outwords queer views, news, issues
MELISSA ROCK OF AGES
A TRANS-MAN LOOKS DEATH
IN THE FACE
GAY GAMERS
VOLUNTEERS THEIR PRICELESS GIFT
RULE
THE ETHICAL INVESTOR’S
DILEMMA
Outwords | April 2011 | Issue 182 | Serving the GLBT Community Since 1994
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VOLUNTEERS
AND LOVE IT
A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH
THE WORLD WITHOUT
EDITORIAL
TAKE THIS JOB
CONNECTION COACH
GAY GAMERZ TECHNOLOGY
7
OUT TV A HOT ITEM IN YUKON
NATIONAL NEWS
11
FABULOUS FASHION
FRESH FROM WINNIPEG’S STREETS
30
20
HAS AGE CHANGED
MELISSA?
15 A THANKLESS TASK
A PRICELESS GIFT
29 25 CATHOLIC TASTES A TRANS-MAN CHOOSES LIFE
IN EDUCATION
SPOTLIGHT
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
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THE DILEMMA OF THE YOUNG AND IDEALISTIC
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www.outwords.ca // outwords, april 2011
3
New Manitoba website focuses on gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and two-spirit health What can you learn from www.getiton.ca? Things like: Who to talk to if you need help What is healthy sexuality Where to find GLBTT* positive groups, organizations and events When to get tested for sexually transmitted infections Why healthy relationships are important How to explore GLBTT* positive spirituality ….and much more
Getiton.ca is filled with a huge range of information in support of healthy sexuality for members of the GLBTT* community. Created by the GLBTT* Sexual Health Promotion Coalition, the site covers topics ranging from physical to mental to spiritual health. For example, it includes info on gender orientation, sexual identity, homophobia, safer sex, harm reduction, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), relationships, and belief and support systems. There are also listings for local counseling, STI testing clinics and crisis lines. “The impact of things that affect your overall health like homophobia, coming out, loss of relationships and family often aren’t reflected in mainstream sources. Getiton.ca has an incredible wealth of information that folks can read and use in their own lives,” says Chad Smith, the Coalition spokesperson. “One of the great things we’ve woven throughout the site is ways to connect with other resources and people to talk to about issues in person.”
The site was developed with input and collaboration from the Coalition’s coordination committee, consisting of representatives from Manitoba Health, Manitoba Healthy Living Youth and Seniors, Healthy Sexuality & Harm Reduction (WRHA Population and Public Health), Rainbow Resource Centre, Nine Circles Community Health Centre, Klinic and SERC. Visitors are encouraged to contact the Coalition through the website. “We will gladly be in touch with those who write to provide them with more information, answer questions or provide referrals,” says Smith.
Visit www.getiton.ca and get prizes! You could receive a free a “Get it On” prize package! We have shopping bags, pen lights, note pads and more to give away. Prize packages vary and quantities are limited. Visit www.getiton.ca/contest for details.
Visit www.getiton.ca today
EDITORIAL
outwords Serving the GLBT Community Since 1994 Issue 182 April 2011
THEY STAND ON GUARD FOR US
PUBLISHED BY THE OUTWORDS VOLUNTEER STAFF:
Rachel Morgan EDITOR
Jason van Rooy GENERAL MANAGER
EDITORIAL RACHEL J. MORGAN
M. Buchanan
There’s a fascinat-
time to making life better for all of us. Their
ing book called The
work is invisible only because we take it
CREATIVE & LAYOUT
World Without Us that describes how all
for granted. You want examples? There
Gord McDiarmid
the things we have created – our cities, our
are many. There are the volunteer teach-
highways, our machines – would crumble
ers who run the gay-straight alliances that
and return to nature in a relatively short
smooth the passage into adulthood of
time if humans suddenly vanished. The
so many queer teens in our high schools.
book focuses on our material creations, but
Imagine how much harder life would be for
the lessons it teaches apply equally to our
those teens without that helping hand.
SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER
Barry Karlenzig FINANCIAL OFFICER
Terry Wiebe, Gord McDiarmid DISTRIBUTION
Vic Hooper WEB MANAGER
Charles Melvin, Rachel Morgan, Corey Shefman, Michele Buchanan, Roselle Turenne, Dylan Bekkering, Nancy Renwick, Alana Lajoie-O’Malley, Brad TylerWest, Ryan Jarman CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE
Dylan Bekkering COVER PHOTO
Maureen Pendergast (chair) Darron Field (comptroller) Karol Rogers (secretary) Gord McDiarmid Dani Fraser Faith Kaplan Gail Eckert BOARD OF DIRECTORS
outwords
201-63 Albert St. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1G4 Phone: (204) 942-4599 For office hours, please call. General Inquiries: info@outwords.ca Editor: editor@outwords.ca Creative: creative@outwords.ca Advertising: advertise@outwords.ca Distribution: distribution@outwords.ca Accounts: billing@outwords.ca Event Submissions: calendar@outwords.ca Letters Submissions: letters@outwords.ca Website: www.outwords.ca Outwords a free magazine that provides news, analysis and entertainment for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit and queer community and its allies. GST 89671 7618RT, ISSN 1715-5606 (print) ISSN 1715-5614 (online) Canada Post Publication Licence 416 99032, Contents copyright © 2011 Outwords Alll rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission is prohibited. Outwords is a member of the Manitoba Magazine Publishers’ Association. Articles are not necessarily the views of the staff, management, or board. We accept no liability for our advertisers’ claims.
social creations. By that I mean the politi-
Feel like curling? A dedicated group of
cal and cultural edifices that support and
volunteers run the incredibly popular Rain-
protect us.
bow Curling League. Want a night out at a
What has any of this to do with queers?
queer club? Chances are, you will be served
Lots. We live in a nation that grants us
by volunteers. Want some help with your
equal rights. Every privilege and protec-
business? The volunteers at LAMBDA can
tion that a heterosexual person enjoys,
lend a hand.
we enjoy, too. Were these rights granted to us without a thought or care? Are they ours for eternity? Do all our fellow Canadians honour our equal status?
…volunteers quietly donate their spare time to making life better for all of us. Their work is invisible only because we take it for granted.
You already know the answer to those
Need some information on GLBT is-
questions. We enjoy the rights we have
sues? The folks at the Rainbow Resource
because a lot of people risked everything
Centre will be there to help you. They’ll
to fight for them. And while these rights
also offer sensitivity training to any organi-
have the aura of permanence now, not all
zation that requests it. And let’s not forget
Canadians believe we deserve them. There
that big one – Pride. All that annual fun
is still homophobia and inequality. That
and political posturing is organized by hun-
means we have to be on guard against
dreds of volunteers.
slippage. The world we have created would disappear without us. Cue the people who staff the ram-
This month, Outwords salutes the volunteers with short profiles of some of the groups whose work is so invaluable. We
parts. The who? The people who continue
wish we could have profiled all of them,
to stand on guard for our rights, the peo-
but that just wasn’t possible. The next time
ple who offer a helping hand when rights
you come across one of these amazing
are trampled, and the people who offer
people perhaps you will see them through
services for queers because they under-
different eyes. Imagine our world without
stand how ephemeral our world really is.
them. They are a major reason we live in
Who are these people? They’re the volunteers who quietly donate their spare
the warmth of the bright sunshine instead of in a dark, cold closet.
www.outwords.ca // outwords, april 2011
5
NATIONAL NEWS
Canada’s Inaction Plan TRANS JUSTICE LIMBO VANCOUVER—As you read the next paragraph, imagine the deep, ominous voice of the late Don LaFontaine in a movie trailer for a post-apocalyptic blockbuster. (If you get the reference, I salute you, mighty movie geek.) “In a world where kids live in fear of going doo-doo, where number one plus number two equals fear, only one man can save the children.” That’s the scary scenario that overzealous religious groups (“yawn,” amirite?) use to mischaracterize Bill C-389. They refer to it as the “Bathroom Bill,” claiming it will allow sexual predators to dress in drag, enter public washrooms with impunity, and grab little girls off the toilet. At this point, just insert a pants-filling scare quote and attribute it to Charles McVety. In plain, non-Armageddon terms, the bill would make gender identity and gender expression both prohibited grounds of discrimination and a potential bases for the prosecution of hate crimes under federal law. The bill passed third reading in The House of Commons on Feb. 9 by a 143-135 vote with five Conservative MPs voting in favour. (Wait before applauding.) The bill now sits in the Senate for review before they decide if the bill becomes law. Oh, wait, PM Stephen Harper stacked the Senate with Tory cronies so that bills not appealing to Harper’s fundamentalist-appeasing agenda will disappear into limbo faster than the sausages on Mike Duffy’s cafeteria tray. This is where we give a shout out to one of the people championing the cause of trans justice, vice-chair of the Vancouver Board of Education (VBE) Jane Bouey. On Feb. 21 the VBE — one of the few school boards in Canada to list gender identity as protected grounds for students
6 7
outwords, april 2011 // www.outwords.ca
and staff — voted unanimously to support
had a night out on the town at The 6th
Bill C-389, a move proposed by Bouey.
