IN Magazine: July/August 2016 by IN Magazine

JULY / AUGUST 2016

COMMANDO JONAS JOE JONASâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEW BAND DNCE BREAKS ITS CHERRY AT TORONTO PRIDE

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JULY / AUGUST 2016

REMEMBERING THE 49 LGBT BROTHERS, SISTERS AND ALLIES WHO LOST THEIR LIVES DURING THE TRAGIC EVENTS AT PULSE NIGHTCLUB IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA, IN THE EARLY HOURS OF JUNE 12, 2016. Stanley Almodovar III, 23

Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32

Amanda Alvear, 25

Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21

Oscar A Aracena-Montero, 26

Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49

Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33

Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25

Antonio Davon Brown, 29

Kimberly Morris, 37

Darryl Roman Burt II, 29

Akyra Monet Murray, 18

Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28

Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20

Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25

Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25

Luis Daniel Conde, 39

Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36

Cory James Connell, 21

Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32

Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25

Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35

Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32

Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25

Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25

Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27

Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31

Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35

Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26

Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24

Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22

Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24

Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22

Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34

Paul Terrell Henry, 41

Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33

Frank Hernandez, 27

Martin Benitez Torres, 33

Miguel Angel Honorato, 30

Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24

Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40

Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50

Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19

Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37

Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30

Luis S. Vielma, 22

Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25

Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 3

INMAGAZINE.CA PUBLISHER Patricia Salib GUEST EDITOR Christopher Turner ART DIRECTOR Prairie Koo FASHION DIRECTOR Danyl Geneciran SENIOR WRITER Paul Gallant CONTRIBUTORS Giorgio Ammirabile, Nelson Branco, Colin Druhan, Adriana Ermter, Loui Ferry, Ruth Hanley, Courtney Hardwick, Karen Kwan, Orlando Lopez, Kosmas Pavlos, Michael Pihach, Al Ramsay, Mitchel Raphael, Adam Segal, RenÃ©e Sylvestre-Williams, Doug Wallace, Casey Williams SENIOR ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Woodrow Monteiro DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Reggie Lanuza CONTROLLER Agnes Mao

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ADVERTISING & OTHER INQUIRIES (416) 800-4449 ext 100 info@inmagazine.ca

EDITORIAL INQUIRIES (416) 800-4449 ext 201 editor@inmagazine.ca

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CONTENTS

71 issue 71

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INFRONT

06 | THE PRANCING ELITES J-SET INTO TORONTO Members of the all-black, gay and gender non-conforming dance troupe get ready for their first trip to Toronto

08 | LOOKING GOOD You don’t need to go to boot camp to combat summer acne 10 | MONEY$TYLE There’s a big difference from a finance perspective between buying a home and buying a rental property 12 | PRIDE AT WORK What can workplaces do to support trans and gender non-conforming employees? 13 | HEALTH & WELLNESS Get a handle on your sweat 14 | RELATIONSHIPS He’s made it clear that the ex-boyfriend is staying in the picture. What are you going to do about it?

15 | WHEELS Roll into summer with four very different vehicles that can handle all of your equipment 16 | COMMUNITY Toronto’s annual Dyke March: giving women who love women the chance to walk proud 18 | ON THE TOWN Scenes from the party circuit

FEATURES

42 | TRAVEL: WHICH WAY TO JERI BEACH? A remote stretch of the northern Brazil coastline that’s reachable only by 4 x 4 or helicopter reveals wild donkeys, taut bodies, kite surfing and killer sunsets 47 | INSIGHT: COMMUNICATING DESIRE In our smartphone era, gay men still remain startlingly incompetent at expressing what they want 50 | FLASHBACK Toronto’s first “Gay Day Picnic” was held on the beach at Hanlan’s Point on Sunday, August 1

20 | NOT TOO GAY TO FUNCTION Daniel Franzese talks about the unwavering popularity of Mean Girls, the Looking movie, and his commitment to stopping HIV and AIDS

FASHION

22 | QUEEN OF SHADE Bianca Del Rio has your number in her Rolodex of hate

30 | WEAR THE RAINBOW Wear it loud, wear it proud all summer long

26 | COMMANDO JONAS Joe Jonas’s new band DNCE breaks its cherry at Toronto’s Pride

32 | DEAR SUMMER Humidity-busting looks that will turn more than a few heads 5

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The Prancing Elites (From left: Kareem Davis, Jerel Maddox, Kentrell Collins, Tim Smith, Adrian Clemons) Photo: Michael Wong/Oxygen

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PRIDE 2016

THE PRANCING ELITES J-SET INTO TORONTO Members of the all-black, gay and gender non-conforming dance troupe get ready for their first trip to Toronto Pride By Renée Sylvestre-Williams

The Prancing Elites have one very important question about Toronto: is the food any good? The dance troupe has a deep appreciation of food, especially soul food, thanks to their Alabama roots. And on their first trip to Toronto for Pride 2016, they’re interested in experiencing and tasting all that Toronto has to offer and giving Toronto the Prancing Elite experience.

tweeted a video of them performing in 2013, which led to multiple media appearances as well as their own reality show, The Prancing Elites Project, which is now in its second season on The Oxygen Network. The show chronicles the Prancing Elites as they perform at local events, parades and cruises. It also reveals the obstacles they face, including when Maddox’s house burned down last year.

“Wherever we go, there’s a party,” says troupe member Jerel Maddox. They’re up here for the final weekend of Pride month—although after a discussion of all the Pride events and the possibility of pool parties, Maddox sighs, “I wish it was for a week!”—and will perform as International Honoured Guests at the festival.

The negative experiences they’ve faced have not stopped them, and the positive now outweighs the negative for these once-reluctant role models. “We were never meaning to be role models,” says Smith, taking the time to consider her words. “It was more of a thing that comes along with being and doing what we do. I like that people consider us role models because that means we’re helping people.”

If you haven’t heard of the Prancing Elites, here’s why you should check them out at Pride. Adrian Clemons, Kentrell Collins, Kareem Davis, Jerel Maddox and Tim Smith are five gender non-conforming African-American dancers from Mobile, Alabama. Collins founded the group in 2004 for people who wanted to dance but weren’t allowed to audition for their school’s dance teams. The troupe came together over their love of J-setting, a dance that was introduced in the ’70s at Jackson State University by members of the marching band who eventually became the Jaycettes (currently called the J-Settes). The distinctive dance style became popular among young, gay, African-American men who took it back to their cities, and the style proliferated through gay clubs. J-setting hit the mainstream with Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” video in 2008. “And ‘Diva,’” says Maddox. The Prancing Elites hit the mainstream when Shaquille O’Neal

“I agree with Tim,” says Maddox. “When all the notoriety started and people were, ‘Oh my god, you’re my role model’ and ‘I look up to you,’ we were looking at each other like, ‘What did we do to become such role models?’ Now we realize we’re making a difference in people’s lives. We’re doing a lot for the LGBT community and we’re giving hope to those who are scared to believe in themselves.” But dancing remains the Prancing Elites’ focus. They’ve got plans for their Toronto appearance—and while they wouldn’t divulge too much, they promise it’s going to be big and the music will inspire their moves. Before we wrapped up our interview, the conversation turned back to food and the best places to eat in Toronto. Promises were made to send them a list of places to check out during their visit, including the best places for poutine. Now to find them that pool party.

RENÉE SYLVESTRE-WILLIAMS is a Toronto-based journalist. She has been published in Forbes, Canadian Living and The Globe and Mail.

BALANCING ACT You don’t need to go to boot camp to combat summer acne. All it takes is a little know-how and the right prep work to keep spots under control By Adriana Ermter

Finally … the warm and sunny weather is here. We’re cruising with the sunroof open; playing tennis, beach volleyball and Frisbee outside; and singing “Summertime” along with DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. We’re getting up early, going to bed late and enjoying cocktail hour/barbecue time on the patio. And while all of that great vitamin D-infused sunlight boosts our serotonin levels and elevates our happy state of mind, the combination of increased activities, sweat, seasonal humidity, sunscreen and indulgent behaviour can throw our skin off balance. “Most people tend to suffer from acne flare-ups on their face, upper back, breasts and even the buttocks in the summer,” affirms Dr. Paul Cohen, a dermatologist at Rosedale Dermatology in Toronto. “Heat and humidity intensify oil production, while excessive sweating and pollutants can contribute to clogged pores—all leading to breakouts.”

