Vietnam veterans got their own much-deserved memorial. So much loss and anguish surround the survivors of those who perished or are still MIA but presumed dead from that war. The same is the case with the war on AIDS. We have quilts and memorials in the works, things that’ll let us honor the thousands of our friends and fellow queers who died. But for Vietnam vets and long-term HIV survivors alike, there’s never been an emphasis on those who made it home, those who survived. No right to grieve, no time to wallow. They’re just supposed to count themselves lucky and shut the hell up.

But maybe they’ve been talking all along and it’s us who hasn’t been listening.

Diane Anderson-Minshall is the editor in chief of Plus magazine, editor at large for The Advocate, and founder and chief storyteller at Retrograde Communications, an editorial services and content curation firm. You can find her online at HIVPlusMag.com and Advocate.com. This column is a project of Plus, Positively Aware, POZ, TheBody.com and Q Syndicate, the LGBT wire service. Visit their websites -- http://hivplusmag.com, http:// positivelyaware.com, http://poz.com and http://thebody.com -- for the latest updates on HIV/AIDS

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Forever Fabulous

Over drinks (obvs), Ab Fab stars Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley dish on their gay darlings, drag doubles & being ahead of the queer curve  photos by Fox Searchlight

By Chris Azzopardi How to be a free spirit, why a wallet, not a toaster, is better suited to carry cash, the power of a heavy pour – since 1992, fictional besties Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone, played by Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, respectively, have guided legions of outsiders into the light. (And not just after a late-night Stolichnaya vodka binge blackout.)

As the Absolutely Fabulous duo cheerfully imbibe from London, it’s a classic case of life imitating art – everyone wants to get these iconic ladies smashed as they “work” the promo for their long-awaited return to the screen with Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. Oh yes, sweetie darlings, it’s a real thing now. Thank god; thank vodka.

The film is Edina and Patsy’s first time together since 2012, when the series celebrated its 20-year anniversary. For the premiere movie adaptation of the BBC series, Saunders, making good on her pledge to write more adventures for the TVborn trainwrecks, stars alongside Lumley and a cast of familiar faces – Julia Sawalha as Saffy, Jane Horrocks as Bubble and June Whitfield as Mother, plus star cameos – as they continue to live their best, booziest lives.

Pour yourself a Stoli-Bolli and read on as Saunders, 58, and Lumley, 70, sip their signature cocktail and dish about their “great crash entrance” into gaydom, being ahead of the queer curve and how the LGBT community catapulted Absolutely Fabulous to global-phenom status.

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GC: I don’t want to shock you with this news and I hope you’re sitting down, but gay people really like you.

Jennifer: (Both laugh) And we love gay people!

GC: For both of you, what was your introduction to the gay community?

Jennifer: Oh! So long ago I can’t really think. It just seems like college; I had gay friends then. To be honest, I don’t know.

It just seems to have always been there.

Joanna: But I think the great crash entrance was when we had Absolutely Fabulous and we were welcomed into New York to a certain extent. That was quite fantastic.

Jennifer: Yeah. And the first time we saw our drag doubles was startling! (Laughs) Because you realize quite how small we are, and short and insignificant, when you’re standing next to your drag doubles. They’re more glamorous than we could even hope to be!

Joanna: And occasionally with a beard!

Jennifer: And often with a beard; yes, you’re right! (Both laugh) GC: You just made an appearance during London Pride.

Because the gay fandom for Ab Fab is so intense, I’m surprised you can go anywhere with a sea of gays and it’s not a mob scene. When gay fans see you in everyday life, what are those encounters like?

Jennifer: Really lovely, I have to say. Because people love the show and love the characters, I always get such a nice response.

Joanna: We get kissing and we get a bit of selfies, and it’s lovely.

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Jennifer: I think we’re recognized more if we’re together. The response is more extreme.

GC: How did Ab Fab come to be so gay? Did you make the show for gay people?

Jennifer: No, we didn’t. And we’ve been thinking about this a lot, and I think (the gay fandom is) because of the friendship and because they’re not in search of love – they’re not constantly looking for a man, they’re quite happy with each other. They live life to the fullest, they live life without brakes and the friendship is all (they need), I think.

Joanna: And I think because they’re glamorous. Edina always longed for (her daughter) Saffy to come out as gay and she’s very proud of having a gay son, Serge. But there were always gay people in the show, Jennifer; you always had them written in.

Jennifer: Yeah, ’cause it’s normal.

GC: When the show ran from 1992-1995 the word “gay” was barely uttered on television. Then you two came along and changed the game.

Jennifer: Good!

GC: Was it your intent to introduce queer themes and people into the television zeitgeist?

Jennifer: To be honest, we never analyzed it like that. It just seemed to me, if we were representing lives, especially those in the fashion world and the creative world – it’s full of gay people.

And you know, Edina married one – one of her husbands was gay! (Laughs) It’s just part of the fabric of society.

GC: But it wasn’t then, right?

Joanna: Do you think it had a way of making people feel more open toward gays, Chris?

GC: I do think so. I also think it made gay people feel comfortable in their own skin. I know friends who call you their

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lifeline because they’re gay and grew up in small towns; they had no role models, no one who even acknowledged them or their sexuality. How does it feel to know that you and these characters had an immense influence on people in the LGBT community?

Jennifer: I feel incredibly proud, then. We have a lot to thank the gay community for, because I think the show largely started being popular in the gay community and through that into the wider community. So, it’s been a lovely relationship.

Joanna: We had the most wonderful award given to us in New York from the LGBT community (the 2002 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Award) and I’m totally proud of mine. It’s a wonderful citation which has made us priestesses of New York forever. It came from them thanking us for exactly what you’re thanking us for, and it makes me feel so humbled because Jennifer actually wrote these two characters and the characters are the people who have somehow become attached to us like an outer skin. It’s rather thrilling to be attached to those characters.

GC: How attached are you to those characters?

Jennifer: Only in that it’s very hard to move without having a glass of champagne put into your hands. That makes life really, really nice. (Both laugh) GC: Are you drinking at this very moment?

Jennifer: We are! Hugely! She’s just poured a vodka into my champagne.

GC: What cocktail do you recommend people order when they watch Ab Fab: The Movie?

Joanna: I think it’s gotta be the Stoli-Bolli cocktail.

Stolichnaya vodka slipped into a glass of champagne – it’s almost half and half, actually, the way we drink it. (Both laugh)

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Jennifer: It just knocks the bubbles out and puts a little bit more alcohol in.

Joanna: But as they would not add: Please drink responsibly.

Jennifer: It would damage your health. It would severely damage your health. (Both laugh) GC: Edina is always saying, “All my friends are gay.” How true is that for you in real life?

Jennifer: (Laughs) All my friends are gay!

GC: Joanna, let’s talk about Patsy being transgender. Her gender change was addressed several times during the series.

Why was it decided that Patsy should be trans?

Joanna: Yes, in series 2 (episode) “Morocco” we had a flashback to when Patsy had indeed been taking hormones and grown a mustache...

Jennifer: (Laughs) Joanna: And cut her hair off, had something switched on.

Sadly after a year, it dropped off and she stopped the hormones, had a quick shave and went back to being Patsy again. But she goes in and out of it. And I think she was slightly dreading having to do it this time (for the movie), which is why she tried to resist. (Slips into character as Patsy) “No, Eddy, no!” And indeed she managed to fool a very, very old almost-blind woman that she was a man.

Jennifer: She makes a very good man. We are basically like a married couple, Edina and Patsy, in a funny way. (Laughs) And they are sort of genderless.

Joanna: Indeed. In one of the New York episodes we got married by Whoopi Goldberg! (Both laugh) GC: I’ve always thought of you as gay men in women’s bodies.

