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Outwords | February 2012 | Issue 190 | Serving the GLBT Community Since 1994

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5

6

Why we dropped sex ads editorial

6

A kiss seen around the world

international news

8

GSA fights for identity national news

10

Doublestandards for teachers

14

Wall-to-wall women

16

Born in the wrong place

18

tablets take over technology

22

Undies: it’s all about the brand

28

20

20

Jann Arden takes a look back

26

Rae Spoon: no more secrets

28

Buck Angel gets motivated

30

Proud to be two spirit

fashion column

30

greening money green

outwords

editorial

Serving the GLBT Community Since 1994 Issue 190• February 2012

Published by the outwords volunteer staff:

Why OutWords will no longer run sex ads

Rachel Morgan editor

Gord McDiarmid General manager

M. Buchanan art director & layout

Dylan Bekkering Assistant layout

Devin Frezzi Advertising Relations Co-ordinator

Barry Karlenzig Financial officer

Terry Wiebe, Gord McDiarmid distribution Vic Hooper web manager

Dylan Bekkering - photography; Benoit Forest and Cory Douglas - models Front page photo

Rachel Morgan, Michele Buchanan, Dylan Bekkering, Corey Shefman, Katrina Caudle, Peter Carlyle-Gordge, Jason Vanrooy, Nancy Renwick, Alana, LajoieO’Malley, Jason Clevett , Jefre Jicholls contributors to this issue

Debbie Scarborough, Shayne Duguay, Gail Eckert, Scott Carman, Kevin Hills, Sky Bridges, Dale Oughton, Diane Ready, Liz Millward 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 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. 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.

editorial rachel morgan

With the start of a new year, OutWords has taken a huge step that we expect to be controversial in the queer community – we are no longer running ads for Cruiseline and Squirt. It was a decision that was a long time in the making and one that was debated with some emotion by staff and board members.

We know that some people will cheer this move while others will condemn it. Either way, readers deserve an explanation.

First a little history: OutWords, and Swerve before it, have always enjoyed a strong and professional relationship with the organizations behind Cruiseline and Squirt. Their ads ran consistently year after year and were a significant part of our income. This magazine doesn’t get government funding, it relies on advertising to survive. We owe a debt of gratitude for the support of all advertisers and certainly a special debt to Cruiseline and Squirt.

But times have changed, so has our world and the queer community. As regular readers are aware, the magazine has been gradually shifting direction for the past few years. We are no longer that rough-and-tumble newspaper that was distributed in bars, clubs and queer organizations. We are now a glossy magazine that is focusing on reflecting modern queer lives.

We haven’t forgotten our roots – an open attitude to sexual diversity and practices between consenting adults. But OutWords is more than a magazine about sexual diversity. It runs stories about all sorts of people in the LGBT community - stories that hopefully inspire, educate and entertain readers. Recognizing that we can’t be all things to all people, we want the

magazine to meet the needs of as much of the queer community as possible. We also want the magazine to be available in a broad range of locations - including schools, health clinics, social agencies, book stores and coffee shops.

Cruiseline and Squirt are legal businesses but the reality is they are selling sex. Because of that we are getting a lot of pushback from businesses and advertisers who are uncomfortable with the Cruiseline and Squirt ads.

We are also getting pushback from queer families who say they don’t like having the magazine in their homes where their children might see the ads.

It’s easy to argue that there is an element of homophobia and moralizing in this attitude. There may also be an element of hypocrisy. Most major daily newspapers, including the Free Press and the Winnipeg Sun, have sex-for-sale ads in their classified sections. The Winnipeg Yellow Pages carries three pages of full-colour ads for escort services. These can only be described as sex-for-sale ads, yet the Yellow Pages can be found in almost all homes and organizations.

If we were in a city like Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver, it is doubtful this would be much of an issue. In our little prairie pond, the sex-for-sale ads were hurting our efforts to expand our magazine and our distribution range. That’s the reality we struggled with as we debated whether to keep the ads or move on. No one at OutWords found the decision easy. But it was the one we had to make.

O

…times have changed, so has our world and the queer community. As regular readers are aware, the magazine has been gradually shifting direction for the past few years.

www.outwords.ca // outwords, february 2012

4 5

NATIONAL NEWS Quebec university to study

homophobia

MONTREAL--The Université du Quebec a Montreal (UQAM) will soon be home to North America’s first university-based research chair dedicated to the study of homophobia.

The University’s sexology department will study how homophobia

Book celebrates Vancouver chorus

affects queer health in an attempt to help

“

ual Homosex people are almost threeastimes likely to becom e victims of a

”

VANCOUVER--The

group’s achievements and

He moved to Vancouver

Vancouver Men’s Chorus

document its history.

create more

on Sept 2, 1981, began

(VMC) has produced a

“So far nobody had really

effective policy

singing in the chorus

50-page book marking

tried to write down a

and social justice

14 days later, and was

its 30th anniversary.

history of the chorus,” he

programs. The

hired as conductor

The souvenir book

says. “There had been

position is part of a partnership with the Quebec Ministry

that December, when

chronicles the history

articles in newspapers

of Justice. The Government of Quebec will give $475

the original conductor

and personalities of

and so forth, but we had

000 to the program. "The most recent statistics paint an

wouldn’t take the

Canada’s first gay

not written our story

alarming portrait," provincial Justice Minister Jean-Marc

podium at the group’s

chorus. Out of Silence:

down. That’s where it

Fournier told the Canadian Press. “Homosexual people

first public performance.

The First 30 Years of

started, so I launched

are almost three times as likely to become victims

Zwozdesky has held the

the Vancouver Men’s

forth in the research.”

of a violent crime as heterosexuals.” Over the

position ever since.

Chorus was written by

Willi Zwozdesky has been

next five years, the province plans to invest

long-time member Guy

conducting the chorus

Cribdon to celebrate the

almost since its inception.

violent crime

as heterosexual

s.

$7.1 million for social programming to fight homophobia.

PERSONAL POWER: What is Inside and OUT? A guide produced by www.getion.ca to share information about sexual health. This monthly print series is adapted from the booklet.

Request a full copy of “Inside and OUT” at coordinator@getiton.ca or download it online at:

T OU

www.getiton.ca

&

OUT

IDE INS INSID& E

Taking care of our health includes looking after our physical, mental, spiritual and sexual health.

As sexual beings it’s important to think about safer sex and support others while exploring their interests and desires. The more we are all supported, the more likely we are to take care of our health.

YES – Safer Sex Can be Fun! Sex can be a way to explore ourselves and our connections with other people. It is healthy, natural, pleasurable and can be downright fun.

Safer sex doesn’t mean dull sex. It can be a challenge to fit safer sex into our concept of hot sex especially if we feel negative, not in control, or uncomfortable with, our own health.

It’s important to know that if loving our body and taking care of it is sexy, then safer sex and hot sex will be one and the same.