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Acne 101 Knowing the difference between each bump and spot you’re experiencing is the first step towards eradicating and preventing facial and body acne. The most common types of pimples are whiteheads, which live under the surface of your skin and have a small, white, pus-filled centre. Blackheads sit on the surface of your skin and look like tiny black dots. Papules are small pink bumps that are often tender to the touch. Cysts are deep, pus-filled pimples that can be very painful even when they’re not being touched; they can often leave scars. “Acne appears when a pore in our skin clogs,” explains Dr. Cohen. “This can happen when the dead skin cells stick together inside the pore and when the body starts to make lots of sebum—the oil that keeps our skin from drying out. Normally, these dead skin cells rise to the surface of the pores and the body sheds them. But when the pores get blocked, bacteria gets trapped inside. Or, when there is a hormonal imbalance, a pimple will appear.” Face vs. body acne While facial acne and body acne are essentially the same, the pores on your back and body are much larger and produce more oil than those on your face, often resulting in inflammatory acne: larger nodule and cystic blemishes. “The most common cause 8

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of body acne is hormonal acne, which is the root cause for the overproduction of oil that often triggers breakouts,” says Dr. Cohen. “The second most common trigger is an irritation to the skin called acne mechanica, which is aggravated by moisture. This means that if sweat gets trapped against your back or body, the situation will worsen.” The process of elimination The key to combatting all types of acne is energizing your summer skincare routine with a few good habits. One good practice is to wear cotton, breathable or dryfit fabrics when you’re working out or spending long periods of time outdoors and in the sun. Remembering to take your backpack off during rest breaks while hiking or during long walks can also cut down on the amount of moisture and sweat rubbing against your body. And double up on shower time: once in the morning to start your day and again before you go to bed at night is crucial. “You should always shower after a workout or after you’ve heavily perspired,” advises Allison Hegedus, president of Vida Spas in Vancouver and Whistler, BC. “When you do, it’s important to use an antibacterial wash to thoroughly cleanse your face, chest and back, as this will keep your pores and skin free of bacteria.”

LOOKING GOOD

Face and body cleansers containing astringent, refreshing and calming ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, peppermint, rosemary and lavender tend to work best, as they deep-clean pores to help treat and prevent breakouts. They can be found in products such as Dial Acne Control Deep Cleansing Face Wash ($5, available at drugstores and mass retailers) and Burt’s Bees Peppermint & Rosemary Body Wash ($10, available at Shoppers Drug Mart).

BB Cream SPF 30 ($23, available at Shoppers Drug Mart) in Light, and Clinique Self Sun Tinted Body Lotion in Light/Medium ($28, available at Sephora). “It will moisturize and help counter any bacteria your sebaceous glands are producing,” explains Hegedus.

Blocking the sun Last but not least, don’t forget to apply sunscreen before you step outside. “Direct sun exposure can further aggravate acne, as the Adding an exfoliating product containing rice, sugar, grains, salt harsh UV rays irritate and inflame the skin further,” warns Dr. or microbeads is also a must, as they penetrate and remove the Cohen. Daily sunscreen application is mandatory to prevent the layer of oil, grime, sunscreen and sweat that has accumulated on sun’s UVA and UVB rays from damaging your skin; an all-over your skin throughout the day. Try products like Dermalogica Daily layer reapplied every two to three hours will do the trick from Microfoliant ($74, available at spas across Canada and online at head to toe. “Many people tend to slather on tons of sunscreen, www.dermalogica.ca) and Decleor 1000 Grain Body Exfoliator which can be comedogenic [cause acne] and oily,” adds Dr. Cohen. (from $49, available at Hudson’s Bay) in your daily routine. “Using too much of the wrong sunscreen can end up clogging the “Exfoliation removes rough skin and dead skin cells, allowing sebum skin’s pores, which then become breeding grounds for bacteria.” and bacteria to come to the surface, preventing it from congesting Opt for products clearly stating that they are non-comedogenic or under the skin,” says Hegedus. non-greasy, or that mention Helioplex on the label (Helioplex is a formulation of broad-spectrum UVA and UVB skin protection And don’t skip hydrating your skin. It may be hot and sweaty outside, containing avobenzone and oxybenzone). Try products such as but your dermis still needs a little moisturizing TLC. Choose items Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face and Body Stick Sunscreen SPF 50+ with light, oil-free formulations that include a light tint to mask (from $14, available at drugstores and mass retailers). redness from acne irritations, such as Aveeno Clear Complexion ADRIANA ERMTER is a Toronto-based, lifestyle-magazine-pro who has travelled the globe, writing about must-spritz fragrances, child poverty, beauty and grooming.

BUYING A HOME VS. BUYING AN INVESTMENT PROPERTY There’s a big difference from a finance perspective between buying a home and buying a rental property

JULY / AUGUST 2016

By Al Ramsay

This year the news has been filled with differing headlines on Canada’s red-hot housing market. Some experts predict a crash, insisting that the bubble has to burst, while others argue that there are no signs that things will come crashing down any time soon. Still, continued development in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada’s two hottest housing markets, have created a frenzy of discussions among people who want to add real estate to their portfolio for the first time, or want to acquire additional properties. There are big differences between what makes a property a home versus an investment property. It’s important to know the search criteria for an investment property, strategies to finance the purchase,

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and how to work around some constraints such as having a single income in an expensive market. Diversification of asset class Despite the blanket statements that are being made about real estate, there’s not one Canadian market, but a combination of small markets that are not created equal. For example, not all properties have appreciated in the past year. The Canadian Real Estate Association report in February 2016 stated that although the national average sale price rose 16.4% on a year-over-year basis, it actually declined 1.4% when British Columbia and Ontario were excluded. I highlight this to remind residents in Ontario and British Columbia that real

MONEY$TYLE

estate does not always go up in value. However, from a risk management point of view, adding real estate to your existing portfolio of stocks and bonds as a third asset class does achieve the benefits of diversification, which could reduce your risk. Diversification of location When choosing a property in a hot market, a compromise on your wish list may have to be made on important characteristics such as location. Ensure you stay within your affordability range, and don’t over-extend yourself because you are afraid of missing out. If the compromise is a challenge, then consider an investment property you can afford, and renting where you want to live. The purchase of a home will involve emotions that influence the decisions on whether you fall in love with the house or not. On the other hand, an investment property should be assessed based on the raw numbers of the income it generates on an annual basis in relation to the price. It doesn’t really matter too much whether the colours of the drapes clash with the carpet, or that the bathroom tiles are a little too loud. Also, the capital gain or appreciation is also part of the return, but you have no control over this—consider it the icing on the cake. Diversification of property type Here’s another option to consider: instead of trying to buy a detached home in the expensive city, you can buy a semi-detached with second suite basement; or you could buy two affordable condominiums, using one as your principal residence and the other as an investment property. Financing options After you have found a property that meets your criteria, the next important step is how to finance the purchase. The preferred option is a 20% down payment, in order to avoid CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) insurance premiums; or pay

the premiums if your down payment is between five and 20%. If you live in a market where real estate prices are not rapidly rising with double-digit increases in some years, then you can rationalize the decision to keep saving towards the 20%. However, if you live in a hot market and are not seeing any double-digit salary increases, you may find yourself chasing a moving target. The Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) reported that the average home price in Toronto was $685,278 in February 2016, which means a 20% down payment was $137,055.60. If the next year is a repeat of the recent 14.9% price increase, the average price becomes $787,384.42, and now you need $157,476.88 in savings. So if you don’t expect to see that type of salary increase or annual bonus, you may feel like a dog chasing its tail, in trying to set aside a 20% down payment in a rapidly rising market. Those of you who are not first-time buyers, and are hoping to buy an investment property, can take advantage of the fact that your down payment can be borrowed from the equity of your principal residence. This allows you to achieve the objective much more quickly than if you were saving for a down payment while maintaining your mortgage payments on the principal residence, or if you were planning to pay off your existing mortgage before buying the investment property. If that takes 20 years, you can imagine how much the prices would have changed. As you accumulate assets to grow your wealth, diversification to add real estate along with your existing stocks, bonds and mutual funds is a good strategy. Explore various options beyond where you reside, and distinguish whether you are buying a home or an investment. Finally, speak to a Financial Advisor to explore what options are appropriate for your specific circumstance in terms of financing the investment, and other considerations such as tax planning and estate planning.

