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PUBLISHER Patricia Salib EDITOR IN CHIEF Brett Taylor CREATIVE MARKETING DIRECTOR Nelson Tomé TRAVEL EDITOR Randal Shirley Fashion director Len Mastaler DESIGN Pulp & Fiber ASSOCIATE DESIGNERS NicolÁs Tallarico, Jenny Watson PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jara Solis ADVERTISING & OTHER INQUIRIES (416) 792 – 2400 EDITORIAL INQUIRIES (403) 984 - 9402 btaylor@outlooks.ca OUTLOOKS is published 10 times per year by The Mint Media Group all rights reserved. 542 Parliament St. Toronto, ON, M4X 1P6 THE MINT MEDIA GROUP PRESIDENT Patricia Salib DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Reggie Lanuza DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING & MARKETING Nelson Tomé PROJECT COORDINATOR Jara Solis
CONTRIBUTORS Adam Riley, Jody Boynton, Kevin Alderson, Derek Dotto, Jace Colbert, Brett Taylor, Michael Pihach, Randall Shirley, Bryen Dunn, Sonia Norris, Jonny Staub, Steven Jones, Noel Silver, Thomas Synnamon, Christi-an Slomka, Michael DeCorte, Mooky Cornish, Nadia G, David Hawe ON THE COVER Matthew Morrison
Opinions expressed in OUTLOOKS Magazine are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine. All contents are copyright and may not be reproduced in part or in whole without written consent. The appearance of an ad in OUTLOOKS Magazine does not mean that the magazine endorses the advertiser. The appearance of a model or other photographic subjects does not necessarily indicate their sexuality. Before you make travel plans, double-check dates, times, and prices. Things do change. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, Outlooks and its contributors are not responsible or liable for errors in content.
4 outlooks November 2011
table_of_CONTENTS
01.11.11 | issue 195
lifestyle
Travel
fashion
08 | bulletin 360° International Gay News That Matters
27 | Gay Days in Bavaria A Visit to the Original Magic Kingdom
42 | The History of… the Necktie Enduring with the Changing Tides of Fashion
12 | And the Best Men Deserve… Colognes: Underestimating the Way You Smell
31 | Los Angeles – Three Ways Entertainment… Fine Art… or Theme Parks
11 | Steal of a Deal iPhone Apps for Getting the Best Deals
features
16 | Yoga – Stretch Your Imagination The Physical, Spiritual and Mental Discipline 20 | HIV Treatments After Almost 30 Years, The Big Bad Bug is Still Here? The Allopathic and Naturopathic Responses
22 | Grey and Gay Long-Term Health Care and Residence Options? 38 | Matthew Morrison From Broadway to “Glee” to a Debut Album with Elton
50 Noel silver
45 | Shades of Seduction – Fashion Spread Because Black, White, and Grey Aren’t Colours
art+ Culture 50 | Framed – Vancouver’s Noel Silver Buddha Mindfulness
38 Matthew Morrison
52 | Mooky Cornish Vive la Revolution du la Clown Canadien
Habañero Cheesecake p. 13
35 tel aviv
outlooks
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editors_note
This November 11th… Remembrance Day should be a time of reflection, remembering those who have gone before us - paying the ultimate sacrifice for freedom with - their lives.
D
ecade after decade, in many formerly nameless countries across this globe, Canadians have laid down their lives so that the spark that makes this country what it is, lives on. Today, our country is like so many others, engaged in a battle against terrorism, its military standing in places named, Baghdad, Kabul and Kandahar, names from the news... now sacred with the blood and lives of its men and women who have died in the name of freedom. The war on terrorism is difficult for some to understand, as we are not facing a traditional army, we are facing people who hide and kill without thought. We have learned the painful lesson that an airplane can be used as a Weapon of Mass Destruction, taking the lives of thousands in the blink of an eye, destroying families and changing the landscape of a city forever. The war has taught us new terms of death and devastation, like, IED, and Suicide Bomber. We have learned how hidden dangers can take the lives of our Canadian soldiers. Today, our role in Afghanistan has changed from direct combat to that of a rebuilding and training commitment with about 2,600 men and women still serving there to assist the Afghani peoples. But let’s not forget that since February 2002, 157 Canadian soldiers have died in the war in Afghanistan or in support of the war. Of these, 123 were due to hostile circumstances, including 95 due to improvised explosive devices (IED) or landmines, 21 due to rocket propelled grenade, small arms or mortar fire, 11 due to suicide bomb attacks, and one died falling from a high ground position on a cliff
during a combat operation that involved a firefight. An additional 22 soldiers have died in accidents or other non-combat circumstances; 7 due to “friendly fire”, 6 in vehicle accidents, 2 in an accidental helicopter crash, 2 from accidental falls, 2 from accidental gunshots, 1 suicide death and 2 unspecified non-combat-related deaths. Additionally, there is also one unspecified non-combat-related death. Four Canadian civilians also died while working in the efforts. What does that number really mean? What does it relate to overall? After all, it is a small number - just 161 deaths. But, what you may not realize is that it is the third-highest absolute number of deaths of any nation among the foreign military participants, and the highest casualties per capita of all coalition members since the beginning of the war. Because of these statistics and the heightened awareness of the armed conflict due to increased media access and the instantaneous reporting through social media, there has also been a heightened call to action to support our men and women in the military. And that’s not a bad thing at all, as we should be ever mindful and supportive of these dedicated members and their families. However at the same time, I believe, that this greater support, over the past few years, has begun to somewhat overshadow what was the real intent of Remembrance Day in the first place. A day to stop and consider the real horrors of war from both sides... the individual human sacrifices of past conflicts and to remind us that we never want to have to go there again. In school, we were always taught that Remembrance Day meant a time of reflection… mulling over the futility of war and bloodshed on both sides.
But I wonder how many of those in today’s Canada that will attend programs at their local cenotaph will be considering the grieving relatives or the ultimate sacrifice of the “other guy” - maybe a Talibani fighter, who however misguided we believe him to be still thinks he has right on his side. We need to refocus on the meaning of Remembrance Day and what it stands for... war’s devastating impact on all of us; whether that be friend, foe, civilian or soldier. I am reminded of a poster I saw in the mid 70’s, which I assume, looking back, would have been right around the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. It was a simple quote by an unknown author that read - “War doesn’t determine whose right, just who’s left.” Lest we not forget that too. That’s the way I see it anyway,
Brett Taylor Editor In Chief
Relax. Rebound.
soho.metropolitan.com
1.866.764.6638
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Bulletin 360°
Touza Architects
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Anti-Gay Extremists Detained by Serbian Police Police in Serbia have detained six people suspected of being farright, anti-gay extremPhoto by AP
U.K. and Northern Ireland Passports Modified to Include Same-Sex Parents Passports for the UK and Northern Ireland are being reformulated to include gay and lesbian parents. The new forms – which give the option of list-
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wikipedia.org
Building work on Spain’s first-ever retirement home for gay and lesbian residents is about to get underway on the outskirts of Madrid. The project is the brainchild of the December 26th Foundation, which has formed a co-operative, recruited architects and designed a luxury, landscaped retirement complex - complete with 115 apartments, a gym, a spa and a restaurant. There is space for yoga, Tai Chi and dance classes - and plans to house archive material for the first research centre on the history of the gay rights movement in Spain. Similarly, in August, Australia’s very first retirement village exclusively for homosexuals and bisexuals was also given final approval.
with masks and baseball bats on them. 4
Gingrich: Gay Marriage is a “Temporary Aberration” Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich has described gay marriage as a “temporary aberration that will dissipate.” During a speech in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the 2012 Republican presidential contender said the notion of gay marriage is something that would not last. Following the passing of a same-sex marriage law
in New York, Gingrich said, as reported by ABC, “I think we are drifting towards a terrible muddle which I think is going to be very, very difficult and painful to work our way out of. I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. I think that’s what marriage ought to be and I would like to find ways to defend that view as legitimately and effectively as possible.” 5
Mumbai Police Fine Gay Party Guests More than 130 guests at a gay party in Mumbai, including a leading Bollywood actor, have been fined by local police. Guests at the party in the Versova suburb of Mumbai were fined Rs1,200 (£16) each after police interrupted the party after complaints of loud music by locals, according to the Hindustan Times. The party was attended by Bollywood star Bobby Darling, who told PTI: “I was invited to the party by one of my gay friends saying it is his birthday party. I went there as a celebrity guest for the party, for which, I charged him. I did not know it was a gay party, DK Rupwate, senior inspector at Oshiwara police station told PTI: “When our teams reached the spot, the guests, who are males, were found behaving indecently, following which, they were brought to the police station and fined Rs 1,200 each under section 110 of the Bombay Police Act.” But according to the source, guests at the gathering believed
they were targeted because they were gay.
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Progressive U.S. Bishop Walter C. Righter Dies, aged 87 Mark Cardwell Reuters
Development of LGBT Retirement Home - A First for Spain.
ing “parent one” and “parent two” alongside “mother” and “father” – are due to be implemented by the start of 2012. It comes after the USA made similar modifications earlier this year. The proposals also include sex-free passports to allow transgender people to opt out of identifying themselves as either male or female, report the BBC. An Identity and Passport Service (IPS) spokeswoman said: “It is essential that any parent provides the necessary information on their status as parents or guardians when applying for a passport on behalf of their child. “The passport application form is therefore being updated to incorporate samesex parents.”
Britain.com
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ists who planned to violently disrupt a planned Pride Mardi Gras. The arrests, which took place earlier this November, are said to have prevented a gathering of pro-Russian homophobes who threatened to burn an EU flag and spit on the portrait of the U.S. ambassador in Belgrade, according to the Associated Press. Senior police official Srdjan Grekulovic says the six extremists were detained in central Belgrade
Bishop Walter C. Righter has died aged 87, after years of fighting the Episcopal Church’s prejudices against gays and women. The retired bishop most famously was absolved of heresy charges after he knowingly ordained a non-celibate gay man as a deacon, in 1990. Righter worked under Bishop John Sprong, also a liberal supporter of ordaining gays and lesbians. Once Righter had ordained Barry Stopfel with full knowledge of his sexuality, Bishop Sprong ordained him further still, as a priest. The deceased was tried in 1996 by a panel of eight bishops, and a vote of seven to one meant the charges were dismissed. Additionally, Righter cast the deciding vote at a diocesan convention on a resolution supporting the ordination of women to the priesthood in 1976. In a statement, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said: “The Episcopal Church can give thanks for the life of a faithful and prophetic servant.... His ministry will be remembered for his pastoral heart and his steadfast willingness to help the church move beyond
NEWS
old prejudices into new possibilities.” 7
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Seven Arrested in Whitby Park for Indecent Acts
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Cyndi Lauper’s Homeless Shelter for Gay Teens Opens in N.Y.C. Cyndi Lauper’s homeTrue Colors
Dozens of Anti-Gay Demonstrators Detained in Moscow Dozens of anti-gay protestors have been detained by Russian police after they attempted to disrupt a gay rally in Moscow, city authorities have announced. As reported by RIA Novosti, around 40 protestors were held by police after throwing objects and shouting abuse at members of the parade. In April, the European Court of Human Rights condemned city officials for banning the annual Moscow Pride parade. While in May, police arrested more than 30 people in the city, including prominent human rights supports Dan Choi, Andy Thayer and LouisGeorges Tin, after clashes between gay activists and far right groups marred an attempted parade. Despite continuing public support for a ban on the gay parade in Moscow, results from a poll released in June showed support for the
ban is waning, with 61% of Russians agreeing with the Moscow city government’s stance, down from 82% support for the ban a year ago.
A statement from the star reads, “Kids are coming out in greater numbers as they see themselves accepted and represented on TV and in movies, but they’re still being kicked out of their homes or running away and living on the streets. “We need to make sure we’re taking care of them.” Residents will be responsible for paying “affordable rent based on their income” and will also receive help finding a job as well as social and educational support services, the singer said in a statement obtained by OnTheRedCarpet.com. Lauper serves as the honorary chair of the True Colors Residence’s board of directors. 9
less shelter for New York’s lesbian and gay youths, named True Colors Residence, after her hit single True Colours, officially opened this Fall after two years of building. Primarily, it will offer accommodation for gay, bisexual and transgender young people between 18 and 24 who have been disowned by their families due to their sexuality.