Did you know that sex can relieve stress which can boost your immune system and help your body maintain its health?

www.getiton.ca, the GLBTTQ Sexual Health Promotion Coalition website, promotes sexual health awareness to help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STI).

NATIONAL NEWS

Gay group honoured TORONTO--One of the first Canadian gay groups has

Ontario to force schools to accept gay-straight alliances Catholic School Board upset over use of word “gay”

been commemorated with a plaque at the University of

TORONTO » Ontario’s

anti-racism, respect for

about the need to

Toronto’s University College.

Liberal government

people with disabilities

address youth bullying

plans to launch an

and people of all

and suicide but says she

anti-bullying campaign

sexual orientations and

doesn't understand the

that mandates that

genders, with groups

importance of using the

gay university organization.

schools can establish

called gay-straight

word "gay." She claims

“The plaque we’re unveiling

gay-straight alliances,

alliance "or another

that if a student asked

but already the Ontario

name." Kirby says

for a GSA, "we would

to those who started the

Catholic School Board

“or another name”

give it another name."

group and to those who

is meddling with the

gives them leeway to

It remains to be seen

government’s intentions.

avoid using the words

if the Catholic Church

Nancy Kirby, president

gay-straight alliance.

or the government is

of the Ontario Catholic

Education Minister

the supreme power in

School Trustees

Laurel Broten says

Ontario schools.

government gathered to

Association (OCSTA)

students can definitely

honour the group’s historical

says the law makes

use the words gay-

boards legally required

straight alliance, so she

to approve student-led

will be having words with

support groups that

Kirby.

promote gender equity,

Kirby spoke passionately

The University of Toronto Homophile Association (UTHA) was born in 1969 and was Canada’s first official

today is ground breaking.

It will stand as a testament

still advocate,” said Maria Topalovich, from the Ontario Heritage Trust (OHT). Officials from the university, the OHT and all three levels of

contribution and unveil the plaque, which is on the east side of University College.

Lesbian book wins prize OTTAWA--Lesbian fiction writer Gabriella Goliger has won top prize for her novel Girl Unwrapped at the Ottawa Book Awards, held at the Library and Archives Canada.

The awards honour the best English and French books written in 2010 by people living in Ottawa. "I am thrilled, bowled over, pinching myself still. It's such an honour," said Goliger.

"I'm also delighted that a book with a lesbian theme won this prestigious award. I hope that in its own small way Girl Unwrapped helps promote understanding about GLBT youth issues. The novel is about a lesbian growing up in the 1960s: a different world, and yet some of the struggles endure." The book awards come with cash prizes of $7,500 for each of the winners and $1,000 for each finalist.

WE DESERVE TO BE HEALTHY Many Ways to Practice Safer Sex Did you know that…

• condoms have an expiration • you can become infected with an STI by oral sex date and can break down on the anus, balls, vulva, from petroleum based lip vagina and front hole? balms, massage oils and moisturizers?

• avoiding using sugar-based products and lubes that • condoms are available in contain glycerin, and polyurethane and nitrile for using unflavoured those with latex allergies? condoms can reduce • different types of lube yeast infections? come in many flavors and sensations? Sexy tip: more lube increases sensation and can help avoid micro tears in our sexual tissues.

Knowing Your Risk and Getting Tested Many STIs do not have obvious symptoms. Know your status, get tested, and get tested regularly especially if: you have a new or multiple sexual partners, your sexual partner has sex with other people, and you have sex with someone who hasn’t been tested for STIs. If you suspect you have an STI, even though you just tested negative, don’t hesitate to get retested or get a second opinion elsewhere. If you don’t feel comfortable being open about your sexual history, walk-in clinics or STI clinics are an option.

Your sexual health matters!

Have Questions? Want to know where to get tested?

Call the Sexual Health Info Line: (204) 945-2437 or Toll Free: 1-800-782-2437 OR visit

www.getiton.ca

Free safer sex products are available at Nine Circles Community Health Centre, Rainbow Resource Centre and the Gay Men’s Health Clinic.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Obama links aid to GLBT rights WASHINGTON--President Barack Obama has told officials to consider how countries treat gay and lesbian populations when making decisions about allocating foreign aid.

This is the first time the American government

The kiss seen around the world It was the kiss seen around the world.

navy fire controlmen, who maintain

On a rainy day in mid-December,

and operate weapons systems on

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class

ships. They met at training school

Marissa Gaeta descended from the

where they were roommates and

USS Oak Hill amphibious landing

have been dating for two years,

ship and shared a quick kiss with her

which they said was difficult under

partner, Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic

DADT. "We did have to hide it a lot in

Snell. Cameras rolled and onlookers

the beginning," Snell said. "A lot of

cheered as the two women made

people were not always supportive of

history. "It's something new, that's

it in the beginning, but we can finally

for sure," Gaeta told reporters after

be honest about who we are in our

the kiss. "It's nice to be able to be

relationship, so I'm happy." Snell said

myself. It's been a long time coming."

she believes their experience won't

The two women sailors were the first

be the last one for gays and lesbians

same-sex couple to share the coveted

in the military. "I think that it's

"first kiss" on the pier after one of

something that is going to open a lot

them returned from 80 days at sea.

of doors, for not just our relationship,

Sailors and their loved ones bought

but all the other gay and lesbian

$1 raffle tickets for the opportunity.

relationships that are in the military

Under the U.S. military’s "don't ask,

now," she said.

don't tell" rule, the kiss would never have happened. The policy, which was implemented in 1993, was repealed in September 2011. Both women are

has raised the issue

death. Britain has also

of tying aid to GLBT

threatened to slash aid

human rights abuses

to actively homophobic

and his memo instructs

counties but officials in

agencies offering foreign

Zambia and Zimbabwe

aid to promote such

say there is no chance

rights. Obama is among

their laws against

international leaders

homosexuals will be

who have condemned a

eased. In his memo to

bill proposed in Uganda

officials, Obama stated:

that would make some

"I am deeply concerned

homosexual acts a

by the violence and

crime punishable by

discrimination targeting

LGBT persons around the world, whether it is passing laws that criminalize LGBT status, beating citizens simply for joining peaceful LGBT pride celebrations, or killing men, women and children for their perceived sexual orientation."

21

years for gay slaying

VENTURA, CALIFORNIA--An American teenager has been sentenced to 21 years in state prison for killing a gay student during a computer lab class three years ago. Brandon McInerney’s defence lawyer said his client is deeply remorseful for the murder of 15-yearold Larry King. In a deal reached with Ventura County prosecutors last month, McInerney agreed to avoid a retrial and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, as well as one count each of voluntary manslaughter and use of a firearm. A September trial ended in a mistrial.