Jennifer and Joanna: We are, yeah!

GC: What advice do both of you have for gays who are on a quest to live their best life?

Jennifer: Don’t listen to anybody else. Kate Moss’s great thing: “Never complain, never explain.” That’s a very good way of living.

Joanna: She’s adapted it from the original quotation, which was from the 1930s: “Never apologize, never explain.”

Jennifer: Oh! Joanna: Never apologize – I think that’s a good one.

GC: You’ve always had something to say about the PR industry on the show. What other business could use some mocking?

Jennifer: I think politics is just making a mockery of itself at the moment, so that’s not much help.

Joanna: Bankers have sort of been done, with things like The Wolf of Wall Street and The Big Short and so on. All those that have kind of taken on the financial world. What else is there, Jennifer? Plenty?

Jennifer: (Laughs) I don’t know!

Joanna: But you didn’t really set out to make a parody of it – you just had that as the background.

Jennifer: Well, the great thing about PR is you can do anything. It can be any job, you can go anywhere. It’s such a wide, wide field, so it was the perfect job for (Edina) because it meant that during any show you could do anything – you’re not stuck in an office. But I suppose nowadays the thing is, nobody’s stuck in an office anymore. You know, anyone can live online, live at home, work at home, do their own PR via social media. You could honestly do your job from your bed, and that’s fantastic.

GC: When doing Eddy and Patsy in drag what should a queen always keep in mind?

Jennifer: Ohh, well, you know, the funny thing is, when they do Patsy they used to always do kind of trashy dressing. But actually, I noticed yesterday at London Pride they were very well dressed. I think Patsys are becoming better dressed, and that’s quite important for Patsy because you’ve gotta start off looking good, like you’ve got somewhere to go. Always give yourself somewhere to go.

GC: And then by the end of the night?

Jennifer: By the end of the night, you can be hopeless. I mean, literally. Spread eagle.

GC: What about Eddy?

Jennifer: Oh, Eddy… everything’s gotta be too small. Wear shoes that literally hobble you and costumes that strangle you.

Remember that Eddy has never woken and not been marked by her clothing; she’s always marked. Elasticated marks everywhere on her body from the clothes.

GC: Where can we expect to see Eddy and Patsy in 20 years?

Jennifer: In a home.

Joanna: Attached to intravenous bottles of Stolichnaya and Bolly. Still smoking like chimneys. Organs removed.

Jennifer: But having a fabulous time.

Joanna: Still having a fabulous time.

GC: Any final words for your gay darlings?

Joanna: We love you, sweetie darlings!

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Alexander Skarsgård the Great Ally

True Blood alum on coaching gay sex scenes, his outsider perspective, and Tarzan vs. Farrah Fawcett

 photos by Warner Bros

By Chris Azzopardi

“I’m actually wearing it right now,” teases Skarsgård, joking about the brouhaha regarding this Tarzan’s more civilized article of clothing as he portrays the jungle warrior in Warner Bros.’ new take on a classic tale.

“I do all my phoners in a loincloth.”

“Phoners or… ?” I ask, hinting at the obvious rhyme.

The 39-year-old True Blood alum beams, cracking up.

“Exactly! I do all my boners in loinclothes.”

And that’s just the beginning of our revealing conversation, which leads to all sorts of places: being poisoned by Lady Gaga, how other straight men should approach a gay sex scene (“dive in”), and why – after giving us his best Farrah Fawcett impersonation last year – shooting The Legend of Tarzan “was nothing compared to that night in drag.”

GC: So, I don’t know if you know this, but gay men love you.

AS: Oh, really?

GC: They do. Is that surprising to hear?

AS: Well, I don’t know. I’ve always been… I don’t know how to answer that question, but thank you. That’s very flattering to hear. It’s always been the most natural thing to me because my uncle and godfather is a gay man and so growing up, even as a little toddler, it was just as natural as being straight. My aunt would show up with her husband and my uncle would show up with his husband. He was, by far, out of my father’s four siblings (Alexander’s father is actor Stellan Skarsgård), the

most fashionable and the most trendy, cool guy. So, when I was a kid, he was the one I looked up to. I thought he was really badass: fit and awesome and cool, and obviously not because he was gay.

When I became a teenager and the kids made fun of other teenagers who were gay, I never really understood that. It just baffled me because my idol, my godfather, was gay, and he was the coolest guy I knew. I just couldn’t understand how that could be an insult.

GC: That kind of personal relationship can change everything for somebody.

AS: I agree. And I think a lot of the xenophobia and fear comes from that, from not having a personal connection. People that know someone close that they love who is homosexual or bisexual are more likely to sympathize with people in the LGBT community.

GC: The Legend of Tarzan is, in part, about making your own family. How might that resonate with the LGBT community?

AS: In a way, he’s lost between two worlds, he doesn’t fit in.

He’s adopted by these apes, and even though emotionally he’s an equal and he’s loved, he can feel that he’s different. Then he goes to London and it’s kind of the same. He looks like people around him, but he also doesn’t fit in there either. That sense of being an outsider and trying to fit in or finding your home and your place in the world – it’s interesting to explore that.

He’s a character who, on the surface, has it all – this gorgeous, wonderful wife; incredible wealth; beautiful mansion – but people don’t understand him, really, and his heart is still in the jungle.

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Alexander Skarsgård sure knows how to offset the uproar over his missing loincloth in The Legend of Tarzan.

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GC: Have you ever felt like an outsider?

AS: I can relate to the feeling of being somewhere between two worlds. I was born and raised in Stockholm, but I’ve lived in the States for 12 years. In a way, I feel at home when I go to Stockholm, but it hasn’t been my permanent home for 12 years.

So, there are a lot of things that make me feel like an outsider: cultural references, the music scene, the arts scene, theater, what’s going on back home in movies; other references make me feel out of touch too.

The States have been my home for the last 12 years, but I also don’t have any deep emotional connection to the place because I wasn’t here as a kid. So walking around the streets of Stockholm, every single street corner will mean something because it had a profound impact on my formative years. I’ll be like, “Oh, that street corner is where that girl broke up with me when I was 13,” or, “That’s where I had that fight with my best friend.” I live in New York now and all my memories in New York are from the past 10, 15 years. Obviously, in Tarzan the two worlds are a bit more extreme! (Laughs) GC: There are no apes on the loose in New York that I am aware of.

AS: (Laughs) Yes, it’s slightly more dramatic. But that is my job as an actor – to find something, even if it’s on a more microscopic level, that allows me to tap into and understand the character on a larger scale.

GC: What do you think starring alongside Lady Gaga in her “Paparazzi” video did for your gay following?

AS: I have no idea – I wasn’t famous at all. I wore a wig in the first season of True Blood, so no one ever recognized me. But my friend Jonas Åkerlund is a tremendous music video director and called me and said, “Hey, I’m directing this video for an artist. Her name is Lady Gaga.” I’d heard her name but didn’t know much about her. He just basically pitched me the idea:

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“You throw her off the balcony and then she comes back and she poisons you.” (Laughs) It sounded like a fun love story, so of course I said yes. I had a super fun day.

GC: How did portraying someone who is pansexual on True Blood, a show rife with queer characters and storylines, influence the way you view sexuality?

AS: It was just one of the most profound experiences ever.

Just liberating. Even though there’s shit loads of nudity on the show, it never felt gratuitous. I think that’s when, as an actor, you feel uncomfortable, if you’re standing there with your clothes off and you’re not quite sure why.

GC: Like if you’d been wearing that loincloth in Tarzan.

AS: That’s why I wear nothing in all the flashbacks... because that would make sense! If it makes sense, it’s not an issue; you just have to do it.