Annual Gala Wine Tasting Fundraiser &
Now, how can we get more justice-mind-
Silent Auction on March 5. The event
ed folks like this into Senate?
has proven such a success over previous years that capacity for the venue had
Tune In, Turn On,
to be increased to 150 this year. The cause is Camp fYrefly, founded in 2004
DROP IN
by Kristopher Wells and Dr. André P.
WHITEHORSE—Here’s a little gay
Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and
Canadiana for you: Chief operating of-
Services. Today it’s the largest youth
ficer of OUT TV, Brad Danks, told the
leadership camp of its kind in Canada, and
Vancouver Observer that the Yukon has
the only one in the world affiliated with
the largest per-capita subscriber base for
a major research university. Kristopher
OUT TV in the country. Of course, there’s
told Outwords, “The money raised from
a lot more to do in the Yukon than watch
this year’s Gala will be used for Camp
TV. PFLAG has just started up its first
fYrefly-Alberta to help subsidize youth
chapter in the territory, thanks to Justin
registration, facility, and accommodation
Lemphers. When
expenses.”
Grace, both of the University of Alberta’s
asked why a
The intensive four-day retreat
straight
offers more than 20 specialized
dad with
workshops to sexual minority and
kids
gender variant youth. It’s an op-
would
portunity to nurture leadership
start up
potential and teach kids how to
the group,
make significant contributions to
Lemphers told
their school, community, and home
local newspaper,
environments. We can’t think of a better
What’s Up Yukon, “Within my circle of family and friends, the
cause than preparing kids for greatness. en-
Maybe one day they’ll be sitting next
tire GLBT spectrum is represented. Having
to a 100-year-old Mike Duffy in Senate
seen the difficulties they faced, I wanted
Chambers, staying really quiet as he naps
to do something proactive to support
through another decision.
them.” Jerome Stueart, a writing teacher and writer (talkingdog.wordpress.com) who lives in Whitehorse, told Outwords, “It’s very exciting. We’ve had two meetings so far and they have been solid. Before PFLAG, we didn’t have much of a network for LGBT teens, or their parents — or really for those questioning adults.”
Irreconcilable Differences? JUST PLAIN STUBBORN! REGINA—The legal tizzy created by two Regina men after they
Today, Camp TOMORROW, THE SENATE
launched a human rights complaint against marriage commissioner Orville Nicholls (not the dead popcorn mogul) has finally wound down. It started when
EDMONTON—The city’s most prominent
Nicholls, a devout Baptist, refused on
LGBTQ and allied community members
religious grounds to marry the two men
NATIONAL NEWS in 2005. The couple launched a com-
On Feb. 12, PIE held a public forum
In the altercation between the two
plaint and the case wound its way up to
titled “Stop the Hurt Now” with a simple,
moms and Scott, Dimitriou sustained a
the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal. The
but ambitious goal. As Corey told Out-
black eye, cuts and bruises, a mild concus-
court decided early this year that marriage
words, “We wanted to bring the entire
sion and partial loss of vision. Currie’s face
commissioners, like any other public serv-
community together to eliminate homo-
was covered with bruises and she had to
ant, can’t use religious beliefs to pick and
phobia in New Brunswick.” Educators,
get stitches over one eye. Their daughter
choose who they serve.
students, social workers and religious lead-
is still visiting a therapist over the incident.
Nicholls must be comforted by some
ers all came together to create a united
Scott’s damage? Broken glasses. He
small sense of martyrdom, even if a court
front in the fight against homophobia.
also claimed that the women called him
decision against him isn’t as dramatic as
Of the forum, Corey said, “We consider
and his son “nigger,” information he
John the Baptist’s grand exit “sur la plate.”
the event a success, and a critical first step,
didn’t mention in the initial police report.
As reported by Canadian Press, there are
but we know that there is much more to
None of Scott’s claims were backed up by
approximately 400 marriage commission-
be done. This forum was only a start.”
witnesses. They did, however, see Scott
Goals set at the forum include es-
throw the first punch. The Judge said in
ers working in Saskatchewan. As many as four have said they may quit. Something
tablishing 30 GSA’s across the province,
her decision that she couldn’t be sure that
tells us they’re all dead ringers for Prof.
becoming a bilingual French/English or-
Scott attacked the women because they
Hubert J. Farnsworth.
ganization, creating an official PIE website,
were lesbians, even though witnesses
and organizing future conferences and
testified that he used gay slurs during the
fundraisers.
assault. Though a sentencing date hasn’t
Every Kid Deserves A PIECE OF THE PIE FREDERICTON—The momentum is building for a better future in New Brunswick thanks to Pride In Education (PIE), an initiative headed by Shawn Corey, a high school teacher at Sir James Dunn Academy in St. Andrews. PIE is a teacher organization dedicated to promoting anti-homophobia education and to creating a network of GSAs in the province. Although
The keynote speaker at the forum was renowned gay activist Rev. Brent Hawkes
,
a former New Brunswick resident, now
effective way to make queer kids feel safer in their school environment. In May 2010,
Scott can look forward to a chunk of time not having to worry about parking.
senior pastor at the Metropolitan Community Church in Toronto. In 2008 he received the Order of Canada. As reported in the newspaper The Gleaner, he said, “I am so proud of what is happening here,” he said. “There is no other province in Canada that can compare to what New Brunswick is doing. You are leading the way.”
the N.B. Teachers’ Association has a clear policy against homophobia, GSAs are an
been set as of this writing, we’re guessing
Sticks and Stones AND CORTISONE MONTREAL—Depending on your disposition, a run-in with a sour-faced dingbat bigot (subgenus homophobinut) can be either a welcome challenge or it could leave you grinding your teeth for days.
From Mr. Mom
Now there’s a medical study that proves that homophobia hurts …. really hurts. Michael Benibgui led the study as part of
as many as 150 students attended PIE’s
TO MR. CON
two-day GSA conference. To date, there
OSHAWA—Two years after a case went
collected personal data from 63 LGB youth
are 16 GSAs in N.B. Schools.
to court between stay-at-home dad Mark
along with saliva samples to test for levels
Scott and lesbian moms Jane Currie and
of cortisol, a hormone released in the
Anji Dimitriou, a judge finally handed
brain in response to stress. Heightened
down a verdict in late February. Scott was
cortisol levels lead to a higher risk for
found guilty on two counts of assault. The
severe mental health problems, including
incident was the culmination of a long-
depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
standing dispute over parking in front of their kids’ school.
his PhD thesis at Concordia University. He
You already know what he found out, right? “This study is among the first to clearly link the experience of homophobia
www.outwords.ca // outwords, april 2011
7
NATIONAL NEWS
told Now, Concordia’s University Newsletter. More widespread study is needed, but Benibgui hopes that gay-positive policies can be justified by his findings. That sounds wonderful. But first, someone
HOT
needs to find a way to raise the persuasive powers of scientific facts on sour-faced
/
with abnormal cortisol activity,” Benibgui
NOT
ROB GODDARD
dingbat bigots.