Russian Police Attacked Customers in Gay Nightclub Ten people were reportedly attacked by plainclothes policemen while visiting a gay club in Russia’s St.Petersburg. According to the St. Petersburg Times, the attackers entered the club – which is located in the Golubaya Ustritsa district – during the early hours,
Seven men were arrested and charged with indecent acts allegedly committed at the Lynde Shores Conservation Area on the north shore of Lake Ontario. Durham police tell us that they sent in plain clothes officers to the Whitby conservation area in order to catch the perpetrators. The police were react-
ing to multiple complaints received about adult men exposing themselves and participating in sexual acts in public view. The police believe that the area has been identified for casual sexual encounters through “web-based communication channels.” The Web site in question details “cruising areas” in Whitby and
before presenting police ID to the club’s security and subsequently attacking visitors. In total, ten people are said to have suffered injuries – although none were serious enough to need hospital treatment. CCTV footage reportedly shows the panicked crowds running from the dancefloor while the incident took place. “It looked as though it’s simply a form of leisure for these three people who came to the club —fighting with whomever they can,” one of the victims, Ignat Fialkovsky, said to The St. Petersburg Times. “But because nobody in the club wanted to fight them, they’d attack one person after another, hoping that somebody would fight back.” 10
Ricky Martin Battles the Clergy The Minister of the Interior of Honduras, Áfrico Madrid, claims that Evangelical and Catholic leaders have solicited that he deny a visa to Martin in order to “protect the moral and ethical principles of our society.”
around the world. It also warns the cruisers to be aware of the “damn military “Nazi” type bird watchers. 13
Transgender Worker Not Welcome at “Family Friendly” Farmer’s Market A transgender worker
Madrid claims that the religious leaders particularly object to Martin’s non-traditional family. “His nuclear family is not the type of family that Honduran society, and laws, approves of.” 11
US Military Chaplains Cleared to Marry Gays Chaplains in the U.S. Military can now marry gay couples following the end of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban on serving gays, the Pentagon has revealed. The ruling means that the clergy can officiate at gay marriages both on and off military premises in the six states that have passed same-sex marriage laws, as well as the District of Columbia. The decision falls in line with that of the U.S. Navy, which cleared its chaplains to marry samesex couples in May. A statement released by the Pentagon said: “A military chaplain may participate in or officiate any private ceremony, whether on or off a military installation, provided that the ceremony is not prohibited by applicable state and local law.”
for True2You, a candle and incense vendor at Trail's End Farmer's Market in London, Ontario, was accused of not fitting in with the "family friendly atmosphere" according to the market's owner. True2You owner Karen Clarke explained to a local radio station that she got a call from one of the market's managers: outlooks
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NEWS
Louise Arbour Presented the Egale Leadership Award
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International Crisis Group
Contentious Federal Bill to Tackle Drugs and Crime…really? The Conservative government has tabled it’s “tough on crime” bill on Sept. 20. This bill is an indication that the party intends on following through on campaign promises to fight crime. The bill will make it easier for police and courts to prosecute drug traffickers, repeat
10 outlooks November 2011
young offenders and sex offenders, putting them away for longer sentences. NDP and Liberals are opposed to the bill, especially the provisions for mandatory minimum sentences for possession of marijuana. The opposition parties also argue that the introduction of the bill at this point is inappropriate because statistics show crime is at its lowest level in years and the country should be spending money on more important issues. Catherine Latimer of the John Howard Society of Canada has also expressed concerns that this bill will exacerbate the overcrowding problem in federal penitentiaries and could possibly have an opposite effect on crime rates simply due to the incarceration itself. The LGBT community, in general, has a much higher percentage of people who consider themselves “recreational” or “soft” drug users than that of mainstream society and mandatory incarceration would bring with it a whole new set of issues and problems.
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Roadkillradio
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Egale’s Speak Easy Gala, held on Sept. 23 at the Ritz Carlton in Montreal, awarded Canadian Louise Arbour the Leadership Award. Arbour has served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2004 to 2008. She also served as a Supreme Court Justice from 1994 to 2004. During her tenure as Supreme court justice, she ruled with the majority in Chamberlain vs. Surrey School District, which decided that a local school board could not impose religious values by refusing to allow books that promote tolerance of same-sex relationships. Arbour was unable to attend the event so Supreme Court of Canada Justice Louise Charron accepted the award in her place.
The Drag Queens' Designer Marlies Davis
"Everything was fine when I left and it wasn't until five to 8 on Saturday night when I got a call from the management at Trails End. Basically they said if I was going to have those people there, I would be invited to take my business elsewhere. He said it made everyone uncomfortable and it just wasn't right.” The owner, Ed Kikkert, explained that he wasn’t discriminating. “I'm not discriminating at all. I'm just asking which washroom would they use? How can you go into a men's washroom dressed as a lady or how can you go into a ladies washroom when you're a man. That's the difficulty I have. It's not discriminating at all.” The worker has currently not been allowed back on the premises. A complaint has been filed with the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
French Canadian fashion designer, Benoit L Richard, died Sept 19 at St. Paul’s Hospital after battling liver cancer. Richard was 64. He was well known to the Vancouver drag queens for his generosity and creativity when it came to designing elaborate costumes. “He would do it for dirt cheap,” says André Tardif, known as Wilma Cockswell. Drag queens “were the outlet for his talent.” Richard designed many costumes for the emperors and empresses as part of the Imperial Court System. The Court is heavily engaged in raising money for charities, and the Imperial Balls are part of this endeavour. 17
Talk Jock Kari Simpson files Police Complaint Against Anti-homophobia School Program Out in Schools is an anti-homophobia program dedicated to put-
ting an end to violence and homophobia in schools. The program focuses on exhibiting queer film and art in schools to celebrate diversity year round. This program has recently come under attack by conservative radio host Kari Simpson. Simpson has filed a police complaint alleging that Out in Schools has “serious and possibly criminal activities involved.” In her website, Culture Guard, Simpson states that Out in Schools is “designed to dupe parents and introduce children into homosexist politics and pornography.” She is asking that police focus on obscenity laws, false pretences and fraud as part of her complaint.
— adam riley
technology
Steal of a Deal On your next shopping trip, be it for everyday items or a big-ticket purchase; don’t leave home without some of the best shopping apps out there today. Some compare prices, others find nearby stores and, with the new technology, some are even equipped with picture recognition or bar code scanners. Whatever your need, these apps have you covered. So grab those credit cards, and let’s go shopping at iphones apps store! 1. Amazon Mobile
This one is pretty much as the name implies… a mobile version of Amazon.com and it’s just as easy to use as the website itself. The app syncs with the website, so your shopping and wish lists are always up to date on both devices. And the part that blows me away — simply take a picture of a product or item that you like with your iPhone’s camera and the Amazon Remembers feature will identify that product and find it on Amazon.com. So you never have to ask the hostess where she bought something. Just sneak a pic when he’s not looking.
2. Coupon Sherpa
There’s no more need for a coupon book as long as you have an iPhone. Coupon Sherpa (free) is an iPhone app that is exactly as it sounds — a program filled with coupons. Coupon Sherpa does the dirty work of looking through coupons on the Internet and bringing them to you. You can create a list of favorite stores, email coupons to friends, and coupons can even be scanned by optical scanners.
3. SnapTell
SnapTell (Free) is also a very cool app. When shopping at a music or bookstore, simply take a picture of any book (or CD, DVD, or video game) and the app will pull up prices, user reviews, and nearby stores. The app works incredibly well, and it recognizes obscure novels as well as bestsellers. The barcode scanner doesn’t work quite as well, but the picture functionality is good enough without it. 4. RedLaser
RedLaser (Free) is one of the most popular iPhone shopping apps in the App Store. Its barcode scanner works very, very well. The search results are well organized and it’s easy to compare prices. Another plus is that you’ll see both local and online prices. 5. Save Benjis
This one will cost you a whopping 99 cents, but Save Benjis will have a return on that investment many times over. This app puts a very comprehensive price comparison app right in your hands. The strength of this app is the ability to compare a product
across multiple vendors. You can search by the product name, bar code, manufacturer, keyword and a half dozen other criteria. 6. GoodGuide
Although this shopping app is not geared towards saving you money, the GoodGuide (Free) has merit in its shopping goal — to help you identify products that are good for you and the environment. It includes ratings for more than 65,000 products, and each one is scored on environmental, health and social criteria. The barcode scanner makes it relatively easy to look up product ratings. The GoodGuide app is particularly useful for food shopping, since it helps you identify healthier choices. 7. FoodScanner
And lastly, keeping with the concept of healthy shopping, FoodScanner (free) is a great tool for those who watch their diet closely. This clever little app allows you to scan UPC barcodes on the foods you eat and lets you know how many calories and the breakdown of the calories you are taking in. — Brett Taylor
outlooks
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st yle
And the Best Men Deserve... People highly under-valute the way they smell. Whether you are on a date, a business meeting, a party or just doing your daily chores — first impression is crucial. Don’t let yourself get caught empty-handed. And that half a bottle on your sink that your ex gave you back in 2008 or the free testers from the department store just aren’t going to cut it. Great cologne helps you be at your best… and the best men deserve the best men’s fragrances. Amazon’s Top Three Best Sellers. Acqua Di Gio By Armani $95 Acqua Di Gio tops the world’s best sellers list, and that is for a reason. The ultimate combination between a night scent, and a daily scent. A little sweet, very refreshing, and on top of everything – very affordable. Fragrance reviews of Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani agree that it is a unique, clean, summery scent that has masculine undertones that are irresistible. It turns heads right away, so it does the job well.
For the Slightly More Sophisticated Atelier Cologne By Trefle Pur $165 Unless your friends and coworkers read this, you’ll be the only man on the floor wearing this cologne. The bitter orange citrus is a highlight note on top of a moss and musk combination. This is 18% concentrate cologne, not an eau de toilette you can spray on with abandon. Just a few drops on your fingertips, please. Then swipe them across your chin, neck and chest. Any more and you’ll overpower everyone across the entire dance floor. Azure Lime By Tom Ford $190
Eau Sauvage By Dior $85 Eau Sauvage Men is really made for men with strong personalities. It brings class and elegance to anyone who would wear it. This cologne has been on the market since 1966 and truly is a perfume legend. For more than forty years, Eau Sauvage Men is still one of the best sellers from the house of Dior due to the thick and manly scent this fragrance has to offer. The perfect manly scent, for those who are, and those who wish to be. One Million By Rabanne $65 If you want to feel like million bucks, why won’t you try a fragrance that has that multi-million scent and looks? What in the world the name for this cologne by Paco Robbane actually refers to is debatable? What has not been debatable though is that this provocative fragrance has been popular since it hit the scene about four years ago now. 12 outlooks November 2011
Mr. Ford once again proves he is the master of sophisticated and relaxed elegance. Azure Lime is essentially the Tom Ford aesthetic in a bottle, with light lime citrus holding back the heavier notes of woodsy musk. Pair this with a dark suit, bespoke shoes and two days of stubble, and you’ll feel invincible during every meeting. Midnight in Paris By Van Cleef & Arpel $125 The perfume was created by perfumers Domitille Bertier and Olivier Polge. The first men’s scent from luxury French jewelers Van Cleef & Arpels in over 10 years, Midnight in Paris is VC&A’s entry into “Haute Parfumerie” and returns to a mood set by Bvlgari Black back in 1998 by offering a downright intoxicating blend of yerba mate, lemon, lily of the valley, leather and incense. A very classy cologne. — Jace Colbert
Food_&_Drink
food_&_Drink
Habañero Cheesecake
Nadia G Known as the “Julia Child of the Net generation” who can cook up a storm in three-inch cherry stiletto heels while wielding a meat cleaver, Montreal native Nadia G. With her Bitchin’ Kitchen on Food Network Canada she is a bona fide kitchen rock star.
Crust Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Put the chocolate wafers in a resealable bag and crush them into fine crumbs. Pour the crumbs into a medium‑sized bowl and add the melted unsalted butter; mix.
Mold the crust onto the bottom of a springform pan, about ¼” thick. Bring it up the sides a little bit — ½”. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Let it cool in the pan. Key lime syrup Bring the water and 3/4 cup of raw sugar to a boil in a small pot over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup of key lime juice and the candied hibiscus flowers; stir. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes, until slightly reduced. Cheese filling Preheat the oven to 350°F (190°C). In a large bowl combine the egg yolks, 1 cup of raw sugar, 1/4 cup of key lime juice, key lime zest, and habañero, and whisk together. Add the cream cheese and mascarpone; then mix with an electric beater for another 15 seconds. Set aside. In another large mixing bowl, using clean blades, whip the egg whites
with the granulated sugar and the white vinegar until stiff peaks form. Delicately fold the meringue into the cheese mixture for 15 to 20 seconds. Don’t overmix. Pour evenly into the pan, over the chocolate crust. The Final Steps Place 2 layers of aluminum foil in a large roasting pan. Place the cheesecake in the middle of the foil. Bring the foil up the sides of cheesecake to create a barrier wall around the cake; do not cover the top of the cheesecake. Pour water into the roasting pan, halfway up the sides of the cake (hence the impermeable foil barrier). Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Allow the cake to cool completely on your countertop; refrigerate overnight. Serve each slice drizzled with a tablespoon or two of key lime syrup. outlooks
The Brooks Group
Nadia’s hip sense of humour and devotion to glamming up the dining experience is also captured in her new cookbook, Cookin’ for Trouble that was just released in October.