GC: In 2006’s Kill Your Darlings, you played a transvestite.

Then, during the premiere of Diary of a Teenage Girl last year, you went in full-on drag as Farrah Fawcett. How would you describe the feeling of putting on women’s clothing?

AS: I loved it. It was so much fun. On that movie, Diary of a Teenage Girl, our first AD was a drag queen by the name of Cousin Wonderlette, who’s on the San Francisco scene, and there was also Lady Bear, another drag queen who was the casting director for extras on the movie. Marielle (Heller), our director, wanted to do a big premiere at the Castro Theatre because she’s from San Francisco, a lot of her friends live there and she has a lot of friends in the gay community.

So, Cousin Wonderlette and Lady Bear were gonna host the premiere and do a number from Rocky Horror Picture Show and then throw the afterparty at a gay club. Everyone was planning their outfits and talking about these crazy drag outfits they were gonna come in with. I was sitting there with my grey suit and I just felt like, “Fucking hell, this is so boring; can I play as www.gaycalgary.com

well?” I said, “I wanna look like Farrah Fawcett.” I showed them that iconic image from the early ’80s in that golden dress with the blonde hair, so that’s what we went for. I can’t quite say that we nailed it. I mean, they did an incredible job, but I think it’s tough with a dude who’s 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds. (Laughs) And with those heels, I was like 7 feet tall.

As physically demanding as shooting Legend of Tarzan was, it was nothing compared to that night in drag. Oh my god; walking around in those heels, in that super itchy, hot wig and the fake nails, I felt like Edward Scissorhands. I couldn’t even grab a drink.

Once we got to the after party at the gay club, I just kicked my heels off and walked around barefoot because I was just dying. So, I have tremendous respect for all the drag queens out there. I got a little taste of what it takes to look that fabulous.

GC: True Blood was groundbreaking for pushing many envelopes when it came to LGBT issues and sexuality. How does it feel knowing that you were a part of a show that some deemed “too gay”?

AS: Well, that’s ridiculous. What was so interesting about the show was that it wasn’t on the nose. It’s obviously a cultural reference and a metaphor. A lot of the storylines are metaphors for the strife people in the LGBT community experience, but it’s done in a very subtle way where people who have never met anyone who’s gay or who have prejudice toward that community would still embrace the show and would still come up (to me) and be super excited about it. They would love Lafayette – I mean, a black, gay man. What (creator) Alan (Ball) did was beautiful and it was groundbreaking because, for myself, since I was a toddler, I’ve had someone very close to me that I admire who was gay, which made that lifestyle as normal as any other lifestyle. In this instance, a lot of people who didn’t have anyone close to them in the LGBT community suddenly had someone in their living room every Sunday night that they loved.

GC: What tips do you have for other straight men who are doing gay sex scenes?

AS: You just have to embrace it. I had two gay sex scenes on the show. They’re incredible scenes. I loved this scene and I remember talking to Theo (Alexander), who played the Greek lover of Russell Edgington (portrayed by Denis O’Hare), and that was the first gay sex scene I had on True Blood. He’s also a straight guy and he was nervous; he had never kissed a guy before. I just said, “Look at the scene. It’s this nemesis and he comes in and then it gets seductive and you think they’re gonna make love and it gets into that and then suddenly my character stabs him in the back and he explodes. In two minutes, look at this emotional rollercoaster we’re taking the audience on. If we commit to this, it’s going to be an amazing scene and we’re going to be very happy with it forever. If we hold back, that’s when it gets awkward.”

Same thing shooting the other scene with Ryan (Kwanten) – we knew that it was coming because we shot a scene the previous year where I hypnotize him and say, like, “When you dream, dream sweet dreams of me.” Because we did it in a very seductive way, when they said “wrap” and I turned around and I saw the writers, I could just see in their eyes that they were like, “We’re definitely gonna see this dream later on in the show.” We knew it was coming. You have to think of the scene and how it fits in and hopefully be excited about the scene.

Then, just dive in.

GC: When can we expect you to do something as gay as True Blood again?

AS: (Laughs) Well, I mean, next time I get drunk probably.

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Kristian Bruun at the Calgary Comic Expo 2016 Orphan Black actor on upcoming twist  photo courtesy of Bell Media

by Carey Rutherford Toronto actor, writer and producer, Kristian Bruun (Orphan Black’s Donnie Hendrix), and GC’s Steve Polyak discuss how much they both enjoy the social dynamics being made and re-made in Orphan Black. From suburban nuclear family (boring!) to the hubby (Donnie) and the wife’s gay friend (‘Acting Coach’) Felix ending up in misadventures together… What kind? Tune in and find out! Bruun essentially says, and also climbs on a little soap box regarding the changing approach to LGBT lives in television

Watch the video online: http://gaycalgary.com/a5202 

And, a final soapbox moment: “People need to change their minds and open up to different lifestyles, and ways of living.

Different ways of loving.”

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“We’re producing a show that. . . doesn’t say one thing is better than another: ([t says] this is how the world IS; this is how the world LIVES. We’re just representing that.”

But then he refuses to go into detail on what he means when they discuss the series’ action/suspense-relieving humour Donnie is a part of, divulging no more than, “There’s a little activity between Donnie and Felix.”

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Politics

7 Hard Truths the LGBT Community Must Address in the Wake of the Orlando Massacre

by Mikey Rox For the past few years that I’ve penned this column, I’ve kept it light and fluffy. It’s called The Frivolist after all, and my goal is to entertain with innocuous content that focuses on the fun stuff in life. I’ve written about movies, music, fashion and fitness here – all of which, in the grand scheme of things, are rather inconsequential.

Then Orlando happened.

Fifty of our LGBT “family” members were gunned down simply for being LGBT, along with another 50-plus injured, and in reflection of June 12’s early-morning events I didn’t think it appropriate to use this space to reveal the latest summer gadgets. Instead, I’m using my editorial allowance this time to dissect the aftermath of the largest mass shooting in U.S. history and our loved ones’ reaction to it; the response by the media; and how we, as a unified people, must take a stand to tell those who oppress us that enough is enough.

We are in this together until we are not, and that fate should never be up to another human being. Thus, here are a few bitter pills to swallow if you don’t want to be a statistic.

1. There’s Still Little Focus on Mental Illness Sane people don’t walk into a nightclub with a capacity crowd in the middle of the night and open fire a la Tony Montana. Yet the three major talking points on both mainstream and social media following the massacre were gun control, terrorism by Muslim extremists and lax immigration laws – even though the latter is moot because the gunman, who I will not glorify by name, was born in the United States.

We must start addressing our country’s epidemic of mental illness, no matter how difficult the conversation is, so we can effectively diagnose and treat it before it’s too late. That’s not to say that the other soapboxes are irrelevant – they aren’t – but mental illness played a part in this tragedy, and we can’t keep brushing it under the rug.

2. There Are People in Power in This Country Who Want Us Dead It’s not hard to find an American member of the clergy who has at one time or another – maybe during a Sunday sermon or perhaps in a video that’s surfaced online – called for the condemnation and, in some cases, execution of LGBT people.

They exist. Despite their seeming abundance, however, they’re relatively few in numbers, and they’re often viewed as fringe members of the religious community. Who we should be more concerned about, however, are the elected officials who we’ve put in power that are facilitating a deep-seated disdain and hatred toward LGBT people and other minority groups. People like the Trumps, Ted Cruzes and Dan Patricks of the world are a problem, and they cannot be absolved of their bloodstained rhetoric any longer.