204.985.9200 OUTNABOUTTRAVEL.COM 8

outwords, february 2012 // www.outwords.ca

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Water cited as cause of homosexuality HUARMEY, PURU--The mayor of a small town in Peru is worried that mineral levels in the water could lead to an increase in homosexuality, LGBT Asylum News reports. José Benítez, the mayor of Huarmey, a coastal town in the Ancash Region of Peru, voiced his strange fears at the launch of a local project designed to increase access to water. Huarmey is famed

Mayor outed by sex-shop purchase SOUTHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI--A Mississippi mayor's mystery

for its abundant shrimp and long beaches, but the mayor worries it may gain a bad reputation

LONDON--An online petition calling for the

due to high levels of strontium in the tap

government to posthumously pardon Alan Turing

water. The metal, he claimed, reduces male

and quash his conviction for gross indecency

hormones and might cause an increase in

has been launched. Turing worked as part of the

homosexuality among the population.

team that cracked the Enigma code at Bletchley

purchase at a Toronto sex store

Park in the Second World War and went on to

with public money has pushed

help create the world's first modern computer.

him to reveal he is gay. Southaven Mayor Greg Davis' expense receipts showed he spent $67 of taxpayers' funds at Priape in Toronto, as well as

Malta ponders more liberal laws VALLETA, MALTA--Malta’s Nationalist Party, which

expensive dinners. After details of

holds a political majority in the country, has

the purchase at the Church Street

expressed a desire for some form of legal recognition

premiere gay lifestyle store and sex shop" on its website, emerged, the Republican politician conceded for the first time that he is gay.

"While I have performed my job as mayor, in my opinion, as a very

The gay computer pioneer was convicted of gross indecency in 1952, when homosexual acts were illegal in the U.K. Two years later, he died from cyanide poisoning, ruled as a suicide. The Internet

thousands of dollars on liquor and

store, described as "Canada's

Petition seeks pardon for Turing

for gay couples. Currently, the state does not recognize relationships between two people of the same gender. The central Mediterranean country has a strong Catholic base and only legalized divorce in a

petition said his treatment and death "remains a shame on the U.K. government and U.K. history … Alan Turing was driven to a terrible despair and early death by the nation he'd done so much to save … A pardon can go some way to healing this damage. It may act as an apology to many of the

referendum this summer. The leading party’s general

other gay men, not as well known as Alan Turing,

secretary says the country cannot not be “blind” to

who were subjected to these laws.”

gay relationships. Paul Borg Olivier described it as a “renewed political vision”.

conservative, progressive individual — and still continue to be a very conservative individual — I think that it is important that I discuss the struggles I have had over the last few years when I came to the realization that I am gay," Davis told a local newspaper. Davis ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2008 on a conservative, family-values platform.

www.

Lesbian leads Scottish Tories EDINBURGH--An

Ruth Davidson, 32,

in London believe

openly lesbian woman widely seen as David

Davidson, a lesbian

has been elected

Cameron's favourite,

and the youngest of the

leader of the Scottish

was chosen to lead the

four candidates, will be

Conservative Party

Scottish Conservative

able to freshen up the

after the membership

and Unionist party by

Tories' faltering appeal to

rejected her leading

a comfortable margin

Scottish voters.

rival's radical

after a bitterly-fought

proposals to create a

and divisive leadership

outwords.ca // outwords, november new centre-right party. campaign. Officials

2011

9

Outraged parents are any school board’s worst nightmare, so many school boards discouraged queer educators from coming out in the classroom.

10 11

outwords, february 2012 // www.outwords.ca

closetin

the classroom

By Jason Vanrooy

When teacher Ray Desautels goes to a school function with his partner he knows the gay couple won’t face a hostile reaction. “I have always

There are a few teachers here everyone is pretty sure are gay, but they never talk about it.

been able to (attend functions),” he says of the accepting environment in the St. JamesAssiniboia School Division in west Winnipeg. “I have found St. James-Assiniboia to be supportive (though it) was not always that way.” That acceptance extends to allowing gay and lesbian teachers to display photos of their significant others in the classroom, he says. Sadly, acceptance isn’t universal, Desautels points out. It’s common “in most Winnipeg schools [but] in rural areas not so much,” he says.

For many years, queer educators in Manitoba, and indeed all over the world, were discouraged from divulging their sexuality to students. Many parents would have been outraged if their children had come home and informed them one of their teachers was gay. Outraged parents are any school board’s worst nightmare, so many school

boards discouraged queer educators from coming out in the classroom.

But in a changing political landscape, one that continues to offer more and more legal protections for LGBT individuals, too many teachers still don’t receive fair treatment if they want to come out in the classroom. That is especially true in schools in communities outside Winnipeg. Gay teachers stay in the closet out of fear of reprisals from parents and school officials.

That means students lack positive role models and don’t feel safe coming out, says a student at a high school in Thompson in northern Manitoba.

“There are a few teachers here everyone is pretty sure are gay, but they never talk about it,” says the student, who requested anonymity. When asked if he would feel

comfortable coming out if there were openly gay teachers he could go to for support, he says: “I don’t know, but it would have been nice to know that you’re not alone, at least.”

A non-GLBT teacher in the Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine spoke to Outwords on condition of anonymity describes the difficult situation for gay and lesbian teachers in her division. “I have pictures of my husband in my classroom and all of my students know him. He even accompanied me on a school trip as a chaperone along with my class,” she says. “There is no way that my school division would allow me to bring my spouse if I were a lesbian.”

The division isn’t affiliated with any one religion, but the teacher believes the strong Catholic influence, not only among parents but also among staff and school board, creates a negative environment for gays and lesbians. The overriding fear seems to be that queer educators can’t come out to continued >>

www.outwords.ca // outwords, february 2012

10 11

teachers

There are a few here everyone is pretty sure are , but they about it.

gaytalk never not all of the protection offered to students necessarily translates into greater rights for teachers in many school divisions.

their students because it would create an upheaval - so their sexuality is better left undisclosed, she says.

Not too long ago, while still pursuing her education degree, the young woman was told that all teachers, regardless of their sexuality, should not disclose information about their sexual preference or spouses to their students. And yet there is a distinct double-standard, she says. When she began teaching, she was wary at first about bringing photos of her husband to school. But after teaching for awhile she realized she could safely bring her home life into the classroom because she is not a lesbian.

Paul Olsen, president of The Manitoba Teachers’ Society, says school boards and educators are correct to be concerned about the views of the parents. “We have the most important thing in the world in our care, their children,” he said. But while acknowledging that parents are definitely a part of the educational process, Olsen says teachers also have the right to fight to come out in the classroom. Manitoba educators have been fighting this battle for years, he says.

As far back as 1995, Gale M’Lot, a veteran teacher in the Assiniboine South School Division (which no longer exists), was told by the assistant superintendant not to divulge her sexuality to her students.