Habañero Cheesecake 1 1/2 cups chocolate wafers 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 1 cup water 1 3/4 cups raw sugar 1/2 cup key lime juice 1/3 cup candied hibiscus flowers (or dried cranberries as alternative) 5 egg yolks 1 tbsp grated key lime zest 1/2 red habañero pepper, minced, no seeds 2 cups whipped cream cheese, softened 1 cup mascarpone cheese 5 egg whites 3 tbsp granulated sugar 1 tsp white vinegar
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Food_&_Drink
food_&_Drink
Ingredients Servings: 1 1 ounce Grey Goose La Poire Pear ½ ounce Galliano ½ ounce Dr. McGillicuddy’s French Kiss Vanilla 2 ounces apple Juice Directions Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until cold and pour contents into a martini glass. Garnish with a pear slice cut into a shape of your choice. Be creative! The Pear Tart Martini is available at Sen5es in Toronto’s SoHo Metropolitan Hotel. www.senses.ca
They say good things come in pairs… and the Pear Tart Martini is no exception. Enjoy this sweet concoction before the nutritious pear, ripe between the late summer and autumn, retires for another season. This aromatic drink can be sipped solo or enjoyed alongside a pre or post dinner cheese plate. Use Pecorino, Blue, Roquefort or Brie cheeses if you really want to impress your guests. outlooks
Michael Pihach
The Pear Tart Martini
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fitness
YOGA A physical, spiritual and mental discipline that has been around since ancient India... so maybe it’s time to check it out!
M
ost of my life has focus on a workout as, well, a workout! I thought yoga was for those stretchy, relaxy types! Like a lot of “body guys,” I have been in a gym most of my life — lifted it, squatted it, pressed it, flexed it. I have always been aware of the practice, but was never really comfortable with the idea of subjecting myself to practices that involve displays of my flexibility, and/or spiritual roundedness. Likely, it was fear of finding how inflexible I am, or how unstable I am, or fear of what I would find if I actually quieted myself and listened inside to hear what my body and mind had to say.
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That all changed this month as I delved into yoga in two different practices with two yoga experts: Christi-an Slomka, Director and Anusara-inspired teacher at Kula Yoga (www.mykulatoronto.ca); and Michael DeCorte, creator of Jock Yoga and Lululemon ambassador (http://www.strongbodystillmind.com). They are two different practitioners with different views, goals and practices. I contacted them both and signed up for a class and an interview to get an idea of what yoga is all about. I started with Jock Yoga. The title Jock Yoga had me feeling like I might at least fit in until I had to touch my toes. I tried to keep training pretty balanced, but no weights? No bench? Not even a cable? How much of a workout could it be? I was about to find out. Michael’s Jock Yoga is a blend of strength-building holds and dynamic yoga movements — his take on power yoga. He describes it as a contemporary and athletic Vinyasa yoga — his focus is on the poses that challenge strength instead of flexibility. His practice helps
Michael De Corte
people who want to strengthen their spirit, ambition and resolve. I got to class early to get settled and check out the crowd. After all, it's jock yoga! I had some green tea and some water and my mat and pick a spot in the room not quite a corner but close to it, where I could still see the instructor. I saw everyone with a towel and some with towels that cover their entire mats. I wondered what I was in for. Michael put on some grooves that would not be out of place at a chill-out lounge or bar and started the class standing and breathing — good so far. He asked us to do what we could in a supportive way; but he also stated that we could go to a recovery position if we needed to take a break during the class. Standing start, lunge, reach, push-up posture went to upward dog (head up, butt down) to a downward dog (head down, butt up) and repeat — still good. As I followed the quick pace from move-
fitness
ment to movement, my triceps were screaming, but holding up. At one point, I was looking at the sweat dripping off my nose to the mat. I looked up to the girl across from me, who looked hardly affected at all and realized that, for me, this was hard work! Movements through to balance posture from hands to limbs, balanced on other limbs. Hamstrings were taking a beating, breathing was getting up there, I was sweating; but it was really fun! As adults, when was the last time we played on the floor? (Hint for me: The carpet was shag!) Of course there were a few postures where I was supposed to wrap my arms around some part of my body and somehow put my hands together that I just couldn't manage; but holding postures, balancing, pressing, it was a full body workout and, guess what: I didn't have to fear my inflexibility. I'm a stocky guy and, except for a few things, I could manage. Perhaps not as gracefully as some of the female Lulu-clad 100-something pounders; but, at no point did I feel a failure. Michael's soothing tones and encouraging comments made you want to do well, if for nobody but yourself. In the first half of the class, I had trouble letting go and just getting into the rhythm of the movements and postures. The second half of the class flew by until the leg lifts. Old school bodybuilders don't do a lot of ab work unless it's contest time, and mine were screaming so much that I had to go fetal for a moment before I carried on. Before you knew it, I was in Savasana (or corpse pose) for some meditation and it was over. I felt like I had worked out, I was aware of some of my weaker muscles; and I had that “just-worked-out high,” but more chilled out. After the class I sat down with Michael and asked him a few questions. How did you come up with the concept of Jock - Yoga? When I went to L.A. to study with the really big-name yoga teachers, I observed that their classes weren't necessarily challenging in the leg-behind-your-head, or wrap-yourself-into-a-pretzel sort of way. The level of the class seemed to come from the intensity, vigor and
the length of time we held the poses. I understood that getting a leg behind my head, or binding my legs into a lotus pose did not make me a yogi — rather that practising and teaching my own truth is what I did. I decided to incorporate the high intensity endurance factor into my classes, and focus on the arm balances that I was capable of, and therefore make mine an advanced class that would be accessible to more people, specifically more men. I began to add inspirational, contemporary music into the mix to increase the “fun” factor. Instead of teaching traditional yoga philosophy, I placed an emphasis on being honest with oneself in his/her capabilities, and on perseverance and belief in oneself. I believe that Jock Yoga has evolved from merely a strong, physical yoga practice, to a contemporary athletic spirituality. I read that in the past you had troubles with drugs and alcohol. Would you credit yoga with saving your life? Well, I struggled with addictions in the 90s and ultimately ended up coming into a recovery program of following spiritual principles to the best of my ability. I have now been clean and sober for just over 10 years. Yoga has been a big part of that journey for me — I believe that it’s the combination of spirituality and physicality. It has helped me to connect to the essence of who I really am, and to become more self-aware in my everyday life. It has taught me a balanced way of living, and to persevere through tough times. You are a Lululemon ambassador. How did that come about and what's it all about? I am a very proud ambassador for Lululemon Athletica (Yorkville location). When I first began to promote Jock Yoga, I received some interest from Lululemon. They though that my idea was a great one to bring more men and yoga skeptics into the practice. After having the key leaders attend a few of my classes, I was asked to be an ambassador. This means that they support me, promote me, clothe me (yay!) and help to make me successful. They believe that helping me to become a success will help yoga in general to grow, and then so, too, will
their business. I had the honour of attending the annual Lululemon Ambassador Summit in Whistler in April, and I learned there that Lululemon is a personal development company disguised as a clothing store! Christi-an’s Kula Yoga class is based on Anusara yoga, which is a modern school of hatha yoga, which blends some Hindu spirituality into a health-oriented approach to yoga. The live music flow promises an atmosphere that synchronizes breath and movement. Christi-an explains that it’s all about connecting within your deeper self and restoring, while strengthening and stretching. Her philosophy is that yoga is an opportunity to challenge your boundaries while celebrating life. As a bodybuilder and science-based guy, the idea of challenging my spiritual side unnerved me the most — what would I find within my own mind? That and the idea of trying to keep up with the spiritually connect, gave me some performance anxiety. At the same time, I was intrigued by the idea of being in a flexible, friendly environment. Upon meeting Christi-an, I found her to be the epitome of calm, gracious and welcoming. I got my mat and picked my “now usual” space (not quite the corner). The class was full and there was acoustic guitar player in the corner of the room gently strumming. He continue for the duration of the 90-minute class. I looked around the room and saw a blend of stretchy Lulus, a handful of guy, and a senior or two. I was the only bodybuilder (surprise!) noticed that everyone is so relaxed and calm while I fidgeted with my mat, my water, my watch, my towel and my watch again. I wondered if I would manage to find that calm that everyone else appeared capable of. Christi-an started the class in soothing tones, explaining that we are experiencing the fall equinox — the time when seasons and energies change. This is when darkness and light balance, and when we require more grounding, which we was explore in the class. We begun deep breathing and some Oms (Aums). The hum echoed through the room as we breathed. You can feel the vibrations as outlooks
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we exhaled in unison. Then, onto slow rhythmic moves, holding postures and breathing. Christian led us through some more challenging poses that included flexibility, stability and strength. At times, I felt like bacon, wrapped around a fork; but she encouraged us to stabilize, using strength — to find balance by pushing or pulling into ourselves or the floor, and it worked. At the end of the class in Savasna (corpse pose), I became aware again of the guitar player. He had been playing the whole time; but it was part of the entire experience. I focued on my breathing and realized that I was able to take a full deep breath. At the start, I was so wound up that I couldn't. I had found my calm! How did you find yoga, or how did it find you? 18 outlooks november 2011
Christi-an Slomka
I found yoga while living in Australia in 2000 as a computer programmer. We were practicing in this ugly warehouse space with the worst carpets. I wasn’t quiet sure what was engaging me; but I was really curious and had a big desire to keep exploring yoga. It was different from going to the gym. I didn’t have to convince myself to go, I truly wanted to be there. I deal with anxiety, and my practice became my most useful and effective tool for dealing with this type of energy. Do you find that yoga attracts those looking for direction or answers? Yes! The funny thing is that yoga doesn’t really give us answers, but rather tools to feel more comfortable in the places of paradox and uncertainty. It also
directs us inside to discover that so much of what we are seeking already exists within and ultimately connects us to all things How did you choose Anusara style as the modality you study? I chose Anusara yoga because of its emphasis on intention, alignment and community. The philosophy inspires me to move in the world from a place of fullness rather than a place of lack — to see that, even at the most challenging of times, life is always offering beauty, ways to connect and opportunities to grow. Instead of just telling me to be strong in the pose, the principles taught me how to cultivate strength — something that didn’t come naturally to me. The cool thing is that, because the principles value balance, they can serve anyone who comes to practice, whether they need to cultivate more strength or more flexibility. Finding community with people dedicated to cultivating more peace and love in their hearts and the world is this journey’s greatest gift. How has yoga impacted your life? When I found yoga, I felt like it saved my life. It created space for me to befriend my body, to understand the ways in which my mind was perpetuating my own suffering, to shift these very patterns and to explore the expansive depths of my heart. The result was more strength and creativity to carry me through life’s challenges. Learning how to embrace and experience my sadness, anger and fear helped me to more fully embrace and experience love, joy and peace. This work helps me to extend this same love and kindness to others. In the end, I had two very different experiences with two different practitioners. One more aligned to what I am used to: a workout for the body, with some of the spirit. The other, more for the mind and inner connectivity. I am in no way an expert; but I did enjoy both of them for different reasons. I can see myself fitting either one into my training depending upon what I need more of — calm or strength. — by Jody Boynton
wellness
HIV — After almost 30 years, the big bad bug is still here! The Allopathic and Naturopathic Responses…
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h the 80s…. spandex, stonewashed denim, big hair, preppies and valley girls. Thankfully few things survived past the 80’s. However, there are a few things that have remained a constant of gay life over the decades — Madonna, Cher, and HIV. All three are sometimes centre stage, sometimes off to the side, but always in the background of our lives. Things got better in the 90s as infection rates dropped, but starting in 2000 new infections rose and then plateaued again. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the average number of new HIV infections each year in the US between 2006 and 2009, was over 50,000. The result is there are currently 600-700,000 people living with HIV or AIDS in North America. I got together with two professionals in their field to discuss the treatments and what an HIV diagnosis means today. One, Dr. Jason Brunetta (Maple Leaf Medical; mapleleafmedical.com) is a primary care physician in Toronto. The other is naturopath Dr. Tammy Rampone (ndaccess.com), who has been helping patients maintain health and mitigate the side effects of treatment for 10 years. Dr. Brunetta is a HIV primary care physician with a large practice of HIV-positive and negative patients at Maple Leaf Medical. He is part of a research branch there and presented at the international AIDS conference in Rome this year. Maple Leaf houses one of the largest HIV research facilities in the country with up
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to 30 trials ongoing at any time. What changes have you seen in your practice in the 10 years you’ve been working with HIV-positive patients? I started practice after people had pretty much stopped dying, so not that much has changed in how we treat the disease, the biggest change today is the number of medications available. What does a diagnosis as HIV positive mean today? HIV is pretty much a chronic medical condition managed with medications and lifestyle counseling. People may not realize the full implications of the diagnosis. They may think, I just have to take a pill a day and I’m fine, but it’s not that simple. You will have to take them every day for the rest of your life. You will have to have follow-up blood work every three to six months to monitor your viral load. The good news is life expectancy is approaching near normal. The bad news is age-related maladies are appearing 10-15 years earlier in those on treatment. What treatments are available today? Pretty much everybody starts getting treated with three different medications. The simplest is one pill with three meds in it — but generally things get more complicated as time goes on. If the virus mutates, the drugs you are on become ineffective and you have to change medications, or if you start to suffer side effects, there are other ones that may not cause the same problems.