4. The Silence of Your Non-LGBT Friends Is Deafening – But Also a Wake-Up Call You might have noticed something disturbing the day of and after the Pulse nightclub attack: Your LGBT friends and allies mourned this tragedy while much of the rest of your network either remained silent or skirted the issue of decades of villainizing our community. If they did have an opinion, it was about guns and Muslims and terrorists. This in itself should be a wake-up call to you that you know and love people who do not care if gay people are murdered in mass – and you need to start separating yourself from their deadly ideology.

5. It Doesn’t Get Better – And We Need to Stop Pretending It Does Dan Savage’s rainbow-tinted “It Gets Better” approach to LGBT discrimination helped ease our pain a few years ago when LGBT suicide was a top story in the news cycle, and while that nonprofit marketing gimmick wasn’t even true back then, it’s practically nonexistent now. No matter how much progress we make in terms of legislation for our civil liberties, the conservative right and its radical cohorts continue to establish us as demons. As a result, there are proverbial bounties on all our heads – and we need to get our heads out of our asses about it. We are Orlando; this could’ve happened to any one of us – and if we don’t wise/rise up, it will.

6. Allowing Anyone to Marginalize You Must End Now You don’t need to apologize for who you are anymore. Like, ever. If somebody doesn’t like who you are because you’re gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, that’s their problem, not yours. Stop apologizing to your relatives, friends, coworkers and pastors. You don’t owe anybody anything, but you should start demanding respect. Otherwise, cut them out of your life.

Their political and religious views are poison, and it can kill you.

7. We All Need to Take a Course on How to Survive a Mass Shooting There’s no end in sight for America’s scourge of mass shootings. It will happen again and again and again. And until every assault weapon is melted down, you are in danger. If the government won’t protect you, you have to protect yourself – and step one is enrolling in a course on how to survive a mass shooting. They’re growing in abundance, because, well, that’s our reality now, and it’s in your best interest to be prepared.

Your life may depend on it.

Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He splits his time between homes in New York City and the Jersey Shore with his dog Jaxon. Connect with Mikey on Twitter @mikeyrox.

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3. Bitching About Gun Control on Social Media Is Useless If gun reform is important to you, push your issue with policy change. Updating your status about how this never would’ve happened if AR-15s and similar assault weapons weren’t readily available and legal to obtain makes zero difference – especially to those who have been and will be buried by their families because their bodies are full of bullets.

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7 Steps to Weaning Yourself Off Social Media for a More Memorable Summer

by Mikey Rox We all love social media – myself included. But if checking in, updating statuses, taking photos of your food and scrolling through the bubble butts of Instagram are taking up too much of your time – and thereby leaving less of it to actually enjoy life – perhaps it’s time for a break. This summer, get back to basics – and remember what it’s like to live real life in real time – with these ways to wean yourself off Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and the like for a more memorable summer.

1. Set a Time Limit For Daily Social Media Use If you’re constantly checking social media for new likes and comments, and scrolling through every-other-second posts from your friends, the easiest way to stop relying on your favorite platforms to cull your boredom is to set a time limit for usage.

You don’t have to go cold turkey straight out the gate but rather condition yourself to hop online for, say, one hour a day. You can use the hour up in one fell swoop, or you can break it down to 15 minutes four times a day. However you want to portion it is fine, so long as you stick to the limit you’ve set for yourself. If you need help, set a timer to hold yourself accountable.

2. Change Your Notification Settings To avoid getting sucked into a downward spiral of wasted time, change the notification settings on your phone so you’re not pinged whenever somebody posts their pearls of wisdom. When you’re not alerted to their musings every time you blink, it’ll be easier to put social media on the back burner in a Ron Popeil kinda way.

3. Schedule a Trial Run For Being Free of Social Media Whenever I’ve tried to cut something out of my life – like smoking, for instance – I’ve had greater success in setting reasonable, achievable milestones, like eliminating the habit from my daily routine for a week opposed to adopting a mentality of complete abolishment forever. The problem with the latter is that if you fail – and you likely will because the endgame is too harsh to accept unless you have serious discipline (and if you did, you wouldn’t be reading this article) – you’ll get disappointed and head straight back into the habit for comfort. Give yourself time to adjust and evaluate how you feel about the change in a trial run before committing to a longer-term hiatus.

life, and I found it much easier to stick to my guns when the apps weren’t on my phone. By removing them altogether, they’re out of sight, out of mind. If you start experiencing withdrawal symptoms, their nonexistence on your phone will give you pause so you can collect yourself, think about whether you really need to access the apps while (hopefully) choosing to continue the hiatus.

5. Block Your Favorite Platforms On Your Computer If you’re afraid that you’ll succumb to weakness when you’re on the computer – especially since the apps are no longer on your phone – block the platforms on your browser. This is accomplished differently on each browser, but a quick Internet search will walk your through the steps. This is probably more important at work than it is at home, so put the provisions in place on your office computer first then try it on your PC. 6. Ask a Friend to Join You in Your Moratorium We’ve been taught about the buddy system since we were kids for good reason – it works. If you don’t think you can implement a social media moratorium on your own, ask a friend if they’ll join you. Certainly it’s not the most attractive proposition, but I bet you can find someone in your circle who’s secretly lamenting their own social media use. Put a plan in place that you’ll both follow, and help support each other through the process. You’ll find it easier to accomplish when you have a crutch – and you might even develop a strong bond with one another because of it.

7. Start Living For the Moment Shunning social media for the summer is not all for naught.

The reason for going dark is so you can let more real life happen.

Fill the time you’d normally spend on social media with more productive activities, like exercise, concentrating on work or enjoying the company of your friends and family without having your faces buried in the blue light of a smartphone. Sounds like an impossible feat in this day and age, but it wasn’t that long ago that we all used to talk to one another face to face without worrying about what digital strangers are up to. Which may pose a deeper question for your reflection: Why do you even care?

Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He splits his time between homes in New York City and the Jersey Shore with his dog Jaxon. Connect with Mikey on Twitter @mikeyrox

4. Delete the Apps From Your Phone

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Photography Bears in the Park, Edmonton

EVO Pride at Evolution Nightclub, Edmonton

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Photography Pure Pride with Kim Chi at Starlite Room, Edmonton http://gaycalgary.com/pa1170

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Photography RuPauls Drag Race Battle of the Seasons 2016, Calgary http://gaycalgary.com/pa1176

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Photography Snug Underwear - Pride in Fashion at Woody’s, Edmonton

HOT MESS - Let’s Dance at Flames Central - Calgary

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Photography ISCWR - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun at Evolution, Edmonton

ISCWR - Gay Pageant at the Ramada, Edmonton

photos by J&B

photos by J&B

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News Releases Calgary Pride Statement regarding Orlando FL shooting

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Logo Announces the Cast of RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race Season 2

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Calgary Pride Week kicks off with WinSport Pride Slide event

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SHORTS: Stories From Beneath the Rainbow

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Kristine W releases New Music Video, “OUT THERE”, First Track from Upcoming Album

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Jake Biondi releases fifth ‘BOYSTOWN’ book

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New in July 2016 from Bruno Gmünder Group.

Click on photos for more info on each book.