“M’Lot’s case went through various appeals and courts and the decisions were, at that

12 13

outwords, february 2012 // www.outwords.ca

time, relatively split,” Olson says. “But since then, things have been changing.” Some school boards have introduced anti-homophobia training and policies. Most of the focus, however, seems to be on protecting LGBT students from discrimination, and Olsen noted that not all of the protection offered to students necessarily translates into greater rights for teacher in many school divisions.

In theory, Manitoba human rights codes do offer protection to teachers who wish to come out in the classroom, Olsen says. The legislation protects teachers from being held to different standards than other teachers.

Essentially, if one teacher is allowed to bring their spouse to school and another teacher is prohibited, then the human rights legislation may be applicable. But it takes a person with a lot of courage to stand up and try to access this protection if and when it is ever needed, and not everyone is willing to put themselves out there in such a fashion, Olsen says.

The Manitoba Teachers’ Society is very aware of the challenges faced by some queer educators in Manitoba and continues to work on the issue. “We do provide support to any teachers who decide to pursue any case,” Olsen says, “and we continue to provide anti-homophobia training in schools.”

Teacher Action Cohorts (TACs), who are volunteer members of the Manitoba Teacher’s Society and trained facilitators, are available at no cost to perform training to school boards and in schools. The anti-homophobia training provided by TACs includes a full-

day workshop in which participants explore homophobia, harassment and bullying and their effects on the work environment within schools.

In addition, the teacher’s society has been working, and continues to work, with EGALE on surveys and projects regarding issues of homophobia in Manitoba Schools.

The Manitoba Teachers’ Society is also proud to carry its banner in the Winnipeg Pride parade each year, showing support for the many queer educators they represent and for whom they continue to work diligently to ensure fair treatment.

Despite the best efforts of organizations like the Manitoba Teachers’ Society and individuals like Gale M’lot, there is still work to be done. Not all queer educators find it easy to be open about their partners, their lives and their sexuality in the classrooms.

GLBT students tend to overwhelmingly say that knowing their teacher is gay or lesbian would help them in dealing with the challenges they face. Having positive role models is an important part of establishing one’s identity.

Where gay and lesbian teachers are fortunate enough to be able to speak openly about their lives with their students, queer students benefit. It creates a safer environment for them to be themselves. Just as importantly, it helps non-GLBT students and teachers understand the range of sexual diversity in our society. When we normalize sexual diversity, we reduce homophobia.

That is a huge step forward.

– Jason Vanrooy is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer.

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The woman who founded

the Dinah Shore

By Katrina Caudle

Twenty-two years ago, Mariah Hanson’s dream was to produce an event that was far and

Tapping the power of lesbian night life

14 15

above what lesbians were used to.

The result has been the incredible Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend that takes place over five days in Palm Springs, California, every year – an iconic gathering and music festival for the lesbian community. “It’s an honour to produce an event that in many respects has become a right of passage,” Hanson says. “The Dinah is where facets of our community come together for five days to celebrate our lives. The joy and celebration is prevalent. The separations between us seem to just fade away.”

Aside from successfully producing the largest lesbian event in the world, Hanson also takes pride in the Dinah’s history of helping to launch new and upcoming artists. “We’re pretty good at picking the next big thing. We’ve helped launch artists like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. A few years ago, agents barely took my phone calls. Now they’re contacting me.

They’re getting so much exposure. That’s the power of lesbian night life. Part of our social structure is nightclubbing. We’re out there, listening to music and appreciating music. We’re early adopters. As a community, we’re cutting edge.”

Hanson also created the Dinah Club program, which allows clubs to throw Dinah events for their cities. More than 40 clubs have taken part - from Texas, New York, Chicago, even France

outwords, february 2012 // www.outwords.ca

and England. “I love working in the entertainment industry,” Hanson says. “I’m awed by it every year, honoured to act as a platform for that. I love working with the artists, the raw and fierce talent. They tend to be a little different. They’re a force. You can feel it, their intensity and creativity.”

Hanson’s warmth and down-to-earth attitude extends to her other passion, outside the entertainment industry – riding horses. “I have really cool horses,” she says, her voice rising in excitement. “I love them because they have so much heart. It’s a very powerful experience to become one with a horse. It’s the most dangerous sport. It’s all about calmness, gentleness and trust. It’s profound to develop trust with a horse.”

She started riding when she was five years old. Her grandfather was a horse lover and

photos left to right mariah hanson white party HANSON WITH comedian wanda sykes and singer natasha bedingfield LADY GAGA PERFORMS IN 2009 pool party attendees

the property she now owns once belonged to him, passed through her mother and her aunt. Her work with horses also shapes how she approaches life around her.

“At their essence, horses are noble, fearful herd animals, used to being attacked,” Hanson says.” “There’s trust there that can’t help but touch those that come into contact with it. You experience a community the way you can animals. People are fearful animals. You can carry that gentleness and trust forward. What’s important is our celebration. How do we live? Do we live out loud?

And if we love out loud, do we live gently?

There are many ways to change the world.”

– Katrina Caudle is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer.

www.outwords.ca // outwords, february 2012

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Sponsor A GLBT Refugee And Save A Life?

By Peter Carlyle-Gordge

In seven countries -- Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Nigeria, being queer can bring the death penalty

It didn’t make national headlines, but last March Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced a rare partnership with Canada’s queer community: a pilot project to help refugees persecuted for their sexual orientation find safe haven here. Through the project, Citizenship and Immigration Canada is to work with the Rainbow Refugee Committee to share the cost of sponsoring gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual refugees come to Canada.

The department is providing $100,000 in assistance to cover three months of income support for the refugees upon their arrival in Canada. The Rainbow committee has to provide orientation services, accommodation, food and other basic needs. As Helen Kennedy, executive director of EGALE Canada, the country’s largest LGBT human rights organization has noted: “These funds are a welcome first step in response to the crisis facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people

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outwords, february 2012 // www.outwords.ca

around the globe, at a time when 77 countries continue to criminalize homosexuality and five prescribe the death penalty. The Rainbow Refugee Committee provides critical support to asylum seekers fleeing homophobic and transphobic persecution in their countries of origin.”

Being gay or lesbian is harshly treated in many parts of the world, with long prison terms and social disgrace. In seven countries -- Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Nigeria -- being queer can also bring the death penalty. In the Americas, 13 of the 15 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) members still criminalize homosexuality, where penalties range from hard labour to life imprisonment.

As part of the agreement with Ottawa, the Rainbow committee must reach out to other groups to facilitate sponsorship applications and arrangements. “Encouraging private sponsors to come forward is vital to refugees in need of protection and to the future of the private sponsorship program,” Kennedy says.

Although Canada’s GLBT community has now achieved most of its goals, the situation beyond our borders continues to be seriously troubling, especially in some Islamic countries and in some of the strongly homophobic extreme Christian countries in Africa. In Iran, gay men have been routinely hanged in public, while that country’s somewhat loopy president declared

once that homosexuals do not exist in his country.