Allopathic
What sort of up-and-coming research is out there, anything exciting? Right now it’s pretty much the same types of treatments but they are working on making things easier to take, with less side effects, and safer over the long term. Cheaper drugs are also a big area of research. Are these expensive drugs? How much would it cost a month to maintain treatment? On average to start it would be about $1,500-$2,000 a month, and that’s just starting. As treatment gets more complicated drug costs only go up. What are the main side effects? As the drugs have gotten better the side effects have gotten less. The most common ones initially are gastrointestinal distress, and central nervous system (CNS) effects — including headaches, insomnia, and mood disorders. After two years things like high cholesterol, difficulty balancing blood sugar, kidney disorders, bone issues, the whole accelerated aging in HIV link starts to appear. Why can’t we solve the riddle? What is it about HIV that they can’t figure out? We don’t have a great history of curing viral infections — colds, flus, viral enteritis, most are self-limited infections and eventually the body deals with it and it’s over. HIV is a sloppy virus — it mutates quickly in the presence of drugs. Some viruses, like say herpes, don’t change a lot. You can take a drug and it’s pretty well controlled. HIV doesn’t seem to work like that. Once HIV is in the body, it’s everywhere and hides out in viral reservoirs in the brain and lymph system, not just in blood cells. What about a vaccine? Is that dream dead? Not dead, but conventional methods of vaccine production are ineffective because there are so many subtypes and it mutates so quickly that it can’t be controlled. What is the biggest mistake your patients make in maintaining health? The biggest mistake patients make is consistency in regimen. Nowhere else in medicine do we ask patients to be so vigilant in their dosing. Some get into trouble when they seek alternate
wellness
medicine methods instead of taking their meds. I have had occasions where a patient stops taking their meds and doesn’t tell me because they think they are controlling it some other way, and when they do blood work their viral load is 100,000 and I have to ask what’s changed. So you’re against natural therapies? Some complementary medications are fine but that is something that needs to be discussed with your health care professional. Any other mistakes? Not exercising, smoking,and eating poorly — all the same stuff that affects health over all. What do you feel needs to be done now? There is a lack of messaging and a lack of understanding of the implications of HIV infection — especially in those in their 20s and the 50-60s. I’m really disappointed in the lack of public health information out there.
Naturopathic
N
aturopath Dr. Tammy Rampone is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. She previously completed a degree in biochemistry and biology at the University of Victoria and the University of Windsor. Tammy continues to seek education on allopathic and complementary treatments in HIV. She currently works out of Progressive Heath Centre.
Have the issues your patients encounter gotten less severe since you started? Some older generation drugs had more severe side effects. I was dealing more with opportunistic infections and neuropathy and severe digestive distress. Now it’s transitioned to long-term survivors dealing with CVD muscle wasting, metabolic disorder, and dementia. How much research is there between a pharmacological approach and naturopathic support? Research is fairly specific, similar to research with a chemotherapy drug. In assessing drugs they look at the mechanism, the toxicity and side effects. There are known natural supplements that will increase or decrease efficacy of drugs in terms of metabolism. As far as the majority of general nutrition research, most of it is done in the developing world where there is less access to anti-retroviral drugs. They are looking at cheaper and more accessible ways to slow disease progression and increase the lifespan of peoples whose food supply and therefore nutrition isn’t sound. There are some North American studies on nutrients and HIV but not as specific or extensive as they could be. Nobody’s funding those yet because there is no money in that research. What are the worst mistakes your HIV-positive clients make in maintaining health? I would say inconsistency, it’s a compliance thing. Yes, the diet, exercise and supplements all make a difference but if they are not adhering to their drug therapy, there is only so much that will do. Sometimes patients will not adhere to protocols if they have side effects from the drugs. It’s the same with anyone, but the consequences of making poor lifestyle and health choices in someone living with HIV are greater. As a naturopath I am always putting the emphasis on healthy lifestyle and a nutrient-dense diet being important for everyone. For patients with HIV it is more imperative because you are living with a chronic illness. You don’t have a week off or a month off; you have to be persistent and consistent in your efforts to maintain health.
How are your recommendations for someone with HIV different from general health advice? Do you need to deal with it by symptom or do you say if you are on this drug you need to do this? That depends. If they are not on medication yet, my role is to support them as nutritionally as possible. In general there are four things I focus on in my practice when I have a patient with HIV because every one of them will have these problems at some point: Inflammation in the body can have a whole host of issues show up, like increased risk of cardiovascular disease or strokes. Nutrient absorption — malabsorption through gastrointestinal tract, diarrhea, motility issues and dysbiosis (poor gut flora). It is a huge issue not just from not being able to absorb nutrients and amino acids properly, but also relating to how well a drug is absorbed and metabolized. Oxidative stress — In fighting the disease the body uses up more anti-oxidants, and there is an increased demand for nutrients. Mitochondrial toxicity — Mitochondria are the powerhouse of cells. If they don’t work, metabolism doesn’t happen and the result could be weight gain, muscle wasting, fatigue and reduced liver function. What do you find yourself counseling some of your negative clients on in relation to staying HIV-negative? The safer sex message is still number one! The misinformation on sex in general that is still prevalent is surprising sometimes. For example, some of my younger clients recklessly have felt that drugs are so good now it doesn’t matter either way! I have had to educate them on the overall effects of infection, elevated cholesterol, CVD, stroke, blood clots as well as rapid aging. I tell them that all of this combined with poor lifestyle choices is like pressing the fast forward button on your life! — jody boynton
outlooks
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Grey and Gay — Aging in the LGBT Community As the first wave of out LGBT individuals reach the prime of their lives, the question arises as to what long-term health care and residence options are available. — by Bryen Dunn
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s with the heterosexual community, many individuals may end up alone and needing assistance to live out the remainder of their lives in comfort and safety. I had the opportunity to speak with a few individuals about this subject, as well as organizations that are recognizing the reality in terms of acknowledging the specific needs and requirements of the impending aging LGBT community. Rainbow Health Ontario is a capacity-building program, teaching and promoting healthy public policy, and disseminating materials and best practices, including one on the senior LGBT community. Several day programs, longterm care homes, and other community services are working to ensure that they are welcoming and culturally competent to serve LGBT seniors. In the City of Toronto’s Homes, there was a two-year project of broad organizational change to make the residences more welcoming to LGBT residents, and more competent to care for them. Anna Travers, Director, Rainbow Health Ontario, Sherbourne Health Centre, participated in the policy development, training, consultations, and the implementation of a tool kit to be used for future enhancements and services. “Our professional training sessions on LGBT senior issues are amongst the most requested topics,” Travers admits. Ernie Lacasse is a gay senior living in Toronto who recalls a friend of his who had been living alone until he developed a heart condition that eventually landed
him in a long-term care facility. “He chose Fudger House where he spent the final two years of his life. It was his choice as it was handy to the community, and many of the volunteers are LGBT individuals,” Lacasse states. Elsewhere, the Senior Pride Network of Ottawa began as an initiative of Centretown Community Health Centre (CCHC), which, for many years, has had a very active outreach program within the LGBT community. A few years ago, the CCHC invited a number of service providers and community activists to explore issues around aging and the gay community. The mandate was to advocate and foster systemic change in social services to ensure that they are more culturally competent, and to increase the visibility of LGBT seniors within their own community. The group also spearheaded a one-day conference entitled, Taking LGBT Aging Out of the Closet, with the overall goal to build capacity and visibility within the community. Several initiatives emerged, including a recurring night out at a local bar, a self-defense workshop, and a group that explores endof-life care and choices. Barry Deeprose volunteers with the Senior Pride Network, and was co-founder of the AIDS Committee of Ottawa. He feels isolation is a huge issue as LGBT people age. “Social networks constitute a determinate of health, while ‘the closet’ contributes to social isolation. Even those who have been open and affirming easily become isolated as they no longer participate in the gay social scene, or become
infirm. As the queer community has evolved and become more accepted, particularly within the gay male scene, it has become very youth oriented, and older people often don’t feel welcome or appreciated,” he points out. The Ottawa Senior Pride Network is made up of health and social service providers, representatives of community organizations that work with seniors, and gay and trans people aged 50 plus. “The lack of knowledgeable or culturally competent service providers is a major challenge. Many LGBT people feel that they have to return to the closet as they go to assisted living or care homes, and many or most service providers are simply unaware that their clients may be LGBT. We are certainly aware that the approaching generation of LGBT seniors are quite comfortable with affirming themselves and their rights, and we hope that the service providers are ready for them,” warns Deeprose. There is real concern with the problems that transgendered people may face, as they will require personal services or residential facilities specific to them. Most trans people feel particularly vulnerable when undergoing a physical exam and need extra reassurance and support. Protecting the identity, dignity and bodily integrity of a trans person is of at most importance, both physically and mentally. Denise Holliday is 64 years old, raised three children, and has two grandchildren. Living in rural Nova Scotia, she feels accepted by her close neighbours and family, and only officially transitioned in her early fifties, while continuoutlooks
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Left to right: SignoftheTimes, 123rf.com, queerty.com, seniors1.com
ing to live with her spouse. “I am a postop transgendered woman, and I’ve been with my wife and children for 40 years, 20 of those as a male while my spouse knew my situation,” she divulges. “I am fortunate that I received help when I did, and I am treated and accepted as a female by my doctors. Even if I am slightly different, they are very considerate, and hospital experiences have been very successful. I understand that trans folk who have not received surgery may run into more issues; but, so far,I have experienced good karma with the medical contingent,” Holliday explains. As for the future, she states “I anticipate life with the expectation that I will eventually get sick and probably spend some time in a hospital (as a woman), and eventually die. Meantime, I am happy to live as I am and where I am.” While larger metropolitan centres offer the benefit of having a greater array of specialized services available. It is situations like Holliday’s that exist throughout the country that call for the same level of service and recognition, regardless of location. Toronto Public Health (TPH) claims that the issues being faced by aging LGBT individuals may be just as influenced by their economic status and culture, as by their sexual orientation and location. Over time, a portion of the LGBT community has continued to move out of the city centres; yet the majority of services and resources have remained within close proximity of the traditional “Gay Village” area, failing to address this changing environment. 24 outlooks November 2011
As with all aging communities, there will be a growing need for sexual health, substance use, and psychosocial information and support. “We do acknowledge that aging populations are sexual and that there is an increase in STIs in older adults in general; however, we do not have specific programs at this time to address this issue,” advises Lisa King, TPH spokesperson. The organization recently completed Access and Equity training for all staff, which included addressing homophobia, heterosexism and gender-identity and discrimination. A cross-directorate Gender Diversity working group has been engaged for several years to train staff in understanding barriers faced by the transgendered community, and creating trans-inclusive programs and practices. This group is led by the Sexual Health program, and includes Urban Issues, Access and Equity, Vaccine, and Preventable Disease. Their Urban Issues team works with communities, groups and organizations to address social and health inequities, such as partnering with a community-based organization to conduct a needs assessment of aging queers in a specific neighbourhood or area, and then engaging with community partners to address the gaps. Although King admits that some areas are still in the infancy stages of development, she points out areas where TPH has shown initiatives. “We have provided programming to retirement home staff on HIV transmission, infection control, and relationships. We’re also about to reassess
our priority populations for sexual health programs, as well as determine the need for any internal capacity for other teams in TPH that address non-sexual health issues for this demographic,” she advises. A future workshop entitled, Respectful Service Delivery for Transgender Communities is also in the implementation stages. The 519 Community Centre in Toronto has been offering a seniors drop-in program for the past ten years; however, it’s been more of a social network than an advisory board. Recently the Older LGBT Community Services Program has begun to seriously look at some of the real issues that LGBT seniors are facing in today’s society. Jennifer Durst, a York University placement student, spoke with some individuals from the drop-in and discovered a few key issues that members identified, particularly around heterosexism, homophobia, and ageism. These included harassment and discrimination based on age and sexual orientation, both from within the community as well as from broader society. Older members also feel a sense of increasing invisibility from within the LGBT community. A concern is that the younger generation lacks respect for older community members, as well as their history and experiences. Silence from within the older LGBT community themselves is also an issue. The LGBT population has always had attributes specific to their community. Typically, there are higher levels of depression, anxiety and suicide than in the gen-
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eral population. Various addictions (alcohol, tobacco, prescription medications) are also known to be higher in the LGBT population, and this may continue to be a problem as they age. Due to the fear of coming out to a doctor, or having negative experiences with health professionals, some older LGBT people have avoided routine screening and tests and may have undetected or more advanced conditions. For some already in the later stages of their life, there could be suppressed memories of having been institutionalized in hospitals simply for being gay.