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News Releases Estimates show 1.4 million adults identify as transgender in the US, double from a decade ago

Bibo Barmaid®, a Smart Cocktail Machine That Makes Delicious Drinks in 20 Seconds

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New Book Shows How to be An Effective Business Leader and Deal with Workplace Issues

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Justin Trudeau to Attend 2016 Vancouver Pride Parade

New Initiative Improves Health Behaviors of Lesbian, Bisexual Women

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Educators double down on protecting rights of LGBTQ students and members

Op-Ed: One Month After Orlando, We Must ‘Uproot’ and ‘Disarm’ Hatred

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Musical Tribute Benefitting Victims and Families Of Orlando Massacre, LGBT Organizations Mary J Blige, Jason Derulo, Selena Gomez, Halsey, Ty Herndon, Imagine Dragons, Adam Lambert, Jennifer Lopez, Kacey Musgraves,... http://www.gaycalgary.com/n2230

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Directory & Events DOWNTOWN CALGARY

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10 12

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Calgary Outlink---------- Community Groups HIV Community Link---- Community Groups Backlot------------------------Bars and Clubs Texas Lounge-----------------Bars and Clubs

5 6 7 8

Goliath’s--------------------------Bathhouses Twisted Element--------------Bars and Clubs Broken City-------------------Bars and Clubs Cowboys Nightclub-----------Bars and Clubs

9 10 11 12

FIND OUT!

Dickens Pub------------------Bars and Clubs Flames Central---------------Bars and Clubs Local 522---------------------Bars and Clubs Ten Nightclub-----------------Bars and Clubs

Bars & Clubs (Mixed)

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. ..........Wheelchair Accessible

These venues regularly host LGBT events.

7 Broken City

 613 11th Ave SW  info@brokencity.ca

 http://www.brokencity.ca

 403-262-9976

8 Cowboys Nightclub------------------------  421 12th Avenue SE  403-265-0699

 http://www.cowboysnightclub.com 9 Dickens Pub

 1000 9th Ave SW  info@dickenspub.ca

 http://www.dickenspub.ca

 403-233-7550

13 The Pint-----------------------Bars and Clubs 15 The Blind Monk--------------Bars and Clubs 16 Backwards Nightclub---------Bars and Clubs

Community Groups Alberta Society for Kink

 403-398-9968  masdenn@yahoo.com  http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/ group.albertasocietyforkink

Apollo Calgary - Friends in Sports

 http://www.apollocalgary.com  http://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.

Spot something inaccurate or outdated? Want your business or organization listed? We welcome you to contact us!

10 Flames Central----------------------------  219 8th Ave SW  403-935-2637

 http://www.flamescentral.com

• Western Cup

 403-543-6960  1-888-543-6960

 magazine@gaycalgary.com

11 Local 522----------------------------------  522 6 Ave SW  403-244-6773

 http://www.localtavern.ca

 6020 - 4 Avenue NE  badminton@apollocalgary.com

http://www.gaycalgary.com/CalgaryTravelRSS http://www.gaycalgary.com/EdmontonTravelRSS Local Bars, Restaurants, and Accommodations info on the go! http://www.gaycalgary.com/Directory Browse our complete directory of over 750 gay-frieindly listings!

CALGARY Bars & Clubs (Gay) 3 Backlot------------------------------------- 403-265-5211  Open 7 days a week, 2pm-close

 209 - 10th Ave SW

16 Backwards Restaurant and Nightclub----  628 8th Avenue SW  587-352-2582  staff@backwardsclub.com

 http://www.backwards.club

www.gaycalgary.com

4 Texas Lounge

 308 - 17 Ave SW  403-229-0911  Open 7 days a week, 11am-close 6 Twisted Element

 1006 - 11th Ave SW  403-802-0230

 http:.//www.twistedelement.ca

12 Ten Nightclub (closed)

 1140 10th Ave SW

 403-457-4464

15 The Blind Monk---------------------------  918 12th Ave SW  403-265-6200  12thave@blindmonk.ca

 http://www.blindmonk.ca  Mon-Sun: 11am-2am 13 The Pint

 1428 17th Ave SW  calgary@thepint.ca

 http://www.thepint.ca/calgary

 403-384-9777

14 Vinyl & Hyde (CLOSED)

 213 10 Ave SW

 http://www.vinylandhyde.com

 587-224-5200

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

http://www.westerncup.com

• Badminton (Absolutely Smashing) • Boot Camp

 Platoon FX, 1351 Aviation Park NE  bootcamp@apollocalgary.com

• Bowling (Rainbow Riders League)

 Let’s Bowl (2916 5th Avenue NE)  bowling@apollocalgary.com

• Curling

 North Hill Curling Club (1201 - 2 Street NW)  curling@apollocalgary.com

• Golf

 golf@apollocalgary.com

• Lawn Bowling

 lawnbowling@apollocalgary.com

• Outdoor Pursuits

Bathhouses/Saunas 5 Goliaths

 308 - 17 Ave SW  403-229-0911  www.goliaths.ca  Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

 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

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Directory & Events Fetish Slosh----------------------------  Evening

Calgary Events

At 3 Backlot

Mondays

 2nd

Alcoholics Anonymous--------------------  8pm

Alcoholics Anonymous--------------------  8pm

 Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW

Saturdays

Coffee------------------------------------ 10am

By Prime Timers Calgary  Midtown Co-op (1130 - 11th Ave SW)

Karaoke-----------------------------------  7pm

At 5 Goliaths

 Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW

ASK Meet and Greet----------------  7-9:30pm

Wednesdays

Fridays

Communion Service-----------------  12:10pm

Inside Out Youth Group---------------- 7-9pm

See

ISCCA BBQs--------------------------------Dinner

Student Night------------------------  6pm-6am

Worship Time---------------------------- 10am

At 5 Goliaths

Illusions-------------------------------  7-10pm

Tuesdays

Calgary Networking Club-------------- 5-7pm

Mosaic Youth Group--------------------  7-9pm

Womynspace---------------------------- 7-9pm

Worship------------------------------  10:30am

Beers for Queers--------------------------  6pm

Thursdays

New Directions-------------------------- 7-9pm

Sunday Services---------------------  10:45am

Student Night------------------------  6pm-6am

 Kerby Center, Sunshine Room 1133 7th Ave SW

Heading Out----------------------- 8pm-10pm

Worship Services------------------------- 11am

Alcoholics Anonymous--------------------  8pm

Church Service----------------------------  4pm

Buddy Night-------------------------  6pm-6am

 Bonasera (1204 Edmonton Tr. NE) See 1 Calgary Outlink

See 1 Calgary Outlink By

 1st

YYC Badboys at 13 The Pint

At 5 Goliaths

At 3 Backlot

Knox United Church

 Old Y Centre (223 12th Ave SW)

Lesbian Seniors---------------------------  2pm

 3rd

Between Men--------------------------- 7-9pm Karaoke-------------------------  8pm-12:30am

Lesbian Meetup Group-------------  7:30-9pm

 2nd, 4th

At 4 Texas Lounge

ISCCA at 3 Backlot

See 1 Calgary Outlink

• Slow Pitch

 slow.pitch@apollocalgary.com

• Squash

 Mount Royal University Recreation  squash@apollocalgary.com All skill levels welcome.

• Tennis

 tennis@apollocalgary.com

• Yoga

 Robin: 403-618-9642  yoga@apollocalgary.com

Calgary Expo

 http://www.calgaryexpo.com

Calgary Gay Fathers

 calgaryfathers@hotmail.com  http://www.calgarygayfathers.ca Peer support group for gay, bisexual and questioning fathers. Meeting twice a month.

Calgary Men’s Chorus

 http://www.calgarymenschorus.org

• Rehearsals

 Temple B’Nai Tikvah, 900 - 47 Avenue SW

Calgary Sexual Health Centre

 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 Calgary Outlink

 Old Y Centre (303 – 223, 12 Ave SW)  403-234-8973  info@calgaryoutlink.ca  http://www.calgaryoutlink.com

 1st

See 1 Calgary Outlink

 2nd

See 1 Calgary Outlink

At 5 Goliaths

 3rd

At 1 Calgary Outlink

 4th

 Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW

 1st

Sundays See See See See See

Deer Park United Church Scarboro United Church Hillhurst United Church Knox United Church

Rainbow Community Church

Flashlight Night---------------------  6pm-6am

Legend:  = Monthly Reoccurrance,  = Date (Range/Future),  = Sponsored Event

• Peer Support and Crisis Line

 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

 Weeds Cafe (1903 20 Ave NW)

Deer Park United Church/Wholeness Centre

 403-278-8263

Different Strokes

 http://www.differentstrokescalgary.org

FairyTales Presentation Society

 403-244-1956

 http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com Alberta Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.