For more information on buying a home or property, please visit https://www.tdcanadatrust. com/products-services/banking/mortgages/td-mortgages-resl.jsp.

AL RAMSAY is TD Bank Group’s regional manager, LGBTA Business Development, and leads a team of expert advisors dedicated to serving the LGBTA community. For more information or to book a meeting, he can be reached at al.ramsay@td.com or follow him on Twitter at @ALRamsay_TD. Orlando Lopez, TD Wealth Financial Planner, also contributed to this article.

PRIDE AT WORK

BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY What can workplaces do to support trans and gender non-conforming employees? By Colin Druhan

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The recent proposal by the Canadian government to include gender identity and gender expression as grounds in the Canadian Human Rights Act, as well as media coverage of non-discrimination laws and ordinances in the United States, have a lot of Canadians asking questions. Much of the coverage of such laws has focused on access to washrooms, which has perpetuated the false idea that making washrooms and other gendered spaces safe for trans and gender con-conforming people somehow poses a risk to public safety. This distracts from the injustices and dangers that face members of the LGBT community who are marginalized on the grounds of their gender identity and gender expression. Many Canadian workers want to know about what their workplace can do to support trans and gender non-conforming employees. The unfortunate truth is that some employers’ LGBT inclusion efforts address challenges related to sexual orientation, but overlook the needs of other members of the diverse LGBT community. It’s important to round out inclusion efforts to ensure that they address the needs of all LGBT employees. Here are a few ways Pride at Work Canada recommends measuring inclusive workplace practices related to gender identity and gender expression: Inclusive policies When an employer sets standards of behaviour, it helps employees understand that while they may think whatever they choose, they cannot do whatever they

choose. Policies underscore that there are consequences to limiting the advancement of others because of one’s personally held beliefs, prejudices or stereotypes. Practically speaking, policies must change before people change. Many Canadian employers expressly include sexual orientation in their harassment, discrimination and anti-bullying policies. However, the grounds of gender identity and gender expression must be included in order for policies to be truly inclusive. Education and training One of the biggest barriers to having conversations about issues facing trans and gender non-conforming workers is the lack of tools to talk respectfully about gender identity and gender expression. It’s a big reason why many LGBT efforts disproportionately address challenges related to sexual orientation. It is true that understanding definitions and knowing a few statistics does not make one an expert in these issues, but education does allow the conversation to be elevated beyond misunderstanding. Welcoming physical spaces Providing gender-neutral washroom facilities is just one of many steps that can be taken to provide a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. It’s important to ensure trans and gender non-conforming employees feel safe using facilities that align with the gender they live every day. Workers should see and hear their employer’s commitment all around them through visible messages of support and the use of inclusive and respectful language.

Health benefits Many Canadian employer-provided health benefit packages do not include transition-related care for employees or their dependents. For employees (or members of their families) who choose to transition, related costs can be a big barrier. It’s also important to recognize that, at work and more generally, many trans and gender non-conforming people experience social isolation and ongoing discrimination. Comprehensive mental health support should also be considered part of an inclusive benefits package. Guidelines for support Employers should be ready to provide support if an employee chooses to transition on the job. Having guidelines in place to ensure that the employee leads this process based on their unique needs is crucial. Identifying and addressing transphobic bullying Most of us can easily identify overt forms of bullying, such as name-calling. However, it’s important to promote understanding of more insidious forms of transphobic bullying such as consistently mis-gendering someone, refusing to use someone’s chosen name or outing someone without their permission. When employees can identify these behaviours as bullying and the consequences for those behaviours are outlined in clearly communicated policies, it helps make for a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone.

COLIN DRUHAN is the executive director of Pride at Work Canada, a not-for-profit organization that empowers employers to foster workplace cultures that recognize LGBT employees. For more information, visit prideatwork.ca.

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Get a handle on your sweat By Karen Kwan

Sweating is a healthy part of being, well, alive; it’s how your body cools itself down. Factors including your gender, age, health and physical fitness affect how much you sweat. So while you may soak your gym gear during a hard workout, your partner may just barely perspire no matter what the circumstance, whereas another buddy may drench his business suit just sitting at his desk. No matter what your situation, here are some solutions to help you get your sweaty issues under control.

Apply antiperspirant at nighttime Antiperspirants commonly feature an aluminum chloride base, which works by blocking the sweat ducts (this prevents sweat from reaching the surface of the skin). Putting on your antiperspirant at night is a good idea because your sweat ducts are less active in the evenings. Your p.m. application will give the active ingredients in the product more time to absorb and clog those ducts than it does if you swipe it on in the morning. Avoid spicy food Spicy food may not only make your sweat more pungent, but it can also trigger your body to produce sweat. So if you love spicy food, you may need to lay off it (or eat it only occasionally) if dealing with your sweating is a priority. Zap-stop your sweat “The problem with aluminum chloride-based products is that they can be irritating to the skin, so people often abandon using them,” says Toronto-based dermatologist Dr. Julia Carroll. If you tend to have sweaty hands and feet but also have sensitive skin, an alternative method, iontophoresis, may be the route for you. It involves sending a mild electric current through water and

through the skin to lessen your sweat production. You can find physiotherapists who offer the treatment, and there are devices you can use at home as well. Practise alternative methods for reducing stress If you find that a big meeting at work or the anxiety of going on a first date makes you a big sweaty mess, start practising methods that allow you to manage your stress levels, such as deep breathing techniques or meditation; this may help you stay drier in the future. Botox your pits Excessive sweating is an actual medical condition called hyperhidrosis. “For some people, it can be all-consuming,” says Dr. Carroll. She most commonly treats patients who are concerned about their excessive sweating with Botox injections. Botox helps by blocking the neurotransmitters that trigger the sweat glands. It starts at about $600 per treatment (check your health insurance; some plans cover a portion of the cost). “It’s done with tiny injections of medical Botox in each armpit, which takes about five minutes each side, and most people don’t sweat excessively for the next nine to 12 months,” says Dr. Carroll.

KAREN KWAN is a freelance health, travel and lifestyle writer based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter at @healthswellness and on Instagram at @healthandswellness.

HEALTH & WELNESS

SWEATY BUSINESS

RELATIONSHIPS

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT He’s made it clear that the ex-boyfriend is staying in the picture. What are you going to do about it? By Adam Segal

My boyfriend of nearly a year is very close with his most recent ex (they broke up about three years ago and have stayed friends). He posts more photos with his ex online than he does of the two of us; they text several times a day; and they are very physical and affectionate with each other, especially when we are all out together with other friends. They hang out alone quite a bit and often cuddle together—this was a pretty brutal image to come home to. I’ve tried to be flexible and open-minded about their closeness, but the cuddle thing just freaked me out. I’ve tried twice to bring this up and he tells me I’m ridiculous, that they are strictly platonic and that there’s no sexual connection. I have remained friends with a few of my exes—but they aren’t in my closest circle of friends so this kind of relationship is really ‘out there’ for me. I want to think positively and stop myself from feeling so threatened, but it’s just getting to be too much. How do I stop this from bothering me so much? —Olivier

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Dear Olivier: In the realm of pop psychology and airport self-help books, feelings get a bad rap. Countless books about the power of positive thinking encourage us to feel like we should be capable of robotic thought (and feeling) control, and maintain a blissful state of optimism in any situation. There’s no doubt that a lot of us are sleepwalking through our days, lost in self-critical or catastrophizing thought loops. But when it comes to the most important aspects of our lives, our true feelings can often be the best compass—if we’re willing to listen to them. In relationships, it’s important and admirable to not always go with our knee-jerk reaction, and to reflect on how we want to respond to those harder moments. You’ve already tried to be okay with your BF’s uniquely close bond with his ex, and that’s not working. Sure, there might be some guy out there who wouldn’t be rocked by this situation … but that isn’t you, and you need to stop wishing that it was. Whether it’s wrong to be this close to an ex isn’t really what’s important here—what’s more significant is how all of this makes you feel, and how you and your BF jointly attend to this issue. Responding to your feelings by calling them ridiculous is dismissive and will work against building trust between you two. You will need to feel like a priority going forward—where your feelings and needs are considered and where he is willing to make compromises that allow the two of you to be on solid ground. Without being accusatory, see if he is willing to hear that even if his friendship is solely platonic, the amount of space it takes up in your lives is making you uncomfortable. If sustaining this exact level of connection with his ex continues to be so important to him, it’s hard to imagine you ever feeling truly at peace.