One person with a keen interest in Canada helping provide safe haven for GLBT refugees is University of Ottawa Professor Nicole LaViolette, who teaches public international law, international humanitarian law, conflicts of laws and family law.

Her research and she’d like to see publications are groups of gay and devoted mainly lesbian Canadians to international taking advantage human rights, of the Private international Sponsorship of humanitarian law, Refugees Program and the rights of announced by the refugees. She is government also interested in lesbian and gay legal issues, international feminist theory and transnational family law She tells OutWords she’d like to see groups of gay and lesbian Canadians taking advantage of the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program announced by the government. Under this program, a group of five can apply to sponsor a refugee. They choose a candidate and offer to financially support him or her for a year. They can also work with resettlement agencies in their city to offer support and friendship.

“If you are not sure who to sponsor, the government can help find a persecuted gay or lesbian person,” she says. “The UN Commission for Refugees also has a large data base. In Ottawa, we are working with international refugee organizations to pinpoint clients who may need help to settle here and avoid persecution.”

She says ideally sponsored refugees will be those facing real danger in their own countries. Ease of settlement in Canada will also be a factor, so language issues and work experience are also factors. She says one group in Manitoba has already worked with an Iranian man who had fled to Turkey

— a temporary refuge for many gay Iranians facing persecution.

She says it likely takes $15,000 to 20,000 to support a GLBT refugee for a year, but money isn’t a big problem if five or 10 people get together, since Canada is affluent. “It isn’t the money we lack but the will to act,” she says. “Jews did a lot of organizing to help there’s no persecuted Jews reason the GLBT move out of Ruscommunity here sia and there’s no can’t do a lot reason the GLBT to help their community here persecuted can’t do a lot to brothers and help their persesisters escape to cuted brothers Canada and sisters escape to Canada. “We are privileged and have won our battles here, but can’t just sit by while this persecution goes on.”

She is working with an Ottawa group on a trial sponsorship project with a group of others who are providing money and social support. She thinks if the trial project is successful others across Canada can save many GLBT lives by imitating them.

Last year, David Pepper visited Winnipeg. Ottawa-based Pepper launched the North Star Triangle Project to encourage groups of five to sponsor refugees who’ve had to flee their country because of their homosexuality. “Winnipeg’s an immigrant city,” says Pepper, who grew up in Brandon and chose Winnipeg to start spreading his message across Canada. “It has a proud record of settlement,” he says. “It’s going to be home to the museum for human rights.

Where better to start than here, symbolically?”

Pepper took a year off from his civilian position with the Ottawa police to get the word out about the plight of gays and lesbians without a safe country to call home.

“I don’t want to raise money, I want to raise awareness,” he said. He’s taken to heart Kenney call to the GLBT community to

sponsor refugees. Pepper’s group of five is sponsoring a gay woman from Colombia.

Winnipegger Mark Rabnett and a group of five have already started the process to sponsor a young gay man from Iran who took refuge in Turkey. They chose a young, educated man who is willing to learn English, has a lot of determination and could live a long and The Rainbow group productive life in is a Vancouver Canada. based community He’s currently group that staying in a small supports and city in Turkey, and advocates with is not allowed to and for asylum work or leave the seekers who fear area. persecution “There are many, many countries with severe legal restrictions on homosexuality,” says Rabnett. “There are seven countries where it is a capital crime, Iran being one of them. Unlike ordinary refugees, they’re often threatened by their own families. They can’t get any support. Their own families may seek to harm them,” he said.

You can find out more about the program by checking Egale at: egale.ca or by phone to Egale at : 1-416-964-7887.

The Rainbow Refugee Action Network is at rainbowrefugeecanada.wordpress.com.

The Rainbow group is a Vancouver based community group that supports and advocates with and for asylum seekers who fear persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status. It helps asylum seekers get through the application and settlement process. The Rainbow Refugee Committee (RRC) has launched Rainbow Refugee Action Network (RANN) to create links and collaborations with others who share these goals.

– Peter Carlyle-Gordge is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer.

www.outwords.ca // outwords, february 2012

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Tablets will top netbooks in 2012 technology

TV technology will make a breakthrough

Corey Shefman

The top change in the tech world this year is going to be that tablets and netbooks are going to swap places in popularity and availability.

Netbooks debuted in 2007, but they paved the way for the tablet boom that is now taking off. In our ultra-connected world, the young and tech-savvy are demanding an internet-connected device larger than their smartphones and smaller than their 15-inch laptops.

While the death of the netbook will help the tablet, the real boon for tablet sales will be the release of Windows 8, Microsoft’s next operating system, expected in autumn 2012. Despite Apple’s significant attempts to turn the iPad into a useful tool for business, Apple’s tablet only really has two things going for it. First, the brand (it’s amazing how much extra people will pay for a picture of a fruit) and second, the sheer number of apps available for it.

In addition, as much as I’m a Google fanboy and Android lover, Android tablets will never have the allure of Apple’s iPad or the Windows 8 tablets.

Android remains too fragmented and, ironically,

“... Android tablets will never have the allure of Apple’s iPad or the Windows 8 tablets”

OLED is the newest technology in digital monitors, featuring an ‘infinite contrast ratio’ too open, for most people to be able to use it effectively.

Oh, and the last big news for tablets in 2012? Expect the iPad 3 and a price cut for the iPad 2. The latest rumours suggest that Apple is going to position the iPad 2 as a competitor to the Kindle Fire or Kobo tablet while making the iPad 3 (which will have a higher resolution display and a moderately faster processor) their new flagship.

For personal use, get the iPad 2 in the spring when the iPad 3 comes out – the improvements expected in the iPad 3 are not nearly good enough to

Oh, and the last big news for tablets in 2012?

Expect the iPad 3 and a price cut for the iPad 2.

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outwords, february 2012 // www.outwords.ca

warrant paying the extra money. If buying for business, hang on until Windows 8 launches – it stands to be worth the wait.

You won’t be able to tear yourself away The other big news for 2012? Televisions. This year, we’re going to see the introduction of OLED HDTVs. OLED is the newest technology in digital monitors, featuring an ‘infinite contrast ratio’ – meaning you’re getting much truer colours and better colour differentiation than ever before. OLEDs stand to upend the television industry with their larger viewing angle (180 degrees without colour shifting), the thinnest panels on the market, and some sources report that they may use as little energy as a 50watt light bulb. o

2011/2012 season

Windows 8 Fact Sheet Release Date: Late Q3 2012 Biggest Change: Microsoft is importing the ‘Metro UI’ used in the Windows Phone 7 operating system and making it the face of Windows 8. Although Windows 8 computers will still have access to the start menu interface, much more emphasis will be placed on Metro UI’s tiles.