the acknowledgement of their individuality will help to address issues of isolation and fear. It is also important not to assign rooms based simply on genital anatomy alone. Finally, the youth in the community should take it upon themselves to reach out and understand an aging population of which they will one day be a part. This is the perfect opportunity for younger activists to make a difference to their own community, while at the same time paying respect to their queer groundbreakers that helped pave the way to where we
Many developed their identities prior to the era of gay liberation and never embraced the labels gay or lesbian as a result. Today, as many face the reality of long-term care, a sort of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” approach prevails. For those who had to live their lives in the closet, many feel no need to divulge their orientation now, and caregivers often don’t ask out of respect for privacy. In order to better meet the needs of this group of aging Canadians, it must be the responsibility of all members within the community to learn how to change and improve out-
Due to the fear of coming out to a doctor, or having negative experiences with health professionals, some older LGBT people have avoided routine screening and tests and may have undetected or more advanced conditions. In addition to the average LGBT senior’s requiring special needs, further concerns arise for those aging within subgroups. As advancements in medicine continue, health professionals must learn to understand a whole generation of people with HIV whom they did not expect to get old. The AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) has prioritized the subject of HIV and aging within their five-year strategic plan. As well, minorities, who often arrived in Canada alone when they were younger, may now long for the familiarity of their home country as a final place of rest. Caregivers and service providers also have to be educated on a contingent of the population that will be reliant on their chosen families and same-sex partners to assist them in later life. Simple procedures can be implemented quite easily and effectively within any long-term care facility, such as incorporating gay-positive programming and adding an LGBT component to the library and resource collection. For some, just having
are at today in society. There are several organizations that offer youth/elder visitations as part of community volunteer involvement within mainstream culture; but I am unaware of any specific to the LGBT community. Outreach is needed to locate and connect with the older LGBT population, particularly those who are invisible in the community, and do not, or cannot, participate in social circles. To date, it has been difficult to address many of these issues and concerns, as this is a new reality that society is facing. There has always been an aging population that requires some form of care in their final years, yet gay and lesbian seniors have, for the most part, been unrecognized as a separate segment to date. This current group of out seniors most likely has experienced discrimination, hatred and ignorance from society in the past. Added to this was the misunderstanding and incomprehension of a lifestyle unknown to many, until just recently, that was often portrayed as evil and taboo.
reach, policy, and practices. One opportunity to find out more on this subject is by attending the upcoming event, Opening the Closet on Aging. This is a bi-annual community conference for community members, service providers, and students. This year’s conference focuses on the history of activism and advocacy in the older LGBT community, and engages on issues of health and wellness for 50+ LGBT individuals. It is being held on Monday November 28 and Tuesday November 29 at The 519 Community Centre in Toronto. To continue the discussion on areas of importance that arise during the conference, the Senior Pride Network is considering hosting semi-annual community conversations. This would be an opportunity for community members and service providers from across the country to come together to share experiences, address concerns, and learn from each other, in order to better address the needs of older LGBT adults. Our pride should never end! outlooks
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RSVP Vacations
travel
Gay Cruise will include Morocco RSVP Vacations, the company that pioneered all-gay cruises, has announced an itinerary for 2012 that will include a stop in exotic Casablanca, Morocco. Exactly how a big shipload of gays (they’ve chartered Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam) will be accepted there remains to be seen, but the June 29-July 6 itinerary which starts in Barcelona and also includes Ibiza — two of Europe’s most gaypopular destinations — is worth some serious consideration. Details at www.rsvpvacations.com.
Randall Shirley
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us to enjoy making a few mistakes and getting away with it — we can be late for a family event and blame it on getting lost! And sometimes I make a wrong turn and we stumble across a gelato shop the GPS wouldn’t have told us about. Many of the towns in this area are not in the guidebook. So without instant access to Facebook and Yelp to help us rely on “friends” to recommend the best places to eat, we are actually wandering, looking at menus, and relying on how busy a restaurant is to gauge whether or not we should eat there. Thus far, the old tactic hasn’t failed us. But by far the best thing about being unplugged: brain quiet-ness. Being away from internet and other instant communication has allowed me to forget about the unstable economy, who’s warring with whom, and what region has just been hit by natural disaster. In fact, it’s reminding me that instant information really isn’t that important to me. Will unconnectedness become my new travel norm? That’s doubtful. But I am going to try and cut back on how much I rely on instant info whenever I’m on holidays. — Randall Shirley
2012 Shaw Festival Season Announced Theatre fans should plan ahead to visit gay-friendly Niagara-on-theLake next summer to take in a show or two at the always-excellent Shaw Festival. The new season has just been announced, and their two musical offerings certainly catch this editor’s eye: Ragtime with its still-relevant subtexts on tolerance and Leonard Bernstein’s one-act opera, Trouble in Tahiti. Visit www.shawfest.com. Denver gay Men’s Chorus
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iao. I’m travelling in Italy right now (features to come), and staying several weeks deep in farm country, in a home with no internet access. My partner’s family is from this region, and we have to drive several kilometres to get a decent connection. I’m not used to this situation, but each day as I get farther away from being constantly connected, I like it more and more. Yes, unplugging from the world is feeling good. We also have no TV, no radio and no English language newspapers at the tiny nearby grocery store. Being away from Instant Everything has shown me how reliant we have become on connectivity as travellers. Instead of hopping onto the internet to research every little spot in the region, I’m relying heavily on a guidebook and old-fashioned maps — you know, the kind printed on paper. The relatives have given us a local Android phone to use, but it’s slow to load, and I actually find the majority of my driving is easier if I study the paper map before we start a journey, and only rely on the GPS device when we need to find a very specific address, like a relative’s house. Being unplugged is actually allowing
Shaw Festival
Do you unplug? Can you?
Gay Singers To Join Mile High Club From July 7-11, 2012, members of many gay choruses will gather in the “mile high” city of Denver, Colorado for some serious singing and plenty of fun during the annual GALA gay & lesbian chorus festival. If you’ve ever considered visiting Denver — a city with a solid gay community — doing so during an event like this ups the gay-fun possibilities. Learn more via www.galachoruses.org.
travel
Gay Days in Bavaria: The Original Magic Kingdom
Visit any time of year, but winter adds a dose of romance to the land of the world’s bestknown gay king.
Munich Tourism
Randall Shirley
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The Details • Hotel Torbräu, +49 (0) 89 24 2340, www.torbraeu.de • Hotel Deutsche Eiche, Reichenbachstraße 13, +49 89 23 11 660, www.deutsche-eiche.com
EAT:
• Hotel Deutsche Eiche (see above)
PLAY: • General Munich Tourism Info: www.muenchen.de • General Bavaria Tourism Info: www.bavaria.by • Gay Munich Listings: www.patroc.com/munich • Neuschwanstein Castle, +49 (0) 83 62 939 880, www.neuschwanstein.de • Linderhof Palace, www.schlosslinderhof.de • Munich Public Bath House/Mueller’sches Volksbad, Rosenheimer Straße 1, +49 (0) 89 2361 3429, www.swm.de
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t is perhaps the gayest castle in the world. Not the one at Disney World where you had your photo taken with Snow White, but the one that inspired it: Neuschwanstein, built by Bavaria’s gay king, Ludwig II, as the centrepiece of the original magic kingdom. In the mid-1800s, the gay king was considered to be insane as his architectural and artistic spending habits nearly bankrupted the kingdom. His death by drowning in a Bavarian lake was likely an assassination, which undoubtedly seemed a fiscally responsible move in 1886. Over time Ludwig’s spending habits proved be a great investment: today Neuschwanstein is widely considered the number one tourist attraction in Germany. Cash registers all around the country go ka-ching because of it. True to gay form, Ludwig’s taste was decidedly dramatic, and he had no problem pulling out the credit card (the kingdom’s treasury) to get what he wanted. Ludwig spent on his own fantasies, the biggest of which was his fixation on the composer Richard Wagner, whom Ludwig befriended and essentially employed. Parts of Neuschwanstein and Ludwig’s two other nearby castles were built as homages to Wagner and his music. Linderhof Castle even includes an underground grotto with coloured stalagtites and an artificial lake with a seashell-shaped boat — all created as a sort of real-life setting of Wagner’s opera Tannhäuser. Whether Ludwig was ro-
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fotopedia
• Conviva im Blauen Haus Outstanding food in both Bavarian and international styles. This impressive restaurant focuses on providing employment to persons with disabilities. Hildegardstrasse 1, +49 (0) 89 23 33 69 77, www.cbamuenchen.de
Oberammergau town murals
mantically inclined toward Wagner, as I suspect, remains unclear. The names of at least two of Ludwig’s gay relationships have been published.
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issing in the castle of a gay king just seems the right thing to do — my partner and I steal a smooch or two as we stroll, hand-in-hand, through the astonishing throne room, bedrooms and ballrooms. Our drive from Munich — Bavaria’s major city — had set us up for romance. Signposts pointing us toward Füssen, the town nearest the castle, reminded us that were travelling a Romantische Straße (romantic road) toward the Alps, just as Ludwig may have done with his 19th-century lovers. Neuschwanstein sits high on a hill, and our continued romantic walk up the paved pathway amidst scores of Japanese, Russian and Italian tourists — many of them also holding hands — seemed an extension of the Romantische Straße. In a place like that, it’s easy to remember that if it weren’t for the gays, many of the world’s most beautiful buildings wouldn’t exist. Unfortunately, castle tour guides don’t mention this. Leaving Neuschwanstein, continuing our journey through Ludwig’s winter woods seems the thing to do, so we drive deeper into the Alps, crossing briefly into Austria, winding back to
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Munich has all the trappings of a major city, but still retains a village-like feel, especially during our winter season visit. Evenings spent holding hands, strolling the streets of the gay neighbourhood and the central Marionplatz allow us to rub shoulders with real Bavarians. Market stalls on the square sell fresh produce and flowers — even in the cold of winter. The sound of the oompah band is heard as we pass Hofbrauhaus, perhaps the greatest beer garden in Bavaria. Unfortunately for Ludwig, the Bavaria of 1886 wasn’t ready for a gay king with grand taste in arts, architecture and décor. Luckily for us, much of Ludwig’s magic kingdom did get built, and is there for gay travellers to revel in.
Steven Jones, Dreamstime.com
unich, the Bavarian capital city (deceptively the third largest city in Germany, behind Berlin and Hamburg — Frankfurt is fifth) is the launching point for romantic trips into Ludwig’s magic kingdom. The king spent a good deal of time here, and while 21-st century Bavaria may not have a gay king, Dietmar Holzapfel carries himself around Munich’s gay Gaertnerplatz neighbourhood with an air of royalty. He takes us for a drive around town to show that Munich does, in fact, have gay-owned businesses catering to just about everything, from bike shops to beauty salons to bars. Dietmar owns Munich’s gayest hotel, the historic Deutsche Eiche, where we join him for a deliciously Bavarian meal in the restaurant — he points out the corner where Hitler frequently took coffee, not to celebrate that fact, but simply to impress upon us the history of the place. Hitler, of course, would go on to kill thousands of homosexuals in the Holocaust (as a side trip to the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau confirms), so there is a strange irony that he once hung around Munich’s most-progressive neighbourhood. Today the popular restaurant caters to a mixed gay-straight crowd, as does the modernized and hipped-up boutique hotel. The hotel spa, on the other hand, is a decidedly gay place — among the largest gay bathhouses in Europe. While the Deutsche Eiche is lovely, we opt for mainstream, very gay-friendly accommodation at the exquisitely updated, super-convenient Hotel Torbräu — ranked in TripAdvisor.com’s top 10 — and choose to enjoy a bathhouse of a different kind.
omen are not something I’m used to seeing in a bathhouse. That changes in Munich during a fabulously relaxing evening bathing, soaking, steaming and lounging in the Mueller’sches Volksbad (Muller’s Public Baths), a sublime, art-nouveau building with a clothing-required swimming pool and co-ed, adult-only saunas, steamrooms, showers and soaking pools. The Germans have a refreshingly different attitude about nudity, and after a few minutes getting over the surprise, it all seems incredibly normal, and wonderfully non-sexual. We allow our bodies to warm in jets of steam, our minds to chill and our eyes to be dazzled by the detailed tile work and architecture of the 110-year-old bathing palace.
Bavaria’s gay king, Ludwig II
Munich’s public bathouse
Munich Tourism
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Randall Shirley
Ludwig’s Linderhof Castle, and eventually the town of Oberammergau, famous for its every 10 years Passion Play and a ridiculously kitsch collection of murals painted on the sides of its Bavarian buildings. I’ve been here before in summertime, but visiting in winter leaves the tiny town mostly free of tourists, the perfect place to enjoy a stereotypical apfelstreudel and cocoa and feel almost like gay Bavarian royalty ourselves.
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travel
Los Angeles: Three Ways Randall Shirley
Randall Shirley
I’ve often said there are two American cities that every world traveller should visit, New York and Los Angeles. My reasoning? These are both cities we’ve seen our whole lives on television and in the movies. We’ve visited NYC in Outlooks’ pages before — and will certainly visit again soon — but we’ve yet to touch down in that sprawling mass of urbanity known as LA.
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can be daunting. There is so much to see and do, and it’s spread over a huge area. The gay scene is hard to define there, but is traditionally centred around West Hollywood. I find the nearby, gay-popular enclave of Silver Lake has more of a neighbourhood vibe and some great dining and shopping spots along Sunset Blvd. In fact, there are big gay populations in several of the Los Angeles region’s neighbourhoods. Gay bars can be found as far south as Long Beach where the Paradise Piano Bar is popular and as far north as Palmdale’s Backdoor (you’re not likely to go that far). LA has some really great attractions, many of which have gay subtexts if you
@2000 J. Paul Getty Trust
@2000 J. Paul Getty Trust
Randall Shirley
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and that help make a good Los Angeles vacation even more gaily memorable. I’ve broken them down into three categories (although some could cross over). first: LA FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT FREAK See a TV show taping. If you love Ellen (who doesn’t?), LA is the place to see her. If you’re super-lucky, you’ll be there on a big giveaway day and bring home some serious loot. In any regard, you at least get to see one of the funniest comics the lesbians have produced, and likely a guest-star or two (ellen. warnerbros.com/tickets). The Tonight Show with Jay Leno is another possibility for serious star sightings (www.nbc.com/ the-tonight-show/tickets).