ADAM SEGAL, writer and therapist, works in private practice in downtown Toronto. Ask him your relationship or mental-health questions @relationship@inmagazine.ca.

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WHEELS

SPORTING RIDES Roll into summer with four very different vehicles that can handle all of your equipment By Casey Williams

If you play sports, you must have the right equipment—and the right auto. Whether your dream weekend involves fast tracks, watersports, off-roading or “glamping,” we have the vehicle for you.

Glamping: Bentley Bentayga If Her Majesty went camping, she’d take this. The Bentayga is distinguished by Bentley’s trademark mesh grille and sculpted rear haunches. Diamond-quilted leather, hand-matched veneers and available gold Tourbillon clock by Breitling dress the cabin—as do night vision, Wi-Fi autonomous parking system and Naim for Bentley audio. All that is propelled by a 6.0-litre 12-cylinder engine, delivering 447 kW/600 horsepower. Deploy the rear “event seating,” pull the champagne from the fridge, and bust open the Linley cutlery and crystal. Base price: $266,090 Off-roading: Jeep Renegade The Wrangler is legendary, but the smaller Renegade crossover holds its own on the Rubicon Trail and is a better urban partner. It flaunts the funky styling of Jeep’s grater grille flanked by round headlamps, but steps up with removable roof panels. Though architecture is shared with the Fiat 500X, Renegade offers Trail Rated capability and four-wheel drive with crawl ratio. It can even ford up to 19 inches of water. Get it with a 134 kW/180 horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder or 119 kW/160 horsepower 1.4-litre turbo-four. Base price: $21,495 Track Days: Subaru BRZ A high-revving engine, sharp moves and an LGBT-friendly automaker make the BRZ a track-day athlete. Rev the 149 kW/200 horsepower 2.0-litre “Boxer” four-cylinder engine connected to a paddle-shift or short-throw manual six-speed transmission. A rear suspension from the WRX STi and Sport mode enhance handling. Inside, a centre tachometer, thickly bolstered seats and simple controls keep it real. Think of it as a bargain Porsche Cayman. Base price: $27,395

Watersports: GMC Sierra Denali This one is ideal for pulling a boat or Jet Ski in luxury. Flashy chrome, 20-inch alloys and LED lighting complement an interior with burnished aluminum and heated/cooled leather seats. The Corvette-derived Magnetic Ride Control keeps it smooth, while Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist and Safety Alert Seat keep you safe. Wireless smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay and 4G Wi-Fi add convenience. Choose the 313k W/420 horsepower 6.2-litre V8 to pull almost anything. Base price: $64,725

CASEY WILLIAMS is a contributing writer for Gaywheels.com. He contributes to the New York-based LGBT magazine Metrosource and the Chicago Tribune. He and his husband live in Indianapolis, where Williams contributes videos and reviews to wfyi.org, the area’s PBS/NPR station.

COMMUNITY

TORONTO’S DYKE MARCH: STAYING TRUE TO ITS ROOTS Giving women who love women, regardless of the label they identify with, the chance to walk proud By Courtney Hardwick

JULY / AUGUST 2016

2015 Dyke March Photo: Paul Kinnis

Toronto Pride Week has evolved from the mass protests over the 1981 Toronto bathhouse raids, celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2015. This year marked Toronto’s first-ever Pride Month, and along with that came plenty of celebrations, including the massive Pride Parade, and of course the Dyke March. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Dyke March, a grassroots event meant to give women who love women, regardless of the label they identify with, the chance to walk proud. But the march

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is more than a parade; it’s a political demonstration that attracts thousands of women every year to celebrate diversity, strength and individuality. The first-ever lesbian Pride march was held in Vancouver in 1981 to recognize and start a dialogue about lesbian visibility—or the lack thereof. A few months later, an organization called Lesbians Against the Right organized a similar march in Toronto. The first official Dyke March was organized by queer activist group, the

Lesbian Avengers, in Washington in 1993. Twenty thousand queer woman took part in that march, and now dyke marches are a huge part of Pride celebrations all over the world. Toronto’s Dyke March aims to do more than celebrate queer women in every shape and form—as an activist demonstration, the organizers, supporters and participants of the march are striving to dismantle systems that marginalize and oppress, replacing them with supportive spaces that recognize everyone’s experience and point of view is valid. The Dyke March gives queer women in particular their own voice and the opportunity to focus on issues that matter to them, with the support of the entire LGBTQ community backing them up. Toronto’s community of queer women is the informal owner of the Dyke March, giving it a “for the people by the people” vibe

that has always been the backbone of the march. In 2015, Pride Toronto applied to trademark the “Dyke March” label in an attempt to prevent anyone else from doing so. The trademark attempt was meant to protect the Dyke March and help maintain its grassroots nature. Despite well-meaning intentions, there was a public outcry accusing Pride Toronto of trying to commercialize the use of “dyke march” for events and merchandise. After a couple of months, Pride Toronto withdrew their trademark application and vowed to instead keep working with the community to maintain the integrity of future marches without going through with the extreme step of “owning” it. The Dyke March in Toronto and cities all over the world are committed to inclusivity and empowering women regardless of who they love. That means control over the march remains exactly where it belongs—firmly in the hands of the community that started it.

COURTNEY HARDWICK is a Toronto-based freelance writer. Her work has appeared online at AmongMen, Complex Canada, Elle Canada and TheBolde.

ON THE TOWN

SCENES FROM THE PARTY CIRCUIT By Michael Pihach

2 3

JULY / AUGUST 2016

Club Babylon at Fly 2.0 (Photos: Mitchel Raphael) 1: Harris Allan, 2: Sofonda Cox, 3: Randy Harrison. Operanation at Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts 4: Judy Virago, Allysin Chaynes, Tynomi Banks, 5: April Wozny, 6: Michael Cursio. Power Ball XVIII at The Power Plant 7: Clara Venice, Victoria Jackman, 8: Jay Strut, Bonnie Shore, 9: Shinan Govani, Michael Liebrock. Pride Toronto Launch at AGO 10: Philip Villeneuve, Robert Weir, 11: Alice Nelson, Peter Zuk, 12: Aaron GlynWilliams, Mathieu Bellemare.

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NOW UNTIL JULY 3

FEATURE

NOT TOO GAY TO FUNCTION

Daniel Franzese talks about the unwavering popularity of Mean Girls, the Looking movie, and his commitment to stopping HIV and AIDS

JULY / AUGUST 2016

By Christopher Turner

It has been 12 years since actor Daniel Franzese starred as “too When Mean Girls was first released in the spring of 2004, it was gay to function” Damian in the widely adored comedy Mean Girls, your typical PG-13 high school set film. But the launch of social and yet not a day goes by that someone doesn’t remind him of it. media outlets like Facebook (which also launched in 2004) launched But Franzese doesn’t seem to mind. As he was preparing to add a a culture of obsessive sharing, and what was better than sharing little live commentary to a free outdoor screening of Mean Girls one of the flick’s highly quotable lines and catchphrases? So fetch. presented by Pride Toronto, Harbourfront Centre and TIFF, he told IN that playing the role of the straight-talking, gay teen was “It’s incredible and I can’t imagine that the popularity of Mean an honour for him. Girls is ever going to waver. It’s just one of those movies and I’m so grateful for it.” “It really never ceases to amaze me,” Franzese said. “If I walked over to the supermarket right now, someone would stop me to talk Here’s looking at you about Mean Girls … and I don’t mind it at all. It’s a wonderful gift But Mean Girls isn’t the only project Franzese is attached to with to have been part of such a legendary film, and part of people’s a cult-like following. There’s also Looking. nostalgia. This movie has that feeling for a lot of people and it’s an honour.” The series premiered in January 2014 to critical acclaim but low ratings, and was cancelled after two seasons. Loyal fans were There’s nostalgia. But what is it about Mean Girls that’s made it last? outraged, but HBO promised to provide them with closure with a feature-length presentation. Looking: The Movie is set to debut on Sure, the performances are fantastic, and Tina Fey’s witty script July 23 on HBO Canada, and while he remained tight-lipped on was one of the coolest of all time, but if you ask Franzese he would say it’s because of one thing: the Internet. 20

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Photo: Daniel Jack Lyons

the plot of the film, Franzese said fans won’t be left disappointed when it wraps up the stories of the trio of San Francisco-based gay pals (Jonathan Groff, Murray Bartlett and Frankie J. Alvarez), as well as familiar characters like Franzese’s HIV-positive bear, Eddie. “There are definitely some bumps in the road with commitment but I think that Eddie and Agustin (played by Alvarez) are a strong couple,” Franzese said. “Nothing really wraps up in a neat bow in the world of Looking.… But I definitely think that people will be satisfied with how things finish up.”