Runner Up: Microsoft is promoting a new back-end system that will allow applications to stay running in the background without draining your memory and slowing down the computer.

Other Changes: ‘Instant on’ technology, improved security, an app store (like Apple’s), “Windows to Go” a feature that will allow you to carry your desktop on a USB drive in your pocket.

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“crock pots and wagon wheels and huffing gas and shooting shit and not understanding my parents…”

One could easily fill an entire page describing Jann Arden.

Singer, songwriter, author, TV and radio host, comedienne, Juno Award winner, humanitarian. Behind all those descriptions is the prairie girl who was raised in Springbank, Alberta, and achieved success in spite of some of her struggles. Her story of growing up is chronicled in her first memoir Falling Backwards, released in November.

Jann Arden has released a memoir of her life, along with a new album, Uncover Me 2.

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The funny ynnuf side of life “I liken (the book) a little bit to songwriting in that you are honest in it,” Arden says. “In pop music you basically have three and a half minutes to tell your tale. When I was writing it there are lots of things I decided not to write about because I would never want to do anything to hurt my family any more then I already did. I just wanted to paint an accurate, really fair picture of life in the 1970s on the prairies – crock pots and wagon wheels and huffing gas and shooting shit and not understanding my parents’ relationship and how I fit in anywhere,” Arden told Outwords.

“What I really wanted to be aware of was to make it funny, you have to laugh through some of this stuff, and have to see the humour in it – my mom taught me that.

She laughs in the face of sheer and total disaster and I just love that about her. She is so kind and funny and never feels victimized or that the world owes her anything.

They worked hard all their lives and built their house. My parents aren’t famous, they haven’t written a book on physics or saved a baby out of a fire. They have never done any grand gesture they are just these really hard working, humble soldiers, the ones who are not noted. I guess this is my way of making sure they were noted.”

The book was released alongside Arden’s ninth studio album Uncover Me 2, her second album of covers. She hooked up with legendary producer Bob Rock to create

the album. “Bob has a ton of pop sensibilities, Rock and Hyde and The Payolas in the 1970s had some massive hits. The work he has done with Michael Buble was extremely poppy. He is not a one-trick pony – he can do it all. Bob, (manager) Bruce Allen and I all came to the table with songs. The Smiths’ tune Last Night I Dreamt Somebody Loved Me I had never heard in my life. I love The Smiths but had never heard that song.

He had me try a Stones tune and a Mark Cohen tune and some of it didn’t work but the stuff that did. I grew up listening to Fleetwood Mac and listening to Doris Day singing Que Sera Sera with my folks. There are five decades of music on there and probably an equal amount of songs from Bruce, Bob and myself.”

Since the release of 2009’s Free, Arden has been busy writing the book, but she hasn’t been writing music, something she intends to change this year. “I haven’t written one note, one song. I am dedicating three-quarters of this year to writing and recording my next record.”

Arden hits the road for an extensive Canadian tour this winter, visiting the Pantages Playhouse in Winnipeg February 29. “I am not sure what to expect for this tour. We have yet to sit down with the lighting and stage directors to talk about the set. I don’t go to lengths where I am being lowered on a plastic horse in the middle of the arena or anything like that. I think our shows

always look nice and the band looks and sounds great. There will be some surprises.

Bruce and I have been talking about trying different things. It makes me laugh even thinking about it. It gets harder and harder each time I do a record to fit things into a two-hour context, people do need to pee at some point you can’t be having them sit there for three and a half hours. We have a week of rehearsals before we hit the road so we will sort it out then.”

It will then be back to Toronto to film the second season of Canada Sings, the hit Global series that saw teams of everyday people form singing groups to compete for charity. Arden, Vanilla Ice and Simple Plan’s Pierre Bouvier had the unenviable task of deciding a winner each week. “It was really hard. They don’t want to be stars, they are groups of baggage handlers and doctors and teachers that are scared out of their wits, who are not performers and wanted to help their charities. For us it really tugged at our heartstrings. We wanted them to all be tied but that doesn’t make for good TV. So it had to be a democratic vote. We talked it out – the costumes and choreography and how they were singing and the mash-up choice, all that stuff factored into it. I am really looking forward to taping the next season.”

– Jason Clevett is a Calgary-based freelance writer.

www.outwords.ca // outwords, february 2012

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THE PRESENT

YOU GET TO

UNWRAP ALL YEAR LONG By

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Jefre Nicholls

outwords, february 2012 // www.outwords.ca

It’s quite possibly the most important piece of clothing you put on, the present you get to unwrap all year long, and this Valentine's season your best offence in making that special someone more than just a friend. The pièce de résistance I speak of is none other than the manty. Boxers, briefs, thongs, jockstraps, and the newest addition to the realm of underwear; the hybrid, have seared a lasting label-popping reminder in the minds of gays everywhere - that granny panties just won't do.

S

ome say it was Calvin Klein's 1991 oh-so-sexy Marky Mark underwear campaign that sounded the dawn of designer underwear neurosis all over North America and Europe. But it wasn't until the 25th anniversary of the label's underwear launch in 2007, with the introduction of Calvin Klein Steel; a microfibre boasting, uber thick waist banded, hyper-labelled gift from the gay gods that the sensationalism of underwear obsession was born.

Since then we have spent hundreds, and in some extreme cases thousands of dollars, on the tiny tush warmers. With a median price tag of $125 a pair for designer labels like Galliano, D&G, Roberto Cavalli, Dior and Versace, why spend so much disposable income on something seen for a mere moment in the heat of passion? The answer is not so simple, there are a number of reasons men shell out top dollar for less than a foot of fabric.

Firstly, and in this writer’s opinion most importantly, is how they make your most salient “ass”-et look. Many designer undies cut the posterior of their garments to lift and cup the bum, making sure that regardless of gravity you look your perkiest.

To boot, the seams of good underwear appear invisible ensuring that no one knows you’re even wearing underwear until you want them to. This allows for maximum focus with no unwanted manty lines taking away from what you spent hours at the gym squatting to create. Additionally for those lacking in the seat department there are several designer lines of underwear that

Many designer undies cut the posterior of their garments to lift and cup the bum, making sure that regardless of gravity you look your perkiest. have built in posterior padding to make sure you fill in those jeans you spent last month’s rent on. (www.addicted.es, www. malebasics.com, www.priape.com) Secondly, the psychology of underwear has to be considered, and thank goodness for the power of association. In looking at a multitude of mid- to high-end undies the most obvious commonality across is branding the band. It seems that waistband

we love to see peeking up above belt loops and just below a perfectly placed navel says more to prospective audiences than we would like to admit. Seeing a flash of any number of designer brief-bands and our minds are immediately transported to some of the sexiest advertising on the market. Half-naked guys on the side of buildings, bus stops and back covers of our favourite glossies are not a terrible crew to be considered in the company of.