• DVD Resource Library

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

• Telephone Support

 M-F, 8:30am - 12:30pm + 1:30pm - 4:30pm

Hillhurst United Church

 1227 Kensington Close NW  (403) 283-1539  office@hillhurstunited.com  http://www.hillhurstunited.com

HIV Peer Support Group

 403-230-5832  hivpeergroup@yahoo.ca

Calgary Queer Book Club

 77 Deerpoint Road SE  http://www.dpuc.ca

2 HIV Community Link----------------------  110, 1603 10th Avenue SW  403-508-2500  1-877-440-2437  http://www.hivcl.org

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

• Fake Mustache • Mosaic Youth Group

 The Old Y Centre (223 12th Ave SW) For queer and trans youth and their allies.

Mystique

 mystiquesocialclub@yahoo.com Mystique is primarily a Lesbian group for women 30 and up but all are welcome.

• Coffee Night

 Good Earth Cafe (1502 - 11th Street SW)

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.

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 Hillhurst United Church (Gym Entrance) 1227 Kensington Close NW

At 5 Goliaths

 Calgary Contd. vary from 8 km - 15 km. Runners from 6 minutes/mile to 9+ minute miles.

 2nd

See 1 Calgary Outlink

Uniform Night-----------------------  6pm-6am

See 1 Calgary Outlink

By

Alcoholics Anonymous--------------------  8pm

GayCalgary Magazine #151, July 2016

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

 403-797-6564

 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-------------------------

 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.

• 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

www.gaycalgary.com

Directory & Events  Calgary Contd.

Spectrum Volleyball Calgary

 http://www.spectrumvolleyball.ca  spectrumvolleyball@gmail.com Join us for recreational, competitive or beach volleyball.

Unity Bowling

 Let’s Bowl (2916 - 5th Ave NE)  sundayunity@live.com

DevaDave Salon & Boutique (closed)

 1317-1st Street NW

Restaurants & Pubs 16 Backwards Restaurants and Nightclub--- See Calgary - Bars & Clubs (Gay).

10 Flames Central---------------------------- See Calgary - Bars & Clubs (Mixed).

13 The Pint See Calgary - Bars & Clubs (Mixed).

Retail Stores Adult Depot (CLOSED)

Adult Source--------------------------------

 10210 Macleod Tr S  403-271-7848

 #102 2323 32nd Ave NE  403-769-6177

 1536 16th Ave NW  403-289-4203

 4310 17th Ave SE  403-273-2710

 http://www.adultsourcecalgary.ca

Best Health

 206A 2525 Woodview Dr SW  403-281-5582  besthealthcalgary@hotmail.com  http://www.besthealthcalgary.com

La Fleur (closed)

 403-266-1707 Florist and Flower Shop.

Ellen Embury

 403-750-1128  www.DBBlaw.com Fellow, American Academy of Reproductive Technology Attorneys

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.

 2145 Summerfield Blvd  403-912-2045  http://www.hotwaterpoolsandspas.ca

 #4 - 1126 Kensington Rd NW  403-283-3555  http://www.thenakedleaf.ca Organic teas and tea ware.

Pushing Petals

 1209 5th Ave NW  403-263-3070  http://www.pushingpetals.com

Services & Products 6th and Tenth - Sales Centre

 633 10th Ave SW  403-239-5511  http://www.6thandtenth.com

 M-W: 12-6pm, R: 2-7pm, S-N: 12-5pm

Barry Hollowell

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.

Christopher T. Tahn (Thornborough Smeltz)

 403-808-7147

Courtney Aarbo (Barristers & Solicitors)

 3rd Floor, 1131 Kensington Road NW  403-571-5120  http://www.courtneyaarbo.ca GLBT legal services.

www.gaycalgary.com

 #3 306 20th Ave SW 

http://www.thirdstreet.ca

MFM Communications

 403-543-6970  1-877-543-6970  http://www.mfmcommunications.com Web site hosting and development. Computer hardware and software.

 Suite 27, Building B1, 2451 Dieppe Ave SW

 403-471-0204  780-922-3347  nrg@shaw.ca  http://www.nrgsupportservices.com

SafeWorks

 403-703-4750

Vertigo Mystery Theatre--------------------

 161, 115 - 9 Ave SE  403-221-3708  http://www.vertigomysterytheatre.com

Webster Galleries Inc.

 812 11 Ave SW  403-263-6500  http://www.webstergalleries.com

 T-S: 10am-6pm, N: 1-4pm

EDMONTON

Lorne Doucette (CIR Realtors)

 403-461-9195  http://www.lornedoucette.com

Bars & Clubs (Gay) 3 Buddy’s Nite Club (CLOSED)

 11725 Jasper Ave  780-488-6636 6 Evolution Wonder Lounge

 10220 - 103 St  780-424-0077  http://www.yourgaybar.com

FLASH (CLOSED)

 10018 105 Street  flashnightclub@hotmail.com

 780-938-2941

UpStares Ultralounge (CLOSED)

 4th Floor, Jasper Ave and 107th Street 4 Woody’s

 11725 Jasper Ave

 780-488-6557

Bars & Clubs (Mixed)

• Calgary Drop-in Centre

 Room 117, 423 - 4th Ave SE  403-699-8216  Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm, Sat: 12:15pm-3:15pm

These venues regularly host LGBT events.

Hooliganz Pub (CLOSED)

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.

Camp fYrefly

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

Edmonton Expo

 http://www.edmontonexpo.com

Edmonton Pride Festival Society (EPFS)

 http://www.edmontonpride.ca

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

 780-387-3343

 groups.yahoo.com/group/edmonton_illusions 2 Edmonton STD

 11111 Jasper Ave

Edmonton Vocal Minority

 780-479-2038  www.evmchoir.com

 sing@evmchoir.com

Fellowship of Alberta Bears

 www.beefbearbash.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.

• Centre of Hope

 10704 124 St NW

 inqueeries@gmail.com Student-run GLBTQ Alliance at MacEwan University.

• Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre

7 The Starlite Room

 10030 102 St contact@starliteroom.ca  http://www.starliteroom.ca 8 Yellowhead Brewing Co.

 10229 105 St  info@yellowheadbrewery.com  http://www.yellowheadbrewery.com

 http://www.iscwr.ca

 Room 201, 420 - 9th Ave SE  403-410-1180  Mon-Fri: 1pm-5pm

 1213 - 4th Str SW  403-955-6014  Sat-Thu: 4:15pm-7:45pm, Fri: Closed

• Safeworks Van

 403-850-3755  Sat-Thu: 8pm-12am, Fri: 4pm-12am

Wheel Pro’s

 403-819-5219  http://www.bcbhcounselling.com

Third Street Theatre

Interactive Male

Free and confidential HIV/AIDS and STI testing.

Priape Calgary (CLOSED)

 1322 - 17 Ave SW  403-215-1800  http://www.priape.com Clothing and accessories. Adult toys, leather wear, movies and magazines. Gifts.