Lambda Legal came out of my involvement with Looking and the LGBT community. It’s some work that I’m extremely proud of,” Franzese said. The role of ambassador has seen Franzese attending congressional meetings in Washington, DC, to speak on behalf of people with HIV and AIDS, and meeting with AIDS activists and US Senator Bernie Sanders. He’s also worked with GLAAD in examining how media and television can raise awareness of the virus and its prevention (when the character of Eddie joined Looking, Franzese had the sad distinction of portraying the only HIV-positive character on scripted television).

What’s next for Franzese? Well, he has a couple of hush-hush projects in development for the fall, and he has been focusing a lot of his energy on giving back to the community. These days he’s an “We think there’s a direct correlation between the lack of repreambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, where he sentation in Hollywood and a rise in new infections,” Franzese said. advocates for HIV prevention and awareness, and an ambassador “We have started this new initiative over the past two years to get for Lambda Legal, one of the most prominent non-profit organiza- Hollywood to recommit to telling stories about people with HIV tions working for the civil rights of lesbians, gay men and people and AIDS. Because with 1.2 million people in the US who have with HIV/AIDS. HIV, there are only three stories on television right now about them.” “My involvement with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and

We’ll be watching, Daniel.

CHRISTOPHER TURNER acted as guest editor for this issue of IN Magazine. He is a Toronto-based writer, editor and lifelong fashionisto with a passion for pop culture and sneakers. Follow him on social media at @Turnstylin.

DRAG RACE JULY / AUGUST 2016

Bianca Del Rio in Hurricane Bianca

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QUEEN OF SHADE Bianca Del Rio has your number in her Rolodex of hate By Nelson Branco

“Give a drag queen a fish and you feed her for a day; show her how to be fishy and you feed her for a lifetime.” – RuPaul

“Expect the unexpected,” she previews. “When you give me and Lady Bunny two microphones and drinks, shit is going to go down. But it’s usually just her T-cell count.”

RuPaul’s biggest find, Bianca Del Rio, isn’t feeding on fish these days. Today, the drag superstar is feasting on sharks in the industry and washing it all down with some refreshing tea with a chaser of shade.

IN took our life in our hands by interviewing the force of nature to chat about the relevancy of Pride, hosting Drag Race, and the perils of social media.

Yes, RuPaul might have created a monster, albeit a hilarious and successful one. Stomping on the dreams of 13 contestants, Bianca (a.k.a. Roy Haylock) reigned supreme on Drag Race: Season Six, earning sole title of America’s Next Drag Superstar. Almost immediately, the New Orleans native’s star ascended to new mainstream and international heights. Known for her razor-sharp wit, deadly takedowns and insult humour, the old-school fan favourite has become a global sensation thanks to her stand-up TV special Bianca Del Rio’s Rolodex of Hate, as well as appearances on various web and talk shows. Even The New York Times has weighed in, calling her “the Joan Rivers of the drag world.” And now she’s adding ‘movie star’ to her growing resumé. Her film, Hurricane Bianca, was purchased by a distributor at Toronto’s Inside Out Film Festival, where the movie had its world premiere, this past May. The film stars Del Rio as a teacher from New York who is fired from his job at a small-town Texas high school because he is gay. He returns, disguised as a woman, to seek revenge on a variety of wacky characters from the bigoted town. Rounding out the movie’s star-studded cast are Rachel Dratch, Alan Cumming, Margaret Cho and RuPaul himself. Oh, and a few Drag Race alums. If that wasn’t enough to make a diva even more narcissistic, Del Rio is working on an upcoming non-fiction book, and a global comedy tour. In Toronto for Pride weekend, Del Rio will be co-hosting Drag On! with icon Lady Bunny on July 2 from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Yonge-Dundas Square.

Hurricane Bianca is described as a drag queen revenge comedy. With gays under attack in your country, it’s a pretty relevant narrative. Well, yes, it’s crazy. In America, there are 29 states where you can get fired from your job for being gay. So my character, a schoolteacher, who is fired because he’s gay, returns as a new female teacher—Bianca Del Rio—to seek revenge on the ignorant townsfolk. As you can see, it’s a serious documentary [laughs]. It’s a serious topic but we deal with it comically. It’s not even an argument: you’re the biggest star to come out of Drag Race. That’s a great compliment, but what really helped me was that I was the oldest one who won the show. To have 18 years of drag on my resumé, I had a clear idea of who I am and what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to follow in the typical drag trajectory of doing a shitty song or appear in a video. I’m more grateful for the support than anything else. It’s been a great ride. You have to get out there and hustle. I’ve been working more and harder than ever. Did you have a feeling you’d win Drag Race? I didn’t think I would win because I didn’t cry; I wasn’t left at a bus stop as a kid; I knew who my parents were; and I didn’t have a disease; all of which usually makes for great TV. For me, it was just great to get through the challenges. A lot of time passed before the show aired, so I was happy with how far I got. I was lucky to be in the finals with two great people, Courtney Act and Adore Delano. Any one of us could have won. Winning has truly changed my life. Where does Bianca start and Roy end? I’m literally the same person. Obviously, on stage my cuntiness is a bit heightened, but it all comes from the same brain. And I’m not one of those people who become a different character in drag. It’s who I am and how I think. Especially in America, everyone’s too busy to be politically correct, so I’m taking this opportunity to be politically incorrect because we’re all thinking but no one wants to say it. 23

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Comic drag appears to be making a comeback thanks to you and this year’s Drag Race winner, Bob the Drag Queen. What’s great about Drag Race is that drag is as close to mainstream as it has ever been. But I also think it’s been hurtful because everyone is too focused on copying others and not being unique. Listen, a look is great, but that’s only going to get you so far. And do your drag history research. There are lot of icons from the past you can learn from.

sycophants who might be more interested in Bianca than Roy? It’s an amazing opportunity for me to do what I am able to do, but for me it’s a business. Bianca isn’t my identity. I surround myself with good people who I’ve known before this journey and along the journey. But I’m also 41 years old so I’m not clouded when people lick my ass. My friends are the ones who tell me the most hateful things—and I love it. You have to surround yourself with normal people. I don’t get lost in the madness.

Are you happy with how gay culture and society have evolved? With everything, things change and it can be overwhelming to think about it. We didn’t have the Internet or social media apps. Today, some people don’t know what it’s like to go to a bar and get their dick sucked. Or carry on a conversation. But when I’m in Paris and drunk in my hotel room, I can order shoes whenever I want thanks to technology; so I can’t really bitch too much because there are two sides to change. I’m pretty fortunate to know a lot of people from back in the day—and there are a few who should drop dead, like Lady Bunny—so it’s great they’re still around so we can hang out, have a drink, commiserate and reflect.

Obviously the late, great Joan Rivers was one of your inspirations … They say don’t meet your idols because you’ll be disappointed, but I was far more impressed after meeting her. She was a businesswoman with a lot to do but she made time for me to do [the web series In Bed With Joan]. She could have been a total bitch but she was the opposite: very welcoming and kind.