Some may argue that the cost of aforementioned undies is too high, that they would rather stick to the ones served up three per package, and that they don't mind bunching, unflattering undergarments. Others have found solace in flying commando. However you choose to package yourself, as long as you feel sexy, your actions should convey that attitude to prospective shoppers. But I for one would rather have engineering, design and the sexy guy from the billboard on my side.

Happy Valentine's Day! – Jefre Nicholls is a Winnipeg based freelance writer and stylist.

How to look your best when the world ends It has been said in a number of Hollywood movies that 2012 will be our swan song.

If this is the case - in retaining the holiday spirit and erring on the side of the glass is half full – we have put together a list of head-to-toe pre-apocalyptic fashion tips and resolutions to make sure that if we go out, at least it will be in good style.

Tip 1 Tip 2

Lip Service: Pucker up this year and protect your pursers. Be it the sun’s damaging rays or wicked wind chill, if we're in for the next ice age your pout is sure to take a punch or two from the elements.

Dry, cracked, flaky and bleeding lips are just not acceptable, especially when the alternative fits into your jacket pocket. Unlock the secret of vitamin-E with Lise Watier's Spa Fondant Moisturizing Lip Therapy, Fuel up with Kiehls Facial Fuel No-Shine Moisturizing Lip Balm, or beat the winter buzz with a Burt’s Bees product. (www.lisewatier.com , www.kiehls.ca , www.burtsbees.ca)

Tied, Tested and True: For all the Tom, Dick and Harry's out there still having their daddies tie their neckties for them- make this the year you stand up and finally learn how to pull your look together by sporting that fashionable noose you tied yourself to the office. Reclaim your manliness this year. Your salvation is but a google or youtube search away.

Tip 3

He's Come Undone: When wearing a collared button-down shirt and refusing to conform to the oppression of tucked-in-dom (a shirt tucked into pants state) many gents barrel along buttoning up all available buttons. Much to their dismay, the fault of this common fashion full-throttle faux pas is that in fastening the last button in the sequence they not only cinch in the bottom opening of the shirt around the widest part of a man’s body, but unknowingly create a cut-off, short, boxy silhouette. Leaving the last button undone is a quick remedy to elongate the length of the torso. It creates a line to the shirt that makes the waist appear smaller, shoulders broader and top much longer. It also gives onlookers a peek at that belt you spent way too much money on.

Tip 4

Ankle Biters: Contrary to popular belief, men’s socks do come in a wide variety of colours and patterns. Invest in at least one pair of “party socks” and let your ankles live a little. With hem lines on the rise take this opportunity to rock out with your sock out.(www.duchamplondon.com/Socks, www.thomaspink.com , www.paulsmith.co.uk)

Tip 5

That Shining Personality: If you think no one notices those horrendous salt stains or the lacklustre buff job you pulled on your new wingtips, you’re wrong. This 2012 commandment is simple, thou shalt polish. Keep a towel by the door at home and at the office during winter months to do a quick wipe down of your ped-protectors as soon as you walk in the door. This is an easy way to make sure the surface salt doesn’t settle, causing a clog catastrophe. (www.kiwicare.com)

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outwords, february 2012 // www.outwords.ca

– Jefre Nicholls is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer and stylist.

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For all things Real Estate

STAY ALERT PULL OVER. Please Yield the Right of Way to Emergency Vehicles A message from the John Petropolous Memorial Fund

www.jpmf.ca/trafficsafety

204.475.9130 www.greghamilton.ca homes@greghamilton.ca member of the LAMBDA Business Association

www.lambdabiz.com

Rae Spoon

defies definition It helps to have a quirky sense of humour In February, Winnipeg will welcome back singer-songwriter Rae Spoon, who will be promoting a sixth full-length release, entitled I Can’t Keep All Of Our Secrets. Spoon, who has been performing for 14 years, started out singing country music in their (Spoon uses the neutral pronoun they rather than he or she) home province of Alberta. “I was singing about regular country music stuff. Oil rigs, and you know. Stuff like that,” they say with a laugh.

Since then, Spoon’s music has evolved to include more electronic rock elements and personal themes. Spoon’s previous album, loveisahunter, is a reflection on the queer scene, while the new-

I've tried being a woman and a man and I wasn't good at either of them est one revolves around their feelings regarding a friend who has recently passed on. “I wanted to write about grief, about the phases of grief,” Spoon says, and with a little laugh adds, “It's kind of an upbeat dance tune about grief.”

A shy child, Spoon would have never thought they would have grown up to be a performer. “There's a very social aspect to playing music – going to places I never would have gone, met people I would have never met,” Spoon says. “I've always believed that anyone can write a song or a story.”

Spoon's poetic lyrics, their surprising insights into the emotional landscape of the world around them, and their quirky sense of humour have earned them many fans here and abroad. Spoon’s work also shares a spirit that continues to defy definition and binaries. “I identify as gender retired,” they say. “I've tried being a woman and a man and I wasn't good at either of them.”

“I was in Burger King with my boyfriend and went to the bathroom. I saw this woman in there and we looked at each other. I said I know where I am and she started to laugh, and I started to laugh.

They don't make a surgery to give someone a sense of humour.”

Spoon will be visiting Winnipeg and performing a show on February 24 at Gio's, with a dance party to follow - with music provided by a DJ from Montreal and Queerview's rotation of DJs. ¬ Katrina Caudle is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer.

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outwords, february 2012 // www.outwords.ca

A Quick Review

If you liked Feist before you will love her now. This CD is inspiring and creative the entire way through.

Although some parts feel a bit like a ‘hope for Africa’ infomercial other parts of this book provide an interesting look at homosexuality and spirituality.

Shelter Surfers and your best friend’s older brother, sound like the makings of great porn, but the movie proves to be enduring and has heart more then private parts.

www.outwords.ca // outwords, february 2012

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outwords, february 2012 // www.outwords.ca Photo by rafy

THE

MAN with a vagina Buck Angel Explores the Range of Sexuality

By Katrina Caudle

When Buck Angel started marketing himself as “the man with the vagina”, his peers in the adult entertainment industry were not only shocked, they were hostile.

“They hated it,” he says. “They called me a freak.” It took him two years to get a foot in the door, to go from bad business deals to getting awards and having people coming to him with requests to do interviews or educational gigs. “I kind of fell into the crossover from pornography to education,” Angel says with a laugh. “I think my message is more powerful by getting into education.”

Angel considers himself more of a motivational speaker than an educator, but nevertheless will be giving a talk at the University of Winnipeg in February called “The Buck Angel Effect”. The event is being organized by Joey Loewen and Jess Leppik, with sponsorship from University of Winnipeg UWSA LGBT Centre. “Getting to

speak at a university is big,” Angel says.

the same sexually. I had huge issues with

“That would not have happened five

my vagina – I didn't want people to touch

years ago. I feel like my work in the adult

me down there. It wasn't until I started to

industry helped start a movement.”

become a man and get more comfortable

Working in the sex industry has given Angel a lot of insight into how healthy sexuality helps form our perception of the

in my own skin that I really started to enjoy my vagina.”