Check out the, ahem, shoe sizes of famous actors stop to think about it. As for the purely gay, you’ll have no trouble finding the gay bars in West Hollywood or the gay-popular Will Rogers beach. Having spent a lot of time in LA over the past 20 years, here are my picks for things that you might not have considered, 32 outlooks November 2011
Unfortunately, tickets to see the ridiculously cute, openly-gay Neil Patrick Harris in How I Met Your Mother are not available to the general public — although you can see his brand new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. So you’ll have to settle for straight-seconds and
Ariel view of Getty Centre The Palace Theatre Marquis Getty Museum terrace and city view
go see dreamy Ashton Kutcher during a taping of Two and a Half Men. Tickets for that show (and several others) are managed by www.tvtickets.com. Of course, you could always try to “come on down” on The Price is Right, or go realize just how much you don’t know during a taping of Jeopardy, with Canadian Alex Trebek. Check out the, ahem, shoe sizes of famous actors. Find the shoeprints of Rock Hudson (he’s next to Liz Taylor), and other Hollywood heartthrobs in the concrete at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. You can do the same for many actors you may dream about… Tom Cruise’s shoeprints are there, as are Johnny Depp’s and Brad Pitt’s. Whether you’re impressed with their shoe size or not is entirely up to you (www.chinesetheatres.com). Second: LA FOR THE FINE ARTS LOVER Downtown movie palaces & architecture tour. LA once was to movies what Broadway still is to theatre—the place where a show premiered and the stars came out to see it. On a recent trip,
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Great places to eat in LA • Marix (West Hollywood). Tex-Mex. 1108 N. Flores St, 323-656-8800, www. marixtexmex.com
ellenshow
Univerrsal Studios
• Malo (Silver Lake). Excellent, upscale Mexican cuisine. Try the chewy chips. 4326 W Sunset Blvd., 213-985-4332, www.malorestaurant.com.
my partner and I joined an LA friend who actually lives in one of the city’s historic Art Deco buildings for a walking tour of downtown’s historic movie palaces. The tour is organized by the LA Conservancy, and focuses on the 12 ornate movie palaces built between 1910 and 1931. Most of them now have other uses — from an electronics store to a church, but many of them open their doors to this weekly tour. You can practically feel the ghosts of yesterday’s glamorous movie stars in these magical buildings (213623-2489, www.laconservancy.org). Magnificent museum. On the fine art end of things, there is nothing on earth quite like the Getty Center, and for me the museum’s collection isn’t the draw, although it does include spectacular, mostly. European art from as far back as the 1600s. In my opinion, the draw is the architecture — along with a hillside that, on a clear day, showcases the entire Los Angeles basin. Richard Meier’s modernist architecture is as eye-popping as a modern-day Taj Mahal (310-440-7300, www.getty.edu). Live concerts in world-class venues. Some of the world’s finest talent frequents LA — if they don’t already live there. While there are dozens of places to attend live theatre and music throughout the LA region, two spots stand apart based on the venues themselves: the Hollywood Bowl and downtown’s Walt Disney Concert Hall. Hollywood Bowl is among LA’s more-
iconic spots. The season runs during the summer months, and if you’re planning to visit LA at that time of year, a night there might be among your best vacation memories. Take your partner or a date, along with blanket and a picnic, and you’ve got the recipe for memories. Hollywood Bowl is the summer venue for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and features numerous other concert types as well (323-850-2000, www.hollywoodbowl.com). During the cooler months, the Frank Gehry-designed Disney Concert Hall is the Philharmonic’s home, and is worth driving by just for a look even if you can’t make it to one of the many concerts held there. Beyond the resident orchestra, numerous visiting orchestras and other performances are held there annually (323-850-2000, www.laphil.com). Third: LA FOR THE THEME PARK ADDICT I’m forever amazed at the number of gay men who love theme parks, and with four of them to choose from, LA has something for everyone (be sure to check for seasonal days/hours). Disneyland. Those who love Disney love it a lot. The annual Gay Day at the park takes place in early October, so if you want to meet gays who love Disney even more than you, you’ve got a year to plan and think about it (disneyland. disney.go.com). Six Flags Magic Mountain. There are
• Flore Vegan Cuisine (Silver Lake). Outstanding lunches. 3818 W. Sunset Blvd., 323-953-0611, www.florevegan.com.
two words for this place: roller and coaster. Anyone who loves those words needs to spend a day at this park — offering more than a dozen super-thrill rides (many of them comic-book themed) from traditional coasters to seat-hanging-from-the-track stuff that make you scream like a schoolgirl. If possible, visit on a weekday or during off-season weekends when the park tends to be less crowded, but be warned: my experience shows that too many coaster rides in one day can cure one of the desire altogether (www.sixflags.com/magicMountain). Knott’s Berry Farm. What started out as a great place for chicken dinner with boysenberry pie for dessert is still a great place for that. Mrs. Knott’s chicken dinner is still served up, and is delicious. Mr. Knott was the first to commercially cultivate boysenberries, and the site now features thrill rides, shows and the Peanuts characters. To me, it feels more laid-back than the other parks, and best of all, you can eat at the restaurant without entering the park (www.knotts.com). Universal Studios Hollywood. It has that “movie star” theme going, and you’ll be treated to look-alikes. There are a variety of rides, but the highlight remains the studio tour — yes, it is a working studio. For about $300 you can even take a VIP, full-day behind-thescenes tour of movie making (www. universalstudioshollywood.com).
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ANYWHERE ELSE THIS WOULD JUST BE A SEASIDE RESORT.
B U T T H I S I S T E L A V I V This is one of the most dynamic cities in the world. This is Tel Aviv – the city that celebrates the history, the culture, the pioneering spirit of the people of Israel. Only in Israel can you enjoy a sophisticated vacation while experiencing the ancient places that are part of the history that makes us who we are.
There’s a little bit of Israel in all of us. Come find the Israel in you. goisrael.ca
Tel Aviv
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tel aviv: the gay capital of the middle East brett taylor
brett taylor
Tel Aviv is the total flipside of Jerusalem, a modern Sin City on the sea rather than an ancient Holy City on a hill. There are more bars than synagogues and everyone’s body is a temple. Yet, underneath the surface Tel Aviv, or TLV, reveals itself as a truly diverse 21st-century Mediterranean hub.
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lthough Tel Aviv would be the focus of our trip, we spent the first couple of days in Jerusalem. Israel is a small country so these two polar opposite centres are a mere 60 kilometres, or about a 35-minute drive from one another. So we will start our trip by going back some 4,000 years. “The Holy Sanctuary”is the capital of Israel, though not internationally recognized as such. If the area and population of East Jerusalem is included, it is Israel’s largest city in both population and area, with a population of 763,800 residents over an area of 125.1 square kilometers (48.3 square miles). Located in the Judean Mountains, between the Mediterranean Sea and the northern edge of the Dead Sea, modern Jerusalem has grown far beyond the boundaries of the Old City. Jerusalem is a holy city to the three major Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In Judaism, Jerusalem has been the holiest city since, according to the Biblical Old Testament, King David of Israel first established it as the capital of the united Kingdom of Israel in c. 1000 BCE, and his son Solomon commissioned the building of the First Temple in the city. In Christianity, Jerusalem has been a holy city since, according to the New Testament, Jesus was crucified in c. 30 CE, and 300 years later Saint Helena identified the pilgrimage sites of Jesus’ life. In Sunni Islam, Jerusalem is the thirdholiest city. It became the first Qibla, the focal point for Muslim prayer (Salah) in 610 CE, and, according to Islamic tradition, Muhammad made his Night Journey there ten years later. As a result, and despite having an area of only 0.9 square kilometres (0.35 square miles), the Old City is home to sites of key religious importance, among them the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque. The oldest part of the city was settled in the 4th millennium BCE, making Jerusalem one of the oldest cities in the world. During its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times so we figured one more intrusion by our group would pale in
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comparison. If you have set aside one full day to experience Jerusalem, I would start the day by traveling by car or bus to the Mount of Olives that overlooks the Old City, the Judean Desert, and the ancient Jewish cemetery. In this area, you will also find several important and magnificently built churches including the Garden of Gethsemane. As a footnote, as you look down, or walk past the grave sites, you will see stones and rocks sitting on top of the graves. This is not ancient rubble, but the tradition that when someone visits the gravesite, you place a rock on top as a reminder to all that “Itzig was here.” However in this case, Itzig may have dropped by a few thousand years ago to pay his respects. The actual “Old City” of Jerusalem makes for an excellent afternoon walking tour that one should culminate with the Tower of David Museum’s Night Spectacular. The story of Jerusalem unfolds in a majestic blaze of huge, breathtaking images projected on the ancient walls and hidden pathways of the Citadel. The Tower of David Museum is located just inside the Jaffa Gate. Accommodations in Jerusalem are many, from the historic King David Hotel to numerous European style properties – both luxury or economically based. We chose the Mamilla Hotel, a beautiful upscale property that was situated within a block of the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City. It is an exceptional property and an experience all unto itself. So after the day in Jerusalem, it was time for “out with the old and in with the new” and time to move on to Tel Aviv – considered by many to be the Gay Capital of the Middle East. Leading up to this trip, anyone I told that I was going to Tel Aviv replied with “really, are you sure it’s safe… very careful” etc. However, what I can now tell, them is that while in the city by the sea, I found myself feeling more secure and welcomed than pretty much any big city I have visited in North America. In reality, it was anything but dangerous, the city almost exudes confidence and security. I was rarely aware of armed guards, but
certainly knew they were around at larger shopping malls and crowded events. But in talking with locals, one also finds that assault or other violent crimes are very, very rare indeed. The city is officially known as Tel AvivJaffa (sometimes written as Tel Aviv-Yafo in translated Hebrew), combining the big modern city and the old, ancient seaport city of Jaffa. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known as “the White City” for all of the modern structures, many white, with curved walls and extreme, ocean liner like, streamlined design—the largest collection of Bauhaus architecture in the world. With only 400,000 residents, it can feel like a small town in tree-lined residential neighborhoods or a bustling metropolis from downtown. What it definitely doesn’t feel like is Middle Eastern. Tel Aviv is the total flipside of Jerusalem, a modern Sin City on the sea rather than an ancient Holy City on a hill. Hedonism is the one religion that unites its inhabitants. There are more bars than synagogues, God is a DJ and everyone’s body is a temple. Yet, scratch underneath the surface and Tel Aviv, or TLV, reveals itself as a truly diverse 21st-century Mediterranean hub. By far the most international city in Israel, Tel Aviv has become home to a very large gay community, a kind of San Francisco in the Middle East. Perhaps the most famous, or infamous, element of Tel Aviv’s culture is the wild nightlife. While it may sometimes seem that everybody in Tel Aviv is simply waiting for the moon to rise and a chance to party, there’s plenty to see and do during the daylight hours, starting, of course, with the beach. Hilton Beach- The best beach if you like to swim in wave less sea - on the left part of the breakwater there is a pool-like sea where you can enjoy swimming - just beware of the kayaks, boats and surfboards that are heading to sea from there. Named for its location outside the Hilton Hotel, and ironically, it is adjacent to the orthodox beach where men and women can only sunbathe on separate days. It is a marvelous stretch of white sand contrasted by the rich blue Mediterranean Sea. The need to get out to socialize makes
brett taylor
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from left to right: Mt. Olive Cemetery, View of Tel Aviv from Jaffa, Wonderful architecture, Narrow Jaffa streets.
the well-known and not-particularlylascivious cruising park, Independence Garden (next to the Hilton Hotel), a place where one can go to make new friends and sit and chat… among other things, for hours on end. Much of Tel Aviv is comprised of residential neighbourhoods where visitors are unlikely to wander unless calling on friends. The areas with dining and cultural spots are easily seen on foot even if you need a cab to get from one cluster to the next. There is an architectural preservationist movement that is resulting in the facades of manor-like residences being restored with huge, multi-story buildings erected behind them. It is odd to walk along a tree-lined lane and notice above the columned porches and balconies of a large home, there are another twenty levels of mirrored glass tower now attached. But if we put it in an architectural perspective it makes more sense. Tel Aviv is just over 100 years old now, so “old” in Tel Aviv is a matter of decades, at best. And although you would not think it, urban space is limited. Neve Tzedek is the city’s oldest neighbourhoods where folks first moved outside from Jaffa. Over time, it has now become a premiere strolling and shop-
ping neighbourhood. The main shopping lane, Shabazi Street can be so busy with pedestrian traffic that it makes it almost impossible at times for vehicle traffic to get by. This artsy neighbourhoods is also home to many funky galleries and small museums. You’ll inevitably find yourself walking on Rothschild Boulevard several times during your visit—it’s a main artery in the central city. It is a shady lane with a wide pedestrian median with plenty of public art displays etc. It is here that you will also see some of the best examples of Bauhaus architecture. Museums that are a must see while visiting include the Holocost Museum and the relatively new Design Museum. As the counterpoint to the sharp geometry of Tel Aviv’s skyscrapers and huge hotels, Old Jaffa is the ancient port city of sandstone whose crumbling walls and narrow cobbled alleyways are home to many strikingly modern stores and galleries, albeit maybe a few too many souvenir shops. While in the port of Old Jaffa, down in an area that was once waterfront warehouses, I found one of the most profound experiences of any travels I have had. The Nalaga’at Theatre is the world’s only performance company
of all deaf-blind actors. Their shows are communicated with several versions of sign language, translated super titles, and non-verbal interpreters. The stage performance “Not by Bread Alone” was timed perfectly, never missed a beat, and was a definite eye-opening experience for those in attendance. In addition to the very simple, yet highly theatrical show, this inspiring organization employs over 80 people, most disabled, of all ethnicities and types. The performance takes literally years of rehearsal before they are ready to open to the public. While waiting for the show, or on a totally different evening’s outing, the complex also includes Café Kippish where the entire staff is deaf or hearing-impaired, and the Blackout Restaurant where you eat in an entirely light-free/sight-free room served by blind waiters. A full evening at Nalaga’at is an opportunity to be completely immersed and touched by a world most of us could never know. With a gay scene that compares with all gay capitals around the globe, an amazing beach, good weather, great food and other attractions in the country like Jerusalem; Tel Aviv is definitely a place you should consider visiting… soon.