What are your thoughts on Pride today? Should we reinvent it? Scale it down? Reinventing it would be great. I’ve been able to do a lot of Prides and visit different cities. I’m always amazed at the turnout. I’m fine that people want to see me and take a selfie, but please realize what you are there for. That’s the hard part: they don’t understand the origins of Pride. I wish more people realized that as a gay community we had it really hard and they should be grateful they can walk the streets with their boyfriend and hold his hand. When I do Pride events, I try to remind everyone of that—without being too preachy. What’s your romantic status if you don’t mind me asking? [Laughs] It’s all good. I can’t complain! Now that you’re famous, do you have to beat down the

How are you finding social media? It’s great. I love it. With it comes a lot of people with opinions. To be honest, I don’t really care what a 13-year-old in Omaha thinks of my eyelashes. To be frank, suck my fucking dick! People get lost in social media: you can’t believe the positive shit or get worked up over the negative stuff. The minute it affects my life or health, it’ll be a concern. But other than that, people are going to type the shit they want. You’re not going to be everyone’s type of tea—and I really don’t care [laughs]. Back in the day, you had to walk up to a bitch and say, “I don’t like you,” and then they would punch you! That’s the real social life we used to live. Now, people write bullshit to someone they’ll never meet. Whatever, god bless. Would you do Drag Race: All-Stars? I don’t think I can go back. I came off as a saint, so the last thing I would do is go back. When you suck a dick, and it’s good, you’ve got to leave it as a memory. I don’t see the point of competing again, but you never know. If RuPaul retires, you should host Drag Race. That would be a dream! Sure. I’ll get my RuPaul voodoo dolls out!

NELSON BRANCO is the editor of 24 Hours Toronto newspaper. As a contributing editor, he’s penned pieces for magazines like Hello Canada,

IN MAGAZINE People, TV Guide and online sites like Huffington Post. He’s also worked as a TV producer for Breakfast TV, The Marilyn Denis Show, CTV News and Sun News Network.

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COVER

COMMANDO JONAS

Joe Jonas’s new band DNCE breaks its cherry at Toronto Pride

By Nelson Branco

The Jonas Brothers are all grown up. And they’re embracing their inner gay. Not the way you’d probably prefer, but hot bros Joe and Nick Jonas, who have separately embarked on new musical careers (third brother Kevin is a New Jersey real estate contractor), have become two of our community’s fiercest and most loyal allies. This is why Joe Jonas and his burgeoning band DNCE are proud to be headlining Pride’s Final Play party at Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square on Sunday, July 3. (DNCE includes members JinJoo Lee, Joe Jonas, Cole Whittle and Jack Lawless.) So bring your ‘dnce’ shoes. IN dropped it like it was hot with the 26-year-old Arizona-native heartthrob to dish about his transition from boy band to adult rock star, if he’ll tackle acting next, whether he wears boxers or briefs, and his unconditional support for LGBTQ2 issues.

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How did the Toronto Pride gig come about? They approached us, and we were overwhelmed by the opportunity. We can’t wait to perform, to be honest. We’re excited to kick off Pride, and hopefully we’ll be there every year. Can we expect anything different at the Pride performance? Chaps? [Laughs] We might do a few different cover songs. Right now, we’re thinking of adding some Beyoncé! We have a long relationship with Lady Gaga, so maybe we’ll throw a song of hers in there too.

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Is there a difference between performing for straight and gay crowds? Though there’ll be a mixture at Pride. We’re very accepting of every fan base. Our shows and music attract a pretty eclectic group of people. I can’t say if there is a difference, but there’s a bit more freedom in our gay or gay-friendly audiences in terms of how they express themselves. Gay audiences are also very loyal. And that’s why we love performing. It’ll be great performing for Toronto Pride because it’s a huge party. Your brother, Nick, has realized that. He credits his gay following as being a major factor in his success as a solo artist. Some critics call it ‘gay-baiting.’ Have you discussed that marketing approach? I’ve watched him do a lot of stuff with the LGBTQ2 community. I think it’s awesome that he is so supportive of the community— whether it’s him playing pop-up shows at gay bars, playing gay on TV or taking his shirt off [laughs]! I have a lot of best friends who are gay. I love them so much. So it’s great to support and celebrate with the gay community. I think we’re getting closer and closer to acceptance around the world; we’re happy to be a part of that change. Watching Nick embrace his gay fan base? Yes, of course, that’s encouraged me and DNCE to do more. It’s a good thing because you and your brother are highly influential and impactful with the millennial crowd, since many of your fans grew up with you as The Jonas Brothers— especially since you all grew up in a Christian home. You once said, “I believe in God, and that’s a personal relationship that I have, but I’m not religious in any way.” Does it worry you

Photo: Helga Esteb 27

COVER

Photo: Meredith Truax

that there is an increasingly anti-gay rhetoric and escalating violence in the US? We’re slowly getting somewhere better but, listen, it’s a long run. It can be frustrating and heartbreaking at times, but I like to think we’re also being hopeful. Yes, there are certain states that are slower in terms of getting their head on straight with the times and equality. With the right person in place [as US president], we can make a huge difference.

album and people will figure out a way to like it. We live in a good generation to be creative right now. Having said that, I’m glad I took the time off that I did and thought about everything before I launched into something new. I didn’t want to release just any kind of music and say, “Here I am, world!” I’m not that suave and serious; that’s not me. I like to have fun and crack jokes. While music is serious to me, the lyrics aren’t so much. Our lyrics are a little bit quirky, left-of-centre.

Nick went solo—why did you decide to go back to a band? I’ve always loved being in a band. For all of my life, I’ve been more comfortable in a band. I tried doing the solo thing for a little bit, but I realized it wasn’t for me. I like being the frontman running around stage. Musically, I like rock, pop and funk stuff. All that blends and lines up with forming a band. Nick has the R&B-pop thing down, and that’s what he does well. I prefer to play the kind of music that I always wanted to—and I get to be on tour with my best friends. That’s always a good feeling.

Do you write your music? I write everything. I sometimes write with other songwriters, but it’s all generally from my heart.

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Is there a healthy competition factor between you and your brother? We’re definitely supportive when it comes to music. When it comes to sports or video games, that’s when we’re competitive! How hard was it transitioning from boybander to adult rock star? When we went into this, we didn’t even think about it. I remember telling my manager and record label: “Let’s just win and do what we do best.” Our strategy was just to release the music—and let the music speak for itself. And I think it’s proven to be a successful and true approach. For example, our [hit] song “Cake by the Ocean” did way better than we expected. And slowly, more and more people are finding out that I’m a part of the band. That’s encouraging. We live in a generation where Drake could come out with a classical

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It’s interesting that as more and more bands are dismantling, you chose to form one. I’m glad that there aren’t a lot of bands out there right now. There are a select few, but being in a band can be tougher. There are a lot more editors and voices to deal with. When you have a younger, good-looking guy coming out with a solo song, you have five other guys competing. When you were a part of The Jonas Brothers, social media didn’t exist yet. What are your thoughts on social media? And are you happy it wasn’t around when you were younger? I think it’s great, especially for artists who want to connect with their fans. As tough as it may seem sometimes, it’s an adapt-or-die time for every generation. Everyone’s on social media, and those who know how to use it properly are doing very well. Yes, privacy is an issue but you can find anything you want on the Internet anyway, so why not be in control of it? We try to showcase our personal and professional lives to our fans: a bit of us on tour, us on the bus, and some things on and off stage. There are some things we won’t post but we try to be as honest as we can.

Photo: Steven Taylor

Nick stars on the critically acclaimed boxing drama Kingdom. Any plans to act? Definitely focusing on the band. Maybe it will happen one day down the road, but I am having a great time touring right now. I think I would go stir-crazy if I was sitting around set all day. Most actors I know say that. For me, I don’t know if I want to act right now. I’d go nuts. How did you and brothers stay so relatively sane during your teen years? I was with my brothers. We weren’t random friends who were put together. We liked spending time together. When we were out of line, we had no hesitation to slap each other around. I think that’s why our heads were kept on straight. And, of course, we had incredible parents. They were really good at balancing our work and family time. Having all those screaming girls—and boys—didn’t fuck with your ego? I was able to separate reality versus what was happening on stage. It comes with the job. The attention also filled you as an artist. When you’re on stage and fans are screaming for you, it’s the best feeling in the world. Yes, there were certain moments when we wanted private time, but we ended up enjoying performing more than we did when we had time off. When we had time off, we went a bit crazy. We actually prefer working than being off. Will there ever be a Jonas reunion? Many years down the road. We’re all focused on our own music and individual careers. We’re not in any rush. We’re just happy we’re all doing well. We’re not ready to do The Jonas Reunion boat cruise just yet!