It’s Like Shooting FISH IN A BARREL HALIFAX—Have we learned nothing from the Lifetime Network movie The Craigslist Killer? Two men, ages 35 and 29, in two separate incidents, were robbed after ar-
He was this year’s Mr. Gay Canada representative at the Mr. Gay World competition held in Manila, Philippines, on March 9. Do we really need to explain why he’s hot?
MICHELLE MACLEOD After he came home with a broken hand, Macleod found out that her son, age 14, had been bullied at his school and taunted as “gay” since September. She’s suing the school board and bringing charges. That’s how you do Mama Grizzly Bear. Forget any big-haired presidential wannabes.
ranging hook ups with strangers online. Both incidents were almost the same. Shortly after they met their “date” at a remote location, accomplices turned up, threatened the man and took his money. Neither victim was physically
FLASHMOB KIDS In honour of international anti-bullying day, students from two schools came together in a flashmob at the Oakridge Mall in Vancouver. Watch the YouTube video as a small sea of kids in pink shirts appear to spontaneously break out in a choreographed dance routine. Who knew that the revolution would be a musical?
GLEN MURRAY Oh, Glen. Will you ever get off the NOT list? Speaking at a public meeting, Murray said “You find just as many [GSAs] in Catholic schools as you do in public.” It turns out there are none. Executive director of Egale, Helen Kennedy, made the same erroneous statement, so that might ease the sting.
injured. After the victims came forward, Police-issued a warning for gay men to be cautious about people they meet online. Three men were arrested shortly after, one age 17 and two age 21. The dates were arranged through the online site Plenty Of
ONTARIO’S LIBERAL MPPS That’s right, all of ‘em. Not one would comment to Xtra magazine about the blatantly homophobic policies of the Halton Catholic District School Board. With LGBT kids making up 30 per cent of teen suicides, the Liberals really need to grow a pair.
Fish. One suspect remains at large. He was last seen running into a pineapple under
KING CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENTS
the sea. He’s described as absorbent and
Some uptight parents got their gender-specific underpants in a knot about Opposite Gender Day. Kids from all grades thought it would be fun if they could voluntarily come to school dressed as the opposite gender. Bigmouths were outraged. Fundamentalists bellowed “gender confusion agenda.” The day was cancelled. So what have we learned? Creativity, bad: Conformity, good.
yellow and porous is he. – Charles Melvin is a Toronto-based freelance writer. He’s a smidge more caustic on his website quink.ca. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to editor@ outwords.ca
8
outwords, april 2011 // www.outwords.ca
JEWISH GLBT GROUP
Passover Pride
Seder
Presented by Anakhnu-Jewish Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Group
Second Night of Passover - Second Seder Passover Pride Seder will be held in a private home for a warm and interactive Pesach Experience.
Tuesday,
April 19
PROGRAM COST:
25 Anakhnu/Rady JCC Members 30 General Admission $ 20 Students EVERYONE $ $
Celebrate Passover with family and friends at a meaningful and special Seder. A delicious Passover meal will be served.
6:30 p.m.
WELCOME TO ATTEND
*Vegetarian option available upon request
TAMAR BARR
at 477-7537 tbarr@radyjcc.com
ARTHUR BLANKSTEIN
at 794-6557 arthur.blankstein@live.com
MOTIVATED ADVERTISING SALES PROFESSIONAL
10 outwords, april 2011 // www.outwords.ca
Anakhnu is a program of the Rady Jewish Community Centre
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Winnipeg can be a cold, hard place, even when spring arrives. Looking your best while IHQGLQJ RII WKH FROG FDQ EH GLIÀFXOW 6R ZH ZHQW WR WKH VWUHHWV WR ÀQG LQVSLULDWLRQ IURP :LQQLSHJJHUV ZKR NQRZ KRZ WR VWD\ ZDUP DQG IDVKLRQDEOH DW WKH VDPH WLPH
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outwords, april 2011 // www.outwords.ca
Alexandria
Aric (top right)
Laura
Diana
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13
T N A EW
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IPEG INN W E PRID OM FOR IL TO R EG.C E P E A I T M N N AN E WIN OLU TO V SE SEND PRIDE @ T PLEA NTEER VISI U ION L T A O M V FOR COM E IN R G. O E M NIP N FOR I W
E PRID
WINNIPEG 200—226 Osborne St. N. Winnipeg, MB R3C 1V4 Tel. (204) 982-7800
BRANDON 161 8th Street Brandon, MB R7A 3W9 Tel. (204) 727-0417
WE PROVIDE
GLBT EDUCATION AND COUNSELLING IN OUR BRANDON OFFICE
www.serc.mb.ca
14
outwords, april 2011 // www.outwords.ca
THE
SECRET LIVES OF
VOLUNTEERS We’re all familiar with that strange and pitiful creature called a volunteer. You know who they are. They are awkward, unattractive loners. They have no lives. They can’t get a date on Saturday night or any other night of the week. If one were ever to sidle up to you at a party, you’d quickly find a good reason to be somewhere else. We’d all be better off if they never left the confines of their mean little apartments. Right? Well, actually no. Outwords wanted to take stock this month of the value of volunteers to the queer community. We asked ourselves: What would the queer world be like without volunteers? Would we notice a difference? The answer is a resounding Yes, we would notice a huge difference. Volunteers touch so many facets of our lives in ways we probably never realize. They organize the annual Pride week events and the big parade. Without them we wouldn’t have most of the clubs or any of the dances and special occasions through out the year. Volunteers at the Rainbow Resource Centre in Winnipeg and its sister organizations across the country have been instrumental in helping people of all ages come out of the closet for years. They continue to work hard to battle homophobia in schools and other institutions. Without LAMBDA, queers wouldn’t have a helping hand starting and running their businesses. There
www.outwords.ca // outwords, april 2011
15
would be no Reel Pride festival each year.
Centre ambassadors provide visi-
There would be no Rainbow Curling League
tors with friendly, non-judgmental,
or Out There Sports. This magazine wouldn’t
and informative assistance
exist … and the list goes on.
Drop-In counsellors provide judg-
There are more volunteers than we could
ment-free support to individuals, cou-
ever count. And far from being a bunch of
ples, and families on the intricacies
sad-sacks, they are vibrant, creative people
of sexual orientation and/or gender
who universally love a challenge and are ex-
identity.
ceedingly dedicated to building a vibrant community.
Event volunteers are recruited and specifically training for yearly events.
We bring you a tiny fraction of the or-
Events may include RRC’s Pride events
ganizations supported by volunteers. They
and activities, Transgender Day of Re-
are some of the better known organizations,
membrance, and the Fall Supper.
and we want to salute them and the work
Library support volunteers help the
they do. You will find a more complete list of
librarian maintain the daily operation
the various groups that rely on volunteers at
of the library. For information about
the back of the magazine. Every one of them
the Library, visit: www.rainbowresourcecen-
deserves our praise.
tre.org/library.html.