“I don't want you to feel like you have

world and our daily lives. “People are very

to be in a box. I want you to be yourself. I

weird about it once they find out you work

go to gyms all across the world. You don't

in adult entertainment. They associate

think those men in the change room are

it with something dirty, unconsensual,”

staring at me? Once you're completely

he says. “What draws me to it is that I

comfortable in your own body – then it

get to make an impact. I get letters from

doesn't matter what people think of you.”

grandmothers, cismen, and women that

Buck Angel's events are sponsored in

say that I changed their view what a man

co-operation between Gio's, Club 200 and

is or how they view their body. It's just by

Queerview. A fundraiser dance party to

telling my story and being true to myself

help fund his visit will be held at Pop Soda's

that I've been able to positively impact

at 625 Portage Ave. on February 11 at 9

others.”

p.m. Cover charge is $5, though additional

That self-acceptance and self-love may

donations are welcome. Visit

be the key to unravelling a lot of the shame

www.gios.mb.ca and www.club200.ca

or negative attitudes society holds towards

for more fundraising events.

sexuality and our exploration of it. “People feel like they need to hide it,” Angel says.

– Katrina Caudle is a Winnipeg-based

“People are ashamed to admit they like

freelance writer.

something different. My movies get viewed way more by download than are bought.

We automatically feel like we all have to be

www.outwords.ca // outwords, february 2012

29 28

Empowering

two-spirit people Summit unites people, nations

By Albert McLeod In September, Donna Glover and I flew to Denver, Colorado, to attend the International Two-Spirit Leadership Summit 2011. Hiram Calf Looking Sr., co-ordinator for the TwoSpirit Society of Denver, invited leaders from the U.S. and Canadian two-spirit groups to attend this historical event. As co-directors of the Two-Spirited People of Manitoba Inc., we were honoured to be invited and made the journey to the Mile High City.

The tradition of bringing Aboriginal and Native American/Alaska Native GLBT people together began in 1988 with the The Basket and the Bow: A Gathering of Lesbian & Gay Native Americans event in Minneapolis. Eleven delegates from Winnipeg attended this inaugural event, which was captured in Mona Smith’s 1990 video, Honoured by the Moon.

Some of the nations that span the border are the Mi’kmak, Mohawk, Cree, Lakota, Siksika, Ojibwe, Blackfeet, Interior Salish, and Nun-cha-nulth. Indigenous GLBT people have been segregated by the Canada-U.S. border since the mid-1800s so this formal uniting of nations was deeply felt.

On September 16-17, Donna and I joined 80 other delegates in the Skybox at the Hotel VQ, which is located next to the Invesco Field Football Stadium. The Cheyenne, Crow and Navajo nations were also represented. The workshop topics included decolonization, traditional/contemporary leaders, youth leadership, and non-profit grant writing.

The summit began with a pipe ceremony at a local native American community centre.

Ironically, the centre was a former Lutheran church and we gathered in the empty nave (the pews had been removed). We sat in a circle on the floor and four pipe leaders smoked their pipes as the sun set that evening.

The ceremony mirrored the purpose and spirit of the leadership summit. Our presence in the former church demonstrated that,

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outwords, february 2012 // www.outwords.ca

despite being made invisible during the 300 years of European colonization, we had survived and we were taking our rightful place.

The settlers who had built the church were long gone and it was the two spirit people who created the Sacred Circle and prayed in this time and place.

Our teachings, traditions and spiritual beliefs had also survived and much of this knowledge had been passed on to and retained by two spirit people. The challenges continue some of the U.S. delegates spoke about being threatened and shot at by homophobes in rural areas. Despite this, the inclusion of two spirit people in human rights discourse and legislation increases.

In Canada, the Canadian Human Rights Act became applicable in First Nations communities on June 19, 2011. Two-spirit people are now able to make complaints to the Canadian Human Rights Commission if they have experienced discrimination because of their sexual orientation. On October 24, John Yellow Bird Steele, chairman of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, issued a proclamation in support of two spirit dignity and human rights.

The annual international two-spirit gatherings continue; the 24th gathering will be held this fall near Washington, D.C. The chosen theme, Reclaiming Our Place in the Sacred Circle, is a call for two-spirit people to establish themselves in meaningful ways in their communities and among their political leadership. After 24 years of community building and the development of more than 28 two spirit groups across North America there is a move to empower the next generation of two spirit activists and leaders. I believe the two spirit leadership summit was an outcome of this process.

– Albert McLeod is co-director of Two-Spirited People of Manitoba Inc.

Two-spirit people gather in Denver to learn from each other.

Two Spirit: a contemporary term embraced by many indigenous North American GLBT people. It is a term that bridges the present with the past; it recognizes the traditionally accepted GLBT roles and identities found found in most Aboriginal/Native American cultures.

“I believe in equality for all people. As an LGBTT Ally, I’m able to assist those in need, while raising awareness and breaking down barriers.”

Fabiola Flores-Snell

Administrative Assistant/Program & Curriculum Development

Embracing the Community Red River College’s LGBTT Initiative fosters the development of a safe campus environment, in which everyone has the chance to work, learn and access services in an inclusive, welcoming manner.

RRC’s Ally Project supports LGBTT staff, students and faculty by identifying campus Allies who can provide a safe and inclusive space.

For more information: Nora Sobel, LGBTT Initiative Staff Lead nsobel@rrc.mb.ca or 204-632-2404. www.rrc.ca/LGBTTInitiative

bY TRACY

LETTS

DIreCTeD bY robb paTersoN

sTarrING marTha heNrY

FEbRuARY 9 – MARCh 3

MARCh 8 – 24

“When I was given a mind that questioned everything, why wasn’t I given a spirit that feared nothing?” – FraNCIs

“Flat-out, no asterisks and without qualifications, the most exciting new American play Broadway has seen in years” – New York TImes

when Francis beynon joins her sister in the big city, she meets Nellie mcClung and joins the Votes for women movement. soon, Francis is caught between those close to her and her political beliefs. powerful and poignant, this manitoba story will leave you looking at a volatile time in our history in a whole new way.

ON SALE NOW!

with the westons, family time is blood sport. Leading the way through a minefield of dark secrets, repressed truths and emotional savagery is the pill-popping mommy dearest who stirs the toxic brew with perverse delight.

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204-942-6537 CLICK www.mtc.mb.ca CALL

Doowah Design Inc. Client: MTC Job no: 2564 Insertion: Outwords HIRSCH/HENDRY ad / CMYK / 7” x 9.5”

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WARNING Contains script-specific smoking of non-tobacco products, adult themes, mature content, strong language