Drake. The Weeknd. Bieber. Canadian music is having a moment right now. Is that on your radar down south? Yes! The Six is killing it. We look at all the success and we’re definitely impressed within the industry. I think Drake is an incredible artist. He’s like Mr. Mayor of Toronto. It’s cool to see so many of your artists doing so well. You guys are doing amazing. Toronto is having an incredible year. And Canada, with your Prime Minister. How do you stay in shape? It’s a balance. I have an amazing trainer, who is a professional boxer, on the road with us. I have a particular diet I stick to. It’s basically chicken, fish, oatmeal and egg whites. It’s three meals a day with a few snacks in there. On tour [currently opening for Selena Gomez’s Revival], you finish late at night and you’re starving, and you’ll eat whatever is in front of you so you have to be disciplined. That keeps me going—and working out actually gives me more energy when I’m on stage. We’re doing 40 minutes of cardio on stage, so you have to be in shape to not run out of breath when you’re singing. I work out almost every day each week and I enjoy it. A lot of times when you’re touring, you don’t have a lot to do, so working out keeps you busy and clears your head. Boxing allows you to let the aggression out; just hit the pads. Do you party on tour? You’re young still so you can probably get away with it … There’s a balance. When we’re in a city like Toronto, you want to experience all the incredible places. You want to enjoy the travelling. There are days when I hit bed early and other nights where I go out and explore. Boxers or briefs? [Laughs] Commando sometimes. Commando currently.

NELSON BRANCO is the editor of 24 Hours Toronto newspaper. As a contributing editor, he’s penned pieces for magazines like Hello Canada, People, TV Guide and online sites like Huffington Post. He’s also worked as a TV producer for Breakfast TV, The Marilyn Denis Show, CTV News and Sun News Network.

WEAR THE RAINBOW Wear it loud, wear it proud all summer long By Christopher Turner

If you want to make a statement, why not wear it? Inspired by LGBT communities around the world, these Pride collections from Nike, adidas, Converse and Levi’s serve as fashionable reminders that the fight for tolerance, diversity and equality is ongoing. Here’s a roundup of rainbow designs you can rock this summer, from sneakers to tanks. Nike All of the pieces in Nike’s 2016 BeTrue collection for men and women feature riffs on two prominent symbols of pride: the rainbow pride flag and the pink triangle. The items range from $35 to $200, and will be available at Nike Running locations and Nike.com. Bonus? Nike is donating a portion of all BeTrue sales to organizations empowering the LGBT sports community. adidas The adidas Originals 2016 Pride Pack takes classic three-stripes style and breaks the mould with a little rainbow power. Rainbow paint splatter is splashed across a T-shirt and track jacket, as well as two beloved sneaker silhouettes: the Superstar and the Stan Smith. The items in the collection range from $40 to $120, and are available at select adidas Originals retailers. Converse This summer Converse gives their timeless Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker a colourful makeover with rainbow versions of HI and OX silhouettes. The rainbow-inspired kicks retail for $75 and $80, and are available at Browns, X20/Boutique Rio, Baggins, GetOutside and Lost and Found in Canada.

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Levi’s Levi’s third Pride collection includes gender-neutral tanks, tees and a trucker jacket emblazoned with Harvey Milk’s “Hope will never be silent” quote and a Harvey Milk bottle graphic. Items in the collection range from $29.50 to $108, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Harvey Milk Foundation. Available online and at the Levi’s store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Gap Gap reimagines their infamous logo tee with the colours of the rainbow in celebration of Pride. The Pride rainbow tee retails for $35 and is available at select Gap stores in Toronto including Bloor Street, Eaton Centre and Queen Street West.

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FASHION

DEAR SUMMER Humidity-busting looks that will turn more than a few heads

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Fashion Director: Danyl Geneciran Photography: Kosmas Pavlos Stylist: Giorgio Ammirabile Grooming: Loui Ferry

Jacket: BLK DNM Shirt: CADET Pants: MR. TURK Shoes: MANOLO BLAHNIK

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Cardigan: BELLEROSE Shirt: KAFKA CADET Model: PATRICK Pants: VERSACE Vest: SMARTNESS LAB

Pants: DEPARTMENT 5 33

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Model: OLIVER STUMMVOLL Jacket: JUST CAVALLI

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FASHION Model: MARIANO ONTANON Vest: ALESSANDRO DELLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ACQUA Pants: DEPARTMENT 5

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Model: TERRANCE HAY Jacket: JUST CAVALLI Pants: DOLCE & GABBANA CHRISTOPHER TURNER acted as guest editor for this issue of IN Magazine. He is a Toronto-based writer, editor

36and IN lifelong MAGAZINE fashionisto with a passion for pop culture and sneakers. Follow him on social media at @Turnstylin.

Photos by NEONelements

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Model: DIEGO FRAGOSO Pants: DEPARTMENT 5

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FASHION Model: SANTIAGO FERRARI Shirt and Pants: JUST CAVALLI Underwear: DOLCE & GABBANA

FASHION JULY / AUGUST 2016

Model: KRIT MCCLEAN Jacket: EMPORIO ARMANI Pants: DIESEL

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Model: TON HUEKELS Jacket: EMPORIO ARMANI

TRAVEL

WHICH WAY TO JERI BEACH? A remote stretch of the northern Brazil coastline, reachable only by 4 x 4 or helicopter, reveals wild donkeys, taut bodies, kite surfing and killer sunsets By Doug Wallace

At the first sighting of a wild donkey, you know you’re in for more than just a regular few days at the beach. Then, as you twist through sand and scrubland in a 4 x 4—skirting said donkeys, supply trucks and tricked-out dune buggies—the town of Jericoacoara appears out of nowhere, popping out from behind the dunes. It’s a surreal experience, almost like you’re auditioning for The Amazing Race. This tiny beach town of 1,200, more commonly known as Jeri Beach, sits at the end of a six-hour drive from the city of Fortaleza in the Brazilian state of Ceará, with the last 45 minutes of the journey through the surrounding sand dunes. What was once a sleepy fishing village with no electricity, roads or telephones is now a magnet for weekend visitors, surfers, college kids, honeymooners—and now you.

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This is the perfect beach retreat, complete with kite and wind surfing, dune buggies and drivers to hire, surfing lessons to take, sand boards to rent for $1 an hour, palapas to sit under and beer to drink. The town’s tourism boom is fairly recent history: visitors (mostly surfers lured by the calm seas and high waves) started arriving in 1985. Electricity followed in 1998, and the region became a national park in 2002. Because there are still no roads, all the supplies for each and every hotel and business are trucked in over the dunes. A medical helicopter is on hand for emergencies, and plans for an airport are in the works.

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Photos by Doug Wallace Photos: Doug Wallace 43

TRAVEL JULY / AUGUST 2016

Getting out of Dodge There’s not much to do in Jeri—but that’s the point. The drill is to rent a dune buggy and driver for about $50 for a half-day and trip around the sand, stopping at the local lagoons for a swim. In September and October, the crowds swell considerably with wind- and kite-surfing championships that take place when the winds pick up. There are a few requisite photo ops you will need to tick off, one being the famous rocky arch at Pedra Furada and the nearby Lazy Tree. Speaking of which, sitting in hammocks in the water at Paradise Beach, a freshwater lagoon about 20 minutes from town, means you can laze all you want and then some. Set up your headquarters at the Alchymist Beach Club, sharing big bottles of Brahma beer with your mates and ordering basket after basket of cassava fries, the chill-out music washing over you from nearby speakers propped in the sand. There is a true beach vibe here: it’s not expensive, not really commercial, and it has a sort of unfussy

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hipness that the Brazilians are famous for. This is where you will also do your best people watching: the curvaceous women and movie star-handsome men cause continuous head-turning. Better bring the big camera lens. Getting home before sunset Make sure you’re back in Jeri before nightfall, when tourists and townspeople congregate on the giant Sunset Dune at the water’s edge west of town to watch the sun sink behind the horseback riders and determined sandboarders. This is one of the few places in the world where, on a good day, you get that green flash of light the moment the sun drops below the horizon (it’s an optical phenomenon pertaining to the refraction of the sunlight and the thickness of the atmosphere lower in the sky). This is also where you can watch the spins and kicks of kids performing the capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that dates back to the 16th century. Part dance, part game of combat, it

is spurred on by singing chants and acoustic music played on traditional instruments. To say this is hot would be an understatement. After sundown, everybody wanders back into town for caipirinha cocktails and steaks. Made with the sugar cane-based national booze cachaça, caipirinhas are a heavenly but simple mix of cachaça, fresh limes and sugar—the perfect start to an evening before the red wine flows. An almost carnival-like atmosphere emerges before your eyes along the sandy, unlit streets as people weave their way through market stalls and beach bars, the ever-present smell of barbecues filling the air. You will be hard-pressed to think of a more perfect way to end the day. This little town is like a well-kept secret with a special spiritual charm, no doubt due in large part to the isolation.