RAINBOW RESOURCE CENTRE BY THE NUMBERS: phone: (204) 474-0212 Address: 170 Scott St. Winnipeg, MB e-mail: info@rainbowresourcecentre.org web: www.rainbowresourcecentre.org
Peer support line volunteers provide peer support and information to a wide variety of callers. Workshop facilitators share their skills, talents, experience and knowledge in an interactive way with LGBTT* individuals. The next volunteer training session takes place May 10 to June 28 on Tuesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. For more information
WHAT DOES IT DO?
about volunteering, phone 474-0212 or e-
The Rainbow Resource Centre is a not-for-
mail info@rainbowresourcecentre.org.
profit community organization that provides support and resources to lesbian, gay,
WHAT DO THE VOLUNTEERS MEAN FOR THE CENTRE?
bisexual, trans, two-spirit, intersex, queer,
As the executive director, my connection
questioning and ally (LGBTT*) Individuals,
to the RRC began as a social work student.
communities and families in Manitoba and
When I completed my training, I stayed
Northwestern Ontario.
on as a volunteer. I know the incredible
HOW MANY VOLUNTEERS WORK WITH IT?
rewards that I have experienced here as a
Active and ongoing: 24
volunteer, from talking to kids in Thompson
Board members: 11
and Flin Flon on the peer support line, to
Fall supper 2010 volunteers: 80+
running groups for the community, partici-
WHAT DO VOLUNTEERS DO? Board of directors: The Rainbow Resource Centre is governed by an elected board of directors who actively oversee the direction and functioning of the centre’s programs. Directors generally serve for two years.
pating in drop-in counselling, and being involved with the board. Now, as staff and the director, I have the privilege to work with folks that are committed to making our community better, safer, stronger, and healthier. Volunteers at the centre are a committed group of folks, passionate about who they are and our community. I thank
16
outwords, april 2011 // www.outwords.ca
Ou wa tak of val vol to qu co them for the work they do and the difference they are making and hope their experiences volunteering are as rewarding for them as they were for me. – Chad Smith, executive director The volunteers of Rainbow Resource Centre are truly invaluable. Each volunteer shares their experience, knowledge, and desire of continuous learning and growth. Our team of volunteers and staff strive to achieve a society in which diverse sexual and gender identities, orientations and expressions are included, valued and celebrated. Our combined compassion, courage, and dedication cultivate an energy and an environment in which we can actively promote and maintain dignity, human freedoms and human rights for all. – Rune Breckon, RRC programming coordinator WHAT VOLUNTEERING MEANS TO ONE WOMAN? As a married woman who came out in adulthood (at 39), I was required to reestablish nearly my entire life. As I am not one to spend a lot of time at the bar or participate in sporting events, volunteering has provided me a safe, positive place to be an active LGBTTQA* community member. It has also given me some structure and support in building my new life. And my
utwords anted to ke stock the lue of lunteers the ueer ommunity.
previous work experi-
ling, stage crew, grounds crew, beer tent,
hold events, to fundraise, and to ensure that
ence allowed me to
and Dance Party.
the Club continues to be a fun, welcoming
share my skills and
WHAT DO THE VOLUNTEERS MEAN TO THE
place. Gio’s Club and Bar highly values its
abilities for the benefit
PRIDE COMMITTEE?
volunteers. Often working quietly behind
of the centre. I have
Our volunteers step up to be part of the
the scenes for days and often weeks, these
been fortunate to
biggest and best LGBTTQ* event between
volunteers are a significant part of the
work with Rune and
Vancouver and Toronto. Pride of the Prairies
reason that Gio’s has been the ‘heart of the
a few other awesome
volunteers are well known for getting in-
community’ for nearly three decades. Mr.
library-committee
volved in community events and celebrat-
& Ms. Gio’s are also part of our volunteer
members/volun-
ing Pride while being immersed in the
team. They may officially be our ceremonial
teers. The best part
movement of Pride Day.
representatives, but these two have worked
is we have lots of laughs while we
– Barb Burkowski, chair, Pride Winnipeg
LGBTTQA* community, and RRC’s library.
GIO’S CLUB AND BAR/ OSCAR WILDE MEMORIAL SOCIETY INC.
We are committed to making the library
BY THE NUMBERS:
work. We share a love of books, the
user friendly and appealing to the community. – Angela Bailly, RRC librarian
PRIDE WINNIPEG FESTIVAL INC. BY THE NUMBERS:
Address: 155 Smith St., Winnipeg, MB.
tirelessly to entertain the community, while simultaneously raising thousands of dollars. We are often awe-struck by the dedication of all who work to make Gio’s fun and inviting.” – Jay Rich, president of the board
Phone: 786-1236
LAMBDA
E-mail: gios@gios.ca
BY THE NUMBERS:
WHAT DOES IT DO?
Mailing address: Box 1575,
Gio’s Club and Bar is the only communitybased, non-profit GLBTT** organization in
Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2Z2 Phone: 944-0354
Manitoba. It is a place to socialize and feel
E-mail: info@lambdabiz.com
safe and accepted, a meeting space for com-
WHAT DOES IT DO?
munity organizations, a showcase for local
LAMBDA is the GLBT chamber of commerce
talent, a dance nightclub, and a genuine
in Manitoba. It provides an opportunity for
centre for diversity of ages, orientations,
entrepreneurs and professionals to network
WHAT DOES IT DO?
interests, and tastes. Now approaching its
and promote their businesses.
It produce the Pride Winnipeg Festival each
30th year of continuous operation, Gio’s is
year in June. This includes the rainbow flag
one of the longest running clubs of its kind
HOW MANY VOLUNTEERS WORK FOR IT?
raising at city hall, and a Pride day complete
in North America.
with a rally, parade, festival, and dance
HOW MANY VOLUNTEERS WORK FOR IT?
Mailing address: PO BO 2101 Station Main, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R4 Phone: 222-6880 E-mail: volunteer@pridewinnipeg.com
party. The festival features a main stage, kids zone, beer tent, LAMBDA business fair, vendors, and more. There is also 10 days of Pride week festivities that are driven by volunteers and organizations within the LGBTTQ* community. HOW MANY VOLUNTEERS WORK FOR IT? About 100 WHAT DO VOLUNTEERS DO? The entire Pride committee is made up of volunteers. Others help with marketing and Pride Guide distribution, parade marshal-
Nine board members About 25 from the community
15 WHAT DO VOLUNTEERS DO? Run the organization, set up Pride Mart, design and produce a GLBT travel guide for the Province of Manitoba, host monthly
WHAT DO VOLUNTEERS DO?
mixers.
The board of directors sets policy and over-
WHAT DO THE VOLUNTEERS MEAN TO
sees the operation of Gio’s Club and Bar.
LAMBDA?
The community volunteers do all the things
Priceless.
needed to operate the bar. WHAT DO THE VOLUNTEERS MEAN TO GIO’S? Throughout its long history, Gio’s Club and Bar has inspired countless volunteers.
– Greg Hamilton To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to letters@outwords.ca
Volunteers work with paid staff to plan and
www.outwords.ca // outwords, april 2011
17
YOUR MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Understand What Matters
to the Community DIANE MCGIFFORD JIM RONDEAU MLA FOR LORD ROBERTS
MLA FOR ASSINIBOIA
FLOR MARCELINO
CHRIS MELNICK
MLA FOR WELLINGTON
MLA FOR RIEL
452-4320 dianemc@mts.net
888-7722 assiniboiaca@shaw.ca
788-0800 wellington.constit@shaw.ca
253-5162 christinemelnick@mts.net
NANCY ALLAN
ROB ALTEMEYER
SHARON BLADY
DREW CALDWELL
237-8771 nallan-mla@shaw.ca
775-8575 robaltemeyer@mts.net
832-2318 Kirkfieldpark@mts.net
727-8734 bdneast@mts.net
MLA FOR ST. VITAL
MLA FOR WOLSELEY
MLA FOR KIRKFIELD PARK
MLA FOR BRANDON EAST
THERESA OSWALD ANDREW SWAN
JENNIFER HOWARD KERRI IRVIN-ROSS
255-7840 theresaoswald@mts.net
946-0272 fortrouge@mts.net
MLA FOR SEINE RIVER
MLA FOR MINTO
783-9860 ajswan@mts.net
MLA FOR FORT ROUGE
MLA FOR FORT GARRY
475-9433 kerriirvinross@mts.net
eth cal is an
GREEN ALANA LAJOIEO’MALLEY
ethical funds out there right now strike me as places in which to deposit money that are merely ‘less bad’
nest egg possible?