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Matthew Morrison The ‘Glee’ star on travelling and sports, the curse of Mr. Schuester, working with Elton John on his debut album, fancying Gwyneth Paltrow, his breakdancing days, his upcoming tour and how being straight led him to success on Broadway. — by Colin Turner / The Interview People
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efore we get into music, I understand that you have always been big into sports and that it could actually have almost been your career direction? Yeah, very big. Soccer, football, is my big sport that I used to play. I almost became professional. I love skiing and I love hiking too. I’m a big skier. We have great skiing in California. So what made you choose to go into musicals instead? I had a very inspirational teacher in my life, kind of my Mr Schuester, that told me I had a lot going on in terms of the arts and steered me on that path. And it worked out pretty well! Is coming from a TV background a blessing or a curse to make it in the charts? I think both. It’s a blessing because you do have a built-in fan base from the shows you’re on. I think a lot of “Glee” fans will probably buy my album. But a curse in the sense that it’s hard to dissociate yourself from that character. A lot of people will probably be say like “oh, I bought Mr. Schuester’s album” but it’s not. It’s Matthew Morrison’s album. So I think it works on both hands. There’s good and bad. Do your fans see you predominantly as Matthew Morrison or as Mr Schuester? It depends what they’re fans of me from. Most Broadway fans
and he did, he loved it. He loved how they went together; he thought that was really inventive and creative. We just got sat down in the studio and talked about different parts we could do, who would sing what, and it was very collaborative. He’s such a smart musician. When he first started singing, I was like “he sounds so good on these songs”. Then I was like “Oh yeah, he’s been singing these songs for 30 years!” Why did you choose those songs in particular? Are they favourites of yours? I always knew that I wanted to do ‘Rocket Man’, that’s definitely one of my favourite songs and a song that I used in a lot of auditions that I had for Broadway shows. First of all, I thanked him for writing that song because it got me a lot of jobs earlier on! I actually spent three entire days listening to every single Elton John song ever written and recorded. He even gave me some songs that haven’t been released ever. It was great; I wish I could have those three days back. There’s a lot I didn’t know. He did a whole country album; it was called ‘Tumbleweed Connection’. I’d heard “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” before but I wasn’t really familiar with that song. But I narrowed it down to like five songs and I just tried to fit all of them together. Those are the two that went together the best.
“I always love someone who will challenge me, someone who’s as smart as or preferably smarter than I am which isn’t that hard!”
Fox Brodcasting
know me as Matthew Morrison cause I had a long career before “Glee” happened but obviously “Glee” is a global phenomenon and that’s probably where most people around the world know me as. Most people probably know me as Mr Schuester. Are you in “Glee” for the long run? Yeah. However long that may last. You never know with these things. You’ve drawn a stellar cast on your album. Was it your idea to duet with Sting and Elton John? It was my idea to duet with them and luckily they said yes! So it was great. Are they fans of the show? I know that Elton is. I think Sting has watched a few episodes but I don’t know if he is a super fan. Elton is a big fan. How did you get on in the studio? Did you record together? I recorded in a studio with Elton but with Sting we were not in the same studio. Elton was amazing. I kind of put together the songs that I wanted to have. I wanted to pay homage to both of them and do their songs. So with Elton I put together those two songs, “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” and “Rocket Man” and I went to him. I was praying that he would like it
Is he one of your role models in pop? I think he’s one of the, if not the best singer songwriter we’ve ever had. He’s just incredible. He’s got such a commanding voice, such a unique voice. When you hear Elton John sing, you know who it is right away. And I think his songwriting is just some of the best music ever written. You also duet with Gwyneth Paltrow who’s been a big hit on the show. I guess she was easy to convince to sing on the album? Yeah, we became fast friends right away on the show. We filmed her first appearance and I knew she was coming back for a second one; so, I called her and asked if she would record a song with me for my album and she said yes. So she flew in a day early and just came to the studio. She didn’t even know what song we were doing. I told her it was “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and then I just had my ukulele out and taught her her part and she picked it up really fast and we spent like three hours recording it. You two shared a kiss on screen. Would you date her if she wasn’t married? Yeah. Gosh, she’s one of the most beautiful women alive. The thing I love about her is that she’s just so real. For someone who’s accomplished as much as she has and as a actress outlooks
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from left to right: A Reflective Matthew, Matthew with Gwyneth Paltrow, Broadway Bares 2008, Matthew in “Hairspray”
she’s the most down-to-earth person I’ve ever met. But it was weird when we had a kiss because we’d become such good friends. That’s kind of like kissing your friend. It was a little awkward, but she’s great. Do you have a type when it comes to girls? I always love someone who will challenge me, someone who’s as smart as or preferably smarter than I am, which isn’t, that hard! Someone who challenges me, someone with just a beautiful smile and someone I can make laugh. Are you flattered by all the unwanted attention you get from boys? Am I flattered by it? Yeah. But, I’ve been doing Broadway for a long time, so I’m used to it. Is it an oddity, a straight man on Broadway? You would think it would be. I mean it is, there are definitely more homosexual guys than straight guys on Broadway; but there are a lot of us! Especially in musical theatre…straight men tend to do straight plays. I wonder if that’s why they call it straight plays! To be honest, one of the reasons I thrived so much there and why I was so successful was because when you saw me perform - I usually played the love interest in many of the shows I did – you saw a man. Not that they’re not men but you believed it. I’ve seen shows and seen dancers where you can’t really get into it, because you don’t buy the relationship. I think that’s one of the reasons I did alright there. 40 outlooks November 2011
Growing up, was it your dream to be in musicals? Yeah. I idolized Gene Kelly and Patrick Swayze. Those are the first people I saw dance. And they made dance masculine. I thought ‘I can do that and be cool’. They made it ok. Now with “Glee” and a lot of musical and dance shows that are out now, it’s become a lot more accepted. Were you more interested in the dancing or the musical side of musicals? Initially it was the dance. Breakdancing was actually my first form of dance. I was like in a little gang and we would get together and teach each other breakdance moves every day. Now, I call it “broke dancing” because every time I try I get a little sore! But yeah, that was definitely my first foray into dance. When I got into high school, which was a performing arts high school, I got into ballet and jazz. I really started studying dance and having a great respect for it. How did you end up, very briefly, in a boy band? I’d done my first Broadway show and it was kind of in the height of boy bands, like N’Sync and Backstreet Boys. I thought “I’ll go in, make a lot of money and be a big boy band star” but it didn’t turn out like that! It was just a rough year. There was nothing creative about it. It was, go here, this is what you’re gonna wear, this is what you’re gonna sing and you don’t really have any say in the matter’. It was very strategic and not heartfelt at all. Did it put you off pop for a while? It definitely put me off the recording industry for a while.
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I didn’t wanna go anywhere near a recording booth or anything. And it caused a problem when I recorded my first cast album, it was “Hairspray”. They wouldn’t let me do it because I was still signed to the boy band label. So I had to get out of that. So it put me off the music industry definitely. But in a positive light, cause I always try to think of a positive thing in every situation, it helped me be comfortable in a recording studio. I learned about microphone technique and how to sing in a studio as opposed to singing on stage where you try to project as loud as you can to get the last person in the audience. So it was helpful in that way. Did you jump at the chance to do an album now? I did. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for the past five to seven years. But the album I would have made five years ago would probably have been more of a standards “Broadwayesque” album. “Glee” has really given me the opportunity to make the album that I wanted to make. I thought it was really important coming from “Glee” that I write a lot of my own songs because otherwise it would have just been another “Glee” album. So that was really important to me to do that. I have such a respect now for the songwriting process. It’s a lot harder than it sounds. I was like “I can write a song”. It’s a lot harder than I thought! How many songs did you write on the album? On the album I wrote four. I particularly like “It’s Over” which is quite “Broadwayesque”.
FR
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That’s actually the song I wanted to write for my Broadway fans. I had them in mind when I wrote that. It definitely comes from a personal experience of mine. I wrote that with the guy who wrote the music for “Hairspray”. Have you got more in stock? I think in any album process you have a lot and you have to narrow it down. So there were a couple that I kind of wish were on the album but I’m very happy with the way it’s all turned out. I’m enjoying this time and I’m trying not to think about another album right now because this just came out and I want to do my best to promote it and I can’t wait to do the live shows. That’s what I’m really excited about. How are you preparing for the live shows? I’ve rehearsed a lot; I’m all done with rehearsals. I hope I remember the show when I actually perform it. I rehearsed for a good three weeks in Los Angeles. Kenny Ortega, who’s a big director – the last tour that he directed was Michael Jackson’s ‘This is it’ tour -, worked with me on the tour. My tour is gonna be a little different. There are a lot of dance elements in it. Are you gonna be dancing a lot? Oh yeah. So wrapping up here, what is the absolute best thing for you, that has come as a result of being a part of “Glee”? I was able to buy a house in Los Angeles. I think that has been the best thing for me… so far (laughs)!
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The History of… The Necktie
Early 1800s
The necktie has endured the changing tides of fashion for hundreds of years, simply by changing with them.
Beau Brummell, somewhat the arbiter of men’s fashion during Regency England, endorses a more sober state of dress. But he insists on keeping the tradition of an elaborately-knotted cravat alive.
1860s
During the Battle of Steenkerque, French soldiers are surprised by the enemy, forcing them to dress in a hurry. Tucking their neck scarves into their button holes, they inadvertently create the Steinkirk.
The necktie as we know it today is born out of a need for simplified neckwear during the industrial revolution. The four-inhand knot becomes popular. The bowtie becomes an accepted replacement for complicated cravats in formal settings.
pozitivni-noviny.cz
1692
radikal.ru
HistoryCroatia
By Derek Dotto
1700s Outlandishly dressed Englishmen, known as Macaronis (think Yankee Doodle), adopt elaborately tied neckwear, accentuating their rebellious style in an age where dress is becoming increasingly conservative.
1618 - 1648
The Sun King, Louis XIV, mimics the Croatians’ style and his court embraces the silk lace cravat as fashionable attire.
Bows-N-Ties.com
1660 Necklothtania
The Thirty Years War sees Croatian mercenaries stationed all over Europe, bringing their traditional, brightly coloured, knotted neckerchief with them.
nieuwsbronnen.com
1818
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Neckclothitania is published, containing instructions and illustrations on how to tie 14 different cravats. The book was the first to use the word “tie” in reference to men’s neckwear.
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1924 American tailor Jesse Langsdorf revolutionizes tie construction by cutting the fabric on the bias and sewing it in three segments, creating better elasticity and a more appealing drape.
The original preppies, Oxford University take the striped bands off their rowing hats and tie them around their necks. Thus, the club tie, a tie bearing the emblem of a club, is born.
Bows-N-Ties.com
The Peacock Revolution ushers in the return of the ascot in a big way as men strive to look like modern Macaronis. Think Austin Powers. The more conservative gentlemen, in their grey flannel suits, keep the tie alive with a more modest width and basic stripes. Think Mad Men.
thisislondon.co
1980s 1936 The Windsor knot reaches the mainstream. Though its invention is often credited to Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor, it’s believed his father, King George V, was the one who created the large knot to fill the wide spread of his collar.
Ties slim considerably and black leather becomes a favourite on the punk scene. Bows-N-Ties.com
1880
1960s
1970s The dawn of disco sees men lose the tie in favour of an open collar, though the ties that remain are as bold as the bell bottoms of the era. Trendy Crew
Gay men wear red neckties, a bold choice in a time of conservative colours, as a way to identify each other. This can be seen in Paul Cadmus’ 1934 painting The Fleet’s In! Use of the red tie as a signifier lasted until the 1950s, though the general public began to catch on, forcing many gay men to face harassment.
vintageadbrowser.com
1990s The casual era ushers in the dark days of neckties as cartoon characters begin to appear on men’s neckwear.
