Outwords - April 2011 - issue 182

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

19

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

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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

OUTWORDS IS TAKING APPLICATIONS. TO APPLY, OR FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE WRITE TO MARKETING@OUTWORDS.CA

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Taylor

Carolina

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outwords, april 2011 // www.outwords.ca

Alexandria

Aric (top right)

Laura

Diana

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www.outwords.ca // outwords, april 2011

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T N A EW

!

U YO

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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

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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

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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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