 Theatre Junction GRAND, 608 1st St. SW  403-205-2922  info@theatrejunction.com  http://www.theatrejunction.com

 403-355-3335  http://www.interactivemale.com

NRG Support Services

The Naked Leaf----------------------------

Stagewest-----------------------------------

 727 - 42 Avenue SE  403-243-6642  http://www.stagewestcalgary.com

Theatre Junction----------------------------

Hot Water Pools & Spas

 140, 58th Ave SW  403-258-2777 Gay, bi, straight video rentals and sex toys.

Pumphouse Theatre------------------------

 2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW  403-263-0079  http://www.pumphousetheatres.ca

 810 Edmonton Trail NE  403-290-1973 Cuts, Colour, Hilights.

Wild Rose United Church

 11650 Elbow Dr SW  ctahn@thornsmeltz.com  http://www.thornsmeltz.com

Cruiseline

 Calgary: 403-777-9494

 Edmonton: 780-413-7122  Other Cities: 1-877-882-2010  http://www.cruiseline.ca Telephone classifieds and chat - 18+ ONLY.

 4143- Edmonton Trail NE  403-226-7278  http://www.wheelpros.ca “Experts in Everything for Wheels”

Bathhouses/Saunas 5 Steamworks

 11745 Jasper Ave  780-451-5554  http://www.steamworksedmonton.com

Community Groups

Theatre & Fine Arts ATP, Alberta Theatre Projects

 403-294-7402

 http://www.ATPlive.com

Fairytales

See Calgary - Community Groups.

AltView Foundation

 #44, 48 Brentwood Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB

 403-398-9968  info@altview.ca  http://ww.altview.ca For gender variant and sexual minorities.

One Yellow Rabbit--------------------------

 Big Secret Theatre - EPCOR CENTRE  403-299-8888  www.oyr.org

InQueeries

Book Worm’s Book Club

 Howard McBride Chapel of Chimes 10179 - 108 Street  bookworm@teamedmonton.ca

Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose

Living Positive Society of Alberta

 #50, 9912 - 106 Street 780-424-2214  living-positive@telus.net  http://www.facebook.com/LivingPoz Living Positive through Positive Living.

• HIV Support Group

 huges@shaw.ca, curtis@optionssexualhealth.ca Support and discussion group for gay men.

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  http://www.pridecentreofedmonton.org  Tue-Fri 12pm-9pm, Sat 2pm-6:30pm

GayCalgary Magazine #151, July 2016

61

Directory & Events DOWNTOWN EDMONTON

1

6

8

5 4 3

1 Pride Centre of Edm.---- Community Groups 2 Edmonton STD---------- Community Groups

Edmonton Events Boot Camp------------------------------ 7-8pm See

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

7

3 Buddy’s-----------------------Bars and Clubs 4 Woody’s-----------------------Bars and Clubs

5 Steamworks----------------------Bathhouses 6 Evolution----------------------Bars and Clubs

7 The Starlite Room------------Bars and Clubs 8 Yellowhead Brewing Co.-----Bars and Clubs

Youth Sports/Recreation-----------------  4pm

Women’s Social Circle------------------ 6-9pm

QH Youth Drop-in------------------  2-6:30pm

Counseling----------------------  5:30-8:30pm

Book Club-----------------------------  7:30pm

Monthly Meeting----------------------  2:30pm

Knotty Knitters-------------------------- 6-8pm

Martial Arts---------------------  7:30-8:30pm

QH Craft Night-------------------------- 6-8pm

Intermediate Volleyball--------  7:30-9:30pm

Cycling---------------------------  6:30-7:30pm

Fridays

See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See

Tuesdays

See

2

See 1 Youth Understanding Youth

Mondays

N

Team Edmonton

Yoga---------------------------------  7:30-8pm See

Team Edmonton

Thursdays

See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See See See

 2nd, 4th

BookWorm’s Book Club

 3rd

Team Edmonton Team Edmonton

QH Youth Drop-in---------------------- 3-8pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

QH Anime Night------------------------ 6-8pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

Movie Night----------------------------- 6-9pm

Youth Sports/Recreation-----------------  4pm

Men’s Games Nights--------------  7-10:30pm

GLBTQ Bowling------------------  1:30-3:30pm

QH Game Night------------------------ 6-8pm

Youth Sports/Recreation-----------------  4pm

QH Youth Drop-in---------------------- 3-8pm

Swim Practice--------------------------- 7-8pm

Saturdays

See

Team Edmonton

See

Wednesdays See

See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

GLBTQ Sage Bowling Club

See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

Youth Understanding Youth

See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See

Team Edmonton

See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton See See

Men’s Games Nights

Youth Understanding Youth

• TTIQ

• Counselling

• Women’s Social Circle

Come knit and socialize in a safe and accepting environment - all skill levels are welcome.

• Men Talking with Pride

 robwells780@hotmail.com Support & social group for gay & bisexual men to discuss current issues.

• Movie Night

Movie Night is open to everyone! Come over and sit back, relax, and watch a movie with us.

• Queer HangOUT: Game Night

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.

• Queer HangOUT: Anime Night

Come and watch ALL the anime until your heart is content.

62

See

Team Edmonton

Sundays See

Team Edmonton

Yoga---------------------------------  2-3:30pm See

Team Edmonton

Men Talking with Pride---------------- 7-9pm See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

Ballroom Dancing--------------  7:30-8:30pm See

Team Edmonton

Soul Outing-------------------------------  7pm

 Robertson-Wesley United (10209 123 St)

 2nd

Monthly Meetings---------------------  2:30pm  2nd

 2nd

Legend:  = Monthly Reoccurrance,  = Date (Range),  = Sponsored Event

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

 2nd

Bowling-----------------------------------  5pm

 Unitarian Church (10804 119th Street) See Edmonton Primetimers

Buck Naked Boys Club

 Edmonton Contd.

 780.488.3234 Free, short-term counselling provided by registered counsellors.

 2nd, Last

Naturalist Gettogether See

By Edmonton Primetimers  Unitarian Church, 10804 - 119th Street

Running------------------------------  10-11am

QH Youth Drop-in---------------------- 3-8pm

Swim Practice-------------------  7:30-8:30pm

See 1 Pride Centre of Edmonton

A support and information group for all those who fall under the transgender umbrella and their family or supporters.  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

 president@teamedmonton.ca  http://www.teamedmonton.ca 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.

• Badminton (Mixed)

 St. Thomas Moore School, 9610 165 Street

 coedbadminton@teamedmonton.ca New group seeking male & female players.

• Badminton (Women’s)

 Oliver School, 10227 - 118 Street  780-465-3620

 badminton@teamedmonton.ca

GayCalgary Magazine #151, July 2016

Women’s Drop-In Recreational Badminton. $40.00 season or $5.00 per drop in.

• Gymnastics, Drop-in

•Ballroom Dancing

 Foot Notes Dance Studio, 9708-45 Avenue NW  Cynthia: 780-469-3281

 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.

• Blazin’ Bootcamp

• Hockey

 Garneau Elementary School 10925 - 87 Ave  bootcamp@teamedmonton.ca

 hockey@teamedmonton.ca

• Martial Arts

 Ed’s Rec Room (West Edmonton Mall)

 bowling@teamedmonton.ca $15.00 per person.

 15450 - 105 Ave (daycare entrance)  780-328-6414  kungfu@teamedmonton.ca  kickboxing@teamedmonton.ca Drop-ins welcome.

• Cross Country Skiing

• Outdoor Pursuits

• Bowling (Northern Titans)

 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

 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.

 golf@teamedmonton.ca

www.gaycalgary.com

Directory & Events Red Deer Events Wednesdays

LGBT Coffee Night------------------------  7pm See

CAANS

 1st

Friday, August 15th

 Edmonton Contd.

• 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.

• Yoga

 Lion's Breath Yoga Studio (10350-124 Street)  yoga@teamedmonton.ca

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 & Pubs 12 Woody’s See Edmonton - Bars & Clubs (Gay).