THE DILEMMA OF THE YOUNG AND IDEALISTIC A few weeks ago I
As I’ve whined about this predica-
underwent one of
ment to my elders, some of whom are
my nephew’s age. They may even inter-
the seminal sacra-
approaching the age of retirement with no
vene at a mining company stakeholder
ments of the young,
retirement plan in sight, I have been most
meeting to ensure that said company pro-
secular, and relatively
commonly greeted with patronising stares
vides at least a pittance of a compensation
affluent: I made my first payment to my
and words like “Well, you really do need to
package before dispossessing indigenous
group pension plan. I tried to get out of it.
be grateful to have what I wish I did. And,
people of their lands and livelihoods and
But I’ve been working in my job for a year
surely there are some ethical fund options
turning a huge profit for the benefit of my
now, and successes of labour movements
you could choose from.” Indeed, I am
golden years in Florida. I mean, it’s only
past dictate that I am now required to take
very lucky. And, indeed, there are ‘ethi-
fair, right?
advantage of this ‘benefit’. I’m told I’ll
cal fund’ options I can use to appease my
be really grateful for it in about 30 years.
privileged conscience.
Right now, I’m pretty freaked out. My money is now contributing
Ethical funds are basically mutual funds
in which they invest doesn’t hire children
I’d rather my retirement nest egg be a bit more proactive than that – supporting local start-ups, enabling transitions to
that apply screens on the investments
truly sustainable energy systems, helping
0.0000000001% of the capital that some
they make. Different funds apply different
groups that address poverty issues in my
major energy company needs to expand
screens. For instance, some do not invest
own city. Buying GICs at a credit union I
oil sands production; or that some major
in companies that make more than a cer-
trust seems to go a small part of the way
pop brand needs to market its poison to
tain percentage of their income from the
in achieving this, but even they come no-
my three-year-old nephew; or that a min-
sale of tobacco or weapons. Others might
where close to the ideal.
ing company needs in order to dispossess
include screens on child labour, screens
indigenous people of their lands and liveli-
on environmental practices, or screens on
kinds of investments – the ones that really
hoods.
human rights issues. Some funds take it a
matter – won’t guarantee me that spot
step further by actively using their stake in
on the beach when my hair turns white.
the notion of ‘voting withy my dollars’ re-
a particular company to pressure them to
But maybe I’m still young and idealistic
ally literally. When (and ideally only when)
improve their practices.
enough to think that a healthier commu-
Call me naive, but I’ve always taken
I need some kind of ‘thing’, I’ve taken
I’m not sold. The various ethical funds
seriously the responsibility of buying said
out there right now strike me as places in
‘thing’ from someone whose work sup-
which to deposit money that are merely
ports vibrant, resilient communities. I’ve
‘less bad’ than your average investments.
been far from perfect, but I try. Somehow,
They may invest in oil sands companies
being 0.0000000001% ‘owner’ of evil en-
that use ‘better’ water-use practices. They
ergy company X doesn’t quite sit right.
may make sure that the major pop brand
Of course, the rate of return on these
nity to grow old in right here would be nicer any way. – Alana Lajoie-O’Malley is the director of the Campus Sustainability Office at The University of Winnipeg. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to letters@outwords.ca www.outwords.ca // outwords, april 2011
19
MELISSA
ETHERIDGE
OLDER, WISER AND JUST AS
POWERFUL
For more than 20 years, Melissa Etheridge
Her lyrics speak to her queer fans, but
Backed by a solid three-piece band, she
has been making first-rate rock’n’roll mu-
they also talk about universal themes like
showed she’s still a straight ahead rock ‘n’
sic. She has also been a lesbian icon and
heartbreak and betrayal. And her music
roller with energy to burn. She led off the
LGBT rights activist. Etheridge and open-
brings in the most mainstream rock and roll
show with the title track to her latest al-
ing act Serena Ryder brought an evening of
fans.
bum, Fearless Love, before taking the crowd
high-powered rock and roll to Winnipeg’s
Etheridge brought all that and more to
through a musical retrospective, including
her Winnipeg show. She brought down the
Similar Features, I Want to Come Over, the
Etheridge’s importance to the queer
house with a two-hour show that showed
Grammy-award winning “Come to my Win-
community can’t be understated. She had
while she’s getting older, she’s not slowing
dow,” and early songs that set her on the
Pantages theatre February 24.
a strong lesbian following from early in her career, before coming out in 1993 at the Triangle Ball celebrating Bill Clinton’s inauguration as president. Her early music was conspicuously gender neutral, with no refer-
SHE’S A DYKE AND SHE ROCKS
down. The queer
road to stardom, Bring me Some Water and
community loves
Like the Way I Do.
her
out,
The band channelled The Who at times,
proud lesbian, but
as
an
with extended guitar solos, bass and heavy
at heart, she’s just
drum work. Etheridge was clearly having
a girl with a guitar.
some fun, telling the crowd that she loved
Etheridge has
Winnipeg so much that she came to play
been on the musi-
here in the middle of winter. At one point
cal map since her
she laid her guitar on the stage to play it,
self-titled
debut
which looked remarkably like she was mak-
to see themselves in the music. And while
album in 1988. She’s evolved musically and
ing love to the instrument, much to the de-
she had the ‘80s hair at the time, she nev-
on stage over that time. In the 1990s she
light of some of the cheering lesbians (and
er went for the hyper-sexualized Madonna
performed at the Montreal Forum, and had
possibly some of the heterosexual men) in
look. Plus, well, she’s hot in that dyke kind
the house on their feet performing AC/DC’s
the crowd.
of way and has that raspy Janis Joplin voice
You Shook Me All Night Long. When per-
This was an older and wiser Etheridge
that’s just plain sexy.
formed by a group of heavy metal guys the
on stage. She’s a survivor now, having been
ence to either male or female lovers. In being neutral, she opened the doors for lesbians
Since coming out, she has been a very
lyrics are a bit raunchy. Done by a lesbian in
through two high-profile breakups, moth-
visible face of the LGBT rights movement.
her prime to an audience mainly of young
erhood and a fight with breast cancer. She
She’s appeared on the cover of People and
dykes, it’s a lot of fun.
talked about the cost of giving too much to
Rolling Stone magazine, at the Grammys
A few years later, her solo show Live and
a lover with Enough of Me. She referred to
and the Oscars (where she won an Academy
Alone had her on stage with a guitar and no
her fight with cancer when she introduced
Award in 2007 for best song in a movie, I
backup. She’s a good enough musician that
her anthem to survival, I Run for Life. And at
Need to Wake Up from Al Gore’s An Incon-
the band wasn’t missed and the show was
the end of the show, she showed a gentler
venient Truth), the Tonight Show and more
all the more powerful showing both her vul-
side, sounding downright motherly with the
recently TV’s Dancing with the Stars.
nerability and strength. That was shortly af-
lullaby Gently We Row to send the crowd
She introduced a mainstream audience
ter she broke up with girlfriend Julie Cypher
out into the chilly Winnipeg evening.
to a lesbian, then a lesbian mother, and fi-
and her album Skin, a stripped down, pow-
nally to a lesbian surviving cancer. Her 1993
erful disk that exposed a woman rebuilding
album ever so subtly titled Yes I Am, fea-
her life and finding happiness after a diffi-
tured songs such as Silent Legacy and Come
cult struggle.
To My Window talking about the struggle of
The Melissa Etheridge that took the
having to deny and hide who you really are.
stage in Winnipeg brought a bit of both.