And the wild donkeys? They’re no dummies—grazing along in small herds, minding their own business. Once pack animals for the fishermen, they were turned loose dozens of years ago and now roam free. On your way out of town, you can understand why they never left. You won’t want to, either. When you go Book your 4 x 4 return road trip from Fortaleza in advance. Accommodations range from the sparse to the luxurious, with many points in between. Places like the Chill Beach Boutique Hotel and Vila Kalango cater to more discerning tastes, but even the more value-oriented hotels, like the Pousada Carcará, offer prime comfort. There’s no point in travelling so far and not taking at least a small tour around. Or a big one: Intrepid Travel offers a guided tour to Jericoacoara within a 14-day Northern Brazil carbon-offset experience from Rio de Janeiro, ending in Fortaleza. Visit intrepidtravel.com/brazil.

DOUG WALLACE is the editor and publisher of the new travel resource, www.TravelRight.Today.

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INSIGHT

COMMUNICATING DESIRE In our smartphone era, gay men still remain startlingly incompetent at expressing what they want By Paul Gallant

In the bad old days, men looking for hookups Whether sexual orientation is genetic or A classified ad published in the February with other men might have found themselves not—I leave that to the scientists. But I 1985 issue of the gay liberation magazine in parks at night, relying purely on phero- am quite sure that no one was born with a The Body Politic caused a storm back mones and rustling sounds as introduction preference for “no fats, no fems, no Asians.” then for its blunt request: “HANDSOME, to future partners. Bathhouses and bars were Whoever coined the phrase should have SUCCESSFUL, GWM [gay white man] better lit—sometimes. Nowadays, in our patented it for profit, as it’s been passed would like young, well built BM [black smartphone era, we carry around instantly around like a tube of toxic Pringles, failing man] for houseboy. Ideal for student or updated digital directories of everyone to satisfy hunger while making everyone young businessman. Some travelling and who’s available, descriptions of who they feel yucky as they reach for the next tube. affection required.” are and what they’re looking for and, most importantly, a seemingly unlimited flood of “I’ve turned on Grindr in cities where there Body Politic collective member Ken Popert, photos that someone considered flattering, are not a lot of Asian people and yet this now the executive director of Pink Triangle some so well-lit they seem to have been language still persisted. It was almost viral,” Publishing, defended the ad with prose the professionally art directed and photographed. says Jaime Woo, author of Meet Grindr and a Vatican would admire: “Sexual desire and And that’s just Facebook. forthcoming book on sexuality and ethnicity. fantasy is just there…. It is not there to be “Guys saw it in other places and realized morally evaluated and either glorified or But even as technological and sociological it was an emblem of something. You may condemned. It is the point of departure for changes have shone a brighter light on not even be talking about fat, fem or Asian understanding gay people (straight people our mating rituals, gay men still remain people, but those are the code words you as well, I suspect; but that’s their business). startlingly incompetent at expressing what use to say, ‘I fit into this very conventional Desire is inviolable.” Of course, if one they want. Our descriptions of ourselves do underpinning of heteronormative, white believes that the big banks, the institution of a poor job of capturing what others might masculinity.’ I think that has to be taught. marriage, the role of women or the existence appreciate in us, while the demands we We learn it from each other.” of God are up for debate, then desire seems write in profiles rarely resemble what would like an odd topic to take off the table. Our truly, deeply delight us. We spend hours It’s all so arbitrary. We denigrate one desires are shaped at least in part by the typing “wassup?” at home alone in front characteristic while remaining silent on information, stories and images that perof cold pizza rather than take a 15-minute so many others. Phrases like “no shorties” meate our culture. Sexual ideals (Shaved walk to have coffee with someone who or “no baldies” rarely come up, while “no or hairy? Suit or baseball cap? Vanilla or might introduce us to an idea or interest trolls” or “no flakes” seem like a waste kinky?) that may change with the times are we’ve never pondered before. And we’re as of words—who self-identifies as a troll not any more part of our core selves than our careless as drunk drivers with the feelings or a flake? favourite Beyoncé songs—although when of men who, if they might not become our we’re held in their thrall, it can certainly feel lifelong obsession, may be the best friend It’s easy to blame instant messaging and that way. If Beyoncé had never been born, of someone who fits the bill. Back in the the brevity of app profiles for people using another artist—perhaps a different kind of 1990s there was a book called We’ve Had thoughtless cookie-cutter phrases to describe artist—would scratch that musical itch. We a Hundred Years of Psychotherapy—And themselves and what they want and don’t are much more adaptable than the phrase the World’s Getting Worse. Well, we’ve had want. But the Internet has merely spread, “It’s just a preference” gives us credit for. seven years of Grindr and, more than ever, intensified and codified a mess of feelings, there are more frustrated horny men than attitudes and desires that come from living “Like many social factors, desire is shaped ever taking it out on other people. in a messy society in a messed-up world. behind our backs. We don’t realize how

INSIGHT JULY / AUGUST 2016

that shaping is taking place, nor do we LGBT communities. Glad Day Bookshop have complete control over it. It feels to (gladdaybookshop.com) produced a playful people like their desire just is,” says Tim “More Fats More Fems” shirt as an emblem McCaskell, an educator, writer and activist of a more inclusive spirit. But the laziness who, as a Body Politic collective member, of No Fats No Fems and similar expressions argued against Popert’s view back in the hurts those who use it as much as those who 1980s. McCaskell cites another collective read it. They’re missing out on so much, member, David Mole, who said we become including people who fit their mental image addicted to the kind of sex we get. We chase but who are turned off by their attitude. what has worked (or, worse still, what seems Shaming websites like Douchebagsofgrindr. to work for others) even when being more com hardly seem necessary except for the open would ultimately be more satisfying. satisfaction of revenge. Munching constantly on Pringles, these clueless sods never have Much of the recent backlash against an online the appetite for a gourmet meal. Someone retailer’s “No Fats No Fems” tank tops has who writes, “Chances of me sleeping with focused on the poisoned environment that you are less than winning the power ball. language creates for those who might feel Don’t waste your precious time. Don’t be fat or fem, and the divisions it creates within bitter,” is not looking for and will never

find a good time; it’s a cry for help from someone who doesn’t know enough to seek professional counselling. I wouldn’t dare suggest that nobody knows what turns them on, or that there’s a hierarchy of desire. But serendipity goes a long way in both sex and love, as men who have met in the dark will attest. Here’s one suggestion: if we were forced to constantly update our profiles—prevented from repeating words and phrases like some websites prevent us from recycling old passwords—then we might be forced to think more deeply about what we want and, even more importantly, what we can do and say so that we get it.

PAUL GALLANT is a Toronto-based writer and editor who writes about travel, innovation, city building, social issues (particularly LGBT issues) and business for a variety of national and international publications. He’s done time as lead editor at the loop magazine in Vancouver IN MAGAZINE as well as Xtra and fab in Toronto, and is currently development editor at Yongestreetmedia.ca.

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FLASHBACK AUGUST 1971 IN LGBT HISTORY Toronto’s first “Gay Day Picnic” was held on the beach at Hanlan’s Point on Sunday, August 1

Photo: The Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives (CLGA) .

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In the summer of 1971, a group of gay and lesbian activists organized Toronto’s first Gay Day picnic at Hanlan’s Point Beach on the Toronto Islands. It was a groundbreaking event organized by Toronto Gay Action, the Community Homophile Association of Toronto and the University of Toronto Homophile Association, with around 300 people from neighbouring cities as far away as New York City and Detroit attending to show their support. Of course, the small picnic decorated with rainbow flags, banners and balloons was minuscule by comparison to today’s giant multi-million dollar event, but that afternoon was the beginning of something much larger. It was the first display of gay and lesbian solidarity. The following summer, Toronto’s first Pride Week was commemorated.

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