Retail Stores Passion Vault

 15239 - 111 Ave  780-930-1169  pvault@telus.net “Edmonton’s Classiest Adult Store”

Products & Services Cruiseline

LETHBRIDGE

 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.

• Book Club

 Monthly, contact us for exact dates.

Theatre & Fine Arts

Community Groups GALA/LA

 356 - 2 Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB  403-527-5882  1-877-440-2437

• Monthly Dances

 M-F, 8:30am - 12:30pm + 1:30pm - 4:30pm

 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

Exposure Festival

The Roxy Theatre (closed)

 University of Lethbridge GBLTTQQ club on campus.

 10708 124th Street, Edmonton AB  780-453-2440  http://www.theatrenetwork.ca

BANFF Community Groups HIV Community Link

 102 Spray Ave  PO Box 3160, Banff, AB T1L 1C8  403-762-0690

JASPER Accommodations Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

 Old Lodge Road  1-866-540-4454  http://www.fairmont.com/jasper

Community Groups Jasper Pride Festival

 PO Box 98, 409 Patricia St., T0E 1E0

 contact@jasperpride.ca  http://www.jasperpride.ca

• Telephone Support

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.

Gay & Lesbian Integrity Assoc. (GALIA)

 galia@uleth.ca

• Movie Night

 Room C610, University of Lethbridge

Gay Youth Alliance Group

 Betty, 403-381-5260  bneil@chr.ab.ca  Every second Wednesday, 3:30pm-5pm

Lethbridge Expo

 http://www.lethbridgeexpo.com

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

Lethbridge HIV Connection

 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.

 1206 - 6 Ave S

PFLAG Canada

 1-888-530-6777

 lethbridgeab@pflagcanada.ca  www.pflagcanada.ca

Pride Lethbridge

Products & Services

 lethbridgepridefest@gmail.com

RED DEER Community Groups

Whistlers Inn

 105 Miette Ave  1-800-282-9919  info@whistlersinn.com  http://www.whistlersinn.com

Community Groups HIV Community Link

 403-308-2893  http://www.galalethbridge.ca Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge and Area.

 The Mix (green water tower) 103 Mayor Magrath Dr S  Every Friday at 10pm

 http://www.exposurefestival.ca Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival.

MEDICINE HAT

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.

Squirt

 http://www.squirt.org Website for dating and hook-ups. 18+ ONLY!

Theatre & Fine Arts Broadway Across Canada

 http://www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca

OUTtv

 http://www.outtv.ca GLBT Television Station.

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.

www.gaycalgary.com

GayCalgary Magazine #151, July 2016

63

Classifieds Event

140

The Fetish Slosh at the Backlot!

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

190

Rork Hilford MC OFFICIANT

MARRIAGE COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS IN ALBERTA WEDDINGS AND MARRIAGES at your venue or in my home studio starting at $150 Destination Location Style • Elopement Style • Quick and Legal • Formal or Stylish • Immediate or in the Future • Religion Free • Standard or Customized Ceremonies • Cross Cultural • Opposite Sex • Same Sex LGBT-TTQ hilford@shaw.ca • 403-246-4134

Furniture

335

Safe Step Walk-In Tub Co. Safe Step Walk-In Tub Alert for Seniors.

Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less Than 4 Inch Step-In. Wide Door. Anti-Slip Floors. American Made. Installation Included.

Call 1-800-594-9682 for $750 Off.

Home for Rent

347

VICTIMS OF RENTAL SCAM IN NEED OF HELP! Hello, we are a couple that recently moved to Calgary from Vancouver only to find out 2 days after moving in that we got scammed. We had to move out that night, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. This situation put us out $4000 and we are going to have to borrow to move into another place. Luckily we had a friend here who graciously helped us out with a place to stay but she has a family and we don’t want to overstay our welcome. If there is ANYONE out there with a big heart that can help us out with a place to rent, we would appreciate it ten fold. We are a respectable and responsible, trustworthy and hardworking couple that has had far too much bad luck lately and need a little help. If you own or know of someone who has a place downtown or close to PLEASE GIVE US A SHOUT! 587-774-1978 TEXT ONLY Sleep in my bed, an adjustable bed. Spend a night/week/month. Very private. Close to the PLC and not far from the Airport. SuperSuite VRBO 842294

Magical Music DJs

Home to Share

350

Furnished Room For Rent in West Springs SW Specializing in LGBT Weddings and Unions.

Everyone deserves the wedding they’ve always dreamed of with the person they love! Call us for a quote today 403.254.9754 Email: magicalmusic@shaw.ca Website: www.magicalmusicdjs.com

Help Wanted

240

Seeking a clean/tidy, responsible, single, mature working person for quiet, clean, secure, furnished bedroom to rent in working MALE COUPLED household in modern home; 10 minute bus ride to amenities; beautiful location, house has 3 cats, rent includes utilities; bedroom located in walkout basement, private bathroom ; street parking; references required + proof of steady income.

403-660-6300

Dating Service

415

GUYSPY ALL MALE HOT GAY HOOKUPS! Call FREE! 800-913-8509 only 18 and over

Cleaning

517

GET A LIFE! Commercial Cleaning

INTERACTIVE MALE Interested in guys? You aren’t the only curious one. It’s just a phone call. Sexy. Discreet. Free.

Why not try? 1-800-913-8509

LIVELINKS Meet singles right now! No paid operators, just real people like you. Browse greetings, exchange messages and connect live. Try it free.

Call now: 1-800-692-5415

Erotic Massage

420

UltimateMaleMassage.com

Does your business need a professional cleaner?

Steve is bonded/Insured. Flexible prices and brings all his own supplies. Steve is a part of the LGBT Community and has been cleaning for over 5 years in Calgary. (403)200-7384 getalifecleaner@gmail.com www.getalifecleaner.com www.facebook.com/getalifecleaner

Private House Cleaner Will clean for the gay community. Very detailed. Includes vacuuming, dusting, cleaning floors, kitchens and bathrooms. Cute clean appearance. Must have own cleaning supplies.

Call for rates. Kevin 403-797-6336

Consulting Best Erotic Male Massage In Calgary.

Studio with free parking. Deep Tissue and Relaxation. Licensed, Professional.

Video on website. 403-680-0533

527

Want to attract the LGBT local or traveler to your business?

mike@ultimatemalemassage.com

Products/Services 500 Certified Personal Trainer

Upcoming wedding/event/trip/class reunion?

If you want to look/feel better, increase your strength/endurance/flexibility, I CAN HELP YOU! call/text me 4038263305 or email me j_d_short@hotmail.com

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.

GayCalgary Magazine is looking for sales people, graphic designers, and writers in Alberta. For more info, contact: magazine@gaycalgary.com 403-543-6960

Ads starting at $10/mo. for the first 20 words. Submit yours at http://www.gaycalgary.com/classifieds 64

GayCalgary Magazine #151, July 2016

www.gaycalgary.com

Legal

557

Award Winning One Stop Paralegal, Immigration & Business Services since 1999. Gay Friendly Staff. Call 403-590-3818 http://www.ActiveProfessionals.com Active Professionals #200, 2705 Centre Street N.W. Calgary T2E 2V5

Travel

680

Puerto Vallarta Condos for Rent 2 x 2 Bdrm for Rent. Ocean views. daily maid service included. Wi-fi , high speed internet.

Secure Quiet 9 suite building. 1/2 block to Blue Chairs Beach. On site English speaking Manager. Contact Rob - rburla21@gmail.com

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GayCalgary Magazine #151, July 2016

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GayCalgary Magazine #151, July 2016

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