– Nancy Renwick is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to letters@ outwords.ca.
www.outwords.ca // outwords, april 2011
21
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outwords, april 2011 // www.outwords.ca
IT LOVES ME, IT LOVES ME NOT! Can one find passion at work? CONNECTION COACH BRAD TYLER-WEST
if you love what you do; if it engages your interests or passion … work will often feel like play
Many of you have
a part of. Talk to your boss, or manager
probably heard vari-
or supervisor. Find someone who shares
you love? The 80/20 rule comes into play
ations of the saying
your interest in supporting you in becom-
here as well. If you can love 80 per cent of
“if you love your job,
ing a better worker. If you are truly in a
what you do, you can learn to bear with
you’ll never have to
job that is not a good fit for you and there
the other 20 per cent. Let’s face it, no one,
work a day again in
is nowhere to grow…then you need to
loves every second of every day of their
your life.” Does that
plan your escape. Even in these tough
job. The goal here is to get to the point
mean you won’t
economic times, good workers are hard to
where you can feel good about your job
ever have to earn a
find. Employers want employees who are
and about yourself. Use the S.M.A.R.T for-
paycheque again? No,
engaged in their job as well.
mula we discussed last month to plan your
it means if you love
Being closeted at work is a huge
How much of your career or job can
escape, increase your energy and inspira-
what you do; if it en-
energy drainer. Trust me I know, both
tion at work. Then you can honestly say
gages your interests or
from professional and personal experi-
“my job loves me, I love it.”
passion with your KSA
ence. When I came out, I was stunned
(knowledge, skills and
at just how much energy it required of
abilities) then work will often feel like play.
me to monitor my pronouns; being on
You won’t be dragging your butt to work;
guard constantly around my co-workers
you will actually arrive with a smile on your
and editing who I was. A Conference
face, along with your double shot espresso
Board of Canada report found that a “lack
nonfat latte!
of alignment between workers and
Curt Rosengren, author of 101 ways
their employers’ needs was a major
to get Wild about Work, says “it is time
blow to competitiveness.” Explore
for a career that energizes and inspires
what steps you can take to journey
you”. The reason for this is simple. If you
towards coming out. Seek counsel
are energized by your career, then you will
on the legal rights we have, along
have the inner reserves needed to meet
with information on creating support
and exceed the daily challenges thrown at
networks and doing it a time frame
you. Being energized by your work means you will be a more effective, efficient and
– The Connection Coach, a.k.a. Brad TylerWest, CHRP candidate, is a senior human resource consultant with the Legacy Bowes Group. E-mail him at brad@legacybowes. com.
that respect where you are at.
productive employee. Something every boss wants. Plus, you will be happier to work alongside, something your co-workers want! How do you get engaged and energized by your work? Conduct an inventory of your KSA’s, see how many of them are being met at your present job. Look for ways to close the gaps. Maybe you can work on some other projects, or perhaps there is a mentoring program you can be
www.outwords.ca // outwords, april 2011
23
24 25
outwords, april 2011 // www.outwords.ca
Darkness 2 Daylight IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT BRING MEANING TO LIFE BY RYAN JARMAN
I will never forget that morning. I didn’t want to open my eyes. I couldn’t believe I lived through that. What happened? Why did I chicken out? It felt like there was nothing left of me.…
www.outwords.ca // outwords, april 2011
25
It was just before 9 a.m. I decided to
He was very compassionate. He left the
do all they could to make sure I felt safe and
pick up the phone and make the call that
room for a moment. When he came back he
changed my life. I called my doctor and got
gave me an envelope and told me to be at
an emergency appointment. The reception-
detox for 2 p.m. My heart jumped into my
are open and are well-educated on the is-
ist said there was an open spot at 11 a.m. I
throat. The only thoughts that ran through
sues surrounding our communities. I was
got myself cleaned up and stepped outside.
my mind were “Am I ready to do this? Is this
completely out to all the people in Pacifica
really it? Couldn’t I get high just one more
and made many friends. I shared my story.
and was surprisingly warm. March in Van-
time?” And then I thought “No. Enough is
I educated others on my transition and it
couver is never really cold. I’ve never seen it
enough.” And off to detox I went.
helped break the stereoptypes that some
It was March 2009, the sun was shining
below 5C. Growing up in Winnipeg I could
I spent 10 days there being weaned off
respected. Pacifica isn’t LGBT specific but they
believed. I began to realize that being
appreciate even a - 5C in March. I made my
of Clonazepam and Ativan. The withdrawals
a transman isn’t something I have to be
way to the doctor with my head pounding.
were terrible. They warned me that though
ashamed of. It was one of the core issues
He called me in, as we sat down I nearly
the dangerous part of withdrawal would be
I needed to come to terms with and I cer-
cried. I couldn’t do it anymore. I handed
over within a couple of weeks I would deal
tainly began to.
him the huge bottle of pills I was going to
with long-term effects for two to five years.
take the night before.
I was ready to take it on. I would be strong.
I spent the rest of 2009 trying to adjust to my new life without drugs. During that
The sedatives and alcohol had knocked
I was discharged and one week later I
me out before I could take the other drugs,
entered Pacifica Treatment Centre, where
who became emotionally and physically
which was weird to me, as I’d spent years
I would spend the next two months. The
abusive. I left that person in December
covering up my internalized transphobia
staff were welcoming and some were queer
of 2009 and managed to stay clean and
and trying to suppress memories of my
and open about themselves. I saw staff
sober. The next year brought a new set
childhood with sedatives and alcohol night
members who were in recovery them-
of challenges. The relationship not only
after night. But the pills were catching up
selves. I saw it was possible to learn to
traumatized me but also triggered some old
to me. They weren’t relaxing me anymore.
accept myself. The staff treated me with
traumas. Memories of my childhood came
I lived in a constant state of fear, panic. ter-
respect; placed me on the men’s floor and
flooding to the surface. I didn’t know how
ror. I could hardly leave my East Vancou-
made sure I knew they would not tolerate
to cope. I was tired. I didn’t want to use
ver apartment. I told him I couldn’t do it
homophobia or transphobia. If I had any
drugs again. I couldn’t leave my apartment
anymore.
problems I could come to them and they
so I lost my job.
would address the issue. They promised to
time, I entered a relationship with a person
My doctor put me on antidepressants and tried increasing them but it didn’t work. I just grew more depressed and tired. The anxiety was growing and I was unable to achieve adequate sleep. Springtime came and I cel-
sedatives and before I
sedatives 26 27
outwords, april 2011 // www.outwords.ca
alc
ebrated one year clean on March 20, 2010.
even though I haven’t. My aunt told me her
given the chance to make a dream a reality.
I reflected on my life and saw hardly any
favourite picture of me was taken when I
I decided I wasn’t going to end my life.
positives. My transition was only half done
was about 10 years old. I was wearing dark
and I couldn’t afford the rest, I had gained
jeans, a dirty T-shirt, I had just cut all my
be my ‘Goodbye’ but it in fact turned out
weight, I was still having major side effects
hair off and was sitting on a blue BMX. She
to be the catalyst for the start of a brand
from the damage the years of drugs had
told me how proud she is of me for transi-
new life. When I got back to Vancouver I sat
done. And I felt like I was done.
tioning and following my own path.
down and wrote an article about the trans-
I decided to end my life. I would cherish
On my trip to Winnipeg I met with
My trip to Winnipeg was supposed to
guy calendar, Manomorphosis, which I had
the time I had left with family and friends
Outwords staff to discuss a 2011 transguy
also posed for. It was published in Novem-
here in Vancouver. I was going to go back
calendar that had been released by T-Bodies
ber 2010. I have a copy of that issue framed
home to Winnipeg to see some old friends,
Productions in Vancouver. They decided to
on my wall next to a picture of my cousin’s
see the rest of 2010 through and take my-
give me a shot as a freelancer. It may not
baby, Caleb, who was born November 2,
self out in January 2011.
sound like something huge to other people
2010. November was the most motivating
but for me it was a dream come true.
month of my life. After a year hiatus, I even
But something happened. My closest cousin became pregnant for the second
Ever since I picked up a magazine when
decided to enter the recording studio again
time. There was this little life growing inside
I was eight and read the first column I ever
her and I could see the amount of love my
saw I had wanted to write for a magazine.
family was expressing for her and the child
I remember walking to school thinking “It
struggling with addictions and mental
that was on his way. My great-grandmother
would be so cool if I could do that some-
health will see that it is possible to gain
(who is still alive at 91) sat down and told
day!” As a child, my dreams were often all
health. I used to ask myself “How can I get
me about when I was born and how happy
I had so I have held on to them tightly. So
back on my feet when I was never really
she was about my birth.
when Outwords suggested I send them
standing in the first place?” and now I have
something I had to contain my joy!
learned that I have the opportunity to cre-
My parents are not part of my life so I never heard much of that before – about
When I was on a Greyhound bus back
on November 5. My hope is that other folks out there
ate a whole new life for myself.
how I was appreciated – unless my grand-
to Vancouver I realized that my cousin’s
mother, great-grandmother and aunt would
coming baby had really woken me up to life
days I want to stay in bed but I make myself
tell me. Then my great-grandmother told
again. I remember thinking “What if some-
get up. I know there is a world out there
me how she loves me no matter what and
thing ever happened to him…or anyone
that awaits me. I still have dreams. In 2009
how she only thinks of me as Ryan now. She
else I care about?” I thought back to a few
I chose to enter recovery. In 2010 I chose to
said nothing will ever change the fact that
people I knew who had committed suicide.
stay alive. It’s 2011 and I’m choosing to live.