1940s The necktie becomes an essential in every man’s wardrobe especially in the post-war era. The silhouette widens, up to four inches, while bold patterns and colours, with a strong art deco influence, allow men to individualize the accessory. In this sample you will see an art deco pattern of airplanes.
2010s Neckties have narrowed, though not to the extreme of the 80’s. Pattern is back in play in the form of stripes, plaid and paisley, though the bow tie is the true star of this decade so far, with a new generation of dandies embracing the neckwear.
Disney
priceinspector.co.uk
Early 1900s
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The Breakdown True Brit The British are coming! The British are coming! Fall fashion sees a decidedly English influence with a look fit for any city slicker hoping to escape to the countryside. But, reconnecting with the elements doesn’t mean you have to lose your sartorial style. Take a cue from early 20th century gents who filled their leisure time with angling, hunting and equestrian pursuits. This look is built on weighty layers of wool and quilted fabrics. Plaid is a must. And whether you’re trudging through mud to get the grouse or puddle jumping back in the city, a pair of wellies are a necessity to keep your toes dry in style. — Derek Dotto
3 1 1. Quilted Thermo Peacoat - Z Zegna $850 at Harry Rosen
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2. Multi-Plaid Vest - Etro $698 at Harry Rosen
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3. White Oxford Shirt - Polo Ralph Lauren $98 at the Bay 4. Wool Pants - Isaia $698 at Harry Rosen 5. Woven Leather Belt Brunello Cucinelli $395 at Harry Rosen 6. Plaid Bowtie - Altea $95 at Harry Rosen
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7. Leather and Rose Gold Watch - Fossil $160 at the Bay 8. Leather Travel Bag Brunello Cucinelli $2995 9. Rubber boots by Hunter $175 at the Bay
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9 4 David Hawe
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NEWS
shades of
seduction because black, white and grey aren’t colours photography by: Thomas Synnamon art DIRECTion by: LEN MASTALER Styled by: Roy Fire & Tal Peer outlooks
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Leather Jacket Replay, shirt Andrew Buckler, Jeans Rufskin, Gloves Nike, Shoes Supra
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NEWS Jacket Tween, Button Shirt RA-RE, Vest I-N-C International Concepts, Tie G-Star, Raw Gloves Diesel, Jeans G-Star Raw
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Leather Jacket Andrew Buckler, Pants Volcom
48 outlooks Month 2011
NEWS
Top Andrew Buckler, Jeans G-Star Raw
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art_&_Culture
Framed: Noel Silver
50 outlooks November 2011
N
oel’s work is influenced by personal conflict attached to accepting his budding homosexuality in the 1960s. His decision to study architecture instead of art further added to this stress. As a means of escaping these demons, Noel traveled across the Middle East to India where he met a young Dalai Lama. While in Nepal, he did solo trekking across the cradle of Mt. Everest and studied the stories of Buddhist saints in a Tibetan monastery. This period of introspection and exploration lasted about a year. When Noel returned to Canada he took up residence
in Fire Valley, a Kootenay, BC paradise. He married and raised two sons with his wife Naomi. This loving marriage lasted for 10 years but eventually fell apart. At age 35 he moved to Vancouver and immersed himself supporting gay social issues. Volunteer work for the Vancouver People with AIDS Society introduced him to art therapy. He was trained as an art therapist and by extension was able to provide solace and therapy for himself. During this time period he was guided through two years of intensive selfanalysis and was finally freed to express his authentic self both as an artist and as a healthy gay man. He continued his work painting and
Art_&_Culture
helping people suffering with mental illness over the next 22 years. His current project took him to Cambodia for three months where he started a “Buddha Rainbow” series. While painting, he practices Buddhist Mindfulness — being aware and in the present moment, reflecting on positive thinking. Today, Noel lives in the village of Sechelt on BC’s Sunshine Coast in a cottage with an Asian garden across from Porpoise Bay. He has resolved the turmoil in his life and continues to create beautiful works of art.
left to right: When Harvey met Oscar, oil on canvas 40” x 50” Skull Buddha, oil on canvas 40” x50” Heath Ledger, oil on canvas 40” x 56” Gallery Representation: Sló Gallery www.goslo.ca
The artist, Noel Silver
— Brett Taylor
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Mooky Cornish Vive La Revolution Du Clown Canadien!
52 outlooks November 2011
Mooky Cornish
W
hat is CLOWN exactly? And who the heck is MOOKY? You may well ask. Cirque du Soleil certainly did in 2001 when they hired Mooky Cornish for their show Verikai, giving her free rein to develop a new clown act. It’s a multi-faceted answer to both questions, and unclear to many who have witnessed the development of one of Canada’s finest clowns over the years. “Auntie, are you a boy, or a girl?” asked one niece on a visit home to Cumberland, Ontario. Well, that seems to depend on the context. On stage Mooky is all girl. High heels, poofy pink bridesmaid’s dresses, sexy lingerie, glamorous make-up and Marilyn Monroe bleached-blonde hair. The fact that she can’t walk in her shoes without falling down and can’t seem to keep her dress covering her enormous white underwear is merely one, or two, of life’s many challenges for this lovely lady on stage. But, off stage, the challenges and image are quite different. Off stage, Mooky appears in all her dread-locked, tattooed, gold-toothed glory and you would never know it was the same person. That is, until she smiles at you and you recognize the brilliant blue eyes and ear-to-ear, embrace-the-world energy that she is shining on you. You certainly recognize the giddy feeling you have as you find yourself smiling in return and, oh my goodness, boy or girl, all you know is you want to be near her – this odd little street urchin with an unexpectedly natty dress sense to her boy’s shirts, woolen vests and Russian men’s pants. Mooky is irresistible. You may say this is just my own personal titillation; but, judging from the overwhelmingly positive response she receives internationally including five years as a premier clown for Cirque du Soleil, I know I am not alone in my clown fetish. This is not Bozo the Birthday Clown, or your run-of-the-mill circus clown with multi-coloured hair. This is a new generation of contemporary circus clown with strong character, storylines and great theatrical presence. This clown reminds us of our own potential and the beauty of our deepest desires, giving us the courage to believe in ourselves, no matter how faulty we may be, providing the opportunity to laugh at our own ridiculousness, our collective stupidity, our human folly. This clown urges us to pursue our dreams, because anything just might be possible in this world if you look at it from a clown’s perspective. This is Mooky. Something spectacular and special — something extraordinary. A viewpoint on life we need more of right now. On her recent visit to Canada, I had the chance to talk to her about clown. What it is, why we need it, why she does it and what makes it funny. Mooky currently lives in London England, having spent the past year with the renowned variety show La Soiree Cabaret. Prior to this, she worked with Cirque du Soleil, touring Verikai internationally. She has also worked with the New Pickle Circus
in San Francisco, The Green Fools in Calgary, starting the Great Western B & E Circus, the New York Clown Festival and, most recently, the prestigious Edinburgh Festival. Her work has taken her around the world, performing in Canada, USA, Russia, England, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, France, Holland, Sweden, Norway and Scotland. She has a solo show, The Glories of Gloria, which she has been touring throughout Europe and hopes to bring to Canada soon. Mooky grew up in Cumberland, Ontario on a chicken farm, and had her first clown gig at the ripe old age of 11 years old. She wanted to hire a clown for her mother’s birthday party; but on discovering it cost $100, she decided it would be cheaper to do it herself. The fact that she didn’t know anything about clown didn’t hinder her in the least. “All the ladies at the party were very entertained,” Mooky told me; so, two years later, when she wanted to attend the Jazz Festival but didn’t have the money, once again she turned to clown. She sold the idea to the festival and spent the day clowning with the kids, completely forgetting about her initial desire to listen to the music. That night, she walked home, energized from her experience and decided this is what she wanted to do with her life. A clown was born. At 15 she moved to Ottawa, attending the Canterbury School for the Performing Arts and got a job as a party clown. Luckily, she was pulled off this path by a teacher at Canterbury, who trained at the renowned clown school Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris, France. He introduced her to the world of European theatre clown, which contrasted strongly with the world of birthday clowns. “It was revolutionary to me.
Art_&_Culture
Opposite Page: Verikai with Cirque du Soleil this page from far left to right: Royal Albert Hall in London England, Gloria and her partner Harry in their duo act for Verikai with Cirque du
Mooky Cornish
Soleil, Verikai with Cirque du Soleil
I was blown away by the possibilities. I had no idea clown could be like this, I mean I grew up on a chicken farm!” Mooky moved to Toronto to study clowning with Sue Morrison, and from there, went on to her most influential training at the Dell’Arte School of Physical Theatre in Blue Lake, California. Describing her one-person show, The Glories of Gloria, Mooky spoke to me about the importance of clown. “Clown addresses what is human and makes us laugh, because the human journey is about trying to elevate ourselves to the highest level; but, we are from monkey roots, so we fall down because of our ego and short-sightedness. And, when we fall down, it reminds us of this fallibility. The falling is a metaphor for human existence. Humans have unlimited potential for possibility. We love people doing tricks because it shows us our own potential as human beings. It makes us see ourselves. The point of circus is to remind us that one day we can fly. Clown is a world of possibility and, in my show, I am pursuing these possibilities – literally. My clown is not dictated to by limiting concepts that society has made up for her to follow. She is free to follow her desires. This is a really important aspect of clown and what it has to offer to society, because we have such potential but mostly we’re squelching our spirit with our own concepts of what life is and how it should run. We have to have dinner at six o’clock, whether we are hungry or not. But we made up dinner and we made up six o’clock! Why don’t we just eat when we are hungry? How do we become free? How do we find a sense of liberty? This is a challenge for people in this world. Clowns can show us — they can liberate us from our confining concepts of reality and acceptable behaviour.” Her knowledge that she didn’t quite fit the bill for ”normal” heightened her awareness of the constraints others lived under that she did not follow. “Most of us believe the social constraints we are fed; and we shape our lives around following them. Maybe it’s to do with being queer; but I always knew I didn’t fit in. I never thought of a wedding day for myself like other girls. I just never thought it would ever happen; so I didn’t spend my time dreaming about it. I remember looking in the mirror and
thinking, ‘what kind of husband? Who’s gonna…?’ It just didn’t make sense. It was the same with acting. I thought, ‘No director is dreaming of this face.’ So it was easy to do my own thing when I didn’t feel like I fit in with what everyone else was on about. Feeling different gave me the liberty to live truer to myself.” I asked her why she is drawn to clown. “I love the sound of people cracking up. In this age, when we are all pretty emotionally numb, it is good to evoke big belly laughs out of people and make them need to pee, because they are laughing so hard. People need to lose their brains. It’s a release of pure spirit. When I performed in London at the Royal Albert Hall, it was a real honour making 2,000 people fall off their seats laughing. People need that. Right now, my work is to make people laugh. And to make folks feel deeply, to resonate inside themselves and say ‘yeah - I know that feeling!’ recognizing themselves in Gloria. I don’t give an intellectual viewpoint. I make people laugh and spread good feelings. Next decade, I am going to work on having a perspective to satirize.” For someone who says she doesn’t have an intellectual viewpoint or satirical perspective in her work, Mooky nonetheless has strongly intelligent reasoning behind her ideas and concepts, which shape her work on stage. The simplicity of her work is beguiling and definitely adds to her charm; but, don’t be fooled, this is no simple clown in real life. Mooky is a thoughtful and highly conscious artist, aware of the world and its many people around her, and responsive to their needs and foibles. “It’s great to hear what’s going on in people’s heads around the world, I’ve learned a lot by traveling with my work. We are in very individually and economically driven times. Getting people together and laughing is a revolutionary act. I’ve noticed the closer we are to the sun, the more we laugh. It would be amazing one day to hear 1,000 people laughing together at the equator.” Vive La Revolution Du Clown Canadien! www.mooky.eu — Sonia Norris
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“I want to be 100 percent authentic,” says Jonny Staub, the 31-year-old whose raspy, dulcet voice can be heard middays on Vancouver’s hit station The Beat 94.5 FM. Growing up in small town Tecumseth, Ontario and working in smaller, more conservative markets across Canada, Staub faced pressure to hide the truth about his sexuality. He spent several years on the air in Edmonton. “[My bosses there] would ask you to do personality work, but you’re only being a part of yourself and hiding the other part. I found it impossible so I got off the air and went into management.” But four years ago, Staub was offered a gig at The Beat, becoming one of the first openly gay DJ’s with his own show on a hit station in Canada. When he interviewed for the position, Staub laid all his cards on the table. “I said to them ‘I’m not going to cause a ruckus or start some civil rights movement, but I want to be out on the air. You have an Indian host on your morning show. You have a Mexican woman on the weekend. Why not fully round out your table and let me be myself? If I can’t, I’m not really interested in the job.’ They said it wouldn’t be a problem.”
—Derek Dotto
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Jonny Staub Unapologetic about who he is, and not afraid of broadcasting it to the world.
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