I am her oldest great-grandchild and I’m
The questions, pain and anguish are feelings
special to her.
I never would want anyone to feel. It would
I started to understand how much
rip the very fabric of my being if anyone in
people believe in me and love me for who
my family ever did it. I wanted to see my
I am, and embrace my life and transition
cousin’s baby grow up and I’d also been
drugs s cohol
I still have struggles at times. There are
– Ryan Jarman is a Vancouver-based freelance writer. To comment on this or any other article in Outwwords, write to letters@outwords.ca.
alcoholhad knocked me out could take the other drugs www.outwords.ca// outwords, april 2011 27
GAY GAMERZ GALORE WE’RE QUEER AND WE’RE HERE TO STAY TECHNOLOGY COREY SHEFMAN
… a woman was banned from XBOX Live (Microsoft’s online gaming system) … for identifying herself as a lesbian in her gamer profile
It might be best de-
gay characters. More interestingly however
games didn’t compromise the integrity
scribed as a subcul-
is Dragon Age: Origins, a game aimed at
of the game, recognizing that gays make
ture of a subculture,
the most intense of the RPG (role-playing
good gamers, too.
but no matter how
game) players. At one point in the game,
you describe it gay
players are faced with an NPC (non-player
est MMPORG (massively multiplayer online
gamers (also known as
character) who wants to have sex with the
role-playing game) with over 12 million
gaymers) are here to
player’s character. Depending on which
players and it won’t be long before you
stay and are exerting
characters the player ‘activated’ for that
bump into gay Night Elves or Orcs. Gay
Log on to World of Warcraft, the larg-
more influence on the
players can join GLBT-friendly
gaming industry than
guilds (teams) like ‘Oz’ or
ever before. This bit of
‘Azeroth Pride’ (Azeroth is the
nerd-culture was first
fictional world where the game
brought to my atten-
takes place) and be comfortable
tion in February 2009,
in the knowledge that almost
when the consumer protection website
since the game first came out,
consumerist.com reported that a woman
Blizzard, the makers of Warcraft,
was banned from XBOX Live (Microsoft’s
have defended gay players from
online gaming system, which allows XBOX
harassment. After one incident
players to compete against others over the
involving game administrators
Internet) for identifying herself as a lesbian
(in-game referees) threatening
in her gamer profile.
a gay player, Blizzard required
This followed an earlier incident, when
all administrators to undertake
a man whose real name was Richard Gay-
GLBT sensitivity training.
wood was suspended from the service be-
And for the true gaymers
cause, as consumerist.com points out; “ap-
among us, when you’re done
parently the word ‘gay’ is so offensive that
with ‘meatspace’ (real-world)
it doesn’t matter if it’s actually your name.” Then, in March of last year, Microsoft
IMAGES OF GAY SEX FROM DRAGON AGE: ORIGINS
pride celebrations, just head over to World of Warcraft’s
(which owns XBOX) announced that it was
mission, the player may be ‘rewarded’ with
Proudmoore Server, which in 2009 cel-
changing the Code of Conduct to allow
a fairly graphic depiction of gay sex.
ebrated its sixth annual Pride week, com-
the use of the words “lesbian, gay, bi and
Arguably more significant than the fact
plete with an in-game parade and nude
transgender”. In other words, they realized
that these gay elements were included in
duelling championship as well as a massive
that pretending that the gays weren’t play-
the first place is that they were not later
in-game dance and pool party. Apparently
ing their games wasn’t quite working.
censored, despite extensive outcry from
you haven’t really lived until you’ve done
core fans. When Dragon Age: Origins was
body shots off of a half-naked gnome.
This came around the same time as the release of two very successful video
announced, internet forums and chat-
games; Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of
rooms were abuzz with angry fans, reciting
Gay Tony and Dragon Age: Origins. The
the usual homophobic mantra of; “do
Ballad of Gay Tony, an expansion game for
whatever you want, as long as I don’t have
Grand Theft Auto IV, features a number of
to see it.” Yet the manufacturers of these
28 outwords, april 2011 // www.outwords.ca
– Corey Shefman is a Level 85 Night Elf Druid and proud of it. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to letters@ outwords.ca
THE CATHOLIC ADVANTAGE
SPOTLIGHT
HALTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM
CHARLES MELVIN
Why do Catholics continue to enjoy the privilege of a segregated and fully publicly funded school
Thanks to some
homework. They banned the formation
school board mem-
of gay straight alliances (GSAs) on school
chair of HOPE, Elizabeth
bers who don’t know
property, a decision contrary to the provin-
Barnett, sees S.I.D.E. Spaces
how good they have
cial guidelines.
as an unacceptable substi-
it, a long-standing
dis-
A GSA is a supervised, school-sanc-
trict. The
tute for a GSA. “[It doesn’t]
issue in Ontario has
tioned group where LGBT kids can meet
offer a safe space for LGBTQ
been rekindled. Why
and socialize with straight peers on school
youth. GSAs create a
do Catholics continue
property. It’s a countermeasure to the de-
to enjoy the privilege
grading conditions of what is, all too often,
nority’ of LGBTQ youth and teens, which
of a segregated and
a hostile environment.
means that those who identify as non-
fully publicly funded school system; a costly
In January, Xtra magazine broke the
haven for the ‘invisible mi-
straight have a community in their school;
story about the HCDSB ban and ques-
an institution where they spend half of
duplication of services in which one school
tioned board chair Alice Anne LeMay. She
their young lives.”
system discriminates in enrolment and hir-
justified the ban by saying, “We don’t
ing practices?
have Nazi groups either.” Her comment
trenched in the constitution, LGBT kids
The answer is not encouraging.
exploded in the press. The HCDSB later
born into Catholic families in Ontario risk
“Denominational school rights” were
rescinded the ban.
being trapped in a process of religious in-
added to the Canadian constitution in
On Feb. 15, the board passed a new
those who identify as non-straight have a community in their school; an institution where they spend half of their young lives
Because religious schooling is en-
doctrination inside a homophobic institution. The only available advice for Catholic teachers on dealing with gay or lesbian youth is a pastoral care guide that treats homosexuality as a condition that should not be normalized. Allies are the best hope for change.
1867. To change the constitution is near
policy called S.I.D.E. Spaces (Safety, Inclu-
impossible. It would require almost nation-
sivity, Diversity, Equity). It advises teachers
ties of Halton as one large gay-straight
wide consensus from a majority of voters.
to enforce anti-discrimination policies,
alliance,” Barnett says, “a place where all
The only hope is that the Catholic School
but it makes no mention of homophobia
people – no matter their religion, culture,
system changes from the inside.
or sexual orientation. Paul Marai, a gay
background, gender or sexual orientation
In April 2009, the Ontario Ministry of
“HOPE likes to think of the communi-
trustee who joined the board in January,
– can find acceptance and peace.” Until
Education circulated a policy framework to
described the policy to The Globe and
Catholic LGBT kids can find a safe place
all school boards to guide them in creating
Mail: “The problem is this sends a strongly
inside their own religious community, it’s
policies to deal with bullying and discrimi-
negative message to gay students that you
good to know there’s someone close to
nation in schools. It states “homophobia
can congregate but you can’t really be vis-
home, ready and willing to help.
has risen to the forefront of discussion.”
ible.” The policy is expected to go to final
It also includes sexual orientation as one
reading in late March.
bases of discrimination. The Halton Catholic District School
Outwords contacted the Halton Organization for Pride & Education (HOPE),
Board (HCDSB) submitted its policy in
a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organiza-
November 2010. Somebody didn’t do their
tion serving the LGBTQ community in the
– Charles Melvin is a Toronto-based freelance writer. Find out what he really thinks about HCDSB at quink.ca. To comment on this or any other article in Outwords, write to editor@outwords.ca www.outwords.ca // outwords, april 2011
29
GLBT RESOURCE DIRECTORY SOCIAL SUPPORT Rainbow Resource Centre: Rainbow Resource Centre (RRC): 170 Scott St. Phone: 474.0212. E-mail: info@rainbowresoucecentre.org Web: rainbowresourcecentre.org. Counselling intake: 452.7508. Peer Support: 284.5208 or 1.888.399.0005. Dreamcatchers: Weekly therapeutic group for women and transgenders contemplating leaving the sex trade. Call 784-4065. Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre: Feminist organization. Information/counselling. 1150-A Waverley St. 477-1123, www.fgwrc.ca
Prime Timers: Gay and bi men over 40 and admirers. E-mail ptpres@mts.net Web: primetimersww. org/winnipeg/ Rainbow Educators of Manitoba (REM): Meets once a month. Cindy at 837-6036 or Manny at 478-1402. Rainbow Harmony Project: GLTT chorus. Phone 477-6448, or Web: rainbowharmonyproject.ca/ Rainbow Pride Mosaic: GLBT resource centre at U of M, e-mail umrpm@umsu.ca . Web: umsu.ca/ rainbowpride.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg (Liberal Religion): 603 Wellington Cres. 474-1261. Young United: 222 Furby St. Call 783-0128.
HEALTH & HIV/AIDS LGBTT/Sexual & Gender Minorities: Workshops, Presentations, Seminars. The Rainbow Resource Centre provides education, awareness and outreach to assist health-care providers, educators (K-12 and post-secondary), students (K-12), social service and commercial service providers in addressing the issues faced by LGBTT people. Call 474-0212.
Sexuality Education Resource Centre: Resources and information. 200-226 Osborne St. North, R3C 1V4. www.serc.mb.ca
House of Hesed: Safe HIV/AIDS transition house. 772-4793, (fax) 783-0494, e-mail info@ HouseofHesed.ca. Web: HouseofHesed.ca. (Note: This organization may receive financing from an ex-gay ministry.)
Gay Fathers of Winnipeg: E-mail gfow@mts.net. Web: gayfathersofwinnipeg.com.
The Snowy Owl Monarchist Society: Non-profit fundraising for organizations that enrich the GLBT community. Box 26053, 676 Portage Ave., R3G 0M4.
Kali Shiva AIDS Services: Non-medial support for people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS. 646 Logan, Call 783-8565 or 774-0708, or e-mail kalishiv@mts.net.
Goldenboys (Gay and Lesbian Volleyball League): Recreational league. Call Mike at 452-5780 or Mark at 774-2122.
Transgender Support Group: Meets third Friday of the month, 7:30 p.m. at the RRC. All welcome. Web: winnipegtransgendergroup.com
Nine Circles Community Health Centre: 705 Broadway. HIV primary-care services, 940-6000, 1-888-305-8647.
Keystone Rainbow Curling League (GLBT curling league). Web: keystonecurling.com
University of Manitoba Peer Advisors: Room 150, University Centre. 474-6696.
L*ACE group: For women interested in the Winnipeg arts, cultural, and entertainment scene. E-mail lace_ace@hotmail.com. Web: acelace. spaces.live.com.
University of Winnipeg UWSA LGBT* Centre: 786-9025. E-mail lgbt@uwsa.ca, Web: theuwsa. ca/services-student-groups
Provincial AIDS/STI Information Line: 945-2437 or 1-800-782-2437, Mon.to Fri. from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FTM Alliance of Winnipeg: Transgender/transsexual female-to-male issues. Meetings at the RRC, first Tues. of the month, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. gAy&E: Participate in the Winnipeg arts, cultural, and entertainment scene. E-mail tallbrat@mts. net.
Lambda: Business and Professional Association. P.O. Box 1575, Main Station, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2Z4. 204-944-0354. Web: lambdabiz.com Lesbian Parents of Winnipeg: Monthly activities in the community for parents and kids to build connections and have fun. Find us on Facebook or e-mail jodiandrose@gmail.com Live and Let Live: Group of Alcoholics Anonymous. Wed. at 8 p.m. at Holy Names House of Peace, 211 Edmonton St. Masquerade: Crossdresser, transvestite, and transgender group. Web: masquerade.ca or call 452-1100. Men’s Resource Centre: 301-321 McDermot Ave. Counselling for men. Call 956-9528 or 1-866-MRC-EHCC (672-3433) in Manitoba, Web: elizabethhill.ca/mrc. Out There Sports & Recreation: GLBT sports and recreation events in Winnipeg Web: gaycanada. com/outthere.
Winnipeg Lesbian and Gay Pride: Not-for-profit volunteer organization responsible for annual Pride Day and assists in community Pride Festival events. E-mail info@gaypridewinnipeg.com, Web: gaypridewinnipeg.com
SPIRITUALITY Anakhnu Jewish GLBT Group: A program of the Rady Jewish Community Centre. social and cultural programs. 477-7537, E-mail tbarr@aradyjcc. com. Dignity Winnipeg: GLBT Catholics and friends, meet every third Friday at Augustine United Church, 444 River Ave. at Osborne.Doors open 6 p.m. Call Thomas, 287-8583, or Sandra, 7796446. E-mail winnipeg@dignitycanada.org, Web: dignitycanada.org. Rainbow Ministry (Outreach of the UnitedChurch): 302-G Weston St., Call 954-2904. Winnipeg Full Moon Group: A place for Wiccan and pagan-minded people of all genders and sexual orientations. Contact Laurie 287-2300 or Amanda eastpath@gmail.com
Parents, Friends & Family of Transgender Individuals: Meets at the Rainbow Resource Centre on the second Monday of every month, in the library at 7 p.m. Contact pffoTI@gmail.com
AFFIRMING
PFLAG (Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays): Call Helen at 474-2008, mail c/o the RRC or e-mail winnipegmb@pflagcanada.ca.
Shaarey Zedek Synagogue: 561 Wellington Cres.
Peer Project for Youth (PPY) is a program that offers LGBTTQA* youth a safe, fun place to learn new skills, create projects and celebrate our iden-
30
tities. PPY meets weekly. Phone (204) 284-2799. E-mail: peerproject4youth@rainbowresourcecentre.org.
outwords, april 2011 // www.outwords.ca
Augustine United Church: 444 River Ave. at Osborne. 284-2250. Temple Shalom: Reform Judaism. Web: templeshalomwinnipeg.ca
Sage House: Drop-in and outreach for streetinvolved women and transgenders living as women. 943-6379. Street Connections: Needle exchange, safer crack use kits, condoms, info and service connections. Call 981-0742.
CULTURE The Fantasia Affair: A cabaret exploring drag culture. E-mail thefantasiaaffair@gmail.com or visit Fantasia Affair group on Facebook. Winnipeg Gay and Lesbian Film Society Inc.: Phone 775-6457. E-mail reelpride@hotmail.com. Web: reelpride.org.
BRANDON 7th Street Health Access Centre: Counselling and programming related to sexual health, addictions, and mental health. 20-7th St., 578-4800. PFLAG (Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians and Gays): Meets monthly. Call 727-0417. Sexuality Education Resource Centre: Counselling for GLBT community and family members. Community education/programming related to GLBT issues. GLBT Coffee House third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at 161 8th Street. Call 727-0417. Web: www.serc.mb.ca
KENORA Kenora Lesbians Phone Line: 807-468-5801, Tues., 7 to 9 p.m.
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